JP2003348418A - Electronic magnifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic magnifier for permitting simple operations whereby anybody can readily observe a magnified image and photograph an object. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic magnifier for photographing an object comprises a main body formed to be a flat plate as a whole, and a grip extended in a rod shape in an extended direction of the flat shape so as to realize the electronic magnifier with ease of holding and ease of use. Further, the electronic magnifier has magnifying powers for magnifying/reducing an object image depending on an object distance in advance and sets each lens in matching with the magnifying powers to allow a user to observe a magnified image and to photograph the object with ease of using a conventional magnifier. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic magnifying glass used for observing a magnified image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, when an image of an observation object is recorded by scientific observation, details of the observation object are enlarged and sketched with a magnifying glass or a loupe.

Regarding the functions of the magnifying glass and loupe, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-14773 describes an electronic magnifier having an autofocus function, a zoom function, and the like. This electronic magnifier has a photographic lens and a C on the incident optical axis.
It has a CD and displays a subject image captured by the CCD on an image display unit. By electronically processing the subject image, it is possible to make the details of the observation object more visible.

However, this electronic magnifier has a taking lens, a CCD, an image processing unit, an image display unit, an eyepiece and the like housed in a cylindrical main body and is relatively large. Since the object image on the image display unit is confirmed, it is inferior in usability. Also, for example, when the observation object is moving, it is more convenient to take an image than to sketch, but this electronic magnifier has a problem that it does not have an imaging function.

Here, a digital camera which has been in the limelight in recent years can be cited as a camera having a zoom function like the above-described electronic magnifier and having a photographing function. Images taken with a digital camera can be confirmed on the spot, and can also be imported into a personal computer and edited. In recent years, most digital cameras have a variety of functions, such as a zoom mode and autofocus function, as well as a shooting mode selection function that changes shooting conditions according to the shooting scene (night view, landscape, sports, etc.). In general, it is installed.

[0006]

However, as described above, a conventional digital camera is too large to be used for a slight recording such as recording an image of a subject instead of a sketch. When shooting,
When switching the shooting mode or zoom, or checking the shot image, the operation is very complicated, such as setting the shot image to be displayed on the display screen, and it is difficult to say that it can be used easily by anyone There is.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic magnifying glass that is simple in operation and can be used easily by anyone.

[0008]

The electronic magnifying glass of the present invention that achieves the above object is obtained by an imaging unit that forms an image of a subject to obtain image data, and an imaging unit that extends so as to cover the back surface of the imaging unit. A display unit for displaying an image based on the image data obtained, and a main body part formed in a flat plate shape as a whole, and extending from the main body part in a bar shape in the direction of extending the flat plate shape of the main body part. And a gripping unit having a photographing button for instructing recording of image data representing the displayed image.

According to the present invention, since it is possible to shoot while confirming an image based on the image data actually obtained by the image pickup unit on the display unit, a desired subject is not shown in the shot image. Hard to make mistakes.

In addition, since the display unit and the gripping unit form a magnifying glass, it is very easy to hold compared to a conventional digital camera or the like and can be taken easily.

The electronic magnifying glass of the present invention further includes a magnification adjusting means for measuring the distance between the main body and the subject and adjusting the magnification of the image displayed on the display unit according to the distance. preferable.

By providing the magnification adjusting means, it is possible to realize a zoom function as in a conventional digital camera or the like. Further, in the electronic magnifying glass of the present invention, it is not necessary for the photographer to switch the zoom as in the prior art, and the magnification is automatically adjusted when the electronic magnifying glass is moved to change the distance between the main body and the subject. . Therefore, according to the electronic magnifying glass of the present invention, it is possible to easily observe and take an enlarged image as if using a normal magnifying glass.

Further, in the electronic magnifying glass of the present invention, the gripping portion includes an output terminal for outputting a recording image to the outside at an end of the gripping portion on the side away from the main body portion.
Preferably, it has a flexible part in the vicinity of the end.

For example, by connecting the electronic magnifying glass of the present invention and a personal computer and outputting a recording image to the personal computer, the image can be confirmed by many people. Further, by providing a flexible portion near the end of the output terminal, it is possible to prevent an accident in which the cable is disconnected or the output terminal is damaged.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an external view of the surface of an electronic magnifying glass to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

An electronic magnifying glass 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a body portion 11 that is circular in shape and formed in a flat plate shape, and a grip portion 12 that extends from the body portion 11 in a bar shape in a direction extending the plate shape. It consists of

On the front surface of the main body 11, a circuit (described later) for obtaining a subject image is provided on the back side. In addition, an external light transmission portion 21 that diffuses the transmitted external light on the back side of the main body portion 11 is provided. The main body 11 corresponds to an example of the main body in the electronic magnifying glass of the present invention, and the display unit 20 corresponds to an example of the display unit according to the present invention.

The gripping part 12 has a handle part 30 which is a handle when the photographer holds the electronic magnifying glass 10, a shutter button 31 which is pressed at the time of photographing, and a bellows-like shape, which can be bent vertically and horizontally. A unit 32 and a power button 33 for turning on the power are provided. The shutter button 31 is an example of a photographing button according to the present invention, and the flexible portion 32 is an example of a flexible portion in the electronic magnifying glass of the present invention. Moreover, the holding part 12 corresponds to an example of a holding part in the electronic magnifying glass of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the tip of the electronic magnifying glass 10 on the gripping part 12 side.

An output terminal 34 for sending subject image data representing a subject image to an external device such as a personal computer is provided at the end of the grip 12.
The output terminal 34 corresponds to an example of an output terminal in the electronic magnifying glass of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the back surface of the electronic magnifying glass 10.

On the back surface of the main body 11, a photographing lens 22 that passes the subject light through the inside of the main body 11, and infrared light for ranging are projected toward the subject, and the infrared light is reflected by the subject. Distance sensor 2 that receives the reflected light that has returned and measures the distance to the subject (hereinafter, this distance is referred to as the subject distance).
3 is provided. In the present embodiment, three distance measuring sensors are provided, and the closest subject distance measured by each distance measuring sensor is adopted as the subject distance L at the time of photographing.

Here, the internal structure of the main body 11 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the electronic magnifying glass 10 with the line A-- in FIG.
It is sectional drawing when cut | disconnecting in the surface which passes along A. FIG.

The main body 11 of the electronic magnifying glass 10 is covered with the display unit 20, the external light transmitting unit 21, the photographing lens 22, and the distance measuring sensor 23 described with reference to FIGS.
Lens control unit 2 that controls the lens position of the lens group 25
4. a lens group 25 including a focus lens that focuses on the subject and a zoom lens that adjusts the focal length, a CCD that is an imaging device, an imaging unit 26 that forms an image of the subject on the CCD and obtains a subject image signal; A reflecting mirror 27 is provided so as to reflect the subject light incident from the photographing lens 22 in the direction of the lens group 25 and the imaging unit 26 without changing the size. This imaging unit 26
Corresponds to an example of an imaging unit according to the present invention. Here, a method of obtaining a photographed image with the configuration of the electronic magnifying glass 10 shown in FIG. 4 will be described later together with a photographing method using the electronic magnifying glass 10.

The electronic magnifying glass 10 is basically configured as described above.

Next, the internal structure of the electronic magnifying glass 10 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the electronic magnifying glass 10 of this embodiment.

The electronic magnifying glass 10 includes a CPU 100, a lens driving circuit 110, a focus lens 111, a zoom lens 112, a timing generator 120, and a CCD 1.
21, shutter drive circuit 130, aperture / shutter 13
1. Image processing circuit 140, photometry circuit 150, distance measurement circuit 1
60, display circuit 170, shutter switch 180
In addition, a recording medium 200 and an external device 300 are connected.

The CPU 100 calculates the aperture amount and shutter speed, calculates the lens positions of the focus lens 111 and the zoom lens 112, and gives operation instructions to the components shown in FIG. The instructions here include a focus lens position for setting the focus lens 111 with respect to the lens driving circuit 110, a zoom lens position for setting the zoom lens 112, and a timing generator 12.
An instruction to turn off the electronic shutter for 0, aperture information and shutter speed to the shutter drive circuit 130, an instruction to perform photometry to the photometry circuit 150, and an instruction to start ranging to the distance measurement circuit 160. These instructions will be explained together with the shooting method. The subject image signal that is an analog signal sent from the CCD 121 is sent to the image processing circuit 140, and the subject image data that is a digital signal sent from the image processing circuit 140 is sent to the display circuit 170 and the external device 300. Furthermore, photographed image data representing a photographed image photographed by pressing the shutter button 31 in FIG. 1 is sent to the recording medium 200. CPU10
0 corresponds to the lens control unit 24 in FIG.

When instructed by the CPU 100 to the focus lens position and the zoom lens position, the lens driving circuit 110 drives a motor attached to each lens.
The focus lens 111 and the zoom lens 112 are set at each instructed lens position. Lens drive circuit 11
0, focus lens 111, and zoom lens 11
2 corresponds to the lens group 25 shown in FIG.

The timing generator 120 is a CPU.
The electronic shutter is opened and closed according to instructions from 100,
The timing for receiving the subject light by the CCD 121 which is an image sensor is created. A subject image signal generated by receiving subject light is sent from the CCD 121 to the CPU 100. The timing generator 120 and the CCD 121 are shown in FIG.
It corresponds to the imaging unit 26 of.

The shutter driving circuit 130 is a CPU 100.
The aperture / shutter 131 is turned off by driving the motor attached to the aperture / shutter 131 in accordance with the aperture information received from the shutter and the shutter speed.

The image processing circuit 140 samples the subject image signal sent from the CPU 100 and adjusts the gain of the subject image signal to generate subject image data which is a digital signal. The generated subject image data is sent to the CPU 100.

The photometry circuit 150 measures the brightness of the shooting location in accordance with an operation instruction from the CPU 100. The photometric result is sent to the CPU 100.

When receiving an operation instruction from the CPU 100, the distance measuring circuit 160 projects infrared light in the direction of the subject from each distance measuring sensor 23 in FIG. 3, and receives reflected light reflected by the subject. Further, the subject distance, which is distance information to the subject, is calculated from the position where the reflected light is received. Each distance measuring sensor 2
The subject distance calculated in 3 is sent to the CPU 100.

The display circuit 170 displays the subject image data sent from the CPU 100 on the display unit 20 in FIG.

The shutter switch 180 is switched on when the shutter button 31 in FIG.
To 0, shutter information indicating that the shutter has been pressed is transmitted.

The recording medium 200 is a storage medium loaded in the electronic magnifying glass 10. When the shutter switch 180 is turned on, the subject is photographed, and photographed image data is sent from the CPU 100 to the storage medium 200. The captured image data is recorded in the storage medium 200.

The external device 300 corresponds to a personal computer or the like, and subject image data is sent from the CPU 100 through a cable connected to the output terminal 34 shown in FIG.

Here, the electronic magnifying glass 10 of this embodiment is characterized by its shape and photographing method. Hereinafter, a photographing method for photographing a subject using the electronic magnifying glass 10 of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a photographing procedure for photographing a subject using the electronic magnifying glass 10. Hereinafter, this flowchart will be described.

First, the photographer grasps the electronic magnifying glass holding portion 30 shown in FIG.
Is turned on (step (a) in FIG. 6).

Next, the photographing lens 22 shown in FIG. 2 is directed toward the subject.

FIG. 7 is a view in which the taking lens 22 is directed to the subject (flower).

As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic magnifying glass 1 of the present invention
0 is provided with a grip 30 and is very easy to hold compared to a conventional digital camera or the like.

When the electronic magnifying glass 10 is turned on, the CPU 100 shown in FIG. 5 sends a distance measurement start instruction to the distance measurement circuit 160 every predetermined time. Upon receiving the instruction, the distance measuring circuit 160 calculates a subject distance, which is a distance to the subject, using the three distance measuring sensors 23 shown in FIGS. Each subject distance calculated by the three distance measuring sensors is C
It is sent to the PU 100 (step (b) in FIG. 6).

Similarly to the distance measuring circuit 160, the CPU 1
00 sends an instruction to perform photometry to the photometry circuit 150 every predetermined time. Upon receiving the instruction, the photometry circuit 150 measures the brightness of the shooting location and sends the photometry result to the CPU 100 (step (c) in FIG. 6).

Upon receiving the photometric result, the CPU 100 calculates aperture information and shutter speed based on the photometric result.

Further, the CPU 100 has a distance measuring circuit 160.
6 is calculated from the three subject distances received from, and the subject distance at that time is employed as the actual subject distance L (step (d) in FIG. 6). ). This time, it is assumed that the subject distance L is L = 1. The CPU 100 stores in advance the correspondence between the subject distance L and the zoom magnification Z for enlarging and reducing the captured image. In the present embodiment, when L = a, the zoom magnification Z = 1 × (no zooming is performed and the subject light is photographed as it is), L = b
In this case, it is assumed that Z = 2 times (shooting so that a desired subject is photographed with a size twice as large as when L = a).
The CPU 100 obtains the zoom magnification Z = 1z when L = 1, and calculates the focus lens position of the focus lens 111 and the zoom lens position of the zoom lens 112 for shooting at the zoom magnification Z = 1z. These lens positions are transmitted to the lens driving circuit 110 (step (e) in FIG. 6). This zoom magnification Z is an example of the magnification according to the present invention.

Upon receiving the focus lens position and the zoom lens position, the lens driving circuit 110 sets the focus lens 111 and the zoom lens 112 to the respective lens positions (step (f) in FIG. 6). CPU10
0, the distance measuring circuit 160, the lens driving circuit 110, the focus lens 111, and the zoom lens 112 correspond to an example of a magnification adjusting unit in the electronic magnifying glass of the present invention.

When each lens is set, generation of subject image data is started.

The subject light incident on the inside of the electronic magnifying glass 10 through the photographing lens 22 of FIG. 4 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 22, passes through the lens group 25, and is shown in FIG.
Light is received at D121. The CCD 121 receives subject light to obtain a subject image signal that is an analog signal, and sends the subject image signal to the CPU 100.

The CPU 100 sends the subject image signal sent from the CCD 121 to the image processing device 140. The image processing circuit 140 converts the subject image signal into subject image data that is a digital signal, and converts the subject image data into the CPU 1.
00 (step (g) in FIG. 6).

The CPU 100 sends subject image data to the display circuit 170. The display circuit 170 displays the subject image represented by the subject image data on the display unit 20 in FIG. 1 (FIG. 6).
Step (h)).

FIG. 8 shows the subject image displayed on the display unit 20 when the subject distance L = 1.

The photographer confirms the subject image displayed on the display unit 20 and takes a picture of the subject a little larger.
The electronic magnifying glass 10 is brought close to the subject.

Step (i) in the flowchart of FIG.
, Since no external device is connected to the electronic magnifying glass 10, the process proceeds to step (k). In step (k), since the shutter button 31 is not pressed, the process returns to step (b) in the flowchart.

When the photographer takes the subject distance shown in FIG.
Assume that the electronic magnifying glass 10 is brought close to the position. In the same manner as described above, in step (b), the subject distance is measured by the three distance measuring sensors 23 of FIG. 3, and in step (c), the brightness of the shooting location is measured.

In step (d), the subject distance L = 1/2
Is calculated, and a zoom magnification Z corresponding to L = 1/2 is acquired. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the zoom magnification Z corresponding to L = 1/2 is Z = 2 × lz, which is twice Z = 1z corresponding to L = 1. Furthermore, zoom magnification Z
A focus lens position and a zoom lens position that realize = 2 × lz are calculated.

Further, each lens is set at the calculated zoom lens position and focus lens position (step (f)), and subject image data is generated based on the subject light received by the CCD 121 (step (g)). .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a subject image displayed on the display unit 20 when the subject distance L = 1/2.

The subject image data displayed on the display unit 20 (step (h)) is twice as large as the subject image shown in FIG. Thus, according to the electronic magnifying glass 10 of this embodiment, it is not necessary to set the zoom magnification, and the zoom function can be realized by moving the electronic magnifying glass 10 like a normal magnifying glass.

Here, in order to confirm the subject image by many people, the subject image is displayed on the external device 300 (personal computer or the like) (step (i)).

A cable is connected to the output terminal 34 shown in FIG. 2, and subject image data representing the subject image is output to the external device 300. By outputting the subject image data to the external apparatus 300, the external apparatus 300 can display the subject image, which is convenient when, for example, many people confirm the subject image.

FIG. 10 shows an output terminal 34 of the electronic magnifying glass 10.
It is the figure which connected the cable.

As shown in FIG. 10, the electronic magnifying glass 10 of this embodiment is provided with a flexible portion 32. Since the flexible portion 32 bends up, down, left and right, the output terminal 34 and the cable are always straight. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an accident that the cable is disconnected or the output terminal 34 is damaged.

After confirming the subject image, the subject position L =
The subject is photographed at l / 2 (step (k) in FIG. 6).

After confirming the subject image, the photographer takes a picture in order to record the subject image on the recording medium 200. In order to perform photographing, the shutter button 3 shown in FIG.
Press 1.

When the shutter button 31 is pressed, the shutter switch 180 in FIG. 5 is turned on, and shutter information indicating that the shutter button 31 has been pressed is sent to the CPU 100. The CPU 100 sends the shutter speed and aperture information calculated in step (c) to the shutter drive circuit 130, and the shutter drive circuit 130 turns off the aperture / shutter 131 according to the shutter speed and aperture information.

When the aperture / shutter 131 is turned off, the CCD 12 is operated in the same manner as when subject image data is generated.
The captured image signal based on the subject light received at 1 is a CPU.
The photographed image signal is sent to the image processing circuit 140 to generate photographed image data (step (l) in FIG. 6). The captured image data is sent to the CPU 110,
Further, it is sent from the CPU 100 to the recording medium 200 (step (m) in FIG. 6). The captured image data sent to the recording medium 200 is recorded on the recording medium 200.

As described above, according to the electronic magnifying glass of this embodiment, the electronic magnifying glass 10 is moved to change the subject distance, and when the subject image of a desired size is displayed on the display unit 20, the shutter button 31 is simply pressed. Thus, the photographed image of the subject can be recorded on the recording medium.

This is the end of the description of the procedure for photographing a subject with the electronic magnifying glass 10 of this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the example in which the CCD is used as the image pickup device included in the image pickup unit has been described. However, for example, a CMOS may be used.

In this embodiment, the main body has a circular shape, but the main body may have a flat plate shape as a whole.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic magnifying glass which is simple to operate and allows anyone to easily observe a magnified image and to shoot a subject.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of the surface of an electronic magnifying glass to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the tip of the electronic magnifying glass 10 on the gripping part 12 side.

3 is an external view of the back surface of the electronic magnifying glass 10. FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic magnifying glass 10 cut along a plane passing through line AA in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the electronic magnifying glass 10 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a photographing procedure for photographing a subject using the electronic magnifying glass 10;

FIG. 7 is a diagram in which a photographic lens 22 is directed toward a subject (flower).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a subject image displayed on the display unit 20 when the subject distance L = 1.

9 is a diagram showing a subject image displayed on the display unit 20 when the subject distance L = 1/2. FIG.

10 is a diagram in which a cable is connected to the output terminal 34 of the electronic magnifying glass 10. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Electronic magnifying glass 11 Body 12 Handle part 20 Display section 21 External light transmission part 22 Photography lens 23 Ranging sensor 24 Lens control unit 25 lens group 26 Imaging unit 27 Reflector 30 gripping part 31 Shutter button 32 Flexible part 33 Power button 34 Output terminal 100 CPU 110 Lens drive circuit 111 Focus lens 112 Zoom lens 120 Timing generator 121 CCD 130 Shutter drive circuit 131 Shutter combined with shutter 140 Image processing circuit 150 Photometric circuit 160 Ranging circuit 170 Display circuit 180 Shutter switch 200 recording media 300 External device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme code (reference) G03B 17/56 G03B 17/56 C H04N 5/232 H04N 5/232 J 7/18 7/18 U // H04N 101: 00 101: 00 F-term (reference) 2H100 AA11 AA12 AA14 AA31 AA32 BB05 BB06 BB09 CC01 CC07 2H102 AA41 BB08 CA01 CA03 2H105 AA34 AA35 AA41 AA42 AA44 AA46 CC00 5C022 AA13 AB66 AC01 AC69 AC02 5 GD03

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An imaging unit that obtains image data by forming a subject image, and a display unit that displays an image based on the image data obtained by the imaging unit, which is spread so as to cover the back surface of the imaging unit. A main body portion that is formed in a flat plate shape, and extends from the main body portion in a bar shape in the direction of extending the flat plate shape of the main body portion, and records image data representing an image displayed on the display portion. An electronic magnifying glass comprising a gripping part having a photographing button for instructing. 2. A scale adjusting unit for measuring a distance between the main body and the subject and adjusting a magnification of the image displayed on the display unit with respect to the subject according to the distance. Item 1. An electronic magnifying glass according to Item 1. 3. The gripping portion includes an output terminal for outputting a recording image to the outside at an end of the gripping portion away from the main body, and has a flexible portion in the vicinity of the end. The electronic magnifying glass according to claim 1, wherein: