JP2005184504A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera using a variety of recording media, and further easily and securely coping with a recording medium of a new standard expected in future. <P>SOLUTION: The camera includes: a grip unit 1; an exemplary first camera body 9 in a camera unit group 8; a lens unit 21, 22 or 23 in a lens unit group 20; and a memory unit 27, 28 or 29 in a memory unit group 26, in which the above units are detachably combined. The grip unit 1 includes: grip portion 2; release button 3; set dial 4; display device 5; and rotating shaft 7 rotatably connecting other operation devices with a camera body 9. A CPU and a removable battery are disposed on an internal substrate. The first camera body 9 includes: built-in stroboscope 12; strap hole 14; standard lens 19; optical finder 17; and an engagement recess 18 for combining with the grip unit 1. The memory unit 27 is existent for each recording medium of different type, which is flexibly combined with the back face of the first camera body 9. Further, the memory unit 27 sufficiently copes with the future advent of a recording medium of a new standard. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera that can support a plurality of image recording media.

  Conventionally, in a silver halide camera using a silver salt film in a camera, the recording performance (number of sheets) of the film to be used is selected and used according to the shooting situation such as 12 sheets, 24 sheets, and 32 sheets. However, in the digital camera, instead of the fact that the image sensor corresponding to the silver salt film is built in the camera body and cannot be replaced, a recording medium for recording the captured image data is recorded on the same type of standard. For example, a medium having a recording capacity different from 16M (abbreviation of megabyte), 32M, 64M, 128M, etc., can be selected and replaced with a camera for use.

  There are a plurality of types of recording media for such digital cameras, such as a smart card (registered trademark), a CF (compact flash) card (registered trademark), a memory stick (registered trademark), and an SD card. (Secure Digital) Memory cards (registered trademark) and other types.

  In general, there are many cases where the standard of the recording medium used by attaching to the camera differs depending on the manufacturer of the camera, and all of the above-mentioned multiple types of standards are not compatible with each other. However, there is an inconvenience that a recording medium having a different standard from the recording medium for the camera itself cannot be used.

Therefore, a camera that can use two types of recording media has been proposed in order to eliminate such inconvenience. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-078134 ([Summary], FIG. 1)

  However, since the camera of Patent Document 1 is provided with two connectors so that two types of recording media with different standards can be attached to the camera body, the connector for the recording medium is less than that of a normal camera configuration. One extra camera is built in, and there is a problem that the camera body is larger than a normal camera that supports one type of recording medium.

  In addition, when trying to support all the existing recording media for digital cameras, for example, when trying to support all of the above-mentioned four types of recording media, all the corresponding connectors are built into the camera, so the camera Is too big to be realistic. In addition to the size, it is fully expected that the usability will deteriorate.

Furthermore, the method of incorporating a connector for a recording medium in the camera as described above cannot cope with a recording medium of a new standard that is sufficiently expected to appear in the future.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can use various recording media and can easily and reliably cope with recording media of new standards expected in the future in view of the above-described conventional situation.

The configuration of the camera according to the present invention will be described below.
The camera of the present invention is provided with an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and outputs an image signal, a camera body having a recording unit that records the image signal on a recording medium, and a number corresponding to a plurality of specifications of the recording medium. A memory unit configured to hold the corresponding recording medium in a detachable manner and be exchangeably attached to the camera body.

  The memory unit is configured to be disposed, for example, on the back surface of the camera body, and includes a display unit that displays information about the recording capacity usage state of the recording medium, for example. The memory unit is configured to be attached so as to cover the back surface of the main body. For example, the both side surfaces and the bottom surface of the memory unit are arranged so as to be continuous with the both side surfaces and the bottom surface of the back surface of the camera body. Is done.

Further, the memory unit is configured to include, for example, a recording medium attachment / detachment opening on the bottom surface, and, for example, a recording medium attachment / detachment opening to a surface shielded when the camera body is mounted. .
For example, the camera body is configured to have a view-type finder on an upper part of the back where the memory unit is attached.

  The configuration of the camera of the present invention can also be applied to information equipment. That is, an information apparatus main body having an imaging unit that captures a subject image and outputs an image signal, a recording unit that records the image signal on a recording medium, and a number corresponding to a plurality of specifications of the recording medium are provided. It can be configured as an information device having at least a memory unit that detachably holds a recording medium and is configured to be exchangeably attached to the information device main body.

  Further, the memory unit in the camera of the present invention has a camera body having an imaging means for taking a subject image and outputting an image signal, and a recording means for recording the image signal on a recording medium, and detachably holding the recording medium. A plurality of types of memory units prepared in accordance with recording media, and a memory that is selectively attached to the camera body from among the plurality of prepared memory units. One of the units.

  According to the present invention, it is convenient to use recording media of various standards without changing the size of the entire camera by exchanging the memory unit, and it is convenient to form a connection portion between the memory unit and the camera body. Because there is a sense of unity, it is convenient to use without feeling uncomfortable.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIGS. 1A to 1D are external views showing the configuration of a basic system of a unitized camera according to the present invention. Figure (a) shows the front view of the grip unit on the left and the camera unit group and external flash unit on the right, (b) is a top view of them, and (c) is a top view of the lens unit group. FIG. 4D shows a front view (back view as a camera) of the memory unit group.

  As shown on the left of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the grip unit 1 includes a wide grip portion 2 that covers a part of the rear surface, a side portion on the outside (left side in the figure), and a lower surface of the front portion, which will be described in detail later. A release button 3 and a setting dial 4 are disposed in front of the upper part. Further, a display device 5 comprising an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is disposed at the upper rear of the grip unit 1, and a mode dial 6 is disposed on the lower surface (upward in the drawing). In addition, a rotating shaft 7 projects in the lateral direction slightly above the center of the inner side (right side in the figure) of the grip unit 1.

  As shown on the right side of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the camera unit group 8 is composed of two camera bodies (first camera body 9 and second camera body 11) having different functions. The Of course, the number of camera bodies of the camera unit group 8 is not limited to two and may be three or more. As described above, in the camera of the present invention, when the camera body is replaced, the imaging system can be replaced as shown below.

  That is, first, the first camera body 9 is a single-lens reflex unit, includes a pop-up type built-in strobe 12, and can be assembled with an external strobe unit 13 according to the photographing situation. The first camera body 9 has two strap holes 14 on both sides, and a shoulder strap 15 is attached to the two strap holes 14.

  On the upper surface of the first camera body 9, there is formed a strobe engaging portion 16 for assembling the external strobe unit 13 behind the above-mentioned built-in strobe 12 (upward in the drawing). Further, an optical viewfinder 17 is disposed on the rear surface (upper surface in the figure) above (front side in the figure) of the first camera body 9, and in the center of the side surface on the inner side (left side in the figure) An engaging recess 18 described later is formed.

  In the first camera body 9, after the standard lens 19 is removed, the lens units 21, 22, or 23 of the lens unit group 20 shown in FIG. Each lens unit 21, 22, or 23 is, for example, a wide-angle lens, a long-distance telephoto lens, and a medium-distance telephoto lens.

Note that the configuration of these lens unit groups is not limited to the above configuration, and any type of lens unit may be used as long as it has different functions, such as a super telephoto lens and a fisheye lens. It is.
Next, the second camera body 11 of the camera unit group 8 is a small-sized camera body unit for snapshots, and has a fixed dedicated strobe 24 at the top, and occupies the inner side (left side in the figure) side. An engagement recess 25 similar to the engagement recess 18 of the first camera body 9 is formed.

As described above, in taking a snapshot, the camera body unit to be combined with the grip unit 1 can be replaced with the small camera body unit 11 which is a photographing system dedicated to the snapshot, so that the snap photography can be performed easily and quickly. .
It should be noted that the first camera body 9 and the second camera body 11 are integrated with the grip unit 1 exclusively via the rotating shaft 7 of the grip unit 1 by the engaging recesses 18 or 25, respectively. It is configured.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, the memory unit group 26 is composed of a plurality of memory units (three memory units 27, 28, and 29 in the example shown in FIG. 4D). Different recording media are detachably attached to these memory units. That is, some are memory units to which a Memory Stick (registered trademark) is attached, some are memory units to which an SD (Secure Digital) memory card (registered trademark) is attached, and some are compact flash (registered) A memory unit to which a trademark is attached.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a camera formed by combining the grip unit 1 and the first camera body 9, and FIG. 2B is a rear view thereof. In FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the same components as those in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are given the same numbers as those in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). .
The configuration of the camera shown in FIG. 2A viewed from the front is the same as the configuration of the grip unit 1 and the first camera body 9 shown in FIG. The configuration of the camera rear surface shown in FIG. 2 (b) is that the grip unit 1 arranged on the right side in FIG. 2 (b) has an eject button 31 disposed on the upper left corner of the unit, which is to the left of the mode dial 6, and the right hand A cross button 32 and two setting buttons 33 are disposed in the left empty area of the grip portion 2 held by the belly of the thumb.

  As described above, the grip unit 1 can display various operation buttons such as the release button 3, the setting dial 4, the mode dial 6, the cross button 32, the setting button 33, and the captured image such as the operation dial and the display device 5. Since the display device, that is, a portion corresponding to a general-purpose function as a camera is provided, different types of camera bodies 9 (or 11, which are the same hereinafter) having only a photographing function can be detachably attached to the grip unit 1. In addition to selecting the camera body according to the shooting situation, the grip unit 1 can be used as before, and the camera body version upgrade such as replacement of the camera body 9 equipped with the latest image sensor can be dealt with. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), various operation buttons and operation dials for photographing operation of the camera body 9 are arranged at the lower part of the display device 5, so that the grip unit 1 is held in a state where it is gripped. The display surface of the display device 5 is not hidden by the finger, and the display can always be confirmed.

  In addition, since the cross button 32 of the four-direction selection button is provided at the lower position on the back side of the grip unit 1 which is an empty space where the left finger of the grip portion 2 gripped by the base of the thumb of the right hand does not hit. It is very convenient because the empty space is effectively used and the cross button 32 can be operated with the same right hand when the grip portion 2 is held.

  On the other hand, in the first camera body 9 arranged on the left side as shown in FIG. 2 (b) in the same configuration as seen from the back, the camera body 9 shown in FIG. One of the memory units 27, 28, or 29 in the memory unit group 26 is attached integrally with the camera body 9.

  The memory unit 27 (or 28 or 29, the same applies hereinafter) is provided with an unlock button 34 on each side, and an information display unit 35 mainly for photographing, which is an LCD at the center of the back. The information display unit 35 is provided with a shutter speed / aperture display area 36, a shootable number display area 37, a remaining battery bar display area 38, and a remaining memory bar display area 39. Below the information display portion 35, a memory name 41 corresponding to the memory unit 27 is displayed by printing or the like.

  FIG. 3 (a) is a top view of the camera, and FIG. 3 (b) is a view showing FIG. 2 (a) for comparison with the top view. However, in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the first camera body 9 is shown in FIG. 1 (c) instead of the standard lens 19 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 2 (a). The state where the lens unit 22 in the lens unit group 20 is mounted is shown. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the same components as those in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b).

4 (a) is a side view seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 (b), and FIG. 4 (b) is a side view seen in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3 (b). 4 (a) and 4 (b), the same components as those in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). Yes.
As shown in FIG. 4 (a), five shooting condition buttons 42 are arranged on the upper part of the outer side surface of the camera body 9, which is the side surface opposite to the grip unit 1. In addition, two setting buttons 43 are provided on the upper portion of the outer side surface of the grip unit 1 which is the opposite side surface to the camera body 9.

  In the above-described configuration, the camera has a grip unit 1 and a camera body 9 in which the rotating shaft of the grip unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 (a), 1 (b) to 3 (a), 3 (b). 7 and the engaging recess 18 of the camera body 9 are configured to be rotatable by 90 degrees in the directions of arrows C and C ′ from the reference use state position shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

This makes it possible to easily shoot from various angles such as a low angle and a high angle by appropriately rotating the camera body 9 without changing how to hold the grip unit 1.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the display device 5 is arranged above the grip unit 1 so that the display surface faces the back direction, so that it can be photographed at various angles as described above. Regardless of how the camera body 9 is rotated with respect to the grip unit 1, the photographer can check the display on the display device 5 in the same posture.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the grip unit 1 is rotated by 90 ° from the reference use state position indicated by the broken line 1 ′ in the forward direction of the camera body 9 as indicated by the arrow C in the figure, with the rotation center 44 as a fulcrum. FIG. This state is a diagram showing a portable state when not in use. In this state, the grip 1 is convenient for carrying because the outer shape of the grip 1 is located at a position that does not exceed the rear projecting end Q and the bottom projecting end P of the camera body 9.

  Such forward rotation of the camera body 9 can be fixed at three positions at regular intervals, that is, every 30 °, from the reference use state position indicated by the broken line 1 ′ to the portable state position indicated by the solid line. it can. As a result, various (three types in this example) high-angle shooting can be performed while maintaining the grip unit 1 without changing the way it is held.

  On the contrary, the grip unit 1 can be rotated up to 90 ° in the rear direction of the camera body 9 from the reference use state position indicated by the broken line 1 ′, although not particularly shown. Also in this case, the backward rotation of the camera body 9 can be fixed every 30 ° at regular intervals from the reference use state position indicated by the broken line 1 ′ to 90 ° in the backward direction.

  As a result, various (three types in this example) low-angle shooting can be performed from diagonally above to directly above, while maintaining the grip unit 1 without changing the way it is held. In this state, it is preferable for the user to take a picture of a flower in his / her foot, for example, by bending the upper body forward and holding the camera low.

Further, the rotation axis of the rotation center 44 is arranged so as to intersect with the optical axis of the camera body (camera body 9 in the illustrated example) attached to the grip unit 1. This is of course the same for the camera body 11.
Thus, even if the camera body 9 is rotated with respect to the camera grip 1 and the shooting angle is changed, the change of the shooting direction is a change seen from the gripping position, so the photographer turns the eye position as it is and looks at it. Shooting can be continued without any sense of incongruity.

  6 (a) and 6 (b) are perspective views showing the rotational engagement portions of the camera grip 1 and the camera body 9. FIG. Note that the same components as those described in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the newly shown portions in the camera body 9 in FIG. 6 (a) are a female engagement claw 45, a convex contact 46, For reference, a rotation center Tp that is not visible to the eye is shown in the center of the engagement recess 18.

  The newly shown part of the camera grip 1 shown in FIG. 6 (b) is that the rotating shaft 7 is divided into a rotating cylinder 7a and an engaging and fixing cylinder 7b, and that the engaging and fixing cylinder 7b is related to the above. A male engaging claw 47 corresponding to the female engaging claw 45 provided on the engaging surface 7c facing the bottom surface of the engaging concave portion 18 when engaged with the mating concave portion 18 and a flat corresponding to the convex contact 46. Contact 48. For reference, the rotation shaft 7 has a rotation center axis Ts that cannot be seen by the rotation center 44 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 (a) is an enlarged view of the engagement recess 18 of the camera body 9 shown in FIG. 6 (a), and FIG. 7 (b) shows the rotation of the camera grip 1 shown in FIG. 6 (b). FIG. 7 (c) is an exploded perspective view of the moving shaft 7 and its related parts, as viewed from the opposite side of FIG. 7 (b) (in the diagonally upper right direction of FIG. 7 (b)).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the engagement recess 18 of the camera body 9 is fixed to the bottom surface of the engagement recess 18 in addition to the female engagement pawl 45 and the convex contact 46 described above. A plate-like cam 51 erected obliquely with respect to the inner peripheral surface thereof, and an engagement pin 52 that is urged from the inside to the outside by an urging member (not shown) and that can be moved forward and backward. .

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the engaging shaft 7b shown in FIG. 7B is engaged with the rotating shaft 7 (the rotating tube 7a and the engaging fixed tube 7b) of the other camera grip 1. In addition to the male engagement claw 47 and the flat contact 48 described above, the engagement pin 52 of the engagement recess 18 is advanced and locked to the surface 7c when the engagement fixing cylinder 7b and the engagement recess 18 are engaged. An engaging hole 53 is formed, and an external pin 54a that slides on the plate cam 51 is provided.

  The external pin 54a is integrated with an internal pin 54b projecting on the inner side of the engagement fixing cylinder 7b, and the longitudinal center portion thereof is held at the rotation free end of the rotation member 55. 54a is inserted into the arc-shaped elongated hole 56 along the rotation locus and protrudes to the outside as described above.

The rotating member 55 is rotatable with the support pin 57 as a fulcrum, whereby the external pin 54a moves from one end of the elongated hole 56 to the other end, and the internal pin 54b also moves in the vertical direction in the drawing accordingly. Move to.
When the engagement fixing cylinder 7b is detached from the engagement recess 18 as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the internal pin 54b is configured such that the rotating member 55 is moved by a biasing member (not shown). By being biased in the direction of the arrow d in the figure, it is positioned at the upper end portion of the long hole 55, contrary to the position of the lower end portion of the long hole 55 shown in FIG. As a result, the internal pin 54b also moves upward and is fitted into the notch groove 59 of the ring-shaped edge 58 of the rotating cylinder 7a. Therefore, when the engagement fixing cylinder 7b is detached from the engagement recess 18, the rotation cylinder 7a and the engagement fixing cylinder 7b are prohibited from rotating with each other.

The ring-shaped edge 58 of the engaging and fixing cylinder 7b is formed with an outer peripheral surface smaller than the outer peripheral surface of the engaging and fixing cylinder 7b so as to be located inward by the step 61 from the outer peripheral surface of the engaging and fixing cylinder 7b. Has been.
When the ring-shaped edge 58 is fitted in the engagement fixing cylinder 7b and the engagement fixing cylinder 7b and the rotating cylinder 7a are engaged with each other while being in contact with the inside of the ring-shaped edge 58, the engagement fixing cylinder A through hole 62 penetrating the rotating cylinder 7a is formed in a position that coincides with the engaging hole 53 on the 7b side in parallel to the axial direction of the rotating cylinder 7a. The EJ pin 63 is inserted into the through hole 62.

  Further, an outer opening 64a of the external fitting engagement cylinder 64 shown in FIG. 4C is formed at the center of the surface of the rotating cylinder 7a where the ring-shaped edge 58 is formed. A fitting engagement cylinder 65 protruding from the inside of the engagement fixing cylinder 7b is fitted into the outer opening 64a. A flexible wiring 66 connected to the flat contact 48 shown in FIG.

  The fitting engagement cylinder 65 is provided with screw holes 67 at two locations inside. The threaded hole 67 is clicked in such a state that the fitting engagement cylinder 65 is fitted into the outer fitting engagement cylinder 64 and the end opening surface thereof substantially coincides with the surface of the inner opening 64 b of the outer fitting engagement cylinder 64. The plate 68 is screwed by two screws 69 through the screw insertion hole 71.

The click plate 68 is provided with twelve click holes 72 formed at equal intervals along the circumference in the vicinity of the circumference. Further, two stoppers 73 are provided so as to project in the axial direction in the direction toward the fitting engagement cylinder 65 at two opposing positions on the circumferential portion.
Click balls 74 disposed at two opposing positions on the outer circumference of the inner opening 64 b of the outer fitting engagement cylinder 64 are click-fitted into the click hole 72 of the click plate 68.

  As a result, the rotating cylinder 7a is sandwiched between the engaging and fixing cylinder 7b and the click plate 68, and the internal pin 54b shown in FIG. When it is at a position deviated from the inner side of 59, it can rotate with respect to the engagement fixing cylinder 7b, and protrudes in a radial direction to a portion holding the click ball 74 at a rotation angle corresponding to the interval between the click holes 72. The inner circumferential convex portion 64 </ b> C (two locations) formed in this manner rotates while clicking until it comes into contact with the stopper 73.

  That is, this rotation range is a range until the two stoppers 73 provided at two opposing positions of the click plate 68 come into contact with the circumferential inner convex portion 64C of the rotation cylinder 7a from the opposite side, That is, it rotates within a range of 180 degrees. During this period, the number of click holes 72 into which one click ball 74 is click-inserted is six, and therefore, one click angle is 30 °. This rotation can also be seen when the engagement fixed cylinder 7b side rotates with respect to the rotation cylinder 7a.

In the rotating cylinder 7a, screw fixing portions 75 are formed at two opposing positions on the inner end (right side in the drawing) of the outer peripheral surface. By this screw fixing portion 75, the rotating cylinder 7a is screwed to the grip unit 1 main body.
Thereby, the grip unit 1 main body can be click-rotated with respect to the engagement fixed cylinder 7b (or the engagement fixed cylinder 7b with respect to the grip unit 1 main body).

  When the rotating cylinder 7a is screwed to the grip unit 1 main body as described above, the above-described EJ pin 63 disposed on the grip unit 1 main body side is inserted into the through hole 62. The EJ pin 63 is urged inward by the urging member 76 in the direction indicated by the arrow e in the figure, and the inner end of the EJ pin 63 is the lower end of the slope 78 formed at the lower end of the EJ lever 77. Abut. In this state, the tip of the outer end portion of the EJ pin 63 just comes into contact with the tip of the engagement pin 52 that fits into the engagement hole 53 of the engagement fixing cylinder 7 b from the engagement recess 18 of the camera body 9.

  The EJ lever 77 is supported by the main body side frame through a long hole 79 so as to engage with a support pin 81 disposed on the main body side frame and to be slidable up and down. An engaging claw 82 is formed on the EJ lever 77, and the eject button 31 shown in FIG. 6B is engaged with the engaging claw 82 inside the main body.

  The eject button 31 is slidably fitted in the button sliding groove 83, and is always positioned above the button sliding groove 83 as shown in FIG. 7 (b). When the user pushes down the eject button 31 in the eject direction indicated by the arrow f in the figure, the EJ lever 77 engaged with the eject button 31 is pushed downward, and the slope 78 of the EJ lever 77 descends accordingly. As a result, the EJ pin 63 slidably contacting the inclined surface 78 moves outward (leftward in the drawing) against the urging force of the urging member 76, and the tip of the outer end of the EJ pin 63 engages with the camera body 9. The engaging pin 52 fitted into the engaging hole 53 of the engaging fixed cylinder 7b is pushed out from the engaging hole 53 to the outside from the joint recess 18.

  FIGS. 8A to 8D are schematic views showing the separation and coupling operation of the rotating shaft 7 (the rotating cylinder 7 a and the engaging fixed cylinder 7 b) of the grip unit 1 and the engaging recess 18 of the camera body 9. It is sectional drawing. 8 (a) to 8 (d) show the same functional parts as those shown in FIGS. 7 (a), (b), and (c) in FIGS. 7 (a), (b), and (c). The same number as the number of a structure is given and shown. With reference to FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (d), the separating and coupling operation of the rotating shaft 7 and the engaging recess 18 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 (a), (b) and (c). .

FIG. 8 (a) shows a state where the engaging recess 18 and the rotating shaft 7 (the rotating cylinder 7a and the engaging fixed cylinder 7b) are separated. The engagement pin 52 of the engagement recess 18 is always urged in the direction of arrow g by an urging member (not shown).
In the other rotating shaft 7, the external pin 54a and the internal pin 54b are always urged upward by a rotating member 55 shown in FIG. 7 (b), as indicated by an arrow h in FIG. 8 (a). The internal pin 54b is inserted into the notch groove 59 of the ring-shaped edge 58 shown in FIG. 7B, thereby prohibiting the rotation of the rotating cylinder 7a and the engagement fixing cylinder 7b.

  The EJ lever 77 inside the grip unit 1 body is constantly urged upward by an urging member (not shown) as indicated by an arrow i in FIG. 8A, and the EJ pin 63 is urged in FIG. 7B. 8 is always urged in the right direction indicated by the arrow j in FIG. 8A, and the inner end is in contact with the lower end of the slope 78 of the EJ lever 77.

  Here, the user of the camera relatively turns the engaging and fixing cylinder 7b of the rotating shaft 7 counterclockwise in the engaging recess 18 of the camera body 9 shown in FIG. 8 (a). When it is turned in the direction (x direction in FIG. 7B), the male engagement claw 47 of the engagement fixing cylinder 7b shown in FIGS. Fit into the groove.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the upper peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the external pin 54a of the engagement fixing cylinder 7b comes into contact with the lower surface of the upper end portion of the plate-like cam 51 on the bottom surface of the engagement recess 18 and The tips of the 18 engagement pins 52 abut against the engagement surface 7c at a position slightly displaced from the engagement hole 53 of the engagement fixing cylinder 7b.
At the end of the rotation, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the tip of the engagement pin 52 of the engagement recess 18 is fitted into the engagement hole 53 of the engagement fixed cylinder 7b to position the engagement fixed cylinder 7b. . As a result, the prohibition of separation between the engagement fixing cylinder 7b and the engagement recess 18 is maintained, the distal end portion of the engagement pin 52 is fitted into the engagement hole 53, and the camera body 9 and the engagement fixation cylinder 7b are rotated. regulate.

  At the same time, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the external pin 54a of the engagement fixing cylinder 7b is pushed down to the lower surface of the lower end of the plate cam 51 while sliding on the lower surface of the plate cam 51. It moves to the lower end of the long hole 56 shown in (b). As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the internal pin 54b integrated with the external pin 54a is detached from the notch groove 59 and moved inward of the ring-shaped edge 58 shown in FIG. 7 (b). Then, the rotation prohibition between the engagement fixing cylinder 7b and the rotation cylinder 7a is released. Thereby, the rotation cylinder 7a, that is, the grip unit 1 can be rotated with respect to the engagement fixing cylinder 7b, that is, with respect to the engagement recess 18, that is, the camera body 9.

  On the other hand, when the camera body 9 is separated from the grip unit 1, the user of the camera depresses the eject button 31 shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and 7 (b). As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 (d), the EJ lever 77 is pushed downward as shown by the arrow k in the figure against the urging force of the urging member.

  In response to this, the slope 78 at the lower end of the EJ lever 77 is pushed downward, so that the entire front end of the EJ pin 63 is urged by the inner edge of the EJ pin 63 contacting the slope 78 while sliding on the slope 78. It is pushed to the left as shown by arrow m against the urging force of 76 (see FIG. 7 (b)). As a result, the engaging pin 52 pushed by the outer tip of the EJ pin 63 moves to the left as shown by the arrow n in the figure against the biasing force of the biasing member, and the outer tip is engaged and fixed. It disengages from the engagement hole 53 of the cylinder 7b.

  As a result, the positioning of the engagement fixing cylinder 7b with respect to the camera body 9 is released, and the engagement between the male engagement claw 47 of the engagement fixation cylinder 7b and the female engagement claw 45 of the engagement recess 18 can be released. By separating the mating and fixing cylinder 7b and the engaging recess 18 and maintaining that the outer end of the EJ pin 63 is fitted in the engaging hole 53 of the engaging and fixing cylinder 7b, that is, the eject button 31. By maintaining the depressed state, it is possible to prohibit the rotation of the engaging and fixing cylinder 7b with respect to the grip unit 1 via the rotating cylinder 7a. It can be rotated in the clockwise direction. That is, the grip unit 1 and the camera body 9 can be separated by releasing the engagement between the male engagement claw 47 and the female engagement claw 45. After the separation, the internal pin 54b is reinserted into the cutout groove 59, and the rotation prohibition of the rotating cylinder 7a and the engagement fixing cylinder 7b is maintained (FIG. 8 (a)).

Next, the separation / coupling relationship between the camera body 9 and the memory unit 27 (or 28 or 29, the same applies hereinafter) shown in FIG. 6A and the configuration of the memory unit 27 will be described.
9A is a perspective view showing the back surface of the camera body 9, FIG. 9B is a perspective view seen from the back surface of the memory unit 27, and FIG. 9C is a front view thereof (camera body 9 and FIG. Note that (a), (b), and (c) are partially cut away, partially omitted, and partially transparent. In addition, the same components as those described so far are denoted by the same reference numerals as before.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the rear surface of the camera body 9 has a memory on a surface of the finder disposition portion 84 where the optical finder 17 is disposed and a unit coupling surface 85 where the memory unit 27 is coupled. A stepped portion corresponding to the thickness of the unit 27 is formed. A female connector 86 is disposed on the lower surface of the step portion of the finder disposing portion 84 on the right side of the center, and lock holes 87 (the lock hole on the left side is not visible in the figure) are formed on both side surfaces. Has been.

  Further, the unit coupling surface 85 is provided with two guide ribs 88 each having a bowl-shaped cross section extending in parallel in the vertical direction, and a pressing pad 89 is provided below each. The pressing pad 89 is a pad made of a flexible elastic member that protrudes in the shape of a square pyramid as shown in the lower right portion of the figure (a), and is arranged before and after the memory unit 27 coupled to the unit coupling surface 85. It is provided to absorb play.

  On the other hand, the memory unit 27 shown in FIGS. 2B and 2D is formed with a thickness corresponding to the stepped portion on the back surface of the camera body 9 as described above, and the both sides of the stepped portion from below. An angular protrusion 91 that wraps around the surface is provided. From the holes 90 formed in the outer wall surface of the square protrusions 91, lock claws 92 that engage with the lock holes 87 are disposed.

  The lock claw 92 is shaped like a triangular prism, and extends upward from the outer end of one leg of the lock plate 93 that is shaped like a T with its T-shaped outward and its one leg lying on its side. Attached to the upper end of the branch, two of the three faces of the triangular prism are disposed so as to come out of the angular protrusion 91. The lock claw 92 is arranged such that, of the two faces of the triangular prism that goes out of the angular protrusion 91, the upper face forms an inclined surface and the lower face forms a horizontal plane.

  A rotation center hole 94 is formed at the inner end of one leg lying on the side of the lock plate 93, and this rotation center hole 94 is provided in the frame of the memory unit 27 although it is not clearly seen in the figure. It is fitted on the supporting pin. A cam pin 95 is attached to the lower end of the branch extending downward from the outer end of one leg of the lock plate 93. The cam pin 95 is fitted into a cam groove 97 formed in an upper bent portion of a hook-shaped lock lever 96 composed of a laterally bent portion and an upper bent portion.

  A long hole 98 is formed in the laterally bent portion of the lock lever 96, and a support pin provided in the frame of the memory unit 27 is inserted into the long hole 98, although it is not visible in the figure. . The lock lever 96 is supported by the support pin through the long hole 98, is urged outward by an urging member (not shown) and is slidable in the lateral direction. The lock release button 34 is engaged with the lock lever 96.

In addition, on the upper surface 99 where the two angular protrusions 91 of the memory unit 27 are erected from both ends, a position where the memory unit 27 is coupled to the female connector 86 of the camera body 9 when the memory unit 27 is coupled to the camera body 9. Further, a male connector 101 is projected.
In addition, a recording medium mounting unit 102 having a memory connector (not shown) is disposed inside the memory unit 27. Between the recording medium mounting unit 102 and the information display unit 35 on the back of the memory unit 27. A substrate 103 is disposed on the substrate. In addition, a lid 105 is disposed in the lower opening 104 of the recording medium mounting portion 102 as shown in FIG. For example, a recording medium such as a memory stick (registered trademark) or a compact flash (registered trademark) is inserted into the recording medium mounting unit 102 from the lower opening 104 and mounted.

As described above, since the opening and lid of the recording medium mounting portion 102 are provided on the lower surface, the opening can be made inconspicuous from the outside.
As shown in FIG. 6C, the front surface (the surface to be coupled with the camera body 9) 106 of the memory unit 27 is fitted on the two guide ribs 88 formed on the unit coupling surface 85 of the camera body 9. Two guide grooves 107 having a bowl-shaped cross section are formed. The pressing portions of the linear pressing spring 108 are disposed so as to protrude into the guide groove 107 from two holes on the inner wall side surface of the guide groove 107. These pressing springs 108 are provided to absorb left and right play of the memory unit 27 coupled to the unit coupling surface 85 of the camera body 9.

  In the configuration of the memory unit 27, the upper end portion of the guide groove 107 is fitted to the lower end portion of the guide rib 88 while the memory unit 27 is in sliding contact with the unit coupling surface 85 from below the camera body 9. By sliding the memory unit 27 upward while being guided by the guide ribs 88, the upper surface that forms the inclined surface of the two surfaces of the triangular prism of the lock claw 92 is formed on the finder placement portion 84 of the camera body 9. The lock claw 92 is pushed into the hole 90 of the angular protrusion 91 in sliding contact with both side surfaces. At this time, the lock plate 93 rotates downward with the rotation center hole 94 as a fulcrum, and is pulled by the cam pin 95 to move the lock lever 96 inward against the urging force of the urging member.

  Then, by further sliding the memory unit 27 upward to the top, the male connector 101 is connected to the female connector 86, and the lock claw 92 that has been pushed into the hole 90 is connected to the lock lever 96. Due to the urging force of the urging member, the surface that protrudes out of the hole 90 by the reverse interlocking action and forms the horizontal surface of the two surfaces of the triangular prism is formed in the lock holes 87 on both sides of the step portion of the finder mounting portion 84. Lock.

As a result, the memory unit 27 is coupled to the coupling surface 85 of the camera body 9 in a shape that is almost in close contact. Shaking that may occur before and after is absorbed by the pressing pad 89, and rattling that may occur on the left and right is absorbed by the pressing spring 108.
As described above, the memory unit 27 is attached so as to cover the back surface of the camera body 9 and is configured to have the same thickness as the stepped portion on the back surface of the camera body 9. The coupling surface (106) and the unit coupling surface 85 on the back of the camera body 9 are formed in the same shape except for manufacturing contours, so that the memory unit 27 is mounted on the camera body 9 as described above. In the coupled state, the memory unit 27 and the camera body 9 are united and have a morphological unity feeling, and there is a good feeling that it does not appear to be a combination of separate units.

  When the memory unit 27 coupled as described above is detached from the camera body 9 and separated, the camera user pushes the lock release button 34 inward as indicated by an arrow q in FIG. 9B. As a result, the lock lever 96 moves inwardly against the urging force of the urging member. When the lock lever 96 moves inward, the cam groove 95 formed in the upper bent portion of the lock lever 96 pulls the cam pin 95 of the lock plate 93 downward, and the entire lock plate 93 rotates downward. To do. Due to the downward rotation of the lock plate 93, the lock claw 92 attached to the upper end portion of the branch extending upward from the outer end portion of one leg of the lock plate 93 is attached to the outer wall surface of the angular protrusion 91. It is pulled back from the formed hole 90 to the inside of the angular protrusion 91. As a result, the locking state between the lock claw 92 and the lock hole 87 of the camera body 9 is released, and the memory unit 27 can be pulled out downward and separated from the camera body 9.

In addition, since the memory unit 27 can be coupled / separated on the rear surface of the camera body 9 in this way, it is very easy to exchange with another memory unit.
FIG. 10 (a) is a perspective view showing another configuration of the memory unit, and FIG. 10 (b) is an external perspective view showing the shape of a recording medium attached to the memory unit. As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the memory unit 27 ′ is not provided with a lower opening for inserting a recording medium, unlike the memory unit 27 shown in FIGS. 9 (b) and 9 (c). Only a recording medium mounting portion 109 having a large opening is formed on the front surface of the memory unit 27 ′ (the coupling surface with the camera body 9) 110.

The contour shape of the outer periphery of the front surface 110 of the memory unit 27 ′ is the same as that of the memory unit 27, and the configuration of the display device and other components on the back surface and the internal substrate configuration are the same as those of the memory unit 27.
The mounting of the recording medium 111 shown in FIG. 5B is completed simply by being fitted flatly into the recording medium mounting portion 109. When the recording medium 111 is removed from the recording medium mounting unit 109, the recording medium 111 can be easily removed from the recording medium mounting unit 109 by inserting a fingertip or the like into the notch 112 above the recording medium mounting unit 109. The recording medium 111 is, for example, an SD memory card.

As described above, in the memory unit 27 ′ of this example, since the recording medium is mounted on the coupling surface with the camera body 9, that is, the surface shielded by the camera body 9, the recording medium can be reliably protected from the outside. In addition, it is possible to more reliably prevent entry of dust and dirt.
As described above, when the first camera body 9 is coupled to the grip unit 1, the camera of the present invention has a plurality of usable memory units, and therefore any recording medium can be used depending on the shooting state. . In other words, various standard memories can be used.

Even when a new type of recording medium comes on the market, you can simply purchase a memory unit that supports the new type of recording medium. The media can be used immediately with this camera.
In addition, although the example applied to the digital camera was shown as an Example of this invention, it is also possible to apply to information equipment, such as a mobile telephone and a mobile personal computer which have an imaging device.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the entire camera. The figure shows a case where the first camera body (camera body 9) is used. As shown in the figure, the grip unit 1 has a control signal via the CPUC 122 which is a control unit of the first camera body unit 9 and a contact (the convex contact 46 and the flat contact 48 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). A central processing unit (CPU) G115 that communicates with the CPU G115, an operation unit 116 and a release unit 117 connected to the CPU G115, and an image display unit 118, a power supply unit 119, and a replacement battery 121. ing.

  The operation unit 116 detects operation events such as the setting dial 4, the mode dial 6, the cross button 32, and the setting button 33, and notifies the CPUG 115 of the detected operation events. The release unit 117 detects an operation event of the release button 3 and notifies the CPUG 112 of the detected operation event. The image display unit 118 displays an image on the display device 5 based on image data transmitted from the image processing unit 124 of the first camera body unit 9 via a contact.

The power supply unit 119 supplies the power supplied from the interchangeable battery 121 to the first camera body unit 9 via the contacts, and further, the interchangeable lens unit 21 (22 or 23) via the first camera body unit 9. , And the memory unit 27 (28 or 29).
In the first camera body unit 9, an imaging unit 125 is connected to the CPUC 122 via the bus 123 in addition to the image processing unit 124. An imaging element 126 is connected to the imaging unit 125. Further, the flash unit 127 is directly connected to the CPUC 122.

  The CPUC 122 controls the above-described units, and on the one hand controls the CPUL 130 of the interchangeable lens unit 21 via the connectors 128 and 129, and on the other hand, the memory unit via the female connector 86 and the male connector 101 shown in FIG. 27 operation buttons 131 and the display 132 are controlled.

  The imaging unit 125 of the first camera body unit 9 transmits the image data imaged on the imaging element 126 as a digital image signal to the CPUC 122 via the bus 123. Under the instruction of the CPUC 122, the image processing unit 124 converts the digital image signal transmitted from the imaging unit 125 into a display image signal and transmits the display image signal to the image display unit 118 of the grip unit 1.

  Further, the CPUG 115 outputs a shooting instruction to the CPUC 122 based on the operation event information from the release unit 117, and the CPUC 122 drives the lens driving unit 134 via the CPUL 130 to control the focusing and aperture by the lens 135. Then, the imaging unit 125 is driven to start imaging, and the digital image signal obtained as described above is stored in the exchange memory 133 of the memory unit 27.

Strobe light is emitted using the power supplied from the power supply unit 119 of the grip unit 1 based on instructions from the strobe unit 127 and CPUG 115 via the CPUC 122.
The display unit 132 of the memory unit 27 is notified from the CPUC 122 of the remaining amount of memory acquired from the replacement memory 133 via the bus 123, and the date data and the number of shot images are notified from the CPUG 115 via the CPUC 122. Is done. Based on these notifications, the display unit 132 displays various information shown in FIG. 2B on the information display unit 35.

Further, when the CPUC 122 receives the operation signal of the lock release button 34 from the operation button portion 131, the CPUC 122 sets each contact portion of the female connector 86 to high impedance, thereby preventing electrical damage to the replacement memory 133.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the second camera body unit 11. As shown in the figure, the second camera body unit 11 has a CPU 136 as a center, and a bus 137, an operation button unit 138, a convex contact 46, a strobe unit 139, and a lens driving unit 141 are connected to the CPU 136. An image processing unit 142 and an imaging unit 143 are connected to 137. An imaging element 144 is connected to the imaging unit 143. A lens 145 is also provided.

  The functions, operations, and functions of the CPU 136, the bus 137, the operation button unit 138, the convex contact 46, the strobe unit 139, the lens driving unit 141, the image processing unit 142, the imaging unit 143, the imaging element 144, and the lens 145 are illustrated in FIG. 11 CPUC 122, bus 123, operation button unit 131, convex contact 46, strobe unit 127, lens driving unit 134, image processing unit 124, imaging unit 125, imaging element 126, and lens 135, and substantially the same function, operation, and action. It is.

(a)-(d) is an external view which shows the structure of the basic system of the unitized camera of this invention. (a) is a front view of a camera formed by combining a grip unit and a first camera body, and (b) is a rear view thereof. (a) is a top view of the camera formed by combining the grip unit and the first camera body, and (b) is a view showing FIG. 2 (a) for comparison with the top view. (a) is a side view seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 (b), and (b) is a side view seen in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3 (b). It is a figure which shows the state which rotated the grip unit 90 degree | times to the front direction of the 1st camera main body. (a), (b) is a perspective view which shows a camera grip and the rotation engaging part of a 1st camera main body. (a) is an enlarged view of the engagement recess of the first camera body, (b) is an exploded view of the rotating shaft of the camera grip and its related parts, and (c) is the opposite of (b) It is the perspective view seen from the side. (a)-(d) is typical sectional drawing which shows the isolation | separation coupling | bonding operation | movement with the rotation shaft of a grip unit, and the engagement recessed part of a 1st camera main body. (a) is a perspective view showing the back surface of the first camera body, (b) is a perspective view seen from the back surface of the memory unit, and (c) is seen from the front surface (joining surface with the first camera body). It is a perspective view. (a) is a perspective view showing another configuration of the memory unit, (b) is an external perspective view showing the shape of a recording medium attached to the memory unit. It is a block diagram of the whole camera at the time of using a 1st camera main body. It is a block diagram of a 2nd camera main body unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Grip unit 2 Grip part 3 Release button 4 Setting dial 5 Display apparatus 6 Mode dial 7 Rotating shaft 7a Rotating cylinder 7b Engagement fixing cylinder 7c Engagement surface 8 Camera unit group 9 1st camera main body 11 2nd camera Main body 12 Built-in strobe 13 External strobe unit 14 Strap hole 15 Shoulder strap 16 Strobe engaging portion 17 Optical finder 18 Engaging recess 19 Standard lens 20 Lens unit group 21, 22, 23 Lens unit 24 Fixed type dedicated strobe 25 Engaging Concave part 26 Memory unit group 27, 27 ', 28, 29 Memory unit 31 Eject button 32 Cross button 33 Setting button 34 Lock release button 35 Information display part 36 Shutter speed and aperture display area 37 Possible number of pictures display area 38 Battery Amount bar display area 39 Memory remaining bar display area 41 Memory name 42 Shooting condition button 43 Setting button 44 Center of rotation 45 Female engaging claw 46 Convex contact Tp Center of rotation 47 Male engaging claw 48 Flat contact Ts Center of rotation Shaft 51 Plate-like cam 52 Engagement pin 53 Engagement hole 54a External pin 54b Internal pin 55 Rotating member 56 Long hole 57 Support pin 58 Ring-shaped edge 59 Notch groove 61 Step difference 62 Through hole 63 EJ pin 64 External fitting Joint tube 64a Outer opening 64b Inner opening 65 Fitting engagement tube 66 Flexible wiring 67 Screw hole 68 Click plate 69 Screw 71 Screw insertion hole 72 Click hole 73 Stopper 74 Click ball 75 Screw fixing portion 76 Energizing member 77 EJ lever 78 Slope 79 Long hole 81 Support pin 82 Engaging claw 83 Button sliding groove 84 Finder Arrangement surface 85 Unit coupling surface 86 Female connector 87 Lock hole 88 Guide rib 89 Press pad 91 Square projection 92 Lock claw 93 Lock plate 94 Rotation center hole 95 Cam pin 96 Lock lever 97 Cam groove hole 98 Long hole 99 Memory unit Upper surface 101 Male connector 102 Memory storage portion 103 Substrate 104 Lower opening portion 105 Lid 106 Memory unit front surface (coupling surface with the first camera body)
107 Guide groove 108 Pressing spring 110 Front surface of memory unit (connection surface with camera body)
109 Recording medium mounting part 111 Recording medium 112 Upper notch 115 CPU (central processing unit) G
116 Operation Unit 117 Release Unit 118 Image Display Unit 119 Power Supply Unit 121 Replacement Battery 122 CPUC
123 Bus 124 Image processing unit 125 Image capturing unit 126 Image sensor 127 Strobe unit 128, 129 Connector 130 CPUL
131 Operation button part 132 Display part 133 Exchange memory 134 Lens drive part 135 Lens

Claims (10)

An imaging unit that captures a subject image and outputs an image signal; and a camera body having a recording unit that records the image signal on a recording medium;
A memory unit provided in a number corresponding to a plurality of specifications of the recording medium and configured to be detachably held and replaceably attached to the camera body.
A camera having at least   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the memory unit is disposed on a back surface of the camera body.   The camera according to claim 2, wherein the memory unit includes a display unit that displays information related to a recording capacity usage state of the recording medium.   The camera according to claim 2, wherein the memory unit is attached so as to cover a back surface of the camera body.   5. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the memory unit is arranged so that both side surfaces and bottom surface of the memory unit are externally continuous with both side surfaces and bottom surface of the back surface of the camera body.   The camera according to claim 4, wherein the memory unit includes a recording medium attachment / detachment opening on a bottom surface.   5. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the memory unit includes a recording medium attaching / detaching opening on a surface shielded when the memory unit is attached to the camera main body.   The camera according to claim 2, wherein the camera body is provided with a view-type finder at an upper part to which the memory unit on the back is attached. An information device main body having an imaging means for capturing a subject image and outputting an image signal; and a recording means for recording the image signal on a recording medium;
A memory unit that is provided in a number corresponding to a plurality of specifications of the recording medium, and that is configured to be removably attached to the information device main body while holding the corresponding recording medium in a detachable manner,
An information device characterized by having at least. A camera memory comprising a combination of a camera body having an imaging means for taking a subject image and outputting an image signal, and a recording means for recording the image signal on a recording medium, and a memory unit for detachably holding the recording medium. A unit,
A plurality of types of memory units are prepared according to recording media, and the memory unit is one of memory units that are selectively mounted on the camera body from among the plurality of prepared memory units.

Images