JP3906586B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly, to a digital still camera, a video camera, and the like, a camera that records an image regardless of still image recording / moving image recording, and various portable information devices having a photographing function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional electronic still camera is designed to shoot with the camera in the same way as a silver halide camera. Usually, the camera is provided with a grip part, and the photographer holds the camera during shooting. It is necessary to hold and hold. In this regard, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-307749 discloses an information recording / reproducing apparatus that is used on the palm of the hand, and if the technique disclosed in the gazette is used, the photographer needs to hold the apparatus firmly. The device can be easily held.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-6164 discloses a technique for incorporating a camera function in a wristwatch. According to this technique, a camera is mounted on a photographer's arm like a wristwatch so that the camera is not held in the hand. You can shoot.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, recently, the miniaturization of cameras has rapidly progressed, and a camera of the type in which a photographer holds a camera with his / her hand as in the prior art has a problem that the operation unit and the monitor screen are easily hidden with his / her hand and are very difficult to use.
On the other hand, the wristwatch-type camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-6164 does not sufficiently consider the convenience of the lens orientation and the monitor arrangement, so that the monitor is difficult to see when the lens is directed toward the subject. There is a drawback of poor operability.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is not necessary to hold the camera with fingers or hands when holding the camera, and the operation unit, the lens, the monitor, etc. are securely held without being covered with the hand. An object of the present invention is to provide a camera with good operability.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the camera according to the present invention includes a camera front portion provided with a photographic lens and a camera rear portion provided with an image display device and / or an operation portion. The camera can be held by inserting a hand into a space formed between the camera front part and the camera rear part, and one of the camera front part and the camera rear part is connected to the back of the hand. It has a structure in which the side and the other are arranged on the palm side.
[0007]
According to the present invention, the camera front portion and the camera rear portion are arranged to face each other with an appropriate distance therebetween, and the upper portions of both are connected in an arch shape via the connecting portion. With this configuration, a space is formed between the camera front part and the camera rear part so that a hand can be inserted. The photographer can insert one hand into this space and hold the camera.
[0008]
At this time, the camera front portion and the camera rear portion are distributed in a balanced manner between the back side of the hand and the palm side with the connecting portion as a fulcrum, and can be stably held without grasping the camera. In addition, since the photographic lens, the screen of the image display device, or the operation unit is not covered by hand, the operability is good and easy to use. In particular, by providing a shooting start instruction switch on the upper surface of the connecting portion, the shooting start instruction switch can be pushed with the thumb of the hand holding the camera, and shooting can be performed easily with one hand.
[0009]
In order to achieve the above object, in the camera according to the present invention, both the upper side of the camera front part provided with the photographing lens and the camera rear part provided with the operation part are connected to each other via a connecting part. A structure in which one of the camera front part and the camera rear part is arranged on the back side of the hand and the other is arranged on the palm side by inserting one hand into a space formed between the camera front part and the camera rear part. An imaging unit comprising: an imaging device that converts an optical image into an image signal; and a signal transmission unit that externally outputs an image signal acquired via the imaging device; and the signal transmission unit And a monitor unit provided with an image display device for displaying an image based on a signal receiving unit that receives a signal emitted from the signal receiving unit and a signal received through the signal receiving unit. A bets, is characterized in that mounting means is composed of a monitor unit provided with a can wear on the opposite side of the hand or arm with the hand holding the imaging unit.
[0010]
That is, the camera of the present invention is configured by two blocks of an imaging unit and a monitor unit, and both units transmit and receive signals by communication. The photographer inserts one hand into the space of the image pickup unit to hold the image pickup unit, and attaches the attachment means to the other hand or arm to wear the monitor unit. A signal of an image captured by the imaging unit is output from the signal transmission unit and received by the signal reception unit of the monitor unit. Based on the signal received from the signal receiving unit, the captured image is displayed on the image display device of the monitor unit.
[0011]
As a specific aspect of the present invention, the monitor unit has a form in which the display screen of the image display device is arranged on the back side of the photographer's hand when the monitor unit is worn on the photographer's hand using the wearing means. It is characterized by having.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a sensor that detects that the distance between the imaging unit and the monitor unit has approached a predetermined distance, and the two units have approached a predetermined distance by the sensor. And power supply control means for turning on the power of the camera when detected.
[0012]
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the connection portion is provided with an adjustment mechanism capable of expanding and reducing the size of the space portion.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of a camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electronic camera showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof. As shown in these drawings, the electronic camera 10 has a substantially U-shaped shape with an open bottom when viewed from the side. That is, the electronic camera 10 includes a photographing lens 12, a camera front unit 16 provided with a strobe light emitting unit 14, a liquid crystal monitor (equivalent to an image display device) 18 and a camera rear unit 22 provided with an operation unit 20, and a camera. The connecting portion 24 connects the front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22.
[0014]
The camera front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22 are disposed substantially parallel to each other so as to be orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographic lens 12, and are connected by an arc-shaped connecting portion 24 above the camera front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22. ing. Thereby, a space portion 26 is formed between the camera front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22. A release switch (corresponding to a shooting start instruction switch) 28 is disposed on the upper surface of the connecting portion 24. In this example, the connecting portion 24 is formed integrally with the camera front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22, but the connecting portion may be formed of a member separate from the camera front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 2, the camera rear section 22 is provided with a liquid crystal monitor 18, and an operation section 20 including various operation switches such as an up / down key 30, a mode selection button 32, and an execution button 34 is provided on the right side thereof. Yes. Instead of the up / down key 30, a cross key that can indicate four directions of up, down, left, and right may be used. Reference numeral 36 denotes a power switch, for example, a slide switch.
[0016]
A battery storage unit 38 is provided below the liquid crystal monitor 18, and a battery (not shown) is loaded in the storage unit. The battery may be a dedicated rechargeable battery or a commercially available dry battery.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the electronic camera 10. The electronic camera 10 mainly includes a photographing lens 12, an aperture 40, a CCD 42 corresponding to an image sensor, an analog signal processing circuit 44, an A / D converter 46, a digital signal processing circuit 48, a memory (DRAM) 50, and a D / A converter. 52, a compression / decompression circuit 54, a memory card 56, a liquid crystal display (LCD) controller 58, a liquid crystal monitor 18, a central processing unit (CPU) 60, an operation switch unit 62, an imaging system control circuit 64, a photographic lens driving unit 66, and not shown. Consists of camera batteries and the like. The operation switch unit 62 is a block including various switches and operation buttons related to camera operations such as the release switch 28 and the up / down key 30. The photographing lens driving unit 66 includes an AF motor for driving the focus lens and a zoom motor for driving the zoom lens.
[0017]
When the release switch 28 in the operation switch unit 62 is pressed, the CPU 60 detects this and sends a command to the imaging system control circuit 64. The imaging system control circuit 64 performs focus control via the photographing lens driving unit 66 and performs exposure control by controlling the charge accumulation time in the aperture 40 and the CCD 42. The photographing lens 12 can be zoomed by operating a zoom switch (not shown).
[0018]
The subject light incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD 42 through the photographing lens 12 and the diaphragm 40 is converted into a signal charge in an amount corresponding to the amount of light incident on each sensor of the CCD 42, and this signal charge is based on the clock pulse. It is sequentially read out as a voltage signal (image signal) corresponding to the signal charge. The image signal output from the CCD 42 is added to the analog signal processing circuit 44. The analog signal processing circuit 44 has a CDS clamp, a gain control amplifier, and the like, where sampling of image signals, white balance adjustment, and the like are performed. The image signal processed by the analog signal processing circuit 44 is converted into an R, G, B digital signal by an A / D converter 46 and added to a digital signal processing circuit 48.
[0019]
The digital signal processing circuit 48 includes a gamma correction circuit, a YC signal creation circuit, etc., and gamma correction of the R, G, B digital signals, YC signals of the R, G, B signals (luminance signal Y and chroma signal C). The YC signal is stored in the memory 50. The YC signal stored in the memory 50 is compressed into a predetermined format by the compression / decompression circuit 54 and recorded in a memory card 56 that is detachable from the camera. Note that the LCD controller 58, which can take various forms such as a PC card, a flash memory card, an IC card, and a magneto-optical disk, is available on the basis of the YC signal input from the memory 50 during shooting. R, G, B signals and pulses necessary for liquid crystal display are generated and output to the liquid crystal monitor 18 to display an image on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 18 and read out from the memory card 56 at the time of reproduction and compressed / expanded circuit 54 The reproduced image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 18 based on the YC signal reproduced by the above. In addition to the captured image, the liquid crystal monitor 18 also displays information related to the camera mode, such as the number of frames that can be captured / reproduced frame number, and the remaining battery level of the camera battery.
[0020]
The YC signal is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 52, then converted into a predetermined video signal by an encoder (not shown), and output from a video output terminal to an external device such as a television.
Next, the operation of the electronic camera having the above configuration will be described.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a state of using the electronic camera 10 of this example. As shown in these drawings, at the time of shooting or reproducing an image, one hand (for example, the left hand) is inserted into the space portion 26 formed between the camera front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22, and the thumb and index finger hands are inserted. The connecting portion 24 is placed on the side to hold the camera. At this time, the camera front part 16 is arranged on the back side of the hand, and the camera rear part 22 is arranged on the palm side. The connecting portion 24 has elasticity depending on the material, and when the hand is inserted into the space portion 26, the distance between the camera front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22 is slightly increased. The camera front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22 pinch the photographer's hand from the front-rear direction with an appropriate force by the elastic force of the connecting portion 24 (restoring force to return to the original state). Thus, the camera can be stably held by adding an appropriate resistance to the hand holding the camera. Also, the thumb is lightly placed on the connecting portion 24, and the release switch 28 can be pushed with the thumb at the time of photographing.
[0021]
According to the electronic camera 10 according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to hold the camera with a finger or a hand to hold the camera, and the camera can be easily held. Further, since the photographing lens 12, the strobe light emitting unit 14, the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 18 and the like are not covered by hand, the operability is good and the monitor screen is easy to see. The operation unit 20 such as the up / down key 30 or the mode selection button 34 may be operated with the other hand (right hand). In this case, the button is pushed toward the palm of the hand (left hand) holding the camera. Therefore, it is easy to receive the pressing force with the left hand and easy to operate. When the operation unit 20 is arranged on the right side of the liquid crystal monitor 18 as shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to operate the one-hand operation unit 20 by bending the finger of the hand (left hand) holding the camera. .
[0022]
4 and 5, the camera is held with the left hand, but it is also possible to hold the camera with the right hand. The arrangement of the release switch 28 and other operation switches may be changed exclusively for the right hand with the intention of holding the camera with the right hand, and the release switch is arranged at the approximate center of the connecting portion 24 so that it can be used with either the left or right hand. You may devise arrangement | positioning of an operation part, such as doing.
[0023]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
6 is a front perspective view of an imaging unit constituting an electronic camera showing a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view thereof, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a monitor unit constituting the electronic camera. It is. In these drawings, the same or similar members as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0024]
The electronic camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention is composed of two units of an imaging unit 70 and a monitor unit 72. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the imaging unit 70 does not include a liquid crystal monitor, and a radio wave transmission unit 74 is provided on the upper surface of the connection unit 24. A communication signal processing unit (such as a modulation circuit) (not shown) is provided inside. An image signal of an image obtained by photographing, an image signal of a reproduced image, and the like are converted into an appropriate signal form in accordance with a predetermined communication method in the communication signal processing unit and transmitted from the radio wave transmission unit 74. The release switch 28 is arranged on the back surface of the camera rear portion 22 with the intention of being pushed by the hand (for example, the right hand) opposite to the hand holding the camera (for example, the left hand). You may arrange | position to the upper part of.
[0025]
On the other hand, the monitor unit 72 includes a liquid crystal monitor 78 corresponding to an image display device, a radio wave receiving unit 80, and a band unit 82. A communication signal processing unit (demodulation circuit or the like) (not shown) is provided inside the monitor unit 72, and the radio wave transmitted from the imaging unit 70 is received by the radio wave receiving unit 80 of the monitor unit 72 and received. A captured image or the like is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 78 based on the signal.
[0026]
The band unit 82 has a configuration that allows the monitor unit 72 to be attached to the photographer's hand. A known velcro tape 84 is provided as a fastening means at the tip of the band portion 82 so that the tightening degree of the band can be adjusted according to the size of the photographer's hand. The means for adjusting the tightening degree of the band is not limited to the magic tape 84, and other fastening means (fixing tool) such as a buckle can be used.
[0027]
FIG. 9 shows an example when the electronic camera according to the present embodiment is used. As shown in the drawing, one hand (for example, the left hand) is inserted into the space 26 of the imaging unit 70 to hold the imaging unit 70. Then, the monitor unit 72 is attached to the other hand (right hand). At this time, the monitor unit 72 is fixed by winding the band portion 82 around the right hand so that the liquid crystal monitor 78 is arranged on the back side of the hand.
[0028]
The image captured by the imaging unit 70 is transmitted to the monitor unit 72 by wireless communication, and the image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 78 of the monitor unit 72. In particular, since the liquid crystal monitor 78 is arranged on the back side of the hand as shown in FIG. 9, there is an advantage that the image displayed on the monitor screen can be confirmed even when the release switch 28 and other operation units are operated with the right hand. .
[0029]
In the case of such an electronic camera composed of two units, a sensor (not shown) for detecting that the two units are close to each other, and the photographing system block and the liquid crystal monitor 78 based on the detection signal of the sensor. Control means for performing ON / OFF control of a power supply (camera power supply) may be added, and the camera power supply may be automatically turned on when the sensor detects that both have approached a predetermined distance. The camera power supply may be turned off when it is detected that the two units are separated from each other by a certain distance. Note that the CPU 60 can be caused to play a role as such control means.
[0030]
In FIG. 9, the thumb of the left hand is placed in the space 26 of the imaging unit 70 and the camera is held with the connecting portion 24 placed between the thumb and the index finger. However, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to support the connecting portion 24 of the imaging unit 70 with the side of the hand from the outside of the little finger to the wrist. In this case, the camera front part 16 is arranged on the palm side and the camera rear part 22 is arranged on the back side of the hand.
[0031]
In the second embodiment, the imaging unit 70 is held with the left hand and the monitor unit 72 is attached to the right hand. However, the imaging unit 70 is held with the right hand and the monitor unit 72 is attached to the left hand. May be. In the second embodiment, the imaging unit 70 and the monitor unit 72 are communicated by radio waves. However, various communication forms such as communication using a signal line (cable) and infrared communication are possible. .
[0032]
As a modification of the first and second embodiments described above, the connecting portion 24 may be provided with an adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the size of the space portion 26. FIG. 11 shows an example of a structure for adjusting the distance between the camera front part 16 and the camera rear part 22 (the width of the space part 26). As shown in FIG. 11, the connecting portion 24 is formed integrally with the camera rear portion 22, and the camera rear portion 22 and the camera front portion 16 are connected via a connecting shaft 86. The connecting shaft 86 is provided in the camera front portion 16, and a hole 88 for engaging the connecting shaft 86 is provided on the camera rear portion 22 side. The hole 88 has a plurality of stopping portions (four locations in the drawing) 88A, 88B, 88C, 88D that can stop the connecting shaft 86, and the connecting shaft 86 can move the stopping portions 88A to 88D. A guide unit is provided to connect the stop unit. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the connecting shaft 86 is engaged with the leftmost stop portion 88D.
[0033]
The camera front portion 16 can be rotated about the connecting shaft 86 as a rotation center. Further, a coil spring 90 is supported on the camera front portion 16, one arm portion 90A of the coil spring is brought into contact with a pin 92 provided on the camera front portion 16, and the other arm portion 90B is connected to the connecting shaft. 86 abuts. The camera front portion 16 is biased counterclockwise in FIG. 11 by the coil spring 90 (in the direction approaching the camera rear portion 22).
[0034]
Thus, when the camera is not used (when carried), the camera front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22 are in contact with each other by the urging force of the coil spring 90 as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Then, during photographing or image reproduction, the space between the camera front portion 16 and the camera rear portion 22 is widened against the force of the coil spring 90, and one hand is inserted into the space portion 26 to hold the camera.
[0035]
By changing the positions of the retaining portions 88A to 88D to which the connecting shaft 86 is engaged, the size of the space portion 26 can be expanded and reduced, and the size of the space portion 26 can be matched to the size of the photographer's hand. Can be adjusted freely. In addition, the waste space 26 can be made as small as possible during storage, and the volume can be reduced so as to be convenient for carrying. The structure of the adjusting mechanism is not limited to the example shown in FIG.
[0036]
In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic camera for recording a still image has been described. It can be widely applied to various information portable terminals.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, the upper side of the camera front part and the camera rear part are connected by the connecting part, and the camera is held by putting a hand in the space formed between the two. Therefore, the grip part in the conventional camera becomes unnecessary. For this reason, even if the camera is downsized, the camera can be securely held without covering the lens, strobe, monitor, etc. with hands. In addition, the image display device can be made larger for the overall size of the camera, and a space margin is created in the arrangement of the operation unit, improving convenience and operability. In addition, since it is not necessary to hold the camera by hand to hold the camera, there is an advantage that it is hard to get tired even when shooting for a long time.
[0038]
The present invention provides a camera with an original form, which enables photographing in an unprecedented style and is excellent in fashionability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front external perspective view of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear external perspective view of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1. FIG. Block diagram [Fig. 4] View from the front side of the camera when using the electronic camera of this example [Fig. 5] View from the back side of the camera when using the electronic camera of this example [Fig. 6 is a front-side external perspective view of an imaging unit constituting an electronic camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a rear-side external perspective view of the imaging unit shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a monitor unit constituting an electronic camera according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of use of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of use of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment. Schematic diagram showing an example of section mechanisms EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electronic camera 12 ... Shooting lens 16 ... Camera front part 18, 78 ... Liquid crystal monitor (image display apparatus)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Operation part 22 ... Camera rear part 24 ... Connection part 26 ... Space part 28 ... Release switch (shooting start instruction switch)
70 ... Imaging unit 72 ... Monitor unit 74 ... Radio wave transmitter (signal transmitter)
80 ... Radio wave receiver (signal receiver)
82 ... Band part (mounting means)
86 ... Connecting shaft 88 ... Hole 90 ... Coil spring

Claims (6)

Both upper sides of the camera front part provided with the photographing lens and the camera rear part provided with the image display device and / or the operation part are connected to each other via a connecting part, and the camera front part and the camera rear part are connected to each other. The camera can be held by inserting a hand into the space formed between them, and in this holding state, one of the camera front part and the camera rear part is arranged on the back side of the hand and the other is arranged on the palm side. A camera characterized by The camera according to claim 1, wherein a shooting start instruction switch is provided on an upper surface of the connecting portion. A space formed between the camera front part and the camera rear part in which the upper side of the camera front part provided with the photographic lens and the camera rear part provided with the operation part are connected to each other via a connection part. An image pickup unit having a structure in which one of the camera front part and the camera rear part is arranged on the back side of the hand and the other side is placed on the palm side by inserting one hand into the part, and converts an optical image into an image signal And an imaging unit comprising a signal transmission unit for outputting an image signal acquired via the imaging element to the outside,
A monitor unit provided with a signal receiving unit that receives a signal emitted from the signal transmitting unit, and an image display device that displays an image based on a signal received through the signal receiving unit, the imaging unit A monitor unit provided with mounting means having a configuration that can be mounted on the hand or arm on the opposite side of one hand holding
A camera characterized by comprising the following. The monitor unit has a form in which the display screen of the image display device is arranged on the back side of the photographer's hand when the monitor unit is mounted on the photographer's hand using the mounting means. 3. The camera according to 3. A sensor for detecting that the distance between the imaging unit and the monitor unit has approached a predetermined distance;
Power control means for turning on the power of the camera based on the detection result of the sensor;
The camera according to claim 3, further comprising: The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the size of the space portion is provided at the connection portion.

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