JPH04369975A - Camcorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability of the camcorder and to obtain a good operability at all times regardless of the operation state. CONSTITUTION:The camcorder equipped with a camera part and a recorder part recording an image pickup signal outputted from a camera part in a single box body is composed of a grip arranged freely openably and closably near a cassette loading part 26 to load/unload a cassette 15 into/from the recorder part and holding the photographing state of the device and an operation part 10 arranged near the cassette loading part 26 freely openably and closably and equipped with a plurality of operation keys to operate the device. When the device is in a photographing state, a cassette loading part 26 is closed by the grip and the operation part 10. In opening the grip and the operation part 10, loading and unloading the cassette is enabled and the operation part 10 is held to the prescribed operation position.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera-integrated video recorder device.

0002

[Background Art] In recent years, the development of video equipment such as video cameras has been remarkable, and in particular, camera-integrated video tape recorders (VTRs) have rapidly become popular due to their smaller size, lighter weight, improved operability, and multifunctionality. has been achieved.

The basic configuration of this type of camera-integrated video tape recorder is a camera section including a photographing optical system, and a recorder section that records or plays back video signals output from the camera section onto a magnetic tape. The camera is equipped with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that monitors the image being shot or the video signal recorded on the magnetic tape, but the most important thing in using it is the operability based on the layout of each part. It seems so.

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this type of camera-integrated VTR, the most important thing is to perform shooting reliably, so the operability during shooting has been designed after thorough research. , when playing back video signals recorded on magnetic tape, when recording external input signals, etc., when operating the recorder other than normal shooting operations, or when loading/unloading a magnetic tape cassette. Not much consideration was given to operability, and although it is good as a video camera, it is a VTR with an integrated camera.
The reality is that there is still room for improvement as a whole, and improvements in the operability of the system as a whole are desired.

[0005] Furthermore, due to the strong demand for miniaturization and multi-functionality, it is necessary to effectively arrange operation keys to realize various functions in a small space, and further improvements are needed in their arrangement and operability. It seems necessary.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and is characterized by a camera section and an imaging signal output from the camera section. In a camera-integrated video recorder device comprising a recorder section for recording in a single housing, the video recorder is disposed in the vicinity of a cassette mounting section for attaching and detaching a cassette to the recorder section so as to be openable and closable, and the device is placed in a shooting state. A state in which the device is held in a photographing state, comprising a grip for holding the device, and an operation section that is disposed near the cassette mounting portion so as to be openable and closable and has a plurality of operation keys for operating the device. In this case, when the cassette mounting portion is closed by the grip and the operating portion, and the grip and the operating portion are open, the cassette can be attached and removed, and the operating portion is held at a predetermined operating position. This is a fully configured camera-integrated video recorder device.

[0007]

[Operation] As a result, in the camera shooting state, the grip is positioned at a position where the device can be stably held in the shooting state, and the cassette mounting part is closed along with the operating part, which can be opened and closed, thereby removing unnecessary parts from the recorder part. This prevents excessive pressure, vibration, dust intrusion, and malfunctions. In addition, by closing the operation section, unnecessary operation keys are not exposed to the outside of the device during shooting, preventing malfunctions, and when operating the recorder section, such as during playback, the grip is left open. This makes it possible to attach and detach the cassette, and also to position the operating section at a predetermined operating position, thereby improving operability when using the recorder.

[0008]

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below.

1 to 6 are diagrams showing the structure of a camera-integrated VTR as an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a right side view, FIG. 2 is a front view, FIG. 3 is a top view, and FIG. is a left side view, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing different operating states, and the numbering is common among these drawings.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an optical system storage section for housing an imaging optical system, and the imaging optical system including several lenses is housed through a lens opening 2. As shown in FIG. The imaging optical system of this embodiment has a so-called rear lens driven lens unit that does not move the lens closest to the subject when switching the zoom ratio or adjusting the focus. As is well known, this rear lens drive lens unit has the advantage that the length in the optical axis direction can be kept small, although controlling the position of the lens to be driven is complicated. Note that the details of this rear lens drive lens unit are well known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted in this specification.

The optical system storage section is arranged on the subject side of the main body as shown in the figure, and houses the lens unit in the cylindrical portion as shown in the figure. The right side of the narrow part 3 that is integrally formed following this cylindrical part has a support part (not shown) that rotatably supports the EVF unit 4, and this EVF unit 4 has its optical system. It is rotatable around the part near the storage part 1. That is, the eyepiece section 5 of the EVF unit can move in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, making it convenient for low-angle photography.

This EVF unit 4 consists of a small monitor such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and an optical system for guiding the image of this small monitor to the eyepiece. The optical path of the optical system within the
The optical path of the above-mentioned imaging optical system is an extension of these optical axes,
That is, they are arranged so that their optical paths overlap each other when viewed from the front. As a result, not only the space on the top surface of the VTR housing 6 can be used effectively, but also the optical path of the EVF optical system and the optical path of the imaging optical system are placed extremely close to each other, so that parallax is extremely reduced. In addition, by providing an EVF on the top surface of the VTR housing 6, as will be described later, when this camera-integrated VTR is held, the operator can take pictures with his eyes closed even if he places the eyepiece 5 on his eyes. It does not become a burden for the user to maintain it.

On the other hand, 6 is a VTR housing, which houses mechanisms such as a rotating head drum and a cassette storage/holding section, as well as electric circuits and the like. As is clear from FIGS. 1 to 6, in this embodiment, the optical system storage section 1 and the EVF unit 4 described above are
is placed on the top surface of this VTR housing, thereby reducing the overall thickness of this camera-integrated VTR.
The thickness of the casing 6 can be kept to a required level.

A zoom switch 7 for changing the zoom ratio is disposed on the left side of the narrow portion 3 on the upper surface of the VTR housing 6, thereby making effective use of space. . That is, the camera-integrated VTR of this embodiment is configured to hold the left side of the VTR housing 6 as described later, and on this left side,
The zoom switch 7 must be placed where the fingers rest, but the zoom switch 7 is placed using the rear space created by the shortening of the optical system storage section 1, and this space is used effectively. That means you are doing it.

As is clear from FIGS. 5 and 6, on the left side of the VTR case, there is a cassette mounting section 26 for attaching and detaching a tape cassette containing magnetic tape.
As will be described later, a cassette mounting mechanism is provided for receiving a cassette from the outside of the device and loading it into a predetermined mounting position within the device.

8 is a camera-integrated VTR as will be described later.
This is a remote control that constitutes a grip for holding the VTR housing 6, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is arranged so as to be openable and closable on the left side surface of the VTR housing 6 and on the attachment/detachment opening. This remote control 8 has its engaging portions 8a and 8b attached to the VTR housing 6.
It is combined with the engaging parts 9a, 9b provided on the left side surface to form a hinge, and the angle is 120° around the engaging parts 8a, 8b.
It is configured to be able to rotate to a certain degree. Further, the engaging parts 9a and 9b are made of, for example, synthetic resin and have elasticity themselves, and the remote control 8 can be attached and detached by the engaging parts 8a and 9b.
This can be carried out by pressing the engaging parts 9a and 9b into contact with each other and elastically deforming the engaging parts 8b.

As shown in FIG. 5, an operation section 10 consisting of a plurality of operation keys is arranged on the back side of the remote control 8. By operating this operation section 10, the camera-integrated VTR can be activated.
All operations related to reproduction can be performed. For example, normal playback, special playback, high-speed tape forwarding, stop, cue search, audio switching, etc. can be executed by operating the operation keys provided on the operation section 10. Of course, operations for photographing, such as starting/stopping recording, varying the zoom magnification, inserting the date and title, and fading, can be performed using this operation section.

The remote control 8 is provided with an infrared light emitting section 11 at the front of the device that outputs operation information of each operation key of the operating section 10 as infrared light. is received by an infrared light receiving section 12 provided on the front left side of the VTR housing 6, and is inputted to the system control section of the main body of the device.

The remote controller 8 is designed so that the operating section 10 is hidden as shown in FIG. 2 when shooting, and functions as a part of the grip, but when operating only the VTR section other than camera shooting, the remote control 8 is operated as shown in FIG. 5. The operating section 10 is rotated by 120 degrees to expose the operating section 10. Here, V shown in FIG.
In addition to operation boards 13a, 13b, and 13c provided with operation keys to be operated during photographing, protrusions 14a, 14b, and 14c are provided on the right side surface of the TR. Therefore, if this camera-integrated VTR is placed on a flat surface with the right side facing down, the protrusion 14a,
14b and 14c serve as legs, and can be stably placed with three-point support.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when this camera-integrated VTR is placed on a flat surface, the protrusion 14
It is placed extremely stably by the three-point support of a, 14b, and 14c. Moreover, in this state, the operation keys for playback are as shown in Figure 5.
, as shown in FIG. 6, is placed on the device at an inclination of about 60 degrees, so that the user can operate it as if he were using a playback deck.

The tape cassette 15 is loaded into a predetermined position inside the VTR housing 6 by a cassette holder 16 that constitutes a cassette loading mechanism disposed in a cassette loading section 26 on the left side of the VTR housing 6 (FIG. 6). By hopping up this cassette holder 16, the cassette 15 can be ejected to the outside of the apparatus (FIG. 5). In this embodiment, an optical system storage section 1 and an EVF are provided on the top surface of the VTR housing 6.
Since the configuration is such that unit 4 is installed, this cassette 1
5 is discharged downward from the VTR housing 6. As a result, even if the optical system storage section 1 is arranged on the top surface, the cassette 15 can be taken in and out without increasing the amount of hop-up of the cassette holder 16, and the mechanism can be made thinner without increasing the size of the mechanism. It has a more suitable configuration.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a cover that covers the cassette mounting portion 26 for attaching and detaching the cassette 15 together with the remote control 8, and also functions as a grip for holding the camera-integrated VTR in the shooting state. It is configured to be rotatable around a support section provided on the underside of the body. This cover 17 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 in the photographing state.
It is locked by a locking mechanism (not shown) in the state shown in FIG. Of course, at this time, loading of the cassette 15 has been completed. This lock can be released using the lock release operation lever 18.

Hooks 19 and 20 for the instep belt are provided at both ends of the cover 17, and an instep belt 21 is attached thereto. When photographing, by placing the lower side of the palm on the locked cover 17 and passing the palm through the instep belt 21, the center of the palm comes into contact with the remote controller 8, allowing a good hold. Note that the dimensions of each part are determined so that the index finger and middle finger can operate the zoom switch 7 at this time.

Therefore, in the photographing state, the photographing position can be stably held by the grip formed by the cover 17, which is closed to the VTR housing 6, and the remote controller 8. Furthermore, when operating VTR functions other than shooting, such as playback, as shown in FIGS. By opening it by moving it and setting it so that the operation keys face diagonally upward, it can be operated as if it were an ultra-compact stationary VTR.

Note that a microphone 23 and a cover 24 for input/output terminals are disposed on the front surface of the VTR housing 6 of this embodiment.
A battery 25 is attached to the rear of the VTR housing 6.
All aspects of the system are utilized to great effect.

[0026]

As explained above, the camera-integrated video recorder of the present invention includes a grip for holding the device in a shooting state, which is openable and closable near the cassette mounting portion, and a plurality of grips for holding the device in a shooting state. By providing an operation section with operation keys, when the camera is in the shooting state, the grip can be positioned at a position where the device can be stably held in the shooting state, and the cassette mounting section can be closed along with the operation section that can be opened and closed. This can prevent unnecessary pressure, vibration, and dust from entering the recorder section, as well as malfunctions.

Furthermore, by closing the operation section, unnecessary operation keys in the photographing state are not exposed to the outside of the device, and malfunctions can be prevented. The grip can be opened to allow attachment and detachment of the cassette, and the operation section can be positioned at a predetermined operation position, thereby improving operability when using the recorder.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1: A camera-integrated VTR as an embodiment of the present invention
It is a right side view showing the structure of.

[Fig. 2] Camera-integrated VTR as an embodiment of the present invention
It is a front view showing the structure of.

[Fig. 3] Camera-integrated VTR as an embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 2 is a top view showing the structure of FIG.

[Fig. 4] Camera-integrated VTR as an embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 3 is a left side view showing the structure of FIG.

[Fig. 5] Camera-integrated VTR as an embodiment of the present invention
FIG.

[Fig. 6] Camera-integrated VTR as an embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the structure in a different operating state from FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Optical system storage section 2 Lens opening 4 EVF unit 6 VTR housing 8 Remote control 10 Operation section 15 Tape cassette 16 Cassette holder 17 Cover 18 Lock release lever 21 Instep belt 26 Cassette attachment part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera-integrated video recorder device comprising a camera section and a recorder section for recording an image signal output from the camera section in a single housing, comprising:
A grip is disposed so as to be openable and closable near the cassette mounting section for attaching and detaching the cassette to the recorder section, and is used to hold the device in a photographing state; When the device is held in a photographing state, the grip and the operation section close the cassette mounting section, and the grip and the operation section close the cassette mounting section. 1. A camera-integrated video recorder device, characterized in that when the cassette is opened, the cassette can be attached and removed, and the operating section is held at a predetermined operating position. 2. The camera-integrated video recorder device according to claim 1, wherein the operation section is configured to function as a part of a grip when the device is held in a shooting state. 3. The camera integrated type according to claim 1, wherein the operation section is configured to be detachable from the device and function as a remote control unit in a detached state. Video recorder equipment.