JP2006135765A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus with a simple mechanism which moves/turns an LCD and is used for easy recognition of an object image on the LCD. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus is provided with: a main body unit for capturing the object image inputted via a photographic lens by an imaging device to generate an image signal; and an image display unit for displaying an image based on the image signal generated by the main body unit. The imaging apparatus is provided with: a sliding mechanism for sliding the image display unit between a storage position overlapped on the main body unit and a usage position projecting from the main body unit in a predetermined direction along a predetermined storage surface of the main body unit; and a turning mechanism for turning the image display unit slid to the usage position around a turning shaft parallel with a sliding direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus including a main unit that generates an image signal and an image display unit that displays an image.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, techniques relating to photographing apparatuses centering on digital cameras and various elements constituting the photographing apparatuses have been rapidly developed. Many of the photographing apparatuses include a display screen such as a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) for displaying an image, and a user can check a subject image on the display screen at the time of photographing. Among such photographing apparatuses, a mechanism that can move and rotate the display screen from the photographing apparatus main body is provided, and photographing that is performed with the lens direction that is the photographing direction upward or downward, so-called low angle photographing or high angle photographing. In addition, when shooting with the lens direction changed, such as so-called self-portrait where the lens direction is directed toward you, the mechanism is used to make it easier to recognize the subject image on the display screen. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, and Patent Document 4).
JP-A-8-98068 JP-A-8-125890 JP 2001-34182 A JP 2001-218087 A

  However, the mechanisms for moving and rotating the display screen described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 use a biaxial hinge mechanism and have a complicated structure. For this reason, it is necessary to use a costly material in order to maintain the performance of the display screen which is poor in productivity and is strong against impact, and the manufacturing cost is high.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus having a simple mechanism for moving and rotating a display screen so that a subject image can be easily recognized on the display screen.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a main unit that generates an image signal by capturing a subject image input via a shooting lens with an imaging element, and an image signal generated by the main unit. In an imaging device comprising an image display unit for displaying an image based on
A slide mechanism for sliding the image display unit in a predetermined sliding direction between a storage position overlapping the main body unit and a use position protruding from the main body unit along a predetermined storage surface of the main body unit;
And a rotation mechanism that rotates the image display unit slid in the use position about a rotation axis parallel to the slide direction.

  The photographing apparatus of the present invention includes a mechanism that slides the image display unit from the storage position to the use position and rotates the image display unit around the sliding direction. Therefore, the low-angle photographing, the high-angle photographing, the self-taking The mechanism for rotating the image display unit when shooting with the lens direction in various directions, etc., or when storing the display screen toward the storage surface of the main unit to protect the display screen, There is no need for a complicated structure using a biaxial hinge mechanism as in the conventional photographing apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 to 4. According to the present invention, since the mechanism for rotating the image display unit is simple as described above, the photographing apparatus of the present invention can improve productivity and stability compared to the conventional photographing apparatus. It is possible to provide a structure that is resistant to impact required to maintain the performance of the display screen.

  Further, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the slide mechanism includes a rail provided in the storage surface of the main unit and extending in the slide direction, and a rail fitting portion that is fitted into the rail and is slidable on the rail. You may have.

  As a mechanism for sliding the image display unit, a mechanism using a rail and a rail fitting portion that is fitted into the rail is a mechanism that is simple but resistant to impacts. The imaging apparatus can be provided with a mechanism having a simple configuration and high durability against impact.

  In the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the slide mechanism may include a guide bar extending in the slide direction, and the image display unit may be slidably supported by the guide bar.

  The mechanism using the guide rod is the simplest mechanism for sliding the image display unit. By using such a mechanism, the productivity can be further improved as compared with the conventional photographing apparatus. .

Moreover, the imaging device of the present invention includes a first electrical contact provided in the main body unit and extending in the sliding direction,
A second electrical contact that slides while holding the state in contact with the first electrical contact when the image display unit slides,
The main unit may transmit an image signal to the image display unit via the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

  If a mechanism for moving and rotating the image display unit is provided, the mechanism for transmitting an image signal from the main unit to the image display unit tends to be complicated. In order to transmit an image signal with a very simple configuration using a first electrical contact extending in a direction and a second electrical contact that slides while maintaining contact with the first electrical contact, an image signal is transmitted from the main unit. It is possible to avoid a complicated mechanism for transmitting an image signal to the display unit.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to simplify the mechanism for moving and rotating the display screen for easily recognizing the subject image on the display screen.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a photographing apparatus of the present invention in which an image display unit is moved by a slide mechanism using a rail will be described as a first embodiment. The photographing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a digital camera including an image display unit having a liquid crystal display panel (hereinafter referred to as LCD) as a display screen.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera, which is an embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention, as viewed from diagonally above, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the digital camera as viewed from diagonally above.

As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing lens 101 is provided at the center of the front surface of the digital camera 100. Further, an optical viewfinder objective window 102 for visually recognizing a subject and an auxiliary light emitting unit 103 used in a shooting environment with insufficient brightness are provided at the upper front of the digital camera 100. Further, a slide-type power switch 104 and a release switch 150 are provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, on the back of the digital camera 100, an optical viewfinder eyepiece window 106 for visually recognizing a subject, a menu switch 160 for determining a shooting mode, and an image display function of the LCD 130 are turned on / off. An execution / screen change-over switch 170 is provided for this purpose.

  The digital camera 100 includes two units: a main unit 1001 that performs various processes associated with shooting and an image display unit 1002 that includes an LCD 130 that displays an image. These two units have boundaries indicated by solid lines on the top and side surfaces of the digital camera 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the image display unit 1002 is separated from the main unit 1001 as described later. The digital camera 100 can be moved along the back surface, and can be rotated with the moving direction as a rotation axis after the movement. 1 and 2 show a state in which the image display unit 1002 is located at the storage position that overlaps the storage surface of the main unit 1001.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the inside of the digital camera whose external perspective view is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment is roughly divided into a photographing optical system 110 and a signal processing unit 120 in terms of the configuration, and both are provided in the main unit 1001. In addition to these, an LCD 130 for displaying a subject image and an external recording medium 140 for recording the captured image data are provided. An execution / screen changeover switch 170, a shooting mode switch 160, and a release switch 150 are also provided for causing the digital camera 100 to perform processing for shooting. Hereinafter, the configurations of the photographing optical system 110 and the signal processing unit 120 will be described.

  First, the configuration of the photographing optical system 110 will be described with reference to FIG. In the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, when subject light enters from the left side of FIG. 3 and passes through the zoom lens 115 and the focus lens 114, the image is formed on the CCD 111 as an image sensor. Originally, a plurality of lenses are provided in the photographing optical system. In FIG. 3, a lens related to a change in focal length is schematically shown as a zoom lens 115. Similarly, a lens related to focus adjustment is a focus lens. This is schematically shown as 114. Each of the zoom lens 115 and the focus lens 114 can be moved based on a signal from a signal processing unit 120 described later, and both the zoom lens 115 and the focus lens 114 are converted into signals from the signal processing unit 120. Based on this, it is arranged at each position. The zoom lens 115, the focus lens 114, and the shutter 112 are driven and moved by the zoom motor 115a, the focus motor 114a, and the shutter motor 112a, respectively. Instructions for operating the zoom motor 115a, the focus motor 114a, and the shutter motor 112a are transmitted from the digital signal processing unit 120b in the signal processing unit 120 through the motor driver 120c.

  The above is the description of the configuration of the photographic optical system 110.

  Next, the configuration of the signal processing unit 120 will be described. The subject image formed on the CCD 111 by the photographing optical system is read as an image signal to the analog processing (A / D) unit 120a, and the analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the analog processing unit (A / D) 120a. The signal is supplied to the signal processing unit 120b. A system controller 121 is provided in the digital signal processing unit 120b, and signal processing in the digital signal processing unit 120b is performed in accordance with a program showing an operation procedure in the system controller 121. Between the system controller 121, the image signal processing unit 122, the display image processing unit 123, the image compression unit 124, the media controller 125, the AF / AE calculation unit 126, the key controller 127, the buffer memory 128, and the internal memory 129. Data is transferred via the bus 1200, and the internal memory 129 serves as a buffer when data is transferred via the bus 1200. Data that becomes a variable is written to the internal memory 129 as needed according to the progress of the processing process of each unit, and the system controller 121, the image signal processing unit 122, the display image processing unit 123, the image compression unit 124, the media controller 125, the AF / AE calculation unit 126, and the key controller 127 perform appropriate processing by referring to the data. That is, an instruction from the system controller 121 is transmitted to each of the above units via the bus 1200, and a processing process of each unit is started. Then, the data in the internal memory 129 is rewritten in accordance with the progress of the process, and is further referred to on the system controller 121 side to manage the operation of each unit described above. In other words, the power is turned on, and the process of each unit is started according to the procedure of the program in the system controller 121. For example, when the release switch 150, the menu switch 160, and the execution / screen change-over switch 170 are operated, information indicating the operation is transmitted to the system controller 121 via the key controller 127, and according to the operation. Processing is performed according to the procedure of the program in the system controller 121.

  The above is the description of the configuration of the signal processing unit 120.

  Next, a process in which the subject image is displayed on the LCD 130 as a through image on the LCD 130 and a process in which the subject is photographed and recorded on the external recording medium 140 will be described.

  Next, a process in which the subject image is displayed on the LCD 130 as a through image will be described. The image signal representing the subject image read from the CCD 111 is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by an analog processing (A / D) unit 120a, and the digitized image data is buffered in the digital signal processing unit 120b. Once stored in the memory 128. Then, based on the digitized image data, the AF / AE calculation unit 126 detects contrast and subject brightness for each subject distance. In accordance with the detection result of the contrast, the focus lens 114 is placed at the focus position by the focus motor 114a to adjust the focus, and according to the detection result of the detection of the subject brightness, the amount of the subject light given to the CCD 111 is made appropriate. In addition, the amount of exposure light is adjusted according to the aperture amount by a diaphragm (not shown) and the shutter speed of the electronic shutter. The digitized RGB signal of the image data is converted into a YC signal by the image signal processing unit 122, and further, the display image processing unit 123 converts the YC signal to the RGB signal and an image is displayed on the LCD 130. Here, through such a process, the image display is repeated at a frame rate of 30 frames / second, for example.

  Next, a process in which shooting is performed and a subject image is recorded on the external recording medium 140 will be described. When a release operation is performed, the image signal read from the CCD 111 is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by an analog processing (A / D) unit 120a, and the RGB signal of the digitized image data is subjected to image signal processing. The unit 122 converts the signal into a YC signal. Further, the image compression unit 124 performs compression called JPEG compression, and the image data is recorded as an image file on the external recording medium 140 via the media controller 125. The image data recorded as the image file is reproduced on the LCD 130 through the display image processing unit 123.

  In the following, in this digital camera 100, the image display unit 1002 slides from the storage position shown in FIG. 2 to the use position where the LCD 130 is used, and rotates at the use position, as necessary during shooting. The structure to perform is demonstrated.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the image display unit is slid and moved from the storage position to the use position where the LCD is used.

  As shown in the figure, two rails 201 provided on the storage surface 200 are provided on the main unit 1001 side. The two display portions described later of the rail fitting portion 202 that slides together with the image display unit 1002 are fitted into the two rails 201, respectively, so that the image display unit 1002 is indicated by a left and right arrow A in the drawing. It can slide in this direction as shown. When the image display unit 1002 is located at the storage position, that is, when the image display unit 1002 is in the state shown in the external view of FIG. 2, the rail fitting portion 202 is stored in the concave portion 203 indicated by the dotted line in FIG. The configuration cannot be visually recognized from the outside. Further, when the image display unit 1002 is in the use position shown in FIG. 4, as shown by an arc-shaped arrow B in this figure, the image display unit 1002 can be rotated with the slide direction as a rotation axis.

  With the configuration described above, the LCD 130 of the image display unit 1002 can be directed in the direction desired by the user of the digital camera 100, and various lens directions such as low-angle shooting, high-angle shooting, and self-portrait can be used. It is possible to store the display screen toward the storage surface 200 of the main body unit 1001 when photographing in any direction or to protect the LCD 130. As described above, in the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment, the mechanism for rotating the image display unit 1002 has a complicated structure using a biaxial hinge mechanism like the conventional photographing apparatus described in Patent Documents 1 to 4. It is a very simple mechanism that does not require. For this reason, the imaging device of the present invention can improve the productivity as compared with the conventional imaging device, and can be provided with a structure that is resistant to shock required to maintain stable performance of the LCD. .

  Next, a mechanism for moving the image display unit 1002 on the rail 201 without detaching from the rail 201 and a configuration for transmitting an image signal from the main unit to the image display unit at that time will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rail and the rail fitting portion.

  Two projecting portions 2021 integrated with the rail fitting portion 202 are fitted into the two rails 201, respectively, and the image display unit 1002 moves on the rail together with the rail fitting portion 202. It can slide and move on the rail without detaching from the rail 201. Further, as will be described later, the rail fitting portion 202 includes a rotation shaft 2022 indicated by a dotted line in the drawing, and the image display unit 1002 rotates around the rotation shaft at a use position protruding from the main unit. Can move. Furthermore, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment has an electrical contact 204a and an electrical contact extending in the rail direction as means for transmitting an image signal from the main unit to the image display unit, corresponding to such a movement / rotation mechanism. 204b, and an electrical contact 205a and an electrical contact 205b that are provided on the protrusion 2021 and slide on the rail together with the rail fitting portion 202 while maintaining a state in contact with the electrical contact 204a and the electrical contact 204b, respectively. . One terminal of the signal cable 206 and the signal cable 207 is connected to the electrical contact 204a and the electrical contact 204b extending in the rail direction, respectively, and the other terminal of the signal cable 206 and the signal cable 207 is not shown in FIG. However, they are connected to the display image processing unit 123 shown in FIG. Also, one terminal of the signal cable 208 and the signal cable 209 is connected to the electrical contact 205a and the electrical contact 205b that slide on the rail 201, respectively, and the other terminal of the signal cable 208 and the signal cable 209 is shown in FIG. Although not shown in FIG. 5, each is connected to the LCD 130 shown in FIG. At this time, as will be described later, each terminal of the signal cable 208 and the signal cable 209 is connected to the LCD 130 through the inside of the rotation shaft 2022 of the rail fitting portion 202.

  Next, a mechanism for rotating the image display unit 1002 around the rotation shaft 2022 and a configuration for transmitting an image signal to the LCD 130 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the image display unit and the rail fitting portion in a cross-sectional view parallel to the storage surface of the main unit.

  The rail fitting portion 202 has a structure in which only the rotating shaft 2022 shown in the drawing is recessed, and the image display unit 1002 is rotated by fitting the image display unit 1002 into the recessed portion. Although it can rotate around the moving shaft, it cannot be removed from the rail fitting portion 202. Furthermore, a signal cable 208 and a signal cable 209 that pass through the inside of the rotating shaft 2022 are provided, and the terminals of the signal cable 208 and the signal cable 209 are connected to the LCD 130, and the other terminal is shown in FIG. Although not shown, it is connected to an electrical contact 205a and an electrical contact 205b that slide on the rail 201 together with the rail fitting portion 202 shown in FIG.

  By providing the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the image signal sent from the display image processing unit 123 includes the electrical contacts 204 a and 204 b that extend in the rail direction, and the electrical contacts that slide on the rail. Through 205a and electrical contact 205b, it is transmitted to LCD 130 and displayed.

In general, when a mechanism for moving and rotating the image display unit is provided, a mechanism for transmitting an image signal from the main unit to the image display unit tends to be complicated. The mechanism for transmitting the image signal from the main unit to the image display unit is complicated because the image signal is transmitted with a very simple configuration using the contact and the sliding electrical contact that holds the state in contact with the electrical contact. You can avoid doing that.
[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a photographing apparatus of the present invention that moves an image display unit by a slide mechanism using a guide rod will be described as a second embodiment. The photographing apparatus of the present embodiment is a digital camera provided with an image display unit having an LCD. The external appearance and internal configuration of the digital camera 300 are the same as the external appearance and internal configuration of the digital camera 100 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, respectively. 1, 2, and 3 are respectively referred to for the configuration, and illustration of the external appearance and internal configuration of the digital camera 300 is omitted. The difference from the digital camera 100 described in the first embodiment is that a guide bar is used as a slide mechanism for moving the image display unit and a mechanism for rotating the image display unit. This will be described below.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the image display unit is slid and moved from the storage position to the use position where the LCD is used in a digital camera having a slide mechanism using a guide bar.

  As shown in the figure, the digital camera 300 of the present embodiment uses a guide bar 401 as a slide mechanism for moving the image display unit, and the image display unit 3002 is indicated by a left and right arrow A in the figure. The guide rod 401 can be slid and moved in the extending direction. Further, when the image display unit 3002 is in the use position shown in FIG. 7, as shown by the arc-shaped arrow B in this figure, the image display unit 3002 can be rotated about the direction in which the guide bar 401 extends as a rotation axis. it can. With such a configuration, the LCD 130 can be directed in the direction desired by the user of the digital camera 300, and shooting is performed with the display screen in various directions such as low-angle shooting, high-angle shooting, and self-portrait. In addition, it is possible to store the display screen toward the storage surface 400 of the main unit in order to protect the display screen. Such a mechanism using the guide rod is the simplest mechanism for sliding the image display unit, and by using such a mechanism, the productivity is further improved as compared with the conventional photographing apparatus. be able to.

  Next, a configuration for transmitting an image signal from the main unit to the image display unit will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the image display unit and the guide bar in a cross-sectional view parallel to the storage surface of the main unit.

  As shown in the figure, the guide bar 401 includes a flat portion 402 that spreads in a plane perpendicular to the extending direction of the guide bar 401 at the distal end portion. 401 has a structure that does not come out of the image display unit 3002. A signal cable 404 and a signal cable 405 extend along the guide rod 401 inside the guide rod 401, and one terminal 4041 and a terminal 4051 of each signal cable are provided in the digital camera 300. Are connected to the display image processing unit 123 shown in FIG. The other terminals 4042 and 4052 of the signal cable 404 and the signal cable 405 are connected to the LCD 130 shown in FIG. 7 although not shown in FIG. Further, a convex portion 403 is provided inside the image display unit 3002, and because of the presence of the convex portion 403, the flat portion 402 is located inside the image display unit 3002 from the position of the convex portion 403. I can't get in. For this reason, the signal cable 404 and the signal cable 405 passing through the guide bar 401 and coming out of the flat portion 402 are in a state in which the flat portion 402 enters the inside of the image display unit 3002 to the maximum extent, that is, image display. Even when the unit 3002 is in the storage position overlapping the storage surface 400 shown in FIG. 7, it is not sandwiched between the flat portion 402 and the inner wall of the image display unit 3002, and it is possible to avoid disconnection.

  With the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the image signal sent from the display image processing unit 123 shown in FIG. The signal is transmitted to the LCD 130 and displayed via the signal cable 404 and the signal cable 405 provided.

It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the digital camera of 1st embodiment from the back diagonally upward. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the digital camera of 1st embodiment from the back diagonally upward. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the inside of the digital camera whose perspective view is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a schematic diagram showing the state which the image display unit slid and moved from the storage position to the use position where LCD is used. It is sectional drawing of a rail and a rail fitting part. It is the figure which represented the image display unit and the rail fitting part in sectional drawing parallel to the storage surface of a main body unit. In a digital camera provided with a slide mechanism using a guide bar, it is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an image display unit is slid and moved from a storage position to a use position where an LCD is used. It is the figure which represented the image display unit and the guide stick | rod in sectional drawing parallel to the storage surface of a main body unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 1001 Main body unit 1002 Image display unit 101 Shooting lens 102 Optical viewfinder objective window 103 Auxiliary light emission part 104 Power switch 106 Optical viewfinder eyepiece window 110 Shooting optical system 111 CCD
112 Shutter 112a Shutter motor 114 Focus lens 114a Focus motor 115 Zoom lens 115a Zoom motor 120 Signal processing unit 120a Analog processing (A / D) unit 120b Digital signal processing unit 120c Motor driver 121 System controller 122 Image signal processing unit 123 For display Image processor 124 Image compressor 125 Media controller 126 AF / AE calculator 127 Key controller 128 Buffer memory 129 Internal memory 1200 Bus 130 LCD
140 External recording medium 150 Release switch 160 Menu switch 170 Execution / screen changeover switch 200 Storage surface 201 Rail 202 Rail fitting portion 203 Recesses 204a and 204b Electrical contacts 205a and 205b Electrical contacts 206, 207, 208, and 209 Signal cable 2021 Protruding portion 2022 Rotating shaft 300 Digital camera 3001 Main unit 3002 Image display unit 400 Storage surface 401 Guide bar 402 Flat portion 403 Convex portions 404 and 405 Signal cables 4041 and 4042 Terminals 4051 and 4052 terminals

Claims (4)

An imaging apparatus comprising: a main unit that captures a subject image input via a photographing lens by an image sensor and generates an image signal; and an image display unit that displays an image based on the image signal generated by the main unit In
A slide mechanism that slides the image display unit in a predetermined sliding direction between a storage position overlapping the main body unit along a predetermined storage surface of the main body unit and a use position protruding from the main body unit;
An imaging apparatus, comprising: a rotation mechanism that rotates the image display unit that is slid to the use position around a rotation axis that is parallel to the slide direction.   The slide mechanism includes a rail provided in the storage surface of the main body unit and extending in the slide direction, and a rail fitting portion that is fitted into the rail and is slidable on the rail. The imaging device according to claim 1.   The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide mechanism includes a guide bar extending in the slide direction, and the image display unit is slidably supported by the guide bar. A first electrical contact provided in the main body unit and extending in the sliding direction;
A second electrical contact that slides while holding the state in contact with the first electrical contact when the image display unit slides,
2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main unit transmits an image signal to the image display unit via the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

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