AU705995B1

AU705995B1 - Viewfinder structure of camera

Info

Publication number: AU705995B1
Application number: AU88314/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hong Li Tseng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-12-30
Filing date: 1998-10-07
Publication date: 1999-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-07
Also published as: GB9821637D0; DE19849695A1; NL1010927A1; GB2332950A; ES2149718B1; ES2149718A1; NL1010927C2; FR2773228A1; ID21665A; BR9805722A

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: 'VIEWFINDER STRUCTURE OF CAMERA" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: VIEWFINDER STRUCTURE OF CAMERA FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to a viewfinder structure of a camera, and more particularly to a viewfinder structure of a camera, which is convenient and comfortable for both a right-eye user and a left-eye user.

The present invention also relates to a viewfinder structure of a camera which allows a user to use the camera in a dark environment. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a viewfinder structure of a camera, which can be extended from the camera body so as to provide a flexible and comfortable photographing pose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a generally used camera, the viewfinder window 11 is installed in a top portion of a camera body 12, as shown in Fig. 1. When a user has one of his eyes 13 move close to the viewfinder window 11, his nose 14 is likely to press against the camera body 12. Accordingly, the eye 13 cannot be close to the viewfinder window 11 enough or the nose 14 will feel uncomfortable.

Tseng, who is the inventor of the present invention, discloses in US Patent No. 5,608,483 a low-position viewfinder camera, as shown in Fig.

2. The viewfinder window 21 is located in a lower portion of the camera body 22 so that the above-described inconvenience can be lessened.

However, a part of the user's nose 24, though smaller, still presses against the camera body 22 so as to influence the observation of the eye 23 through the viewfinder window 21. Tseng further discloses the provision of a recessed portion in the bottom of the camera body for locating nose, but such a design will complicate the camera structure.

On the other hand, there is only one viewfinder window provided in a conventional camera so that it is uncomfortable for a user to close one of his eyes and open the other one to the viewfinder window in order to performing a better focusing operation.

Moreover, it is inconvenient to take a picture at night because of poor sight, unless illumination is provided. It is known, however, inadequate light might destroy the picture or disturb the photographed subject.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a camera allowing a user to watch a subject to be photographed through a viewfinder thereof without additional illumination supply.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera having a plurality of viewfinders so that it is convenient and comfortable for users having different watching habits.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a camera having flexible locations for mounting a viewfinder, so that the discomfort of a user's nose or the dislocation between the user's eye and the viewfinder window resulting from the nose pressing against the camera body can be eliminated.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a camera includes a camera body for picking up an image of a subject; at least one viewfinder having a window arranged on the camera body at a position near a bottom of the camera body for watching the subject therethrough, wherein the one viewfinder performs a night vision function so as to allow a user to locate the subject in relatively dark circumstances.

The number of viewfinders can be one, and it is preferably located at a position near a right bottom or a left bottom comer of the camera body.

If the viewfinder is an elongated one, it is preferred to be located at a position near the bottom of the camera body.

The number of viewfinders can also be two, and the viewfinders are preferably located at positions near two bottom comers of the camera body, respectively. More preferably, the two viewfinders have a distance therebetween substantially equal to a distance between two eyes of the user so that a user can watch the subject to be photographed with both his eyes.

The viewfinder is preferably a night vision equipment which includes an object lens for receiving and passing therethrough the image of the subject to obtain an optical signal; an image-intensifying tube connected to the object lens for receiving and converting the optical signal into an electronic signal, and generating an intensified optical signal in response to the electronic signal; and an eye piece for showing the image of the subject thereon in response to the intensified optical signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a camera includes a camera body for picking up an image of a subject; a viewfinder having a window for watching the subject therethrough; and a connecting device allowing the viewfinder to be pivotally connected to the camera body, so that the viewfinder can be pivotally rotated to a hidden position in the camera body when the camera is not in use, and to a viewing position out of the camera body when the camera is in use.

The camera body preferably has a recessed portion for receiving the viewfinder at the hidden position, and the connecting device can be a hinge.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a camera includes a camera body for picking up an image of a subject; a viewfinder extractably mounted in the camera body, and having a window for watching the subject therethrough; and a driving device connected to the viewfinder for being exerted a force thereon, thereby extracting the viewfinder partly out of the camera body when the camera is in use, and returning the viewfinder to the camera body when the camera is not in use.

The driving device can include two bumps arranged on two opposite sides of the viewfinder so that two of a user's fingers can hold the bumps to extract the viewfinder.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a camera includes a camera body for picking up an image of a subject, and a viewfinder having a window for watching the subject therethrough. The camera body has a first coupling device on a surface thereof, the viewfinder has a separate housing from the camera body, and has a second coupling device on a surface thereof, and the viewfinder is attached to the camera body through the engagement of the first and second coupling means when the camera is in use, and detached from the camera body when the camera is not in use.

If more than one viewfinders are to be mounted on the camera body, more coupling devices can be provided on other surfaces of the camera body.

The first coupling device can be a guiding track secured on the surface of the camera body, and the second coupling device is a sliding element engageable with each of the guiding tracks and slidable smoothly therealong. By this way, the first and the second coupling devices can be engaged with each other so as to connect the viewfinder with the camera body.

Alternatively, the second coupling device can be a guiding track secured on the surface of the viewfinder, and the first coupling device can be a sliding element engageable with the guiding track and slidable smoothly therealong. By this way, the same purpose can also be achieved.

In another example, the first coupling device is a hooked slot arranged on the surface of the camera body, the second coupling device is a sliding piece, and the hooked slot is extended from a bottom surface of the camera body so that the sliding piece enters the slot from the bottom surface of the camera body.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a camera includes a camera body for picking up an image of a subject, which has a slot arranged in the camera body at a position near a bottom of the camera body; and a viewfinder movably mounted in the slot, and having a window for watching the subject therethrough.

For each of the cameras of the second to the fifth aspects according to the present invention, it is preferred that the viewfinder is a night vision equipment so as to allow a user to locate the subject in relatively dark circumstances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention may best be understood through the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows the position relationship between a user's face and a viewfinder window of a conventional camera; Fig. 2 schematically shows the position relationship between a user's face and a viewfinder window of another prior art of camera; Fig. 3A schematically shows a first embodiment of a camera according to the present invention; Fig. 3B schematically shows how a user accustomed to taking pictures by viewing with his right eye uses the camera of Fig. 3A; Fig. 3C schematically shows how a user accustomed to taking pictures by viewing with his left eye uses the camera of Fig. 3A; Fig. 3D schematically shows how a user views the photographed target with both of his eyes by the camera of Fig. 3A; Fig. 4 schematically shows a second embodiment of a camera according to the present invention; Fig. 5 schematically shows a night vision equipment of a third embodiment of a camera according to the present invention, with viewing from a side of a camera body; Figs. 6A and 6B schematically show a fifth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention, wherein Fig. 6A is a schematic rear view of the camera, and Fig. 6B is a schematic side view of the camera; Fig. 7 schematically shows a sixth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention; Fig. 8 schematically shows a seventh embodiment of a camera according to the present invention; Fig. 9 schematically shows an eighth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention; Fig. 10 schematically shows a ninth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention; Figs. 1 lA and 1lB schematically show a tenth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention, wherein Fig. 1 lA is a schematic rear view of the camera, and Fig. 11B is a schematic bottom view of the camera; Fig. 12 schematically shows an eleventh embodiment of a camera according to the present invention; Fig. 13 schematically shows a twelfth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention; Fig. 14 schematically shows a thirteenth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention; and Fig. 15 schematically shows a fourteenth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.

EMBODIMENT 1 Please refer to Fig. 3A, which schematically shows a first embodiment of a camera according to the present invention. The camera includes two viewfinders 31 mounted in a camera body 32. Each of the viewfinders 31 has a window 311 for a user to watch a subject to be photographed therethrough. The two viewfminders are respectively located at positions near the right and the left bottom corner of the camera body 32.

For a user accustomed to taking pictures by viewing with his right eye 33, he can use the viewfinder near the left bottom comer so as to avoid the press of his nose 34 against the camera body, as shown in Fig. 3B. On the contrary, for a user accustomed to taking pictures by viewing with his left eye 35, he can use the viewfinder near the right bottom corner so as to avoid the press of his nose 34 against the camera body, as shown in Fig.

3C. On the other hand, the user can also take pictures by viewing with both of his eyes if the distance between the two viewfminders 31 are about the distance between the eyes of the user, as shown in Fig. 3D. Most users feel comfortable and clear to watch things with both eyes.

EMBODIMENT 2 Please refer to Fig. 4, which schematically shows a second embodiment of a camera according to the present invention. The camera shown in Fig. 4 is similar to the camera of Embodiment 1 except that the count of the viewfinder is one, and the viewfinder is elongated. The viewfinder 41 is located near the bottom of the camera body 42, and wide enough for a user to view objects therethrough with both of his eyes.

EMBODIMENT 3 A third embodiment of a camera has a similar appearance to the camera of Embodiment 1 except that one of the viewfinders is a night vision equipment. The night vision equipment allows a user to locate the subject to be photographed in relatively dark circumstances. As long as a highly sensitive film is further used to cooperate with the night vision viewfinder, the user can take a picture without strong light so that the disturbance to the environment resulting from the sight auxiliary light and flashlight can be avoided.

Please refer to Fig. 5, which schematically illustrates the night vision equipment 51 from a side of the camera body 52. The night vision equipment 51 includes an object lens 53, an image intensifying tube 54, and an eye piece 55, which are connected as a whole. The image of a subject (not shown) passes through the object lens 53 to obtain an optical signal. The optical signal enters the image-intensifying tube 54 to be converted into an electronic signal. The electronic signal then bombards the fluorescent material in the image-intensifying tube 54 to generate an intensified optical signal. The intensified optical signal corresponding to the image of the subject is then projected on the eye piece 55, which can be seen by the user.

If desired, both of the viewfinders can be night vision equipment.

EMBODIMENT 4 A fourth embodiment of a camera has a similar appearance to the camera of Embodiment 2 except that the elongated viewfinder is a night vision equipment. The night vision equipment is similar to that as described and as shown in Fig. EMBODIMENT Please refer to Figs. 6A and 6B, which schematically show a fifth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention. Fig. 6A is a schematic rear view of the camera, and Fig. 6B is a schematic side view.

The camera shown in Figs. 6A and 6B includes a night vision equipment similar to that as described in Embodiment 3 and as shown in Fig. 5 to serve as a viewfinder 61, and a camera body 62. The camera body 62 has a recessed portion 63 on a bottom corner thereof. The viewfinder 61 is connected to the camera body 62 via a hinge 64, and the viewfinder 61 is pivotally rotatable about the hinge 64. When the camera is in use, the viewfinder 61 is rotated to a viewing position outside the camera body 62 to be used. When the camera is not in use, the viewfinder 61 can be rotated into the recessed portion 63, i.e. rotated to a hidden position inside the camera body.

EMBODIMENT 6 A sixth embodiment of a camera has a similar structure to the camera of Embodiment 5 except that there are two viewfinders rather than one provided in the camera, as shown in Fig. 7. One of viewfinders is located at a position near the left bottom corner, and the other is located at a position near the right bottom corner. In this case, the camera body 62 has another recessed portion 631, and another hinge 641 is provided to connect the additional viewfinder 611 to the camera body 62. Furthermore, one of the viewfinders is a night vision equipment similar to that as described in Embodiment 3 and as shown in Fig. 5, and the other is a general viewfinder.

EMBODIMENT 7 Please refer to Fig. 8, which schematically shows a seventh embodiment of a camera according to the present invention. The camera also includes a camera body 82 and a viewfinder 81. The camera body 82 has a recessed portion 85 at a position near a bottom corner thereof for receiving the viewfinder 81. The viewfinder 81 is extractably mounted to the camera body 82, and has a stop member 84 for preventing the viewfinder from being completely extracted out of the camera body 82. In addition, there are two bumps 83 mounted on two opposite sides of the viewfinder 81 to be held by user's fingers, thereby extracting the viewfinder 81 partly out of the camera body 82 when the camera is in use, and returning the viewfinder 81 to the recessed portion 85 when the camera is not in use. The bumps 83 can be arranged on the top and the bottom surfaces of the viewfinder 81 as shown in Fig. 8, and alternatively, they can be arranged on the front and the rear surfaces to achieve the same purpose.

EMBODIMENT 8 An eighth embodiment of a camera has a similar structure to the camera of Embodiment 7 except that there are two viewfinders rather than one provided in the camera, as shown in Fig. 9. One of viewfinders is located at a position near the left bottom comer, and the other is located at a position near the right bottom comer. In this case, the camera body 82 has another recessed portion 851, and further two bumps 831 are provided to facilitate the extraction of the viewfinder 811. Furthermore, one of the viewfinders in this case is a night vision equipment similar to that as described in Embodiment 3 and as shown in Fig. 5, and the other is a general viewfinder.

EMBODIMENT 9 A ninth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention, as shown in Fig. 10 which is a schematic side view of the camera, has a camera body 102 and an elongated viewfinder 101 similar to that shown in Fig. 4. The viewfinder 101 has a width equal to the width of the camera body 102. The camera body 102 has a recessed portion 105 on the bottom portion thereof to be extractably mounted therein the elongated viewfinder 101. When the camera is in use, the viewfinder 101 is pulled downwards structure to the camera of Embodiment 10 except that the guide track 134 is mounted on a surface of the viewfinder 131, and the sliding element 135 is mounted on a surface of the camera body 132.

EMBODIMENT 13 A thirteenth embodiment of a camera has a similar structure to the camera of Embodiment 10 except that the camera body 142 has two guide tracks 144, as shown in Fig. 14. In this case, two viewfinder sites can be selected, or two viewfinders similar to that as described in Embodiment and as shown in Fig. 11B can be simultaneously attached to the camera body 142.

EMBODIMENT 14 Please refer to Fig. 15, which schematically shows a fourteenth embodiment of a camera according to the present invention. The camera includes a camera body 152 having a slot 153 at a position near a bottom thereof, and a night vision equipment movably engaged in the slot 153 as a viewfinder 151. The viewfinder 151 can move leftwards and rightwards along the slot so that a user can adjust the viewfinder to a comfortable position as desired.

While the invention has been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

Claims

1. A camera, comprising: a camera body for picking up an image of a subject; and a viewfinder device arranged on said camera body at a position near a bottom of said camera body and allowing a user to watch said subject therethrough with both of his eyes.

2. The camera according to claim 1 wherein: said viewfinder device includes two viewfinders having two windows both arranged on said camera body at said position near said bottom of said camera body, and having therebetween a distance substantially equal to a distance between two eyes of said user.

3. The camera according to claim 1 wherein said viewfinder device includes: a viewfinder having an elongated window arranged on said camera body at said position near said bottom of said camera body, and having a length greater than a distance between two eyes of said user.

4. The camera according to claim 1 wherein: said viewfinder device is consisted of a night vision equipment.

I I I IC The camera according to claim 4 wherein said night vision equipment includes: an object lens for receiving and passing therethrough said image of said subject to obtain an optical signal; an image-intensifying tube connected to said object lens for receiving and converting said optical signal into an electronic signal, and generating an intensified optical signal in response to said electronic signal; and an eye piece for showing said image of said subject thereon in response to said intensified optical signal.

6. The camera according to claim 1 wherein: two viewfinders arranged at two bottom corners of said camera body, respectively; and a connecting device allowing said two viewfinders to be pivotally connected to said camera body, so that said two viewfinders can be pivotally rotated to a hidden position in said camera body when said camera is not in use, and to a viewing position out of said camera body when said camera is in use.

7. The camera according to claim 6 wherein: said camera body has a recessed portion for receiving said two viewfinders at said hidden position. R4 4 7"t

8. The camera according to claim 1 wherein: said connecting device includes two hinges for connecting said two viewfinders to said camera body, respectively.

9. The camera according to claim 1 wherein said viewfinder device includes: two viewfinders arranged at two bottom corners of said camera body, respectively; and a driving device connected to said two viewfinders for being exerted a force thereon, thereby extracting said two viewfinders partly out of said camera body when said camera is in use, and returning said two viewfinders to said camera body when said camera is not in use.

10. The camera according to claim 1 wherein said viewfinder device includes: an elongated viewfinder arranged at said bottom of said camera body, and having a length greater than a distance between two eyes of said user; and a driving device connected to said elongated viewfinder for being exerted a force thereon, thereby extracting said elongated viewfinder partly out of said camera body when said camera is in use, and returning said elongated viewfinder to said camera body when said camera is not in use.

11. The camera according to claim 10 wherein: said elongated viewfinder has a length approximating to the width of said camera body, and is extractable from said bottom of said camera body.

12. The camera according to claim 11 wherein: said camera body has a recessed portion for receiving said elongated viewfinder which is not in use.

13. A camera, comprising: a camera body for picking up an image of a subject; and a viewfinder device arranged on said camera body at a position near a bottom of said camera body and allowing a user to watch said subject therethrough in a manner that said user's nose can always be kept away from said camera body with either one of his eyes.

14. The camera according to claim 13 wherein: said viewfinder device includes two viewfinders having two windows arranged at two bottom corners of said camera body, respectively.

The camera according to claim 13 wherein: said viewfinder device includes a viewfinder having an elongated window arranged on said camera body at said position near said bottom of said camera body, and having a length approximating to the width of said camera body.

16. The camera according to claim 13 wherein: said viewfinder device is consisted of a night vision equipment.

17. The camera according to claim 16 wherein s a i d n i g h t vision equipment includes: an object lens for receiving and passing therethrough said image of said subject to obtain an optical signal; an image-intensifying tube connected to said object lens for receiving and converting said optical signal into an electronic signal, and generating an intensified optical signal in respect to said electronic signal; and an eye piece for showing said image of said subject thereon in response to said intensified optical signal.

18. The camera according to claim 13 wherein said viewfinder device includes: two viewfinders arranged at two bottom corners of said camera body, respectively; and a connecting device allowing said two viewfinders to be pivotally connected to said camera body, so that said two viewfinders can be pivotally rotated to a hidden position in said camera body when said camera is not in use, and to a viewing position out of said camera body when said camera is in use.

19. The camera according to claim 18 wherein: said connecting device includes two hinges for connecting said two viewfinders to said chamber body, respectively.

The camera according to claim 13 wherein said viewfinder device includes: two viewfinders arranged at two bottom corners of said camera body, respectively; and a driving device connected to said two viewfinders for being exerted a force thereon, thereby extracting said two viewfinders partly out of said camera body when said camera is in use, and returning said two viewfinders to said camera body when said camera is not in use.

21. The camera according to claim 13 wherein said viewfinder device includes: an elongated viewfinder arranged at said bottom of said camera body, and having a length approximating to the width of said camera body; and a driving device connected to said elongated viewfinder for being exerted a force thereon, thereby extracting said elongated viewfinder partly out of said camera body when said camera is in use, and returning said elongated viewfinder to said camera body when said camera is not in use.

22. The camera according to claim 13 wherein: said camera body is provided with an elongated slot at said position near said bottom thereof, said elongate slot has a length approximating to the width of said camera body, and said viewfinder device includes a viewfinder mounted in said elongated slot and movable along said elongated slot. DATED this Twenty-ninth day of March 1999. HONG LI TSENG By his Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY 19a