EP1766963A1

EP1766963A1 - Viewer for a digital camera

Info

Publication number: EP1766963A1
Application number: EP05759224A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paul Varley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-18
Filing date: 2005-06-20
Publication date: 2007-03-28
Also published as: GB2421318A; GB2421318B; WO2005125180A1; GB0413632D0

Abstract

A viewer for a digital camera comprises a first lens and a second lens, the first and second lenses being aligned axially, wherein the first lens and second lenses are mounted in respective lens mounts, and wherein the first and second lens mounts are arranged in the viewer such that one is movable towards and away from the other between stowage position and viewing configurations.

Description

VIEWER FOR A DIGITAL CAMERA

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a viewer for a digital camera, and in particular to a viewer that is collapsible so as to form an object that can easily be carried in a pocket.

Background of the Invention

Digital cameras have become increasingly popular since their introduction to the market place some years ago. There are a number of differences between a digital camera and a typical 35mm camera. First, the images captured require no development. Second, digital cameras are typically provided with a small screen viewer, which can be used either when taking a picture, or to view an image that has already been captured by the camera.

The adoption of digital cameras has lead to a change in the way people look at photographs. Typically, users of digital cameras download images onto a computer in order to save them, and look at them on the screen of their personal computer. They might print off a selection of the best of the pictures they have taken. This is very different to the way in which pictures taken by cameras using film are viewed. Typically, a reel of film will be developed onto negatives with all the images transferred to photographic paper and packaged in wallet. A common activity is for photographs to be shown to other people, for example friends and family. It is this ability to show photographs to others that is more difficult to provide for with pictures taken on digital cameras.

As previously mentioned, digital cameras are typically provided with a small screen viewer. It has therefore become common for pictures taken on a digital camera to be shown to others on the small viewing screen of the camera. This is not particularly satisfactory since the screen is generally too small to give a reasonable quality representation of the recorded image. Also, it is much more difficult for two or three people to look at an image at the same time (which often happens when pictures recorded on film and subsequendy developed onto photographic paper). This difficulty arises from the dimensions of the viewing screen and the liquid crystal nature of digital camera viewing screens, which are inherendy difficult to view at an angle to the axis of the screen.

To avoid this problem, some photograph developers offer a service in which images recorded digitally are down loaded onto a special printer, from which pictures are made in the same style as pictures initially recorded on photographic film. Whilst this does overcome one problem, it removes the spontaneity provided by the digital camera of being able to look at an image immediately it has been recorded.

A number of viewers are already known. For example, US 2002/0159775 describes a telescopically extendible focusing hood which improves the viewing of an LCD screen of a digital camera in bright surrounding light The hood comprises a first component for attachment to a digital camera, the first component including a lens, and a second component telescopically slidable in the first component, the second component also including a lens. The lens in the second component is located below the top edge of the said component in order to provide an image not affected by bright light. The image is viewed through the lens of the second component and provides a magnified view of the image generated by the viewer of the camera. Whilst providing a magnified view of the image, this viewer is intended to improve viewing of the image prior to recording thereof by the digital camera. The viewer is bulky, time consuming to attach to the camera, and due to the number of component parts would be cosdy to manufacture.

Another viewer is known from WO 03/053046. This viewer is operable in shooting and viewing modes. The viewer includes first and second lenses in optical alignment to define a viewfinder line-of-sight path. A mirror is disposed between the first and second lenses, the mirror being foldable between a lower position out of the line-of-sight path and a raised position in the line- of-sight The viewer further includes a display disposed outside the view finder line-of-sight path. When the mirror is folded into the line of sight an image from the first lens is reflected onto the display. Whilst this viewer does provide for viewing the image recorded by the camera, the device has numerous parts making it cosdy to manufacture.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a means for improving viewing of images recorded by a digital camera.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a viewer for a digital camera as specified in Claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which are for exemplary purposes, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional schematic representation of a viewer for a digital camera in its viewing configuration;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the viewer illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the viewer shown in Figures 1 and 2, but in the stowing configuration;

Figure 4 is an exploded view from a first viewing angle of a viewer for a digital camera according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the viewer illustrated in Figure 4 from a second viewing angle. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to Figure 1, the viewer 1 comprises a first element 2, which is elliptically shaped. The element 2 includes an aperture in which a first lens 3 is mounted, the lens including a rebate around the perimeter thereof, allowing the lens to be located in the aperture as a push fit At each end of the element 2 there is located a plurality of indentations to form a grip surface 5. The element 2 also includes blind bores 7b the purpose of which is described in greater detail below.

A second element 6, also elliptically shaped, is fixed to the first element 2 by screws 7 which pass through bores 7a and 7b in the second and first elements respectively. The second element includes a portion 9 extending from the edge of the elliptical edge to define a substantially circular opening. The portion 9 terminates at the circular opening with a lip 10 projecting at an angle to the plane of the portion 9 and towards the first element 2. The portion 9 mounts a substantially circular upstanding wall 8 spaced inwardly of the Hp 10. At opposite sides of the circle, the wall extends away from the Hp 10 to form chambers 13a. The second element 6 also includes indents 7c which the fingers of a user may grip to hold the viewer.

The viewer of the invention is arranged to collapse such that it is substantially flat in cross- section. This is facilitated by third and fourth elements, the third element being mounted in the second element, and the third element in the fourth, mounting of one element into another facilitating collapsing of the elements to provide the above-mentioned flat cross-section.

The third element 11 is substantially circular and is sHdably mounted in the second element 6. The element 11 comprises a side waU 12, which at opposite ends of thereof includes projecting lobes 13, each lobe including an upstanding wall element 14. In the extended configuration as shown in Figure 1, the lobes 13 engage with correspondingly shaped chambers 13a of the second element 6. Engagement of the lobes 13 in the chambers 13a prevents rotation of the third element 11 with respect to the second element 6. When the third element is pushed towards the first element 2, the lobes 13 disengage from the chambers 13a, thereby permitting the third element 11 to rotate with respect to the second element 6. An underside of each lobe 13 then rides on an upper surface of the wall 8. The lobes 13 project beyond the wall 8 into the space 8a so that the third element 11 cannot be pulled out of the second element 6.

The third element 11 includes a mounting arrangement for the fourth element 18. The mounting arrangement comprises a wall 15 extending from the wall 12 and perpendicular thereto. The waH 15 includes a shallow channel 16 and terminates with a Hp 17 forming a rectangular opening in which a correspondingly shaped portion of the fourth element 18 is sHdably mounted.

The fourth element 18 comprises a planar component 19 having a circular perimeter, and a rectangular opening 19a. A wall 20 extends downwardly from the planar component 19 around the edge of the rectangular opening 19a and perpendicular to the said planar component 19.

The fourth element mounts a second lens 23. On each side of the rectangular wall 20 a Hp element 21 projects inwardly to provide a mounting point for the second lens 23.

The rectangular shape of the waU 20 corresponds substantially to the rectangular shape of viewers found on digital cameras. To look at images with the viewer 1, a user holds the lower edge 24 of the waU 20 over the camera viewing screen. The user can then hold the elliptical part of the viewer using the indents 7c and the grip surface 5.

When the viewer is in its viewing configuration, as shown in Figure 1, the third element 11 is held in place in the second element 6 by virtue of the relative dimensions of the lobes 13 and the chambers 13a, the two elements being dimensioned such that the lobes 13 are a tight push fit in the chambers 13a. Similarly, the fourth element is held in place in the extended position by virtue of the relative dimensions of the waUs 20 of the fourth element 18 and the shape and dimensions of the wall 15, the channel 16 and Up 17. The distance from the outside of one wall 20 to another is marginally greater where the waU _joins the planar component 19 than at its lower edge 24. Furthermore, the distance between Hp 17 and an opposite Hp 17 is margtnauy less than the distance from the outside of one wall 20 to the outside of an opposite wall 20. The Hp 17 therefore resύiently engages with the wall 20. The top edge of each Hp 17 is rounded 17a and sHdes easily on the outside of the wall 20 As the fourth element 18 is pulled out of the third element 11 , the outsides of the waUs 20 push against the Hps 17. The difference in dimension is accommodated by the Hp 17 and channel 16 of the waU 15 deforming sHghdy, resulting in the Hps 17 pressing against the outsides of the walls 20. The engagement of the Hp 17 with the wall 20 therefore allows the fourth element to be varied in position with respect to the third element 11, and hence the position of the lens 23 to the lens 3 also to be vaπed.

As lUustrated in Figure 3, the viewer collapses down to a relatively small object that can conveniendy fit in a typical jacket pocket.

The first lens 3 is a magnifying lens, whereas the second lens 23 provides no magnification, and may be formed from any transparent material. By varying the distance between the first and second lenses the degree of magnification of an image may be adjusted. The magnification provided by the first lens 3 is such that a much more easily discermble image than an image produced by a standard digital camera viewing screen. Furthermore, the image provided by the lens 3 can be seen more easily by a person whose view is not direcdy in line with the axis of the camera, thereby allowing images taken on a digital camera to be viewed in a manner more akin to the viewing of images captured on film. The size and shape of the viewer, and the locking means locking the viewer in its working or stowing configurations make the viewer easy to use.

The lenses 3 and 23 are of plastics or glass construction. The first, second, third and fourth elements 2, 6, 11 and 18 are of plastics construction and are preferably vacuum moulded. Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the viewer iUustrated is of the same basic construction as with certain additional features. Where the parts illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 are the same as those illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the same numerals are used. The viewer 1 comprises a first element 2 mounting the lens 3. An edge 37 of the lens is gripped by a cHp 36 which is an integral part of the first element 2. The first element further includes a protrusion 30 including a bore 30a through which a cord may be passed to attach the viewer to an individual. The second element 6 attaches to the first element by means of pins 7' that engage with bores 7a' in the second element 6 and corresponding bores in the first element. The wall 8 of the second element 6 includes detents 34 acting as locators for guide elements 33 of the third element 11. The guide elements 33 and detents 34 allow the third element 11 to move axially to open and close the viewer but prevent rotation of the third element 11 with respect to the first and second elements 2 and 6.

The fourth element 18 comprises a planar component 19 having a circular perimeter, and a rectangular opening 19a. A waU 20 extends downwardly from the planar component 19 around the edge of the rectangular opening 19a and perpendicular to the said planar component 19. The waU 20 includes on each face thereof a finger grip element 31 which consists of a region of reduced waU thickness, in Figure 4 the region being concave. At the corner of each face of the wall 20 there is provided a protrusion 35. Each protrusion 35 co-operates with a detent 36 in the third element 11. The protrusion 35 sUdes in the detent 36 and ensures that the fourth element 18 moves smoothly in the third element 11. The third element 11 also includes a ledge 32 extending around the square opening in the said third element 11. In use, the underside of the planar component 19 sits on the ledge 32, thereby defining the maximum extent of opening of the viewer 1. The second lens 23 sits in a rebate 37 in the wall 20 and is held in place by a suitable adhesive.

Claims

1. A viewer for a digital camera compnsmg a first magnifying lens and a second lens, the first and second lenses being aligned axially, wherein the first and second lenses are mounted in respective lens mounts, wherein the first and second lens mounts are arranged in the viewer such that one is movable towards and away from the other between stowage position and viewing configurations, wherein the first lens is wider than the second lens. 2 A viewer according to Claim 1, wherein the first and second lens mounts are each mounted on an intermediate element, and both mounts are movable with respect to the intermediate element. 3. A viewer according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second lens mounts are sHdably mounted with respect to each other. 4. A viewer according to Claim 3, wherein the second lens mount is sHdably mounted in the intermediate element, and the intermediate element is sHdably mounted in the first lens mount. 5. A viewer accordmg to Claim 4, wherein the second lens mount is rotatably mounted in the intermediate element. 6. A viewer accordmg to any preceding claim, wherein the first lens mount mcludes a hand gPP- 7 A viewer accordmg to any preceding claim, wherein the first lens mount comprises a top and a bottom, the intermediate element being mounted in the bottom. 8. A viewer according to Claims 6 and 7, wherein a first part of the gnp is located on a surface of the top and a second part of the gnp is located on the bottom of the first lens mount 9 A viewer according to any preceding claim, further compnsmg locking means to lock the viewer in its viewing configuration.

10. A -viewer according to any preceding claim, further comprising locking means to lock the viewer in its stowage configuration.

11. A viewer according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the locking means comprises at least one lobe.

12. A viewer according to Claim 11, wherein the or each lobe engages with a chamber to lock the -viewer in its viewing configuration.

13. A -viewer according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the or each lobe engages with a waU of the first lens mount to lock the viewer in its stowage configuration.

14. A viewer according to Claim 12, wherein the lobe is a push fit in the chamber.

15. A viewer according to Claim 9, wherein the second lens mount is shdable in the intermediate element between a retracted stowage configuration and an extended viewing configuration, and wherein the second lens mount is a push fit in the intermediate element.

16. A viewer according to Claim 15, wherein the intermediate element comprises a channel including a Hp engagable with a wall of the second lens mount, the Hp resiHentiy pressing against the said wall to maintain the second lens mount in a position to which said second lens mount is manually adjusted.

17. A viewer according to any preceding claim, wherein the first element includes a cord mount

18. A viewer according to any preceding claim, wherein the second lens mount includes at least one grip element.

19. A viewer according to any preceding claim, wherein the first lens mount and the intermediate element each include a part of a shde, the said sHde permitting axial displacement of the first lens mount and the intermediate element, but preventing rotation therebetween.

20. A viewer according to any preceding claim except Claim 5, wherein the second lens mount and the intermediate element each include a part of a shde, the said sHde consttaining movement of the second lens mount with respect to the intermediate element to movement along the axis of the viewer.

21. A viewer according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediate element includes an upstand, and in the extended configuration at least a part of the planar component of the second lens mount rests upon the said upstand.

22. A viewer according to any preceding claim, wherein the second lens is a magnifying lens.

23. A viewer according to any preceding claim, wherein the second lens is a plain lens.

24. A viewer for a digital camera substantially as shown in, and as described with reference to, the drawings.