JP2000083185A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video camera for prolonging the time of photographing and reducing weight at the time of using an EVF(electronic view finder). SOLUTION: This video camera is provided with a recording part for recording information in a record carrier and a monitor part composed of a display device 14. The housing part of a first battery 19 and the housing part of a second battery 30 are provided and the monitor part is detachable. A monitor housing part and the second battery housing part can be shared. The first battery 19 and the second battery 30 are in different shapes and the capacity of the second battery 30 is larger than that of the first battery 19. By making the monitor part composed of a liquid crystal display device 14 or the like detachable and making the battery mountable to the monitor part, the first battery 19 and the second battery 30 can be loaded on the video camera.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a camera-integrated VTR as an example of a video camera, there have been increasing products equipped with an image display section composed of a liquid crystal or the like as shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 11 denotes a VTR for loading and reproducing a record carrier such as a tape cassette, 12 denotes a lens unit, and 13 denotes an electronic viewfinder (hereinafter referred to as EVF).
, 14 is a liquid crystal display device, 16 is a power switch,
17 is a start / stop switch, and 19 is a battery.

[0005] The liquid crystal display device 14 is used for displaying a reproduced image in a reproducing mode and for viewing a subject in a photographing mode. In recent years, the size of the liquid crystal has increased in many cases, and the ratio of the liquid crystal display device to the video camera body has also increased. Liquid crystal display device 1
4 is attached to the main body so as to be freely opened and closed by a hinge 15. When used, it is used in an open state as shown in FIG. 8, and when not in use, it is stored in a closed state as shown in FIG.

When the liquid crystal display device 14 is not used, it is possible to take a picture while viewing the EVF 13 and display a reproduced image, similarly to the conventional video camera. Liquid crystal display device 1
Reference numeral 4 is convenient when viewing a captured image or viewing a reproduced image by a large number of people. On the other hand, there is a problem in that the use time is limited due to the large power consumption, and the surroundings are too bright to make it difficult to see the screen, especially in the outdoors in the daytime. Therefore, in normal photographing, it is often sufficient to use the EVF. In addition, since this type of video camera generally consumes a large amount of power, it is necessary to use a spare battery 14 or to frequently turn off the power when using the video camera. Is also big.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional example, even when the liquid crystal display device 14 is not used, it cannot be removed. For this reason, the weight and size are disadvantageous at least by the liquid crystal display device 14 as compared with the conventional video camera. Also, the battery capacity is small and the photographing time is short. Further, when photographing for a long period of time, it is usually necessary to use a bulky and heavy object in spite of not using the liquid crystal display device 14 in terms of power consumption. On the other hand, in order to take a picture for a long time, a large-capacity, large and heavy battery is to be mounted, so that the weight is further increased.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a video camera that can achieve a longer shooting time and a reduced weight when using an EVF.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A video camera according to the present invention comprises a recording section for recording information on a record carrier and a monitor section comprising a display device, wherein a first battery storage section and a second battery storage section are provided. And the monitor unit is detachable, and the monitor storage unit and the second battery storage unit can be shared.

In the video camera according to the present invention, the first battery and the second battery have different shapes, and the second battery has a larger capacity than the first battery.

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a monitor unit such as a liquid crystal display device is made detachable and a battery is attachable to the monitor unit. As a result, the first battery and the second battery can be mounted on the video camera, so that a longer shooting time is possible.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a video camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, using the same reference numerals for members that are substantially the same as or correspond to those of the conventional example.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a VTR unit on which a record carrier such as a tape cassette is mounted and which performs recording and reproduction;
Is a lens unit, 13 is an EVF, 14 is a liquid crystal display device, 15 is a hinge for freely opening and closing the liquid crystal display device, 16 is a power switch, 17 is a start / stop switch, 19 is a first battery, and 20 is a liquid crystal. A detachable switch for attaching and detaching the display device 14 or the second battery 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, a connector terminal 23 is provided at the tip of the hinge 15, and an image signal, a control signal, electric power, etc. are exchanged with the liquid crystal display device 14 via the connector terminal 23. It is supposed to.
The liquid crystal display device 14 is fixed by the lock member 22 by being inserted into the hinge 15. When the liquid crystal display device 14 is detached, the lock member 22 is released by pressing the detachable switch 20.

The second battery 30 has substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the liquid crystal display device 14, as shown in FIG. The shape of the joint between the second battery 30 and the hinge 15 is the same as that of the liquid crystal display device 14, and the user can select and mount the liquid crystal display device 14 or the second battery 30 according to the purpose of use. .

For example, when it is desired to view an image with a large number of people on the spot where the image was taken, it is sufficient to use the EVF 13 while wearing the liquid crystal display device 14 and taking it. If the photographing time is to be lengthened, the second battery 3
0 can be used. Furthermore, if it is desired to be as light and small as possible, neither the liquid crystal display device 14 nor the second battery 30 need be mounted. FIG. 3 shows the first battery 19 and the second battery 30.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view when both are mounted. However, the present invention is not limited to the case of this example, and any one of them can be used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a video camera according to the present invention. In the figure, 101
Denotes a power control unit, which includes a detection circuit for the first battery 19 and the second battery 30, and a remaining battery detection circuit. The power control unit 101 detects the presence or absence of the first battery 19 and the presence or absence of the second battery 30 when the power switch 16 is turned on. If both are mounted, first the first battery 19 (or the second battery 3
0), and when the remaining amount is exhausted, control is performed so that the second battery 30 (or the first battery 19) starts supplying power. The power control unit 101 sends information such as the presence / absence of the first battery 19 and the second battery 30 and the remaining battery level to the system control unit 100.

The display controller 102 has a circuit for detecting the presence or absence of the liquid crystal display device 14 and a circuit for selecting the liquid crystal display device 14 and the EVF 19. When the detection circuit of the presence or absence of the liquid crystal display device determines that there is no liquid crystal, the display control unit 102
The information to that effect is sent to the system control unit 100.

The system control unit 100 controls the liquid crystal display device 1
When the user presses the liquid crystal display key of the operation unit 21 even though there is no 4, the EVF 13 displays a message such as "No liquid crystal". Also,
The system control unit 100 displays the presence or absence of the battery, the remaining amount information, and the like from the power control unit 101 on the EVF 13 as shown in FIG. 5, so that the user can check the status of the battery. Here, 130 is a screen of the EVF 13, and 201 and 202 are the first battery 19 respectively.
And a mark for displaying the presence / absence and remaining amount of the second battery 30. In the example shown in FIG. 5, two of the first and second batteries 19 and 30 are mounted,
This is an example showing that the battery 19 is empty and the remaining amount of the second battery 30 is half.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be generally applied to a recording device that displays an image using a liquid crystal display device or the like. For example, there are a digital still camera and a digital disk movie.

FIG. 6 shows an application example of a digital still camera. In the figure, 40 is an optical viewfinder, and 35 is a shutter button. Liquid crystal display device 14
Is openably and closably attached via a hinge 15 and is detachable. Here, the second battery 30
Can be mounted, and the user can select and mount the liquid crystal display device 14 or the second battery 30 according to the situation.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the first
The example in which the battery 19 and the second battery 30 have different shapes has been described. In the third embodiment, the same terminals as those of the storage portion of the first battery 19 are provided in the storage portion of the liquid crystal display device 14. Thus, the same battery can be used for the first and second batteries.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, the terminals of the liquid crystal display device 14, the first battery 19, and the second battery 30 are designed to have the same shape. . Thus, the first battery 10 can be mounted in the storage section of the second battery 30.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can use the monitor unit composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display by detachably attaching the monitor storage unit and the second battery storage unit. In this case, either the monitor or the battery can be selected and used, thereby improving the usability. Further, when the second battery is used, the photographing can be performed for a longer time than when the first battery is used, and the usability for the user is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a detachable portion in the video camera of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the video camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to the video camera of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example in an EVF according to the video camera of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 VTR unit 12 Lens unit 13 Electronic viewfinder 14 Liquid crystal display device 15 Hinge 16 Power switch 19 First battery 21 Operation unit 22 Lock member 30 Second battery 100 System control unit 101 Power control unit 102 Display control units 201, 202 mark

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A video camera comprising a recording unit for recording information on a record carrier and a monitor unit comprising a display device, comprising a first battery storage unit and a second battery storage unit,
A video camera, wherein the monitor unit is detachable, and the monitor storage unit and the second battery storage unit can be shared. 2. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein the first battery and the second battery have different shapes,
A video camera, wherein the second battery has a larger capacity than the first battery.