JP2000217023A - Electronic camera with electronic display - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To keep the compact and easy-to-use vertical type electronic camera 1 while maintaining the display unit 6a of an electronic display 6 such as a liquid crystal when the portable electronic device is not used. The electronic camera 1 is configured such that the electronic camera 1 is not exposed to light and a component of the electronic display 6 serves as a protection part of the taking lens unit. For this purpose, an electronic display (6) is provided as a separate unit from the camera main body (1), and the display (6) is disposed on the front surface of the camera main body (1) so that a display section (6a) is located inside. A guide section 7 is provided so as to be slidable, and when stored, the lens protection section is released with a single touch so that the display section 6a of the display 6 is not exposed to the outside, and the display indication 6a can be visually recognized from the top of the camera body 1 from behind. It was constituted so that it might become.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LC).
D) The present invention relates to an electronic camera provided with an electronic display including D) and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many electronic cameras such as digital still cameras have been put on the market. In these cameras, an electronic display typified by a liquid crystal display is generally mounted. As shown in an external perspective view of one of the examples in FIG. 9, the electronic display 42 is disposed on the back of the camera body 41.

As shown in an external perspective view of another conventional example in FIG. 10, an electronic display 43 is foldable and arranged on a top surface of a camera body 44 which is thinned in a vertical direction. Some are configured to provide protection.

[0004]

However, the arrangement in which the electronic display 43 is arranged on the back of the camera body as shown in FIG. 9 is effective for realizing a compact camera, but it is effective when the camera is carried or photographed. It has a structure that is easy to be scratched, dust and fingerprints sometimes.

Further, in the configuration in which the electronic display 43 is foldably arranged as shown in FIG. 10, the photographing lens portion is not protected, and the operability of holding the camera at the time of photographing is not good.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by maintaining a compact and easy-to-use vertical electronic camera while maintaining the display of an electronic display in a portable state. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera which is not exposed to the outside when used, and is configured such that a constituent part of the electronic display serves as a protection part of a photographing lens part.

[0007]

According to the present invention, an object of the present invention is attained by providing an electronic camera having an electronic display described in any of the following items (1) to (5). What you want to do.

(1) In an electronic camera provided with an electronic display, the electronic display has a display unit in the front of the camera and has moving means for vertically moving the electronic display. An electronic camera equipped with an electronic display, wherein the display unit is protected and forms a protection member on the front surface of the photographing lens, and in a photographing state, the display unit is visible from behind the camera.

(2) The electronic camera provided with the electronic display as described in (1) above, wherein the moving means has a guide portion which allows the electronic display to slide in the vertical direction.

(3) The electronic device according to the item (1), wherein the moving means has a guide portion which is slidable in the vertical direction, and the electronic display is rotatably supported by the guide portion. Electronic camera with display.

(4) The main body of the electronic camera or the power supply of the electronic display is turned on / off in conjunction with vertical sliding of the electronic display. Electronic camera with electronic display.

(5) The power supply of the main body of the electronic camera or the electronic display is turned on / off in conjunction with vertical sliding or rotation of the electronic display. An electronic camera comprising the electronic display according to the above.

[0013]

According to the structure of the present invention as described above, the display unit of the electronic display is not exposed to the outside when the camera is not in use, such as when the camera is carried, and the lens unit is protected. An electronic camera with excellent immediacy in which the power of the display unit is turned on / off according to the up / down movement of the display unit of the electronic display.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail based on a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0015]

1 to 3 are views showing a photographing state of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a used state, FIG. 2 is a side view thereof, and FIG. Show perspective view: FIG.
In 3, 1 is an electronic camera main body, 2 is a photographing button (switch) provided on the upper surface of the camera, 3 is a photographing lens,
Denotes an optical finder window, and 5 denotes a strobe light emitting unit.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an electronic display unit such as an LCD, which includes a display section 6a of the electronic display and a rotating shaft 6b of the electronic display. Reference numeral 7 denotes a guide portion of the electronic display unit 6. The guide portion 7 supports a support arm 7a, a sleeve 7b, a protrusion 7c provided on the opposite side of the sleeve 7b, and a rotating shaft 6b of the electronic display. Rotation holding parts 7d and 7e are provided, and rotatably support the friction ring 8 without play.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a support rod, which is fixed to the electronic camera body 1. The support rod 9 has a sleeve 7 of the guide portion 7.
b is fitted, and the projection 7c is attached to the electronic camera body 1.
The guide portion 7 is supported so as to be able to move up and down along the support rod 9 because it is fitted in the guide groove 1 provided in the guide groove 7. Reference numeral 10 denotes an urging spring, which guides the guide portion 7 to the camera body 1.
Is biased upward.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a first detection switch, which can detect that the guide portion 7 is urged toward the upper portion of the electronic camera body 1. A lock member 12 is supported by a rotating shaft 13 and is urged by a spring 14 in a clockwise direction in FIG. Reference numeral 15 denotes a lock release member, which can operate the lock member 12 counterclockwise against the urging force of the spring 14.

As a result, when the lock member 12 is released, the electronic display unit 6 is popped up above the camera 1 by the biasing spring 10, and the display unit 6a
Is exposed, and the LCD circuit is automatically turned on / off in response to the pop-up and manual storage operations.

Reference numeral 16 in FIG. 2 denotes a second detection switch.
The electronic display 6 is fixed to the guide portion 7 and detects whether the electronic display 6 is at the storage position.

FIG. 4 shows a camera operation sequence flowchart of the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, in step S1, the guide portion 7 of the electronic display 6 of FIG. It is detected by the first detection switch 11 whether or not the potential display 6 has been raised. If it has been raised, it is confirmed in step S3 whether or not the potential display 6 is in the display mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the guide portion 7 has not been raised to the upper portion of the camera body 1, the process proceeds to step S1.
The process proceeds to step S2, where the second detection switch 16 checks whether or not the electronic display 6 is at the storage position. If the electronic display 6 is not stored, the process proceeds to step S3. If the electronic display 6 is stored, the process returns to step S1.

If it is determined in step S3 that the electronic display is in the display mode, the flow advances to step S4 to turn on the electronic display 6, and the flow advances to step S5 to turn on the photographing switch (button) 2. In step S6, recording can be performed. On the other hand, if the electronic display 6 is not in the display mode in step S3, the photographing switch 2 in step S5 is directly entered.
Can be turned on.

The display section 6a of the electronic display shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is electrically connected to a main board (not shown) incorporated in the electronic camera body 1 by a flexible printed board or lead wires (not shown). I have.

Next, the operation of the electronic camera according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a front view of the electronic camera according to the embodiment of the present invention when not in use. By sliding the lock release member 15 on the front of the electronic camera body 1, the lock member 1 is moved as described above.
2 is rotated counterclockwise against the urging force of the spring 14,
The engagement between the support arm 7a of the guide portion 7 and the lock member 12 is released, and the electronic display unit 6 moves to the upper portion of the camera body 1 together with the guide portion 7 by the force of the biasing spring 10.

In this state, the electronic display 6 is rotated
By appropriately rotating around b, the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is obtained, and the visibility of the display unit 6a of the electronic display from behind the electronic camera body 1 (from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3) is improved.

At this time, the first detection switch 11 and the second detection switch 16 are turned on, the camera is turned on, and the display mode is set to the electronic display mode as shown in the operation sequence flowchart of FIG. If there is, the captured image is displayed on the display unit 6a.

In the embodiment of the present invention, since the optical viewfinder 4 is also provided, it is possible to use the electronic display turned off from the viewpoint of energy saving. Here, when the electronic display 6 is not rotated around the rotation axis 6a, the second detection switch 16 is not turned on,
Similar operations are performed as shown in the sequence flowchart of FIG.

Further, another operation of the electronic camera according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described: FIG. 6 shows that the electronic display 6 is rotated without using the lock release member 15 from the time of non-use in FIG. It is a perspective view at the time of another use state when rotating around and opening. This state is effective for photographing a low angle, for example, but the visibility of the electronic display 6a from the direction of arrow B is good. In this state, only the second detection switch 16 is turned on and the first detection switch 11 remains off, but performs the same operation as the above operation as shown in the sequence flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the electronic camera according to the embodiment of the present invention in still another use state. In this state, the electronic display 6 is further rotated around the rotation axis 6b than in the use state of FIG. 6 described above. For example, the visibility of the electronic display 6a from the direction of arrow C effective for self-photographing is improved. Good. The operation is the same as in the state described in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the electronic camera according to the embodiment of the present invention in a further separate use state, in which the rotary shaft 6b of the electronic display 6 and the accompanying operation parts are omitted. 21 is an electronic camera main body, 22 is a photographing button provided on the upper surface of the camera, 23 is a photographing lens, 24 is an optical finder window, and 25 is a strobe light emitting unit.

26 is an electronic display unit,
A display 26a of the electronic display, a support arm 26b, a sleeve 26c, and a protrusion 26d provided on the opposite side of the sleeve 26c are provided.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a support rod, which is an electronic camera body 21.
It is fixed to. The sleep 26c of the electronic display 26 is fitted on the support rod 29, and furthermore, the protrusion 26d
Is fitted in the guide groove 21a provided in the electronic camera body 21, so that the electronic display 26
9 so as to be movable.

An urging spring 30 urges the electronic display 26 upward in the camera body 21. Reference numeral 31 denotes a detection switch, which can detect that the electronic display 26 is urged toward the upper portion of the electronic camera body 21. Reference numeral 32 denotes a lock member,
8 and urged by a spring 34 in a clockwise direction in FIG. Reference numeral 35 denotes a lock release member, which can operate the lock member 32 counterclockwise against the urging force of the spring 34.

The display unit 26a of the electronic display
Is electrically connected to a main board (not shown) incorporated in the electronic camera body 21 by a flexible printed board or lead wires (not shown).

When taking a picture, the lock member 32 is rotated counterclockwise against the urging force of the spring 34 by sliding the lock release member 35 on the front surface of the electronic camera main body 21. Support arm 26b
The electronic display 26 is moved to the upper part of the camera body 31 by the force of the biasing spring 30.

In this state, the visibility of the display section 26a of the electronic display from behind the electronic camera body 31 is improved. At this time, the detection switch 31 is turned on, the camera is turned on, and when the electronic display display mode is set, a captured image is displayed on the display unit 26a. Since this configuration is simple, it is a configuration suitable for a more compact electronic camera.

[0038]

As described above, the electronic camera according to the present invention maintains the form of a compact and easy-to-use vertical electronic camera while the display portion of the electronic display is not in use, such as when being carried. It is not exposed to the outside, and the components of the electronic display are configured to protect the photographic lens unit, so that when shooting, the user can enter the shooting preparation state with one touch when using the electronic camera In addition, it is possible to provide an electronic camera which is excellent in immediacy in which the power of the display unit is turned on / off in accordance with the upward / downward movement of the display unit of the electronic display.

Further, it is possible to provide an electronic camera which is excellent in visibility of the electronic display in various photographing states when used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic camera in use according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment in use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment in use.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a camera operation sequence according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary front view of the electronic camera in a non-use state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment in another use state.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment in another use state.

FIG. 8 is a front view of another embodiment in use.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of an example of a conventional electronic camera.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 electronic camera body 2 shooting button (switch) 3 shooting lens 4 optical finder window 5 strobe light emitting unit 6 electronic display unit 6a display unit 7 guide unit 11 first detection switch 12 lock member 15 unlocking member 16 second detection switch

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H054 AA01 2H101 BB00 BB02 BB03 BB06 5C022 AA13 AB40 AC01 AC03 AC06 AC54 AC63 AC77 AC78 5G435 AA00 AA08 AA18 BB12 EE13 EE16 EE19 EE50 LL14

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera provided with an electronic display, wherein the electronic display has a display unit disposed in front of the camera, and has moving means for vertically moving the electronic display. An electronic camera equipped with an electronic display, wherein the display unit is protected from the rear of the camera in a photographing state while protecting the unit from being protected. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit includes a guide unit that allows the electronic display to slide in the vertical direction. 3. The electronic display according to claim 1, wherein the moving means has a guide portion which is slidable in the vertical direction, and the electronic display is rotatably supported by the guide portion. Equipped electronic camera. 4. The electronic display according to claim 2, wherein a power supply of said electronic camera main body or said electronic display is turned on / off in conjunction with a vertical slide of said electronic display. Electronic camera with. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein a power supply of the electronic camera main body or the electronic display is turned on / off in conjunction with a vertical slide or rotation of the electronic display. Electronic camera with electronic display.