JP2001119613A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make smaller an electronic camera having a folding optical system and more sophisticated by effectively utilizing the space in the camera enclosure. SOLUTION: This electronic camera has a photographing lens device 12 to configure the folding optical system, that captures the luminous quantity from an object along a 1st horizontal optical axis OA1, uses an optical axis conversion mechanism 30 to fold the luminous quantity along a 2nd vertical optical axis OA2, and forms an image to a CCD 92. A strobe device 40 including a strobe 15 is placed in a space formed by a ceiling plate 11a of the camera enclosure 11 and a 45-degree tilt face 31 of the optical axis conversion mechanism 30 located opposite to the ceiling plate 11a. The strobe 15 is fitted to a turning frame 42 and movable between an escaping position in the enclosure 11 and a projected position at the outside of the enclosure 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera having a bending optical system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic camera using a photoelectric conversion image pickup device such as a CCD device, there is no restriction on a film unlike a silver halide film camera, so that it is easy to refract an image pickup optical axis in the middle. Therefore, an electronic camera or a VTR in which the thickness direction is reduced by mounting a bending optical system provided with an optical axis conversion unit such as a mirror in the middle of the taking lens optical system has been proposed. For example, in a VTR disclosed in JP-A-9-163206 and JP-A-9-281578, a photographic lens device constituting a folding optical system is disposed on the front of a VTR mechanism in order to reduce the size of the VTR. You.

[0003]

The demand for miniaturization of electronic cameras is becoming increasingly strong, and there is a problem of how to effectively use the limited space in a camera housing. In particular, in the case of an electronic camera having a bending optical system, the shape of the photographing lens device, which is the main mechanism, is significantly different from the shape of the photographing lens device that forms a linear optical system, and therefore, a more appropriate arrangement of components is required. The Rukoto. On the other hand, electronic cameras are becoming more and more sophisticated, and it is necessary to store many components in the camera housing with the enhancement of functionality.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in an electronic camera having a bending optical system, the space in the camera housing is effectively used to make the camera smaller and more sophisticated. With the goal.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention is as follows.
In an electronic camera, a first group lens for taking in a light beam from a subject along a first optical axis, and a light beam passing through the first group lens is taken along a second optical axis intersecting the first optical axis. An optical axis conversion mechanism for bending downward by the optical axis conversion mechanism, a second group lens for forming an image of a light beam bent along the second optical axis by the optical axis conversion mechanism, and an image formed by the second group lens. An image sensor for receiving the light beam, the first group lens, the optical axis conversion mechanism, the second group lens,
And a camera housing for housing the imaging device,
The optical axis conversion mechanism includes an inclined surface inclined with respect to the first and second optical axes and facing a top plate of the camera housing, and the inclined surface of the optical axis conversion mechanism and the camera housing are provided. Additional function means selected from the group consisting of a strobe, a sounding member for sounding operation information, and a display panel for displaying operation information is built in a space sandwiched between the top plate of the body. It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the additional function means is a strobe.
The strobe is movably disposed between a retracted position inside the camera housing and a protruding position outside the camera housing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the additional function means is a display panel, and a window inclined along the display panel is provided on the top plate of the camera housing. It is characterized by being arranged.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in an electronic camera, a first group lens for taking in a light beam from a subject along a first optical axis, and a light beam passing through the first group lens are transmitted to the first lens. An optical axis conversion mechanism for bending downward along a second optical axis intersecting the one optical axis, and mechanically adjusting an opening for the light beam bent along the second optical axis by the optical axis conversion mechanism. Light adjusting mechanism for imaging, a second group lens for forming an image of the light beam passing through the aperture, an image sensor for receiving the light beam formed by the second group lens, and the first group lens A camera housing accommodating the optical axis conversion mechanism, the light amount adjustment mechanism, the second group lens, and the image sensor, and the second light source between the light amount adjustment mechanism and the image sensor. With the group lenses sandwiched between each other, the camera housing A light projecting means for automatic focusing and light receiving means, characterized in that it is disposed.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be made only when necessary.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view mainly showing an optical system inside the electronic camera shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operation ring 1 for setting a photographing mode is provided on the front side of a housing 11 of the electronic camera.
A pop-up strobe 15 (details will be described later) and a release button 16 are provided on the upper side.
A liquid crystal (LCD) panel 17 is provided on the rear side of the housing 11.
Is used to display a captured image and a reproduced image on the rear surface of the housing 11. Further, a battery 18 serving as a power source of the internal system is disposed inside the left side of the housing 11.

A photographic lens device 12 is provided in a housing 11 so that an optical axis for taking in a light beam from a subject is aligned with the center of an operation ring 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the photographing lens device 12 takes in a light flux from a subject along a horizontal first optical axis OA1 from the first group lenses 24a and 24b, and captures the light flux by an optical axis conversion mechanism 30 including a mirror 33 and the like. After bending 90 ° along the second vertical optical axis OA2, the second group lenses 84a to 84d form a bending optical system for forming an image on a photoelectric conversion imaging device such as the CCD 92.

The first group lenses 24a and 24b are mounted on the ring-shaped front lens frame 22 so as to receive a light beam from a subject along a first optical axis OA1 (orientated horizontally).
The front lens frame 22 is movably attached to the mirror lens frame 32 of the optical axis conversion mechanism 30 via three shafts 35, 36, 37. The front lens frame 22 is driven by a motor (not shown) to move the shaft 3 together with the first group lenses 24a and 24b.
It is moved in parallel to the first optical axis OA1 along 5, 36, 37, thereby performing focus adjustment.

The mirror frame 32 has a first optical axis OA and a second optical axis OA.
1. There is an inclined surface 31 at an angle of 45 ° with respect to OA2, and a mirror 33 is mounted inside the 45 ° inclined surface 31.
Between the optical axis conversion mechanism 30 and the second group lenses 84a to 84d, a light amount adjustment mechanism 50 for mechanically adjusting the opening for the light beam bent along the second optical axis OA2 by the mirror 33 is arranged. Is established. The light amount adjusting mechanism 50 has a shutter 54 and a diaphragm 55 facing the opening 53 to open and close the opening 53 through which the light beam passes and to adjust the opening area.

The second group lenses 84a to 84d are fixed in a cylindrical rear lens frame 82 mounted on the camera housing 12. The second group lenses 84a to 84d transmit the light flux reflected along the second optical axis OA2 (vertical direction) by the mirror 33 and passing through the opening 53 of the light amount adjustment mechanism 50 to the photoelectric conversion image sensor, that is, the CCD 92. It is arranged to form an image.

FIG. 3 is a side view mainly showing a flash mechanism inside the electronic camera shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a strobe mechanism 40 including a strobe 15 is disposed in a space between the top plate 11a of the housing 11 and the 45 ° inclined surface 31 of the optical axis conversion mechanism 30 facing the top plate 11a. . The strobe 15 is attached to the revolving frame 42 and the housing 11
1 and 3 with respect to the retracted position inside the housing 11 and the projected position outside the housing 11 (FIGS. 1 and 3).
(Shown position). Swivel frame 42
Is driven to rotate by a motor 44 via gears 45, 46 and 47. When the strobe 15 is in the retracted position in the housing 11, the strobe 15 is stably seated on the seat 48.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the light amount adjusting mechanism 5 is provided.
0 and the CCD 92, the second group lenses 84a-84
The light projecting means 62 such as an LED for autofocus and the light receiving means 63 such as a photoelectric conversion element are provided with the rear mirror frame 82 interposed therebetween. In addition, corresponding to the light projecting means 62 and the light receiving means 63, a window 6 for light transmission is provided on the front surface of the housing 11.
5 are provided. That is, in the present embodiment, a so-called active type autofocus is adopted, and light is emitted from the light projecting means 62 and reflected on the subject, and the returned light is received by the light receiving means 63. And light receiving means 63
The distance to the subject can be measured from the angle between the object and the object.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, since the shutter means 54 and the aperture means 55 are arranged near the mirror 33, the size of the mirror 33 can be reduced. Further, the strobe mechanism 40 is disposed immediately above the optical axis conversion mechanism 30, and the space behind the mirror 33, that is, the space on the optical axis conversion mechanism 30, is effectively used. Further, immediately after the diaphragm means 55, the luminous flux becomes narrow, so that an empty space is formed on the side of the second group lenses 84a to 84d. In consideration of this point, the light projecting and light receiving means 62 and 63 for auto focus are disposed immediately below the light amount adjusting mechanism 50 and on both sides of the rear lens frame 82.

By arranging such components, it is possible to effectively utilize the space in the housing 11 while maintaining the overall configuration balance in the housing 11, and to improve the function and reduce the size of the camera. Further, since the first group lenses 24a and 24b can be moved for focus adjustment, it is advantageous for close-up photography (macro photography).

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an electronic camera according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a side view mainly showing a main part of the electronic camera shown in FIG. It is. The electronic camera according to the present embodiment has a camera housing 11.
4 has a built-in flash 15M on its right side, and a PCV (Piezo-electric Ceramic) directly above the optical axis conversion mechanism 30.
Vibrater 67 (buzzer) is provided, which is different from the electronic camera shown in FIGS. The PCV 67 is attached to the housing 11 via a frame 68. PCV67
Is used to generate operation information such as notifying the photographer of the in-focus state or the processing state, or generating a sound instead of a shutter sound. The PCV 67 can generate sound by transmitting a pulse waveform having a constant period from the controller.

With such a configuration, it is also possible to effectively use the space in the housing 11 while maintaining the overall configuration balance in the housing 11, and to enhance the functions and reduce the size of the camera. In addition, right above the optical axis conversion mechanism 30,
Instead of the PCV 67, a speaker that issues various guidance (announcements) for operating the camera may be provided.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the inside of an electronic camera according to still another embodiment of the present invention, mainly showing a main part of the embodiment. The electronic camera according to the present embodiment has a liquid crystal (LCD) panel 71 disposed directly above the optical axis conversion mechanism 30 along the 45 ° inclined surface 31.
This is different from the illustrated electronic camera. The LCD panel 71 is mounted on a circuit board 72 provided below. LCD
The panel 71 and the circuit board 72 are attached to the housing 11 via a frame 73. Further, the top plate 11a of the housing 11 facing the LCD panel 71 is cut so as to be inclined at 45 °, and a window 75 for viewing the LCD panel 71 is provided here.

The LCD panel 71 is used as a control panel for displaying operation information, and is set to selectively display, for example, a graphic image as shown in FIG. The graphic images 101 to 113 in FIG. 7 and their meanings are as follows.

101: continuous shooting mode, 102: red-eye reduction emission, 103: spot metering, 104: image quality, 105: macro mode, 106: strobe emission mode, 107: card warning, 108: exposure compensation, 109: white balance, 110: card function, 111: self-timer, 1
12: Battery check, 113: Number of frames.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, since the top plate 11a of the housing 11 is cut so as to be inclined at 45 °, a photographed image and a reproduced image on the back of the housing 11 are formed. And the tilt LCD panel 71 used as a control panel can be easily confirmed separately or simultaneously. In addition, since a part of the housing 11 is cut, the volume of the entire camera is reduced, so that the camera can be further downsized. That is, even with such a configuration, the housing 11
It is possible to effectively use the space in the housing 11 while maintaining the overall configuration balance of the camera, and to improve the function and reduce the size of the camera.

[0026]

According to the present invention, in an electronic camera having a bending optical system, the additional function means is arranged in the camera housing in consideration of the structure of the bending optical system, so that the space in the housing is effectively used. However, it is possible to improve the function of the camera and reduce the size of the camera.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view mainly showing an optical system inside the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view mainly showing a flash mechanism inside the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an electronic camera according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view mainly showing a main part of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 4 according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the inside of an electronic camera according to still another embodiment of the present invention, mainly showing main parts of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a graphic image selectively displayed on a control panel in the electronic camera shown in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 11: camera housing 12: photographing lens device 14: operation ring 15: strobe 17: liquid crystal (LCD) panel 24a, 24b: first group lens 30: optical axis conversion mechanism 31: inclined surface 32: mirror frame 33: mirror 40: Strobe mechanism 50: Light amount adjusting mechanism 54: Shutter means 55: Aperture means 62: Light emitting means 63: Light receiving means 65: Window 67: PCV (sound emitting member) 71: Liquid crystal (LCD) panel (control panel) 84a to 84d : Second group lens 92: CCD

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H053 AC15 AC17 BA82 CA42 DA03 2H100 BB06 BB07 CC07 5C022 AA13 AB15 AB24 AC11 AC31 AC42 AC54 AC71 AC74 AC77 AC78

Claims (4)

[Claims] A first group lens for taking in a light beam from a subject along a first optical axis; and a light beam having passed through the first group lens being transmitted to a second optical axis intersecting the first optical axis. An optical axis conversion mechanism for bending downward along the optical axis; a second group lens for forming an image of the light beam bent along the second optical axis by the optical axis conversion mechanism; An image sensor for receiving an imaged light beam; and a camera housing for housing the first group lens, the optical axis conversion mechanism, the second group lens, and the image sensor. The conversion mechanism includes an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the first and second optical axes and faces a top plate of the camera housing, and the inclined surface of the optical axis conversion mechanism and the inclined surface of the camera housing. In the space between the top plate, strobe,
An electronic camera including a built-in additional function means selected from the group consisting of a sounding member for generating operation information and a display panel for displaying operation information. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional function means is a strobe, and the strobe is movably disposed between a retracted position inside the camera housing and a protruding position outside the camera housing. Item 2. The electronic camera according to item 1. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the additional function means is a display panel, and a window inclined along the display panel is provided on the top plate of the camera housing. camera. 4. A first group lens for taking in a light beam from a subject along a first optical axis, and a light beam passing through the first group lens is transferred to a second optical axis crossing the first optical axis. An optical axis converting mechanism for bending downward along the optical axis; a light amount adjusting mechanism for mechanically adjusting an opening for the light beam bent along the second optical axis by the optical axis converting mechanism; A second group lens for forming an image of the formed light beam, an image sensor for receiving the light beam formed by the second group lens, the first group lens, the optical axis converting mechanism, and the light amount adjusting mechanism. A camera housing for housing the second group lens and the image sensor; and a light amount adjusting mechanism and the image sensor,
An electronic camera, wherein a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit for auto focus are disposed in the camera housing with the second group lens interposed therebetween.