JP2001255571A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device equipped with a lens barrier whose operability is improved. SOLUTION: As for the image pickup device for picking up an image, the device is provided with a lens part 22 for forming the image, the lens barrier 210 for protecting the lens part 22, and a connection part 222 for connecting the image pickup device and the outside of the image pickup device. The lens barrier 210 is provided with opening parts 212 and 214 for exposing the connection part 222 in accordance with the position of the lens barrier 210. The connection part 222 is arranged so as to be exposed to the opening parts 212 and 214 in a state where the lens part 22 is covered with the lens barrier 210.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an imaging device provided with a lens cover that can be freely opened and closed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various lens barriers have been disclosed. For example, JP-A-7-13243 and JP-A-9-230364 disclose a camera provided with a lens cover that covers operation buttons and the like. In addition, a camera with a slide cover which can be easily opened and closed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
No. 2585) or a digital electronic still camera that switches modes according to the position of a lens barrier (Japanese Patent No. 2585).
No. 803) is disclosed.

[0003]

In recent years, the functions of the imaging apparatus have been diversified, and accordingly, the number of operation buttons and the like have increased, and the operation tends to be complicated. Therefore, an imaging device with good operability is desired. In addition, the user layer of the imaging device has been widened from a professional user to a user who enjoys a photograph with a sense of play. Therefore, an imaging device that satisfies a wide range of users is desired.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device capable of solving the above-mentioned problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image, comprising: a lens section for forming the image; a lens barrier for protecting the lens section; A connection unit that connects the imaging device to the outside of the imaging device. The lens barrier has an opening that exposes the connection part according to the position of the lens barrier.

The lens barrier may rotate around an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis of the lens section, which has a large number of front faces, a back face, and side faces provided between the front and back faces of the imaging device. . In a state where the lens unit is covered with the lens barrier, the connection unit may be disposed at a position exposed from the opening.

[0007] The connection section may include a plurality of connectors. The opening may be provided so that at least one of the connectors is exposed.

[0008] The lens barrier may further include a plurality of openings for exposing at least one of the plurality of connectors.

[0009] It may have a shooting mode and a plurality of non-shooting modes. The non-shooting mode includes a plurality of modes in which the connector is exposed from the opening while the lens barrier covers the lens unit, and a stop mode in which the lens barrier covers the lens unit and the connector. May be included. The apparatus may further include a mode switching unit that switches the mode according to a position where the lens barrier stops.

[0010] When one of the non-shooting modes is set, only the connector that can be used in the set mode among the connectors may be exposed from the opening.

[0011] A data input / output connector for inputting and / or outputting data from outside the image pickup apparatus may be further provided. When the data input / output connector is exposed from the opening, the mode switching unit may switch to a data transfer mode.

[0012] The image processing apparatus may further include a charging connector for supplying electric power to the imaging device. When the charging connector is exposed from the opening, the mode switching unit includes:
The mode may be switched to the charging mode.

[0013] The recording medium may further include a recording medium insertion slot into which a recording medium for recording the data is inserted. The recording medium insertion slot and the data input / output connector may be provided at positions covered by the lens barrier in the shooting mode.

The non-photographing mode may include a recording mode. In the recording mode, the recording medium insertion opening may be provided at a position covered by the lens barrier.

[0015] The lens barrier may be removable.

The above summary of the present invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention, and a sub-combination of these features can also be an invention.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention and have the features described in the embodiments. Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a digital camera 10. The lens barrier characteristic of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The digital camera 10 mainly includes the imaging unit 2
0, an imaging control unit 40, a processing unit 60, a display unit 100, and an operation unit 110.

The image pickup unit 20 includes a mechanism member and an electric member related to photographing and image formation. Imaging unit 20
First, the photographic lens unit 2 that captures and processes the video
2, aperture 24, shutter 26, optical LPF (low-pass filter) 28, CCD 30, and image signal processing unit 32
including. The photographing lens unit 22 includes a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like. With this configuration, the subject image is
An image is formed on the light receiving surface of D30. Each sensor element (not shown) of the CCD 30 according to the light amount of the formed subject image
(Hereinafter referred to as “accumulated charge”). The accumulated charge is read out to a shift register (not shown) by a read gate pulse, and is sequentially read out as a voltage signal by a register transfer pulse.

Since the digital camera 10 generally has an electronic shutter function, a mechanical shutter such as the shutter 26 is not essential. In order to realize the electronic shutter function, the CCD 30 is provided with a shutter drain via a shutter gate. When the shutter gate is driven, accumulated charges are swept out to the shutter drain. By controlling the shutter gate, the time for accumulating the electric charges in each sensor element, that is, the shutter speed can be controlled.

A voltage signal output from the CCD 30, that is, an analog signal is color-separated into R, G, and B components by an image signal processing unit 32, and a white balance is adjusted first.
Subsequently, the imaging signal processing unit 32 performs gamma correction, sequentially A / D converts the R, G, and B signals at necessary timing, and obtains digital image data (hereinafter, simply referred to as “digital image data”) obtained as a result. ) Is output to the processing unit 60.

The imaging unit 20 further includes a finder 3
4 and a strobe 36. The finder 34 may be equipped with an LCD (not shown). In this case, various information from the main CPU 62 and the like described later can be displayed in the finder 34. The strobe 36 functions by emitting light when energy stored in a capacitor (not shown) is supplied to the discharge tube 36a.

The imaging control unit 40 includes a zoom drive unit 4
2. It has a focus drive unit 44, an aperture drive unit 46, a shutter drive unit 48, an imaging system CPU 50 that controls them, a distance measurement sensor 52, and a photometry sensor 54. The driving units such as the zoom driving unit 42 each have a driving unit such as a stepping motor. When a release switch 114 described later is pressed, the distance measurement sensor 52 measures the distance to the subject, and the photometry sensor 54 measures the brightness of the subject. The measured distance data (hereinafter simply referred to as “distance measurement data”) and the subject luminance data (hereinafter simply referred to as “photometry data”) are sent to the imaging system CPU 50. Imaging system CPU 50
Controls the zoom drive unit 42 and the focus drive unit 44 to adjust the zoom magnification and focus of the photographing lens unit 22 based on photographing information such as the zoom magnification designated by the user.

The image pickup system CPU 50 controls the R of one image frame.
The aperture value and the shutter speed are determined based on the integrated value of the digital signal of GB, that is, the AE information. According to the determined values, the aperture driving unit 46 and the shutter driving unit 48 adjust the aperture amount and open and close the shutter 26, respectively.

The imaging system CPU 50 controls the light emission of the strobe 36 based on the photometric data, and at the same time adjusts the aperture of the aperture 26. When the user instructs the capture of an image, the CCD 30 starts to accumulate electric charges, and the accumulated electric charges are output to the imaging signal processing unit 32 after a lapse of a shutter time calculated from the photometric data.

The processing unit 60 includes the digital camera 10
The main C that controls the whole, especially the processing unit 60 itself
PU 62 and memory control unit 6 controlled by PU 62
4, a YC processing unit 70, a recording medium control unit 74, a compression / decompression processing unit 78, and a communication I / F unit 80. Main CPU6
2 exchanges necessary information with the imaging CPU 50 by serial communication or the like. The operation clock of the main CPU 62 is provided from a clock generator 88. The clock generator 88 also provides clocks having different frequencies to the imaging system CPU 50 and the display unit 100, respectively.

The main CPU 62 is provided with a character generator 84 and a timer 86. The timer 86 is backed up by a battery and always counts the date and time.
From this count value, information about the shooting date and time and other time information are given to the main CPU 62. The character generation unit 84 generates character information such as a shooting date and time and a title, and the character information is appropriately combined with the captured image.

The memory control unit 64 includes a nonvolatile memory 66
And the main memory 68. Non-volatile memory 66
Is constituted by an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM) or a flash memory, and stores data to be retained even when the power of the digital camera 10 is off, such as setting information by a user and adjustment values at the time of shipment. ing. The non-volatile memory 66 may have a main CP
A boot program or a system program of U62 may be stored. On the other hand, the main memory 68 generally has a D
It is composed of a relatively inexpensive and large-capacity memory such as a RAM. The main memory 68 has a function as a frame memory for storing data output from the imaging unit 20, a function as a system memory for loading various programs, and a function as a work area. The non-volatile memory 66 and the main memory 68
Data is exchanged with each unit inside and outside the unit 0 via the main bus 82.

The YC processing section 70 performs YC conversion on the digital image data, and outputs a luminance signal Y and a color difference (chroma) signal B-
Generate Y, RY. The luminance signal and the color difference signal are temporarily stored in the main memory 68 by the memory control unit 64.
The compression / decompression processing unit 78 sequentially reads out the luminance signal and the color difference signal from the main memory 68 and compresses them. The data thus compressed (hereinafter simply referred to as “compressed data”) is written to a memory card, which is a type of a recording medium 76, via a recording medium control unit 74.

The processing unit 60 further includes an encoder 72
With. The encoder 72 receives a luminance signal and a color difference signal, converts them into a video signal (NTSC or PAL signal), and outputs the video signal from a video output terminal 90. Recording medium 76
When a video signal is generated from the data recorded in the recording medium, the data is first supplied to the compression / decompression processing unit 78 via the recording medium control unit 74. Subsequently, the compression / decompression processing unit 78
The data subjected to the necessary decompression processing is converted by the encoder 72 into a video signal.

The communication I / F unit 80 is a digital camera 10
Communication specifications supported by, for example, USB, RS-23
It performs control such as protocol conversion according to specifications such as 2C and Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication I / F unit 80 includes a driver IC as necessary, and communicates with an external device including a network via a connector 92. In addition to such standard specifications, data may be exchanged with an external device such as a printer, a karaoke machine, a game machine, or the like by a unique I / F. As described above, the digital camera 10 can be connected to an external device via the video output terminal 90 and the connection unit 222 such as the connector 92.

The display unit 100 includes an LCD monitor 10
2 and an LCD panel 104. These are the LCD driver monitor driver 106, panel driver 10
8 respectively. LCD monitor 102
Is provided on the back of the camera with a size of, for example, about 2 inches, and displays a current shooting and playback mode, a zoom ratio for shooting and playback, a remaining battery level, a date and time, a screen for mode setting, a subject image, and the like. . The LCD panel 104 is, for example, a small black-and-white LCD provided on the upper surface of the camera and has an image quality (FINE).
/ NORMAL / BASIC etc.), information such as strobe light emission / non-light emission, standard number of recordable images, number of pixels, battery capacity, etc. are simply displayed.

The operation unit 110 includes mechanisms and electrical members necessary for the user to set or instruct the operation and the mode of the digital camera 10. The power switch 112 determines whether the power of the digital camera 10 is turned on or off. The release switch 114 has a two-stage pressing structure of half pressing and full pressing. As an example, AF and AE are locked by half-pressing, captured images are captured by full-pressing, and are recorded in the main memory 68, the recording medium 76, etc. after necessary signal processing, data compression, and the like. The operation unit 110 may receive a setting using a rotary mode dial, a cross key, or the like in addition to these switches.
These are collectively referred to as a function setting unit 116 in FIG. Examples of operations or functions that can be specified by the operation unit 110 include “file format”, “special effects”,
There are “printing”, “decision / save”, “display switching”, and the like. The zoom switch 118 determines a zoom magnification.

The main operation of the above configuration is as follows. First, the power switch 11 of the digital camera 10
2 is turned on, and power is supplied to each part of the camera. The digital camera 10 has a plurality of modes. For example, the main CPU 62 determines which of the shooting mode and the playback mode the digital camera 10 is in by reading the state of the function setting unit 116. .

When the camera is in the shooting mode, the main C
The PU 62 monitors the half-pressed state of the release switch 114. When the half-pressed state is detected, the main CPU 62
Obtains photometry data and distance measurement data from the photometry sensor 54 and the distance measurement sensor 52, respectively. The imaging control unit 40 operates based on the obtained data, and the focus, aperture, and the like of the imaging lens unit 22 are adjusted. When the adjustment is completed, characters such as “Standby” are displayed on the LCD monitor 102 to inform the user of the completion, and then the release switch 114 is monitored for a fully pressed state. When the release switch 114 is fully pressed, the shutter 26 is closed after a predetermined shutter time, and the charge stored in the CCD 30 is swept out to the image signal processing unit 32. Imaging signal processing unit 32
Is output to the main bus 82. The digital image data is temporarily stored in the main memory 68, then processed by the YC processing unit 70 and the compression / decompression processing unit 78, and recorded on the recording medium 76 via the recording medium control unit 74. The recorded image is displayed on the LCD monitor 102 in a frozen state for a while.
And the user can know the captured image.
Thus, a series of photographing operations is completed.

As described above, the recording mode described in the claims is included in the photographing mode of the present embodiment.

On the other hand, when the digital camera 10 is in the playback mode, the main CPU 62 reads out the last shot image from the main memory 68 via the memory control unit 64,
This is displayed on the LCD monitor 102 of the display unit 100. In this state, when the user instructs “forward” or “reverse” on the function setting unit 116, images taken before and after the currently displayed image are read and displayed on the LCD monitor 102.

The mode of the digital camera 10 is switched according to the position where a lens barrier described later stops.
This configuration and operation will be described in detail in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the digital camera 10. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the digital camera 10 viewed from the front 202, and FIG. The housing 200 of the digital camera 10
Front 202, back 206, and front 202 and back 206
It is composed of a side surface 204 provided therebetween. The outer shape of the housing 200 as viewed from the front surface 202 includes an arc shape.
The photographing lens unit 22 and the finder 34 are arranged on the front surface 202, and the release switch 114, the flash 36, the connection unit 222, and the recording medium insertion port 220 are arranged on the side surface 204 in order from the top. On the back surface 206, the LCD monitor 102 and the LCD panel 104 are arranged.

The digital camera 10 has a lens barrier 210 for protecting the taking lens unit 22. The lens barrier 210 includes a front surface 202, a side surface 204, and a back surface 2
06 is provided. On the other hand, the housing 200
Has a lens barrier mounting portion 240 substantially at the center of the front surface 202 and the rear surface 206, respectively. Lens barrier 21
0 is attached at this position. Lens barrier 210
Is an arc-shaped arc provided on the right side surface 204 of the housing 200 around an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis of the photographing lens unit 22 that connects the lens barrier mounting parts 240 provided on the front surface 202 and the rear surface 206, respectively. Pivot along the part. The lens barrier 210 has two openings 2 at positions covering the side surfaces 204.
12 and 214, and the openings 212 and 214 expose the connecting portion 222 according to the position where the lens barrier 210 stops.

The digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 1 is stopped with the taking lens unit 22 covered. The connection unit 222
At this time, it is arranged at a position covered by the lens barrier 210, and is exposed from the openings 212 and 214 when the lens barrier 210 covers the taking lens unit 22. As described above, since the connecting portion 222 is exposed from the openings 212 and 214, the connecting portion 222 can be used while the photographing lens portion 22 is protected.

At this time, the finder 34 provided on the front surface 202 and the release switch 1 provided on the side surface 204 are provided.
14, and the LCD monitor 102 provided on the back and the LC
The D panel 104 is also covered by the lens barrier 210.
As described above, since the lens barrier 210 covers the front surface 202, the side surface 204, and the rear surface 206 of the housing 200, when the digital camera 10 is not used, members other than the photographing lens unit 22 can be protected. .

A recording medium insertion port 220 for inserting a recording medium for recording data is provided below the side surface 204. Therefore, when the lens barrier 210 stops at the position where the photographing lens unit 22 is exposed, the recording medium insertion port 220
Are covered by the lens barrier 210. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being accidentally removed while taking an image or performing editing such as reproduction, recording, and erasing of the image.

The lens barrier 210 is detachable, and can be freely removed by the user.
It is preferable that the lens barrier 210 is made of, for example, a highly elastic member. As a result, the lens barrier 210 can be easily attached and detached by being spread in the directions of the front surface 202 and the back surface 206. Also, the lens barrier 210 may be interchangeable with various colors, patterns, and shapes.

FIG. 3 shows a mode switching section 230 attached to the lens barrier 210 and a lens barrier attachment section 240 provided on the housing 200. Mode switching section 230
Is a rotary switch, and has a plurality of convex portions 232 fitted to the lens barrier mounting portion 240. On the other hand, the lens barrier mounting portion 240 provided on the front surface 202 has a concave portion into which the convex portion 232 of the mode switching portion 230 fits.
When the lens barrier 210 rotates, the mode switching unit 230
The convex portion 232 is fitted into the concave portion of the lens barrier mounting portion 240 or is disengaged from the concave portion. Main CPU 62
Monitors the fitting between the convex portion 232 and the concave portion, and switches the mode when the fitting is performed or when the fitting is released. Thus, the mode of the digital camera 10 can be switched according to the position where the lens barrier 210 stops.

The digital camera 10 has a shooting mode and a plurality of non-shooting modes. When the lens barrier 210 is opened and the photographing lens unit 22 is exposed, the photographing mode or the reproduction mode is set. When the taking lens 22 is covered with the lens barrier 210, the non-photographing mode is set.
Further, in the non-photographing mode, the connection part 222 is connected to the opening 21 while the lens barrier 210 covers the photographing lens part 22.
2, 214, and a stop mode in which the lens barrier 210 covers the taking lens unit 22 and the connection unit 222. The mode switching unit 230 can switch the above modes according to the stop position of the lens barrier 210. 4 and thereafter, the lens barrier 210
The correspondence between the position and the mode will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the digital camera 10 when the lens barrier 210 is opened and the taking lens unit 22 is exposed. At this time, the mode is set to the shooting mode or the reproduction mode. The user selects the setting via the function setting unit 116. The state of the digital camera 10 in the shooting mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 (A)
FIG. 4B illustrates a front surface 202 of the imaging unit 20 and a rear surface 206 of the digital camera 10. The photographing lens unit 22 and the finder 34 are exposed from the lens barrier 210 in the photographing mode. Further, the flash 36 arranged inside the housing 200 projects from the housing 200 and is located above the taking lens unit 22. The flash 36 may be configured to interlock with the lens barrier 210 and protrude from the housing 200 when the lens barrier 210 is opened. Further, the flash 36 may move independently of the lens barrier 210, protrude by an operation button, and be stored manually.

On the rear surface 206 of the digital camera 10 shown in FIG.
04 is provided. As described above, in the shooting mode, the LCD monitor 102 and the LCD panel 104 are exposed, so that the user can perform editing such as shooting, image reproduction, recording, and erasure while viewing the LCD monitor 102.

At this time, since the recording medium insertion port 220 provided below the side surface 204 is covered with the lens barrier 210, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being taken out accidentally during photographing. Therefore, in the shooting mode and the reproduction mode, reading of data from the recording medium,
Alternatively, data can be safely read into a recording medium.

As another mode, the release switch 11
4 is exposed from the lens barrier 210, the shooting mode, the release switch 114 is covered by the lens barrier 210,
In addition, the configuration may be such that the playback mode is set when the LCD panel 104 is exposed.

FIG. 5 shows the lens barrier 2 at the position shown in FIG.
10 is located, that is, when the lens barrier 210 stops above the digital camera 10,
2 and openings 212 and 214 are schematically shown. In the digital camera 10, the lens barrier 210 is the digital camera 1
When stopped above 0, it is set to stop mode,
The power turns off automatically. Thus, forgetting to turn off the power can be prevented. At this time, the LCD monitor 102 and the LCD panel 104 disposed on the rear surface 206 are also covered by the lens barrier 210, so that the digital camera 1
When 0 is not used, not only the taking lens unit 22 but also L
The CD monitor 102 and the LCD panel 104 can be protected from dust and the like.

On the side surface 204 of the digital camera 10, a video output terminal 90 and a data input / output connector 92 are provided as a connection portion 222. Further, a charging connector 224 for supplying power to the digital camera 10 is provided. These are the openings 212 and 214 when the lens barrier 210 covers the taking lens unit 22.
It is located at a position where it can be exposed from That is, it is disposed on the upper side of the side surface 204 of the photographing lens unit 22. Therefore, with the photographing lens unit 22 protected,
Video output, digital data input / output, and charging can be performed.

When the lens barrier 210 stops at the position shown in the figure, the video output terminal 90, the connector 92, and the charging connector 224 are covered with the lens barrier 210. Therefore, when the digital camera 10 is not used, the connection part 222 can also be protected by the lens barrier 210.

FIG. 6 shows the back surface 206 of the digital camera 10 in a state where the lens barrier 210 covers the taking lens unit 22 and the connection unit 222 is set in a usable mode. The lens barrier 210 is used for the photographing lens unit 22
The lens barrier 210 can be stopped at a plurality of positions in a state where is covered. The mode switching unit 230 includes the lens barrier 2
The mode is switched according to the stop position of No. 10. At this time, the LCD monitor 102 is connected to the lens barrier 21.
0, but the LCD panel 104 is not covered by the lens barrier 210. LCD panel 104
Displays information corresponding to the currently set mode. Therefore, even when the LCD monitor 102 is covered, the user can perform the operation in the currently set mode with reference to the content displayed on the LCD panel 104.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the openings 212 and 214 in a state where the lens barrier 210 covers the taking lens unit 22. The position corresponding to the position where the lens barrier 210 stops and the mode corresponding to the position where the lens barrier 210 stops will be described with reference to FIG.

When the lens barrier 210 stops at the position shown in FIG. 7A, the charging connector 224 is exposed from the opening 212, and the mode is switched to the charging mode. When the lens barrier 210 stops at the position shown in FIG. 7B, the connector 92 is exposed from the opening 214, and the mode is switched to the data transfer mode.
When the lens barrier 210 stops at the position shown in FIG.
The video output terminal 90 is exposed from the opening 212, and switches to the video output mode. As described above, in each mode, only the connectors required in each mode of the connection section 222 are exposed, so that the user can easily operate. Unnecessary connectors are protected by the lens barrier 210 to prevent dust and the like from entering.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the lens barrier 210. The lens barrier 210 is always provided so as not to cover the LCD panel 104. That is, LCD
The panel 104 is provided at a position where the lens barrier 210 does not move. Therefore, even when the LCD monitor 102 is covered, the user can perform the operation in the currently set mode with reference to the content displayed on the LCD panel 104.

Regarding the operation buttons (not shown), it is preferable that the operation buttons that can be used in the currently set mode are exposed from the lens barrier 210, and the operation buttons that are not used are covered by the lens barrier 210. . Thus, the number of members to be operated by the user is limited, so that the possibility of erroneous operation can be reduced. Further, it is possible to prevent the operation member from being touched by mistake.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9A shows a front surface 202 of the digital camera 10, and FIG. 9B shows a rear surface of the digital camera 10. The housing 200 of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment has a substantially cylindrical shape with a front surface 202 and a back surface 206 that are circular.
Is provided so as to be rotatable all around. In this respect, the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment is different from the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment.

The lens barrier 210 according to the present embodiment has a grip portion 400 on the surface covering the front surface 202 of the housing 200, to which the user can attach his hand at the time of photographing. Also, side 2
On the surface covering the cover 04, a foot member 402 for stably supporting the digital camera 10 is provided. Also, side 2
A strap 404 may be provided on the upper part of 04.

The lens barrier 210 shown in the figure includes a photographic lens unit 22, a finder 34, and a flash 36 (not shown).
And stops above the housing 200. That is, the stop mode is set.

FIG. 10A shows the front surface 202 of the digital camera 10 when the lens barrier 210 stops on the left side of the digital camera 10, and FIG. 10B shows the rear surface 206 of the digital camera 10 at this time. Show. At this time,
The shooting mode is set. Since the grip section 400 is provided at a position where the user can attach a hand, the user can stably hold the digital camera 10. Further, the LCD monitor 102 and the LCD panel 104 arranged on the back surface 206 are exposed from the lens barrier 210.

FIG. 10C shows the front surface 202 of the digital camera 10 when the lens barrier 210 stops on the left side of the digital camera 10. Also in this case, the shooting mode is set, and the shooting monitor 22, the finder 34, the flash 36, and the LCD monitor 10 provided on the back surface 206 are set.
2. The LCD panel 104 is exposed from the lens barrier 210. In addition, the grip section 400 is connected to the digital camera 10.
At the position where the user can add his / her hand on the left side of. Thus, when the lens barrier 210 stops on the right or left side, the shooting mode is set. Therefore, both the left-handed user and the right-handed user can use the terminal without discomfort.

FIG. 11A shows the front surface 202 of the digital camera 10 when the lens barrier 210 stops at the bottom of the digital camera 10. FIG. 11B shows the back surface 206 of the digital camera 10 at this time. Since the lens barrier 210 has the foot 402 on the surface covering the side surface 204, the foot 402 can stably stand still. At this time, the self-timer shooting mode is set. As described above, even when the shape is substantially cylindrical, the self-timer shooting can be performed stably and still.

As another form, the reproduction mode may be set when the lens barrier 210 is located on the bottom side of the digital camera 10. In this case, the function setting unit 116 selects the playback mode and the self-timer mode. Thus, the reproduced image can be viewed while the digital camera 10 is stably stopped.

The configuration and operation of the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment other than the configuration and operation of the digital camera 10 described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 are the same as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. Since the configuration and operation of the digital camera 10 are the same, the description will be omitted.

FIG. 12A shows a front surface 202 of the digital camera 10 according to the third embodiment, and FIG.
Indicates the back surface 206 of the digital camera 10 at this time. Housing 200 of digital camera 10 of the present embodiment
The front 202 and the back 206 have a substantially heart shape. The digital camera 10 includes first and second photographing lens units 22 a and 22 b that form images, and first and second photographing lens units 22.
First and second lens barriers 2 for protecting a and b, respectively
10a and 10b. First and second photographing lens units 22
Are arranged substantially in parallel on the upper side of the front surface 202, and the first and second lens barriers 210a and 210b are
6 and a side surface 204 between the front surface 202 and the back surface 206, and rotate independently of each other about an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis of the first taking lens unit 22a. In this regard, the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment is different from the digital cameras 10 of the first and second embodiments.

The first and second photographing lens units 22a and 22b
Each forms an image. Further, the first and second photographing lens units 22a and 22b can photograph an image at the same time.
It has a one-image shooting mode for shooting one image and a two-image shooting mode for shooting two images. First lens unit 22
When only a is exposed, the mode is set to the one-image shooting mode, and the first
When the second photographing lens units 22a and 22b are exposed, a two-image photographing mode is set. The first and second lens barriers 210a and 210b in this figure are both closed. In this case, the stop mode is set and the power is automatically turned off.

The overall configuration of the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The first and second apertures 24, the first and second shutters 26, the first and second optical LPFs 28, and the first and second apertures 24 correspond to the first and second photographing lens portions 22a and 22b of the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment. 1st and 2nd CC
D30, first and second imaging signal processing units 32, first and second aperture driving units 46a and 46b, and first and second shutter driving units 48. The first photographing lens unit 22a is a zoom lens capable of setting zoom and focus, and a second
The photographing lens unit 22b is a fixed magnification lens fixed to a magnification equal to the imaging magnification when the first photographing lens unit 22a is located at the wide end. These configurations and operations are the same as the configurations and operations described in FIG. Also,
The memory control unit 64 of the present embodiment can receive two images from the first and second imaging signal processing units 32 at the same time, and records these images in the main memory 68. Other configurations and operations are the same as the configurations and operations of the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 shows the front surface 202 of the digital camera 10 with the first lens barrier 210a opened and the second lens barrier 210b closed. In this case, the one-image shooting mode is set. In the one-image shooting mode, an image is shot by the first shooting lens unit 22a. Thus, in the one-image shooting mode, shooting can be performed in the same manner as the digital camera 10 having one shooting lens unit 22. At this time, the unused second taking lens 22b can be protected by the second lens barrier 210b.

FIG. 14 shows the first and second lens barriers 21.
FIG. 2 shows the digital camera 10 in a state where both 0a and b are open.
In this case, a two-image shooting mode is set. In the two-image shooting mode, images are simultaneously shot by the first shooting lens unit 22a and the second shooting lens unit 22b, respectively.

The first and second photographing lens units 22a and 22b
Since they are arranged at positions separated by about the width of the eyes, three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic imaging can be performed in the two-image mode. First photographing lens unit 22a and second photographing lens unit 2
Images with different magnifications can be taken with 2b. Further, the first and second photographing lens units 22a and 22b can photograph at different zoom magnifications, and the first and second photographing lens units 22a and 22b photograph at different zoom magnifications in the two-image photographing mode. Thus, the lens barrier 210
Since the mode is switched according to the positions of a and b, the user can easily perform one-image shooting and two-image shooting.

In this embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the lens barrier 210 is stopped when the lens barrier 210 is stopped.
The LCD monitor 102 and the LCD panel 104 as well as the taking lens unit 22 can be protected.

As another form, the second photographing lens unit 22
A speaker may be provided on the left side of the digital camera 10 instead of b. This allows you to shoot
You can listen to music.

The configuration and operation of the digital camera 10 other than the above are the same as those of the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS.

As described above, the present invention has been described using the embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It should be noted that such modified or improved embodiments may be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
It is clear from the description of the claims.

As a first modification, the lens barrier 210 according to the present embodiment includes the lens barrier mounting portion 24.
0, but the lens barrier mounting portion 240
May be provided in a substantially elliptical shape. In this case, the lens barrier 210 performs both rotation and linear movement. Thereby, even when the housing 200 has a complicated shape,
The lens barrier 210 can move along the outer shape of the housing 200. Thus, the lens barrier 210
The opening and closing of the photographing lens 22 may be performed by an operation including rotation, and the shape of the locus drawn by the lens barrier 210 at this time is not limited. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the lens barrier mounting portion 240 is high.

As a second modification, the lens barrier 210 of the present embodiment has two openings 212 and 214, but may have one opening instead.
In this case, the video output terminal 90, the charging connector 22
4 and the connector 92 may be sequentially exposed.

As a third modification, the lens barrier 21
No. 0 has one opening, and is provided in such a size that the video output terminal 90, the charging connector 224, and the connector 92 can be exposed at the same time. There may be one mode where everything is available. Further, one of the connectors may be provided with an opening having a size to expose two of the connectors.

As a fourth modification, the lens barrier 21
0 may have one opening for each connector. That is, three openings may be provided. As described above, the size and the number of the openings are not limited to the present embodiment, and the degree of freedom in design is large.

[0081]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the lens barrier exposes the connection portion while covering the three surfaces of the housing, and the exposed connection portion can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall structure of a digital camera 10. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the digital camera 10.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a mode switching unit 230 attached to the lens barrier 210 and a lens barrier attachment unit 240 provided on the housing 200.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the lens barrier 210 is opened and
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the digital camera 10 when is exposed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a connection part 222 and openings 212 and 214 when the lens barrier 210 covers the taking lens part 22;

FIG. 6 is a rear view 206 of the digital camera 10 in a state in which the lens barrier 210 covers the taking lens unit 22 and the digital camera 10 is set to an operable mode.
FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing openings 212 and 214 in a state where the lens barrier 210 covers the taking lens unit 22.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the lens barrier 210.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a digital camera 10 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the digital camera 10 when the lens barrier 210 stops on the right and left sides of the housing 200.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the digital camera when the lens barrier stops at the bottom of the housing.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a digital camera 10 according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the digital camera 10 in a state where a first lens barrier 210a is opened and a second lens barrier 210b is closed.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which first and second lens barriers 210a and 210b are provided.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the digital camera 10 in an open state.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Digital camera 20 Imaging unit 22
... Shooting lens unit 24 ... Aperture 26 ... Shutter
28 optical LPF 30 CCD 32 imaging signal processing unit 34 finder 36 flash
40: imaging control unit 60: processing unit 6
2. Main CPU 64 Memory controller 66 Non-volatile memory 68 Main memory 70
... YC processing section 72 ... Encoder 74 ... Recording medium control section 76 ... Recording medium 78 ... Compression / decompression processing section
80 communication I / F section 82 main bus 90
Video output terminal 92: connector 100: display unit 102: LCD monitor 104: LCD panel 110: operation unit 1
12 Power switch 114 Release switch 116 Function setting section
118 ... Zoom switch 200 ... Housing 210 ...
Lens barrier 212: Opening 220: Recording medium insertion opening 222: Connection 230: Mode switching unit
232 convex part 240 lens barrier mounting part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H083 CC05 CC12 CC14 CC23 CC25 CC28 CC32 CC48 2H100 AA33 AA61 5C022 AA13 AC00 AC67 AC77

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image, comprising: a lens unit that forms the image; a lens barrier that protects the lens unit; and a connection unit that connects the image pickup device and the outside of the image pickup device. An imaging device, comprising: an opening that exposes the connection portion according to a position of the lens barrier. 2. The lens barrier pivots around an axis substantially parallel to an optical axis of the lens unit, the front and rear of the imaging device, and many side surfaces provided between the front and rear surfaces, The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit is arranged at a position exposed from the opening when the lens unit is covered by the lens barrier. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit has a plurality of connectors, and the opening is provided so that at least one of the connectors is exposed. apparatus. 4. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the lens barrier further includes a plurality of openings that expose at least one of the plurality of connectors. 5. A non-photographing mode, comprising: a plurality of modes in which the connector is exposed from the opening while the lens barrier covers the lens portion; and 5. A mode in which the lens barrier includes a stop mode in which the lens barrier and the connector are covered, and a mode switching unit that switches the mode in accordance with a position where the lens barrier stops is further provided. The imaging device according to any one of the above. 6. When one of the non-photographing modes is set, only the connector that can be used in the set mode among the connectors is exposed from the opening. The imaging device according to claim 2. 7. A data input / output connector for inputting and / or outputting data from outside of the imaging device, and when the data input / output connector is exposed from the opening, the mode switching unit includes: The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the mode is switched to a data transfer mode. 8. A charging connector for supplying electric power to the imaging device, wherein the mode switching unit switches to a charging mode when the charging connector is exposed from the opening. Item 8. The imaging device according to any one of Items 5 to 7. 9. A recording medium insertion port for inserting a recording medium for recording the data, wherein the recording medium insertion port and the data input / output connector are provided at positions covered by the lens barrier in the shooting mode. The imaging device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein: 10. The non-photographing mode includes a recording mode, and in the recording mode, the recording medium insertion port is provided at a position covered by the lens barrier. An imaging device according to claim 1. 11. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the lens barrier is detachable.