JP2002027301A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device that can be easily mounted on a relatively thin body such as a liquid crystal display and can obtain constantly stable mounted state regardless of the thickness dimension of the body to be mounted. SOLUTION: A support 3 is rotatably attached to a camera body 11. A CCD camera 4 is mounted to one end of the support 3. A movable leg 5 for pinching the liquid crystal display D at an area to the camera 11 is assembled to the camera 11 so that the amount of projection from the camera 11 can be varied. An interlocking mechanism 9 for varying the amount of projection of the movable leg 5 in linking with the rotation of the support 3 is equipped. The liquid crystal display D is positioned between the camera 11 and the variable leg 5, the support 3 is rotated, and the liquid crystal display D is pinched between the movable leg 5 and the camera 11, thus mounting a video camera 1 on the liquid crystal display D.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus represented by a video camera for providing image information to information equipment such as a personal computer. In particular, the present invention
The present invention relates to an improvement in the structure of an imaging device suitable for use by connecting to an information device using a liquid crystal display or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an imaging device such as a video camera is connected to an information device such as a personal computer, and image information captured by the imaging device is taken into the information device.
The information is increasingly used for various purposes.
For example, by installing a video camera toward the operator of a personal computer, a simple video conference system can be constructed, or an image of an arbitrary subject can be captured by a video camera, and the image information can be recorded and stored on the personal computer. There are various forms of use. In these cases, the video camera may be installed in various forms, such as being mounted on a display device (display) of a personal computer, being held by an operator, or placed on a desk.

Regarding the installation of this type of video camera, if the personal computer has a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, it is not possible to install the video camera on the upper surface of this display by using a camera stand or the like. Easy.

However, when a personal computer having a thin flat-type display such as a liquid crystal display is used, a special mounting tool is required to mount a video camera on the display.

As a video camera which can be attached to a flat type display as described above, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
Some are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3948 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-128091.

In the former publication, a clamp is provided at one end of a lever portion, a stand is rotatably connected to the other end of the lever portion, and the stand is rotated to make a straight line with the lever portion. , Allows the clamp to be pulled out. Then, the clamp is pulled out to about the thickness of the flat display, and the flat display is sandwiched between the clamp and the camera body, so that the camera can be mounted on the flat display. Also disclosed is a configuration in which the clamp receives a biasing force of a spring to clamp the flat display between the clamp and the camera body, thereby stably mounting the camera on the flat display. Furthermore, when the clamp is in the most extended position, it can be used as a foot to place the camera on a desk. It is also disclosed that when the stand is not used, the stand is folded along the camera body to eliminate protrusions from the camera and improve portability.

On the other hand, in the latter publication, the left and right arms urged by a spring sandwich the edge of the flat display between a stopper rubber attached to the video camera and hold the video camera. This discloses a configuration in which a camera is mounted on a flat display. In addition, since the arm part becomes a part of a tripod foot, the video camera can be placed on a desk.

[0008]

However, the video camera disclosed in the above publication has a problem that the work of attaching the video camera to a flat display is not easy. This is because it is necessary to pull out the clamp against the urging force of the spring or to pinch the edge of the flat display with the left and right arms expanded. In other words, the worker must perform the mounting work by applying a force against the urging force of the spring to the clamp and the arm while supporting the weight of the video camera,
It was difficult to do that.

The thickness of the flat display to be mounted also has various dimensions. Therefore, in order to stably mount the video camera even with a relatively thin display, it is necessary to previously set the biasing force of the spring to be relatively high. However, when this is mounted on a flat display having a relatively large thickness, the urging force of the spring becomes too high, and the work load (the force that must be applied to the clamp and the arm) increases. In addition, when the operator releases the clamp or the arm, the spring or the spring may cause the clamp or the arm to collide with the flat display and be damaged. Was something. In the actual mounting work, with the flat display sandwiched between the camera body by applying force to the clamps and arms, slowly release the clamps and arms to allow the clamps and arms to contact the flat display. The impact must be reduced. for that reason,
Heretofore, there has been a demand for a configuration in which a video camera can be securely attached to a display with a simple operation.

Further, it is difficult to design a biasing force of the spring for stably mounting the video camera to a flat display having any thickness.
That is, if the biasing force is too small, the holding force on the thin flat display becomes insufficient, and a stable mounting state cannot be obtained. Conversely, if the biasing force is too large, the work load for mounting the flat display having a relatively large thickness as described above becomes large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable easy attachment to a relatively thin object such as a liquid crystal display. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus which can always obtain a stable attachment state regardless of the thickness of the body.

On the other hand, regarding the portability of a video camera, the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-128091 is inconvenient to carry because the left and right arms protrude from the camera body. . On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
In the device disclosed in JP-A-233948, by folding the lever portion and the stand, a protrusion from the camera can be eliminated and portability can be improved. However, in each of the cameras of the publications, since the lens is exposed to the outside, it is necessary to protect the lens by attaching a cap to the lens when carrying the camera. In this case, if the user forgets to attach the cap, the lens may be damaged.

In view of this point, another object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device which is excellent in portability and can protect a lens without attaching a cap.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems-Summary of the Invention-In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a movable portion having a variable protrusion size in conjunction with an operation of an imaging section, The image pickup device (camera) can be attached to an object to be attached (a liquid crystal display or the like) by utilizing the method described above.

-Solution Means- Specifically, the present invention is based on an image pickup apparatus including an apparatus main body and an image pickup section for picking up an image of a subject. This imaging apparatus is provided with a support member, a movable part, and an interlocking mechanism. The support member supports the imaging unit and is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body so that the imaging unit can be relatively moved with respect to the apparatus main body. The movable portion protrudes from the apparatus main body, and has a variable protrusion size from the apparatus main body so as to sandwich the attached body with the apparatus main body. The interlocking mechanism changes the projecting dimension of the movable portion in conjunction with the rotation of the support member.

According to this specific matter, when the imaging device is mounted on the object to be mounted, the support member is rotated with respect to the device main body, and the projecting dimension of the movable portion is adjusted in conjunction with this rotation operation. It changes according to the shape of. That is, the projecting dimension of the movable portion can be appropriately obtained only by rotating the support member, and the apparatus main body can be stably fixed to the attached body. For this reason, the mounting operation can be easily performed, and a stable mounting state can always be obtained irrespective of the thickness of the mounted body.

The following is a specific configuration of the interlocking mechanism. That is, the image pickup unit is attached to one end of the support member, and the other end is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body. On the other hand, the interlocking mechanism includes a gear provided integrally with the other end of the support member and a movable unit. A flat gear formed on the surface to transmit the rotating power of the gear. Thus, the rotational movement of the support member is converted into a linear movement of the movable part, and the projecting dimension of the movable part from the apparatus body can be changed.

As described above, the power transmission by the gear changes the protrusion of the movable portion in conjunction with the rotation of the support member. For this reason, power transmission can be performed reliably. In addition, in a state where the imaging device is attached to the attachment body, the attachment strength (a clamping force on the attachment body) does not decrease unless the support member rotates, so that a stable attachment state can be maintained. it can.

The following is a specific configuration of a further interlocking mechanism. That is, the interlocking mechanism is provided with a locking means, and the locking means is provided at the other end of the support member, the flat gear of the movable portion, and the power transmission provided between the gear and the flat gear. The movable part is restricted to a predetermined protruding position by being locked to at least one of the gears for performing the above.

According to this specific matter, the position of the movable portion can be restricted to a predetermined protruding position by the locking operation of the locking means in a state where the imaging device is attached to the object. That is, thereby, the holding force of the attached body between the movable portion and the device main body is maintained, and a more stable attachment state can be obtained.

The following is a specific configuration of the movable portion. That is, the first movable section and the second movable section connected to each other via the joint section are provided on the movable section, and the first movable section is connected to the first movable section.
By bending the movable part and the second movable part at the joint part, the attached body is sandwiched between the second movable part and the apparatus main body.

According to this specific matter, the image pickup apparatus can be attached to the object to be mounted while the object to be mounted is sandwiched between the front and back sides by the second movable portion and the device main body. This is effective when applied to an extremely thin attached body.

The following are examples of configurations taking into account the portability of the imaging apparatus. That is, a supporting member that supports the imaging unit and is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body, and protrudes from the apparatus main body so that the imaging unit is relatively movable with respect to the apparatus main body. And a movable portion having a variable protruding dimension from the apparatus main body so as to sandwich the attached body between the movable portions. Further, by rotating the support member, the imaging unit is housed inside the apparatus main body.

According to this specific matter, when the imaging device is carried and the support member is rotated and the imaging unit is housed inside the device main body, the imaging unit does not protrude from the device main body, and the imaging device can be carried around. An easy form can be realized. At the same time, since the lens of the imaging unit is not exposed to the outside, a configuration for protecting the lens can be realized.

In the case where the imaging section can be housed inside the apparatus main body section as described above, the following configuration can be cited for attaching the imaging apparatus to the object. That is, an interlocking mechanism for changing the protrusion size of the movable portion in conjunction with the rotation of the support member is provided. The movable unit is also housed inside the apparatus main body in conjunction with the rotation of the support member when the imaging unit is housed inside the apparatus main body.

According to this specific matter, when the imaging device is mounted on the object to be mounted, the mounting can be performed by the movable portion projecting from the device main body. On the other hand, when the imaging unit is housed inside the apparatus main body, the movable unit is also housed inside the apparatus main body in conjunction therewith. Therefore, the movable portion does not protrude from the apparatus main body. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both stability when the imaging device is attached to the attachment target and portability when carrying the imaging device.

Means for transmitting captured image data include the following. That is, a transmission cable for transmitting image data of a subject imaged by the imaging unit is provided, and a winding unit for winding the transmission cable is provided inside the apparatus main body.

According to this specific matter, when carrying the imaging apparatus, the transmission cable is wound around the winding section,
This transmission cable can be housed in the device body,
This also ensures good portability.
Also, when the imaging device is attached to an attached body such as a personal computer, and a transmission cable is connected to the attached body, the transmission cable is attached by pulling out the necessary amount of the transmission cable from the winding section. It is possible to avoid situations in which the operation of the body is obstructed.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a video camera attached to a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a notebook personal computer).

-Description of Configuration of Video Camera- FIG. 1 shows a video camera 1 as an imaging device according to the present embodiment.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of a notebook-type personal computer as a member to be attached, which is attached to a liquid crystal display D. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the video camera 1 and also shows a state in which the video camera 1 is attached to a liquid crystal display D of a notebook computer. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 in a state where the video camera 1 is installed on the desk T (on an inclined surface), and FIG. 3 is a sectional view as viewed from the left side of FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 when the video camera 1 is carried, and FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 when the video camera 1 is carried.

As shown in these figures, the present video camera 1
The camera main body 11 as an apparatus main body is configured by storing various components in a main body internal space S formed between a pair of left and right casing plates 21 and 22. CCD camera unit 4 as
Are configured to be relatively movable.

More specifically, each casing plate 21,
The support member 3 is rotated by a rotating shaft 31 spanning
Are rotatably supported. This support member 3 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a member having a U-shaped cross section with one end opened, the open end of which is rotatable around a horizontal axis by the rotation shaft 31 is provided. The support member 3
Accommodates a first gear (gear) 32. The first gear 32 is attached to the support member 3 so as to rotate integrally therewith. A camera support plate 33 is provided at the other end (the upper end in FIG. 1) of the support member 3. The camera support plate 33 is rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the support member 3. The CCD camera unit 4 is attached to the tip of the camera support plate 33. The CCD camera unit 4 includes a lens 41 on the front surface, and captures an image of a subject passing through the lens 41 as image data. Also, the CCD camera unit 4
Has a slit 42 formed in the center thereof (see FIG. 2), the camera support plate 33 is inserted in the slit 42, and the CCD camera unit 4 is rotatable about a horizontal axis. Is attached to the camera support plate 33.

As described above, the CCD camera unit 4 has a structure in which the camera support plate 33 is rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the support member 3, and the CCD camera unit 4 itself has a horizontal axis with respect to the camera support plate 33. Since it is rotatable around, the imaging direction can be easily changed.

The first camera inside the video camera 1
Under the gear 32, movable legs 5, 5 as a pair of movable portions are provided.
Is provided. Each of these movable legs 5 and 5 includes a first leg 51 as a first movable portion and a second leg 5 as a second movable portion.
2 are connected (joint at joints) so as to be relatively rotatable about a horizontal axis. The first leg 51 includes a pin 53 that fits into the groove 23 formed on the inner wall surface of the casing plates 21 and 22.
The pin 53 is guided by the groove 23 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction in FIG. on the other hand,
The second leg 52 is provided with a biasing force in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 by a biasing force of a spring (not shown) disposed at a portion connected to the first leg 51 (see an arrow in FIG. 1). That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the video camera 1 is attached to the liquid crystal display D, the surface of the liquid crystal display D is pressed by the second leg 52, so that the video camera 1 and the casing plates 21, 22 can be moved. The holding force is sufficiently ensured, and the mounting state can be stably obtained. The structure of the movable leg 5 is as follows.
The second leg 52 may be adjustable to an arbitrary angle with respect to the first leg 51, and the second leg 52 may be fixed at that position.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, flat gears 5 are provided on the upper surfaces of the first leg 51 and the second leg 52, respectively.
4, 55 are formed. This flat gear 54,5
Similarly to the first gear 32, a second gear 61 rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 64 extending between the casing plates 21 and 22 between the first gear 32 and the first gear 32. And a pair of third gears 62 and 63 are provided. The second gear 61 meshes with the first gear 32, while the third gears 62, 63 mesh with the flat gears 54, 55, respectively. For this reason, when the first gear 32 rotates, its rotating power is transmitted to the second gear 61 and the third gear 6.
The gears are transmitted to the flat gears 54 and 55 via the gears 2 and 63. That is, the rotational movement of the first gear 32 is converted into a linear movement of the movable legs 5, 5, and the movable leg 5 is pulled into the main body internal space S in conjunction with the rotational direction of the first gear 32. Or protrudes outside from the main body internal space S. Specifically, in FIG. 1, when the first gear 32 rotates clockwise, the movable leg 5 is pulled into the main body internal space S, and conversely, the first gear 32
Is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the movable leg 5 projects from the main body internal space S. As described above, the gears 32, 61 to 63, 54, 55 constitute the interlocking mechanism 9 according to the present invention.

Further, a locking spring supporting plate 24 is provided on the casing plates 21 and 22, and the locking spring supporting plate 24 is locked as locking means constituting a part of the interlocking mechanism 9. A spring 25 is attached. One end of the locking spring 25 is bent into an L shape, and the bent portion fits into the tooth space of the second gear 61. That is, the locking spring 25 is locked to the second gear 61 so as to regulate the rotation of the second gear 61.
By restricting the rotation of the second gear 61, the sliding movement of the movable leg 5 is also restricted. still,
The locking spring 25 is not limited to the one that locks to the second gear 61, and each of the gears 32, 62, 63,
Any of 54 and 55 may be used.

The casing plates 21 and 22 of the video camera 1 are provided with auxiliary legs 71 and 71, respectively. The auxiliary legs 71, 71 are attached to lower end portions of the casing plates 21, 22 in FIG. 1 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis. The auxiliary legs 71 and 72 are stored in the main body internal space S in a normal state as shown in FIG. 1, while, for example, when installed on a desk T as shown in FIG. The video camera 1 is rotated and protruded from the main body internal space S to assist in stably installing the video camera 1.

The video camera 1 further includes a transmission cable 8 for transmitting image data picked up by the CCD camera unit 4 to a notebook computer. The transmission cable 8 can be wound around a cable reel 81 as a winding portion attached to the lower surface of the partition wall 26 extending between the casing plates 21 and 22 at the lower end portions of the casing plates 21 and 22 in FIG. ing. An operation section 82 is projected from the lower end surface of the cable reel 81, and the transmission cable 8 can be wound by pinching the operation section 82 and rotating the cable reel 81. Note that a connector 83 for connecting to a notebook computer is provided at the end of the transmission cable 8.
Is provided.

-Description of Usage of Video Camera- Next, various usages of the video camera 1 configured as described above will be described. Here, a mode in which the video camera 1 is used by attaching it to the liquid crystal display D of a notebook personal computer, a mode in which the video camera 1 is used by setting it on a desk T, and a case in which the video camera 1 is carried ( (When carrying).

In this case, first, the CCD camera unit 4 is rotated in a direction to be raised with respect to the camera body unit 11. That is,
In FIG. 1, it is turned counterclockwise. At this time, the first gear 32 also rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, and the rotating power is transmitted to the flat gears 54 and 55 via the second gear 61 and the third gears 62 and 63, and the movable legs 5 and 5 moves in a direction (left direction in the figure) protruding from the main body internal space S. In this state, the video camera 1 is placed on the liquid crystal display D such that the upper end of the liquid crystal display D is located between the second leg 52 and the casing plates 21 and 22.
The CCD camera unit 4 is rotated clockwise in FIG. In this case, contrary to the above, the first gear 32 also rotates clockwise in the drawing, and the rotating power is transmitted to the flat gears 54 and 55 via the second gear 61 and the third gears 62 and 63, Each of the movable legs 5, 5 moves in a direction to be drawn into the main body internal space S. Then, as the CCD camera unit 4 is rotated, the second leg 52 comes into contact with the surface of the liquid crystal display D, and the liquid crystal display D is sandwiched between the second leg 52 and the casing plates 21 and 22. Will go. As described above, since the urging force in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 is applied to the second leg 52, the second leg 52 rotates against the urging force in accordance with the pinching operation. The liquid crystal display D is sandwiched between the casing plates 21 and 22 due to the reaction force thereof. Then, the rotation of the CCD camera unit 4 is stopped when a predetermined holding force is obtained. Thus, the mounting operation of the video camera 1 ends. At this time, the second
Since the locking spring 25 is locked in the tooth groove of the gear 61,
The second gear 61 does not easily rotate, so that the holding force of the liquid crystal display D between the second leg 52 and the casing plates 21 and 22 is maintained, and a stable mounting state is obtained.

Because of such an attaching operation, CC
Only by rotating the D camera unit 4 together with the support member 3, the projecting dimensions of the movable legs 5, 5 can be properly obtained, and the video camera 1 can be stably fixed to the liquid crystal display D. Therefore, the work of attaching the video camera 1 to the liquid crystal display D can be easily performed. Also,
Since the conventional configuration in which the video camera 1 is attached while holding the liquid crystal display D only by the urging force of the spring is not adopted, a constant holding force is always obtained regardless of the thickness dimension of the liquid crystal display D and stable. The mounting state can be realized. Furthermore, in the conventional device, there is a possibility that the clamp or the arm may collide with the liquid crystal display and be damaged by the urging force of the spring. However, in the present embodiment, such a situation does not occur. I have. As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid crystal display from being damaged, and it is no longer necessary to pay attention to the mounting work which was required in the past (slowly releasing the clamp and the arm so that the clamp and the arm do not hit the liquid crystal display). The burden on the worker can be reduced.

The video camera 1 is provided with a cable reel 81 so that the transmission cable 8 can be connected to the cable reel 8.
1, the required number of transmission cables 8 can be pulled out from the cable reel 81 and connected to a notebook computer. For this reason, a situation in which the transmission cable 8 hinders the operation of the notebook computer can be avoided.

(Mode of installation and use on desk T) In this case, as shown in FIGS.
Is rotated clockwise in FIG. 3 so that the CCD camera unit 4 is mounted on the rear surface of the casing plates 21 and 22 (FIG. 3).
At the upper edge). With this operation, the rotational power of the first gear 32 is increased by the second gear 61 and the third gears 62 and 6.
3 and is transmitted to the flat gears 54 and 55, so that the first leg 51 of each of the movable legs 5 and 5 is drawn into the main body internal space S. That is, the second leg 5 is provided outside the main body internal space S.
2 protrudes, and there is no gap between the second leg 52 and the casing plates 21 and 22. In this state, the video camera 1 is placed on the desk T such that the second leg 52 contacts the upper surface of the desk T. At the same time, the auxiliary legs 71, 71 are rotated along the upper surface of the desk T. Accordingly, each of the legs 52, 52, 71, 71 comes into contact with the upper surface of the desk T, and the video camera 1 can be stably mounted on the desk T. Further, by adjusting the rotation angle of the auxiliary legs 71, 71, the posture of the entire video camera 1 can be changed. That is, if the auxiliary legs 71, 71 are rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 3, the CCD camera unit 4 faces upward, and conversely, the auxiliary legs 71, 7
By rotating the counterclockwise 1, the CCD camera unit 4 faces downward, and the direction of the CCD camera unit 4 can be changed (change in tilt direction).

In this case, too, the required amount of transmission cable 8
Is pulled out from the cable reel 81 and connected to the notebook computer, the transmission cable 8 does not hinder the operation of the notebook computer.

In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the CCD camera unit 4 is further rotated clockwise in FIG. It is located in the main body internal space S. With this operation, the rotational power of the first gear 32 is transmitted to the flat gears 54 and 55 via the second gear 61 and the third gears 62 and 63, and the movable legs 5
5, the first leg 51 and the second leg 52 are entirely in the main body internal space S.
It will be in the state where it was drawn in. The auxiliary legs 71 are also stored in the main body internal space S. Thus, the CCD camera unit 4, the movable leg 5, and the auxiliary leg 7 are located outside the main body internal space S.
1, 71 does not protrude, and a convenient form for carrying can be obtained. Further, the lens 41 can be protected by storing the CCD camera unit 4 in the internal space S of the main body. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventional video cameras
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 0-233948 and 9-128091, it is necessary to protect the lens by attaching a cap to the lens when not in use. In this case, if the user forgets to attach the cap when carrying the camera, the lens may be damaged. In the present embodiment, the lens 41 is simultaneously rotated while rotating the CCD camera unit 4 for convenience in carrying.
Can also be protected.

Further, the transmission cable 8 is connected to the cable reel 8.
By winding it into one, portability is further improved.

The video camera 1 is a camera body 1
1 is open on the back side, but if a lid is closed to close the open portion, dust and dirt can be prevented from entering the internal space S of the main body, thereby protecting the lens 41 and preventing damage to the internal mechanism. Prevention can be reliably performed.

-Other Embodiments- In the above-described embodiments, a case has been described in which the present invention is applied to a video camera attached to a notebook computer. The present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the object to be attached is not limited to the liquid crystal display D of the notebook computer, but may be any other object that can be pinched, such as a portable information processing terminal device or an office partition panel. Further, the imaging device is not limited to the video camera 1, but various devices such as a digital camera can be adopted.

In the above embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 9 is the first
To third gears 32, 61 to 63 and flat gears 54, 5
And 5. The present invention is not limited to this.
It may be composed of only the gear 32 and the flat gears 54 and 55 (in this case, the movable legs 5 and 5
The moving direction of the movable legs 5 and 5 may be reversed by using a link mechanism or the like in conjunction with the rotation of the support member 3.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, an image pickup apparatus provided with an apparatus main body and an image pickup section is connected to the apparatus main body by rotating the support member for supporting the image pickup section. The projecting dimension of the movable portion that clamps the attached body can be changed between them. For this reason, the projection size of the movable portion can be appropriately obtained only by rotating the support member, and the imaging device can be stably attached to the attachment target. In other words, since the conventional configuration in which the image pickup device is attached by holding the object to be attached only by the biasing force of the spring is not adopted, a constant holding force is always obtained regardless of the thickness of the object to be attached and stable. It is possible to provide a secure mounting state. Further, in the related art, there is a possibility that the clamp or the arm may collide with the attached body and be damaged by the urging force of the spring. However, according to the present invention, such a situation does not occur, and The body can be prevented from being damaged, and the burden on the operator during the mounting operation can be reduced.

In the case where the rotation of the supporting member and the movement of the movable portion are interlocked by the transmission of power by gears, the power can be reliably transmitted, and the movable portion and the main body of the apparatus can be transmitted. Since it is possible to prevent the holding force of the attached body from lowering by the portion, it is possible to maintain a stable attached state for a long time.

Further, when a locking means for locking to a gear or a flat gear constituting the interlocking mechanism is provided, the position of the movable portion can be restricted to a predetermined projecting position. Thereby, the holding force of the attached body between the movable portion and the apparatus main body is maintained, and a stable attachment state can be obtained for a long time, and a highly reliable attachment structure can be provided.

On the other hand, when a configuration is adopted in which the imaging unit is housed inside the apparatus main body by rotating the support member, the imaging unit does not protrude from the apparatus main body.
A form that is easy to carry can be realized. At the same time, since the lens of the imaging unit is not exposed to the outside,
A configuration for the protection can be realized, and the conventional protection cap can be eliminated.

In a case where the movable unit is also accommodated in the apparatus main body in conjunction with the rotation of the support member when the image sensing unit is accommodated in the apparatus main body, the image pickup is performed. It is possible to achieve both stability when the device is attached to the object to be mounted and portability when carrying the imaging device, and to provide a highly practical imaging device.

Further, when a winding section for winding a transmission cable for transmitting image data of a subject imaged by the imaging section is provided inside the apparatus main body section, when the imaging apparatus is carried, the transmission section is provided. By winding the cable around the winding section, portability can be further ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a video camera according to an embodiment is attached to a liquid crystal display of a notebook computer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the video camera is attached to a liquid crystal display of a notebook computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 in a state where the video camera is installed on a desk.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the video camera installed on a desk as viewed from the left side of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 when a video camera is carried.

FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 when a video camera is carried.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 video camera (imaging device) 11 camera main body (device main body) 25 locking spring (locking means) 3 support member 32 first gear (gear) 4 CCD camera unit (imaging unit) 5 movable leg (movable unit) 51 first leg (first movable portion) 52 second leg (second movable portion) 54, 55 flat gear 61 second gear (gear) 62, 63 third gear (gear) 8 transmission cable 81 cable reel (winding) 9) Interlocking mechanism D Liquid crystal display (attached body) S Internal space

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus comprising an apparatus main body and an image pickup section for picking up an image of a subject, wherein the image pickup section is supported and the apparatus main body is arranged so as to be relatively movable with respect to the apparatus main body. A supporting member rotatably attached to the movable body, and a movable portion projecting from the device main body and having a variable protrusion size from the device main body so as to sandwich the mounted body with the device main body. An interlocking mechanism that changes a protrusion size of the movable portion in conjunction with the rotation of the support member. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the support member has an imaging unit attached to one end and the other end is rotatably supported by the device main body, and an interlocking mechanism includes the support member. And a flat gear formed on the surface of the movable part and transmitting the rotational power of the gear, and the rotational movement of the support member is controlled by the movable part of the movable part. An image pickup apparatus characterized in that the movable section is configured to be able to change its protruding dimension from the apparatus main body by being converted into linear motion. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the interlocking mechanism is provided with a gear provided at the other end of the support member, a flat gear of the movable portion, and a power transmission provided between the gear and the flat gear. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a locking unit that locks the movable portion to a predetermined protruding position by locking to at least one of the gears that performs the following. 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the movable unit is connected to the first movable unit via a joint unit.
A movable portion, and the first movable portion and the second movable portion are bent at the joint portion, whereby the attached body is sandwiched between the second movable portion and the device main body. An imaging device, comprising: 5. An image pickup apparatus comprising an apparatus main body and an image pickup section for picking up an image of a subject, wherein the image pickup section is supported so that the image pickup section can be relatively moved with respect to the apparatus main body. A supporting member rotatably attached to the movable body, and a movable portion projecting from the device main body and having a variable protrusion size from the device main body so as to sandwich the mounted body with the device main body. An imaging device, comprising: an imaging unit that is housed inside an apparatus main body by rotating the support member. 6. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: an interlocking mechanism that changes a projecting dimension of the movable section in conjunction with a rotation operation of the support member, wherein the image pickup section is housed inside the apparatus main body. An image pickup apparatus characterized in that a movable section is also accommodated inside the apparatus main body section in conjunction with a rotation operation of a support member at the time of the operation. 7. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission cable for transmitting image data of a subject imaged by the imaging unit, and winding the transmission cable. An imaging device, wherein the winding unit is provided inside the device main body.