JP2003110885A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of photographing itself as a subject by simple operation without installing a monitor section exclusive for a self- photographing. SOLUTION: The same image is displayed in all upper-lower and left-right sections on an image plane 16a for a liquid-crystal monitor section 16, when the monitor section 16 is viewed from the rear of the camera 1 as compared with an image obtained by a photographing in the normal photographing. The change of the posture of the monitor section 16 is detected by a switch 15 by lifting the monitor section 16 to the upper section of the camera 1, by rotating the monitor section 16 at 180 deg. in the case of the self-photographing. Correct images are displayed in upper and lower sections and inverted images in left and right sections on the image plane 16a for the monitor section 16, when the monitor section 16 is viewed from the front of the camera 1 as compared with the image obtained by the photographing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera that photographs a subject according to a photographing operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera is fixed on a tripod and the like, and a self-timer provided in the camera is used to photograph the photographer himself (referred to as self-photographing). However, the self-shooting in this way is troublesome in operation, and there is a problem in that it is not possible to confirm whether or not the shooting was performed with the composition intended by the user.

To solve this problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-
No. 23301 discloses that the first direction is opposite to the subject direction.
And a second state in which the subject direction is the same as the subject direction, the liquid crystal finder is freely displayed, and when the detection means detects that the liquid crystal finder is in the second state, A technique has been proposed in which a macro button is pressed to instruct the digital camera to be in the short-distance shooting mode and self-shooting is performed.

Further, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 09-224178, in self-photographing, after returning the electronic finder set obliquely in a normal photographing state to the storage position, the operator is slid to slide the electronic finder. Rotate to stand upright in the direction of the subject, then slide the slide knob to disengage the grip with the shutter button from the camera body, and stand in front of the camera with the composition and focus set in front of the electronic viewfinder. A technique for pressing the shutter button while looking is proposed. Here, the electronic viewfinder displays an image which is vertically and horizontally inverted as compared with an image in normal photography, that is, an image finally obtained by photography.

Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-352750 proposes a technique in which a mirror unit having a convex reflecting mirror for photographing the photographer himself can be securely attached to and detached from the upper surface of the camera.

[0006]

However, in the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-23301, the operation of rotating the liquid crystal finder and the operation of setting the short-distance shooting mode with the macro button are performed for self-shooting. There is a problem that it is troublesome because it requires two operations.

In the technique proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 09-224178, after the electronic finder is once returned to the storage position, the operator is slid to rotate the electronic finder to stand upright in the direction of the object. Further, since the grip is released and the shutter button is pushed, there is still a problem that it takes time. Also, the image displayed on the electronic viewfinder is the image finally obtained by taking a picture, but in recent years, cameras that determine the composition while taking a picture while seeing themselves in the mirror have become popular. Therefore, it may be possible that the user feels uncomfortable if the composition is decided while looking at the image finally obtained by photographing.

Further, in the technique proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-352750, a mirror unit having a convex reflecting mirror for photographing the photographer himself is provided on the upper surface of the camera. There is a problem that a monitor unit is required.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a camera capable of taking a picture of oneself as a subject by a simple operation without providing a monitor section dedicated to self-photographing.

[0010]

A camera which achieves the above object comprises a monitor section for displaying an image within a shooting angle of view before shooting, and an image pickup device for picking up an image to be displayed on the monitor section. In a camera for taking a photograph on the image pickup device or another photoconductor in accordance with a photographing operation,
A first posture in which the monitor unit is located on the back surface of the camera and the screen is directed rearward; and a second posture in which the monitor unit is projected to a position visible from the front of the camera and the screen is directed forward. In between, a supporting member that supports the monitor unit so that the posture of the monitor unit can be freely changed, a sensor that detects the posture of the monitor unit, and a photograph is taken when the monitor unit is in the first posture. When the monitor section is viewed from the rear of the camera, a correct image is displayed on the monitor section vertically and horizontally as compared with the image obtained by, and a photograph is taken when the monitor section is in the second posture. Compared with the image obtained by (1), when the monitor section is viewed from the front of the camera, the monitor section is provided with an image control section that displays an image in which the vertical direction is correct and the horizontal direction is reversed.

In the camera of the present invention, when the monitor section that displays an image within the shooting angle of view before shooting is used for normal shooting, the monitor section is viewed from the rear of the camera as compared with the image obtained by taking a picture. When this happens, the correct image is displayed on the monitor, both vertically and horizontally. Also, when performing self-shooting, when the sensor detects that the posture of the monitor unit has been changed to perform self-shooting, and the monitor unit is viewed from the front of the camera compared to the image obtained by taking a picture. In addition, an image is displayed correctly on the monitor and upside down on the left and right. Therefore, it is possible to display both the image displayed during normal shooting and the image displayed during self-shooting on a single monitor unit. Therefore, it is possible to photograph the subject, which is the subject, with a simple operation without providing a monitor unit dedicated to self-photographing.

Here, the display control unit, even if the monitor unit is in any one of the first posture and the second posture, after the photographing operation is performed on the monitor unit. It is preferable that an image at the time of correct shooting is displayed for a predetermined period of time, vertically and horizontally.

In this way, the image finally obtained by photographing can be confirmed on the spot.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen obliquely from the front upper side, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the camera shown in FIG. 1 as seen obliquely from the rear side, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the camera shown in FIG. 1.

This camera 1 is a camera for taking a photograph on a roll-shaped photographic film, and the camera 1 shown in FIG.
A taking lens 11 is provided in the center of the front surface of the.
Further, a flash light emitting window 12 is provided on the upper front part of the camera 1.

Further, on the upper surface of the camera 1, a shutter button 13 and a slide type power switch 14, and a posture of a liquid crystal monitor section 16 which will be described later, which is provided between the shutter button 13 and the power switch 14, will be described. A switch 15 (an example of the sensor according to the present invention) for detecting is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal monitor section 16 and a supporting member 17 are provided on the back surface of the camera 1.

The liquid crystal monitor section 16 plays a role as a finder, and has a screen 16a for displaying an image within a photographing angle of view before photographing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the support member 17 has a screen 16a on which the liquid crystal monitor 16 is located on the rear surface of the camera 1.
And a position where the liquid crystal monitor 16 is viewed from the front of the camera 1 (position indicated by a dotted line)
The position of the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 can be freely changed between the second position in which the projected screen 16a is directed forward.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a circuit board 18 is built in the inside of the camera 1. An imaging element 19 and an image control unit 20 are mounted on the circuit board 18.

The image pickup device 19 picks up an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 16 which is reflected by a reflecting mirror (not shown) via the taking lens 11.

When the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 is in the first posture, the image control unit 20 compares the image obtained by photographing with the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 when viewed from the rear of the camera 1. A correct image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 16 both vertically and horizontally. Further, when the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 is in the second posture, as compared with an image obtained by taking a photograph, when the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 is viewed from the front of the camera 1, the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 is correctly positioned up and down. The left and right display the reversed image.

Further, the image control unit 20 performs a photographing operation on the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 regardless of which of the first posture and the second posture the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 takes. After this, the correct image at the time of shooting is displayed for a predetermined period of time in the vertical and horizontal directions.

In normal photographing, the liquid crystal monitor unit 16
Are located on the back surface of the camera 1, as shown in FIG. In this state, the same image is displayed on the screen 16a of the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 both vertically and horizontally as compared with the image obtained by photographing. Here, when performing self-photographing, the photographer sets the liquid crystal monitor 16 around the support member 17 as shown by the arrow in FIG.
180 degrees upwards. As a result, the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 is located above the camera 1. Then, the switch 15 is pressed by the liquid crystal monitor unit 16, and accordingly, the image control unit 20 detects the self-photographing. In response to this, the image control unit 20 receives an image in which the upper and lower sides are correctly reversed on the screen 16a of the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 as compared with the image obtained by photographing, that is, the upper and lower sides are compared with the image in normal photographing. An image is displayed which is inverted and left and right as it is. The operator visually recognizes this image, determines the composition, and presses the shutter button 13. Then, on the liquid crystal monitor unit 16, the correct image at the time of shooting, that is, the image obtained by taking a picture is displayed for a predetermined time both vertically and horizontally. In this way, self-photographing is performed.

When the camera 1 of the present embodiment performs normal photographing, the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 is vertically positioned on the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 when viewed from the rear of the camera 1, as compared with an image obtained by photographing. , The right and left images are displayed correctly. Further, when performing self-photographing, the liquid crystal monitor unit 16
The switch 15 detects that the attitude of the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 has been changed by rotating the camera 180 degrees above the camera 1 and lifting the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 to the upper side of the camera 1. When viewed from the front of, the LCD monitor 16 displays an image in which the top and bottom are correct and the left and right are reversed. Therefore, it is possible to display both the image displayed during normal shooting and the image displayed during self-shooting on a single liquid crystal monitor unit 16 by a simple operation. Therefore, it is possible to photograph the subject himself / herself with a simple operation without providing a monitor unit dedicated to self-photographing.

Further, since the image obtained by photographing is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor section 16 for a predetermined time,
The photographer can confirm the image finally obtained by the photography on the spot.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention as seen obliquely from above the front side, and FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the camera shown in FIG. 4 as seen from obliquely above the rear side.

The same components as those of the camera 1 of the first embodiment described above will be designated by the same reference numerals.

In normal photographing, as shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal monitor section 16 is located on the back surface of the camera 1. In this state, the same image is displayed on the screen 16a of the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 both vertically and horizontally as compared with the image obtained by photographing. In the case of self-shooting, as shown in FIG. 4, the photographer rotates the liquid crystal monitor 16 about the support member 17 by 180 degrees and is positioned on the right side of the camera 1 shown in FIG. Then switch 1
5 is pressed by the liquid crystal monitor unit 16, whereby the image control unit 20 detects that it is self-shooting. In response to this, the image control unit 20 displays an image on the screen 16a of the liquid crystal monitor unit 16 that is upside down and left-right inverted as compared with an image obtained by taking a picture. The operator determines the composition while looking at this image and presses the shutter button 13.
You may perform self-photographing with the camera 2 of such a structure. FIG. 6 is a side view of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a view showing a part of the back surface of the camera shown in FIG.

In this camera 3, a switch 15 for detecting the attitude of the liquid crystal monitor section 36 is provided in a concave portion on the upper surface of the camera 3. Further, a portion where the upper surface and the back surface of the camera 3 are coupled to each other is formed in a concave shape, and a supporting member 37 for supporting the liquid crystal monitor unit 36 having the screen 36a is provided along the concave portion. There is. LCD monitor 36
Rotates to follow the support member 37 for self-imaging. The liquid crystal monitor unit 36 has a pressing member 36b for pressing the switch 15.

When performing self-photographing with this camera 3,
The photographer uses the support member 37 as a center for the liquid crystal monitor 36.
Is rotated 180 degrees toward the upper side of the camera 3 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. Then, the switch 15 is pressed by the pressing member 36b of the liquid crystal monitor 36, and it is detected that self-photographing is performed. As a result, on the screen 36a of the liquid crystal monitor unit 36, an image in which the image is vertically inverted and left and right is displayed as compared with the image in normal shooting is displayed. In addition, after the shooting operation is performed on the liquid crystal monitor unit 36,
An image obtained by taking a picture is displayed only for a predetermined time.

In the present embodiment, the present invention has been described as an example in which the present invention is applied to an ordinary camera for taking a photograph on a roll-shaped photographic film, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the image pickup device is not limited thereto. The image captured by the built-in image pickup device is recorded in the image recording unit in accordance with the photographing operation, and the image obtained by the image pickup by the image pickup device is mounted on the photographic film loaded with the photographic film. The present invention may be applied to a hybrid camera that records the image, a digital camera that forms an image of a subject on an image sensor and captures the image as a signal, or an instant camera that sends the film outside the camera and develops it.

[0034]

As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, it is possible to take a picture of the subject, which is a subject, by a simple operation without providing a monitor section dedicated to self-photographing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention when viewed obliquely from above the front surface.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the camera shown in FIG.

3 is a side view of the camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the camera of the second embodiment of the present invention as seen from diagonally above the front surface.

5 is an external perspective view of the camera shown in FIG. 4 as viewed obliquely from above on the back side.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a camera of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of the back surface of the camera shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,2,3 camera 11 Shooting lens 12 flash emission window 13 Shutter button 14 Power switch 15 switch 16,36 LCD monitor 16a, 36a screen 17,37 Support member 18 circuit board 19 Image sensor 20 Image control unit 36b pressing member

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A monitor unit for displaying an image within a photographing angle of view before photographing, and an image pickup device for picking up an image to be displayed on the monitor unit. The image pickup device is provided on the image pickup device or other depending on a photographing operation. In a camera for taking a photograph on the photoconductor of the above, the monitor unit is located on the rear surface of the camera and has a first posture in which the screen is directed rearward, and the monitor unit is located at a position visible from the front of the camera. A support member that supports the monitor unit so that the posture of the monitor unit can be freely changed between a second posture in which the protruding screen is directed forward, a sensor that detects the posture of the monitor unit, and the monitor unit In the first posture, compared with the image obtained by taking a photograph, when the monitor unit is viewed from the rear of the camera, the monitor unit displays correct images in the vertical and horizontal directions, and Is in the second position At one time, as compared with an image obtained by taking a picture, when the monitor unit is viewed from the front of the camera, the monitor unit is provided with an image control unit that displays an up / down correct image and a left / right inverted image. Characteristic camera. 2. The display control unit, when the monitor unit is in any one of the first posture and the second posture, the display control unit sets a predetermined value after a photographing operation is performed on the monitor unit. 2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein an image at the time of correct shooting is displayed for all of the time, up and down, and left and right.