JP2004037919A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera such that the ocular window of the viewfinder can instantaneously and securely be recognized. <P>SOLUTION: A control circuit 172 which constitutes a light emitting device 170 turns on a light emitting element 173 and light is projected from a light transmission part 162 of an ocular window frame 160 constituting the optical viewfinder to make the whole ocular window frame emit light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera for photographing a subject.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, cameras equipped with an optical viewfinder are known as cameras for photographing a subject. This optical viewfinder is provided with a photographing range portion indicating a photographing range, a display portion for displaying photographing conditions such as a shutter speed and a diaphragm. Here, when taking a picture when the surroundings of the camera are dark, such as at night, it is difficult for the photographer to recognize the eyepiece window of the optical viewfinder.
[0003]
Therefore, in the utility model No. 3026064, a lens frame that supports an eyepiece lens and includes a light emitting element on the back surface of the camera, an optical viewfinder eyepiece window disposed behind the lens frame, and an eyepiece window A light-emitting window provided on the outside and a finder display device made of a transparent plate, and the light from the light-emitting element that is turned on when the shutter button is half-pressed is reflected by the end of the eyepiece through the light-emitting window. A technique for projecting behind the eyepiece window has been proposed. According to this technique, even when the surroundings are dark, the photographer can recognize the eyepiece window based on the light projected behind the eyepiece window.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-220619 proposes a technique for printing a luminous paint on the outer frame of the viewfinder eyepiece window. According to this technique, when the surroundings are dark, the luminous paint emits light and the outer frame of the viewfinder eyepiece window becomes brighter than the surroundings.
[0005]
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-203930 proposes a technique in which a light image frame made of a luminous phosphorescent paint is provided on the surface of an eyepiece constituting a finder. According to this technique, even when the surrounding is dark, the photographer can find an optical image frame corresponding to a range in the finder where an image can be formed on the film.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the technique proposed in the above-mentioned utility model No. 3026064 reflects the light from the light emitting element at the end of the eyepiece lens and projects it behind the eyepiece window. However, it is difficult to recognize the entire eyepiece window immediately.
[0007]
In addition, the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-220619 discloses that the luminous paint printed on the outer frame of the finder eyepiece window emits light. Therefore, when the surrounding is dim, such as in the evening, the outer frame of the finder eyepiece window. There is a problem that it is difficult to recognize.
[0008]
Furthermore, since the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-203930 uses a luminous phosphorescent paint, for example, when the camera is left in a dark place, light accumulates in the luminous paint. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to find the optical image frame in the finder when the photographer looks into the finder.
[0009]
In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can immediately and reliably recognize an eyepiece window of a finder.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The camera of the present invention that achieves the above object is a camera for photographing a subject.
A viewfinder having an eyepiece window frame, and a subject can be visually recognized by looking into the eyepiece window in the eyepiece window frame;
And a light emitting device that emits light from the eyepiece window frame.
[0011]
Since the camera of the present invention causes the eyepiece window frame of the finder to emit light by the light emitting device, the light from the light emitting element, which is proposed in Utility Model No. 3026064, is projected to the rear of the eyepiece window. Compared to the technology that recognizes a part, the entire eyepiece window can be recognized immediately. Compared to the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-220619 in which the luminous paint printed on the outer frame of the viewfinder eyepiece window emits light, the eyepiece window can be reliably recognized even when the surroundings are dim. can do. Further, in comparison with the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-203930 in which a light image frame made of phosphorescent luminous paint is provided on the surface of the eyepiece, the camera is left in a dark place. Even in this case, the eyepiece window frame actively emits light, so that the eyepiece window of the finder can be reliably recognized.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from the front, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the camera of FIG.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing lens 11 is provided at the center of the front surface of the camera 1. The camera 1 obtains image data by forming a subject image on an image sensor such as a CCD sensor (not shown) by a photographing lens 11, and compresses the image data or records the image data on a recording medium such as smart media as it is. It is a digital camera. The camera 1 is a camera equipped with a photometric device that performs photometry based on an image signal representing an image on an image sensor.
[0015]
An objective window 12 and an auxiliary light emitting unit 13 constituting the optical finder 2 are provided on the upper front of the camera 1. Further, a shutter button 14 and a slide type power switch 15 are provided on the upper surface of the camera 1. Further, the body 1a of the camera 1 is surrounded by an exterior film.
[0016]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an eyepiece window 16 constituting the optical viewfinder 2 and an eyepiece joined to the body 1a of the camera so as to surround the periphery of the eyepiece window 16 are disposed on the rear surface of the camera 1. A window frame 160, a menu switch 17 for displaying a menu such as a shooting mode, an execution / screen changeover switch 18 for selecting an item displayed on the menu switch 17 and switching a reproduction image, and an image monitor 19 And are provided. A mode changeover switch 20 is provided below the eyepiece window frame 160 for switching the mode of the light emitting device to be described later.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the eyepiece window frame shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the eyepiece side.
[0018]
The eyepiece window frame 160 is made by molding a light-transmitting resin (for example, acrylic resin), and has two surface treatment parts 161 subjected to a surface treatment for blocking light leakage, and the surface treatment parts 161. And a light transmitting portion 162 in which the light transmitting resin is exposed. The photographer views the subject by looking into the eyepiece window 16 in the eyepiece window frame 160.
[0019]
4 is a perspective view of the eyepiece window frame shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the joint surface side of the camera body, and a sectional view of the joint window frame.
[0020]
4A shows a perspective view of the eyepiece window frame 160 as seen from the joint surface side of the camera body 1a, and FIG. 4B shows the eyepiece window frame shown in FIG. 4A. An AA cross-sectional view of 160 is shown. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the eyepiece window frame 160 has a gap 160a for providing a light emitting element to be described later.
[0021]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an eyepiece window frame joined to the body of the camera and a light emitting device that emits light from the eyepiece window frame.
[0022]
The camera 1 of this embodiment includes a light emitting device 170 that emits light from the eyepiece window frame 160. The light emitting device 170 includes a power supply circuit 171, a control circuit 172, and a light emitting element 173.
[0023]
The power supply circuit 171 supplies power to the control circuit 172 and supplies power to the light emitting element 173 via the control circuit 172.
[0024]
Although details will be described later, the control circuit 172 turns on or off the light emitting element 173 in accordance with the operation of the mode switch 20.
[0025]
For the light emitting element 173, an EL (Electro Luminescence) element or a light emitting diode is preferably used. The light of the light emitting element 173 is emitted through the light transmission part 162 as shown in FIG. As a result, the entire eyepiece window frame 160 emits light.
[0026]
FIG. 6 illustrates a light-emitting device different from the light-emitting device illustrated in FIG.
[0027]
In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated to the same component as the component shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, a light emitting device 180 that emits light from the eyepiece window frame 160 is provided. The light emitting device 180 includes the above-described power supply circuit 171, control circuit 172, light emitting element 183, and optical fiber 184.
[0028]
As the light emitting element 183, an EL element or a light emitting diode is preferably used.
[0029]
The optical fiber 184 is provided along the periphery of the eyepiece window frame 160.
[0030]
Light from the light emitting element 183 is emitted toward the optical fiber 184. The optical fiber 184 emits this light through the light transmission part 162 as shown in FIG. In this way, the light of the light emitting element 183 may be indirectly emitted to cause the entire eyepiece window frame 160 to emit light.
[0031]
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the mode switch shown in FIG.
[0032]
The mode change switch 20 has a mode change lever 20a. When the mode switching lever 20a is set to the manual OFF mode position as shown in FIG. 7, the eyepiece window frame 160 does not emit light, while the mode switching lever 20a is set to the manual ON mode position. Then, the eyepiece window frame 160 forcibly emits light. When the mode switching lever 20a is set to the automatic mode position, light is emitted according to the brightness around the camera 1. Hereinafter, these operations will be described with reference to FIG.
[0033]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a light emission processing routine by a control circuit constituting the light emitting device.
[0034]
This light emission processing routine is started when the power switch 15 (see FIG. 1) is operated and the camera 1 is turned on. Normally, the mode change switch 20 is set to the position of the manual OFF mode, and repeatedly executes steps S1, S2, S11, S12, and S13 described later. Therefore, the eyepiece window frame 160 is not emitting light. Here, the photographer operates the mode switch 20 to switch to the automatic mode position (step S1). Then, in step S2, it is determined that the mode of the light emitting device 170 is automatic, and the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, an image signal is captured from the image sensor. Next, in step S4, the brightness of the subject is measured by a photometric device that performs photometry based on an image signal representing an image on the image sensor.
[0035]
In step S5, it is determined whether or not the brightness of the subject is equal to or greater than a certain value. If it is determined that the brightness of the subject is less than a certain value, the surroundings of the camera 1 are dark, so the process proceeds to step S7, the light emitting element 173 is turned on by supplying power to the light emitting element 173, and the process proceeds to step S1. Return. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the brightness of the subject is equal to or greater than a certain value, the process proceeds to step S6.
[0036]
In step S6, it is determined whether or not the brightness above the certain value has continued for a certain time. If it is determined that the brightness above the certain value is less than the certain time, the surroundings of the camera 1 are somewhat dark, so the process proceeds to step S7 described above, the light emitting element 173 is turned on, and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined that the brightness above the certain value is longer than the certain time, the surroundings of the camera 1 are sufficiently bright and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, power is not supplied to the light emitting element 173 (the light emitting element 173 is turned off), and the process returns to step S1.
[0037]
In addition, the photographer operates the mode switch 20 to switch to the manual ON mode position (step S1). Then, in step S2, it is determined that the mode of the light emitting device 170 is manual, and the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the photographer operates the mode switch 20 to switch from the position of the manual ON mode to the position of the manual OFF mode, or conversely to switch from the position of the manual OFF mode to the position of the manual ON mode. Here, the position is switched to the position of the manual ON mode, and the process proceeds to step S12.
[0038]
In step S12, it is determined whether the mode of the light emitting device is the manual ON mode or the manual OFF mode. Here, it is determined that the manual ON mode is selected, and the process proceeds to step S14. By supplying power to the light emitting element 173, the light emitting element 173 is forcibly lit regardless of the surrounding brightness, and the process returns to step S1. . Thereafter, when the position is switched from the manual ON mode position to the manual OFF mode position in step S11, it is determined in step S12 that the manual OFF mode is selected, and the process proceeds to step S13, where power is supplied to the light emitting element 173. Therefore, the light emitting element 173 is extinguished.
[0039]
Since the camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes the light emitting device 170 and the mode change switch 20, even when the surroundings are dim or dark, such as in the evening, the mode change switch 20 is operated to operate the optical switch. By making the eyepiece window frame 160 of the type finder 2 emit light, the eyepiece window 16 constituting the optical finder 2 can be immediately and reliably recognized.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic still camera that forms an image of a subject on an image sensor and captures the image as a signal has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the present invention may be applied to an ordinary camera that takes a photograph on a roll-shaped photographic film, or an instant camera that sends the film to the outside of the camera and develops it.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera that can immediately and reliably recognize the eyepiece window of the finder.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front obliquely above.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the camera of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the eyepiece window frame shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the eyepiece side.
4 is a perspective view of the eyepiece window frame shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the joint surface side of the camera body, and a cross-sectional view of the joint window frame.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an eyepiece window frame joined to a camera body and a light emitting device that emits light from the eyepiece window frame.
6 is a diagram showing a light emitting device different from the light emitting device shown in FIG.
7 is an enlarged view of the mode switch shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a light emission processing routine by a control circuit constituting the light emitting device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 1a Body 2 Optical viewfinder 11 Shooting lens 12 Objective window 13 Auxiliary light emission part 14 Shutter button 15 Power switch 16 Eyepiece window 17 Menu switch 18 Execution / screen changeover switch 19 Image monitor 20 Mode changeover switch 20a Mode changeover lever 160 Eyepiece Window frame 160a Air gap portion 161 Surface treatment portion 162 Light transmission portion 170 Light emitting device 171 Power supply circuit 172 Control circuits 173 and 183 Light emitting element 184 Optical fiber

Claims (1)

In a camera that shoots a subject,
A viewfinder having an eyepiece window frame, and a subject can be visually recognized by looking into the eyepiece window in the eyepiece window frame;
A camera comprising: a light emitting device that emits light from the eyepiece window frame.

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