JP2004361470A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve ease of operation and to secure durability of reliability while accurately realizing the protection of a display part. <P>SOLUTION: A camera main body 2 is provided with a cover member 6 covering at least part of the front 3 and freely turning along the front 3 with a front-and-back direction as the center, and the display part 7 is arranged on the back of the member 6. The member 6 moves between a housing position R where the display part 7 is opposed to the front 3 of the main body 2 and an exposing position E where the display part 7 projects from the main body 2 and is exposed backward. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device in which a lens unit is disposed on a front surface of a substantially box-shaped device main body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an imaging apparatus in which a lens unit is disposed on a front surface of an apparatus main body formed in a substantially box shape. As this type of imaging apparatus, a digital camera having a first camera main body and a second camera main body and having a lens unit disposed on the front surface of the first camera main body is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). . On the front surface of the first camera body, a strobe unit, a window of a finder unit, and the like are arranged in addition to a lens unit. Further, a display unit for displaying an image acquired through the lens unit is provided on a rear surface of the second camera body. On the rear surface of the second camera body, in addition to the display unit, an eyepiece unit of a finder unit, various function key units, and the like are arranged.
[0003]
In this digital camera, the first camera body and the second camera body are hinged so that they can be folded back and forth. When each camera body is inverted and folded, the lens unit, the display unit, and the like are hidden. That is, the first camera main body and the second camera main body are used in a state where they are not inverted with each other at the time of imaging, and when the imaging is completed, each camera main body is brought into a state where the front and rear are inverted.
[0004]
There is also known a digital camera that shoots in a state where each camera body is deployed (for example, see Patent Document 2). In this digital camera, the lens section of the first camera body and the display section of the second camera body are folded so as to face each other, and are unfolded with the front and back of the second camera body turned up at the time of imaging. I have. Thus, during imaging, the lens unit of the first camera body is located on the front side, and the display unit of the second camera body is located on the rear side.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-98470 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 10-191117 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in each of the digital cameras, the display unit is folded in a state where the display unit faces the first camera body to protect the display unit during non-imaging, and the lens unit is exposed to the front and the display unit is moved backward during the imaging. Since it is necessary to expose toward the front, a relatively large operation is required to transform from the non-imaging state to the imaging state. Accordingly, there is a problem that the operation is extremely troublesome for a photographer or the like.
[0007]
Further, in the device described in Patent Document 1, the hinge portion must have a special structure in order to rotate the second camera body approximately 180 ° with respect to the first camera body. The wiring is greatly twisted, and the reliability and durability of the hinge portion and the wiring are reduced.
[0008]
Also, in the device described in Patent Document 2, the second camera body is rotatable in two directions with respect to the first camera body, so that the hinge portion must have a special structure. The routed wiring is twisted in two directions, and the reliability and durability of the hinge portion and the wiring are reduced.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device capable of improving operability and ensuring reliability and durability while appropriately protecting a display unit in order to solve the above-described conventional problems. is there.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To solve the above problems, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7,
The invention according to claim 1 is
An imaging device in which a lens unit (5, 105) is disposed on a front surface (3) of a substantially box-shaped device main body (for example, a camera main body 2 or the like) and a display unit (7) for displaying an image acquired through the lens unit is provided. (For example, digital camera 1 etc.)
A cover member (6, 106) that covers at least a part of a front surface of the device main body and is rotatable along the front surface in a front-rear direction as a rotation axis direction;
Disposing the display unit on a rear surface (8) of the cover member;
The cover member is configured to move to a storage position (R) in which the display unit faces the front surface of the device main body and to an exposure position (E) in which the display unit protrudes from the device main body and the display unit is exposed. And
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the photographer pivots the cover member to move the cover member from the storage position to the exposure position so that a part of the cover member protrudes from the apparatus main body, thereby moving the display unit backward. Exposure can be performed, and shooting can be performed while recognizing an image captured through the display unit. Here, since the movement of the cover member from the storage position to the exposure position is achieved with a relatively small rotation angle along the front surface of the apparatus main body, the photographer can easily and easily take an image. it can. Thus, the wiring for electrically connecting the apparatus main body side and the cover member side is not excessively twisted.
In addition, at the time of non-imaging, by rotating the cover member to move it from the exposure position to the storage position, the display unit can be stored facing the front surface of the apparatus main body. At this time, since the display unit and the front surface of the device main body are not exposed to the outside, the display unit and the front surface of the device main body are properly protected.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the first aspect,
The cover member may be configured to cover the lens unit at the storage position and to expose the lens unit at the exposure position.
[0013]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the lens portion is covered when the cover member is at the storage position, and the lens portion is exposed by moving the cover member to the exposure position. This allows the lens unit to be properly protected during non-imaging. Further, the display unit and the lens unit can be covered and exposed by a single operation of the cover member.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the second aspect,
A strobe unit (4) is arranged on the front surface of the device body,
The cover member covers the lens unit and the strobe unit at the storage position, and the lens unit and the strobe unit are exposed at the exposure position.
[0015]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the flash unit is covered when the cover member is at the storage position, and the flash unit is exposed by moving the cover member to the exposure position. This makes it possible to properly protect the strobe unit during non-imaging. Further, the display unit, the lens unit, and the strobe unit can be covered and exposed by a single operation of the cover member.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the third aspect,
A finder section (112) is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body.
The cover member may be configured to cover the lens unit, the strobe unit, and the finder unit at the storage position, and to expose the lens unit, the strobe unit, and the finder unit at the exposure position. Features.
[0017]
According to the fourth aspect, the finder portion is covered when the cover member is at the storage position, and the finder portion is exposed by moving the cover member to the exposure position. As a result, the finder section can be properly protected during non-imaging. Further, the display unit, the lens unit, and the finder unit can be covered and exposed with a single operation of the cover member.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects,
The cover member is formed in substantially the same shape as the apparatus main body when viewed from the front.
[0019]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the cover member is in the storage position, the apparatus main body and the cover member substantially overlap in a front view, and the front surface of the apparatus main body is almost completely covered by the cover member, so that it is neat. It gives an impression and gives the camera a new appearance that is not available. Further, since the front surface of the device main body is almost covered, the entire front surface of the device main body can be properly protected by the cover member.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital camera in which a cover member is rotated from a covering position to an exposure position, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of the digital camera in which the front surface of the digital camera is almost covered by a cover member, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the digital camera in which the front surface of the digital camera is almost covered by a cover member. FIG. 5 is a top view of the digital camera in a state where the front surface of the camera body is substantially covered by a cover member.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, a digital camera 1 as an imaging device has a camera body 2 as a device body formed in a substantially box shape. The camera body 2 is formed in a vertically elongated substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and a strobe unit 4 and a lens unit 5 are arranged above the front surface 3. In the present embodiment, the strobe unit 4 and the lens unit 5 are arranged in this order from the front left side.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 is provided with a substantially box-shaped cover member 6 that substantially covers the entire front surface 3. The cover member 6 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape having substantially the same shape as the camera body 2 when viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 2, a display unit 7 that displays an image acquired through the lens unit 5 is disposed on a rear surface of the cover member 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the cover member 6 is pivotally supported on the upper left side of the front surface 3 centering on the front-rear direction, and from a storage position R (see FIG. 3) that almost covers the front surface 3, clockwise in a front view. Conversely, it is configured to be movable along the front surface 3 to an exposure position E (see FIG. 1) rotated by approximately 90 °. That is, the cover member 6 has a storage position R where the display unit 7 faces the front surface 3 of the camera body 2 and an exposure position E where the display unit 7 projects rightward from the camera body 2 when viewed from the front and the display unit 7 is exposed rearward. And to move to.
[0023]
Further, since the cover member 6 substantially covers the front surface 3, the strobe unit 4 and the lens unit 5 are covered at the storage position R as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, as is apparent from FIG. 1, when the cover member 6 moves to the exposure position E, the flash unit 4 and the lens unit 5 are exposed.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, the structure for pivotally supporting the cover member 6 with respect to the camera body 2 is a hinge structure similar to a conventionally known structure, and allows the camera body 2 and the cover member 6 to rotate about 90 °. The wiring is inserted into the inside of the hinge portion.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the upper end and the lower end of the camera body 2 and the cover member 6 are curved in a side view, and when the cover member 6 is in the storage position R, the camera body 2 The upper and lower ends of the cover member 6 are integrally formed to form a substantially semicircular shape. As shown in FIG. 1, when the cover member 6 is rotated to the exposure position E, the upper end of the cover member 6 is substantially overlapped with a part of the left end of the camera body 2 when viewed from the front. .
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of switches 9 for performing operations related to various functions of the digital camera 1 are arranged on the rear surface 8 of the camera body 2. As shown in FIG. 5, a shutter button 11 is provided on the upper surface 10 of the camera body 2. The display unit 7 is provided with a touch panel (not shown) so that input operations such as numeric keys can be performed. Further, a speaker section 12 for reproducing sound and a microphone section 13 for taking in sound such as real voice are provided. Furthermore, an antenna 14 used for performing communication is provided, and it is possible to transmit and receive a captured image and the like. The switch unit 9, the shutter button 11, the speaker unit 12, the microphone unit 13, the antenna 14, and the like are the same as conventionally known ones, and thus description thereof is omitted here.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the digital camera 1 is configured such that the power is turned off when the cover member 6 is at the storage position R, and the power is turned on when the cover member 6 is at the exposure position E.
[0028]
According to the digital camera 1 configured as described above, the photographer pivots the cover member 6 to move the cover member 6 from the storage position R to the exposure position E as shown in FIG. Is projected from the camera body 2 so that the display unit 7 is exposed rearward, and can be used as a viewfinder, and can be photographed while recognizing an image captured through the display unit 7.
[0029]
Here, the movement of the cover member 6 from the storage position R to the exposure position E is achieved at a relatively small rotation angle of about 90 ° along the front surface 3 of the camera body 2, so that the photographer is extremely simple and easy. Can be brought into a state where the image can be taken. Thus, the wiring for electrically connecting the camera body side and the cover member side is not excessively twisted.
[0030]
In addition, at the time of non-imaging, the display unit 7 can be stored facing the front surface 3 of the camera body 2 by rotating the cover member 6 to move from the exposure position E to the storage position R. At this time, since the display unit 7 and the front surface 3 of the camera body 2 are not exposed to the outside, the display unit 7 and the front surface 3 of the camera body 2 are properly protected.
[0031]
Therefore, according to the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately protect the display unit 7 during non-imaging, and to improve operability when the photographer moves the cover member 6 from the non-imaging state to the imaging state. And an excessive load is not applied to the wiring in the hinge portion, and the reliability and durability can be secured. That is, the wiring is largely twisted as in a configuration in which the hinge portion is rotated by approximately 180 °, and an excessive load is not applied to the wiring. Further, the structure of the hinge portion is complicated as in the case where the hinge portion is configured to allow rotation in two directions, and there is no reduction in reliability and durability and no increase in manufacturing cost.
[0032]
Further, according to the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, when the cover member 6 is in the storage position R, the flash unit 4 and the lens unit 5 are covered, and by moving the cover member 6 to the exposure position E, Since the lens unit 5 is exposed, the strobe unit 4 and the lens unit 5 can be properly protected during non-imaging. In addition, the display unit 7, the strobe unit 4, and the lens unit 5 can be covered and exposed by a single operation of the cover member 6, thereby improving the operability.
[0033]
Further, according to the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, when the cover member 6 is in the storage position R, the camera body 2 and the cover member 6 substantially overlap each other when viewed from the front, and the front surface 3 of the camera body 2 is 6, the image becomes a clean impression as shown in FIG. 3, and has a new appearance which is not present in a conventional camera. Therefore, the appearance during non-imaging can be improved, and the merchantability can be dramatically improved. Further, since the front surface 3 of the camera body 2 is almost covered, the entire front surface 3 of the camera body 2 can be properly protected by the cover member 6, which is extremely advantageous in practical use.
[0034]
Further, according to the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, the power is automatically turned off when the strobe unit 4 and the lens unit 5 are covered, and automatically when the strobe unit 4 and the lens unit 5 are exposed. The power is turned on. That is, the power is turned on when the camera body 2 is in the imaging state, and the power is off when the camera body 2 is in the non-imaging state. Therefore, power is supplied only when necessary, and when unnecessary. It will not be consumed. Therefore, the power consumption of the battery or the like can be extended while minimizing the power consumption.
[0035]
In the above-described embodiment, the cover member 6 is supported on the upper left side of the front surface 3 around the front-rear direction. For example, as shown in FIG. It may be supported about the center. 6 is also configured such that the cover member 6 substantially covers the front surface 3 at the storage position R. With this, the same operation and effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.
[0036]
In the above embodiment, the cover member 6 covers the flash unit 4 and the lens unit 5 at the storage position R. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the flash unit 4 and the lens unit 5 are always exposed. May be used. In FIG. 7, a lens unit 105 is provided to protrude from the front surface of the camera body 2, and a hole 106 a through which the lens unit 105 is inserted is formed in the cover member 106. That is, the cover member 106 rotates around the lens unit 105. The cover member 106 is formed shorter than the camera body 2 when viewed from the front, so that the strobe unit 4 and the finder unit 112 disposed above the front surface 3 are exposed at the storage position R. I have. As described above, the cover member 106 only needs to cover at least a part of the front surface 3 of the camera body 2. In the digital camera 1, the cover member 106 is moved to the exposure position to take an image using the display unit 7 as a viewfinder. It is possible to shoot.
[0037]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the finder section is not provided is shown. However, the finder section may be provided in the camera body 2. In this case, the finder portion is also covered when the cover member 6 is at the storage position R and is exposed when the cover member 6 is at the exposure position E. As a result, the finder section can be properly protected during non-imaging. Further, the display unit 7, the lens unit 5, the flash unit 4, and the finder unit can be covered and exposed by a single operation of the cover member 6.
[0038]
In the above-described embodiment, the power is turned on and off in conjunction with the movement of the cover member 6. As a matter of course, the power may be turned on and off.
[0039]
Further, the shapes of the camera body 2, the cover member 6 and the like in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary, and the rotation angle when the cover member 6 reaches the exposure position E does not have to be approximately 90 °. It goes without saying that the detailed structure can be appropriately changed.
[0040]
Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the digital camera 1 having a communication function. However, the imaging device is not limited to the digital camera 1, but may be a communication function, a PDA having an imaging unit, or the like. It is a matter of course that the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment can be applied to an electronic device such as an information portable terminal and a camera-equipped mobile phone terminal provided with an imaging unit.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to properly protect the display unit when the cover member is not in the image pickup position where the cover member is in the storage position. Because of this, the operability when the photographer moves the cover member from the non-imaging state to the imaging state is excellent, and an excessive load is not applied to the wiring that electrically connects the camera body side and the cover member side. Reliability can be ensured. Further, since the rotation angle of the cover member is relatively small, a hinge structure or the like for connecting the camera body and the cover member can be simplified, thereby also ensuring the reliability and durability.
[0042]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the display unit and the lens unit can be covered and exposed with a single operation on the cover member, and the operability can be further improved.
[0043]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cover and expose the display unit, the lens unit, and the strobe unit with a single operation of the cover member, and the operability can be further improved.
[0044]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the display unit, the lens unit, the strobe unit, and the finder unit can be covered and exposed by a single operation of the cover member, and the operability can be further improved. .
[0045]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the cover member is in the storage position, the camera body and the cover member substantially overlap with each other when viewed from the front, and the front surface of the camera body is almost completely covered by the cover member and is neat. It gives an impression and gives the camera a new appearance that is not available. Therefore, the appearance during non-imaging can be improved, and the merchantability can be dramatically improved. Further, since the front surface of the camera body is almost covered, the entire front surface of the camera body can be properly protected by the cover member, which is extremely advantageous in practical use.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is a front view of a digital camera in a state where a cover member is rotated from a covering position to an exposure position.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera in a state where a cover member is rotated from a covering position to an exposure position.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the digital camera in a state where the front surface of the camera body is substantially covered by a cover member.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the digital camera in a state where the front surface of the camera body is almost covered by a cover member.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the digital camera in a state where the front surface of the camera body is substantially covered by a cover member.
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment, and is a front view of the digital camera in a state where a cover member is rotated from a covering position to an exposure position.
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment and is a front view of a digital camera in a state where a cover member is rotated from a covering position to an exposure position.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Camera main body 3 Front surface 4 Strobe unit 5 Lens unit 6 Cover member 7 Display unit 105 Lens unit 106 Cover member 112 Viewfinder E Exposure position R Storage position

Claims (5)

A lens unit is provided on the front surface of the substantially box-shaped device main body, and an imaging apparatus having a display unit that displays an image acquired through the lens unit,
The device main body is provided with a cover member that covers at least a part of the front surface of the device main body and is rotatable along the front surface with the front-rear direction being a rotation axis direction,
Arranging the display unit on a rear surface of the cover member,
An imaging apparatus, wherein the cover member is configured to move to a storage position where the display section faces the front surface of the apparatus main body and an exposure position where the display section protrudes from the apparatus main body and the display section is exposed. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member covers the lens unit at the storage position, and the lens unit is exposed at the exposure position. A strobe unit is arranged on the front of the device body,
The said cover member was comprised so that the said lens part and the said flash part may be covered at the time of the said storage position, and the said lens part and the said flash part may be exposed at the said exposure position. Imaging device. A finder is arranged on the front of the device body,
The cover member may be configured to cover the lens unit, the strobe unit, and the finder unit at the storage position, and to expose the lens unit, the strobe unit, and the finder unit at the exposure position. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein: The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the cover member is formed to have substantially the same shape as the device main body when viewed from the front.

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