JP2005065246A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize an imaging device main body, and to prevent a light emitting portion to be covered by a finger when the imaging device main body is to be grasped. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging device having a hinge mechanism fixed at a side surface of the imaging device main body and having an image displaying unit for displaying taken images which is rotatably mounted thereon by the hinge mechanism has a light emitting unit for emitting lights to an object, which is built in the hinge mechanism. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an arrangement structure of light emitting units that irradiate a subject in an imaging apparatus.

  An example of a conventional imaging apparatus equipped with a light emitting unit that irradiates a subject will be described with reference to FIGS.

  11 to 13 show an example of an imaging device in which the light emitting unit is always exposed on the appearance in design, and FIGS. 14 and 15 show that the light emitting unit is normally hidden inside the main body of the imaging device. The structure exposed to the external part of an imaging device main body automatically or manually when needed is shown.

  11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, reference numerals 101, 111, 121, 131, and 141 denote imaging device bodies, reference numerals 102, 112, 122, 132, and 142 denote imaging lens units, and 103, 113, and 123, respectively. 133 and 143 are light emitting portions.

  The light emitting unit 103 in FIG. 11 is disposed on the upper side of the imaging lens 102 (see, for example, JP-A-2002-314865).

  The light emitting unit 113 in FIG. 12 is disposed below the hinge mechanism 114 that is configured so that the image display device 117 can be opened and closed with respect to the imaging device main body 111. In addition, the light emitting unit 123 in FIG. 13 is disposed below the imaging lens 122. At this time, when the user of the image pickup apparatus shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 holds the image pickup apparatus main bodies 111 and 121, as shown in the respective drawings, the front parts 115 and 126 of the image pickup apparatus main bodies 111 and 121 are used with the right hands 116 and 126, respectively. It becomes the form which adheres to 125.

  In FIG. 14, the light emitting unit 133 is held by a member 136 that is configured to be rotatable in the direction of an arrow 137 around the point 134, and the light emitting unit 133 is connected to the imaging apparatus main body by the holding member 136. It is set so as to be at the position b when hidden in 131 and at the position a when the light emitting unit 133 is exposed. For example, a similar configuration is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-250962.

  Further, in FIG. 15 as well as in FIG. 14, the light emitting portion 143 is held by a member 146 configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow 147 around the point 144, and this holding member 146 is the light emitting portion. It is set so that it is in the position b when 143 is hidden in the imaging device main body 141 and is in the position a when the light emitting unit 143 is exposed. At this time, in order to store the holding member 146 at the position b, a recess 145 is set in a part of the imaging lens 142.

When the light emitting unit described above is generally called a strobe, it is mainly used for still image shooting, and when it is called a video light, it is used for moving image shooting.
JP 2002-314865 A

However, the arrangement of the light emitting unit as described above has the following problems.
(1) If it arrange | positions like FIG. 11, the height (symbol H part in a figure) of an imaging device main body will become high, and will enlarge.
(2) If it arrange | positions like FIG. 12, 13, when a user hold | grips an imaging device main body with a hand, there exists a possibility that a light emission part may be hidden with a user's finger | toe, and operativity falls.
(3) If the shape of the light emitting part is protruded, the appearance of the appearance design is impaired.
(4) If it arrange | positions like FIG. 14, 15, the rotation mechanism for popping up a light emission part will be needed, the cost of an imaging device will start, and an apparatus will also enlarge.
There was a problem.

  In order to solve the above problems, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit including an imaging apparatus body, an imaging lens, and a solid-state imaging device that converts subject light incident through the imaging lens into an electrical signal; An image display unit having a light emitting device that emits light toward the image display, an image display surface that displays an image captured by the imaging unit, and a first exterior member that is provided so as to surround an outer frame of the image display surface And the first position which is a position covering the second exterior member which is one surface constituting the imaging apparatus main body and the second position which is a position where the first exterior member is exposed. A rotating member that rotates the display unit, and is fixed to the first exterior member and is provided so as to protrude from the first exterior member, or is fixed to the second exterior member and the For the second exterior member , Provided to protrude, and having a third exterior member which incorporates the rotary member and the light emitting device.

  According to the present invention, the height of the imaging apparatus main body is suppressed and downsizing is realized, and when the imaging apparatus main body is gripped, the light emitting unit is not covered with a finger, so that erroneous operation can be prevented. .

(Example 1)
A first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an imaging device body, 2 denotes an imaging lens, 3 denotes a light emitting unit, 6 denotes an image display device (generally using an LCD panel) 6, and 7 denotes a housing for holding the image display device 6, and a hinge 4 is attached to the imaging apparatus main body 1 so as to be openable and closable. The light emitting unit 3 and the hinge unit 4 are fixedly provided on an exterior member 1a which is one surface constituting the imaging apparatus main body, and are incorporated in an exterior member 1b provided so as to protrude from the surface 1a.

  Normally, when the user holds the imaging apparatus, the user uses the right hand 30 to hold the main body. Therefore, the image display device housing 7 that performs the opening / closing operation is configured on the surface of the imaging device main body 1 opposite to the side that the right hand 30 holds. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the image display device housing 7 is opened with respect to the imaging device main body 1 in the direction of an arrow 12. Reference numeral 5 denotes a white LED that constitutes the second light-emitting unit, which is used to supplement the illuminance of the subject by irradiating the low-illuminated subject with light. Used as a video light for shooting. Furthermore, 8 is a second image display unit, and 11 is a microphone.

  Here, the structure of the hinge part 4 including the light emitting part 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. The light emitting unit 3 is a light guide member for passing light from a xenon tube 17 that is a light emitting member and a reflection plate 18 that reflects the light to irradiate the subject. 1 is held. As shown in FIG. 2, the bases 13 a and 13 b of the hinge mechanism are fixed to the imaging apparatus main body 1 by fastening parts 15 and 16, and are further connected to the bases 13 a and 13 b via the rotating shaft members 21 and 22. The rotating member 20 that is set to be freely rotatable is fixed to the image display device housing 7.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line AA ′. The image display device housing 7 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 14, and the rotation centers of the rotation shaft members 21 and 22 coincide with the rotation shaft 14. With this configuration, the image display device housing 7 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow 12 about the rotation shaft 14.

  In particular, when the image display housing 7 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 12a, the detection switch 25 fixed inside the imaging device main body 1 is configured to react by a protrusion 29 set in the image display device housing 7. Has been. Conversely, when the image display device housing 7 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow 12a, the protrusion 29 moves away from the detection switch 25, so that the detection switch 25 does not react. By doing so, it is possible to detect whether the image display device housing 7 is in an open state or a closed state.

  4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line BB ′. It is also possible to configure the image display device housing 7 so as to be rotatable in the direction of an arrow 28 with a rotation shaft 27 orthogonal to the rotation shaft 14. At this time, the rotating member 20 and the image display device casing 7 are coupled together by the rotating shaft member 26. The rotation shaft center of the rotation shaft member 20 coincides with the rotation shaft 27. This rotation is generally used when the image display device 7 is opened with respect to the imaging device main body 1.

  In particular, when the image display housing 7 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 28 a, the detection switch 24 fixed to the hinge portion is configured to react by a protrusion set on the rotary shaft member 26. On the other hand, when the image display device housing 7 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow 28a, the projection part moves away from the detection switch 24, so that the detection switch 24 does not react. By doing so, it is possible to detect at which angle the image display device housing 7 is rotated.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of the imaging apparatus, in which 301 is a photographing lens, 302 is an imaging element, 303 is a signal processing unit, 304 is an image display device, 305 is a recording unit, 306 is a control microcomputer, Reference numeral 307 denotes an operation unit, 308 denotes a light emission control unit, and 309 denotes a light emission unit.

  The subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 302 via the imaging lens 301. The image sensor 302 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the subject image, and the electrical signal is input to the signal processing unit 303.

  The signal processing unit 303 converts the electric signal into an image signal having a predetermined form and inputs the signal to the control microcomputer 306, the image display device 304, and the recording unit 305. The recording unit 305 records the input image signal on a storage medium such as a removable memory card. The image display device 304 displays an image signal as a visible image.

  The user operates the operation unit 307 while confirming an image to be captured by the image display device 304. Data indicating the operation content of the operation unit 307 is converted into a command indicating specific processing content by the control microcomputer 306 and then supplied to each unit of the apparatus.

  In the case where the light emitting unit 309 is set to automatically emit light, the control microcomputer 306 determines the illuminance level of the subject image. A signal flow 308 issues a light emission command to the light emitting unit 309.

  In the case where the light emitting unit 309 is set to emit light manually, when the user checks the image on the image display device 304 and determines that the illuminance is insufficient, the user operates the operation unit 307 to perform light emission. The control microcomputer 306 that has received the signal issues a light emission command to the light emission control unit 308, and the light emission control unit 308 issues a light emission command to the light emission unit 309.

  5A and 5B are a front front view and a side view, respectively, of the imaging apparatus main body 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A and 5B, the hinge mechanism (13a, 13b, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 26) of the hinge part 4 and the light emitting part (3, 17, 18, 19) is integrally covered with the imaging device main body 1, and the light emitting portion 3 is laid out on the subject side with respect to the hinge portion 4. The imaging lens, the light emitting unit, and the hinge unit are laid out at substantially the same height. As a result, the height of the main body itself does not increase. In particular, as can be seen from FIG. 2, the light emitting portion is formed in a vertically long shape and is placed in the same direction as the rotating shaft 14, so that a useless space between the imaging lens 2 and the hinge portion 4 can be used, and the main body can be made compact. Can be Furthermore, since the light emitting unit 3 is not disposed below the imaging lens 2 (the part where the finger is applied), the light emitting unit 3 is not applied with a finger, and an erroneous operation can be prevented.

(Example 2)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 10C.

  In Example 2, the present invention is applied to a portable information terminal. From FIGS. 7A and 7B, 51 is a portable information terminal body with an imaging device, 52 is an imaging lens, 53 is a light emitting unit, and 54 is A hinge portion 56 is an image display device, and 57 is a housing for holding the image display device 56, and is attached to the portable information terminal main body 51 by the hinge portion 54 so as to be freely opened and closed. Also, 55 is a speaker that generates sound, 58 is an operation unit, 59 is a microphone, and 60 is a communication antenna. The light emitting unit 53 and the hinge unit 54 are fixedly provided on an exterior member 51a which is one surface constituting the mobile information terminal body with an imaging device, and are incorporated in an exterior member 51b provided to protrude from the surface 51a. Has been.

  Here, FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the hinge portion 54. As shown in FIG. 8, in the hinge part 54, the support type member 64 is being fixed to the members 63a and 63b via the rotating shafts 65a and 65b. Further, the members 63 a and 63 b are fixed to the casing 57. The light emitting unit 53 is a light guide member for passing light from the xenon tube 61 that is a light emitting member and the reflecting plate 62 that reflects the light to irradiate the subject. Further, the imaging lens 52 is fixed to an electronic substrate 66 on which the imaging element 67 is mounted across an imaging element (CCD, CMOS, etc.) 67 at the focal position of the constituent lens group. The light emitting unit structure and the imaging lens structure are configured between the support members 64.

  A user of the portable information terminal 51 operates the operation unit 58 while opening the casing 57 and looking at the image display device 56.

  When the user uses the portable information terminal 51 as a telephone, the user speaks to the microphone 59 while putting the speaker 55 on the ear. Then, the voice is converted into an electrical signal inside the portable information terminal 51 and is transmitted by radio waves from the antenna 60 for external communication.

  Shooting using the portable information terminal 51 is performed while the imaging lens 52 is directed toward the subject and the subject video is confirmed on the image display device 56. At this time, in order to photograph the subject brightly, the light emitting unit 53 can emit light and irradiate the subject with light.

  9A and 9B are diagrams showing another configuration example of the portable information terminal, which is a type in which the imaging lens 72 is attached to the back side of the housing 77 that holds the image display device 76.

  In this case as well, the light emitting portion 73 and the hinge portion 74 are fixedly provided on the exterior member 51a which is one surface constituting the mobile information terminal body with the imaging device, and the exterior provided so as to protrude from the surface 51a. It can be arranged in the member 51b.

  10A to 10C are diagrams showing another configuration example of the portable information terminal, in which 81 is a portable information terminal body with an imaging device, 82 is an imaging lens, 83 is a light emitting unit, 87 is an image display device 86 and A casing that holds the second image display device 90 and is attached to the portable information terminal main body 81 by a hinge portion 84 so as to be freely opened and closed. Reference numeral 85 denotes a speaker that generates sound, 88 denotes an operation unit, and 89 denotes a microphone.

  In the case of the configuration shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, shooting can be performed without opening the housing 87. 10A and 10B, the user directs the imaging lens 82 toward the subject in both the closed state of the housing 87 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B and the open state of the housing 87 as shown in FIG. 10C. The image can be taken while checking with the second image display device 90. At this time, in order to photograph the subject brightly, the light emitting unit 83 can emit light and irradiate the subject with light.

  As described above, since the configuration including the light emitting portion can be accommodated in the structure of the hinge portion, the main body can be reduced in size.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where the hinge part and the exterior member that stores the light emitting part are fixed to the imaging apparatus main body side is illustrated, but the present invention can also be applied to the case where the hinge part and the exterior member are fixed to the display apparatus side. Needless to say. That is, the light-emitting portion is fixed to one surface (the surface surrounding the outer frame of the image display device) constituting the casings 7, 57, 77, and 87, and the light-emitting portion is provided in the exterior member that protrudes from the surface. And a hinge part may be incorporated.

1 is a perspective view of an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a light emitting unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a light emitting unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a light emitting unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are a front view and a side view of an image pickup apparatus main body according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the back perspective view and front perspective view of an imaging device by the 2nd example of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the light emission part and hinge part of the imaging device by 2nd Example of this invention. It is the back perspective view and front perspective view of another image pick-up device by the 2nd example of the present invention. It is the back perspective view and front perspective view of another image pick-up device in the folded state by the 2nd example of the present invention. It is a figure which shows a 1st prior art example. It is a figure which shows the 2nd prior art example. It is a figure which shows the 3rd prior art example. It is a figure which shows the 4th prior art example. It is a figure which shows the 5th prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1, 51, 71, 81, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141 Imaging device body 2, 52, 72, 82, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142 Imaging lens 3, 53, 73, 83, 103, 113 , 123, 133, 143 Light emitting part 4, 54, 74, 84, 114 Hinge part 5 Other light emitting parts 6, 56, 76 Image display device 7, 57, 77, 117 Image display device housing 8, 90 Second Image display device 9 Remote control light receiving portion 11, 59, 79, 89 Microphone 12, 12a, 28, 28a Arrows indicating opening / closing and rotation direction of image display device housing 13 Base of hinge mechanism 14, 27 Center of rotation of hinge mechanism 15 , 16 Fastening parts 17, 61 Xenon tube 18, 62 Metal plate 19 Holding member 20 Rotating member 21, 22, 26 Rotating shaft 23, 115, 1 5 imaging apparatus position of the rotation center 136 and 146 light emitting portion of the right hand 134 and 144 emitting portion holding member surface 30,116,126 users of body 137, 147 arrow indicating the closing direction of the light emitting portion

Claims (9)

An imaging device body;
An imaging unit comprising: an imaging lens; and a solid-state imaging device that converts subject light incident through the imaging lens into an electrical signal;
A light emitting device that emits light toward the subject;
An image display unit that includes an image display surface that displays an image captured by the imaging unit, and a first exterior member that is provided so as to surround an outer frame of the image display surface. A rotating member that rotates the image display unit to a first position that is a position that covers the second exterior member that is one surface, and a second position that is a position that exposes the first exterior member;
The first exterior member is fixed to the first exterior member and protruded from the first exterior member, or is fixed to the second exterior member and the second exterior member is A third exterior member that protrudes and incorporates the rotating member and the light emitting device;
An imaging device comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is provided in the imaging apparatus main body.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is built in the third exterior member.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is provided in the image display unit.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting device is a flash device arranged along a length direction of the rotating member. A second light-emitting device that is built in the third exterior member and emits light toward the subject;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second light emitting device is a video light.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation member is a hinge mechanism, and the hinge mechanism is a biaxial rotation mechanism.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the third exterior member is substantially equal to a thickness of the image display unit. 9. The open / close detection switch for detecting opening / closing of the image display unit and performing ON / OFF control of display of the image display unit is incorporated in the third exterior member. The imaging apparatus of Claim 1.

Images