JP2005080195A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a handy-to-carry camera in which an image of an object is formed on a solid-state imaging device by an optical photographing system to obtain image data representing the object, an image based on the image data is displayed and the image data are recorded on a recording medium in accordance with a release operation. <P>SOLUTION: A display device 120 and a main body 1a of the camera are freely attached to/detached from each other. The display device 120 has a remote control function. When the camera 1 is used, the display device 120 is detached from the main body of the camera and the camera is functioned as a display device together with a remote controller. When the camera is carried, the display device is mounted to the main body of the camera, and the integrated camera is carried. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides a camera that forms an image of a subject on a solid-state imaging device with a photographing optical system, obtains image data representing the subject, displays an image based on the image data, and records the image data on a recording medium according to a release operation About.

  Some cameras include a remote control device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A camera equipped with this remote control device has an advantage that remote control can be performed at a position distant from the camera body to perform shooting and image reproduction based on image data.

However, when carrying a camera equipped with the remote control device and traveling, it is difficult to carry the remote control device and the camera body because they must be carried separately.
JP-A-8-293188

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that is convenient to carry.

The camera of the present invention that achieves the above object forms an image of a subject on a solid-state image sensor with a photographing optical system, obtains image data representing the subject, displays an image based on the image data, and displays the image according to a release operation. In a camera that records image data on a recording medium,
A camera body that includes the imaging optical system and a solid-state image sensor and generates image data;
A display device that is detachable from the camera body and includes a display screen that displays an image based on image data obtained by the camera body;
The display device receives an operation element that gives an instruction to the camera and image data transmitted from the camera body when the display apparatus is in a state of being separated from the camera body, and the operation state of the operation element is displayed on the camera body. And a communication device for transmitting to
The camera body includes a communication device that transmits image data to a remote display device and receives operation information transmitted from the display device.

  According to the camera of the present invention, the display device is detachable from the camera body. When the detachable display device is detached from the camera body, the display device becomes a remote control device. When the display device is thus provided with a remote control function, the display device may be attached to the camera body when carrying the camera, and it is convenient to carry.

  Here, the display device preferably includes a touch panel as the operation element, and further includes an operation prohibition unit that disables the operation of the touch panel when the display device is mounted on the camera body. It is desirable to be a thing.

  Then, remote operation can be performed by touch operation while viewing the display screen of the display device. Also, when the display device is mounted on the camera body, the operation prohibition unit invalidates the operation of the touch panel. Therefore, even if the operator touches the touch panel when shooting is performed with the operation element on the camera body side. This camera will not malfunction.

  As described above, according to the camera of the present invention, a camera that is convenient to carry can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera showing an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear and obliquely upward. Here, a video camera is taken as an example of the camera.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing lens 10 is provided in front. A mode change switch 11 is provided on the back side of the video camera 1 with the taking lens 10 as the front side. By operating the mode change switch 11, moving image shooting (REC) and playback (PLAY) are switched. When the mode switch 11 is switched to the photographing (REC) side, an image based on the image data is displayed on the display screen 1211 of the display device 120 as a through image. When an image based on this image data is displayed on the display screen 1211 as a through image, if the recording button 12 next to the mode change switch 11 is pressed, the photographic lens 10 is kept until the recording button 12 is pressed again. The moving image data based on the subject light captured in step 1 is recorded on a recording medium inside the video camera. When the mode switch 11 is further switched to the playback (PLAY) side, a moving image based on the moving image data recorded on the recording medium is reproduced, and the captured moving image is displayed on the display screen 1211 of the display device 120. .

  The display device 120 included in the video camera 1 includes an LCD 1211 that also functions as a display screen and a casing 1210 that accommodates the LCD 1211. The casing 1210 is rotatably attached to the camera body 1a. When the housing 1211 is rotated as shown in FIG. 1, the display screen 1211 of the display device 120 can be used instead of the viewfinder. The photographer takes a picture while viewing the image displayed on the display screen 1211 of the display device 120. When the display device 120 in the state shown in FIG. 1 is rotated to the camera body 1a side, the display device 120 is accommodated in the camera body 1a.

  The display device 120 receives the operation elements 122a and 122b that give instructions to the camera, and the image data transmitted from the camera body when the display apparatus 120 is away from the camera body, and operates the operation elements 122a and 122b. And a communication device 13a for transmitting information to the camera body 1a. The camera body 1a transmits image data to the display device 120 in a remote state and is transmitted from the display device 120. And a communication device 13b that receives the received operation information. Therefore, the display device 120 is used not only as an image display but also as a remote control device. In the example of this embodiment, a touch panel 122 is provided on the surface of the display screen 1211 of the display device 120 as an operator, and operation information by the touch operation of the touch panel 122 is transmitted to the camera body 1a side by the communication device 13a. In the lower part of FIG. 1, when the display device 120 is away from the camera body 1a, a through image is displayed on the display screen 1211, and a MODE switch 122a and a REC switch 122b are displayed on the touch panel 122 corresponding to the operator. An example is shown. The MODE switch functions as a mode switch, and the REC switch functions as a recording button.

  Here, a configuration of a coupling mechanism that detachably couples the display device 120 and the camera body 1a will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a connection mechanism between the LCD and the camera body.

  2A is a top view of the display device as viewed from above, FIG. 2B is a front view thereof, and FIG. 2C is a detailed view showing a configuration around the detachable button.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, on the end side of the housing 1210 of the display device 120, a slide portion fitted to a U-shaped rail 1b provided on the camera body 1a side. 1210a is provided. The slide portion 1210 a is fitted into a U-shaped rail 1 b provided on the camera body side, and is connected to the camera body 1 a by a lock pin 15. The U-shaped rail 1b is rotatably connected to the camera body 1a by a rotation shaft 1c.

  Since the U-shaped rail is thus rotatable with respect to the camera body, the LCD in the display device and the camera body side are electrically connected by a flexible substrate (hereinafter referred to as FPC) 17.

  The spring pin 17a provided at the end of the FPC 17 is elastically engaged with the LCD 1211 on the display device 120 side through the U-shaped rail 1b, and the display device is installed together with the U-shaped rail. Even if it is rotated, the electrical connection between the camera body and the display device is maintained.

  When the display device 120 is detached from the camera body 1a, the display device 120 is removed by sliding the display device 120 along the U-shaped rail while pressing the detachable button 14 provided at the lower end portion on the display device 120 side.

  FIG. 2C shows the relationship between the detachable button 14 and the lock pin 15 that connects the display device to the camera body.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the lock pin 15 passes through the hole 1d at the end of the U-shaped rail 1b on the camera body side and reaches the camera body 1a side. An urging spring 16 is provided at the end of the lock pin 15. When the display device 120 is mounted on the camera body 1a, the lock pin 15 is urged toward the camera body by the spring 16, The lock pin 15 is engaged with the camera body 1a through the U-shaped rail 1b. Further, the display device 120 is urged toward the camera body 1a by the urging by the spring 16, thereby bringing the display device 120 and the camera body 1a into close contact with each other and utilizing the elastic force of the spring at the end of the FPC. The camera body and the display device are firmly fitted.

  Here, how the lock pin 15 moves when the detachable button 14 is pressed will be described.

  The detachable button 14 and the lock pin 15 are engaged by a cam slope 151. When the detachable button 14 is pressed, the end of the detachable button 14 slides on the cam slope and moves the lock pin 15 to the left. When the detachable button 14 is further pushed, the lock pin 15 moves further to the left, and when it is pushed all the way, the lock pin 15 is removed from the hole 1d. At this time, the display device also moves slightly to the left to disengage the spring pin, and the display device 120 is detached from the camera body 1a by sliding the display device downward in FIG.

  In this way, the display device 120 and the camera body 1a are detachably connected.

  The configuration of the signal processing unit on the camera body 1a side of the camera having such a coupling mechanism is shown in the figure.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of a signal processing unit provided in the digital camera 100. The configuration of the signal processing unit in the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, all operations are controlled by the CPU 110 in an integrated manner. The part after the image input controller 115 shown in FIG. 2 is constituted by a DSP, and the DSP and the CPU 110 cooperate to perform processing.

  Here, first, the processing of the CPU 110 when the mode switch 11 is switched to the photographing side while the display device is mounted will be described.

  When the mode changeover switch 11 is switched to the rec side, the CPU 110 recognizes that it is in the photographing mode, and among the photographing lenses, the focus lens 101 with adjustable focus is positioned at the focal point, and the subject within the predetermined photographing angle of view. Is imaged on a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD 111. The CCD 111 generates image data representing a subject imaged by Focusons located at the focal point. The image data generated by the CCD 111 is output to the subsequent stage at predetermined intervals according to the timing signal of the timing generator 112, and a through image is displayed on the display screen. The through image here is a through image representing a subject in a direction in which the photographing lens 10 including the focus lens 101 of the video camera 1 is directed, and the photographer displays the through image displayed on the display screen 1211. Take a picture instead of the viewfinder.

  In generating this through image, it is necessary to arrange the focus lens 101 with adjustable focus at the in-focus position every time the photographing lens 10 is directed in various directions. Therefore, when the through image is out of focus, the CPU 110 moves the focus lens 101 from the position corresponding to the farthest point of the subject distance to the position corresponding to the nearest point by the motor driver 101a, and searches for the focal point. . When performing this in-focus search, the CPU 110 notifies the subsequent AF detection circuit 126 that the search is to be performed, and the AF detection circuit detects the contrast peak while moving the focus lens. When the AF search ends, the CPU 110 receives data indicating the position of the in-focus point detected by the AF detection circuit 126, and positions the focus lens 101 at the position of the in-focus point by the motor driver. Performing the in-focus search while moving the focus lens 101 is called AF search.

  The CPU 110 causes the AF detection circuit 126 to perform an AF search while moving the focus lens 101 each time the direction in which the photographing lens 10 is directed, and continuously positions the focus lens 101 at the in-focus position, so that the photographing lens 10 is directed. Even if the direction changes, the focused image is immediately displayed on the LCD 120 as a through image.

  In this way, after switching to the REC side and moving the photographing lens to adjust the focus and obtaining image data with the CCD, how the image data is processed will be described.

  The CPU 110 outputs the image data obtained by the CCD 111 to the CDSAMP 113 at predetermined intervals by supplying a timing signal from the timing generator 112 to the CCD 111. Further, the CPU 110 reduces the noise of the image data with the CDSAMP 113 and supplies the A / D conversion unit 114 with the image data with the reduced noise. Further, the CPU 110 causes the A / D converter 114 to convert the image data into a digital signal. The image data converted into the digital signal is guided to the bus side by the image input controller 115 on the DSP side, and is guided to the bus side. The stored image data is temporarily stored in the memory 116.

  From here, processing is performed on the DSP side via the bus 1101.

  The image signal processing circuit 117 reads out the image data stored in the memory based on an instruction from the CPU 110 and converts the image data into YC signal image data that can be displayed on the display screen 1211. The converted image data of the YC signal is stored in the VRAM 118 based on an instruction from the CPU 110 and supplied from the VRAM 118 to the LCD 120 via the video encoder to display an image based on the image data on the display screen 1211.

  The LCD 120 alternately receives YC signals from the two storage areas A and B of the VRAM 118 at predetermined intervals, switches the image representing the subject and displays a through image on the display screen.

  The above is the flow of image data when processing the image data to obtain a through image when the mode switch 11 is switched to the REC side.

  Next, a flow of image data when the recording button 12 is pressed in the shooting mode and shooting of a moving image is started will be described.

  When the recording button 12 is pressed, the CPU 110 detects that the recording button 12 has been pressed, and the CPU 110 temporarily stores the image data guided to the image input controller in the memory 116. The image signal processing circuit 117 reads out the image data stored in the memory 116, and the image signal processing circuit 117 processes the image data. Thereafter, the captured moving image is recorded on the recording medium 125 via the compression processing circuit 123 and the media controller 124. . When the recording button is pressed again, recording on the recording medium is terminated and the through image is displayed again on the display screen of the display device.

  In this way, the signal processing unit including the CPU 110 and the DSP performs processing of through images and recording processing related to photographing.

  Here, what kind of processing is performed in the signal processing unit when the display device is detached from the camera body will be described.

  When the display device is removed from the camera body, image data and operation signals are exchanged by the communication devices 13a and 13b provided in both the display device and the camera body. Using these communication devices, operation information of the touch panel on the display device side is transmitted from the display device side to the camera body and received by the communication device of the camera body, or data representing a through image is transmitted from the camera body to the display device. Then, the communication device of the display device receives data representing the through image.

  When the display device is attached to the camera body, the CPU detects that the spring pin is inserted into the display device side by the presence or absence of an electrical signal. At this time, even if the touch panel is operated, the CPU The operation is disabled. Here, when the CPU detects that the display device is removed and the electrical signal is lost, the CPU starts the operation of the communication device, and displays the through image from the communication device on the camera body side to the communication device of the display device. The image data to be transmitted is transmitted, received by the display device, and the through image is displayed on the display screen of the display device in the same manner as when it is mounted on the camera body. At this time, the operators (MODE, REC) shown in FIG. 1 are displayed on the touch panel provided on the surface of the display screen of the display device. The processing of displaying the operation element is performed on the touch panel side, and the operation element (MODE, REC) is displayed on the touch panel by detecting that the electrical connection with the camera body by the spring pin is disconnected.

  If any of these controls is touch-operated while a through image is being displayed on a display device located away from the camera body, the display device communicates using the operation as a trigger. The operation information is transmitted to the camera body side by the apparatus. The CPU transmits image data representing a through image to the display device, and at the time other than when the image data is transmitted, switches the communication device to the reception state and waits for an external signal transmission. Yes. When operation information is transmitted in this standby state, each circuit shown in FIG. 3 is caused to perform shooting processing and reproduction processing in accordance with the operation signal.

  Then, when the display device 120 is removed, the display device 120 can function not only for displaying a through image but also as a remote control device for remote operation. Further, when the LCD device is mounted on the camera body, the operation of the touch panel can be invalidated and the camera can be operated like a normal camera with an operator on the camera body side.

  In this way, when the display device has a remote control function and the display device and the camera body are detachable, the display device is attached to the camera body when carried, and can be carried together, and the display device is attached to the camera when shooting. The camera main body side can be operated by remote control by removing it from the main body and using the display device as a remote control device.

 In the present embodiment, a video camera is taken as an example, but a digital camera may be used.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the camera which is this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the connection part of the display apparatus and camera main body of the camera of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the signal processing part arrange | positioned inside the camera of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 1a Camera main body 1b U-shaped rail 1c Rotating shaft 1d Through hole 10 Shooting lens 11 Mode switch 12 Recording button 13 Communication device 13a 13b Projecting / receiving unit 120 Display device 1210 Case 1211 Display screen (LCD)
122 Touch panel

Claims (3)

In a camera that forms an image of a subject on a solid-state imaging device with a photographing optical system, obtains image data representing the subject, displays an image based on the image data, and records the image data on a recording medium according to a release operation.
A camera body that includes the imaging optical system and a solid-state image sensor to generate image data;
A display device that is detachable from the camera body and includes a display screen that displays an image based on image data obtained by the camera body;
The display device receives an operation element that gives an instruction to the camera and image data transmitted from the camera body when the display apparatus is in a state separated from the camera body, and the operation state of the operation element is transmitted to the camera body. A communication device for transmitting to
The camera body includes a communication device that transmits image data to a display device in a remote state and receives operation information transmitted from the display device. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the display device includes a touch panel as the operation element. The camera according to claim 2, further comprising an operation prohibiting unit that disables the operation of the touch panel in a state where the display device is mounted on the camera body.

Images