JP2005164845A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera which is made portable anytime and anywhere and which is usable under various environments. <P>SOLUTION: A camera 1 is constituted by connecting a camera unit 2 and a battery unit 3. The camera unit 2 is provided with an imaging part 4, a display part 5 and a USB connector 6 for outputting image data to an external device. The battery unit 3 is provided with a connector storage chamber 7 for protecting the USB connector 6, and a battery 8 for driving the imaging part 4 and the display part 5. A floating strap 27 of styrene foam reinforced with a hollow braid or a knitted cord is fitted into the strap attachment hole 26 of the battery unit 3, and the user puts the strap on his/her neck and carries the camera 1 hanging from his/her neck like a cylindrical pendant. The camera unit 2 is exchangeable for an underwater photographing camera unit 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a compact camera that is highly portable and can be used in different environments.

Conventionally, cameras have been widely used for a long time, but in recent years, there are various market demands for cameras such as high lens performance, various functions, and low price. Among them, the demand for a highly portable camera that can be easily carried anywhere and anytime is extremely high.
With regard to such portability, a camera has been proposed that is opened as a foldable type so that it can be easily grasped when used, and is folded so that it can be easily put in a pocket when carried. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In order to further improve portability, a pendant camera that can be easily hung from the neck has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
Focusing on the fact that digital cameras do not use film, the digital camera is configured as a separate unit for each functional part of the shooting unit, power supply unit, and recording medium unit, and the necessary units are combined as appropriate according to the situation. There has also been proposed a system in which the photographing unit is directly connected to a connector of a personal computer and the personal computer is controlled to record image data on the personal computer. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).
JP 2001-152564 A ([Summary], FIGS. 1 to 4) JP 2001-103357 A ([Summary], FIGS. 1 and 5) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 09-139877 ([Summary], FIGS. 1 and 8)

By the way, in general, a camera is easy to use and can be worn anywhere and anytime, and it is easy to use regardless of the usage environment so that it can be used in a dusty or dusty environment or in water. It is hoped that.
However, although the cameras of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are easy to wear and carry around, the shape and size of the camera can be worn anywhere and anytime to see its form. But it is not enough. Another problem is that no particular consideration has been given to the environment.

Moreover, although the camera of Patent Document 3 seems novel in that each part is unitized, there is a problem in that it is not in a form that is convenient for carrying around.
An object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can be easily carried around anywhere anytime and can be used in various environments in view of the above-described conventional situation.

  First, a camera according to a first aspect of the present invention is a camera unit having an imaging unit having a photographic lens, a display unit for displaying a captured image, and a connector for outputting image data to an external device, and a connector storage chamber for protecting the connector. A battery unit that includes a battery for driving the imaging unit and the display unit and is detachably connected to the camera unit.

The camera unit is configured to be supplied with electric power from the external device and output image data to the external device when disconnected from the battery unit and connected to the external device via the connector, for example. The
In this camera, for example, the imaging unit and the display unit are arranged in separate housings, and both the housings are rotatably and electrically connected to either one of the housings. The connector has the connector, and the casing having the connector is configured to be connected to the battery unit.

In addition, this camera is configured, for example, such that the housing provided with the imaging unit is connected to one side of the housing provided with the display unit, and the connector is provided on the other side. Is done.
The camera further includes, for example, an underwater shooting camera unit that is exclusively connected to the battery unit in exchange for the battery unit.

In this case, it is preferable that the underwater shooting camera unit includes, for example, an imaging unit, a display unit having a display surface larger than the display unit of the camera unit, and a shooting strobe.
In this camera, for example, a floating strap is attached to the battery unit.

In addition, the display unit of the camera unit is configured to have a curved display surface along an external appearance surface formed in a curved shape of the housing in which the display unit is disposed, for example.
Further, in this camera, the battery unit is configured to be connected to the camera unit via a waterproof means, for example.

Moreover, the said battery unit is comprised so that the said battery may be arrange | positioned so that the said connector storage chamber may be enclosed, for example.
Next, a camera according to a second aspect of the invention includes a first block including an imaging unit having a photographic lens, and a display unit that is rotatably connected to the first block and displays a captured image. A second block including a connector that outputs image data to an external device, and a connector housing chamber that is detachably connected to the second block and protects the connector, the imaging unit, and the display device are driven. And a third block having a battery for the purpose.

The first, second, and third blocks are, for example, sequentially connected and integrated into a vertically long shape that is substantially hemispherical at both ends, and in a normal state with the first block facing up. It is configured to be photographed.
The first block is configured to rotate in a plane parallel to the photographic lens optical axis with respect to the second block, for example.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera that can be easily carried anywhere and anytime and can be used in various environments.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIGS. 1A to 1F are diagrams showing the configuration of a camera as the first embodiment. 2A is a front view of the camera. A part of the camera is cut away, and the inside is shown by a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2C is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. FIG. 4D is a rear view of the camera and shows a strap. Fig. (E) is a right side view of Fig. (A). The entire upper part is shown by the EE cross-sectional view of Fig. (A), and a part of the lower part is shown in Fig. (A). It is shown by an F-F cross-sectional arrow view. FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1F, the camera 1 of this example includes a camera unit 2 and a battery unit 3 that is detachably connected to the camera unit 2. One camera unit 2 includes an imaging unit 4 having a photographic lens, a display unit 5 that displays a captured image, and a USB connector 6 that outputs image data to an external device. The other battery unit 3 includes a connector storage chamber 7 that covers and protects the USB connector 6 and a battery 8 for driving the imaging unit 4 and the display unit 5.

  The imaging unit 4 and the display unit 5 of the camera unit 2 are disposed as separate upper housing 9 and middle housing 11, respectively. The upper housing 9 is covered with a hemispherical ceiling at the upper end of the cylinder, has a disk-like bottom at the lower end, and is entirely sealed from the outside. Further, the middle housing 11 has a circular ceiling at the upper end of the cylinder and the USB connector 6 described above at the lower end.

  The upper casing 9 and the middle casing 11 are engaged with each other by a horizontal plane between the disc-shaped bottom surface at the lower end of the upper casing 9 and the disc-shaped ceiling at the upper end of the middle casing 11. The joint portion is interconnected so as to be capable of rotating 180 degrees from the reference state shown in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (f). Moreover, it is electrically connected by the slidable contact electrode exposed to this connection surface, and is comprised integrally.

Generally speaking, this camera unit 2 has a USB connector 6 in any one of the above-described casings (in this example, the middle casing 11), and the middle casing 11 having the USB connector 6 is the battery unit 3. It is comprised so that it may connect with.
In other words, the camera 1 is connected to the upper housing 9 in which the imaging unit 4 is disposed on one side of the middle housing 11 in which the display unit 5 is disposed, and the USB connector 6 on the other side. It can be said that is provided.

  In more detail, the upper housing 9 of the camera unit 2 is provided with a transparent lens window 12 on the front surface thereof, and an imaging unit having a lens frame 13 and an imaging substrate 14 in the interior thereof. 4 is arranged. In the lens frame 13, a plurality of lenses 15 are arranged on the front lens window 12 side, and an imaging element 16 made of a CCD (charge coupled device) is arranged on the rear imaging substrate 14 side.

Further, the middle casing 11 of the camera unit 2 is provided with a transparent display window 17 having a curved surface that coincides with the circumferential surface of the cylinder on the back surface thereof, and is disposed along the inner curved surface of the display window 17 inside. A display device 18 is provided.
Thus, since the display device 18 has a curved display surface along the curved surface of the display window 17, it can take a larger display area than a flat surface and can perform a wide screen display.

  Further, a main board 19 is arranged in the rear half of the inner casing 11 and a charging unit 22 including a power supply board 21 and a transformer is arranged in the front. In addition, a release button 23 that is curved horizontally along the circumferential surface is disposed in the lower front portion of the middle housing 11. A ring-shaped waterproof packing 24 is interposed along the periphery of the connecting surface of the middle housing 11 and the upper housing 9.

  The lower housing 25 constituting the battery unit 3 connected to the camera unit 2 and protecting the USB connector 6 of the camera unit 2 and supplying power to the camera unit 2 has a cylindrical shape similar to that of the camera unit 2. The lower part forms a substantially hemisphere, and a string attachment hole 26 is formed at the apex (lower end in the figure).

  As shown in the rear view of FIG. 4D, a floating strap 27 having a shape in which, for example, styrene foam is reinforced with a hollow braid or a net string is attached to the string attachment hole 26. As a result, the camera 1 can be hung from the neck as if it were a cylindrical pendant, making it easy to carry around, and even if it drops onto the water, It can be kept below the surface of the water that can be removed by hand, and there is no inconvenience that the whole is submerged and cannot be recovered.

In addition, an operation button 28 that is curved horizontally along the circumferential surface is disposed on the upper back of the lower housing 25 of the battery unit 3. The user can make various settings by operating the operation buttons 28 and displaying the display device 18.
A ring-shaped waterproof packing 29 is also interposed at a connecting portion between the lower housing 25 of the battery unit 3 and the middle housing 11 of the camera unit 2.

As described above, since the waterproof packings 24 and 29 are interposed in the connecting portions of the upper housing 9, the middle housing 11, and the lower housing 25, entry of dust, sweat, water droplets and the like from the connecting portions is prevented. Therefore, it can be widely used in various environments.
In addition, at the connecting portion between the lower housing 25 of the battery unit 3 and the middle housing 11 of the camera unit 2, the contact 31 on the battery unit 3 side and the connection terminal 32 on the camera unit 2 side are in contact with each other. To be connected to.

  In this battery unit 3, the battery 8 is arranged in a U shape so as to surround the connector storage chamber 7, so that the battery can be efficiently stored. The shape of the battery 8 is not limited to a U shape, and may be any shape such as a cylinder or a box as long as it surrounds the connector storage chamber 7. A battery having a large capacity can be accommodated by configuring the connector housing chamber 7 so as to surround it. The battery 8 is charged in a non-contact manner by a corresponding charger (not shown) in which a charging transformer is located at a position close to the outside of the charging unit 22 of the middle housing 11. Further, the charging unit 22 may be disposed not in the middle housing 11 but in the lower housing 25.

  When the camera unit 2 of the camera 1 is disconnected from the battery unit 3 and connected to an external device such as a personal computer or a printer (not shown) via the USB connector 6, on the other hand, Power is supplied from an external device via the USB connector 6, and on the other hand, image data captured by the imaging unit 4 is also output to the external device via the USB connector 6.

As described above, when the battery unit 3 is removed from the camera unit 2, the camera 1 can be directly connected to an external device without a connection cable, and image data captured by the imaging unit 4 can be easily transferred. .
The camera 1 is configured by connecting the camera unit 2 and the battery unit 3 except when the connection with the battery unit 3 is released and the camera unit 2 is connected to an external device via the USB connector 6. At this time, the USB connector 6 of the camera unit 2 is covered and protected by the connector storage chamber 7.

  In addition, since the upper housing 9 of the imaging unit 4 and the middle housing 11 of the display unit 5 are connected to each other so as to be able to rotate 180 degrees on the horizontal connection surface as described above, the photographing direction and the display direction can be freely set. It can be adjusted, and furthermore, the imaging unit 4 can be rotated even when connected to an external device, which is convenient.

  The external appearance of the camera 1 is as follows: the upper housing 9 of the imaging unit 4 as the first block, the middle housing 11 of the display unit 5 as the second block, and the battery unit 3 as the third block. The lower casing 25 is sequentially connected and integrated, and is configured in a vertically long capsule shape in which both ends are substantially hemispherical. Therefore, when the floating strap 27 is hung on the neck and the camera 1 is hung on the neck, the image pickup unit 4 which is the first block becomes the lower end of the capsule shape. When performing the shooting, the upper housing 9 of the imaging unit 4 of the first block becomes the upper end of the capsule shape, and imaging is performed.

  Further, the upper housing 9 of the imaging unit 4 that is the first block and the middle housing 11 of the display unit 5 that is the second block rotate 180 degrees on the connection surface as described above. In other words, the first block rotates relative to the second block in a plane parallel to the optical axis P of the photographing lens (see FIG. 1 (e)).

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a connecting portion between the middle housing 11 of the display unit 5 and the lower housing 25 of the battery unit 3. In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. Further, only the main part is shown in the middle housing 11. Further, in the lower housing 25, the arrangement of the USB connector 6 in the connector storage chamber 7 after connection is indicated by a broken line.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower casing 25 of the battery unit 3 has the ring-shaped step formed by interposing the above-described waterproof packing 29 outside the ring-shaped step formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end. Three hook-shaped engagement members 33 are arranged at equal intervals on the top surface of the part.
The hook-shaped engagement member 33 has a hook-shaped cross section including a standing portion 34 having an arcuate contour along the ring shape on the upper surface of the stepped portion and a claw portion 35 projecting laterally outward from the standing portion 34. The claw portion 35 is provided with two contacts 31 shown in FIG. 1 (a). That is, the lower housing 25 of the battery unit 3 is provided with a total of six contacts 31 (three (engagement members 33) × 2 (contacts 31)).

  On the other hand, the middle casing 11 of the display unit 5 is provided with a claw engaging member 36 projecting laterally from the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion at equal intervals along the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion. . The USB connector 6 of the middle housing 11 is inserted into the lower housing 25 of the battery unit 3 as shown by an arrow G in the figure, and the middle housing 11 is in contact with the waterproof packing 29 at the lower end of the middle housing 11. When the body 11 is rotated with respect to the lower housing 25 in a predetermined direction, the claw engagement member 36 enters and engages under the claw portion 35 of the saddle-type engagement member 33 to engage the middle housing 11 and the lower housing. The body 25 is mechanically connected.

  In the middle casing 11, the connection terminals 32 shown in FIG. 1 (a) are respectively arranged in proximity to the upper side of the claw engaging member 36. The connection terminal 32 includes two pins 37 projecting downward. The pins 37 come into contact with the contact points 31 of the hook-shaped engagement member 33 so that the middle casing 11 and the lower casing 25 are connected to each other. Electrically connected.

  FIG. 3 is an overall block diagram of the camera 1. In the figure, the same functional parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, an imaging unit (circuit) 38 and an image processing unit (circuit) 39 are disposed on the imaging substrate 14 of the imaging unit 4.

  On the other hand, the main substrate 19 of the display unit 5 is provided with a CPU 40, a built-in memory 42 connected to the CPU 40 via a bus 41, and an image display unit 43. Further, the USB connector 6 described above is connected to the bus 41, and the image processing unit 39 of the imaging unit 4 is connected to the bus 41. The image captured by the imaging unit 4 is processed as image data by the image processing unit 39 and then stored in the built-in memory 42 via the bus 41 under the control of the CPU 40 and via the image display unit 43. It is displayed on the display device 18 shown in FIG.

  When the display unit 5 and the battery unit 3 are disconnected and the USB connector 6 of the display unit 5 is connected to an external PC (personal computer) 44, the display unit 5 operates with power supplied from the external PC 44, The image data stored in the built-in memory 42 is automatically transmitted to the external PC 44.

In this example, the connector is shown as the USB connector 6, but this is shown as an example of the connector, and the connector is not limited to the USB. For example, an IEEE-1394 connector may be used.
In this example, the memory is the built-in memory 42, but the memory is not limited to being built-in. For example, a removable / replaceable memory may be used. Further, the battery 8 is built in the battery unit 3, but the battery 8 is not limited to the built-in type, and may be a removable battery.

  4 (a) is a front view showing the configuration of the camera as the second embodiment, FIG. 4 (b) is a rear view thereof, and FIG. 4 (c) is a right side view of FIG. 4 (b). Yes, with a part cut away, the HH cross-sectional arrow view of FIG. The camera 45 shown in (a), (b), and (c) in FIG. 1 is used instead of the camera unit 2 which is the standard camera unit of the camera 1 shown in FIG. The camera unit 46 is connected to the battery unit 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the underwater photographing camera unit 46 has a large display at the rear end of the upper half capsule-shaped housing as in FIG. A device 47 is provided. On the front surface of the capsule-shaped housing, a lens window 48 is provided at the top, and a release button 49 is provided at the bottom.

Inside the capsule-shaped housing provided with the lens window 48, a lens 51, an image pickup device 52, and a substrate 53 are arranged in this order from the lens window 48 to the rear. As will be described later, a circuit similar to the main board 19 and the power supply board 21 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the board 53.
Further, a strobe window 54 is disposed on the side opposite to the display surface of the display device, that is, on the front side of the camera 45, and a strobe arc tube 55 is disposed on the back of the strobe window 54.

The configuration of the connecting portion between the underwater photographing camera unit 46 and the battery unit 3 is the same as that shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an overall block diagram of the camera 45 in the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, when viewed in an overall block diagram, the imaging unit 4 and the display unit 5 of the overall block diagram of the camera 1 in the first embodiment are integrated as an underwater shooting camera unit 46, and a strobe Only the addition of the part 55 is a different configuration.

When the configuration of the camera 45 is changed, since the display screen of the display device 47 is large, the visibility of the image is improved even in water where it is difficult to see the image, which is convenient. In addition, with a strobe, appropriate exposure is possible even in dark water.
As described above, by simply replacing the standard camera unit 2 with the attached underwater photographing camera unit 46, it is possible to perform appropriate photographing even under water, and it is possible to use properly according to the environment.

(a)-(f) is a figure which shows the structure of the camera as a 1st Example. It is a figure which expands and shows the connection part of the center housing | casing of the display part of the camera of a 1st Example, and the lower housing | casing of a battery unit. It is a whole block diagram of the camera of a 1st Example. (a), (b), (c) is a figure which shows the structure of the camera as a 2nd Example. It is a whole block diagram of the camera of the 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera of this example 2 Camera unit 3 Battery unit 4 Image pick-up part 5 Display part 6 USB connector 7 Connector storage room 8 Battery 9 Upper housing | casing 11 Middle housing 12 Lens window 13 Mirror frame 14 Imaging board 15 Lens 16 Imaging element 17 Display Window 18 Display device 19 Main board 21 Power supply board 22 Charging part 23 Release button 24 Waterproof packing 25 Lower housing 26 String attachment hole 27 Floating strap 28 Operation button 29 Waterproof packing 31 Contact 32 Connection terminal 33 Vertical engagement member 34 Standing up Part 35 Claw part 36 Claw engaging member 37 Pin 38 Imaging part (circuit)
39 Image processing unit (circuit)
41 Bus 42 Built-in memory 43 Image display unit 45 Camera 46 Camera unit for underwater photography 47 Display device 48 Lens window 49 Release button 51 Lens 52 Image sensor 53 Substrate 54 Strobe window 55 Strobe arc tube

Claims (13)

A camera unit having an imaging unit having a photographing lens, a display unit for displaying a photographed image, and a connector for outputting image data to an external device;
A battery unit that has a connector storage chamber for protecting the connector and a battery for driving the imaging unit and the display unit, and is detachably connected to the camera unit;
A camera comprising:   When the camera unit is disconnected from the battery unit and connected to the external device via the connector, power is supplied from the external device and image data is output to the external device. The camera according to claim 1.   The imaging unit and the display unit are disposed in separate housings, both the housings are rotatably and electrically connected, and the connector is provided in any one of the housings, The camera according to claim 1, wherein the housing having a connector is connected to the battery unit. Of the casing in which the display unit is disposed.
A housing on which the imaging unit is disposed is connected to one side,
The connector is provided on the other side,
The camera according to claim 3.   The camera according to claim 1, further comprising an underwater photographing camera unit that is exclusively connected to the battery unit in exchange for the battery unit.   6. The camera according to claim 5, wherein the underwater photographing camera unit integrally includes an imaging unit, a display unit having a display surface larger than the display unit of the camera unit, and a photographing strobe.   The camera according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 5, wherein the battery unit is attached with a floating strap.   The display unit of the camera unit has a curved display surface along an appearance surface formed in a curved shape of the casing in which the display unit is disposed. 3. The camera according to 3.   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the battery unit is connected to the camera unit through waterproof means.   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the battery unit has the battery disposed so as to surround the connector housing chamber. A first block comprising an imaging unit having a photographic lens;
A second block which is connected to the first block so as to be rotatable and includes a display unit for displaying a captured image and a connector for outputting image data to an external device;
A third block that is detachably connected to the second block and has a connector storage chamber that protects the connector, and a battery for driving the imaging unit and the display device;
A camera characterized by comprising   The first, second, and third blocks are sequentially connected and integrated into a vertically long shape that is substantially hemispherical at both ends, and the first block is in a normal state with the first block facing up. The camera according to claim 11, wherein: 13. The camera according to claim 12, wherein the first block rotates with respect to the second block in a plane parallel to the optical axis of the photographing lens.

Images