JP2006180201A - Imaging system having image projection function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact, low-cost imaging system having an image projection function functioning as a digital camera and a projector by connecting the digital camera to a projector unit. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging system having the image projection function comprises the digital camera 10 having an optical system 11 for photography and an image pickup device 14, and the projector unit 70 having a transmission LCD 33 for displaying a captured image and a light source 35 for lighting the transmission LCD 33. In the imaging system, a mirror 17 is provided. The mirror 17 retracts outside the optical path range of the optical system 11 for photography when the digital camera separates from the projector unit, and is inserted between the optical system 11 for photography and the image pickup device 14 when the digital camera is connected to the projector unit. When the digital camera is connected to the projector unit, the transmission LCD 33 for displaying the captured image is lit by the light source 35, thus projecting and displaying the captured image onto a prescribed display surface via the mirror 17 and the optical system 11 for photography. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging function of a digital camera by combining a digital camera including a photographing optical system and an image sensor with a projector unit including an image display unit that displays a captured image and an illumination unit that illuminates the image display unit. And an image projection function-equipped imaging system configured to include an image projection function of a projector.

  In recent years, digital cameras (also referred to as digital still cameras and electronic still cameras) that electronically capture images such as photographs have been marketed and are becoming widely used. In addition, a projector that projects an image displayed on a screen of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) or an image captured by a digital camera onto a screen for viewing on a large screen is generally used. When using a combination of a digital camera and a projector, generally, data of an image captured by the digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a captured image) is recorded on a recording medium such as various memory cards and a hard disk. When a captured image is viewed using a projector, the projector and a recording medium are connected to a PC, and the captured image in the recording medium is enlarged and projected from the projector onto a large screen screen or the like.

  When using the digital camera and the projector as described above, it is preferable to simplify and downsize necessary equipment. In order to meet such a demand, an electronic camera is proposed in which an imaging objective lens of a digital camera is also used as a projection lens of a projector (see, for example, Patent Document 1; hereinafter referred to as Prior Art 1). Yes. In addition, a liquid crystal projector in which a digital camera is built in the liquid crystal projector and the projection lens of the liquid crystal projector is also used as an imaging objective lens of the digital camera (see, for example, Patent Document 2; hereinafter referred to as Prior Art 2) is also available. Proposed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-137039 JP 2004-252118 A

The prior art 1 is a digital having a configuration having a finder optical system for observing an imaging state by an objective lens of a photographing optical system, in addition to a photographing optical system that forms an image of a subject on an image sensor such as a CCD. Applicable to cameras. However, in response to the growing needs for downsizing and thinning of recent digital cameras, the number of compact type digital cameras such as card type has been increasing rapidly. Such compact type digital cameras are structurally used for viewfinders. Since it is often impossible to provide an optical system, it often becomes a “digital camera having a configuration that does not have a finder optical system”. In such a case, the configuration of the prior art 1 is applied. I can't. It should be noted that the “digital camera having no finder optical system” can be used to check an image being observed or a photographed image using an electronic display device such as an LCD instead of the finder optical system. It is common.
In the prior art 1, it is necessary to previously arrange a display element for projecting an image of a projector and a projection illumination device in a digital camera. In particular, the display element for projecting an image is small and high. LCDs with high definition and high transmittance are required, and lighting devices suitable for projectors with high brightness and uniform light distribution are also required as projection lighting devices. The price will increase. As a result, the size and cost of the digital camera itself is increased, which makes it inconvenient for normal shooting applications and expensive for users who do not need a projector function.
In the prior art 2, the projection lens of the liquid crystal projector is simply configured to also serve as the objective lens for imaging of the digital camera. The size becomes too large to meet the above-mentioned demand for downsizing.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a small and low-cost imaging system with an image projection function that includes functions of a digital camera and a projector by adopting a configuration in which a projector unit is coupled and separated to a general digital camera. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first invention described in claim 1 is a digital camera including an imaging optical system and an imaging device, an image display unit for displaying a captured image, and an illumination unit for illuminating the image display unit. An imaging system with an image projecting function, wherein the digital camera and the projector unit are retracted outside the optical path range of the photographing optical system, and the digital camera and the projector unit are combined. A reflection member disposed so as to be inserted between the imaging optical system and the imaging element, and the image display means for displaying the captured image when the digital camera and the projector unit are combined; By illuminating with illumination means, the captured image is converted into the reflecting member and Via the serial photographic optical system is characterized in that so as to project and display a predetermined display surface.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the reflecting member is disposed inside the digital camera.

  A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the reflecting member is disposed inside the projector unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the digital camera and the projector unit are coupled, the photographing optical system is moved so that the reflecting member can be inserted into an optical path of the photographing optical system. It is characterized by doing so.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the digital camera includes a recording medium, a processing circuit that records image data of a captured image on the recording medium, and a processing circuit of the projector unit that stores the image data in the recording medium. And a data transfer means for transferring the image to the image display means, and when the data transfer means is activated, the captured image in the digital camera is displayed on the image display means of the projector to perform projection display on the predetermined display surface. It is characterized by that.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the projector unit is coupled to or separated from the digital camera in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographing optical system.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the projector unit has at least one of a charging function for the digital camera and a communication function with an external device.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the digital camera includes distance measuring means for measuring a distance to the object to be measured, and when the digital camera and the projector unit are combined, the distance measurement data of the distance measuring means. Accordingly, the focal position of the imaging optical system is controlled so that a projected image of the captured image displayed on the image display means is formed on the predetermined display surface.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the digital camera includes an operation unit for performing various operations including imaging and image display, and the operation unit performs various operations including image projection of the projector unit. The operation part is also used.

  According to the first invention, an image projection function is provided, which includes a digital camera including a photographing optical system and an image sensor, an image display unit that displays a captured image, and a projector unit that includes an illumination unit that illuminates the image display unit. The imaging system retracts outside the optical path range of the imaging optical system when the digital camera and the projector unit are separated, and is inserted between the imaging optical system and the imaging element when the digital camera and the projector unit are coupled. And when the digital camera and the projector unit are combined, the image display means displaying the captured image is illuminated by the illumination means, so that the captured image is Projecting onto a predetermined display surface via a reflecting member and the optical system for photographing Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which a projector unit is coupled to and separated from a general digital camera, a compact and low-cost imaging system with an image projection function having the functions of a digital camera and a projector is provided. Can be provided.

  According to the second invention, since the reflecting member is arranged inside the digital camera, the imaging system with an image projection function can be reduced in size.

  According to the third invention, since the reflecting member is arranged inside the projector unit, the digital camera is made smaller than the second invention, and the imaging system with an image projection function is made smaller. be able to.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the digital camera and the projector unit are coupled, the photographing optical system is moved so that the reflecting member can be inserted into the optical path of the photographing optical system. The space occupied by the reflecting member in the digital camera can be reduced, which contributes to the downsizing of the imaging system with an image projection function.

  According to the fifth invention, the digital camera includes a recording medium, a processing circuit that records image data of a captured image on the recording medium, and data that transfers the image data in the recording medium to the processing circuit of the projector unit. Transfer means, and when the data transfer means is operated, a captured image in the digital camera is displayed on the image display means of the projector to perform projection display on the predetermined display surface. The captured image captured by the camera can be viewed on the large screen on the predetermined display surface by the projector unit and viewed.

  According to the sixth invention, since the projector unit is coupled to or separated from the digital camera in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographing optical system, the projector unit occupies the digital camera. This makes it possible to reduce the space to be used and contribute to the downsizing of the imaging system with an image projection function.

  According to the seventh invention, since the projector unit has at least one of a charging function for the digital camera and a communication function with an external device, the projector unit is used for the digital camera when not used for image projection. It becomes possible to use it as a “cradle”.

  According to the eighth invention, the digital camera includes distance measuring means for measuring a distance to the distance measuring object, and when the digital camera and the projector unit are combined, according to the distance measurement data of the distance measuring means, Since the focal position of the imaging optical system is controlled so that the projected image of the captured image displayed on the image display means is formed on the predetermined display surface, for example, the image sensor of the digital camera is measured with the measurement device. By diverting as a distance unit, it is not necessary to provide a distance measuring unit on the projector unit side, which contributes to downsizing and cost reduction of an imaging system with an image projection function.

  According to the ninth invention, the operation unit for performing various operations including imaging and image display included in the digital camera also serves as an operation unit for performing various operations including image projection of the projector unit. When used as a camera or a projector, all operations can be performed with the operation unit, and usability is improved.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an overall configuration of an imaging system with an image projection function according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a state at the time of photographing with a digital camera in the imaging system with an image projection function according to the first embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the optical-axis position of the imaging optical system which shows these. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment includes a digital camera 10 and a projector unit 30. In the present embodiment, a compact digital camera is used as the digital camera 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 uses a photographing optical system including an objective lens (not shown) on the left side surface of the housing 10a (this photographing optical system has a zoom function). ) 11 is held so as to be movable back and forth on the optical axis L of the photographing optical system 11, and the lens frame 12 is stopped at the photographing position in the state of FIG. Near the right end of the housing 10a on the optical axis L of the imaging optical system 11, a low-pass filter 13 and an image sensor (eg, CCD, CMOS, etc.) 14 are supported, and an external display unit is provided on the right side of the housing 10a. The LCD 15 is arranged. A lid 16 is detachably provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10a. The lid 16 is attached when the digital camera shown in FIG. 2 is used alone, and is removed when the digital camera 10 and the projector unit 30 shown in FIG.

  Inside the housing 10 a of the digital camera 10, a mirror 17 that is a reflecting member is supported so as to be rotatable around the center of the rotation shaft 18. The mirror 17 is retracted outside the optical path range of the photographing optical system 11 when the digital camera 10 and the projector unit 30 are separated as shown in FIG. 2, and when the digital camera 10 and the projector unit 30 are joined as shown in FIG. They are arranged so as to be inserted between the imaging optical system 11 and the imaging device 14. As described above, the mirror 17 that is a reflection member is disposed inside the digital camera, and the mirror 17 can be inserted into the optical path of the imaging optical system 11 when the digital camera and the projector unit are combined. By configuring the optical system 11 to move, the imaging system with an image projection function is downsized.

  A processing circuit 19, a recording medium 20, and an internal interface (hereinafter referred to as an internal I / F) 21 are further arranged inside the housing 10 a of the digital camera 10. The processing circuit 19 has a function of recording the image data of the captured image input from the image sensor 14 on the recording medium 20, and also processes the image data in the recording medium 20 via the internal I / F 21. 37 (see FIG. 1) has various functions including a data transfer function. An operation unit 22 including various buttons for performing various operations including imaging and image display is provided on the right side surface of the housing 10 a of the digital camera 10. As will be described later, the operation unit 22 also serves as an operation unit for performing various operations including image projection of the projector unit 30. An operation unit for performing various operations including image projection may be separately provided on the projector unit 30 side.

  As shown in FIG. 1 which is a longitudinal sectional view at the optical axis position of the photographing optical system 11 when the digital camera 10 and the projector unit 30 are combined, the projector unit 30 is located in the upper center portion so as to enter the digital camera 10. It has a box-shaped housing 30a in which convex portions 31 are formed. In the housing 30a, in order from the mirror 17 side of the convex portions 31, a cover glass 32 and a transmission as image display means for displaying a captured image are provided. An LCD 33, a condenser lens 34, a light source 35 that is an illuminating means, a reflecting plate 36, and a processing circuit 37 are provided. Furthermore, an internal interface (hereinafter referred to as an internal I / F) 38 that is connected to the internal I / F 21 of the digital camera 10 when the digital camera 10 and the projector unit 30 are combined is provided on the upper right surface of the housing 30a. An external interface (hereinafter referred to as an external I / F) 39 is provided on the right side surface of the housing 30a. For example, a USB terminal is used as the external I / F 39. In the present embodiment, the projector unit 30 has at least one of the charging function for the digital camera 10 and the communication function with an external device (both in the present embodiment), and therefore when the projector unit 30 is not used for image projection. Can be used as a "cradle" used for power supply of the digital camera 10, charging of a built-in battery, and information communication with an external device such as a PC.

  Next, various states and various operations of the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Storage state of optical system for photographing when digital camera 10 is not photographing]
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view at the optical axis position of the photographing optical system showing a state when the photographing optical system of the digital camera is housed in the imaging system with an image projection function of the first embodiment. The digital camera 10 is set to a non-photographing state by the user (this non-photographing state corresponds to, for example, a state where the power of the digital camera 10 is turned off), and the projector unit 30 is separated from the digital camera 10 When a single digital camera is used, the processing circuit 19 issues a “photographing optical system accommodation command” in response to a detection signal indicating a “separation state” from a coupling / separation detection unit (not shown) provided in the digital camera 10. The lens frame 12 is retracted to the storage position shown in FIG. 3, and the imaging optical system 11 is stored as shown in FIG. At the same time, since the processing circuit 19 issues a “mirror retract command”, the mirror 17 is retracted to a position (retract position) shown in FIG. 3 that does not interfere with the lens frame 12 and the imaging optical system 11.

[State of optical system for photographing when photographing with digital camera 10]
3, when the user performs an operation to turn on the digital camera 10, the processing circuit 19 issues a “shooting preparation command”. Is fed out to the photographing standby position shown in FIG. 2 by a feeding mechanism (not shown), and the imaging optical system 11 is brought into a photographing standby state as shown in FIG. At this time, since the mirror 17 is retracted to the retracted position that does not interfere with the lens frame 12 and the imaging optical system 11 as shown in FIG. 2, the mirror 17 does not interfere with the photographing.
In the shooting standby state shown in FIG. 2, an image of a subject (not shown) that is imaged on the image sensor 14 through the low-pass filter 13 by the imaging optical system 11 is captured after being converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor 14. The signal is input to the processing circuit 19 connected to the element 14 and displayed on the LCD 15 for external display arranged on the right side (back side) of the digital camera 10. At the time of shooting standby, the LCD 15 functions as a viewfinder.

[Shooting Operation and Image Reproduction Operation of Digital Camera 10]
When the user performs an operation for shooting with the operation unit 22 in the shooting standby state, the processing circuit 19 issues a “shooting command”, so that the image of the subject formed on the image sensor 14 is converted into an electrical signal. After that, it is recorded on the recording medium 20 through the processing circuit 19. After the recording, when the user performs an operation for image reproduction by the operation unit 22, the processing circuit 19 issues a “reproduction command”, so that the LCD 15 is switched to the reproduction mode and recorded on the recording medium 20. An image is displayed on the LCD 15.

[Combining Operation of Digital Camera 10 and Projector Unit 30]
When connecting the projector unit 30 to the digital camera 10, first, the user performs an operation of removing the lid 16 at the bottom of the digital camera in the state shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. When the lid 16 is removed, the power of the digital camera 10 is turned on, and the processing circuit 19 “in response to a detection signal indicating a“ lid removal state ”from an attachment / detachment detection unit (not shown) provided in the digital camera 10. In order to issue the “combination preparation command”, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mirror 17 retracted to a position outside the imaging optical path range of the imaging optical system 11 is the center of the rotating shaft 18 integrated with the mirror. It rotates around and is arranged at the projection position shown in FIG. At this time, when the operation of removing the lid 16 is performed in the state of FIG. 3, the lens frame 12 and the imaging optical system 11 are extended to the imaging standby position shown in FIG. 2 in response to the “combination preparation command”. When the operation of removing the lid 16 is performed in the state of FIG. 2, the lens frame 12 and the imaging optical system 11 have already moved to the imaging standby position. The operation of paying out the working optical system 11 is not performed.
When the mirror 17 is placed at the projection position as shown in FIG. 1, the optical axis L between the imaging optical system 11 and the imaging element 14 of the digital camera 10 is bent 90 degrees downward, so that the projector unit 30 is The imaging optical system 11 can be used by being coupled from the direction orthogonal to the optical axis L. Then, when the projector unit 30 is coupled to the digital camera 10 by the user, the projecting portion 31 of the projector unit 30 is in the coupled state shown in FIG. The internal I / F 38 and the internal I / F 21 of the digital camera 10 are electrically connected so that the processing circuit 19 of the digital camera 10 can perform operations such as image projection of the projector unit 30.

[Image Projecting Operation of Projector Unit 30]
When the digital camera 10 and the projector unit 30 shown in FIG. 1 are combined, the transmissive LCD 33 provided on the optical axis obtained by bending the optical axis L of the imaging optical system 11 by 90 degrees by the mirror 17 is optically coupled to the image sensor 14. Is disposed at a position substantially equivalent to. In addition, when the digital camera 10 and the projector unit 30 shown in FIG. 1 are combined, the processing circuit 19 sets “in response to a detection signal indicating a“ coupled state ”from a coupling / separation detection unit (not shown) provided in the digital camera 10. In order to issue the “mode switching command”, the digital camera 10 switches from the “digital camera mode” which is the initial setting to the “projector mode”.
In this projector mode, distance measuring means (not shown) provided in the digital camera 10 (in this embodiment, the image sensor 14 of the digital camera 10 is used for cost reduction. The distance to a predetermined display surface (screen in FIG. 4), which is a distance measurement object, may be measured and measured by a self-luminous type distance measuring sensor or the like independent of the image sensor 14). The position of the photographic optical system 11 in the optical axis L direction (that is, the focal position of the photographic optical system 11) so that a projection image of the image (captured image) displayed on the transmissive LCD 33 is formed on the screen according to the distance. ) Is performed by the processing circuit 19.

  When the user performs an operation of selecting desired image data from the image data of the captured image stored in the recording medium 20 after the completion of the above processing, the image data of the selected captured image is processed by the processing circuit. 19, the image is transferred to the processing circuit 37 in the projector unit 30 via the internal I / F 21 and the internal I / F 38, and the captured image is projected and displayed on the transmissive LCD 33 by the processing circuit 37. At this time, power is supplied to the light source 35, the light source 35 is turned on, and the illumination light from the light source 35 is condensed by the reflecting plate 36 and the condenser lens 34 to illuminate the transmissive LCD 33 efficiently and uniformly. The captured image displayed on the screen is projected and displayed on the screen by the photographing optical system 11 via the mirror 17. At that time, for example, in FIG. 4, the distance from the screen to the transmissive LCD is set to 2 m, and the angle of view of the photographic optical system 11 is set to about 47 ° (all diagonal, equivalent focal length 50 mm on 35 mm film). In this case, the captured image can be projected and displayed on a large screen equivalent to about 68 inches. When the resolution of the transmissive LCD (for example, SVGA; 800 × 600 pixels) is higher than the resolution of the captured image (for example, when the resolution of the captured image is VGA; 640 × 480 pixels), projection is performed at the resolution of the captured image. Display is performed, but when the resolution of the transmissive LCD 33 (for example, SVGA; 800 × 600 pixels) is higher than the resolution of the captured image (for example, the resolution of the captured image is XGA; 1024 × 768 pixels), the transmissive LCD Projection display is made at a resolution of.

  Since the external I / F 39 of the projector unit 30 is configured to be connectable to an external device (for example, a PC), image data recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a memory card connected to the PC is stored. It is also possible to read the image by the processing circuit 37, display an image corresponding to the image data on the transmissive LCD 33, and project it on the screen. Accordingly, not only images corresponding to image data recorded on the recording medium 20 in the digital camera 10 but also images corresponding to other image data (possible still images and moving images) and PC display screens are displayed on the screen. It is also possible to project it on top of it.

[Separation of Digital Camera 10 and Projector Unit 30]
In the combined state of the digital camera 10 and the projector unit 30 shown in FIG. 1, an operation for separating the projector unit 30 from the digital camera 10 by the user (for example, operation of a separation button (not shown) provided on the projector unit 30 side). Is released, the coupled state of the lower part of the digital camera 10 and the projection 31 of the projector unit 30 is released, so that the projector unit 30 is in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L of the imaging optical system 11 (the downward direction in FIG. 1). ), The digital camera 10 and the projector unit 30 are separated from each other. After the separation of the digital camera 10 and the projector unit 30, the digital camera 10 is returned to the state shown in FIG. As described above, the projector unit 30 is coupled to / separated from the digital camera 10 in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis L of the photographing optical system 11, so that the projector unit 30 is included in the digital camera 10. Is reducing the space occupied by the image pickup system with an image projection function.

According to the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment, the configuration as described above allows the usage mode as a projector unit when the digital camera and the projector unit are combined and the separation between the digital camera and the projector unit. Since the system can take a usage form as a single digital camera, it is possible to realize a small and low-cost imaging system with an image projection function that has both the digital camera function and the projector function.
In addition, the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment can project an image as a projector only by adding a small projector unit that does not have an objective lens, even for a digital camera without an optical finder. Therefore, the digital camera to be used is not limited to the digital camera with the optical viewfinder. In addition, since the digital camera used in the imaging system with an image projection function according to the present embodiment does not need to provide an image display element for projection display or a lighting device, the digital camera alone is small and almost the same as a normal digital camera. It will be low cost. Therefore, it is not inconvenient when used for photographing as a digital camera, and it is not necessary to bear extra cost for a user who does not need a function as a projector. Furthermore, since the projector unit used in the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment does not require an objective lens, the projector unit is small and low-cost, and has an image projection function having both functions of a digital camera and a projector. This contributes to downsizing and cost reduction of the imaging system.

In the first embodiment, the processing circuit 37 having various functions such as an image display function on the transmissive LCD 33 is provided in the projector unit 30. However, the various functions are integrated into the processing circuit 19 in the digital camera 10. Thus, the image display on the LCD 15 of the digital camera 10 and the image display on the transmissive LCD 33 of the projector unit 30 are simultaneously performed, or the image display on the LCD 15 of the digital camera 10 and the image display on the transmissive LCD 33 of the projector unit 30 are switched. You may comprise.
In the first embodiment, the projector unit 30 is coupled from the bottom of the digital camera 10. However, the projector unit 30 may be coupled from the lateral direction of the digital camera 10.

In the first embodiment, the image sensor 14 is used as distance measuring means for obtaining distance measurement data for controlling the image formation state on the screen when the projector unit 30 projects an image. In this case, the mirror 17 is a semi-transparent half mirror, so that an image projected on the screen is formed on the image sensor 14 even in the projector mode. For example, the user monitors the LCD 15. On the other hand, by controlling the movement of the imaging optical system 11 to a position where the contrast of the projected image formed on the screen is maximized, the display image of the transmissive LCD 33 at a substantially optically equivalent position is formed on the screen. To be able to image.
In the first embodiment, a mirror is used as a reflecting member that bends an optical path for projecting an image, but a prism may be used instead.
In the first embodiment, the image sensor 14 and the transmissive LCD 33 are arranged at optically substantially equivalent positions. However, for the convenience of arrangement, they are arranged at positions that are not substantially equivalent. Also good. In that case, the feeding position of the photographing optical system 11 in the photographing state may be set different from the feeding position of the photographing optical system 11 in the projector mode.

In the first embodiment, a transmissive LCD is used for projection display. However, a display element such as a self-luminous element including a reflective LCD or an organic EL element may be used.
Further, in the first embodiment, by using an imaging optical system 11 having a zoom function, it is possible to arbitrarily change the size of the projected image even at the same distance during image projection to improve usability as a projector. However, a photographic optical system without a zoom function may be used.
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the size of the image sensor 14 of the digital camera 10 and the transmissive LCD 33 for projection display are substantially the same, but the sizes may be different. In that case, there is no problem as long as the image size of the objective lens constituting the photographing optical system 11 covers the larger element size, but when a transmissive LCD larger than the image circle of the objective lens is used for projection, An optical system for magnification conversion may be disposed in front of the transmissive LCD so that the display image on the transmissive LCD is within the image circle of the objective lens.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the overall configuration of the imaging system with an image projection function according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a state at the time of shooting of the digital camera in the imaging system with an image projection function according to the second embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the optical-axis position of the imaging optical system which shows these. The difference between the imaging system with the image projection function of the present embodiment and the imaging system with the image projection function of the first embodiment is that the installation position of the mirror as the reflecting member is changed from the digital camera to the projector unit. With this change, the housing of the digital camera has been downsized. The imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment includes a digital camera 50 and a projector unit 70 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a compact digital camera is used as the digital camera 50.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the digital camera 50 includes a photographing optical system including an objective lens (not shown) on the left side surface of the housing 50a (this photographing optical system has a zoom function). ) 51 is held so as to be movable back and forth on the optical axis L of the imaging optical system 51, and the lens frame 52 is stopped at the shooting position in the state of FIG. Near the right end of the housing 50a on the optical axis L of the photographing optical system 51, a low-pass filter 53 and an image sensor (eg, CCD, CMOS, etc.) 54 are supported, and an external display section is provided on the right side of the housing 50a. The LCD 55 is arranged. A lid 56 is detachably provided on the bottom surface of the housing 50a. The lid 56 is attached when the digital camera shown in FIG. 6 is used alone, and is removed when the digital camera 50 and the projector unit 70 shown in FIG.

  Inside the housing 50a of the digital camera 50, a processing circuit 57, a recording medium 58, and an internal interface (hereinafter referred to as internal I / F) 59 are arranged. The processing circuit 57 has a function of recording the image data of the captured image input from the image sensor 54 on the recording medium 58, and also processes the image data in the recording medium 58 via the internal I / F 59. It has various functions including a data transfer function for transferring to 78 (see FIG. 5). An operation unit 60 including various buttons for performing various operations including imaging and image display is provided on the right side surface of the housing 50a of the digital camera 50. As will be described later, the operation unit 60 also serves as an operation unit for performing various operations including image projection of the projector unit 70. An operation unit for performing various operations including image projection may be separately provided on the projector unit 70 side.

  As shown in FIG. 5 which is a longitudinal sectional view at the optical axis position of the optical system 51 for photographing when the digital camera 50 and the projector unit 70 are combined, the projector unit 70 is placed in the upper center part so as to enter the digital camera 50. It has a box-shaped housing 70a in which convex portions 71 are formed. The convex portion 71 has a slope portion 71a having an inclined surface of 45 degrees at the upper right end portion in the figure, and a mirror 72 as a reflecting member is fixed to the inner surface of the slope portion 71a. The mirror 72 is inserted between the imaging optical system 51 and the imaging element 54 when the digital camera 50 and the projector unit 70 are coupled as shown in FIG. 5, and is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis L of the imaging optical system 51. Needless to say, when the digital camera 50 and the projector unit 70 as shown in FIG. 6 are separated, they are retracted outside the optical path range of the photographing optical system 51. Note that, as described above, the mirror 72, which is a reflecting member, is disposed inside the projector unit, thereby reducing the size of the digital camera 50 in the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment.

  In the housing 70a of the projector unit 70, in order from the mirror 72 side of the convex portion 71, a cover glass 73, a transmissive LCD 74 that is an image display means for displaying a captured image, a condensing lens 75, and a light source that is an illumination means. 76, a reflection plate 77, and a processing circuit 78 are provided. Furthermore, an internal interface (hereinafter referred to as an internal I / F) 79 connected to the internal I / F 59 of the digital camera 50 when the digital camera 50 and the projector unit 70 are coupled is provided on the upper right surface of the housing 70a. An external interface (hereinafter referred to as an external I / F) 80 is provided on the right side surface of the housing 70a. For example, a USB terminal is used as the external I / F 80. In the present embodiment, since the projector unit 70 has at least one of the charging function for the digital camera 50 and the communication function with the external device (both in the present embodiment), the projector unit 70 is not used for image projection. Can be used as a “cradle” for power supply of the digital camera 50, charging of the built-in battery, and information communication with an external device such as a PC.

  Next, various states and various operations of the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Storage state of optical system for photographing when digital camera 50 is not photographing]
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view at the optical axis position of the photographing optical system showing a state when the photographing optical system of the digital camera is housed in the imaging system with an image projection function of the second embodiment. The digital camera 50 is set to a non-photographing state by the user (this non-photographing state corresponds to, for example, a state where the digital camera 50 is turned off), and the projector unit 70 is separated from the digital camera 50. When a single digital camera is used, the processing circuit 57 issues a “photographing optical system accommodation command” in response to a detection signal indicating a “separation state” from a coupling / separation detection unit (not shown) provided in the digital camera 50. The lens frame 52 is retracted to the storage position shown in FIG. 7, and the imaging optical system 51 is stored as shown in FIG.

[State of optical system for photographing when photographing with digital camera 50]
7, when the user performs an operation to turn on the power of the digital camera 50, the processing circuit 57 issues a “shooting preparation command”. Is fed to the photographing standby position shown in FIG. 6 by a feeding mechanism (not shown), and accordingly, the imaging optical system 51 enters a photographing standby state as shown in FIG.
In the shooting standby state shown in FIG. 6, an image of a subject (not shown) formed on the image sensor 54 through the low-pass filter 53 by the imaging optical system 51 is converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor 54 and then captured. The signal is input to the processing circuit 57 connected to the element 54 and displayed on the LCD 55 for external display arranged on the right side (back side) of the digital camera 50. At the time of shooting standby, the LCD 55 functions as a viewfinder.

[Shooting operation and image reproduction operation of digital camera 50]
When the user performs an operation for shooting with the operation unit 60 in the shooting standby state, the processing circuit 57 issues a “shooting command”, so that the subject image formed on the image sensor 54 is converted into an electrical signal. Then, it is recorded on the recording medium 58 through the processing circuit 57. After the recording, when the user performs an operation for image reproduction by the operation unit 60, the processing circuit 57 issues a “reproduction command”, so that the LCD 55 is switched to the reproduction mode and recorded on the recording medium 58. An image is displayed on the LCD 55.

[Combining Operation of Digital Camera 50 and Projector Unit 70]
When connecting the projector unit 70 to the digital camera 50, first, the user performs an operation of removing the lid 56 at the bottom of the digital camera in the state shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. When the lid 56 of the digital camera in the state shown in FIG. 7 is removed, the power of the digital camera 50 is turned on, and a detection signal indicating a “lid removal state” from an attachment / detachment detection unit (not shown) provided in the digital camera 50. Accordingly, since the processing circuit 57 issues a “combination preparation command”, an operation of feeding the lens frame 12 and the imaging optical system 11 to the photographing standby position shown in FIG. 6 is performed according to the “combination preparation command”. As a result, the digital camera 50 is in the state shown in FIG. 6, but when the operation of removing the lid 56 is performed in the state of FIG. 6, the lens frame 52 and the imaging optical system 51 have already moved to the shooting standby position. Therefore, the operation of extending the lens frame 52 and the imaging optical system 51 is not performed.
When the digital camera 50 is in the state shown in FIG. 6, a space as shown in the figure is formed on the optical path of the imaging optical system 11 and the image sensor 14 of the digital camera 50, and therefore a mirror 72 is inserted into this space. As described above, the projector unit 70 provided with the mirror 72 on the upper side can be used by being coupled from the direction orthogonal to the optical axis L of the photographing optical system 51. Then, when the projector unit 70 is coupled to the digital camera 50 by the user, the projection 71 of the projector unit 70 is inserted into the digital camera 50, and the coupled state shown in FIG. The internal I / F 79 and the internal I / F 59 of the digital camera 50 are electrically connected, and the processing unit 57 of the digital camera 50 can perform operations such as image projection of the projector unit 70.

[Image Projecting Operation of Projector Unit 70]
When the digital camera 50 and the projector unit 70 shown in FIG. 5 are combined, the transmissive LCD 74 provided on the optical axis obtained by bending the optical axis L of the imaging optical system 51 by 90 degrees by the mirror 72 is optically coupled to the image sensor 54. Is disposed at a position substantially equivalent to. In addition, when the digital camera 50 and the projector unit 70 shown in FIG. 5 are combined, the processing circuit 57 displays “a combined state” from a not-shown combination / separation detection unit (not shown) provided in the digital camera 50. In order to issue the “mode switching command”, the digital camera 50 switches from the “digital camera mode” which is the initial setting to the “projector mode”.
In this projector mode, a distance measuring unit (not shown) provided in the digital camera 50 (in this embodiment, the image sensor 54 of the digital camera 50 is used for cost reduction. The distance to a predetermined display surface (screen in FIG. 4), which is a distance measurement object, may be measured and measured by a self-luminous distance measuring sensor or the like independent of the image sensor 54). The position of the photographic optical system 51 in the optical axis L direction (that is, the focal position of the photographic optical system 51) so that a projection image of the image (captured image) displayed on the transmissive LCD 74 is formed on the screen according to the distance. ) Is performed by the processing circuit 57.

  When the user performs an operation of selecting desired image data from the image data of the captured image stored in the recording medium 58 after the completion of the above processing, the image data of the selected captured image is processed by the processing circuit. 57, the image is transferred to the processing circuit 78 in the projector unit 70 via the internal I / F 59 and the internal I / F 79, and the captured image is projected and displayed on the transmissive LCD 74 by the processing circuit 78. At this time, power is supplied to the light source 76, the light source 76 is turned on, and illumination light from the light source 76 is condensed by the reflecting plate 77 and the condenser lens 75 to efficiently and uniformly illuminate the transmissive LCD 74. The captured image displayed on the screen is projected and displayed on the screen by the photographing optical system 51 through the mirror 72. At that time, for example, in FIG. 4, the distance from the screen to the transmissive LCD 74 is set to 2 m, and the angle of view of the photographing optical system 51 is set to about 47 ° (all diagonal, equivalent focal length 50 mm on 35 mm film). In this case, the captured image can be projected and displayed on a large screen equivalent to about 68 inches. When the resolution of the transmissive LCD (for example, SVGA; 800 × 600 pixels) is higher than the resolution of the captured image (for example, when the resolution of the captured image is VGA; 640 × 480 pixels), projection is performed at the resolution of the captured image. Display is performed, but when the resolution of the transmissive LCD (for example, SVGA; 800 × 600 pixels) is higher than the resolution of the captured image (for example, the resolution of the captured image is XGA; 1024 × 768 pixels), the transmissive LCD Projection display is made at a resolution of.

  Since the external I / F 80 of the projector unit 70 is configured to be connectable to an external device (for example, a PC), image data recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a memory card connected to the PC is stored. It can be read by the processing circuit 78, and an image corresponding to the image data is displayed on the transmissive LCD 74 and projected onto the screen. Accordingly, not only images corresponding to the image data recorded on the recording medium 58 in the digital camera 50, but also images corresponding to other image data (still images and moving images are possible) and PC display screens are displayed on the screen. It is also possible to project it on top of it.

[Separation Operation of Digital Camera 50 and Projector Unit 70]
In the combined state of the digital camera 50 and the projector unit 70 shown in FIG. 5, an operation for separating the projector unit 70 from the digital camera 50 by the user (for example, operation of a separation button (not shown) provided on the projector unit 70 side). Is released, the coupled state of the lower portion of the digital camera 50 and the projection 71 of the projector unit 70 is released, so that the projector unit 70 is in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis L of the imaging optical system 51 (downward direction in FIG. 5). ), The digital camera 50 and the projector unit 70 are separated from each other. After separation of the digital camera 50 and the projector unit 70, it is assumed that the digital camera 50 is returned to the state shown in FIG. As described above, the projector unit 70 is coupled to / separated from the digital camera 50 in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis L of the photographing optical system 51, so that the projector unit 70 is included in the digital camera 50. Is reducing the space occupied by the image pickup system with an image projection function.

According to the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment, the configuration as described above allows the usage mode as a projector unit when the digital camera and the projector unit are combined and the separation between the digital camera and the projector unit. Since the system can take a usage form as a single digital camera, it is possible to realize a small and low-cost imaging system with an image projection function that has both the digital camera function and the projector function.
Further, according to the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment, even a digital camera without an optical finder can project an image as a projector simply by adding a small projector unit that does not have an objective lens. Therefore, the digital camera to be used is not limited to the digital camera with the optical viewfinder. In addition, since the digital camera used in the imaging system with an image projection function according to the present embodiment does not need to provide an image display element for projection display or a lighting device, the digital camera alone is small and almost the same as a normal digital camera. It will be low cost. Therefore, it is not inconvenient when used for photographing as a digital camera, and it is not necessary to bear extra cost for a user who does not need a function as a projector. Further, since the projector unit used in the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment does not require an objective lens, the projector unit is small and low-cost, and has an image projection function having both functions of a digital camera and a projector. This contributes to downsizing and cost reduction of the imaging system.

  Furthermore, in the imaging system with an image projection function of the present embodiment, since the optical path bending mirror 72 is arranged on the projector unit 70 side, the “photographing optical system objective lens is connected to the projector unit objective lens on the digital camera side”. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an additional mechanism (mirror rotation mechanism or the like) for use as a digital camera, and the digital camera is smaller and less expensive than the imaging system with an image projection function of the first embodiment. The mirror movement control is eliminated and the control is simplified. Further, since the optical path bending mirror 72 is fixed to the projector unit 70 side, the space between the imaging optical system 51 and the image sensor 54 only needs to be a space necessary for bending the optical path with the mirror. Since there is no need for “extra space to prevent interference with other members in the digital camera such as the image sensor when the mirror is retracted”, which is necessary when the mirror is movable as in the first embodiment. It becomes possible to design the interval between the imaging optical system 51 and the image sensor 54 at the time of projection and image projection smaller, and the digital camera body can be made smaller and thinner.

In this embodiment, a mirror is used to bend the optical path. However, a prism may be used as in the first embodiment, and the image sensor 54 is also used for image projection using a half mirror. You may enable it to monitor a projection image.
Moreover, although the said 1st Embodiment and the said 2nd Embodiment are the examples which applied the structure of this invention to the digital camera, you may apply to another kind of camera (movie camera etc.).

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an overall configuration of an imaging system with an image projection function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the optical-axis position of the imaging optical system which shows the state at the time of imaging | photography of the digital camera in the imaging system with an image projection function of 1st Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the optical-axis position of the imaging optical system which shows the state at the time of accommodation of the imaging optical system of the digital camera in the imaging system with an image projection function of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating a state when an image is projected on a screen using the imaging system with an image projection function of 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the whole structure of the imaging system with an image projection function of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the optical-axis position of the imaging optical system which shows the state at the time of imaging | photography of the digital camera in the imaging system with an image projection function of 2nd Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the optical-axis position of the imaging optical system which shows the state at the time of accommodation of the imaging optical system of the digital camera in the imaging system with an image projection function of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital camera 10a Case 11 Optical system for imaging | photography 12 Mirror frame 13 Low pass filter 14 Image pick-up element 15 LCD
16 Lid 17 Mirror (reflective member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Rotating shaft 19 Processing circuit 20 Recording medium 21 Internal interface 22 Operation part 30 Projector unit 30a Housing 31 Convex part 32 Cover glass 33 Transparent LCD (image display means)
34 Condensing Lens 35 Light Source 36 Reflector 37 Processing Circuit 38 Internal Interface 39 External Interface 50 Digital Camera 50a Enclosure 51 Imaging Optical System 52 Mirror Frame 53 Low-Pass Filter 54 Image Sensor 55 LCD
56 Lid 57 Processing circuit 58 Recording medium 59 Internal interface 60 Operation unit 70 Projector unit 70a Housing 71 Projection 71a Slope 72 Mirror (reflection member)
73 Cover glass 74 Transparent LCD (image display means)
75 Condenser lens 76 Light source 77 Reflector 78 Processing circuit 79 Internal interface 80 External interface

Claims (9)

An imaging system with an image projection function, comprising: a digital camera including a photographing optical system and an imaging element; an image display means for displaying a captured image; and a projector unit including an illumination means for illuminating the image display means.
When the digital camera and the projector unit are separated, they are retracted out of the optical path range of the photographing optical system, and when the digital camera and the projector unit are coupled, they are inserted between the imaging optical system and the imaging element. Comprising a reflective member to be disposed;
When the digital camera and the projector unit are coupled, the image display unit displaying the captured image is illuminated by the illumination unit, so that the captured image is predetermined via the reflecting member and the imaging optical system. An imaging system with an image projection function, wherein projection display is performed on a display surface.   The imaging system with an image projection function according to claim 1, wherein the reflection member is disposed inside the digital camera.   The imaging system with an image projection function according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting member is disposed inside the projector unit.   2. The photographing optical system is moved so that the reflecting member can be inserted into an optical path of the photographing optical system when the digital camera and the projector unit are combined. The imaging system with an image projection function according to claim 1.   The digital camera includes a recording medium, a processing circuit that records image data of a captured image on the recording medium, and a data transfer unit that transfers the image data in the recording medium to the processing circuit of the projector unit, 5. The projected image on the predetermined display surface is displayed by displaying the captured image in the digital camera on the image display unit of the projector when the data transfer unit is operated. An imaging system with an image projection function according to any one of the preceding claims.   The image projector according to claim 1, wherein the projector unit is coupled to or separated from the digital camera in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the photographing optical system. Functional imaging system.   The imaging system with an image projection function according to claim 1, wherein the projector unit has at least one of a charging function for the digital camera and a communication function with an external device.   The digital camera includes distance measuring means for measuring a distance to a distance measuring object, and is displayed on the image display means according to the distance measurement data of the distance measuring means when the digital camera and the projector unit are combined. 8. The image projection according to claim 1, wherein a focal position of the photographing optical system is controlled so that a projected image of the captured image is formed on the predetermined display surface. Functional imaging system.   The digital camera includes an operation unit for performing various operations including imaging and image display, and the operation unit is also used as an operation unit for performing various operations including image projection of the projector unit. The imaging system with an image projection function according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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