JP2007110182A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus for improving the quality of a photographed image by preventing a problem wherein a photographer may be in contact with a photographing lens when the photographer grips a main body of the imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes: an imaging section 23 having the photographing lens 32 for photographing an object; and a display section 9 for displaying the object at photographing; and a grip unit 22 grasped by the photographer user at the photographing. One end of the imaging section is freely revolvably connected to the grip unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to the technical field of imaging devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to a technical field in which an imaging unit having a photographing lens and a display unit is rotatably connected to a grip unit to improve the quality of a photographed image.

  There are imaging devices that can perform moving image shooting and still image shooting such as a video camera and a still camera.

  In the imaging device, a display unit that can display an image of a subject rotates relative to a main body provided with a photographing lens for photographing a subject and buttons for performing various operations during photographing. Some are connected so as to be possible (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such an imaging apparatus, in general, photographing is performed in a state where the display unit is rotated and opened with respect to the main body unit and the main body unit is held. Therefore, the main body portion is used as a grip portion that is gripped by the photographer during photographing.

JP 2005-130530 A

  However, in the conventional imaging apparatus described above, since the photographing lens is provided in the main body that functions as the grip portion, the photographer may touch the photographing lens when holding the main body.

  If the photographer touches the photographing lens, the shadow of the finger is reflected in the image at the time of photographing, and the quality of the photographed image is deteriorated due to the dirt of the photographing lens.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to overcome the above-described problems and to improve the quality of a captured image.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the imaging apparatus of the present invention has an imaging unit having a photographic lens for photographing a subject and a display unit for displaying the subject at the time of photographing, and a grip unit gripped by a user at the time of photographing. And one end of the imaging unit is rotatably connected to the grip unit.

  Therefore, in the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the finger does not contact the photographing lens when the grip portion is gripped.

  The imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging unit having a photographic lens for photographing a subject and a display unit that displays the subject at the time of photographing, and a grip part gripped by a user at the time of photographing, and one end of the imaging unit is It is characterized in that it is rotatably connected to the grip part. The photographer does not touch the photographic lens when the photographer grips the grip, and the photographic lens does not get shadowed on the image during shooting, or the photographic lens does not get dirty due to finger contact. The quality of the obtained image can be improved.

  In the invention described in claim 2, since the photographing lens and the display unit are provided on the surfaces opposite to each other of the imaging unit, there is a direction in which the display unit is visually recognized and a direction in which the subject is captured by the photographing lens. They are always consistent and can improve usability at the time of shooting.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a grip body that a user's palm contacts with the grip portion at the time of photographing, and one end portion of the image pickup portion that protrudes from one end portion of the grip body are rotatable. Since the connecting projections to be connected are provided, it is easy for the user to hold the imaging device, and the holding state can be stabilized.

  In the invention described in claim 4, the image pickup unit can be rotated between an open position and a closed position with respect to the grip portion, and the display portion is in a state where the image pickup portion is at least in the closed position. As a result, the image displayed on the display unit can be visually recognized even in the closed position, and the usability of the imaging apparatus can be improved.

  In the invention described in claim 5, since the image pickup unit can be rotated between the open position and the closed position with respect to the grip portion, and the grip portion is provided with a pressing portion for holding the image pickup portion at the closed position. A stable holding state at the closed position of the imaging unit can be ensured.

  In the invention described in claim 6, since a transparent cover is provided on the viewing window formed in the grip portion, it is possible to prevent a finger from touching the display portion, and the display portion is soiled or damaged. Can be prevented.

  In the invention described in claim 7, since the operation unit having an operation button for performing a predetermined operation is provided and the operation unit can be inserted into and removed from the grip body of the grip unit, the operation unit is accommodated. Sometimes the imaging device can be miniaturized and used, and the operation unit can be operated by pulling out the operation unit only when the operation unit needs to be operated, and the operation unit can be used as necessary.

  The best mode for carrying out the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment shown below, the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a camera capable of performing still image shooting and moving image shooting.

  Note that the present invention can be applied to various imaging apparatuses having a function of moving image shooting or still image shooting such as a mobile phone, a video camera, and a still camera.

  First, the overall configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 will be described (see FIG. 1).

  The imaging apparatus 1 includes a camera block 2, a camera DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 3, a hard disk 4, a medium interface 5, a control block 6, an operation block 7, a display unit controller 8, a display unit 9, and an external interface 10. The medium 100 is detachable. For example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is used as the display unit 9.

  As the recording medium 100, various types such as a so-called memory card using a semiconductor memory, an optical recording medium such as a recordable DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and a recordable CD (Compact Disc), a magnetic disk, and the like are used. be able to.

  The camera block 2 includes an optical unit 11, an imaging device 12 such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a preprocessing circuit 13, an optical unit driver 14, an imaging device driver 15, and a timing generation circuit 16.

  The optical unit 11 includes a lens, a zoom mechanism, a focus mechanism, a shutter mechanism, a diaphragm (iris) mechanism, and the like.

  The control block 6 is a microcomputer configured by connecting a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 17, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 18, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 19, and a clock circuit 20 through a system bus 21. Each part of the apparatus 1 is controlled.

  The RAM 18 is mainly used as a work area, such as temporarily storing intermediate results of processing. The flash ROM 19 stores various programs executed by the CPU 17, data necessary for processing, and the like. The clock circuit 20 provides the current date, current day, current time, shooting date and time, and the like.

  At the time of photographing an image, the optical unit driver 14 generates a drive signal for operating the optical unit 11 according to control by the control block 6, and sends the generated drive signal to the optical unit 11. The optical unit 11 is operated. In the optical unit 11, the zoom mechanism, the focus mechanism, the shutter mechanism, and the aperture mechanism are controlled according to the drive signal output from the optical unit driver 14, and an image of the subject is captured and output to the image sensor 12. To do.

  The image sensor 12 photoelectrically converts the image information input from the optical unit 11 and outputs it. The image sensor 12 operates according to the drive signal sent from the image sensor driver 15, and the subject output from the optical unit 11 is output. While capturing an image, based on a timing signal transmitted from the timing generation circuit 16 controlled by the control block 6, the captured image of the subject (image information) is transmitted to the preprocessing circuit 13 as an electrical signal.

  The timing generation circuit 16 generates a timing signal that provides a predetermined timing in response to control from the control block 6. The image sensor driver 15 generates a drive signal to be sent to the image sensor 12 based on the timing signal output from the timing generation circuit 16.

  The preprocessing circuit 13 performs CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) processing on the image information of the electric signal supplied thereto to maintain a good S / N ratio, and performs AGC (Automatic Gain Control) processing. The gain is controlled, and A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion is performed to generate digital image data.

  The image data sent from the preprocessing circuit 13 and converted into a digital signal is supplied to the camera DSP 3. The camera DSP 3 performs camera signal processing such as AF (Auto Focus), AE (Auto Exposure), and AWB (Auto White Balance) on the image data supplied thereto. The image data subjected to various adjustments in this way is compressed by a predetermined compression method, supplied to the recording medium 100 through the system bus 21 and the medium interface 5, and recorded on the recording medium 100 as a file.

  The image data recorded on the recording medium 100 is sent from the target image data to the medium interface 5 in accordance with an operation input signal from a user input via an operation block 7 constituted by operation buttons and the like described later. Through the recording medium 100, and the read image data is supplied to the camera DSP3.

  The camera DSP 3 performs data decompression processing (decompression processing) on the data-compressed image data read from the recording medium 100 and supplied via the medium interface 5, and the decompressed image data is stored in the system bus 21. Is supplied to the display controller 8.

  The display controller 8 generates an image signal from the supplied image data and sends it to the display unit 9. When the image signal is sent to the display unit 9, an image corresponding to the image data recorded on the recording medium 100 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 9.

  The external interface 10 is connected to an external device such as an external personal computer, for example. By connecting a personal computer to the external interface 10, it is possible to record image data acquired from the personal computer on the recording medium 100 and output the image data recorded on the recording medium 100 to the personal computer. Become.

  On the other hand, by connecting a communication module to the external interface 10, for example, it is connected to a network such as the Internet, and various image data and other information are acquired through the network and recorded on the recording medium 100. It is also possible to transmit the data recorded in the network to the intended destination via the network.

  The external interface 10 can be provided as a wired interface such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, USB (Universal Serial Bus), or the like, and can also be provided as a wireless interface using light or radio waves.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 1 can shoot an image of a subject and record it on the recording medium 100, and can also read and reproduce the image data recorded on the recording medium 100. . Also, the image data can be provided to the recording medium 100 via an external personal computer or a network, and recorded on the recording medium 100 or read and reproduced.

  Next, the structure of the imaging device 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the imaging device 1 is formed in a flat and vertically long rectangular shape. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the imaging device 1 is connected to the imaging unit 23 and the imaging unit 23 rotatably connected to the grip unit 22. It comprises an operation unit 24 that is detachably supported.

  The grip portion 22 includes a grip body 25, a connecting protrusion 26, and a pressing portion 27.

  The grip body 25 is formed in a horizontally long and substantially rectangular shape, and includes a main surface portion 25a having a thin front and rear thickness and a column portion 25b provided at one end portion (right end portion) of the main surface portion 25a. Is formed thicker in front and back than the main surface portion 25a.

  Recording means is mounted in the grip body 25. The recording means is, for example, a disk-shaped recording medium such as the hard disk 4. The hard disk 4 is controlled by a hard disk controller provided in the camera DSP.

  The connecting protrusion 26 is long in the vertical direction, and protrudes upward from the column part 25 b of the grip body 25.

  A plurality of function execution buttons 28, 28,... Are arranged on the connecting protrusion 26. As the function execution buttons 28, 28,..., For example, a shutter button 28a, a power button 28b, a slide button 28c, and a zoom button 28d are provided (see FIG. 3). The shutter button 28a is disposed, for example, on the upper surface of the connecting protrusion 26, and the power button 28b, the slide button 28c, and the zoom button 28d are disposed, for example, on the rear surface of the connecting protrusion 26.

  The shutter button 28a functions as a shutter when shooting a still image and also functions as a recording button when shooting a moving image. A still image can be shot by pressing the shutter button 28a during still image shooting, and a moving image shooting or shooting stop can be performed by pressing the shutter button 28a during moving image shooting.

  The power button 28b is a button for turning on or stopping the power by a pressing operation.

  The slide button 28c is a button for switching a predetermined mode by a slide operation. For example, a still image shooting mode, a moving image shooting mode, and a playback mode can be switched by a slide operation. The playback mode is a mode in which an image captured with a still image or a moving image is displayed on the display unit 9 and played back.

  The zoom button 28d is a button for zooming an image during still image shooting and moving image shooting.

  The holding portion 27 is formed in a thin frame shape whose outer shape is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape, the lower edge is continuous with the rear edge of the main surface portion 25 a of the grip body 25, and the right edge is the rear edge of the connecting protrusion 26. It is continuous.

  The space inside the holding part 27 is formed as a viewing window 27a. A transparent cover 29 is provided on the viewing window 27a.

  The imaging unit 23 includes a main body 30 formed in a horizontally long rectangular parallelepiped shape and a hinge protrusion 31 protruding sideways from the main body 30, and the hinge protrusion 31 is connected to the connecting protrusion 26 of the grip portion 22. It is connected so that it can rotate.

  The imaging unit 23 is rotatable via a hinge protrusion 31 between a closed position closed with respect to the grip part 22 and an open position opened with respect to the grip part 22. The imaging unit 23 is in a position where the main body 30 is in contact with the front surface 27b of the pressing unit 27 in the closed position (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and is 90 ° from the closed position in the open position (see FIGS. 4 and 5). In the moved position. The imaging unit 23 is held at the closed position and the open position by the first holding mechanism (not shown).

  As described above, since the imaging unit 23 is in contact with the front surface 27b of the pressing unit 27 at the closed position and is pressed by the pressing unit 27, a stable holding state at the closed position of the imaging unit 23 can be ensured.

  The optical unit 11 is disposed inside the main body 30 (see FIG. 2). A battery (not shown) can be mounted inside the main body 30.

  A photographic lens 32 is disposed on a first surface (surface facing forward in the closed position) 30 a of the main body 30. The photographic lens 32 is an objective lens that is a component of the optical unit 11, and is disposed, for example, at the upper end of the left end of the first surface 30 a of the main body 30.

  The display unit 9 is provided on a second surface (a surface facing the rear in the closed position) 30 b of the main body 30. The display unit 9 is formed to have substantially the same size as the viewing window 27 a formed in the holding unit 27 of the grip unit 22. Therefore, in the state where the image pickup unit 23 is in the closed position, the entire image displayed on the display unit 9 through the viewing window 27a is visible.

  Since the imaging device 1 has the viewing window 27a, the entire image displayed on the display unit 9 can be visually recognized even at the closed position, and the usability of the imaging device 1 can be improved.

  Further, by providing the transparent cover 29 on the viewing window 27a, it is possible to prevent a finger from touching the display unit 9, and to prevent the display unit 9 from being stained or damaged. The operation unit 24 is formed in substantially the same size and shape as the grip body 25 of the grip unit 22, and can be inserted and removed by sliding with respect to the grip body 25. The operation unit 24 is pulled out from the grip body 25 by sliding downward with respect to the grip body 25, and is stored on the front side of the grip body 25 by sliding upward with respect to the grip body 25. The operation unit 24 is positioned at a drawing position (see FIG. 6) pulled out from the grip body 25 and a storage position (see FIGS. 2 and 4) stored in the grip body 25 by a second holding mechanism (not shown). Retained.

  A plurality of operation buttons 33, 33,... Are arranged on the rear surface of the operation unit 24. The operation buttons 33, 33,... Constitute the operation block 7 together with the function execution buttons 28, 28,.

  As the operation buttons 33, 33,..., For example, a button for turning on / off the display unit 9, a button for selecting a menu, a button for setting a flash mode, a button for setting a macro (close-up) mode, or the selected Various buttons such as a button for executing a menu and a button for setting a self-timer mode are provided.

  These operation buttons 33, 33,... Are used less frequently at the time of image capture and playback, and more frequently used during editing work or the like.

  Therefore, by making the operation unit 24 detachable with respect to the grip body 25, the image pickup apparatus 1 can be used in a smaller size by storing the operation unit 24 at the time of shooting or reproduction, and is necessary for editing or the like. It is possible to operate the operation buttons 33, 33,... By pulling out the operation unit 24 only when necessary, and the operation unit 24 can be used as necessary.

  In the imaging apparatus 1 configured as described above, still image shooting is normally performed with at least the grip portion 22 held while the imaging portion 23 is held at the closed position (see FIG. 7). As described above, still image shooting is performed in a state where the image pickup unit 23 is held at the closed position, so that an image displayed on the display unit 9 is visually recognized from the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, usually, moving image shooting is performed in a state where only the grip portion 22 is held while the imaging portion 23 is held at the open position (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In this way, moving image shooting is performed with the imaging unit 23 held in the open position, so that the image displayed on the display unit 9 can be viewed from the direction of the arrow B shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 without passing through the transparent cover 29. .

  In any of the above-described still image shooting and moving image shooting, the user's palm is brought into contact with the grip body 25.

  In addition, although the example which performs still image photography in the state which hold | maintained the imaging part 23 in the obstruction | occlusion position, and performed moving image photography in the state which hold | maintained the imaging part 23 in the open position was shown above, still image photography is shown. 23 may be held in the open position, or moving image shooting may be performed in the state where the imaging unit 23 is held in the closed position.

  7 to 9 show an example in which the imaging apparatus 1 is gripped with one hand and shooting is performed, but shooting may be performed with both hands.

  As described above, in the imaging apparatus 1, since the imaging unit 23 having the imaging lens 32 and the display unit 9 is rotatably connected to the grip unit 22 that grips at the time of shooting, the photographer can use the grip unit. The finger does not touch the photographic lens 32 by gripping the image 22, the shadow of the finger is not reflected in the image at the time of photographing, and the photographic lens 32 is not soiled by the contact of the finger, and the photographed image is taken. The quality of the product can be improved.

  In addition, since the photographing lens 32 and the display unit 9 are provided on the first surface 30 a and the second surface 30 b on the opposite sides of the imaging unit 23, respectively, the direction in which the display unit 9 is visually recognized and the subject by the photographing lens 32. The direction in which the image is captured always matches, and the usability at the time of shooting can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the grip body 25 is provided so that the palm of the user contacts when gripping the grip portion 22, the user can easily grip the imaging device 1, and the gripping state can be stabilized.

  Note that the above-described directions in the up, down, left, and right directions are for convenience of explanation, and the application of the present invention is not limited to these directions.

  The specific shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described best mode are merely examples of the implementation of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is limited by these. It should not be interpreted in a general way.

2 to 9 show the best mode of the present invention, and this figure is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the imaging apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the state which has an imaging part in the obstruction | occlusion position. It is a perspective view which shows the state which has an imaging part in the obstruction | occlusion position in the state seen from the direction opposite to FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which has an imaging part in an open position. It is a perspective view which shows the state which has an imaging part in an open position in the state seen from the direction opposite to FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the operation part was pulled out from the grip part. It is a perspective view which shows the example which image | photographs in the state which has an imaging part in the obstruction | occlusion position. It is a perspective view which shows the example which image | photographs in the state which has an imaging part in an open position. It is a perspective view which shows the example which image | photographs in the state which has an image pick-up part in an open position in the state seen from the direction different from FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device, 9 ... Display part, 22 ... Grip part, 23 ... Imaging part, 25 ... Grip main body, 26 ... Connection protrusion, 27 ... Holding part, 27a ... Viewing window, 29 ... Transparent cover, 32 ... Shooting lens 33 operation buttons

Claims (7)

An imaging unit having a photographing lens for photographing a subject and a display unit for displaying the subject at the time of photographing;
With a grip portion that is gripped by the user during shooting,
One end of the imaging unit is rotatably connected to the grip unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing lens and the display unit are provided on surfaces opposite to each other of the imaging unit. The grip portion is provided with a grip body that a user's palm contacts at the time of shooting, and a connecting protrusion that protrudes from one end portion of the grip body and rotatably connects one end portion of the imaging portion. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. The imaging part can be rotated between an open position and a closed position with respect to the grip part,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a viewing window in which the display unit can be visually recognized in a state where the imaging unit is at least in a closed position is formed in the grip unit. The imaging part can be rotated between an open position and a closed position with respect to the grip part,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grip unit is provided with a pressing unit that presses the imaging unit at the closed position. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a transparent cover is provided on a viewing window formed in the grip portion. An operation unit having an operation button for performing a predetermined operation is provided,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operation unit can be inserted into and removed from the grip body of the grip unit.

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