JP2007173909A - Optical device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical device having excellent portability and operability when a camera unit is carried alone or it is attached on a body unit to perform image pickup. <P>SOLUTION: The camera unit of the optical device having an image pickup lens and an image pickup element is detachably mounted on the body unit, a strap attaching portion is provided on the side surface of a casing of the camera unit, an opening is provided on the side surface of the casing of the body unit, and the strap or its attaching portion protrudes from the opening. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical device in which a camera unit is configured to be detachable from a main unit, and more particularly to an optical device having a camera unit strap mounting structure.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of personal computers, digital cameras that can easily capture images into personal computers have become widespread. In addition, it has become common to incorporate a digital camera into an information processing device such as a mobile computer, a mobile phone, and a personal digital assistant (PDA). With the spread of such digital cameras, there is a demand for digital cameras with good portability that can transmit image information to peripheral devices that perform printing, storage, etc., and can be carried anywhere and anytime. .

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pendant camera including a camera unit and a battery unit. The camera unit includes a connector that outputs a captured image to an external device, and the battery unit includes a strap attachment portion. It is disclosed.
JP 2005-164845 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, the strap attachment portion is provided in the battery unit, but it is not provided in the camera unit, and may be lost if the camera unit is carried alone. Also, when the camera unit is used alone. It is necessary to install another strap.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an optical device that is portable and has good operability when the camera unit is used alone or when the camera unit is attached to the main body unit to carry and take an image. The purpose is to provide.

  The above problem is solved by the following configuration.

1. A camera housing, a camera unit having an imaging lens that forms an image of light from a subject on an imaging device, and a camera signal communication unit;
A main body housing in which the camera unit is detachably mounted, and a main body unit having a main body signal communication section that communicates signals with the camera signal communication section when the camera unit is mounted;
A mounting portion for attaching a strap to the side surface of the camera housing,
The body unit has a recess in the body housing and an opening in a side surface of the body housing,
When the camera unit is mounted on a main unit, the camera unit is housed in the recess, and the strap or the attachment portion is projected from the opening.

  2. The camera unit has a rectangular shape, and the attachment portion is connected to the center of gravity of the main body unit on which the camera unit is mounted while the line connecting the center of gravity of the camera unit is substantially parallel to the long side direction of the camera unit. 2. The optical apparatus according to 1, wherein the optical device is disposed on the camera unit so that a line is substantially parallel to a long side direction of the camera unit.

  3. The optical device according to 1 or 2, wherein the camera unit includes a grip portion, and the attachment portion is provided on a side surface of the camera housing on the grip portion side.

  4). The main body unit includes a holding member, and the holding member provided on a side surface of the main body housing holds the side surface of the camera housing when the camera unit is attached to the main body unit. The optical device according to any one of 1 to 3.

  5. 5. The optical apparatus according to 4, wherein the holding member holds the front surface of the camera casing.

  According to the present invention, a camera unit having an imaging lens and an imaging element is detachably attached to the main body unit, the strap attachment portion is provided on the side surface of the camera unit housing, and the opening is formed on the side surface of the housing of the main body unit. Even if the camera unit alone is carried and imaged, or when the camera unit is attached to the main body unit and imaged by carrying it, the portability is good. In addition, an optical device with good operability can be provided.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which the camera unit is separated from the main unit, FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which the camera unit is mounted, and FIG. 2A is a view from the main unit. FIG. 2B is a rear view showing a state where the camera unit is separated, and FIG. 2B is a rear view showing the state where the camera unit is mounted. The optical device is configured such that the main unit 1 and the camera unit 101 are detachable.

  First, the configuration of the camera unit 101 will be described. The camera unit 101 alone has an imaging function. The camera unit 101 has a horizontally long rectangular shape, and includes an imaging lens 112 on the front surface 110a of the camera casing 110, a release button 119 on the top surface, a camera power button 120, a camera detection switch 109, and a mounting portion 141 for attaching a strap 142 to the side surface 110b. In addition, a grip portion 147 is provided in the vicinity of the side surface 110b where the camera display portion 115, the zoom button 117, and the attachment portion 141 are provided on the rear surface, and a lock (not shown) is provided on the lower surface.

  The imaging lens 112 is a zoom lens, and a lens for allowing light from a subject to enter is arranged on the right side of the front surface 110a of the camera housing 110 as shown in FIG.

  The camera display unit 115 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), and is arranged on the right side on the back surface of the camera unit 101 as shown in FIG. 2 at a position that does not hinder the user from holding the grip unit 147. In addition to the image, information related to the captured image such as the setting status of the optical device and operation guidance is displayed.

  The zoom button 117 is used to set the focal length of the imaging lens 112. The camera power button 120 turns on / off the main power of the camera unit 101. The release button 119 is on the left side as shown in FIG. 1, and when the camera power button 120 is pressed in the ON state, exposure of the camera unit 101 is started.

  The camera detection switch 109 is off when the camera unit 101 is separated from the main unit 1, and is turned on when the camera unit 101 is attached to the main unit 1.

  Next, the main unit 1 will be described. The main unit 1 includes a flash unit 13 on the front surface 10a of the main body housing 10, an insertion unit 8, a main unit detection switch 9, a main unit signal communication unit 31, a lock 45 inside the insertion unit 8, a main unit display unit 15 on the back, and a display window. 11, a mode setting switch 16, a switching button 17, a menu button 18, a release button 19 on the upper surface, a main body power button 20, and a lock release button 46 for releasing the lock 45.

  The insertion portion 8 is a box-shaped recess 43 that extends in a lateral direction from an opening 44 provided on the side surface 10 b of the main body housing 10, and the camera unit 101 is accommodated in the recess 43.

  The camera unit 101 is detachable from the main unit 1. To attach the camera unit 101, the camera unit 101 is inserted into the opening 44 from the side opposite to the side 110 b of the camera housing 110 and stored in the recess 43. Then, the lock 45 is connected to a lock (not shown) of the camera unit 101, the camera unit 101 is fixed at a predetermined position of the concave portion 43, and the attachment portion 141 and the strap 142 protrude from the opening 44 of the main unit 1. Become.

  To separate the camera unit 101 from the main unit 1, when the lock release button 46 is pressed, the lock 45 of the main unit 1 is released from the lock of the camera unit 101, and the user pulls the camera unit 101 with the strap 142. The camera unit 101 exits from the opening 44 and is removed.

  The main body display unit 15 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD), and is arranged on the left side on the rear surface of the main body unit 1 as shown in FIG. 2. Information related to images such as operation guidance is displayed.

  The display window 11 is provided in the insertion unit 8 and faces the camera display unit 115 when the camera unit 101 is mounted on the main unit 1 so that the display image of the camera display unit 115 can be observed. It is the opening penetrated to the back. The display window 11 is arranged on the right side of the main unit 1 so as not to overlap the display unit 15 as shown in FIG.

  The mode setting switch 16 is used for setting the imaging mode and the playback mode when the camera unit 101 is mounted, and the menu button 18 is used for white balance adjustment at the time of imaging, exposure correction, flash mode, etc., and histogram display at the time of playback. The switch button 17 is used to select a menu and a submenu in the menu.

  The main body detection switch 9 is off when the camera unit 101 is separated from the main body unit 1, and turns on when the camera unit 101 is attached to the main body unit 1.

  The main body power button 20 turns on and off the main power of the main unit 1. The release button 19 is on the left side as shown in FIG. 1, and when the main body power button 20 and the camera power button 120 are pressed in the ON state, the exposure of the camera unit 101 is started, and the captured image and the image are related. Information is displayed on the main body display unit 15 and the camera display unit 115.

  The internal configuration of the camera unit 101 and the main unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a state in which the camera unit is separated from the main unit, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing a state in which the camera unit is similarly mounted.

  The imaging lens 112 is a zoom lens of a bending optical system, and bends light from a subject at a substantially right angle by a bending portion 181 made of a prism and forms an image on a CCD 128 that is an imaging element.

  The optical axis 182 of the imaging lens 112 is parallel to the long side direction of the rectangular shape of the camera unit 101, and the center of gravity of the camera unit 101 is substantially on the optical axis of the imaging lens 112. A mounting portion 141 is provided on the side surface 110 b of the camera housing 110 on the extension line of the optical axis 182 of the imaging lens 112.

  In addition, when the concave portion 43 is disposed in the main unit 1 so that the center of gravity of the main unit 1 to which the camera unit 101 is mounted is substantially on the optical axis of the imaging lens 112, and the camera unit 101 is mounted on the main unit 1. In addition, a mounting portion 141 is provided on the side surface 110 b of the camera housing 110 on the extension line of the optical axis 182 of the imaging lens 112.

  The camera signal communication unit 131 is disposed on the opposite side of the bent portion 181 of the imaging lens 112 from the subject, and is opposed to the body from the infrared port (not shown) of the camera signal communication unit 131 via the infrared transmission window 131a. Signal communication with the infrared port of the signal communication unit 31 becomes possible. When the camera unit 101 is mounted on the main unit 1, the main body signal communication unit 31 and the camera signal communication unit 131 operate together with the main body detection switch 9 and the camera detection switch 109 to receive the respective power supplies and receive camera signals. The communication unit 131 communicates a signal with the main body signal communication unit 31 and can take an image in a state where the camera unit 101 is attached to the main body unit 1.

  As described above, the camera unit 101 having the imaging lens 112 that focuses the light incident from the subject on the imaging device 128 is provided with the attachment portion 141 for attaching the strap 142 to the side surface 110b of the camera housing 110. Therefore, the camera unit 101 can be taken anywhere and anytime, and the portability is improved. When the camera unit 101 is attached to the main unit 1 and united, the camera unit 101 is stored in the recess 43 of the main unit case 10. The camera signal communication unit 131 and the main body signal communication unit 31 communicate with each other, and the strap 142 attached to the attachment unit 141 protrudes from the opening 44. Therefore, even if the camera unit 101 is attached to the main unit 1 The strap 142 of the camera unit 101 is easily hung from the neck. Carry in, excellent portability, also the camera unit alone, even when the camera unit is united can accommodate a single strap, it is inexpensive.

  Further, the line connecting the mounting portion 141 and the center of gravity of the camera unit 101 is substantially parallel to the long side direction of the rectangular camera unit 101, and the mounting portion 141 and the main body are also mounted when the camera unit 101 is mounted on the main body unit 1. Since the camera unit 101 is arranged so that a line connecting the center of gravity of the unit 1 is substantially parallel to the long side direction of the camera unit 101, the camera unit 101 alone or the camera unit 101 is combined. Even if it is carried by hanging from the neck, it can be held stably without tilting.

  In addition, since the attachment portion 141 is provided on the side surface 110b of the camera housing 110 on the grip portion 147 side, when the strap 142 is wrapped around the wrist and fixed to take an image, a small blur photo can be taken. The operability of attaching and detaching the unit 101 to and from the main unit 1 is improved, and even if the camera unit 101 is combined to take an image, a photograph with less blur can be taken.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows the main unit and the camera unit placed vertically, in which a holding member is provided in the main unit and the camera unit is inserted from the front of the main unit. 4A shows a state where the camera unit and the main unit are separated, and FIG. 4B shows a state where the camera unit is mounted on the main unit. In the following description, members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  The main body housing 10 is provided with a concave portion 43 similar to that of the first embodiment, and the camera unit 101 is inserted into the concave portion 43 from the front surface 10a of the main body unit 1 and stored.

  The holding member 48 is fixed to the side surface 10 b of the main body housing 10, and when the camera unit 101 is housed in the recess 43, the holding member 48 holds the side surface 110 b of the camera housing 110 and the camera unit 101 comes out to the upper side of FIG. 4. Hold it down.

  The opening 44 is opened at the center of the holding member 48 and is provided in such a size that the mounting portion 141 protrudes when the camera unit 101 is housed in the recess 43. The lock 45 is provided in the recess 43, and is connected to a lock (not shown) of the camera unit 101 when the camera unit 101 is inserted from the direction of the front surface 10a.

  With the above configuration, the camera unit 101 can be carried alone or combined with the camera unit 101, and can be fixed using the strap 142 when taking an image. Therefore, stable imaging can be assisted. Further, when the camera unit 101 is united and the main body unit 1 is carried, the holding member 48 shares the weight load of the main body unit 1 and the camera unit 101 together with the lock 45, and the durability of the lock 45 is improved. Increases and lasts longer.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. 5 shows a state in which the main body unit is provided with a holding member that can be opened and closed, and the front surface is held together with the side surface of the camera unit. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the holding member of the main body unit with the camera unit is opened. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the holding member of the main unit with the camera unit attached is closed.

  In a state where the camera unit 101 is housed from the front surface 10a of the main body unit 1, when the holding member 48 rotatably supported on the back surface of the main body unit 101 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. The mounting portion 141 goes under the opening 44, the engagement protrusion 49 provided on the front surface holding member 48 a engages with the engagement hole 149 of the camera unit 101, and the holding member 48 is closed and fixed to the main unit 1. The front holding member 48a is provided with a bulging grip portion 48b, and a finger that grips the main unit 1 is hung at the time of imaging.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when the holding member 48 is closed, the holding member 48 holds the side surface 110b of the camera unit 101, the front holding member 48a holds the front surface 110a, and the mounting portion 141 is opened. Protrude from 44.

  With the above configuration, the camera unit 101 alone or the camera unit 101 can be carried together, carried, and the strap 142 can be used to take an image to prevent the camera from falling, etc. It can be carried out. Further, when the camera unit 101 is united and the main body unit 1 is carried, the holding member 48 shares the weight load of the main body unit 1 and the camera unit 101 together with the strap 142, and the durability of the strap 142 is improved. The camera unit 101 and the main unit 1 can be prevented from being unintentionally unlocked, and the camera unit 101 can be prevented from being detached from the front surface of the main unit 1.

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a view in which the holding member of the second embodiment of FIG. 4 slides in the front direction of the main unit and holds the camera unit.

  When the holding member 48 is guided in the grooves of the main unit 1 and slides back and forth in the direction of the front surface 10a of the main unit 1, the holding member 48 is slid in the direction of the front surface 10a with the camera unit 101 mounted. The opening 44 fits into the attachment portion 141 and holds the side surface of the camera unit 101. With this configuration, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

  Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. As shown in the partial perspective view on the upper side of FIG. 7, the mounting portion 141 that is a shaft is implanted in the recess of the side surface 110 b of the camera housing 110, and the strap 142 is attached by passing between the mounting portion 141 and the recess. When the camera unit 101 is mounted on the main unit 1, the attachment portion 141 may not protrude from the opening 44 provided in the holding member 48, and the strap 142 may protrude from the opening 44.

  In addition, the camera unit 101 may have a horizontally long rectangular shape, and instead of the configuration in which the mounting portion 141 is provided on the side surface 110b on the short side, the mounting portion 141 may be provided on the side surface on the long side. The camera unit 101 may have a square rectangular shape, and the mounting portion 141 may be provided on the side surface.

  Further, the recess 43 may be provided on the back surface of the main body housing 10 in place of the configuration provided on the front surface 10 a of the main body housing 10. In that case, an opening for taking in light from the subject may be provided on the front surface 10a of the main body housing 10.

The perspective view (a) which shows the isolation | separation state of the optical apparatus of this invention, and the perspective view (b) which shows a mounting state. The rear view (a) which shows the isolation | separation state of the optical apparatus of this invention, and the rear view (b) which shows a mounting state. The perspective view (a) which shows the isolation | separation state of the optical apparatus of this invention, and the perspective view (b) which shows a mounting state. The perspective view (a) which shows the isolation | separation state of 2nd Embodiment of the optical apparatus of this invention, and the perspective view (b) which shows a mounting state. The perspective view (a) which shows the open state of the holding member of 3rd Embodiment of the optical apparatus of this invention, and the perspective view (b) which shows the closed state of a holding member. The perspective view of the main-body unit of 4th Embodiment of the optical apparatus of this invention. The front view including the partial perspective view which shows the mounting state of 5th Embodiment of the optical apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body unit 10 Main body housing | casing 24,124 Operation part 31 Main body signal communication part 43 Recessed part 44 Opening 48 Holding member 101 Camera unit 110 Camera housing 112 Imaging lens 120 Camera power switch 128 Imaging element 131 Camera signal communication part 141 Attachment part 142 Strap 147 Grip part

Claims (5)

A camera housing, a camera unit having an imaging lens that forms an image of light from a subject on an imaging device, and a camera signal communication unit;
A main body housing in which the camera unit is detachably mounted, and a main body unit having a main body signal communication section that communicates signals with the camera signal communication section when the camera unit is mounted;
A mounting portion for attaching a strap to the side surface of the camera housing,
The body unit has a recess in the body housing and an opening in a side surface of the body housing,
When the camera unit is mounted on a main unit, the camera unit is housed in the recess, and the strap or the attachment portion is projected from the opening. The camera unit has a rectangular shape, and the attachment portion is connected to the center of gravity of the main body unit on which the camera unit is mounted while the line connecting the center of gravity of the camera unit is substantially parallel to the long side direction of the camera unit. The optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical device is arranged in the camera unit so that a line is substantially parallel to a long side direction of the camera unit. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit includes a grip portion, and the attachment portion is provided on a side surface of the camera housing on the grip portion side. The main body unit includes a holding member, and the holding member provided on a side surface of the main body housing holds the side surface of the camera housing when the camera unit is attached to the main body unit. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The optical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the holding member holds a front surface of the camera housing.

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