JP2008164685A - Camera with zoom function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera with a zoom function having a structure of zooming a photographic lens through the use of a lens cover, then, to enhance the operability thereof and achieve the space-saving and cost reduction thereof. <P>SOLUTION: The camera includes the lens cover 11 that is made slidable between closed/open positions so as to cover/expose the photographic lens 16 and a lens barrel part 17. The camera includes: a power switch 35 that is turned on when the lens cover 11 is located at the open position; a telephoto zoom switch 36; and a wide zoom switch 37. The left end of a guide groove 13a formed in a front cover 13 is formed to a T-shape, then, the lens cover 11 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise when the lens cover 11 is located at the open position. By having such the constitution, either of two zoom switches 36 or 37 is turned on. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera with a zoom function having a lens cover.

  In the camera, dirt on the taking lens deteriorates the quality of the photograph taken. For this reason, a method of attaching a lens cover to the photographing lens to protect it from dirt is taken, but this lens cover must be removed at the time of photographing, so it is very troublesome. Therefore, a proposal for a structure in which the lens cover is simultaneously moved by opening the power switch for photographing to open the photographing lens is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses a lens cover structure in which the retracted lens cover is stored so as to stick to the side wall of the lens barrel, and the main switch is turned on by storing the lens cover.

  In recent years, the miniaturization and thinning of cameras have progressed, and even though the camera has a zoom function, it has become considerably smaller. In this way, when the camera is downsized, hands and fingers often shake the shooting lens when carrying it, and the shooting lens becomes dirty, and there is a lens cover that protects the shooting lens from dirt more than the camera described above. It becomes necessary. A zoom camera with a sliding lens cover improves portability and aesthetics when not in use when the taking lens is retracted. This type of camera is called a capsule type, and when a lens cover that covers an imaging lens in a non-use state is slid, the imaging lens is exposed and a power switch is turned on to enable imaging.

However, even in such a capsule type camera, the lens cover is literally used only for the purpose of opening or shielding the photographing lens, and thus cannot be said to be fully utilized. Therefore, Patent Document 3 below proposes a structure in which a zoom switch for driving a zoom lens is turned on / off using the overstroke of the lens cover.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-098216 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-183965 JP 09-197479 A

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 3, the zoom switch is turned on in the same direction as the opening / closing direction of the lens cover. Therefore, in the proposal of a simple structure, the photographing lens has to go to the tele end or the wide end. The one-way drive that does not invert and the proposed structure that can arbitrarily drive both tele / wide are considerably complicated, and many problems remain to be solved.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention has a conventional slide type lens cover with a zoom operation function that can selectively drive both tele / wide as well as a function to turn on / off the power switch. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera with a zoom function that proposes a slide-type lens cover that realizes these with a simple structure, and that improves operability, saves space, and reduces costs.

  The camera with a zoom function includes a lens cover that can slide between a closed position that covers the photographing lens and the lens barrel and an open position that exposes the lens and the lens barrel. A power switch that is turned on when the lens cover is moved to the open position; and a zoom switch that changes a focal length of the photographing lens. When the lens cover is in the open position, the zoom switch can be turned on. In addition, the power switch is turned on at a position beyond the position where the photographing field angle of incident light to the photographing lens is secured.

  The zoom switch is turned on when the lens cover moves in a direction different from the sliding movement direction. The zoom switch is provided with two switches, a tele switch that moves the focal length of the photographing lens in the long focus direction and a wide switch that moves in the short focus direction. The zoom switch is turned on by sliding the lens cover up or down at the open position. Alternatively, the zoom switch is turned on by rotating at the open position. Alternatively, the zoom switch is turned on by pressing a specific part of the lens cover at the open position.

  By adopting the zoom switch structure of the slide type lens cover according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated zoom switch, so that the space saving is large and the operability is improved because the operation member is large, and the structure is simple. Therefore, it is possible to provide a camera with a zoom function that realizes cost reduction.

  A digital camera with a zoom function with a slide type lens cover according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. A digital camera 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 includes a sliding lens cover 11 according to the present invention. The camera body 12 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is configured to wrap the photographing mechanism from the front and rear by a front cover 13 and a rear cover 14. In addition to the lens cover 11, the front cover 13 is provided with a finder objective window 15 constituting an optical finder.

  When the lens cover 11 is slid from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG. 2, the lens barrel 17 and the strobe light emitting unit 18 on which the photographing lens 16 is mounted are exposed to the front. A shutter button 19 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 12.

  An LCD panel 20 which is a display means for displaying an image is provided on the back surface of the camera body 12, and the surface of the LCD panel 20 is a touch panel. An operation icon displayed on the LCD panel 20 can be operated by touching the touch panel using a user's finger or an attached operation pen (not shown). The LCD panel 20 displays a through image, a reproduction image, various setting screens, and the like.

  In addition, the viewfinder eyepiece window 21 constituting the optical viewfinder, the mode selection button 22 that is slid when switching the mode between the shooting mode and the playback mode, and the forward and backward playback of the playback image in the playback mode. Operation members such as a feed button 23 and a return button 24 to be pressed, a menu button 25, a cancel button 26, and a display button 27 are provided.

  The menu button 25 is pressed when displaying the menu screen on the LCD panel 20. The cancel button 26 is pressed to stop various setting operations on the menu screen or return to the previous screen. The display button 27 is pressed when the LCD panel 20 is switched on / off.

  The shutter button 19 provided on the upper surface of the camera body 12 is a two-stage push button. When the shutter button 19 is half-pressed, various shooting preparation processes are executed. When this is done, the shooting process is executed. A slot 30 is provided on the side surface of the camera body 12. A memory card 31 on which image data is recorded is detachably loaded in the slot 30. Captured image data is written and stored in the memory card 31.

  The power switch 35, zoom switches 36 and 37, and structures related thereto will be described with reference to an exploded perspective view shown in FIG. Both the power switch 35 and zoom switches 36 and 37 are attached to a substrate 38 incorporated in the rear cover 14.

  On the back surface of the lens cover 11, there are provided two bosses 11 a and 11 b to which the pressing plate 39 is attached and a rib 11 c that comes into contact with the power switch 35 and is turned on. The bosses 11a and 11b are fitted into guide grooves 13a provided in the front cover 13, and the pressing plate 38 is attached to the bosses 11a and 11b so that the front cover 13 is sandwiched by screws 40. As a result, the bosses 11a and 11b of the lens cover 11 can be slid left and right on the front cover 13 with the guide grooves 13a guiding them.

  One end of the toggle spring 41 is pivotally supported by a boss 13 b provided on the front cover 13, and the other end is engaged with a boss 11 a of the lens cover 11. Always receiving force in either direction of the open position.

  The right end of the guide groove 13a is a closed position that completely covers the taking lens 16, and the left end of the guide groove 13a is an open position that exceeds the position at which the taking lens 16 is completely exposed. The left end of the guide groove 13a is T-shaped, and the boss 11b can move up and down. At this time, since the boss 11a is fitted in the guide groove 13a, the lens cover 11 in the open position is slightly rotatable with the boss 11a as a fulcrum.

  One end of the pressing plate 38 has a pressing piece 39 a for turning on / off the zoom switches 36 and 37. The pressing piece 39a is located between the zoom switches 36 and 37 when the lens cover 11 is in the open position, and turns the zoom switches 36 and 37 on and off by moving up and down.

  In FIG. 5 showing the electrical configuration of the digital camera 10, the digital camera 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 50, a charge coupled device (CCD) 51, a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 52, and an amplifier circuit (AMP). ) 53, A / D conversion circuit 54, image input controller 55, image signal processing circuit 56, compression processing circuit 57, LCD driver 58, timing generator 60, motor driver 61, iris driver 62, AF (automatic distance adjustment) / AE (Automatic exposure adjustment) / AWB (Automatic white balance adjustment) processing circuit 63, system memory 64, media controller 65, data bus 66, and the like are provided on a circuit board (not shown). A strobe circuit 67 is mounted on another substrate.

  The CPU 50 transmits a control signal to each unit via the data bus 46 and receives a response signal from each unit, and comprehensively controls the operation of each unit. The CPU 50 is electrically connected to an operation member such as the release button 18, and receives an operation input signal from the release button 18 and causes each unit to execute processing associated with half-pressing and full-pressing of the release button 18. Further, each unit is operated in accordance with an operation input signal input from each operation member, and various types of information are read from the system memory 64 to the system memory 64 to execute processing.

  The AF / AE / AWB processing circuit 63 performs exposure calculation, focal position calculation, and white balance amount calculation based on the image data. When automatic focus position detection is performed, for example, only a high frequency component of a luminance level is detected from an imaging signal and integrated, and the integrated value is output to the CPU 50 as a focus evaluation value. Further, the white balance amount is detected from the image data and output to the CPU 50. Based on the detection result, the operations of the motor driver 61 and the timing generator 60 are controlled to adjust the aperture value, the white balance amount, and the like to optimum values.

  The AF / AE / AWB processing circuit 63 operates in a predetermined cycle while displaying a through image. During the display of the through image, the lens 16 is driven by the motor driver 61 and the diaphragm 45 is controlled by the iris driver 62 according to the value determined by the AF / AE / AWB processing circuit 63. When the appropriate exposure amount cannot be obtained only by the aperture diameter, the charge accumulation time of the CCD 51 is controlled.

  The imaging lens 16 includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, and the like, and these movements are performed by driving a lens motor. The lens motor is connected to the motor driver 61, and the motor driver 61 is connected to the CPU 50. The CPU 50 drives the lens motor by controlling the motor driver 61. An iris driver 42 that controls the diaphragm 25 that adjusts the brightness of the imaging lens 12 is connected to the CPU 50. When the zoom switch 36 or 37 is turned on, the signal is sent to the CPU 50, the lens motor is driven by the motor driver 61, and the focal length of the imaging lens 16 is changed (zooming).

  A CCD 51 is disposed behind the imaging lens 12, and the imaging lens 12 forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 51. The CCD 51 photoelectrically converts the subject image formed on the light receiving surface by the imaging lens 12 and outputs an imaging signal. The CCD 51 is connected to a timing generator 60, and the timing generator 60 is connected to the CPU 50. Then, the CPU 50 controls the timing generator 60 to generate a timing signal (clock pulse). The CCD 51 is driven by a timing signal input from the timing generator 60.

  The image pickup signal output from the CCD 51 is input to the CDS 52 and output as R, G, and B image data that accurately corresponds to the amount of charge accumulated in each cell of the CCD 51. The image data output from the CDS 52 is amplified by the AMP 53 and converted into digital image data by the A / D conversion circuit 54.

  The image input controller 55 is connected to the CPU 50 via the data bus 66 and controls the CCD 51, the CDS 52 and the A / D conversion circuit 54 in accordance with a control command from the CPU 50. The image data output from the A / D conversion circuit 54 is temporarily recorded in the system memory 64. The system memory 64 includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and stores various programs and setting information for controlling the digital camera 10, and temporarily stores programs read by the CPU 50, acquired image data, and the like. It functions as a buffer.

  The image signal processing circuit 56 reads the image data from the system memory 64, performs various image processing such as gradation conversion and γ correction processing, and records the image data in the system memory 64 again. The image data temporarily stored in the system memory 64 is converted into an analog composite signal by the LCD driver 58 and displayed on the LCD panel 20 as a through image.

  The compression processing circuit 57 performs image compression on the image data subjected to the image processing by the image signal processing circuit 56 in a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG format). The compressed image data is stored in the memory card 31 via the media controller 65.

  Next, the ON timing of the power switch 35 due to the movement of the lens cover 11 will be described with reference to the top view shown in FIG. When the lens cover 11 is in the closed position (a in FIG. 6), the power switch 35 is off. When the lens cover 11 is slid in the opening direction and passes the vicinity of the center, the lens cover 11 is moved to the opening position (d in FIG. 6) at once by the urging force of the toggle spring 41. At this time, the photographing lens 16 is completely exposed just before the opening position (a in FIG. 6), and the angle of view (θ) for photographing is ensured. Subsequently, the lens barrel portion 17 is exposed (FIG. 6C), and can be extended to the long focal point side by zooming. Thereafter, the rib 11c provided on the lens cover 11 presses the lever portion 35a of the power switch 35, the power switch 35 is turned on, and the lens cover 11 reaches the open position (d in FIG. 6).

  The on / off control of the zoom switches 36 and 37 by the movement of the lens cover 11 will be described (see FIG. 4). When the lens cover 11 is closed, both the power switch 35 and the zoom switches 36 and 37 are off. The lens cover 11 can be rotated around the boss 11a at the open position, and can be rotated clockwise only by lightly pressing the lens cover 11 from below, and the pressing plate 39 also rotates. Accordingly, the pressing piece 39a pushes the lever portion 36a of the zoom switch 36, and the zoom switch 36 is turned on. The zoom switch 36 moves the photographing lens 16 to the long focal point side.

  Next, when the lens cover 11 is lightly pressed from above, the lens cover 11 rotates in the opposite direction, and the pressing plate 39 also rotates in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the pressing piece 39a pushes the lever portion 37a of the zoom switch 37, and the zoom switch 37 is turned on. The zoom switch 37 moves the photographing lens 16 to the short focus side.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the number of zoom switches is not necessarily two, and one three-terminal switch such as the zoom switch 77 may be used. In this case, it can be used as a fork like a pressing piece 78a, sandwiching the operation portion 77a of the zoom switch 77, off at the center position, tilted up to tele, and tilted down to wide.

  Next, another embodiment of the digital camera 70 will be described. In the guide groove 73a provided in the front cover 73 of the digital camera 70 shown in FIG. 7, not only the boss 11b but also the boss 11a can be moved vertically when the lens cover 11 is in the open position. ing. As a result, the lens cover 11 does not rotate at the open position, but slides up and down to turn on the zoom switches 36a and 36b.

  Next, a digital camera 80 as a third embodiment mobile phone will be described with reference to an exploded view with the lens cover 81 shown in FIG. 8 removed. The front cover 83 of the digital camera 80 is provided with openings 83d and 83e in the vicinity of the upper and lower centers of the front surface, and the pressing portions of the push-type zoom switches 86 and 87 installed in the camera body 82 are the openings 83d and 83e. It is exposed from. On the upper and lower sides of the right side of the lens cover 81, a tele (T) mark 81f and a wide (W) mark 81g are printed. On the back side of the T mark 81f and the W mark 81g, pressing protrusions 81d and 81e for pressing the pressing portions of the zoom switches 86 and 87 are provided. When the lens cover 81 is in the open position, the pressing protrusion 81d and 81e are positions where the pressing portions of the zoom switches 86 and 87 can be pressed.

  Similar to the camera according to the above-described embodiment, the lens cover 81 is operated in the opening direction and set to the opening position. Here, since the pressing protrusions 81d and 81e are positioned so as to face the openings 83d and 83e, the upper and lower sides of the lens cover 81 have bosses 81a and 81b fitted in the guide grooves 83a as fulcrums. Thus, the pressing protrusions 81d and 81e can enter the openings 83d and 83e, respectively.

  When the T mark 81f of the lens cover 81 is pressed here, the pressing protrusion 81d presses the pressing portion of the zoom switch 86, and the zoom switch 86 is turned on. As a result, the photographing lens 16 moves to the long focal point side. When the W mark 81g is pressed, the pressing protrusion 81e presses the pressing portion of the zoom switch 87, and the zoom switch 87 is turned on. As a result, the photographing lens 16 moves to the short focal side.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lens cover 11 completely exposes the lens barrel portion 17 and then is turned on by pressing the power switch 35. However, the lens cover 11 does not necessarily have to be turned on at that position. It may be turned on immediately after 11 starts to open. In this case, when the finger is removed from the lens cover 11, the lens cover 11 returns to the closed position, and the power switch 35 is turned off.

  Also, in the case of a digital camera, it takes some time from the power-on until the preparation for shooting is completed, so if the power switch is turned on before opening the lens cover, the time from opening the lens cover until the preparation for shooting is completed Has the effect of shortening. A push-type switch structure as in the third embodiment may be adopted for the power switch so that the power switch is turned on before the lens cover is opened. In this case, it is preferable to use an opening / closing method by a motor. When a predetermined position of the lens cover is pressed, the power switch is turned on, and then the lens cover is opened. Pressing another position on the lens cover closes the lens cover and turns off the power switch.

  Or you may make it the structure which opens and closes a lens cover by manual operation instead of the automatic opening and closing by a motor. In this case, it is possible to prevent the angle of view from being kicked by providing a photographing permission switch that is turned on after the photographing lens 16 or the lens barrel 17 is completely exposed and the angle of view of the photographing lens is secured.

  In the above embodiment, the digital camera has been described. However, the present invention may be implemented in a camera using a silver salt photographic film.

It is the perspective view which looked at the digital camera of the state which closed the lens cover which is embodiment of this invention from the front. It is the perspective view which looked at the digital camera of the state which opened the lens cover from the front. It is the perspective view which looked at the digital camera from back. It is the perspective view which looked at the digital camera of the state which opened the lens cover from the front. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a digital camera. It is a figure explaining the position when opening a lens cover. It is a figure which shows a zoom switch and a pressing piece when a 3 terminal switch is used for a zoom switch. It is a perspective view when the lens cover of the digital camera by another embodiment is removed. It is a perspective view when the lens cover of the digital camera by 3rd Embodiment is removed.

Explanation of symbols

10, 70, 80 Digital camera 11, 81 Lens cover 16 Shooting lens 17 Lens barrel 35 Power switch 36, 37, 77, 86, 87 Zoom switch

Claims (6)

In a camera with a zoom function, comprising a lens cover that is slidable between a closed position that covers the photographic lens and an open position that exposes the photographic lens, and a zoom switch that changes the focal length of the photographic lens.
The zoom function camera according to claim 1, wherein the zoom switch is turned on when the lens cover moves in a direction different from the sliding movement direction.   The camera with a zoom function according to claim 1, wherein the zoom switch can be turned on when the lens cover is in the open position. The zoom switch is provided with two switches, a tele switch for moving the focal length of the photographing lens in the long focus direction and a wide switch for moving in the short focus direction.
3. The camera with a zoom function according to claim 2, wherein when the lens cover is in the open position, one of the two zoom switches is turned on by sliding up or down.   3. The camera with a zoom function according to claim 2, wherein when the lens cover is in the open position, one of the two zoom switches is turned on by rotating the lens cover to the left or right.   3. The camera with a zoom function according to claim 2, wherein when the lens cover is in the open position, one of the two zoom switches is turned on by pressing a specific portion. A power switch that is turned on / off by the sliding movement of the lens cover;
The camera with a zoom function according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lens cover turns on the power switch at a position beyond a position for securing a photographing field angle of incident light to the photographing lens.

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