JP2012242614A - Electronic camera back - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable combination with a camera to which attachment of an electronic camera back is not intended.SOLUTION: An electronic camera back 101 includes: fixation members 16 and 17 for removable attachment to a camera body; an imaging element 103 that, in the state of being fixed to the camera body by the fixation members 16 and 17, picks up a subject image by a photographing optical system on the camera body side; an operation member; and a first imaging control unit that causes the imaging element 103 to start imaging operation in response to an operation signal from the operation member.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera back.

  In place of the back cover provided on the camera body of a silver salt film camera, a cover member provided with an image sensor is attached to the camera body, so that a subject image obtained by the photographing optical system on the camera body side is captured and electronically captured. Still video back for obtaining image data is known (see Patent Document 1). Since the still video back performs a predetermined communication with the circuit on the side of the silver salt camera, the silver salt film camera is provided with a communication function in advance to be combined with the still video back.

JP-A-2-301378

  The conventional technology has a problem that it cannot be used unless it is combined with a camera equipped with a communication function, with the electronic camera back planned to be mounted in advance.

(1) An electronic camera back according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a fixing member for detachably mounting on the camera body, and a photographing optical system on the camera body side in a state of being fixed to the camera body by the fixing member. An image pickup device that picks up an image of a subject and outputs an image signal, an operation member, and a first image pickup control unit that causes the image pickup device to start an image pickup operation in response to an operation signal from the operation member. .
(2) An electronic camera back according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a fixing member for detachably mounting on the camera body, and a photographing optical system on the camera body side in a state of being fixed to the camera body by the fixing member. An imaging device that captures a subject image and outputs an image signal; an operation member; and a second imaging control unit that causes the imaging device to start and end an imaging operation in response to an operation signal from the operation member. Features.

  The electronic camera bag according to the present invention can be combined with a camera that is not scheduled to be mounted.

It is a front view which illustrates the silver salt film camera combined with the electronic camera back by one embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the silver salt film camera illustrated in FIG. It is a rear view of the silver salt film camera which opened the back cover. It is a figure which illustrates the electronic camera back by this embodiment. It is a rear view of the camera body 2 equipped with an electronic camera back. It is a figure which illustrates the circuit block of an electronic camera back. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the process which CPU performs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a silver salt film camera combined with an electronic camera back according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a photographing lens 1 is attached to a camera body 2 of a silver salt film camera. The photographing lens 1 includes a lens for forming an image of a subject on a photosensitive member (film, an image sensor in an electronic camera back), and a diaphragm.

  The camera body 2 is configured to maintain light tightness in a state in which the photographing lens 1 is attached. On the upper surface of the camera body 2, a release button 3, a winding lever 4 and a rewinding knob 5 are provided. The camera body 2 has a known shutter mechanism for exposing the photosensitive member for a predetermined time. When the release button 3 is pressed in a state where preparation for photographing is completed, the shutter mechanism starts running the shutter curtain. The photosensitive member is exposed for a predetermined time.

  The winding lever 4 is operated when winding the film by 1 mm. The camera body 2 is configured to perform a preparatory operation for driving the shutter mechanism along with film winding. Thereby, the shutter release operation when the release button 3 is pressed down next becomes possible.

  The rewind knob 5 is operated to wind up all the photographed films in the film cartridge loaded in the camera body 2 so that the cartridge can be taken out. Further, the back cover 7 described later is configured to open when the rewind knob 5 is pulled upward by a predetermined amount.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of the silver salt film camera illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 2, the camera body 2 is provided with a viewfinder eyepiece window 6 and a back cover 7. The photographer observes an optical image from the viewfinder through the eyepiece window 6. The back cover 7 is opened by the pulling-up operation of the rewind knob 5 as described above. Loading and unloading of the film cartridge is performed with the back cover 7 opened.

  FIG. 3 is a rear view of the silver salt film camera illustrating the state where the back cover 7 is opened. In FIG. 3, the back cover 7 is configured to be rotatable about a hinge 17. A pressure plate 8 is provided inside the back cover 7. The pressure plate 8 is processed so that the surface thereof has high flatness and slidability. The back cover key B16 engages with the back cover key A13 provided on the cartridge chamber 12 side of the camera body 2 with the back cover 7 closed.

  The outer rails 9a and 9b are disposed below and above the opening 11, respectively. Both rails 9 a and 9 b are provided at positions equivalent to each other with respect to the optical axis direction of the photographing lens 1. When the back cover 7 is closed, the outer rails 9 a and 9 b are configured to be in close contact with the pressure plate 8. The inner rails 10a and 10b are slightly lower in height than the outer rails 9a and 9b and close to the optical axis of the photographic lens 1 and are provided at positions equivalent to each other in the optical axis direction. The inner rail 10 a is located below the opening 11, and the inner rail 10 b is located above the opening 11. Since the inner rails 10a and 10b are slightly lower than the outer rails 9a and 9b (provided on the photographing lens 1 side), there is a slight space between the inner rails 10a and 10b and the pressure plate 8 with the back cover 7 closed. Is obtained. The film is fed through this space while maintaining high flatness.

  The opening 11 determines a range in which an image taken by the photographing lens 1 is projected on the film. In FIG. 3, the shutter curtain is not shown for explaining the opening 11. The cartridge chamber 12 is a space for loading a film cartridge. The back cover key A13 moves upward in conjunction with the pulling up of the rewind knob 5 and releases the engagement with the back cover key B16. The back cover 7 is opened by this disengagement.

  The sprocket 14 and the spool 15 rotate in conjunction with the operation of the winding lever 4. The sprocket 14 feeds one film by rotation, and the spool 15 winds up the film fed by the sprocket 14 without slack.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the electronic camera back 101 according to the present embodiment. The electronic camera back 101 is attached in place of the back cover 7 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 4, the hinge 17 and the back cover key B <b> 16 are the same as the hinge 17 and the back cover key B <b> 16 provided on the back cover 7. Unlike the pressure plate 8 in the back cover 7, the electronic camera back 101 is provided with an image sensor holding plate 102 that holds the image sensor 103. When the electronic camera back 101 is attached to the camera body 2 and the back cover key A13 and the back cover key B16 are engaged, the image sensor 103 faces the opening 11.

  The hinge 17 has a movable pin 17a at the top and a fixed pin 17b at the bottom. In a state where the pins 17a and 17b are fitted in the holes on the camera body 2, the electronic camera back 101 rotates around the pins 17a and 17b. The movable pin 17a is normally pushed upward by a spring (not shown). When the pin 17c coming out of the long hole portion 17d is pushed downward against the spring, the movable pin 17a retracts downward, so that the electronic camera back 101 can be attached to and detached from the camera body 2.

  FIG. 5 is a rear view of the camera body 2 to which the electronic camera back 101 is attached. The power switch 111 is a power switch for the electronic camera back 101. In the present embodiment, the power source for the electronic camera back 101 and the power source on the camera body 2 side are configured independently. The mode switch 112 is an operation member for switching the operation mode of the electronic camera back 101 between the A mode and the B mode. Details of the A mode and the B mode will be described later. The liquid crystal monitor 113 displays a reproduction image based on image data, an operation menu, and the like.

  The multi-mode selector 114 generates operation signals corresponding to the up / down / left / right operation directions. The accumulation start switch 115 is an operation member for instructing the electronic camera back 101 to perform imaging (charge accumulation in the image sensor 103). The LED 116 is a display member for informing the accumulation operation state. The operation switch group 117 is an operation member for instructing enlargement or reduction of a reproduction image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 113, an instruction to delete image data, and an instruction to change display.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a circuit block of the electronic camera back 101. The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the electronic camera back 101 by executing a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 206. Connected to the CPU 201 are a power switch 111, a timer setting circuit 205, a liquid crystal monitor 113, an imaging circuit 203, a memory card 204, a storage start switch 115, an LED 116, a mode switch 112, a nonvolatile memory 206, and a memory 207. .

  The timer setting circuit 205 sets a timer function for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 has a function of measuring time based on setting information from the timer setting circuit 205. The timer setting circuit 205 is configured to hold setting information related to the timer function in addition to the setting for the CPU 201. The battery 202 supplies power to each circuit in the electronic camera back 101 when the power switch 111 is turned on.

  The imaging circuit 203 includes an imaging element 103 (FIG. 4), and captures a subject image to generate an imaging signal. Specifically, a current flowing through a light receiving element configured for each pixel is accumulated, and image data is generated in units of pixels based on the accumulated signal. The imaging circuit 203 performs predetermined signal processing on the generated image data and sends it to the CPU 201. The imaging circuit 203 is brought into a state where the accumulation operation can be performed based on a signal from the CPU 201 (referred to as a standby state), and the standby state is released based on a signal from the CPU 201. The image sensor 103 is configured by a CMOS image sensor or the like in which light receiving elements are two-dimensionally arranged on the imaging surface.

  The memory card 204 is configured to be removable from the electronic camera back 101. The CPU 201 records image data on the memory card 204 and reads image data from the memory card 204. The LED 116 can be turned on, blinked, and turned off according to an instruction from the CPU 201. The LED 116 can also switch the emission colors of green, red, and amber. The memory 207 is used not only as a work memory for the CPU 201 but also as a memory for temporarily storing image data.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing executed by the CPU 201. When power is supplied from the battery 202, the CPU 201 activates the program for performing the processing in FIG. 7 and repeatedly executes it until the power supply is terminated. In step S1 of FIG. 7, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the mode is A mode. When the operation signal from the mode switch 112 to the A mode side is input from the mode switch 112, the CPU 201 makes a positive determination in step S1 and proceeds to step S2. When an operation signal from the mode changeover switch 112 to the B mode side is input, the CPU 201 makes a negative determination in step S1 and proceeds to step S8.

  The A mode is an operation mode in which a pressing operation by the accumulation start switch 115 is set to the standby state. The B mode is an operation mode in which the standby state is set from when the accumulation start switch 115 is pressed until the accumulation start switch 115 is pressed again.

  When proceeding to step S2, the CPU 201 performs an A mode operation. The photographer in the A mode depresses the release button 3 of the camera body 2 while depressing the accumulation start switch 115. The CPU 201 determines whether or not the accumulation switch (accumulation start switch 115) is turned on in step S2. When the operation signal is input from the accumulation start switch 115, the CPU 201 makes a positive determination in step S2, and proceeds to step S3. When the operation signal is not input from the accumulation start switch 115, the CPU 201 makes a negative determination in step S2, waits for the operation of the accumulation start switch 115 by repeating the determination process.

  In step S3, the CPU 201 sends an instruction to the imaging circuit 203 to enter a standby state, and proceeds to step S4. Thus, when subject light is incident on the image sensor 103, an accumulation operation is performed according to the intensity of the incident light. In step S4, the CPU 201 turns on the LED 116 and proceeds to step S5. The lighting display of the LED 116 indicates that it is in a standby state.

  In step S5, the CPU 201 determines whether the ON operation of the accumulation switch is continued. When the operation signal is continuously input from the accumulation start switch 115, the CPU 201 makes a positive determination in step S5 and repeats the determination process. In this case, the standby state is continued. On the other hand, if the operation signal is no longer input from the accumulation start switch 115, the CPU 201 makes a negative determination in step S5 and proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the CPU 201 sends an instruction to the imaging circuit 203 to end the standby state, and proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the CPU 201 turns off the LED 116 and proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the CPU 201 performs a recording process and ends the process shown in FIG. In the recording process, image data is generated based on the accumulated signal acquired by the imaging circuit 203, and the image data is recorded on the memory card 204.

  When proceeding to step S8, the CPU 201 performs the operation in the B mode. The photographer in the B mode depresses the accumulation start switch 115 and then depresses the release button 3 of the camera body 2. The CPU 201 determines whether or not the accumulation switch is turned on in step S8. When the operation signal from the accumulation start switch 115 changes from off to on, the CPU 201 makes an affirmative decision in step S8 and proceeds to step S9. If the operation signal from the accumulation start switch 115 does not change from OFF to ON, the CPU 201 makes a negative determination in step S8, repeats the determination process, and waits for a change in the operation signal.

  In step S9, the CPU 201 sends an instruction to the image pickup circuit 203 to enter a standby state, starts timer timing, and proceeds to step S10. Thus, when subject light is incident on the image sensor 103, an accumulation operation is performed according to the intensity of the incident light. In step S10, the CPU 201 turns on the LED 116 and proceeds to step S11. The lighting display of the LED 116 indicates that it is in a standby state.

  In step S11, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the accumulation switch is turned on again. When the operation signal from the accumulation start switch 115 changes from off to on, the CPU 201 makes a positive determination in step S11 and proceeds to step S6. If the operation signal from the accumulation start switch 115 does not change from off to on, the CPU 201 makes a negative determination in step S11 and proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the time count T1 has elapsed. When the time measured by the timer reaches T1, the CPU 201 makes a positive determination in step S12 and proceeds to step S13. Time T1 corresponds to the elapsed time in the standby state. If the measured time is less than T1, the CPU 201 makes a negative determination in step S12 and returns to step S11. When returning from step S12 to step S11, the stand-by state is maintained (LED 116 is lit) and waits.

  In step S13, the CPU 201 causes the LED 116 to blink and proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the time count T2 (T2> T1) has elapsed. When the time measured by the timer reaches T2, the CPU 201 makes a positive determination in step S14 and proceeds to step S6. Time T2 corresponds to the elapsed time in the standby state. If the measured time is less than T2, the CPU 201 makes a negative determination in step S14 and returns to step S11. When returning from step S14 to step S11, the standby state is maintained (LED 116 blinking display) and a standby is performed.

  The timer setting circuit 205 stores the values of the timing times T1 and T2 as setting information. Such setting information is configured to be changeable according to an operation signal from the operation switch group 117.

  In the B mode, even if the accumulation start switch 115 is not kept pressed to enter the standby state, the standby state is maintained for a predetermined time (time keeping time T2). Since the LED 116 is switched from the lighting display to the blinking display after the time T1 has elapsed, it is possible to notify the photographer that the automatic end of the standby state is imminent.

  In the B mode, the standby state is terminated if the accumulation start switch 115 is turned on even before the predetermined time (timed time T2) is reached. Even if the accumulation start switch 115 is not operated again, the standby state is automatically ended when a predetermined time (timed time T2) is reached.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) The electronic camera back 101 is fixed to the camera body 2 by a hinge 17 and a back cover key B16 for detachably attaching to the camera body 2 and the hinge 17 and the back cover key B16. An image sensor 103 that captures a subject image by the two-side photographic lens 1 and outputs an image signal, an accumulation start switch 115, and causes the image sensor 103 to start an imaging operation in response to an operation signal from the accumulation start switch 115. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately capture an image in combination with a camera (body) to which the electronic camera back 101 is not scheduled to be mounted.

(2) In the electronic camera back 101 of (1) above, the electronic camera back 101 further includes a CPU 201 that measures the elapsed time after the start of the imaging operation, and the CPU 201 ends the imaging operation of the image sensor 103 when the first predetermined time is measured. As a result, wasteful power consumption can be prevented.

(3) Since the electronic camera back 101 of (2) is further provided with the timer setting circuit 205 for changing the first predetermined time, the time for ending the imaging operation can be changed.

(4) In the electronic camera back 101 of the above (2) or (3), the LED 116 and the LED 116 are controlled so that the first display mode is set during the imaging operation and the second display mode is set during the non-imaging operation. Since the CPU 201 is further provided, the operation state can be visually notified.

(5) In the electronic camera back 101 of (4) above, the CPU 201 sets the first display mode until the second predetermined time that is shorter than the first predetermined time is set, and counts the first time after measuring the second predetermined time. Since the LED 116 is further controlled so as to be in the third display mode until the predetermined time is counted, it is possible to visually notify the end of the imaging operation soon.

(6) In the electronic camera back 101 of the above (2) to (5), the CPU 201 is further configured to terminate the imaging operation when receiving a second operation signal from the accumulation start switch 115 after starting the imaging operation. The imaging operation can be ended before the time for ending the imaging operation has elapsed.

(7) The electronic camera back 101 has a hinge 17 and a back cover key B16 for detachably mounting on the camera body 2 and is fixed to the camera body 2 by the hinge 17 and the back cover key B16. The image sensor 103 that captures a subject image by the two-side photographic lens 1 and outputs an image signal, the accumulation start switch 115, and the image sensor 103 starts an imaging operation in response to an operation signal from the accumulation start switch 115 and Since the CPU 201 is terminated, it is possible to appropriately capture images in combination with a camera (body) that the electronic camera back 101 is not scheduled to be mounted.

(8) In the electronic camera back 101 of (7) above, the CPU 201 continues the imaging operation while the accumulation start switch 115 is operated, and ends the imaging operation when the accumulation start switch 115 is not operated. Thus, the photographer can easily start and end the imaging operation.

(9) In the electronic camera back 101 of the above (7), the CPU 201 is configured to terminate the imaging operation when receiving another operation signal from the accumulation start switch 115 after starting the imaging operation. In this case, it is not necessary to continue to operate the accumulation start switch 115, so that the operation burden on the photographer is reduced.

(10) Since the CPU 201 of (6), the CPU 201 of (8), and the CPU 201 that controls imaging of any one of these CPUs 201 are provided, for example, the necessary exposure time can be obtained. Appropriate imaging control can be selected.

(Modification 1)
If the image sensor 103 is not exposed even though the electronic camera back 101 is in the standby state, the photographer may be informed accordingly. For example, when the CPU 201 determines that the exposure is not performed when the time measured by the timer reaches 2 seconds, the CPU 116 changes the display color of the LED 116 from green to red. The presence / absence of exposure is determined based on whether a signal is read from the image sensor 103 for a predetermined pixel and the read signal exceeds a predetermined determination threshold. In the case of exposure, the signal value is higher than the determination threshold value.

  According to the first modification, it is possible to prevent the standby state from becoming longer by prompting the photographer to press the release button 3. This is because, if the standby state becomes longer, noise is generated due to heat generation and power consumption is also increased. In order to determine the presence or absence of exposure, a luminance sensor may be provided separately from the image sensor 103 and the presence or absence of exposure may be determined based on the output of the luminance sensor.

(Modification 2)
If the standby state of the electronic camera back 101 is not released even though the image sensor 103 is exposed, the photographer may be informed accordingly. For example, when the CPU 201 determines that the exposure has already been performed when the time measured by the timer reaches 2 seconds, the CPU 201 changes the display color of the LED 116 from green to red. The presence / absence of exposure is determined based on, for example, whether a signal is read from the image sensor 103 for a predetermined pixel and the read signal exceeds a predetermined determination threshold. In the case of exposure, the signal value is higher than the determination threshold value. In order to determine the presence or absence of exposure, a luminance sensor may be provided separately from the image sensor 103 and the presence or absence of exposure may be determined based on the output of the luminance sensor.

  According to the second modification, it is possible to prevent the standby state from becoming longer by prompting the photographer to operate the accumulation start switch 115. If the standby state becomes longer, it causes noise and power consumption also increases.

(Modification 3)
Instead of notifying the photographer by changing the display color of the LED 116 described above, or by changing the display color, an alarm sound such as an electronic sound may be notified to the photographer.

  The above description is merely an example, and is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Shooting lens 2 ... Camera body 3 ... Release button 7 ... Back cover 16 ... Back cover key B
17 ... Hinges
101 ... Electronic camera back 103 ... Image sensor 112 ... Mode changeover switch 113 ... Liquid crystal monitor 115 ... Accumulation start switch 116 ... LED
201 ... CPU
203 ... Imaging circuit 204 ... Memory card 205 ... Timer setting circuit 206 ... Non-volatile memory

Claims (12)

A fixing member for detachably attaching to the camera body;
An imaging device that captures a subject image by a photographing optical system on the camera body side and outputs an image signal in a state of being fixed to the camera body by the fixing member;
An operation member;
A first imaging control unit that causes the imaging device to start an imaging operation in response to an operation signal from the operation member;
An electronic camera bag comprising: The electronic camera back according to claim 1,
Further comprising a timekeeping unit for measuring an elapsed time after the start of the imaging operation,
The electronic camera back according to claim 1, wherein the first imaging control unit terminates the imaging operation of the imaging device when the first predetermined time is counted by the timing unit. The electronic camera back according to claim 2,
An electronic camera back, further comprising a time measuring time changing unit for changing the first predetermined time. The electronic camera back according to claim 2 or 3,
A display unit;
A display control unit that controls the display unit so that the imaging operation is the first display mode and the non-imaging operation is the second display mode;
An electronic camera bag, further comprising: The electronic camera back according to claim 4,
The display control unit sets the first display mode until a second predetermined time that is shorter than the first predetermined time is counted by the time measuring unit, and after the second predetermined time is measured by the time measuring unit, An electronic camera back, wherein the display unit is further controlled so as to have a third display mode until the first predetermined time is counted. In the electronic camera back according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
A determination unit that determines the presence or absence of exposure based on incident light from the object scene;
An informing unit for informing when the third predetermined time is measured in the time measuring unit without determining that there is exposure in the determining unit;
An electronic camera bag, further comprising: In the electronic camera back according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The electronic camera back according to claim 1, wherein the first imaging control unit further ends the imaging operation when receiving an operation signal again from the operation member after starting the imaging operation. A fixing member for detachably attaching to the camera body;
An imaging device that captures a subject image by a photographing optical system on the camera body side and outputs an image signal in a state of being fixed to the camera body by the fixing member;
An operation member;
A second imaging control unit that causes the imaging device to start and end an imaging operation in response to an operation signal from the operation member;
An electronic camera bag comprising: The electronic camera back according to claim 8,
The electronic camera back, wherein the second imaging control unit continues the imaging operation while the operation member is operated, and terminates the imaging operation when the operation member is not operated. The electronic camera back according to claim 8,
The electronic camera back according to claim 1, wherein the second imaging control unit ends the imaging operation when receiving a second operation signal from the operation member after starting the imaging operation. The electronic camera back according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
A timekeeping unit for measuring an elapsed time after starting the imaging operation;
A determination unit that determines the presence or absence of exposure based on a signal from the image sensor;
An informing unit for informing when a predetermined time is measured in the time measuring unit without determining that there is exposure in the determining unit;
An electronic camera bag, further comprising: A first control unit according to claim 7;
A second control unit according to claim 9;
A switching unit that causes either one of the first imaging control unit and the second imaging control unit to perform imaging control;
An electronic camera bag comprising:

Images