JP2016151734A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device that makes it easy to take a picture of photographers themselves.SOLUTION: An imaging device 1 comprises: a first release switch 6 that is disposed in a first face 31 of a housing 3; a second release switch that is disposed in a second face 33 different from the first face 31 of the housing 3; and a stand 2 that is disposed in a third face 34 different from the first face 31 of the housing 3 and the second face 33 thereof, and can hold the housing 3 at a fixed angle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus.

In general, the release switch of the camera is disposed at a position on the right side of the upper surface of the camera housing as viewed from the photographer when the photographer takes a horizontally long image with the optical axis horizontal. There is also a camera in which a display unit provided on the back surface has a vari-angle structure (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
When a photographer takes a selfie with such a camera, the arm is extended and the camera is moved away from him, and the release switch on the upper surface is pressed while checking the image photographed through the display unit.

JP 2011-35766 A

  However, at the position of the conventional release switch, there is a problem that it is difficult to shoot if the front of the camera is directed to the user.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means.
The invention according to claim 1 is a first release switch disposed on a first surface of a housing, a second release switch disposed on a second surface different from the first surface of the housing, and the housing. An imaging device comprising: a stand that is disposed on a third surface different from the first surface and the second surface of the body, and that can hold the housing at a certain angle.
In addition, the said structure may be improved suitably, and at least one part may substitute for another structure.

It is the figure which showed the camera of embodiment, (a) is a front view, (b) is a rear view. It is the figure which showed the form in the case of taking a selfie using a camera, (a) is the state holding the camera by hand, (b) is the state where the camera is erected vertically using the stand part, c) is a state of standing sideways. It is a block diagram of a camera. It is a flowchart in the case of taking a selfie while holding the camera by hand. It is a flowchart in the case of taking a selfie with the camera placed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a camera 1 according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 1A is a front view and FIG. 1B is a rear view.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a mode in which self-portrait is performed using the camera 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2A illustrates a state where the camera is held by hand, and FIG. 2B illustrates a stand unit 2 described later. The camera 1 is erected vertically, and (c) is the erection sideways.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the camera 1.

Note that. In order to facilitate explanation and understanding, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is provided in the drawings as appropriate. In this coordinate system, the direction toward the left side when viewed from the photographer at the position of the camera 1 when the photographer shoots a horizontally long image with the optical axis being horizontal (hereinafter referred to as a normal position, as shown in FIG. 2B). Is the X plus direction.
Further, the direction toward the upper side in the normal position is defined as the Y plus direction.
Furthermore, the direction (optical axis direction) toward the subject at the normal position is the Z plus direction.

Further, the upper surface 31, the lower surface 32, the front surface 33, the rear surface 34, the right surface 35, and the left surface 36 of the camera 1 (housing 3) used in the description in this specification are in the normal positions shown in FIG. It is based on the direction in
The upper surface 31 is the Y plus side surface, the lower surface 32 is the Y minus side surface, the front surface 33 is the Z plus side surface, the back surface 34 is the Z minus side surface, the right surface 35 is the X minus side surface, and the left surface 36 is the X plus side. It is a side surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera 1 of the present embodiment includes a housing 3, a display unit 4, an upper surface release switch 5, a stand unit 2, a front release switch 6, a lens 7, and a light emitting unit. 16.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the camera 1 further includes an imaging device 8, an operation unit 9 including an upper surface release switch 5 and a front release switch 6, an image processing unit 10, a vertical / horizontal detection unit 11, and a display unit position. The detection part 12, the stand part position detection part 13, the gesture detection part 14, the animation display control part 17, and the control part 15 which controls them comprehensively are provided.

In the present embodiment, the display unit 4 is a vari-angle liquid crystal monitor, and is attached to the left surface 36 side of the back surface 34 of the housing 3, so that the photographer can change the posture of the display unit 4.
The display unit 4 displays a through image, a live view image, a menu screen, an image after shooting, and the like under the control of the control unit 15.

  A housing 3a for housing the display unit 4 is provided on the back surface 34 of the housing 3, and the housing 3 and the display unit 4 are shown in FIG. 1B in a state where the display unit 4 is housed in the housing 3a. As shown in FIG.

The display unit 4 is rotatable about a Y1 axis (shown in FIG. 1B) extending along the Y direction on the left surface 36 side of the back surface 34. The display unit 4 can be changed between a state opened from the storage unit 3a and a state stored in the storage unit 3a by rotating around the Y1 axis.
In addition, the display unit 4 is rotatable about the X axis extending in the X direction at the center in the longitudinal direction of the back surface 34 in a state where the display unit 4 is rotated and opened about the Y1 axis. The display unit 4 can invert the display surface 4a and the back surface 4b by rotating about the X axis in a state where the display unit 4 is rotated and opened about the Y1 axis.

  In addition to the top release switch 5 and the front release switch 6, the operation unit 9 includes various input members operated by the user, such as a power switch 9a and a zoom lever 9b.

  The lens 7 is composed of a plurality of optical systems such as a focusing lens (not shown) and a zoom lens, and forms a subject image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 8. The lens 7 is disposed closer to the left (X plus) side of the front surface 33 of the housing 3 (left and right in FIG. 1B). In this embodiment, the lens 7 can be expanded and contracted, and is housed in the housing 3 in the most shortened state.

The upper surface release switch 5 is disposed near the right surface 35 of the upper surface 31 of the housing 3 (X minus side of the surface on the Y plus side).
The upper surface release switch 5 is a two-stage switch, and when pressed lightly (half-press), the first-stage switch S1 is turned on to prepare for release, such as photometry and focus detection, and driving the lens 7 to the in-focus position. Is done. When the switch is pressed deeply (fully pressed), the second-stage switch S2 is turned on and shooting is performed.

The front release switch 6 is disposed at the center portion in the Y direction on the front surface 33 of the housing 3, and slightly closer to the right surface 35 (X minus side) than the center portion in the X direction. That is, it is closer to the right surface 35 than the lens 7.
The front release switch 6 is also a two-stage switch. When pressed lightly (half-press), the first-stage switch S1 is turned on to prepare for release, such as photometry and focus detection, and driving the lens 7 to the in-focus position. Is done. When the switch is pressed deeply (fully pressed), the second-stage switch S2 is turned on and shooting is performed.
When the front release switch 6 is operated, the upper surface release switch 5 does not operate during that time.

  The light emitting unit 16 generates illumination light during shooting according to the brightness of the subject when the second-stage switch is turned on. In addition, it is a mechanism that does not emit light when a hand is worn.

The stand unit 2 is attached to the right surface 35 side of the back surface 34 of the housing 3.
As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the stand unit 2 can rotate around the Y2 axis provided along the Y direction on the right surface 35 side of the back surface 34 of the housing 3.
The stand unit 2 is stored in the back surface 34 of the housing 3 (rotation 0 °), rotated 60 ° from the stored state, and rotated 87 ° (FIGS. 2B and 2C). ))).

  When the stand portion 2 is rotated and fixed at 60 ° or 87 °, the camera 1 can be held in a vertical state with the right surface 35 as the bottom surface as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, the camera 1 can also be held in a state where the camera 1 is laid sideways with the lower surface 32 as a bottom surface.

  The image sensor 8 is an image sensor such as a CMOS, for example, and captures a subject image formed by the lens 7 to generate an image signal. The image sensor 8 outputs the image signal to the image processing unit 10.

  The image processing unit 10 is a part that performs image processing such as interpolation, gradation conversion, and contour enhancement on the image signal input from the image sensor 8.

  The display unit position detection unit 12 detects the rotation of the display unit 4 about the Y1 axis and the rotation about the X axis, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 15. Detection information of the display unit position detection unit 12 is output to the control unit 15, and display control is performed according to the attitude of the display unit 4.

  The stand unit position detection unit 13 detects opening / closing of the stand unit 2 and outputs a detection result to the control unit 15.

  The vertical / horizontal detection unit 11 detects whether the photographer holds the camera 1 in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 15.

  The gesture detection unit 14 outputs a detection result to the control unit 15 when detecting a predetermined gesture indicating the photographing intention of the subject.

The animation display control unit 17 displays an animation on the display unit 4.
When taking a self-portrait, the photographer looks at the display section 4 of the vari-angle and confirms his / her position and appearance. At this time, the line of sight faces the display unit 4, but it is preferable that the line of sight faces the lens 7 when actually photographed.
In order to prevent the deviation of the line of sight, an animation is displayed on the display unit 4 so that the line of sight faces the lens 7.

In the present embodiment, the animation is an arrow or a sentence that prompts a subject including the photographer to see the lens 7.
For example, an arrow indicating the direction of the lens 7 or a display such as “Look down” is displayed. Further, a light may be provided on the outer periphery of the lens 7 to blink. Furthermore, it may be a cartoon or the like that looks like the bottom for children.

  The control unit 15 controls the camera 1 as a whole. Hereinafter, the operation of the control unit 15 in the camera 1 will be mainly described.

(When taking a selfie by hand)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 15 when taking a selfie by hand.
When the power switch 9a is turned on, the control unit 15 displays a through image on the display unit 4 (step S1).

The photographer rotates the display unit 4 about the Y1 axis to open approximately 180 ° as shown in FIG. 2A, and rotates the display unit 4 toward the lens 7 side about the X axis.
When the photographer holds the right side (X minus side) of the housing 3 and makes the camera 1 vertically, the vertical / horizontal detection unit 11 detects that the display unit 4 is in the vertical direction.
The control unit 15 controls the display direction of the display unit 4 based on the detection result of the vertical / horizontal detection unit. In this case, since the vertical / horizontal detection unit 11 detects the vertical direction, the display unit 4 is changed in the vertical direction (step S2).

At that time, the control unit 15 drives the lens 7 to the wide end via the lens driving unit 7a (step S3). Note that the zoom position can be changed to a position other than the wide end by a touch panel operation by the photographer.
Further, the position of the lens 7 (focus lens) may be automatically adjusted according to the distance from the arm length to the face.

  Here, since the lens 7 faces the photographer, the photographer's image is displayed as a through image.

At this time, the control unit 15 also performs face recognition. Face recognition is also possible during image playback.
When performing the face recognition, the control unit 15 displays a frame surrounding the entire face, eyes, and mouth as icons on the display unit 4. For example, the photographer can apply effects such as bear reduction, big eye, mascara, white eye, and eye shadow by touching the eye frame.
Further, when the setting of a predetermined whitening function is turned on via the operation unit 9, it is possible to change the hue of the face while viewing the display unit 4 even during shooting.

When the photographer presses the first-stage switch S1 of the front release switch 6 (half-press), the control unit 15 adjusts the focus by driving the focus lens of the lens 7 via the lens driving unit 7a (step S4). ).
When half-pressed, the control unit 15 displays a sign for guiding the line of sight via the animation display control unit 17 (step S5).
When the photographer presses the second switch S2 (full press), the control unit 15 takes a photograph of the photographer by the image sensor 8 (step S6). The control unit 15 senses the amount of light in the usage environment, and emits illumination light from the light emitting unit 16 when light emission is necessary. In addition, it does not emit light when the hand covers the light emitting unit 16.

(When taking a selfie by placing the camera on the stand)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 15 when the stand unit 2 is set up to take a selfie.
As in the case of handheld, the control unit 15 displays a through image on the display unit 4 when the power is turned on (step S11).

The photographer rotates the display unit 4 about the Y1 axis to open approximately 180 ° as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, and rotates the display unit 4 about the X axis toward the lens 7 side. Turn.
As shown in FIG. 2 (b), in the vertically long state, the vertical / horizontal detection unit 11 detects that the display unit 4 is in the vertical direction. In this case, since the vertical / horizontal detection unit 11 detects the vertical direction, the control unit 15 changes the display unit 4 in the vertical direction.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2C, when in a landscape state, the portrait / width detection unit 11 detects that the display unit 4 is in the horizontal direction. In this case, since the vertical / horizontal detection unit 11 detects the horizontal orientation, the control unit 15 changes the display unit 4 in the horizontal direction (step S12).

In the case of the above-described handheld, the control unit 15 drives the lens 7 to the wide end. However, when the self-portrait is taken with the stand unit 2 set up, the distance between the photographer and the camera 1 is greater than that in the case of handheld. Probability is high.
For this reason, when the control unit 15 detects that the stand unit 2 is opened, the control unit 15 automatically zooms to the tele side rather than the case of hand-held (step S13).
The zoom position may be freely changeable by, for example, a gesture operation by the photographer.

  The control unit 15 captures the subject light incident from the lens 7 by the image sensor 8 and displays it on the display unit 4 as a through image. At this time, since the lens 7 faces the photographer, the photographer's image is displayed as a through image.

  On the through screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, a shooting mark 18 of a camera mark is displayed (step S14).

When the photographer wishes to photograph, the photographer performs a photographing gesture that moves the hand to the photographing mark 18 on the screen of the display unit 4. Then, gesture detection unit 14 detects the operation.
When the gesture detection unit 14 detects a shooting gesture, the control unit 15 drives the focus lens of the lens 7 via the lens driving unit 7a to perform a focusing operation.
At the same time, the control unit 15 displays a sign for guiding the line of sight via the animation display control unit 17.
Thereafter, the control unit 15 takes a subject image (photograph of the photographer) by the image sensor 8 after a predetermined time of about 2 seconds, for example, taking into consideration the time for returning the hand and the time for moving the line of sight.

As described above, this embodiment has the following effects.
(When taking a selfie with the camera in hand)
(1) According to the present embodiment, when the camera 1 is held in hand and the self-portrait is taken, the front release switch 6 is located at the center of the front 33 under the lens 7 in the Y direction.
For this reason, even when the housing 3 is held with the right hand or the housing 3 is held with the left hand, the front release switch 6 is in a position reached by the thumb.
Therefore, it is possible to focus and shoot without feeling inconvenience with the front release switch 6 when taking a selfie.

(2) If the line of sight faces the display unit 4 without facing the lens 7 at the time of shooting, the line of sight in the completed photograph is a photograph with the line of sight shifted.
However, according to the present embodiment, since the line of sight is guided to the lens 7 side by the animation, it is possible to take a photograph in which the line of sight in the completed photograph is directed toward the observer.

(3) When the stand unit 2 is used, the photographer is likely to be away from the camera 1, and in this case, the front release switch 6 cannot be pressed. However, according to the present embodiment, since it is possible to shoot by the photographer's gesture, it is possible to release the shutter even if the distance between the photographer and the camera 1 is long.

(4) According to the present embodiment, since the stand unit 2 is provided, the lens 7 can be arranged facing the subject without using a separate tripod or the like, and the display unit 4 is separated from the camera 1. You can take a selfie while observing.

(5) According to the present embodiment, since the angle of the stand unit 2 can be adjusted in two stages, an appropriate angle can be selected according to the situation.

An index for composition confirmation is displayed to the photographer from the face recognition result and the position of the barrier angle. At that time, information such as a zoom position is also used.
Further, the state of the hand when the photographer holds the camera 1 is confirmed, and an index is displayed so that it can be easily confirmed by the photographer.

  1: Camera, 2: Stand unit, 3: Housing, 3a: Storage unit, 4: Display unit, 4a: Display surface, 4b: Back surface, 5: Top release switch, 6: Front release switch, 7: Lens, 7a : Lens drive unit, 8: Image sensor, 9: Operation unit, 9a: Power switch, 9b: Zoom lever, 10: Image processing unit, 11: Vertical / horizontal detection unit, 12: Display unit position detection unit, 13: Stand unit position Detection unit, 14: Gesture detection unit, 15: Control unit, 16: Light emission unit, 17: Animation display control unit, 18: Shooting mark, 31: Upper surface, 32: Lower surface, 33: Front, 34: Back, 35: Right surface , 36: Left side

Claims (6)

A first release switch disposed on the first surface of the housing;
A second release switch disposed on a second surface different from the first surface of the housing;
A stand that is disposed on a third surface different from the first surface and the second surface of the housing and is capable of holding the housing at a fixed angle;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging device according to claim 1,
The housing is rectangular,
On the second surface, a lens provided at a position shifted to one side from the longitudinal center of the front surface is disposed,
The second release switch is disposed at a substantially central portion in the lateral direction on the other side in the longitudinal direction than the lens;
An imaging device characterized by the above. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2,
The imaging device
A display unit that is rotatably mounted around two axes that intersect with each other with respect to the housing;
An imaging device characterized by the above. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A lens is disposed on the second surface,
A controller that performs a shooting operation when the movement of the subject incident on the lens is a fixed movement;
An imaging device characterized by the above. A lens disposed on the first surface of the housing;
A control unit that performs a shooting operation when the operation of the subject incident on the lens is a fixed operation;
A stand disposed on the opposite side of the first surface of the housing and capable of holding the housing at a constant angle;
An imaging apparatus comprising: A release switch disposed on the first surface of the housing where the lens is disposed;
A stand that is disposed on a second surface different from the first surface of the housing and is capable of holding the housing at a constant angle;
An imaging apparatus comprising:

Images