JP2018173569A - Display device and electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small display device and an electronic camera that have a function to switch between a view finder mode and a projector mode and are user-friendly.SOLUTION: A display device is configured to be able to detachably attach a view finder housing 2 to a camera body 1 in an attachment direction selectable manner, and switch between a view finder mode and a projector mode according to the attachment direction of the view finder housing 2 to the camera body 1. Image light emitted from a display unit 4 of the camera body 1 goes into the inside of the view finder housing 2 via a window part 8, is reflected by a mirror 5 to go into a lens 6, is enlarged by the lens 6, and goes to the outside of the view finder housing 2. An observer observes the emitted image light directly in the view finder mode and indirectly via a screen or the like in the projector mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device and an electronic camera.

  A display device that can be used by switching between a viewfinder function and a projector function is known. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional display device as seen from the side, and shows a state in which the display device is used in a viewfinder mode. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional display device as viewed from the side, and shows a state in which the display device is used in a projector mode. The conventional display device includes a light source unit 12, a polarizing plate 14, a transmissive liquid crystal element 41, a reflection mirror 42, and two systems of lenses (an eyepiece lens 21 and a projection lens 22), and is further emitted from the light source unit 12. A mirror rotation mechanism that rotates the reflection mirror 42 about an axis orthogonal to the optical axis (AX) of the light to be rotated.

  When the conventional display device is operated in the viewfinder mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the reflecting mirror 42 is rotated by the dial operation so that the reflecting surface faces the eyepiece lens 21 side. The illumination light emitted from the illumination unit 12 is converted into linearly polarized light by the polarizing plate 14 and is incident on the transmissive liquid crystal element 41. The transmissive liquid crystal element 41 is driven by a drive signal supplied from the control circuit, and emits, for example, modulated light that is an S-polarized component toward the reflection mirror 42. The reflection mirror 42 reflects (bends at right angles) the modulated light and guides it toward the eyepiece lens 21. Thereby, the observer can observe the image formed by the modulated light through the eyepiece 21.

  On the other hand, when the conventional display device is operated in the viewfinder mode, as shown in FIG. 6, the reflecting mirror 42 is rotated by the dial operation so that the reflecting surface faces the projection lens 22 side. The illumination light emitted from the illumination unit 12 is converted into linearly polarized light by the polarizing plate 14 and is incident on the transmissive liquid crystal element 41. The transmissive liquid crystal element 41 is driven by a drive signal supplied from the control circuit, and emits, for example, modulated light that is an S-polarized component toward the reflection mirror 42. The reflection mirror 42 reflects (bends at right angles) the modulated light and guides it toward the projection lens 22. Thereby, the observer can observe the image projected on the screen through the projection lens 22.

  According to the above configuration, since one light source unit 12 and one transmissive liquid crystal element 41 can be shared between the projector and the viewfinder, a small and low-cost display device can be provided. (See Patent Document 1)

JP2007-193178A

  However, in the conventional display device, in order to switch between the viewfinder mode and the projector mode, a mirror rotation mechanism that rotates the reflection mirror 42 is required, and the eyepiece lens 21 and the projection lens 22 are integrated with the display device body. Therefore, there is a problem that the display device is enlarged accordingly.

  Further, since the eyepiece 21 and the projection lens 22 are integrally incorporated in the display device main body and cannot be changed in direction with respect to the display device main body, there is a problem in that it is not easy to use depending on the use situation. Examples of such a situation include a case where the user wants to arbitrarily change the direction of the eyepiece lens 21 or the projection lens 22 with respect to the direction in which the user operates the display device main body.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an easy-to-use small-sized display device and electronic camera having a function of switching between a viewfinder mode and a projector mode.

  A display device body including a display element that emits image light, and an emission window that emits the image light emitted from the display element to the outside, and the image light emitted from the light emission window A light entrance window portion for making the light incident on the inside, a guide optical system for guiding the image light incident from the light entrance window portion in a predetermined direction, and the image light guided by the guide optical system to the outside An optical window having an emission window that emits light to the display device, and an attachment mechanism for attaching the optical case to the display device main body so as to be detachable and selectable in an attachment direction. The viewfinder mode in which image light for viewfinder is emitted from the emission window portion of the housing, and the projector mode in which image light for projector is emitted from the emission window portion of the optical system housing are the display. apparatus A display device switched according to the mounting direction of said optical system housing for the body.

  In the projector mode, the luminance of the image light emitted from the emission window portion of the optical system casing is higher than the luminance of the image light emitted from the emission window portion of the optical system casing in the viewfinder mode. Higher display device.

  The display device main body includes a viewfinder light source that emits light used as the image light in the viewfinder mode, and a projector light source that emits light used as the image light in the projector mode. It may be.

  The projector light source and the viewfinder light source may be a display device that is a single light source shared with each other.

  The viewfinder mode and the projector mode may be a display device that automatically switches depending on the mounting direction of the optical system housing with respect to the display device body.

  The viewfinder mode and the projector mode may be a display device that automatically switches when a part of the optical system housing is engaged with the display device main body.

  The optical system housing may be a display device having an eyepiece that changes the magnification of the image light in the viewfinder mode and a projection lens that changes the magnification of the image light in the projector mode.

  The display device main body may be a display device having a display unit that displays predetermined information regarding at least one of the viewfinder mode and the projector mode.

  The information may be a display device that is information indicating optical characteristics of the image light.

  The optical system housing includes a first incident window and a second incident window as the light incident window, and a first emission window and a second emission window as the emission window. A first reflecting surface that reflects the image light incident from the first entrance window as the guide optical system toward the first exit window and the second entrance window. A double-sided mirror integrally formed with a second reflecting surface for reflecting the image light directed toward the second exit window, and in the viewfinder mode, the exit of the display device body The image light emitted from the window part for incident enters from one of the first incident window part and the second incident window part, and in the projector mode, from the emission window part of the display device main body. The emitted image light is the first incident window and the second incident window. Out to be incident from the other, said optical system housing with respect to the display device main body may be a display device which is capable and the mounting direction can be selected removable.

  An electronic camera including any one of the display devices described above may be used.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use small display device and electronic camera having a function of switching between a viewfinder mode and a projector mode.

The electronic camera by the 1st Example of this invention is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the side, and has shown the state used by viewfinder mode. The electronic camera by this invention is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the side, and has shown the state used in projector mode. The electronic camera by the 2nd Example of this invention is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the side, and has shown the state used in viewfinder mode. The electronic camera by the 2nd Example of this invention is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the side, and has shown the state used in projector mode. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the conventional display apparatus from the side, and has shown the state used by viewfinder mode. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which looked at the conventional display apparatus from the side, and has shown the state used in projector mode.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electronic camera according to the present invention as viewed from the side, and shows a state in which the electronic camera is used in a viewfinder mode. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the electronic camera according to the present invention as seen from the side, and shows a state in which the electronic camera is used in the projector mode. In the electronic camera according to this embodiment, a viewfinder housing 2 is detachably mounted on the camera body 1. The camera body 1 is provided with a camera lens 11 for taking an image and a liquid crystal back monitor 3 for displaying the taken image. In addition, the camera body 1 is provided with a display unit 4 that displays a captured image, and a window unit 8 that emits the image displayed by the display unit 4 to the outside of the camera body 1 as image light. The viewfinder housing 2 includes a window portion 8 for allowing the image light emitted from the display portion 4 to enter the inside of the housing, a mirror 5 for reflecting the image light incident from the window portion 8 in a predetermined direction, and the mirror 5. A lens 6 that magnifies and emits image light reflected from the outside and a mode selection unit 7 that switches between a viewfinder mode and a projector mode are provided.

  Although the lens 6 of the viewfinder housing 2 is shared (shared) as an eyepiece and a projection lens, it can be attached to and detached from the viewfinder housing 2 so that it can be exchanged for one having a different lens magnification depending on the application. It may be. The lens 6 also functions as a window part that emits image light from the viewfinder housing 2 to the outside.

  The mirror 5 guides the image light incident from the window portion 8 of the camera body 1 to the lens 6. However, the mirror 5 can be replaced with another optical system having the same function as the optical system. Is, for example, a light guide plate.

  The camera lens 11 of the camera body 1 can adjust the focal point of the lens according to the shooting situation. Further, the lens itself can be attached to and detached from the camera body 1 and can be replaced with a wide-angle lens or a telephoto lens.

  In the liquid crystal back monitor 3 provided in the camera body 1, information on the viewfinder mode and the projector mode (which mode is selected, etc.) such as the image being captured or stored, the contrast of the image light, etc., the light source Various information such as the amount of light can be confirmed. When changing the setting based on information obtained from the liquid crystal back monitor 3, an operation of pressing a button provided on the camera body 1 or an operation of pressing the liquid crystal back monitor 3 itself configured as a touch panel is performed. The information can be manipulated and determined.

  The display unit 4 inside the camera body 1 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal module. For example, the liquid crystal module includes a liquid crystal panel in which two types of substrates are stacked and liquid crystal is injected into the gap, and a driving signal is supplied to the liquid crystal panel. It comprises a circuit board to be performed and a light source. The light source is a single light source that is shared by each mode, and the brightness of the light source is suitable for each mode depending on the position where the mode selection unit 7 of the viewfinder housing 2 is engaged with the camera body 1. It can be changed automatically or manually by button operation. In particular, the luminance of the light source can be changed in the projector mode so as to be higher than that in the viewfinder mode. An image captured through the camera lens 11 is displayed as an image on the display unit 4, and the same image is also displayed on the liquid crystal back monitor 3. The liquid crystal panel of the display unit 4 and the liquid crystal back monitor 3 of the camera body 1 may be either a reflective liquid crystal panel or a transmissive liquid crystal panel, and may be a self-luminous display panel such as an OLED. The light source of the display unit 4 may be a light source dedicated to the viewfinder mode and a light source dedicated to the projector mode that are not shared in each mode.

  The window portion 8 is made of an opening or a transparent member (glass, plastic, etc.) through which image light can pass, but is made of a transparent member in the sense of preventing entry of dust into each housing. It is desirable. Desirably, the window 8 of the camera body 1 and the window 8 of the viewfinder housing 2 are in close contact with each other. In this case, it is possible to prevent image light from leaking or dust from entering between them. Can do. A cylindrical light shielding member may be provided between the window portion 8 of the camera body 1 and the window portion 8 of the viewfinder casing 2 so as to surround the window portion 8. The same effect can be obtained as when they are brought into close contact with each other. The light shielding member may be formed integrally with the camera body 1 or the viewfinder housing 2, and may function as a fixing portion that fixes the viewfinder housing 2 to the camera body 1. It may function as the selection unit 7.

  The mode selection unit 7 can also be used as a fixing unit that fixes the viewfinder housing 2 to the camera body 1. The mode selection unit 7 may have a rotation mechanism that rotates the viewfinder housing 2 continuously or stepwise in any direction (horizontal direction, vertical direction) with respect to the upper portion of the camera body 1. In that case, the viewfinder housing 2 can be rotated to an arbitrary position within a range in which a deviation of the optical axis is allowed among the display unit 4, the window unit 8, the mirror 5, and the lens 6. Even if the optical axis is disturbed by rotating the viewfinder housing 2 and the image cannot be displayed normally, the image can be displayed normally if it has a function to electrically or optically correct the distortion of the image. be able to. When the mode selection unit 7 is used as a rotation axis, the mode selection unit 7 is preferably arranged as close to the window 8 as possible. In this case, when the viewfinder housing 2 is rotated. The influence of the deviation of the optical axis can be reduced. The rotation mechanism may be provided between the viewfinder housing 2 and the camera body 1 as a separate body from the mode selection unit 7.

  An image taken through the camera lens 11 of the camera body 1 is emitted as image light from the display unit 4, and passes through the window 8 of the camera body 1 and the window 8 of the viewfinder housing 2. The light enters the inside, is reflected by the mirror 5 toward the lens 6, is enlarged by the lens 6, and is emitted to the outside.

  When the electronic camera is used in the viewfinder mode, the viewfinder housing 2 is mounted on the upper part of the camera body 1 so that the lens 6 of the viewfinder housing 2 is on the liquid crystal back monitor 3 side as shown in FIG. To do. At that time, the mode selection unit 7 of the viewfinder housing 2 is engaged with a predetermined position of the camera body 1 so that the camera body 1 recognizes the mode and automatically switches to the viewfinder mode. When the viewfinder mode is switched, the optical characteristics (luminance, contrast, etc.) of the image light emitted from the display unit 4 are automatically adjusted to a state suitable for this mode. For example, the brightness of the image light is automatically adjusted so as to be lower than in the projector mode. The image light emitted from the display unit 4 of the camera body 1 is emitted to the outside from the lens 6 of the viewfinder housing 2 along a predetermined path, and is observed by an observer who is in contact with the lens 6.

  When the electronic camera is used in the projector mode, the viewfinder housing 2 is mounted on the upper part of the camera body 1 so that the lens 6 of the viewfinder housing 2 is on the camera lens 11 side as shown in FIG. At that time, by engaging the mode selection unit 7 of the viewfinder housing 2 with a predetermined position of the camera body 1, the camera body 1 recognizes the mode and automatically switches to the projector mode. When the projector mode is switched, the optical characteristics (luminance, contrast, etc.) of the image light emitted from the display unit 4 are automatically adjusted to a state suitable for this mode. For example, the brightness of the image light is automatically adjusted so as to be higher than that in the viewfinder mode. The image light emitted from the display unit 4 of the camera body 1 follows a predetermined path, is emitted to the outside from the lens 6 of the viewfinder housing 2, and is observed by the observer while being projected on a screen or the like.

  In this embodiment, the viewfinder housing 2 is used as a projector housing as it is (also used as a projector housing). However, the viewfinder housing and the projector housing are configured separately, and each is attached to the camera body 1 according to the mode. It is also possible to replace them. In that case, an eyepiece lens can be incorporated in the viewfinder housing, and a projection lens can be incorporated in the projector housing. However, the eyepiece lens and the projection lens can be exchanged for each housing. There may be.

  According to this embodiment, the viewfinder mode and the projector mode can be easily switched by simply changing the orientation of the viewfinder housing 2 in the horizontal direction with respect to the upper portion of the camera body 1.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electronic camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side, and shows a state in which the electronic camera is used in a viewfinder mode. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side, and shows a state in which it is used in the projector mode. In this embodiment, a viewfinder housing incorporating an eyepiece and a projector housing incorporating a projection lens are integrally configured, and the camera body is inverted by reversing the housing up and down according to the mode. Can be done.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a composite viewfinder case 20 in which a viewfinder case and a projector case are integrated is inverted and replaced with the upper part of the camera body 1. Can be done. The composite viewfinder housing 20 is provided with an eyepiece lens 21 at one end in the longitudinal direction thereof, and a projection lens 22 at the other end opposite thereto, and a double-sided mirror between the eyepiece lens 21 and the projection lens. 9 is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the optical axis, a window portion 8 is provided at a position facing the two reflecting surfaces of the double-sided mirror 9, and a light shielding cover 10 is provided so as to cover one of the two window portions 8. A mode selection section 7 is provided on each of the outer surfaces on the side where the window section 8 is provided. The composite viewfinder housing 20 has a generally rotationally symmetric structure around the double-sided mirror 9 as a whole.

  Of the outer surface of the composite viewfinder housing 20, the surface on the side where the one window portion 8 is provided and the surface on the side where the other window portion 8 is provided are detachable from the upper part of the camera body 1. In the state where one of the outer surfaces of the composite viewfinder housing 20 where the one window portion 8 is provided is attached to the upper portion of the camera body 1, the one window portion 8 faces the window portion 8 of the camera body 1. In the state where the surface on the side where the other window portion 8 is provided is attached to the upper portion of the camera body 1, the other window portion 8 faces the window portion 8 of the camera body 1. The light shielding cover 10 covers the other window 8 when one window 8 of the composite viewfinder housing 20 faces the window 8 of the camera body 1, and the other window of the composite viewfinder housing 20. When the portion 8 is opposed to the window portion 8 of the camera body 1, one of the window portions 8 is covered. The light shielding cover 10 is a cover that can be attached to and detached from the window 8 of the composite viewfinder housing 20 or a shutter that can be opened and closed. The light shielding cover 10 shields or protects the window portion 8 that is not used in each mode from the outside. However, if the window portion 8 does not need to be shielded from the outside, the light shielding function may not be provided and is particularly required. If not, the light shielding cover 10 may be omitted.

  The same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be modified in the second embodiment as well. For example, the composite viewfinder housing 20 can be rotated horizontally or vertically with respect to the upper portion of the camera body 1. It may be.

  An image photographed through the camera lens 11 of the camera body 1 is emitted as image light from the display unit 4, and is selected from the window 8 of the camera body 1 and the two windows 8 of the viewfinder housing 2 according to the mode. The light enters the inside of the composite viewfinder housing 20 through one of the two, and is reflected toward the eyepiece lens 21 or the projection lens 22 by either one of the two reflecting surfaces of the double-sided mirror 9. It is enlarged at 22 and emitted to the outside.

  When the camera body 1 is used in the viewfinder mode, the upper portion of the camera body 1 is arranged so that one window portion 8 of the composite viewfinder housing 20 faces the window portion 8 of the camera body 1 as shown in FIG. The composite viewfinder housing 20 is mounted. At that time, by engaging one mode selection unit 7 of the composite viewfinder housing 20 with a predetermined position of the camera body 1, the camera body 1 recognizes the mode change and automatically switches to the viewfinder mode. When the viewfinder mode is switched, the optical characteristics (luminance, contrast, etc.) of the image light emitted from the display unit 4 are automatically adjusted to a state suitable for this mode. For example, the brightness of the image light is automatically adjusted so as to be lower than in the projector mode. The image light emitted from the display unit 4 of the camera body 1 follows a predetermined path, is emitted to the outside from the eyepiece lens 21 of the composite viewfinder housing 20, and is observed by an observer who is in contact with the eyepiece lens 21.

  When the electronic camera is used in the projector mode, as shown in FIG. 4, the composite viewfinder housing 20 is combined with the upper part of the camera body 1 so that the other window part 8 faces the window part 8 of the camera body 1. A viewfinder housing 20 is attached. At that time, by engaging the other mode selection unit 7 of the composite viewfinder housing 20 with a predetermined position of the camera body 1, the camera body 1 recognizes the mode change and automatically switches to the projector mode. When the projector mode is switched, the optical characteristics (luminance, contrast, etc.) of the image light emitted from the display unit 4 are automatically adjusted to a state suitable for this mode. For example, the brightness of the image light is automatically adjusted so as to be higher than that in the viewfinder mode. The image light emitted from the display unit 4 of the camera body 1 follows a predetermined path, is emitted to the outside from the projection lens 22 of the composite viewfinder housing 20, and is observed by the observer while being projected on a screen or the like. .

  According to this embodiment, the viewfinder mode and the projector mode can be easily switched by simply turning the composite viewfinder housing 2 upside down with respect to the upper part of the camera body 1, and the eyepiece lens and the projection lens can be easily changed. Can be switched.

  The present invention can be applied not only to an electronic camera but also to a display device without an imaging function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera main body 2 Viewfinder housing | casing 3 Liquid crystal back monitor 4 Display part 5 Mirror 6 Lens 7 Mode selection part 8 Window part 9 Double-sided mirror 10 Shading cover 11 Camera lens 12 Light source part 14 Polarizing plate 20 Composite viewfinder housing | casing 21 Eyepiece 22 Projection lens 41 Transmission type liquid crystal element 42 Reflection mirror

Claims (11)

A display device main body comprising: a display element that emits image light; and an emission window that emits the image light emitted from the display element to the outside.
A light entrance window portion for entering the image light emitted from the light exit window portion, a guide optical system for guiding the image light incident from the light entrance window portion in a predetermined direction, and An optical window having an emission window for emitting the image light guided by the guide optical system to the outside;
An attachment mechanism for attaching the optical housing to the display device body so as to be detachable and selectable in an attachment direction;
A viewfinder mode in which image light for viewfinder is emitted from the emission window portion of the optical system casing, and a projector mode in which image light for projector is emitted from the emission window portion of the optical system casing. Switching according to the mounting direction of the optical system housing with respect to the display device body,
A display device characterized by that.   In the projector mode, the luminance of the image light emitted from the emission window portion of the optical system casing is higher than the luminance of the image light emitted from the emission window portion of the optical system casing in the viewfinder mode. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is also high.   The display device main body includes a viewfinder light source that emits light used as the image light in the viewfinder mode, and a projector light source that emits light used as the image light in the projector mode. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a display device.   The display device according to claim 3, wherein the projector light source and the viewfinder light source are a single light source shared with each other.   5. The display according to claim 1, wherein the viewfinder mode and the projector mode are automatically switched according to a mounting direction of the optical system housing with respect to the display device main body. apparatus.   6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein the viewfinder mode and the projector mode are automatically switched when a part of the optical system casing is engaged with the display device main body.   The optical system housing includes an eyepiece that changes a magnification of the image light in the viewfinder mode, and a projection lens that changes a magnification of the image light in the projector mode. 6. The display device according to any one of 6.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device body includes a display unit that displays predetermined information regarding at least one of the viewfinder mode and the projector mode.   The display device according to claim 8, wherein the information is information indicating an optical characteristic of the image light.   The optical system housing includes a first incident window and a second incident window as the light incident window, and a first emission window and a second emission window as the emission window. A first reflecting surface that reflects the image light incident from the first entrance window as the guide optical system toward the first exit window and the second entrance window. A double-sided mirror integrally formed with a second reflecting surface for reflecting the image light directed toward the second exit window, and in the viewfinder mode, the exit of the display device body The image light emitted from the window part for incident enters from one of the first incident window part and the second incident window part, and in the projector mode, from the emission window part of the display device main body. The emitted image light is the first incident window and the second incident window. The optical system housing is attachable to and detachable from the display device main body and an attachment direction can be selected so as to be incident from the other of the display device main bodies. Display device.   An electronic camera comprising the display device according to claim 1.

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