JP2632149B2 - Video camera - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera, and more particularly to a video camera having a wireless remote control function.

[Prior Art] In recent years, video cameras have become widespread. In addition, a camera-integrated video in which a video tape recorder is integrated is also on sale. Adding a remote control function to these devices expands the use of the camera and improves operability and mobility. In particular, the importance of the remote control function is higher in a camera-integrated video than in a single camera.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

The remote control method includes a wire method that connects the camera and the remote control unit with a cable and a wireless method that uses an optical sensor.The former requires that the remote control unit be removed and connected each time the camera moves.
Difficulty in handling and mobility. On the other hand, the latter is excellent in mobility, but in the conventional device, the light receiving part is built into the camera body and the light receiving surface is provided on one side of the camera body, so it can be operated only from the side facing the light receiving part There was a drawback that it was not possible.

Further, in general, the light receiving angle of the light receiving unit is narrow, so that the operable area for the camera is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a video camera having a remote control function with good mobility and easy handling by solving the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[Means and actions for solving the problems]

That is, the above object of the present invention is to provide a video camera having a light receiving unit, the operation of which is controlled according to an optical signal from a remote control unit incident on the light receiving unit,
The light receiving section is arranged on the top of the camera body, and a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in an array on the peripheral surface of the rotating body so as to be rotatable in a direction perpendicular to the camera horizontal plane, at least along the camera horizontal plane. The video camera is characterized in that optical signals from all directions can be received.

By configuring the light receiving unit as described above, the camera can be operated from any direction, and mobility is good because of the wireless system.

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the present embodiment, a camera-integrated video will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a camera-integrated video according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is shown, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the light receiving portion structure of FIG. The camera-integrated video 10 has a configuration substantially similar to that of a conventional device. That is, the photographing lens 2 and the microphone 3 are attached to the front of the camera body 1, and the viewfinder 4 is provided on the side. At the top of the camera body 1, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, a rotating body 51 constituting a light receiving unit 5 described later is provided at the tip of a support shaft 61 protruding from the top of the camera body 1. I have.

As shown in FIG. 1, the light receiving section 5 includes a plurality of light receiving elements.
5a are arranged in a multi-stage array along the circumferential surface of the rotating body 51. In this embodiment, a two-stage arrangement is shown. Further, the light receiving section 5 is engaged with the rotating body 51 via a connecting section 62 provided at the tip of the support shaft 61, and rotates in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the camera (the direction of arrow X in FIG. 2). Freely provided and the support shaft
It is pivotally connected with a locking force so as to be able to stand still at a predetermined angle with respect to 61.

In FIG. 1, the support shaft 61 and the connecting portion 62 are not shown.

By providing such a light receiving unit 5, the camera-integrated video 10 set in the shooting state can be operated by receiving light signals from all directions along the horizontal plane of the camera without changing the camera direction. . That is, the camera receives infrared light emitted from the external remote control unit 20 by the light receiving element 5a of the light receiving unit 5, and its operation is controlled based on the control signal obtained by photoelectric conversion.

With the above-described configuration, when the light receiving unit 5 is provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the support shaft 61 in a stationary state, the camera can be controlled from an oblique direction. In particular, when the light signal receiving surface of the light receiving unit 5 is provided in a depression angle direction with respect to the horizontal plane of the camera, control of the camera body 1 from below can be performed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the light receiving section is configured to protrude from the top of the camera body. However, preferably, the support shaft is moved up and down so that the light receiving section is embedded in the camera when the camera is not used. This is preferable because it is possible to prevent the light receiving element from being deteriorated due to damage to the light receiving unit due to an accident or accidental light incidence. Therefore, for example, a so-called pop-up method in which a light receiving part is pressed so as to be embedded in the camera and a second position in which light can be received by protruding from the surface of the camera by a pressing operation again can be selected. You can also.

Further, in the above embodiment, the light receiving portion is provided so as to have a cylindrical shape, but it is apparent that the present invention is not limited to this shape.

Furthermore, since the light receiving angle of the light receiving element generally has an allowable range of about ± 30 °, the vertical rotation of the light receiving unit is also required.
What is necessary is just to be provided rotatably in the range including the said tolerance range.

The present invention can be applied to an electronic still camera controlled by a remote controller.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, since the light receiving unit related to the remote control is provided so as to be able to receive the control light from all directions, the camera can be remotely controlled from any position without changing the direction of the camera. By providing such a light receiving unit, a remote control function with good mobility and easy handling can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera-integrated video system for explaining one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the structure of a light receiving section in FIG. 1. Camera body 2. Lens 3. Microphone 4.
... viewfinder, 5 ... light receiving section, 5a ... light receiving element, 10 ... camera integrated video, 51 ... rotating body, 61 ...
Support shaft, 62 ... Connection part

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A video camera having a light receiving section, the operation of which is controlled in response to an optical signal from a remote control unit incident on the light receiving section, wherein the light receiving section is disposed on the top of the camera body and the camera has a horizontal plane. A plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in an array on the peripheral surface of a rotating body that is rotatable in the vertical direction, and at least optical signals from all directions along the camera horizontal plane can be received. A video camera characterized by the following.