JP3272871B2 - Superimpose display device for single-lens reflex camera viewfinder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a single-lens reflex camera.
The present invention relates to improvement of a superimposed display device of a finder .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called superimpose display technique has been known, which is used in a camera having a plurality of distance measurement fields and displays a selected distance measurement field on a subject image in a finder field. . By superimposing the image and the display, the “position” of the display and the “state” of the display are extremely intuitive to the user, for example, as meanings such as “autofocus distance measurement field of view” and “focus”. It is possible to convey it.

[0003] In particular, when the superimposed display is a light-emitting display, the following effects are obtained: o The attention of the photographer is illuminated by lighting, so that there is little oversight of the display. Have many advantages, such as good visibility.

Regarding a camera having such a superimposed display device, the present applicant has made the following proposal. This is because a reflector provided adjacent to the focusing screen of the camera, that is, a display unit formed of a collection of micro prisms on a display member, and when this is illuminated from an oblique direction, only light reflected by the prism is emitted. The present invention relates to a light-emitting superimposed display based on the principle of being viewed through a viewfinder optical system.

[0005]

However, such a superimposing apparatus has the following drawbacks and has not been sufficiently satisfactory.

This superimposed display device is composed of a display member that can be actually seen through a viewfinder and an illuminating device that irradiates the display member with light. Considering the case where this display is used to represent a long-distance field of view, a distance-measuring field frame serving as a display unit is provided for each of the distance-measuring field positions scattered over a considerably wide range in the photographing screen.

Therefore, it is necessary for a lighting device corresponding to this to selectively illuminate a wide area on the display member. In general, the position of the light emitting element for ensuring that the light beam enters the eyeball is an extension of a line connecting the user's eyeball and the display unit on the display member when the optical path is developed. For this reason, the position of the light emitting element is further away from the finder optical axis as the position of the display unit is further away from the finder optical axis. As a result, a lot of space is required for the layout of the light-emitting elements serving as the light source of the lighting device, and an increase in the size of the camera is unavoidable, resulting in a drastic decrease in commercial value.

An object of the present invention has been made in view of the shortcomings of the conventional display device, also enables compact layout of the light emitting element when had your display unit in a wide range in the photographing screen, the size of the camera is reduced It is.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a plurality of light emitting elements, light deflecting means to which light beams emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements are incident, and a scheduled imaging of a photographing lens are provided. A single-lens reflex camera finder comprising a display member disposed on a surface or in the vicinity thereof and having a display portion corresponding to each of the light-emitting elements by the action of light beams from the plurality of light-emitting elements emitted from the light deflecting means .
In the superimposed display device, the light deflecting means
Of the plurality of light emitting elements emitted from the light deflecting means
The light beam is incident from the upper surface in front of the pentaprism.
And arranged so that the light flux enters from obliquely above the display unit.
And each display section is inclined by two total reflection surfaces.
Is configured to deflect the light beam incident from above
And the light deflection means corresponds to the plurality of light emitting elements .
And comprising a plurality of reflecting surfaces were light beam emitted from said plurality of light emitting elements with reaching the display section corresponding to each of said display member through the reflecting surface, the light emitting elements corresponding to each of the plurality of reflecting surfaces The plurality of reflecting surfaces are set so as to exert a deflecting action in directions approaching each other.

According to this configuration, a compact layout of the light emitting elements can be achieved even when the display section is placed over a wide area in the photographing screen, and the camera can be downsized.

[0011]

1 to 9 show an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration of the viewfinder of the camera will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIG. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lighting device of superimposing device SLR Rex camera, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the camera from the side, FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above of the camera. The superimpose device described here is composed of a display member that is actually seen through a finder, and an illumination device that irradiates the display member with light. In the following embodiments, the distance measurement field frame serves as the display unit.

In the figure, 5 is a single-lens reflex camera main body, F is a film, 10 is a movable mirror that pops up when the film is exposed,
A focusing screen 11 has a Fresnel lens 11a on a light incident surface and a matte surface 11b on a light exit surface and is placed on a predetermined image forming surface of the photographing lens. 13 is adjacent to the focusing screen and used for superimposed display described later. A reflector, which is a display member having a distance measurement field frame on a surface 13g, 15 is a condenser lens, 12 is a pentaprism, 14a and 14b are eyepieces, 16 is a protective glass, and these constitute a finder system. are doing.
Reference numerals 6 and 7 denote a photometric sensor and a photometric lens for measuring the luminance of the subject.

Further, reference numeral 19 denotes a light projecting lens serving as a light deflecting means, which is arranged from the upper front portion to the upper portion of the pentaprism. Above the pentaprism, five LED packages 18a and 1 each containing a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as an LED) which is a light emitting element inside.
8b, 18c, 18d, 18e and a mask 20 are attached. The wavelength of this LED is in the visible light range, and enters the light projecting lens 19, where the light flux reflected and condensed is guided to the distance measurement field frame of the reflection plate 13 to provide a superimposed display function. Make up the device.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an upper cover for storing these components. An accessory shoe 9 is provided on the upper cover 8 so that a flash photographing device or the like can be connected. The LED package is disposed between the vertex of the pentaprism 12 and the accessory shoe 9.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the viewfinder visual field of the camera. In the center and horizontal direction of the screen, ranging field frames 68a to 68e on the finder representing the ranging field position of a focus detection device (not shown) are arranged, and these are images of the ranging field frame on a reflector described later. is there. The viewfinder field of view of the camera includes a not-shown display section that displays shooting conditions such as a shutter speed, an aperture value, and an exposure correction amount located outside the subject image field of view 68, and a measurement section located inside the subject image field of view 68. The distance measurement field frame is a superimposed display that can be observed simultaneously with the subject image 68f.

Next, the display principle of the display member will be described. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the reflection plate 13 viewed from the direction of the display unit, that is, the surface 13g on which the distance measurement field frame is formed. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one line of the distance measurement field frame viewed from the side. It is the same for each ranging field frame. The range-finding field frame formed on the reflection plate indicates that both vertical and horizontal lines are composed of a large number of fine prisms along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Its cross-sectional shape is a collection of triangular projections each having one ridgeline. Therefore, since the light beam incident on the distance measurement field frames 13a to 13e through the not-shown photographing lens is refracted here and deviates from the direction of the eyepieces 14a and 14b, this portion is usually compared with the surrounding mat surface 11b. It is seen dark.

Conversely, when the distance measuring field frame of the reflector is illuminated from obliquely above, for example, when attention is paid to the light ray L, after entering the reflector 13, the slope 13aa of the prism constituting the distance measuring field frame Is totally reflected at the opposite slope 13b
Even b, the light is totally reflected and goes upward. On the other hand, the light beam that has not entered the prism constituting the distance measurement field frame passes through the focusing screen and exits in the direction of the movable mirror 10 and is not visible.

The ranging field frame composed of such a fine prism has a characteristic of deflecting light from obliquely upward to right above.
By utilizing this characteristic, it is possible to change the display color of the distance measurement field frame by controlling the illumination light. L explained earlier
The illuminating device provided with the ED is for realizing such superimposed display. For example, if a red LED is used, the distance measurement field frame which normally looks black when the focus at that position is focused. You can use it to glow red.

The principle of display is the same for the distance measurement field frame located at a position deviating from the optical axis of the finder. When the optical path is developed, the distance measurement field frame is drawn on an extension line that traces the optical path connecting the user's eyeball and the distance measurement field frame in reverse. If there is an LED as a light source, the distance measurement field frame is illuminated and visually recognized. In addition, a display member having a similar function can be manufactured even when a reflective surface is deposited on a focusing screen.

Returning to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the operation of the lighting device and the LED packages 18b, 18c,
The layout of 18d and 18e will be described. In addition,
Since this illumination optical system has a left-right symmetrical shape, the description is LE.
Only the optical paths corresponding to the D packages 18a, 18b, and 18c will be described.

First, the light emitted from the LED package 18 a is stopped down by an opening provided in the mask 20 and enters the light projecting lens 19. The details of the light projecting lens 19 are shown in the detailed plan view of FIG. 6, the perspective view of FIG. 7, and the perspective view of FIG.
This is an incident surface of a light beam from the package 18a. In FIG. 1, the mask 20 is omitted to illustrate the layout of the LED package in detail. The light beam entering from the surface 19a to the projection lens 19 is totally reflected by the surface 19f ₁ that leads face 19e, and reaches the lens of the tip substantially lossless. By bending the optical path by these reflecting surfaces,
The illumination optical system has a shape along the upper part of the pentaprism 12.

There are three lens portions at the tip of the light projecting lens 19, and as for the light beam emitted from the central LED package 18a, only the light beam passing through the lens portion 19g becomes the effective light beam. That is, even if the luminous flux that has passed through other than that is reflected by any of the distance measurement field frames (display unit), its direction does not go to the eyepieces 14a and 14b and is not visually recognized through the viewfinder.

The lens portion 19g is provided on the reflecting plate 13
Has a function of putting the mask and the mask 20 in a projection relationship. The light beam emitted from the mask is condensed, and then , shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG.
The light enters the pentaprism from 2a. Thereafter, the light exits from the surface 12b of the pentaprism, passes through a condenser lens, and is provided with a distance measurement field frame 13a provided on the lower surface of the reflection plate 13.
To reach. The light irradiation area on the surface 13g of the reflection plate is determined by the size of the opening of the mask 20 described above, includes at least the distance measurement field frame 13a, and causes crosstalk of display.
In order to prevent (lk: crosstalk) beforehand, the range is set so as not to cover the adjacent distance measurement field frames 13b and 13d. The behavior of the light beam on the reflection plate 13 is as described with reference to FIG.

By setting the size of the lens portion 19g to be larger than that of the distance-measuring visual field display 13a, when the distance-measuring visual field frame (display section) on the reflector 13 is viewed through the finder, a certain distance from the optical axis. Even if the position of the eye is deviated, it is ensured that a light beam reaching the eye from the LED package 18a exists and is visible.

Next, the light emitted from the LED package 18b will be described. The light emitted from the package 18b is similarly narrowed down by an opening (not shown) provided in the mask 20, and then enters the light projecting lens 19. At this time, the surface 19b is L
It becomes the incident surface of the light beam from the ED package 18b. The luminous flux entering the light projecting lens 19 has a surface 19e and a surface 19f that follows.
_The light is totally reflected at ₂ and guided to the lens section.
The light beam incident on 9h becomes the effective light beam. Surface 19f ₂ is a configuration of the roof shape of the slight angle with the surface 19f ₁ adjacent not only reflection shown in FIG. 2, have the effect of bending the optical path even in a direction shown in FIG. 3 are doing.

The lens portion 19h also includes the reflection plate 13 and the mask 2
It has the effect of putting 0 in a projection relationship, and the light beam emitted from this is condensed and then enters the pentaprism from the surface 12a of the pentaprism. Thereafter, the light exits from the surface 12b of the pentaprism and reaches the distance measurement field frame 13b of the reflection plate 13 through the condenser lens. Reflector surface 13
The light irradiation area on g includes at least the distance measurement field frame 13b, and is a range that does not cover the adjacent distance measurement field frames 13a and 13c in order to prevent display crosstalk.

[0028] Thus, LED light beam emitted from the LED chip in a package 18b reaches the reflecting plate 13 through the surface 19f ₂ (display member) on the distance measuring field frame 13b (display unit), this time, Surface 19f ₂ is LED package 18b
In the direction approaching the LED package 18a.

Finally, the light emitted from the LED package 18c is similarly converged by an aperture (not shown) provided in the mask 20, and then enters the light projecting lens 19. At this time, the surface 19c
Is the incident surface of the light beam from the LED package 18c.
The light beam entering the light projecting lens 19 is first totally reflected by the surface 19 and replaces the light beam from the LED package 18b. The reason why the optical paths are switched is to lay out a large LED package that is advantageous in terms of light quantity.
If the total reflection surface 19d is not provided, the LED package 18c is placed between the LED packages 18a and 18b.
Must be inserted, and at this time, the light amount is greatly reduced due to the use of the small package.

The luminous flux reflected by the surface 19d is
is totally reflected by the subsequent surface 19f ₂ is c, and reaches the lens of the tip. As described above, the surface 19f ₂ is adjacent surfaces 19f ₁
It has a roof-shaped shape with a slight angle, and has an action of bending the optical path not only in the reflection shown in FIG. 2 but also in the direction shown in FIG.

Similarly to the light beam from the LED package 18b, the light beam incident on the lens portion 19h becomes the effective light beam. Further, the lens portion 19h is provided with the reflecting plate 13 and the mask 2
It has the effect of putting 0 in a projection relationship, and the light beam emitted from it is condensed and then enters the pentaprism from the surface 12a of the pentaprism. Thereafter, the light exits from the surface 12b of the pentaprism and reaches the distance measurement field frame 13c of the reflection plate 13 through the condenser lens. Reflector surface 13
The light irradiation area on g includes at least the distance measurement field frame 13c, and is a range that does not cover the adjacent distance measurement field frame 13b in order to prevent display crosstalk.

[0032] Thus, LED light beam emitted from the LED chip in a package 18c reaches the reflecting plate 13 through the surface 19f ₂ (display member) on the distance measuring field frame 13c (display unit), this time, Surface 19f ₂ is LED package 18c
In the direction approaching the LED package 18a. Therefore, being close to the LED package 18a both LED package 18b and the LED package 18c by surface 19f _2.

By providing the surface that exerts the above-mentioned deflection action between the lens portion 19h and the entrance surfaces 19b and 19c and at a position close to the lens portion, the position of the LED at a slight angle of the roof shape can be obtained. Can be greatly moved.

Furthermore, is moving in the direction of the LED package 18a by the action of the LED package 18d and the LED package 18e also face 19f ₃ disposed symmetrically, as a result, the LED package 18b which the light beam passes through the surface 19f ₂ LED package 18c group, LED package 18d and the LED package 18e group of passing through the surface 19f ₃ and, the three parties of the LED package 18a passing through the surface 19f ₂ also in the one relationship shortens the distance between Will be.

Note that the light beam from the LED package 18b and the light beam from the LED package 18c are projected through the same lens portion 19h because each distance light has a lens because the distance measurement field frame is narrow. This is because the areas to be overlapped. In other words, when the layout of the ranging field-of-view frame as shown in the present embodiment is adopted, if the positions of the eyes looking into the viewfinder are given a degree of freedom and the ranging field-of-view frames 13b and 13c can be visually recognized, they enter the eyes. The passing area of the LED light to be transmitted on the lens unit means that the respective distance measurement field frames overlap each other. Therefore, by providing a common lens portion for a plurality of distance measurement field frames in this way, superimposed display is possible even for a distance measurement field arranged at high density.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a single-lens reflex camera incorporating the display device described above. As shown in FIG. 1, the surface 19f _{2 of the} light projecting lens which is the light deflecting means.
The surface 19f ₁ and the surface 19f adjacent to the surface 19f _3
1 and a slightly angled roof shape
The ED packages 18a to 18e are laid out very compactly, and as shown in FIG.
It only needs the same width as the accessory shoe at the top of the. Therefore, the width of the top cover of the pentaprism housing portion 8a of the upper cover must be large enough to provide the accessory shoe 9, but it is not necessary to increase the width for the superimposed display, and the camera is preferable in design. Can be realized.

[0037]

[0038]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

1. The compact layout of the light emitting elements is possible even when the display unit is located over a wide area in the shooting screen, and the camera can be downsized.

2. In particular, in cameras with a superimposing illumination device installed above the viewfinder optical system, the top cover of the pentaprism storage section of the upper cover originally needs a width large enough to provide an accessory shoe. By adopting the small illuminating device according to the present invention, this portion does not need to be enlarged for superimposed display, and the space saving effect is great.
It can also be said that the design of the camera is very favorable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illumination optical system of a display device in a viewfinder of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the display device in the finder of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the display device in the finder shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a field of view in a viewfinder of the display device in the viewfinder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a reflector of the display device in the finder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a light projecting lens of the display device in the finder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the light projecting lens of FIG. 6;

8 is an external perspective view of a camera incorporating the display device in the finder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a reflection plate of the display device in the finder of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

5 SLR camera body 6 Photometric sensor 7 Photometric lens 8 Top cover 9 Accessory shoe 10 Moving mirror 11 Focusing screen 12 Penta prism 13 Reflector (display member) 14a, 14b
... eyepiece 15 ... condenser lens 16 ... protective glass 18a-18e ... LED package 19 ... light emitting lens 20 ... mask

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of light emitting elements, a light deflecting means on which light beams emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements are incident, and a light emitting means which is arranged at or near a predetermined image forming plane of a photographing lens and is emitted from the light deflecting means. A single-lens reflex camera finder having a display member having a display section corresponding to each of the light emitting elements, by a function of light beams from the plurality of light emitting elements .
The light deflecting means.
Of the plurality of light emitting elements emitted from the light deflecting means
The light beam is incident from the upper surface in front of the pentaprism.
And arranged so that the light flux enters from obliquely above the display unit.
And each display section is inclined by two total reflection surfaces.
Is configured to deflect the light beam incident from above
And the light deflection means corresponds to the plurality of light emitting elements .
And comprising a plurality of reflecting surfaces were light beam emitted from said plurality of light emitting elements with reaching the display section corresponding to each of said display member through the reflecting surface, the light emitting elements corresponding to each of the plurality of reflecting surfaces Wherein the plurality of reflecting surfaces are set so as to exert a deflecting action in a direction approaching each other with respect to a single lens reflex camera finder.
-Par imposed display device. 2. The single-lens reflex according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light-emitting elements are provided above a finder optical system provided for observing a predetermined imaging plane of the photographing lens. Camera viewfinder
Perimpose display device.