JP3536848B2 - Imaging equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus suitable for use in, for example, a camera, a video camera, a video camera-integrated VTR, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional camcorder or the like in which a video camera and a VTR are integrally formed, for example, the power of the video camera is turned on (hereinafter, the camera power is turned on).
)), And turn on the VTR power supply (hereinafter, VTR power supply O).
N), and both power supplies are turned off (hereinafter, power supply O
FF), which is provided with a power switch capable of switching between three states.
When recording, the power switch is set to the camera power ON state, and when reproducing the recorded image, the VT
The R power is turned on. When the camcorder is not used, the power switch is turned off.

[0003]

However, the power switch is usually small in size for the purpose of making the device compact, and thus has a problem that it is difficult to operate the power switch. That is,
For example, if the switching order of the power switch is as follows: camera power ON ← → power OFF ← → VTR power ON, if the camera power is turned on and the power is turned off, the camera power is turned off.
There was a case where the VTR power was turned on by mistake from the state of N.

[0004] Further, conventionally, when taking a picture, usually, two actions of turning on a power switch of a camera and turning a camcorder (lens) in a direction (angle) of a subject are required. In this case, for example, when the camcorder has a liquid crystal monitor, it is necessary to change the camcorder after operating the power switch. Therefore, there is a problem that the operation until the start of photographing is troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is intended to simplify operations at the start of photographing and the like.

[0006]

A photographing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a rotatable image pickup unit having a lens for forming an image of light from a subject, a main body for processing the output of the image pickup unit, and a rotation angle of the image pickup unit. The main body includes a recording unit for recording an image, and a reproduction unit for reproducing the image recorded by the recording unit. According to the rotation angle of the unit, the power of the recording unit and the reproducing unit is turned off, the power of the recording unit is turned on, or the power of the reproducing unit is turned on.

The photographing apparatus further includes a lens cover for covering a lens of the image pickup unit.
The FF is covered by the lens cover and is exposed when the power of the recording unit is ON.

The lens cover is provided inside or outside the housing of the imaging section.

The photographing apparatus further includes a rotating plate having a convex portion or a concave portion, which rotates with the rotation of the imaging section, and a switch operated by the convex portion or the concave portion of the rotating plate. The power supply can be controlled in accordance with the state.

The photographing apparatus further includes a rotating plate having a convex portion or a concave portion that rotates with the rotation of the imaging section, and first and second switches operated by the convex portion or the concave portion of the rotating plate. The plate turns off the first and second switches at each of the first to third rotational positions,
Turn on the first switch and turn off the second switch, or turn on the first and second switches
The power supply control means can control the power supply of the recording unit and the reproduction unit in accordance with the states of the first and second switches.

In the photographing apparatus of the present invention, a rotatable image pickup unit having a lens for forming an image of light from a subject,
A main body is provided for processing the output of the imaging unit. The power is turned on / off in accordance with the rotation angle of the imaging unit. The main unit reproduces the image recorded by the recording unit and the image recorded by the recording unit. The power of the recording unit and the reproducing unit is turned off, the power of the recording unit is turned on, or the power of the reproducing unit is turned on in accordance with the rotation angle of the imaging unit.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of a camcorder (video camera integrated type VTR) to which a photographing apparatus according to the present invention is applied. The main body 1 converts an image signal output from an imaging unit 4 described later, an audio signal collected by a microphone (not shown), an image signal or an audio signal input from an input terminal (not shown) to a video tape, for example. A recording processing circuit for performing signal processing for recording, a reproduction processing circuit for performing signal processing for reproducing an image signal or an audio signal recorded on a video tape, and a control circuit (not shown) for performing other necessary control, etc. Built-in.

Further, a liquid crystal monitor 2 is provided on an upper portion (upper surface) of the main body 1, and recorded by a recording processing circuit (output from the image pickup section 4).
An image input from an input terminal or an image reproduced by a reproduction processing circuit is displayed.

On the left side of the main body 1, a lens cover 3 for covering the lens 5 of the image pickup unit 4 is provided along a part of the side surface of the columnar image pickup unit 4.

Further, an imaging section 4 is provided on the left side surface of the main body 1. The imaging unit 4 is provided with a lens 5 on its side surface, and further incorporates, for example, a CCD or the like that photoelectrically converts light formed by the lens 5.
The output of the CCD is supplied.

One of the bottom surfaces of the image pickup unit 4 is fixed to the main body 1 as described later, and can be rotated in the directions indicated by arrows P and Q in FIG. . Then, the OFF mark of the imaging unit 4 is
As shown in (a), when the camcorder is located at the mark M attached to the main body 1, the power of the camcorder is turned off.

Further, from the state shown in FIG. 1A, the imaging unit 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow P, and the VTR of the imaging unit 4 is rotated.
When the mark comes to the mark M of the main body 1,
The power supply of a VTR block 42 (FIG. 7), which has a VTR function of the camcorder and is described later, is turned on, whereby the camcorder operates as a VTR.

It should be noted that the image pickup unit 4 has the VTR mark
From the position of the mark M on the main body 1, the main body 1 is fixed by, for example, a stopper (not shown) so as not to rotate in the direction of the arrow P.

Also, the lens 5 of the image pickup unit 4 is covered by the lens cover 3 while the image pickup unit 4 is being rotated so that the range from the VTR mark to the OFF mark is located at the mark M. Has been done.

That is, when the camcorder is not operating as a video camera, that is, when the power of the camcorder is turned off.
In the case of, or when the camcorder is operating as a VTR, the lens 5 is not used, so that it is covered with the lens cover 3 as shown by a dotted line in FIG.

On the other hand, from the state shown in FIG. 1A, the imaging unit 4 is rotated in the
When the RA mark is positioned at the mark M of the main body 1, the power of a camera block 43 (FIG. 7) described later, which has a video camera function of the camcorder, is turned on, so that the camcorder operates as a video camera. It has been made.

Further, in this case, the lens 5 is completely exposed from the lens cover 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 1B, for example, the imaging unit 4 can rotate so that the CAMERA mark is positioned in the arrow Q direction relative to the mark M of the main body 1. During this time, the camcorder operates as a video camera. Therefore, while the camcorder is operating as a video camera, the direction of the lens 5,
That is, the angle between the direction of the subject to be photographed and the display direction of the liquid crystal monitor 2 (the direction perpendicular to the display screen) can be freely set within a large range.

The image pickup unit 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow Q, and is substantially rotated once, that is, at a position immediately before the lens 5 is put on the lens cover 3, for example. For example, it is fixed by a stopper (not shown).

In the camcorder configured as described above, when the OFF mark is located at the mark M, the power is turned off. And
When the imaging unit 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow P so that the VTR mark is positioned at the mark M, the imaging unit 4 operates as a VTR. That is, in this case, FF / FR not shown
Processing corresponding to the operation of the playback operation unit including the button, the PB button, and the stop button is performed.

Also, in this camcorder, the imaging unit 4
Arrow Q so that the AMERA mark is positioned at mark M
When rotated in the direction, the lens 5 is completely exposed and operates as a video camera. As described above, the imaging unit 4 is configured to be able to rotate so that the CAMERA mark is positioned in the direction of the arrow Q with respect to the mark M.
From the state shown in FIG. 2 (a), the lens 5 is rotated by approximately 180 degrees in the direction of arrow Q, and as shown in FIG. By setting the P or Q direction to be a negative or positive angle), it is possible to perform shooting at a low angle while looking at the liquid crystal monitor 2 in a comfortable posture.

Also, the imaging unit 4 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 1A, for example, in the direction of arrow Q until immediately before the lens 5 is engaged with the lens cover 3, and as shown in FIG.
The direction of the lens 5 with respect to the display direction of the liquid crystal monitor 2 is 27
By setting the angle to 0 degrees or more, the LCD monitor 2
You can shoot at a high angle while watching.

Furthermore, by rotating the imaging unit 4 so that the direction of the lens 5 and the display direction of the liquid crystal monitor 2 are the same, it is easy to photograph the photographer himself while looking at the liquid crystal monitor 2. It can be carried out.

As described above, when the imaging unit 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow Q and the CAMERA mark of the imaging unit 4 is positioned at the mark M of the main body 1, the camcorder operates as a video camera. The shooting can be started immediately by one action of rotating the image pickup unit 4 so that the direction of 5 and the display direction of the liquid crystal monitor 2 are at a desired angle.

In this case, since the lens 5 is exposed by the operation of starting the operation as a video camera, it is not necessary to remove the lens cap at the start of photographing as in the prior art. Is terminated, the lens 5 is covered by the lens cover 3, so that it is not necessary to cover the lens 5 with a lens cap to protect the lens at the end of shooting. It is possible to prevent the user from feeling annoying.

Further, when viewed from the photographer, since the entire imaging section 4 is a power switch, and the power switch is large, erroneous operation can be prevented.

Next, the configuration of the camcorder of FIG. 1 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the camcorder viewed from the liquid crystal monitor 2 side. In addition,
In the figure, the illustration of the lens cover 3 and the lens 5 and the built-in circuit is omitted. Cabinet 1 of main unit 1
1 is provided with a hole on the left side surface, and a frame 12 is fixed to the cabinet 11 so as to cover the hole. On a surface of the frame 12 facing the imaging unit 4, a rotation base 14 serving as a rotation axis for rotating the imaging unit 4 is provided.

Hereafter, the main body 1 side (the right side in FIG. 3) will be the lower side, and the imaging section 4 side (the FIG.
The left side) is called the upper side.

On the rotating base 14, for example, the imaging section 4 sandwiched between donut-shaped sliders 16 and 17 is provided.
A donut-shaped rotary plate 20 that forms a part of the housing is passed through, and the rotary plate 20 is rotatable about a rotary base 14.

At the top (left side in the figure) of the slider 17,
For example, a disk-shaped fixing plate 18 is provided.
8 is fixed to the upper part of the rotating base 14 by a pin 19.

For example, a leaf spring 15 is provided between the rotary base 14 and the slider 16 passed therethrough, whereby the rotary plate 20 sandwiched between the sliders 16 and 17 is provided.
Is fixed between the leaf spring 15 and the fixed plate 18 with an appropriate pressure.

The leaf spring 15 is fixed to the base of the rotary base 14. The leaf spring 15 has a donut shape, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, and its central portion 15a is raised.

On the upper part of the rotating plate 20, a cabinet 22 in the shape of a tea caddy forming the housing of the imaging unit 4 is fixed so as to cover it, so to speak. It is done with.

As described above, the rotating plate 20 fixed to the cabinet 22 is pressed by the leaf spring 15 with an appropriate pressure, so that the imaging unit 4 can be rotated smoothly (without rattling). Can be. Further, in this case, an appropriate feeling of friction can be obtained during the rotation operation of the imaging unit 4.

Next, on the surface of the rotating plate 20 facing the main body 1, there is provided a projection 21 as shown in FIG. 5, for example. A push switch 13 is fixed to the frame 12 at a position corresponding to the projection 21 of the rotating plate 20.

The push switch 13 is connected to the rotating plate 20
6 is opposed to a portion other than the convex portion 21 of FIG.
As shown in (a), the movable portion 13a is
Is fixed at a position where the state of touching or not touching is set, and at this time, for example, an OFF state of ON and OFF is set. When the push switch 13 is opposed to the convex portion 21 of the rotating plate 20, the movable portion 13a is pushed into the switch body as shown in FIG. 6B, for example. At this time, for example, one of ON and OFF is turned on.

Accordingly, the push switch 13 is turned on / off in accordance with the rotation angle of the rotary plate 20, that is, the rotation angle of the imaging unit 4.
It is made so that FF can be performed.

By the way, as described above, the state of the camcorder is a state where the power is turned off (power supply O).
FF state), operating as VTR (VTR power supply O
N state) and a state of operating as a video camera (camera power ON state). On the other hand, when there is only one push switch 13, only two states, that is, the ON state and the OFF state, can be determined.

Therefore, in this camcorder, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is fixed at 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram in which FIG.
It is the figure seen from the side. In the drawing, the mark “○” indicates that the push switch 13 (or 17) is in the OFF state, and the mark “●” indicates that the push switch 13 (or 17) is in the ON state.

According to the push switch 13 or 31, each of the two states can be discriminated. Therefore, in each case, the four states can be discriminated.
These are associated with the three states of the camcorder described above.

That is, as described with reference to FIG. 1, when the OFF mark of the imaging section 4 is located at the mark M attached to the main body 1, for example, as shown in FIG.
1 is arranged so as to oppose only the push switch 31, whereby the power OFF state is assigned to a state in which the push switch 13 or 31 is OFF or ON, respectively.

When the imaging section 4 is rotated in the P direction from the state shown in FIG. 7B and the VTR mark is located at the mark M, for example, as shown in FIG. , The projection 21 is opposed to both the push switches 13 and 31, whereby the VTR power ON state is assigned to a state where both the push switches 13 and 31 are ON.

Further, when the imaging section 4 is rotated in the Q direction from the state shown in FIG. 7B and the CAMERA mark is positioned at the mark M, for example, the projection 21 is It is designed not to oppose both, so that the camera power ON state,
The push switches 13 and 31 are all assigned to the OFF state.

After the CAMERA mark is positioned at the mark M, even if the imaging section 4 is further rotated in the Q direction, as shown in FIG. Therefore, as described above, the direction of the lens 5 can be changed while the camera power is on.

Next, FIG. 8 shows an example of the electrical configuration of the camcorder. ON of push switches 13 and 31
The / OFF state is input to the switch microcomputer 41. And the switch microcomputer 41
When the push switch 13 or 31 is OFF or ON, respectively, a VTR having a VTR function
The power of the block 42 and the camera block 43 having the function of the video camera are turned off. The switch microcomputer 41 includes push switches 13 and 31.
Are both ON, the power supply of the VTR block 42 is turned ON. Further, the switch microcomputer 41
Indicates that both push switches 13 and 31 are OFF
If so, the camera block 43 is turned on.

Note that the VTR block 42 is a block including the above-described reproduction processing circuit and a control circuit for controlling the same, and the camera block 43 includes:
A block including the above-described recording processing circuit and a control circuit for controlling the same.

By the way, in the camcorder shown in FIG. 1, for example, many photographers are right-handed. When viewed from the monitor 2, the main unit 1
Although the imaging unit 4 and the lens cover 3 are provided on the left side of the main body 1, the imaging unit 4 and the lens cover 3 may be provided on the right side of the main body 1. Further, in the camcorder of FIG. 1, the lens cover 3 is provided outside the imaging unit 4, but it may be provided inside the imaging unit 4.

FIG. 9 shows a view from the liquid crystal monitor 2 side.
An imaging unit 4 is provided on the right side of the main body 1, and a lens shutter 51 corresponding to the lens cover 3 is provided inside the imaging unit 4.
1 shows a configuration of an embodiment of a camcorder provided with. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to those in FIG.

In this camcorder, when the OFF mark or the VTR mark is located at the mark M,
That is, when the power is turned off or the VTR power is turned on, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Comes down, the lens 5 is covered, and the CAMARA mark is located in the range indicated by the bold arrow in FIG. The lens 51 is raised so that the lens 5 is exposed.

As described above, the lens 5 is provided inside the imaging unit 4.
In the case where the lens shutter 51 for protecting the image capturing section 4 is provided, the image capturing section 4 can be easily rotated regardless of the position of the image capturing section 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the lens cover 3 for protecting the lens is provided outside the image pickup section 4, the image pickup section 4 can be made compact.

The case where the photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a camcorder has been described above. However, the present invention can be applied to a camcorder as well as a video camera without a reproducing function, a camera for photographing, and the like. is there.

In this embodiment, the cylindrical imaging section 4 having a lens 5 on the side surface has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to the imaging section 4 having, for example, a lens on the bottom surface. 5 can be applied to a device having a shape provided with the same.

The three states of the camcorder (power OFF state, VTR power ON state, and camera power ON state)
ON / OF of push switches 13 and 31 with respect to
The method of allocating the F state is not limited to the above. That is, this assignment can be appropriately set in consideration of, for example, the specifications of the switch microcomputer 41 and the like. However, it is necessary to change the position, the number, and the like of the convex portions provided on the rotating plate 20 (FIG. 5) depending on the allocation method.

In this embodiment, since the camcorder has three states, the push switches 13 and 31
Is provided, but 2 ^n-1
In order to determine the state in the range of 2 to 2 ⁿ , n switches may be provided. That is, for example, if the video camera does not have a VTR function, the power is turned on / off.
Since only the two states of F need to be determined, only one switch is required.

Further, in this embodiment, the rotating plate 21 (FIG. 5) is provided with the convex portion 21 for operating the push switches 13 and 31, but the thickness of the rotating plate 21 is reduced. May be formed to the same extent as the height of the projection 21 in the area where the projection 21 is provided.

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal monitor 2
However, instead of the liquid crystal monitor 2, a so-called viewfinder may be provided.

[0062]

According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the power supply control means turns on / off the power supply in accordance with the rotation angle of the lens for imaging light from the subject. Therefore, for example, the power can be turned on while pointing the lens of the imaging unit toward the subject, so that shooting can be started immediately with a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a camcorder to which a photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method of using the camcorder of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the shape of a leaf spring 15 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a rotating plate 20 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an ON / OFF state of a push switch 13;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the state of the camcorder and the position of the protrusion 21;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of another embodiment of a camcorder to which the photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 body 2 LCD monitor 3 Lens cover 4 Imaging unit 5 lenses 11 cabinet 12 frames 13 Push switch 13a Moving part 14 Rotation base 15 Leaf spring 16, 17 slider 18 Fixing plate 19 pin 20 rotating plate 21 convex 31 push switch 41 Switch microcomputer 42 VTR block 43 Camera Block 51 Lens shutter

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-96080 (JP, A) JP-A-4-108275 (JP, A) JP-A-60-123170 (JP, A) 57971 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/225 G03B 11/04

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A rotatable imaging unit having a lens for imaging light from a subject, a main body for processing an output of the imaging unit, and a power supply ON / OFF according to a rotation angle of the imaging unit. The main body includes a recording unit that records an image, and a reproduction unit that reproduces an image recorded by the recording unit. The power supply control unit determines a rotation angle of the imaging unit. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power of the recording unit and the reproducing unit is turned off, the power of the recording unit is turned on, or the power of the reproducing unit is turned on. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lens cover for covering a lens of the imaging unit, wherein the lens is covered by the lens cover when the power of the recording unit is OFF, and the power of the recording unit is ON.
2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus is exposed at the time of. 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lens cover is provided inside or outside a housing of the imaging unit. 4. A rotating plate having a convex portion or a concave portion, which rotates with the rotation of the imaging section, and a switch operated by the convex portion or the concave portion of the rotating plate, wherein the power supply control means includes a switch. Corresponding to the state of
The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply is controlled. 5. A rotating plate having a convex portion or a concave portion, which rotates with the rotation of the imaging section, and first and second switches operated by the convex portion or the concave portion of the rotating plate, wherein the rotation The plate turns off the first and second switches, turns on the first switch, turns off the second switch, or turns off the first switch at each of the first to third rotational positions. And the second switch to O
N. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power control unit controls the power of the recording unit and the reproduction unit in accordance with the states of the first and second switches.