JP3825880B2 - Video camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a video camera having a retractable optical system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Video cameras are becoming smaller in size year by year, and in particular, with the advent of digital mechanical decks in recent years, further miniaturization has been spurred. One means of achieving downsizing Under the circumstances, a display means such as a CRT (cathode ray tube display device) or a LCD (liquid crystal display) for displaying the image of the viewfinder, the image of the display means the distance between the optical system for magnifying, means for size reduction is brought closer is known at the time of storage.
[0003]
That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the housing 64 in which the finder optical system 62 is stored is shown in a solid line along the optical axis of the finder optical system 62 with respect to the housing 63 in which the display unit 61 is stored. The structure is movable between a position 1 and a second position indicated by a dotted line. At the time of shooting, the image on the display means 61 can be magnified by pulling it out to the second position. Further, when not photographing, the casing 64 is moved closer to the display means 61 side and stored in the first position to improve portability.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case of the above-described conventional example, the distance between the display means 61 using a CRT or LCD and the viewfinder optical system 62 for enlarging the display means is increased to take a picture with a larger magnification. The visibility of the subject is improved. However, with such a structure, the performance of the viewfinder cannot be fully exploited to achieve downsizing. This is because if the movement distance between the first position and the second position is increased, the structure of the viewfinder becomes complicated and the size of the viewfinder increases.
[0005]
Further, if the movement distance between the first position and the second position is shortened to increase the magnification, the number of lenses constituting the finder optical system 62 is increased, or the power of each lens is increased. It needs to be bigger. In this case, there is a problem in that it is disadvantageous in terms of cost, or distortion around the magnified image becomes large, so that accurate image information cannot be obtained.
[0006]
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a video camera which takes a large magnification of a viewfinder and is housed in a small size when not photographing.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The video camera of the present invention includes a photographing optical system for photographing a subject, display means for displaying image information obtained from the photographing optical system, and a finder optical system capable of enlarging the display means, first and arrangement state in which the optical system is disposed on an optical axis connecting the said display means and said finder optical system, characterized Rukoto that having a second arrangement state detached from on the optical axis .
[0009]
In one aspect of the video camera of the present invention, the optical axis of the photographing optical system and the optical axis connecting the finder optical system and the display means are positioned in parallel.
[0010]
In one aspect of the video camera of the present invention, in the first arrangement state, the optical axis of the photographing optical system and the optical axis connecting the finder optical system and the display means are positioned on a substantially straight line. It is characterized by that.
[0011]
In one aspect of the video camera of the present invention, the photographing optical system is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.
[0012]
In one aspect of the video camera of the present invention, in the first arrangement state, the photographing optical system is inserted in close contact between the display means and the finder optical system, and an optical path end in the photographing optical system Is shielded.
[0013]
In one aspect of the video camera of the present invention, the video camera includes a switch for switching at least two operation modes, takes the first arrangement state in the first operation mode, and takes the second arrangement state in the second operation mode. It is characterized by taking.
[0014]
In one embodiment of the video camera of the present invention, a camera signal processing circuit for operating a camera block including the photographing optical system, a finder driving circuit for operating a viewfinder block including the finder optical system, and a captured image A VTR signal processing circuit for operating a VTR block for recording and reproducing images, wherein the VTR signal processing circuit operates in the first arrangement state, and a camera signal processing circuit, a finder driving circuit, and a VTR signal in the second arrangement state The processing circuit is activated.
[0015]
In one embodiment of the video camera of the present invention, a switch that can be switched between a power OFF mode, a VTR mode, and a camera mode is provided. In the power OFF mode, the switch is in the first arrangement state or the second arrangement state. In the VTR mode, the VTR signal processing circuit operates in the first arrangement state. In the camera mode, the camera signal processing circuit, the finder driving circuit, and the VTR signal are operated in the second arrangement state. The processing circuit is activated.
[0016]
One aspect of the video camera of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second arrangement state, a housing having a photographing optical system also has a grip function.
[0017]
[Action]
The video camera of the present invention can achieve downsizing during non-shooting by housing the shooting optical system in the space between the display means and the viewfinder optical system, and further shields the optical path end of the shooting optical system. be able to.
[0018]
Further, by removing the photographing optical system from between the display means and the finder optical system at the time of photographing and effectively using the space in which the photographing optical system is accommodated, the distance between the display means and the finder optical system can be sufficiently secured. it can.
[0019]
Further, by linking the first arrangement state and the second arrangement state with a power switch, the power switch can be easily operated by taking in and out the photographing optical system.
[0020]
In the second arrangement state, the housing containing the protruding photographing optical system can function as a grip.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are sectional views on the optical axis of the photographing optical system 2 of the video camera according to the first embodiment. 1 and 2, a lens unit 1 includes a photographing optical system 2 for photographing a subject, an image sensor 3 for converting an image obtained from the photographing optical system 2 into an electric signal, and a photographing optical system 2 (not shown). It consists of an actuator for driving. And this lens unit 1 is built in the housing | casing 4, and comprises one block.
[0022]
The housing 5 is a video camera body, and includes a VTR deck 6, an LCD 7 for displaying shooting information, a backlight unit 8 for illuminating the display content of the LCD 7, an eyepiece lens 9 for the viewfinder, an eye cup 10, and an unillustrated It consists of a printed circuit board for driving the lens, VTR deck, and viewfinder.
[0023]
FIG. 1 shows a non-photographing state, that is, a form when not in use or image reproduction. The housing 4 is in a space between the LCD 7 and the eyepiece 9 with respect to the housing 5 of the main body. . In such a state, there is no protruding portion in appearance, so that it is convenient to carry, and space can be minimized when stored.
[0024]
Further, since the front lens 2a of the photographing optical system 2 is covered with the housing 5, the same function as the lens cap can be obtained. This makes it possible to delete a member such as a lens cap or a lens barrier that has been required so far from the components of the video camera. Accordingly, the cost can be reduced, the complexity of removing the cap can be eliminated, and an erroneous operation due to forgetting to close the cap can be prevented.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows a state at the time of photographing, and the housing 4 protrudes completely with respect to the housing 5 of the main body. At this time, since the opening 4a of the housing 4 appears outside, it is possible to capture information on the subject from here and form an image on the image sensor 3.
[0026]
In addition, since no object exists in the space between the LCD 7 and the eyepiece 9 in this photographing state, the information on the subject displayed on the LCD 7 is enlarged by the eyepiece 9 and is removed from the eye cup 10. The contents can be confirmed.
[0027]
Thus, by increasing the distance between the LCD 7 and the eyepiece 9, it is possible to increase the magnification of the finder and improve the visibility.
[0028]
Next, the operation mode of the power switch unit 31 and the activation states of the camera block 21, the VTR block 22, and the viewfinder block 23 will be described with reference to a circuit block diagram shown in FIG.
[0029]
In FIG. 3, a camera block 21 captures a subject, an imaging optical system 2 for imaging, an imaging element 3 that converts optical information from the imaging optical system 2 into an electrical signal, and an electrical signal from the imaging element 3 that converts it into a video signal. The camera signal processing circuit 43 and a camera power supply circuit 44 for driving the camera signal processing circuit 43 are configured.
[0030]
The VTR block 22 includes a VTR signal processing circuit 45 that converts a video signal into a VTR signal, a VTR deck 46 that records a VTR signal, and a VTR power supply circuit 47 that drives the VTR signal processing circuit 45. The
[0031]
The viewer inter block 23 includes an LCD 7, an LCD drive circuit 49 for driving the LCD 7, and an LCD power supply circuit 50 for driving the LCD drive circuit 49.
[0032]
The power switch unit 31 includes contacts 31a, 31b, 31c and a switch piece 31d, and the switch piece 31d is connected to the three contacts in a switchable manner.
[0033]
At the time of shooting (camera mode), that is, when the video camera is in the state shown in FIG. 2, the switch piece 31d is connected to the contact 31a, and current flows from the battery 32 to the camera power supply circuit 44, VTR power supply circuit 47 and LCD power supply circuit 50. Flowing.
[0034]
As a result, the camera block 21, the VTR block 22, and the viewfinder block 23 are activated, respectively, and it is possible to check the content captured by the camera block 21, recorded by the VTR block 22, and captured by the viewer inter block 23. Become.
[0035]
At the time of image reproduction (VTR mode), that is, when the video camera is in the state shown in FIG. 1, the switch piece 31d is connected to the contact 31c, and a current flows only through the VTR power supply circuit 47. Thereby, only the VTR block 22 is activated and the recorded image can be reproduced.
[0036]
When the switch piece 31d is connected to the contact 31b, no current flows through any of the blocks, so the video camera is in a power-off state (power-off mode).
[0037]
Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the correspondence between the housing mechanism of the casing 4 in this embodiment, the mechanism of the power switch interlocked therewith, and the block diagram of the circuit shown in FIG.
[0038]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the housing 4 containing the lens unit 1 slides up and down relative to the housing 5 of the video camera body containing the VTR block 22 and the viewfinder block 23. To do. The sliding direction is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographing optical system 2 as shown in FIGS.
[0039]
The power switch knob 33 can slide up and down in FIGS. 4 and 5. The click plate 34 clarifies the position of the power switch knob 33 in the power OFF mode, the camera mode, and the VTR mode, and is fixed to the power switch knob 33.
[0040]
The click plate 34 slides integrally with the power switch knob 33, and the protrusion 34a enters the recesses 5a, 5b and 5c of the housing 5 to generate a click. The positions of the protrusions 34a relative to the recesses 5a, 5b, and 5c correspond to the VTR mode, the power-off mode, and the camera mode described above, respectively.
[0041]
The lock member 35 is a member for fixing the housing 4 at the position where the housing 4 is housed, and is held rotatably about a shaft 35a. The torsion spring 36 is positioned around the shaft 35a, and the arm tips 36a, 36b are placed against the lock member 35 and the housing 5 so as to urge the lock member 35 clockwise in FIGS. It is attached in contact.
[0042]
The pin 35b formed on the lock member 35 is in contact with the guide 33a of the power switch knob 33, and the lock member 35 rotates about the shaft 35a when the power switch knob 33 slides.
[0043]
The slide member 37 is a member that regulates the rotation of the lock member 35 and can slide in the vertical direction. The slide base 38 holds the slide member 37 and functions as a guide when sliding. The compression spring 39 urges the slide member 37 upward, and the end portion 37 a of the slide member 37 is in contact with the housing 4 in FIG. 4.
[0044]
The arm 40 and the arm 41 are members that connect the housing 4 and the housing 5. The arm 40 can rotate around the shaft 40 a, and the shaft 40 a is fixed to the housing 5. The arm 41 is rotatable about the shaft 41 a and the shaft 41 a is fixed to the housing 4. The arms 40 and 41 are connected to each other by a hinge 40b so as to be rotatable.
[0045]
A torsion spring 42 is installed around the hinge 40 b, and the tips 42 a and 42 b of the respective arms of the torsion spring 42 are fixed to the arm 40 and the arm 41. The torsion spring 42 biases both members in a direction in which the angle α formed by the arm 40 and the arm 41 in FIG. 4 increases. As a result, the housing 4 is biased upward with respect to the housing 5.
[0046]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of the power OFF mode. The power OFF mode corresponds to a state in which the switch piece 31d in FIG. 3 is connected to the contact 31b. In this power OFF mode, the protrusion 34 a of the click plate 34 fixed to the power switch knob 33 is located in the recess 5 b of the housing 5. The lock claw 35 c of the lock member 35 is engaged with the recess 4 a of the housing 4, and holds the housing 4 sliding upward by the urging force of the torsion spring 42.
[0047]
When the power switch knob 33 is slid downward and positioned in the camera mode from the power OFF mode state shown in FIG. 4, the lock member 35 rotates about the shaft 35a and is locked from the recess 4a of the housing 4. The engagement of the claw 35c is released. Since the casing 4 is urged upward by the torsion spring 42 via the arms 40 and 41, the casing 4 slides upward.
[0048]
When the housing 4 is slid to some extent, the convex portion 4b comes into contact with the end of the arm 41 and becomes a stopper to be fixed at an appropriate position. This state is the state of the camera mode shown in FIG. The camera mode corresponds to a state in which the switch piece 31d shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the contact 31a.
[0049]
Here, when the housing 4 slides, the slide member 37 is pushed out by the compression spring 39, and the end portion 37 a of the slide member 37 protrudes from the hole 5 a of the housing 5. The other end portion 37b of the slide member 37 also slides and engages with the end surface 35d of the lock member 35, so that the lock member 35 becomes non-rotatable. Therefore, the lock member 35 cannot slide the power switch knob 33 by the urging force of the torsion spring 36.
[0050]
When the photographing is finished and the power OFF mode is set, the casing 4 is pushed downward by hand in FIG. When slid downward, the housing 4 comes into contact with the end portion 37 a of the slide member 37. When the casing 4 is further slid downward, the slide member 37 is also pushed down together with the casing 4. Then, the engagement between the end portion 37b of the slide member 37 and the end surface 35d of the lock member 35 is released.
[0051]
When this engagement is released, the lock member 35 is rotatable and rotated by the urging force of the torsion spring 36. When the pin 35b of the lock member 35 pushes up the guide 33a of the power switch knob 33, the power switch knob 33 returns to the position of the power OFF mode.
[0052]
When the power switch knob 33 is slid upward from the state shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion 34 a of the click plate 34 fixed to the power switch knob 33 is positioned in the recess 5 a of the housing 5 to enter the VTR mode. . The VTR mode corresponds to a state in which the switch piece 31d shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the contact 31c, and image reproduction can be performed in a state in which the housing 4 is stored.
[0053]
According to the first embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to reduce the size by housing the housing 4 including the photographing optical system in the space between the LCD 7 and the eyepiece 9 when not photographing.
[0054]
In addition, by housing in this space, the front lens 2a of the photographing optical system 2 can be covered with the housing 5, and members such as a lens cap and a lens barrier are not required as in the conventional case, and operability is improved. be able to.
[0055]
Furthermore, the case 4 is fixed so as to protrude outside the case 5 at the time of shooting, and the magnification of the image displayed on the LCD 7 as the display means is increased by effectively using the space stored at the time of non-shooting. Can be enlarged. As a result, it is possible to take a picture while accurately checking the information of the subject, and it is possible to take a picture of the viewfinder with a high magnification.
[0056]
In the first embodiment, the case where the casing 4 moves in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographing optical system 2 has been described. However, various other moving directions can be considered. For example, the housing 4 may move parallel with a certain angle with the optical axis of the photographic optical system 2, or the housing 4 may rotate around a certain rotation center.
[0057]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the video camera according to the second embodiment viewed from the viewfinder side in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographing optical system 53, and FIG. Reference numeral 7 denotes a shooting state.
[0058]
6 and 7, the housing 51 includes a mechanical deck 54, a substrate 55, a substrate 56, a substrate 57, a finder unit (not shown) and an eyepiece unit. Further, the housing 52 has a photographing optical system 53 built therein.
[0059]
In the first embodiment, the case 4 in which the housing 4 including the photographing optical system 2 is slid in the vertical direction is shown. However, in the second embodiment, the housing 52 is configured to slide in the horizontal direction. ing. The basic structure other than the sliding direction of the housing 52 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0060]
By adopting such a structure, the casing 52 also serves as a grip when holding the video camera with the right hand at the time of shooting. Become.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
According to the video camera of the present invention, it is possible to increase the magnification of the finder at the time of shooting, and accurate subject information can be obtained. In addition, when the camera is not photographed, the photographing optical system can be accommodated to reduce the size and improve the portability. Therefore, it is possible to provide a video camera excellent in viewfinder visibility and portability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a non-shooting state of a video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a shooting state of the video camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit of the video camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view showing a non-shooting state of the video camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a shooting state of the video camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a non-shooting state of a video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a shooting state of a video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing a conventional video camera.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Shooting optical system 2a Front lens 7 LCD
9 Eyepiece 21 Camera block 22 VTR block 23 Viewfinder block 103 Camera signal processing circuit 109 LCD drive circuit 105 VTR signal processing circuit 111 Power switch 52 Case

Claims (9)

A shooting optical system for shooting a subject;
Display means for displaying image information obtained from the photographing optical system;
A finder optical system capable of enlarging the display means,
Characterized Rukoto that Yusuke first and arrangement of the imaging optical system is disposed on an optical axis connecting the said display means and said finder optical system, and a second arrangement state detached from on the optical axis And a video camera. The imaging optical system and the optical axis of the video camera according to claim 1 in which the optical axis connecting the finder optical system and the said display means, characterized in that positioned parallel. In the first arrangement, the optical axis of the photographing optical system, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the optical axis connecting the finder optical system and the said display means and being located on a substantially straight line Video camera. The imaging optical system, a video camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. In the first arrangement state,
The imaging optical system is inserted in a manner that contact between the finder optical system and the display means, to any one of claims 1 to 4, the optical path end of the photographing optical system is characterized in that it is shielded The listed video camera. A switch for switching between at least two operating modes;
Taking the first arrangement in the first operating mode;
Video camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the taking the second arrangement state in the second operating mode. A camera signal processing circuit for operating a camera block including the photographing optical system;
A viewfinder driving circuit for operating a viewfinder block including the viewfinder optical system;
A VTR signal processing circuit for operating a VTR block that records and reproduces a captured image;
In the first arrangement state, the VTR signal processing circuit operates,
The camera signal processing circuit in the second arrangement state, the video camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5, viewfinder drive circuitry and VTR signal processing circuit is characterized by operation. It has a switch that can be switched between power-off mode, VTR mode and camera mode.
In the power supply OFF mode, the power supply is stopped in the first arrangement state or the second arrangement state,
In the VTR mode, a VTR signal processing circuit operates in the first arrangement state,
8. The video camera according to claim 7 , wherein in the camera mode, a camera signal processing circuit, a finder driving circuit, and a VTR signal processing circuit operate in the second arrangement state. The video camera according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein in the second arrangement state, a housing having a photographing optical system also has a grip function.

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