JP4137488B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera that displays an operation state by a light emission color, and more particularly to a camera that is optimal as an electronic still camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a method of displaying the operation state of the camera, LEDs 92 and 94 are provided in the camera 90 for each color to be emitted according to the operation state (see FIG. 7), or two colors (green and By providing an LED (light emitting diode) capable of emitting (red) light, and making the light guide illuminate in three colors of green, red, and orange so that the LED light can be seen from the outside of the camera. It shows the operating state (in orange, light is emitted by simultaneously lighting green and red).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when an LED is provided for each color to emit light, there are problems that the number of parts increases and the power consumption increases.
[0004]
In addition, when an LED capable of emitting two colors is provided in the same chip, the distance from the LED to the light guide is increased so that the mixed color of the two colors is visually recognized as orange, or the two emitted colors are separated. In order to prevent this, there is a problem that it is necessary to devise the light guide.
[0005]
In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can visually recognize an operation state with a simple structure.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 includes a single light emitter that emits white continuous light or white blinking light , a plurality of diffusion plates that emit colored light having different colors when receiving white light from the light emitter, and Selection means for selecting the diffusing plate illuminated by the illuminant so as to be switchable, and receiving colored light from the diffusing plate selected by the selecting means, and the received light color is visually recognized from outside as an operation status display of the camera. A first diffusion plate and a second diffusion plate are provided as a plurality of the diffusion plates, and the selection means is configured to be slidable and constitute a housing on the front side of the camera And holding the light guide on the front side of the camera, illuminating the first diffuser with light from the light emitter at one end of the slide and illuminating the light guide with colored light from the first diffuser, At the other end of the slide Wherein the sliding plate section for illuminating the light guide body with colored light from the second diffusion plate against the second diffusion plate with light from the light body is provided.
[0007]
As the selection means, a mechanism for making the light emitter or the diffusion plate movable and switching the diffusion plate to be irradiated with light may be provided.
[0008]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to illuminate the light guide with a single light emitter so that the light color can be switched, and to operate with a simple structure without increasing the number of components and power consumption. A camera capable of visually checking the state is realized. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the size and power consumption of the camera and to reduce the cost of the camera.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first diffusion plate and the second diffusion plate are disposed so as to be separated from each other at the same distance as the sliding movement distance of the sliding plate portion, and the light emitter is attached to the light guide. The first diffuser plate is disposed between the light emitter and the light guide at the one end of the slide, and the light emitter at the other end of the slide. The second diffusion plate is located between the light guide and the light guide.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first diffusion plate and the second diffusion plate are disposed so as to be separated from each other at the same distance as the sliding movement distance of the sliding plate portion, and the light emitting element is disposed on the sliding plate portion. A first reflection mirror that reflects light from the body, a second reflection mirror that is disposed on the back side of the second diffusion plate and reflects light from the first reflection mirror toward the second diffusion plate, At the slide one end position, directly illuminate the first diffuser plate with light from the light emitter and illuminate the light guide with colored light from the first diffuser plate, and at the slide other end position, The light from the light emitter is sequentially reflected by the first reflecting mirror and the second reflecting mirror to illuminate the second diffuser, and the light guide is illuminated with colored light from the second diffuser. To do.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the sliding plate portion constitutes a grip portion that slides and moves on the front side of the camera, and the light guide is provided in the grip portion .
[0012]
In recent years, cameras having a structure in which a grip part that slides in front of the camera is provided and the power of the camera is switched on and off by the movement of the grip part are often used. The grip portion is often provided on the right side when viewed from the back side of the camera so that the operator can move the grip portion with a finger other than the thumb of the right hand (for example, index finger or middle finger).
[0013]
If a light guide is provided in this grip part, a plurality of diffusers that emit colored light of different colors are arranged side by side on the camera body part, so that the light color that illuminates the light guide according to the movement position of the grip part can be changed. Since the switching structure can be easily realized, an operator or the like can easily identify the ON / OFF state of the camera based on the difference in light color.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the light emitter is an LED.
Thereby, the power consumed by the light emitter can be reduced, and the shape of the light emitter can be easily changed to an arbitrary shape.
As the LED, a surface mount type chip LED is desirable, but a lead type may be used as long as there is no difficulty in mounting area.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described and embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0016]
[First form]
First, a 1st form is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 1, in the camera 10 of the first embodiment, a grip portion 18 is provided on the front side of the camera body 12 in addition to the strobe light emitting portion 14 and the viewfinder 16 at the left end when viewed from the front direction F. Yes.
[0017]
A convex portion 22 is formed on the front side of the grip portion 18 so as to be smoothly curved and protruded, and when the operator holds the camera 10, the finger other than the thumb of the right hand is easily hooked.
[0018]
The grip portion 18 is slidable in the left-right direction H as viewed from the operator, that is, as viewed from the back direction B (see FIGS. 1 and 3). OFF is switched.
[0019]
The camera body 12 is provided with a release button 24 at the upper right end when viewed from the back direction B.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, a cavity 28 is formed in the grip portion 18, and the inside of the sliding plate portion 30 that constitutes the housing of the grip portion 18 and slides on the front side of the camera body portion 12. An LED mounting board 32 is provided, and one LED 36 that emits white light is provided on the front side of the LED mounting board 32. The LED 36 has a shape elongated in the vertical direction when viewed from the front direction F of the camera 10.
[0021]
Further, on the front side of the LED 36 which is the convex portion 22 of the grip portion 18, a short cylindrical light guide 38 capable of judging the received light color from the outside is provided in the vertical direction V of the camera 10 (FIG. 1, FIG. 1). 3) are provided side by side.
[0022]
In the grip portion 18, a side opening 42 that communicates with the cavity 28 is formed on the left side wall as viewed from the back direction B, and a back surface opening 44 that communicates with the cavity 28 is formed on the back surface side. .
[0023]
A diffusion plate fixing member 46 is attached to the camera main body 12 and a diffusion plate, which will be described later, is fixed and inserted into the cavity 28 from the side opening 42 of the grip portion 18. The diffusion plate fixing member 46 is formed with two openings 48B and 48G that are elongated in the vertical direction when viewed from the front direction F and are parallel to each other. The distance between the opening 48B and the opening 48G is the same as the sliding movement distance of the grip portion 18. The opening 48B is covered with an orange diffusing plate 50B prepared to emit orange light when white light is received, and the opening 48G is green diffused to emit green light when receiving white light. It is covered with a plate 50G.
[0024]
In addition, the camera body 12 incorporates a circuit board 52 on which a chip for controlling the start and stop of application of a voltage for causing the LED 36 to emit light is incorporated. The LED mounting board 32 and the circuit board 52 are They are electrically connected by a flexible wire 54 via a back side opening 44.
[0025]
When the camera 10 is not used, the grip portion 18 is moved leftward as viewed from the back direction B (the grip portion 18 is moved rightward as viewed from the front direction F) (FIG. 1, FIG. (See FIG. 2). When the battery of the camera 10 is charged in this state, the camera 10 causes the LED 36 to emit light by the electric power from the circuit board 52. An orange diffusion plate 50B is located on the front side of the LED 36, and the light guide 38 is illuminated with the orange light diffused by the orange diffusion plate 50B. As a result, it can be seen from the outside of the camera that the light guide 38 is illuminated with orange light, and it can be seen at a glance that the battery is being charged.
[0026]
When charging of the battery of the camera 10 is completed, for example, when charging is not performed in this state (see FIG. 2), the LED 36 is configured not to emit light.
[0027]
In order to use the camera 10, the grip portion 18 is moved to the right as viewed from the back direction B (the grip portion 18 is moved to the left as viewed from the front direction F) (FIGS. 3 and 4). The control unit (not shown) of the circuit board 52 recognizes the movement position of the grip unit 18, and the camera 10 causes the LED 36 to emit light by the electric power from the circuit board 52.
[0028]
Since the diffusion plate fixing member 46 does not move even if the grip portion 18 moves, the green diffusion plate 50G is located on the front side of the LED 36, and the light guide 38 is formed of green light diffused by the green diffusion plate 50G. Illuminated. As a result, it can be seen from the outside that the light guide 38 is illuminated with green light, and it can be seen at a glance that the camera 10 is powered on.
[0029]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the diffusion plate illuminated by the LED 36 is switched depending on the movement position of the grip portion 18, and thus the light color that illuminates the light guide 38 is switched. Accordingly, it is sufficient to provide only one LED 36, and it is not necessary to provide a plurality of LEDs 36. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and power consumption.
[0030]
[Second form]
Next, a 2nd form is demonstrated. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the camera 60 of the second embodiment, a grip portion 68 is attached to the front side of the camera body portion 62.
[0032]
As in the first embodiment, a convex portion 72 that is smoothly curved and protrudes is formed on the front side of the grip portion 68, and when the operator holds the camera 60, a finger other than the thumb of the right hand is easily hooked. It is in shape. The grip portion 68 is slidable in the left-right direction H when viewed from the operator, that is, when viewed from the back side. Further, a cavity 69 is formed in the grip portion 68.
[0033]
Further, as described in the first embodiment, the grip portion 68 is provided with three light guides 38 arranged in the up and down direction of the camera 60 on the convex portion 72, and the cavity 69 is formed on the left side wall as viewed from the plane. A side opening 73 is formed in communication with the side opening 73.
[0034]
In the second embodiment, one LED 32 that emits white light is directly mounted on the circuit board 52, and the circuit board 52 is built in the camera body 62. The arrangement position of the LED 32 is an arrangement position where the light guide 38 is positioned in the light emission direction of the LED 32 (that is, the front direction of the camera) when the grip portion 68 is moved to the left end when viewed from the back direction B.
[0035]
An opening 64 through which light from the LED 32 passes is formed in the camera main body 62, and the grip portion 68 is formed on the sliding plate portion 70 that forms the housing of the grip portion 68 and slides on the front side of the camera main body 62. An elongated opening 71 is formed in the left-right direction (slide movement direction) in accordance with the slide movement distance.
[0036]
A diffusion plate fixing member 76 that is inserted into the cavity 69 from the side opening 73 of the grip portion 68 is attached to the camera main body 62. The diffusion plate fixing member 76 has the two openings 48B described in the first embodiment. 48G are formed, and the opening 48B is positioned in the light emitting direction of the LED 32. The opening 48B is covered with an orange diffusion plate 50B, and the opening 48G is covered with a green diffusion plate 50G.
[0037]
A first reflecting mirror 80 that reflects light from the LED 32 in the right direction is provided at the left end of the sliding plate portion 70 when viewed from the back direction B. In addition, at the right end of the diffusion plate fixing member 76 when viewed from the back direction B, a second reflection mirror 82 that reflects light from the first reflection mirror 80 in the front direction of the camera at a position on the back surface side of the green diffusion plate 50G. Is provided.
[0038]
When the battery of the camera 60 is charged when the camera 60 is not used (see FIG. 5), the camera 60 causes the LED 32 to emit light by the electric power from the circuit board 52. Since the orange diffusion plate 50B is located in the front direction of the LED 32 camera, the light guide 38 is illuminated with the orange light diffused by the orange diffusion plate 50B. As a result, it can be seen from the outside of the camera that the light guide 38 is illuminated with orange light, and it can be seen at a glance that the camera 60 is being charged.
[0039]
When the grip portion 68 is moved to the right end when viewed from the back direction B in order to use the camera 60 (see FIG. 6), the control portion (not shown) of the circuit board 52 determines the position of the grip portion 68 to move. Recognizing, the camera 60 causes the LED 32 to emit light by the power from the circuit board 52. Further, in this state, the first reflection mirror 80 is located in the front direction of the camera of the LED 32. For this reason, the light emitted from the LED 32 is sequentially reflected by the first reflecting mirror 80 and the second reflecting mirror 82, reaches the green diffusion plate 50G, and is guided by the green light diffused by the green diffusion plate 50G. 38 is illuminated. As a result, it can be seen from the outside of the camera that the light guide 38 is illuminated with green light, and it can be seen at a glance that the camera 60 is powered on.
[0040]
According to the second form, unlike the first form, it is not necessary to provide the LED mounting substrate in the grip portion, and it is not necessary to attach a flexible wire.
[0041]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the above embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, even if the number of light guides is set to one instead of three and the dimensions of the LED and the diffusion plate are reduced accordingly, the same effect can be obtained. Needless to say, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention has the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
[0043]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to illuminate the light guide with a single light emitter so that the light color can be switched, and with a simple structure, without increasing the number of components and power consumption. A camera capable of visually checking the operating state is realized. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the size and power consumption of the camera and to reduce the cost of the camera.
[0044]
According to the invention according to claim 4 , since a plurality of diffuser plates emitting colored light having different colors can be arranged side by side, and the structure for switching the light color for illuminating the light guide according to the moving position of the grip portion can be easily realized. An operator or the like can easily identify the ON / OFF state of the camera based on the difference in light color.
[0045]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, while being able to reduce the electric power consumed by a light-emitting body, it is easy to make the shape of a light-emitting body into arbitrary shapes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1A and 1B are a front view and a plan view, respectively, showing that a grip portion has moved to a charging position (a position where a camera is powered off) in the first embodiment. is there.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged plan sectional view showing that the light guide is illuminated with light from an orange diffusion plate when the grip portion is moved to a charging position in the first embodiment.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are a front view and a plan view, respectively, showing that the grip portion has moved to a position where the camera is powered on in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged plan sectional view showing that the light guide is illuminated with light from the green diffuser when the grip portion moves to a position where the camera is powered on in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged plan sectional view showing that the light guide is illuminated with light from an orange diffusion plate when the grip portion is moved to a charging position in the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan sectional view showing that the light guide is illuminated with light from the green diffuser when the grip portion is moved to a position where the camera is powered on in the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a rear view of a conventional camera (a camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-299802).
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Camera 18 Grip part 36 LED
38 Light guide 30 Slide plate part (selection means)
42 Side opening (selection means)
46 Diffuser fixing member (selection means)
50B Orange diffuser plate 50G Green diffuser plate 60 Camera 68 Grip part 70 Sliding plate part (selection means)
71 Opening (selection means)
73 Side opening (selection means)
76 Diffuser fixing member (selection means)
80 First reflection mirror (selection means)
82 Second reflection mirror (selection means)

Claims (5)

One light emitter emitting white continuous light or white flashing light ;
A plurality of diffusers that emit colored light of different colors when receiving white light from the light emitter;
Selection means for selecting the diffusing plate illuminated by the illuminant so as to be switchable;
A light guide that receives the colored light from the diffusion plate selected by the selection means, and the received light color can be visually recognized as an operation state display of the camera from the outside,
Have
As the plurality of diffusion plates, a first diffusion plate and a second diffusion plate are provided,
As the selection means, a slide-movable housing constitutes a housing on the front side of the camera and the light guide is held on the front side of the camera, and the first diffuser plate is moved by light from the light emitter at one end of the slide. Illuminate and illuminate the light guide with colored light from the first diffuser, and illuminate the second diffuser with light from the light emitter at the other end of the slide and emit colored light from the second diffuser. A camera comprising a sliding plate portion for illuminating a light guide. The first diffusion plate and the second diffusion plate are arranged so as to be separated from each other at the same interval as the sliding movement distance of the sliding plate portion,
The light emitter is disposed on the sliding plate so as to emit light toward the light guide;
The first diffusion plate is positioned between the light emitter and the light guide at the one end of the slide, and the second diffusion plate is positioned between the light emitter and the light guide at the other end of the slide. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is located. The first diffusion plate and the second diffusion plate are arranged so as to be separated from each other at the same interval as the sliding movement distance of the sliding plate portion,
The sliding plate portion includes a first reflecting mirror that reflects light from the light emitter and a rear surface side of the second diffusing plate, and the light from the first reflecting mirror is transmitted to the second diffusing plate. A second reflecting mirror that reflects toward the
At the slide one end position, the light from the light emitter is directly illuminated on the first diffuser plate, and the light guide body is illuminated with the colored light from the first diffuser plate. The light is sequentially reflected by the first reflection mirror and the second reflection mirror to illuminate the second diffusion plate, and illuminates the light guide with colored light from the second diffusion plate. Camera described in. The sliding plate portion constitutes a grip portion that slides on the camera front side,
The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light guide is provided in the grip portion.   The camera according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is an LED.

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