JP4439975B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device including a barrier mechanism for protecting an imaging lens.

  Compact type imaging devices (hereinafter also simply referred to as “cameras”) are compact and lightweight, and are excellent in portability, but have a barrier mechanism to protect the lens surface from being damaged and damaged when the lens is carried. Things are popular in the market.

  As for the barrier mechanism, various mechanisms have been put into practical use. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a barrier mechanism employed in a conventional compact camera. In the figure, 31 is a front cover of the camera body, and 32 is a barrier cover (also referred to as a barrier mechanism). The barrier cover 32 is attached by fitting the mounting claws 32a and 32b provided on the barrier cover 32 to the groove rails 31a and 31b provided on the front cover 31, and can be slid along the groove rails 31a and 31b. is there. Reference numeral 33 denotes an imaging lens. A strobe light emitting unit 34 emits auxiliary light toward the subject when shooting a dark subject. Reference numeral 35 denotes a finder window for observing the subject, and 36 denotes a shutter button for starting photographing.

  The barrier cover 32 is in the closed state in the direction of arrow B when the photographing is not performed. In this state, the imaging lens 33, the strobe issuing unit 34, and the finder window 35 are covered, and these functional components ( 33, 34, 35) are prevented from being damaged.

  When shooting with the camera, it is necessary to manually slide the barrier cover 32 covering the imaging lens 33, the finder window 35, etc. in the direction of the arrow A, and the photographer observes the subject image through the finder window 35 and takes a shooting angle. And the shutter button 36 is pressed to take a picture. When shooting is finished, the barrier cover 32 is manually slid in the direction of arrow B in order to protect the imaging lens 33 and the finder window 35, and the series of operations is completed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses contents that enable the camera operation to be switched by a finger operation while holding the camera while realizing stable camera holding with one hand.
JP-A-8-21463

However, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 11, the above-described camera needs to be provided with a grip structure (FIG. 12) for making it easier to hold the camera body and improving operability. When the photographer operates the barrier cover 32, it is necessary to slide the barrier cover 32 in the horizontal direction while holding the camera body firmly. Therefore, a larger part is moved than the shutter button 36 or the like. This forces the photographer to operate. In order to enable repeated operation like a switch like the shutter button 36, it is necessary to reduce the operation burden on the photographer and make the barrier cover 32 easy to move.
On the other hand, paying attention to high functionality of the compact camera, it is also necessary to provide the barrier cover 32 itself with a plurality of switch functions and to switch between a plurality of shooting modes and functions. In this case, it is necessary to arrange parts related to a plurality of switch mechanisms between the barrier cover 32 and the front cover 31. In the structure of the barrier cover 32 in FIG. 11, in order to improve the above-described operability problem, the friction between the barrier cover 32 and the groove rails 31a and 31b is reduced to facilitate the movement of the barrier cover 32. However, in this case, the barrier cover 32 may be opened carelessly when being carried, causing a problem that the original function of the barrier cover 32 cannot be ensured and the imaging lens or the like is damaged.

  Therefore, in view of the problems in the background art described above, the object of the present invention is excellent in operability by a photographer, interlocking with operation of an operation member that performs switching operation of operation states of a plurality of cameras while protecting an imaging lens and the like The present invention provides an imaging apparatus having a barrier mechanism that is driven.

In order to solve the above problems, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention has an opening serving as an optical path of an imaging lens, and is attached to a housing of the imaging apparatus in a state where switching operation is possible. An operation member capable of selecting any one of a stop mode, a first shooting mode in which electronic zoom shooting can be performed, and a second shooting mode in which electronic zoom shooting cannot be performed ;
An optical viewfinder for observing the subject during shooting,
Control means for switching the operation of the imaging device based on the selection by the operating member;
A barrier member that is driven according to the operation mode selected according to the switching operation of the operation member, protects the imaging lens in the imaging device, or releases the protection to enable photographing. With
The operating member moves to a position that blocks the optical path of the optical finder when the first imaging mode is selected, and moves to a position that opens the optical path of the optical finder when the second imaging mode is selected.
The barrier member protects the photographing lens when the stop mode is selected by the actuating member, and the first photographing mode or the second photographing mode is selected by the actuating member. In this case, the protection of the photographing lens is canceled .

  It is possible to provide an image pickup apparatus that is excellent in operability and includes a barrier mechanism that is driven in conjunction with an operation of an operation member that switches an operation state of a plurality of cameras while protecting an image pickup lens and the like.

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

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an imaging apparatus (hereinafter also simply referred to as “camera”) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a front cover of the camera body. Reference numeral 2 denotes an operating cover having a substantially circular cross section. The operating cover 2 is rotatably mounted on the front cover 1 by a predetermined amount of angle. Reference numeral 2a denotes an index provided on the operating cover 2, and photographing is performed as described later by rotating the operating cover 2 so as to be referred to as mode indices 1a to 1e indicating the respective operation modes provided on the front cover 1 side. One can select each operation mode.

  Further, the operating cover 2 is provided with an opening 2b, and a barrier 3 (see FIG. 2A) is disposed between the front cover 1 and the operating cover 2 so as to close the opening 2b. A drive rib 2k functioning as a cam is provided on the back side of the operation cover 2, and the drive rib 2k pushes up the drive lever 3c of the barrier 3 to drive the barrier 3. When the camera is not used for shooting in the stop mode, the barrier 3 is placed in front of the imaging lens 9 so that it cannot be shot and functions to protect the lens itself. The relationship between the movement of the barrier 3 and the operation mode of the camera will be described in detail later.

  Returning to FIG. 1, 4 is a shutter button for starting photographing, and 5 is operation buttons for inputting various operation modes and information. In addition, an image display unit 6 for displaying a photographed image is provided on the back of the camera (see FIG. 1B), and displays a subject image being photographed and an image recorded in a memory inside the main body. Can be confirmed. The display of the image display unit 6 is controlled under the display control unit 230 and can display image data stored in the memory 240 or display an image observed through the finder window 11. A strobe light emitting unit 7 emits auxiliary light toward the subject when shooting a dark subject.

  Next, details of the structure of the operating cover 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. The operation cover 2 is provided with three attachment claws 2c, 2d, and 2e, and the front cover 1 is provided with grooves 1f1, 1f2, and 1f3 (FIG. 2B) that are paired with the attachment claws (FIG. 2B). In FIG. 2A, a part of the groove is shown as 1f). The operating cover 2 is attached to the front cover 1 in a rotatable state with the mounting claws fitted in the grooves. FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the mounting claw is fitted in the groove, where (a) is a sectional view and (b) is a plan view when the sectional view is viewed from below. . As shown to (a), the recessed part is provided in the groove part by the side of the front cover 1, and the convex part of an attachment nail | claw is engage | inserted by this recessed part. The groove functions to hold the operating cover 2 on the front cover 1 while guiding the mounting claws in the circumferential direction. In the plan view shown in (b), it can be rotated by s2 in the clockwise direction and by s1 in the counterclockwise direction. For example, when the circumferential length of the groove is s3 and the circumferential length of the mounting claw is s4, the rotation amount of the working cover 2 is determined by the relative relationship between the circumferential lengths of both. be able to.

  Returning to FIG. 2A, reference numeral 8 denotes a click spring (plate spring convex portion), which is attached to the spring groove 1 g of the front cover 1. FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a click groove (a concave portion that engages with a convex portion of the click spring) provided in the operation cover 2, and the click spring 8 includes the click grooves 2 f to 2 j of the operation cover 2. The rotation of the operating cover 2 can be held in a state of being engaged with any of the above. The arrangement of the click grooves 2f to 2j corresponds to the interval between the indicators 1a to 1e indicating the operation modes provided on the front cover 1 of the main body shown in FIG. 1A. Thus, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation in which the operation cover is inadvertently moved by the photographer.

  By changing the depth of the click groove, the holding force by the click spring 8 can be adjusted. In particular, the click groove 2i that engages with the click spring 8 in the state where the index 2a provided on the operating cover 2 matches the index 1d that designates the “stop mode” is the other click groove (2f, 2g, 2j). By setting the depth of the groove deeper, it is difficult to release the state engaged with the convex portion of the click spring 8, and the problem that the cover is released due to an erroneous operation when the camera is carried and the imaging lens is damaged is solved. Make it possible.

  Next, the barrier 3 is aligned with the mounting shaft 3 a passing through the mounting hole 1 j of the front cover 1, and is further urged by the barrier spring 10 so that the barrier surface 3 b is positioned to cover the imaging lens 9. (Arrow a direction). 3c provided on the barrier 3 is a drive lever. When the drive rib 2k provided on the operating cover comes into contact with the drive lever 3c by the rotation of the operating cover 2, the barrier 3 moves the mounting shaft 3a. The drive lever 3c that follows the drive rib as the center of rotation serves as the point of action of the drive force and rotates the barrier 3 (in the direction of arrow b). The barrier 3 rotates in conjunction with the movement of the operating cover, and operates so that the barrier surface 3b retracts to a position where the imaging lens 9 is not covered.

  The drive rib 2k realizes a function as a kind of cam mechanism. As shown in FIG. 2E, in the region indicated by 290, the drive lever 3c of the barrier 3 is pushed up to rotate the barrier 3, and 280 In this region, displacement is applied so as to maintain the state in which the drive lever 3c is pushed up so as to maintain the state in which the barrier 3 is turned.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a finder window, which is used for observing a subject through the finder window 11 as viewed from an eyepiece 12 (see FIG. 1B) provided on the back of the camera body when photographing. The transmission window 2l of the operating cover 2 attached to the front cover 1 is arranged at a position overlapping the visual field range from the finder window 11 to release the visual field. The transmission window 21 has a long hole shape penetrating the operation cover 2, and in the range where the transmission window 21 overlaps the viewfinder window 11, there is no obstruction to the viewfinder window 11. Observation becomes possible. Depending on the rotational position of the working cover 2, the region of the working cover 2 without the transmission window 21 blocks the field of view from the finder window 11. The arrangement position of the transmission window 21 corresponds to the operation mode of the camera specified by the operation cover 2, and in the mode indicating the shooting state (“STILL” “MOVIE”), the photographer can observe the subject. In addition, since it is necessary to switch to a state where observation is possible by releasing the field of view, a transmission window 21 is provided at a position on the operation cover where these photographing modes are set so as not to block the field of view. On the other hand, when the stop mode is set, the photographer does not need to observe the subject, and in this case, the transmission window 21 is not provided at the position of the operation cover corresponding to the stop mode.

  Reference numerals 13a, b, and c denote code plates that function as switches that generate electrical signals depending on whether or not they are connected to the sliding contact pieces 14a, b, and c attached to the operating cover 2. When the sliding contact piece and the code plate are connected, the code plate is turned on, and this electrical signal is detected by the position detection processing circuit 220 (FIG. 2D) of FIG. 2D. The electrical signal has different signal levels depending on the combination of the connection with the code plates 13a, b, c corresponding to the sliding contact pieces 14a, 14b, 14c, and is based on the difference in electrical signal level. Thus, it is possible to accurately specify the position of the working cover 2. An example of the electrical signal level will be described later together with a specific operation of the operation cover 2, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  The position information of the working cover 2 obtained by the position detection processing circuit 220 is sent to the internal processing circuit 210 and used for switching control of various photographing modes under the control of the CPU 200.

<Specific examples of camera operation>
Next, a specific operation of the imaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the “mode” indicates the operation state of the camera (stop, still image shooting, moving image shooting, etc.), for example, “stop mode” indicates that the camera is in the stop state.
<Stop mode>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the index 2a of the operating cover 2 is set to the index 1d indicating the stop mode “STOP” provided on the front cover 1 of the camera body (in FIG. 3, (a) is a front view). (B) is a side view). In this state, the sliding contact pieces 14a, 14b, and 14c are not in contact with the code plates 13d and 13e. In this state, the position detection processing circuit 220 positions the operation cover 2 in the “stop mode”. An OFF signal (FIG. 4 (a)) that identifies the presence of a voltage signal is detected (for example, 0V for a voltage signal and 0A for a current signal). Based on the detection result, the position detection processing circuit 220 specifies that the working cover 2 is in a position indicating the stop mode, and passes this result to the internal processing circuit 210. After the main power supply is turned off, the internal processing circuit 210 spends a small amount of power to maintain the timekeeping function, etc., and puts the camera in a standby state while waiting for a mode switching input to operate the camera. The “stop mode” state is maintained until the operation mode is switched to. In this state, the operating cover 2 is in a state where the click groove 2i and the click spring 8 are engaged, and the click groove 2i is deeper than the other click grooves (2f, 2g, 2j). Accordingly, the engagement state with the click spring 8 cannot be released unless the operation cover 2 is rotated with a stronger force.

  By making the operation cover 2 difficult to rotate, it is possible to prevent the operation cover 2 from rotating carelessly while being carried, for example, and exposing the imaging lens 9 to be damaged. Further, in the state of the stop mode, the barrier surface 3b is positioned at a position covering the imaging lens 9, and the finder window 11 is also covered by the operation cover 2. When looking into the camera, the photographer cannot confirm the subject image, and can confirm in advance that the camera must be switched to an operation mode capable of shooting. As a result, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of erroneously photographing when the subject is not actually captured.

<Still image shooting mode>
Next, a specific operation procedure for photographing with the camera while switching the above-described stop state will be described. The photographer rotates the operation cover 2 in the stopped state described in FIG. 3 in the normal rotation direction (counterclockwise direction), and FIG. 5 (a) is a front view and FIG. 5 (b) is a side view. 2), the index 2a provided on the operation cover 2 is matched with the index 1c indicating the “still image shooting mode (STILL)” provided on the front cover 1 of the camera body. When the operation cover 2 is rotated, the click groove 2i is disengaged from the engagement state with the click spring 8, and the operation cover 2 is in a state where the other click groove 2h provided in the circumferential direction and the click spring 8 are engaged. Is retained. At this time, the sliding contact pieces 14b and 14c come into contact with the code plates 13b and 13c, and the first ON signal indicating the “still image shooting mode” shown in FIG. FIG. 4B shows that the operation state of the camera is switched to the still image shooting mode at time t <b> 1 by the rotation of the operation cover 2. Based on this detection result, the position detection processing circuit 220 specifies that the position of the working cover 2 is in the still image shooting mode, and sends this result to the internal processing circuit 210. The internal processing circuit 210 switches the camera to an operation mode capable of taking a still image under the control of the CPU 200. In this state, the position of the operating cover 2 is maintained by the engaging action of the click spring 8 and the click groove 2h, and the operating cover 2 is in a state in which it cannot rotate freely. Can be prevented.

  When the operation cover 2 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow a), the drive lever 3c of the barrier 3 is driven by the drive rib 2k, and the barrier surface 3b is rotated in the clockwise direction (arrow) with the mounting shaft 3a as the center of rotation. b), the barrier surface 3b does not block the imaging range of the imaging lens 9. In this state, the imaging lens 9 is ready for photographing. Further, since the finder window 11 also has the transmission window 21 of the operation cover 2 on the front surface, the operation cover 2 does not block the field of view of the finder window, and the subject image can be observed through the eyepiece 12.

<Movie shooting mode>
Next, the operation cover 2 is further rotated in the forward rotation direction (counterclockwise direction) to operate as shown in FIG. 6 ((a) is a front view and (b) is a side view). The index 2a provided on the cover 2 is matched with the index 1b indicating the “moving image shooting mode (MOVIE)” provided on the front cover 1 of the camera body. When the operation cover 2 is rotated, the engagement state between the click groove 2 h and the click spring 8 is released, and the operation cover 2 is engaged with the other click groove 2 g provided in the circumferential direction and the click spring 8 being engaged. Is retained. At this time, the sliding pieces 14a, 14b, 14c attached to the operating cover 2 are in contact with the code plates 13a, 13b, 13c on the camera body side, and the second moving image photographing mode generated by this connection is shown. ON signal (FIG. 4C) is detected by the position detection processing circuit 220. FIG. 4C shows that the operation state of the camera is switched to the moving image shooting mode at time t2 by the rotation of the operation cover 2. Based on the detection result, the position detection processing circuit 220 specifies that the position of the working cover 2 is in the moving image shooting mode, and sends this result to the internal processing circuit 210. The internal processing circuit 210 switches the camera to an operation mode capable of capturing a moving image under the control of the CPU 200.

  The position of the operation cover 2 is maintained by the click spring 8 engaging with the click groove 2g, and the operation cover 2 can be prevented from rotating carelessly during photographing. At this time, the driving lever 3c in the barrier 3 is driven by the driving rib 2k provided on the operating cover 2, and the barrier surface 3b is retracted from the front surface of the imaging lens 9 to ensure the field of view of the imaging lens, thereby enabling photographing. In addition, since the finder window 11 is also located within the range of the transmission window 21 of the operation cover 2, the field of view of the photographer is secured, and the subject image can be observed through the eyepiece 12.

  By rotating the operation cover 2, a plurality of modes for operating the camera, for example, a state where shooting is not performed (stop mode), and a plurality of shooting operations (operations for shooting still images and moving images) are set. The field of view of the barrier 3 and the viewfinder window 11 covering the imaging lens 9 is secured according to the switching of each operation mode, so that the photographer can observe the subject. When the camera is stopped, the imaging lens 9 and the finder window 11 are covered with the barrier 3 and the operation cover 2 to protect them from damage when being carried, and at the time of shooting, the imaging lens 9 and the finder window 11 can be switched to a functioning state. become.

<Zoom function>
7A ((a) is a front view and (b) is a side view) by further rotating the operation cover 2 in the normal rotation direction (counterclockwise) from the movie shooting mode (“MOVIE”) state. As shown in FIG. 4, the index 2a provided on the operation cover 2 is set to the index 1a indicating the “electronic zoom photographing mode (ZOOM)” provided on the front cover 1 of the main body. This operation is for causing the camera to execute the zoom function. In this state, the click groove 2f provided in the operation cover 2 and the click spring 8 are engaged, and the operation cover 2 is held at this position. At this position, the sliding contact pieces 14a and 14b are in contact with the code plates 13a and 13b, and the sliding contact piece 14c and the code plate 13c are not in contact with each other. A third ON signal (FIG. 4D) indicating the “electronic zoom photographing mode” due to the contact of the sliding contact pieces 14a, 14b and the code plates 13a, 13b is detected by the position detection processing circuit 220. FIG. 4D shows that the operation state of the camera is switched to the electronic zoom photographing mode at time t3 by the rotation of the operation cover 2. Based on the detection result, the position detection processing circuit 220 specifies that the position of the working cover 2 is in the electronic zoom photographing mode, and sends this result to the internal processing circuit 210. The internal processing circuit 210 switches the camera to an operation mode in which electronic zoom shooting is possible under the control of the CPU 200.

  Here, the “electronic zoom shooting mode” is a shooting mode in which a part of the captured image is extracted, enlarged and displayed and recorded, and zoom shooting can be easily performed even with a single focal length lens without a zoom mechanism. However, there is a disadvantage that an image viewed through the finder window 11 is different from an actually recorded image. In order to eliminate this drawback, the shape of the transmission window 21 is set so that the finder window 11 is covered when this function is set so as not to cause confusion due to the difference between the photographer's visual recognition and the photographing result. Is set. Specifically, the operation is performed when the operation cover 2 is rotated so that the index 2 a provided on the operation cover 2 matches the index 1 a indicating the “electronic zoom photographing mode” provided on the front cover 1 of the camera body. The shape of the transmission window 21 is set so that the transmission window 21 provided in the cover 2 covers the finder window 11. FIG. 7A shows a state in which the transmission window 21 is out of the field of view of the finder window 11 and the operation cover 2 covers the finder window 11. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of performing zoom shooting based on an erroneous image obtained through the finder window 11 in the electronic zoom shooting mode.

  FIG. 7B is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the process of switching the image displayed on the image display unit 6 when electronic zoom shooting is performed. The position detection processing circuit 220 receives the third ON signal obtained when the sliding contact pieces 14a and 14b are in contact with the code plates 13a and 13b, and specifies that the operation mode of the camera has been switched to the electronic zoom photographing mode. If it is (S701-Yes), the process proceeds to step S702, and the display control unit 230 executes a process of causing the image display unit 6 to display an image having the same size as the image that is actually recorded by zoom shooting. By this processing, the display of the image display unit 6 is switched from the visual field image that can be observed through the finder window 11 to the image that is actually captured by the electronic zoom. While the electronic zoom photographing is continued (S702-No), the image switched by the display control unit 230 is displayed on the image display unit 6. When the operation mode of the camera is not the electronic zoom shooting mode (S701-No), the process ends without switching the display of the image display unit 6. As described above, by the control of the display control unit 230, in the electronic zoom shooting mode, the image displayed on the image display unit 6 and the shot image can be displayed so as to coincide with each other. As a result, the photographer can correctly recognize the image photographed by the electronic zoom, and can prevent erroneous image photographing due to the discrepancy between the image actually displayed on the image display unit 6 and the electronic zoom photographing. become.

<Playback mode>
Next, an operation for reproducing a captured image will be described. The photographer rotates the working cover 2 in the reverse direction (clockwise direction), and is provided on the working cover 2 as shown in FIG. 8 ((a) is a front view and (b) is a side view). The index 2a is set to the index 1a indicating the “playback mode (PLAY)” provided on the front cover 1 of the main body. The operation cover 2 is held in a state where the click groove 2j and the click spring 8 are engaged by the operation of rotating the operation cover 2. At this time, the sliding pieces 14a and 14c attached to the operating cover 2 are in contact with the code plates 13d and 13e on the camera body side, and a fourth ON signal ("regeneration mode") generated by this connection (FIG. 4). (E)) is detected by the position detection processing circuit 220. FIG. 4E shows that the operation state of the camera is switched to the playback mode at time t4 due to the rotation of the operation cover 2. Based on the detection result, the position detection processing circuit 220 specifies that the position of the working cover 2 is in the regeneration mode, and sends this result to the internal processing circuit 210. The internal processing circuit 210 switches to an operation mode in which the camera can be played back under the control of the CPU 200. The internal processing circuit 210 reads the image data stored in the memory 240 (FIG. 2D), sends the image data to 230, and the display control unit 230 displays an image to be reproduced on the image display unit 6 based on the sent image data. Display.

  In this state, the click groove 2j provided in the operation cover 2 and the click spring 8 are engaged, and the operation cover 2 is held at this position. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operation cover 2 from rotating carelessly during reproduction and malfunctioning. Further, since the drive lever 3c returns to a state where it is not pushed by the drive rib 2k (FIG. 8), the barrier surface 3b is returned to cover the imaging lens 9 by the urging of the barrier spring 10. At this time, the finder window 11 is also out of the range of the transmission window 21 and the photographer's visual field range is covered with the operation cover 2 to be protected.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation state for operating the camera can be switched by rotating the operation cover 2, and the imaging lens 9 and the viewfinder are switched according to the switched operation mode. The window 11 is protected by being covered with the barrier 3 and the operation cover 2, and the operation of the camera and the protection of the imaging lens and the like can be performed in conjunction with the rotation of the operation cover 2.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, as a second embodiment according to the present invention, a configuration in which the rotation operation of the operation cover 22 is restricted by a lock mechanism in the stop mode will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a camera according to the second embodiment. In the figure, 121 is a front cover of the camera body, and 22 is a rotatable operation cover. Reference numeral 22a denotes an index provided on the operation cover 22, and in the first embodiment, the operation cover 22 is rotated so as to be referred to as mode indices 21a to 21e indicating the respective operation modes provided on the front cover 21 side. Each described operation mode can be selected.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes a lock button, which functions to lock the rotation operation of the operation cover 22 when the operation cover 22 is rotated and set to the stop mode (STOP). 22b is an opening provided in the operation cover 22, and 21 is a transmission window.

  Next, a specific configuration of the operation cover 22 and the mechanism inside thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. A method of rotatably attaching the operating cover 22 to the front cover 121 is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. In FIG. 10A, reference numeral 25 denotes a lock spring attached to the button receiving portion 21d, and the lock button 23 is housed in the button receiving portion 21d and is held in a state where it can be pushed down and pushed back using the restoring force of the lock spring 25. Yes. The lock button 23 functions as a switch of the lock mechanism, and is pushed by the lock spring 25 and is urged toward the front side of the front cover 121.

  FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an outline of the mechanism focused on the locking mechanism, FIG. 10B (a) is a plan view seen from the front cover 121 side of the camera, and FIG. 10B (b) is a side view thereof. The groove 22f of the operating cover 22 and the claw 23a of the lock button 23 are engaged at the position of the operating cover 22 that sets the stop mode, and the force biased by the lock spring 25 holds the position of the operating cover 22 It acts as a holding force and restrains the rotation of the operating cover 22.

  According to the lock mechanism shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, careless rotation of the operating cover 22 can be more reliably prevented by adding a simple structure. When changing the setting to the shooting mode or the playback mode, the lock button 23 may be pushed down to rotate the operating cover 22 while releasing the engagement state between the groove 22f and the claw 23a. Further, when returning from the shooting mode or the playback mode to the stop mode, even if the lock button 23 is not pressed, the lock cover 25 is pushed only by turning the operating cover 22 and aligning the indicator 22a with the indicator 23b indicating the stop mode. The claw portion 23a thus engaged is engaged with the groove portion 22f, and the position of the operating cover 22 is restrained by the claw portion 23a.

  According to the present embodiment, by providing the lock mechanism, it is possible to reliably prevent the operating cover 22 from rotating due to an erroneous operation and damaging the imaging lens and the finder window.

  In the description of the above-described embodiment, the operation cover 22 is operated by rotation, and the operation of still image shooting, moving image shooting, playback, stop, and electronic zoom of the camera can be switched. However, the gist of the present invention is not necessarily the rotation operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation cover may be slid in the lateral direction with respect to the main body housing to switch each operation. In this case, the sliding contact pieces 14a, 14b, 14c, the code plates a, b, c arranged corresponding to the rotation operation, and other members for holding positions such as click grooves and click springs are translated by the operating cover 22. What is necessary is just to arrange | position to a camera housing | casing according to the operation | movement of direction.

<Other embodiments>
An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the back side of the imaging device concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the detail of the structure of the action | operation cover. It is a figure explaining the detail of the structure of the action | operation cover. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a click groove (a concave portion that engages with a convex portion of a click spring) provided in the operation cover 2. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure for controlling operation | movement of a camera. It is a figure explaining the drive rib 2k which functions as a cam mechanism. It is a figure explaining the state by which the action | operation cover was set to the stop mode. It is a figure which shows the signal output from a code board. It is a figure explaining the state by which the action | operation cover was set to still image shooting mode. It is a figure explaining the state by which the action | operation cover was set to the video recording mode. It is a figure explaining the state by which the action | operation cover was set to the electronic zoom imaging | photography mode. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of a process of switching an image displayed on the image display unit 6 when electronic zoom shooting is performed. It is a figure explaining the state by which the action | operation cover was set to the reproduction | regeneration mode. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the specific structure of the action | operation cover 22 and its internal mechanism. It is a figure which shows the specific structure of the action | operation cover 22 and its internal mechanism. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the camera by a prior art example. It is a figure explaining the prior art example of FIG.

Claims (2)

It has an opening serving as the optical path of the imaging lens, and is attached to the casing of the imaging device in a state where switching operation is possible. With this switching operation , stop mode and electronic zoom photography can be performed as the operation mode of the imaging device. An operating member capable of selecting either the first shooting mode or the second shooting mode in which electronic zoom shooting cannot be performed ;
An optical viewfinder for observing the subject during shooting,
Control means for switching the operation of the imaging device based on the selection by the operating member;
A barrier member that is driven according to the operation mode selected according to the switching operation of the operation member, protects the imaging lens in the imaging device, or releases the protection to enable photographing. With
The actuating member moves to a position that blocks the optical path of the optical finder when the first imaging mode is selected, and moves to a position that opens the optical path of the optical finder when the second imaging mode is selected.
The barrier member protects the photographing lens when the stop mode is selected by the actuating member, and the first photographing mode or the second photographing mode is selected by the actuating member. In some cases, the imaging apparatus is configured to release protection of the photographing lens . An image display unit for displaying a subject image shot in the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode ;
Further comprising a display control unit for controlling display of the image display unit,
The display control unit displays an actually recorded image on the image display unit when the first shooting mode is selected by the operating member, and the second shooting mode is set by the operating member. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a field image that can be observed from the optical finder is displayed on the image display unit when selected .

Images