JP4468346B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an imaging apparatus including two housings that are rotatably connected to each other.

  Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-92363 is known as this type of imaging apparatus. The imaging device disclosed in the above publication has two housings connected by hinges. Of the two housings, the first housing houses the imaging means. Further, the side surface of the first housing is provided with an input switch for a main power supply and a memory card insertion / removal opening. On the other hand, the second casing is provided with a liquid crystal display unit and a shutter release button that can display a captured image.

  The imaging device opens the first casing and the second casing by rotating relative to each other at the time of shooting. On the other hand, at the time of non-photographing, the two housings are folded so as to overlap each other. As a result, the image pickup apparatus becomes small and can be easily carried in a bag or the like.

Generally, as described above, in a portable device, it is desired that the device does not operate carelessly while being carried. On the other hand, when the device is used, it is advantageous that the device can be naturally used without any special operation.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an imaging apparatus that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first casing has a first casing having an imaging optical system, and a display unit capable of displaying an image captured through the optical system. The main power is turned on when the second housing is rotatably connected to the first housing and the second housing is opened to a predetermined angle or more from the state where the second housing is superimposed on the first housing. There is provided an imaging device comprising a switch unit that performs the above-described operation.

  In the imaging apparatus, the display unit is preferably provided on a surface of the second casing that overlaps the first casing. The optical system is preferably provided in the first casing so that a subject on the free end side of the first casing can be photographed. Further, the predetermined angle is the second housing relative to the first housing when the optical system is oriented in the direction of the subject and the display unit is oriented in a direction visible to the photographer. The opening angle of the body is preferable.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device that stores the photographed image in the removable storage device, the writing unit that can write the image in the storage device, and the first that houses the writing unit A writing for inserting a storage device, comprising a housing and a second housing rotatably connected by a hinge mechanism so that the housing can be opened from a state of being overlapped with the first housing An image pickup apparatus is provided in which the insertion port of the part is provided in the hinge.

  In the imaging apparatus, the insertion port is closed at least when the first housing and the second housing are overlaid, and the first housing and the second housing are overlaid. It is preferable to open the storage device so that the storage device can be inserted when the storage device is opened. The second casing has a display unit that can display an image captured by the optical system on a surface overlapped with the first casing, and the insertion slot has the second casing. It is preferable to open when opened from the body to a predetermined angle greater than 180 °.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, an optical system for photographing a subject, a display unit capable of displaying an image photographed by the optical system, a first housing having the display unit on an upper surface, A second housing coupled to the first housing so as to be disposed at a first position overlapping the upper surface of the first housing and a second position intersecting the upper surface at an acute angle; And a light shielding member that is disposed between the first housing and the second housing when it is disposed at the second position and blocks light incident on the display unit from the side. A featured imaging device is provided.
The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are the solution of the invention. It is not always essential to the means.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The first embodiment of the present invention is a digital camera.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment. The digital camera 10 mainly includes an imaging unit 20, an imaging control unit 40, a processing unit 60, a display unit 100, and an operation unit 110.

  The imaging unit 20 includes a mechanism member and an electrical member related to shooting and imaging. First, the imaging unit 20 includes a photographic lens 22 that captures and processes an image, an aperture 24, a shutter 26, an optical LPF (low-pass filter) 28, a CCD 30, and an imaging signal processing unit 32. The photographing lens 22 includes a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like. With this configuration, a subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 30. Charges are accumulated in each sensor element (not shown) of the CCD 30 in accordance with the amount of light of the formed subject image (hereinafter, the charges are referred to as “accumulated charges”). The accumulated charge is read to a shift register (not shown) by a read gate pulse, and sequentially read as a voltage signal by a register transfer pulse.

  Since the digital camera 10 generally has an electronic shutter function, a mechanical shutter such as the shutter 26 is not essential. In order to realize the electronic shutter function, the CCD 30 is provided with a shutter drain via a shutter gate. When the shutter gate is driven, the accumulated charge is swept out to the shutter drain. By controlling the shutter gate, the time for accumulating charges in each sensor element, that is, the shutter speed can be controlled.

  A voltage signal output from the CCD 30, that is, an analog signal, is color-separated into R, G, and B components by the imaging signal processing unit 32, and first, white balance is adjusted. Subsequently, the imaging signal processing unit 32 performs gamma correction, sequentially A / D-converts the R, G, and B signals at a necessary timing, and the resulting digital image data (hereinafter simply referred to as “digital image data”). ) To the processing unit 60.

  The imaging unit 20 further includes a strobe 36. The strobe 36 functions by emitting light when energy stored in a capacitor (not shown) is supplied to the discharge tube 36a.

  The imaging control unit 40 includes a zoom driving unit 42, a focus driving unit 44, an aperture driving unit 46, a shutter driving unit 48, an imaging system CPU 50 that controls them, a distance measuring sensor 52, and a photometric sensor 54. Each of the driving units such as the zoom driving unit 42 has driving means such as a stepping motor. In response to pressing of a release switch 114 described later, the distance measuring sensor 52 measures the distance to the subject, and the photometric sensor 54 measures the subject brightness. The measured distance data (hereinafter simply referred to as “distance data”) and subject luminance data (hereinafter simply referred to as “photometry data”) are sent to the imaging system CPU 50. The imaging system CPU 50 adjusts the zoom magnification and focus of the photographing lens 22 by controlling the zoom drive unit 42 and the focus drive unit 44 based on photographing information such as a zoom magnification designated by the user.

The imaging system CPU 50 determines the aperture value and the shutter speed based on the RGB digital signal integrated value of one image frame, that is, the AE information. According to the determined value, the aperture driving unit 46 and the shutter driving unit 48 adjust the aperture amount and open / close the shutter 26, respectively.
The imaging system CPU 50 also controls the light emission of the strobe 36 based on the photometric data and simultaneously adjusts the aperture amount of the aperture 24. When the user instructs to capture an image, the CCD 30 starts to accumulate charges, and the accumulated charges are output to the imaging signal processing unit 32 after the shutter time calculated from the photometric data has elapsed.

  The processing unit 60 includes a main CPU 62 that controls the entire digital camera 10, particularly the processing unit 60 itself, a memory control unit 64, a YC processing unit 70, an optional device control unit 74, a compression / decompression processing unit 78, and communication that are controlled thereby. An I / F unit 80 is included. The main CPU 62 exchanges necessary information with the imaging CPU 50 by serial communication or the like. The operation clock of the main CPU 62 is given from the clock generator 88. The clock generator 88 also provides clocks with different frequencies to the imaging system CPU 50 and the display unit 100, respectively.

  The main CPU 62 is provided with a character generation unit 84 and a timer 86. The timer 86 is backed up by a battery and always counts the date and time. From this count value, information on the shooting date and time information and other time information are given to the main CPU 62. The character generation unit 84 generates character information such as a shooting date and time and a title, and the character information is appropriately combined with the shot image.

  The memory control unit 64 controls the nonvolatile memory 66 and the main memory 68. The non-volatile memory 66 includes an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM), a FLASH memory, and the like, and should be retained even when the power of the digital camera 10 is turned off, such as user setting information and factory adjustment values. Data is stored. In some cases, the non-volatile memory 66 may store a boot program or a system program for the main CPU 62. On the other hand, the main memory 68 is generally composed of a relatively inexpensive memory having a large capacity, such as a DRAM. The main memory 68 has a function as a frame memory for storing data output from the imaging unit 20, a function as a system memory for loading various programs, and other functions as a work area. The nonvolatile memory 66 and the main memory 68 exchange data with each part inside and outside the processing unit 60 via the main bus 82.

  The YC processing unit 70 performs YC conversion on the digital image data, and generates a luminance signal Y and color difference (chroma) signals BY and RY. The luminance signal and the color difference signal are temporarily stored in the main memory 68 by the memory control unit 64. The compression / decompression processor 78 sequentially reads out the luminance signal and the color difference signal from the main memory 68 and compresses them. The data thus compressed (hereinafter simply referred to as “compressed data”) is written to a memory card which is a type of option device 76 via the option device control unit 74.

  The processing unit 60 further has an encoder 72. The encoder 72 receives the luminance signal and the color difference signal, converts them into a video signal (NTSC or PAL signal), and outputs the video signal from the video output terminal 90. When a video signal is generated from data recorded in the option device 76, the data is first supplied to the compression / decompression processing unit 78 via the option device control unit 74. Subsequently, the data that has undergone the necessary expansion processing in the compression / expansion processing unit 78 is converted into a video signal by the encoder 72.

  The option device control unit 74 performs necessary signal generation, logic conversion, voltage conversion, etc. between the main bus 82 and the option device 76 in accordance with the signal specifications recognized by the option device 76 and the bus specifications of the main bus 82. . The digital camera 10 may support a standard I / O card conforming to PCMCIA, for example, in addition to the memory card described above as the optional device 76. In this case, the option device control unit 74 may be configured by a PCMCIA bus control LSI or the like.

  The communication I / F unit 80 performs control such as protocol conversion according to communication specifications supported by the digital camera 10, such as USB, RS-232C, Ethernet, and the like. The communication I / F unit 80 includes a driver IC as necessary, and communicates with an external device including a network via the connector 92. In addition to such standard specifications, a configuration may be adopted in which data is exchanged with an external device such as a printer, a karaoke machine, or a game machine using an original I / F.

  The display unit 100 includes an LCD monitor 102 that is controlled by a monitor driver 106. The LCD monitor 102 has a size of about 2 inches, for example, and displays a current shooting and playback mode, a zoom magnification for shooting and playback, a remaining battery level, a date and time, a screen for setting a mode, a subject image, and the like.

  The operation unit 110 includes a mechanism and electrical members necessary for the user to set or instruct the operation of the digital camera 10 and its mode. The power switch 112 determines on / off of the main power supply of the digital camera 10. The release switch 114 has a two-step pushing structure of half-pressing and full-pressing. As an example, AF and AE are locked when pressed halfway, and a captured image is captured when pressed fully, and is recorded in the main memory 68, optional device 76, etc. after necessary signal processing, data compression, and the like. In addition to these switches, the operation unit 110 may accept settings using a rotary mode dial, a cross key, and the like, which are collectively referred to as a function setting unit 116 in FIG. Examples of operations or functions that can be specified by the operation unit 110 include “file format”, “special effect”, “print”, “decision / save”, “display switching”, and the like. The zoom switch 118 determines the zoom magnification.

The main operation of the above configuration is as follows.
First, the power switch 112 of the digital camera 10 is turned on, and power is supplied to each part of the camera. The main CPU 62 reads the state of the function setting unit 116 to determine whether the digital camera 10 is in the shooting mode or the playback mode.

  When the camera is in the shooting mode, the main CPU 62 monitors the half-pressed state of the release switch 114. When the half-pressed state is detected, the main CPU 62 obtains photometry data and distance measurement data from the photometry sensor 54 and the distance measurement sensor 52, respectively. The imaging control unit 40 operates based on the obtained data, and adjustments such as focus and aperture of the taking lens 22 are performed. When the adjustment is completed, characters such as “Standby” are displayed on the LCD monitor 102 to notify the user of that, and then the release switch 114 is fully pressed. When the release switch 114 is fully pressed, the shutter 26 is closed after a predetermined shutter time, and the accumulated charge in the CCD 30 is swept out to the imaging signal processing unit 32. Digital image data generated as a result of processing by the imaging signal processing unit 32 is output to the main bus 82. The digital image data is temporarily stored in the main memory 68, then processed by the YC processing unit 70 and the compression / decompression processing unit 78, and recorded in the option device 76 via the option device control unit 74. The recorded image is displayed on the LCD monitor 102 in a frozen state for a while, and the user can know the captured image. This completes a series of shooting operations.

On the other hand, when the digital camera 10 is in the playback mode, the main CPU 62 reads the last photographed image from the main memory 68 via the memory control unit 64 and displays it on the LCD monitor 102 of the display unit 100.
In this state, when the user instructs “forward” or “reverse” on the function setting unit 116, images taken before and after the currently displayed image are read and displayed on the LCD monitor 102.

  2 and 3 are perspective views of the digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 has a first housing 202 and a second 204. The first casing 202 and the second casing 204 are coupled to each other so as to be rotatable via a hinge mechanism 222 described later. Therefore, the two housings 202 and 204 can be overlapped with each other as shown in FIG. 2, and can be opened from the state of being overlapped with each other as shown in FIG. In the case of this embodiment, the first housing 202 and the second housing 204 can be opened up to about 300 °.

  The digital camera 10 also includes a cover member 206. When the two housings 202 and 204 are closed as shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 206 has outer surfaces of the first housing 202 and the second housing 204, and an outer peripheral surface of the hinge. Cover.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the digital camera 10 with the two housings 202 and 204 opened at 180 °. In the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, the end 218 of the first housing 202 and the end 210 of the second housing 204 are rotatably connected by rods 212 and 224. In other words, the end 218, the end 210, and the rods 212 and 224 form a hinge 222, which allows the second housing 204 to rotate with respect to the first housing 202.

  The first housing 202 and the second housing 204 overlap at the illustrated surfaces 208 and 214 when they are superimposed on each other. The surfaces 208 and 214 are flat surfaces so that they substantially overlap each other over the entire surface.

  The first casing 202 accommodates the optional device control unit 74 among the imaging unit 20, the control unit 40, and the processing unit 60 described above. In the imaging unit 20, the strobe 36 and the photographing lens 22 are disposed at the free end 228 of the first housing 202 as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2. The taking lens 22 is arranged so that its optical axis intersects the free end 228 substantially perpendicularly. Therefore, in this embodiment, the imaging unit 20 captures a subject in front of the free end 228.

  As shown by a dotted line in FIG. 4, the first housing 202 is provided with a memory card mounting portion 226 into which a memory card (optional device) 76 is inserted. The memory card 76 inserted into the memory card mounting unit 226 is connected to an optional device control unit 74 (not shown in FIG. 4) so as to be able to exchange data.

  As can be seen from the perspective view of FIG. 3, the end 218 of the first housing 202 is provided with an insertion slot 220 for inserting the memory card 76 into the memory card mounting portion 226. The insertion opening 220 provided at this position is such that when the first housing 202 and the second housing 204 are overlapped, or when the first housing 202 and the second housing 204 are 180 °. When opened in the following size, the front surface of the cover member 206 or the second housing 204 is closed. Therefore, in the digital camera 10, the memory card 76 inserted into the memory card mounting portion 226 will not drop out unless the first housing 202 and the second housing 204 are opened by 180 ° or more.

  When the first housing 202 and the second housing 204 are opened slightly larger than 180 °, the insertion slot 220 appears from below the end of the second housing 204 and opens. As a result, the memory card 76 can be attached to and detached from the memory card attachment unit 226.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the operation unit 110, the sound acquisition unit 130, the processing unit 60 (excluding the option device control unit 74), and the display unit 100 described in FIG. 1 are accommodated in the second housing 204. . The LCD monitor 102 of the display unit 100 is installed on a surface 208 that is superimposed on the first housing 202. Similarly, the release switch 114 and the function setting unit 116 of the operation unit 110 are also installed on the surface 208. When the first casing 202 and the second casing 204 are overlapped, the first casing 202 shields the LCD monitor 102 and the LCD monitor 102 becomes invisible. Similarly, the release switch 114 and the function setting unit 116 are also shielded by the first casing 202 and cannot be operated. Therefore, in order to view the screen of the LCD monitor 102 or to operate the release button 114 or the function setting unit 116, the first casing 202 and the second casing 204 must be opened from the overlapped state. Don't be.

  The power switch 112 of the operation unit 110 is provided in the vicinity of the end portion 210 of the second casing 204. The power switch 112 detects an angle at which the first housing 202 is rotated relative to the second housing 204. The rotation angle can be detected using various known means such as attaching a part of the power switch 112 to the first housing 202 and moving the power switch 112 integrally with the first housing 202. The power switch 112 of the present embodiment is turned on when the first casing 202 and the second casing 204 are opened by a predetermined angle or more. When the power switch 112 is turned on, image display on the LCD monitor 102 is started, and the release switch 114 and the function setting unit 116 can be operated. On the other hand, the power switch 112 is turned off when the two housings are closed to the predetermined angle or less, and image display or the like on the LCD monitor 102 is not performed.

  The predetermined angle is preferably at least 180 ° or more, and more preferably 270 ° or more. In the present embodiment, the predetermined angle refers to an angle at which the two housings are opened to the maximum.

  When the digital camera 10 is carried without taking a picture, the first housing 202 is superimposed on the second housing 204 as shown in FIG. In this state, the digital camera 10 has a compact form and can be easily carried in a bag or a pocket of clothes.

  Generally, when an electronic device is carried in a bag, the power switch of the electronic device may be pushed in the bag and input unintentionally. On the other hand, in the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, the power switch 112 is turned on only when the opening angle of the two housings exceeds a predetermined angle. It will never be done.

  Also, in a bag or the like, it is possible that the digital camera will open with unexpected force. However, even in this case, the digital camera 10 does not open beyond 180 ° in a narrow space in a bag or the like. On the other hand, in the digital camera 10 of this embodiment, the power switch 112 is not turned on unless it is opened by 180 ° or more. Therefore, even if the digital camera 10 is inadvertently opened slightly while being carried, the power switch will not be turned on.

  Furthermore, in the digital camera 10 of this embodiment, the insertion slot 220 of the mounting portion 226 for mounting the memory card 76 is not opened unless the two housings are opened by 180 ° or more. Therefore, there is no accident that the memory card 76 is dropped from the digital camera 10 while the digital camera 10 is being carried for the same reason as described above for the power switch 112.

  When photographing using the digital camera 10, the first housing 202 and the second housing 204 are fully opened to the state shown in FIG. When the two housings are opened to the maximum, the power switch 112 is turned on, and a photographing operation is possible. In other words, the power switch 112 is not turned on before the two housings are fully opened and the digital camera 10 is in the photographing posture. Accordingly, in the process of opening the digital camera 10 from the closed state to the photographing posture, even if the user carelessly touches any of the operation switches, the digital camera 10 will not malfunction.

  FIG. 5 shows a method for holding the digital camera 10 during shooting. At the time of shooting, the digital camera 10 opened to the shooting posture is held by hand as shown in the figure, and the free end 228 of the first housing 202 is directed to the subject side. In this state, the photographing lens 22 is directed toward the subject, and the LCD monitor 102 is directed in a direction that is visible to the photographer. Further, the insertion slot 220 of the mounting portion 226 of the memory card 76 faces the photographer. Therefore, if the memory card 76 is not properly attached to the attachment unit 226 at the time of photographing, the photographer can immediately notice.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a digital camera 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The digital camera 300 according to the present embodiment is the same as the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment in the form of a housing, the condition that the power switch 112 is turned on, and the arrangement of the imaging unit 20, the display unit 100, and the optional device control unit 74. Is different. In other respects, the digital camera 300 is similar to the digital camera 10. Therefore, in the following description, components already described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the digital camera 300 of this embodiment. FIG. 6A shows the digital camera 300 being closed and in a non-photographing state. FIG. 6B shows the digital camera 300 being opened and in a shooting state.

  The digital camera 300 has three housings 302, 306, and 310. The first casing 302 and the third casing 310 are rotatably attached to the second casing by hinge mechanisms 304 and 308, respectively.

  The first housing 302 accommodates the imaging unit 20. The photographing lens 22 is provided on the end surface of the first housing 302 opposite to the side where the hinge mechanism 304 is provided. The first housing 302 is accommodated in the recess 312 provided in the second housing 306 when not photographing. In this state, the photographing lens 22 is shielded from the front by the second housing 302 and protected from an unexpected external force. At the time of shooting, the first casing 302 protrudes upward from the second casing 306 and directs the shooting lens in the direction of the subject (see arrow A in the figure). At this time, the angle formed by the first housing 302 and the second housing 306 is about 45 °.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the second housing 306 and the third housing 310 can be closed so that the surfaces facing each other overlap each other by rotating around the hinge mechanism 308. . Further, the second casing 306 and the third casing 310 can be opened at an angle of about 45 ° as shown in FIG.

  Shield members 314 and 316 are attached between the side portions of the second housing 306 and the third housing 310, respectively. The shielding members 314 and 316 are made of a flexible thin material. When the second casing 306 and the third casing 310 are closed, the shielding members 314 and 316 are folded between the overlapping surfaces of the casings. On the other hand, when the second casing 306 and the third casing 310 are opened, the shielding members 314 and 316 are stretched between the side portions of the casings.

  An LCD monitor 102 is provided on the surface of the third casing 310 that faces the second casing 306. The LCD monitor 102 is visible only when the second casing 306 and the third casing 310 are opened. When the LCD monitor 102 is visible, the shielding members 314 and 316 shield the LCD monitor 102 from the lateral direction of the digital camera 300. For this reason, light such as sunlight does not hit the LCD monitor 102 from the lateral direction.

  The third housing 310 also includes an optional device control unit 74. In the present embodiment, the insertion slot for inserting the option device 76 of the memory card into the option control device 74 is provided on the side of the third casing 310.

  In the present embodiment, the power switch 112 is turned on when the second housing 306 and the third housing 310 are opened, and is turned off when these housings are closed. Preferably, the power switch 112 is turned on only when the second casing 306 and the third casing 310 are opened at approximately 45 °.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the description of the scope of claims that embodiments with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of the first embodiment. This modification differs from the first embodiment in the form of the casing, the release switch 114, the optional device control unit 74, etc., but the other components are the same as those described in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment. It is the same.

This modification has a first housing 402 and a second housing 410. One end of the first housing 402 is attached to the upper surface 412 of the second housing 410 via the hinge mechanism 420. When the angle formed by the first housing 402 with respect to the upper surface 412 of the second housing is θ, the first housing 402 is within the range of θ from 0 ° to about 180 °, and the hinge mechanism 420 Can be rotated around.
An LCD monitor 404 is provided on the surface of the first key not shown in the drawing, that is, the surface overlapping the second housing.

On the other hand, the second housing 410 has a recess 414 on the upper surface 412. The first housing 402 is accommodated in the recess 414 when it is superimposed on the second housing. The first housing 402 housed in the recess 414 forms one surface with substantially no step, together with the upper surface 412 of the second housing. A zoom switch 118 (not shown), a release switch 114, and a function setting unit 116 are provided on the bottom surface of the recess 414. In FIG. 7, a cross key is drawn as the function setting unit 116.
An optional device control unit 74 is provided on the side surface 416 of the second housing. Furthermore, a photographing lens 22 is provided on the front surface of the second housing.

  In the present modification, the power switch 112 maintains the OFF state while the first housing 402 is superimposed on the second housing 410 and accommodated in the recess 414. When the first housing 402 is lifted from the recess 414 and the first housing 402 is opened with respect to the second housing 410, the power switch 112 is turned on, and the digital camera 400 can be operated. .

  As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, there is provided a photographing apparatus that does not operate carelessly while being carried.

1 is a configuration diagram of a digital camera 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view of the digital camera 10 showing a state in which a first housing 202 and a second housing 204 are closed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the digital camera 10 showing a state in which a first housing 202 and a second housing 204 are opened. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a digital camera 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows the holding method of the digital camera 10 at the time of imaging | photography. It is a perspective view which shows the digital camera 300 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the digital camera 400 which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital camera 20 Imaging unit 22 Imaging lens 40 Imaging control unit 60 Processing unit 74 Option apparatus control part 76 Option apparatus 100 Display unit 102 LCD monitor 110 Operation unit 112 Power switch 114 Release switch 116 Function setting part 202 1st housing | casing 204 Second housing 218 Hinge 226 Memory card attachment portion 220 Insertion portion 226 insertion slot

Claims (3)

A first housing having an imaging unit;
A second housing;
In order to the folding from a state where the second housing and the first housing is folded to overlap each other deployable condition being deployed, wherein the first one end of the housing second A first hinge mechanism for rotatably connecting one end of the housing of
A third housing having a display portion;
In order to be able to unfold from the state where the third housing is folded so as to overlap the surface of the second housing facing the surface overlapping with the first housing, the folding can be unfolded . and a second hinge mechanism for rotatably connecting the one end portion of said the other end portion of the second housing third housing,
A lens constituting the imaging unit is provided at the other end of the first casing;
The first housing is housed together with the lens in a recessed portion provided in the second housing in a folded state,
The display unit is an imaging device provided on a surface of the third casing that overlaps the second casing. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the second housing that overlaps the third housing and a surface of the third housing that overlaps the second housing have substantially the same shape. . In a state in which the folding of the second casing and the third casing is unfolded , the second casing and the third casing are disposed between the second casing and the third casing, and enter the display unit from the side. The imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising a light shielding member that blocks light to be emitted.

Images