JP5264569B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device, and more particularly to an imaging device characterized by a technique for improving the visibility of a display device.

  In recent years, in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, there has been a trend toward an increase in the size of a display apparatus (liquid crystal, organic EL, etc.) for confirming the imaging state. While the size of the display device has been increased, the size of the imaging device itself has also been reduced. Therefore, there are many products that do not include the conventionally used optical viewfinder due to space limitations.

  However, if the configuration of the imaging device is equipped with only a display device without an optical viewfinder, the external light is reflected on the display device under external light, particularly in direct sunlight, and the visibility of the display device is reduced. As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to confirm the imaging (photographing) state.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 provides an imaging apparatus that includes an optical viewfinder hood that converts an image displayed on a liquid crystal monitor into a viewfinder screen so as to be detachable so as to cover the periphery of the liquid crystal monitor.

  Thus, even when the visibility of the liquid crystal monitor is lowered under the external light, the optical viewfinder hood is attached to provide good visibility to the photographer.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-322575

  However, in the above prior art, since the optical viewfinder hood is formed so as to cover the entire surface of the display device of the imaging apparatus, the size of the hood itself is increased and the portability is poor.

  Further, since a reflecting mirror or the like for reflecting the image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor is required in the hood, the configuration becomes complicated, and there is a problem that the parts cost and the assembly cost increase.

  The objective of this invention is providing the imaging device which can improve the visibility of a display apparatus, aiming at size reduction of an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus that includes a display device and that can be attached to and detached from the display auxiliary device, and the display auxiliary device is installed in the apparatus main body. And detecting means for detecting the position on the display device and display control means for displaying an image at the position detected by the detecting means.

  The display auxiliary device according to the present invention is a display auxiliary device that can be attached to and detached from the display device of the imaging device, and includes a first window member disposed on the eyepiece side and a second window disposed on the display device side. The window member, and a protrusion that is in contact with the display device.

  According to the imaging device of the present invention, it is possible to improve the visibility of the display device while reducing the size of the device.

1 is a front view of a digital camera as an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a right view of the digital camera of FIG. It is a left view of the digital camera of FIG. It is a rear view of the digital camera of FIG. It is a top view of the digital camera of FIG. It is a bottom view of the digital camera of FIG. It is a front perspective view of the digital camera of FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the digital camera of FIG. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a display assisting device attached to the digital camera of FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the display assisting device of FIG. 10. It is a disassembled perspective view of the display assistance apparatus of FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing of the display assistance apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the display apparatus in FIG. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the example which mounts the display assistance apparatus of FIG. 10 to a digital camera with a belt. It is a figure which shows the state before and behind installation in the digital camera of the display assistance apparatus of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the F section of FIG.16 (b) (the 1). It is an enlarged view of the F section of FIG.16 (b) (the 2). It is an enlarged view of the F section of FIG.16 (b) (the 3). It is a figure which shows an example of the usage condition of a display apparatus in the state which installed the display assistance apparatus of FIG. 10 in the digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the image display process at the time of installation in the digital camera of the display assistance apparatus of FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state where the display assisting device of FIG. 10 is installed at an angle with respect to the digital camera. It is a figure which shows a mode that display assistance is performed by the photographer's hand in the digital camera of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a front view of a digital camera as an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a right side view of the digital camera in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a left side view of the digital camera in FIG. 4 is a rear view of the digital camera of FIG.

  5 is a top view of the digital camera of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the digital camera of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the digital camera of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a back perspective view of a camera.

  The apparatus main body 100 of the digital camera includes a lens barrel 101, a front cover 102, a strobe 103, and an AF auxiliary light window 104 that constitute a photographing optical system.

  The terminal cover 105 protects terminals mounted on a hard printed board or a flexible printed board. In this embodiment, as a terminal, at least one of an analog video terminal for connecting to an external video device such as a television receiver, a power terminal for connecting to an external DC power source, and a digital terminal for connecting to a PC or the like. One or more.

  The strap ring 106 has a hole for passing the strap string. A rear cover 107 is externally mounted on the back surface of the apparatus main body 100. The display device 108 displays various types of information such as confirmation of a captured image, reproduction, and shooting conditions.

  The operation member 109 can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise. And it is comprised from the dial which can be pushed in with respect to four places up and down, right and left, and the button of the circumference | surroundings.

  The zoom lever 110 is for adjusting the magnification in the optical magnification function or the digital magnification function, and is provided to be rotatable at the center of the release button 111.

  The release button 111 is an operation member having shooting preparation and shooting start functions. The power button 112 turns on / off the power of the apparatus main body 100. The mode switching lever 113 switches between the shooting mode and the playback mode.

  The upper cover 114 holds the zoom lever 110, the release button 111, the power button 112, and the mode switching lever 113. The battery lid 115 can slide and rotate with respect to the apparatus main body 100. The tripod hole 116 is provided for fixing to the tripod base.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera of FIG.

  The CPU 316 controls the entire digital camera, and controls each unit based on a control program provided in the CPU 316.

  This control program is stored in a flash memory 318 connected to the CPU 316. The SDRAM 317 is a working area of the CPU 316, and rewritable data is recorded (stored) and read as needed according to a sequence.

  A subject image taken into a CCD (imaging device) 311 through the optical system 310 is converted from an optical signal to an electrical signal by the CCD control unit 313 and output as an analog signal.

  The noise is removed from the signal by a CDS (correlated double sampling circuit), further amplified by an AGC (automatic gain control circuit), and then converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by an A / D converter 312. .

  The digital signal is output to the CPU 316, subjected to image processing such as compression, and then stored as shooting data in the recording medium via the recording medium I / F 315.

  The display device 108 includes a position detection unit 108a and a gradient notification unit 108b, and the detection signal output by the position detection unit 108a is input to the CPU 316 via the input signal processing unit 321 to perform various processes. Executed.

  The processed signal is converted from a digital signal to an analog signal by the D / A converter 320 via the display control unit 302 and then output to the display device 108.

  The communication I / F 319 is an external electronic device, for example, an interface conforming to the USB standard for communicably connecting with a PC. The recording medium I / F 315 is an interface for writing image data to the recording medium and reading image data.

  The EF control unit 323 controls the presence / absence of light emission, the light emission amount, the light emission timing, and the like of the strobe 103 based on a control signal from the CPU 316.

  Further, the apparatus main body 100 includes an optical system control unit 314, a dimming control unit 322, and an attitude detection unit 303.

  10 is a front perspective view of the display auxiliary device mounted on the digital camera of FIG. 1, FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the display auxiliary device of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the display auxiliary device of FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the display assisting device of FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the display device in FIG.

  A configuration of the display assisting device 200 that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100 will be described.

  The case member 201 serving as a housing is composed of a plurality of members (not shown). The first window member 203 is provided on the eyepiece side, and the second window member 204 is provided on the apparatus main body 100 side (display device side), and both are held by the case member 201.

  The first window member 203 is disposed so as to face the second window member 204, and a diopter adjustment lens 205 is provided between the first window member 203 and the second window member 204. ing.

  The diopter adjusting lens 205 can be changed to a desired position by a photographer's operation via a diopter adjusting lever 202 that is held so as to be movable in the optical axis direction with respect to the case member 201. ing.

  The arm portion 205a extending from the diopter adjustment lens 205 is sandwiched between the two claw portions 202a provided on the diopter adjustment lever 202, whereby the diopter adjustment lens 205 and the diopter adjustment. The lever 202 moves integrally in the optical axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, four hemispherical protrusions 201a formed integrally with the case member 201 are provided at positions corresponding to the four corners of the case member 201 on the display device 108 side.

  Here, the display device 108 includes an optical detection sensor 301a, a pressure-sensitive detection sensor 301b, a resistive film detection sensor 301c, or the like, which is the position detection unit 108a (see FIG. 21 described later).

  The position detection unit 108a functions as a detecting unit that detects that the display assisting device 200 is installed in the apparatus main body 100 and detects where the display assisting device 200 is installed on the display device.

  The photodetection sensor 301a is formed by forming a phototransistor so as to correspond to each display element (pixel) of the display device. The phototransistor reads out the shadow produced by installing the display auxiliary device 200 on the display device 108, and determines (detects) the installation position of the display auxiliary device 200.

  The pressure-sensitive sensor 301b is configured by disposing pressure-sensitive electrodes serving as a plurality of strain detection units on the back side of the display device. When a force is applied to the display device 108 by the protrusion 201a provided in the display assisting device 200, the pressure value (contact resistance value) of the electrode portion changes, and thereby the position where the force is applied is determined.

  The resistive film type sensor 301 c is provided with a pair of transparent conductive films on the display surface side of the display device 108. When the display assisting device 200 is installed on the display device 108, the transparent conductive films are brought into contact with each other by the protrusions 201a, and the resistance value changes. Thereby, the installation position of the display assisting device 200 is determined.

  The magnetic member 206 is held by the case member 201. The metal member 117 is a main frame that holds an internal member of the apparatus main body 100, and is disposed directly below (directly behind) the display device 108.

  In the present embodiment, the magnetic force of the magnetic member 206 provided in the display auxiliary device 200 and the metal member 117 provided on the device main body 100 side is used as means for holding the display auxiliary device 200 in the device main body 100.

  As another means for installing and holding the display assisting device 200 in the apparatus main body 100, for example, an adsorption member represented by a suction cup (not shown) is held in the case member 201, and the adsorption member is attached to the apparatus main body 100 side. There is means for adsorbing to the display device 100.

  FIG. 15 is an external perspective view showing an example in which the display assisting device of FIG. 10 is attached to a digital camera using a belt.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the display assisting device 200 can be attached to the device main body 100 by an elastic belt 400.

  In addition, the apparatus main body 100 includes the posture detecting unit 303 such as a gyro for determining the photographing posture. Regardless of whether or not the display assisting device 200 is installed in the apparatus main body 100, an image is displayed on the display device 108 based on the output result of the posture detection unit 303.

  16 is a diagram showing the state before and after installation of the display assisting device in FIG. 10 in the digital camera, FIG. 17 is an enlarged view (No. 1) of the F part in FIG. 16B, and FIG. FIG. 19B is an enlarged view (No. 2) of the F portion in FIG. 16B, and FIG. 19 is an enlarged view (No. 3) of the F portion in FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage form of the display device in a state where the display assisting device of FIG. 10 is installed in a digital camera.

  During normal use, that is, in a state where the display assisting device 200 is not installed in the digital camera, as shown in FIG. Is done.

  If there is little influence of external light or the like and good visibility is ensured, the photographer can perform a photographing operation using the display device 108 without a sense of incongruity.

  On the other hand, when the external light is reflected on the display device 108 such as in direct sunlight, and the visibility of the display device 108 is lowered, the photographer's smooth photographing operation is hindered.

  Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, when the display assisting device 200 is installed at a desired position on the display device 108, the position detection unit 108 a provided in the display device 108 determines the installation position of the display assisting device 200. Detection is performed, and a reduced image is output based on the detection result. That is, the image is reduced and displayed within the range surrounded by the position detection unit 108a.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image display processing when the display assisting device of FIG. 10 is installed in a digital camera.

  This process is executed under the control of the CPU 316 in FIG.

  First, in step S101, the CPU 316 detects the brightness of external light (confirms the brightness of the image) by a light receiving sensor (not shown) provided on the back side of the apparatus main body 100.

  If the CPU 316 determines in step S102 that the detected luminance exceeds a predetermined value stored in advance in the flash memory 318, in step S103, the CPU 316 determines whether to install the display assisting device 200 on the display device 108. Display the process selection screen to check.

  When the photographer selects to install the display assisting device 200, the CPU 316 determines the instruction in step S104, and causes the installation operation to be performed in step S105.

  In step S106, the CPU 316 uses the position detection unit 108a to detect the installation position of the display assisting device 200, and in step S107, reads the luminance difference due to the installation of the display assisting device 200.

  Here, as described above, the position detection unit 108a is the optical detection sensor 301a, the pressure-sensitive detection sensor 301b, or the resistive film detection sensor 301c.

  If the CPU 316 determines in step S108 that the reduced image size can be defined based on the read signal, the display control unit 302 displays the reduced image on the display device 108 in step S109. In step S110, the CPU 316 performs diopter adjustment and ends the process.

  In the present embodiment, hemispherical protrusions 201a formed integrally with the case member 201 are used as means for determining the size of the reduced image to be output.

  When the four protrusions 201a come into contact with the display device 108, the position detection unit 108a detects the four points, and as shown in FIG. 17, within the rectangular range defined by these four points (range The image is reduced and displayed so as to fit in A). In the range A, as shown in FIG. 18, various setting information related to shooting may be displayed.

  For the remaining area (range B) other than the range A on the display device 108, for example, the following display control can be applied. That is, an image is also displayed outside the range surrounded by the position detection unit 108a.

  First, display control is performed to black out the entire range B. This display control is effective when it is desired to reduce power consumption.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the control is to display various setting information related to photographing not on the range A but on the range B and in the vicinity of the periphery of the display assisting device 200. In the range A, this display control is effective when good visibility cannot be ensured because various setting information is small.

  The various setting information displayed in the range B may be larger in size than the various setting information displayed in the range A, and the number of information to be displayed can be increased. In addition, the photographer can set in advance which position in the vicinity of the display assisting apparatus 200 the various setting information is arranged in the vertical and horizontal positions.

  As shown in FIG. 20, there is also display control for displaying an image in the range B as well. As a result, when the visibility of the display device 108 is restored with the display auxiliary device 200 installed, the display operation device 200 can be promptly shifted to a shooting operation using the display device 108 without removing the display auxiliary device 200. it can.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state where the display assisting device in FIG. 10 is installed at an angle with respect to the digital camera.

  As described above, when the display auxiliary device 200 is attached to the apparatus main body 100 obliquely without the photographer's intention, the following measures are taken.

  That is, based on the detection result of the position detection unit 108a, the grid line that is the inclination notification unit 108b is displayed in the horizontal and vertical directions with respect to the apparatus main body 100 in the reduced image frame.

  In the present embodiment, when the inclination of the display assisting apparatus 200 with respect to the apparatus main body 100 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the inclination notification unit 108b is activated. Further, whether or not the inclination notification unit 108b is activated can be arbitrarily selected by the photographer.

  Further, as described above, the photographer also determines whether to display grid lines in the horizontal and vertical directions on the apparatus main body 100, or to display grid lines in the horizontal and vertical directions on the display auxiliary device 200. Can be appropriately selected.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state where display assistance is performed by a photographer's hand in the digital camera of FIG. 1.

  When assisting display using the photographer's hand, the optical detection sensor 301a determines where the shadow person put his hand on the display device 108, and on the display device 108 based on the determination result. The image is reduced and displayed in an area where the hand is not placed. It is assumed that the photographer can arbitrarily set the display reduction size and the display position of the reduced image.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Lens tube 102 Front cover 103 Strobe 104 AF auxiliary light window 108 Display device 108a Position detection unit 108b Inclination notification unit 109 Operation member 117 Metal member 200 Display auxiliary device 201 Case member 206 Magnetic member 301a Optical detection sensor 301b Pressure-sensitive detection sensor 301c Resistive film type detection sensor 302 Display control unit 303 Attitude detection unit

Claims (6)

An imaging device comprising a display device and a display auxiliary device detachable on the display device,
Detecting means for detecting that the display auxiliary device is installed in the apparatus main body, and detecting at which position on the display device;
Display control means for displaying an image at a position detected by the detection means;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The display assisting device has a protrusion formed on the display device, and the detection means includes an optical detection sensor, a pressure sensitive detection sensor, or a resistance film detection sensor that detects the position of the protrusion. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays an image within a range surrounded by the protrusion detected by the detection unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays an image outside a range surrounded by the protrusion detected by the detection unit. A display auxiliary device detachable on the display device of the imaging device,
A first window member disposed on the eyepiece side;
A second window member disposed on the display device side;
A protrusion on the display device;
A display auxiliary device comprising:   The display assisting device according to claim 5, wherein the display assisting device includes a diopter adjusting lens.