JPH01186069A - Still video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain miniaturization and to improve the convenience in use by providing a support section fitting and supporting the semiconductor memory unit attachably and detachably and coupling electrically the semiconductor memory and the main body. CONSTITUTION:With a semiconductor memory unit 17 stood along the camera front face, the male terminal 18 is directed downward and fitted to a collector part 20, then male and female terminals 19, 18 are fit together to attain write/ readout of a picture signal to/from the semiconductor memory 5 and the loading to the recessed part 16 is applied attachably and detachably. In this case, to ensure and facilitate the loading of the unit 17 to the connector part 20, slots 21a, 21b for insertion guide are provided to both sides of the recessed part 16, the unit 17 are guided by the slots 21a, 21b and its lower end is led to the connector part 20. Since the front face of the connection part 14 is used as the loading part of the unit 17, the size of the camera is made small.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Field of Industrial Application> The present invention relates to a still video camera, and more particularly to the provision of a structure suitable for a still video camera in which digital electrical image signals are stored in a semiconductor memory.

<Prior art and its problems> Conventionally, as a still video camera, an image passed through an optical lens is photoelectrically converted by a solid-state image sensor, and the electric image signals obtained in this way are subjected to color separation, gamma correction, nine signal line sequentialization,
After performing analog processing such as FM modulation, the data is subjected to electromagnetic conversion using a magnetic head and the like, and then magnetically stored in a magnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk.

By the way, in a still video camera that stores electrical image signals on a magnetic disk as described above, the image signal is processed in analog form and then subjected to electromagnetic conversion, which tends to cause signal deterioration. This requires a drive mechanism for the magnetic head for recording and reproducing image signals, which hinders the miniaturization of cameras and becomes a factor that hinders the portability of still video cameras.

As a still video camera that can solve these problems,
The applicant has developed a still video camera that converts an optical image into an electrical image signal using an image sensor, converts this image signal from analog to digital, and stores the converted digital image signal in a removable semiconductor memory. It has been proposed previously (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 183582/1982).

Therefore, in the present invention, by providing a suitable structure for a still video camera using a removable semiconductor memory as a storage medium, it is possible to further reduce the size of the still video camera by using the semiconductor memory, and at the same time, it is possible to further reduce the size of the still video camera by using the semiconductor memory. The purpose is to help people improve their convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems> Therefore, in the present invention, an optical image is converted into an electrical image signal by an image sensor, this electrical image signal is A-D converted, and the converted digital image signal is stored in a semiconductor memory. In a still video camera configured as above, a connection connects an imaging unit to which an optical lens is attached and a release unit provided with a release button and separated from the imaging unit in a direction transverse to the optical axis of the optical lens. an electrical coupling support for removably inserting and supporting a semiconductor memory unit containing the semiconductor memory on one of the front and rear end surfaces with respect to the optical axis of the unit, and electrically coupling the semiconductor memory and the main body side; A section was established.

Further, one of the front and rear end surfaces of the connecting portion is recessed relative to the stone statue portion and the release portion, and a guide for inserting the semiconductor memory unit is formed on both sides of the recess, and a guide for inserting the semiconductor memory unit is formed on both sides of the recess. The semiconductor memory unit is inserted and guided along the recess so that it is fitted and supported by the electrical coupling support portion provided in the recess.

Further, a liquid recruitment display section was disposed on an end surface of the connecting section opposite to the end surface where the electrical connection support section was provided.

<Function> In a conventional single-lens reflex camera (silver halide photographic camera), the front and back of the connecting part that connects the imaging part to which the optical lens is attached and the release part (camera grip part) to which the release button is provided is The end face was hardly used effectively and was only used as a cover (however, the back face was used as a back cover for mounting film), making the still video camera similar in shape to the above-mentioned eye reflex camera. In this case, the connecting part between the image pickup part and the release part remains unused, so in order to make effective use of this part, there is an electrical connection that allows the semiconductor memory unit as a storage medium to be removably attached. By providing a joint support section, it is possible to prevent an increase in the external size of the camera due to securing a mounting site for the semiconductor device reunit.

Further, one of the front and rear end surfaces of the connecting portion is recessed relative to the imaging portion and the release portion, and guides for inserting the semiconductor memory unit are formed on both sides of the recess, and the semiconductor memory unit is inserted along the insertion guide. By guiding the unit to fit into the electrical coupling support, the semiconductor memory unit can be reliably attached to the electrical coupling support, and the semiconductor memory unit can be inserted into the recess. It is possible to prevent the thickness of the still video camera from increasing in the front-rear direction due to the installation of a semiconductor memory unit.
It can also protect the semiconductor memory unit.

Furthermore, since the liquid crystal display section is disposed on the side of the connecting section opposite to the surface on which the electrical coupling support section is provided, for example, when a semiconductor memory unit is mounted on the front side,
The liquid crystal display section can be installed on the rear surface of the connecting section, which is an empty surface, and can be used effectively.In addition, the liquid crystal surface can be set larger than when the liquid crystal display section is installed on the top surface, and the thickness of the front and rear of the camera can be thinned (even if it is thin, it is sufficient). This makes it possible to secure a liquid crystal display section with a large area.

<Example> Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

1 and 2 are perspective views showing an embodiment of a still video camera according to the present invention.

Here, the still video camera shown in the figure converts an image into an electrical image signal using an image sensor, and converts this image signal into an A-D
This is a still video camera in which a digital image signal is converted and the converted digital image signal is stored in a semiconductor memory, and its basic circuit configuration will be explained with reference to FIG.

1 is an optical lens that forms an optical image of the subject; 2 is an image sensor that photoelectrically converts the optical image formed on the light receiving surface by the optical lens 1 and outputs it as an analog image signal; There are solid-state image sensors such as MOS.

A color filter 2a is attached to the light receiving surface of the image sensor 2. The image sensor 2 outputs an analog image signal in response to a drive signal from the driver circuit 3, and this analog image signal is converted into a digital signal at high speed by the A/D converter 4. In this case, the quantization level is determined by the required image quality, but approximately 8 bits are required for general television images. Generally speaking, a sampling rate that is 2 to 4 times that of the color sample carrier (3.58 MHz) is required, but in still video cameras, this is not necessarily the case if the imaging unit has a temporary storage function. Not as long.

The image signal digitally converted by the A/D converter 4 is stored in the semiconductor memory 5. This semiconductor memory 5
is NMOS RAM, CMOS RAM, C
A CD memory or the like is used.

Writing and reading of image signals to and from the semiconductor memory 5 is controlled by a driver 6. The semiconductor memory 5 is of a replaceable type that can be attached to and removed from the outside at a predetermined position in the camera body, as will be described later.

On the other hand, the digital image signal output from the A/D converter 4 is directly or once stored in the semiconductor memory 5, and then
It is converted into an analog image signal by the D/A converter 7, and sent to the electronic viewfinder 9 via the changeover switch 8 (contact b).
The image is then displayed as an image on a monitor cathode ray tube (or monitor liquid crystal panel). In this case, the contacts a and b of the changeover switch 8 are changed over by a changeover signal from the driver 6 by external operation. Further, the output of the image sensor 2 can also be visualized by the electronic viewfinder 9 via the direct changeover switch 8 (contact a).

In this case, since the output of the image sensor 2 is modulated by the color filter 2a, it differs from a normal black and white image when directly displayed with the electronic viewfinder 9, but it is possible to know what is being captured. .

Note that 10 is a battery that serves as a power source for each of the circuit elements described above.

Next, an embodiment of the structure according to the present invention in a still video camera configured to store digital image signals in the semiconductor memory 5 as described above will be described based on FIGS. 1 and 2.

The still video camera 11 is a so-called eye reflex type camera, and the optical lens 1 is located at the front (hereinafter, the subject side when the camera is in use is the front), and the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is normally ), and an imaging section on the left side of the imaging section 12 when looking at the front of the optical lens 1 in the horizontal direction with respect to the optical axis of the optical lens 1. Reference numeral 12 refers to a release section 13 arranged at a predetermined interval, and the imaging section 12 and the release section 3.
and a connecting portion 14 that connects the two.

The image section 12 is provided with the image sensor 2 for photoelectrically converting the optical image formed by the optical lens 1 and a board on which electronic components constituting the circuit as described above are mounted, and the like.
An electronic finder 9 is provided at the upper part of the rear end face facing backward.

A release button 15 is provided on the upper surface of the release part 13, and the side peripheral wall of the release part 13 functions as a grip part, and has a smooth curved surface to enable stable gripping. Further, the distance between the imaging section 12 and the release section 13 is determined by the distance between the electronic viewfinder 9
The grip is set so that the photographer can easily hold it while looking into the camera.

Further, the imaging unit 12. Release section 13. The rear surface of the camera consisting of the connecting portion 14 is generally flat, but on the front side of the camera, the connecting portion 14 is recessed relative to the front end surfaces of the imaging portion 12 and the release portion 13, and the recessed portion 16
The semiconductor memory unit 17 is removably mounted thereon.

The semiconductor memory unit 17 includes the semiconductor memory 5
It is a card-shaped device built in a resin housing, and a female terminal 18 for electrical connection as shown in FIG. 4 is provided on one end surface in the longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, a recess 16 provided on the front end surface side of the connecting portion 14
At the lower end thereof, there is provided a male terminal 19 that fits into the female terminal 18 and is electrically connected to the female terminal 18, and the male terminal 19 is surrounded in the front and back direction of the camera so that the outer lower end of the semiconductor memory unit 17 is inwardly connected to the male terminal 19. The connector part 20 (electrical connection support part) to be inserted is facing upward.

That is, the semiconductor memory unit 17 is inserted into the connector part 20 with the female terminal 18 side facing downward while standing along the front surface of the camera, so that the female terminal 18 and the male terminal 19 are connected to each other.
When the two are fitted together, it becomes possible to write and read image signals to and from the semiconductor memory 5, and the semiconductor memory 5 is removably attached to the recess 16.

Further, the connector portion 20 of the semiconductor memory unit 17
In order to securely and easily attach the connector part 20 to
Insertion guide grooves 21a and 21b are provided on both sides of the recess 16, the lower ends of which are continuous with the upper ends of the semiconductor memory unit 17, and the upper ends of which are open to the upper surfaces of the imaging section 12 and the release section 13. By inserting both ends into the grooves 21a, 21b with the female terminal 18 side facing downward, the semiconductor memory unit 17 is inserted into the grooves 21a, 21b.
The lower end portion thereof is guided to the connector portion 20.

Further, a liquid crystal display section 22 for displaying various photographic information is provided on the rear surface of the connecting section 14.

According to this still video camera, the front surface of the connecting portion 14, which normally has little utility even in conventional single-lens reflex silver halide photographic cameras, is used as the mounting portion for the semiconductor memory unit 17, so the semiconductor memory 5 is This makes it possible to secure a mounting portion for the semiconductor memory unit 17 without impairing the miniaturization of the camera.

This is because the distance between the imaging section 12 and the release section 13, that is, the total width of the camera, can only be reduced to a certain extent in order to maintain stability in a normal single-lens reflex camera.
Because we want to reduce the front-to-back length (thickness) as much as possible, rather than attaching the card-shaped semiconductor memory unit 7 parallel to the optical axis of the optical lens 1, we attach the semiconductor memory unit 17 to the front and back of the camera in the direction that intersects with the optical axis. I want to attach it along the edge. Therefore, as in this embodiment, by mounting the semiconductor memory unit 17 along the front end surface of the connecting portion 14, the front-to-back length of the camera can be made as short as possible, and
By utilizing the front end surface of the connecting portion 14, which has not been of much use in the past, there is no need to make the overall width of the camera longer than necessary.

Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the connecting portion 14 is recessed, the connector portion 20 is provided at the lower end of the recess 16, and the grooves 213, 2
By having the semiconductor memory unit 17 inserted and inserted along the grooves 1b, the semiconductor memory unit 17 is installed inside the recess 16 and is protected from external obstacles, and can be attached and detached by being inserted along the grooves 21a and 21b. This can be done easily and reliably, and it can also be done while the camera is left in normal use.
However, since a downward force is applied to the camera when it is attached, the semiconductor memory unit 17 can be attached and detached while the camera is in a stable state. In addition, when installing the semiconductor memory unit 17,
It also has the effect that the maximum external shape does not change when it is not worn.

On the other hand, although the liquid crystal display section 22 is relatively easy to see even if it is located on the top surface of the camera, it is easier to confirm information if it is located on the same plane as the electronic viewfinder 9 and close to it. In this regard, in the still video camera 11 of this embodiment, the liquid crystal display section 22 is provided on the rear end surface of the connecting section 14, which is an optimal position from the viewpoint of information confirmation. Also, since it is better to display a lot of information on one screen, the area of the liquid crystal display section 22 has to be relatively large.Securing such a large area on the top of the camera means that the front and rear thickness of the camera However, since the rear end surface of the connecting portion 14 is traditionally an empty surface, it is easy to secure the area, and it is also difficult to confirm the area while holding the release portion 13. I can do it.

In this embodiment, the front end surface side of the connecting portion 14 is recessed to mount the semiconductor memory unit 17, but the rear end surface side of the connecting portion 14 is recessed so that the semiconductor memory unit 17 can be mounted.
In this case, most of the area on the rear surface of the camera will be occupied by the semiconductor memory unit 17, making it difficult to provide the liquid crystal display section 22. The entire surface of the portion 14 is empty (the liquid crystal display portion 22 may be provided in this portion. However, in this case, the visibility of the liquid crystal display portion 22 will deteriorate, so the semiconductor memory unit 17 is It is desirable to configure it so that it is attached to the front side of the connecting part 14.

Further, in this embodiment, the female terminal 18 is provided on the lower end surface of the semiconductor memory unit 17 for electrical connection, but instead of the female terminal 18, a plate-shaped terminal is provided along the lower end surface, and this board Means for electrically coupling with the shaped terminal may be provided on the main body side, and the electrical coupling method is not limited to this embodiment.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to make the camera body thin, the upper surface of the connecting part 14 that connects the imaging part 12 and the release part 13 is recessed so as to be open to the front, and a cough recess is formed. 16, the semiconductor memory unit 17 is inserted parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the camera body (
(horizontally). Here, since the semiconductor memory unit 17 is inserted into the recess 16 in a horizontal state from the front side of the connecting part 14,
Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, grooves 21a and 21b into which both ends of the semiconductor memory unit 17 in the insertion direction are inserted and guided are provided in the upright surfaces of the recess 16 in the front and back direction, respectively. In addition, a connector portion 20 is provided on the rear side of the camera body of the recess 16, and grooves 21a, 21b are provided.
Terminals provided on the front edge of the semiconductor memory unit 17 inserted and guided along the connector portion 20 fit into the connector portion 20 to establish an electrical connection.

In addition, in a thin camera as shown in Fig. 5, for example, the sixth
As shown in the figure, the optical image produced by the optical lens 1 is directed by a mirror 30 at right angles and is focused on the hyperimaging element 2, and a CRT for an electronic finder 9 is disposed on the rear side of the mirror 30. It is preferable to adopt a structure that can suppress the front-to-back length of the camera body by, for example,

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, according to the present invention, in a still video camera in which digital image signals are stored in a semiconductor memory, the size of the camera body can be reduced by reducing the number of component parts by using the semiconductor memory. It is possible to provide a still video camera that can perform the functions more effectively and is also easier to use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a front perspective view of a still video camera showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the still video camera shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a still video camera using semiconductor memory. A block diagram showing the basic circuit configuration, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the joint between the semiconductor memory unit and the main body in the same embodiment, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a still video camera showing another embodiment, and FIG. 6 5 is a sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of the still video camera shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 1... Optical lens 9... Electronic viewfinder 11.
... Still video camera 12 ... Imaging section 13 ...
- Release part 14... Connecting part 15... Release button 16... Recessed part 17... Semiconductor memory unit 20... Connector part 21a, 21b
... Groove 22 ... Liquid crystal display section

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a still video camera configured to convert an optical image into an electrical image signal using an image sensor, perform A-D conversion on this electrical image signal, and store the converted digital image signal in a semiconductor memory, an optical Any of the front and rear end surfaces with respect to the optical axis of a connecting part that connects an imaging part to which a lens is attached and a release part provided with a release button and separated from the imaging part in a direction transverse to the optical axis of the optical lens. A still video characterized in that one side is provided with an electrical coupling support part for removably inserting and supporting a semiconductor memory unit containing the semiconductor memory therein, and electrically coupling the semiconductor memory to the main body side. camera. (2) In a still video camera configured to convert an optical image into an electrical image signal using an image sensor, perform A-D conversion on this electrical image signal, and store the converted digital image signal in a semiconductor memory, an optical Any of the front and rear end surfaces with respect to the optical axis of a connecting part that connects an imaging part to which a lens is attached and a release part provided with a release button and separated from the imaging part in a direction transverse to the optical axis of the optical lens. one of which is recessed relative to the imaging section and the release section;
A guide for inserting a semiconductor unit incorporating the semiconductor memory is formed on both sides of the recess, and the semiconductor memory unit inserted along the insertion guide is removably inserted and supported. A still video camera characterized in that the recess is provided with an electrical connection support portion that electrically connects the main body side. (3) In a still video camera configured to convert an optical image into an electrical image signal by an image sensor, perform A-D conversion on this electrical image signal, and store the converted digital image signal in a semiconductor memory, an optical Any of the front and rear end surfaces with respect to the optical axis of a connecting part that connects an imaging part to which a lens is attached and a release part provided with a release button and separated from the imaging part in a direction transverse to the optical axis of the optical lens. One side is provided with an electrical coupling support part for removably inserting and supporting a semiconductor memory unit containing the semiconductor memory therein, and electrically coupling the semiconductor memory to the main body side, and 1. A still video camera characterized in that a liquid crystal display section is disposed on an end surface opposite to an end surface on which a target coupling support section is provided.