JPH04269080A - Erroneous image pickup preventing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent recording from being performed accidentally due to the suspension from the shoulder and movement of a movie by automatically preventing a switch from functioning when an image pickup device is inclined over a prescribed angle. CONSTITUTION:The rotary plate 10 of a rotating part 11 is rotated centering a center axis 12 corresponding to the remarkable inclination of a movie device main body, and the reflecting part 7 of the rotary plate 10 is set confronting with an optical sensor 13 by the function of a weight 9. At this time, light emitted from a light emitting diode 14 is reflected on the reflecting part 7, and the signal level of the output terminal T5 of a light receiving transistor 15 changes from high to low. Accordingly, the signal levels of the output terminal T8 of a transistor Q1 and the input terminal T7 of a transistor Q3 go to high, therefore, a switch S3 is turned off by the transistor Q3. Consequently, the electrical connection of a recording start/stop switch S1 and a microcomputer 6 is cut off by the switch S3, and no instruction signal with respect to the start and stoppage of recording by the switch S1 is entirely supplied to the microcomputer 6.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for preventing misphotographing, and more particularly, to a device for preventing misphotographing, which is provided in an imaging device such as a portable camera-integrated videotape recorder, and is installed in an image pickup device such as a portable camera-integrated video tape recorder. The present invention relates to a misphotography prevention device that prevents photographing from being started inadvertently without intention.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A camera-integrated video tape recorder (hereinafter referred to as a movie) is one of devices whose operation is controlled depending on the degree of inclination of the main body. In recent years, movies have become smaller and more portable, allowing users to hang them from their shoulders and move around freely. In such a case, the recording start/stop switch may be operated for some reason while the user is carrying the device, and recording may be started inadvertently without the user's intention. To prevent this, a movie recording start/stop switch is attached to the main body.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are external views of a recording start/stop switch attached to a conventional camera-integrated video tape recorder.

In FIG. 6(a), a recording start/stop switch S1 fixedly attached to the side of the movie main body is normally covered with a switch cover 2 to protect it from being operated from outside. There is. The switch cover 2 is attached to be rotatable about a fulcrum 2a. When starting or stopping recording using the movie, the photographer flips up the switch cover 2 about the fulcrum 2a as shown in FIG. 6(b), and then presses the recording start/stop switch. Operate S1. After that, the flipped up switch cover 2 is returned to its original position around the fulcrum 2a, and the recording start/stop switch S1 is covered with the switch cover 2 to prevent the switch S1 from being operated carelessly from now on. to prevent erroneous copying of the movie.

The method of preventing erroneous operation of the recording start/stop switch S1 by providing the switch cover 2 described above was a manual operation based on the judgment of the photographer. A function is also provided to prevent erroneous shots of the movie caused by erroneous operations.

FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are schematic diagrams for explaining the functions of a recording start/stop switch that is attached to a conventional camera-integrated video tape recorder and operates in conjunction with the tilt angle of the main body. It is.

In FIG. 7(a), a recording start/stop switch S1 is connected in series with an angle sensor switch S2, and the output side of the switch S2 is connected to a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as microcomputer) that controls the movie itself. It is connected to the input terminal 5 of 6.

The angle sensor switch S2 is a glass bulb 4.
including. The glass bulb 4 has an electrode 3 connected to the input terminal 5 side and an electrode 3 connected to the switch S1 side opposite each other, and further contains a fluid conductive substance 7 (for example, mercury, etc.). It has a sealed structure. The angle sensor switch S2 including the glass bulb 4 is fixedly provided inside the movie. Therefore, Fig. 7(a)
In this state, a switching signal generated by ON/OFF operation of the recording start/stop switch S1 provided on the outside of the movie main body is sent to the microcomputer via the electrode 3 electrically connected via the fluid conductive material 7. given to 6. Therefore, when the microcomputer 6 is electrically connected to the switch S1 by the angle sensor switch S2 as shown in FIG. 7(a), the microcomputer 6 starts recording the movie and It becomes possible to control the stop.

[0009] When the photographer moves while carrying the movie by hanging it from his shoulder or the like, the main body of the movie tilts, and when the movie body tilts more than a predetermined angle, the angle sensor switch S2 is activated as shown in FIG. 7(b). As the glass bulb 4 rotates, the liquid level of the fluid conductive material 7 inside is inclined accordingly, and the inclination acts to interrupt the electrical conduction between the electrodes 3 provided oppositely. Therefore, the ON/OFF signal of the recording start/stop switch S1 is not given to the microcomputer 6.
The microcomputer 6 shifts to a state in which it cannot accept switching of operations by the switch S1.

As described above, the angle sensor switch S2 fixedly installed inside the movie cuts off the electrical connection between the recording start/stop switch S1 and the microcomputer 6 when the movie body is tilted beyond a predetermined angle. Since this acts to separate the main body from the main body of the movie, when the main body of the movie is carried while being hung from the shoulder or the like, recording is prevented from being started inadvertently, and erroneous shooting can be effectively prevented.

[0011]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] The above-described method for preventing erroneous photography shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) relies on the photographer's manual rotation operation of the switch cover S2 about the fulcrum 2a. If the photographer forgets to cover the recording start/stop switch S1 with the switch cover 2, the switch S1 is likely to be operated erroneously, and there is still a high possibility that the movie will be mistakenly photographed.

Furthermore, in the automatic photographic prevention method using the angle sensor switch S2 shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), when the movie main body is tilted to an angle that causes a cut-off state during shooting, The angle sensor switch S2 is set to start/
It acts to electrically disconnect the stop switch S1 from the microcomputer 6. Therefore, at this time, the switch S
It becomes impossible to switch the operation from recording to stopping recording with a single operation, and there is a problem in that undesired video continues to be recorded.

[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to automatically start recording when the main body of the imaging device in which the device is mounted is in an operating state other than the recording state and the main body of the imaging device is tilted by a predetermined angle or more. An object of the present invention is to provide a device for preventing misphotographing that disables the function of a start/stop operation switch.

[0014]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A misphotography prevention device according to the present invention is a misphotography prevention device that is provided in an imaging device and prevents inadvertent photography by the imaging device,
a tilt detection means for detecting that the imaging device main body is tilted by a predetermined angle or more; an instruction switch that is externally operated and instructs the imaging device to start and stop imaging;
an instruction invalidating means for invalidating the instruction output by the instruction switch; and an activating means for activating the instruction invalidating means in response to a detection output of the tilt detecting means;
mode detecting means for detecting that the imaging device is in the photographing mode; and when the mode detecting means detects that the imaging device is in the photographing mode, the instruction disabling means is configured to disable the instruction regardless of the detection output of the tilt detecting means. and disabling means for disabling the device.

[0015]

[Operation] Since the misphotography prevention device according to the present invention is constructed as described above, when the tilt detection means detects that the main body of the imaging device in which the misphotography prevention device is mounted is tilted by a predetermined angle or more, the instruction is invalidated. The converting means operates to invalidate the instruction to start and stop photographing of the imaging device which is output when the instruction switch is operated. Further, the instruction disabling means is forcibly disabled during a period when the mode detecting means detects that the imaging device is in the photographing mode. Therefore, when the imaging device is in an operating state other than a recording state, if the imaging device is tilted by a predetermined angle or more, the instruction switch operation is automatically disabled. In other words, the recording operation will not be started inadvertently if the photographer does not wish to do so, such as when the imaging device is being carried hanging from the shoulder and tilted at a predetermined angle or more.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an error prevention device installed in a camera-integrated video tape recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the mistaking prevention device is a recording start/stop switch that is externally operated to instruct the start and stop of the recording operation of the camera-integrated video tape recorder (hereinafter abbreviated as movie) in which the device is installed. S1
, a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as microcomputer) 6 for centrally controlling the operation of the movie, a connection changeover switch S3 for controlling electrical connection and disconnection between the microcomputer 6 and switch S1, and disabling the misphoto prevention function. It includes a disabling switch S4, transistors Q1 to Q3, a light sensor 13, and a rotating part 11, which are externally operated to perform the operation.

The driving ability of the transistors Q1 and Q2 to bring the terminal T8 to a low potential is activated when the terminal T5 is at a high level or when the terminal T4 is at a high level during recording.

[0020] Said recording start/stop switch S1
is operated externally and turns on instantly when recording starts.
The recording start signal is given to the microcomputer 6 via the switch S3. In addition, even when recording is stopped, it is instantly turned on.
The signal is given to the microcomputer 6 via the switch S3.

The connection changeover switch S3 includes an input terminal T1 and an output terminal T2, and its ON/OFF state is switched according to the output signal level of the transistor Q3. When the output signal level of the transistor Q3, that is, the signal level of the terminal T6 is high, the switch S3 is in the ON state, the terminals T1 and the terminals T2 are electrically connected, and the output signal of the recording start/stop switch S1 is in the ON state. Microcomputer 6 via switch S3 located in
given to. On the other hand, when the output signal level of the transistor Q3, that is, the signal level of the terminal T6 is low, the connection changeover switch S3 is in the OFF state, and the electrical connection between the recording start/stop switch S1 and the microcomputer 6 is cut off. No output signal is given to the microcomputer 6.

The disabling switch S4 is externally operated to switch its ON/OFF state. If the photographer anticipates that a shooting situation will occur in which the movie is tilted at a predetermined angle or more, the photographer operates this switch S4 externally and sets it to the ON state in advance, so that the signal level of the terminal T7 is always low. Set it so that Therefore, when the disabling switch S4 is externally operated and in the ON state, the output signal level of the transistor Q3, that is, the signal level at the terminal T6 is always high, and accordingly the switch S
3 is in the on state. Therefore, the output signal of the switch S1 continues to be applied to the microcomputer 6 via the switch S3 even if the movie is tilted by a predetermined angle or more when the movie is in the recording state.

The microcomputer 6 performs signal input/output operations via an input terminal T3 and an output terminal T4. Once the movie is set to recording mode by the switch S1, the microcomputer 6 outputs a signal with a high signal level via the terminal T4.
1 until a signal to stop recording is input. That is, while the imaging device is in the recording mode, the microcomputer 6 continues to output a high-level signal from the terminal T4 so that it can always accept the signal input from the recording start/stop switch S1.

It is assumed that the recording start switch S1 is pressed when the movie is in a horizontal state, and that the microcomputer 6 determines the recording mode setting of the movie in response to this press.

[0025] The rotating part 11 is fixedly attached to the inner side surface of the movie. Although the details will be described later, this rotating section 11 includes a rotating plate 10 that is fixed at a central axis (not shown) and rotates about the central axis in conjunction with the inclination of the movie. The side surface of the rotary plate 10 is covered with a reflective part 7 covered with a member that efficiently reflects incident light emitted from the light emitting diode 14 of the optical sensor 13 provided near the rotary part 11.
and a non-reflective portion 8 covered with a member that absorbs the incident light. The reflected light from the reflecting section 7 is received by the light receiving transistor 15 of the optical sensor 13, and the electric signal obtained by photoelectric conversion according to the level of the received light is given to the transistor Q1 connected to the next stage. In other words, the output signal of the light receiving transistor 15 of the optical sensor 13 is
During a period when the light-receiving transistor 15 does not receive light of a predetermined level, the signal level is always high, but once light of a predetermined level or higher is received, the signal level changes to low and is applied to the transistor Q1.

As described above, the sensor output level of the optical sensor 13 changes due to the rotation of the rotating plate 10 in conjunction with the tilt of the movie in the rotating section 11.
1 and the optical sensor 13 constitute a rotation angle sensor for the movie.

FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c) are diagrams for explaining the structure of a rotation angle sensor including the rotating section 11 and the optical sensor 13 shown in FIG. 1 above.

FIG. 2(a) is a plan view of the rotation angle sensor. FIG. 2(b) is a side view of the rotation angle sensor.

FIG. 2(c) shows the rotating part 1 of the rotation angle sensor.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of FIG. Next, the structure of the rotation angle sensor will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c).

In FIG. 2(a), a rotating plate 10 of a rotating section 11 is fixed by a central shaft 12, and a weight is attached to the rotating plate 10, which rotates about this central axis 12 in conjunction with the tilt of the movie. 9 is installed. Figure 2(b) is
The structure of the rotation angle sensor of FIG. 2A is shown from the side direction, and the circumference of the rotary plate 10 includes a reflective part 7 that reflects light and a non-reflective part 8 that does not reflect light. As shown in FIG. 2(c), the reflecting portion 7 is provided on a part of the circumferential surface of the rotary plate 10 to reflect light. The rotating plate 10 is attached to rotate around a central axis 12 in conjunction with the tilt of the movie, and due to the gravity of the weight 9, the rotating plate 10 always has the weight 9 facing downward, that is, toward the optical sensor 13. Rotate to continue. Therefore, when the movie is tilted, the rotating plate 10 rotates about the central axis 12 due to the gravitational force of the weight 9 so that the reflecting section 7 faces the optical sensor 13.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the rotation angle detection operation of the rotation angle sensor including the rotating section 11 and the optical sensor 13 shown in FIG. 1 above.

As shown in the figure, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 14 of the optical sensor 13 is irradiated onto the rotating plate 10. At this time, if the rotating plate 10 is in a state where its non-reflecting portion 8 faces the optical sensor 13 due to the tilted state of the movie main body, the irradiated light will not be reflected at the non-reflecting portion 8, so the light receiving transistor 15 No light enters. Therefore, the output signal level of the light receiving transistor 15 remains high.

On the other hand, if the movie main body is tilted, the center axis 1
Since the rotary plate 10 rotates around 2 and the weight 9 tends to remain downward, the reflecting part 7 faces the optical sensor 13. At this time, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 14 is reflected by the reflection section 7 and received by the light receiving transistor 15, and accordingly, the output signal level of the light receiving transistor 15, that is, the signal level at the terminal T5 in FIG. 1 changes from high to low. and changes.

As described above, the rotating part 11 and the optical sensor 13
A rotation angle sensor is configured to detect the tilt angle of the movie. The sensor detects that the movie body is stationary (horizontal)
When the main body of the movie is tilted by a predetermined angle or more, the sensor output level of the optical sensor 13 is changed from high to low, thereby detecting that the movie main body is tilted by a predetermined angle or more.

Next, the operation of the misphotography prevention device shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. When the movie is kept in a horizontal state, the non-reflective portion 8 of the rotating plate 10 of the rotating section 11 fixedly attached to the inner side surface of the movie faces the optical sensor 13. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 14 is not reflected on the rotary plate 10, and the signal level of the output terminal T5 of the light receiving transistor 15 is maintained at a high level. Therefore, through transistors Q1 and Q3, terminal T
Since the signal level of 6 is high, the connection selector switch S
3 is in the ON state, and an instruction signal for starting and stopping recording by operating the recording start/stop switch S1 is given to the microcomputer 6.

As described above, when the movie is kept in a steady state, that is, when the main body of the movie is in a horizontal state, the output signal level of the optical sensor 13 remains high, and the connection changeover switch S3 is turned on. It acts to establish electrical connection between the switch S1 and the microcomputer 6.

[0037] When the movie is hung from the photographer's shoulder and carried, and the photographer moves, the main body of the movie device tilts significantly. In response to this, the rotating plate 10 of the rotating part 11 rotates around the central axis 12, and the reflecting part 7 of the rotating plate 10 comes to face the optical sensor 13 due to the action of the weight 9. At this time, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 14 is reflected by the reflection section 7, and the signal level at the output terminal T5 of the light receiving transistor 15 changes from high to low. In response, the signal level of the output terminal T8 of the transistor Q1 and the input terminal T7 of the transistor Q3 becomes high, so the switch S3 is turned off by the transistor Q3.
state. Therefore, the electrical connection between the recording start/stop switch S1 and the microcomputer 6 is as follows.
3, the microcomputer 6 is no longer given any instruction signals regarding the start and stop of recording by operating the switch S1.

[0038] As described above, if the main body of the movie is tilted significantly, for example, when it is being moved while being hung from the shoulder, the connection changeover switch S3 will be in the OFF state, so that the switch S1 may be inadvertently turned ON. This can prevent the movie from being accidentally recorded.

FIGS. 4(a) to 4(e) are timing charts represented by the signal levels of each switch and terminal when a movie equipped with an error prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a recording stop state. It is.

FIGS. 5(a) to 5(f) show the signal levels of each switch and terminal when a movie equipped with an error prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in the recording state or the disabling switch is in the ON state. FIG. 2 is a timing chart diagram represented by FIG.

Next, the operation when the movie is in the recording stop state will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4(a) to 4(e).

When the movie is in the recording stop state, FIG.
As shown in (a), the signal level of the terminal T4 is always kept low by the output of the microcomputer 6. At this time,
When the movie shifts from a period T1 in which it is horizontal to a period T2 in which it is tilted at a predetermined angle or more, the level of the terminal T5 changes from high to low as shown in FIG. 4(b), and as shown in FIG. 4(e).
As mentioned above, the switching signal of the switch S1 is sent to the microcomputer 6.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous copying due to the movie.

Thereafter, when the main body is returned from the tilted state of a predetermined angle or more during the period T2 to the horizontal state during the period T3, the level of the terminal T5 in FIG. 4(b) changes from low to high again. As described above, the instruction signal of the changeover switch S1 in FIG. 4(e) is brought into a state where it can be accepted by the microcomputer 6.

As described above, even when the movie is in the recording stop state, the degree of inclination of the movie body is detected by the angle sensor, and when a predetermined angle or more is detected, the microcomputer 6 activates the recording start/stop switch. Since the state shifts to a state in which the instruction signal from S1 cannot be accepted, if the switch S1 is inadvertently operated while the movie is being carried and moving,
It is possible to prevent recording from being started accidentally.

Next, the operation when the movie is in the recording state will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5(a) to 5(f).

When the movie is in the recording state, FIG. 5(a)
) is always set to a high state by the output of the microcomputer 6. At this time, when the movie shifts from a period T4 in a horizontal state to a period T5 in which it is tilted at a predetermined angle or more, the signal level of the terminal T5 changes from high to low as shown in FIG. 5(b), and accordingly the transistor Q1
The output level of changes to high. On the other hand, the microcomputer 6 outputs a signal that maintains the output level of the transistor Q2 at a low level, so the potential at the terminals T7 and T8 is pulled to a low potential by the output signal level of the transistor Q2, and the transistor Q3 is As shown in FIG. 5(e), it acts to maintain the switch S3 in the ON state. Therefore, when the movie is in the recording state, regardless of whether or not the movie is tilted, recording is always started by disabling the sensor output of the rotation angle sensor that includes the rotating section 11 and the optical sensor 13. Processing is performed so that an instruction signal for starting and stopping recording from the /stop switch S1 is given to the microcomputer 6.

Now, when the movie is in the recording state, depending on the subject image, the main body of the movie may be tilted by a predetermined angle or more, and in such a case, even though the movie is tilted by a predetermined angle or more, It is necessary to continue recording. In that case, the user operates the disabling switch S4 in advance. That is, the user sets the switch S4 to the ON state in advance, and forcibly sets the signal level of the input terminal T7 of the transistor Q3 to low. Thereby, the connection changeover switch S3 maintains the ON state. In this way,
If the disabling switch S4 is set to the ON state by external operation, recording will start/start regardless of whether or not the movie is tilted.
It is only possible to give the microcomputer 6 an instruction signal to start and stop recording from the stop switch S1.

As described above, when the recording state or the disabling switch S4 is in the ON state, the input terminal T of the transistor Q3 is controlled by the microcomputer 6 and the disabling switch S4.
7 signal level is forcibly set to low, and the recording start/stop switch S1 is set via the connection selector switch S3.
The microcontroller 6 sends instruction signals to start and stop recording.
I am trying to be able to give to others. Therefore, in the recording state or according to the photographer's intention, the disabling switch S4
When set to ON state, the sensor output of the rotation angle sensor that detects the tilt of the movie main body, which is composed of the rotating part 11 and the optical sensor 13, is disabled, and even if the movie main body is tilted during recording mode, switching is performed. The recording state can be canceled by operating the switch S1.

[0049]

According to the misphotography prevention device according to the present invention, when the tilt detection means detects that the main body of the imaging device in which the misphotography prevention device is mounted is tilted by a predetermined angle or more, the instruction invalidation means disables the instruction. The instruction invalidating means operates to invalidate instructions regarding the start and stop of photographing of the imaging device that are output when the switch is operated, and the instruction invalidating means detects that the imaging device is in the photographing mode by the mode detection means. be forcibly disabled for a period of time. Therefore, when the imaging device is in an operating state other than a recording state, if the imaging device is tilted by a predetermined angle or more, the instruction switch automatically becomes inoperative. In other words, when the photographer does not wish to record, such as when the imaging device is carried hanging from the shoulder and is tilted at a predetermined angle or more, even if the instruction switch is inadvertently operated, undesired images may be recorded. This has the effect of improving the convenience of the imaging device since the information is not recorded.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mistaking prevention device installed in a camera-integrated video tape recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2(a) to 2(c) are diagrams for explaining the structure of a rotation angle sensor including a rotating part and an optical sensor shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a rotation angle detection operation of a rotation angle sensor including a rotating part and an optical sensor shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4(a) to (e) are represented by the signal levels of each switch and terminal when the camera-integrated video tape recorder equipped with the mistaking prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a recording stop state; FIG. FIG.

FIGS. 5(a) to 5(f) illustrate each switch and the switch when the camera-integrated video tape recorder equipped with the mistaking prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in the recording state or the disabling switch is in the ON state; FIG. 4 is a timing chart diagram represented by signal levels of terminals.

FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are external views of a recording start/stop switch attached to a conventional camera-integrated video tape recorder.

[Fig. 7] (a) and (b) are schematic diagrams for explaining the functions of a recording start/stop switch that is attached to a conventional camera-integrated video tape recorder and operates in conjunction with the tilt angle of the main body. be.

[Explanation of symbols]

S1 Recording start/stop switch S3 Connection changeover switch S4 Disabling switch 6 Microcomputer 7 Reflective section 8 Non-reflective section 9 Weight 10 Rotating plate 11 Rotating section 12 Central shaft 13 Optical sensor 14 Light emitting diode 15 Light receiving transistors Q1, Q2 and Q3 Transistors , in the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A mistaking prevention device that is provided in an imaging device and prevents the imaging device from inadvertently taking a picture, the device comprising: a tilt detection unit that detects when the imaging device main body is tilted by a predetermined angle or more; an instruction switch that is externally operated and instructs the imaging device to start and stop photographing; an instruction invalidating means for invalidating an instruction output by the instruction switch; and a detection output of the tilt detection means. In response, activating means activates the instruction disabling means, mode detecting means detects that the imaging device is in the photographing mode, and the mode detecting means detects that the photographing mode is set. and a disabling means for disabling the instruction disabling means regardless of the detection output of the tilt detecting means.