JPH04311164A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To turn on/off an added adaptor to interlock with the operation state of a main body by providing the adaptor with a detection circuit for detecting the operation state of a video camera. CONSTITUTION:In the case of using a liquid crystal panel 38 constituting a color electronic view finder, the adaptor 28 is connected between the camera body 10 and a battery. An operation button 45 formed on the upper part of the camera body 10 is depressed to close a power supply switch and drive a VTR/camera circuit 46. Thereby a driving current passes a resistor 48 in the adaptor 28, which generates a voltage drop. The voltage drop is detected by the detection circuit 49. A switch circuit 50 is turned on in interlocking with the detection, a driving circuit 51 is driven and the panel 38 is driven by the circuit 51. When a finger is released from the button 45, the switch 44 is opened and no current flows into the resistor 48. Thereby the panel 38 is switched to a non-driven state.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a video camera, and in particular, it is driven by a battery that is removably attached to a battery attachment part provided in a part of a cabinet, and the video camera is connected through an optical system. The present invention relates to a video camera in which a built-in VTR records a video image on a magnetic tape in a tape cassette.

0002

[Prior Art] A video camera uses a viewfinder to confirm the subject and converts the image taken in through an optical system into an electrical signal by a CCD, and after predetermined processing, converts it into a magnetic tape by a built-in VTR. It is supposed to be recorded. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a black and white CRT has been used as a viewfinder for checking a subject.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Since the electronic viewfinder is composed of a black and white CRT,
This method is unsuitable for imaging objects that require color discrimination. Therefore, for example, an adapter consisting of a color liquid crystal panel or the like is attached to the video camera.
This video camera makes it possible to identify the color of an object.

However, when attaching an adapter for an aftermarket color liquid crystal panel unit as an accessory, the switch on the adapter must be operated separately from the switch on the main body, which is not practical. Furthermore, if such an adapter is left attached, there is a problem in that the adapter consumes power and the battery drains quickly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video camera in which a retrofit type adapter is turned on and off in conjunction with the operating state of the main body. That is.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first aspect of the present invention is a video camera that is driven by a battery that is removably attached to a battery attachment section provided in a part of a cabinet. an adapter that can be removably attached to the camera body and has a predetermined function; the adapter is provided with a mounting part to which the battery can be removably mounted; The camera main body and the adapter pack are both driven by the attached battery, and a detection circuit for detecting the operating state of the video camera is provided in the adapter, and the adapter itself operates in conjunction with the detection circuit. It is designed to be turned on and off.

In a second aspect of the invention, the adapter has the function of an electronic viewfinder.

[0008]

[Operation] Therefore, according to the first invention, when the video camera is put into the operating state, the detection circuit of the adapter detects this, and in conjunction with this detection, the adapter itself is turned on and switched to the operating state. It becomes like this. Furthermore, when imaging is stopped, the detection circuit detects this, and in conjunction with this, the adapter is switched OFF.

According to the second invention, since the adapter has the function of an electronic viewfinder, the electronic viewfinder comprising the adapter is turned on and off in conjunction with the operating state of the video camera body.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 show a video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and this video camera is equipped with a lens barrel 11 at the front left side of a cabinet 10 thereof. An optical lens is arranged inside the lens barrel 11, and an image is captured through this optical lens. Also, on the outside of the lens barrel 11 are a plurality of camera operation buttons 12.
are arranged. Further, a first viewfinder 13 is rotatably attached to the top of the lens barrel 11. The first viewfinder 13 is composed of a black and white CRT.

Further, a video operation button 14 is provided on the top of the cabinet 10, and is used to perform operations such as switching the mode of the VTR built in the cabinet 10. Further, a microphone 15 is provided on the front side of the cabinet 10 to record audio. Furthermore, a grip belt 16 is provided on the right side of the cabinet 10, and the video camera can be held with the right hand by this belt 16.

A battery mounting section 19 is provided on the back side of the cabinet 10, and a battery 20 is removably mounted on this battery mounting section 19. Engagement claws 21 are provided on both sides of the upper and lower sides of the battery mounting portion 19, respectively, so that these engagement claws 21 are engaged with engagement grooves 22 provided on both the upper and lower sides of the battery 20. It has become.

Furthermore, the installed battery 20 is connected to the lock claw 2.
It is locked by 3. A release lever 24 is provided on the side of the cabinet 10 to allow the lock claw 23 to retract. Further, a conductive contact pin 25 is provided so as to protrude from the battery mounting portion 19.
5 electrically connects the battery 20 and the video camera.

[0014] Using the battery mounting part 19, the second
An adapter 28 constituting a viewfinder is inserted between the video camera 10 and the battery 20. The viewfinder adapter 28 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cabinet, and has an engaging portion 29 on the front side thereof. Engagement grooves 30 are provided on both upper and lower sides of the engagement portion 29, and these engagement grooves 30 receive the left and right engagement claws 21 of the battery mounting portion 19.

Further, on the back side of the adapter 28, a battery mounting section 31 having substantially the same structure as the battery mounting section 19 of a video camera is provided. That is, engaging claws 32 are provided on both sides of the battery mounting portion 31 of the adapter 28, respectively. Further, a conductive contact pin 34 protrudes. Further, a release lever 35 is provided on the side surface of the adapter 28, and the lock claw 33 is retracted by the release lever 35.

A liquid crystal panel 38 constituting a color electronic viewfinder is rotatably attached to the upper part of the adapter 28. A pair of connecting parts 39 are fixed to the lower part of this panel 38, and the adapter 28
It is rotatably connected by a support part 40 and a pin 41 provided on the upper part of the body. Note that the support part 4
The liquid crystal panel 38 is connected to the circuit inside the adapter 28 by a lead wire through the lead wire 0 .

Next, the power supply circuit of the adapter 28 equipped with this liquid crystal panel 38 will be explained with reference to FIG. Inside the video camera cabinet 10, a power switch 44 is provided.
is provided. This power switch 44 is opened and closed by an imaging operation button 45 provided at the top of the cabinet 10, and is connected to the VTR/camera circuit 4.
The power supply to 6 is controlled.

Then, through the power switch 44, the VTR/
Power is supplied directly to the camera circuit 46 through the contact pin 25 when the battery 20 is attached to the battery mounting portion 19 of the main body 10 . On the other hand, when the adapter 28 is used, power is supplied through the contact pins 34 of the adapter 28, as shown in FIG.

A resistor 48 is connected to the power supply line of the adapter 28. A detection circuit 49 that detects a voltage drop across the resistor 48 is connected to both ends of the resistor 48 . The switch circuit 50 is operated by the detection circuit 49. This switch circuit 50 constitutes a power switch of a drive circuit 51.

In the above configuration, when the adapter 28 having the second viewfinder 38 is not used, the battery mounting part 19 on the back side of the cabinet 10 is used.
Attach the battery 20 to the machine and use it under normal usage conditions. That is, this battery 20 drives the video camera. At the same time, the first
An image is taken while checking the subject through the black and white CRT screen of the viewfinder 13.

When using the liquid crystal panel 38 constituting the color electronic viewfinder, an adapter 28 is installed between the camera body 10 and the battery 20 as shown in FIG.
so that it is clamped. In this state, press the operation button 45 on the top of the video camera body 10, close the power switch 44, and turn on the VTR/camera circuit 4.
Drive 6. Then, the drive current flows through the resistor 4 of the adapter 28.
It will pass through 8. Resistor 48 therefore produces a voltage drop, which is detected by detection circuit 49. In conjunction with this detection, the switch circuit 50 is turned on,
The drive circuit 51 is driven. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel 38 is driven by the drive circuit 51.

When the finger is released from the operation button 45, the power switch 44 is opened and current no longer flows through the resistor 48. Therefore, the detection circuit 49 detects this, and the switch circuit 50
Turn off. Therefore, power supply to the drive circuit 51 is cut off, and the liquid crystal panel 38 is switched to a non-operating state.

[0023] In the above embodiment, the adapter 28
Although the switch circuit 50 is turned on and off in conjunction with the voltage drop across the resistor 48 connected to the power supply line of the may be detected, and the switch circuit 50 may be opened and closed in conjunction with this detection. Further, a manual power switch may be further connected to the adapter 28 between its power line and the switch circuit 50.

[0024] Also, in this embodiment, the adapter 28
constitutes a color electronic viewfinder equipped with a liquid crystal panel 38, but the adapter 28 has other functions,
For example, the adapter may have other functions such as a TV tuner, FM tuner, illumination light, or remote control.

[0025]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the adapter is provided with a detection circuit that detects the operating state of the video camera, and in conjunction with the detection of the detection circuit, the adapter itself
Since the adapter is turned on and off, there is no need to turn the adapter on and off manually, and the adapter is not driven unnecessarily and the battery is not consumed.

According to the second invention, since the adapter has the function of an electronic viewfinder, the electronic viewfinder comprising this adapter is automatically turned on and off according to the operating state of the video camera. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the connected state.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a power supply circuit of the adapter.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Cabinet 11 Lens barrel 12. Camera operation button 13 First viewfinder 14 Video operation button 15 Microphone 16 Grip belt 19 Battery installation part 20 Battery 21 Engagement claw 22 Engagement groove 23 Lock claw 24 Release lever 25 Contact pin 28 Adapter 29 Engagement part 30 Engagement groove 31 Battery installation part 32 Engagement claw 33 Lock claw 34 Contact pin 35 Release lever 38 Liquid crystal panel 39 Connecting part 40 Support part 41 pin 44 Power switch 45 Operation button 46 VTR/Camera circuit 48 Resistance 49 Detection circuit 50 Switch circuit 51 Drive circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A video camera that is driven by a battery that is removably attached to a battery attachment part provided in a part of a cabinet, wherein the video camera is detachably attached to a camera body by the battery attachment part. and an adapter having a predetermined function, and the adapter is provided with a mounting part to which the battery can be removably mounted, and the battery mounted in the mounting part of the adapter connects the camera body and the battery. The adapter pack is driven together with the video camera, and the adapter is provided with a detection circuit for detecting the operating state of the video camera, and the adapter itself is turned on and off in conjunction with the detection circuit. Features a video camera. 2. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein the adapter has a function of an electronic viewfinder.