JPH10191117A - Electronic camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect an LCD screen in the electronic camera device with an liquid crystal display device(LCD) in the case of carrying the camera and to obtain a large-sized LCD screen with ease of use in the case of picking up an image. SOLUTION: A folding structure is adopted for a device where a screen part 3 having an LCD screen 23 faces a main body 2 in a state that the screen part 3 is folded for carrying to the main body 2 having an image pickup part 20 and so that the LCD screen 23 faces a rear side of the image pickup part 20 in a using state for picking up. That is, the main body 2 is provided with a hinge 6 by which the screen part 3 is freely folded to one side of the main body 2 and with a rotary part 5 by which the screen part 3 is freely rotated to the main body 2 and the rotary part 5 is provided with the image pickup part 20 so that the main body 2 and the screen part 3 are in the folded state where the LCD screen 23 faces the main body 2 in the case of carrying and are in an extension state where the LCD screen 23 is placed at the rear side to the image pickup part 20 of the rotary part 5 in the case of picking up by means of the hinge 6 and the rotary part 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera having a liquid crystal display screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of electronic cameras, a photographing lens and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) are known.
e: solid-state imaging device) and a liquid crystal display (L
liquid Crystal Display,
There is a digital still camera with an LCD provided with a viewfinder at the time of image recording by an LCD and an LCD screen also used as a monitor at the time of image reproduction. Some video cameras have an LCD screen that also serves as a viewfinder and a monitor. In such an electronic camera with an LCD screen, conventionally, no screen cover such as a transparent cover is provided in order to prevent surface reflection of the LCD screen.

[0003]

Therefore, in an electronic camera with an LCD screen, the LCD screen may be damaged when the electronic camera is carried, and the tendency is remarkable when the LCD screen is large. There were issues to be addressed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera device with an LCD screen, which can protect the LCD screen when it is carried, and is easy to use at the time of imaging.
It is also possible to increase the size of the screen.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is, for example, an electronic camera device having an LCD screen which is also used as a viewfinder and a monitor. And a screen having an LCD screen, wherein the LCD screen faces the main body in a state where the screen is folded for carrying with respect to the main body, and the image is taken. In the use state for the camera, the LCD screen is folded so that the LCD screen faces the back side of the imaging unit.

Here, as the electronic camera device, an LCD is used.
Digital still cameras and video cameras. The imaging unit has a photographic lens and a CCD, the main unit has various switches or a microphone and a speaker, and the screen unit has only an LCD screen. Have,
Alternatively, it has various switches and a concave portion for accommodating the imaging section. As a folding structure, a hinge portion is typical, and a rotating portion having a hinge portion is also included.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the LCD screen faces the main body in a state where the screen having the LCD screen is folded for carrying, with respect to the main body having the imaging unit. And in use for imaging, LC
Since the electronic camera device has a folded structure such that the D screen faces the back side of the imaging unit, the LCD screen of the screen unit is in a folded state facing the main unit, so that the LCD screen can be protected when being carried, Since the LCD screen of the screen section faces the back side of the imaging section of the main body section, ease of use at the time of imaging is also provided. Since the imaging unit does not fold, the back focus of the imaging unit can be secured, and since the screen unit is freely foldable relative to the main unit while protecting the LCD screen, LC
It is also possible to increase the size of the D screen.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is based on claim 1.
The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein a hinge portion that allows the screen portion to be foldable on one surface side of the main body portion,
A rotation unit that allows the screen unit to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit through the hinge unit, and the imaging unit is provided in the rotation unit, and the hinge unit and the rotation unit allow the main body unit and the rotation unit to rotate. A screen unit, which is in a folded state in which the LCD screen side faces when being carried, and in an unfolded state in which the LCD screen is located on the back side of the imaging unit of the rotating unit during imaging. Features.
For example, as the hinge portion, the screen portion may be rotatable within an angle range of 180 ° with respect to one surface side of the main body portion,
In addition, the rotating unit may be a unit that can rotate the screen unit 360 ° with respect to the main body unit via the hinge unit.

As described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the folding structure according to the first aspect has a hinge portion that allows the screen portion to be foldable on one side of the main body portion, and the hinge portion via the hinge portion. The main unit and the screen unit are in a folded state in which the LCD screen faces when the camera is carried. Since the electronic camera device is in an unfolded state in which the LCD screen is located on the back side of the imaging unit, the LCD screen side of the screen unit faces the main unit by the hinge unit and the rotation unit. The folded state allows the LCD screen to be protected when it is carried, and the LC is located on the back side of the imaging unit.
Since the main body portion and the screen portion where the D screen is located are in the developed state, it is easy to use at the time of imaging. Therefore, as in the first aspect of the present invention, the back focus of the imaging unit can be secured, and the size of the LCD screen can be increased.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic camera device according to the first aspect, wherein the main body is provided with hinge portions on both sides of the front and back surfaces thereof so that the screen portion can be folded. The hinge unit causes the main body unit and the screen unit to be in a folded state in which the LCD screen side and the imaging unit side face each other when carrying, and the LCD screen is positioned on the back side of the imaging unit during imaging. And a state in which the state is established. For example, as the hinge portion, the screen portion can be freely rotated by 360 ° with respect to one surface side of the main body portion.

As described above, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the folding structure according to the first aspect is characterized in that the screen portion is foldable on both sides of the front and back surfaces of the main body by the hinge portions. Since the screen unit is a folded state in which the LCD screen side and the imaging unit side face each other when carrying, and the electronic camera device is in a folded state in which the LCD screen is located on the back side of the imaging unit during imaging, the hinge unit allows As in the first aspect of the present invention, since the LCD screen side and the imaging unit side are in a folded state facing each other, the L when the camera is carried is carried.
Since the CD screen can be protected and the LCD screen is in a folded state of the main body and the screen facing the back of the imaging unit, it is easy to use at the time of imaging. Therefore, as in the first aspect of the present invention, the back focus of the imaging unit can be secured, and the size of the LCD screen can be increased.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an electronic camera device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a foldable digital still camera with an LCD as an electronic camera apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the front view which showed the folding state of. FIG. 2 shows the digital still camera with LCD of FIG. 1 viewed from the surroundings, and FIG.
2 (b) is a side view as viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (c) is an arrow C in FIG.
It is the bottom view shown from the direction. FIG. 3 shows L in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a developed state when an image is captured by a digital still camera with a CD. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a digital still camera with an LCD (electronic camera device); 2, a main body; 3, a screen;
Is a circular rotating part, 6 is a hinge pin (hinge part), 7 is a shutter button, 8 is a play button, 9 is a record button, 11
Is a power on switch, 12 is a power off switch, 13 is a down button, 14 is an up button, 15 is a telephone terminal, 16
Is a line terminal, 17 is a video output terminal, 18 is a digital terminal, 19 is a DC power input terminal, 20 is an imaging unit, 21 is a photographic lens, 22 is a CCD, and 23 is an LCD screen.

In this embodiment, a digital still camera 1 with an LCD has a screen unit 3 that is foldable and rotatable with respect to a main unit 2. That is, the main body 2
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a circular fixing part 4 is provided at the upper center of the box-shaped case, and a circular rotating part 5 is rotatably provided on one surface side of the circular fixing part 4.
The left and right sides of the semicircular concave portion at the upper center of the screen portion 3 formed of a box-shaped case thinner than the main body portion 2 are connected to the periphery of the circular rotating portion 5 via hinge pins 6 and 6 serving as hinge portions. . Therefore, the screen section 3 is rotatably assembled to the main body section 2 by the circular rotating section 5 via the hinge pins 6 and 6, and can be unfolded and folded within a 180 ° angle range around the hinge pins 6 and 6. ing.

In the above description, the main body 2 has the structure shown in FIG.
, A shutter button 7, a playback button 8, a recording button 9, a power on switch 11, a power off switch 1
2, a down button 13 and an up button 14 are provided on the upper surface, and as shown in FIG.
Line terminal 16, video output terminal 17, digital terminal 1
8 and a DC power input terminal 19 are provided on one side. As shown in FIG. 1, an imaging unit 20 is provided on a surface of the circular rotating unit 5.
It comprises a taking lens 21 and a CCD 22. The screen unit 3 is provided with an LCD screen 23 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2B and 2C.
The D screen 23 is exposed on one side of the screen unit 3.

A circuit board (not shown) is provided in the main body 2, and the circuit board includes a CPU (Ce).
central processing unit (central processing unit) 41 (see FIG. 4) and an LSI (Large S).
call Integration: large-scale integrated circuit)
And other various electronic components are intensively mounted. In addition, a function switching key 24 (see FIG. 4), which is not shown, and an IrDA (Infra
red Data Association: an infrared communication function unit 25 based on infrared data communication standards)
(See FIG. 4) is also provided. Here, this IrDA
The infrared communication function unit 25 is an infrared communication unit that functions as a unit used as an interface between the digital still camera with LCD 1 and a personal computer. This I
In the infrared communication standard defined by rDA, the communication range is limited with a low output, a directional type having a central angle of 15 °, and a short distance up to 1 m.

Next, the image processing by the digital still camera 1 with LCD will be described. Figure 4 is an LCD
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a control circuit for image processing by a digital still camera 1 with a camera. In FIG. 4, the infrared communication function unit 25 based on IrDA described above,
A CCD 22 and its driving circuit (Driver) 32 are provided, and an LCD screen 23, a CPU 41, a R0M42, an R
AM43, input / output port (I / O Port) 44, D
RAM 45, flash memory 46, A / D converter 4
7, TG48, compression / expansion unit 51, SG52, VRAM
53, and a D / A converter 54 are provided.

That is, the CCD 22 of the imaging unit 20 converts a video signal into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal.
(river) 32. Drive circuit (Dri
ver) 32 drives the CCD 31 based on the timing signal from the TG 48. Then, the CPU 41 determines that R
0M (Read Only Memory) 42, and operates based on a program in a RAM (Ra).
The respective parts are controlled based on the input from the keys 7 and 24 using the Random Access Memory 43 as a work RAM. I / O port (I / O Por
t) 44 is an interface for inputting / outputting a video signal or the like converted into a serial signal. DRAM (Dyna
The mic-RAM) 45 is a memory for temporarily storing the captured digital video signal. Flash memory 46
Is a memory for storing the video signal compressed by the compression / expansion unit 51.

The A / D converter 47 converts an analog signal from the CCD 22 into a digital signal. TG (T
imaging generator) 48 is a CCD2
2 to generate a timing signal for controlling a drive circuit (Driver) 32 for driving the drive circuit 2. The compression / expansion unit 51 compresses / decodes the captured digital video signal by encoding / decoding.
Perform decompression processing. SG (Signal Generate)
er) 52 creates a digital video signal by adding a synchronization signal and the like to the digital video signal. VRAM (Vid
The eo-RAM 53 is a memory for storing digital video signals. The D / A converter 54 converts the digital video signal output from the SG 52 into an analog signal.
Then, the LCD screen 23 drives the liquid crystal based on the analog video signal input via the amplifier to display an image.

Next, the above operation will be described. When recording to the flash memory 46, when the video capture key is operated by pressing the shutter button 7, the CPU 41 generates a video capture signal to the TG 48, captures the video from the CCD 31, and temporarily stores the video in the DRAM 45. And the CPU 41
The color signal processing is performed on the video signal stored in
A luminance signal and a chrominance signal are created from a video signal. Further, C
The PU 41 compresses / compresses the luminance signal and the color signal.
, The data of the luminance signal and the chrominance signal are compressed and stored in the flash memory 46.

At the time of reproducing a video signal, when the reproduction key is operated by sliding the function switching key 24, the CPU 41 reads a predetermined compressed video signal (compressed luminance signal and color signal) from the flash memory 46, and , To the compression / decompression unit 51. And CPU4
1 transfers the luminance signal and the chrominance signal expanded by the compression / expansion unit 51 to the SG 52,
Is converted into a video signal, and an image is displayed on the LCD screen 23. Note that the CPU 41 can transmit and receive image signals to and from an external device such as a personal computer (not shown) by the infrared communication function unit 25 based on IrDA described above.

According to the digital still camera 1 with an LCD having the above-described configuration, when the camera is carried, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. By folding the unit 3, the LCD screen 23 side of the screen unit 3 is in a folded state in which the LCD screen 23 faces and overlaps with the main unit 2, so that the LCD screen 23 can be protected from being damaged. Then, at the time of imaging, as shown in FIG. 3, the screen unit 3 is raised by 90 ° with the hinge pins 6 and 6 as fulcrums with respect to the circular rotating unit 5 of the main body unit 2 from the portable folding state (see the imaginary line in the drawing). By rotating the circular rotating part 5 by 180 ° with respect to the circular fixing part 4 of the main body part (see the imaginary line in the drawing), the screen part 3 is tilted by 90 ° with the hinge pins 6 and 6 as fulcrums with respect to the circular rotating part 5. Above the imaging unit 20 of the circular rotating unit 5, the main body unit 2 and the screen unit 3 are in the unfolded state with the LCD screen 23 facing the back side as shown by the solid line in the drawing. The photographing can be performed by the imaging unit 20 while viewing as a viewfinder, which is easy to use.

Further, since the imaging section 20 is not included in the folding structure section, the back focus of the imaging section 20, that is, the distance between the photographing lens 21 and the CCD 22 can be ensured. Further, as described above, the main body 2 is protected while protecting the LCD screen 23 so as not to be damaged during carrying.
The screen portion 3 can be folded freely,
The size of the CD screen 23 can be increased. Also,
Since the main body 2 and the screen 3 can be folded, the size of the portable device can be reduced and the portability can be improved.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 5 shows a foldable digital still camera with an LCD as an electronic camera apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is the front view which showed the state which carried out. FIG. 6 shows the digital still camera with LCD of FIG. 5 viewed from the surroundings, and FIG.
6B is a bottom view from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a bottom view from the direction of arrow B in FIG. Further, FIG.
8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line CC of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line DD of FIG. FIG. 9 is a side view showing a folded state at the time of imaging by the digital still camera with LCD in FIG. 5 to 9, reference numeral 61 denotes a digital still camera with an LCD (electronic camera device); 62, a main body; 63, a screen;
4 is a hinge part, 65 is an imaging part, 66 is a taking lens, 67
Is a CCD, 68 is a microphone, 69 is a speaker, 71 is L
CD screen, 72 is a power switch, 73 is a shutter button, 74 is a memory button, 75 is a replay button, 7
Reference numeral 6 denotes a concave portion for accommodating the imaging section.

In this embodiment, a digital still camera 61 with an LCD includes a main body 62 and a screen 6.
3 is a folding type. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the main body portion 62 and the screen portion 63 are integrally formed with a hinge portion 64 in which two cylindrical portions are arranged in parallel on one end surface of a box-shaped case having substantially the same shape. Are connected via Therefore, the screen portion 63 is approximately 36 inches from the main body portion 62 with the one column portion of the hinge portion 64 as a fulcrum.
The main body 62 is also freely foldable in the angle range of approximately 360 ° with respect to the screen 63 by using the other column of the hinge 64 as a fulcrum. .

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, when the screen 63 is opened, the main body 62 is provided with an imaging section 65 having a smooth bulging shape on one side of one side thereof. The imaging unit 65 includes a photographing lens 66 and a C
It consists of CD67. Further, a microphone 68 and a speaker 69 are provided on the side of the main body 62 on which the imaging unit 65 is provided. Further, the screen section 63 is provided with, for example, a 4-inch LCD screen 71 exposed on a surface side of the main body 62 on which the imaging section 65 is provided and in a folded state.

Further, an LCD screen 71 is displayed on the screen section 63.
A power switch 72 is provided on one side of the surface provided with a shutter button 73 and a memory button 7 on one side.
4 and a replay button 75 are provided. On one side of the surface of the screen unit 63 provided with the LCD screen 71, an imaging unit housing recess 76 for housing the bulged imaging unit 65 is formed in a state of being folded and overlapped with the main body unit 62. Have been. The digital still camera 61 with an LCD is provided with a circuit board (not shown), a function switching key, an I / O switch, and the like, as in the first embodiment.
It has an infrared communication function unit and the like based on rDA, and further has a similar image processing function.

According to the digital still camera 61 with an LCD having the above-described configuration, when the portable device is carried, the main body 62 and the screen 63 are folded about the respective cylindrical portions of the hinge portion 64 as fulcrums, thereby expanding the main body 62. Outer shape imaging unit 6
5 is accommodated in the imaging section accommodating recess 76 of the screen section 63, and the LCD screen 71 of the screen section 63 is in a folded state in which the LCD screen 71 faces and overlaps with the main body section 62, similar to the first embodiment described above. In addition, the LCD screen 71 can be protected from being damaged. Then, at the time of imaging, the main unit 62 and the screen unit 63 are raised from the portable folded state with the respective columns of the hinge unit 64 as fulcrums.
As shown in the figure, by folding the main body 62 and the screen 63 on the opposite side to the side when carrying, the screen 63 overlaps the back side of the main body 62 that does not have the imaging unit 65, and the LCD on the back side. Since the main body 62 and the screen 63 are folded in a state in which the screen 71 faces, the photographing can be performed by the imaging unit 65 while viewing the LCD screen 71 as a viewfinder, as in the first embodiment described above. It is easy to use.

Further, other effects similar to those of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, since the imaging unit 65 is not included in the folding structure unit, the back focus (the distance between the imaging lens 66 and the CCD 67) of the imaging unit 65 can be ensured. In addition, the LCD screen 71 is protected from being damaged when being carried, and the screen section 63 is freely foldable with respect to the main body 62 while protecting the LCD screen 71.
1 can also be realized. And the main body 6
Since the screen 2 and the screen 63 can be folded, it is possible to reduce the size of the portable device and to achieve excellent portability.

In each of the above embodiments,
Although a digital still camera with an LCD is used, the present invention is not limited to this, and a video camera with an LCD may be used. In addition, the structure, mechanism, shape, design, etc. of the main body, screen, hinge, rotating part, etc. are also arbitrary,
In addition, it is needless to say that specific detailed structures and the like can be appropriately changed.

[0031]

As described above, according to the electronic camera apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the screen portion having the LCD screen is folded in a portable state with respect to the main body portion having the imaging portion. Because the screen faces the main unit and the LCD screen is folded toward the back side of the imaging unit in the use state during imaging, the LCD screen of the screen unit is in a folded state facing the main unit. , LCD when carrying
Since the screen can be protected and the LCD screen faces the back side of the imaging unit, it is easy to use at the time of imaging. In addition, since the imaging unit does not fold, the back focus of the imaging unit can be ensured. Further, since the screen unit can be freely folded with respect to the main unit while protecting the LCD screen, the LCD screen can be enlarged. Can be.

According to the electronic camera device of the second aspect of the present invention, a hinge portion on the one surface side of the main body that allows the screen to be foldable, and the screen is connected to the main body via the hinge. A rotating unit provided with an imaging unit that is rotatable, so that the LCD screen side of the screen unit is in a folded state facing the main body unit as in the invention according to claim 1, so that the LCD unit can be used when the portable device is carried. The screen can be protected, and the main body and the screen where the LCD screen is located on the back side of the imaging unit are in an unfolded state, so that it is possible to provide ease of use at the time of imaging. Therefore, similarly to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to secure the back focus of the imaging unit, and it is possible to realize a large LCD screen.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the electronic camera device according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with hinge portions on both sides of the front and back surfaces of the main body so that the screen portion can be folded. As described above, the LCD screen side and the imaging unit side face each other in a folded state, so that the LCD screen can be protected when the camera is carried, and the main unit and the screen whose LCD screen faces the back side of the imaging unit. The folded state of the section makes it possible to provide ease of use during imaging. Therefore, similarly to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to secure the back focus of the imaging unit, and it is possible to realize a large LCD screen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a foldable digital still camera with an LCD as a first embodiment of an electronic camera apparatus to which the present invention is applied, showing a portable folded state.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a state in which the digital still camera with an LCD shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from the surroundings, where FIG. 2A is a top view shown in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 and FIG. FIG. 2C is a side view, and FIG. 2C is a bottom view from the direction of arrow C in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an unfolded state at the time of imaging by the digital still camera with LCD in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control circuit for image processing by the digital still camera with an LCD in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a foldable digital still camera with an LCD as an electronic camera device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the digital still camera is expanded from a folded state.

6A and 6B show a digital still camera with an LCD shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the surroundings, where FIG. 6A is a side view taken from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5, and FIG. It is the bottom view shown.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line DD of FIG. 5;

9 is a side view showing a folded state at the time of imaging by the digital still camera with LCD in FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic camera apparatus 2 Main body part 3 Screen part 4 Circular fixing part 5 Circular rotation part 6 Hinge part 20 Imaging part 21 Photographing lens 22 CCD 23 LCD screen 61 Electronic camera apparatus 62 Main part 63 Screen part 64 Hinge part 65 Imaging part 66 Imaging Lens 67 CCD 71 LCD screen 76 Imaging unit housing recess

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal display screen comprising: a main body having an imaging section; and a screen having a liquid crystal display screen, wherein the liquid crystal display screen is provided on the main body in a state where the screen is folded for carrying. An electronic camera device, wherein the liquid crystal display screen is folded so as to face the unit and to face the rear side of the imaging unit in a use state for imaging. 2. A hinge portion on one surface side of the main body portion, the hinge portion allowing the screen portion to be foldable, and a rotating portion enabling the screen portion to rotate relative to the main body portion via the hinge portion. The rotation unit is provided with the imaging unit, and the hinge unit and the rotation unit cause the main body unit and the screen unit to be in a folded state in which the liquid crystal display screen side faces when carrying, and the rotation is performed when imaging. 2. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display screen is in an unfolded state in which the liquid crystal display screen is located on the back side of the imaging unit. 3. A hinge portion which allows the screen portion to be foldable on both sides of the front and back sides of the main body portion, and the hinge portion allows the main body portion and the screen portion to be connected to the liquid crystal display screen side when being carried. And the imaging unit side is in a folded state facing each other, and during imaging, the liquid crystal display screen is located on the back side of the imaging unit in a folded state,
The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein: