JPH10191127A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform image pickup operation in a stable state by configuring a case in a way that part of the case is moved and the moved part acts like a protection means during image pickup operation. SOLUTION: A holding part 111 is contained in a side face of a camera main body 110 in the video camera that is not in the image pickup state. Then a photographer slides the holding part 111 contained in the side face of the camera main body 110 backward (in a direction of the arrow S4) along a guide rail of the camera main body 110. Then, the photographer turns the holding part 111 by 90 deg. (turning direction shown in the arrow S5) with respect to the sliding direction (in the direction of the arrow S4). Thus, the holding part 111 of the video camera is mounted to a rear part of the camera main body to allow an image pickup enable state. The photographer uses the video camera that is brought into an image pickup enable state in this way. That is, the photographer inserts the back of its right hand between a back patch and the camera main body 110 and holds the camera by setting a recessed part between the thumb and the index finger of the right hand in the case of image pickup state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called video camera which is a device in which a video tape recorder is integrated with a camera, and more particularly to a small and lightweight video camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called video camera, which is a device in which a video tape recorder (VTR) main body is miniaturized and integrated with a camera, has diversified in functions, reduced in size and weight, and the like.

Therefore, there is, for example, a video camera 300 as shown in FIG. This video camera 300
This is a compact digital video camera integrated with a TR, which is so small and light that the main body can be held with one hand.

That is, as shown in FIG. 16, a video camera 300 includes a camera section 301 and a VTR section 302.
And a finder section 303, and a VTR section 3
02 has a shape that holds the front and rear surfaces of the housing. Also, on the back of the main body of the video camera 300, FIG.
, A record button 304, a zoom key 305,
Operation buttons such as a camera dial 306 and various setting dials 307 are arranged, and these various operation buttons are configured to be operated with the thumb when the front and rear surfaces of the housing of the VTR unit 302 are held therebetween. ing.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional video camera 300 has such features that the main body is small and light enough to be held by one hand and very excellent in portability. On the other hand, there are some inconveniences with respect to the retention and operability as follows.

[0006] First, the video camera 300 is
02 has a shape that holds the front and rear surfaces of the housing, so that the photographer must hold the main body of the video camera 300 in the longitudinal direction. This allows the video camera 300 to be used with one hand when shooting for a long time.
It was difficult to maintain a stable state, and it was not possible to shoot in a stable state for a long time.

In order to solve this inconvenience, there is, for example, a video camera in which a grip strap is provided on the side of the housing of the video camera 300 body.

[0008] However, a video camera provided with such a grip strap has a state in which the grip strap is still attached even during non-shooting, which impairs portability. In general, a means such as a grip strap for holding the video camera is not required during non-shooting, so it is desirable to provide some storage means.

The video camera 300 has a configuration in which a finder section 303 is provided at the rear portion of the main body.
It is fixed non-rotatably to the housing of the main unit,
It was not possible to perform high-angle or low-angle photography, body surface photography, and the like.

In order to solve this inconvenience, for example, the finder section 303 is mounted on the video camera 30 so that the finder section 303 can be rotated up and down.
0 If you try to provide it on the side of the main body,
This configuration is not suitable for a video camera that requires portability.

The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and provides a video camera which is excellent in both holdability and operability at the time of photographing and also has excellent portability at the time of non-photographing. The purpose is to provide.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video camera in which a video tape recorder is integrated with a camera, comprising a holding means for holding the apparatus at the time of shooting.
The holding means is a part of the housing and is provided movably. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a switching means for switching a camera mode is provided, and the movement of the holding means and the switching operation of the switching means are interlocked. A third invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, there is provided a display means for displaying an image obtained by photographing on a screen, and the display means is provided in the holding means. In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the display means is rotatably provided. In a fifth aspect based on the first aspect, the holding means includes an operating means for operating the apparatus. A sixth invention is a video camera in which a video tape recorder is integrated with a camera, comprising a display means for displaying an image obtained by shooting on a screen, wherein the display means is provided rotatably, Sometimes it is a holding means for holding the device. A seventh invention is characterized in that, in the sixth invention, a switching device for switching a camera mode is provided, and a rotating operation of the display device and a switching operation of the switching device are linked. In an eighth aspect based on the sixth aspect, the display means includes an operation means for operating the apparatus.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment will be described.

The video camera according to the present invention is applied to, for example, a video camera 100 as shown in FIG.

Here, FIG. 1 shows a video camera 100.
2 is a view of the video camera 100 as viewed from the back, and FIGS. 2 and 3 used in the following description are views of the video camera 100 as viewed from the back. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a video camera 10.
0 shows a state at the time of non-shooting, and FIG. 3 shows a state of the video camera 100 at the time of shooting.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the video camera 100 includes a camera body 110, a holding portion 111 movably provided in the camera body 110, a concave portion 111b provided in the holding portion 111, A liquid crystal display unit 112 rotatably provided in the unit 111;
11, a recording start / stop switch 113 and a zoom key 114 are arranged, and a VTR operation button 115 is arranged on the liquid crystal display unit 112.

As shown in FIG. 2, the video camera 100 includes an upper back 111 provided on a holder 111.
a and the battery 1 provided at the lower part of the camera body 110
17 and a lens unit 116 built in the upper part of the camera body 110.

In the above-described video camera 100, at the time of non-shooting, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holding portion 111 is housed in a state of being mounted on the side and the back of the camera body 110. Together with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Further, at the time of photographing, as shown in FIG. 3, the holding unit 111 is moved to the back of the camera body 110, so that the holding unit 111 can be easily held.

Next, the camera body 110 and the holding section 111
Is specifically described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the camera body 11.
0 and the holder 111 are engaged with each other,
1 shows a state viewed from the front (in the direction of arrow S1 in FIG. 1) and a state viewed from the side (in the direction of arrow S2 in FIG. 1).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the camera body 110 is provided with a guide rail 110a, and the holding section 111 is provided with a slide base 111c.

The guide rail 110a is slidably inserted into the slide base 111c. With this configuration, the holding section 111 allows the camera body 1
10 and slidably coupled in the longitudinal direction.

Next, as described above, the camera body 11
The development state of the holding unit 111 coupled to 0 from the non-imaging state to the imaging state will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (d) correspond to FIGS.
It is sectional drawing which follows the S3-S3 'line in the inside.

First, the video camera 100 at the time of non-shooting is
As shown in FIG. 6A, the holding portion 111 is stored on the side surface of the camera body 110.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, the photographer mounts the holding portion 111 housed on the side surface of the camera body 110 with the guide rail of the camera body 110 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Along the inside 110a) (in the direction of the arrow S4 in the figure).

Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the photographer moves the holding unit 111 in the sliding direction (arrow S4 in FIG. 6).
) (Rotation in the direction of arrow S5 in the figure).

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6 (d), the video camera 100 is
00 and is ready for shooting.

When the video camera 100 is ready to take a picture as described above, it is used by the photographer 400, for example, as shown in FIG.

That is, at the time of photographing, the photographer 400 inserts the right back 400a between the backrest 111a and the camera body 110, as shown in FIG.
00b and the right index finger 400c, hold the recess 111b.

At this time, the holding portion 111 holds the right thumb 40
0b and the right index finger 400c, and the pressing force of the right back 400a is applied to the backrest 111a. Also,
Four fingers 400c to 400f other than the right thumb 400b
Supports the camera body 110.

Therefore, in the video camera 100, the holding portion 111 can have a highly rigid structure with the above-described configuration, and a material having friction can be used for a portion to be touched by the back of the hand. Sex can be obtained.

Next, the switching of the camera mode in conjunction with the movement of the holding unit 111 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the guide rail 110a (dotted line portion) in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, an escape hole 110b is provided on the rear surface of the camera body 110, and a changeover switch 118 is provided in the escape hole 110b.
Is arranged.

In the non-photographing mode, the rear portion of the camera body 110 has the backrest 111a by the above-described structure.
And the changeover switch 118 is turned off, for example, by the escape hole 110b.
Therefore, in this case, the video camera 100 does not have a shooting function.

On the other hand, at the time of photographing, the slide base 111 provided on the back surface of the
c is inserted into the clearance hole 110b, thereby the clearance hole 1
When the changeover switch 118 arranged at 10b is pressed, for example, the power is turned on. Therefore, in this case, the video camera 100 performs a shooting function.

As described above, in the video camera 100, since the movement of the holding unit 111 and the switching of the camera mode such as power on / off are linked, for example, the power on / off state is changed. It is easy to grasp visually, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to turn off the power.

Next, the liquid crystal display unit 112 rotatably provided on the holding unit 111 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) and FIG.

FIG. 9 (a) shows the state at the time of photographing.
FIG. 9B is a diagram showing the use state of the liquid crystal display unit 112 when the video camera 100 is viewed from the back, and FIG.
10A is a diagram of the video camera 100 viewed from the side (a diagram viewed from the direction of the arrow S6 in FIG. 9A). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the use state of the liquid crystal display unit 112 as viewed from the front of the video camera 100 during non-shooting.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the liquid crystal display unit 112 holds the holding unit 11 in the photographing state.
1 is rotatable with the holding portion 111 near the upper end (see FIG.
(B) (rotatable in the direction of arrow S8). Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the liquid crystal display unit 112 can adjust the angle even in the non-shooting state, that is, in the state in which the holding unit 111 is stored (arrow S in FIG. 10).
The angle can be adjusted in 9 directions).

Therefore, by rotating the liquid crystal display unit 112, as shown in FIG. 9B, it is possible to cope with low-angle and high-angle photography, body surface photography, and the like. As shown in FIG. 10, the image can be confirmed in a stable state even when the recorded image is reproduced during non-shooting.

Next, the holding unit 111 and the liquid crystal display unit 112
The various operation buttons arranged in are described.

Various operation buttons for performing basic operations during recording and reproduction are arranged on the holding unit 111 and the liquid crystal display unit 112 as described above.

In particular, the recording start / stop switch 113 and the zoom key 114 are, as shown in FIG.
00 is located at a position where it can be operated by the thumb 400b, specifically, near the concave portion 111b. The VTR operation button 115 is arranged near the panel 112a of the liquid crystal display unit 112 as shown in FIG.

Therefore, the photographer can smoothly operate the recording start / stop switch 113 and the zoom key 114 with the thumb 400b.
The user can operate the VTR operation button 115 while checking the image displayed on the screen.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.

The video camera according to the present invention is applied to, for example, a video camera 200 as shown in FIG.

Here, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 used in the following description are views of the video camera 200 viewed from the back, and FIG. 13 used in the following description is a video camera 200.
It is the figure which looked at from the front. FIG. 11 shows a state when the video camera 200 is not shooting, and FIGS. 12 and 13 show a state when the video camera 200 is shooting.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, the video camera 200 has a camera body 210 and a camera body 210.
(Which can be moved in the direction of arrow S10 in the figure), a concave portion 213 provided in the holding portion 211, a battery 218 provided below the camera body 210, and a camera body 210. And a lens unit 217 built in the upper part.

A zoom key 215 is arranged on the camera body 210, a recording start / stop switch 214 and a VTR operation button 216 are arranged on the holding unit 111, and a liquid crystal display unit 219 is provided. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, on the back surface of the holding portion 211, an instep contact portion 212 is provided on the holding portion 211 so as to be rotatable (rotatable in the direction of arrow S11 in FIG. 12).

In the above-described video camera 100, when photographing is not performed, as shown in FIG.
Numeral 11 is housed in a folded state on the side surface of the camera body 210, and is in a state of forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape together with the camera body 210.

On the other hand, at the time of photographing, FIGS.
As shown in FIG.
By raising the upper back 212 provided on the back side of the camera 1, a shooting state is set.

Therefore, in the photographing state shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the photographer inserts, for example, the right hand back between the backrest 212 and the camera body 210, and recesses between the right thumb and the index finger. 213 is applied to hold the image.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views when the holding section 211 and the backrest 212 as described above are deployed and stored, as viewed from above the video camera 200. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, in this video camera 200, the movement of the holding section 211 is a movement of only rotation (a movement of only rotation in the direction of arrow S10 in FIG. 14). The necessary mechanism for storing and deploying the portion 211 can be simplified.

In the above-described video camera 200, for example, a switch for switching the camera mode is provided on the back side of the holding unit 211, and in the same manner as the video camera 100 described above, May be switched.

[0060]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a part of the housing is moved and the moved part serves as a holding means at the time of photographing. In addition, the shape can be changed to a shape that can easily hold the apparatus main body. For this reason, the operation at the time of shooting can be performed in a stable state. In addition, at the time of non-shooting, it can be changed to a shape that is easy to carry. Therefore, it is possible to provide both excellent holding properties and excellent operability at the time of photographing, and excellent portability at the time of non-photographing. According to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the movement of the holding unit and the switching of the camera mode are configured to be linked with each other. The power can be turned on automatically. Also, when the holding means moves to a non-photographing shape, the power can be automatically turned off. Therefore, the power state of the device can be easily visually grasped, and forgetting to turn off the power can be prevented. According to the third invention, in the first invention, the display means moves together with the movement of the holding means, since a part of the holding means is constituted as the display means. Thereby, at the time of photographing, the display means can be moved to a position where the photographed image can be visually recognized, so that photographing can be performed while visually recognizing the photographed image. According to the fourth invention, in the third invention, a part of the holding means is configured as a rotatable display means, so that the display means can be displayed according to each situation such as at the time of photographing or reproduction. The image displayed on the screen of the means can be adjusted to a position where it can be easily viewed. Fifth
According to the invention of the first aspect, in the first aspect, the holding means is provided with the operation means, so that at the time of shooting, for example, the apparatus is held with one hand, and operations such as recording and playback are performed with the hand. It can be done smoothly. Sixth
According to the present invention, the display means is configured to rotate, and the display means is configured to be a holding means at the time of photographing. The operation at the time of photographing can be performed in a stable state, and photographing can be performed while visually recognizing the photographed image displayed on the screen on the display means. In addition, at the time of non-shooting, it can be changed to a shape that is easy to carry.
Therefore, it is possible to provide both excellent holding properties and excellent operability at the time of photographing, and excellent portability at the time of non-photographing. According to a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the rotation operation of the display unit and the switching of the camera mode are configured to be linked with each other. , Can be automatically turned on. In addition, when the display means is rotated to assume a non-photographing shape, the power can be automatically turned off. Therefore, the power state of the device can be easily visually grasped, and forgetting to turn off the power can be prevented. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the display means is provided with the operation means. At the time of photographing, for example, while holding the device with one hand, the user can use the hand to perform recording, playback, and the like. The operation can be performed smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the video camera as viewed from the back, when not photographing.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the video camera as viewed from the back during shooting.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an engagement structure between a camera body and a holding unit from the front.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the engagement structure between the camera body and the holding unit from the side.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a deployment state of the holding unit from a non-photographing state to a photographing state.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the video camera during shooting.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a changeover switch of the video camera.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a rotation operation of a liquid crystal display unit of the video camera.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a rotation operation of a liquid crystal display unit of the video camera.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a video camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention from the back.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the video camera from the back side during shooting.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the video camera from the front during shooting.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the video camera as viewed from above when photographing.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the video camera from above when no shooting is performed.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional video camera viewed from the front.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional video camera viewed from the back.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Video camera 110 Camera body 111 Holder 111 b Recess 112 Liquid crystal display 113 Recording start / stop switch 114 Zoom key 115 VTR operation button 117 Battery

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A video camera in which a video tape recorder is integrated with a camera, comprising: holding means for holding the apparatus at the time of photographing, wherein the holding means is a part of a housing and is movable. A video camera, which is provided. 2. The video camera according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for switching a camera mode, wherein movement of the holding means and switching operation of the switching means are linked. 3. The video camera according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying an image obtained by shooting on a screen, wherein said display means is provided in said holding means. 4. The video camera according to claim 3, wherein said display means is provided rotatably. 5. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein said holding means includes operation means for operating the apparatus. 6. A video camera in which a video tape recorder is integrated with a camera, comprising: display means for displaying an image obtained by shooting on a screen, wherein the display means is provided rotatably, and A video camera, which serves as holding means for holding the device. 7. The video camera according to claim 6, further comprising switching means for switching a camera mode, wherein a rotating operation of said display means and a switching operation of said switching means are linked. 8. The video camera according to claim 6, wherein said display means includes an operation means for operating the apparatus.