JPH10215396A - Electronic image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic image pickup device in which a lens cap is mounted to an objective lens with a simple operation in the case that an image pickup camera part is contained and the lens cap is not last during photographing. SOLUTION: A rotary mechanism 4 of an image pickup camera part 1 that has a rotary shaft 4a being nearly perpendicular to a side face 2b of a device main body 2 is provided to an image pickup device so that an incident optical axis of an objective lens 3 of the image pickup camera part 1 is set nearly at a right angle to the rotary shaft 4a of the rotary mechanism 4 and the objective lens 3 is set downward when the image pickup camera part 1 is contained. The electronic image pickup device is composed so that a lens cap 9 covering the objective lens 3 of the image pickup camera part 1 is slided and projected from a bottom face of the device main body 2, when the image pickup device is contained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic imaging device such as a video tape recorder or an electronic camera having a large monitor screen such as a liquid crystal (LCD) monitor screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, video tape recorders (hereinafter, referred to as video tape recorders) have been developed.
Various types of electronic imaging devices such as a VTR and an electronic camera have been developed. In particular, a so-called “self-portrait” (“face-to-face”) that can photograph a photographer himself and can check it as large as a mirror. Various types of cameras with a large monitor that can take photos) are attracting attention.

[0003] A conventional electronic imaging device will be described below. FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views showing the configuration of a conventional electronic imaging device, wherein FIG. 5A is a front perspective view and FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view.
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 101 denotes an imaging camera unit, which is configured near an upper corner of the front surface 102a of the apparatus main body 102, has an objective lens 103, and converts optical information incident from the objective lens 103 into electronic video information. I do. Device body 102
Records electronic video information output from the imaging camera unit 101 on a built-in video tape (not shown). Reference numeral 105 denotes a monitor, which converts electronic video information output from the imaging camera unit 101 and electronic video information obtained by reproducing a recorded video tape into optical information and renders the optical information on a monitor screen 105a. As described above, the apparatus main body 102 is rotatably supported by the rotation mechanism provided on the upper part thereof. Reference numeral 106 denotes a microphone (hereinafter abbreviated as a microphone), which is configured below the objective lens 103 on the front surface 102a of the apparatus main body 102 so as to be able to pick up sound in substantially the same direction as the optical axis of the objective lens 103. The information is recorded on a video tape by the apparatus main body 102 in the same manner as the electronic video information.

The operation of the conventional electronic image pickup device configured as described above will be described below. In normal shooting, that is, when photographing a subject other than the photographer while looking at the monitor screen, as shown in FIG. 6, the objective lens is oriented in the direction of the subject, and the photographer monitors the photographed content on the monitor screen. it can. In particular, the angle at which the electronic imaging device is held at the chest for normal shooting (so-called bust angle,
(B) in the figure, an angle at which the photographer looks down from a high position (so-called high angle, FIG. (A)), and an angle at which the photographer looks up from a lower position (a so-called low angle, FIG. (C)). The monitor body 105a can be viewed because the main body of the apparatus and the monitor section 105 rotate for any of the above.

Next, in the case of "self-photographing" in which the photographer takes a picture of himself while watching the monitor screen 105a, the apparatus main body 102 and the monitor unit 105 rotate. By directing the monitor unit 105 toward the user, the photographer can monitor the photographed content on the monitor screen 105a. As is well known, in this case, a function of detecting the rotation angle and inverting the monitor screen upside down is provided.

The screen upside down function will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional electronic imaging device. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 111 denotes a CCD imaging block, which is included in the imaging camera unit 101 shown in FIG. 5, and converts incident light of a subject passing through an objective lens into an electronic video signal by a CCD imaging device. A VTR block 112 is provided in the main body 102 of FIG.
Is input and recorded on a video tape. Reference numeral 115 denotes a monitor block, which is provided in the monitor unit 105 shown in FIG. 1
A rotation angle detection block 16 is a mechanical switch or an electronic switch (for example, a Hall element that detects a magnetic flux generated by a small magnet, an optical element, or the like) whether or not the apparatus main body 102 and the monitor unit 105 are rotated by a certain angle or more. Reflection by
The light is detected by a light detecting element (opt device) or the like that detects light shielding, and it is determined whether the monitor unit 105 is upside down or inverted. Numeral 114 denotes an upside-down inversion block, which outputs an electronic video signal output from the CCD imaging block as it is to the monitor block 115 from the monitor position signal output from the rotation angle detection block 116, or reversely outputs it upside down.

With such a configuration, the monitor unit 105
Stands at the top of the device body 102 and displays the monitor screen 1
In the case of self-portrait where 05a is directed in the same direction as the objective lens 103, the rotation angle detection block detects the rotation state of the monitor unit 105, and the electronic image signal to the monitor block 115 is vertically inverted by the vertical inversion means. So
The image on the monitor screen 105a is normally drawn without being inverted.

In particular, there is a type in which the vertical inversion block 114 is inverted not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction so as to be a so-called mirror image when taking a self-photograph. Further, as a different form of the conventional electronic imaging device, there is an electronic imaging device in which an imaging camera section is provided in a portion operated and held by hand, and a monitor section is held by the imaging camera section together with the apparatus main body by a rotating mechanism.

[0009]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, a lens cap must be prepared to protect the objective lens from dust and strong oblique light during non-photographing. There was a problem that the cap must not be lost.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides an electronic image pickup apparatus in which a lens cap can be attached to an objective lens by simple operation at least at the time of storage, and the lens cap is not lost at the time of photographing. The purpose is to:

[0011]

In order to achieve this object, an electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention has a rotation mechanism of an imaging camera unit having a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a side surface of the apparatus main body, An electronic imaging device in which the incident optical axis of the objective lens of the imaging camera unit is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotation mechanism, and the objective lens is positioned downward when the imaging camera unit is stored. And a lens cover for covering the objective lens of the imaging camera unit when stored is slid and protruded.

With this configuration, the protective lens cover can be attached to the objective lens by a simple operation at the time of storage, and the lens cover can be stored in the apparatus main body at the time of photographing.
In addition, an electronic imaging device that can prevent the imaging camera unit from easily rotating during storage can be obtained.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the first aspect of the present invention, an imaging camera unit for converting optical information incident from an objective lens into electronic image information, and projecting at least the electronic image information output from the imaging camera unit. Imaging screen having a monitor screen on the back, an operation unit for operating the imaging camera unit near the first side surface, and a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the other second side surface A device having a rotation mechanism of a camera unit, wherein an incident optical axis of an objective lens of the imaging camera unit is substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the rotation mechanism, and the objective lens is positioned downward when the imaging camera unit is stored. An electronic imaging device comprising a main body, wherein a lens cover for covering an objective lens of an imaging camera unit when stored is slid and protruded from the bottom of the device main body. Protection for lens Lens cover of the can be mounted, also the lens cover is not lost since it housed in the apparatus main body at the time of shooting,
In addition, it has an effect of preventing the imaging camera unit from easily rotating during storage.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a CCD image pickup means for converting optical information incident from an objective lens into electronic image information, a monitor means for projecting at least the electronic image information output from the CCD image pickup means, and a CCD image pickup means. Video signal processing means for processing the electronic video information output by the means,
An imaging camera unit including a CCD imaging unit; an apparatus body including at least a monitor unit; a rotating mechanism for rotating the imaging camera unit and the apparatus body; and a rotation angle between the imaging camera unit and the apparatus body. Rotation angle detection means, and an electronic video signal output by the CCD imaging means according to a rotation presence / absence signal of the imaging camera unit and the apparatus main body output by the rotation angle detection means. The image signal is output to the signal processing means. Even if the imaging camera unit including the CCD imaging means rotates with respect to the apparatus main body held by the photographer and turns upside down, the video signal is normally upside down. This has the effect that a video signal is input to the processing means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the electronic video signal input to the video signal processing means is output to the monitor means as if the screen were horizontally inverted by the rotation presence / absence signal. In this case, an electronic video signal inverted only in the up-down direction is input to the monitor means, and has an effect of being drawn as a mirror image. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation control means separately drives the up / down / left / right inversion means and the left / right inversion means irrespective of the rotation presence / absence signal of the imaging camera unit and the apparatus main body output from the rotation angle detection means. Since the driving of the upside-down reversing means and the reversing means can be freely determined in accordance with the operation of the photographer, various photographing expressions can be intentionally set.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. (Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1A and 1B are configuration perspective views of an electronic imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A is a front perspective view, and FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an imaging camera unit, which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, has an objective lens 3 on its bottom surface 1c, and converts optical information incident from the objective lens 3 into electronic image information. Reference numeral 2 denotes an apparatus main body, which records electronic video information output from the imaging camera unit 1 on a video tape (not shown) as in the conventional example.
A battery (not shown) for supplying power to the imaging camera unit and power necessary for recording is included. Further, the apparatus main body 2 has a rotating mechanism 4 for holding the side surface 1b so as to float the bottom surface 1c of the imaging camera section 1 above the side surface 2b of the apparatus main body 2. The turning mechanism 4 holds the imaging camera unit 1 and the apparatus main body 2 while holding the turning resistance with an appropriate turning resistance, and the turning axis thereof is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the side surfaces 1b and 2b. . Reference numeral 6 denotes a microphone (hereinafter abbreviated as a microphone), which is formed below the front surface 1a of the imaging camera unit 1 so as to collect sound having substantially the same direction as the optical axis of the objective lens 3; In the same manner as described above, it is recorded on a video tape by the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 5 denotes a monitor screen, which is formed on the rear part 2c of the apparatus main body 2 and which converts electronic video information output from the imaging camera unit 1 and electronic video information obtained by reproducing a recorded video tape into optical information in the same manner as the conventional one. To be described.
Reference numeral 7 denotes an imaging operation switch group, which is provided near the other side surface 2d opposite to the side surface 2b where the imaging camera section of the apparatus main body 2 is located. An operation at the time of imaging can be performed while holding the portion 2a. Reference numeral 8 denotes a speaker, which is the upper surface 1d of the imaging camera unit 1, that is, the objective lens 3.
It is configured on a surface opposite to the bottom surface 1c having a mark, and can output and listen to sound when a recorded video tape is reproduced. Reference numeral 9 denotes a lens cover which slides from a portion of the bottom surface 2e of the apparatus main body 2 close to the side surface 2b, and the bottom surface 1c when the imaging camera unit 1 is stored.
To protect the objective lens 3.

The difference between the configuration of the electronic imaging device according to the first embodiment and the configuration of the conventional one is that
In FIG. 1, the objective lens 3 is formed at the bottom 1c, the microphone 3 is formed at the lower part of the front 1a, and the apparatus body 2 which is held by the photographer and monitors the photographed contents and the imaging camera section 1 are separately separated. That is, a turning mechanism 4 for turning and supporting each of them is formed on an upper portion of the side surface 2b of the apparatus main body 2. In other words, the rotation axis of the rotation mechanism 4 is the bottom surface 1c with the objective lens 3 and the front surface 1a.
That is, it is provided at a position far from a certain portion of the lower microphone 6. Further, the speaker 8 is connected to the imaging lens unit 1.
Is located on the upper surface 1d, and the lens cover 9 is located on the bottom surface 2e of the apparatus main body 2.
This is to cover the objective lens 3 by sliding more.

The operation of the electronic image pickup device configured as described above will be described below. In the case of normal photographing, the imaging camera unit 1 is turned to point the objective lens 3 toward the subject, and the photographer can monitor the photographed contents on the monitor screen 5. Also, in the case of so-called “self-portrait”, since the apparatus main body 2 and the imaging camera unit 1 rotate, the photographer turns the objective lens 3 toward the back surface 2c where the monitor screen 5 is located. Can monitor the content of the shooting.

Next, in a state where no image is taken, that is, during reproduction or storage, the imaging camera unit 1 and the apparatus main body 2 are rotated to turn the objective lens 3 of the imaging camera unit 1 downward. Therefore, the object is not exposed to an intense amount of light such as sunlight, thereby deteriorating the reliability of the internal CCD image pickup device, and making it difficult for dust to be applied to the objective lens 3. In addition, since the lens lid is pulled out from the bottom surface 2e of the apparatus main body 2 and covers the objective lens 3, the electronic imaging apparatus is not exposed to an intense light amount such as sunlight regardless of the direction in which the electronic imaging apparatus is oriented when stored. .

Further, by rotating the apparatus body 2 and the imaging camera section 1, the shape can be made continuous and a large projection is not formed, so that the shape can be made very convenient for storage. In particular, by pulling out the lens cover 9 and covering the objective lens 3 on the bottom surface 1c of the imaging camera unit 1, the apparatus main body 2 and the imaging camera unit 1 cannot rotate freely during storage,
In addition, an excessive load is less likely to be applied to the rotating mechanism 4.

In the first embodiment, only the objective lens 3 is covered by the lens cover 9, but the same effect can be obtained by covering the entire bottom surface 1c of the imaging camera unit 1. (Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a description will be given of an embodiment 2 of an electronic imaging apparatus, in particular, its screen up / down / left / right inversion function. FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of Embodiment 2 of the electronic imaging device. In FIG. 3, 11 is CC
D imaging block, configured in the imaging camera unit 1 of FIG.
The incident light of the subject passing through the objective lens is converted into an electronic video signal by the CCD image sensor. Reference numeral 12 denotes a VTR block, which is provided in the main body 2 of FIG. 1 and which receives an electronic video signal and records it on a video tape. 15 is a monitor block,
The input electronic video signal is provided on a monitor screen 5 in the apparatus main body 2 of FIG. A rotation angle detection block 16 is a mechanical switch or an electronic switch (for example, a Hall element for detecting a magnetic flux by a small magnet, or the like) whether or not the apparatus main body 2 and the imaging camera unit 1 are rotated by a certain angle or more. It is detected by a light detecting element (opt device) or the like that detects reflection / shielding by light, and the direction of the objective lens 3 of the imaging camera unit 1 is determined. Reference numeral 13 denotes a vertical / horizontal inversion block which outputs an electronic video signal output from the CCD image pickup block as it is to the VTR block 12 based on the lens position signal output from the rotation angle detection block 16, or reversely outputs the electronic video signal vertically / horizontally. . Reference numeral 14 denotes a left / right inversion block which outputs the output signal of the up / down / left / right inversion block 13 to the monitor block 15 as it is based on the lens position signal output by the rotation angle detection block 16, or reversely outputs the left / right inversion. That is, when the electronic image signal output from the CCD imaging block 11 is supplied to the VTR block 12 and the monitor block 15 as it is based on the lens position signal of the rotation angle detection block 16,
The VTR block 12 is supplied with an electronic video signal inverted upside down and left and right, and the monitor block 15 is inverted only upside down (because it is inverted upside down and left and right at the upside down left and right block 13 and then only left and right at the left and right inverted block 14). Electronic video signals are supplied.

Generally, an LCD element is used as a monitor screen element of a monitor block. As is well known, L
The CD element scans the input video information sequentially from any corner position on the screen, that is, scans the scanning direction from the left or right in the horizontal direction, or from the top or bottom in the vertical direction, similarly to the CRT. It is possible to go.
That is, in detail, in the CRT, by changing the inclination of the scanning sawtooth signal, in the LCD element, it is easy to determine whether the position address information of the output pixel is to be increased (incremented) or decreased (decremented). You can flip the screen vertically and horizontally. This is because the cathode ray tube and the LCD element do not have output direction dependency due to the structure of the element as a monitor screen element.

On the other hand, the extraction of the video signal by the CCD image pickup device is determined by the structure of the CCD image pickup device. Normally, the image signal is output rightward (horizontal scanning) from a portion corresponding to the upper left on the screen, and then one stage. The lower core is horizontally scanned and this is repeated (vertical scanning). Finally, a portion corresponding to the lower left portion on the screen is output to the right, and imaging information is output so that scanning is completed at the lower right portion. Therefore, the LC
Unlike a monitor screen element such as a D element, it is not easy to output an electronic video signal as if the screen is turned upside down or left and right, or both directions. Is adopted. In this case, when inverting only up and down or inverting only left and right, the address read from the memory must be divided into horizontal synchronization components and vertical synchronization components, and increase or decrease must be set for each component. For this reason, the circuit for generating the read address signal becomes complicated, including horizontal and vertical synchronization separation. However, in the case of inverting up, down, left, and right at the same time, the memory element only needs to output the reverse exactly without separating the synchronous component, so-called first-in, last-out (firstin,
last out; FILO) is acceptable. Therefore, the up / down / left / right inversion means can be realized with a much simpler configuration than the left / right only or up / down only inversion means, and the effective speed can be increased.

The operation of the second embodiment of the electronic imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described below. In normal shooting, that is, when the photographer looks at the monitor screen and shoots a subject other than himself by using the objective lens, the rotation angle detection block 16 detects the rotation state of the imaging camera unit 1 and performs the non-inversion state. Since the lens position signal is output, the vertical and horizontal inverting blocks 13 and the horizontal inverting block 14 do not perform the inverting operation, and the electronic video signal output from the CCD imaging block 11 is supplied to the VTR block 12 and the monitor block 15 as they are. Therefore, the image is recorded on the video tape and is drawn on the monitor screen 5 while the CCD image pickup block 11 picks up the image.

Conversely, in the case of self-portrait in which the objective lens 3 of the imaging camera unit 1 is oriented in the same direction as the monitor screen 5, the rotation angle detection block 16 detects the rotation state of the imaging camera unit 1 and turns the lens. Since the position signal is output, the vertical and horizontal inverting block 13 and the horizontal inverting block 14 also perform an inverting operation. As a result, the VTR block 12 is supplied with an electronic video signal that is inverted up, down, left, and right, and
5 is supplied with an electronic video signal inverted only upside down.
Therefore, even if the objective lens 33 is turned upside down from normal, the video signal is recorded on the video tape in a state in which the up, down, left and right are normal, and the image on the monitor screen 5 is not inverted and is a mirror image. Is depicted.

(Embodiment 3) The configuration and operation of an electronic imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the block diagram of Embodiment 3 of the electronic imaging apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the CCD imaging block 2
1, VTR block 22, vertical and horizontal reversal block 23,
The left / right inversion block 24, the monitor block 25, and the rotation angle detection block 26 are the same as those described in the second embodiment. An operation control block 27 supplies a control signal for the operation of each block. That is, when it is desired to change the brightness of the monitor screen, the operation control block 27 supplies the monitor block 25 with a control signal for an operation of changing the screen brightness. As described above, the operation control block 27 can not only issue an operation control signal to one block but also control a plurality of blocks according to the control. In particular, when playing back a recorded video tape by a photographer's operation, the operation control block 27 supplies a control signal for setting the playback mode to the VTR block 22 and sends a control signal to the left / right inversion block 24 so as not to perform the inversion operation. Supply. In this case, even if the imaging camera unit 1 is rotated for the self-photographing mode, the left / right inversion block 24 does not perform the inversion operation, and the VTR block 22 reproduces and outputs the electronic video signal as it is to the monitor block. 25 is input, and a normal screen which is not a mirror image is drawn on the monitor screen 5.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the photographer can freely flip the screen horizontally and vertically regardless of the magnitude of the rotation angle, and various photographing expressions are intentionally set. it can. In the above description, a VTR block using a video tape as a recording medium has been described as an example of an electronic imaging apparatus as a video signal processing unit. However, an electronic camera that records data on a storage element such as a semiconductor memory may be used.
The present invention can also be applied to a TV camera or the like which has no recording medium and transmits imaged electronic information to another image information processing device by wire or wirelessly.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the protective lens cover can be attached to the objective lens with a simple operation at the time of storage, and the lens cover can be stored in the main body of the apparatus at the time of photographing. It is possible to prevent the imaging camera unit from easily rotating. Further, even if the imaging camera section including the CCD imaging means is turned upside down with respect to the apparatus main body held by the photographer, the video signal can be input to the video signal processing means in a normal manner upside down.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an electronic imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams at the time of high-angle shooting; FIGS. 2B and 2C are schematic diagrams at the time of low-angle shooting;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic imaging device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic imaging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 (a) is a front perspective view of a conventional electronic imaging device, and FIG. 5 (b) is a rear perspective view of the same.

FIG. 6 (a) is a schematic diagram of a high-angle shooting; FIG. 6 (b) is a schematic diagram of a bust-angle shooting; FIG. 6 (c) is a schematic diagram of a low-angle shooting;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging camera part 1a Front 1b Side 1c Bottom 2 Device main body 2b Side 2c Back 2d Side 2e Bottom 3 Objective lens 4 Rotation mechanism 4a Rotation axis 5 Monitor screen 6 Microphone 7 Imaging operation switch group 8 Speaker 9 Lens cover 11 CCD imaging Block 12 VTR block 13 Vertical reversal block 14 Horizontal reversal block 15 Monitor block 16 Rotation angle detection block

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An imaging camera unit for converting optical information incident from an objective lens into electronic image information, a monitor screen for projecting at least electronic image information output from the imaging camera unit, and the monitor screen on a back surface. And an operation unit for operating the imaging camera unit near the first side surface, and a rotation mechanism of the imaging camera unit having a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the other second side surface, An electronic imaging system comprising an apparatus main body in which an incident optical axis of an objective lens of the imaging camera unit is substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the rotating mechanism, and the objective lens is positioned downward when the imaging camera unit is stored. An electronic imaging apparatus, wherein a lens cover for covering an objective lens of an imaging camera unit when stored is slid and protrudes from a bottom surface of the apparatus main body. 2. A CCD image pickup means for converting optical information incident from an objective lens into electronic image information, a monitor means for projecting at least the electronic image information outputted by the CCD image pickup means, and an electronic device outputted by the CCD image pickup means. Video signal processing means for processing video information, an imaging camera section including the CCD imaging means, an apparatus main body including at least the monitor means, and a rotation for rotating the imaging camera section and the apparatus main body. A mechanism, a rotation angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle between the imaging camera unit and the apparatus body, and a rotation presence / absence signal between the imaging camera unit and the apparatus body output from the rotation angle detection unit. An electronic image pickup device, wherein an electronic image signal output from a CCD image pickup means is output to the image signal processing means as if the screen were inverted vertically and horizontally. Place. 3. The monitor according to claim 1, wherein the electronic image signal input to the image signal processing unit is inverted as if the screen is horizontally inverted, based on a signal indicating whether the imaging camera unit and the apparatus main body output from the rotation angle detection unit. 3. The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electronic image is output to a means. 4. An operation control means for controlling the electronic imaging device according to a user operation, wherein the operation control means comprises:
4. The vertical and horizontal reversing means and the left and right reversing means are separately driven irrespective of the rotation presence / absence signal of the imaging camera unit and the apparatus main body output by the rotation angle detecting means. Electronic imaging device.