JPH11160787A - Camera apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily photograph an operator himself by contriving the arrangement of a shutter button in a camera apparatus equipped with a monitor. SOLUTION: In this camera apparatus equipped with an image pickup lens part 5, the shutter button 8 and a monitor part 7 for displaying a photographing image; the button 8 and the monitor part 7 are arranged on the same surface side as the surface where the lens part 5 is arranged. Then, it possesses a timer function for performing image pickup specified time after the button 8 is operated. Furthermore, it is equipped with an optical finder part 6 which the operator looks in from a surface side on an opposite side of the surface where the lens part 5 is arranged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera device having a monitor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a camera in which an imaging lens unit and a finder unit are covered with an integral cover so that the camera can be protected when the camera is carried. In addition, many electronic still cameras that have become widespread in recent years are equipped with a monitor using a liquid crystal display panel. In a camera having such a monitor, there is a camera in which both the monitor and the imaging lens can be directed to the operator side, whereby the operator himself can take a picture as a subject.

[0003]

However, in a conventional camera in which both the monitor and the imaging lens are directed toward the operator, a state in which the hand holding the camera is extended far forward is used.
The operator had to take a picture of the operator himself by pressing the shutter button on the top with his finger, making the shutter button difficult to use.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to make it easier for an operator to take a picture by devising the arrangement of shutter buttons in a camera device having a monitor.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a camera apparatus including an imaging lens unit, a shutter button, and a monitor unit for displaying a captured image. And the monitor unit is disposed on the same surface side as the surface on which the imaging lens unit is disposed.

Here, the imaging lens unit is, for example, a CCD.
Although the focus is on, the one composed only of the optical system may be used. The monitor unit is typically a liquid crystal display panel, for example, but may be another display unit, and is also used for displaying a reproduced image. Examples of the camera device include a digital electronic still camera using a CCD as an imaging device, but an analog camera camera using another device may be used.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the shutter button and the monitor are arranged on the same surface as the surface on which the imaging lens is arranged, the hand holding the camera is held. With the camera extended far forward, the operator can photograph the operator himself by pressing the shutter button with his finger while looking at the monitor on the same surface as the imaging lens. That is, since the shutter button is directed to the front and is easy to press, it is easy for the operator to take a picture.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the camera device according to the first aspect, further comprising a timer function for taking an image after a predetermined time by operating the shutter button.

As described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the camera apparatus has the timer function of taking an image after a predetermined time by operating the shutter button according to the first aspect, the shutter button is pressed by itself. After that, the operator can take a pose before shooting.

[0010] The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
The camera device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: an optical viewfinder section that is viewed from a surface opposite to a surface on which the imaging lens unit is arranged.

As described above, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the camera device includes the optical finder section that is viewed from the surface opposite to the surface on which the imaging lens unit according to the first or second aspect is arranged, While watching the monitor on the same surface as the imaging lens unit, the operator can take a picture of the operator himself by pressing the shutter button with his finger, and looking into the optical finder unit from the surface opposite to the imaging lens unit, By pressing the shutter button, it is possible to shoot a person, object, scenery, and the like other than yourself.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the camera device according to the third aspect, wherein a second shutter button is provided on the same side as the surface looking into the optical viewfinder.

As described above, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the camera device has the second shutter button on the same side as the surface on which the optical finder according to the third aspect is viewed, the optical finder can be viewed. While the second on the same side
By pressing the shutter button from the front, you can shoot as usual.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1, 2, and 3
Or the camera device according to 4, further comprising a cover member for opening and closing the monitor unit. For example, the cover member may have any shape and structure as long as it covers at least the monitor section.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the camera device has the cover member for opening and closing the monitor portion according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, the monitor portion is covered by the cover member when the camera is carried. It can be covered and protected, and in use, the operator can take an image of himself while opening the cover member and looking at the exposed monitor.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the camera device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the cover member serves as a camera base with the monitor portion opened.
For example, by turning the cover member and turning it to the side opposite to the surface on which the monitor unit is provided, a cover member that serves as a camera base that makes the camera body stand upright can be mentioned.
Any configuration may be used as long as it becomes a camera base.

As described above, according to the invention of claim 6, since the cover member of claim 5 is a camera device serving as a camera base with the monitor part opened, the camera body is set up with the cover member as the camera base. In this state, the operator himself can be photographed without worrying about camera shake.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a camera device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIGS. 1 to 4 show a camera apparatus as an example to which the present invention is applied, and are a front view, a rear view, and left and right side views showing a state in which a cover member is closed. And
5 and 6 are a side view and a front view showing a use state in which a cover member is opened. 1 to 6, 1 is a camera body, 2 is a cover member, 3 is a hinge,
4 is a battery cover, 5 is an imaging lens unit, 6 is an optical finder unit, 7 is a monitor unit, 8 is a first shutter button, 9 is another operation button, 10 is a direction key, 11 is a power switch, and 12 is a function. Switch, 13 is monitor ON
The / 0FF switch 14 is a second shutter button.

In this embodiment, a camera device to which the present invention is applied is an electronic still camera. As shown in the figure, a plate-like cover member 2 for covering one side of a camera body 1 is connected to a hinge at a lower portion of the camera body 1. It is assembled so as to be able to rotate by the part 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a battery cover 4 that can be opened and closed is provided in the lower half of the surface of the camera body 1 opposite to the surface covered by the cover member 2. Then, as shown in FIG.
A central imaging lens unit 5 and an optical finder unit 6 arranged beside the central imaging lens unit 5 are provided on the upper surface exposed by the cover member 2 without being covered by the cover member 2. The optical finder section 6 is viewed from a surface opposite to the imaging lens section 5 (see FIG. 2).

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a monitor portion 7 exposed when the cover member 2 is opened and a first shutter button on the lower right side of the monitor portion 7 are provided on a portion of the camera body 1 covered by the cover member 2. 8, another operation button 9 on the upper left side thereof, and a direction key 10 on the left half thereof. The monitor section 7 is configured by a liquid crystal display panel. The first shutter button 8 is mainly for "self-photographing", and has a self-timer function of taking an image after a predetermined time has elapsed after the first shutter button 8 is pressed.

Then, as shown in FIG.
On one side, a power switch 11, a function switch 12, and a monitor ON / OFF switch 12 are provided side by side. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a second shutter button 14 is provided on the right side above the battery cover 4 of the camera body 1. The second shutter button 14 can be used for both “self-photographing” and “photographing other party” using the optical finder unit 6.
The camera body 1 has a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) (not shown) for capturing an image from the imaging lens unit 5.
ice: a solid-state image sensor), and a storage circuit and a control circuit (not shown) for converting the captured image into digital information and storing it.

Next, how to use the above electronic still camera will be described. When the camera is carried, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cover member 2 is in a closed state in which the cover member 2 overlaps the camera body 1 so as to be folded, and the monitor unit 7, the first shutter button 8, and the operation unit shown in FIG. The button 9 and the direction key 10 are covered by the cover member 2.
Therefore, the protection of the monitor section 7, the first shutter button 8, the operation button 9 and the directional key 10 can be achieved while carrying, and the erroneous operation of the first shutter button 8, the operation button 9 and the directional key 10 can be prevented. .

When taking a picture, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover member 2 is opened by rotating the cover member 2 with respect to the camera body 1 by the lower hinge portion 3, and the monitor portion 7 is provided below the imaging lens portion 5. , First shutter button 8, operation button 9
And the direction key 10 is exposed. The cover member 2 can be stopped at that position by being pivoted to the opposite side having the battery cover 4 of the camera body 1 as shown in FIG. It becomes possible.

When photographing the operator himself, FIG.
By holding the camera body 1 in the state shown in FIG. 1 with the right hand and extending it far forward, and pressing the first shutter button 8 below it with the finger while looking at the monitor 7,
"Self-portrait" is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed. As described above, the user can press the first shutter button 8 therebelow with his / her finger while looking at the monitor 7, so that "selfie" can be easily performed. It is also possible to press the second shutter button 14 on the other side of the camera body 1 with a finger to immediately perform "selfie". Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the cover member 2 is placed on a table T or the like as a camera base, and after pressing the first shutter button 8 with the camera body 1 standing up as shown in FIG. It is also possible to take a favorite pose while looking at the section 7 and take a "selfie".

Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, as in the case of carrying the camera, it is possible to perform “personal photographing” in a state where the cover member 2 is closed so as to be folded over the camera body 1. It is possible. That is, by holding the camera body 1 in a state as shown in FIG. 2 with the right hand and pressing the second shutter button 14 with a finger while looking into the optical finder section 6, a person, object, scenery, etc. In this way, the same "shooting with the other party" as in normal shooting can be performed.

In the above, the monitor unit 7 in the photographing mode
Is displayed mirror-inverted from side to side, and when displaying the captured image, the display image on the monitor unit 7 is displayed normally. Thus, when shooting, the monitor unit 7
Is displayed mirror-inverted left and right, making it easy to pose when taking a picture of yourself.

In the above embodiment, the electronic still camera is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, an image recording function using an analog camera and digital image conversion and an image reproducing function using a monitor can be used. May also be used as the camera. In addition, the specific structure and design of each part are also arbitrary, and it goes without saying that the specific detailed structure and the like can be appropriately changed.

[0028]

As described above, according to the camera apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the shutter button and the monitor are arranged on the same side as the imaging lens, so that the hand holding the camera is positioned forward. The operator can photograph the operator himself by pushing the shutter button with his / her finger while looking at the monitor while the camera is stretched greatly. In other words, the operator can easily photograph the operator himself because the shutter button is easily pressed forward.

According to the camera device of the second aspect of the present invention, since the shutter button has a self-timer function, in addition to the effect obtained by the first aspect of the present invention, the operator himself / herself after pressing the shutter button Can take a pose before shooting.

According to the camera device of the third aspect of the present invention, since the camera device includes the optical finder portion which is viewed from the side opposite to the imaging lens portion, the optical device has an optical effect in addition to the effects obtained by the first or second aspect of the present invention. By pressing the shutter button on the other side while looking through the viewfinder, there is an advantage that a person, object, scenery, or the like other than the user can be photographed.

According to the camera device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the second shutter button is provided on the same side as the optical finder portion, the optical finder has an advantage in addition to the effect obtained by the third aspect of the invention. The advantage is obtained that the user can press the second shutter button from the near side while looking into the section to perform the same photographing as usual.

According to the camera device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the camera device is provided with a cover member for opening and closing the monitor, the camera device of the present invention has the effect obtained by the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the present invention. The monitor portion can be protected by being covered with a cover member, and in use, an advantage is obtained that the operator can take an image of himself while opening the cover member and looking at the exposed monitor portion.

According to the camera device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the cover member serves as a camera base with the monitor portion opened, in addition to the effect obtained by the fifth aspect of the present invention, There is an advantage that the operator himself can be photographed without worrying about camera shake when the camera body is set upright as a camera stand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a camera device as an example to which the present invention is applied, showing a state in which a cover member is closed.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the opposite side.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the camera device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the left side.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the camera device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the right side.

5 is a side view showing a state in which a cover member of the camera device of FIG. 4 is opened and placed on an opposite surface side.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the camera device of FIG. 5 as viewed from the left side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera main body 2 Cover member 3 Hinge part 4 Battery cover 5 Imaging lens part 6 Optical finder part 7 Monitor part 8 First shutter button 9 Other operation buttons 10 Direction keys 11 Power switch 12 Function switch 13 Monitor ON / OFF switch 14 Second shutter button

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A camera device comprising an imaging lens unit, a shutter button, and a monitor unit for displaying a photographed image, wherein the shutter button and the monitor unit are arranged on the same surface as the surface on which the imaging lens unit is arranged. A camera device. 2. The camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a timer function for taking an image after a predetermined time by operating said shutter button. 3. The camera device according to claim 1, further comprising an optical finder section that is viewed from a surface opposite to a surface on which the imaging lens unit is arranged. 4. The camera device according to claim 3, wherein a second shutter button is provided on the same surface as the surface on which the optical viewfinder is viewed. 5. The camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover member that opens and closes the monitor unit. 6. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein said cover member serves as a camera base when said monitor is opened.