JPH11183990A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera in which any of a finder window, a photometry window and a range-finding window can be used also as a display window for another display, by which distinct display is realized even when the display content is changed, whose cost does not rise and which is advantageous even in terms of making the display large. SOLUTION: In a finder device in this camera 4, a transmission type hologram combiner 1 is used as a finder objective window, and a finder optical system 3 and a display member 2 lit at a position out of the optical path of the optical system 3 are disposed behind the combiner 1. In a state where the member 2 is not lit, the combiner 1 is used as the ordinary finder device, and when the member 2 is lit, the display is confirmed from an object side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera having a display provided in a finder window, a photometric window, a distance measuring window, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a display unit of a conventional camera, a self-timer is displayed on a subject side, a photographing mode for a photographer,
Display such as prohibition of photographing (impossible for photographing) and film counter is required, and a display window for the display is required for the camera. In recent years, various types of compact cameras have been increasingly automated, have functions such as automatic exposure and automatic focus, and have built-in strobes. Along with this, a photometric window, a distance measuring window, and a strobe light emitting unit are required in front of the camera, and many windows must be arranged in addition to the basic functions of the shooting system lens and viewfinder window. Did not. On the other hand, it is also required to reduce the size and weight of the camera, and the increase in the number of windows as described above has hindered the reduction in size and weight.

In order to solve the above problem,
The display window, the finder window, or the photometry window,
A method has been proposed in which a distance measuring window is commonly used. For example, the display device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-87131 is a display device to which a hologram is applied. A window or the like is also used as a self-timer display unit.

[0004]

When a self-timer is displayed on a conventional camera, for example, the operation of the self-timer is displayed by turning on a lamp, and it is also necessary to display how many seconds the shutter is released. , Making it easier for the subject to use. Also, when attempting to display the photographing mode or the like to the photographer, the displayed contents include, for example, a strobe light emission mode, a normal / panorama mode, a lock when the strobe is not charged, a short-range lock for auto focus, and overexposure due to high brightness. There are various warnings.

[0005] However, according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-87131, an image recording type hologram is used.
In order to display several types of images from the above-described necessity, a plurality of images are recorded and a plurality of light sources are required. Therefore, there is a problem that a camera is enlarged and costs are increased. Also,
A hologram in which a plurality of images are recorded has a problem that the diffraction efficiency is low and a bright image cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and any one of a finder window, a photometry window, and a distance measurement window can be used as a display window for other display contents. It is another object of the present invention to provide a camera that can clearly display each of the display contents even when the display contents are switched, does not increase the cost, and is advantageous in increasing the size of the display.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a transmission type hologram combiner used as a window member on the front of the camera, and a rear hologram combiner behind the hologram combiner. And,
A display member arranged outside the optical path in the device using the window member, and a light source for illuminating at least a part of the display member, and light from the display member is transmitted by the hologram combiner. It is refracted and made observable from the subject side.

A camera according to a second aspect of the present invention is a reflection type hologram combiner used as a window member at the front of the camera, and an optical path in front of the hologram combiner and in an apparatus using the window member. And a light source for illuminating at least a part of the display member, and reflects light from the display member to the hologram combiner so that the hologram combiner can observe the object from the subject side.

A camera according to a third aspect of the present invention is a transmission type hologram combiner used as a window member on the back of the camera, and an optical path in front of the hologram combiner and in an apparatus using the window member. And a light source for illuminating at least a part of the display member, and the light from the display member is refracted by the hologram combiner to enable observation by a photographer. I do.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Prior to the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, the outline thereof will be described. The display unit of the camera according to the embodiments of the present invention includes a finder objective window on the front of a camera body such as a compact camera, or a distance measuring device. A window, or a transmission-type or reflection-type hologram combiner used as a photometric window or the like, and behind or in front of the hologram combiner, and furthermore, a finder or a distance measurement,
Or, a display member placed outside the optical path of the photometry, and a display unit including a light source that illuminates all or part of the display member, and refracts or reflects light from the display member by a hologram combiner. Thus, it is possible to realize a low-cost display unit that can be observed from the subject side, does not impair the original function of the finder and the like, is high-quality, and can switch the display.

When a transmission type hologram combiner is used for a finder eyepiece window on the back of the camera,
A display member placed outside the optical path of the viewfinder, and a light source that illuminates all or part of the display member causes light from the display member to be refracted by the hologram combiner,
It is possible to configure so that it can be observed by a photographer.

The hologram combiner is intended to reproduce a three-dimensional image from an image-recording hologram, whereas interference fringes recorded inside the hologram are reflected light,
Alternatively, it is a light beam coupling element utilizing a point having a function of controlling the direction of transmitted light and a lens function.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is an optical path diagram of a finder device of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The finder device for a camera according to the present embodiment also serves as a display unit, in which a transmission hologram combiner 1 is provided in a finder window (object window), and a finder optical axis Of is provided behind the hologram combiner 1. Finder optical system 3 is disposed. A display member 2 having a light source that can be turned on is provided outside the optical path of the finder optical axis Of, that is, outside the finder field of view and behind the hologram combiner 1. In addition, the display member 2
A display member lighting circuit (not shown) for turning on only when the self-timer is used is also incorporated.

The transmission type hologram combiner 1
Is a specific relationship incident only for light of a specific wavelength,
It has the function of refracting at the exit angle and has the function of a lens. The hologram combiner 1 is
Use a volume type. This type often uses a photopolymer as a material, and is easy to handle in manufacturing. Further, since it has excellent wavelength selectivity and angle selectivity, it has a feature that a good display with little noise can be obtained.

In the finder device of the present camera configured as described above, when the photographer 6 holds the camera toward the subject 5, light rays 7 from the subject 5 pass through the transmission type hologram combiner 1 and further to the finder. It comes into the eyes of the photographer 6 through the optical system 3 and functions as a normal finder.

On the other hand, when the display member 2 is turned on by operating the self-timer, the light beam 8 from the display member 2 is refracted by the transmission type hologram combiner 1 and enters the eyes of the subject 5. Therefore, when the self-timer operates, the virtual image of the display member 2 can be observed from the subject 5 side, and the self-timer display can be recognized.

As a specific example of the display member 2, an LED or the like can be used as described later. Further, simply, by simply turning on or blinking the display member 2, it is possible to notify the subject 5 that the self-timer is operating or that the shutter will be released soon.

In this embodiment, a transmission hologram is applied to the hologram. However, even if a reflection hologram is applied as in an embodiment described later, a diffraction efficiency close to 100% can be obtained. Furthermore, since it has good wavelength selectivity, the display member or its light source can be used even in a wide wavelength range. Of course, it goes without saying that the closer the wavelength is to a single color, the more effectively the light amount can be used.

Next, a description will be given of a first modified example in which an LED 10 as a light source is applied instead of the display member 2 in the finder device of the camera according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a finder optical path diagram in the above modification. FIG. 3 is a front view of the camera 4 being displayed on the finder window 9.

In this modified example, the fact that the self-timer is in operation is indicated by simple lighting or blinking of the LED 10. That is, when the LED 10 placed outside the finder optical path is turned on, the light beam 11 is refracted by the transmission hologram 9 used as a finder window and enters the eyes of the subject 5 (see FIG. 3). As described above, in the camera of the present modified example, it is possible to realize a display unit in which the finder window shines for displaying the self-timer operation.

Next, a 7-segment LED 11 is used as a display member whose display contents can be switched with respect to the display member 2 in the viewfinder device of the camera shown in FIG.
A modified example will be described. FIG. 4 is a view showing a seven-segment LED 11 with a two-digit display and display examples 12A, 12B, and 12C in a finder window in the modified example.

According to the present modification, during the operation of the self-timer, the number of seconds after which the shutter is released can be displayed on the finder window so that the subject can recognize it. For example, as shown in the display example of FIG.
10 seconds before, display example 12B shows 9 seconds ago, and display example 12C shows 8 seconds ago.

According to this modification, it is possible to clearly confirm when the shutter is released from the subject side. By using a switchable display member as described above, more information can be displayed on the subject side.

In the above-described embodiment or its modified example, it is possible to freely design an image forming position, a magnification and the like by using a lens function of the hologram combiner. In addition, to make it visible from the subject,
Even when strong light must be emitted, as described above, if the display member is arranged outside the viewfinder optical path so that the photographer who looks through the viewfinder cannot directly see the display member, the self-timer can be used. During operation, the photographer does not feel glare. Furthermore, even if the inside of the viewfinder becomes bright due to stray light, there is basically no need for the photographer to keep looking through the viewfinder during the self-timer operation, and this does not affect the shooting itself. It does not become.

There are no restrictions on the contents displayed in the finder window. For example, it is possible to display the presence or absence of strobe light emission, to display how many continuous shots can be taken when the self-timer is used, or to simply take a picture. For example, it is possible to display a state in which the user half-presses the shutter button, that is, to indicate that there is a will of photographing.

Further, the present invention can be applied to, for example, confirming that the user is in a shooting range by looking at the light in the finder window from the subject side. However, if the image is displayed while the photographer is looking through the viewfinder, the viewfinder may not be visible due to stray light as described above. It is necessary to minimize the framing by the camera.

If the display is distorted due to the design of the hologram, the distortion can be easily solved by determining the shape of the display member in advance so as to correct the distortion.

Here, a photometric device with a built-in display device, which is a third modification of the finder device of the camera of the first embodiment, will be described. The photometric device of this modification uses the transmission type hologram combiner applied to the finder window (objective window) in the above embodiment as a photometric window in front of the camera, and displays the hologram combiner at a position outside the photometric optical path behind the photometric window. A member is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Next, a description will be given of a distance measuring apparatus with a built-in display unit, which is a fourth modification of the finder apparatus of the camera according to the first embodiment. The distance measuring apparatus of this modification uses the transmission type hologram combiner applied to the finder window (objective window) in the above-described embodiment for the distance measuring window in front of the camera, and outside the distance measuring optical path behind the distance measuring window. The display member is disposed at the position of (1). Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Next, a finder device for a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is an optical path diagram of the finder device. The finder device of the present embodiment is also a finder device having a built-in display unit, in which a reflection type hologram combiner 15 is disposed in a finder window (objective window) on the front of a camera body 18 and behind the hologram combiner 15. Is provided with a finder optical system 17 having a finder optical axis Of. And
A display member 16 having a light source that can be turned on is provided outside the optical path of the finder optical axis Of, that is, outside the finder field of view and in front of the hologram combiner 15. Further, a display member lighting circuit (not shown) for lighting the display member 16 only when the self-timer is used is incorporated.

The reflection type hologram combiner 15 used as the finder objective window has a function of reflecting only a specific wavelength of light at a specific relationship of incidence and reflection angle, and also has a lens function. ing.

In the finder device of the present camera configured as described above, when the photographer 20 holds the camera toward the subject 19, the light beam 21 from the subject 19 passes through the reflection type hologram combiner 15 and further passes through the finder. It comes into the eyes of the photographer 20 through the optical system 17 and functions as a normal finder.

On the other hand, when the display member 16 is turned on by operating the self-timer, the light beam 22 from the display member 16
Is reflected by the reflection type hologram combiner 15 and enters the eyes of the subject 19. Therefore, when the self-timer operates, the virtual image of the display member 16 can be observed from the subject 19 side, and the self-timer display can be recognized.

The reflection type hologram combiner 15 to be used
Is a volume type like the transmission type hologram combiner 1, and a light source to be used can use a light source having a wide wavelength range. The closer to a single color, the more effectively the light amount can be used. , Imaging position, magnification, etc., can be freely designed. The display method and display contents of the display member 16 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Here, a photometric device with a built-in display unit, which is a first modification of the finder device of the camera according to the second embodiment, will be described. The photometric device of this modification uses the transmission type hologram combiner applied to the finder window (objective window) in the above-described embodiment as a photometric window on the front of the camera, and displays the light at a position outside the photometric optical path in front of the photometric window. A member is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

Next, a description will be given of a range finder with a built-in display unit, which is a second modification of the finder device of the camera according to the second embodiment. The distance measuring apparatus of this modification uses the transmission type hologram combiner applied to the finder window (objective window) in the above-described embodiment as the distance measuring window in front of the camera, and is used outside the distance measuring optical path in front of the distance measuring window. The display member is disposed at the position of (1). Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

Next, a finder device for a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is an optical path diagram of the finder device. The finder device of the camera according to the present embodiment is also a finder device that also serves as a display device, and a transmission hologram combiner 23 is provided in a finder eyepiece window on an upper back surface of a camera body 26, and in front of the hologram combiner 23. A finder optical system 25 having a finder optical axis Of is disposed. And
A display member 24 having a light source that can be turned on is provided outside the optical path of the finder optical axis Of, that is, outside the finder field of view and in front of the hologram combiner 23. The display member 24 is capable of displaying and lighting a sign "CHG" (see FIG. 7) during charging of the strobe, for example, and incorporates a display member lighting circuit (not shown) for performing the display lighting. I have.

The transmission type hologram combiner 23 includes:
It has a function of refracting only light of a specific wavelength at a specific relationship of incidence and emission angles, and also has a lens function. In addition, the hologram combiner 23 is of a volume type, and a light source to be used can be used even if the light source has a super-wide range. This is the same as the case of the combiner 1.

In the finder device of the present camera configured as described above, the photographer 28
7, the light beam 29 from the subject 27 passes through the finder optical system 25, further passes through the transmission type hologram combiner 23, and enters the eyes of the photographer 28. Function.

Therefore, if the user attempts to release the shutter and the flash is being charged in the flash photography state, the shutter is not released and the indicator "CHG" is lit on the display member 24. The light beam 30 from the display member 24 is refracted by the transmission hologram combiner 23 and enters the eyes of the photographer 28. FIG. 6 is a viewfinder observation screen 2 at that time.
3A, and a sign “CHG” 2 is added to the subject image 27 ′.
4a are displayed and observed in an overlapping state.

In a conventional camera, if an attempt is made to release the shutter during charging of the strobe, a warning indicating that the strobe is charging is displayed as a display in the viewfinder. However, in most cases, these indicators are located outside the viewfinder's field of view so that they do not interfere with framing, so if you are absorbed in shooting, you will not notice the warning display, and you will be wondering why the shutter can not be released. I have something to think about. However, in the case of the camera of the present embodiment, the warning sign illuminated on the display member 24 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the subject image in a size that fills the finder field of view as described above. Does not occur. In addition, during normal photographing, the display member 24 is not turned on to be in the same state as the conventional finder, so that it does not hinder framing.

Incidentally, the incidence of the hologram combiner 23,
The exit angle and the lens function (focal length) are displayed on the display member 24.
If the virtual image is designed so that the image forming position of the virtual image substantially coincides with the image forming position of the field of view of the viewfinder, the photographer can easily recognize the display.

In each of the above-described embodiments and the modified examples, the hologram combiner through which the light from the subject passes is used as a finder window, a distance measuring window, or a photometric window. Light from a timer and a display member for displaying various photographing states is reflected or refracted so that a virtual image is formed in the middle of the sky as seen by a subject or a photographer. Therefore, the various windows can be used also as display windows.

When switching is not required, a single LED may be used as the display member, or a LED may be provided by providing a mask.
It should just be illuminated. If you need to switch,
Using a LCD as a display member, switching between displays, using 7-segment LEDs, using LEDs of different colors, providing a mask, and switching the lighting corresponding to each, clearly displaying each display content can do. The display is a virtual image formed by reflection or refraction by the hologram combiner. Therefore, the image can be observed only through the hologram combiner, and the real image is not reproduced in a space closer to the subject than the camera main body, so that the real image is not reflected on the photographing lens of the camera main body.

Each of the holograms applied in the above embodiments is a volume hologram, but a reflection type planar hologram can also be used. However, since the planar hologram has poor wavelength selectivity, the wavelength used for the display member is preferably as close to a single wavelength as possible.
There is no problem with a light source such as an LED, but white light is blurred and cannot be used.

In the case of a flat hologram, if the shape is blazed, a diffraction efficiency of 100% can be achieved at one wavelength. Alternatively, when the surface is approximated by binary, diffraction efficiency according to the approximate order can be obtained.
As described above, the planar hologram has some portions inferior in performance to the volume hologram, but since the surface shape may be determined, it can be mass-produced inexpensively by a conventional molding method. Therefore, a planar hologram is desirable in terms of cost.

Since the hologram has a thickness corresponding to that of the base material, when a reflection type hologram combiner is used,
The reflection by the surface of the base material (the surface opposite to the hologram surface) and the reflection by the hologram are displayed as a double image.
This can be separated by using a non-specular reflection type having different hologram incidence and reflection angles. However, when separation is not possible, or when a regular reflection type hologram combiner is used, it is desirable to make the double image (surface reflection image) inconspicuous by applying an anti-reflection means such as a coating or a film.

(Supplementary Note) Based on the above embodiment, the following configuration is obtained. That is, (1) a transmission-type hologram combiner used as a window member on the front surface of the camera, a display member disposed behind the hologram combiner and outside the optical path in an apparatus using the window member, and A light source for illuminating at least a part of the display member, wherein the light from the display member is refracted by the hologram combiner to enable observation from the subject side.

(2) A reflection-type hologram combiner used as a window member on the front of the camera, and a display member disposed in front of the hologram combiner and outside the optical path in an apparatus using the window member. A light source for illuminating at least a part of the display member, wherein light from the display member is reflected by the hologram combiner so as to be observable from the subject side.

(3) In additions (1) and (2), the window member is provided as an objective window of a finder optical system.

(4) In additions (1) and (2), the window member is provided as an objective window of a distance measuring optical system.

(5) In additions (1) and (2), the window member is provided as an objective window of a photometric optical system.

(6) A transmissive hologram combiner used as a window member on the back of the camera, and a display member disposed behind the hologram combiner and outside the optical path in an apparatus using the window member. A light source for illuminating at least a part of the display member, wherein light from the display member is refracted by the hologram combiner to enable observation by a photographer. .

(7) In the supplementary note (6), the window member is provided as an eyepiece window of a finder optical system.

(8) A camera body, a finder optical system provided in the camera body, a transmission-type hologram combiner arranged in an objective window of the finder optical system, and a hologram combiner behind the hologram combiner. A display member arranged outside the optical path of the finder optical system,
A light source for illuminating the display member, wherein the display light beam from the display member is refracted by the hologram combiner so as to be observable from the subject side in the finder optical system. camera.

(9) A camera body, a finder optical system provided in the camera body, a transmission hologram combiner arranged in an eyepiece window of the finder optical system, and a hologram combiner in front of the hologram combiner and A display member arranged outside the optical path of the finder optical system,
And a light source for illuminating the display member, wherein the display light flux from the display member is refracted by the hologram combiner so as to be observable from the photographer side in the finder optical system. Camera.

(10) A camera body, a distance measuring optical system provided in the camera body for measuring a subject distance, and a transmission type hologram combiner arranged in an objective window of the distance measuring optical system. A display member disposed behind the hologram combiner and outside the optical path of the distance measuring optical system, and a light source for illuminating the display member are provided, and a display light beam from the display member is provided. A camera characterized by being refracted by the hologram combiner and made observable from the subject side in the distance measuring optical system.

(11) A camera main body, a photometric optical system provided in the camera main body for measuring the luminance of a subject, a transmission type hologram combiner arranged in an objective window of the photometric optical system, and the hologram. A display member disposed behind the combiner and outside the optical path of the photometric optical system, and a light source for illuminating the display member; and a display light flux from the display member is transmitted to the hologram combiner. A camera characterized in that the light is refracted by an optical system and can be observed from the subject side in the photometric optical system.

(12) A camera body, a finder optical system provided in the camera body, a reflective hologram combiner arranged in an objective window of the finder optical system, and a front of the hologram combiner and A display member arranged outside the optical path of the finder optical system,
A light source for illuminating the display member, wherein a display light beam from the display member is reflected by the hologram combiner so as to be observable from the subject side in the finder optical system. .

(13) A camera body, a distance measuring optical system provided in the camera body for measuring a subject distance, and a reflection type hologram combiner arranged in an objective window of the distance measuring optical system. A display member disposed in front of the hologram combiner and outside the optical path of the distance measuring optical system, and a light source for illuminating the display member, and a display light flux from the display member is provided. A camera characterized in that the light is reflected by the hologram combiner and can be observed from the subject side in the distance measuring optical system.

(14) A camera body, a photometric optical system provided in the camera body for measuring the luminance of a subject, a reflection type hologram combiner arranged in an objective window of the photometric optical system, and the hologram A display member disposed in front of the combiner and outside the optical path of the photometric optical system; and a light source for illuminating the display member. The display light flux from the display member is transmitted to the hologram combiner. A camera which can be observed from the subject side in the photometric optical system.

[0062]

As described above, according to the camera according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, a combiner is attached to a window member on the front side of the camera for other functions, for example, a finder, a distance measurement, a photometry, and the like. Using a luminous flux (coupling) type or reflection type hologram, the display content of another display member arranged outside the optical path can be projected to enable observation from the subject side. Can be displayed effectively.

According to the camera of the third aspect of the present invention,
Using a combiner (light flux coupling) type transmissive hologram for the camera back side window member used for other functions, the display content of another display member arranged outside the optical path can be projected and observed from the photographer side The display can be performed by effectively using the surface of the camera exterior body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an optical path diagram of a finder device of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an optical path diagram of a camera finder device according to a first modification in which an LED is applied as a display member to the camera finder device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the camera shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a 7-segment LED applied as a display member and an example of a finder display, which is a second modification of the finder device of the camera of FIG.
FIG. 4A shows a 7-segment LED, and FIG.
(C) and (D) each show an example of a finder display.

FIG. 5 is an optical path diagram of a finder device of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an optical path diagram of a finder device of a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view showing a display example in a finder device of the camera in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 9, 23: transmission hologram combiner as window member 2, 16, 24: display member and light source 10: LED (display member and light source) 11: 7-segment LED (display member and light source) 15: ... Reflection type hologram combiner as window member

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A hologram combiner of a transmission type used as a window member on a front surface of a camera, a display member disposed behind the hologram combiner and outside an optical path in an apparatus using the window member. A light source for illuminating at least a part of the display member, wherein the light from the display member is refracted by the hologram combiner to enable observation from the subject side. 2. A reflection type hologram combiner used as a window member on the front surface of a camera, a display member disposed in front of the hologram combiner and outside the optical path of an apparatus using the window member, A light source for illuminating at least a part of the display member, wherein light from the display member is reflected by the hologram combiner so that observation is possible from the subject side. 3. A transmissive hologram combiner used as a window member on the back of the camera, a display member disposed in front of the hologram combiner and outside the optical path in an apparatus using the window member. A light source for illuminating at least a part of a display member, wherein light from the display member is refracted by the hologram combiner to enable observation by a photographer.