KR20090085988A - Lens cap unit and photographing apparatus comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A lens cap unit and a photographing apparatus having the same are provided to applies various effects to a picture by using a filter for slim type and compact type digital cameras. A lens cap(171) is arranged parallel to a lens unit. A filter(174) is arranged parallel to the lens cap. An actuator(172) rotates the lens cap and filter. The actuator comprises a plurality of driving units. The lens cap is combined with one of the driving units.

Description

Lens cap unit and imaging device having same {Lens cap unit and photographing apparatus comprising the same}

The present invention relates to a lens cap unit and an imaging apparatus having the same, and more particularly, to a lens cap unit including a lens cap and a filter, and an imaging apparatus including the same.

In recent years, many imaging devices, such as a digital still camera and a digital video camera, have become popular.

Such an imaging apparatus generally comprises an optical system having a lens portion, an image pickup element disposed on one surface of the lens portion, an image processing unit for processing an electrical signal received from the image pickup element, a memory for storing the captured image, and the like.

The schematic operation of the conventional imaging device is as follows.

That is, when the user shoots, the image light of the subject passing through the optical system is incident on an imaging device such as a CCD, and the imaging device converts the incident image light into an electrical image signal, and the image processing unit processes the image signal. The memory may be photographed by storing the photographed image.

On the other hand, a lens cap unit for protecting the lens portion is disposed in front of the lens portion of the imaging device. The lens cap unit is configured to open the lens cap at the time of imaging of the imaging device so that image light can be projected onto the lens part, and to close the lens cap to protect the lens part when the imaging device is not used.

On the other hand, such an imaging device can use various kinds of effects on the photograph by using an auxiliary mechanism called a filter in front of the lens.

However, in the conventional imaging device, the filter can be used only in a camera made to attach a separate filter to the lens barrel, and thus, there is a problem that it is not easy to use the filter in a general slim and compact digital camera.

An object of the present invention is to provide a lens cap unit having a lens cap and a filter together, and an imaging device having the same.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lens cap unit disposed in an image capturing apparatus including a lens unit, the lens cap unit being disposed in parallel with the lens unit; One or more filters disposed parallel to the lens cap; And an actuator for rotating the lens cap and the at least one filter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an actuator including a plurality of driving units; Provided is a lens cap unit having a lens cap coupled to one of the plurality of driving units and at least one filter coupled to another of the plurality of driving units.

In the present invention, the lens cap and the at least one filter may be rotated by the drive unit.

In the present invention, the lens cap and the one or more filters may be arranged stepped with each other.

In the present invention, the lens cap and the one or more filters may be rotated independently of each other.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus including a lens unit, comprising: a lens cap unit having the structure of claim 1 or 2; And an image pickup device for receiving image light from the lens unit and forming an image light.

According to the present invention, the lens cap unit is provided with a lens cap and a filter, it is possible to obtain various effects on the photograph easily by using the filter even in a general slim, compact digital camera.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing an image of an image pickup device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an internal configuration of the image pickup device. to be.

The imaging device 100 according to the present embodiment is a compact digital camera, which is a digital camera having a lens unit integrated with a main body.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the imaging apparatus 100 includes an optical system such as a lens unit 111, an imaging element 112, a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit 113 of an amplifier type, A / D converter 114, image input controller 115, white balance adjustment unit 116, compression processing circuit 120, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) driver 122, LCD 124, timing generator 126, Control unit 128, operation unit 132, memory 134, VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 136, media controller 138, recording medium 140, flash 150, auxiliary light emitting means 160, The lens cap unit 170 and the like are included.

The lens unit 111 transmits the image light of the subject to reach the imaging device 112.

The lens unit 111 includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, an iris, a shutter, and the like. The zoom lens is a lens in which the focal length is continuously changed by moving back and forth in the optical axis direction. In addition, the aperture adjusts the amount of light entering the imaging element 112 when the image is taken, and the focus lens performs a function of adjusting the focus of the subject by moving back and forth in the optical axis direction.

The imaging element 112 functions to convert the image formed image into an electrical signal by being disposed at a position where image light passing through the lens unit 111 is formed into an image.

Charge imaging devices (CCD) devices are used as the imaging device 112, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) may be used as the image pickup device according to the present invention, or another image sensor may be used.

The CDS circuit 113 is a circuit in which a CDS circuit, which is a kind of sampling circuit for removing noise of an electrical signal output from the imaging element 112, and an amplifier for amplifying an electrical signal after removing noise, are integrated. In the present embodiment, the CDS circuit 113 is configured by using a circuit in which the CDS circuit and the amplifier are integrated. However, the CDS circuit and the amplifier may be configured as separate circuits.

The A / D converter 114 is a device that converts an analog electric signal generated by the imaging element 112 into a digital signal.

The image input controller 115 performs a function of transmitting a digital image signal to the controller 128 or the like.

The white balance adjusting unit 116 is a circuit for adjusting the value of the white balance using the captured image data output from the imaging element 112.

The compression processing circuit 120 performs compression processing to compress the data of the captured image into an appropriate format. The compression format of the image may be a reversible format or an irreversible format. As an example of a suitable format, you may convert into the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format or the JPEG 2000 format.

The LCD 124 performs a function of the display unit, and performs live view display before performing a photographing operation, various setting screens of the imaging device 100, display of photographed images, and the like. The display of the image data and various information of the imaging device 100 on the LCD 124 is performed via the LCD driver 122.

Although the LCD 124 is used as the display portion in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in the present invention, an organic light-emitting diode, a field emission display (FED), or the like may be used as the display unit.

The timing generator 126 inputs a timing signal to the imaging element 112. The shutter speed is determined by the timing signal from the timing generator 126. That is, the driving of the imaging element 112 is controlled by the timing signal from the timing generator 126, and the image light from the subject is incident within the time driven by the imaging element 112, thereby forming the basis of the image data. An electrical signal is generated.

The control unit 128 issues a signal system command to the imaging element 112, the CDS circuit 113, or the like, or issues an operation system command for the operation of the operation unit 132. In the present embodiment, only one control unit is included, but the command of the signal system and the command of the operation system may be performed by separate control units.

In addition, the controller 128 also performs an image processing function. That is, a function of processing the imaging data received from the imaging device 112 is also performed. Typically, the controller 128 performs gamma correction of the transmitted photographing data.

Gamma correction means encoding information in accordance with nonlinearity of human vision. In other words, since human vision reacts nonlinearly to brightness according to Weber's law, when a limited bit depth is given, linearly recording the brightness of light results in posterization ( Posterization) occurs. Therefore, in order to show the maximum image quality under a given bit depth, it is necessary to encode using a nonlinear function, which is called gamma correction.

The gamma correction of the controller 128 gamma corrects and outputs an image signal input by a gamma curve. For example, the input luminance level of a 12-bit image signal is corrected to an 8-bit luminance level.

The operation unit 132 includes a function as a shooting mode selection unit, and a member for performing the operation of the imaging device 100 or for performing various settings at the time of shooting is disposed. On the member disposed on the operation unit 132, a power button, a cross key for selecting a shooting mode or a shooting drive mode and setting effect parameters, a shutter button for starting a shooting operation, and the like are disposed.

The memory 134 is an example of an image storage section, which temporarily stores data of photographed images and data necessary for operation. The memory 134 has a storage capacity as long as it can store a plurality of images. The reading / writing of an image to the memory 134 is controlled by the image input controller 115.

The VRAM 136 holds contents displayed on the LCD 124, and the resolution and the maximum number of colors of the LCD 124 depend on the capacity of the VRAM 136.

The recording medium 140 is an example of an image recording unit that records a photographed image. Input and output to the recording medium 140 are controlled by the media controller 138. As the recording medium 140, a SD card (secure digital card), a multimedia card (MMC), or the like, which is a card-type storage device for recording data, may be used.

The flash 150 brightens the bright light instantly when shooting in a dark place. In the flash mode using the flash 150, the auto flash mode, forced flash mode, flash off mode, red-eye reduction mode, slow synchro mode, etc. There is this.

The auxiliary light emitting means 160 supplies the auxiliary light to the subject so that the imaging apparatus 100 can focus quickly and accurately when the amount of light is insufficient or at night.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the lens cap unit 170 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C.

4A is a schematic perspective view illustrating an open state of a lens cap and a filter of a lens cap unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a lens cap of the lens cap unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4c is a schematic perspective view showing a closed state, Figure 4c is a schematic perspective view showing a closed state of the lens cap and the filter of the lens cap unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The lens cap unit 170 is disposed in front of the lens unit 111, and includes a lens cap 171, a filter unit 174, an actuator 172, and a base unit 173.

The lens cap 171 is made of a metal material, has a plate shape as a whole, and consists of a blocking part 171a and a blocking part supporting part 171b. The lens cap 171 according to the present embodiment is made of a metal material, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, there is no particular limitation on the material of the lens cap according to the present invention. For example, the lens cap of the present invention may be made of synthetic resin.

The blocking part 171a is formed to have an area equal to the area of the opening 173a or larger than the area of the opening 173a so as to block the opening 173a of the base part 173 when necessary. The blocking part 171a of this embodiment has a circular shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, if the blocking portion of the present invention can protect the lens portion 111 by blocking the opening, the shape thereof is not particularly limited.

The blocking unit supporting unit 171b supports the blocking unit 171a on one side thereof, and is mounted to the base unit 173 on the other side so as to be rotatable, and configured to rotate under the force of the actuator 172.

The filter unit 174 is an auxiliary mechanism disposed in front of the lens unit 111 and may be used for various effects on the photograph.

In detail, in the conventional imaging device, the filter can be used only in a camera made to attach a separate filter to the lens barrel, and thus, there is a problem that it is not easy to use the filter in a general slim and compact digital camera.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention is formed by integrally forming at least one filter unit 174 in the lens cap unit 170, so that various effects can be easily applied to a photograph by using a filter in a general compact digital camera. It is one thing to give.

The filter unit 174 of the lens cap unit 170 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a UV filter that blocks ultraviolet rays, a polarization filter (Pl :) that prevents diffuse reflection of light, and an amount of incident light of the lens. ND filter, which is used to reduce the brightness of the scene by reducing it evenly over the band, color compensating filter, color film, which is mainly used to correct color balance in color shooting or printing, or to correct poor light quality of a light source. Color conversion filter used to match when the color temperature of the light source differs greatly from the color temperature of the light source, and a blue filter used to remove red color by increasing the color temperature during color shooting ( Blue filter), various types of filters, such as a cross filter having the effect of spreading the light source to the fork in the picture taking may be provided.

The filter portion 174 has a plate shape as a whole, and consists of a filter 174a and a filter support 174b.

The filter 174a is formed to have an area equal to the area of the opening 173a or larger than the area of the opening 173a so that the filter 174a can be disposed in front of the opening 173a of the base portion 173 if necessary. . The filter 174a of this embodiment has a circular shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, if the filter of the present invention can be disposed in front of the opening, there is no particular limitation on its shape.

The filter support 174b supports the filter 174a on one side and is rotatably mounted on the base 173 on the other side, and configured to rotate under the force of the actuator 172.

4 illustrates that only one filter unit 174 is provided in the lens cap unit 170, but the spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the lens cap unit 170 of the present invention is provided with a plurality of filter units, each filter unit is provided with a different filter, it may be configured to implement various effects desired by the user.

In addition, the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174 may be disposed in parallel with each other. That is, the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174 are arranged in parallel with the height difference from each other, so that the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174 can rotate independently with respect to the base unit 173 without interfering with each other. In addition, when a plurality of filter units are provided, the respective filter units are also arranged in parallel with a height difference from each other, so that they can rotate independently with respect to the base unit 173 without interfering with each other. Can be formed.

The actuator 172 includes a driving unit such as a solenoid device. The actuator 172 receives power from the control unit 128 to drive the solenoid device, thereby rotating and moving the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174 to predetermined trajectories. To perform the function.

The actuator 172 of the lens cap unit 170 according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of driving units are formed. Among the plurality of driving units, one driving unit rotates the lens cap 171 to a predetermined locus, and the other driving unit rotates the filter unit 174 to a predetermined locus. As described above, since the plurality of filter units 174 may be disposed, the driving unit of the actuator 172 may include the number of the plurality of filter units 174 plus one driving unit for driving the lens cap 171. As many as can be formed. That is, when the filter unit 174 includes two filters, an ND filter and a UV filter, three driving units are formed to drive two filters and a lens cap, respectively.

According to the present embodiment, the solenoid device is illustrated as a driving device for rotating the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174, but the spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, according to the present invention, if the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174 can be rotated at a predetermined angle, other devices may be used even if they are not necessarily solenoid devices.

The base portion 173 is made of a metal material and has a plate shape as a whole. The base unit 173 serves as a frame of the lens cap unit 170. The base unit 173 is equipped with a blocking unit support unit 171b, a filter support unit 174b, and an actuator 172, and opens the opening 173a. The opening 173a is a portion that is opened so that the image light can be projected onto the lens unit 111.

The operation of the lens cap unit 170 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C as follows.

In the imaging of the imaging device 100, the controller 128 operates the actuator 172 to open the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174. That is, when power is applied to a drive unit such as a solenoid device, the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174 are rotated clockwise when viewed in FIG. 4A to open the opening 173a, and the lens cap 171 and The filter unit 174 is in an open state. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, the image light passing through the opening 173a is projected onto the lens unit 111.

During shooting of the imaging device 100, if the user sets the filter application mode to produce various effects using the filter unit 174, the controller 128 controls the actuator 172 to close the filter unit 174. It works. That is, when power is applied to a drive unit such as a solenoid device, the filter unit 174 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 4B and disposed on the front surface of the lens unit 111. Therefore, when taking a picture, an image in which various effects are produced by the filter unit 174 may be obtained.

When photographing of the imaging apparatus 100 is not performed, the controller 128 operates the actuator 172 to close the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174. That is, when power is applied to a driving unit such as a solenoid device, the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174 rotate in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 4C to close the opening 173a and the lens cap 171. And the filter portion 174 is in a closed state. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4C, the lens cap 171 and the filter unit 174 are closed to protect the lens unit 111.

According to the present invention, the lens cap unit is provided with a lens cap and a filter, it is possible to obtain various effects on the photograph easily by using the filter even in a general slim, compact digital camera.

So far I looked at the center of the preferred embodiment for the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

1 is a perspective view of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the imaging device shown in FIG. 1.

3 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of an imaging device.

4A is a schematic perspective view illustrating an open state of a lens cap and a filter of a lens cap unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which a lens cap of a lens cap unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is opened and a filter is closed.

4C is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which a lens cap and a filter of a lens cap unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are closed.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: imaging device 111: lens unit

112: imaging device 113: CDS circuit

114: A / D converter 115: Picture input controller

116: white balance adjustment unit 120: compression processing circuit

122: LCD driver 124: LCD

126: timing generator 128: control unit

132: control panel 134: memory

136: VRAM 138: Media Controller

140: recording media 150: flash

160: auxiliary light emitting means 170: lens cap unit

171: lens cap 171a: blocking portion

172: actuator 173: base portion

174: filter section 174a: filter

Claims (6)

A lens cap unit disposed in an imaging device having a lens portion, A lens cap disposed in parallel with the lens unit; One or more filters disposed parallel to the lens cap; And And a actuator for rotating said lens cap and said at least one filter. An actuator having a plurality of drives; A lens cap coupled to one driving unit of the plurality of driving units; And a lens cap unit including at least one filter coupled to another driving unit among the plurality of driving units. The method of claim 2, And the lens cap and the at least one filter are rotated by the driving unit. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the lens cap and the at least one filter are disposed stepped on each other. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the lens cap and the at least one filter rotate independently of each other. An imaging device having a lens portion, A lens cap unit having the structure of claim 1; And And an imaging device that receives image light from the lens unit and forms an image.

Images