JP2007033996A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera by which photography is reasonably performed with any of right and left hands by simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: A lens protection member 4 is provided on a surface having a lens 3 of a casing 1 and is movable between a first position which covers the lens and a second position which releases the lens. Operation parts 2a and 2b for inputting a predetermined instruction are provided to the casing by being separated from each other. A position of the lens protection member 4 is detected and a function concerning release is set to either of the operation parts 2a or 2b based on the position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera with improved operability.

In recent years, there are a wide variety of camera users, and it is desired to provide a camera that is easy to use according to individual preferences. However, most current cameras are configured to perform a release operation with the right hand, regardless of the type. Therefore, in order to provide a camera in which the release operation can be performed with either the left or right hand, a camera in which a release button is movable is described in Patent Document 1. In this camera, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, a release button 101 and its holding base 102 are arranged on a belt 100, and the release button 101 can be moved by the belt 100. When the release button 101 is pressed at a position desired by the photographer, the release button 101 is brought into conduction with the pattern of the printed circuit board 103 provided below the release button 101, and release is performed.
JP-A-5-313225

  In the above-described prior art, it is possible to take a picture without difficulty with either the left or right hand, but in order to make the position of the release button 101 movable with respect to the camera body, a complicated configuration is required. The present invention has been made in view of this problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a camera that can be easily photographed with either the left or right hand with a simple configuration.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is provided on a surface of the housing having a lens, and a first position covering the lens; A lens protection member that moves between a second position for opening the lens; a first and a second operation unit that are provided apart from the housing and for inputting predetermined instructions; Based on the position detection unit for detecting the position of the lens protection member and the position of the lens protection member detected by the position detection unit, one of the first and second operation units is released. It is a camera which has the operation selection part which sets the function which concerns on.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first aspect, the operation selection unit associates a position of the lens protection member with a function set in the first and second operation units. The correspondence table can be changed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first or second aspect, when the lens protective member is moved to the second position, an end surface of the lens protective member is It is located outside the end face.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to any one of the first to third aspects, a grip assisting portion for assisting gripping is further provided on a side surface of the housing. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the camera further includes a display unit that displays functions set in the first and second operation units. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, there is no need to move the operation unit, and it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to shoot without difficulty with either the left or right hand with a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the camera of the present invention is applied to a digital camera. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the camera, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera. As shown in FIG. 1, the lens 3 is disposed at the front center of the housing 1, and the lens protection member 4 is disposed so as to cover the lens 3. The lens protection member 4 is configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the housing 1 along the front surface of the housing 1, and is disposed at a position covering the lens 3 in FIG. 1.

  On the upper surface of the housing 1, operation units 2 a and 2 b (first and second operation units) are separately arranged at one end and the other end of the upper surface, respectively. The operation units 2 a and 2 b are rotary switches having a mechanism that rotates about an axis that passes through the center and is perpendicular to the upper surface of the housing 1. The operation units 2a and 2b are of a rotary type for assigning a zoom function, and the zoom amount can be changed according to the rotation amount. As shown in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal display unit 5 for displaying an image or the like is disposed on the back surface of the housing 1.

  3 to 5 are front views of the camera, and FIG. 6 is a top view of the camera. The lens protection member 4 is located at the position 4a in FIGS. 3 and 6, is located at the position 4b in FIG. 4, and is located at the position 4e in FIG. Thus, the lens protection member 4 has a position that covers the lens 3 (position 4a; first position) and a plurality of different positions that open (expose) the lens 3 (positions 4b and 4e; second position). It is possible to move arbitrarily between.

  FIG. 7 shows the main functional configuration of the camera. In FIG. 7, the operation unit 2 includes the operation units 2a and 2b. The position detector 9 detects the position of the lens protection member 4 based on an electrical signal output from the lens protection member 4 according to the position. Based on the position of the lens protection member 4 detected by the position detection unit 9, the operation selection unit 8 sets a release-related function for one of the operation units 2a and 2b, for example. And the operation function set to 2b is determined. In the present embodiment, the functions of the position detection unit 9 and the operation selection unit 8 are realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may be realized by another electronic circuit or the like instead of the CPU.

  Next, the operation of the camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8A is a front view of the lens protection member 4, FIG. 8B is a front view of the housing 1, and FIG. 8C is a front view of the camera. When the photographer slides the lens protection member 4, the electrical contact 10 a (FIG. 8A) provided on the lens protection member 4 and the housing 1 are arranged according to the position of the lens protection member 4 after the slide. The provided electrical contact 10b or 10e (FIG. 8B) comes into contact.

  For example, when the lens protection member 4 is moved to the position 4e and photographing is performed, as shown in FIG. 8C, the electrical contacts 10a and 10e come into contact with each other, so that an electrical signal is input to the position detection unit 9. Then, the position detection unit 9 recognizes that the position of the lens protection member 4 is the position 4e. The recognition result is input to the operation selection unit 8. Based on the recognition result, the operation selection unit 8 assigns a release function to the operation unit 2a and a zoom function to the operation unit 2b. When the lens protection member 4 is moved to the position 4b, a release function is assigned to the operation unit 2b and a zoom function is assigned to the operation unit 2a.

  When the lens protection member 4 is located at the position 4e, it is suitable for an operation for photographing with the left hand, and when it is located at the position 4b, it is suitable for an operation for photographing with the right hand. You can use the camera in the same state with your hands. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to shoot without difficulty with either the left or right hand. Further, since there is no need to move the operation unit as in the prior art, the configuration is simplified.

  In the above description, an example of the position of the lens protection member 4, the position and number of the operation units 2a and 2b, and the position of the electrical contact is given, but it is needless to say that this is not a limitation. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation units 2 a and 2 b may be arranged on the back surface of the housing 1.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 10 is a top view of the camera, FIG. 11 is a front view of the housing 1, and FIGS. 12 to 13 are front views of the camera. In the present embodiment, portions that are the same as those in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and only differences are mainly described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, push-button operation units 2 c and 2 d are newly arranged on the upper surface of the housing 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, electrical contacts 10c and 10d are newly arranged. The lens protection member 4 is movable to a position 4c shown in FIG. 12 and a position 4d shown in FIG. 13 in addition to the positions 4a, 4b and 4e. When the lens protection member 4 is located at the position 4c, the electrical contacts 10a and 10c are in contact with each other, and when the lens protection member 4 is located at the position 4d, the electrical contacts 10a and 10d are in contact with each other.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the camera according to the present embodiment will be described. The lens protection member 4 slides, and the electrical contact 10a provided on the lens protection member 4 comes into contact with any of the electrical contacts 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e provided on the housing 1. When the lens protection member 4 is opened and closed, the operation selection unit 8 determines the functions of the operation units 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d according to the slide position of the lens protection member 4 as shown in FIG. For example, when the lens protection member 4 is in the position 4a, the power of the camera is off. In this state, no function is assigned to the operation units 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and no operation is accepted.

  When the lens protection member 4 is in the position 4c, the camera is in a playback mode. In this state, the operation unit 2b is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 5, and the menu selection at the time of playback is performed. The menu selected by the operation unit 2b is determined (executed), the operation unit 2a selects an image during reproduction, and the operation unit 2c determines (executes) the image selected by the operation unit 2a. Further, when the lens protection member 4 is in the position 4b, the camera is in a shooting mode. In this state, the operation unit 2a takes a still image shooting or a moving image shooting displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 5. The mode selection of the mode, the operation unit 2c determines the mode selected by the operation unit 2a, the operation unit 2b functions as a zoom operation during shooting, and the operation unit 2d functions as a release button. For the positions 4d and 4e, the operation units 2a to 2d are assigned functions opposite to those of the positions 4b and 4c.

  In a general digital camera, one function is assigned to one operation unit. In the present embodiment, since a plurality of functions are assigned to one operation unit in accordance with the position of the lens protection member 4, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. In addition, although the function example of operation part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is mentioned above, of course, the function example of operation part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is not this limitation.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the inside of the camera according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, parts that are the same as those in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only differences are mainly described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a function table 11 for setting the functions of the operation units 2 a to 2 d is provided inside the camera. Assume that the user can change the contents of the function table 11 on the menu selection screen when the position of the lens protection member 4 is the reproduction mode position (positions 4c and 4d). Thus, it is possible to assign functions to the operation units 2a to 2d according to the user's preference. The operation unit 2 shown in FIG. 15 includes the operation units 2a to 2d.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the camera according to the present embodiment will be described. When it is desired to change the functions of the operation units 2a to 2d, the user moves the lens protection member 4 to the reproduction mode position (position 4c or 4d). When the position of the lens protection member 4 is at the position 4c, the user selects the function assignment change by operating the operation unit 2b, and changes the function assignment by operating the operation unit 2d. The contents of the function table 11 are changed on the menu selection screen. After the contents of the function table 11 are determined, the user temporarily returns the lens protection member 4 to the position 4a, turns off the power, and moves the lens protection member 4 to any one of the positions 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e. The contents of the function table 11 are assigned to the operation units 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d by the operation selection unit 8. As a result, it is possible to assign a user's favorite operation function to the operation unit, and thus an optimal configuration for the user can be realized.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 16 is a front view of the camera, and FIG. 17 is a rear view of the camera corresponding to FIG. In the present embodiment, portions that are the same as those in the first, second, and third embodiments are given the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and only differences are mainly described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the lens protection member 4 is moved to open the lens 3, a part (end surface) of the lens protection member 4 is moved in the moving direction. It protrudes from the end surface of the body 1 and is configured to be located outside the end surface. That is, when the lens 3 is in an open state, the end of the lens protection member 4 protrudes from the end of the housing 1 in a direction crossing the thickness direction of the housing 1 (longitudinal direction of the housing 1). . Thereby, the lens protection member 4 can be used as a gripping part at the time of photographing, and the same effect as that obtained when the housing 1 is enlarged can be obtained and the camera can be easily held.

  In addition, since the lens protection member 4 serves as a gripping part, even if the liquid crystal display unit 5 is arranged on the back side of the camera, the user's finger does not touch the liquid crystal display unit 5 and thus the screen is easy to see. Further, even when the camera is downsized, the liquid crystal display unit 5 can be made substantially the same size as the back of the camera, so that it is possible to make it easy to see the video after shooting. In the above description, the lens protection member 4 is described as having a rectangular shape, but the shape is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the lens protection member 4 may be rounded up and down.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 19 is a rear view of the camera, and FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the camera. In the present embodiment, portions that are the same as those in the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only differences are mainly described. As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, gripping assisting portions 6 a and 6 b having curved depressions or notches for assisting gripping are provided on the side surface of the housing 1 so as to easily hold the camera. It has been. Since the case 1 is fixed when the user attaches a thumb to the grip assisting parts 6a and 6b during shooting, the case 1 is prevented from moving due to the force generated when the operation part 2c or 2d is pressed. Stability can be obtained during shooting.

  In addition, although the example of the form of the holding | maintenance auxiliary | assistance part 6a, 6b is mentioned above, of course, it is not restricted to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the recesses of the grip assisting portions 6a and 6b may have a deeper shape in accordance with the shape of the thumb. As a result, a feeling of holding the thumb can be obtained more than in the case of FIGS. 19 and 20, and more stability can be obtained during shooting. In addition to the form in which the dents and notches are formed on the side surface of the housing 1, the grip assisting portion is provided with a protruding structure on the side surface of the housing 1 or a structure in which the protrusion and the dent are combined. Various forms are possible, such as.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 22 is a rear view of the camera, and FIG. 23 is a block diagram inside the camera. In the present embodiment, portions that are the same as those in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only differences are mainly described. . In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, display units 7 a and 7 b for notifying functions currently assigned to the operation units 2 a to 2 d are provided on the rear surface of the housing 1. In addition, display part 7a, 7b is LED, for example. The operation unit 2 in FIG. 23 includes the operation units 2a to 2d, and the display unit 7 includes the display units 7a and 7b. Assignment of functions to the display units 7a and 7b is also set by the function table 11.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the camera according to the present embodiment will be described. Depending on the position of the lens protection member 4, the operation selection unit 8 determines the functions of the operation units 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as shown in FIG. 14 and the functions of the display units 7a and 7b. Determine as shown at 24. The operation selection unit 8 assigns the determined function to the operation units 2a to 2d and the display units 7a and 7b. For example, when the lens protection member 4 is at the position 4a, the display units 7a and 7b do not display.

  When the position of the lens protection member 4 is at the position 4c, the display unit 7a blinks red to guide the gripping side, and the display unit 7b enters the reproduction mode and turns green. When the position of the lens protection member 4 is at the position 4b, the display unit 7a blinks red to guide the grip side as in the state of the position 4c, but the display unit 7b displays red when taking a still image. Turns blue when shooting a movie. For the positions 4d and 4e, the display units 7a and 7b are assigned functions opposite to those of the positions 4b and 4c. Thus, the user can easily understand the functions currently assigned to the operation units 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.

  In addition, although the example of the form of display part 7a, 7b is mentioned above, of course, it is not restricted to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the display units 7a and 7b are configured in the liquid crystal display unit 5, that is, by using a part of the liquid crystal display unit 5 as the display units 7a and 7b, The unit 5 may also be used. In that case, since characters can be displayed, the user can more easily recognize the functions assigned to the operation units 2a to 2d. Further, it is not necessary to use LEDs for the display portion, and the number of parts can be reduced. The display method by the display unit can be changed by the user.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and includes design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. .

1 is a front view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a rear view of the camera by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a front view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a top view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the camera by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the camera by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the camera by the modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the camera by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the housing | casing of the camera by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the camera by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the camera by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a reference figure which shows assignment of the function to the operation part with which the camera by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the camera by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the camera by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the camera by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the camera by the modification of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the camera by the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a back perspective view of the camera by the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the camera by the modification of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the camera by the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the camera by the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a reference figure which shows assignment of the function to the operation part with which the camera by the 6th Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a rear view of the camera by the modification of the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the conventional camera. It is a schematic cross section of the conventional camera.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Case, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d ... Operation part, 3 ... Lens, 4 ... Lens protection member, 5 ... Liquid crystal display part, 6a, 6b ... Auxiliary gripping part, 7, 7a, 7b ... display part, 8 ... operation selection part, 9 ... position detection part, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e ... electrical contact, 11 ... Function table

Claims (5)

A lens protection member that is provided on a surface of the housing having a lens and moves between a first position that covers the lens and a second position that opens the lens;
A first operation unit and a second operation unit that are provided apart from the housing and for inputting a predetermined instruction;
A position detector for detecting the position of the lens protection member;
An operation selection unit that sets a release-related function for either one of the first and second operation units based on the position of the lens protection member detected by the position detection unit;
Having a camera.   The operation selection unit has a function table in which positions of the lens protection member and functions set in the first and second operation units are associated with each other, and the association can be changed. The camera of claim 1, characterized in that:   3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein when the lens protection member moves to the second position, an end surface of the lens protection member is positioned outside an end surface of the housing. 4. .   The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a grip assisting part for assisting gripping is further provided on a side surface of the housing. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a display unit that displays functions set in the first and second operation units.

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