JP2007328070A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

An imaging apparatus capable of reducing the size of the apparatus main body and obtaining a good captured image is provided.
The electronic still camera (imaging device) includes a prism body 2 having an internal reflection surface 2b for reflecting and deflecting incident subject light. The prism body 2 is rotatably mounted inside the housing portion 21, and the subject light reflected and deflected by the inner surface reflecting surface 2 b of the prism body 2 is bent at an angle of 90 ° and received by the CCD 4. Incident on the surface. The prism body 2 is configured to open and block the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 4 by rotating at the time of photographing.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus including a reflecting member that reflects and deflects subject light.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an imaging apparatus including an imaging element (imaging unit) represented by an electronic still camera is generally known. In this conventional image pickup apparatus, when the apparatus main body is held horizontally, the photographing system and the image pickup element are arranged in the apparatus main body so that the subject, the image pickup system, and the image pickup surface of the image pickup element are positioned in a straight line. Yes. For this reason, in the conventional imaging apparatus, the horizontal length of the apparatus main body is determined by the optical total length of the imaging system and the thickness of the electrical board on which the imaging element is mounted, and the horizontal length of the apparatus main body is determined. There is an inconvenience that it is difficult to make the length shorter than a certain length. In particular, when a moving lens group (focus lens group) for performing zooming and focus adjustment is provided in the photographing system, it is necessary to secure a space for the moving lens group to move back and forth. Since it is necessary to further provide positive and negative lens groups in order to suppress optical distortion caused by advancing and retreating, there is a disadvantage that the optical total length of the photographing system becomes long, thereby increasing the horizontal length of the apparatus main body. there were. As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to downsize the entire apparatus.

  Therefore, conventionally, by providing a prism body (reflecting member) that reflects and deflects subject light, an imaging system including a lens group and the like is arranged so that its optical axis is parallel to the vertical direction (vertical direction of the imaging device). There has been proposed an imaging apparatus that can be disposed inside and thereby shorten the horizontal length of the apparatus main body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The imaging apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1 includes an imaging system including a lens group, a prism body (reflecting member) that is fixed to the object side of the imaging system and reflects and deflects incident subject light, and an imaging system. And a solid-state imaging device that is disposed on the image forming side and receives subject light reflected and deflected by the prism body. The incident subject light is reflected and deflected by the inner reflecting surface of the prism body, so that the optical path is bent at an angle of 90 °. As a result, the photographing system can be arranged in the apparatus main body so that the optical axis thereof is parallel to the vertical direction. Therefore, the photographing system is arranged in the apparatus main body so that the optical axis thereof is parallel to the horizontal direction. Compared with the arrangement, the horizontal length of the apparatus main body can be shortened.

JP 9-2111287 A

  However, in the imaging apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1, exposure of the light receiving surface of the imaging element is performed by the electronic shutter function of the imaging element (CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor). Conceivable. For this reason, when strong light is incident on the light receiving surface of the image sensor during charge transfer, a smear phenomenon in which white band-like light different from the light from the light source is displayed in the captured image may occur. There is an inconvenience. For this reason, when photographing a situation containing a strong light source, there is a problem that it may be difficult to obtain a good photographed image.

  In addition, when the exposure of the light receiving surface of the image sensor is performed by a mechanical shutter, it is necessary to provide a separate mechanical shutter mechanism, so that there is a problem that the apparatus main body is enlarged correspondingly.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to make it possible to reduce the size of the apparatus body and to obtain a good captured image. Is to provide a simple imaging device.

  An imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a reflecting surface that reflects and deflects incident subject light, and receives a subject that is reflected and deflected by the reflecting member that is movable and the reflecting surface of the reflecting member. In this way, the reflecting member is configured to open and block the optical path of the subject light to the imaging unit by moving during shooting.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the one aspect, as described above, the light receiving time (exposure time) of the subject light is configured by moving the reflecting member to block and open the optical path of the subject light to the imaging unit. ) Can be controlled by movement of the reflecting member, so that the reflecting member can function as a mechanical shutter. That is, by opening the optical path of the subject light from a state where the optical path of the subject light to the imaging unit is blocked, and moving the reflecting member so as to block the optical path of the subject light again after a predetermined time has passed, Since the light reception time of the subject light can be controlled, the light reception time (exposure time) to the imaging unit can be controlled without providing a separate mechanical shutter mechanism. As a result, the apparatus main body can be reduced in size compared with the case where a mechanical shutter mechanism is separately provided.

  Further, in one aspect of the present invention, when the electric charge is electrically extracted from the imaging unit by moving the reflecting member to block the optical path of the subject light to the imaging unit during shooting, Since it is possible to suppress light from entering the light receiving surface of the imaging unit, it is possible to suppress image defects in the captured image due to light entering the light receiving surface of the imaging unit during charge extraction. can do. Specifically, by suppressing the light from being incident on the light receiving surface of the imaging unit when taking out the charge, for example, when the imaging unit is a CCD sensor, strong light is received by the imaging unit during charge transfer. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a smear phenomenon in which white band-like light is displayed in a captured image due to incidence on the surface. Further, when the imaging unit is a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a focal plane phenomenon in which a captured image is distorted. As a result, a good captured image can be obtained even when shooting a situation with a strong light source.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, since a reflection member including a reflection surface that reflects and deflects incident subject light can be provided, the optical axis of the incident subject light can be bent at a predetermined angle. The imaging unit can be arranged at a position where the light receiving surface of the unit is not aligned with the subject. For this reason, when a photographing system including a lens group or the like is mounted on the apparatus main body, the photographing system can be arranged in the apparatus main body so that its optical axis is parallel to the vertical direction. Compared with the case where the optical axis is arranged in the apparatus main body so as to be parallel to the horizontal direction, the horizontal length of the apparatus main body can be shortened. Thereby, the whole apparatus can be reduced in size.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the above aspect, the imaging unit preferably includes a charge accumulation unit that accumulates charges generated by receiving the subject light, and electrically controls a charge accumulation time in the charge accumulation unit. It has an electronic shutter function. With this configuration, since it is possible to perform image capturing by electrically controlling the time to extract an electrical signal, the shutter speed can be increased compared to the case where image capturing is performed using a mechanical shutter with operation. it can. In addition, when such a configuration is applied to the imaging apparatus according to the above aspect, the light path to the imaging unit of the subject light can be blocked by the movement of the reflecting member during the charge transfer of the imaging unit. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of the focal plane phenomenon. As a result, a good captured image can be easily obtained.

  In the imaging device according to the above aspect, the reflecting member may be configured by a prism body having an inner surface reflecting surface of a slope as a reflecting surface.

  In the imaging device according to the above aspect, the reflecting member is preferably a reflecting plate having a mirror surface portion as a reflecting surface. If comprised in this way, since the volume can be made small compared with the case where a reflection member is comprised with a prism body, the weight of a reflection member can be made light. For this reason, since the moving speed of the reflecting member can be increased as compared with the case where the reflecting member is constituted by a prism body, a faster shutter speed can be obtained when the reflecting member functions as a mechanical shutter. In addition, when imaging is performed with the electronic shutter function of the imaging unit, the optical path of the subject light to the imaging unit can be instantaneously interrupted when the charge is taken out. As a result, a good captured image can be obtained more easily.

  In the imaging device according to the above aspect, a lens group that moves on the optical axis of the subject light is preferably provided between the reflecting member and the imaging unit. By applying such a configuration to the imaging apparatus according to the above aspect, it is easy to increase the horizontal length of the apparatus body even when the imaging apparatus is provided with a lens group that moves on the optical axis. Therefore, the entire apparatus can be easily downsized.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the first to fourth embodiments, a case where the present invention is applied to an electronic still camera which is an example of an imaging apparatus will be described.

(First embodiment)
1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of the main part of the electronic still camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic still camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the structures of the prism body and the rotation mechanism of the electronic still camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is the electronic still camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view for demonstrating the structure of this prism body. First, the structure of the electronic still camera 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electronic still camera 100 according to the first embodiment includes a first lens unit 1, a prism body 2, a second lens unit 3, a CCD 4, and a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit. Unit 5, A / D conversion unit 6, DSP (Digital Signal Processor) circuit unit 7, compression / decompression circuit unit 8, control unit (CPU) 9, encoder unit 10, liquid crystal display unit 11, A control program storage medium (ROM) 12, a shutter button 13, an operation mode switching switch 14, a menu setting button 15, a selection button 16, a determination button 17, and a deletion button 18 are provided. A recording medium 19 is detachably attached to the electronic still camera 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first lens unit 1 is held by the fixed barrel 20 and is mounted on the apparatus main body so that the optical axis 101 is parallel to the horizontal direction H. . The prism body 2 is arranged on the back side (inside of the apparatus) of the first lens unit 1, and has an incident surface 2 a formed of a plane on which subject light is incident, and subject light incident on the prism body 2. It has an inner surface reflecting surface 2b composed of a slope to be reflected and deflected, and an exit surface 2c composed of a plane for emitting subject light reflected and deflected by the inner surface reflecting surface 2b. In addition, the internal reflection surface of the prism body 2 is configured to bend the optical path of the subject light at an angle of 90 ° by reflecting and deflecting the subject light when the subject light is perpendicularly incident on the incident surface 2a. ing. The prism body 2 is an example of the “reflection member” in the present invention, and the inner surface reflection surface 2b of the prism body 2 is an example of the “reflection surface” in the present invention.

  Here, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the prism body 2 is fixed to a fixed holder 24 provided with rotating shaft portions 24 a at both end portions. Further, the rotation shaft portion 24 a of the fixed holder 24 is rotatably held by the housing portion 21. Thereby, the prism body 2 is mounted inside the housing portion 21 so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft portion 24a as a rotation center.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the prism body 2 rotates in the direction of the arrow A1 in FIG. 1 so that the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 4 is blocked (see FIG. 1), and then the subject light is directed to the CCD 4. The optical path is configured to be open. Further, when the prism body 2 is rotated in the direction of arrow A2 in FIG. 2, the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 4 is opened (see FIG. 2), and the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 4 is blocked. It is configured to be possible.

  In the first embodiment, a rotation mechanism portion 30 for rotating the prism body 2 is provided on the one end side of the fixed holder 24 and outside the housing portion 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotation mechanism 30 includes two tension springs 30a and 30b, a first slide member 30c and a second slide member 30d that are slidably movable up and down, A first engagement member 30e that engages with the engagement portion 301c of the first slide member 30c and a second engagement member 30f that engages with the engagement portion 301d of the second slide member 30d are provided. One end of the tension spring 30a is fixed to a boss 302c provided on the first slide member 30c, and the other end is fixed to a boss 302d provided on the second slide member 30d. ing. One end portion of the tension spring 30b is fixed to a boss portion 21a provided in the housing portion 21, and the other end portion is fixed to a boss portion 303d provided in the second slide member 30d. . A boss portion 24b is provided on one end side of the fixed holder 24, and the boss portion of the fixed holder 24 is moved to the first slide member 30c when the first slide member 30c slides upward. A protrusion 303c is provided for lifting 24b upward.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, torsion springs 25 are attached to the rotation shaft portion 24 a of the fixed holder 24. One end portion of the torsion spring 25 is fixed to a convex portion 24 c provided on the fixed holder 24, and the other end portion is fixed to a convex portion 21 b provided on the housing portion 21. Thereby, when the prism body 2 is rotated in the direction of arrow A1 shown in FIG. 1 by the rotation mechanism unit 30, the direction of rotation of the prism body 2 to the torsion spring 25 (direction of arrow A1) is opposite. An urging force for urging in the direction of arrow A2 in FIG. 2 is generated.

  In the first embodiment, the outer surface of the prism body 2 other than the entrance surface 2a and the exit surface 2c is subjected to a light shielding process. Further, the inner surface of the housing portion 21 is subjected to an antireflection treatment. Thus, when the prism body 2 is in the state shown in FIG. 1 (normal state), the optical path of the subject light is blocked and the subject light is not incident on the second lens unit 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second lens unit 3 is composed of a plurality of lens groups 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d. The lens groups 3 a and 3 c are fixed lens groups fixed to the fixed barrel 22, and the lens groups 3 b and 3 d are movable lenses respectively held by movable rings 22 a and 22 b provided on the fixed barrel 22. Is a group. Further, the lens groups 3b and 3d, which are moving lens groups, are configured to perform zooming and correction of image plane fluctuations by moving on the optical axis 101.

  The second lens unit 3 is disposed in the apparatus main body so that the optical axis 101 is parallel to the vertical direction V. In addition, an aperture mechanism unit 26 is provided above the second lens unit 3, and an optical filter 27 is fixed to the lower side of the second lens unit 3. The lens groups 3a to 3d are composed of positive and negative lens combinations that provide an effect such as a low-pass filter (such as a wide-angle lens or a fisheye lens) that optically improves quality.

  A CCD 4 is disposed below the second lens unit 3. The CCD 4 is fixed to an electrical board 23 provided at the lower end of the fixed barrel 22. A motor 28 for moving the lens groups 3b and 3d, which are moving lens groups, is attached to the lower part of the electrical board 23.

  The CCD 4 is a CCD image sensor constituted by photoelectric conversion elements. In the first embodiment, an FFT (Full Frame Transfer) type CCD sensor (FFT-CCD) having no electronic shutter function is used. . In this FFT-CCD, since an imaging region (light receiving region) for capturing a subject image is not separated from a storage region for accumulating charges, the light receiving region and the storage region are separated, and the separated accumulation region is shielded from light. Thus, the device area is smaller than that of an FT (Frame Transfer) type CCD sensor having an electronic shutter function or an FIT (Frame Inter Transfer) type CCD sensor. For this reason, by using an FFT CCD sensor that does not have an electronic shutter function, it is possible to reduce the size of the electrical board 23 on which the CCD 4 is fixed, and thus the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced. .

  The CCD 4 captures a subject image formed on the imaging surface (light-receiving surface) of the CCD 4 by a photographing optical system such as the second lens unit 3, and outputs an analog image signal of the captured subject image to the CDS circuit unit 5 ( (See FIG. 3). The CCD 4 is an example of the “imaging unit” in the present invention.

  Further, the CDS circuit unit 5 shown in FIG. 3 has a function of performing a correlated double sampling process on the analog image signal output from the CCD 4 to remove noise included in the image signal. The noise-removed image signal is subjected to DC level adjustment by a DC reproduction circuit (not shown). The A / D converter 6 has a function of converting an image signal subjected to DC level adjustment from an analog signal to a digital signal, and a function of outputting the digitally converted image data to the DSP circuit unit 7. Have.

  Further, the DSP circuit unit 7 performs image processing such as gamma conversion and white balance processing on the digital image data digitally converted by the A / D conversion unit 6 and, as shown in FIG. The image data is output to the compression / expansion circuit unit 8. The DSP circuit unit 7 has a function of creating display image data by performing a thinning process on the image data after image processing and the digital image data expanded by the compression / decompression circuit unit 8. Yes. The signal processing in the DSP circuit unit 7 is controlled by the control unit 9.

  The compression / decompression circuit unit 8 has a function of performing signal compression processing such as JPEG conversion on image data. It should be noted that the compression rate in the compression process can be selected from a plurality of compression rates, such as the compression rate of “BASIC mode” that is normally performed and the compression rate of “FINE mode” that is lower than the compression rate of “BASIC mode”. ing. The compression / decompression circuit unit 8 has a function of performing decompression processing on the compressed image data read from the recording medium 19. The change of the compression rate is instructed from the control unit 9, and the compression process and the expansion process are controlled by the control unit 9.

  The recording medium 19 is composed of a memory card or the like, and has a function of recording image data after compression processing. The recording of data on the recording medium 19 and the reading of data from the recording medium 19 are respectively controlled by the control unit 9.

  The control unit 9 is configured to control the operation of the electronic still camera 100 by reading a control program stored in the control program storage medium 12. In addition, the electronic still camera 100 captures and captures image data obtained by capturing on the recording medium 19, and reads out the image data recorded on the recording medium 19 and displays it on the liquid crystal display unit 11. Playback mode ". In addition, when the operation mode of the electronic still camera 100 is the “shooting mode”, the control unit 9 performs the above-described CCD 4, CDS circuit unit 5, A / D conversion unit 6, DSP circuit unit 7, and compression / decompression circuit. The photographing operation and recording operation by the unit 8 are controlled. The control unit 9 is configured to control the reproduction operation by the compression / expansion circuit unit 8, the encoder unit 10, and the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the electronic still camera 100 is in the “reproduction mode”.

  The encoder unit 10 has a function of converting display image data or menu display data into a signal necessary for display on the liquid crystal display unit 11 and outputting the signal to the liquid crystal display unit 11. The liquid crystal display unit 11 is configured to display an image or a menu based on the input signal.

  Further, the motor driver 29 is configured to drive the motor 28 according to an instruction from the control unit 9. Thereby, the lens groups 3 b and 3 d of the second lens unit 3 are configured to move on the optical axis 101 of the second lens unit 3.

  Further, the control mechanism unit 31 is configured to control the rotation mechanism unit 30 for rotating the prism body 2 according to an instruction from the control unit 9. Specifically, the first engagement member 30e and the second engagement member 30f are rotated by an electromagnetic plunger (not shown), and the second slide member 30d is returned to the initial state by a motor (not shown). Has been.

  The shutter button 13 is configured to output an operation signal for photographing a subject to the control unit 9 by an operation by a photographer. Further, the operation mode changeover switch 14 outputs an operation signal for switching the electronic still camera 100 to one of the “shooting mode” and the “reproduction mode” to the control unit 9 in accordance with an operation by the photographer. It is configured as follows. The menu setting button 15 is configured to output an operation signal for menu setting to the control unit 9. The selection button 16 is configured to output an operation signal for changing the contents displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 to the control unit 9 when the menu is set. The determination button 17 is configured to output an operation signal for determining the content displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the menu is set to the control unit 9. The delete button 18 is configured to output to the control unit 9 an operation signal for deleting the content displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the menu is set.

  6 to 8 are side views for explaining the rotation operation of the prism body of the electronic still camera according to the first embodiment. With reference to FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 6-8, the rotation operation | movement of the prism body 2 of the electronic still camera 100 by 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, in the initial state (normal state), the prism body 2 is in a state where the incident surface 2a is parallel to the optical axis 101 of the incident light, as shown in FIG. That is, in the initial state (normal state), the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 4 is blocked by the prism body 2.

  Next, when the shutter button 13 is pressed by the photographer, as shown in FIG. 3, a drive instruction is issued from the control unit 9 to the control mechanism unit 31, and the first engagement member 30e moves in the direction of arrow B1 in FIG. Rotate. Thereby, the engagement between the first engagement member 30e and the engagement portion 301c of the first slide member 30c is released, and the first slide member 30c is moved upward by the biasing force of the tension spring 30a as shown in FIG. Move to slide. At this time, the boss portion 24b of the fixing holder 24 that fixes the prism body 2 is lifted upward by the protruding portion 303c of the first slide member 30c. As a result, the prism body 2 rotates in the arrow A1 direction about the rotation shaft portion 24a.

  Then, the prism body 2 stops at a position rotated about 90 ° in the direction of the arrow A1, and the prism body 2 enters the state shown in FIG. 7, and the optical path of the subject light is released. That is, the subject light incident from the incident surface 2 a of the prism body 2 is reflected and deflected by the inner surface reflecting surface 2 b of the prism body 2, and its optical path is bent at an angle of 90 °, and from the exit surface 2 c of the prism body 2. It is injected. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the subject light is incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD 4 via the second lens unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the prism body 2 is rotated in the arrow A1 direction, the prism body 2 is rotated in the rotation direction (arrow A1 direction) to the torsion spring 25 attached to the rotation shaft portion 24a. A biasing force that biases in the direction of the arrow A2 that is the opposite direction to () is generated.

  Next, after a predetermined time has elapsed, a drive instruction is issued from the control unit 9 to the control mechanism unit 31, and the second engagement member 30f rotates in the direction of the arrow C1 in FIG. As a result, the engagement between the second engagement member 30f and the engagement portion 301d of the second slide member 30d is released, and the first slide member 30c and the first slide member 30c are moved by the biasing force of the tension spring 30b as shown in FIG. The two slide members 30d are simultaneously slid downward. Then, the urging force of the torsion spring 25 causes the prism body 2 to rotate in the direction of the arrow A2, and stops in the state shown in FIG. 8, which is the same state as the initial state. Thereby, the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 4 is blocked again.

  As described above, the light receiving surface of the CCD 4 is exposed for a predetermined time by the rotation of the prism body 2, and a subject image is captured. During the charge transfer of the CCD 4, the optical path of the subject light is blocked by the prism body 2. Further, the rotation operation of the prism body 2 and the CCD 4 can operate in conjunction with each other, and high-speed continuous shooting, low-illuminance shooting, and the like can be performed.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the light receiving time (exposure time) of the subject light is reduced by opening and closing the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 4 by rotating the prism body 2. Since it can control by rotation of the body 2, the prism body 2 can be functioned as a mechanical shutter. That is, the subject light path is released from the state in which the subject light path to the CCD 4 is blocked, and the prism body 2 is rotated so as to block the subject light path again after a predetermined period of time, thereby rotating the subject light. Therefore, the light reception time (exposure time) can be controlled without providing a separate mechanical shutter mechanism. As a result, the apparatus main body can be reduced in size compared with the case where a mechanical shutter mechanism is separately provided.

  In the first embodiment, the prism body 2 is rotated so as to block the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 4 at the time of photographing, so that light is transferred to the light receiving surface of the CCD 4 during the charge transfer of the CCD 4. Since the incidence can be suppressed, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a smear phenomenon due to the strong light entering the light receiving surface of the CCD 4 during charge transfer. For this reason, even when shooting a situation containing a strong light source, a good shot image can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, the prism body 2 having the inner reflection surface 2b for reflecting and deflecting the incident subject light is mounted in the housing portion 21 so that the optical axis 101 of the incident subject light is 90 °. Since the second lens unit 3 can be bent at an angle, the second lens unit 3 can be arranged in the apparatus main body so that the optical axis 101 is parallel to the vertical direction V. Therefore, the length of the apparatus body in the horizontal direction H can be shortened compared to the case where the second lens unit 3 is disposed in the apparatus body so that the optical axis 101 thereof is parallel to the horizontal direction H. The entire apparatus can be reduced in size.

  In the first embodiment, a moving lens group that moves on the optical axis 101 of the subject light is provided between the prism body 2 and the CCD 4 so that the second lens unit 3 moves on the optical axis 101. Even when the lens group is provided in the electronic still camera 100, it is possible to easily suppress an increase in the horizontal length of the apparatus main body, and thus the entire apparatus can be easily downsized.

  In the first embodiment, since the prism body 2 can be rotated to function as a mechanical shutter, the imaging unit (imaging device) for imaging a subject image does not have an electronic shutter function. A CCD 4 which is an FFT type CCD sensor can be used. Therefore, the size of the electrical board 23 for fixing the image sensor can be reduced as compared with the case where an FT type CCD sensor having an electronic shutter function, a FIT type CCD sensor, or the like is used. It can be downsized.

(Second Embodiment)
9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of a main part of an electronic still camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic still camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 12 to 15 are views for explaining an electronic still camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 9 to 15, in the second embodiment, a case will be described in which a CCD 104 having an electronic shutter function is used, unlike the first embodiment. Since the structure other than the CCD 104, the electronic shutter control unit 105, the fixed holder 124, and the rotation mechanism unit 130 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the electronic still camera 150 according to the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, in the initial state (normal state), as shown in FIG. 9, the prism body 2 has an incident surface 2a that is the optical axis of the subject light. It is mounted in a state orthogonal to 101. For this reason, the optical path of the subject light is open, and in the normal state (initial state), the light receiving surface of the CCD 104 is always exposed to the subject light.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the CCD 104 uses an IT (interline transfer) type CCD sensor (IT-CCD) having an electronic shutter function. The CCD 104 has two-dimensionally arranged charge storage elements 104a that photoelectrically convert received light into electrical signals for each pixel, and a plurality of vertical transfers that transfer charges accumulated in the charge storage elements 104a in the vertical direction. A path 104b and a horizontal transfer path (not shown) that transfers the charges transferred from the vertical transfer path 104b in the horizontal direction are provided. Further, between each charge storage element 104a and the vertical transfer path 104b, a transfer gate (TG) 104c that transfers the charge stored in the charge storage element 104a to the vertical transfer path 104b, and stored in each charge storage element 104a. An overflow drain (OFD) 104e is provided for discharging the unnecessary charges to the charge discharging unit 104d. The electronic shutter control unit 105 (see FIG. 11) is configured to control the TG 104c and the OFD 104e. The CCD 104 is an example of the “imaging unit” in the present invention, and the charge storage element 104a is an example of the “charge storage unit” in the present invention.

  As described above, the electronic still camera 150 according to the second embodiment is configured so that the subject light incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD 104 is imaged by the electronic shutter function of the CCD 104.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the prism body 2 is fixed to a fixed holder 124 having rotating shaft portions 124a provided at both end portions. Further, the rotation shaft portion 124 a of the fixed holder 124 is rotatably held by the housing portion 21, whereby the prism body 2 is arranged inside the housing portion 21 with the rotation shaft portion 124 a as the rotation center. It is mounted so that it can rotate.

  Here, in the second embodiment, the prism body 2 rotates in the direction of arrow A3 in FIG. 9 to open the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 104 (see FIG. 9) to the CCD 4 of the subject light. The optical path is configured to be blocked. Further, when the prism body 2 rotates in the direction of arrow A4 in FIG. 10, the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 104 is blocked (see FIG. 10), and the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 4 is opened. It is configured to be possible.

  Further, a rotation mechanism portion 130 for rotating the prism body 2 is provided on one end side of the fixed holder 124 and outside the housing portion 21. As shown in FIG. 12, the rotation mechanism unit 130 includes two tension springs 130a and 130b, a first slide member 130c and a second slide member 130d that are slidable up and down, The first engagement member 130e is engaged with the engagement portion 131c of the first slide member 130c, and the second engagement member 130f is engaged with the engagement portion 131d of the second slide member 130d. One end of the tension spring 130a is fixed to a boss 132c provided on the first slide member 130c, and the other end is fixed to a boss 132d provided on the second slide member 130d. ing. One end portion of the tension spring 130b is fixed to a boss portion 21a provided in the housing portion 21, and the other end portion is fixed to a boss portion 133d provided in the second slide member 130d. . A boss portion 124b is provided on one end side of the fixed holder 124, and the first slide member 130c has a boss portion of the fixed holder 124 when the first slide member 130c slides upward. A protrusion 133c is provided for lifting 124b upward.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a torsion spring 25 is attached to the rotation shaft portion 124a of the fixed holder 124, respectively. One end portion of the torsion spring 25 is fixed to a convex portion 124 c provided on the fixed holder 124, and the other end portion is fixed to a convex portion 21 b provided on the housing portion 21. Thereby, when the prism body 2 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A3 shown in FIG. 9 by the rotation mechanism unit 130, the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the prism body 2 (arrow A3 direction) is applied to the torsion spring 25. The urging force for urging in the direction of arrow A4 in FIG.

  16 to 18 are side views for explaining the rotation operation of the prism body of the electronic still camera according to the second embodiment. The rotation operation of the prism body 2 of the electronic still camera 150 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, in the initial state (normal state), as shown in FIG. 9, the prism body 2 is mounted on the housing portion 21 with the incident surface 2 a orthogonal to the optical axis 101 of the first lens portion 1. That is, in the initial state, the optical path of the subject light is opened by the prism body 2. Therefore, a subject image can be captured by the electronic shutter function of the CCD 104.

  In this state, when the photographer presses the shutter button 13, a subject image is picked up by the electronic shutter function of the CCD 104, and from the control unit 9 to the control mechanism unit 31 at the timing of the end of image pick-up (before charge transfer). A drive instruction is issued, and the first engagement member 130e rotates in the direction of arrow B2 in FIG. As a result, the engagement between the first engagement member 130e and the engagement portion 131c of the first slide member 130c is released, and the first slide member 130c is moved upward by the biasing force of the tension spring 130a as shown in FIG. Move to slide. At this time, the boss portion 124b of the fixing holder 124 that fixes the prism body 2 is lifted upward by the protruding portion 133c of the first slide member 130c. As a result, the prism body 2 rotates in the direction of arrow A3 about the rotation shaft portion 124a.

  Then, the prism body 2 stops at a position rotated about 90 ° in the direction of the arrow A3, and the prism body 2 enters the state shown in FIG. 17, and the optical path of the subject light is blocked. During this time, the electronic shutter control unit 105 transfers charges generated and accumulated by receiving the subject light.

  As shown in FIG. 17, when the prism body 2 is rotated in the direction of arrow A3, the prism body 2 is rotated in the direction of rotation (in the direction of arrow A3) to the torsion spring 25 attached to the rotation shaft portion 124a. A biasing force that biases in the direction of arrow A4, which is the opposite direction to () is generated.

  Next, when the charge transfer of the CCD 104 is completed, a drive instruction is issued from the control unit 9 to the control mechanism unit 31, and the second engagement member 130f rotates in the direction of arrow C2 in FIG. Thereby, the engagement between the second engagement member 130f and the engagement portion 131d of the second slide member 130d is released, and the first slide member 130c and the second slide member 130d are simultaneously moved by the urging force of the tension spring 130b. Slide down. Then, the urging force of the torsion spring 25 causes the prism body 2 to rotate in the direction of arrow A4, and stops in the state shown in FIG. 18, which is the same state as the initial state. As a result, the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 104 is opened again.

  FIG. 19 is a time chart showing driving states of the prism body, OFD, and TG at the time of photographing. FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining a photographing operation of the electronic still camera according to the second embodiment. Next, an imaging operation of the electronic still camera 150 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 14 to 20.

  First, in step S1 of FIG. 20, the controller 9 determines whether or not the shutter button 13 (see FIG. 11) has been half-pressed. In step S1, when the control unit 9 determines that the shutter button 13 is not half-pressed, the determination as to whether or not the shutter button 13 is half-pressed in step S1 is repeated. On the other hand, if the controller 9 determines that the shutter button 13 has been half-pressed in step S1, the motor 28 is driven by the motor driver 29 in step S2, and the lens group of the second lens unit 3 is driven. 3b and 3d are moved to focus the subject image.

  Next, in step S3, the controller 9 determines whether or not the shutter button 13 has been fully pressed. In step S3, when the control unit 9 determines that the shutter button 13 is not fully pressed, the process returns to step S1 and the operations of steps S1 to S3 are repeated. On the other hand, if the control unit 9 determines in step S3 that the shutter button 13 is fully pressed, the electronic shutter control unit 105 captures a subject image using the electronic shutter in step S4.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 19, by outputting a drive pulse for making the TG 104c chargeable, and outputting a drive pulse for discharging unnecessary charges from the OFD 104e, The charge remaining in the charge storage element 104a is discharged to the charge discharging unit 104d. When all the residual charges in the charge storage element 104a are discharged, charge storage in the charge storage element 104a is started.

  Next, when the charge accumulation time shown in FIG. 19 elapses, a drive pulse for making the charge transferable TG 104c into a charge transferable state is issued, and as shown in FIG. The charges accumulated in 104a are transferred to the vertical transfer path 104b.

  Next, in step S5 of FIG. 20, as shown in FIG. 19, the rotation mechanism unit 130 is driven at a timing when the charge stored in the charge storage element 104a is transferred to the vertical transfer path 104b by the control mechanism unit 31. Then, the first engaging member 130e is rotated in the direction of arrow B2 in FIG. 16, and the prism body 2 is rotated in the direction of arrow A3. As a result, the optical path of the subject light is blocked.

  Next, in step S6 of FIG. 20, the electronic shutter control unit 105 determines whether or not the charge transfer is completed. If the electronic shutter control unit 105 determines in step S6 that the charge transfer has not ended, the determination as to whether or not the charge transfer in step S6 has ended is repeated. On the other hand, if the electronic shutter control unit 105 determines in step S6 that the charge transfer has ended, in step S7, the control mechanism unit 31 causes the second engagement member 130f to move in the direction of the arrow C2 in FIG. It is rotated. Thereby, the prism body 2 rotates in the arrow A4 direction, and the optical path of the subject light is opened again as shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S <b> 8 of FIG. 20, the control unit 9 performs image processing on the subject image captured by the CCD 104. In step S <b> 9, the subject image that has undergone image processing is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. Thereby, the imaging operation of the electronic still camera 150 according to the second embodiment is completed. Note that the rotation operation of the prism body 2 and the CCD 104 can operate in conjunction with each other, and high-speed continuous shooting, low-illuminance shooting, and the like can be performed.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the CCD 104 is an IT-CCD having an electronic shutter function, so that it is possible to perform imaging while controlling the time for taking out an electric signal. The shutter speed can be increased as compared with the case where imaging is performed.

  In the second embodiment, the light beam is incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD 104 during the charge transfer of the CCD 104 by rotating the prism body 2 during the charge transfer to block (shield) the light path of the subject light. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a smear phenomenon due to the occurrence of the phenomenon.

(Third embodiment)
21 and 22 are cross-sectional views of a main part of an electronic still camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 23 and 24 are views for explaining the structure of the reflector plate of the electronic still camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 21-24, this 3rd Embodiment demonstrates the case where the reflecting mirror plate 202 is used instead of the prism body 2 in the said 2nd Embodiment. Since the structure other than the reflecting mirror plate 202, the fixed holder 203, the housing part 221, and the rotation mechanism part 230 is the same as that of the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the electronic still camera 200 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a reflector plate 202 is mounted on the back side (inside the apparatus) of the first lens unit 1. The reflecting mirror plate 202 has a mirror surface portion 202a for reflecting and deflecting subject light. Further, the reflecting mirror plate 202 is fixed to a fixed holder 203 having a rotating shaft portion 203a at both end portions on one end side so that the mirror surface portion 202a is exposed to the outside. Further, the rotation shaft portion 203 a of the fixed holder 203 is held by the housing portion 221. Thereby, the reflecting mirror plate 202 is mounted inside the housing portion 221 so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft portion 203a. The reflecting mirror plate 202 is an example of the “reflecting member” and “reflecting plate” in the present invention.

  In addition, on the one end side of the fixed holder 203, a rotating mechanism unit 230 for rotating the reflecting mirror plate 202 is provided outside the housing unit 221. As shown in FIG. 23, the rotating mechanism 230 includes two tension springs 230a and 230b, a first slide member 230c and a second slide member 230d that are slidable up and down, A first engagement member 230e that engages with the engagement portion 231c of the first slide member 230c and a second engagement member 230f that engages with the engagement portion 231d of the second slide member 230d are provided. One end of the tension spring 230a is fixed to a boss 233c provided on the first slide member 230c, and the other end is fixed to a boss 221a provided on the housing 221. . One end of the tension spring 230b is fixed to a boss 232c provided on the first slide member 230c, and the other end is fixed to a boss 232d provided on the second slide member 230d. ing. A boss portion 203b is provided on one end side of the fixed holder 203, and the second slide member 230d has a boss portion of the fixed holder 203 when the second slide member 230d slides downward. A protrusion 233d is provided to push down 203b.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, a torsion spring 204 is attached to the rotation shaft portion 203a of the fixed holder 203, respectively. One end portion of the torsion spring 204 is fixed to a convex portion 203 c provided on the fixed holder 203, and the other end portion is fixed to a convex portion 221 b provided on the housing portion 221. Thereby, when the reflecting mirror plate 202 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A5 shown in FIG. 21 by the rotating mechanism 230, the direction of the reflecting mirror plate 202 to the torsion spring 204 is opposite to the rotating direction (the direction of the arrow A5). The urging force for urging in the direction of arrow A6 in FIG.

  Further, the inner surface of the housing part 221 is subjected to antireflection treatment, and even when subject light is irradiated on the inner surface of the housing part 221 by rotating the reflecting mirror plate 202, Thus, the subject light is not scattered.

  Further, in the initial state (normal state) shown in FIG. 21, the reflecting mirror plate 202 is tilted at an angle θ (= 45 °) by the mirror surface portion 202a of the reflecting mirror plate 202 with respect to the optical axis 101 of the first lens unit 1. It is configured as follows. Thus, the subject light incident on the reflecting mirror plate 202 is reflected and deflected by the mirror surface portion 202a, and its optical path is bent at an angle of 90 °. In the initial state shown in FIG. The optical path to the CCD 104 is open.

  Further, when the reflecting mirror plate 202 rotates in the direction of arrow A5 in FIG. 21, the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 104 is opened (see FIG. 21), and the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 104 is blocked. It is configured to be possible. Further, when the reflecting mirror plate 202 rotates in the direction of arrow A6 in FIG. 22, the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 104 is blocked (see FIG. 22), and the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 104 is opened. It is configured to be possible.

  FIGS. 25 to 27 are side views for explaining the turning operation of the reflecting mirror plate of the electronic still camera according to the third embodiment. Next, with reference to FIG. 21, FIG. 22, and FIG. 25 to FIG. 27, the rotation operation of the reflector plate 202 of the electronic still camera 200 according to the third embodiment will be described.

  First, in an initial state (normal state), as shown in FIG. 21, the reflecting mirror plate 202 is a housing whose mirror surface portion 202a is inclined at an angle of θ (= 45 °) with the optical axis 101 of the first lens portion 1. It is attached to the part 221. That is, in the initial state, the optical path of the subject light is opened by the reflecting mirror plate 202. Therefore, a subject image can be captured by the electronic shutter function of the CCD 104.

  In this state, when the photographer presses the shutter button 13, a subject image is picked up by the electronic shutter function of the CCD 104, and from the control unit 9 to the control mechanism unit 31 at the timing of the end of image pick-up (before charge transfer). A drive instruction is issued, and the second engagement member 230f rotates in the direction of arrow C3 in FIG. Thereby, the engagement between the second engagement member 230f and the engagement portion 231d of the second slide member 230d is released, and the urging force of the tension spring 230b causes the second slide member 230d to move downward as shown in FIG. Move to slide. At this time, the boss portion 203b of the fixing holder 203 that fixes the reflector plate 202 is pushed downward by the protruding portion 233d of the second slide member 230d. Thereby, the reflecting mirror plate 202 rotates in the arrow A5 direction around the rotation shaft portion 203a.

  Then, the reflecting mirror plate 202 stops at a position rotated by about 45 °, and the reflecting mirror plate 202 enters the state shown in FIG. 26, and the optical path of the subject light is blocked. During this time, the electronic shutter control unit 105 transfers charges.

  As shown in FIG. 26, when the reflector plate 202 is rotated in the direction of arrow A5, the reflector plate 202 is rotated in the direction of rotation (in the direction of arrow A5) to the torsion spring 204 attached to the rotation shaft portion 203a. A biasing force that biases in the direction of arrow A6, which is the opposite direction to () is generated.

  Next, when the charge transfer of the CCD 104 is completed, a drive instruction is issued from the control unit 9 to the control mechanism unit 31, and the first engagement member 230e rotates in the direction of arrow B3 in FIG. Thereby, the engagement between the first engagement member 230e and the engagement portion 231d of the first slide member 230c is released, and the first slide member 230c and the second slide member 230d are simultaneously moved by the biasing force of the tension spring 230a. Slide upward. Then, due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 204, the reflecting mirror plate 202 rotates in the direction of arrow A6 and stops in the state shown in FIG. 27, which is the same state as the initial state. As a result, the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 104 is opened again.

  Note that the imaging operation of the electronic still camera 200 according to the third embodiment is performed in the same manner as the imaging operation of the electronic still camera 150 according to the second embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, as described above, the reflecting member that reflects and deflects the optical path of the subject light is configured by the reflecting mirror plate 202 having the mirror surface portion 202a, so that the reflecting member is configured by the prism body 2. Since the volume can be reduced, the weight of the reflecting member can be reduced. For this reason, since the rotation speed can be increased as compared with the case where the reflecting member is constituted by a prism body, the optical path of the subject light to the CCD 104 can be instantaneously interrupted during the charge transfer of the CCD 104. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of a smear phenomenon due to the strong light entering the CCD 104 during charge transfer, so that a good captured image can be obtained more easily.

  In the third embodiment, by using the reflecting mirror plate 202 instead of the prism body 2 according to the first and second embodiments, the angle at which the reflecting mirror plate 202 is rotated in order to block and open the optical path of the subject light. (About 45 °) can be made smaller than the rotation angle (about 90 °) of the prism body 2, so that the rotation speed of the reflector plate 202 can also be increased.

  Other effects are the same as those of the second embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 28 is a perspective view for explaining the structures of the prism body and the rotation mechanism of the electronic still camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 28, in the fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which the prism body 2 is rotated by the rotation mechanism unit 310 constituted by a cam, unlike the first to third embodiments. Since the structure other than the rotation mechanism unit 310 is the same as that of the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the electronic still camera 300 according to the fourth embodiment, the prism body 2 similar to that of the second embodiment is fixed to the fixing holder 124 so as to be rotatably mounted inside the housing portion 21. A rotation mechanism 310 for rotating the prism body 2 is provided on the one end side of the fixed holder 124 and outside the housing portion 21.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the rotating mechanism 310 includes a cam plate 310c in which a boss portion 124b of the fixed holder 124 is inserted and a cam groove 311c that guides the movement of the inserted boss portion 124b. The sliding members 310a and 310b for guiding the sliding movement of the cam plate 310c, the engaging member 310d for engaging with the engaging portion 312c of the cam plate 310c, and for biasing the cam plate 310c in the direction of arrow E A tension spring 310g and a pin member 310f provided so as to be movable up and down are provided.

  Further, one end of the tension spring 310g is fixed to the convex portion 313c of the cam plate 310c, and the other end is fixed to an apparatus main body (not shown). Further, in the initial state, the cam plate 310c is disposed on one end side (arrow F direction side) of the slide members 310a and 310b, whereby the tension spring 310g is stretched. In this state, the boss portion 124b of the fixed holder 124 is located on the left end side (arrow E direction side) of the cam groove 311c, and the engaging portion 312c and the engaging member 310d of the cam plate 310c are engaged with each other. It is in a combined state. The cam plate 310c is urged in the direction of arrow E by the urging force of the tension spring 310g.

  FIGS. 29 to 31 are side views for explaining the rotation operation of the prism body of the electronic still camera according to the fourth embodiment. Next, with reference to FIGS. 29 to 31, the rotation operation of the prism body 2 of the electronic still camera 300 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

  First, in the initial state (normal state), as shown in FIG. 29, the prism body 2 is in a state where the incident surface 2 a is orthogonal to the optical axis 101. From this state, when the engagement member 310d rotates in the direction of arrow D, the engagement between the engagement member 310d and the engagement portion 312c of the cam plate 310c is released, and as shown in FIG. 30, the tension spring 310g is attached. The cam plate 310c slides in the direction of arrow E while being guided by the slide members 310a and 310b by the force. At this time, the boss portion 124b of the fixed holder 124 inserted into the cam groove 311c is guided along the cam groove 311c, whereby the boss portion 124b is lifted upward. As a result, the prism body 2 rotates in the direction of the arrow A7 with the rotation shaft portion 124a of the fixed holder 124 as the rotation center. The cam plate 310c and the pin member 310f come into contact with each other at a position where the prism body 2 is rotated by about 90 ° in the direction of the arrow A7, and the movement of the cam plate 310c is stopped.

  Next, when the pin member 310f moves downward (in the direction of arrow G) after a predetermined time has elapsed, the cam plate 310c slides again in the direction of arrow E due to the urging force of the tension spring 310g. At this time, the boss portion 124b of the fixed holder 124 is guided along the cam groove 311c, whereby the boss portion 124b is pushed downward. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 31, the prism body 2 rotates in the direction of arrow A8 with the rotation shaft portion 124a of the fixed holder 124 as the rotation center. Then, the cam plate 310c stops at the left end (arrow E direction) portion of the slide members 310a and 310b, and stops at a position where the prism body 2 rotates about 90 ° in the arrow A8 direction. As described above, the prism body 2 is rotated by the rotation mechanism unit 310 according to the fourth embodiment.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent are included.

  For example, in the above first to fourth embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic still camera has been shown. The invention may be applied.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the example in which the CCD sensor is used as the imaging unit for capturing the subject image has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an imaging unit other than the CCD sensor is used. Also good. As an imaging unit other than the CCD sensor, for example, a CMOS image sensor can be considered. Moreover, you may make it use imaging parts other than imaging elements, such as a CCD sensor and a CMOS image sensor.

  Moreover, although the example which fixed the prism body or the reflecting mirror plate to the fixed holder was shown in the said 1st-4th embodiment, this invention is not limited to this, A rotating shaft part is provided in a prism body or a reflecting mirror plate. Therefore, it may be configured to be rotatably mounted without being fixed to the fixed holder.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the example in which the prism member or the reflecting mirror plate is used as the reflecting member is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to reflect and deflect subject light. Alternatively, a reflecting member other than the prism body or the reflector plate may be used.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, an example in which a plurality of lens groups are provided in the second lens unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first lens unit and the second lens unit are The lens group may be arranged so as to share the refractive index of the subject light via the reflecting member.

  Moreover, in the said 1st-4th embodiment, although the example which comprised the prism body or the reflector plate so that it might rotate with a mechanical mechanism was shown, this invention is not limited to this, A prism body or a reflector plate is shown. Alternatively, it may be configured to be electrically rotated by a motor or the like. Moreover, you may comprise so that a prism body or a reflector plate may be rotated using mechanisms other than the above-mentioned rotation mechanism.

  Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the example in which the rotation mechanism unit for rotating the prism body or the reflector plate is provided on one side end side of the prism body or the reflector plate is shown. Not only this but a rotation mechanism part may be provided in the both-ends side of a prism body or a reflector plate, respectively. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to rotate a prism body or a reflector plate more stably.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the example in which the optical path of the subject light is bent at an angle of 90 ° by the prism body or the reflecting mirror plate is shown. The optical path of the subject light may be bent at an angle other than 90 ° by reflecting and deflecting the light.

  Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the example in which the optical path of the subject light is blocked and opened by rotating the prism body or the reflector plate is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the optical path of the subject light can be blocked and opened, a moving operation other than rotation may be performed. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the optical path of the subject light may be blocked and opened by sliding the prism body up and down. Further, the reflecting mirror plate may be configured to slide up and down similarly to the prism body shown in FIGS. 32 and 33.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, an example in which a plurality of lens groups each including a combination of a fixed lens group and a moving lens group is provided in the second lens unit is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The configuration of the lens group of the first lens unit and the second lens unit may be a configuration other than the configuration of the lens group described above.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the example in which the moving lens group that moves on the optical axis is provided in the second lens unit is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration in which the moving lens group is not provided It may be.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, an example in which a CCD having an electronic shutter function is used and the prism body or the reflector plate is rotated to block the optical path of the subject light during charge transfer is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the prism body or the reflector plate may be configured to function as a mechanical shutter as in the first embodiment.

  In the first, second and fourth embodiments, the incident surface and the exit surface of the prism body are flat. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and subject light is reflected and deflected by the inner reflection surface. If possible, the entrance surface and the exit surface may have a shape other than a plane.

  In the second to fourth embodiments, an example in which an IT-type CCD sensor is used as an imaging unit having an electronic shutter function has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an imaging unit having an electronic shutter function ( As long as it is an imaging device, a CCD sensor other than the IT system may be used. Further, a CMOS image sensor having an electronic shutter function and other imaging elements may be used.

It is principal part sectional drawing of the electronic still camera by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing of the electronic still camera by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic still camera by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the prism body and rotation mechanism part of the electronic still camera by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view for demonstrating the structure of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 1st Embodiment. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 1st Embodiment. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 1st Embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the prism body and rotation mechanism part of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view for demonstrating the structure of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows the electronic shutter function of CCD of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows the electronic shutter function of CCD of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment. It is a time chart which shows the drive state of each prism body, OFD, and TG at the time of imaging | photography. It is a flowchart for demonstrating imaging | photography operation | movement of the electronic still camera by 2nd Embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing of the electronic still camera by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing of the electronic still camera by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the reflecting mirror plate of the electronic still camera by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the reflecting mirror plate of the electronic still camera by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the reflecting mirror plate of the electronic still camera by 3rd Embodiment. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the reflecting mirror plate of the electronic still camera by 3rd Embodiment. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the reflecting mirror plate of the electronic still camera by 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the structure of the prism body and rotation mechanism part of the electronic still camera by 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 4th Embodiment. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 4th Embodiment. It is a side view for demonstrating rotation operation | movement of the prism body of the electronic still camera by 4th Embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing of the electronic still camera by the modification of this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing of the electronic still camera by the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st lens part 2 Prism body (reflective member)
2a Incident surface 2b Internal reflection surface (reflection surface)
2c Ejection surface 3 Second lens unit 9 Control unit 13 Shutter button 21, 221 Housing unit 23 Electrical board 24, 124, 203 Fixed holder 30, 130, 230, 310 Rotating mechanism unit 4, 104 CCD (imaging unit)
104a Charge storage element (charge storage unit)
105 Electronic shutter control unit 202 Reflector plate (reflective member, reflector)
202a Mirror surface (reflection surface)

Claims (5)

A reflective member that includes a reflective surface that reflects and deflects incident subject light and is movably provided;
An imaging unit that captures a subject image by receiving the subject light reflected and deflected by the reflecting surface of the reflecting member;
The imaging apparatus, wherein the reflecting member is configured to open and block an optical path of the subject light to the imaging unit by moving during imaging.   The imaging unit includes a charge accumulation unit that accumulates charges generated by receiving the subject light, and has an electronic shutter function that electrically controls a charge accumulation time in the charge accumulation unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflection member is a prism body having an inner surface reflection surface of an inclined surface as the reflection surface.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the reflection member is a reflection plate having a mirror surface portion as the reflection surface.   The imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a lens group that moves on an optical axis of the subject light is provided between the reflecting member and the imaging unit. apparatus.

Images