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Description  |
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INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The disclosures of the following priority applications are herein
incorporated by reference: Japanese Patent Application No. 9-032164, filed
Feb. 17, 1997, Japanese Patent Application No. 9-146364, filed Jun. 4,
1997, and Japanese Patent Application No. 9-150840, filed Jun. 9, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to electronic devices such as, for example,
electronic cameras. More specifically, it relates to an electronic camera
which includes a photographic lens, an optical viewfinder and a screen
monitor for monitoring an image to be photographed.
2. Description of Related Art
Advancements in liquid crystal display (LCD) technology now permit LCD
screens to be used in portable devices such as digital cameras and PDA's
(Personal Digital Assistants) which are even usable outdoors. Improved
display operability has meant that LCD displays now appear in many common
consumer devices. Although the conventional electronic camera is portable,
when it is placed on a tabletop for connection to external devices and
peripherals, the camera slants, causing difficulty in viewing the screen
and difficulty operating the device.
Conventional digital cameras display object images, which are imaged by an
imaging element, such as a CCD, onto a liquid crystal monitor. In these
conventional systems, the digital camera is generally separated from the
user when taking pictures so that the user can observe the liquid crystal
monitor. For example, the digital camera may be positioned higher or lower
than the user's viewing level, which may make it difficult to properly
depress and operate operating buttons.
In response to this problem, some conventional electronic cameras include a
camera body partitioned into a main body section, which houses the
photographic elements and optical system, and a display section that
includes the display monitor. The display monitor is attached so that it
is capable of rotating around an axis perpendicular to the optical axis
even if the main camera body section attached to the liquid crystal
monitor is small.
FIG. 6 shows a conventional electronic camera which includes an electronic
camera main body 61 and display component main body 62 which are formed as
parallelepipeds having the same shape and same size and are oriented so
that their side surfaces 61a and 62a abut. The main body 61 and display
component main body 62 are connected by a rotating joint and thus rotate
freely around an axis perpendicular to the side surfaces 61a and 62a.
An imaging element, a lens unit having a lens aperture 63 located on the
side surface 61b adjacent to side surface 61a and a motor are installed
inside the camera main body 61.
Inside the display component main body 62, an LCD external display device
is disposed in a manner so that it is positioned on the top surface 62c.
The LCD displays images output from the electronic camera main body 61 as
well as menu settings and a listing of camera functions.
The conventional electronic camera shown in FIG. 6 also includes an IrDA
aperture 65 which is positioned on the side surface 62b, adjacent to the
side surface 62a and the top surface 62c of the display component main
body 62. The IrDA aperture facilitates transmission of image information
to, e.g., a personal computer and/or television and allows remote
operation of/by a personal computer via standard infrared communication.
The rotating joint described earlier includes cylindrical members fixed to
the centers of the side surfaces 61a and 62a and which have matched axes
in a direction perpendicular to the side surfaces 61a and 62a. The
cylindrical members are coupled so as to be capable of rotation. In the
hollow center of the cylindrical members, a contact lead is inserted for
connecting the constituent elements inside the display component main body
62 and the constituent elements inside the electronic camera main body 61.
An intermittent rotating mechanism is provided in the coupled section, and
the display component main body 62 and camera main body 61 can be set to
the desired angle by rotating the display component main body 62 with
respect to the camera main body 61.
In operation, a user holds the display component main body 62 or the
electronic camera main body 61 in one hand. The lens aperture 63 can be
pointed at objects above and below the user's eye level while viewing the
object with the LCD display window 64 by turning the electronic camera
main body 61 in the direction of the object to be imaged with respect to
the display component main body 62.
When operating the electronic camera, a grip is generally formed on either
the display component main body 61 or the electronic camera main body 62
in order to hold the device stabily. As shown by the dotted lines in FIG.
6, the grip section may protrude from the bottom surface 62d which is the
surface opposite the top surface 62c or on the bottom surface 61d which is
the surface opposite surface 61c and perpendicular to the side surface 61b
on which the lens aperture 63 is formed.
In order to implement the rotatable display, additional design conditions
must be considered focusing on the difficulty of operating the digital
camera controls and effectively controlling vibration (e.g., due to hand
shaking).
FIG. 19 shows a conventional electronic device including a display unit 42
having a liquid crystal display device (LCD) joined with an imaging unit
41 on which a shooting lens and an imaging device are positioned in a
manner so that the display unit 42 rotates freely relative to the imaging
unit 41. This particular device may function as a video camera or digital
still camera.
This type of electronic camera permits a user to image an object while
observing the object on a display screen as well as locations above or
below the object in order to verify the image position.
In operation, a user supports the electronic camera by holding the imaging
unit 41 with a right hand 43, and performs imaging of the object by
directing the shooting lens in a desired direction.
Conventional electronic cameras generally position the display unit on a
top face which is the widest surface of the camera, while the imaging unit
is positioned on a side face where the palm of the right hand makes
contact. This configuration makes storage difficult, particularly because
the display unit and imaging unit are not rotatable relative to one
another. Where the electronic camera includes a zooming function, the lens
unit extends in the direction of the optical axis creating an addition to
the imaging unit 41.
Conventional digital cameras, which include zoom lenses are often tall and
narrow in shape or narrow and flat, like a pair of binoculars. This
configuration permits all of the camera elements to be positioned in a
functional manner. However, unlike binoculars, which are only for viewing
objects, it is helpful to the operation of a digital camera if the display
monitor can be rotated relative to the photographic optical axis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an electronic device and display unit (e.g., an
electronic camera) with superior operability when used as a portable
device or on a desktop.
According to one aspect of the invention, a portable electronic device
includes a display component main body which has a first surface and a
first side surface which is smaller than the first surface. A device
display device is positioned on the first surface. A device main body
includes a second side surface, which is about the same height as the
first side surface, mounted to the first side surface so that the first
and second side surfaces rotate freely with respect to each other about an
axis of rotation. A grip section is provided as a projection on a surface
of the display component main body that faces in a direction opposite of
the first surface. The distance between the axis of rotation and a third
side surface that intersects the second side surface of the device main
body is equal to the distance between the axis of rotation and the surface
of the grip on the display component main body.
The portable electronic device can include an aperture for transmitting and
receiving electromagnetic waves for wireless communication. The aperture
can be formed on any surface perpendicular to the third side surface of
the portable device main body or on any surface which is perpendicular to
the first surface on the display component main body.
The portable electronic device also can include an operating button for the
external display device and an operating button for wireless communication
disposed on the first surface of the display component main body.
The display component main body and the portable device main body may be
formed roughly as parallelepipeds having roughly the same shape and same
size. The main body of the portable device can be an electronic camera
having a lens aperture on a side surface which is adjacent to the second
side surface.
With the above structure, an operator can support the display component
main body by gripping the grip portion and can slant the portable device
main body to any angle in relation to the display component main body.
This facilitates visual recognition of the screen on the external display
device on the display component main body and ease of use on a tabletop.
If the display device is placed on a tabletop, the aperture preferably is
positioned perpendicular to the tabletop. Thus, when performing wireless
communication, the aperture will face the device with which information is
being transferred. This aperture position assures high quality
transmission.
According to another aspect of the invention, the grip section is provided
as a projection on a fourth surface. The fourth surface is a surface that
intersects the second side surface of the portable device main body.
Utilizing the grip section, in the same manner described above, visual
recognition of the screen displayed by the external display device on the
display component main body and operation of the portable device can be
performed successfully.
When the distance between the axis of rotation and a fifth side surface,
which is a surface that intersects the first surface and the first side
surface of the display component main body, is made equal to the distance
between the axis of rotation and the surface of the grip on the portable
device main body, the fifth side surface and the surface of the grip can
be located on a single plane perpendicular to the first surface by
rotating the portable device main body in relation to the display
component main body. Accordingly, if the device is placed on a tabletop,
it becomes possible to keep the first surface roughly perpendicular to the
surface of the tabletop, and visual recognition of the screen and use of
the portable device on the tabletop become simplified.
The wireless communication aperture can be formed on any surface
perpendicular to the fifth side surface on the display component main body
or on any surface perpendicular to the fourth surface of the portable
device main body. Thus, the aperture is positioned perpendicular to the
tabletop when the device is placed so that the grip of the portable device
main body is in contact with the tabletop.
The portable device main body can have a lens aperture on either of the
side surfaces located adjacent to the second side surface, which makes it
possible to image an object in a desired direction while viewing the
object on the screen. Also, because it can be placed in the same manner as
portable devices with display units, it is possible to view the
photographed images and to perform all the operations of the electronic
camera on a tabletop.
The electronic camera according to this embodiment of the invention can
also accommodate a zoom lens whereby vibrations during zoom operation are
prevented due to a reliable grip which provides stability.
According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic camera includes
an imaging unit main body and a display unit main body. The imaging unit
main body includes a first face and a first side face which is
perpendicular to the first face. The display unit main body includes a
second face and a second side face which is perpendicular to the second
side face. The second face includes an external display apparatus which
displays images. The imaging unit main body and display unit main body are
joined at the first side face and the second side face whereby the imaging
unit main body and the display unit main body rotate freely with respect
to each other. In this configuration, a lens unit optical axis and an
optical viewfinder unit optical axis are lined up in the direction of
(i.e., parallel to) the first side face.
The lens unit can be closer to the first side face than is the optical
viewfinder, or vice versa.
According to another aspect of the invention, a rotary operation member is
provided which is capable of rotary operation in a scrolling direction of
the display screen of the external display apparatus of the display unit
main body. The rotary operation member is provided on a portion of the
second surface located opposite the second side surface.
With this structure, the width of the side faces may correspond to the
diameters of the apertures of the lens unit and the optical viewfinder
unit. Hence, the imaging unit main body may be formed into a thin, flat
shape where the side faces are smaller than the first face.
The display unit main body also is formed in a thin, flat shape where the
side faces are smaller than the second face which displays an image.
Hence, the overall shape is simplified.
Moreover, a high level of stability is achieved by arranging the lens unit,
which is the heaviest component, in the vicinity of the rotary parts so
that the entire apparatus may be supported by the display unit main body
with one hand, while supporting the imaging unit main body with the other
hand. Additionally, by arranging the aperture of the lens unit in the
vicinity of the rotary part, which is farthest from the support position
(the location grasped by the user), the probability of imaging failure due
to obstructions, such as a user's hand covering the aperture is minimized.
An electronic flash unit also can be positioned side by side with the
optical viewfinder unit, between the optical viewfinder unit and the face
that faces in the opposite direction of the first side face of the imaging
unit main body. In other words, the lens unit, optical viewfinder and the
electronic flash unit are positioned side by side in a narrow section
between the first face and its oppositely facing face. This facilitates
flash shooting of a still photo while maintaining the imaging unit main
body in a shape where the side faces are smaller than the first face.
In this configuration, the aperture of the electronic flash unit is
positioned with at least the width of the aperture of the optical
viewfinder unit away from the aperture of the lens unit. Hence the
probability of the occurrence of red-eye is reduced when shooting images
with a flash.
Also, with this arrangement, the electronic flash unit and the lens unit
are separated by the optical viewfinder unit. Thus, noise interference,
which interferes with the image information and is caused by the emission
of flash, may be prevented.
A display window for displaying the state of the electronic camera or a
setting button which sets the control state of the electronic camera also
can be provided. Both are arranged in a position over the lens unit in the
first face. In short, the setting button and/or the display window may be
positioned in the vicinity of the rotary part in the first face of the
imaging unit main body.
In general, the control state of the electronic camera is determined before
imaging. Thus, the operation of the setting button during imaging should
be avoided. Moreover, touching the display window should be avoided
because it causes soiling with finger prints, for example. Thus, by
holding the imaging unit main body from the opposing face of the first
side face during imaging, the probability of the user's fingers touching
the display window and the setting button, which are positioned near the
rotary part and away from the position of support, is reduced.
The display window and the setting button of the electronic camera can be
arranged side by side in the direction of the imaging optical axis of the
lens unit in the first face. The direction of the imaging optical axis is
the same as the length direction of each unit. This arrangement is the
most reasonable positional relationship when the display window and the
setting button are arranged in the vicinity of the rotary part.
The imaging button or a zooming button or both may be positioned close to
the face that faces opposite from the first side face from the position
where the display window or the setting button is arranged in the first
face.
Both the imaging button and the zooming button may be used during imaging.
Thus, a user needs to operate these buttons during imaging while
supporting the imaging unit main body. Both the operation of the buttons
and support of the imaging unit main body are reliably performed and
imaging is executed by placing the fingers in the vicinity of these
buttons in the first face and by holding the imaging unit main body from
the face opposite from the first side face, i.e., the opposing face of the
side face where the lens aperture is formed. Moreover, because the display
window and the setting button are arranged closer to the rotary part than
the imaging button and the zooming button, the probability of fingers
touching the lens is very small as long as shooting is executed while the
imaging unit main body is held in the manner described above.
Additionally by positioning the rotary operation member, which switches the
screen display of the external display apparatus, in the vicinity of the
face that is opposite the second side face of the display unit main body,
the user is able to execute rotary operation of the rotary operation
member while holding the display unit main body.
The direction of the rotary operation of the rotary operation member
coincides with the direction of scrolling of the display screen. Thus, the
user is able to scroll the display screen intuitively in the desired
direction.
The imaging unit main body and the display unit main body of the electronic
camera may also be formed at about the same shape and size, and in nearly
box shapes. This assures balance between the two segments and simplifies
the overall shape to a box-like shape when the first face of the imaging
unit main body and the second face of the display unit main body are not
rotating relative to each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings
in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electronic camera according to an
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 electronic camera illustrating
separability of components according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 electronic camera placed on a
tabletop;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electronic camera according to another
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FIG. 4 electronic camera when placed on
a tabletop;
FIG. 6 shows a conventional electronic camera with a display;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an electronic camera according to another
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of rear surface of the FIG. 7 electronic
camera;
FIG. 9 is a rear surface perspective view of the FIG. 7 electronic camera;
FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the FIG. 7 electronic camera;
FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the FIG. 7 electronic camera;
FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the electronic camera according to
another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the electronic camera according to
another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the electronic camera according to
yet another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 15 shows a vertical cross-section of the FIG. 14 electronic camera
according to cross-section line 2--2;
FIG. 16 shows a vertical cross-section of the FIG. 14 electronic camera
according to cross-section line 3--3;
FIG. 17 shows a horizontal cross-section of FIG. 14 electronic camera
according to cross-section line 4--4;
FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the FIG. 14 electronic camera; and
FIG. 19 shows a conventional electronic camera.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic camera according to an
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows the display component main body
62 and the electronic camera main body 61 which are positioned so that the
side surfaces 62a and 61a extend vertically in a height direction. In the
following description, like elements from the FIG. 6 conventional camera
have the same symbols.
With respect to FIGS. 1-5, the LCD 64 corresponds to the external display
device, the top surface 62c corresponds to a first surface, side surface
62a corresponds to a first side surface, side surface 61a corresponds to a
second side surface, and side surface 61e opposes side surface 61b, which
corresponds to a third side surface.
One difference between the conventional device shown in FIG. 6 and the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that a grip section 12 projections from the
bottom surface 62d (the side facing opposite surface 62c) of the display
component main body 62. Also, a release button 11 is disposed on the top
surface 61c of the electronic camera main body 61, and a small protrusion
14 is formed in the vicinity of the lens aperture 63 on the side surface
61b and adjacent to the surface 61d facing opposite the side surface 61a.
This small protrusion 14 is provided as an impediment which prevents the
lens aperture 63 from being covered by a user's hand. Also, operating
buttons 13 are disposed on the top surface 62c of the display component
main body 62. The operating buttons 13 are a group of buttons for
operating the LCD or facilitating communications with external machines.
For example, the operating buttons can also transmit image information to
external machines such as personal computers by IrDA standard infrared
communication.
During photography, a user holds the display component main body 62 by
grasping the grip section 12 with one hand and points the lens aperture 63
in the desired direction by rotating the electronic camera main body 61.
Because the angle of the electronic camera main body 61 in relation to the
display component main body 62 can be fixed using an intermittent rotation
mechanism (e.g., a bi-directional ratcheting mechanism) on the rotating
joint, errors caused by a user's hand shaking can be prevented by
stabilizing the display component main body 62. Accordingly, operability
during portable use is improved by the configuration of the grip.
Next, tabletop use of the electronic camera is explained. The electronic
camera may be placed on top of a table for viewing photographed images and
for connecting to external devices.
FIG. 2 shows the interconnection between components of the electronic
camera. FIG. 2 shows the electronic camera main body 61 rotated 90.degree.
from the position shown in FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow around the
axis 100 shown by the dotted lines. In this configuration, the distance
"a" from the surface of the grip 12 to the axis 100 is equal to the
distance "b" from the side surface 61e of the electronic camera main body
61 to the axis 100.
FIG. 3 shows the FIG. 1 electronic camera configured as if positioned on a
tabletop. During tabletop use, the electronic camera is positioned by
turning the top of the grip 12 by 90.degree. with respect to the
electronic camera main body. Because the top of the grip 12 and the side
surface 61e become positioned in the same plane with respect to length as
shown in FIG. 2, the electronic camera is stably positioned on the flat
tabletop surface.
In this position, the LCD display window 64 is level and faces upwards and
the IrDA aperture 65 is perpendicular to the surface of the tabletop.
Thus, photographed images can be viewed by several viewers because the
screen is directed upwards. In addition, infrared communication is
facilitated because the IrDA aperture 65 can face the other devices of
communication in a straight line. In addition, because the operating
buttons 13 are disposed on the top surface 62c, the buttons are easily
accessible permitting easy operation of the buttons for wireless
communication and for switching of display screens without disturbing the
stability of the device. Thus, operability during both portable and
tabletop use is assured.
If the electronic camera main body 61 is reversed at an angle of rotation
-90.degree. and placed by turning the lens aperture 63 downward, the same
effect of operation as described above with reference to FIG. 2 is
obtained because the distance "c" from the axis of rotation to the surface
of the small protrusion 14 is equal to the distance "a".
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electronic camera according to another
embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the embodiment described
above, the grip section 12 is formed on the bottom surface 61d (i.e.,
fourth surface) of the electronic camera main body 61 and the IrDA
aperture 65 is disposed on the side surface 61b of the electronic camera
main body 61. The operating buttons 13 are disposed on the top surface 61c
of the electronic camera main body 61. Also, the distance from the side
surface 62e (i.e., fifth side surface), which is the surface opposite the
side surface 62b, to the axis of rotation is equal to the distance from
the surface of the grip section 12 to the axis.
In operation, the electronic camera is stabilized by using grip section 12,
and mistakes in photography due to shaking of the hand are prevented just
as in the previous embodiment even though this embodiment differs with
respect to how the operator holds the electronic camera main body 61.
Usage and placement of the electronic camera according to the present
embodiment is described as follows with reference to FIG. 5.
When placed on top of a table, the display component main body 62 is
rotated 90.degree. in relation to the electronic camera main body 61.
Thus, the surface of the grip section 12 of the electronic camera main
body 61 and the side surface 62e of the display component main body 62 are
placed in contact with the tabletop. Both are positioned on the same plane
by predefined length relationships, and therefore, the electronic camera
is positioned stabily on the tabletop.
In this position, the LCD display window 64 and IrDA aperture 65 are both
perpendicular to the surface of the tabletop. Thus, a user can view images
and perform infrared communication by turning the screen toward the user
and turning the IrDA aperture 65 in the opposite direction. Furthermore,
because the operating buttons 13 are disposed on the top surface 61c, the
buttons 13 are easily viewed and accessible so that operations such as
infrared (or other wireless) communication and switching of display
screens can be performed while maintaining the stability of the machine.
Accordingly, in the present embodiment, operability during portable and
tabletop use can be assured in the same manner as the embodiment
previously described.
In each of the embodiments described above, if a battery loading chamber is
provided in the grip section 12, as shown by the dotted lines in FIGS.
1-5, stability is increased because the center of gravity during tabletop
use moves to the bottom of the machine due to the position of the battery.
In the two embodiments described above, the IrDA aperture is disposed on
either side surface 62b or side surface 61b, respectively. However, the
aperture may be disposed on any surface if it is a surface perpendicular
to the surface placed in contact with the tabletop and is a surface
capable of facing an external machine.
In each of the embodiments described above, the grip section 12 was
configured as a fixed projection. However, the grip section 12 may also be
removable. For example, a guide groove and protrusion or hook and pit, can
be formed in the grip section 12 and the surface (e.g., 61d or 62d)
contacted by the grip section 12. This facilitates easier storage because
if the grip 12 is removed, the device has a flat level shape.
In each of the embodiments described above, the external display device
main body and camera main body were shaped as parallelepipeds of roughly
the same shape and same size and the grip was made columnar. However, the
components may be any shape if the distance from a specified part to the
axis of rotation satisfies a specified condition. For example, each
surface is not limited to a flat surface, but may also be a curved
surface.
In each of the embodiments described above, the device was placed in
contact with the tabletop. However, the device may be placed in point
contact by providing protrusions on the surface placed in contact with the
tabletop. Because it is easy to satisfy a specified length relationship by
micro-adjusting the length of the protrusions, stability of the device can
be maintained.
In each of the embodiments described above, a device in which a component
main body and the electronic camera main body are rotated with respect to
each other was described. However, the main components of the electronic
camera may be contained in the display component main body whereby only
the photographic lens rotates.
In each of the embodiments described above, a still camera was described,
however a video camera and/or PDA may be configured as described above. A
PDA generally has the functions of a notepad, dictionary, telephone, and
fax, for example, and is capable of pen input where the display screen
acts as a touch tablet and/or touch panel. Furthermore, the invention can
also be applied to a PDA with an electronic camera attached externally.
Therefore the invention provides an electronic camera in which, because a
grip is provided as a projection on either a portable device main body or
on a display component main body which is connected to rotate freely, both
visual recognition of the display and operation of the portable device can
be successfully performed. Also, because the length relationships of the
components placed in contact with the tabletop are optimum when positioned
by rotating both relative to the other, visual recognition of the screen
and use of the portable machine on top of the table becomes easy.
The invention also permits high quality wireless communication because an
aperture for wireless communication is positioned perpendicular in
relationship to a tabletop.
Also, because the direction of the operating buttons becomes vertical when
placed on top of a table, the operating buttons are easily read and are
accessible, thus permitting wireless communication or operation of the
buttons to be performed while maintaining device stability.
Also, because the display component main body and the device main body are
formed as parallelepipeds of roughly the same shape and same size, balance
of the device is maintained. Furthermore, because it can be positioned on
a flat tabletop surface, it is possible to easily view photographed images
and perform all the operations of the electronic camera.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the front surface of an electronic camera
according to another embodiment of the invention. The electronic camera
may be formed as a binocular-type device with thin, long sides. The
electronic camera has a first main body section 2 and second main body
section 4. Viewed from the optical viewfinder window 24 (FIG. 8), the
right section is the first main body section 2, and the left section is
the second main body section 4.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first main body section 2 is formed as a
right-angled parallelepiped which has thin, long sides defined between
upper and lower surfaces HPU1 and HPL1. The surfaces HPU1 and HPL1 are
defined between a first edge 2a, i.e., an edge extending in the left-right
direction, which is longer than a second edge 2b extending in the
(front-back) direction of the optical axis. Front and rear perpendicular
surfaces VPF1 and VPB1 are defined between the first edge 2a and a third
edge 2c, which extends vertically. Left and right perpendicular surfaces
VPL1 and VPR1 are defined between the second edge 2b and the third edge
2c. In other words, surfaces HPU1 and HPL1 can be said to extend in
respective upper and lower horizontal planes, while surfaces VPF1, VPB1,
VPR1 and VPL1 extend in front, back, right and left vertical planes,
respectively. Surfaces HPU1 and HPL1 are defined by (delimited by) edges
2a and 2b that extend left-right and front-back, respectively. Surfaces
VPF1 and VPB1 are defined by (delimited by) edges 2a and 2c that extend
left-right and up-down, respectively. Surfaces VPR1 and VPL1 are defined
by (delimited by) edges 2b and 2c that extend front-back and up-down,
respectively.
A photographic lens aperture 6, an optical viewfinder window 7, a range
finder window 112 of a passive focus detection device, for example, a
light emission window 111 of a flash device, a window 15 which irradiates
AF auxiliary light of the passive focus detection device, and a display
window 16 are positioned in the surface VPF1.
Display window 16 provides an external visual report, e.g., via LED light,
corresponding to the digital camera operation, for example, when red-eye
reduction is selected or when a self-timer is activated. Also, on the
upper surface HPU1, a release button 114 and zoom buttons 19 and 20 are
positioned. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, an optical viewfinder window
24 is provided on the rear surface VPB1.
As shown by FIGS. 7 and 8, a second main body section 4 is formed as a
right-angled parallelepiped which has thin, long sides defined between
upper and lower surfaces HPU2 and HPL2, which are defined between the
first edge 4a (left-right) and the second edge 4b (front-back). Front and
back surfaces VPF2 and VPB2 are defined between the first edge 4a and
third edge 4c (up-down). Left and right surfaces VPL2 and VPR2 are defined
between the second edge 4b and third edge 4c.
Operation buttons 18a-18c and liquid crystal display section 17 are
positioned at rear surface VPF2. Operation buttons 18a-18c are operated to
set and release the photographic modes of the digital camera. Display
section 17 displays all types of photographic information from the digital
camera. The photographic information includes mode setting conditions and
photographic frame numbers, for example. Also, on the upper surface HPU2,
a liquid crystal screen monitor 10, select dial 21, set dial 22, and
operation buttons 23a-23c are positioned. Select dial 21 is operated for
on-off switching of the photographic recording mode, the reproduction
(replay) mode, and the power supply switch. Set dial 22 switches the
electronic camera to either a fine (high-resolution) mode whereby the
photographed image has a fine texture or a normal mode where the picture
quality is rough (low resolution), but whereby a large number of frames
may be photographed. Operation button 23a is the light point erasure
button for screen monitor 10, and operation buttons 23b and 23c are the
operation buttons for selecting the photometry method and for selecting
reproduction of the picture image.
The first edges 2a and 4a of the first main body section 2 and second main
body section 4 are about 40-80 mm long, for example, the second edges 2b
and 4b are about 60-90 mm long, for example, and the third edges 2c and 4c
are about 25-45 mm long, for example. The first main body section 2 and
second main body section 4 have an axis of rotation about which they can
rotate relative to each other. The axis of rotation is formed at
approximately the center of the left and right surfaces VPL1 and VPR2.
FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are perspective views of the rear surface of the
electronic camera during use. Both figures show the second main body
section 4 rotated approximately +45.degree. in relation to the first main
body section 2. As shown in these figures, optical viewfinder window 24 is
positioned near the third edge 2c near the second main body section 4 side
of the rear surface VPB1. Thus, the electronic camera can be positioned at
approximately the center of a user's face whether viewed by the right eye
or the left eye and the viewfinder is positioned in an accessible
position.
Screen monitor 10 is positioned near the comer section of the second edge
4b which adjoins the first main body section 2 and first edge 4a on the
front surface VPF2 side of the camera front side. This permits a space 25
to exist on the comer section of second main body section 4. This space 25
allows second main body section 4 on the left side to be firmly grasped by
the left hand 26 of a user as shown in FIG. 9 and a user's right hand can
be used for operating the digital camera. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, aperture
28 provided on the left surface VPL2, which is the left side surface of
the second main body section 4, is an aperture for insertion and removal
of a card-shaped memory for data recording.
FIG. 10 is a front perspective view during camera operation and shows the
electronic camera when the rear surface VPB2 on the camera faces upward
and is rotated approximately +90.degree. relative to the first main body
section 2. Since there are no windows or operation members on surface
HPL2, a user's entire hand can be placed on the surface HPL2 providing
great stability.
FIG. 11 shows a front perspective view of the electronic camera during use
whereby the rear surface VPB2 of the camera faces upward and is rotated
approximately -90.degree. relative to the first main body section 2. In
this position, screen monitor 10 and photographic lens aperture 6 also
both face the photographer side. In this configuration a user can
photograph him or herself. Since a user's right hand 29 thumb can be
placed on space 25, it is possible to obtain a firm grasp of the
electronic camera by grasping the second main body section 4 with the
right hand 29. In this case, it is possible to also push the release
button 14 with the right hand 29, and it is possible to take a self-timed
photograph. Furthermore, a tripod mounting screw or receptacle 30 can be
provided at the rear perpendicular surface VPB2 of the second main body
section 4.
The embodiments described above provide several advantages over the
conventional electronic camera designs. For example, because the first and
second main body sections 2 and 4 are constructed as two separable
components, weight distribution is roughly uniform, thus improving balance
when the camera is grasped. This reduces vibrations caused by hand
shaking.
Since the first and second main body sections 2 and 4 establish a
rotational movement axis at approximately the center section of the
adjoined surfaces VPL1 and VPR2, in relation to the first main body
section 2, weight balance is good even where the second main body section
4 is slanted, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, for example.
Also, the screen monitor 10 of the second main body section 4 is arranged
to approach the comer section on the second edge 4b side which adjoins the
first main body section 2 and the first edge 4a of the camera front
surface side. Thus, a space 25 can be provided within the upper surface
HPU2 so that the second main body section 4 can be grasped by the left
hand at the comer section enabling a firm grasp. Also, a user's thumb can
be placed at the space 25 during photography, which improves camera
stability. Furthermore, this reduces the chance that the screen monitor 10
will be covered by a user's hands.
In addition, because optical viewfinder window 24 is near the side of the
third edge 2c which adjoins the second main body section 4 within the rear
surface VPB1 of the first main body section 2, the camera can be
positioned near the center of a user's face whether viewed by the right or
left eye.
FIG. 12 shows a front perspective view of the electronic camera according
to another embodiment of the invention. Front surface VPF1 is the camera
front surface of the first main body section 2. Photographic lens aperture
6 is positioned near the vertical edge that adjoins the second main body
section 4. Object window 7 of the optical viewfinder is near the right
surface VPR1.
The location of object window 7 in FIG. 12 is such that it could be
inadvertently covered by the fingers of the right hand when the camera is
set up. However, this would be readily apparent as the fingers are
observed through window 7. Moreover, even if optical viewfinder object
window 7 is hidden by the fingers, there are absolutely no obstacles to
photography. Therefore, compared to the arrangement where photographic
lens aperture 6 is provided at this location, the possibility of
photographic mistakes is reduced due to the unlikelihood that the fingers
will be placed over the lens aperture 6 on the side of the second main
body section 4 in the FIG. 12 embodiment.
FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the electronic camera according to
another embodiment. In the two previous embodiments, light emission window
111 was provided at the | | |
