JP3157400B2 - Video camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable video camera having an output terminal for a recording device or an image display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, an audio microphone (9) and a battery are provided on an upper part and a lower part of a main body (1) having an imaging lens (6) on a front side, as shown in FIG. A pack (15) is provided. In the following description, the side provided with the imaging lens is referred to as the front. The user is the body
(1) Attach the battery pack (15) to the imaging lens
(6) is shot at the subject. As shown in FIG. 10, a substrate (81) having a CCD element (8) for converting light input from an imaging lens (6) through a lens barrel (63) into an electric signal, as shown in FIG. And a circuit board group (53) for processing signals from the CCD element (8) and a DC converter (5) for supplying power from the battery pack (15) to each board.
Various arrangements of the circuit board group (53) and the DC converter (5) have been proposed. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the boards are arranged in parallel in the main body (1). The flexible substrates (54) are connected to each other, and a DC
A converter (5) is provided.

[0003]

Since such a video camera is portable, it is particularly necessary to reduce its size and weight. Also,
In recent years, the power consumption of CCD elements (8) and elements mounted on each substrate has been reduced, and some of them operate with low power consumption. Therefore, the applicant has proposed to operate the video camera with a primary battery typified by a dry battery instead of the conventional secondary battery as a power supply, and appropriately arrange the boards of the components constituting the video camera together, An object of the present invention is to reduce the size of a video camera by creating a housing space for a lens barrel and a housing space for a DC converter between substrates.

[0004]

A video camera includes a main body (1) having an imaging lens (6) on the front side and various circuits for forming a video signal therein, and one end of the main body (1). Body
(1) A handle portion (2) projecting substantially perpendicularly to the axial direction is integrally formed, and a dry cell storage space is formed inside the handle portion (2). Further, a solid-state imaging device that is disposed substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging lens (6) and that converts an image from the imaging lens (6) into an electric signal is mounted on the front surface in the main body (1). The first substrate (4) and the first substrate (4) are arranged in the main body (1) on the side of the first substrate (4) substantially orthogonal to the first substrate (4) to process electric signals from the solid-state imaging device. A second substrate (3) on which various elements for converting and outputting video signals are attached, and a first substrate
(4) is set up substantially vertically on the front part of the second substrate (3),
An arrangement space for the lens barrel (63) is formed between the substrate (4) and the front of the second substrate (3), and the first substrate (4) and the second substrate are formed inside the main body (1).
(3) A space (51) for accommodating a DC converter (5) for distributing power to the substrates (3) and (4) is formed between the substrate and the rear end.

[0005]

According to the present invention, various elements are driven by power from a dry battery in view of power saving of various elements. In the main body (1), a first substrate (4) on which a solid-state imaging device is mounted is erected perpendicular to the second substrate (3), and the first substrate (4) and the second substrate (3) are provided. A space (51) is formed between the rear portions, and the DC converter (5) is disposed in the space (51). A lens barrel (63) is housed in a space (62) formed between the front portions of the first substrate (4) and the second substrate (3). Therefore, the size of the video camera can be reduced without wasting the space in the main body (1).

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the video camera (7) has an L-shaped appearance in which a handle (2) is integrally formed substantially perpendicular to the body (1) at an end of the body (1). In the handle part (2),
A lid (20), whose surface is smoothly continuous to the side of the handle (2), is detachably provided. Inside the lid (20), a plurality of holding cylinders (22) for storing AA batteries are formed. Have been. The surface of the lid (20) is subjected to a non-slip process to prevent the hand from coming off the handle (2) when the handle (2) is gripped by hand. In addition, a contact piece (21) is provided on the back surface of the lid (20) to be in contact with the electrode of the dry battery.

As shown in FIG. 2, an imaging lens (6) is provided on the front surface of the main body (1) to the right from the center axis as viewed from the front, and an audio microphone (9) is provided on the left side of the imaging lens (6). Is provided. A protruding piece (23) projects forward from the lower end of the handle (2), and an AV code (90) for transmitting video and audio signals is fitted behind the lower end of the handle (2). I have. Two holes (24) (24) are formed in the lower surface of the handle portion (2) so as to be fitted to a support (101) described later. Handle part (2)
When the lower surface is placed in contact with the desk surface, the lower surface of the protruding piece (23) also contacts the desk surface, and the AV code (90) is oblique to the axial direction of the main body (1) and is placed on the desk surface. Extend in contact.

A slide switch (10) is provided at the rear end of the main body (1), and the power of the video camera (7) is switched on and off by operating the switch (10) up and down. Can be To load the battery into the video camera (7), first remove the lid (20) and insert a plurality of dry batteries (25) and (25) into the holding cylinder (22) with + and-reversed from each other. Lid (20)
Fit. In the photographing operation, first, in a state where the dry battery (25) is stored in the holding cylinder (22), one hand is used to grip between the protruding piece (23) and the upper end of the handle (2). Operate the switch (10) with your thumb to
(6) can be shot at the subject. The image from the imaging lens (6) is sent to a display device such as a display or a recording device such as a VCR through the AV code (90).
At this time, since the palm is located above the protruding piece (23), even if an impact is applied to the arm during shooting and the video camera (7) tries to fall out of the palm, the protruding piece (23) is moved. The video camera 7 is restricted from escaping.

(Internal structure) Video camera in this embodiment
The internal structure of (7) has the following configuration for miniaturization. In the video camera according to the present embodiment, iris (aperture) control is electrically performed using the electronic shutter function of the CCD element. As shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (b) and 5, a second substrate (3) extending back and forth is provided in the body (1).
The first substrate (4) is mounted on the front end of the second substrate (3) with its surface facing forward. A guide tube (61) is disposed in a space (62) formed between the front portions of the first substrate (4) and the second substrate (3).
Inside, a CCD element (8) is mounted on the first substrate (4). At the tip of the guide tube (61), an optical filter
The lens barrel (63) of the imaging lens (6) including (60) is fitted, and the incident light is focused on the CCD element (8) by the imaging lens (6). In a space (51) formed between the first substrate (4) and the rear part of the second substrate (3), a different voltage is applied to each element provided on the second substrate (3) and the first substrate (4). Converter that supplies power
(5) is attached inside the main body (1).

As shown in FIG. 4, the second board (3) and the first board (4) are attached by connecting connectors (41) and (41) attached to both ends of the lower end of the first board (4). This is performed by fitting the connectors (42) (42) attached to the second substrate (3). Since the connectors (41) and (41) are attached to both ends of the first substrate (4), even if an impact load is applied to the first substrate (4), the loads are evenly distributed to the connectors (42) and (42). ) To prevent the load from being applied to one portion of the second substrate (3).

As is well known, the CCD element (8) is a two-dimensional optical sensor that shifts input pixel data in the vertical and horizontal directions, converts the data into electric signals, and outputs the electric signals. 1st substrate
(4) As shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the CCD element (8), a driving circuit for performing vertical shift driving of the CCD element (8)
(40) is provided. On the second substrate (3), an output signal from the CCD element (8) is input, and an iris signal AI for controlling the aperture of the CCD element (8) is generated. Signal processing circuit (3
0), an iris control circuit (31) for generating a shutter pulse SP for controlling the shutter timing of the CCD element (8) based on the iris signal AI, Timing control circuit that emits signals
(32) The color signal C from the signal processing circuit (30) is subjected to non-linear gamma correction, and the color difference signal is
A matrix circuit (34) for preparing (RY) and (BY) and connected to a white balance control circuit (37) is provided.

When the switch (10) shown in FIG. 3 (b) is turned on, the contact piece (21) and the handle portion are removed from the dry battery in the holding cylinder (22).
(2) DC converter along the wire (26) affixed inside
Power is supplied to (5), and a predetermined voltage is supplied from the DC converter (5) to the first substrate (4) and the second substrate (3). CCD device via imaging lens (6) and optical filter (60)
The image signal of each field received in (8) is input to a signal processing circuit (30), amplified, and then separated into a luminance signal Y and a chrominance signal C, as shown in FIG. Signal processing circuit
(30) also inverts and detects the image signal,
(8) An iris signal AI having a voltage level corresponding to the amount of light input is issued.

The iris signal AI is supplied to an iris control circuit.
(31), the iris control circuit (31) detects an excess or deficiency of the shooting light amount from an appropriate range for each field based on the iris signal AI and the synchronization signal from the timing control circuit (32), It is determined whether the shutter speed is too high or too low. Then, based on the result of this determination, a shutter pulse SP is issued to the drive circuit (40) in order to maintain an appropriate shutter speed of the CCD element (8). The shutter pulse SP is temporarily supplied to the drive circuit (4
The input to (0) is because the iris control circuit (31) is composed of an IC or the like, so that the rated voltage of the IC differs from the voltage required for driving the CCD element (8). The iris control circuit (31) also issues control signals HP and VP for controlling the horizontal and vertical shift driving of the CCD element (8), respectively. The signal HP is sent to the CCD element (8), and the signal VP is sent to the drive circuit (40). Is input to The CCD element (8) is connected to the drive circuit (40) and the signal HP.
Thus, the shutter speed control and the horizontal and vertical shift driving are performed, and the image signal of each field is sent to the signal processing circuit (30).

The luminance signal Y and the chrominance signal C from the signal processing circuit (30) are input to a matrix circuit (34). The matrix circuit (34) is based on the two signals, and based on the color difference signal (RY),
(B−Y), and both color difference signals (R−Y) and (B−Y) are
The luminance signal Y is input to the encoder (35). The encoder (35) is based on the synchronization signal from the timing control circuit (32), and based on the two color difference signals (RY) and (BY) and the luminance signal Y.
To create a video signal. The video signal is supplied to the driver (9
After 2), it is output to the AV code (90). Voice microphone
The audio signal from (9) is output to an AV code (90) like an image signal via an amplifier (91) provided on the second substrate (3). Therefore, signal processing similar to that of a conventional video camera is performed.

An iris control circuit is provided on the second substrate (3).
A processor (36) for delaying the video signal by 1H (one horizontal scanning period) and performing vertical interpolation is provided between the matrix circuit (31) and the matrix circuit (34) (JP-A-6-46305).
No.). The output signal from the CCD element (8) is sampled and held to remove unnecessary components before being amplified, and the removal process is also performed in the signal processing circuit (30).

As described above, in the video camera of the present embodiment, the substrate (4) on which the CCD element (8) and the circuit for processing signals from the element (8) are mounted in the main body (1). (3), substrate
(4) Since the DC converter (5) for supplying power to (3) is housed, the size of the video camera can be reduced. In addition, since a dry battery as a power supply can be stored in the handle (2) of the video camera, the size can be reduced in this respect as well. Furthermore, even if the palm slips from the handle (2) during shooting, the protruding piece (23) hits the lower end of the palm, so that the handle (2) can be prevented from escaping from the palm, and the video camera is accidentally dropped. Can prevent that.

The video camera in this embodiment can be reduced in size and weight by the above configuration, so that it is easy for children to use and easy to carry, so that it is easy to take pictures. For example, this is convenient when enlarging and photographing a small subject such as an insect or checking a small portion that is difficult to see with the naked eye. In addition, the video camera in this embodiment
Because of its small size and light weight, in addition to taking a picture by hand, as shown in FIG. 7, a recess or through hole (not shown) is formed on the side of the handle (2), and a support ( 103), and attached to the column (100) via the support (103), or as shown in FIG. 8, holes (24) and (24) are formed in the projections (102) and (10) on the support base (101).
It can also be used by fitting into 2).

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the appended claims or reducing the scope thereof. Further, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims. In this embodiment, the switch (10) is of a slide type, but a trigger type or a push button type switch can of course be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a video camera.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 3A is a front view showing an arrangement of a substrate and a battery inside a video camera, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the video camera with a part thereof cut away.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a connection state of both substrates.

FIG. 5 is a partially broken plan view showing an arrangement of substrates inside the video camera.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a relationship between circuits mounted on both substrates.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where the video camera is attached to a support.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the video camera is attached to the support base.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional video camera.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration inside a main body of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Main body (2) Handle (3) Second board (4) First board (5) DC converter (6) Imaging lens (51) Space (63) Lens barrel (62) Space

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tadanori Fujiwara 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Eijiro Hishida 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Inside Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Takashi Sasaki 2-5-2-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Koji Imaki 2-5-2-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-63-114376 (JP, A) JP-A-62-68359 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5 / 225

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main body (1) including an imaging lens (6) on a front surface and various circuits for forming a video signal inside the main body (1).
From one end of (1), a handle (2) protruding substantially perpendicularly to the main body (1) axis direction is integrally formed, and a video camera having a dry cell storage space formed inside the handle (2). In the main body (1), a solid-state imaging device for converting an image from the imaging lens (6) into an electric signal is attached, and an imaging lens is provided.
(6) a first substrate (4) arranged substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, and a second substrate (3) provided with various elements for processing an electric signal from the solid-state imaging device, converting the signal into a video signal, and outputting the video signal. ), The first
The substrate (4) is erected substantially vertically on the front of the second substrate (3),
A space (62) for accommodating the lens barrel (63) is formed between the first substrate (4) and the front of the second substrate (3), and the first substrate (4) and the second substrate (3) are formed.
(3) A space (51) for accommodating a DC converter (5) for distributing power to each of the boards (3) and (4) is formed between the board and the rear portion.
And a video camera.