Abstract:
In a camera that has a pop-up strobe flash unit and that requires electrical power to operate functions additional to the pop-up strobe flash unit, there is provided a single mechanism that is operable by the user to control both a pop-up state of the pop-up strobe flash unit and the main electrical power to the camera. With the recent trend in miniaturization of cameras, the single mechanism is helpful in reducing the problem of there being scarce surface area on the camera for locating necessary controls in appropriate positions. By making the single mechanism that is operable by the user be the top surface of the pop-up strobe flash unit itself, surface space useful for grasping the camera is conserved.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A camera often requires various switches for its operation. Where the camera includes a pop-up strobe flash unit, these switches usually include a main power switch, a pop-up strobe flash unit release switch, a pop-up detection switch that disables the strobe flash when the strobe flash unit is in a stored state, a mode switch that allows the user to select among various camera modes and so on. Typically, the mode switch allows the user to select from among a fully automatic mode, a shutter speed priority mode, a stop priority mode, a portrait mode, a landscape mode, a close-up mode, a sports mode, etc. Among these switches, switches such as the main power switch, the pop-up strobe flash unit release switch, and the mode switch are usually positioned on the camera body surface so that they can be readily operated by the user. On the other hand, the pop-up detection switch need not be operated by the user and is usually positioned within the body of the camera. The various switches that are positioned on the camera body surface need to be arranged considering ease of operability (defined herein as requiring the switch be arranged in a position so that it is easy to use, is not likely to be pressed unintentionally, does not adversely affect one&#39;s ability to hold the camera comfortably), as well as considering the external design and appearance of the camera. 
     Because cameras being sold are becoming more miniaturized due to progress in electronic technology, it is becoming increasingly difficult to arrange the various switches that are normally found on the camera body surface so that all these conditions are satisfied. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a camera that enables the user to control two or more camera functions using a single mechanism that, heretofore, have been controlled by the user operating separate switches. More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a mechanism that controls both the pop-up state of a strobe flash unit and the main power. Either a latching mechanism or a locking mechanism is provided within the camera body in order to hold the pop-up strobe flash unit (which is biased by a spring to pop-up when released) within the camera body when in the stored state. As in the prior art, a pop-up detection switch is provided within the camera body to detect whether the pop-up strobe flash unit is in the stored state or the popped-up state. By designing the camera such that, instead of merely controlling power to the strobe flash unit as in the prior art, the state of deployment of the strobe flash unit also controls the camera main power switch. Thus, when the strobe flash unit is in the stored state, power to the camera is automatically turned off. Likewise, when the strobe flash unit is in the popped-up state, power to the camera is automatically turned on. Therefore the mechanism that controls the pop-up state of the strobe flash unit also controls whether the main power is turned on or off 
     In a first embodiment of the invention, pressing a top surface of the pop-up strobe flash unit towards the camera body surface until it latches causes the strobe flash unit to be stored within the camera body. Pressing the top surface of the pop-up strobe flash unit again then releases a latching mechanism so that the pop-up unit pops up from the camera surface. The popping-up of the strobe flash unit automatically turns on the main power. Likewise, placing the strobe flash unit in the stored state automatically turns off the main power. 
     In a second embodiment of the invention, a lock release button is provided on the top surface of the pop-up strobe flash unit. Rather than the strobe flash unit being pressed a second time to cause the strobe flash unit to pop-up and the camera power to be energized, in this embodiment the strobe flash unit is locked in position such that a second pressing on the top surface of the pop-up strobe flash unit has no effect. Instead, in order to release the strobe flash unit to its popped-up state, it is necessary to press a lock release button. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the invention, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the invention, illustrating a configuration of the camera with a pop-up strobe flash unit in the popped-up state and the camera power on, 
     FIG. 2 shows the camera of FIG. 1 with the pop-up strobe flash unit in its stored state and the camera power off, 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment when in the condition illustrated in FIG. 1, (i.e., with the pop-up strobe flash unit in the popped-up state and the camera power on), 
     FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the pop-up strobe flash unit and a latching mechanism as in the first embodiment of the invention when the pop-up strobe flash unit has been released by the latching mechanism and has popped-up, 
     FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the pop-up strobe flash unit and the latching mechanism when the pop-up strobe flash unit is in the stored state, which is achieved by pressing the top surface of the pop-up strobe flash unit in the direction indicated by the arrow until the latching mechanism is engaged, 
     FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the pop-up strobe flash unit and the latching mechanism as the pop-up strobe flash unit is about to be released from its stored state by its top surface being pressed a second time in order to disengage the latching mechanism and thereby allow the pop-up strobe flash unit to pop up, 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the camera of the invention when the power is on, 
     FIG. 8 shows the camera of the second embodiment when the power is off, 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the camera of the second embodiment when the power is on, 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of the camera illustrated in FIG. 9, 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hook lever as in the second embodiment of the invention, 
     FIG. 12 shows the relationship, when the pop-up strobe flash unit is popped-up, between the pop-up strobe flash unit and a locking mechanism that includes a separate lock release lever, 
     FIG. 13 shows the relationship, when the pop-up strobe flash unit is popped-up, between the pop-up strobe flash unit and the locking mechanism, but illustrates an opposite side from that illustrated in FIG.  12  and depicts details of the lock release lever, 
     FIG. 14 shows the relationship, when the pop-up strobe flash unit is in its stored state, between the pop-up strobe flash unit and the locking mechanism, 
     FIG. 15 shows the relationship, when the pop-up strobe flash unit is in the stored state, between the pop-up strobe flash unit and the locking mechanism, but illustrates an opposite side than that illustrated in FIG.  14  and depicts details of the lock release lever, 
     FIG. 16 shows the relationship, when the locked state of the pop-up strobe flash unit has just been released and before it has rotated to the popped-up position, between the pop-up strobe flash unit and the locking mechanism, 
     FIG. 17 shows the relationship, when the locked state of the pop-up strobe flash unit has just been released and before it has rotated to the popped-up position, between the pop-up strobe flash unit and the locking mechanism, but from the opposite side than that illustrated in FIG. 16, showing the position of the lock release lever. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This invention relates to a camera and, in particular, to a camera wherein the operation and external design are improved by reducing the number of switches on the camera body surface. 
     Because this invention employs a single mechanism that functions both to control the deployment state of a pop-up strobe flash unit and the main power to the camera, both of which heretofore have been controlled by separate switches on the surface of the camera, the number of switches on the camera body surface can be reduced. This is accomplished by detecting the state of deployment of the pop-up strobe flash unit and automatically turning on/off the main power when the strobe flash unit is deployed/stored by using a combined switch within the camera body which not only signals the state of deployment of the strobe flash unit but also turns on/off the power. When in the popped-up state, pressing the top surface of the pop-up strobe flash unit causes the strobe flash unit to energize a spring as the pop-up strobe flash unit is lowered by being rotated about a pin which attaches the pop-up strobe flash unit to the camera body. When the strobe flash unit becomes engaged by a latching mechanism or a locking mechanism, the pop-up flash unit is then held in a stored state until being released by the camera operator. 
     An explanation of two different embodiments of the invention will now be provided, with reference to the drawings. 
     FIGS. 1-6 illustrate the first embodiment of the camera of this invention. As shown in FIG. 1, camera body  1  is formed in a box shape, on the top surface of which is positioned a rectangular or square opening  2 . Within this, a pop-up strobe flash unit  4  is attached to the camera body  1  so that the pop-up strobe flash unit may be popped-up by being rotated on a supporting pin  5  (FIG.  4 ). On the front surface of the camera body I a circular opening  3  is provided for attaching a lens (not shown). 
     The pop-up strobe flash unit  4  has a shape that allows it to rotate within the opening  2  of the camera body  1 . The pop-up strobe flash unit  4  is attached to the camera body  1  by the support pin  5 . The entire pop-up strobe flash unit  4  is stored inside the camera body  1  against the force of an energized pop-up spring (not shown) when the pop-up strobe unit  4  is rotated downward about the support pin  5 , and pops out of the camera body  1  by force of the energized pop-up spring when the pop-up strobe unit  4  is leased from its stored position. A latching mechanism  6  (FIG. 3) is positioned inside the camera body  1  under the pop-up strobe flash unit  4 . When the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  is stored inside the camera body  1 , it is held in that state by the latching mechanism  6 . 
     The latching mechanism  6  includes a hook pawl  7  that is positioned on the bottom of the pop-up strobe flash unit  4 , a hook lever  9  that is positioned so as to be freely rotatable below the hook pawl  7 , and a support pin  10  that supports the hook lever  9  so as to be freely rotatable. The support pin  10  is attached to the camera body  1 . The latching mechanism also includes a rotational-direction-maintaining spring  12  (FIG. 4) that maintains the hook lever  9  on the support pin  10  in a specified position between the camera body  1  and the hook lever  9 , and an axial direction-maintaining spring  11  (FIG. 3) that maintains the hook lever  9  on the support pin  10  at a specified position in the axial direction. The axial-direction-maintaining spring  11  is positioned on the support pin  10 , and an axial-direction cam section  13  is positioned on the hook lever  9  and moves the hook lever  9  in the axial direction on the support pin  10  against energized, axial direction-maintaining spring  11 . The hook pawl  7  has a plate shape, on the tip of which a hook section  8  is positioned as one unit, and the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  is locked in the stored state by this hook section  8  being hooked by the hook lever  9 . 
     The hook lever  9  also has a plate shape. Facing the hook pawl  7  there is positioned a rotational cam section  15 , with which the hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7  is in contact. A hook groove  16  is positioned on rotational cam section  15  so that the hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7  may be hooked inside this hook groove  16  (as shown by position “A” in FIG.  4 ). 
     In a deeper section of the hook lever  9  than the location of hook groove  16 , an axial direction cam section  13  is formed as a single unit. The axial-direction cam section  13  has a slope  14  that slopes at a specified angle in the axial direction of the support pin  10 . When the hook section  8  rotates to the position “B”, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the hook lever  9  rotates due to the force of the energized, rotational-direction-maintaining spring  12 , and the hook section  8  moves onto the slope  14 . By the hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7  moving onto this slope  14 , the hook lever  9  moves in the axial direction on the support pin  10  against energized, axial-direction-maintaining spring  11 . This results in the hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7  coming out of the hook groove  16 . 
     Positioned inside the camera body  1  is a pop-up detection switch  17  to detect the pop-up state (stored versus popped-out) of the pop-up strobe flash unit  4 . The pop-up detection switch  17  consists of a fixed plate  18  attached to the camera body  1  and a movable plate  19  attached to the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  so that a contact  19   a  of the movable plate  19  and a contact  18   a  of the fixed plate  18  make electrical contact with each other when the movable plate  19  rotates as a single unit with the pop-up strobe flash unit  4 . The pop-up detection switch  17  is combined with the main power switch of the camera, constructed so that the main power switch turns off when the pop-up detection switch  17  has detected the stored state of the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  and turns on when it has detected the popped-out state. 
     The operation of the first embodiment of the invention will now be explained. First of all, if the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  is pushed down, the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  rotates, thereby centering the supporting pin  5  against the energized pop-up spring (not shown). The hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7  contacts with the rotational cam section  15  of the hook lever  9 , the hook lever  9  is pushed downward via the rotational cam section  15 , and the hook lever  9  rotates, thereby centering the support pin  10  against the energized, rotational-direction-maintaining spring  12 . At the same time, the hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7  moves along the surface of the rotational cam section  15 , goes into the hook groove  16 , and is hooked in the deep part of the hook groove  16 . Thus, the entire pop-up strobe flash unit  4  is stored inside the camera body  1  and is held in that state. Pop-up detection switch  17  then detects that the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  has been stored inside the camera body  1 , and the main power is automatically turned off 
     Next, if the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  is pushed down farther from the stored state, the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  rotates farther, thereby centering the supporting pin  5  against the energized pop-up spring. The hook lever  9  is pushed downward by the hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7 , and the hook lever  9  rotates. Thus, the support pin  10  is centered against the energized, rotational-direction-maintaining spring  12 . When the hook pawl  7  rotates a specified amotmt, the hook lever  9  rotates, and the hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7  moves from the hook groove  16  to the axial-direction cam section  13 . After that, if the downward pressure is reduced, the axial-direction end face of the hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7  makes contact with the slope  14  of the axial-direction cam section  13 . When the hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7  moves onto the slope  14  of the axial-direction cam section  13 , it causes the hook lever  9  to move in the axial direction on the support pin  10  against energized axial-direction-maintaining spring  11 . Thus, the hook section  8  of the hook pawl  7  disengages from the hook groove  16 , and the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  rotates, thereby centering itself on the supporting pin  5  by means of the energized pop-up spring. Thus, the entire pop-up strobe flash unit  4  pops up out of the camera body  1 , and the latched state is released. The pop-up detection switch  17  then detects that the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  has popped out of the camera body  1  and the main power is automatically energized. 
     In a camera of this embodiment constructed in the manner indicated above, by combining the main power switch with the pop-up detection switch  17  of the pop-up strobe flash unit  4 , the number of switches positioned on the camera body  1  surface can be reduced. Therefore, the invention is compatible with the recent trend toward miniaturization of cameras, since it eases the problem of there being less surface area that is suitable for locating camera controls. Also, because the main power switch is turned on/off by utilizing the action of the pop-up strobe flash unit  4  with a large stroke, there is only a small chance that the main power switch will be mistakenly turned on/off. 
     FIGS. 7-17 illustrate a second embodiment of the camera of this invention. In this embodiment, just as in the first embodiment, there is no longer a need for a separate main power switch that is positioned on the camera body  21  surface. Instead the main power switch is combined with the pop-up detection switch  47  (FIG. 12) of the pop-up strobe flash unit  24 . 
     Just as in the first embodiment, the camera body  21  is formed in a box-shape, on the top surface of which is positioned a rectangular or square opening  22 . Within the opening  22 , a pop-up strobe flash unit  24  is attached to the camera body  21  so that the pop-up strobe flash unit may be popped-up by being rotated on a supporting pin. On the front surface of the camera body a circular opening  23  is provided for attaching a lens (not shown). 
     In the same way as shown in the first embodiment, the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  has a shape that enables the strobe flash unit  24  to be freely rotatable in the opening  22  of the camera body  21  via a support pin  25  (FIG.  9 ). The entire pop-up strobe flash unit  24  is stored inside the camera body  21  against the energized, pop-up spring  26  (FIG. 13) and is held in place by a locking mechanism  27  (FIG. 9) when rotated in one direction, and pops out of the camera body  21  by the energized, pop-up spring  26  when the locking mechanism  27  is released. The locking mechanism  27  is positioned under the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  inside the camera body  21 . 
     The locking mechanism  27  is equipped with: a hook pawl  28  that is positioned on the bottom of the pop-up strobe flash unit  24 ; a hook lever  30  that is positioned to freely oscillate below the hook pawl  28 ; a direction-maintaining spring  34  (FIG. 10) that maintains the hook lever  30  at a specified position in the oscillation direction; a supporting plate  35  that is attached to the camera body  21 ; a fixing screw  33  that attaches the hook lever  30  to freely oscillate in the supporting plate  35 ; and a hook release lever  36  that is positioned between the hook lever  30  and the pop-up strobe flash unit  24 . 
     The hook pawl  28  has a plate shape, on the tip of which an L-shaped, hook section  29  (FIG. 12) is positioned as a single unit, and the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  is locked in the stored state by this hook section  29  being hooked by the hook lever  30 . 
     The hook lever  30  (FIG. 11) has a plate shape, where an L-shaped hooked section  31  is positioned bending downward in one width-direction end as one unit, so that the hook section  29  (FIG. 12) of the hook pawl  28  hooks to this hooked section  31 . On the other width-direction end of the hook lever  30  there is a hole  30   a , and by inserting a projection  35   a  that is positioned beneath the support plate  35  into the hole  30   a  and screwing the fixing screw  33  into a screw hole  35   b  that is positioned in the center of the projection  35   a  from the bottom of the hook lever  30 , the hook lever  30  can be attached so as to be freely oscillatable in the supporting plate  35 . 
     On one end of the hook lever  30  (FIG. 11) in the length dimension, there is positioned a pressed section  32  that bends downward as a single unit. By pressing this pressed section  32  using a hook release lever  36 , the hook lever  30  moves, thereby centering the center of the fixing screw  33  against the energized, direction-maintaining spring  34 . This causes the hook section  29  of the hook pawl  28  to come out of the hooked section  31  of the hook lever  30 . 
     The hook release lever  36  (FIG. 13) has a plate shape, supported so as to be vertically movable by a supporting pin  40 . On the top of the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  corresponding to the top end of the hook release lever  36  is positioned a lock release button  44 , so that the hook release lever  36  is moved downward by pressing this lock release button  44 . The top end of the hook release lever  36  is connected to the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  side via a connector plate  41 . Pop-up strobe flash unit  24  is attached to one end of the connector plate  41  via a support pin  25  so as to be freely rotatable. The other end of the connector plate  41  is attached so as to be freely rotatable in the top end of the hook release lever  36  via a connector pin  42 . Positioned between the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  and the connector plate  41  is a hook release lever maintaining spring  43  that maintains the hook release lever  36  at a specified position in the vertical direction. 
     On the bottom end of the hook release lever  36 , there is positioned a slot  37  extending vertically, and by positioning the supporting pin  40  inside the slot  37 , the hook release lever  36  is supported so as to be freely movable in the vertical direction. Positioned on a part of the hook release lever  36  that adjoins the slot  37  is a hook groove  38 , so that the pressed section  32  of the hook lever  30  is located in this hook groove  38 . Positioned on the top of the hook groove  38  is an angular-shaped, press section  39  projecting downward obliquely as one unit, and by making the press section make contact with the pressed section  32  of the hook lever  30 , the hook lever  30  moves, thereby centering the center of the fixing screw  33  against the energized, direction-maintaining spring  34 , so that the hook section  29  of the hook pawl  28  disengages from the hooked section  31  of the hook lever  30 . 
     Positioned inside the camera body  21  is a pop-up detection switch  47  (FIG. 12) which detects the pop-up action (stored state and popped-out state) of the pop-up strobe flash unit  24 . The pop-up detection switch  47  includes a fixed plate  48  attached to the camera body  21  side and a movable plate  49  attached to the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  side, so that a contact  49   a  of the movable plate  49  and a contact  48   a  of the fixed plate  48  make electrical contact with each other when the movable plate  49  rotates as a single unit with the pop-up strobe flash unit  24 . Thus, pop-up detection switch  47  is combined with the main power switch of the camera and the operation is such that the main power switch turns off when the pop-up detection switch  47  has detected the stored state of the pop-up strobe flash unit  24 . Further, the main power turns on when the pop-up detection switch has detected the popped-out state. 
     Next, the operation of the above-discussed structure will be explained. First of all, if the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  is pushed down, the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  rotates, thereby centering the support pin  25  against energized pop-up spring  26  (FIG.  17 ). The hook section  29  of the hook pawl  28  makes contact with the hook lever  30 , moves on the surface of the hook lever  30 , and hooks at the hooked section  31 . Thus, the entire pop-up strobe flash unit  24  is stored inside the camera body  21  and is held there. 
     When the pop-up detection switch  47  detects that the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  has been stored inside the camera body  21 , the main power is automatically turned off Then, if the lock release button on the top of the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  is pressed while in this state, the hook release lever  36  moves downward, the press section  39  of the hook groove  38  comes into contact with the top of the pressed section  32  of the hook lever  30 , and by the pressed section  32  being pressed, the hook lever  30  moves. This centers the fixing screw  33  against the energized, direction-maintaining spring  34 . Then, the hook section  29  of the hook pawl  28  disengages from the hooked section  31  of the hook lever  30 , and the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  rotates, thereby centering the support pin  25 . Due to the force of the energized pop-up spring  26 , the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  pops out of the camera body  21  and the locked state is released. Then, the pop-up detection switch  47  detects that the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  has popped out of the camera body  21 , and the main power is automatically turned on. 
     With the camera of this embodiment constructed in the manner described above, just as with the first embodiment, the number of switches positioned on the camera body  21  surface is reduced. Therefore, the present invention is particularly compatible with the recent trend toward more miniaturized cameras. Also, in this embodiment, because the pop-up strobe flash unit  24  is not released by a second pressing on the top of the strobe flash unit, but instead requires that the release button  44 , which may be located on the pop-up strobe flash unit  24 , be pressed, unintentional turning-on of the power can be prevented when carrying the camera with the intent that the camera remain off. 
     Because this invention is constructed in the described manner, the main power switch is effectively combined with the switch that controls the pop-up strobe flash unit. Thus, the number of switches positioned on the camera body surface can be reduced. Therefore, both embodiments of the invention are compatible with the recent trend toward miniaturization of cameras because of there being less surface area that is suitable for locating camera controls. In the first embodiment, because the second pressing on the top of the strobe unit must be one that forces the top of the strobe flash unit below the surface of the camera body, the risk of mistakenly turning the main power on/off is small. In the second embodiment, because the pop-up strobe flash unit is released only by pressing a lock release button that is positioned on the pop-up strobe flash unit, unintentional turning on of the power is even more unlikely than in the first embodiment. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. Rather the scope of the invention shall be defined as set forth in the following claims and their legal equivalents. All such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.