Digital camera including printer

The shape of a camera body of a digital camera including a printer viewed from the front surface is a square shape, and an imaging optical system is positioned at the center of a camera body. An axis crossing an optical axis of the imaging optical system in a vertical direction is referred to as a vertical axis, and an axis crossing the optical axis in a horizontal direction is referred to as a horizontal axis. A grip portion is formed on the camera body at positions that are symmetric with respect to the vertical axis and symmetric with respect to the horizontal axis. The grip portion has an annular shape and a concave shape that is concave from the surface around the grip portion. The imaging optical system is positioned at the center of the annular grip portion in a case where the digital camera including a printer is viewed from the front surface of the camera body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a digital camera including a printer.

2. Description of the Related Art

A digital camera including a printer, which records an image on a sheet-like recording medium, for example, a mono-sheet instant film, is known. An imaging unit that includes an imaging optical system, a solid-state imaging element, and the like and a printer unit that includes an exposure head, spreading rollers, and the like are built in a digital camera including a printer disclosed in JP2002-296659A (corresponding to US2002/0039488A1). In a case where an imaging operation is performed, a subject image formed on the solid-state imaging element is photoelectrically converted and digital image data obtained through digital conversion is written in a memory. Then, the exposure head and the spreading rollers are driven on the basis of image data read from the memory, and exposure is performed while the instant film is discharged. Accordingly, an image is recorded. After the instant film is discharged from a film discharge port and predetermined time has passed, the image appears on one surface of the instant film.

Further, the digital camera including a printer disclosed in JP2002-296659A includes a horizontally long rectangular camera body, and a grip portion is provided on the left side surface of the camera body. Furthermore, as an electronic camera not having a printer function, there is an electronic camera where grip portions are provided on both sides of a camera body, for example, as in an electronic camera disclosed in JP2002-040534A (corresponding to US2002/0015593A1).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Since the grip portion is provided on only the left side surface of the camera body in the digital camera including a printer disclosed in JP2002-296659A, there is a case where it is difficult to hold the camera body and a holding feeling is bad in the case of a certain orientation of the camera body during imaging. Particularly, in a case where imaging is to be performed in a state where the orientation of the camera body is changed by an angle of 90°, the grip portion is positioned on the upper side or the lower side of the camera body. For this reason, it is very difficult to hold the camera body and the holding of the camera body is unstable. Further, even in a case where imaging is to be performed in a state where the orientation of the camera body, which includes the grip portions on both sides as in the electronic camera disclosed in JP2002-040534A, is changed by an angle of 90°, the grip portions are positioned on the upper side or the lower side of the camera body. For this reason, it is difficult to hold the camera body.

Accordingly, the applicant has considered making a digital camera including a printer of which a camera body is easily held and a holding feeling is improved even in any case of vertical imaging that is performed in a state where the camera body is oriented vertically or horizontal imaging that is performed in a state where the camera body is oriented horizontally.

An object of the invention is to provide a digital camera including a printer that is easily held and a holding feeling is improved in any case of vertical imaging and horizontal imaging.

A digital camera including a printer of the invention comprises an imaging unit, a printer unit, and a camera body. The imaging unit includes an imaging optical system and takes a subject image to output image data. The printer unit records an image on a recording medium on the basis of the image data output from the imaging unit. The imaging optical system is disposed at a center of a front surface of the camera body, and a grip portion is formed on the camera body at positions symmetric with respect to a first axis crossing an optical axis of the imaging optical system in a first direction and symmetric with respect to a second axis crossing the optical axis in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

It is preferable that a shape of the camera body viewed from the front surface is a square shape where a vertical length in the first direction and a horizontal length in the second direction are equal to each other.

It is preferable that the grip portion has a concave or convex ring shape and the imaging optical system is positioned at a center of the ring shape.

It is preferable that the grip portion has a plurality of concave areas or convex areas formed around the imaging optical system.

It is preferable that the camera body includes a release switch used to take a subject image by the imaging unit and at least a part of the release switch is positioned within the concave area or the convex area.

It is preferable that the camera body includes a release switch used to take a subject image by the imaging unit and the entire release switch is positioned within the concave area or the convex area.

It is preferable that the camera body is provided with two release switches and the two release switches are disposed at positions symmetric with respect to the first axis.

It is preferable that the camera body is provided with two release switches and the two release switches are disposed at positions rotationally symmetric with respect to the imaging optical system as a center by an angle of 180°.

It is preferable that the digital camera including a printer further comprises a flash irradiating a subject with illumination light and the flash is disposed at a position corresponding to the imaging optical system in the first direction or the second direction.

It is preferable that the recording medium is a mono-sheet instant film, the printer unit includes an exposure head exposing the instant film on the basis of the image data to record an image, and the exposure head is positioned between the flash and the imaging unit. Further, it is preferable that the instant film is loaded in the camera body in a state where the instant film is stored in a film pack, and the camera body includes a loading lid that is provided on a back side thereof and loads the film pack. Furthermore, it is preferable that the digital camera including a printer further comprises a transport roller transporting the instant film and an exposure position where the exposure head exposes the film is positioned between the film pack and the transport roller.

It is preferable that the camera body includes a discharge port for the film at one end of the camera body in the first direction or the second direction. It is preferable that the camera body includes a display unit provided on a back thereof and displaying an image and a transport path along which the film is discharged from the discharge port is positioned between the imaging unit and the display unit.

It is preferable that the digital camera including a printer further comprises an operation unit positioned between the grip portion and the imaging optical system. Further, it is preferable that a finger rest portion protruding from the back and having a convex shape is formed on the camera body.

According to the invention, a digital camera including a printer is easily held even in any case of vertical imaging and horizontal imaging and a holding feeling can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

InFIG. 1, a digital camera10including a printer comprises a camera body11, an imaging unit12, and a printer unit13(seeFIG. 3). An imaging window15, two release switches16A and16B, a flash17, and an operation ring18are provided on the front surface of the camera body11.

As shown inFIG. 2, the shape of the camera body11viewed from the front surface is a square shape. Specifically, the camera body11has a square shape where a vertical length L1of the camera body11in a vertical direction V (first direction) and a horizontal length L2of the camera body11in a horizontal direction (second direction) orthogonal to the vertical direction V are equal to each other, and the square shape also includes a case where the vertical length L1and the horizontal length L2are substantially equal to each other. A film unit23as a recording medium, which is used for the digital camera10including a printer, also has a substantially square shape.

The imaging window15is disposed at the center of the front surface of the camera body11. The imaging window15allows an imaging optical system19(seeFIG. 3) of the imaging unit12to be exposed to the outside. An optical axis L of the imaging optical system19is orthogonal to the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. The imaging optical system19is positioned at the center of the camera body11in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H.

The imaging unit12includes the imaging optical system19and a solid-state imaging element20(seeFIG. 3). The solid-state imaging element20is, for example, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and includes a light-receiving surface that is formed of a plurality of pixel (not shown) arranged in the form of a two-dimensional matrix. Each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element, and photoelectrically converts a subject image, which is formed on the light-receiving surface by the imaging optical system19, to generate an imaging signal.

Further, the solid-state imaging element20comprises signal processing circuits, such as a noise removal circuit, an automatic gain controller, and an A/D conversion circuit, (all of them are not shown). The noise removal circuit performs noise removal processing on an imaging signal. The automatic gain controller amplifies the level of an imaging signal to an optimum value. The A/D conversion circuit converts an imaging signal into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to an internal memory (not shown) from the solid-state imaging element20. An output signal of the solid-state imaging element20is image data (so-called RAW data) that has one color signal for each pixel.

An axis crossing the optical axis L in the vertical direction V is referred to as a vertical axis AV (first axis), and an axis crossing the optical axis L in the horizontal direction H is referred to as a horizontal axis AH (second axis). A grip portion21is formed on the camera body11at positions that are symmetric with respect to the vertical axis AV and are symmetric with respect to the horizontal axis AH. Specifically, the grip portion21has an annular shape (the shape of a ring) and a concave shape that is concave from the surface around the grip portion21. The imaging optical system19is positioned at the center of the annular grip portion21in a case where the digital camera10including a printer is viewed from the front surface of the camera body11. Further, the grip portion21is formed so that the shape of the cross section of the grip portion21taken along the optical axis L has the shape of an arc (seeFIG. 3). The positions, which are symmetric with respect to the axis, include positions that are substantially symmetric with respect to the axis.

The release switches16A and16B are disposed at positions that are symmetric with respect to the vertical axis AV. Specifically, the release switches16A and16B are disposed at positions that are equidistant from the vertical axis AV. In a case where at least one of the release switch16A or16B is operated to be pressed, the solid-state imaging element20to be described later is driven and a subject image is taken.

A part of the release switches16A and16B are disposed in the grip portion21. Portions of the release switches16A and16B, which are disposed in the grip portion21, are formed in the shape of a curved surface that is concave along the concave shape.

The flash17is disposed at a position that corresponds to the imaging optical system19in the horizontal direction H, that is, on the vertical axis AV. Corresponding, which is mentioned here, includes a case where the flash17is disposed at a position substantially corresponding to the imaging optical system. For example, in a case where an exposure value is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value when the imaging unit12images a subject, the flash17automatically irradiates the subject with illumination light.

The operation ring18is a ring-shaped operation member that is positioned between the grip portion21and the imaging optical system19, and is mounted so as to be movable rotationally about the optical axis L. The operation ring18is an operation member that is operated to turn on or off the power supply of the digital camera10including a printer.

A film discharge port22is provided on one end of the camera body11in the vertical direction V, that is, the upper surface of the camera body11. Although described in detail, a film unit23on which an image has been printed is discharged from the film discharge port22.

As shown inFIG. 3, a loading lid24is provided on the back side of the camera body11. The loading lid24is mounted through a hinge portion24athat is provided at the lower end of the camera body11. The loading lid24is supported so as to be movable rotationally between an open position (a position shown by a two-dot chain line) where a film pack loading chamber25provided in the camera body11is opened and a closed position (a position shown by a solid line) where the film pack loading chamber25is covered. A film pack26is loaded in the film pack loading chamber25.

The film pack26includes a box-shaped case26aand a lid26bthat covers the opening of the case26a.A plurality of film units23are superimposed and stored in the case26aso that exposure surfaces23aof the plurality of film units23face the left side inFIG. 3. Further, a film sending port27, through which the lowermost film unit23is sent to the outside from the film pack26, is formed on the end face of the case26afacing the film discharge port22. The film sending port27is closed from the outside by a light-shielding seal (not shown) having flexibility.

A pair of openings28aand28bis formed in the lid26bwith a predetermined interval therebetween. Further, a support piece29, film unit-pressing plates30, and the like are provided on the inner surface of the lid26b.The openings28aand28bare inlets where pressing members32aand32bprovided on the inner surface of the loading lid24enter in a case where the loading lid24is closed. The support piece29supports the middle portion of the film unit23from behind.

In a case where the loading lid24is closed, the film unit-pressing plates30are pressed by the pressing members32aand32band are bent to be convex toward the bottom of the case26a.Accordingly, the lowermost film unit23is pushed against the bottom of the case26a.

The film unit23as a recording medium is a so-called mono-sheet film. As shown inFIG. 4, the film unit23includes a mask sheet33, a photosensitive sheet34, a cover sheet35, a developer pod36, and a trap portion37. The mask sheet33is formed of plastic in the shape of a thin sheet, and comprises a screen opening33a.The photosensitive sheet34is provided with a photosensitive layer, a diffusive-reflective layer, an image-receiving layer, and the like. The cover sheet35includes an exposure surface23athat faces an exposure head41to be described later.

The developer pod36is formed substantially in the shape of a bag, and is filled with a developer38. The developer pod36is bonded to an end portion of the photosensitive sheet34facing the film sending port27, and is wrapped with an end portion of the mask sheet33. The trap portion37is bonded to an end portion of the photosensitive sheet34opposite to the film sending port27, and is wrapped with an end portion of the mask sheet33likewise.

Although described in detail later, the photosensitive layer of the film unit23is irradiated with printing light and is exposed during printing. Then, the developer pod36is torn and opened at the time of development, and the developer38flows into a gap39between the photosensitive sheet34and the cover sheet35and is spread. Accordingly, a latent image is photochemically formed on the photosensitive layer, is reversed by the diffusive-reflective layer, and is transferred to the image-receiving layer. In this way, a positive image appears on a positive image observation surface40of the photosensitive sheet34that is exposed through the screen opening33a.

In a case where printing processing is started, the lowermost film unit23is sent to the outside of the film pack26through the film sending port27by a claw (not shown) that is inserted into a claw opening (not shown) of the bottom of the case26a.The film unit23, which is sent to the outside of the film pack26, (a position shown by a two-dot chain line) is subjected to exposure processing and development processing by the printer unit13that is provided between the film sending port27and the film discharge port22.

The printer unit13includes an exposure head41and a developer spreading unit42that are arranged in this order toward the film discharge port22from the film sending port27. For example, the exposure head41includes a light source, a liquid crystal shutter, a lens, and the like, and is disposed at a position facing a film unit-transport path. Specifically, the exposure head41is positioned between the flash17and the imaging unit12in the vertical direction V. Accordingly, the camera body11can be reduced in thickness. Further, the film unit-transport path along which the film unit23is transported by the developer spreading unit42is positioned between the imaging unit12and a back display unit51to be described later. Accordingly, the camera body11can be reduced in size.

The exposure head41irradiates the exposure surface23aof the film unit23with linear printing light that is parallel to a main scanning direction (a width direction of the film unit). Accordingly, a line image, which has a gradation according to image data, is exposed to the photosensitive layer of the film unit23.

As shown inFIG. 3, the developer spreading unit42comprises transport rollers43and44and spreading rollers45and46. The transport rollers43and44and the spreading rollers45and46are rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). The transport roller44is pressed toward the transport roller43by a spring47as a pressing mechanism, and the spreading roller46is pressed toward the spreading roller45by a spring48as a pressing mechanism.

The transport rollers43and44pinch both side portions of the film unit23, which is sent from the film pack26, and transport the film unit23toward the spreading rollers45and46. An exposure position P where the exposure head41exposes the film unit23to printing light is positioned between the film sending port27of the film pack26and the transport rollers43and44. Accordingly, the camera body11can be reduced in thickness.

The spreading rollers45and46pinch the film unit23, which is delivered from the transport rollers43and44, over the entire width of the film unit23and allow the developer pod36to be torn and opened and allow the developer38to be spread into the gap39while transporting the film unit23toward the film discharge port22. The film unit23, which has been subjected to development processing by the spreading rollers45and46, is transported to the film discharge port22and is discharged to the outside of the camera body11.

As shown inFIG. 5, a back display unit51and an operation unit52are provided on the outer surface of the loading lid24, that is, the back of the camera body11. The back display unit51is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. Image data corresponding to one frame, which is output from the solid-state imaging element20, is sequentially input to the back display unit51, and is displayed on the back display unit51as a live view image.

In a case where at least one of the release switch16A or16B is operated to be pressed by a user, image data output from the solid-state imaging element20is subjected to compression processing after being subjected to publicly known image processing, such as matrix calculation, demosaicing processing, γ correction, brightness conversion, color difference conversion, and resizing, by an image processing unit (not shown). Then, the image data, which has been subjected to the image processing and compression, is recorded in the internal memory (not shown), such as a flash memory, provided in the camera body11.

In a case where a menu switch52A of the operation unit52is operated to be pressed, an image is played back and displayed on the back display unit51on the basis of the image data recorded in the internal memory. Then, in a case where an image to be wanted to be printed is displayed on the back display unit51and the user presses a printing switch52B of the operation unit52, printing processing to be performed by the printer unit13is started.

Further, a pair of finger rest portions53A and53B, which protrudes from the back of the camera body11, is provided on the outer surface of the loading lid24. The finger rest portions53A and53B continue from both side surfaces of the camera body11and are formed in the shape of a triangular protrusion that protrudes toward the rear side of the camera body11.

The operation unit52includes a plurality of switches, which are used to perform various operations of the digital camera10including a printer, in addition to the menu switch52A and the printing switch52B having been described above. The display unit51and the operation unit52are positioned between the finger rest portions53A and53B in the horizontal direction H. More specifically, the operation unit52is disposed at a position where a distance L3between the center of the operation unit52and the apex of the finger rest portion53A is equal to a distance L4between the center of the operation unit52and the apex of the finger rest portion53B.

Next, the action of the digital camera10including a printer will be described with reference toFIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8. In a case where the operation ring18is operated to move rotationally to turn on the power supply of the digital camera10including a printer, power is supplied to each unit. Further, an imaging mode is set at this point of time and the solid-state imaging element20of the imaging unit12is driven. In the imaging mode, the solid-state imaging element20continuously takes subject images and the images are displayed on the back display unit51. The user frames a subject while viewing the back display unit51.

The user performs imaging by vertical imaging (seeFIG. 7A) that is performed in a state where the camera body11is oriented vertically or horizontal imaging (seeFIG. 7B) that is performed in a state where the camera body11is oriented horizontally, according to framing. Since the grip portion21is formed on the camera body11of the digital camera10including a printer, the user can reliably hold the camera body11with one's own right and left hands as shown inFIGS. 7A and 7Beven in any case of the vertical imaging and the horizontal imaging. For this reason, the camera body11is easily held and a holding feeling is improved.

Further, since the camera body11has a square shape, the user can hold the camera body11in the same holding way and with the same force even in any case of the vertical imaging and the horizontal imaging. Accordingly, the ease of holding and a holding feeling are further improved.

Furthermore, since the grip portion21is formed in the shape of a ring, the user can reliably hold the camera body11even though the camera body11is oriented obliquely as in the case of an intermediate position between the vertical imaging and the horizontal imaging.

In a case where framing is performed and at least one of the release switch16A or16B is operated to be pressed, image data output from the solid-state imaging element20is recorded in the internal memory at that time. As described above, an image is played back and displayed on the back display unit51on the basis of the image data recorded in the internal memory, and printing processing to be performed by the printer unit13is started in a case where an image to be wanted to be printed is displayed on the back display unit51and the user presses the printing switch52B of the operation unit52.

In a case where the printing processing to be performed by the printer unit13is started, the film unit23, which is discharged to the outside of the film pack26through the film sending port27, is pinched and transported by the transport rollers43and44. Then, exposure to be performed by the exposure head41is performed during the transport of the film unit23. The exposure head41exposes an image (latent image), which corresponds to one screen, to the photosensitive layer of the film unit23on the basis of the image data recorded in the internal memory. Subsequently, the film unit23is transported toward the spreading rollers45and46, and is pinched and transported by the spreading rollers45and46. Accordingly, the developer38is spread into the gap39(seeFIG. 4) as described above.

The film unit23, which has been subjected to development processing, is transported to the film discharge port22and is discharged to the outside of the camera body11. Then, after predetermined time has passed, a positive image appears on the positive image observation surface40of the discharged film unit23.

Further, since a part of the release switches16A and16B are disposed in the grip portion21as described above, the user can recognize the positions of the release switches16A and16B through only the feeling of fingertips. As a result, operability is improved. Furthermore, since the release switches16A and16B are disposed at positions that are symmetric with respect to the vertical axis AV, it is easy for the user to press the release switches16A and16B even in any case of the vertical imaging and the horizontal imaging.

Further, since the camera body11is provided with the pair of finger rest portions53A and53B that protrudes from the back, it is easy for the user to hold the camera body11while putting the thumbs on the finger rest portions53A and53B as shown inFIG. 8. Furthermore, since the operation unit52is positioned between the finger rest portions53A and53B, it is possible to easily perform various operations of the digital camera10including a printer while holding the camera body11.

Second Embodiment

A part of the release switches16A and16B are disposed in the grip portion21in the first embodiment, but the entire release switches16A and16B are disposed in the grip portion21as shown inFIG. 9in a second embodiment. The release switches16A and16B are formed in the shape of a curved surface that is concave along the concave shape. Accordingly, as with the first embodiment, operability is improved since a user can recognize the positions of the release switches16A and16B through only the feeling of fingertips.

Third Embodiment

The grip portion21has an annular shape and a concave shape in each of the embodiments, but a grip portion21has the shape of a rectangular frame and a concave shape as shown inFIG. 10in a third embodiment. An imaging optical system19is positioned at the center of the annular grip portion21in a case where a digital camera10including a printer is viewed from the front surface of the camera body11. That is, as with the first embodiment, the grip portion21is formed at positions that are symmetric with respect to the vertical axis AV and are symmetric with respect to the horizontal axis AH. Further, the entire release switches16A and16B are disposed in the grip portion21as with the second embodiment, but a part of the release switches16A and16B may be disposed in the grip portion21as with the first embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

The grip portion21has the shape of one ring and a concave shape in each of the embodiments, but a grip portion21has a plurality of concave areas or convex areas as shown inFIG. 11in a fourth embodiment. Specifically, the grip portion21is formed with four concave areas21A to21D, and the concave areas21A and21B are formed at positions symmetric with respect to the horizontal axis AH and the concave areas21C and21D are formed at positions symmetric with respect to the vertical axis AV. Further, a part of the release switches16A and16B are disposed in the grip portion21as with the first embodiment, but the entire release switches16A and16B may be disposed in the grip portion21as with the second embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

The release switches16A and16B are disposed at positions symmetric with respect to the vertical axis AV in each of the embodiments, but may be disposed at positions rotationally symmetric with respect to the imaging optical system19as a center by an angle of 180°, specifically, at positions rotationally symmetric with respect to the optical axis L as a center by an angle of 180° as shown inFIG. 12in a fifth embodiment. The entire release switches16A and16B are disposed in the grip portion21as with the second embodiment, but a part of the release switches16A and16B may be disposed in the grip portion21as with the first embodiment.

Sixth Embodiment

The camera body11is provided with two release switches16A and16B in each of the embodiments, but the camera body11is provided with four release switches16A to16D as shown inFIG. 13in a sixth embodiment. The release switches16A to16D are disposed at positions that are symmetric with respect to the vertical axis AV and are symmetric with respect to the horizontal axis AH. The entire release switches16A to16D are disposed in the grip portion21as with the second embodiment, but a part of the release switches16A to16D may be disposed in the grip portion21as with the first embodiment.

The grip portion21has a concave shape that is concave from the surface around the grip portion21in each of the embodiments, but is not limited thereto and may have a convex shape that is convex from the surface around the grip portion21. In this case, it is preferable that the release switches are formed in the shape of a curved surface convex along the convex shape of the grip portion21. Further, the first direction is set to the vertical direction V and the second direction is set to the horizontal direction H in each of the embodiments, but the first direction may be set to the horizontal direction H and the second direction may be set to the vertical direction V.

A mono-sheet instant film is used as a recording medium and a film pack in which instant films are stored is used as a recording medium pack in each of the embodiments having been described above, but the invention is not limited thereto. Thermosensitive recording paper in which thermosensitive coloring layers are laminated, plain paper, exclusive paper (paper of which the surfaces are coated, and the like), an OHP sheet can be used as the recording medium. In a case where thermosensitive recording paper is used as the recording medium, thermal recording using a thermal head is performed. Further, in a case where plain paper or the like is used as the recording medium, recording using inkjet, thermal fusion, thermal transfer, or the like is performed.