Patent Publication Number: US-2023156306-A1

Title: Imaging apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera has a grip portion for a user to grip a main body of the imaging apparatus. In particular, many models having a grip portion on the right side of an imaging lens are selling on the market assuming that a camera is held by a right hand and a still image is captured while looking through a viewfinder. 
     On the other hand, the number of users who capture moving images even with cameras that have been considered for still images is increasing with the improvement of the moving image capturing function of digital cameras in recent years. When capturing moving images, it is common to display a live view on a liquid crystal screen instead of the viewfinder in order to perform flexible camera work. 
     Therefore, an external grip that can be attached to a tripod mount of the digital camera is manufactured as an option. When this kind of external grip is attached to the camera, a user can hold the camera by gripping a potion right below the optical axis of the lens. Accordingly, it is possible to capture a moving image with less camera shake and a high degree of freedom. Further, in this kind of external grip, some grip portions can be used as tripods by unfolding the grip portions in order to support a wide variety of applications such as stationary shooting. 
     For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-170673 proposes an external adapter in which a grip is also used as a stand in order to achieve both grip and miniaturization purposes. If the external adapter of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-170673 is attached to a camera, grip portions are added to both sides of a camera body and also serve as support portions by rotating the grip portions. 
     The above mechanism is suitable for users who want to capture images in a free style while reducing the amount of belongings such as tripods as much as possible. However, when the external grip is applied, the entire apparatus becomes large due to the attachment portion with the imaging apparatus, and the portability and design are deteriorated. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An imaging apparatus which is an example of the present invention includes: an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject; a main body having a grip region provided on a first surface on which the imaging unit is disposed so that a user is able to grip the grip region; and a stand portion provided at a first end portion of the main body and disposed with the grip region separated from the imaging unit. The grip region faces a long side of an imaging surface of the imaging unit. The stand portion is located on a first axis orthogonal to an optical axis of the imaging unit and is rotatable within a plane along the optical axis and the first axis. 
     Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an appearance of an imaging apparatus according to this embodiment when viewed from the front side. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an appearance of the imaging apparatus according to this embodiment when viewed from the rear side. 
         FIG.  3    is a view showing a rotation state of a display unit. 
         FIG.  4    is a view showing an example of a usage state of the imaging apparatus. 
         FIG.  5    is a side view showing a rotation range of a stand of the imaging apparatus. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus in an unfolded state of the stand when viewed from the rear side. 
         FIG.  7 A  is a rear view of the imaging apparatus when the display unit and the stand are accommodated and  FIG.  7 B  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of  FIG.  7 A . 
         FIG.  8    is a view showing a state in which the imaging apparatus is installed obliquely upward using the stand. 
         FIG.  9    is a view showing a state in which the imaging apparatus is installed on a vertical surface. 
         FIG.  10    is a view showing a state in which the imaging apparatus is installed obliquely downward using the stand. 
         FIG.  11    is a view showing an example in which an image is captured while the imaging apparatus is held by a hand in the unfolded state of the stand. 
         FIG.  12    is a front view showing a case in which the imaging apparatus is used in a suspended state. 
         FIG.  13    is a view showing a state in which the stand of the imaging apparatus is hung on a hook to be suspended. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numbers are given to the same elements and duplicate descriptions are omitted. Additionally, the shapes, dimensions, and the like of each element shown in the drawings are schematically shown, and do not indicate the actual shapes, dimensions, and the like. 
     Further, in the drawings, the XYZ coordinate system is shown as a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system as appropriate. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Z direction is set as the direction parallel to an optical axis  3   a  to be described later. The X direction is a direction orthogonal to the Z direction and corresponds to the substantially left and right direction of  FIG.  1   . The Y direction is a direction orthogonal to both the X direction and the Z direction and corresponds to the up and down direction of  FIG.  1   . 
     Further, the embodiment to be described below is an example for realizing the present invention and should be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the following embodiments and some of the embodiments may be combined as appropriate. 
     First, the configuration and function of the imaging apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   .  FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an appearance of the imaging apparatus of this embodiment when viewed from the front side.  FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an appearance of the imaging apparatus of this embodiment when viewed from the rear side. 
     The imaging apparatus of this embodiment is a so-called compact digital camera (hereinafter, simply referred to as a camera). As shown in  FIG.  1   , a camera body  100  includes an imaging lens  3  provided on the front side. An imaging sensor is embedded in the camera body  100 . Additionally, the front surface of the camera body  100  is an example of a first surface. 
     The imaging sensor is an example of an imaging unit and can capture a still image or a moving image by capturing an image of a subject by a light flux passing through the imaging lens  3 . In  FIG.  1   , a rectangular imaging surface I of the imaging sensor is shown by a dashed line. The long side of the imaging surface I extends along the X direction and the short side of the imaging surface I extends along the Y direction. 
     A power switch  1  is disposed on a side surface (an upper surface of  FIG.  1   ) on one end side of the camera body  100 . When the power switch  1  is pressed down in a power off state, the power of the camera body  100  is turned on and the state shifts to the standby state. Then, when electric power starts to be supplied from an embedded battery unit (not shown) to each unit, the detection functions of various operation members of the camera body  100  are activated. 
     Further, a grip surface  6  for a user to grip the camera body  100  is provided on the front surface of the camera body  100 . The grip surface  6  is an example of a grip region and is located on the other end side (the lower side in  FIG.  1   ) in relation to the imaging lens  3  in  FIG.  1    to face the long side of the imaging surface I. A shutter button  2  for accepting an image acquiring instruction such as a still image capturing instruction or a moving image recording start instruction, a recording stop instruction, and the like is disposed on the grip surface  6 . The shutter button  2  is an example of a first operation member, is located at the center of the grip region in the X direction, and is located at a position overlapping a first axis (vertical axis) orthogonal to the optical axis  3   a  of the imaging lens  3  and extending in the Y direction. 
     The camera body  100  is provided with a pair of microphones  5  and can record a stereo sound. For example, the microphones  5  are arranged in a region around the imaging lens  3  with a gap therebetween on the front surface of the camera body  100 . Further, in the camera body  100 , a rotatable stand portion  4  is attached to the other end side (the lower end of  FIG.  1   ) with the grip surface  6  separated from the imaging lens  3 . The stand portion  4  will be described later. The other end of the camera body  100  is an example of a first end portion of the main body. 
     Further, the configuration of the rear surface portion of the camera body  100  will be described with reference to  FIG.  2   . An operation button group  7  and a speaker  8  are arranged on the opposite side of the grip surface  6  in the camera body  100 . Further, a display unit  9  is disposed at a position opposite to the imaging lens  3  in the rear surface portion of the camera body  100 . Additionally, the rear surface of the camera body  100  is an example of a second surface. 
     The operation button group  7  includes a dial  71 , an enter button  72 , a menu button  73 , a play button  74 , a custom button  75 , and a delete button  76 . The dial  71  and the enter button  72  are arranged at the center of the operation button group  7 . Further, the menu button  73 , the play button  74 , the custom button  75 , and the delete button  76  are arranged around the dial  71 . 
     The dial  71  is an example of a second operation member having a dial shape, is located at the center of the second surface in the X direction, and is located at a position overlapping the first axis orthogonal to the optical axis  3   a  of the imaging lens  3 . The dial  71  can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise, and accepts operations of changing various set values such as the shutter speed and the aperture value of the lens. The enter button  72  is a button disposed at the center of the dial  71  and accepts a decision operation of various items. Additionally, the enter button  72  may accept an image acquiring instruction such as a still image capturing instruction or a moving image recording start instruction. Further, the menu button  73  accepts an operation of displaying the menu of the setting screen on the display unit  9 . 
     The play button  74  accepts an operation of playing back a recorded still image or moving image on the display unit  9 . The custom button  75  is a button to which the user can assign an arbitrary operation. For example, various functions such as the function of the shutter button  2 , the autofocus/manual focus switching function of the imaging lens  3 , and the upside down display function of the display unit  9  can be assigned to the custom button  75 . The delete button  76  accepts an operation of deleting still image or video data. Further, the speaker  8  outputs the sound of the captured moving image, the operation sound, and the like. 
     The display unit  9  is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display on which a touch panel is overlapped, and can display a live view image during imaging, a preview image of an imaging result, a menu screen, and the like. Further, the display unit  9  can accept an operation of focusing on a subject tapped on the screen at the time of imaging and an operation of adjusting imaging parameters (ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, aperture value, and the like) by tapping an icon on the screen in terms of a touch panel. The display unit  9  can also accept operations of selecting and deciding each item on the menu screen by using the touch panel. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the display unit  9  is provided at one end portion of the camera body  100  and is rotatable around a hinge shaft  9   a  extending in the X direction. That is, the display unit  9  is rotatable in the YZ plane around the hinge shaft  9   a . Additionally, one end of the camera body  100  is an example of a second end portion of the main body. 
     Specifically, the display unit  9  can rotate from an accommodation state in which a display surface D follows the rear surface of the camera body  100  as shown in  FIG.  2    to a state in which the display surface D faces the front side of the camera body  100  as shown in  FIG.  3   . The hinge shaft  9   a  of the display unit  9  is biased by a wave washer (not shown) to have an appropriate frictional force, and can support the weight of the display unit  9  at an arbitrary position within the rotation range. 
     Further, in the state in which the display surface D faces substantially the same direction as the imaging lens  3  ( FIG.  3   ), control is performed to turn the display of the display unit  9  upside down and the camera body  100  and the image are aligned vertically. Accordingly, the user can capture an image while visually recognizing the composition on the display unit  9  when taking a picture of himself or herself. Additionally, the configuration of the display unit  9  is not limited to the liquid crystal display, and may be another device such as an organic EL display. 
       FIG.  4    shows a state in which the user holds the camera body  100  with the user’s hand Ha and takes self-shooting of the user himself or herself as an example of the usage state of the imaging apparatus. In the example of  FIG.  4   , the camera body  100  is used with the display unit  9  facing substantially the same direction as the imaging lens  3 . Here, the function of the operation button group  7  disposed on the rear surface portion of the camera body  100  is temporarily locked when the display unit  9  is rotated. Accordingly, there is no concern that the operation button group  7  reacts due to an erroneous operation even when the user firmly grips the rear surface portion of the camera body  100  with the palm when the display unit  9  is rotated. Further, since the shutter button  2  is located on the front surface in the state of  FIG.  4   , the user can comfortably capture a still image and record a moving image while checking the composition on the display unit  9 . 
     Next, the stand portion  4  attached to the camera body  100  will be described with reference to  FIG.  5    to 7B.  FIG.  5    is a side view showing the rotation range of the stand portion  4  of the camera body  100 .  FIG.  6    is a perspective view in which the camera body  100  is viewed from the rear side.  FIGS.  5  and  6    show an unfolded state in which the stand portion  4  is rotated from an accommodation position to a position of about 180°. Additionally, in  FIG.  6   , the display surface of the display unit  9  is rotated to face the front side of the camera body  100 . 
     The stand portion  4  includes a pair of stand leg portions  41  and a stand connection portion  42 . The pair of stand leg portions  41  are arranged in parallel along both side surfaces of the camera body  100  and can be rotated around the stand rotation shaft  4   a  extending in the X direction on the other end side of the camera body  100 . 
     Further, the stand connection portion  42  extends in parallel to the stand rotation shaft  4   a  and connects the end portions of the pair of stand leg portions  41  separated from the stand rotation shaft  4   a . That is, the stand portion  4  is located on the first axis orthogonal to the optical axis  3   a  and is rotatable within the YZ plane around the stand rotation shaft  4   a . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG.  6   , the rear surface portion of the camera body  100  is provided with an accommodation groove  101  which extends in the X direction and receives the stand connection portion  42 . The accommodation groove  101  is set to a shape capable of accommodating the stand connection portion  42  of the stand portion  4  and a first magnetic body  103  is disposed on the inner surface of the accommodation groove  101 . Further, a second magnetic body  91  is disposed at the end portion separated from the hinge shaft  9   a  on the opposite side of the display surface of the display unit  9 . Further, a magnet  43  is embedded in the stand connection portion  42  of the stand portion  4 . 
     Additionally, the first magnetic body  103 , the magnet  43 , and the second magnetic body  91  are all arranged at the overlapping position in the accommodation state of the stand portion  4  and the display unit  9  (see  FIG.  7 B ). 
     Further, step portions  102  are formed on both side surfaces of the camera body  100  to which the stand leg portions  41  are attached according to the rotation range of the stand leg portion  41 . The step of the camera body  100  formed by the step portion  102  corresponds to the thickness dimension of the stand leg portion  41 . Accordingly, when the stand portion  4  is rotated so that the stand portion  4  is accommodated in the camera body  100 , the stand connection portion  42  is fitted to the accommodation groove  101  of the camera body  100 . Further, in the accommodation state of the stand portion  4 , the stand leg portion  41  overlapping the step portion  102  is substantially flush with the side surface of the camera body  100  and the compact size of the camera body  100  is maintained. 
       FIG.  7 A  is a rear view of the camera body  100  when the display unit  9  and the stand portion  4  are in the accommodation state and  FIG.  7 B  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of  FIG.  7 A . Additionally, in  FIG.  7 B , the illustration of the internal structure of the camera body  100  is omitted for the sake of simplicity. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B , in the stand portion  4  of the accommodation state, the stand connection portion  42  is fitted and accommodated in the accommodation groove  101  of the camera body  100  and the display unit  9  overlaps the stand connection portion  42  to cover the stand connection portion  42 . Since the stand portion  4  of the accommodation state does not interfere with the operation button group  7  of the rear surface of the camera body  100 , it is possible to suppress deterioration in operability of the camera body  100  when the stand portion  4  is used in the accommodation state. Further, since the stand connection portion  42  is fitted to the accommodation groove  101  in the accommodation state, it is possible to suppress the thickness of the camera body  100  in the direction along the optical axis of the imaging lens  3 . 
     If the stand portion  4  and the display unit  9  are accommodated in the camera body  100  from the unfolded state shown in  FIG.  6   , the stand portion  4  is first rotated toward the camera body  100 . As shown in  FIG.  7 B , when the stand portion  4  is in the accommodation state, the magnet  43  embedded in the stand connection portion  42  overlaps the first magnetic body  103  disposed in the accommodation groove  101  of the camera body  100 . Accordingly, since the magnet  43  and the first magnetic body  103  are attracted to each other by a magnetic force, the stand portion  4  is pulled toward the camera body  100 . 
     Next, the display unit  9  is rotated toward the camera body  100 . As shown in  FIG.  7 B , when the display unit  9  is in the accommodation state, the second magnetic body  91  embedded in the display unit  9  also overlaps the magnet  43  of the stand connection portion  42 . Since the magnet  43  and the second magnetic body  91  are attracted to each other by a magnetic force, the display unit  9  is also pulled toward the camera body  100 . 
     With the above-described configuration, it is possible to maintain the stand portion  4  and the display unit  9  in the accommodation state by a constant force without providing a hooking mechanism in the camera body  100  by using the magnet  43  embedded in the stand connection portion  42 . Additionally, in this embodiment, a configuration is shown in which two magnets  43  are arranged in the stand connection portion  42  and each of the first magnetic body  103  and the second magnetic body  91  is provided, but the number and arrangement of these elements can be changed as appropriate. Further, the housing or the stand itself may have a magnetic structure without arranging the magnet or the magnetic body. 
     Next, an example of using the stand portion  4  for stationary shooting will be described with reference to  FIGS.  8  to  10   .  FIG.  8    shows a state in which the stand portion  4  of the camera body  100  is unfolded and the camera body  100  is installed on the horizontal plane H while the imaging lens  3  is directed obliquely upward. 
     In the example of  FIG.  8   , the display unit  9  is rotated in substantially the same direction as the imaging lens  3  in order to facilitate the user’s composition confirmation. Further, the unfolded stand leg portion  41  is rotated toward the rear surface of the camera body  100  in order to adjust the angle of stationary shooting. Here, assuming that the angle formed by the optical axis  3   a  of the imaging lens  3  and the horizontal plane H is θ, the specifications of the length of the stand leg portion  41  and the position of the stand rotation shaft  4   a  are set so that the camera body  100  can stand by itself at least in the range of θ≤45. Accordingly, for example, the user can capture an image in which the camera body  100  is placed on the ground and looks up from a low angle while adjusting the viewing angle. 
     Further, if the installation surface of the camera body  100  is made of the magnetic body, it is possible to easily stabilize the camera body  100  by attracting the magnet  43  of the stand connection portion  42  to the installation surface even when the installation surface is inclined or unstable. 
       FIG.  9    shows a state in which the camera body  100  is installed with a vertical surface V made of the magnetic body as the installation surface. The installation surface (the vertical surface V) of  FIG.  9    is, for example, a refrigerator door or an iron locker and the camera body  100  is fixed to the vertical surface V by attracting the magnet  43  to the vertical surface V. In the example of  FIG.  9   , the stand portion  4  is rotated so as to be slightly pulled out from the accommodation state so that a bird’s-eye view image can be captured. 
     In this way, the camera body  100  can be attached to the vertical installation surface made of the magnetic body through the stand portion  4  at an arbitrary height. Further, the camera body  100  fixed to the vertical installation surface can adjust the direction of the imaging lens  3  with respect to the installation surface by the rotation mechanism of the stand portion  4 . Thus, the camera body  100  can flexibly adjust the height and angle when capturing an image without using a tripod or the like. Additionally, if the installation surface is made of the magnetic body, it is possible to capture an image with the camera body  100  in a suspended state as if  FIG.  8    is turned upside down. 
       FIG.  10    shows a state in which the stand portion  4  of the camera body  100  is unfolded and the camera body  100  is installed on the horizontal plane H while the imaging lens  3  faces obliquely downward. In the example of  FIG.  10   , the display unit  9  is rotated in substantially the same direction as the imaging lens  3  similarly to  FIG.  8   . Further, the stand portion  4  is rotated by 180° from the accommodation state and the stand leg portion  41  protrudes toward the front side of the camera body  100 . 
     Here, the specifications of the length of the stand leg portion  41  and the shape of the stand connection portion  42  are set so that the stand portion  4  deviates from the viewing angle  3   b  of the imaging lens  3  even when the stand portion  4  is rotated toward the front side of the camera body  100 . Here, the tilt direction of the camera body  100  in  FIG.  8    is defined as the positive direction and the angle formed by the optical axis  3   a   of the imaging lens  3  and the horizontal plane H is defined as θ. At this time, the specifications of the length of the stand leg portion  41  and the position of the stand rotation shaft  4   a  are set so that the camera body  100  can stand by itself at least in the range of -45°≤θ. Accordingly, for example, the user can capture an image from an angle such that the camera body  100  is placed on a high table or a shelf without using a tripod and the camera body  100  is viewed from above while adjusting the viewing angle. 
       FIG.  11    shows an example in which an image is captured by holding the camera body  100  with a hand in the unfolded state of the stand portion  4 . In the example of  FIG.  11   , it is assumed that the user captures an image of a subject in the direction opposite to the user while holding the camera body  100 . 
     The aspect of  FIG.  11    is an aspect corresponding to  FIG.  5   . In this aspect, after the display unit  9  is temporarily rotated from the aspect of  FIG.  2   , the stand portion  4  is rotated by about 180° from the accommodation state to be unfolded and the display unit  9  is returned to the accommodation state again. In the above-described aspect, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the stand leg portion  41  rotated from the accommodation state is substantially flush with the grip surface  6  provided on the front surface of the camera body  100 . Accordingly, the stand portion  4  functions as a grip portion extending from the grip surface  6  and the user can more stably grip the camera body  100  by the grip surface  6  extended by the stand portion  4 . 
     Further, the pair of stand leg portions  41  provided on both side surfaces of the camera body  100  are reinforced such that the end portion separated from the stand rotation shaft  4   a  is connected to the stand connection portion  42 . Therefore, the stand portion  4  has a structure that does not easily bend with respect to the gripping force of the user. Further, as shown in  FIG.  5   , in a state in which the stand portion  4  is rotated by about 180° from the accommodation state, the stand connection portion  42  protrudes from the stand leg portion  41  toward the front side of the camera body  100 . Accordingly, when the user grips the camera body  100 , the side surface portion of the palm is hung on the stand connection portion  42 , so that the camera body  100  is less likely to slip off. 
     Next, a usage example in which the camera body  100  is suspended by using the stand portion  4  will be described with reference to  FIGS.  12  and  13   .  FIG.  12    is a front view when the camera body  100  is used in a suspended state.  FIG.  13    is a view showing a state in which the stand portion  4  of the camera body  100  is hung and suspended on a hook F provided on the vertical surface V. 
     In  FIGS.  12  and  13   , each of the stand portion  4  and the display unit  9  is rotated by about 180° to be unfolded, the stand portion  4  is located on the upper side, and the display unit  9  is located on the lower side. In the above usage state, the user can set the captured image to be recorded upside down from the setting menu. Further, the posture of the camera body  100  may be automatically detected and the top and bottom of the image to be captured may be set according to the above posture by incorporating an acceleration sensor or the like in the camera body  100 . 
     Further, a semi-circular recess  44  is formed in the vicinity of the center of the stand connection portion  42 . As shown in  FIG.  12   , a vertical axis L1 connecting the center of the recess  44  and the center G of gravity of the camera body  100  vertically intersects a line L2 parallel to the long side of the imaging surface I of the imaging sensor. That is, as shown in  FIG.  13   , when the recess  44  of the stand connection portion  42  is hung on the hook F, the posture of the camera body  100  is stabilized while the longitudinal direction of the image is parallel to the horizontal plane H due to the gravity. 
     In this way, the user can capture an image by hanging the camera body  100  on the familiar hook F. For example, even in a situation where a surface on which the camera body  100  can be placed or an installation surface made of the magnetic body does not exist in the peripheral area, the camera body  100  can be used for capturing an image if there is a hanging portion such as a hook F. 
     As described above, according to the configuration of the camera body  100  of this embodiment, it is possible to support a wide variety of applications such as handheld imaging, self-shooting, and stationary shooting by itself. 
     Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and various modifications and changes can be made in the scope of the spirit. 
     For example, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration example of a lens integrated camera in which the imaging lens  3  is fixed to the camera body  100  has been described, but the imaging apparatus of the present invention may be a digital camera in which the imaging lens  3  is replaceable through a mount. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.