Abstract:
With regard to an optical disk video camera using an optical disk as a recording medium, the optical disk video camera is made smaller in size by changing a position of a battery which supplies power. In order to allow the optical disk video camera to be downsized, the battery which supplies power is arranged so that a part of the battery and a perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk overlap one another.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority from Japanese application serial no. JP 2004-345111, filed on Nov. 30, 2004, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an optical disk video camera.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     As a way of example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-214752 discloses a background for the related art of the present invention. This publication describes as a subject, “aiming at reducing the size of the imaging apparatus which records information on a recording medium in optical disk form”. It is also described as a solving means that “the imaging apparatus using an optical disk as a recording medium is constructed such that supporting portions for mounting a grip belt are provided on two structural members (not a cartridge cover) constituting a main body, respectively arranged on both sides of the imaging apparatus”. It is further described “the imaging apparatus is constructed such that the optical disk is inserted or removed vertically with respect to a imaging direction. It is characterized in that a round-shaped cartridge is used as a cartridge.” 
         [0006]     Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11-215414 is taken as an example of another background for the related art of the present invention. This publication describes as a subject, “achieving compactness compatible with good operability in a digital camera”. It is further described as a solving means that, “with regard to the recording medium holding section for inserting a DVD or the like, a display section, a battery section, and a lens section, the display section and the battery section are arranged so that they are accommodated in a projection plane of the recording medium holding section, when projected from an operator who performs imaging, and the lens section is arranged in such a manner as freely rotatable at the side of the recording medium holding section, thereby achieving a compact configuration.  
         [0007]     Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-53994 is taken as an example of another background for the related art of the present invention. This publication describes as a subject, “obtaining a thinner video camera in which a card type recording and reproducing device is built”. It is further described as a solving means, “a card type recording and reproducing device  14  which records and reproduces still image data and the like on/from the card type recording medium  13  is arranged below the imaging section  4  and the view finder section  5  of a camera main body  2 , and within a space  15  being a dead space between the mechanical deck section  6  and/or controller  9  and the liquid crystal monitor section  10 , in such a manner that the card type recording and reproducing device  14  is substantially parallel to those elements as described above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In recent years, an optical disk video camera (hereinafter, just referred to as “camera”), which uses an optical disk as a recording medium instead of a magnetic tape, has been introduced commercially. This camera uses as a recording medium, for example, a DVD-RAM disk being 80 mm in diameter.  
         [0009]     Hereinafter, with regard to a conventional camera, functions and positional relationship of a camera lens section, an optical disk, an optical disk device, a liquid crystal display, and a battery will be explained.  
         [0010]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the conventional camera (hereinafter, just referred to as “perspective view”).  FIG. 14  is a top view showing the conventional camera (hereinafter, just referred to as “top view”).  FIG. 16  is a side view showing the conventional camera (hereinafter, just referred to as “side view”).  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 15 , and  FIG. 17  are illustrations with an external case and the like removed from  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 16 , respectively. Furthermore,  FIG. 18  is an illustration with a cartridge-equipped optical disk  1  and an optical disk holder  2  removed from the Illustration of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0011]     Firstly, a camera lens section will be explained. A camera lens section  100  captures mainly video information. In many cases, it is positioned at an upper forward part of the camera main body.  
         [0012]     Next, the optical disk will be explained. As shown in  FIG. 20A  and  FIG. 20B , the cartridge-equipped optical disk  1  used in the conventional camera includes an optical disk main body  1   a  and a cartridge  1   c . The optical disk main body  1   a  has a hole  1   b  used for positioning onto a disk motor  4 . The cartridge  1   c  has holes  1   d  and  1   e  used for positioning on a predetermined position on an optical disk device  3 .  FIG. 21A  and  FIG. 21B  are perspective views of the cartridge-equipped optical disk  1 . The locating holes  1   d  and  1   e  are provided on both sides of the cartridge  1   c.  Accordingly, any side of the cartridge-equipped optical disk  1  is allowed to be positioned on the optical disk device. In many cases, the cartridge-equipped optical disk  1  is positioned on the side surface of the camera main body. The cartridge  1   c  is provided with an opening  1   f,  so as to expose a part of the optical disk  1   a.  By use of the opening  1   f,  an optical head  5  mounted on the optical disk device  3  irradiates the optical disk  1   a  with laser, so as to record/reproduce video information.  
         [0013]     Next, the optical disk device will be explained. The optical head  5  provided on the optical disk device  3  is held by a main guide bar  10  and a sub guide bar  11 . The optical head  5  is movable in a radial direction of the optical disk by a power from a seek motor, not illustrated. When actually recording/reproducing of video information is carried out, the disk motor  4  allows the optical disk  1   a  to rotate, and the optical head  5  irradiates the optical disk  1   a  with a laser beam. Then, while the seek motor not illustrated moves the optical head  5  in the radial direction of the optical disk  1   a,  recording/reproducing is performed from the inner periphery of the disk towards the outer periphery thereof. Thus, in many cases, the optical head  5  is positioned at a position close to the position of the optical disk as described above.  
         [0014]     Next, a liquid crystal display screen will be explained. A liquid crystal display screen  200  displays a video image captured by the lens portion  100 , and also displays the video information reproduced by the optical disk device  3 . In many cases, the liquid crystal display is positioned on the opposite side of a disk cover  19  with respect to the optical disk  1 .  
         [0015]     Finally, the battery will be explained. The battery, which supplies electric power to the camera having such a configuration as described above, has around 5 W in power. Generally, this battery has a large volume, compared to other portable electronic equipment (for example, portable CD, and the like). In many cases, the battery is positioned in the rear part of the camera body.  
         [0016]     As shown in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 17 , as for the conventional optical disk video camera, the battery is arranged so that the battery and the disk perpendicular projection plane do not overlap one another. However, (1) it is demanded in general that a video camera be downsized as much as possible, from a viewpoint of handling ease and portability. Furthermore, (2) when the battery is arranged so that the disk perpendicular projection plane and the battery do not overlap one another, in many cases, the battery tends to protrude from the rear side of the optical disk video camera. This configuration is not preferable, since a user feels heat when he or she peers through the viewfinder  13 .  
         [0017]     Considering the situation above, the present invention aims at improving the usability of an optical disk video camera.  
         [0018]     The object above will be achieved according to the invention as described in the appended claims.  
         [0019]     With the present invention, it is possible to enhance the usability of the optical disk video camera. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     Theses and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an external perspective view showing an optical disk video camera according to the present embodiment;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view in which a disk cover of the optical disk video camera is in an opened state, before mounting an optical disk;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view in which the disk cover of the optical disk video camera is in an opened state, after the optical disk is mounted;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is an illustration with an external case and the like removed from the illustration shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the optical disk video camera according to the present embodiment;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is an illustration with the external case and the like removed from the illustration shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the optical disk video camera according to the present embodiment;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is an illustration with the external case and the like removed from the illustration shown in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is an optical disk device of a conventional optical disk video camera;  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a comparative diagram ( 1 );  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is a comparative diagram ( 2 );  
         [0032]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the conventional optical disk video camera;  
         [0033]      FIG. 13  is an illustration with the external case and the like removed from the illustration shown in  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 14  is a top view of the conventional optical disk video camera;  
         [0035]      FIG. 15  is an illustration with the external case and the like removed from the illustration shown in  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the conventional optical disk video camera;  
         [0037]      FIG. 17  is an illustration with the external case and the like removed from the illustration shown in  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 18  is an illustration with a cartridge-equipped optical disk  1  and an optical disk holder  2  removed from the illustration shown in  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the illustration shown in  FIG. 18  to explain a method of positioning the optical disk;  
         [0040]      FIG. 20A  and  FIG. 20B  are respectively a side view and a cross sectional view of the cartridge-equipped optical disk; and  
         [0041]      FIG. 21A  and  FIG. 21B  are perspective views of the cartridge-equipped optical disk. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings from  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 11 .  
         [0043]     It is to be noted here that constituent elements having functions similar to those of the optical disk video camera explained with  FIG. 12  to  FIG. 21B  are labeled with the same numbers for the sake of convenience, even though they may be different in configuration, and the operations thereof shall not be explained in detail.  
         [0044]      FIG. 1  is an external perspective view showing an optical disk video camera according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view in which a disk cover of the optical disk video camera is in an opened state, before mounting an optical disk.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view in which the disk cover of the optical disk video camera is in an opened state, after the optical disk is mounted.  FIG. 4  is an illustration with an external case and the like removed from the illustration shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is a side view of the optical disk video camera according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 6  is an illustration with the external case and the like removed from the illustration shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is a top view of the optical disk video camera according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 8  is an illustration with the external case and the like removed from the Illustration shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0045]     The optical disk video camera according to the present embodiment includes a camera lens  12  which captures video information, an optical head  5  which records/reproduces the video information on/from the optical disk  1   a,  an optical disk device  15  including a disk motor  16  which rotates the optical disk  1   a,  a battery  14  which supplies power to the optical disk video camera, a viewfinder, and a liquid crystal display.  
         [0046]     Before starting recording/reproducing of the video information, the disk cover  19  is opened, and the optical disk  1   a  is mounted on the optical disk device  15 . Disk holding mechanism  16   b  on the disk motor  16  is inserted into the hole  1   b  of the optical disk  1   a.  Subsequently, when a user presses the optical disk  1   a  into the vertical direction as shown in  FIG. 3 , the optical disk  1   a  is held on a turntable  16   a  of the disk motor  16  by hooks  16   c  (three portions) provided on the disk holding mechanism  16   b . Thereafter, the user closes the disk cover  19 , and then, recording/reproducing of the video information becomes possible.  
         [0047]     The optical head  5  is mounted in such a manner as being movable in the radial direction of the optical disk, along the main guide cover  10  and the sub guide bar  11  that are provided on the optical disk device  15  (see  FIG. 6 ). The optical disk device  15  includes a seek motor  17  provided with a ball screw part (hereinafter, referred to as “lead screw  18 ”) as a driving source for moving the optical head  5 . Driving force from the seek motor  17  is transferred from the lead screw  18  to the lead rack  21  which is installed on the optical head. In order to record the video information onto the optical disk  1   a , the disk motor  16  rotates the optical disk  1   a , and the optical head  5  irradiates the optical disk  1   a  with the laser beam. While the seek motor  17  moves the optical head  5  in the radial direction of the optical disk (see  FIG. 6 ), recording is performed from the disk inner periphery to the disk outer periphery.  
         [0048]     Here, since the optical disk video camera according to the present embodiment is prepared for a bare optical disk la without a cartridge, positioning pins  6 ,  7  and placement planes  6   a,    7   a,    8 , and  9  for the cartridge  1   c , provided on the conventional optical disk device  3 , and the optical disk holder  2  are not necessary any more.  FIG. 10  is a shape comparative diagram between the conventional optical disk device  3  and the optical disk device  15  according to the present embodiment. In the optical disk device  15  according to the present embodiment, a shape on the side being opposite to the side where the optical head  5  and holding member/driving mechanism of the optical head  5  are installed, is largely out off.  
         [0049]     In the optical disk video camera according to the present embodiment, a layout of the battery  14  is set as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 8 , and it is positioned in such a manner that a part of the battery and the perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk overlap one another. Reference numeral  20  in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 8  represents the overlapped portion.  FIG. 11  shows an effect of the present embodiment. In the conventional optical disk video camera, the battery and the perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk are arranged so that they do not overlap one another. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the battery is arranged so that a part of the battery and the perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk overlap one another, thereby achieving a downsizing of the product. In addition, with respect to the center axis of the optical disk rotation, the optical head  5  of the optical disk device and the holding member and driving mechanism of the optical head  5  are provided on the opposite side of the battery position. It is also possible to configure such that a part of the installation plane of the video camera main body for installing the battery may be within the perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk. Further in the present embodiment, as understood from  FIG. 11 , the battery  14  and the liquid crystal display  200  are arranged so that they do not overlap one another. With this configuration, compared to the case where the battery is allowed to slip into the position overlapped with the liquid crystal display, the optical disk video camera can be configured thinner in shape.  
         [0050]     According to the present embodiment, compared to the case where the battery is not arranged in the perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk, the moment from the disk center due to the battery weight is made smaller, thereby achieving a camera which is easily carried by a user. Furthermore, compared to the case where the battery is not arranged in the perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk, the battery is arranged into a more unified configuration with the camera body, and it works advantageously against a dropping impact and the like. When the user tries to use the viewfinder, he or she hardly feels heat compared to the case where the battery is not arranged in the perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk. In this configuration, a long slide distance is not necessary for the viewfinder.  
         [0051]     The optical disk video camera main body is provided with a imaging module, positioned on the front surface, for obtaining video information, a recording module, positioned on one side surface, for recording on the optical disk the video information obtained by the imaging module, and a power supply module, positioned on the back surface, for supplying power to drive the recording module, wherein, a part of the power supply module and the perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk are arranged to overlap one another, thereby making the height of the video camera approximately the same as the disk diameter, and making the shape easy to carry when a user holds one side surface.  
         [0052]     The optical disk video camera is further provided with a liquid crystal display module, positioned on the other side surface, for displaying the video information obtained by the imaging module, wherein, the power supply module and the liquid crystal display module are arranged within the perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk in such a manner that the power supply module and the liquid crystal display module do not overlap one another, thereby making the width of the video main body thinner, when viewed from the back surface thereof.  
         [0053]     The optical disk video camera is provided with the imaging module, positioned on the front surface, for obtaining the video information, the recording module, positioned on one side surface, for recording on the optical disk the video information obtained by the imaging module, and an installation plane positioned on the back surface, on which the power supply module to supply power for driving the recording module is installed, wherein a part of the installation plane is arranged vertically within the perpendicular projection plane of the optical disk, thereby achieving an effective use of the other side surface, such as placing a display unit, buttons necessary for various imaging operations. Therefore, usability is enhanced for the user.  
         [0054]     While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance with our invention, it should be understood that disclosed embodiments are susceptible of changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, we do not intend to bound by the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications a fall within the ambit of the appended claims.