Camera equipment

Abstract

To provide a camera device capable of significantly recognizing a person who is photographed that is under a non-photographing state.SOLUTION: A camera device 1 includes: a photographing unit 20; a display unit 30 capable of displaying videos; a drive mechanism 40 integrally moving the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30; and an opening portion 14 communicating the outside with the inside thereof, and further includes a housing 10 for storing the photographing unit 20, the display unit 30, and the drive mechanism 40. The drive mechanism 40 moves the photographing unit and the display unit 30 to a first position where the photographing unit 20 can photograph through the opening portion 14. The drive mechanism 40 also moves the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 to a second position where the video displayed by the display unit 30 is visible through the opening portion 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera device capable of taking moving images and still images. [Background technology]

[0002] Nowadays, camera devices such as surveillance cameras and monitoring cameras are installed in various places such as hospitals, nursing homes, factories, stores, and homes. Camera devices such as web cameras and real-time cameras that can be connected to the Internet are also used in various places such as offices and homes. When using such camera devices, it is necessary to protect personal privacy. Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe camera devices that take into consideration the protection of personal privacy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0249415 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0363699 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using a camera device, it is necessary not only to protect the privacy of individuals, but also to take care to minimize stress for the person being photographed. In order to meet such demands, it is desirable that not only should the camera device be switchable between a photographing state and a non-photographing state, but that when the camera device is in a non-photographing state, the person being photographed be able to clearly recognize that state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A camera device according to one embodiment includes a photographing unit, a display unit capable of displaying an image, a drive mechanism for moving the photographing unit and the display unit together, and a housing having an opening communicating with the inside and the outside and accommodating the photographing unit, the display unit, and the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism moves the photographing unit and the display unit to a first position where the photographing unit can capture an image through the opening. The drive mechanism also moves the photographing unit and the display unit to a second position where an image displayed by the display unit can be viewed through the opening. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, a camera device is realized that allows a person being photographed to clearly recognize that the device is in a non-photographing state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera device in a photographing state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera device in a non-photographing state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the camera device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a photographing unit and a display unit. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a first position of the photographing unit and the display unit. [Figure 5B] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a second position of the photographing unit and the display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all drawings for explaining the embodiment, the same or substantially the same configurations or elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and in principle, the same description will not be repeated.

[0009] <Camera equipment overview> The use of the camera device according to this embodiment is not particularly limited, but it is suitable for installation as a surveillance camera or a monitoring camera in hospitals, nursing homes, factories, stores, homes, etc. In addition, the camera device according to this embodiment is also suitable for use as a Web camera or a real-time camera that can be connected to the Internet.

[0010] The camera device according to the present embodiment is switchable between a shooting state and a non-shooting state. More specifically, the camera device according to the present embodiment has a shooting unit capable of shooting images such as moving images and still images, and is switchable between a state in which the shooting unit is capable of shooting (shooting state) and a state in which the shooting unit is not capable of shooting (non-shooting state).

[0011] 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the appearance of the camera device 1 according to this embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera device 1 in a shooting state, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera device 1 in a non-shooting state.

[0012] The camera device 1 can be switched between a shooting state and a non-shooting state, for example, by a user's operation. Also, the camera device 1 can be switched between a shooting state and a non-shooting state in conjunction with remote operation using another device or a change in the state of a connected device (for example, power ON / OFF).

[0013] <Housing> Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view (developed view) showing the structure of camera device 1. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, camera device 1 has a horizontally long housing (exterior case) 10 composed of a front case 11 and a rear case 12. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of housing 10 is defined as the left-right direction.

[0014] A circular opening 14 that communicates with the inside and outside of the housing 10 is provided in a front portion 13 of the housing 10 that is formed by one surface of the front case 11. In other words, the opening 14 is a through hole provided in the front surface of the housing 10. Light emitted from an object to be photographed is taken into the housing 10 through the opening 14 and enters the photographing unit. Therefore, in the following description, the opening 14 may be referred to as a "photographing opening 14." In some embodiments, a colorless and transparent cover is provided on the opening 14 to prevent dust from entering the inside.

[0015] A control board 16 is fixed to a bottom surface 15 of the housing 10 formed by one surface of the rear case 12. The control board 16 has a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The control board 16 has approximately the same size (area) as the bottom surface 15 of the housing 10, and its four corners are screwed to the bottom surface 15 of the housing 10. A control unit (control circuit) that comprehensively controls the camera device 1, a memory that stores programs and data, a power supply circuit, and the like are provided on the control board 16.

[0016] The housing 10 accommodates a photographing unit 20, a display unit 30, and a drive mechanism 40, which are the main components of the camera device 1. Below, the photographing unit 20, the display unit 30, and the drive mechanism 40 will each be described.

[0017] <Photography Unit> 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30. The photographing unit 20 includes an imaging element (image sensor) 21 and a lens 22 that focuses light incident through the photographing opening 14 onto a light receiving surface 21a of the imaging element 21. The imaging element 21 is mounted on a sensor board 23. The lens 22 has the same or approximately the same diameter as the photographing opening 14. The lens 22 is disposed above the imaging element 21 and held by a lens holder 24. More specifically, a lower portion of the lens 22 is screwed to the lens holder 24.

[0018] Light taken into the housing 10 through the photographing opening 14 enters the lens 22. The lens 22 focuses the incident light on the light receiving surface 21a of the image sensor 21. In other words, the lens 22 is an imaging optical system that forms an image of the object to be photographed on the light receiving surface 21a of the image sensor 21, or is at least a part of the imaging optical system. The image sensor 21 converts the brightness of the image formed by the lens 22 into an electric charge amount, and outputs a signal according to the converted electric charge amount. The signal output from the image sensor 21 is sent to the control board 16 via the sensor board 23.

[0019] <Display unit> The display unit 30 includes a display 31 having a display surface 31a capable of displaying an image, and a cover glass 32 that protects the display 31. The display 31 is accommodated in a recess 33a formed on the upper surface of a cylindrical display holder 33. The cover glass 32 is circular and has the same or approximately the same diameter as the photographing opening 14. The cover glass 32 is fitted into the recess 33a of the display holder 33 and covers the display surface 31a of the display 31. The photographing opening 14 and the cover glass 32 (display unit 30) may have a shape other than a circle (for example, a rectangle). The cover glass 32 may be omitted. When the cover glass 32 is omitted, it is preferable to attach a cover member such as glass to the photographing opening 14 or the front surface of the front case 11.

[0020] The display 31 in this embodiment is a liquid crystal display composed of a glass substrate, liquid crystal, a polarizing plate, a color filter, etc. The display 31 is electrically connected to a driving circuit (not shown) and displays images (e.g., characters, figures, symbols, etc.) on a display surface 31a according to the control of the driving circuit.

[0021] The display 31 is not limited to a liquid crystal display. For example, the display 31 may be an organic electroluminescence (EL) display.

[0022] <Drive mechanism> 3, the drive mechanism 40 includes a support member 41 on which the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are mounted, and an actuator 42 that reciprocates the support member 41 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the housing 10. The support member 41 is a rectangular plate material whose longitudinal direction is the same as the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. Therefore, in the following description, the support member 41 may be referred to as a "base plate 41."

[0023] The photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are mounted on one main surface (front surface) of the base plate 41. The other main surface (rear surface 41b) of the base plate 41 faces the rear surface part 17 of the housing 10 which is formed by one surface of the rear case 12.

[0024] The photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are disposed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 on the base plate 41. In other words, the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are adjacent to each other on the left and right. The centers of the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are located at the same height. From another perspective, the line segment connecting the center of the lens 22 and the center of the cover glass 32 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The height of the centers of the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 also coincides with the height of the center of the photographic opening 14.

[0025] The actuator 42 is composed of an electric motor, a feed screw (lead screw), a movable member, etc., and converts rotational motion into linear motion. The feed screw is rotated by the electric motor. The movable member includes a nut member that is screw-coupled with the feed screw, and moves back and forth in the axial direction of the feed screw as the feed screw rotates. For example, when the feed screw rotates clockwise, the movable member moves to the right in the axial direction, and when the feed screw rotates counterclockwise, the movable member moves to the left in the axial direction.

[0026] The feed screw of the actuator 42 is disposed so that its axial direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The movable member of the actuator 42 is connected to a base plate 41 on which the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are mounted. Therefore, when the movable member moves in accordance with the rotation of the feed screw, the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 move integrally in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10.

[0027] By controlling the amount of rotation of the feed screw (amount of rotation of the electric motor), it is possible to control the amount of movement and positions of the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30. For example, a detection means (e.g., a photointerrupter) for detecting the positions of the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 can be provided, and the amount of rotation of the feed screw (amount of rotation of the electric motor) can be controlled based on the detection result of the detection means. Note that the detection result of the detection means can also be used, for example, for ON / OFF control of the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30.

[0028] <Movement of the camera unit and display unit> Next, the movement of the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 realized by the driving mechanism 40 will be described in detail. The driving mechanism 40 moves the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 to the position shown in FIG. 5A and the position shown in FIG. 5B. When the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are moved to the position shown in FIG. 5A, the photographing unit 20 can capture an image through the photographing opening 14 (FIG. 1, FIG. 3). On the other hand, when the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are moved to the position shown in FIG. 5B, the image displayed by the display unit 30 can be viewed through the photographing opening 14 (FIG. 2, FIG. 3). That is, the position of the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 shown in FIG. 5A corresponds to the first position of the present invention. On the other hand, the position of the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 shown in FIG. 5B corresponds to the second position of the present invention.

[0029] When the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are moved from the second position (FIG. 5B) to the first position (FIG. 5A) by the driving mechanism 40, the lens 22 of the photographing unit 20 faces the photographing opening 14 (FIGS. 1 and 3). As a result, light taken into the housing 10 from the photographing opening 14 reaches the light receiving surface 21a of the image sensor 21 via the lens 22. In other words, the camera device 1 is in a photographing state. At this time, the display unit 30 adjacent to the photographing unit 20 is removed from the photographing opening 14 and hidden behind the front part 13 of the housing 10.

[0030] When the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are moved from the first position (FIG. 5A) to the second position (FIG. 5B) by the driving mechanism 40, the display 31 of the display unit 30 faces the photographing opening 14 (FIGS. 2 and 3). More specifically, the display 31 faces the photographing opening 14 (FIGS. 2 and 3) via the cover glass 32. As a result, the image displayed on the display surface 31a of the display 31 becomes visible through the photographing opening 14. At this time, the photographing unit 20 adjacent to the display unit 30 is removed from the photographing opening 14 and hidden behind the front part 13 of the housing 10. In other words, the camera device 1 is in a non-photographing state.

[0031] As described above, the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 included in the camera device 1 are moved integrally to the first position and the second position within the housing 10. Furthermore, when the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are moved to the first position, photographing by the photographing unit 20 becomes possible, whereas when the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are moved to the second position, photographing by the photographing unit 20 becomes impossible. In other words, the camera device 1 is switchable between a photographing state and a non-photographing state.

[0032] In addition, when the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are moved to the second position and the camera device 1 is in a non-photographing state, a predetermined message is displayed on the display unit 30, thereby informing the user that the camera device 1 is in a non-photographing state. Thus, the person being photographed can clearly recognize that the camera device 1 is in a non-photographing state.

[0033] However, the image displayed on the display unit 30 when the photographing unit 20 and the display unit 30 are moved to the second position is not limited to a specific message. For example, the name and / or emblem of the manufacturer or distributor of the camera device 1 may be displayed. The time and other information may also be displayed.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, grooves or protrusions for guiding the movement of the support member on which the photographing unit and the display unit are mounted are provided in the housing. However, the photographing unit and the display unit do not have to be mounted on a common support member as long as they can move together.

[0035] Some embodiments include a magnifying optical system that magnifies an image displayed on the display of the display unit, and some embodiments include a projection optical system that projects an image displayed on the display. The magnifying optical system and the projection optical system are, for example, composed of one or more lenses, mirrors, prisms, etc. There is no limitation on the structure or type of the drive mechanism. For example, in some embodiments, a rack-and-pinion type drive mechanism is provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1...camera device, 10...housing, 11...front case, 12...rear case, 13...front portion, 14...opening (photographing opening), 15...bottom portion, 16...control board, 17...rear portion, 20...photographing unit, 21...imaging element, 21a...light receiving surface, 22...lens, 23...sensor board, 24...lens holder, 30...display unit, 31...display, 31a...display surface, 32...cover glass, 33...display holder, 33a...recess, 40...driving mechanism, 41...support member, 41...base plate, 41a...surface, 41b...back surface, 42...actuator

Claims

1. The photography unit, A display unit capable of displaying an image; a drive mechanism for moving the photographing unit and the display unit together; a housing having an opening communicating with the inside and the outside, the housing accommodating the photographing unit, the display unit and the drive mechanism, the driving mechanism moves the photographing unit and the display unit to a first position where the photographing unit can take an image through the opening; the driving mechanism moves the photographing unit and the display unit to a second position where an image displayed by the display unit is visible through the opening; The photographing unit includes an image sensor and a lens that focuses light incident through the opening onto the image sensor; The display unit includes a display on which an image is displayed, When the photographing unit and the display unit are moved to the first position, the lens faces the opening, A camera device, wherein when the photographing unit and the display unit are moved to the second position, the display faces the opening.

2. The camera device according to claim 1 , wherein the display is a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display.

3. The photographing unit and the display unit are disposed adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction of the housing, The camera device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism reciprocates the photographing unit and the display unit in a longitudinal direction of the housing.

4. The camera device according to claim 3 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises: a support member on which the photographing unit and the display unit are mounted; and an actuator that reciprocates the support member in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

Images