Imaging device

Abstract

To enable the vibration generated in a vibration device to be transmitted reliably and suitably to the finger of an operator who is operating it.SOLUTION: The present invention comprises a housing in which an imaging element is disposed and a plurality of cabinets are connected in the inside, and a vibration device that vibrates during prescribed operation. Some of the cabinets are located inside of a grip part that is grasped by an operator, and the vibration device is attached to the cabinet in the side of the grip part. Since the vibration device attached to the cabinet in the inside of the grip part operates during prescribed operation, the vibration generated in the vibration device is reliably and suitably transmitted to the finger of the operator who is operating it.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] This technology relates to the technical field of an imaging device provided with a vibration device that vibrates during a predetermined operation.

Background Art

[0002] In an imaging device such as a camera, an image pickup device is disposed inside a housing, and an optical image of a subject captured by an optical system such as a lens is photoelectrically converted by the image pickup device to generate an image or video.

[0003] Some of such imaging devices are provided with various operation parts such as a shutter button and a mode switching button, and are configured such that a vibration device disposed inside vibrates when a predetermined operation part is operated (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] In an imaging device provided with a vibration device, when a predetermined operation part, for example, a shutter button or the like, is operated by an operator and the vibration device vibrates, the operator can recognize the operation feeling of operating the operation part through the vibration transmitted to the finger.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in an imaging device provided with a vibration device as described above, it is desirable that a high operation feeling can be obtained by an operator when a predetermined operation part is operated and the vibration device vibrates.

[0007] For such operators to achieve a high level of tactile feedback, the vibrations generated by the vibration device must be reliably and effectively transmitted to the operator's fingers. In particular, when a vibration device is installed in a camera, the camera is heavier than a mobile phone, and there is a risk that the vibrations generated by the vibration device may be attenuated and not accurately transmitted to the operator.

[0008] Therefore, the purpose of this imaging device is to ensure that vibrations generated in the vibration device are reliably and effectively transmitted to the fingers of the operator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The imaging device according to this technology comprises a housing formed by the arrangement of an image sensor inside and the connection of multiple cabinets, and a vibration device that vibrates during a predetermined operation, wherein a part of the cabinet is located inside a grip portion that is held by the operator. The cabinet is formed of a metal material, The vibration device is located inside the grip portion and in the cabinet In a state of surface contact It was installed.

[0010] As a result, a vibration device attached to the cabinet vibrates inside the grip during a predetermined operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figures 2 through 10 illustrate embodiments of this technology, and this figure is a perspective view of the imaging device. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the imaging device, shown from a different direction than Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the imaging device, showing the top cabinet, vibration device, and retaining plate separated. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the front cabinet. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the internal arrangement of the vibration device and the retaining plate when they are separated. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing a state where a vibration device and a pressing plate are attached to the inner arrangement part. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing a state where the grip part is being gripped by an operator. [Figure 8] It is a front view showing the direction of the force applied to the imaging device by vibration. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing an example where the vibration device is attached to the grip configuration part of the front cabinet. [Figure 10] It is a block diagram of the imaging device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present imaging device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] The embodiments shown below are those in which the present imaging device is applied to a still camera. However, the application range of the present technology is not limited to still cameras. The present technology can be widely applied to various other imaging devices such as video cameras, for example.

[0014] In the following description, the front-back, up-down, left-right directions are shown in the direction in which the subject is viewed from the photographer during shooting of the still camera. Therefore, when expressed based on the optical axis passing through the center of the imaging element of the still camera, the object side (subject) on the optical axis is in the front, and the image plane side on the optical axis is in the back. Note that the front-back, up-down, left-right directions shown below are for convenience of explanation, and the implementation of the present technology is not limited to these directions.

[0015] <Configuration of the Imaging Device> First, the external configuration of the imaging device 1 will be mainly described (see FIGS. 1 to 5).

[0016] The imaging device 1 is formed by arranging required parts inside and outside the housing 2 (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0017] The housing 2 is composed of a plurality of cabinets, for example, a front cabinet 3, a rear cabinet 4, a top cabinet 5, and a bottom cabinet (not shown) that are joined together. Since the front cabinet 3, the rear cabinet 4, the top cabinet 5, and the bottom cabinet are members that protect the respective parts arranged inside the housing 2, they are provided as rigid bodies having high rigidity.

[0018] The front cabinet 3 and the rear cabinet 4 are joined together front and back. The top cabinet 5 is joined to the front cabinet 3 and the rear cabinet 4 in a state of covering the upper surfaces of the front cabinet 3 and the rear cabinet 4 from above. The bottom cabinet is joined to the front cabinet 3 and the rear cabinet 4 in a state of covering the lower surfaces of the front cabinet 3 and the rear cabinet 4 from below.

[0019] The front cabinet 3, the rear cabinet 4, the top cabinet 5, and the bottom cabinet are all formed as die-cast products from metal materials such as magnesium, copper, and aluminum.

[0020] The front cabinet 3 has a base portion 6, a grip forming portion 7, and an inner arrangement portion 8 (see FIG. 4). The base portion 6, the grip forming portion 7, and the inner arrangement portion 8 are integrally formed.

[0021] The base portion 6 has a front panel portion 9 facing in the front-rear direction and a side panel portion 10 protruding rearward from one side edge of the front panel portion 9. A circular opening 9a is formed in the front panel portion 9. A mounting ring 11 is attached to a portion around the opening 9a in the front panel portion 9 (see FIG. 1). A mounting portion for an interchangeable lens (not shown) is detachably attached to the mounting ring 11. A contact substrate 12 having a plurality of contacts is attached to an inner portion of the mounting ring 11 in the front panel portion 9. Connection terminals of the interchangeable lens are connected to the contacts of the contact substrate 12.

[0022] The grip component 7 is provided continuously on the other side edge of the base portion 6 (see Figure 4). The grip component 7 has a gripping portion 13 that protrudes forward from the base portion 6 and is formed in a curved shape, and an outer flat plate portion 14 that is continuous with one side edge of the gripping portion 13 and faces left and right. The gripping portion 13 is formed in a roughly semi-cylindrical shape that is convex forward.

[0023] The inner mounting portion 8 is formed in a substantially flat shape facing vertically and is provided in a manner that connects the left and right sides of the grip component 7. Specifically, the inner mounting portion 8 connects the rear half of the grip component 7 near the upper end. Therefore, a vertically penetrating space 3a is formed between the front half of the grip component 7 and the front edge of the inner mounting portion 8.

[0024] The left end of the inner mounting section 8 is provided with an upwardly projecting mounting boss 15 and a positioning pin 16 (see Figure 5). The mounting boss 15 has an upwardly opening screw hole 15a. A screw hole 17 is formed approximately in the center of the inner mounting section 8. The portion of the inner mounting section 8 between the mounting boss 15 and the screw hole 17 is provided as a device mounting section 18.

[0025] The rear cabinet 4 has a rear panel portion 19 facing in the front-to-back direction and a viewfinder frame portion 20 that is continuous with the upper end of the rear panel portion 19 (see Figures 2 and 3). The rear panel portion 19 and the viewfinder frame portion 20 are integrally formed. The rear panel portion 19 has a rectangular panel placement hole (not shown). A display panel 21 is inserted and positioned in the panel placement hole.

[0026] The top cabinet 5 has an upper panel section 22 that faces approximately vertically and a viewfinder panel section 23 that protrudes upward from the middle of the upper panel section 22 in the left-right direction. The upper panel section 22 and the viewfinder panel section 23 are formed integrally. The viewfinder panel section 23 is formed in a box shape with openings at the bottom and rear.

[0027] The right-hand portion of the top panel 22, which is part of the viewfinder panel 23, is provided as an operation layout section 22a. A viewfinder lens 24 is attached to the rear end of the viewfinder panel 23.

[0028] The front cabinet 3 and rear cabinet 4, configured as described above, are joined front to back. With the front cabinet 3 and rear cabinet 4 joined, the top cabinet 5 and bottom cabinet are joined to the front cabinet 3 and rear cabinet 4 from above and below, respectively (see Figures 1 to 3).

[0029] When the top cabinet 5 is connected to the front cabinet 3 and rear cabinet 4 from above, the inner arrangement portion 8 of the front cabinet 3 is covered from above by the top cabinet 5, and the viewfinder panel portion 23 of the top cabinet 5 and the viewfinder frame portion 20 of the rear cabinet 4 are connected front to back. When the viewfinder panel portion 23 and the viewfinder frame portion 20 are connected, the viewfinder lens 24 attached to the viewfinder panel portion 23 is inserted into the viewfinder frame portion 20. Optical components for the viewfinder (not shown) are arranged in the internal space formed by the viewfinder panel portion 23 and the viewfinder frame portion 20.

[0030] A rubber 25 is attached to the grip component 7 of the front cabinet 3 from the outside (see Figure 1). The attachment of the rubber 25 to the grip component 7 forms a grip portion 26 that is held by the operator when taking pictures, etc. The grip portion 26 includes the grip component 7, the rubber 25, and the right end of the rear cabinet 4. For example, the operator grasps the grip portion 26 by placing the four fingers 52 of their right hand 50, excluding the thumb 51, against the rubber 25 from the front, and the thumb 51 against the right end of the rear cabinet 4 from the rear (see Figure 7).

[0031] The grip portion 26 has rubber 25, which makes it less likely for the operator's right hand 50 to slip when gripped, allowing for a stable grip on the grip portion 26.

[0032] When the top cabinet 5 is connected to the front cabinet 3 and rear cabinet 4 from above, the operating section 22a of the top cabinet 5 is located directly above the grip section 26 and extending to the left (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0033] The internal space formed by the front cabinet 3 and the rear cabinet 4 houses the image sensor 27 and other components such as a circuit board (not shown), with the image sensor 27 positioned directly behind the aperture 9a (see Figure 1). Therefore, the image sensor 27 is positioned so that it is visible to the aperture 9a.

[0034] Multiple control units 28 are arranged in the control unit 22a of the top cabinet 5 (see Figures 1 to 3). Examples of the control units 28 include a front dial 28a, a shutter button 28b, a power knob 28c, a movie button 28d, a custom button 28e, a mode dial 28f, a mode unlock button 28g, a rear dial 28h, an exposure compensation dial 28i, and an exposure compensation unlock button 28j.

[0035] The front dial 28a and rear dial 28h are dials for quickly setting the necessary settings for each shooting mode during shooting, etc. The front dial 28a is located at the very front of the control section 22a, and the rear dial 28h is located at the rear end of the control section 22a.

[0036] The shutter button 28b is used to start or stop still image and video recording. The shutter button 28b is located immediately behind the front dial 28a and directly above the forward-protruding portion of the grip section 26.

[0037] The power knob 28c is a knob that turns the power on and off by rotating it. The power knob 28c is located around the shutter button 28b, directly above the grip portion 26.

[0038] The movie button 28d is used to start or stop video recording. The movie button 28d is located directly behind the power switch 28c.

[0039] The custom button 28e is assigned to each mode set by the operation of the mode dial 28f, etc. Therefore, by operating the custom button 28e, it is possible to quickly switch to the set mode. The custom button 28e is located immediately behind the power switch 28c, spaced apart to the left and right from the movie button 28d, and is located closer to the viewfinder panel 23 than the movie button 28d.

[0040] The mode dial 28f is a dial used to switch between modes such as still image shooting mode and video shooting mode by rotating it. The mode dial 28f is located on the left-right side, with the custom button 28e in between, and opposite the movie button 28d.

[0041] The mode unlock button 28g is used to lock the mode dial 28f. The mode unlock button 28g is located in the center of the mode dial 28f.

[0042] The exposure compensation dial 28i is used to adjust the exposure during shooting, etc. The exposure compensation dial 28i is located to the side of the rear dial 28h and behind the movie button 28d.

[0043] The exposure compensation release button 28j is a button used to lock the exposure compensation dial 28i. Each time it is pressed, the exposure compensation dial 28i is locked and unlocked. The exposure compensation release button 28j is located in the center of the exposure compensation dial 28i.

[0044] Multiple control units 29 are located on the rear panel 19 of the rear cabinet 4. These control units 29 include, for example, a control dial for changing the menu displayed on the display panel 21 during shooting, and other custom buttons that have similar functions to the custom button 28e.

[0045] The center of gravity G of the imaging device 1 is located approximately in the center of the whole (see Figures 1 and 2). Specifically, the center of gravity G is located just behind the approximately center of the image sensor 27 in the vertical direction and directly below the right end of the viewfinder panel 23. Therefore, the center of gravity G is located to the left of the grip 26.

[0046] <Vibration devices, etc.> Next, the vibration device 30 and the like, which are installed inside the grip portion 26, will be described (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0047] The vibration device 30 has the function of vibrating when a predetermined operating part 28 or operating part 29 is operated. The vibration device 30 vibrates when an electric current (AC current) is applied and has the property of generating heat when vibrating. The power consumption of the vibration device 30 depends on the amount of current, and the power consumption increases as heat is generated. In addition, the power consumption of the vibration device 30 increases in proportion to the internal resistance, and the internal resistance increases depending on the temperature of the vibration device 30.

[0048] As the vibration device 30, for example, a coin-type device with a coil and magnet, known as an LRA (Linear Resonant Actuator), is used. However, the vibration device 30 may also be a bar-type LRA, an Eccentric Rotating Mass (ERM) which uses an eccentric motor, or a piezoelectric element.

[0049] By using an LRA-type coin-shaped vibration device 30, the vibration device 30 is thin, requiring less space for installation, thus enabling miniaturization of the imaging device 1.

[0050] The vibration device 30 has a main body 31 formed in a flattened cylindrical shape and a power supply unit 32 connected to the main body 31. The vibration device 30 has two surfaces in the thickness direction (vertical direction) formed as a first contact surface 31a and a second contact surface 31b, respectively. The areas of the first contact surface 31a and the second contact surface 31b are larger than the areas of the other surfaces of the main body 31. The power supply unit 32 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the main body 31 from the end on the second contact surface 31b side in the thickness direction of the main body 31.

[0051] The vibration device 30 is mounted from above to the device mounting portion 18 of the internal mounting portion 8 in the front cabinet 3, with the second contact surface 31b making surface contact with the device mounting portion 18. With the vibration device 30 mounted to the device mounting portion 18, the power supply unit 32 is connected to a power supply terminal or connecting cable (not shown). The vibration device 30 may also be mounted by being attached to the device mounting portion 18 with a thermally conductive adhesive sheet.

[0052] The vibration device 30 is located directly below the control section 22a in the top cabinet 5, for example, directly below the custom button 28e. Alternatively, the vibration device 30 may be located directly below other control sections 28 besides the custom button 28e located in the control section 22a.

[0053] The vibration device 30 is held in place by a retaining plate 33 while attached to the device mounting portion 18. The retaining plate 33 is formed by bending a plate-shaped metal material into a predetermined shape. The retaining plate 33 is made of, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, or copper.

[0054] The retaining plate 33 consists of a retaining portion 34 facing vertically, a first mounting portion 35 projecting horizontally from the retaining portion 34, a connecting portion 36 projecting downward from the retaining portion 34, and a second mounting portion 37 projecting horizontally from the lower end of the connecting portion 36. The first mounting portion 35 and the second mounting portion 37 are located on approximately opposite sides of the retaining portion 34.

[0055] The retaining portion 34 is elastically deformable in the thickness direction. The first mounting portion 35 has a screw insertion hole 35a near the tip and a positioning hole 35b at the tip. The second mounting portion 37 has a screw insertion hole 37a.

[0056] The retaining plate 33 is positioned relative to the inner mounting portion 8 by inserting a positioning pin 16 into the positioning hole 35b. With the retaining plate 33 positioned relative to the inner mounting portion 8, the mounting screws 40, which are inserted through the screw insertion holes 35a and 37a respectively, are screwed into the screw holes 15a and 17 to attach it to the inner mounting portion 8.

[0057] When the retaining plate 33 is attached to the inner mounting section 8, the main body 31 of the vibration device 30 is pressed from above by the retaining portion 34 of the retaining plate 33, and the retaining portion 34 makes surface contact with the first contact surface 31a. At this time, the retaining portion 34 is elastically deformable in the thickness direction, and the vibration device 30 may be pressed against the retaining plate 33 with the retaining portion 34 slightly elastically deformed. Since the vibration device 30 is attached to the inner mounting section 8 with its thickness direction oriented vertically, the direction of vibration is vertical.

[0058] As described above, the vibration device 30 is mounted inside the grip portion 26 while being held down by the retaining plate 33, is separated from the center of gravity G of the imaging device 1, and is located outside the outer surface of the image sensor 27.

[0059] <Operation in the imaging device> Next, the operation of the vibration device 30 when it vibrates in the imaging device 1 will be described.

[0060] In the imaging device 1, for example, when the shutter button 28b is operated, the vibration device 30 vibrates in conjunction with the operation of the shutter button 28b. The vibration of the vibration device 30 allows the operator to perceive the operation of the shutter button 28b through the vibration transmitted to their finger.

[0061] At this time, since the vibration device 30 is attached to the inner mounting portion 8, which is part of the front cabinet 3 having high rigidity, vibrations transmitted by the housing 2 are not easily attenuated and are reliably and effectively transmitted to the thumb 51 and fingers 52 of the operator holding the grip portion 26. Therefore, the operator can reliably perceive the feel of operating the shutter button 28b and obtain a high level of tactile feedback.

[0062] Furthermore, in the imaging device 1, since the vibration device 30 is located away from the center of gravity G, the blur of the captured image or video when the vibration device 30 vibrates during shooting is small, and image blur during shooting can be suppressed. In particular, in the imaging device 1, the vibration device 30 is located away from the center of gravity G and the vibration device 30 vibrates in the vertical direction A (see Figure 8). Therefore, the direction in which vibration is applied to the imaging device 1 is the rotational direction R with respect to the center of gravity G, and since the center of gravity G is located near the image sensor 27, the image sensor 27 is not displaced vertically due to the vibration but is displaced only slightly in the rotational direction R, and image blur during shooting can be effectively suppressed.

[0063] When the vibration device 30 vibrates, it is energized and generates heat. However, the heat generated is transferred to the internal mounting section 8 and the retaining plate 33, which suppresses the temperature rise of the vibration device 30. Consequently, the increase in the internal resistance of the vibration device 30 is suppressed.

[0064] In addition, although the above example shows the vibration device 30 vibrating in conjunction with the operation of the shutter button 28b, the imaging device 1 may also be configured to vibrate in conjunction with the operation of other operating parts 28 or 29. Furthermore, if the display panel 21 is provided as a touch panel, the vibration device 30 may be configured to vibrate in conjunction with the operation of a predetermined part of the display panel 21.

[0065] <Other> The above shows an example in which the vibration device 30 is attached to the inner mounting portion 8 of the front cabinet 3. However, in the imaging device 1, the vibration device 30 may be attached to a part other than the inner mounting portion 8 of the housing 2 inside the grip portion 26. For example, the vibration device 30 may be attached to the inner surface of the grip component 7 in the front cabinet 3 (see Figure 9). In this case, the direction of vibration of the vibration device 30 is, for example, the front-to-back direction. Even when the direction of vibration of the vibration device 30 is the front-to-back direction, the direction in which the vibration is applied to the imaging device 1 is the rotational direction with respect to the center of gravity G. Therefore, the image sensor 27 is not displaced in the front-to-back direction due to the vibration, but is displaced only slightly in the rotational direction, and image blur during imaging can be effectively suppressed.

[0066] <Summary> As described above, the imaging device 1 comprises a housing 2 formed by connecting multiple cabinets and having an image sensor 27 arranged inside, and a vibration device 30 that vibrates during a predetermined operation. A part of the cabinet is located inside a grip portion 26 that is held by the operator, and the vibration device 30 is attached to the cabinet inside the grip portion 26.

[0067] Therefore, when a predetermined operation is performed, the vibration device 30 attached to the rigid cabinet vibrates inside the grip portion 26. As a result, the vibrations generated in the vibration device 30 are less likely to be attenuated, and the vibrations generated in the vibration device 30 can be reliably and effectively transmitted to the fingers of the operator holding the grip portion 26.

[0068] Furthermore, a front cabinet 3 is provided as one of the cabinets, and the front cabinet 3 has a base portion 6 with an opening 9a formed therein, a grip component 7 which constitutes at least a part of the grip portion 26, and an inner arrangement portion 8 which is located inside the grip portion 26 and to which the vibration device 30 is attached, and the base portion 6, grip component 7 and inner arrangement portion 8 are integrally formed.

[0069] Therefore, since the internal mounting portion 8 is provided as a more rigid part, vibrations generated in the vibration device 30 are less likely to be attenuated, and vibrations of sufficient magnitude can be transmitted from the front cabinet 3 to the operator's fingers.

[0070] Furthermore, the inner arrangement portion 8 is provided continuously with the grip component portion 7.

[0071] Therefore, since the vibration device 30 attached to the internal mounting section 8 is located close to the grip section 26, the vibrations generated by the vibration device 30 can be transmitted to the operator's fingers with sufficient magnitude.

[0072] Furthermore, since the front cabinet 3 is made of metal, the rigidity of the front cabinet 3 is increased and the heat dissipation of the front cabinet 3 is improved. This improves the efficiency of transmitting vibrations generated in the vibration device 30 to the front cabinet 3, and also reduces power consumption by improving heat dissipation related to the heat generated in the vibration device 30.

[0073] Furthermore, the vibration device 30 is held in place by a retaining plate 33 made of a metal material, and the retaining plate 33 is attached to the front cabinet 3.

[0074] Therefore, since the vibration device 30 is mounted to the front cabinet 3 while being sandwiched between the front cabinet 3 and the retaining plate 33, high heat dissipation can be ensured for the heat generated in the vibration device 30, and the vibration device 30 can be mounted to the front cabinet 3 in a stable state.

[0075] Furthermore, when the pressing portion 34 is elastically deformed, the vibration device 30 is pressed against the pressing plate 33, so that the vibration device 30 is attached to the front cabinet 3 while being sandwiched between the front cabinet 3 and the pressing portion 34 of the elastically deformed pressing plate 33. This allows the vibration device 30 to be attached to the front cabinet 3 in an even more stable state.

[0076] Furthermore, the vibration device 30 has two opposite sides, one with a first contact surface 31a and the other with a second contact surface 31b, and the area of ​​the first contact surface 31a and the area of ​​the second contact surface 31b are larger than the area of ​​the other surfaces. 2 Contact surface 31 b The front cabinet 3 is in surface contact with the 1 Contact surface 31 a It is in surface contact with the retaining plate 33.

[0077] Therefore, among the surfaces of the vibration device 30, the one with a larger area than the other surfaces 2 Contact surface 31 b and the 1 Contact surface 31 a Since these components are in surface contact with the front cabinet 3 and the retaining plate 33 respectively, the heat dissipation performance related to the heat generated in the vibration device 30 can be further improved, and power consumption can be further reduced.

[0078] In addition, the operating section 22a is provided in a position continuous with the grip section 26, and the vibration device 30 is located on the inner surface side of the operating section 22a.

[0079] Therefore, because the vibration device 30 is located close to the operating unit 28, vibrations are easily transmitted to the operator's fingers during operation, and the operator can reliably recognize that an operation has been performed through the transmission of vibrations.

[0080] <An embodiment of an imaging device> The following describes an example configuration of one embodiment of the imaging device 1 (see Figure 10).

[0081] The imaging device 1 is equipped with, for example, an interchangeable lens having a camera block 90 that performs the imaging function.

[0082] The imaging device 1 includes a camera signal processing unit 91 that performs signal processing such as analog-to-digital conversion of captured image signals, and an image processing unit 92 that performs recording and playback processing of image signals. The imaging device 1 also includes a display unit 93 (display panel 21) that displays captured images, an R / W (reader / writer) 94 that writes and reads image signals to and from memory 99, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 95 that controls the entire imaging device 1, a lens drive control unit 96 that controls the driving of the lens located in the camera block 90, and various operation units 97 (operation units 28 and 29) that allow the user to perform the required operations using switches and other components.

[0083] The imaging device 1 is equipped with an image sensor 98 (image sensor 27), such as a CCD or CMOS, which converts the optical image captured by the camera block 90 into an electrical signal.

[0084] The camera signal processing unit 91 performs various signal processing on the output signal from the image sensor 98, including conversion to a digital signal, noise reduction, image quality correction, and conversion to luminance and chromatic difference signals.

[0085] The image processing unit 92 performs compression coding, decompression and decoding of image signals based on a predetermined image data format, as well as conversion processing of data specifications such as resolution.

[0086] The display unit 93 has the function of displaying various data such as the user's operation status to the control unit 97 and the captured images. Note that the imaging device 1 does not necessarily need to have a display unit 93; the captured image data may be sent to another display device for display.

[0087] The R / W94 writes image data encoded by the image processing unit 92 to the memory 99 and reads image data recorded in the memory 99.

[0088] The CPU 95 functions as a control processing unit that controls each circuit block provided in the imaging device 1, and controls each circuit block based on instruction input signals from the operation unit 97, etc.

[0089] The lens drive control unit 96 controls the drive source that moves the lens based on the control signal from the CPU 95.

[0090] The control unit 97 outputs instruction input signals to the CPU 95 in response to user operations.

[0091] Memory 99 is, for example, a removable semiconductor memory attached to a slot connected to R / W 94, or a semiconductor memory pre-built inside the imaging device 1.

[0092] The operation of the imaging device 1 is described below.

[0093] In the standby state for shooting, under the control of the CPU 95, the captured image signal is output to the display unit 93 via the camera signal processing unit 91 and displayed as a camera-through image. Also, when an instruction input signal is received from the operation unit 97, the CPU 95 outputs a control signal to the lens drive control unit 96, and the lens is moved based on the control of the lens drive control unit 96.

[0094] When a shooting operation is performed in response to an instruction input signal from the control unit 97, the captured image signal is output from the camera signal processing unit 91 to the image processing unit 92, where it is compressed and encoded, and converted into digital data in a predetermined data format. The converted data is output to the R / W 94 and written to the memory 99.

[0095] When playing back image data recorded in memory 99, in response to an operation on the operation unit 97, the R / W 94 reads out predetermined image data from memory 99, the image processing unit 92 performs decompression and decoding processing, and then the playback image signal is output to the display unit 93 and the playback image is displayed.

[0096] In this technology, "imaging" refers to a series of processes, some or all of them, from the photoelectric conversion process that converts the light captured by the image sensor 98 into an electrical signal, to the camera signal processing unit 91 that converts the output signal from the image sensor 98 into a digital signal, performs noise reduction, corrects image quality, and converts it into brightness and color difference signals, to the image processing unit 92 that performs compression encoding, decompression and decoding of the image signal based on a predetermined image data format and conversion of data specifications such as resolution, and finally to the R / W 94 that writes the image signal to the memory 99.

[0097] In other words, "imaging" may refer only to the photoelectric conversion process that converts the light captured by the image sensor 98 into an electrical signal, or it may refer to the process from the photoelectric conversion process that converts the light captured by the image sensor 98 into an electrical signal to the conversion of the output signal from the image sensor 98 into a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, noise reduction, image quality correction, conversion to brightness and color difference signals, etc. Alternatively, "imaging" may refer to the process from the photoelectric conversion process that converts the light captured by the image sensor 98 into an electrical signal to the conversion of the output signal from the image sensor 98 into a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, noise reduction, image quality correction, conversion to brightness and color difference signals, etc., to the image processing unit 92, including compression encoding / decompression decoding of the image signal based on a predetermined image data format and conversion of data specifications such as resolution. Furthermore, "imaging" may refer to processes ranging from the photoelectric conversion process that converts the light captured by the image sensor 98 into an electrical signal, to the conversion of the output signal from the image sensor 98 into a digital signal by the camera signal processing unit 91, noise reduction, image quality correction, conversion into brightness and color difference signals, and the compression encoding, decompression and decoding process of the image signal based on a predetermined image data format and the conversion of data specifications such as resolution by the image processing unit 92, or it may refer to the writing process of the image signal to the memory 99 by the R / W 94.

[0098] The order of the processes described above may be changed as appropriate.

[0099] Furthermore, in this technology, the camera block 90 and the imaging device 1 may be configured to include only some or all of the image sensor 98, camera signal processing unit 91, image processing unit 92, and R / W 94 that perform the above processing.

[0100] Furthermore, the camera block 90 may be configured to include some of the image sensor 98, camera signal processing unit 91, image processing unit 92, and R / W 94.

[0101] <This technology> This technology can also be configured as follows:

[0102] (1) The enclosure is composed of multiple cabinets joined together, with an image sensor placed inside, It includes a vibration device that vibrates during a predetermined operation, A portion of the cabinet is located inside a grip portion that is held by the operator. The vibration device is mounted inside the grip portion of the cabinet. Imaging device.

[0103] (2) One of the aforementioned cabinets is a front cabinet having an opening for allowing the image sensor to face the outside. The front cabinet has a base portion in which the opening is formed, a grip component portion that constitutes at least a part of the grip portion, and an internal mounting portion that is disposed inside the grip portion and to which the vibration device is attached. The base portion, the grip component, and the inner arrangement portion are integrally formed. The imaging device described in (1) above.

[0104] (3) The inner arrangement portion is provided continuously with the grip component. The imaging device described in (2) above.

[0105] (4) The cabinet is formed from a metal material. An imaging device as described in any of (1) to (3) above.

[0106] (5) The vibrating device is held down by a retaining plate made of a metal material. The retaining plate is attached to the cabinet. The imaging device described in (4) above.

[0107] (6) The aforementioned pressing plate is provided with an elastically deformable pressing portion, The vibrating device is pressed against the pressing plate in a state in which the pressing portion is elastically deformed. The imaging device described in (5) above.

[0108] (7) The vibration device has two opposite sides, each formed as a first contact surface and a second contact surface, respectively. The vibration device is configured such that the area of ​​the first contact surface and the area of ​​the second contact surface are larger than the area of ​​the other surfaces. The first contact surface is in surface contact with the cabinet and the second contact surface is in surface contact with the retaining plate. The imaging device described in (5) or (6) above.

[0109] (8) The cabinet is provided with an operating section where a predetermined operating unit is located. The operating arrangement portion is provided in a position continuous with the grip portion, The vibration device is located on the inner surface side of the operating arrangement portion. An imaging device as described in any of (1) to (7) above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 1. Imaging device 2 cabinets 3 Front Cabinet 4 Rear Cabinet 5 Top Cabinet 6. Base section 7. Grip Components 8 Inner placement part 9a aperture 26 Grip section 27 Image sensor 28 Control section 29 Control section 30 Vibration Devices 31a First contact surface 31b Second contact surface 33. Pressing plate 34. Pressing part

Claims

1. The enclosure is composed of multiple cabinets joined together, with an image sensor placed inside, It includes a vibration device that vibrates during a predetermined operation, A portion of the cabinet is located inside a grip portion that is held by the operator. The cabinet is formed of a metal material, The vibration device is mounted inside the grip portion in a state where it is in surface contact with the cabinet. Imaging device.

2. One of the aforementioned cabinets is a front cabinet having an opening for allowing the image sensor to face the outside. The front cabinet has a base portion in which the opening is formed, a grip component portion that constitutes at least a part of the grip portion, and an internal mounting portion that is disposed inside the grip portion and to which the vibration device is attached. The base portion, the grip component, and the inner arrangement portion are integrally formed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The inner arrangement portion is provided continuously with the grip component. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The vibrating device is held down by a retaining plate made of a metal material. The retaining plate is attached to the cabinet. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned pressing plate is provided with an elastically deformable pressing portion, The vibrating device is pressed against the pressing plate in a state in which the pressing portion is elastically deformed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The vibration device has two opposite sides, each formed as a first contact surface and a second contact surface, The vibration device is configured such that the area of ​​the first contact surface and the area of ​​the second contact surface are larger than the area of ​​the other surfaces. The second contact surface is in surface contact with the cabinet and the first contact surface is in surface contact with the retaining plate. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4.

7. The cabinet is provided with an operating section where a predetermined operating unit is located. The operating arrangement portion is provided in a position continuous with the grip portion, The vibration device is located on the inner surface side of the operating arrangement portion. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

Images