DSLR Mirror Retraction for Video Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital single lens reflex cameras with interchangeable lenses are limited in capturing moving pictures due to the need to look through a viewfinder, making them inconvenient for novice users and incompatible with certain lenses, even when compatible with moving picture capture.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with a camera body and interchangeable lens unit that includes an autofocusing unit, display unit, and mirror controller, allowing for mirror retraction from the optical path in moving picture mode, enabling image capture on a liquid crystal monitor and switching between still and moving picture photography modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional single reflex lens reflecting mirror is used, then the camera can capture still pictures, but a liquid crystal monitor cannot be used during image capture and the camera cannot capture moving pictures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable reflecting mirror that can dynamically switch between two positions: a first position where it reflects light to the viewfinder for still picture capture, and a second position where it is retracted to allow light to pass through to the imaging unit for liquid crystal monitor display and moving picture capture. This dynamic repositioning enables the camera to adapt between different photography modes, resolving the contradiction between capturing still pictures and enabling moving picture capture with monitor display.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the reflecting mirror is retracted to enable liquid crystal monitor display, then moving picture capture becomes possible, but the viewfinder optical path is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical path into two separate routes: a viewfinder optical path that requires the reflecting mirror to be in the first position, and an imaging optical path that requires the reflecting mirror to be in the second position. By segmenting the optical paths and using a movable mirror to switch between them, the system can enable moving picture capture with liquid crystal monitor display without permanently blocking the viewfinder path, thus managing the complexity through functional separation.
3Ease of operation
If the reflecting mirror is positioned in the optical path for viewfinder display, then still picture capture is enabled, but liquid crystal monitor display and moving picture capture are prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable reflecting mirror that can dynamically reposition between a first position for viewfinder operation and a second position for liquid crystal monitor display. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain ease of operation for viewfinder photography when needed while also enabling moving picture capture functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and functional versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to capture images on a liquid crystal monitor while in moving picture mode, enhancing usability for novice users and ensuring compatibility with moving picture-capable lenses, allowing for seamless switching between photography modes.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit configured to convert the optical image into an image signal
Implementation Method 2
the light that is incident on the imaging lens (that is, the subject image) is reflected by a reflecting mirror disposed along the imaging optical path
Data Source
AI summary
A camera body including a mirror controller configured to retract the reflecting mirror out of the optical path of the optical system when the reflecting mirror is in the first state of being in the optical path of the optical system and the moving picture photography mode is selected, in the still picture photography mode. The image recording controller is configured to perform the autofocusing operation by contrast method and make the recorder to record moving images depending on an instruction of the moving picture photography when the moving picture photography mode is selected and the mirror controller retracts the reflecting mirror out of the optical path of the optical system, in the still picture photography mode.