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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
The present invention provides a digital camera comprising a planar
image display device, a camera body coupled to an end of the image
display device, and a printer device coupled to another end of the
image display device. In the digital camera, the camera body and/or
the printer device can store the image display device, and the camera
body and the printer device can be coupled to each other through
a coupling device when the image display device is stored.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A digital camera, comprising: a planar image display device;
a camera body coupled to an end of the image display device; and
a printer device coupled to another end of the image display device,
wherein: the camera body and/or the printer device can store the
image display device; and the camera body and the printer device
can be coupled to each other through a coupling device when the
image display device is stored.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising
an ejection device which ejects printing paper substantially parallel
to the image display device when the printer device prints an image.
3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image display
device is a flexible electronic display.
4. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the image display
device is a flexible electronic display.
5. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the printer
device can perform printing when the image display device displays
an image.
6. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the printer
device can perform printing when the image display device displays
an image.
7. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein the printer
device can perform printing when the image display device displays
an image.
8. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the printer
device can perform printing when the image display device displays
an image.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more
specifically to a digital camera which has a printer and can be
a compact unit when it is stored.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Recently, it is normal that a quickly and widely spread
digital camera (electronic camera) has a relatively large image
display device. A liquid crystal display (LCD) is widely adopted
as an image display device.
[0005] To satisfy the request to produce a compact unit, there
has been a proposition of adopting an organic EL (electro-luminescence)
display using an organic EL device (refer to Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2000-180934).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] However, with the conventional configuration in which a
conventional image display device is attached to the housing of
a digital camera, it is hard to satisfy a request to produce a smaller
unit.
[0007] In the conventional digital camera, although a taken image
can be confirmed immediately after shooting, it is necessary to
connect the camera to a separate printer to print the image on photographic
paper. Therefore, the request to easily obtain a printed image anywhere
is not completely satisfied.
[0008] The present invention has been developed to solve the above-mentioned
problems, and aims at providing a digital camera which is provided
with a printer and can be a compact unit when it is stored.
[0009] To attain the above-mentioned objective, the present invention
provides a digital camera including: a planar image display device;
a camera body coupled to an end of the image display device; and
a printer device coupled to another end of the image display device.
With the configuration, the camera body and/or the printer device
can store the image display device; and the camera body and the
printer device can be coupled to each other through a coupling device
when the image display device is stored.
[0010] According to the present invention, the digital camera includes
a printer device, the camera body and/or printer device include
a planar image display device, and the camera body and the printer
device can be coupled when the image display device is stored. Therefore,
the printer device can print a taken image of a printer device onto
printing paper, etc. immediately after shooting, and has an excellent
characteristic of a very compact unit when stored, which cannot
be realized by the conventional technology.
[0011] In the present invention, when the printer device performs
printing, it is preferable to provide an ejection device for ejecting
printing paper substantially parallel to the image display device.
If the printing paper is ejected as described above, the printed
image can be confirmed while checking a taken image.
[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the image
display device is a flexible electronic display. With a flexible
electronic display, it is easy to store it in the camera body and/or
printer device. A flexible electronic display can be an organic
EL display, a liquid crystal display using a plastic film, etc.
[0013] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable
that the printer device can perform printing when an image is displayed
on the image display device. Thus, if a taken image can be printed
while checking it, a printed image can be printed and distributed
as many as necessary at a place where a number of persons get together
at a party, etc., thereby realizing a desired use of a digital camera.
[0014] According to the present invention, a printer device can
print a taken image onto a printing paper, etc. immediately after
shooting, and the entire device is very compact when the printer
device is stored, which cannot be realized by the conventional technology.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the digital
camera in a use state according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of the appearance of the digital camera
in a stored state according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the internal configuration
of a camera body;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the internal configuration
of a printer; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the appearance in the printing
state of the digital camera according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described
below in detail by referring to the attached drawings.
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the appearance
of a digital camera 10 to which the present invention is applied.
In these figures, FIG. 1 shows the use status of the digital camera
10, and FIG. 2 shows the stored status of the digital camera 10.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 comprises an organic
EL display 12 which is a planar image display device, a camera body
14 coupled to the right end of the organic EL display 12, and a
printer (printer device) 16 coupled to the left end of the organic
EL display 12.
[0023] The organic EL display 12 functions as a finder during shooting,
and functions as a display device during reproduction.
[0024] That is, the organic EL display 12 mainly displays an image,
that is, displays an image (through moving pictures) taken by a
taking lens described later so that a taken image is confirmed before
shooting. Additionally, a recorded image is read from a memory card
64 inserted into the digital camera 10 (refer to FIG. 3) for reproduction
and display.
[0025] The organic EL display 12 is a flexible electronic display
that can be stored in the camera body 14 and the printer 16 in a
wounded state. It is also designed such that the camera body 14
can be coupled to the printer 16 as shown in FIG. 2 with the organic
EL display 12 in the completely stored state.
[0026] As a configuration for coupling, for example, a combination
of magnets 26 above and below the left side of the camera body 14,
and another combination of magnets (not shown in the attached drawings)
provided at a corresponding portion on the right side of the printer
16 can be adopted.
[0027] The camera body 14 is a substantially cylindrical housing,
and functions as a common digital camera (electronic camera). The
details are described later by referring to FIG. 3. One or both
of the camera body 14 and the printer 16 functions as a grip portion
of the digital camera 10.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, on the upper rear side of the camera
body 14, a slide unit 18 is provided. In the stored state, the slide
unit 18 is not projected outside but is stored along the contour
of the camera body 14. In the use state, it is projected upward
from the camera body 14 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0029] The slide unit 18 also functions as a power source switch
of the digital camera 10. That is, the power is turned off in the
stored state as shown in FIG. 2, and the power is turned on in the
extended state as shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] In the extended state (power-on state) of the slide unit
18 as shown in FIG. 1, a shutter button 20 of the camera body 14
is exposed to the rear, and the taking lens (not shown in the attached
drawings) provided at the upper front of the slide unit 18 is exposed
to the front.
[0031] The shutter button 20 is designed in the 2-stage configuration.
When the shutter button 20 is gently pressed and held in the "half-pressed"
state, the auto-focus control (AF) and the auto-exposure control
(AE) work, and the AF and the AE are locked. When the shutter button
20 in "half-pressed" state is further pressed to the "fully-pressed"
state, shooting is performed as described later.
[0032] In the image forming position of the taking lens in the
slide unit 18, a CCD (image pickup element) 52 (refer to FIG. 3)
not shown in FIG. 1 is arranged.
[0033] In the intermediate portion on the rear of the camera body
14, a cross cursor button 22 is provided. The cross cursor button
22 functions as a mode switch, a zoom central position directive
device, a zoom factor directive device, etc.
[0034] On the left side of the camera body 14, a slit aperture
24 is provided over a substantially full length in the vertical
direction. Through the slit aperture 24, the organic EL display
12 is contained in the camera body 14.
[0035] Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a memory slot for inserting
the memory card 64 as a recording medium (refer to FIG. 3) is provided
in the camera body 14. A card reader/writer device 63 built in the
camera body 14 records and stores a taken image as image data on
the memory card 64, and can also read a recorded image from the
memory card 64. In the present embodiment, for example, SmartMedia
is used as the memory card 64, but a recording medium in the digital
camera 10 can also be a PC card, a flash memory card, an IC card,
a floppy disk card, a magneto optical disk (MO), etc.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration
of the camera body 14. The camera body 14 is mainly configured by
an operation substrate 70 comprising a zoom factor directive device
and a zoom central position directive device, a central processing
unit (CPU) 50, the CCD 52, an analog signal processing unit 54,
a digital signal processing unit 58 comprising a frame display unit
and an image capturing device, a display memory 66 comprising a
display device, the card reader/writer device 63, the memory card
64, etc.
[0037] The operation substrate 70 is connected through a circuit
to each operation member shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and outputs a directive
signal to the CPU 50 based on the operation (for example, an operation
of the cross cursor button 22, etc.) of the operation members.
[0038] The CPU 50 outputs a control signal to the digital signal
processing unit 58 based on the input of the directive signal from
the operation substrate 70, and integrally controls each circuit.
[0039] The CPU 50 determines whether or not slur has occurred under
the current shooting control (shutter speed, F value, etc.). If
there is a slur condition, a slur warning is issued at the corner
of the organic EL display 12. The determination as to whether or
not there is a slur is based on the flow similar to the well-known
(marketed) flow of the digital camera.
[0040] Furthermore, the CPU 50 is connected to the printer 16 through
a signal cable 51. The signal cable 51 is provided on the opposite
side of a display screen 13 of the organic EL display 12.
[0041] The CCD (image pickup element) 52 converts light of a subject
entered through a taking lens 15 and formed as an image, to a signal
charge of an amount depending on the incident light. The signal
charge is sequentially read from the CCD 52 as a voltage signal
(image signal), and added to the analog signal processing unit 54.
The image pickup element is no limited to the CCD, but can be a
CMOS image sensor, etc.
[0042] The analog signal processing unit 54 performs a predetermined
analog process such as sampling, a white balance adjustment, etc.
on an image signal applied by the CCD 52. Furthermore, an A/D converter
56 converts an analog-processed image signal to image data (digital
data), and outputs the data to the digital signal processing unit
58. The CCD 52, the analog signal processing unit 54, and the A/D
converter 56 are synchronously operated according to a timing signal
from a timing generator (TG) 57.
[0043] The digital signal processing unit 58 performs a digital
process such as a gamma correction, etc. as necessary on the image
data (of all pixel area of the CCD 52) input from the analog signal
processing unit 54 (A/D converter 56), and outputs the image data
to a display memory 66 (memory 60). In addition, by inputting a
control signal for control of the zoom central position zoom factor
from the CPU 50 to the digital signal processing unit 58, in addition
to the digital process such as the above-mentioned gamma correction,
etc., image data of a zoom factor centering the zoom central position
is segmented from the image data, a screen of image is generated,
and a digital zoom process of capturing the image as an image of
a digital zoom area is performed.
[0044] The digital signal processing unit 58 configuring a frame
display device adds image data of an enlarged frame to the image
data treated in the digital zoom process. The enlarged frame is
displayed as a size and position of the digital zoom area relative
to the entire pixel area (or entire area) based on the digital zoom
area (directed by operating the cross cursor button 22 by a person
who takes an image) to the entire pixel area (or an all area of
the image recorded on the recording medium) taken by the CCD 52.
The image data with the enlarged frame added to it is output to
the display memory 66.
[0045] The memory card 64 records and stores image data. The mode
is set as a shooting mode. When a record directive is input by an
operation of pressing the shutter button 20, the CPU 50 outputs
a control signal to the digital signal processing unit 58, image
data of one frame is read from the CCD 52, the digital signal processing
unit 58 performs the above-mentioned digital process or a digital
zoom process, and the image data is written to the memory 60. An
enlarged frame is not added to the image data written to the memory
60. The image data written to the memory 60 is treated in a compressing
process by a compression/decompression circuit 62, and the card
reader/writer device 63 records and stores the data on the memory
card 64.
[0046] The organic EL display 12 displays an image (through moving
picture) written to the display memory 66. When a shooting mode
is set, and the cross cursor button 22 displays a through moving
picture, image data is continuously read from the CCD 52 to the
digital signal processing unit 58, and the digital signal processing
unit 58 performs a digital process, etc. (adding a digital zoom
process and an enlarged frame) on image data, and the image data
is written to the display memory 66. The image data of the display
memory 66 is rewritten by sequentially and newly read image data,
and a through moving picture is displayed by the organic EL display
12.
[0047] The organic EL display 12 can also display the image recorded
and stored on the memory card 64. When a reproduction mode is set,
and reproducing of image data recorded on the memory card 64 in
a predetermined operation is specified, the image is read from the
memory card 64 to the card reader/writer device 63, and is decompressed
by the compression/decompression circuit 62, the digital signal
processing unit 58 performs a digital process, and then the reproduced
image is displayed on the organic EL display 12 through the display
memory 66.
[0048] Otherwise, the organic EL display 12 can also display the
information about the status of a camera, the shooting mode, etc.
(that is, the shooting status). For example, the checked remaining
amount of the built-in batteries, the possible number of shots,
etc. can be displayed.
[0049] Since the organic EL display 12 is to allow a shooting person
to know the angle of view, the number of pixels can be smaller (lower
resolution) than a common liquid crystal display monitor normally
used for a personal computer, etc. Thus, the image data written
from the digital signal processing unit 58 to the display memory
66 can be of lower resolution with the number of data of image data
thinned.
[0050] By using the digital camera 10 with the above-mentioned
configuration, the image data treated in a digital process, etc.
by the digital signal processing unit 58 is displayed on the organic
EL display 12, and the shooting person can confirm the image of
the entire pixel area of the CCD on the organic EL display 12 (lifesize
shooting). Furthermore, when a shooting person presses the cross
cursor button 22, the digital signal processing unit 58 performs
a digital zoom process, image data with an enlarged frame is displayed
on the organic EL display 12, and the shooting person can confirm
the zoom factor and the central position of the zoom (digital zoom
function) on the organic EL display 12.
[0051] Furthermore, the digital signal processing unit 58 performs
a digital process on the image data recorded and stored on the memory
card 64, and the shooting person can confirm on the organic EL display
12 the image data recorded and stored on the memory card 64 (lifesize
reproduction). At this time, if the shooting person presses the
cross cursor button 22, the digital zoom process is performed, and
the image data with an enlarged frame is displayed on the organic
EL display 12 (reproduction zoom function).
[0052] In the block diagram shown in FIG. 3 (internal configuration
of the camera body 14), the camera body 14 has its unique power
source although it is not shown in the attached drawings.
[0053] Described below is the printer 16. The printer 16 is a substantially
cylindrical housing provided with an ejection device and an image
recording device (corresponding to a photographic unit 80 shown
in FIG. 4 and described later) to realize the proper functions.
The relating configuration is a slit aperture over the full length
in the vertical direction formed on the right side of the printer
16.
[0054] As with the slit aperture 24 of the above-mentioned camera
body 14, there is a slit aperture (not shown in the attached drawings)
over the full length in the vertical direction on the right side
of the 16, and through the slit aperture, the organic EL display
12 can be contained in the printer 16.
[0055] On the upper portion of the rear of the printer 16, a power
source switch 76 and a print switch (operation switch) 78 are provided.
[0056] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the configuration of the printer
16. In FIG. 4, the printer 16 contains a system controller 82. The
system controller 82 can perform various control on the devices.
Generally, a computer device (microcomputer, etc.) can be preferably
applied to the system controller 82.
[0057] The components of the printer 16, that is, the power source
switch 76, the print switch 78, and memory 84, are connected to
the system controller 82, and the above-mentioned photographic unit
80 is connected to the system controller 82 through a print engine
86. Since these components are made of well knows members, the further
explanation about the configurations, functions, etc. is omitted
here.
[0058] The memory 84 is normally used as a buffer, and can also
be used in temporarily storing transfer data to protect data against
the damage caused by unexpectedly releasing a connection while transferring
data between the printer 16 and the camera body 14.
[0059] A signal cable 51 is connected to the system controller
82, and the printer 16 is connected to the CPU 50 of the camera
body 14.
[0060] In the block diagram (configuration of the printer 16) shown
in FIG. 4, the printer 16 has a unique power source although omitted
in the attached drawings. Although similarly omitted in FIGS. 1
and 2, the printer 16 contains a printer paper 17 in a rolled state
(refer to FIG. 5).
[0061] Described below is the procedure of the operation (shooting,
printing, etc.) of the digital camera 10 with the above-mentioned
configuration.
[0062] First, the digital camera 10 in the stored state as shown
in FIG. 2 is set in the using state as shown in FIG. 1. In this
operating method, the coupled camera body 14 and printer 16 are
held on each hand and then pulled to right and left, thereby pulling
out the organic EL display 12 stored inside them in a wounded state.
[0063] Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the slide unit 18 is slid upward,
projected outside from the camera body 14. Thus, the power is turned
on and subject light is input to the taking lens 15 (refer to FIG.
3).
[0064] At this time, when the system enters the shooting mode,
the shooting operation can be started. When the system enters another
mode (reproduction mode), the cross cursor button 22 is operated
and the mode is switched to the shooting mode.
[0065] FIG. 1 shows the shooting mode in which a shooting operation
can be started. At this time, the organic EL display 12 functions
as a finder. That is, a subject is displayed on the display screen
13 of the organic EL display 12. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the
information (that is, a shooting status) about the status of a camera,
a shooting mode, etc. can also be displayed together with the subject
on the display screen 13 of the organic EL display 12.
[0066] In the shooting mode (single shooting mode) as shown in
FIG. 1, the shooting operation is performed by fully pressing the
shutter button 20. An image captured by the shooting operation is
displayed as a still image on the organic EL display 12 (set in
advance) for a predetermined time (normally a few seconds). Then
(after a predetermined time has passed), the shooting mode (single
shooting mode) is restored, and the organic EL display 12 functions
as a finder.
[0067] Described below is the operation procedure of the printer
16. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the digital
camera 10 in the printing state according to an embodiment of the
present invention. First, the power source switch 76 of the printer
16 is turned on, and then the camera body 14 is set in the reproduction
mode to display an image to be printed on the organic EL display
12. Then, automatically or in the operation of the cross cursor
button 22, the data of an image to be printed is written to the
memory 84 of the printer 16.
[0068] Then, by operating the print switch (operation switch) 78
of the printer 16, the printing operation is started. That is, when
an image is displayed on the organic EL display 12, the printing
operation by the printer 16 can be performed. Then, as shown in
FIG. 5, the printer paper 17 is ejected substantially parallel to
the organic EL display 12.
[0069] In FIG. 5, the power source of the camera body 14 is in
the OFF state, but there is no problem with the printing operation
because the data of an image to be printed has already been written
to the memory 84 of the printer 16.
[0070] As explained above, a taken image can be printed onto printing
paper, etc. on the printer 16 immediately after shooting according
to the present embodiment, and the entire system can be very compact
in the stored state, which cannot be realized by the conventional
technology.
[0071] The present embodiment of the digital camera of the present
invention is described above, but the present invention is not limited
to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various aspects can be realized.
[0072] For example, since the digital camera 10 according to the
present embodiment can be very compact in the stored state, the
optical zoom function and the strobe function, which are omitted
herein, can also be added. With these functions, the compact design
may be amended somewhat in the negative, but the functions of the
digital camera can be greatly improved.
[0073] According to the present embodiment, the printer paper 17
is ejected substantially parallel to the surface of the organic
EL display 12 to cover the display screen 13 of the organic EL display
12, but the configuration of ejecting the paper substantially parallel
to the reverse side of the organic EL display 12 can also be realized.
[0074] Furthermore, although the organic EL display 12 is adopted
as a planar image display device, another electronic display (for
example, a liquid crystal display, etc. using a plastic film) can
be used.
[0075] Described above are examples of a digital camera, but similar
effects can be obtained as an equipment unit having a built-in shooting
function such as a mobile telephone, a PDA, etc. |