JPH0734421Y2 - Camera with tilt sensor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a single-lens reflex camera that has a sensor that changes its output according to the camera posture and that can detect the camera posture.

B. Conventional Technology FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c) show a switch used as a conventionally known tilt sensor.

(A) and (b) show the cross-section, and a fluid conductive material 8 such as mercury is enclosed in the space 7 inside the tube 6, and the terminal 5
A and 5B are pulled out. This switch 4 is shown in FIG.
Is in an upright state, and the conductive material 8 short-circuits the terminals 5A and 5B. FIG. 8B shows a state in which the switch 4 is inverted, and the conductive material 8 is separated from the terminals 5A and 5B, so that the terminals 5A and 5B are electrically opened. As a material for the tube 6, a metal is preferable to a glass in terms of material strength from the viewpoint of being used as a camera.

As can be seen from FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the switch 4 is surely turned on or off within a certain angle range close to when the camera is upright or upside down, but the internal protrusion amount of the terminals 5A and 5B and the conductive material. Depending on the enclosed amount of 8, the on / off state of the switch at the horizontal position or a position close to that is indefinite.

Therefore, when incorporating this kind of on / off switch in a camera, for example, it is configured as follows. For example,
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-143133, when the optical axis direction is the x axis, the horizontal direction orthogonal thereto is the y axis, and the vertical direction orthogonal to the x and y axes is the z axis, any of the xy plane, the xz plane, and the zy plane is defined. The switch is arranged in the camera so that the axial direction is inclined even with respect to it, so that the switch state is not indefinite.

C. Problems to be solved by the device However, when the switch is tilted with respect to the x, y, z axes, for example, the direction of the switch with respect to the x, y, z axes is as shown in FIG. As described above, an arrangement space SP having a volume several times as large as that of a single switch is required. By the way, in general, among the internal mechanisms of the camera body, many of the rotation axes are parallel to the x, y, z axes, and the exclusive space such as the levers supported by them is perpendicular to the x, y, z axes. It will be parallel to the plane. Therefore, if the space SP shown by the broken line in FIG. 8 is secured in the camera body, the size of the camera is increased.

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera having an inclination sensor that solves the above-mentioned problems by disposing a posture detection switch along an inclined surface of a pentaprism or the like.

D. Means for Solving the Problems Described with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (d), which is an embodiment, a sensor (switch) 4 that changes output according to gravity according to the attitude of the camera is used as a finder optical device. Sloped optically non-functional surface of the optical member 2 having a roof surface constituting the system
At least one of D ₁ , D ₂ , and E is arranged substantially parallel to the face.

E. Action The optically non-functional surfaces D ₁ , D ₂ and E of the pentaprism 2 are originally inclined surfaces of 35 ° to 55 °, and if the sensor 4 is arranged along this surface, the installation space of the sensor 4 becomes smaller. Efficiency can be improved.

F. Embodiments First and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS.

This embodiment is configured as a posture sensor that detects six types of basic postures of a camera, and includes three sensors (switches).

The six basic postures of the camera 1 are the upright posture (horizontal position) shown in FIG. 2 (a), the lower right and lower left postures (vertical position) shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c), and FIG. The upward posture shown in (d), the downward posture shown in FIG. 2 (e), and the reverse posture shown in FIG. 2 (f).

Three sensors (on / off switches) described above are required to detect such six types of postures. Now the second
As shown in FIGS. (A) and (d), the lens optical axis direction is the x-axis direction, the direction parallel to the camera bottom surface in the plane perpendicular to the lens optical axis is the y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the camera bottom surface is the z-axis direction. In order to prevent the states of the three switches from becoming indefinite, when each switch is in the direction, each switch is placed on any of the xy plane, xz plane, and yz plane formed by the x, y, and z axes. Must not be parallel either. Ideally, each of the three switches should be placed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to all three planes, but generally 45 ° ± 10 ° (35 ° to 55 °).
If it is arranged at an angle of about (°), there will be no problem for the six types of posture detection.

- first example - this example, an optical non-functional surface D _1, D _2, E three switches 4D ₁ inclined pentaprism 2 as shown in FIG. 1 (a) ~ (d) , 4D ₂ and 4E are fixed.

FIG. 3 shows the shape of a general penta prism. The angle shown here may be a slightly different numerical value due to various optical conditions, but a numerical value considered to be a typical value of a pentaprism is shown as an example. Therefore, it is not limited to the penta prism of this angle.

The pentaprism 2 has an optically functional surface and an optically non-functional surface. The optically functional surfaces are an entrance surface A on which the subject light from the taking lens optical system enters and an exit surface B for emitting light to the eyepiece lens, and the other surfaces are optical non-functional surfaces C to E.
It has a protective coating, etc. In this embodiment, of the two switches, three switches are arranged along the roof surfaces D1 and D2 and the surface E, respectively.

Figure 1 (a) ~ (d) is a tetrahedral view of arranging the pentagonal prism 2 into three switches 4D _1, 4D _2, 4E shown in FIG. 3. The pentaprism 2 has optical non-functional surfaces C to E,
One switch on each of the faces D ₁ , D ₂ and E 4D ₁ and 4
D ₂ and 4E are fixed. Each switch is shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c).
As shown in, the enclosed mercury moves according to gravity and turns on and off. These switches make an angle of 45 degrees with the y-axis and are fixedly mounted on the plane parallel to the planes D ₁ , D ₂ and E. As a result, each switch makes an angle with the x-axis and the z-axis as shown in the figure. That is, each switch has three switches arranged along the x, y, and z axes.

Figure 1 (a) ~ (d) is a tetrahedral view of arranging the pentagonal prism 2 into three switches 4D _1, 4D _2, 4E shown in FIG. 3. The pentaprism 2 has optical non-functional surfaces C to E,
One switch on each of the faces D ₁ , D ₂ and E 4D ₁ and 4
D ₂ and 4E are fixed. Each switch is shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c).
As shown in, the enclosed mercury moves according to gravity and turns on and off. These switches make an angle of 45 degrees with the y-axis and are fixedly mounted on the plane parallel to the planes D ₁ , D ₂ and E. As a result, each switch makes an angle with the x-axis and the z-axis as shown in the figure. That is, each switch is arranged so as to form an angle of 45 to 55 degrees with respect to the x, y, and z axes, and
The layout is almost ideal for detecting various types of postures.

Each of the switches 4D ₁ , 4D ₂ and 4E is 6 in FIGS. 2 (a) to (f).
It is turned on / off as shown in Table 1 below for each type of camera posture.

According to this arrangement, the switches are arranged in a plane parallel to the tilted optically non-functional surfaces D ₁ , D ₂ , and E of the pentaprism ₂ , so that a substantial space of the switch arrangement is The volume itself is sufficient, and wasted space SP as in the past
Do not occupy (Fig. 3).

A circuit (posture detection circuit) 9 for detecting the posture of the camera by using the three switches 4D ₁ , 4D ₂ and 4E shown in FIGS.
An example is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, the switches 4D ₁ , 4D ₂ and 4E are respectively the first
It is the switch shown in FIGS. One terminal of each switch is grounded, and the other terminal is pulled up to the power supply Vcc via resistors R1, R2, R3. Therefore, when each switch is on, the output of each switch (the potential of the terminal on the side that is pulled up to the power supply Vcc) becomes low level, and when the switch is off, the output of each switch is high. It becomes a level. The power supply side terminal of the switch 4D ₁ is directly connected to the respective input terminals of the AND gates G4, G5, G7, and the AND gate G6, G via the inverter G2.
Connected to each input terminal of 8, G9. The power supply side terminal of the switch 4E is directly connected to each of the input terminals of the AND gates G4, G6, G7, and the AND gate G5, G is connected via the inverter G1.
Connected to each input terminal of 8, G9. The power supply side terminal of the switch 4D ₂ is directly connected to each of the input terminals of the AND gates G4, G6, G8, and the AND gate G is connected via the inverter G3.
Connected to each input terminal of 5, G7 and G9. Capacitors C1, C2, which form a time constant with resistors R1, R2, R3,
C3 is connected to prevent chattering of each switch and to prevent output fluctuations due to minute camera posture vibrations. The terminals Oa, Ob, Oc, Od, Oe, Of are connected to the output terminals of the gates G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, respectively.

When this circuit is used, the outputs from the output terminals Oa to Of in the states of FIGS. 2 (a) to (f) are as shown in Table 2.

For example, when the camera is in the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2A, the switches 4D ₁ , 4D ₂ and 4E are all turned off, so that the inputs of the AND gate G4 are all at the high level. Therefore, the output of the AND gate G4 becomes high level, and the terminal Oa becomes high level. Since two of the inputs of the AND gate G5 become low level, the output of the AND gate G5 becomes low level and the terminal Ob becomes low level. Similarly, terminals Oc, Od,
Oe, Of becomes low level. Similarly, FIG. 2 (a)-
Table 2 shows the outputs of the terminals Oa to Of for the respective postures of the camera in (f).

As can be seen from Table 2, since the high-level outputs of the terminals Oa to Of correspond to the camera postures of FIGS. 2A to 2F, the camera posture can be determined by monitoring the level of each terminal. I can know.

A circuit for controlling the exposure according to the camera posture detected as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 5, the attitude detection circuit 9 is the circuit shown in FIG. 4, and outputs six types of signals according to the camera attitude at each terminal Oa ...
Input from Of to the exposure calculation circuit 15. Subject brightness information circuit
Reference numeral 10 divides the photometric area of the camera into a plurality of parts, and arranges a photometric element in each of the divided parts to transmit luminance information of each part. The lens aperture information circuit 11 outputs a signal according to the input aperture value, the film sensitivity information circuit 12 outputs a signal according to the input film sensitivity, and the shutter speed information circuit 13 outputs a signal according to the input shutter speed. , Mode switching information circuit
Reference numeral 14 inputs a signal corresponding to the input exposure mode to the exposure calculation circuit 15. The exposure calculation circuit 15 appropriately outputs information from the subject brightness information circuit 10, the lens aperture information circuit 11, the film sensitivity information circuit 12, the shutter speed information circuit 13 and the attitude detection circuit 9 according to the information of the mode switching information circuit 14. The combination is selected, the calculation is performed, and the output is transmitted to the display circuit 16 and the control circuit 17. In calculating the exposure based on the brightness information of each part of the photometric area divided into a plurality of parts transmitted from the subject brightness information circuit 10,
The exposure calculation circuit 15 changes its algorithm according to the posture information of the camera detected by the posture detection circuit 9.
Such an algorithm change is made, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-175.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 43.

If, for example, the aperture priority mode is selected by the mode switching information circuit 14, the exposure calculation circuit 15 receives the input signals from the posture detection circuit 9, the subject brightness information circuit 10, the lens aperture information circuit 11, and the film sensitivity information circuit 12. An exposure calculation is performed based on the information, and a signal indicating an appropriate shutter speed is output. The display circuit 16 displays the proper shutter speed or the proper aperture value in the viewfinder or the like based on the signal from the exposure calculation circuit 15. Further, the control circuit 17 is based on the signal from the exposure calculation circuit 15 and the sequence signal generated from the signal output circuit 18 at a predetermined timing in conjunction with the mirror raising or the like started by the operation of a release button (not shown). The shutter front curtain 19, the shutter rear curtain 20, and the diaphragm 21 are driven so as to have manually selected values or calculated values.

-Second Embodiment- In FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the switches 4D ₁ , 4D ₂ and 4E are provided with surfaces substantially parallel to the optically non-functional surfaces D ₁ , D ₂ and E of the pentaprism 2. An example of the cover member 3 fixed to the inner wall side is shown.

Although the shape of the cover 3 that covers the pentaprism 2 depends on design factors, in many cases, the cover 3 has a surface substantially parallel to the roof surfaces D ₁ and D _{2 of the} pentaprism ₂ and the front inclined surface E. There is. Therefore, switches 4D ₁ , 4D ₂ , 4E are fixedly installed on the cover inner surfaces 3D ₁ , 3D ₂ 3E facing the optically non-functional surfaces D ₁ , D ₂ , E, respectively. As a result, the efficiency of the switch arrangement space can be improved as in the first embodiment. Particularly when the cover 3 is a plastic molded product or the like, the space can be used more efficiently by inserting the switch into the cover 3.

When an electric circuit board such as a flexible printed board is provided along the optically non-functional surfaces D ₁ , D ₂ , and E of the pentaprism, the posture detection switches 4D ₁ , 4D ₂ , and 4 are provided on the board.
E may be placed directly. In this case, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to separately draw a lead wire or the like that connects the two, and the periphery of the switch is simplified.

As described above, in the present invention, the posture detecting switch is arranged by utilizing the optical non-functional surface such as the roof surface of the pentaprism, so that the ideal arrangement can be achieved without wasting the space of the internal mechanism of the camera. It will be possible. Also, if the posture detection switch is mounted directly on an electric circuit board such as a flexible printed circuit board arranged along the optically non-functional surface of the pentaprism, another electric component such as a lead wire for connecting them is unnecessary. In addition to that, there is an advantage that the surrounding area is simplified.

Although the three switches are provided on the three optically non-functional surfaces of the pentaprism, one switch may be provided on one optically non-functional surface of the pentaprism. In this case, the switch installation space can be made more efficient even with the arrangement included in the xy plane, and this is the scope of the present invention.

G. Effect of the Invention As described above, in the present invention, the posture detecting sensor is arranged by using the optical non-functional surface such as the roof surface of the pentaprism, so that the space of the internal mechanism of the camera is not wasted. Ideal placement is possible. Also, if the attitude detection sensor is directly mounted on an electric circuit board such as a flexible printed circuit board that is arranged along an optically non-functional surface such as a pentaprism, separate electric parts such as lead wires for connecting them are unnecessary. In addition to that, there is an advantage that the surrounding area is simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 are for explaining the first embodiment.
Figures (a) to (d) are four-sided views of a pentaprism in which switches are arranged, FIGS. 2 (a) to (f) are views showing the six basic postures of a camera, and FIG. 3 is a general view. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the shape of the pentaprism, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a circuit for detecting the posture of the camera by outputs from three switches, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram of a circuit for performing exposure calculation in accordance with posture detection. FIGS. 6A and 6B are sectional views showing the second embodiment. 7 (a) to 7 (c) show a camera attitude detection switch, FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are cross-sectional views when the switch is on and off, FIG. 7 (c) is a perspective view, and FIG. It is a figure for showing spatial arrangement when a switch is arranged diagonally. 1: Camera, 2: Penta prism 3: Cover, 4: Switch (sensor) 9: Posture detection circuit 10: Subject brightness information circuit 11: Lens aperture information circuit 12: Film sensitivity information circuit 13: Shutter speed information circuit 14: Mode Switching information circuit 15: Exposure calculation circuit, 16: Display circuit 17: Control circuit, 18: Signal output circuit 19: Shutter front curtain

Claims (4)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A camera having a sensor whose output changes according to gravity depending on the attitude of the camera, and an optical member having a roof surface which constitutes a finder optical system, wherein an inclined optical non-functional surface of the optical member is provided. A camera having an inclination sensor, characterized in that at least one of the sensors is arranged substantially parallel to any one of the surfaces. 2. An optical axis direction of the camera is an x axis, a horizontal direction orthogonal to the x axis is ay axis, and a vertical direction orthogonal to the x and y axes is az direction.
A camera having an inclination sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to any of the xy plane, the xz plane, and the zy plane when the axis is used. . 3. A camera having an inclination sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is arranged on each of three inclined optical non-functional surfaces of the optical member. 4. A camera having an inclination sensor according to claim 1, wherein the optical member is a pentaprism.