JP2744129B2 - VTR integrated camera - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) -integrated camera, and in particular, a camera unit and a VTR unit are arranged side by side, and both can rotate relative to each other. VT with excellent operability and storage
Related to R-integrated camera.

[Prior Art] VTR-integrated cameras having various appearances are commercially available. Previously, for example, "Video Capa"; published by Gakken, March 1990, p. 24 (1st prior art) ), The in-line arrangement in which the taking lens system and the VTR mechanism are arranged substantially in a straight line (front and back) has been the mainstream. In the VTR integrated camera disclosed in this known document, the camera unit and the VTR unit arranged in front and rear are relatively rotatable, the whole is made thinner when stored, and a form suitable for shooting is taken when shooting. However, since the camera unit and the VTR unit are arranged in-line as described above, the overall length increases, and there is a problem in terms of portability.
There was a problem that it was difficult to support the whole with only the right hand when shooting.

Therefore, as described in "Video SALON"; Genkosha, April 1990, p. 68 (second prior art), the camera
Recently, a VTR-integrated camera of a type in which a VTR section is arranged side by side is becoming popular. Although the VTR integrated camera of the camera unit / VTR unit side-by-side type disclosed in this known document has the advantage that the whole is relatively compact,
The configuration was poorly balanced to support the whole with one hand during shooting.

On the other hand, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-66079 (third prior art) discloses that an image pickup unit and a recording unit are arranged side by side, and that a shooting screen is converted into a vertical position and a horizontal position.
A video camera (video still camera) in which an imaging unit and a recording unit are relatively rotatable by 90 ° is disclosed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Here, the disadvantages of each of the above-described prior arts, particularly from the viewpoint of ease of holding during photographing, will be described.

In the first prior art, as described above, since the camera unit and the VTR unit are arranged inline, the overall length is large, and at the time of photographing, the VTR unit close to the photographer's side is held with the right hand and the left hand is used. There is a problem in that it is necessary to hold the camera unit close to the subject side, and it is difficult to simply and easily perform shooting with only the right hand.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view when the VTR-integrated camera according to the second prior art is held by only the right hand. In the same figure, if the VTR integrated camera 101 in which the camera unit 102 and the VTR unit 103 are arranged side by side is gripped with only the right hand RH, the VTR integrated camera 101 is long in the horizontal direction, so an arrow is shown in the figure. Since a moment M is generated, the state becomes extremely difficult to hold.
Therefore, in the second prior art, it is necessary to operate with the left hand at the time of photographing.
There was no consideration for simply and easily taking a camera with only the right hand.

In the third prior art as well, the same problem as in the above second prior art arises when an image pickup unit and a recording unit are in a horizontal state and an attempt is made to take an image by holding the video camera with only the right hand. In the third prior art, when the video camera is gripped with only the right hand to take a picture when the imaging unit and the recording unit are in the vertical state, the result is as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure,
The imaging unit 1 which is perpendicular to the recording unit 112
The video camera 111 provided with 13 has an end of the recording unit 112 gripped by the right hand RH, but since the imaging unit 113 is hanging at a position away from the right hand RH, the above-described moment M is also generated and extremely It becomes difficult to hold.

That is, in each of the above-mentioned conventional technologies, it is usually necessary to operate the VTR-integrated camera (or video camera) not only with the right hand but also with the left hand, and there is no consideration for easily taking a camera with only the right hand. Was.

In the third prior art described above, in order to convert the image screen of the image pickup unit 113 to the horizontal position and the vertical position with respect to the recording unit 112, the two units 112 and 113 are pivotally connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable by 90 °. In general, the effect of converting the camera section to the horizontal and vertical positions is that it is still cameras that take still images. When taking a picture in a vertical position in which the picture is taken, the monitor screen (generally, a television) for viewing the reproduced image must be turned sideways, so that a normal screen cannot be seen, causing inconvenience. In other words, in the case of a VTR-integrated camera,
It is necessary to make the R section variable. In the third prior art, no consideration is given to such moving image reproduction. Further, in the third prior art, the optical axis of the photographing lens and the pivot for the relative rotation are located on the same axis, but in a VTR integrated camera, the optical axis of the photographing lens is not extended. There are many components that need to be physically arranged, such as a zoom lens group, a photoelectric conversion device, and a viewfinder, and it is in principle difficult to arrange a pivot for rotating the camera unit thereon. When the pivot is brought to the position of the lever, the entire length of the camera unit increases, which is contrary to the proposition imposed on such a VTR-integrated camera to produce a shape as compact as possible.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to take an external form suitable for storage of a simple shape when not in use, and an external form that can be easily taken without burden with only the right hand at the time of shooting. An object of the present invention is to provide a VTR integrated camera that can take the following measures. Another object of the present invention is that the operation for shifting to the camera recording standby mode is easy,
It is to provide an easy-to-use VTR integrated camera.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, a VTR integrated camera according to the present invention has a camera unit and a VTR unit arranged side by side, and the VTR unit is positioned horizontally with respect to the camera unit. The camera and the camera unit are integrally provided with a grip unit, and the VTR is attached to the camera unit.
When the unit is in the vertical position, the lower end of the palm of the right hand holding the grip unit is configured to contact the VTR unit.

Further, in the present invention, preferably, the camera unit
In accordance with the relative rotation operation with respect to the VTR unit, the switch is controlled to be turned on / off, and the lens cover is controlled to be opened and closed, so that the VTR unit moves relative to the camera unit from the horizontal position to the vertical position. When the camera is turned, the camera recording standby mode is automatically set.

[Operation] Now, when the VTR unit is in the horizontal position with respect to the camera unit, the lens cover is in the closed state, and the switch, which is driven to be switched according to the relative rotation position, is in the off state. In this state, the main power supply is cut off unless the power switch is manually operated. At this time, the camera unit and the VTR unit maintain their relative rotational positional relationship by the positioning lock mechanism. From this state, the positioning lock mechanism is released by the lock release button, and the VTR section is moved to the camera section with the front and rear ends thereof as fulcrums.
When the VTR unit is rotated by 0 ° to position the VTR unit at a vertical position with respect to the camera unit, the camera unit and the VTR unit maintain this rotational positional relationship with a moderation feel by the positioning lock mechanism. In addition, the lens cover is opened in conjunction with the relative rotation operation at this time, and the above-described switch is turned on, and the microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) that recognizes the switch-on activates the power supply circuit. , Automatically switch the VTR integrated camera to the camera recording standby mode. When the grip of the camera is gripped with the right hand in this state, the lower end of the palm of the right hand contacts the VTR,
The moment generated when the integrated camera is held is absorbed by the palm of the hand, so that it is possible to take a picture lightly with one hand without imposing a burden on the photographer when taking the camera.

When the VTR unit is in the vertical position with respect to the camera, the lock is released with the unlock button, and the VTR unit is rotated 90 ° with respect to the camera unit in the opposite direction to the camera unit. On the other hand, the VTR unit returns to the state where the VTR unit has taken the horizontal position, the lens cover is closed, and the switch is turned off, so that the microcomputer stops the main power supply by the power supply circuit.

By doing so, the moment generated when the VTR-integrated camera is held during photographing can be absorbed by the palm of the hand, and the camera can be taken lightly with one hand without burdening the photographer. In addition, by providing a grip portion along with the camera portion, an increase in the volume of the entire VTR-integrated camera due to the protrusion of the grip can be reduced as much as possible. Furthermore, depending on the relative rotation position between the camera unit and the VTR unit, the lens cover is opened or closed, and the power is turned on / off. This prevents the lens cover from being left open or closed, or the lens cover from being lost. It is useful and also helps to prevent forgetting to turn on or turn off the current, making it extremely user-friendly.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to one embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 14.

1 is a perspective view when the VTR section is in a horizontal position with respect to the camera section, FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the VTR section is in a vertical position with respect to the camera section, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 2 viewed from the back.

1 to 4, a VTR generally indicated by reference numeral 1
The integrated camera consists of a camera unit 2 and a VTR
And the camera unit 2
In the state shown in FIG. 1 in which the VTR unit 3 is in the horizontal position, it takes a form that is generally thin and easy to store, and FIG. 2 in which the VTR unit 3 is in the vertical position with respect to the camera unit 2. ~ 4th
In the state shown in the figure (when the camera unit 2 is fixed from the state shown in FIG. 1 and the VTR unit 3 is rotated clockwise by 90 ° in the figure), a convenient form for photographing is adopted. Has become.

A viewfinder unit 4 composed of an electronic viewfinder device is integrally provided at one end side (photographing operator side) of the camera unit 2, and a lens unit is provided at the other end side (subject side) of the camera unit 2. 5 is built in, and a lens cover to be described later is disposed in the photographing opening. Also,
A side surface of the camera unit 2 functions as a grip unit 6, and a stretchable grip belt 7 is attached to the same side surface of the camera unit 2. Reference numeral 2a denotes a protrusion integrated with the camera unit 2, and a microphone 8 is provided on the protrusion 2a.
On the other hand, one end side of the VTR unit 3 (photographing operator side) has a VTR
A battery unit 9 used to supply power to the entire integrated camera 1 is detachably mounted. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a tripod screw hole provided on the bottom surface of the VTR unit 3, which is used when mounting and fixing a tripod.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of a connection structure between the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit 3. As shown in the figure, a camera-side first frame member 11 and a camera-side second frame member 12 integral with the camera unit 2 project from the front and rear of the camera unit 2 toward the VTR unit 3. The VTR-side first bearing member 13 and the VTR-side second bearing member 14 integrated with the VTR portion 3 are attached to the twelve bearing portions 11a and 12a.
Are axially engaged with each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other. Therefore, in a state where the lock by the positioning lock mechanism described later is released, for example, when the camera unit 2 is fixed and a turning moment is applied to the VTR unit 3, the VTR 3 turns with respect to the camera unit 2. ing. In addition, the VTR side first bearing member 13 includes a positioning rotary plate 15.
The lid driving rotary plate 16 is fixed to the VTR-side second bearing member 14.

FIG. 6 is a simplified exploded perspective view showing an example of a positioning lock mechanism including the positioning rotary plate 15 described above. As shown in FIG. 6, two positioning holes 15a and 15b are formed in the positioning rotary plate 15 which rotates relative to the VTR unit 3 at an interval of 90 °, and has a fan-shaped shape. A notch 15c is formed. Reference numeral 16 denotes an engagement member provided on the camera-side first frame member 11, for example, which is biased and biased in the direction of the positioning rotary plate 15 by a spring means 17 to position the positioning rotary plate 15 which rotates relatively. hole
When 15a or 15b comes to the opposing position, the engaging member 16
Is fitted into the positioning hole 15a or 15b. The two fitting / locking positions correspond to the above-described first illustrated state and the second to fourth illustrated states. In the first illustrated state and the second to fourth illustrated states, the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit are illustrated. 3, the relative rotational positional relationship is maintained.

To release the above-mentioned locked state, a lock release button 18 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) provided on the VTR unit 3 is pushed. That is, the lock release button 18
By pushing the inclined portion 16b of the engaging member 16 with the stem 18a of the above, the engaging member 16 is displaced so as to be detached from the positioning hole 15a or 15b.
Is to be placed in a state of relative rotation free. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 19 denotes a spring for biasing the unlock button 18 upward in FIG.
A stopper pin protruding from the frame member 11 is located within the notch 15c of the positioning rotary plate 15, and the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit 3
The relative rotation angle at which it can rotate is restricted to 90 °.

By providing such a positioning lock mechanism, the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit 3 reliably maintain their relative rotational positional relationship in the state shown in FIG. 1 and in the states shown in FIGS.゜ Relative rotation locks with a tactile (click) feel, so the operator can confirm that the relative rotation has been reliably made by 90 ° with certainty.
If a known detent mechanism is used in which a steel ball held by a leaf spring is fitted into a hole of the positioning rotary plate 15, positioning and holding can be released without providing a lock release button. It is also possible to adopt.

7 and 8 are views showing an example of a lens lid opening / closing mechanism including the lid driving rotary plate 16 described in FIG. 5, wherein FIG. 7 shows a closed state of the lens lid, and FIG. This shows the open state of the lens lid.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, reference numeral 21 denotes a drive lever, and a pin 1 implanted in the lid driving rotary plate 16 in an elongated hole 21a provided at one end thereof.
6a is inserted (so-called pin-slot connection), and the other end of the drive lever 21 extends toward the camera unit 2 (see FIG. 5). Reference numeral 22 denotes a rotation lever provided on the camera unit 2 side, which is rotatable around a support shaft 23, and the other end of the drive lever 21 is connected to an intermediate portion thereof by a pin 24. Reference numerals 25 and 26 denote lens covers, which are disposed so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the protruding body 2a provided on the object side of the camera unit 2, and in the state shown in FIG. 5 is closed. Further, the pin 24 is connected to the one lens cover 25, and a pin 26a is implanted in the other lens cover 26.
The forked end 22a of the rotating lever 22 is connected to the pivot lever 22.

FIG. 7 corresponds to the state shown in FIG. 1 in which the VTR section 3 is in a horizontal position with respect to the camera section 2. Two
4, the lid driving rotary plate 16 on the VTR 3 rotates clockwise in FIG.
The rotation of the lid driving rotary plate 16 causes the drive lever 21 to rotate.
Shifts from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 8 (shifts in the upper right direction in the figure), and the rotating lever 22 connected to the drive lever 21 rotates counterclockwise in the figure. .
Accordingly, the lens lids 25 and 26 connected to the drive lever 21 and the rotation lever 22 slide from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 8, whereby the photographing opening 27 is opened. If the VTR unit 3 is rotated by 90 ° in the opposite direction from the state of FIG. 8, ie, the state of FIGS. With lens lid 25,2
The state of FIG. 7 returns to the state of FIG. 7 in which the photographing opening 27 is closed.

By providing such a lens cover opening / closing mechanism, the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit 3 can be relatively rotated only from the form suitable for storing the VTR integrated camera 1 to the form for photographing,
The lens covers 25 and 26 are automatically opened, and the lens covers 25 and 26 are automatically closed by simply rotating the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit 3 in the opposite direction. , You can completely eliminate the situation of forgetting to open or close the lens lid,
In addition, the buyer is good for the user. Furthermore, there is no risk of losing the lens cover as compared with the case where a removable lens cover is provided.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a switch that is switched and controlled by the relative rotation between the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit 3.

In the figure, reference numeral 28 denotes a switch disposed in a portion of the camera section 2 close to the VTR section 3 (see FIG. 5), and its operating stem 28a is biased and biased in the projecting direction by a spring 29, and An opening 30 is formed in a camera casing portion corresponding to the spring 29. Reference numeral 31 denotes a drive pin portion protruding from the VTR casing side, and
In the first illustrated state in which the VTR unit 3 is in the horizontal position, the drive pin unit 31 is at a position where it has escaped from the opening 30,
The switch 28 is turned off. In the second to fourth illustrated states in which the VTR unit 3 is at a vertical position with respect to the camera unit 2, the drive pin unit 31 enters the opening 30 and pushes down the operating stem 28a via the spring 29,
The switch 28 is turned on. That is, the switch 28 is turned on or off according to the relative rotation position of the VTR unit 3 with respect to the camera unit 2.

Here, in the VTR-integrated camera 1 of this embodiment, in the state shown in FIG. 1, the main power supply is cut off unless the power switch 32 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) is turned on. When the switch 32 is turned on, the VTR integrated camera 1
The operation standby mode is set. On the other hand, from the state of FIG.
When the section 3 is shifted to the second to fourth illustrated states in the vertical position, the switch 28 is turned on as described above,
The microcomputer that controls the entire R-integrated camera 1 recognizes and activates the power supply circuit to supply main power, and the VTR
The integrated camera 1 is set in a camera recording standby state. In the second to fourth illustrated states, since the lens cover is open as described above, the recording operation can be immediately performed when the user operates the predetermined button for the photographing operation. Incidentally, when the state is shifted from the state shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 to the state shown in FIG. 1, the microcomputer recognizes that the switch 28 is turned off, and stops supplying the main power.

By adopting such a power on / off control method using the switch 28 that detects the relative rotational position between the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit 3, it is possible to eliminate forgetting to turn on the power when taking a camera.
By taking the form shown in FIG. 4, a quick photographing can be performed immediately. In addition, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to turn off the power when not in use, and to eliminate unnecessary power consumption.

10 and 11 are explanatory views showing a flexible printed circuit board for making an electrical connection between the camera section 2 and the VTR section 3. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the essential components of the VTR integrated camera 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram in which the main part of the VTR integrated camera 1 shown in FIG. 2 is cut in a circle.

10 and 11, reference numeral 33 denotes a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as FPC), both ends of which are connected to a circuit section in the camera section 2 and a circuit section in the VTR section 3 through means such as connectors, respectively. I have. When such an FPC 33 is used, signal lines can be connected collectively, and since the FPC 33 has flexibility, it can easily cope with relative rotation between the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit 3. However, with camera unit 2
A part of the FPC 33 is connected to the camera
It is exposed in a gap between the VTR unit 3 and the VTR unit 3, and it is not preferable because the design is unsightly. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cover projection 34 is formed integrally with the camera unit casing so as to cover the FPC 33 exposed to the outside.
By doing so, the FPC33 portion exposed to the outside can be easily concealed, which can be advantageous in terms of design, and the FPC33 can be prevented from being forcibly pulled out due to “mischief”. The cover projection may be provided on the VTR unit 3 side or on both the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit 3 side.

As is generally clear from the above description, the operation according to the present embodiment will be described below.

Now, from the state of FIG. 1 in which the power switch 32 is off, the camera unit 2 is fixed and the VTR unit 3 is moved while pushing the lock release button 18 to release the lock by the positioning lock mechanism. 1, the lens cover 25 and 26 are opened by the above-mentioned lens cover opening / closing mechanism, the switch 28 is turned on, and the VTR unit 3 is turned on by the positioning lock mechanism. The camera unit 2 is held at the position shown in FIGS. When the switch 28 is turned on, normally (unless the mode changeover switch described later is set to the recording / playback side), the microcomputer activates the power supply circuit to supply main power as described above, and the VTR integrated camera 1 is turned on. Shift to camera recording standby mode. In this state, if the right hand is inserted into the grip belt 7 and the grip 6 of the camera unit 2 is gripped with the right hand, a photographing can be performed. That is, while holding the grip portion 6 of the camera portion 2 with the palm of the right hand, the user operates the zoom button 35 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) with the index and middle fingers of the right hand, and starts recording with the thumb of the right hand. By turning on / off the stop button 36 (see FIG. 4), start / pause of camera shooting is continuously repeated.

In this embodiment, the holding form of the VTR-integrated camera 1 at the time of taking this camera is as shown in FIG.
The lower end of the palm of the right hand RH holding the hand is the side 3a of the VTR unit 3.
To come into contact with. Therefore, the above-mentioned moment M generated in the VTR integrated camera 1 is prevented from being absorbed by the lower end of the palm contacting the VTR portion 3, so that the photographer does not burden the photographer at the time of photographing, and only the right hand is used. This makes it possible to take a picture with light and stable holding.

In addition, although not shown, a rubber suitable for the size of the operator's hand is attached to the measurement surface 3a of the VTR unit 3 where the lower end of the palm of the right hand contacts, so that the adhesion is further improved. If you prepare several types of rubber for this,
It is convenient.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part. In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a microcomputer which controls the entire VTR integrated camera 1, various I / O interfaces, a ROM storing a main control program and fixed data, a RAM for reading and writing various flags, measurement, detection data, and the like. ΜCPU (Micro Central Processor Unit) for overall control
Etc., and are backed up by a battery. Reference numeral 51 denotes a power supply circuit for supplying power supply current to the entire circuit system of the VTR-integrated camera 1, which is turned on / off by the microcomputer 50.
Off (power supply state and power supply cutoff state) is controlled. Reference numeral 52 denotes a drive / control circuit which receives power supply from the power supply circuit 51 and drives and controls a drive mechanism 53 according to a control signal from the microcomputer 50 to load / unload a tape.
An unloading operation, a tape running operation, and the like are performed. Numeral 57 is a tape detecting means for detecting whether or not a tape (tape cassette) is mounted in the VTR section 3. The microcomputer 50 recognizes the presence or absence of the tape by a signal from the detecting means 57. ing. 28
Is a switch described above. The microcomputer 50 determines whether the VTR-integrated camera 1 is in the above-described first illustrated state or the second to fourth illustrated states according to the on / off state of the switch 28. Has become. An eject switch 59 is linked with an eject button. By operating the switch 59, the microcomputer 50 causes the drive / control circuit 52 to operate.
Thus, at least the tape in the loading state is unloaded.

Numeral 54 is a focus control circuit, which has a VTR as described above.
When the integrated camera 1 shifts from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the state shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and the switch 28 is turned on, the focus control circuit 54 enters the auto focus mode. Although not shown, a state in which so-called focus adjustment is performed automatically is performed.

Reference numeral 32 denotes the above-mentioned power switch. After the switch 28 has been turned on, the battery section 9 is removed and the VT
When the power supply to the R-integrated camera 1 is interrupted and the battery unit 9 is attached again to enable power supply, or when the switch 28 is turned off (the VTR-integrated camera 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 1). Switch) to enable power supply to the VTR-integrated camera 1. switch
When the power switch 32 is turned on while the power switch 28 is turned off, the power is supplied to the VTR unit 3, and in this state, the VTR operation means 58 becomes operable. Playback, or fast-forward / rewind the tape in fast-forward / rewind mode)
Becomes possible. This state is called a VTR operation standby state in the present invention. At the same time, in this state, the video / audio control circuit 55 operates, and the video / audio control circuit 56 operates.

On the other hand, in the state where the power supply circuit 51 is turned on while the switch 28 is on (the state shown in FIGS. 2 to 4), power can be supplied to the camera unit 2 and the VTR unit 3 and the circuit system shown in FIG. Are almost operable, and the operation of the recording start / stop button 36 and the like can be performed. This state is referred to as a camera recording standby state in the present invention. In addition,
In the present invention, in the state shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the mode changeover switch 60 (a switch for switching between the recording mode and the use mode as a VTR, which is hidden in the state shown in FIG. 1 and in the state shown in FIG. Operable, second and third
(Shown in the figure) to the VTR operation mode side, so that the state of FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 can be set to the VTR operation standby state. The mode changeover switch 60 is normally set to the recording mode.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the microcomputer 50 in connection with the transition from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the state shown in FIGS. In the figure, S1 is a step for asking whether or not the switch 28 has been turned on. If YES, proceed to Step S2, and if NO, return to Step S1. In step S2, the power is turned on by a command from the microcomputer 50, and the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the mode changeover switch 60 is set to the recording mode.If YES, the process proceeds to step S4 to enter a camera recording standby state.If NO, the process proceeds to step S5.
A VTR operation standby state is entered, and a series of processing ends.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to take an appearance suitable for storage of a simple shape when not in use, and to take an appearance that can be easily taken with only the right hand at the time of shooting without burden. ,
It is possible to provide a VTR-integrated camera that can be easily shifted to the camera recording standby mode and that is extremely easy to use for the user as a whole, and its value is enormous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 14 relate to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a VTR integrated camera when the VTR unit is in a horizontal position with respect to the camera unit, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the VTR-integrated camera when the VTR unit is in the vertical position, FIG. 3 is a side view as viewed from the direction A in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. FIG. 6 is a simplified explanatory view showing an example of a connection structure between a camera section and a VTR section, FIG. 6 is a simplified exploded perspective view showing an example of a positioning lock mechanism, and FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a lens cover opening and closing mechanism in a closed state, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a lens cover opening and closing mechanism when a lens cover is in an open state, and FIG. 9 is switched by relative rotation between a camera unit and a VTR unit. FIGS. 10 and 11 show the switches to be controlled. FIGS. 10 and 11 show a flexible printer for making an electrical connection between a camera unit and a VTR unit. Explanatory view showing a substrate, Fig. 12 is an explanatory view showing a holding mode by the right hand when taking camera, FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration 14
The figure is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed by the microcomputer when the state is shifted from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the state shown in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 15 and 16 are diagrams for when taking a picture with a conventional VTR integrated camera. It is explanatory drawing which shows the holding | maintenance form by right hand of each. 1. VTR integrated camera 2. Camera unit 3. VTR
Section, 4 ... viewfinder section, 5 ... lens section, 6 ...
… Grip part,… grip belt, 8… microphone, 9
... battery part, 15 ... positioning rotary plate, 16 ... lid driving rotary plate, 16 ... engaging member, 17 ... spring means, 18 ... lock release button, 20 ... stopper pin, 21 ... Drive lever, 22 Rotating lever, 25, 26 Lens cover, 28 Switch, 32 Power switch, 35 Zoom button, 36
… Record start / stop button, 60… Mode switch.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masami Mizuno 1410 Inada Inada, Katsuta, Ibaraki Pref.Hitachi, Ltd.Tokai Plant (72) Inventor Masayuki Kimura 1410 Inada Inada, Katsuta, Ibaraki Hitachi, Ltd. In-house (72) Inventor Atsuhiko Urushihara 1-280 Higashi Koigakubo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo Inside Design Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd.

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A VTR in which a camera unit and a VTR unit are arranged side by side, and both are coupled to be rotatable relative to the camera unit so that the VTR unit can take a horizontal position and a vertical position. A VTR-integrated camera, wherein the camera unit is provided with a grip unit integrally. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the palm of the right hand gripping the grip contacts the VTR when the VTR assumes the vertical position with respect to the camera. A VTR-integrated camera characterized by the configuration. 3. The VTR-integrated camera according to claim 2, wherein a rubber can be attached at a position where the lower end of the palm of the right hand contacts. 4. The VTR-integrated camera according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear sides of the camera section are relatively rotatably coupled to the VTR section via a pivot connection mechanism. 5. The camera according to claim 4, wherein one of the pivot connection mechanisms has a relative rotation angle of 9 degrees between the camera unit and the VTR unit.
A VTR-integrated camera, characterized in that positioning means for holding the rotation position at both ends of 0 ° are provided. 6. A camera according to claim 1, wherein said camera unit and said VTR unit are electrically connected to each other by a flexible printed circuit board which is partially exposed in a gap between said camera unit and said VTR unit. A VTR integrated camera, wherein a cover means for concealing the exposed flexible printed circuit board portion is formed integrally with at least one of the camera section and the casing of the VTR section. 7. The VTR-integrated camera according to claim 1, further comprising switching means that operates in conjunction with the relative rotation of the camera unit and the VTR unit. 8. A camera recording standby mode is automatically set by a switch which is driven when said VTR unit is relatively rotated from said horizontal position to said vertical position with respect to said camera unit. A VTR-integrated camera characterized by having it take off. 9. The VTR-integrated camera according to claim 7, wherein the lens cover of the camera section is switched between an open state and a closed state by an interlocking mechanism interlocked with the relative rotation operation.