Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the attached drawings.
The remote-control device 10 has a function to command the digital camera 12 (camera) to photograph a subject, to adjust zoom, etc., in addition to other functions that can be added as explained below, in the remote-control device 10, a transmitter 20 (a light signal transmitter) that transmits an infrared ray corresponding to the above mentioned functions as a light signal, is provided. The transmitter 20 includes a body 22 and a light-transmitting end 24 that transmits an infrared ray (see
To the transmitter 20, a command switch (not shown) for commanding the light-transmitting end 24 to transmit an infrared ray is connected, so that the light-transmitting end 24 transmits an infrared ray, that is a light signal, due to the operation of the command switch. In the remote-control device 10, the command switch is independent of the transmitter 20 and movably connected to the transmitter 20. In this respect, the remote-control device 10 is unique to conventional remote-control devices in which a command switch and a transmitter are formed as one body.
On the front surface 12F of the digital camera 12, a receiving sensor 18 (a light signal receiver), a flash window 13, a photographing optical system 15 including a zoom lens 19 are provided. On the upper surface 12U of the digital camera 12, a release button 14, a power switch 16 for switching the power source of the digital camera 12 on and off state, are provided.
The digital camera 12 is fixed in the predetermined position on a tripod (not shown). The remote-control device 10 includes a holding plate 26 (a position adjuster) that holds the transmitter 20 and makes the adjustment of the relative position of the transmitter 20 with respect to the digital camera 12 possible. Near both ends of the holding plate 26, holes are provided in which first and second fixing screws 27, 28 are inserted.
One end of the holding plate 26 is fastened to the digital camera 12 by the first fixing screw 27. The first fixing screw 27 is a rotating screw, and the holding plate 26 is rotatable about the axis as indicated by the arrow 3 (see
On the rear surface 12R of the digital camera 12, an LCD monitor 32 (an image display, see
In the body 22, connection holes 23 in which connecters of command switches are detachably attached, are provided. By modifying the shapes of the connection holes 23 and the internal structure of the body 22 of the transmitter 20, various different types of connecters of command switches can be attached in one of the connection holes 23. Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality o±command switches different from one another can be selectively used.
Specifically, a welfare switch, used for a user who experiences difficulty applying a force required to operate a conventional switch due to a physical handicap or the like, can be used with the transmitter 20. The welfare switches include one which has a wide area to be depressed and that can be operated with a very small force one which can be operated by an exhalation of a user, one which is operated by a motor, and so on. Therefore, the remote-control device of the first embodiment can be easily operated by a user who experiences difficulty when operating a conventional switch.
As explained above, the remote-control device 10 can improve the operationality of the digital camera 12, because a user can confirm a subject displayed on the monitor 32 while he or she is using the remote-control device 10. Further, various different types of welfare switches can be used with the remote-control device 10, so that the remote-control device 10 can be easily operated by a user who experiences difficulty when using a conventional switch.
Note that the commands available for uses with the remote-control device 10 are not limited Lo photographing a subject or adjusting the zoom; emitting a flash of light from the flash window 13, switching the power source, and so on may also be commanded by the remote-control device 10. Further, command for a zoom adjustment may be carried out, for example, by selecting a desirable focal distance from those previously set in accordance with the number of the operation of the command switch.
Next, the second embodiment, and primarily the differences between it and the first embodiment, are explained. In the second embodiment, as explained below, a member which increases the effectiveness of the ability of the receiving sensor 18 to receive an infrared ray transmitted from the light-transmitting end 24 is provided in the remote-control device 10, which is different from the first embodiment.
In the transmitter 20, a housing 34 enclosing the transmitter 20 is provided (see
Note that in the remote-control device 10 of the second embodiment, a camera fastening device 30 to enhance the digital camera 12 is included, in the camera fastening device 30, a light intercepting plate 36 (a light interceptor) to intercept sunlight and other light from external sources is provided at the upper side of the receiving sensor 18. Due to the light intercepting plate 36, a bright external light is prevented from entering the receiving sensor 18 and causing a detection error by interfering with or taking the place of a light signal from the transmitter 20 (see
The upper surface 26U of the holding plate 26 (see
To increase the effect of reflecting the infrared ray on the holding plate upper surface 26U, the area of the holding plate upper surface 26U may be expanded, for example by enlarging the width of the holding plate 26 without providing a negative effect on the operationality of the remote-control device 10. Further, to obtain such an effect, the light receiving area of the receiving sensor 18, that receives the infrared ray from the transmitter 20, may also be expanded.
To ensure that the infrared ray is receivable by the receiving sensor 18, an arrangement of the transmitter 20 in front of the digital camera 12 to face the receiving sensor 18 is preferable. In such a configuration, the transmitter 20 should be out of the photographing area of the photographing system 15 of the digital camera 12, and not be included in a subject image.
Therefore, on an area of the upper surface 30U of the camera fastening device 30, which extends from the front surface 12F side of the digital camera 12, three marks are provided, the first, second and third marks D1, D2 and D3 (see
On the other hand, on the upper surface 26U of the holding plate 26 that rotates around the point C, a center line 26S parallel to the long sides 26L of the outline of the holding plate 26 is provided so that a user can easily confirm the inclined angle by visually checking to determine whether or not the center line 26S is coincident with one of the marks including the first to third marks D1 to D3, or checking to see where the center line 26S is with respect to the two closest marks. In a situation where the second mark D2 and the center line 26S are coincident with each other, for example, the angle formed by the holding plate 26 and the front surface 12F of the digital camera 12 is 45 degrees.
Because the transmitter 20 is always held in the predetermined position on the holding plate 26, the position of the transmitter 20 with respect to the digital camera 12 corresponds to the inclined angle. Therefore, the minimum inclined angle required for the transmitter 20 to be out of the photographing area, based on the focal distance of the photographing optical system 15 and the range of the incident angle where light can enter the zoom lens 19 of the photographing optical system 15, can be confirmed beforehand. Therefore, the transmitter 20 can be promptly moved to a position suitable for emitting the infrared ray, while remaining outside of the photographing area. The numbers representing the inclined angle and so on may also be provided on the upper surface 26U of the holding plate 26, in addition to the upper surface 30U of the camera fastening device 30. Printing letters or marks on the upper surface 26U of the holding plate 26 will not impact negatively on the light reflection ratio of the whole upper surface 26U of the holding plate 26.
As explained above in the second embodiment, enabling the receiving sensor 18 to receive the light signals and moving the transmitter 20 to a suitable position for its operation, are both possible.
Next, the third embodiment, primarily the differences between it and the second embodiment, are explained. In the third embodiment, the transmitter 20 is fixed to the holding plate 26 by using a camera hot shoe 42 instead of the second fixing screw 28, in contrast to the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, by using such a general-purpose accessory part, the remote-control device 10 can be easily manufactured.
Further, installing the transmitter 20 to the camera hot shoe 42 is an easier operation than installation with the second fixing screw 28. Although the installation direction of the camera hot shoe 42 cannot be adjusted, the holding plate 26 can be installed so that the transmitter 20 and the receiving sensor 18 face each other (not shown). Further, in a case where the transmitter 20 and the receiving sensor 18 are arranged facing away from each other, light signals can be received from a wide range by the receiving sensor 18, by providing the light-transmitting end 24 with a light diffusing effect, or by placing a material with light diffusing effects in front Of the transmitter 20. Further, the holding plate 26 and other members are provided so that the distance between the transmitter go and the receiving sensor 18 is short, thus enabling the intensity of the light signals to be maintained at a sufficient level to enable the transmittance thereof, despite having been diffused.
The shapes of the members in the remote-control device 10, such as the transmitter 20, holding plate 26, and the camera fastening device 30, are not limited to those represented in the above embodiments. Further, the subject of use of the remote-control device 10, is not limited to the digital camera 12, as far as the light signals for remote control can be received.
This invention is not limited to that described in the preferred embodiment, namely, various improvements and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-119690 (filed on Apr. 24, 2006), which is expressly incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2006-119690 | Apr 2006 | JP | national |