Imaging device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017045802-A1
Application number	US-201515305495-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 18, 2015
Priority date	May 1, 2014
Publication date	Feb 16, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

There is provided an imaging device that includes a body and a viewfinder. The viewfinder is movable in two or more directions, between an encased position and a operative position. The viewfinder is encased inside the body at the encased position. The viewfinder is projected outside the body at the operative position.

First claim

1 . An imaging device, comprising:
a body; and a viewfinder that is movable in two or more directions, between an encased position and an operative position, the viewfinder being encased inside the body at the encased position, and the viewfinder being projected outside the body at the operative position.

2 . The imaging device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the viewfinder is movable in two directions that are orthogonal to each other.

3 . The imaging device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the viewfinder is extended upward of the body from the encased position, and advanced rearward of the body to reach the operative position.

4 . The imaging device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the body has an opening in an upper surface of the body, the opening allowing the viewfinder to move into or out of the body.

5 . The imaging device according to claim 3 ,
wherein the viewfinder includes: a viewfinder unit; and a first movement mechanism that lifts the viewfinder unit upward of the body.

6 . The imaging device according to claim 5 ,
wherein the first movement mechanism is a mechanical movement mechanism.

7 . The imaging device according to claim 6 ,
wherein the first movement mechanism includes: a base frame; a sliding frame that is inserted through the base frame and coupled to the viewfinder unit; a resilient member that is provided between the base frame and the sliding frame and energizes the sliding frame upward; and an engagement mechanism that regulates upward movement of the sliding frame.

8 . The imaging device according to claim 7 ,
wherein the resilient member includes a spring.

9 . The imaging device according to claim 5 ,
wherein the first movement mechanism is an electrical movement mechanism.

10 . The imaging device according to claim 9 ,
wherein the first movement mechanism includes: a base frame; a sliding frame that is inserted through the base frame and coupled to the viewfinder unit; a rack provided on the sliding frame; and a motor that is fixed to the base frame and includes a worm gear that engages the rack.

11 . The imaging device according to claim 5 ,
wherein the viewfinder further includes a second movement mechanism that allows the viewfinder unit to advance rearward of the body.

12 . The imaging device according to claim 11 ,
wherein the second movement mechanism includes a resilient member.

13 . The imaging device according to claim 12 ,
wherein the resilient member includes a spring.

14 . The imaging device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the body includes a body-side mount or a lens, on a front surface of the body, the viewfinder is arranged to avoid overlap with the body-side mount or the lens.

15 . The imaging device according to claim 14 ,
wherein the viewfinder includes: a viewfinder unit; a decorative member that covers the viewfinder unit, the decorative member having a notch that is arranged to avoid the overlap with the body-side mount or the lens.

16 . The imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising a diopter adjuster,
wherein the diopter adjuster is provided in an upper surface of the viewfinder, is concealed inside the body at the encased position, and becomes operable at the operative position.

17 . The imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising an eye sensor,
the eye sensor including: a sensor window; a sensor unit disposed perpendicularly to the sensor window; and a reflecting member provided in an optical path between the sensor window and the sensor unit.

18 . The imaging device according to claim 17 ,
wherein the reflecting member includes a curved surface.

Assignees

• Sony Corp

Inventors

• Fujii Kentaro
• Kanazawa Toshihide
• Tanoue Hikaru
• Konishi Takaya

Classifications

• H04N23/51

  Housings · CPC title

• H04N23/00

  Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof · CPC title

• H04N23/531

  being rotatable or detachable · CPC title

• G03B17/04 Primary

  collapsible, foldable or extensible, e.g. book type · CPC title

• G03B13/02 Primary

  Viewfinders · CPC title