Viewfinder, and control method and imaging apparatus thereof

• US 20080198253A1
• Filed: 02/14/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Yanagisawa, Hiroshi
• Granted Patent: US 8,125,554 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/333.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/531 being rotatable or detachable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders

Abstract

A viewfinder according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display unit including a display surface on which a picture is displayed based on a picture signal supplied from an imaging apparatus; and an eyepiece unit, which is detachably attached to the display unit, configured to enlarge a picture displayed on the display surface to make the picture visually recognizable; wherein the display unit includes the display surface, a display control unit configured to display the picture on the display surface based on the picture signal, and a detecting unit configured to detect the presence/absence of attachment of the eyepiece unit; and wherein the display control unit is configured so as to laterally invert a picture to be displayed on the display surface based on the detection of the detecting unit, and also so as to change the brightness of a picture to be displayed on the display surface.

Claims

1. A viewfinder comprising:

a display unit including a display surface on which a picture is displayed based on a picture signal supplied from an imaging apparatus; and

an eyepiece unit, which is detachably attached to said display unit, configured to enlarge a picture displayed on said display surface to make the picture visually recognizable;

wherein said display unit includes

said display surface,

a display control unit configured to display said picture on said display surface based on said picture signal, and

a detecting unit configured to detect the presence/absence of attachment of said eyepiece unit;

and wherein said display control unit is configured so as to laterally invert a picture to be displayed on said display surface based on the detection of said detecting unit, and also so as to change the brightness of a picture to be displayed on said display surface.

2. The viewfinder according to claim 1, in accordance with change in the brightness of said picture by said display control unit, the brightness of said picture is set to a first brightness when the presence of attachment of said eyepiece unit is detected, and to a second brightness having a higher value than said first brightness when the absence of attaching of said eyepiece unit is detected.

3. The viewfinder according to claim 1, said display unit further comprising:

a lamp configured to display the operation state of said imaging apparatus or said display unit; and

a lamp control unit configured to drive said lamp based on said operation state;

wherein said eyepiece unit enlarges the display of said lamp together with said picture to make both visually recognizable;

and wherein said lamp control unit is configured so as to change the brightness of said lamp based on the detection by said detecting unit.

4. The viewfinder according to claim 3, said display unit further comprising:

a display panel;

wherein said display panel includes a front surface including said display surface;

and wherein said front surface includes a front plate in which an opening is formed;

and wherein said display surface is provided so as to locate in the inside of said opening;

and wherein said lamp is provided on said front plate.

5. The viewfinder according to claim 3, wherein, in accordance with change in the brightness of said lamp by said display control unit, the brightness of said lamp is set to a third brightness when the presence of attachment of said eyepiece unit is detected, and to a fourth brightness having a higher value than said third brightness when the absence of attachment of said eyepiece unit is detected.

6. The viewfinder according to claim 1, said display unit comprising:

a main unit which is detachably attached to a camera body of said imaging apparatus; and

a display unit on which a picture image-captured at said camera body side is displayed;

wherein said display unit includes

a supporting member which is connected to said main unit so as to rotate,

a display panel including said display surface, and

a connecting mechanism configured to connect said supporting member and said display panel so as to swing between a laid state in which said display panel is laid on said supporting member and a standing state in which said display panel stands from said supporting member.

7. The viewfinder according to claim 1, said display unit comprising:

a main unit which is detachably attached to a camera body of said imaging apparatus; and

a display unit on which a picture image-captured at said camera body side is displayed;

wherein said display unit includes

a supporting member which is connected to said main unit so as to rotate,

a display panel including said display surface, and

a connecting mechanism configured to connect said supporting member and said display panel so as to swing between a laid state in which said display panel is laid on said supporting member and a standing state in which said display panel stands from said supporting member;

and wherein said supporting member is connected to said main unit so as to rotate on an imaginary axis extending in the horizontal direction of said camera body in a state in which said main unit is attached to said camera body;

and wherein said display surface is turned to the lateral direction of said camera body in said laid state, and is turned backward in said standing state.

8. The viewfinder according to claim 1, said display unit comprising:

a main unit which is provided integrally to a camera body of said imaging apparatus; and

a display unit on which a picture image-captured at said camera body side is displayed;

wherein said display unit includes

a supporting member which is connected to said main unit so as to rotate,

a display panel including said display surface, and

a connecting mechanism configured to connect said supporting member and said display panel so as to swing between a laid state in which said display panel is laid on said supporting member and a standing state in which said display panel stands from said supporting member;

and wherein said supporting member is connected to said main unit so as to rotate on an imaginary axis extending in the horizontal direction of said camera body;

and wherein said display surface is turned to the lateral direction of said camera body in said laid state, and is turned backward in said standing state.

9. A control method of a viewfinder including

a display unit including a display surface on which a picture is displayed based on picture signals supplied from an imaging apparatus, and a display control unit configured to display said picture on said display surface, and

an eyepiece unit, which is detachably attached to said display unit, configured to enlarge a picture displayed on said display surface to make the picture visually recognizable,

said control method comprising the steps of:

detecting the presence/absence of attachment of said eyepiece unit; and

laterally inverting a picture to be displayed on said display surface based on said detection, and also changing the brightness of a picture to be displayed on said display surface.

10. An imaging apparatus comprising:

a camera body configured to imaging a picture; and

a viewfinder provided on said camera body;

wherein said viewfinder includes

a display unit including a display surface on which a picture is displayed based on a picture signal supplied from said camera body, and

an eyepiece unit, which is detachably attached to said display unit, configured to enlarge a picture displayed on said display surface to make the picture visually recognizable;

and wherein said display unit includes

said display surface,

a display control unit configured to display said picture on said display surface based on said picture signal, and

a detecting unit configured to detect the presence/absence of attachment of said eyepiece unit;

and wherein said display control unit is configured so as to laterally invert a picture to be displayed on said display surface based on the detection of said detecting unit, and also so as to change the brightness of a picture to be displayed on said display surface.