Liquid crystal finder/projector for video camera

• US 5,315,334 A
• Filed: 03/13/1992
• Issued: 05/24/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Inana, Katsuya
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAN, JANG K
• Application Number:
  US07/850,896
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 354/219, 354/223, 358/224, 358/231, 358/229, 358/254
• US Class Current: 396/374
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/02 Viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/531 being rotatable or detachable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7441 the modulator being an array of liquid crystal cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3176 wherein the projection device is incorporated in a camera details of cameras adapted for combination with a projector not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B17/54

Abstract

A liquid crystal finder attached video camera whose liquid crystal finder is usable as a liquid crystal projector. This liquid crystal finder attached video camera is composed of a video camera body, a liquid crystal view finder unit having a transmission-type liquid crystal display portion fixed thereto and an eyepiece portion turnable between a picture-taking position behind the transmission-type liquid crystal display portion and a projector position ahead of the transmission-type liquid crystal display portion, the front face of the liquid crystal view finder unit being detachably mounted on a battery attachment face at the back of the video camera body, and the back face of the liquid crystal view finder unit being formed with a battery attachment face, and a light unit having a light facing ahead at the upper portion thereof, the front face of the light unit being detachably mounted on the battery attachment face at the back of the video camera body, and the back face of the light unit being formed with a battery attachment face.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal finder attached video camera, comprising:

a video camera body having a first battery attachment face formed at the back thereof and a video output terminal for outputting a video signal, wherein on said first battery attachment face a battery may be detachably mounted;

a liquid crystal view finder unit having a front face which may be detachably mounted on said first battery attachment face and a back face formed with a second battery attachment face on which said battery may be detachably mounted, said liquid crystal view finder unit comprising a video input terminal for inputting the video signal from said video output terminal, transmission-type liquid crystal display means for displaying an image based on the video signal input through said video input terminal, an eyepiece for magnifying the image displayed by said transmission-type liquid crystal display means, and a turning mechanism for turning said eyepiece between a finder position behind said transmission-type liquid crystal display means and a projector position ahead of said transmission-type liquid crystal display means; and

a light unit having a front face which may be detachably mounted on said first or second battery attachment face, a back face formed with a third battery attachment face on which said front face of said liquid crystal view finder unit may detachably be mounted, and a light facing ahead in the upper portion thereof,

wherein said eyepiece is turned to said finder position and said light unit is mounted between said video camera body and said liquid crystal view finder unit so as to use said light unit as a video light, and said eyepiece is turned to said projector position and said liquid crystal view finder unit is mounted between said video camera body and said light unit so as to use said light unit as a projector light source.

2. A liquid crystal finder attached video camera according to claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal view finder unit comprises a magic mirror disposed with an inclination of approximately 45°

in a position facing said eyepiece through said transmission-type liquid crystal display means, a back light for illuminating said transmission-type liquid crystal display means with light reflected by said magic mirror, and a window portion for passing illumination light from said light unit through said magic mirror and making the illumination light incident on said transmission-type liquid crystal display means.

3. A liquid crystal finder attached video camera according to claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal view finder unit is used as a small TV by attaching a TV tuner to said liquid crystal view finder unit and inputting a video signal from said TV tuner to said liquid crystal view finder.

4. A liquid crystal finder attached video camera according to claim 1, wherein said video camera body is remotely controlled by attaching a remote control unit to said liquid crystal view finder unit, separating said liquid crystal view finder unit from said first battery attachment face of said video camera body, and connecting said video output terminal and said video input terminal through a cord.