Camera having a display unit including multiple display areas and a connector mounted parallel to said multiple display areas

• US 6,337,954 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Soshi, Isao, Miyamoto, Hidenori
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US08/941,103
• Time in Patent Office: 1,561 Days
• Field of Search: 396/281, 396/287, 396/290, 396/291, 396/292, 396/295, 396/535, 396/542, 349/142, 349/139, 349/141
• US Class Current: 396/287
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/18 Signals indicating condition of a camera member or suitability of light indicating depth of field G03B13/30

Abstract

A display device adapted for use with a camera is equipped with circuitry for monitoring and controlling camera operation. The display device includes a display unit having a first display part which shows a photographic mode indication, a second display part which shows calendar information (e.g., date and time information), and a connector designed to electronically connect the display device to the circuitry. The connector is mounted in the camera in parallel relation to the first display part and to the second display part. The second display part is mounted near the connector and in closer proximity to the connector than the first display part. Additionally, a control device for controlling the drive characteristics of a display device adapted for use in a camera is provided. The control device includes a plurality of main contacts which are connected to at least one of a first display device which has a respectively associated plurality of contacts and which displays date information and a second display device which has a respectively associated plurality of contacts and which displays photographic information other than date information. Additionally, the control device includes a drive unit which causes date information to be displayed on the first display device when the plurality of main contacts are connected to the respectively associated plurality of contacts of the first display device, and which causes photographic information other than date information to be displayed on the second display when the plurality of main contacts are connected to the respectively associated plurality of contacts of the second display.

Claims

1. A display device adapted for use with a camera equipped with circuitry for monitoring and controlling camera operation, the display device comprising:

a display unit having a first display part which shows a photographic mode indication, a second display part which shows date and time information, and a connector which electronically connects said display unit to the circuitry;

said connector being mounted parallel said first display part and said second display part, said second display part being mounted in close proximity to said connector,

wherein said second display part comprises a plurality of units, said second display part including a wire passing through and between said plurality of units and connecting said first display part and the connector.

2. The display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connector and said second display part are positioned at a top portion of the camera and more towards a front surface of the camera than said first display part.

3. A display device adapted for use with a camera equipped with circuitry for monitoring and controlling camera operation, the display device comprising:

a display unit having a first display part which shows a photographic mode indication, a second display part which shows date and time information, and a connector which electronically connects said display unit to the circuitry;

said connector being mounted parallel said first display part and said second display part, in close proximity to said second display part and closer to said second display part than to said first display part,

wherein said second display part comprises a plurality of units, said second display part including a wire passing through and between said plurality of units and connecting said first display part and the connector.

4. A display device adapted for use with a camera equipped with circuitry for monitoring and controlling camera operation, the display device comprising:

a display unit having a first display part which shows a photographic mode indication, a second display part which shows date and time information, and a connector which electronically connects said display unit to the circuitry;

said connector being mounted parallel said first display part and said second display part, and adjacent to said second display part,

wherein said second display part comprises a plurality of units, said second display part including a wire passing through and between said plurality of units and connecting said first display part and the connector.

5. A camera assembly, comprising:

a display unit having a first display part which shows a photographic mode indication, a second display part which shows date and time information, and a connector which electronically connects said display unit to a circuitry;

a main camera substrate to control the first and second display parts with control signals;

a liquid crystal display (LCD) display connection terminal electrically connected to said main camera substrate, to receive the control signals from said main camera substrate; and

a connection unit mounted adjacent to said connector, to pass said control signals from said LCD display connection terminal to said display unit,

wherein said second display part comprises a plurality of units, said second display part including a wire passing through and between said plurality of units and connecting said first display part and the connector.

6. A camera assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a keep plate having projections which overhang said display unit to maintain said display unit in place and mounted on said main camera substrate.

7. A camera including a main camera substrate which generates display control signals, the camera comprising:

a display unit having a first display part which shows a photographic mode indication, and a second display part which shows date and time information, wherein said display control signals control said first and second display parts;

a liquid crystal display (LCD) display connection terminal electrically connected to said main camera substrate, to receive said display control signals from said main camera substrate;

a connection unit to pass said display control signals from said LCD display connection terminal; and

a connector mounted adjacent to said connection unit and which passes said display control signals from said connection unit to said display unit;

wherein said connector is mounted parallel to said first display part and said second display part, said second display part being mounted in close proximity to said connector,

wherein said second display part comprises a plurality of units, said second display part including a wire passing through and between said plurality of units and connecting said first display part and the connector.

8. A camera as claimed in claim 7, further comprising autofocus light projection/receiving units arranged underneath and supported by said main camera substrate.

9. A camera as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

a front cover having a first surface which extends to a top portion of the camera and a first projection extending from said first surface;

a rear cover having a second surface which extends to the top portion of the camera and a second projection extending from said second surface; and

a window formed over said display unit and between said front and rear covers, and having first and second notches which respectively receive said first and second projections, to maintain said window in place;

wherein a top surface of said window and said first and second surfaces form a single surface on the top portion of the camera.

10. A display device for a camera having circuitry for monitoring and controlling camera operation, the display device comprising:

a display unit including

a first display part displaying a photographic mode indication,

a second display part displaying date or time information, the second display part including a plurality of segments, and

a connector electronically connecting said display unit to the circuitry, the connector being mounted along an edge of the display unit parallel said first display part and said second display part,

wherein the second display part is mounted closer to the edge of the display unit along which the connector is mounted than the first display part, and

wherein a wire from said connector first passes through and between the plurality of segments of the second display part and then connects to the first display part.