Television – Camera – system and detail – Remote control
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-20
2003-06-17
Moe, Aung S. (Department: 2612)
Television
Camera, system and detail
Remote control
C348S211600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06580453
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an image sensing apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates a compact image sensing apparatus having a remote-control function.
FIG. 11
is a schematic view showing an example of a widely used integrated video recorder and camera (referred to also as an “integrated video camera” below) equipped with a 20× magnification zoom lens. As shown in
FIG. 11
, an integrated video camera of this kind is such that the overall optical length of the lens occupies more than half the total length of the product. Since it has become essential for recent video cameras and still-video cameras to be equipped with zoom lenses of higher magnifications, the proportion of total product length occupied by the total lens length is expected to grow.
A function that can be mentioned as a requisite for such cameras in addition to the zoom lens is a remote-control function. For example, as shown in
FIG. 12
, a typical arrangement includes a remote-control signal receiving window
413
provided on the case of the image sensing apparatus. The window
413
allows the selective transmission of infrared light for a remote-control signal and is internally equipped with a remote-control light-receiving element. The element receives modulated infrared light corresponding to an instruction from a remote controller
650
.
FIG. 13
is a functional block useful in describing an example of the function of an integrated video camera having the remote-control function of the kind shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12
. Shown in
FIG. 13
are a subject
401
, an image sensing lens
402
, a CCD device
403
provided as a photoelectric transducer, and a CCD signal processing circuit
404
for applying prescribed signal processing to the output of the CCD device
403
.
A camera signal processing circuit
405
generates a video signal from the output signal of the CCD signal processing circuit
404
, and a video signal processing circuit
406
generates a recording signal for the purpose of recording the output signal of the camera signal processing circuit
405
on video tape. The recording signal is applied to a head amplifier
407
. A recording mechanism
408
records the output signal of the head amplifier
407
on video tape via an electromagnetic conversion system.
A servo circuit
409
is for driving,the recording mechanism
408
by a prescribed operation. A lens control circuit
410
drives the image sensing lens
402
and a system control circuit
411
controls the overall video camera. A key unit
412
has a group of switches belonging to the main body. A remote-control light-receiving window
413
receives infrared radiation from the remote controller
650
. A remote-control light-receiving element
414
is connected to an amplifier circuit
415
which amplifies the output of the element. The system control circuit
411
is connected to each of these blocks by communication lines for the purpose of controlling the overall system in accordance with signals from the key unit
412
and remote-control light-receiving element
414
.
Further, as shown in
FIG. 14
, it is possible to provide an infrared cutting filter
416
and a low-pass filter
417
for transmitting only the visible light contained in the light entrant via a lens barrel
402
.
It is evident from the foregoing discussion of video cameras that there is increasing demand for an image sensing apparatus to be provided with additional functions. This means that an increase in lens size and the inclusion of a remote-control light-receiving element for remote control cannot be avoided. On the other hand, however, there is also increasing demand for an image sensing apparatus that is more compact. How to achieve more compactness while providing a longer lens for greater magnification as well as a remote-control light-receiving element is an important problem awaiting solution.
In the pursuit of a more compact image sensing apparatus, a point which is just as important as a reduction in the size of components is simplification of the apparatus case by minimizing the number of parts provided on the surface of the sensing apparatus case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to so arrange it that the case of an image sensing apparatus can be simplified by reducing the number of parts provided on the surface of the apparatus without eliminating the remote-control function.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an image sensing apparatus having an opening for introducing sensed light from a subject and signal light into the interior of a case, and a light-receiving element for receiving the signal light, within the interior of the case, which has been introduced into the case via the opening.
According to another aspect of the invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an image sensing apparatus having an opening for introducing sensed light from a subject and signal light into the interior of a case, a light-receiving element for receiving the signal light, within the interior of the case, which has been introduced into the case via the opening, and optical path bending means for bending the optical path of the signal light, wherein the signal light bent by the optical path bending means is received by the light-receiving element.
Further, the optical path bending means bends the signal light by approximately 90°.
Further, the optical path bending means is constituted by an element having a property which reflects light of a specific wavelength corresponding to wavelength of the signal light.
According to another aspect of the invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an image sensing apparatus having an opening for introducing sensed light from a subject and signal light into the interior of a case, an image sensing lens for receiving, within the interior of the case, the sensed image light from the subject that as entered the interior of the case via the opening, a light-receiving element for receiving the signal light, within the interior of the case, which has been introduced into the case via the opening, and optical path bending means for bending the optical path of the sensed light from the subject and the optical path of the signal light, wherein after the bending of optical path by the optical path bending means is performed, the sensed light from the subject is received by the image sensing lens and the signal light is received by the light-receiving element.
Further, the optical path bending means bends the sensed light from the subject and the signal light by approximately 90°.
Further, a portion of the optical path bending means that bends the signal light is constituted by an element having a property which reflects light of a specific wavelength corresponding to wavelength of the signal light.
According to another aspect of the invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an image sensing apparatus having a light-emitting element for emitting signal light, and an opening for leading the signal light, which is emitted by the light-emitting element, to the exterior of a case, and for introducing sensed light from a subject into the interior of the case.
According to another aspect of the invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an image sensing apparatus having a light-emitting element for emitting signal light, an opening for leading the signal light, which is emitted by the light-emitting element, to the exterior of a case, and for introducing sensed light from a subject into the interior of the case, and optical path bending means for bending the optical path of the signal light, wherein the signal light, after being bent by the optical path bending means, is led to the exterior of the case via the opening.
Further, the optical path bending means bends the signal light by approximately 90°.
Further, the optical path bending means is constituted by an element having a property which reflects light of a specific wavelength corresponding to wavelength of the signal ligh
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Moe Aung S.
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
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