U.S. patent application number 10/016646 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-19 for led reflector device.
Invention is credited to Bittner, Wilfried.
Application Number | 20030113108 10/016646 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21778204 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030113108 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bittner, Wilfried |
June 19, 2003 |
LED REFLECTOR DEVICE
Abstract
A camera viewfinder reflector for directing light from an
indicator outside the line-of-sight of the viewfinder into the
viewfinder is provided. The reflector may be combined with an
existing element of the camera assembly, such as a leaf spring, or
may comprise a separate, distinct reflector component. Light from
an indicator on the pc-board of the camera is reflected from a
portion of the reflector that is located in the viewfinder at the
periphery of the viewfinder lens assembly in fixed optical
alignment with the ocular lens of the viewfinder.
Inventors: |
Bittner, Wilfried; (Hong
Kong, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Concord Camera Corp.
Suite 650N
4000 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood
FL
33021
US
|
Family ID: |
21778204 |
Appl. No.: |
10/016646 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
396/296 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B 17/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
396/296 |
International
Class: |
G03B 017/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A camera, comprising: a viewfinder assembly including a first
objective lens and a second ocular lens, said second ocular lens
disposed in optical alignment with said first objective lens; a
visual indicator located outside of said viewfinder; a reflector
including at least one reflective section, at least a portion of
said reflective section extending into said viewfinder in optical
alignment with said second ocular lens; and wherein light from said
indicator is reflected from said reflective section to said ocular
lens.
2. The camera of claim 1, wherein said visual indicator is an
LED.
3. The camera of claim 2, wherein said LED is a surface mounted
LED.
4. The camera of claim 3, wherein said reflector further includes
at least a light pass section, wherein light from said LED passes
said light pass section to said reflective section.
5. The camera of claim 4, wherein said reflector further includes
at least a first reflector portion, wherein light from said LED is
reflected from said first reflector portion, past said light pass
section and to said reflective section.
6. The camera of claim 4, wherein said first lens and said second
lens are part of a reverse Galilean viewfinder assembly.
7. The camera of claim 4, wherein said light pass section includes
an opening through which light from said LED passes.
8. The camera of claim 4, wherein said light pass section has a
width less than the width of said reflective section which permits
light to pass said light pass section of said reflector to said
reflective section.
9. The camera of claim 1, wherein said reflector further includes
at least a light pass section, wherein light from said indicator
passes said light pass section to said reflective section.
10. The camera of claim 9, wherein said reflector further includes
at least a first reflector portion, wherein light from said
indicator is reflected from said first reflector portion, past said
light pass section to said reflective section.
11. A reflector for directing light from a remote indicator into
the viewfinder of a camera, the reflector comprising: a light pass
section; a reflective section, at least a portion of which is in
optical alignment with the viewfinder, said reflective section
including a reflection surface for reflecting light into the
viewfinder; and wherein said light pass section and said reflective
section are separated by a bend.
12. The reflector of claim 11, wherein light from the remote
indicator passes said light pass section to said reflective
section.
13. The reflector of claim 12, wherein the indicator is a surface
mounted LED.
14. The reflector of claim 13, wherein said light pass section
includes an opening therethrough, said opening permitting light
from said LED to pass to said reflective section.
15. The reflector of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of said
light pass section has a width less than the width of said
reflective section, wherein said reduced width section permits
light from said LED to pass to said reflective section.
16. The reflector of claim 15, wherein said reflector is combined
with an additional component of the camera.
17. The reflector of claim 16, wherein said reflector is
additionally a leaf spring.
18. The reflector of claim 13, additionally including a first
reflector section, wherein light from said LED is reflected from
said first reflector section, past said light pass section and to
said reflective section.
19. The reflector of claim 18, wherein said reflector is
additionally a leaf spring.
20. A method of directing light from an indicator into the
viewfinder of a camera, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a
camera, including: a viewfinder assembly including a first
objective lens and a second ocular lens, said first and said second
lenses being in optical alignment; a visual indicator located
outside said viewfinder; a reflector including a reflective
section, at least a portion of which is located in optical
alignment with said second ocular lens (b) activating said visual
indicator to provide a visual signal outside the viewfinder; and
(c) reflecting said visual signal from said reflective section to
said second ocular lens.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said reflector further includes
a light pass section, said light pass section and said reflective
section being separated by a bend.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said visual signal is reflected
past said light pass section to said reflective section.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said reflector further includes
at least a first reflector portion.
24. The method of claim 23, including the step of reflecting said
visual signal off said first reflector section and past said light
pass section in order to reflect said visual signal from said
reflective section.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein said visual indicator is a
surface mounted LED.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein said reflector is additionally
a leaf spring.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cameras and,
more particularly, to a reflector for directing light from an
indicator located outside the viewfinder's line-of-sight into the
viewfinder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In order to manufacture a compact and low cost camera, it is
desirable that all electronic components be surface mounted to the
pc-board. To provide an indicator light in the viewfinder, a
surface-mount technology (SMT) LED is mounted to the camera
pc-board. However, there is no direct line-of-sight from the SMT
LED on the pc-board to the line-of-sight of the user using the
viewfinder. Traditionally, non-SMT LEDs include a tiny bowl shaped
reflector to direct light from the LED substrate. However, there
exist LEDs that do not have an internal reflector. Rather, external
optical solutions, such as light pipes and/or prisms have been used
to direct the light from the LED to the desired viewing area. In a
compact camera system using a LED, the addition of a separate light
pipe or prism can be cumbersome and costly.
[0003] What is needed is an external LED reflector that directs
light emitted from the LED into the viewfinder and which is low
cost. These objects and others are met with the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is directed to a new and improved
camera viewfinder reflector for directing light from an indicator
outside the line-of-sight of the viewfinder into the viewfinder. In
one embodiment the reflector is combined with an existing element
of the camera assembly.
[0005] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become more readily apparent in the description
which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when
read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of
illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an
exemplary embodiment that is presently preferred, it being
understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the
specific methods and instrumentality's disclosed. Additionally,
like reference numerals represent like items throughout the
drawings. In the drawings:
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from the front, right side
of an exemplary camera useful with the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from the rear, right side of
the camera of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3A shows a top plan view of one particular embodiment
of a LED reflector of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3B shows a side plan view of the LED reflector of FIG.
4A.
[0011] FIG. 4A shows a side partial view of a portion of the
internal camera assembly including a viewfinder and a reflector in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4B shows an enlarged view of a portion of the system of
FIG. 4A.
[0013] FIG. 5A shows a top plan view of a combination reflector and
leaf spring in accordance with one particular embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5B shows a side plan view of the reflector of FIG.
5A.
[0015] FIG. 6A shows a top plan view of a combination reflector and
leaf spring in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 6B shows a side plan view of the reflector of FIG.
6A.
[0017] FIG. 7A shows a side partial view of a portion of the
internal camera assembly including a viewfinder and a reflector in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7B shows an enlarged view of a portion of the system of
FIG. 7A.
[0019] FIG. 8 shows a side perspective exploded view of an
exemplary camera viewfinder housing and reflector in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view from the front left side of
an exemplary viewfinder housing and reflector in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view from the back side of the
exemplary viewfinder housing and reflector of FIG. 8.
[0022] FIG. 11A shows a top plan view of a reflector in accordance
with one particular embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 11B shows a side plan view of the reflector of FIG.
11.
[0024] FIG. 12A shows a top plan view of a reflector in accordance
with one particular embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 12B shows a side plan view of the reflector of FIG.
12A.
[0026] FIG. 13A shows a side partial view of a portion of the
internal camera assembly including a viewfinder and a reflector in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 13B shows an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.
13A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of the particular
arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other
embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose
of description and not of limitation.
[0029] The present invention is directed towards a new and improved
camera reflector for directing the light emitted from an LED
disposed outside of a viewfinder into the line-of-sight of the
viewfinder. The reflector of the present invention will now be
described in connection with an exemplary camera 10 (FIGS. 1 and
2), which, as described herein, is a compact digital camera.
However, this is not meant to be limiting. As can be seen from the
present description, the reflector of the present invention is
useful with any type of camera to direct light from an indicator
disposed outside of the viewfinder into the viewfinder.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera 10 includes an
outer housing 11 having a front portion 12a and a back portion 12b.
In the present example, the front portion 12a and the back portion
12b are made as two separate pieces to facilitate manufacturing of
the housing 11. It should be appreciated, however, that the housing
may, alternatively, be comprised of any number of pieces. In a
preferred embodiment, the housing 11 is constructed of a
lightweight, yet rugged plastic material, but may, alternatively,
be constructed of an alloy material, a metallic material or any
other suitable material. Additionally, the outer surfaces of the
front 12a and back 12b portions may be contoured, if desired, to
improve gripping capabilities and provide a more ergonomic and
aesthetically pleasing design.
[0031] Front portion 12a of housing 11 is adapted for connective
engagement with the corresponding back portion 12b using
conventional fastening means. The two halves form a substantially
light tight connection when assembled together. In this particular
example, the front and rear portions 12a and 12b are secured
together using screws 14.
[0032] The front and back portions 12a, 12b include a plurality of
openings integrally formed therein. The openings are structured and
disposed to allow access to the objective lens unit (opening 16),
the viewfinder assembly (openings 18a and 18b), LCD status display
window 40, function select controls 42 and external connector
30.
[0033] The objective aperture 16 is disposed within an objective
lens optical axis and is adapted for receiving and holding an
objective lens cover 17. The objective lens cover 17 is formed of a
transparent material such as glass or plastic and may include an
opaque portion disposed about its outer perimeter to provide some
undesired light shielding capabilities. The objective aperture 16
preferably has a circular shape.
[0034] In the present camera 10, a direct line-of-sight through the
viewfinder is accommodated by front and rear viewfinder openings
18a, 18b, which are integrally formed in the front and rear
housings, respectively. An eye lens optical axis can be defined
through the viewfinder apertures 18a and 18b, and correspondingly,
through the viewfinder lenses 21 and 22.
[0035] A trigger button 13 is accessible through an opening
disposed on the top face 15a of the housing 11.
[0036] A status indicator opening 40 is provided through the rear
housing 12b. A status LCD 41 is visible through the rear housing
12b. Additional openings for a number of user select buttons 42 are
disposed in close proximity to the status LCD 41. The number and
orientation of the user select buttons 42 may vary to accommodate
the particular camera 10 layout. Similarly, the functions provided
may vary. Typical function selects include, on/off, timer on/off,
etc. Additionally, the status LCD 41 may provide a variety of
desired information including timer indication, battery status,
number of remaining pictures, mode indicator, etc.
[0037] A mirror slide switch 60 is slideably engaged with the top
face 15a of the housing 11. The operation of mirror slide switch 60
is described more fully in a co-pending commonly assigned patent
application entitled DUAL PURPOSE VIEWFINDER, filed on even date
herewith.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, there is shown a reflector
120 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The
reflector 120 defines a double reflection path from an indicator
device, such as an LED, to the rear viewfinder lens 21. The
reflector 120 comprises a reflective material that, in the present
embodiment, is stamped as a single piece from a sheet of stainless
steel and machine bent to form the different reflective surfaces.
However, this is not meant to be limiting. The reflector 120 may be
made by other methods, and/or of several pieces. The reflector 120
may further be made using other reflective materials and/or using
reflective coatings.
[0039] The reflector 120 includes a body 120a, a first reflector
section 120b, a light pass section 120c and a second reflector
section 120d, each section being separated from the previous
section by a bend. Body 120a provides support for the reflector 120
and includes the connector openings 124 and 126 which permit the
reflector 120 to be set in the camera 10 in a fixed relationship
with the viewfinder and with a LED indicator. Light pass section
120c includes an aperture 122, through which light reflected from
the first reflector section 120b passes. Note that although the
aperture 122 is shown, other means and designs of light pass
section 120c may be employed to permit the light to pass from the
first reflector section 120b to the second reflector section
120d.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there is shown a partial,
side cut away view of a camera assembly 100 including a reflector
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The
camera assembly 100 includes a reverse Galilean viewfinder system,
including a negative objective lens 130 and a positive ocular lens
140. During manufacture, a pc-board 105 is fixed around the housing
for the negative objective lens 130. The LED 110 is surface mounted
to the pc-board 105. The reflector 120 is mounted in a fixed
relationship in optical alignment with the positive ocular lens 140
using connector pins or screws (not shown). The connector pins pass
through the holes 124 and 126 (FIGS. 3A and 3B) of the reflector
120. Other means for providing the LED reflector 120 in a fixed
relationship with the lenses 130 and 140 may be used. The LED
reflector 120 is mounted such that the second reflector section
120d is visible at the periphery of the negative objective lens
130, without blocking the line-of-sight through the viewfinder.
[0041] In use, when the LED 110 is emitting light, the light is
reflected from the bottom surface of the first reflector section
120b, through the aperture 122 of the light pass section 120c to
the top surface of the second reflector section 120d and to the
ocular lens 140. The LED 110 may be used to provide any desired
visual indication to the user, for example, when the camera is
first turned on and/or while the digital camera 10 is acquiring new
pictures. It can be seen that the reflector 120 of the present
embodiments provides an efficient and inexpensive means for
directing light from the surface mounted LED into the
viewfinder.
[0042] In another embodiment of the present invention, to further
reduce the cost of the viewfinder assembly, a reflector can be
fashioned from an existing component of the camera assembly. For
example, camera 10 includes a novel dual-purpose viewfinder
assembly that is the subject of the above referenced patent
application entitled DUAL PURPOSE VIEWFINDER. The dual-purpose
viewfinder of camera 10 includes a leaf spring fixed to the
negative lens housing. That leaf spring may be adapted to perform
the reflector functions, as will be described herein.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, there is shown a combined
leaf spring and reflector 150. As with the reflector 120 (FIGS. 3A
and 3B), the body portion 150a includes connector holes 154 and
156. Likewise, the combined leaf spring/reflector 150 is formed of
a body 150a, a first reflector section 150b, a light pass section
150c including an aperture 152 and a second reflector section 150d,
all sections defined by the bends formed in reflector 150. However,
the reflector 150 additionally includes the leaf spring 150e. As
described in the co-pending DUAL PURPOSE VIEWFINDER application,
leaf spring 150e is used to bias a pivot arm of a flipping mirror
in place during operation. Note that although an aperture 152 is
shown, other means and designs of light pass section 150c may be
employed to permit the light to pass from the first reflector
section 150b to the second reflector section 150d.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, there is shown a combined
leaf spring and reflector 220 in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention. As with the above embodiments, the leaf
spring/reflector 220 may be formed as a single piece punched or cut
from a sheet of stainless steel or other reflective material.
Alternatively, the leaf spring/reflector 220 may be formed by other
processes and/or by using several pieces. The combined leaf
spring/reflector 220 may additionally be made of other reflective
materials and/or using reflective coatings.
[0045] The combined leaf spring/reflector 220 of the present
embodiment is designed to use light emitted from the side of the
LED. As such, only one reflection surface is needed. The leaf
spring/reflector 220 includes a body 220a, a light pass section
220b, a reflector section 220c and a leaf spring 220d. The body
220a includes connector holes 224 and 226. The light pass section
220b does not extend the entire height (Y-direction) of the
reflector section 220c and functions as a narrow support arm for
the reflector section 220c. This permits the light emitted from the
side of an LED to pass by the light pass section 220b to the
reflector section 220c and to the ocular lens 240, as demonstrated
in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is shown a side cut
away view of a camera assembly 200 including a combined leaf
spring/reflector 220. The viewfinder assembly 200 is a reverse
Galilean viewfinder including a positive ocular lens 240 and a
negative objective lens 230. The pc-board 205 surrounds the
negative objective lens 230. The SMT LED 210 is surface mounted to
the pc-board 205. The combined leaf spring/reflector 220 is mounted
in a fixed relationship to the negative objective lens 230 using
connector pins or screws (not shown). The connector pins pass
through the holes 224 and 226 (FIGS. 6A and 6B) of the combined
leaf spring/reflector 220. Other means for providing the combined
leaf spring/reflector 220 in a fixed relationship with the lens 230
and 240 may be used. The combined leaf spring/reflector 220 is
mounted such that the reflector section 220c is visible at the
periphery of the lens 230, without blocking the line-of-sight
through the viewfinder.
[0047] In use, light emitted from the side of the surface mounted
LED 210 is reflected from the top surface of the reflector section
220c to the ocular lens 240 of the viewfinder assembly. In this
embodiment, instead of reflecting off multiple surfaces of the
reflector 220, light passes from the side of the LED to the
reflector section 220c without being obstructed by the narrow light
pass section 220b. As the reflector section 220c is fixed in
optical alignment with the ocular lens of the viewfinder, light 215
reflected from the reflector section 220c is visible to the
user.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, there is shown one particular
example of a negative lens assembly 300 including the combined leaf
spring/reflector 220. Additionally, the negative lens assembly 300
includes the negative lens 310 and a negative lens housing 330. The
negative lens housing 330 includes a cavity 331 sized to receive
the negative lens 310. Additionally, the negative lens housing 330
includes an opening 332 through the sidewall of the housing 330 to
permit a portion of the leaf spring/reflector 220 to pass through
the housing. The connector pins 334 and 336 pass through the
connector holes 224 and 226 of the reflector, respectively. Note
that other means of fixing the combined leaf spring/reflector 220
to the housing 330 may be used.
[0049] When assembled, the light pass portion 220b passes through
the opening 332 and the reflector section 220c is disposed in front
of a portion of the upper right periphery of the negative lens. As
such, the reflector section 220c is in fixed optical alignment with
the ocular lens without obstructing the view through the
viewfinder. The placement of the LED 210 (FIG. 7A) when the
pc-board is placed is shown in shadow in FIG. 9. Note that in this
particular embodiment, the negative lens housing 330 includes
mirror supports 333a and 333b, the purpose of which is described
more fully in the above referenced DUAL PURPOSE VIEWFINDER patent
application. The leaf spring 220d is used to bias a pivot arm of a
mirror (not shown) against the mirror supports 333a when in use.
The other mirror pivot arm is maintained in place with a coil
spring (additionally not shown) one end of which is connected to
groove 335 of the negative lens housing 330. The negative lens
housing is connected to the rest of the viewfinder assembly using
screws that pass through openings 337. Additionally, the negative
lens housing may include an opaque portion 338 disposed about its
outer perimeter to provide some undesired light shielding
capabilities.
[0050] Note that other forms of LED reflectors may be used and
still be in accordance with the objectives of the present
invention. For example, FIGS. 11A and 11B show another embodiment
of a LED reflector 250 in accordance with the objectives of the
present invention. The reflector 250 is of the single reflection
type and includes a body 250a, a light pass section 250b and a
reflector section 250c. It can be seen how the reflector 250 can be
used in place of the combined leaf spring/reflector 220 in FIGS.
8-11, if it is desired to omit the leaf spring.
[0051] Further, FIGS. 12A-12B show yet another embodiment of a
reflector which may be used in accordance with the present
invention. Referring now to FIGS. 12A-13B, there is shown a
reflector 260 including only a body portion 260a and a reflector
section 260b. Note that the body section 260a includes optional
connector openings 262 for connecting the reflector 260 to the
pc-board and 264, alternatively, the body section 260a may be
adhesively fixed or soldered to the pc-board. The body 260a
contains a cutout portion 266 which surrounds the LED 270 on the
pc-board 265. The reflector body portion 260a has a lesser height
than the LED 270, thus permitting the light emitted from the side
of the LED 270 to pass to the reflector section 260b. The reflector
260 may be stamped from a thin sheet of reflective material such as
a heavy weight foil, or a thin sheet of aluminum or stainless
steel. Alternatively, it can be seen that other reflective
materials and/or coatings may be used. The reflector section 260b
shall be angled and shall be long enough to extend into the line of
sight of the viewfinder assembly, such as through aperture 332 of
FIGS. 8-10. As with the earlier described embodiments, a portion of
the reflector section 260b is disposed at the periphery of the
ocular lens 290, such that it is located in a fixed optical
alignment with the ocular lens 290 without obstructing the
line-of-sight through the viewfinder. As such, light 275 reflected
from the reflector section 260b will be visible at the ocular lens
290 of the camera viewfinder.
[0052] While the invention has been described with reference to
certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications can be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *