CAMERA GRIP

Abstract

A hand grip for a motion picture camera comprises a grip section; a connection section for connecting the grip section to the motion picture camera or to a camera carrier; at least one actuation device for inputting a control command; an electronic memory for storing configuration data that represent an association between input control commands and different control signals; a control device for generating a control signal in response to the input control command and in dependence on the stored configuration data; a signal output for outputting the generated control signal to the motion picture camera or to an associated focus drive; and an electronic display device for presenting a configuration menu that represents different configuration options, wherein the control device is adapted to change the stored configuration data in dependence on the configuration menu shown and in response to a configuration command of a user.

Claims

1. A hand grip (11) for a motion picture camera (13), comprising: a grip section (27); a connection section (29) for connecting the grip section (27) to the motion picture camera (13) or to a camera carrier; at least one actuation device (31) for inputting a control command; an electronic memory (33) for storing configuration data that represent an association between input control commands and different control signals; a control device (35) for generating a control signal in response to the input control command and in dependence on the stored configuration data; a signal output (37) for outputting the generated control signal to the motion picture camera (13) or to an associated focus drive (25); and an electronic display device (39) for presenting a configuration menu that represents different configuration options, wherein the control device (35) is adapted to change the stored configuration data in dependence on the presented configuration menu and in response to a configuration command of a user.

2. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the actuation device (31) is configured for inputting the configuration command.

3. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one input device for inputting the configuration command.

4. A hand grip in accordance with claim 3, wherein the input device is integrated into the electronic display device (39).

5. A hand grip in accordance with claim 4, wherein the electronic display device (39) is configured as a touch-sensitive screen for a combined presentation of the configuration menu and inputting of the configuration command.

6. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic display device (39) is configured as non-rectangular.

7. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic display device (39) is configured as at least substantially round.

8. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic display device (39) is arranged at an upper side of the grip section (27) with respect to an at least substantially vertical alignment of the grip section (27).

9. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic display device (39) faces upward in a position of use of the hand grip (11).

10. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic display device (39) forms a free end of the grip section (27).

11. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the grip section (27) extends along a longitudinal axis (L); and wherein the grip section (27) is configured to be gripped by a hand of the user in the peripheral direction around the longitudinal axis (L) and to be gripped along at least a part of its longitudinal extent.

12. A hand grip in accordance with claim 11, wherein the longitudinal axis (L) extends at least substantially in a vertical direction in a position of use of the hand grip (11).

13. A hand grip in accordance with claim 11, wherein the electronic display device (39) is arranged at an end face of the grip section (27) with respect to the longitudinal axis.

14. A hand grip in accordance with claim 11, wherein the electronic display device (39) extends in a direction that is aligned at least substantially perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis (L).

15. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connection section (29) has an elongate shape and extends away from the grip section (27) to a free end (43) at which fastening means (45) are provided for a fastening of the connection section (29) to the motion picture camera (13) or to the camera carrier.

16. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hand grip (11) at least substantially has a Y shape having a first limb, a second limb and a third limb, wherein the grip section (11) is provided at at least the first limb of the Y shape; and wherein the connection section is provided at the second limb of the Y shape, and wherein the electronic display device (39) is provided at the third limb of the Y shape.

17. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hand grip (11) at least substantially has a U shape having a first limb and a second limb; and wherein the grip section (11) and the electronic display device (39) are provided at the first limb of the U shape and the connection section (29) is provided at the second limb of the U shape.

18. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electronic display device (39) is formed at an end of a projection (51) of the hand grip (11), with the hand grip (11) having an operating element (49) at the projection (51).

19. A hand grip in accordance with claim 18, wherein the operating element (49) is configured as a rotary ring or as a rocker.

20. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control device (35) is configured to control the electronic display device (39) selectively to present different pieces of status information of the hand grip (11), of the motion picture camera (13) or of a connected objective (17).

21. A hand grip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control device (35) is configured to control the electronic display device (39) to present graphical symbols and/or text content in a central region; and wherein the control device (35) is further configured to control the electronic display device (39) to present a single-colored area surrounding the central region whose color represents status information of the hand grip (11), of the motion picture camera (13) or of the objective (17).

Description

[0061] The invention will be explained in more detail in the following only by way of example with reference to the drawings.

[0062] FIG. 1 shows in a schematic side view an exemplary arrangement of a hand grip at a motion picture camera; and

[0063] FIGS. 2 to 5 show schematic representations of different embodiments of a hand grip in accordance with the invention in a perspective view.

[0064] A possible arrangement of a hand grip 11 at a motion picture camera 13 is shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate the use of an external hand grip 11 at a motion picture camera 13. The motion picture camera 13 comprises a camera body 15 to whose front side an objective 17 is connected. The motion picture camera 13 is preferably an electronic camera (also called an electronic film camera or video camera).

[0065] A carry grip 19 in the form of a hoop is provided at an upper side of the camera body 15 for the transport of the motion picture camera 13. The motion picture camera 13 can generally also be held at the carry grip 19 during a shot, i.e. during the recording of motion picture data. A shoulder pad 21 is, however, furthermore provided at a lower side of the camera body 15 for a more stable positioning of the motion picture camera 13, via which shoulder pad the motion picture camera 13 can be supported on a shoulder of the cameraman.

[0066] A support structure 23 is furthermore likewise arranged at a lower side of the camera body that can be configured as part of the motion picture camera 13 or as a separate camera carry that is connected to the motion picture camera 13 to connect the motion picture camera 13, for example optionally to a tripod (not shown). The support structure 23 can have different connection possibilities for accessories of the motion picture camera 13. A focus drive 25 is shown purely by way of example via which hand wheels of the objective 17 can be adjusted by a motor and which is arranged fixed to the motion picture camera 13 via the support structure 23.

[0067] In addition, a hand grip 11 is fastened to the support structure 23 that in particular serves to be gripped by a hand of the cameraman to hold the motion picture camera 13 in a stable position and/or to align it as required on a panning of the motion picture camera 13 while the motion picture camera 13 is supported on the shoulder of the cameraman. For this purpose, a grip section 27 of the hand grip projects beneath the camera body 15 until far in front of the camera body 15 such that it can be gripped by the cameraman in a relaxed posture. The hand grip 11 furthermore has, in addition to the grip section 27, a connection section 29, that connects the grip section 27 to the motion picture camera 13 via the support structure 23.

[0068] Two similar or like hand grips 11 can in particular be arranged, preferably substantially symmetrically with respect to one another (so that the one covers the other in FIG. 1) so that the motion picture camera 13 can simultaneously be held and guided by two hands in addition to the support on the shoulder.

[0069] The hand grip 11 shown in FIG. 1 is generally shown configured in the manner of conventional hand grips 11. The schematic representation of FIG. 1 should in this respect only illustrate an exemplary possibility of use of a hand grip 11 with a motion picture camera 13 as well as a typical alignment of the hand grip 11 in which a longitudinal axis L of the grip section 27 is aligned at least substantially perpendicular and in particular includes an acute angle, preferably an angle of at most 45°, with the vertical.

[0070] Embodiments of a hand grip 11 in accordance with the invention that show further details are shown schematically in FIGS. 2 to 5. These hand grips 11 each have an actuation device 31 that enables a control command for the motion picture camera 13 and/or for the objective 17 to be input directly at the hand grip 11. Only one respective actuation device 31 is shown schematically by way of example in the form of a push button. Such a push button can, for example, be configured for an adjustment of the objective into a zoom range by continuous pressing of the push button. The hand grips 11 can, however, have further and/or other types of actuation devices 31.

[0071] In addition, the hand grips 11 each comprise an electronic memory 33 in which configuration data are stored to associate a respective control signal with a control command of a respective actuation device 31 and each comprise a control device 35 that can read the configuration data from the electronic memory 33. The control device 35 is additionally connected to the actuation devices 31 to receive a control command triggered at a respective actuation device 31. The control device 35 can then generate a control signal that is currently associated with the respective control command using the read configuration data and that the control device 35 outputs via a signal output 37 to the motion picture camera 13 or to the focus drive 25.

[0072] For a signal-wise connection of the hand grip 11 and of the motion picture camera 13 or of the focus drive 25, one or more cables can in particular be provided that can be connected to a respective signal output 37 of the hand grip 11. While the mechanical coupling of a hand grip 11 with a motion picture camera 13 can at least be recognized in FIG. 1, the signal-wise coupling of the respective hand grip 11 to the motion picture camera 13 is not shown in the Figures.

[0073] The embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 5 in particular each have an electronic display device 39 that comprises a display surface 41 on which a configuration menu can be presented. To be able to input different navigation commands for navigating the configuration menu and different configuration commands for setting or changing the configuration data, the electronic display device 39 is configured as a touch-sensitive screen. The electronic display device 39 can in this manner detect touches of the display area 41 and/or pressure on the display area 41, in particular with spatial resolution, and thus simultaneously serves as input and output means for a menu-assisted interaction of a user with the hand grip 11. This enables a comfortable configuration of the hand grip 11 independently of the motion picture camera 13 or of other external means directly at the hand grip 11 itself.

[0074] The grip section 27 of the hand grips 11 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 respectively has an elongate basic shape and extends along a longitudinal axis L. The grip section 27 is in this respect adapted for an ergonomic gripping in that those surfaces that are provided for a direct contact with a hand gripping the holding grip 11 are substantially configured complementary to a hand position typical in this respect. This enables a reliable holding of the hand grip 11 at a defined point.

[0075] Provision is in particular made in this respect that at least a part of the grip section 27 (with respect to its longitudinal extent) is gripped or gripped around. The longitudinal axis L is in this respect in particular substantially defined in that, when the hand grip 11 is held by a hand in the manner provided therefore, the fingers of the hand are substantially arranged at a circular path in the peripheral direction around the longitudinal axis L. In this respect, for a relaxed holding of the motion picture camera 13, the hand grip 11 is preferably aligned relative to the motion picture camera 13 such that the longitudinal axis L is aligned at least substantially vertically in a typical position of use such as in FIG. 1, that is in particular includes an acute angle, i.e. an angle of at most 90°, preferably an angle of at most 45°, with the vertical.

[0076] As can be recognized in the schematic representation of FIGS. 2 to 5, the electronic display device 39, in particular its display area 41, is respectively arranged at an upper side, namely in particular at an end face forming a free end of the grip section 27 with respect to the longitudinal axis L, of the grip section 27 of the respective hand grip 11 such that it faces at least substantially upward in the named position of use. As the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 5 illustrates by way of example, the electronic display device 39 can, however, also at least slightly deviate from an exactly perpendicular alignment of its display area 41 with respect to the longitudinal axis L, but preferably by less than approximately 45°, preferably less than approximately 30°, in particular less than 15°.

[0077] The electronic display device 39 furthermore has a respective circular cross-section in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 5, whereby the electronic display device 39 can be adapted particularly well to the corresponding cross-section of the grip section 27 of the hand grip 11. In this respect, the shape of the display area 41 usable for a presentation preferably at least substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the electronic display device 39. The shape of the usable display area 41 can, however, in particular also deviate therefrom for technical reasons such that, for example, a circle segment of the display area 41 having a center angle of preferably less than 90° cannot be used for presentation.

[0078] Unlike with the hand grip 11 of FIG. 1, in the embodiments in accordance with the invention in accordance with FIGS. 2 to 5, the connection section 29 formed as elongate does not extend in an extension of the longitudinal extent of the grip section 27, but rather preferably extends, starting from the grip section 27, (at least initially) transversely to the longitudinal axis L away from the grip section 27. The hand grip 11 can in particular at least substantially have a Y shape (as in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) or a U shape (as in FIG. 4) by such a design, wherein the connection section 29 respectively forms a limb of the Y shape or of the Y shape, while the grip section 27 is respectively formed at at least one of the other limbs.

[0079] The connection section extends from the grip section 27 up to a free end 43 at which the connection section 29 has fastening means 45 for a mechanical coupling to the motion picture camera 13 or an element fixedly connected thereto such as the support structure 23. In this respect, in particular one or more hand grip extensions (for instance in the form of rods; not shown in the Figures) can additionally be provided to which the connection section 29 can be mechanically coupled by means of the fastening means 45 and via which the hand grip 11 can thus ultimately be rigidly connected to the motion picture camera 13.

[0080] A plurality of different kinds of fastening means 45 can be considered for a stable, in particular rigid, but preferably releasable, mechanical coupling. The fastening means 45 shown schematically in the Figures is a so-called ARRI (registered trademark) rosette that is especially suitable for a fastening of hand grips 11 to motion picture cameras 13 due to the possibility of establishing a reliable, rigid connection at different angles of rotation.

[0081] The hand grips 11 in accordance with FIGS. 2 to 5 furthermore each have an operating element 49 that is formed as a rotary ring as an additional actuation device 31 for inputting control commands or as an additional input device for inputting configuration commands. The operating element 49 is in this respect arranged directly adjacent to the electronic display device 39. In the embodiments in accordance with FIGS. 2 to 4, the operating element 49 is arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis L behind the electronic display device 39. In the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 5, the operating element 49 coaxially surrounds the electronic display device 39.

[0082] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the electronic display device 39 respectively forms the termination of an extent of the hand grip 11 in a respective direction. The electronic display device 39 is to this extent respectively arranged at the end of a projection 51 formed at the hand grip 11. The operating element 49 provided behind the electronic display device 39 and/or around the electronic display device 39 then in particular extends around this projection 51. The projection 51 respectively has a cylindrical basic shape having an at least substantially circular cross-section to which the electronic display device 39 and the operating element 49 are advantageously adapted with respect to their respective shapes and/or their respective cross-sections for a seamless integration into the hand grip 11.

[0083] Alternatively to a configuration as a rotary ring, the operating element 49 can also be configured as a rotary rocker that is also simply called a rocker. The named projection 51 is in this respect preferably arranged at the hand grip 11 such that on a holding of the hand grip 11 in the manner provided therefore and in particular substantially predefined by the shape of the grip section 27, the operating element 49 can be comfortably actuated by one finger, in particular by the thumb, of the hand holding the hand grip 11.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

[0084] 11 hand grip [0085] 13 motion picture camera [0086] 15 camera body [0087] 17 objective [0088] 19 carry handle [0089] 21 shoulder pad [0090] 23 support structure [0091] 25 focus drive [0092] 27 grip section [0093] 29 connection section [0094] 31 actuation device [0095] 33 electronic memory [0096] 35 control device [0097] 37 signal output [0098] 39 electronic display device [0099] 41 display area [0100] 43 free end [0101] 45 fastening means [0102] 49 operating element [0103] 51 projection [0104] L longitudinal axis