JP2006011052A - Input device and electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

To increase the number of selectable directions in an input device that performs direction selection, the number of switches increases, and an erroneous operation such as pushing a switch in an unintended direction is likely to occur. Further, the switch detection signal that the system needs to detect increases, and the signal processing circuit becomes complicated.
An operation member capable of selecting four directions is configured to be rotatable by 45 degrees, and eight directions can be selected by combining the rotation state of the operation member and the direction of the operation member.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device generally called a cross key and an electronic camera including the input device.

A switch detection pattern of a conventional general tact switch will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, 91 is a common (GND) signal, and 92 is a switch detection signal. In this way, one common signal and one detection signal are paired to form a fixed contact, that is, a switch conduction portion. When the movable contact of the switch operating member is operated with respect to the fixed contact, the common signal and the switch detection signal are electrically connected, and the switch operation is detected. The end surface of the fixed contact is made of an electrically conductive material such as metal or carbon. (See Patent Document 1)
In recent single-lens reflex cameras and digital still cameras, such tact switches are arranged in four directions (up, down, left, and right) to form a direction selection switch to select a distance measurement position in the finder screen and It is widely used for selection.

  Here, as the information to be selected increases, it becomes necessary to increase the selectable directions because it becomes insufficient to select only the four directions (up, down, left, and right). FIG. 9 shows a direction selection switch in which the above-described direction selection switches are arranged in a ring shape. Eight switches are arranged on the outer periphery and one switch is arranged in the center. The switches on the outer periphery are arranged in 45 degree increments with the center switch as the center, and are set as switches for selecting the respective angular directions and positions. This switch requires one common (GND) signal and nine switch detection signals on the circuit. In the figure, nn, ne, ee, se, ss, sw, ww, nw, and cc indicate detection positions of the direction selection switches, and are respectively in the order of up (north), upper right (northeast), and right (east). , Lower right (southeast), lower (south), lower left (southwest), left (west), upper left (northwest), center. Reference numerals 101 to 108 denote detection signals arranged at detection positions on the outer periphery of the direction selection switch. Reference numeral 109 denotes a detection signal arranged at the center. Reference numeral 100 denotes a common signal arranged at each detection position, that is, a GND signal. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cross section of the structure portion of the direction selection device using the switch detection pattern shown in FIG. Reference numeral 111 denotes a direction selection member, 112 denotes a printed circuit board, and 113 denotes a pedestal. The printed circuit board 112 is fixed on a pedestal 113, and a switch operation member 111 is further disposed thereon. 111a, 111b, and 111c are movable contacts, and move up and down independently of each other with respect to the pressing operation. Reference numerals 112a, 112b, and 112c are fixed contacts provided on the printed circuit board, and are in contact with the movable contacts 111a, 111b, and 111c, respectively. These fixed contacts are formed in the conduction pattern shown in FIG.

  Since the switch detection device having such a structure is small and has a simple structure, it is used in many small portable devices.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of a digital camera using the direction selection device of FIG. 9 described above. In the figure, reference numeral 121 denotes a camera body. Reference numeral 122 denotes an eyepiece for confirming the finder screen, and 123 denotes a power switch. A direction selection device 124 can select a distance measuring point displayed on the finder screen, select a thumbnail image displayed on the monitor 126 described later, and set information display. The direction selecting device 124 includes one pressing portion at the center and eight pressing portions at equal intervals around the periphery. Reference numeral 125 denotes a changeover switch for switching between enabling and disabling the signal of the direction selection device 124. Reference numeral 126 denotes a monitor that displays an image immediately after shooting or an image that has already been shot and is recorded in a memory in the camera. Reference numeral 127 denotes an image information display unit that displays shooting-related information related to the image displayed on the monitor 126. Reference numeral 128 denotes a distance measuring point selection button for selecting a distance measuring point for autofocus (hereinafter referred to as AF). Reference numeral 129 denotes a menu button, which is a button for displaying an image menu.
JP 09-214084 A 2001-174892 No. 2002-182849

  However, as the number of objects to be selected increases, the number and directions of switches increase, and erroneous operations such as pushing switches in unintended directions are likely to occur. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, as many as nine pressing portions are concentrated on the direction selection device 124, and it is considerably difficult to reliably operate the desired pressing portion.

  Further, as the number of objects to be selected increases, the switch detection signals that need to be detected by the system increase, and the signal processing circuit becomes complicated.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has an operation member capable of selecting a direction N which is an integer of 2 or more at substantially equal intervals, and the operation member is perpendicular to each selection direction of the N direction. It is configured to be rotatable about (180 / N) degrees around the axis, and direction detecting means for detecting an operation in the N direction by the operating member, and the first state in which the operating member is not rotated. It is possible to detect the (N × 2) direction by combining the detection results of both the direction detection means and the rotation detection means. An input device characterized by the above is provided.

  Since it is possible to select many directions with a small number of operation buttons, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations and improve operability. In addition, many directions can be detected with a small number of signal lines, and the electrical circuit can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of a digital camera using the direction selection device of the present invention. In the figure, 21 is a camera body, 22 is an eyepiece for confirming a finder screen, and 23 is a power switch.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a pedestal of the direction selecting device, and the pedestal 24 is integrally provided with a rotation operation unit 24a. In the pedestal 24, a C button 29 is arranged at the center, and a T button 25, an R button 26, a U button 27, an L button 28, and a C button 29 are arranged at equal intervals around the periphery. The pedestal 24, the T button 25, the R button 26, the U button 27, the L button 28, and the C button 29 constitute an operation unit of the direction selection device of this embodiment.

  The pedestal 24 is configured to be able to rotate 45 degrees by operating the rotation operation unit 24a. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the T button 25, the R button 26, the U button 27, and the L button 28 face upward, right, down, and left directions (hereinafter referred to as state 1).

  FIG. 3 is a rear view of the camera showing a state in which the pedestal 24 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise from the state 1. In FIG. 3, the T button 25, the R button 26, the U button 27, and the L button 28 are in a state (hereinafter referred to as state 2) that are directed to the upper right, lower right, lower left, and upper left directions, respectively. As described above, eight directions can be designated by the combination of the four buttons and the rotation of the pedestal.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a change-over switch for switching between enabling and disabling the signal of the direction selection device. Reference numeral 31 denotes a monitor that displays an image immediately after shooting or an image that has already been shot and is recorded in a memory in the camera. Reference numeral 32 denotes an image information display unit that displays shooting-related information relating to the image displayed on the monitor 31. Reference numeral 34 denotes a distance measuring point selection button for setting and changing a mode relating to photometry and focus detection. For example, it is a button for changing the metering mode or changing the distance measuring point. Reference numeral 34 denotes a distance measuring point selection button for selecting an AF distance measuring point. Details of the ranging point selection operation will be described later.

  Reference numeral 35 denotes a menu button, which is a button for displaying an image menu. Details of the menu operation will be described later.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a direction selection device according to the present invention. An elastic contact piece 36 is fixed to the pedestal 24 so as to rotate integrally with the pedestal 24. The T button 25, the R button 26, the U button 27, the L button 28, and the C button 29 arranged on the pedestal 24 are operation members that can be pressed independently, and elastic members ( (Not shown). Further, on the back side of the T button 25, the R button 26, the U button 27, the L button 28, and the C button 29, a contact made of conductive rubber is provided in the same manner as in FIG.

  Reference numeral 37 denotes a printed circuit board on which a signal detection pattern is formed, and a flexible printed circuit board is usually used.

  Reference numerals 40 to 45 denote signal lines formed on the printed circuit board 37. Here, the respective signal names are defined as “NE”, “SE”, “SW”, “NW”, “CC”, and “ROT”. Reference numeral 39 denotes a common signal line, which is defined as a signal name “GND”. Each signal has a level of “Lo” when conducting with “GND” 39, and has a level of “Hi” when not conducting with “GND” 39.

  In the drawing, nn, ne, ee, se, ss, sw, ww, nw, and cc are fixed contacts provided on the printed circuit board 37. The fixed contact nn is formed of “NW” and “GND” signal lines, and when it is conductive, the signal level of “NW” becomes “Lo”. Similarly, when the fixed contacts ne, ee, se, ss, sw, ww, nw, cc are turned on, “NE”, “NE”, “SE”, “SE”, “SW”, “SW”, “NW” respectively. The signal level of “CC” is configured to be “Lo”.

  Reference numeral 38 denotes a sliding contact provided on the printed circuit board 37, and the elastic contact piece 36 slides on this portion as the base 24 rotates. The sliding contact 38 is formed by “ROT” and “GND” signal lines. When the pedestal 24 is in the state 1, the signal level of “ROT” is “Hi”, and the pedestal 24 is in the state 2 described above. In some cases, the signal level of “ROT” is set to “Lo”.

  In the state 1, the T button 25, the R button 26, the U button 27, the L button 28, and the C button 29 respectively conduct the fixed contacts nn, ee, ss, ww, and cc by pressing operation. That is, in the state 1, the T button 25, the R button 26, the U button 27, the L button 28, and the C button 29 are pressed to “NW”, “NE”, “SE”, “SW”, “ The signal level of “CC” becomes “Lo”. In the state 2, the T button 25, the R button 26, the U button 27, the L button 28, and the C button 29 respectively conduct the fixed contacts ne, se, sw, nw, and cc by pressing operation. That is, in the state 2, the T button 25, the R button 26, the U button 27, the L button 28, and the C button 29 are respectively “NE”, “SE”, “SW”, “NW”, “CC” by pressing operation. The signal level becomes “Lo”. That is, eight fixed contacts nn, ne, ee, se, ss, sw, and ww are detected by detecting the states of the five types of signals “ROT”, “NE”, “SE”, “SW”, and “NW”. , Nw, it is possible to specify which part is conducted. In other words, designation in eight directions can be detected with five types of signals.

  Hereinafter, a distance measuring point selection operation of a digital camera using the direction selection device of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a finder screen of the digital camera in the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, there are nine rectangular indicators in the finder screen, each showing the position of the corresponding distance measuring point.

  In this embodiment, for these distance measuring points, the upper left, center upper, upper right, center left, center, center right, lower left, lower center, and lower right distance measuring points are “TL”, “TC”, “TR”, respectively. ”,“ ML ”,“ MC ”,“ MR ”,“ UL ”,“ UC ”,“ UR ”.

  When the distance measuring point selection button 34 is pressed while the camera is turned on, the distance measuring point selection mode is entered. In this state, the index corresponding to the selected distance measuring point among the distance measuring point indices in the finder is displayed superimposed on the red light. This superimpose display mechanism is well known in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-043913 and the like, so the description is omitted here.

First, the focus detection point selection operation when the pedestal 24 is in the state 1, that is, in the state of FIG.
When the T button is pressed in this state, it is detected that the fixed contact nn is conducted, and the distance measuring point “TC” is selected. Similarly, when the R button, U button, L button, and C button are pressed, distance measuring points “MR”, “UC”, “ML”, and “MC” are selected, respectively.

  Next, the distance measuring point selection operation when the pedestal 24 is in the state 2, that is, in the state of FIG. 3, will be described.

  When the T button is pressed in this state, it is detected that the fixed contact ne is conducted, and the distance measuring point “TR” is selected. Similarly, when the R button, U button, L button, and C button are pressed, distance measuring points “UR”, “UL”, “TL”, and “MC” are selected, respectively.

  When the release button (not shown) is half-pressed in the distance measuring point selection mode, the distance measuring point selection mode is terminated.

  Next, menu operation of the digital camera using the direction selection device of the present invention will be described.

  When the menu button 35 is pressed while the camera is turned on, a menu screen is displayed on the monitor 31.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a menu screen when the pedestal 24 is in the state 1. The menu screen has 8 items “White Balance”, “AF Mode”, “Image Quality Setting”, “Drive Mode”, “ISO Setting”, “Metering Mode”, “Image Size”, and “AE Mode” respectively. Are arranged in eight directions including an upward direction, an upper right direction, a right direction, a lower right direction, a lower direction, a lower left direction, a left direction, and an upper left direction. Among these, four items of “AF mode”, “drive mode”, “photometry mode”, and “AE mode” are grayed out. When the T button 25 is pressed in this state, the item “white balance” in the upward direction is selected and highlighted. When the C button 29 is pressed in this state, the screen is switched to a white balance setting screen, and the white balance can be set. Similarly, “image quality setting”, “ISO setting”, and “image size” are selected by pressing the R button, U button, and L button, respectively.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a menu screen when the pedestal 24 is in the state 2.

  On the menu screen, the same eight items as in state 1 are arranged as in state 1. Among them, the four items (“white balance”, “image quality setting”, “ISO setting”, “image size” are grayed out. When the T button 25 is pressed in this state, the item “AF mode” in the upper right direction is displayed. When the C button 29 is pressed in this state, the AF mode setting screen is displayed and the white balance can be set in the same manner. “Drive mode”, “photometry mode”, and “AE mode” are selected.

The figure which shows the structure of the input device of this invention. The rear view of the 1st state of the camera using the input device of this invention. The rear view of the 2nd state of the camera using the input device of this invention. The figure which shows the finder screen of the digital camera in a present Example. The figure showing the menu display in the 1st state in a present Example. The figure showing the menu display in the 2nd state in a present Example. The rear view of the camera using the conventional input device. The figure explaining the detection pattern used for the general press switch. The figure explaining the detection pattern used for the conventional input device. The figure which shows the cross section of the structure part of the conventional input device.

Explanation of symbols

21 Camera body 24 Base 24a Rotation operation part 25 T button 26 R button 27 U button 28 L button 29 C button 31 Monitor 34 Distance measuring point selection button 36 Elastic contact piece 37 Printed circuit board 38 Sliding contact 39-45 Signal Line 100-109 Detection signal

Claims (7)

  An operation member capable of selecting N directions that are integers of approximately equal intervals of 2 or more is provided, and the operation member is about (180 / N) degrees about an axis perpendicular to each selection direction of the N directions. A direction detection unit configured to be rotatable and detecting an operation in the N direction by the operation member, and detecting whether the operation member is in a first state where the operation member is not rotated or a second state where the operation member is rotating. An input device having a rotation detection unit, and capable of detecting in the (N × 2) direction by combining detection results of both the direction detection unit and the rotation detection unit.   A pedestal rotatably attached to the housing in the first state and the second state, and an elastic contact piece that integrally rotates is fixed to the pedestal; Has N operation buttons arranged on the circumference at substantially equal intervals around the rotation axis, and movable contacts are provided on the back of the operation buttons, respectively, with respect to the pedestal in the housing. A printed circuit board is fixed at an opposing position, and the printed circuit board is provided with a sliding pattern on which the elastic contact piece slides to discriminate between the first state and the second state. Further, the printed circuit board includes N first fixed contact groups that are electrically connected to movable contacts provided in the N operation buttons in the first state, and the N pieces in the second state. N movable fixed contacts provided on the operation buttons and N second fixed contact groups that are electrically connected are provided. And it has an input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second fixed contact group and the fixed contact group are used to share a signal line of the N.   An electronic camera comprising the input device according to claim 1 or 2 as an operation member.   4. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the input device is used for selecting a focus point for autofocus.   5. The electronic camera according to claim 4, wherein a selectable distance measuring point is changed according to a rotation state of the operation member.   6. The electronic camera according to claim 3, further comprising display means for displaying a menu for various settings of the camera, wherein the input device is used for the setting operation of the menu.   7. The electronic camera according to claim 6, wherein the display contents of the display means are switched and settable items are changed according to the rotation state of the operation member.

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