JP2009164757A - Image display apparatus and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display apparatus (50) that reliably performs various operations even if a touch sensor is arranged in a screen frame. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes: a cabinet (2a) with a window unit (2b1); an image display unit (2c) contained in the cabinet so as to see an image through the window unit; a first touch sensor (8) and a second touch sensor (18) arranged in the cabinet so that touch planes (8a) are exposed in a slender shape along one side (2b1-L) of an opening unit in the cabinet; and a control unit (12) which changes and displays an image based on an output signal from the first sensor. The control unit changes variation of the image depending on whether the signal is output from the first touch sensor while there is no output from the second touch sensor, or the signal is output from the first touch sensor while there is output from the second touch sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display apparatus and an imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an image display apparatus and an imaging apparatus that perform input operations such as selection of a selection target area displayed on a screen with a touch sensor.

  As an image display device having a display unit for displaying an image, a notebook personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable navigation device (PND: Personal Navigation Device), a video camera Imaging devices such as these, and game machines are known.

  Many of these devices are commercialized as portable types, and as a portable type, the size of the device itself is as small as possible, while the display screen is required to be as large as possible from the market.

In order to meet this requirement, the area ratio of the display screen to the surface of the device housing including the display unit is increased as much as possible.
In other words, the width of the frame surrounding the screen is made as narrow as possible.

  On the other hand, on the surface provided with a display unit, instructions for operations such as selection of selection control areas such as so-called icons displayed on the screen, determination of the selection, scrolling of the display screen, page turning of the display screen, etc. From the viewpoint of ease of use, it is desirable to have an operation element for inputting.

  As the operation element, a push-down button, a rotary knob, a touch plate, or the like is used.

Therefore, in the image display apparatus, it is necessary to arrange an operation element with some contrivance in the narrowed screen frame in order to reduce the size of the apparatus in accordance with market demand.
Specifically, the operator itself is made smaller, the number of operators is reduced, and one operator is provided with a plurality of input functions.

However, these devices are difficult for the user to operate and are not easy to use.
Therefore, even if the image display apparatus is miniaturized, there is a possibility that the user does not want it.

Therefore, an image display device employing a so-called touch panel that can perform an input operation without using an operator is also on the market.
The touch panel is a panel that can execute an input corresponding to the pressed position by pressing a panel surface that displays the image with a finger or the like.

However, the following problems are pointed out also in this touch panel.
That is, if the selection area displayed on the screen is small, it becomes difficult to operate with a finger, and accordingly, the size of the selection area to be displayed and the design of the display screen are limited. The screen gets dirty with fingerprints. When operating, the screen display is hidden with a finger. The larger the screen, the greater the amount of finger movement during operation, making it difficult to perform rapid operations, and the fingers become tired during long-time operations. When the image display device is an image pickup device and the recording operation is being performed, the image pickup device is moved by pressing the panel surface with a finger, and the image being shot is shaken.

Therefore, even if the contact is small, a touch sensor that can reliably input only by touching a human body (such as a finger) has been attracting attention.
An example of an image display device in which this touch sensor is provided in a screen frame is described in Patent Document 1 as an in-vehicle display device.

JP 2007-156991 A

  The image display device including the touch sensor described above may change the operation corresponding to the input in accordance with the sensed contact pressure in addition to the touch sensor pressing operation. However, in reality, it is difficult to control the degree of contact with a single finger that touches the sensor. In particular, the operation is likely to be difficult for the elderly.

  In addition, when the image display device is mounted on a vehicle, there may be a situation where it is difficult to perform an intended operation with a single finger contact operation due to shaking or vibration associated with traveling of the vehicle.

  As described above, there is an operational limit in using a single touch sensor for many functions depending on the degree of contact.

  On the other hand, the image display device provided with the touch sensor described above can perform input even if the area of the contact portion of the touch sensor with which the finger touches (contacts) is small. In addition, an unintended input is performed with a slight touch, or an operation that must be performed continuously by touching the touch sensor is shifted to another operation. Improvements are being recognized.

  As a specific example, in a state where one of a plurality of selection areas (icons or the like) displayed on the screen is selected, the touch sensor is touched unintentionally and is input as a decision. Or it is the malfunction that a touch sensor is touched by mistake while a certain page is displayed and browsed, and the page is forwarded to the next page.

  In addition, when the image display device is an imaging device, for example, the touch sensor is unintentionally touched during the recording operation, and the menu screen is superimposed on the shooting screen being monitored, causing troubles to the monitor. It is.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that even if a touch sensor is provided in the screen frame so that input can be performed without touching the screen, and a plurality of functions are assigned to one touch sensor, the operation is ensured. An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device and an imaging device that can be performed.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an image display device and an imaging device that are less likely to be input unintentionally and are easy to use even if a touch sensor is provided on the screen frame so that input can be performed without touching the screen. .

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations 1) to 4) as means.
1) an image display panel (2c) for displaying an image;
A housing (2a) provided with a rectangular window (2b1) for housing the image display panel (2c) and facing the image from the outside;
An image display unit (2c) housed in the housing (2a) so as to display an image and face the image from the window (2b1);
A signal is output by contact of the human body with the touch surface (8a), and the touch surface (8a) is exposed in an elongated shape along one side (2b1-L) of the window (2b1) in the housing (2a). A first touch sensor (8) provided in the housing (2a),
A second touch sensor (18) for outputting a signal by contact of the human body with the touch surface (8a);
A control unit (12) for detecting a signal output from the first touch sensor (8) and changing and displaying the image based on the signal;
The controller (12) is configured to output the second touch sensor (8) when the signal is output from the first touch sensor (8) in the absence of an output from the second touch sensor (18). 18) An image display device (50) that changes the image differently when a signal is output from the first touch sensor (8) in a state in which there is an output from (18).
2) The second touch sensor (18) is disposed on the longitudinal extension of the first touch sensor (8) in the housing (2a). Image display device (50).
3) The control unit (12) receives a signal from the first touch sensor (8) in a state where the power source of the image display device is in a standby state and the second touch sensor (29) has an output. Is output, the image display device (50) according to 1), wherein the main power supply of the image display device is turned on.
4) an image sensor (5) that photoelectrically converts a subject image via the photographing lens (3) and outputs an image signal;
An image display panel (2c) for displaying an image based on the image signal;
A housing (2a) provided with a rectangular window (2b1) for housing the image display panel (2c) and facing the image from the outside;
An image display unit (2c) housed in the housing (2a) so as to display an image based on the image signal and to view the image from the opening (2b1);
A signal is output by contact of the human body with the touch surface (8a), and the touch surface (8a) is exposed in an elongated shape along one side (2b1-L) of the window (2b1) in the housing (2a). A first touch sensor (8) provided in the housing (2a),
A second touch sensor (18) for outputting a signal by contact of the human body with the touch surface (8a);
A control unit (12) for detecting a signal output from the first touch sensor (8) and changing and displaying the image based on the signal;
The controller (12) is configured to output the second touch sensor (8) when the signal is output from the first touch sensor (8) in the absence of an output from the second touch sensor (18). 18) An imaging device (50) that changes the image differently when a signal is output from the first touch sensor (8) in a state in which there is an output from (18).
5) The second touch sensor (18) is disposed on the longitudinal extension of the first touch sensor (8) in the housing (2a). Imaging device (50).
6) The control unit (12) receives a signal from the first touch sensor (8) in a state where the power source of the imaging apparatus is in a standby state and the output of the second touch sensor (29) is present. In the imaging device (50) according to 4), when the output is performed, the main power supply of the imaging device is turned on.

  According to the present invention, even if a plurality of functions are assigned to one touch sensor, the operation can be performed reliably.

  Moreover, there is little possibility that an unintended input is performed, and there is an effect that it is excellent in usability.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  An example of the image display apparatus described below is an imaging apparatus. Here, as an example, a video camera 50 that includes a hard disk as a recording medium and displays an image on a liquid crystal display panel will be described.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the video camera 50 as viewed obliquely from the left rear.
First, an outline of the overall configuration will be described.

  The video camera 50 includes a main body 1, a display unit 2 that can be opened and closed within a range of about 90 ° with respect to the main body 1 by a hinge 1 a on the left side surface of the main body 1, A lens portion 3 provided on the front side and a grip portion 4 provided on the right side surface of the main body portion 1 for gripping the main body portion 1 are provided.

  Further, inside the main body 1, a hard disk device 6 equipped with an image sensor 5 that captures a subject image from the lens unit 3 and a hard disk 6 a that is a recording medium for recording an image captured by the image sensor 5, The memory card 6b, which is a card-like recording medium, a control unit 7 that controls the entire video camera 1, and an image processing circuit 10 are provided. Details of the configuration will be described later using a block diagram.

On the other hand, the display unit 2 is built in the housing 2a so that the display screen can be seen through the rectangular flat plate-like housing 2a and an opening 2b1 provided on one surface 2b (hereinafter also referred to as an operation surface 2b). And a display panel 2c.
The opening 2b1 is a window provided so that the display screen can be seen from the outside.
Accordingly, the display surface of the display panel 2c may be exposed, or a transparent protective panel (acrylic resin or the like) may be fitted so as to cover the display surface.

  As the display panel 2c, a display panel such as an organic EL (Organic Electro Luminescence) can be used in addition to the liquid crystal.

Further, the housing 2a has one side surface 2d connected to the hinge portion 1a and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion 1 in the direction of the arrow D1 around the rotation axis CL1.
Moreover, the hinge part 1a is supporting the housing | casing 2a so that rotation around the rotating shaft CL2 is also possible.

The above-described opening 2b1 of the operation surface 2b of the display unit 2 is opened in a rectangle whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction in FIG. 1 (the horizontal direction of the video camera 50). In this embodiment, the opening is rectangular.
A touch sensor 8 is provided on the operation surface 2b of the housing 2a along the left side of the opening 2b1, that is, the short side far from the hinge 1a.

Further, another touch sensor 18 is provided so as to straddle the operation surface 2b above the touch sensor 8 and the top side surface 2e of the housing 2a.
Further, on the operation surface 2b, an operator group 9 including a plurality of touch sensors is disposed along the lower long side of the opening 2b1.

  Hereinafter, the input operators included in the video camera 50 including the touch sensors 8 and 18 and the operator group 9 are collectively referred to as an input operator NS.

  With this configuration, the video camera 50 captures the subject image via the lens unit 3 with the imaging device 5, records the captured image, and reproduces the recorded image, and displays the image on the image display unit. I do.

Next, details of the overall configuration will be described.
FIG. 2 is a basic block diagram of the video camera 50.

The lens unit 3 forms an image of the subject on the image sensor 5.
The image sensor 5 outputs an image of a subject as an image signal S1 by photoelectric conversion.
The camera control circuit 11 a is a circuit that controls a camera block including the lens unit 3 and the image sensor 5.
The image processing circuit 11b is a circuit that performs signal processing on the image signal S1 that has passed through the camera control circuit 11a.
The CPU 12 is a control unit that controls the operation of the entire video camera 50.
An ENC / DEC circuit (encode / decode circuit) 11c executes encoding and decoding of image data in JPEG and MPEG formats (JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts Group, MPEG: Moving Picture Experts Group).
The input operator NS detects a user operation and outputs an input signal S2. The input instruction signal S2 is sent to the control unit 12.
Data such as image data sent from the image processing circuit 11b is recorded on the hard disk 6a. Data such as image data recorded on the hard disk 6a is read and sent to the image processing circuit 11b.
Data such as image data sent from the image processing circuit 11b is recorded in the memory card 6b. Further, data such as image data recorded on the memory card 6b is read and sent to the image processing circuit 11b.
The SDRAMs 13a and 13b and the EEPROM 13c, which are buffer memories, temporarily store data such as image data (SDRAM: Synchronous Dynamic Access Memory, EEPROM: Electronically Readable Memory Programmable).
The analog I / F (interface) 14 converts the digital output image signal into an analog output signal and sends it to the display panel 2c.
The external input / output unit 31 is connected to an analog I / F and inputs / outputs analog signals such as images and sounds to / from the outside.
The power supply 30 may be supplied using a battery directly attached to the main body 1 (see FIG. 1), or may be supplied from an external device such as an AC adapter via the external input / output unit 31.
The control unit 12 controls switching between a standby state of the power supply (standby state when the main power supply is turned off) or a main power supply state (main power supply is turned on).

  Next, a specific example of operation will be described.

The video camera 50 is configured to be able to shoot and record both a moving image and a still image of a subject image.
In that case, it is possible to instruct the transition from the reproduction mode to the recording mode by depressing the recording / reproduction switching switch in the input operation unit NS.
In response to this operation, the control unit 12 sets the operation of the video camera 50 to the recording mode, and waits for an instruction to execute still image shooting or moving image shooting.

  When recording a still image, an input operation signal S2s for instructing still image shooting is output from the input operator NS by a still image shooting instruction operation from the input operator NS (for example, a pressing operation of a still image shooting button). .

  In response to the input operation signal S2s, the control unit 12 causes the image processing circuit 11b to temporarily store the video signal S1 in the SDRAM 13a and encode it as still image data by the ENC / DEC circuit 11c using the JPEG method, and then to record the recording medium. Instruct to record to 6a or 6b.

  On the other hand, when recording a moving image, an input operation signal S2d for instructing moving image shooting is output from the input operator NS by a moving image shooting instruction operation from the operation element NS (for example, a pressing operation of a moving image shooting button).

  In response to the input operation signal S2d, the control unit 12 causes the image processing circuit 11b to encode the video signal S1 as moving image data by the ENC / DEC circuit 11c using the MPEG method, and then record it on the recording medium 6a or 6b. Instruct.

When the recording / reproduction switching switch is depressed again, an instruction to shift from the previous recording mode to the reproduction mode is given.
In response to this instruction, the control unit 12 sets the operation of the video camera 50 to the reproduction mode, and waits for an instruction to select an object to be reproduced, start reproduction, or the like.

  Further, the control unit 12 performs predetermined decoding by the ENC / DEC circuit 11c on the still image file or the moving image file recorded on the hard disk 6a or the memory card 6b, which is a recording medium, and the index of the file is The image is displayed on the display panel 2c via the analog I / F 14.

Next, the display unit 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the operation surface 2 b of the display unit 2.
In particular, FIG. 3 (a) is a front view of the actual object embodied, and FIG. 3 (b) is a schematic view corresponding to (a).

As described above, the opening 2b1 is provided in the operation surface 2b of the housing 2a of the display unit 2, and an image of the display panel 2c is displayed in the opening 2b1.
In the housing 2a, a touch sensor 8, which is one of the input operators 9, is provided on the left frame 2a1 corresponding to the opening 2b1.

The touch sensor 8 has a touch surface portion 8a (a shaded portion in FIG. 3) for detecting contact with a finger or the like that is elongated.
And it is arrange | positioned at the frame part 2a1 so that the longitudinal direction may become parallel to the left side 2b1-L of the opening part 2b1.

The touch sensor 8 includes four detection units 8b1 to 8b4 that are independent along the longitudinal direction of the touch surface portion 8a.
Accordingly, when the finger is slid on the touch surface portion 8a from the upper side to the lower side in FIG. 3, for example, detection signals are output in the order of the detection units 8b1, 8b2, 8b3, and 8b4 according to the position. Is done.

  On the other hand, in the housing 2a, a plurality of touch sensors 9A to 9E are arranged as an operator group 9 in the lower frame 2a2 corresponding to the opening 2b1. In this embodiment, there are five touch sensors in the operator group 9.

  In the touch sensors 9A to 9E, the touch surface portions 9Aa to 9Ea are substantially circular or substantially oval, and each includes a single detection unit.

  Further, in FIG. 3, the touch sensors 9A to 9E are drawn large for easy understanding.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which an index for selecting an image to be reproduced is displayed on the display panel 2c.
Specifically, this screen is a screen for selecting a desired scene from a plurality of scenes by using an index, and displays all the scenes to be selected on each page 9.

  In FIG. 3, the total page number N and the currently displayed page number n are displayed in the n / N format on the upper right of the screen. That is, FIG. 3 shows that the 20th page of 69 pages is displayed.

On one page, nine selection areas SR1 to SR9 corresponding to nine scenes ("Scene 1" to "Scene 9") are displayed in a matrix.
As this selection area, a thumbnail image of each scene may be displayed, a sentence indicating the contents of each scene, a mark associated with the contents so that the contents can be specified, or the like may be used.

  Also, the brightness of one of the frames is displayed high (highlighted), indicating that the cursor is there. In the example of FIG. 3, the cursor is positioned on “scene 1”.

A selection area for instructing an operation other than scene selection is displayed below the display area of the selection areas SR1 to SR9.
Specifically, the selection region SR21 in the case of instructing the “select” operation, the selection region SR22 in the case of instructing the “return” operation, the selection region SR23 in the case of instructing the “confirmation” operation, and the “end” operation. This is the selection region SR24 when instructing.

  On the other hand, based on the input operation signal S2 from each of the touch sensors 8, 9A to 9E, the control unit 12 controls to execute a preset operation. This operation is assigned in advance corresponding to each of the touch sensors 8, 9A to 9E.

  Specific assignment is shown below by taking the index selection of FIG. 3 as an example.

(Index selection)
In FIG. 3, when the finger is traced upward or downward with respect to the touch surface portion 8a of the touch sensor 8, input operation signals are output in time series from the plurality of detection portions 8b1 to 8b4.
The control unit 12 detects the movement amount of the finger based on the input operation signal output in time series, determines the movement amount of the cursor corresponding to the detected amount, and moves the cursor by the determined movement amount. Move.

For example, when the cursor movement amount is determined to be one in the downward direction, the cursor moves to “scene 4”.
If it is determined that the number is one in the upward direction, the screen for one row of the matrix is moved down, and the cursor moves to a scene positioned one above “Scene 1”.

  In this case, the cursor is moved once per finger movement (race operation).

  Further, by touching the upper or lower half area of the touch surface portion 8a for a predetermined time or longer, the page feed in the front-rear direction corresponding to the upper and lower sides of the touched area is executed.

Specifically, when the current display screen is the 20th page and the predetermined time is set to 2 seconds, the areas detected by the detection units 8b3 and 8b4, which are areas below the touch surface part 8a, are displayed. When touched for 2 seconds or longer, the control unit 12 performs a page feed operation in the backward direction associated with the touched lower side.
That is, the page is moved to 21, 22, 23,. Conversely, when the upper area is touched, the page moves to the front side as 19, 18,.

  In the case of single feed or page feed, if the selection area or the page to be sent has reached the end of the selection range, text or a mark indicating that the cursor is at the end of the selection range is displayed.

  Next, the index selection operation described above will be described in detail using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the video camera 50 is turned on (STEP 1).

  The playback mode is set by the recording / playback switch (STEP 2).

  The control unit 12 determines whether the human body is touching the upper half region or the lower half region of the touch surface portion 8a of the touch sensor 8 based on the output signals from the detection units 8b1 to 8b4 (STEP 3).

When it determines with the upper half, the control part 12 determines whether the contact to the touch surface part 8a is a slide operation (tracing operation), or a tap operation without a movement (STEP4).
This is determined by whether or not the detectors 8b1 to 8b4 that are the output signal transmission sources change in time series. If it changes in time series, it is a slide operation, and if it does not change, it is a tap operation.

  When it is determined that the operation is a slide operation, the control unit 12 returns one scene number where the index display cursor is located (STEP 5). That is, the cursor is moved to the selection area of the previous scene.

When it is determined that the operation is a tap operation, the contact time is determined (STEP 6).
The contact time is determined based on whether it is greater than or less than the set time.

  In this embodiment, since 2 seconds is set as a reference value, if the contact is 2 seconds or more, page return is executed (STEP 7). If the contact is less than 2 seconds, it is maintained as it is (STEP 8).

  If it is determined in STEP 3 that the lower half area is present, the control unit 12 determines whether the touch on the touch surface portion 8a is a slide operation (race operation) or a tap operation without movement (STEP 9). .

  When it is determined that the operation is a slide operation, the control unit 12 sends one scene number where the index display cursor is located (STEP 10). That is, the cursor is moved to the selection area of the next scene.

  If it is determined that the operation is a tap operation, the contact time is determined in the same manner as in SETP6 (STEP 11).

  If the contact is 2 seconds or more, page feed is executed (STEP 12). If the contact is less than 2 seconds, it is maintained as it is (STEP 13).

  The above is an example of index selection of a plurality of scenes by a selection area. The case of menu selection will be described as another example of display and operation.

(Menu selection)
In FIG. 5, when the touch surface portion 8 a of the touch sensor 8 is traced upward or downward with a finger, input operation signals are output in time series from the plurality of detection portions 8 b 1 to 8 b 4.

  The control unit 12 detects the movement amount of the finger based on the input operation signal output in time series, determines the movement amount of the cursor corresponding to the detected amount, and moves the cursor by the determined movement amount. Move.

FIG. 5 shows an example of menu selection.
This figure shows a menu screen for selecting a desired function from a plurality of functions of the video camera 50.

  Each menu is arranged in the vertical direction of the screen as a selection area. In FIG. 5, five selection areas SR31 to SR35 that can be displayed on the screen are shown, and a triangular mark SM1 indicating that there is a selection area hidden before and after (up and down) and that the screen can be moved there. , SM2 are displayed.

  Also, the brightness of the frame of one selection region SR33 in the displayed selection region is displayed with high (highlighted) display, indicating that the cursor is there. The example of FIG. 5 shows that the cursor is positioned in the shooting mode.

  Also in the case of this menu selection, when the touch sensor 8 is traced upward or downward with a finger, input operation signals are output in time series from the plurality of detection units 8b1 to 8b4.

  The control unit 12 detects the movement amount of the finger based on the input operation signal output in time series, determines the movement amount of the cursor corresponding to the detected amount, and moves the cursor by the determined movement amount. Move.

For example, when the cursor movement amount is determined to be one in the downward direction, the cursor shifts to “event setting”.
Also, if the cursor is at “fast start” and the cursor movement amount is determined to be one in the downward direction, the screen for one line of the matrix is moved up, and the menu located below “fast start” is displayed. The cursor moves.

  In this case, the cursor is moved once per finger movement (tracing operation).

  Further, by touching the upper or lower half area of the touch surface portion 8a for a predetermined time or longer, the menu feed in the front / rear (up / down) direction corresponding to the upper / lower direction of the touched area is displayed. Run in a few units.

  Specifically, when the number of displayed menus is n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1) and the predetermined time is set to 2 seconds, the detection unit 8b3, which is an area below the touch surface unit 8a. , 8b4, the control unit 12 executes the menu feed operation in units of m (m = n) in the backward direction associated with the touched lower side when the part detected by 8b4 is touched for 2 seconds or more. To do.

  Here, when n is 2 or more, m may be m <n (m is an integer of 1 or more). The value of m may be set by the user.

  As another example, the case of function adjustment will be described.

(Focus adjustment)
In FIG. 6, when the finger is traced upward or downward with respect to the touch surface portion 8a of the touch sensor 8, input operation signals are output in time series from the plurality of detection portions 8b1 to 8b4.

  The control unit 12 detects the movement amount of the finger based on the input operation signal output in time series, and moves the pointer indicating the current focus position displayed in the adjustment area displayed on the screen. The amount is determined, and the pointer is moved by the determined amount of movement.

FIG. 6 shows an example of focus adjustment.
This figure shows a screen for adjusting the focus of the video camera 50 on the screen.

  This focus adjustment screen is displayed when the automatic / manual selection switch for focus adjustment is switched to manual.

On this screen, a vertically long adjustment area 41 indicating the focus adjustment range is displayed.
In this adjustment area 41, the upper end indicates the focus position infinity, and the lower end indicates the closest position.
In addition, an “infinity” character indicating infinity is displayed on the upper end side of the adjustment area 41, and a “closest” character indicating the closest position is displayed on the lower end side.
In the adjustment area 41, a pointer 42 which is a horizontal bar indicating the current focus position is displayed.

  When the touch surface portion 8a of the touch sensor 8 is traced upward or downward with a finger, the focus position moves one step in the far or near direction corresponding to the traced direction for each traced operation.

  Similarly to the case of index selection and menu selection, by touching the upper half or lower half of the touch surface 8a for a predetermined time or more, focusing in the perspective direction corresponding to the top and bottom of the touched area is performed. Moves in increments of a preset number of steps.

  Thereby, in a focus adjustment operation with a large number of steps, a fine focus adjustment for each step and a high-speed movement of the focus in an arbitrary section from an infinite distance to the closest position are performed by one input operator (touch sensor 8). ) Can be executed.

  Similar to this focus adjustment, zooming between wide and tele, manual adjustment of brightness, etc. can be performed, and in either case, the same effect can be obtained.

  Next, the focus adjustment operation described above will be described in detail using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the video camera 50 is turned on (STEP 21).

  The shooting mode is set by the shooting switch (STEP 22).

  The control unit 12 determines whether the human body is touching the upper half region or the lower half region of the touch surface 8a of the touch sensor 8 based on output signals from the detection units 8b1 to 8b4 (STEP 23).

When it determines with the upper half, the control part 12 determines whether the contact to the touch surface part 8a is a slide operation (tracing operation), or a tap operation without a movement (STEP24).
This is determined by whether or not the detectors 8b1 to 8b4 that are the output signal transmission sources change in time series. If it changes in time series, it is a slide operation, and if it does not change, it is a tap operation.

  When determining that the operation is a slide operation, the control unit 12 moves the focus position to the infinity side by one step (STEP 25).

When it is determined that the operation is a tap operation, the contact time is determined (STEP 26).
The contact time is determined based on whether it is greater than or less than the set time.

  In this embodiment, since 2 seconds is set as a reference value, if the contact is 2 seconds or more, the focus is moved to the infinity side by a predetermined number of steps t1 (t1: integer of 2 or more) (STEP 27). In this example, t1 = 10. If the contact is less than 2 seconds, it is maintained as it is (STEP 28).

  If it is determined in STEP 23 that the lower half region is present, the control unit 12 determines whether the touch on the touch surface portion 8a is a slide operation (tracing operation) or a tap operation without movement, as in STEP 24 (STEP 29). .

  When it is determined that the operation is a slide operation, the control unit 12 moves the focus to the closest side by one step (STEP 30).

  If it is determined that the operation is a tap operation, the contact time is determined in the same manner as in SETP 26 (STEP 31).

  If the contact is 2 seconds or more, the focus is moved to the closest side by a predetermined number of steps t2 (t2: an integer of 2 or more) (STEP 32). In this example, t2 = 10. If the contact is less than 2 seconds, it is maintained as it is (STEP 33).

  In the above selection example or adjustment example, when there is no selection area that can be moved by moving the cursor, the displayed page is the end page, or the movement of the pointer is already at infinity or at the closest position Displays a text or mark indicating that the cursor or pointer is at the end of the movable range.

Thus, at least two functions are assigned to the touch sensor 8.
Specifically, a single movement operation instruction of the cursor by a sliding operation with a contact for less than a predetermined time or a movement operation instruction for an adjustment position for each step, and a page feed operation instruction by a contact for a predetermined time or longer, a predetermined selection This is a feed operation instruction for each number of regions or an adjustment position movement operation instruction for each predetermined number of steps.

  Since a plurality of functions can be executed with a smaller number of input operators, the limited space of the frame 2a2 of the display unit 2 can be used efficiently.

A single function is assigned to the touch sensors 9A to 9E.
For example, the touch sensor 9A transmits a command for determining the selection area selected by the cursor, and the touch sensor 9E transmits a command for displaying a menu screen.

  As described above based on FIG. 1, the video camera 50 includes another touch sensor 18 that cooperates with the touch sensor 8 (hereinafter also referred to as a sub-touch sensor 18 for the sake of convenience).

Specifically, the sub touch sensor 18 is provided so as to straddle the operation surface 2b above the touch sensor 8 and the side surface 2e on the top side of the housing 2a.
That is, the sub touch sensor 18 is disposed on the extension in the longitudinal direction of the touch sensor 8 having the long and narrow touch surface portion 8a.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the touch sensor 8 can be operated with the thumb Y2 while touching the sub-touch sensor 18 with the forefinger Y1 of the left hand, and inputs can be easily made to the two sensors. This operation can be performed very smoothly since the relative position between the sub-touch sensor 18 and the touch sensor 8 is just adapted to the natural state of the hand and the finger.
Then, the control unit 12 determines whether or not a human body is in contact with the sub-touch sensor 18 based on the presence or absence of a signal output from the sub-touch sensor 18 and touches according to the presence or absence. The change of the display screen performed based on the signal output with the operation of the sensor 8 is varied.
Further, the operation of the apparatus itself may be varied.

  Next, the operation of the sub touch sensor 18 will be described in detail.

  The example described here is an example of the index search described above.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3, and selection areas corresponding to nine scenes from “scene 1” to “scene 9” are displayed in a matrix on the screen.

In the above-described scene index search example, the cursor is moved by moving up and down the scene number. In this example, the cursor is moved in the vertical and horizontal directions of the screen.
For this purpose, the user can select in advance whether the movement of the cursor is to move the number up or down or to move in the vertical and horizontal directions on the screen.

  If the touch sensor 8 is operated without touching the sub touch sensor 18 when the movement in the up / down / left / right direction is selected, the up / down operation on the touch sensor 8 corresponds to the up / down movement of the cursor. Is set.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, an operation guidance mark 19 may be displayed.
The operation guidance mark 19 is a mark indicating that the cursor moves in the vertical direction in FIG. 8 by the operation of the touch sensor 8.

  A specific example of the mark 18 is a double-arrow mark that faces upward and downward. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, “up” and “down” characters may be displayed near the double-headed arrow.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where the touch sensor 8 is operated while touching the sub touch sensor 18.

In this case, the vertical operation of the touch sensor 8 is set so as to correspond to the movement of the cursor in the horizontal direction.
The operation guidance mark 19 displays an operation guidance mark 20 indicating that the cursor moves in the left-right direction.

  A specific example of the mark 19 is a double-arrow mark that faces leftward and rightward. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the characters “left” and “right” may be displayed near the double-headed arrow.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation in this case and including a step of discriminating the vertical movement and the horizontal movement of the cursor.

  As shown in FIG. 10, after the power is turned on (STEP 81) and the playback mode is set (STEP 82), the control unit 12 selects the cursor up / down movement or the direction movement by the input operator NS (STEP 83).

  Next, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the human body is in contact with the sub-touch sensor 18 (STEP 84), and if it is touched, the control unit 12 sets the cursor in the left / right movement (lateral movement) mode ( (STEP 85).

  If the sub-touch sensor 18 is not touched, the control unit 12 sets the cursor in the vertical movement (vertical movement) mode (STEP 86).

  The touch sensor 8 and the sub-touch sensor 18 are provided in a screen frame closest to the screen and can efficiently execute a plurality of operations corresponding to icons, marks, or selection areas displayed on the screen in cooperation with each other. Furthermore, further touch sensors 28 and 29 (hereinafter also referred to as auxiliary touch sensors 28 and 29) may be provided at positions away from the screen to cooperate with the touch sensor 8 and the sub touch sensor 18.

  Examples 1 and 2 will be described below.

(Auxiliary touch sensor example 1)
FIG. 11 shows an elliptical still image shooting button 21 and an auxiliary touch sensor 28 provided so as to surround the button, which are arranged on the upper surface on the rear side of the main body 1 of the video camera 50 (FIG. 11). 1).

  In addition, a zoom lever (also used for volume control) 22 is disposed in the vicinity of the still image shooting button 21.

The video mela 50 can shoot moving images and still images.
When the still image shooting button 21 is depressed in the still image shooting mode, it functions as a trigger switch for instructing the control unit 12 to capture the still image at that time and store it in the memory.

  This video camera 50 uses the fact that when the finger is put on the still image shooting button 21, the finger touches the auxiliary touch sensor 28 around it, and when it touches, the video camera 50 automatically shifts to the still image shooting mode. It is set to be.

  When shifting to the still image shooting mode, the screen displayed on the display panel 2c automatically changes to the display in the still image shooting mode, and the functions of the touch sensor 8 and the sub touch sensor 18 are also changed to the still image shooting mode. Functions corresponding to the time display are assigned by the control unit 12.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart including a step of switching between the moving image shooting mode and the still shooting mode depending on whether or not a human body such as a finger is touching the auxiliary touch sensor 28 in the operation in this case.

  As shown in FIG. 12, after the power is turned on (STEP 91), the control unit 12 determines whether or not the auxiliary touch sensor 28 is touched (STEP 92).

If the auxiliary touch sensor 28 is touched, the control unit 12 sets the still image shooting mode (STEP 93).
If the auxiliary touch sensor 28 is not touched, the control unit 12 sets the moving image shooting mode (STEP 94).

(Auxiliary touch sensor example 2)
In FIG. 1, the video camera 50 is provided with an auxiliary touch sensor 29 at a position where a palm always comes into contact with the grip portion 4 when it is held by hand.

  Then, the grip portion 4 is gripped by hand, the auxiliary touch sensor 29 is touched, and the main power is turned on when the recording trigger button 23 is pressed.

  Usually, the use of a push button as a power-on button of a video camera is avoided in order to prevent erroneous input when it is put in the back.

  Therefore, by combining the auxiliary touch sensor 29 and the push button in this way instead of the push button alone, an erroneous operation can be prevented, the operability is improved, and the buttons can be further reduced in size.

  FIG. 13 shows that when the main power supply is off and the power supply is in a standby state, the control unit turns on or off the main power supply depending on whether or not a palm is touched on the auxiliary touch sensor 29. It is a flowchart including the process of selecting whether to remain.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the auxiliary touch sensor 29 is touched by a human body (STEP 131).

If there is no contact with the auxiliary touch sensor 29, the control unit 12 keeps the main power off (STEP 132).
When there is contact with the auxiliary touch sensor 28, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the trigger switch (photographing switch) 23 is pressed (STEP 133).

  When the trigger switch 23 is pushed, the control unit 12 turns on the main power supply (STEP 134).

If the trigger switch 23 is not depressed, the control unit 12 keeps the main power supply off (STEP 135).
Then, the presence / absence of contact of the auxiliary touch sensor 28 is determined again, and this is repeated.

  As described above in detail, each of the sub touch sensor 18 and the auxiliary touch sensor 28 does not recognize an input every time it is touched and outputs a signal, but always outputs a signal in a touched state. Is.

  Then, the control unit 12 determines whether the sub-touch sensor 18 or the auxiliary touch sensor 28 is in contact with the finger or the like, or not in contact with the main touch sensor 8. Switching the function.

  Therefore, a combination of many functions, which are limited by the touch sensor 8 alone, can be performed by combining with the sub touch sensor 18 or the auxiliary touch sensor 28.

  On the other hand, if the contact with the sub-touch sensor 18 or the auxiliary touch sensor 28 is a condition that allows the input of the touch sensor 8, a short-time contact with only the touch sensor 8 is substantially ignored. The problem of erroneous input by touching the sensor 8 is less likely to occur.

  Here, the touch sensor 8, the sub-touch sensor 18, and the auxiliary touch sensors 28 and 29 provide depressions or protrusions on the touch surface portions 8a, 18a, and 28a for touching the finger or the like to distinguish them from other parts. Etc.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which a concave portion 8 a 1 that is a depression is provided in the touch portion surface portion 8 a of the touch sensor 8.
The concave portion 8a1 may be further subjected to texture processing.

  The touch sensors 8, 18, 28, 29 and the touch sensors of the operator group 9 may be formed in different shapes and different surface treatment states so that they can be distinguished from each other.

  In particular, in the case of an imaging device such as a video camera or an in-vehicle image display device, it is difficult or impossible to visually check the sensor. desirable.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the configuration and procedure described above, and it goes without saying that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The application of the present invention is not limited to the imaging device described in the embodiments. The present invention can be applied to any device in which a display panel for displaying an image is housed in a housing and a touch sensor is provided in the housing.
Specific examples of the device include a mobile phone, a portable music / video player, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable navigation device (PND), a game machine, and a personal computer (PC).

It is a perspective view for demonstrating the Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating the display part in the Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart of the index operation in the Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating the menu operation screen in the Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating the focus adjustment screen in the Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart of focus adjustment in the Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating the display part of the other Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating the effect | action of the other Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the other Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the auxiliary | assistant touch sensor in the other Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation of the example 1 of the auxiliary | assistant touch sensor in the other Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation of the example 2 of the auxiliary | assistant touch sensor in the other Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the sub touch sensor in the Example of the imaging device of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the touch sensor in the Example of the imaging device of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main-body part 1a Hinge part 2 Display part 2a Housing | casing 2a1 (left side) frame part 2a2 (lower side) frame part 2b One surface (operation surface)
2b1 opening (window)
2b1-L Left side 2c Display panel 2d One side surface 3 Lens portion 4 Grip portion 5 Image sensor 6 Hard disk device 6a Hard disk (recording medium)
6b Memory card (recording medium)
7 control unit 8 touch sensor 8a touch surface unit 8b1 to 8b4 detection unit 9 operator group 9A to 9E touch sensor 10 signal processing unit 11a camera control circuit 11b image processing circuit 11c ENC / DEC circuit 12 CPU (control unit)
13a, 13b, 13c Buffer memory 14 Analog I / F
18 Sub-touch sensor 19, 20 Operation guidance mark 21 Still image button 22 Zoom lever 23 Trigger button 28, 29 Auxiliary touch sensor 30 Power supply (battery)
31 External input / output unit 41 Adjustment area 50 Video camera CL1, CL2 Rotating axis NS Input operation element S1 Video signal S2, S2s, S2d Input operation signal SR1-SR9 Selection area

Claims (6)

An image display panel for displaying images;
A housing provided with a rectangular window for accommodating the image display panel and facing the image from the outside;
A first touch sensor provided in the casing so as to output a signal by contact of the human body with the touch surface, and the touch surface is exposed in an elongated shape along one side of the window portion in the casing;
A second touch sensor that outputs a signal upon contact of the human body with the touch surface;
A control unit that detects a signal output from the first touch sensor and changes and displays the image based on the signal; and
The controller is configured to output the first touch sensor when there is no output from the second touch sensor and when the signal is output from the first touch sensor. An image display device that changes the change of the image depending on whether a signal is output from the touch sensor.   The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the second touch sensor is disposed on an extension of the first touch sensor in the longitudinal direction in the housing.   When the power of the image display device is in a standby state and a signal is output from the first touch sensor with the output of the second touch sensor, the control unit The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main power supply is turned on. An image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image via a photographing lens and outputs an image signal;
An image display panel for displaying an image based on the image signal;
A housing provided with a rectangular window for accommodating the image display panel and facing the image from the outside;
A first touch sensor provided in the casing so as to output a signal by contact of the human body with the touch surface, and the touch surface is exposed in an elongated shape along one side of the window portion in the casing;
A second touch sensor that outputs a signal upon contact of the human body with the touch surface;
A control unit that detects a signal output from the first touch sensor and changes and displays the image based on the signal; and
The controller is configured to output the first touch sensor when there is no output from the second touch sensor and when the signal is output from the first touch sensor. An image pickup apparatus that changes the change in the image depending on whether a signal is output from the touch sensor.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second touch sensor is disposed on a longitudinal extension of the first touch sensor in the housing.   The control unit is configured to control a main unit of the imaging device when a signal is output from the first touch sensor in a state where the power source of the imaging device is in a standby state and the output of the second touch sensor is present. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein power is turned on.