JP2001242520A - Information setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the constitution of a dialing unit equipped with a button as an information setting device which can be made smaller in size and thinner in shape than the conventional device e.g. for camera, etc. SOLUTION: A click means in the rotating direction of a dialing member 21 is constituted of a fixed cam surface 24b on the outer periphery of the bearing part 30a of an external cover 24 with a hole 24a which is engaged with the rotary shaft 21d of the dialing member 21 and a click member 25 constituted of a steel ball 25a and a coil spring 25d stored on the dial side, and the working direction of the force of the click means is set in a direction orthogonal to the rotary shaft 21d of the dialing member 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information setting device,
More particularly, the present invention relates to a dial-type information setting device having a push-button operation member at the center of a camera or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a rotary dial having a push button in the center has been proposed as an information setting device for selecting and deciding an arbitrary one from a plurality of options in a camera or the like. Some products with a setting device have already been commercialized. FIG. 8 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of a dial with a button described in JP-A-7-306436 in order to clarify the difference between the above-described conventional information setting device and the present invention. I do.

In FIG. 8, the information setting device shown in the figure is a mode switch for selecting a photographing mode of a single-lens reflex camera, and the mode switch 100 is rotatably supported by an upper decoration cover 101 as an exterior member. A mode dial 102 as a dial member.
There is provided a push button type setting button 103 which is axially supported so as to be able to advance and retreat on the same axis as 02.

A display ring 1 is provided on the upper surface of the upper decorative cover 101.
A concave portion 101a for accommodating the outer ring 04 and a shaft hole portion 101b rotatably supporting the cylindrical shaft portion 104a of the display ring 104 are formed. The shaft portion 104a penetrating the concave portion 101a and the shaft hole portion 101b further includes a mode dial 102.
And is integrated into the shaft hole 102a. Then, a disc-shaped code plate 105 is screwed to the end face of the shaft portion 104a in a state of being in close contact with the end face of the mode dial 102.

[0005] A disc-shaped click stop plate 106 serving as a click means is fixed to the inner surface of the upper decorative cover 101 facing the upper end surface of the mode dial 102.

On the other hand, on the upper surface of the mode dial 102 facing the click stop plate 106, a ball hole for accommodating a click stop ball 107 which is a click means for determining a position when another mode dial 102 is rotated. 102b is formed, and the ball hole 10b is formed.
A click stop ball 107 urged by a spring 108 is accommodated in 2b. The click stop ball 107 is separated from the click stop plate 106 by a spring 108.
The mode dial 102 is urged in the direction and rollably contacts, and when fitted to the click stop plate 106, the mode dial 102 is click-stopped at that position. The stop hole 106a is
A plurality are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0007] A brush-like elastic contact piece 109 serving as a detection means, which is mounted on the main plate 111, is slidably in contact with the code plate 105. A plurality of contact piece patterns are formed on the surface (not shown) of the code plate 105, and the elastic contact pieces 109 are formed.
Has a plurality of contact pieces. And the mode dial 10
The elastic contact piece 109 comes into contact with the contact piece pattern corresponding to the click stop position at which 2 stops, and turns on.

A concave portion 104b is formed on the upper end surface of the display ring 104, and a shaft hole 104c is formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion 104b.
A setting button 103 of a setting switch is mounted. The setting button 103 has a shaft portion 110 penetrating the shaft hole 104c. A drop-off member such as an E-ring is attached to the tip of the shaft 110 protruding from the shaft hole 104c to prevent the setting button 103 from falling out of the shaft hole 104c.

Main plate 111 facing the tip of shaft 110
A setting switch member 112 having an elastic leg formed in a conical shape is disposed on the upper side. Setting switch member 1
Reference numeral 12 includes a conductive portion 113 serving as a detecting means provided on the lower surface of the base portion, and a contact piece pattern 114 having two or more patterns provided at a position facing the conductive portion 113.

A setting button 103, a setting switch member 112,
A setting switch is configured by the conductive portion 113 and the contact piece pattern 114. When the setting button 103 is depressed, it is depressed by the shaft portion 110 against the elastic force of the leg portion, contacts the contact piece pattern 114, and contacts the contact piece pattern 114.
These two patterns are short-circuited via the conductive portion 113.

Further, as a conventional example of a layout of an information setting device for selecting and determining an arbitrary one from a plurality of options, there is a layout in which a liquid crystal monitor, a dial-type rotating member and a plurality of push buttons are combined. Can be

This combination is widely used in electronic cameras, and a photographer displays a plurality of menus on a liquid crystal display monitor, selects an arbitrary menu using a rotating member, and determines the menu with a push button.

With reference to FIG. 9 showing an example of a rear view of a conventional electronic camera, a series of operations until an arbitrary menu is selected and determined from a plurality of menus will be described. In FIG. 9, the information setting device in the electronic camera includes a liquid crystal monitor 122 that displays a menu and a captured image, a dial 120 that can be rotated left and right while having a click feeling, and a plurality of select buttons 121. The photographer rotates the dial 120 to move the blinking display of the menu in order to select an arbitrary menu from a plurality of menu contents displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 122. In this state, no decision is made, so the photographer presses the decision button 121a of the select buttons 121 to decide the menu.

[0014]

In order to realize a push button with a good operational feeling, a certain button diameter is required.
The click ball 107 and the spring 108 as the click means of the mode dial 102 must avoid this, that is, lay out outside the button diameter. In order to satisfy such a condition, FIG.
07 and a spring 108 are arranged outside the button so that their longitudinal direction and the rotation axis of the mode dial 102 are parallel to each other.

In this configuration, the mode dial 102
In order to improve the click feeling and the durability of the spring 108, it is necessary to design the spring so that the spring pressure and the stroke amount become optimum values and the spring shape does not exceed the repetitive stress value of the spring 108. Then, when a spring 108 having a length satisfying these conditions is arranged as shown in FIG.
This is a factor that increases the thickness of the information setting device in the axial direction.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to realize an information setting device that can be made smaller and thinner than before.

For example, in an electronic camera or the like, when an operation of selecting and determining an arbitrary menu from a plurality of menus displayed on a liquid crystal monitor is performed, conventionally, as shown in FIG. And a determination button 121a serving as a menu determination means
Were placed separately. Therefore menu selection,
If the determination operation is performed using both hands, a quick operation cannot be performed, and a shutter chance may be missed.

Therefore, when performing the above-described series of operations with one hand, the right hand covers the liquid crystal monitor 122, and there is a disadvantage that the menu displayed on the monitor cannot be seen. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a means that allows a menu selection and a decision to be made easily and quickly with a single thumb operation. .

[0019]

Therefore, in the present invention, the above object is achieved by providing an information setting device described in any of the following items (1) to (3). It is.

(1) In an information setting device comprising a dial member rotatably attached to an exterior member and a push-button type operation member arranged at the center of the dial member, when the dial member is rotated, The click means for determining the position includes a fixed cam surface on the outer periphery of the bearing portion of the exterior member having a hole fitted with the rotating shaft of the dial member, and a movable urging member housed on the dial side. The direction of action of the force of this movable urging member is
An information setting device, wherein the information setting device is arranged in a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis of the dial member.

(2) The information setting device according to (1), wherein the movable urging member comprises a steel ball and a coil spring.

(3) In an information setting device comprising a dial member rotatably attached to an exterior member and a push button type operation member disposed at the center of the dial member, the information setting device may be a single or a single. An information setting device, wherein the information setting device is located on the same plane near a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor for displaying a plurality of images, a plurality of characters and symbols.

[0023]

According to the structure of the present invention described above, (1)
According to any one of the configurations (2), the information setting device having a push button in the center can be reduced in size and thickness while maintaining a good click feeling.

Also, with the configuration of the above item (3), a series of operations for selecting and determining an arbitrary menu from the menu contents displayed on the liquid crystal monitor can be performed quickly and easily with one finger. Will not be missed.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0026]

(Configuration) FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, showing the appearance of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body, on which a photographing lens 2 shown can be interchangeably mounted. The grip 3 is shaped so that the photographer can easily hold the camera body 1. Various operation members and display members for photographing are concentrated on the upper part of the camera body 1.

The shutter release button 4 performs photometry and distance measurement when pressed in the first step (SW1), and starts a series of operations for exposure when pressed in the second step (SW2).
Reference numeral 5 denotes an upper display panel using liquid crystal, which displays information necessary for photographing, such as a shutter speed and an aperture value. 6 is
This is an electronic dial disposed above the grip 3 and behind the shutter release button 4. The photographer can operate this dial to change shooting conditions such as shutter speed and aperture.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a camera shooting mode (program,
Shutter mode priority, aperture priority, manual, etc.) and a shooting mode change & playback button for displaying a shot image as a playback image on a liquid crystal display monitor described later.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 8 denotes a main switch as a main power supply. Reference numeral 9 denotes a liquid crystal rear display panel, which displays the remaining power state and the number of shootable images. 10 is
A delete button for erasing photographed image information.
11 is a SCSI cable port, and 12 is an AC cable port.
Adapter input port. Reference numeral 13 denotes a finder eyepiece window.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a push button for operating a liquid crystal display monitor, which is a display means for displaying a subject to be photographed in real time, that is, a so-called finder or displaying and using an image after photographing. 14a and a liquid crystal display monitor unit including the liquid crystal display monitor 14b. Reference numeral 15 denotes a PC card cover that covers a unit that stores a card-type recording medium called a PC card conforming to the PCMCIA standard.

Numeral 16 denotes a dial unit as information input means comprising a central push button and a dial located on the outer periphery and rotating with a constant click.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dial unit 16 with a button according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 are exploded perspective views of the members obtained by disassembling the dial unit 16 with a button from above and below. FIG. The configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a dial, 21a denotes a dial operating unit, 21b denotes a recess for accommodating the push button 22, and 21c denotes a coil spring 25b and a ball 25a described later.
And a storage section for holding Reference numeral 21d denotes a shaft into which the dial 21 and a hole of an outer cover 24 described later are fitted. The dial 21 rotates by sliding between the shaft 21d and the outer cover 24. 21e is a hole for fitting with the shaft of the push button 22, and the tip 2 of the shaft concentric with the hole 21e.
If 1f, the stroke of the push button 22 is restricted by contacting the concave portion of the push button 22. 21g (see FIG. 5) is a recess into which the tip of the button rubber 30 enters.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a push button, which is an operation portion 22a, a shaft portion 22b coaxial with the operation portion 22a, and a shaft tip portion 22c on the opposite side to the operation portion 22a and against which the button rubber 30 abuts.
And a fitting portion 22d for stopping the C-ring 23 for preventing the push button 22 from falling off.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an exterior cover, which is formed by a hole 24a fitted to the shaft 21d of the dial 21 and a cam surface 24b on which a steel ball 25a urged by a coil spring 25b slides as the dial 21 rotates. Become. Reference numeral 24c (see FIGS. 4 and 5) denotes a coil spring 25b from the outer cover 24.
And the steel ball 25a into the storage portion 21 of the dial 21
c (see FIG. 5). Reference numeral 25 denotes a click member for determining the position of the dial 21 when it is rotated. The click member 25 includes a coil spring 25b and a steel ball 25a urged against the cam surface 24b of the outer cover 24 by the coil spring 25b. 21
The dial 21 is stored in the storage portion 21c (see FIG. 5).
Rotate with.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a plastic pressing plate which sandwiches the dial 21 in a sandwich shape together with a metal fixing plate 27 to prevent the dial 21 from falling off the outer cover 24. Reference numeral 28 denotes a metal plate detecting contact which detects the rotation direction and the amount of rotation of the dial 21 by the contact piece sliding on the flexible printed circuit board 31 to short-circuit two patterns on the board 31. It is fixed to the dial 21 by two screws 29 together with 26.

Numeral 30 denotes a button rubber, and the shaft tip 2 of the push button 22
When the dial button 22 is pressed by the stroke amount, the bearing portion 30a against which the contact portion 2c abuts, the skirt portion 30b which opens radially to influence the click feeling, and the conductive rubber are formed.
It comprises a contact portion 30c for detecting that the push button 22 has been pressed by short-circuiting two patterns on the flexible printed circuit board 31 to be described later, and a bottom portion 30d.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a flexible printed circuit board, which is a pattern A31 for detecting that the push button 22 has been pressed.
a (see FIG. 4) and a pattern B31b (see FIG. 4) laid out on the outer periphery of the pattern A31a for detecting that the dial 21 has been rotated.

Numeral 32 is a dial cover which functions as a support plate for the flexible printed circuit board 31 and also has a function as a sealing lid for preventing dust such as dust and sand from entering from inside. It is fixed to the exterior cover 24 with three screws 33 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

(Operation Method) Next, FIGS. 6A and 6B show an operation method of the dial unit with a button according to the present embodiment.
The method of actually operating the dial unit 16 will be described with reference to (Part 2): As shown in FIG. 6, the photographer can select a plurality of menus 40 displayed on the liquid crystal display monitor 14b.
Turning the dial 21 to the right moves the menu 21 downward, and turning the dial 21 to the left moves the menu upward, so the blinking menu 41 is moved up and down by rotating the dial 21. In this state, the menu display is only blinking and is not determined. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the push button 22 in the center of the dial unit 16 is pressed to determine, the liquid crystal display monitor 14b switches to the next display. Change.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide an information setting device which has a structure which enables the camera body 1 to be small and thin, and which can provide a good click feeling. . By operating the dial unit 16 with push buttons on the same plane as the liquid crystal monitor 14, the menu 4 displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 14 is displayed.
The operation of selecting and deciding 0, 41 can be performed easily and quickly with one operation of the thumb, so that a shutter chance is not missed.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A dial member rotatably attached to the exterior member,
First detecting means for detecting the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the dial member, a push-button-type operating member disposed at the center of the dial member, and a second detecting means for detecting that the operating member has been pressed by a predetermined amount. In the information setting device comprising the second detection means, the click means in the rotation direction of the dial member includes a fixed cam surface on an outer periphery of a bearing portion of the exterior member having a hole for fitting with a rotation shaft of the dial member. And a movable urging member housed on the dial side, and the direction of action of the force of the movable urging member is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the dial member. The information setting device can be made smaller and thinner while maintaining an appropriate click feeling.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information setting device comprising a dial member rotatably attached to an exterior member and a push button type operating member disposed at the center of the dial member. This information setting device
It is characterized by being on the same plane near a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor for displaying one or more images, a plurality of characters and symbols, so that the operation of selecting and determining a menu displayed on the liquid crystal monitor is performed by the thumb. With one operation, it can be performed easily and quickly, and there is no chance of missing a photo opportunity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electronic camera according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a dial unit with a button according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of components of the dial unit with a button according to the embodiment viewed from above.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of components of the dial unit with a button according to the embodiment viewed from below.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation method of the dial unit with a button according to the embodiment (part 1).

FIG. 7 is a view showing an operation method of the dial unit with a button according to the embodiment (part 2).

FIG. 8 is an example of a sectional view of a dial with a button of a mode switch of a conventional single-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 9 is an example of a rear view of a conventional electronic camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera main body 14b Liquid crystal display monitor 16 Dial unit 21 Dial 21d Rotation axis 22 (Dial) push button 24 Exterior cover 25a Steel ball (steel ball) 25b Coil spring

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An information setting device comprising: a dial member rotatably attached to an exterior member; and a push-button-type operation member disposed at the center of the dial member. The click means for determining the fixed cam surface on the outer periphery of the bearing portion of the exterior member having a hole fitted with the rotating shaft of the dial member, and the movable biasing member housed on the dial side. The information setting device, wherein the direction of action of the force of the movable urging member is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the dial member. 2. The information setting device according to claim 1, wherein said movable urging member comprises a steel ball and a coil spring. 3. An information setting device comprising: a dial member rotatably attached to an exterior member; and a push-button type operation member disposed at the center of the dial member. An information setting device, which is located on the same plane in the vicinity of a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor for displaying an image or a plurality of characters and symbols.