JP2002165123A - Setting controller and electronic device provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the operational design of an electronic device in which the functions can be changed or checked easily, and which effectively copes with its multifunctional features. SOLUTION: This electronic equipment is provided with a couple of control means 3 and 4, that can choose any of the operating modes by turning operations. Each control means is arranged turnably around an identical turning center in multiple stages. In the first control means 3, for selecting a first operating mode group, 6a to 6d, any of them may be chosen, and then in the second control means 4, belonging to the first control means 3, given options from a second operation mode group, 7a to 7h, and arranged above the first control means 3, further choice is given.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a configuration for selecting an operation mode and the like in an electronic device such as an electronic camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electronic device, for example, an electronic camera, when selecting an operation mode such as a photographing operation of a camera or a reproducing operation of a photographed image, the dial is rotated to operate.

[0003]

In recent years, however, it has become difficult to represent all operation modes of a camera on a dial due to the multifunctionality of electronic cameras in recent years.
Therefore, an operation mode that cannot be expressed by a dial is set and displayed by using a display means such as an LCD of the camera, so that the user needs to understand in advance what kind of function the camera has. Further, in order to select the function, it is necessary to switch the display of the display means and to perform the dial operation many times, which causes a problem that the function cannot be changed quickly.

[0004] Further, an LC generally used for display means is used.
The display means such as D consumes a large amount of power, and it is inconvenient for the user to display the display means for changing the function or confirming the function, and also disadvantageous in terms of power consumption.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an operation configuration which can effectively cope with multi-functionalization and can easily change and confirm its functions.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an operation mechanism having a plurality of operation means capable of selecting one of a plurality of operation modes of an electronic device by a rotation operation. Each operating means is arranged in multiple stages so as to be rotatable around the same center of rotation, a first operating means for selecting a first operation mode group, and an operation mode of the selected first operation mode group. And a second operating means for selecting a second operation mode group belonging to, the second operating means is arranged on the upper part of the first operating means,
An operating mechanism whose outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the first operating means.

Further, the present invention provides a setting operation device for setting an operation mode, wherein first operation means for setting at least a first higher-order operation mode and a second higher-order operation mode by being rotated. A second operation mode for setting a lower operation mode belonging to the first upper operation mode and a lower operation mode belonging to the second upper operation mode by being arranged on the first operation means and being rotated. This is a setting operation means having an operation means.

According to the present invention, in an electronic device for setting an operation mode, first operation means for setting at least a first higher-order operation mode and a second higher-order operation mode by being rotated. A second operation for setting a lower operation mode belonging to the first upper operation mode and a lower operation mode belonging to the second upper operation mode by being arranged on the first operation means and being rotated. And an electronic device having the means.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the front and top of an electronic camera embodying the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing lens, and 2 denotes an exterior of an electronic camera body. Reference numeral 3 denotes a first mode dial for selecting an operation mode such as a non-operation, a photographing operation, and a reproduction operation of the electronic camera by rotating, and has an index 3a for indicating the currently selected operation mode. ing. Also, the first mode dial 3
Is arranged so that the radial direction protrudes from the exterior 2, and the protruding portion can be hooked on a fingertip or the like to perform a turning operation of the dial.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a second mode dial for selecting a shooting mode such as an AV priority, a TV priority and a program during a shooting operation by rotating. The second mode dial 4 has a smaller diameter than the first mode dial 3 and its center of rotation coincides with the center of rotation of the first mode dial 3. Further, the second mode dial 4 is disposed so as to overlap the first mode dial. Reference numeral 5 denotes an index indicating the shooting mode selected by the second mode dial 4.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the first mode dial 3 and the second mode dial 4. In the figure, reference numerals 6a to 6d denote operation modes that can be selected by the first mode dial 3, which indicate a shooting mode, a non-operation mode (power OFF), a reproduction mode, and a communication mode, respectively, and are displayed in different colors. Have been.

Reference numerals 7a to 7h indicate the contents of a photographing mode and a reproduction mode which can be selected with the second mode dial 4, 7a is a program photographing mode, 7b is a Tv priority mode, 7c is an Av priority mode, and 7d is The manual mode is shown, and these are displayed in the same color as the display color of the photographing mode 6a.

Reference numeral 7e denotes a single reproduction mode, 7f denotes a multi reproduction mode, 7g denotes a moving image reproduction mode, and 7h denotes an erasing mode. These are displayed in the same color as the display color of the reproduction mode 6c.

Further, in FIG. 1, 8 is the number of images that can be taken,
This is an information display unit that displays information such as an aperture value, a shutter speed, and a battery consumption state. A release button 9 generates a release signal when operated. In this embodiment, it is assumed that no lower mode to be selected is set in the communication mode.

FIGS. 3A to 3C show the internal structure of the first mode dial 3. FIG. In these figures,
Reference numeral 10 denotes a part of the exterior 2, which is a fixing portion for supporting the first mode dial 3. Reference numeral 11 denotes a leaf spring, which is supported by the fixed portion 10 and has the first mode dial 3
Is in contact with the concave-convex portion 3b provided in the inside.

Since the first mode dial 3 has such a structure, when the first mode dial 3 is turned in the direction of the arrow from the state of FIG. Charged by the unit as shown in FIG. When further rotated, the charging force of the leaf spring 11 makes contact with the next concave portion as shown in FIG. As described above, when the first mode dial 3 is rotated by the leaf spring 11 sequentially passing through the concave portion and the convex portion, a click feeling is generated.

The second mode dial 4 has substantially the same configuration.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a more detailed configuration of the first mode dial 3 and the second mode dial 4. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a flexible printed circuit board, on which a plurality of electrodes form a concentric electrode pattern about the center of rotation of the first mode dial 3 and the second mode dial 4. Reference numerals 13 and 14 denote contact pieces that come into contact with the electrode patterns of the flexible printed circuit board 12, and are fixed to contact piece bases 15 and 16 that rotate around the centers of the concentric electrode patterns.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a base plate on which the flexible printed board 12 and the contact piece bases 15 and 16 are mounted, and has a rotating shaft 17a for rotating the contact piece base 16. The center axis of the rotating shaft 17a coincides with the center of rotation of the first mode dial 3, the second mode dial 4, and the contact piece bases 15, 16. The contact base 15 is engaged with the first mode dial 3, and the contact base 16 is engaged with the second mode dial 4. It is designed to rotate.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the electrode patterns of the flexible printed circuit board 12 and the contact pieces 13 and 14. FIG. In these figures, 18,
A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are electrodes, respectively. Then, a system controller of an electronic camera (not shown) detects a conduction state between the electrode 18 and the electrodes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Then, for example, the rotation of the first mode dial 3 causes the contact piece 13 to move from the state of FIG. 5A to the state of FIG.
When the conduction state between the electrodes A, B, and C and the electrode 18 changes, the system controller changes from the non-operation mode to the photographing mode.

[0022]

[Table 1]

Table 1 shows the correspondence between the operation modes of the electronic camera and the conduction states between the electrodes A, B, C, D, E, F, G and the electrodes 18. The system controller (not shown) switches the operation mode according to the conduction state between the electrodes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G and the electrode 18 as shown in Table 1.

As described above, in this embodiment, the display of the operation mode is color-coded, and the display of the lower photographing mode and the reproduction mode is set to a color corresponding to the color of each upper operation mode. As a result, the operation mode of the electronic camera can be easily switched, and the current operation mode of the camera can be easily confirmed.

Although two dials are used coaxially in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, three or more dials may be used coaxially. . In this case, it is possible to set a lower operation mode, and it is possible to set a more detailed operation mode.

FIG. 6 is an external view of an electronic image recording / reproducing apparatus embodying the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a main body of the electronic image recording / reproducing apparatus, which includes a personal computer and the like. Reference numeral 102 denotes a first dial for selecting any one of operation modes of a non-operation state, reproduction, recording, and printing of the electronic image recording / reproducing apparatus described later. The operation mode selected by the first dial 102 is referred to as a first operation mode. Reference numeral 103 denotes a lower-level operation mode among a reproduction mode, a recording mode, and a print mode of a first operation mode, which will be described later, a standard mode, a monotone mode, a sharpness change mode, a brightness change mode, a contrast change mode, and a color change mode. It is a second dial for.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a third dial for setting the degree of each change when any one of the sharpness change mode, the brightness change mode, the contrast change mode, and the saturation change mode is selected by the second dial 103. is there.

Reference numeral 105 denotes display means for displaying image data and the like. Reference numeral 106 denotes an interface for inputting and outputting image data and the like. Reference numerals 107 and 108 denote operation means for changing image data and the like displayed on the display means 105. Reference numeral 109 denotes a decision button for starting recording or printing in the recording mode and the printing mode. 1
Reference numeral 10 denotes a printer for printing information such as images.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing details of the first dial 102, the second dial 103 and the third dial 104. In the figure, reference numerals 111 to 114 denote the first dial 10.
2, a display mode for displaying images and the like, a recording mode 112 for recording images and the like, a print mode 113 for printing images and the like, and a power-off mode 114 for turning off the power. Show the display. In this case, the operation mode indicated by the display in the direction indicated by the index 102a provided on the first dial 102 is selected.
For example, in FIG. 7, the reproduction mode is selected.

Reference numerals 115 to 120 denote operation mode displays set by the second dial 103. Reference numeral 115 denotes a standard mode for reproducing, recording, and printing an image or the like at a predetermined set value. Is a monotone mode in which reproduction, recording, and printing are performed by converting the image into sharpness; 117 is a sharpness change mode in which reproduction, recording, and printing are performed by changing the sharpness of an image and the like; 118 is reproduced and recorded by changing the brightness of the image and the like. , A brightness change mode for performing printing, 119 is a contrast change mode for performing reproduction, recording, and printing by changing the contrast of an image or the like, and 120 is for performing reproduction, recording, and printing by changing the saturation of an image. Is a display showing the saturation change mode.

The third dial 104 is effective when each of the change modes of sharpness, brightness, contrast, and saturation is selected by the second dial 103, and the degree of each change is indicated by a plus / minus numerical value. It has become.

The third dial 104 is disposed above the second dial 103 and has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the second dial 103.

Reference numeral 121 denotes a second index for the second dial 103, and a second operation mode represented by a display facing the second index 121 is selected (FIG. 7).
Then sharpness). Reference numeral 122 denotes a third index for the third dial 104, and a degree of change of any of sharpness, brightness, contrast, and saturation according to the numerical value displayed on the third dial 104 facing the third index 122. Is to be determined. That is, FIG.
In this case, the currently reproduced image or the like is displayed on the display unit 105 with the sharpness raised by two levels.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an operation configuration which can effectively cope with multi-functionalization and can easily change and confirm its functions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view and a front view of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a first mode dial and a second mode dial of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the inside and operation of a first mode dial of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a dial portion of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an electrode pattern of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic recording / reproducing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a dial section of an electronic recording / reproducing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 shooting lens 2 exterior of electronic camera 3 first mode dial 4 second mode dial 5 second index 8 display means 9 release button 10 fixing part 11 leaf spring 12 flexible printed circuit board 13, 14 contact piece 15, 16 contact piece base 17 Ground plate 18 electrodes

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An operation mechanism having a plurality of operation means capable of selecting one of a plurality of operation modes of an electronic device by a rotation operation, wherein each operation means rotates around the same rotation center. First operation means movably arranged in multiple stages and selecting a first operation mode group, and second operation means for selecting a second operation mode group belonging to an operation mode of the selected first operation mode group An operating mechanism, wherein the second operating means is disposed above the first operating means and has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first operating means. 2. The operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein an operating portion of the first operating means protrudes from an exterior of the electronic device. 3. The operating mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising third operating means for selecting a third operating mode group belonging to the second operating mode selected by said second operating means. . 4. An operation section of the third operation means is disposed above the second operation means, and has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the second operation means. Operation mechanism. 5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein at least the second and third operation means have a display indicating the second or third operation mode group in a proper position thereof. The operating mechanism according to item 1. 6. An electronic device configured to be able to record or reproduce electronic information including an image, wherein the electronic device has a plurality of operation modes, and has a plurality of operation modes.
An electronic device, comprising: the operation mechanism according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the operation mode is selected by the operation mechanism. 7. An electronic camera configured to be capable of recording or reproducing electronic information including an image, the electronic camera having a plurality of operation modes, and the operation according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An electronic camera comprising a mechanism, wherein the operation mode is selected by the operation mechanism. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 7, wherein the first operation mode group includes a shooting mode, a non-operation mode, a reproduction mode, and a communication mode. 9. The second operation mode group includes a program photographing mode, a Tv priority mode, an Av priority mode and a manual mode, or a single reproduction mode, a multi reproduction mode, a moving image reproduction mode and a deletion mode. 9. The electronic camera according to 7 or 8. 10. A setting operation device for setting an operation mode, wherein the first operation means for setting at least a first higher-order operation mode and a second higher-order operation mode by being rotated, and the first operation means The second operation means for setting the lower operation mode belonging to the first upper operation mode and the lower operation mode belonging to the second upper operation mode by being arranged on the operation means and being rotated. A setting operation device, comprising: 11. The setting operation device according to claim 10, wherein the first operation means and the second operation means are coaxially rotatably arranged. 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said second operating means is disposed above said first operating means.
Or the setting operation device according to 11. 13. The setting operation according to claim 10, wherein an outer diameter of the second operating means is smaller than an outer diameter of the first operating means. apparatus. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first operation means sets any one of an imaging mode, a reproduction mode, and a communication mode as the first upper operation mode and the second upper operation mode. Any one of claims 10 to 13
The setting operation device according to the item. 15. A further lower operation mode of the lower operation mode of the first upper operation mode and the second upper operation mode by being arranged so as to overlap with the first and second operation means and being rotated. The setting operation device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising third operation means for setting a further lower operation mode of the lower operation mode of the operation mode. 16. An index of the first upper operation mode and a lower operation mode belonging to the first upper operation mode,
The setting operation device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the indexes of the second upper operation mode and lower operation modes belonging to the second upper operation mode are color-coded, respectively. 17. An electronic device for setting an operation mode, wherein first operation means for setting at least a first higher-level operation mode and a second higher-level operation mode by being rotated, and the first operation A second operation means for setting a lower operation mode belonging to the first upper operation mode and a lower operation mode belonging to the second upper operation mode by being arranged on the device and being rotated. Electronic equipment characterized by the above. 18. The electronic apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first operation unit and the second operation unit are coaxially rotatably arranged. 19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said second operating means is disposed above said first operating means.
Or the electronic device according to 18. 20. The electronic apparatus according to claim 17, wherein an outer diameter of said second operating means is smaller than an outer diameter of said first operating means. . 21. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the first operation means sets any one of an imaging mode, a reproduction mode, and a communication mode as the first higher-level operation mode and the second higher-level operation mode. Any one of claims 17 to 20
Electronic equipment according to the item. 22. A further lower operation mode of the lower operation mode of the first upper operation mode and the second upper operation mode by being arranged so as to overlap the first and second operation means and being rotated. 22. The electronic device according to claim 17, further comprising: third operation means for setting a lower operation mode of the operation mode. 23. An index of the first upper operation mode and a lower operation mode belonging to the first upper operation mode,
22. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein the indexes of the second upper operation mode and the lower operation modes belonging to the second upper operation mode are color-coded, respectively. 24. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein the electronic device is an imaging device.