JP2002165124A - 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 two or more operating modes can be set, and the operability and visibility concerning the operating mode setting can be improved. SOLUTION: This electronic equipment is provided with a couple of control means 3 and 4, that can choose one of operating modes through turning operations. Each control means is arranged turnably around an identical turning center at a different stage. In the first control means 3, given options from a first operating mode group, 6a to 6d, one of them is chosen, and then in the second control means 4, belonging to the first control means 3, given options from a second operating mode group, 7a to 7h, further choice is given. The second control means 4 is arranged on top of the control means 3, as well as being given rotation angle for the operation setting larger than one required for the operation of the control means 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation structure 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. In addition, the above-mentioned dials are arranged in two stages to increase the settable functions. However, in the conventional two-stage dial, if more functions can be set with the upper dial, there is a problem that the dial becomes large or the display indicating those functions becomes small.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an operation configuration that enables a plurality of operation modes to be set and improves operability and visibility related to operation mode setting.

[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 operation mechanism in which the rotation angle required for the operation is larger than the rotation angle required for operating the first operation means.

The present invention also 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. Operating means, the rotation angle required for the second operation means to set the lower mode is larger than the rotation angle required for the first operation means to set the upper mode. The setting operation device is configured.

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 rotating the electronic device; 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 and rotated on the first operation means. And a rotation angle required for the second operation means to set the lower mode is larger than a rotation angle required for the first operation means to set the upper mode. Electronic equipment.

[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.

Since the minimum operation angle of the second mode dial 4 is larger than that of the first mode dial 3 as described later, the indications 7a to 7h are displayed on the dial in a reasonable size. It is possible.

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 are views showing 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 structure, but the period of the concave and convex portions 4a provided on the second mode dial 4 is the same as that of the first mode dial as shown in FIG. It is longer than the convex and concave portions 3b of the dial 3.
The rotation angle when the plate spring 11 rotates over one of the convex and concave portions is larger than that of the first mode dial 3.

By setting the pitch interval between the concave and convex engaging portions of the second mode dial 4 larger than the pitch interval between the concave and convex engaging portions of the first mode dial 3, the operation of the second mode dial 4 can be performed. The required rotation angle is larger than the rotation angle required for operating the first mode dial 3. Therefore, it is possible to secure a large mode display portion in the second mode dial 4 and improve the visibility thereof.

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 circuit 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.

[0024]

[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 the present 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 with predetermined set values. Reference numeral 116 denotes a monotone image. A monotone mode in which reproduction, recording, and printing are performed by converting the image into a sharpness 117, a sharpness change mode in which reproduction, recording, and printing are performed by changing the sharpness of an image, etc. , 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.

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.

The minimum operation angle of the first dial 102 is smaller than that of the second dial 103,
The minimum operation angle of 03 is smaller than the minimum operation angle of the third dial 104.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of operation modes can be set, and an operation configuration capable of improving the operability and visibility related to the operation mode setting can be provided.

[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 photographing 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 Main plate

Claims (22)

[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 Wherein the second operating means is arranged above the first operating means, and a rotation angle required for the operation is larger than a rotation angle required for operating the first operating means. An operation mechanism characterized by the following. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the operation means has a concave-convex engagement portion formed at a predetermined pitch around the center of rotation, and a rotation angle required for each operation is set by the pitch. The operation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein a pitch interval between the concave and convex engaging portions of the second operating means is set larger than a pitch interval between the concave and convex engaging portions of the first operating means. The operating mechanism described. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the second operation means has a display indicating the second operation mode group in an appropriate place thereof. The operating mechanism described. 5. The operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the operating section of the first operating means protrudes from an exterior of the electronic device. 6. The operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the second operating means is smaller than an outer diameter of the first operating means. 7. 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. 8. 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, and the first operation means; Placed on the operating means,
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 rotated, and the second operation A setting operation device characterized in that a rotation angle required for the means to set the lower mode is larger than a rotation angle required for the first operation means to set the upper mode. . 9. The setting operation device according to claim 8, wherein the first operation means and the second operation means are coaxially rotatably arranged. 10. The setting operation device according to claim 8, wherein the second operation means is disposed above the first operation means. 11. The setting operation according to claim 8, wherein an outer diameter of the second operating means is smaller than an outer diameter of the first operating means. apparatus. 12. 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. The setting operation device according to any one of claims 8 to 11. 13. A lower operation mode of the lower operation mode of the first upper operation mode and the second upper operation mode by being arranged on the first and second operation means and being rotated. The setting operation device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, further comprising third operation means for setting a further lower operation mode of the lower operation mode of the operation mode. 14. An indicator 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 8 to 12, 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. 15. An electronic 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, and said 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 and rotated on the means. The rotation angle required for the second operation means to set the lower mode is configured to be larger than the rotation angle required for the first operation means to set the upper mode. Electronic equipment characterized by the following. 16. The electronic apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first operation means and the second operation means are coaxially rotatably arranged. 17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said second operating means is disposed above said first operating means.
Or the electronic device according to 16. 18. The electronic apparatus according to claim 15, wherein an outer diameter of said second operating means is smaller than an outer diameter of said first operating means. . 19. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first operating 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 15 to 18
Electronic equipment according to the item. 20. A lower operation mode of the lower operation mode of the first upper operation mode and a second upper operation mode by being arranged so as to overlap with the first and second operation means and being rotated. 20. The electronic apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: third operation means for setting a lower operation mode of the operation mode. 21. An index of the first upper operation mode and a lower operation mode belonging to the first upper operation mode,
The electronic device according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the indexes of the second upper operation mode and lower operation modes belonging to the second upper operation mode are color-coded, respectively. 22. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the electronic device is an imaging device.