JP2003066522A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera easily usable for either of a right-handed user and a left-handed user. SOLUTION: The camera is provided with a sliding lens cover which is made to slide between a closed position where the cover is positioned at the center so as to protect a photographing optical system, an open position where the cover is positioned on the right hand side for the right-handed user holding the camera and a an open position where the cover is positioned on the left hand side for the left-handed user holding the camera, a position detecting means for detecting the position of the lens cover, several operation switches 11 to 19 symmetrically arranged on the rear side of the camera outer case, and a control means for assigning functions as a release switch and a zooming switch, etc., to several operation switches 11 to 19 so that the switches may be suitable for the right-handed user or the left-handed user in accordance with the detected lens cover position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly to a camera having a plurality of camera operating members.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art On the exterior of a camera that shoots a subject image using a silver salt film or an image sensor, a release button for starting a shooting operation and a zoom button for performing a zooming operation of a shooting optical system are provided. Initially, various camera operating members are arranged.

Although such a camera operating member is formed in a size and shape that can be easily operated and its arrangement is determined in consideration of the frequency and importance of the operation, many people are right-handed. Therefore, the right-handed arrangement is generally adopted, and the operability is not necessarily good for left-handed people.

On the other hand, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-15027, a lens cover for protecting the objective lens of the photographing optical system is constructed so as to be movable in the left-right direction along the camera body. In addition, there is described a camera in which the open position of the lens cover is set to a plurality of left and right directions sandwiching the closed position, and further, a release button for a right-handed person and a release button for a left-handed person can be used. Has been done. With such a configuration, it is possible to open and close the lens cover to the camera user's dominant arm side and use the release button on the dominant arm side, which improves the usability of the camera even for left-handed people. It has been done.

[0005]

As described above, in a general camera, since the camera operation member is arranged assuming a right-handed user, it is a left-handed user's dominant hand. Not only was it not possible to operate with good operability, but also the arm that was not the dominant arm had to be used for operation, which was not convenient.

Further, in the one described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-15027, in order to switch the release button between the right-handed type and the left-handed type, a mechanically complicated structure is required, which increases the cost. At the same time, it has been difficult to reduce the size of the camera.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera which is easy to use regardless of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the camera according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a photographing optical system for photographing an object and a left and right movable front surface of the exterior of the camera. A lens cover which is arranged at a closed position for covering the objective lens of the photographing optical system and an open position for exposing the objective lens, position detecting means for detecting the position of the lens cover, and a back surface and an upper surface of the camera exterior. And a plurality of camera operation members arranged in a left-right symmetrical position on at least one of the positions, and the position detection means by setting the open position of the lens cover at a plurality of positions sandwiching the closed position. The function allocation of the plurality of camera operating members is determined according to the output of

A camera according to a second aspect of the present invention is the camera operating unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein at least a release button for starting a photographing operation is present in the same direction as the open position of the lens cover. The function is assigned to any of the above.

Further, a camera according to a third aspect of the present invention is the camera according to the first aspect of the present invention, in which the function assignments of the plurality of camera operating members are assigned to right-handed persons and left-handed persons according to the output of the position detecting means. It is something to switch.

In the camera according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of camera operating members are provided on at least one of a back surface and an upper surface of the camera exterior body so as to be symmetrical with each other, and the function allocation of the plurality of camera operating members is performed. And an allocation changing means for changing the item by a user's member operation.

A camera according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the camera according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the assignment changing means switches the function assignment of the plurality of camera operating members between right-handed and left-handed ones.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a camera when a lens cover is in a closed position, and FIG. 2 is a lens cover in an open position for a right-handed person. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the camera at a certain time, FIG. 3 is a front view showing the camera when the lens cover is in the left-handed open position, and FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the camera.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the camera body 1
A photographic optical system 3 is disposed in the central portion on the front side of the.
Further, a groove in the left-right direction is formed on the upper and lower sides of the front surface of the camera body 1, and the lens cover 2 is fitted into the groove to move in the left-right direction to expose the photographing optical system 3. It can be in a closed position or a closed position.

At the center of the front surface of the camera, which is the upper side of the photographing optical system 3, a strobe 4 for irradiating a subject with auxiliary light, and a distance measuring device 5 for measuring the distance to the subject, An objective lens 6 of a finder optical system for observing and framing an object and a photometric device 7 for measuring the brightness of the object to determine exposure are provided.

When the lens cover 1 is in the closed position, the lens cover 1 is located substantially at the center of the front surface of the camera as shown in FIG. 1, and the objectives of the photographing optical system 3, the strobe 4, the distance measuring device 5, and the finder optical system. The lens 6 and the photometric device 7 are covered and protected.

When the lens cover 1 is in the right-handed open position, as shown in FIG. 2, the lens cover 1 is slid and moved to the right hand side (left side in the drawing) of the camera user, and the photographing optical system 3 is moved. The strobe 4, the distance measuring device 5, the objective lens 6 of the finder optical system, and the photometric device 7 are exposed.

Further, when the lens cover 1 is in the left-handed open position, as shown in FIG. 3, the lens cover 1 is slid and moved to the left hand side (right side in the drawing) of the camera user, and the photographing optical system 3, The strobe 4, the distance measuring device 5, the objective lens 6 of the finder optical system, and the photometric device 7 are exposed.

On the back side of the camera body 1, as shown in FIG. 4, there is provided a display device 9 which is an LCD or the like for displaying a photographed image in the center and displaying various information. It is arranged. When the camera is a silver halide camera, the display device 9 displays information such as the operating state of the camera, the mode, and the number of film frames. On the other hand, when the camera is an electronic camera, The state of the subject image at the time of shooting is displayed instead of the finder, or an electronic image that has been shot is displayed.

An eyepiece 8 of the finder optical system is arranged above the display device 9 so that an object image incident through the objective lens 6 can be observed. .

Further, on the back side of the camera body 1, a plurality of switches which are camera operating members are arranged.

That is, the first switch 11 and the fourth switch 14 are provided on the right side and the left side of the eyepiece section 8, respectively, and these are arranged at positions substantially symmetrical to each other.

A second switch 12 and a third switch 13 are vertically arranged on the right side of the display device 9, and a fifth switch 15 and a sixth switch 16 are vertically arranged on the left side. It is provided, and these are also in positions substantially symmetrical to each other.

Below the display device 9, a seventh switch 17 is arranged on the left, an eighth switch 18 is arranged on the center, and a ninth switch 19 is arranged on the right. The seventh switch 17 and the ninth switch 19 are located at positions substantially symmetrical to each other.

The operation of changing the functions of the above-mentioned switches according to whether the lens cover 2 is in the right-handed open position or the left-handed open position in such a configuration will be described.

When the camera is not used, the lens cover 2 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. At this time, since the power is off, the switches 11 to 19 do not function.

From this state, when a right-handed user uses the camera, the lens cover 2 is slid and moved to the right hand side, that is, to the left in the drawing to move the lens cover 2 for the right-handed user as shown in FIG. Move to open position.

The position of the lens cover 2 is detected by a position detection means such as a detection switch (not shown) provided in the camera body 1, and has reached the open position for the right-handed person. When this is detected, the function of each switch is assigned as shown in the left column of Table 1 below by the control means such as a CPU (not shown) in the camera, which is the assignment changing means.

[0029]

[Table 1]

That is, the first switch (first SW)
Reference numeral 11 is a release switch for starting photographing, second switch (second SW) 12 is a telephoto zoom switch for zooming (magnifying) the photographing optical system 3 to the telephoto side, and third switch (third SW). Reference numeral 13 denotes a wide-angle zoom switch for zooming the photographing optical system 3 to the wide-angle side,
A switch (fourth SW) 14 is a strobe mode switch for switching the operation mode of the strobe 4 to automatic light emission, light emission inhibition, forced light emission, etc., and the fifth switch (fifth switch).
SW) 15 is a shooting mode switch for switching the shooting mode to normal mode, landscape mode, macro mode, etc. The sixth switch (6th SW) 16 is for switching the camera to the self-shooting mode or the remote control shooting mode for setting. A self / remote control switch, the seventh switch (7th SW) 17 is a date mode switch for setting a date mode for recording the date and time together with an image, and the 8th switch (8th SW) 18 is the current date and time. The 9th switch (9th SW) 19 functions as a date set switch for changing film etc., and as an intermediate rewind switch for forcibly rewinding the film from the middle when the camera is a silver halide camera. It has become.

Thus, the camera operating member, that is, the first switch 1 located at a position where it can be easily operated by the thumb on the right hand side.
Since the release switch, the telephoto zoom switch, and the wide-angle zoom switch are assigned to the 1st, 2nd switch 12, and 3rd switch 13, respectively, the user must operate with good operability with only his right hand to perform shooting. Is possible.

On the other hand, when the left-handed user uses the camera from the closed position shown in FIG.
The lens cover 2 is slid to the left hand side, that is, rightward in the drawing, and moved to an open position for a left-handed person as shown in FIG.

When the position detecting means detects that the lens cover 2 has reached the left-handed open position, the control means assigns the switches to the respective switches in the right column of Table 1 below. To change.

That is, the first switch (first SW)
11 is a strobe mode switch, 2nd switch (2nd SW) 12 is a shooting mode switch, 3rd switch (3rd SW) 13 is a self / remote control switch, 4th switch (4th SW) 14 is a release switch, 5 switch (5th SW) 15 is a telephoto zoom switch,
The sixth switch (6th SW) 16 is changed to a wide-angle zoom switch, and the 7th switch (7th SW) 17, the 8th switch (8th SW) 18, and the 9th switch (9th SW) 19 are changed. Has been assigned the same functions as in the right-handed open position, unchanged.

Thus, the camera operating member, that is, the fourth switch 1 located at a position where it can be easily operated by the left thumb or the like.
Since the release switch, the telephoto zoom switch, and the wide-angle zoom switch are assigned to the fourth, fifth, and sixth switches 15, 15 and 16, respectively, the user must operate the left hand only for good operability. Is possible.

In the above description, the case where the camera is a silver salt camera has been mainly described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the same applies when the camera is a digital camera or a video camera. It is possible to If the camera is a digital camera or a video camera, the ninth switch 19 may be unnecessary, or a function other than the film midway rewind may be assigned.

Further, in the above description, the camera operating member is arranged on the back side of the camera body, but it may be arranged on the upper surface or the side surface.

The function allocation to the plurality of camera operating members is not limited to the example shown in Table 1 above, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be applied.

According to such an embodiment, the camera is easy to use regardless of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed.

In the above-described embodiment, the function allocation of the plurality of camera operating members is determined according to the position of the lens cover 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the function allocation is performed for right-handed users. Alternatively, a dedicated operation member for setting whether to perform function allocation for left-handed persons may be separately provided, and the function allocation may be changed by operating this operation member.

Furthermore, instead of the operation member, a handedness detecting means such as a grip sensor is provided to detect whether a right-handed person is operating or a left-handed person is operating. I do not care.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Additional Notes] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention as described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) A plurality of operating members in which one operating member and the other operating member are disposed on the exterior of the camera so as to be symmetrical with each other, and the functions of these operating members are controlled by the right hand. Alternatively, the camera is provided with a control unit that allocates so as to be suitable for operation with the left hand.

(2) A closed position at the center for protecting the photographic optical system, a right-handed open position for holding the camera on the right-hand side, and a left-handed position for holding the camera on the left-hand side. An open position and a lens cover adapted to take an open position, and position detection means for detecting the position of the lens cover are further provided, and the control means is responsive to the detection result of the position detection means. Note (1) characterized in that the functions of a plurality of operating members are assigned
The camera described in.

(3) A dominant hand operating member for inputting the dominant hand is further provided, and the control means assigns the functions of the plurality of operating members according to the input result by the dominant hand operating member. The camera according to feature (1).

(4) The camera described in appendix (1), wherein the function assigned to the plurality of operation members by the control means includes a release function.

(5) The function assigned to the plurality of operating members by the control means further includes a telephoto side zoom function and a wide-angle side zoom function. camera.

(6) In the appendix (1), the plurality of operation members are arranged on at least one of the back surface, the top surface and the side surface of the camera exterior. The listed camera.

(7) The device further comprises a dominant hand detecting means for detecting whether the camera is operated mainly by the right hand or the left hand, and the control means is operable in accordance with the detection result by the dominant hand detecting means. The camera according to appendix (1), characterized in that the functions of a plurality of operation members are assigned.

(8) A strobe for illuminating the subject with illumination light, and a distance measuring device for measuring the distance to the subject,
The objective lens of the finder optical system for observing the subject, and the photometric device for measuring the brightness of the subject are further provided, and the strobe, the distance measuring device, the objective lens of the finder optical system, and the photometric device are the lenses described above. The camera according to appendix (2), wherein the cover is disposed at a position that is exposed when the open position for the right-handed person or the open position for the left-handed person is taken.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, the camera is easy to use regardless of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a camera when a lens cover is in a closed position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the camera when the lens cover is in a right-handed open position in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the camera when the lens cover is in the left-handed open position in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the camera of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Camera body 2 ... Lens cover 3 ... Shooting optical system 4 ... Strobe 5: Distance measuring device 6 ... Objective lens of finder optical system 7. Photometric device 8 ... Eyepiece of finder optical system 9 ... Display device 11 ... First switch 12 ... Second switch 13 ... Third switch 14 ... Fourth switch 15 ... Fifth switch 16 ... 6th switch 17 ... 7th switch 18 ... 8th switch 19 ... 9th switch

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A photographing optical system for photographing a subject, and a front surface of a camera exterior, which is arranged so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and is exposed to a closed position for covering an objective lens of the photographing optical system. A lens cover that can be in an open position, a position detection unit that detects the position of the lens cover, and a plurality of cameras that are arranged at left and right symmetrical positions on at least one of a back surface and an upper surface of the camera exterior. An operating member; and setting the open position of the lens cover to a plurality of positions sandwiching the closed position, and determining the function allocation of the plurality of camera operating members according to the output of the position detecting means. A camera characterized by that. 2. The release button for starting at least a photographing operation is functionally assigned to any one of the camera operation parts existing in the same direction as the open position of the lens cover. Camera. 3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the function allocation of the plurality of camera operating members is switched between right-handed and left-handed according to the output of the position detecting means. 4. A plurality of camera operating members, which are arranged at left and right symmetrical positions on at least one of a back surface and an upper surface of the camera exterior body, and a function allocation of the plurality of camera operating members is a member of a user. A camera comprising: an allocation changing unit that is changed by an operation. 5. The camera according to claim 4, wherein the allocation changing means switches the function allocation of the plurality of camera operating members between right-handed use and left-handed use.