JP2003348412A - Zoom button apparatus with electronic dial - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a zoom button apparatus with electronic dial capable of enhancing operations for a zoom switch and in a photographing mode or the like by adopting an integrated structure for a T/W button (zoom button) and the electronic dial in a digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: A seesaw switch operation section 1c permits a seesaw operations to turn ON/OFF two switches 3, 4 placed in front of respective ends of the operation section 1c. An electronic dial operation section 2 has a turning shaft in the seesaw switch section 1 at the right angle to a fulcrum shaft 9 of the seesaw switch section 1 and can be scrolled around the turning shaft. A slide switch is formed between a side face of the electronic dial and a plate 24 and scrolling the electronic dial skids a brush 7 on a dial base plate to conduct switching operations. In a standard photographing state, a lens is subjected to zooming control and the electronic dial performs exposure correction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a zoom button device with an electronic dial for operating various function switches in a digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Digital cameras are becoming smaller and lighter. In a digital camera or the like, operation buttons for executing various functions are arranged on the top, back, front, and the like of the camera. For this reason, the camera surface area has become smaller as the size and weight have been reduced, and the installation of various switches has become cramped. In addition, since the number of operation switches increases due to the addition of new functions and the switch operation becomes complicated, it is desirable that the number of switches be as small as possible and the arrangement be simple.

In a digital camera, when attention is paid to a zoom button and a mode setting dial, conventionally, a single switch is provided for each, and it is difficult to secure an appropriate installation position in terms of space and operation. Was. In order to save space on the external surface of the digital camera and to make it easier to operate, it is conceivable to integrate the digital camera.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to meet the above-mentioned demands and to provide a digital camera with T / W.
An object of the present invention is to provide a zoom button device with an electronic dial that can improve operations such as a zoom switch and a playback mode by integrating a (zoom button) and an electronic dial.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, a zoom button device with an electronic dial according to the present invention is capable of performing a seesaw operation in a switch device such as a digital camera, and is installed in front of each end. 2
Between a seesaw switch unit for turning on and off one switch and the seesaw switch unit, and having a rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to a fulcrum axis of the seesaw switch unit, and an electronic device capable of scrolling around the rotation axis. A dial, connected to the two switches and the electronic dial, when the seesaw switch is operated in a standard photographing state in a camera mode, performs zooming control of a lens; and when the electronic dial is scrolled, photographing is performed. And control means for changing various settings at the time. According to the present invention, the electronic dial has a recess near the center of the electronic dial. The setting content of the various setting changes at the time of shooting in the present invention is an exposure correction amount setting. The setting content of the various setting changes at the time of shooting in the present invention is a white balance correction amount setting. The present invention has a mode changing means for changing an operation mode such as a camera mode and a shooting mode in the above configuration, and a menu button for making a transition to a state for performing a menu setting according to each operation mode, and operating the menu button When setting menu items in each operation mode, the seesaw switch unit has a left / right selection function, and the electronic dial has an up / down selection function.

[0006]

According to the above construction, since the zoom button and the electronic dial are integrated, the operability is improved and the space for the camera external surface can be efficiently used.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the back of a digital camera to which a zoom button device with an electronic dial according to the present invention is applied. The zoom button device 19 with an electronic dial is provided at the upper right corner on the back of the digital camera. The right side of the camera body 5 is gripped by the right hand, and the camera body 5 can be operated by the thumb. The electronic dial operation unit 2 is located at the center of the zoom button device 19 with the electronic dial.
And seesaw switch operation units 1b and 1c are provided on the left and right sides. It is used as a zoom operation switch when photographing with a digital camera, and is used to set various modes while watching the monitor screen when playing back with the digital camera.

A mode switching lever 18 for switching the mode of the digital camera is provided on the left side of the zoom button device 19 with an electronic dial. The mode types are a camera (photographing) mode, a reproduction mode, and a setup mode. Table 1 shows examples of setting items in each mode. [Table 1]

A menu button 23 and an enter button 24 are provided below the zoom button device 19 with an electronic dial. The menu button 23 is used to display or delete a menu at the time of shooting or reproduction on the liquid crystal screen. The enter button 24 is for executing a selected state. Release SW1 on top of digital camera
7. A power button 22 is provided. Further, a flash photography mode button 21 is provided on the left of the mode switching lever 18.
Is provided. A liquid crystal display unit 13 is arranged at the left center of the back of the digital camera, and an optical finder 20 is arranged at an upper corner thereof.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a zoom button device with an electronic dial according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the zoom button device with an electronic dial without a seesaw switch operating section. A seesaw switch operation unit 1c is arranged around the fulcrum shaft 9. Seesaw switch operation unit 1
Reference numeral c denotes a right operation unit 1a and a left operation unit 1b. The right operation unit 1a and the left operation unit 1b are urged outward by urging means (such as a coil spring) (not shown). The urging force can be applied to the seesaw switch operation unit 1c by using an elastic member. End 1 of right operation unit 1a
d is locked to the engaging portion 5a of the camera body 5, and the end 1e of the left operating portion 1b is locked to the engaging portion 5b of the camera body 5. Protrusions 1f and 1g are implanted on the back side of the right operation unit 1a and the left operation unit 1b. When the right operation unit 1a is pressed against the urging force, the tip of the protrusion 1f can be turned on by pressing the switch 3 (SW2 (TELE)). Similarly, when the left operation unit 1b is pressed against the urging force, the tip of the projection 1g is switched to the switch 4 (SW).
1 (WIDE)) can be turned on.

The switch 3 and the switch 4 are connected to an L-shaped plate 23a, which is a base of the
It is attached to the 24a portion of the form plate 24, respectively. The electronic dial operation unit 2 has a cylindrical shape, and a rotation shaft 8 is provided at the center thereof. The rotating shaft 8 of the electronic dial operating unit 2 is rotatably attached to the 23b portion of the L-shaped plate 23 and the 24b portion of the L-shaped plate 24. The rotating shaft 8 is mounted so as to be perpendicular to the fulcrum shaft 9 of the seesaw switch. Knurls are formed on the surface of the electronic dial operation unit 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the switch configuration of the electronic dial operation unit. The dial substrate (conductor pattern substrate) 6 has a plurality of radially projecting conductor patterns 6a formed thereon, and is fixed to the surface of the L-shaped plate 24 at the portion 24b. On the other hand, a brush 7 is fixed to the left side surface of the electronic dial operation unit 2. When the electronic dial operating unit 2 is scrolled in the direction of arrow 25, the tip of the brush 7 slides on the surface of the dial substrate 6 and is electrically connected to each radiation pattern of the conductor pattern 6a.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a circuit of a zoom button device with an electronic dial according to the present invention. The subject image that has passed through the lens is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 15 in accordance with the timing signal from the timing generator 14, and the data is sent to the image processor 10. In the image processing unit 10, the analog data is converted into digital data, and a process for displaying an image is performed.
3 is displayed. The captured image data is processed into a predetermined format and stored in the memory 12. A system control CPU 11, which controls the entire digital camera, controls the image processing unit 10 for the above processing, and sets SW1 (WIDE) and SW2 (TELE) from the release SW 17, the mode switching lever 18 and the zoom button device 19 with an electronic dial. ) Processing for each operation is performed by receiving the setting and electronic dial setting signals. The system control CPU 11 controls the power supply unit 16 to supply power to each circuit block.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the appearance of a zoom button device with an electronic dial according to the present invention. Figure 6 below
The function of the zoom button with the electronic dial will be described with reference to FIG. For simplicity of description, the left operation unit 1b of the seesaw switch operation unit is associated with a button, the right operation unit is associated with a button, the electronic dial operation unit is associated with a button, the menu button 23 is associated with a button, and the enter button 24 is associated with a button.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an operation example at the time of initial setting, and FIG. 10 is a photograph represented by a halftone image showing an example of an operation screen at the time of initial setting. The initial setting mode is selected by the mode switching lever 18. When the initial setting mode is selected, a screen J is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 13. Screen J is the first page of the three screens of the setup, in which the cursor is positioned at lightness / darkness adjustment and standard. When the button is scrolled down, the screen M
As shown in the figure, the cursor moves down one step and the date is set.
It will be in the state where it has moved to the position of 2.01.01. When the button is scrolled upward from this state, the screen returns to the screen J.

When the button is pressed in the state of the screen J, the light / dark adjustment in which the cursor is positioned is executed, and the state of the image K is obtained. That is, a pull-down menu for selecting the brightness is opened. The cursor is in the standard position on the pull-down menu. Pressing the button again from this state returns to the state of screen J. When the button is scrolled upward in the state of the image K, the cursor position for the light / dark adjustment is moved to the position of +1 as shown in the screen L. When the button is scrolled down, the screen returns to the screen K. When the button is pressed on the screen L, the brightness adjustment becomes +1 and the screen returns to the screen J. At this time, +1 is displayed for the brightness adjustment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation example at the time of photographing, and FIG. 11 is a photograph represented by a halftone image showing an operation screen example at the time of photographing. When the mode switching lever 18 is set to the photographing mode, it is in the photographing standard state, and FIG.
As shown in (a), when the button is pressed, the lens moves to the wide angle side, and when the button is pressed, the lens moves to the telephoto side. Also,
If the button is scrolled upward, exposure correction is performed in the + direction, and if the button is scrolled downward, exposure correction is performed in the-direction. If the button is set to white balance correction, white balance can be corrected with the same ease of use as exposure correction.

When the button is pressed in the standard shooting condition, a menu selection screen is displayed at the bottom of the screen as shown in screen A. Pressing the button in this state returns to the original shooting standard state. The state of the screen A is a state where the cursor is at the position of the timer. When the button is pressed in the state of the screen A,
As shown in screen B, a menu screen for selecting the set time of the timer opens. At this time, the cursor is at the OFF position. When the button is scrolled upward in the state of the screen B, the cursor moves to the position of the timer time of 2 seconds as shown in the screen C. When the button is scrolled downward in the state of the screen C, the state returns to the state of the screen B. When the button is pressed in the state of the screen B or C, the state returns to the state of the screen A. When the button is pressed in the state of the screen C, a timer time of 2 seconds is set. When the button is pressed on screen A, the cursor moves to the right on the menu selection screen as shown in screen D. On screen D, FIG.
The setting can be performed in the same manner as the left side operation of.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation example at the time of reproduction, and FIG. 12 is a photograph represented by an intermediate gradation image showing an operation screen at the time of reproduction. When the mode switching lever 18 is set to the playback mode as shown in FIG. 9A, a playback image is displayed. When the button is pressed, the previous screen is reproduced and displayed, and when the button is pressed, the next screen is reproduced and displayed. FIG.
In the playback image display shown in (b), when the button is pressed, a menu screen related to playback is displayed at the bottom of the screen as shown in screen E. When the button is pressed in this state, the cursor moves to the right on the menu selection screen as shown in screen I. Pressing the button returns to screen E. When the button is pressed on the screen I, the display returns to the reproduction image display.

When the button is pressed on the screen E, six multi-screens are displayed as shown in a screen F. In this state, the cursor is positioned at the position of the first screen. When the button is pressed in the state of the screen F, the cursor of the multi-screen moves from the first sheet to the second sheet as shown in the screen H. When the button is pressed in the state of the screen H, the state returns to the state of the screen F. On the other hand, when the button is scrolled downward in the state of the screen F, as shown in the screen G, the four buttons from the first sheet to the lower side are displayed.
Move to the next image. In this state, if the button is scrolled upward, the state returns to the screen F. When the button is pressed on the screen F, the screen G, and the screen H, the display returns to the reproduction image display of one screen.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the electronic dial operating portion is cylindrical is shown. However, by providing a concave portion in the center of the cylindrical shape, the fit of the thumb to the electronic dial can be further improved, and the T / T The operation of the W button can be prevented. In addition, although an example in which a line-shaped knurl is provided on the surface of the electronic dial operation unit has been described, a stitch knurl or a knurl of other shapes may be formed in addition to the above, or a material such as rubber or the like which does not slip easily. You may do it.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, a seesaw operation is possible, and a seesaw switch section for turning on and off two switches installed in front of respective ends thereof is mounted between the seesaw switch sections. An electronic dial having a rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to the fulcrum axis of the seesaw switch section, and being scrollable around the rotation axis; being connected to the two switches and the electronic dial; When the seesaw switch is operated in this state, zoom control of the lens is performed, and when the electronic dial is scrolled, the control means for changing the setting at the time of shooting is provided. Correction, white balance correction and the like can be easily performed by the electronic dial. In the reproduction mode, the operation can be easily performed using the zoom button and the electronic dial. Therefore, there is an effect that the space for the appearance of the camera, which is becoming smaller and lighter, can be efficiently used and the operability is significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rear surface of a digital camera to which a zoom button device with an electronic dial according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a zoom button device with an electronic dial according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a zoom button device with an electronic dial in which a seesaw switch operation unit is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining a switch configuration of the electronic dial operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a circuit of a zoom button device with an electronic dial according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the appearance of a zoom button device with an electronic dial according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an operation example at the time of initial setting.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation example at the time of photographing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation example at the time of reproduction.

FIG. 10 is a photograph represented by a halftone image showing an example of an operation screen at the time of initial setting.

FIG. 11 is a photograph represented by a halftone image showing an example of an operation screen at the time of shooting.

FIG. 12 is a photograph represented by a halftone image showing an example of an operation screen during reproduction.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Seesaw switch 2 Electronic dial operation unit 3 SW2 (TELE) 4 SW1 (WIDE) 5 Camera body 6 Dial board 7 brush 8 Rotation axis 9 fulcrum axis 10 Image processing unit 11 System control CPU 12 memory 13 LCD display 14 Timing generator 15 Image sensor 16 Power supply section 17 Release SW 18 Mode switching lever 19 Zoom button device with electronic dial 20 Optical Finder 21 Flash shooting mode button 22 Power button

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Takayuki Kuboji             2-14-9 Tamagawadai, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo Kyoto             Sera Corporation Tokyo Yoga Office (72) Inventor Tadaaki Ishikawa             2-14-9 Tamagawadai, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo Kyoto             Sera Corporation Tokyo Yoga Office F term (reference) 2H002 AB01 FB01 FB02 FB27 FB28                       FB37 GA33 HA11 HA14 JA07                 2H100 AA11 AA13 AA18 AA20 AA21                       AA32 BB05 BB06 CC07                 5C022 AA13 AB01 AB23 AB66 AC31                       AC42 AC54 AC69 AC78

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A switch device for a digital camera or the like, which is capable of performing a seesaw operation, between a seesaw switch portion for turning on and off two switches provided in front of respective ends, and between the seesaw switch portion. An electronic dial having a rotation axis in a direction perpendicular to a fulcrum axis of the seesaw switch section, and being scrollable around the rotation axis; connected to the two switches and the electronic dial; Control means for performing zooming control of the lens when the seesaw switch section is operated in a standard shooting state, and for changing various settings at the time of shooting when the electronic dial is scrolled. Zoom button device with electronic dial. 2. The zoom button device with an electronic dial according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion is provided near a center of the electronic dial. 3. The zoom button device with an electronic dial according to claim 1, wherein the setting content of the various setting changes at the time of shooting is an exposure correction amount setting. 4. The zoom button device with an electronic dial according to claim 1, wherein the setting content of the various setting changes at the time of shooting is a white balance correction amount setting. 5. Mode change means for changing an operation mode such as a camera mode and a photographing mode, and a menu button for making a transition to a state for performing a menu setting according to each operation mode, wherein the menu button is operated. 3. The zoom with an electronic dial according to claim 1, wherein, when setting menu items in each operation mode, the seesaw switch section has a left / right selection function, and the electronic dial has an up / down selection function. Button device.