JP2005333340A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which has one release button and whose operability is the same for both right-handed and left-handed users. <P>SOLUTION: A lens 14 is arranged at the center part of a housing 12, and the release button 16 and a strobe emission part 18 are arranged on a horizontal center line H of the housing 12. A 1st input key 21, a 2nd input key 22, a 3rd input key 23, a 4th input key 24, a 5th input key 25, a 6th input key 26, a 7th input key 27, an 8th input key 28, and a 9th input key 29 on the back of the housing 12 are arranged to be axisymmetrical across the horizontal center line H. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus provided with a release button.

  Usually, right-handed cameras are difficult to use for left-handed users, and various techniques have been proposed to make them easy to use for both right-handed and left-handed users. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a camera that can be easily released by a left-handed user by providing two release buttons. However, in the camera described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide two input keys to which the release function is assigned, which increases the number of parts.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, the release button is arranged on the side of the photographing lens on the front side of the camera, and the camera is rotated around the optical axis of the photographing lens, so that the release button is right-handed for right-handed users or left-handed A camera that can be placed on the left side for users has been proposed. Certainly, with the technique described in Patent Document 2, one release button can be provided. However, since the other input keys cannot be handled in the same way on the left and right, the operability of the user of either dominant hand may deteriorate.
JP 2004-78080 A JP 2001-318421 A

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described facts, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus having one release button and having the same operability for both right and left handed users. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing, an imaging lens provided on a front surface of the housing, and the housing are in a predetermined right-hand operation state. Sometimes it is arranged at the right position that can be operated with the right hand, and when it is in the left hand operation state rotated 180 ° around the optical axis of the imaging lens from the right hand operation state, the right position and the housing When the release button is arranged at a left position that is symmetrical with respect to the center line in the vertical direction and a plurality of input keys different from the release button, and the case is in the left-hand shooting state. In addition, one of the input keys is one-to-one at a position that is symmetrical with respect to each input key when the casing is in the right-hand shooting state with respect to the vertical center line of the casing. Input arranged to correspond A group, attitude detecting means capable of detecting the attitude of the casing, and when the casing is in the right-hand operation state based on the attitude of the casing detected by the attitude detecting means; And a function assigning means for assigning a function to each input key so that the input operation to the input key is left-right symmetric or left-right when the left-hand operation state is set. It is configured.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus includes a housing, an imaging lens provided on the front surface of the housing, and a release button. The release button is disposed at a right position that can be operated with a right hand when the casing is in a predetermined right-hand operation state, and the casing is rotated by 180 ° around the optical axis of the imaging lens from the right-hand operation state. When the left hand-operated state is set, it is arranged at a left position that is symmetrical to the right position with respect to the vertical center line of the casing. Therefore, the operation feeling of the right hand and the left hand is the same when the same release button is arranged at the right position and when it is arranged at the left position.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus includes an input key group including a plurality of input keys different from the release button. Each input key of the input key group has a vertical center line of the casing with respect to each input key when the casing is in the right-hand shooting state when the casing is in the left-hand shooting state. Any one of the input keys is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence at a position that is symmetrical with respect to the left and right sides. Then, based on the attitude of the casing detected by the attitude detection means capable of detecting the attitude of the casing, when the casing is in the right-hand operation state and when in the left-hand operation state The functions are assigned to the input keys so that the functions input from the input keys are left-right symmetrical or left-right identical.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to make the operation feeling with the right hand when the housing of the imaging device is in the right-hand operation state and the operation feeling with the left hand when in the left-hand operation state. Therefore, the same operational feeling can be provided for both right-handed users and left-handed users.

  Note that, as described in claim 2, the imaging device of the present invention includes a display unit capable of displaying predetermined information in a direction according to the posture of the casing detected by the posture detection unit. Further, it may be characterized by being provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the imaging apparatus includes a display unit capable of displaying predetermined information. Here, the display unit refers to a liquid crystal display (LCD) that displays a captured image, an LCD display unit provided for each input key that displays the function of each input key, and the predetermined information includes characters and symbols. , Including any information indicated by images, etc. The display of predetermined information in an easy-to-see direction for the user differs depending on the posture of the housing. Therefore, predetermined information is displayed in a direction corresponding to the posture of the casing detected by the posture detection means. Thus, display can be performed in a direction that is easy for the user to see according to the attitude of the housing.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 is arranged at a right position operable by a right hand when the casing, an imaging lens provided on a front surface of the casing, and the casing are in a predetermined right-hand operation state. When the left hand operation state is rotated 180 ° around the optical axis of the imaging lens from the right hand operation state, the right position and the vertical center line of the casing are symmetric A release button arranged at the left position, and a touch key group including a plurality of touch keys for input, can be displayed, and based on the attitude of the casing detected by the attitude detection means, The touch key group so that input operations to the input touch keys are symmetrical or the same on the left and right sides when the body is in the right hand operation state and in the left hand operation state. The display position of It is configured to include the example can and has been displayed unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus includes a housing, an imaging lens provided on the front surface of the housing, and a release button. The release button is disposed at a right position that can be operated with a right hand when the casing is in a predetermined right-hand operation state, and the casing is rotated by 180 ° around the optical axis of the imaging lens from the right-hand operation state. When the left hand-operated state is set, it is arranged at a left position that is symmetrical to the right position with respect to the vertical center line of the casing. Therefore, the operation feeling of the right hand and the left hand is the same when the same release button is arranged at the right position and when it is arranged at the left position.

  In addition, the touch key group including a plurality of input touch keys displayed on the display unit is based on the posture of the housing detected by the posture detecting means and when the case is in the right hand operation state and the left hand. The display position on the display unit is switched so that the input operation to the input touch key is symmetrical or the same on the left and right when the operation state is set.

  In this way, by switching the display position of the touch key group, the operation feeling with the right hand when the housing of the imaging device is in the right-hand operation state and the operation feeling with the left hand when in the left-hand operation state are the same. Can be. Therefore, the same operational feeling can be provided for both right-handed users and left-handed users.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus having one release button and having the same operability for both right and left handed users.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a digital camera will be described as an example of an imaging device, but the present invention can also be applied to a camera-equipped mobile phone, a silver salt camera, a video camera, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the digital camera 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 12, and includes a lens 14, a release button 16, and a strobe light emitting unit 18 on the front surface of the housing 12. The lens 14 is disposed at the center of the housing 12, and the release button 16 and the strobe light emitting unit 18 are disposed on the horizontal center line H in the horizontal direction of the housing 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 20, a first input key 21, a second input key 22, a third input key 23, and a fourth input are provided on the rear surface of the housing 12. A key 24, a fifth input key 25, a sixth input key 26, a seventh input key 27, an eighth input key 28, and a ninth input key 29 are provided. The input key group G is constituted by the input keys of the first input key 21 to the ninth input key 29. A first input key 21, a second input key 22, a third input key 23, a fourth input key 24, a fifth input key 25, a sixth input key 26, a seventh input key 27, an eighth input key 28, and The ninth input key 29 is arranged to be line symmetric with respect to the horizontal center line H.

  FIGS. 1C and 1D are views showing the digital camera 10 rotated by 180 ° around the optical axis L of the lens 14 from the state of FIGS. 1A and 1B. A state within a range of 90 ° in the vertical direction around the optical axis O from the state of the housing 12 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and a total range of 180 ° is a right-hand operation state R, and FIGS. The state within the range of 90 ° in the vertical direction around the optical axis O from the state of the housing 12 shown in FIG. When the housing 12 is in the right hand operation state R, the release button 16 can be operated with the right hand when the user holds the digital camera 10 from the back side of the housing 12 as shown in FIG. Arranged in the right position. When the housing 12 is in the left-hand operation state L, the release button 16 can be operated with the left hand when the user holds the digital camera 10 from the back side of the housing 12 as shown in FIG. Arranged in the left position.

  As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D, when the vertical center line in the vertical direction of the casing 12 is E, when the casing 12 is in the left-hand operation state R, the casing 12 The first input key 21, the second input key 22, the third input key 23, the fourth input key 24, the fifth input key 25, the sixth input key 26, and the seventh input Any of the input keys of the first input key 21 to the ninth input key 29 corresponds to a position symmetrical to the position of the key 27, the eighth input key 28, the ninth input key 29 and the vertical center line E. To be arranged. That is, even if the input key group G is rotated by 180 °, the input key group G is arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical center line E.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a control system of the digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 includes a diaphragm 32 that adjusts the amount of light passing through the lens 14, a shutter 34 that adjusts the passage time of light, and a CCD 36 that photoelectrically converts light and outputs an analog image signal.

  The CCD 36 is connected to an analog signal processing unit 38, the analog signal processing unit 38 is connected to an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “A / D converter”) 40, and the A / D converter 40 is a digital signal processing unit. 42 is connected. The analog signal processing unit 38 performs predetermined analog signal processing on the signal input from the CCD 36. The A / D converter 40 converts the analog signal input from the analog signal processing unit 38 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the digital signal processing unit 42. The digital signal processing unit 42 performs various processes on the input digital signal to generate digital image data.

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes a CPU 50, an internal memory 52, a display control unit 54, and a recording control unit 56. The display control unit 54 is connected to the LCD 20 and performs data processing for displaying image information, characters, symbols, and the like on the LCD 20. The display of characters, information, and the like on the LCD 20 is controlled so as to be displayed in a direction that is easy to see from the user side according to the posture of the housing 12 detected by the posture detection sensor 30 described later. The aforementioned digital signal processing unit 42, CPU 50, internal memory 52, display control unit 54, and recording control unit 56 are connected to each other via a bus 59.

  The CPU 50 controls the entire digital camera 10 by executing various programs. The CPU 50 is connected to the input key group G, the release button 16, and the attitude detection sensor 30. Various instructions are input from the input key group G and the release button 16. The posture detection sensor 30 can detect the posture of the housing 12 and can use an acceleration sensor, a gravity sensor, or the like. The posture detection sensor 30 outputs a right posture signal SR when the housing 12 is in the posture for the right hand operation state R described above, and outputs a left posture signal SL when the housing 12 is in the posture for the left hand operation state L described above. Is output. The output right posture signal SR and left posture signal SL are input to the CPU 50.

  The internal memory 52 stores digital image data generated by the digital signal processing unit 42, various programs for controlling the digital camera 10, and the like. The internal memory 52 stores a function assignment table T shown in FIG. In the function assignment table T, for the functions of the input keys of the first input key 21 to the ninth input key 29, the correspondence relationship of assignment when the housing 12 is in the right-hand operation state R and the left-hand operation state L, respectively. Is remembered. Here, the functions are assigned so that the functions inputted from the respective input keys are the same in the right and left directions in the right hand operation state R and the left hand operation state L.

  In the present embodiment, functions are assigned so that the right-hand operation state R and the left-hand operation state L are the same on the left and right sides as described above. However, depending on the function, the right-hand operation state R and the left-hand operation state R In the operation state L, assignment may be performed so as to be symmetric with respect to the left-right line across the vertical center line E.

  The recording control unit 56 can be connected to the external memory 60, and can execute a process of writing digital image data to the external memory 60 and a process of reading digital image data from the external memory 60. The display control unit 54 is connected to the LCD 18 and performs predetermined processing for displaying an image or the like on the LCD 18.

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes a lens driving unit 62 for driving the lens 14, an aperture driving unit 64 for driving the aperture 32, a shutter driving unit 66 for driving the shutter 34, and when taking a picture with respect to the CCD 36. A CCD control unit 68 for performing the timing control is provided. The lens driving unit 62, the aperture driving unit 64, the shutter driving unit 66, and the CCD control unit 68 are connected to the CPU 50.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  When the user uses the digital camera 10, the housing 12 of the digital camera 10 is placed in the right hand operation state R (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) or the left hand operation state L (FIG. 1C) (see FIG. D)). As a result, the right posture signal SR or the left posture signal SL is output from the posture detection sensor 30 to the CPU 50, and the CPU 50 executes the function assignment process shown in FIG.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not the input signal is the right posture signal SR. If the determination is affirmative, the right hand operation assignment in the function assignment table T is read in step S12, and the first input key 21 to the ninth input key are read based on the read assignment in step S14. Each function is assigned to 29. Thus, the first input key 21 is zoom (W), the second input key 22 is zoom (T), the third input key 23 is an up key for moving the cursor upward, and the fourth input key 24 Is a left key for moving the cursor to the left, the fifth input key 25 is for inputting a menu screen display instruction or a selection OK instruction on the screen, and the sixth input key 26 is for moving the cursor to the right The seventh input key 27 is used as a down key for moving the cursor downward, the eighth input key 28 is used as an instruction input for through display on the LCD, and the ninth input key 29 is used as a screen. Each is used as a BACK key to return the display to the previous display.

  In step S16, the display control unit displays characters and other information in a direction that is easy for the user to see when the housing 12 is in the right-hand operation state R as shown in FIG. An instruction is output to 54. Thereby, the display of characters and other information on the LCD 20 is performed in an appropriate direction.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S10 is negative, the left-handed operation assignment in the function assignment table T is read in step S18, and the first input key is read based on the read assignment in step S20. Each function is assigned to the 21st to 9th input keys 29. As a result, the first input key 21 is used as a BACK key, the second input key 22 is used as a through display instruction input to the display, the third input key 23 is used as a lower key, and the fourth input key 24 is used as a right key. The 5 input key 25 is used for inputting a menu screen display instruction or a selection OK instruction on the screen. The sixth input key 26 is used as a left key, the seventh input key 27 is used as an up key, and an eighth input key. 28 is used as zoom (T), and the ninth input key 29 is used as zoom (W).

  In step S22, the display control unit displays characters and other information in a direction that is easy for the user to see when the housing 12 is in the left-hand operation state L as shown in FIG. An instruction is output to 54. Thereby, the display of characters and other information on the LCD 20 is performed in an appropriate direction.

  According to the present embodiment, as described above, the function of each input key is changed, so that the feeling of operation with the right hand when the housing 12 is in the right-hand operation state R and the left hand when the housing 12 is in the left-hand operation state L. The operation feeling at can be made the same. Therefore, the same operational feeling can be provided for both right-handed users and left-handed users.

  In this embodiment, the function display of each input key is not performed. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the first input key 21, the second input key 22, the eighth input key 28, and the ninth input key 29 are displayed. A first function display unit 21A, a second function display unit 22A, an eighth function display unit 28A, and a ninth function display unit 29A for displaying each function may be provided. In this case, when the right posture signal SR or the left posture signal SL is output from the posture detection sensor 30 to the CPU 50, in addition to the function assignment processing described above, the function display processing shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

  In the function display process, it is determined in step S30 whether the input signal is the right posture signal SR. If the determination is affirmative, in step S32, WIDE, TELE, DISP, respectively, are sent to the first function display unit 21A, the second function display unit 22A, the eighth function display unit 28A, and the ninth function display unit 29A. BACK is displayed (see FIG. 6A). On the other hand, if the determination in step S30 is negative, the first function display unit 21A, the second function display unit 22A, the eighth function display unit 28A, and the ninth function display unit 29A are respectively BACK, DISP, Display of TELE and WIDE is performed (see FIG. 6B).

  In this way, an appropriate function display can be obtained by changing the function display in response to the change in the function of the input key.

  It should be noted that the function display of the input keys is not necessarily performed in the vicinity of each input key, and may be performed together with the display of the input key group G on the LCD 20, as shown in FIG. Also in this case, the display is changed depending on the attitude of the housing 12.

  In this embodiment, the display of characters and other information on the LCD 20 is switched every 180 ° centered on the optical axis O, but may be switched every 90 °. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the posture of the housing 12 is set to the left state GR (see FIG. 9A) within the range of 45 ° from the position where the input key group G is located on the left side, and the input key The upper state GU within a range of 45 ° from the position where the group G is located on the upper side (see FIG. 9B), and the right state GL within the range of 45 ° from the position where the input key group G is located on the right side (see FIG. 9). (See (C)), and a lower state GD (see FIG. 9D) within a range of 45 ° from the position where the input key group G is positioned on the lower side, and a display in a direction that is easy for the user to see at each position And

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the release button 16 is provided on the front surface of the housing 12 has been described. However, the release button 16 is provided on the back surface of the housing 12 as shown in FIG. Also good.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the digital camera 70 of this embodiment includes a housing 12. As shown in FIG. 11A, the lens 14, the release button 16, and the strobe light emitting unit 18 are arranged on the front surface of the housing 12 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11B, an LCD 72 is provided on the back surface of the housing 12. The LCD 72 covers almost the entire back surface of the housing 12.

  The LCD 72 has a zoom key (W) 81, a zoom key (T) 82, an up key 83, a left key 84, a menu key 85, a right key 86, a down key 87, a DISP key 88, and a BACK key 89 (touch these. Key group C ”) is displayed. Each key functions as a touch key, and an operation based on the function of each key is performed by touching the key.

  FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of a control system of the digital camera 70. The configuration of the control system of the digital camera 70 is almost the same as in the first embodiment. However, since the input key group G is not provided, the input key group G is not connected to the CPU 50, and the touch key group C displayed on the LCD 20 is connected to the CPU 50. Further, the function allocation table T is not recorded in the internal memory 52.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  When the user uses the digital camera 70, the housing 12 of the digital camera 70 is placed in the right-hand operation state R (see FIGS. 11A and 11B) or the left-hand operation state L (see FIG. 11C). D)). As a result, the right posture signal SR or the left posture signal SL is output from the posture detection sensor 30 to the CPU 50, and the CPU 50 executes a touch key group display process shown in FIG.

  In step S40, it is determined whether or not the input signal is the right posture signal SR. If the determination is affirmative, the display control unit 54 is instructed to display the touch key group C on the right end of the LCD 72 in step S42. Thereby, the touch key group C is displayed on the right end of the LCD 72 as shown in FIG.

  If the determination in step S40 is negative, the display control unit 54 is instructed to display the touch key group C on the left end of the LCD 72 in step S44. Accordingly, the touch key group C is displayed on the left end of the LCD 72 as shown in FIG.

  According to the present embodiment, as described above, the display position of the touch key group C is changed, so that the operation feeling with the right hand when the housing 12 is in the right-hand operation state R and the left-hand operation state L. The operation feeling with the left hand can be made the same. Therefore, the same operational feeling can be provided to both right-handed users and left-handed users.

(A) (C) of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment is a front view, (B) (D) is a rear view. It is a schematic block diagram of the control system of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a function allocation table of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the function allocation process of 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the character display on LCD of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the function display process performed with the digital camera of the modification shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other modification of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other modification of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other modification of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment. (A) (C) of the digital camera of 2nd Embodiment is a front view, (B) (D) is a rear view. It is a schematic block diagram of the control system of the digital camera of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the touch key group display process of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital camera (imaging device)
12 Case 14 Lens (Imaging lens)
16 Release button 20 LCD (display)
30 Attitude detection sensor (Attitude detection means)
50 CPU
G Input key group C Touch key group

Claims (3)

A housing,
An imaging lens provided on the front surface of the housing;
When the housing is in a predetermined right-hand operation state, the housing is disposed at a right position that can be operated with a right hand, and is rotated from the right-hand operation state by 180 ° around the optical axis of the imaging lens. A release button disposed at a left position that is symmetrical with respect to the right position and a vertical center line of the housing;
A plurality of input keys different from the release button, and when the casing is in the left-hand shooting state, the input keys when the casing is in the right-hand shooting state A group of input keys arranged such that any one of the input keys corresponds one-to-one to a position that is symmetrical with respect to the vertical center line of the housing;
Attitude detection means capable of detecting the attitude of the housing;
Based on the attitude of the casing detected by the attitude detection means, the input key is switched between when the casing is in the right-hand operation state and when in the left-hand operation state. Function assigning means for assigning a function to each input key so that the input operation of
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit capable of displaying predetermined information in a direction corresponding to the attitude of the casing detected by the attitude detection unit. A housing,
An imaging lens provided on the front surface of the housing;
When the housing is in a predetermined right-hand operation state, the housing is disposed at a right position that can be operated with a right hand, and is rotated from the right-hand operation state by 180 ° around the optical axis of the imaging lens. A release button disposed at a left position that is symmetrical with respect to the right position and a vertical center line of the housing;
Attitude detection means capable of detecting the attitude of the housing;
When a touch key group consisting of a plurality of input touch keys can be displayed, and the housing is in the right-hand operation state based on the posture of the housing detected by the posture detection means; A display unit capable of switching the display position of the touch key group so that the input operation to the input touch key is bilaterally symmetric or left and right when the left hand operation state is set;
An imaging apparatus comprising:

Images