JP2008130304A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent malfunction of a switch without materializing a large-sized outer shape and a complex internal structure, in a portable electronic device. <P>SOLUTION: The button 16 for the power supply of a digital camera comprises an operation member 30 pressed against by a user, a tact switch 31 detecting the pressing operation of the operation member 30, and a plate-like spring 32 supporting the operation member 30. The operation member 30 moves in between a first position, partially exposing from an opening 34a, formed on a case 34 and a second position contacting a pin 30a to the tact switch 31. This plate-like spring 32 is formed of a bimetal and attached with a heater 36; and when the spring 32 is heated by the heater 36, it is deformed into a curved form directed toward the inner side of the camera body and supports the operation member 30, at a third position which is unexposed to the outside and incontacts the tact switch 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including a push button switch or an electronic device including a slide switch.

  When a portable electronic device such as a digital camera is carried in a bag or the like, various switches may be operated in contact with other articles in the bag. Such an erroneous operation leads to useless power consumption, a cause of failure, and the like, and thus there is a strong demand for appropriate prevention, and various methods have been studied conventionally.

For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 describe a method of preventing an erroneous operation by providing a cover that covers a switch. Patent Document 3 describes a method of preventing an erroneous operation by providing a lock member that restricts pressing of a button.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-203690 JP-A-9-288289 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-306282

  However, the methods of Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 have a problem that the outer shape becomes larger as the cover is attached, and the portability is impaired. Further, in the method of Patent Document 3, there is a concern that the internal structure becomes complicated as much as the lock member is provided, resulting in a cost increase. Furthermore, in each of the above methods, the user has to perform attachment / detachment of the cover, operation of the lock member, and the like, which is troublesome and may forget to attach or lock the cover.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and reliably prevents erroneous operation of the switch without increasing the size of the outer shape and the complexity of the internal structure and without requiring the user. It is an object to provide an electronic device that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention includes a first position where at least a part is exposed to the outside of the exterior case through an opening formed in the exterior case, and the electronic device is pushed into the exterior case by a pressing operation. An operation member that moves between the second position, a detection unit that detects the operation member that has moved to the second position, and the operation member that holds the operation member at the first position, and the operation member performs a pressing operation. A push-button switch comprising a substantially plate-like support member that is allowed to move to the second position by elastic deformation, a heating unit that heats the support member, and an optical sensor that measures ambient brightness And determining whether or not the surrounding brightness is brighter than a set value based on the measurement result of the optical sensor, and when it is determined that the brightness is darker than the set value, heating the support member to the heating unit. Instructed heating control And a control means for performing third, wherein the support member is formed of bimetal, deformed when heated by the heating means, is not exposed outside the exterior case, and is not detected by the detection means. The operation member is held at a position.

  The electronic device according to the present invention includes a first position where at least a part is exposed to the outside of the exterior case through an opening formed in the exterior case, and a second position where the electronic apparatus is pushed into the exterior case by a pressing operation. An operation member that moves to the second position, a detection means that detects the operation member that has moved to the second position, and the operation member that holds the operation member at the first position and is elastic when the operation member is pressed. A push button switch comprising a substantially plate-like support member that allows movement to the second position by deformation, a heating means for heating the support member, an optical sensor for measuring ambient brightness, and the optical sensor Based on the measurement result, it is determined whether or not the surrounding brightness is brighter than the set value, and when it is determined that the surrounding brightness is darker than the set value, heating control is performed to instruct the heating means to heat the support member. Control means to perform and Provided, the support member is formed by a bimetal, said when heated by the heating means, it may be configured to curved and deformed so as to increase the force required to push the operating member.

  In this case, it is preferable that the opening is formed so as to expose only a part of the operation member, and the support member presses the operation member against the inner surface of the exterior case when the support member is bent and deformed.

  Furthermore, the electronic device of the present invention includes a first position where at least a part is exposed to the outside of the exterior case through an opening formed in the exterior case, and a second position where the electronic apparatus is pushed into the exterior case by a pressing operation. A push button switch comprising: an operation member that moves between the detection member; a detection unit that detects the operation member that has moved to the second position; a substantially plate-like support member that supports the detection unit; and the support member A heating means for heating the light, an optical sensor for measuring the ambient brightness, and determining whether the ambient brightness is brighter than a set value based on the measurement result of the optical sensor, and if it is darker than the set value A control means for performing heating control to instruct the heating means to heat the support member when determined, and when the support member is formed of bimetal and heated by the heating means, Distance between work member and the detecting means may be configured to curved and deformed so as to widen the.

  At this time, it is preferable that the detection member is moved between a detection position where the operation member is detected and a retreat position where the operation member cannot be detected by bending the support member.

  The push button switch is preferably a power button for switching power ON / OFF.

  Furthermore, the electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation member that is slidable between a first position and a second position, a detection unit that detects the position of the operation member, and a protruding engagement portion formed at the tip. The operating member moved to each position by engaging the engaging portion with an engaging groove formed corresponding to each of the first position and the second position. A slide switch comprising a substantially plate-like holding member to hold, a heating means for heating the holding member, an optical sensor for measuring the ambient brightness, and the ambient brightness based on the measurement result of the optical sensor. It is determined whether or not it is brighter than a set value, and when it is determined that it is darker than the set value, there is provided control means for performing heating control that instructs the heating means to heat the support member, and the holding member is Formed by bimetal and by the heating means When heated, the engaging portion may be configured to curved and deformed so as to press the engaging groove.

  The slide switch is preferably a power switch that switches power ON / OFF.

  Moreover, you may make it provide the cancellation setting means which sets cancellation of the said heating control to the said control means. At this time, the cancel setting means is a pressure sensor that measures the pressure applied to the grip portion, and the control means determines whether or not the output value of the pressure sensor is equal to or greater than a set value, and the output value is the set value. It is preferable to determine that cancellation has been set when the above is true.

  In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the support member that supports the operation member is formed of a bimetal, and the support member is heated and deformed by bending so that it is not exposed outside the outer case and does not contact the detection means. The operation member was held in Thereby, since other articles and the operation member do not come into contact with each other in a bag or the like, an erroneous operation of the push button switch can be prevented. Moreover, since it is only necessary to provide a support member made of bimetal and a heating means for heating the bimetallic support member, there is no fear of increasing the outer shape or complicating the internal structure. Furthermore, since the bending deformation of the support member is automatically performed based on the output value of the optical sensor, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous operation without taking time and effort for the user.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera (electronic device) 2 has a camera body 4 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. On the front surface of the camera body 4, a lens barrel 11 that holds the photographing lens 10, an optical viewfinder 12 for optically confirming a subject image, a strobe light emitting unit 13 that irradiates the subject when performing photographing, An optical sensor 14 for measuring ambient brightness is provided. The optical sensor 14 is configured to output a higher voltage as the ambient brightness is brighter. For the optical sensor 14, for example, a known light receiving element such as a photodiode or a phototransistor is used. Further, a release button 15 for instructing execution of shooting and a power button (push button switch) 16 for switching power ON / OFF are provided on the upper surface of the camera body 4.

  A grip portion 17 is formed on the left side of the front surface of the camera body 4 held by the photographer's right hand. The grip portion 17 is slightly recessed from the surroundings in order to improve the photographer's grip. Note that the shape of the grip portion 17 is not limited to this, and may be any shape as long as the grip performance of the photographer is improved, such as a convex shape.

  A pressure sensor (cancellation setting means) 18 that measures the pressure applied to the grip portion 17 is provided inside the grip portion 17. The pressure sensor 18 measures, for example, the pressure applied by the photographer from the inside through the amount of distortion of the grip portion 17 and the like. The pressure sensor 18 may be a known sensor such as a semiconductor pressure sensor or a strain gauge. Further, the configuration of the pressure sensor 18 is not limited to the above. For example, when the sensing part of the pressure sensor 18 is exposed to the outside and the photographer grips the grip part 17, the sensing part directly contacts the photographer's finger. The pressure may be measured. However, by disposing the pressure sensor 18 inside, it is possible to prevent damage to the sensing portion or erroneous detection when it comes into contact with another article.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal panel 20 and an operation unit 21 are provided on the back surface of the camera body 4. The liquid crystal panel 20 displays captured images, so-called through images at the time of shooting, various menu screens, and the like. The operation unit 21 switches between a zoom operation button 22 for changing the magnification of the photographing lens 10 to the wide-angle side or the telephoto side, a still image photographing mode for photographing a still image, and a reproduction mode for reproducing and displaying an image on the liquid crystal panel 20. Mode switching switch 23, menu button 24 operated when displaying a menu screen on the liquid crystal panel 20 or determining a selection, display switching button 25 for switching display items of the menu screen, and menu A cross key 26 and the like that are operated when moving the cursor in the screen are disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the power button 16 includes an operation member 30 that is pressed by the user, a tact switch (detection means) 31 that detects a pressing operation of the operation member 30, and a leaf spring that supports the operation member 30. (Supporting member) 32. The operation member 30 is attached to the case 34 of the camera body 4 via a leaf spring 32. The operation member 30 is provided with a substantially cylindrical pin 30 a formed so as to protrude toward the tact switch 31.

  The operating member 30 has a first position (see FIG. 3A) in which a part is exposed from an opening 34a formed in the case 34, and a second position in which the pin 30a is in contact with the tact switch 31 (FIG. 3). (See (b)). The operation member 30 is held at the first position by the leaf spring 32, and is pushed into the camera body 4 by the user's pressing operation and moves to the second position. The leaf spring 32 is elastically deformed to allow the operation member 30 to move to the second position, and when the pressing operation is released, the operation member 30 moved to the second position by the elasticity is moved to the first position. return. In the present embodiment, only part of the operation member 30 is exposed when the operation member 30 is in the first position. However, when the operation member 30 is in the first position, the entire operation member 30 is exposed. Of course.

  When the tact switch 31 comes into contact with the pin 30a of the operating member 30 moved to the second position, the tact switch 31 detects that the operating member 30 has been pressed by conducting an internal contact. The tact switch 31 is attached to the bracket 35. The bracket 35 is attached to the case 34, for example. Thereby, the tact switch 31 is fixed inside the camera body 4. The digital camera 2 switches the power ON / OFF in response to the tact switch 31 detecting the pressing operation of the operation member 30.

  The leaf spring 32 is formed of a bimetal obtained by bonding two or more kinds of metals or alloys having different thermal expansion coefficients to finish them into a plate shape. A flexible sheet-like heater (heating means) 36 is attached to the leaf spring 32. When the bimetallic leaf spring 32 is heated by the heater 36, it is curved and deformed toward the inside of the camera body 4, and is not exposed to the outside as shown in FIG. The operation member 30 is held at the third position where it does not contact. The heater 36 is not limited to a sheet shape, and may be, for example, a plate shape or a rod shape. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a heater, and any material may be used as long as it can heat the leaf spring 32, such as an electric resistor.

  An outline of the internal configuration of the digital camera 2 is shown in FIG. The photographing lens 10 includes a zoom lens 40, a diaphragm 41, and a focus lens 42 arranged along the optical axis L. A lens motor 43 is connected to the zoom lens 40. The lens motor 43 moves the zoom lens 40 to the wide angle side or the telephoto side in conjunction with the operation of the zoom operation button 22. An iris motor 44 is connected to the diaphragm 41. The iris motor 44 adjusts the amount of light incident from the zoom lens 40 by changing the aperture area of the aperture 41 during the shooting preparation process when the release button 14 is half-pressed. A lens motor 45 is connected to the focus lens 42. The lens motor 45 adjusts the focus of the photographing lens 10 to the near side or the infinity side by moving the focus lens 42 in the optical axis direction along with zooming of the zoom lens 40.

  Each motor 43, 44, 45 is connected to a motor driver 46. The motor driver 46 is connected to a CPU (control means) 47 that comprehensively controls the digital camera 2, and transmits drive pulses to the motors 43, 44, 45 based on control signals from the CPU 47. Each of the motors 43, 44, and 45 rotates the rotation shaft according to the drive pulse. For example, a stepping motor or the like is used for each of the motors 43, 44, and 45.

  Behind the photographic lens 10 is a CCD 48 that captures a subject image formed by the photographic lens 10. A timing generator (TG) 49 controlled by the CPU 47 is connected to the CCD 48, and the shutter speed of the electronic shutter is determined by a timing signal (clock pulse) input from the TG 49.

  The image data output from the CCD 48 is input to a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 50, and output as R, G, B image data that accurately corresponds to the accumulated charge amount of each cell of the CCD 48. The image data output from the CDS 50 is amplified by an amplifier (AMP) 51 and converted into digital image data by an A / D converter (A / D) 52.

  The image input controller 53 is connected to the CPU 47 via the bus 54, and controls each part of the CCD 48, the CDS 50, the AMP 51, and the A / D 52 in accordance with a control command from the CPU 47. The image data output from the A / D 52 is temporarily recorded in the SDRAM 55.

  The image signal processing circuit 56 reads out image data from the SDRAM 55, performs various image processing such as gradation conversion, white balance correction, and γ correction processing, and records this image data in the SDRAM 55 again. The YC conversion processing circuit 57 reads the image data subjected to various processes by the image signal processing circuit 56 from the SDRAM 55 and converts it into a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cr and Cb.

  The VRAM 58 is a memory for outputting a through image to the liquid crystal panel 20 and stores image data that has passed through the image signal processing circuit 56 and the YC conversion processing circuit 57. The VRAM 58 has a memory for two frames so that image data can be written and read in parallel. The image data stored in the VRAM 58 is converted into an analog composite signal by the LCD driver 59 and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 20 as a through image.

  The compression / decompression processing circuit 60 compresses the image data YC converted by the YC conversion processing circuit 57 in a predetermined compression format such as TIFF or JPEG. The media controller 61 accesses the memory card 62 that is detachably attached to the media slot, and reads and writes compressed image data.

  The CPU 47 is connected to the optical sensor 14, the release button 15, the pressure sensor 18, the operation unit 21, the tact switch 31, the EEPROM 64, and the heater controller 65. When the optical sensor 14 and the pressure sensor 18 are connected to the CPU 47, if the output signals of the sensors 14 and 18 are weak, the optical sensor 14 and the pressure sensor 18 are connected to the CPU 47 via an amplifier that amplifies the output signal. May be. In addition, a strobe control unit 67 that causes the strobe light emitting unit 13 to emit light in response to a strobe light emission signal transmitted from the CPU 47 is connected to the bus 54.

  The EEPROM 64 stores various control programs and setting information. The CPU 47 reads these pieces of information from the EEPROM 64 to the SDRAM 55 which is a working memory, and executes various processes. The heater controller 65 is connected to the heater 36. The heater controller 65 supplies power to the heater 36 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 47 to cause the heater 36 to generate heat. At this time, the amount of heat generated by the heater 36 may be controlled by attaching a temperature sensor to the leaf spring 32.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the digital camera 2 operates the power button 16 to switch the power from ON to OFF, the lens barrel 11 is housed in the camera body 4 and the display of the liquid crystal panel 20 is turned off and set to a non-use state. Is done. When the digital camera 2 is set to the non-use state, the CPU 47 monitors the output value of the optical sensor 14 and determines whether or not the output value is equal to or greater than the set value. Since the light sensor 14 outputs a higher voltage as it is brighter, it can be determined whether or not the surroundings of the digital camera 2 are bright by determining whether the output value is high or low.

  The CPU 47 that determines that the output value of the optical sensor 14 is equal to or less than the set value (the surrounding is darker than the set value) monitors the output value of the pressure sensor 18 and determines whether or not the output value is equal to or greater than the set value. judge. The CPU 47 that has determined that the output value of the pressure sensor 18 is also equal to or less than the set value determines that the digital camera 2 is housed in a dark place such as the inside of the bag and that the power button 16 may be erroneously operated. The CPU 47 that has determined that there is a risk of erroneous operation of the power button 16 instructs the heater controller 65 to generate heat from the heater 36.

  The heater controller 65 instructed to generate heat from the heater 36 supplies power to the heater 36 to cause the heater 36 to generate heat, and heats the leaf spring 32 of the power button 16. The leaf spring 32 formed of bimetal is curved and deformed in response to heating by the heater 36. The curved and deformed leaf spring 32 holds the operation member 30 in a third position (see FIG. 3C) that is not exposed to the outside and does not contact the tact switch 31.

  Thereby, since other articles and the operation member 30 do not come into contact with each other in a bag or the like, erroneous operation of the power button 16 is prevented. Further, since the heater 36 only has to be attached to the bimetallic plate spring 32, there is no fear of increasing the size of the outer shape or complicating the internal structure. Furthermore, since the CPU 47 makes a determination based on the measurement results of the sensors 14 and 18 and prevents erroneous operations, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous operations without taking time and effort for the user. In addition, it is preferable that the setting value when determining the output value of each sensor 14 and 18 can be arbitrarily set via the operation unit 21 or the like.

  On the other hand, when the output value of the optical sensor 14 is equal to or larger than the set value, the digital camera 2 is in a bright place (for example, a state where the user is carrying it by hand or a state where it is left indoors). There is no fear that the power button 16 is erroneously operated. For this reason, the CPU 47 that determines that the output value of the optical sensor 14 is equal to or greater than the set value enables the power button 16 to operate normally without heating the leaf spring 32 by the heater 36.

  When the output value of the optical sensor 14 is equal to or lower than the set value and the output value of the pressure sensor 18 is equal to or higher than the set value, the grip portion 17 of the digital camera 2 is held by the user, and shooting at night is performed. It is assumed that it is in a state. For this reason, the CPU 47 that determines that the output value of the pressure sensor 18 is equal to or greater than the set value determines that the power button 16 is not erroneously operated, and does not heat the leaf spring 32 by the heater 36 as described above. Like that.

  As a result, the power button 16 can be normally operated even when it is desired to shoot in a dark environment such as at night. At this time, since the CPU 47 can be set to cancel the heating control of the leaf spring 32 only by gripping the grip 17, it is possible to perform night photography without causing the user to take extra time. In the present embodiment, the pressure sensor 18 is shown as the cancel setting unit. However, the cancel setting unit is not limited to this, and for example, the cancel is set by operating a dedicated button or the operation unit 21. It is good also as a thing.

  The CPU 47 repeats the heating control of the heater 36 based on the output values of the sensors 14 and 18 while the power of the digital camera 2 is OFF. Although omitted in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, when it is determined that heating is not performed after the leaf spring 32 is heated once, the heat generation of the heater 36 is stopped and the leaf spring 32 is bent. Undo the deformation.

  FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same functions and configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. A power button 80 shown in FIG. 6 includes an operation member 30, a tact switch 31, and a leaf spring 82, similarly to the power button 16 of the first embodiment. A heater 36 for heating the leaf spring 82 is attached to the leaf spring 82. The leaf spring 82 is also formed of bimetal.

  When the leaf spring 82 made of bimetal is heated by the heater 36, as shown in FIG. 6C, the bimetallic leaf spring 82 is bent and deformed toward the case 34, and presses the operation member 30 against the inner surface of the case 34. This increases the force required to push the operating member 30 and makes it difficult for the operating member 30 and the tact switch 31 to come into contact with each other. Therefore, the heater 36 is controlled based on the measurement results of the sensors 14 and 18. Thus, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. A power switch 90 shown in FIG. 7 includes an operation member 30, a tact switch 31, and a leaf spring 91. The tact switch 31 is attached to the holding plate 92. The holding plate 92 is attached to the bracket 94 via a slide shaft 93 so as to be movable up and down. The bracket 94 is fixed in the camera body 4 by being attached to the case 34, for example. The bracket 94 is attached with a pair of support members 95 that support the holding plate 92. Each support member 95 is a plate member bent in a crank shape. Each support member 95 has one end in contact with the back surface of the holding plate 92 and supports the holding plate 92 and the tact switch 31.

  A coil spring 96 is provided between the holding plate 92 and the bracket 94 so as to be wound around the slide shaft 93. The coil spring 96 has both ends connected to the holding plate 92 and the bracket 94, and biases the holding plate 92 so as to be attracted to the bracket 94. As a result, the front / rear and left / right movements are regulated by the slide shaft 93, and the tact switch 31 and the holding plate 92 are held in a state of being pressed against each support member 95 by the bias of the coil spring 96.

  Each support member 95 is formed of bimetal. A heater 97 for heating each support member 95 is attached to each support member 95. Each heater 97 is connected to the heater controller 65 and generates heat in response to power supplied from the heater controller 65.

  When the bimetallic support members 95 are heated by the heaters 97, as shown in FIG. 7B, the bimetallic support members 95 are curved and deformed toward the bracket 94 side. When each support member 95 is curved and deformed, the height from the bracket 94 to the apex of each support member 95 becomes low. For this reason, the coil spring 96 is contracted and the interval between the operation member 30 and the tact switch 31 is widened, and even if the operation member 30 is pressed, the operation member 30 and the tact switch 31 do not come into contact with each other.

  That is, the power button 90 is retracted so as not to come into contact with the operation member 30 by detecting the pressing operation of the operation member 30 (the position shown in FIG. 7A) by bending and deforming each support member 95. The tact switch 31 is moved between the retracted position (the position shown in FIG. 7B). Thus, even if the tact switch 31 side is moved, an erroneous operation of the power button 90 can be prevented. Therefore, by controlling the heater 36 based on the measurement results of the sensors 14 and 18, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

  8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the digital camera 100 is provided with a slide type power switch (slide switch) 102. As shown in FIG. 9, the power switch 102 includes an operation member 104 that slides between an ON position where the power of the digital camera 100 is set to ON and an OFF position where the power is set to OFF, and the operation member 104. And a lever switch (detection means) 106 for detecting the position. The lever switch 106 is fixed in the camera body 4 via a bracket 108.

  The operation member 104 is provided with a pair of holding members 110 formed so as to protrude from both ends in the sliding direction. At the tip of each holding member 110, an engaging portion 110a bent into a substantially cylindrical surface is formed. The case 34 of the camera body 4 is provided with an engaging member 112 having two engaging grooves 112a that are recessed in a substantially cylindrical surface at a position facing each engaging portion 110a. Each engagement groove 112a of each engagement member 112 is formed corresponding to the ON position and OFF position of the operation member 104, respectively. The operating member 104 is held at the ON position and the OFF position by engaging the engaging portions 110a with the engaging grooves 112a. In addition, the shape of each engagement part 110a and each engagement groove | channel 112a is not restricted to a cylindrical surface shape, As long as it engages mutually, such as triangle shape and trapezoid shape, what kind of other shape may be sufficient as it. . Moreover, each engaging part 110a is not restricted to what is formed by bending, For example, what is attached to each holding member 110 by adhesion | attachment etc. may be sufficient.

  When the operation member 104 moves to each position, the operation member 104 elastically deforms each holding member 110 and moves so as to get over the peak formed at the center of each engagement member 112. Thereby, when the user operates the operation member 104, a predetermined operational feeling can be given to the user.

  The operation member 104 is provided with two pieces 114 formed in a substantially plate shape projecting downward. The lever 106a of the lever switch 106 is inserted into each section 106a. The lever 106a is swingably attached to the main body of the lever switch 106, and is swung by being pushed by each section 114 in accordance with the operation member 104 moving to each position. The lever switch 106 detects that the operation member 104 has been operated by, for example, conducting an internal contact according to the swing of the lever 106a when the operation member 104 is moved to the ON position.

  Each holding member 110 is formed of bimetal. A heater 116 for heating each holding member 110 is attached to each holding member 110. Each heater 116 is connected to the heater controller 65 and generates heat in response to power supplied from the heater controller 65.

  When each of the holding members 110 made of bimetal is heated by each heater 116, as shown by the arrow, it tries to bend and deform toward the engaging member 112, and each engaging portion 110 a is made into each engaging groove 112 a. Press. Thereby, since the force required when moving the operation member 104 to each position increases, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the operation member 104. As described above, even in the case of the slide-type power switch 102, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous operation of the power switch 102 by bending and deforming the bimetallic holding member 110 as in the above-described embodiments.

  In each of the above embodiments, the tact switch 31 and the lever switch 106 are shown as detection means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another mechanical switch may be used, or an optical device such as a photo interrupter. A magnetic sensor such as a sensor or a Hall element may be used.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the power button and the power switch for switching the power ON / OFF are shown as the push button switch and the slide switch. However, the push button switch and the slide switch are not limited to the power source. Any switch provided in the digital camera may be used.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the bimetal is bent and deformed in a situation where the surrounding is dark based on the measurement result of the optical sensor 14, but the timing at which the bimetal is bent and deformed is not limited to this. Any timing at which it is desired to prevent erroneous operation of the switch may be used.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other portable electronic device such as a music player, a mobile phone, or a game machine can be used. The present invention may be applied to a device.

It is the perspective view seen from the front direction which shows the composition of a digital camera roughly. It is the perspective view seen from the back direction which shows the composition of a digital camera roughly. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a power button roughly. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of a non-use state roughly. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which curvedly deformed the leaf | plate spring of the power button to the case side. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which moves the tact switch side. It is the perspective view seen from the front direction which shows the example which provided the slide-type power switch in the digital camera. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the structure of a slide-type power switch.

Explanation of symbols

2,100 Digital camera (electronic equipment)
4 Camera body 14 Optical sensor 16, 80, 90 Power button (push button switch)
17 Grip part 18 Pressure sensor (cancellation setting means)
34 Case (exterior case)
34a Opening 36, 97, 116 Heater (heating means)
30, 104 Operation member 31 Tact switch (detection means)
32, 82 Leaf spring (support member)
47 CPU (control means)
95 Support member 102 Power switch (slide switch)
106 Lever switch (detection means)
110 holding member 110a engaging portion 112a engaging groove

Claims (10)

An operating member that moves between a first position that exposes at least a part of the exterior case through an opening formed in the exterior case and a second position that is pushed into the exterior case by a pressing operation; Detecting means for detecting the operating member moved to the second position; and holding the operating member at the first position; and moving to the second position by elastic deformation when the operating member is pressed. In an electronic device provided with a push button switch composed of a substantially plate-like support member that allows
Heating means for heating the support member;
An optical sensor that measures ambient brightness;
It is determined whether the ambient brightness is brighter than a set value based on the measurement result of the photosensor, and when it is determined that the brightness is darker than the set value, the heating unit is instructed to heat the support member. Control means for performing heating control,
The support member is formed of bimetal, deformed when heated by the heating means, holds the operation member in a third position that is not exposed to the exterior case and is not detected by the detection means. An electronic device characterized by that. An operating member that moves between a first position that exposes at least a part of the exterior case through an opening formed in the exterior case and a second position that is pushed into the exterior case by a pressing operation; Detecting means for detecting the operating member moved to the second position; and holding the operating member at the first position; and moving to the second position by elastic deformation when the operating member is pressed. In an electronic device provided with a push button switch composed of a substantially plate-like support member that allows
Heating means for heating the support member;
An optical sensor that measures ambient brightness;
It is determined whether the ambient brightness is brighter than a set value based on the measurement result of the photosensor, and when it is determined that the brightness is darker than the set value, the heating unit is instructed to heat the support member. Control means for performing heating control,
The electronic device is characterized in that the support member is formed of bimetal and is bent and deformed so as to increase a force required to push in the operation member when heated by the heating means. The opening is formed so as to expose only a part of the operation member,
The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the support member presses the operation member against an inner surface of the exterior case when the support member is curved and deformed. An operating member that moves between a first position that exposes at least a part of the exterior case through an opening formed in the exterior case and a second position that is pushed into the exterior case by a pressing operation; In an electronic apparatus including a push button switch including a detection unit that detects the operation member moved to the second position and a substantially plate-like support member that supports the detection unit.
Heating means for heating the support member;
An optical sensor that measures ambient brightness;
It is determined whether the ambient brightness is brighter than a set value based on the measurement result of the photosensor, and when it is determined that the brightness is darker than the set value, the heating unit is instructed to heat the support member. Control means for performing heating control,
The electronic device is characterized in that the support member is formed of bimetal and is bent and deformed so as to widen a distance between the operation member and the detection unit when heated by the heating unit.   5. The support member moves the detection means between a detection position where the operation member is detected and a retreat position where the operation member cannot be detected by being bent and deformed. Electronic equipment.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the push button switch is a power button that switches power ON / OFF. An operating member slidable between a first position and a second position, a detecting means for detecting the position of the operating member, and an engaging portion formed in a convex shape at the tip, the first position A substantially plate-like holding member that holds the operating member moved to each position by engaging the engaging portion with an engaging groove formed corresponding to each position with the second position; In an electronic device equipped with a slide switch consisting of
Heating means for heating the holding member;
An optical sensor that measures ambient brightness;
It is determined whether the ambient brightness is brighter than a set value based on the measurement result of the photosensor, and when it is determined that the brightness is darker than the set value, the heating unit is instructed to heat the support member. Control means for performing heating control,
The electronic device is characterized in that the holding member is formed of bimetal and is bent and deformed so as to press the engaging portion against the engaging groove when heated by the heating means.   The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the slide switch is a power switch that switches power ON / OFF.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cancel setting unit that sets cancellation of the heating control in the control unit. The cancel setting means is a pressure sensor that measures the pressure applied to the grip portion,
10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control means determines whether or not an output value of the pressure sensor is equal to or greater than a set value, and determines that cancellation is set when the output value is equal to or greater than a set value. machine.

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