JP2008186651A - Operating device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operating device for two-step switching which achieves miniaturization and improvement in operational feeling. <P>SOLUTION: The operating device includes: an operating member 14 that is capable of an operation from a non-operative position; a first switch 15 which switches according to the operation of the operating member based on a first operation amount from the non-operative position; and second switches 16a and 16b which switch according to the operation of the operating member based on a second operation amount that is larger than the first operation amount from the non-operative position. The first switch includes a switch lever portion 15a which moves due to the movement of the operating member, and the second switches switch due to bumping of operative directional ends 14b1 and 14b2 of the operating member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating device having a two-stage switch function, which is mounted on an electronic device.

  In an electronic apparatus such as an electronic imaging device, zooming is performed in the wide direction when the zooming operation member is operated in one direction from the neutral position (non-operation position), and zooming is performed in the tele direction when operated in the other direction. Many.

Some electronic imaging devices having a high-magnification zoom function can switch the zoom speed between two steps, high speed and low speed, by operating a zooming operation member (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a switch operating plate composed of a leaf spring is attached to a seesaw type zoom switch, and when the switch is lightly pressed, a switch for low-speed zooming is turned on, and when the switch is pressed strongly, a switch for high-speed zooming is turned on. An operating device to be turned on is disclosed.
JP-A-5-167907 (paragraph 0008, FIGS. 1-4, etc.)

  However, the operating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is unsuitable for downsizing due to its configuration, and it is difficult to incorporate such an operating device into an electronic device as the electronic device is further downsized.

  In addition, it is difficult for the user to obtain a good operation feeling and a desired zoom speed with the above-described operation device that switches between high speed and low speed by adjusting the strength of the operation force. That is, in such an electronic imaging apparatus, if there is no mechanism for allowing the user to recognize the amount of movement of the operation member necessary to change the zoom speed, the zoom speed intended by the user can be obtained quickly and easily. difficult.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an operating device for two-stage switching, which is compatible with both downsizing and improvement in operating feeling.

  An operation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an operation member that can be operated from a non-operation position, and a first switch that is switched in response to the operation member being operated from the non-operation position by a first operation amount. And a second switch that switches in response to the operation member being operated from the non-operation position by a second operation amount greater than the first operation amount. The first switch has a switching lever portion that moves by the movement of the operation member, and the second switch is switched when the operation direction end of the operation member hits.

  The operation device is provided, and performs an operation according to the switching of each of the first and second switches (for example, performs a zoom operation at a first speed according to the switching of the first switch, The electronic device (which performs a zoom operation at a second speed higher than the first speed in response to switching of the switch 2) constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

  In the present invention, the first switch is switched by moving the switching lever portion by the operation member, and the second switch is switched by abutting the operation direction end of the operation member against the second switch. For this reason, the operation feeling received by the user from the operation member can be made different between the state in which the first switch is switched and the state in which the second switch is switched. Therefore, the user can recognize which switch is switched. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an operating device capable of a two-stage switching operation having a good operational feeling while being small.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 show an electronic imaging device (hereinafter referred to as a camera) as an electronic apparatus including an operation device that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The camera 1 includes a lens barrel 2 that houses an imaging optical system that forms an optical image (subject image) with light from a subject, and a CCD sensor or CMOS that photoelectrically converts the subject image to generate image data. An imaging system including an imaging element 25 such as a sensor is incorporated.

  A lens barrier 3 for protecting the lens surface when the lens barrel 2 is in the retracted state (stored state) is provided on the front surface of the camera 1 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 5 denotes a finder window, reference numeral 6 denotes a flash light emission window, and the closed lens barrier 3 can also cover these. Reference numeral 8 denotes a shutter button. When the shutter button 8 is half-pressed, a shooting preparation operation such as a photometric operation or an AF operation is performed. When the shutter button 8 is fully pressed, an imaging operation and a recording operation of a captured image on a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory are performed.

  A liquid crystal display panel 7 is provided on the rear surface of the camera shown in FIG. 2, and a subject image to be captured and a captured image are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 7. Reference numeral 9 denotes a battery / memory chamber lid. By opening the lid 9, a battery serving as a power source and the recording medium can be taken in and out.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a mode setting dial, and the imaging mode can be set by rotating the dial 10.

  11 is a strap attachment ring, and 12 is a cover member for protecting the power supply and signal input / output jacks.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a selection button operated when selecting various functions and settings of the camera.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a zoom lever (operation member) that is operated to select a zoom direction and perform two-stage switching between zoom speeds, and is a part of the operation device. The zoom lever 14 is provided with an operation knob 14d. When the zoom lever 14 is operated downward from the neutral position (non-operation position), the focal length and the electronic zoom state of the imaging optical system can be changed in the wide direction. Further, when the zoom lever 14 is operated upward from the neutral position, the focal length and the electronic zoom state of the imaging optical system can be changed to the tele direction. Further, when the operation amount from the neutral position of the zoom lever 14 is an amount before the operation end, the zoom speed is set to a low speed (first speed), and when the operation amount is exceeded, the zoom speed is increased. (Second speed) is set.

  3 and 4 show a configuration of a zoom operation device including the zoom lever 14 described above. The zoom lever 14 is a member having a double arc plate-shaped portion, and an operation knob 14d is formed on the outer surface of the upper (outer) arc plate-shaped portion. In addition, an engaging portion 14a that engages with a switching lever portion 15a provided in a first switch 15 described later is formed at a central portion in the operation direction of the lower (inner) arcuate plate shape portion. Further, projections 14b1 and 14b2 for pressing second switches 16a and 16b, which will be described later, are formed at both ends in the operation direction of the lower arc plate-shaped portion.

  The first switch 15 outputs a signal corresponding to the switching position by moving the switching lever portion 15a from the neutral position to the switching position on both sides in accordance with the movement (operation) from the neutral position of the zoom lever 14. To do. That is, the off state is switched to the on state. The first switch 15 is switched from the off state to the on state when the zoom lever 14 is operated from the neutral position by a first operation amount or more.

  The second switches 16a and 16b are leaf spring switches, and the projections 14b1 and 14b2 provided on the zoom lever 14 abut (push in) the upper surfaces of the switches 16a and 16b, as indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. ) To output a signal. That is, the off state is switched to the on state. In order for the protrusions 14b1 and 14b2 to hit the switches 16a and 16b, the zoom lever 14 is moved from the neutral position to a second operation amount larger than the first operation amount, here, to the operation end of the zoom lever 14 or immediately before it. It is necessary to operate only the operation amount.

  As described above, the first switch 15 is switched when the switching lever portion 15a is moved, and the second switches 16a and 16b are switched when the projecting portions 14b1 and 14b2 are abutted. Therefore, the operation that the user receives from the zoom lever 14 in the state in which the zoom lever 14 is operated in the switching area of the first switch 15 and the state in which the zoom lever 14 is operated in the switching area of the second switches 16a and 16b. The feeling is different. Generally, the switching area of the second switches 16a and 16b is heavier or harder. Therefore, the user can recognize which switch switching area of the first and second switches is operating the zoom lever 14 without visually checking the operation amount of the zoom lever 14 one by one. it can.

  When a signal is output from the first switch 15, a controller (not shown) such as a microcomputer built in the camera 1 sets the zoom speed to a low speed and zooms in a direction corresponding to the signal. To do. When a signal is output from one of the second switches 16a and 16b, the controller sets the zoom speed to a high speed and performs a zoom operation in a direction corresponding to the signal.

  In addition, you may incorporate in the leaf | plate spring switch which is 2nd switch 16a, 16b the click mechanism which produces a click feeling, when projection part 14b1, 14b2 is abutted. Thereby, when the second switches 16a and 16b are switched, a click feeling can be given to the user through the zoom lever 14. Therefore, the switching area of the second switches 16a and 16b can be more clearly recognized by the user.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a groove 14e is formed on the inner side of the zoom lever 14 (the inner side of the double arc plate-shaped portion), and the zoom lever 14 is placed in the neutral position in the groove 14e. A spring 19 is disposed as an elastic member for returning to the position. When the zoom lever 14 is operated from the neutral position and the spring 19 is deformed, the restoring force (biasing force) generated in the spring 19 can surely return the zoom lever 14 to the neutral position.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a zoom operation apparatus that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol as Example 1 is attached | subjected to the same component as Example 1, and it replaces with description. As shown by the dashed line in the figure,
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that so-called tact switches are used as the second switches 17a and 17b, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As described in the first embodiment, as the first switch 15 is moved (operated) from the neutral position of the zoom lever 14, the switching lever portion 15a is moved from the neutral position to the switching position on both sides. A signal corresponding to the switching position is output. The first switch 15 outputs a signal when the zoom lever 14 is operated by a first operation amount or more from the neutral position (switched from the off state to the on state).

  The second switches (tact switches) 17a and 17b output signals when the projecting portions 14b1 and 14b2 provided on the zoom lever 14 abut (push in) the upper surfaces of the switches 17a and 17b. In order for the protrusions 14b1 and 14b2 to hit the switches 17a and 17b, the zoom lever 14 is moved from the neutral position to a second operation amount larger than the first operation amount (the operation amount of the zoom lever 14 or the operation amount immediately before it). Only need to operate).

  Also in this embodiment, the zoom lever 14 is operated by the user from the zoom lever 14 in the state where the zoom lever 14 is operated in the switching area of the first switch 15 and in the state where the zoom lever 14 is operated in the switching area of the second switches 16a and 16b. The feeling of operation is different. Therefore, the user can recognize which switch switching area of the first and second switches is operating the zoom lever 14 without visually checking the operation amount of the zoom lever 14 one by one. it can.

  The relationship between the first and second switches 15, 17a, 17b and the zoom speed is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Further, the tact switch used as the second switch in the present embodiment incorporates a click mechanism that generates a click feeling when the projecting portions 14b1 and 14b2 are abutted. As a result, when the second switches 17a and 17b are switched, the user can be given a click feeling through the zoom lever 14, and the user can more clearly recognize the switching area of the second switch. .

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a zoom operation apparatus that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol as Example 1 is attached | subjected to the same component as Example 1, and it replaces with description.

  In this embodiment, first conductive members (for example, conductive rubber) 18a and 18b are attached to the protrusions 14b1 and 14b2 of the zoom lever 14, respectively. Further, a flexible substrate 20 having second conductive members (for example, circuit patterns) 20a and 20b that can contact the first conductive members 18a and 18b is provided. The first conductive members 18a and 18b and the second conductive members 20a and 20b constitute two second switches. The first switch 15 is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  The second switch outputs a signal when the first conductive members 18a and 18b attached to the protrusions 14b1 and 14b2 of the zoom lever 14 come into contact with the second conductive members 20a and 20b (from the OFF state to the ON state). Switch to state). In other words, the second switch outputs a signal when the protrusions 14b1 and 14b2 of the zoom lever 14 abut against the second conductive members 20a and 20b via the first conductive members 18a and 18b.

  In order to bring the first conductive members 18a, 18b into contact with the second conductive members 20a, 20b, the zoom lever 14 is moved from the neutral position to the second operation amount larger than the first operation amount that generates a signal from the first switch 15. It is necessary to operate only the operation amount. That is, it is necessary to operate the zoom lever 14 with a second operation amount corresponding to the operation amount at the operation end or immediately before.

  Also in this embodiment, the zoom lever 14 is operated by the user from the zoom lever 14 in the state where the zoom lever 14 is operated in the switching area of the first switch 15 and in the state where the zoom lever 14 is operated in the switching area of the second switches 16a and 16b. The feeling of operation is different. Therefore, the user can recognize which switch switching area of the first and second switches is operating the zoom lever 14 without visually checking the operation amount of the zoom lever 14 one by one. it can.

  The relationship between the first and second switches 15, (18a, 20a), (18b, 20b) and the zoom speed is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, a hole 14c is formed in the vicinity of the protrusions 14b1 and 14b2 of the zoom lever 14, and a click such as a click ball that generates a click feeling when the second switch is switched in the hole 14c. Insert a member. Accordingly, when the second switch is switched, a click feeling can be given to the user through the zoom lever 14, and the switching area of the second switch can be recognized more clearly by the user.

  In addition, each said Example is only an example for implementing this invention, and various change and deformation | transformation are possible with respect to each Example.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the click mechanism that generates a click feeling when the second switch is switched has been described. However, the click mechanism is not necessarily provided.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the operation device in which the operation member can be operated in both directions from the neutral position has been described, but the present invention is also applied to an operation device in which the operation member can be operated in one direction from the non-operation position. be able to.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where the lever-type operation member is provided as in each of the above embodiments, but can be applied to a switch having an operation member such as a rotary type or a slide type.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the case where the zoom speed is switched in two steps has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an operating device that switches between other two steps or two operations.

  For example, in a playback mode in which an image recorded on a recording medium is played back and displayed on a liquid crystal display panel, a function executed in response to a signal from the first switch and a function executed in response to a signal from the second switch May be different. Specifically, in the reproduction mode, the image can be enlarged / reduced according to the signal from the first switch, and the index can be displayed according to the signal from the second switch.

  In the reproduction mode, the image enlargement / reduction speed corresponding to the signal from the second switch may be faster than the enlargement / reduction speed corresponding to the signal from the first switch.

  Further, although cases have been described with the above embodiments where the operation device is mounted on the electronic imaging device, the imaging device of the present invention can also be mounted on electronic devices other than the electronic imaging device.

1 is a front perspective view of an electronic imaging apparatus including an operation device that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a back perspective view of the said electronic imaging device. The perspective view of the said operating device. Sectional drawing of the said operating device. Sectional drawing of the operating device which is Example 2 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the operating device which is Example 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Camera (electronic imaging device)
2 Lens barrel 14 Zoom lever 14a Engaging portion 14b1, 14b2 Protruding portion 15 First switch 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b Second switch

Claims (8)

An operation member that can be operated from a non-operation position;
A first switch that switches in response to the operation member being operated from the non-operation position by a first operation amount;
A second switch that switches in response to the operation member being operated from the non-operation position by a second operation amount greater than the first operation amount;
The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the first switch has a switching lever portion that moves by the movement of the operation member, and the second switch is switched when an operation direction end portion of the operation member hits.   The operation device according to claim 1, further comprising a click mechanism that causes the operation member to feel a click when the second switch is switched.   The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the click mechanism is built in the second switch. The second switch is composed of first and second conductive members;
The first conductive member is attached to the operation direction end of the operation member,
2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the second switch is switched when the end portion in the operation direction hits the second conductive member via the first conductive member. The operation member can be operated in both directions from the non-operation position,
2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein both end portions in the operation direction of the operation member abut against each of the two second switches.   The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an elastic member for returning the operating member to the non-operating position is disposed inside the operating member. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising:
An electronic apparatus that performs an operation in accordance with switching of each of the first and second switches. An imaging system for photoelectrically converting a subject image;
The zoom operation is performed at a first speed according to the switching of the first switch, and the zoom operation is performed at a second speed that is faster than the first speed according to the switching of the second switch. 8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein