JP2009271218A - Image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the miniaturization of an image display device, and to establish an operating environment where the user can operate the image display device, regardless of use/no-use of a display panel. <P>SOLUTION: The display panel (12) is attached to the side face of the main body (10) by means of a hinge mechanism (14). The display panel (12) includes a display screen as a display part (26) on the front side thereof. The display panel (12) is openable/closable around the opening/closing shaft (14a) of the hinge mechanism (14), and also, rotatable about the rotating shaft (14b). The operation panel (16) is attached to the rear lower end of the display panel (12) so as to be rotatable about the opening/closing shaft. By rotating the operation panel (16), the position of the operating surface of the operation panel is changed so as to turn to the display screen of the display panel (12) or so as to turn to the rear side of the display panel (12). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display apparatus having a display panel attached to a main body so as to be opened and closed.

  Such image display devices include small video cameras. In a small video camera, an image display panel capable of displaying an image being captured and a reproduced image is attached to a side surface of a housing of the camera body so as to be openable and closable and rotatable.

  An operation button is required for an image reproduction operation or a desired program search, and is arranged on the upper surface of the main body or on the side surface of the main body exposed by opening the image display panel.

  In recent years, with the miniaturization of devices, it has become necessary to devise the arrangement, number and function of operation buttons. For example, in a video camera, since the number of operation buttons that can be arranged on the side surface of a housing is limited, use of multifunction buttons having different roles according to operation modes has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In order to further reduce the size of the video camera, a configuration in which operation buttons are arranged around the display screen of the image display panel has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-46834 A JP-A-5-336415 (page 4, FIG. 5)

  With the configuration described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to secure a space for arranging the operation buttons when the housing is reduced by downsizing the video camera. In other words, it cannot cope with downsizing.

  In the configuration described in Patent Document 2, since the operation buttons are arranged on the same side as the image display surface of the image display panel, the image display panel can be used when taking a picture while looking through the viewfinder or when outputting to the TV. Cannot operate when closed.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display device that can solve such disadvantages and can be operated even when the image display panel is closed, and can be easily miniaturized.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image display device according to the present invention is a display panel that can be opened and closed with respect to a main body by a hinge mechanism, and includes a display panel having a display unit on a front surface and a rear surface of an end portion of the display panel. And an operation panel which is rotatable between a position where the operation surface is directed to the back side of the display panel and a position which is directed to the front side.

  According to the present invention, the operation panel can be used regardless of the open / closed state of the display panel. Since the operation unit is not disposed around the display unit of the main body or the display panel, it is easy to cope with downsizing.

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

  FIG. 1 shows an external view of a video camera as an embodiment of an image display apparatus according to the present invention as seen from the side. FIG. 2 is an external view showing a state in which the display panel of this embodiment is opened. FIG. 3 is an external view of a state in which the display panel is in close contact with the main body with the display surface of the display panel facing outside.

  In the video camera of this embodiment, the display panel 12 is attached to the side surface of the main body 10 by a hinge mechanism 14 so as to be openable and closable and rotatable. The display panel 12 includes a display screen of the display unit 26 on the front surface. The display panel 12 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 10 by rotating about the opening and closing shaft 14 a of the hinge mechanism 14. As a result, the display panel 12 has the display surface facing the main body 10 and is in close contact with the main body 10 (normal storage position), and the display surface is in close contact with the main body 10 with the display surface facing outward (reverse storage). Position). FIG. 3 shows an external view in the inverted storage state.

  The display panel 12 can also rotate around the rotation shaft 14 b of the hinge mechanism 14. Thereby, in a state where the display panel 12 is opened from the main body 10, the display panel 12 can take a position where the display surface is directed backward as shown in FIG.

  The operation panel 16 is attached to the lower end of the back surface of the display panel 12 so as to be rotatable about an axis (opening / closing axis) 16a (FIG. 1), and the operation panel surface is oriented in the direction shown in FIG. It can be locked in the direction shown. That is, the operation panel 16 can rotate between the direction shown in FIG. 1 and the direction shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the operation surface of the operation panel 16 faces the same side as the display screen of the display panel 12. In FIG. 2, the operation surface of the operation panel 16 faces the side opposite to the display screen (the back side of the display panel 12). The position shown in FIG. 1 is the normal position or the initial position. For example, operation buttons for instructing recording / reproduction are arranged on the operation panel 16.

  A photographing lens 20 is disposed in front of the main body 10. A mode dial 22 for setting an operation mode and a recording key 24 for instructing start / stop of recording are arranged on the back of the main body 10.

  The mode dial 22 is used to set any of power on / off, recording mode, and playback mode. When not in use, the mode dial 22 is turned to the power-off position. In this power-off state, the lowest power consumption state is obtained. When the mode dial 22 is rotated from the power-off position to the power-on position, power is turned on to each part of the main body 10. The imaging system operates and enters the recording mode standby state. When the mode dial 22 is further rotated, the playback mode is set, and the recorded image is displayed on the display screen of the display panel 12 as a thumbnail.

  The recording key 24 is used to instruct the start and stop of recording in the state where the recording mode is set by the mode dial 22. When the user operates the recording key 24 in the recording standby state, an image captured by the imaging unit is recorded on a recording medium (not shown). If the user operates the recording key 24 during recording, the recording is stopped and the recording standby state is restored. Thus, in the recording mode, the recording key 24 functions as a recording start / stop key.

  When the playback mode is set with the mode dial 22, a plurality of operation buttons 18 arranged in parallel on the operation panel 16 are respectively a playback / pause button, a fast forward button, a rewind button, a stop button, and a function. Functions as an operation button.

  In this embodiment, the photographer can access the operation panel 16 even when the display panel 12 is in the normal storage position (FIG. 1) or in the reverse storage position (FIG. 3). That is, at any position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the photographer can operate, that is, use the operation panel 16.

  When the display panel 12 is opened, the operation panel 16 is rotated with respect to the display panel 12 and the operation surface is locked to the same side as the display surface of the display panel 12 as shown in FIG. Can do. At this position, the photographer can grasp the operation surface of the operation panel 16 within the same field of view as the display image of the display panel 12. That is, it becomes possible to operate the operation panel 16 while observing an image or the like displayed on the display panel 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the photographer operates the operation button 18 with the thumb so that the operation panel 16 is pinched with the palm of the left hand or the index finger and the thumb. Since the locking mechanism that locks the operation panel 16 with respect to the display panel 12 at the position shown in FIG. 2 is provided, the operation panel 16 is not moved by the button operation, and an operation comparable to the conventional one is possible. .

  The main body 10 is equipped with a recording medium for recording a photographed image (moving image or still image). The recording medium is composed of a semiconductor memory card, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like. The recording medium can be removable or non-removable.

  The configuration of the display panel 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the display panel 12 when viewed from the direction A in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel 12 when viewed from the direction B of FIG.

  The display panel 12 mainly has a configuration in which the display unit 26, the backlight 32, and the substrate 34 are accommodated in the exterior covers 30a and 30b. The backlight 32 illuminates the display unit 26. The backlight 32 is fixed to the frame 36 together with the display unit 26, and the substrate 34 is fixed to the frame 36 with screws. The board 34 is electrically connected to the recording / reproducing mechanism of the housing 10 by a flexible circuit board (not shown). The substrate 34 is further electrically connected to the display unit 26. A lower back side of the display panel 12 is recessed, and an operation panel 16 is attached to the recess so as to be rotatable about an opening / closing shaft 16a.

  As described above, the operation panel 16 can rotate around the opening / closing shaft 16a, but is locked at a position rotated by 180 degrees. With reference to FIG. 6, the operation panel hinge mechanism which enables rotation of the operation panel 16 and locks it at a predetermined position will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the operation panel hinge mechanism as viewed from the direction C in FIG. For convenience of explanation, the flexible circuit board is hatched. A flexible circuit board for operation buttons (not shown) is disposed in the operation panel 16 and is electrically connected to the substrate on the display panel 12 side by a belt-like flexible circuit board 40. The flexible circuit board 40 has flexibility, and a printed circuit and flexible wiring are integrally formed. The flexible circuit board 40 is connected to a flexible circuit board for operation buttons by a terminal. The flexible circuit board 40 is gently wound so as to cover the outer periphery of the rotary shaft 42 of the operation panel 16, passes through the side surface of the L-shaped plate 44, and is connected to the board 34 in the display panel 12. One end of the L-shaped plate 44 is fixed to the frame 36 for the display panel 12 with screws.

  When the user presses the operation button 18, a push switch on a flexible circuit board (not shown) in the operation panel 16 is activated. This type of operation button is not limited to a push switch, and may be a jog dial, a slide switch, or the like.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel hinge mechanism. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel viewed from the direction D of FIG. FIG. 9 shows a front view of the operation panel viewed from the direction E of FIG. 7, 8, and 9 show a state where the display panel 12 is in the normal storage position (FIG. 1). FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel hinge mechanism as viewed from the direction D in FIG. 7 at a position where the operation panel 16 is rotated 180 degrees. FIG. 11 is a front view of the operation panel hinge mechanism as viewed from the direction E in FIG. 7 at a position where the operation panel 16 is rotated 180 degrees. 12 shows an exploded perspective view of the operation panel hinge mechanism as viewed from the direction D in FIG. 7 when the display panel 12 is in the position shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 13 shows a front view of the operation panel hinge mechanism as viewed from the direction E in FIG. 7 when the display panel 12 is in the position shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. In FIG. 7 to FIG. 13, only necessary members are illustrated for the sake of explanation in order to facilitate understanding.

  The disc-shaped rotation stopper 46 includes a portion protruding in the radial direction as a rotation control unit 46a, and includes a recess 46b on a side surface. When the operation panel 16 starts to open around the opening / closing shaft 16a, the convex portion 48a of the leaf spring 48 is detached from the concave portion 46b of the rotation stopper 46. Then, the rotation stopper 46 starts rotating while pushing the leaf spring 48. The rotation stopper 46 is caulked at the tip of the rotation shaft 42 and rotates with the rotation of the rotation shaft 42. When the operation panel 16 starts rotating, the concave portion 46b of the rotation stopper 46 and the convex portion 48a of the leaf spring 48 are disengaged as shown in FIGS.

  When the operation panel 16 rotates approximately 180 degrees, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the concave portion 46b of the rotation stopper 46 and the convex portion 48a of the leaf spring 48 are fitted again, thereby restricting the rotation. As shown in FIG. 13, the rotation control unit 46 a of the rotation stopper 46 hits the abutting unit 50 a of the rotation control plate 50 and controls so that no further rotation is possible.

  FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a joint portion between the display panel 12 and the operation panel 16. A storage portion 52 for storing the operation panel 16 is provided on the back surface of the display panel 12. The operation panel 16 is normally stored in the storage unit 52. The operation panel 16 has an accommodation position (FIG. 1) in which the operation buttons 18 can be operated from the back side of the display panel 12, and a reverse position (FIG. 1) in which the operation buttons 18 can be operated from the display screen side of the display panel 12. 2 and FIG. 3) can be taken. On the operation surface side of the operation panel 16, a finger hook portion 54 for rotating the operation panel 16 about the shaft 16a is formed.

  The operation panel 16 is restricted from further rotation at the inverted position rotated 180 degrees. Of course, even when the operation panel 16 is housed in the back surface of the display panel 12, further rotation is restricted. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the display panel 12 or the palm and fingers support the back side of the operation panel 16, so that the operation button 18 can be operated stably.

  As can be easily understood from the above description, in this embodiment, an operation panel is attached to a display panel that can be opened / closed and rotated with respect to the main body, and can be rotated from either the back side or the display screen side of the display panel. Operable. This makes it possible to operate the operation panel regardless of the open / closed state of the display panel. For example, the operation can be performed even when no image is displayed on the display panel.

  Furthermore, since the operation panel is incorporated in the back surface of the display panel, the video camera can be easily downsized. The display panel is smaller than when operation buttons are arranged around the display unit of the display panel.

  15, 16 and 17 are perspective views of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which the display panel is accommodated in the main body. FIG. 16 is a perspective view when the operation panel is operated from the display screen side of the display panel with the display panel opened. FIG. 17 is a perspective view when the operation panel is operated from the back side of the display panel in a state where the display panel is inverted and stored. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the present embodiment, the operation panel 116 is rotatably disposed on the back surface of the end of the display panel 12 opposite to the hinge mechanism 14. An operation button 118 is disposed on the operation surface side of the operation panel 116. The operation panel 116 can rotate 180 degrees around the axis 116 a with respect to the display panel 12.

  The operation panel 116 is the same as the operation panel 16 except that the operation panel 116 is attached to the display panel 12 at different positions, and the same operational effects as the operation panel 16 can be obtained.

  In the second embodiment, the operation panel 116 is attached to the opposite side of the display panel 12 from the hinge mechanism 14, and the opening / closing axis 116 a of the operation panel 116 is parallel to the opening / closing axis 14 a of the display panel 12. Thereby, even when the video camera is placed on the floor, the operation panel 116 can be opened and closed, and the operability is improved.

  Although the embodiment applied to the video camera has been described, the present invention is applicable to a device having a display panel that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body, for example, a mobile phone, a digital camera, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

It is a perspective view of the state which accommodated the display panel of Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state in which the display panel of Example 1 is opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state in which the display panel of Example 1 is reversed and stored. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display panel when the display panel of Example 1 is viewed from the direction A in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of the display panel when the display panel of Example 1 is viewed from the direction B in FIG. 1. The perspective view which looked at the operation panel hinge mechanism from the C direction of FIG. 1 is shown. The disassembled perspective view of an operation panel hinge mechanism is shown. The exploded perspective view of the operation panel seen from the D direction of Drawing 7 is shown. The front view of the operation panel seen from the E direction of FIG. 7 is shown. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel hinge mechanism as viewed from the direction D in FIG. 7 at a position where the operation panel is rotated 180 degrees. The front view of the operation panel hinge mechanism seen from the E direction of FIG. 7 in the position which rotated the operation panel 180 degree | times is shown. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel hinge mechanism viewed from the direction D in FIG. 7 when the display panel is in the position shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. The front view of the operation panel hinge mechanism seen from the E direction of FIG. 7 when a display panel exists in the position shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. The enlarged view of the coupling | bond part of a display panel and an operation panel is shown. The perspective view of the state which accommodated the display panel of Example 2 in the main body is shown. The perspective view when operating an operation panel from the display screen side of a display panel in the state which opened the display panel of Example 2 is shown. The perspective view when operating an operation panel from the back side of a display panel in the state which reversed and stored the display panel of Example 2 is shown.

Explanation of symbols

10: Main body 12: Display panel 14: Hinge mechanism 14a: Opening / closing axis 14b: Rotating axis 16: Operation panel 16a: Rotating axis 18: Operation button 20: Shooting lens 22: Mode dial 24: Recording key 26: Display units 30a, 30b : Exterior cover 32: backlight 34: substrate 36: frame 40: flexible circuit board 42: rotating shaft 44: L-shaped plate 46: rotation stopper 46a: rotation control unit 46b: recess 48: leaf spring 48a: protrusion 50: Rotation control plate 50a: abutting section 52: storage section 54: finger hook section 116: operation panel 116a: opening / closing axis 118: operation button

Claims (3)

A display panel that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body by a hinge mechanism, and a display panel having a display unit on the front surface;
An operation panel is attached to the rear surface of the end portion of the display panel and is rotatable between a position where the operation surface faces the back side of the display panel and a position which faces the front side. An image display device characterized by the above.   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for locking the operation surface at a position facing the front side.   The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the display panel has a recess for accommodating the operation panel on the back surface.

Images