JP2010136265A - Input device for electronic apparatus, electronic apparatus and digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device for an electronic apparatus capable of recognizing a plurality of instruction contents with a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 10 includes an input device including: a touch panel 28 on which plane coordinates corresponding to a pressed position are output; a lens cover 16 provided freely movably between a closed position covering a photographing lens 14 and an open position exposing the photographing lens; and a pressing member 26 fixed on the lens cover 16, moved to a position pressing the touch panel 28 at the open position, and returned to a position saved from the touch panel 28 at the closed position. The touch panel 28 is provided at a position covered with the lens cover 16 at all the time, outputs coordinates relating to a position pressed with the pressing member 26, and is used for setting a plurality of operating modes. If the lens cover 16 is pressed strongly, the pressing member 26 is crushed, and a contact area with the pressing member 26 increases, the touch panel 28 outputs a pressing signal for zooming the photographing lens 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device of an electronic device provided with a plane coordinate detection means using a touch panel, an electronic device and a digital camera provided with the input device.

  In order to reduce the number of operation buttons installed, a camera is known in which a plurality of switches are provided on the lens cover of the camera to detect the position of the lens cover, thereby turning on / off the power switch or zooming the photographing lens. ing. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a camera that performs zooming of a photographing lens by a switch that operates with an overstroke of a lens cover. On the other hand, some digital cameras have a touch panel provided on the surface of an LCD display panel provided on a rear cover. When the touch panel is pressed on the touch panel using a finger or a pen, the plane coordinates of the pressed position of the finger or the pen are detected, and various instructions are given based on the detected position. Both the lens cover and the touch panel described above can reduce the number of operation buttons installed, thereby ensuring a large area of the LCD display panel.

In the following Patent Document 2, a cover member having an input key is provided on a large screen display panel covered with a touch panel so as to be movable between a position where the display panel is exposed and a position where most of the display panel is covered. There is described a mobile phone in which the touch panel is pressed when the input key is pressed at a position covering the majority. Patent Document 3 below describes an input device that detects the amount of pressing from the contact area of the pressing point, and can detect not only the X-axis and Y-axis information of the plane coordinates but also the Z-axis information. .
JP 09-197479 A JP 2002-27055 A JP 2005-352632 A

  As described in Patent Document 1 described above, the method of providing a zoom switch on the lens cover can support only one function, and a complicated operation using a plurality of switches is required to support a plurality of operations. Further, Patent Document 2 merely sets a plurality of plane coordinates corresponding to a plurality of push buttons, and does not reduce the number of push buttons to be operated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problem, and an input device for an electronic device capable of recognizing a plurality of instruction contents from a plurality of operations while having a simple structure to reduce a plurality of operation buttons, An electronic apparatus and a digital camera including the above are provided.

  An input device of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention exposes a touch panel that outputs a coordinate signal corresponding to a plane coordinate representing a pressed position, a closed position that covers at least one functional component and is disabled, and the functional component. A cover member that is movably provided between an open position that can be used, and is fixed to the cover member, moved to a position that presses the touch panel in the open position, and from the touch panel in the closed position. And a pressing member that is returned to the retracted position.

  The touch panel is provided in a position that is always covered by the cover member, and the pressing member is provided so as to always press the touch panel in the open position. The touch panel increased when the contact area between the pressing member and the touch panel was increased by detecting a change in the area where the pressing member was contacted and pressed, and the cover member was pressed strongly to deform the pressing member. An area signal corresponding to the contact area may be output. The touch panel may be provided such that the distance from the pressing member changes when the cover member moves. The pressing member may simultaneously press two points on the touch panel. The cover member may be supported in a predetermined posture when in the closed position or between the closed position and the open position, and may be supported in a swingable manner when in the open position. The pressing member may simultaneously press two points on the touch panel. When the touch panel does not detect pressing by the pressing member, the power may be turned off. You may employ | adopt the said cover member for the lens cover of a digital camera.

  According to the present invention, by providing an input device with a touch panel on the cover member, it becomes possible to perform various operations by the cover member, thereby reducing operation buttons and ensuring sufficient space for other functional components. it can.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the digital camera (electronic device) 10 includes a front cover 11 and a front cover 11 side of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped camera body 13 configured to wrap a photographing mechanism from the front and rear by a front cover 11 and a rear cover 12. A lens barrel 15 having a photographic lens 14 is exposed on the front side, and a lens cover (cover member) 16 is provided on the front side of the photographic lens 14 and the lens barrel 15. The lens cover 16 is slidably provided between a closed position that covers the photographing lens 14 and an exposed open position, and the power is turned off when the lens cover 16 is in the closed position. In addition, a strobe light emitting unit 17 is exposed on the front surface of the front cover 11. Further, a shutter button 19 that is pressed in two steps is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 13, and various shooting preparation processes are executed when the shutter button 19 is half-pressed, and shooting processes are executed when the camera body 13 is further pressed halfway and fully pressed. The

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the lens cover 16, two mounting bosses 21 provided on the back surface side are inserted through guide holes 22 provided on the front cover 11, and a retaining washer is provided on the back surface side of the front cover 11. 23 and a screw 24 are slidably attached, and are urged in the direction of the closed position or the open position by a toggle spring 25 provided between the front cover 11. On the back side of the lens cover 16, a rubber pressing member 26 having a conical tip is provided. The pressing member 26 is positioned on the touch panel 28 provided on the front cover 11 and presses the touch panel 28 when the lens cover 16 is in the open position. The touch panel outputs a coordinate signal corresponding to the coordinates representing the position pressed by the pressing member 26, detects an area where the pressing member contacts, and the cover member is pressed strongly to deform the pressing member. When the contact area with the pressing member increases, a pressing signal (area signal) indicating that the pressing member has been pressed is output. The input device of the electronic device according to claim is configured by the lens cover 16, the pressing member 26, and the touch panel 28. Here, the method for detecting the contact area may be any method, for example, a method in which a plurality of coordinate points are provided on the touch panel and the area is detected based on the number of detected coordinate points. The pressing member 26 is not limited to a rubber protrusion having a conical tip, but may be a sphere pressed by a coil spring or a leaf spring having a spherical surface at the tip. Any other method may be used as long as the touch panel 28 can recognize this by pressing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an LCD display panel 30 for displaying an image is provided on the rear cover 12 side of the camera body 13 and displays a through image, a reproduced image, various setting screens, and the like. In addition, operation members such as a menu button 31, a selection button 32, and an enter button 33 are provided. A slot 35 is provided on the side surface of the camera body 13, and a memory card 36 in which image data is recorded is detachably loaded in the slot 35. The captured image data is written and stored in the memory card 36.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the electrical configuration of the digital camera 10 is such that the CPU 40 has a motor driver 42 that controls the driving lens motor 41 of the photographing lens 14 and a strobe control circuit that controls the light emission of the strobe light emitting unit 17. 43 and a CCD 44 on which a subject image is formed by the photographing lens 14 are connected, and a pressing signal from the shutter button 19 is input. Further, an LCD driver 45 for controlling the LCD display panel 30, a system memory 46, an image input controller 47, an AE / AF / AWB detection circuit 48, an image signal processing circuit 49, a compression / decompression processing circuit 50, a media controller 51, etc. Various circuits necessary for image processing are connected to the CPU 40 via the data bus 52. Since these are well known in digital cameras, detailed description thereof is omitted. The CPU 40 reads out various control programs necessary for photographing from the system memory 46 and executes them. Further, an operation mode setting circuit 38 for selecting a still image shooting mode, a moving image shooting mode, or a reproduction mode based on the plane coordinates detected by the touch panel 28 is connected, and the operation of the lens cover 16 allows the operation mode setting circuit 38 to be selected. Set one.

  Next, the effect | action in the said embodiment is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 6, when the lens cover 16 moves from the closed position (A) to the open position (A), the pressing member 26 moves onto the touch panel 28 and presses the touch panel 28. At this time, the touch panel 28 is always disposed at a position covered by the lens cover 16, and an operator's finger or the like is not touched when the lens cover 16 is operated. When the touch panel 28 is pressed, a press signal is sent from the touch panel 28 to the CPU 40, and the CPU 40 turns on the power of the digital camera 10. Here, the touch panel 28 is always in an on state, and only the touch panel 28 is in an on state even when the power of the camera is off.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the tip of the pressing member 26 in the open position stops at a position on the touch panel 28 and is pressed with a predetermined pressure. The touch panel 28 sends a coordinate signal indicating the plane coordinates of the position of the mosquito to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 sets the photographing mode by the operation mode setting circuit 38 based on the coordinate signal. Here, when the Push mark 16a (see FIG. 2) formed on the surface side of the lens cover 16 provided with the pressing member 26 is pressed, the area on the touch panel 28 pressed by the tip of the pressing member 26 is increased. The touch panel 28 detects that the contact area has increased, and sends the pressing signal to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 recognizes this as a zoom signal, controls the photographing lens 14, and drives the photographing lens 14 to continue zooming while the area signal continues.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the lens cover 16 is slightly returned in the closing direction, the tip of the pressing member 26 becomes the position shown in FIG. 7, and the touch panel 28 sends a coordinate signal of the position to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 sets the moving image mode by the operation mode setting circuit 38 based on the coordinate signal. When the Push mark 16a is pressed here, the pressing area by the tip of the pressing member 26 is increased, and the photographing lens 14 can be zoomed. As shown in FIG. 9, when the lens cover 16 is further returned to the closing direction, the tip of the pressing member 26 becomes the position shown in FIG. 7, and the touch panel 28 sends a coordinate signal of the position to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 sets the reproduction mode by the operation mode setting circuit 38 based on the coordinate signal. When the Push mark 16a is pressed here, the pressing area by the tip of the pressing member 26 is increased, and the displayed reproduced image can be made the previous image. Here, there is no problem even if the position of the tip of the pressing member 26 on the touch panel 28 is slightly deviated from the position of the illustrated gusset, hook, or the like. For example, if it is within the respective ranges shown in FIG.

  Next, another embodiment of an input device for an electronic device including the touch panel 28 and the lens cover 16 will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the touch panel 28 is provided in parallel to the lens cover 16 and a plurality of operation modes can be selected by the lens cover 16, but the coordinate signal generated by the touch panel 28 is used to zoom the photographing lens 14. You may make it use only for. Moreover, since each member is the same as the said embodiment, the same code | symbol is used. As shown in FIG. 10, when the touch panel 28 is provided obliquely with respect to the lens cover 16, the distance between the pressing member 26 and the touch panel 28 becomes narrow as the lens cover 16 moves. When the interval is narrowed, the crushing amount of the tip of the pressing member 26 is gradually increased, and the pressing area of the touch panel 28 (see FIG. 11) is also gradually increased. If the pressing area increases, the load when operating the lens cover 16 also increases. Therefore, the position of the pressing member 26 can be grasped sensuously by the magnitude of the load. The zooming operation can be performed while recognizing the current zoom degree within the zoomable range by sensibly grasping where the zooming is between the WIDE end 26a and the TELE end 26b shown in FIG. It can be carried out. The zooming position of the photographic lens is determined by the coordinate signal between the 26a and 26b based on the center coordinate of the pressing range by the pressing member 26. The touch panel 28 determines the contact area with the pressing member 26 in stages. Alternatively, a plurality of area signals may be set so as to be detected, and the photographing lens 14 may be in a zooming position corresponding to the plurality of area signals.

  Next, a case where an image displayed on the LCD display panel 30 is rotated using a coordinate signal generated by the touch panel 28 will be described as a third embodiment. The same members as those in the previous embodiment use the same symbols. As shown in FIG. 12, the lens cover 61 of the digital camera 60 includes two pressing members 62 and 63 on the back side. The pressing members 62 and 63 are located away from the touch panel 28 when in the closed position (position indicated by “S”), and when the lens cover 61 is in the open position (position indicated by “S”). It is moved upward and the touch panel 28 is pressed. The two guide holes 66 and 67 formed in the front cover 65 of the digital camera 60 maintain the posture when the lens cover 61 is in the closed position from the closed position to before the open position. In the open position, the two mounting bosses 68 and 69 provided on the back side of the lens cover 61 are provided with a wide width so as not to hinder the free swinging of the lens cover 61. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 13, positioning spring plates 71 and 72 are provided where the widths of the two guide holes 66 and 67 are widened. The positioning spring plates 71 and 72 are provided with recesses for stopping the mounting bosses 68 and 69 at three positions. When the lens cover 61 is in the open position, the mounting bosses 68 and 69 are, for example, 68a and 69a. Stop in position. At this time, the pressing members 62 and 63 are at positions 62a and 63a, and are horizontally aligned on the touch panel 28 to simultaneously press the touch panel 28. When the lens cover 61 is rotated clockwise from this state, the mounting bosses 68 and 69 are moved from the positions 68a and 69a to the positions 68b and 69b. As a result, the pressing members 62 and 63 move from the positions 62a and 63a to the positions 62b and 63b. Similarly, when the lens cover 61 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the mounting bosses 68 and 69 are moved to positions 68c and 69c, whereby the pressing members 62 and 63 are moved to positions 62c and 63c. And output these coordinate signals. The positions 62b and 63b or the positions 62c and 63c are rotated positions from the positions 68a and 69a, and an image displayed on the LCD display panel 30 can be rotated with respect to the LCD display panel 30 using the rotation information. . For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the subject is inclined with respect to the LCD display panel 30 for some reason during shooting, the displayed through image is rotated by using this function, as shown in FIG. By taking a picture after the normal posture as shown in FIG. 6 is taken, it is possible to obtain a normal posture image instead of an oblique image. Alternatively, it is also possible to rotate and display a captured reproduced image with the subject tilted.

  In the third embodiment, the mounting bosses 68 and 69 are stopped at the positions 68a and 69a when the lens cover 61 is in the open position. Even if it is moved to the end of 67 and stopped at 68c and 69b, the pressing members 62 and 63 are horizontally aligned on the touch panel 28 and are not pressing the touch panel 28 at the same time. Since the rotation of the cover 61 results in 68b, 69b or 68c, 69c, it is detected that the lens cover 61 has been rotated.

  In the above embodiment, the mounting boss 21 or 68 or 69 when the lens cover 16 or 61 is in the open position is regulated by the guide hole 22 or the positioning spring plates 71 and 72 so that the pressing member rotates linearly or rotates. Although the configuration is such that the pressing member at the open position can freely slide on the touch panel 28, the position of the pressing member is displayed on the LCD display panel 30, and the content set according to the position is set. You may make it understand. In this way, most operation buttons can be deleted.

  The above embodiment has been described with an example in which the input device for an electronic device according to the present invention is mounted on a digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and the present invention may be implemented in an electronic device such as a portable music player. .

It is the perspective appearance figure which looked at the state where the lens cover of the digital camera provided with the input device of the electronic equipment of the present invention was closed from the front. FIG. 2 is a perspective external view of a state in which a lens cover of the digital camera in FIG. 1 is opened as viewed from the front. It is an exploded view of the digital camera of FIG. It is the perspective appearance figure which looked at the digital camera of Drawing 1 from back. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a digital camera. It is drawing for description of the input device by opening and closing of a front cover. It is a figure explaining the press position on a touch panel. It is a perspective external view when a front cover is returned a little from the open position. It is a perspective external view when returning further from FIG. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of a touch panel and a press member. It is a figure explaining the press position on a touch panel in FIG. It is drawing for description of 3rd Embodiment. It is the elements on larger scale of FIG. It is a figure of the imaging | photography screen for demonstrating 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure of the imaging | photography screen for demonstrating 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10,60 Digital camera (electronic equipment)
11, 65 Front cover 13 Camera body 14 Shooting lens (functional parts)
16, 61 Lens cover (cover member)
16a Push mark 21, 68, 69 Mounting boss 22, 66, 67 Guide hole 26, 62, 63 Press member 28 Touch panel 30 LCD display panel 38 Operation mode setting circuit 40 CPU

Claims (9)

A touch panel that outputs a coordinate signal corresponding to a plane coordinate representing a pressed position;
A cover member provided so as to be movable between a closed position that covers at least one functional component and is unusable and an open position that exposes the functional component and is usable;
A pressing member fixed to the cover member, moved to a position for pressing the touch panel in the open position, and returned to a position for retracting from the touch panel in the closed position;
An input device for electronic equipment, comprising:   The input device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel is provided at a position that is always covered by the cover member.   The input device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member always presses the touch panel in the open position.   The touch panel detects an area where the pressing member is in contact, and when the cover member is strongly pressed and the pressing member is deformed to increase the contact area between the pressing member and the touch panel, the touch area corresponds to the increased contact area. 4. The input device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein an area signal is output.   5. The input device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel is provided such that an interval between the touch member and the pressing member changes when the cover member moves.   2. The cover member is supported in a predetermined posture when in the closed position or between the closed position and the open position, and is swingably supported when in the open position. The input device of the electronic device in any one of 4 thru | or 4.   The electronic device input device according to claim 6, wherein the pressing member simultaneously presses two points on the touch panel. An input device for an electronic device according to claim 1 is provided,
When the touch panel does not detect pressing by the pressing member, the power is turned off.   9. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is a lens cover that opens and closes a photographing lens.

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