JP2010192410A - Button type switch, imaging device, and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate adjustment of pushing volume, until moving operation. <P>SOLUTION: The button-type switch is provided with a button part displacing according to a pushing volume by a user; a position detecting part for detecting a position of the displaced button part; a middle switching part for switching a circuit in case a position detected by the position detecting part is matched with a set value; a main switching part for switching other circuits in case the button part is further pushed in, excess of the set value; and a setting part for setting the set value. The button type switch can be, further, provided with a reaction force generating part for generating reaction force against pushing by contacting with the button part in case the button part is pushed so as to reach a given position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a button type switch, an imaging device, and an electronic device.

  Patent Document 1 below describes a button-type switch used as a release switch for a camera. The release switch includes a contact point that is conductive when the button is half-pressed and a contact point that is conductive when the button is pressed. Moreover, the stroke until the contact is conducted by half pressing can be adjusted by the male screw member.

  The release switch described in Patent Document 2 below can adjust the stroke until each contact is made conductive by an adjustment member built in the release button. The release switch described in Patent Document 3 below can adjust the stroke until the contact is made conductive by half pressing with an adjusting screw.

JP-A-9-325407 JP-A-11-338004 JP 2006-317482 A

  However, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, when adjusting the stroke, it is required to open the housing to expose the inside. In the structure described in Patent Document 2, it is required to remove the release button when adjusting the stroke. For this reason, outside parts may be lost or dust may enter the body.

  The structure described in Patent Document 3 uses a tool for adjustment. Furthermore, in any structure, the adjustment result cannot be confirmed until the release switch is operated. For this reason, for example, it is difficult to adjust the push-in amount between photographing.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, as a first aspect of the present invention, there are a button unit that is displaced according to the amount of pressing by a user, a position detection unit that detects the position of the displaced button unit, and a position detection unit. An intermediate opening / closing part that opens and closes one circuit when the detected position matches the set value, a main opening / closing part that opens and closes another circuit when the button part is pushed further beyond the set value, and a set value There is provided a button type switch including a setting unit for setting.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus comprising the button-type switch described above and an imaging unit that starts imaging when the main opening / closing unit closes the circuit in the button-type switch. Is done.

  Further, as a third aspect of the present invention, the button type switch described above, an electronic circuit that operates when the intermediate opening / closing part closes the circuit in the button type switch, and the main opening / closing part operates when the circuit is closed. There is provided an electronic device comprising another electronic circuit.

1 is a perspective view showing the overall shape of an imaging apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the imaging apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a mechanical structure of a release switch 200. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the release switch 200 operated. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the release switch 200 operated. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the release switch 200 operated. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a release switch 200. FIG. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between a stroke and a load in the release switch 200. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen 300. FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the setting screen. It is a figure which shows the other setting screen. It is a figure which shows typically the other mechanical structure of the release switch. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a pointing device 400. FIG.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solving means of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall shape of the imaging apparatus 100. The imaging apparatus 100 includes a housing 110 having a body mount 130 and a cover unit 120 having a flash device 140 that seals the upper surface of the housing 110. When recording an image using the imaging apparatus 100, a lens barrel is attached to the body mount 130.

  In addition to the connectors covered by the display unit 170 and the connector cover 150, a plurality of lever switches 160, dial switches 180, and push buttons 190 are arranged on the surfaces of the casing 110 and the cover unit 120, respectively.

  The lever switch 160 has functions such as a power switch and mode switching with few options. The dial switch 180 is assigned functions such as mode switching with many choices and increase / decrease of set values.

  The push button 190 includes a device having a mechanical function such as mount locking, mirror-up, and preview, and an electric switch for selecting a parameter to be operated by the dial switch 180 for increasing or decreasing the set value. In addition, an electrical switch that temporarily locks the operations of an automatic focusing mechanism, an automatic exposure mechanism, and the like is provided on the back surface of the housing 110 or the cover unit 120 that cannot be seen in the drawing.

  Further, the cover 120 is also provided with a release switch 200. The release switch 200 also has a form of a push button 190 that operates the shutter release when pressed. However, the release switch 200 has a unique function of closing the target circuit in the half-pressed state in the process of being fully depressed and operating the shutter release.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of the imaging apparatus 100. The imaging apparatus 100 is also provided with a plurality of lever switches 160, dial switches 180, and push buttons 190 on the back thereof. Again, each switch is selected according to its function.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus 100 includes a large display unit 172 on the back surface. The large display unit 172 has a high resolution and a wide display area, and is used when reproducing an image captured by an image sensor. Used as a part.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the mechanical structure of the release switch 200. The release switch 200 includes a button part 210, a coil spring 220, a leaf spring 230, a substrate 250, and the like.

  The button part 210 has a top surface that is exposed to the outside of the cover part 120 and receives a user's push. The coil spring 220 is sandwiched between the outer side of the cover part 120 and the button part 210 and urges the button part 210 in the direction of raising.

  The button part 210 integrally has a stem 212 that penetrates the cover part 120 and extends inside. An E-ring 214 having a diameter larger than that of the stem 212 is attached in the middle of the stem 212. In the state shown in the figure, the E-ring 214 abuts against the back surface of the cover part 120, thereby preventing the button part 210 biased by the coil spring 220 from falling off the cover part 120.

  Further, a leaf spring 230 is horizontally disposed below the stem 212. One end of the leaf spring 230 is fixed to the back surface (the lower surface in the drawing) of the cover portion 120 by a fixing screw 260 together with a conductive piece 240, a spacer 256, and a substrate 250, which will be described later.

  The release switch 200 includes a conductive piece 240 and a contact 252 on the substrate 250 as members forming the main opening / closing part 201. The conductive piece 240 has a contact 242 on the lower surface directly below the stem 212 and is horizontally disposed below the stem 212.

  Further, the substrate 250 is disposed below the conductive piece 240 in parallel with the conductive piece 240. On the upper surface of the substrate 250, a contact 252 is provided immediately below the contact 242. The conductive piece 240 is disposed in contact with the leaf spring 230, but the substrate 250 is fixed to the cover portion 120 via the spacer 256 in a state of being separated from the conductive piece 240. Thereby, the contact 242 of the conductive piece 240 and the contact 252 of the substrate 250 are separated from each other in the illustrated state.

  The other end of the substrate 250 is also fixed to the back surface of the fixing screw 260 near the cover through the spacer 254. Thereby, the substrate 250 is firmly positioned.

  Furthermore, the release switch 200 includes a magnetic piece 270 and a magnetic sensor 280 as members that form part of the intermediate opening / closing portion 202. The magnetic piece 270 is magnetized and forms a constant magnetic field around itself. The magnetic piece 270 is mounted on the side surface near the lower end of the stem 212 and moves up and down integrally with the button part 210.

  The magnetic sensor 280 is fixed to the back surface of the cover part 120 with a fixing screw 260 via the bracket 282. The fixed magnetic sensor 280 is disposed on the side of the stem 212 so as to face the magnetic piece 270. As the magnetic sensor 280, a Hall element or the like can be used.

  Along with the bracket 282, the stopper 284 is fastened together with the fixing screw 260 to the back surface of the cover portion 120. The lower surface of the stopper 284 abuts the other end of the leaf spring 230 to keep the spacing of the leaf spring 230 with respect to the stem 212 constant. Furthermore, since the conducting piece 240 is arranged along the leaf spring 230, the position of the conducting piece 240 is also determined by the stopper 284.

  FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state in which the release switch 200 is operated. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to elements common to those in FIG. 3 and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, in the state shown in FIG. 4, the button part 210 of the release switch 200 is slightly pushed. The lower end of the stem 212 is also lowered together with the pushed button part 210, and the lower end of the stem 212 eventually comes into contact with the upper surface of the leaf spring 230.

  The magnetic piece 270 also descends together with the stem 212 of the button part 210. Accordingly, the relative positions of the magnetic piece 270 and the magnetic sensor 280 also change.

  FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which the release switch 200 is operated. Elements common to those in FIGS. 3 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, in the state shown in FIG. 5, the button part 210 of the release switch 200 is further pushed. Since the stem 212 is lowered together with the pushed button portion 210, the leaf spring 230 pushed to the lower end of the stem 212 is elastically deformed and one end thereof is separated from the stopper 284.

  In this state, due to the elasticity of the leaf spring 230, the reaction force of the leaf spring 230 is applied to the button part 210 via the stem 212 in addition to the reaction force of the coil spring 220. Therefore, in order to push in the button part 210, it is required to apply a larger load.

  Further, the conductive piece 240 is also deformed together with the leaf spring 230. As a result, the contact 242 of the conductive piece 240 also starts to descend. Further, the magnetic piece 270 still falls together with the stem 212 of the button part 210. Accordingly, the relative positions of the magnetic piece 270 and the magnetic sensor 280 also continue to change.

  FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state in which the release switch 200 is operated. In addition, the same reference number is attached | subjected to the same element as FIG.3, FIG4 and FIG.5, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in the figure, in the state shown in FIG. 6, the button part 210 of the release switch 200 is further pushed. The stem 212 is lowered together with the pressed button portion 210 to further deform the leaf spring 230, and the contact point 242 of the conductive piece 240 comes into contact with the contact point 252 of the substrate 250. Since the substrate 250 is fixed and positioned at both ends, the button part 210 does not fall any further. The magnetic piece 270 also continues to descend together with the stem 212, but is not displaced when the contacts 242 and 252 come into contact.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the intermediate opening / closing part 202 in the release switch 200. The intermediate opening / closing unit 202 includes a magnetic sensor 280, a position detection unit 281, a setting unit 283, a comparator 285, and a switch 287.

  The position detection unit 281 generates a measurement value obtained by quantifying the position of the magnetic piece 270 that has been changed by pressing the button unit 210 in accordance with the output of the magnetic sensor 280. The setting unit 283 stores a half-press threshold set by the user.

  The comparator 285 compares the measurement value received from the position detection unit 281 with the half-press threshold received from the setting unit 283, and activates the switch 287 if they match. Thus, an intermediate opening / closing part 202 is formed that closes the circuit when the button part 210 is pushed to a set position.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the pressing amount (stroke) in the release switch 200 and the reaction force (load) generated in the button unit 210. As shown, the pushed-in button 210 is until pressing amount X ₁ in contact with the plate spring 230, the reaction force by the coil spring 220 which is compressed and deformed by pushing occurs acts on the button 210.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5, when the button portion 210 is further pushed in even after the stem 212 abuts against the leaf spring 230, it is caused by bending deformation of the leaf spring 230 in addition to the reaction force by the coil spring 220. The reaction force acts on the button part 210. As a result, the user who pushes the button part 210 senses that the button part 210 has been pushed to a certain position where it contacts the leaf spring 230.

  When the button part 210 is pushed deeper and the contacts 242 and 252 come into contact at the position M as shown in FIG. 6, the button part 210 cannot be pushed any further. Further, the contacts 242 and 252 are brought into conduction, and the main switching part 201 is turned on.

Here, when the half-push threshold is set at the position P ₁ where the reaction force against the button part 210 increases, the switch 287 of the intermediate opening / closing part 202 is closed simultaneously with the change of the reaction force against the button part 210. Therefore, the intermediate opening / closing unit 202 is very sensitive to the user who presses the button unit 210.

On the other hand, after the reaction force against the button part 210 is increased, if you set the half-press threshold position P ₂ between the up main switch 201 is closed, the intermediate open after felt change of the reaction force on the button 210 The switch 287 of the part 202 is closed. Therefore, the user feels that the intermediate opening / closing part 202 has a margin.

However, the position P _2, as it approaches the position M, since the main switching unit 201 is immediately closed as from the middle closing portion 202 closes the main opening 201 comes to feel sensitive. The combination of the closing timings of the main opening / closing unit 201 and the intermediate opening / closing unit 202 is set according to the user preference, the environment in which the imaging apparatus 100 is used, the shooting target, and the like by setting a setting value in the setting unit 283. Are appropriately selected.

  In this manner, the intermediate opening / closing unit 202 can electrically set the half-press threshold. Therefore, the half-press stroke can be adjusted without exposing the inside of the imaging apparatus 100 or removing some members.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen 300 displayed on the large display unit 172 on the back of the imaging apparatus 100 when the half-press threshold is set for the setting unit 283. The setting screen 300 displays the types of parameters 310 that are setting items and the values 320 that can be set for each of the parameters 310. The user can select and set the half-press threshold value to be obtained by moving the cursor 330 on the setting screen 300.

  Further, as described above, the intermediate opening / closing unit 202 can electrically set the stroke of the button unit 210 until the intermediate opening / closing unit 202 is closed. In the examples given so far, the intermediate opening / closing unit 202 is set with a single half-press threshold. However, by setting a plurality of half-press thresholds in the setting unit 283, the intermediate opening / closing unit 202 can be opened / closed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the setting screen 300 displayed on the large display unit 172. On the setting screen 300, the image of the button unit 210 and the scale 211 are displayed in close proximity. An operation guide 360 including virtual push buttons 362 and 364 is also displayed.

  In the setting screen 300 described above, the image of the button unit 210 is a moving image display 350 that is displaced downward in real time according to the amount of pressing when the actual button unit 210 is pressed. Thereby, the user can see the push amount visualized while actually feeling the push amount and reaction force of the button unit 210.

  Further, by pressing the virtual push button 362 displayed as “setting” in a state where the button unit 210 is pushed down to the position where the intermediate opening / closing unit 202 operates, the position of the button unit 210 at that time is set as a half-press threshold. It can be set in the setting unit 283. Further, by reading the scale indicated by the lower end of the image of the button unit 210 at the time of setting, the setting can be reproduced with the numerical values displayed on the setting screen 300 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another setting screen 300. The intermediate opening / closing unit 202 corresponding to the setting screen 300 can set two half-press thresholds for the setting unit 283, and can further individually assign a function that acts to each half-press threshold. .

  In the example shown in the figure, it is possible to select whether or not to assign the automatic exposure lock to the half press 1 in which the switch 287 is closed first when the button unit 210 is pressed. In addition, when shooting a moving image or the like, it is possible to assign a continuous operation start of the automatic focusing mechanism.

  In addition, when the button unit 210 is pushed deeper, the automatic focusing lock, the start of moving image shooting, and the like can be assigned to the half press 2 in which the switch 287 is closed. Furthermore, it is possible to select and assign still image shooting and moving image shooting start to the conduction of the main opening / closing unit 201.

  Furthermore, the combination of assignment to half-press 1, half-press 2 and main opening / closing part 201 can be stored in the storage area 340 from setting 1 to setting 3, and can be recalled collectively. Thereby, for example, the operability of the imaging apparatus 100 that can capture still images and moving images can be improved.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing another mechanical structure of the release switch 200. In the form shown in FIG. 12, the parts other than those described below have the same structure as the release switch 200 shown in FIGS. Therefore, the same elements are denoted by common reference numerals and redundant description is omitted.

  The release switch 200 includes a line sensor 286 instead of the magnetic sensor 280 and a through hole 276 instead of the magnetic piece 270. In addition, a surface light emitter 274 fixed to the back surface of the cover portion 120 by a fixing screw 260 via a bracket 272 is provided on the right side of the stem 212 in the drawing.

  That is, the line sensor 286 extending in the longitudinal direction of the stem 212 is arranged on the side of the stem 212 on the back surface of the cover portion 120. The line sensor 286 includes a plurality of light receiving elements arranged along the longitudinal direction of the stem 212. On the other hand, the stem 212 is formed with a horizontal through hole 276.

  Furthermore, in the release switch 200, a surface light emitter 274 is disposed on the opposite side of the stem 212 from the line sensor 286. The surface light emitter 274 has a light emitting surface facing the line sensor 286. Further, the light emitting surface extends over substantially the entire length of the stem 212 protruding from the back surface of the cover portion 120.

  Of the light emitted from the surface light emitter 274 to the side surface of the stem 212, the light injected from one end of the through hole 276 propagates to the opposite side of the stem 212 and enters the line sensor 286. The line sensor 286 specifies the height of the through hole 276 by specifying the received light receiving element. Thereby, the pressing amount of the button part 210 can be detected.

  The push-in amount detection structure of the button unit 210 is not limited to this, and the types of sensors that can be used are various. Moreover, it is not limited to a non-contact type sensor.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a pointing device 400 provided with a button type switch 420. As illustrated, the pointing device 400 includes a button-type switch 420 formed on the main body 410, a cable 430 pulled out from the main body 410, and a connector 440 attached to the end of the cable 430.

  The pointing device 400 is used by connecting to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer via a cable 430 and a connector 440. Used as a kind of input device, the cursor displayed on the display of the information processing device is moved by moving the main body 410, and an instruction is transmitted to the information processing device by pressing the button type switch 420.

  Further, the button type switch 420 of the pointing device 400 includes a main opening / closing part 201 and an intermediate opening / closing part 202 that operate according to the pushing amount. Accordingly, a single button type switch 420 can be used to generate a plurality of types of instructions such as “left click / right click”. Further, the push amount when the button-type switch 420 operates the intermediate opening / closing unit 202 can be changed as required by writing it as a half-press threshold value in the device driver setting file.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The order of execution of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the description, and the drawings is particularly “before” or “prior to”. It should be noted that the output can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the description, and the drawings, even if it is described using “first”, “next”, etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to carry out in this order. Absent.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging device, 110 Case, 120 Cover part, 130 Body mount, 140 Flash device, 150 Connector cover, 160 Lever switch, 170 Display part, 172 Large display part, 180 Dial switch, 190 Push button, 200 Release switch, 201 Main opening / closing section, 202 Intermediate opening / closing section, 210 Button section, 211 scale, 212 Stem, 214 E-ring, 220 Coil spring, 230 Leaf spring, 240 Conductive piece, 242, 252 Contact, 250 Substrate, 254, 256 Spacer, 260 Fixed Screw, 270 Magnetic piece, 272, 282 Bracket, 274 Surface light emitter, 276 Through hole, 280 Magnetic sensor, 281 Position detection unit, 283 Setting unit, 284 Stopper, 285 Comparator, 286 Line sensor, 287 Open / close , 300 setting screen 310 Parameter, 320 evaluator 330 cursor 340 storage area 350 video display, 360 operation guide, 362,364 pushbutton, 400 pointing device, 410 body, 420 a button-type switch, 430 cable, 440 connector

Claims (10)

A button that is displaced according to the amount of pressing by the user;
A position detector for detecting the position of the displaced button part;
An intermediate opening / closing part for opening / closing one circuit when the position detected by the position detecting part matches a set value;
A button-type switch, comprising: a main opening / closing portion that opens and closes another circuit when the button portion is further pushed beyond the set value; and a setting portion that sets the set value.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reaction force generation unit that abuts against the button part when the button part is pushed and reaches a given position and generates a reaction force against the pushing. Button type switch.   The button type switch according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit sets the setting value at a position where the button unit is pushed further than the given position.   4. The button-type switch according to claim 1, wherein the position detection unit detects the position by a non-contact sensor. 5. The position detector is
A magnetized magnetic body that is displaced with the button portion;
The button type switch according to claim 4, further comprising: a magnetic sensor that measures a magnetic field formed by the magnetic body.   The button type switch according to claim 4, wherein the position detection unit includes an optical sensor that optically detects the position of the button unit.   The intermediate opening / closing unit has a plurality of different setting values, and opens and closes different circuits when the position detected by the detection unit matches any of the plurality of setting values. The button type switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A button-type switch according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit that starts imaging when the main opening / closing unit closes a circuit in the button-type switch. The intermediate opening / closing unit has a first setting value for causing the imaging unit to start photometry, and a second setting value for causing the imaging unit to start shooting a moving image,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the main opening / closing unit causes the imaging unit to capture a still image. A button-type switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An electronic device comprising: an electronic circuit that operates when the intermediate opening / closing unit closes a circuit in the button-type switch; and another electronic circuit that operates when the main opening / closing unit closes the circuit.

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