JP2011039852A - Button type switch, imaging apparatus, and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate change of settings of a push button type switch. <P>SOLUTION: The push button type switch includes: a button part which has a plurality of operating points corresponding to a plurality of different amounts of depression; a change accepting part which accepts, from the outside, the change for assigning a function assigned to one of the plurality of operating points to the other one of the plurality of operating points; and an assigning part which assigns a function assigned to one of the plurality of operating points to the other one of the plurality of operating points, in accordance with the change accepted by the change accepting part. In the push button type switch, invalidation of an operating point may be included as a function assigned by the assigning part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,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, the adjustment of the stroke described above requires that a tool, a replacement part, etc. be prepared. In addition, it was required to leave the adjustment work to a trained engineer. For this reason, it is difficult for many general users who cannot obtain support at the shooting site to adjust the stroke itself. Even when support is available, it is difficult to adjust the stroke between shootings according to the shooting conditions.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, as a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of button units having a plurality of operation points corresponding to a plurality of different push-in amounts and a plurality of functions assigned to one of the plurality of operation points are provided. A change accepting unit that accepts a change assigned to another one of the operating points from the outside and a function assigned to one of the operating points according to the change accepted by the change accepting unit to another one of the operating points A button-type switch is provided that includes an assigning unit for assigning.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus comprising: the button-type switch; and an imaging unit that starts imaging when the main opening / closing unit closes the circuit in the button-type switch. The Further, as a third aspect of the present invention, the button type switch, an electronic circuit that operates when the intermediate opening / closing unit closes the circuit in the button type switch, and the operation that operates when the main opening / closing unit closes the circuit are provided. An electronic device is provided.

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. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the 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. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the stroke of the release switch 200, and reaction force. 3 is a block diagram showing a control structure of a release switch 200. FIG. 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 flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a control mechanism. It is a figure which shows typically the other structure of the release switch. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a push switch unit 290. FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the stroke of the release switch 200, and reaction force. 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 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.

  A display unit 170, a dial switch 180, and the like are disposed on the surfaces of the housing 110 and the cover unit 120. The dial switch 180 is assigned functions such as mode switching with many choices and increase / decrease of set values.

  Furthermore, a release switch 200 is provided in the cover unit 120. The release switch 200 has the form of a push button that operates the shutter release when pressed. However, the release switch 200 also has an operating point in the process until it is fully depressed and the shutter release operates.

  FIG. 2 is a rear view of the imaging apparatus 100. The imaging apparatus 100 is also provided with a dial switch 180, a cross key 192, a push button switch 194, and the like on the back thereof. 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 for reproducing an image photographed by the image sensor. Used as part.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the release switch 200. The release switch 200 includes a button part 210, a coil spring 220, a leaf spring 230, a shallow conduction piece 240, a deep conduction piece 250, and a bottom conduction piece 260.

  The button part 210 includes a push-down part 212 and a stem 214. The push-down portion 212 has a top surface that is exposed to the outside of the cover portion 120 and receives a push operation from the user. The stem 214 extends downward from the push-down portion 212.

  The lower end of the stem 214 extends through the frame part 122 attached to the cover part 120 to the inside of the cover part 120. Further, an E ring 216 is attached to the stem 214 inside the cover portion 120. Thereby, the button part 210 does not fall off from the frame part 122.

  Further, the frame portion that supports the button portion 210 is fastened by a fixing plate 124 disposed inside the cover portion 120 and a fixing screw 126. Thereby, the button part 210 is fixed to the cover part 120.

  A coil spring 220 biased in the extending direction is sandwiched between the push-down portion 212 and the frame portion 122. Thereby, the push button part 210 is urged upward with respect to the cover part 120.

  Inside the cover part 120, below the stem 214, the leaf spring 230, the shallow conducting piece 240, the deep conducting piece 250, and the bottom conducting piece 260 are arranged in this order. The leaf spring 230, the shallow conducting piece 240, the deep conducting piece 250, and the bottom conducting piece 260 are all formed of a belt-like elastic body, and one end (the right end in the figure) is fixed to the cover portion 120. That is, one end of the leaf spring 230, the shallow conducting piece 240, the deep conducting piece 250, and the bottom conducting piece 260 is laminated in a state of being insulated from each other with the spacer 270 interposed therebetween, and the cover 120 is fixed by the fixing screw 272. Are screwed together.

  The other end (the left end in the figure) of the leaf spring 230 comes into contact with the lower end of the stem 214 of the button part 210 that has been fully raised. The other ends of the shallow conducting piece 240, the deep conducting piece 250, and the bottom conducting piece 260 come into contact with the individual stoppers 244, 254, and 264 arranged inside the cover unit 120 from below. Thereby, when the push button part 210 is not pushed down, the leaf | plate spring 230, the shallow part conducting piece 240, the deep part conducting piece 250, and the bottom part conducting piece 260 hold | maintain the state mutually separated.

  Although not shown, the leaf spring 230 is connected to a ground potential, for example. Each of the shallow conducting piece 240, the deep conducting piece 250, and the bottom conducting piece 260 has contacts 242 252 262 protruding upward in the vicinity of the other end. Each of the deep conduction piece 250 and the bottom conduction piece 260 is connected to a control unit 280 described later.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the release switch 200 is slightly pushed in, as compared with FIG. The same members as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  When the push-down portion 212 is pushed down against the coil spring 220 and the leaf spring 230, the stem 214 is also lowered. As a result, the other end side of the leaf spring 230 pushed by the stem 214 descends and eventually comes into contact with the contact 242 of the shallow conductive piece 240.

  Accordingly, the shallow conducting piece 240 is connected to the ground potential via the leaf spring 230. Thereby, the control part 280 mentioned later can detect that the pushbutton part 210 was pushed down to one operating point.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the release switch 200 is further pushed in, as compared with FIGS. 3 and 4. The same members as those in FIGS. 3 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  When the push-down portion 212 is pushed down against the elasticity of the coil spring 220, the leaf spring 230, and the shallow conduction piece 240, the shallow conduction piece 240 pushed down by the descending stem 214 is elastically deformed, and eventually its lower surface. Contacts the contact 252 of the deep conduction piece 250. Thereby, the deep conduction piece 250 is connected to the ground potential via the shallow conduction piece 240 and the leaf spring 230. Therefore, the control unit 280 can detect that the push button unit 210 has been pushed down to another operating point.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the release switch 200 is further pushed in, as compared with FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. The same members as those in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  When the push-down portion 212 is pushed down against the elasticity of the coil spring 220, the leaf spring 230, the shallow conduction piece 240, and the deep conduction piece 250, the deep conduction piece 250 pushed down by the descending stem 214 is elastically deformed, Eventually, the lower surface abuts on the contact 262 of the bottom conductive piece 260. As a result, the bottom conductive piece 260 is connected to the ground potential via the deep conductive piece 250, the shallow conductive piece 240, and the leaf spring 230. Therefore, the control unit 280 can detect that the push button unit 210 is further pushed down to one operating point.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of depression (stroke) of the button part 210 and the reaction force in the series of operations of the release switch 200 shown in FIGS. By depressing the state shown in the button section 210 until the operating point X ₁ shown in FIG. 4 in FIG. 3, the reaction force caused by the elasticity of the coil spring 220 and the bending deformed leaf spring 230 compressed deformed by pushing, It acts on the button part 210 via the stem 214.

Then, until reaching the operating point X ₂ is further pushed the button unit 210 as shown in FIG. 5, a reaction force caused by the elastic deformation of the shallow conductive pieces 240 is applied to the button portion 210. Here, when the shallow conductive piece 240 in contact with the stopper 244 is hardly elastically deformed, the reaction force acting on the push-down portion 212 at the beginning when the leaf spring 230 contacts the shallow conductive piece 240 is Almost no change. Accordingly, the reaction force continuously changes as shown by the solid line in the figure.

  On the other hand, when the shallow conducting piece 240 in contact with the stopper 244 has already elastically deformed, a clear reaction force is applied to the push-down portion 212 from the beginning when the leaf spring 230 is brought into contact with the shallow conducting piece 240. Change works. As a result, as indicated by a dotted line in the figure, the reaction force changes stepwise, and the user who pushes the button unit 210 senses that the button unit 210 has been pushed to one operating point. Such setting of the initial state of the shallow conducting piece 240 is selected depending on whether or not it is desired to inform the user who presses the button unit 210 that the operating point of the shallow conducting piece 240 has been reached.

Then, until it reaches further pushed in the operating point X ₃ Kamata button portion 210 as shown in FIG. 6, the reaction force caused by the elastic deformation of the deep conductive pieces 250 also applied to the button part 210. Here, when the deep conducting piece 250 in contact with the stopper 254 is hardly elastically deformed, the reaction force acting on the push-down portion 212 at the beginning when the shallow conducting piece 240 comes into contact with the deep conducting piece 250 is Almost no change. Accordingly, the reaction force continuously changes as shown by the solid line in the figure.

  On the other hand, when the deep conduction piece 250 in contact with the stopper 254 is already elastically deformed, it is clear from the beginning that the shallow conduction piece 240 comes into contact with the deep conduction piece 250 as indicated by a dotted line in the figure. The reaction force increases. As a result, the user who presses the button unit 210 can be informed that the button unit 210 has reached another operating point. The setting of the initial state of the deep conduction piece 250 is selected depending on whether or not it is desired to notify the user who presses the button unit 210 that the button unit 210 has reached the operating point.

  In the illustrated example, the bottom conductive piece 260 is a band-like elastic body, similar to the shallow conductive piece 240 and the deep conductive piece 250, but the bottom conductive piece 260 may have a structure that does not elastically deform. Thereby, it is possible to inform the user that there is no operating point even if the button unit 210 is pushed further.

  In the above example, each of the two conductive pieces, the shallow conductive piece 240 and the deep conductive piece 250, is provided. However, by increasing the number of conductive pieces, more operating points can be provided. . Further, it goes without saying that contacts that are successively conducted according to the amount of depression of the push-down portion 212 can be formed by other structures.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the control structure of the release switch 200. In this block diagram, the operating points X ₁ , X ₂ , X ₃ caused by the shallow conducting piece 240, the deep conducting piece 250 and the bottom conducting piece 260 are indicated by switches SW ₁ , SW ₂ , SW ₃ .

As illustrated, the control unit 280 is connected to the switches SW ₁ , SW ₂ , SW ₃ corresponding to the operating points X ₁ , X ₂ , X ₃ . The control unit 280 controls operations of the automatic exposure mechanism 282, the automatic focusing mechanism 284, the shutter release mechanism 286, the aperture driving mechanism 288, and the like.

Further, the control unit 280 includes a change accepting unit 281 and an assigning unit 283. The change accepting unit 281 is operated from the outside using the cross key 192, the push button switch 194, the large display unit 172, and the like of the imaging apparatus 100, and the switches SW ₁ , SW ₂ , SW ₃ and the automatic exposure mechanism 282, automatic focusing. Changes in the correspondence relationship between the mechanism 284, the shutter release mechanism 286, and the aperture driving mechanism 288 are accepted. The assigning unit 283 assigns the operations of the automatic exposure mechanism 282, the automatic focusing mechanism 284, the shutter release mechanism 286, and the aperture driving mechanism 288 to the switches SW ₁ , SW ₂ , and SW ₃ according to the accepted change.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting screen 300 of the large display unit 172 when the change receiving unit 281 is operated to specify the function assignment to each operation point. On the setting screen 300, a display indicating the type of the parameter 310 to be set and a display indicating the value 320 of the parameter are displayed in divided areas. Furthermore, a storage area display 340 is also displayed on the setting screen 300.

In the illustrated example, a plurality of operating points of the imaging apparatus 100 and functions that can be specified for each of the operating points are listed. The user can designate a function to be assigned to each operation point by operating the push button of the imaging apparatus 100 and moving the pointer 330 on the setting screen 300. The assignment of functions to the operating points X ₁ , X ₂ , and X ₃ specified on the setting screen 300 can be changed by the same operation. The designation of the changed assignment is accepted by the change accepting unit 281, and the assigning unit 283 reassigns to the operating points X ₁ , X ₂ , and X ₃ , thereby reflecting the function of the imaging device 100.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, automatic exposure mechanism 282, also for the operating point _{X 1,} can be specified for the operating point _{X 2.} However, even if assigned the automatic exposure mechanism 282 in both the operating point X _1, X _2, since the automatic exposure is a single image capturing apparatus 100 can run at a time, one of the operating point X _1, automatic exposure mechanism X ₂ When 282 is assigned, it is desirable to prohibit the same function from being assigned to the other operating points X ₁ and X ₂ .

On the other hand, functions that can be repeatedly executed, such as the shutter release mechanism 286, may be assigned to a plurality of operating points X ₁ , X ₂ , and X ₃ . Such distinction can alert the user by graying out the selection items displayed on the setting screen 300.

In addition, a plurality of functions may be assigned to one operating point X ₁ , X ₂ , X ₃ . For example, the automatic exposure mechanism 282 and the automatic focusing mechanism 284 can be assigned to one of the operating points X ₁ and X _{2 in} the process of depressing the release switch 200. Thereby, a so-called half-press of the release switch 200 is formed.

Further, on this setting screen, the combination of assignments to the operating points X ₁ , X ₂ , and X ₃ is stored in one of the storage areas shown in the storage area display 340 from setting 1 to setting 3. By recalling the stored settings ₁ , ₂ , and ₃ , the functions of the plurality of operating points X ₁ , X ₂ , and X ₃ can be collectively assigned. Thereby, the operativity of the change reception part 281 can further be improved.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the setting screen 300 displayed on the large display unit 172. The setting screen 300, a shutter release mechanism 286 to the operating point _{X 3} caused by the bottom conductive pieces 260, to either the operating points _X 1, _{X 2} caused by the shallow conductive pieces 240 or deep conductive pieces 250, push-called half Is assumed to be assigned. The half-pressing of the release switch 200 corresponds to the automatic exposure mechanism 282 and the automatic focusing mechanism 284, for example.

On this setting screen 300, half-pressing can be set to either the operating point X ₁ or X ₂ . In other words, invalidity of the operation point is assigned to the operation points X ₁ and X ₂ that have not been set to half-press. Thereby, the pushing amount until the release switch 200 is half-pressed can be changed. The setting of the push amount until the half-press is not mechanically operated by the release switch 200, and can be changed at any time from the setting screen 300 according to the shooting situation, the user's desire, and the like.

In addition, by further increasing the number of operating points X ₁ , X ₂ , and X ₃ to increase the number of functions to be assigned, the stroke of the operating point at which each function occurs can be changed more finely. When invalidity is assigned to the operating points X ₁ and X ₂ , the shallow conducting piece 240 or the deep conducting piece 250 may be mechanically shifted and moved to a position where it cannot be pushed down by the push-down unit 212. As a result, the wear of the contacts 242 and 252 due to electric corrosion or the like can be reduced, and the life of the release switch 200 can be extended.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the control unit 280. Here, through the setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 9, automatic exposure mechanism 282 and the automatic focusing mechanism 284 of the operating point _{X 1} is, the shutter release mechanism 286 in both the operating point _{X 2} and the operating point _{X 3,} respectively changed It is assumed that it is set by the reception unit 281.

In the imaging apparatus 100 is powered, the control unit 280 first checks whether a valid setting in the switch SW ₁ is made (S101). When switch SW ₁ is enabled (S101: YES), the control unit 280, the switch SW ₁ is checked on or not (S102). When switch SW ₁ is turned off (S102: NO), the control unit 280 continuously monitors the switch SW _1. When switch SW ₁ is turned on (S102: YES), the control unit 280 operates the automatic exposure mechanism 282 and the automatic focusing mechanism 284 (S103).

When operating the automatic exposure mechanism 282 and the automatic focusing mechanism 284 in Step S103, or, when the switch SW ₁ is set to disable in step S101 (S101: NO), the control unit 280, following the operating point It is checked whether the switch SW2 corresponding to is valid (S104). If a valid set switch SW ₂ is (S104: YES), the control unit 280, the switch SW ₂ is checked on or not (S105). If the switch SW ₂ is turned off (S105: NO), the control unit 280 continuously monitors the switch SW _2. If the switch SW ₂ is ON (S105: YES), the control unit 280 operates the shutter release mechanism 286 (S106).

When the switch SW ₂ at step S104 has been disabled (S104: NO), or when operating the shutter release mechanism 286 in step S106, the control unit 280 is a valid setting in the switch SW ₃ It is checked whether or not (S107). When the switch SW ₃ is enabled (S107: YES), the control unit 280, the switch SW ₃ is checked on or not (S108).

When the switch SW ₃ is OFF (S108: NO), the control unit 280 continuously monitors the switch SW _3. When the switch SW ₃ is ON (S108: YES), the control unit 280 operates the shutter release mechanism 286 (S109). When operating a shutter release mechanism 286 in step 109, or, in step 107, when the switch SW ₃ is disabled, the control unit 280 checks whether the power of the imaging apparatus 100 is turned off ( S110).

  When the power supply of the imaging device 100 is off, the control unit 280 ends the control. When the shutter release mechanism 286 is operated in step 109 or when the power of the imaging apparatus 100 is still on (S110: NO), the control unit 280 returns the control procedure to the first step S101.

  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 push-down switch unit 290 instead of the leaf spring 230, the shallow conducting piece 240, the deep conducting piece 250, and the bottom conducting piece 260 that form a plurality of operating points. The push-down switch unit 290 is inexpensively supplied as a single part having a plurality of operating points, such as a tact switch (registered trademark). Therefore, by forming the release switch 200 using the push-down switch unit 290, the component cost and the manufacturing cost of the release switch 200 can be reduced.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the push-down switch unit 290. As illustrated, the push-down switch unit 290 includes a plurality of disc springs 292, 294, and 296 that are stacked while being separated from each other inside the housing 291, and a fixed contact 298. A push-down portion 293 that moves vertically is disposed above the disc spring 292.

  In the push-down switch unit 290 as described above, the disc springs 292, 294, and 296 are sequentially deformed when the push-down portion 293 is pushed down. That is, the disc springs 292, 294, and 296 that have initially been raised upward are pushed down by the push-down portion 293 and protrude downward. As a result, the pressed disc springs 292 and 294 sequentially contact the lower disc springs 294 and 296. Further, when the lowermost disc spring 296 is deformed, it contacts the fixed contact 298. Thus, the push-down switch unit 290 forms a plurality of operating points.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of depression (stroke) of the push-down portion 293 and the reaction force in the operation of the release switch 200 shown in FIG. Each of the disc springs 292, 294, and 296 included in the push-down switch unit 290 exhibits a large change in the reaction force when the bulging direction of the central bulging portion is reversed from the top to the bottom or from the bottom to the top. For this reason, in the release switch 200 using the push-down switch unit 290, the user feels the operating point immediately before the operating points X ₁ , X ₂ , and X ₃ become effective.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a pointing device 400 including 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.

  Furthermore, the button type switch 420 of the pointing device 400 has a plurality of operating points corresponding to the amount of pressing. Accordingly, a single button type switch 420 can be used to generate a plurality of types of instructions such as “left click / right click”. Moreover, the stroke of the button type switch 420 until such an operating point acts can be changed.

  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, 291 Case, 120 Cover part, 122 Frame part, 124 Fixing plate, 126, 272 Fixing screw, 130 Body mount, 170 Display part, 172 Large display part, 180 Dial switch, 192 Four-way key, 194 Push button switch, 200 release switch, 210 button part, 212 push-down part, 214 stem, 216 E ring, 220 coil spring, 230 leaf spring, 240 shallow part, 250 deep part, 260 bottom part, 242, 252 , 262 contact, 244, 254, 264 stopper, 270 spacer, 280 control unit, 281 change accepting unit, 282 automatic exposure mechanism, 283 allocation unit, 284 automatic focusing mechanism, 286 shutter release mechanism, 288 aperture drive mechanism, 290 depressing The Switch unit, 292, 294, 296 Belleville spring, 298 fixed contact, 293 depressing part, 300 setting screen, 310 parameter, 320 value, 330 pointer, 340 storage area display, 400 pointing device, 410 body, 420 button switch, 430 cable 440 connector

Claims (6)

A button portion having a plurality of operating points corresponding to a plurality of different pushing amounts;
A change accepting unit that accepts a change that assigns a function assigned to one of the plurality of operating points to another one of the plurality of operating points from the outside, and the plurality of operating points according to the change accepted by the change accepting unit A button type switch comprising: an assigning unit that assigns a function assigned to one of the plurality of operating points to another one of the plurality of operating points.   The button type switch according to claim 1, wherein the function assigned by the assigning unit includes invalidating one of the plurality of operating points.   3. The button-type switch according to claim 1, wherein the button unit generates a response against a force of pushing the button unit at the plurality of operating points.   The button-type switch according to claim 3, wherein the button unit does not cause a response to an operation point assigned invalidity among the plurality of operation points.   An imaging apparatus comprising the button-type switch according to claim 1, wherein an imaging function is assigned to one of the plurality of operating points.   An electronic device comprising the button-type switch according to claim 1 and having a plurality of functions assigned to the plurality of operating points.

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