JP2012253499A - Operation device and photographing device comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus which enables an operation mode of operation keys intended by a user to be arbitrarily set.SOLUTION: An operation device that outputs a control signal to a unit to be controlled comprises: operation means that outputs a first operation signal according to an operation; setting means that sets an operation mode of the operation means; and control means that outputs the control signal to the unit to be controlled on the basis of the operation mode of the operation means set by the setting means and the first operation signal output from the operation means.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating device for operating an electronic device such as a camera or a pan head device, and an imaging device including the operating device.

  Conventionally, the operation panel of a digital camera, video camera, or remote control camera, or the operation panel of a copier has a hard key or a soft key on the screen such as a touch panel as an operation key for controlling the camera and the apparatus. It is known that both of them are combined. For such an operation key, Patent Document 1 discloses that the operation key is surrounded by a protective member to prevent the operation key from being erroneously operated by opening and closing the protective member in order to prevent the operation key from being erroneously operated.

As another prevention of erroneous operation, Patent Document 2 discloses that a predetermined function is executed by pressing an operation key twice.
In addition to the above-described prevention of erroneous operations, Patent Document 3 discloses that a desired function frequently used by a user is assigned to a plurality of keys and can be executed by a single press.

JP-A-5-37166 JP 2005-20070 A JP 2005-266991 A

  In Patent Document 1, a protective member is required to prevent erroneous operation of the operation keys, which increases costs. Further, since the protective member must be opened and closed, the operability for the user is not good.

  Patent Document 2 is troublesome for a user who is accustomed to the operation because the operation key must be pressed twice to prevent erroneous operation of the operation key.

  In Patent Document 3, since the function is executed by pressing the assigned operation key once, prevention of erroneous operation of the operation key is not considered.

  Generally, in the above prior art, the operation mode of the operation key such as the function being executed or stopped by pressing the operation key once or twice is set by the developer's intention, and is not necessarily the user's intention. It does not mean that the operation key is operated. For this reason, the operation mode of the operation keys of the prior art is not always easy for the user to use.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an operating device that solves the above-described problems and allows a user to arbitrarily set the operating mode of the operating device, and an imaging device including the operating device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an operating device according to the present invention is an operating device that outputs a control signal to a controlled portion, an operating means that outputs a first operating signal in response to an operation, and an operation of the operating means Based on the setting means for setting the form, the operation form of the operation means set by the setting means, and the first operation signal output from the operation means, the control signal is output to the controlled portion. And a control means.

  The operation device according to the present invention can provide an operation device that allows a user to arbitrarily set the operation mode of the operation means, and a photographing device including the operation device.

1 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an operation panel unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the second embodiment. 7 is a setting menu screen example of the second embodiment. 9 is a setting screen example of the second embodiment. 10 is an operation screen example of the second embodiment.

  The present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an operation device (operation device) of a remote control camera and a remote control camera system (imaging device) having the same according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a camera 1 as a camera device that has a photographing lens having a zooming, focusing function, etc. and picks up a subject image by the lens is used for panning (horizontal driving) and tilting (vertical driving). It is attached to (mounted on) an electric pan head 2 as a pan head device capable of turning. The camera 1 and the electric camera platform 2 are controlled by the operation device 3 as a remote control device, and various controls of the camera 1 such as zooming and gain adjustment of an image, and various controls of the electric camera platform 2 such as panning and tilting. Is to be done.

  The operation device 3 includes an operation panel unit 4, a CPU 12 and a pan / camera control interface unit 13 as control means, a memory 14 as storage means, and a tally signal input unit 15.

  As shown in FIG. 1a, the operation panel unit 4 includes a plurality of hard keys 5a to 5a as operation means for outputting an operation signal (first operation signal) for performing camera control such as POWER and GAIN of the camera 1. 5f, and setting means such as a display unit 6 with a touch panel for setting the camera 1 and the electric pan head 2 that are used together with each hard key or assigned to other than each hard key are attached. Further, as operation means other than the plurality of hard keys 5a to 5f, there are a joystick for panning and tilting the electric pan head 2, an operation unit 7 such as a cross key, a zoom lever 8, a focus knob 9, an iris knob 10 and the like. It is attached. Furthermore, the operation panel unit 4 is also provided with setting means such as a plurality of shot keys 11a to 11h for storing and reproducing the pan and tilt positions of the electric camera platform 2, the zoom and focus positions of the camera 1, and the like. . Note that the shot key is a kind of hard key.

  The CPU (control means) 12 is connected to the operation members 5 to 11 of the operation panel unit 4, receives signals operated by the operation members 5 to 11 as operation means or setting means, and controls the pan / camera. A control signal is output (transmitted) to the camera 1 and the electric pan head 2 which are controlled parts via the interface part (control means) 13. In this embodiment, the camera 1 and the electric pan head 2 are separated from the operation panel unit 4, but in a device in which the camera unit and the operation panel unit are integrated, such as a digital camera or a video camera, Send and receive control signals inside the device. A memory (storage means) 14 is also connected to the CPU (control means) 12 and stores operation modes of operation keys to be described later. The tally signal input unit 15 receives, as a second operation signal, a tally signal that informs that the video of the camera 1 is currently on air from another system 16, and transmits it to the CPU (control means) 12.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart regarding the setting method for setting the operation mode of each hard key (operation unit) according to the first embodiment. In this flow, 5a is taken as an example from among the plurality of hard keys (operation means) in FIG. 1a, but other hard keys (operation means) may be used.

  First, the hard key 5a as the operation means for setting the operation mode is pressed and held to enter the key operation mode setting mode (step S1). The LED built in the hard key 5a blinks (step S2). In this embodiment, an LED is built in the hard key (operation means). However, when the LED is not built in, it is mounted for an LED of another hard key (operation means) or an indicator lamp. It may indicate that the hard key (operation means) is in the key operation mode setting mode by blinking, lighting, or changing the LED to another color. Further, the wording that the setting is in progress may be displayed on the display unit 6 in FIG. 1a, or the setting may be made while pressing other keys.

  Next, an operation mode when the hard key (operation means) 5a is pressed in a normal state where no tally signal (second operation signal) is received is selected (step S3). In the present embodiment, as an operation mode when the hard key 5a is pressed, selection from the following six settings (steps S4a, S4b, S4c, S4d, S4e, S4f) will be described as an example.

  When invalidating the function assigned to the hard key (operation means) 5a so that it cannot be used, the shot key (setting means) 11a is pressed (step S4a). When the function assigned to the hard key (operation means) 5a is executed or stopped every time the function is pressed, the shot key (setting means) 11b is pressed (step S4b). In order to prevent erroneous operation, the shot key (setting means) 11c is pressed (step S4c) in order to execute or stop the operation every time the hard key (operation means) 5a is pressed twice. In addition, when the hard key (operation means) 5a is pressed once, this key becomes effective. When it is pressed again, the function is executed, when it is pressed next time, it stops, and when it is further pressed, this key is invalidated. When setting a cyclic operation in which options as selection candidates are sequentially changed, the shot key (setting means) 11d is pressed (step S4d). Here, when the hard key (operation means) 5a is assigned not only with execution and stop, but also with a function in which the setting value changes stepwise such as 0 dB, 5 dB, 10 dB, and 20 dB, such as the GAIN setting of the camera. It is convenient to set this cyclic operation. Specifically, the key becomes valid when the key is first pressed, and the key is invalidated when a predetermined time elapses after the GAIN gradually increases or decreases and is not pressed every time the key is pressed. As another operation mode, the hard key (operation means) 5a is executed by pressing once, stopped by pressing twice, and the number of pressings required for executing and stopping (the number of touches or the number of operations) is different. When it is desired to hold the key, the shot key (setting means) 11e is pressed (step S4e). On the other hand, when the hard key (operation means) 5a is executed by pressing twice, and when it is desired to stop by pressing once, the shot key (setting means) 11f is pressed (step S4f).

  The operation mode set in step S4e is that when the hard key (operation means) 5a is assigned to the power ON / OFF of the camera, the power ON is desired to be executed immediately, but OFF is pressed twice to prevent erroneous operation. It is effective when you want to. On the other hand, the operation mode set in step S4f is executed by pressing the power ON twice in order to prevent the power from being inadvertently turned on while moving the digital camera, the video camera, etc. in the bag. It is effective when you want to be able to turn off the power immediately. In the operation mode set in steps S4e and 4f, the number of times of pressing is two times or a predetermined number of times, but the setter can arbitrarily set the number of times of pressing so that only the setter knows. A simple password may be set and managed so that there is no such thing. For example, by setting the number of times of pressing to 10 times, for example, it is possible for a user other than the service person, for example, to set so that the user cannot easily turn on or off the apparatus. Further, it is possible to set not only the number of times of pressing but also a time of pressing a hard key (contact time, operation time) so that the function can be executed and stopped by the pressing time.

  Subsequently, a setting is made to change the operation mode when a tally signal (second operation signal) is input to the tally signal input unit 15 in FIG. 1, that is, when the video of the camera 1 is currently on air (see FIG. Step S5). When the change of the operation mode is not set when the tally signal (second operation signal) is input, the process proceeds to step S7 by pressing the shot key (setting unit) 11h. When you want to set the operation mode when a tally signal (second operation signal) is input, press one of the shot keys (setting means) 11a to 11f to correspond to each shot key (setting means). Assign the operation mode to be performed. This makes it possible to change the operation mode when on-air and when it is not on-air, with emphasis on preventing misoperation during on-air, and emphasis on operability when not on-air. Can improve sex.

  In this embodiment, the operation mode can be set to change depending on the presence or absence of the tally signal (second operation signal). However, the operation unit 7, the zoom lever 8, etc., which are different from the output source of the tally signal, etc. A signal output when operating the operation unit may be handled as the second operation signal, and the operation mode may be changed. Further, in a video camera, a digital camera, or the like, a signal output during recording or zooming may be handled as the second operation signal so that the setting for changing the operation mode may be performed. Accordingly, it is possible to set in advance settings for changing the operation mode when the apparatus is in a desired state.

When the shot key 11h is pressed after the setting of the operation mode during reception of the tally signal (second operation signal) is completed, the operation mode of the hard key (operation unit) 5a as the operation unit is stored in the memory (storage unit) 14. Then, the LED built in the hard key (operation means) 5a is turned off (step S8). If it is desired to continue to set the operation mode of other hard keys (operation means) (step S9), steps S1 to S9 are repeated.
The above is the description of the flow related to the setting method of the operation mode of the hard key (operation means).

  In the present embodiment, the color of the built-in hard key LED (the color of the operating means) when the hard key is not pressed is changed so that the operation mode of the set hard key (operating means) can be understood. When set to execute / stop by pressing once, the LED is not lit, and when set to execute / stop by pressing twice, it is orange, and when it is cyclic, it is yellow.

  In this embodiment, the operation mode can be selected by pressing any one of the shot keys (setting means) 11a to 11f. However, the joystick or the cross key of the operation unit 7 is used as the setting means. They can be selected by operating them up / down / left / right, or by using the zoom lever 8, the focus knob 9, and the iris knob 10 as setting means, and can be selected by operating them in TELE / WIDE, FAR / NEAR, OPEN / CLOSE. It doesn't matter if you do.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the method of setting the operation mode of the hard key (operation means) has been described. However, a plurality of soft keys are used even in a device such as a touch panel without a hard key or a soft key on a PC screen. Needless to say, similar settings are possible.

In the first embodiment, the operation mode of the keys (operation means) is set using a plurality of hard keys (operation means). The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the operation mode of the keys (operation means) is set using the display unit 6 with a touch panel in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart relating to a method of setting the operation mode of each hard key (operation means) of the second embodiment using the display unit 6 that displays a setting screen.

  First, when an operation key setting icon (not shown) displayed in the display unit 6 screen is touched (step S50), an operation key setting menu screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed (step S51). The soft keys (setting means) 51a to 51f in FIG. 4 correspond to the hard keys (operating means) 5a to 5f in FIG. 1a, respectively, and set one of the operation modes of the hard keys (operating means) 5a to 5f. Touch if you want to. The soft keys 52a to 52f as changing means in FIG. 4 call the operation mode of the hard keys (operation means) 5a to 5f set for each user from the memory (storage means) 14 in FIG. Means) Preset keys to be reflected in 5a to 5f. The soft key 53 is a key for closing the screen of FIG. The soft key 54 is a key for returning each hard key to the operation mode at the time of shipment from the factory.

  In the operation key setting menu screen of FIG. 4, when the operation mode already set is called and reflected on the hard key (operation means), the process proceeds to step S61 (step S52). When a new operation mode is set or changed, soft keys (setting means) 51a to 51f corresponding to any of the hard keys (operating means) 5a to 5f to be set are touched (step S53). 5 is displayed (step S54). Here, an example in which the POWER key setting screen is displayed as a key setting screen by touching 51a in FIG. 4 will be described.

  Next, each item is set on the POWER key setting screen of FIG. 5 (step S55). In FIG. 5, a soft key (setting means) 60 is a key for invalidating the function of the hard key (operation means) 5a. Reference numerals 61 and 62 in FIG. 5 are item screens for individually setting ON or OFF operation modes. 63 is a tally interlocking setting item screen for setting an operation mode when a tally signal (second operation signal) is input to the tally signal input unit 15 of FIG. 63 is not limited to the tally signal, but may be provided with another setting item screen for changing the operation mode when the apparatus is in a desired state such as zooming or recording.

  In FIG. 5, a soft key (setting means) 64 is a key that is set to be turned ON or OFF by pressing the hard key (operation means) 5a once. The soft key (setting means) 65 causes the pop-up screen to be displayed on the display unit 6 as shown in FIG. 6 by pressing the hard key (operation means) 5a once, and the soft key (setting means) 70 on the pop-up screen is displayed. It is a key that is set to be turned on at 71 and turned off at 71. By performing this setting, an ON / OFF operation is performed by using a combination of a hard key and a soft key, thereby preventing erroneous operation. The soft key (setting means) 66 displays the pop-up screen of FIG. 6 by pressing the hard key (operation means) 5a once, and repeats ON and OFF every time the hard key (operation means) 5a is pressed. This is a key that is set so that the cyclic operation can be confirmed on the display unit 6. In addition, when the hard key (operation means) changes in steps of 0 dB, 5 dB, and 10 dB as in the GAIN setting of the camera, the pop-up screen is displayed by the first press, and the GAIN is incremented each time the key is pressed thereafter. It can be confirmed on the display unit 6 that the temperature changes. When the predetermined time elapses after the hard key (operation means) is no longer pressed, the pop-up screen is closed. Soft keys (setting means) 67a to 67f are keys for storing the set operation mode in the memory 14 of FIG. 1 for each user. The soft key (setting unit) 68 is a key for returning the hard key (operation unit) 5a to the operation mode at the time of factory shipment. The soft key 69 is a key for returning to the operation key setting menu screen of FIG.

After setting the operation mode of each item in step S55, one of the soft keys (setting means) 67a to 67f is touched (step S56) and the operation mode is stored in the memory (storage means) 14 of FIG. S57). At this time, the operation modes stored in the memory (storage means) 14 by touching the soft keys (setting means) 67a to 67f are associated with the soft keys (change means) 52a to 52f, respectively. Next, when another hard key is to be set or the setting is to be ended, the soft key 69 in FIG. 5 is touched (step S58) to return to the screen in FIG. 4 (step S59). When setting other hard keys (operation means), Steps S53 to S59 are repeated (Step S60). When the set operation form is reflected on the hard key and the process is terminated, when one of the soft keys (change means) 52a to 52f in FIG. 4 is pressed (step S61), the setting (operation form) associated in S56 is obtained. Reflected (step S62), the screen of FIG. 4 is closed (step S63).
In the first and second embodiments, a hard key is used as an operation unit. However, of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and a soft key may be used as an operation unit. Both soft keys may be used. This also applies to the setting means, and both hard keys and soft keys may be used as the setting means.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the operation device of the remote control camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the operation device of the remote control camera, and an electronic device including a hard key and / or a soft key. It can be applied to devices such as digital cameras, video cameras, and copiers.

3 controller (operating device)
4 Operation panel section 5a to 5f Multiple hard keys (operation means)
6 Display unit with touch panel (setting means)
7 Operation part (setting means)
11a to 11h Multiple shot keys (setting means)
12 CPU (control means)
13 Head / Camera Control Interface (Control Unit)
14 Memory (memory means)

Claims (9)

An operating device that outputs a control signal to a controlled part,
Operation means for outputting a first operation signal in response to an operation;
Setting means for setting an operation mode of the operation means;
Control means for outputting the control signal to the controlled portion based on the operation mode of the operation means set by the setting means and the first operation signal output from the operation means;
An operating device comprising:   The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the control signal in accordance with a second operation signal having a different output source from the first operation signal.   The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes a hard key and / or a soft key.   The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit includes a display unit that displays a setting screen for setting an operation mode of the operation unit. Storage means for storing the operation mode set by the setting means;
Storing one or a plurality of operation modes in the storage unit, and changing the operation mode of the operation unit to any one of the stored one or a plurality of operation modes,
The control unit outputs the control signal to the controlled unit based on the operation mode of the operation unit changed by the change unit and the operation signal output from the operation unit. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. As an operation mode that can be set as the operation mode of the operation unit by the setting unit,
Disabling the function assigned to the operation means;
The number of operations of the operation means necessary to execute or stop the assigned function,
An operation time of the operation means necessary for executing or stopping the assigned function;
6. The operating device according to claim 1, comprising at least one or more of cyclic operations in which selection candidate options are sequentially changed each time the operating means is operated. .   The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the color of the operation unit changes based on an operation mode of the operation unit set by the setting unit. A lens device;
A camera device including an imaging device that captures a subject image by the lens device;
An operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The camera device is operated by the operation device. A lens device;
A camera device including an imaging device that captures a subject image by the lens device;
A pan head device on which the camera device is mounted;
An operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The camera device and the pan head device are operated by the operation device.

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