JP2912648B2 - Camera release switch - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a release switch capable of visually identifying the operation state of a shutter button of a camera.

[Related Art and Problems Thereof] A release switch of a camera generally used at present has a two-step pressing structure of a shutter button (release button). That is, when the shutter button is half-pressed, the photometric unit, the automatic focusing unit and the like are started, and when the shutter button is fully pressed, the release (exposure) unit is operated. For this reason, a related shutter member is always attached to the conventional shutter button in order to operate each means. This interlocking member is, for example, a lever in the case of a mechanical shutter, and is a contact switch in the case of an electromagnetic shutter.

Since the conventional interlocking member operates in conjunction with the pressing operation of the shutter button, it receives the reaction force of the interlocking member during the pressing operation. Conventionally, the half-pressed state was sensed by this reaction force.

However, in cold seasons such as outdoor photography in the winter and photography at ski slopes, the fingers were not able to feel the reaction force because of the finger, and the gloves were not able to feel the reaction force.

Also, when the camera was fixed on a tripod or the like and the photographer pressed the shutter button with his / her eyes off the viewfinder, it was difficult to feel the half-pressed state.

If the reaction force of the interlocking member is increased to ensure that the photographer can feel the half-pressed state, the light-weight camera may cause camera shake.

Further, since the conventional camera has a low release operation sound especially in a compact camera, it is difficult for the subject to know when the shutter is half-pressed, when the shutter is released, or when the shutter is released.

"Object of the Invention" The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a release switch of a camera which can visually and surely grasp a pressed state of a shutter button. I do.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a light emitting element is provided on a release button that is mounted on a camera body and moves between an initial position and a pressed position, and when the release button moves from the initial position. A light emitting control means for causing the light emitting element to emit light, a light receiving element capable of receiving light emitted from the light emitting element provided in the camera body, and a first control for performing calculation control of an exposure factor for the light receiving element. Means and a second control means for performing release control are connected, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are optically connected to each other at a predetermined position in a movable range of the release button.
An optical path for operating the second control means is provided, and an emission optical path for emitting the light emitted from the light emitting element to the outside of the camera body is provided on the release button.

According to this configuration, the pressed state of the release button can be notified to the photographer by emitting light from the release button.

If the release button is constituted by a light emitting element itself, and further, an optical path for optically connecting the first and second optical elements at a predetermined position in a movement direction of the release button is formed on the release button by a light shielding unit. There is no need to provide an optical path with another member on the release button side, and the configuration can be simplified.

If the release button is constituted by light emitting elements or light receiving elements of a plurality of colors and light emission control means for changing a light emission color within a predetermined moving range of the release button is provided, the state of the release switch can be easily changed by the light emission color of the release button. Can be recognized.

"Examples of the Invention" Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of a camera control system equipped with a release switch of the present invention.

The release button 1 is supported on a camera body (not shown) so as to be movable in the AB direction in the figure. The direction A is the direction of the most depressed position (pressed into the camera body), and the direction B is the direction of the initial value position (projected from the camera body). The release button 1 has a light emitting element 2 built in. The light emitting element 2 is optically connected to a light receiving element 4 provided in the camera body via a light path 3 schematically shown at the position shown in the figure. The light emission of the light emitting element 2 is controlled by the light emission control unit 9.

The light receiving element 4 is connected to a detection signal recognition unit 5 for detecting that light from the light emitting element 2 has been received. The detection signal recognition unit 5 includes a photometric focusing control unit 6 as a first control unit for controlling an automatic focusing operation and an exposure value setting operation, and a release control unit 7 as a second control unit for controlling the exposure operation. Is connected.

The detection signal recognition unit 5 detects whether the release button 1 has been half-pressed or fully pressed from the output of the light receiving element 4, and outputs an operation command to the photometric focusing control unit 6 when the half-press is detected. When the full press is detected, an operation command is output to the release control unit 7.

Upon receiving the operation command, the photometric focusing control unit 6 operates the photometric device 8a to set an exposure factor (aperture value and shutter speed), and activates the automatic focusing device 8b to operate an auto-focusing lens (not shown). Is driven to the in-focus position to focus on the subject.

The release control unit 7 is activated upon receiving an operation command, and operates a release device (aperture / shutter device) 8c based on the exposure factor set by the photometric focusing control unit 6 to execute release (exposure).

In the illustrated embodiment, the detection signal recognizing unit 5, the photometric focusing control unit 6, the release control unit 7, and the light emission control unit 9 are shown as separate members. However, this is constituted by a single member, for example, a microcomputer. You can also.

2 and 4 illustrate the basic concept of the release switch according to the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner. The release switch shown in FIG. 2 is provided on a release button 1 for optically connecting / disconnecting the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 4 provided on the camera body 15 and the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 4. Optical path 3b. The release button 1 is configured to be movable in the AB direction in the figure with respect to the camera body. A coil spring 10 is provided below the release button 1 as an elastic member that constantly biases the release button 1 to move in the B direction.

The light path 3b is provided across the release button 1, and the camera body is provided with light paths 3a and 3b having end faces facing both end faces of the light path 3b. And light path 3
A light emitting element 2 and a light receiving element 4 as optical elements are provided so as to face the other end faces of a and 3b. Therefore, the optical paths 3a, 3b, 3c are optically interrupted when the end face of the optical path 3b and the end face of the optical paths 3a, 3c are not opposed to each other, and optically activated when the release button 1 is pushed into a predetermined position and opposed. The light receiving element 4 receives the light of the light emitting element 2 when connected.

Further, the release button 1 is an optical path for emitting light leaked from the optical path 3b to the outside through the pressing operation surface of the release button 1.
Also serves as 1a.

If the optical paths 3a, 3b, 3c are formed of flexible optical fibers, the arrangement positions of the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 4 can be freely determined.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting element 2 is provided in the release button 33, and the light receiving element 4 is provided in the camera body 15. The release button 33 has an optical path 3d for guiding the light of the light emitting element 2 to the outside of the release button 33.
Are formed in the camera body 15, and an optical path 3e for guiding the light emitted from the optical path 3d to the light receiving element 4 is formed. The optical paths 3d and 3e can be formed by optical fibers or the like. Further, the release button 1 itself also serves as an emission optical path for emitting the light emitted by the light emitting element 2 from the operation end face.

Since the release button 33 can be moved up and down in the figure, the light from the light emitting element 2
As shown in FIG. 3, this is when the optical path 3d of the release button 33 coincides with the optical path 3e on the camera body 15 side.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, since the release button 34 itself is constituted by a light emitting element, the release button 34 itself functions as an emission optical path and emits light from the operation end face. Further, an unnecessary portion for forming an optical path 3d for guiding the light emitted by the release button 34 to the light receiving element 4 is covered with the light-shielding coating film 12 so as to have the same function as that shown in FIG. It is.

When the release switch is configured by using the above technical idea, the operating force required to press the release button 1 can be made to depend only on the repulsion characteristics of the spring 10 provided thereunder. It can be relatively easily optimized.

Next, a specific embodiment of the release switch will be described.

The release switch shown in FIG.
It has the same structure as the release switch shown in the figure, except that the camera body 15
The contact point 20b is provided in contact with the contact point 20a, and the optical path 3d formed by the light-shielding coating film 12 is formed longer in the direction in which the release button 35 is pushed. Of course, the light emitted by the release button 35 is emitted from the operation end face.

This release switch usually has a coil spring 10
The release button 35 is held at the initial position by the urging force of the contact point, and the contacts 20a and 20b are in contact. From this state, the photographer starts to press the release button 35 during shooting, and the setting 20a
When the setting and the setting 20b are separated, a half-pressed state (a state as shown in FIG. 5) is reached, the release button 35 emits light, and the light is received by the light receiving element 4. The output signal of the light receiving element 4 is input to the detection signal recognition section 5 shown in FIG.
Upon receiving this signal, the detection signal recognition unit 5 issues an operation command to the photometric focusing control unit 6, and the photometric focusing control unit 6 causes the photometric device 8a and the automatic focusing device 8b to perform exposure value setting and focusing operation. .

Further, when the release button 35 is further depressed and fully pressed, the optical path 3d and the optical path 3e are completely disengaged, and the light receiving element 4 does not receive light from the release button 51. This change is detected by the detection signal recognizing unit 5, and an operation command is output to the release control unit 7 to cause the release device 8c to perform a release operation.

When the exposure processing ends, the light emission control unit 9 stops the light emission of the light emitting element 2.

When the finger is released from the release button 35, the release button 35 moves in the projecting direction by the urging force of the coil spring 10, and is reset when the settings 20a and 20b come into contact with each other, and returns to the initial state. In order to make the release button 35 emit light by separating the contacts 20a and 20b, as an example,
A circuit as shown in FIGS.

The above operation is illustrated in the timing chart of FIG. It should be noted that the release button 35 may be constituted by a light receiving element, and the light receiving element on the camera body side may function as a light emitting element in the same manner as described above. Further, when a two-color light-emitting element is used as the light-emitting element, by changing the color of the light emitted during or during the exposure, the photographer or a third party can be notified that the camera is in the release state. Can be easily recognized. Such a display is a particularly effective function when the self-timer shooting using a tripod or the like or when the photographer takes his / her eyes off the viewfinder and presses the shutter button.

The release switch shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B has two optical paths 3d and 3f formed on the release button 36 by the light-shielding coating film 12 as shown in FIG. Optical paths 3e and 3g corresponding to 3f are provided.
The light receiving element 4 is attached to 3g. Although one light receiving element 4 is exemplified, two light receiving elements 4 may be provided corresponding to the respective light paths 3g and 3e so as to receive light from the respective light paths 3e and 3g. Of course, the light emitted by the release button 36 is emitted from the operation end face.

The release switch is operated by the operator when the operator starts pressing the release button 36 at the time of shooting, and when the contacts 20a and 20b are separated, that is, when the release button 36 is half-pressed (the state shown in FIG. 6A). When the optical path 3f on the release button side coincides with the optical path 3e on the camera body side as shown in FIG.
From the light. The light receiving state is detected by the detection signal recognition unit 5 shown in FIG.
8a and the automatic focusing device 8b perform an exposure value setting operation and a focusing operation.

When the release button 36 is further depressed and fully pressed as shown in FIG. 6B, the optical path 3d and
3e and the optical paths 3f and 3g match, and the light receiving element 4
Receives light from the release button 36 which is stronger than when half-pressed. This state is detected by the detection signal recognition section 5, and the release control section 7 causes the release device 8c to perform a release operation.

As described above, in order to perform the above-described control by digitally changing the level of light received by the light receiving element 4, the detection signal recognizing unit 5 has a function of detecting such digital change in light. Of course, you must have In addition, as described above, when light receiving elements are provided corresponding to the respective optical paths 3e and 3g, when one of the light receiving elements detects light, the focusing and exposure value setting operations are performed. The detection signal recognition unit 5 may be configured to perform a release operation when the light receiving element detects light. Illustrating the above operation, 12A
This is as shown in the timing chart of FIG.

FIG. 12B shows a timing chart when two light receiving elements are provided. In this case, when the first light receiving element receives light, a focusing operation, a photometric operation, and the like are performed, and when the first light receiving element stops receiving light, the photometric operation and the like are stopped. Thereafter, when the first and second light receiving elements receive light, a release operation is performed, and when the release operation ends, light emission of the light emitting element is stopped. And the contacts 20a, 20b
Reset when is closed.

The release switch shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B has almost the same structure as the release switch shown in FIG. 6A,
The difference is that the optical paths 3d and 3f of the release button 37 are coated with filters having different transmission wavelengths or transmitted light amounts, respectively, and the optical path of the camera body 15 is only one optical path 3e. Since the optical paths 3d and 3f are coated with filters having different transmission wavelengths or transmitted light amounts, the optical paths 3e and 3f coincide with each other when the half-pressing shown in FIG. In the case of full press shown in FIG. 7B where the optical path 3d matches the optical path 3d,
The intensity of light input to the light receiving element 4 via 3e is different.
The detection signal recognizing unit 5 recognizes the intensity of the light that changes digitally, and performs control of focusing and setting of an exposure value, and control of exposure. Of course, light is emitted from the operation end face of the release button 37. If a light receiving element having a different sensitivity depending on the wavelength of light to be received is used as the light receiving element 4, the output level can be more easily distinguished.

The above operation is illustrated in the timing chart of FIG. Note that, in this timing chart, an example is shown in which the light output from the optical path 3f is set to be weaker than the light output from the optical path 3d, but the intensity of the light output from both optical paths is If it is the opposite, the waveform will be in the opposite arrangement.

The release switch shown in FIGS.8A and 8B is a modification of the release switch shown in FIG.6A, in which the optical paths 3d and 3f of the release button 38 are displaced in the circumferential direction of the release button 38, respectively. This optical path 3d, 3f on the camera body 15
Optical paths 3e and 3g corresponding to the optical paths 3e and 3g, respectively.
Light receiving elements 4a and 4b are attached to 3g. Of course, light is emitted from the operation end face of the release button 38.

In the release switch configured as described above, the optical paths 3f and 3g match and the light receiving element 4b receives light when the shutter is half-pressed as shown in FIG. 8A. The detection signal recognition unit 5 detects the light receiving state of the light receiving element 4b, and the exposure focusing control unit 6
8a and the automatic focusing device 8b perform an exposure value setting operation and a focusing operation.

Further, when the release button 1 is further depressed and fully pressed as shown in FIG. 8B, the light path 3d and the light path 3e match, so that the light emitted by the light emitting element 2 is received by the light receiving element 4a. Receive light. The detection signal recognition unit 5 detects the light receiving state of the light receiving element 4a, and the release control unit 7 causes the release device 8c to perform a release operation. The above operation is illustrated in the timing chart of FIG.

9A and 9B has the same basic configuration as that shown in FIG. 5, except that the optical path 3d provided on the release button 39 is different from the release button 39.
The difference is that the optical path 3e reaching the light receiving element 4 is formed in a large divergent shape so that the half-pressed state and the fully-pressed state can be detected. ing. Of course, light is emitted from the operation end face of the release button 39. The release switch thus configured operates as follows.

When shooting, the operator starts pressing the release button 39,
The release button 39 emits light when the contacts 20a and 20b are separated. Then, as the pressing of the release button 39 advances, the overlapping area between the optical path 3d of the release button 39 and the optical path 3e of the camera body 15 increases and the optical joining state becomes denser, the light received by the light receiving element 4 becomes smaller. The level gradually increases. When the level of the light received by the light receiving element 4 becomes equal to or higher than a preset first level, the detection signal recognizing unit 5 determines that a half-pressed state has occurred. Then, the detection signal recognition unit 5 issues a command to set the exposure value and perform the focusing operation to the photometric focusing control unit 6, and
The exposure value setting operation and the focusing operation are performed by operating the automatic focusing device 8a and the automatic focusing device 8b.

When the release button 39 is further depressed and fully pressed as shown in FIG. 9B, the light receiving element 4
Has a higher level of light received, and this level is equal to or higher than a preset second level.
This level is detected by the detection signal recognizing section 5, and this time, the release control section 7 issues a command to start the release operation.
Then, the release control section 7 receiving this command causes the release device 8c to perform a release operation. Of course, the light emitted by the release button 40 is emitted from the operation end face.

As described above, in order to perform the above-described control based on the intensity of the light that is received by the light receiving element 4 and that changes in an analog manner, the detection signal recognition unit 5 detects such an analog change in the light. Of course, it must have functions. The above operation is illustrated as shown in the timing chart of FIG.

FIG. 10 has almost the same configuration as the release switch shown in FIG. 4, except that two optical paths 3d and 3f are provided on the release button 40 at different levels, and that the release button 40 A filter that allows the first color to pass but does not allow the second color to pass through each of the optical paths 3d and 3f, and vice versa; The difference is that a filter that does not pass color is attached. FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control system of the camera in the present embodiment. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the color of the light emitting element is changed by the light emission control unit 9 using the output from the photometry focusing control unit. The point is that it has a configuration.

In this embodiment, a filter that allows the first color to pass but does not allow the second color to pass through the optical path 3d, and a filter that allows the second color to pass but does not pass the first color to the optical path 3f are attached. The operation will be described below.

When shooting, the operator starts pressing the release button 40,
When the contacts 20a and 20b separate, the release button 40 emits light in the first color. Then, when the release button 40 is pressed down and the optical path 3d of the release button 40 matches the optical path 3e of the camera body 15, a filter that allows the first color to pass but does not transmit the second color is attached to the optical path 3d. Therefore, the light receiving element 4 receives the light from the release button 40 and outputs a signal to the detection signal recognition unit 5. The detection signal recognizing unit 5 determines that the half-pressed state has been entered by inputting this signal, and issues an operation command to the photometric focusing control unit 6. Then, the photometric focusing control unit 6 receiving this command operates the photometric device 8a and the release device to execute the exposure value setting and the focusing operation. At this time, the light emission control unit 9 changes the light emission color of the release button 40 to the second color.

When the release button 40 is further depressed and the optical path 3f of the release button 40 matches the optical path 3e of the camera body 15, a filter that allows the second color to pass but does not transmit the first color is attached to the optical path 3f. Therefore, the light receiving element 4 receives the light from the release button 40 and outputs a signal to the detection signal recognition unit 5. The detection signal recognizing unit 5 determines that the signal is fully pressed by inputting this signal, and issues an operation command to the release control unit 7 this time. Then, upon receiving the operation command, the release control unit 7 executes the exposure operation.

When the operator's finger is released from the release button 4, the release button 40 returns and moves in the projecting direction by the urging force of the spring 10. When the optical path 3f of the release button 40 and the optical path 3e of the camera body 15 are interrupted during the return movement, the release button 40 changes the emission color to the first color.
The above operation is illustrated as a timing chart shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the release button emits light when the release button is half-pressed, fully pressed, or when the release operation is started, so that the half-pressed state can be visually recognized.

Further, according to this embodiment, since the release buttons 34 to 40) can be formed by molding with the light emitting element itself, the assembly is easy and the cost can be reduced.

Although the shape and size of the release button are not limited to those in the illustrated embodiment, in view of the visibility, it is preferable that the shape and size of the operation end face not be entirely covered with the finger of the photographer when pressed with the finger.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since a contact point, a lever, and the like are not pressed during the pressing operation of the release button, a constant pressing operation force can be applied only by the coil spring 10. Note that a leaf spring, sponge, rubber, or the like may be used instead of the coil spring 10.

In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the release button side is used as a light emitting element and the camera body side is used as a light receiving element is mainly described. Conversely, the release button side is used as a light receiving element and the camera body side is used as a light emitting element. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied even if the present invention is configured.

Further, according to the present invention, the same effect can be obtained even if the release button having the conventional structure is constituted by the light emitting element itself.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, in the present invention, the release switch emits light in accordance with the pressed position,
The photographer can visually know the pressing state and adjust it.

Also, if the release button itself is formed of a light emitting element,
The structure is simplified, the assembly is simplified, and the cost is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control system of a camera using a release switch of the present invention. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of a release switch according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view showing a first embodiment of the release switch according to the present invention; FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a second embodiment of the release switch according to the present invention; 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a third embodiment of the release switch according to the present invention, FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a fourth embodiment of the release switch according to the present invention, 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a fifth embodiment of the release switch according to the present invention, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the release switch according to the present invention, FIGS. FIG. 11B is a time chart showing an example of different operations of the release switch shown in FIG. 5, 12A is a time chart of the release switch shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and FIG. 12B is a modification of the release switch shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B in which two light receiving elements are used. FIG. 13 is a time chart of the release switch shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, FIG. 14 is a time chart of the release switch shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, FIG. FIGS. 9A and 9B are time charts of the release switch, FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D are diagrams each showing an example of a control circuit that causes the release switch to emit light. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit when a two-color light emitting element is applied. FIG. 18 is a time chart of a release switch for two-color light emission. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Release button, 2 ... Light emitting element, 3 (3a-3g) ... Optical path, 4 (4a, 4b), 5 ... Detection signal recognition part, 6 ... Photometric focusing control part, 7 ... Release control part, 8a ... Photometry Device, 8b: automatic focusing device, 8c: release device, 9: light emission control unit (light emission control means), 10: coil spring, 12: light shielding coating, 20
a, 20b: contacts, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 ... release button

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G03B 17/18 G02B 7/11 B

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A light emitting element mounted on a release button mounted on a camera body and moved between an initial position and a depressed position, wherein the light emitting element emits light when the release button is moved from the initial position. A light receiving element capable of receiving light emitted by the light emitting element is provided in the camera body; a first control means for performing calculation control of an exposure factor and a second control means for performing release control in the light receiving element. A light path for operating the first and second control means by optically connecting the light emitting element and the light receiving element at a predetermined position in a movable range of the release button, and further comprising: Providing an emission optical path for emitting the light emitted by the light emitting element to the outside of the camera body,
A camera release switch characterized by the following. 2. A light-receiving element according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said light-receiving elements are provided at different positions in a moving direction of a release button, and said first control means and said second control means are respectively connected to different light-receiving elements. A camera release switch. 3. A light emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a contact point for detecting that the release button has moved from an initial position, wherein the light emission control means detects that the release button has moved by the contact point. A release switch for a camera, wherein the light emitting element emits light. 4. The light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the release button is constituted by a light emitting element itself emitting a plurality of colors, and the light emission control means changes a light emitting color in a predetermined range in a moving direction of the release button. A camera release switch characterized by the following. 5. A release switch according to claim 1, wherein said emission optical path emits light of said light emitting element to outside of a camera body when said release button is at a predetermined position. 6. A light emission control for providing a light receiving element to a release button mounted on a camera body and moving between an initial position and a depressed position, and causing the light emitting element to emit light when the release button moves from the initial position. Means are provided in the camera body, a light emitting element for emitting light that can be received by the light receiving element is provided in the camera body, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are optically connected at a predetermined position in a movable range of the release button. An optical path is provided, a first control unit for performing calculation control of an exposure factor and a second control unit for performing release control are connected to the light receiving element, and light emitted by the light emitting element is transmitted to the release button. Providing an exit optical path for exiting outside the
A camera release switch characterized by the following. 7. A first control means for performing calculation control of an exposure factor, a second control means for performing release control, and a release button provided on a camera body and movable between an initial position and a depressed position. A release switch for activating the first control means and the second control means when the release button moves from an initial position to a predetermined position, wherein a light emitting element is provided on the release button, and the release button is further provided. A release switch for the camera, wherein the light emission control means causes the light emitting element to emit light when the light emitting element moves to the predetermined position.