JP4202672B2 - camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera having a zoom function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, small cameras having a zoom function have been widely used. Adjustment of the zoom function is often performed by an operation unit provided on the back side of the camera.
[0003]
Hereinafter, the related art will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 6, in the conventional camera 80, operation buttons 90T and 90W are provided on the back side of the camera. The operation button 90T is a button for instructing telephoto (telephoto), and the operation button 90W is a button for instructing wide-angle (wide). When the operation button 90T is pressed, the lens barrel 82 of the camera 80 is extended to the front side of the camera, and when the operation button 90W is pressed, the extracted lens barrel 82 is accommodated in the housing 84 of the camera 80.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional camera, the position of the operation unit (the operation buttons 90T and 90W in the above example) that performs a zoom command is fixed. For this reason, there is a problem that for an operator with a large right hand, the operation unit is too close and a burden is placed on the thumb, and for an operator with a small right hand, the operation unit is too far and the thumb is difficult to reach the operation unit. Since the zoom operation is frequently performed during photographing, the fact that the operation unit is not in an easily operable position causes a serious loss of operability.
[0005]
In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that can easily operate an operation unit that issues a zoom command without being affected by the size of a hand holding the camera.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-16466 discloses an example of a video camera in which the position of the operation button is variably fixed so as to cope with the change of the fingertip position due to the difference in the size of the hand. It is an example corresponding to the middle finger, and an example corresponding to the thumb as in this case is not disclosed.
[0007]
The present inventor has intensively studied with reference to the above publication, and has come up with the idea of moving the position of the operation unit in accordance with the size of the right hand of the operator. .
[0008]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation unit that is provided at an upper part on the rear side of the camera and that is operated by a thumb of a hand holding the camera casing from the rear side of the camera to give a zoom command, Holding means for holding so as to be movable along , the operation unit is provided with an operation button, and the operation unit is rotatable about a rotation axis in the camera front-rear direction. The direction of the operation button can be adjusted by the rotation .
[0009]
As a result, the position of the operation unit can be changed in accordance with the size of the hand holding the camera. A camera that can be easily operated is realized. Since the commands from the operation unit are frequently performed during shooting, this camera is very convenient to use.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the holding means holds the operation unit movably in the left-right direction when viewed from the back side of the camera.
[0011]
Thereby, it is easy to adjust the position of the operation unit according to the size of the hand.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described and embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0013]
[First form]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the camera 10 of the first embodiment is a digital camera, and on the back side of the camera, a grip portion 12 that makes contact with the vicinity of the base of the thumb of the right hand and a liquid crystal monitor 14 that displays an image. And are provided. A release button 18 that is operated with the index finger of the right hand is provided on the upper surface side of the camera.
[0014]
In addition, an operation unit 20 is provided in the upper right part on the back side of the camera to issue a command related to zooming. The outer shape of the operation unit 20 is a shape in which a slightly larger round button unit 24 protrudes from the base plate unit 22, and the button unit 24 holds the camera 10 from an opening 32 formed in the housing 30 of the camera 10. It protrudes so that the thumb of the right hand can be hung.
[0015]
The button unit 24 is provided with operation buttons 38T and 38W. The operation button 38T is a button for instructing telephoto (telephoto), and the operation button 38W is a button for instructing wide-angle (wide). When the operation button 38T is pressed, the lens barrel 40 of the camera 10 is extended to the front side of the camera, and is in a state suitable for photographing with telephoto. When the operation button 38W is pressed, the extended lens barrel 40 is housed in the housing 30 of the camera 10 and is in a state suitable for photographing at a wide angle.
[0016]
Further, in the housing 30 of the camera 10, a holding portion 42 (see FIG. 1) that holds the operation portion 20 so as to be movable in the left-right direction when viewed from the back side of the camera is provided. The opening 32 is elongated in the left-right direction so that the operation unit 20 can move. Thus, when the camera 10 is held with the right hand, if the operator's right hand is relatively large, the operation unit 20 is moved to the left position (see FIG. 2), and if the operator's right hand is relatively small, the operation unit 20 can be moved to the right position (see FIG. 3), and the operation unit 20 can be moved to a position where it can be easily operated according to the size of the operator's hand.
[0017]
In addition, the holding unit 42 includes a rotation mechanism (not shown) that rotates the operation unit 20 around the rotation axis 21 in the front-rear direction of the camera independently of the movement of the operation unit 20. Is rotatable around the rotation shaft 21 in both the α direction and the β direction.
[0018]
When an operator with a large hand operates the camera 10, the operation unit 20 is moved in the left direction L within the movable range as viewed from the back side of the camera. Then, the operator can operate the operation buttons 38T and 38W so that the distance between the positions of both the operation buttons 38T and 38W from the virtual indirect center point near the base of the thumb of the right hand (the portion to be in contact with the grip portion 12) is substantially equal. The rotational position of 20 is adjusted (see FIG. 2).
[0019]
When an operator with a small hand operates the camera 10, the operation unit 20 is moved in the right direction R within the movable range when viewed from the back side of the camera. Then, the operator adjusts the rotation position of the operation unit 20 so that the positions of the operation buttons 38T and 38W are substantially equal to the distance from the virtual indirect center point (see FIG. 3). Specifically, since the state shown in FIG. 2 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 20 is rotated in the β direction.
[0020]
The structure of the rotation mechanism may be any structure such as a general gear combination.
[0021]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the relative position between the grip unit 12 and the operation unit 20 is changed according to the size of the right hand of the operator holding the camera 10, and the horizontal position of the operation unit 20 and The rotation position can be adjusted to a position where the operator can easily operate. Therefore, the camera 10 that can easily operate the operation unit 20 without being affected by the size of the right hand holding the camera 10 is realized.
[0022]
Note that a latch device may be provided as the holding portion 42. Thereby, the position of the operation unit 20 can be fixed together with the click sound at the positions of the right end and the left end within the movable range.
[0023]
[Second form]
Next, a 2nd form is demonstrated. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the camera 50 of the second form is different from the first form in the shape and mechanism of the operation unit 60 that issues a zoom command.
[0025]
The operation unit 60 is held so as to be tiltable around a rotation shaft 61 parallel to the rear surface of the camera. That is, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the A side which is the upper right side from the rotation shaft 61 is pressed, the operation unit 60 is inclined to the A side, and when the B side which is the lower left side from the rotation shaft 61 is pressed. 60 tilts to the B side. Further, the operation unit 60 is urged from the inside of the camera so that when the force for tilting the operation unit 60 is released, the operation unit 60 returns to a state where it does not tilt to either side.
[0026]
Further, on the A side and the B side of the operation unit 60, non-slip portions 64A and 64B are formed at portions where the operator's right thumb can be easily pressed when the camera 50 is held with the right hand, respectively.
[0027]
When the operation unit 60 is tilted to the B side, a telephoto command is issued, and the lens barrel of the camera 50 is extended to the front side of the camera, so that a state suitable for photographing with the telephoto is obtained. When the operation unit 60 is tilted to the A side, a wide angle (wide) command is issued, and the extended lens barrel is housed in the housing 30 of the camera 50 and is in a state suitable for photographing at a wide angle.
[0028]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the above embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention has the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
[0030]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the position of the operation unit that commands zooming can be changed according to the size of the hand holding the camera. However, a camera that can easily operate the operation unit is realized.
[0031]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, it is easy to adjust the position of an operation part according to the magnitude | size of a hand.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a camera according to a first embodiment.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a rear view and a partial enlarged rear view, respectively, of the camera of the first embodiment (a state suitable for an operator with a large right hand).
FIGS. 3A and 3B are a rear view and a partial enlarged rear view of the camera of the first embodiment, respectively (a state suitable for an operator with a small right hand).
4A and 4B are a rear view and a partial enlarged rear view of the camera of the second embodiment, respectively (a state suitable for an operator with a large right hand).
FIGS. 5A and 5B are a rear view and a partial enlarged rear view of the camera of the second embodiment, respectively (a state suitable for an operator with a small right hand).
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a conventional camera.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Camera 20 Operation unit 30 Housing (camera housing)
42 Holding part (holding means)
50 Camera 60 Operation unit 80 Camera

Claims (2)

An operation unit that is provided at the upper part on the back side of the camera and that is operated with the thumb of the hand holding the camera housing from the back side of the camera to issue a zoom command;
Holding means for holding the operation unit so as to be movable along the back of the camera;
Have
The operation unit is provided with an operation button, and the operation unit can be rotated around a rotation axis in a camera front-rear direction, and the direction of the operation button can be adjusted by the rotation. camera. The camera according to claim 1 , wherein the holding unit holds the operation unit movably in the left-right direction when viewed from the back side of the camera.

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