JP4416291B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a camera or a video camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In portable small electronic devices such as cameras and video cameras, it is required to arrange various input means in a small size.
[0003]
For example, in a camera, a joystick, a trackball, or a direction having a plurality of input units as a focus detection area selection unit that can select an arbitrary focus detection area among a plurality of focus detection areas displayed in the viewfinder Use the designation button.
[0004]
In addition, a rotating dial having a rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the film surface is provided on the back of the camera body, and various information including camera shooting information is set according to the rotating direction and amount of rotation of the rotating dial. There is something.
[0005]
Further, there is a type in which the rotation dial is formed in a ring shape, and a button input portion that does not rotate is provided at the center portion of the rotation dial formed in the ring shape, thereby reducing the arrangement area of the entire apparatus with respect to the camera body.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, the focus detection mechanism of the camera is configured to operate with the camera body held and the release button pressed halfway, but when a focus detection operation is being performed, a specific focus detection area is quickly selected. In order to achieve this, an input device for selecting a focus detection area such as a joystick or a trackball needs to be arranged at a position where it can be operated without difficulty even when the camera is held and the release switch is pressed. For example, when the index finger is used to press the release button while holding the camera body with the right hand, the finger that can operate the input device for selecting the focus detection area is almost limited to the thumb. The arrangement of the input device that is easy to operate is inevitably determined on the back of the camera body.
[0007]
In addition, a rotating dial having a rotation axis orthogonal to the film surface is widely arranged on the back of the camera body to perform camera exposure correction and shooting information input / setting. However, it is necessary to perform exposure compensation and input / setting of shooting information while holding the camera body and looking through the viewfinder, so the optimal arrangement of the rotary dial with respect to the camera body is determined to be easy to operate with the right thumb. The
[0008]
Therefore, if an input device and a rotary dial for selecting a focus detection area are provided in one camera body, the optimal arrangement of both is at substantially the same position on the back of the camera body. Here, both of them require a certain size of the operation part in terms of operability, so that both cannot be laid out so as to realize good operability.
[0009]
Therefore, as a means for solving such problems, the rotary dial has a ring shape, and a non-rotating button input unit (input device for selecting a focus detection region) is arranged at the center of the ring shape. A configuration has been proposed in which both are integrated and arranged at substantially the same position. As a result, the device for inputting two types of information can be compactly laid out at substantially the same position with respect to the camera body while ensuring a size that can be operated with the right thumb.
[0010]
However, the above-described configuration has the following problems.
[0011]
First, in order to connect a signal transmission member such as a wiring or a flexible substrate that transmits a signal from a button input unit arranged at the center of the ring-shaped rotary dial to a processing circuit disposed outside the apparatus, This part needs to be cut out at the expense of part of the ring shape. As a result, the rotation of the ring-shaped rotary dial is limited only by the notched portion, and the rotary dial cannot be continuously rotated. Then, for example, when the rotary dial is used for a camera that requires a wide range of input such as camera exposure correction, the operation rotation angle per step must be reduced or the range resolution per step must be increased. . If such a structure is taken, the use as an apparatus which inputs information will be restricted, and operativity will be impaired remarkably.
[0012]
Therefore, in order to keep the rotary dial rotating around the outer periphery of the button input part without any limitation of the rotation angle, a cylindrical shape in which the center part of the rotary dial is notched and the button input part is supported at the notched shaft central part. The structure which fits the support member of this is proposed. In this configuration, a signal transmission member that connects the button input unit and a processing circuit disposed outside the apparatus is disposed inside the cylindrical support member. On the other hand, the rotation detection plate for detecting the rotation of the rotation dial and the rotation center axis of the click plate for giving a click feeling to the rotation of the rotation dial are provided at positions different from the center axis of the rotation dial, The rotation of the rotary dial is transmitted to the rotation detection plate and the click plate through gears between the rotation detection plate and the click plate.
[0013]
However, in such a configuration, the thickness of the device increases as the gears are stacked. Further, through the gears, it is necessary to adjust the distance between the shafts, the backlash, etc., and the number of parts of the entire apparatus increases, resulting in an increase in cost. Furthermore, since the center axes of the rotation detection plate and the click plate are provided separately, the arrangement area of the entire apparatus with respect to the camera body becomes large, and a compact layout cannot be achieved.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention, the pressing operation can be pressing member for information input, electric for transmitting electrical signals generated in response to the operation of the pressing member a wiring, and a supporting surface for supporting the pressing member, the support member having a shaft portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the support surface, the rotational center of the fitting hole rotatably fitted on the shaft portion a, a rotation rotatable operation member endlessly about said pressing member, a rotatable together with the rotation operating member has a through hole for passing the shaft portion to the rotation center the a rotation operating member click plate for imparting a click feeling to a rotation operation of a rotatable together with the rotation operating member has a through hole for passing the shaft portion to the rotation center portion, the rotation operating member A rotating operation rotation detecting plate for detecting, and a package member of the apparatus main body having a through hole through which the said shaft portion, said the rotation operating member, the protruding portion is provided on a surface of the outer member side is, though the click plate is fixed to an end portion of the projecting portion, the outer member is sandwiched between the click plate and the rotating operation member, the electric wiring is located inside of the shaft portion It is characterized by.
[0015]
As a result, in the information input device having the rotation operation member that can be rotated endlessly around the pressing operation member, it is possible to minimize the number of components and the axial thickness to a minimum.
[0016]
In addition, a conductive pattern can be formed on the rotation detection plate, and a conductive contact piece that can come into contact with the conductive pattern as the rotation detection plate rotates can be fixed to the base member that holds the support member . Further, a ball member and out of the outer peripheral surface formed recess of the click plate with the rotation of the click plate, a coil spring for biasing the ball member on the outer peripheral surface of the click plate, said support member Can be accommodated in a groove ( a groove extending in the radial direction from the rotation center of the rotation operation member ) formed in the base member that holds the shaft . As a result, the number of components of the entire information input device can be reduced, and the axial projection area of the information input device can also be reduced.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a rear view of a camera (electronic device) including an information input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019]
Reference numeral 101 denotes a camera body, and reference numeral 102 denotes a back cover attached to the back surface of the camera body 1. Reference numeral 103 denotes a finder window, from which a photographer observes a subject image. Reference numeral 104 denotes a diopter adjustment dial, which is linked to a moving lens (not shown) disposed inside the finder window 103, and moves the moving lens so as to match the photographer's diopter.
[0020]
Reference numeral 105 denotes an AE lock button used to lock the exposure value, and reference numeral 106 denotes a film window for confirming the presence or absence of the film. A function button 107 is used for bracketing photography, film ISO sensitivity setting, and the like.
[0021]
Reference numeral 108 denotes a photometry button for changing the photometry method, and reference numeral 109 denotes a rewind button for rewinding the film halfway. Reference numeral 110 denotes a date function input button, which is used when printing information such as when shooting on a film, and the input information is displayed on the date display unit 111.
[0022]
An operation unit 112 includes a direction selection key (press operation member) 113, a direction selection key cover 114, and a rotary dial (rotation operation member) 115.
[0023]
The direction selection key 113 is a button that is pressed to input information, and includes a left operation key 113a, a right operation key 113b, an upper operation key 113c, and a lower operation key 113d. In the present embodiment, the direction selection key 113 is used to select a focus detection area.
[0024]
The direction selection key cover 114 divides each selection key constituting the direction selection key 113 and fixes it so that it can move only in the pressing direction.
[0025]
The rotary dial 115 is rotatably arranged on the outer peripheral side of the direction selection key 113, and is rotated for information input. In the present embodiment, the rotary dial 115 is used to correct the exposure value.
[0026]
Reference numeral 116 denotes an input switching button, which is a switch for turning on / off the operating state of the operation unit 112.
[0027]
The AE lock button 105 and the operation unit 112 are preferably arranged on the back surface of the camera body 101 at a position where the camera body 101 can be operated with the thumb when the camera body 101 is gripped with the right hand. Most of the AE lock button 105, the direction selection key 113, and the rotary dial 115 are operated at the time of shooting. When the photographer grips the camera body 101 with the right hand 1, the release button (not shown) is pressed with the index finger 1b. This is because the AE lock button 105 and the operation unit 112 are operated with the thumb 1a.
[0028]
On the other hand, the diopter adjustment dial 104, the function button 107, the photometry button 108, the rewind button 109, the date function input button 110, and the input switching button 116 are normally used before and after photographing. It can arrange | position suitably.
[0029]
FIGS. 2A and 2B show how the photographer observes the subject through the finder window 103.
[0030]
200 is a photographing screen that reflects the subject image, as an object, 220a, 220b, and three trees 220 made of 220c, 221a, two persons 221 221b is reflected.
[0031]
Reference numerals 201 to 215 denote focus detection areas displayed on the photographing screen 200, and the camera can focus on the subject in any one of these focus detection areas.
[0032]
Reference numeral 230 denotes a condition display unit that displays the shooting conditions of the camera. The shutter time display unit 231 indicates the shutter time, the aperture display unit 232 indicates the aperture value, the shift amount display unit 233 indicates the shift amount with respect to the appropriate exposure, and the shift. An indicator portion 234 serving as an amount indicator and a focus display portion 235 that informs the photographer that the subject is in focus by being turned on.
[0033]
Next, a method for operating the direction selection key 113 and the rotary dial 115 will be described.
[0034]
First, the camera automatically selects any one focus detection area from a plurality of focus detection areas according to the situation of the subject by a near point priority algorithm or the like. When the focus detection area is selected by the near point priority algorithm, for example, when the upper part of the tree 220c is at a position closest to the camera body, the focus detection area 205 that captures the upper part of the tree 220c is selected. At this time, the focus detection area 205 blinks to notify the photographer that this area has been selected. At the same time, the shutter speed and the aperture value set by the photometric value focused on the focus detection area 205 are displayed on the condition display unit 230. Since exposure correction is not performed in this state, the index 234 indicates a shift amount “0”.
[0035]
When have subject image photographer has actually taken is a person 221a, it is necessary to select as a focus detection area for focusing the focus detection area 207 that captures the vicinity of the face of the person 221a. Therefore, the photographer changes the focus detection area by operating the direction selection key 113. Specifically, the focus detection area 205 is changed to the focus detection area 210 by first pressing the down operation key 113 d once. Next, the left operation key 113a is pressed three times, and the focus detection area is sequentially changed to 209, 208, and 207. Thus, it is possible to select the focus detection area 2 07, the focus detection area 207 blinks (FIG. 2 (B)), the shutter speed set by the photometric value that focus on the focus detection area 207 And the aperture value are displayed on the condition display unit 230.
[0036]
Further, when it is desired to change the shutter time and the aperture value (exposure correction) set by the photometric value focused on the focus detection area 207, for example, the rotary dial 115 is rotated two steps counterclockwise. The exposure shift amount can be changed to -1/2 step and -1 step. Here, when the shooting mode is set to the shutter speed priority mode, the aperture value is shifted, and when the shooting mode is set to the aperture priority mode, the shutter time is shifted. As a result, the shutter time display unit 231, the aperture display unit 232, and the shift amount display unit 233 are displayed with the exposure value shifted.
[0037]
Thus, during shooting, the direction selection key 113 and the rotary dial 115 can be operated with the thumb 1a, so that the focus detection area can be easily selected and the exposure can be corrected.
[0038]
Next, the configuration of the entire information input apparatus applied to the camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0039]
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view (an oblique perspective view (A) and an elevation perspective view (B)) when components of the information input device are disassembled in the dial rotation axis direction.
[0040]
Conductive contacts 113e to 113h corresponding to the left operation key 113a, the right operation key 113b, the upper operation key 113c, and the lower operation key 113d are provided on the rear surface of the direction selection key 113, respectively.
[0041]
Reference numeral 117 denotes a flexible substrate, which is provided with contact patterns 117a to 117d corresponding to the contacts 113e to 113h, respectively, and generates a signal by coming into contact with the contacts 113e to 113h. In addition, the flexible substrate 117 includes a lead portion 117e (electrical wiring) for transmitting a signal generated by the photographer pressing the direction operation key 113 to a processing circuit outside the apparatus.
[0042]
Reference numeral 118 denotes a selection key cradle (support member) that supports and fixes a stack of the direction selection key cover 114, the direction selection key 113, and the flexible substrate 117. A rotation fitting shaft 118b formed in a cylindrical shape is provided at the center of the back side of the selection key cradle 118, and a lead portion 117e is passed through the center of the rotation fitting shaft 118b. A cradle opening 118a is provided.
[0043]
The rotary dial 115 has a recess for supporting the selection key cradle 118, and a fitting hole 115a for fitting with the rotary fitting shaft 118b is provided at the center.
[0044]
Further, a back cover shaft 115b formed in a cylindrical shape having a fitting hole 115a is provided on the back surface side of the rotary dial 115. The back cover shaft 115b passes through a back cover shaft hole (not shown) provided in the back cover 102, which is larger than the diameter of the back cover shaft 115b and smaller than the outer diameter of the click plate 119 described later, and clicks with the rotary dial 115. A structure is adopted in which the back lid 102 is sandwiched between the plates 119.
[0045]
Reference numeral 119 denotes a click plate for giving a click feeling to the rotation of the rotary dial 115. The outer peripheral edge of the click plate is constituted by a wave-shaped portion 119a, and a click plate shaft hole 119b is provided at the center. Reference numeral 120 denotes a phase substrate (rotation detection plate) for detecting the rotation of the rotary dial 115. A conduction pattern portion 120a is provided on the back surface, and a phase substrate shaft hole 120b is provided in the center portion.
[0046]
The click plate 119 and the phase substrate 120 are laminated, and the click plate 119 is fixed to the end portion of the back cover shaft 115b so as to be coaxial with the rotation axis of the rotary dial 115. Here, the click plate shaft hole 119b and the phase substrate shaft hole 120b are formed to have a larger diameter than the rotation fitting shaft hole 115a, and the rotation fitting shaft 118b is fitted only in the rotation fitting shaft hole 115a.
[0047]
Reference numeral 121 denotes a cradle base (base member) for fixing the rotation fitting shaft 118b. The cradle base 121 is fixed to the back cover 102, and the back cover is rotated without rotating the selection key cradle 118 having the rotation fitting shaft 118b. It fixes to 102. A base opening 121a for connecting a lead portion 117e passing through the cradle opening 118a to a processing circuit (not shown) provided outside the apparatus is provided at the center of the contact surface with the rotation fitting shaft 118b. Is provided.
[0048]
Reference numeral 121b denotes a metal contact piece provided on the cradle base 121. By contacting the conductive pattern portion 120a provided on the phase substrate 120, the rotation angle of the rotary dial 115 is converted into an electrical signal, and processing outside the apparatus is performed. Send to circuit.
[0049]
Reference numeral 121 c denotes a guide groove for arranging the click ball 122 and the click spring 123. The click ball 122 receives the extension force of the click spring 123, and moves in the direction indicated by 301a or 301b (see FIG. 4) in accordance with the wavy shape portion 119a as the rotary dial 115 rotates.
[0050]
As the rotary dial 115 rotates, the click ball 122 enters or exits the concave portion of the wave-shaped portion 119a, so that a click feeling is generated in the rotation of the rotary dial 115.
[0051]
Next, the operation of the entire information input apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram partially showing this cross section in a state in which the respective components of the information input device shown in FIG. 3 are assembled. Here, the back cover 102 (not shown in FIG. 4) is disposed in the gap 303.
[0052]
The rotation dial 115 is freely rotated in the clockwise direction 300a and the counterclockwise direction 300b by the rotation operation of the photographer, and the click plate 119 and the phase substrate 120 are similarly rotated according to the rotation of the rotation dial 115. A lead portion 117e for transmitting a signal generated by the pressing operation of the direction selection key 113 to the outside of the information input device is connected to a rotary fitting shaft 118b that passes through the rotary dial 115, the click plate 119, and the rotation shaft center portion of the phase substrate 120. By disposing the rotary dial 115 in the hollow portion of the rotary dial, there is no need to regulate the rotation angle by cutting out a part of the rotary dial, and the photographer does not receive the rotation angle regulation, that is, endlessly, the rotary dial 115 is placed on either the left or right side. You can continue to turn in the direction.
[0053]
The click plate 119 rotates according to the rotation of the rotary dial 115, but stops the rotation of the click plate 119 when the click ball 122 enters the concave portion of the wave-shaped portion 119a, that is, when the click spring 123 extends. For this reason, the angular resolution of the rotary dial 115 can be set so that one period of the wave shape of the wave-shaped portion 119a is a rotation angle by one click, and the conduction pattern 120a on the phase substrate 120 is matched to the rotation angle by one click. Set.
[0054]
The metal contact piece 121b provided on the cradle base 121 abuts on the conduction pattern 120a on the phase substrate 120, thereby sending a signal corresponding to the rotational position of the rotary dial 115 to a processing circuit (not shown) outside the information input device. send. As a result, the exposure shift amount displayed on the condition display unit 230 is changed.
[0055]
On the other hand, when the photographer presses one of the operation keys (113a to 113d) of the direction selection key 113 (moving in the direction indicated by 302a), the operation key pressed is provided on the flexible substrate 117. A signal is generated by contact with the contact pattern, and this signal is sent to the processing circuit outside the information input device through the lead portion 117e. Thereby, the focus detection area displayed on the photographing screen 200 is changed. Further, the pressed operation key returns to the original state by a restoring force (movement in the direction indicated by 302b) by elastic deformation. Here, since the selection key cradle 118 that supports the direction selection key 113 is fixed to the cradle base 121 at the end of the rotation fitting shaft 118b, the rotary dial 115 is fitted to the rotation fitting shaft 118b. The selection key cradle 118 is not affected by the rotation.
[0056]
With the camera of the present embodiment, the information input device can be arranged on the camera body 101 with a size that can be operated with the right thumb.
[0057]
Further, since the click plate 119 and the phase substrate 120 are arranged so as to be coaxial with the rotation axis of the rotary dial 115, the arrangement area of the information input device with respect to the camera body 101 can be reduced. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a gear between the click plate 119, the phase substrate 120, and the rotary dial 115, the cost can be reduced, and adjustments between the shafts, backlash, and the like are not required.
[0058]
In this embodiment, the case where the information input device is used for a camera has been described. However, the information input device may be applied to other electronic devices. In particular, since the information input device of the present invention is small and thin, it is suitable for portable electronic devices.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in an electronic apparatus having a rotary operation member that can be rotated endlessly around the pressing operation member, the number of parts of the operation member is not increased and the axial thickness is minimized. Ru can suppress obtain it in.
[0060]
In addition, a conductive pattern can be formed on the rotation detection plate, and the conductive contact piece that can come into contact with the conductive pattern as the rotation detection plate rotates can be fixed to the base member that holds the support member . Further, a ball member and out of the outer peripheral surface formed recess of the click plate with the rotation of the click plate, a coil spring for biasing the ball member on the outer peripheral surface of the click plate, said base member Can be accommodated in a groove portion (groove portion extending in the radial direction from the rotation center of the rotary operation member) . As a result, the number of components of the entire information input apparatus can be reduced, and the projection area in the axial direction of the information input apparatus (that is, the arrangement area in the electronic device) can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a rear view of a camera provided with an information input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a viewfinder view of the camera.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the information input device.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the information input device in an assembled state.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Photographer Right Hand 1a Photographer Right Hand Thumb 101 Camera Body 102 Back Cover 103 Viewfinder Window 113 Direction Selection Keys 113a to 113d Direction Operation Keys (Left Operation Key, Right Operation Key, Up Operation Key, Down Operation Key)
113e to 113h Contact 114 Direction selection key cover 115 Rotation dial 115a Rotation fitting hole 115b Back cover shaft 116 Input switching button 117 Flexible substrate 117a to 117d Contact pattern 117e Lead wire 118 Selection key cradle 118a Receiving opening 118b Rotation fitting Shaft 119 Click plate 119a Wave-shaped portion 119b Click plate shaft hole 120 Phase substrate 120a Conductive pattern 120b Phase substrate shaft hole 121 Receiving base 121a Base opening 121b Metal contact piece 121c Guide groove 122 Click ball 123 Click spring 200 Shooting screen 201 215 Focus detection area 230 Condition display section 231 Shutter second display section 232 Aperture display section 233 Shift amount display section 300 Rotating dial rotation direction 301 Click ball moving direction 302 Operation key Operation direction 303 gap

Claims (5)

A pressing member that can be pressed to input information; and
An electrical wiring for transmitting an electrical signal generated in response to an operation of the pressing operation member;
A support member having a support surface for supporting the pressing operation member, and a shaft portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the support surface;
A rotation operation member that has a fitting hole that fits rotatably in the shaft portion in the rotation center portion, and can be rotated endlessly around the pressing operation member;
A click plate that can be rotated together with the rotation operation member, has a through hole that penetrates the shaft portion in the rotation center portion, and provides a click feeling to the rotation operation of the rotation operation member;
A rotation detection plate that is rotatable together with the rotation operation member, has a through hole that penetrates the shaft portion in the rotation center portion, and detects a rotation operation of the rotation operation member ;
An exterior member of a device body having a through hole penetrating the shaft portion ,
The rotation operation member is provided with a protrusion on the surface on the exterior member side, and the click plate is fixed to an end of the protrusion, and the exterior member is formed between the rotation operation member and the click plate. Sandwiched between
The electronic device is characterized in that the electrical wiring is disposed inside the shaft portion. The protrusion is provided with a predetermined width in the radial direction around the fitting hole of the rotation operation member,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the through hole of the exterior member is larger than that of the protruding portion. A base member for fixing the support member;
A conductive pattern is formed on the rotation detection plate,
The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2 conducting contact piece, characterized in that it is installed in the base member in contact with the conductive pattern. A plurality of recesses are formed at a predetermined pitch on the outer peripheral surface of the click plate,
The base member is formed with a groove extending in the radial direction from the rotation center of the rotation operation member,
The groove includes a ball member that enters and exits the recess as the click plate rotates, and a coil spring that biases the ball member toward the outer peripheral surface of the click plate. The electronic device according to claim 3 . The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the base member is fixed to the exterior member.

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