JP4507278B2 - Display device with switch panel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device with a switch panel, and more particularly, to a display device with a switch panel that can be operated in various ways by operating a switch panel that is arranged close to a display screen.

  Devices such as electronic cameras such as digital cameras, camera-equipped mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and portable game devices are provided with a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor. Through images and captured images are displayed.

  By the way, in recent years, the downsizing of devices as described above is rapidly progressing. However, since a powerful and easy-to-view image is displayed on a display device, a larger screen size is desired. Due to this requirement, a display device with a large screen is mounted in the above-mentioned device. However, if the area occupied by the display screen increases with respect to the size of the device body, the grip portion that grips the device becomes smaller, so the user However, there is a drawback that it becomes difficult to hold the device and the operability of the device is lowered. Also, there is a problem that a part of the video becomes invisible because the display screen is touched with a hand holding the device.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the applicant of the present application disclosed in Patent Document 1 enables the reproduction of a powerful image on a large screen monitor during reproduction, and the display screen hidden by the hand holding the camera during photographing. A camera with a monitor has been proposed in which a part is used as a touch panel on which no image is displayed and the part of the touch panel can be held to improve grip.

  According to the camera of Patent Document 1, since only the composition is confirmed on the display screen at the time of shooting and the image is not viewed, there is no need for a large screen. Rather, it is desirable to improve the shooting operability by improving the grip. For the reason, the touch panel is also used as a grip part, and the image is reduced and displayed on the screen in a range other than that used as the touch panel.

  In the electronic camera disclosed in Patent Document 2, a grip portion is provided on a camera body provided with a monitor so that the grip portion can be pulled out and stored. According to this electronic camera, the power is turned on when the grip portion is pulled out, and turned off when the grip portion is stored. When the grip part is pulled out, the grip is improved and the monitor is exposed, so a large screen can be secured. Moreover, in the form in which the grip part is stored, the grip part covers a part of the display screen. However, since this electronic camera is turned off when the grip portion is stored, nothing is displayed on the monitor, and therefore, the display format of the monitor is not switched according to the position of the grip portion.

Similarly, the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 3 is configured such that an LCD cover is slidable on a camera body provided with an LCD, and the LCD cover moves in a range between a position covering the entire LCD and a position retracted from the LCD. . However, this digital camera does not cover a part of the LCD with the LCD cover, and does not switch the display form of the LCD according to the position of the LCD cover.
JP-A-11-289484 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-298773 JP-A-10-304229

  However, the camera with a monitor disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a part of a display screen on which an image is not displayed at the time of photographing as a touch panel, but there is no difference in that the camera is operated by directly touching the display screen. Therefore, when an image is displayed on the entire screen during playback, a part of the display screen used as a touch panel is soiled by a finger operation, so that there is a problem that it is difficult to see the image displayed on that part. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device with a switch panel that can achieve both a large screen at the time of display during playback and the like and an improvement in grip performance at the time of operation. And

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus main body having a display screen, a grip part movable between a position covering a part of the display screen and a position retracted from the display screen, and the grip part And a switch panel configured to be movable between a position covering a part of the display screen and a position accommodated in the grip portion when it is in a position retracted from the display screen. It is said.
The present invention is characterized in that the grip portion is provided with an opening, and the switch panel accommodated in the grip portion can be operated through the opening.

According to the present invention, when the image is displayed, the grip portion is positioned at a position retracted from the display screen, and the switch panel is accommodated in the grip portion. Thereby, a large screen can be realized. When the switch panel is operated, the switch panel is pulled out from the grip portion and is positioned so as to cover a part of the display screen. At this time, since the switch panel can also be used as a grip part, the area of the actual grip part by the grip part and the switch panel is expanded, thereby improving the grip performance during operation. Furthermore, since the casing is made compact by positioning the grip portion so as to cover a part of the display screen, portability is improved. By forming an opening in the grip that exposes the switch panel, the switch panel can be operated via the opening while the switch panel is stored in the grip, so the switch panel can be operated while viewing the image on a large screen. You can also

The present invention is characterized by comprising display switching means in conjunction with the movement of the front Symbol switch panel switches the display mode of the image on the display screen.

According to the present invention, the display mode on the display screen is switched by the display switching unit in conjunction with the movement of the switch panel.

The present invention, before Symbol display switching means, when said switch panel is located in a position covering a portion of the display screen, to display the image on the display screen, except for said portion, housing the switch panel on the grip portion The display mode is switched so that the image is displayed on the entire screen of the display screen when the screen is positioned.

According to the present invention, when the switch panel is located at a position covering a part of the display screen, the display switching means displays an image on the display screen excluding the part. And if a switch panel is located in the position accommodated in a grip part, a display form will be switched so that an image may be displayed on the whole screen of a display screen. Thereby, grip property improves and operativity improves.

The present invention is characterized in that with a power switch for turning on and off the power in association with the movement of the front Symbol grip.

According to the present invention, since the power switch for turning on / off the power in conjunction with the movement of the grip portion is provided, for example, when the grip portion is located at a position covering a part of the display screen, the power switch is turned off. If it is turned on when it is in the retracted position, it is not necessary to separately provide a power switch, and the power can be turned on / off simply by operating the grip portion. Therefore, operability is improved.

  According to the display device with a switch panel according to the present invention, since the switch panel is moved to a position that covers a part of the display screen of the display device, the grip performance during operation is improved, and the switch panel is displayed during playback. Since it was moved from the position to the retracted position, a large screen during playback can be realized.

  Further, according to the display device with a switch panel according to the present invention, when the image is displayed, the grip portion is positioned at a position retracted from the display screen, and the switch panel is accommodated in the grip portion. Can be realized. And when operating a switch panel, since the switch panel was pulled out from the grip part and was located in the position which covers a part of display screen, the grip property at the time of operation improves.

  Preferred embodiments of a display device with a switch panel according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, an example in which the display device with a switch panel of the present invention is applied to an electronic camera will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a pocket The present invention can be applied to a portable PC such as a PC and a portable game device.

  FIG. 1 is a front external view of an electronic camera 10 to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a rear external view thereof. As shown in these drawings, an imaging unit 12 is provided in the upper left corner of the front of the electronic camera 10, and a CCD (not shown) is disposed behind the photographing lens 14 of the imaging unit 12. As the photographic lens 14, for example, a rear focus type zoom lens including a zooming group and a correction group is used.

  The left part of the camera body 16 including the imaging unit 12 is formed with a grip part 18 that swells forward so that the photographer can easily grasp the camera body 16 with the right hand. A shutter button 20 and a frame advance / frame return button 22 are arranged on the upper surface of the camera body 16. Further, a strobe light emitting unit 23 is provided at the upper right corner of the front surface of the camera body 16.

  On the side surface of the grip portion 18, a power switch 24 for switching on / off of the main power source is disposed as shown in FIG. The power switch 24 is slidably attached along the side surface of the camera body 16 and is urged upward by the urging means (not shown). That is, when the finger is released from the power switch 24, the power switch 24 returns to the original upper position by the biasing force of the biasing means, and the power switch is turned on / off by sliding the power switch 24 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. It is turned off.

  A monitor (display screen) 26 is provided on the back of the electronic camera 10. The monitor 26 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD), and has a screen as large as possible with respect to the size of the camera body 16. The full screen shown in FIG. 2 has a high-vision size (aspect ratio 9:16) Images can be displayed. The monitor 26 can also display an image of a standard size (aspect ratio 3: 4) in the form shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, a rectangular switch panel 28 is provided on the right side adjacent to the monitor 26. The switch panel 28 is formed in a shape in which an upper portion and a lower portion are bent 90 ° forward, and an upper bent portion 30 is engaged with an upper sliding groove 32 formed on the upper surface of the camera body 16, so that a lower bent portion is formed. The portion 34 is engaged with a lower sliding groove 36 formed on the lower surface of the camera body 16. As a result, the switch panel 28 is slidably attached along the longitudinal direction of the camera body 16, and is completely retracted from the monitor 26 as shown in FIG. 2, and a right side portion (partly) of the monitor 26 as shown in FIG. ) Is slid in the range of the advance position that covers.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a click ball 38 is embedded on the right side of the lower sliding groove 36, and a recess (not shown) formed on the inner side surface of the lower bent portion 34 is fitted to the click ball 38. Thus, the switch panel 28 is held at the retracted position in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a click ball 40 is embedded on the left side of the lower sliding groove 36, and the depression of the lower bent portion 34 is fitted into the click ball 40, so that the switch panel 28 of FIG. It is held at the advance position.

  Further, the electronic camera 10 is provided with a position sensor 42 for detecting that the switch panel 28 is located at the retracted position in FIG. 2 and at the advanced position in FIG. A signal indicating the position of the switch panel 28 from the position sensor 42 is output to the CPU 44 that controls and controls the electronic camera 10. When the position sensor 42 outputs a signal indicating that it is located at the retracted position to the CPU 44, the CPU 44 recognizes that the mode has been switched from the photographing mode to the reproduction mode. When the position sensor 42 outputs a signal indicating that the position has been reached to the CPU 44, the CPU 44 recognizes that the mode has been switched from the reproduction mode to the photographing mode. The CPU 44 sets the image displayed on the monitor 26 to a standard size when a signal indicating the advance position is input, and displays the image displayed on the monitor 26 when a signal indicating the retracted position is input. Is set to the high definition size. That is, the CPU 44 has a function of display switching means.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the electronic camera 10.

  As shown in the figure, the electronic camera 10 includes an imaging unit 12, a signal processing unit 46, a recording unit (including a built-in memory or a removable external memory) 48, an output memory 50, a D / A converter 52, and a monitor 26. , A switch panel 28, a position sensor 42, a CPU 44, and the like.

  A subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD via the photographing lens 14 (see FIG. 1) of the imaging unit 12 is photoelectrically converted in the CCD and sequentially read out as an image signal. As is well known, the signal processing unit 46 includes analog processing circuits such as a CDS clamp circuit and a gain adjustment circuit, an A / D converter, a luminance signal generation circuit, a color difference signal generation circuit, and a digital image processing circuit such as a gamma correction path. It is constituted by.

  The image signal read from the imaging unit 12 is processed by the signal processing unit 46, recorded in the recording unit 48, and output to the output memory 50. Then, the image signal is output to the monitor 26 via the D / A converter 52, and an image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26. On the monitor 26, not only a still image taken by the release operation but also a through image before the release operation and an image (reproduced image) recorded in the recording unit 48 are displayed.

  The electronic camera 10 has a known automatic exposure adjustment function and autofocus function. When the photographer points the imaging unit 12 of the electronic camera 10 toward the subject, optimum exposure adjustment and focusing are automatically performed. Done. Then, when the shutter button 20 is pressed with the shooting mode set, a shooting start signal is transmitted along with this operation, and shooting is executed. That is, the image signal read from the imaging unit 12 in response to the reception of the imaging start signal is appropriately processed in the signal processing unit 34, and is recorded according to, for example, an Exif (Exchangeable image file format) file specification or other predetermined format. Part 48 is recorded. The recording unit 48 includes a recording medium such as a camera built-in flash memory or a removable external memory card.

  The CPU 44 controls and controls each circuit of the electronic camera 10, and controls to change the display form of the image projected on the monitor 26 to the high-definition size and the standard size based on the position information from the position sensor 42, and the switch panel Display control is performed to change the content displayed on the monitor 26 in accordance with signals received from various operation buttons 28 and the like.

Figure 2 is the switch panel 2 8, as shown in FIG. 3, playback button 54 to be operated during image playback, fast forward button 56, rewind button 58, the stop button 60, operation buttons pause button 62 or the like place Has been placed. Further, the rear surface of the camera body 16 which is exposed when the positions the switch panel 2 8 the advanced position of Figure 3, the zoom seesaw lever 64, and a self-timer, a menu button 66 for setting the white balance, and sensitivity are arranged ing. The CPU 44 shown in FIG. 4 changes the contents displayed on the monitor 26 in accordance with signals received from these operation buttons 54 to 66.

  Next, the operation of the electronic camera 10 configured as described above will be described.

Switch panel 2 8 provided on the back of the electronic camera 10 between a position away from the display screen of the monitor 26 as shown in FIG. 2, the advanced position covering a portion of the display screen of the monitor 26 as shown in FIG. 3 It is movable. Then, the electronic camera 10, when the switch panel 2 8 is positioned at the retracted position of FIG. 2 the power switch 24 while to ON, with switches to the playback mode by CPU44 in FIG 4, the entire display screen of the monitor 26 The display form is switched to the high-definition size so as to display the reproduced image. Moreover, when positioning the switch panel 2 8 the advanced position of Figure 3, with is switched to the photographing mode by CPU 44, the display mode to display a through image on the screen except for the portion where the switch panel 2 8 overlaps the standard size Can be switched. Further, the surplus display screen 68 below the standard size screen displays the chapter number, the F value, the shutter speed, and the like at the time of photographing.

Thus, the shooting mode that does not require a large screen by determining the composition, by positioning the switch panel 2 8 to the advanced position covering the part of the display screen of the monitor 26, an area to be used as a grip portion Since the switch panel 28 can be widened by the area where the switch panel 28 is advanced, it is possible to improve grip when the electronic camera 10 is photographed.

Further, at the time of reproduction of the image shown in FIG. 2, the switch panel 2 8 is positioned at a position retracted completely from the display screen of the monitor 26, you can realize a large screen of the time of reproduction, on the display screen of the monitor 26 HDTV An image is projected. Therefore, a powerful image can be appreciated.

  5 to 10 show an electronic camera 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. 5 and 6 show the power-off mode, FIGS. 7 and 8 show the shooting mode, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show the playback mode.

  In the electronic camera 100 shown in these drawings, a monitor 104 is provided on the back surface of the camera body 102. The monitor 104 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD), and has a large screen as much as possible with respect to the size of the camera body 102. The monitor 104 can display a high-definition image in a full screen in the playback mode shown in FIG. 9, and can display a standard-size image in the shooting mode shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, a grip portion 106 is provided on the right side of the camera body 102. The grip portion 106 is formed in a substantially box shape so that the right side portion of the camera body 102 can be accommodated, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an advanced position that covers a part of the display screen of the monitor 104, and FIGS. As described above, the slide position is moved between the retracted position retracted from the display screen of the monitor 104. The grip 106 is also used as a power switch. When the grip 106 is located at the advanced position in FIGS. 5 and 6, the power is turned off. When the grip 106 is located at the retracted position in FIGS. 7 to 10, the power is turned on.

  The electronic camera 100 has a rectangular switch panel 108. 7 and 8, when the grip portion 106 is in a position where it is retracted from the monitor 104, the switch panel 108 is moved forward to cover the right side (part) of the monitor 104, and the grip portion as shown in FIGS. It is configured to be slidable between the storage positions stored in 106.

  Further, the electronic camera 100 is provided with a position sensor (not shown) for detecting the position of the switch panel 108, and a signal indicating the position of the switch panel 108 from the position sensor is a CPU that controls and controls the electronic camera 100. (Not shown). When a signal indicating that the position sensor is located at the storage position is output from the position sensor to the CPU, the CPU recognizes that the mode has been switched from the shooting mode to the reproduction mode. Further, when a signal indicating that the position is located at the advance position is output from the position sensor to the CPU, the CPU 44 recognizes that the mode has been switched from the reproduction mode to the photographing mode. The CPU sets the image displayed on the monitor 104 to a standard size when a signal indicating the advance position is input, and the image displayed on the monitor 104 when a signal indicating the retracted position is input. Is set to the high definition size. That is, the CPU has a function of display switching means.

  The switch panel 108 is provided with various operation buttons such as a zoom tele button 110, a zoom wide button 112, an aperture setting button 114, and a menu button 116. The CPU changes the contents displayed on the monitor 104 in accordance with signals received from these operation buttons 110 to 116. Note that these operation buttons 110 to 116 can be operated through the opening 118 formed in the grip portion 106 even when the switch panel 108 is housed in the grip portion 106. Further, reference numeral 119 in FIG. 6 is a lens barrel constituting the imaging unit, and reference numeral 120 is a transparent cover that covers the opening. The transparent cover 120 is formed when the grip 106 is positioned at the advanced position as shown in FIG. 6 and when the switch panel 108 is positioned at the storage position where the grip panel 106 is stored as shown in FIG. Located on the back side.

  Next, the operation of the electronic camera 100 configured as described above will be described.

  When photographing an object using the electronic camera 100, first, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the grip portion 106 is first pulled out of the camera body 102 and positioned at the retracted position retracted from the monitor 104. Thereby, the power source of the electronic camera 100 is turned on. Next, the switch panel 108 is pulled out from the grip portion 106 and positioned so as to cover the right side portion of the display screen of the monitor 104. As a result, the mode is switched from the playback mode to the shooting mode, and a standard-size through screen is displayed on the screen on which the switch panel 108 does not overlap. At this time, since the switch panel 108 can also be used as a grip portion, the area of the actual grip portion formed by the grip portion 106 and the switch panel 108 is increased, thereby improving the grip performance during photographing.

  Next, when viewing the captured image, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the switch panel 108 is housed in the grip 106 at the retracted position. As a result, a high-definition image is displayed on the monitor 104 in a full screen, so that a large screen can be realized. In addition, since the opening part 118 which the various operation buttons of the switch panel 108 expose is formed in the grip part 106, it can operate via the opening part 118 in the state which accommodated the switch panel 108 in the grip part 106. it can. Therefore, the switch panel 108 can be operated while viewing an image on a large screen.

  Further, according to the electronic camera 100, since the power is turned on / off in conjunction with the movement of the grip portion 106, it is not necessary to separately provide a power switch, and thus operability is improved.

  Furthermore, when carrying the electronic camera 100, the grip part 106 is advanced with respect to the monitor 104 as shown in FIGS. As a result, the power is also turned off, and the casing is also compact, so portability is improved.

Front view of an electronic camera to which the present invention is applied It is the external view which looked at the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 from the back side, and is explanatory drawing which showed the usage condition of the electronic camera at the time of reproduction | regeneration mode Explanatory diagram showing how the electronic camera is used in shooting mode 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a rear view of the electronic camera which shows other embodiment, and is explanatory drawing which showed the form at the time of carrying Sectional drawing of the principal part of the electronic camera shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing which showed the usage form of the electronic camera of FIG. 5 at the time of imaging | photography mode Sectional drawing of the principal part of the electronic camera shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing which showed the usage pattern of the electronic camera of FIG. 5 at the time of reproduction mode Sectional drawing of the principal part of the electronic camera shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electronic camera, 12 ... Imaging part, 16 ... Camera body, 18 ... Grip part, 24 ... Power switch, 26 ... Monitor, 28 ... Switch panel, 42 ... Position sensor, 44 ... CPU, 100 ... Electronic camera, 102 ... Camera body 104 ... Monitor 106 ... Grip part 108 ... Switch panel

Claims (5)

An apparatus body having a display screen;
A grip part movable between a position covering a part of the display screen and a position retracted from the display screen;
A switch panel configured to be movable between a position covering a part of the display screen and a position accommodated in the grip portion when the grip portion is in a position retracted from the display screen;
A display device with a switch panel, comprising: The display device with a switch panel according to claim 1, further comprising display switching means for switching an image display form on the display screen in conjunction with movement of the switch panel. When the switch panel is located at a position covering a part of the display screen, the display switching means displays an image on the display screen excluding the part, and the switch panel is located at a position where the switch panel is accommodated in the grip portion. The display device with a switch panel according to claim 2, wherein the display form is switched so that an image is displayed on the entire screen of the display screen. 4. The display device with a switch panel according to claim 1, further comprising a power switch for turning on / off the power in conjunction with the movement of the grip portion. The said grip part is provided with an opening part, The said switch panel accommodated in the said grip part can be operated via the said opening part, The any one of Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The display device with a switch panel according to one.

Images