JP4529228B2 - Input device and hand-held image recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is hand-held by the user, to a hand-held image recording apparatus having an input device and an input device for switching the input fields by switching operation by the non-contact state of a user in use.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an example of a handheld electronic device, a video camera recorder (image recording device) is taken as an example. When a user inputs an image using the video camera recorder, the user presses down the key top of the input portion of the video camera recorder. By pressing another key top, the video camera recorder switches from the standby state to the image recording state (REC). When the other key top is pressed again, the image input state can be returned to the standby state.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
This type of video camera recorder has a very small housing due to the demand for miniaturization. If the number of key tops provided in the housing is not reduced as much as possible, a user needs to install multiple key tops in a narrow housing. You have to press it with your finger. When the number of keytops is large, it is difficult to reduce the size of the electronic device, and operations such as sequentially pressing a plurality of keytops cause many problems such as camera shake in the case of a video camera recorder. I have it. Therefore , the present invention solves the above-described problems, and detects a change in the air flow caused by the user, rather than the user operating the key top attached to the handheld electronic device and provided on the housing. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that switches input items by a switching operation in a non-contact state and a hand-held image recording device having the input device.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An input device according to the present invention is attached to a handheld electronic device, and a second input different from the first input item is at least a first input item in the handheld electronic device by performing a switching operation by a user in a use state. Make sure that the item is switched . An input device according to the present invention includes a detection unit that detects a breath blowing operation by a user in a use state and outputs a detection signal, and an input item for a hand-held electronic device based on the detection signal output from the detection unit An input item switching unit is provided for outputting a control signal for switching between. In the input device according to the present invention , the detecting means is disposed inside the housing so as to face an opening provided in a portion constituting the operation surface of the housing in a use state, and the substrate and one of the substrates Consists of a plurality of resistors formed on the main surface perpendicular to the opening and in parallel with each other, and comprises a flow sensor that outputs a detection signal based on a change in resistance value due to a change in air flow. A change in air flow caused by the breath blown on the part is detected and a detection signal is output. The input device according to the present invention is configured to perform an input item switching operation by a non-contact operation of blowing a breath by a user in a use state of a handheld electronic device . In the input device according to the present invention, there is no need to provide a plurality of key tops for switching input items on the housing of the hand-held electronic device, and the device blurs when the input items are switched by pressing the key top. eliminate the occurrence, with downsizing of itself and hand-held electronic devices, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, it is possible to improve the cost and reliability and improvement in operability.
[0005]
In addition, the handheld image recording apparatus according to the present invention allows the user to view the image incident through the lens barrel disposed on the upper part of the housing while in use, while looking at the finder. And a control signal for switching to at least the first input item and a second input item different from the first input item based on a detection signal output from the detection unit. An input device having an input item switching unit for outputting is provided. In the handheld image recording apparatus according to the present invention, an opening is formed at a predetermined position below the viewfinder on the installation surface of the viewfinder of the housing that constitutes the operation surface in the use state. An input device is provided that includes a detection unit that detects a breath blowing operation and outputs a detection signal, and an input item switching unit that outputs a control signal for switching input items based on the detection signal output from the detection unit. In the hand-held image recording apparatus according to the present invention, the detection means of the input device is composed of a substrate and a plurality of resistors formed on one main surface of the substrate so as to be orthogonal to the opening and in parallel with each other. The air generated by the breath blown to the opening by the user, which is arranged inside the housing opposite to the opening and is arranged inside the housing, is composed of a flow sensor that outputs a detection signal based on a change in resistance value due to a change in air flow A change signal flow is detected and a detection signal is output. In the hand-held image recording apparatus according to the present invention, the input item switching unit of the input device is provided on the circuit board disposed in the housing so as to face the opening, and is input based on the detection signal output from the detection means. Outputs a control signal for switching items. In the hand-held image recording apparatus according to the present invention, the input items are switched by performing a non-contact operation in which the user blows on the opening as necessary while looking at the viewfinder in the use state. In the hand-held image recording apparatus according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide the casing with a plurality of key tops for switching input items, and the occurrence of blurring or the like when switching the input items by pressing each key top. In addition, the size can be reduced, the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, the reliability can be improved, and the operability can be improved.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is a preferred specific example of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these forms.
[0007]
FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an electronic apparatus having an input device of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, this electronic apparatus is a video camera recorder (image recording apparatus). FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the video camera recorder 10 viewed from the focus lens 31 side, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the video camera recorder 10 viewed from the color viewfinder 32 side. The video camera recorder 10 is a digital video camera recorder, for example, and has a body (housing) 12, and the body 12 has a video cassette housing portion 14. A video cassette can be detachably loaded in the accommodating portion 14.
[0008]
A lens barrel 18 is accommodated in the upper portion 16 of the body 12. A stereo microphone 20 and a liquid crystal monitor 22 are provided on the upper portion 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal monitor 22 can display, for example, a color image being photographed or a color image at the time of reproduction by directing it in a desired direction. A manual focus lens 31 is disposed on the front side of the lens barrel 18, and a color viewfinder 32 is provided on the rear side of the lens barrel 18. In addition, a battery pack 34 is detachably attached to the side of the body 12.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 30 of the body 12 has an input device 40 for switching a plurality of input items. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the user H is using the video camera recorder 10. The user H holds the body 12 of the video camera recorder 10 by hand, the eyes 39 of the user H are looking at the image displayed on the color viewfinder 32, and the mouth 42 of the user H is the input device 40. It is in the position corresponding to. As shown in FIG. 4, the input device 40 has a plurality of openings 46 in the housing 30. A plurality of openings 46 are formed in the housing 30 as shown in FIG. 2, and each opening 46 is, for example, a round hole.
[0010]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2, and a main circuit board 50 and a sensor 60 are arranged in the housing 30. The sensor 60 is a flow sensor for detecting a change in air flow, and is fixed to the inner surface 30 </ b> A of the housing 30 by, for example, an adhesive 62. In addition to fixing the sensor 60 to the inner surface 30 </ b> A of the housing 30 with the adhesive 62, the sensor 60 can also be fixed by mechanical fitting or screwing. Alternatively, the sensor 60 can be fixed to the inner surface 30 </ b> A of the housing 30 by combining any two or more of adhesion, mechanical fitting, and screwing. The sensor 60 is directly attached to the circuit board 50. In this way, the sensor 60 is directly attached to the circuit board 50, so that space can be reduced. The sensor 60 can be easily fixed to the housing 30 by the structure described above.
[0011]
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sensor 60, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor 60 taken along the line BB of FIG. The sensor 60 is also called an air flow sensor or a particle velocity sensor that detects a change in the air flow as shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B). 4, when the user H blows the breath 68 from the mouth 42 toward the opening 46 as shown in FIG. 4, the air passing through the opening 46 changes in the air flow as indicated by the arrow D. Pass near the sensor 60. The sensor 60 can detect a change in the air flow indicated by an arrow D that is generated when the user blows the breath 68. By using an airflow sensor as the sensor 60, the downsizing of the apparatus can be promoted. The housing 30 by the user H is provided with an opening 46 for blowing breath sensor 60, it is possible to reliably generate the change in the air flow at the sensor 60.
[0012]
The sensor 60 of FIG. 6 is provided with resistors R1 and R2 such as platinum resistance temperature detectors on a substrate 70 made of, for example, Si (silicon). For the resistors R1 and R2, a piezo element can be used in addition to the platinum resistance thermometer. The end portion of the sensor 60 in FIG. 5 is a joint portion 300 with the circuit board 50, and the end portion and the circuit board 50 are fixed by the adhesive 62 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the resistors R1 and R2 are formed in parallel on the substrate 70. The opposite side of the substrate 70 is a chemical etching portion 71, and the chemical etching portion 71 is a recess. By forming the chemical etching portion 71 in this way, sensitivity is improved.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 6A, the resistors R1 and R2 form a substantially semicircular isotherm 80. The shape of the isotherm 80 is a standard shape when no wind is blowing. FIG. 6B shows an isotherm 82 having a deformed shape when a change in the air flow D shown in FIG. 4 occurs with respect to the resistors R1 and R2. By changing the isotherm 82 in this way, the resistance values of the resistors R1 and R2 change, and the current value flowing through the resistors R1 and R2 can be changed. Accordingly, the sensor 60 detects a change in the air flow indicated by the arrow D. Here, the air flow is, for example, the flow velocity and the flowing direction of air.
[0014]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a control circuit including the sensor 60 of FIGS. 5 and 6, and this control circuit is mounted on the main circuit board 50 shown in FIG. Resistors R3 and R4 are connected to the resistors R1 and R2 of the sensor 60, respectively. An intermediate point between the resistors R1 and R3 is connected to the differential signal processing unit 100. Similarly, an intermediate point between the resistors R2 and R4 is also connected to the differential signal processing unit 100. A reference voltage V is supplied to the resistors R1 to R4. The differential signal processing unit 100 is connected to the input item switching unit 120. The input item switching unit 120 is connected to the control unit 130. The control unit 130 is connected to the recording unit 140. Control circuit, to the units described above, the power source voltage is supplied from the power source 110 to process the power supply voltage supplied from the battery over pack 34.
[0015]
When the sensor 60 detects the change in the air flow indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 4, the detection signal S <b> 1 is sent to the differential signal processing unit 100. The differential signal processing unit 100 supplies an input item switching pulse S2 to the input item switching unit 120 based on the detection signal S1. The input item switching unit 120 repeatedly switches between the first input item and the second input item each time the pulse S2 is input. Thus, Sensor 60 by switching the first input field and the second input items is performed each time of detecting a change in the air flow, so that the switching operation is easily performed.
[0016]
That is, the input item switching unit 120 gives the first input item signal S3 to the control unit 130 when the first pulse S2 comes, and gives the second input item signal S4 to the control unit 130 when the second pulse S2 comes. When the third pulse S2 comes, the first input item signal S3 is given to the control unit 130, and when the fourth pulse S2 comes, the second input item signal S4 is given to the control unit 130. Each time the sequential pulse S2 is input, the first input item signal S3 and the second input item signal S4 are switched and sent to the control unit 130. Based on the first input item signal S3, the control unit 130 operates the recording unit 140 to cause the video camera recorder of FIGS. 1 and 2 to perform image input (image recording) operation. When the second input item signal S4 is given to the control unit 130, the control unit 130 switches the recording unit 140 to a standby (preparation) operation.
[0017]
Next, a usage example in the video camera recorder 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the user H holds the video camera recorder 10 with a hand (not shown). As a result, the user H can see the image displayed on the color viewfinder 32 with the eyes 39. Since the opening 46 of the input device 40 comes to a position corresponding to the mouth 42 of the user H, the user H blows a breath 68 from the mouth 42 onto the opening 46. As shown in FIG. 4, the breath 68 passes through the opening 46, enters the housing 30, and flows in the vicinity of the sensor 60 as an air flow indicated by an arrow D.
[0018]
The change in the air flow is detected by the sensor 60 shown in FIGS. That is, when there is a change in the air flow shown in FIG. 6B from a state where there is no change in the air flow shown in FIG. 6A, the isotherm 80 in the sensor 60 is as indicated by the isotherm 82. Due to the disturbance, the balance changes between the resistances R 1 and R 2 of the sensor 60 shown in FIG. 7, and the sensor 60 sends the detection signal S 1 to the differential signal processing unit 100. That is, the sensor 60 detects that the breath has been blown and sends the detection signal S1 to the differential signal processing unit 100.
[0019]
The differential signal processing unit 100 sends one pulse S2 to the input item switching unit 120 based on the detection signal S1. The input item switching unit 120 switches from the state in which the second input item signal S4 is given to the control unit 130 to the state in which the first input item signal S3 is given to the control unit 130. As a result, the control unit 130 changes the recording unit 140 from the standby state (STBY) to the image recording state (REC). Since the video camera recorder 10 changes from the standby mode to the image recording mode, the user H in FIG. 3 can record an image using the video camera recorder 10.
[0020]
Then, when the user H shown in FIG. 3 to blow again breath 68 from the mouth 42, the change of the flow of air indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 4 in the same manner as described above occurs, the flow of FIG. 7 The next detection signal S <b> 1 is sent from the sensor 60 to the differential signal processing unit 100. Since the differential signal processing unit 100 supplies the next pulse S2 to the input item switching unit 120, the input item switching unit 120 sends the second input item signal S4 to the control unit 130 instead of the first input item signal S3. . The control unit 130 switches the recording unit 140 from the image recording mode to the standby mode based on the second input item signal S4. Thereby, the image recording by the video camera recorder 10 of FIG. 3 can be interrupted and returned to the standby state.
[0021]
As described above, every time the user H in FIG. 3 blows his / her breath 68, the image recording mode and the standby mode can be switched sequentially and repeatedly. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide such a key top for switching between the image recording mode and the standby mode in the casing 30 of the video camera recorder 10, it is possible to reduce the size of the video camera recorder. This prevents camera shake caused by the operation. The sensor 60 detects a change in the air flow. However, since the sensor 60 is built in the housing 30, the air flow unless the user H actively blows the breath 68 into the opening 46. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the change in the image recording mode and the standby mode of the video camera recorder 10 without detecting the change in the video camera recorder 10.
[0022]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the sensor 60 is provided inside the so-called eye cup 200 of the color viewfinder 32. The sensor 60 is electrically connected to the main circuit board 50 through an electrical connection portion 220. The sensor 60 is directly attached to the electrical connection portion 220. By adopting such a structure, if the eyelash 300 of the user's eye 39 blinks to generate a change in the air flow, the sensor 60 detects the change in the air flow. For example, the video camera recorder 10 can be repeatedly switched between the image recording mode and the standby mode in the manner described above.
[0023]
In the embodiment of the present invention, it is only necessary to provide a sensor in the housing and provide an opening to the housing, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the housing can be downsized, Cost can be reduced and reliability can be improved. In addition, when switching between a plurality of input items, unlike the conventional case, the input items can be easily switched by simply breathing, so there is no need for the user to touch the key top of the housing. When the above input device is applied, camera shake during image recording can be eliminated.
[0024]
By the way, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the thing of the following structures is employable. The housing 30 shown in FIG. 2 has an image recording button (REC button) 160. While the image recording button is pressed by the user, the image recording standby state is established. At that time, the user H blows the breath 68 into the opening 46 as shown in FIG. 3, so that the sensor 60 changes the air flow. At the time of detection, an image recording (REC) state may be set. While the image recording button 160 is kept pressed, the image recording state is maintained, and the user releases the image recording button 160 or the user H blows again to the opening 46 of the housing 30. By attaching it, it is possible to set the image recording standby state. In the above description, the image recording standby state is a so-called pause state of image recording. By sensing the length of the blowing breath time may be in addition to the above-described embodiment, to add additional functionality. For example, in the image recording (REC) state in the above embodiment, when the user continuously breathes for a certain real time or longer, the image can be enlarged (zoomed up). At this time, if the user breathes in for a certain period of time or less, the standby state is entered as in the above embodiment.
[0025]
Note that the sensor mounted on the circuit board can be reduced in size by reducing the number of components by directly bonding the sensor to the circuit board using wire bonding or a conductive adhesive. In the illustrated embodiment, a video camera recorder is exemplified as an electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of electronic devices such as a digital still camera, a mobile phone, a portable game machine, etc. Of course, the input device of the present invention can be applied. In the embodiment of the present invention, the first input item and the second input item are exemplified as the switching of a plurality of input items. However, the plurality of input items is not two input items but three or more inputs. Of course, the function of sequentially switching items may be achieved.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, by eliminating the need for a plurality of key tops for switching input items, cost reduction or reduction in size and improvement in operability can be achieved by reducing the number of parts. The switching operation according to the state can eliminate the occurrence of blurring and improve reliability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a video camera recorder which is a preferred embodiment of an electronic apparatus having an input device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the video camera recorder of FIG. 1 viewed from another angle.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the user is using the video camera recorder of FIGS. 1 and 2;
4 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sensor.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the sensor of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a control circuit connected to a flow sensor.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Video camera recorder (electronic device), 30 ... Housing, 40 ... Input device, 46 ... Opening, 60 ... Sensor, 68 ... Breath, 120 ... Input Item switching part, D ... Arrow indicating air flow

Claims (11)

By being attached to the handheld electronic device and being switched by the user in use, the handheld electronic device is switched to at least a first input item and a second input item different from the first input item. Input device to
The substrate is disposed inside the housing so as to face an opening provided in a portion constituting the operation surface of the housing in a use state, and the substrate and one main surface of the substrate are orthogonal to the opening and are mutually connected. Air formed by a breath blown to the opening by a user, comprising a flow sensor that outputs a detection signal based on a change in resistance value due to a change in air flow. Detecting means for detecting a change in the flow of the gas and outputting a detection signal ;
An input item switching unit that outputs a control signal for switching an input item for the handheld electronic device based on the detection signal output from the detection unit ;
An input device that allows an input item to be switched by a non-contact operation that blows a breath by a user in a use state of the handheld electronic device. The input item switching unit, wherein each time said detection signal is output from the detection means, according to claim 1 for outputting the control signal to repeat the switching of the second input field and the first input field Input device. The detection means outputs different detection signals based on changes in the air flow amount and flow time generated by the user's breath blowing operation, and the input item switching unit switches to different input items based on the detection signals. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is output . 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the flow sensor has a recess in a portion facing the formation region of the resistance portion on the other main surface of the substrate . 2. The flow sensor according to claim 1, wherein the flow sensor is mounted on a circuit board in which the substrate is disposed in the housing so as to face the opening and the input item switching unit is provided and mounted directly. Input device. A detecting means for detecting a switching operation in a non-contact state by a user while the user looks at an image entered through a lens barrel disposed on an upper portion of the housing while in use; Ru an input device having at least input item switching unit for outputting a control signal for switching the first input field and the different second input field the first input field based on the detection signal output from the detecting means A hand-held image recording device,
Forming an opening at a predetermined position below the finder on the finder installation surface of the housing constituting the operation surface in the use state,
The input device is
Consists of a substrate and a plurality of resistors formed on one main surface of the substrate in a state orthogonal to the opening and parallel to each other, and outputs detection signals based on changes in resistance values due to changes in air flow A detection sensor configured to detect a change in an air flow caused by a breath blown to the opening portion by a user and disposed inside the housing so as to face the opening portion and to output a detection signal Means,
The input item switching unit is provided on a circuit board disposed in the casing so as to face the opening and outputs a control signal for switching an input item based on the detection signal output from the detection means. ,
A hand-held image recording apparatus in which input items are switched by a non-contact operation in which a user blows into the opening in a use state . 7. The input device according to claim 6, wherein the input device repeatedly outputs the control signal for switching from the input item switching unit to the first input item and the second input item for each detection signal output from the detection means. Handheld image recording device. The input device outputs a different detection signal based on a change in an air flow amount or a flow time generated by a user's breathing operation from the detection means, and based on the detection signal from the input item switching unit. The hand-held image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control signal for switching to a different input item is output. The hand-held image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the flow sensor of the input device has a concave portion on the other main surface of the substrate at a portion facing the region where the resistance portion is formed. The flow sensor of the input device is mounted on a circuit board in which the substrate is mounted on a circuit board provided with the input item switching unit and disposed in the casing so as to face the opening. 6. The hand-held image recording device according to 6. 7. The first input item based on the control signal output from the input item switching unit of the input device sets the recording unit to a standby state, and the second input item sets the recording unit to an operating state. The hand-held image recording device described in 1.

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