JP6516425B2 - Optical apparatus and imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical apparatus and an imaging apparatus having an operation unit around a lens unit.

  In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, cameras of various designs have been proposed. Most camera button layouts are intended for right-handed photographers. That is, when the photographer holds the camera with the right hand, the (shutter) release button is disposed at a position where it is easy to operate with the index finger of the right hand. Such a camera is not always easy to operate for left-handed photographers. In the apparatuses disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, two release buttons are disposed on the top of the camera, or one release button is disposed on the top and bottom of the camera. As a result, even if the photographer is right-handed or left-handed, the camera can be held and operated by the dominant hand.

JP 2004-53700 A JP 2001-318421 A

In the apparatuses disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a plurality of release buttons are arranged, so it is difficult to understand the operation, and when the photographer grips the camera with both hands, it is unintentionally used by the hand who is not the dominant hand There is a possibility of pressing the release button. Although electrical exclusive control has been proposed for a plurality of button operation signals for giving the same instruction, there is a possibility that the shutter chance may be missed because the operation becomes unclear. Further, from the design point of view, arranging a plurality of release buttons in the digital camera means that the uneven portion is increased in the camera body. Therefore, it is necessary to fully consider the design effect on the appearance of the camera.
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical apparatus and an imaging apparatus which can be easily operated by a user's right hand or left hand without impairing the design.

In the optical device and the imaging device according to the present invention, the first slide member and the second slide member disposed around the lens unit, and the first slide member move in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit First detecting means for detecting the movement, and second detection for detecting movement of the second slide member in a second direction different from the first direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens unit Means. A plurality of ridges and recesses are formed on the first slide member, a plurality of recesses and ridges are formed on the second slide member, and the ridges of the first slide member are the second slide members. The first slide member and the second slide member are connected by fitting into the corresponding recess at the same time, and fitting the collar portion of the second slide member into the corresponding recess in the first slide member .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical apparatus and an imaging device which can be easily operated by the user's right hand or left hand without impairing the design.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the digital camera of FIG. It is a perspective view of the front cover unit and rear cover of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the front cover unit of the digital camera of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the front cover unit seen from the direction different from FIG. It is a perspective view of a release ring. It is a perspective view of a front flexible wiring board. They are a perspective view (A) of a torsion spring, and a perspective view (B) of a compression spring unit. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the cross-section of the front cover unit of FIG. It is a figure explaining the rotation operation state of the zoom ring of a digital camera. It is a figure explaining the slide operation state of the release ring of a digital camera. It is a figure explaining the slide operation state different from FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a slide operation state different from FIGS. 11 and 12; It is a figure explaining the slide operation state different from FIGS. 11-13. It is a figure explaining the slide operation state different from FIGS. 11-14. It is a figure explaining the slide operation state different from FIGS. 11-15. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing in a shooting mode in Embodiment 1. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing in a shooting mode in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 14 is a front view of a front cover unit of the digital camera according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a front cover unit of the digital camera according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 18 is an external view of a front cover unit of the digital camera according to Embodiment 4.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Each embodiment is applicable to an optical apparatus having an operation unit around a lens unit, an imaging apparatus, and various electronic apparatuses having an imaging unit. Although the following description exemplifies specific numerical values, configurations, operations, and the like, these can be changed as appropriate.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the object side is defined as the front side, and the side closer to the optical axis of the photographing lens is defined as the inner side, and the positional relationship of each part will be described. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the digital camera 100 as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the digital camera 100 as viewed from the back side. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the lens unit 104 having the zoom mechanism portion is extended in the power-on state.

  When the photographer turns off the power, the lens unit 104 is retracted and stored to a position where it does not protrude from the digital camera body (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus body) 101. The display unit 102 uses, for example, a liquid crystal panel unit, and displays an EVF (Electronic View Finder) image and a reproduced image at the time of shooting. The display unit 102 incorporates a capacitive touch panel. When the photographer touches the screen with a finger, various operations such as setting at the time of shooting and reproduction of a recorded image, enlargement and reduction of an image, image sending, image editing, communication setting and the like are possible. The display unit 102 can display shooting conditions such as a shutter speed and an aperture value, the number of shots, a menu, and the like. A power button 103 is disposed on the side of the apparatus body 101. A power button 103 is an operation member used for power on / off operation of the digital camera 100. The lens unit 104 includes, in addition to the photographing lens 105, a lens barrier (not shown), an imaging device (photoelectric conversion device), a lens driving mechanism, an aperture, a shutter, and the like. The lens unit 104 causes an imaging optical system to form an object image on the light receiving surface of the imaging device.

  The zoom ring 106 is a ring operation member disposed around the lens unit 104. The zoom ring 106 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the apparatus main body 101 in a predetermined direction within a predetermined angle range. The predetermined direction is the P direction and the Q direction shown in FIG. 1A, and is a rotation direction around the optical axis of the photographing lens 105. When the photographer rotates the zoom ring 106 in the P direction, the lens unit 104 performs zoom operation to the TELE (telephoto) side, and when rotated in the Q direction, the lens unit 104 performs zoom operation to the WIDE (wide angle) side. When the photographer releases the finger from the zoom ring 106 after the zoom ring 106 is rotated, the zoom ring 106 returns to the neutral position by the restoring force of a spring (not shown).

  The release ring 107 is a ring operation member, and includes a vertical release operation unit 107V and a horizontal release operation unit 107H. In FIG. 1A, a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographing lens 105 with respect to the apparatus main body 101 and perpendicular to the bottom surface of the apparatus main body 101 is defined as an R direction and an S direction. The vertical release operation unit 107V is a first slide member that can linearly move within a predetermined range in the R direction and the S direction. In FIG. 1A, a second direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographing lens 105 with respect to the apparatus main body 101 and parallel to the bottom surface of the apparatus main body 101 is defined as a U direction and a T direction. The lateral release operation unit 107H is a second slide member that can linearly move within a predetermined range in the U direction and the T direction. The vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H as a whole have a ring shape, and are disposed around the lens unit 104. The release ring 107 has an outer diameter larger than that of the zoom ring 106 and is disposed closer to the apparatus main body 101 than the zoom ring 106 is.

  When the user depresses the vertical release operation unit 107V, that is, the photographer operates in the R direction, the shutter release operation of the digital camera 100 can be performed, and still image shooting can be performed. In addition, even when the vertical release operation unit 107V is pushed up, that is, when the photographer operates in the S direction, the shutter release operation of the digital camera 100 can be performed to perform still image shooting. On the other hand, when the photographer operates the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the U direction (right direction when viewed from the rear), the shutter release operation of the digital camera 100 can be performed to perform still image shooting. In addition, even when the photographer operates the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the T direction (left direction when viewed from the rear), the shutter release operation of the digital camera 100 can be performed to perform still image shooting.

  The release button of a normal camera is configured to have a two-step switch (two-step detection switch). When the first switch (SW1) in the first stage is turned on by half-pressing the release button, operations of AF (automatic focus adjustment) and AE (automatic exposure) are performed. When the second switch (SW2) at the second stage is turned on by full-pressing the release button further, a still image shooting operation is performed. The vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H are similarly configured by two-step switches. Movement restriction is imposed on the vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H, and the movement is performed only within a predetermined range.

  Further, when the operation of the R direction or the S direction is completed and the photographer releases the finger, the vertical release operation unit 107V returns to the neutral position by a spring (not shown). Similarly, when the operation in the U direction or T direction is completed and the photographer releases the finger, the horizontal release operation unit 107H returns to the neutral position by a spring (not shown). Note that FIG. 1A shows a state in which the vertical release operation unit 107V, the horizontal release operation unit 107H, and the zoom ring 106 are positioned at neutral positions.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the positional relationship between the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 with respect to the apparatus main body 101 will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view of the camera, showing a retracted state when the power is off. The lateral direction is defined as an X-axis direction and the longitudinal direction is defined as a Y-axis direction with respect to the optical axis in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The apparatus main body 101 has a substantially rectangular external shape, and is symmetrical in the X axis direction with respect to the optical axis of the lens unit 104, and is vertically symmetrical in the Y axis direction.
The zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 are disposed to surround the outer periphery of the lens unit 104. The central axes of the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 overlap the center of the optical axis of the lens unit 104. In the present embodiment, the left and right centers and the upper and lower centers of the apparatus main body portion 101 overlap with the optical axis center of the lens unit 104. Therefore, the central axes of the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 overlap the left and right centers and the upper and lower centers of the apparatus main body 101.

The release ring 107 has the following operation unit.
-Vertical release depression operation unit 107Va: An operation unit (hereinafter referred to as "R direction operation unit") used when the photographer depresses the vertical release operation unit 107V in the R direction.
Vertical release push-up operation unit 107Vb: An operation unit (hereinafter referred to as an S-direction operation unit) used when the photographer pushes the vertical release operation unit 107V in the S direction.
Lateral Release Right Direction Operation Unit 107Ha: An operation unit (hereinafter referred to as a U direction operation unit) used when the photographer operates the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the right direction (U direction) as viewed from the back.
Lateral Release Left Direction Operation Unit 107Hb: An operation unit (hereinafter referred to as a T direction operation unit) used when the photographer operates the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the left direction (direction T) when viewed from the back.

  By pressing an arbitrary part of the R-direction operation unit 107Va, the photographer can shoot by pressing the vertical release operation unit 107V. It is assumed that the photographer presses a position at which the R-direction operation unit 107Va is located, for example, with a force 110. When the force 110 is decomposed into components of the horizontal component 110h and the vertical component 110v, the vertical component 110v is a force that pushes down the vertical release operation unit 107V. As described above, even if the pressing force at the arbitrary position of the R-direction operation unit 107Va has a component of the component of the component that pushes down the vertical release operation unit 107V in the applied force, the photographer works in the R-direction A photographing instruction operation can be performed by the operation unit 107Va. The same applies to the S direction operation unit 107Vb, and if there is a component of the component force that pushes up the vertical release operation unit 107V by the applied force, the photographer uses the S direction operation unit 107Vb to perform a shooting instruction operation. It can do. In the U-direction operation unit 107Ha and the T-direction operation unit 107Hb, when there is a component of a component force that causes the applied force to move the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the U direction or T direction, the photographer Can be pressed to perform a shooting instruction operation.

  Each of the operation units 107Va, 107Ha, 107Vb, and 107Hb forms one ring-shaped portion as a whole. Therefore, even if the photographer presses the release ring 107 from an arbitrary direction of about 360 ° centering on the optical axis of the lens unit 104, imaging can be performed. The digital camera 100 using the release ring 107 configured in this way has a high degree of freedom in shooting instruction operation. That is, even if the photographer holds the camera in various ways, natural zoom operations and release operations can be performed without undue effort. In addition, even when the photographer directs the front of the camera toward himself and performs so-called self-shooting, natural zoom operation and release operation can be performed without unreasonableness.

  Next, the configuration of the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the front cover unit 111 when viewed from the front side of the digital camera 100. FIG. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the front cover unit 111 when viewed from the back side of the digital camera 100. FIG. FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the rear cover 112 when viewed from the front side of the digital camera 100.

  The exterior member of the digital camera 100 includes a front cover unit 111 and a rear cover 112. A lens unit 104, a power supply unit (not shown) (including a battery for supplying power to the camera), a main circuit board mounted with a main CPU (central processing unit), etc. are housed in the outer casing of the digital camera 100 ing. The main CPU (hereinafter simply referred to as the CPU) constitutes a system control unit (not shown). Further, the main circuit board, the display unit 102, the lens unit 104, and the power supply unit are electrically connected by a flexible wiring board (not shown). On the main circuit board, a connector for connection with the front flexible wiring board 113 attached to the back of the front cover unit 111 is mounted.

The main components of the front cover unit 111 will be described below.
The front cover 114 is formed by drawing a metal material. An opening 116 is formed at the center of the front cover 114. With the front cover unit 111 attached to the apparatus main body 101, a part of the lens unit 104 is positioned inside the opening 116 of the front cover 114. When the photographer turns on the power of the digital camera 100, a part of the lens unit 104 is extended from the opening 116 of the front cover 114.
The zoom ring base 115 is a base member for holding the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107. The zoom ring 106 is fastened and fixed to the zoom ring base 115 by screws 117 a to 117 d with the release ring 107 and the front cover 114 interposed therebetween. The release ring 107 is slidably attached to the front cover 114 within a predetermined range so that the zoom ring 106 and the zoom ring base 115 integrally rotate within the predetermined range. The zoom ring base 115 is provided with a zoom switch operating portion 115 a. The zoom switch operating portion 115a is two protrusions for moving the movable portion 119a (see FIG. 7) of the zoom switch 119 when the zoom ring base 115 is rotated.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the rear cover 112 is provided with a rectangular opening 120, and the side surface is provided with a circular opening 121. The opening 120 is formed at a position corresponding to the display unit 102, and the opening 121 is formed at a position corresponding to the power button 103.

Next, the configuration of the front cover unit 111 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the front cover unit 111 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the front cover unit 111 as viewed from the back side.
The zoom ring 106 is provided with screw seats 137a-d for screwing the plurality of screws 117a-d, respectively. The front cover 114 is provided with zoom guide hole portions 142a to 142d through which the screw seats 137a to 137d are respectively inserted when the front cover unit 111 is completed. The zoom guide hole portions 142 a to 142 d are disposed at predetermined intervals around a circular hole formed in the front cover 114.

  In the front cover 114, a plurality of guide shafts 138 and 139 are formed to protrude on the front side. The vertical guide shafts 138a and 138b restrict the movement of the vertical release operating portion 107V only in the vertical direction (R direction, S direction), and define the movable amount in the vertical direction. Further, the horizontal guide shafts 139a and 139b restrict the movement of the horizontal release operating portion 107H only in the lateral direction (U direction, T direction), and define an amount capable of moving in the lateral direction. The front cover 114 is provided with horizontal compression spring receiving portions 146a and 146b which are receiving portions of the compression spring unit 128a and vertical compression spring receiving portions 147a and 147b which are receiving portions of the compression spring unit 128b.

  The vertical release operation portion 107V is provided with vertical guide hole portions 140a and 140b through which the vertical guide shafts 138a and 138b are respectively inserted when the front cover unit 111 is completed. The lateral release operation portion 107H is provided with lateral guide hole portions 141a and 141b through which the lateral guide shafts 139a and 139b are respectively inserted when the front unit is completed. The vertical release operation unit 107V includes flanges 152a and 152b and recesses 153a and 153b. The collar portion 152a is provided on the upper portion (side in the S direction) of the vertical release operation portion 107V, and the collar portion 152b is provided on the lower portion (side in the R direction) of the vertical release operation portion 107V. The flanges 152a and 152b are arc-shaped ridges that protrude in the direction of the horizontal release operation unit 107H. Recesses 153a and 153b are respectively formed between flanges 152a and 152b along a direction around an axis centered on an axis parallel to the optical axis.

  The lateral release operating portion 107H has flange portions 154a and 154b and concave portions 155a and 155b. The flange portion 154a is provided on the T-direction side of the horizontal release operation portion 107H, and the flange portion 154b is provided on the U-direction side of the horizontal release operation portion 107H. The flanges 154a and 154b are arc-shaped ridges projecting in the direction of the vertical release operation unit 107V. Recesses 155a and 155b are respectively formed between flanges 154a and 154b along a direction around an axis centered on an axis parallel to the optical axis.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H are combined and connected. In the completed state of the front cover unit 111, the flange portions 152a and 152b of the vertical release operation portion 107V are respectively fitted into the concave portions 155a and 155b of the horizontal release operation portion 107H. Further, the flange portions 154a and 154b of the horizontal release operation portion 107H are fitted into the concave portions 153a and 153b of the vertical release operation portion 107V, respectively. As shown by the dimension t in FIG. 6, the widths of the flanges 152a and 152b of the vertical release operation unit 107V and the widths of the flanges 154a and 154b of the horizontal release operation unit 107H are equal. The dimension t represents the width of each member in the direction parallel to the central axes of the vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H. The width of the buttocks is all equal to the dimension t.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3A, in the completed state of the front cover unit 111, the ridges 152a and 152b of the vertical release operation unit 107V and the ridges 154a and 154b of the horizontal release operation unit 107H have four cuts. Except for forming a substantially continuous ring. Further, the vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H are configured to be sandwiched between the zoom ring 106 and the front cover 114. Therefore, in the vertical release operating unit 107V and the horizontal release operating unit 107H, the zoom ring 106 and the front cover 114 hide the portions other than the flanges 152a, 152b, 154a and 154b, and thus the configuration is preferable in terms of appearance. Further, the flanges 152a and 152b of the vertical release operation unit 107V and the flanges 154a and 154b of the horizontal release operation unit 107H are portions pressed by the operator at the time of the release operation. By forming these ridges as arc-plate shaped protrusions, the area that can be pressed is increased, and the operability is improved.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the front flexible wiring board 113 will be described. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the front flexible wiring board 113, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the front flexible wiring board 113 as viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 7A.

  On the front flexible wiring board 113 attached to the front cover 114, release switches 118a to 118d for detecting movement of the release ring 107 and a zoom switch 119 for detecting movement of the zoom ring 106 are mounted. The zoom switch 119 configures a detection unit (third detection unit) that detects rotation of the zoom ring 106 that is an operation member. The release switches 118 a to 118 d are detection switches that detect a slide operation of the release ring 107.

  At one end of the front flexible wiring board 113, a contact connection portion 113a in which a part of the pattern is exposed is provided, and is connected to a connector of a main circuit board (not shown). Therefore, an instruction signal output by the operation of the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 is transmitted to the CPU from each detection switch. The CPU receives an instruction signal to control the photographing operation and the operation of the lens unit 104. The detection mechanism will be described in detail below.

  The zoom switch 119 detects the rotation operation of the zoom ring 106, that is, the rotation in the TELE direction and the rotation in the WIDE direction. When the zoom ring base 115 is rotated, the zoom switch operating unit 115 a moves the movable unit 119 a of the zoom switch 119. By moving the movable portion 119a in one of the two directions, the directions are determined. An output signal of the zoom switch 119 passes through the wiring pattern of the front flexible wiring board 113 and is transmitted to the contact connection portion 113a.

  The release switches 118a to 118d are all metal dome type switches. That the vertical release operating unit 107V is moved in the first direction (R direction, S direction) orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit 104, the release switch 118a as the first detection unit and the release switch 118b as the second detection unit Is a first detection means for detecting The release switch 118a detects that the vertical release operation unit 107V has been pressed in the R direction. The release switch 118b detects that the vertical release operation unit 107V is pushed up in a direction different from the R direction, that is, in the S direction. Further, the release switch 118c, which is the third detection unit, and the release switch 118d, which is the fourth detection unit, move the lateral release operation unit 107H in the second direction (U direction, T direction) orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit 104. It is a 2nd detection means which detects what was done. The release switch 118c detects that the lateral release operation unit 107H has been operated in the U direction. The release switch 118d detects that the horizontal release operation unit 107H is operated in a direction different from the U direction, that is, in the T direction.

  The release switches 118a to 118d all detect movement of the operation unit at a plurality of stages. In this embodiment, it is configured as a two-stage switch having SW1 (first switch of first stage) and SW2 (second switch of second stage). Hereinafter, wiring of each output signal of SW1 and SW2 which the release switches 118a to 118d respectively output will be described. First, the wiring of the SW1 signal output from the release switch 118a and the wiring of the SW1 signal output from the release switch 118b extend from the terminals of the respective release switches, and then merge in the front flexible wiring board 113. This wire is drawn out to the contact connection portion 113a as a single wire. In this configuration, the CPU can not determine whether the release switch 118a is turned on or the release switch 118b is turned on. However, in the present embodiment, since the release switches 118a and 118b can not be turned on simultaneously, there is no particular problem. Rather, the number of input ports of the CPU can be saved by combining the output signal lines from the release switches halfway to reduce the number of signal lines. Therefore, the cost of the CPU can be reduced, and furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the camera can be reduced. Similarly, the wires of the SW2 signals of the release switch 118a and the release switch 118b are also merged in the front flexible wiring board 113 and are drawn out to the contact connection portion 113a as a single wire. Similarly, for the release switch 118c and the release switch 118d, the wires of each SW1 signal and the wires of each SW2 signal merge in the front flexible wiring board 113 and are drawn out as a single wire to the contact connection portion 113a. Be Hereinafter, the SW1 signal is described as SW1V and the SW2 signal is described as SW2V as detection signals respectively output by the release switches 118a and 118b. Further, as detection signals respectively output by the release switches 118c and 118d, the SW1 signal is described as SW1H, and the SW2 signal is described as SW2H. The process when the CPU acquires these detection signals will be described in detail later.

  The front flexible wiring board 113 is affixed and fixed to a predetermined position of the front cover 114 using a double-sided tape (not shown). As shown in FIG. 5, the front cover 114 is formed with a hole 135 for inserting the mounting portion of the release switches 118 a and 118 b in the front flexible wiring board 113. Further, the front cover 114 is formed with a hole 136 for inserting the mounting portion of the release switches 118 c and 118 d in the front flexible wiring board 113.

  FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the torsion spring 122. FIG. The torsion spring 122 is an urging member for returning the zoom ring 106 to the neutral position, and includes a wound portion 125 and two arm portions 126a and 126b. The torsion spring 122 is fixed to the front cover 114. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the front cover 114 is provided with a protrusion 124, the zoom ring base 115 is provided with a spring hooking portion 127, and the front cover 114 is provided with a spring hooking portion 143. With the projection 124 of the front cover 114 inserted through the wound portion 125 of the torsion spring 122, and with the spring hooks 127 and 143 held by the arms 126a and 126b, the screw 123 is a screw seat of the projection 124 Screwed on.

  The compression spring units 128a and 128b shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are biasing members for returning the release ring 107 to the neutral position. The compression spring unit 128b is a first urging means for returning the vertical release operating portion 107V to the neutral position. The compression spring unit 128a is a second biasing means for returning the lateral release operating portion 107H to the neutral position.

  FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the compression spring unit 128a. The compression spring unit 128a is composed of two coil springs 129 and 130. Similarly, the compression spring unit 128 b is constituted by two coil springs 144 and 145.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lateral release operating portion 107 H has a spring accommodation hole 131 and a spring accommodation hole 132. The vertical release operating portion 107V has a spring accommodation hole 133 and a spring accommodation hole 134. Further, in the lateral release operating portion 107H, a lateral compression spring receiving wall 148 is provided between the spring accommodation hole 131 and the spring accommodation hole 132. A vertical compression spring receiving wall 149 is provided in the vertical release operation portion 107V between the spring storage hole portion 133 and the spring storage hole portion 134. As shown in FIG. 11, in the completed state of the front cover unit 111, the spring 129 is disposed in the spring accommodation hole 131, and the end of the spring 129 is respectively the lateral compression spring receiving wall 148 and the lateral compression spring receiving portion 146a. It will be in the state of facing. The spring 130 is disposed in the spring accommodation hole 132, and the ends of the spring 130 are in a state in which they are opposed to the lateral compression spring receiving wall 148 and the lateral compression spring receiving portion 146b, respectively. The lateral compression spring receiving portions 146 a and 146 b are formed so as to protrude on the front side of the front cover 114. The lateral compression spring receiving portion 146 a passes through the spring storage hole portion 131, and the lateral compression spring receiving portion 146 b passes through the spring storage hole portion 132. In the completed state of the front cover unit 111, the spring 144 is disposed in the spring accommodation hole portion 133, and the end of the spring 144 is opposed to the longitudinal compression spring receiving wall 149 and the longitudinal compression spring receiving portion 147a. The spring 145 is disposed in the spring accommodation hole 134, and the ends of the spring 145 are in a state in which they oppose the longitudinal compression spring receiving wall 149 and the longitudinal compression spring receiving portion 147b, respectively. The longitudinal compression spring receiving portions 147a and 147b are formed to protrude on the front side of the front cover 114, respectively. The longitudinal compression spring receiving portion 147 a passes through the spring accommodation hole portion 133, and the longitudinal compression spring receiving portion 147 b passes through the spring accommodation hole portion 134.

Next, the mounting structure and assembly of the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 will be described.
The mounting portions of the release switches 118 a and 118 b are inserted through the holes 135 of the front cover 114 by the front flexible wiring board 113. The mounting portions of the release switches 118 c and 118 d are inserted into the holes 136 of the front cover 114 by the front flexible wiring board 113. In this state, the front flexible wiring board 113 is attached and fixed to a predetermined position on the back surface of the front cover 14. The springs 129 and 130 are stored in the spring storage holes 131 and 132, respectively, and the springs 144 and 145 are stored in the spring storage holes 133 and 134, respectively. An operation is performed in which the zoom ring 106 and the zoom ring base 115 sandwich the horizontal release operation unit 107H, the vertical release operation unit 107V, and the front cover 114 to which the front flexible wiring board 113 is attached. Screws 117a-d are screwed into screw seats 137a-d of the zoom ring 106, respectively. Thereafter, the protrusion 124 of the front cover 114 is inserted into the wound portion 125 of the torsion spring 122. In this state, the spring hooking portion 127 provided on the zoom ring base 115 is held between the two arm portions 126a and 126b, and the screw 123 is screwed into the screw seat provided on the projection 124. Thus, the front cover unit 111 is completed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the attachment state of the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows the front cover 114, the zoom ring base 115, the zoom ring 106, the vertical release operation unit 107V, the horizontal release operation unit 107H, and the screw 117a.

  The zoom ring base 115 is fastened and fixed to the zoom ring 106 by a screw 117a. Thus, the front cover 114, the vertical release operating unit 107V, and the horizontal release operating unit 107H are held by the zoom ring base 115 and the zoom ring 106. About the intervals of the front cover 114, the vertical release operation unit 107V, the horizontal release operation unit 107H, the zoom ring base 115, and the zoom ring 106, clearances are provided so as not to hinder the sliding.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the rotational state of the zoom ring 106 and the return state to the neutral position will be described. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the members attached to the front cover 114 as viewed from the rear side. The respective members are the zoom ring base 115, the screws 117a to 117d, the zoom ring 106, the torsion spring 122, the front flexible wiring board 113, the zoom switch 119, the release switches 118a to 118d, and the like. FIG. 10B shows a state in which the zoom ring 106 is rotated in the Q direction from the state of FIG.

  The state shown in FIG. 10A is a state in which the zoom ring 106 has returned to the neutral state. The arm portions 126 a and 126 b of the torsion spring 122 are hooked on the spring hook portion 127 of the zoom ring base 115 and the spring hook portion 143 of the front cover 114. The zoom ring 106 is rotatable in the P direction (TELE side) and the Q direction (WIDE side) around its central axis. When the photographer rotates the zoom ring 106, the spring hooking portion 127 of the zoom ring base 115 moves, and one arm (126a or 126b) of the torsion spring 122 moves. As a result, the torsion spring 122 is charged, and a biasing force to return to the neutral position is generated. When the photographer does not operate the zoom ring 106, the zoom ring 106 is always returned to the neutral position. In the neutral position, the movable portion 119a of the zoom switch 119 is not tilted, and the output signal of the zoom switch 119 is off.

  The state of FIG. 10B is a state in which the zoom ring 106 is rotated in the Q direction (WIDE side) from the state of FIG. When a force for rotating the zoom ring 106 is applied, the screw seats 137a to 137d move along the zoom guide holes 142a to 142d, respectively. Each of the zoom guide hole portions 142 a to 142 d has a shape that forms a part of a circular arc having the same radius with the optical axis of the lens unit 104 as the central axis. The zoom ring 106 is configured to be rotatable about the optical axis of the lens unit 104. In addition, when the zoom ring 106 rotates by a fixed amount, as shown in FIG. 10B, the screw seats 137a to 137d abut the ends of the corresponding zoom guide hole portions 142a to 142d, and therefore, further rotation is possible. It is regulated. In this state, one arm of the torsion spring 122 is displaced by the spring hooking portion 127 of the zoom ring 106, and the torsion spring 122 is charged. At this time, the zoom switch operating portion 115 a of the zoom ring base 115 brings the movable portion 119 a of the zoom switch 119 down to one side. The zoom switch 119 outputs a signal indicating WIDE. When the photographer releases the finger from the zoom ring 106, the zoom ring 106 promptly returns to the neutral position by the biasing force of the torsion spring 122.

  Although not illustrated, when the photographer rotates in the P direction (TELE side) in FIG. 10B, the screw seats 137a to 137d move along the corresponding zoom guide hole portions 142a to 142d. The screw seats 137a to 137d abut the ends on the opposite side of the zoom guide hole 142a to 142d from the state of FIG. At this time, since the zoom switch operating unit 115a of the zoom ring base 115 turns the movable unit 119a of the zoom switch 119, a signal indicating TELE is output. When the photographer releases the finger from the zoom ring 106, the zoom ring 106 promptly returns to the neutral position by the biasing force of the torsion spring 122.

  Thus, the zoom ring 106 rotates within a predetermined range with respect to the front cover 114, and returns to the neutral position by the biasing force of the torsion spring 122 when the photographer releases the finger. The zoom switch 119 detects the pivoting direction of the zoom ring 106 according to which side the movable portion 119a has been tilted by the zoom switch action portion 115a.

  Next, the operation at the time of the slide operation of the release ring 107 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. FIG. 11 is a front view of each part of the front cover unit 111 in the completed state, and shows a state in which the vertical release operating unit 107V and the horizontal release operating unit 107H are in the neutral position. The respective components are the front cover 114, the front flexible wiring board 113, the release switches 118a to 118d, the vertical release operating unit 107V, the horizontal release operating unit 107H, the springs 129 and 130, the springs 144 and 145, and the like. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the photographer depresses the vertical release operation unit 107V in the R direction from the state of FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the photographer pushes up the vertical release operation unit 107V in the S direction from the state of FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a shift state in which the photographer presses the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the T direction from the state of FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a shift state in which the photographer presses the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the U direction from the state of FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state in which the photographer presses the vertical release operating unit 107V in the R direction and simultaneously presses the horizontal release operating unit 107H in the U direction from the state of FIG.

  The vertical release operation unit 107V includes a vertical pusher portion 150a for the release switch 118a and a vertical pusher portion 150b for the release switch 118b. When the vertical release operating portion 107V slides, the vertical pusher portion 150a presses the release switch 118a, and the vertical pusher portion 150b presses the release switch 118b. The lateral release operation unit 107H includes a lateral pusher portion 151a for the release switch 118c and a lateral pusher portion 151b for the release switch 118d. When the lateral release operating portion 107H slides, the lateral pusher portion 151a presses the release switch 118c, and the lateral pusher portion 151b presses the release switch 118d.

  In the neutral state of the vertical release operation unit 107V, the vertical pusher portion 150a is disposed immediately above the release switch 118a, and the vertical pusher portion 150b is disposed immediately below the release switch 118b. The neutral state is a state in which each release switch is not pressed by the corresponding vertical pusher portion. Therefore, no signal is output from the release switches 118a and 118b. Further, in the neutral state of the horizontal release operation unit 107H, the side pusher portion 151a is disposed on the right side of the release switch 118c, and the side pusher portion 151b is disposed on the left side of the release switch 118d. In the neutral state, each release switch is not pressed by the corresponding side pusher. Therefore, no signal is output from the release switches 118c and 118d.

  As shown on the left side of FIG. 11, the release switches 118a and 118b are disposed close to each other, and the springs 144 and 145 are collectively disposed on the opposite side (the right side of FIG. 11). Further, as shown on the upper side of FIG. 11, the release switches 118c and 118d are disposed close to each other, and the springs 129 and 130 are collectively arranged on the opposite side (the lower side of FIG. 11) thereof. By this arrangement, for example, the size of the front flexible wiring board 113 can be reduced as compared with the case where the release switch 118a is arranged on the left side and the release switch 118b is arranged on the right side. Therefore, it contributes to the cost reduction of the front flexible wiring board 113. Further, by reducing the space required for drawing the front flexible wiring board 113, the digital camera can be miniaturized.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the photographer depresses the vertical release operating portion 107V in the R direction, the vertical guide hole 140a moves relative to the vertical guide shaft 138a, and the vertical guide hole relative to the vertical guide shaft 138b. 140b moves. The longitudinal guide hole portions 140a and 140b are both elongated holes, and the S direction and the R direction in the figure coincide with the longitudinal direction of each hole. That is, the vertical release operation unit 107V is configured to be slidable in the S direction and the R direction. When the vertical release operating portion 107V slides by a fixed amount, the vertical guide shafts 138a and 138b abut on the ends of the corresponding vertical guide holes 140a and 140b, respectively, so that the further slide is restricted. In the state of FIG. 12, the vertical guide shaft 138a is in contact with the upper end of the vertical guide hole 140a, and the vertical guide shaft 138b is in contact with the upper end of the vertical guide hole 140b. Therefore, it is impossible to slide further in the R direction. In this state, the distance between the vertical compression spring receiving wall 149 and the vertical compression spring receiving portion 147a is shorter than when the vertical release operating portion 107V is in the neutral position. Accordingly, since the spring 144 is compressed, the elastic force of the spring 144 generates a force for returning the vertical release operating portion 107V to the neutral position. When the photographer releases the finger from the vertical release operation unit 107V in the state of FIG. 12, the vertical release operation unit 107V promptly returns to the state of FIG.

  When the photographer depresses the vertical release operation unit 107V in the R direction, the vertical pusher 150a pushes the release switch 118a between the states shown in FIG. 12, and the first switch SW1 is turned on. At this time, the release switch 118a outputs a SW1V signal (ON signal). Thereafter, when the photographer further depresses the vertical release operating portion 107V in the R direction, the vertical pusher portion 150a further depresses the release switch 118a until the state shown in FIG. 12 is reached, and the second switch SW2 is in the ON state It becomes. At this time, the release switch 118a outputs a SW2V signal (ON signal). The pressing stroke of the vertical release operating unit 107V is the amount of movement of the vertical release operating unit 107V from the state of FIG. 11 to the state of FIG. 12, and is set slightly larger than the detection stroke of the R direction operating unit 107Va. Therefore, the vertical pusher portion 150a can not be pushed by the R direction operation portion 107Va.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the photographer pushes up the vertical release operation unit 107V in the S direction, the vertical guide hole 140a moves relative to the vertical guide shaft 138a, and the vertical guide hole relative to the vertical guide shaft 138b. 140b moves. In the state shown in FIG. 13, the vertical guide shaft 138a is in contact with the lower end of the vertical guide hole 140a, and the vertical guide shaft 138b is in contact with the lower end of the vertical guide hole 140b. Therefore, it is not possible to slide further in the S direction. In this state, the distance between the vertical compression spring receiving wall 149 and the vertical compression spring receiving portion 147b is shorter than when the vertical release operating portion 107V is in the neutral position. Accordingly, since the spring 145 is compressed, the elastic force of the spring 145 generates a force for returning the vertical release operating portion 107V to the neutral position. When the photographer releases the finger from the vertical release operation unit 107V in the state of FIG. 13, the vertical release operation unit 107V promptly returns to the state of FIG.

  When the photographer pushes the vertical release operation unit 107V in the S direction, the vertical pusher 150b pushes the release switch 118b until the state shown in FIG. 13 is reached, and the first switch SW1 is turned on. At this time, the release switch 118b outputs a SW1V signal (ON signal). Thereafter, when the photographer further pushes up the vertical release operation unit 107V in the S direction, the vertical pusher 150b further pushes the release switch 118b until the state shown in FIG. 13 is reached, and the second switch SW2 is in the ON state It becomes. At this time, the release switch 118b outputs a SW2V signal (ON signal).

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the photographer presses the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the T direction, the horizontal guide hole 141a moves relative to the horizontal guide shaft 139a, and the horizontal guide hole relative to the horizontal guide shaft 139b. 141b moves. The lateral guide hole portions 141a and 141b are both elongated holes, and the U direction and the T direction in the figure coincide with the longitudinal direction of each hole. That is, the lateral release operation unit 107H is configured to be slidable in the U direction and the T direction. When the lateral release operating portion 107H slides by a fixed amount, the lateral guide shafts 139a and 139b abut on the ends of the corresponding lateral guide hole portions 141a and 141b, so that the further slide is restricted. In the state of FIG. 14, the horizontal guide shaft 139a is in contact with the left end of the horizontal guide hole portion 141a, and the horizontal guide shaft 139b is in contact with the left end of the horizontal guide hole portion 141b. Therefore, it is impossible to slide further in the T direction. In this state, the distance between the lateral compression spring receiving wall 148 and the lateral compression spring receiving portion 146b is shorter than when the lateral release operating portion 107H is in the neutral position. Accordingly, since the spring 130 is compressed, the elastic force of the spring 130 generates a force for returning the lateral release operating portion 107H to the neutral position. When the photographer releases his / her finger from the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the state of FIG. 14, the horizontal release operation unit 107H promptly returns to the state of FIG.

  When the photographer presses the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the T direction, the side pusher 151b presses the release switch 118d until the state shown in FIG. 14 is reached, and the first switch SW1 is turned on. At this time, the release switch 118d outputs a SW1H signal (ON signal). Thereafter, when the photographer further presses the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the T direction, the side pusher 151b further pushes the release switch 118d until the state shown in FIG. 14 is reached, and the second switch SW2 is in the ON state It becomes. At this time, the release switch 118d outputs a SW2H signal (ON signal).

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the photographer presses the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the U direction, the horizontal guide hole 141a moves relative to the horizontal guide shaft 139a, and the horizontal guide hole relative to the horizontal guide shaft 139b. 141b moves. When the lateral release operating portion 107H slides by a fixed amount, the lateral guide shafts 139a and 139b abut on the ends of the corresponding lateral guide hole portions 141a and 141b. In the state of FIG. 15, the horizontal guide shaft 139a is in contact with the right end of the horizontal guide hole portion 141a, and the horizontal guide shaft 139b is in contact with the right end of the horizontal guide hole portion 141b. Therefore, it is not possible to slide further in the U direction. In this state, the distance between the lateral compression spring receiving wall 148 and the lateral compression spring receiving portion 146a is shorter than when the lateral release operating portion 107H is in the neutral position. Accordingly, the spring 129 is compressed, and the elastic force of the spring 129 generates a force for returning the lateral release operating portion 107H to the neutral position. When the photographer releases his / her finger from the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the state of FIG. 15, the horizontal release operation unit 107H promptly returns to the state of FIG.

  When the photographer presses the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the U direction, the side pusher 151a presses the release switch 118c until the state shown in FIG. 15 is reached, and the first switch SW1 is turned on. At this time, the release switch 118c outputs a SW1H signal (ON signal). Thereafter, when the photographer further presses the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the U direction, the side pusher 151a further pushes the release switch 118c until the state shown in FIG. 15 is reached, and the second switch SW2 is in the ON state It becomes. At this time, the release switch 118c outputs a SW2H signal (ON signal).

  As shown in FIG. 16, the photographer can also operate the horizontal release operation unit 107H in the T direction while operating the vertical release operation unit 107V in the R direction. In this case, the photographer can depress the operation unit until the switch SW2 of the release switch 118a is turned on and at the same time press the switch SW2 of the release switch 118d until the switch is turned on. For example, it is assumed that the photographer presses the boundary between the vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H. The boundary portion is a portion near the gap indicated by the dimension L, as indicated by the dotted line frame 156 in FIG. It is assumed that the photographer temporarily presses the boundary and the vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H slide at the same time. Even in such a case, both the vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H can be slid until the second switch SW2 of each release switch outputs an ON signal.

  As in the state shown in FIG. 16, in order to make it possible to slide the vertical release operating portion 107V and the horizontal release operating portion 107H simultaneously, the gap shown by the dimension L is appropriately designed. That is, the gap between the vertical release operating unit 107V and the horizontal release operating unit 107H is set to such a length that they do not interfere with each other when the both operating units slide in the possible ranges.

  In the case of a metal dome type switch, if the switch is pushed too much if necessary, the switch may be broken, which causes a problem when a strong impact occurs, for example, when the photographer accidentally drops the camera. As a countermeasure against this, in the present embodiment, the movable range of the vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H is limited, so that it is possible to prevent the release switches 118a to 118d from being pushed more than necessary.

  Next, processing when the CPU detects each of the signals SW1V, SW2V, SW1H, and SW2H will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the photographing mode of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment.

  When the process of the imaging mode is started, the CPU determines whether or not the on signal of at least one of the SW1H signal and the SW1V signal is detected by the first step detection by the first switch SW1 (S101). When it is determined that neither the on signal of the SW1H signal nor the on signal of the SW1V signal is detected (No in S101), the determination process of S101 is repeated. If it is determined that the on signal of at least one of the SW1H signal and the SW1V signal is detected (Yes in S101), the process proceeds to S102.

  In S102, the CPU measures the distance from the camera to the subject, and controls the lens unit 104 so that the subject is in focus. The focus lens (focus adjustment lens) in the lens unit 104 is moved to a predetermined position, and a focus adjustment operation is performed by AF (Auto Focus) processing. Then, the AF lock operation continues to maintain the position of the focus lens. Also, under the control of the CPU, the brightness of the subject is measured, and AE processing is performed to determine the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of still image shooting so that the photographed image has an appropriate brightness. After that, in S103, the CPU determines whether or not the ON signal of at least one of the SW2H signal and the SW2V signal is detected in the second stage detection by the second switch SW2. When it is determined in S103 that the on signal of at least one of the SW2H signal and the SW2V signal is detected (Yes in S103), the still image shooting operation is performed (S104). Thereafter, the AF lock is ended (S106), and the process returns to S101. When it is determined in S103 that neither the ON signal of the SW2H signal nor the SW2V signal is detected (No in S103), the process proceeds to S105.

  At S105, the CPU determines whether at least one of the SW1H signal and the SW1V signal is detected (S105). If it is determined that the on signal of at least one of the SW1H signal and the SW1V signal is detected in S105 (Yes in S105), the process returns to S103. If it is determined in S105 that neither the SW1H signal nor the SW1V signal is detected (No in S105), the AF lock is ended (S106), and the process returns to S101.

  The digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment performs AF and AE processing when either the SW1H signal or the SW1V signal is detected to start AF lock, and a still image when the SW2H signal or the SW2V signal is detected. Perform shooting processing. In the present embodiment, by arranging the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 around the lens unit 104, it is not necessary to arrange a plurality of release buttons in the main body of the digital camera as in the prior art. The zoom operation and the release operation can be smoothly performed with respect to various camera gripping methods by the photographer. Further, since the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 are disposed substantially at the center of the front of the apparatus main body 101, the photographer can easily perform the zoom operation and the release operation with either the right hand or the left hand. By arranging the zoom ring 106 and the release ring 107 adjacent to each other, the photographer can smoothly perform a series of operations such as determining the angle of view by the zoom operation and performing the release operation. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an imaging device in which the zoom operation and the release operation can be easily performed with the right hand or the left hand of the photographer without impairing the design.

Example 2
Next, an imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a shooting mode of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. In addition, the omission of such description is the same as in the embodiments described later. In the present embodiment, the processing of the photographing mode is different from that of the first embodiment.

  First, when the process of the imaging mode is started, the CPU determines whether the ON of the SW1H signal is detected by the first step detection by the first switch SW1 (S201). If it is determined in S201 that ON of the SW1H signal is detected (Yes in S201), the process proceeds to S202. If it is determined in S201 that the ON of the SW1H signal is not detected (No in S201), the process proceeds to S208.

  In S202, AF processing and AE processing are performed. The AF lock starts and the position of the focus lens is maintained after the focusing operation. Thereafter, the CPU determines whether ON of the SW1V signal is detected (S203). If it is determined in S203 that ON of the SW1V signal is detected (Yes in S203), the process proceeds to S204. When it is determined in S203 that ON of the SW1V signal is not detected (No in S203), the process proceeds to S206.

  A still image shooting operation is performed in S204. Thereafter, the CPU releases the AF lock and ends the processing (S205), and returns to S201. In S206, the CPU determines whether or not the ON of the SW2H signal is detected by the second stage detection by the second switch SW2. If it is determined in S206 that ON of the SW2H signal is detected (Yes in S206), the process proceeds to S204. When it is determined in S206 that the ON of the SW2H signal is not detected (No in S206), the process proceeds to S207. In S207, the CPU determines whether or not the SW1H signal is detected as being detected by the first step detection by the first switch SW1. If it is determined in S207 that the SW1H signal is ON (Yes in S207), the process returns to S203. If it is determined in S207 that the ON of the SW1H signal is not detected (No in S207), the process proceeds to S205.

  In S208, the CPU determines whether or not ON of the SW1V signal is detected by the detection of the first step by the first switch SW1. If it is determined in S208 that ON of the SW1V signal is detected (Yes in S208), the process proceeds to S209. If it is determined in S208 that the ON of the SW1V signal is not detected (No in S208), the process returns to S201.

  In S209, AF processing and AE processing are performed. The AF lock starts and the position of the focus lens is maintained after the focusing operation. Thereafter, the CPU determines whether or not the ON of the SW1H signal is detected by the detection of the first step by the first switch SW1 (S210). If it is determined in S210 that the SW1H signal is ON (Yes in S210), the process proceeds to S211. If it is determined in S210 that the SW1H signal is not ON (No in S210), the process proceeds to S212. A still image shooting operation is performed in S211. Thereafter, the CPU releases the AF lock and ends the processing (S214), and returns to S201.

  In S212, the CPU determines whether or not ON of the SW2V signal is detected in the second stage of detection by the second switch SW2. If it is determined in S212 that ON of the SW2V signal is detected (Yes in S212), the process proceeds to S211. If it is determined in S212 that the SW2V signal is not detected ON (No in S212), the process proceeds to S213. In S213, the CPU determines whether or not ON of the SW1V signal is detected by the detection of the first step by the first switch SW1. If it is determined in S213 that ON of the SW1V signal is detected (Yes in S213), the process returns to S210. If it is determined in S213 that the ON of the SW1V signal is not detected (No in S213), the process proceeds to S214.

In the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment, when the CPU acquires and detects the on signal of either the SW1H signal or the SW1V signal, the AF processing and the AE processing are performed to start the AF lock. Thereafter, when the CPU acquires any detection signal other than the signal that triggers the AF lock by performing the AF process and the AE process, the still image shooting process is performed. One of the detection signals is the SW2H signal or the SW1V signal if the first detection signal is the SW1H signal, and the SW2V signal or the SW1H signal if the first detection signal is the SW1V signal. In this process, when the release switches 118a to 118d output the on signal of SW1 and when the on signal of SW2 outputs a click feeling, the user feels still when the photographer senses a second click. An image is taken. Therefore, the effect that the photographer is not uncomfortable can be achieved.
Moreover, the process shown below may be performed not only in the process example of FIG. 18 but in the imaging mode.
When the CPU obtains an ON signal of the SW1V signal (or the SW1H signal), it controls the focus adjustment operation of the lens unit and then maintains the state of the lens unit. After that, the CPU controls the imaging operation when the ON signal of the SW2V signal or the ON signal of the SW2H signal is acquired without performing the control of the imaging operation even if the ON signal of the SW1H signal (or SW1V signal) is acquired. Do.

[Example 3]
A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a view showing each part of the front cover unit in a state where the vertical release operation unit 207V and the horizontal release operation unit 207H are in the neutral position. The respective components include the front cover 214, release switches 118a to 118d, the vertical release operating unit 207V, the horizontal release operating unit 207H, the spring 129, the spring 130, the spring 144, the spring 145, and the like. The main difference between this embodiment and Example 1 is the positional relationship between the spring 129, the spring 130, the spring 144, the spring 145, and the release switches 118a to 118d.

  In this embodiment, when viewed from the front, the release switch 118a is disposed on the left side, and the release switch 118b is disposed on the right side. The spring 144 is disposed on the left side, and the spring 145 is disposed on the right side. The release switch 118c is disposed on the lower side, and the release switch 118d is disposed on the upper side. The spring 129 is disposed on the lower side, and the spring 130 is disposed on the upper side. Thus, the positional relationship between the spring 129, the spring 130, the spring 144, the spring 145, and the release switches 118a to 118d can be appropriately changed according to the specification. As shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of guide shafts provided on the front cover 214, a compression spring receiving portion, and the like are similarly divided into upper, lower, left, and right.

Example 4
Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 20 is a view showing each part of the front cover unit 411 in a state where the vertical release operation part 307V and the horizontal release operation part 307H are in the neutral position. The respective components are the front cover 314, the release switches 118a to 118d, the vertical release operating portion 307V and the horizontal release operating portion 307H of the release ring 307, the spring 129, the spring 130, the spring 144, the spring 145, the decorative plate 359 and the like. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the completed state of the front cover unit 411, showing the zoom ring 306 and the decorative plate 359. As shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a decorative plate 359 is added.

  The vertical release operating portion 307V is provided with protrusions 357a and 357b instead of the flanges 152a and 152b. Further, instead of the flange portions 154a and 154b not being provided on the lateral release operating portion 307H, protrusions 358a and 358b are formed. As shown in FIG. 21, the decorative plate 359 is an outer cylinder member disposed so as to surround the vertical release operation portion 307V and the horizontal release operation portion 307H in a completed state of the front cover unit 411. The decorative plate 359 has an inner diameter that can accommodate the vertical release operation portion 307V and the horizontal release operation portion 307H inside thereof. The thickness of the decorative plate 359 in the optical axis direction is substantially the same as the thickness when the vertical release operation portion 307V and the horizontal release operation portion 307H are assembled and stacked.

  In the completed state of the front cover unit 411, the vertical release operating unit 307V and the horizontal release operating unit 307H are covered by the decorative plate 359, so that each operating unit does not appear in appearance. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, in the present embodiment, the joint between the vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H and the like appearing in the appearance in the above embodiment can not be seen at all in this embodiment. Only the decorative plate 359 can be seen, which is more preferable in appearance. Further, foreign matter and the like can be prevented from being mixed in from the joint (see the dimension L in FIG. 11) between the vertical release operation unit 107V and the horizontal release operation unit 107H.

  When the photographer presses any part of the decorative plate 359, the decorative plate 359 moves. Depending on the direction in which the decorative plate 359 is pressed, any one of the protrusions 357a and 357b of the vertical release operating portion 307V and the protrusions 358a and 358b of the horizontal release operating portion 307H is pressed. As a result, the vertical release operation unit 307V or the horizontal release operation unit 307H slides. As in the embodiment described above, the photographing operation is performed by the slide of the vertical release operation unit 307V or the horizontal release operation unit 307H (as in the case of the first embodiment, the detailed description thereof is omitted).

  Since the outer diameter of the decorative plate 359 is larger than the outer diameter of the zoom ring 306, there is an effect that it is easy to operate. Further, the inner diameter of the decorative plate 359 is smaller than the outer diameter of the zoom ring 306. Therefore, the zoom ring 306 restricts the movement of the decorative plate 359 in the optical axis direction. Further, even if the photographer moves the decorative plate 359 within the slidable range of the vertical release operation unit 307V and the horizontal release operation unit 307H, the inside diameter portion of the decorative plate 359 can not be seen.

Other Embodiments
In the embodiment described above, the zoom ring 106 is rotatable within a predetermined range, but the present invention is not limited to this. When there is no rotation restriction of the zoom ring, the urging means for returning to the neutral position is unnecessary. Therefore, in order to detect the rotation of the zoom ring, the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation may be detected by a pulse count method using PI (photo interrupter) or a Hall element or the like.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is exemplified in which the release ring 107 has the vertical release operating unit 107V that can slide in the vertical direction and the horizontal release operating unit 107H that can slide in the horizontal direction. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be slid in any direction in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit 104 as long as it is composed of a plurality of operation members slidable in different directions. In addition, as for the said embodiment, all show only an example of embodiment in the case of implementing this invention, and the technical scope of this invention should not be limitedly interpreted by these. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical concept or main features thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 104 Lens unit 106, 306 Zoom ring 107, 307 Release ring 107V, 307V Vertical release operation part 107H, 307H Horizontal release operation part 118a-d Release switch 119 Zoom switch 128a, 128b Compression spring unit 359 Decorative plate

Claims (21)

An optical apparatus in which a plurality of slide members are arranged around a lens unit,
A first slide member and a second slide member disposed around the lens unit;
First detection means for detecting that the first slide member has moved in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit;
A second detection unit that detects movement of the second slide member in a second direction that is a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens unit and different from the first direction ;
A plurality of ridges and recesses are formed on the first slide member,
The second slide member has a plurality of recesses and ridges formed thereon,
The flange portion of the first slide member fits into the corresponding recess in the second slide member, and the flange portion of the second slide member fits into the corresponding recess in the first slide member. 1) An optical apparatus characterized in that a slide member and a second slide member are connected .   The optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second direction is a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens unit and a direction orthogonal to the first direction.   3. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first detection means or the second detection means detects the movement of the first slide member or the second slide member respectively corresponding to the detection means. machine. The collar portion of the first slide member is formed toward the second slide member, and the collar portion of the second slide member is formed toward the first slide member. The optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . 5. The optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising biasing means for returning the first slide member and the second slide member to the neutral position. It further comprises an outer cylinder member surrounding the first slide member and the second slide member,
The optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the first slide member or the second slide member is moved along with the movement of the outer cylindrical member. The first slide member and the second slide member are each formed with a protrusion that contacts the outer cylinder member,
By the movement of the outer cylinder member, the outer cylinder member abuts against the projection of the first slide member or the second slide member, and the first slide member moves in the first direction, or the second slide member The optical apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the light source moves in the second direction. A first detection unit that detects that the first slide member has moved in a first direction in the first direction; and a second detection unit that detects that the first slide member has moved in a first direction in the first direction; A second detection unit that detects movement in the direction;
The second detection means is a third detection unit that detects that the second slide member has moved in a third direction in the second direction, and a fourth detection unit that differs from the third direction in the second direction. It has a fourth detection unit that detects movement in the direction,
The first detector and the second detector is arranged close, the third detecting portion and any one of claims 1 to 7, the fourth detector is characterized in that it is arranged close Optical equipment described in. An imaging apparatus in which a plurality of slide members are arranged around a lens unit,
A first slide member and a second slide member disposed around the lens unit;
First detection means for detecting that the first slide member has moved in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit;
A second detection unit that detects movement of the second slide member in a second direction that is a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens unit and different from the first direction ;
A plurality of ridges and recesses are formed on the first slide member,
The second slide member has a plurality of recesses and ridges formed thereon,
The flange portion of the first slide member fits into the corresponding recess in the second slide member, and the flange portion of the second slide member fits into the corresponding recess in the first slide member. 1) An image pickup apparatus characterized in that a slide member and a second slide member are connected . 10. The imaging device according to claim 9 , wherein the second direction is a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit and a direction orthogonal to the first direction. It said first detecting means or said second detection means, according to claim 9 or claim, characterized in that for detecting the movement of said first sliding member or said second sliding member respectively correspond to the detecting means in two steps 10. The imaging device according to 10 . The collar portion of the first slide member is formed toward the second slide member, and the collar portion of the second slide member is formed toward the first slide member. The imaging device according to any one of claims 9 to 11 . First biasing means for returning the first slide member to the neutral position;
The image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12 , further comprising second biasing means for returning the second slide member to a neutral position. It further comprises an outer cylinder member surrounding the first slide member and the second slide member,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 9 to 13 , wherein the first slide member or the second slide member is moved along with the movement of the outer cylinder member. The first slide member and the second slide member are each formed with a protrusion that contacts the outer cylinder member,
By the movement of the outer cylinder member, the outer cylinder member abuts against the projection of the first slide member or the second slide member, and the first slide member moves in the first direction, or the second slide member The image pickup apparatus according to claim 14 , which moves in the second direction. A first detection unit that detects that the first slide member has moved in a first direction in the first direction; and a second detection unit that detects that the first slide member has moved in a first direction in the first direction; A second detection unit that detects movement in the direction;
The second detection means is a third detection unit that detects that the second slide member has moved in a third direction in the second direction, and a fourth detection unit that differs from the third direction in the second direction. It has a fourth detection unit that detects movement in the direction,
The first detector and the second detector is arranged close, the third detecting portion and any one of claims 9 to 15, the fourth detector is characterized in that it is arranged close The imaging device according to. An imaging apparatus in which a plurality of slide members are arranged around a lens unit,
A first slide member and a second slide member disposed around the lens unit;
First detection means for detecting that the first slide member has moved in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens unit;
A second detection unit that detects movement of the second slide member in a second direction different from the first direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens unit;
When the first detection means detects the movement of the first slide member, or when the second detection means detects the movement of the second slide member, the detection signal of the first detection means or the second detection means And control means for obtaining a detection signal of the detection means and controlling the photographing operation .
When the first detection means detects the movement of the first slide member at the first stage of the two-step switch, the control means controls the focusing operation of the lens unit and then determines the state of the lens unit And the control unit controls the photographing operation when the second detection unit detects the movement of the second slide member at the first stage of the two-stage switch . An operation member rotatably disposed about the optical axis around the lens unit having a zoom mechanism portion;
And a third detection unit that detects rotation of the operation member.
18. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein said control means controls a zoom operation when said third detection means detects rotation of said operation member. The second detection means does not detect the movement of the second slide member at the first stage of the two-step switch after the control means maintains the state of the lens unit, and the first detection means does not 19. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein when the movement of the first slide member is detected at a second stage of the two-step switch, the control means controls the photographing operation. When the second detection means detects the movement of the second slide member at the first stage of the two-step switch, the control means controls the focusing operation of the lens unit and then determines the state of the lens unit. Maintain
20. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein said control means controls a photographing operation when said first detection means detects the movement of said first slide member at a first stage of a two-step switch. An imaging device according to any one of the items . When the first detection means does not detect the movement of the first slide member at the first stage of the two-step switch after the control means maintains the state of the lens unit, the second detection means may not 21. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein when the movement of the second slide member is detected at the second stage of the two-step switch, the control means controls the photographing operation.