JPH08234262A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To allow the mode to be switched according to used condition and to improve operability by making it possible to selectively switch either of an analog mode and digital mode. CONSTITUTION: A dial 6 disposed on the left side of the upper surface of a camera is usable for both of a mode operating as an analog shutter dial and a mode functioning as a command dial making combination use of a display of an LCD 5, a photographing mode button 7 and a aperture setting button 8. A CPU 26 drives an electro-optical element 11 to put the dial 6 into a transparent state when neither of the mode buttons 7, 8 are pushed, namely, at the time of the analog mode. This CPU puts the dial 6 into the opaque state and displays only the data of the photographic mode, such as aperture is to be prior ad shutter is to be prior on the LCD 5 at the time of the digital mode under setting of an exposure mode or aperture value when either of the mode buttons 7, 8 is pushed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input device mountable on a camera or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique relating to the present invention will be described by taking an information input device mounted on a camera as an example.

Conventionally, it is known that there are an analog method and a digital method as a method of setting a shutter time of a camera, for example. FIG. 7 is an example of observing a camera adopting an analog system from the upper surface. A lens 51 is attached to the camera 50, and a subject is observed from a finder 52 and a shutter button 53 is pressed to perform exposure. In the case of the present camera 50, the right shutter dial 54 is used for setting the shutter time, which is an important element of the exposure condition, and the left exposure mode dial 57 is used for setting the exposure mode.

The shutter dial 54 can be rotated by a finger, and a plurality of shutter time values 55 are printed in an arc shape on the upper surface thereof. An index 56 is provided on the left side. The shutter time can be selected by rotating the shutter dial 54 itself with a finger and matching a desired shutter time value 55 written on the shutter dial 54 with the index 56.

Further, when the exposure mode is selected, the mode dial 57 on the upper left side is used. Similar to the setting of the shutter time, it is possible to select by rotating the mode dial 57 itself so that the plurality of mode characters 59 printed on the mode dial 57 match the upper index 58.

The advantage of this analog system is that the set shutter time or exposure mode can be read at a glance. That is, since the shutter time value 55 or the mode character 59 is normally printed in white on a black background, the contrast is very good and the visibility in the dark is also excellent.

Further, since this system inherits the conventional operation system, the positions of important dials, such as the shutter dial, that are used regularly are the same as those of the general old model. Even if it is changed, the operability without any discomfort can be obtained.

FIG. 8 shows an example of observing a camera adopting a digital system from the upper surface. Lens 6 for camera 60
1 is attached, and the subject is observed from the viewfinder 62 and the shutter button 63 is pressed to perform exposure. In the case of the present camera 60, so-called command dial 65 and a plurality of buttons 68 are used to set various exposure conditions including shutter time and exposure mode, and a large liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD 67) is used. In the camera 60, the latest set shutter time, aperture value, exposure mode, etc. are all displayed by the characters 66 on the LCD 67.

Here, for example, when it is desired to change the shutter time, the command dial 65 is rotated while pressing the shutter time setting button among the plurality of buttons 68,
The shutter time can be changed by observing the LCD 67 and setting the desired value. To change the exposure mode, rotate the command dial 65 while pressing the exposure mode setting button among the multiple buttons 68, and
By observing D67 and setting it to a desired value, the exposure mode can be changed in the same manner as the shutter time is changed.

The advantage of this digital system is that the command dial 65 can be used in common for all mode settings, so that the setting operation is simple. Further, since all the setting value information is displayed on the LCD 67, it is not necessary to observe different places depending on the mode at the time of setting operation, and the LC can be used to confirm the already set status.
Only the information on D67 can be easily grasped.

Further, if a plurality of buttons 68 are prepared as shown in the figure, it is possible to prepare a mode in which the number can be changed, and the camera can be made multifunctional. Since the button 68 has a simple structure, it has an advantage of relatively low cost.

[0012]

However, the two types of cameras 50 and 60 described in FIGS. 7 and 8 have the following problems.
Each of them has the following contradictory drawbacks.

The disadvantage of the camera 50 of FIG. 7 is that the shutter dial 54 is used only for setting the shutter time, and the mode dial 57 can be used only for setting the exposure mode. The number is increasing. As a result, the camera 50 itself becomes large, or if the camera 50 is forcibly made small, the dial itself becomes too small and difficult to use, or the cost of the camera rises due to the use of expensive rotating members structurally. Leads to. Furthermore, there is a small number of shutter times or modes that can be prepared on the dial due to physical restrictions. For example, the shutter time can generally be selected only for each step, and fine setting such as 1/3 step is impossible.

To confirm the set conditions, it is necessary to confirm the shutter dial 54 on the right side for the shutter time and the mode dial 57 on the left side for the exposure mode in the case of FIG. The larger the number is, the more troublesome it is to look around the outer periphery of the camera 50 immediately before shooting.

On the other hand, a disadvantage of the camera 60 shown in FIG. 8 is that the responsiveness is low due to the physical properties of the LCD 67 itself. That is, when the button 68 is pushed quickly or the command dial 65 is turned quickly, the display is not changed, and there is a drawback that the operation speed is constrained particularly at lower temperatures. Further, the contrast of the LCD 67 is low, that is, the density difference between the illuminated segment and the extinguished segment is small, and it is not possible to distinguish the printed characters on the shutter dial 54 in FIG. 7 as clearly as possible.

It has also been reported that a photographer who has been engaged in the photography industry for many years and who is very accustomed to the conventional camera 50 shown in FIG. 7 feels a great deal of discomfort in operability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is excellent in operability by compensating for the drawbacks of the two conventional cameras 50 and 60 and having the advantages of both. The purpose is to provide an information input device.

[0018]

In order to achieve this object, the information input device of the first aspect of the present invention provides an operation means that is moved by a user and information that is set based on the absolute position of the operation means. A first display means for displaying, a first state provided near the first display means for making the display information of the first display means visible, and a second state for making the display information of the first display means invisible It has a second display means having a state and a control means for maintaining the second display means in the first state when setting information based on the absolute position information of the operating means.

An information input device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises an operating means which is moved and operated by a user, and a first displaying means which displays the first information set based on the absolute position of the operating means.
Second display means for displaying the second information set based on the relative position of the operation means to the position before the operation and the first display means are provided in the vicinity of the second display means, and the display information of the first display means can be visually recognized. A third display means having a first state in which the first display means is turned on and a second state in which the display information of the first display means is invisible;
When the information is set, the third display means is set to the first state, and when the second information is set, the control means sets the third display means to the second state.

[0020]

In the information input device having the above structure, in the first invention, the second display means is maintained in the first state (visible) when the information is set based on the absolute position information of the operating means. In the second invention, when the first information set based on the absolute position is set, the third display means is set to the first state (visible) and the second information set based on the relative position is set. At the time of setting, the third display means is set to the second state (invisible).

In analog mode (the dial itself provides a continuous and visible display, the condition can be set at its absolute rotation position), and in digital mode (the dial itself has no display and is invisible), The condition can be set by the relative position depending on the direction of rotation and the amount), so any mode can be selected and switched, so by switching the mode according to the usage situation, an information input device with excellent operability can be obtained. Obtainable.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an information input device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a lens 2 is attached to a camera 1, an object is observed from a finder 3 and a shutter button 4 is pressed to perform exposure. The dial 6 and the LCD 5 according to the present invention are provided on the upper surface on the left side, and the mode buttons 7 and 8 are provided on the upper surface on the right side. The dial 6 can be rotated by a finger, and in a normal state, it operates as an analog shutter dial in which a plurality of shutter time values can be observed on its upper surface.
It can be used for any of the modes that function as a command dial that uses the display of D5 and the shooting mode button 7 and aperture setting button 8 in combination.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the shape of the dial 6.

The dial 6 has a structure in which it can be rotated by a member (not shown), and the plurality of brushes 14 fixed at the lower part also rotate in association with the rotation thereof. Since the brush 14 slides on a predetermined pattern on the contact substrate 15 provided further below, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the dial 6 can be determined by a signal obtained from the pattern. An inner cylinder 10 that does not rotate is provided inside the dial 6. Inner cylinder 10
An electro-optical element 11 is provided on the uppermost side of the, and a decoration board 12 having a hole 16 is provided directly below the electro-optical element 11. Further, an LCD (liquid crystal) 13 is provided at the bottom of the inner cylinder 10.

Here, the electro-optical element 11 is an element whose density can be arbitrarily changed, and in the case of the present embodiment, one of two states, transparent and opaque, can be selected. LCD as the electro-optical element 11
In addition to the liquid crystal of the same material as the display 13, EC (electrically colored element)
PLZT (piezoelectric ceramics) or the like can be used. EC
Is an element which has a slightly lower responsiveness than LCD, but has a very excellent transparency in a transparent state. Further, PLZT is an element excellent in responsiveness although it requires high voltage driving. The electro-optical element 11 used in the present embodiment has a circular entire surface pattern formed therein, is in a substantially completely transparent state, and is in a state in which characters on the LCD 13 can be observed from above through the hole 16 and is almost completely. It takes two states that it becomes opaque and unobservable.

As will be described later, when the electro-optical element 11 is in a transparent state, the LCD 13 can be seen through the hole 16.
A desired value can be selected from the above plurality of characters. In this case, the rotational position of the dial 6 is used as absolute information like an analog dial. On the contrary, the electro-optical element 11
When is set to the opaque state, the dial 6 is rotated while watching the condition displayed on the LCD 5, and the increase / decrease direction of the condition is set by the rotation direction and the increase / decrease amount is set by the rotation amount. In this case, the rotational position of the dial 6 is used as relative information.

FIG. 3 is a block connection diagram showing an electric circuit for controlling the operation of the camera 1. This circuit uses a battery (not shown) as a power source, and the CPU 26 executes central control. CP
The input signals to U26 are as follows.

First, the photometric means 20 is a known sensor means composed of a photodiode for measuring the brightness of an object, and a photometric signal is input to the CPU 26. The film sensitivity detecting means 21 reads a code signal applied to the side surface of the loaded film cartridge, and film sensitivity information is input to the CPU 26. The switch detection unit 22 includes the release button 4 and a timing switch for detecting the sequence state of the camera, and various operation information of the camera is input to the CPU 26. The switches 23 and 24 are the exposure mode button 7
Alternatively, the switches are turned on when the aperture setting button 8 is pressed. The signal indicating which is being pressed is the CPU
26 is input. As will be described later, when the dial 6 is rotated while pressing any button, the corresponding exposure mode or aperture mode can be selected.

Two switches 14 are provided on the dial 6
In association with the above, combination information of ON or OFF of those switches 14 is input to the CPU 26. Tokuhei 3-32
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 049, the two switches 14 are detection switches of a rotary encoder, and their phases are shifted by about 90 degrees. That is, it is possible to measure the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the dial 6 by determining the number of times of change from on to off and the phase thereof.

The storage circuit 26 is a memory for electrically storing the shutter speed, exposure mode, aperture value, etc. set by the dial 6. It is used to change the mode and the numerical value while memorizing the latest positional relationship of the switch 14 which is interlocked with the rotation of the dial 6 every moment.
The conditions that were finally set when the power supply was cut off are stored. When power is supplied again, the CPU 26 reproduces the data in the memory circuit 26 to restore various conditions such as display.

The CPU 26 transmits an output signal to the driver means 18 based on the above-mentioned various input signals and executes the following drive.

The shutter 28 is opened and closed to expose the film for a predetermined time. The amount of passing light is controlled by limiting the opening amount of the diaphragm 29 in the lens 2. The motor 30 is driven to wind and rewind the film, and the shutter 28 is charged as described above. The LCD 5 is driven to display information such as the exposure mode, shutter time, aperture value, and number of films.

Further, the CPU 26 drives the electro-optical element 11 at the position described with reference to FIG. 2 to set it to either the transparent state or the opaque state. As will be described later, when neither of the mode buttons 7 and 8 is pressed, that is, when the dial 6 is in the analog mode used for setting the numerical value of the shutter, the mode is set to the transparent state, and either of the mode buttons 7 and 8 is pressed. In the exposure mode or in the digital mode in which the aperture value is being set, it is driven to an opaque state.

Further, the CPU 26 controls the turning on or off of the LED 31. When the dial 6 is in the analog mode, the LED 31 lights up and serves as an index of the dial 6.

FIG. 4 shows a display example when the dial 6 is used in the analog mode, that is, when the mode buttons 7 and 8 are not operated. When used in the analog mode, the indicator 31 first lights up. Further, since the electro-optical element 11 is driven so as to be transparent, the shutter time displayed on the LCD 13 can be visually confirmed through the hole 16 of the decoration board 12. In FIG.
Three types of shutter time, 1/60, 1/125, and 1/250, are displayed. When the dial 6 is rotated so that the desired numerical value matches the index 31, the position of the numerical value of the shutter time also changes in accordance with the rotation direction, so that the conventional position shown in FIG. The same operability as the shutter dial 54 of the camera 50 can be obtained.

In FIG. 4, three kinds of shutter times are made visible, but if there is enough space, the number of shutter times may be increased. By preparing at least three types, it becomes possible to use the dial 6 as if it were an analog dial. Further, although a complete analog operation feeling cannot be obtained, only one type of shutter time may be displayed. In this case, the index 31 is unnecessary.

When the dial 6 is used in the analog mode, the LCD 5 displays the exposure mode 35 and the aperture value 36 set by the previous operation and the number of films 3 counted.
7 is displayed.

The dial 6 is accompanied by a click feeling as it rotates. In order to obtain the same operability as that of the conventional camera 50, it is desirable that the rotation amount of the dial 6 for each click is the same as the interval of the three types of displayed shutter time, but not one click. It is also possible to prevent a situation in which the dial 6 is changed each time a plurality of clicks are performed, and an accidental operation caused by accidentally touching the dial 6 or a situation in which the dial 6 is rotated too much and must be returned again. This is an effect that cannot be obtained by operating the conventional camera 50. Here, the dial 6 is not restricted in rotation by a mechanical stopper and must be capable of endless rotation.

As described above, the advantage of the analog mode is that it is very easy to confirm the shutter time adjacent to the currently set shutter time, that is, the current set value is 1/125, and the dial 6 Rotate to the right to 1/250, and to the left to rotate to 1/60
It is possible to judge at a glance what is possible to select.

FIG. 5 shows a display example when the dial 6 is used in the digital mode. Here, the operation when the mode button 7 is pressed to select the shooting mode will be described as an example.

First, the electro-optical element 11 is in an opaque state (generally black gray in the case of LCD and PLZT, dark blue in the case of EC, etc.), and LC provided in the dial 6 is set.
The numerical value on D13 becomes invisible, and the dial 6 becomes a member that simply performs a relative rotation operation. Although the numerical value becomes invisible due to the electro-optical element 11 on the LCD 13, it is preferable that the numerical value display is continued as it is in FIG. This is because when the mode button 7 is released, the display in FIG. 4 must be immediately reproduced.

When the dial 6 is used in the digital mode, the absolute position of the dial 6 is unnecessary and the LED 31 is turned off. On the LCD 5, only the data of the uppermost shooting mode 35 is displayed. If the dial 6 is rotated to the right, for example, in this state, the shooting modes are from "A" (aperture priority) to "S" (shutter priority), "P" (program), and "M" (manual). Changes. Turning it counterclockwise changes the opposite. When the desired mode is displayed, the dial 6 is stopped from rotating, and the shooting mode button 7 is released.

Although illustration is omitted, when the aperture setting button 8 is pressed, the dial 6 and the index 31 are in the form shown in FIG. 5, and the data of only the aperture value 36 is displayed on the LCD 5, and the dial is displayed in this state. When 6 is rotated, the aperture value is displayed while changing by a predetermined number of steps. Similar to the shooting mode, when the desired value is reached, the aperture setting button 8 is released and the state shown in FIG. 4 is restored.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the segments formed on the LCD 13. Three 4-segment 7-segments 40, 41, and 42 are arranged so that three types of shutter times can be displayed.

FIG. 9 is a CPU in the camera 1 shown in FIG.
It is an example of a processing program by 26. This program is C
It is repeatedly executed while the power is being supplied to the PU 26.

When the program starts, in order to reproduce the condition set at the end of the last power-on,
Run analog mode. In step S1, the index 31 is first turned on. Next, in step S2, the electro-optical element 11 is driven so as to be erased, that is, in a transparent state. This allows the displayed characters on the LCD 13 in the dial 6 to be visually recognized. However, at this stage, the segment on the LCD 13 is not yet displayed. In step S3, the previous shooting mode, aperture value, film frame number, and shutter time stored in the storage circuit 26 are read. In step S4, the read value is displayed on the LCD 5
And drive the segments on 13 and 13 to display. As described above, the display form is set as shown in FIG.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not the button 7 or 8 is pressed. If it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S11, and if not, the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S11, since one of the buttons 7 and 8 has been pressed, it is determined that the mode is the digital mode, and the indicator 31 is turned off. In the present embodiment, the aperture value setting and the shooting mode selection are different only in the button to be pressed and the displayed content, and the other steps can be performed in the same procedure. Therefore, from step S11 to step S15,
The contents applicable to both are shown.

In step S12, the electro-optical element 1
Drive 1 to the opaque state. Now L in dial 6
The CD 13 disappears and the dial 6 takes on the appearance as a command dial. In step S13, the rotation direction and rotation amount of the dial 6 are detected, and the amount of change from the aperture value or the shooting mode information read in step S3 is calculated. In step S14, the calculated result is displayed on the segment 35 or 36 on the LCD 5. In step S15, the latest setting content updated as described above is stored in the storage circuit 26.
As a result, the setting contents are stored even when the power is turned off.

When it is determined in step S5 that the button 7 or 8 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, since neither of the buttons 7 and 8 has been pressed, it is determined that the analog mode is to be continued, and then it is determined whether or not the dial 6 has been rotated. If it is determined that the dial 6 has been rotated, the process proceeds to step S16, and if it is determined that the dial 6 has not been rotated, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S16, since the dial 6 is rotated in the analog mode, that is, the dial 6 is a member for selecting the shutter time, the rotation direction and the rotation amount are detected. Further, the shutter time is updated by adding the information obtained in step S16 from the past shutter time value read in step S3. In step S17, the segments 40, 4 on the LCD 13
1 and 42 are driven to display the shutter time in an analog manner. In step S18, information about the set shutter time is stored in the storage circuit 26.
As a result, the setting contents are stored even when the power is turned off.

If it is determined in step S6 that the dial 6 has not been rotated, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, since the dial 6 has not been rotated,
Photometric information and film sensitivity information are fetched from the photometric means 20 and the film sensitivity detection means 21, respectively. In step S8, both pieces of information are calculated based on the various conditions read in step S3 to calculate the proper exposure condition. In step S9, the latest exposure condition is displayed on the LCD 5. In step S10, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 4 has been operated.

In step S10, the shutter button 4
If it is determined that has been operated, the exposure sequence (step S19) is executed. In the exposure sequence (step S19), the diaphragm 29 described in FIG. 3 is controlled to a predetermined value, the shutter 28 is opened for a predetermined time to expose the film, and after the exposure is completed, the feed motor 30 is rotated to rotate the film. Executes a series of operations to wind the frame. When it is determined in step S10 that the shutter button 4 is not operated, the process returns to step S1 and the above sequence is repeated.

According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to inherit the analog operation method described in the conventional example, that is, the conventional operation method in which the shutter time set at a glance can be read. As a result, even if the model is changed with a different camera or new model, the operability without any discomfort can be obtained. On the other hand, digital operation system,
In other words, the command dial can be used for all mode settings, making it easy to set the aperture value and shooting mode. It is also possible to easily understand only the information on the LCD when checking the status. Can take This makes it possible to obtain a camera that has the advantages of both.

Further, for the camera manufacturer side, it is possible to meet all needs with only one model without manufacturing two types of cameras having the same high basic performance but completely different operation systems. In addition, the cost of the camera itself can be reduced.

In the embodiment, the shutter mode is set in the analog mode, the aperture value is set in the digital mode,
Although the method of setting the shooting mode is illustrated, the combination of these is arbitrary. That is, in addition to shutter time, shooting mode, metering mode (multi-segment metering, center-weighted metering, spot metering, etc.), distance measuring mode (continuous AF drive, one-shot A
It is also possible to distribute and apply a mode in which one is selected from a plurality of continuous information such as F drive and manual drive. That is, the effect of the present invention is further enhanced by allowing an arbitrary combination in which the information frequently changed by the photographer is selected as the analog mode and the other information is selected as the digital mode.

[0059]

As described above, according to the information input device of the present invention, the analog mode (the dial itself provides a continuous and visible display, the condition can be set at the absolute rotation position), the digital The mode (conditions can be set by relative position depending on the rotation direction and amount when the dial itself is not displayed and is not visible) can be selected and switched. By switching the mode accordingly, it is possible to obtain an information input device having excellent operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of an information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block connection diagram showing an embodiment of an information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing an embodiment of the information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing an embodiment of the information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing an embodiment of the information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view showing a conventional analog operation type camera.

FIG. 8 is a top view showing a conventional digital operation type camera.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the information input device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 camera body 5, 13, 67 LCD 6, 54, 65 dial 26 CPU 11 electro-optical element 31, 56 index

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An operating means which is moved and operated by a user, a first display means for displaying information set based on an absolute position of the operating means, and a first display means provided in the vicinity of the first display means. Second display means having a first state in which the display information of the first display means is visible and a second state in which the display information of the first display means is invisible; and the absolute position of the operating means. An information input device comprising: control means for maintaining the second display means in the first state when setting information based on information. 2. The information according to claim 1, wherein the first state is a transparent state of the second display means, and the second state is an opaque state of the second display means. Input device. 3. The first display means is provided inside the operation means, and the second display means is provided inside the operation means.
The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the information input device is provided above the first display means. 4. An operating means moved and operated by a user, a first display means for displaying first information set on the basis of an absolute position of the operating means, and a relative position of the operating means prior to operation. Second display means for displaying the second information set based on the target position; a first state provided near the first display means for making the display information of the first display means visible; A third display means having a second state in which the display information of the first display means is invisible; and, when setting the information of the first information, the third display means is set to the first state, When setting 2 information,
An information input device, comprising: a control unit that sets the display unit to the second state. 5. The information according to claim 4, wherein the first state is a transparent state of the third display means, and the second state is an opaque state of the third display means. Input device. 6. The first display means is provided inside the operation means, the second display means is provided at a position different from the operation means, and the third display means is provided inside the operation means. And the first
The display device is provided above the display means.
Information input device described in. 7. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the information set based on the absolute position of said operating means is shutter speed. 8. The information input device according to claim 4, further comprising storage means for storing a position of the operation means before the operation. 9. The information input device according to claim 8, wherein the storage means stores an operation history of the operation means.