JPH09133961A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch a dial operating system to an analog mode and a digital mode in accordance with using circumstances by providing a 1st display means displaying information set based on the absolute position of an operating means, a 2nd display means displaying information set based on the relative position of the operating means to its position before operation and a driving means driving and controlling the 1st and the 2nd display means. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a dial 6 operated to be moved, an LCD 13 being the 1st display means displaying the information set based on the absolute position of the dial 6, an LCD 5 being the 2nd display means displaying the information set based on the relative position of the dial 6 to its position before the operation, and a CPU 26 being the driving means driving and controlling the LCDs 13 and 5. The device is switched to either the analog mode or the digital mode in which a condition is set based on the absolute rotating position and the relative position in accordance with the rotating direction and the rotating amount of the dial 6.

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 prior art relating to the present invention will be described by taking 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. 8 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 the viewfinder 5
Exposure is performed by observing the subject from 2 and pressing the shutter button 53. In the case of the camera 50, the shutter dial 54 on the right side is used for setting the shutter time, which is an important element of the exposure condition, and the exposure mode dial 57 on the left side is used for setting the exposure mode.

The shutter dial 54 can be rotated with a finger, and a plurality of shutter time values 55 are printed on the upper surface of the shutter dial 54 at arcuate positions. An index 56 is provided on the left side. The shutter time is selected by rotating the shutter dial 54 with a finger so that the desired shutter time value 55 written on the shutter dial 54 matches 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 can be selected by rotating the mode dial 57 so that the plurality of mode characters 59 printed on the mode dial 57 match the 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. In addition, since this method inherits the conventional operation method, the positions of important dials such as the shutter dial that are commonly used have not changed from the old model, so the internal functions may be changed with different cameras or new models. However, it is possible to obtain a feeling of operation that is totally comfortable.

FIG. 9 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 camera 60, a command dial 65 and a plurality of buttons 68 are used to set various exposure conditions including a shutter time and an exposure mode, and a large liquid crystal display (hereinafter abbreviated as LCD) is used to confirm the settings. 67 is used. The latest shutter time, aperture value, exposure mode, etc. set in the camera 60 are all displayed by the characters 66 on the LCD 67.

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 to display the LCD.
It becomes possible by observing 67 and setting it to a desired value. When it is desired to change the exposure mode, the command dial 65 can be rotated in the same manner as the shutter time while pressing the exposure mode setting button among the plurality of buttons 68. 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 a different place depending on the mode at the time of setting operation, and it is easy to check the already set status only with the information on the LCD 67. It becomes possible to grasp.

If a plurality of buttons 68 are prepared as shown in the figure, the number of modifiable modes can be prepared and the camera can be made multifunctional. Since the button 68 has a simple structure, it has an advantage of relatively low cost.

[0010]

However, the two types of cameras 50 and 60 described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 have the following contradictory drawbacks, respectively.

The disadvantage of the camera 50 shown in FIG. 8 is that the shutter dial 54 can be used only for setting the shutter time and the mode dial 57 can be used only for setting the exposure mode. It is to increase. As a result, the size of the camera 50 itself becomes large, or if the size of the camera 50 is too small, the dial becomes too small and difficult to use, or the cost of the camera increases due to the large number of structurally expensive rotating members. Leads to. Furthermore, there are few types of shutter time 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.

When confirming the set conditions, in the case of FIG. 8, it is necessary to confirm the shutter time with the shutter dial 54 on the right side and the exposure mode with the mode dial 57 on the left side. As the number of dials increases, the work of looking around the outer periphery of the camera 50 immediately before shooting is troublesome.

On the other hand, a disadvantage of the camera 60 shown in FIG. 9 is that it has a low responsiveness due to the physical properties of the LCD 67. That is, when the button 68 is pushed quickly or the command dial 65 is turned quickly, the display does not change, and there is a drawback that the operation speed is constrained particularly at lower temperatures. Further, there is a disadvantage that the contrast of the LCD 67 is low, that is, there is a small difference in density between the lit segment and the unlit segment, and it is not possible to distinguish the printed characters on the shutter dial 54 in FIG. 8 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. 8 feels very uncomfortable in operability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to make it possible to switch the dial operation system between an analog mode and a digital mode according to the use situation.

[0015]

In order to achieve this object, the information input device of the present invention is set based on the operating means (6) to be moved and operated by the user and the absolute position of the operating means. First display means (13) for displaying information,
Second display means (5) for displaying information set based on the relative position of the operation means to the position before the operation;
Drive means (2) for controlling the drive of the display means and the second display means
6) and the drive means is configured to make the display by the first display means invisible when the display by the second display means is performed.

[0016]

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 1 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, and the LCD 5
And a mode that functions as a command dial that uses the shooting mode button 7 or aperture setting button 8 together,
It can be used for both.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the sectional shape of the dial 6. The dial 6 has a structure that can be rotated by a member (not shown), and the plurality of brushes 14 fixed to the lower part also rotate in conjunction with the rotation. 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 the signal obtained from the pattern. An inner cylinder 10 that does not rotate is provided inside the dial 6. A protective glass 11 is provided on the uppermost side of the inner cylinder 10, and an LCD (liquid crystal) 13 is provided directly below the protective glass 11.

As will be described later, when a plurality of types of numbers are displayed on the LCD 13, a desired value can be selected from the plurality of characters. In this case, the rotational position of the dial 6 functions as absolute information like an analog dial.
On the contrary, when all the segments of the LCD 13 are turned off,
The dial 6 is rotated while observing the conditions displayed on the LCD 5, the increase / decrease direction of the condition value 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 functions as relative information.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an electric circuit block 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. CPU26
The input signal to is 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 state information of the camera is input to the CPU 26. The switches 23 and 24 are switches that are turned on when the exposure mode button 7 or the aperture setting button 8 is pressed. The signal indicating which is being pressed is the CPU2
6 is input. As will be described later, if one of the buttons is pressed and the dial 6 is rotated, the corresponding selection becomes possible.

The two switches 14 provided are dials 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 provided such that their phases are shifted by about 90 degrees, and the dial 6 of the dial 6 is determined by judging the number of times it changes from on to off and its phase. It is possible to measure the rotation direction and the rotation amount.

The storage circuit 26a is a memory for electrically storing the shutter speed, the exposure mode, the aperture value, etc. set by the dial 6. It is used to change the mode and change the numerical value while memorizing the latest positional relationship of the switch 14 which is interlocked with the rotation of the dial 6, and is finally set when the power supply is cut off. Memorize the conditions that have been applied. CPU2 when power is supplied again
Reference numeral 6 reproduces the data in the memory circuit 26a to restore various conditions such as display.

The CPU 26 transmits an output signal to the driver means 18 on the basis of 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 charge the shutter 28 as described above. The LCD 5 is driven to display information such as the exposure mode, aperture value, and the number of films. The LCD 13 is driven to display a plurality of types of shutter time. LE
Lighting or extinguishing of D31 is controlled. 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. First, the indicator 51 lights up. Three types of shutter time 1/6 are displayed on the LCD 13.
0, 1/125, and 1/250 are displayed.
When the dial 6 is rotated so that the desired numerical value matches the index 31, the numerical value of the shutter time also changes its position in correspondence with the rotation direction.
The shutter dial 54 of the conventional camera 50 shown in FIG.
You can get the same operation feeling as.

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

The LCD 5 displays the exposure mode 35 set by the previous operation, the aperture value 36 and the counted number of films 37. The dial 6 has a click feeling with its rotation.

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 per click is the same as the interval of the three types of displayed shutter time. If the dial 6 is changed every multiple clicks, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation caused by accidentally touching the dial 6 or a need to turn the dial 6 too much and return the dial 6 again. This is the conventional camera 5
This is an effect that cannot be obtained with 0 operation. 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 check 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, mode button 7
The operation for selecting the shooting mode by pressing was taken as an example.

First, all the segments of the LCD 13 are turned off. At this time, the absolute position of dial 6 is unnecessary, so L
The ED 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, and the display is switched to a display similar to that shown in FIG. 4 in the new shooting mode.

Although illustration is omitted, when the aperture setting button 8 is pressed, the form of the dial 6 and the index 31 becomes as shown in FIG. 5, and the data of only the aperture value 36 is displayed on the LCD 5, and in this state. When the dial 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 and the hand is released from the aperture setting button 8, the state shown in FIG. 4 is restored.

FIG. 6 is an example of a segment formed on the LCD 13. 4-digit 7-segments 40, 41, and 42 so that three types of shutter time can be displayed
Are arranged as shown in the figure.

FIG. 7 shows the CPU 2 in the camera 1 shown in FIG.
6 is an example of a processing program according to 6. This program is CP
It is repeatedly executed while power is supplied to U26.

In step S1, the analog mode is first executed in order to reproduce the condition set last when the power was last turned on. First, the index 31 is turned on. In step S2, the previous shooting mode, aperture value, film frame number, and shutter time stored in the storage circuit 26a are read. In step S3, the read values are displayed by driving the segments on the LCDs 5 and 13. As described above, the display form is set as shown in FIG.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the button 7 or 8 is pressed. If so, the process proceeds to step S10, and if not, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, since neither button 7 nor button 8 has been pressed, it is determined that the analog mode is to be continued, and it is determined whether the dial 6 has been rotated. In step S6, since the dial 6 is not rotated, the photometric information and the film sensitivity information are fetched from the photometric means 20 and the film sensitivity detecting means 21, respectively.

In step S7, both pieces of information are calculated based on the various conditions read in step S2 to calculate the proper exposure condition. In step S8, the latest exposure condition is LC
Display on D5 and 13. In step S9,
It is determined whether or not the shutter button 4 has been operated. When operated, the exposure sequence shown in step S19 is executed.

If it is determined in step S4 that the button 7 or 8 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S10. Steps S10 to S13 are different only in the aperture value setting and the button to be pressed in the shooting mode and the displayed contents are different, and the other steps can be performed by the same procedure, so that the contents applicable to both will be described.

In step S10, since either button 7 or 8 has been pressed, it is determined that the mode is the digital mode, and the indicator 31 is first turned off. Further, the LCD 13 is turned off. This causes dial 6 to appear as a command dial.

In step S11, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the dial 6 are detected, and the change amount from the aperture value or the photographing mode information read in step S2 is calculated. In step S12, the calculated result is displayed on the segment 35 or 36 on the LCD 5. Step S1
In 3, the latest setting content updated as described above is stored in the storage circuit 26a. This allows the power to be turned off at any time.

If it is determined in step S5 that the dial 6 has been rotated, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the dial 6 are detected. Furthermore, the shutter time is updated by adding the information obtained in step S14 from the past shutter time value read in step S2. In step S15, L
The segments 40, 41, and 42 on the CD 13 are driven to display the shutter time in an analog manner. In step S16, information regarding the set shutter time is stored in the storage circuit 26a. This allows the power to be turned off at any time.

In step S17, 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 feeding motor 30 is rotated to move the film one frame. Executes a series of operations for winding. Then, the process returns to step S1 and the above sequence is repeated.

As described above, according to the present invention, 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 due to a different camera or new model, it is possible to obtain a comfortable operation feeling. On the other hand, the digital operation method, that is, the command dial can be used in common with all mode settings, making it easy to set the aperture value and shooting mode. Even when checking the status, you can easily grasp only the information on the LCD. You can take any method that you can.
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 the needs with only one model without manufacturing two types of cameras having the same high basic performance but completely different operation systems. Also, there is an effect that the cost of the camera can be reduced.

In the embodiment, a shutter time setting method is used as an analog mode, an aperture value is used as a 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 easy 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 any 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.

[0049]

As described above, according to the information input device of the present invention, the dial operation system can be arbitrarily set in either the analog mode or the digital mode. In other words, as for the dial provided on the camera, since the dial continuously displays, there is a mode (analog mode) in which conditions can be set at the absolute rotation position, and there is no display on the dial Since it is possible to set the mode (digital mode) in which the condition can be set by the relative position depending on the direction and the amount of rotation, the dial operation method can be switched between analog mode and digital mode according to the usage situation. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a 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 (analog mode) of the information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing one embodiment (digital mode) 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 flowchart showing an embodiment of the information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view showing an example of a conventional information input device.

FIG. 9 is a top view showing an example of a conventional information input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Camera body 5, 13 LCD 6 Dial 26 CPU 31 Index

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An operating means moved by a user, a first display means for displaying information set based on an absolute position of the operating means, and a relative position of the operating means with respect to a position before the operation. A second display unit for displaying information set based on the above, and a drive unit for driving and controlling the first display unit and the second display unit. An information input device, wherein the display by the first display means is invisible when the display is performed. 2. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the first display means has a segment which is provided on the operation means and can display a plurality of types of setting information. 3. The operating means is used for setting a shutter time in the camera when set based on an absolute position, and the shutter in the camera when set based on a relative position with respect to a position before the operation. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the information input device is used for setting information other than time.