JPH10177828A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation device of electronic equipment having high operability and usability, and assuring proper operation. SOLUTION: This electronic equipment has a plurality of operation modes capable of switching, an operation member 10 for controlling the function of each operation mode, and a regulating means capable of regulating at least part of the operation range of the operation member 10. The regulating means is constituted so as to be linked with the operation of an operation mode switching means 20. The operation member 10 is constituted so as to be capable of operating in at least two directions. The control of the equipment to the operation of the operation member 10 is switched according to the operation of the operation mode switching means 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device having a plurality of operation modes, and more particularly to an operation device for an electronic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Along with miniaturization of this kind of electronic equipment, a device equipped with a pointing device such as a joystick device as an operation device of the device has become widespread. According to this pointing device, it is possible to operate the cursor, movement and selection of menu items on the monitor according to the operation direction of the stick-type or pad-type operation member. This greatly improved the user interface.

In addition, by assigning a role as a switch of a different function to each operation direction of the pointing device, many functions of the device can be integrated into one operation member. Therefore, downsizing of the device can be effectively promoted. In addition, since the user can operate the device with one operation member, there is no need for the user to search for a switch to be operated. Therefore, this type of video camera, in which the posture of the device cannot be changed unnecessarily during use, has the advantage that, even during shooting, the user can concentrate on shooting without troublesome operation.

[0004]

However, when a plurality of functions are integrated into one operation device, if the operation direction is erroneously mistaken, the device may start an unexpected operation, which is extremely difficult for the user. It will be inconvenient. Also, in an electronic device having a plurality of operation modes, when the operation function of the operation device is switched in conjunction with the switching of the operation mode, the operation method is different for the user regardless of the same operation device depending on the operation mode. different. For this reason, it is necessary to remember the operation method before performing the operation for the first time, and inconvenience occurs during use, especially when the operation method is forgotten.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device which is excellent in operability and usability and can guarantee proper operation.

[0006]

An electronic device according to the present invention has a plurality of switchable operation modes and has an operation member for controlling a function in each operation mode. And a regulating means for regulating at least a part of the operation range of the operation member.

Further, in the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, the regulating means is configured to be linked with an operation of the operation mode switching means.

Further, in the electronic device according to the present invention, the operation member is configured to be operable in at least two directions.

Further, in the electronic device according to the present invention, the control of the device with respect to the operation of the operation member is switched according to the operation of the operation mode switching means.

According to the present invention, a suitable operation device according to the operation mode of the electronic device is provided, and erroneous operation can be prevented, and the user can easily know the operation mode of the device. That is, by providing means for restricting at least a part of the operation range of the operation member according to the operation mode of the electronic device, a suitable operation device corresponding to the operation mode of the electronic device can be obtained. Further, by linking the regulating means with the operation of the operation mode switching means of the electronic device, the trouble of switching the regulating means can be saved.

[0011]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of an electronic apparatus operating device according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a video camera as an electronic device according to the embodiment. The video camera has a plurality of functions such as zooming and iris, as described later, and is used as an operation device for these functions in an appropriate position (side part, etc.) of the camera body.
Is provided with a joystick device 10.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the system configuration of the video camera according to this embodiment. A subject image picked up by the camera unit 1 serving as a video input unit is processed by a video signal processing circuit 2 into an electric signal that can be handled by this system. This video signal is recorded or reproduced by the recording / reproducing device 3 or displayed as a video on the finder 4. At the time of photographing, the aperture control or the zoom control mechanism 6 appropriately controls the aperture or the zoom. A microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) 7 controls the entire system including the aperture control mechanism 5 or the zoom control mechanism 6 and the recording / reproducing apparatus control circuit 8 and the like.

The video camera of this embodiment has an automatic (Full-Auto) mode and a manual (manua) mode as its operation modes.
l) It has at least two modes of operation. These operation modes are configured to be appropriately switchable by a slide switch 20 (see FIG. 1) disposed at a position close to the joystick device 10 of the camera body.

FIG. 3 shows a joystick device 10.
Is shown. This joystick device 10
A switch board 12 on which four tact switches 11 are arranged at 90 ° intervals on the same circumference;
A lever 14 provided with a disk 13 for pressing down the lever 1, a supporting portion 15 for rotatably holding the lever 14,
A spring 16 for returning the 4 to a neutral state when not operating
And a case 17 for protecting the entire device. As shown in FIG. 1, the joystick device 10 is mounted so that the lever 14 appropriately projects from the camera body.

In the joystick device 10, since the lever 14 is rotatably held by the support portion 15, it can be tilted in all directions. When the lever 14 is tilted in a certain direction, the disc 13
One of the tact switches 11 disposed above is pressed, and the pressed tact switch 11 is turned on.
When the hand is released from the lever 14, the lever 14
Due to the elastic force of 6, the switch returns to the neutral position where it does not contact any of the tact switches 11. At this time, the tact switches 11 are all turned off.

Since the tact switches 11 are arranged at 90 ° intervals on the same circumference as described above, the direction in which the user tilts the lever 14 is XY as shown in FIG.
One of the four switches can be arbitrarily operated with one lever 14 by selecting and operating one of the four directions along the two axial directions. In this example, FIG.
As shown in (A), each of the operation directions of the lever 14 is set as a switch capable of operating the zoom (Y axis) and the aperture (X axis) of the video camera. Thus, the user can operate these two functions with one lever 14.

Here, the operation mode switching mechanism of the joystick device 10 in this embodiment, that is, the slide switch 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, two plates 22 and 23 driven by the operation unit 21 are attached to the slide switch 20. These plates 22 and 23 are configured to interlock via a gear 24. For example, plates 22, 23
Of the gear 24 and the rack
They may be joined so as to mesh with each other in a pinion manner. As a result, when the operation unit 21 of the slide switch 20 is slid between automatic and manual operations, they are separated from each other along the X axis (FIG. 5).
(A)) or approach (FIG. 5 (B)).

When the operation mode is switched from the manual mode to the automatic mode by operating the operation section 21 of the slide switch 20, the plate 22 is moved to the lever 14 as shown in FIG.
Slide to the side. Along with this, the plate 23 linked to the plate 22 also moves to the lever 14 side. When the position of the slide switch 20 has shifted from the manual position to the automatic position, the lever 14 is sandwiched between the two plates 22 and 23 from both sides as shown in the figure, and the movement in the X-axis direction is restricted. At the same time, the signal from the slide switch 20 is turned off, and the operation mode of the video camera is switched to the automatic mode when the microcomputer 7 detects the OFF signal.

Conversely, when the position of the slide switch 20 is moved from the automatic position to the manual position (FIG. 5A), the plate 22 and the plate 23 are interlocked via the gear 24, and both of them are moved. Move away from the lever 14. When the position of the slide switch 20 has completely shifted to the manual position, the interval between the plate 22 and the plate 23 is opened to an appropriate width that does not hinder the movement of the lever 14 as shown in FIG. 14 can be freely moved along both directions of the X and Y axes. At the same time, the signal from the slide switch 20 is turned on, and the microcomputer 7 switches the operation mode of the video camera to the manual mode by detecting the ON signal.

Next, the operation system of the video camera according to this embodiment will be described. As described above, the joystick device 10 and the slide switch 20 are each connected to the microcomputer 7 (FIG. 2). The signals output from the joystick device 10 and the slide switch 20 are each input to the microcomputer 7. Since the output signal of the tact switch 11 is input to the microcomputer 7, the microcomputer 7 can recognize which tact switch 11 has been turned on by a user operation.

When an output signal from the slide switch 20 is input to the microcomputer 7, the microcomputer 7 recognizes the operation mode of the device by ON / OFF of this signal, and controls the system of the device according to the automatic mode or the manual mode. Switch. At this time, the microcomputer 7 switches the operation function assigned to each operation direction of the joystick device 10 to the system set in each operation mode.

That is, in the manual mode, both the zoom operation and the aperture operation are enabled as shown in FIG.
An operation in the positive (+) axis direction switches the zoom to the telephoto side, and an operation in the negative (-) Y axis direction switches the zoom to the wide angle side. An operation in the X-axis positive direction is a switch for opening the aperture, and an operation in the X-axis negative direction is a switch for closing the aperture. On the other hand, in the automatic mode, only the zoom operation is valid as shown in FIG.

As described above, when the user operates the joystick device 10 in which the operation content is set in each operation mode, the signal is input to the microcomputer 7. The microcomputer 7 recognizes the current operation mode based on the output signal of the slide switch 20 and controls the operation of the device according to the output signal of the joystick device 10.

That is, in any operation mode, when the joystick device 10 is operated in the Y-axis direction, the microcomputer 7 receiving the signal from the joystick device 10
Sends a signal to the zoom control mechanism 6 to control the zoom position. In the manual mode, the operation of the joystick device 10 in the X-axis direction is also effective. When the joystick device 10 is operated in the X-axis direction, the microcomputer 7 receiving the signal from the joystick device 10 sends a signal to the aperture control mechanism 5. To control the aperture. As described above, in the operation system of the video camera of the present embodiment, the joystick device 10 can be used by appropriately switching between the two operation modes.

As described above, when the video camera is in the automatic mode, only the function of the zoom operation in the Y-axis direction is valid, and the function of the aperture operation in the X-axis direction is invalid. Further, the operation of the lever 14 in the X-axis direction is restricted, so that the lever 14 can be operated only in the Y-axis direction. On the other hand, when the video camera is in the manual mode, the joystick device 10 has a zoom operation function in the Y-axis direction and an aperture operation function in the X-axis direction, and the joystick device 10 can be operated in all directions. By operating in any of the four directions, the zoom or aperture operation can be freely performed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
An embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are used for members that are substantially the same as or correspond to those in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows the appearance of a video camera with a liquid crystal monitor as an electronic device in this embodiment. The video camera with a liquid crystal monitor has a plurality of functions such as zooming or switching of a TV reception channel as described later, and a joystick device 10 is provided at an appropriate position (for example, a front portion) of the camera body as an operation device for these functions.
Since the basic configuration of the joystick device 10 itself is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3), the description is omitted here.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of the video camera with a liquid crystal monitor according to this embodiment. A subject image picked up by the camera unit 1 serving as a video input unit is processed by a video signal processing circuit 2 into an electric signal that can be handled by this system. This video signal is recorded or reproduced by the recording / reproducing device 3, or displayed as a video on the liquid crystal monitor 4 '. At the time of shooting, zoom control is appropriately performed by the zoom control mechanism 6. The microcomputer 7 controls the entire system including the zoom control mechanism 6 and the recording / reproducing device control circuit 8 and the like. In this example, the TV radio receiver 9 is particularly built in, and the TV broadcast can be monitored on the liquid crystal monitor 4 '.

The video camera with a liquid crystal monitor according to this embodiment has three operation modes, that is, a TV mode for receiving a TV broadcast, in addition to a shooting mode and a reproduction mode. These operation modes are configured to be appropriately switchable by a slide switch 30 (see FIG. 6) disposed at a position closest to the joystick device 10 of the camera body.

As shown in FIG.
Has an operation unit 31 configured to rotate around the central axis of the lever 14 of the joystick device 10. On the camera body side, an index for displaying the contents of the operation mode along the rotation trajectory of the operation unit 31, in this example, three indices "CAM", "VTR" and "TV" are shown as circles, for example, as shown in the figure. It is written at a predetermined position (position) at 45 ° intervals in the circumferential direction. By moving the operation unit 31 of the slide switch 30 to each position, the operation mode of the video camera is switched corresponding to each position. When each operation mode is switched, an electric signal is generated by conduction between a terminal switch described later and a contact. This signal is input to the microcomputer 7, and the microcomputer switches the operation mode of the video camera according to the signal.

In conjunction with the operation mode switching as described above, the microcomputer 7 switches the operation functions assigned to each operation direction of the joystick device 10 to the system set in each operation mode according to the operation mode.

For example, in the reproduction mode, FIG.
The basic operation of the recording / reproducing device 3 as shown in FIG. In the shooting mode, a zoom operation of the camera unit 1 is set as shown in FIG. In the case of this zoom operation, an operation in the Y-axis positive direction is a switch that moves to the telephoto side, and an operation in the Y-axis negative direction is a switch that moves to the wide-angle side. In the shooting mode, no function is set for the operation in the X-axis direction. Further, in the TV mode, FIG.
The TV reception channel switching operation is set as shown in FIG. In this method, the reception channel is sequentially switched by moving the lever 14 left and right. When the lever 14 is operated in the positive direction of the X axis, the reception channel is forwarded. When the lever 14 is operated in the negative direction of the X axis, the reception channel is reversed. Send. In the TV mode, no function is set for the operation in the Y-axis direction.

In the above configuration, the slide switch 3
0 is operated to switch the operation mode of the video camera.
By switching the setting of the joystick device 10 according to each operation mode, various operations of the video camera can be performed with one lever 14. That is, in the reproduction mode, a signal is sent from the microcomputer 7 to the recording / reproducing device control circuit 8 in response to a signal from the joystick device 10, and the operation of the recording / reproducing device 3 is controlled.
Control according to the operation of. In the photographing mode, a signal is sent from the microcomputer 7 to the zoom control mechanism 6 in accordance with a signal from the joystick device 10, and the zoom is controlled in accordance with the operation of the joystick device 10. In the TV mode, a signal is sent from the microcomputer 7 to the TV radio wave receiving device 9 in response to a signal from the joystick device 10, and the receiving channel is switched according to the operation of the joystick device 10.

Here, the operation mode switching mechanism of the joystick device 10 in this embodiment, that is, the slide switch 30 will be described. The operation section 31 of the slide switch 30 is formed integrally with the plate 32. The plate 32 is supported rotatably about the central axis of the lever 14 of the joystick device 10 via a guide pin 33. In this example, three contact points 34 are formed on the outer periphery of the plate 32 on the side opposite to the operation unit 31 at intervals of 45 °. When the slide switch 30 is rotated to each position in order to switch the operation mode of the video camera (FIGS. 8A, 8B,
(C)), the contact 34 corresponding to each operation mode contacts the switch terminal 35 and becomes conductive. When a signal from the conductive contact 34 is input to the microcomputer 7, the microcomputer 7 switches the operation mode of the video camera according to the signal.

The plate 32 constituting the slide switch 30 has a rectangular hole 36 at the center as shown in FIG. The lever 14 of the joystick device 10 projects through the hole 36 to the outside of the video camera. When the slide switch 30 is in the photographing mode position (FIG. 8A), the hole 36 is set to Y.
The long side 36a is provided so as to be parallel to the axial direction. The short side 36b of the hole 36 is set to a length that satisfies the diagonal length of the cross-sectional shape of the lever 14.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 8, the cross section of the lever 14 is square, and the lever 14 is provided such that the diagonal line of the cross section coincides with both the X and Y axes in the neutral state of the lever 14. Further, the operating range of the lever 14 is the length L of one side of the cross-sectional shape of the lever 14 from the center of the lever 14.
It is regulated by a circular hole having a radius of (see FIG. 8), and the lever 14 is usually operated in this circular hole.

With such a configuration, in the photographing mode,
As shown in FIG. 8A, the lever 14 is connected to the long side 36a of the hole 36.
Restricts the movement in the X-axis direction, so that it can be moved only in the Y-axis direction. Next, the slide switch 30
Is operated to shift to the reproduction mode, the hole 36 rotates 45 ° around the central axis. At this time, as shown in FIG.
It is parallel to the side. At this time, since the cross-sectional shape of the lever 14 is a square, the lever 14 can freely move in four directions of the X and Y axes. Therefore, the lever 14 can be operated in four directions within a circular hole having a radius L. Can be. Next, when the mode is shifted to the TV mode by operating the slide switch 30, the hole 36 further rotates around the center axis by 45 °,
This means that the hole 36 has been rotated 90 ° about the center of the hole as compared with the case of the photographing mode. Thus, in the TV mode, the movement of the lever 14 in the Y-axis direction is restricted by the long side 36a of the hole 36 as shown in FIG. 8C, so that the lever 14 can be moved only in the X-axis direction.

As described above, when the video camera is in the shooting mode, the joystick device 10 is provided with a zoom operation function in the Y-axis direction, and the lever 14 can be operated only in the Y-axis direction. At this time, no function is set in the X-axis direction, and the lever 14 cannot be operated in the X-axis direction. When the video camera is in the playback mode, the basic operation functions of the recording and playback device 3 are set in the joystick device 10, and the joystick device 10
Can be operated in all directions.
The basic operation of the recording / reproducing device 3 can be performed by operating in any of the directions. Furthermore, when the video camera is in the TV mode, the joystick device 10 is provided with a function of switching the receiving channel in the X-axis direction, and the lever 14 can be operated only in the X-axis direction. At this time, no function is set in the Y-axis direction, and the lever 14 cannot be operated in the Y-axis direction.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, 1
Various operations of the device can be performed with one operating device, which contributes to downsizing of the device, and further includes a means for regulating at least a part of the operation range of the operation member according to the operation mode of the electronic device. Thus, a suitable operation device according to the operation mode of the electronic device can be obtained. By providing a unique operation method for each operation mode, an operation device that is easy for the user to remember and understand can be realized.

Further, by operating the restricting means in conjunction with the operation of the operation mode switching means of the electronic device, the trouble of switching the restricting means can be saved. According to the present invention, the operation means has many operation directions, and can be effectively applied to a device that switches control of the device for operation according to the operation mode of the device, and is easy for the user to use. In addition, there is an advantage that an apparatus which is excellent in usability and has an accurate operation and has no fear of erroneous operation can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a video camera as an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration example of the video camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a joystick device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of operation functions of the joystick device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation mode switching mechanism in the joystick device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a video camera with a liquid crystal monitor as an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration example of a video camera with a liquid crystal monitor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of operation functions of the joystick device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation mode switching mechanism in a joystick device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera part 2 Video signal processing circuit 3 Recording / reproducing device 4 Viewfinder 5 Aperture control mechanism 6 Zoom control mechanism 7 Microcomputer 8 Reproduction device control circuit 9 TV radio wave receiving device 10 Joystick device 11 Tact switch 13 Disk 14 Lever 16 Spring 20 Slide switch 21 operation part 22, 23 plate 24 gear 30 slide switch 31 operation part 32 plate 34 contact 35 switch terminal

Claims (4)

[Claims] An electronic device having a plurality of switchable operation modes and an operation member for controlling a function in each operation mode, wherein at least one of an operation range of the operation member according to the operation mode is provided. An electronic device, comprising: a regulation unit capable of regulating a part. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating unit is configured to interlock with an operation of an operation mode switching unit. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is configured to be operable in at least two directions. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control of the device with respect to the operation of the operation member is switched according to the operation of the operation mode switching unit. machine.