US20020012536A1 - Control dial device of a camera - Google Patents
Control dial device of a camera Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020012536A1 US20020012536A1 US09/907,605 US90760501A US2002012536A1 US 20020012536 A1 US20020012536 A1 US 20020012536A1 US 90760501 A US90760501 A US 90760501A US 2002012536 A1 US2002012536 A1 US 2002012536A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- ring member
- rotational
- display panel
- camera according
- camera
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B17/00—Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor
- G03B17/18—Signals indicating condition of a camera member or suitability of light
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a camera (e.g., a conventional camera using sensitive film, a hand-held video recorder, or a digital camera), having a control dial through which a display panel can be viewed.
- a camera e.g., a conventional camera using sensitive film, a hand-held video recorder, or a digital camera
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of such a combination of a control dial 101 and an LCD panel 102 on the top panel (not shown) of an SLR camera.
- the control dial 101 is manually turned to select, e.g., an exposure mode from a plurality of exposure modes including a manual photometering mode, an aperture-priority auto-exposure mode and a programmed auto exposure mode.
- information indicated by the LCD panel 102 is read through a circular transparent window plate 103 fitted in the center opening of the control dial 101 .
- the LCD panel 102 indicates, e.g., information corresponding to the rotational position of the control dial 101 .
- the control dial 101 is provided with a switching protrusion 104 which protrudes downward from an outer periphery thereof.
- the protrusion 104 turns ON and OFF a plurality of switches 105 (only one is shown in FIG. 11) which are arranged on acircle the protrusion 104 moves, upon rotation of the dial 101 .
- a plurality of pins 106 prevent the dial 101 from detaching from a camera body.
- the rotational position (rotational angle) of the control dial 101 is detected by the switches 105 which are turned ON by the protrusion 104 when the dial 101 is rotated.
- FIG. 12 shows a combination of a control dial 201 provided on an external panel 205 and a display panel 202 of another conventional camera which provides a solution to the above-described problem.
- a code plate 204 which has a predetermined conductive code pattern (not shown) printed thereon, is fixed to a frame 206 of a camera body, and a brush 207 having a plurality of electrical contacts which come in sliding contact with the conductive code pattern of the code plate 204 is fixed to an inner peripheral portion of the control dial 201 .
- the rotational position of the control dial 201 is detected via the brush 207 and the code plate 204 .
- the display panel 202 is mounted onto the center of the code plate 204 so that information indicated by the display panel 202 can be read through a transparent window plate 203 fitted in a circular opening formed in the center of the control dial 201 .
- the display panel 202 has to be small so as not to interfere with the brush 207 ; however, this does not allow for a large display panel.
- FIG. 13 shows a conventional mechanism wherein the control dial 201 has a clicking action upon rotation thereof, which prevents the control dial from rotating unintentionally.
- a click mechanism is provided on an outer peripheral face of the control dial 201 with a plurality of notches 301 , and is further provided with a steel ball 303 which can be engaged in each notch 301 , a compression coil spring 302 which normally biases the steel ball 303 against the outer peripheral face of the control dial 201 , and a screw 304 which is screwed into a radial through hole formed in the external panel 205 to hold the compression coil spring 302 and the steel ball 303 between the screw 304 and the outer peripheral face of the control dial 201 .
- an object of the present invention is to provide a camera having a control dial through which a display panel can be viewed, wherein the rotational position of the control dial can be detected at close intervals with fine precision, and wherein the display panel, which is surrounded by the control dial, is large.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera having a control dial and a display panel, wherein the camera is provided with a simple mechanism which provides the control dial with a clicking action, upon rotation thereof, which prevents the control dial from rotating unintentionally.
- a camera having a control dial/display panel unit including a ring member which can be manually rotated about a first axis; a display panel which is surrounded by the ring member so as to be viewed through an aperture of the ring member from outside the camera; a rotational member which is rotatable about a second axis which is inclined with respect to the first axis; a transmission device for transmitting the rotation of the ring member to the rotational member; a detection device which is disposed on the rotational member to detect rotation information of the rotational member; and a controller which determines rotation information of the ring member via the rotation information of the rotational member, which is detected by the detection device, to indicate information corresponding to the rotation information of the ring member on the display panel.
- the rotation information of the ring member includes information on a direction of rotation of the ring member.
- the rotation information of the ring member includes information on a rotational angle of the ring member.
- the rotation information of the ring member includes information on an absolute rotational angle of the ring member.
- a transparent window plate is further provided, which is fitted in the aperture of the ring member.
- the display panel has a polygonal shape including at least eight sides, the perimeter of the display panel being positioned closely to an inner peripheral surface of the ring member without coming in contact therewith.
- the transmission device includes a first gear formed on an inner peripheral surface of the ring member, and a second gear which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotational member to be in mesh with the first gear.
- the detection device can include a code plate having a predetermined conductive code pattern, the code plate being mounted to the rotational member, and a brush which comes into contact with the predetermined conductive code pattern.
- the control dial/display panel unit further includes a plurality of notches formed on an inner peripheral surface of the ring member, a support which supports the display panel, a hole formed on the support, a ball positioned in the hole, a biasing member positioned in the hole to bias the ball toward the inner peripheral surface of the ring member so that the ball can be engaged in one of the plurality of notches with a click, and a brush holding member which holds the brush.
- the support includes an insertion opening which communicatively connects with the hole so that the ball and the biasing member can be inserted into the hole via the insertion opening.
- the brush holding member includes a protrusion which is engaged in the insertion opening to prevent the ball and the biasing member from coming out of the hole via the insertion opening.
- the biasing member can be a compression coil spring.
- the ring member, the rotational member and the detection device are mounted to an external cover of the camera.
- the second axis is inclined with respect to the first axis by an angle one of greater than and equal to 25 degrees and one of less than and equal to 35 degrees.
- the first axis is inclined with respect to a vertical direction of the camera.
- the second axis extends in substantially a vertical direction of the camera.
- the display panel is an LCD.
- the rotational member is in the shape of a disc.
- control dial/display panel unit further includes a click mechanism which provides the ring member with a clicking action upon rotation thereof which prevents the ring member from being rotated unintentionally.
- the display panel has an octagonal shape.
- the brush holding member is fixed to the support, and the rotational member is mounted to the support via the brush holding member.
- the plurality of notches are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ring member at equi-angular intervals.
- the brush holding member is fixed to a bottom surface of the support.
- the control dial/display panel unit can further include a rotational cylinder to which the rotational member is fixed; wherein the brush holding member includes a pivot on which the rotational cylinder is fitted to be rotatable about the pivot.
- the ring member includes a first gear formed on an inner peripheral surface of the ring member, and the rotational member includes a second gear which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotational member to be in mesh with the first gear.
- the plurality of notches can be formed along a circumference of the ring member above the first gear.
- a control dial/display panel unit including a ring member which can be manually rotated; a display panel which is surrounded by the ring member so as to be viewed through an aperture of the ring member from outside the camera; a rotational disc positioned below the display panel obliquely to the ring member; a transmission device for transmitting rotation of the ring member to the rotational disc; and a detection device which detects information on rotation of the rotational disc.
- the display panel indicates information corresponding to rotation information of the ring member which is determined via rotation information of the rotational disc which is detected by the detection device.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of fundamental elements of the first embodiment of a control dial and display panel arrangement, which is provided on a camera, according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of fundamental elements of the first embodiment of the control dial and display panel arrangement, seen from a different angle;
- FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the control dial and display panel arrangement
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a code disc having a code pattern thereon
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a code disc having a code pattern thereon by which the absolute rotational angle of the code disc can be detected;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the camera on which the first embodiment of the control dial and display panel arrangement is provided, wherein the control dial and display panel are obliquely positioned on a sloped top panel of the camera;
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of fundamental elements of the second embodiment of the control dial and display panel arrangement which is provided on a camera, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a brush holding member shown in FIG. 7;
- FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the combination of the control dial and the display panel
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a fundamental portion of the control dial shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, taken along the X-X line in FIG. 9, viewed in the direction of the appended arrows;
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a control dial and display panel arrangement of a conventional camera
- FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a control dial and display panel on another conventional camera.
- FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of aconventional mechanism which provides the control dial shown in FIG. 12 with a clicking action which prevents the control dial from rotating unintentionally.
- FIGS. 1 through 4 show the first embodiment of a control dial and display panel arrangement provided on a camera.
- a control dial/display panel unit 100 is provided with a control dial (a ring member) 1 and a display panel 2 .
- the control dial 1 can be manually turned to select, e.g., an exposure mode from a plurality of exposure modes.
- the control dial 1 is rotatably fitted in a circular aperture 8 a formed on a top cover (an external cover) 8 of a camera body.
- a circular transparent window plate 3 which is formed from, e.g., an acrylic resin, is fixedly fitted in a circular aperture formed in the center of the control dial 1 from the bottom thereof.
- the control dial 1 is provided on an inner-lower peripheral surface thereof with an internal gear (first gear) 4 .
- the control dial/display panel unit 100 is provided, in the top cover 8 below the rotary ring 1 , with an LCD support 10 .
- the display panel 2 includes a flexible PWB (flexible printed wiring board) 20 , an LCD back light member 21 , two conductive rubbers 22 , and an LCD 23 , and is mounted onto the LCD support 10 .
- the flexible PWB 20 , the LCD back light member 21 , the two conductive rubbers 22 , and the LCD 23 are fixed to the LCD support 10 with a holding frame 24 having four engaging slits 24 a (only two of them are shown in FIG. 1) in which corresponding four engaging claws 10 a (only two of them are shown in FIG. 1) formed around the LCD support 10 are engaged.
- a wiring strip portion 20 a of the flexible PWB 20 is inserted in a rectangular opening 10 b formed on the LCD support 10 to be connected to a microcomputer (controller) 11 (shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 1) provided in the camera as a controller therefor.
- the LCD support 10 is fixed to an inner face of the top cover 8 via four set screws 10 c so that the LCD support 10 is positioned immediately below the transparent window plate 3 .
- a brush holding member 13 having a pivot 13 a is fixed to a bottom face of the LCD support 10 via two set screws 13 d .
- an axis (second axis) 13 ⁇ of the pivot 13 a is inclined to both the bottom face of the LCD support 10 and an axis (first axis) 1 ⁇ (see FIG. 3) of the control dial 1 .
- the axis 1 ⁇ extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the top cover 8 .
- the axis 13 ⁇ of the pivot 13 a is inclined with respect to the axis 1 ⁇ of the control dial 1 by an angle ⁇ (see FIG. 3).
- the axis 13 ⁇ is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the axis 1 ⁇ . Therefore, the angle ⁇ is greater than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees (0° ⁇ 90°).
- the angle ⁇ is preferably greater than or equal to 25 degrees and less than or equal to 35 degrees (25° ⁇ 35°)
- a rotational cylinder 27 is fitted on the pivot 13 a to be rotatable about the axis 13 ⁇ thereof.
- the rotational cylinder 27 is prevented from coming off the pivot 13 a by a lock washer 28 that is fixed at the lower end of the pivot 13 a.
- the rotational cylinder 27 is inserted in a central aperture 5 a of a rotational disc (a rotational member) 5 and a central aperture 6 a of a code disc (a code plate) 6 .
- the code disc 6 is cemented to the upper face of the rotational disc 5 , while the rotational disc 5 is fixed to the rotational cylinder 27 .
- the rotational disc 5 is provided on the outer edge thereof with an outer gear (second gear) 5 b .
- the brush holding member 13 is provided with a brush 7 having three electrical contacts (three narrow pieces of conductive metal) 7 a , 7 b and 7 c which come in sliding contact with the conductive code pattern 9 of the code disc 6 .
- Each of the three electrical contacts 7 a , 7 b and 7 c is connected to the microcomputer 11 of the camera via a wire (not shown).
- the brush 7 and the code disc 6 constitute a detection device.
- the three electrical contacts 7 a , 7 b and 7 c are arranged on the code disc 6 so as to lie on three concentric circles about the center of the code disc 6 , respectively.
- the conductive code pattern 9 consists of a continuous annular land 9 a , nine inner radial lands 9 b and nine outer radial lands 9 c .
- the continuous annular land 9 a remains in contact with the inner electrical contact 7 a of the brush 7 .
- the nine inner radial lands 9 b extend radially outwards at equi-angular intervals from the continuous annular land 9 a , and each inner radial land 9 b can come into contact with the middle electrical contact 7 b of the brush 7 .
- the nine outer radial lands 9 c extend radially outwards at equi-angular intervals from the nine inner radial lands 9 b , respectively, and each outer radial land 9 c can come into contact with the outer electrical contact 7 c of the brush 7 .
- the nine outer radial lands 9 c on the code disc 6 are respectively displaced from the nine inner radial lands 9 b in a circumferential direction by a predetermined angle clockwise as viewed in FIG. 4.
- the inner electrical contact 7 a is in contact with the continuous annular land 9 a , while the middle and outer electrical contacts 7 b and 7 c are not in contact with any of the nine inner radial lands 9 b and any of the nine outer radial lands 9 c , respectively. Accordingly, the inner electrical contact 7 a is not short-circuited to either the middle or outer electrical contact 7 b or 7 c .
- the code disc 6 rotates counterclockwise by the angle ⁇ (40°)
- the following four states are repeated in the following order:
- the microcomputer 11 of the camera can detect the rotational position of the code disc 6 from the short-circuit state of the inner, middle and outer electrical contacts 7 a , 7 b and 7 c of the brush 7 , and also the direction of rotation of the code disc 6 from the sequence of variation of the short-circuit state of the inner, middle and outer electrical contacts 7 a , 7 b and 7 c.
- the microcomputer 11 determines the variation of the rotational angle of the control dial 1 by converting the variation of the rotational angle of the outer gear 5 b , which is detected via the brush 7 , into the variation of the rotational angle of the control dial 1 .
- m represents the number of teeth of the internal gear 4 of the control dial 1 ;
- n represents the number of teeth of the outer gear 5 b of the rotational disc 5 .
- the microcomputer 11 can determine the direction of rotation of the brush 7 by detecting which of the middle or outer electrical contacts 7 b or 7 c first contacts the conductive code pattern 9 (inner or outer radial land 9 b or 9 c ), and subsequently, the change “b” in the rotational angle of the rotational disc 5 can be calculated by detecting the number of times “N” the corresponding middle or outer electrical contact 7 b or 7 c passes the corresponding inner radial land 9 b or outer radial land 9 c .
- the following relationship/equation (2) is established between the number of times “N” and the aforementioned variation “b”:
- the microcomputer 11 can determine the absolute rotational angle of the control dial 1 from the change “b” in the rotational angle of the rotational disc 5 , the rotational direction thereof, and the previous absolute rotational angle of the control dial 1 which is stored beforehand in a memory (not shown) provided in the camera. Thereafter, the microcomputer 11 drives the display panel 2 to indicate the determined information corresponding to the absolute rotational angle of the control dial 1 on the display panel 2 via the flexible PWB 20 .
- neither the brush 7 nor the brush holding member 13 interferes with the display panel 2 in the inner space of the control dial 1 since the axis 13 ⁇ of the pivot 13 a is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the axis 1 ⁇ of the control dial 1 , i.e., the axis 13 ⁇ of the pivot 13 a is inclined with respect to the axis 1 ⁇ of the control dial 1 by the angle ⁇ (0° ⁇ 90°).
- the large display panel 2 is successfully employed in the present embodiment of the control dial/display panel unit 100 by designing, e.g., the perimeter of the display panel 2 to have a polygonal shape (an octagonal shape in this particular embodiment) in such a manner that the perimeter of the display panel 2 is positioned closely to the inner peripheral surface of the control dial 1 without coming in contact therewith.
- the display panel 2 can be made sufficiently large by being designed to have a plane octagonal shape, or a plane polygonal shape having more than eight sides.
- the aforementioned angle ⁇ between the axis 13 ⁇ of the pivot 13 a and the axis 1 ⁇ of the control dial 1 is preferably greater than or equal to 25 degrees and less than or equal to 35 degrees (25° ⁇ 35°) as mentioned above. If the angle ⁇ is less than the angle 25°, either the brush 7 or the brush holding member 13 will interfere with the display panel 2 in the inner space of the control dial 1 . If the angle ⁇ is greater than the angle 35°, the control dial/display panel unit will not be small in size.
- FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the code disc having a code pattern with which the absolute rotational angle of the code disc can be detected.
- this code disc (a code plate) 6 ′ the absolute rotational angle of the control dial 1 can be determined from the absolute rotational angle of the code disc 6 ′.
- the code disc 6 ′ is provided with a conductive code pattern 9 ′ (shown by diagonally shaded areas in FIG. 5) made of a conductive metal which is printed on the code disc 6 ′ in such a manner that the pattern in a radial direction changes at predetermined equi-angular intervals (intervals of 22.5 degrees in this particular embodiment).
- the conductive code pattern 9 ′ is provided with a plurality of arc conductive lands which are arranged in a predetermined pattern on five concentric circles having different diameters about the center of the code disc 6 ′.
- a brush (not shown) corresponding to the brush 7 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is provided with five electrical contacts which come in sliding contact with the conductive code pattern 9 ′ on the aforementioned five concentric circles thereon to detect the absolute rotational angle of the code disc 6 ′.
- the control dial/display panel unit 100 can be mounted obliquely to a top cover 402 of a camera 401 , as shown in FIG. 6.
- the control dial/display panel unit 100 is inclined with respect to the horizontal major part of the top cover 402 of the camera 401 (i.e., where the axis 1 ⁇ of the control dial 1 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the camera)
- the axis 13 ⁇ of the rotational disc 5 can be oriented to extend in the vertical direction of the camera 401 .
- control dial/display panel unit 100 can be obliquely designed according to such a conventional manner of arrangement with the rotational disc 5 horizontally arranged (i.e., with the axis 13 ⁇ of the rotational disc 5 being orientated to extend vertically) by tilting the control dial/display panel unit 100 so that the axis 1 ⁇ thereof is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the camera.
- FIGS. 7 through 10 show the second embodiment of the control dial/display panel unit 200 for a camera. Parts or elements of the second embodiment which are substantially identical to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and accordingly will not be hereinafter described in detail.
- the second embodiment of the control dial/display panel unit 200 has the same structure as the first embodiment of the control dial/display panel unit 100 , and an additional structure which provides a control dial (a ring member) 1 ′, which corresponds to the control dial 1 of the first embodiment, with clicking action upon rotation thereof (via a click mechanism) which prevents the control dial 1 ′ from rotating unintentionally.
- the control ring 1 ′ is provided, on an inner peripheral surface thereof above the internal gear 4 , with a plurality of notches 30 at equi-angular intervals.
- An LCD support 10 ′ which corresponds to the LCD support 10 of the first embodiment, is provided with a radial hole 34 in which a compression coil spring (a biasing member) 31 and a steel ball 32 are accommodated.
- the radial hole 34 opens on a bottom surface of the LCD support 10 ′ at one end (radially-inner end) of the radial hole 34 to form a bottom opening (an insertion opening) 34 a , and opens on an outer peripheral surface of the LCD support 10 ′ at the other end (radially-outer end) of the radial hole 34 .
- the steel ball 32 and the compression coil spring 31 can be inserted into the radial hole 34 from the bottom opening 34 a thereof in that order.
- the notches 30 , the compression coil spring 31 , and the steel ball 32 constitute a click mechanism.
- a brush holding member 13 ′ which corresponds to the brush holding member 13 of the first embodiment, has the same structure as the brush holding member 13 of the first embodiment except that the brush holding member 13 ′ is further provided on a top surface thereof with a protrusion 13 c (see FIG. 8) which can be engaged in the bottom opening 34 a .
- the protrusion 13 c is engaged in the bottom opening 34 a when the brush holding member 13 ′ is properly fixed to a bottom face of the LCD support 10 ′ via two set screws 13 d .
- the compression coil spring 31 biases the steel ball 32 outwardly in a radial direction from the axis 1 ⁇ of the control dial 1 ′ so that the steel ball 32 comes into pressing contact with any one of the plurality of notches 30 .
- This structure provides the control dial 1 ′ with the above-mentioned clicking action, and prevents the control dial 1 ′ from rotating unintentionally.
- the brush holding member 13 ′ is used as a device for preventing the compression coil spring 31 and the steel ball 32 from coming out of the radial hole 34 from the bottom opening 34 a .
- This structure makes it possible to achieve a simple mechanism which provides the control dial 1 ′ with a clicking action upon rotation thereof while preventing the control dial 1 ′ from rotating unintentionally.
- the LCD display panel 2 having the LCD 23 can be substituted by an LED display panel.
- the rotational position of the control dial can be detected at close intervals with fine precision, and the display panel, which is surrounded by the control dial, can be a large display panel.
- the camera can be provided with a simple mechanism which provides the control dial with a clicking action upon rotation thereof while preventing the control dial from rotating unintentionally.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a camera (e.g., a conventional camera using sensitive film, a hand-held video recorder, or a digital camera), having a control dial through which a display panel can be viewed.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- A camera which is provided on a camera body thereof with a control dial (e.g., a mode select dial) through which a display panel (e.g., an LCD panel or an LED panel which is surrounded by the control dial) can be viewed, is known in the art. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of such a combination of a
control dial 101 and anLCD panel 102 on the top panel (not shown) of an SLR camera. Thecontrol dial 101 is manually turned to select, e.g., an exposure mode from a plurality of exposure modes including a manual photometering mode, an aperture-priority auto-exposure mode and a programmed auto exposure mode. As can be seen in FIG. 11, information indicated by theLCD panel 102 is read through a circulartransparent window plate 103 fitted in the center opening of thecontrol dial 101. TheLCD panel 102 indicates, e.g., information corresponding to the rotational position of thecontrol dial 101. - The
control dial 101 is provided with aswitching protrusion 104 which protrudes downward from an outer periphery thereof. Theprotrusion 104 turns ON and OFF a plurality of switches 105 (only one is shown in FIG. 11) which are arranged on acircle theprotrusion 104 moves, upon rotation of thedial 101. A plurality ofpins 106 prevent thedial 101 from detaching from a camera body. The rotational position (rotational angle) of thecontrol dial 101 is detected by theswitches 105 which are turned ON by theprotrusion 104 when thedial 101 is rotated. - In such a control dial, the rotational position thereof can be detected only at wide intervals, and therefore cannot fill the needs of providing the control dial with many detectable rotational positions with fine precision. FIG. 12 shows a combination of a
control dial 201 provided on anexternal panel 205 and adisplay panel 202 of another conventional camera which provides a solution to the above-described problem. In this example, acode plate 204, which has a predetermined conductive code pattern (not shown) printed thereon, is fixed to aframe 206 of a camera body, and abrush 207 having a plurality of electrical contacts which come in sliding contact with the conductive code pattern of thecode plate 204 is fixed to an inner peripheral portion of thecontrol dial 201. The rotational position of thecontrol dial 201 is detected via thebrush 207 and thecode plate 204. Thedisplay panel 202 is mounted onto the center of thecode plate 204 so that information indicated by thedisplay panel 202 can be read through atransparent window plate 203 fitted in a circular opening formed in the center of thecontrol dial 201. - In the
control dial 201, since thebrush 207 is positioned inside thecontrol dial 201, thedisplay panel 202 has to be small so as not to interfere with thebrush 207; however, this does not allow for a large display panel. - FIG. 13 shows a conventional mechanism wherein the
control dial 201 has a clicking action upon rotation thereof, which prevents the control dial from rotating unintentionally. Namely, a click mechanism is provided on an outer peripheral face of thecontrol dial 201 with a plurality ofnotches 301, and is further provided with asteel ball 303 which can be engaged in eachnotch 301, a compression coil spring 302 which normally biases thesteel ball 303 against the outer peripheral face of thecontrol dial 201, and ascrew 304 which is screwed into a radial through hole formed in theexternal panel 205 to hold the compression coil spring 302 and thesteel ball 303 between thescrew 304 and the outer peripheral face of thecontrol dial 201. - In such a mechanism, a space for arranging the compression coil spring302 and the
steel ball 303 is required and at the same time a device including thescrew 304 for preventing the compression coil spring 302 and thesteel ball 303 from coming out of the through hole accidentally is also required, which complicates the structure of the mechanism. - The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned problems described above, and accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera having a control dial through which a display panel can be viewed, wherein the rotational position of the control dial can be detected at close intervals with fine precision, and wherein the display panel, which is surrounded by the control dial, is large.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera having a control dial and a display panel, wherein the camera is provided with a simple mechanism which provides the control dial with a clicking action, upon rotation thereof, which prevents the control dial from rotating unintentionally.
- To achieve the objects mentioned above, according to an aspect of the present invention, a camera having a control dial/display panel unit is provided, the control dial/display panel unit including a ring member which can be manually rotated about a first axis; a display panel which is surrounded by the ring member so as to be viewed through an aperture of the ring member from outside the camera; a rotational member which is rotatable about a second axis which is inclined with respect to the first axis; a transmission device for transmitting the rotation of the ring member to the rotational member; a detection device which is disposed on the rotational member to detect rotation information of the rotational member; and a controller which determines rotation information of the ring member via the rotation information of the rotational member, which is detected by the detection device, to indicate information corresponding to the rotation information of the ring member on the display panel.
- Preferably, the rotation information of the ring member includes information on a direction of rotation of the ring member.
- In an embodiment, the rotation information of the ring member includes information on a rotational angle of the ring member.
- In an embodiment, the rotation information of the ring member includes information on an absolute rotational angle of the ring member.
- Preferably, a transparent window plate is further provided, which is fitted in the aperture of the ring member.
- Preferably, the display panel has a polygonal shape including at least eight sides, the perimeter of the display panel being positioned closely to an inner peripheral surface of the ring member without coming in contact therewith.
- Preferably, the transmission device includes a first gear formed on an inner peripheral surface of the ring member, and a second gear which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotational member to be in mesh with the first gear.
- The detection device can include a code plate having a predetermined conductive code pattern, the code plate being mounted to the rotational member, and a brush which comes into contact with the predetermined conductive code pattern.
- Preferably, the control dial/display panel unit further includes a plurality of notches formed on an inner peripheral surface of the ring member, a support which supports the display panel, a hole formed on the support, a ball positioned in the hole, a biasing member positioned in the hole to bias the ball toward the inner peripheral surface of the ring member so that the ball can be engaged in one of the plurality of notches with a click, and a brush holding member which holds the brush. The support includes an insertion opening which communicatively connects with the hole so that the ball and the biasing member can be inserted into the hole via the insertion opening. The brush holding member includes a protrusion which is engaged in the insertion opening to prevent the ball and the biasing member from coming out of the hole via the insertion opening.
- The biasing member can be a compression coil spring.
- Preferably, the ring member, the rotational member and the detection device are mounted to an external cover of the camera.
- Preferably, the second axis is inclined with respect to the first axis by an angle one of greater than and equal to 25 degrees and one of less than and equal to 35 degrees.
- In an embodiment, the first axis is inclined with respect to a vertical direction of the camera.
- In an embodiment, the second axis extends in substantially a vertical direction of the camera.
- Preferably, the display panel is an LCD.
- Preferably, the rotational member is in the shape of a disc.
- Preferably, the control dial/display panel unit further includes a click mechanism which provides the ring member with a clicking action upon rotation thereof which prevents the ring member from being rotated unintentionally.
- In an embodiment, the display panel has an octagonal shape.
- Preferably, the brush holding member is fixed to the support, and the rotational member is mounted to the support via the brush holding member.
- Preferably, the plurality of notches are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ring member at equi-angular intervals.
- Preferably, the brush holding member is fixed to a bottom surface of the support.
- The control dial/display panel unit can further include a rotational cylinder to which the rotational member is fixed; wherein the brush holding member includes a pivot on which the rotational cylinder is fitted to be rotatable about the pivot.
- In an embodiment, the ring member includes a first gear formed on an inner peripheral surface of the ring member, and the rotational member includes a second gear which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotational member to be in mesh with the first gear. The plurality of notches can be formed along a circumference of the ring member above the first gear.
- According to another aspect of the present invention, a control dial/display panel unit is provided, including a ring member which can be manually rotated; a display panel which is surrounded by the ring member so as to be viewed through an aperture of the ring member from outside the camera; a rotational disc positioned below the display panel obliquely to the ring member; a transmission device for transmitting rotation of the ring member to the rotational disc; and a detection device which detects information on rotation of the rotational disc. The display panel indicates information corresponding to rotation information of the ring member which is determined via rotation information of the rotational disc which is detected by the detection device.
- The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-226797 (filed on Jul. 27, 2000) which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of fundamental elements of the first embodiment of a control dial and display panel arrangement, which is provided on a camera, according to the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of fundamental elements of the first embodiment of the control dial and display panel arrangement, seen from a different angle;
- FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the control dial and display panel arrangement;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a code disc having a code pattern thereon;
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a code disc having a code pattern thereon by which the absolute rotational angle of the code disc can be detected;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the camera on which the first embodiment of the control dial and display panel arrangement is provided, wherein the control dial and display panel are obliquely positioned on a sloped top panel of the camera;
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of fundamental elements of the second embodiment of the control dial and display panel arrangement which is provided on a camera, according to the present invention;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a brush holding member shown in FIG. 7;
- FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the combination of the control dial and the display panel;
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a fundamental portion of the control dial shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, taken along the X-X line in FIG. 9, viewed in the direction of the appended arrows;
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a control dial and display panel arrangement of a conventional camera;
- FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a control dial and display panel on another conventional camera; and
- FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of aconventional mechanism which provides the control dial shown in FIG. 12 with a clicking action which prevents the control dial from rotating unintentionally.
- FIGS. 1 through 4 show the first embodiment of a control dial and display panel arrangement provided on a camera. A control dial/
display panel unit 100 is provided with a control dial (a ring member) 1 and adisplay panel 2. Thecontrol dial 1 can be manually turned to select, e.g., an exposure mode from a plurality of exposure modes. Thecontrol dial 1 is rotatably fitted in acircular aperture 8 a formed on a top cover (an external cover) 8 of a camera body. A circulartransparent window plate 3 which is formed from, e.g., an acrylic resin, is fixedly fitted in a circular aperture formed in the center of thecontrol dial 1 from the bottom thereof. Information indicated by thedisplay panel 2 thereon can be read by the user (photographer) through thetransparent window plate 3 from outside the camera. Thecontrol dial 1 is provided on an inner-lower peripheral surface thereof with an internal gear (first gear) 4. The control dial/display panel unit 100 is provided, in thetop cover 8 below therotary ring 1, with anLCD support 10. Thedisplay panel 2 includes a flexible PWB (flexible printed wiring board) 20, an LCD backlight member 21, twoconductive rubbers 22, and anLCD 23, and is mounted onto theLCD support 10. Theflexible PWB 20, the LCD backlight member 21, the twoconductive rubbers 22, and theLCD 23 are fixed to theLCD support 10 with a holdingframe 24 having fourengaging slits 24 a (only two of them are shown in FIG. 1) in which corresponding four engagingclaws 10 a (only two of them are shown in FIG. 1) formed around theLCD support 10 are engaged. - A
wiring strip portion 20 a of theflexible PWB 20 is inserted in arectangular opening 10 b formed on theLCD support 10 to be connected to a microcomputer (controller) 11 (shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 1) provided in the camera as a controller therefor. TheLCD support 10 is fixed to an inner face of thetop cover 8 via four setscrews 10 c so that theLCD support 10 is positioned immediately below thetransparent window plate 3. - In the above-described structure, information indicated by the
display panel 2 thereon can be read through thetransparent window plate 3 from outside the camera, while thedisplay panel 2 does not move relative to thetop cover 8 if thecontrol dial 1 is turned. - As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a
brush holding member 13 having apivot 13 a is fixed to a bottom face of theLCD support 10 via two setscrews 13 d. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, an axis (second axis) 13× of thepivot 13 a is inclined to both the bottom face of theLCD support 10 and an axis (first axis) 1× (see FIG. 3) of thecontrol dial 1. Theaxis 1× extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface of thetop cover 8. Theaxis 13× of thepivot 13 a is inclined with respect to theaxis 1× of thecontrol dial 1 by an angle α(see FIG. 3). Accordingly, theaxis 13× is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to theaxis 1×. Therefore, the angle α is greater than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees (0°<α<90°). The angle α is preferably greater than or equal to 25 degrees and less than or equal to 35 degrees (25°≦α≦35°) - A
rotational cylinder 27 is fitted on thepivot 13 a to be rotatable about theaxis 13× thereof. Therotational cylinder 27 is prevented from coming off thepivot 13 a by alock washer 28 that is fixed at the lower end of thepivot 13 a. - The
rotational cylinder 27 is inserted in acentral aperture 5 a of a rotational disc (a rotational member) 5 and acentral aperture 6 a of a code disc (a code plate) 6. Thecode disc 6 is cemented to the upper face of therotational disc 5, while therotational disc 5 is fixed to therotational cylinder 27. Therotational disc 5 is provided on the outer edge thereof with an outer gear (second gear) 5 b. As shown in FIG. 4, aconductive code pattern 9 made of a conductive metal is printed on thecode disc 6 in such a manner that the pattern in a radial direction changes at equi-angular intervals of θ degrees (θ=40° in this particular embodiment). - Since the
axis 13× of thepivot 13 a and theaxis 1× of thecontrol dial 1 extend neither parallel to nor perpendicular to each other, therotational disc 5, which is supported by thepivot 13 a, and thecontrol dial 1 are inclined to each other as shown in FIG. 3. Theouter gear 5 b of therotational disc 5 is in mesh with theinternal gear 4 of thecontrol dial 1. Theinternal gear 4 and theouter gear 5 b constitute a transmission device. - The
brush holding member 13 is provided with abrush 7 having three electrical contacts (three narrow pieces of conductive metal) 7 a, 7 b and 7 c which come in sliding contact with theconductive code pattern 9 of thecode disc 6. Each of the threeelectrical contacts microcomputer 11 of the camera via a wire (not shown). Thebrush 7 and thecode disc 6 constitute a detection device. - As shown in FIG. 4, the three
electrical contacts code disc 6 so as to lie on three concentric circles about the center of thecode disc 6, respectively. Theconductive code pattern 9 consists of a continuousannular land 9 a, nine inner radial lands 9 b and nine outerradial lands 9 c. The continuousannular land 9 a remains in contact with the inner electrical contact 7 a of thebrush 7. The nine inner radial lands 9 b extend radially outwards at equi-angular intervals from the continuousannular land 9 a, and each innerradial land 9 b can come into contact with the middleelectrical contact 7 b of thebrush 7. The nine outerradial lands 9 c extend radially outwards at equi-angular intervals from the nine inner radial lands 9 b, respectively, and each outerradial land 9 c can come into contact with the outerelectrical contact 7 c of thebrush 7. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the nine outerradial lands 9 c on thecode disc 6 are respectively displaced from the nine inner radial lands 9 b in a circumferential direction by a predetermined angle clockwise as viewed in FIG. 4. - In the state shown in FIG. 4, the inner electrical contact7 a is in contact with the continuous
annular land 9 a, while the middle and outerelectrical contacts radial lands 9 c, respectively. Accordingly, the inner electrical contact 7 a is not short-circuited to either the middle or outerelectrical contact code disc 6 rotates counterclockwise by the angle θ (40°), the following four states (first through fourth states) are repeated in the following order: - a first state shown in FIG. 4 in which the inner electrical contact7 a is not short-circuited to either the middle or outer
electrical contact - a second state in which the inner electrical contact7 a is short-circuited to only the middle
electrical contact 7 b; - a third state in which the inner electrical contact7 a is short-circuited to both the middle and outer
electrical contacts - a fourth state in which the inner electrical contact7 a is short-circuited to only the outer
electrical contact 7 c. - Conversely, starting from the state shown in FIG. 4, if the
code disc 6 rotates clockwise by the angle θ (40°), the following four states (first through fourth states) are repeated in the following order: - a first state shown in FIG. 4 in which the inner electrical contact7 a is not short-circuited to either the middle or outer
electrical contact - a second state in which the inner electrical contact7 a is short-circuited to only the outer
electrical contact 7 c. - a third state in which the inner electrical contact7 a is short-circuited to both the middle and outer
electrical contacts - a fourth state in which the inner electrical contact7 a is short-circuited to only the middle
electrical contact 7 b. - Accordingly, the
microcomputer 11 of the camera can detect the rotational position of thecode disc 6 from the short-circuit state of the inner, middle and outerelectrical contacts brush 7, and also the direction of rotation of thecode disc 6 from the sequence of variation of the short-circuit state of the inner, middle and outerelectrical contacts - The
microcomputer 11 determines the variation of the rotational angle of thecontrol dial 1 by converting the variation of the rotational angle of theouter gear 5 b, which is detected via thebrush 7, into the variation of the rotational angle of thecontrol dial 1. - Namely, in the case where the
control dial 1 is turned by the user by an angle of a°, the following equation (1) is satisfied: - b =a×m/n(°) (1)
- wherein “a” represents the change in the rotational angle of the
control dial 1; - “b” represents the change in the rotational angle of the
rotational disc 5; - “m” represents the number of teeth of the
internal gear 4 of thecontrol dial 1; and - “n” represents the number of teeth of the
outer gear 5 b of therotational disc 5. - The
microcomputer 11 can determine the direction of rotation of thebrush 7 by detecting which of the middle or outerelectrical contacts radial land rotational disc 5 can be calculated by detecting the number of times “N” the corresponding middle or outerelectrical contact radial land 9 b or outerradial land 9 c. The following relationship/equation (2) is established between the number of times “N” and the aforementioned variation “b”: - b=Nθ (2)
- Furthermore, the variation “a” of the rotational angle of the
control dial 1 is calculated by substituting the value of the variation “b” in equation (1). - The
microcomputer 11 can determine the absolute rotational angle of thecontrol dial 1 from the change “b” in the rotational angle of therotational disc 5, the rotational direction thereof, and the previous absolute rotational angle of thecontrol dial 1 which is stored beforehand in a memory (not shown) provided in the camera. Thereafter, themicrocomputer 11 drives thedisplay panel 2 to indicate the determined information corresponding to the absolute rotational angle of thecontrol dial 1 on thedisplay panel 2 via theflexible PWB 20. As can be understood from the above description, according to the present embodiment of the control dial/display panel unit 100, neither thebrush 7 nor thebrush holding member 13 interferes with thedisplay panel 2 in the inner space of thecontrol dial 1 since theaxis 13× of thepivot 13 a is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to theaxis 1× of thecontrol dial 1, i.e., theaxis 13× of thepivot 13 a is inclined with respect to theaxis 1× of thecontrol dial 1 by the angle α (0°<α<90°). Due to this structure, thelarge display panel 2 is successfully employed in the present embodiment of the control dial/display panel unit 100 by designing, e.g., the perimeter of thedisplay panel 2 to have a polygonal shape (an octagonal shape in this particular embodiment) in such a manner that the perimeter of thedisplay panel 2 is positioned closely to the inner peripheral surface of thecontrol dial 1 without coming in contact therewith. Thedisplay panel 2 can be made sufficiently large by being designed to have a plane octagonal shape, or a plane polygonal shape having more than eight sides. The aforementioned angle α between theaxis 13× of thepivot 13 a and theaxis 1× of thecontrol dial 1 is preferably greater than or equal to 25 degrees and less than or equal to 35 degrees (25°≦α≦35°) as mentioned above. If the angle α is less than the angle 25°, either thebrush 7 or thebrush holding member 13 will interfere with thedisplay panel 2 in the inner space of thecontrol dial 1. If the angle α is greater than the angle 35°, the control dial/display panel unit will not be small in size. - FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the code disc having a code pattern with which the absolute rotational angle of the code disc can be detected. With this code disc (a code plate)6′, the absolute rotational angle of the
control dial 1 can be determined from the absolute rotational angle of thecode disc 6′. - The
code disc 6′ is provided with aconductive code pattern 9′ (shown by diagonally shaded areas in FIG. 5) made of a conductive metal which is printed on thecode disc 6′ in such a manner that the pattern in a radial direction changes at predetermined equi-angular intervals (intervals of 22.5 degrees in this particular embodiment). Theconductive code pattern 9′ is provided with a plurality of arc conductive lands which are arranged in a predetermined pattern on five concentric circles having different diameters about the center of thecode disc 6′. In this embodiment, a brush (not shown) corresponding to thebrush 7 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is provided with five electrical contacts which come in sliding contact with theconductive code pattern 9′ on the aforementioned five concentric circles thereon to detect the absolute rotational angle of thecode disc 6′. - Since the fundamental elements of the control dial/
display panel unit 100 such as thedisplay panel 2, therotational disc 5 and thebrush 7 are all mounted to thetop cover 8 of the camera in the above illustrated embodiment, in an alternative embodiment, the control dial/display panel unit 100 can be mounted obliquely to atop cover 402 of acamera 401, as shown in FIG. 6. In this case where the control dial/display panel unit 100 is inclined with respect to the horizontal major part of thetop cover 402 of the camera 401 (i.e., where theaxis 1× of thecontrol dial 1 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the camera), theaxis 13× of therotational disc 5 can be oriented to extend in the vertical direction of thecamera 401. This corresponds to a state of the control dial/display panel unit 100 shown in FIG. 3 where theaxis 1× is oriented to extend in the vertical direction of the camera. Since internal elements of the camera are generally arranged with reference to a horizontal or vertical direction of the camera, the control dial/display panel unit 100 can be obliquely designed according to such a conventional manner of arrangement with therotational disc 5 horizontally arranged (i.e., with theaxis 13× of therotational disc 5 being orientated to extend vertically) by tilting the control dial/display panel unit 100 so that theaxis 1× thereof is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the camera. - FIGS. 7 through 10 show the second embodiment of the control dial/
display panel unit 200 for a camera. Parts or elements of the second embodiment which are substantially identical to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and accordingly will not be hereinafter described in detail. - The second embodiment of the control dial/
display panel unit 200 has the same structure as the first embodiment of the control dial/display panel unit 100, and an additional structure which provides a control dial (a ring member) 1′, which corresponds to thecontrol dial 1 of the first embodiment, with clicking action upon rotation thereof (via a click mechanism) which prevents thecontrol dial 1′ from rotating unintentionally. In addition to theinternal gear 4, thecontrol ring 1′ is provided, on an inner peripheral surface thereof above theinternal gear 4, with a plurality ofnotches 30 at equi-angular intervals. - An
LCD support 10′, which corresponds to theLCD support 10 of the first embodiment, is provided with aradial hole 34 in which a compression coil spring (a biasing member) 31 and asteel ball 32 are accommodated. Theradial hole 34 opens on a bottom surface of theLCD support 10′ at one end (radially-inner end) of theradial hole 34 to form a bottom opening (an insertion opening) 34 a, and opens on an outer peripheral surface of theLCD support 10′ at the other end (radially-outer end) of theradial hole 34. Thesteel ball 32 and thecompression coil spring 31 can be inserted into theradial hole 34 from the bottom opening 34 a thereof in that order. Thenotches 30, thecompression coil spring 31, and thesteel ball 32 constitute a click mechanism. - A
brush holding member 13′, which corresponds to thebrush holding member 13 of the first embodiment, has the same structure as thebrush holding member 13 of the first embodiment except that thebrush holding member 13′ is further provided on a top surface thereof with aprotrusion 13 c (see FIG. 8) which can be engaged in the bottom opening 34 a. After theprotrusion 13 c of thebrush holding member 13′ is inserted into theradial hole 34 from the bottom opening 34 a, thesteel ball 32 and thecompression coil spring 31 are prevented from coming out of theradial hole 34 from the bottom opening 34 a by theprotrusion 13 c. Theprotrusion 13 c is engaged in the bottom opening 34 a when thebrush holding member 13′ is properly fixed to a bottom face of theLCD support 10′ via two setscrews 13 d. As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, thecompression coil spring 31 biases thesteel ball 32 outwardly in a radial direction from theaxis 1× of thecontrol dial 1′ so that thesteel ball 32 comes into pressing contact with any one of the plurality ofnotches 30. This structure provides thecontrol dial 1′ with the above-mentioned clicking action, and prevents thecontrol dial 1′ from rotating unintentionally. - As can be understood from the above descriptions, the
brush holding member 13′ is used as a device for preventing thecompression coil spring 31 and thesteel ball 32 from coming out of theradial hole 34 from the bottom opening 34 a. This structure makes it possible to achieve a simple mechanism which provides thecontrol dial 1′ with a clicking action upon rotation thereof while preventing thecontrol dial 1′ from rotating unintentionally. - In each of the above described first and second embodiments of the control dial/
display panel units LCD display panel 2 having theLCD 23 can be substituted by an LED display panel. - As can be understood from the foregoing, according to each of the above described first and second embodiments of the control dial/display panel units, the rotational position of the control dial can be detected at close intervals with fine precision, and the display panel, which is surrounded by the control dial, can be a large display panel. Furthermore, the camera can be provided with a simple mechanism which provides the control dial with a clicking action upon rotation thereof while preventing the control dial from rotating unintentionally.
- Obvious changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the present invention described herein, such modifications being within the spirit and scope of the invention claimed. It is indicated that all matter contained herein is illustrative and does not limit the scope of the present invention.
Claims (24)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000-226797 | 2000-07-27 | ||
JP2000-226797(P) | 2000-07-27 | ||
JP2000226797 | 2000-07-27 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20020012536A1 true US20020012536A1 (en) | 2002-01-31 |
US6459856B2 US6459856B2 (en) | 2002-10-01 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/907,605 Expired - Lifetime US6459856B2 (en) | 2000-07-27 | 2001-07-19 | Control dial device of a camera |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6459856B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10136418B4 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2812410B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2365137B (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060093346A1 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2006-05-04 | Fuji Photo Film, Co., Ltd. | Camera system, camera main frame, and optical unit |
US20090153480A1 (en) * | 2007-12-17 | 2009-06-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Input panel apparatus, image forming apparatus using the same, and method thereof |
US10841463B2 (en) * | 2017-09-26 | 2020-11-17 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Imaging device with two-stage dial |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR100806390B1 (en) * | 2003-08-18 | 2008-02-27 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Image photographing apparatus |
JP4530689B2 (en) * | 2004-03-09 | 2010-08-25 | Hoya株式会社 | Camera dial switching device |
JP2014056480A (en) * | 2012-09-13 | 2014-03-27 | Canon Inc | Rotation operation unit and electronic device having the same |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4853726A (en) | 1985-07-10 | 1989-08-01 | Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha | Camera |
US5761554A (en) | 1994-05-17 | 1998-06-02 | Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Information setting data dial for a camera |
US5742853A (en) | 1994-06-09 | 1998-04-21 | Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Information setting and display device for a camera |
JPH07333709A (en) | 1994-06-09 | 1995-12-22 | Asahi Optical Co Ltd | Information setting and displaying apparatus for camera |
JPH08201900A (en) * | 1995-01-31 | 1996-08-09 | Minolta Co Ltd | Two-stage dial apparatus |
JPH11109469A (en) * | 1997-10-03 | 1999-04-23 | Asahi Optical Co Ltd | Double dial mechanism of camera |
-
2001
- 2001-07-19 US US09/907,605 patent/US6459856B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-07-26 DE DE10136418A patent/DE10136418B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-07-27 FR FR0110101A patent/FR2812410B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-07-27 GB GB0118372A patent/GB2365137B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060093346A1 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2006-05-04 | Fuji Photo Film, Co., Ltd. | Camera system, camera main frame, and optical unit |
US7539410B2 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2009-05-26 | Fujifilm Corporation | Camera system, camera body, and lens assembly |
US20090153480A1 (en) * | 2007-12-17 | 2009-06-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Input panel apparatus, image forming apparatus using the same, and method thereof |
US10841463B2 (en) * | 2017-09-26 | 2020-11-17 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Imaging device with two-stage dial |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR2812410B1 (en) | 2009-06-05 |
US6459856B2 (en) | 2002-10-01 |
DE10136418A1 (en) | 2002-02-07 |
FR2812410A1 (en) | 2002-02-01 |
GB2365137B (en) | 2003-08-13 |
GB0118372D0 (en) | 2001-09-19 |
DE10136418B4 (en) | 2009-01-22 |
GB2365137A (en) | 2002-02-13 |
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