Electronic device and rotary operation unit

Abstract

To provide an electronic device having a rotary operation member capable of reducing incorrect detection and performing miniaturization.SOLUTION: A mode dial 107 of a digital camera 100 includes a reflection member 50 rotated integrally with a dial knob 1, and a ranging sensor 9 for measuring a distance to the reflection member 50 in the axial direction of the rotation axis O of the dial knob 1. The reflection member 50 includes a convex 51 having multiple reflection surfaces that are orthogonal to the rotation axis O, are formed at a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the dial knob 1, and have different distances from the ranging sensor 9, and a sensor side apical surface 51x that is provided between the adjacent reflection surfaces in which the distance from the ranging sensor 9 is much shorter than a reflection surface in which the distance from the ranging sensor 9 is the minimum from among the multiple reflection surfaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a rotary operation unit, and more particularly to a rotary operation unit such as an electronic dial mounted on an electronic device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera.

Background Art

[0002] Some electronic devices such as digital cameras and video cameras are provided with a rotary operation unit for performing operation modes and various settings. There are various methods for detecting the position of a dial knob (dial knob), which is an operation member that a user operates in the rotary operation unit. For example, a configuration is known in which a plate spring-like phase contact piece fixed to the dial knob is slid on a conductive pattern provided on a substrate fixed to the device body.

[0003] However, in such a configuration, signals may be short-circuited by wear powder generated by the sliding of the phase contact piece and the conductive pattern, resulting in false detection. In response to such a problem, Patent Document 1 proposes a method for detecting the position of a dial knob by converting the rotation of the dial knob into a linear movement of a linear movement member by a rack mechanism (pinion and rack) and measuring the position of the linear movement member with a linear sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] According to the technique described in Patent Document 1 above, by adopting a non-contact phase detection method, false detection can be reduced as compared with a contact type phase detection method.

[0006] However, using a rack mechanism, a linear sensor, or the like causes the rotation operation unit to become large in size.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device equipped with a rotation operation member that enables reduction of false detection and miniaturization.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] An electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device including a rotation operation unit, wherein the rotation operation unit includes a rotation operation member, a reflection member that rotates integrally with the rotation operation member, and a non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures a distance to the reflection member in an axial direction of a rotation axis of the rotation operation member. The reflection member is orthogonal to the rotation axis, formed with a uniform phase in a rotation direction of the rotation operation member, and includes a plurality of flat portions having different distances from the distance measuring sensor, and a convex portion provided between adjacent flat portions and having a flat portion with a distance from the distance measuring sensor smaller than that of a flat portion having the smallest distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an electronic device equipped with a rotation operation member that enables reduction of false detection and miniaturization.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, an imaging device (specifically, a digital camera) is taken as the electronic device according to the present invention, and a mode dial used for switching the shooting mode in the imaging device is taken as the rotation operation unit according to the present invention. However, the rotation operation unit according to the present invention is not limited to such an example, and can be used as an operation means for setting one operation mode from a plurality of operation modes according to the function of the electronic device.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera 100 according to an embodiment, showing a state in which the digital camera 100 is viewed from the back side. The digital camera 100 is roughly composed of a camera body and a lens unit 104 attached to the front side (subject side) of the camera body.

[0013] The exterior of the camera body is composed of an upper surface cover 101, a front cover 102, and a back cover 103. On the back side of the camera body, a display unit 105 composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like is rotatably attached to the camera body. On the upper surface portion of the camera body, a shutter button 106 and a mode dial 107 are provided as operation members. Inside the camera body, a system control unit 150 for overall operation control of the digital camera 100 is arranged. The system control unit 150 is composed of a CPU, a memory, and the like.

[0014] The mode dial 107 has a dial knob 1 as a rotation operation member for the user to directly perform a rotation operation. Although not shown in the figure, a plurality of marks indicating shooting modes (for example, "Tv" indicating the shutter speed priority mode, "Av" indicating the aperture value priority mode, etc.) are printed or engraved on the upper surface of the dial knob 1. An indicator 108 is printed, engraved, or formed three-dimensionally adjacent to the dial knob 1 on the upper surface cover 101. The user can set a desired shooting mode by aligning the mark on the dial knob 1 indicating the desired shooting mode with the indicator 108.

[0015] Before explaining the mode dial 107 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a reference example of the mode dial 107 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0016] FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views of a mode dial 90 according to a reference example, FIG. 2(c) is a bottom view of the mode dial 90, and FIG. 2(d) is a diagram schematically showing eight positions P1 to P8 that can be set by the mode dial 90 on the dial knob 1.

[0017] The mode dial 90 has a dial knob 1, a rotating member 5, a reflecting member 95, a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as "FPC") 15, a distance measuring sensor 9, and a click feeling generating portion 10. Note that the dial knob 1, the rotating member 5, the FPC 15, the distance measuring sensor 9, and the click feeling generating portion 10 are common components of the mode dial 107 and the mode dial 107A according to the second embodiment described later.

[0018] The dial knob 1 can be rotated infinitely in either the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction around the rotation axis O. The mode dial 90 is arranged on the upper surface cover 101 such that the dial knob 1 is exposed on the appearance, and each part between the reflecting member 95 and the FPC 15 is located inside the camera body (the lower side is hidden by the upper surface cover 101).

[0019] The rotating member 5 and the reflecting member 95 are arranged coaxially with the rotation axis O of the dial knob 1 and are fastened to the dial knob 1 by the fastening member 8. Therefore, they rotate integrally with the dial knob 1. The rotating member 5 and the reflecting member 95 are each made of resin (such as POM, ABS, etc.) or metal (such as SUS, iron, etc.) and are formed by cutting or molding. For example, when the rotating member 5 is made of metal, positioning holes or positioning pins (not shown) are formed in the rotating member 5, and corresponding positioning pins or positioning holes (not shown) are provided in the reflecting member 95. The reflecting member 95 and the rotating member 5 can be fixed by fitting the positioning holes and positioning pins and performing thermal caulking, adhesion, etc. When the rotating member 5 is a resin molded product, the reflecting member 95 and the rotating member 5 may be integrally molded. Of course, the rotating member 5 and the reflecting member 95 can also be integrally formed using metal.

[0020] The distance measuring sensor 9 is mounted on the FPC 15, and the FPC 15 is electrically connected to the system control unit 150 arranged inside the camera body. The distance measuring sensor 9 has a light projecting unit 9a that projects light onto a stepped portion formed stepwise on the back surface of the reflecting member 95 (the surface facing the mounting surface of the distance measuring sensor 9 on the FPC 15), and a light receiving unit 9b that receives the reflected light projected from the light projecting unit 9a and reflected by the stepped portion. Since the shape of the reflecting member 95 is substantially circular when viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis O, the flat portions having the number of steps corresponding to the number of positions of the dial knob 1 are provided in a substantially fan shape and at equal angles. That is, each flat portion has the same shape when viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis O.

[0021] In the following description, the flat portion formed perpendicular to the rotation axis O by providing a step is referred to as a "reflecting surface". A plurality of (specifically, eight) reflecting surfaces are formed with an equal phase in the rotation direction of the dial knob 1.

[0022] In the mode dial 90, as shown in Fig. 2(c), the distance measuring sensor 9 is arranged such that the straight line connecting the optical centers of the light projecting part 9a and the light receiving part 9b intersects the rotation axis O of the dial knob 1. Thereby, any straight line passing through the rotation axis O and orthogonal to the rotation axis O on each reflecting surface of the reflecting member 95 passes through the light projecting part 9a and the light receiving part 9b simultaneously, regardless of the rotation direction of the dial knob 1. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a shift in the detection timing by the distance measuring sensor 9 due to the rotation direction of the dial knob 1.

[0023] The click feeling generating part 10 generates a click force (an operating force with a click feeling) in accordance with the rotation operation of the dial knob 1. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2(c), on the outer periphery of the rotating member 5, a wavy uneven part having valleys 5c with a small radius and peaks 5d with a large radius alternately at regular intervals is formed. The click feeling generating part 10 is configured by urging a click ball (ball member) 7 against the uneven part of the rotating member 5 in the radial direction of the rotating member 5 by a compression spring (biasing member) 6. The compression spring 6 is held in a stretchable manner by a spring receiving part 101e provided inside the upper surface cover 101, and the click ball 7 is always urged toward the rotation axis O against the uneven part by the compression spring 6. Thereby, the dial knob 1 can stably stop at the position where the click ball 7 fits into the valley 5c.

[0024] When the user rotates the dial knob 1 by one position, the click ball 7 gets over the peak 5d of the rotating member 5 and fits into the adjacent valley 5c. At this time, an operating force is generated on the dial knob 1, and the user can obtain a click feeling for one click. Due to this click feeling, the user can accurately perform the rotation operation of the dial knob 1 by the intended number of clicks.

[0025] The uneven portions of the rotating member 5 have eight valleys 5c and eight ridges 5d. In the radial direction of the rotating member 5 and the reflecting member 95, the center in the circumferential direction of each reflecting surface forming a stepped portion faces the valley 5c, and the boundary between the reflecting surfaces adjacent in the circumferential direction faces the ridge 5d. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2(d), the dial knob 1 has eight positions P1 to P8, and shooting modes such as the shutter speed priority mode and the aperture value priority mode described above are assigned to each position. The user can rotate the dial knob 1 and align a mark (not shown) indicating the shooting mode name printed or engraved on the dial knob 1 with the indicator 108 provided on the upper surface cover 101, thereby selecting and setting a desired shooting mode from the eight types of shooting modes.

[0026] Here, eight positions are provided on the mode dial 90, but the number of positions can be arbitrarily set, and can be set regardless of whether it is odd or even, such as 4, 12, 13 positions, etc.

[0027] The distance measuring sensor 9 projects light from the light projecting portion 9a toward the stepped portion of the reflecting member 95 and receives the reflected light with the light receiving portion 9b. The light receiving portion 9b outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of received light to the system control unit 150. The system control unit 150 determines the position of the dial knob 1 based on the amount of received light acquired from the light receiving portion 9b. A method for determining the position of the dial knob 1 will be described later. The distance measuring sensor 9 is, for example, a proximity sensor using a combination of an LED / PD capable of projecting and receiving infrared light, but is not limited thereto, and any non-contact sensor capable of measuring the distance to the reflecting member 95 may be used.

[0028] In a state where one position is selected by the dial knob 1 (a state where the click ball 7 is housed in the groove portion 5c of the rotating member 5), the distance measuring sensor 9 faces the circumferential center portion of one of the eight reflecting surfaces provided on the reflecting member 95 (see Fig. 2(c)). In other words, when viewed from a direction parallel to the rotation axis O, the line connecting the optical centers of the light projecting portion 9a and the light receiving portion 9b passes through the rotation axis O, equally divides one reflecting surface into two, and passes through the bottom of the groove portion 5c. The arrangement position of the distance measuring sensor 9 may be a position where, in a state where an arbitrary position is selected, the line connecting the optical centers of the light projecting portion 9a and the light receiving portion 9b passes through the rotation axis O and does not include the boundary with the stepped portion adjacent in the circumferential direction in the light projecting region from the light projecting portion 9a in the stepped portion. For example, the light projecting region from the light projecting portion 9a in the stepped portion is set so as not to cover the light receiving rate change region described later with reference to Fig. 3.

[0029] Next, a method for detecting the rotation phase of the mode dial 90 will be described. Fig. 3(a) is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 9b of the distance measuring sensor 9 on the mode dial 90 and the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to each reflecting surface of the reflecting member 95 for one rotation of the dial knob 1.

[0030] As described above, the dial knob 1 has eight positions P1 to P8, and the eight reflecting surfaces provided on the reflecting member 95 correspond to the eight positions P1 to P8. Therefore, the circumferential angle of each of the eight reflecting surfaces is 45 degrees. The eight reflecting surfaces are each formed to have different distances from the distance measuring sensor 9 in the axial direction of the rotation axis O of the dial knob 1, but the reflectivities of the eight reflecting surfaces are substantially the same. As a result, the light reception rate measured by the distance measuring sensor 9 shows different values for each reflecting surface according to the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9. For example, as shown in Fig. 3(a), let the distances from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the reflecting surfaces 95a, 95b, 95c, and 95d be 'D1', 'D2', 'D7', and 'D8', respectively. At this time, the distances D1, D2, D7, and D8 have the relationship of 'D1 < D2 < D7 < D8', and the distance measuring sensor 9 can obtain different unique light reception rates corresponding to the distances D1, D2, D7, and D8. Note that the light reception rate for each reflecting surface in Fig. 3(a) is obtained by setting the light reception rate when the light projected from the light projecting unit 9a is directly received by the light receiving unit 9b with the light projecting unit 9a and the light receiving unit 9b facing each other at an interval of the distance D1 as 100%.

[0031] In this way, a one-to-one correlation is obtained between the position of the dial knob 1 and the light reception rate of the distance measuring sensor 9. The system control unit 150 stores the correlation diagram in Fig. 3(a) (or a table corresponding to the correlation diagram, etc.), obtains the light reception rate from the signal indicating the light reception amount acquired from the distance measuring sensor 9, and determines the position of the dial knob 1 by determining the reflecting surface corresponding to the obtained light reception rate.

[0032] Figs. 3(b) and (c) are schematic diagrams for explaining the light reception rate change region between the reflecting surfaces adjacent in the circumferential direction in the reflecting member 95, and are shown in a cross section including the rotation axis O. The detection of the position of the dial knob 1 needs to be performed in a state where the light projected from the light projecting unit 9a of the distance measuring sensor 9 toward the stepped portion of the reflecting member 95 is irradiated only on one reflecting surface constituting the stepped portion and uniform reflection occurs.

[0033] On the one hand, when the dial knob 1 is rotated, the light projection area from the light projection unit 9a to the stepped portion will always pass through the switching position of the reflecting surface (the boundary between the circumferentially adjacent reflecting surfaces). Here, since the light projection unit 9a of the distance measuring sensor 9 has a light projection angle α, while passing through the stepped portion of the reflecting member 95, taking Fig. 3(b) as an example, the reflecting surfaces 95a and 95b will be mixed within the irradiation range of the light from the light projection unit 9a. The region where the light reception rate changes (becomes unstable) due to the boundary between the circumferentially adjacent reflecting surfaces passing through (two circumferentially adjacent reflecting surfaces simultaneously) the irradiation range of the light projected from the light projection unit 9a is defined as the "light reception rate change region".

[0034] The light projection angle α from the light projection unit 9a is constant, but the light reception rate change region changes according to the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the stepped portion. As shown in Figs. 3(b) and (c), the smaller the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the stepped portion, the narrower the irradiation area to the stepped portion and the smaller the light reception rate change region; the larger the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the stepped portion, the wider the irradiation area to the stepped portion and the larger the light reception rate change region.

[0035] In the mode dial 90, the light reception rate change region is the smallest between the reflecting surface 95a with the minimum distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 and the adjacent reflecting surface 95b, and this state is clearly shown as the light reception rate change region A in Figs. 3(a) and (b). On the other hand, the light reception rate change region is the largest between the reflecting surface 95c with the maximum distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 and the adjacent reflecting surface 95d, and this state is clearly shown as the light reception rate change region B in Figs. 3(a) and (c). Note that the larger the light projection angle α from the light projection unit 9a of the distance measuring sensor 9, the larger the light reception rate change region even if other conditions are the same. Therefore, it can be said that it is more desirable to use a distance measuring sensor having a light projection unit with a small light projection angle α.

[0036] When the dial knob 1 is rotated, the light reception rate change region is represented by the width of the shaded portion shown in Fig. 3(a) centering on the step between the reflecting surfaces. When the user rotates the dial knob 1 at a low speed, the passing time when passing through a wide light reception rate change region becomes long. For example, when transitioning from the reflecting surface 95d in Fig. 3(c) to the reflecting surface 95c or vice versa, the time during which variations occur in the output from the light receiving portion 9b of the distance measuring sensor 9 becomes long. Also, the difference in the light reception rate between adjacent reflecting surfaces is not large, and the light reception rate changes gently as the dial knob 1 (reflecting member 90) rotates. Therefore, it is not easy to improve the accuracy of detecting the rotation of the dial knob 1 based on the light reception rate.

[0037] On the other hand, a method of reducing the influence of output variations can be considered by performing control to increase the response time with respect to the output change from the light receiving portion 9b of the distance measuring sensor 9 (ignoring the output change within a certain time). However, ignoring the output change within a certain time leads to a decrease in the speed of position transition with respect to the rotation of the dial knob 1, which is not desirable in practical use. Also, there is a possibility that variations may occur in the position transition timing.

[0038] Note that in the mode dial 90, when the rotation of the dial knob 1 stops, distance measurement is performed by the distance measuring sensor 9, so that the irradiation range of the light from the light projecting portion 9a always becomes one reflecting surface, and the position of the dial knob 1 can be accurately detected. However, with such a detection method, it takes time from the start of the rotation operation of the dial knob 1 by the user to the detection of the position of the dial knob 1 and thus the determination of the shooting mode.

[0039] The mode dial 90 enables reduction of misdetection and miniaturization with respect to the above-described conventional technology. However, the mode dial 107 according to the first embodiment of the present invention further solves the above-described problems regarding the mode dial 90 according to the reference example, and will be described in detail below.

[0040] Figs. 4(a) and 4(b) are perspective views of the mode dial 107. The mode dial 107 has a structure in which the reflecting member 95 of the mode dial 90 is replaced with the reflecting member 50. Therefore, descriptions of other members except the reflecting member 50 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0041] Similar to the reflecting member 95, the reflecting member 50 has eight reflecting surfaces with substantially the same shape, and the step between adjacent reflecting surfaces in the circumferential direction on the eight reflecting surfaces of the reflecting member 50 is the same as the step between the reflecting surfaces in the reflecting member 95. In the following description, when exemplifying a specific reflecting surface among the eight reflecting surfaces of the reflecting member 50, the symbol "50" is used, for example, like the reflecting surface 50a.

[0042] The reflecting member 50 is different from the reflecting member 95 in that convex portions 51 protruding toward the FPC 15 side are provided between adjacent reflecting surfaces in the circumferential direction. The convex portions 51 are formed radially so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis O and separate adjacent reflecting surfaces. As will be described later, the convex portion 51 is an example of a high light-receiving rate portion where a light-receiving rate detected by the light-receiving portion 9b of the distance measuring sensor 9 is higher than that of the reflecting surface where the light-receiving rate becomes maximum among a plurality of reflecting surfaces.

[0043] The positions of the end faces 51x on the FPC 15 side of the convex portions 51 (hereinafter referred to as "sensor-side end faces 51x") in the direction parallel to the rotation axis O are the same for the eight convex portions 51 (the end faces on the FPC 15 side of the convex portions 51 are located in the same plane orthogonal to the rotation axis O). In the direction parallel to the rotation axis O, the distance between the sensor-side end face 51x of the convex portion 51 and the distance measuring sensor 9 is smaller than the distance between the reflecting surface 50a, which has the minimum distance to the distance measuring sensor 9 among the eight reflecting surfaces, and the distance measuring sensor 9.

[0044] It is desirable that the difference between the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the sensor-side front end surface 51x and the distance to the reflecting surface 50a be set such that the difference in the light reception rate on each surface is significantly larger than the difference in the light reception rate between the reflecting surface 50a and the adjacent reflecting surface 50b (or reflecting surface 50f). In the mode dial 107, the difference in the light reception rate of each reflected light from the sensor-side front end surface 51x and the reflecting surface 50a is designed to be approximately five times the difference in the light reception rate of each reflected light from the reflecting surface 50a and the reflecting surface 50b. As a result, even considering, for example, the dimensional tolerance of the components of the reflecting member 50, the variation in the directivity of the light projected from the light projecting portion 9a, the assembly variation of the components constituting the mode dial 107, etc., the light reception rate at the reflecting surface 50a does not exceed the light reception rate at the sensor-side front end surface 51x. Therefore, it becomes possible to accurately detect the reflecting surface 50a.

[0045] FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 9b of the distance measuring sensor 9 in the mode dial 107 and the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the reflecting surface of the reflecting member 50 for one rotation of the dial knob 1 of the mode dial 90. Note that the light reception rate at each reflecting surface in FIG. 5(a) is normalized with the light reception rate at the reflecting surface 50a closest to the distance measuring sensor 9 being 100%, and the light reception rates of the other reflecting surfaces are normalized. In the mode dial 107, since the reflecting member 50 has the convex portion 51, the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the reflecting surface 50a is larger than the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the reflecting surface 95a in the mode dial 90. Therefore, the absolute values of the distances D1, etc. shown in FIG. 5(a) are different from the absolute values of the distances D1, etc. shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0046] At the boundary of the light reception rate from each of the eight reflecting surfaces of the reflecting member 50, the light reception rate at which the reflected light from the sensor-side front end surface 51x of the convex portion 51 is detected appears. By providing the sensor-side front end surface 51x having a light reception rate with a sufficiently large difference from the light reception rate used for detecting each position of the dial knob 1, the transition between the reflecting surfaces by the distance measuring sensor 9, that is, the rotation of the dial knob 1, can be clearly grasped.

[0047] Note that, since the mode dial 107 is composed of a combination of a plurality of components, it is assumed that variations (assembly errors) will occur in the distance between the reflecting member 50 and the distance measuring sensor 9. Therefore, when assuming that the position of the dial knob 1 is the most variable in terms of tolerance calculation, the maximum value in the direction in which the absolute value of the light reception rate increases may be added to the light reception rate at the sensor-side tip surface 51x.

[0048] FIG. 5(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining the light reception rate change region between adjacent reflecting surfaces in the circumferential direction in the reflecting member 50, and the reflecting surfaces 50a and 50b are shown as examples in a cross section including the rotation axis O. Among the reflecting surfaces 50a and 50b and the sensor-side tip surface 51x, since the sensor-side tip surface 51x is closest to the distance measuring sensor 9, the irradiation region on the reflecting surface 50b in a state where the light projected from the light projecting portion 9a hits the sensor-side tip surface 51x can be reduced. Therefore, when the dial knob 1 is rotated and the convex portion 51 approaches the distance measuring sensor 9, the change in the light reception rate can be made steep. As a result, even when the distance between the distance measuring sensor 9 and the reflecting surface is large as in the example of FIG. 3(b), the width of the light reception rate change region can be narrowed.

[0049] At this time, when the reflecting member 50 is manufactured by resin molding, the side wall 51w of the convex portion 51 will have a draft taper. In this case, when the irradiation surface of the light projected from the light projecting portion 9a transitions from a certain reflecting surface to an adjacent reflecting surface in the circumferential direction, a part of the light is reflected by the side wall 51w. As a result, since the light receiving portion 9b may receive reflected light that it should not originally receive, and the actual light reception rate may deviate from the light reception rate assumed in the design, it is desirable to apply an anti-reflection treatment to the side wall of the convex portion 51. Applicable anti-reflection treatments include the formation of a matte shape and the application of an anti-reflection paint, but are not limited thereto.

[0050] When the light reception rate corresponding to the reflected light from the sensor-side front end surface 51x is detected, the system control unit 150 performs a preparation operation to transition the state of the electronic device to an adjacent shooting mode while maintaining the shooting mode set before the detection. Here, since continuously driving the distance measurement sensor 9 normally would increase the power consumption, measures to suppress power consumption are necessary. As one method for suppressing the power consumption of the distance measurement sensor 9, a method of intermittently driving the detection operation of the distance measurement sensor 9 at a predetermined sampling rate can be considered. However, in this method, if the distance measurement sensor 9 is intermittently driven for a long time, there may be a delay in detecting the change in the light reception rate by the distance measurement sensor 9 when the dial knob 1 is rotated.

[0051] Therefore, the system control unit 150 uses as a trigger the detection of the light reception rate corresponding to the sensor-side front end surface 51x, that is, the detection of the rotation of the dial knob 1, to reduce the sampling rate (shorten the sampling interval) of the detection operation of the distance measurement sensor 9. Then, when the light reception rate by the distance measurement sensor 9 does not change even after a preset fixed time has elapsed, the system control unit 150 increases the sampling rate of the detection operation by the distance measurement sensor 9 (performs intermittent driving (increases the sampling interval)). Thereby, it is possible to achieve both the acceleration of the transition detection between the reflecting surfaces and the suppression of power consumption.

[0052] In the digital camera 100, it is necessary to prevent the light projected from the light projecting unit 9a of the distance measurement sensor 9 from affecting the imaging element and other optical sensors. In the mode dial 107, in a state where the light projected from the light projecting unit 9a is irradiated only on the stepped reflecting surface 50a of the reflecting member 50, etc. (the state where the click ball 7 is stably stopped at the position fitted into the valley portion 5c), a high light shielding effect can be obtained by the convex portion 51.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the reflector made of the material used for the reflection member 50 and the reflection gain (light reception rate) of the distance measuring sensor 9. Generally, since the light projected from the light projecting section 9a of the distance measuring sensor 9 spreads in a conical shape, the relationship between the distance to the reflector and the reflection gain becomes non-linear. In the mode dial 107, the distances from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the eight reflecting surfaces of the reflection member 50 used for detecting the eight positions of the dial knob 1 are set such that the differences in the reflection gains at the reflecting surfaces adjacent in the circumferential direction are substantially the same. Then, the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the sensor-side tip surface 51x of the convex portion 51 is set so that a value extremely larger than the difference in the reflection gains for each reflecting surface is used for the reflection gain of the sensor-side tip surface 51x. Thereby, the accuracy of discriminating the transition of the stepped reflecting surfaces of the reflection member 50 accompanying the rotation of the dial knob 1 can be enhanced.

[0054] Next, the mode dial according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7(a) is an exploded perspective view of a mode dial 107A according to the second embodiment. The mode dial 107A is obtained by replacing the reflection member 50 of the mode dial 107 with a reflection member 70 shown in FIG. 7(a). Since the parts and components other than the reflection member 70 of the mode dial 107A are the same as those of the mode dial 107, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] The reflection member 70 is provided with reflecting surfaces equivalent to the eight reflecting surfaces provided on the reflection member 50 in a stepped manner. In the following description, when a specific reflecting surface among the eight reflecting surfaces of the reflection member 70 is exemplified, for example, the symbol "70" is used as in the case of the reflecting surface 70a.

[0056] The reflecting member 50 is provided with convex portions 51 between eight reflecting surfaces. In the reflecting member 70, concave portions 71 are provided instead of the convex portions 51 at the positions where the convex portions 51 are provided in the reflecting member 50. In this regard, the reflecting member 70 is different from the reflecting member 50. Therefore, the concave portions 71 are formed radially so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis O and separate adjacent reflecting surfaces. Also, in the state where the position where the dial knob 1 is located is set, when light is projected from the light projecting portion 9a of the distance measuring sensor 9 onto one of the eight reflecting surfaces of the reflecting member 70, a uniform light receiving rate can be obtained, which is the same as that of the reflecting member 50.

[0057] FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 9b of the distance measuring sensor 9 in the mode dial 107A and the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the reflecting surface of the reflecting member 70 for one rotation of the dial knob 1. For example, if the distances from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the reflecting surfaces 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d among the eight reflecting surfaces are 'D1', 'D2', 'D6', and 'D8' respectively, different unique light receiving rates corresponding to the distances D1, D2, D6, and D8 can be obtained. Note that the positional relationship between the distance measuring sensor 9 and the reflecting member 70 in the mode dial 107A is the same as the positional relationship between the distance measuring sensor 9 and the reflecting member 95 in the mode dial 90 according to the reference example.

[0058] FIG. 7(c) is a schematic diagram for explaining the light receiving rate change region between adjacent reflecting surfaces in the reflecting member 70, and is shown in a cross section including the rotation axis O. In FIG. 7(c), the reflecting surfaces 70c and 70d are illustrated as examples. The concave portion 71 is formed such that the bottom surface 71x is further away from the distance measuring sensor 9 than the reflecting surface 70d where the distance to the distance measuring sensor 9 is the maximum among the eight reflecting surfaces. The concave portion 71 is an example of a low light receiving rate portion where a light receiving rate smaller than that of the reflecting surface where the light receiving rate detected by the light receiving portion of the distance measuring sensor is the minimum among a plurality of reflecting surfaces is detected.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 7(a), the light reception rate obtained when light is projected from the light projection part 9a of the distance measuring sensor 9 to the bottom surface 71x of the concave part 71 is a value smaller than the light reception rate obtained when light is projected onto the reflecting surface 70d. At this time, as shown in Fig. 7(c), it is desirable that the step between the bottom surface of the concave part 71 and the reflecting surface 70d be larger than the step between the reflecting surface 70c (or the reflecting surface 70e) adjacent to the reflecting surface 70d. Thereby, the transition accompanying the rotation of the dial knob 1 between adjacent reflecting surfaces in the circumferential direction can be clearly grasped. Also, the same effect as that of the mode dial 107 according to the first embodiment can be obtained. Note that the eight bottom surfaces 71x of the concave part 71 are located in the same plane orthogonal to the rotation axis O.

[0060] When the reflecting member 70 is manufactured by resin molding, the side wall 71w of the concave part 71 will have a draft taper. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the influence of reflection on the side wall 71w when the irradiation region of the light projected from the light projection part 9a transitions between adjacent reflecting surfaces in the circumferential direction. For example, similar to the side wall 51w of the convex part 51 in the first embodiment, it is desirable that the side wall 71w is subjected to an antireflection treatment.

[0061] Next, the mode dial according to the third embodiment will be described. Fig. 8(a) is an exploded perspective view of a mode dial 107B according to the third embodiment. The mode dial 107B includes a reflecting member 80 in which low reflection parts 81 are formed on each reflecting surface of the reflecting member 95 of the mode dial 90 according to the reference example. In the following description, when exemplifying a specific reflecting surface among the eight reflecting surfaces of the reflecting member 80, for example, the reference numeral "80" is used as in the reflecting surface 80a.

[0062] As will be described later, the low reflection part 81 is an example of a low light reception rate part in which a light reception rate detected by the light reception part of the distance measuring sensor is smaller than that of a reflecting surface having the minimum light reception rate among a plurality of reflecting surfaces. Note that the parts and components other than the reflecting member 80 of the mode dial 107B are the same as those of the mode dial 90, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0063] In a state where a position of the dial knob 1 is set, when light is projected from the light projecting unit 9a of the distance measuring sensor 9 onto one reflecting surface such as the reflecting surface 80a of the reflecting member 80, it is the same as the reflecting member 50 that a uniform light receiving rate can be obtained.

[0064] FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 9b of the distance measuring sensor 9 in the mode dial 107B and the distance from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the reflecting surface of the reflecting member 80 for one rotation of the dial knob 1. FIG. 8(c) is a schematic diagram for explaining the light receiving rate change region between adjacent reflecting surfaces in the reflecting member 80, and is shown in a cross section including the rotation axis O.

[0065] For example, if the distances from the distance measuring sensor 9 to the reflecting surfaces 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d among the eight reflecting surfaces are 'D1', 'D2', 'D6', and 'D8', respectively, different unique light receiving rates corresponding to the distances D1, D2, D6, and D8 can be obtained. Note that the positional relationship between the distance measuring sensor 9 and the reflecting member 70 in the mode dial 107B is the same as the positional relationship between the distance measuring sensor 9 and the reflecting member 95 in the mode dial 90 according to the reference example.

[0066] The low reflection portions 81 are formed at one location each on the eight reflecting surfaces of the reflecting member 80, along the boundaries of the adjacent reflecting surfaces in the circumferential direction, and at equal intervals with a predetermined width in the circumferential direction. The low reflection portions 81 are formed so as to have a light receiving rate even smaller than the light receiving rate at the reflecting surface 80d where the distance to the distance measuring sensor 9 is maximum. For example, the low reflection portions 81 are formed by surface treatment (mat treatment) or attachment of a low reflection material. Thereby, similar to the second embodiment, the transition accompanying the rotation of the dial knob 1 between adjacent reflecting surfaces in the circumferential direction can be clearly grasped.

[0067] Note that in the reflecting member 80, one low reflection portion 81 is provided on one reflecting surface, but as another aspect, low reflection portions having a uniform width in the circumferential direction may be provided on both of the adjacent reflecting surfaces in the circumferential direction with their boundaries interposed therebetween. In this case, it is desirable that the wall portion (a surface parallel to the rotation axis O) that forms a step between adjacent reflecting surfaces is also a low reflection portion.

[0068] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the rotational phase (position) of the dial knob 1 is detected by a non-contact distance measuring sensor. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in size as compared with the conventional technique using a rack mechanism, and also to improve durability and suppress the occurrence of false detection as compared with the technique using a phase contact piece. Further, by providing a convex portion, a concave portion, or a low reflection portion on the reflecting member, it is possible to quickly detect the rotational phase of the dial knob regardless of the rotational direction of the dial knob and quickly shift to a predetermined shooting mode.

[0069] Note that, in the reflecting member 80, a low reflection portion having a light reception rate smaller than the light reception rate at the reflecting surface 80d (see FIG. 8b), which has the smallest light reception rate among the eight reflecting surfaces, is provided. Not limited to this, a high reflection portion having a light reception rate larger than the light reception rate at the reflecting surface 80a (see FIG. 8b), which has the largest light reception rate among the eight reflecting surfaces, may be provided. In this case, for example, it is desirable to make the light reception rate at the high reflection portion close to 100% and make the light reception rate at each reflecting surface smaller by about 5 to 10%.

[0070] In the above embodiment, a plurality of reflecting surfaces that are formed with phases that are uniform in the rotational direction and have substantially the same reflectance are formed in a stepped shape to change the distance from the distance measuring sensor, thereby changing the light reception rate from each reflecting surface. Not limited to this, it is also possible to change the light reception rate from each reflecting surface by providing reflecting surfaces having different reflectances on the same plane, for example, by surface treatment or painting with paint.

[0071] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following configurations. An electronic device including a rotation operation unit, the rotation operation unit including a rotation operation member, a reflection member that rotates integrally with the rotation operation member, and a non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures a distance to the reflection member in an axial direction of a rotation axis of the rotation operation member, the reflection member being orthogonal to the rotation axis, formed with a uniform phase in a rotation direction of the rotation operation member, including a plurality of flat portions having different distances from the distance measuring sensor, and a convex portion provided between adjacent flat portions and having a flat portion with a distance from the distance measuring sensor smaller than that of a flat portion having the smallest distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions. The electronic device according to Configuration 1, wherein the reflection member has a circular shape when viewed from the axial direction, the plurality of flat portions have a substantially fan shape when viewed from the axial direction, and the convex portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis and separates the adjacent flat portions. The electronic device according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the distance measuring sensor includes a light projecting unit that projects light onto the reflection member and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the reflection member, and a light receiving rate of the reflected light from a tip surface of the convex portion is larger than a light receiving rate of the reflected light from a flat portion having the smallest distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions. The electronic device according to Configuration 3, wherein a straight line connecting optical centers of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit intersects the rotation axis of the rotation operation member. The electronic device according to Configuration 3 or 4, further including setting means for setting an operation mode according to a light receiving rate of each of the plurality of flat portions, and control means for maintaining an operation mode set before detection while the distance measuring sensor detects the reflected light from the tip surface of the convex portion. The electronic device according to Configuration 5, wherein the control means reduces a sampling rate while the distance measuring sensor detects the reflected light from the tip surface of the convex portion as compared to when detecting the reflected light from the flat portion. An electronic device including a rotation operation unit, wherein the rotation operation unit includes a rotation operation member, a reflection member that rotates integrally with the rotation operation member, and a non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures a distance to the reflection member in an axial direction of a rotation axis of the rotation operation member, the reflection member is orthogonal to the rotation axis, formed with a uniform phase in a rotation direction of the rotation operation member, and includes a plurality of flat portions having different distances from the distance measuring sensor, and a concave portion provided between adjacent flat portions and having a flat portion with a distance from the distance measuring sensor larger than that of a flat portion having the maximum distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions. (Configuration 8) The electronic device according to Configuration 7, wherein the reflection member has a circular shape when viewed from the axial direction, the plurality of flat portions have a substantially fan shape when viewed from the axial direction, and the concave portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis and separates the adjacent flat portions. (Configuration 9) The distance measuring sensor includes a light projecting unit that projects light onto the reflection member and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the reflection member, and a light reception rate of the reflected light from the bottom surface of the concave portion is smaller than a light reception rate of the reflected light from a flat portion having the maximum distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions. (Configuration 10) The electronic device according to Configuration 9, wherein a straight line connecting optical centers of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit intersects the rotation axis of the rotation operation member. (Configuration 11) The electronic device according to Configuration 9 or 10, further comprising setting means for setting an operation mode according to a light reception rate of each of the plurality of flat portions, and control means for maintaining the operation mode set before detection while the distance measuring sensor detects the reflected light from the bottom surface of the concave portion. (Configuration 12) The electronic device according to Configuration 11, wherein the control means reduces a sampling rate while the distance measuring sensor detects the reflected light from the bottom surface of the concave portion as compared to when detecting the reflected light from the flat portion. (Configuration 13) An electronic device including a rotation operation unit, wherein the rotation operation unit includes A rotating operation member, a reflecting member that rotates integrally with the rotating operation member, and a non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the reflecting member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotating operation member, wherein the reflecting member is orthogonal to the rotation axis, is formed with a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the rotating operation member, and has a plurality of flat portions with different distances from the distance measuring sensor, and each of the plurality of flat portions is provided with a low reflection portion having a reflectivity smaller than the reflectivity of the flat portion along the boundary of the adjacent flat portion and at equal intervals with a predetermined width in the rotation direction of the rotating operation member. An electronic device characterized by that. (Configuration 14) The electronic device according to Configuration 13, wherein the shape of the reflecting member is circular when viewed from the axial direction, and the shape of the plurality of flat portions is substantially fan-shaped when viewed from the axial direction. (Configuration 15) The distance measuring sensor has a light projecting portion that projects light onto the reflecting member and a light receiving portion that receives the reflected light from the reflecting member, and the light receiving rate of the reflected light from the low reflection portion is the largest among the plurality of flat portions from the distance measuring sensor. The electronic device according to Configuration 13 or 14, characterized in that it is smaller than the light receiving rate of the reflected light from the flat portion. (Configuration 16) The electronic device according to Configuration 15, wherein a straight line connecting the optical centers of the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion intersects the rotation axis of the rotating operation member. (Configuration 17) Setting means for setting an operation mode according to the light receiving rate of each of the plurality of flat portions, and control means for maintaining the operation mode set before detection while the distance measuring sensor detects the reflected light from the low reflection portion. The electronic device according to Configuration 15 or 16, characterized by comprising. (Configuration 18) The electronic device according to Configuration 17, wherein the control means reduces the sampling rate while the distance measuring sensor detects the reflected light from the low reflection portion as compared with when detecting the reflected light from the flat portion. An electronic device including a rotation operation unit, the rotation operation unit including: a rotation operation member; a reflection member that rotates integrally with the rotation operation member; and a non-contact distance measurement sensor that measures a distance to the reflection member in an axial direction of a rotation axis of the rotation operation member, the reflection member being orthogonal to the rotation axis, formed with a uniform phase in a rotation direction of the rotation operation member, and having a plurality of flat portions with different distances from the distance measurement sensor, each of the plurality of flat portions being provided with a low reflection portion having a reflectivity smaller than a reflectivity of the flat portion, along a boundary of an adjacent flat portion and at equal intervals with a predetermined width in the rotation direction of the rotation operation member. An electronic device including a rotation operation unit, the rotation operation unit including: a rotation operation member; a reflection member that rotates integrally with the rotation operation member; and a distance measurement sensor that measures a distance to the reflection member in an axial direction of a rotation axis of the rotation operation member, the distance measurement sensor including a light projection unit that projects light to the reflection member and a light reception unit that receives reflected light from the reflection member, the reflection member being orthogonal to the rotation axis, formed with a uniform phase in a rotation direction of the rotation operation member, and having a plurality of flat portions with different light reception rates when the reflected light of the light projected from the light projection unit is detected by the light reception unit, a high light reception rate portion where a light reception rate detected by the light reception unit is higher than a light reception rate of a flat portion having the highest light reception rate among the plurality of flat portions, or a low light reception rate portion where a light reception rate detected by the light reception unit is lower than a light reception rate of a flat portion having the lowest light reception rate among the plurality of flat portions, provided between adjacent ones of the plurality of flat portions. (Configuration 21) A rotation operation member, a reflection member disposed coaxially with the rotation operation member and rotating integrally with the rotation operation member, and a non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the reflection member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotation operation member, wherein the reflection member is orthogonal to the rotation axis, formed with a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the rotation operation member, and has a plurality of flat portions with different distances from the distance measuring sensor, and a convex portion provided between adjacent flat portions and having a flat portion with a distance from the distance measuring sensor smaller than that of the flat portion with the smallest distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions. A rotation operation unit characterized by that. (Configuration 22) A rotation operation member, a reflection member disposed coaxially with the rotation operation member and rotating integrally with the rotation operation member, and a non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the reflection member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotation operation member, wherein the reflection member is orthogonal to the rotation axis, formed with a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the rotation operation member, and has a plurality of flat portions with different distances from the distance measuring sensor, and a concave portion provided between adjacent flat portions and having a flat portion with a distance from the distance measuring sensor larger than that of the flat portion with the largest distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions. A rotation operation unit characterized by that. (Configuration 23) A rotation operation member, a reflection member disposed coaxially with the rotation operation member and rotating integrally with the rotation operation member, and a non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the reflection member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotation operation member, wherein the reflection member is orthogonal to the rotation axis, formed with a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the rotation operation member, and has a plurality of flat portions with different distances from the distance measuring sensor, and each of the plurality of flat portions is provided with a low reflection portion having a reflectivity smaller than that of the flat portion along the boundary of adjacent flat portions and at equal intervals with a predetermined width in the rotation direction of the rotation operation member. A rotation operation unit characterized by that.

[0072] As described above, the present invention has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope without departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and it is also possible to appropriately combine each embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0073] 1 Dial knob 9 Distance measuring sensor 50, 70, 80 Reflective member 51 Protrusion 71 Recess 81 Low reflection portion 100 Digital camera 107, 107A, 107B Mode dial 150 System control unit

Claims

1. An electronic device including a rotary operation unit, wherein the rotary operation unit includes a rotary operation member, a reflecting member that rotates integrally with the rotary operation member, and a non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures a distance to the reflecting member in an axial direction of a rotation axis of the rotary operation member, and the reflecting member includes a plurality of flat portions that are orthogonal to the rotation axis, formed with a uniform phase in a rotation direction of the rotary operation member, and have different distances from the distance measuring sensor, and a convex portion that is provided between adjacent ones of the flat portions and has a flat portion with a distance from the distance measuring sensor smaller than that of the flat portion among the plurality of flat portions having the smallest distance from the distance measuring sensor, characterized in that the electronic device has the convex portion.

2. The reflecting member has a circular shape when viewed from the axial direction, the plurality of flat portions have a substantially fan shape when viewed from the axial direction, and the convex portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis and separates the adjacent flat portions, characterized in that the electronic device according to claim 1 has the convex portion.

3. The distance measuring sensor includes a light projecting portion that projects light onto the reflecting member, and a light receiving portion that receives reflected light from the reflecting member, and a light receiving rate of reflected light from a tip surface of the convex portion is larger than a light receiving rate of reflected light from the flat portion among the plurality of flat portions having the smallest distance from the distance measuring sensor, characterized in that the electronic device according to claim 1 or 2 has the convex portion.

4. A straight line connecting optical centers of the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion intersects a rotation axis of the rotary operation member, characterized in that the electronic device according to claim 3 has the convex portion.

5. Setting means for setting an operation mode according to a light receiving rate of each of the plurality of flat portions, and control means for maintaining an operation mode set before detection while the distance measuring sensor detects reflected light from a tip surface of the convex portion, characterized in that the electronic device according to claim 3 has the convex portion.

6. The control means reduces a sampling rate while the distance measuring sensor detects reflected light from a tip surface of the convex portion as compared with when detecting reflected light from the flat portion, characterized in that the electronic device according to claim 5 has the convex portion.

7. An electronic device including a rotary operation unit, wherein the rotary operation unit includes a rotary operation member, a reflecting member that rotates integrally with the rotary operation member, and a non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures a distance to the reflecting member in an axial direction of a rotation axis of the rotary operation member, and the reflecting member includes A plurality of flat portions that are orthogonal to the rotation axis, are formed with a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the rotation operation member, and have different distances from the distance measuring sensor; An electronic device, comprising: a concave portion provided between adjacent flat portions, the concave portion having a flat portion with a distance from the distance measuring sensor greater than that of the flat portion having the maximum distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions. **Claim 8** The reflection member has a circular shape when viewed from the axial direction; The plurality of flat portions have a substantially fan shape when viewed from the axial direction; The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the concave portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis and separates the adjacent flat portions. **Claim 9** The distance measuring sensor includes a light projecting unit that projects light onto the reflection member; and a light receiving unit that receives the reflected light from the reflection member. The electronic device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a light reception rate of the reflected light from the bottom surface of the concave portion is smaller than a light reception rate of the reflected light from the flat portion having the maximum distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions. **Claim 10** The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein a straight line connecting the optical centers of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit intersects the rotation axis of the rotation operation member. **Claim 11** setting means for setting an operation mode according to a light reception rate for each of the plurality of flat portions; control means for maintaining the operation mode set before detection while the distance measuring sensor detects the reflected light from the bottom surface of the concave portion. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized by comprising: **Claim 12** The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the control means reduces a sampling rate while the distance measuring sensor detects the reflected light from the bottom surface of the concave portion, as compared to when detecting the reflected light from the flat portion. **Claim 13** An electronic device including a rotation operation unit, wherein the rotation operation unit includes a rotation operation member; a reflection member that rotates integrally with the rotation operation member; and a non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures a distance to the reflection member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotation operation member. The reflection member is orthogonal to the rotation axis, is formed with a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the rotation operation member, and has a plurality of flat portions with different distances from the distance measuring sensor. Each of the plurality of flat portions is provided with a low-reflection portion having a reflectivity smaller than that of the flat portion at equal intervals with a predetermined width along the boundary of the adjacent flat portion and in the rotation direction of the rotation operation member. An electronic device characterized by that.

14. The shape of the reflecting member is circular when viewed from the axial direction, The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of flat portions have a substantially fan shape when viewed from the axial direction.

15. The distance measuring sensor, A light projecting unit that projects light onto the reflecting member, A light receiving unit that receives the reflected light from the reflecting member, and The electronic device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the light receiving rate of the reflected light from the low-reflection portion is smaller than the light receiving rate of the reflected light from the flat portion having the maximum distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions.

16. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein a straight line connecting the optical centers of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit intersects the rotation axis of the rotation operation member.

17. Setting means for setting an operation mode according to the light receiving rate of each of the plurality of flat portions, The electronic device according to claim 15, further comprising control means for maintaining the operation mode set before detection while the distance measuring sensor detects the reflected light from the low-reflection portion.

18. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein the control means reduces the sampling rate while the distance measuring sensor detects the reflected light from the low-reflection portion as compared with when detecting the reflected light from the flat portion.

19. An electronic device including a rotation operation unit, The rotation operation unit, A rotation operation member, A reflecting member that rotates integrally with the rotation operation member, A non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the reflecting member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotation operation member, and The reflecting member has a plurality of flat portions that are orthogonal to the rotation axis, are formed with an equal phase in the rotation direction of the rotation operation member, and have different distances from the distance measuring sensor, Each of the plurality of flat portions is provided with a low-reflection portion having a reflectivity smaller than that of the flat portion at equal intervals with a predetermined width along the boundary of the adjacent flat portion and in the rotation direction of the rotation operation member. An electronic device characterized by that.

20. An electronic device including a rotation operation unit, The rotation operation unit, A rotation operation member, A reflecting member that rotates integrally with the rotary operation member, A distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the reflecting member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotary operation member, and The distance measuring sensor A light projecting unit that projects light onto the reflecting member, and A light receiving unit that receives the reflected light from the reflecting member, and The reflecting member A plurality of flat portions that are orthogonal to the rotation axis, are formed with a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the rotary operation member, and have different light reception rates when the reflected light of the light projected from the light projecting unit is detected by the light receiving unit; and A high light reception rate portion that is provided between adjacent flat portions and has a light reception rate that is even higher than the flat portion having the highest light reception rate detected by the light receiving unit among the plurality of flat portions, or a low light reception rate portion that has a light reception rate that is even lower than the flat portion having the lowest light reception rate detected by the light receiving unit among the plurality of flat portions. An electronic device characterized by having

21. A rotary operation member, A reflecting member that is arranged coaxially with the rotary operation member and rotates integrally with the rotary operation member, A non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the reflecting member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotary operation member, and The reflecting member A plurality of flat portions that are orthogonal to the rotation axis, are formed with a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the rotary operation member, and have different distances from the distance measuring sensor; and A convex portion that is provided between adjacent flat portions and has a flat portion with a distance from the distance measuring sensor that is even smaller than the flat portion having the smallest distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions. A rotary operation unit characterized by having

22. A rotary operation member, A reflecting member that is arranged coaxially with the rotary operation member and rotates integrally with the rotary operation member, A non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the reflecting member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotary operation member, and The reflecting member A plurality of flat portions that are orthogonal to the rotation axis, are formed with a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the rotary operation member, and have different distances from the distance measuring sensor; and A concave portion that is provided between adjacent flat portions and has a flat portion with a distance from the distance measuring sensor that is even larger than the flat portion having the largest distance from the distance measuring sensor among the plurality of flat portions. A rotary operation unit characterized by having

23. A rotary operation member, A reflecting member that is arranged coaxially with the rotary operation member and rotates integrally with the rotary operation member, A non-contact distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the reflecting member in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotary operation member, and the reflecting member is orthogonal to the rotation axis, is formed with a uniform phase in the rotation direction of the rotary operation member, and has a plurality of flat portions with different distances from the distance measuring sensor, each of the plurality of flat portions is provided with a low reflection portion having a reflectivity smaller than the reflectivity of the flat portion at equal intervals with a predetermined width along the boundary of the adjacent flat portion and in the rotation direction of the rotary operation member. A rotary operation unit characterized by that.

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