Electronic device

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus which is improved in operability of a dial pressing operation and a dial rotating operation by a user while having high quality.SOLUTION: The electronic apparatus includes an operation unit configured to be rotated by a user operation, a rotation detection unit configured to detect rotation of the operation unit, a pressure detection unit configured to detect pressing on the operation unit, and a pressing operation control unit, wherein the pressing operation control unit specifies whether the pressing on the operation unit by the user is a touch operation, a push operation, or a push-and-hold operation based on a pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit, and performs control corresponding to the touch operation, the push operation, or the push-and-hold operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device having an operation unit that is operated by a user. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electronic devices such as digital cameras and video cameras are provided with an operation unit that can be operated by a user through pressing operations or dial operations (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5587130 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In rotary operation units such as those described in Patent Document 1, the dials and buttons tilt when pressed, so it is necessary to provide gaps that take into account the orientation of the dials and buttons and ensure the flexibility of the components. As a result, the dials and buttons are prone to rattle, limiting the improvement in quality. In addition, there are limitations on the functions that can be assigned to pressing and rotating the dials, creating issues with operability.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an electronic device that is high quality and has improved operability for the user in pressing and rotating dials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic device of the present invention comprises an operation unit that can be rotated by user operation, a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the operation unit, a pressure detection unit that detects pressure on the operation unit, and a press operation control means, wherein the press operation control means identifies whether the user's pressure on the operation unit is a touch operation, a push operation, or a long push operation based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit, and performs control corresponding to the touch operation, push operation, or long push operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic device that is high quality and has improved operability for the user in pressing and rotating the dial. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera 100 [Figure 2] External view of the digital camera 100 [Figure 3] A perspective view of the rear operation unit 205 [Figure 4] An exploded perspective view of the rear operation unit 205 [Figure 5] View of cushioning material c from the surface that contacts pressure sensor p [Figure 6] A block diagram showing the relationship between the rear operation unit 205, the operation control block 230, and the tactile sensation generating unit 206. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the arrangement position of the pressure sensor p on the operation surface of the dial 251. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of gesture operation [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of area allocation of the dial 251 when various imaging parameters are changed and controlled by pressure rotation operation. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of changing the ISO sensitivity, one of the shooting parameters, by applying pressure and rotating the lens. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in this embodiment, only the main parts according to the present invention will be described, but other parts can be configured appropriately using well-known techniques related to electronic devices.

[0010] <1. Configuration of electronic devices> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera 100, which is an electronic device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital camera 100. As shown in FIG.

[0011] The digital camera 100 comprises a camera body 200 and a lens unit 300. The camera body 200 and the lens unit 300 may be integrally configured, or may be detachably configured.

[0012] The camera body 200 includes an image sensor 201 , an image processing unit 202 , a camera control unit 203 , a release button 204 , a rear operation unit 205 , a tactile sense generating unit 206 , and a display unit 207 .

[0013] The lens unit 300 includes a lens optical system 301 having a plurality of lens groups including a focus lens group and an aperture, and a lens control unit 302 .

[0014] The image sensor 201 is an image sensor such as a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), and generates an image signal by photoelectrically converting light incident thereon through a lens optical system 301 provided in the lens unit 300.

[0015] The image processing unit 202 is a processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), which performs various image processing on the image signal generated by the image sensor 201 and outputs the result as image data. For example, it performs processing such as amplification processing to amplify the color signal components of the image signal, shading correction to ensure linearity between the amount of light received by a pixel and the output value, color reproduction processing, gamma correction processing, and white balance processing.

[0016] The camera control unit 203 is a processing unit configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like, or a combination thereof, and performs comprehensive control of the entire digital camera 100. The camera control unit 203 includes a ROM 234 in which programs and data are stored, and a RAM 235 used as a working area. The camera control unit 203 communicates with a lens control unit 302, and issues instructions for focusing and changing the aperture value in the lens unit 300. The camera control unit 203 also includes an operation control block 230, which controls the digital camera 100 in accordance with operation signals generated when the user operates the rear operation unit 205.

[0017] The release button 204 is an operating member for issuing shooting instructions, and is located in a position that allows it to be operated while gripping the camera body 200. The release button 204 can be pressed halfway or fully, and depending on the operation, the camera control unit 203 performs various operations such as autofocus control for the lens control unit 302, automatic exposure processing, and shooting.

[0018] The rear operation unit 205 is configured to include a plurality of operation members used to operate the digital camera 100, which are provided on the rear of the camera body 200. The rear operation unit 205 includes a dial unit 250 and button panels 252 and 253.

[0019] The haptic generation unit 206 is configured by a device capable of generating a haptic sensation, such as a vibration actuator. When an operation signal generated by the user operating the rear operation unit 205 is sent to the operation control block 230 in the camera control unit 203, the operation control block 230 controls the haptic generation unit 206 to generate a haptic effect corresponding to the operation. The haptic generation unit 206 is configured to provide a haptic effect, such as vibration, to the rear operation unit 205, so that the user can obtain a sense of operation as if they had pressed a physical switch.

[0020] The display unit 207 is a display member that can display real-time display of image data output by the image processing unit 202 (so-called through image), as well as menu screens and setting screens when operating the camera body 200. The display unit 207 includes an electronic viewfinder 271 and a rear LCD 272.

[0021] The lens control unit 302 performs operations such as driving the focus lens group provided in the lens optical system 301 and changing the aperture value in response to a control signal from the camera control unit 203 and the operation of an AF / MF selector switch and a control switch (not shown) provided in the lens unit 300. For example, when the release button 204 is half-pressed, the camera control unit 203 instructs the lens control unit 302 to drive the focus lens group and performs autofocus.

[0022] 2. Configuration of rear operation unit 205 Next, a detailed description will be given of the rear operation unit 205. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the rear operation unit 205, and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rear operation unit 205.

[0023] The rear operation unit 205 is configured to include a dial unit 250, button panels 252 and 253, a base 255, a cushioning material c, and a rear operation unit board 256. The dial unit 250 and the button panels 252 and 253 are configured on the base 255. The dial unit 250 has a button panel 254 arranged in the center, and is configured to include a dial 251, which is an operation part that can be rotated by a user operation, surrounding the button panel 254.

[0024] A rotary encoder 257, which is a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the dial 251, and pressure sensors p, which are pressure detection units that detect pressing forces on the dial 251 and button panels 252, 253, and 254, are arranged on the rear operation unit board 256. A buffer material c, which is a cushioning member, is sandwiched between the pressure sensors p and the dial 251 and button panels 252, 253, and 254 that are configured on the base 255. When the user performs a pressing operation, the dial 251 and button panels 252, 253, and 254 come into direct contact with the pressure sensors p via the base 255 and the buffer material c, and a pressing force is applied to each pressure sensor p.

[0025] Various types of encoders, such as contact type and magnetic type, can be used for the rotary encoder 257. Preferably, an optical type encoder is used, which allows for the construction of a space-saving rear operation unit 205 that allows for highly accurate dial operation.

[0026] The pressure sensor p can be a variety of pressure sensors, such as a resistive film type, a capacitance type, a piezoelectric element type, etc. Preferably, a piezo-resistive element is used to configure the rear operation unit 205, which has a wide dynamic range and excellent input linearity.

[0027] Dial 251 is configured to be rotatable by the user. When the user rotates dial 251, rotary encoder 257 detects the amount of rotation of dial 251, and operation control block 230 connected to rear operation unit 205 acquires the amount of rotation of dial 251, and operation control block 230 controls digital camera 100 based on the amount of rotation.

[0028] When the pressure sensor p detects pressure on the dial 251 and the button panels 252, 253, and 254, it outputs a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure. The pressure signal is acquired by the operation control block 230 connected to the rear operation unit board 256, and the operation control block 230 controls the digital camera 100 based on the pressure signal.

[0029] The operation control block 230 includes a pressing operation control means 231 that can identify how the user is operating the dial 251 and button panels 252, 253, and 254 from the pressure signal output by the pressure sensor p. For example, the pressing operation control means 231 identifies a touch operation when the output signal from the pressure sensor p has a value corresponding to 50 gf (gram force), a push operation when the output signal has a value corresponding to 300 gf, and a long push operation when the output signal remains at a value corresponding to 300 gf for a certain period of time. When the pressing operation control means 231 detects a touch operation, a push operation, or a long push operation, it performs control corresponding to each operation on the digital camera 100. The pressure values ​​used to identify a touch operation, a push operation, and a long push operation are not limited to the examples described above. They can be changed as needed to a pressure value that gives the user a good operational feel.

[0030] A tactile sense generating unit 206 is connected to the rear operation unit 205. The tactile sense generating unit 206 is composed of a device capable of generating tactile sensations, such as a vibration actuator. The operation control block 230 acquires the pressure signals output by each pressure sensor p and controls the tactile sense generating unit 206 to generate a tactile effect based on the pressure signal. The tactile sense generating unit 206 provides tactile effects, such as vibration, to the dial 251 and button panels 252, 253, and 254, allowing the user to obtain an operational sensation as if they were pressing a physical switch.

[0031] As described above, the rear operation unit 205 of this embodiment does not have a physical switch such as a tactile switch. Instead, it generates a control signal to the digital camera 100 in response to the pressure value generated by pressing the dial 251 or button panels 252, 253, and 254. The tactile sense generator 206 then provides the user with an operational sensation similar to pressing a physical switch. If a configuration including a tactile switch were used, the dials and buttons would tilt, requiring gaps to be provided to accommodate the orientation of the dials and buttons and ensuring the flexibility of the components. In this case, the dials and buttons would likely rattle, limiting the improvement in quality. Furthermore, the need to provide gaps to accommodate the orientation of the dials and buttons increases the size of the operation unit, making this configuration unfavorable for miniaturizing electronic devices. By arranging the dial 251 and button panels 252, 253, and 254 so that the pressure is directly transmitted to the pressure sensor p, as in the rear operation unit 205 of this embodiment, and configuring the rear operation unit 205 to perform control in response to the pressure, it is possible to configure a rear operation unit 205 that is free of rattle and has excellent quality and operability. Furthermore, the rear operation unit 205 can be made small, which contributes to the miniaturization of the entire digital camera 100.

[0032] Digital camera 100 of this embodiment is configured to be able to assign functions to each pressing operation because pressing operation control unit 231 can identify whether a pressing operation is a touch operation, a push operation, or a long push operation. This allows multiple functions to be assigned to a pressing operation depending on the operation method, improving operability.

[0033] Furthermore, by arranging the dial 251 on a plurality of pressure sensors p, the operation control block 230 can identify which area on the dial 251 is being pressured. This allows the dial 251 to be operated not only by rotation but also by pressing down like a cross key. In this embodiment, pressure sensors p1, p2, p3, and p4 are arranged at four locations corresponding to the up, down, left, and right directions of the dial 251, but this is not limiting. Preferably, when the operation surface of the dial 251 is divided into two by a line segment passing through the center point of the operation surface, a plurality of pressure sensors p are arranged so as to correspond to positions symmetrical to each operation surface. This results in a configuration that is less likely to rattle when the dial 251 is pressed down, contributing to improved quality and operability.

[0034] 5 is a view of the cushioning material c seen from the surface that comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive sensor p. The cushioning material c has a metal surface m on the surface that comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive sensor p. This configuration reduces the risk of damage to the pressure-sensitive sensor p due to the impact being applied directly to it via the base 255 when an external impact is applied to the dial 251 or button panels 252, 253, 254, and also reduces the risk of the sensor p breaking down when it is pressed, as the metal surface m integrated with the cushioning material c comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive sensor p when pressed, making it possible to acquire the pressing force with high sensitivity, which contributes to the effect of obtaining a more intuitive feel when operating.

[0035] The buffer material c can be an elastic material such as rubber or urethane foam. Preferably, silicone rubber is used, which can provide an appropriate pressing force to the pressure sensor p while improving impact resistance. Silicon rubber also has excellent temperature characteristics and durability, which contributes to improving environmental resistance.

[0036] <3. Dial 251 operation control example> 6 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the rear operation unit 205, operation control block 230, and haptic sense generating unit 206. The operation control block 230 includes a pressing operation control means 231, a gesture control means 232, and a pressure rotation control means 233. Each control unit included in the operation control block 230 performs control in response to an operation of the rear operation unit 205 by the user. Each control unit controls the digital camera 100 in response to the operation content. Each control unit also controls the haptic sense generating unit 206 to generate a haptic effect corresponding to the operation content. The haptic sense generating unit 206 provides a haptic effect such as vibration to the rear operation unit 205. Below, an example of control by each control means will be described.

[0037] <3-1. Press operation> 7, in this embodiment, pressure-sensitive sensors p1, p2, p3, and p4 are arranged so that pressure is directly applied when up, down, left, or right is pressed on the operation surface of dial 251. Pressing operation control means 231 provided in operation control block 230 reads the pressure on dial 251 and identifies whether a touch operation, a push operation, or a long push operation is being performed.

[0038] The pressing operation control means 231 determines that a touch operation is being performed when the pressure value output by the pressure sensor p when the user touches the dial 251 is equal to or greater than a certain standard. For example, if the pressure sensor p outputs a pressure value corresponding to 50 gf to 100 gf, it determines that a touch operation has been performed. At this time, the digital camera 100 is controlled in accordance with the touch operation.

[0039] Examples of control of the digital camera 100 that supports touch operations include instructing to move the focus measuring point on the display unit 207 and page-turning of a preview image. When a pressure value corresponding to a touch operation is continuously input, it is also possible to perform continuous operation control while the input continues.

[0040] The pressing operation control means 231 determines that a push operation has been performed when the user presses the dial 251 with a pressure similar to that used when pressing a typical button. For example, if the pressure sensor p outputs a pressure value corresponding to 300 gf, it determines that a push operation has been performed. At this time, the digital camera 100 is controlled in accordance with the push operation.

[0041] Examples of controls of the digital camera 100 that support push operations include cursor movement and selection that can be performed with a general cross key.

[0042] The pressing operation control means 231 determines that a long push operation has been performed when the user continues to press the dial 251 with a pressure similar to that used when pressing a typical button. For example, if the pressure sensor p continues to output a pressure value corresponding to 300 gf for a certain period of time, it determines that a long push operation has been performed. At this time, the digital camera 100 is controlled in accordance with the long push operation.

[0043] An example of control of the digital camera 100 that corresponds to a long push operation is continuous cursor movement or selection, which can be performed with a general cross key. Furthermore, during a long push operation, the control content can be changed according to the pressure value acquired by the push operation control unit 231. For example, the cursor movement speed can be increased when the dial 251 is continuously pressed with 400 gf rather than 300 gf. In other words, the display content changes depending on the strength of the press, allowing for more intuitive operation for the user.

[0044] Although the above describes an example in which the touch operation, push operation, and long push operation are controlled in response to the output of each pressure sensor p, it is also possible to configure the control to be performed based on the output of multiple pressure sensors p. For example, when the push operation control means 231 acquires pressure values ​​from the pressure sensors p1 and p2, it determines that a diagonal touch operation, push operation, or long push operation is being performed.

[0045] <3-2. Gesture operation> The digital camera 100 can detect a gesture operation on the dial 251 from the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor p using the gesture control means 232 included in the operation control block 230. When the gesture control means 232 detects a gesture operation, it performs control on the digital camera 100 in accordance with the gesture operation. Here, a gesture operation means touching the dial 251 with a finger and moving the finger from the touched position to another position on the dial 251.

[0046] The rear operation unit 205 is equipped with multiple pressure sensors p, and when the dial 251 is touched, each pressure sensor p outputs a pressure value corresponding to the touch operation. As shown in FIG. 8, when the user moves the dial 251 to another position while touching it, the multiple pressure sensors p output pressure values ​​corresponding to the touch operation. The gesture control means 232 detects the gesture operation based on how the pressure values ​​of the multiple pressure sensors p change. In FIG. 8, the squares indicated by dashed lines indicate the corresponding positions on the surface of the dial 251 where the pressure sensors p are arranged.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8(a), when a gesture operation is performed from the position of pressure sensor p2 on dial 251, passing through the position of pressure sensor p5 on button panel 254, and to the position of pressure sensor p4 on dial 251, the pressure values ​​of pressure sensors p2, p5, and p4 each change. Gesture control means 232 detects the gesture operation from the change in the pressure value of each pressure sensor p. Also, as shown in FIG. 8(b), a user can perform a so-called touch wheel-like operation by touching dial 251 with a finger in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

[0048] Examples of control of digital camera 100 that supports gesture operations include page turning of preview images displayed on display unit 207, cursor movement, etc. In particular, when moving the cursor, by assigning control such that high-speed movement is performed in response to gesture operations such as a touch wheel, and that rotation of dial 251 moves the cursor one item at a time, it is possible to perform operations such as quickly aligning the cursor with a target item and finely aligning the cursor with a target item depending on the operation method for a single member, thereby improving operability.

[0049] <3-3. Pressure rotation operation> The digital camera 100 can detect a pressure rotation operation of the dial 251 using the pressure rotation control means 233 provided in the operation control block 230, based on the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor p and the amount of rotation detected by the rotary encoder 257. When the pressure rotation control means 233 detects a pressure rotation operation, it performs control on the digital camera 100 in accordance with the pressure rotation operation. Here, a pressure rotation operation means that the user rotates the dial 251 while performing a touch operation, a push operation, or a long push operation on the dial 251.

[0050] Examples of control of the digital camera 100 that corresponds to pressure rotation operations include cursor movement operations and control of changing various shooting parameters. For cursor movement operations, different movement amounts can be assigned to gesture operations, dial rotation operations, and dial pressure rotation operations, respectively, making it possible to configure a digital camera 100 with better operability. For example, the cursor movement speed during dial pressure rotation operations can be controlled to move more finely than during dial rotation operations, or the cursor movement speed during dial pressure rotation operations can be controlled to move faster than the cursor movement speed during gesture operations.

[0051] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of area allocation of the dial 251 when various shooting parameters are changed and controlled by pressure and rotation. Fig. 9 illustrates, as an example, a case in which the area corresponding to the pressure sensor p1 is assigned to change control of ISO sensitivity (ISO), the area corresponding to the pressure sensor p2 is assigned to change control of aperture value (Fno), the area corresponding to the pressure sensor p3 is assigned to change control of exposure (EV), and the area corresponding to the pressure sensor p4 is assigned to change control of shutter speed (SS). In this case, the parameter to be controlled is determined by the pressure value on the operating surface of the dial 251, and control is executed to adjust the parameter depending on the amount of rotation of the dial 251.

[0052] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an operation for changing the ISO sensitivity, one of the shooting parameters, by applying pressure and rotating the dial. In FIG. 10(a), the area on the dial 251 corresponding to the pressure-sensitive sensor p1 that selects the ISO sensitivity is touched, pushed, or pressed and held down to change the ISO sensitivity. In FIG. 10(b), the ISO sensitivity is increased by rotating the dial 251 clockwise. To decrease the ISO sensitivity, the ISO sensitivity is decreased by rotating the dial 251 counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 10(c). In this way, multiple setting items can be quickly changed using control based on the pressure value and rotation amount for a single operating member, resulting in a digital camera 100 with excellent operability.

[0053] According to the above-described embodiment, an electronic device with excellent quality and improved operability for the user in dial pressing and rotating operations can be provided. While conventional technology only allowed controls corresponding to pushing and long pushes per button, in this embodiment, the operating surface of the dial 251 supports touch operations, pushing operations, and long push operations, allowing more functions to be assigned. Furthermore, the dial 251 of this embodiment allows rotation operations, touch operations based on pressure detection, pushing operations, long push operations, gesture operations, rotation operations, and operations based on a combination of rotation operations and pressure detection. This allows a single operating member to perform many operations, making it possible to provide a multifunctional electronic device with excellent operability.

[0054] The above is an embodiment of the present invention, and the shapes of the components and the control methods shown in the embodiments are examples for implementing the present technology. Furthermore, the technology disclosed in the embodiments is not limited to the description of the embodiments, and various modifications are possible, all of which fall within the scope of equivalents of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 100 digital cameras 200 Camera body 201 Image sensor 202 Image processing section 203 Camera control unit 230 Operation Control Block 231 Press operation control means 232 Gesture Control Means 233 Pressure rotation control means 234 ROM 235 RAM 204 release button 205 Rear operation unit 250 Dial Unit 251 Dial 252,253,254 Button Panel 255-based c(c1,c2,c3) Cushioning material m(m1,m2,m3,m4,m5,m6,m7) Metal surface 256 Rear operation unit board p(p1,p2,p3,p4,p5,p6,p7) Pressure sensor 257 rotary encoder 206 Tactile generation unit 207 Display section 271 Electronic Viewfinder 272 Rear LCD 300 Lens Unit 301 Lens Optical System 302 Lens control unit

Claims

1. The device includes an operation unit that can be rotated by a user operation, a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the operation unit, a pressure detection unit that detects the pressure on the operation unit, and a pressing operation control means, The electronic device is characterized in that the pressing operation control means identifies whether the user's pressure on the operation unit is a touch operation, a push operation, or a long push operation based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit, and performs control corresponding to the touch operation, the push operation, or the long push operation.

2. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is disposed on a plurality of the pressure detection units.

3. a buffer member having a metal surface; the buffer member is sandwiched between the operation unit and the pressure detection unit, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the metal surface is in contact with the pressure detection unit.

4. A tactile sensation generating unit is provided, The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the tactile sensation generating unit provides a tactile sensation to the operation unit in response to an operation by a user.

5. A gesture control means is provided, 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the gesture control means detects a gesture operation on the operation unit from pressure values ​​detected by the plurality of pressure detection units, and performs control in accordance with the gesture operation.

6. A pressure rotation control means is provided, 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure rotation control means performs control based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection section and the amount of rotation detected by the rotation detection section.

7. a rotation detection unit that detects rotation of the operation unit; a pressure detection unit that detects pressing of the operation unit; a buffer member having a metal surface; a tactile sensation generation unit; a pressing operation control means; and a pressure rotation control means; the operation unit is disposed on the pressure detection units, the buffer member is sandwiched between the operation unit and the pressure detection unit, and the metal surface is in contact with the pressure detection unit; the tactile sensation generating unit provides a tactile sensation to the operation unit in response to the pressure detected by the pressure detecting unit; the pressing operation control means determines whether the user's pressing of the operation unit is a touch operation, a push operation, or a long push operation based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit, and performs control corresponding to the touch operation, the push operation, or the long push operation; The electronic device is characterized in that the pressure rotation control means performs control based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit and the amount of rotation detected by the rotation detection unit.

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