Operation unit, imaging device, electronic device

Abstract

To reduce the whole size of an operation unit, which comprises a plurality of operation members.SOLUTION: An operation unit comprises: a rotary operation member to be rotation-operated by a user; a first detection device for detecting the rotation; a click mechanism for imparting a sense of clicking upon the rotation; an operation member which is disposed coaxially with a rotation axis of the rotary operation member and receives an operation by the user; a second detection device which is disposed coaxially with the rotation axis and detects the operation given to the operation member; a base member that has a cylindrical wall part enclosing the second detection device, and that supports the rotary operation member; and a stationary member to which the base member is fixed, and to which a substrate on which the first and second detection devices are mounted is fixed. The clicking mechanism urges the rotary operation member in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. The first detection device is disposed between a first plane that is perpendicular to the rotation axis and passes through the clicking mechanism and a second plane that is a surface of the stationary member, and disposed inside a cylindrical plane around the rotation axis and passing through the clicking mechanism and outside a cylindrical wall of the base member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation unit used in an imaging device or electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in response to the demand for miniaturization of electronic devices, operating members have been moved closer to each other and the operating members have been made smaller. On the other hand, multifunction devices are required to be provided with many operating members to facilitate operation even when equipped with many functions. When multifunction devices are made smaller, there is a high possibility that the operating members will be moved closer to each other and the increased number of members will make the device more complicated, resulting in a deterioration in user operability.

[0003] As an arrangement configuration for solving such problems, a configuration in which multiple operation members are arranged coaxially to save space for the operation members is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a push operation member and a rotation operation member are arranged coaxially. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a push operation member and a rotation and tilt operation member are arranged coaxially. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4578545 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3924120 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the fixed member expands in the radial direction of the rotary operation member to avoid the peripheral movable contact portion on the board. Also, the device disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem in that the engaging protrusion that engages during rotation is formed in the rotation axis direction of the rotary operation member, which makes the rotary operation member thick in the rotation axis direction.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the size of the entire operation unit having a plurality of operation members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The operation unit according to the present invention comprises a rotary operation member that is rotated by a user, a first detection device that detects the rotation of the rotary operation member, a click mechanism that generates a clicking sensation when the rotary operation member is rotated, an operation member that is arranged approximately coaxially with the rotation axis of the rotary operation member and that the user performs any operation including tilting, a second detection device that is arranged approximately coaxially with the rotation axis and that detects the operation of the operation member, a base member that has a cylindrical wall that surrounds the periphery of the second detection device and supports the rotary operation member, and a fixing member to which the base member is fixed and to which a board on which the first detection device and the second detection device are mounted is fixed, the click mechanism biasing the rotary operation member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, the first detection device being arranged between a first plane that is perpendicular to the rotation axis and that passes through the click mechanism and a second plane that is the surface of the fixing member, and the click mechanism biasing the rotary operation member around the rotation axis the position closest to the rotation axis and is disposed on the inside of a cylindrical surface passing through the base member and on the outside of the cylindrical wall portion of the base member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, in an operation unit having a plurality of operation members, it is possible to reduce the size of the entire operation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a rear view of a digital camera that is a first embodiment of a device equipped with an operation unit of the present invention. [Figure 2] Top view of a digital camera. [Figure 3]FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an external view of a controller according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a controller according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a rear view of a digital camera 100 that is a first embodiment of a device equipped with an operation unit (rotation operation unit) of the present invention.

[0012] A rotary operation unit 200 for operating the digital camera 100 is disposed on the rear surface of the digital camera 100, which faces the user. The rotary operation unit 200 includes a rotary operation member 210 and a tilt operation member 220.

[0013] Finger rest 300 is disposed near rotary operation unit 200. Digital camera 100 in this embodiment is configured to be held in the right hand, and finger rest 300 is disposed in a position that allows digital camera 100 to be held with the thumb of the right hand. Finger rest 300 is preferably formed from an elastic material (e.g., rubber-based or silicone-based) that prevents digital camera 100 from slipping between the fingers and the digital camera 100 when held.

[0014] The rotary operation unit 200 is disposed in a position close to the position of the right thumb on the finger rest 300 in the X direction in the figure. A finger hook protrusion 400 is disposed on the finger rest 300 at a position facing the rotary operation unit 200. As will be described later, the finger hook protrusion 400 protrudes from the rear surface of the digital camera 100 further than the finger rest 300, and is configured so that a user can hook their finger on it when gripping the digital camera 100 for taking pictures or carrying it. This allows the user to hold the digital camera 100 stably.

[0015] On the rear surface of digital camera 100, at a position adjacent in the X direction to rotary operation unit 200, finder unit 500 is provided which incorporates an electronic viewfinder that displays images using a display element such as an organic EL panel (not shown). An electronic viewfinder (hereinafter referred to as EVF) is provided inside finder unit 500, and the user can view the image displayed on the EVF through finder section 501.

[0016] Eyecup 502 is disposed on the outer periphery of finder unit 500, and when the user looks through finder 501 during shooting, the user's face comes into contact with eyecup 502. For this reason, eyecup 502 is made of an elastic material such as silicone, and is configured to come into soft contact with the user's face. In addition, protrusion 110 is formed at the position where finder unit 500 is to be disposed on the upper exterior of digital camera 100, and the above-mentioned EVF is housed within this protrusion.

[0017] Since the digital camera 100 of this embodiment has a mirrorless configuration in which an image that has passed through an optical lens and entered an imaging sensor is displayed on an electronic viewfinder, an electronic viewfinder is disposed inside the finder unit 500. However, the digital camera is not limited to this configuration, and may have a single-lens reflex configuration in which an image of light that has passed through a lens can be directly confirmed on the finder unit 500.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a top view of the digital camera 100.

[0019] 2, a front grip 120 for holding the camera with the fingers of the right hand other than the thumb is provided on the front side of digital camera 100. When a user holds digital camera 100, they hold front grip 120 and finger rest 300 of digital camera 100 with their right hand.

[0020] Finger rest protrusion 400, which constitutes part of the exterior of digital camera 100, is disposed on the side of finger rest 300 and protrudes in the Z direction in the figure from finger rest 300. In addition, eyecup 502 disposed on finder unit 500 protrudes in the Z direction from finger rest 300 and rotary operation unit 200.

[0021] In this embodiment, finger rest 300 is approximately perpendicular to the optical axis direction of digital camera 100 (direction O in the figure), and front grip 120 extends in a direction perpendicular to finger rest 300 (a direction approximately parallel to direction O). Therefore, when a user holds front grip 120 and finger rest 300 in their right hand, they can hold digital camera 100 stably.

[0022] Next, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary operation unit 200. As shown in FIG.

[0023] The rotation operation unit 200 of this embodiment is made up of a rotation operation system for performing a rotation operation, a tilt operation system for performing a tilt operation, and a member for holding the unit.

[0024] The rotation operation system is configured with a rotation operation member 210, a unit elastic member 231, a sliding sheet (sliding member) 232, a holding member 235, a detection sheet 236, and a photoreflector (first detection device) 241 mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown). The rotation operation member 210 is formed in an annular shape and is rotated by the user when changing settings or selecting images in the digital camera 100. A base member 234 is fixed to the digital camera 100, and the rotation operation member 210 is rotatably supported by the base member 234. More specifically, the rotation operation member 210 and the holding member 235 are coupled with the base member 234 sandwiched therebetween, and the rotation operation member 210 and the holding member 235 are rotatably supported relative to the base member 234 and rotate together.

[0025] A unit elastic member 231, which becomes an external part of the digital camera 100, is attached to the outer periphery of the rotation operation member 210. The unit elastic member 231 is fixed to the rotation operation member 210 with an adhesive. When the rotation operation unit 200 is attached to the digital camera 100, the unit elastic member 231 becomes part of the external part of the digital camera 100. When the user rotates the unit elastic member 231, the rotation operation member 210 rotates integrally with the unit elastic member 231.

[0026] A sliding sheet 232 is adhesively fixed to the back surface of the rotation operation member 210, and rotates integrally with the rotation operation member 210. As described above, the rotation operation member 210 and the holding member 235 fixed thereto are rotatably supported by the base member 234. A detection sheet 236 is adhesively fixed to the back surface of the holding member 235.

[0027] When the rotation operation member 210 is rotated, the holding member 235 and the detection sheet 236 rotate together. A photoreflector 241 is disposed in a position facing the detection sheet 236. In this embodiment, a black and white pattern (detection surface) is printed on the detection sheet 236, and when the rotation operation member 210 is operated, the black and white pattern on the detection sheet 236 is detected by the photoreflector 241, thereby detecting the rotation. The base member 234 is fixed to a fixing member 250 (see FIG. 4) that is fixed to the digital camera 100. The fixing method will be described later.

[0028] The tilt operation system of the rotary operation unit 200 is configured to include a tilt operation member 220, a sealing member 233, and a movable switch (second detection device) 240. The tilt operation member 220 is an operation member that is disposed approximately coaxially with the rotation axis of the rotary operation member 210 and that tilts. The tilt operation member 220 is fitted into a switch shaft 240a of a movable switch 240 that is mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown). The movable switch 240 detects tilting of the switch shaft 240a in eight directions, up and down and diagonally, and pushing in the axial direction. Note that in this embodiment, the movable switch 240 is configured as a switch that can perform input in eight directions and push input, but is not limited to this and may be any detection switch that can detect a tilt operation.

[0029] When the user operates the tilt operation member 220, the movable switch 240 detects the tilt via the fitted switch shaft 240a, and input operations for the digital camera 100 can be performed.

[0030] An inner diameter portion 233a of a sealing member 233 fits into the recess 220a of the tilt operation member 220. The sealing member 233 is made of an elastic member, and when the tilt operation member 220 is tilted, the sealing member 233 also moves, maintaining the fitted state. In addition, an outer diameter portion 233b of the sealing member 233 abuts against the inner diameter portion of the rotation operation member 210, sealing the gap between the rotation operation member 210 and the tilt operation member 220.

[0031] Next, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of rotary operation unit 200. The internal configuration of rotary operation unit 200, which is a characteristic part of this embodiment, will be described using Fig. 4. Fig. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the entire rotary operation unit 200. Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view including click mechanism 260, which will be described later. Fig. 4(c) is a cross-sectional view including fixing portion 234b, which will be described later.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4(b), the rotation operation system of the rotation operation unit 200 can be rotated 360 degrees or more, and is provided with a click mechanism 260 that generates a clicking sensation during the rotation. The click mechanism 260 is composed of a spring 261, a steel ball 262, and an uneven portion 210a formed on the outer periphery of the rotation operation member 210. The steel ball 262 is pressed against the uneven portion 210a by the repulsive force of the compressed spring 261, and the force of the steel ball 262 climbing over the uneven portion generates a clicking sensation in the rotation operation member 210.

[0033] By making the repulsive force generation direction T of this spring 261 approximately perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotation operation system, the dimension of the rotation operation unit 200 in the rotation axis direction can be reduced. Furthermore, the sliding portion 234d, along which the rotation operation member 210 and the base member 234 slide, is arranged approximately perpendicular to an extension of the repulsive force generation direction T. This allows only the pressing force to be transmitted to the rotation operation member 210, and no unnecessary force in the rotational direction is generated, thereby suppressing rattles and the like of the rotation operation member 210. Furthermore, it is desirable that grease or the like be applied to at least one of the spring 261, the steel ball 262, and the uneven portion 210a in order to smooth the sliding between the respective parts; in this embodiment, grease is applied to the steel ball 262.

[0034] Fixing member 250 is a member for fixing rotary operation unit 200 to digital camera 100. Fixing portion 234b of base member 234 is inserted into an opening formed in fixing member 250, and crimping portion 234e is thermally crimped, thereby fixing base member 234 and fixing member 250. Fixing portion 234b is formed as a part of the cylindrical wall portion of base member 234 that surrounds movable switch 240. Fixing portion 234b may also serve as a positioning portion for fixing member 250. In addition, a printed circuit board (not shown) on which movable switch 240 and photoreflector 241 are mounted is fixed to the surface of fixing member 250 with adhesive tape (not shown).

[0035] Photoreflector 241, which detects the rotation operation of the rotation operation system, is located in an area sandwiched between plane S1, which includes click mechanism 260 and sliding portion 234d and is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, and plane S2, which coincides with the surface of fixed member 250. Movable switch 240 and photoreflector 241 are arranged on substantially the same plane while ensuring the distance between photoreflector 241 and detection sheet 236, which is the minimum height in the rotation axis direction required for detection by photoreflector 241. This reduces the height of rotary operation unit 200 in the rotation axis direction.

[0036] Furthermore, photoreflector 241 is located more outward with respect to the rotation axis than cylindrical surface S3 including fixing portion 234b centered on the rotation axis. As a result, only fixing portion 234b of base member 234, which is necessary for fixing rotary operation unit 200, exists between photoreflector 241 and movable switch 240, making it possible to reduce the size in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. In addition, photoreflector 241 is located more inward with respect to the rotation axis than cylindrical surface S4 including uneven portion 210a of click mechanism 260 centered on the rotation axis. In this way, by arranging photoreflector 241 more inward than uneven portion 210a, which is the outermost portion of the rotary operation system, it is possible to reduce the size in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0037] A cutout portion 234a is provided in a part of base member 234, between it and fixed member 250. This cutout portion 234a is provided to accommodate a part of mounting portion 240b, which is the outermost peripheral portion in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of movable switch 240. This eliminates the need to position base member 234 further outward from mounting portion 240b, which is the outermost peripheral portion of movable switch 240, and as a result, the radial dimension of rotary operation unit 200 can be reduced.

[0038] A protrusion 233c that protrudes upward is provided on part of outer diameter portion 233b of sealing member 233, and this protrusion 233c is arranged further outward from the central axis than center-side opening 210b of rotation operation member 210 so as not to be visible from outside digital camera 100. A sliding sheet 232 is arranged between this protrusion 233c and rotation operation member 210 to reduce frictional resistance. This sliding sheet 232 is a member intended to reduce dynamic friction and static friction, and is preferably made of a material with a relatively low coefficient of friction, such as PET, Teflon (registered trademark), or nylon.

[0039] 4, the tip (seal lip) of protrusion 233c extends upward, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 4, and when rotation operation member 210 is attached from above via sliding sheet 232, it deforms to the downward position shown by the solid line. In other words, when sliding sheet 232 and rotation operation member 210 are attached from above, protrusion 233c is biased against sliding sheet 232 by its own elastic force. This ensures the sealing performance of sealing member 233 while reducing resistance during rotation of rotation operation of rotation operation member 210.

[0040] Base member 234 has central opening 234c, which is a substantially circular opening, at its center. The diameter of central opening 234c is smaller than the outermost diameter (maximum diameter) of tilt operation member 220, and there is an overlapping area when central opening 234c and tilt operation member 220 are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. Due to the existence of this overlapping area, even if tilt operation member 220 is pulled out in a direction away from movable switch 240 by some external force, interference with anti-detachment portion 234f of base member 234 occurs, thereby preventing the tilt operation member 220 from falling off digital camera 100. In order to more effectively exert this anti-detachment function, it is effective for central opening 234c to have high rigidity, and in this embodiment, the thickness of central opening 234c is configured to be thicker than the thicknesses of other fixing portion 234b and sliding portion 234d.

[0041] As described above, the photoreflector 241 detects the printed portion of the detection sheet 236 held by the holding member 235. As the rotary operation unit 200 has become more compact, the holding member 235 has also become thinner. However, this thinner design raises concerns that the rigidity of the holding member 235 may decrease and the flatness of the holding surface of the detection sheet 236 may decrease. To alleviate these concerns, a reinforcing portion 235a for reinforcing the holding member 235 is provided on the outer periphery of the holding member 235. This makes it possible to prevent the rigidity and flatness of the holding member 235 from decreasing.

[0042] The reinforcing portion 235a is provided on the side of the holding member 235 that holds the detection sheet 236 (the lower surface side in FIG. 4), and on the outer side of the detection sheet 236 when viewed from the rotation center axis. The height of the reinforcing portion 235a is greater than the thickness of the detection sheet 236. The holding member 235 including the reinforcing portion 235a is disposed so as to interrupt (cross) the straight line S5 that connects the optical detection unit 241a provided on the upper surface of the photoreflector 241 and the position of the click mechanism 260 where grease is applied. This makes it possible to prevent grease from being scattered from the click mechanism 260 onto the optical detection unit 241a, and to suppress malfunction of the photoreflector 241 due to the adhesion of grease.

[0043] Next, the shape of the key top 221, which is the operating part of the tilt operation member 220, will be described with reference to FIG. 4(a).

[0044] The key top 221 (the portion that comes into contact with the user's finger) has an outer periphery 221a and an inner side (inner peripheral portion) 221b. The surface of the inner side 221b is formed with a non-slip shape, such as unevenness, to improve operability with the finger. The tip of the outer periphery 221a has an outer periphery tip outer side 221c and an inner periphery tip inner side 221d, both of which are preferably shaped without sharp edges along their entire circumference. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, they have a line-symmetrical rounded shape (R-shape) along their entire circumference. This reduces the risk of the key top 221 tilting when the user tries to operate the rotary operation member 210 due to the finger unintentionally touching the outer periphery tip outer side 221c and the inner periphery tip inner side 221d.

[0045] In this embodiment, the inner periphery tip 221d of the key top 221 has a rounded shape with a smaller radius of curvature than the outer periphery tip 221c, and the outer periphery 221a protrudes more than the inner periphery 221b. As a result, when the key top 221 is tilted with a finger, the finger rests on the inner periphery tip 221b with a non-slip shape and the inner periphery tip 221d with a small rounded radius, making it easy to perform the tilting operation.

[0046] Next, the system configuration of the digital camera 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the block configuration of the digital camera 100 of this embodiment.

[0047] 5, a shutter 4100 is a focal plane shutter that controls the exposure time of an image capturing unit 4110, which will be described later. This control is performed by a system control unit 4200, which will be described later.

[0048] The imaging unit 4110 has an imaging surface on which an object image (optical image) that has passed through the lens 5010 is formed, and photoelectrically converts the optical image formed on the imaging surface to output an electrical signal (analog image signal). The imaging unit 4110 includes a CCD (Charge Couple Device) or CMOS (Complementary MOS) type imaging element.

[0049] The A / D converter 4120 converts the analog signal output from the imaging unit 4110 into a digital signal. The image processing unit 4130 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing, resizing processing such as reduction processing, and color conversion processing on the digital signal from the A / D converter 4120 or the digital signal from the memory control unit 4220 (described later), to generate image data. Based on the calculation results obtained by the image processing unit 4130, the system control unit 4200 controls the aperture position and lens position. The image processing unit 4130 further performs calculation processing using the image data, and performs TTL-type AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation results.

[0050] The system control unit 4200 is a control unit made up of at least one processor or circuit, and controls the entire digital camera 100. It performs each process described below by executing a program recorded in a non-volatile memory 4230 described below.

[0051] The memory 4210 temporarily records the digital signals obtained by the imaging unit 4110 and converted by the A / D converter 4120, and the image data generated by the image processing unit 4130. The memory 4210 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined period of moving images and audio.

[0052] The memory control unit 4220 controls the transmission and reception of signals between the system control unit 4200, the A / D converter 4120, the image processing unit 4130, and the memory 4210. The digital signal output from the A / D converter 4120 is written directly into the memory 4210 via the image processing unit 4130 and the memory control unit 4220, or via the memory control unit 4220 alone.

[0053] The nonvolatile memory 4230 is a read-only storage means that can be electrically erased and recorded, and stores constants, programs, etc. for the operation of the system control unit 4200. The system memory 4240 is a readable and writable storage means that saves constants, variables, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 4230, etc. for the operation of the system control unit 4200.

[0054] The system timer 4250 is a timing unit that measures the exposure time and the time until auto power off is executed, which turns off various display components to prevent battery consumption when it is determined that the user is not operating the digital camera 100.

[0055] The power supply unit 4300 is made up of a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as an NiCd battery, an NiMH battery or a Li-ion battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

[0056] The power supply control unit 4310 is configured with a circuit for detecting the power supply unit 4300 that serves as the power source for driving the digital camera 100, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching the power supply destination, etc., and detects whether a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery power. Furthermore, the power supply control unit 4310 controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection results and instructions from the system control unit 4200, and supplies the required voltage to the supply destination at the required timing.

[0057] The communication terminal 4400 is provided in the digital camera 100 and is electrically connected to a lens communication terminal 5060, which will be described later. By electrically connecting the communication terminal 4400, the system control unit 4200, which controls the entire digital camera 100, can communicate with the lens 5000, which will be described later. The recording medium I / F 4410 is an interface with the recording medium 6000.

[0058] The orientation detection unit 4420 detects the orientation of the digital camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 4420, it can be determined whether the image captured by the imaging unit 4110 was captured with the digital camera 100 held horizontally or vertically. The system control unit 4200 can also add orientation information output by the orientation detection unit 4420 to the image data. An acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used as the orientation detection unit 4420. Using an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor as the orientation detection unit 4420 also makes it possible to detect the movement of the digital camera 100 (panning, tilting, lifting, whether or not it is stationary, etc.).

[0059] The finder unit 500 is the part of the digital camera 100 where the user's eye (object) 6100 approaches (comes into contact with) the digital camera 100 .

[0060] The eye contact detection unit 4440 is a proximity or eye contact detection sensor that detects the approach (eye contact) and removal (eye separation) of the eye 6100 to the eye piece unit 4430. The eye contact detection unit 4440 detects the approach of the eye 6100 to the eye piece unit 4430 based on whether or not a light receiving unit (not shown) of the infrared proximity sensor receives light. After the eye contact detection unit 4440 detects the approach of the eye, the system control unit 4200 determines that the eye is in the eye contact state until it detects the removal of the eye. After the eye contact detection unit 4440 detects the removal of the eye, the system control unit 4200 determines that the eye is not in the eye contact state until it detects the removal of the eye. Note that the infrared proximity sensor is just an example, and other sensors that can detect the approach of an eye or an object that can be considered to be in eye contact may be used for the eye contact detection unit 4440.

[0061] The memory 4210 described above also serves as a memory (video memory) for image display. The digital signals and image data written to the memory 4210 are displayed on the rear display unit 4500 and EVF 4510 via the memory control unit 4220. The rear display unit 4500 performs display in response to a signal from the memory control unit 4220. When the eye proximity detection unit 4440 detects eye proximity, the EVF 4510 performs display in response to a signal from the memory control unit 4220.

[0062] The analog signal generated by the imaging unit 4110 is A / D converted by the A / D converter 4120, and the digital signal recorded in the memory 4210 is sequentially transferred to and displayed on the rear display unit 4500 or the EVF 4510, thereby enabling live view shooting display, which is a real-time display.

[0063] The system control unit 4200 switches between display (display state) and non-display (non-display state) of the rear display unit 4500 and the EVF 4510 depending on the state detected by the eyepiece detection unit 4440. When the eyepiece is not in contact with the camera, an image is displayed on the rear display unit 4500 and the EVF 4510 is not displayed. When the eyepiece is in contact with the camera, an image is displayed on the EVF 4510 and the rear display unit 4500 is not displayed.

[0064] The operation unit 4600 has various operation members that accept operations from the user. The operation unit 4600 includes the rotary operation unit 200 described in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, and various operation members (a mode change switch 4610, a shutter button 4620, a first shutter switch 4630, a second shutter switch 4640, a touch panel 4650, and a power switch 4660). The operation unit 4600 inputs various operation instructions to the system control unit 4200 using these operation members.

[0065] As described above, the rotary operation unit 200 can be used to input selection operations for various modes, images, etc., by tilting in eight directions, pushing in, and rotating.

[0066] The mode changeover switch 4610 switches the operation mode of the system control unit 4200 between a still image shooting mode, a video shooting mode, etc. The shooting modes included in the still image shooting mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene determination mode, a manual shooting mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode (P mode). Similarly, the video shooting mode may also include multiple shooting modes.

[0067] The shutter button 4620 is a button that allows the user to issue instructions for preparation for shooting and instructions for shooting.

[0068] The first shutter switch 4630 is turned on when the shutter button 4620 provided on the digital camera 100 is pressed halfway (a shooting preparation command) and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. The first shutter switch signal SW1 starts shooting preparation operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, and AWB (auto white balance) processing.

[0069] The second shutter switch 4640 is turned on when the shutter button 4620 is fully pressed (photographing instruction) and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. The system control unit 4200 starts a photographing process operation in response to the second shutter switch signal SW2. The photographing process operation is a process in which an analog signal is read from the imaging unit 4110, signal conversion processing is performed by the A / D converter 4120 and the image processing unit 4130, and image data temporarily recorded in the memory 4210 is written to the recording medium 6000 (described later).

[0070] The touch panel 4650 is a device that detects touch or drag operations by the user. Here, it is disposed integrally with the rear display unit 4500, and operations can be performed by touching the display unit of the rear display unit 4500 with a finger.

[0071] The power switch 4660 is a switch that switches ON / OFF the power supply of the digital camera 100. When the power switch 4660 is switched ON, the power supply control unit 4310 controls the power supply from the power supply unit 4300.

[0072] The lens unit 5000 is an interchangeable lens that can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 100. The lens 5010 is a group of lenses for generating an optical image (subject image) from subject light reflected by a subject, and is composed of multiple lenses, but for simplicity's sake is shown as a single lens in this diagram. The lens communication terminal 5060 is a communication terminal that enables the lens unit 5000 to communicate with the digital camera 100.

[0073] As described above, the lens unit 5000 is able to communicate with the system control unit 4200 of the digital camera 100 by electrically connecting the lens communication terminal 5060 and the communication terminal 4400. This allows the system control unit 4200 to communicate with the lens system control circuit 5050, the aperture drive circuit 5040, and the lens drive circuit 5020, and to control the position of the aperture 5030 and to control the focus state by displacing the lens 5010 to bring the subject image into focus.

[0074] The recording medium 6000 is detachable from the digital camera 100 and is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording captured images, and examples thereof include an SD card, a FLASH (registered trademark) memory, and a hard disk.

[0075] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the rotary operation unit 200 in the first embodiment is applied to a controller 1000 dedicated to operation of an electronic device. In this embodiment, components common to the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] The controller 1000 in this embodiment is a remote control device that operates an apparatus by operating an operation member mounted on the controller 1000.

[0077] FIG. 6 is an external view of the controller 1000.

[0078] 6, two rotary operation units 200 are attached to controller 1000 at symmetrical positions. Finger rests 300, on which the thumbs are placed when holding controller 1000, are arranged at symmetrical positions near rotary operation units 200 of controller 1000. Rotary operation units 200 and finger rests 300 are each attached above controller 1000, and are arranged near the positions where the thumbs of each hand would be positioned when the user holds controller 1000 in both hands.

[0079] The two rotary operation units 200 mounted on the controller 1000 are the same as the rotary operation unit 200 described in the first embodiment, and are a multi-function rotary operation device. The rotary operation unit 200 allows input by rotating the rotary operation member 210 on the outer periphery and by operating the tilt operation member 220 on the central shaft in eight directions or by pressing it. Note that, although two rotary operation units 200 are mounted in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and one or three or more rotary operation units may be mounted on one side.

[0080] Next, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a controller 1000 in the third embodiment.

[0081] The system control unit 7100 is a control unit that is made up of at least one processor or circuit, and controls the entire controller 1000. By executing a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 7101, each process of the controller 1000 is performed.

[0082] 6 and other operation members, a user's command is input to an operation member control section 7200. The system control section 7100 controls the controller 1000 based on the command input to the operation member control section 7200.

[0083] The system memory 7102 is a readable and writable storage means that stores constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 7100, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 7101, and the like.

[0084] The power supply unit 7301 is made up of a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as an NiCd battery, an NiMH battery or a Li-ion battery, an AC adapter, etc. The power switch 7302 is a member for switching the power supply of the controller 1000 on and off.

[0085] The power supply control unit 7300 includes a circuit for detecting the power supply unit 7301 that serves as the power source for driving the controller 1000, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching the power supply destination, etc. The power supply control unit 7300 turns the power of the controller 1000 on and off, and detects whether a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery capacity.

[0086] The display control unit 7400 includes a memory for image display (video memory), and displays image data and recognition signals written from the system control unit 7100 using a liquid crystal screen 7401 and an LED 7402. The liquid crystal screen 7401 and the LED 7402 perform display and lighting in response to signals from the display control unit 7400.

[0087] The wireless control unit 7600 controls communication with the device main body 8000, which is the target of remote operation, via the wireless unit 7601. More specifically, it controls operations such as transmitting an operation signal input to the operation member control unit 7200 to the device main body 8000, and receiving data from the device main body 8000 and displaying it on the liquid crystal screen 7401. The wireless unit 7601 communicates with the device main body 8000 under the control of the wireless control unit 7600.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to digital cameras or dedicated operation controllers, but can be widely applied to electronic devices and imaging devices that have operation members, such as video cameras and game devices.

[0089] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more of the functions.

[0090] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 100: Digital camera, 200: Rotation operation unit, 210: Rotation operation member, 220: Tilt operation member, 221: Key top, 233: Sealing member, 234: Base member, 235: Holding member, 240: Movable switch, 300: Finger rest, 400: Finger hook protrusion, 500: Finder unit, 1000: Controller

Claims

1. a rotation operation member that is rotated by a user; a first detection device that detects rotation of the rotary operation member; a click mechanism that generates a clicking sensation when the rotary operation member is rotated; an operating member disposed approximately coaxially with the rotation axis of the rotary operating member, and allowing a user to perform any operation including tilting; a second detection device disposed substantially coaxially with the rotation axis and configured to detect operation of the operating member; a base member having a cylindrical wall portion surrounding the second detection device and supporting the rotation operation member; a fixing member to which the base member is fixed and to which a substrate on which the first detection device and the second detection device are mounted is fixed, the click mechanism biases the rotation operation member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, An operation unit characterized in that the first detection device is arranged between a first plane that is perpendicular to the rotation axis and passes through the click mechanism and a second plane that is the surface of the fixed member, and is arranged inside a cylindrical surface that passes through the position of the click mechanism around the rotation axis that is closest to the rotation axis and outside the cylindrical wall portion of the base member.

2. The operation unit according to claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical wall portion has an opening formed therein for allowing a part of the second detection device to escape.

3. 3. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the rotary operation member can be rotated over 360 degrees.

4. 4. The operating unit according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing member made of an elastic material having a sealing lip on an upper surface thereof, the sealing lip being positioned below the rotary operating member in a state where it is deformed and pressed toward the rotary operating member.

5. 5. The operation unit according to claim 4, further comprising a sliding member with a low coefficient of friction disposed between the rotary operation member and the seal lip.

6. 6. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the base member has an opening around the rotation shaft, the opening having a diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the operation member.

7. The operation unit described in claim 6, characterized in that when the shape of the base member and the shape of the operating member are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, the thickness of the base member is set to be thicker than the thickness of other parts of the base member in the area where their shapes overlap.

8. The operation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first detection device is a device that optically detects the rotation of the rotary operating member, and the rotary operating member has a detection surface on a surface facing the first detection device.

9. 9. The operation unit according to claim 8, wherein a reinforcing portion that is convex from the detection surface is formed on an outer periphery of the detection surface of the rotary operation member.

10. The operation unit according to claim 9 , wherein the reinforcing portion is disposed so as to cross a straight line connecting the first detection device and the click mechanism.

11. An operation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the contact portion of the operation member that the user's finger comes into contact with when performing a tilt operation has an anti-slip shape formed on the inner circumference and a protruding portion formed on the outer circumference that is convex from the inner circumference and has an R-shaped tip.

12. The operation unit according to claim 11, wherein the outer rounded shape of the protrusion has a larger radius of curvature than the inner rounded shape.

13. An imaging device comprising the operation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12 as an operation section.

14. An electronic device comprising the operation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12 as an operation section.

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