Operating device

Abstract

To allow a switch and an interface placed on surfaces other than the operating surface of an operating device to be operated even when the operating device is buried in an operation console, etc.SOLUTION: An operating device having a first usage mode in which the bottom surface of a casing is placed and used, and a second usage mode in which the casing is used by being buried in a table includes an operation surface located opposite to the bottom surface, on which an operation portion is arranged, and an input / output portion disposed on a surface of the housing other than the operation surface and the bottom surface, and in the second usage mode, the casing is buried with a part of the surface including the operation surface and the input / output portion exposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, an operating device that remotely controls a camera to perform photographing is known (Patent Document 1). Such a photographing apparatus is also used, for example, when it is desired to provide video with higher added value by performing photographing from a place where people cannot normally enter in a sports venue. Specifically, a PTZ camera is installed in the venue in advance, and during a competition, remote control is performed using the operating device from another location in the venue, a broadcasting station, or the like to perform photographing, thereby providing video from the PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) camera.

[0003] At that time, regarding the installation location of the operating device, in the case of a competition venue, it is often installed on a desk, and in a broadcasting station or the like, it is often embedded in a console. Therefore, it is desired that the operating device itself can be installed and operated without inconvenience at either installation location.

[0004] Further, the operating units arranged in the operating device include a joystick for pan and tilt operations of the PTZ camera, a zoom key, a preset key, a power switch, and the like. It is originally desirable to arrange these on the operation surface of the operating device. However, due to the area available for arranging operating units on the operation surface, operating units have unavoidably been arranged at locations other than the operation surface in some cases. For example, a power switch is an assumed case. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-99351 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0006] However, when the control device is embedded in a control console or similar structure, there was a problem in that switches and interfaces located on surfaces other than the control surface of the control device could not be operated.

[0007] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to enable switches and interfaces located on surfaces other than the operating surface of an operating device to be operated even when the operating device is embedded in a control console or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, an operating device according to one aspect of the present invention has a first usage mode in which the bottom surface of the housing is placed on a surface and a second usage mode in which the housing is embedded in a table, wherein the operating surface is located opposite to the bottom surface and on which the operating parts are arranged, and the surfaces of the housing excluding the operating surface and the bottom surface Located on the back or side It has an input / output section, The input / output section includes a power switch or an interface for external connection. In the second usage mode described above, the operating surface is It is not embedded in the aforementioned console, and at least a portion of the rear or side surface on which the input / output unit is located is exposed. The enclosure is characterized by being embedded in the table. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an operating device that allows users to operate switches and interfaces located on surfaces other than the operating surface of the operating device, even when the operating device is embedded in a control console or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Front perspective view of the operating device 100 in this embodiment [Figure 2] Block diagram including the operating device 100 of this embodiment [Figure 3] Diagram showing the operating device 100 embedded in the control console 300 in this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a view from the rear. [Figure 5] Right side view of the operating device 100 [Figure 6]Top view of the operating device 100 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of means for realizing the present invention and should be modified or changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0012] <First Embodiment> (Explanation of the definition) A first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0013] In this description, the directions indicated by the arrows in Figure 1 are defined as the +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction, respectively, and their opposite directions are defined as the -X direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction, respectively. In the housing of the operating device 100 in this embodiment, the surface viewed from the +Y direction in Figure 1 is referred to as the front, and the surface opposite the front is referred to as the back. The surface viewed from the right side relative to the front is referred to as the right side, the surface viewed from the left side relative to the front is referred to as the left side, the surface viewed from above relative to the front is referred to as the top, and the surface viewed from below relative to the front is referred to as the bottom. In this description, the X, Y, and Z directions, and the front, back, right side, left side, top, and bottom are defined and explained in reference to the operating device 100.

[0014] (Description of the shooting system in remote camera operation) As shown in Figure 2, the imaging system including the operating device 100 of this embodiment consists of the operating device 100 and a PTZ camera 200. When an operator operates the operating device 100, an operation command corresponding to the operation is transmitted from the operating device 100 to the PTZ camera 200, which is connected via a network. The PTZ camera 200 performs control according to the content of the operation command, making it possible to remotely control the PTZ camera 200 from the operating device 100.

[0015] The operating device 100 includes an operation unit 100a, a CPU 100b serving as control means, an interface unit 100c for controlling the PTZ camera 200 and connecting to an external system 201, a memory 100d serving as storage means, and a power supply unit 100e.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 100a is provided with a plurality of hard keys 101 serving as operation means for outputting operation signals (operation signals) for performing camera control such as POWER and GAIN for the PTZ camera 200, and setting means such as a display unit 107 for setting the PTZ 200 assigned to be used in combination with each hard key or separately from each hard key. In addition, as operation means other than the plurality of hard keys 101, a joystick 103 for panning and tilting the PTZ camera 200, an operation unit 110 such as a cross key, a zoom lever 104, a focus knob 106, an iris knob 105, and the like are attached. Furthermore, the display unit 107 is also mounted with setting means such as a plurality of shot keys 102 for storing and reproducing the pan, tilt position, zoom, focus position and the like of the PTZ camera 200. Note that the shot key is a type of hard key.

[0017] The CPU 100b is connected to each of the operation members 101 to 107 of the operation unit 100a. The CPU 100b receives signals operated by each of the operation members 101 to 107 serving as operation means or setting means, and outputs (transmits) a control signal to the PTZ camera 200, which is a controlled unit, via the control interface unit 100c. In the present embodiment, the PTZ camera 200 is separate from the operation unit 100a; however, in a device where a camera unit and an operation panel unit are integrated, such as a digital camera or a video camera, control signals are transmitted and received inside the device. The memory 100d is also connected to the CPU 100b, and stores operation modes of the operation keys.

[0018] (Regarding the first usage mode and the second usage mode) Depending on the usage environment, the operating device 100 has a first usage mode in which it is used by placing the bottom surface of the casing of the operating device 100 on a desk or the like, and a second usage mode in a desk-embedded arrangement in which the casing is embedded in a console 300 for use. FIG. 3 is a state diagram showing the operating device 100 embedded in the console 300. Further, the hatched area in FIG. 3 is the operation surface 301 of the operating device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation surface 301 is an operation surface on which an operation unit for inputting control signals for a PTZ camera 200, such as the operation unit 100a, is arranged, and is located at a position opposite to the bottom surface. Normally, when the operating device 100 is used by being embedded in the console 300, the operation surface 301 is not embedded in the console 300. In addition, the operating device is embedded with part of the right side surface, part of the left side surface and part of the back surface exposed. In the present embodiment, part of the front surface of the casing is also exposed, but the operating device may be embedded such that the front surface is not exposed.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, in the casing of the operating device 100, it is preferable that the height of the back surface from the bottom surface is greater than the height of the front surface from the bottom surface. Accordingly, in the second usage mode, when the operating device 100 is embedded, part of the back surface or part of the side surfaces is exposed from the console 300.

[0020] (Regarding the position of the input / output unit) FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 3 seen from the back side. In the second usage mode, the operating device 100 is embedded such that part of the back surface of the casing of the operating device 100 is exposed and part of the back surface is not exposed. Further, a switch 400 serving as an input / output unit is provided on surfaces other than the operation surface 301 and the bottom surface. The switch 400 is a power switch for turning on the power of the operating device 100, is connected to the power supply unit 100e and the CPU 100b shown in FIG. 2, and is a switch that can operate to turn the power of the operating device 100 on and off.

[0021] Although not shown, the input / output section may also be a reset switch or the like. Switch 400 may be a button or a pressure-sensitive switch. Interface 401, which is an interface for external connection, may be provided as an input / output section other than switch 400. Interface 401 may be, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark), etc., and is connected to the interface section 100c shown in Figure 2, enabling communication with the external system 201. The operation status of switch 400 and interface 401 may also be displayed on the display section 107 or the like.

[0022] The input / output section may be located on one of the aforementioned parts of the right side, left side, or back, but it is more preferable that it be located on the back (the part exposed in the second usage mode). When carrying the operating device 100 or changing the usage mode, the user is expected to grasp the side of the operating device 100, so providing the input / output section on the back can prevent power supply malfunctions.

[0023] Furthermore, although not shown, external device holding structures such as tripod screws may also be placed near the switch 400 and interface 401. This ensures that the switch 400 and interface 401 or external device holding structures such as tripod screws can be operated even in the second usage configuration when the console is embedded in the wall.

[0024] This allows the switches 400 and interface 401 to be placed on a large surface area without interfering with the operator, even in the second usage configuration when the unit is embedded in the console. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the input / output section is positioned higher than the height of the front panel and closer to the operating surface 301 than the embedded surface. It is desirable that the labels indicating the location of the input / output section be displayed on the operating surface 301 rather than on the back panel. This allows the operator to locate the power supply without having to look at the back panel.

[0025] Furthermore, the switch 400 and interface 401 are positioned near the corner formed by the X and -Y coordinates shown in Figure 4 of the operating device 100. Although not shown, they may also be positioned near the corner formed by -X and Y. This allows the operator's hand to reach around the left or right side of the operating device 100 to operate the switch 400 and interface 401 without passing over the operating surface 301, thus preventing accidental operation of the operating parts on the operating surface 301. It also makes it easier for the operator to operate the switch 400 and interface 401 even when they are not looking at them.

[0026] In this case, if the switch 400 is a seesaw switch as in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the switch 400 is aligned approximately with the X direction. This makes it easier to operate the switch 400 when the operator's hand reaches around from the left or right side of the operating device 100.

[0027] Figure 5 shows the inclination θ of the surface on which the switch 400 and interface 401 are located. The inclination θ is an angle that is tilted with respect to the coordinate Z in Figure 5 and extends in the +Z direction. In this way, by tilting a part of the back of the housing, the operator can more easily see and operate the switch 400 and interface 401.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the external markings 600 for the switch 400 and interface 401 are indicated on the operating surface 301. This makes it easier for the operator to locate the switch 400 and interface 401, even if they are not located on the operating surface 301.

[0029] Although the present invention has been described in detail above based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are also included in the present invention. Some of the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 100 Operating device 100a Control Unit 100b CPU 100c Interface Section 100d memory 100e power supply section 101 hard keys 102 Schottky 103 Joystick 104 Zoom Lever 105 Iris knob 106 Focus knob 107 Display section

Claims

1. An operating device having a first usage mode in which the bottom surface of the housing is placed on a surface, and a second usage mode in which the housing is embedded in a table, An operating surface located opposite the aforementioned bottom surface, the operating surface on which the operating parts are arranged, The housing has an input / output section located on the back or side of the surface excluding the operating surface and the bottom surface, The input / output section includes a power switch or an interface for external connection. An operating device characterized in that, in the second mode of use, the operating surface is not embedded in the table, and the housing is embedded in the table with at least a part of the rear or side surface on which the input / output unit is located exposed.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the input / output unit is provided on a part of the back surface that is exposed in the second mode of use.

3. The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the height of the rear surface from the bottom surface is greater than the height of the front surface from the bottom surface of the housing.

4. The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the input / output section is positioned on the rear surface at a height higher than the height of the front surface of the housing from the bottom surface.

5. The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that a part of the back surface is inclined.

6. The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the input / output section is positioned on the back surface closer to the operating surface than the surface embedded in the second usage mode.

7. The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the characters indicating the position of the input / output section are displayed on the operating surface.

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