U.S. patent application number 10/443080 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-23 for electronic apparatus and pointing device for imaging.
Invention is credited to Arai, Hideyuki, Doi, Junichi, Hosoe, Hiroshi, Kashimura, Kazunori, Motohara, Kunio, Toyoizumi, Yoshiyuki.
Application Number | 20030197801 10/443080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27331345 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030197801 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Toyoizumi, Yoshiyuki ; et
al. |
October 23, 2003 |
Electronic apparatus and pointing device for imaging
Abstract
An electronic apparatus according to this invention has a
display unit for displaying an index, an operation unit used for
moving the index displayed by the display unit, and an adjustment
unit for adjusting the operation unit, so that the moving direction
of the index displayed by the display unit matches a moving
direction that an operator intended. This invention can provide an
effect of matching the moving direction that the operator intended
with the actual moving direction of the index.
Inventors: |
Toyoizumi, Yoshiyuki;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Arai, Hideyuki;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; Kashimura, Kazunori; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Motohara, Kunio; (Kawasaki-shi, JP) ;
Doi, Junichi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Hosoe, Hiroshi;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORGAN & FINNEGAN, L.L.P.
345 Park Avenue
New York
NY
10154-0053
US
|
Family ID: |
27331345 |
Appl. No.: |
10/443080 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10443080 |
May 22, 2003 |
|
|
|
08572092 |
Dec 14, 1995 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/333.02 ;
348/E5.047 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/232945 20180801;
H04N 5/2251 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/333.02 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/222 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 16, 1994 |
JP |
6-313281 |
Sep 5, 1995 |
JP |
7-228001 |
Oct 11, 1995 |
JP |
7-263180 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic apparatus which can be used in a hand-held state,
comprising: a) display means for displaying an index; b) operation
means used for moving the index displayed by said display means;
and c) adjustment means for adjusting an attachment state of said
operation means to said electronic apparatus to at least a first
attachment state and a second attachment state different from the
first attachment state, wherein in the first and second attachment
states, an operation for moving the index using said operation
means can be performed.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means
adjusts the attachment state by pivoting said operation means with
respect to said electronic apparatus.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means
adjusts the attachment state by changing an attachment angle of
said operation means with respect to said electronic apparatus.
4. An electronic apparatus comprising: a) display means for
displaying an index; b) operation means used for moving the index
displayed by said display means; and c) adjustment means for
adjusting an attachment position of said operation means to said
electronic apparatus by sliding said operation means at least from
a first attachment position to a second attachment position
different from the first attachment position, wherein at the first
and second attachment positions, an operation for moving the index
using said operation means can be performed.
5. An electronic apparatus comprising: a) display means for
displaying an index; b) operation means used for moving the index
displayed by said display means; and c) adjustment means for
adjusting said operation means so that a moving direction of the
index displayed by said display means matches a moving direction
that an operator intended.
6. An operation device for an electronic apparatus, comprising: a)
a plurality of switch means; b) operation means for turning on a
predetermined one of said plurality of switch means in
correspondence with an operation direction thereof; and c) changing
means for changing a relative positional relationship between the
operation direction of said operation means and the switch means to
be turned on.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of switch
means are arranged on a pivotal substrate, and said changing means
changes the relative positional relationship between the operation
direction of said operation means and the switch means to be turned
on by pivoting said substrate.
8. A device according to claim 6, wherein said operation means is
pivotal, and said changing means changes the relative positional
relationship between the operation direction of said operation
means and the switch means to be turned on by pivoting said
operation means.
9. A device according to claim 6, further comprising limiting means
for limiting turn-on operations of said plurality of switch means,
and wherein said changing means changes the relative positional
relationship between the operation direction of said operation
means and the switch means to be turned on by limiting the turn-on
operations of said plurality of switch means using said limiting
means.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said limiting means
comprises an insulating member.
11. A device according to claim 9, wherein said limiting means
disconnects electrical connections of predetermined switch outputs
of said plurality of switch means.
12. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a) image pickup means for
picking up an object image; b) operation means used for determining
an image pickup condition of said image pickup means; and c)
adjustment means for adjusting an attachment position of said
operation means to said image pickup means.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image pickup
condition of said image pickup means is an exposure amount.
14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image pickup
condition of said image pickup means is a focal length.
15. An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising display
means for displaying the object image picked up by said image
pickup means.
16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the image pickup
condition of said image pickup means is an exposure amount.
17. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the image pickup
condition of said image pickup means is a focal length.
18. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said display means
displays an index for determining the image pickup condition of
said image pickup means, and said operation means moves the index
displayed by said display means.
19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the image pickup
condition of said image pickup means is an exposure amount.
20. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the image pickup
condition of said image pickup means is a focal length.
21. An operation device for an electronic apparatus, comprising: a)
operation means which is movable in a plurality of operation
directions; b) a plurality of switch means which are selectively
operated in correspondence with the operation direction of said
operation means; and c) changing means for electrically changing a
relative positional relationship between the operation directions
of said operation means and said plurality of switch means.
22. A device according to claim 21, further comprising storage
means for storing states of said plurality of switch means, and
wherein said changing means changes storage contents of said
storage means.
23. A device according to claim 21, further comprising registration
means for registering, in advance, a change in relative positional
relationship by said changing means.
24. A device according to claim 23, wherein said changing means
changes the relative positional relationship between the operation
directions of said operation means and said plurality of switch
means so that the relationship is regularly rotated.
25. A device according to claim 22, wherein said changing means
changes the relative positional relationship by regularly rotating
the storage contents of said storage means.
26. A device according to claim 21, further comprising display
means for displaying an index, and wherein said operation means
moves the index displayed by said display means.
27. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a) image pickup means for
picking up an image of an object; b) display means for displaying
the image picked up by said image pickup means for a reproduced
image; and c) operation means for moving a display frame, which
indicates a setting range of an image pickup condition of said
image pickup means on a screen of said display means, to a desired
position on the screen, wherein said operation means is arranged on
a plane including the screen of said display means.
28. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the image pickup
condition of said image pickup means is an exposure amount.
29. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the image pickup
condition of said image pickup means is a focal length.
30. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the screen of said
display means comprises a liquid crystal screen.
31. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said operation
means comprises a joystick.
32. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said operation
means comprises a cross-shaped key.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus
and, more particularly, to its operation.
[0003] 2. Related Background Art
[0004] In a conventional electronic apparatus such as a personal
computer, a pointing device such as a track ball is popularly used
for performing operations for moving a cursor displayed on a
monitor screen, selecting one of a plurality of items, and so
on.
[0005] FIG. 1 shows an example in which a pointing device 3 is
arranged on the main body of a video camera 100. Note that the
video camera 100 comprises an EVF (electronic viewfinder) as a
monitor 4.
[0006] With such a pointing device, since operations for a
plurality of functions of the apparatus can be assigned to a single
operation member, a simple operation unit can be realized, thus
contributing to a size reduction of the apparatus. Since two or
more switches can be assigned to a single operation member, an
operator can perform two or more switch operations by selecting
only the operation direction of the pointing device without
releasing his or her hand from a key. For this reason, as compared
to a case wherein one function is assigned to one key, the pointing
device is easy to operate since a user need not fumble for or
visually confirm an operation member.
[0007] However, the operation feeling of a conventional compact
pointing device, which is operated by a finger tip and has a base
portion fixed to the apparatus main body, varies depending on the
size of the operator's hand, the posture of the main body, and the
like. For example, the position of the finger tip does not match
the position of the pointing device due to personal differences of,
e.g., the size of the hand, the length of the finger, and the like,
resulting in a restrained operation and hence, poor
operability.
[0008] For this reason, as shown in, e.g., FIGS. 2A and 2B, when
the cursor displayed on the monitor 4 is moved by operating a
pointing device with a finger tip, even though an operator wants to
move the cursor in the right-hand direction, as shown in FIG. 2A,
the operation direction deviates due to a delicate position
deviation of the finger tip, and the cursor is undesirably moved in
an obliquely upper or lower right-hand direction, as shown in FIG.
2B.
[0009] When movement of the cursor or selection of a menu item
displayed on the EVF as the monitor 4 is performed using the
pointing device 3 shown in FIG. 1, an operator looks into the EVF
while bringing his or her face close to the main body of the video
camera 100, and operates the pointing device 3 with his or her
finger tip. Therefore, it is difficult for the operator to operate
the pointing device 3 while visually confirming its position and
operation direction, and the operator must operate the pointing
device while fumbling for it. For this reason, the operability is
often impaired depending on the size of the hand or the length of
the finger of the operator, the holding position of the video
camera 100, or the like. As a result, the operator cannot attain
movement of the cursor or selection of a menu item, that he or she
intended.
[0010] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, a method of displaying the
operation contents using a liquid crystal display screen or the
like is available. Referring to FIG. 3, operation contents 11 are
displayed on the lower portion of the screen of an electronic
viewfinder 4 comprising a liquid crystal display, and an operator
depresses one of switches arranged below the operation contents 11
to attain the displayed operation. The displayed contents are
switched in synchronism with a mode switch 10, and operation
contents corresponding to a selected mode are displayed. In the
case of FIG. 3, a VTR mode is selected, and a fast feed (FF)
operation, a stop (STOP) operation, and the like are displayed.
[0011] However, in the prior art shown in FIG. 3, AE, AF, and the
like cannot be set at an arbitrary position on the screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
electronic apparatus which is easy to operate.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
operation device with good operability for an electronic
apparatus.
[0014] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an image pickup apparatus which is easy to operate, and has
good operability.
[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, according
to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic apparatus
which can be used in a hand-held state, comprises display means for
displaying an index, operation means used for moving the index
displayed by the display means, and adjustment means for adjusting
an attachment state of the operation means to the electronic
apparatus to at least a first attachment state and a second
attachment state different from the first attachment state, and in
the first and second attachment states, an operation for moving the
index using the operation means can be performed.
[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an
electronic apparatus comprises display means for displaying an
index, operation means used for moving the index displayed by the
display means, and adjustment means for adjusting an attachment
position of the operation means to the electronic apparatus by
sliding the operation means at least from a first attachment
position to a second attachment position different from the first
attachment position, and at the first and second attachment
positions, an operation for moving the index using the operation
means can be performed.
[0017] With the above-mentioned arrangement, when the electronic
apparatus is used in a hand-held state, the mounting state of the
operation means to the apparatus main body can be adjusted in
correspondence with personal differences of, e.g., the size of a
hand and the length of a finger, a specific way of operation, or
the like of an operator. For this reason, the electronic apparatus
can be reliably operated.
[0018] Furthermore, according to still another embodiment of the
present invention, an electronic apparatus comprises display means
for displaying an index, operation means used for moving the index
displayed by the display means, and adjustment means for adjusting
the operation means so that a moving direction of the index
displayed by the display means matches a moving direction that an
operator intended.
[0019] With this arrangement, the moving direction that an operator
intended matches the actual moving direction of the index.
[0020] According to still another embodiment of the present
invention, an operation device for an electronic apparatus,
comprises a plurality of switch means, operation means for turning
on a predetermined one of the plurality of switch means in
correspondence with an operation direction thereof, and changing
means for changing a relative positional relationship between the
operation direction of the operation means and the switch means to
be turned on.
[0021] With this arrangement, the relative relationship between the
operation direction of the operation means and a switch to be
actually turned on can be arbitrarily changed as needed. Thus, the
operability of the electronic apparatus can be greatly
improved.
[0022] Furthermore, according to still another embodiment of the
present invention, a image pickup apparatus comprises image pickup
means for picking up an object image, operation means used for
determining an image pickup condition of the image pickup means,
and adjustment means for adjusting an attachment position of the
operation means to the image pickup means.
[0023] With this arrangement, the attachment position of the
operation means can be adjusted to the best one for an operator,
thus greatly reducing the load on the image pickup operation.
[0024] According to still another embodiment of the present
invention, an operation device for an electronic apparatus,
comprises operation means which is movable in a plurality of
operation directions, a plurality of switch means which are
selectively operated in correspondence with the operation direction
of the operation means, and changing means for electrically
changing a relative positional relationship between the operation
directions of the operation means and the plurality of switch
means.
[0025] With this arrangement, the layout of the operation contents
can be modified or the operation contents can be rotated in
accordance with a user's favor, thus improving the operability.
[0026] According to still another embodiment of the present
invention, an image pickup apparatus comprises image pickup means
for picking up an image of an object, display means for displaying
the image picked up by the image pickup means for a reproduced
image, and operation means for moving a display frame, which
indicates a setting range of an image pickup condition of the image
pickup means on a screen of the display means, to a desired
position on the screen, and the operation means is arranged on a
plane including the screen of the display means.
[0027] With this arrangement, when the image pickup condition is
set by the operation means, the operability can be improved. Since
the operation means is disposed on a plane including the screen,
the image pickup condition can be set with only one finger while
confirming the image displayed on the screen. Furthermore, since
the operation direction such as the upper, lower, right, or left
direction matches the movement of the display frame of the screen,
a smooth operation can be realized.
[0028] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following specification and the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of
a conventional video camera;
[0030] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing the movement of a cursor
of the video camera;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the outer appearance of
another conventional video camera;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of
a video camera according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the
video camera of the first embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the
video camera of the first embodiment;
[0035] FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing the structure of
a pointing device in the first embodiment;
[0036] FIGS. 8A to 8C are schematic views showing the arrangement
of a pivot mechanism of the pointing device in the first
embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of
a video camera according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0038] FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic views showing the structure
of a pointing device in the second embodiment;
[0039] FIGS. 11A to 11C are schematic views showing the arrangement
of a slide mechanism of the pointing device in the second
embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance
of a video camera according to the third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIGS. 13A to 13D are schematic views showing the arrangement
of a tilt mechanism of a pointing device in the third
embodiment;
[0042] FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic views showing the structure
of a pointing device according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0043] FIGS. 15A to 15C are schematic views showing the structure
of a pointing device according to the fifth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0044] FIGS. 16A to 16C are schematic views showing the structure
of a pointing device according to the sixth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0045] FIGS. 17A and 17B are schematic views showing the structure
of a pointing device according to the seventh embodiment of the
present invention;
[0046] FIGS. 18A and 18B are schematic views showing the structure
of a pointing device according to the eighth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0047] FIGS. 19A and 19B are respectively an exploded perspective
view and a side sectional view of a pointing device according to
the ninth embodiment of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram of the pointing device;
[0049] FIG. 21 is a view for explaining the method of
discriminating a depressed switch;
[0050] FIGS. 22A and 22B are timing charts showing the operation
for sampling the switch state;
[0051] FIGS. 23A to 23C are views for explaining the method of
realizing rotation of switches in a software manner according to
the ninth embodiment;
[0052] FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the operation for
registering a rotation of the switches;
[0053] FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the operation for realizing
the rotation of the switches;
[0054] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a camera built-in type
VTR according to the 10th embodiment of the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 27 is comprised of FIGS. 27A and 27B showing flow
charts for explaining the operation of the 10th embodiment; and
[0056] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing another camera
built-in type VTR according to the 10th embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0057] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0058] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of
a video camera as an electronic apparatus according to the first
embodiment of the present invention. The video camera of this
embodiment has substantially the same arrangement as that shown in
FIG. 1, except for the structure of a pointing device 3. The
structure of the pointing device 3 will be described later. Note
that this embodiment exemplifies a video camera. However, the
present invention is not limited to this, but may be applied to any
other electronic apparatuses.
[0059] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the system of the video
camera, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing in detail a camera
signal processing unit shown in FIG. 5. More specifically, FIGS. 5
and 6 show the system which controls the position of a cursor as an
index upon displaying the position for AF (automatic focal length
control) or AE (automatic exposure control) on a display unit of an
EVF 4 as display means using the pointing device 3 provided to the
video camera. The system will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6. Note that such an index may be used for other
operations in addition to AE and AF.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 5, an object image 1 is picked up, and is
input to a lens/image pickup unit 2 as image pickup means. A zoom
lens 2a and a focus lens 2b in the lens/image pickup unit 2 are
driven by servo mechanisms 5a and 5b, which are controlled by a
microcomputer 9. A video signal output from the lens/image pickup
unit 2 is converted by a camera signal processing unit 6 into a
signal to be displayed on the EVF 4 and a signal to be suitably
recorded on a magnetic tape, a disk, or the like in a recording and
reproduction device 7. A signal output upon operation of the
pointing device 3 is input to the microcomputer 9 in parallel with
signals output upon operation of other operation switches 8 (a
camera operation switch, a recorder operation switch, and the
like).
[0061] Referring to FIG. 6, upon reception of the output signal
from the pointing device 3, the microcomputer 9 discriminates the
operation direction of the pointing device 3, and outputs a cursor
display/moving command to a character generator 10. The output from
the character generator 10 is input to a synthesization (or
synthesis) circuit 12. A video signal output from an image pickup
unit 2c is subjected to predetermined signal processing in a video
signal processing circuit 11, and the processed signal is input to
the synthesization circuit 12. The synthesization circuit 12
synthesizes a cursor display signal generated by the character
generator 10 and the video signal processed by the video signal
processing circuit 11, and the synthesized signal is displayed on
the EVF 4. Note that the image pickup unit 2c, the video signal
processing circuit 11, the character generator 10, and the
synthesization circuit 12 correspond to the camera signal
processing unit 6 shown in FIG. 5.
[0062] FIGS. 7A and 7B show the structure of the pointing device 3
in the first embodiment. The pointing device 3 of this embodiment
is constituted by four tact switches 41 (41a to 41d), a lever 42
which can be tilted in every direction within a certain angle range
to have a fulcrum 45 as the center, and a cover 43. A disk-shaped
pressing plate 44 is attached to the lever 42 to depress one tact
switch 41 when the lever 42 is tilted.
[0063] When the lever 42 is tilted in one direction, the pressing
plate 44 tilts together and comes into contact with one tact switch
41. When the lever 42 is further tilted, the pressing plate 44
presses the tact switch 41 to turn it on. Note that the tact
switches 41 are disposed, so that the four switches are located at
the vertices of a cross pattern, and a different switch is
depressed and turned on by the pressing plate 44 depending on the
tilt direction of the lever 42. In this case, different switch
functions are assigned to the four switches.
[0064] FIG. 8A shows the arrangement of a pivot mechanism as the
feature of the pointing device 3 of the first embodiment.
[0065] A projection member 51 having a cross-shaped ridge shown in
FIG. 8C is attached to the attachment base portion side of the
pointing device 3. A recess member 52, which has a crown-gear shape
and is formed with a plurality of grooves, is attached to the video
camera main body side. In a normal state wherein the ridges of the
projection member 51 mesh with the grooves of the recess member 52,
as shown in FIG. 8A, the projection member 51 is pressed against
the recess member 52 by the biasing force of a spring 54 inserted
between an outer cover 53 and the projection member 51, thus fixing
the position of the pointing device 3.
[0066] When the pointing device 3 is pulled up from the fixed state
against the biasing force of the spring 54 by hooking a pawl 55
formed on the pointing device 3, the ridges of the projection
member 51 disengage from the grooves of the recess member 52, and
the pointing device 3 is free to rotate about its central axis, as
indicated by a double-headed arrow A. When the pointing device 3 is
released at an arbitrary position in a state wherein the pointing
device 3 is free to rotate, the projection member 51 is pressed
against the recess member 52 by the biasing force of the spring 54
again, and the ridges of the projection member 51 mesh with the
grooves, different from those meshed previously, of the recess
member 52, thus fixing the pointing device 3 in position again. In
this embodiment, the projection member 51, the recess member 52,
the spring 54, and the pawl 55 constitute adjustment means.
[0067] As described above, according to this embodiment, since the
pointing device 3 is pivotal with respect to the apparatus main
body, and can be fixed at an optimal position where the directions
that an operator intended match the movements of the cursor, the
operator can desirably perform the movement of the cursor and
selection of a menu item without impairing the operability
depending on the size of the hand and the length of the finger of
the operator or the way of holding the camera. Note that the
structure of the pointing device 3 is not limited to one described
in this embodiment.
[0068] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of
a video camera according to the second embodiment of the present
invention. The video camera of this embodiment has substantially
the same arrangement as that of the conventional camera shown in
FIG. 1, except for the structure of a pointing device 3. The
structure of the pointing device 3 will be described later.
[0069] FIGS. 10A and 10B show the structure of the pointing device
3 of this embodiment. The pointing device 3 shown in FIGS. 10A and
10B is constituted by four switch contacts 61 (61a to 61d), a lever
63 which can be tilted in every direction within a certain angle
range to have a fulcrum 62 as the center, and a cover 64, and a
disk-shaped pressing plate 65 is attached to the lever 63. When the
lever 63 is tilted in one direction, the pressing plate 65 tilts
together, and a contact 66 formed on the pressing plate 65 comes
into contact with and electrically connected to one of the switch
contacts 61, thus turning on a switch. The switch contact to be
turned on by contact varies depending on the tilt direction of the
lever 63, and different switch functions are assigned to the four
switch contacts in this case as well.
[0070] FIGS. 11A to 11C show the arrangement of a slide mechanism
as the feature of the pointing device 3 according to the third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 11B, a projection member 71 having some
conical projections shown in FIG. 11C is attached to the attachment
base portion side of the pointing device 3. A rubber sheet 72 is
attached to the video camera main body side. By the biasing force
of a spring 74 inserted between a pressing plate 73 and the
projection member 71, the projections of the projection member 71
are pressed against the rubber sheet 72, so that the pointing
device 3 does not inadvertently move, thus fixing the pointing
device 3 in position.
[0072] From this fixing state, when the pointing device 3 is
perpendicularly pulled up against the biasing force of the spring
74 by hooking a pawl 75 formed on the pointing device 3, the
projections of the projection member 71 are released from the
rubber sheet 72, and the pointing device 3 becomes free to
translate within the area of the opening portion of an outer cover
76.
[0073] In a state wherein the pointing device 3 is free to
translate, the pointing device 3 is moved to an arbitrary position
together with the pressing plate 73 and the spring 74, and
thereafter, is released. As a result, the projection member 71 is
pressed against the rubber sheet 72 again by the biasing force of
the spring 74, and the projections of the projection member 71
presses against the rubber sheet 72, thus fixing the pointing
device 3 at a new position. In this embodiment, the projection
member 71, the rubber sheet 72, the pressing plate 73, the spring
74, and the pawl 75 constitute adjustment means.
[0074] As described above, according to this embodiment, since the
pointing device is slidable within the range in which the pointing
device does not protrude from the video camera, the pointing device
does not disturb the holding operation of the camera, and an image
pickup operation can be performed at the position, suitable for an
operator, of the pointing device.
[0075] Note that the system arrangement of the video camera main
body and the arrangement of the cursor display system of this
embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in the
first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be
omitted.
[0076] This embodiment exemplifies the slide mechanism of the
pointing device. However, the present invention is not limited to
this. For example, switches of other forms may be slidably
arranged. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since no mechanical
structure for restricting rotation of the pointing device 3 about
its central axis is arranged, the pointing device may be moved by
rotating it.
[0077] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance
of a video camera according to the third embodiment of the present
invention. The video camera of this embodiment has substantially
the same arrangement as that shown in FIG. 1, except for the
structure of a pointing device 3. The structure of the pointing
device 3 will be described later.
[0078] FIGS. 13A to 13D show the arrangement of a tilt mechanism of
the pointing device 3 in the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0079] Referring to FIGS. 13A to 13D, the pointing device 3 is
attached to a U-shaped base 81, attached to the video camera main
body, via a rotation shaft 82 extending in a direction
perpendicular to the central axis of a lever 86. The pointing
device 3 is pivotal about the shaft 82. A hole having a diameter
larger than the outer diameter of the pointing device is formed on
an outer cover 83, as shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D. The pointing
device 3 is swung in directions determined by the mechanism within
the range of the hole, and can be fixed at the position of an
arbitrary attachment angle. For example, a screw may be provided to
the rotation shaft 82, so that the screw is loosened when the
attachment angle is changed, and is tightened in other states,
thereby fixing the pointing device 3. In this embodiment, the base
and the rotation shaft 82 constitute adjustment means.
[0080] With this arrangement, the attachment angle of the operation
means can be adjusted in correspondence with the size of the hand,
the length of the finger, a specific way of operation, or the like
of an operator.
[0081] Note that the system arrangement of the video camera main
body and the arrangement of the cursor display system of this
embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in the
first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be
omitted. Also, the structure of the pointing device 3 is the same
as that shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B or FIGS. 10A and 10B in the first
or second embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be
omitted.
[0082] FIGS. 14A and 14B show the structure of a pointing device
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Unlike
in the first to third embodiments in which the pointing device
itself is movable, the pointing device of this embodiment has its
base portion fixed to an apparatus main body 91, and its position
relative to the apparatus main body does not change. A circuit
board 93 is disposed inside the pointing device 3 and has tact
switches 92 (92a to 92d). The circuit board 93 is fitted in an
attachment groove 95 formed on the inner wall of a cover 94. The
cover 94 has a window 96 with an appropriate size, so that a
portion of the circuit 93 is externally exposed therefrom.
[0083] The circuit board 93 is slidable with respect to the
attachment groove 95, and can be rotated inside the pointing device
3 when the portion of the circuit board 93 exposed from the window
96 is moved. In this manner, when the circuit board 93 is rotated
to change the relative positional relationship between the tact
switches 92 and the apparatus main body 91, the relative positional
relationship between the operation directions of a lever 98 of the
pointing device 3 and the switches to be turned on can be changed.
Even when the positions of the tact switches 92 are changed by
rotating the circuit board 93, since a pressing plate 97 has a disk
shape, it can depress the tact switch 92 by a corresponding
peripheral portion when the lever 98 is tilted. In this embodiment,
the pressing plate 97 and the lever 98 constitute operation means,
and the circuit board 93, the attachment groove 95, and the window
96 constitute changing means.
[0084] As described above, in this embodiment, although the
pointing device itself is fixed to the apparatus main body, the
positions of the tact switches can be changed in the device,
thereby improving the operability of the pointing device.
[0085] Note that the system arrangement of the video camera main
body and the arrangement of the cursor display system of this
embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in the
first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be
omitted.
[0086] FIGS. 15A to 15C show the structure of a pointing device
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The
pointing device of this embodiment has its base portion fixed to an
apparatus main body, and its position relative to the apparatus
main body does not change. As shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, the
pointing device 3 incorporates 12 tact switches 201, which are
arranged at equal angular intervals on a single perimeter of a
board 202. Of the 12 tact switches, each three switches correspond
to the same operation purposes (the switches having the same
operation purposes are indicated by the same patterns in FIG. 15C),
and four sets of tact switches, each set including three switches
corresponding to the same operation purpose, are incorporated in
the pointing device 3 to be arranged in turn.
[0087] Arms 204 for pressing the tact switches 201 extend in a
cross pattern from a lever 203, and can press the tact switches of
different operation purposes. In order to change the relative
positional relationship between the operation directions of the
lever 203 and the switches to be turned on in the above
arrangement, the lever 203 is rotated about its central axis to
select a switch to be pressed by the arm 204 from the three tact
switches 201 having the same operation purpose. In this manner, the
relative positional relationship between the operation directions
of the lever 203 and the switches to be turned on can be changed in
correspondence with the three switches. In this embodiment, the
lever 203, the arms 204, and a fulcrum 206 constitute operation
means and changing means.
[0088] As described above, even when the lever 203 is rotated, the
arms 204 have a one-to-one correspondence with the tact switches
201 having different operation purposes, and the four operation
directions can attain functions of different operation purposes who
do not overlap each other.
[0089] FIGS. 16A to 16C show the structure of a pointing device
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The
pointing device of this embodiment has its base portion fixed to an
apparatus main body, and its position relative to the apparatus
main body does not change. As shown in FIGS. 16A to 16C, in the
pointing device 3, an insulating sheet 214 with four notches 213 is
inserted between contacts 211 and 212, and the contacts 211 and 212
contact via one of the notches 213, and are electrically connected
to each other, thereby turning on a corresponding switch.
[0090] Since the insulating sheet 214 is slidably attached to an
attachment groove 218 formed on the inner wall of a cover 215, it
is rotatable about the central axis of a lever 217. When a portion
of the insulating sheet 214, which is exposed from a window 216
formed on the cover 215, is moved to rotate the insulating sheet
214, the positions of the notches 213 with respect to the contact
212 change to change the positions where the contacts 211 and 212
contact each other and are electrically connected to each other,
thereby changing the relative positional relationship between the
operation direction of the lever and switches to be turned on. In
this embodiment, the lever 217, a pressing plate 220, and a fulcrum
219 constitute operation means, and the insulating sheet 214 and
the window 216 constitute changing means.
[0091] FIGS. 17A and 17B show the structure of a pointing device
according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The
pointing device of this embodiment has its base portion fixed to an
apparatus main body, and its position relative to the apparatus
main body does not change. As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, 12 tact
switches 221 are arranged at equal angular intervals on a single
perimeter of a switch board 222, and switch terminals 223 of the
tact switches 221 are exposed to the rear surface of the switch
board 222.
[0092] A contact board 225 on which four contact terminals 224 are
arranged is stacked under the switch board 222. A portion of the
contact board 225 is exposed from a window 227 formed on a cover
226, and the contact board 225 itself is slidably attached to a
groove 228 on the inner wall of the cover. Thus, when the portion
of the contact board 225, which is exposed from the window 227, is
moved, the board 225 can be rotated about the central axis of a
lever 229. Output signal lines 230 extend from the terminals 224 on
the contact board 225 toward a portion outside the pointing device
3.
[0093] The tact switches 221 on the switch board 222 are
independent from each other, and have no electrical contact with an
external portion. When the switch board 222 and the contact board
225 are stacked on each other, and the switch terminal 223 contacts
the terminal 224 on the contact board 225, only a corresponding
switch has an electrical contact with an external portion.
[0094] Since the contact board 225 is rotatable, the tact switches
to be operated by pressing of a pressing plate 231 when the lever
229 is tilted can be selected by rotating the contact board 225 to
change the switch terminals 223 which contact the contact terminals
224 on the contact board, thereby changing the relative positional
relationship between the operation directions of the lever 229 and
the switches to be turned on. In this embodiment, the lever 229 and
the pressing plate 231 constitute operation means, and the contact
board 225, the window 227, and the attachment groove 228 constitute
changing means.
[0095] FIGS. 18A and 18B show the structure of a pointing device
according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The
pointing device of this embodiment has its base portion fixed to an
apparatus main body, and its position relative to the apparatus
main body does not change. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the
pointing device has 12 switch contacts 241, which are arranged at
equal angular intervals on a single perimeter on a board. Of the 12
switch contacts 241, each three switches correspond to the same
operation purpose, and four sets each consisting of three switches
are arranged adjacent to each other.
[0096] In the pointing device 3 of this embodiment, four sets of
switch contacts 241 corresponding to the same operation purposes
are sequentially arranged on a single perimeter. Signal lines 242
extend from the switch contacts 241 toward an external portion. As
shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the signal lines extending from a total
of four terminals which output signals for different purposes and
are arranged at equal angular intervals are bundled outside the
pointing device. In this embodiment, three sets (pairs) of signal
lines are formed. Of the sets of signal lines for outputting
signals for the same purpose in the respective sets of signal
lines, a set to be electrically connected to an external portion is
arbitrarily selected by changing means, thereby selecting a set of
switch contacts 241 whose operations can be detected. Therefore,
the relative positional relationship between the operation
directions of a lever 243 and the switches to be turned on can be
changed.
[0097] FIGS. 19A and 19B are respectively a perspective view and a
side sectional view showing the arrangement of a pointing device
according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
[0098] Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, in a cover 304, a switch
plate 306 on which eight tact switches 305 are arranged on a single
perimeter is arranged, and an operation lever 307 is supported by a
support member 308 having a spherical shape. The support member 308
is pivotally held by a holding member 309. A disk-shaped pressing
plate 310 for pressing the tact switch 305 is arranged on the
operation lever 307.
[0099] With the above arrangement, the operation lever 307 can be
tilted in 360.degree. directions within a predetermined angle range
to have the support member 308 as a fulcrum. When an operator tilts
the operation lever 307 in a certain direction, the pressing plate
310 also tilts, and one of the tact switches 305, corresponding to
the operation direction, is pressed and turned on by the pressing
plate 310. Therefore, by selecting the tilt direction (operation
direction) of the operation lever 307, one of the eight tact
switches 305 can be selectively turned on.
[0100] Note that different switch functions are assigned to the
eight tact switches 305. In the following description, the eight
tact switches 305 will be referred to as switches SW1, SW2, . . . ,
SW8, as needed.
[0101] Since the arrangement of a video camera 100 using a pointing
device 301 described above is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, a
detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0102] FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram of the pointing device 301.
[0103] Referring to FIG. 20, when one of the tact switches 305 is
depressed, the switch SW shown in FIG. 20 is turned on and
grounded, and an L-level output signal is supplied to a
microcomputer 9. Since the switch SW includes eight switches SW1 to
SW8, the microcomputer 9 always sequentially samples the output
signals from these eight switches at a predetermined cycle. The
sampling results (H level or L level) are sequentially stored in an
8-bit register.
[0104] FIG. 21 shows the contents of a register 320 as a result of
the sampling. The current sampling results are stored in a register
320a, and the previous sampling results are stored in a register
320b. Then, the contents of the registers 320a and 320b are
logically ORed in units of bits, and the results are stored in a
register 320c. In the example shown in FIG. 21, since the second
bit corresponds to L level (0) with reference to the contents of
the register 320c, it is determined that the switch SW2 is ON. As a
result, the microcomputer 9 controls a character generator 10 to
generate a cursor which moves in the upper right-hand
direction.
[0105] By repeating the series of processing operations described
above, the waveform of the output signal from a given tact switch
305 shown in FIG. 22A finally becomes one shown in FIG. 22B. In
FIG. 22B, when the signal is at L level, the microcomputer 9
performs processing corresponding to the ON tact switch 305.
[0106] In the pointing device 301 according to the above-mentioned
embodiment, the relative positional relationship between the
operation directions of the levers 307 and the switches SW1 to SW8
can be changed in a software manner.
[0107] FIGS. 23A to 23C are views for explaining the changing
operation.
[0108] In FIGS. 23A to 23C, an 8-bit flag register 321 is arranged,
and the contents of the register 320c (see FIG. 21) are rotated in
the right- or left-hand direction with reference to the contents of
the register 321.
[0109] In the case of FIG. 23A, since all the bits of the flag
register 321 are at L level, no rotation is performed, and it is
determined in accordance with the contents (the first bit is "0" in
FIG. 23A) of the register 320c that the switch SW1 is ON, thus
moving a cursor on a monitor 4 in the upper direction.
[0110] In the case of FIG. 23B, since the first bit of the flag
register 321 is "1", the contents of the register 320c are rotated
by one bit in the right-hand direction, as indicated by a register
320d. With this processing, a bit "0" corresponding to the switch
SW2 corresponds to the switch SW1. As a result, when the switch SW2
is depressed, the cursor is moved in the direction assigned to the
switch SW1. More specifically, when the switch SW2 for normally
moving the cursor in the upper right-hand direction is depressed,
the cursor is moved in the upper direction.
[0111] In the case of FIG. 23C, since the second bit of the flag
register 321 is "1", the contents of the register 320c are rotated
by one bit in the left-hand direction to obtain the contents of the
register 320d. As a result, when the switch SW8 is depressed, the
cursor is moved in the direction assigned to the switch SW1.
[0112] As described above, since the contents of the register 320c
are rotated by at least one bit in accordance with the position of
"1" in the flag register 321, the switches SW1 to SW8 can be
substantially replaced by other switches.
[0113] With this processing, an operator can change the layout of
the switches SW1 to SW8 to one that he or she can most easily
operate, in correspondence with the size of the hand, the length of
the finger, the holding position of the video camera 100, or the
like.
[0114] FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the operation for
registering a flag in the flag register 321.
[0115] In step S1, both flags 0 and 1 are set to be "0". In step
S2, the pointing device 301 is operated to move the cursor in the
upper direction (the Y direction in FIGS. 23A to 23C). At this
time, if the switch SW1 is depressed, steps S3 and S5 are skipped,
and no processing is performed. If it is determined in step S3 that
the switch SW2 is depressed, flag 0 is set to be "1" in step S4 to
form the flag register 321 shown in FIG. 23B. On the other hand, if
it is determined in step S5 that the switch SW8 is depressed, flag
1 is set to be "1" in step S6 to form the flag register 321 shown
in FIG. 23C. The contents of the flag register 321 are preserved
until the next changing operation is performed in the same
procedure.
[0116] FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the operation when the
pointing device 301 is used after the flag is registered, as
described above.
[0117] After the power switch is turned on, if the pointing device
301 is operated in step S11, the contents of the registers 320a and
320b are logically ORed, and the calculation results are stored in
the register 320c, in step S12. In step S13, flag 0 of the flag
register 321 is checked. If flag 0 is not "0", the contents of the
register 320c are rotated in the right-hand direction in step S14,
and thereafter, the flow advances to step S17.
[0118] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that flag
0 is "0", flag 1 is checked in step S15. If flag 1 is "0", the flow
advances to step S17; otherwise, the contents of the register 320c
are rotated in the left-hand direction in step S16, and thereafter,
the flow advances to step S17. In step S17, the microcomputer 9
performs processing in correspondence with the presence/absence of
rotation in the left- or right-hand direction, and supplies a
control signal for moving the cursor to the character generator 10.
In step S18, the character generator 10 generates a character
signal for moving the cursor. In step S19, the cursor is displayed
on the monitor 4 via a synthesization circuit 12.
[0119] The above-mentioned processing is repetitively performed
until the power switch is turned off.
[0120] FIG. 26 shows a camera built-in type VTR as an image pickup
apparatus of the 10th embodiment when viewed from the operator
side. A camera built-in type VTR main body 401 has a camera unit
for picking up an image of an object, a recording unit as recording
means for recording the picked-up image, and a reproduction unit as
reproduction means for reproducing the recorded image. An
electronic viewfinder (to be abbreviated as an EVF hereinafter) 402
comprises a liquid crystal display, and serves as display means for
displaying the picked-up image. A joystick 403 serves as operation
means for selecting an arbitrary position on the screen of the EVF
402.
[0121] A display frame 404 moves to an arbitrary position on the
screen of the EVF 402 in accordance with the operation of the
joystick 403, so that the setting operation for, e.g., AE, AF, and
the like is performed at that position. A mode selection switch 405
is used for switching the operation mode between a camera mode and
a VTR mode. An image pickup start/still trigger button 406 is used
for starting/stopping an image pickup operation. Reproduction
switches 407 are used in the VTR mode. A side strap 409 is used for
holding the apparatus during the image pickup operation.
[0122] The operation of this embodiment will be described below
with reference to the flow chart shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B. It is
checked in step S1 if the power switch is ON. If the power switch
is ON, the flow advances to step S2, and the operation mode is
selected by the mode selection switch 405. If the camera mode is
selected, the flow advances to step S3 to determine whether
AE.multidot.AF processing is performed or a display selection is to
be made. If a display selection is to be made, the flow advances to
step S4 to set an initial value (PAUSE), and operations
corresponding to the respective switches are performed. If the
AE.cndot.AF processing is selected in step S3, the flow advances to
step S5, and picture dividing processing is performed. The flow
advances to step S6, and coordinating processing of the position
designated by the joystick 403 is performed.
[0123] It is checked in step S7 if the joystick is moved to the
right-hand side. If Y (YES) in step S7, the flow advances to step
S8, and the display frame is moved to the right-hand side on the
screen. If N (NO) in step S7, the flow advances to step S9 to check
if the joystick is moved to the left-hand side. If Y in step S9,
the flow advances to step S10, and the display frame is moved to
the left-hand side on the screen. If N in step S9, the flow
advances to step S11 to check if the joystick is moved in the upper
direction. If Y in step S11, the flow advances to step S12, and the
display frame is moved in the upper direction on the frame. If N in
step S11, the flow advances to step S13 to check if the joystick is
moved in the lower direction. If Y in step S13, the flow advances
to step S14, and the display frame is moved in the lower direction
on the frame. If N in step S13, the flow returns to step S7.
[0124] If the display frame is moved in step S8, S10, S12, or S14,
the flow advances to step S15 to select the contents to be set in
the display frame. If AF processing is performed, the flow advances
to step S16, and an optical system (not shown) is controlled to be
in focus with an object within the moved frame. On the other hand,
if AE processing is performed, the flow advances to step S17 to
perform control for obtaining appropriate exposure in the moved
frame.
[0125] If it is determined in step S2 that the operation mode is
the VTR mode, the flow advances to step S18 to set an initial value
(STOP) in the apparatus. Thereafter, operations corresponding the
respective switches are performed.
[0126] As described above, when the display frame used for setting
an image pickup condition for AE, AF, or the like is set at an
arbitrary position on the image display screen using the joystick
403, AF precision and AE precision can be improved. Since
complicated setting procedures and operations can be omitted, the
operability can be improved.
[0127] Since the operation key as operation means is arranged on
the rear surface of the camera built-in type VTR, i.e., in the same
plane as the screen, an operation can be attained with only one
finger while confirming the image displayed on the screen. Since
the operation directions, i.e., the upper, lower, right, and left
directions, match the movement of the screen, a smooth operation is
allowed.
[0128] In this embodiment, the joystick is used as an operation
key. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 28, a cross-shaped key may be
used as means for moving the frame on the screen, thus obtaining
the same effect described above.
* * * * *