Patent ID: 6865342
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: G05G

Abstract:
1. An operation lever apparatus operative in combination with a surveillance system having a camera unit operable in zoomed and focused states, said camera unit being movable in a shooting direction in which said camera unit is adapted to shoot a picture, comprising: a retaining member having a reference axis; a first operation lever having a center axis and mounted on said retaining member, said first operation lever being movable with respect to said retaining member to assume two different operation positions including a first position in which said center axis of said first operation lever is held in coaxial relationship with said reference axis of said retaining member, and a second position in which said center axis of said first operation lever is tilted with respect to said reference axis of said retaining member; first detecting means for detecting a tilt direction of said center axis of said first operation lever with respect to said reference axis of said retaining member; a second operation lever having a center axis and mounted on said first operation lever, said second operation lever being movable with respect to said first operation lever to assume two different operation positions including a first position in which said center axis of said second operation lever is held in coaxial relationship with said center axis of said first operation lever, and a second position in which said center axis of said second operation lever is tilted with respect to said center axis of said first operation lever; and second detecting means for detecting a tilt direction of said center axis of said second operation lever with respect to said center axis of said first operation lever; said second operation lever being axially movable alone said center axis of said second operation lever and operative to assume two different operation states including a pushed state in which said second operation lever is axially moved toward said first operation lever and a released state in which said second operation lever is axially moved away from said first operation lever, and in which said second detecting means is operative to detect said pushed state of said second operation lever member, and which further comprises: camera control means for controlling said camera unit in said shooting direction, said zoomed state, and said focused state on the basis of said tilt direction of said center axis of said first operation lever with respect to said reference axis of said retaining member, said tilt direction of said center axis of said second operation lever with respect to said center axis of said first operation lever, and said pushed state signal produced by said second detecting unit.