Electronic equipment

Electronic equipment includes a first operating member and a protruding portion. The first operating member includes a detecting unit that detects touch operations and slide operations. The protruding portion is disposed adjacent to an operating face of the first operating member in a direction of the slide operations, and protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the slide operations as to the operating face of the first operating member. A detecting face of the detecting unit is divided into at least two detecting faces of a first detecting face through an N'th detecting face, in order from a side of the protruding portion in the direction of the slide operations. An area of the first detecting face is wider than an area of the N'th detecting face.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to electronic equipment having a touch-sensor operating member.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, electronic equipment, of which digital cameras are representative, has been provided with operating members for selecting setting items, such as directional pads, dials, and so forth. In recent years, there has been an increase in products that have a touch panel as a display device, and users can select/set items simply by touching displayed setting items. There are also products that have a touch sensor as an operating member, which is anticipated to serve as a user interface for shooting moving images with imaging apparatuses.

Performing settings while shooting moving images using conventional mechanical operating members results as operation sounds being recorded as noise, but operating sounds to be recorded can be reduced by operating members using touch sensors.

There are various types of touch panels and touch sensors, such as resistive film, capacitive, surface acoustic wave, infrared, electromagnetic induction, image recognition, optical sensor, and so forth, each having advantages and disadvantages, and have been implemented while selecting the type in accordance with the usages.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-25503 discloses a unit for preventing erroneous operation of a touch sensor in a state of gripping a grip, in electronic equipment having a touch-sensor operating member. Specifically, a sensitivity adjustment unit is disclosed where sensitivity at a touch detecting portion at a far side is higher than sensitivity at a touch detecting portion at a side near to an edge of the electronic equipment (grip side). Also disclosed is a determining unit where a position where a touch operation has been performed is determined in accordance with an output value of the sensitivity adjustment unit.

However, the conventional technique disclosed in the above publication judges based on distance from the edge. In a case where measures only involve adjustment of sensitivity, there will be cases where erroneous operations cannot be dealt with, since the ease of input to a layout of a touch detecting portion is unchanged. For example, if there is a protruding portion near an operating member, and input to a touch detecting unit is difficult due to layout position, there is difference in ease of input that distance alone cannot account for, so the situation cannot be handled.

Also, in a case where measures only involve adjustment of sensitivity, there conceivably will be cases where a great increase in sensitivity is necessary, leading to reduced noise tolerance, and erroneous input may increase.

Also, in a case where there is another operating member near a touch detecting portion with increased sensitivity, there is a possibility that erroneous input to the touch detecting portion in a case of operating the other operating member.

SUMMARY

It has been found desirable to provide electronic equipment having a touch sensor operating member where erroneous operation can be reduced even in a case where there has been change in ease of input due to positional relation with other members of the electronic equipment.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, electronic equipment includes a first operating member having a detecting unit configured to detect touch operations and slide operations, and a protruding portion disposed adjacent to an operating face of the first operating member in a direction of the slide operations, and protruding in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the slide operations as to the operating face of the first operating member, wherein a detecting face of the detecting unit is divided into at least two detecting faces of a first detecting face through an N'th detecting face, in order from a side of the protruding portion in the direction of the slide operations, and wherein an area of the first detecting face is wider than an area of the N'th detecting face.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.FIGS. 1A and 1Bare external views of a digital camera100serving as an example of an apparatus to which the present disclosure can be applied.FIG. 1Ais a frontal perspective view of the digital camera100, andFIG. 1Bis a rear perspective view of the digital camera100.

A display unit28inFIG. 1Bis a display unit provided to the rear face of the camera, to display images and various types of information. A touch panel70acan detect touch operations made as to the display face (operating face) of the display unit28.

A non-viewfinder display unit43is a display unit provided on the upper face of the camera, and displays various camera setting values such as shutter speed, aperture, and so forth.

A shutter button61is an operating unit for giving a shooting instruction. A mode selection switch60is an operating unit for switching among various types of modes.

A terminal cover40is a cover that protects a connector (omitted from illustration) such as a connection cable connecting external equipment and the digital camera100.

A main electronic dial71is a rotational operating member included in an operating unit70. Setting values such as shutter speed, aperture, and so forth, can be changed, for example, by rotating this main electronic dial71.

A power source switch72is an operating member that switches the power source for the digital camera100on and off.

A sub-electronic dial73serving as a second operating member is a rotational operating member included in the operating unit70, and can be used for moving selection frames, image feeding, and so forth.

A sub-electronic dial73is disposed adjacent to the operating face of the touch bar82in the direction of slide operations of the touch bar82at a position recessed toward the front side (Z direction) as to the operating face of the touch bar82.

A directional pad74is included in the operating unit70, and can be pressed at upper lower, left, and right portions (four-directional key). Operations can be performed in accordance with the portion of the directional pad74that has been pressed.

A set button75is a press button that is included in the operating unit70, and primarily is used for determining selected items.

A moving image button76is used to instruct starting and stopping of shooting (recording) moving images.

An automatic exposure (AE) lock button77is included in the operating unit70. The exposure state can be fixed by pressing the AE lock button77in a shooting standby state.

A zoom button78is an operating button included in the operating unit70, for turning a zoom mode on and off for live view (LV) display in a shooting mode. Once the zoom mode is turned on, the LV image can be zoomed in and zoomed out by operating the main electronic dial71. In playback mode, the zoom button78serves as an enlarging button to enlarge the playback image to a larger enlargement ratio.

A playback button79is an operating button included in the operating unit70, for switching between the shooting mode and playback mode. When the playback button79is pressed in the shooting mode, the mode transitions to the playback mode, and the newest image out of images recorded on a recording medium200can be displayed on the display unit28.

A menu button81is included in the operating unit70. When the menu button81is pressed, a menu screen enabling various types of settings is displayed on the display unit28.

The user can intuitively perform various types of settings using the menu screen displayed on the display unit28, and the directional pad74and set button75.

A touch bar82serving as a first operating member is a linear touch operating member (line touch sensor) extending in the X direction that can accept touch operations. The touch bar82is disposed at a position so as to be operable by the thumb of the right hand grasping a grip portion90. The touch bar82can accept tap operations (an operation of touching, and then releasing the finger without moving within a predetermined amount of time), slide operations (an operation of touching, and then moving the touch position while still in contact) to the left or right, and so forth. Note that the touch bar82is a separate operating member from the touch panel70a, and does not have display functions.

A communication terminal10is a communication terminal for the digital camera100to communicate with the lens side (detachable).

An eyepiece16is an eyepiece for a direct viewfinder (a viewfinder that is directly looked through). The user can confirm images by viewing displayed on an electronic viewfinder (EVF)29provided inside through the eyepiece16.

A viewfinder proximity detecting unit57is a viewfinder proximity sensor that detects whether the eye of the photographer is in the proximity of the eyepiece16.

A cover202is a cover for a slot accommodating the recording medium200. The grip portion90is a holding portion that has a shape enabling the user to easily grip the digital camera100in the right hand. The shutter button61and main electronic dial71are disposed at positions so as to be operable by the index finger of the right hand in a state where the grip portion90is being gripped using the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger of the right hand to hold the digital camera100. The sub-electronic dial73and touch bar82are disposed at positions so as to be operable by the thumb of the right hand in the same state.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital camera100according to the present embodiment. A lens unit150inFIG. 2is a lens unit where exchangeable shooting lenses are mounted. A lens103is usually made up of multiple lenses, but is illustrated as a single lens here for the sake of simplicity.

A communication terminal6is a communication terminal for the lens unit150to communicate with the digital camera100side. The communication terminal10is a communication terminal for the digital camera100to communicate with the lens unit150side.

The lens unit150communicates with a system control unit50via these communication terminals6and10, and controls a diaphragm1via a diaphragm drive circuit2by a lens system control circuit4provided inside. The lens unit150performs focusing by driving the AF drive circuit3to change the position of the lens103.

An AE sensor17performs light metering of the luminance of a subject through the lens unit150.

A focal point detecting unit11outputs defocus amount information to the system control unit50. The system control unit50controls the lens unit150based on this, thereby performing phase-difference AF. The focal point detecting unit11may be a dedicated phase-difference sensor, or may be configured as an imaging plane phase-difference sensor of an imaging unit22.

A shutter101is a focal plane shutter that can freely, or at least without meaningful restriction, control exposure time of the imaging unit22under control of the system control unit50.

The imaging unit22is an imaging device configured of a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device or the like, that converts optical images into electrical signals. An A/D converter23converts analog signals into digital signals. The A/D converter23is used for converting analog signals output from the imaging unit22into digital signals.

An image processing unit24subjects data from the A/D converter23or data from a memory control unit15to predetermined pixel interpolation, resizing processing such as reduction, and color conversion processing. The image processing unit24also performs predetermined computation processing using the taken image data. The system control unit50performs exposure control and ranging control based on the computation results obtained by the image processing unit24. Accordingly, through-the-lens (TTL) AF processing, AE processing, and electronic flash (EF) pre-flashing is performed. The image processing unit24further performs predetermined computation processing using the taken image data, and performs TTL automatic white balance (AWB) processing based on the obtained computation results.

Output data from the A/D converter23is written to memory32via the image processing unit24and memory control unit15, or directly written to the memory32via the memory control unit15. The memory32stores image data obtained by the imaging unit22and converted into digital data by the A/D converter23, and image data for display on the display unit28and EVF29. The memory32has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still images or a predetermined amount of time of moving images and audio. The memory32also serves as memory (video memory) for image display.

A D/A converter19converts data for image display that is stored in the memory32into analog signals, and supplies the resultant analog signals to the display unit28and EVF29. Thus, the image data for display that has been written to the memory32is displayed at the display unit28and EVF29via the D/A converter19. The display unit28and EVF29perform displays in accordance with analog signals from the D/A converter19, on display devices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic electroluminescent display (ELD), or the like.

Digital signals that have been once subjected to A/D conversion by the A/D converter23and stored in the memory32are subjected to analog conversion by the D/A converter19, and thereafter sequentially transmitted to the display unit28or EVF29for display. Thus, LV display can be performed. Hereinafter, images displayed in live view will be referred to as LV images.

Various setting values of the camera, such as shutter speed, aperture, and so forth, are displayed on the non-viewfinder display unit43via a non-viewfinder display unit drive circuit44.

Nonvolatile memory56is electrically erasable and recordable memory. Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or the like, for example, is used. Constants, programs, and so forth for the system control unit50to operate, are stored in the nonvolatile memory56. The term programs as used here refers to programs for executing various types of processing described later in the present embodiment.

The system control unit50is a control unit made up of at least one processor or circuit, and controls the entire digital camera100. The processes of the present embodiment, which will be described later, are realized by executing the programs recorded in the aforementioned nonvolatile memory56.

Random access memory (RAM), for example, is used for system memory52, and constants, variables, programs read out from the nonvolatile memory56, and so forth, for the system control unit50to operate, are unfolded.

The system control unit50also performs display control by controlling the memory32, D/A converter19, display unit28, and so forth.

A system timer53is a clocking unit that measures time used for various types of control, and time of a built-in clock.

The mode selection switch60, a first shutter switch62, a second shutter switch64, and the operating unit70are operating units for input of various operation instructions to the system control unit50.

The mode selection switch60switches the operation mode of the system control unit50to one of still image shooting mode, moving image shooting mode, playback mode, or the like.

Modes included in the still image shooting mode include automatic shooting mode, automatic scene determination mode, manual mode, aperture prioritized mode (Av mode), shutter speed prioritized mode (TV mode), and programmable AE mode (P mode).

There are also various types of scene modes, custom modes, and so forth, that are shooting settings for different shooting scenes. The user can directly switch to one of these modes using the mode selection switch60. Alternatively, an arrangement may be made where the mode selection switch60is used to temporarily switch to a list screen of shooting modes, and thereafter one of multiple modes displayed is selected, and other operating members are used to switch the mode. In the same way, the moving image shooting mode may include multiple modes.

The first shutter switch62goes on partway through operation of the shutter button61provided to the digital camera100, at the so-called half-pressed state (shooting preparation instruction), and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. The first shutter switch signal SW1starts shooting preparation operations such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, EF pre-flashing processing, and so forth.

The second shutter switch64goes on with operation of the shutter button61being completed, at the so-called full-pressed state (shooting instruction), and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. Upon the second shutter switch signal SW2being generated, the system control unit50starts the series of shooting processing operations, from reading signals from the imaging unit22up to writing the image that has been taken to the recording medium200as an image file.

The operating unit70is various types of operating members serving as input units for accepting operations from the user. The operating unit70includes at least the following operating units. Illustrated examples of the operating units are the shutter button61, main electronic dial71, power source switch72, sub-electronic dial73, and directional pad74. Further included are set button75, moving image button76, AF lock button77, zoom button78, playback button79, menu button81, and touch bar82.

A power source control unit80is made up of a battery detecting circuit, a DC-DC converter, switching circuits for switching blocks to supply voltage to, and so forth, and performs detection of whether or not a battery is mounted, the type of the battery, and remaining charge in the battery. The power source control unit80also controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection results thereof and instructions from the system control unit50, to supply necessary voltage to various parts including the recording medium200for necessary amount of time.

A power source unit30is made up of a primary battery such as an alkaline battery, lithium battery, or the like, a secondary battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, lithium-ion battery, or the like, an AC adapter, and so forth.

A recording medium interface18is an interface for the recording medium200such as a memory card, hard disk, or the like. The recording medium200is a recording medium such as a memory card or the like, for recording images that have been shot, and is made up of semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

A communication unit54is externally connected wirelessly or by cable, and exchanges video signals and audio signals. The communication unit54is also configured to connect with a wireless local area network (LAN), the Internet, or the like. The communication unit54is further configured to communicate with external equipment via a wireless technology standard such as Bluetooth (a registered trademark) or a wireless personal area network technology such as Bluetooth Low Energy as well. The communication unit54is configured to transmit images (including LV images) taken by the imaging unit22, and images recorded in the recording medium200, and further can receive images and other various types of information from external equipment.

An attitude detecting unit55detects the attitude of the digital camera100as to the gravitational direction. Whether an image taken by the imaging unit22is an image taken with the digital camera100held landscape or an image taken with the digital camera100portrait, can be distinguished based on the attitude detected by the attitude detecting unit55. The system control unit50is configured to add orientation information according to the attitude detected by the attitude detecting unit55to image files of images taken by the imaging unit22, and rotate and record images. Examples of the attitude detecting unit55include acceleration sensors, gyro sensors, and so forth. Movement of the digital camera100(panning, tilting, raising, whether still or not, etc.) can also be detected using the acceleration sensors, gyro sensors, and so forth, serving as the attitude detecting unit55.

The viewfinder proximity detecting unit57is a viewfinder proximity detecting sensor that detects (proximity detection) approaching (proximal) of an eye (object) to the eyepiece16of the viewfinder and retraction (distanced) thereof (proximity detection). The system control unit50switches the display (display state)/non-display (non-display state) of the display unit28and EVF29in accordance with the state detected by the viewfinder proximity detecting unit57. More specifically, in at least a shooting standby state where switching of the display location is being automatically switched, the display unit28is set as the display location and display is turned on, and the EVF29is turned off while the eye is not in proximity with the eyepiece16. On the other hand, display at the display unit28is turned off and the EVF29is set as the display location and display is turned on while the eye is in proximity with the eyepiece16.

An infrared proximity sensor, for example, can be used for the viewfinder proximity detecting unit57, to detect some sort of object approaching the eyepiece16of the viewfinder in which the EVF29is built in. In a case where an object is approaching, infrared rays cast by an emitting unit (omitted from illustration) of the viewfinder proximity detecting unit57are reflected and received at a photoreceptor (omitted from illustration) of the infrared proximity sensor. How far the object is from the eyepiece16(viewfinder proximity distance) can also be distinguished by the amount of infrared rays received. Thus, the viewfinder proximity detecting unit57performs proximity detection to detect the proximity distance of an object to the eyepiece16.

In a case where an object is detected approaching the eyepiece16within a predetermined distance therefrom, from a viewfinder distanced state (a distanced state), proximity of an eye is detected. In a case where an object that had been in proximity has moved away a predetermined distance, from a viewfinder proximity state (a proximity state), distancing of the eye is detected. The threshold value at which proximity of an eye is detected, and the threshold value at which distancing of an eye is detected, may be different, with a hysteresis provided, for example. Once proximity of an eye is detected, the state is a viewfinder proximity state until distancing of the eye is detected. Once distancing of the eye is detected, the state is a viewfinder distanced state until proximity of the eye is detected. Note that an infrared proximity sensor is but one example, and other sensors may be employed for the viewfinder proximity detecting unit57as long as proximity of an eye or an object, that can be deemed to be proximity of an eye, can be detected.

Operation Method of Touch Panel70a

The touch panel70acan be integrally configured with the display unit28. For example, the touch panel70ais configured having a light transmittance so as not to impede display of the display unit28, and is attached to the top layer of the display face of the display unit28. The input coordinates on the touch panel70aare correlated with the display coordinates on the display screen of the display unit28. Accordingly, a graphical user interface (GUI), which gives the impression of the user being able to directly operate the screen displayed on the display unit28, can be provided.

The system control unit50can detect the following operations and states regarding the touch panel70a.A finger or pen that has not been in touch with the touch panel70ahas newly touched the touch panel70a, i.e., a touch has been started (hereinafter referred to as touch-down).A finger or pen is in a state touching the touch panel70a(hereinafter referred to as touch-on).A finger or pen is moving while being in a state touching the touch panel70a(hereinafter referred to as touch-move).A finger or pen that had been in a state touching the touch panel70ahas moved away, i.e., end of touch (hereinafter referred to as touch-up).A state where nothing is touching the touch panel70a(hereinafter referred to as touch-off).

When touch-down is detected, touch-on is also detected at the same time. Unless touch-up is detected after touch-down, touch-on normally continues to be detected. Touch-move is detected in a state where touch-on is detected. Even if touch-on is detected, touch-move is not detected unless the touch position moves. Touch-off is established after touch-up of all fingers or pens in touch has been detected.

These operations and states, and positional coordinates of a finger or pen touching the touch panel70a, are notified to the system control unit50via an internal bus. The system control unit50determines what sort of operations (touch operations) have been made on the touch panel70a, based on the information notified thereto.

The direction of movement of the finger or pen moving over the touch panel70aduring a touch-move can be determined for each of the vertical component and horizontal component on the touch panel70a, based on change in the positional coordinates. In a case where a touch-move of a predetermined distance or longer has been detected, a slide operation is determined to have been performed.

An operation of quickly moving a finger over the touch panel70afor a certain distance or so while in touch and moving away is called flicking. The term flicking for this operation comes from the way in which the surface of the touch panel70ais flicked quickly by the finger. In a case where a touch-move has been detected for a predetermined distance or more, at a predetermined speed or more, ending with a touch-up being detected, flicking can be determined to have been performed (flicking can be determined to have been performed after a slide operation).

Further, performing a touch operation of touching multiple places (e.g., two points) at the same time, and bringing the touch positions closer to each other is referred to as pinch-in, while an operation of distancing the touch positions from each other is referred to as pinch-out. Pinch-out and pinch-in are collectively referred to as pinch operations (or simply pinching).

There are various types of touch panels, such as resistive film, capacitive, surface acoustic wave, infrared, electromagnetic induction, image recognition, optical sensor, and so forth, any of which can be used for the touch panel70a. Some types detect touch by contact as to the touch panel70a, while other types detect touch by proximity of a finger or pen to the touch panel70a, and either may be used.

Description of Schematic Diagrams of User Operations

As described above, various functions can be operated by the touch bar82, but there is a need to perform operations while viewing the display screen provided to the digital camera100in order to perform operations while comprehending the various functions set to the touch bar82.

FIG. 10Ais a schematic diagram illustrating a user operating the touch bar82while looking at the display unit28provided on the rear face of the camera and the non-viewfinder display unit43provided on the upper face of the camera.FIG. 10Bis a schematic diagram illustrating a user operating the touch bar82while looking at the EVF29within the direct viewfinder. In a case of a camera having multiple display units as illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10B, the user performs shooting and setting of shooting functions in various styles, so the touch bar82needs to be situated at a position that is easy to operate while looking at any of the display units.

Operation Method of Touch Bar82

The system control unit50calculates positional coordinates of a thumb touching the touch bar82, based on output information from the touch bar82. The system control unit50can further detect the following operations and states regarding the touch bar82.A thumb that has not been in touch with the touch bar82has newly touched the touch bar82, i.e., a touch has been started (hereinafter referred to as touch-down).A thumb is in a state touching the touch bar82(hereinafter referred to as touch-on).A thumb is moving while being in a state touching the touch bar82(hereinafter referred to as touch-move).A thumb that had been in a state touching the touch bar82has moved away, i.e., end of touch (hereinafter referred to as touch-up).A state where nothing is touching the touch bar82(hereinafter referred to as touch-off).

When touch-down is detected, touch-on is also detected at the same time. Unless touch-up is detected after touch-down, touch-on normally continues to be detected. Touch-move is detected in a state where touch-on is detected. Even if touch-on is detected, touch-move is not detected unless the touch position moves. Touch-off is established after touch-up of the thumb in touch has been detected.

The system control unit50determines what sort of operations (touch operations) have been made on the touch bar82, based on these operations and states, and positional coordinates. Horizontal-direction (right-left direction) movement on the touch bar82is detected for a touch-move. In a case where movement of a predetermined distance or longer is detected, a slide operation is determined to have been performed. In a case where the touch bar82is touched by a thumb, and the touch is released within a predetermined amount of time without performing a slide operation, a tap operation is determined to have been performed.

The touch bar82according to the present embodiment is a capacitive touch sensor. However, the touch bar82may be a different type of touch sensor, such as resistive film, surface acoustic wave, infrared, electromagnetic induction, image recognition, optical sensor, and so forth.

Operations using the touch bar82will be described below in detail with reference toFIGS. 7A through 9.FIGS. 7A and 7Bare conceptual diagrams of tap operations,FIGS. 8A and 8Bare conceptual diagrams of slide operations, andFIG. 9is a conceptual diagram of full-area pressing operations. The outlines of the touch bar82and a flexible board301are omitted throughoutFIGS. 7A through 9. Only a touch sensor electrode302, and an operating thumb500by which the user performs operations, are illustrated.

The touch sensor electrode302is made up of three electrodes, which are a first touch sensor electrode302a, a second touch sensor electrode302b, and a third touch sensor electrode302c, in order from the side closer to the eyepiece16that is a protruding portion. The touch sensor electrode302detects change in capacitance by the operating thumb500that performs user operations, whereby tap operations, slide operations, and full-area pressing operations can be performed.

In reality, touch detection is performed by the operating thumb500of the user coming into contact with the touch bar82disposed at the near side of the touch sensor electrode302. However, description will be made below that touch detection is performed by the operating thumb500coming into contact with the touch sensor electrode302, in order to simplify description regarding tap operations, slide operations, and full-area pressing operations.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare conceptual diagrams of tap operations, whereFIG. 7Ais a conceptual diagram of a left tap operation, andFIG. 7Bis a conceptual diagram of a right tap operation. The operating thumb500of the user comes into contact with the first touch sensor electrode302a, and then moves away, as illustrated inFIG. 7A, which is detected as a left tap operation. In the same way, the operating thumb500of the user comes into contact with the third touch sensor electrode302c, and then moves away, as illustrated inFIG. 7B, which is detected as a right tap operation.

Although two tap operations of left tap operation and right tap operation have been described in the present example, this is not restrictive. A middle tap operation may be provided using the second touch sensor electrode302b.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bare conceptual diagrams of slide operations, whereFIG. 8Ais a conceptual diagram of a right slide operation, andFIG. 8Bis a conceptual diagram of a left slide operation. The operating thumb500comes into contact with the first touch sensor electrode302aof the touch sensor electrode302, and then moves toward the direction of the third touch sensor electrode302c, as illustrated inFIG. 8A, which is detected as a right slide operation. In the same way, the operating thumb500comes into contact with the third touch sensor electrode302c, and then moves toward the direction of the first touch sensor electrode302a, as illustrated inFIG. 8B, which is detected as a left slide operation.

The start position of slide operations is not restricted to the first touch sensor electrode302aor third touch sensor electrode302c, and a slide operation may start from contact with the second touch sensor electrode302b. That is to say, movement where the operating thumb500comes into contact with the second touch sensor electrode302b, and then moves toward the direction of the third touch sensor electrode302c, may be detected as a right slide operation. Similarly, movement where the operating thumb500comes into contact with the second touch sensor electrode302b, and then moves toward the direction of the first touch sensor electrode302a, may be detected as a left slide operation.

FIG. 9is a conceptual diagram of a full-area pressing operation. All of the first touch sensor electrode302a, second touch sensor electrode302b, and third touch sensor electrode302cof the touch sensor electrode302pressed by the operating thumb500at once, which is detected as a full-area pressing operation. While the operating thumb500is pressed generally perpendicularly as to the touch sensor electrode302in tap operations and slide operations, the operating thumb500is pressed generally parallel as to the touch sensor electrode302in full-area pressing operations. That is to say, this is an operation that is relatively difficult to perform in comparison with tap operations and slide operations, but on the other hand, this is an operation that the user cannot perform without intent to do so.

The user does not necessarily have to touch all of the touch sensor electrode302as illustrated inFIG. 9to perform full-area pressing operations. A full-area pressing operation may be recognized even if part of the first touch sensor electrode302aand part of the third touch sensor electrode302cis not being touched.

EXAMPLES

An example of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 3A through 6C.FIGS. 3A and 3Bare diagrams illustrating the layout position and internal configuration of the touch bar82in the digital camera100serving as the imaging apparatus (electronic equipment) according to the present example.

The imaging apparatus has the touch bar82that is provided with the touch sensor electrode302for touch operations, and the eyepiece16disposed adjacent to the operating face of the touch bar82in the direction of slide operations, protruding toward the rear side as to the operating face of the touch bar82.

The sub-electronic dial (second operating member)73is provided disposed adjacent to the operating face of the touch bar (first operating member)82in the direction of slide operations. The sub-electronic dial73is a rotational operating member that is operated by moving the thumb in a uniaxial direction, as viewed from the rear side of the electronic equipment.

The touch detecting face302is disposed on the inner side of the operating face (keytop) of the touch bar (first operating member)82.

The touch bar (first operating member)82and touch panel (display unit)70aare arrayed in a direction orthogonal to the direction of slide operations, as viewed from the rear side of the electronic equipment.

An outer cover disposed on the outer edge of the touch bar (first operating member)82is made of an electroconductive material, while the touch bar82itself is of a non-electroconductive material.

The touch detecting face302is distanced from the outer cover, so that the touch detecting face302and outer cover are electrically insulated.

A touch detecting face of the touch sensor electrode302is divided into at least two touch detecting faces of a first touch detecting face302athrough an N'th touch detecting face302nin order from the protruding portion side (eyepiece16side) in the direction of slide operations. N is a positive integer. N=3 inFIGS. 3A and 3B, so the touch sensor electrode302is divided into three.

The surface area of the first touch detecting face302ais wider than the surface area of the N'th touch detecting face302nin the present example. A region generated by narrowing the N'th touch detecting face302nis covered by an operating face401configured to receive slide operations and tap operations.

The N'th touch detecting face302nis the closest to the grip portion90out of the N touch detecting faces in the direction of slide operations. The value of N indicates the number into which the touch sensor electrodes has been divided, and it is sufficient for N to be 2 or greater.

The sub-electronic dial73according to the present embodiment is closest to the N'th touch detecting face302nout of the N touch detecting faces in the direction of slide operations.

In a case where a line segment is defined extending in the direction of slide operations, and passing through midpoints of the short sides of the touch detecting face of the touch sensor electrode302, a region of the N'th touch detecting face302nthat is closer to the sub-electronic dial73with the line segment as a reference is a first region. The region of the N'th touch detecting face302non the side farther from the sub-electronic dial73is a second region. In this case, the surface area of the first region is narrower than the surface area of the second region.

A line segment is defined extending in the direction of slide operations, and passing through midpoints of the short sides of the touch detecting face302, as viewed from the rear side of the electronic equipment. In this case, the N'th touch detecting face302nhas a shape where the side on the sub-electronic dial (second operating member)73is narrower than the side opposite from the sub-electronic dial73, with the line segment as a reference.

A positioning hole303is provided to the flexible board301to which the touch sensor electrode302is mounted, at a region generated by narrowing the N'th touch detecting face302n.

N=3 inFIGS. 3A and 3B. The detecting face is a touch sensor electrode divided into three.

A line segment is defined extending in the direction of slide operations, and passing through midpoints of the short sides of the touch detecting face of the touch sensor electrode302. In this case, a region of the N'th touch detecting face302nthat is closer to the sub-electronic dial (second operating member)73with the line segment as a reference is a first region. The region of the N'th touch detecting face302non the side farther from the sub-electronic dial73is a second region. In this case, the surface area of the first region is narrower than the surface area of the second region.

A line segment is defined extending in the direction of slide operations, and passing through midpoints of the short sides of the touch detecting face of the touch sensor electrode302. In this case, a region of the N'th touch detecting face302nthat is closer to the sub-electronic dial73with the line segment as a reference is a first region. The region of the N'th touch detecting face302non the side closer to the display unit28is a second region. In this case, the surface area of the first region is narrower than the surface area of the second region.

The touch bar82is disposed adjacent to the eyepiece16on the rear face of the digital camera100, as illustrated inFIG. 3A. The touch bar82is also disposed adjacent to the sub-electronic dial73, and to a thumb standby position300, which is the position of the thumb in a case of gripping the grip portion90with the right hand to hold the camera.

The thumb standby position300generally exists at an upper part of a position where the grip portion90is projected on the rear side as illustrated inFIG. 3A, and often the position is indicated by application of rubber or the like, which also increases grip. By situating the touch bar82next to the thumb standby position300, the layout is such that it is easy to perform tap operations, slide operations to the left and right (X-axis direction) or the like, using the thumb of the right hand in a state of gripping the grip portion90, as described earlier.

The touch bar82can assign functions in accordance with operations. For example, settable exposure-related setting values can be assigned using the main electronic dial71and sub-electronic dial73that are operating members.

For example, in a case of a tap operation being performed at a position to the left half of the touch bar82, functions of setting the shooting ISO sensitivity of the digital camera100to sensitivity ⅓ step lower are assigned. In a case where a tap operation is performed at positional coordinates to the right half side, functions of setting the shooting ISO sensitivity to sensitivity ⅓ step higher are assigned. In a case where slide operations are performed, functions of setting the shooting ISO sensitivity of the digital camera100to sensitivity ⅓ step higher or lower are assigned for each step of sliding.

These assignable functions are customizable by the user, and for example, in a case where a tap operation is made at a left half position, functions for automatically setting shooting ISO sensitivity of the digital camera100are assigned. Changes can be made such as, in a case where a tap operation is made at a right half positional coordinate, functions for setting the shooting ISO sensitivity to the highest ISO sensitivity are assigned.

Now, unless determination of operations are not made accurately with regard to the intent of operations by the user, erroneous operations will occur. However, consistency of operations as to intent may suffer depending on the distance of the touch bar82from the thumb standby position300and the positional relation as to other members on the equipment. For example, ease of touching changes depending on the distance from the thumb standby position300. Specifically, the touch bar82is easy to touch near the thumb standby position300, but the closer from that position toward the eyepiece16, the more the thumb needs to be stretched, and the more difficult touching becomes.

The touch bar82can also assign, besides exposure-related setting values, settings such as white balance settings, AF mode, drive mode, and playback feed.

When in the moving image mode, microphone recoding level adjustment, or moving image playback fast-forward or reverse functions can be assigned.

The eyepiece16is a direct viewfinder where images displayed on the EVF29provided inside are confirmed by viewing, as described above. However, the eyepiece16has a protruding shape projecting to the outer cover side (rear side) so that a suitable eyepoint can be secured, and that the nose does not readily come into contact with the display unit28when in the viewfinder proximity state.

When viewing the electronic equipment from the rear side, the touch bar82overlaps the operating face of the display unit28in the direction of slide operations, and does not overlap the operating face of the display unit28in a direction orthogonal to the direction of slide operations. In a case of viewing the electronic equipment from the rear side, the touch bar (first operating member)82is disposed at a position recessed toward the front side as to the operating face of the display unit28.

In the present example, the eyepiece16is protruding by 15 mm or more in the Z direction as compared to the touch face of the touch bar82. Accordingly, touch input to the edge of the touch bar82adjacent to the eyepiece16is difficult. Particularly with regard to slide operations, in a case where input cannot be performed from edge to edge, the number of steps of setting values is reduced, so the effects thereof are pronounced. Accordingly, while a protruding shape of 15 mm or more, which is relatively great, has been exemplified in the present example, effects on operability are manifested even with a protruding shape of 1 mm or more.

Also, the sub-electronic dial73is a rotational operating member as described above. Input of multiple stages can be performed by rotating in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) using the thumb of the right hand. However, there is the possibility of unintentionally touching the adjacent touch bar82at the time of this operation.

Description of Sub-Electronic Dial73

The sub-electronic dial73is provided at a position recessed to the front side of the imaging apparatus (Z direction) in comparison with the touch face401of the touch bar82, as illustrated inFIGS. 1B and 4A. However, the step in the Z direction between the touch face401of the touch bar82and the contact face of turning the sub-electronic dial73with the thumb of the right hand is small. Accordingly, there is the possibility of unintentionally touching the adjacent touch bar82when operating the sub-electronic dial73.

In the present example inFIGS. 1B and 4A, the sub-electronic dial73is provided at a position recessed to the front side of the imaging apparatus (Z direction) in comparison with the touch face401of the touch bar82. However, an arrangement where the sub-electronic dial73is provided at a position protruding to the rear side of the imaging apparatus (Z direction) in comparison with the touch face401of the touch bar82is also included in the present disclosure.

The step between the touch face401of the touch bar82and the contact face of turning the sub-electronic dial73with the thumb of the right hand, protruding toward the rear side (Z direction) is small. Accordingly, there is the possibility of unintentionally touching the adjacent touch bar82with the thumb of the right hand when operating the sub-electronic dial73.

The sub-electronic dial73is a rotational operating member that uniaxially rotates in the X direction with the Y direction as the axis of rotation.

When viewing the imaging apparatus (electronic equipment) from the rear side, the touch bar82serving as a first operating member overlaps the operating face of the touch panel70aserving as a display unit, in the direction of slide operations (X direction). The touch bar82serving as a first operating member does not overlap the operating face of the touch panel70aserving as a display unit, in a direction orthogonal to the direction of slide operations (Y direction).

When viewing the imaging apparatus (electronic equipment) from the rear side, the touch bar82is situated at a position recessed to the front side (Z direction) as to the operating face of the touch panel70a. However, the step in the Z direction between the operating face (touch face) of the touch bar82and the operating face (touch face) of the touch panel70ais relatively great. Accordingly, when operating the touch panel70a, the possibility of the thumb unintentionally touching the adjacent touch bar82is low.

In the present example, the step in the Z direction between the touch face of the touch bar82and the touch face of the touch panel70ais greater than the step in the Z direction between the touch face401of the touch bar82and the contact face for turning the sub-electronic dial73.

A line segment A is defined extending in the direction of slide operations, and passing through midpoints of the short sides of the touch detecting face of the touch sensor electrode302as the detecting unit (FIGS. 3A and 3B). In this case, a region of the N'th touch detecting face302nthat is closer to the sub-electronic dial73with the line segment A (center line) as a reference is a first region. With the region of the N'th touch detecting face302non the side closer to the display unit (touch panel)28as a second region, the surface area of the first region is narrower than the surface area of the second region.

FIG. 3Bis a diagram illustrating the shape of the touch operation detecting unit according to the present example. The touch sensor electrode302that detects touch operations is provided within the touch bar82, as illustrated inFIG. 3B.

The touch sensor electrode (touch detecting face)302is laid out divided into the three of302a,302b, and302cfrom the eyepiece16side in the present example. Although the touch sensor electrode (touch detecting face)302is divided into three in the present example, this is not restricted to being divided into three, and may be divided into two, four, or more.

The touch sensor electrodes are formed of copper foil or the like on the flexible board301, and connected to the system control unit50by copper foil wiring (omitted from illustration) on the flexible board301. The system control unit50calculates positional coordinates based on output information from the touch bar82, i.e., information input from the first through third touch sensor electrodes302a,302b, and302c, as described above. What sort of operations have been performed at the touch bar82is determined from operations and states.

The first touch sensor electrode302ahas a surface area that is relatively wider than that of the touch sensor electrode302c, and input is performed more readily, as illustrated inFIG. 3B. In the present example, the area of the first touch sensor electrode302ais approximately 36 mm2, the area of the second touch sensor electrode302bis approximately 34 mm2, and the area of the third touch sensor electrode302cis approximately 26 mm2. The touch sensor electrode302ais set to have a surface area of 1.3 to 1.4 times that of the touch sensor electrode302c, and the relation in size among the touch sensor electrodes is set to be302a>302b>302c.

The surface area of the second touch detecting face302bis smaller than the surface area of the first touch detecting face302a, and the surface area of the second touch detecting face302bis wider than the surface area of the third touch detecting face302c.

Thus, the first touch sensor electrode302acan be adjusted to provide a desired or predetermined ease of input, by cancelling out the distance from the thumb standby position300and difficulty of input due to being adjacent to the eyepiece16. This adjustment enables calculation of coordinates and determination of operations to be performed accurately as to the intent of operations by the user.

The third touch sensor electrode302chas a shape where close to the sub-electronic dial73has been cut off, as illustrated inFIG. 3B. More specifically, the third touch sensor electrode302chas been cut such that a grade is formed where the cut region increases the closer to the sub-electronic dial73in the X-axis direction. Accordingly, unintended input occurs less readily at the third touch sensor electrode302ceven in a case where the user operates the sub-electronic dial73with momentum.

Further, the positioning hole303is provided to the flexible board301in free space created by narrowing the third touch sensor electrode302c, as illustrated inFIG. 3B.

FIGS. 4A through 4Care diagrams for describing a method of attaching the flexible board301to the touch bar82.FIG. 4Ais a plane view of the digital camera100from above, andFIG. 4Bis a sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB inFIG. 4A.FIG. 4Cis a plan view illustrating the attachment state of the flexible board301as to the touch bar82as seen from the inner side of the digital camera100.

Reference numeral401denotes a keytop of the touch bar82that serves as an operating face (touch face), formed of a non-electroconductive resin material, with a boss401aand rib401bformed on the inner side of the digital camera100.

The flexible board301is applied to the keytop401of the touch bar82by double-sided adhesive tape that is omitted from illustration, by the boss401abeing fit to the positioning hole303and the flexible board301being pressed against the ribs401b. The double-sided adhesive tape is preferably thin, around 50 μm to 100 μm, to prevent interfering with detection by the touch sensor. Accordingly, the flexible board301and touch sensor electrodes wired thereto can be attached to the keytop401, in a restricted region with high precision near the touch sensor electrodes.

Next, features of the touch sensor electrode shapes according to the present example will be described with reference toFIGS. 3A through 5B.FIGS. 5A and 5Bare examples of the shapes of the touch sensor electrode501bwhere performance is lower than the touch sensor electrode302according to the present example that is illustrated inFIG. 3B.

In the touch sensor electrode302according to the present example illustrated inFIG. 3B, dogleg gradient shapes are formed from the touch sensor electrode302btoward the adjacent touch sensor electrodes302aand302c. According to this arrangement, input values of capacitance of touch sensor electrodes gradually transitions to the adjacent electrode when performing slide operations, and linearity can be secured in operations.

The touch sensor electrode501billustrated inFIG. 5Aalso has a gradient shape as to the adjacent touch sensor electrodes501aand501c, but there is an issue in that the positional coordinate values may be determined differently between a case of performing an operation in contact with the upper portion in the Y direction and performing an operation in contact with the lower side in the Y direction inFIG. 5A. Specifically, in a case where operations are performed in contact with the upper side in the Y direction, the positional coordinates tend to be determined to be toward the left side in the X direction, and in a case where operations are performed in contact with the lower side in the Y direction, the positional coordinates tend to be determined to be toward the right side in the X direction.

In the same way, the touch sensor electrode502billustrated inFIG. 5Bhas a gradient shape as to the adjacent touch sensor electrodes502aand502c, but there is an issue in that linearity is poor in a case of performing a side operation in contact with the upper side in the Y direction and performing a slide operation in contact with the lower side in the Y direction inFIG. 5B. Specifically, in a case where a slide operation is performed in contact with the upper side in the Y direction, change in positional coordinates is sudden around the middle in the X direction. On the other hand, in a case where a slide operation is performed in contact with the lower side in the Y direction, change in positional coordinates is sluggish around the middle in the X direction.

As described above, the dogleg gradient shape in the touch sensor electrode302is to secure linearity for when performing slide operations. However, if the gradient angle is too acute, linearity can be secured, but there is a higher possibility that determination of contact position may be erroneous. On the other hand, if the gradient angle is too obtuse, linearity cannot be secured.

Accordingly, with the touch sensor electrode302according to the present example illustrated inFIG. 3B, the apices of the dogleg gradient shape are situated around the general middle portion of the touch sensor electrode302in the Y direction, and the angles θ1and θ2of the apices are set to generally 90 degrees.

The second touch detecting face302bsituated between the first touch detecting face302aand the third touch detecting face302chas tapered shapes protruding toward the adjacent touch detecting faces in the direction of slide operations. When viewed from the rear side of the electronic equipment, the touch sensor electrode302is rectangular, and the tapered shape has apices at the general middle in the short side direction of the touch detecting face302.

When viewing from the rear side of the electronic equipment, preferably, the detecting face of the touch sensor electrode302is rectangular, the tapered shape is linear, and a tapering angle θ of the protruding portion of the detecting face of the touch sensor electrode302satisfies 80°≤θ≤100°. However, it should be noted that these are preferable setting values in a case where the electrode is rectangular long in the X direction as in the present embodiment, and in a case where the shape of the electrode is close to a square, the angle of the apices should be obtuse. Thus,FIGS. 5B and 5Aare also included in the present embodiment, but the arrangement inFIG. 3Bis better than that inFIGS. 5B and 5Afrom the perspective of securing linearity.

FIGS. 6A through 6Care modifications of the touch sensor electrodes.FIG. 6Ais a variation of the electrode shape in a case where the sub-electronic dial73is not disposed in the proximity of the touch bar82. Although there is no portion of a touch sensor electrode601cthat is cut, but a touch sensor electrode601ahas a relatively large surface area set as compared to the touch sensor electrode601c, and input is facilitated.

FIGS. 6B and 6Care variations of gradient shapes. In a case where the gradient shape is changed, the apex angle or tapering angle needs to be set in accordance with the shape thereof, to obtain good linearity.

Although an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, the present embodiment is not restricted to this embodiment, and various modifications and alterations may be made within the scope of the essence thereof.

Also, although description has been made where the size of a touch sensor electrode is the planar surface area, for example, ease of input may be adjusted by three-dimensional shapes, such as curved shapes, uneven shapes, and so forth.

This is also applicable to operating members disposed on the left-hand side of the eyepiece16, and operating members disposed longwise in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) as well.

The electronic equipment according to the present disclosure is not restricted to a digital camera that is an imaging apparatus, and may be applied to photocopiers, laser beam printers (LBP), and ink jet printers as well. The touch bar according to the present disclosure may be used for a touch operating face where numbers of copies, size of copy paper sheets, and so forth, are changed by touch operations/slide operations, while holding a monitor.

The present disclosure is also applicable to mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, smart watches, and other like portable small-sized computers. The touch bar according to the present disclosure may be disposed outside of the screen of the mobile device and can be used for touch operations/slide operations for image feeding, selecting, and so forth.

Further, the present disclosure is also applicable to automotive, medical equipment, and gaming usages. The touch bar according to the present disclosure may be disposed on the steering wheel of an automobile, so as to enable menu switching by touch operations, or fine adjustment of audio level, zooming in/out an automotive navigation screen, and so forth by slide operations, while steering the automobile. In medical equipment usages, the touch bar according to the present embodiment may be disposed on a grip of a handy X-ray device, to enable fine adjustment by slide operations.

According to the present disclosure, electronic equipment can be provided that has a touch sensor operating member where erroneous operation can be reduced even in a case where there has been change in ease of input due to positional relation with other members of the electronic equipment.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-125509, filed Jun. 29, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.