Abstract:
The operation device includes a display part; a partition frame member arranged on the display part, and configured to divide the display part into a plurality of display surfaces; an operation button member having transparent operation buttons arranged on the respective display surfaces, and configured to join the operation buttons by integral molding to be able to deform the operation buttons in a pressing direction at respective one sides, functioning as fulcrums, of the display surfaces; switch parts arranged under the operation button member, and pressed by pressing of the operation buttons; and an output part configured to output information indicating whether or not the switch parts are pressed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claim the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2013-193837, filed on Sep. 19, 2013 and Japanese Application No. 2014-026139, filed Feb. 14, 2014, the disclosures of which Applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to an operation switch and an operation device that are used in operation equipment such as a video image switching device used in video image production of a broadcasting station or the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An operation device with switches that can arbitrarily change the display contents of a plurality of push button switches is used in various operation equipment such as a video image switching device used in video image production of a broadcasting station or the like, FA equipment, and medical operation equipment. Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. H09-258895 discloses an operation device with switches that uses a system of superposing a touch panel and a transparent mechanical switch on a liquid crystal screen. 
     The transparent mechanical switch generates returning force for returning a pressed button to an original position by using a magnetic, and a click feeling or a stroke feeling at the time of the pressing of the button. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The operation device with switches disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. H09-258895 has a large number of components, and therefore a large number of assembling steps are required for assembly. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to provide an operation switch and an operation device with switches, each of which achieves both of reduction in the number of components and the generation of a button returning force and a click feeling. 
     An operation device according to the present disclosure includes: a display part; a partition frame member arranged on the display part, and configured to divide the display part into a plurality of display surfaces; an operation button member having transparent operation buttons arranged on the respective display surfaces, and configured to join the operation buttons by integral molding to be able to deform the operation buttons in a pressing direction at respective one sides, functioning as fulcrums, of the display surfaces; switch parts arranged under the operation button member, and pressed by pressing of the operation buttons; and an output part configured to output information indicating whether or not the switch parts are pressed. 
     Additionally, the switch parts of the operation device according to the present disclosure are tactile switches. 
     An operation switch according to the present disclosure is an operation switch that is superposed on an information terminal having a display part, and includes: a partition frame member configured to divide the display part into a plurality of display surfaces; an operation button member having transparent operation buttons arranged on the respective display surfaces, and configured to join the operation buttons by integral molding to be able to deform the operation buttons in a pressing direction at respective one sides, functioning as fulcrums, of the display surfaces; switch parts arranged under the operation button member, and pressed by pressing of the operation buttons; and an output part configured to output information indicating whether or not the switch parts are pressed. 
     In the display operation device according to the present disclosure, separate buttons can be visually and tactilely recognized. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain a click feeling in the pressing operation of the button. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an external view of an operation device according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the operation device according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a view for illustrating an operation button member according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is a sectional view taken along the  4 - 4  line of a plan view of operation device in  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 4B  is an enlarged sectional view of a part of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a view for illustrating the pressing of an operation button according to the first exemplary embodiment and shows an unpressed state, and  FIG. 5B  is a view showing a pressed state. 
         FIG. 6  is a view showing a video image switching system according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a view for illustrating the operation of a video image switching device according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing an example of the selection of the pattern of an effect content selector and an effect selector according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing another example of the selection of the pattern of the effect content selector and the effect selector according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a view showing yet another example of the selection of the pattern of the effect content selector and the effect selector according to the first exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 11A  is a view showing an example of the configuration of an operation switch according to another exemplary embodiment by radio, and  FIG. 11B  is a view showing an example of the configuration of the operation switch according to another exemplary embodiment using a communication cable. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments are described in detail suitably with reference to the drawings. However, excessively detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of matters that are already well known, or redundant description for substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessarily redundant, and to facilitate the understanding by a person skilled in the art. 
     The attached drawings and the following description are provided in order that a person skilled in the art sufficiently understands the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the scope of the claims. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
     1-1. Configuration of Operation Device 
       FIG. 1  is an external view of operation device  100  according to a first exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , operation device  100  is configured by thirteen operable buttons  1  and communication connector  110  that is connected to the outside. Operation is performed by the pressing of buttons  1 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of operation device  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2 , operation device  100  is configured by operation part  70  and display part  40  such as a liquid crystal panel. 
     Operation part  70  is configured by partition frame member  10 , operation button member  20 , and switch substrate  30 . Partition frame member  10  has thirteen openings  50 . Partition frame member  10  is opaque. Operation button member  20  is engaged with partition frame member  10 , rectangular operation button  21  is arranged in each of thirteen openings  50 . Operation button members  20  are configured by transparent resin, and have elasticity. Switch substrate  30  is engaged with operation button member  20 , and has tactile switches  60  that perform electric opening/closing operation by the pressing operation of operation buttons  21 , substrate  31  that electrically connects tactile switches  60 , and communication connector  110  for performing transmission of electric opening/closing operation information between tactile switches  60  and the outside. 
     Display part  40  has a display surface that is visible from each of openings  50  of partition frame member  10 , and each display surface displays predetermined information. 
       FIG. 3  is a view showing only extracted operation button member  20  of operation device  100 . In the drawing, the operation button member is integrally formed, and is separated on void parts. Therefore, the upper sides of operation buttons  21  are fixed to support portions  21   a  and the lower sides thereof are not fixed to support portions  21   a . Accordingly, when operation buttons  21  are pressed, operation buttons  21  are deformable in a pressing direction with the upper sides of the display surfaces as fulcrums, and can be pressed individually. 
       FIG. 4A  is a sectional view taken along the  4 - 4  line of operation device  100  in  FIG. 1 . Five openings  50  are arranged.  FIG. 4B  is an enlarged sectional view of one of openings  50  in the sectional view of  FIG. 4A . One operation button  21 , and one tactile switch  60  are arranged with respect to one opening  50 . 
     Thus, operation device  100  has operation buttons  21  that are arranged in openings  50  definitely separated visually and tactilely, by the provision of opaque partition frame member  10  on display part  40 . 
     A plurality of tactile switches  60  may be arranged with respect to one operation button  21  which corresponds to one opening  50 , by the utilization of elasticity that operation button  21  has. In this case, tactile switches  60  that electrically perform opening/closing operation may be arranged at pressed positions such as the right ends and the left ends of operation buttons  21 . 
     1-2. Operation of Operation Device 
     The pressing operation of operation buttons  21  of operation device  100  is described with reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B .  FIGS. 5A and 5B  each are a view for illustrating the pressing of operation button  21  of operation device  100 . Operation button  21  is the same as operation button  21  in the sectional view of  FIG. 4B .  FIG. 5A  shows a state before a user presses operation button  21  with his finger, and  FIG. 5B  shows a state where the user presses operation button  21  with his finger. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , before the user presses operation buttons  21 , tactile switch  60  is electrically opened. As shown in  FIG. 5B , when the user presses operation button  21 , operation button  21  is warped to press tactile switch  60 . Tactile switch  60  is brought into an electrically closed state. When tactile switch  60  is brought into the closed state, tactile switch  60  is electrically connected to substrate  31 . Then, the information indicating that tactile switch  60  is electrically closed is output to the outside via communication connector  110 . 
     When the user presses operation button  21 , and tactile switch  60  is brought into the electrically closed state, the user obtains a key stroke caused by the pressing of operation button  21 , and obtains a click feeling that results in the recognition of pressing of the switch. 
     Then, when the user releases his finger from operation button  21 , operation button  21  returns to a state before operation button  21  is pressed as shown in  FIG. 5A , with repulsion force by elasticity that operation button  21  has. 
     1-3. Effects of Operation Device 
     As described above, operation device  100  of this exemplary embodiment has the following characteristics. 
     (1) The operation buttons can be visually and tactilely recognized as separate operation buttons  21  by the separation with the frame of opaque partition frame member  10  on the display surface. 
     (2) Tactile switches  60  or switch substrate  30  can be concealed on the back of the frame by the separation with opaque partition frame member  10  on the display surface. 
     (3) A plurality of operation buttons  21  and operation button member  20  can be integrated with resin. 
     (4) The elasticity of the resin of operation button member  20  can be utilized for returning force at the time of the pressing of a button, and therefore returning means such as a spring can be omitted. 
     (5) The display of display part  40  can be switched with a click feeling by the pressing operation of operation buttons  21 . 
     (6) The number of components and the number of assembling steps can be reduced compared to conventional technologies. 
     2. Operation of Video Image Switching Device 
     Operation at the time of the use of operation device  100  in a video image switching device is now described.  FIG. 6  is a view for illustrating video image switching system  600 . Video image switching system  600  is configured by video image switching operation part  601  that selects a video image to be broadcast, video image switching setter  602  that sets the details of an video image effect, video image selection processor  603  that processes a video image by the operation of video image switching operation part  601 , a plurality of cameras  604  that photograph video images, a plurality of VTRs (Video Tape Recorders) for reproduction  605  that record video images, a plurality of monitors for confirmation  606  that confirm the photographed video images or the recorded video images, and a plurality of VTRs  607  that record the photographed video images or edited video images. 
     The video image switching operation part  601  has at least video image operation part  608 , effect content selector  609 , effect adjuster  601 , and operation device  100  of the present disclosure that serves as an effect selector. 
       FIG. 7  is a view for illustrating video image switching operation. Only the configurations that are used for explanation, in the video image switching system  600 , are extracted. As an example of explanation of video image switching, operation of selecting a pattern of wipe that switches a screen so as to wipe a next video image from a video image being reproduced at the time of switching from a first video image to another video image is described. 
     A video image to be displayed is selected from video images that are photographed by cameras  604   a ,  604   b  and  604   c . The video image that is photographed by camera  604   a  can be confirmed by monitor  606   a  for confirmation, the video image that is photographed by camera  604   b  can be confirmed by monitor  606   b  for confirmation, and the video image that is photographed by camera  604   c  can be confirmed by monitor  606   c  for confirmation. The selection of the video image is performed by video image operation part  608 . Video image operation part  608  has selection buttons  608   a ,  608   b ,  608   c ,  608   d ,  608   e  and  608   f . Selection buttons  608   a  and  608   d  are buttons that select the video image photographed by camera  604   a , selection buttons  608   b  and  608   e  are buttons that select the video image photographed by camera  604   b , and selection buttons  608   c  and  608   f  are buttons that select the video image photographed by camera  604   c . Selection buttons  608   a ,  606   b  and  606   c  at a lower stage are buttons that select a video image to be first displayed, and selection buttons  608   d ,  606   e  and  606   f  at an upper stage are buttons that select a video image to be next displayed. 
     In the example of  FIG. 7 , the video image photographed by camera  604   c  is selected as a first video image, and the video image photographed by camera  604   a  is selected as a next video image. Selection button  608   c  is pressed, thereby selecting the video image photographed by camera  604   c  as the first video image. Then, selection button  608   d  is pressed, thereby selecting the video image photographed by camera  604   a  as the next video image. By video image selection processor  603 , the video image photographed by camera  604   c , which is the first video image, is displayed on monitor  606   d  for confirmation. 
     Operation of the selection of a pattern of wipe is now described. The pattern of wipe is selected by the use of effect content selector  609 , and operation device  100  of the present disclosure that serves as an effect selector. Effect content selector  609  includes a plurality of buttons for the selection of effect contents. The buttons are a button that selects a pattern of wipe, a button that selects a pattern of a preset video image effect, a button that selects a previously stored video image, and the like. 
     For example, as in an example of selection in  FIG. 8 , when the button that selects a pattern of a preset video image effect is pressed, the display of operation device  100  of the present disclosure that serves as an effect selector is changed to a selection screen of the preset video image effect. As in another example of selection in  FIG. 9 , when the button that selects a previously stored video image is pressed, the display of operation device  100  of the present disclosure that serves as an effect selector is changed to a selection screen of the previously stored video image. As in an example of selection in  FIG. 10 , when the button that selects a pattern of wipe is pressed, the display of operation device  100  of the present disclosure that serves as an effect selector is changed to the pattern of wipe. The pattern of wipe includes a pattern of wipe from an oblique direction from a corner of a screen, patterns of wipe from vertical and horizontal directions, a pattern of wipe from the center, and the like, and is displayed corresponding to each of buttons  1  of operation device  100 . 
     Button  1  on which a pattern of wipe from above is displayed as the pattern of wipe is pressed. When button  1  is pressed, operation button  21  is warped, and tactile switch  60  is pressed. Tactile switch  60  is brought into an electrically closed state. When tactile switch  60  is brought into the closed state, tactile switch  60  is electrically connected to substrate  31 . Then, information indicating that tactile switch  60  is in the electrically closed state is output to the outside via communication connector  110 , and video image selection processor  603  receives the information indicating that tactile switch  60  is in the electrically closed state. 
     Operation of the switching of a video image by a selected wipe pattern is now described. Effect adjuster  601  includes lever  610   a . Lever  610   a  is movable vertically, and can adjust the speed of wipe. Lever  610   a  is moved upward, thereby wiping the first video image from above to switch to the next video image. Monitor  606   d  for confirmation confirms the actual switching of the video image. 
     A process for switching of a photographed video image or a recorded video image by the pressing of various buttons is implemented by video image selection processor  603 . 
     For the switching of a video image in video image switching system  600 , it is an essential requirement that video image switching operation part  601  is operated by touch typing while a plurality of photographed video images or a plurality of video images for confirmation are viewed. Therefore, in a case of the utilization as video image switching operation part  601 , the following is essential: 
     (1) each operation button can be physically determined. 
     (2) a click feeling can be obtained when a button is pressed. 
     Accordingly, operation device  100  of the present disclosure satisfies these requirements, and therefore it is optimum to utilize operation device  100  as the effect selector of video image switching operation part  601 . 
     Other Exemplary Embodiment 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, operation device  100  is configured such that operation part  70  and display part  40  are integrated. However, configurations other than this configuration can be employed. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  each are a configuration view of an operation switch according to another exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIGS. 11A  and  11 B, only operation part  71  configures operation switches. In place of display part  40 , a display function of a smartphone, a tablet or the like is alternatively used. In  FIGS. 11A and 11B , operation part  71  is configured by partition frame member  10 , operation button member  20 , and switch substrate  32 . Information terminal  90  is used as a display part. Information terminal  90  includes radio communication module  131 , antenna  141 , and communication connector  114 . Partition frame member  10  and operation button member  20  are similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment, and therefore description thereof is omitted. Switch substrate  32  further has radio communication module  130  and antenna  140  compared to switch substrate  30  described in the first exemplary embodiment. Radio communication module  130  is, for example, a bluetooth (registered trademark) module. 
     Information terminal  90  is mounted with a dedicated application that has an image division display function of dividing the display part of information terminal  90  into thirteen display frames to display an image, and an image rewrite function of individually rewriting the display of thirteen display frames. 
       FIG. 11A  shows a configuration of information transmission between operation part  71  and information terminal  90  by radio. First, operation part  71  is set on information terminal  90 . Then, the change operation of the display contents of desired opening  50  is performed as follows. 
     First, when a user presses desired operation button  21 , radio communication module  130  transmits the pressed information from antenna  140  by radio. For the pressed information that is received by antenna  141  and radio communication module  131  of information terminal  90 , the dedicated application performs a process according to a pressed position. As a result, information terminal  90  switches the display of opening  50  corresponding to the pressed operation button  21 . 
     The user obtains a click feeling or a key stroke that tactile switch  60  has, under the pressing of operation button  21 . 
     Then, when a finger is released from operation button  21  from the state where operation button  21  is pressed, operation button  21  is returned to a state before the pressed state, with repulsion force by elasticity that operation button  21  has. 
       FIG. 11B  shows a case where information is transmitted between operation part  71  and information terminal  90  by use of communication cable  122  connected to communication connectors  110  and  114 . The change operation of the display contents of opening  50  in this case is similar to the aforementioned contents. 
     As described above, the operation switch according to this exemplary embodiment is used by combination with information terminal  90 , and it is possible to configure operation buttons  21  that are arranged in openings  50  definitely separated visually and tactilely, by the provision of opaque partition frame member  10  on the display part of information terminal  90 . Additionally, the operation switch enables the bodily sensation of a click feeling that tactile switch  60  itself has, via operation button  21 , and can return to a state before a pressed state by button returning force after the pressing operation of operation button  21 . 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, switch substrate  30  of operation device  100  is mounted with communication connector  110 . However, in place of this, a radio communication connector and a radio communication module that allow the transmission of information to the outside by use of a radio communication system may be mounted. Alternatively, the radio communication connector and the radio communication module may be mounted in addition to communication connector  110 . 
     In the other exemplary embodiment, switch substrate  32  of operation part  71  is mounted with communication connector  110 , radio communication module  130 , and antenna  140 . However, either communication connector  110 , or radio communication module  130  and antenna  140  may be mounted. 
     The present disclosure switches the display of a display part by the pressing operation of a transparent operation button, and therefore can be utilized in various operation equipment such as information equipment, FA equipment, medical operation equipment, a smartphone, and a tablet.