Input unit, information recording apparatus and digital camera using the same

• US 7,061,535 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2000
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Misawa, Takeshi, Hara, Toshita, Ito, Takeyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Ngoc-Yen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Nelson D.
• Application Number:
  US09/747,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20010005229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,994 Days
• Field of Search: 348/333.01, 348/333.02, 348/333.04, 348/333.05, 348/333.11, 348/375, 348/333.12, 348/373, 396/291, 396/281, 396/292, D16/208, D16/241, D16/216, 345/901, 345/903
• US Class Current: 348/375
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces

Abstract

An information recording apparatus for recording external information of the present invention including an input unit for transmitting a user'"'"'s instruction to the information recording apparatus. The input unit includes a cross key and a dot matrix display arranged to be wedged in the crossing of the cross key.

Claims

1. An input unit disposed on an equipment having a plurality of operation modes, for inputting a user'"'"'s instruction to the equipment, comprising:

a display for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user; and

a switch portion arranged in surroundings of said display, said switch portion being physically disposed on the input unit, and said switch portion being assigned to the function associated with a relative position with respect to said display,

wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user at the center thereof, and

wherein said information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions is presented as a symbol.

2. The input unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said information related to the operation mode selected by the user is presented as a symbol.

3. The input unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein a background color of said display is changed in accordance with an operation state of the equipment.

4. The input unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch portions surround substantially the entire circumference of said display.

5. The input unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a cross key having a crossing part and switch portions, said cross key being physically disposed on the input unit; and

a display for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, arranged to be wedged in said crossing part of said cross key, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user,

wherein said display displays in the vicinity of said switch portions information related to the function assigned to at least one of said respective switch portions.

6. The input unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a display for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user; and

a plurality of switch portions arranged in surroundings of said display at positions sandwiching said display so as to oppose to each other, said switch portions being physically disposed on the input unit,

wherein said display displays in the vicinity of said switch portions information related to the functions respectively assigned to said switch portions.

7. The input unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a display for presenting functions corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user; and

a plurality of switch portions arranged in surroundings of said display, said switch portions being physically disposed on the input unit, and said switch portions respectively being assigned to the functions corresponding to relative positions of said plurality of switch portions with respect to said display.

8. The input unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display further displays information related to an operation state of the equipment.

9. The input unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch portions are respectively arranged at four positions including an upper, a lower, a right, and a left portion of said display.

10. The input unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user as a first icon and information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions as a second icon, and said first icon is larger than said second icon.

11. An information recording apparatus for recording external information, including an input unit disposed on the recording apparatus for transmitting a user'"'"'s instruction to said information recording apparatus,

said input unit comprising

a mode switch for setting an operation mode of said information recording apparatus;

a cross key having switch portions, said cross key being physically disposed on the recording apparatus; and

a display arranged to be wedged in a crossing of said cross key for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user,

wherein said display displays in the vicinity of said switch portions information related to the functions assigned to at least one of said respective switch portions,

wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user at the center thereof, and

wherein said information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions is presented as a symbol.

12. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a display unit for displaying said information,

wherein said input unit and said display unit are arranged on the same face of said information recording apparatus as each other.

13. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a display unit for displaying said information,

wherein said input unit and said display unit are arranged on the same face of said information recording apparatus as each other.

14. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said input unit is arranged on a face of said information recording apparatus that faces a user when the user uses said information recording apparatus in such a manner that said input unit is positioned at an upper portion of a center of the face on a right side of the center.

15. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said display is arranged to have a plurality of background colors, and one of said plurality of background colors is selected in accordance with an operation mode of said information recording apparatus.

16. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said plurality of background colors include a color for a recording state and another color for a playback state.

17. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said information related to the operation mode selected by the user is presented as a symbol.

18. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein a background color of said display is changed in accordance with an operation state of the equipment.

19. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said switch portions surround substantially the entire circumference of said display.

20. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said display further displays information related to an operation state of the equipment.

21. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said switch portions are respectively arranged at four positions including an upper, a lower, a right, and a left portion of said display.

22. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user as a first icon and information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions as a second icon, and said first icon is larger than said second icon.

23. A digital camera for capturing an image, comprising:

a mode switch for setting an operation mode of the digital camera;

an image-capturing unit operable to capture an image;

a capture controlling unit operable to control said image-capturing unit;

a processing unit operable to process said image; and

an operating unit operable to transmit a user'"'"'s instruction at least to said processing unit disposed on the digital camera,

said operating unit comprising

a cross key having switch portions, said cross key being physically disposed on the digital camera; and

a display for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, arranged to be wedged in a crossing of said cross key, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user, wherein said display displays in the vicinity of said switch portions information related to the functions assigned to at least one of said respective switch portions,

wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user at the center thereof, and

wherein said information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions is presented as a symbol.

24. The digital camera as claimed in claim 23, wherein said information related to the operation mode selected by the user is presented as a symbol.

25. The digital camera as claimed in claim 24, wherein a background color of said display is changed in accordance with an operation state of the equipment.

26. The digital camera as claimed in claim 23, wherein said switch portions surround substantially the entire circumference of said display.

27. The digital camera as claimed in claim 23, wherein said display further displays information related to an operation state of the equipment.

28. The digital camera as claimed in claim 23, wherein said switch portions are respectively arranged at four positions including an upper, a lower, a right, and a left portion of said display.

29. The digital camera as claimed in claim 23, wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user as a first icon and information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions as a second icon, and said first icon is larger than said second icon.

30. An information recording apparatus for recording external information, including an input unit disposed on the recording apparatus for transmitting a user'"'"'s instruction to said information recording apparatus,

said input unit comprising

a mode switch for setting an operation mode of said information recording apparatus;

a cross key having switch portions, said cross key being physically disposed on the recording apparatus; and

a display arranged to be wedged in a crossing of said cross key for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user,

wherein said display displays in the vicinity of said switch portions information related to the functions assigned to at least one of said respective switch portions,

wherein said input unit is arranged on a face of said information recording apparatus that faces a user when the user uses said information recording apparatus in such a manner that said input unit is positioned at an upper portion of a center of the face on a right side of the center.

31. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a display unit for displaying said information,

wherein said input unit and said display unit are arranged on the same face of said information recording apparatus as each other.

32. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a display unit for displaying said information,

wherein said input unit and said display unit are arranged on the same face of said information recording apparatus as each other.

33. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said display is arranged to have a plurality of background colors, and one of said plurality of background colors is selected in accordance with an operation mode of said information recording apparatus.

34. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein said plurality of background colors include a color for a recording state and another color for a playback state.

35. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user at the center thereof.

36. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions is presented as a symbol.

37. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein said information related to the operation mode selected by the user is presented as a symbol.

38. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein a background color of said display is changed in accordance with an operation state of the equipment.

39. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said switch portions surround substantially the entire circumference of said display.

40. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said display further displays information related to an operation state of the equipment.

41. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said switch portions are respectively arranged at four positions including an upper, a lower, a right, and a left portion of said display.

42. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user as a first icon and information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions as a second icon, and said first icon is larger than said second icon.

43. A digital camera for capturing an image, comprising:

a mode switch for setting an operation mode of the digital camera;

an image-capturing unit operable to capture an image;

a capture controlling unit operable to control said image-capturing unit;

a processing unit operable to process said image; and

an operating unit operable to transmit a user'"'"'s instruction at least to said processing unit disposed on the digital camera,

said operating unit comprising

a cross key having switch portions, said cross key being physically disposed on the digital camera; and

a display for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, arranged to be wedged in a crossing of said cross key, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user, wherein said display displays in the vicinity of said switch portions information related to the functions assigned to at least one of said respective switch portions,

wherein an input unit is arranged on a face of said digital camera that faces a user when the user uses said digital camera in such a manner that said input unit is positioned at an upper portion of a center of the face on a right side of the center.

44. The digital camera as claimed in claim 43, wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user at the center thereof.

45. The digital camera as claimed in claim 44, wherein said information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions is presented as a symbol.

46. The digital camera as claimed in claim 45, wherein said information related to the operation mode selected by the user is presented as a symbol.

47. The digital camera as claimed in claim 46, wherein a background color of said display is changed in accordance with an operation state of the equipment.

48. The digital camera as claimed in claim 43, wherein said switch portions surround substantially the entire circumference of said display.

49. The digital camera as claimed in claim 43, wherein said display further displays information related to an operation state of the equipment.

50. The digital camera as claimed in claim 43, wherein said switch portions are respectively arranged at four positions including an upper, a lower, a right, and a left portion of said display.

51. The digital camera as claimed in claim 43, wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user as a first icon and information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions as a second icon, and said first icon is larger than said second icon.

52. An input unit disposed on an equipment having a plurality of operation modes, for inputting a user'"'"'s instruction to the equipment, comprising:

a display for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user; and

a switch portion arranged in surroundings of said display, said switch portion being physically disposed on the input unit, and said switch portion being assigned to the function associated with a relative position with respect to said display,

wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user as a first icon and information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions as a second icon, and said first icon is larger than said second icon.

53. The input unit as claimed in claim 52, wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user at the center thereof.

54. The input unit as claimed in claim 53, wherein said information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions is presented as a symbol.

55. The input unit as claimed in claim 54, wherein said information related to the operation mode selected by the user is presented as a symbol.

56. The input unit as claimed in claim 55, wherein a background color of said display is changed in accordance with an operation state of the equipment.

57. The input unit as claimed in claim 52, wherein said switch portions surround substantially the entire circumference of said display.

58. The input unit as claimed in claim 52, further comprising:

a cross key having a crossing part and switch portions, said cross key being physically disposed on the input unit; and

a display for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, arranged to be wedged in said crossing part of said cross key, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user,

wherein said display displays in the vicinity of said switch portions information related to the function assigned to at least one of said respective switch portions.

59. The input unit as claimed in claim 52, further comprising:

a display for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user; and

a plurality of switch portions arranged in surroundings of said display at positions sandwiching said display so as to oppose to each other, said switch portions being physically disposed on the input unit,

wherein said display displays in the vicinity of said switch portions information related to the functions respectively assigned to said switch portions.

60. The input unit as claimed in claim 52, further comprising:

a display for presenting functions corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user; and

a plurality of switch portions arranged in surroundings of said display, said switch portions being physically disposed on the input unit, and said switch portions respectively being assigned to the functions corresponding to relative positions of said plurality of switch portions with respect to said display.

61. The input unit as claimed in claim 52, wherein said display further displays information related to an operation state of the equipment.

62. The input unit as claimed in claim 52, wherein said switch portions are respectively arranged at four positions including an upper, a lower, a right, and a left portion of said display.

63. An information recording apparatus for recording external information, including an input unit disposed on the recording apparatus for transmitting a user'"'"'s instruction to said information recording apparatus,

said input unit comprising

a mode switch for setting an operation mode of said information recording apparatus;

a cross key having switch portions, said cross key being physically disposed on the recording apparatus; and

a display arranged to be wedged in a crossing of said cross key for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user,

wherein said display displays in the vicinity of said switch portions information related to the functions assigned to at least one of said respective switch portions,

wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user as a first icon and information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions as a second icon, and said first icon is larger than said second icon.

64. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 63, further comprising a display unit for displaying said information,

wherein said input unit and said display unit are arranged on the same face of said information recording apparatus as each other.

65. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 63, further comprising a display unit for displaying said information,

wherein said input unit and said display unit are arranged on the same face of said information recording apparatus as each other.

66. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein said input unit is arranged on a face of said information recording apparatus that faces a user when the user uses said information recording apparatus in such a manner that said input unit is positioned at an upper portion of a center of the face on a right side of the center.

67. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein said display is arranged to have a plurality of background colors, and one of said plurality of background colors is selected in accordance with an operation mode of said information recording apparatus.

68. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein said plurality of background colors include a color for a recording state and another color for a playback state.

69. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user at the center thereof.

70. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 69, wherein said information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions is presented as a symbol.

71. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein said information related to the operation mode selected by the user is presented as a symbol.

72. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 71, wherein a background color of said display is changed in accordance with an operation state of the equipment.

73. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein said switch portions surround substantially the entire circumference of said display.

74. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein said display further displays information related to an operation state of the equipment.

75. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein said switch portions are respectively arranged at four positions including an upper, a lower, a right, and a left portion of said display.

76. A digital camera for capturing an image, comprising:

a mode switch for setting an operation mode of the digital camera;

an image-capturing unit operable to capture an image;

a capture controlling unit operable to control said image-capturing unit;

a processing unit operable to process said image; and

an operating unit operable to transmit a user'"'"'s instruction at least to said processing unit disposed on the digital camera,

said operating unit comprising

a cross key having switch portions, said cross key being physically disposed on the digital camera; and

a display for presenting at least a function corresponding to the operation mode selected by the user, arranged to be wedged in a crossing of said cross key, said function being different in accordance with the operation mode selected by the user, wherein said display displays in the vicinity of said switch portions information related to the functions assigned to at least one of said respective switch portions,

wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user as a first icon and information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions as a second icon, and said first icon is larger than said second icon.

77. The digital camera as claimed in claim 76, wherein said display displays information related to the operation mode selected by the user at the center thereof.

78. The digital camera as claimed in claim 77, wherein said information related to the function assigned to said respective switch portions is presented as a symbol.

79. The digital camera as claimed in claim 78, wherein said information related to the operation mode selected by the user is presented as a symbol.

80. The digital camera as claimed in claim 79, wherein a background color of said display is changed in accordance with an operation state of the equipment.

81. The digital camera as claimed in claim 76, wherein said switch portions surround substantially the entire circumference of said display.

82. The digital camera as claimed in claim 76, wherein said display further displays information related to an operation state of the equipment.

83. The digital camera as claimed in claim 76, wherein said switch portions are respectively arranged at four positions including an upper, a lower, a right, and a left portion of said display.