Electronic apparatus

#The present invention relates to an operating section of electronic apparatuses, and more particularly, it relates to an operating section easy for blind-touch of video cameras.

#Electronic apparatuses including video cameras have been recently sophisticated, and the market has been requesting “easy of use”. Business-grade video cameras used in broadcasting stations or production companies, in particular, are operated monitoring a viewfinder. Thus the operation through blind-touch is expected free from errors.

#The operating section of a conventional video camera is described hereinafter. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a conventional electronic apparatus. In FIG. 6, apparatus housing 101 accommodates image-pickup means which picks up an image passing through optical inputting section 102 disposed at the front of housing 101. The image picked up is output as a video signal to outside or stored in memory means such as magnetic tape, optical disc, or semiconductor memory by recording means (not shown) disposed in housing 101. A user who shoots images monitors viewfinder 103 for confirming the images. An upper face of housing 101 retains viewfinder 103 such that viewfinder 103 is projected from a rear face of housing 101. The user's right hand grasps a grip (not shown) prepared on right face 105 of housing 101, and the left hand supports optical input section 102, thereby holding the electronic apparatus. In this case, the user turns a focus ring, an iris ring and a zoom ring prepared on optical input section 102 with the left hand for adjusting optical input section while monitoring viewfinder 103 with the right eye. Further, in some instances, the user shifts the left hand slightly this side and uses the thumb to manipulate push-switch cluster 104 prepared on left-side face 106 of housing 101.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of an electronic apparatus in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating an operation of the electronic apparatus in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of an electronic apparatus in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

#The present invention addresses the problem discussed above, and aims to provide an electronic apparatus that performs properly through blind-touch. The present invention also aims to provide an electronic apparatus that accepts only operations with a thumb or at least one of fingers kept touching the operation section. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are demonstrated hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

#Exemplary Embodiment 1

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of an electronic apparatus in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, push-switch cluster 10 is made up of first switch section 11 formed of push-switch 11a, push-switch 11b and second switch section 12 formed of push-switch 12a, push-switch 12b. Center runner 13r is placed rigidly and partitions first switch section 11 (upper push-switch 11a and push-switch 11b) from second switch section 12 (lower push-switch 12a and push-switch 12b.) Center runner 13r protrudes by 2-3 mm.