JP2003315905A - Unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to pickup an enlarged image with a camera capable of picking up only a reduced image. <P>SOLUTION: This unit U can be attachably/detachably fixed to a mobile telephone K with a built-in camera C, and the unit U incorporates a magnifying lens 20, a light source 30 for the magnifying lens 20 and a battery 40 for the light source 30. In the case of picking up the image while attaching the unit U to the camera C, the enlarged image can be picked up with an imaging device C2 installed in the camera C through the magnifying lens 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a unit that can be attached to a camera.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cameras having an objective lens and an image pickup means such as a CCD for picking up an image with an image light guided from an object to be imaged through the objective lens are widely used. Such cameras are becoming smaller and their prices are decreasing,
Currently, mobile phones or PDAs (Personal Digital
(Data) Assistants) and other mobile communication terminals are being built in, and along with this, applications are being applied to applications that were not previously available. A mobile communication terminal equipped with a camera is generally capable of transmitting an image captured by the camera to another person's mobile communication terminal or the like in combination with a mail transmission / reception function of the mobile communication terminal. By using such a mobile communication terminal, a series of flows from image pickup to image (data) transmission can be performed by one device extremely easily, and therefore its popularity is rapidly increasing.

However, the conventional image pickup means of a camera is capable of capturing a reductive image (in this specification, a reductive image is one in which the optical magnification of the objective lens at the time of capturing the image is 1 × or less. Good, for example, this is a normal image obtained by capturing a person or a landscape.)
It is general that only the image pickup is performed. A camera mounted on a mobile communication terminal has large restrictions on size and cost, and thus there is no example in which imaging other than imaging of a reduced image can be performed.

If a reduced image can be taken, it is possible to cover general image pickup of people, scenery, etc. in general.
The above mobile communication terminal is sufficiently meaningful. However, with the existing camera, a magnified image (in this specification,
A magnified image is one in which the optical magnification of the objective lens at the time of picking up the image is larger than 1. For example, it is obtained by enlarging and picking up fine fibers or minute portions of human skin. This is the image. If a single camera can also be used to capture images in (), there is a possibility that new demand can be stimulated. If the camera is combined with a mobile communication terminal, the possibility of stimulating new demand is further increased.

For example, if a single portable communication terminal can capture a reduced image of the whole body of a person and an enlarged image of a part of the skin, an enlarged image of a lesion formed on the skin. It is possible to capture an image that grasps the state of the lesion and the position in the body by capturing both a reduced image of the whole body image showing the location of the lesion. If a camera is loaded on the mobile communication terminal,
By transmitting the above-mentioned two types of images (data) as they are from the mobile communication terminal, there is a possibility that remote diagnosis can be simplified. Also, by taking an image of a flaw in a product to obtain a magnified image of the flaw, and by taking an overall image of the product to obtain an overall image of the product, the details of the flaw and the position in the product can be determined. An image that can be specified can be captured. If the mobile communication terminal is equipped with a camera, there is a possibility that the troubles of the product can be saved by directly transmitting the two types of images from the mobile communication terminal. Alternatively,
Even if there is no direct significance as described above, even a magnified image of just a familiar image often has an interestingness that is usually unnoticeable. If there is a camera capable of picking up images or a mobile communication terminal equipped with the camera, the user may be provided with an entertainment feature that has not been provided by conventional cameras and mobile communication terminals.

From this point of view, the inventor of the present invention is a unit that is used by being attached to an existing camera, and when this unit is attached to the camera, the image taken by the image pickup means is enlarged. We have come to the knowledge that it is meaningful if there is an image. Also,
The inventor of the present application, as an element required for the widespread use of this unit, is that it can be attached to an existing camera as it is, it is as inexpensive as possible, and it can be detached from the camera when not capturing an enlarged image. We recognize that at least three of the above are necessary. The present invention aims to provide a unit that satisfies such three elements.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides the following units.

The unit of the present invention has an objective lens and image pickup means for guiding image light from an object to be imaged through the objective lens and for picking up an image with the image light. The image pickup means is used by being attached to a camera adapted to take a reduced image. Further, this unit includes a magnifying lens which, when the unit is attached to a camera, makes a magnified image an image picked up by the image pickup means in combination with the objective lens, and at least an image pickup of the image pickup object. Illuminating an area, the illuminating means using electricity as an energy source for illuminating, a power source of the illuminating means,
And a mounting means for detachably mounting the magnifying lens, the illumination means, and the power source to the camera. This unit is integrally provided with a magnifying lens for enabling the taking of a magnified image, a light source, and a power source. Therefore, by simply attaching this to the existing camera using the attaching means, the camera can capture a magnified image without any change or modification. Since the above-mentioned attachment means attaches the magnifying lens, the illumination means, and the power source to the camera in a detachable manner, this unit is
It can be detached from the camera when a magnified image is not captured. Further, since this unit does not require an image pickup means or a mechanism for controlling the image pickup means,
It will be relatively inexpensive.

The camera to which the unit of the present invention is attached may be built in a mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal in this case may be a PDA or a mobile phone.

In the unit of the present invention, the tip of the unit is brought into contact with the object to be imaged, so that the distance between the object to be imaged and the magnifying lens is adjusted by a combination of both the objective lens and the magnifying lens. A positioning assisting means may be provided to contribute to keeping the position within a range that matches the imaging range of the imaging target. The positioning assisting means is used by bringing its tip into contact with the object to be imaged when capturing a magnified image. Due to the presence of the positioning assisting device, the image capturing of the enlarged image by the camera can be performed in a stable state with the tip of the positioning assisting device brought into contact with the outside of the imaging range of the imaging target. Therefore, during capturing of the enlarged image, it is unlikely that a problem such as a camera shake causing the imaging target object to go out of the imaging range. With a hand-held camera such as a camera attached to a mobile communication terminal or a general digital camera, if the camera is lifted from the object to be imaged and a camera shake occurs, the focus position is adjusted (focusing). ) Becomes extremely difficult. With the camera of the present invention, camera shake can be reduced, so that difficulty in focusing can be reduced.

As described above, the positioning assisting means of the present invention contributes to keeping the focus position of the combination of both the objective lens and the magnifying lens within the range suitable for the imaging range of the object to be imaged. It is a necessary condition. This can be configured by, for example, one rod-shaped body.
In this case, the length of the rod-shaped body along the optical axis is set so that the distance from the imaging object to the objective lens when the tip of the rod is in contact with the imaging object is within the imaging range of the imaging object. It suffices to set the length so that the focus position of the combination of both lenses falls within the range of matching. In this example in which the positioning assisting means is one rod-shaped body, the positioning assisting means and the image pickup object make point contact. Since the contact is point contact, even if the tip is in contact with the object to be imaged, the camera or the mobile communication terminal will pivot about the tip. However, as compared with the case where the camera or the mobile communication terminal is completely floated above the object to be imaged, it is still possible to easily capture the enlarged image in a stable state. In addition to this, the positioning assisting means can be composed of a plurality of, for example, three rod-shaped bodies. Stability increases as the number of rods increases,
For the time being, if there are three rod-shaped bodies, it becomes possible to capture a magnified image in a state where three-point support is performed by point contact at the three points of the tip of each rod-shaped body. According to this, when the tip of the positioning assisting means is brought into contact with a flat imaging target,
The distance between the object to be imaged and the magnifying lens is kept constant. Since such a positioning assisting means does not perform the pivotal movement as described above, when it is brought into contact with the image pickup object, the distance from the image pickup range of the image pickup object to the image pickup means is kept stable. , Can be kept constant. In other words, if such a positioning assisting device is adopted, by bringing its tip into contact with the image pickup object, the focus position by the combination of both the objective lens and the magnifying lens is automatically set in the image pickup range of the image pickup object. Since it becomes possible to adjust them and the camera can be maintained in a stable state without camera shake, it becomes easier and easier to capture a magnified image. In addition, such a function (that is,
When the tip is brought into contact with a flat object to be imaged, the distance between the object to be imaged and the magnifying lens can be made constant and the stability of the camera can be maintained). As an example, a shape capable of contacting a certain plane at three or more points, a shape capable of contacting a certain plane with a straight line + one point or more, a shape capable of making a curved line contact with a certain plane, Examples include a shape capable of making surface contact with a certain plane.

The positioning assisting means in the present invention is basically located outside the field of view of the magnifying lens when the unit is attached to the camera, but if it does not substantially obstruct the image pickup, the magnifying lens It does not matter even if it is in a position that affects the field of view.

There are various variations in the shape of the positioning assisting means in the present invention as described above. As one of them, a field of view of a magnifying lens is secured at the tip of the positioning assisting means, and the size is set so as to be substantially coincident with an image pickup target range when the image pickup means picks up a magnifying image. Some have holes. In this positioning assisting means, the hole formed at the tip thereof has a size close to the imaging target range, and is not excessively larger than the imaging target range. Such a configuration brings about the following advantages in addition to the fact that the imaging target range is easy for the user to intuitively understand because the range within the hole substantially matches the imaging target range. For example, in the case of capturing a magnified image with a flexible object such as human skin as an imaging target, when the hole of the positioning assisting means is brought into contact with the imaging target, the flexibility in the hole is increased. An object to be imaged with a certain amount enters and the object to be imaged is raised. In this case, the swelled imaging target approaches the objective lens, so that the focus position of the objective lens does not come to the imaging range of the imaging target. Therefore, in this camera, the hole is made small as described above. By making the hole small, it is possible to minimize the swelling of the imaging target when the hole is in contact with the imaging target, so that the imaging range of the imaging target is set to the depth of field of the objective lens. It will be easier to fit inside. In consideration of such a fact, the size of the hole is such that the swelling of the object to be imaged caused when the outer periphery of the hole at the tip of the positioning assisting means is brought into contact with the human skin is determined by the depth of field of the objective lens. It can be said that it only needs to fit inside. The shape of the hole may be such that the edge thereof is substantially along the outer edge of the imaging target range in the imaging target. It should be noted that the edge of the hole is allowed to enter the imaging target range as long as it does not substantially interfere with the imaging of the magnified image. The shape of the imaging target range of the imaging means does not matter. A circle, a rectangle, etc. can be selected appropriately. When the imaging target range is rectangular, the hole is
The imaging target range when the imaging unit captures a magnified image can be formed into a circular shape that is substantially inscribed. If the field of view of the imaging means is circular, the hole can be circular and concentric with the field of view that substantially matches the field of view of the imaging means.

The positioning assisting means may be cylindrical, for example. When the positioning assisting means has a cylindrical shape, the above-mentioned hole can be provided at the tip thereof. When the cylindrical positioning assisting means is employed, at least one of the magnifying lens and the power source may be provided inside the cylindrical positioning assisting means.

The lighting means in the present invention uses energy for lighting as electricity and can be constituted by a light bulb, an LED or the like. It is also possible to configure the illuminating means by the end face of the optical fiber to which the light is guided from the light bulb, the LED or the like. The lighting means may be provided in any part of the unit. For example, it can be attached to the positioning assisting means. If the positioning assisting means has a tubular shape, the illuminating means can be provided therein as described above. The illuminating means may be provided with a switch so that it is turned on only when necessary.

In the unit of the present invention, the positioning assisting means is brought into contact with the object to be imaged, and when an enlarged image is taken by the imager, the imaging range of the object to be imaged is It may be provided with a light shielding means for preventing external light from being applied. If such a light-shielding means is provided, it is possible to use only the illumination light from the own illumination means when capturing a magnified image, so that the conditions regarding illumination are always constant. The image can be taken. This is useful when precise contrasting of images taken at different times is needed, such as when using magnified images for medical purposes. The light blocking means may be configured in any way. The positioning assisting means may be provided separately, or the positioning assisting means may also serve as this. In particular, when the positioning assisting means is cylindrical, it is easy for the positioning assisting means to also serve as the light shielding means. In this case, the positioning assisting means may be made of a non-translucent material, or at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the positioning assisting means may be processed to have a light shielding function.

The attaching means of the present invention attaches the unit to the camera in a detachable manner. If it is such a thing, the attachment means may be configured as follows, although its specific configuration does not matter. The attachment means may include, for example, a first member fixed to the camera and a second member fixed to the unit and detachable from the first member.

If the first member and the second member are detachably attached to each other, the specific structure thereof does not matter.
For example, it can be configured as follows. The first
The member is an annular velcro tape fixed to the camera so as to surround the optical axis of the objective lens, and the second
The member may be an annular velcro tape having a shape corresponding to the first member. Alternatively, the first member is an annular metal plate that is fixed to the camera so as to surround the optical axis of the objective lens, and the second member has a shape corresponding to the first member. It can be an annular magnet that can be fixed to the other. In this case, the materials of the first member and the second member can be reversed. Alternatively, the first member is an annular body fixed to the camera so as to surround the optical axis of the objective lens, and the second member is an annular body having a shape corresponding to the first member, and A mounting recess is provided on one of the facing surfaces of the first member and the second member, and a mounting projection is provided on the other surface. The fitting recess and the mounting projection are fitted to each other, whereby the first The member and the second member may be detachably attached. The mounting recess and the mounting protrusion may have any specific shapes. It is also possible to provide a plurality of mounting recesses and a plurality of mounting projections. It is also possible to form both the mounting concave portion and the mounting convex portion in an annular shape so as to go around the facing surfaces of the first member and the second member formed in an annular shape.

The mounting means of the present invention is an axial alignment for aligning the optical axes of the magnifying lens and the objective lens when mounting the integrated magnifying lens, illuminating means and power source to the camera. It may have means. It is preferable that the unit of the present invention accurately matches the optical axes of the magnifying lens and the objective lens in consideration of enhancing the quality of the magnifying image obtained by the image pickup means. The alignment means described above make this possible.

The specific configuration of the axis aligning means is not required.
For example, the axis aligning means can be configured to include an axis aligning concave portion provided on one of the facing surfaces of the first member and the second member and an axis aligning convex portion provided on the other side. . In the lens unit in this case, the optical axes of the magnifying lens and the objective lens are matched with each other by fitting the axis-aligning concave portion and the axis-aligning convex portion. The specific shapes of the axis-aligning concave portion and the axis-aligning convex portion do not matter.
It is also possible to provide a plurality of each of the axis-aligning recess and the axis-aligning recess. It is also possible to form both the axis-aligning recess and the axis-aligning recess in an annular shape so as to go around the facing surfaces of the first member and the second member that are formed in an annular shape. It is also possible to share each of the axis-aligning recess and the axis-aligning recess with the mounting recess and the mounting projection.

The unit of the present invention, when the magnifying image is picked up by the image pickup means, is reflected in the magnifying image together with the object to be picked up. A contrast image projecting unit that projects a contrast image, which is a guide for knowing the size of the image-capturing target by comparison with the image-capturing target, may be provided. According to the contrast image projection means, the size of the image pickup object can be roughly known by comparing the image pickup object reflected in the picked-up image with the contrast image, which is convenient. The contrast image projecting means may directly project the contrast image onto the image capturing means, or may indirectly project the contrast image. In the latter case, a half mirror arranged obliquely with respect to the optical path is provided in the optical path from the object to be imaged to the image capturing means, and the contrast image projecting means is provided to the half mirror. It can be configured to project the contrast image at an angle such that the reflected light is directed to the imaging means. By doing so, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement location of the contrast image projection means. The contrast image may be any image as long as the size of the imaged object can be roughly known. For example, it may include a scale.
The center wavelength of this scale color may be different from the center wavelength of the color of the imaged skin (skin to be imaged). Alternatively, C often used as an image sensor
The scale can be represented by green or blue among red (R), green (G), and blue (B), which are the colors of light that the CD reacts with. The center wavelength of such a color is deviated from the skin color (especially, the skin color of the yellow race), but expressing the scale with such a color makes automatic image processing possible. It is effective when doing. For example, if a magnified image taken by a camera is a skin image and that image is automatically processed for skin diagnosis, the scale image is automatically identified from the other images. What you can do is important. In such a case, if you use a color whose center wavelength deviates from the skin color (especially the skin color of the yellow race) such as green or blue as the scale color, the scale image will be It becomes easy to automatically extract from the image. In that sense, the color of the scale may be a color that can be easily extracted from the image of the skin (in particular, the color of the skin of the yellow race) when performing the automatic image processing. The contrast image may be projected to be located in any part of the obtained magnified image. For example, the entire enlarged image may be covered with a mesh. Alternatively, the comparison image may be located in a part near the outer periphery of the magnified image obtained by the image pickup means. In the latter case, it is excellent in viewability of the image. In any case, the contrast image projection means projects the contrast image so as to be such a thing. The comparative image projecting means of the present invention may be provided at any part of the unit, but if the positioning assisting means has a tubular shape, it can be provided inside the cylindrical positioning assisting means. .

The unit of the present invention is located in the field of view of the magnifying lens when the magnifying image is picked up by the image pick-up means, and is picked up together with the object to be picked up. It is also possible to provide a comparison unit that serves as a guide for knowing the size of the image-capturing target by comparing it with the image-capturing target in the enlarged image. This also makes it convenient to compare the imaged object reflected in the imaged image with the contrasted image so that the size of the imaged object can be roughly known, which is convenient. You will be able to obtain the same effect as when there is. The comparison means may be provided on the transparent body. If the unit has a hole, it may be provided in a transparent body formed in the hole, for example, in the shape of a plate.

The comparison means may be any means as long as the size of the object to be imaged can be roughly known. For example, it may include a scale. For the same reason as in the case of the contrast image projecting means, this scale can be a color whose center wavelength is different from the center wavelength of the skin color to be imaged, such as green or blue. That is, the color of the scale may be a color that makes it easy to extract the image of the scale from the image of the skin (in particular, the color of the skin of yellow race) when performing the automatic image processing.

The comparison means may be located anywhere as long as it is within the imaging range when the enlarged image is taken. For example, the comparing means may be provided at a position such that when the magnified image is captured, it is reflected in a part near the outer periphery of the image capturing range of the image capturing means. At such a position, the comparison means does not substantially interfere with the imaging. If the unit comprises positioning aids, the contrasting means can be provided therewith.
When the positioning assisting means is formed in a cylindrical shape, the comparing means can be provided inside the cylindrical positioning assisting means.

The unit of the present invention, when the magnifying image is picked up by the image pickup means, is reflected in the magnifying image together with the object to be imaged, and corrects the color of the picked-up magnifying image. A color sample image projecting unit for projecting a color sample image on which a plurality of types of reference colors are arranged, which is used for performing the process, may be provided. This color sample image projection means brings the following advantages. A relatively inexpensive camera such as a mobile communication terminal, a camera built in a PDA, or a camera called a toy camera uses a so-called AWB (Automatic White Balanc) that automatically performs color adjustment.
e) Many adopt the mechanism. This is a mechanism that tries to bring the average color of all screens closer to white, and has the advantage of being able to easily adjust the image quality, but when it is used for skin images etc., the image after processing will be a single color or colorless. There is also a demerit that it becomes a flat plate close to. If the camera is equipped with such a mechanism and the data obtained by the imaging means of the mobile terminal is to be used for skin diagnosis, for example, such a demerit may be unacceptable. Although such a demerit can be eliminated by improving the performance of the camera side, it may not be realized in a camera that is required to be inexpensive. Therefore, the color sample image projecting means as described above is useful. If the color sample image is projected into the magnified image by using the color sample image projecting means as described above, the color adjustment of the magnified image can be easily performed by another device that receives the image data of the image. You will be able to. In other words, the color sample image projecting means has an advantage that it becomes easy to perform the subsequent image quality adjustment by a device other than the camera to which the unit is attached. The contrast image projection means may directly or indirectly project the color sample image onto the image pickup means. In the case of the latter, a half mirror arranged obliquely with respect to the optical path is provided in the optical path from the object to be imaged to the imaging means, and the color sample image projection means, with respect to this half mirror, Therefore, the color sample image can be projected at an angle such that the reflected light is directed to the image pickup means. By doing so, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom regarding the location of the color sample image projecting means. The color sample image projecting means of the present invention may be provided at any part of the unit, but if the positioning assisting means has a cylindrical shape, it may be provided inside the cylindrical positioning assisting means. it can.

The unit of the present invention is located in the field of view of the magnifying lens when the magnifying image is picked up by the image pick-up means, and is picked up together with the object to be picked up. A color sample in which a plurality of types of reference colors are arranged, which is used to correct the color of the image, may be provided. This also provides the effect that it becomes easy to perform the posterior image quality adjustment by a device other than the camera to which the unit is attached, similar to the case where the color sample image projecting unit is provided. The color swatch of the present invention may be on any part of the unit. The color sample may be provided on the transparent body. If the unit has a hole, it may be provided in a transparent body formed in the hole, for example, in the shape of a plate. If the unit is provided with positioning assisting means and has a cylindrical shape, it can be provided inside the cylindrical positioning assisting means.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The unit U in this embodiment is used by being attached to an existing camera. The camera in this embodiment is built in the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal in this embodiment is as shown in FIG. 1, and is composed of, but not limited to, a mobile phone K. In this embodiment, the mobile phone K is considered to be intelligent and has at least a mail function in addition to a very general phone function realized by a microphone and a speaker. In order to realize these functions, the mobile phone K is equipped with an antenna and a display, and has a built-in CPU, ROM, RAM, interface, etc.
Since it is general, the description is omitted. The mobile phone K includes a large number of input keys K1 including a numeric keypad and direction keys. These input keys K1 are used when the telephone function is used and when the mail function is used, but are also used when an image is taken using the camera C described later. The mobile phone K includes a camera C. The camera C includes an objective lens C1 and an image sensor C2 shown in FIG. Although not limited to this, the objective lens C1 is exposed from the front center of the mobile phone K. The image pickup element C2 is for picking up an image by the image light guided from the image pickup target through the objective lens C1, and is constituted by a CCD in this embodiment. The objective lens C1 may be composed of a combination of a plurality of lenses, but in this embodiment, it is composed of one lens. Image sensor C of camera C of this mobile phone K
The image captured in 2 is a reduced image when the mobile phone K alone captures an image. The objective lens C1 and the image sensor C2 are configured to be able to capture a reduced image. As the mobile phone K as described above, for example, J-Phone (trademark) which is a mobile phone manufactured and sold by J-phone Co., Ltd. can be used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the unit U used by being attached to the mobile phone K. The unit U attaches it to the mobile phone K, so that the image pickup device C2 of the mobile phone is
The image picked up in 1 is to be an enlarged image.

The unit U has a main body 10. The main body 10 of the unit U in this embodiment has a cylindrical shape. A taper is attached to the tip side of the main body 10 to form a substantially conical contact portion 11. A hole 12 is formed at the tip of the contact portion 11. Hole 12
It is coaxial with the main body 10. The optical axis L is on the axis shared by the hole 12 and the main body 10.

The unit U is made of resin, for example. Although not necessarily so, the main body 10 of this embodiment has a light shielding function. This light shielding function can be obtained by forming the main body 10 with an opaque material, or by covering it with an opaque layer (for example, a layer formed by coloring with a paint).

A second member 13 is provided on the base end side of the main body 10. The second member 13 cooperates with the first member 14 (see FIG. 3) attached to the mobile phone K to constitute the attaching means in the present invention, and the unit U.
The mobile phone K is detachably attached.

The first member 14 and the second member in this embodiment
Both members 13 are thin velcro tapes. The shape of the second member 13 is an annular shape (in this embodiment, an annular shape) corresponding to the shape of the base end surface of the main body 10, and the first member 14
The shape of is a ring shape corresponding to the shape of the second member 13.
The exposed objective lens C is coaxial with the optical axis L of the objective lens C1 included in the camera C of the mobile phone K.
No. 1 on the surface of the mobile phone K in a state of surrounding the No. 1
By attaching the member 14 in advance and fixing the second member 13 thereto, the attachment of the unit U to the mobile phone in a detachable state is realized. The first member 14 and the second member
A convex portion X formed of resin or metal in an appropriate shape is formed on one of the opposing surfaces of the member 13, and a concave portion Y corresponding to the convex portion X is formed on the other opposing surface. In addition, when fixing both velcro tapes, the convex portion X
Can be fitted in the recess Y. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of convex portions X and a plurality of concave portions Y are formed in advance, and when fixing both velcro tapes, each of the plurality of convex portions X is fitted into the corresponding concave portion Y. You can If there are such a convex portion X and a concave portion Y, the center of the ring is accurately positioned on the optical axis L of the objective lens C1, and the first member 14 is attached to the mobile phone K.
If the unit U is attached to the mobile phone K, the optical axes of the objective lens C1 and the magnifying lens 20 are automatically adjusted when the unit U is attached. The convex portion X and the concave portion Y correspond to the axial alignment convex portion and the axial alignment concave portion of the present invention, respectively. Another example of the convex portion X and the concave portion Y is shown in FIG. The convex portion X and the concave portion Y in this example are each formed in a circular shape that is coaxial with the center of an annular velcro tape.

Other variations of the first member 14 and the second member 13 include, for example, the following. First, the second member 13 can be a metal plate and the first member 14 can be a magnet. The material of the second member 13 is assumed to be attracted to the magnet. The shapes of the first member 14 and the second member 13 in this case can be the same annular shape (in this embodiment, an annular shape) as in the case of using the above-mentioned velcro tape. By fixing the first member 14 to the mobile phone K and the second member 13 to the unit U in the same manner as when using the velcro tape, the unit U can be detachably attached to the mobile phone K. Will be realized. The materials of the first member 14 and the second member 13 in this case can be reversed, but it cannot be said that the magnet may have an unfavorable influence on the mobile phone K. 13 on the metal plate,
The first member 14 is preferably a magnet. In addition, the convex portion X is formed on one of the facing surfaces of the first member 14 and the second member 13, and the concave portion Y corresponding to the convex portion X is formed on the other facing surface so that the optical axes are automatically aligned. The same can be done as in the case where the first member 14 and the second member 13 are velcro tapes. The shapes of the convex portion X and the concave portion Y can be appropriately selected as in the case where the first member 14 and the second member 13 are velcro tapes. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the concave portion 1 is formed on one of the facing surfaces of the first member 14 and the second member 13.
It is conceivable to provide the convex portion 5 and the convex portion 16 on the other side. The materials of the first member 14 and the second member 13 are
Resin, metal, etc. can be appropriately selected. First in this case
The shapes of the member 14 and the second member 13 can also be formed in the same ring shape as in the case of using the velcro tape. Similarly to the case where the velcro tape is used, the first member 14 is fixed to the mobile phone K and the second member 13 is fixed to the unit U, and the concave portion 15 and the convex portion 16 are fitted to each other, whereby the unit U A detachable attachment to the mobile phone K is realized. The concave portion 15 and the convex portion 16 are formed so as to fix the unit U to the mobile phone K with such a hardness that the unit U does not fall off from the mobile phone K when the unit is used and can be easily attached and detached. It is also possible to make the shapes of the concave portion 15 and the convex portion 16 as shown in FIG. The concave portion 15 and the convex portion 16 have an annular shape, and the centers thereof are located on the optical axis L. Such a concave portion 15 corresponds not only to the mounting concave portion of the present invention but also to the axial alignment concave portion of the present invention. Such a convex portion 16 corresponds not only to the mounting convex portion of the present invention, but also to the axial alignment convex portion of the present invention.

The main body 1 of the unit U in this embodiment
A switch 17 is provided outside 0. This switch 17 switches ON / OFF of a light source described later. The switch 17 may have any configuration, but in this example, a push-push structure is adopted so that the light source can be turned on / off each time the switch 17 is pushed.

Inside the main body 10, as shown in FIG. 3, a magnifying lens 20 is attached. The magnifying lens 20 of this embodiment is composed of, but is not limited to, one convex lens. The magnifying lens 20 is the main body 1
0 through the mount 21 fixed inside the main body 10
It is fixed to the inner surface of the. The outer diameter of the mount 21 in this embodiment is the same as the inner diameter of the main body 10,
A circular plate having a circular hole formed in the center thereof.
Mount the main body 1 with the mount 21 in which the magnifying lens 20 is fitted in the hole.
By fixing to the inner peripheral surface of 0, the magnifying lens 20 is fixed to the main body 10. On the front surface of the mount 21, there are provided six light sources 30 in this embodiment. The light source 30 is not limited to this,
It is composed of small LEDs. When the light source 30 is turned on, the light source 30 illuminates at least the image pickup range of the image pickup target. A battery 40 corresponding to the power source in the present invention is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the main body 10 near the mount 20. The battery 40 provides an energy source when the light source 30 emits light. Switch 17 mentioned above
Controls the light emitting state of the light source 30 by changing the connection state between the battery 40 and the light source 30.

The main body 10 corresponds to the positioning assisting means of the present invention. When capturing a magnified image in the state shown in FIG. 3 in which the unit U is attached to the mobile phone K, the tip of the contact portion 11 of the main body 10 is brought into contact with the object to be imaged. Since imaging can be performed with the tip of the main body 10 in contact with the object to be imaged, the problem of camera shake is unlikely to occur. Further, the length of the main body 10 indicated by 1 in FIG.
When 2 is brought into contact with the object to be imaged, the focus position by the combination of both the objective lens C1 and the magnifying lens 20 can be kept within a range that matches the image capturing range of the object to be imaged. Therefore, when the hole 12 is brought into contact with the object to be imaged, the object to be imaged located in the hole 12 is automatically focused. The objective lens C1
In order to prevent the focus position due to the combination of the two lenses of the magnifying lens 20 and the magnifying lens 20 from being displaced from the imaging target range, it is useful to provide a diaphragm in the main body 10 to increase the depth of focus. The hole 12 in this embodiment and the mobile phone K
The relationship with the imaging target range of the image sensor C2 in FIG.
It is as shown in (A). That is, the imaging target range S in this embodiment is rectangular, and the hole 12 is circular inscribed therein. However, the relationship between the imaging target range S and the hole 12 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), the imaging target range S is a rectangle, and the hole 12 is a rectangle substantially along the outer edge of the imaging target range S, or as shown in FIG. 8 (C), the imaging target is Range S
It is also possible to have a circular shape and the hole 12 to have a circular shape substantially along the outer edge of the imaging target range S. FIG. 8C or FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8B, when the edge of the hole 12 is arranged along the outer edge of the imaging target range S, the edge of the hole 12 is as shown in FIG.
The outer edge of the imaging target range S may be applied as shown in (C), or may not be applied to the outer edge of the imaging target range S as shown in FIG. 8 (B).

A method of using the unit U will be described. The unit U is attached to the mobile phone K for use.
Specifically, the second member 13 is fixed to the first member 14 previously attached to the mobile phone K, so that the unit U is fixed to the mobile phone K. In this state, the function of the camera C of the mobile phone K is used as it is to perform image capturing. Specifically, the tip of the contact portion 11 of the main body 10 is brought into contact with the object to be imaged to perform image capturing. Due to the presence of the magnifying lens 20, the image captured by the image sensor C2 becomes a magnifying image. This image is selected from a still image, a moving image, or both depending on the function of the camera C of the mobile phone K. The operation in this case is performed using the input key of the mobile phone K. It should be noted that when performing image pickup, the switch 17 is operated to turn on the light source 30. As described above, the unit U has a light-shielding property, and when the hole 12 at the tip of the contact portion 11 is brought into contact with the object to be imaged, external light is emitted from the main body 10.
It is designed not to enter inside the. Therefore, the capturing of the magnified image can be performed only by the light from the light source 30. Depending on the function of the mobile phone K, the data about the image obtained by the imaging may be recorded in the internal memory of the mobile phone K or output from the mobile phone K to the outside.
Alternatively, it can be used by sending using the mail function of the mobile phone K. When it becomes unnecessary to take a magnified image, the unit U is removed from the mobile phone K.

Up to this point, one embodiment of the unit U according to the present invention has been described, but the unit U described above can be modified as follows. Hereinafter, modified examples 1 to 6 will be sequentially described.

<< First Modification >> This unit is basically the same as the unit described in the above-described embodiment in terms of configuration and usage. However, the following scales 110 are provided. In this embodiment, the scale 110 is provided near the hole 12 on the inner surface of the contact portion 11. As shown in FIG. 9A, the hole 12 in this example is adapted to hang over a part of the outer edge of the imaging target range S, and the scale 110 is in the vicinity of the hole 12 and the imaging target range S. Is provided within the range included in a part of the vicinity of the outer circumference. In this embodiment, the scale 110 is displayed in blue, but the color whose center wavelength is deviated from the center wavelength of the skin color, or a color which can be extracted as something other than skin by automatic image processing. May be said. For example, the color of the scale 110 may be green. The scale 110 may be displayed in white with the entire inner surface of the contact portion 11 being blue. Scale 11
When the tip of the contact portion 11 is brought into contact with the imaging target object to capture an enlarged image, 0 is imaged together with the imaging target object and is positioned within the captured enlarged image. By comparing the image of the scale 110 reflected in the magnified image with the image of the imaging target, the approximate size of the imaging target can be known only from the image. An enlarged image obtained when the scale 110 is provided as shown in FIG. 9A is as shown in FIG. 9B. The white part is the image of the image-captured object seen through the inside of the hole 12, and the shaded part is the outside part of the hole 12.

<< Modification 2 >> This unit is basically the same as the unit described in the above-described embodiment in terms of configuration and usage. However, the following scales 110 are provided. This scale 110 is, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11 (A), a plate-like body 111 formed of a transparent body such as a resin fitted inside the hole 12 is drawn. An enlarged image obtained when the scale 110 is as shown in FIG. 11A is as shown in FIG. 11B. The circle in FIG. 11A is the inner edge of the hole 12. In FIG. 11B, the inside of the circle is the image of the imaging target. Also in this modified example, by comparing the image of the scale 110 reflected in the enlarged image with the image of the image pickup target, the approximate size of the image pickup target can be known only from the image. Become. The color of the scale 110 may be the same as that of the unit of Modification 1.

<< Modification 3 >> This unit is basically the same as the unit described in the above-described embodiment in terms of configuration and usage. However, as shown in FIG. 12, a scale projection device 121 corresponding to the contrast image projection means of the present invention and a half mirror 122 are provided. Half mirror 122
Are arranged in the optical path from the image pickup object to the image pickup element C2 with an inclination with respect to the optical path. Scale projection device 1
Reference numeral 21 denotes, for example, a transparent plate-shaped body with scales arranged on the front surface of a backlight formed in a flat plate shape. The image of the scales drawn on the plate-shaped body is displayed by the light from the backlight. Is projected onto the half mirror 122. The image of this scale is the contrast image in the present invention. The scale image can be expressed in the same color as in the first modification. The image of the scale projected on the half mirror 122 reaches the image pickup element C2, and when the image pickup element C2 picks up a magnifying image, it is reflected in the magnified image together with the image pickup target. The image of the scale serves as a guide for knowing the size of the image-capturing object by comparing with the image-capturing object in the captured magnified image. FIG. 13 shows an example of an image in which the scale image is reflected. A portion surrounded by a circle in FIGS. 13A and 13B is a magnified image taken. Although the image of the scale is shown by the reference numeral 123 in the figure, it is, for example, in the form of a lattice (FIG. 13A), for example, in the form of a bar (FIG.
(B)). The power source of the backlight in this modification is the battery 40 that is common to the power source of the light source 21, and the backlight is turned on / off together with the light source 21 by operating the switch 17.

<< Fourth Modification >> This unit is basically the same as the unit described in the above-described embodiment in terms of configuration and usage. However, the following color sample 130 is provided. In this embodiment, the color sample 130 is provided near the hole 12 on the inner surface of the contact portion 11. The hole 12 in this example is adapted to overlap the outer edge of the imaging target range S as shown in FIG.
The color sample 130 is provided in the vicinity of the hole 12 and within a range included in a part of the periphery of the imaging target range S. In this embodiment, the color sample 130 is provided with a plurality of types of reference colors. The reference color is not particularly limited in type and number of colors as long as it is suitable for performing color correction of the captured magnified image, but in this embodiment,
There are five colors, red R, green G, blue B, white w, and black b. When the tip of the contact portion 11 is brought into contact with the imaging target object to capture a magnified image, the color sample 130 is imaged together with the imaging target object and is positioned within the captured magnified image. Color sample 130 reflected in an enlarged image
Image is used to correct the color of the captured magnified image. An enlarged image obtained when the color sample 130 is provided as shown in FIG.
It becomes like (B). The white part is the image of the imaged object seen through the inside of the hole 12, the shaded part is the outside part of the hole 12, and the rectangular part inside is the color sample. The color sample 130 included in the unit of Modification 4 may be applied to any of the units of Modifications 1 to 3.

<< Fifth Modification >> This unit is basically the same as the unit described in the above-described embodiment in terms of configuration and usage. However, the following color sample 130 is provided. This color sample 130, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 15 (A), the plate-shaped body 111 formed of a transparent body such as resin, which is fitted inside the hole 12, is drawn. An enlarged image obtained when the color sample 130 is provided as shown in FIG. 15A is shown in FIG.
become that way. The circle shown in FIG. 15A is the inner edge of the hole 12, and the inside of the circle shown in FIG. 12B is the image captured by the hole 12. The color sample 130 appears in this image. This modification is also used when correcting the color of the captured magnified image. The color sample 130 included in the unit of Modification 5 is Modifications 1 to 3.
It may be applied to any of the units.

<< Modification 6 >> This unit is basically the same as the unit described in the above-described embodiment in terms of configuration and usage. However, as shown in FIG. 16, a color sample projecting device 141 corresponding to the color sample image projecting means of the present invention,
And a half mirror 142. Half mirror 14
2 is arranged in the optical path from the image pickup object to the image pickup element C2 with an inclination with respect to the optical path. The color sample projection device 141 includes, for example, a transparent plate-shaped body on which a color sample is drawn, which is arranged on the front surface of a backlight formed in a plate shape, and an image of the color sample drawn on the plate-shaped body is displayed. The light from the backlight is projected onto the half mirror 142. This color sample image is the color sample image in the present invention. In this embodiment, the color sample image includes images of a plurality of types of reference colors. The reference color is not particularly limited in type and number of colors as long as it is suitable for correcting the color of the captured magnified image, but in this embodiment, red R, green G, blue B, white There are five colors, w and black b. The image of the color sample projected on the half mirror 142 reaches the image pickup device C2, and when the enlarged image is picked up by the image pickup device C2, it is reflected in the enlarged image together with the imaging target. The image of the color sample is used to correct the color of the captured magnified image. FIG. 17 shows an example of an image in which the color sample image is reflected. A portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 17 is a magnified image taken. The image of the color sample is indicated by the reference numeral 143 in the drawing. The color sample projection device 141 and the half mirror 142 of the unit of Modification 6 may be applied to any of the units of Modifications 1 to 3.

[0046]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to capture an enlarged image with a camera capable of capturing only a reduced image without making any changes to the camera. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a mobile phone to which a unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view showing a state in which a unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is attached to the mobile phone shown in FIG.

4 is a perspective view showing an example of a first member and a second member included in the unit shown in FIG.

5 is a perspective view showing an example of a first member and a second member included in the unit shown in FIG.

6 is a perspective view showing an example of a first member and a second member included in the unit shown in FIG.

7 is a perspective view showing an example of a first member and a second member included in the unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a hole of the unit shown in FIG. 2 and an imaging range.

9A is a view of the hole in the modification example 1 of the unit shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the inside, and FIG. 9B is a view showing an example of an enlarged image captured by using such a unit. .

10 is a perspective side view showing a state in which the unit according to the second modification of the unit shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the mobile phone shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 (A) is a view of a hole in a unit of Modification 2 seen from the inside, and FIG. 11 (B) is a diagram showing an example of an enlarged image imaged using such a unit.

12 is a perspective side view showing a state in which a unit according to Modification Example 3 of the unit shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the mobile phone shown in FIG.

13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of an enlarged image captured by using the unit of Modification 3;

14A is a modification example 4 of the unit shown in FIG.
The figure which looked at the hole in from inside, (B) is a figure which shows an example of the enlarged image imaged using such a unit.

FIG. 15 (A) is a view of a hole in a unit of Modification Example 5 as seen from the inside, and FIG. 15 (B) is a diagram showing an example of an enlarged image captured using such a unit.

16 is a perspective side view showing a state in which a unit according to Modification Example 6 of the unit shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the mobile phone shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an enlarged image imaged using the unit of Modification 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

10 body 12 holes 13 Second member 14 First member 15 recess 16 convex 20 magnifying lens 30 light sources 40 batteries 110 scale 121 Scale projection device 122 half mirror 130 color samples 141 Color sample projector 142 half mirror U unit K mobile phone C camera X convex part Y recess C1 objective lens C2 image sensor

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. An objective lens, and image pickup means for guiding image light from an object to be imaged through the objective lens and taking an image with the image light, A unit used by being attached to a camera, which is adapted to capture a reduced image in the image capturing means, and which is combined with the objective lens when the unit is attached to the camera. A magnifying lens that magnifies the image captured by the image capturing device, illumination means that illuminates at least the imaging range of the imaging target, and that uses an electric energy source for illumination as electricity; and a power source of the illumination means. , Is integrally provided, and has a mounting means for detachably mounting the magnifying lens, the illumination means, and the power source, which are integrated, to the camera. 2. The distance between the image pickup object and the magnifying lens is adjusted by bringing the tip thereof into contact with the image pickup object, and the focus position is determined by the combination of the objective lens and the magnifying lens. The unit according to claim 1, further comprising positioning assisting means that contributes to keeping the object within a range that matches the imaging range. 3. The tip of the positioning assisting means comprises:
The hole for securing the field of view of the magnifying lens, and having a size substantially matching with an imaging target range when the imaging unit captures a magnifying image is provided. unit. 4. The image pickup target range of the image pickup means is rectangular, and the hole is circular so that the image pickup target range is substantially inscribed when the image pickup means picks up a magnified image. The listed unit. 5. The unit according to claim 3, wherein the hole is substantially along an outer edge of the imaging target range when the imaging unit captures a magnified image. 6. The unit according to claim 3, wherein the positioning assisting means has a cylindrical shape, and the hole is provided at the tip thereof. 7. The unit according to claim 6, wherein the illuminating means is provided inside the cylindrical positioning assisting means. 8. The unit according to claim 6, wherein the magnifying lens and the power supply are provided inside the cylindrical positioning assisting means. 9. The external light does not strike the imaging range of the imaging target when the positioning assisting device is in contact with the imaging target and a magnified image is captured by the imaging device. The unit according to claim 1, further comprising: 10. The tubular positioning assisting means is in contact with the imaging target, and when the magnifying image is captured by the imaging means, the imaging of the imaging target is performed. The unit according to claim 6, wherein the range has a light-shielding function for preventing external light from hitting. 11. When a magnified image is picked up by the image pickup means, the magnified image is reflected in the magnified image together with the imaged object, and is compared with the imaged object in the imaged magnified image. The unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a contrast image projecting means for projecting a contrast image, which is a standard for knowing the size of the image pickup object, onto the image pickup means. 12. A half mirror, which is arranged in an optical path from an object to be imaged to the image pickup means and is inclined with respect to the optical path, and the contrast image projection means reflects the half mirror there. The unit according to claim 11, wherein the unit is configured to project the contrast image at an angle such that the emitted light is directed to the imaging means. 13. The unit according to claim 11, wherein the contrast image includes a scale, and the center wavelength of the scale color is different from the center wavelength of the skin color to be imaged. . 14. The contrast image projection means projects the contrast image such that the contrast image is reflected in a part of the vicinity of the outer periphery of the enlarged image obtained by the imaging means. unit. 15. When a magnified image is picked up by the image pickup means, the magnified image is reflected in the magnified image together with the imaged object, and is compared with the imaged object in the imaged magnified image. In this way, a comparative image projecting means for projecting a comparative image, which serves as a guide for knowing the size of the imaged object, to the imaging means is provided, and the comparative image projecting means has the cylindrical positioning assisting means. 7. A unit according to claim 6 provided inside the means. 16. When the magnifying image is picked up by the image pickup means, the magnifying lens is positioned within a field of view of the magnifying lens and is picked up together with an object to be picked up. The unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a comparison unit that serves as a guide for knowing the size of the image-captured object by comparison with the image-captured object. 17. The unit according to claim 16, wherein the comparison means is located at a part near an outer periphery of an image pickup range of the image pickup means when the magnified image is picked up. 18. The unit according to claim 16, wherein the comparison means includes a scale. 19. The unit according to claim 18, wherein the scale has a center wavelength represented by a color different from the center wavelength of the color of the imaged skin. 20. When the magnifying image is picked up by the image pick-up means, the magnifying lens is positioned within the field of view of the magnifying lens and picked up together with the object to be picked up. The comparison means is provided as a guide for knowing the size of the imaging target by comparison with the imaging target. The comparison means is provided inside the cylindrical positioning assisting means. The unit according to claim 6. 21. When a magnified image is picked up by the image pickup means, the magnified image is reflected in the magnified image together with an object to be imaged, and is used to correct the color of the picked-up magnified image. The unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a color sample image projecting unit configured to project the color sample image, in which a plurality of types of reference colors are arranged, onto the image capturing unit. 22. When a magnified image is picked up by the image pickup means, the magnified image is reflected in the magnified image together with an object to be imaged, and is used to correct the color of the picked-up magnified image. A color sample image projecting means for projecting a color sample image on which a plurality of kinds of reference colors are arranged onto the image pickup means, and the color sample image projecting means is the cylindrical positioning assisting means. The unit according to claim 6, which is provided inside the. 23. When the magnifying image is picked up by the image pick-up means, the magnifying lens is positioned within the field of view of the magnifying lens and picked up together with the object to be picked up. The unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a color sample having a plurality of types of reference colors arranged to be used for correction. 24. When the magnifying image is picked up by the image pickup means, the magnifying lens is positioned within the field of view of the magnifying lens and picked up together with an image pickup target. The color sample provided with a plurality of types of reference colors used for performing correction is provided, and the color sample is provided inside the cylindrical positioning assisting means. The listed unit. 25. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the camera is built in a mobile communication terminal, and the unit is adapted to be attached to the mobile communication terminal. 26. The unit according to claim 25, wherein the mobile communication terminal is a mobile phone.