JP2006211703A - Portable video telephone terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable video telephone terminal which is capable of sending an image, without a sense of incompatibility, to a communicating party even when using the portable video telephone terminal while watching a monitor, and is improved in availability. <P>SOLUTION: In a portable video telephone terminal 10 comprising a camera 12 and a monitor 11, the camera 12 and a receiver speaker are disposed in an upper portion of the monitor 11, and they are provided while being inclined at a predetermined angle to the side of the lower monitor 11. Furthermore, with the inclination, a rigid line 10lf in an upper portion of the front side of the portable video telephone terminal 10 is positioned downwards in comparison with a maximum outer form portion 10lo. Moreover, the camera 12 is positioned and fixed at a side of a case 10a relative to an opening 31 formed on the case 10a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable videophone terminal that has a camera and a monitor, and that transmits and receives images and sounds using a wireless public network.

A conventional portable videophone terminal has a camera and a monitor as an image input / output unit, and a microphone and a speaker as an audio input / output unit. Then, the image information input by the camera and the sound information input by the microphone are transmitted to the communication partner via the public line network, and the image information and the sound information transmitted from the communication partner are received. Display an image on the monitor and output sound from the speaker. As a result, so-called videophone communication can be performed.

  However, the conventional mobile videophone terminal as described above has the following problems. In such a portable videophone terminal, when a camera and a monitor are provided integrally with the terminal, the user makes a call while looking at an image transmitted from a communication partner. Do. At this time, the camera reflects the face of the user who is looking at the monitor.For example, if the camera is positioned below the monitor, the camera looks up at the user's face from below. As a result, the face image transmitted to the communication partner becomes unnatural.

  Also, since the user's line of sight is facing the monitor, if the camera and the monitor are separated, the user's line of sight will deviate significantly from the camera. In this case, the image seen by the communication partner is also unnatural. It becomes.

  In addition, since such a mobile videophone terminal is provided with a camera and a monitor, a speaker and a microphone, and other operation keys, an easy-to-use and functional arrangement is required. Needless to say, downsizing is always required.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and even when used while looking at a monitor, it is possible to send an image without any sense of incongruity to a communication partner, and a mobile videophone terminal having excellent usability. The issue is to provide.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a camera having an imaging function and image data are provided on the front side of a casing of a portable videophone terminal having data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving image data and audio data to / from a counterpart terminal. A display panel for displaying, and the optical axis of the imaging lens of the camera is disposed at an angle inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the panel surface of the display panel, and the housing A stand connected to the casing in a rotatable manner is provided on the back side of the casing, and the casing is supported in an inclined state with respect to the installation surface.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the angle is 10 degrees to 15 degrees.

  For example, the optical axis of the imaging lens of the camera is inclined with respect to the display panel by a predetermined angle such as 10 degrees to 15 degrees. As a result, the optical axis of the camera is directed to the face of the user looking at the monitor.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the camera is arranged around the display panel.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the imaging lens of the camera is provided so as to be exposed to the outside through an opening formed in the casing of the mobile videophone terminal, and the camera is fixed to the casing. Thus, the imaging lens and the opening are positioned.

  Since the camera is fixed to the housing, it is possible to prevent misalignment between the opening formed in the housing and the camera.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that a reception speaker that outputs the audio data is arranged in an outer peripheral portion of the mobile videophone terminal in parallel with the camera, and the reception speaker is perpendicular to the display panel. , The terminal is provided at an angle inclined to the display panel side, and in the portion where the receiving speaker and the camera are provided, the outer ridge line of the terminal is It is characterized by being formed so as to be located on the center side.

  Thus, in the part where the receiving speaker and the camera on the outer peripheral part side of the terminal are provided, by positioning the external ridge line of the terminal on the center side with respect to the external ridge line on the back side, in this part, The terminal feels smaller than it actually is.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hands-free speaker for outputting the audio data when the mobile videophone terminal is used in a state where image data is displayed on the display panel. And a dummy speaker is formed near the outer periphery of the display panel on the front side of the housing.

  Such a terminal displays audio data from a hands-free speaker provided on the back side of the display panel when an image is displayed on the display panel and the user is facing the display panel, that is, in a so-called hands-free state. Is output. At this time, dummy speakers such as recesses, slits, holes, etc. provided near the outer periphery of the display panel are formed, so for users looking at the display panel, such recesses, slits, holes, etc. The dummy speaker visually recognizes it as if it were a speaker, and the sound is actually output from the dummy speaker even though the audio is output from the hands-free speaker on the back side of the display panel. Feel as if you are.

According to the mobile videophone terminal of the first aspect, the optical axis of the imaging lens of the camera is provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the display panel, and the case is placed on the installation surface by the stand provided on the back side of the case. It was made to support in the state inclined with respect to.
Further, according to the mobile videophone terminal of the second aspect, more specifically, the tilt angle of the camera is set to 10 degrees to 15 degrees. As a result, the camera is directed to the face of the user looking at the monitor. Therefore, the captured image of the user has no sense of incongruity.

  According to the mobile videophone terminal of the third aspect, by disposing the camera around the display panel, the line of sight of the user to be imaged is not greatly shifted.

  According to the mobile videophone terminal of the fourth aspect, since the camera is fixed to the casing, it is possible to prevent a misalignment between the hole formed in the casing and the camera, and to improve the appearance of the terminal. It can be excellent.

  According to the mobile videophone terminal of the fifth aspect, in the portion where the receiving speaker and the camera are provided on the outer peripheral side of the terminal, the outer ridge line of the terminal is on the center side with respect to the maximum outer shape portion of the casing. positioned. Thereby, the visual effect that the terminal is felt smaller than the actual size in the portion where the reception speaker and the camera are provided is obtained.

  According to the mobile videophone terminal of the sixth aspect, when used in a state of being imaged on the display panel, that is, when used in a hands-free state toward the so-called display panel, it is provided on the back side of the display panel. Audio data is output from the handsfree speaker. At this time, since a dummy speaker such as a recess, slit, hole or the like provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the display panel is formed, whether or not sound is output from the dummy speaker for the user watching the display panel I feel like. As a result, it is possible to obtain a feeling of use without a sense of incongruity because it feels as if the other party's voice is output from the surroundings while viewing the other party's image displayed on the display panel, for example.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a portable videophone terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to FIG. 14 shows, for example, a portable videophone terminal 10 capable of performing so-called videophone communication by exchanging image information as well as telephone communication using normal voice information via a PHS line. It is.
Here, FIG. 1 is a front view for explaining the external appearance of the mobile videophone terminal 10, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views for explaining the external appearance of the mobile videophone terminal 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mobile videophone terminal 10 is provided with a monitor (display panel) 11 made of a liquid crystal plate on the front surface of the housing 10 a. The monitor 11 has a vertically long screen in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) of the casing 10a, and can display an image in color. On the monitor 11, communication function information and / or image information in a mobile phone terminal such as a telephone number and electric field pictograph are displayed.

  The housing 10 a is provided with a camera 12 at the upper part on the front side, and an image is taken by the camera 12. In addition, a plurality of operation keys 13 are provided below the monitor 11, and various operations can be performed by pressing these keys 13. The operation key 13 is also provided on one side of the housing 10a.

  The housing 10a is provided with a receiving speaker 15 on the side of the upper camera 12, and a microphone 16 is provided on the lower side. Voice input is performed by the microphone 16, and the other party's voice and incoming call are received from the receiving speaker 15. Sounds, alarms, etc. can be emitted. In addition, an extendable antenna 17 is provided at the upper end of the housing 10 a, and a built-in data transmission / reception unit (not shown) communicates image data and audio data via the antenna 17. . Further, on the other side of the housing 10a, an external power supply connection unit 18 connected to an AC power source such as an outlet via an adapter and an external audio output unit 19 to which an earphone or the like is connected are provided.

  Further, the housing 10a is provided with a battery lid 14 which is attached to and detached from a housing portion in which a battery is housed on the back side thereof, and the battery lid 14 can be rotated within a predetermined angle range. A stand 14a is provided. Then, by rotating the stand 14a to widen the angle, the housing 10a is supported in a state inclined with respect to the installation surface.

  In such a case 10a, the camera 12 is disposed obliquely above the outer periphery of the monitor 11. As shown in FIG. 4, at this time, the optical axis B of the imaging lens 12 a of the camera 12 is inclined at a predetermined angle, for example, 10 to 15 degrees, with respect to the direction A perpendicular to the surface of the monitor 11, that is, downward. Are arranged. That is, the imaging lens 12 a of the camera 12 is directed obliquely downward with respect to the surface of the monitor 11. As a result, the camera 12 is in a state where the face of the user who is looking at the monitor 11 is photographed obliquely from above, and an image without a sense of incongruity can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 5, such a camera 12 includes an imaging lens 12a and a substrate portion 12b provided on the back side thereof. As shown in FIG. 6, the board portion 12b has a configuration in which a printed circuit board p on which a predetermined circuit is formed is folded in, for example, a trifold, and as shown in FIG. It is electrically connected to the main board 30 housed inside the housing 10a.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the housing 10a is formed with an opening 31 corresponding to the shape (here, circular) of the imaging lens 12a so that the imaging lens 12a of the camera 12 is exposed on the front surface thereof. Yes. As shown in FIG. 8, a holding portion 32 for holding the camera 12 is formed on the rear surface side of the opening portion 31 so as to protrude rearward. The inclined surface 32a for holding the camera 12 at the predetermined angle is formed. Then, the substrate 12b of the camera 12 is pressed against the inclined surface 32a, and the camera 12 is fitted into a locking claw 33 formed on the back side of the opening 31 as shown in FIG. Is positioned and fixed.

  In this way, the camera 12 is fixed by the locking claw 33 and the holding portion 32 formed in the housing 10a, so that the distal end portion of the imaging lens 12a is opened as shown in FIG. It is positioned with high accuracy without being misaligned with respect to the portion 31. On the other hand, when the camera 12 is configured to be fixed to a part other than the casing 10a, such as the main board 30 housed in the casing 10a, for example, an assembly error between the main board 30 and the casing 10a. For example, the leading end of the imaging lens 12a of the camera 12 may be misaligned with respect to the opening 31.

  In addition, the reception speaker 15 arranged side by side with the camera 12 includes a speaker hole 35 formed in the housing 10a and a speaker unit 36 provided on the back side thereof. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the speaker unit 36 is disposed slightly downward (for example, 4 degrees downward with respect to the direction A of the monitor 11) similarly to the camera 12. The speaker unit 36 is held by a holding portion 37 integrally provided on the back surface side of the speaker hole 35 of the housing 10a shown in FIG. 12 through a holding member 38 shown in FIG. It is supposed to be fixed. The holding member 38 is made of rubber, for example, and has a cylindrical portion 38a protruding toward the front surface side of the speaker unit 36. As shown in FIG. 11, the tip of the cylindrical portion 38a is attached to the housing 10a. A contact is made on the back side of the speaker hole 35. This prevents the sound emitted from the speaker unit 36 from diffusing to parts other than the speaker hole 35. FIG. 14 is a front view showing a state in which the camera 12 and the reception speaker 15 are provided in parallel inside the housing 10a.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 11, the front surface 10af on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 10a is provided with the monitor 11 as the camera 12 and the reception speaker 15 are provided downward. The shape is inclined forward as it goes upward from the part where it is.

  Furthermore, the camera 12 and the reception speaker 15 are provided downward at the upper part on the front surface 10af side of the housing 10a, so that the upper surface 10au is also inclined downward, and the boundary between the upper surface 10au and the front surface 10af is formed. A ridge line (outer ridge line) 10lf serving as a portion is formed to be located slightly lower (near the center of the mobile videophone terminal 10) than the maximum outer shape portion 10lo of the housing 10a. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, when the casing 10a is viewed from the front, the upper ridge line 10lf on the front surface 10af side is slightly lower (inside) than the maximum outer shape portion 10lo of the casing 10a. Therefore, the visual effect that the housing 10a looks smaller than the actual size can be obtained.

  Also, in such a case 10a, when performing so-called videophone communication, while facing the monitor 11 and viewing the image of the other party, the camera 12 is photographing the face of the user who is watching the monitor 11 Will be used. Such a usage pattern is different from a normal telephone usage pattern in which the reception speaker 15 of the mobile videophone terminal 10 is pressed against the ear and the microphone 16 is positioned near the mouth, which is a so-called hands-free state. It is. In such a hands-free state, the sound from the receiving speaker 15 used in the state of being close to the ear does not reach the user who is facing the monitor 11. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a hands-free speaker 39 is provided in the housing 10a on the back side of the monitor 11 side. This hands-free speaker 39 outputs sound by vibrating the back side of the housing 10a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, around the monitor 11, for example, two pairs of dummy speaker holes (dummy speakers) 40 and 40 are formed on both sides of the lower portion thereof. The dummy speaker holes 40, 40 do not perform a function as a speaker, that is, a function of actually outputting sound. However, when a sound is output from the hands-free speaker 39 (see FIG. 4) provided on the back side of the monitor 11, the two dummy speaker holes 40, 40 are provided to the user who is watching the monitor 11. Although the speaker is visually recognized as if it were a speaker and the sound is actually output from the hands-free speaker 39 (see FIG. 4) on the back side of the display panel, the dummy speaker holes 40, It feels as if voice is being emitted from 40, and as a result, it is possible to obtain a feeling of use without a sense of incongruity. The number of the dummy speaker holes 40 is not limited to a pair of two, but may be one or three or more. Further, the shape, arrangement, and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and may be formed in any part such as both sides, lower side, and upper side of the monitor 11. The dummy speaker hole 40 does not necessarily have to be a simple recess, slit, or the like, and the color (including the brightness of the color) of the other part of the housing 10a is changed only for that part. A water repellent net or the like may be stretched. Further, sound from the hands-free speaker 39 housed in the housing 10a may be actually output to the outside through the dummy speaker hole 40.

  In the mobile videophone terminal 10 as described above, the camera 12 is provided on the outer periphery of the monitor 11 and is inclined downward at a predetermined angle. The user's face can be photographed without a sense of incongruity. In addition, since the camera 12 is provided at the upper part of the monitor 11, the face of the user who is looking at the monitor 11 is looked down from above to pick up an image, and an image with less discomfort is obtained in addition to the case of looking up from below. be able to.

  In addition, the receiving speaker 15 is provided side by side on the camera 12 provided above the monitor 11, which can contribute to the downsizing of the apparatus as compared with the case where these are arranged separately above and below. In addition, the reception speaker 15 is generally provided at the top of the mobile videophone terminal 10 from the beginning, and it can be said that a reasonable setting is made in this respect as well.

  Further, in the above example, as shown in FIG. 10, the reception speaker is positioned at the center line C that is located at the center in the width direction of the mobile videophone terminal 10 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the mobile videophone terminal 10. 15 is arranged closer to the camera 12. Thus, as in a normal mobile phone without the monitor 11, when the telephone speaker 15 is pressed against the ear and a mouth is brought close to the microphone 12 to make a call, the telephone speaker 15 is closer to the center, so that the form videophone When the terminal 10 is used close to the ear, the receiving speaker 15 can be surely pressed against the ear, and can be used without a sense of incongruity.

  Furthermore, since the camera 12 is positioned and fixed with respect to the opening 31 formed in the housing 10 a by the locking claw 33 and the holding portion 32 formed on the housing 10 a side, The front end of the imaging lens 12a is not misaligned, and the appearance finish can be made excellent.

  In addition, since the camera 12 is provided at a position close to the outer peripheral portion of the monitor 11, the user's line of sight is large in the image obtained when the camera 12 captures the face of the user who is looking at the monitor 11. It is possible to prevent an uncomfortable feeling such as a shift.

  Further, with the camera 12 and the reception speaker 15 provided downward, the upper ridgeline 10lf on the front side of the mobile videophone terminal 10 is positioned below (inside) the maximum outer shape portion 10lo. It was. As a result, it is possible to obtain a visual effect that the mobile videophone terminal 10 looks smaller than the actual size.

  Furthermore, since the pair of dummy speaker holes 40, 40 are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the monitor 11, for the user who is watching the monitor 11, the speaker unit 36 provided on the back side of the monitor 11 can be used. It can be felt that the output sound is output from the two pairs of dummy speaker holes 40, 40, and it is possible to obtain a feeling of use without any sense of incongruity.

  In the embodiment described above, the camera 12 is provided on the upper side of the monitor 11. However, for example, when the entire mobile videophone terminal 10 is a horizontal type instead of a vertical type, the camera 12 is provided on the side of the monitor 11. It may be arranged. Thus, the positional relationship of the camera 12 with respect to the monitor 11 is not limited to the upper part shown by the mobile phone, and may be any other place. However, in this case, it is preferable that the camera 12 is inclined with respect to the monitor 11 so that an image without a sense of incongruity is obtained when the user who is looking at the monitor 11 is imaged. However, the inclination angle is not limited to 10 to 15 degrees as described above, and the inclination direction can be changed as appropriate. The same applies to the reception speaker 15, and the position and the inclination angle are not limited to those described above.

  In addition, the structure for holding the camera 12 and the reception speaker 15 at a predetermined angle is not limited to those described above, and any structure may be used for holding and fixing. As for the reception speaker 15, the configuration in which the speaker unit 36 is held by the holding member 38 has been described. Similarly, for the camera 12, the imaging lens 12 a is similarly held by a member made of a material having waterproof sealing properties such as rubber. Or you may make it cover.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a PHS line is used as a telephone line used in the mobile videophone terminal 10 is described. However, there is no intention to limit to this, and it is set in a region other than the PHS line. Mobile phone lines and the like according to other various standards may be used.

  In addition to this, it is needless to say that any configuration may be adopted as long as it does not depart from the gist of the present invention, and the above-described configurations may be appropriately combined.

It is a figure which shows an example of the portable videophone terminal which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the terminal. It is a right view of FIG. It is a left view of FIG. It is a sectional side view which shows the part provided with the camera in the said terminal. It is a side view which shows the said camera. It is a figure which shows the board | substrate which comprises the camera, (a) The figure which shows the state which expand | deployed the board | substrate, (b) The figure which shows the state which folded the board | substrate. It is a front view which shows the housing | casing of the said terminal. It is side sectional drawing of the part in which the camera of the housing | casing is accommodated. It is a plane sectional view of the portion in which the camera and speaker of the same housing are stored. It is a figure which shows the state in which the said camera and speaker were stored in the housing | casing. It is a sectional side view which shows the part provided with the camera in the said terminal. It is side sectional drawing of the part in which the speaker of the said housing | casing is accommodated. It is a side view which shows the structure of the said speaker. It is a front view which shows the state in which the said camera and speaker were provided in parallel in the inside of a housing | casing.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Mobile videophone terminal
10a ... Case
10lf ... Ridge (outline ridge)
10lo: Maximum outer shape
11 ... Monitor (display panel)
12 ... Camera
12a ... Imaging lens
15 ... Speaker
31 ... opening
39 ... Hands-free speaker
40 ... Dummy speaker hole (dummy speaker)
A ... Orthogonal direction
B ... Optical axis

Claims (6)

A camera having an imaging function and a display panel for displaying image data are provided on the front side of the casing of the portable videophone terminal having data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving image data and audio data to / from a counterpart terminal. ,
The optical axis of the imaging lens of the camera is disposed at an angle inclined on the display panel side with respect to the direction orthogonal to the panel surface of the display panel,
A portable videophone characterized in that a stand connected to the casing so as to be rotatable is provided on the back side of the casing, and the casing is supported in an inclined state with respect to an installation surface. Terminal.   2. The portable videophone terminal according to claim 1, wherein the angle is 10 degrees to 15 degrees.   The mobile videophone terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the camera is disposed in a peripheral portion of the display panel.   The imaging lens of the camera is provided so as to be exposed to the outside through an opening formed in the casing of the mobile videophone terminal, and the camera is fixed to the casing, thereby 4. The mobile videophone terminal according to claim 1, wherein the mobile videophone terminal is positioned with respect to the opening.   A receiving speaker that outputs the audio data is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the mobile videophone terminal in parallel with the camera, and the receiving speaker is defined on the display panel side with respect to a direction orthogonal to the display panel. In the portion where the receiving speaker and the camera are provided, the outer ridge line of the terminal is formed so as to be positioned on the central portion side of the terminal with respect to the maximum outer shape portion of the housing. 5. The mobile videophone terminal according to claim 1, wherein the mobile videophone terminal is provided. The portable videophone terminal is provided with a hands-free speaker on the back side of the display panel for outputting the audio data when used in a state where image data is displayed on the display panel. 6. The portable videophone terminal according to claim 1, wherein a dummy speaker is formed on the front side of the body in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the display panel.

Images