JP2006287950A - Folder type portable terminal device with imaging camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To photograph a photographer himself or the other person and to make possible speech transmission or image confirmation even in the state of opening casings or in the case of folding and closing the casings when using an imaging camera. <P>SOLUTION: Tow casings 1, 2 are linked so as to turn by two hinge parts 3a, 3b and between these hinge parts 3a, 3b, an imaging camera 14 is provided so as to turn independently of the casings 1, 2. At the front side of these casings 1, 2, a display part 11 and main operating keys such as ten keys 6 are provided. At a back side of the casing 2, a display 12, a shutter button 13 of the imaging camera 14 and the like are provided and on the side surface of the casing 1, a mode changeover switch 9 for imaging or the like is provided. Even in the state of folding and closing the casings 1, 2, the photographer himself, an external subject and the like can be photographed by changing the orientation of the imaging camera 14 with the tips of fingers and a result of photographing or the like can also be monitored on the display 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone with a videophone function, and in particular, a foldable mobile phone with an imaging camera in which two housings are rotatably connected and the housings can be opened and closed. It relates to a terminal device.

  Conventionally, there are various types of portable terminal devices such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and cellular phones. The cellular phone is most widely used in society. The foldable mobile phone having a structure in which a casing having a display unit and a casing having an operation unit are foldably engaged with each other by a hinge connecting unit can be miniaturized, and is excellent in portability. ing. Various systems are known as such a folding cellular phone. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-44217 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-95651 disclose a folding cellular phone with a small casing. ing. In recent years, some display panels have been enlarged in correspondence with communication of characters and image information, and the display surface can be folded.

  By mounting an imaging camera on such a cellular phone, it is possible to communicate image information from the imaging camera via email or the Internet, which is suitable for communicating such image information and is excellent in convenience. As described above, a conventional example in which an imaging camera is mounted on a mobile phone is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-320463. In this case, an imaging camera is mounted on the back of the casing, and an external subject (other person) is photographed while confirming the image on an LCD (liquid crystal display). This makes it possible to send and receive photographed image information, thus presenting a new usability to the user. However, in such a configuration, since emphasis is placed on photographing by others, it is desired to improve usability when photographing the photographer himself (self).

  On the other hand, in the folding camera-equipped folding mobile phone disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 10-65780 and 11-69214, the image pickup camera is rotatably attached at the hinge connecting portion. It is possible to switch the orientation of the imaging camera to both the self and the external subject with one touch from the state where the side housing is opened, and it is possible to take a picture while confirming an image to be taken on the LCD. This not only improves the convenience of self-photographing, but also captures the imaging camera toward you while talking and displays the other party's image on the LCD, so the so-called videophone function is also comfortable. It can be used. However, in these conventional examples, when an external subject is photographed while viewing the image on the display unit, it is necessary to open the two housings at the hinge connecting portion, and the size can be reduced by folding. There is a problem that the superiority of.

  As a conventional example in which this point is improved, the one described in JP 2000-253113 A can be cited. In this case, a large LCD is provided inside one housing, and a see-through liquid crystal is provided in the other housing, so that even when folded, it is displayed on the LCD through the see-through liquid crystal. It is characterized by being able to browse information and images. According to such a configuration, it is possible to shoot self and external subjects even in a folded and miniaturized state, and it is highly convenient when used as a videophone.

  In recent years, however, high-quality and high-definition display units have been demanded mainly for browsing e-mails and the Internet, but they are used in the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-253113. Since the see-through liquid crystal is not provided with a backlight, the see-through liquid crystal has a problem that the image quality and visibility are inferior as compared with LCDs that are currently mainstream.

  Further, in the techniques described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-69214 and 2000-253113, the hinge connecting portion is only on one side. Therefore, there is a problem that torsional rigidity and bending rigidity in supporting two housings are lowered. That is, when the imaging camera is rotated, a torsional force acts on the imaging camera portion in the state of a cantilever and is vulnerable to deformation damage during use.

  By the way, in the technique described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-65780, there are two hinge connecting portions at both ends, so the techniques described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-69214 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-253113. Although it is stronger than the cantilever like this, the imaging camera part is larger than the outer shape of the hinge connection part, so when the photographer changes the orientation of the imaging camera, the moment applied to the hinge connection part acts greatly, which is also hinge connection It may cause damage to the part. Furthermore, the risk of distortion of the optical system inside the imaging camera cannot be wiped out.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, improve the degree of freedom of shooting as an imaging camera, and can be more easily handled even when used as a video phone. It is to provide a portable terminal device.

  More specifically, as a first object, when the imaging camera is used, not only can the photographing of the self and others be switched with one touch while the first housing having the display unit is opened, , Even when the second casing is folded and closed for miniaturization, it is possible to photograph the subject and others. The second purpose is to enable transmission and confirmation of images with the housing folded. As a third object, a hinge connecting portion that rotatably connects two housings is configured to have high rigidity.

  The object is to provide a foldable portable terminal device with an imaging camera that is highly convenient and highly portable.

  To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a first housing and a second housing are rotatably connected by a plurality of hinge connecting portions, and the first and second housings are connected between the hinge connecting portions. Is provided with an imaging camera that can be rotated independently. In addition, the video camera can be used as a videophone that can take pictures of external subjects such as the photographer and background scenery, and can send the shot videos and still images. Make it available.

  Further, when the side facing the photographer of the second housing is the front surface and the opposite surface is the back surface, the first display portion is on the front surface and the second display is on the back surface. Each part is arranged. Thereby, in the folded state, the image is confirmed on the second display unit on the back, and in the state opened from the folded state, the image is confirmed on the front display unit.

  Further, a switch or a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the first and second casings and the rotation angle of the imaging camera is used as a detection means, whereby the screen displayed on the first and second display units is displayed. It is turned upside down or left and right so that various information can be viewed as a correct image regardless of the open / closed state of the first and second housings.

  Furthermore, the first and second housings are pivotably connected using a plurality of hinge connecting portions, and the imaging camera is disposed in the central portion between the hinge connecting portions. In addition, the rotation radius of the optical lens of the imaging camera is reduced with respect to the outer diameter of the bearing unit of the hinge connection portion, thereby improving the stability of the optical system.

  With the above configuration, not only the first and second housings are opened, but also in the closed state, the second display unit is used to monitor the photographer himself or a person other than the photographer using the imaging camera. A subject can be photographed, and a videophone can also be used. In addition, the use of a plurality of hinge connecting portions increases the rigidity of the imaging camera against torsion and bending, and makes it possible to improve the structural reliability.

  Further, since the transmission means is provided on the front surface of the first housing or the back surface of the second housing, voice can be input together with photographing, and a function as a videophone can be realized.

  According to the present invention, by arranging the imaging camera so as to be rotatable about the same rotation center as the hinge, the direction of the opening of the imaging camera can be freely changed. It is possible to easily capture a moving image.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the display unit is provided on both the front and back surfaces of one case, the photographer can use the camera together with the imaging camera even when the case is folded and downsized. It is possible to take an image of itself or an external subject.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, a microphone or an earphone arranged in the vicinity of the imaging camera is arranged, and by using this, it can be used as a videophone regardless of the open / closed state of the housing.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the imaging camera is disposed in the center between the two hinge connecting portions, and the hinge connecting portions are pivotally supported at two locations. The mechanical strength against twisting and bending of the body and the imaging camera is improved, and more reliable and stable imaging can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a normal use state of an embodiment of a foldable mobile phone with an imaging camera according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a front view thereof, FIG. 1 (b) is a side view thereof, and FIG. Is a rear view, 1 and 2 are housings, 3a and 3b are hinge connecting portions, 4 is a cross key, 5a and 5b are soft keys, 6 is a numeric keypad, 7 is a transmitter, and 8 is an earphone insertion slot. , 9 is a mode selector switch, 10 is a receiver, 11 and 12 are display units, 13 is a shutter button, and 14 is an imaging camera (actually a camera lens, but will be described as an imaging camera for convenience of explanation). Reference numerals 15a and 15b denote microphones.

  1A to 1C, this embodiment includes two casings 1 and 2 connected to each other by hinge connecting portions 3a and 3b so as to be opened and closed, and an imaging camera is provided between the hinge connecting portions 3a and 3b. 14 is provided. Here, the XX axis is a central axis of the hinge connecting portions 3a and 3b, and the casings 1 and 2 can be rotated about the XX axis as a rotation axis, and these surfaces are combined. It has a structure that can be folded into a state.

  On the surface of one housing 1, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), main operation keys such as a cross key 4, soft keys 5a, 5b, and numeric keys 6 for performing a main input operation, and a transmitter 7 are provided. Is arranged, and a mode selector switch 9 (FIG. 1B) for switching the imaging mode of the earphone insertion port 8 and the imaging camera 14 is provided on the side surface.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), a receiver 10 and a display unit 11 are provided on the surface of the other casing 2, and other surfaces are provided on the back as shown in FIG. 1 (c). The display unit 12, the shutter button 13 of the imaging camera 14, and the microphone 15b are arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, a microphone 15a is arranged on the side of the imaging camera 14 between the hinge coupling portions 3a and 3b so as to be in the same direction as the imaging direction of the imaging camera 14. The microphone 15a is not necessarily provided, but is preferably more practical if provided. Although not shown, in this embodiment, an extendable antenna is also provided, and a communication function with the server and a GPS (Global Positioning System) function can be used with this antenna.

  In FIG. 1A, the main operation keys 4, 5a, 5b, and 6 of the housing 1 constitute an input unit for inputting a telephone number and other information. The numeric keypad 6 is assigned a numerical value from 0 to 9 and symbols such as * and #, and is used for inputting the telephone number of the other party when this embodiment is used as a general telephone. In addition to numbers, kana (Hiragana and Katakana), alphabets, and symbols are also assigned to each numeric keypad 6, and it is also possible to input character information for sending e-mails and the like. Further, the numeric keypad 6 includes a call key, a power / end key, a redial key, and the like. The soft keys 5a and 5b can be switched between telephone and mail or information communication such as the Internet, ringtones, settings of the colors and brightness of the display units 11 and 12 by these single operation or combination operation with the numeric keypad 6. It is used to select or change, change the input mode and conversion mode when inputting characters. In addition, the cross key 4 is used to scroll the screen on the display unit 11 when the mail incoming document on the display units 11 and 12 is long. The cross key 4 also has a function of calling and selecting a destination and a document stored in advance in a built-in memory (not shown), and displaying and transmitting a mail when sending mail. Since the main operation keys such as the cross key 4, the soft keys 5a and 5b, and the numeric keypad 6 are controlled by a control unit (not shown), even if the same key is pressed, the key operation is performed by the control from the control unit. Can be handled as different data or different input signals.

  The mode selector switch 9 is a switch for switching an imaging condition setting mode by the imaging camera 14, a moving image imaging mode, a still image imaging mode, and a mode for browsing these captured images. In other words, the photographer operates the mode change switch 9 to set the setting mode before shooting, and after setting specific shooting conditions here, the shooting mode can be switched to shooting in the desired mode. By switching to the viewing mode with the mode switch 9, functions such as confirmation of images after shooting and the number of images, deletion of unnecessary images, and editing of moving images if the shot images are moving images can be used. . Here, the mode changeover switch 9 is provided on the side surface of the housing 1, but it may be provided on the back surface of the housing 1 or the side surface or back surface of the other housing 2.

  An imaging camera 14 is rotatably disposed at a substantially central portion between the hinge connecting portions 3a and 3b independently of the casings 1 and 2, and a moving image or a still image can be taken. The imaging camera 14 is provided with a microphone 15a in the shooting direction. By using the microphone 15a, it is possible to add sound when capturing a moving image. This moving picture information can be attached to an e-mail or the like to be transmitted / received to / from a communication partner, or can be stored and viewed by a photographer later.

  The housing 2 is provided with display units 11 and 12 on the front and back surfaces, one by one. The display unit 11 provided on the surface of the housing displays the power status, radio wave intensity, battery level, server connection status, operating status such as unread mail, etc., as well as the entered phone number, mail address, mail Displays received data such as sent documents, moving images and still images, the caller's telephone number at the time of incoming call, incoming mail document, and connected Internet screen.

  On the other hand, the display unit 12 disposed on the back surface of the housing 2 is a display unit mainly used when the housings 1 and 2 are folded, that is, closed. In other words, the display unit 12 displays the date and time, the standby image, the remaining battery level, the incoming mail status and the server connection status in a state of being downsized in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). Along with the switching of various modes, it can be used for browsing of moving images, still images, etc., and for monitoring of shooting by the imaging camera 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, the housing 2 is further provided with a shutter button 13 on the back surface thereof. The shutter switch 13 can be operated with one hand even when the casings 1 and 2 are folded, and thus can easily shoot even in such a state. In addition, a microphone 15b is provided on the rear surface of the casing 2, so that a video call of an external subject with the casings 1 and 2 opened and a videophone voice call with the casing closed can be used. I am trying to respond.

  Moreover, it can also be used as a car navigation system or a pedestrian navigation system by using the GPS function and the convenience that the display unit 12 faces outward with the housings 1 and 2 folded. As a simple car navigation system, this embodiment is attached to a dashboard of a car with an in-vehicle mobile phone holder or the like, and is inserted into the earphone insertion slot 8 (FIG. 1A) while browsing information such as road conditions on the display unit 12. The voice information can be confirmed by using the earphone (not shown).

  In addition, by displaying a two-dimensional bar code on the display unit 12 and causing personal information to be read by a reader device or the like, use as so-called e-commerce is also possible. Specifically, in card payments at vending machines, automatic payments by ETC (automatic toll collection system) at highway tollgates, or use of watermelons at automatic ticket gates at stations, etc. with mobile phones folded Therefore, convenience is very high.

  In addition, as a still image camera, the imaging mode of the imaging camera 14 can be set to the still image mode by operating the mode switch 9. With this setting, the imaging camera 14 can capture a still image. At this time, while monitoring the photographer himself or an external subject on the display unit 11 or the display unit 12, the angle of the opening direction (shooting direction) of the imaging camera 14 is adjusted with the fingertip, and the soft key 5a or the soft key 5b Is used as a shutter of the imaging camera 14 to store a still image in an internal memory (not shown).

  When the mode switch 9 is operated to set the videophone mode and the opening direction of the imaging camera 14 is directed to the photographer himself, the photographer's image is transmitted to the other party's mobile terminal operation, and the display unit 11 or the display unit 12 can display the image of the other party. By using an earphone (not shown) inserted into the earphone jack 8 and the microphone 15a or the microphone 15b, a voice call can be exchanged, so that a so-called videophone call can be made.

  On the other hand, if the other party makes a videophone call, the system automatically switches to the videophone mode. If the other party is in the normal telephone mode, the normal call can be continued as it is. It is.

  Next, the display state of the display units 11 and 12 during imaging by the imaging camera 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a case where the housings 1 and 2 are opened and the opening direction (M direction) of the display unit 11 and the imaging camera 14 is directed to the photographer side, and the parts corresponding to FIG. A duplicate description will be omitted with reference numerals.

  In this figure, when shooting the photographer himself, the opening direction (M direction) of the imaging camera 14 is directed toward the photographer, that is, the front side. At this time, since the image displayed on the display unit 11 must be a mirror image, the housings 1 and 2 are in the “open” state, that is, not in the folded state but in the open state, and the imaging camera 14 is A sensor or a switch (not shown) detects that it is facing “front side” (the front side of the housings 1 and 2), and the image on the display screen 11 is reversed left and right.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a case where the housings 1 and 2 are opened, the display unit 11 of the housing 2 is directed toward the photographer, and the opening direction (K direction) of the imaging camera 14 is directed toward the external subject. Therefore, reference numeral 70 denotes a photographer, and parts corresponding to those in FIG.

  In this figure, in this case, the imaging camera 14 is rotated 180 degrees around the XX axis from the state shown in FIG. Also in this case, the surfaces of the housings 1 and 2 are set to the photographer 70 side. As a result, the subject is turned 180 ° upside down with respect to the imaging camera 14, so that the image displayed on the display unit 11 is also reversed. Therefore, the sensors and switches (not shown) indicate that the casings 1 and 2 are in the “open” state and that the imaging camera 14 is “the other party” (that is, the rear side of the casings 1 and 2). Detected and an upside down process of the image on the display unit 11 is performed. In addition, the display unit 12 on the partner side can display an image. In this case, however, the mirror image of the partner must be displayed, so the same detection is performed and the image on the display unit 12 is displayed. Is reversed horizontally.

  4 is a perspective view when the casings 1 and 2 are closed and the display unit 12 on the back surface of the casing 2 and the opening direction (N direction) of the imaging camera 14 are directed toward the photographer. The same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

  In this figure, in this case, since the image displayed on the display unit 12 must be a mirror image, the casings 1 and 2 are in the “closed” state, that is, the folded state, and the imaging camera. It is detected by a sensor or switch (not shown) that 14 is “near side”, and the image on the display screen 12 is reversed horizontally.

  FIG. 5 is a direction in which the casings 1 and 2 are closed, the display unit 12 on the rear surface of the casing 2 is directed toward the photographer 70, and the opening direction (P direction) of the imaging camera 14 is viewed by the external subject-side photographer 70. FIG.

  In this figure, in this case, the imaging camera 14 is rotated 180 ° around the XX axis from the state shown in FIG. Also in this case, the surfaces of the housings 1 and 2 are set to the photographer 70 side. As a result, the subject is turned 180 ° upside down with respect to the imaging camera 14, so that the image displayed on the display unit 12 is similarly reversed. Therefore, as in the case of shifting from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. 3R> 3, the casings 1 and 2 are in the “closed” state, that is, in the folded state, and the imaging camera 14 is “ It is detected by a sensor or a switch (not shown) that it is “the other party”, and the image on the display screen 12 is turned upside down.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the structure of a specific example of the imaging camera 14, its rotation mechanism, and detection means for detecting the rotation of the imaging camera 14 will be described.

  6 is a perspective view showing a part of the imaging camera 14 and a rear case 29 of the housing 1, FIG. 7 is a sectional view thereof, 20 is a holder, 21 is an optical lens, 22 is an imaging sensor (imaging device), 23 and 24 are brackets, 25 is a stepped pin, 26 is a camera case, 27 is a circular protrusion, 28 is a flexible substrate, 29 is a rear case of the housing 1, 29a and 29b are ends of the rear case 29, Reference numeral 30 denotes a switch, 31 denotes an imaging camera opening, 32 denotes a protective plate, 33 denotes an IR filter, and 34a and 34b denote bearing units.

In FIG. 6, the camera case 26 of the imaging camera 14, the circular protrusion 27 that is a part of the camera case 26, and the ends 29 a and 29 b of the rear case 29 are shown only half.
First, the detailed structure of the imaging camera 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
In the imaging camera 14, members such as the optical lens 21, the IP filter 33, and the imaging sensor 22 attached to the holder 20 are housed in a camera case 26 having an imaging camera opening 31. A protection plate 32 for protecting these members is attached. In order to allow the imaging camera 14 to be rotated while attached to the mobile phone, the camera case 26 has a cylindrical shape with the axis xx as the central axis, and the imaging camera is located at the center of the side surface. An opening 31 is provided. One end face side of the cylindrical camera case 26 forms a circular protrusion 27, and brackets 23 and 24 are attached to the other end face by stepped pins 25. A circular protrusion 27 of the camera case 26 is rotatably attached to one bearing unit 34a. Further, the bracket 24 is integral with the other bearing unit 34b, and the bracket 24 is rotatably pressed against the other end surface of the camera case 26 via the bracket 23 by a stepped pin 25. Here, the bracket 23 is a leaf spring for giving a click feeling, and the bracket 24 is a receiver of the bracket 23.

  Further, a switch 30 is provided on the rear case 29 in order to detect whether the direction of the imaging camera opening 31 is the “front side” that is the photographer side or the “other side” that is the opposite side. Thus, when the camera case 26 of the imaging camera 14 rotates and reaches a specific angle, the camera case 26 comes into contact with the switch 30. The opening / closing detection of the casings 1 and 2 uses magnets (not shown) for the casings 1 and 2, and the switch 30 detects the rotation of the imaging camera 14.

  The optical system inside the imaging camera 14 includes a protection plate 32 facing the imaging camera opening 31, an optical lens 21, an IR filter 33, and a holder 20 that holds them, and forms a subject image on the imaging sensor 22. Let

  The image sensor 22 is connected to an internal substrate (not shown) disposed in the housing 1 of the mobile phone by a flexible substrate 28. The central axis of the circular protrusion 27 and the stepped pin 25, that is, the central axis xx of the camera case 26 forms the rotational central axis of the imaging camera 14, and the imaging camera opening 31 is connected to the casing 1, 2 can be directed from the front side to the side and back side. Accordingly, the attachment center axis (XX axis) of the casings 1 and 2 and the rotation center axis xx of the imaging camera 14 are substantially coincident. Therefore, the turning radius of the imaging camera 14 is defined by the distance between the optical lens 21 which is a main component of the imaging camera 14 and the rotation center xx. This distance is set shorter than the radius of the outer diameter of the bearing units 34a and 34b.

  The flexible substrate 28 is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the imaging camera 14 can be rotated, thereby preventing breakage and poor connection due to rotation.

  Further, although the rotation detection of the imaging camera 14 is performed by the switch 30, it is not limited to a mechanical switch, and can also be performed using a magnetic or optical sensor. Therefore, based on the output information from these detection means, as described above, the control of the left and right and upside down images on the display units 11 and 12 is performed by a control circuit (not shown).

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of another specific example of the imaging camera 14, wherein 35 is a microphone, 36 is a signal line, 37 is a mesh portion, and parts corresponding to those in FIGS. A duplicate description is omitted.

  In this embodiment, a microphone is provided inside the imaging camera 14.

  In the drawing, a mesh portion 37 is provided on the side surface of the cylindrical camera case 26 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis xx from the imaging camera opening 31, and the mesh portion in the camera case 26 is provided. A microphone 35 is disposed at a position opposite to 37. The microphone 35 and the image sensor 22 are connected by a signal line 36 and further connected to an internal substrate (not shown) via a flexible substrate 28.

Thus, in this specific example, even if the imaging camera 14 rotates, the microphone 35 is always set in the same direction as the imaging camera opening 31.
Next, a specific example of the structural relationship between the imaging camera 14 and the hinge connecting portions 3a and 3b (FIG. 1) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  9 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the hinge connecting portions 3a and 3b and the imaging camera 14, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the hinge connecting portions 3a and 3b and the imaging camera 14. , 38a and 38b are screw holes, 39 is an LCD frame, 40a and 40b are screw holes, 41a and 41b are connecting portions, 42a and 42b are hinges, 43 is a rear case, and 44a and 44b are end portions of the rear case 43. The parts corresponding to those in the previous drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description is omitted.

  In FIG. 9, the casings 1 and 2, the front case of the imaging camera 14, and the internal substrate are omitted here in order to simplify the drawing. Further, the rear case 29 and the LCD frame 39 of the housing 1 and the end portions 44a and 44b of the rear case 43 of the housing 2 represent only portions close to the connecting portion. Further, the camera case 26 of the imaging camera 14 also shows only the lower part in order to show the holder 20 of the optical lens 21 from the imaging sensor 22.

  The bearing units 34a and 34b are fixed to an internal substrate (not shown) of the housing 1 by screws (not shown) from the screw holes 38a and 38b and integrated with the housing 1, and the camera of the imaging camera 14 A bearing of the case 26 is configured. Thereby, the camera case 26 of the imaging camera 14 can be rotated around the rotation center axis xx (FIG. 7).

  Similarly, the LCD frame 39 is fixed to the internal substrate of the housing 2 by screws (not shown) from the screw holes 40 a and 40 b and integrated with the housing 2. The bearing units 34a and 34b and the connecting portions 41a and 41b of the LCD frame 39 are attached from the left and right by the hinges 42a and 42b so that the center axis thereof coincides with the previous rotation center axis xx. Thereby, the housings 1 and 2 can be rotated. That is, the connecting portions 41a and 41b of the bearing units 34a and 34b, the LCD frame 39, the hinges 42a and 42b, and the end portions 29a and 29b of the rear case 29 of the housing 1 are the end portions 44a and 44b of the rear case 43 described later in FIG. The hinge connecting portions 3a and 3b are configured including the end portions 51a and 51b of the front case 51 and the end portions 45a and 45b of the front case 45.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the hinge connecting portions 3 a and 3 b having such a structure are formed when the housings 1 and 2 are twisted with a torsional moment T (N · mm) about an axis orthogonal to the rotation center axis XX. Since the shearing force F (N) applied to the boundary (distance L [mm] between the bearing units 34a and 34b) is (L / 2) · F = T, it can be expressed as F = 2T / L (N). That is, by disposing the two bearing units 34a and 34b, the imaging camera 14 that is a combination of precision parts can be held in a more stable state because it is more robust against external forces. And since the imaging camera 14 is located in the approximate center between hinge connection part 3a, 3b, as shown in FIG. 1, the deformation | transformation can be reduced with respect to deformation | transformation of hinge connection part 3a, 3b. Furthermore, the twisting force generated when the photographer 70 touches and rotates the camera case 26 of the imaging camera 14 acts on the outer diameter portions of the bearing units 34a and 34b, causing elastic deformation of the outer diameter portions. However, since the turning radius of the optical lens 21 which is the main component of the imaging camera 14 is smaller than the radius of the outer diameter of the bearing units 34a and 34b, the distortion of the optical system is reduced to a practically allowable level.

  When the imaging camera 14 is rotated about the axis XX, the photographer rotates the imaging camera 14 by pressing a finger against the outside of the camera case 26. The outer diameter of the camera case 26 is the bearing unit 34a, Since the outer diameter is substantially the same as the outer diameter of 34b, the moment due to the external force applied to the imaging camera 14 can be reduced. That is, the imaging camera 14 larger than the outer diameter of the bearing units 34a and 34b shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-65780 shown as a conventional example can be provided, and a stable structure with less structural deformation than the conventional one can be provided.

  By using two hinges 42a and 42b, which are metal shafts, at this portion, the conventional examples disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 11-69214 and 2000-253113 shown as the conventional examples. As compared with the case of using one hinge like this, the strength is improved.

  Next, the housings 1 and 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. However, 45 is a front case of the housing 1, 45a and 45b are end portions of the front case 45, 46a, 46b, 47, 48 and 49 are through holes, 50 is a line, 51 is a front case of the housing 2, 51a, 51b is an end portion of the front case 51, 52 is a speaker hole, 53 is an LCD hole, 54 is a microphone hole, and 55 is a line. .

  In the figure, the housing 1 (FIG. 1) is composed of a combination of a front case 45 and a rear case 29. The front case 45 has through holes 46a and 46b for the soft keys 5a and 5b (FIG. 1), a through hole 47 for the cross key 4 (FIG. 1), and a numeric keypad 6 (FIG. 1R> 1). A through hole 48 and a through hole 49 for the microphone 7 (FIG. 1) are provided. Further, the rear case 29 can be divided by a line 50 in order to allow battery replacement.

  Similarly, the housing 2 (FIG. 1) is composed of a combination of a front case 51 and a rear case 43. The front case 51 is provided with a speaker hole 52 for the receiver 10 (FIG. 1) and an LCD hole 53 for the display unit 11 (FIG. 1). The rear case 43 has a microphone 15b (FIG. A through hole 54 for 1) is provided. In addition, the line 55 is a line which shows the unevenness | corrugation for giving designability.

  When assembling the terminal device, these four cases 29, 43, 45, 51 are combined. That is, the hinge connecting portions 3a, 3b are the bearing units 34a, 34b shown in FIG. 10 and the connecting portions 41a, 41b of the LCD frame 39, and the end portions 45a, 45b, 51a, 51b of the front cases 45, 51; This means an integrated overall structure by joining the end portions 29a, 29b, 44a, 44b of the rear cases 29, 43.

  Next, the actual usage of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which this embodiment is put on the palm of the photographer and held, and FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the folded state of this embodiment and the direction of the opening 31 of the imaging camera 14. It is a schematic diagram shown. Reference numerals 71, 72, 73, and 74 denote the thumb, index finger, ring finger, and little finger of the photographer 70 (FIG. 3), respectively, and portions corresponding to the previous drawings are assigned the same reference numerals and redundant description is omitted.

  In FIG. 12, a photographer 70 puts the portable terminal device of this embodiment in a folded state and puts it on his / her hand. For example, the photographer 70 holds the shutter button 13 with the thumb 71 while holding the thumb 71, the index finger 72, the ring finger 73, and the little finger 74 (see FIG. Touch 1 (c). Then, the camera case 26 of the imaging camera 14 is rotated while being lightly pressed with the index finger 72 or the middle finger (not shown), and the opening 31 of the imaging camera 14 is directed toward the subject. Further, the shooting mode can be selected by operating the mode switch 9 with the thumb 71. In other words, while monitoring the subject desired by the photographer 70 on the display unit 12 on the back side of the housing 2, functions for capturing and editing a moving image, confirming a still image and the number of captured images, deleting unnecessary images, and browsing functions It is also possible to use.

  Then, for example, in the state where the casings 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 13A viewed from the hinge connecting portion 3a (FIG. 1) side are closed, the casing 1 is viewed from the rotation center axis XX of the imaging camera 14. , 2 is assumed to be 0 °, the opening 31 of the imaging camera 14 has an angle of 270 ° in the clockwise direction from the 90 ° direction orthogonal to the clockwise direction in FIG. It can be set by a finger operation in any direction within the range up to the direction. If this 90 ° direction is the direction of self-photographing, the other direction up to 270 ° is the shooting direction of the external subject. Of course, the direction of 270 ° may be the self-photographing direction, and the other direction up to 0 ° may be the photographing direction of the external subject. FIG. 13B shows a state where the opening 31 of the imaging camera 14 is operated so as to face the direction of 270 °.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the operation for photographing including the shutter operation can be performed with one hand in a folded state, and the operation for photographing becomes very easy.

  Although the embodiment described above has been described using a mobile phone as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that the embodiment can be applied to other foldable mobile terminal devices such as a PDA. .

It is an external view which shows one Embodiment of the folding-type portable terminal device with an imaging camera by this invention. It is a perspective view which shows one use condition of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other use condition of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the further another use condition of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the further another use condition of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the imaging camera part in embodiment shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows one specific example of a structure of the imaging camera part in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and its rotation mechanism. It is sectional drawing which shows the other specific example of a structure of the imaging camera part in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and its rotation mechanism. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the hinge connection part and imaging camera 14 of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which assembled each component shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the housing | casing of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows one usage example of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the rotation range of the imaging camera at the time of use of embodiment shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2 Housings 3a, 3b Range connection 4 Cross keys 5a, 5b Soft key 6 Numeric keypad 7 Transmitter,
8 Earphone insertion port 9 Mode selector switch 10 Handset 11, 12 Display unit 13 Shutter button 14 Imaging camera 15a, 15b Microphone 20 Holder 21 Optical lens 22 Imaging sensor 23, 24 Bracket 25 Stepped pin 26 Camera case 27 Circular of camera case 26 Projection 28 Flexible substrate 29 Rear case 30 of housing 1 Switch 31 Opening 32 of imaging camera 14 Protection plate 33 IR filter 34a, 34b Bearing unit 35 Microphone 36 Signal line 37 Mesh 38a, 38b Screw hole 39 LCD Frames 40a, 40b Screw holes 41a, 41b End portions 42a, 42b Hinge 43 Rear case 44a, 44b of housing 2 End portion 45 of rear case 43 Front case 46a, 46b of housing 1 Through hole 47 of soft keys 5a, 5b Through hole 48 of cross key 4 Through hole 49 in the key 6 Hole 50 in the transmitter 7 Line 51 indicating the battery lid Front case 52 of the housing 2 Hole 53 in the receiver 10 Hole 54 in the display unit 11 Hole 55 in the microphone 15b 70 Line 70 indicating unevenness Photographer 71 ~ 74 fingers

Claims (7)

A first housing having a first operation unit for performing a processing operation on the front surface side, a second housing having a first display unit for displaying information on the front surface side, and the first housing And a plurality of connecting portions that rotatably connect the second housing, and the first and second housings may be closed and folded so that the respective surface sides overlap each other. In a foldable portable terminal device with an imaging camera that can be
An imaging camera is provided between the plurality of connecting portions so as to be rotatable independently of the first and second casings, and a second operation unit and a second one are provided on the back side of the second casing. With an imaging camera, wherein a display unit is provided, and the rotatable range of the imaging camera is a range in which imaging directions can be opposite to each other regardless of the open / closed state of the first and second housings Foldable mobile terminal device. In claim 1,
The rotation center axis of the imaging camera is substantially equal to the rotation center axis of the first and second housings,
A foldable mobile terminal device with an imaging camera, wherein a rotation radius of the optical lens of the imaging camera from the rotation center is smaller than a radius of an outer diameter of the connecting portion. In claim 1 or 2,
An imaging device comprising an operation unit for switching an imaging mode of the imaging camera on a side surface of the first housing, a side surface of the second housing, or a back surface of the second housing. A foldable mobile terminal device with a camera. In claim 1, 2 or 3,
The foldable portable terminal device with an imaging camera, wherein the second operation unit is a shutter button of the imaging camera. In claim 1, 2, 3 or 4,
Detecting means for detecting a rotation angle of the imaging camera;
A foldable mobile phone with an imaging camera, comprising: a control unit that vertically or horizontally flips the images displayed on the first and second display units according to the rotation angle detected by the detection unit Terminal device. In claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,
A first transmitter is provided on the front side of the first casing, and a second transmitter is provided on the rear side of the second casing.
In addition, there is provided means for sending out the captured image of the imaging camera and the voice information from the first and second transmitting means regardless of the open / closed states of the first and second casings. A foldable portable terminal device with an imaging camera. In claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,
While providing at least a transmission means integrally with the imaging camera,
In addition, with an imaging camera, there is provided means for sending out a captured image of the imaging camera and at least audio information from the transmitting means regardless of whether the first and second housings are opened or closed. Foldable mobile terminal device.

Images