JP4368701B2 - Portable image communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable image communication terminal that transmits an image of a subject photographed by a photographing device that photographs a person as a subject to a counterpart communication device.

  In communication devices intended for voice communication, image communication devices that can simultaneously transmit and receive image signals in addition to audio signals, such as television telephone devices, have appeared. In this image communication device, for example, when a user of the image communication device inputs sound into a microphone, the user is photographed by a photographing device such as a camera, and is output from the sound signal output from the microphone and the photographing device. The image signal is transmitted to the image communication apparatus on the other side. In the other party's image communication apparatus, the audio signal is acoustically displayed by a speaker and the image signal is visually displayed in the display area of the display apparatus. The two image communication apparatuses perform this operation in parallel, thereby performing bidirectional communication of the image signal and the audio signal. Particularly in recent years, portable image communication terminals have been considered as the image communication apparatus.

  In order for the photographing apparatus of the image communication apparatus to photograph a user as a subject, the user needs to be at a predetermined reference position of the photographing apparatus, for example, approximately at the center of the photographing range of the photographing apparatus. In the first conventional technique for confirming whether or not the user is at the reference position, the user himself / herself looks at the image represented by the image signal output from the photographing apparatus, and the user is reflected in the center of the image. Make sure you have For this purpose, the display area of the display device is divided, and the image signal from the counterpart communication device and the image signal from the imaging device are visually displayed in each divided area. Since a portable image communication terminal is required to be as small as possible, it is difficult to mount a display device having a display area larger than that of a display device that displays only an image signal from the counterpart communication device. Therefore, when this configuration for the prior art is installed in a portable image communication terminal, the image represented by the image signal from the imaging device becomes small, and it is confirmed whether the user is in the center of the image. Becomes difficult.

  In order to realize the first prior art, a display device for visually displaying the image signal from the photographing device may be provided separately from the display device for displaying the image signal from the counterpart communication device. In this case, since the latter display device is mounted, the number of parts of the image communication device increases, and it is difficult to reduce the size. Therefore, this image communication apparatus is not suitable for a portable image communication terminal.

  As a second conventional technique for position confirmation, there is a still picture video phone (see Patent Document 1). A mirror is provided near the camera of the telephone, and the user confirms whether or not the user's image reflected in the mirror can be seen, thereby confirming the position. For this purpose, it is desired that the entire face of the user is reflected in the mirror, but the mirror that can reflect the entire face tends to be large and difficult to downsize. Therefore, it is difficult to mount this mirror on a portable image communication terminal.

  Furthermore, as a third conventional technique for position confirmation, there is an imaging device (see Patent Document 2). The main body of the imaging apparatus is provided with a convex mirror for projecting an object existing in the range including the shooting range, and the user confirms whether or not the user is reflected on the reflecting surface, thereby confirming the position. Let it be done. Since the image of the object reflected on the reflecting surface does not match the actual shape of the distorted object, it is unsightly and difficult to see. Therefore, it is difficult to confirm whether the user is reflected on the convex mirror.

  Moreover, a video telephone apparatus is mentioned as 4th prior art for position confirmation (refer patent document 3). A front half of the camera of the telephone device is provided with a convex half mirror that reflects objects existing in the entire photographing range, and the position is confirmed by determining whether or not the user himself / herself is reflected on the reflecting surface. Since the reflecting surface of the half mirror is convex, the image of the object is distorted, and it is difficult to confirm whether the user is reflected. Further, because of this half mirror, the amount of light incident on the camera from the outside of the telephone device is lower than when there is no half mirror. For this reason, in order to photograph an image having the same brightness as that of a photographing apparatus without a half mirror by this photographing apparatus, it is necessary to irradiate a user with a stronger light than when there is no half mirror. For these reasons, in this telephone device, the light use efficiency deteriorates due to the half mirror.

  Furthermore, a television telephone apparatus is mentioned as a 5th prior art for a position confirmation (refer patent document 4). This telephone device is provided with a sighting device including two rod-shaped markers that are parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to each other and in a twisted position, and by allowing the user to visually compare the positional relationship between both markers, Ask for confirmation. The structure of this sighting device tends to be complicated, and it is difficult to reduce the size. Also, if the user is unfamiliar with the use of the sighting device, it is difficult to make a visual comparison, so confirmation is difficult.

  As a sixth conventional technique for position confirmation, there is an image communication terminal device (see Patent Document 5). In this telephone device, two angle-of-view angle confirmation frames with different internal dimensions are installed in front of the photographing lens of the camera unit, and the positional relationship between the inner edge lines of both frames is visually compared with the user. Let me check the position. Since this frame must surround the photographing lens, it is difficult to reduce the size. Also, if you are unfamiliar with position confirmation using this frame, confirmation is difficult.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-65881 JP-A-8-136984 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-130181 JP-A-2-63286 JP-A-6-22306

  An object of the present invention is to provide a portable image communication terminal in which a user can easily predict an image of the user's face obtained by an imaging apparatus.

The present invention provides a communication terminal in which a photographing device having a camera unit and a light emitting element, a display device for displaying an image, and a transmission / reception device for wireless communication via a line are housed in a housing.
The light emitting element is housed in the same housing as the housing in which the camera unit is housed and is provided in the vicinity of the camera unit, and light from the light emitting element is selectively emitted within a shooting range by the camera unit. ,
The transmission / reception device transmits an image captured by the camera unit by wireless communication ,
An image communication terminal of portable characterized photographable der isosamples supported by hand.
According to the present invention, the optical axis of the optical system of the camera unit and the optical axis of the light emitting element intersect at one point.
According to the present invention, the camera unit has a fixed focal point.

The present invention relates to a display device, serves as a means for displaying the images received by the transceiver device, and means for displaying the image photographed by the photographing device,
When a communication is performed by a transmission / reception device while securing a line, an image captured by the imaging device is transmitted by the transmission / reception device, and an image captured by the imaging device or an image received by the transmission / reception device is displayed by the display device. ,
To end the communication by transmitting and receiving device to disconnect the line, characterized in that to terminate the imaging device and display equipment operating in communication by the transceiver.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine that the face is within the shooting range when the light from the light emitting element is visible, and the face is outside the shooting range when the light is not visible. . In addition, since the camera unit and the light emitting element are housed in the same housing, and the light emitting element is disposed in the vicinity of the lens of the camera unit, the user can visually observe the light emitting element between the image communication terminal and his / her face. Since the positional relationship is adjusted, the line of sight faces the light emitting element. Generally, when a face is photographed by a camera unit, the user's line of sight often faces a lens. From these, the more the light-emitting element is as close as possible to the lens, so close become general orientation of shooting sight, expected user himself the image of user's face obtained by the camera portion and the pyramid. Also, the user does not feel that his / her line of sight is facing away.

According to the present invention, the light from the light emitting element is clearly visible to the user when the face of the user who is the subject is within the shooting range.
In addition, according to the present invention, the focus of the camera unit is fixed, and parts for automatic focusing are unnecessary. The image communication terminal is considered to be supported by the user's own hand when performing communication. In this case, the distance between the user's face and the camera unit does not greatly deviate from the range defined by the length of the user's arm. Therefore, it is assumed that the distance between the user's face and the camera unit is the length as described above, the focal point is set based on the assumed distance, and the focal point of the camera unit is fixed. Thus, a clear image of the user's face can be obtained by photographing with the camera unit, and the clear image can be transmitted by the transmission / reception device.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the communication by the transmission / reception device is terminated by disconnecting the line, the operations of the photographing device and the display device are terminated. In this way, the devices can be operated in conjunction with each other. The display device also serves as means for displaying an image received by the transmission / reception device and means for displaying an image obtained by the photographing device. Therefore, the image from the counterpart communication device received by the transmission / reception device and the image obtained by the photographing device can be displayed on the display device.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of an image communication apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image communication apparatus 1. 1 and 2 will be described together. The image communication apparatus 1 is assumed to be a portable image communication terminal, for example.

  The image communication device 1 includes, for example, a photographing device 3, a display device 4, a transmission / reception device 5, and a central control device 6. The photographing device 3 includes a camera unit 11, an analog / digital conversion circuit 12, and a position confirmation device 7. The position confirmation device 7 includes a light emitting element 14 and a light emitting element driving circuit 15. The camera unit 11 includes an optical system including a lens 16 at the tip and a photographing element. The imaging element is realized by, for example, an area CCD image sensor. The display device 4 includes a display unit 19 and a display drive circuit 20. The display unit 19 is realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display device or a cathode ray tube. The transmission / reception device 5 is a device for wireless communication, for example, and includes an input unit 23, an antenna 24, a communication circuit 25, a reception image processing circuit 26, and an input image processing circuit 13. These components are housed inside a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 29. The housing 29 is of a size that can be roughly held by the user.

  The lens 16 at the tip of the optical system and the display area 28 of the display unit 19 are exposed to the outside of the housing 29 from a certain surface 29 a of the housing 29 of the image communication apparatus 1. A hole 29 b is formed in a certain surface 29 a of the housing 29 at a position near the exposed lens 16. The light emitting element 14 is installed such that light emitted from the light emitting element 14 is emitted from the hole 29b of the casing 29 to the outside of the casing 29. The input unit 23 includes, for example, a plurality of keys 30, and each key 30 is exposed to the outside from the housing 29. The tip of the antenna 24 also protrudes from the housing 29.

  A schematic usage method of the image communication apparatus 1 will be described below. When the user desires to start communication, he / she operates the key 30 of the input unit 23 to input data representing a counterpart communication apparatus to which image signals are to be transmitted / received. This data is, for example, the telephone number of the counterpart communication device. After inputting the data, the image communication apparatus 1 is installed so that the lens 16 faces the user's own face. When the image communication apparatus 1 is a portable image communication terminal, the image communication apparatus 1 is held by hand, for example. In response to this operation, the image communication device 1 starts transmission / reception of image signals with the counterpart communication device. During transmission / reception of an image signal to / from the other communication device, that is, during image communication, the user uses a positional relationship adjustment method using the appearance of light emitted from the light emitting element 14 as an index. The positional relationship between the image communication apparatus 1 and the face is always adjusted so that the person's own face exists at a predetermined reference position within the shooting range of the camera unit 11. The user instructs the end of communication by operating the key of the input unit 23 when the end of communication is desired. In response to this operation, the image communication apparatus 1 ends the communication.

  The detailed operation of the image communication apparatus 1 when executing image communication will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. When data representing the counterpart communication device is input from the input unit 23 or when a control signal for establishing a line is given from the counterpart communication device, the communication circuit 25, for example, based on the input data By transmitting and receiving control signals to and from the communication device by wireless communication, a line including a wireless transmission path is established between the antenna 24 and the antenna of the counterpart communication device. This line may include a so-called public line.

  After the line is established, the light emitting element driving circuit 15 causes the light emitting element 14 to emit light by supplying power to the light emitting element 14, for example. At the same time, the camera unit 11 photographs an object within a predetermined photographing range. The imaging range is, for example, a cone-shaped space whose apex angle is a predetermined angle with the camera unit 11 as the apex and the optical axis of the optical system as the central axis. Specifically, in this photographing operation, light incident on the lens 16 is imaged on an imaging surface of the photographing element by an optical system, and the photographing element is subjected to photoelectric conversion. As a result, an image signal representing an image including an image of a subject reflected on the imaging surface is output from the imaging element in the form of an analog signal. This image signal is converted into a digital signal by the analog / digital conversion circuit 12 and then given to the input image processing circuit 13.

  The input image processing circuit 13 performs a predetermined first process on a given image signal, thereby changing the signal form to a signal form suitable for wireless transmission. The communication circuit 25 modulates the image signal processed by the input image signal processing circuit 13 and wirelessly transmits the modulated image signal from the antenna 24. The image signal transmitted from the antenna 24 is given to the counterpart communication device via a line.

  Further, after the line is established, an image signal having the same signal form as the image signal transmitted from the antenna 24 of the image communication apparatus 1 is transmitted from the counterpart communication apparatus. The image signal transmitted from the counterpart communication device is transmitted via the line and received by the antenna 24. The communication circuit 25 demodulates the image signal received by the antenna 24. The received image processing circuit 26 performs a predetermined second process on the image signal demodulated by the communication circuit 25 to change the signal form to a signal form that can be displayed by the display device 4. The display drive circuit 20 drives the display unit 19 in accordance with the image signal processed by the received image processing circuit 26. As a result, the image represented by the image signal is displayed in the display area 28.

  When the end of communication is instructed from the input unit 23 or when a control signal for line disconnection transmitted from the counterpart communication apparatus is received, the communication circuit 25 disconnects the line, and further, the photographing apparatus 3 and the display apparatus 4 End the operation. Thereby, the communication of the image signal is completed. The operation timings and detailed operation procedures of each of the above-described devices 3 to 5 and the circuits therein are controlled by the central control device 6 so that each of the devices 3 to 5 and each circuit operate in conjunction with each other. Can do.

  The installation state of the light emitting element 14 will be described in detail below. The light emitting element 14 is installed so that the light emitted from the light emitting element 14 can be seen by the user who is the subject, for example, when there is a user within the photographing range. That is, the light emitting element 14 is installed so as to emit light toward a predetermined reference position within the photographing range of the camera unit 11 and the vicinity thereof. Specifically, when the light emitting element 14 has a certain point on the user's face, for example, the nose, at the reference position, the optical axis of the light emitting element 14 passes through a point between the user's eyes, for example, between the eyebrows. It is preferable to install as described above. The reference position is, for example, the center point of the cross section when the imaging range is cut perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system of the camera unit 11, and preferably coincides with the focal point of the optical system.

  When the light emitting element 14 is installed in this way, the optical axis of the optical system and the optical axis of the light emitting element 14 intersect at one point. The intersection of the optical axis and the optical axis is preferably coincident with the human eyebrow when, for example, the reference position coincides with a certain point on the user's face. Further, a portion near the hole 29b of the housing 29 may be used as a shielding member, and light emitted from the light emitting element 14 outside the imaging range may be blocked.

  The light from the light emitting element 14 installed in this way is clearly visible to the user when the face of the user who is the subject is within the shooting range. That is, it appears as if light of a predetermined intensity is emitted from the light emitting element 14. In addition, when the face is out of the shooting range, it becomes difficult for the user to see the light. Even if there is a face within the shooting range, the farther the face position is from the reference position, the more difficult it is to see the light, and the most visible when the face is at the reference position.

  A method for adjusting the positional relationship between the subject and the image communication apparatus 1 using the light emitting element 14 installed in the above-described installation state will be described below. While communication is performed, the user determines whether the light emitted from the light emitting element 14 is clearly visible. When it is not clearly visible, at least one of the user's own face or the image communication apparatus 1 is moved until the light from the light emitting element 14 becomes clearly visible, and stopped at a position where it can be clearly seen. When the light is clearly visible, the positional relationship between the face at that time and the image communication apparatus is maintained. The fact that the light can be clearly seen indicates that the face is within the shooting range. Therefore, if this positional relationship is maintained, the face is within the shooting range.

  As a result, the positional relationship between the user's face and the image communication apparatus 1 is determined so that the user's face always falls within the shooting range using the light appearance from the light emitting element 14 as an index during communication. You can adjust yourself. This positional relationship is preferably such that the light emitting element 14 is in front of the user's face. This is because if the positional relationship, that is, the optical axis of the light emitting element 14 passes between the eyebrows of the user, the user's face should be in the center of the shooting range, so that a part of the face protrudes from the shooting range. There is no. Therefore, the camera unit 11 can reliably shoot the entire face without missing a part of the face.

  The focal point of the optical system of the camera unit 11 may be fixed at a predetermined position. Further, a part for an automatic focusing function that automatically focuses can be added to the camera unit 11 without fixing the focus. For example, if the image communication apparatus 1 is used in such a usage pattern that the distance between the subject and the camera unit 11 is different each time communication is performed, it is better to provide a component for the autofocus function. For example, when the image communication apparatus 1 is a portable image communication terminal, the position of the focal point may be fixed.

  The reason why the focus may be fixed in the latter case is as follows. In order to obtain a clear image of the user's face by the camera unit 11, the face must be at or near the focal point of the optical system. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the distance between the camera unit 11 and the user's face based on the depth of focus of the optical system. A portable image communication terminal is realized, for example, by attaching a camera unit 11 and parts for image communication to a mobile phone. Such an image communication terminal is considered to be supported by the user's own hand when performing communication. In this case, the distance between the user's face and the camera unit 11 is defined by the length of the user's arm. For example, the distance is within the range of the length of the user's arm or less and the half of the length or more. It is expected that there will be little deviation from this range. Therefore, it is assumed that the distance between the user's face and the camera unit 11 is the above-described length, and the focal point is set based on the assumed distance, and the focal point of the optical system is fixed to this focal point. As a result, even when the focus is fixed, the user's face is always at and near the focus of the camera unit 11 at the time of communication execution, so that a clear image of the user's face can be obtained.

  As described above, in the image communication apparatus according to the present embodiment, by using as an index how the light from the light emitting element 14 is seen by the user who is the subject, the user enters his / her face into the shooting range. It can be easily confirmed whether or not there is. Since the position confirmation device 7 for confirming the position is composed of the light emitting element 14 and the light emitting element driving circuit 15, the entire structure of the position confirmation device 7 is very simple. Therefore, the position confirmation device 7 can be easily downsized. Therefore, even when the position confirmation device 7 is incorporated into a portable image communication terminal that requires a reduction in size, the image communication terminal is prevented from becoming excessively large, and the position confirmation device 7 is incorporated. The image communication terminal can be easily downsized. Moreover, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The light emitting element 14 is preferably as close to the lens 16 of the camera unit 11 as possible. This is for the following reason. Since the user adjusts the positional relationship between the image communication apparatus 1 and his / her face while viewing the light emitting element 14, the line of sight faces the light emitting element 14. In general, when a face is photographed by the camera unit 11, the user's line of sight often faces the lens 16. From these facts, the closer the light emitting element 14 is to the lens 16, the closer to the direction of the line of sight during general photographing, so the user himself can easily predict the image of the user's face obtained by the camera unit 11. . Also, the user does not feel that his / her line of sight is facing away. For this reason, it is preferable that the light emitting element 14 be installed so that the light from the light emitting element 14 is emitted from the vicinity of the lens 16 and the distance between the position where the light is emitted and the lens be as short as possible.

  The light emitting element 14 is realized by, for example, a light emitting diode. Further, the light emitting element 14 may be realized by any kind of light source as long as it is a point light source, and may be realized by, for example, a wheat bulb and a small EL element. A light emitting diode has less power consumption during light emission than other light sources, has a simple structure, is easy to downsize, and is easily available. Therefore, it is preferable to use a light emitting diode as the light emitting element 14.

  The light emitting element 14 is preferably realized by a light source having a strong directivity that emits light only within the photographing range and does not emit light outside the photographing range. When this light emitting element 14 is used, light from the light emitting element 14 can be clearly seen when the face of the user who is the subject is within the photographing range, and light from the light emitting element 14 is visible when the face is outside the photographing range. I cannot see at all. Accordingly, the user determines whether or not the light from the light emitting element 14 is visible, and when the light is visible, the user's face is within the shooting range, and when the light is not visible, the user's face is out of the shooting range. It can be judged that there is. In this way, whether or not the light from the light emitting element 14 is visible and whether or not the face is within the shooting range have a one-to-one correspondence, so it can be determined whether the user's own face is inside or outside the shooting range. This makes it easier to confirm the position.

  This directivity is determined based on the size of the photographing range of the camera unit 11, the position of the focal point, the use status of the image communication apparatus, and the like. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the directivity of the light-emitting element 14 when the image communication apparatus 1 is a portable image communication terminal and is supported by the user's hand. In this graph, it is assumed that the angle increases clockwise with the point where the light emitting element 14 is installed as the origin and the direction from the origin toward the reference position as 0 degrees. Curves arranged concentrically around the origin are ruled lines indicating the relative luminous intensity (unit%) of light. A curve 41 shows a distribution of relative luminous intensity with respect to the emission direction of the light emitted from the light emitting element 14 having the best directivity. For example, in a portable image communication terminal, the light-emitting element 14 may have a directivity of 15 degrees, that is, ± 15 degrees in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction centering on the direction from the origin to the reference position. Preferably, the best directivity is ± 10 degrees as shown by curve 41.

  Generally, it is preferable to increase the directivity as the distance between the camera unit 11 and the reference position where the subject should be increased. This is for the following reason. For example, assuming that the cross section of the shooting range passing through the focal point and horizontal to the optical axis is set in advance to a certain size, the angle of the shooting range of the camera unit 11 becomes smaller as the focus is further away. In order to obtain a clear image of the subject, the subject needs to be positioned at and near the focal point. Therefore, the farther the focal point is, the farther the subject is. For these reasons, in order to emit light only within this photographing range, it is preferable to increase the directivity as the reference position where the subject should be, that is, the distance between the focal point and the camera unit 11 increases. Further, if the directivity is increased when the angle of the shooting range is assumed to be fixed, the cross section expands as the distance from the camera unit 11 increases. However, even if there is a face in the cross section, light can be seen as the distance from the optical axis increases. It becomes difficult. Therefore, if the directivity is increased, it is easy to determine whether or not the face is on the optical axis and in the vicinity thereof. Furthermore, the directivity is made stronger than the directivity described above so that the light can be seen only when the face is in the reference position and the vicinity thereof, and the light is visible when the face is in the periphery of the shooting range. You may make it not.

  Below, the image communication apparatus 51 which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The structure and behavior of the image communication apparatus 51 according to the second embodiment are different from those of the image communication apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that the structure and behavior of the position confirmation apparatus are different, and the others are the same. Components having the same structure and behavior as those of the image communication apparatus 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The detailed operation of the image communication apparatus 51 during image communication is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, since the method of using the image communication apparatus 51 is the same as that described in the first embodiment except for the detailed positional relationship adjustment method, the description of the same parts is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image communication apparatus 51. For example, this cross section is parallel to the optical axis of the optical system of the photographing apparatus 3 and passes through the hole 29 b of the housing 29. The position confirmation device 52 of the second embodiment includes a convex lens 53 in addition to the light emitting element 14 and the light emitting element driving circuit 15. The light emitting element 14 is supported by a support member provided in the housing 29, and the positional relationship between the light emitting element 14 and the holes 29b is the same as in the first embodiment. The convex lens 53 is installed in front of the light emitting element 14, that is, on the side from which light is emitted. One surface of the convex lens 53 facing the light emitting element 14 is an incident surface 59 on which light is incident, and the surface opposite to the incident surface is an emission surface 54 on which light is emitted. The central axis of the convex lens 53 and the optical axis of the light emitting element 14 are preferably coincident. In the present embodiment, the convex lens 53 is a hemispherical lens, the planar surface is the entrance surface 59, the hemispherical curved surface is the exit surface 54, the entrance surface 59 covers the hole 29b, and the exit surface 54 is the housing 29. It is installed so as to protrude from a certain surface 29a.

  The light emitted from the light emitting element 14 enters the convex lens 53 from the incident surface. The convex lens 53 collects the incident light and emits it from the exit surface 54. That is, the convex lens 53 functions as an optical means for apparently enlarging the exit surface from which the light from the light emitting element 14 is emitted, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 14 is larger than the exit surface 54 that is larger than the exit surface of the light emitting element 14. Let it be injected from.

The behavior of light rays that pass through the convex lens 53 will be described below with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the light emitted from the light emitting element 14 is a set of a plurality of light beams. A light ray is a single wavefront normal that represents parallel light. The relation shown in Equation 1 is established between the incident angle θ1 of the light beam with respect to the incident surface 59 of the convex lens 53 and the outgoing angle θ2 of the light beam with respect to the incident surface 59, and the incident angle θ3 of the light beam with respect to the outgoing surface 54 of the convex lens 53 The relationship shown in Expression 2 is established for the light output angle θ4 with respect to 54. “N1” is the refractive index of air, and “n2” is the refractive index of the material forming the convex lens 53.
n1 × sin θ1 = n2 × sin θ2 (1)
n2 × sin θ3 = n1 × sin θ4 (2)

  In general, the refractive index n1 of air is 1, and the refractive index n2 of the convex lens 53 is larger than 1. Therefore, the exit angle θ4 from the exit surface 54 of the light ray R1 obliquely incident on the entrance surface 59 is smaller than the entrance angle θ1 of the light ray R1 to the entrance surface 59. Further, the light ray R2 incident perpendicularly to the incident surface 59 travels straight. Thereby, the light incident on the convex lens 53 is collected. The converging angle, that is, the relationship between the incident angle θ1 and the outgoing angle θ4 changes according to the refractive index n2 of the convex lens 53 and the radii of curvature of the incident surface 59 and the exit surface 54.

  Further, the intensity of the light emitted from the convex lens 53 appears weaker as it is closer to the periphery of the emission surface 54 of the convex lens 53. That is, the intensity of a certain light beam after emission appears smaller as the light emission point moves away from the intersection 56 between the emission surface 54 and the optical axis 55 of the light emitting element 14. The emission point of a certain light beam is a point where the light beam passes through the emission surface 54 at the time of emission. This is for the following reason. Since the convex lens 53 condenses the light, the smaller the angle between the person's line of sight toward the exit surface and the optical axis 55, the stronger the light intensity appears. Also, the light intensity changes as described above due to the influence of the directivity of the light emitting element 14 itself. This is because the light emitted from the peripheral portion of the emission surface 54 is emitted from the intersection 56 of the emission surface 54 and the vicinity thereof at an angle formed by the light and the optical axis 55 when emitted from the light emitting element 14. It is because it is inject | emitted so that it may become larger than light. That is, the intensity distribution of the light emitted from the optical member realized by the convex lens 14 decreases as the emission point moves away from the intersection 56. Accordingly, the light emitted from the light emitting element 14 becomes weaker in intensity as the angle formed between the light emitting direction and the optical axis of the light emitting element 14 increases. In this case, the directivity of the light emitting element 14 is adjusted so that the light emitted from the convex lens 53 falls within a predetermined irradiation range composed of a shooting range and a portion near the shooting range.

  The appearance of the exit surface 54 when the user observes the exit surface 54 in a state where the light emitted from the light emitting element 14 is incident on the convex lens 53 will be described below. In this state, when the user's face is within the irradiation range, the light emitting element 14 can be seen through the convex lens 53, so that the portion 57 through which the light emitted toward the user's face has passed appears to shine. In this case, when the user's face is within the shooting range, as shown in FIG. 6, the glowing portion 57 is on the intersection 56 in the exit surface 54 and in the vicinity thereof, that is, at the center of the exit surface 54. When the user's face is at the reference position, the center of the glowing portion 57 substantially coincides with the intersection point 56. When the user's face is in a portion other than the photographing range within the irradiation range, the glowing portion 57 is shifted from the center as shown in FIG. The direction in which the shining portion 57 is displaced from the intersection 56 is equal to the direction in which the user's face is displaced from the reference position. Further, since the intensity of light is changed as described above, the glowing portion 57 looks brighter as it is closer to the intersection 56. Further, when the user's face is outside the irradiation range, the glowing portion 57 cannot be seen.

  A method for adjusting the positional relationship between the subject and the image communication device 51 using the position confirmation device 52 will be described in detail below. While communication is performed, the user observes the exit surface 54 of the convex lens 53 to determine whether or not the shining portion 57 is visible. If it is not visible, the positional relationship between the user's own face and the image communication device 51 is changed until the glowing portion 57 is visible on the exit surface 54. If the glowing portion 57 is visible, it is determined whether or not it is in the center of the exit surface 54. When the shining portion 57 is displaced from the central portion, the direction in which the shining portion 57 is displaced from the central portion is observed, and the positional relationship is changed so as to cancel the displacement. For example, the positional relationship is changed by moving the image communication device 51 in the same direction as the direction in which the portion 57 that shines on the face of the user is moved in the opposite direction to the direction in which the position is changed. When the shining portion 57 is in the center of the exit surface 54, the user's face should be within the imaging range, so the positional relationship is maintained. Also during this adjustment, if the glowing portion 57 is on the intersection of the exit surface 54 or if the glowing portion 57 appears brightest, the user's face can be considered to be in the reference position, thus glowing in this way. The positional relationship may be adjusted until the portion 57 is visible.

  In this manner, the user himself / herself can confirm whether or not the user's face is within the imaging range based on the position of the light emitting portion 57 in the exit surface 54 and the brightness thereof. At the same time, when the user's face is out of the shooting range, the direction of the shift can be recognized at the same time, so that the user himself / herself can enter the shooting range between the face and the image communication device 51. It is possible to easily know how to adjust the positional relationship. Accordingly, the user can adjust the positional relationship very easily. That is, by apparently enlarging the emission surface of the light emitting element 14, the direction of line of sight, that is, the direction of deviation of the user's face can be easily understood.

  In addition, since the position confirmation device 52 has only the convex lens 53 added to the position confirmation device 7 of the first embodiment, its structure is simple, and therefore it is easy to reduce the size. Therefore, even when this position confirmation device is incorporated into a portable image communication terminal that requires miniaturization, the image communication terminal is prevented from becoming excessively large, and image communication incorporating the position confirmation device is performed. The terminal can be easily downsized. Moreover, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The optical member described above is not limited to a convex lens, and may be realized by a member having any structure as long as it is a member having the above-described function. For example, a member for arranging a plurality of optical fibers radially and changing the intensity of the light beam emitted from each optical fiber according to the direction in which the light beam is emitted can be provided on one end of the light beam or on the opposite side. The member added to the other end may be used as an optical member, and the light from the light emitting element 14 may be incident from the other end of each optical fiber using the virtual curved surface including all one ends of each optical fiber as the exit surface. . The convex lens has a simple structure, can be easily miniaturized, and is low in manufacturing cost. It is also easy to obtain. Therefore, when a convex lens is used as the optical member, the image communication apparatus 51 of the second embodiment can be easily downsized and the manufacturing cost can be easily reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to use a convex lens.

  Further, when the light emitting element 14 is a light emitting diode, the light emitting diode itself has a convex lens. Therefore, if the convex lens is sufficiently large and appropriately designed so as to obtain the above-described effect, the convex lens 53 can be omitted. The effects described above can be obtained. As described above, when the light-emitting diode and the convex lens 53 are combined, for example, a general-purpose light-emitting diode may be used and the convex lens 53 may be designed so as to obtain the above-described effect. In this case, it is easier to design the convex lens 53 than to design the light emitting diode itself for obtaining the above-mentioned effects, and it is easy to reduce the manufacturing cost. Since it is necessary to change the design of the convex lens according to the usage form of the image communication device 51, it is possible to design the convex lens 53 exclusively by combining the light emitting diode and the convex lens 53, rather than designing the light emitting diode exclusively. However, this is also preferable from the viewpoint of design freedom.

  The image communication apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The structure and behavior of the image communication device 61 of the third embodiment are different from those of the image communication device 51 of the second embodiment in the configuration and behavior of the position confirmation device, and the others are the same. Parts having the same structure and behavior as those of the image communication apparatuses 1 and 51 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The detailed operation of the image communication apparatus 51 during image communication is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, since the method of using the image communication apparatus 51 is the same as that described in the first embodiment except for the detailed positional relationship adjustment method, the description of the same parts is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the image communication apparatus 61. For example, this cross section is parallel to the optical axis of the optical system of the photographing apparatus 3 and passes through the hole 29 b of the housing 29. The position confirmation device 62 according to the third embodiment includes a light shielding unit 63 in addition to the light emitting element 14, the light emitting element driving circuit 15, and the convex lens 53. The positional relationship among the light emitting element 14, the hole 29b, and the convex lens 53 is equal to the positional relationship described in the second embodiment. The light shielding unit 63 shields light emitted from a predetermined range including the intersection 56 within the emission surface 54 of the convex lens 53. In the present embodiment, the central portion of the convex lens 53 is colored with a black paint as the light blocking portion 63, and the light to be emitted from this portion is blocked. In this case, the directivity of the light-emitting element 14 is such that when the user observes the emission surface 54 from the reference position, the light-emitting portion 64 surrounds the light-shielding portion 63 and the light after the emission is within the irradiation range. It has been adjusted to only enter.

  The appearance of the exit surface 54 when the user observes the exit surface 54 in a state where the light emitted from the light emitting element 14 is incident on the convex lens 53 to which the light shielding unit 63 is added will be described below. In this state, when the user's face is within the irradiation range, the portion 64 that shines on the exit surface 54 is visible, and when the user's face is outside the irradiation range, the portion 64 that shines is not visible. When the user's face is within the photographing range when the shining portion 64 is visible, as shown in FIG. 9, the shining portion 64 surrounds the light shielding portion 63, and soft light is uniformly emitted from the shining portion 64. looks like. That is, the image communication apparatus 51 of the second embodiment appears to emit light having a lower intensity than when the user's face is in the same state. When the user's face is in a portion other than the photographing range within the irradiation range, as shown in FIG. 10, the glowing portion 64 does not surround the light shielding portion 63 and the human face deviates from the reference position. Deviation from the intersection 56 in the same direction. Further, since the light intensity is changed as described above, the shining portion 64 looks brighter as it is closer to the intersection 56.

  Compared with the adjustment method of the second embodiment, the detailed adjustment method of the positional relationship between the subject and the image communication device 61 using the position confirmation device 62 described above is a case where the shining portion 64 looks as shown in FIG. However, it is different in that the user's face is determined to be within the shooting range, and the others are equal. Therefore, when the position confirmation device 61 is used, the user can easily recognize whether the user's face is deviated from the reference position and in which direction the user's face is deviated from the reference position. Can do.

  The reason for shielding the light as described above is as follows. Considering the intensity distribution of light emitted in a state where the convex lens 53 operates as an optical means in a cross section of the imaging range passing through the focus and perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system, Strength increases. Therefore, when the user observes the exit surface 54 with the face in the reference position, the light emitted from the center of the exit surface 54 is incident on the eyes, and the user may feel dazzled. In the position confirmation device 62 according to the present embodiment, the light from this portion is shielded by the light shielding portion 63, so that the light does not enter the eyes and therefore does not feel dazzling. Therefore, it is possible to make the position confirmation device 62 capable of adjusting the positional relationship very easy for the user.

  In addition, since the position confirmation device 62 has only the light shielding portion 63 added to the position confirmation device 52 of the second embodiment, the structure thereof is substantially the same as that of the position confirmation device 52, and therefore it can be easily downsized. Therefore, even when the position confirmation device 62 is incorporated in a portable image communication terminal that requires a reduction in size, the image communication terminal is prevented from becoming excessively large, and the position confirmation device 62 is incorporated. The image communication terminal can be easily downsized. Moreover, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The image communication apparatus 71 that is the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The structure and behavior of the image communication device 71 of the fourth embodiment are changed in the configuration and behavior of the position confirmation device and the display device and the behavior of the input image processing circuit compared to the image communication device 51 of the second embodiment. The point is different, others are equal. Parts having the same structure and behavior as those of the image communication apparatuses 1 and 51 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Further, the usage method of the image communication apparatus 71 during image communication and the detailed operation and detailed positional adjustment method of the image communication apparatus 71 during image communication are the same as those described in the second embodiment. Is omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the mechanical configuration of the image communication apparatus 61. This cross section is, for example, parallel to the optical axis of the optical system of the photographing apparatus 3. The position confirmation device 72 according to the fourth embodiment includes a movable portion 73 and a fixing screw 74 in addition to the light emitting element 14, the light emitting element driving circuit 15, and the convex lens 53. The movable portion 73 and the fixing screw 74 constitute changing means for changing the direction of the optical axis of the light emitting element 14.

  The movable portion 73 is a member having a spherical shape and a similar shape, and is installed in a substantially spherical hole 75 formed in the housing 29 so as to be arbitrarily rotatable in any direction inside the hole. The position of the mouth 75a of the hole 75 is substantially equal to the position where the hole 29b is formed in the surface 29a. A part of the movable portion 73 is exposed from the hole 75b. The light emitting element 14 is installed inside the movable portion 73 and is fixed therein. The convex lens 53 is installed outside the portion exposed from the housing 29 of the movable portion 73. The light emitted from the light emitting element 14 passes through the movable portion 73 as it is and enters the convex lens 53. For this reason, the movable part 73 is made of a material having translucency. Alternatively, the inside of the movable portion 73 may be hollowed, and a hole 76a for emitting light may be formed in a part thereof, and the light emitting element 14 may be installed so that the optical axis passes through the hole 76a. The movable portion 73 can be arbitrarily rotated by a user touching from outside the housing 29.

  The fixing screw 74 has a screw head outside the housing 29, and a tip projecting into the hole 75 through a screw hole formed in the housing 29. The length of the portion of the fixing screw 74 protruding into the hole 75 becomes longer as it is narrowed down. By narrowing down the fixing screw 74, the movable portion 73 is pressed against the surface of the hole 75 and fixed. If the movable part 73 is hollow, the wire 76 that connects the light emitting element 14 inside the movable part 73 and the light emitting element drive circuit 15 is drawn out of the movable part 73 through a hole 76b provided in the movable part 73. Is done. The wire 76 is flexible and has a slack in a portion outside the movable portion 73. Accordingly, when the movable portion 73 rotates, the wire 76 can be deformed according to the rotation, and therefore the rotation of the movable portion 73 does not affect the electrical connection between the light emitting element 14 and the light emitting element driving circuit 15. . Such a structure changing means is used for initial setting of the position of the light emitting element 14.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image communication apparatus 71. The photographing device 3a is different from the photographing device 3 in that the position confirmation device 7 is replaced with a position confirmation device 72, and the others are the same. The display device 4 a includes a switching circuit 77 in addition to the display unit 19 and the display drive circuit 20. The central control circuit 6a performs the operations executed in the central control circuit 6 of the first embodiment in addition to the operations described below.

  The display input image processing circuit 13a selects one of the first processing described in the first embodiment and the predetermined third processing, and selects the image signal output from the analog / digital conversion circuit 12. Apply processing. This process is selected in response to, for example, a control signal from the central control circuit 6a. In the third processing, the signal form of the image signal output from the analog / digital conversion circuit 12 is changed to a signal form that can be displayed by the display device 4a. The input image processing circuit 13 a gives an image signal in a signal form suitable for transmission to the communication circuit 25, and gives an image signal in a signal form that can be displayed to the switching circuit 77. The image signal output from the received image processing circuit 26 is also given to the switching circuit 77.

  In response to the control signal from the central control circuit 6a, the switching circuit 77 gives one of the image signals given from the received image processing circuit 26 and the input image processing circuit 13a to the display drive circuit 20. The display drive circuit 20 drives the display unit 19 in response to the image signal given from the switching circuit 77. As a result, the image represented by the image signal given from the counterpart communication device or the image represented by the image signal output from the photographing device 3 a is displayed in the display area 28 of the display unit 19. Thus, the display device 4a serves as both a display unit for displaying the image signal from the counterpart communication device and a display unit for displaying the image signal output from the photographing device 3a.

  Hereinafter, the initial setting operation of the optical axis of the light emitting element 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. While power is supplied to the image communication device 71 and the devices 3a, 4a, 5, 6a, and 72 are operable, the central control device 6a sends an object to the photographing device 3 while communication is not being performed. The third image processing is selected by the input image processing circuit 13a, and the switching circuit 77 is further supplied with the image signal from the input image processing circuit 13a to the display drive circuit 20. In this state, the user looks at the image displayed on the display area 28 of the display unit 19 and adjusts the direction of the optical axis of the light emitting element 14 with reference to the position of the user's image.

  Specifically, the user first loosens the fixing screw 74 so that the movable portion 73 can be rotated. Next, the positional relationship between the user's own face and the image communication device 71 is adjusted so that the shining portion 57 of the emission surface 54 can be seen at the center of the emission surface 54. Further, the user's face is photographed in the adjusted state, and it is determined whether or not the image of the face is in the central portion of the display area 28. If not, the light emitting element 14 is rotated by rotating the movable portion 73. The face is photographed again while moving the optical axis, and the position of the face image is confirmed. This operation is repeated until the face image appears at a predetermined position in the display area 28 with the shining portion 57 of the emission surface 54 visible at the center. The position is, for example, the center of the display area 28, and the position of the face image in the display area 28 is equal to the position of the face image in the image. When the face image appears in a predetermined position, the fixing screw 74 is narrowed down to fix the movable portion 73 at the same position. Thus, the initial setting of the optical axis of the light emitting element 14 is completed.

  When the execution of communication is instructed after the end, the central controller 6a causes the input image processing circuit 13a to select the first process, and further causes the switching circuit 77 to send the image signal from the received image processing circuit 26 to the display drive circuit 20. To give. Thereafter, each device 3a, 4a, 5 is caused to execute an operation for communication. The initial setting of the optical axis may be performed only once when a certain user repeatedly uses the same image communication apparatus, and thereafter the movable unit 73 may not be moved.

  Thus, the reason and effect of performing the initial setting of the optical axis of the light emitting element 14 are as follows. Humans have dominant eyes, which causes binocular parallax. Because of this binocular parallax, even when the optical axis of the light emitting element 14 passes between the eyebrows of the user, the subjective appearance of the exit surface 54 of the user and the positional relationship between the user's face and the image capturing device The relationship may not be the relationship described in the second embodiment. Since there are individual differences in binocular parallax, it is difficult to create a position confirmation device in advance to eliminate this binocular parallax. In this case, it is possible to prevent the user from misidentifying the positional relationship due to binocular parallax by providing the adjustment means described above and performing the initial setting of the optical axis of the light emitting element 14. Can be done.

  In the present embodiment, the position confirmation device 72 has a structure in which an adjustment unit is added to the position confirmation device 52 of the second embodiment, but the position confirmation devices 72 and 62 of the first and third embodiments are adjusted. Even if means are added, the same effect can be obtained. Further, the above-described initial setting is performed even if a display unit that displays the image signal output from the imaging device 3a at the time of initial setting of the optical axis is provided separately from the display unit that displays the image signal from the counterpart communication device. be able to. Since both the display means are shared by a single display device 4a as in the present embodiment, the structure of the image communication device 71 is simplified compared to the case where the display means and the display device 4 are provided separately. be able to. In addition, since the initial setting is performed while communication is not performed, the image signal communication operation described in the first to third embodiments is not affected. Moreover, since the image signal output from the imaging device 3a is displayed using the entire display area 28, the user can easily confirm the position of the image in the display area 28.

  In the image communication devices 1, 51, 61, 71 of the first to fourth embodiments described above, all the components are housed in the housing 29, but at least the positions of the light emitting element 14 and the lens 16 of the photographing device 3. As long as the relationship and the positional relationship between the light emitting element 14 and the convex lens 53 are maintained as described above, each component may be divided and housed in separate housings. In this case, instead of moving the image communication apparatuses 1, 51, 61, and 71, the user moves only the housing in which the lens 16, the light emitting element 14, and the convex lens 53 are housed. The effects described in the fourth embodiment can be obtained. In this case, the object to be moved can be reduced in size and the weight thereof can be reduced. Furthermore, if the image communication apparatus 1 further includes a speaker, a microphone, and components for transmitting and receiving audio signals, the audio signals may be transmitted and received in parallel with the transmission and reception of image signals.

  In addition, the photographing apparatus incorporated in the image communication apparatuses 1, 51, 61, 71 of the first to fourth embodiments can be used alone. That is, by adding the position confirmation devices 7, 52, 62, 72 of the first to fourth embodiments to the camera unit 11, the same effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained. At the same time, it is possible to easily reduce the size and manufacturing cost of these photographing apparatuses. Furthermore, if the subject is a person, these photographing devices can be used regardless of whether the subject is the user himself / herself. Further, the analog / digital conversion circuit may be omitted from these photographing apparatuses. Further, the camera unit 11 is not limited to the one that includes the imaging element as described above and electrically captures an image, but may be another method, for example, a still camera using a silver salt film.

The following embodiments are possible for the present invention.
(1) photographing means for photographing a subject within a predetermined photographing range;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a light emitting means that emits light toward a predetermined reference position within the imaging range and the vicinity thereof.

  The photographing apparatus includes the above-described light emitting unit. For example, when a person is a subject using this photographing apparatus, if the person can see the light from the light emitting means, the person is considered to be within the photographing range. Thereby, the person who is the subject only determines whether or not the light from the light emitting means can be seen, and the person himself / herself can easily confirm whether or not he / she is within the photographing range. Since objects within the shooting range are reliably shot by the shooting device, the above-mentioned position confirmation is performed, and the positional relationship between the person and the shooting means is adjusted so that the person is always in a position where the light from the light emitting means is visible. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a human image from being included in the image represented by the above-described image signal due to the positional relationship between the photographing unit and the person. Further, only the light emitting means is added to the photographing apparatus as a part of the apparatus for confirming the position of the subject. Therefore, this position confirmation can be realized by a very simple configuration. Therefore, it is possible to easily downsize the device for position confirmation and the photographing device including the device, and to reduce the manufacturing cost of both devices.

(2) In an image communication apparatus that captures an image of a subject within a predetermined image capturing range by an image capturing unit and transmits / receives an image signal output from the image capturing unit to / from a counterpart communication device;
An image communication apparatus comprising light emitting means for emitting light toward a predetermined reference position within a photographing range and the vicinity thereof.

  The image communication apparatus includes a light emitting unit as a part of the apparatus for confirming the position of the subject. Thus, for the same reason as that of the photographing apparatus of the first aspect, the person who is the subject can easily confirm whether or not he is within the photographing range. Moreover, the apparatus for position confirmation can be reduced in size easily. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the image communication apparatus due to an increase in the number of parts of the image communication apparatus because the apparatus for position confirmation is attached. Therefore, even when the device for position confirmation is incorporated into, for example, a portable image communication terminal, it is possible to prevent the terminal from becoming large and not suitable for portable use. In addition, the manufacturing cost of the image communication apparatus can be reduced.

  (3) The image communication apparatus, wherein the light emitting means has directivity for emitting light only within the photographing range.

  The light emitting means has the directivity as described above. Such directional light is visible when the subject person is within the shooting range, and is not visible when the person is outside the shooting range. Therefore, for example, whether or not a person is within the photographing range can be surely confirmed based on whether or not this light is visible.

  (4) The light emitted from the light emitting means is emitted from a predetermined emission surface, and the intensity of the light is determined from the intersection of the emission surface and the optical axis of the light emitting means at the point where the light is emitted within the emission surface. An image communication apparatus, further comprising optical means for reducing the distance as the distance increases.

  In the image communication apparatus, in addition to the light emitting means, an optical means is provided as an apparatus part for position confirmation in order to apparently enlarge the light emission surface of the light emitting means. When the person who is the subject observes the exit surface of the optical means, the portion through which the light emitted toward the person who is the subject has passed appears to shine. When the position of the person is deviated from the reference position, the position of the part is shifted from the intersection in the same direction as the position of the person when viewed from the reference position. Further, since the light intensity is changed as described above, the brightness of the portion becomes darker as the position of the person deviates from the reference position.

  Thereby, the image communication apparatus can make the person who is the subject check whether or not he is at the reference position based on the position of the portion of the exit surface and the brightness thereof, and his position is the reference position. When there is a deviation, the direction of the deviation can be recognized. When the position of the person is deviated from the reference position, the person moves his / her position in a direction opposite to the direction in which the portion is displaced, or moves the image communication apparatus in the same direction as the direction in which the portion is displaced. Thereby, the positional relationship between the person and the image communication apparatus can be easily adjusted so that the person can be surely photographed.

(5) The image communication apparatus, wherein the optical means is a convex lens.
The optical means is realized by a convex lens, the surface of which corresponds to the exit surface. Since the convex lens has a simple structure, it can be easily downsized. Moreover, it is easy to obtain and the manufacturing cost is low. Therefore, it is possible to easily downsize the image communication apparatus that can easily check the positional relationship of the person who is the subject and grasp the direction in which the person is seen from the reference position, and easily Manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  (6) The image communication apparatus further includes a light shielding unit that shields light emitted from a predetermined region that is in the emission surface of the optical unit and includes the intersection.

  Of the light emitted from the optical means, the light emitted from the region including the intersection is shielded by the light shielding means. This is for the following reason. As described above, the intensity of the light emitted from the optical means is stronger as the point where the light is emitted is closer to the intersection. Therefore, when the intensity of the light emitted from the point farthest from the intersection is set to a certain intensity, the light having a higher intensity is emitted from the intersection and its nearby points. If the intensity of the light emitted from this point becomes stronger than necessary, the user may feel dazzling. In order to prevent this, the above-described light shielding means is provided to prevent light with an intensity higher than necessary from entering the eyes of the user. As a result, the usability of the device for position confirmation can be improved. Therefore, this image communication apparatus can easily check the positional relationship of the person who is the subject and grasp the direction in which the person is seen from the reference position without making the user feel dazzling. .

(7) It further includes display means for displaying an image represented by the image signal output from the photographing means,
The light emitting direction of the light emitting means is variable,
Image communication characterized in that the light emitting direction of the light emitting means is changed so that the light emitted from the light emitting means is directed to the reference position when the image of the subject is at a predetermined position in the image. apparatus.

  The light emission direction of the light emitting means is variable, and is changed as described above with reference to the position of the subject image in the image. This is for the following reason. Humans have binocular parallax, which varies from person to person. Due to this binocular parallax, even when the optical axis of the light emitting means passes between the eyebrows, a person may feel that the light emitting means is displaced from the front of the face. In this case, the position of the person relative to the photographing means when the human image is displayed at the predetermined position in the image corresponds to the reference position of the photographing means. Therefore, in the state where a person is present at this reference position, the light emission direction is adjusted by moving the optical axis of the light emitting means until the light from the light emitting means is clearly visible. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the user from misidentifying the position in the confirmation of the positional relationship using the light emitting unit due to the binocular parallax having individual differences. Accordingly, it is possible to correct a shift in the position of the person due to binocular parallax.

(8) The image communication apparatus, wherein the light emitting means is a light emitting diode.
A light emitting diode is used as the light emitting means. Since the light emitting diode has a simple structure as compared with other light emitting means, it can be easily downsized. Moreover, it is easy to obtain and the manufacturing cost is low. Therefore, the image communication apparatus that can easily confirm the positional relationship between the person who is the subject and the photographing apparatus can be easily downsized, and the manufacturing cost can be easily reduced.

It is a front view of the image communication apparatus 1 which is 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the image communication apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment. 3 is a graph showing the directivity of the light emitting element 14. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the image communication apparatus 51 which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a diagram for explaining the behavior of light passing through a convex lens 53. FIG. In the image communication apparatus 51 of 2nd Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating how the exit surface 54 of the convex lens 53 looks when a user's face exists in an imaging | photography range. In the image communication apparatus 51 of 2nd Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating how the exit surface 54 of the convex lens 53 looks when a user's face is outside a photography range. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the image communication apparatus 61 which is 3rd Embodiment of this invention. In the image communication apparatus 61 of 3rd Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating how the exit surface 54 of the convex lens 53 looks when a user's face exists in an imaging | photography range. In the image communication apparatus 61 of 3rd Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the appearance of the injection | emission surface 54 of the convex lens 53 when a user's face is out of a photography range. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the image communication apparatus 71 which is 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the image communication apparatus 71 of 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,51,61,71 Image communication apparatus 3,3a Image pick-up apparatus 4,4a Display apparatus 5 Transmission / reception apparatus 6,6a Central control apparatus 7,52,62,72 Position confirmation apparatus 11 Camera part 14 Light emitting element 53 Convex lens 54 Injecting surface 56 Intersection of emission surface and optical axis of light emitting element 63 Light shielding portion

Claims (4)

In a communication terminal in which an imaging device having a camera unit and a light emitting element, a display device for displaying an image, and a transmission / reception device for wireless communication via a line are housed in a housing,
The light emitting element is housed in the same housing as the housing in which the camera unit is housed and is provided in the vicinity of the camera unit, and light from the light emitting element is selectively emitted within a shooting range by the camera unit. ,
The transmission / reception device transmits an image captured by the camera unit by wireless communication ,
Image communication terminal for a mobile to supporting characterized photographable der isosamples by hand. 2. The portable image communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the optical system of the camera unit and the optical axis of the light emitting element intersect at one point. The portable image communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit has a fixed focal point. The display device serves as both a means for displaying an image received by the transmission / reception device and a means for displaying an image photographed by the photographing device,
When a communication is performed by a transmission / reception device while securing a line, an image captured by the imaging device is transmitted by the transmission / reception device, and an image captured by the imaging device or an image received by the transmission / reception device is displayed by the display device. ,
The mobile phone according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein when the communication by the transmission / reception device is terminated by disconnecting the line, the operation of the imaging device and the display device during communication by the transmission / reception device is terminated. Image communication terminal.

Images