JP2001203916A - Rotary image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotary image pickup device which can input image pickup output data obtained by an image pickup sensor to electronics such as a personal computer as they are by eliminating the need for electronic processing for image inversion of the image pickup output data when images of a front and a rear subject are selectively picked up and can display the image pickup output data of either the front or the rear subject on a display as they are. SOLUTION: A notebook type personal computer 11 is composed of a main body part 12 and a cover part 13; and a rotary image pickup device 16 is provided rotatably at the upper side part of the cover part 13 and a 1st opening 17 is provided below it. The cover part 13 has a 2nd opening formed corresponding to a luminous flux guide-in opening positioned when the rotary image pickup device 16 is rotated to its storage position. The luminous flux from the rear subject which is made incident on the 1st opening 17 is guided to the rotary image pickup device 16 through an optical path change member and the 2nd opening.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary image pickup apparatus, and more particularly, to an image pickup lens and an image pickup sensor disposed in an image forming section of the image pickup lens inside an apparatus main body having a substantially cylindrical overall shape. Are stored, and a light beam introduction opening for allowing the light beam to enter the imaging lens is exposed on the peripheral surface of the device main body, and the device main body can be rotated around an axis orthogonal to its radial axis as a rotation center. The subject is switched from a front subject to a rear subject in the light beam introduction opening by rotating the device main body to a predetermined angle range including a storage position by supporting the main body in an electronic device housing such as a notebook computer. The present invention relates to an improvement of a rotary imaging device configured to be able to be introduced. Note that the “front subject” in the description of the present specification means a subject located in front of the electronic device provided with the rotary imaging device, for example, a landscape or a person in front, and the “back subject” is the subject. It means a subject located behind (in front of) the electronic device, for example, a self-portrait of the user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example in which a conventional rotary imaging device is mounted on a notebook personal computer will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, the notebook personal computer 1 is divided into a main body 2 and a cover 3 which is rotatable around a rear side thereof as a support shaft. A keyboard 4 is provided on the main body 2 and a cover 4 is provided. 3 is provided with a display 5. The center of the upper side of the cover 3 is cut out, and the rotary imaging device 6 is rotatably held therein.

The rotary imaging device 6 has a substantially cylindrical appearance and is rotatably supported around a shaft perpendicular to the radial direction of the cylindrical body as a center of rotation. An opening 8 for introducing a light beam is formed, and an imaging lens 7 is provided at the center thereof.
Is exposed. Further, the rotary imaging device 6 is provided with an imaging lens 7 therein, and a CCD imaging sensor (not shown) is built in the back thereof, and the output of the sensor is taken into the notebook personal computer 1. Have been.

In this case, the front subject and the rear subject can be imaged by rotating the rotary imaging device 6, and the angle range over which the front subject can be imaged is determined by the imaging axis of the imaging lens 7 of the rotary imaging device 6. The range is from a position slightly inclined below the horizontal line to a substantially vertical line,
The imaging range of the rear subject is a range from an approximately vertical line to a position where the imaging range of the imaging lens 7 is slightly inclined below the horizontal line. Accordingly, the imaging angle range as a whole is slightly larger than 180 degrees, and is approximately 9 in the first half.
The front subject is imaged at 0 °, and the rear subject can be imaged at about 90 ° in the latter half.

The rotation angle of the rotary imaging device 6 with respect to the cover unit 3 is detected by a rotation position detection unit indicated by reference numeral 10, and the imaging range of the subject image by the imaging lens 7 is forward, that is, near the outer surface of the cover unit 3. In the case of capturing an image of a front object facing in the direction, the captured image output as it is is taken into the notebook personal computer 1, and appropriate data processing is performed as still image data or moving image data. The observation image in that case is displayed on the display 5 with the image pickup output as it is.

On the other hand, the image pickup range detected by the rotational position detecting section 10 is set to the rear, that is, the rear subject for picking up a self-portrait or the like with the direction toward the inner surface of the cover 3 (direction toward the display 5) facing. In this case, it is unnatural if the image output obtained by the image sensor is inverted upside down and taken into the notebook personal computer 1 and displayed on the display 5 as the image output of the image sensor. The imaging output obtained by the imaging device 6 is inverted upside down, and the image is also converted into an image in which the left and right are also inverted to obtain a natural display image.

Such a conventional rotary imaging apparatus is used not only in a notebook personal computer but also in a desktop personal computer, or provided in a portable telephone and used for both a front subject and a rear subject. It is configured to be able to perform imaging, used in electronic cameras or mounted on various electronic devices, and can obtain data of still images and moving images, and it is not unnatural to the display as necessary That is, in the case of imaging the front subject, the image data is displayed as it is, and in the case of imaging the rear subject, the display is displayed upside down and left and right.

[0008]

In the conventional rotary image pickup apparatus, when picking up an image of a rear subject, it is necessary to invert an image based on the picked-up output data and to take in the data. Is displayed, the captured image data must be displayed upside down and left and right inverted, and a conversion circuit for these inversions is required. Once the data obtained in step 1 is stored in a video memory or the like, a complicated hardware configuration is required, such as reversing the order of the pixel read addresses and reading the data again. It is required, and the changeover switch for selecting whether to invert or not to reverse must be operated in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary imaging device. To become complicated.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for any electrical processing for image inversion on image pickup output data obtained by an image sensor when selectively imaging a front object and a rear object. A rotary imaging device that can directly output output data to an electronic device such as a personal computer, and can display the imaging output data on a display as it is, regardless of whether a front or rear subject is being imaged. Is to provide.

[0010]

The rotary imaging apparatus according to the present invention employs the following characteristic configuration to solve the above-mentioned problems.

(1) An image pickup lens and an image pickup sensor provided at an image forming portion of the image pickup lens are stored inside an apparatus main body having an overall cylindrical shape, and a light beam is incident on the image pickup lens. A light beam introduction opening for exposing the device body to the peripheral surface of the device main body, and supporting the device main body in an electronic device housing so as to be rotatable around an axis orthogonal to a radial axis thereof, In a rotary imaging device configured to be able to introduce a rear subject from a front subject into the light beam introduction opening by rotating the main body to a predetermined angle range including the storage position, A first opening for imaging a rear subject provided, and a second opening formed in the electronic device housing corresponding to the light beam introduction opening located when the apparatus main body is rotated to the storage position. ,
A rotary imaging device comprising: an optical path changing member that bends an optical axis incident on the first opening and guides the optical axis to the second opening.

(2) The rotary image pickup device according to (1), wherein the optical path changing member includes a total reflection member disposed at an inclination of about 45 degrees with respect to the window surface of the first opening.

(3) The optical path changing member of the above (1) is configured such that a converter lens for converting the imaging lens into a macro lens, a wide lens, a tele lens, or the like can be removably inserted in the optical path. Imaging device.

(4) The rotary image pickup device according to (1), wherein the optical path changing member includes an optical path changing section for changing an optical axis from the first opening to the light introducing opening in the optical path.

(5) A rotary image pickup apparatus comprising a brush-like dustproof member and / or a lens cleaning member added between the electronic apparatus housing of (1) and the apparatus body.

(6) In the apparatus main body of any one of the above (1) to (5), the image pickup lens and the image pickup sensor are sequentially arranged on a radial axis of the apparatus main body so as to be built therein. The rotary imaging device configured as described above.

(7) In the apparatus body according to any one of (1) to (5), the imaging lens and the imaging sensor are sequentially disposed on an axis orthogonal to a radial axis of the apparatus body. A rotary imaging device configured to be built in.

(8) The optical path changing member according to any one of (1) to (5) includes a semi-reflective member disposed at an inclination of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the window surface of the first opening. And an illumination member configured to project illumination light from behind the semi-reflective member toward the first opening.

(9) A rotary imaging device in which the housing of the electronic device according to any one of (1) to (8) is a notebook computer or the like.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which a rotary imaging device according to the present invention is mounted on a notebook personal computer, and has an appearance as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a notebook personal computer 11 supports a main body 12 and a rear side thereof. A keyboard 14 is provided on the main body 12, and the cover 13 is rotatable as a shaft.
Is provided with a display 15. The upper side of the cover 13 is cut off on one side, and the rotary imaging device 16 is rotatably held therein.

As shown in FIG. 3 showing a state in which a front subject is imaged, and FIG. 4 showing a state in which a rear subject is imaged, the rotary imaging device 16 has a substantially cylindrical overall shape. An imaging lens 20 is provided inside the main body 18.
And an image sensor 1 disposed at an image forming portion of the image pickup lens 20
9 is integrated through a lens barrel.

The apparatus main body 18 has a light beam introduction opening 18a for exposing a light beam to the imaging lens 20 so as to be exposed on the peripheral surface of the apparatus main body 18, and the apparatus main body 18 has an axis perpendicular to its radial axis. It is supported by the cover 13 (electronic device housing) of the notebook personal computer 11 so as to be rotatable as a center of rotation, and the light beam introduction opening is formed by rotating the apparatus main body 18 to a predetermined angle range including the storage position. At 18a, the subject can be switched from the front subject to the rear subject and introduced. The imaging angle range of the front subject of the rotary imaging device 16 is an angle a shown in FIG.
The storage position of the rotary imaging device 16 is such that the light beam introduction opening 18a faces downward as shown in FIG.

A first opening 17 for photographing a rear subject is provided in the cover portion 13 (electronic device housing), and a transparent cover is attached to the window portion. The apparatus main body 18 has a second opening 13a formed in the cover 13 corresponding to the light beam introduction opening 18a located when the apparatus main body 18 is rotated to the storage position. The optical axis from the rear subject incident on the first opening 17 is substantially 90
An optical path changing member including a total reflection mirror 21 for bending the optical path to the second opening 13a is provided.

Therefore, when imaging the front subject,
By rotating the apparatus main body 18 with respect to the cover portion 13 and positioning the light beam introduction opening 18a forward as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to perform forward imaging in a range of an angle a. In this case, by providing a click stop mechanism between the apparatus main body 18 and the cover 13, the angle a can be stepped by a predetermined angle, and the angle a is set between the cover 13 and the apparatus main body 18. If a stopper mechanism is provided, the angle can be changed to an appropriate angle.

When an image of a front subject is taken in this way, data can be taken into the notebook personal computer 11 with the image output obtained by the image sensor 19 as it is (without being inverted). The observation image on the display 15 can also be displayed with the imaging output as it is (without inversion).

On the other hand, when imaging the rear subject, the apparatus main body 18 is rotated with respect to the cover 13 so that the light beam introduction opening 18a is positioned below as shown in FIG. The optical axis of the rear subject introduced at 17 is bent upward at right angles by the total reflection mirror 21,
The light passes through the second opening 13a, is introduced into the light beam introduction opening 18a, and is imaged on the imaging sensor 19 by the imaging lens 20.

When the rear subject is imaged in this manner, the image output obtained by the image sensor 19 is kept in the same state (without inversion) as in the case of imaging the front object as described above. , Notebook computer 11
In addition, it is possible to display the observation image on the display 15 with the imaged output as it is (without inversion).

This is because, in the conventional apparatus, when capturing an image of a rear subject, the image data to be captured by the notebook computer 11 is inverted upside down, and the display data is inverted upside down and left and right. However, in this example, these conversion circuits are not required at all, and only the optical means by the total reflection mirror 21 can take out the data for regular capture and the data for display. I can do it.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5 showing its appearance, FIG. 6 showing a front imaging state, and FIG. 7 showing a rear imaging state. This embodiment is obtained by changing and adding the configuration of the rotary imaging apparatus according to the above-described first embodiment, and the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. For simplicity, different parts will be described in detail.

A total reflection member in which the total reflection mirror 21 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) according to the first embodiment is disposed at an inclination of about 45 degrees with respect to the window surface of the first opening 17. On the other hand, the second embodiment is configured to include the half mirror 25 which is a semi-reflective member disposed at an inclination of about 45 degrees with respect to the window surface of the first opening 17. The first opening 1 is provided from behind the half mirror 25.
7 includes an illumination member for projecting illumination light.

This lighting member is provided with a back lighting section 26 on the inner wall of the cover section 13.
, A plurality of LEDs 27 are mounted thereon, and the luminous flux of the LEDs 27 is sent back to the first opening 17 via the half mirror 25,
The reflection of external illumination light and the like generated on the surface of the opening 17 is reduced, and is similar to that used in a microscope optical system.

Further, a raised portion 22 for forming a brush-shaped dustproof member and / or a lens cleaning member around the second opening 13a formed in the cover portion 13, that is, between the electronic apparatus housing and the apparatus main body 18. Is added.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, an additional lens insertion port 24 is formed on the side of the cover 13, and a converter lens for converting the imaging lens 20 into a macro lens I in the optical path of the optical path changing member. A certain macro additional lens 2
3 is detachable, and is configured such that the macro additional lens 23 can be positioned so as to coincide with the optical axis above the half mirror 25.

Therefore, when imaging the front subject,
By rotating the apparatus main body 18 with respect to the cover portion 13 and positioning the light beam introduction opening 18a forward as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to perform forward imaging in a range having an angle a.

When an image of a front subject is imaged as described above, data can be taken into the notebook personal computer 11 while the image output obtained by the image sensor 19 is left as it is (without inversion). The observation image on the display 15 can also be displayed with the imaging output as it is (without inversion).

On the other hand, when imaging the rear subject, the main body 18 is rotated with respect to the cover 13 so that the light beam introduction opening 18a is positioned below as shown in FIG. The optical axis of the rear subject introduced into 17 is bent upward at right angles by the half mirror 25,
Passing through the additional lens for macro 23 inserted in the optical path,
The light passes through the second opening 13a, is introduced into the light beam introduction opening 18a, and is imaged on the imaging sensor 19 by the imaging lens 20. At this time, since the imaging lens 20 is formed into a macro lens by interposing the macro addition lens 23, it is possible to perform macro imaging of the rear subject, and if the macro addition lens 23 is removed, the imaging lens 20 Original rear imaging can be performed.

In this case, the light emitted by the LED 27 passes through the half mirror 25 and is emitted to the first opening 17, so that reflection of unnecessary light such as external illumination light generated on the surface of the first opening 17 can be reduced. Can be.

Further, the luminous flux introduction opening 18a is covered by the raised portion 22 interposed between the vicinity of the second opening 13a and the apparatus main body 18, so that entry of minute dust and the like can be prevented. In this example, the front end surface of the imaging lens 20 is retracted by a small distance from the light beam introduction opening 18a.
In the case where the lens is pulled in on the same plane as that of the lens or only for a very small distance, the function of lens cleaning can be performed by the raised portion 22. As a matter of course, in this case, it is necessary to select the hardness of the raised portion 22 to a value that does not damage the imaging lens 20.

When the rear subject is imaged in this way, the image output obtained by the image sensor 19 is kept in the same state (without inversion) as in the case of imaging the front object as described above. , Notebook computer 11
In addition, it is possible to display the observation image on the display 15 with the imaged output as it is (without inversion).

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The first and second embodiments are configured such that the imaging lens 20 and the imaging sensor 19 are sequentially arranged and built in on the radial axis of the apparatus main body. As shown in FIG. 8, the form is such that the imaging lens 33 and the imaging sensor 34
Are sequentially arranged and built in, and the
9, a support shaft 30 is provided on the axis of the device 9, and a light flux introduction opening 31 is formed in a part of the peripheral surface of the apparatus main body 29.
A total reflection mirror 32 that bends the light beam by 90 degrees may be provided in front of 1.

With this configuration, the diameter of the apparatus main body 29 can be reduced. That is, the rotary imaging device 16 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 described above has a drawback that the diameter increases because the imaging sensor 19 and the imaging lens 20 are sequentially arranged in the radial direction. 13 may protrude significantly from the electronic device on which the rotary imaging device is actually mounted. In some cases, when the electronic device is mounted on a cover of a notebook computer, it may protrude more than the cover. However, the limitation condition cannot be satisfied, and the dimensions of the imaging lens must be reduced to some extent, and the optical performance is reduced accordingly.

However, in the apparatus main body 29 of the present embodiment, even if the length of the imaging lens 33 is slightly increased, the diameter does not increase, so that the imaging lens 33 can be designed without any dimensional restrictions.

In the above three embodiments, each of the total reflection mirror 21, half mirror 25, or total reflection mirror 32 inserted in the optical path of the optical path changing member is fixed, but the angle can be changed. By doing so, it is possible to perform imaging of the front subject and imaging of the rear subject at a finer imaging angle.

[0044]

As is apparent from the above description, the rotary imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes the first opening, the second opening, and the optical path changing member having the characteristic configurations.
When selectively capturing images of a front subject and a rear subject, electrical processing for image inversion is not required for image output data obtained by the image sensor, and the image output data is directly taken into an electronic device such as a personal computer. In addition, it is possible to provide a rotary imaging apparatus capable of displaying the imaging output data on a display as it is, regardless of whether the imaging is for a front subject or a rear subject.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external appearance of a notebook personal computer using a rotary imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an external appearance of the notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the back side.

FIG. 3 is a partially broken cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, a state of the rotary imaging device of the notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 1 at the time of forward imaging.

FIG. 4 is a partially broken cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, a state of the rotary imaging device of the notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 1 at the time of rearward imaging.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing an external appearance of a notebook personal computer using a rotary imaging device according to a second embodiment of the present invention viewed from the front side.

6 is a partially broken cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, a state of the rotary imaging device of the notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 5 at the time of forward imaging.

7 is a partially broken cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, the state of the rotary imaging device of the notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 5 at the time of rearward imaging.

FIG. 8 is a partially broken sectional view showing an optical system of a rotary imaging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example in which a conventional rotary imaging device is mounted on a notebook computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 notebook type personal computer 12 main body 13 cover 13a introduction opening 14 keyboard 15 display 16 rotary imaging device 17 first opening 18 device main body 18a light introduction opening 19 imaging sensor 20 imaging lens 21 total reflection mirror

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image pickup lens and an image pickup sensor provided at an image forming portion of the image pickup lens are stored inside a device main body having a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and a light beam enters the image pickup lens. A light beam introducing opening is exposed on a peripheral surface of the device main body, and the device main body is supported by an electronic device housing so as to be rotatable around an axis orthogonal to a radial axis thereof, A rotary imaging device configured to be able to switch and introduce a subject from a front subject to a rear subject into the light beam introduction opening by rotating the electronic device housing into a predetermined angle range including the storage position. A first opening for imaging a rear subject provided with an opening, and a first opening formed in the electronic device housing corresponding to the light beam introduction opening located when the apparatus main body is rotated to the storage position. 2 openings and the front Rotary imaging apparatus characterized by comprising an optical path changer which guides the second opening by bending the optical axis incident on the first opening. 2. An optical path changing member according to claim 1, wherein said optical path changing member includes a total reflection member disposed at an inclination of about 45 degrees with respect to a window surface of said first opening. Rotary imaging device. 3. The optical path changing member according to claim 1, wherein a converter lens for converting the imaging lens into a macro lens, a wide lens, a tele lens, or the like can be removably inserted in the optical path. 2. The rotary imaging device according to 1. 4. The optical path changing member according to claim 1, wherein said optical path changing member includes an optical path changing section for changing an optical axis from said first opening to said light introducing opening in an optical path thereof. Rotary imaging device. 5. A rotary imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a brush-like dust-proof member and / or a lens cleaning member are added between said electronic apparatus housing and said apparatus main body. . 6. The apparatus main body according to claim 1, wherein said image pickup lens and said image pickup sensor are sequentially disposed and built in on a radial axis of said apparatus main body. Item 6. A rotary imaging device according to any one of Items 5. 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image pickup lens and said image pickup sensor are sequentially arranged and built in on an axis orthogonal to a radial axis of said apparatus main body. The rotary imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 8. The optical path changing member includes a semi-reflective member disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to a window surface of the first opening, and the light path changing member is provided from behind the semi-reflective member. The rotary imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination member that projects illumination light toward the first opening. 9. The rotary imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device housing is a notebook personal computer or the like.