JP2001347703A - Information i/o unit with camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an information I/O unit with camera which can print out a still image under image pickup of a larger size than the width of the camera and can print out character information from an information terminal, e.g. a personal computer, onto a sheet. SOLUTION: The printer 1 equipped with a camera comprises a printer having a rotary printer head 7 for printing information onto a sheet 3, a camera integrated with the printer at the center thereof while incorporating a CCD image pickup element 22, and an opening/closing mirror 25 also serving as a lens cover disposed in front of the front lens 19 of the camera wherein an image picked up by means of the camera can be printed out or information from an information terminal, e.g. a personal computer, can be printed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input / output device with a camera in which a camera device is integrated with a central portion of a rotary printer device. It can be stored / pulled out, or can be built-in and integrated, or can be attached to peripheral equipment with a fixture.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera device integrated with a printer has been proposed, for example, as a Polaroid (registered trademark) camera or some digital video camera devices. This species,
The printer-integrated camera device requires a dedicated photographic paper. In this case, the photographic paper size for printing out a still image being photographed is the maximum camera width.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional printer-integrated camera device, since the photographic paper size is limited to within the camera width, it is not possible to print out a panoramic image as a panoramic photograph. Can not.

In the above-described printer-integrated camera device, it is not possible to print out character information and the like from an information terminal device such as a personal computer on paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and prints out a photographed image on a paper having a size larger than the width of a camera, and outputs character information from an information terminal device such as a personal computer. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a camera-equipped information input / output device capable of printing out on paper.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an information input / output device with a camera according to the present invention performs a function of a rotary printer for printing information on paper and / or reads information on paper. It consists of an information input / output device with a scanner function and a camera device with a built-in image sensor at the center of the information input / output device. The information input / output device prints images or information taken by the camera device. Information from a terminal device can be printed.

According to the information input / output device with a camera configured as described above, a print of a video taken by the camera device can be printed out on paper by the information input / output device having a printer function. The information input / output device can print out the information from the information terminal device.

In addition, by providing a reflecting mirror that rotates integrally with the movable portion of the information input / output device in front of the front lens of the camera device, panoramic photography by the camera device becomes possible. The output device can print out as a panoramic photograph on paper.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an information input / output device with a camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking a printer device as an example of an information input / output device.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer device with a camera, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same from the camera lens side, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

The casing 1a of the camera-equipped printer device 1 is formed of a flat cylindrical body, and a slit-shaped circular paper feed groove 2 is formed along the outer peripheral side of the casing 1a. The paper feed groove 2 is formed, for example, in a range of 330 ° and penetrates the housing 1 in the vertical direction. The paper 3 is set in the paper feed groove 2 in an arc shape. The paper 3 can be used from a postcard size to A4 sands.

A portion of the housing 1a inside the paper feed groove 2 becomes a casing 4 in which a printer device and a camera device described later are stored.

First, the configuration of the printer will be described. A head unit 6 that rotates about an axial center 5 is disposed below the casing 4.
The printer head 7 of the ink jet type has the paper feed groove 2
Are arranged so as to face each other. A space 8 for a camera device is formed in the center of the head unit 6.

The head unit 6 is supported by a ring gear 9, and the inner peripheral edge of the ring gear 9 is supported by a plurality of rollers 10. The drive gear 13 which is the output shaft of the head drive motor 12 is meshed with a gear portion 11 on the outer peripheral side of the ring gear 9. That is, the rotation of the head drive motor 12 drives the printer head 7 together with the head unit 6 via the ring gear 9 to rotate, for example, in a reciprocating manner.

Here, the printer head 7 is a circuit board 1 for processing information signals mounted in the casing 4.
Information signals relating to printing are output from 4,15.

The paper 3 is fed by a vertically rotating paper feed roller 16 which is arranged to face the paper feed groove 2. This paper feed roller 1
Numeral 6 is driven to rotate by a paper feed motor 17 via an output shaft 18.

Next, the configuration of the camera device will be described. The front lens 19 of the camera device is supported by a lens holder 20 provided in the head unit 6 so as to cover the space 8 of the head unit 6 from the outside, and is disposed at the optical axis center coaxial with the axis center 5. An optical lens group 21 having a zoom mechanism and the like is arranged behind the front lens 19,
A CCD image sensor 22 is provided behind the optical lens group 21. The CCD imaging device 22 is mounted on a circuit board 23 having an image processing circuit and a memory medium.
The CCD image sensor 22 is configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board 23 via the brush contact 24 so as to be rotatable integrally with the head unit 6.

On the other hand, the lens holder 2 of the front lens 19
At 0, a mirror 25 is attached so as to be openable and closable by a hinge 25a. The mirror 25 is opened at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the front lens 19, and the mirror 2 is opened.
When the lens 5 is closed, it functions as a lens cover for protecting the front lens 19. The mirror 25 is detachable from the lens holder 20.

Here, a battery housing 26 is formed integrally with the casing 4 on one side of the housing 1a, and a battery 27 is housed in the battery housing 26. Accordingly, power is supplied to the head drive motor 12 and the paper feed motor 17 of the above-described printer device, and power is supplied to the CCD image pickup device 22 of the camera device. A screw hole 28 for fixing the camera-equipped printer device to a peripheral device is formed in a part of the battery housing portion 26. The power to the printer device and the camera device may be supplied from a household power source via an AC adapter other than the battery.

In FIG. 1, a power button 29, a shutter button 30, and a zoom button 31 are arranged on the outer side of the housing 1a.

When the camera-equipped printer device 1 is configured to use a camera, a subject image incident from the front lens 19 is converted into an image signal by the CCD image pickup device 22 and recorded on a memory medium or the like.

On the other hand, in the printer operation, the paper 3 is set in the paper feed groove 2 in an arc shape, the printer head 7 reciprocates along the paper 3, and the paper is fed by the paper feed roller 16 along with the printing operation. Is performed. The print position on the paper 3 is detected by a head position detection unit S (see FIG. 3) using a photocoupler or the like. The printing operation by the printer head 7 may be either reciprocal reversal or 360 ° rotation type.

Therefore, in the above-described printer device, a still image photographed by the camera device can be printed out on paper, and information from a personal computer or the like can be printed out by the printer device. Accordingly, the sheet 3 can be printed on a sheet of a large size equal to or larger than the camera width, and usable sheet sizes are from postcard size to A4 size.

Although the present invention has been described as a printer device with a camera, the present invention is not limited to a printer, but may include a scanner function capable of reading information such as characters recorded on paper together with a printer function. A so-called facsimile function that can transmit information by using the scanner function can also be provided.

Next, several usage examples of the printer device 1 with camera according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 shows a usage example in which the camera-equipped printer device 1 is fixed to a pole 32 erected from a peripheral device using a screw hole 28 with a fixture (not shown). In this case, the camera-equipped printer device is connected to a terminal device (not shown) by a cord. As for the printing operation, the paper 3 can be set in an arcuate surface in the paper feed groove 2 and the printing operation can be performed by a printer head that reciprocates in a rotary manner.

For photographing with a camera, a mirror 25 is attached to the front surface of the front lens 19 at an angle of 45 °. That is, the subject image to be photographed is mirror 25
And can be recorded on a memory medium by the CCD image pickup device 22.

The head unit 6 of the printer device
, The front lens 19 and the CCD image sensor 22 can be simultaneously rotated together with the mirror 25, so that 360 ° panoramic shooting is possible. Therefore, a 360-degree panoramic photograph or a framed photograph can be printed on paper.

Further, when the camera device is not used, by closing the mirror 25 in front of the front lens 19, the mirror 25 becomes a lens cover and the front lens 19 can be protected from dust and the like.

FIG. 5 shows an example of use in which a screw hole 28 provided in the camera-equipped printer device 1 is used to fix it to a frame of a display panel 34 of a notebook personal computer 33 by a fixture (not shown). In this case, the mirror 25 has been removed. According to this, the user of the personal computer 33 can be photographed by the camera device and the photographed still image can be printed out on paper, or the information taken into the personal computer 33 can be printed out on paper. it can.

FIG. 6 shows a usage example in which a magnet is attached using a screw hole 28 provided in the camera-equipped printer device 1 and the magnet is suction-fixed to a metal plate previously fixed on the upper portion of the desk 35. A person sitting at the desk 35 can be photographed by a camera device, and the photographed still image can be printed out on paper or used as a facsimile. In addition, the printer device with a camera can be attached to a television receiver, a desk phone, or the like in addition to the desk 35, and can be used in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the printer device 1 with a camera is integrated with the register 36. In this case, a mirror 25 is attached to the front lens 19. In this manner, it is possible to print a receipt or a voucher using the camera-equipped printer device 1 or to check a gift certificate or a voucher brought in from outside by the scan function. Further, since the surroundings can be photographed by the camera device, it is also possible to monitor security.

FIG. 8 shows an example of use in which a printer device with a camera is stored in a CD-ROM dual-purpose tray 38 which can be pulled out and stored in a desktop personal computer 37. According to this, as in the case shown in FIG. 5, the user of the personal computer 37 can be photographed by the camera device, and the photographed still image can be printed out on the paper 3 or captured by the personal computer 37. Information can be printed out on paper, or the printed out information can be facsimile transmitted.

FIG. 9 shows an example of use in which a printer device with a camera is stored in a tray 40 which can be pulled out / removed into / from a notebook personal computer main body 39, and the tray 40 is placed upright with a support shaft 41 as a fulcrum. is there. According to this,
Even when the printing operation on the paper 3 or the facsimile transmission is performed, even if the personal computer main body 39 is placed at the center of the table or the like, the setting and the feeding of the paper 3 are not hindered. When the camera device is used, the angle of the tray 40 can be adjusted so that the front lens 19 faces the front of the user of the personal computer, and the photographing angle can be optimally determined.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The camera-equipped printer device may transmit and receive signals to and from an information terminal device such as a personal computer by a signal line, or may transmit and receive signals by infrared rays or the like.

[0036]

As described above, the information input / output device with a camera according to the present invention has a rotary printer function for printing information on paper and / or a scanner function for reading information on paper. It consists of an output device and a camera device integrated with a built-in image sensor at the center of the information input / output device. The information input / output device can print a picture taken by the camera device or transmit information from the information terminal device. Since the print operation can be performed, it is possible to print out the image shot by the camera on a large-sized sheet of paper, and it is also possible to facsimile the printed image. Further, the information input / output device with a camera can be made compact.

Further, by providing a reflector that is supported by the movable part of the information input / output device and rotates integrally with the front lens of the front lens of the camera device, 360 ° panoramic shooting or frame shooting can be performed. You can also print out on paper.

Further, since the reflection plate also serves as a lens cap of the front lens, the front lens can be protected from dust and the like when not used as a camera.

Further, since the information input / output device with a camera can be housed / extracted or integrated with the information terminal device, information from the information terminal device can be printed out or printed out. There is also an effect that the information can be transmitted by facsimile.

Further, since the information input / output device with a camera can be attached to a peripheral device with a fixture, the information input / output device with a camera can be widely applied to various industrial fields.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer device with a camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printer device with a camera.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a usage example of the printer device with a camera.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a use state in which a printer device with a camera is attached to a notebook computer.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a use state in which a printer device with a camera is attached to a desk.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the camera-equipped printer device stored in a register.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the printer with a camera stored in a desktop personal computer.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another use state in which the camera-equipped printer device is attached to a notebook computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... housing of printer device with camera, 2 ... paper feed groove,
3 paper, 7 printer head, 9 ring gear, 1
2 ... Head drive motor, 16 ... Paper feed roller, 17 ...
Paper feed motor, 19 ... front lens of camera device, 22 ...
CCD image pickup device, 25 mirror, 26 battery housing, 27 battery, 28 screw hole, 33 notebook computer, 36 register, 37 desktop desktop computer, 38 tray, 39 notebook computer, 4
0 ... Tray

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/034 H04N 1/034 1/04 107 1/04 107Z 1/06 1/06 F term (reference) 2C055 CC00 CC03 5B021 AA01 PP01 QQ01 5B047 AA01 BA04 BB02 BC02 BC05 BC09 BC14 CA23 5C051 AA03 BA03 CA04 DB01 DB02 DB22 DB24 DE09 DE26 5C072 AA05 EA08 FA20 JA03 SA03

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information input / output device having a rotary printer function for printing information on paper and / or a scanner function for reading information on paper, and an image sensor at a central portion of the information input / output device. A built-in and integrated camera device, wherein the information input / output device enables a printing operation of a video taken by the camera device or a printing operation of information from an information terminal device. Information input / output device. 2. The information input / output device with a camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a reflection mirror supported by a movable portion of the information input / output device and integrally rotating, in front of the front lens of the camera device. Information input / output device with camera. 3. The information input / output device with a camera according to claim 2, wherein the reflection mirror is closed to double as a lens cap of the front lens. 4. The information input / output device with a camera according to claim 1, wherein the information input / output device with a camera is housed in an information terminal device.
An information input / output device with a camera, wherein the information input / output device is capable of being pulled out or incorporated and integrated. 5. The information input / output device with a camera according to claim 1, wherein the information input / output device with a camera is attachable to a peripheral device with a fixture. Information input / output device.