JP2002277723A - Portable information terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable telephone set, etc., equipped with a camera which can perform variable-magnification photography and is not an obstacle during a telephone call while made small-sized and simplified. SOLUTION: The portable telephone set is provided with an optical unit capable of variable-magnification photography and provided with a detecting means 50 which detects an ear or the head of an operator being put close to a sounding part 14; the operator puts the ear close to the sounding part 14 to make a telephone call while the optical unit 30 is projects from the main body and ready for telephoto or wide-angle photography, the detecting means 50 detects that and a control circuit 60 drives a motor 38 according to the detection information to sink the optical unit 30. Consequently, the optical unit 30 is not an obstacle during the telephone call.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information terminal such as a portable telephone or a portable personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a portable telephone or a portable personal computer). The present invention relates to a portable information terminal provided with a camera capable of photographing an operator or a surrounding landscape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, wireless communication systems such as wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) have been developed. As the data transfer speed has been improved due to this communication environment, a portable telephone capable of transmitting and receiving image signals has been developed. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) such as telephones or portable personal computers have been developed. As a camera used for transmitting an image signal, a camera (so-called mobile camera) having a retrofit or fixed single focus optical unit is known.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional camera, since a fixed camera is always provided at a predetermined position and fixed, it is an obstacle to miniaturization. There are inconveniences such as not being able to immediately switch to a photographable state when photographing is desired. In addition, in the case of an optical unit having a single focal length, it is necessary to change the photographing distance one by one in order to adjust the photographing range of the subject, which is inconvenient in handling. On the other hand, if a zoom lens type optical unit capable of performing variable-magnification shooting is adopted to solve this problem, for example, the overall length becomes longer at the shooting position, and the camera unit protrudes from the surface of a mobile phone or the like.
In particular, during a call, the optical unit becomes in the way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the size and simplification of the apparatus and to perform wide-angle and telephoto shooting without changing the shooting distance. Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal provided with an optical unit that can prevent collision when the optical unit does not become an obstacle during a call or when an obstacle faces the front of the optical unit.

[0005]

A portable information terminal according to the present invention comprises a display unit capable of displaying information, a camera unit including an optical unit and an image pickup device for photographing a subject, and a display unit and a camera unit. A portable information terminal comprising: a main body for holding; and control means for performing various controls, wherein the optical unit includes a plurality of lenses for performing a focusing operation and a zooming operation on an image sensor, and a plurality of lenses. A drive mechanism that relatively moves the lens in the optical axis direction; and an electromagnetic drive source that applies a drive force to the drive mechanism, wherein the main body determines that the subject is within a predetermined distance range with respect to the optical unit. Detecting means for detecting, wherein the control means controls the electromagnetic drive source to retract the optical unit in the main body when the detection means outputs detection information in a state where the optical unit protrudes from the main body. That, it is characterized in that. According to this configuration, since the optical unit is a variable-magnification optical system, it is possible to adjust the angle of view, perform shooting in a wide range from telephoto to wide-angle, and project the optical unit from the main body. In the shooting state, when any object (for example, an operator's head or other obstacle) approaches this optical unit, the detecting means detects it and outputs detection information to the control means. Then, the control means controls the electromagnetic drive source to retract the optical unit. Thereby, collision with the subject can be avoided.

In the above configuration, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the main body is provided with a sound generating section, and the optical unit and the detecting means are provided near the sound generating section. According to this configuration, when the portable information terminal is, for example, a mobile phone having a sound generator, when the operator approaches the ear, the detection means detects the ear or the head (subject), and the control is performed. The optical unit retracts under the control of the means. This allows
The optical unit does not get in the way when the operator talks.

In the above configuration, the optical unit is driven by the driving mechanism of the electromagnetic drive source to move the retracted position inside the main body, the photographing position at the telephoto end protruding from the main body, and the photographing at the wide-angle end. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the main body is provided with an operation unit for switching a control signal to an electromagnetic drive source in order to perform a magnification changing operation of the optical unit. According to this configuration, continuous magnification photographing can be performed only by the operator performing the switching operation of the operation unit.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 7
1 shows an embodiment of a portable information terminal (here, a portable telephone) according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic external plan view, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit, and FIG. 4 is a side view showing the drive mechanism. FIGS. 5 to 7 are storage positions where the optical unit is collapsed, a photographing position at the telephoto end, and a photographing at the wide-angle end. It is sectional drawing which shows the state in a position.

As shown in FIG. 1, a portable telephone according to this embodiment has a main body 10 defining an outer contour, and a display section (liquid crystal monitor) provided on the surface of the main body 10 and capable of displaying various information related to transmission and reception. 11, an antenna 12, various operation buttons 13, and a sound generator 1 that emits a voice of the other party during a call
4, a camera unit 20 for photographing a subject, an operation unit 40 for adjusting the magnification of the camera unit 20, a photo interrupter 50 as a detecting means, and various controls arranged inside the main body 10. A control circuit 60 or the like as control means for controlling the operation is provided as its basic configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the camera unit 20 includes an optical unit 30, a crystal filter 22, a face plate 23, a CCD 24 as an image pickup device, a circuit board 25, and the like supported by a housing 21. ing. The optical unit 30 is, as shown in FIGS.
Three guide shafts 31a, 31b, and 31c fixed in the housing 21 and extending in the optical axis X direction;
1c, a first lens frame 33 holding the concave lens 32, a second lens frame 36 holding the convex lens 34 and the aperture plate 35, and a first lens frame 33
A cam plate 37 for driving the lens frame 36 in the optical axis X direction, a motor 38 as an electromagnetic drive source for driving the cam plate 37 in the V direction, a gear 39 and the like are provided. Then, the first lens frame 33 (concave lens 32) and the second lens frame 36
The relative movement of the (convex lens 34) in the optical axis X direction makes the magnification of the subject variable with respect to the CCD 24 and performs the focusing operation.

The first lens frame 33 is, as shown in FIG.
A lens barrel 33a for holding the concave lens 32;
A first connecting portion 33b and a second connecting portion 33c are formed integrally with the first shaft 3a.
a, and the second connecting portion 33c is slidably connected to the guide shaft 31c. Also, the first connecting portion 33
A pin 33d is formed integrally with the portion b, and the pin 33d is slidably connected to a cam groove 37a described later.

The second lens frame 36 is, as shown in FIG.
It has a lens barrel 36a for holding the convex lens 34, and the lens barrel 3
A first connecting portion 36b and a second connecting portion 36c are integrally formed on the first shaft 6a.
Further, the second connecting portion 36c is slidably connected to the guide shaft 31c. A pin 36d is formed integrally with the first connecting portion 36b, and the pin 36d is slidably connected to a cam groove 37b described later.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the first connecting portions 33b and 36b are fitted on the guide shafts 31a and 31b so as to be slidable and close to each other. , 3
6c is supported slidably with the guide shaft 31c interposed therebetween, and the first lens frame 33 and the second lens frame 36 are smoothly guided along the guide shafts 31a to 31c in the optical axis X direction without rattling. It is supposed to be.

The cam plate 37 is made of a rectangular flat plate as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and can reciprocate up and down (V direction) through upper and lower rectangular holes 21a and 21b formed in the housing 21. Has been guided to. The cam plate 37 has a first cam groove 3 formed on the side surface thereof, the first cam groove 3 being inclined and formed linearly.
7a and a substantially cam-shaped second cam groove 37b are formed, and a rack 37c is formed on one side.

A motor 38 is fixed on the upper surface of the housing 21, and a gear 39 is rotatably supported. Then, the pinion 38a of the motor 38 meshes with the gear 39,
The gear 39 meshes with the rack 37c of the cam plate 37.
Therefore, when the motor 38 rotates in one direction, the cam plate 37 moves downward in the V direction, and the first cam groove 37a and the second cam groove 37b move to the first lens frame 33 and the second lens frame 3 respectively.
6, the optical unit 30 (the lens frame 33) protrudes (extends) from the surface of the main body 10, and when the motor 38 rotates in the other direction, the cam plate 37 moves upward in the V direction. The optical unit 30 (the third lens frame 33) is retracted inside the main body 10.

The first cam groove 37a and the second cam groove 37b of the cam plate 37, the pin 33d of the first lens frame 33, the second
The optical unit 30 is moved by the pins 36d of the lens frame 36 or the like.
Is moved from the retracted storage position in the main body 10 to the photographing position at the telephoto end slightly protruding from the main body 10 and further toward or in the opposite direction to the most protruding wide-angle end. Is configured.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control circuit 60 includes a control unit 61 such as a CPU for controlling various controls and a switch circuit 62 for processing a switching operation of the operation unit 40 as an electric signal.
An image processing circuit 63 for processing an image signal from the CCD 24; and a sound generation circuit 6 for processing a sound signal to the sound generation unit 14.
4, a detection circuit 65 for processing a signal output from the photo interrupter (detection means) 50 as detection information, a drive control circuit 66 for controlling driving of the motor 38, and the like.

The switch circuit 62 retracts the optical unit 30 from the control section 61 to the drive control circuit 66 as shown in FIG. 5 when the operation section 40 is at the lower end position shown by the solid line in FIG. When the operation unit 40 is at an intermediate position (operation unit 40 ′) indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the control unit 61 sends a control signal for positioning the storage position to the drive control circuit 66. As shown in FIG.
The control unit 40 outputs a control signal for positioning the camera position at the photographing position at the telephoto end, which slightly protrudes from the main body 10.
At the upper end position (operation unit 40 ″) indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the optical unit 30 is made to protrude most from the main body 10 from the control unit 61 toward the drive control circuit 66 as shown in FIG. A control signal for positioning the camera at the shooting position at the wide-angle end is output.

The photo interrupter 50 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, a light emitting unit 5 that emits light for detection to the ear or head (subject) of the operator approaching the sound generator 40.
1 and a light receiving section 52 for receiving the reflected light. The photointerrupter 50 operates within a predetermined distance range by using the fact that the angle of the reflected light incident on the light receiving unit 52 changes depending on whether the operator's head or the like is at a short distance or at a long distance. When a person's head or the like approaches, a detection signal (detection information) is sent to the control unit 61 via the detection circuit 65. When the control unit 61 determines that the optical unit 30 is at the shooting position protruding from the main body 30 based on the detection signal (detection information) and the signal from the switch circuit 62, the control unit 61 sends a control signal to the drive control circuit 66. And drives the motor 38 to move the optical unit 30 to the main body 1.
Collapse inside 0.

Incidentally, the photo interrupter 50 is
When 0 is moved from the lower end position in FIG. 1 to the intermediate position (operation unit 40 ′) indicated by the two-dot chain line, power is supplied so as to start sensing, and when the intermediate position is returned to the lower end position again. The power supply is stopped to stop sensing. That is, the optical unit 30 is already in the storage position (collapsed position) unless the operation unit 40 is operated upwardly beyond the intermediate position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line).
There is no need for sensing.

The power supply to the CCD 24 is performed by engaging and disengaging a part of the cam plate 37 with a switch (not shown) for turning on / off the power supply. . That is, when the camera reaches a photographing position (a photographing position at the telephoto end shown in FIG. 6) which has moved downward by a predetermined amount from the position shown in FIG. The power supply to the CCD 24 is started. On the other hand, when the cam plate 37 moves in the reverse direction, the switch is turned off, and the power supply to the CCD 24 is stopped.

Next, the operation of the mobile phone according to this embodiment will be described. First, in the non-operation state, as shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 40 is located at the lower end, and the optical unit 30 is in the retracted position from the surface of the main body 10, as shown in FIG. At this time, the cam plate 37 is located at the upper end in the V direction as shown in FIGS.

In this state, when the operator moves the operation unit 40 to an intermediate position (operation unit 40 ') shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the motor 38 rotates to move the cam plate 37 in FIG.
Move downward. Thereby, the first lens frame 33
The pin 33d moves forward (in the direction of arrow F) by the cam action of the first cam groove 37a and reaches the position of the pin 33d 'in FIG. 4, while the pin 36d of the second lens frame 36 The cam groove 37b moves forward (in the direction of arrow F) by the cam action, and moves to the position of the pin 36d '(the second cam groove 37) in FIG.
b near the bending point).

At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the optical unit 30 (first lens frame 33) is positioned at the photographing position at the telephoto end slightly protruding from the surface of the main body 10.
At the same time, a part of the cam plate 37 engages with the switch and turns on.
Then, power supply to the CCD 24 is started. Thus, the photographing can be immediately performed. Further, in this state, when the operator brings his / her ear close to the sound generating unit 14 to talk, the photo interrupter 50 detects the approach of the ear or the head, and the control unit 61 sends a control signal to the drive control circuit 66. The optical unit 30 is retracted to be retracted and positioned at the storage position. This can prevent the optical unit 30 from being in the way during a call. On the other hand, when the user stops talking and keeps his ear away from the sound generator 14, the controller 61 causes the motor 38 to rotate in the reverse direction via the drive control circuit 66, and causes the optical unit 30 to protrude (extend) again. It is positioned at the photographing position at the telephoto end shown in FIG.

When the operator further moves the operation unit 40 from the photographing position at the telephoto end to the upper end position (operation unit 40 '') indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
8 further rotates to move the cam plate 37 to the lowermost end in FIG. Thereby, the pin 33d of the first lens frame 33 is
Forward (in the direction of arrow F) due to the cam action of the first cam groove 37a.
To reach the position of the pin 33d '' in FIG. 4, while the pin 36d of the second lens frame 36 is
4B moves rearward (in the direction of arrow R) by the cam action of FIG.
It reaches the position of the middle pin 36d ''.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the optical unit 30 (first lens frame 33) is positioned at the photographing position at the wide-angle end most protruding from the surface of the main body 10. In this state, the operator puts his / her ears on the sound generator 1 to talk.
When approaching 4, the photo interrupter 50 detects the approach of the ear or the head, and the optical unit 30 is collapsed and positioned at the storage position as described above. This can prevent the optical unit 30 from being in the way during a call. On the other hand, when the call is stopped and the ear is moved away from the sound generator 14, the optical unit 30 is again protruded (extended) and positioned at the photographing position at the wide-angle end shown in FIG.

In the zooming operation of the optical unit 30,
By moving the operation unit 40 in a range between an intermediate position (operation unit 40 ′) and an upper end position (operation unit 40 ″) indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In a state where the optical unit 30 protrudes from the arbitrary magnification photographing position, when the operator brings his / her ear close to the sound generation unit 14 for talking, the sensing by the photo interrupter 50 is performed as described above. The optical unit 30 is retracted to the storage position. Accordingly, no matter which magnification shooting position the optical unit 30 is in, the lens unit is immediately retracted and positioned in the storage position, so that it does not disturb the call.

When the operator moves the operation unit 40 to the lower end, the optical unit 30 is immersed from any of the shooting positions from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end beyond the shooting position at the telephoto end. At this point, a part of the cam plate 37 operates to turn off the switch, and the power supply to the CCD 24 is stopped.
Subsequently, the optical unit 30 reaches the retracted position inside the main body 10.

As described above, only by the operator moving the operation unit 40, the optical unit 30 can perform a wide range of photographing from telephoto to wide-angle, and a conversation can be performed with the optical unit 30 protruding. Even so, the optical unit 30 is immediately collapsed, so that it does not become a hindrance, and it is possible to make a call without feeling uncomfortable. Further, since the photographing state can be immediately entered simply by operating the operation unit 40, the time lag until photographing becomes possible can be reduced as much as possible, resulting in a highly convenient mobile phone.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a portable telephone, and the example in which the optical unit 30 is retracted by detecting the approach of the head with the ears of the operator has been described. The optical unit 30 can be retracted by detecting that the subject (object) approaches the optical unit 30. In this case, collision with an obstacle is avoided, and the optical unit 30 is retracted.
Can be prevented from being damaged. Therefore, even when the variable power optical unit 30 and the detecting means 50 are mounted on the portable personal computer, the optical unit 30 can be protected against obstacles and the like. Further, in a mobile phone with a flipper, when the optical unit 30 capable of changing the magnification and the detection means 50 are mounted, even if the flipper is accidentally closed with the optical unit 30 protruding, the optical unit 30 is immediately turned on. By collapsing,
The damage and the like can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, the photo interrupter 50 is shown as the detecting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other sensors can be employed. Also,
As a mechanism for changing the magnification of the optical unit 30, the cam action of the cam plate 37 is employed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other mechanisms can be employed. Furthermore, although two lenses, the concave lens 32 and the convex lens 34, are used as the variable power lenses constituting the optical unit 30, the present invention is not limited to this, and more lenses can be used.

[0032]

As described above, according to the portable information terminal of the present invention, a variable magnification optical unit is employed.
By detecting the approach of a subject (obstacle) with the optical unit protruding from the main unit and retracting the optical unit, it is possible to shoot in a wide range from telephoto to wide angle, and Even if the subject (for example, the operator's head or other obstacle) approaches, collision with the optical unit can be avoided. In particular, in a mobile phone or the like provided with a sound generator, the optical unit is immediately collapsed when the operator approaches his / her ear for a call, so that it is possible to prevent the call unit from interfering with the call.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the appearance of a mobile phone according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the mobile phone according to the present invention.

3A and 3B show the structure of a camera unit, where FIG. 3A is an external front view, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view as seen from the rear.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a driving mechanism of the optical unit.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of the camera unit and showing a state where the optical unit is collapsed and is in a storage position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the camera unit, showing a state in which the optical unit is at a shooting position at a telephoto end slightly protruding from the main body.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the camera unit, showing a state in which the optical unit is at a photographing position at a wide-angle end protruding most from the main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main body 11 Display part 14 Sound generation part 20 Camera part 24 CCD (imaging element) 30 Optical unit 37 Cam plate (drive mechanism) 37c Rack 38 Motor (electromagnetic drive source) 38a Pinion 39 Gear 40 Operation part 50 Photointerrupter (detection means) Reference Signs List 60 control circuit (control means) 61 control unit (CPU) 62 switch circuit 64 sound generation circuit 65 detection circuit 66 drive control circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03B 17/04 H04N 5/225 D 19/02 E H04N 5/225 5/232 A G02B 7/04 Z 5 / 232 7/11 N (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Toma 2-18-10 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Inside Nidec Copal Co., Ltd. (72) Tomi Kurosu 2--18 Shimura, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No.10 Nidec Copal Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H044 BF03 DA02 DD03 DD09 2H051 AA00 BB31 CA04 CC02 DD00 FA03 FA16 FA18 2H054 AA01 2H101 BB08 DD62 5C022 AA00 AB21 AB66 AC31 AC54 AC69 AC74

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A display unit capable of displaying information, a camera unit including an optical unit and an image sensor for capturing an image of a subject, a main body holding the display unit and the camera unit, and control means for controlling various controls. Wherein the optical unit relatively moves a plurality of lenses in the optical axis direction for performing a focusing operation and a zooming operation on the image sensor. A drive mechanism for causing the drive mechanism to actuate a drive force on the drive mechanism, and the main body includes a detection unit that detects that a subject is within a predetermined distance range with respect to the optical unit. The control means, in a state where the optical unit protrudes from the main body, when the detection means outputs detection information, the electromagnetic drive source to retract the optical unit in the main body, A portable information terminal for controlling. 2. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the main body is provided with a sound generator, and the optical unit and the detecting means are provided near the sound generator. . 3. The optical unit includes: a driving position of the driving mechanism by the electromagnetic driving source; a photographing position of a telephoto side end protruding from the main body from a storage position collapsed in the main body; The main body is provided with an operation unit for switching a control signal to the electromagnetic drive source in order to perform a magnification operation of the optical unit. The portable information terminal according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: