JP2003274266A - Portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable terminal where the user's self-image indicated on a sub LCD 20 is easy to see at all times even if the illumination of an illuminator 19 is projected to the user as backlight while the illuminator 19 is lit when the user takes his self-image with a camera 3. <P>SOLUTION: The portable terminal is used together with the illuminator for illuminating a subject, and while the above illuminator is lit, the display screen is directed in the direction of shot of the camera for photographing the above subject so as to raise the brightness of the display part for indicating the subject image photographed by the above camera. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable terminal equipped with a camera, and more particularly to a portable terminal having an illumination function for illuminating a subject when capturing a subject image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, mobile terminals have become highly functional and multifunctional. For example, a mobile phone is equipped with a data communication function in addition to a normal telephone function, and further has a camera. Models that are mounted and that send and receive image data captured have also appeared.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the back surface of a conventional mobile phone. In the figure, 1 is a mobile phone, 2 is an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio signals during a call, 3 is a camera provided on the back side, 4 is a camera for capturing an image of a subject, and 4 is momentary in the same direction as that of the camera 3. The flash 5 for projecting light onto the camera is a mirror that is provided in the same direction as the camera 3 and is used as a guide for the image to be captured when the user captures a self-portrait.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional mobile phone 1. In the figure, 6 is a transmission / reception unit that processes radio signals transmitted and received via the antenna 2, 7 is a control unit that controls the functions of the entire mobile phone 1 and controls peripheral parts, and 8 is a center of the control unit 7. CPU (Cen
tral Processing Unit), 9 is C
Various programs executed by PU8, 10 is program 9
Or a memory that stores various data including subject image data captured by the camera 3, 11 is a temporary storage unit that temporarily stores subject image data captured by the camera 3, 1
A main LCD (liquid) 2 is provided on the front side of the mobile phone 1 and displays a subject image captured by the camera 3.
Crystal display), 13 is the main L
A backlight that illuminates the CD 12, 14 a current control unit that controls the brightness of the backlight 13, 15 an operation unit that instructs the camera 3 to operate, 16 a microphone that inputs the user's voice during a call, and 17 a call A receiver that outputs the voice of the other party, and a speaker 18 that externally generates a ringing sound when an incoming call or the like is issued.

Next, based on FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG.
An image pickup operation of a subject image by the camera 3 mounted on the conventional mobile phone 1 will be described. Note that FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of capturing a self-portrait using the flash 4.

First, when the user operates the operation unit 15 to select the photographing mode of the camera 3, the CPU 8 instructs the current control unit 14 to turn on the backlight 13. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction supplies a current to the backlight 13, the backlight 13 is turned on (S501).

The CPU 8 operates the camera 3 and the main LCD 12 to display the image captured by the camera 3 on the screen of the main LCD S50.
2.

Next, the user determines in step S503 whether or not to end the photographing by the camera 3.

When it is determined that the photographing by the camera 3 is finished, the CPU 8 causes the current controller 14 to display the backlight 1.
Instruct to turn off No. 3. Current control unit 1 that received the instruction
When the LED 4 stops supplying the current to the backlight 13, the backlight 13 is turned off (S511). The CPU 8 stops the camera 3 and displays a normal standby screen on the main LCD.
It is displayed on 12 screens, and the process ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S503 that the camera 3 does not finish shooting, the user points the camera 3 on the rear side of the mobile phone 1 toward himself and shoots a self-portrait as a subject. In other words, since the user takes a self-portrait as a subject and cannot monitor the captured image of the camera 3 displayed on the screen of the main LCD 12, the user determines the photographing position while looking at the mirror 5 and presses the photographing button of the operation unit 15 at S504. S505.

When the photographing button is pressed, the CPU 8 determines whether or not to activate the flash 4 (S506).

As a result of this determination, if the activation of the flash 4 is not set in advance, the CPU 8 does not turn on the flash 4 and proceeds to S508.

As a result of the determination in S506, if the activation of the flash 4 is set in advance, the CPU 8 causes the flash 4 to operate.
Is turned on S507.

Next, the CPU 8 causes the main LCD 12 to display a still image of the subject image of the self-portrait imaged by the camera 3 at that time, and in step S508, the shutter is released by the speaker 18 to notify the user that the image has been taken. Make a sound. At the same time, the CPU 8 stores the subject image data captured by the camera 3 in the temporary storage unit 11.

The user confirms the subject image displayed on the main LCD 12 and decides whether or not to save it.
509.

If the user likes the subject image displayed on the main LCD 12, the user operates the operation unit 15 to display C
The subject image data stored in the temporary storage unit 11 by the PU 8 is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 10 and S510,
It returns to S502.

If the user does not like the subject image displayed on the main LCD 12 as a result of the determination in S509, the user operates the operation unit 15 to store the subject image data stored in the temporary storage unit 11 by the CPU 8 in the memory 10.
The process returns to S502 without storing in.

As described above, in the conventional mobile phone 1, when the user takes a self-portrait, the user determines the approximate position while looking at the mirror 5 on the back surface of the mobile phone 1.
However, there is a problem that the end of the image that is not reflected in the image is not imaged, or conversely, an object that is not imaged in the mirror 5 is also imaged.

Further, the flash 4 has a problem that a large amount of current instantaneously flows at the time of lighting, which is not preferable in operation.

In order to avoid such a problem, an LCD is provided in the same direction as the camera 3 in place of the mirror 5, and a white LED used for an LCD backlight or the like is used in place of the flash 4. Type mobile phone 1 has been devised.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the outer appearance of the rear surface of the improved mobile phone 1. In the figure, 19 is a white LED
, An illumination device provided on the back side of the mobile phone 1 so as to project light in the same direction as the shooting direction of the camera 3.
Reference numeral 0 is a sub-LCD provided in the same direction as the camera 3 with the display screen facing the display, and displaying a subject image captured by the camera 3.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the improved mobile phone 1, and 21 is a sub-backlight for illuminating the sub-LCD 20. 4 is different from FIG. 4 in that the program 9 has a program for displaying a camera image on the sub-LCD 20 and the current controller 14 also controls the brightness of the sub-backlight 21 and the illumination device 19.

Next, based on FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG.
An image pickup operation of a subject image by the camera 3 mounted on the conventional improved mobile phone 1 will be described. Note that FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing an operation of capturing a self-portrait using the lighting device 19.

First, when the user operates the operation unit 15 to select the photographing mode of the camera 3, the CPU 8 determines whether or not to activate the lighting device 19 (S801).

As a result of this determination, if the activation of the lighting device 19 is not set in advance, the CPU 8 does not turn on the lighting device 19 and proceeds to S803.

As a result of the determination in S801, the lighting device 1 is previously
If the activation of 9 is set, the CPU 8 instructs the current control unit 14 to turn on the lighting device 19. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction supplies a current to the lighting device 19, the lighting device 19 is turned on (S802).

Next, the CPU 8 instructs the current controller 14 to turn on the sub backlight 21. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction supplies a current to the sub backlight 21, the sub backlight 21 is turned on (S803).

The CPU 8 operates the camera 3 and the main LCD 12 and the sub LCD 20,
The image captured by the camera 3 is displayed on the screens of the main LCD 12 and the sub LCD 20 in S804.

Next, the user determines in step S805 whether or not to end the photographing by the camera 3.

When it is determined that the photographing by the camera 3 is to be ended, the CPU 8 instructs the current controller 14 to turn off the lighting device 19. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction stops supplying the current to the lighting device 19, the lighting device 1
9 turns off the light S810. Next, the CPU 8 instructs the current control unit 14 to turn off the sub backlight 21. The current control unit 14 that has received the instruction causes the sub backlight 2 to
When the current is stopped from flowing to 1, the sub backlight 21
Turns off S811. The CPU 8 stops the camera 3, displays a normal standby screen on the main LCD 12 screen, and ends the process.

When it is determined in step S805 that the image capturing by the camera 3 is not completed, the user points the camera 3 on the rear side of the mobile phone 1 toward himself and captures a self-portrait as a subject. That is, since the user cannot monitor the captured image of the camera 3 displayed on the screen of the main LCD 12, the user determines the shooting position while looking at the sub LCD 20 and presses the shooting button of the operation unit 15 (S806).

When the photographing button is pressed, the CPU 8 causes the main LCD 12 to display a still image of the subject image of the self-portrait photographed by the camera 3 at that time, and the speaker is used to notify the user that the photographing has been performed. 18
Makes the shutter sound. At the same time, CPU8
Causes the subject image data captured by the camera 3 to be stored in the temporary storage unit 11.

The user confirms the subject image displayed on the main LCD 12 and decides whether to save it or not (S).
808.

If the user likes the subject image displayed on the main LCD 12, the user operates the operation unit 15 to display C
The subject image data stored in the temporary storage unit 11 by the PU 8 is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 10 and S809,
It returns to S804.

As a result of the determination in S808, if the user does not like the subject image displayed on the main LCD 12, the user operates the operation unit 15 to cause the CPU 8 to store the subject image data stored in the temporary storage unit 11 in the memory 10.
The process returns to S804 without storing in.

In this improved mobile phone 1, since the sub LCD 20 is used instead of the mirror 5, the main LCD
The image displayed on 12 can be displayed on the sub LCD 20 as it is, and the sub LCD 2 that the user has confirmed at the time of shooting.
The display image of 0 can be saved as image data without excess or deficiency.

Further, in the improved mobile phone 1, since the lighting device 19 such as the white LED is used without using the flash 4, it is possible to prevent a large amount of current from flowing momentarily at the time of lighting. be able to.

[0038]

As described above, in the conventional improved mobile phone 1, although the problems in the conventional mobile phone 1 are improved, the lighting device 19 is turned on while the lighting device 19 is turned on. Since the illumination is projected as a backlight to the user, there is a problem in that the image on the sub LCD 20 arranged near the illumination device 19 becomes difficult to see.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a portable terminal in which a subject image displayed on the sub LCD 20 is easy to see.

[0040]

A portable terminal according to claim 1 of the present invention is a portable terminal used together with an illuminating device for illuminating an object, and is a camera for taking an image of the object. The display screen is directed to the display unit that displays the subject image captured by the camera, and the control unit that controls to increase the brightness of the display unit while the lighting device is on. is there.

A portable terminal according to a second aspect of the present invention is the portable terminal according to the first aspect, wherein the display section includes a display illumination section for illuminating the display screen.

Furthermore, the portable terminal according to claim 3 of the present invention is the portable terminal according to claim 2, wherein the control section changes the brightness of the display illumination section based on the brightness of the illumination device. It was done.

A portable terminal according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the portable terminal according to the third aspect, wherein the brightness of the lighting device is manually or automatically changed.

[0044]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described. Here, since the external appearance and the block configuration of the mobile phone 1 in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described later are the same as the conventional ones in FIGS. 6 and 7, for convenience, FIGS. Will be explained.
Note that FIG. 7 differs from the conventional one in that the program 9 has a brightness control program for the lighting device 19. Further, the lighting device 19 described in Embodiments 1 and 2,
The value of the current passed through the backlight 13 and the sub-backlight 21 is an example, and varies depending on the type of white LED used, the circuit, and the performance of the backlight unit.

The operation of picking up a subject image by the camera 3 mounted on the mobile phone 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 1. It should be noted that FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation of capturing a self-portrait using the lighting device 19.

First, when the user operates the operation unit 15 to select the photographing mode of the camera 3, the CPU 8 determines whether or not to activate the illumination device 19 (S101).

As a result of this determination, if the activation of the lighting device 19 is not set in advance, the CPU 8 does not turn on the lighting device 19 and causes the current controller 14 to display the sub-backlight 21.
To turn on. The current control unit 14 that has received the instruction
When a current of about 5 mA is applied to the sub backlight 21,
The sub-backlight 21 is turned on with low brightness, and S104 and S1
Go to 05.

As a result of the determination in S101, the lighting device 1 is previously
If the activation of 9 is set, the CPU 8 instructs the current control unit 14 to turn on the lighting device 19. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction supplies a current of about 18 mA to the lighting device 19, the lighting device 19 is turned on S102. Next, the CPU 8 causes the current control unit 14 to display the sub backlight 2.
Instruct to turn 1 on. Current control unit 1 that received the instruction
When the current of about 20 mA is applied to the sub-backlight 21, the sub-backlight 21 is turned on in step S103. As a result, when the lighting device 19 is turned on, the sub backlight 21 is turned on with high brightness, so that it is possible to prevent the sub LCD 20 from being difficult to see due to backlight.

Next, the CPU 8 activates the camera 3 and also activates the main LCD 12 and the sub LCD 20 to display the image taken by the camera 3 on the main LCD 12.
And S105 to be displayed on the screen of the sub LCD 20.

The user determines in step S106 whether or not to end the photographing by the camera 3.

When it is determined that the photographing by the camera 3 is finished, the CPU 8 instructs the current controller 14 to turn off the lighting device 19. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction stops supplying the current to the lighting device 19, the lighting device 1
9 turns off S111. Next, the CPU 8 instructs the current control unit 14 to turn off the sub backlight 21. The current control unit 14 that has received the instruction causes the sub backlight 2 to
When the current is stopped from flowing to 1, the sub backlight 21
Turns off S112. The CPU 8 stops the camera 3, displays a normal standby screen on the main LCD 12 screen, and ends the process.

When it is determined in step S106 that the image capturing by the camera 3 is not completed, the user points the camera 3 on the rear side of the mobile phone 1 toward himself and captures a self-portrait as a subject. That is, the user determines the shooting position while looking at the sub LCD 20, and presses the shooting button of the operation unit 15 (S107).

When the photographing button is pressed, the CPU 8 causes the main LCD 12 to display a still image of the subject image of the self-portrait imaged by the camera 3 at that time, and a speaker for notifying the user that the photographing has been performed. 18
Makes the shutter sound. At the same time, CPU8
Causes the subject image data captured by the camera 3 to be stored in the temporary storage unit 11.

The user confirms the subject image displayed on the main LCD 12 and decides whether to save it or not S
109.

If the user likes the subject image displayed on the main LCD 12, the user operates the operation unit 15 to display C
The subject image data stored in the temporary storage unit 11 by the PU 8 is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 10 and S110,
Return to S105.

As a result of the determination in S109, if the user does not like the subject image displayed on the main LCD 12, the user operates the operation unit 15 to store the subject image data stored in the temporary storage unit 11 by the CPU 8 in the memory 10.
No, the process returns to S105 without storing in the predetermined area.

Embodiment 2. The operation of capturing a subject image by the camera 3 mounted on the mobile phone 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 2. Note that FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of capturing a self-portrait using the lighting device 19.

First, when the user operates the operation unit 15 to select the photographing mode of the camera 3, the CPU 8 determines whether or not to activate the lighting device 19 (S201).

As a result of this determination, if the activation of the lighting device 19 is not set in advance, the CPU 8 does not turn on the lighting device 19.

The CPU 8 instructs the current control unit 14 to turn on the sub backlight 21 with low brightness. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction supplies a current of about 5 mA to the sub-backlight 21, the sub-backlight 21 is turned on with low brightness and the process proceeds to S208 and S209.

As a result of the determination in S201, the lighting device 1 is previously
If the activation of 9 is set, the CPU 8 determines the brightness value of the lighting device 19 set by the user in advance S202.

In this determination, if the set brightness value of the lighting device 19 is small, the CPU 8 causes the current control unit 14 to send the lighting device 1 to the lighting device 1.
It is instructed to turn on 9 with low brightness. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction supplies a current of about 3 mA to the lighting device 19, the lighting device 19 lights up with low luminance and S207 and S208.
Proceed to.

If the set brightness value of the lighting device 19 is medium in the determination of S202, the CPU 8 instructs the current control unit 14 to turn on the lighting device 19 at the middle brightness. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction supplies a current of about 8 mA to the lighting device 19, the lighting device 19 is turned on with medium brightness (S205). Next, the CPU 8 instructs the current control unit 14 to turn on the sub backlight 21 with medium brightness. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction supplies a current of about 10 mA to the sub-backlight 21, the sub-backlight 21 is turned on with medium brightness, and the process proceeds to S206 and S209.

If it is determined in step S202 that the set brightness value of the lighting device 19 is large, the CPU 8 causes the current controller 14 to operate.
Is instructed to turn on the lighting device 19 with high brightness. When the current control unit 14 that has received the instruction supplies a current of about 18 mA to the lighting device 19, the lighting device 19 lights up with high brightness S2.
03. Next, the CPU 8 instructs the current control unit 14 to turn on the sub backlight 21 with high brightness. The current control unit 14 that received the instruction sets the sub backlight 21 to 20 m.
When a current of about A is passed, the sub backlight 21 is turned on with high brightness in S204.

As a result, the brightness value of the sub-backlight 21 is changed and turned on according to the brightness value when the lighting device 19 is turned on. Therefore, the sub-backlight 21 displays the sub-LCD 20 while the image on the sub-LCD 20 is always easy to see. Can be illuminated.

Next, as in the first embodiment, S20 is performed.
9, S210, S211, S212, S213, S21
Photographing is performed according to the processing flow of No. 4, S209, S210,
The photographing is ended by the processing flow of S215 and S216.

In the second embodiment, lighting device 1 is used.
Although the user sets the brightness value of 9 in advance, the user changes the brightness value of the lighting device 19 while the lighting device 19 is on, and the CPU 8 also changes the brightness value of the sub-backlight 21 in accordance with the change. Then, it may be turned on again.

In the second embodiment, the lighting device 1 is used.
Although the user changed the brightness value of No. 9, the mobile phone 1 may be provided with a detection unit for detecting the ambient brightness, and the brightness value of the lighting device 19 may be changed based on the detection result. Good. Accordingly, when the surroundings are dark, the brightness value of the lighting device 19 can be increased to increase the brightness of the lighting device 19. Also in this case, the brightness value of the sub backlight 21 may be changed in accordance with the change of the brightness value of the lighting device 19. Moreover, if the ambient brightness is regularly detected while the lighting device 19 is on, the brightness value of the lighting device 19 is updated, and the brightness value of the sub-backlight 21 is changed accordingly, the user can Is the lighting device 19
The display on the screen of the sub LCD 20 is always easy to see even when the light is moved from a bright place to a dark place while the light is on.

In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the sub LCD is used.
Although the case where the sub-backlight 21 is mounted as the display illumination unit of 20 has been described, the same effect can be obtained even if another light emitting means is used as long as it illuminates the display screen of the display unit.

In the first and second embodiments, the lighting device 19 is built in the mobile phone 1, but it can be connected to the mobile phone 1 like the conventional flash 4 and can be turned on and off from the mobile phone 1. The lighting device 19 may be capable of receiving an instruction to turn off the light and receiving an instruction to change the brightness value.

[0071]

The portable terminal according to claims 1 and 2 of the present invention is a portable terminal used together with a lighting device for illuminating a subject, and displays a subject image while the lighting device is on. Since the brightness of the display unit is increased, it is possible to prevent the display screen of the display unit from being difficult to see even when the illumination of the illumination device is backlit and is projected by the user.

Further, in the portable terminal according to claim 3 of the present invention, the control unit changes the brightness of the display illuminating unit based on the brightness of the illuminating device, so that the image on the display unit displays the brightness of the illuminating device. There is an effect that it is always easy to see regardless of the brightness.

Furthermore, in the portable terminal according to claim 4 of the present invention, the brightness of the lighting device is changed manually or automatically, so that the user can freely change the brightness of the lighting device. be able to. Further, there is an effect that the brightness of the lighting device can be automatically changed according to conditions such as the brightness of the surroundings.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a lighting device 19 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart showing an operation of capturing a self-portrait using the.

FIG. 2 is a lighting device 19 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart showing an operation of capturing a self-portrait using the.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an external appearance of a back surface of a conventional mobile phone 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional mobile phone 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of capturing a self-portrait using the conventional flash 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an external appearance of a conventional improved type and the mobile phone 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional improved type and a mobile phone 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of capturing a self-portrait using the conventional improved illumination device 19.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 mobile phone 3 cameras 8 CPU 15 Operation part 19 Lighting equipment 20 sub LCD 21 Sub backlight

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04M 1/00 H04M 1/00 U 1/02 1/02 AC 1/21 1/21 M 1/22 1/22 1/725 1/725 H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 F Z // H04N 101: 00 101: 00 F Term (reference) 2H102 AA00 AB00 BA00 BA04 BB00 BB03 BB05 CA01 CA02 5C022 AA13 AB15 AC03 AC52 AC69 5K023 AA07 BB11 HH07 MM00 MM07 MM25 5K027 AA11 BB02 FF22 HH26 HH30 MM17

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A portable terminal used together with an illumination device for illuminating a subject, the camera capturing an image of the subject, the display screen being directed in the shooting direction of the camera, and displaying the subject image captured by the camera. A portable terminal comprising a display unit and a control unit for controlling the brightness of the display unit while the illumination device is on. 2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a display illumination unit that illuminates a display screen. 3. The mobile terminal according to claim 2, wherein the control unit changes the brightness of the display illumination unit based on the brightness of the lighting device. 4. The portable terminal according to claim 3, wherein the brightness of the lighting device is changed manually or automatically.