JP2004129283A - Multi-directional imaging device and telephone with the device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein each multi-directional imaging device is manufactured as a special-purpose device by optical designing corresponding to imaging directions or scale factors, and therefore a general-purpose lens cannot be used, a shutter is required for each incoming light path, and miniaturization is difficult. <P>SOLUTION: Lenses 2 and 3 facing toward different directions are placed on a lens mount 1, which is turnable about a shaft 4a. An optical mirror 8 is placed the optical axes of the lenses 2 and 3. An imaging element 7 is placed, in parallel with the plane crossing at a right angle to the shaft 4a. By turning the lens mount 1, light from only one of the lenses is made incident on the imaging element 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-directional imaging device capable of switching between a plurality of different imaging directions with a single imaging device, and a telephone equipped with the multi-directional imaging device.

Conventionally, there has been a request from one imaging device (such as a camera) to perform imaging in a plurality of different directions without changing the orientation of the imaging device itself, and various devices have been proposed.
For example, the one shown in FIG. 18 is a multi-directional imaging device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-347699, which can be inserted into a thin tube and can switch between the wall surface of the tube and the axial direction of the tube for photographing. (Hereinafter referred to as an imaging device). In the figure, P indicates a longitudinal section of a pipe to be observed, and 211 indicates a housing of the imaging device inserted inside the pipe P. 210 is an image sensor, M and N are optical axes shown for explanation, and are orthogonal to each other. Reference numeral 201 denotes a block made of optical glass or a synthetic resin, etc., 202 denotes a first light input portion formed on one side of the block 201, and 203 denotes second light input formed on the other side of the block 201. Department.

# 212 is a first shutter mechanism provided outside the block body 201 of the optical axis M, and 213 is a second shutter mechanism provided outside the block body 201 of the optical axis N. Reference numeral 214 denotes a light source for illumination. In a state where the first shutter mechanism 212 is opened and the second shutter mechanism 213 is closed, the light guided from the first light incident part 202 is refracted by the first refraction surface 204 and is converted into a parallel light as a block body. The light is guided through the inside 201 and is reflected by the internal reflection surface 207. Further, the light is reflected and converged on the refraction / reflection surface 206 provided in the second light entrance 203.

{Circle around (2)}, the light is guided along the second optical axis N, passes through the light transmitting portion 208 opened in the internal reflection surface 207, is refracted by the final refraction surface 209, and forms an image on the image sensor 210. Therefore, the state of the peripheral wall of the pipe P can be observed. In a state where the first shutter mechanism 212 is closed and the second shutter mechanism 213 is opened, the light guided to the second light entrance 203 is refracted and condensed on the second refraction surface 205 and transmitted. The light is transmitted through the portion 208, refracted by the final refraction surface 209, and is imaged by the image sensor 210. Therefore, it is possible to observe the presence or absence of an obstacle in the traveling direction (white arrow) of the optical device.

方法 As a method of photographing in multiple directions, there is, of course, a method of directing the direction of the entire image pickup apparatus to the photographing direction. FIG. 19 is an external view of a mobile phone equipped with a conventional multidirectional imaging device (the camera itself is rotated unlike the one shown in FIG. 18). In the drawing, reference numeral 12 denotes a case of a mobile phone, 13 denotes an operation button (including an image display unit) disposed on the front surface, and 90 denotes a camera. It is possible to take an image in any direction by rotating it as a whole. However, since the camera 90 and the case 12 are connected by an unillustrated electric wire, each time the camera 90 is rotated, stress is applied to the electric wire, and a failure such as cutting is liable to occur. There was a problem that it was difficult to see because it was turned upside down. In addition, since the camera 90 includes an image processing circuit, the camera 90 becomes large, protrudes from the case 12, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the mobile phone.

JP-A-6-347699

The conventional imaging apparatus capable of imaging in a plurality of directions has the following problems because it is configured as described above.
1) Since a shutter is required for each light input section, the structure is complicated.
2) Since the lens in each direction and the internal reflection surface are designed and manufactured as an integrated device as a single block body, in order to change the imaging direction and zoom magnification, it is necessary to start over from the optical design of the block body. It is not easy to change.
3) When the camera itself is rotated, a failure such as disconnection of wiring is likely to occur.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, to provide a multidirectional imaging apparatus which does not require a shutter, can easily use an existing lens, and is less likely to cause a failure. It is another object of the present invention to obtain a downsized telephone equipped with the multidirectional imaging device.

A multi-directional imaging device according to the present invention includes a base plate on which an imaging element is arranged, an imaging lens into which object information is incident, and a light for guiding object information incident from the imaging lens to a light receiving surface of the imaging element. A plurality of optical systems including a passage are formed, and at least one of the plurality of optical systems has a mirror that reflects subject information from the imaging lens toward the image sensor on the base plate. A lens mount provided, the lens mount being provided in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the base plate on which the image sensor is provided, and being rotatable with respect to a surface of the base plate on which the image sensor is provided. A rotating shaft for connecting the lens mount with respect to the base plate, thereby selectively switching the optical system for guiding subject information to the image sensor. That.

Further, the image pickup device further includes an image sensor embedment side opening provided in the base plate, and a flexible circuit board on which the image sensor is mounted and which is fixed in the image sensor embedment side opening.

{Circle around (2)} The thickness of the flexible circuit board on which the imaging element is mounted, including the imaging element, is smaller than the thickness of the base plate.

Further, it has an image inverting circuit for inverting the captured image up and down or left and right, and inverts the image with the rotation of the lens mount.

電話 A telephone according to the present invention is equipped with the above-described multi-directional imaging device, and enables multi-directional imaging.

Further, at least one of the imaging directions is a front direction of the telephone equipped with the multi-directional imaging device, and at least one of the remaining imaging directions is a rear direction of the telephone. It is.

As described above, according to the multidirectional imaging apparatus of the present invention, the base plate on which the imaging element is arranged, the imaging lens into which the subject information is incident, and the subject information from the imaging lens A plurality of optical systems including an optical path leading to a light receiving surface of the image pickup device are formed, and at least one of the plurality of optical systems includes subject information from the imaging lens on the base plate. A lens mount provided with a mirror that reflects light toward the image sensor,
A rotating shaft that is provided in a direction perpendicular to the surface on which the image sensor is provided on the base plate and rotatably connects the lens mount to the surface of the base plate on which the image sensor is provided; By rotating the lens mount with respect to the base plate to selectively switch the optical system for guiding subject information to the image sensor, the optical system for imaging in different directions is rotated around the rotation axis. Since there is no need to provide a shutter for each light input section, the structure is simple.

Further, since the rotation axis perpendicular to the base plate is provided and the image pickup device is provided on the base plate, the configuration is simple and the size can be reduced. Further, since the lens mount and the base plate have a plane that rotates while being in contact with each other, it is possible to prevent dust from entering from the rotating part.

The size of the image sensor can be reduced because it is mounted on a flexible circuit board.

Furthermore, the thickness of the flexible circuit board including the imaging element is smaller than the thickness of the base plate, so that the size can be reduced.

Further, since the image inverting circuit is used, a positive rate image can be obtained even when photographing is performed using an optical mirror.

A telephone equipped with the multi-directional imaging device according to the present invention can be miniaturized because the imaging device does not protrude from the case of the telephone, and can be disconnected because no stress is applied to wires or the like for switching the imaging direction. Hateful.

Also, it is small and can easily switch between front and rear shooting of the telephone.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
The configuration of the multidirectional imaging device according to the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. Here, as an example, a device capable of capturing images in two directions will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective external view of the multidirectional imaging apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a perspective external view from the same direction as FIG. 1 in a state where a part to be described later is rotated. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view (a part of which is shown in a perspective view) in which the structure of FIG. 1 is exploded to facilitate understanding of the structure. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a lens mount that houses imaging lenses (hereinafter, referred to as lenses) arranged in a plurality of different directions, 2 denotes a combination of one or more lenses on a lens mount 1, and The first lens 3 is an imaging lens arranged in the normal direction, and the third lens 3 is configured by combining one or more lenses on a lens mount 1 and is the imaging lens arranged in the horizontal direction. 2 lens. Reference numeral 4 denotes a bearing for rotating the lens mount 1, and reference numeral 4a denotes a rotating shaft inserted into the bearing 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the lens mount 1 is provided with light paths 20 and 30 for passing light entering and exiting the first and second lenses 2 and 3. The lens mount 1 is manufactured by processing metal or resin.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a base plate on which the photographing module (image pickup device) 7 and its wiring 11 are mounted, and has a base-side shaft mounting hole 5b into which the shaft 4a is inserted. Since the shaft 4a is fixed vertically to the shaft mounting hole 5b, the base plate 5 is orthogonal to the rotation shaft 4a. The lens mount 1 is rotatable around a rotation axis 4a. The base plate 5 can be composed of, for example, a ceramic plate, a glass plate, a resin plate, or a metal plate. The lens mount 1 is rotatable around a rotation axis 4a. The first and second lenses 2, 3 are arranged in different directions. FIG. 1 shows the position of the lens mount 1 (position with respect to the base plate 5) at the time of shooting in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 2 shows the position of the lens mount 1 at the time of shooting in the normal direction. 4 and 5 are sectional views showing the optical structure inside the lens mount 1. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 2a denotes a first lens holder for holding the first lens 2, and 3a denotes a second lens holder for holding the second lens 3.

# 7a is a light receiving surface provided on the image sensor 7. Reference numeral 8 denotes an optical mirror such as a mirror or a prism mirror for reflecting light to change the direction. The optical mirror 8 is arranged on the optical axis of the second lens 3. 4 and 5 indicate an optical path of light for explanation. In FIG. 4, subject information from the horizontal direction enters through the second lens 3, is further reflected by the optical mirror 8, changes its direction, and forms an image on the light receiving surface 7 a of the image sensor 7. In FIG. 5, subject information from the normal direction enters through the first lens 2 and forms an image on the light receiving surface 7 a of the image sensor 7. The lens mount 1 has a flat surface in contact with the base plate 5 and rotates while always in contact with the base plate 5 to prevent dust and the like from entering from the contact surface.

In the above description, the example in which the imaging direction is the two directions of the horizontal direction and the normal direction has been described. However, the direction is not limited to this, and the arrangement angle of the optical mirror 8 can be changed or the arrangement of the lens can be changed. The angle may be changed, or the angle may be changed to a direction other than horizontal and normal. Further, the number of switching directions is not limited to two. The size of the lens mount 1 may be increased, and a combination of lenses and optical mirrors for more directions may be used. Further, the optical mirror 8 may be a flat mirror or a total reflection prism for totally reflecting inside the prism, or may be configured by plating a part of the lens mount 1.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, since the optical system for imaging in different directions is switched by rotating around one rotation axis 4a, there is no need to provide a shutter in the light incident portion. Further, the moving range of the lens mount 1 can be reduced, and the outer shape of the multi-directional imaging device can be reduced. Further, since the image pickup device 7 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis 4a orthogonal to the light receiving surface 7a (that is, rotate in parallel with the light receiving surface 7a), the focal position relationship between the imaging lens and the image pickup device is A fixed focus camera in which the imaging lens is fixed to a lens mount with little fluctuation due to abrasion of a portion or the like can be provided.

Embodiment 2 FIG.
In order to explain the use of the multidirectional imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment, an example in which the apparatus is mounted on a mobile phone will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is an external view of the mobile phone 12 equipped with the multi-directional imaging device of FIG. 1 and shows an example in which the imaging directions are set to two directions, ie, forward (front) and upward. In the figure, 12a is a front window for photographing the front direction, 12b is an upper window for photographing the upper direction, and 13 is an operation switch (including a display unit for displaying a captured image) indicating the front of the mobile phone. . FIG. 7 is a view for explaining how the lens mount 1 rotates inside the mobile phone 12. The lens mount 1 is rotated by a knob (not shown) mounted on the outer surface of the mobile phone 12 or a solenoid actuator mounted inside. . Here, the case of the mobile phone has been described, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the mobile phone but can be applied to a general phone.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the present embodiment, a configuration of a portion of the base plate 5 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows the base plate 5 from which the lens mount 1 is removed from the configuration shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 5a denotes an opening provided in the base plate 5, and 11 denotes a circuit board formed of a flexible printed circuit board as a wiring from the image sensor 7 to the outside, and also serves to hold the image sensor 7. I have.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a ZZ cross section of FIG. 8, in which the image sensor 7 is attached to the circuit board 11 and is shown as being integrated. The part where the image sensor 7 and the circuit board 11 are integrated is referred to as an image sensor module 10. Reference numeral 5a denotes an image-receiving-side opening provided in the base plate 5, and 5C denotes an image-capturing-element-embedding-side opening provided in the base plate 5, which is slightly larger than the image-receiving-side opening 5a. Reference numeral 5d denotes a cutout provided on a side surface of the base plate 5 for drawing out a circuit portion of the circuit board 11 to the outside, and is formed continuously with the opening 5C on the side where the image pickup element is embedded.

FIG. 10 shows a state of the image sensor module 10 in which the circuit board 11 and the image sensor 7 are integrated. In FIG. 10, the image sensor 7 and the circuit board 11 are integrated while being electrically connected by a known method such as flip chip bonding. The electrical connection terminal portion 11b of the circuit board 11 and the electrical connection terminal portion 7b of the image sensor 7, the opening 11a of the circuit board 11, the light receiving surface 7a of the image sensor 7, and their relative positional dimensions are flipped. The center of the opening 5a when the center of the light receiving surface 7a is at the center of the opening 11a and the circuit board 11 is inserted into the imaging element side opening 5c of the base plate 5 in consideration of the mounting variation of the chip bond. Is determined so as to be within the allowable error. The size of the opening 5a is determined to be large within an allowable range.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the image sensor module 10 is inserted into the image sensor side opening 5C of the base 5. Here, the thickness of the image sensor module 10 (that is, the thickness when the image sensor 7 is mounted on the flexible circuit board 11) is smaller than the thickness of the base plate 5, and the image sensor module 10 is fixed in a fixed state. However, even a part thereof does not protrude from either the upper surface or the lower surface of the base plate 5. With this structure, the thickness of the base plate 5 of the imaging device can be reduced, and the size of the multidirectional imaging device can be reduced. The image pickup device 7 is assembled on the basis of the base plate 5, the imaging lenses 2 and 3 are assembled on the basis of the lens mount 1, and the lens mount 1 and the base plate 5 are axially positioned by the rotating shaft 4. Therefore, the occurrence of optical axis shift between the imaging lenses 2 and 3 and the image sensor 7 can be reduced.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 12 shows a configuration of the multidirectional imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, and FIGS. 13 and 14 show diagrams for explaining the operation thereof. The imaging apparatus according to this embodiment is for imaging by switching light from a 180-degree direction (reverse direction). 100 is a lens mount. For convenience of explanation, only the configuration of the lens mount 100 will be described. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 8a denotes a first optical mirror, and 8b denotes a second optical mirror. Light incident from the corresponding first and second lenses 2, 3 is directed to the side facing the drawing (on the paper surface). (To the rear side). Note that the image sensor 7 is disposed below the first optical mirror 8a in FIG. 12 (on the side facing the figure).

The lens mount 100 can be rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the state of FIG. Then, at this time, the second optical mirror 8b moves above the image sensor 7. 13 and 14 illustrate the light path of the lens mount 100 in FIG. 9. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the lens mount 100 is in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the lens mount 100 is rotating right and the second lens 3 is being photographed. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 98 denotes a path of light incident from the left as viewed in the figure. In FIG. 14, 99 indicates the path of light incident from the right. The rotational position of the lens mount 100 differs between FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 by 90 degrees.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show examples in which the multidirectional imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied to a mobile phone. In the figure, reference numeral 12 denotes a cross section of the case of the portable telephone, 12a denotes a front window, and 12b denotes a rear window. As shown in the figure, the lens mount 100 is installed with the axis 4 orthogonal to the paper surface. Then, it is rotated by a knob (not shown). FIG. 15 shows a case where the front is photographed, and FIG. 16 shows a case where the rear is photographed. In addition, in the case of FIG. 15 and the case of FIG. 16, the image projected on the image sensor 7 is upside down, so that the scanning direction of the signal of the image extracted from the image sensor 7 is changed according to the switching of the imaging direction. Although it is necessary to obtain a positive rate image in the reverse direction, a technique for this is known as an image inversion circuit and is not difficult at all.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIGS. 17A and 17B show a configuration in which the rotating portion of the multidirectional imaging device is further miniaturized. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a mirror mount for rotating only the optical mirror 8. The first and second lenses 2, 3 are arranged and fixed so that their optical axes are in the same plane, and do not move or rotate. The rotation axis 4a is disposed substantially at the center of the optical mirror 8, perpendicular to the plane on which the optical axes of all the imaging lenses exist, and near the intersection of the optical axes. As the optical mirror 8 rotates, any one optical axis of the imaging lens can be reflected toward the image sensor 7. The image sensor 7 is arranged parallel to the rotation axis 4a. FIG. 17A shows a state of photographing on the left side in the figure, and FIG. 17B shows a state of photographing on the right side in the figure. The optical mirror 8 is rotated by 90 degrees. Since only the optical mirror is mounted on the mirror mount 101, it is extremely small, and can be made even smaller than that shown in FIG.

1 is a perspective external view of a multidirectional imaging device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective external view in a state different from FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1. It is XX sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is an external view of a mobile phone according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the inside of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a base plate according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a partial detailed view of FIG. 8. It is sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a mobile phone equipped with the multidirectional imaging device of FIG. 12. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a mobile phone equipped with the multi-directional imaging device of FIG. 12, showing a state in which a shooting direction is different from FIG. It is sectional drawing of the multidirectional imaging device of Embodiment 5, and the portable telephone which mounts this. It is sectional drawing of the conventional two-way imaging device. It is an external view which shows the example which mounted the conventional camera in the portable telephone.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 lens mount, 2 first lens, 3 second lens, 4 bearing, 4a rotation axis,
5 base plate, 5a opening, 5b rotation axis fixing hole, 5c image sensor opening,
5d notch, 7 image sensor, 7a light receiving surface, 7b electrical connection terminal,
8, 8a, 8b optical mirror, 9 optical path, 10 imaging module,
11 flexible circuit board, 11a light receiving opening, 11b electrical connection terminal,
12 mobile phone case, 13 operation buttons, 90 camera, 100 lens mount,
101 Mirror mount

Claims (6)

A base plate on which the image sensor is arranged;
A plurality of optical systems including an optical path that guides the subject information incident from the imaging lens to the light receiving surface of the imaging element are formed, and among the plurality of optical systems, At least one optical system, a lens mount provided with a mirror that reflects subject information from the imaging lens toward the imaging element on the base plate,
A rotating shaft that is provided in a direction perpendicular to the surface on which the image sensor is provided on the base plate and rotatably connects the lens mount to the surface of the base plate on which the image sensor is provided; With
A multidirectional imaging apparatus, wherein the optical system that guides subject information to the imaging device is selectively switched by rotating the lens mount with respect to the base plate. An imaging element embedded side opening provided in the base plate,
The multi-directional imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a flexible circuit board on which the imaging element is mounted and fixed in the opening on the imaging element embedding side. The multidirectional imaging device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the flexible circuit board on which the imaging element is mounted including the imaging element is smaller than a thickness of the base plate. 4. The multidirectional imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image inverting circuit that inverts a captured image vertically or horizontally, and inverts the image as the lens mount rotates. 5. (5) A telephone equipped with the multi-directional imaging device, wherein the multi-directional imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is mounted to enable multi-directional imaging. At least one of the imaging directions is a front direction of the telephone equipped with the multi-directional imaging device, and at least one of the remaining imaging directions is a rear direction of the telephone. A telephone equipped with the multidirectional imaging device according to claim 5.

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