JP2005184696A - Mobile terminal and flash control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal and a flash control method for easily controlling flash light emission. <P>SOLUTION: On a side portion of a main body part 3, there are provided a key 127 which is functioned as a shutter key of a camera mode in the state of closing a lid part 2, and a key 128 which is functioned as a flash switching key. Each time the key 128 is pressed, an automatic emission mode during which the quantity of emitted light of flash is automatically controlled in accordance with exposure, a forced emission mode during which light of predetermined quantity is emitted, and an emission prohibit mode during which the flash light is not emitted, are cyclically and sequentially switched, and any mode can be selected. If a shutter button (determine key or key 127) is pressed, photographing is performed while automatically controlling whether or not light of a flash LED 119 is to be emitted, and the quantity of emitted light according to the photographing situation (such as exposure) and an emission mode at that time point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal incorporating a flash function and a flash control method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, mobile phones having a photographing function using a camera have been widely used. Conventional mobile phones may not be able to shoot due to insufficient exposure during camera shooting. Therefore, there has been provided a device that compensates for underexposure by attaching a flash device to a mobile phone and emitting light at the time of photographing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, there is a problem in that it is not convenient, such as having to carry a separate flash device and mounting the flash device during shooting. Therefore, a mobile phone incorporating a flash function has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-368862 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-060765

  However, in the above prior art, although flash emission / non-emission can be set in advance, the flash emission / non-emission cannot be switched during the photographing operation mode. For this reason, it is necessary to reset flash emission / non-emission on the initial setting screen in accordance with the shooting situation, and there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated and a photo opportunity is missed.

  Conventionally, in a foldable mobile phone, when photographing a photographer himself or a subject including the photographer, the lens unit is directed toward the subject (photographer himself) with the cellular phone folded. There are some which are held and photographed by pressing a button (shutter) disposed on the side of the main body. However, even in this case, since it is not possible to switch between flash emission and non-emission during the shooting operation mode, there are problems that the operation becomes complicated by setting the flash emission and non-emission, and that a photo opportunity is missed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal and a flash control method that can easily control flash emission.

  In order to achieve the above object, a portable terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a lid and a main body, has a foldable shape, and makes the subject bright when imaging by the imaging unit and the imaging unit. A light emitting means that emits light, a first operation button that is disposed at a position that is exposed when the terminal is folded, and that instructs a light emission operation by the light emitting means; and when the folded state is released A second operation button that is disposed at a position exposed to the light source and instructs a light emission operation by the light emitting means; a determination means that determines whether the terminal is in a folded state or a state in which the folded state is released; When it is determined that the terminal is in a folded state, it is detected that the first operation button has been operated to instruct light emission by the light emitting means, and the terminal is in a folded state When it is determined that release state is characterized by comprising an instruction control unit for instructing the light emission by the light emitting means detects that the second operation button is operated.

  Further, as a preferred aspect, for example, as in claim 2, in the portable terminal according to claim 1, the light emission mode switching instruction means for instructing the light emission mode switching by the light emission means, and the switching by the light emission mode switching instruction means. Each time an instruction is operated, a light emission mode switching means that sequentially switches the light emission mode by the light emission means, and a light emission of the light emission means in the light emission mode switched by the light emission mode switching means at the time of shooting by the imaging means A light emission control means for controlling the light emission.

  Further, as a preferred embodiment, for example, as in claim 3, in the portable terminal according to claim 2, the light-emitting means includes, as a light-emitting mode, an automatic light-emitting mode that automatically controls the light emission amount according to exposure, and a predetermined light-emitting mode. You may make it have the forced light emission mode which light-emits compulsorily with light emission amount, and the light emission prohibition mode which does not light-emit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a flash control method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a photographing unit that has a lid and a main body, has a foldable shape, and photographs a subject, and exposure by the photographing unit. A flash control method for a portable terminal having a light emitting means for compensating for a shortage, and when the folded state is released, the first operation button disposed at the position exposed when the folded state is released is operated. Each time a plurality of light emission modes by the light emission means are sequentially switched, and when photographing by the imaging means, the light emission of the light emission means is controlled in the switched light emission mode, and in the folded state, the folded state Each time the second operation button disposed at the exposed position is operated, a plurality of light emission modes by the light emitting means are sequentially switched cyclically. For example, at the time of photographing by the imaging means, and controlling the light emission of said light emitting means in the switched-emitting mode.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the instruction control unit determines whether the terminal is in the folded state or the state in which the folded state is released, and the determination unit determines that the terminal is in the folded state. When the operation of the first operation button is detected to instruct the light emission by the light emitting means, and when it is determined that the terminal is released from the folded state, the second operation button is operated. Since this is detected and the light emission by the light emitting means is instructed, there is an advantage that the flash light emission can be easily controlled.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, each time the switching instruction by the light emission mode switching instruction means is operated, the light emission mode switching means sequentially switches the light emission mode by the light emission means in order, and the light emission control means. Thus, since the light emission of the light emitting means is controlled in the light emission mode switched by the light emission mode switching means at the time of photographing by the imaging means, there is an advantage that the flash light emission can be easily controlled.

  According to the invention of claim 3, any one of an automatic light emission mode for automatically controlling the light emission amount according to exposure, a forced light emission mode forcibly emitting light at a predetermined light emission amount, or a light emission inhibition mode for not emitting light. Since the light emitting means emits light, there is an advantage that flash light emission can be easily controlled.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the state in which the folded state is released, the light emitting means is operated each time the first operation button disposed at the position exposed when the folded state is released. The plurality of light emission modes are sequentially switched in order, and the light emission of the light emission means is controlled in the switched light emission mode at the time of shooting by the imaging means, and in the folded state, the light emission mode is arranged at the position exposed in the folded state. Each time a second operation button is operated, a plurality of light emission modes by the light emitting means are sequentially switched cyclically, and the light emission means emits light in the switched light emission mode at the time of photographing by the imaging means. Since it is controlled, there is an advantage that the flash emission can be easily controlled.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as an example applied to a camera-equipped mobile phone.

A. Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is an external view (open state: front view, side view) of a camera-equipped mobile phone 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone 1 in the present embodiment has a two-fold structure including a lid portion 2 and a main body portion 3. The speaker 101 is provided on the front side of the lid portion 2 and outputs sound during a call in the telephone mode. The display unit (main display unit) 102 is a color liquid crystal, has a QVGA resolution, and can display captured images and downloaded images. The antenna 103 is provided on the back surface of the main body and is extendable.

  On the front surface of the main body, a camera key 104, a mail key 105, a cross key 106, an enter key 107, an address key 108, a net connection key 109, a clear key 110, an on-hook key 111, an off-hook key 112, and a numeric key 113 are provided. Yes. Among these keys, a cross key 106, an enter key 107, an address key 108, and a network connection key 109 are arranged at positions that can be operated with the thumb of the right hand when the mobile phone 1 is held with the right hand.

  The camera key 104 is a key for instructing the shift to the camera mode in the power-on state and the activation of the DSP 140 described later. The mail key 105 is a key for instructing to shift to the mail mode and load the mail program. The cross key 106 is a key for instructing the movement of the cursor and the movement of the focus (selection). The determination key 107 is a key used to determine mode selection, to determine selection, or to be used as a shutter key in the shooting mode. The address key 108 is a key for displaying address book data. A network connection key 109 is a key for connecting to the Internet. The clear key 110 is a key for canceling selection or the like. The on-hook key 111 is a key for connecting a line. The off-hook key 112 is a telephone mode / camera mode combined power off key, a telephone mode startup power on key, and a key for disconnecting the line. The numeric keypad 113 is a key for performing character input and dial input. In the present embodiment, among the numeric keys 113, the key 113a functions as a flash switching key when shooting with the lid 2 opened. The microphone 114 is provided at the lower part of the main body, and performs voice input during a call. The card slot (cover) 115 is a slot into which an external recording medium (for example, a miniSD card) is mounted.

  A sub-display unit 116 is provided on the back surface of the lid unit 2 so as to display a date and time, an incoming call notification, an incoming mail notification, an auxiliary screen at the time of taking a still image or a video, etc. in a state where the mobile phone 1 is closed. In addition to being used, in the camera mode, it functions as a finder for displaying on the monitor images sequentially captured by an imaging lens 118 described later. The notification LED 117 performs incoming call notification and mail incoming call notification by emitting light. The imaging lens 118 captures still images and moving images. The flash LED 119 is a light emitting unit that emits light when taking a still image or a moving image and prevents underexposure. In addition to notifying incoming calls and emergencies, the notification speaker 120 outputs a shutter sound so that it can be heard by the subject in the camera mode. Reference numeral 121 denotes a battery back.

  FIG. 2 is an external view (a side view (a), a front view (b) in a closed state) of the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a key 127 is provided on the side of the main body 3 and can be operated even in a closed state. The key 127 functions as a voice recording key for taking notes of voice when the lid 2 is opened, and functions as a shutter key for camera mode when the lid 2 is closed in the camera mode. The key 128 is provided on the side of the main body 3 and can be operated even in the closed state. This key 128 functions as a manner key in the telephone mode, and functions as a flash switching key in the state where the lid 2 is closed in the camera mode. Each time the key 128 is pressed, the automatic flash mode that automatically controls the flash emission amount according to the exposure, the forced flash mode that emits light at a predetermined flash amount, and the flash prohibit mode that does not emit flash are cyclically switched sequentially. The mode can be selected.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 described above. In the figure, a wireless transmission / reception unit 130 performs communication processing including modulation / demodulation based on the PSK system and terminal authentication processing based on the CDMA system, such as wirelessly transmitting and receiving voice and data (mail data) via the antenna 103 and modulating / demodulating them. Do.

  The communication control unit 131 controls the device including WWW connection control. The communication data processing unit 1311 includes a CLEP audio decoding processing circuit, a packet data generation circuit, and a packet data restoration circuit, and performs data processing according to the communication protocol. The audio interface 1312 performs input / output processing of the audio signal processed by the communication data processing unit 1311, inputs the audio from the microphone 114, converts it into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal from the speaker 101.

  The system ROM 132 has a data structure as shown in FIG. 4, and mainly includes a basic OS for controlling the overall wireless communication processing, a protocol / program area for storing a protocol program, and various data (subscriptions required for terminal authentication). A non-volatile setting data area for storing a user ID and the like. The RAM 133 has a data structure as shown in FIG. 5, and is composed of a work area for storing a protocol / driver related to communication processing, and other areas. The image processing control unit 134 performs MPEG / JPEG encoding and decoding in general for moving / still images at the time of shooting or playback. The RAM 135 has a data structure shown in FIG. 6 and includes a work area for storing an application heap, a backup area for storing user data, a system management area for storing a file system, a cache memory area, and other areas. The program ROM 136 is composed of a rewritable flash ROM, has a data structure as shown in FIG. 7, and stores a data area for storing images, illustrations, fonts, user data management data, file system management data, and the like. It consists of a file system area, a dictionary area for storing data and programs, and a UI program area.

  The display module system driver 137 drives the sub display unit 116, the main display unit 102, the notification LED 117, and the flash LED 119. The step motor 138 performs zoom control of the imaging lens 118. The imaging device 139 is configured by a CCD or a CMOS, and captures an image focused by the imaging lens 118 as a color image. The DSP 140 encodes the image captured by the imaging device 139.

  The sound source IC 142 generates a ring tone or the like. The amplifier 143 amplifies the audio signal from the sound source IC 142 and outputs it from the notification speaker 120. The connector 144 attaches an external recording medium (for example, a miniSD card) 145. The external interface controller 146 switches both the USB interface and the 18-core connector, and controls data transmission / reception with an external device. The user memory 149 has a data structure as shown in FIG. 8, and includes a data area for storing downloaded data, captured image data, mail data, address book data, read only area, and file system management data. . The address data bus processing unit 123 controls the address control of the communication control unit 131 and the image processing control unit 134 and the flow of data on the bus.

B. Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone 1. In the camera-equipped mobile phone 1, when the power is turned on, it is first determined whether or not the camera is in the shooting mode (S10).

  On the other hand, if the photographing mode is set, it is determined whether or not the lid 2 is closed (S14). When the lid 2 is not closed, the flag K indicating the open / closed state is set to “0” (S16), and when the lid 2 is closed, the flag K is set to “1” ( S18). In the process described later, when the flag K is “0” as a key for switching the light emission mode of the flash LED 119, the key 113a provided on the operation surface of the main body 3 is monitored and the flag K When “1” is “1”, the key 128 disposed on the side of the main body 3 is monitored.

  Next, the shutter speed / aperture is set according to the shooting situation (exposure, etc.) (S20). Next, the input image is displayed through on the display unit (S22). At this time, when the lid portion 2 is opened (K = 0), the through display is performed on the main display portion 102, and when the lid portion 2 is closed (K = 1), the sub display portion 116 is displayed. Through display.

  Next, whether or not a shooting operation has been performed by pressing the shutter button (the cover 2 is open (K = 0): the determination key 107, the cover 2 is closed (K = 1): the key 127)) Is determined (S24). Here, if the shutter button (decision key 107 or key 127) is not pressed, it is determined whether or not the flash switching key has been operated (S26). As described above, when the lid 2 is opened (K = 0), the operation of the key 113a is checked, and when the lid 2 is closed (K = 1), it is provided on the side of the main body 3. Check the key 128 (with manner key). When the key 113a or the key 128 is pressed, the flag F indicating the light emission mode is incremented by “1” (S28).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the flag F exceeds “3” (S30). If the flag F exceeds “3”, the flag F is set to “1” (S32), the process returns to step S14, and the above-described processing is repeated. As a result, the flag F indicating the light emission mode transits cyclically as 1 → 2 → 3 → 1 → 2 →... Each time the key 113a or the key 128 is pressed.

  When the flag F is “1”, the automatic light emission mode for automatically controlling the light emission amount of the flash LED 119 according to the exposure, when the flag F is “2”, the forced light emission mode for emitting light at a predetermined light emission amount, and the flag F is If “3” is set to the light emission prohibition mode in which the flash is not emitted, the automatic light emission mode → the forced light emission mode → the light emission inhibition mode → the automatic light emission mode →... Every time the key 113a or the key 128 is pressed. The mode will be switched cyclically. Even if the lid 2 is closed or opened, the value of the flag K indicating the open / closed state of the lid 2 is switched in step S16 or S18, so that it can be operated according to the open / closed state of the lid 2 The light emission mode can be switched by either the key 113a or the key 128.

  If neither the shutter button (decision key 107 or key 127) nor the light emission mode switching key (key 113a or key 128) is pressed, it is determined whether or not another operation has been performed (S34). ) If another operation has been performed, the corresponding other process is executed (S36), the process returns to step S14, and the above-described process is repeated. On the other hand, if no operation is performed, the process directly returns to step S14 to repeat the above-described processing.

  When the shutter button (decision key 107 or key 127) is pressed, the presence / absence of light emission of the flash LED 119 and the light emission amount are automatically controlled according to the shooting state (exposure, etc.) and the light emission mode (flag F) at that time. Then, the image is taken (S38). That is, when the automatic light emission mode (F = 1) for automatically controlling the light emission amount according to the exposure is selected, the light emission is performed while adjusting the light emission amount of the flash LED 119 according to the shooting situation (exposure, etc.). Take a picture. At this time, if the exposure is sufficient (if it is sufficiently bright), the flash LED 119 may not emit light. In addition, when the forced light emission mode (F = 2) for emitting light with a predetermined light emission amount is selected, the flash LED 119 is forced to emit light with a predetermined light emission amount. In addition, when the light emission prohibition mode (F = 3) in which the flash is not emitted is selected, shooting is performed without emitting the flash LED 119 regardless of whether the exposure is sufficient.

  Next, the photographed image is recorded in the buffer memory (RAM 135) and displayed on the display unit (main display unit 102 or sub display unit 116) (S40). When the lid 2 is open (K = 0), it is displayed on the main display unit 102, and when the lid 2 is closed (K = 1), it is displayed on the sub display unit 116. Next, it is determined whether to record a captured image (S42). Usually, a screen for allowing the user to select whether or not to record in the display unit (main display unit 102 or sub display unit 116) is displayed, and a selection from the user is awaited. When a captured image is recorded, the captured image data is encoded / converted / compressed (S44), and the image processed image data is recorded in the image memory (user memory 149) (S46). Then, it returns to step S10. Thereafter, the above-described processing is repeated.

  According to the above-described embodiment, since the flash LED 119 is provided with the automatic light emission mode in which the light emission amount is automatically controlled according to the exposure, the photographing is performed under more appropriate photographing conditions according to the photographing situation. can do. In addition, an automatic flash mode that automatically controls the flash output according to exposure, a forced flash mode that forcibly emits light at a predetermined flash level, and a flash prohibit mode that does not emit light can be easily and cyclically switched with a single key operation. Can do. In addition, when shooting with the lid open, function keys for switching the flash mode are assigned to keys that are exposed when the lid is open, such as the numeric keypad, and when shooting with the lid closed, the main unit By assigning the key to the key disposed on the side, the light emission mode of the flash LED 119 can be easily switched in either a state where the lid is opened or a state where the lid is closed.

1 is an external view (open state: front view, side view) of a camera-equipped mobile phone 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an external view (side view (a), closed state front view (b)) of the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera-equipped mobile phone 1. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a data structure of a system ROM 132. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a data structure of a RAM 133. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a data structure of a RAM 135. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a data structure of a program ROM 136. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a data structure of a user memory 149. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone 1. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone 1.

Explanation of symbols

1 Mobile phone (mobile terminal)
2 Cover 3 Body 101 Speaker 102 Main display 103 Antenna 104 Camera key 105 Mail key 106 Cross key 107 Enter key 108 Address key 109 Net connection key 110 Clear key 111 On-hook key 112 Off-hook key 113 Numeric key 113a key (flash mode switching) Instruction means, second operation button)
114 Microphone 116 Sub display 117 LED for notification
118 Imaging lens (imaging means)
119 LED for flash (light emitting means)
120 Notification speaker 123 Address data bus processing unit 127 key 128 key (light emission mode switching instruction means, first operation button)
130 wireless transmission / reception unit 131 communication control unit (determination unit, instruction control unit, light emission control unit)
1311 Communication data processing unit 1312 Audio interface 132 System ROM
134 Image Processing Control Unit 136 Program ROM
137 Display module system driver 138 Step motor 139 Imaging device 140 DSP (imaging means)
142 Sound source IC
143 Amplifier 144 Connector 146 External interface controller 149 User memory

Claims (4)

It has a lid and a body, and has a foldable shape,
Imaging means;
A light emitting means for emitting light to brighten the subject at the time of imaging by the imaging means;
A first operation button disposed at a position exposed when the terminal is folded and instructing a light emitting operation by the light emitting means;
A second operation button disposed at a position exposed when the folded state is released, and instructing a light emitting operation by the light emitting means;
A determination means for determining whether the terminal is in a folded state or a state in which the folded state is released;
When the determination means determines that the terminal is in a folded state, it detects that the first operation button has been operated, instructs the light emission by the light emission means, and releases the terminal from the folded state. A portable terminal comprising: an instruction control unit that detects that the second operation button has been operated when instructed to emit light, and instructs the light emission unit to emit light. A light emission mode switching instruction means for instructing a light emission mode switching by the light emission means;
A light emission mode switching unit that sequentially and cyclically switches the light emission mode by the light emission unit each time a switching instruction by the light emission mode switching instruction unit is operated;
The portable terminal according to claim 1, further comprising: a light emission control unit that controls light emission of the light emitting unit in a light emission mode switched by the light emission mode switching unit during photographing by the imaging unit. The light emitting means includes an automatic light emission mode for automatically controlling the light emission amount according to exposure, a forced light emission mode forcibly emitting light at a predetermined light emission amount, and a light emission inhibition mode for not emitting light. The mobile terminal according to claim 2. A flash control method in a portable terminal comprising a lid part and a main body part, having a foldable shape, having a photographing means for photographing a subject, and a light emitting means for compensating for insufficient exposure by the photographing means,
In the state in which the folded state is released, each time the first operation button disposed at the position exposed when the folded state is released is operated, the plurality of light emitting modes by the light emitting means are sequentially switched cyclically, Controlling light emission of the light emitting means in the switched light emission mode at the time of photographing by the imaging means;
In the folded state, each time a second operation button arranged at a position exposed in the folded state is operated, a plurality of light emitting modes by the light emitting means are sequentially switched cyclically, and the imaging means A flash control method comprising: controlling light emission of the light emitting means in a switched light emission mode at the time of photographing by the above.

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