JP2005283894A - Camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more accurately drive a focusing means for a photographic lens by an actuator used in common with a vibrator without causing vibration or impact. <P>SOLUTION: In a cellular phone with a camera, when the slide member 36 of a mode changeover switch is moved to an incoming waiting position to move a stepping mode 66 to a vibrator driving position, a motor gear 78 is meshed with a vibrator driving gear 62, so that torque can be transmitted to an eccentric weight 64. By driving the stepping motor 66, vibration is generated by the eccentric weight 64 rotated by the torque. When the slide member 36 is moved to a camera mode setting position to move the stepping motor 66 to a lens driving position, the motor gear 78 is meshed with a lens driving gear 54, so that the torque can be transmitted to a lens barrel 30. Therefore, by rotating the lens barrel 30 by the stepping motor 66, the photographic lens 28 held by the lens barrel 30 is moved to a focusing point position corresponding to a distance to a subject along in an optical axis direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera device having a vibration function for transmitting a change in state of the device to an operator by generating vibration.

  In recent years, digital still cameras (hereinafter simply referred to as “digital cameras”) have been integrated with portable information terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and such digital cameras and portable information. In the information terminal with a camera in which the terminal is integrated, for example, it is possible to transmit an image captured by the camera function to the portable information terminal of the other party using the communication function of the portable information terminal, Higher convenience can be obtained than when the digital camera and the portable information terminal are each used alone.

  Here, some portable information terminals are provided with a vibrator that transmits some state change of the apparatus such as an incoming call from the outside through a communication function to the operator by the occurrence of vibration. In such a portable information terminal, for example, a vibrator is constituted by an eccentric weight and a vibration motor coupled to a rotation shaft of the eccentric weight, and the vibration motor generates vibrations by rotating the eccentric weight. . The digital camera also supports an imaging lens that can be moved along the optical axis direction, and an AF (Auto focus) mechanism that automatically adjusts the imaging lens to the in-focus position corresponding to the distance to the subject. In such a digital camera, for example, the torque from the AF motor is converted into a driving force along the optical axis direction at the time of shooting, and the shooting lens is moved to the distance to the subject by this driving force. Move to the corresponding focal position.

By the way, the information terminal with a camera as described above is strongly required to be reduced in size and weight from the viewpoint of portability. However, when an information terminal with a camera having both a vibration function and an AF function is to be realized, In this case, the vibration motor and the AF motor must be arranged, which is a big problem of downsizing and weight reduction of the apparatus. In order to solve such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to drive the vibrator and the AF mechanism using one motor as a drive source. In Patent Document 1, the vibrator and the AF mechanism are used as a drive source. A composite device that drives each AF mechanism is described. The composite device described in Patent Document 1 is a device in which a mobile phone and a digital camera are integrated (a mobile phone with a camera), and includes a vibrator for notifying an operator of an incoming call or the like by vibration. It has a photographic lens with adjustable focus. In this composite device, the photographic lens is held by the lens frame, and the lens frame is slidably disposed on a lens holding member elastically supported along the optical axis direction through rubber having high frictional resistance. By causing the eccentric member of the vibrator rotated by the motor to collide with the collided portion formed at the end of the lens holding member, the lens frame disposed on the lens holding member for each collision is combined with the photographing lens. A certain amount of movement is made along the optical axis direction.
JP 2003-315656 A

  However, in the composite device described in Patent Document 1, an eccentric member of a vibrator that is rotated by a motor collides with a collision target portion of the lens holding member, and the impact force causes the lens frame on the lens holding member to move along with the photographing lens in the optical axis direction. Move. Therefore, in this composite device, when the photographic lens is moved in the optical axis direction, vibration is generated by the centrifugal force of the eccentric member, and impact (impact force and impact sound) due to the collision of the eccentric member with the lens holding member is generated. Occur. Such vibrations and shocks are very troublesome for an operator who is taking a picture with a composite device, and may cause camera shake depending on the timing of occurrence. In the composite device described in Patent Document 1, the amount of movement of the photographing lens when the eccentric member collides with the lens holding member is controlled by the frictional force of the rubber arranged on the lens holding member. If the surface is worn, the amount of movement of the photographing lens when the eccentric member collides with the lens holding member may fluctuate, which may reduce the accuracy when the focus is automatically adjusted.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a camera device that can accurately drive a focus adjustment unit of a photographing lens by an actuator common to a vibrator without generating vibration or impact in consideration of the above facts.

  In order to achieve the above object, a camera apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a camera apparatus including a vibrator for notifying a change in the state of the apparatus by vibration, the photographing lens for photographing a subject, and the photographing Focus adjustment means for supporting the lens movably along the optical axis direction and moving the photographing lens to a position corresponding to the distance to the subject, and driving force for driving the vibrator and the focus adjustment means And a first driving force transmitting means for transmitting a driving force generated by the actuator to the vibrator and generating a vibration by the vibrator, and the actuator. And the driving force generated by the actuator is transmitted to the focus adjusting means, and the photographing is performed by the focus adjusting means. A second driving force transmitting means for moving the lens along the optical axis direction, and drive switching for selectively connecting the actuator to one of the first driving force transmitting means and the second driving force transmitting means And means.

  In the camera device according to the first aspect, the drive switching means selectively connects the actuator to one of the first driving force transmission means and the second driving force transmission means. At this time, when the drive switching means connects the actuator to the first driving force transmission means, the driving force generated by this actuator is transmitted to the vibrator. Therefore, if the driving force is generated by the actuator, this driving force is transmitted. When the drive switching means connects the actuator to the second driving force transmission means, the driving force generated from this actuator is transmitted to the focus adjustment means, so that the actuator requires the required for the taking lens. If a driving force corresponding to the moving direction and amount of movement is generated, a position (focusing position) corresponding to the distance from the photographing lens along the optical axis direction to the subject by the focus adjusting means to which the driving force is transmitted. Can move to.

  When the photographing lens is moved by the focus adjusting unit, the actuator is disconnected from the first driving force transmitting unit, and no driving force is transmitted from the actuator to the vibrator. Therefore, no vibration is generated from the vibrator, and the actuator is not connected to the second driving force transmitting unit. Since the driving force is transmitted to the focus adjusting means by the second driving force transmitting means while being kept connected to the driving force transmitting means, the photographing is performed by the focus adjusting means without generating an impact force or an impact sound. The lens can be accurately moved along the optical axis direction by the amount of movement corresponding to the driving force.

  Therefore, according to the camera device of the first aspect, the focus adjustment unit of the photographing lens is driven by the actuator common to the vibrator without causing vibration or shock, and the photographing lens is accurately taken along the optical axis direction. It is possible to move to a position corresponding to the distance up to, so that the size of the device can be reduced, and the focus can be automatically adjusted without causing discomfort to the operator due to vibration or shock during shooting. Become.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera apparatus having a vibration function for notifying a change in the state of the apparatus by vibrations, a photographing lens for photographing a subject, and the photographing lens as a lens holding member. A focus adjusting means for supporting the lens holding member and the photographic lens so as to be movable along the optical axis direction and adjusting the position of the photographic lens to the in-focus position corresponding to the distance to the subject. And an actuator that generates a driving force for driving the focus adjusting unit, and the focus adjusting unit moves the lens holding member and the photographing lens along the optical axis direction when notifying a change in the state of the apparatus by vibration. Vibration control means for controlling the driving force from the actuator so as to vibrate.

  In the camera device according to the second aspect, when the state change of the device is notified by vibration, the vibration control means applies the driving force from the actuator so that the photographing lens and the lens holding member vibrate along the optical axis direction. By controlling, the case of the apparatus is vibrated by the vibration energy transmitted from the lens holding member and the photographing lens that vibrates along the optical axis direction, and the vibration can notify the operator of the state change of the apparatus. .

  Therefore, according to the camera device of the second aspect, when adjusting the focus of the photographic lens, the focus adjustment unit is driven by the driving force from the actuator, and the focus adjustment unit moves the photographic lens to the subject along the optical axis direction. Since the position can be accurately moved to a position corresponding to the distance, it is possible to automatically adjust the focus without causing discomfort to the operator due to vibration or shock during shooting.

  According to the camera device of the second aspect, when notifying the change in the state of the device by vibration, the focus adjusting means weights the lens holding member and the photographing lens by the driving force from the actuator controlled by the vibration control means. Since this vibration can be transmitted to the operator via the case of the apparatus, etc., a dedicated weight for configuring the vibrator can be omitted, and a dedicated actuator for driving this weight can also be omitted. The apparatus can be miniaturized while realizing the vibration function.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the camera device according to the second aspect, the vibration control means is configured such that the lens holding member and the photographing lens are substantially equal to a resonance frequency in the vicinity of the photographing lens in the apparatus body. The driving force from the actuator is controlled so as to vibrate at a frequency.

  As described above, according to the camera device of the present invention, the focus adjustment unit of the photographic lens can be accurately driven by the actuator common to the vibrator without generating vibration or impact.

  A camera-equipped mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a camera-equipped mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is configured as a straight type having a case 12 formed in a plate shape. As shown in FIG. 1 (A), the case 12 is provided with an operation panel 14 on the surface, and the operation panel 14 has a plurality of dial buttons 16 for setting dial numbers in a matrix. A call / incoming call button 18 for making / receiving calls, a power button 20 for turning on / off the power, a menu display button 22, a cursor button 24, etc. are provided. Yes. A display unit 26 for displaying a menu screen or the like is disposed on the upper surface of the operation panel unit 14 on the surface of the case 12. The display unit 26 also functions as a finder when the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is used as a digital camera.

  On the other hand, on the back side of the case 12, as shown in FIG. 1B, a lens barrel 30 holding a photographing lens 28 is disposed on the inner peripheral side. Further, a mode changeover switch 32 and a release button 34 are disposed on the side end of the case 12 on the side of the lens barrel 30. Here, the mode changeover switch 32 includes a slide member 36 (see FIG. 5) that is slidable between an incoming call waiting position indicated by a solid line and a camera mode setting position indicated by a two-dot chain line along the longitudinal direction of the case 12. 3), and the slide member 36 is exposed to the outside of the case 12 through a slide hole 38 formed in a side end portion of the case 12 as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the operator of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 can slide from one of the incoming call waiting position and the camera mode setting position to the other by applying an operating force to the slide member 36. Further, when the slide member 36 slides from the incoming call waiting position to the camera mode setting position or from the camera mode setting position to the incoming call waiting position, a contact signal corresponding to the position of the slide member 36 will be described later. A signal output unit (not shown) for outputting to the CPU 40 is provided.

  The release button 34 can be projected and retracted between a standby position where the tip end surface slightly protrudes from the side end face of the case 12 and a fully pressed position where the tip end face is substantially flush with the side end face of the case 12. At the same time, a certain click feeling is obtained at a half-pressed position intermediate between the standby position and the fully-pressed position. The release button 34 is also provided with a signal output unit (not shown) that outputs a contact signal corresponding to the position to the CPU 40 to be described later when the operator moves to either the half-pressed position or the fully-pressed position.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the present embodiment. The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 includes a CPU 40 for controlling the entire apparatus, and the CPU 40 performs processing necessary for communication and processing necessary for photographing. In addition, the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 forms an image on an area CCD sensor (not shown) by a transmission / reception circuit 44 for performing wireless communication with a base station via an antenna 42 and a photographing lens 28, and An image pickup unit 46 for converting the image signal into an image signal by the CCD sensor, a vibrator 48 for notifying the operator of a change in the apparatus state such as an incoming call, and the image signal sent from the CPU 40 or the image pickup unit 46 are displayed on the display unit 26. And an image processing unit 50 that causes the display unit 26 to display an image corresponding to the image signal.

  3 and 4 show the configuration of the lens driving mechanism and the vibrator in the imaging unit shown in FIG. The lens driving mechanism 52 is provided with a lens driving gear 54 fixed to the outer peripheral side of the lens barrel 30 and a cylindrical holder member 56 into which the lens barrel 30 is screwed. The lens driving gear 54 is disposed at one end in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel 30, and the other end side of the lens barrel 30 is a screw-in portion 58 in which a male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface. ing. Further, on the inner peripheral side of the holder member 56, a screw hole 60 is provided in which the screwed portion 58 of the lens barrel 30 can be screwed. As a result, when the lens barrel 30 is rotated about its axis, the lens barrel 30 moves linearly along the optical axis direction. At this time, when the lens barrel 30 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow R1 in FIG. 3), the lens barrel 30 is moved in the forward direction (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3) by a distance proportional to the amount of rotation along the axial direction. When it rotates in the direction (arrow R2 direction in FIG. 3), it moves in the backward direction (arrow B direction in FIG. 3) by a distance proportional to the amount of rotation along the axial direction.

  The vibrator 48 is disposed in the case 12 adjacent to the lens driving mechanism 52. The vibrator 48 is provided with a vibrator drive gear 62 and an eccentric weight 64 that is coaxially connected to the vibrator drive gear 62 via a connecting shaft 63. The eccentric weight 64 has an asymmetric shape with respect to the axis of the vibrator drive gear 62, and the weight distribution along the circumferential direction centering on the axis of the vibrator drive gear 62 is biased. Thus, when the eccentric weight 64 is rotated together with the vibrator drive gear 62, the direction of the centrifugal force of the eccentric weight 64 changes at a period corresponding to the rotation speed, and the case 12 vibrates due to this centrifugal force.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 includes one stepping motor 66 as an actuator for driving the lens driving mechanism 52 and the vibrator 48, and a motor driver 68 that drives the stepping motor 66 according to a control signal from the CPU 40 (FIG. 2). Reference) is provided. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a motor gear 78 is coaxially connected and fixed to the rotation shaft 67 of the stepping motor 66, and this motor gear 78 is selected as one of the lens driving gear 54 and the vibrator driving gear 62. Can be engaged with each other. The stepping motor 66 is supported by the linear guide mechanism 70 so as to be movable between the lens driving position shown in FIG. 3 and the vibrator driving position shown in FIG.

  Here, when the stepping motor 66 moves to the lens driving position, the motor gear 78 meshes with the lens driving gear 54, and the torque generated by the stepping motor 66 can be transmitted to the lens barrel 30 via the motor gear 78 and the lens driving gear 54. When the stepping motor 66 moves to the vibrator driving position, the motor gear 78 meshes with the vibrator driving gear 62, and the torque generated by the stepping motor 66 can be transmitted to the eccentric weight 64 via the motor gear 78 and the vibrator driving gear 62. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the linear guide mechanism 70 is provided with a guide rail 72 whose longitudinal direction is the moving direction of the stepping motor 66, and a carriage 74 is disposed on the guide rail 72. Here, the carriage 74 is supported by the guide rail 72 so as to be slidable between the gear drive position and the vibrator drive position. The linear guide mechanism 70 is provided with a latch portion (not shown) that latches the carriage 74 moved to the gear drive position and the vibrator drive position with a predetermined latching force.

  The slide member 36 of the mode changeover switch 32 is connected to the carriage 74 via a bracket 76, and the bracket 76 is received from an operator who moves the slide member 36 from one of the incoming call waiting position and the camera mode setting position to the other. Is transmitted to the carriage 74. As a result, when the operator moves the slide member 36 from the incoming call waiting position to the camera mode setting position, the carriage 74 slides from the gear drive position to the lens drive position in conjunction with this, and the operator moves the slide member 36. When moved from the camera mode setting position to the incoming call waiting position, the carriage 74 slides from the lens driving position to the vibrator driving position in conjunction with this movement.

  Next, the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, after the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is turned on, in step 200, the CPU 40 determines the position of the slide member 36 of the mode switch 32. At this time, if the slide member 36 is at the camera mode setting position, the CPU 40 starts the camera mode (step 202), and the image signal output from the image pickup unit 46 is output to the display unit 26 by the image processing unit 50. (Step 204), an image (through image) corresponding to the image signal from the imaging unit 46 is displayed on the display unit 26 (step 206). When the slide member 36 is at the camera mode setting position, the stepping motor 66 moves to the lens driving position and meshes the motor gear 78 with the lens driving gear 54 as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step 208, the CPU 40 continues to determine whether there is an incoming call from the base station at regular intervals, and when there is no incoming call, the release button 34 is pressed from the standby position to the half-pressed position (step 210). Then, focus adjustment for the taking lens 28 is executed (step 212). At this time, for example, the CPU 40 determines a position (focusing position) along the optical axis direction corresponding to the distance to the subject imaged by the imaging lens 28 by a known TTLAF method, and the current position of the imaging lens 28. A deviation between the position and the in-focus position is calculated, and a control signal corresponding to this deviation is output to the motor driver 68. Upon receiving this control signal, the motor driver 68 rotates the stepping motor 66 by a rotation amount corresponding to the rotation direction corresponding to the control signal. Accordingly, the lens barrel 30 also rotates in the rotation direction corresponding to the rotation direction corresponding to the control signal, and moves forward or backward along the optical axis direction together with the photographing lens 28. After the focus adjustment is completed, in step 214, when the operator depresses the release button 34 from the half-pressed position to the fully-pressed position, the CPU 40 captures the image signal output from the area CCD sensor in synchronism therewith, and The signal is stored in an internal storage or an external storage medium such as an SD card (steps 216 to 218).

  After the photographing is completed, the CPU 40 monitors whether or not the mode changeover switch 32 has moved to the incoming call waiting position at a certain period (step 220), and if the mode changeover switch 32 remains held at the camera mode setting position. Returning to step 204, and if the mode changeover switch 32 has moved from the camera mode setting position to the incoming call waiting position, the camera mode is terminated (step 222), and the incoming call from the base station is awaited.

  In step 208, when the CPU 40 determines an incoming call from the base station, the CPU 40 outputs an image signal corresponding to a predetermined warning image for notifying the image processing unit 50 of the incoming call. Thereby, the image processing unit 50 causes the display unit 26 to display a warning image for temporarily stopping the display of the through image and notifying the incoming call (step 224). Thereafter, when the operator presses the call / incoming call button 18, the CPU 40 controls the transmission / reception circuit 44 so that a call with a mobile phone or the like of the call destination is started through the base station, and the display unit 26 The display of the warning image is terminated (steps 226 to 228). When this call ends (step 230), the CPU 40 shifts the control routine to step 220, and monitors whether or not the mode changeover switch 32 has moved to the incoming call waiting position at regular intervals.

  If the CPU 40 determines in step 200 that the slide member 36 of the mode changeover switch 32 has moved to the incoming call waiting position, the CPU 40 monitors whether there is an incoming call from the base station at a fixed period (step 232). At this time, since the slide member 36 is in the incoming call waiting position, the stepping motor 66 moves to the vibrator drive position and meshes the motor gear 78 with the vibrator drive gear 62 as shown in FIG.

  In step 232, the CPU 40 monitors whether there is an incoming call from the base station at regular intervals (incoming call waiting mode). If there is no incoming call, the CPU 40 returns the control routine to step 200, and if there is an incoming call. Outputs a control signal corresponding to a predetermined rotational speed to the motor driver 68. Upon receiving this control signal, the motor driver 68 rotates the stepping motor 66 at a rotational speed corresponding to the control signal, and generates an oscillation with a frequency corresponding to the rotational speed of the stepping motor 66 by the eccentric weight 64 (step 234). At this time, the CPU 40 controls the stepping motor 66 so that the eccentric weight 64 generates vibration at a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the portion near the eccentric weight 64 in the case 12. As a result, the vibration transmitted from the eccentric weight 64 to the case 12 is amplified by a resonance phenomenon with the case 12, and the operator can be notified of the incoming call with sufficient vibration. Thereafter, when the operator depresses the call / incoming call button 18, the CPU 40 controls the transmission / reception circuit 44 so that a call with a destination mobile phone or the like is started through the base station, and the stepping motor 66 is turned on. The rotation is stopped (steps 236 to 238). When this call ends (step 240), the CPU 40 returns the control routine to step 200.

  In the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 according to the present embodiment described above, the slide member 36 of the mode switch 32 is moved to the incoming call waiting position, and the stepping motor 66 connected to the slide member 36 is moved to the vibrator drive position. Since the motor gear 78 meshes with the vibrator drive gear 62 and torque can be transmitted to the eccentric weight 64, when the CPU 40 determines the incoming call, the stepping motor 66 is driven to generate torque by the stepping motor 66. Vibration can be generated by the eccentric weight 64 rotated by this torque.

  In the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, when the slide member 36 of the mode changeover switch 32 is moved to the camera mode setting position and the stepping motor 66 connected to the slide member 36 is moved to the lens driving position, the motor gear 78 drives the lens. Since the torque can be transmitted to the lens barrel 30 by meshing with the gear 54, the CPU 40 outputs a control signal corresponding to the distance to the subject to the motor driver 68, and the stepping motor 66 responds to the lens barrel 30 with the control signal. The photographing lens 28 held by the lens barrel 30 can be moved along the optical axis direction to a position (focusing position) corresponding to the distance to the subject by rotating the lens by a rotation amount corresponding to the rotation direction.

  When the photographic lens 28 is moved along with the rotation of the lens barrel 30, the stepping motor 66 is disconnected from the vibrator drive gear 62, and no torque is transmitted from the stepping motor 66 to the vibrator 48. Therefore, no vibration is generated from the vibrator 48. In addition, since the torque is transmitted to the lens barrel 30 by the lens driving gear 54 while the stepping motor 66 is maintained in the state of being connected to the lens driving gear 54, the lens mirror can be generated without generating impact force or impact sound. The photographing lens 28 can be accurately moved in the direction corresponding to the rotation direction of the stepping motor 66 along the optical axis direction by the movement amount corresponding to the rotation amount by the barrel 30 and the holder member 56.

  Therefore, according to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 according to the present embodiment, the lens barrel 30 holding the photographing lens 28 is rotated by the stepping motor 66 common to the vibrator 48 without generating vibration or impact, and the photographing lens. 28 can be accurately moved to a position corresponding to the distance to the subject along the optical axis direction, so that the apparatus can be miniaturized and uncomfortable to the operator due to vibration and shock during shooting. It is possible to adjust the focus automatically.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a camera-equipped mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, in the camera-equipped mobile phone 80 according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same configuration and operation as those of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 according to the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the camera-equipped mobile phone 80 according to the present embodiment is configured in common with the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camera-equipped mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The camera-equipped mobile phone 80 includes a CPU 82 for controlling the entire apparatus, and the CPU 82 performs processing necessary for communication and processing necessary for photographing.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a lens driving mechanism in the imaging unit shown in FIG. Similarly to the lens driving mechanism 52 according to the first embodiment, the lens driving mechanism 84 includes a lens driving gear 54 fixed to the outer peripheral side of the lens barrel 30 and a cylindrical holder into which the lens barrel 30 is screwed. A member 56 is provided. Here, the lens drive gear 54 is always meshed with a motor gear 78 connected and fixed to the rotating shaft 67 of the stepping motor 66. Further, the stepping motor 66 is attached in a state of being fixed to the case 12.

  Next, the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone 80 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, after the camera-equipped mobile phone 80 is turned on, the CPU 82 determines the position of the slide member 36 of the mode switch 32 in step 300. At this time, if the slide member 36 is at the camera mode setting position, the CPU 82 starts the camera mode (step 302), and the image signal output from the imaging unit 46 is output to the display unit 26 by the image processing unit 50. (Step 304), thereby causing the display unit 26 to display an image (through image) corresponding to the image signal from the imaging unit 46 (step 306).

  Thereafter, in step 308, the CPU 82 continues to determine whether there is an incoming call from the base station at regular intervals, and when the release button 34 is pressed from the standby position to the half-pressed position in a state where there is no incoming call (step 310). Then, focus adjustment for the taking lens 28 is executed (step 312). At this time, for example, the CPU 82 determines a position (focusing position) along the optical axis direction corresponding to the distance to the subject photographed by the photographing lens 28 by a known TTLAF method, and the current position of the photographing lens 28. A deviation between the position and the in-focus position is calculated, and a control signal corresponding to this deviation is output to the motor driver 68. Upon receiving this control signal, the motor driver 68 rotates the stepping motor 66 by a rotation amount corresponding to the rotation direction corresponding to the control signal. Accordingly, the lens barrel 30 also rotates in the rotation direction corresponding to the rotation direction corresponding to the control signal, and moves forward or backward along the optical axis direction together with the photographing lens 28. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9A, the photographic lens 28 continues to move in one direction (forward or backward direction) at a substantially constant speed over a certain period of time, and then decelerates with a relatively small acceleration. The movement pattern approximating a sine waveform that reverses the movement direction is repeated as many times as necessary, and stops when reaching a predetermined in-focus position (convergence).

  After the focus adjustment is completed, when the operator depresses the release button 34 from the half-pressed position to the fully-pressed position in step 312, the CPU 82 captures the image signal output from the area CCD sensor in synchronization therewith, and the image signal Is stored in an internal storage or an external storage medium such as an SD card (steps 314 to 316).

  After the photographing is completed, the CPU 82 monitors whether or not the mode changeover switch 32 has moved to the incoming call waiting position at a certain period (step 320), and if the mode changeover switch 32 remains held at the camera mode setting position. Returning to step 304, and if the mode changeover switch 32 has moved from the camera mode setting position to the incoming call waiting position, the camera mode is terminated and the incoming call from the base station is awaited (step 322).

  In step 308, when the CPU 82 determines an incoming call from the base station, the CPU 82 outputs a control signal corresponding to a predetermined vibration pattern to the motor driver 68. At this time, the motor driver 68 that receives the control signal from the CPU 82 rotates the stepping motor 66 so that the photographing lens 28 reciprocates (vibrates) with a relatively small amplitude, as shown in FIG. 9B. Control. As a result, the taking lens 28 and the lens barrel 30 function as weights, and vibration is generated by the inertial force (step 324). Further, the CPU 82 controls the stepping motor 66 so that the photographing lens 28 and the lens barrel 30 vibrate at a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the portion near the photographing lens 28 in the case 12. Thereby, the vibration transmitted from the photographing lens 28 and the lens barrel 30 to the case 12 is amplified by a resonance phenomenon with the case 12, and an incoming call can be notified to the operator with a sufficiently strong vibration.

  Thereafter, when the operator depresses the call / incoming call button 18, the CPU 82 controls the transmission / reception circuit 44 so that a call with a destination mobile phone or the like is started through the base station, and the stepping motor 66 is turned on. The rotation is stopped (steps 326 to 328). When this call ends (step 330), the CPU 82 shifts the control routine to step 320, and monitors whether or not the mode changeover switch 32 has moved to the incoming call waiting position at regular intervals.

  If the CPU 82 determines in step 300 that the slide member 36 of the mode changeover switch 32 has moved to the incoming call waiting position, it monitors whether or not there is an incoming call from the base station (step 332). In step 322, the CPU 82 monitors whether there is an incoming call from the base station at regular intervals (incoming call waiting mode). If there is no incoming call, the control routine is returned to step 300, and if there is an incoming call. Outputs a control signal corresponding to a predetermined vibration pattern to the motor driver 68. At this time, the motor driver 68 that has received the control signal from the CPU 82 controls the rotation of the stepping motor 66 so that the photographing lens 28 reciprocates (vibrates) with a relatively small amplitude, as in step 324. As a result, the taking lens 28 and the lens barrel 30 function as weights, and vibration is generated by the inertial force (step 334). Also in this case, the CPU 82 controls the stepping motor 66 so that the photographing lens 28 and the lens barrel 30 vibrate at a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the portion in the vicinity of the photographing lens 28 in the case 12.

  Thereafter, when the operator depresses the call / incoming call button 18, the CPU 82 controls the transmission / reception circuit 44 so that a call with a destination mobile phone or the like is started through the base station, and the stepping motor 66 is turned on. The rotation is stopped (steps 336 to 338). When the call ends (step 340), the CPU 82 returns the control routine to step 300.

  In the camera-equipped mobile phone 80 according to the present embodiment described above, when the incoming call is notified to the operator by vibration, the CPU 82 performs stepping so that the photographing lens 28 and the lens barrel 30 vibrate along the optical axis direction. By controlling the rotation of the motor 66, the case 12 is vibrated by the vibration energy transmitted from the lens barrel 30 and the photographing lens 28 that vibrate along the optical axis direction, and an incoming call is notified to the operator by this vibration. Can do.

  Therefore, according to the camera-equipped mobile phone 80, when the focus of the photographic lens 28 is adjusted, the lens barrel 30 is rotated by the torque from the stepping motor 66, and the photographic lens 28 is moved along the optical axis direction by the lens barrel 30. Since it can be accurately moved to the in-focus position corresponding to the distance to the subject, it is possible to automatically adjust the focus without causing discomfort to the operator due to vibration or impact during shooting.

  Further, according to the camera-equipped mobile phone 80, when the incoming call is notified to the operator by vibration, the lens barrel 30 and the photographing lens 28 are vibrated by the stepping motor 66 controlled by the CPU 82, and this vibration is applied to the case. 12 can be transmitted to the operator via the motor 12, so that a dedicated weight for configuring the vibrator can be omitted, and a dedicated actuator for driving the weight can also be omitted. Is possible.

  In addition to the camera-equipped mobile phones 10 and 80, the configuration according to the present invention is not limited to a digital camera having a vibration function for notifying a change in the state of the apparatus by vibration, a silver salt camera such as APS, 35 mm, and video shooting. The present invention can also be applied to possible digital video cameras, PDAs equipped with digital cameras, and the like.

It is a top view which shows the structure of the exterior part of the mobile phone with a camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile phone with a camera which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the lens drive mechanism and vibrator in the imaging part shown by FIG. 2, and has shown the state which has a stepping motor in a lens drive position. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the lens drive mechanism and vibrator in the imaging part shown by FIG. 2, and has shown the state which has a stepping motor in a vibrator drive position. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the mobile phone with a camera which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile phone with a camera which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the lens drive mechanism in the imaging part shown by FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the mobile phone with a camera which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the movement pattern of the photographic lens in the mobile phone with a camera concerning the 2nd embodiment of the present invention, (A) shows the movement pattern of the photographic lens at the time of focus adjustment, and (B) is the time at the time of vibration occurrence. The movement pattern of the taking lens is shown.

Explanation of symbols

10 Mobile phone with camera (camera device)
12 Case 26 Display unit 28 Shooting lens 30 Lens barrel (lens holding member, focus adjusting means)
32 Mode selector switch (drive selector)
36 Slide member 46 Imaging unit 48 Vibrator 52 Lens drive mechanism (focus adjustment means)
54 Lens driving gear (second driving force transmitting means)
56 Holder member (focus adjustment means)
62 Vibrator driving gear (first driving force transmitting means)
64 Eccentric weight (vibrator)
66 Stepping motor (actuator)
68 Motor driver 70 Linear guide mechanism (drive switching means)
78 motor gear (first driving force transmission means, second driving force transmission means)
80 Mobile phone with camera (camera device)
84 Lens drive mechanism (focus adjustment means)

Claims (3)

A camera device provided with a vibrator for notifying a change in the state of the device by vibration,
A photographic lens for photographing the subject;
Focus adjusting means for supporting the photographing lens movably along the optical axis direction and moving the photographing lens to a position corresponding to the distance to the subject;
An actuator for generating a driving force for driving the vibrator and the focus adjusting means;
A first driving force transmitting means for transmitting a driving force generated by the actuator to the vibrator and generating a vibration by the vibrator when coupled to the actuator;
When connected to the actuator, the driving force generated by the actuator is transmitted to the focus adjusting unit, and the driving force transmitting unit moves the photographing lens along the optical axis direction by the focus adjusting unit. ,
Drive switching means for selectively connecting the actuator to one of the first driving force transmission means and the second driving force transmission means;
A camera device comprising: A camera device having a vibration function for notifying the state change of the device by vibration,
A photographic lens for photographing the subject;
While holding the photographic lens by a lens holding member, the lens holding member and the photographic lens are supported so as to be movable along the optical axis direction, and the photographic lens is adapted to the distance to the subject along the optical axis direction. A focus adjusting means for moving to a position to be moved;
An actuator for generating a driving force for driving the focus adjusting means;
A vibration control means for controlling a driving force from the actuator so that the focus adjusting means vibrates the lens holding member and the photographing lens along the optical axis direction when notifying a change in state of the apparatus by vibration; ,
A camera device comprising:   The vibration control means controls a driving force from the actuator so that the lens holding member and the photographing lens vibrate at a frequency substantially equal to a resonance frequency in the vicinity of the photographing lens in the apparatus main body. Item 3. The camera device according to Item 2.

Images