JP2006262534A - Portable information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information processing apparatus to which an electronic camera can be attached, and for example, an attachment structure for a portable personal computer, which retains portability and operability of the apparatus, is easy to install, and needs little installation space. <P>SOLUTION: The portable information processing apparatus, having a display part and a control unit includes an upper panel on which the display part is provided, a lower panel in which the control unit is provided, an electronic camera provided at substantially the upper center part of the upper panel; a first and a second support members for respectively supporting the sides of the electronic camera; and an attachment recess portion, forming an attachment slot to keep the electronic camera, for supporting so as to enable the electronic camera to turn in a predetermined range between the front and the back of the upper panel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a portable personal computer), and more particularly to an attachment structure for attaching a CCD camera to a personal computer.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a CCD camera that can be connected to a desktop personal computer via a cable is known as an information processing apparatus, for example, an imaging apparatus that captures an image into a personal computer.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the desktop personal computer 1 includes a main body 2, a display 3 for displaying graphics and characters on the screen, and a keyboard 4 connected to the main body 2 and performing input operations. Has been.

  An extension slot for connecting to an external device (not shown) is prepared inside the main body 2, and a board provided with an interface circuit for inputting / outputting signals to / from the CCD camera 5 is inserted into the extension slot. As a result, imaging control and input of captured image data are performed.

  On the other hand, the CCD camera 5 has a desktop structure as shown in FIG. 14, and can capture an image in the direction in which the lens tube 6 is directed. When the CCD camera 5 is disposed on the display 3, the upper body of the user of the personal computer 1 can be imaged. By using such a CCD camera 5, an image of a user of another personal computer connected via a computer network can be viewed. Although omitted in FIG. 14, a microphone can be connected to the personal computer 1, and voice can be transmitted via the computer network, so that a conversation can be performed while sitting in front of the personal computer.

  In addition, due to recent improvements in CPU performance, portable personal computers can handle image data, and it is desired that portable personal computers can also capture image data.

  However, in the conventional imaging device connectable to a personal computer, as shown in FIG. 14, the imaging range is limited to the direction in which the lens tube 6 is directed. It was inconvenient because it was subject to restrictions on where to install.

  For example, when it is desired to capture an image outdoors using a portable personal computer, the cable and the CCD camera 5 must be carried in addition to the portable personal computer itself, and portability is poor.

  Therefore, the present invention has a problem in a portable information processing apparatus that is excellent in portability and operability and can secure an imaging range without taking up an installation space for the imaging apparatus.

JP-A-6-70314 (page 4, FIG. 15)

In order to solve the above problems, a portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured as follows.
(1) The portable information processing device is a portable information processing device including a display unit and an operation unit, and includes an upper panel provided with the display unit, and a lower panel provided with the operation unit. An electronic camera provided at a substantially central portion above the upper panel; a first support member and a second support member that respectively support side surfaces of the electronic camera; and a front surface and a rear surface of the upper panel. The mounting recess is configured to hold the electronic camera so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range, and the mounting recess forms a mounting groove for accommodating the electronic camera.
(2) The portable information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein the first support member and the second support member are provided along a direction parallel to the upper side of the display unit.
(3) The portable information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein the electronic camera includes at least a lens, an image sensor, and a cable that outputs image data obtained from the image sensor.
(4) The electronic camera further includes a connector connected to a connector provided in the mounting recess at one end of the cable so that the electronic camera can be detachably attached (3 ) Portable information processing apparatus.
(5) The mounting recess has the electronic camera in a position where the front surface of the electronic camera and the front surface of the upper panel are substantially flush with each other when the optical axis of the electronic camera is perpendicular to the front surface of the upper panel. The portable information processing device according to (1), wherein the portable information processing device is held.
(6) The portable information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein the upper panel is rotatably attached to the lower panel, and the upper panel and the lower panel are openable and closable. .

  In the portable information processing apparatus having such a configuration, an electronic camera can be attached at a position that does not interfere with the carrying of the apparatus itself.

  As described above, the portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention has a structure embedded in the housing so that the imaging range of the CCD camera can be freely changed, so that it takes no installation effort and takes a place for installation. In addition, there is an effect that the imaging range in the operator direction can be easily changed, and portability and operability can be improved.

  Next, embodiments of a portable information processing apparatus including an imaging apparatus according to the present invention, that is, a portable personal computer and a PDA (personal digital assist) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the portable personal computer 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the portable personal computer 10 includes a main body portion 11 formed of a casing formed in a square thin shape, and a casing that is substantially the same size as the main body portion 11. The display panel unit 14 displays graphics, characters, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the display panel unit 14 is pivoted upward to open when in use, and the display panel unit 14 can be pivoted downward to close when not in use.

  The main body 11 is a lower panel, and is provided with operation units such as a keyboard 12 and a track pad 13 operated by a user. The keyboard 12 and the track pad 13 are operated to input / output data. Although not shown, a circuit board on which a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like are mounted is incorporated in the main body 11.

  The display panel unit 14 is an upper panel, and is provided with a liquid crystal display 15 that is a display unit capable of displaying graphics, characters, etc. on the screen. A mounting groove 16 that is movably mounted is formed.

  The mounting groove 16 is a mounting recess, and has a structure in which a part of the upper center position of the display panel unit 14 is cut out in a substantially U shape. The CCD camera 18 is supported by a support member 17 provided in the mounting groove 16.

  The support member 17 is a curved surface support portion, and has a cup-shaped support curved surface 17b having the same curved surface as the curved surface of the rotating sphere 25 of the CCD camera 18, as shown in FIG. The support member 17 has at least two support curved surfaces 17b of the rotating sphere 25, and is rotatably supported so as to be sandwiched between the support curved surfaces 17b. Therefore, the support curved surface 17b can rotatably support the rotating sphere 25. In addition, the number of the support curved surfaces 17b is not limited to this.

  The CCD camera 18 is an electronic camera, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a camera body 19 formed in a substantially spherical shape, and a lens 20 formed in a cylindrical shape protruding from the camera body 19. And a rotating shaft 24 connected to a part of the camera body 19 and a rotating sphere 25 composed of a sphere connected to the other end of the rotating shaft 24. The camera body 19 is provided with a cable 22 that is connected to a circuit board (not shown) inside the portable personal computer 10. The cable 22 may be connected to a circuit board inside the personal computer 10 via the inside of the turning shaft 24 and the turning ball 25.

  The camera body 19 is provided with a CCD 21, a circuit board (not shown) and the like inside a substantially spherical shape. By rotating the camera body 19, the CCD 21 can perform imaging within a predetermined range via the lens unit 20. The captured image data is taken into the personal computer 10 via the cable 22 and processed to execute various applications.

  The lens unit 20 is formed integrally with the camera body 19 in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the lens unit 20 is provided with a lens 23, and a captured image is formed on a CCD 21 (see FIG. 2) that is an image sensor via the lens 23.

  The rotating shaft 24 is provided with a camera body 19 connected to one end and fixed, and a rotating ball 25 connected to the other end. The rotating sphere 25 is formed in a spherical casing smaller than the camera body 19. The rotating sphere 25 has a structure that is rotatably supported by a support member 17 (see FIG. 2) provided in a part of the housing of the personal computer 10.

  With the structure in which the rotation shaft 24 having a predetermined length is provided as described above, when a force is applied to the camera body 19 and the direction is changed, the rotation force is transmitted from the rotation shaft 24 to the rotation ball 25. . That is, the camera body 19 can change the direction around the rotating sphere 25, and the imaging range can be changed as appropriate. When no rotational force is applied, the rotating sphere 25 does not rotate within the support member 17, and the imaging direction of the camera body 19 is fixedly supported and maintained.

  Thus, even if the turning sphere 25 is smaller than the camera body 19, the support curved surface 17b of the support member 17 is made the same as the curved surface of the turning sphere 25, and the contact area is widened to increase the friction coefficient. Thus, the camera body 19 can be fixed stably and reliably.

  Accordingly, the rotating ball 25 can be rotated in the support member 17 only when a force for changing the direction is applied to the camera body 19, and when the force for changing the direction of the camera body 19 is not applied, The direction of the camera main body 19 is maintained without the rotating sphere 25 being rotated by the weight of the main body 19. In this way, the camera body 19 can be freely changed within a predetermined angle and set in a desired direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cable 22 is pulled out from the camera body 19 and connected to the circuit board inside the personal computer 10 shown in FIG. The image formed by the CCD 21 can be taken into the personal computer 10 via the cable 22.

  Next, a method of using the portable personal computer 10 of the first embodiment having such a configuration will be described.

  First, the display panel unit 14 is opened upward so that an image display can be seen. When the image is captured into the personal computer 10, the operator sets the imaging range by determining the imaging direction of the camera body 19 of the CCD camera 18. Since the imaging direction of the camera main body 19 can be changed vertically and horizontally, it is possible to capture not only the front side, that is, the operator of the personal computer 10 but also surrounding images.

  Then, by operating the keyboard 12 and the track pad 13, a desired image is picked up by the CCD 21 and taken into the personal computer 10 as image data. If necessary, the image data can be stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk built in the personal computer 10, or the image can be printed by a printer (not shown).

  Further, if the personal computer 10 is connected to a communication line, an image can be sent to a personal computer or the like as a communication partner. On the receiving side, the image can be displayed on the display monitor in real time based on the transmitted image data, so that it can be utilized in a video conference system or the like.

  As described above, the CCD camera 18 is integrated into the display panel unit 14 so that the CCD camera 18 is integrally formed. Therefore, it is not necessary to search the personal computer 10 or the vicinity thereof for the installation location of the CCD camera 18. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the external wiring for connecting the personal computer 10. Therefore, the portability and versatility can be improved, and the structure does not require time and effort for installation.

  Next, a portable personal computer 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the portable personal computer 10A is similar to the portable personal computer 10 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment, and a main body 11A as a lower panel and a display as an upper panel for screen display. It is comprised from the panel part 14A. A substantially rectangular mounting groove 16A capable of accommodating the CCD camera 18A is provided at the upper center position of the casing forming the display panel portion 14A.

  The main body 11A has a structure in which a keyboard 12A for performing an input operation and a track pad 13A are provided, and desired data can be input and output by operating the keyboard 12A and the track pad 13A.

  The display panel portion 14A is provided with a liquid crystal display 15A capable of displaying graphics, characters, etc., and a mounting groove 16A, which is a mounting recess, is formed at the upper center position of the liquid crystal display 15A.

As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting groove 16A has first and second support surfaces having support curved surfaces 17c formed in the same concave spherical shape on both sides of the spherical surface 18b of the CCD camera 18A as an electronic camera. The structure is sandwiched between the members 17A and 17A. That is, the CCD camera 18A is supported by the first and second support members 17A and 17A in the mounting groove 16A.
As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting groove 16A, which is the mounting recess, is formed on the front surface of the CCD camera when the optical axis of the CCD camera 18A, which is an electronic camera, is perpendicular to the front surface of the display panel section 14A, which is an upper panel. The CCD camera 18A is held at a position that is substantially flush with the front surface of the display panel portion 14A that is the upper panel.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the CCD camera 18A is composed of a camera body 19A and a lens 20A. The camera body 19A is provided with a cable 22A for connection to the personal computer 10A. ing.

  The camera body portion 19A is formed in a substantially spherical shape and is formed integrally with the lens portion 20A. Inside the camera body 19A, a CCD (solid-state imaging device) 21A, which is a light receiving element, an electric circuit (not shown), and the like are provided. An image picked up by the CCD 21A is taken into the personal computer 10A as image data (not shown) via the cable 22A.

  The lens portion 20A is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape with the camera body portion 19A. As shown in FIG. 7, the lens unit 20A is provided with a lens 23A, and an image is formed on the CCD 21A (see FIG. 6) via the lens 23A.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the first and second support members 17A and 17A are curved surface support portions that are concave surfaces having the same curved surface as the spherical surfaces 18b on both side surfaces of the camera body portion 19A. It has a curved surface 17c and is configured to hold the camera body 19A so as to be rotatable. The CCD camera 18A supported by such a configuration can change the imaging range in any direction.

  The CCD camera 18A may be configured to be detachable from the personal computer 10A. The first and second support members 17A and 17A are not limited to the left and right side surfaces of the CCD camera 18A, but may be sandwiched between the upper and lower side surfaces. Of course, it is also possible.

  Next, a portable personal computer 10B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The portable personal computer 10B has a structure in which the CCD camera 18B can be easily attached and detached, and is formed in a thin quadrangular shape as shown in FIG. 8 as in the first and second embodiments. The main body 11B is composed of a main body 11B and a display panel 14B for displaying graphics, characters and the like attached to the main body 11B so as to be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 9, a mounting groove portion 16B, which is a mounting concave portion opened to a size capable of detachably accommodating the CCD camera 18B from the front surface, is provided at the upper center position of the casing forming the display panel portion 14B. The mounting groove 16B is a V-shaped groove that gradually narrows in the depth direction.

  As in the first and second embodiments, the main body 11B is provided with a keyboard 12B and a track pad 13B, as shown in FIG. 8, and the keyboard 12B and the track pad 13B are operated, Desired data can be input and output.

  As in the first and second embodiments, the display panel unit 14B is provided with a liquid crystal display 15B that can display graphics, characters, and the like. The mounting groove 16B, which is the mounting recess described above, is provided in the upper central portion of the liquid crystal display 15B.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the CCD camera 18 </ b> B detachably mounted in the mounting groove 16 </ b> B includes a camera body 19 </ b> B, a lens unit 20 </ b> B, a cable 22 </ b> B, and a connector unit 27.

  The camera body portion 19B is formed in a substantially spherical shape and is formed integrally with the lens portion 20B. A CCD (solid-state image sensor) 21B, an electric circuit (not shown), and the like are provided inside the camera body 19B. An image captured by the CCD 21B is taken into the personal computer 10A via the cable 22B and the connector unit 27.

  The lens portion 20B is integrally formed with the camera main body portion 19B in a cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG. 12, the lens portion 20B is provided with a lens 23B, and an image is displayed on the CCD 21B via the lens 23B (see FIG. 10). To form an image.

  The cable 22B is attached to the camera body 19B, and a connector 27 is provided at the tip of the cable 22B. The connector 27 is connected to the connector 28 on the mounting groove 16B side to obtain an electrical connection when the CCD camera 18B is mounted in the mounting groove 16B.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the size of the mounting groove 16B is such that the CCD camera 18B can be attached and detached. A support curved surface 29 formed on the same curved surface as the spherical camera body 19B is provided on the side surface of the V-shaped groove of the mounting groove 16B. A connector portion 28 connected to the connector portion 27 of the CCD camera 18B is provided at the innermost end of the V-shaped groove. A pair of stoppers 30 that elastically hold the spherical camera body 19B in the groove are provided near the entrance of the mounting groove 16B.

  The stopper 30 is biased by a spring 31 toward the inside of the mounting groove (in the direction of arrow F). That is, when the CCD camera 18B is attached to the attachment groove 16B, the stoppers 30 are opened outward (opposite to the arrow F), and after the CCD camera 18B is inserted into the attachment groove 16B, the CCD camera 18B is attached to the attachment groove 16B. It is elastically held inside. Further, the electrical connection is obtained by connecting the connector portion 27 of the CCD camera 18B to the connector portion 28 inside the mounting groove 16B. Since the spherical surface of the CCD camera 18B is supported by the support curved surface 29, the imaging range can be freely changed.

  When the mounting groove 16B having such a structure is viewed from the front of the panel portion 14B, as shown in FIG. 11, the length L in the vertical direction is slightly longer than the diameter R of the camera body portion 19B, and the camera body portion 19B. Can slide freely in the mounting groove. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the imaging range can be freely changed at a predetermined angle.

  In the first, second, and third embodiments, the CCD cameras 18, 18A, and 18B, which are imaging devices, are attached to the upper center position of the liquid crystal displays 15, 15A, and 15B. It may be attached to any position of the portable personal computer 11, 11A, 11B as long as it can capture an image of the range.

  Further, the structure is limited to the first, second, and third embodiments as long as the direction of the operator can be freely changed using a spherical shape while being embedded in a part of the casing. Of course, it is not done.

1 is a schematic overall perspective view of a portable personal computer including a CCD camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic plan view of the CCD camera. It is a schematic whole perspective view of the CCD camera. It is a schematic whole perspective view of the portable personal computer provided with the CCD camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic perspective view which showed the attachment structure of the CCD camera. It is the schematic plan view which showed the attachment structure of the CCD camera. It is the schematic front view which showed the attachment structure of the CCD camera. It is a schematic whole perspective view of the portable personal computer provided with the CCD camera which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a main part showing a mounting groove for attaching a CCD camera provided in a part of the casing of the portable personal computer. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the CCD camera. It is explanatory drawing which looked at the state which attached the CCD camera to the attachment groove provided in a part of housing of a portable personal computer from the front. It is explanatory drawing which looked at the state which attached the CCD camera to the attachment groove provided in a part of housing of a portable personal computer from the plane. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which moved the imaging device slidably within the attachment groove provided in a part of housing of an electronic device. It is explanatory drawing of the CCD camera used by connecting with the personal computer in a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10A, 10B; portable information processing device (portable personal computer), 11, 11A, 11B; main body, 12, 12A, 12B; keyboard, 13, 13A, 13B; track pad, 14, 14A, 14B; Display unit 16, 16A, 16B; Mounting groove 17, 17A; Support member, 17b; Support curved surface, 17c; Support curved surface, 18, 18A, 18B; Electronic camera, 19, 19A, 19B; Camera body, 20, 20A, 20B; Lens, 21, 21A, 21B; CCD, 22, 22A, 22B; Cable 23, 23A, 23B; Lens, 24; Rotating shaft, 25; 27; connection terminal, 28; terminal receiving portion, 29; side surface, 30; stopper, 31; spring

Claims (6)

A portable information processing device including a display unit and an operation unit,
An upper panel provided with the display unit;
A lower panel provided with the operation unit;
An electronic camera provided in a substantially central portion above the upper panel;
The electronic camera has a first support member and a second support member that respectively support the side surfaces of the electronic camera, and is rotatable within a predetermined range between the front surface and the back surface of the upper panel. And a mounting recess that holds
The portable information processing apparatus, wherein the mounting recess forms a mounting groove for accommodating the electronic camera.   The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first support member and the second support member are provided along a direction parallel to an upper side of the display unit.   The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera includes at least a lens, an image sensor, and a cable that outputs image data obtained from the image sensor.   4. The electronic camera according to claim 3, further comprising a connector connected to a connector provided in the mounting recess at one end of the cable so that the electronic camera can be detachably attached. Portable information processing device.   The mounting recess holds the electronic camera at a position where the front of the electronic camera and the front of the upper panel are substantially flush with each other in a state where the optical axis of the electronic camera is perpendicular to the front of the upper panel. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper panel is rotatably attached to the lower panel, and the upper panel and the lower panel are openable and closable.

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