JP2008113153A - Electronic equipment with camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment which can be reduced in cost, size, and thickness easily. <P>SOLUTION: A backlight 15 comprises a light guide plate 16 and a light source 17 for backlight which is so arranged as to face at least one side face of the light guide plate 16. The backlight 15 is so configured as to emit light to be used for illumination from both front and back faces of the light guide plate 16. A camera unit 10 is arranged on the rear face of the backlight 15 opposite from the side where a liquid crystal display panel 8 is arranged, and uses part of the light emitted from the backlight 17 as an auxiliary light source. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera-equipped electronic device having a liquid crystal display panel and a camera unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the increase in the size and the pixel density of solid-state imaging devices such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), electronic devices with cameras equipped with camera units in portable electronic devices such as mobile phones have been developed. It is supplied to the market (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  For example, in a foldable camera-equipped mobile phone that can be easily reduced in size, a first housing having an input operation surface with operation keys (buttons) used for information input operation, and information display And a second housing having a display surface to be used. The two casings are connected to each other by an opening / closing mechanism so as to be capable of angular displacement, and the input operation surface of the first casing and the display surface of the second casing face each other in the closed state where both casings are folded. It is formed to do.

  The display surface is constituted by a display screen, more specifically, a display screen formed in a substantially vertical rectangular shape of a liquid crystal display panel which is a flat display device. A backlight is provided as illumination means. The backlight includes a light guide plate disposed so that a surface thereof faces a display area of the liquid crystal display panel, that is, a display screen, and a light source for backlight disposed so as to face at least one side surface of the light guide plate. At least the light guide plate and a case in which the light source for backlight is stored, and the light emitted from the light source for backlight is incident on the incident surface provided on the side surface of the light guide plate, The light can be reflected multiple times to emit light from the surface of the light guide plate that faces the liquid crystal display panel, and the light from the surface can be emitted as planar light toward the display area of the liquid crystal display panel. ing.

  A camera unit is disposed on the back surface opposite to the display surface of the second housing, that is, the surface exposed to the outside in the closed state where both housings are folded. This camera unit has a camera part and a light part. The camera unit includes an imaging lens and an imaging element such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. The light unit has an illumination lens and a dedicated auxiliary light source, and is used as an auxiliary light source for imaging with the camera unit. In general, an auxiliary light source uses a xenon tube, but in recent years, an LED having a long lifetime has been used.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-135177 (FIG. 2)

  However, in conventional electronic devices with a camera, since the auxiliary light source of the light part of the camera unit is individually arranged, the number of parts is large, requiring a lot of labor and time for assembly, and cost reduction in recent years There was a problem that it was not possible to respond to the request.

  Furthermore, conventional electronic devices with a camera require a space for mounting an auxiliary light source, resulting in an increase in the size of an assembled product, which cannot meet the recent demands for downsizing and thinning. .

  Thus, there is a need for an electronic device with a camera that can be easily reduced in cost, size, and thickness.

  The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device with a camera that can be easily reduced in cost, size, and thickness.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the electronic apparatus with a camera according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight, a camera unit, and a light unit serving as an auxiliary light source when taking an image with the camera unit. In an electronic device with a camera having a camera unit, the backlight includes a light guide plate and a backlight light source arranged to face at least one side surface of the light guide plate. The light that illuminates the liquid crystal display panel can be emitted from at least one surface of the light guide plate, and a part of the light emitted from the backlight serves as an auxiliary light source of the light unit. It is in a formed point. By adopting such a configuration, a dedicated auxiliary light source for the light part is not required, so that the number of parts, labor and time required for assembly can be easily and reliably reduced. Since a space for attaching a dedicated auxiliary light source is not required, the assembly product can be easily and reliably reduced in size and thickness.

  A reflective sheet is disposed on the back surface of the backlight opposite to the side on which the liquid crystal display panel is disposed, and at least a part of the light emitted from the backlight is disposed on the reflective sheet. It is preferable that an opening for light to pass through is formed. And by employ | adopting such a structure, it can carry out easily and reliably using a part of light radiate | emitted from a backlight as an auxiliary light source of a light part.

  It is preferable that the light unit is disposed in proximity to the backlight light source. And since the optical path of a light part becomes close to the light source for backlights by employ | adopting such a structure, the light radiated | emitted from the light source for backlights can be used efficiently.

  According to the camera-equipped electronic device according to the present invention, a part of the light emitted from the backlight is formed as an auxiliary light source of the light unit, so that the light emitted from the backlight is transmitted to the liquid crystal display panel. It can be used for both illumination and illumination of the light part of the camera unit. As a result, since it is not necessary to separately provide an auxiliary light source for the light part of the camera unit, there are excellent effects such as cost reduction, size reduction, and thickness reduction.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

  1 to 3 show an embodiment of an electronic device with a camera according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic external front view of a main part in an open state of a foldable casing, and FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the main part of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 as the camera-equipped electronic device according to the present embodiment includes a first housing 2 shown in the lower part of FIGS. 1 and 2, and an upper part of FIGS. The 2nd housing | casing 3 shown in FIG. The two housings 2 and 3 are connected to each other so as to be angularly displaceable by an opening / closing mechanism such as a hinge (not shown), and the two housings 2 and 3 are formed to be foldable about the hinge.

  As an opening / closing mechanism, a mechanism that can open and close the second housing 3 with respect to the first housing 2 is generally used. However, the first housing 2 can be opened and closed with respect to the second housing 3. You may do. That is, it is only necessary that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 can be opened and closed relatively.

  The first casing 2 is provided with an input operation surface 4. The input operation surface 4 is disposed so as to be positioned in front of the first housing 2 in the closed state in which both the housings 2 and 3 are folded. The input operation surface 4 includes input means used for various input operations and setting operations such as input of a telephone number of a call or a communication partner, input of an e-mail address and communication contents, and setting of a function operation. A plurality of operation keys (buttons) 5 having various shapes are arranged.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second housing 3 is provided with two display surfaces including first and second display surfaces 6 and 7.

  The first display surface 6 is used for displaying main information, and a liquid crystal display panel (hereinafter, referred to as display means) serving as a display unit for displaying information is provided at the center of the first display surface 6. A display screen (hereinafter, referred to as a main screen) 8a formed in a substantially vertically long rectangular shape is disposed. The first display surface 6 is disposed so as to be positioned on the front surface inside the second housing 3 in the closed state of both housings 2 and 3, and in the closed state of both housings 2 and 3, The input operation surface 4 of the first housing 2 and the first display surface 6 of the second housing 3 face each other.

  The second display surface 7 is used for displaying simple information with a relatively small amount of information such as time, date and incoming call display, for example. A display screen (hereinafter referred to as a sub-screen) 9a formed in a substantially rectangular shape is disposed on a liquid crystal display panel (hereinafter referred to as a sub-panel) 9 as display means serving as a display execution part. Further, the second display surface 7 is disposed so as to be located on the back surface of the second housing 3 that is outside so that the second display surface 7 is exposed to the outside in a closed state of both the housings 2 and 3. 3, the user can visually recognize information displayed on the sub-screen 9a. Further, the size of the sub screen 9a is smaller than the size of the main screen 8a, and the plane size of the sub panel 9 is also smaller than the plane size of the main panel 8. That is, the sub-panel 9 is smaller than the main panel 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the camera unit 11 and the light unit 12 of the camera unit 10 are arranged in the left-right direction of FIG. 2 at the lower part of FIG. 2 on the back side where the second display surface 7 of the second housing 3 is provided. Are arranged side by side. The camera unit 11 includes an imaging lens 13 and an imaging element such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor (not shown). The light unit 12 has an illumination lens 14 and is used as an auxiliary light source for imaging with the camera unit 11.

  In addition, the camera part 11 and the light part 12 may be arrange | positioned along with the up-down direction of FIG. 2, the diagonal direction, etc.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 3, a substantially flat backlight 15 is disposed inside the second housing 3. The backlight 15 includes one or a plurality of backlight light sources 17 including a light guide plate 16 and LEDs capable of emitting white light disposed so as to face at least a side surface of the light guide plate 16 shown in the lower part of FIG. And have. The backlight light source 17 may be disposed so as to face at least one side surface of the light guide plate 16.

  The backlight 15 has both the front and back surfaces of the light guide plate 16 on the front side on the left side of the main panel 8 shown in FIG. 3 and the back side opposite to the side of the panel shown on the right side in FIG. It is formed so that the light for illumination can be emitted. The main panel 8 is disposed on the front side of the light guide plate 16, and the sub-panel 9 is disposed on the back side of the light guide plate 16, that is, on the back side opposite to the main panel 8. For this reason, the reflection sheet 18 arranged on the back surface of the light guide plate 16 emits light emitted from the backlight 15 to the display area of the sub-panel 9, in this embodiment, from the back surface, which is the back surface of the backlight 15. A sub-opening 18a for allowing a part of the light to pass through is provided to face the sub-screen 9a. In addition, the reflection sheet 18 disposed on the back surface of the light guide plate 16 has light emitted from the backlight 15 to the back surface side, in this embodiment, light emitted from the back surface that is the back surface of the backlight 15. A light opening 18 b for allowing the remaining part to pass to the light portion 12, specifically the illumination lens 14, is formed. Thereby, a part of the light emitted from the backlight 15 is formed to be an auxiliary light source of the light unit 12 used as auxiliary illumination at the time of imaging.

  The light opening 18b is formed near the backlight light source 17 of the backlight 15 because the light path of the light unit 12 is closer to the backlight light source 17 and is emitted from the backlight light source 17. It is preferable in the sense that light can be used efficiently. That is, it is preferable that the light unit 12 is disposed in proximity to the backlight light source 17 of the backlight 15 on the back side of the backlight 15.

  Moreover, since the light opening 18b is formed in the reflection sheet 18 disposed on the back surface of the light guide plate 16, the alignment pattern in the light guide plate 16 is adjusted, the surface of the light guide plate 16 and the reflection sheet 18 are It is preferable to form so as to prevent display unevenness of the main screen 8a of the main panel 8 by providing fine irregularities on the surface of the optical sheet to be included.

  Further, the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 does not necessarily require the sub-panel 9. That is, the sub-panel 9 may be provided as necessary according to device specifications.

  Other configurations such as the first casing 2, the second casing 3, the display means, the input means, the camera unit 10, and the control section that controls the operation of each section including these are the same as those in the prior art, so detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

  According to the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment, a part of the light emitted from the backlight 15 is formed so as to serve as an auxiliary light source for the light unit 12. No special auxiliary light source is required to reduce the number of parts, labor and time required for assembly, and no space is required to install the dedicated auxiliary light source. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably reduce the size and thickness of the assembled product.

  Therefore, according to the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment, cost reduction, size reduction, and thickness reduction can be easily achieved.

  Moreover, according to the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment, the reflection sheet 18 is disposed on the back surface of the backlight 15 opposite to the arrangement side of the main panel 8. Since the light opening 18 b for allowing the light emitted from the backlight 15 to pass to the light unit 12 is formed, a part of the light emitted from the backlight 15 can be used as an auxiliary light source of the light unit 12. Easy and reliable.

  Further, according to the camera-equipped cellular phone 1 of the present embodiment, the light reflecting sheet 18 is also provided with the light opening 18b and the sub opening 8a. It can be easily and reliably used for illumination of three places of the panel 8, the sub-panel 9 and the light portion 12.

  Furthermore, according to the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment, since the light unit 12 is disposed close to the backlight light source 17 on the back side of the backlight 15, the optical path of the light unit 12 is for the backlight. Since it is close to the light source 17, the light emitted from the backlight light source 17 can be used efficiently.

  Furthermore, according to the camera-equipped mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment, the sub panel 9 smaller than the main panel 8 is disposed on the back surface of the backlight 15 opposite to the side on which the main panel 8 is disposed. Even in the closed state in which both housings 2 and 3 are folded, simple display such as date and time can be performed.

  The camera-equipped electronic device of the present invention is not limited to a camera-equipped mobile phone, and can be used for various camera-equipped electronic devices such as a personal digital assistant (PDA).

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as necessary.

The outline appearance front view of the important section in the open state of the case of the embodiment of the electronic equipment with a camera concerning the present invention Outline external view of FIG. 1 is a schematic enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the main part of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile phone with camera 2 1st housing | casing 8 Main panel 9 Sub panel 10 Camera unit 11 Camera part 12 Light part 13 Imaging lens 14 Illumination lens 15 Backlight 16 Light guide plate 17 Light source for backlight 18 Reflective sheet 18b Light opening

Claims (3)

In a camera-equipped electronic device having a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight, and a camera unit including a camera unit and a light unit serving as an auxiliary light source for imaging with the camera unit,
The backlight includes a light guide plate and a light source for backlight disposed so as to face at least one side surface of the light guide plate, and the liquid crystal display panel from at least one surface of the light guide plate It is formed so that it can emit light that illuminates
An electronic device with a camera, wherein a part of light emitted from the backlight is formed to be an auxiliary light source of the light unit.   A reflective sheet is disposed on the back surface of the backlight opposite to the side on which the liquid crystal display panel is disposed, and at least a part of the light emitted from the backlight is disposed on the reflective sheet. The electronic device with a camera according to claim 1, wherein an opening for light for passing through the camera is formed.   The electronic device with a camera according to claim 1, wherein the light unit is disposed in proximity to the backlight light source.

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