JP2009198862A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain projection and illumination at an optimum irradiation angle in a configuration where a projection light source is also used for an illumination light source. <P>SOLUTION: Radiated light from a projection part 20 is used as light for illuminating a subject when picking up and image. Since only a part of a photographing range is illuminated if the irradiation angle β of illuminating light is smaller than an imaging viewing angle α, a projection lens 25 is moved in an optical axis direction so as to make the irradiation angle larger. By making α=β, a range to be illuminated is mostly covered. Meanwhile, the irradiation angle β is set to an angle suitable for projection when projecting the image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having both a function of capturing a subject and generating image data, and a function of projecting image data to the outside as a light image.

  As an electronic device having both an imaging function and a projection function, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. In this electronic apparatus, when performing imaging, a projection light source can be used as a light source for subject illumination.

JP 2006-67469 A

  However, in general, the illumination angle suitable for projection and the illumination angle suitable for subject illumination often do not coincide with each other. As described above, in the configuration using both the projection light source and the subject illumination light source, illumination is given priority to projection. If the light cannot cover the range to be illuminated and priority is given to illumination, there is a risk that inconveniences such as vignetting will occur in the projected image.

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention forms an image based on image data of an image to be projected using light from a light source in an image capturing unit that captures an image of a subject and generates image data in the image capturing mode. A projection unit that projects an image to the outside, a light source control unit that controls the light source in the projection mode, and that turns on the light source to illuminate the subject as necessary in the imaging mode, and the light source for the subject illumination In some cases, adjustment means is provided for adjusting the irradiation angle of the projection unit or the imaging field angle of the imaging unit so that the illumination range is appropriate for the imaging range.
When the light source is turned on for subject illumination, the imaging field angle and the projection field angle may be substantially matched.
When the light source is turned on for subject illumination, the illumination angle may be adjusted to be wider than in the projection mode.
The adjustment of the irradiation angle is performed by moving the projection optical system constituting the projection unit in the optical axis direction, inserting or removing an optical member that changes the irradiation angle in the projection optical path, or a light transmitting member provided in the projection optical path. This can be achieved by changing the state of the.
The imaging field angle may be changed with respect to the irradiation angle.
The projection unit may be formed by forming a substantially L-shaped optical path by using a bending optical system, and the imaging unit may be disposed in the L-shaped depression.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform projection and illumination at an optimal irradiation angle in a configuration in which both a projection light source and an illumination light source are used.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 show an imaging / projection module according to the present embodiment, FIG. 1 is a side sectional view, and FIG. 2 is a front view seen from the line II-II. This module M is configured by housing an imaging system and a projection system in a single case 11, and by incorporating this into a digital camera or mobile phone, both a camera function and a projector function can be realized. You may incorporate in another electronic device.

  The case 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its internal space is partitioned by the partitioning portion 12 into a substantially L-shaped projection unit accommodation space SP1 and an imaging unit accommodation space SP2 corresponding to a position corresponding to the L-shaped recess. The projection unit 20 accommodated in the projection unit accommodating space SP1 has a light source 21 such as an LED provided at a position corresponding to one end of the L shape, a condensing lens 22 for condensing the light source light, and a corner portion of the L shape. It has a polarization beam splitter (hereinafter referred to as PBS 23) and a reflective liquid crystal display element 24 provided at corresponding positions, and a projection lens 25 provided at a position corresponding to the other end of the L-shape.

  On the other hand, the imaging unit 30 accommodated in the imaging unit accommodating space SP2 includes an imaging optical system 31 and an imaging element 32 such as a CCD. Further, a metal heat radiation block 40 for releasing heat generated from the light source 21 is fixed to the lower surface of the case 11 in the figure. The module M of the present embodiment as a whole includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped including the heat dissipation block 40 as illustrated.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a cellular phone in which the module M is incorporated. An imaging / projection window W1 is formed in the metal outer cover 1, and a module M is disposed inside the imaging / projection window W1. As shown in FIG. 1, a transparent protective cover 3 is fitted into the window W1. The heat dissipation block 40 is in contact with the back surface of the outer cover 1. W2 is a flash emission window. In the present embodiment, the light source of the projection unit 20 can be used as a light source for subject illumination as will be described later, but a flash device may be provided separately.

  When a camera mode (imaging mode) is set with a mobile phone and a photographing operation is performed, a subject luminous flux incident through the window W1 passes through the imaging optical system 31 and enters the imaging element 32, and is subjected to photoelectric conversion. Image data is generated based on the photoelectric conversion output, and the image data is recorded on a recording medium (not shown).

  When the projector mode (projection mode) is set with the mobile phone and image data to be projected is selected from the image data in the recording medium, the image is displayed on the liquid crystal display element 24 and the light source 21 is turned on. The light source light enters the display surface of the liquid crystal display element 24 via the condenser lens 22 and the PBS 23, and the reflected light becomes an optical image to be projected. The optical image is bent 90 degrees by the PBS 23 and projected outside through the projection lens 25 and the window W1.

  Heat generated from the light source 21 is transmitted to the metal outer cover 1 of the mobile phone from the heat dissipation block 26 fixed to the lower portion of the case 11 and is released to the outside. This prevents damage to the light source 21 due to heat and adverse effects on the image.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the entire module has a rectangular parallelepiped shape by disposing the rectangular parallelepiped imaging unit 30 in a portion corresponding to the recess of the L-shaped projection unit. The degree of freedom of arrangement in the electronic device can be increased, and the assemblability can be improved. However, the imaging unit 30 and the projection unit 20 may not be modularized.

  Here, in the imaging mode, the light source 21 of the projection unit 20 can be used as a light source for subject illumination. That is, when it is necessary to illuminate the subject for imaging, the light source 21 is turned on with the liquid crystal display element 24 in a white display state, and the subject is illuminated with white light. In this case, flash emission like a flash device is possible, and continuous irradiation like a photographing light is also possible. Moreover, the color of illumination light can be freely changed by changing the display color of the liquid crystal display element 24.

  However, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the illumination light irradiation angle β is smaller (narrower) than the imaging field angle α, only a part of the photographing range can be illuminated, and the subject becomes partially dark. . On the other hand, when the irradiation angle β is large (wide), there arises a problem that an image is easily vignetted during projection. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the irradiation angle β of the projection unit 20 can be adjusted according to the situation.

  The irradiation angle β is changed by, for example, moving a part of the projection lens 25 in the optical axis direction as shown in FIG. This can be performed by using a lens driving motor, similarly to zooming of a general zoom lens. Then, the irradiation angle β suitable for projection is set at the time of projection, and the irradiation angle β is made to substantially coincide with the imaging angle of view α at the time of imaging. If the irradiation angle β is made to coincide with the imaging angle of view α, almost the entire necessary portion of the imaging range can be illuminated at a normal imaging distance, and the subject is not partially darkened. Although the irradiation angle β may be larger than the imaging angle of view α, the irradiation distance is shortened if it is too large. In addition, when the shooting angle of view α can be changed by optical or electronic zoom, it is desirable to adjust the irradiation angle β according to the shooting angle of view α so as to always match the shooting angle of view α.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the irradiation angle β can be changed by inserting / removing the optical member 51 having an effect of widening the irradiation angle in the irradiation optical path of the projection unit 20. The optical member 51 is composed of a concave lens, a Fresnel lens, a diffusing plate, or the like, and is slidably inserted into and removed from the irradiation optical path by some actuator. At the time of projection, as shown in FIG. 6A, the optical member 51 is withdrawn from the irradiation optical path to obtain an irradiation angle β suitable for projection. At this time, if the optical member 51 covers the photographing optical system 31 as illustrated, the optical member 51 can function as a protective cover for the photographing optical system 31.

  On the other hand, at the time of illumination, the optical member 51 is inserted into the irradiation light path of the projection unit 20 as shown in FIG. As a result, the irradiation angle β is increased and the necessary irradiation range can be covered. In this example, the irradiation angle β cannot be adjusted according to the change of the imaging field angle α. However, if the irradiation angle β when the optical member 51 is inserted matches the maximum imaging field angle α, any imaging image can be obtained. Can correspond to the angle α.

  Instead of the optical member 51 of FIG. 6, a flexible film (for example, a diffusion film) 52 as shown in FIG. 7 may be used. The film 52 can be wound around the shaft member 53. When the film 52 is projected, the film 52 is wound to obtain an irradiation angle β suitable for the projection. At the time of illumination, the film 52 is projected onto the projection unit 20 (of the projection lens 25) as shown in the figure. Arrange in front and increase the irradiation angle β.

  FIG. 8 shows an example in which the irradiation angle β is changed by the PN liquid crystal element 54. The PN liquid crystal element 54 is fixed to the front surface of the projection lens 25 of the projection unit 20. At the time of projection, a voltage is applied to the PN liquid crystal element 54 to make it transparent, and an irradiation angle β suitable for projection is obtained. At the time of illumination, the illumination light is diffused by maintaining the diffusion state without applying a voltage to the PN liquid crystal element 54. Thereby, the irradiation angle β of the illumination light can be increased.

  In the above, the irradiation angle β is adjusted according to the imaging angle of view α, but conversely, the shooting angle of view α may be adjusted according to the irradiation angle β. That is, the irradiation angle β is always maintained at an angle suitable for projection, and when illumination is required for imaging, the imaging field angle α is adjusted to the irradiation angle β (for example, α = β). Both the imaging angle of view α and the irradiation angle β may be adjusted.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an imaging / projection module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure seen from the II-II line of FIG. The perspective view which shows an example of the mobile phone incorporating the said imaging / projection module. The figure explaining the inconvenience when an imaging field angle and the irradiation angle of illumination light do not match. The figure explaining the example which adjusts an irradiation angle by the movement of a projection lens. The figure explaining the example which adjusts an irradiation angle by insertion and removal of an optical member. The figure explaining the example which adjusts an irradiation angle by insertion / extraction of a diffusion film. The figure explaining the example which adjusts an irradiation angle with a PN liquid crystal element.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer cover 20 Projection part 21 Light source 22 Condensing lens 23 Polarizing beam splitter 24 Reflection type liquid crystal display element 25 Projection lens 30 Imaging part 31 Imaging lens 32 Imaging element 51 Optical member 52 Diffusion film 54 PN liquid crystal element

Claims (9)

An imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and generates image data in an imaging mode;
A projection unit that forms an image based on image data of an image to be projected using light from a light source and projects the light image to the outside during the projection mode;
A light source control means for controlling the light source during the projection mode and lighting the light source to illuminate the subject as needed during the imaging mode;
Adjusting means for adjusting an irradiation angle of the projection unit or an imaging field angle of the imaging unit so that an illumination range of illumination light is appropriate with respect to the imaging range when the light source is turned on for the subject illumination; An electronic apparatus comprising: The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the light source is turned on for illumination of the subject, the adjustment unit substantially matches the imaging field angle with the projection field angle. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting unit is an irradiation angle adjusting unit that adjusts an irradiation angle. The illumination angle adjusting means adjusts the illumination angle so that the illumination angle is wider than that in the projection mode when the light source is turned on for illumination of the subject. Electronic equipment. 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the irradiation angle adjustment unit adjusts the irradiation angle by moving a projection optical system constituting the projection unit in an optical axis direction. 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the irradiation angle adjusting unit adjusts the irradiation angle by inserting and removing an optical member that changes the irradiation angle in the projection optical path. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the irradiation angle adjusting unit adjusts the irradiation angle by changing a state of a light transmitting member provided in the projection optical path. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is a field angle adjustment unit that adjusts the imaging field angle with respect to the irradiation angle. 9. The projection unit according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit forms a substantially L-shaped optical path by using a bending optical system, and the imaging unit is provided in an L-shaped depression. The electronic device according to any one of the above.

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