JP4156410B2 - Mobile terminal device with camera function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device with a camera function suitable for application to a mobile phone including a camera having a rotating mechanism, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, for example, in a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, a sub display unit (hereinafter referred to as a sub screen) other than a display unit (hereinafter referred to as a main screen) composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, a camera or the like. Those with various additional functions are becoming mainstream.
[0003]
The sub-screen is generally provided on the opposite side of the casing provided with the main screen. For example, in the case of a foldable mobile phone, there are many that can display a sub screen in a folded state. For example, when a phone call is made when placed on a desk, the display contents of the sub screen are displayed in a folded state. It is very convenient to see the incoming information including the caller's telephone number and caller name. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0004]
On the other hand, mobile phones with camera functions include those in which the camera is fixed to the main body, those having a rotation mechanism, and those having a cover for protecting the camera lens. For example, in a mobile phone with a camera function having a rotating mechanism, an image captured by the camera is displayed on the main screen, and the user can rotate the camera while watching the image displayed on the screen. Thus, it is possible to enjoy photographing such as partner shooting or self-taking (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-136247 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-94629
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the sub-screen cannot be moved like a camera having a rotation mechanism and remains fixed to the mobile phone body, for example, when the mobile phone is put in a breast pocket of an outer jacket, There is a problem that the display contents of the sub screen cannot be viewed unless the surface on which the sub screen of the mobile phone is arranged is directed to the user side.
[0007]
In view of such a point, the present invention provides a mobile terminal device that enables the contents of a sub-screen to be confirmed without removing the mobile terminal device from the pocket even when the mobile terminal device is placed in a chest pocket of an outerwear. It is something to be offered.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A mobile terminal device with a camera function of the present invention includes a camera that can rotate with respect to a housing, a display unit that displays an image captured by the camera, and a sub-display that displays various types of information as an integrated configuration with the camera. Part. Then, when the camera lens and the sub display unit are arranged so as to have a 180 ° positional relationship about the rotation axis of the camera, and the camera lens and the display unit are oriented in substantially the same direction, In addition to displaying video captured by the camera on the display unit, camera information is displayed, and power supply to the sub display unit is stopped.
[0009]
According to the present invention, since the sub display unit is integrated with the rotatable camera, the sub display unit can be rotated and the position of the sub display unit can be freely changed. In addition, when the camera lens and the display unit are oriented almost in the same direction, camera information is displayed on the display unit in addition to the video, and power supply to the sub display unit is stopped, which is useless. Power consumption is reduced.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a mobile terminal device with a camera function according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings when applied to a portable mobile phone.
[0011]
This example is an example applied to a so-called foldable mobile phone, and FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of the foldable mobile phone of this example with the lower and upper housings fully opened.
[0012]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a lower housing, and 11 denotes an upper housing. The lower housing 1 and the upper housing 11 are connected to each other by a hinge portion 10 so as to be freely opened and closed. An operation button group 2, a so-called jog dial 3 of a rotary operation unit, and a microphone 4 are provided on a surface that is in contact with the upper housing 11 in the closed state.
[0013]
Inside the upper housing 11, a display unit (hereinafter referred to as a main screen) 12 made of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a speaker 13 that are mainly used when the folding cellular phone is opened are provided. It has been. Furthermore, an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) type is housed in the upper end portion of the upper casing 11, and a rotating body that can rotate about 180 ° with respect to the casing. The camera 20 comprised from these is provided. The camera 20 has a rotation mechanism (not shown) formed by a well-known technique, and a sub-display unit (hereinafter referred to as a sub-screen) 22 made up of an LCD or the like.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a lens of the camera 20.
[0014]
FIG. 2 shows an external perspective view in which the lower case and the upper case of the folding cellular phone of this example are in a half-open state. In the figure, the lens 21 of the camera 20 provided at the upper end of the upper housing 11 is facing the outside of the upper housing 11. Moreover, although not shown in figure, the antenna for transmitting and receiving a radio signal is provided.
[0015]
The user freely rotates the camera 20 of the mobile phone, and the lens 21 of the camera 20 and the other party shooting in a state where the main screen 12 for displaying the video imaged by the camera 20 faces almost in the opposite direction, and the lens A self-portrait can be enjoyed in a state where the main screen 21 and the main screen 12 are oriented in substantially the same direction.
[0016]
FIG. 3 shows an external view of the camera 20 having the rotation mechanism of this example, in which the lens 21 and the sub screen 22 of the camera 20 are arranged at a position of 180 ° around the rotation axis, in other words, the front and back are integrated. It constitutes a rotating body. The camera 20 in this example has a cylindrical shape, but may have an angular shape, and may take various other shapes as long as rotation is not hindered.
[0017]
3A shows a state in which the lens 21 of the camera 20 is facing up and the sub-screen 22 is facing down, and FIG. 3B shows a state in which the lens 21 is rotated 90 ° from the state in FIG. 3C represents a state in which the lens 21 is further rotated by 90 ° (180 ° from FIG. 3A) in the same direction. As can be understood from FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the lens 21 and the sub-screen 22 of the camera 20 are disposed at a position of 180 ° with the rotation axis of the camera 20 as the center, and therefore rotate together. To do.
[0018]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the mobile phone of this example.
[0019]
110 is a control unit that controls the entire system, 107 is a general-purpose RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores various information and provides a work area necessary for the control unit 110 to perform control, and 108 is a control program. It is a stored ROM (Read Only Memory). The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 for calculation and control, and is connected to an external interface 112 for connecting to the RAM 107, the ROM 108, and various peripheral devices through a system bus (not shown). When 2 or 3 is operated, the operation output is supplied to the CPU 111 via the external interface 112 and the system bus, and the CPU 111 performs predetermined processing according to the program in the ROM 108.
[0020]
Reference numeral 101 denotes an antenna that transmits and receives a radio signal, and is connected to an antenna duplexer 102 that shares the received signal and the transmission signal with one antenna, and a transmission signal from the control unit 110 passes through the modulator 103 and the antenna duplexer 102. The received signal transmitted from the antenna 101 and received from the antenna 101 is supplied to the control unit 110 via the antenna duplexer 102 and the demodulator 104.
[0021]
When the demodulator 104 receives a telephone call or e-mail from the base station via the antenna 101, the received signal is supplied to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 uses the voice from the speaker 13 to call the e-mail or send an e-mail. The user is notified of the reception, is notified by a blinking display by the LED 105 provided on the back of the operation button group 2, and is also notified by the vibrator 106 by a body vibration. At this time, the control unit 110 displays the telephone number of the other party and the address of the e-mail sender on the screen of the display device 12 or 22 via a display controller (not shown).
[0022]
When the user answers the call, the other party's voice signal is received by the demodulator 104 via the antenna 101, supplied to the speaker 13 via the control unit 110, and the user's own voice signal from the microphone 4 is also received. An audio signal is supplied from the control unit 110 to the antenna 101 via the modulator 103 and transmitted to the base station. Thus, a call with the other party is performed. When the received electronic mail is opened, the content of the mail is displayed on the screen of the display device 12 or 22.
[0023]
The camera 20 captures an image of a subject through a lens 21 with a desired angle of view setting, the captured image is displayed on the display device 12 via the control unit 110, and the displayed image is provided on the operation button group 2 or the like. By pressing the shutter button, a desired still image or moving image can be stored in an internal non-volatile memory (not shown) or a removable recording medium.
[0024]
Next, the configuration around the camera 20 of the mobile phone of this example will be described in detail. FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration for detecting the rotational position of the camera 20 of this example.
[0025]
In FIG. 5, a magnet 150 and sensors 151 and 152 are camera position detecting means for detecting the rotational position of the camera 20, that is, the direction of the lens 21. 151 and 152 are provided to face the mobile phone body, for example, with the camera 20 in between. As the sensors 151 and 152, for example, Hall elements generally used as magnetic sensors are used. The memory 115 is composed of a non-volatile memory, and has a built-in program for determining the shooting mode according to the camera position and switching the display of the main screen 12 and the sub screen 22 and managing the power supply.
[0026]
For example, when the camera switch (not shown) of the mobile phone is turned on and the camera position shown in FIG. 5 is the partner shooting, if the magnet 150 and the sensor 151 come close, the sensor 151 detects that the magnet 150 is close. Then, this detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 110 has a CPU 111 and an external interface 112, and a video signal from the camera 20 is supplied together with a detection signal from the sensor 151 or 152, and receives the detection signal from the sensor 151. The rotation position of the camera 20 is determined to be the other party's shooting, and the video imaged by the camera 20 is displayed on the main screen 12, and detailed information regarding the function of the camera 20 (hereinafter referred to as camera information) is displayed on the sub screen 22. For example, the shutter speed, aperture, focus state, presence / absence of flash, etc. are displayed.
[0027]
On the other hand, for example, when the camera 20 is rotated 180 ° from the state shown in FIG. 5 to take a self-portrait, when the magnet 150 is reversed and approaches the sensor 152, the sensor 152 detects and controls that the magnet 150 is close. A detection signal is transmitted to unit 110. The control unit 110 receives the detection signal from the sensor 152, determines that the rotation position of the camera 20 is a self-portrait position, and displays camera information on the main screen 12 together with the video imaged by the camera 20. At this time, the controller 110 issues a command to the power supply 116 to cut off the power supply to the sub-screen 22.
[0028]
The camera position detecting means may be a contact type sensor as well as a non-contact type such as the combination of the magnet and the Hall element in the above example. If it is desired to detect an intermediate camera position, for example, a sensor may be additionally provided between the sensors 151 and 152 so as to have an equal interval of 90 °, for example.
[0029]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, display of camera information according to the camera position of the mobile phone of this example and supply of power to the display unit will be described.
[0030]
FIG. 6A is a front view of the folding mobile phone of the present example in a partner shooting state, and FIG. 6B is a front view of the self-portrait state. As shown in FIG. 6A, the lens 21 (not shown) of the camera 20 in which the lens 21 and the sub-screen 22 are arranged integrally on the front and back faces the outside of the mobile phone body (in the depth direction on the paper surface), and the sub-screen 22 is on the user side ( If the camera is in the state of shooting with the other party facing forward (the front side of the page), the control unit 110 determines that the shooting mode is set for shooting with the other party as shown in FIG. The displayed video is displayed on the main screen 12 and the camera information is displayed on the sub-screen 22.
[0031]
That is, FIG. 7 shows a correspondence table between shooting modes and screen display / power supply. When the camera 20 is in the shooting mode for partner shooting, the subject image is displayed on the main screen 12 and the camera information is displayed on the sub-screen 22. Then, the main screen 12 and the sub screen 22 remain powered on.
[0032]
In this way, only the subject image is displayed on the main screen 12, and the camera information is displayed on the sub screen 22 integrated with the camera 20, whereby the subject image and the camera information display can be separated. Therefore, the subject image and the camera information display do not overlap as in the conventional case, and the subject image can be clearly and easily viewed.
[0033]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, the lens 21 of the camera 20 in which the lens 21 and the sub-screen 22 are integrally arranged faces the user side (front side of the paper), and the sub-screen 22 (not shown) is outside (the depth of the paper). 5, the control unit 110 determines that it is in a self-portrait shooting mode and the video imaged by the camera 20 as shown in FIG. 5. Is displayed on the main screen 12, and camera information is also displayed on the main screen 12. At this time, the sub-screen 22 cannot be viewed from the user because of the positional relationship between the lens 21 and the front and back. Therefore, the power supply to the sub screen 22 is stopped to save power.
[0034]
That is, FIG. 7 shows a correspondence table between shooting modes and screen display / power supply. When the camera 20 is in the shooting mode for self-portrait, both the subject image and camera information are displayed on the main screen 12. Then, only the power supply to the sub screen 22 is stopped while the power of the main screen 12 is kept on.
[0035]
In this way, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed, and limited battery resources can be used effectively.
[0036]
FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show states when the camera is rotated at various angles, respectively, in a state in which the foldable mobile phone of this example is closed. FIG. 8A is a view of the closed foldable mobile phone as viewed from the upper housing 11 side. The lens 21 of the camera 20 is hidden on the mobile phone body side, and the sub-screen 22 provided integrally with the front and back is outside ( (Longitudinal direction of the housing).
[0037]
8B shows the camera 20 rotated by about 90 ° from the state shown in FIG. 8A, and the lens 21 can be seen from the upper housing 11 side.
[0038]
8C shows the camera 20 rotated by about 90 ° from the state shown in FIG. 8A, and the sub-screen 22 can be seen from the upper housing 11 side.
[0039]
In this way, by rotating the rotatable camera 20 as desired, the sub screen 22 can be seen from the direction opposite to the hinge as shown in FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the sub-screen 22 can be seen from either the upper housing 11 or the lower housing 1.
[0040]
The display of the sub-screen 22 is configured so that the camera 20 is held at a desired rotational position so that the orientation can be changed according to the user's preference.
[0041]
FIG. 9 assumes a case where the foldable mobile phone of this example is placed in a chest pocket of an outer jacket, for example. That is, by rotating the sub-screen 22 of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 8A upward, the display content of the sub-screen 22 can be seen from the direction of the arrow even if the mobile phone is kept in the chest pocket. Information including the telephone number and caller name of the caller can be confirmed, and it is very convenient to use especially in a crowded train. In this case, since the lens 21 is hidden on the main body side and is not exposed to the outside, the lens can be protected without having a cover for protecting the lens 21.
[0042]
According to this example, since the sub screen 22 is provided integrally with the camera 20 having the rotation mechanism, for example, even when the mobile phone is put in the chest pocket of the outer jacket, the mobile phone is set with the sub screen 22 facing upward. The content displayed on the sub-screen 22 can be confirmed without removing it from the pocket.
[0043]
Further, since the lens 21 can be hidden on the mobile phone body side by rotating the camera 20, the lens 21 can be protected without having a cover for protecting the lens 21.
[0044]
Further, when the lens 21 of the camera 20 and the sub screen 22 are arranged at an interval of 180 ° and the shooting mode when shooting with the camera 20 is the partner shooting, the camera information is displayed on the sub screen 22. Therefore, the image of the subject displayed on the main screen 12 can be made clear and easy to see.
[0045]
Furthermore, when the shooting mode is self-portrait, the power supply to the sub screen 22 that is not used is stopped, so that useless power consumption can be suppressed.
[0046]
Next, the example of other embodiment of the portable terminal device with a camera function of this invention is shown. 10 to 12, the camera 20 is provided in the middle part of the hinge portion of the foldable mobile phone, and the other configuration is the same as that of the example of FIG. 1. The parts corresponding to are assigned the same reference numerals.
[0047]
FIG. 10A is a front view of the folding mobile phone of the present example in a partner shooting state, and FIG. 10B is a front view of the self-portrait state. As in the example of FIG. 6A, the lens 21 (not shown) of the camera 20 in which the lens 21 and the sub screen 22 are arranged integrally on the front and back faces the outside (in the depth direction on the paper surface) of the mobile phone body, and the sub screen 22 is on the user side ( 5, the control unit 110 determines that the shooting mode is set to the other party shooting mode, as shown in FIG. 5, and the image captured by the camera 20. Is displayed on the main screen 12 and the camera information is displayed on the sub-screen 22.
[0048]
That is, FIG. 7 shows a correspondence table between shooting modes and screen display / power supply. In the other party shooting mode, the subject image is displayed on the main screen 12 and the camera information is displayed on the sub screen 22, respectively. The power of the sub-screen 22 remains on. Thus, in this example, the same effect as FIG. 6A is obtained.
[0049]
Similarly to the example of FIG. 6B, in FIG. 10B, the lens 21 of the camera 20 in which the lens 21 and the sub-screen 22 are arranged integrally on the front and back faces the user side (front side of the paper), and the sub-screen 22 (not shown) is on the outer side. When the self-portrait state faces (the depth direction of the paper), the control unit 110 determines that the self-portrait shooting mode is set as shown in FIG. The displayed video is displayed on the main screen 12 and the camera information is also displayed on the main screen 12. At this time, power supply to the sub screen 22 is stopped.
[0050]
That is, FIG. 7 shows a correspondence table between shooting modes and screen display / power supply. In the self-shooting shooting mode, both the subject image and camera information are displayed on the main screen 12, and the main screen 12 is turned on. The power supply to the sub screen 22 is stopped. Thus, in this example, the same effect as FIG. 6B is obtained.
[0051]
FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C show states when the camera is rotated at various angles in a state in which the foldable mobile phone of this example is closed. FIG. 11A is a view of a closed foldable mobile phone as viewed from the upper housing 211 side. The lens 21 of the camera 20 is hidden on the mobile phone body side, and the sub-screen 22 provided integrally with the front and back is outside ( (Longitudinal direction of the housing).
[0052]
FIG. 11B shows the camera 20 rotated by about 90 ° from the state of FIG. 11A, and the lens 21 can be seen from the upper housing 211 side.
[0053]
FIG. 11C shows the camera 20 rotated by about 90 ° from the state of FIG. 11A, and the sub-screen 21 can be seen from the upper housing 211 side.
[0054]
11A, 11B, and 11C can achieve the same effects as the 8A, 8B, and 8C examples, respectively.
[0055]
FIG. 12 assumes a case in which the foldable mobile phone of this example is placed in, for example, a breast pocket of a jacket. That is, if the sub-screen 22 of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 11A is set on the upper side, the display content of the sub-screen 22 can be confirmed from the direction of the arrow even if the mobile phone is kept in the breast pocket. Since the lens 21 is hidden behind the main body and is not exposed to the outside, the lens 21 can be protected. Thus, in the example of FIG. 12, the same effect as the example of FIG. 9 is obtained.
[0056]
In addition, although a foldable mobile phone has been described as an example, a stick type shape may be used instead of the foldable type. Further, the present invention can be applied to a rotatable camera, a PDA (personal digital assistant) having a sub screen, a digital camera, and the like.
[0057]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other configurations can be taken without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the sub display unit is integrated with the camera, the sub display unit can be rotated and the position of the sub display unit can be freely changed. For example, even when the mobile terminal device is put in the chest pocket of the jacket, the display content of the sub display portion can be confirmed without rotating the sub display portion upward and taking out the mobile terminal device from the pocket. Easy to use.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a folding mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention in a fully opened state.
2 is an external perspective view of the folding mobile phone of FIG. 1 in a slightly opened state.
FIG. 3 is a schematic external view of a camera integrally configured with a sub display unit according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration around a camera of a mobile phone according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the folding mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention in a fully opened state.
FIG. 7 is a table for explaining an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an external view of a state in which the camera of the folding cellular phone according to the embodiment of the present invention is rotated.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a foldable mobile phone in a pocket according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the folding cellular phone according to another embodiment of the present invention in a fully opened state.
FIG. 11 is an external view of a folding mobile phone according to another embodiment of the present invention in a state in which a camera is rotated.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a foldable mobile phone in a pocket according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 201... Lower housing, 2... Operation button group, 3 ... Jog dial, 4 ... Microphone, 10 ... Hinge part, 11, 211 ... Upper casing, 12... Main screen (display device), 13... Speaker, 20... Camera (rotating body), 21. Device), 110... Control unit, 115... Memory, 116... Power source, 150.

Claims (3)

A camera rotatable with respect to the housing;
A display unit for displaying an image captured by the camera;
A sub-display unit that displays various information as an integral configuration with the camera,
When the positional relationship between the camera lens and the sub-display unit is 180 ° about the rotation axis of the camera, and the camera lens and the display unit are oriented in substantially the same direction, A mobile terminal device with a camera function that displays camera information in addition to the video on the display unit and stops power supply to the sub display unit . The mobile terminal device with a camera function according to claim 1,
A portable terminal device with a camera function for displaying the camera information on the sub-display unit when the lens of the camera and the display unit are directed in substantially opposite directions . The mobile terminal device with a camera function according to claim 1 or 2,
A mobile terminal device with a camera function, wherein the camera is provided in a hinge portion of a foldable mobile terminal device.

Images