KR20010105380A - Portable electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The charge coupled device camera 7 is embedded in one wing 2 of the portable personal computer 1. A document 16, such as a business card, is placed on another wing 3, fixed using clips 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d or transparent ribbons 125a, 125b, 125c, 125d, and photographed. The process is carried out. Since cameras and documents are mounted on the same substrate, smudging in captured images is reduced. In addition, the document can be positioned at an optimal position more quickly and easily than when using an individual stand for mounting the document.

Description

Portable electronic apparatus

A known portable electronic device having an optical sensor is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. JP-A-10,164,414. A digital camera unit is disposed adjacent to the panel display of the notebook personal computer. The digital camera unit has an elongate, opaque barrel, which has a slit window from the cylindrical side that can rotate freely about its long axis and allows the barrel to have a mailbox-like appearance. A circular mirror is located inside the barrel, on the side of the window, and light coupled through the window is located at the bottom of the barrel by a lens mounted axially as reflected from the barrel's axis. The tilt can be adjusted to focus on the face of the.

The camera unit can be rotated so that the document supported on the upper stand can be projected and an image can be captured. This configuration has several disadvantages. First, because the camera and document are mounted on different surfaces, shocks or shakes on the notebook or stand will cause smudges in the captured image. Secondly, the user must carefully align the document and camera before capturing the image: this is a time consuming task and may require a trial and error to determine the position of the document stand. Thirdly, since the stands must be transported individually, the number of objects to be carried by the user increases.

Notebook computers with image sensors are disclosed in US Pat. No. US-A-5,610,730. Digital cameras are used to capture images of documents placed on tables or other surfaces on which computers can be placed. However, like the apparatus described by Japanese Patent No. JP-A-10,164,414, such a configuration can cause deterioration of image quality due to vibration or misalignment of a document with respect to a camera.

The present invention attempts to remedy these problems.

The present invention relates to a portable electronic device.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are as follows.

1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a large document accommodated against a panel display of a portable personal computer.

FIG. 2B is a top view of a small document accommodated against a panel display of a portable personal computer.

3 is an enlarged view of the camera unit used in the first embodiment.

4 is an enlarged view of the flash unit used in the first embodiment.

5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

8 is an enlarged view showing a mechanism for storing and unwinding a transparent plastic ribbon.

9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

10 is an enlarged view showing a mechanism for sliding the securing ribbon from side to side of the surface of the wing of a personal computer.

11 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

12A is a sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

12B is a plan view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a sectional view of the camera unit used in the eighth embodiment.

15A is a sectional view of another camera unit used in the eighth embodiment.

15B is a plan view of another camera unit.

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device having first and second wings which are hinged to each other and an optical sensor mounted on the first wing, wherein the optical sensor rests against the second wing. There is provided a portable electronic device, which is configured to detect an electronic device.

The optical sensor is also characterized in that it is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the second wing and configured to be substantially focused on the second wing.

The keyboard may be provided by the second wing, and the display screen may be provided by the first wing.

Alternatively, the keyboard may be provided by the first wing and the display screen may be provided by the second wing.

Preferably, the portable electronic device according to the present invention may include a photographic flash device. The inclusion of a photo flash device has the advantage that the document is irradiated uniformly.

The direction in which the light sensor is directed may change with respect to the first vane.

The document can be fixed to the second wing by means of fastening.

Preferably, there is provided clip means operable to hold the document between the second wing and itself.

In addition, the clip means may comprise a ribbon, the ribbon may be released from the reel.

First embodiment

Referring to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portable personal computer 1 has a first vane coupled by hinge members 4a and 4b along a first long edge 4. (2) and the second wing (3). This configuration allows the wings 2, 3 to be folded together when the personal computer is not in use. The inner facing surface of the first wing 2 comprises a keyboard 5, a track pad controller 6, a camera unit 7 and flash units 8a, 8b. The first vane 2 also includes a power supply socket 9, an input / output port 10, a 3.5 inch disk drive 11, a hard drive 12, and a motherboard 13. The inner facing side of the second wing 3 is a fastening means 15 for fixing the display panel 14 and the document 16, for example a business card, towards the inner facing side of the second wing 3. ).

The fastening means 15 has first, second, third and fourth long and flat fastening clips 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d made of plastic resin material. A securing clip 15 is attached to each corner of the face facing the inside of the second wing 3, so that it can be laid flat against the face facing the inside. The non-attached distal ends of the clips 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d may be lifted from the face, but may be restored to their original position so that they can lie flat against the face once placed. The securing clips 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d can be rotated about near the attachment point. When not in use, the securing clips may be rotated and placed so as not to obscure the display panel 14 parallel to the edge of the second vane 3.

By pressing the edges or corners of the document with the securing clips 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, documents of different sizes can be fixed to the surface of the second wing 3. Figure 2a shows, for example, a piece of paper A5 size 16a fixed by the edge being pressed using fixing clips 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d. 2b shows that the same fastening clips 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d hold a small document, for example a business card 16b, on the surface of the second wing 3.

The hinges 4a and 4b are friction stay types that allow the second vane 3 to move about 0 to 120 degrees relative to the first vane 2. The hinges 4a and 4b can be adjusted to an angle of about 50 degrees using a stop to inform the user that the second wing 3 is in the correct position to take a picture of the document 16. .

Referring to FIG. 3, the camera unit 7 has a charge coupled device image sensor 17 and a lens 18. The charge coupled device image sensor 17 and the lens 18 are arranged in the opposite direction of the long box-shaped fold-down unit 19. Lens 18 focuses on charge coupled device 17 the light passing through it.

When the camera unit 7 is not used, the fold-down unit 19 is located in the recess 20 located in the first vane 2. This is the "down" position. The fold-down unit 19 is coupled to the first vane 2 in the recess 20 using a hinge 21 which is fixed by friction. To use the camera unit 7, the top surface 22 of the fold-down unit 19 is pressed, and an enlargement / reduction mechanism (not shown) raises the unit 19 to its "up" position. In the "up" position, the fold-down unit 19 is arranged at an angle of about 40 degrees with respect to the first vane 2, and the lens 18 is positioned at the photographing position of the second vane 3 Arranged towards the center.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first flash unit 8a includes a first electric flash bulb 24a provided in the long box-shaped fold-down unit 25a. When the flash unit 8a is not used, the fold-down unit 25a is located in the recess 26a located in the first vane 2. This is the "down" position. The fold-down unit 25a is coupled to the first wing 2 in the recess 26a using a hinge 27a fixed by friction. To use the flash unit 8a, the top surface 28a of the fold-down unit 25a is pressed, and an enlargement / reduction mechanism (not shown) raises the unit 25a to its "up" position. In the "up" position, the electric flash bulb 24a can illuminate the second wing 3.

Positioning the document and capturing an image of the document will be described.

Assuming the portable personal computer is open and on, the user raises the camera and flash fold-down units 19, 25a, 25b to the "up" position. The user selects and executes the software controlling the camera unit 7 to capture the image and to save the captured image to a file. The software may also provide the ability to edit the captured image. The user selects the size of the image to be captured from the pull down menu. The software requires the user to secure the document 16 to the second vane 3 using the fastening clips 15, to position the second vane at the photographing position and press a key to capture the image. . When the key is pressed, the software blanks the panel display 14 behind the document 16 and triggers the flash units 8a and 8b while the image is captured by the camera unit 7. The image is saved to a file and displayed on panel display 14 for the user to view. The user readjusts the panel display 14 to a position that is comfortable to view, removes the document 16 and views the captured image on the panel display 14.

Second embodiment

Referring to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, the portable personal computer 31 includes a first wing 32 and a first coupled by hinge members 34a and 34b along a long edge 34. 2 wings 33 are provided. This configuration allows the wings 32, 33 to be folded together when the personal computer is not in use. The interior facing side of the first wing 32 is directed towards the interior of the first wing 32 with a document 38 such as a membrane keyboard 35, a track pad controller 36, for example a business card. Fixing means 37 for fixing toward the surface are provided. The first vane 32 also includes a power supply socket 39, an input / output port 40, a 3.5 inch disk drive 41, a hard drive 42 and a motherboard 43. The inner facing surface of the second wing 33 includes a display panel 44, a camera unit 45, flash units 46a and 46b, and a film control button 47.

The fastening means 37 has the same fastening clips 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d as those of the first embodiment. A securing clip 37 may be attached to each corner of the inward facing surface of the second vane 33 so as to lie flat against the inward facing surface.

The configuration of the camera unit 45 is identical to the configuration shown in FIG. 3 except that the unit is housed in the second vane 33.

Positioning the document and capturing an image of the document will be described.

Assuming the portable personal computer is open and on, the user raises the fold-down camera and flash units 45, 46a, 46b to the "up" position. The user selects and executes the software controlling the camera unit 45 to capture the image and save the captured image as a file. The software may also provide the ability to edit the captured image. The user selects the size of the image to be captured from the pull down menu. The software allows the user to secure the document 38 to the first vane 32 using retaining clips 37, to position the second vane 33 in a photographing position and to capture an image to capture the image. Requires pressing (47). When the key is pressed, the software blanks the panel display 36 behind the document 38 and triggers the flash units 46a and 46b while the image is captured by the camera unit 45. The image is saved to a file and displayed on panel display 44 for the user to view. The user readjusts the second wing 33 to a position that is comfortable to view, removes the document 38 and sees the captured image on the panel display 44.

Third embodiment

Referring to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, the electronic book 61 has a first wing 62 and a second wing 62 which are joined by hinge members 64a and 64b along the long hair 64. Wings 63 are provided. This configuration allows the wings 62 and 63 to be folded together when the e-book is not used. The interior facing side of the first wing 62 is adapted to carry the first display panel 64, the first film control pads 65, for example a document 67, such as a business card, inside the first wing 62. Fastening means 66 for fastening to the side facing the surface. The first vane 62 also includes a power supply socket 68, an input / output port 69 and a memory unit and a logic board. The inner facing surface of the second wing 63 includes a second display panel 70, a camera unit 71, flash units 72a and 72b and second film control pads 73.

The fastening means 66 has flat and square fastening clips 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d. A fixing clip 66 may be attached to the center of each corner of the inner facing surface of the first wing 62, so that it can be placed flat against the inner facing surface. Alternatively, the fixing means 66 may be the same as the fixing means used in the first embodiment.

The configuration of the camera unit 71 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 3 except that the unit is housed in the second vane 63.

Positioning the document and capturing an image of the document will be described.

Assuming the e-book 61 is open and on, the user raises the camera's fold-down units and flash units 71, 72a, 72b to the "up" position. The user selects and executes software for controlling the camera unit 71 to capture an image and save the captured image as a file. The user selects the size of the image to be captured from the pull down menu. The software allows the user to secure the document 67 to the first vane 62 using the retaining clips 66, adjust the angle of the second vane 63 to a photographing position and capture the image. Requires pressing control pads 73. When the pad is pressed, the software blanks the first and second panel displays 64, 70 and triggers the flash units 72a, 72b while the image is captured by the camera unit 71. The image is stored in a file and displayed on the first panel display 64 for the user to view. The user readjusts the second wing 63 to a position that is comfortable to view, removes the document 67 and sees the captured image on the panel display 64.

Fourth embodiment

Referring to the fourth embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the portable personal computer 91 has a first vane coupled by hinge members 94a and 94b along a first mother-in-law 94. 92 and the second wing 93 are provided. The second vane 93 comprises a fastening means 95 and a panel display 96.

The personal computer is identical to that shown in FIG. 1 except that the fastening means 95 has first, second, third and fourth extendable transparent ribbons 95a, 95b, 95c, 95d. . The fixing ribbons 95a, 95b, 95c, 95d are made of a transparent plastic resin material. The ribbon is provided with first, second, third and fourth reels 97a, 97b, 97c located in an overhanging lip that operates between the edge of panel display 96 and second vane 93. , 97d).

Looking at the interior facing surface of the second vane 93, the first and second reels 97a, 97b are mounted in an upper lip 98a operating along the upper edge of the second vane 93. The third and fourth reels 97c and 97d are mounted in the left lip 98b operating along the left edge of the second vane 93.

The configuration of the first reel 97a will be described in more detail. The fixing ribbon 95a is fixed to one end of the shaft of the reel and wound up. The reel 97a is provided on an axis 98a in which the reel can rotate freely. A flat, coiled constant force spring 991 is attached to the rim of reel 97a at the outer end of the spring. The inner distal end of the spring 99a is fixed to the shaft 98a. The shaft 98a bearing the reel 97a and the spring 99a is snap-fitted with the side of the groove 101a positioned in the lip 98 protruding in the receiving slots 100a. (snap-fitted). The clip means 102a is fixed to the free end of the ribbon.

The clip means 102a have a rectangular metal plate with one corner snapped back to itself. In the cross section, the clip has the shape of the letter "J".

The free end of the ribbon is pulled by the user from one edge of the wing, through the surface, towards the other parallel edge where the catch means 103a is positioned to receive and secure the clip means 102a. In doing so, the securing ribbon 95a is operated over the surface of the second wing 991 to be held in place.

The second, third and fourth reels 97b, 97c, 97d are fitted in the lip 98 in the same way as in the first reel 97a. Similarly, the second, third and fourth ribbons 95b, 95c, 95d are fitted to the clip means 102b, 102c, 102d that are received and fixed by the catch means 103b, 103c, 103d.

The operation of fixing the document 104 will now be described.

The user places the document 104 horizontally with respect to the second wing 93, takes the securing ribbon 95a using the clip 102a, and then releases the ribbon 95a from the reel 97a. The clip 102a is attached to the catch 103a. The loose portion of the ribbon 95a is wound by the spring 99a so that the ribbon is pulled tightly through the surface of the second wing 96. This houses the document 104 on the surface of the second wing 93. The user repeats the same operation for the second third and fourth securing ribbons 95b, 95c, 95d. By doing so, the entire document is received towards the second wing 93 by a mesh of securing ribbons 95.

Fifth Embodiment

9 and 10, the portable personal computer 121 has a first wing coupled by hinge members 124a and 124b along a first mother-in-law 124. 122 and a second wing 123. The second vane 123 comprises a fixing means 125 and a panel display 126.

The personal computer is identical to that shown in FIG. 7 except that the securing means 125 has first, second, third and fourth permanently extending transparent ribbons 125a, 125b, 125c, 125d. Do. The securing ribbons 125a, 125b, 125c, 125d are made of a transparent plastic resin material. The first and second ribbons 125a and 125b operate in parallel with each other and are located in the first and third bars located in the protruding ribs operating between the edges of the panel display 126 and the second vane 123. 127a, 127c). Third and fourth ribbons 125c and 125d operating perpendicular to the first and second ribbons 125a and 125b are attached to the second and fourth bars 127b and 127d.

The document 130 is received relative to the second wing 123 by sliding the document 130 under at least two parallel fastening ribbons 125.

Looking at the first ribbon 125a in more detail, one end of the first ribbon 125a is wound and attached onto a sheath 129a that can freely slide up and down on the first rod 127a. The other end of the first ribbon 125a is attached to the third rod 127c in a similar manner. In this way, the first ribbon 125a can be moved through the surface of the second wing 123. In a similar manner, the second ribbon 125b can be moved through the surface of the second wing 9123. As a result, the first and second ribbons 125a and 125b can be variously separated, so that documents of different sizes can be accommodated. The third and fourth ribbons 125a and 125b are also movable in the same way.

Fixing the document and capturing an image of the document are similar to those described in the fourth embodiment.

Sixth embodiment

Referring to the sixth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 11, the personal computer 151 sized to fit in the palm of the hand is the first wing 152 coupled by the hinge members 155a and 155b along the first mother-in-law 155. ) And a second wing 153. This configuration allows the wings 152 and 153 to be folded and turned off when the personal computer is not in use. The interior facing side of the first wing 152 is the display panel 156, the first and second thumbs. Finger-operated joysticks 157a and 157b, first and second control buttons 158a and 158b, a camera unit 159 and first and second flash units 160a and 160b. In addition, the first wing 151 has a power supply socket 161, an input / output port 162 and a memory unit (not shown), a motherboard (not shown), first and second microphones 163a and 163b. And first and second loudspeakers 164a and 164b. The inward facing surface of the second wing 153 has securing means 165 for securing the document 166, such as a business card, to the inward facing surface of the second wing 153, for example.

The left adjacent edges of the first and second vanes 152, 153 are bridged by first shielding means 167a with a collapsible fan. Similarly, the right adjacent corners of the first and second vanes 152, 153 are bridged by second shielding means 167b having a collapsible fan. The first and second shielding means 167a 167b are made of a durable opaque plastic resin material.

The fastening means 165 may be similar to those used in the first, third, fourth, or fifth embodiments.

Seventh embodiment

Referring to the seventh embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the integrated video phone 181 is a first wing 182 and a second wing 183 coupled by a hinge 184 fixed by friction. ). The interior facing surface of the first wing 182 includes a touch key pad 185 and a clip 186 for securing a business card. The inner facing surface of the second wing 183 includes a panel display 188 and a first camera unit 189. The outer facing surface of the second wing 183 includes the second camera unit 190. The second vane 183 also includes an antenna 191.

The first and second camera units 189, 190 have a convex lens positioned in front of the charge coupled device optical sensor.

Eighth embodiment

Referring to the eighth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the portable personal computer 211 has a first vane 212 coupled by hinge members 214a and 214b along a first mother-in-law 214. ) And a second wing 213. This configuration allows the wings 212, 213 to be folded together when the personal computer is not in use. The first wing includes a camera unit 215.

The personal computer is identical to that shown in FIG. 1 except that the camera unit 215 is permanently embedded into the body of the first wing 213. The camera unit 215 has a charge coupled device photosensor 216 located at the bottom of the tilted shaft 217. The shaft 217 is inclined at an angle of about 40 degrees with respect to the first wing 212. Lens 218 is embedded within the shaft to focus light on charge coupled device 216. The removable plug 219 covers the shaft opening when the camera unit 215 is not used.

In order to make the camera unit 215 smaller, the shaft 217 may be in the "L" shape in which the mirror 220 is located in the curved area.

It will be appreciated that many variations are possible in the embodiments as described above.

For example, the securing means may have a transparent plastic sheet embedded in the front of the wing so that the document can fit between the wing and the transparent plastic sheet.

Instead of using fold-down units, flash units may be fixed between the wings of the computer.

Instead of flash units, the back light of the LCD display can be used to examine the document.

The surface on which the document is placed may be displayed using outlines of different shaped documents (eg, to fit a business card, A4 or A5 sized document) to help align the document.

Motor-driven lenses may be used in place of lenses of fixed focus.

Instead of using a mirror at the bent point of the "L" shaped shaft, a prism can be used.

The present invention can be used in an electronic device such as a portable computer.

Claims (12)

First and second wings (2,3; 32,33; 62,63; 92,93; 122,123; 152,153; 182,183; 212,213) coupled to each other and an optical sensor (7) mounted on the first wing; In the portable electronic device (1; 31; 61; 91; 121; 181; 211) having 45; 71; 159; 189; 215, And the optical sensor is configured to sense a document (16; 38; 67; 104; 130; 166; 187) lying against the second wing. 2. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein said photosensors (16; 38; 67; 104; 130; 166; 187) are arranged to face in a direction perpendicular to said second wing and substantially focused on said second wing. And a portable electronic device. 3. Portable electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a keyboard is provided by said second vane (3; 33; 63; 93; 123; 153; 183; 213). 4. A portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein a display screen (64; 156) is provided by said first vanes (2; 32; 62; 92; 122; 152; 182; 212). 3. Portable electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a keyboard (5; 35; 185) is provided by said first wings (2; 32; 62; 92; 122; 152; 182; 212). Device. 6. A display device according to claim 5, characterized in that a display screen (14; 44; 70; 96; 126; 188) is provided by the second vanes (3; 33; 63; 93; 123; 153; 183; 213). Portable electronic devices. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A portable electronic device comprising photo flash devices (8a, 8b; 46a, 46b; 72a, 72b; 160a, 160b). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The direction in which the photosensors 7; 45; 71; 159; 189; 215 are directed may vary with respect to the first vanes 2; 32; 62; 92; 122; 152; 182; 212. Portable electronic devices. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The documents 16; 38; 67; 104; 130; 166; 187 are fixed means 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d; 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d; 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d; 95a, 95b, 95c , 95d; 125a, 125b, 125c, 125d; 165a, 165b, 165c, 165d; 186 are fixed to the second vanes 3; 33; 63; 93; 123; 153; 183; 213 Portable electronic devices. The method of claim 9, The fastening means includes clip means 95a, 95b, 95c, 95d; 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, the clip means holding the document 16; 38; 67; 104; 130; 166; 187. And a second wing (3; 33; 63; 93; 123; 153; 183; 213) and operable to hold between the clip means. 11. Portable electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the clip means comprises ribbons (95a, 95b, 95c, 95d). The method of claim 11, And a reel (97a, 97b, 97c, 97d), said ribbon being wound on said reel and releasing to secure said document.