KR20100003603U - A cameraphone with its additional external camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

In the case of a camera phone introduced as a commercial or industrial property, the viewing range of the camera is still limited because the camera can only change the line of sight within 3 to 4 cm even if the camera is fixed to the mobile phone body or pulled out of the body.

In a typical mobile phone, the camera is built-in and its use is at most used as a means of face-to-face video calling. Therefore, the present invention enables the external camera to be additionally connected to the existing camera phone in order to greatly improve the practicality of the camera in the conventional camera phone, so that either the internal camera or the external camera can be used independently. Here, the external camera is superior to the built-in camera, and must be used to connect to the camera phone through an extension cable, the length of this cable can be adjusted within a predetermined range. When using an external camera connected to the cable, the direction of the camera as well as the position of the camera can be changed quite freely, so when women wear makeup, they can see where it can't be seen even in the mirror and can be used as a beauty tool. Since detailed video information can be transmitted, video conferencing and video medical treatment using a camera phone are also possible.

External camera, built-in camera, camera phone, extension cable, camera selection mode.

Description

External camera and its associated camera phone {A cameraphone with its additional external camera module}

The present invention relates to an external camera and a camera phone that can be combined with it. Here, the camera phone means a mobile phone with a built-in camera. Therefore, the present invention provides a camera phone having an external camera module and a method of implementing the same, and an object thereof is to maximize the use of a video call using a camera phone.

A typical camera phone is ① rotated about a certain axis even if the camera is fixed to the mobile phone body or moved ② or ③ the camera is pulled out like an antenna from the body, and its position is within 3 ~ 4cm. It can be divided into three types, such as changeable.

In the case of these commercial products, the viewing range (position and direction) of the camera gaze is greatly limited. Even in the design of the above ③, considering the position of the camera pulled out (within 3 ~ 4cm), the camera gaze can be directed in the desired direction, but the camera is almost attached to the monitor, the observation range is still limited.

Due to these limitations, the use of the camera in a typical mobile phone is at best used as a means of making a face-to-face call or showing the back of the camera phone.

The object of the present invention is to greatly improve the practicality of the camera in a conventional camera phone. In the case of commercially available and previously introduced camera phones (1, 2, 3), only a face-to-face video call can be carried out at most, and the viewing range is quite limited.

Indeed, most callers want to talk to each other by showing their side, attire (away from the top or bottom of the camera phone), various clothes displayed in a department store, and covered with a floating object. Sometimes I want to try videoconferencing (meeting while sending a meeting room atmosphere, such as a presentation screen) or video medical care (calling while sending a wound to a doctor if I get hurt by climbing or exercising). However, the position of the camera in a conventional camera phone is limited to a built-in, it is impossible to implement the use. To implement this, the following functions should be added to the current camera phone.

First, the limitation of the observation range is a phenomenon caused by the camera position is close to the main body of the mobile phone, so to overcome this, the position of the camera can be freely moved from the main body of the mobile phone.

Second, it design the performance and function of camera suitable for the purpose of specific information transfer such as video conferencing and medical treatment, not just video call (face facing face through monitor).

Third, the light emitting function should be installed close to the camera so that it can be taken even in dark places.

The following solutions can be derived from the three higher requirements to be solved by the present invention.

From the first condition (the camera can be freely moved from the mobile phone body), the following detailed requirements can be derived.

[1] In order to be able to move the camera freely from the main body of the mobile phone, the camera can be completely detached from the main body, or a new external camera can be designed to be further combined with a conventional camera phone. It is limited to the latter case here.

[2] As mentioned in [1] above, when using an external camera, a video cable must be provided to connect this to a normal camera phone, so that the cable can be connected to the camera and the camera phone. Form video connectors (V-connectors) on the cables, cameras and camera phones. Here, the length of the V-cable is designed to be adjusted within a predetermined range.

[3] The camera phone function diagram also determines which part of the camera phone to connect to the external camera, and forms a V-connection terminal therein.

From the second condition (specific information transfer), the performance and function of the external camera must be properly designed, and the selection function of the internal camera or the external camera should also be considered.

[4] The performance and functions of the external camera should be at least better than the camera built in the main body. For this reason, the size of the external camera does not need to be too small, nor does it need to be too simple. In other words, the image quality should be better than the built-in camera, and considering the stand-alone operation, it is designed to have a small memory and a power supply and, if necessary, a small monitor.

[5] When connecting an external camera to an existing camera phone, the camera selection mode should be set so that only the built-in camera or the external camera can be used alone.

From the third condition,

[6] If you are shooting a dark background, you will need to install a light inside the external camera.

[7] The rest of the camera phone's other functions can be used as is.

The present invention greatly improves the practicality of the camera in a conventional camera phone. An external high performance camera is additionally connected to the existing camera phone, but the camera phone can be connected to the camera phone through an extension cable, thereby greatly expanding the viewing range of the camera phone. Since the present invention is formed separately from the external camera, there is no inconvenience of inserting and removing the built-in camera from the body of the mobile phone, and by making the performance and function of the external camera much better than the built-in camera, it is possible to enjoy high-quality shooting and video call. In addition, the camera selection mode of the present invention is designed so that only the built-in camera or an external camera can be used alone, so that the caller can select the camera as needed.

The development of the present invention greatly expands the camera's viewing range (the position and direction of the line of sight) and enables the use of an external camera with better performance. It can be useful as a tool, and can be used as a means of video conferencing and video medical treatment using a camera phone because it can attempt a video call in parallel with detailed information transmission.

The present invention relates to an external camera and a camera phone that can be used in combination with this. When explaining the configuration, function and features for each problem solving means (1) to [7] to implement the present invention.

[1] A conventional camera phone 1 includes a mobile phone unit 2 composed of a color LCD 21, a microphone 22, a speaker 23, and a key button 24, and a built-in camera 3 therein. It is installed. As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention makes it possible to additionally connect an external camera module 4 to a conventional camera phone 1 (where modular development of an external camera is a third party product or similar functional device (e.g., , Videophone, etc.). In particular, in order to expand the limited viewing range of the conventional camera phone 1, a flexible, length-adjustable video-cable that can connect the external camera module 4 and the main body of the camera phone 1 to each other ( V-cable) (5) is also made. Only in this case, the position and orientation of the external camera 4 can be freely changed from the main body of the camera phone 1. In Fig. 1, the dancer looks at the external camera 4 with his back to the camera monitor 21, but his front view is displayed on the monitor as if he saw the front of the camera phone.

2 shows a functional diagram of an external camera module 4 which is part of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the light (target information) focused on the detector (CCD) 42 through the camera optical system 41 is converted into an analog electric signal, and this signal converts the analog signal processor 43 and the AD converter 44. It is then passed to a digital video image processor 45, where the digitized image is compressed and then stored in memory 46 or transmitted to a monitor. To reproduce the image stored in the memory 46, the digital video image processor 45 reads the digital signal from the memory 46, decompresses it, de-analogs it, and transmits it to the monitor via the camera control unit 47 for playback. do. In the external camera module 4 of the present invention, the monitor is excluded, but if necessary, a small monitor may be included or an external monitor (for example, public room 20-2008-0001435) may be viewed.

[2] As shown in FIG. 1, when the external camera module 4 is connected to the camera phone main body 1 through the V-cable 5, the body part (eg, the back) of the body which cannot be seen by itself is of course. In addition, the camera may photograph a place covered by an object, and at this time, the captured image may be transmitted to the other party through a video call method of the camera phone. Here, one end of the V-cable (5) can be connected to the external camera module (4), the other end can be connected to the camera phone (1) body (Fig. 3a), while the V-cable ( 5) without the external camera module (4) and the camera phone (1) to make a direct connection can also be made (Fig. 3b).

If this is described in more detail as follows. In the external camera module 4, a male V-terminal 6 for outputting a video signal and a lower end 61 thereof are formed, and in the main body of the camera phone 1, a male V-terminal 6 of the external camera module 4 and A female V-terminal 9 and its enclosing groove 91 are formed to which the lower end 61 can be fitted (FIG. 3B). At one end of the V-cable 5, a female V-terminal 7 and its wrap 71 which are engaged with the male V-terminal 6 and its lower end 61 of the external camera module 4 are formed. On the other end, the male V-terminal 8 and the lower end 81 are formed so as to be connected to the female V-terminal 9 and the wrapping groove 91 of the camera phone 1 main body (3a). Degree). By forming the V-terminals 6, 7, 8, and 9 on both ends of the external camera module 4, the main body of the camera phone 1, and the V-cable 5 alternately in order, 3a and 3b), it is possible to directly connect the external camera module 4 and the camera phone 1 body without using the V-cable (5) (Fig. 3b). On the other hand, the external camera module (4), the camera phone (1) and the lower part of the male V-terminal (61, 81), female V-terminal cover 71 and the cover groove 91 formed in the V-cable This is because when the male V-terminal is connected to the female V-terminal, only the male V-terminal is easily broken by the folding force.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3A, the V-cable 5 is provided with a length adjusting tool 53 at the center thereof to freely adjust the length, and the female V-terminal 7 of the V-cable 5 The lower part 51 of the male and the lower part 55 of the male V-terminal 8 are each made into a predetermined shape and manufactured to be fixed by being fitted into the holes 52 and 54 from which the cable comes out of the length adjusting tool 53. Here, the length adjustment tool 53 refers to a tool that pulls out the cable protruding to both sides of the tool, and when the cable is pulled out again, the cable is shortened by the restoring force. This V-cable 5 includes wires associated with the transmission of color video signals and certain communication wires.

4 is a functional diagram of a camera phone to which the present invention is applied, and provides a functional connection state between the camera phone 1 and the external camera module 4. The camera phone 1 includes a built-in camera 3 for photographing a projectile body, a mobile phone unit 2 for voice and video transmission and reception, and a color LCD 21 for displaying images and texts through the LCD driver 25. It is composed. The basic imaging and image processing mechanism of the built-in camera 3 is the same as the principle of the external camera module 4 as shown in FIG. 2, which is equipped with a mobile phone unit 2 via an interface unit 28. ).

In the mobile phone unit 2, the mobile phone control unit 26 controls various operations related to the mobile phone unit 2, the caller detects a command input through the keypad 24, the mobile phone unit 2 or the camera (3) And controlling the operation of operating the unit or receiving the image from the cameras 3 and 4, and storing the desired characters or images on the color LCD 21. FIG. The keypad 24 is provided with numbers and function keys in a conventional mobile phone and various keys necessary for camera shooting and playback, and key data corresponding to a command generated by a caller by pressing a key is applied to the mobile phone control unit 26. do.

In the case of the external camera module 5 of the present invention, the audio function also serves as the microphone 22 and the speaker 23 of the camera phone body, and the caller input / output command to the external camera module 5 is also carried by the mobile phone unit 2. Is implemented via the keypad 24. The video signal captured by the external camera module 4 is stored in the memory 46 through the DV image processor 45 or displayed on the color LCD 21 through the LCD driver 25, and the external camera interface unit 27. It is connected to the voice / video transmitting and receiving unit 29 of the mobile phone unit 2 to enable a video call.

On the other hand, in the case of the image data format photographed by the external camera module 5, a development application system can find out the data format of a camera snapshot and process the data according to the format. Since the color LCD 21 needs to be implemented, the color LCD 21 has a function of setting a caller coupling (UI), a camera preview, and a capture size based on the LCD resolution value at the time of the development application.

Based on the functional diagram shown in FIG. 4, when the external camera module 4 is coupled to the mobile phone unit 2 (ie, the female V-terminal 9 formed in the camera phone), the external camera interface unit is selected. It can be seen that it should be selected to include the input terminal (27) and the input terminal of the LCD driver 25. That is, the output terminal (male V-terminal 6) of the external camera module 4 is connected to this point and displayed on the LCD monitor 21, and video call can be performed when necessary.

[4] The performance and function of the external camera 4 makes it at least better than the camera 3 built in the main body. This is one of the big reasons for choosing an external type. For this reason, the size of the external camera does not need to be too small, nor does it need to be too simple. That is, the number of pixels of the CCD is increased, the optical system MTF (modulation transfer function) is improved, it has excellent focus (zoom) control function, built-in charging function, memory function, etc., and if necessary, a small monitor function is also provided. However, the command control function for shooting and playback is made to be input through the keypad of the camera phone, except that the optical zoom control function of the external camera 4 and the light 48 ON / OFF function (switch) 10 and 11 are called. For the convenience of the ruler is formed in the external camera 4 module (Fig. 6).

[5] When the external camera module 4 is additionally connected to the existing camera phone, the camera selection mode is set so that only the internal camera 3 or the external camera 4 can be used alone. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the external camera module 4 is inserted into the input terminal 9 of the camera phone 1, a message (eg, external module access or EC accessed) indicating that the external module has been inserted is displayed on the monitor. The caller displays a predetermined connection or disconnection indication (eg, connection (YES) or disconnection (NO)) and waits for the caller's decision. If the caller selects YES, the video of the external camera 4 is displayed on the monitor, and if NO is selected, the current operation state (internal camera video or voice call or video call) is maintained. The state of the external camera module 4 is disabled (disabled). If the external camera module 4 is to be activated (enabled), the internal or external camera module can be passively removed by removing and replacing the external camera module 4 or pressing a predetermined key formed on the keypad 24. Select with.

One embodiment of the built-in or external camera selection mode 12 through the keypad is shown in Figure 5b, the camera selection sequence is as follows. First, press the predetermined key on the keypad 24 to select the camera shooting and playback mode, ⓐ camera selection (12), ⓑ photo shooting (13), ⓒ video shooting (14), ⓓ photo album (15), ⓔ The mode screen composed of the video album 16 is displayed. When the camera selection 12 is executed, the built-in camera 121 and the external camera 122 are displayed on the screen, and the activation mark (●) is displayed by the ▲ or ▼ key to the built-in camera 121 or the external camera 122. After moving, press the OK key to select the desired camera mode. Other functions such as photo taking (13), video taking (14), photo album (15) and video album (16) are similar to the existing camera phone, and may be used as it is.

[6] When photographing a dark background, since a light is required, a small lamp 48 is integrally installed in the external camera module (FIG. 6), and the eyes of the lamp 48 and the eyes of the camera 4 are parallel to each other. Lamp 48 prevents light from entering the camera optics 41. In addition, for the convenience of the user, the power source of the lamp 48 is used by embedding the rechargeable battery 49 in the external camera module 4 (FIGS. 4 and 6), and a switch for turning on / off the camera power. 11 is formed in the external camera module (4). This switch 11 is composed of two stages of different depths (deep stage and shallow stage), the deep stage turns on the entire external camera module 4 including the lamp 48, the weak stage turns off the lamp only, Press the deep stage one more time to turn off the whole.

[7] The rest of the functions of other camera phones can be used as they are in a normal camera phone. In addition, as described in [1] to [6], the present invention can view an image taken by the external camera 4, and transmit the image to the other party through the video call function of the camera phone. On the other hand, various command control except for the light 48 function and the optical system 41 zoom function is performed through the keypad 24 of the camera phone. In addition, the present invention is made according to the process of [1] to [6], so that the external camera module 4 can be applied interchangeably regardless of the type of camera phone.

1 is a conceptual diagram of use of the present invention

Figure 2. General functional diagram of the camera in the camera phone

3A. One embodiment of the V-terminals formed at both ends of the V-cable

Figure 3b. One embodiment of the V-terminal formed in the external camera and the camera phone body

4. Functional diagram of the camera phone to which the present invention is applied

Figure 5a. An embodiment of the camera selection mode (when an external camera is connected)

Figure 5b. An embodiment of the camera selection using the keypad

Figure 6. An embodiment of an external camera module (example, cylindrical camera)

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1.Camera phone body,

2.mobile phone unit,

21.LCD monitor, 22.Microphone, 23.Speaker,

24.Keypad, 25.LCD Driver, 26.Mobile Phone Control,

27. Built-in camera interface unit, 28. External camera interface unit,

29.Video/audio transmitter and receiver,

3. Built-in camera,

4. External camera module,

41.camera optics, 42.detector, 43.analog signal processor,

44.AD converter, 45.Digital video (DV) image processor

46.Memory, 47.Camera Control, 48.Light, 49.Power,

5.V-cable,

51.V-cable female V-terminal bottom,

52. Insert the bottom male cable, 53. Adjust the length,

54.Cable male terminal bottom, 55.V-cable male V-terminal bottom,

6.Male V-terminal of external camera, 61.Bottom of external camera

7.V-cable female V-terminal, 71.Bottom wrap of external camera

8.V-cable male V-terminal, 81.V-cable male V-terminal lower part

9.Camera phone body female V-terminal, 91.V-cable male terminal lower wrap

10.Zoom control switch,

11.Power switch, 12.ⓐ Camera selection, 13.ⓑ Taking pictures,

14.ⓒ video recording, 15.ⓓ photo album, 16.ⓔ video album.

Claims (8)

In the conventional camera phone 1, in which the cellular phone unit 2 and the built-in camera 3 are built-in, an external camera which can be additionally connected to the normal camera phone 1 in addition to the built-in camera 3. A video-cable (V-cable) which forms a module 4, which is flexible to connect the external camera module 4 and the main body of the camera phone 1 with each other, and whose length can be adjusted within a predetermined range ( 5) The external camera and the camera phone coupled thereto, characterized by extending the limits of the observation range according to the camera position limitation of the conventional camera phone (1). According to claim 1, wherein the number of CCD pixels, the optical system MTF (modulation transfer function), which is the figure of merit of the external camera module 4, is set to a predetermined value or more than that of the built-in camera 3, and in terms of functions, the optical zoom adjustment function, It has a built-in light, a rechargeable battery and a memory, the optical zoom control switch 10 and the power ON / OFF switch 11 including the light is characterized in that formed on the external camera 4 module, the external In the camera module 4, a male video output terminal 6 for outputting a video signal and a lower end portion 61 having a predetermined shape are formed, and the male V- of the external camera module 4 is formed in the main body of the camera phone 1 as well. An external camera and a camera phone coupled thereto, characterized in that a female V-terminal (9) into which the terminal (6) and its lower end (61) can be fitted and a wrapping groove (91) of a predetermined shape are formed. The input terminal of the external camera interface unit 27 and the input terminal of the LCD driver 25 are selected and included in the external camera module 4 as a point for coupling the external camera module 4 with the main body of the camera phone 1. By forming the camera phone female V-terminal 9 so that predetermined video lines R, G, and B and predetermined communication lines are embedded therein, the output terminal (male V-terminal) of the external camera module 4 is added thereto. (6)) When the present invention is operated according to a predetermined operating procedure by connecting the display, it is displayed on the LCD monitor 21, at this time, the external type, characterized in that can perform a video call function according to a predetermined operating procedure Cameras and camera phones associated with them. In the external camera module (4) of claim 1, the audio function combines the microphone (22) and the speaker (23) of the camera phone body, and controls all except the optical zoom control switch (10) and the power switch (11). And an input / output command is implemented through the keypad 24 of the mobile phone unit 2, and the image signal captured by the external camera module 4 is stored in the memory 46 built in the camera module 4 or the LCD driver. It can be displayed on the color LCD 21 through (25), and also connected to the voice / video transmitting and receiving unit 29 of the mobile phone unit 2 via the interface unit 27 can perform a video call External camera and camera phone combined with it. 4. The color LCD 21 according to claim 3, wherein the color LCD 21 has a function of setting a caller combination (UI), a camera preview, and a capture size based on the LCD resolution value at a time when a predetermined development application is operated. Application (Application) The external camera and the camera phone coupled thereto, characterized in that the function to find the image data format photographed by the external camera module (5) by itself and to process the data according to the format. 2. A female according to claim 1, wherein one end of said video-cable (V-cable) 5 is coupled with a male V-terminal 6 of an external camera module 4 and its lower end 61 having a predetermined shape. A V-terminal 7 and a corresponding casing 71 are formed, and the other end is a male V-terminal 9 of the camera phone 1 main body and a male V connected to the lower casing 91 of the external camera. By forming the terminal 8 and the lower end portion 81, the external camera, characterized in that the external camera module 4 and the camera phone (1) can be directly connected to the body without the V-cable (5) and Camera phone combined with this. When the external camera module 4 is additionally connected to a conventional camera phone, the camera selection mode is set so that only the internal camera 3 or the external camera 4 can be used alone, but the external camera module 4 is connected to the camera phone. When connected to the input terminal 9 of 1), a predetermined message indicating that an external module has been inserted and a predetermined connection or blocking indication prompting the caller's decision are displayed. In this case, when the caller selects a connection, the external type is displayed on the monitor. When the image of the camera 4 is displayed and the blocking is selected, the existing operating state is maintained as it is, and the state of the external camera module 4 is disabled. pawn. The internal or external camera according to claim 7, wherein to enable the external camera module (4), the external camera module (4) is removed and reinserted or a predetermined key formed on the keypad (24) is pressed. By selecting the shooting mode, a mode screen including ⓐ camera selection (12), ⓑ photo shooting (13), and ⓒ video shooting (14) is displayed. Ⓐ When the camera selection (12) is executed, a predetermined built-in camera is displayed. The display items of the 121 or the external camera 122 are displayed on the screen, and then the internal or external camera can be operated by executing the internal camera 121 or the external camera 122 according to a predetermined keypad operating procedure. An external camera and a camera phone coupled thereto.

Images