JP2005155750A - Folding type portable information terminal unit with imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a folding type portable information terminal unit with an imaging device connecting a case body having an operation key with a case body having an image display part so as to rotate relatively from 0° to substantially 360° and capable of determining both case bodies at the optimum angle repeatedly and speedily when inputting information during a call to improve ease of use. <P>SOLUTION: Both case bodies 2, 3 are mutually connected by two rotary shafts (P1, P2 and P3, P4) connected by a gear in parallel for each other. A regulation means composed of a cam K1, a spring B2, and a projecting part B4 is provided in a connection part 4 to add larger resistance force from 0 to 150° for rotation for opening further at an angle of 150° being the optimum for a telephone shape body. A switch S1 for detecting that the angle exceeds 150° and a switch S2 for detecting that the angle is 360° are provided. Automatic switching control in operation mode accompanying with relative rotation of both case bodies is adopted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device, and more particularly to the structure of a connecting portion.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a folding portable information terminal with an imaging device that is folded into a state in which an image display unit protrudes from the surface and can be photographed by the imaging device. For example, patent documents 1, 2, and 3 can be mentioned.
In the inventions described in these patent documents, the image display surface and the case having the operation key and the case having the image display unit are rotatably connected by two orthogonal or parallel axes. Folded into a state in which the operation key arrangement surface is combined (hereinafter referred to as “closed folded shape”), and the back of the image display surface of the housing and the back of the operation key arrangement surface are combined. It can be transformed into a shape (hereinafter referred to as an “open folded shape”). Here, the angle formed by the two housings in the closed folded shape is defined as 0 °.

In the inventions of Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3, during the transformation from the closed fold shape to the open fold shape, the image display surface and the operation keys can be simultaneously viewed by the user while viewing the images and the operation keys. Can be held in an open shape (hereinafter referred to as “open shape”) at an easy-to-operate angle (approximately 90 ° to 180 °).
By closing and folding when stored or left, the image display surface and the operation key arrangement surface can be protected, and in particular, the image display surface can be prevented from being damaged. In the open form, it is easy to use for telephone calls, input operations such as input of e-mail, and browsing of received information.
Further, according to the inventions of Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the lens of the camera faces in the opposite direction of the image display screen in the open folded shape, it is easy to take a picture while using the image display unit as a monitor for taking a picture.
JP 2003-152848 A JP 2003-110895 A JP 2002-198849 A

However, the above prior art has the following problems.
In the inventions of Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the connecting portion has a single cantilevered shaft, the shaft portion must be thick in order to secure strength and wiring space, which hinders thinning of the device. There is.
On the other hand, the invention of Patent Document 3 is advantageous in that since it is a biaxial structure with both ends being parallel, the structure is high in strength and two wiring paths for the connecting portion can be secured, so that it can be made small.
However, in the invention of Patent Document 3, since both housings rotate relative to each other from 0 ° to 360 °, both housings are repeatedly and optimally determined at a suitable angle during a call or information input operation. There is a problem that is difficult.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and an imaging in which a casing having an operation key and a casing having an image display unit are coupled so as to be relatively rotatable from 0 ° to almost 360 °. In a foldable portable information terminal with a device, it is an object to improve usability by relative rotation of both housings.

The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-described problem includes a first housing having an operation key, a second housing having an image display section,
A connecting portion that connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be relatively rotatable;
A closed fold shape folded in a state in which the operation key arrangement surface of the first housing and the image display surface of the second housing are combined by the relative rotation, and the operation key arrangement surface of the first housing. It is configured so that it can be transformed into an open folded shape folded in a state in which the opposite surface and the opposite surface of the image display surface of the second housing are combined.
In the folding portable information terminal with an imaging device provided with an imaging device for imaging a subject located in the back direction of the image display unit in the open fold form,
There is provided a restricting means for giving a resistance force to the relative rotation in the direction of the open folded shape in the shape forming a predetermined angle in the process of changing from the closed folded shape to the open folded shape by the relative rotation,
It is a foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device in which a resistance force of the restricting means is set larger than a resistance force against the relative rotation in a deformed body from a closed fold shape to a shape having a predetermined angle.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image display surface and the operation key arrangement surface can be protected by using the closed and folded shape, and the input operation such as telephone call and e-mail input, the received information in the shape having a predetermined angle. In addition to being easy to use for viewing and the like, it is easy to take an image while the image display unit is used as a monitor for taking an image by using an open fold shape, and has the following advantages.
In the form having a predetermined angle, there is provided a restricting means for giving a resistance force to the relative rotation of the two casings in the direction of the open folded shape, and the resistance force of the restricting means forms a predetermined angle from the closed folded shape. Since it is set to be larger than the resistance force against the relative rotation in the variant up to, the user can use the present invention in the closed and folded shape for input operation such as telephone call, input of e-mail, browsing of received information, etc. When trying to open by hand, the relative rotation tends to stop at the predetermined angle.
In other words, when the user tries to open by hand, the device itself rotates by holding force (usually provided so as not to open easily) that is intended to be held in the closed and folded shape, or friction that acts at an arbitrary rotational position. The relative rotation is attempted with a force exceeding the resistance, but a resistance force larger than the resistance force acts at a predetermined angle by the restricting means, so that the relative rotation is likely to stop at the predetermined angle.
Repetitive stability is ensured by setting the resistance force by the restricting means to be sufficiently larger than the force that the user will generally apply by overcoming the magnitude of the resistance generated from the closed folded shape to a predetermined angle. be able to.
Furthermore, by setting the predetermined angle to an optimum angle out of angles (about 90 ° to 180 °) suitable for calling and using information input operations, both housings are repeated at the optimum angle, and It can be decided quickly and the usability is improved.
The transformation from the shape having a predetermined angle to the open folded shape can be performed by applying a force larger than the resistance force by the restricting means, or by weakening or releasing the resistance force by the restricting means.

Since the predetermined angle is an angle in the process of transforming from a closed fold shape to an open fold shape, 0 ° and 360 ° are excluded.
If it is less than 90 °, it is difficult to see the image displayed on the image display surface of the second housing. If the angle exceeds 180 °, it is difficult to visually recognize and operate the operation keys arranged on the operation key arrangement surface of the first housing from the viewpoint of easy viewing of the image displayed on the image display surface of the second housing. Therefore, an angle of 90 ° or more and 180 ° or less is preferable for use of the information input operation.
The angle suitable for the call is preferably an angle that is wide enough to follow the face when the receiving part is placed on the ear and the transmitting part is placed on the mouth. Therefore, an angle larger than 90 ° and smaller than 180 ° is preferable. More preferably, it is the range of 130-170 degrees.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the folding portable information terminal with an imaging device according to the first aspect, wherein an operation means for weakening or releasing the resistance force by the restriction means is provided.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the user operates the operating means to weaken or release the resistance force by the restricting means, and then transforms the form forming the predetermined angle into the open folded form. Both housings can be rotated relative to each other.
As a result, even if the resistance force of the restricting means is set larger, it is possible to prevent an excessive force from being applied against the resistance force of the restricting means. If the resistance force of the restricting means is set to be sufficiently large, it is possible to ensure the stability of repeated stopping at a predetermined angle during the opening operation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion includes a connecting frame, a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft held by the connecting frame,
The first housing and the connection frame are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable by the first rotation shaft,
3. The foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second housing and the connection frame are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable by the second rotation shaft.

  Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, a mechanism that can be transformed into a closed fold shape and an open fold shape by the relative rotation of the first housing and the second housing can be configured.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the folding portable information terminal with an imaging device according to the third aspect, wherein the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are coupled so as to rotate synchronously.

  Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the first rotating shaft and the first rotating shaft rotate synchronously, the two rotating shafts do not rotate separately, and the transformation process is uniform and constant. In addition to maintaining a feeling of use, it is possible to maintain a uniform product feeling with less variation due to rotational wrinkles between products.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an angle range detecting means for detecting that a relative rotation angle between the first casing and the second casing exceeds the predetermined angle. It is a folding portable information terminal with an imaging device as described in any one of these.

  Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform control in which the detection means recognizes itself that the relative rotation angle between the first housing and the second housing exceeds a predetermined angle.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the folding portable information terminal with an image pickup device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an open folded shape detecting means for detecting that it is an open folded shape. .

  Therefore, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform control in which the detection means recognizes itself as an open folded body.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the imaging apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising a control unit that disables the operation of all or a part of the operation keys arranged on the operation key arrangement surface when the angle range detection unit is detected. It is a foldable portable information terminal.

When detecting by the angle range detecting means, that is, when the relative rotation angle between the first casing and the second casing exceeds a predetermined angle, it is not suitable for information input or the like, and has a predetermined angle. Touching the operation keys that are accidentally placed on the operation key arrangement surface of the first housing during the transformation operation and the shooting operation. All or part of the operation keys arranged on the operation key arrangement surface of the first housing except for operation keys that require operation or high operation necessity such as a shooting button or an incoming call button. It is desirable to make it inoperable. Therefore, the invention according to claim 7 prevents erroneous operation.
When operation keys that require operation are provided on a surface other than the operation key arrangement surface of the first housing, all of the operation keys arranged on the operation key arrangement surface may be disabled.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a control unit that disables operation of all or a part of the operation keys arranged on the operation key arrangement surface at the time of detection by the open folded shape detecting unit. It is a foldable portable information terminal with a device.

When the open folding body detecting means is detected, that is, when it is an open folding body, it is not suitable for information input or the like, but only when the imaging device is used. Since the operation keys arranged on the screen may be easy to touch, the operation of the first housing is performed except for operation keys that require an operation such as an incoming call button, a shooting button, or a shooting condition change operation button. It is desirable to make all or some of the operation keys arranged on the key arrangement surface inoperable. Therefore, the invention according to claim 8 prevents erroneous operation.
When operation keys that require operation are provided on a surface other than the operation key arrangement surface of the first housing, all of the operation keys arranged on the operation key arrangement surface may be disabled.

The invention according to claim 9 is provided with an open fold shape detecting means for detecting that it is an open fold shape,
The foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device according to claim 5, further comprising a control unit that disables an imaging operation by the imaging device when the angle range detection unit is detected and the open folded body detection unit is not detected. is there.

  A style capable of photographing at an arbitrary angle exceeding a predetermined angle may be provided. However, according to the invention described in claim 9, when the angle exceeds the predetermined angle, only a photographing style with an open folded shape is provided. It is possible to prevent erroneous photographing during the transformation operation.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is a foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device according to the sixth or ninth aspect, further comprising a control unit that enables an imaging operation by the imaging device at the time of detection by the open fold shape detection unit. It is.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is convenient for the photographing mode to be automatically photographed when the folded open body is used.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device in which the casing having the operation key and the casing having the image display unit are coupled so as to be relatively rotatable from 0 ° to almost 360 °. In this case, it is easy to repeat both cases at an optimum angle and quickly determine them during a call or during an information input operation, and there is an effect that usability by relative rotation of both cases is improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following is one embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention.
For the sake of simplicity of explanation, the functions of the folding information terminal with an imaging device (hereinafter referred to as “this device”) are assumed to be a telephone and a camera. In addition, an electronic mail function, an Internet function, and an application software function may be provided.
1 to 3 are a perspective view (a) and a longitudinal sectional view (b) of the apparatus 1, FIG. 1 is a closed fold shape, and FIG. 2 is a shape having a predetermined angle (hereinafter referred to as “telephone shape”). FIG. 3 shows the apparatus 1 in an open folded shape (hereinafter referred to as “camera shape”).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the apparatus 1 includes a first housing 2, a second housing 3, a connecting portion 4, an antenna 5, an operation panel 6, an image display panel 7, and imaging. An element 8 and a lens 9 are provided.
The first casing 2 is equipped with an operation panel 6, an image sensor 8, a lens 9 and a transmitter (not shown), and the second casing 3 is equipped with an antenna 5, an image display panel 7 and a receiver (not shown). As described above, the device 1 has a configuration of a control device, a memory, a communication device, and the like (not shown). The antenna 5 is preferably a built-in type that does not protrude to the outside, but the protruding type is described in the drawing.

The operation keys of the operation panel 6 are arranged on one surface of the first housing 2 which is the inside of the closed folded body, and the lens 9 is exposed.
The image display surface of the image display panel 7 is disposed on one surface of the second housing 3 that is the inner side of the closed folded body.
The connecting portion 4 connects the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 so as to be relatively rotatable. Due to the action of the connecting portion 4, the first case 2 can be transformed into a telephone shape (150 °) shown in FIG. 2 and a camera shape (360 °) shown in FIG. And the second housing 3 are rotated relative to each other.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the camera is shaped, light from a subject located in the rear direction of the image display panel 7 (upward in the drawing) enters the lens 9.
A CCD or the like is applied to the image sensor 8 and receives light transmitted through the lens 9 to generate an image signal. The image signal is displayed on the image display panel 7 by the control device, and the image signal is stored in the memory. In this way, an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject located in the back direction of the image display unit in the open folded shape is configured.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, modes of the connecting mechanism, the restricting means, and the detecting means of the connecting portion 4 will be described.
4A is a connection partial sectional view, FIG. 4B is an AA sectional view, and FIG. 4C is a BB sectional view.

The connecting portion 4 includes a connecting frame F, first rotating shafts P3 and P4, second rotating shafts P1 and P2, gears G1 to G4, cams K1 and K2, and switches S1 and S2.
The connecting frame F is a frame that holds the relative positions of other parts of the connecting portion 4 and also serves as a housing for storing these parts.
The first rotating shafts P3 and P4 and the second rotating shafts P1 and P2 are rotatably held by the connecting frame F, and one end protrudes outside the connecting frame F. End portions of the first rotating shafts P3 and P4 protruding outside the connecting frame F are fixed to the first housing 2 so as not to rotate. End portions of the second rotating shafts P1 and P2 protruding outside the connecting frame F are fixed to the second housing 3 so as not to rotate.
Each of the first rotating shafts P3 and P4 and the second rotating shafts P1 and P2 has a hollow pipe shape in which through holes H1, H2, H3, and H4 are formed in the axial direction.
The wiring between the first housing and the second housing is arranged in the extra space in the through holes H1, H2, H3, H4 and the connecting frame F.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a gear G1 and a cam K1 are attached to the second rotating shaft P1 so as to rotate integrally, and a gear G4 is attached to the first rotating shaft P3 so as to rotate integrally. The gear G1 and the gear G4 are connected by two gears G2 and G3. Thereby, the 1st rotating shaft P3 and the 2nd rotating shaft P1 can rotate synchronously. In order to enable the relative rotation described above, the series number of intermediate gears (the gears G2 and G3 in the present embodiment) is an even number. The gear G1 and the gear G4 may be meshed directly. The gear ratio between the gear G1 and the gear G4 is 1: 1, and the gear G1 and the gear G4 rotate in synchronization with each other in opposite directions. A cam K2 is attached to the first rotation shaft P4 so as to rotate integrally.
The connecting gear train using the gears G1 to G4 may be similarly provided between the first rotating shaft P4 and the second rotating shaft P2.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the switch S1 includes a switch box B1, a spring B2, and a switch arm B3.
The spring B2 is an elongated leaf spring, and a projection B4 formed on the side surface near the tip is brought into contact with the cam K1, and the base end is fixed to the switch box B1.
The switch arm B3 is formed of a resin or the like, and has a distal end portion in contact with the distal end portion of the spring B2 (the distal end rather than the protruding portion B4), and the proximal end is supported by a hinge in the switch box B1. The switch arm B3 is urged so as to follow the spring B2 by a coil spring B0 in the switch box B1. In addition, the switch box B1 is provided with an electric circuit that senses the tilting of the switch arm B3, converts it into an electric signal, and outputs it to the control device.
In the cam K1, a cam groove C1 into which the protrusion B4 falls is formed long in the circumferential direction. The cam groove C1 length is the length of the circumferential protrusion portion B4 + the circumference of the cam K1 corresponding to 75 °.
When the protrusion B4 falls into the cam groove C1, the spring B2 does not bend, and therefore the switch arm B3 does not tilt and the switch S1 is turned off.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the protruding portion B4 is pulled out from the cam groove C1, the spring B2 is bent, so that the switch arm B3 is tilted and the switch S1 is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the switch S2 is the same as the switch S1 except that a spring B5 that does not protrude from the protrusion B4 to the tip is used and that the switch arm B3 does not contact the spring B5. It is a configuration.
The cam K2 is formed with three cam grooves C2, C3, C4 into which the protrusion B4 falls, and a rib R1. Each cam groove C2, C3, C4 length is the length of the protrusion B4 in the circumferential direction.
The cam groove C2 and the cam groove C3 are arranged at an angle of 75 °, and the cam groove C2 and the cam groove C4 are arranged at an angle of 180 °.
When the rib R1 contacts the stopper pins R2 and R3, the rotation range of the cam K2 is limited to 180 °. The stopper pins R2 and R3 are formed integrally with the connecting frame F.
As shown in FIG. 5D, when the rib R1 contacts the stopper pin R3, at the same time, the rib R1 pushes the switch arm B3 and tilts it to turn on the switch S2. In other cases, the switch S2 is OFF.

  Next, the operation of the restricting means, the detecting means and the operation mode switching operation in the transformation process of the apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 (r) is a graph showing an example of the transition of resistance force during open rotation, (s1) is a graph showing ON / OFF of the switch S1, (s2) is a graph showing ON / OFF of the switch S2, (a) is a figure which shows an example of operation mode switching, (b) is a figure which shows another example of operation mode switching.

In the closed folded body shown in FIG. 1, the switches S1 and S2 and the cams K1 and K2 are in the state shown in FIGS. At this time, the rotation angle of the cams K1 and K2 (hereinafter referred to as “cam angle”) is 0 °, and the relative rotation angle between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 (hereinafter referred to as “housing angle”). It is twice the cam angle (cam angle is shown in parentheses in FIG. 6) is 0 °. The switches S1 and S2 are OFF.
As shown in FIG. 6 (r), when the user tries to open the apparatus 1 from this state, a resistance force is exerted by the action of the spring B5 and the cam K2. Thereby, this apparatus 1 is hold | maintained so that it may not open unexpectedly. When this resistance force is overcome and rotated and the projection B4 is pulled out from the cam groove C2, the rotation becomes smooth, but the frictional force between the members works. The shape of the device 1 can be held at an arbitrary angle by this frictional force. When further rotated, the resistance to rotation is weakened at a cam angle of slightly less than 75 ° (it works negatively depending on the design) and is guided to a position at a cam angle of 75 °. This is because the protrusion B4 falls into the cam groove C3. At this time, the casing angle is 150 °, and the telephone form shown in FIG. 2 is obtained, and the switch and the cam are in the state shown in FIGS. The protrusion B4 of the spring B2 hits the side wall of the cam groove C1, and the protrusion B4 of the spring B5 hits the side wall of the cam groove C3.

  When the user tries to further rotate the device 1 from the telephone form in the opening direction, the strongest resistance force is exerted on the device 1 by the action of the spring B5 and the cam K2 and the action of the spring B2 and the cam K1. Since a resistance greater than the force required for the transformation from the closed fold shape to the phone shape acts, it is possible to prevent the phone shape from opening more than the case angle of 150 °. The momentum is prevented from rotating to the camera shape, and there is no danger of pinching your hands.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (s1), when the cam angle exceeds 75 °, the switch S1 is turned ON. When the resistance force is overcome and rotated and both protrusions B4 come out of the cam grooves C1 and C3, the rotation becomes smooth, but the frictional force between the members works. The shape of the device 1 can be held at an arbitrary angle by this frictional force. When further rotated, the rotational resistance is weakened at a cam angle of slightly less than 180 ° (it works negatively depending on the design) and is guided to a position at a cam angle of 180 °. This is because the protrusion B4 falls into the cam groove C4. At this time, the housing angle is 360 °, and the camera shape shown in FIG. 3 is obtained, and the switch and the cam are in the state shown in FIGS. The protrusion B4 of the spring B2 hits the outer peripheral surface of the cam groove K1 to turn on the flex switch S1. The protrusion B4 of the spring B5 is fitted in the cam groove C4. The rib R1 is in contact with the stopper pin R3, and pushes the switch arm B3 away to tilt the switch S2.

As shown in FIG. 6A, in the case angle from 0 ° to 150 °, it is possible to switch from the telephone mode to the camera mode and from the camera mode to the telephone mode by operating the operation keys. When the casing angle exceeds 150 °, the control device switches the operation mode to the semi-hold mode. The semi-hold mode is an operation mode in which operations other than the incoming call button among the operation keys on the operation panel 6 are disabled and the imaging operation by the imaging device is disabled. It should be noted that once there is an incoming operation, it is preferable to switch to the telephone mode.
When the housing angle reaches 360 °, the control device switches the operation mode from the semi-hold mode to the camera mode. The camera mode is a shooting mode in which imaging by the imaging device can be operated, and is an operation mode in which operations other than the shooting button among the operation keys on the operation panel 6 are disabled. Note that when the photographing button is provided on the side surface of the apparatus 1, all the operation keys of the operation panel 6 may be disabled. In addition, in a model in which shooting conditions can be changed, it is preferable that a shooting condition change operation key can be operated in the camera mode in the camera configuration. In particular, zoom operations and the like must be enabled.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a flowchart that enables automatic switching of the operation mode.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the power is turned on, the control device determines whether the switches S1 and S2 are on or off. The control device initially sets the telephone mode when the switch S1 is OFF, sets the mode instructed by the user when the user performs a switching operation, and enters the semi-hold mode when the switch S1 is ON and the switch S2 is OFF. When the switch S2 is ON, the camera mode is set. When the shooting button is operated in the camera mode, the control device performs shooting and stores the image data in the memory. When the power supply is turned off when the switch S1 is turned off, the control device performs a termination process.

  Regardless of the embodiment described above, switching control that excludes the quasi-hold mode may be employed as shown in FIG. In this case, the switch S1 is unnecessary and the configuration is simplified.

Further, the embodiment (the present apparatus 20) shown in FIG. 8 can be applied to the configuration of the photographing apparatus and the switch S2.
As shown in FIG. 8, the image sensor 8 and the lens 9 are provided in the second housing 3. The conversion lenses 10 and 11 are provided in the first housing 2 so as to be disposed on the same optical axis as the lens 9 when the camera is formed. Application of the conversion lenses 10 and 11 enables magnification conversion and the like.
As shown in FIG. 8, a switch S3 is provided on the opposite surface of the image display panel 7 of the second housing 3, and a protrusion R4 of the first housing 2 is provided. The switch S3 is a switch configured in the hole, and is turned on when the protrusion R4 enters. This can be done in place of the switch S2. In this case, the structure in the connection part 4 becomes simple.

Further, like the device 21 shown in FIG. 9, an operation unit 12 that releases the restriction by the spring B <b> 2 can be provided. As shown to Fig.9 (a), the operation part 12 which can be pushed from the connection part 4 exterior is provided. As shown in FIG. 9B, the inner end of the operation unit 12 is made to abut against the spring B2. When the user presses the operation unit 12 with a finger or the like when the telephone is formed, the spring B2 is bent, and the projection B6 of the spring B2 is retracted from the cam groove C1 to the outside. As a result, the restriction by the cam K1 and the spring B2 is released, and the switch S1 is turned on. When the switch S1 is turned ON, the quasi-hold mode is set, so that an erroneous operation during operation of the operation unit 12 is prevented.
The protrusion B6 may be released so as not to come into contact with the cam K1, but the protrusion B6 may be retracted with respect to the center of the cam so as to weaken the resistance to rotation.
When the protrusion B6 can be released so as not to contact the cam K1, the side face of the protrusion B6 is vertically cut so as to increase the resistance during regulation, and the cam rising angle is 90 °. (Match in half direction). In the case of this configuration, operation of the operation unit 12 is indispensable in order to relatively rotate both the casings 2 and 3 in the opening direction from the telephone form.
Since the restriction is released by operating the operation unit 12, it is possible to prevent an unreasonable force from being applied against the resistance force by the restriction means. However, if it is anticipated that the user will operate the casings 2 and 3 forcibly relative rotation without operating the operation unit 12 or that the apparatus will be dropped, the parts constituting the regulating means will be damaged. In order to prevent this, the configuration of the apparatus 1 may be adopted.

It is the perspective view (a) and longitudinal cross-sectional view (b) of a foldable information terminal with an imaging device of one Embodiment of this invention, and shows a closed fold form. It is the perspective view (a) and longitudinal cross-sectional view (b) of a foldable information terminal with an imaging device of one Embodiment of this invention, and shows the form which makes a predetermined angle. It is the perspective view (a) and longitudinal cross-sectional view (b) of a foldable information terminal with an imaging device of one Embodiment of this invention, and shows an open folding body. (A) in one Embodiment of this invention is a connection partial sectional view, (b) is AA sectional drawing in (a), (c) is BB sectional drawing. (A) (b) is AA sectional drawing in Fig.4 (a), (c) (d) is BB sectional drawing in Fig.4 (a), and shows a different state. In one embodiment of the present invention, (r) is a graph showing an example of the transition of resistance force during open rotation, (s1) is a graph showing ON / OFF of the switch S1, and (s2) is ON / OFF of the switch S2. (A) is a figure which shows an example of operation mode switching, (b) is a figure which shows another example of operation mode switching. It is an example of the flowchart which enables automatic switching of the operation mode in one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view (a) and longitudinal cross-sectional view (b) of a foldable information terminal with an imaging device in one embodiment of the present invention, and shows an open fold form. In another embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a perspective view of a foldable information terminal with an imaging device, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 (a), and forms a predetermined angle. Indicates the form.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... This apparatus (folding type information terminal with an imaging device) 2 ... 1st housing | casing 3 ... 2nd housing | casing 4 ... Connection part 5 ... Antenna 6 ... Operation panel 7 ... Image display panel 8 ... Imaging element 9 ... Lens

Claims (10)

A first housing having operation keys, a second housing having an image display unit,
A connecting portion that connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be relatively rotatable;
A shape (hereinafter referred to as a “closed folded shape”) folded into a state in which the operation key arrangement surface of the first housing and the image display surface of the second housing are combined by the relative rotation, and the first housing. So that it can be transformed into a shape (hereinafter referred to as “open fold shape”) that is folded in a state where the opposite surface of the body to the operation key arrangement surface and the opposite surface of the image display surface of the second housing are combined. Configured,
In the folding portable information terminal with an imaging device provided with an imaging device for imaging a subject located in the back direction of the image display unit in the open fold form,
There is provided a restricting means for giving a resistance force to the relative rotation in the direction of the open folded shape in the shape forming a predetermined angle in the process of changing from the closed folded shape to the open folded shape by the relative rotation,
A foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device, wherein a resistance force of the restricting means is set to be larger than a resistance force against the relative rotation in a deformed body from a closed fold shape to a shape having a predetermined angle. The foldable portable information terminal with an image pickup device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit that weakens or cancels the resistance force by the regulating unit. The connecting portion includes a connecting frame, a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft held by the connecting frame,
The first housing and the connection frame are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable by the first rotation shaft,
The foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second casing and the connection frame are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable by the second rotation shaft. The foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft are coupled so as to rotate in synchronization. The angle range detection means which detects that the relative rotation angle of the said 1st housing | casing and the said 2nd housing | casing exceeds the said predetermined angle is provided as described in any one of Claims 1-4. A foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device. The foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an open fold shape detecting means for detecting that the fold shape is open. 6. The foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device according to claim 5, further comprising control means for disabling operation of all or part of operation keys arranged on the operation key arrangement surface when the angle range detection means is detected. The foldable portable information terminal with an image pickup device according to claim 6, further comprising control means for disabling operation of all or part of the operation keys arranged on the operation key arrangement surface upon detection by the open fold form detecting means. . Comprising an open fold shape detecting means for detecting that it is an open fold shape;
6. The foldable portable information terminal with an imaging device according to claim 5, further comprising control means for disabling an imaging operation by the imaging device when the angle range detection means is detected and the open fold shape detection means is not detected. The foldable portable information terminal with an image pickup device according to claim 6 or 9, further comprising a control unit that enables an image pickup operation by the image pickup device at the time of detection by the open fold shape detecting unit.

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