JP2005130111A - Cellular telephone with built-in camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cellular telephone in which allowing low power consumption to a backlight or a flashlight for a liquid crystal display. <P>SOLUTION: The brightness in a normal use mode of the backlight 8 is set. Control is made to increase the brightness of the backlight 8 in a photographing mode in a camera 10 rather than the set brightness in the normal use mode. In addition, the illumination of the flashlight 14 is selected depending on closing or opening an upper side base and a lower side base in the flip cellular telephone. Furthermore, when the flashlight 14 is used as an electric torch, the illumination of the flashlight 14 is adjusted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile phone, and more particularly to a power saving technique for reducing power consumption of a camera-equipped mobile phone.

  Currently, mobile phones are becoming more and more functional, but on the other hand, power consumption is increasing and battery life is becoming shorter. Therefore, various power saving technologies have been proposed in order to reduce the power consumption of the mobile phone.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-125241, a camera body is controlled by controlling an LCD illuminating unit that illuminates a liquid crystal panel according to ambient brightness to emit light in conjunction with a flash unit for auxiliary light. It is described that the usage time of the battery is increased (see Patent Document 1). Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-277721 describes changing the amount of flash emission in accordance with the subject (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-125241 A (paragraphs 0022, 0026 to 0027, etc.) JP 2002-277721 (paragraphs 0012 to 0013, etc.)

  In the methods of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is possible to reduce the power consumption, but there is room for further improvement in order to reduce the power consumption of the mobile phone. For example, the power consumption of the backlight of the liquid crystal display is reduced, or some mobile phones with cameras have a flashlight for the camera. In this case, the power consumption of the flashlight can be reduced, However, it is conceivable to use a flashlight as a flashlight, but there is still room for power saving, such as reducing power consumption in this case.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a mobile phone capable of further reducing power consumption.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a camera for photographing a subject, a liquid crystal display for displaying a photographed image by the camera, a backlight for illuminating the back surface of the liquid crystal display, and normal use of the backlight. Setting means for setting the brightness of the hour, and control means for controlling the brightness of the backlight to be larger than the brightness in normal use set by the setting means when the camera is photographing And

  The present invention also provides a camera for photographing a subject, a flashlight for the camera, a means for detecting whether the subject is photographed or a subject other than the subject, and a detection result of the detection means. In the case of photographing, there is provided means for setting the illuminance of the flashlight to be smaller than that for photographing other than the subject.

  According to the present invention, in a foldable mobile phone having a camera for photographing a subject and a flashlight for the camera, a means for detecting opening / closing of a foldable base, and a detection result of the detection means A means for switching the illuminance of the flashlight between when the base is closed and when the base is open is provided.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a camera for photographing a subject, a flashlight for the camera, means for switching between using the flashlight as a flashlight or a flashlight, and using the flashlight as a flashlight. And a means for adjusting the illuminance of the flashlight.

  According to the present invention, the brightness of the backlight of the liquid crystal display is set during normal use, and the brightness of the backlight is set to be larger than the brightness during normal use when shooting with the camera. Can be displayed brightly, and the power consumption of the backlight can be reduced. In addition, the power consumption of the flashlight can be similarly reduced by optimally adjusting the illuminance of the flashlight according to the subject. Further, when the flashlight is used as a flashlight, the power consumption of the flashlight can be similarly reduced by adjusting the illuminance of the flashlight.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a cellular phone according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire apparatus according to a control program stored in a ROM 9. Also, 3 is an antenna, 4 is a radio unit, and 5 is a modem, and these components constitute a radio communication block. Wireless data from the wireless communication block is connected to a mobile phone base station (not shown) through the antenna 3 and can transmit and receive various data such as voice data.

  An LCD display unit 6 displays various data and images. An LCD control unit 7 controls the LCD display unit 6. The LCD display unit 6 and the LCD control unit 7 constitute a display block. Reference numeral 8 denotes a backlight that illuminates the back surface of the LCD display unit 6, and 9 denotes a luminance control unit that controls the luminance of the backlight 8. The brightness of the backlight 8 during normal use can be set by the user, and the brightness during normal use is stored in the ROM 9.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a camera that captures an object including an imaging element, a lens, and the like. Reference numeral 11 denotes a camera control unit that controls the camera 10. Image data captured by the camera 10 is converted through the camera control unit 11 and displayed on the LCD display unit 6 under the control of the LCD control unit 7. The ROM 9 also stores various user data such as image data of the camera 10, and the RAM 2 is used as a work area. In FIG. 1, other components necessary for the mobile phone such as a speaker and a microphone are omitted. Further, the LCD display unit and the camera may be configured to include a plurality of LCD display units and cameras.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, as described above, the luminance (brightness) of the backlight 8, that is, the luminance of the LCD display unit 6 can be set in a plurality of levels, but is set to three levels for convenience of explanation. Of course, it is possible to set the luminance at a higher level. First, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the user sets the luminance during normal use of the backlight 8 by an input from an operation unit (not shown) (S201).

  When setting the luminance during normal use, the level selected by the user is set (S202). When setting the luminance during normal use, any one of the three levels from level 1 to level 3 can be selected as described above. Here, the brightness level 1 is a state where the LCD brightness is low (dark), the brightness level 2 is a state where the LCD brightness is medium, and the brightness level 3 represents a state where the LCD brightness is high (brightest).

  The CPU 1 stores the luminance level set by the user in the ROM 9. That is, when the luminance level = 1 is set, the normal setting 1 is stored (S203), when the luminance level = 2 is set, the normal setting 2 is stored (S204), and when the luminance level = 3 is set, the normal level is stored. The setting 3 is stored in the ROM 9 (S205). Luminance level = 1 is the lowest power consumption state, and luminance level = 3 is the highest power consumption state.

  That is, when the user does not care about power consumption and wants to always keep the brightest LCD brightness state, set the brightness level = 3, and when care about power consumption, the brightness level = 1 or the brightness level. Set to = 2. If the user does not set the LCD brightness during normal use, the medium brightness level = 2 is set (S206).

  Next, when the camera mode for taking a picture of the camera 10 is set in the state where the luminance level during normal use in which power consumption is prioritized is set to 1 in S203 (S207), the CPU 1 causes the LCD display unit 6 to Since the image captured by the camera is projected darkly, the luminance of the backlight 8 is changed to the brightest luminance level = 3 (S208). When shooting by the camera 10 is completed (S209), the luminance level is returned to the original luminance level = 1 (S210), and the process is terminated.

  Further, when the camera mode is set in the state where the brightness level at normal use is set to 2 in S204 or S206 (S211), the CPU 1 similarly sets the brightness of the backlight 8 to the brightest brightness level = 3. (S212). When the camera mode ends (S213), the brightness level is returned to the original brightness level = 2, and the process ends (S214).

  Further, when the camera mode is set with the brightness level set to 3 being the brightest brightness level in normal use in S205 (S215), a sufficiently bright image is displayed even during camera shooting. The brightness of 8 remains at the brightness level = 3 (S216). When the camera mode ends (S217), the luminance level = 3 is left as it is (S218).

  In this embodiment, the LCD brightness during normal use can be set in multiple stages, and even if the user sets the brightness during normal use of the backlight 8 with a focus on power consumption, it is changed to a bright brightness during camera shooting. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced, and an image can be displayed with an optimum luminance during camera shooting.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, in a flashlight and a camera-equipped mobile phone, when shooting with a camera using a flashlight, a case of shooting yourself and a time of shooting other than that are distinguished, and depending on the time Power consumption is reduced by optimally adjusting the brightness (illuminance) of the flashlight. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG.

  The camera shooting mode detection unit 13 is a means for detecting whether the user (photographer) is shooting at the time of camera shooting, or whether the camera is shooting other than himself. Reference numeral 14 denotes a flashlight for the camera 10, and the illuminance of the flashlight 14 can be adjusted to a plurality of levels of illuminance under the control of the flashlight controller 15. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this embodiment. In FIG. 4, first, it is determined whether or not it is a camera mode for photographing using the camera 10 (S401). If it is in the camera mode, it is determined whether or not the flashlight 14 is used (S402). If the flashlight 14 is used, it is photographed based on the detection result of the camera photographing mode detector 13. It is determined whether or not a subject is photographed (S403).

  Here, when the camera 10 is photographing itself, since the distance from the camera 10 to the subject is short, the brightness is sufficient even when the illuminance of the flashlight 14 is low. 15 is controlled and the illuminance of the flashlight 14 is set low (S404). By doing so, the power consumption of the flashlight 14 is suppressed. Thereafter, the camera 10 performs photographing (S405).

  On the other hand, when it is detected that a subject other than the subject is photographed, the distance from the camera 10 to the subject is longer than when the subject is photographed. Therefore, the CPU 1 sets the illuminance of the flashlight 14 to itself in S404. Is set to be brighter than when shooting (S406). Thereafter, the camera 10 performs photographing (S405). If the flashlight 14 is not used in S402, the camera 10 is photographed as it is (S405).

  In addition, as a method for detecting whether the camera shooting mode detection unit 13 is shooting the camera itself or other than the camera itself, for example, an upper base (housing) in a foldable mobile phone can be used. The lower base (housing) opens and closes around the hinge, and there is a method of detecting by this opening and closing. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of this foldable mobile phone. The same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The open / close detection unit 16 is a detection unit that detects opening / closing of an upper base (housing) and a lower base (housing) (not shown). In this case, when the CPU 1 detects that the upper and lower bases are closed by the open / close detection unit 16, the CPU 1 takes a picture of itself and when it is detected that the upper and lower bases are open, Detects that you are shooting something other than yourself.

  That is, when a subject such as a person or a landscape is photographed using the camera 10 in a foldable mobile phone, when the upper and lower bases are opened, an image is displayed on the LCD display unit 6 arranged on the inner side. Therefore, the photographer confirms that and performs photographing. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the upper and lower bases are opened, it is determined that other than the subject is being photographed. Conversely, when the upper and lower bases are closed, the subject is photographed. Judge. Although it is possible to take a picture of himself / herself even with the upper and lower bases open, the photographer cannot confirm the image on the LCD display unit 6, and therefore, it is determined that the photographer other than himself / herself is being photographed.

  Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 4, when the upper and lower bases are closed, the brightness of the flat shrite 14 is set lower than when the upper base and the lower base are open. Thus, the power consumption of the flashlight 14 can be reduced by optimally adjusting the illuminance of the flashlight 14.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, when a flashlight for a camera is used for a flashlight or the like, the illuminance is adjusted step by step to suppress unnecessary irradiation and save power. In FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIG.

  The flashlight mode switching unit 17 is a switching unit that switches between using the flashlight 14 as a flash when photographing with the camera 10 or using it as a flashlight based on the control of the CPU 1. As will be described later, when using the flashlight 14 as a flashlight, the CPU 1 controls the flashlight control unit 15 to adjust the brightness of the flashlight 14 in a plurality of stages. The other configuration is the same as that of FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment. First, it is determined whether to use the flashlight 14 based on an input from the user (S701). When the flashlight 14 is used, the use mode is determined as to whether it is used as a flashlight or as a flash of the camera 10 (S702). When used as a flashlight, irradiation is performed with the least power consumption (the illuminance of the flashlight is the darkest) (S703). In other words, the illuminance of the flashlight 14 can be varied in a plurality of stages by the control of the flashlight 15, and is lit at the lowest illuminance among them.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the illuminance needs to be increased based on the input from the user (S704). If the illuminance does not need to be increased, irradiation is performed with the current illuminance (S705). On the other hand, if an increase in illuminance is instructed, the illuminance is increased by one step (S706). The illuminance of the flashlight 14 is adjusted to a desired illuminance in S704 and S706.

  If the flash light 14 is used as the camera mode in S702, the flash light 14 is used at an illuminance optimum for camera shooting (S707). The process in S707 is the same as the power saving process in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when the flashlight 14 is used as a flashlight, the illuminance is gradually increased as necessary from the darkest state (the state with the lowest power consumption), so that it is used in an unnecessarily bright state. Thus, it is possible to use the flashlight in an optimal power consumption state. On the other hand, if the illuminance is gradually reduced, the power consumption until reaching the required illuminance is wasted, and if you irradiate with the brightest illuminance first, the eyes will become accustomed to it, so it will gradually become darker If you do, you will feel uncomfortable. Therefore, it is effective to increase the illuminance step by step as necessary from the darkest state.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of embodiment of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of embodiment of FIG. It is a block diagram at the time of applying 2nd Embodiment to a folding-type mobile phone. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of embodiment of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 RAM
3 Antenna 4 Radio Unit 5 Modem 6 LCD Display Unit 7 LCD Control Unit 8 Backlight 9 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Camera 11 Camera control part 12 Luminance control part 13 Camera shooting mode detection part 14 Flashlight 15 Flashlight control part 16 Opening / closing detection part

Claims (8)

A camera that shoots a subject; a liquid crystal display that displays an image captured by the camera; a backlight that illuminates the back surface of the liquid crystal display; a setting unit that sets the luminance of the backlight during normal use; A camera-equipped mobile phone comprising: control means for controlling the brightness of the backlight to be larger than the brightness in normal use set by the setting means when the camera is photographed. 2. The camera-attached camera according to claim 1, wherein when the normal use brightness set by the setting means is a maximum brightness, the control means sets the brightness at the time of photographing with the camera as it is. Mobile phone. The said setting means sets the brightness | luminance at the time of normal use of the said backlight by memorize | stores the brightness | luminance selected among the brightness | luminances of several steps in a memory | storage means, The camera-attached one of Claim 1 or 2 Mobile phone. When shooting a subject based on a detection result of the camera, a flashlight for the camera, a means for detecting whether the subject is to be photographed or a subject other than the subject, A camera-equipped cellular phone comprising: means for setting the illuminance of the flashlight to be smaller than that for photographing other than the subject. In a foldable mobile phone having a camera for photographing an object and a flashlight for the camera, when the base is closed based on a detection result of the foldable base and a detection result of the detection means And a means for switching the illuminance of the flashlight when it is open. 6. The camera-equipped mobile phone according to claim 5, wherein the switching means reduces the illuminance of the flashlight when the base is closed as compared to when the base is open. A camera for photographing a subject; a flashlight for the camera; a means for switching between using the flashlight as a flashlight or a flashlight; and an illuminance of the flashlight when the flashlight is used as a flashlight And a camera-equipped mobile phone. The camera-equipped mobile phone according to claim 7, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the illuminance of the flashlight to an optimum illuminance by increasing the illuminance of the flashlight from a preset minimum minimum illuminance.

Images