JP2005300671A - Information terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information terminal device in which mode switching for short range photographing is facilitated, and focusing and alignment to a subject to be photographed in a short range are ensured. <P>SOLUTION: When a cellular phone 10 is opened, as shown in Figure (A), such that its first housing 10a and second housing 10b are almost at right angles to each other, a ball 28 projects half from a shaft 22 by the elasticity of a spring 26 and is pressed against a mode changeover switch 18, as shown in Figure (B). Then, when a predetermined time elapses in a state the mode switch 18 is pressed, a camera 12 is switched to a micro mode. When the cellular phone 10 is closed as shown in Figure (C), the shaft 22 is rotated together with the first housing 10a. As a result, as shown in Figure (D), the ball 28 is moved apart from the mode changeover switch 18 and accommodated into a hemispherical recess 30 provided in the internal surface of a cylindrical member 20, on the left side in Figure (D). On the other hand, when the cellular phone 10 is opened as shown in Figure (E), the spherical member 28 is moved apart from the mode changeover switch 18 and accommodated into a recess 32, as shown in Figure (F). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal device, and more particularly to an information terminal device including an image pickup unit that performs close-up photography such as a barcode.

  In recent years, some information terminal devices such as mobile phones read bar-coded data and input the data to the mobile phone. Since a bar code or a two-dimensional code (QR code) can represent information such as a telephone number, an e-mail address, a web page address, etc., it is used together with, for example, a cellular phone phone book or an Internet function. Some of such information terminal devices have an OCR (optical character reading) function and can read and use character information such as business cards, for example. As an example of such an information terminal device, Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile phone including a barcode reader.

  Recently, information terminal devices such as mobile phones having a camera function have been widely used. Such an information terminal device captures a symbol such as a barcode or a character with an attached camera, decodes the image of the photographed symbol, and obtains symbol information. However, when photographing a symbol, the symbol information is often taken close to the symbol with a camera, and the symbol information cannot be accurately read because the symbol is not focused or the photographed symbol image is too small. There is a risk of not.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an example of a camera-equipped mobile phone provided with means for notifying a photographer whether an image has been captured at a level at which symbol information can be decoded. Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, a double frame is provided on the image display unit (display), and the outer edge of the symbol is positioned between the inner frame and the outer frame so as to be photographed. An example of a camera-equipped mobile phone that facilitates focusing and positioning is disclosed.

Further, Patent Document 3 includes a second lens for close-up photography separately from a camera for normal photography, and optimizes the distance between the second lens and the subject by using the length of the antenna. An example of a mobile phone configured to do so is disclosed.
JP 2002-232532 A JP 2002-176509 A JP 2002-27047 A (FIG. 9 etc.)

  However, the mobile phones disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 3 described above need to include a barcode reader and a second lens separately from the camera. Note that the focusing and positioning method in Patent Document 2 is different in configuration from the present invention.

  In addition, when performing normal shooting and close-up with one camera, there is a problem that switching from the normal shooting mode to the macro mode is complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an information terminal device that can easily switch modes during close-up shooting and can reliably perform focusing, positioning, and the like on a close-up shot subject. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the object, an information terminal device according to claim 1 includes a first casing and a second casing that are connected to be openable and closable, and an imaging unit that is disposed in the first casing. And a mode switching unit that switches the imaging unit to a macro mode when the first casing and the second casing are opened at a predetermined angle.

  According to the information terminal device of the first aspect, it is possible to automatically switch the imaging means (camera) to the macro mode suitable for close-up without the photographer performing complicated operations.

  An information terminal device according to a second aspect is disposed on the first casing and the second casing that are connected so as to be openable and closable, and on a surface that is inside the first casing when the casing is closed. The first housing and the second housing are opened at a predetermined angle during photographing, and the end surface of the second housing is brought into contact with the same plane as the subject.

  According to the information terminal device of the second aspect, the distance between the imaging unit and the subject can be substantially fixed, and focusing on the subject becomes easy.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the second aspect, the photographing apparatus includes a photographing instruction unit that is disposed on an end surface of the second casing and gives a photographing instruction to the imaging unit. An imaging instruction is given to the imaging means when pressed against the same plane as the subject.

  According to the information terminal device of the third aspect, since the shooting is not executed unless the shooting instruction means is in contact with the subject, the distance between the imaging means and the subject can be fixed more reliably.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the photographing apparatus according to the third aspect, further comprising: three support means disposed on an end surface of the second casing for supporting the second casing during photographing. Any one of the supporting means also serves as a photographing instruction means for giving a photographing instruction to the imaging means when pressed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the three support means also serve as photographing instruction means for giving a photographing instruction to the imaging means when the three support means are simultaneously pressed. To do.

  According to the information terminal device of the fourth and fifth aspects, the angle formed between the second housing and the subject plane can be fixed, so that the distance between the imaging unit and the subject can be fixed more reliably.

  The information terminal device according to claim 6 is disposed on the first casing and the second casing that are connected in an openable / closable manner, and on a surface that is inside the first casing when the casing is closed. Imaging means and display means arranged on the inner surface of either one of the housings, and changing the display of the display means for subject illumination during photographing.

  According to the information terminal device of the sixth aspect, the display means mounted on the information terminal device can also be used as illumination during photographing.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, at the time of photographing, the display means displays at least a part of the region in a single color.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the single color is white.

  The photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8, further comprising a display unit that is disposed on an outer surface of the first casing and displays a shootable range of the imaging unit. And

  According to the information terminal device of the ninth aspect, the subject can be easily aligned.

  An information terminal apparatus according to a tenth aspect includes an imaging unit and a projecting unit that projects a shootable range of the imaging unit onto a subject side.

  According to the information terminal device of the tenth aspect, the subject can be easily aligned.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the projection unit includes a light emitting element and a projection optical system that projects light emitted from the light emitting element onto a subject side.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the imaging unit includes an imaging element and an imaging optical system that forms an image of a subject on the imaging element, and the projection unit includes: A light emitting element disposed around the imaging element is provided, and the imaging optical system projects light emitted from the light emitting element onto a subject side.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the imaging unit includes an imaging element, a protective member that protects the imaging element, and an imaging optical system that forms an image of a subject on the imaging element. And the projection means includes a light emitting element attached to the protective member, and the imaging optical system projects light emitted from the light emitting element onto the subject side.

  According to the information terminal device of the twelfth and thirteenth aspects, the configuration can be simplified by using the optical system of the imaging means (camera) also for projecting the shootable range.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, the projection unit interrupts the projection of the photographing possible range at the moment of photographing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically switch the imaging means (camera) to a macro mode suitable for close-up photography of symbols and the like without a complicated operation by the photographer. According to the present invention, the distance between the imaging means and the subject can be substantially fixed, and focusing becomes easy. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the subject can be easily aligned by projecting the field of view of the camera onto the subject.

  Preferred embodiments of an information terminal device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a camera-equipped mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera-equipped mobile phone shown in FIG. 1 includes a first housing 10a and a second housing 10b. The first housing 10a and the second housing 10b are connected via a hinge 10c so as to be opened and closed.

  An imaging means (camera) 12 and an image display means (display) 14 are attached to the inner surface of the first casing 10a when it is closed, and operation keys 16 are provided on the second casing 10b. It is attached. A mode switch 18 described later is attached to the hinge 10c of the first casing 10a and the second casing 10b (see FIG. 2 and the like).

  As the display 14, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL (Electro Luminescent) light emitting sheet, or the like can be used.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone of this embodiment performs normal shooting and close-up shooting with a single camera. Therefore, when performing close-up photography of symbols or the like, it is necessary to switch the camera 12 from the normal shooting mode to the macro mode (close-up mode). Hereinafter, a mode switching method of the camera 12 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of switching the shooting mode of the camera 12. 2A, 2C, and 2E are side views showing the state of the mobile phone 10, and FIGS. 2B, 2D, and 2F are FIGS. 2A and 2C, respectively. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a mode changeover switch 18 of the mobile phone 10 corresponding to the case of (E).

  2B and the like, a cylindrical member 20 fixed to the second housing 10b of the hinge 10c and a shaft 22 fixed to the first housing 10a and rotatably inserted into the member 20 are shown. It is shown.

  A mode switch 18 is attached to the upper part of the inner surface of the cylindrical member 20 in the figure. A hole 24 is formed in the shaft 22 in the center direction, and a spring 26 is fixed to the bottom of the hole 24. A spherical member (ball) 28 is attached to the outer end of the hole 24 of the spring 26.

  When the first casing 10a and the second casing 10b of the mobile phone 10 are opened so as to be substantially perpendicular as shown in FIG. 2A, the ball 28 is spring-loaded as shown in FIG. Due to the elastic force of 26, it protrudes about half from the shaft 22 and is pressed against the mode switch 18. Then, when a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) elapses with the mode switch 18 being pressed, the camera 12 is switched to the macro mode.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the mobile phone 10 is closed, the shaft 22 is rotated together with the first housing 10a. Then, as shown in FIG. 2 (D), the ball 28 is separated from the mode switch 18 and is stored in a hemispherical recess 30 provided on the left side in the figure of the inner surface of the cylindrical member 20. On the other hand, when the mobile phone 10 is opened as shown in FIG. 2 (E), the spherical member 28 is separated from the mode changeover switch 18 as shown in FIG. 2 (F), and in the view of the inner surface of the cylindrical member 20. It is stored in the recess 32 provided on the right side.

  As described above, the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 according to the present embodiment automatically switches to the macro mode when the first casing 10a and the second casing 10b are at right angles, and the macro mode is switched at other times. It is to be released. Further, since the ball 28 slightly protrudes from the shaft 22 and is accommodated in the mode changeover switch 18 or the recesses 30 and 32, each case of the mobile phone 10 in each of the cases shown in FIGS. This prevents the angle between the two from changing easily.

  In the present embodiment, the mode changeover switch 18 is operated by the spring 26 attached to the hinge 10c, but an electric switch may be used as the mode changeover switch 18. Moreover, you may switch a mode using a wire.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of switching the shooting mode with a wire. As shown in FIG. 3, the wire 50 is stretched between the mode switching lever 52 of the camera 12 and the fixed point 56 at the lower end of the shaft 54 of the hinge 10c. The shaft 54 in the figure is fixed to the second housing 10b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the mobile phone 10 is closed, the wire 50 is wound around the shaft 54, the mode switching lever 52 is pulled by the wire 50, and the camera 12 is switched to the macro mode. Next, when the cellular phone 10 is opened so that the casings 10a and 10b are substantially perpendicular, the wire 50 wound around the shaft 54 is slightly extended, but the camera 12 is still kept in the macro mode. When the mobile phone 10 is opened, the wire 50 wound around the shaft 54 is extended, and the mode switching lever 52 is pushed by the extended wire 50 to switch the camera 12 to the normal photographing mode.

  Next, a method for performing close-up using the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method for performing close-up using the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the present embodiment. When performing close-up photography, as shown in FIG. 4, the end surface of the second housing 10 b is perpendicular to the subject 70 (desk or the like; in the following description, referred to as the subject plane) 72. Pressed. As described above, when the mobile phone 10 according to the present embodiment is in the macro mode, the angle between the first housing 10a and the second housing 10b is almost a right angle, and the distance between the camera 12 and the subject 70 is almost the same. Since it is fixed, it is easy to focus on the subject 70 during close-up photography.

  In the present embodiment, the subject 70 may be illuminated using the display 14 as shown in FIG. For example, when close-up is performed, a specific single color optimum for reading is displayed on the entire surface or a part of the display 14 according to the color of the subject. Thereby, the subject 70 can be illuminated. The single color in this case is preferably a color with high brightness (such as white). In this case, by illuminating the subject 70, the shutter opening time (exposure time) can be shortened, so image distortion due to camera shake can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, illumination means (LED (Light Emitting Diode), EL, etc.) different from the display 14 may be provided.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a display 60 is provided on the back surface (the surface that becomes the outer side when closed) of the first housing 10 a so that the image of the subject 70 is visually aligned. You may be allowed to shoot while.

  In the mobile phone of this embodiment, a shutter button may be provided on the end surface of the second casing 10b, and photographing may be performed by pressing the shutter button. Hereinafter, examples of such a shutter button will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a shutter button, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for performing close-up using the shutter button of FIG. One shutter button 80 is provided on the end surface of the second casing 10b shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when the shutter button 80 is pressed against the subject plane 72, shooting is performed by the camera 12. In this case, since shooting is not performed unless the shutter button 80 is pressed against the subject plane 72, focusing can be performed more reliably.

  Next, another embodiment of the shutter button will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the shutter button, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method of performing close-up using the shutter button of FIG. Reference numerals 82, 84 and 86 are shutter buttons.

  As shown in FIG. 7, two shutter buttons 82 and 84 are attached to the right side of the end face of the second housing 10b, and one shutter button 86 is attached to the left side. In this embodiment, shooting is performed when three of these shutter buttons 82, 84 and 86 are pressed simultaneously.

  According to this embodiment, since the second casing 10b is supported by the three shutter buttons, the angle formed by the second casing 10b and the subject plane 72 at the time of shooting is stabilized, so that focusing can be performed more reliably. It can be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the three reference numerals 82, 84 and 86 do not have to be shutter buttons. For example, only the reference numeral 86 may be a shutter button, and the remaining two may be simple protrusions. In this case, the right projections 82 and 84 are first pressed against the object plane 72, and then the left shutter button 86 is pressed to perform shooting.

  In the present embodiment, the field of view (capable range) of the camera 12 may be projected onto the subject plane 72. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a camera-equipped mobile phone in which a shootable range is projected onto a subject plane. The mobile phone 10 shown in FIG. 9 includes a projection unit 90 in addition to the camera 12 on the upper portion of the first housing 10a.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the projection unit 90. As shown in FIG. 10, the projection unit 90 includes a light emitting element (LED) 92 arranged in a rectangular shape, and a projection optical system 94 that projects an image of the LED 92 onto a subject plane 72. The shape of the LED 92 and the projection optical system 94 are adjusted so that the image 96 of the LED 92 projected onto the subject plane 72 matches the field of view of the camera 12 (capable of photographing). In the present embodiment, the subject 70 is set within the shootable range 96 of the camera 12 shown in FIG. Thereby, the alignment of the subject 70 can be easily performed.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable to interrupt the projection of the shootable range 96 of the camera 12 at the moment of shooting (shutter opening time (exposure time)) in order to avoid capturing the shootable range 96. .

  In the present invention, the distance between the camera 12 and the object plane 72 during close-up is constant, and the shootable range by the camera 12 does not change, so that an accurate shootable range can be projected.

  Next, another embodiment of the projection means 90 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the image sensor of the camera according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11A is a perspective view, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view. As shown in FIG. 11, the image sensor (CCD) 100 is installed in a circuit 102. Reference numeral 104 in FIG. 11B denotes a cover glass that protects the image sensor 100. FIG. 11A shows a state where the cover glass 104 is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, a light emitting element (LED) 106 is disposed so as to surround the CCD 100.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a method of projecting a shootable range. Reference numeral 108 denotes an imaging lens of the camera 12. In this embodiment, the photographing lens 106 is used as a pattern projector for the LED 102, and the image 110 of the LED 102 is projected onto the subject plane 72.

  According to the present embodiment, the configuration can be simplified by sharing the optical system of the projection unit and the imaging unit.

  In the above embodiment, the LED 106 may be provided on the cover glass 104 of the CCD 100. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing an example in which the LED 106 is provided on the cover glass 104. FIG. 13A is a perspective view, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view.

  In FIG. 13, a rectangular LCD 106 is provided on the surface of the cover glass 104 on the CCD 100 side (the lower surface in the figure). In FIG. 14, a rectangular LCD 106 is provided on the upper surface of the cover glass 104.

The perspective view which shows the mobile phone with a camera concerning one Embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the switching method of the imaging | photography mode of the camera 12 The figure which shows the example which switches photographing mode with the wire The figure which shows the method of performing close-up using the mobile phone with a camera concerning this embodiment A perspective view showing an example of a shutter button The figure which shows the method of performing close-up photography using the shutter button of FIG. The figure which shows another example of a shutter button The figure which shows the method of performing close-up photography using the shutter button of FIG. The perspective view which shows the mobile phone with a camera which projected the imaging | photography possible range on the to-be-photographed object plane The figure which shows the projection means 90 typically The figure which shows the image pick-up element of the camera which concerns on a present Example. The figure which shows the projection method of the photographable range typically The figure which shows the example which provided LED106 in the lower surface of the cover glass 104 The figure which shows the example which provided LED106 on the upper surface of the cover glass 104

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mobile phone with camera, 10a ... 1st housing | casing, 10b ... 2nd housing | casing, 10c ... Hinge, 12 ... Imaging means (camera), 14 ... Image display means, 18 ... Mode change switch, 60 ... Back Display, 80 ... Shutter button, 90 ... Projection means, 92 ... Light emitting element (LED), 94 ... Projection optical system, 100 ... Imaging element (CCD), 106 ... Light emitting element (LED)

Claims (14)

A first housing and a second housing connected to be openable and closable;
Imaging means disposed in the first housing;
Mode switching means for switching the imaging means to a macro mode when the first casing and the second casing are opened at a predetermined angle;
An information terminal device comprising: A first housing and a second housing connected to be openable and closable;
Comprising imaging means disposed on a surface that becomes the inside of the first casing when the casing is closed;
An information terminal device, wherein at the time of shooting, the first casing and the second casing are opened at a predetermined angle, and an end surface of the second casing is brought into contact with the same plane as the subject. A shooting instruction means for giving a shooting instruction to the imaging means, disposed on an end surface of the second housing;
3. The information terminal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the photographing instruction unit gives a photographing instruction to the imaging unit when pressed against the same plane as the subject. Comprising three support means disposed on an end surface of the second casing for supporting the second casing at the time of photographing;
3. The information terminal device according to claim 2, wherein any one of the three support units also serves as a shooting instruction unit that gives a shooting instruction to the imaging unit when pressed.   5. The information terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the three support means also serve as shooting instruction means for giving a shooting instruction to the imaging means when the three support means are pressed simultaneously. A first housing and a second housing connected to be openable and closable;
Imaging means disposed on a surface that becomes the inside of the first casing when the casing is closed;
Display means disposed on the inner surface of any one of the housings;
With
An information terminal device characterized by changing the display of the display means for subject illumination at the time of photographing. 7. The information terminal device according to claim 6, wherein at the time of shooting, the display means displays at least a part of the region in a single color.   8. The information terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the single color is white.   9. The information terminal device according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit that is disposed on an outer surface of the first housing and displays a shootable range of the imaging unit. Imaging means;
Projecting means for projecting the imageable range of the imaging means onto the subject side;
An information terminal device comprising: The projection means includes a light emitting element;
A projection optical system that projects light emitted from the light emitting element onto the subject side;
The information terminal device according to claim 10, further comprising: The imaging means is an imaging element;
An imaging optical system for forming an image of a subject on the image sensor;
With
The projection means includes a light emitting element disposed around the imaging element;
The information terminal apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the imaging optical system projects light emitted from the light emitting element onto a subject side. The imaging means is an imaging element;
A protective member for protecting the image sensor;
An imaging optical system for forming an image of a subject on the image sensor;
With
The projection means includes a light emitting element attached to the protection member,
The information terminal apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the imaging optical system projects light emitted from the light emitting element onto a subject side.   14. The information terminal device according to claim 10, wherein the projection unit interrupts projection of a shootable range at the moment of shooting.

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