JP2007243390A - Mobile device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile device with a large display screen for good usability. <P>SOLUTION: A mobile device such as a digital still camera 1 comprises a body 2, a functional member 30 provided on the surface of the body 2, and an image display unit 3 of which a closed state where at least a part of the functional member 30 is covered and an open state for exposing a functional member 40 are selected by bending a display unit. With this configuration, an image is larger in the closed state while good usability is provided in the open state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device having an image display unit such as a digital still camera.

A digital still camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a “camera”) includes an image display unit such as a liquid crystal panel on the surface (back surface) facing the photographer during normal shooting, and the framing image (through image) on this liquid crystal panel. ) Or captured images are displayed.
Here, a camera is known in which a touch panel is provided on a liquid crystal panel and various input operations can be performed on the screen (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-303728 A

According to this conventional camera, since it is not necessary to provide a push button for input operation on the back side of the camera, a liquid crystal panel having a display area of approximately the same size as the back side of the camera can be used. The display image can be enlarged.
However, the touch panel is not easy to use because it does not provide a click feeling during operation like a push button.
An object of the present invention is to provide a portable device that enlarges a display image and is easy to use.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body, a functional member provided on the surface of the main body, a closed state that covers at least a part of the functional member by bending the display unit, and an opening that exposes the functional member. It is a portable apparatus provided with the image display part which can change a state.

A second aspect of the present invention is the portable device according to the first aspect, wherein the display unit is formed of a bendable sheet-like member.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the portable device according to the first or second aspect, the image display unit moves along the surface portion of the main body unit and moves between the open position and the closed position. It shifts and the said main-body part is provided with the accommodating part which accommodates the said bent part of the said image display part, It is a portable apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the functional member is an operation member for operation.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the portable device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a display control unit that changes display of an image according to a state of the image display unit is provided. Is a portable device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the portable device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the function control for changing at least a part of functions of the functional member according to a state of the image display unit. It is a portable apparatus characterized by providing a part.
A seventh aspect of the present invention is the portable device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the image display unit displays an image displayed before power supply is stopped. A portable device that can be maintained even after power supply is stopped.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the portable device according to the third aspect, the main body unit includes an imaging optical system, and the image display unit covers a surface of the imaging optical system in the open state. Mobile device.
A ninth aspect of the present invention is a portable device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the portable device is a camera.

  As described above, the portable device of the present invention is easy to use because the functional member is exposed when the image display unit is opened, and the image display area can be wider than the open state when the image display unit is closed. .

[Embodiment]
A digital still camera (hereinafter simply referred to as “camera”), which is an embodiment of a portable device to which the present invention is applied, will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the camera of the embodiment as viewed from the photographer side, and shows an open state of the screen.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a closed state of the screen in the camera of FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the camera of FIG. 1 taken along the line III-III.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion IV in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the camera of FIG.

The camera 1 is a non-lens interchangeable digital camera and includes a main body 2 and a screen 3.
The main body unit 2 includes a housing unit 10, a lens barrel 20, a back side operation unit 30, an upper surface side operation unit 40, and a guide unit 50.
The housing | casing part 10 is a box-shaped container formed with metal materials, such as a synthetic resin material and an aluminum alloy, for example. The casing 10 is a rectangular parallelepiped whose dimensions in the height direction and the width direction are larger than those in the depth (thickness) direction. In addition, the width direction dimension of the housing unit 10 is larger than the height direction at the normal shooting position of the camera 1.
Here, the normal photographing position of the camera 1 refers to the posture of the camera 1 when photographing a horizontally long image with the optical axis of the photographing optical system being horizontal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lens barrel 20 is housed in the housing unit 10 and includes a first lens group L 1, a second lens group L 2, and a CCD 21.
The first lens group L1 and the second lens group L2 are sequentially arranged from the objective side (subject side) along the optical axis A direction. The direction of the optical axis A of the first lens group L1 and the second lens group L2 is parallel to the depth direction of the housing unit 10. The first lens group L1 and the second lens group L2 cooperate to form a zoom lens having a two-group configuration. The first lens group L1 and the second lens group L2 are arranged in the direction of the optical axis A by a DC motor provided in a lens driving unit 90 described later. It is supported by the housing | casing part 10 so that a movement along it is possible.

The CCD 21 is disposed on the exit side of the second lens group L2 and is fixed to the housing unit 10.
The CCD 21 is a solid-state imaging device that converts a subject image formed by the first lens group L1 and the second lens group L2 into an electrical signal. The CCD 21 is formed in a rectangular shape in which the aspect ratio (aspect ratio) of the imaging surface is approximately 3: 4, for example, when the camera 1 is in the normal shooting position.

The back side operation unit 30 is provided in a region on the right side when viewed from the photographer on the surface (back surface) facing the photographer of the housing unit 10 when the photographer holds the camera 1 in the normal photographing position. ing. The back side operation unit 30 is operated by the thumb of the photographer's right hand.
The casing 10 includes a recess 11 formed by recessing the central portion except the edge of the back surface, and the back side operation unit 30 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 11.

The back side operation unit 30 includes a plurality of mechanical push buttons including a zoom switch 31 and a selector switch 32 which are functional members.
The zoom switch 31 is a set of push buttons including a wide side transition button and a tele side transition button. These push buttons are used to input a signal to a CPU 95 (to be described later) so that the magnification of the zoom lens is lowered and raised by being pressed by the photographer during photographing.
The selector switch 32 is, for example, a pointing device used when moving a cursor displayed on the screen 3 to be described later in the vertical and horizontal directions.

The upper surface side operation unit 40 is a functional member formed in a region on the right side when viewed by the photographer on the upper surface portion of the housing unit 10 when the photographer holds the camera 1 in the normal photographing position. The upper surface side operation unit 40 is operated by the index finger of the right hand of the photographer.
The upper surface side operation unit 40 includes a power switch 41, a release switch 42, and a rotation switch 43.
The power switch 41 is used by the user to input an on / off operation of the power circuit.
The release switch 42 is used by a user to perform a release operation. The release switch 42 is a circular push button that protrudes from the upper surface of the housing unit 10.

The rotation switch 43 is formed in an annular shape, and a release switch 42 is disposed on the inner diameter side thereof. The rotation switch 43 is provided so as to be rotatable around the release switch 42 clockwise and counterclockwise from the neutral position, and is biased by a spring (not shown) so as to be maintained at the neutral position except during operation.
The function of the rotary switch 43 will be described in detail later.
The guide part 50 is provided at an end portion in the vertical direction of the recess 11 formed in the housing part 10. The guide portion 50 is a groove portion formed so as to extend substantially parallel to the width direction of the housing portion 10.

The screen 3 is a known image display medium (image display unit) that can be bent and is called a film display formed in a band shape (rectangular sheet shape). The screen 3 is, for example, a reflective type formed by superimposing three kinds of cholesteric liquid crystals of red, green, and blue, and can display a color image without requiring a backlight. Yes.
Here, the cholesteric liquid crystal has a feature that the display image can be held even if the supply of power is stopped after the image is displayed. The screen 3 is provided after the power switch 41 of the camera 1 is turned off. Even if it exists, the display of the image displayed immediately before can be maintained.

The screen 3 is disposed such that the back surface (the surface opposite to the image display surface) faces the bottom surface of the recess 11 of the housing unit 10. The screen 3 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the width direction of the housing part and is slidable along the back surface part of the housing part 10.
The screen 3 includes a slide operation unit 60.
The slide operation unit 60 is provided at the end on the right side of the screen 3 in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the photographer. The slide operation unit 60 is a synthetic resin rod-like member provided extending in the width direction of the screen 3 (up and down direction of the camera). Both ends of the slide operation unit 60 protrude above and below the screen 3, respectively.

Both ends of the slide operation unit 60 are fitted into the above-described guide unit 50, respectively. The screen 3 is slid in the width direction of the housing unit 10 by sliding the slide operation unit 60 along the guide unit 50.
The guide unit 50 also includes a screen position detection switch 92 that detects the position of the screen 3 (slide operation unit 60). The screen position detection switch 92 will be described later.

Here, the screen 3 shifts between a closed state in which the back side operation unit 30 is covered by sliding in the width direction of the housing unit 10 and an open state in which the back side operation unit 30 is exposed. Yes.
In the closed state shown in FIG. 2, the screen 3 has the slide operation unit 60 in contact with the right side surface of the recess 11, and the screen 3 covers the back side operation unit 30. In this closed state, the aspect ratio of the area exposed on the back surface side of the casing 10 of the screen 3 is, for example, 9:16.
On the other hand, when the screen 3 is in the open state, an area of, for example, about ¼ on the left end side in the longitudinal direction is formed in a screen storage unit 70 described later formed in the housing unit 10. It is designed to be stored (see FIG. 3). In this open state, the area of the screen 3 exposed on the rear surface side of the casing 10 has an aspect ratio of, for example, 3: 4.

When the screen 3 shifts from the closed state to the open state, the front end portion in the moving direction (the left end portion when viewed from the photographer) abuts the inner surface of the left side surface of the housing portion 10. The inner surface of the housing portion 10 is a curved surface, and the screen 3 is guided by the curved surface and bent so that a tip portion thereof is directed toward the objective side in the optical axis A direction.
Here, “bend” in this specification means that the screen 3 bends or bends, and includes a case where the screen 3 is bent or bent as a whole. .

A signal is input to the screen 3 from an image processing circuit 91 described later via a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 80.
As shown in FIG. 4, the FPC 80 is provided on the back surface of the screen 3 and the bottom surface portion of the concave portion 11 of the housing portion 10. The FPC 80 is folded in half at the intermediate portion. The folded portion of the FPC 80 is disposed closer to the slide operation unit 60 than the connection portion between the FPC 80 and the screen 3 and the connection portion between the FPC 80 and the housing unit 10.

The screen container 70 is provided on the left side of the lens barrel 20 at the normal shooting position of the camera 1. The screen accommodating unit 70 is a space provided inside the housing unit 10.
The housing unit 10 includes a long hole-like opening provided on the left side surface of the recess 11 so as to extend in the vertical direction of the housing unit 10. The screen 3 is inserted from the opening and is accommodated in the screen accommodating portion 70.

The camera 1 has a lens driving unit 90, an image processing circuit 91, a screen position detection switch 92, a switch function control unit 93, a power supply circuit 94, a CPU 95, a memory card drive on the opposite side of the screen housing unit 70 across the lens barrel 20. A device 96 is provided (see FIG. 5).
The lens driving unit 90 includes a DC motor that generates a driving force for driving the first lens group L1 and the second lens group L2. The driving force generated by the DC motor is transmitted to the first lens group L1 and the second lens group L2 via a lens driving mechanism (not shown).
The image processing circuit 91 is a part that generates image data based on the captured image signal output from the CCD 21. The image displayed on the screen 3 is determined based on this image data.

The screen position detection switch 92 detects whether the screen 3 is in an open state or a closed state according to the position of the slide operation unit 60, and outputs it to the CPU 95. The type of the screen position detection switch 92 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a mechanical contact type or a non-contact type such as a light detection type. The screen position detection switch 92 is provided in the guide unit 50.
When the screen position detection switch 92 detects that the screen 3 is in the open state shown in FIG. 1, the image processing circuit 91 sets the aspect ratio of the image displayed on the screen 3 to the open screen. In correspondence with the aspect ratio of 3, for example, 3: 4 is set. As described above, since the imaging surface of the CCD 21 has an aspect ratio of 3: 4, the screen 3 fully displays the subject image acquired by the CCD 21 in this open state.

When it is detected that the screen 3 is in the closed state, the display image displayed on the screen 3 is controlled by the image processing circuit 91 so that the aspect ratio is 9:16, for example. The circuit 91 functions as a display control unit.
Here, the aspect ratio of the captured image signal (original data) output from the CCD 21 is, for example, 3: 4, and when displaying the original data at a ratio of 9:16 (3: approximately 5.3), For example, the image is enlarged and displayed to about 134%. Thereby, the image is displayed over the entire width direction of the screen 3 in the closed state. At this time, the image processing circuit 91 cuts the vertical direction of the image and displays it on the screen 3. Note that this image change can be performed on both the through image at the time of shooting and the reproduced image at the time of reproduction.

The switch function control unit 93 performs control to switch the function of the rotation switch 43 of the upper surface side operation unit 40 according to the state of the screen 3. The control performed by the switch function control unit 93 will be described later.
The power supply circuit 94 supplies power supplied from a battery (not shown) to each part inside the camera 1.
The CPU 95 comprehensively controls the entire camera including the above-described elements.
The memory card drive device 96 includes a slot portion into which the memory card 97 is detachably mounted. The memory card 97 includes, for example, a writable recording device such as a flash memory. The memory card drive device 96 writes image data output from the image processing circuit 91 to a recording device in the memory card.

  The main bus 98 includes the CCD 21, the zoom switch 31, the power switch 41, the release switch 42, the rotation switch 43, the lens driving unit 90, the image processing circuit 91, the screen position detection switch 92, the switch function control unit 93, and the power circuit 94. The CPU 95 and the memory card drive device 96 are connected to each other to enable communication between these elements.

Next, the function of the switch function control unit 93 will be described.
The photographer takes a picture by displaying a through image on the screen 3. Here, the “through image” is a subject image acquired by the CCD 21 during framing and output to the screen 3 in real time. In the photographing mode for displaying the through image, the photographer can select whether the screen 3 is to be opened or closed.
When the screen 3 is in the open state, the switch function control unit 93 detects this according to the output of the screen position detection switch 92, and performs control so that the zoom operation is performed by the zoom switch 31 of the back side operation unit 30. Do. At this time, the rotation switch 43 of the upper surface side operation unit 40 functions as a focusing switch when the manual focus (MF) mode is selected.

On the other hand, when shooting with the screen 3 in the closed state, the back-side operation unit 30 is covered with the screen 3. The switch function control unit 93 switches the function of the rotation switch 43 according to the output of the screen position detection switch 92, and switches the function so that the rotation switch 43 functions as a zoom switch for performing a zoom operation.
Thus, the photographer can perform zooming even when the screen 3 is closed.

The photographer can select whether the screen 3 is in the open state or the closed state when the captured image is reproduced and displayed.
Here, consecutive numbers are automatically assigned to images taken by the camera 1. In the playback mode, the user of the camera 1 including the photographer can switch the display image by operating the rotary switch 43 regardless of the state of the screen 3, and among the images recorded on the memory card 97, An arbitrary image can be selected and displayed on the screen 3.
In addition, when the screen 3 is in an open state during image reproduction, the display magnification of the image can be changed by the zoom switch 31. Further, the display image can be scrolled by the selector switch 32.

As described above, according to the camera 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the screen 3 is slidable with respect to the main body 2 and the back-side operation unit 30 is exposed in the open state, the back-side operation unit 30 that is a mechanical push button is operated during shooting. It is easy to use.
In addition, when the screen 50 is closed, an image can be displayed over substantially the entire back surface of the housing unit 10, so that the visibility of the image is improved. In this closed state, the zoom switch 31 is covered with the screen 3 and the operation is restricted. However, since the rotation switch 43 is switched to the zoom switch, the zoom function of the camera 1 is not restricted.
(2) Since the screen 3 is formed into a flexible sheet and is accommodated in the main body 2 by being bent, the screen 3 remains in the main body even when the screen 3 is opened. The camera 1 can be made compact without protruding outside the unit 20.
(3) Since the display magnification of the image is changed in accordance with the open / close state of the screen 3, when the screen 3 is changed from the open state to the closed state, that is, when the image display area is larger than the open state, An image can be displayed on the entire screen, and the visibility of the image is improved.
(4) Since the screen 3 has an image hold function that can display an image even when power is not supplied, the user causes the camera 1 to display a favorite image other than during shooting and playback during charging and the like. be able to.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the embodiment, the mobile device is a camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, other mobile devices including an image display unit such as a mobile phone, a PDA, and a portable music player. Can also be applied. The camera of the embodiment is a lens-integrated digital camera, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, an interchangeable lens camera or a swivel camera.
(2) The image display unit of the embodiment is a reflective screen using cholesteric liquid crystal, but the image display unit is not limited to this, and may be an organic EL or the like as long as it has flexibility. May be.
(3) Although the CCD mounted on the camera of the embodiment has an aspect ratio of the imaging surface of 3: 4, the aspect ratio of the CCD is not limited to this and may be, for example, 9:16. In this case, the screen of the embodiment can display the entire subject image in the closed state. In this open state, the left and right portions of the image are cut and only the center portion is displayed.
(4) The configuration of the portable device of the present invention is not limited to that of the embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, a part of the screen is accommodated in the screen storage portion in the open state, and the screen is further slid in a direction in which the screen is accommodated in the screen storage portion from the open state so that the part of the screen becomes the first lens. The incident surface of the group may be covered. As a result, the screen functions as a lens barrier. In addition, the power may be turned off when the screen covers the first lens group by interlocking the slide operation unit with the power supply circuit.
(5) The functional member of the embodiment is a mechanical push button, but the functional member is not limited to this, and for example, a connection terminal used for connection to an external device or a slot portion (opening portion) into which a memory card is inserted ).
(6) Although the screen of the embodiment communicates with the main body by FPC, the communication method between the screen and the main body is not limited to this, and may be wireless communication, for example.
(7) In the embodiment, the control is performed so as to switch the image display magnification according to the open state and the closed state of the screen. However, the image display control pattern is not limited to this. For example, the screen is in the open state. Control may be performed so that the display magnification of the display image gradually increases in accordance with the amount of the screen that is pulled out from the screen to the closed state.
(8) The operation at the time of transition between the open state and the closed state of the screen is not limited to that of the embodiment. For example, the screen covers substantially the entire surface including the back side operation unit on the back side of the housing unit. The back side operation unit may be exposed (open state) by turning up a part of the screen during shooting.

It is the perspective view which looked at the camera of embodiment from the photographer side, and has shown the open state of the screen. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a closed state of the screen in the camera of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of the camera of FIG. 1. It is the IV section enlarged view in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera: 2 Main part: 3 Screen: 10 Case part 20 Lens barrel: 30 Back side operation part: 40 Upper surface side operation part 70 Screen accommodating part 91 Image processing circuit 92 Screen position detection switch: 93 Switch function control part

Claims (9)

The main body,
A functional member provided on the surface of the main body,
A portable device comprising: a closed state that covers at least a part of the functional member; and an image display portion that can change an open state in which the functional member is exposed by bending the display portion. The mobile device according to claim 1,
The display device is formed of a sheet-like member that can be bent. In the portable device according to claim 1 or 2,
The image display portion moves along the surface portion of the main body portion and moves between the open position and the closed position,
The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a housing portion that houses the bent portion of the image display section. In the portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The portable device, wherein the functional member is an operation member for operation. In the portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A portable device comprising: a display control unit that changes display of an image according to a state of the image display unit. In the portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A portable device comprising a function control unit that changes at least a part of functions of the functional member according to a state of the image display unit. The portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The portable device characterized in that the image display unit can maintain the display of an image displayed before power supply is stopped even after the power supply is stopped. The portable device according to claim 3,
The main body includes an imaging optical system,
The mobile device, wherein the image display unit covers a surface of the photographing optical system in the open state. In the portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A portable device characterized in that the portable device is a camera.

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