JPH1051665A - Portable information processor and electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide attaching structure maintaining the portability and the operability of a device, unnecessitating labor and time for attaching and unnecessitating an installing space so much in a portable information processor to which an electronic camera can be attached, such as a portable personal computer. SOLUTION: The portable information processor consisting of an upper panel 14 provided with a display part 15 for picture displaying a graphic, a character, etc., and a lower panel with an operation part to input information is provided with an attaching recessed part 16 having a curved support surface rotatably supporting the electronic camera 18 at a part of the upper panel 14, desirably at an upper central position, in contact with the spherical surface of the electronic camera 18 having a spherical surface at, at least, port thereof.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a portable personal computer) and an electronic camera, and more particularly to a mounting structure for mounting a CCD camera to a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 14, a CCD camera which can be connected to a desktop personal computer by a cable is known as an information processing apparatus, for example, an imaging apparatus for taking an image into a personal computer.

That is, as shown in FIG. 14, a desktop type personal computer 1 includes a main body 2, a display 3 for displaying graphics and characters on a screen, and the like.
A keyboard 4 is connected to the main body 2 and performs an input operation.

An expansion slot for connecting an external device (not shown) is provided inside the main body 2. A board provided with an interface circuit for inputting and outputting signals to and from the CCD camera 5 is mounted on the expansion slot. , Control of imaging and input of captured image data are performed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the CCD camera 5 has a table-top structure, and can capture an image in a direction in which the lens barrel 6 is directed. CCD
When the camera 5 is placed on the display 3, an image of the upper body of the user of the personal computer 1 can be taken. By using such a CCD camera 5, an image of a user of another personal computer connected through a computer network can be viewed. Although omitted in FIG. 14, by connecting a microphone to the personal computer 1 and transmitting voice via a computer network, it is possible to have a conversation while sitting in front of the personal computer.

Further, with the recent improvement in the performance of CPUs, portable personal computers can handle image data, and there is a demand that portable personal computers can capture image data.

[0007]

However, in a conventional imaging apparatus connectable to a personal computer, the imaging range is limited only to the direction in which the lens barrel 6 is directed as shown in FIG. When capturing an image, there is a restriction on a place where the imaging device is installed, which is inconvenient.

Further, when it is desired to capture images outdoors using a portable personal computer, for example, a cable and a CCD camera 5 must be carried in addition to the portable personal computer itself. It was bad.

Therefore, the present invention has a problem in a portable information processing apparatus which is excellent in portability and operability and can secure an imaging range without taking up an installation space for the imaging apparatus.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable information processing apparatus having a display unit for displaying graphics, characters, and the like on a screen and an operation unit for inputting information, comprising: an upper panel provided with a display unit; , A lower panel provided with an operation unit, an electronic camera at least partially configured in a spherical shape, and an electronic camera unit provided in a part of the upper panel unit and rotatably in contact with the spherical surface of the electronic camera. And a mounting concave portion having a curved surface supporting portion for holding

In the portable information processing apparatus having such a configuration, the electronic camera can be mounted at a position where the portable information processing apparatus does not interfere with the carrying of the apparatus.

An electronic camera detachably mounted in a mounting recess provided in a portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention accommodates a lens, an image pickup element, a lens and an image pickup element, and is provided in a mounting recess of the information processing apparatus. It is characterized by comprising a spherical housing rotatably held by contact with the provided curved surface support portion, and a connector for outputting image data obtained from the imaging device via a cable.

The electronic camera having such a configuration can be easily attached to the portable information processing apparatus and can perform stable positioning in the imaging direction.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a portable information processing apparatus provided with an imaging device according to the present invention, that is, a portable personal computer or a PDA (Personal Digital Assist)
The embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First, a portable personal computer 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the portable personal computer 10 comprises a main body 11 formed of a rectangular thin housing, and a main body having substantially the same size as the main body 11, which can be opened and closed. And a display panel unit 14 for displaying graphics, characters, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the display panel 14 can be turned upward and opened when in use, and the display panel 14 can be turned downward and closed when not in use.

The main body 11 is a lower panel, and is provided with operation parts such as a keyboard 12 and a track pad 13 operated by a user. By operating these keyboards 12 and trackpads 13, data is input and output. Although not shown, a CPU (Central P
processing Unit), ROM (Read
Only Memory), RAM (Random A)
access memory) is incorporated.

The display panel section 14 is an upper panel, and is provided with a liquid crystal display 15 which is a display section capable of displaying graphics, characters, and the like on a screen.
At the upper center position of the liquid crystal display 15, a C
Mounting groove 16 in which CD camera 18 is slidably mounted.
Are formed.

The mounting groove 16 is a mounting recess, and has a structure in which a part of the upper central position of the display panel portion 14 is cut out in a substantially U-shape. The CCD camera 18 is supported by a support member 17 provided in the mounting groove 16.

The support member 17 is a curved surface support portion, and as shown in FIG.
Cup-shaped support curved surface 17b having the same curved surface as
have. The support member 17 has at least two support curved surfaces 17b of the rotating sphere 25,
7b so as to be slidably supported.
Therefore, the support curved surface 17b can rotatably support the turning ball 25. Note that the number of the support curved surfaces 17b is not limited to this.

The CCD camera 18 is an electronic camera. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a camera body 19 having a substantially spherical shape and a cylindrical shape projecting from the camera body 19 are formed. The lens unit 20 includes a rotating shaft 24 connected to a part of the camera body 19 and a rotating ball 25 formed of a sphere connected to the other end of the rotating shaft 24. The camera main body 19 is provided with a cable 22 connected to a circuit board (not shown) inside the portable personal computer 10. The cable 22 is connected to the personal computer 10 via the rotation shaft 24 and the rotation ball 25.
It may be configured to connect to an internal circuit board.

In the camera body 19, a CCD 21 and a circuit board (not shown) are provided inside a substantially spherical shape. By sliding the camera body 19, the CCD 21 can take an image of a predetermined range through the lens 20. The captured image data is taken into the personal computer 10 via the cable 22 and processed to execute various applications.

The lens section 20 is formed integrally with the camera body section 19 in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the lens unit 20 is provided with a lens 23.
Is imaged.

The rotating shaft 24 has one end to which the camera body 19 is connected and fixed, and the other end to which a rotating ball 25 is connected. The rotating ball 25 is formed in a spherical housing smaller than the camera body 19. The rotating sphere 25 is slidably supported by a support member 17 (see FIG. 2) provided on a part of the housing of the personal computer 10.

With the structure in which the rotating shaft 24 having the predetermined length is provided, when the force is applied to the camera body 19 and the direction is changed, the rotating shaft 24 rotates to the rotating ball 25. Power is transmitted. That is, the camera body 19 can be changed in direction around the rotating ball 25, and the imaging range can be appropriately changed. When the rotational force is not applied, the rotating sphere 25 does not rotate in the support member 17 and the imaging direction of the camera body 19 is fixedly supported and maintained.

As described above, the turning ball 25 is attached to the camera body 19.
Even if the spherical shape is smaller, the support curved surface 17b of the support member 17 is made the same as the curved surface of the rotating ball 25, and the contact area is increased to increase the friction coefficient. It has a structure that can be fixed.

Therefore, only when a force for changing the direction is applied to the camera body 19, the turning ball 25 can rotate within the support member 17, and when no force for changing the direction of the camera body 19 is applied. Is the rotating ball 25 due to the weight of the camera body 19.
Maintain the direction of the camera body 19 without rotating. In this manner, the camera body 19 can be freely turned within a predetermined angle and set in a desired direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cable 22 is drawn out of the camera body 19 and connected to a circuit board inside the personal computer 10 shown in FIG. CCD2
The image formed in 1 can be taken into the personal computer 10 via the cable 22.

Next, a method of using the portable personal computer 10 of the first embodiment having such a configuration will be described.

First, the display panel section 14 is opened upward so that the image display can be viewed. Then, when the image is taken into the personal computer 10, the operator decides the imaging direction of the camera body 19 of the CCD camera 18 and sets the imaging range. Since the imaging direction of the camera body 19 can be changed vertically and horizontally, not only the operator of the personal computer 10 but also the front,
Surrounding images can also be captured.

The keyboard 12 and the trackpad 1
3 is operated to capture a desired image with the CCD 21 and take it into the personal computer 10 as image data.
If necessary, transfer the image data to the personal computer 1
0 can be stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk built in the printer, or an image can be printed by a printer (not shown).

If the personal computer 10 is connected to a communication line, images can be sent to a personal computer or the like at the other end of the communication. On the receiving side, an image can be displayed on a display monitor in real time based on the transmitted image data, so that it can be used for a video conference system or the like.

As described above, since the CCD camera 18 is integrated into the display panel section 14 and integrally formed, there is no need to search for the installation location of the CCD camera 18 in the personal computer 10 or its surroundings. There is no need to consider external wiring connecting the CCD camera 18 and the personal computer 10. Accordingly, portability and versatility can be improved, and a structure that does not require installation and takes up little space is obtained.

Next, a portable personal computer 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The portable personal computer 10A comprises:
As shown in FIG. 4, similar to the portable personal computer 10 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), a main body 11A is provided.
And a display panel unit 14A for displaying a screen. A substantially rectangular mounting groove 16A capable of accommodating the CCD camera 18A is provided at the upper center position of the housing forming the display panel section 14A.

The main body 11A has a structure in which a keyboard 12A for performing an input operation and a track pad 13A are provided, and desired data can be input and output by operating the keyboard 12A and the track pad 13A.

The display panel 14A is provided with a liquid crystal display 15A capable of displaying graphics, characters, and the like, and has a mounting groove 16A, which is a mounting recess, formed at a central position above the liquid crystal display 15A.

As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting groove 16A is
The CCD camera 18A, which is an electronic camera, has a structure in which both side surfaces in the shape of a spherical surface 18b are sandwiched by a support member 17A having a support curved surface 17c formed in the same concave spherical shape. That is, the CCD camera 18A is supported by the support member 17A in the mounting groove 16A.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the CCD camera 18A comprises a camera body 19A and a lens 20A. The camera body 19A has a cable 22A for connecting to the personal computer 10A. Is provided.

The camera body 19A is formed in a substantially spherical shape, and is formed integrally with the lens 20A. Inside the camera body 19A, there are provided a CCD (solid-state imaging device) 21A as a light receiving element, an electric circuit (not shown), and the like. An image captured by the CCD 21A is taken into the personal computer 10A as image data (not shown) via the cable 22A.

The lens section 20A is formed integrally with the camera body section 19A in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, a lens 23A is provided, and an image is formed on the CCD 21A (see FIG. 6) via the lens 23A.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the support member 17A is provided with spherical surfaces 18b on both sides of the camera body 19A.
Curved surface support portion that is a concave surface of the same curved surface as
7c so that the camera body 19A can be slidably held. The CCD camera 18A supported by such a configuration can change the imaging range in any direction.

The CCD camera 18A may have a structure detachable from the personal computer 10A. In addition, the support member 17A is not limited to the left and right sides of the CCD camera 18A, but may sandwich the upper and lower sides, and may also be sandwiched from the left, right, upper and lower four directions. is there.

Next, a portable personal computer 10B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The portable personal computer 10B comprises:
The CCD camera 18B has a structure in which the CCD camera 18B can be easily attached and detached. As in the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the main body 11B is formed in a thin rectangular shape.
And a display panel 14B for displaying graphics, characters, etc., which are attached to the main body 11B so as to be freely opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 9, the CC from the front is located at the upper center position of the housing forming the display panel section 14 </ b> B.
A mounting groove 16B, which is a mounting recess opened to a size capable of detachably housing the D camera 18B, is provided. The mounting groove 16B is a V-shaped groove that gradually narrows in the depth direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, a keyboard 12B is provided in the main body 11B as in the first and second embodiments.
And a track pad 13B. The keyboard 12B and the track pad 13B can be operated to input and output desired data.

The display panel section 14B is provided with a liquid crystal display 15B capable of displaying graphics, characters, and the like, as in the first and second embodiments. The mounting groove 16B, which is the mounting recess described above, is provided in the upper central portion of the liquid crystal display 15B.

The CC is detachably mounted in the mounting groove 16B.
As shown in FIG. 10, the D camera 18B includes a camera body 19B, a lens unit 20B, a cable 22B, and a connector unit 27.

The camera body 19B has a substantially spherical shape and is formed integrally with the lens 20B. A CCD (solid-state imaging device) 2 is provided inside the camera body 19B.
1B, an electric circuit (not shown), and the like are provided. CCD
The image captured by 21B is taken into the personal computer 10A via the cable 22B and the connector 27.

The lens section 20B is formed integrally with the camera body section 19B in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 11, the lens section 20B is provided with a lens 23B. 10).

The cable 22B is attached to the camera body 19B, and a connector 27 is provided at the end of the cable 22B. This connector part 27
When the D camera 18B is mounted in the mounting groove 16B, the D camera 18B is connected to the connector 28 on the mounting groove 16B side to obtain an electrical connection.

As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.
The size of 6B is such that the CCD camera 18B can be attached and detached. On the side surface of the V-shaped groove of the mounting groove 16B, a support curved surface 29 formed on the same curved surface as the spherical camera body 19B is provided. A connector part 28 connected to the connector part 27 of the CCD camera 18B is provided at the innermost part of the V-shaped groove. Near the entrance of the mounting groove 16B, there is provided a pair of stoppers 30 for elastically holding the spherical camera body 19B in the groove.

The stopper 30 is urged by a spring 31 inward of the mounting groove (in the direction of arrow F). That is, when the CCD camera 18B is mounted in the mounting groove 16B, the stoppers 30 open outward (in the direction opposite to the arrow F), respectively.
After the CCD camera 18B is inserted into the mounting groove 16B, the CCD camera 18B is elastically held in the mounting groove 16B. Further, by connecting the connector 27 of the CCD camera 18B to the connector 28 inside the mounting groove 16B, electrical connection can be obtained. CCD camera 1
Since the spherical surface of 8B is supported by the support curved surface 29, the imaging range can be freely changed.

When the mounting groove 16B having such a structure is viewed from the front of the panel portion 14B, the length L in the vertical direction is slightly longer than the diameter R of the camera body portion 19B as shown in FIG. The main body 19B can slide freely in the mounting groove. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the imaging range can be freely changed at a predetermined angle.

In the first, second, and third embodiments, the CCD cameras 18, 18A, 18B, which are imaging devices, are used.
Is mounted at the central position above the liquid crystal displays 15, 15A, and 15B, but may be mounted at any position of the portable personal computers 11, 11A, and 11B as long as it can capture an image in a desired range including the operator. Is also good.

Further, if the operator can freely change the imaging direction by using a spherical shape while embedded in a part of the housing, the first, second and third embodiments can be used. Of course, it is not limited to the example.

[0057]

As described above, the portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention has a structure in which the imaging range of the CCD camera is embedded in the housing so that the imaging range can be freely changed. Without taking up any installation space,
In addition, there is an effect that the imaging range in the operator direction can be easily changed, and portability and operability can be improved.

Further, by utilizing spherical contact to freely rotate the CCD camera portion, even if the structure is embedded in a narrow area of the housing, a large sliding area can be taken, and stable and reliable operation can be achieved. Positioning in the imaging direction can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall perspective view of a portable personal computer including a CCD camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the CCD camera.

FIG. 3 is a schematic overall perspective view of the CCD camera.

FIG. 4 is a schematic overall perspective view of a portable personal computer having a CCD camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a mounting structure of the CCD camera.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a mounting structure of the CCD camera.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing a mounting structure of the CCD camera.

FIG. 8 is a schematic overall perspective view of a portable personal computer including a CCD camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a main part showing a mounting groove for mounting a CCD camera provided in a part of the housing of the portable personal computer.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the CCD camera.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a state in which the CCD camera is mounted in a mounting groove provided in a part of a housing of the portable personal computer as viewed from the front.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a state where the CCD camera is mounted in a mounting groove provided in a part of a housing of the portable personal computer as viewed from a plane.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the imaging device is slidably moved in a mounting groove provided in a part of a housing of the electronic device.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a CCD camera used by connecting to a personal computer according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 10A, 10B; portable information processing device (portable personal computer), 11, 11A, 11B; main body, 12, 12A, 12B; keyboard, 13, 13
A, 13B; track pad, 14, 14A, 14B;
Panel unit, 15, 15A, 15B; display, 1
6, 16A, 16B; mounting groove, 17, 17A; support member, 17b; support curved surface, 17c; support curved surface, 18, 18
A, 18B; electronic camera, 19, 19A, 19B; camera body, 20, 20A, 20B; lens, 21, 2
1A, 21B; CCD, 22, 22A, 22B; Cables 23, 23A, 23B; Lens, 24;
5; rotating ball, 27; connection terminal, 28; terminal receiving portion, 29;
Side surface, 30; stopper, 31; spring

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A portable information processing apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying graphics, characters, and the like on a screen; and an operation unit for inputting information, wherein an upper panel provided with the display unit; A lower panel provided with
An electronic camera at least partially configured in a spherical shape,
A portable information processing apparatus, comprising: a mounting recess provided on a part of the upper panel and having a curved surface support for rotatably holding the electronic camera in contact with a spherical surface of the electronic camera. . 2. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera includes at least a lens, an image sensor, and a cable for outputting image data obtained from the image sensor. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising a connector at one end of the cable, the connector being connected to a connector provided in the mounting recess, so that the electronic camera can be removably mounted. The portable information processing device according to claim 2. 4. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a stopper for elastically holding the electronic camera together with the curved surface support is provided in the mounting recess. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein at least a lens,
The camera body is provided with an imaging device, and a sphere connected to the camera body via a shaft, wherein the mounting concave portion has the curved surface supporting portion rotatably supporting the sphere. The portable information processing device according to claim 1. 6. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein at least a lens,
2. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the camera body comprises a substantially spherical camera body provided with a light receiving element, and the curved concave portion supports the curved surface of the camera body rotatably in the mounting recess. Type information processing device. 7. An electronic camera detachably mounted in a mounting recess provided in a portable information processing device, wherein the electronic camera houses a lens, an imaging device, the lens and the imaging device, and mounts the information processing device. An electronic device comprising: a spherical housing rotatably held by being in contact with a curved surface supporting portion provided in a concave portion; and a connector for outputting image data obtained from the imaging device via a cable. camera. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 7, wherein the imaging device is a CCD.