JP2011101392A - Mobile communication apparatus with stereoscopic image creating function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a generally accepted mobile communication apparatus, in more detail, a communication apparatus (e.g., radio telephone) capable of creating a stereoscopic image. <P>SOLUTION: In one embodiment, a mobile communication apparatus includes: (1) a body; (2) first and second camera modules rotatably mounted in the body; and (3) a driving structure coupled to the first and the second camera modules and configured to rotate the first and the second camera modules around corresponding first and second rotary axes with respect to the body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is generally directed to mobile communication devices, and more specifically, to mobile communication devices having a stereoscopic image creation function.

  Today's photographs and movies are mainly based on two-dimensional images. Fortunately, the human mind can reasonably infer a three-dimensional relationship between two-dimensional objects in a two-dimensional image based on experience. As a result, the two-dimensional image conveys more information to the viewer than the two-dimensional image contains.

  Nevertheless, over the past centuries, attempts have been made to reconstruct the three-dimensional image formed by the human brain by assembling two partial images from separate left and right eyes. The actual method known as “image separation” tricks the human brain by artificially creating two diagrams, one for the right eye and one for the left eye. If the quality of the artificial figure is sufficient, the brain reconstructs the 3D image.

  The terms “stereoscopic image” or “stereoscopic three-dimensional image” are also often used as a set of at least two images representing at least two slightly different views of the same object or scene, and for the purposes of the present invention. Shall be defined in A three-dimensional image is realized if different figures are supplied in a way that is suitable for viewing separately with the left and right eyes of the observer.

  US Patent Application 2001/0030682 A1 discloses a video camera that utilizes image separation to generate a stereoscopic image. Image separation may be used in digital photography where two digital cameras are mounted on a tripod. Alternatively, a single digital camera mounted on a tripod with a horizontal slide bar can be used to capture two images, moved sequentially to different positions by the slide bar. However, these solutions are complex and require great equipment and patience.

  At the same time, mobile communication devices (eg, wireless telephones) are becoming equipped with digital cameras at an affordable price, thereby enabling new multimedia services to be provided to users. Such services allow you to take digital photos and send them to your friends via a multimedia message system (MMS). You can also record video clips and send them by MMS.

  What is needed in the present technology is a method for generating a stereoscopic image using a mobile communication device. What is further needed in the present technology is a method for generating a stereoscopic image that is convenient for the user and requires less equipment than is possible today.

US Patent Application No. 2001/0030682 A1

  In order to address the drawbacks of the prior art described above, the present invention provides a mobile communication device (eg, a wireless telephone) that can create a stereoscopic image. In one embodiment, the mobile communication device is coupled to (1) a main body, (2) first and second camera modules rotatably attached to the main body, and (3) first and second camera modules, A drive structure configured to rotate the first and second camera modules about corresponding first and second axes of rotation relative to the body. Accordingly, the present invention introduces a broad concept of providing a mobile communication device with multiple cameras that can converge on a single point and capture a generic image that can be combined to produce a stereoscopic image. To do.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the preferred alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosed concepts and specific embodiments can be readily used as a basis for designing or modifying other structures to carry out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be understood by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention in its broadest form.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front view of an embodiment of a mobile communication device having a stereoscopic image creation function and configured according to the principles of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mobile communication device of FIG. 1 specifically showing the autofocus communication device of FIG. 1 and specifically showing a camera module that can be retracted into the body of the mobile communication device. FIG. 2 is a side view of the mobile communication device of FIG. 1 specifically showing a camera module that can be retracted into the body of the mobile communication device.

  Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a front view of one embodiment of a mobile communication device having a stereoscopic image creation function and constructed according to the principles of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a mobile communication device 100 having a main body and a first camera module 210 and a second camera module 220 attached to the main body 110. The first camera module 210 can rotate around the first rotation axis 410. In the illustrated embodiment, automatic rotation is achieved by a first motor 310 connected to the camera module 210 by a first drive shaft 312. Similarly, the second camera module 220 can rotate around the second rotation axis 420. In the illustrated embodiment, rotation is achieved by a second motor 320 connected to the second camera module 220 by a second drive shaft 322. In the illustrated embodiment, the first motor module 310 and the second camera module 320 drive the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220, respectively, so that the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220 respectively. 220 may be said to be automatically rotatable about the respective rotational axes 410 and 420. Furthermore, the first motor 310 and the second motor 320, and the first drive shaft 312 and the second drive shaft 322 are regarded as drive structures that drive the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220. Also good. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other drive structures are within the broad scope of the present invention, including manually operated drive structures.

  A first camera module 210 and a second camera module 220 are shown with respective first and second lenses 212 and 222 facing toward the back of the mobile communication device 100. The front surface of the mobile communication device is defined as the surface of the mobile communication device 100 on which the display 120 and the keypad 140 are arranged. This is a typical arrangement for capturing a stereoscopic image using a preview of the image shown on the display 120. The preview may not necessarily be a stereoscopic image, but may alternatively be a two-dimensional image generated by one of the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220. However, the display 120 may also be adapted for the display of stereoscopic images, for example by means of an integrated light mask mechanism.

  The mobile communication device 100 can correspond to the stereoscopic video conference mode. In this case, even if the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220 are rotated toward the front surface of the mobile communication device 100, Good. This allows the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220 to capture the user's stereoscopic image while at the same time allowing the user to view his video conference partner on the display 120.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220 are adapted for the autofocus function. Advantageously, a synchronization mechanism 350 is provided to synchronize the autofocus with the rotation performed by the first motor 310 and the second motor 320.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220 are attached to the top of the body 110. Of course, the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220 may also be attached to the sides of the body 110 or any other suitable location. For example, since only a small angular displacement of the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220 is required to capture a stereoscopic image, the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220 are It may be incorporated in the main body 110.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to mobile phones, but may be used in personal digital assistants (PDAs) or (MDAs) or any other conventional or subsequently discovered mobile communication device.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view of the mobile communication device of FIG. 1 is shown specifically showing autofocus synchronization and the accompanying rotation of the first (left) and second (right) camera modules. It is shown. In the top schematic view, FIG. 2 shows the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220 rotated to a fixed position with respect to the body 110. At these positions, the focal point of the lens system 212 of the first camera module 210 and the focal point of the lens system 222 of the second camera module 220 are colliding with the position of the object at the focal point 500. Thereby, images of the same object focused from different viewpoints are projected onto the planes of the respective imaging sensors 214, 224.

  In the illustrated embodiment, this process is controlled by a synchronization mechanism 350 that synchronizes the autofocus of the first and second camera modules and the rotation of the first and second camera modules. This can include determining the distance of the object to be drawn from the device based on autofocus. From this distance, the relative rotation angles of the first and second camera modules can be calculated by known trigonometry. For this purpose, the synchronization mechanism 350 may include a memory having a built-in software program and a microprocessor in which the software program can be executed.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the synchronization mechanism 350 is further adapted to cause the first and second camera modules to capture images simultaneously. The resulting stereoscopic image includes a set of two images, images captured from each of the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220, and is stored in the memory of the mobile communication device 100. Can do. The stereoscopic image can then be displayed, for example, on display 120 and sent to another mobile phone via email or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service).

  Referring now to FIG. 3, a side view of the mobile communication device of FIG. 1 is shown, specifically illustrating a camera module that can be retracted into the body of the mobile communication device. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the first camera module 210 can be retracted into the body 110 of the mobile communication device 100 from an exposed position. The first camera module 210 is placed in the retracted position when not in use. In the retracted position 240, the first camera module 210 is protected from external influences.

  For the convenience of the user, the mobile communication device 100 may include a spring mechanism (not shown) that allows the first camera module 210 to be automatically released and moved to the exposed position. A holding mechanism (not shown) may also be provided to hold the spring mechanism until released by the user.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, the second camera module 220 also enters the body of the mobile communication device 100 from the exposed position in the same manner as described above for the first camera module 210. Can be retracted.

  For practical purposes, the first camera module 210 and the second camera module 220 may further include a flash and / or a self-timer. The self-timer may be connected to an indicator that indicates to the user that the delay time of the self-timer has elapsed. These features are also not shown in the figure.

  Although the invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes, substitutions and modifications can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. Should be understood.

Claims (8)

The body,
First and second camera modules rotatably attached to the body;
A drive structure coupled to the first and second camera modules and configured to automatically rotate the first and second camera modules about corresponding first and second rotational axes relative to the body. A drive structure using first and second motors for rotating the first and second camera modules, respectively,
A synchronization mechanism for connecting the first and second motors and the first and second camera modules, determining a distance between the mobile communication device and an object to be drawn based on automatic focus adjustment; The autofocus of the first and second camera modules is rotated by the first and second motors by calculating relative rotation angles of the first and second camera modules based on the distance. A synchronization mechanism configured to synchronize with,
A mobile communication device.   The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the synchronization mechanism is configured to focus the lenses of both the first and second camera modules on the object.   The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the first and second camera modules are configured to simultaneously capture an image of the object.   The mobile communication device of claim 1, further comprising a display configured to display a stereoscopic image.   The mobile communication device of claim 1, further comprising a memory containing a built-in software program configured to control the synchronization mechanism.   The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the first and second camera modules are configured to translate relative to the body between a retracted position and an exposed position.   The mobile communication device according to claim 6, wherein the first and second camera modules rotate only in the exposed position.   The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rotation axes are parallel.

Images