GB2402569A

GB2402569A - Mobile telecommunication device with camera

Info

Publication number: GB2402569A
Application number: GB0312943A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Ashbrook; David Pollington
Original assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
Current assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
Priority date: 2003-06-05
Filing date: 2003-06-05
Publication date: 2004-12-08
Also published as: GB0312943D0

Abstract

A mobile telephone includes an internally mounted camera 9 for capturing an image. The telephone has a casing 1, optionally comprising pivotally mounted first and second parts (29, 31 fig 6). The casing has a length, width and depth, the depth being the smallest or smaller dimension. The elements of the camera 9 are disposed generally lengthwise or widthwise or obliquely thereto. This allows the length L of the camera 9 to be increased, thereby allowing the distance between the outermost lens 10 and the image sensor 15 also to be increased. This reduces distortion of the captured image and also allows greater space for optics to be accommodated within the casing of the camera 9 so that an optical zoom facility can be provided. The camera may be mounted in the pivot (fig 6).

Description

1 2402569

MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE

WITH CAMERA

The present invention relates to a mobile telecommunication device, such as a portable cellular or mobile telephone, which includes an internally mounted camera for capturing images.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile telecommunications device including an internally mounted camera for capturing an image, the device having a casing with a length, width and depth, the depth being the smallest or smaller dimension and the elements of the camera being disposed generally lengthwise or widthwise with respect to the casing or obliquely thereto.

Such an orientation of the camera is in contrast to the camera orientation in conventional mobile telephones which have a camera extending in the direction of the depth of the casing. The depth of the casing, as defined above, is the smallest or smaller dimension of the casing. Typically, the outer lens of such a camera will be mounted in the front face of a mobile telephone casing and the optical axis of the camera will extend in a direction perpendicular to that face towards the rear face. In other known arrangements, an alternative or additional camera is provided having its outer lens formed in the rear face of the mobile telephone casing with its optical axis extending perpendicularly to that face. Such arrangements are convenient because they allow the user to capture images using the camera of either themselves (if the camera is mounted on the front face of the casing) or of the view from the rear of the casing (if the camera is mounted on the rear face of the casing), whilst allowing that image to be viewed on the graphical display which is typically mounted on the front face of the casing.

However, such arrangements do suffer from disadvantages, which are described in more detail below.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile telecommunication device including an internal camera, the device having a casing on which visual display means and/or data entry means is mounted on one face thereof, the camera extending parallel to said face or obliquely with respect to said face, the camera being such that it cannot be orientated perpendicularly to said face.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a mobile telecommunications device will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a known telecommunications device incorporating a camera; Figures 2A and 2B show types of distortion that can occur when using the camera of such a known telecommunications device; Figure 3 shows a mobile telecommunications device according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the camera of the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. !

In general, in the drawings like elements are designated with the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows a mobile telephone of the known type described briefly above.

Such a known telephone comprises the casing 1 which is generally cuboid in shape and which has a front face 3 on which a display 5 is mounted together with a variety of push buttons 7 for allowing the user to enter data such as telephone numbers and to operate the other functions of the mobile telephone.

A camera 9 is mounted within the casing 1 with its outer lens 10 formed in the front face 3 of the casing 1.

Images captured by the camera 9 are focused onto a suitable sensor 15 positioned behind the outer lens 10 of the camera 9 along the camera's optical axis 11. In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the camera has its outer lens mounted in the rear face 13 of the casing 1 of the mobile telephone. Such arrangements of camera are convenient because they allow the image captured by the camera 9 (either from the front face 3 or the rear face 13) of the mobile telephone to be conveniently and comfortably viewed on the display 5 to allow the image to be composed by the user prior to recording the image. The display also provides a graphical user interface by means of which the mobile telephone may be operated by the user.

The mobile telephone casing 1 has a length l, a width w and a depth d. The depth d is the smallest of the length, width and depth dimensions. The proportions of mobile telephones are dictated by consumer demand for compact, easy to carry and easy to use mobile telephones. The length l and width w dimensions must be a certain size in order to allow an adequately sized display 5 and buttons 7 to be provided. Therefore, because the scope for reducing the length I and width w is limited, there is a tendency to minimize the depth d.

However, the small depth d limits the length L of the camera 9. Typically, the image captured by the outer lens 10 of the camera 9 will be recorded by a CMOS image sensor 15, which is mounted as far away from the outer lens as possible (a distance slightly less than L). The close proximity of the outer lens and any further lenses (not shown) of the camera to the image sensor 15 results in distortion of the image recorded by the image sensor 15. This distortion may, for example, manifest itself by causing the recorded image to have a slight "barrel" effect or "pin cushion" effect- as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, respectively.

The limitations of the length L of the camera make it difficult, or impossible, to provide the camera 9 with an optical zooming facility, i.e. a facility for allowing optical magnification of the captured image prior to the image arriving at the optical sensor 15. Even if it were possible to accommodate the optical components to provide an optical zoom in the camera 9, the proximity of these components to one another and to the image sensor 15 would result in a high degree of image distortion. For this reason, known cameras provide only a "digital" zooming facility. This is a process whereby the image captured by the image sensor 15 is processed by interpolating the pixels of the recorded image to provide an approximation of the magnified image. The digital zooming process degrades the quality of the recorded image.

The first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 3 has a casing 1, front face 3, display 5, a keypad 7 and rear face 13 substantially in accordance with the Figure 1 arrangement described above. However, the camera 9 is oriented such that its optical axis 11 extends from the right side face 17, in which the outer lens 10 is accommodated, to or substantially to the left side face 19. By orienting the camera 9 in this way, the distance between the outer lens 10 and the image sensor 15 can be increased significantly so that it is substantially equal to the width w of the casing 1.

Figure 4 shows in more detail the arrangement of the camera 9 shown in Figure 3. The camera 9 comprises a generally cylindrical housing 21 having the outer lens 10 at one end thereof (which, as mentioned above, is mounted in the right side face 17 of the casing 1 of the mobile telephone). At the opposite end of the housing 21 of the camera 9 is the image sensor 15 which, in this embodiment, comprises a CMOS image sensor. Of course, it should be appreciated that any suitable type of image sensor could be employed, such as a CCD sensor or other forms of sensor known to those skilled in the art.

The camera 9 of the first embodiment has an optical zoom facility which allows the image received by the outer lens 10 to be magnified by a selected amount.

The optical zooming facility may be provided by any suitable arrangement of lenses. In the embodiment shown, there is a first fixed zoom lens 23 and a second movable zoom lens 25 which is moved along the optical axis 11 with respect to the first fixed zoom lens 23 by means of a lens mount 27. The lens mount 27 provides for sliding movement of the second zoom lens 25 along the optical axis 11. Movement of the second zoom lens 25 is controlled by the user of the mobile telephone. For example, the software of the mobile telephone 7 may be programmed to allow selected ones of the keys 7, when depressed, to cause movement of the second zoom lens 25 towards the first lens 23 and movement of the second lens 25 away from the first lens 23 to allow the magnification of the image received by the outer lens 10 to be selected and adjusted. Further or different lenses may be provided in accordance with the circumstances. For example, an adjustable focusing lens (not shown) may be provided - either in addition to zoom lenses 23 and 25 or instead of these - to allow for variable focusing.

Because of the orientation of the camera 9 within the casing 1 of the mobile telephone, the length L of the camera 9, and consequently the distance between the respective lenses and the image sensor 15 can be increased. This reduces or eliminates the distortions of the image described in relation to Figures 1 and 2.

Additionally, the length of the camera 9 allows the optics required for the zooming facility to be satisfactorily accommodated within the housing 21.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment but the orientation of the camera 9 is varied again. In the second embodiment, the camera 9 is oriented with its optical axis 11 extending lengthwise along the mobile telephone casing 1. The outer lens 10 is mounted in the top side 28 of the casing 1. The camera 9 may be as described in relation to Figure 4. In the second embodiment the distance between the outer lens 10 and the image sensor 15 (approximately the length of the camera 9 L) can be substantially equal to the length I of the mobile telephone casing 1. Again, like the first embodiment, the second embodiment allows the distortion described in relation to Figures 1 and 2 to be reduced or eliminated.

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention in which the mobile telephone comprises a first part 29 and a second part 31 which are pivotally coupled to one another by pivot assembly or hinge 33. This allows pivotal movement of the first part 29 with respect to the second part 31 in the direction of arrow 35. In the manner known to those skilled in the art, this allows the first part 29 to be positioned so that it lies parallel to and overlies the keypad 7 of the second part 31. This provides protection for both the display 5 accommodated in the first part 29 and prevents the keys of the keypad 7 from being accidentally depressed. This also allows the length of the mobile telephone to be reduced within its folded state.

The pivot assembly 33 may be of any suitable design. In the third embodiment illustrated two spaced apart annular extensions 37 from the first part 29 are formed at one end thereof. The annular extensions 37 accommodate the housing 21 of the camera 9 (which may have the general form and functionality of a camera 9 described in relation to Figure 4). Also mounted around the housing 21 of the camera 9 is a further annular member 39 mounted between the respective annular members 37 of the first part 29, the annular members 37 and 39 forming a casing around the camera 9. The further annular member 39 is part of and pivots with the first part 29 of the mobile telephone casing. The further annular member 39 is mounted around the camera casing 21 for controlled rotational movement relative thereto. A suitable friction applying means is advantageously provided which allows the first part 29 of the mobile telephone casing to support itself at any desired position with respect to the second part 31 of the mobile telephone casing.

The first part 29 of the mobile telephone casing houses the display 5. The first part 29 is attached to the annular member 39 by a cylindrical shaft 41. The cylindrical shaft 41 is mounted to the annular member 39 or the first part 29 such that it serves to allow relative rotation between the first part 29 and the annular member 39 about the central axis of the shaft 41, as indicated by the arrow 43.

Therefore, the third embodiment of the invention allows the display 5 to be rotated about the optical axis 11 (which is also the pivot axis of the pivot assembly 33) and also about an axis perpendicular to the optical axis 11 of the pivot axis - in the directions of arrows 35 and 43 respectively. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the user to comfortably and conveniently view the image captured by the camera 9 on the display 5 during composition, and before recording, of the image irrespective of where the image captured is in relation to the user. For example, if the user wished to capture the image of a distant view ahead of the user, the outer lens 10 of the camera 9 would be directed to that view. The user would rotate the first part 29 about the central axis of the shaft 41 so that the display 5 pointed in the opposite direction to the outer lens 10 to allow the captured image to be conveniently and comfortably viewed. Should the user at another time wish to capture the image of him or herself, the outer lens 10 of the camera 9 would be directed towards the user. The user will rotate the first part 29 about the central axis of the shaft 41 so that the display 5 points towards the user. This allows the user to properly compose the picture by viewing the image captured by the camera 9.

Although in the embodiments described the camera 9 is shown extending lengthwise in a direction parallel to the length I of the mobile telephone casing 1 or extending widthwise parallel to the width w of the mobile telephone casing 1, it should be appreciated that the camera 9 could extend obliquely with respect to these directions. The length L can be increased by orienting the camera 9 in any direction other than parallel to the smallest dimension, the depth d of the casing 1 of the mobile telephone, in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention therefore allows much greater design freedom for the optics of the camera 9 by allowing the length L to be increased. This allows the camera 9 to be provided with an optical zoom facility and also reduces distortion which is such a problem when the length L of the camera 9 is very limited as in the main Figure 1 arrangement.

The camera 9 is mounted internally in the casing 1 of the mobile telephone (with the outer lens 10 formed in an edge face of the casing 1) to provide a neat, visually pleasing design, to protect the camera from shocks and to simplify the manufacturing process, and thereby reduce manufacturing costs.

The mobile telephone of the embodiments described may be a mobile telephone for operation with a GSM cellular mobile telephone network, a UMTS (3G) mobile telephone communication network, or any other suitable telephone network.

In addition to the elements described, camera 9 may include further lenses and other elements, such as a colour filter for filtering the captured image prior to it being incident upon the image sensor 15. The image captured by the image sensor 15 is processed by suitable software provided and executed by the processor of the mobile telephone and by suitable hardware incorporated into the mobile telephone. Typically, this will include an amplifier, an analogue to digital converter, signal processing means for noise reduction, colour i interpolation and appropriate formatting means for generating an ROB or YUV (video) output, a frame store (for storing images) and means for processing the stored image and compressing the stored image into a suitable format, such as JPEG format. A succession of frames may be stored which allows the moving picture to be recorded and reproduced as a YUV video stream.

Preferably, the mobile telephone includes means for transmitting the recorded images over the mobile telecommunications network with which the mobile telephone is associated.

Claims

1. A mobile telecommunication device including an internally mounted camera for capturing an image, the device having a casing with a length, width and depth, the depth being the smallest or smaller dimension and the elements of the camera being disposed generally lengthwise or widthwise with respect to the casing or obliquely thereto.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the camera is mounted in a fixed position with respect to the casing.

3. The device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the camera comprises a zoom lens.

4. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said elements of the camera are disposed along the optical axis of the camera.

5. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said elements include at least one lens which is movable with respect to an image recording means to adjust the magnification of the recorded image.

6. The device of claim 5 including the image recording means.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the image recording means comprises a CMOS image sensor.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the image recording means comprises a CCD image sensor.

9. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing includes first and second parts coupled together by a pivot assembly, the camera being mounted in said pivot assembly and extending generally along the pivot axis.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first part includes a display for displaying information.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the display is for displaying the captured image.

12. The device of claim 9 or 10, wherein the display is movable with respect to the camera.

13. The device of claim 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein the second part of the casing includes data entry means.

14. The device of any one of the preceding claims, including means for storing the captured image.

15. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the device includes means for communicating using a GSM or UMTS (3G) cellular mobile telephone network.

16. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the camera extends from one side of the casing substantially to an opposite side of the casmg. l

17. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the camera has a depth greater than the depth dimension.

18. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the camera is mounted in the casing.

19. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the camera has a housing having a lens at one end and image recording means at the opposite end.

20. The device of claim 19, including a zoom lens mounted in the housing between said lens and said image recording means.

21. A mobile telecommunication device including an internal camera, the device having a casing on which visual display means and/or data entry means is mounted on one face thereof, the camera extending parallel to said face or obliquely with respect to said face, the camera being such that it cannot be orientated perpendicularly to said face.

22. The device of claim 21, including any of the feature of claims 2 to 20.

23. A mobile telecommunication device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or substantially as illustrated in any one of or any combination of Figures 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.