Information terminal device

• US 20040141064A1
• Filed: 01/12/2004
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ezawa, Masayuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,397,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.99
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/021 using combined folding and rotation motions combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0243 using the relative angle between housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/20 including a rotatable camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/246 Calibration of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/257 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/286 having separate monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof

Abstract

In a folding information terminal device capable of taking a three-dimensional image and including two planes which become opposite to each other when the folding information terminal device is folded; there is provided at least one image pickup section on one plane of the two planes, and at least one image pickup section on the other plane. On this account, the information terminal device becomes capable of taking and displaying a superior three-dimensional image than that taken by a conventional device.

Claims

1. A folding information terminal device capable of taking a three-dimensional image and including two planes which become opposite to each other when the folding information terminal device is folded, comprising:

at least one image pickup section on one plane of the two planes; and

at least one image pickup section on the other plane.

2. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the image pickup section is provided on a free end of the one plane and a free end of the other plane.

3. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a movable connection section for connecting a fixed end of the one plane and a fixed end of the other plane.

4. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

a distance between the image pickup section on the one plane and the movable connection section is identical to a distance between the image pickup section on the other plane and the movable connection section.

5. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

a movable range restriction section for restricting an angle of inclination of the one plane with respect to the other plane within a predetermined angle range.

6. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

an angle detection section for detecting the angle of inclination of the one plane with respect to the other plane, and when the angle of inclination is not within a predetermined angle range, for outputting information indicating that the angle of inclination is not suitable for taking a three-dimensional image; and

an information providing section for providing the information.

7. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

an angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting a shooting direction of the image pickup section on the one plane.

8. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

the one plane is provided on either a main body or a covering body made up of (a) a movable section including the image pickup section, and (b) a fixed section separated from the movable section, and

the angle adjustment mechanism moves the movable section from the fixed section so as to change shooting direction of the image pickup section.

9. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

the movable section is rotated about an axis extending in the width direction of the one plane.

10. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

the movable section is rotated about an axis extending in the length direction of the one plane.

11. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:

a movable connection section for connecting a fixed end of the one plane and a fixed end of the other plane, and a distance between the image pickup section on the one plane and the movable connection section is different from a distance between the image pickup section on the other plane and the movable connection section.

12. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

the image pickup section on the one plane and the image pickup section on the other plane are asymmetrically placed with respect to a border of the one plane and the other plane.

13. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

the movable connection section includes a simple stopper mechanism for movably holding inclination of the one plane with respect to the other plane at an arbitrary stage of angle.

14. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of image information processing sections for outputting plurality pieces of image data having different color components, the image information processing sections and the image pickup section are identical in number.

15. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 14, further comprising:

an image providing section for displaying a plurality of images based on the plurality pieces of image data outputted by the image processing section.

16. The folding information terminal device as set forth in claim 15, wherein:

the image providing section is made of a three-dimensional liquid crystal.