Device for mobile image communication

• US 20050237424A1
• Filed: 07/01/2003
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Verweg, Fransiscus Gerardus Coenradus, Weekamp, Johannus Wilhelmus
• Application Number:
  US10/523,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20050237424A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices

Abstract

The device for mobile communication comprises a first and a second camera (41, 42), which are faced towards opposite sides of the device (2A, 2C). The cameras (41, 42) each comprise an optical lens (40) and a photosensitive semiconductor device (30). The lens (40) and the semiconductor device (30) are assembled together with a carrier body (2) which is provided with an aperture (20) between the lens (40) and the semiconductor device (30). The carrier body (2) is preferably provided with a pattern of conductive tracks (1) which extends from a first side (2A) to an opposite side (2C) of the body. The two cameras may have the same carrier body (2). The device for mobile communication further comprises a display, means for switching either one of the cameras and the projection of images thereof on the display on or off, as well as means for standing the device on a surface.

Claims

1. A device for mobile communication with a first side and an opposed second side, which device is provided with a camera comprising a lens and a photosensitive element and with a picture screen on which images caught by the camera can be pictured, characterized in that a second camera is present, comprising a lens and a photosensitive element,

the first camera is oriented towards the first side of the device, and

the second camera is oriented towards the second side of the device.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first camera and the second camera each comprise a carrier body with a first side and an opposed second side, with the lens at the first side and the photosensitive element at the second side, which carrier body has an opening which extends from the first side to the second side and is arranged between the lens and the photosensitive element.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the first and the second camera have a common carrier body such that the lens of the first camera and the photosensitive element of the second camera are present at the first side of the carrier body, while the photosensitive element of the first camera and the lens of the second camera are present at the second side.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the picture screen is fixed to the common carrier body, and an electrical connection is present across the carrier body between the photosensitive elements of the cameras and the picture screen.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the carrier body is electrically insulating with a conductor pattern at a surface, which conductor pattern extends at several sides of the carrier body and is mechanically anchored in the carrier body.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that

the device is provided with a lower side and an upper side, the first side extending from the lower side to the upper side,

the picture screen is adjusted such that, when the lower side of the device is placed on a substrate, images are pictured in an upright position on the picture screen,

the first camera is present in a position between the picture screen and the upper side of the device, and

an axis of the camera defined by a center of the photosensitive element and a center of the lens encloses an angle of between 0 and 20°

with an axis directed perpendicularly to the picture screen, with the camera being oriented in a downward position with respect to the substrate.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that means are present in the device by which a user can switch the first and the second camera on and off.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the device is further provided with means by which a user can adjust the display on the picture screen of the images caught by the first and the second camera.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that

the first camera is provided with a lens which is optimized for receiving images from a distance of at most one meter to the lens, and

the second camera is provided with a lens which is optimized for receiving images from a distance of at least one meter to the lens.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that means are present by which the device can be placed on a substrate such that at least one of the cameras can record an image desired by a user without the user having to hold the device.