Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8755850B2/en
Timestamp: 2020-08-11 13:55:30
Document Index: 147141829

Matched Legal Cases: ['§119', 'arts 141', 'arts 141', 'arts 141', 'art 221', 'art 231', 'art 221', 'art 221', 'art 231', 'art.\n2', 'art.\n5']

US8755850B2 - Mobile communication terminal having conversion lens and photography method using the same - Google Patents
Mobile communication terminal having conversion lens and photography method using the same Download PDF
US8755850B2
US8755850B2 US12/276,508 US27650808A US8755850B2 US 8755850 B2 US8755850 B2 US 8755850B2 US 27650808 A US27650808 A US 27650808A US 8755850 B2 US8755850 B2 US 8755850B2
US12/276,508
US20090143099A1 (en
2007-11-30 Priority to KR1020070123422A priority Critical patent/KR101420799B1/en
2007-11-30 Priority to KR10-2007-00123422 priority
2008-11-28 Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. reassignment SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KANG, BYUNG-KWON
2009-06-04 Publication of US20090143099A1 publication Critical patent/US20090143099A1/en
2014-06-17 Publication of US8755850B2 publication Critical patent/US8755850B2/en
238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 117
Provided are a mobile communication terminal and a photography method for the same using a conversion lens. The mobile communication terminal includes a terminal body, a camera assembly installed at one side of the terminal body and a conversion lens detachably installed on a front surface of the camera assembly, wherein product data of the conversion lens mounted on the camera assembly are automatically identified and a microcomputer installed in the terminal body automatically adjusts a photography mode such that a special photography mode is entered without requiring any professional knowledge.
This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date, under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to that patent application entitled “MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL HAVING CONVERSION LENS AND PHOTOGRAPHY METHOD USING THE SAME ” filed on Nov. 30, 2007 and assigned Ser. No. 2007-123422, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal and more particularly, to a mobile communication terminal having a conversion lens and a photography method using the same, to selectively perform general photography or special photography depending on a user's necessity.
Mobile communication services using mobile communication terminals (or mobile wireless terminals) have been grown from simple pager services to voice call and simple message services. In recent times, such services have diversified to include multimedia services such as motion picture service, for example, video call, and video on demand (VOD).
With the diversification of the mobile communication services, additional functions and devices for providing the services are needed. For example, in the case of a camera lens assembly used for photography or voice call, it has become an essential element of the mobile communication terminal.
In addition, the camera lens assembly mounted in the mobile communication terminal can also make the mobile communication terminal perform functions of a digital camera.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional mobile communication terminal including a camera assembly.
Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional mobile communication terminal 10 including a camera assembly includes a terminal body 11, a cover 12, which may include a display part, pivotally installed on the terminal body 11, and a camera assembly 13 installed at the cover 12 or the terminal body 11.
However, since the camera assembly mounted in the terminal body of the conventional mobile communication terminal has a restricted photographing angle within a standard set on manufacturing principles, it is difficult to use the terminal for close-up photography or long-distance photography.
The present invention provides a mobile communication terminal having a conversion lens and a photography method using the same, capable of performing general photography using a camera assembly installed at a terminal body and special photography using a conversion lens mounted in the front of the camera assembly, thereby enabling free selection of a photography mode depending on a user's preference or necessity.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication terminal including a terminal body, a camera assembly installed at one side of the terminal body and a conversion lens detachably installed on a front surface of the camera assembly.
The camera assembly may have a locking groove formed in the front surface thereof such that the conversion lens is detachably attached thereto, and the conversion lens may have a locking hook to correspond to the locking groove.
The camera assembly may have a position fixing groove formed in the front surface thereof, and the conversion lens may have a position fixing projection to correspond to the position fixing groove.
A data identification unit may be installed between the camera assembly and the conversion lens to identify data of the conversion lens, and an example of the data identification unit may include a magnetization part installed at one side of the conversion lens and a hole sensor installed inside the camera assembly to detect the magnetization part.
Another example of the data identification unit may include a plurality of magnets installed at one side of the conversion lens at equal intervals and a hole sensor installed inside the camera assembly to detect the magnets.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication terminal including a terminal body, a camera assembly installed at one side of the terminal body and a conversion lens detachably installed on a front surface of the camera assembly. Here, a female threaded part is formed in the front surface of the camera assembly such that the conversion lens is detachably installed to the camera assembly, and a male threaded part is formed at the conversion lens to correspond to the female threaded part.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication terminal including a terminal body, a camera assembly installed at one side of the terminal body and a conversion lens detachably installed on a front surface of the camera assembly. Here, a plate is installed at the front surface of the camera assembly such that the conversion lens is detachably installed to the camera assembly, and a magnet is installed at the conversion lens to correspond to the plate.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photography method for a mobile communication terminal including the steps of driving a camera assembly installed at a terminal body, determining whether a conversion lens is mounted or not, performing general photography when it is determined that the conversion lens is not mounted, reading data of the conversion lens when it is determined that the conversion lens is mounted and performing special photography using the conversion lens depending on the reading of the data of the conversion lens.
In determining whether the conversion lens is mounted, first and second hole sensors installed inside the camera assembly may detect first and second magnets, respectively, installed at the conversion lens. Here, it may be determined that the conversion lens is not mounted when the first and second hole sensors do not detect the first and second magnets, respectively.
In reading the data of the conversion lens, first and second hole sensors installed inside the camera assembly may detect first and second magnets installed at the conversion lens, respectively. Here, it may be determined that a wide-angle lens of the conversion lens is mounted when only the first hole sensor detects only the first magnet, that a telephoto lens of the conversion lens is mounted when only the second hole sensor detects only the second magnet, and that a filter is mounted when the first and second hole sensors detect the first and second magnets, respectively.
In performing the special photography using the conversion lens, when image distortion is generated, a portion in which the image distortion is generated may be removable from a display image detected by an image sensor.
A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference symbols indicate like components, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional mobile communication terminal including a camera assembly;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile communication terminal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a data identification unit of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile communication terminal in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a photography method for a mobile communication terminal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile communication terminal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a data identification unit of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the mobile communication terminal 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal body 110, a camera assembly 120 installed at one side of the terminal body 110, and a conversion lens 130 detachably installed on a front surface of the camera assembly 120.
For reference, in addition to a general standard lens, a wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens, and other such a photography lenses, and also including a fisheye lens having a photographing angle of 180°, a micro lens designed for close-up photography or enlarged photography, a zoom lens that can continuously change a focus length, a reflective telephoto lens using a mirror, and various auxiliary lenses may be used with the lens for the camera. The conversion lens disclosed in the present invention is used as a general concept including such lenses.
A locking groove 121 may be formed in the front surface of the camera assembly 120 such that the conversion lens 130 can be detachably attached to the camera assembly 120, and a locking hook may be formed at the conversion lens 130 to correspond to the locking groove 121.
A position fixing groove 122 may be formed in the front surface of the camera assembly 120, and a position fixing projection 132 may be formed on the conversion lens 130 to correspond to the position fixing groove 122.
A data identification unit 140 (FIG. 3) may be installed between the camera assembly 120 and the conversion lens 130 to identify data of the conversion lens 130.
Here, the term data refers to a manufacturing company of the conversion lens, the kind of the conversion lens, for example, a general lens, a wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens, and other similar type information that may be used to identify the conversion lens.
An example of the data identification unit 140 may include first and second magnets 141 and 142 installed at one side (plane) of the conversion lens 130 at equal intervals, and first and second hole sensors 143 and 144 installed inside the camera assembly 120.
Referring to FIG. 4, another example of the data identification unit may include magnetization parts 141′ and 142′ installed at one side of the conversion lens 130′; and hole sensors 143′ and 144′ installed inside the camera assembly 120′ to detect the magnetization parts 141′ and 142′. Here, the magnetization parts 141′ and 142′ have a structure in which an N-polarity and an S-polarity are magnetized to a ring-shaped member.
In accordance with the present invention, general photography may be performed using the camera assembly 120 installed in the terminal body 110, or special photography may be performed using a conversion lens separately mounted on the front surface of the camera assembly 120.
In addition, when the conversion lens 130 is mounted on the front surface of the camera assembly 120 to perform special photography, since product data of the conversion lens 130 are automatically identified and a microcomputer (not shown) installed in the terminal body 110 is automatically adjusted, a general user can also readily perform the special photography without any professional knowledge.
Structures for mounting the conversion lens on the camera assembly may be variously employed in addition to the aforementioned hook structure, and therefore, a threaded structure and a magnetic structure, as other examples of the structures, will be described in detail.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile communication terminal in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a mobile communication terminal 200 in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal body 210, a camera assembly 220 installed at one side (plane) of the terminal body 210; a conversion lens 230 detachably installed on a front surface of the camera assembly 220, wherein a female threaded part 221 is formed in the front surface of the camera assembly 220 and a male threaded part 231 is formed at the conversion lens 230 to correspond to the female threaded part 221, such that the conversion lens 230 is detachably attached to the camera assembly 220.
A position fixing groove 222 may be formed in the front surface of the camera assembly 220, and a position fixing projection 232 may be formed at the conversion lens 230 to correspond to the position fixing groove 222.
In the mobile communication terminal in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the female threaded part 221 may be formed in the front surface of the camera assembly 220 and the male threaded part 231 may be formed at the conversion lens 230, and vice versa.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mobile communication terminal in accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a mobile communication terminal 300 in accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal body 310, a camera assembly 320 installed at one side of the terminal body 310; a conversion lens 330, a plate 321 installed on the front surface of the camera assembly 320 such that the conversion lens 330 is detachably attached to the camera assembly 320, and a magnet 331 is installed at the conversion lens 330 to correspond to the iron plate 321.
A position fixing groove 322 may be formed in the front surface of the camera assembly 320, and a position fixing projection 332 may be formed at the conversion lens 330 to correspond to the position fixing groove 322.
Hereinafter, a process of performing general photography using the camera assembly installed at the terminal body 110 and special photography using the conversion lens 130 separately mounted on the front surface of the camera assembly 120 depending on a user's preference or necessity will be described.
Referring to FIG. 9, a photography method for a mobile communication terminal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: driving a camera assembly (S10), determining whether a conversion lens is mounted (S20); performing general photography when it is determined that the conversion lens is not mounted (S30), reading data of the conversion lens when it is determined that the conversion lens is mounted (S40) and performing special photography using the conversion lens as a result of the reading of the data of the conversion lens (S50).
In determining whether the conversion lens is mounted (S20), first and second hole sensors installed inside the camera assembly detect first and second magnets installed at the conversion lens, respectively, wherein it is determined that the conversion lens is not mounted when the first and second hole sensors do not detect the first and second magnets, respectively.
In reading the data of the conversion lens (S40), first and second hole sensors installed inside the camera assembly detect first and second magnets installed at the conversion lens, respectively, wherein it is determined that a wide-angle lens of the conversion lens is mounted when only the hole sensors detects only the first magnet, it is determined that a telephoto lens of the conversion lens is mounted when only the hole sensor detects only the second magnet, and it is determined that a filter is mounted when the first and second hole sensors detect the first and second magnets, respectively. This exemplary determination of a type of attached lens is summarized in Table 1, wherein an “X” indicates the detection of a corresponding element. Although, the configuration shown in Table 1 represents a preferred embodiment of the invention claimed, it would be recognized by those skilled in the art that other arrangements may be developed without undue experimentation. Such other arrangements have been contemplated and are considered with the scope of the invention claimed.
TABLE 1 First hole sensor Second hole sensor detects first magnet detects second magnet Determination X ◯ Telephoto lens ◯ X Wide-angle lens ◯ ◯ General photography X X Filter
In performing the special photography using the conversion lens (S50), when image distortion is generated, a portion in which the image distortion is generated can be removed from a display image detected by an image sensor.
As can be seen from the foregoing, general photography can be performed using a camera assembly installed at a terminal body, or special photography can be performed using a conversion lens separately installed on a front surface of the camera assembly, depending on a user's necessity.
In addition, when the conversion lens is mounted on the front surface of the camera assembly to perform the special photography, since product data of a conversion lens mounted on the camera assembly are automatically identified and a microcomputer installed in the terminal body automatically adjusts a photography mode (i.e., the setting of the combined internal camera lens and the attached lens), a general user can readily perform the special photography without any professional knowledge.
Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the description of the invention has been made with regard to two inputs, it would be recognized by those skilled in the art that the number of independent inputs may be increased without altering the scope of the invention. In another example, each input may convey more than one type of information based on particular lens configuration (e.g., a conversion lens input may also include information regarding a telescopic level of a telescopic lens). Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but is defined by the following claims, along with their full scope of equivalents.
a camera assembly installed at one side of the terminal body;
a conversion lens detachably installed on a front surface of the camera assembly;
a data identification unit provided between the camera assembly and the conversion lens to identify a type of the conversion lens, comprising a magnetization part installed at one side of the conversion lens, wherein the magnetization part includes a plurality of magnets disposed at different locations in the magnetization part and arranged to form a magnetic pattern corresponding to the conversion lens; and
one or more sensors installed inside the camera assembly and arranged to detect whether a magnet is present at each of a plurality of locations in the magnetization part.
2. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the camera assembly has a locking groove formed in the front surface thereof such that the conversion lens is detachably attached thereto, and the conversion lens has a locking hook to correspond to the locking groove.
3. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 2, wherein the camera assembly has a position fixing groove formed in the front surface thereof, and the conversion lens has a position fixing projection to correspond to the position fixing groove.
4. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the camera assembly has a female threaded part formed in the front surface thereof such that the conversion lens is detachably attached thereto, and the conversion lens has a male threaded part to correspond to the female threaded part.
5. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the camera assembly has a plate installed on the front surface thereof such that the conversion lens is detachably attached thereto, and the conversion lens has a magnet mounted thereon to correspond to the plate.
6. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the data identification unit is installed between the camera assembly and the conversion lens to identify data of the conversion lens.
7. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein
the one or more sensors comprise a hole sensor installed inside the camera assembly to detect the magnets.
8. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the combined camera assembly and the attached conversion lens is automatically adjusted when the conversion lens is mounted on a front of the camera assembly to perform the special photography.
9. A photography method for a mobile communication terminal, comprising the steps of:
driving a camera assembly installed at a terminal body;
determining whether a conversion lens is mounted or not;
performing a general photography using the camera assembly when it is determined that the conversion lens is not mounted;
reading an identification of a type of the conversion lens when it is determined that the conversion lens is mounted on a front of the camera assembly comprising detecting first and second magnets installed at the conversion lens, by the first and second hole sensors installed inside the camera assembly, respectively,
determining that a wide-angle lens of the conversion lens is mounted when only the first hole sensor detects only the first magnet,
determining that a telephoto lens of the conversion lens is mounted when only the second hole sensor detects only the second magnet, and
determining that a filter is mounted when the first and second hole sensors detect the first and second magnets, respectively; and
performing a special photography using the conversion lens depending on the reading of the data of the conversion lens.
10. The photography method according to claim 9, wherein the step of determining whether the conversion lens is mounted comprises the steps of:
detecting first and second magnets installed at the conversion lens by first and second hole sensors installed inside the camera assembly, respectively, and
determining that the conversion lens is not mounted when the first and second hole sensors do not detect the first and second magnets, respectively.
11. The photography method according to claim 9, wherein the step of performing the special photography using the conversion lens comprises the step of, when image distortion is generated, removing the image distortion from a display image detected by an image sensor.
12. The photography method according to claim 9, further comprising automatically adjusting the setting of the combined camera assembly and the attached conversion lens when the conversion lens is mounted on a front of the camera assembly to perform the special photography.
13. An apparatus for managing operation of a camera device within a mobile terminal of the type having a camera assembly within the mobile terminal, a detachable conversion lens, and a data identification unit provided between the camera assembly and the detachable conversion lens to identify a type of the conversion lens, comprising:
a plate assembly having a magnetization part installed at one side of the conversion lens and a sensor installed inside the camera assembly to detect the magnetization part; and
receive a first input from said plate assembly, the first input having been generated by a first sensor,
receive a second input from said plate assembly, the second input having been generated by a second sensor,
determine, based on the first input and the second input, whether the camera device is used in a general photography mode or a special photography mode, the special photography mode being one in which the conversion lens is mounted on a front of the camera assembly, and
determine a setting of said camera device, when the camera device is used in the special photography mode to compensate for an element attached to said plate assembly, said element identifying a type of the detachable conversion lens.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said element is selected from the group of: filter, telephoto lens and wide-angle lens.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the element is attached via a magnetic attachment.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first input and the second input are provided through means selected from the group of: electrical connection, magnetic connection, contactless connection.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: an image sensor to monitor a display image.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to remove image distortion from said display image detected by said image sensor.
US12/276,508 2007-11-30 2008-11-24 Mobile communication terminal having conversion lens and photography method using the same Active 2030-06-05 US8755850B2 (en)
KR1020070123422A KR101420799B1 (en) 2007-11-30 2007-11-30 Potable Communication Terminal and Photographing Method of the Potable Communication Terminal Using Cinversion Lens
KR10-2007-00123422 2007-11-30
US20090143099A1 US20090143099A1 (en) 2009-06-04
US8755850B2 true US8755850B2 (en) 2014-06-17
ID=40676273
US12/276,508 Active 2030-06-05 US8755850B2 (en) 2007-11-30 2008-11-24 Mobile communication terminal having conversion lens and photography method using the same
US (1) US8755850B2 (en)
KR (1) KR101420799B1 (en)
GB2485976A (en) * 2010-11-25 2012-06-06 Infared Integrated Systems Ltd Interchangeable lens assembly and camera having same
EP2607953A1 (en) * 2011-12-23 2013-06-26 Research In Motion Limited Apparatus, and associated method, for affixing an external camera lens to a device having camera functionality
EP2936229A4 (en) * 2012-12-21 2016-06-08 Intel Corp Auxiliary camera lens attachment and light pipe for electric device
CN103685639A (en) * 2013-12-18 2014-03-26 梅州市琇莹实业有限公司 Portable mobile device with replaceable internally-connected lens
US10025164B2 (en) * 2015-04-15 2018-07-17 Fluke Corporation Bayonet force booster for add-on lens
KR20170093645A (en) * 2016-02-05 2017-08-16 삼성전자주식회사 Electronic apparatus, portable device, and the control method thereof
TWI637634B (en) * 2017-12-27 2018-10-01 晶睿通訊股份有限公司 Lens detection method and lens detection system
US20040252987A1 (en) * 2003-06-02 2004-12-16 Toda Seiko Co., Ltd. Auxiliary lens for camera and the like
US20090109558A1 (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-04-30 Glenn F. Schaefer, L.L.C. Lens And Display Accessory For Portable Imaging Device
2007-11-30 KR KR1020070123422A patent/KR101420799B1/en active IP Right Grant
2008-11-24 US US12/276,508 patent/US8755850B2/en active Active
U.S. Appl. No. 60/982,622, filed Oct. 25, 2007. *
KR20090056320A (en) 2009-06-03
US20090143099A1 (en) 2009-06-04
KR101420799B1 (en) 2014-07-17
US9413972B2 (en) 2016-08-09 Thin dual-aperture zoom digital camera
US20160353029A1 (en) 2016-12-01 Camera module
FI109742B (en) 2002-09-30 Mobile station
CN109302553A (en) 2019-02-01 Zoom Based on Dual-Aperture camera with folded optical lenses
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KANG, BYUNG-KWON;REEL/FRAME:021930/0532