Electronic devices

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, comprising: a shell, a side area of ​​the shell is provided with a first opening, and a back panel area of ​​the shell is provided with a second opening; a camera module, the camera module is assembled in the shell; a light transmission device, the light transmission device is assembled with the shell in a variable posture; when the light transmission device is switched to a first posture, the light transmission device can transmit the light on the panel side to the lens of the camera module through the first opening, and when the light transmission device is switched to a second posture, the light transmission device can transmit the light on the back panel side incident through the second opening to the lens of the camera module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of terminal technology, and in particular to an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, users have higher and higher requirements for the screen-to-body ratio of electronic devices, making the front camera of electronic devices an important factor affecting the screen-to-body ratio of electronic devices. The front camera is usually set above the screen of the electronic device; and as the screen-to-body ratio increases, the area above the screen of the electronic device becomes smaller and smaller, and some electronic devices even no longer have the "upper area" of the screen, making the front camera solution in the related art impossible to implement. If it is implemented reluctantly, it will occupy the screen display area, destroy the integrity of the screen, and affect the overall aesthetics of the electronic device. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present disclosure provides an electronic device to solve the deficiencies in the related art.

[0004] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device, including:

[0005] A shell, wherein a side area of ​​the shell is provided with a first opening, and a back plate area of ​​the shell is provided with a second opening;

[0006] A camera module, wherein the camera module is assembled in the housing;

[0007] A light transmission device, which is assembled with the shell in a variable posture; when the light transmission device is switched to a first posture, the light transmission device can transmit light on the panel side to the lens of the camera module through the first opening; when the light transmission device is switched to a second posture, the light transmission device can transmit light on the back panel side incident through the second opening to the lens of the camera module.

[0008] Optionally, the first opening is located in a side area of ​​the top of the shell, and the second opening is located at the top of the back plate area of ​​the shell.

[0009] Optionally, when the camera module is assembled in the shell, the lens of the camera module faces the first opening, and the direction of the lens of the camera module is perpendicular to the incident direction of the light on the panel side and the light on the back panel side.

[0010] Optionally, the light transmission device includes a mirror; when the light transmission device is in the first posture, the mirror is between the incident direction of the light on the panel side and the lens direction of the camera module, so as to transmit the light on the panel side to the lens of the camera module; when the light transmission device is in the second posture, the mirror is between the incident direction of the light on the panel side and the lens direction of the camera module, so as to transmit the light on the back panel side to the lens of the camera module.

[0011] Optionally, the light transmission device includes a right-angle prism; when the light transmission device is in the first posture, the inclined surface of the right-angle prism faces between the incident direction of the light on the panel side and the lens direction of the camera module, so as to transmit the light on the panel side to the lens of the camera module; when the light transmission device is in the second posture, the inclined surface of the right-angle prism faces between the incident direction of the light on the back panel side and the lens direction of the camera module, so as to transmit the light on the back panel side to the lens of the camera module.

[0012] Optionally, the right-angle prism includes an isosceles right-angle prism.

[0013] Optionally, also include:

[0014] A first cover body, the first cover body is rotatably connected to the housing to open or close the first opening;

[0015] The light transmission device is mounted on the bottom surface of the first cover; when the first cover is opened outward, the light transmission device can be switched to the first posture; when the first cover closes the first opening, the light transmission device can be switched to the second posture.

[0016] Optionally, also include:

[0017] A second cover body, wherein the second cover body is used to close the second opening; wherein the second cover body is made of a transparent material.

[0018] Optionally, also include:

[0019] A driving device is used to drive the light transmission device to achieve posture switching.

[0020] Optionally, also include:

[0021] A control device, the control device is connected to the driving device, and is used to send a first posture control command to the driving device when receiving a front camera activation instruction, so that the driving device drives the light transmission device to the first posture, and send a second posture control command to the driving device when receiving a rear camera activation instruction, so that the driving device drives the light transmission device to the second posture.

[0022] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a shell according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 The figure is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a light transmission device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 4 The figure is a schematic diagram showing posture switching of a light transmission device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a panel side of a light transmission device in a first posture according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0029] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a back panel side of a light transmission device in a first posture according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0030] Figure 7 According to an exemplary embodiment, a Figure 6 A cross-sectional view along the BB direction is shown.

[0031] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a panel side of a light transmission device in a second posture according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a back panel side of a light transmission device in a second posture according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0033] Fig.10According to an exemplary embodiment, a Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view in the AA direction is shown.

[0034] Fig.11 Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view in the AA direction is shown.

[0035] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram showing a method of driving and controlling a light transmission device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present application. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0037] The terms used in this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The singular forms of "a", "said" and "the" used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates other meanings. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0038] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in the present application to describe various information, these information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the present application, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining".

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the electronic device may include: a housing 11, a screen module 12, a camera module 13, a light transmission device 14 and other structures. An accommodation space is formed inside the housing 11, which can be used to assemble the camera module 13 or other unmentioned functional modules.

[0040] exist Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 11 includes a side frame 111 and a back plate 112; the side frame 111 may include a left side frame 111A, a right side frame 111B, a top side frame 111C and a bottom side frame (not shown in the figure), etc., to form a side structure of the electronic device. The back plate 112 is located on the back side (i.e. Figure 1 The left side shown in FIG. 11 ) and the front side of the housing 11 (i.e. Figure 1 The right side of the housing 11 is open so that the housing 11 and the screen module 12 can be assembled together. In one embodiment, the back plate 112 and the side frame 111 can be an integrated structure; in another embodiment, the back plate 112 and the side frame 111 can be a split structure so that the side frame 111 and the back plate 112 can be assembled together to form the housing 11.

[0041] In one embodiment, if Figure 1 The top side frame 111C shown may be provided with a first opening 1110; in other embodiments, the first opening 1110 may be opened in other side regions of the side frame 111 except the top side frame 111C, such as the left side frame 111A, the right side frame 111B or the bottom side frame, etc., and the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0042] In one embodiment, if Figure 1 The back plate 112 shown may be provided with a second opening 1120, and the second opening 1120 is located at the top of the back plate 112 to match the first opening 1110 located on the top side frame 111C. In other embodiments, when the first opening 1110 is located in other side regions, the second opening 1120 may also be opened at other positions on the back plate 112, and the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0043] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a housing according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 As shown, the first opening 1110 can disconnect the top side frame 111C of the side frame 111, and the second opening 1120 can include a notch formed on the back panel 112, so that the first opening 1110 and the second opening 1120 can be connected to each other; accordingly, when the shell 11 is processed to form the first opening 1110 and the second opening 1120, the first opening 1110 and the second opening 1120 can be directly processed without separately processing the side frame 111 and the back panel 112, which helps to simplify the processing process and improve processing efficiency.

[0044] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a light transmission device according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3As shown, the light conducting structure 14 can be installed on the first cover body 15 , so that the light conducting structure 14 can move synchronously with the first cover body 15 , thereby realizing the posture switching of the light conducting structure 14 through the first cover body 15 .

[0045] In one embodiment, the side edge of the first cover 15 may include Figure 3 The protrusion 151 shown in FIG. 11 and the side edge of the first opening 1110 may be provided with a protrusion 151 as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown in the socket 1111, the protrusion 151 can be inserted into the socket 1111, so that the relative rotation between the first cover body 15 and the shell 11 can be achieved through the mutual cooperation between the protrusion 151 and the socket 1111; at the same time, since the light transmission device 14 is assembled on the first cover body 15, the light transmission device 14 can be driven by the first cover body 15 to achieve relative rotation between the light transmission device 14 and the shell 11.

[0046] In other embodiments, the light transmission device 14 can also achieve relative rotation with the housing 11 in other ways, and is not necessarily based on the first cover 15; in other words, the first cover 15 is not a necessary structure in the technical solution of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a posture switching of a light transmission device according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, the light transmission device 14 can be switched between at least two postures, including: Figure 4 The light transmission device 14 in the first posture is drawn by a dotted line, at this time, the first cover 15 is in an open state with respect to the first opening 1110, and the light transmission device 14 is located outside the housing 11; Figure 4 The light transmission device 14 in the second posture is drawn by solid lines. At this time, the first cover 15 can close the first opening 1110 , and the light transmission device 14 is located inside the housing 11 .

[0048] Of course, in other embodiments, the light transmission device 14 does not necessarily achieve posture switching by rotation. Any other movement methods such as telescoping, translation, etc. can be used to achieve relative movement between the light transmission device 14 and the shell 11, thereby achieving posture switching of the light transmission device 14. The present disclosure does not limit this.

[0049] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a panel side of a light transmission device in a first posture according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 5As shown, when the light transmission device 14 is in the first posture, the camera module 13 is located inside the housing 11, and the light transmission device 14 extends from the housing 11 to transmit the light on the panel side to the camera module 13, so that the camera module 13 is implemented as a front camera. However, since the light transmission device 14, the camera module 13, etc. do not occupy any space of the screen module 12, it is helpful to obtain the largest possible screen-to-body ratio on the electronic device, and even form a full screen (that is, the panel side of the electronic device is completely or substantially completely covered by the display area of ​​the screen module 12).

[0050] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a back panel side of a light transmission device in a first posture according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 6 As shown, when the light transmission device 14 is in the first posture, the first cover 15 is lifted up so that the first opening 1110 is opened, so that the light transmission device 14 can be moved out from the housing 11 to receive and transmit the light from the panel side.

[0051] Figure 7 According to an exemplary embodiment, a Figure 6 The cross-sectional view in the BB direction is shown. Figure 7 As shown, after the light transmission device 14 is moved out from the interior of the housing 11, the light on the panel side can be directed toward the light transmission device 14. For example, the incident direction of the light on the panel side is Figure 7 As shown, from right to left; and under the action of the light transmission device 14, the transmission direction of the light on the panel side can be changed, so that the light on the panel side changes from "from right to left" to "from top to bottom", so that the light on the panel side finally passes through the first opening 1110 and is emitted to the lens of the camera module 13, so that the camera module 13 completes the shooting operation using the light on the panel side.

[0052] Then, by directing the lens of the camera module 13 inside the shell 11 toward the first opening 1110 (for example, from bottom to top), even if the screen module 12 does not have an opening adapted to the camera module 13 (in the relevant technology, the light on the panel side directly passes through the opening and is emitted to the lens of the camera module 13), the light on the panel side can still be collected by the light transmission device 14, and the camera module 13 can complete the shooting of the panel side, that is, the camera module 13 can realize the function of the "front camera" in the relevant technology.

[0053] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a panel side of a light transmission device in a second posture according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 8As shown, when the light transmission device 14 is in the second posture, the light transmission device 14, the camera module 13, etc. are all located inside the housing 11, and the user can Figure 8 When viewed from the panel side as shown, only the screen module 12 etc. can be seen, that is, the light transmission device 14, the camera module 13 etc. will not occupy any space of the screen module 12, which helps to obtain the largest possible screen-to-body ratio, or even form a full screen.

[0054] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a back panel side of a light transmission device in a second posture according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 9 As shown, when the light transmission device 14 is in the second posture, the first cover body 15 can close the first opening 1110; wherein, the first cover body 15 can be adapted to the first opening 1110 in specifications, so that the first cover body 15 can just fill the gap formed by the first opening 1110 on the side frame 111, so that the side frame 111 can appear more integrated visually, so as to ensure the overall aesthetics of the electronic device.

[0055] At the same time, the second opening 1120 set on the back panel 12 can be viewed from the back panel side. The second opening 1120 is in a normally open state, so that the light on the back panel side can be injected into the shell 11 through the second opening 1120, so that the light transmission device 14 can further realize the transmission of light on the back panel side.

[0056] Fig.10 According to an exemplary embodiment, a Fig. 9 The cross-sectional view in the AA direction is shown. Fig.10 As shown, the light on the back panel side can be input into the housing 11 through the second opening 1120. For example, the incident direction of the light on the back panel side is Fig.10 and when the light transmission device 14 is inside the shell 11, the light on the back panel side can be directed toward the light transmission device 14, so that under the action of the light transmission device 14, the transmission direction of the light on the back panel side can be changed, so that the light on the back panel side changes from "from left to right" to "from top to bottom", so that the light on the back panel side is finally directed toward the lens of the camera module 13, so that the camera module 13 completes the shooting operation using the light on the back panel side.

[0057] Then, based on the posture-variable light transmission device 14, and through the cooperation between the light transmission device 14, the camera module 13, the first opening 1110, the second opening 1120, etc., when the light transmission device 14 is in the first posture, the camera module 13 can receive the light from the panel side to realize the function of the "front camera" in the related technology, and when the light transmission device 14 is in the second posture, the camera module 13 can receive the light from the back panel side to realize the function of the "rear camera" in the related technology.

[0058] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the light transmission device 14 can adopt any structure as long as it can achieve the above-mentioned Figure 7 , Fig.10 The embodiments shown in the figure are sufficient, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto; for example:

[0059] In one embodiment, the light transmission device 14 may include a mirror. When the light transmission device 14 is in the first posture, such as Figure 7 As shown, the mirror surface can be between the incident direction of the light on the panel side (horizontally, such as from right to left) and the lens direction of the camera module 13 (vertically, such as from bottom to top). For example, the mirror surface can be at an angle of 45° with the incident direction and the lens direction, so that the light on the panel side can be transmitted to the lens of the camera module 13 by the mirror surface. When the light transmission device 14 is in the second posture, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown, the mirror can form an angle of 45° with the incident direction of the light on the back panel side (horizontally, such as from left to right) and the lens direction of the camera module 13, so that the light on the back panel side can be transmitted to the lens of the camera module 13 by the mirror.

[0060] In another embodiment, the light transmission device 14 may include a right-angle prism, such as an isosceles right-angle prism, etc., which is not limited in the present disclosure; when the light transmission device 14 is in the first posture, such as Figure 7 As shown, the inclined surface of the right angle prism faces the incident direction of the light on the panel side and between the lens of the camera module 13, so as to transmit the light on the panel side to the lens of the camera module 13. When the light transmission device 14 is in the second posture, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown, the inclined surface of the right-angle prism is between the incident direction of the light on the back panel side and the lens direction of the camera module 13. For example, the inclined surface forms an angle of 45° with the above-mentioned incident direction and lens direction to transmit the light on the back panel side to the lens of the camera module 13.

[0061] In other embodiments, the right-angle prism may also be assembled in other ways, and the inclined surface is not necessarily directed toward the light on the panel side and the light on the back panel side. For example, the first right-angle surface of the right-angle prism may be directed toward the light on the panel side and the light on the back panel side, so that the light on the panel side and the light on the back panel side can be incident on the inside of the right-angle prism from the first right-angle surface, reflected by the inclined surface to the second right-angle surface, and emitted from the second right-angle surface to the lens of the camera module 13.

[0062] Fig.11 Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Fig. 9 The cross-sectional view in the AA direction is shown. Fig.11 As shown, a second cover body 16 can be installed at the second opening 1120. The second cover body 16 can be made of transparent materials such as glass and sapphire, so that on the one hand, the second opening 1120 can be closed to prevent dust and the like from entering the interior of the shell 11 through the second opening 1120, and on the other hand, the light on the back panel side can be prevented from being affected when passing through the second cover body 16 (such as a reduction in light intensity, etc.).

[0063] In one embodiment, the user can manually apply force to the light transmission device 14, the first cover 15 (or other structures that can move synchronously with the light transmission device 14) to achieve the posture switching of the light transmission device 14. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the user can manually lift up the first cover 15 to switch the light transmission device 14 to the first posture, or the user can manually cover the first cover 15 to switch the light transmission device 14 to the second posture.

[0064] Fig.12 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method for driving and controlling a light transmission device according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig.12 As shown, the electronic device may include a driving device 17 such as a servo motor, and the driving device 17 may drive the light transmission device 14 to achieve posture switching. For example, the driving device 17 may directly drive the light transmission device 14 to enable the light transmission device 14 to achieve movement and posture switching; or, when the light transmission device 14 can move synchronously with other structures such as the first cover body 15, the driving device 17 may also drive other structures such as the first cover body 15 to drive the light transmission device 14 to achieve movement and posture switching.

[0065] The present disclosure can control the drive device 17 in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the electronic device may include: Fig.12The control device 18 shown, for example, may include a CPU inside an electronic device, etc., which is not limited by the present disclosure. The control device 18 may be connected to the driving device 17, and the control device 18 may send a first posture control command to the driving device 17 upon receiving a front camera activation instruction (such as a user triggering a physical button on an electronic device, enabling a software function on an electronic device, etc., which is not limited by the present disclosure), so that the driving device 17 drives the light transmission device 14 to the first posture, and the control device 18 may send a second posture control command to the driving device 17 upon receiving a rear camera activation instruction (such as a user triggering a physical button on an electronic device, enabling a software function on an electronic device, etc., which is not limited by the present disclosure), so that the driving device 17 drives the light transmission device 14 to the second posture.

[0066] In other embodiments, the driving device 17 may be controlled in other ways. For example, the electronic device may be configured with a function key (physical key or virtual key) for the driving device 17, and the user may trigger the function key to control the driving logic of the driving device 17 so that the driving device 17 drives the light transmission device 14 to achieve posture switching.

[0067] To sum up, the present invention improves the structure of the electronic device, for example, by adopting structures such as light transmission devices, so that the camera module can take into account the camera functions of the front camera and the rear camera, and can avoid occupying the panel space of the screen module, which helps to increase the screen-to-body ratio of the electronic device and even realize a full screen.

[0068] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present disclosure after considering the specification and practicing the disclosure disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure. The description and examples are intended to be exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0069] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: A shell, wherein a side area of ​​the shell is provided with a first opening, and a back plate area of ​​the shell is provided with a second opening; A camera module, wherein the camera module is assembled in the housing; A light transmission device, wherein the light transmission device is assembled with the shell in a variable posture, and the posture switching is achieved by relative rotation between the light transmission device and the shell; when the light transmission device is switched to a first posture, the light transmission device can transmit the light on the panel side to the lens of the camera module through the first opening; when the light transmission device is switched to a second posture, the light transmission device can transmit the light on the back panel side incident through the second opening to the lens of the camera module.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first opening is located at a side area of ​​the top of the housing, and the second opening is located at the top of the back plate area of ​​the housing.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the camera module is assembled in the shell, the lens of the camera module faces the first opening, and the direction of the lens of the camera module is perpendicular to the incident direction of the light on the panel side and the light on the back panel side.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light transmission device includes a mirror; when the light transmission device is in the first posture, the mirror is between the incident direction of the light on the panel side and the lens direction of the camera module, so as to transmit the light on the panel side to the lens of the camera module; when the light transmission device is in the second posture, the mirror is between the incident direction of the light on the panel side and the lens direction of the camera module, so as to transmit the light on the back panel side to the lens of the camera module.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light transmission device includes a right-angle prism; when the light transmission device is in the first posture, the inclined surface of the right-angle prism faces between the incident direction of the light on the panel side and the lens direction of the camera module, so as to transmit the light on the panel side to the lens of the camera module; when the light transmission device is in the second posture, the inclined surface of the right-angle prism faces between the incident direction of the light on the back panel side and the lens direction of the camera module, so as to transmit the light on the back panel side to the lens of the camera module.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The right-angle prism includes an isosceles right-angle prism.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A first cover body, the first cover body is rotatably connected to the housing to open or close the first opening; The light transmission device is mounted on the bottom surface of the first cover; when the first cover is opened outward, the light transmission device can be switched to the first posture; when the first cover closes the first opening, the light transmission device can be switched to the second posture.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A second cover body, wherein the second cover body is used to close the second opening; wherein the second cover body is made of a transparent material.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A driving device is used to drive the light transmission device to achieve posture switching.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that: Also includes: A control device, the control device is connected to the driving device, and is used to send a first posture control command to the driving device when receiving a front camera activation instruction, so that the driving device drives the light transmission device to the first posture, and send a second posture control command to the driving device when receiving a rear camera activation instruction, so that the driving device drives the light transmission device to the second posture.

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