electronic machinery

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device that allows the camera's imaging direction to be changed when the camera is extended from the main body. [Solution] The electronic device comprises a camera for taking images, an imaging unit having a first guided portion and a second guided portion separated from the first guided portion, and a main body having a lower end and an upper end above the lower end, and a guide portion that guides the first guided portion and the second guided portion along a path that extends from the lower end to the upper end and is bent or curved in the front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to electronic devices.

Background Art

[0002] The desktop personal computer disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a camera unit. The camera unit is slidable in the vertical direction. When not in use, the camera unit is housed in the back of the display unit. This can suppress unintended photography by the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the desktop personal computer disclosed in Patent Document 1, although the camera unit is slidable in the vertical direction, the imaging direction of the camera unit cannot be changed.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an aspect of this disclosure aims to provide an electronic device that can change the imaging direction of a camera, for example, when the camera pops out from the main body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An electronic device according to an aspect of this disclosure includes an imaging unit including a camera that performs imaging, a first accommodating portion, and a second accommodating portion separated from the first accommodating portion, and a main body having a lower end and an upper end above the lower end, extending from the lower end to the upper end, and guiding each of the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion along a path bent or curved in the front-rear direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view illustrating the television receivers of Embodiments 1 and 2. [Figure 2] This is a schematic top view illustrating the television receivers of Embodiments 1 and 2. [Figure 3] This is a schematic front view illustrating the imaging unit of the television receivers of Embodiments 1 and 2. [Figure 4] This is a schematic front view illustrating the state in which the imaging unit of the television receiver of Embodiment 1 is housed in the upper edge of the main body of the television receiver. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the state of one of the guide sections provided on the main body of the television receiver of Embodiment 1, as seen from the side on which the imaging section of the television receiver is provided. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the state of the other guide section provided on the main body of the television receiver of Embodiment 1, as seen from the side on which the imaging unit of the television receiver is provided. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view illustrating the state in which the imaging unit of the television receiver of Embodiment 1 is pulled up vertically and tilted forward. [Figure 8] This is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which the first guided portion and the second guided portion of the imaging unit of the television receiver of the first embodiment are positioned lower to the first section of the groove of the guide portion. [Figure 9] This is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which the first guided portion and the second guided portion of the imaging unit of the television receiver of the first embodiment are positioned slightly above the first section of the groove of the guide portion. [Figure 10] This is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which the first guided portion and the second guided portion of the imaging unit of the television receiver of the first embodiment are arranged in the second section and the first section of the groove of the guide portion, respectively. [Figure 11] This is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which the first guided portion and the second guided portion of the imaging unit of the television receiver of the first embodiment are arranged in the second section of the groove of the guide portion. [Figure 12] This is a schematic perspective view illustrating the state in which the imaging unit of the television receiver of Embodiment 1 is pulled up vertically without tilting. [Figure 13] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating one side of the guide portion provided on the main body of a television receiver in a modified example of Embodiment 1. [Figure 14] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the other guide portion provided on the main body of a television receiver in a modified example of Embodiment 1. [Figure 15] This is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which the imaging unit is pulled up vertically and tilted forward, with the path guided by one guide unit on one side and the path guided by the other guide unit on the second embodiment forming the first path. [Figure 16] This is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which the path guided by one guide unit on one side and the path guided by the other guide unit in Embodiment 2 constitute a second path, and the imaging unit is pulled up vertically without tilting. [Figure 17] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structure that constitutes one of the guide sections provided on the main body of the television receiver of Embodiment 2. [Figure 18] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the components constituting one of the guide sections provided on the main body of the television receiver of Embodiment 2. [Figure 19] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a first groove has been formed in one of the guide portions provided on the main body of the television receiver of Embodiment 2. [Figure 20] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a second groove has been formed in one of the guide portions provided on the main body of the television receiver of Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0009] An example of the electronic device in the present application is a display device. However, the electronic device in the present application is not limited to the display device, and may be, for example, a desktop personal computer, a notebook personal computer, etc. In addition to displaying images, the display device captures images in the front to generate video data, and performs processing according to the generated video data. An example of the display device is a television receiver. Therefore, hereinafter, the television receiver will be used as an example to describe the display device. However, the display device is not limited to the television receiver, and may be a display, digital signage, etc.

[0010] 1 Embodiment 1 1.1 Television Receiver

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 1.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the television receiver 10 includes an imaging unit 11 and a main body 12. The imaging unit 11 captures images in the front to generate video data. The main body 12 receives broadcast waves and displays an image corresponding to the received broadcast waves. The main body 12 performs processing according to the video data generated by the imaging unit 11. For example, the main body 12 detects the presence or absence of viewers from the generated video data, and controls the displayed image based on the detection result. The main body 12 has a display panel 13 on the front. The display panel 13 displays an image corresponding to the video data obtained from the received broadcast waves.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body 12 has an upper edge portion 14. A recess 15 is formed in the upper edge portion 14. The recess 15 is recessed in the vertical downward direction. The recess 15 has a shape that can accommodate the imaging unit 11. The main body 12 supports the imaging unit 11. The main body 12 makes the imaging unit 11 movable between a housing position in which the imaging unit 11 is housed in the recess 15 and is not visible from the front side of the main body 12, and a protruding position in which the imaging unit 11 protrudes vertically upward from the upper edge portion 14 and is visible from the front side of the main body 12. When the imaging unit 11 is positioned in the protruding position, the main body 12 tilts the imaging unit 11 forward.

[0014] 1.2.1 Imaging Unit Figure 3 is a schematic front view illustrating the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 3, the imaging unit 11 is composed of a camera 16, a housing 17, and guided parts 31, 32, and 33. The camera 16 has a lens 18 and a sensor (not shown). The lens 18 is mounted on the front surface 19 of the housing 17 and transmits light arriving from the front, forming an image in the transmitted light. The sensor is mounted inside the housing 17 and captures the formed image and generates video data corresponding to the captured image. As a result, the camera 16 performs imaging in the imaging direction. The housing 17 integrates the imaging unit 11 into a single unit.

[0015] 1.2.2 Guided part A first guided portion 31 and a second guided portion 32, separated from the first guided portion 31, are attached to one side surface 20 of the housing 17, and a third guided portion 33 is attached to the other side surface 21 of the housing 17. The second guided portion 32 is separated from the first guided portion 31 in a direction D perpendicular to the imaging direction. The first guided portion 31 is on the upper side, and the second guided portion 32 is on the lower side. The third guided portion 33 is positioned in the same position as the first guided portion 31 in the same direction D. The first guided portion 31, the second guided portion 32, and the third guided portion 33 may be part of the housing 17. Furthermore, a fourth guided portion, separated from the third guided portion 33, may be attached to the other side surface 21 of the housing 17. The fourth guided portion is separated from the third guided portion 33 in a direction D perpendicular to the imaging direction, and is positioned at the same height as the second guided portion 32 in that direction D. When the third guided portion 33 and the fourth guided portion are located on the other side surface 21 of the housing 17, the stability of the operation when the imaging unit 11 rises is increased.

[0016] The first guided portion 31, the second guided portion 32, and the third guided portion 33 are mounted below the lens 18 of the camera 16. This allows the entire lens 18 to protrude above the main body 12 when the first guided portion 31, the second guided portion 32, and the third guided portion 33 are housed inside the main body 12.

[0017] In this embodiment, the first guided portion 31, the second guided portion 32, and the third guided portion 33 are the first projection, the second projection, and the third projection, respectively.

[0018] 1.3.1 Information section Figure 4 is a schematic front view illustrating the state in which the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 1 is housed in the upper edge 14 of the main body 12 of the television receiver 10. As shown in Figure 4, the main body 12 is equipped with a guide section 40, which comprises a guide section 41 on one side and a guide section 42 on the other side.

[0019] The guide section 41 on one side and the guide section 42 on the other side are separated from each other in the left-right direction. The guide section 41 on one side is positioned on one side of the imaging unit 11. The guide section 42 on the other side is positioned on the other side of the imaging unit 11. Therefore, the guide section 41 on one side and the guide section 42 on the other side sandwich the imaging unit 11. The guide section 41 on one side and the guide section 42 on the other side movably support the imaging unit 11 and guide the imaging unit 11.

[0020] The guide section 41 on one side guides the first guided section 31 and the second guided section 32, respectively. The guide section 42 on the other side guides the third guided section 33. As a result, the guide section 41 on one side and the guide section 42 on the other side work together to guide the first guided section 31, the second guided section 32, and the third guided section 33. In this way, the guide section 41 on one side and the guide section 42 on the other side guide the imaging unit 11 which includes the first guided section 31, the second guided section 32, and the third guided section 33. When a fourth guided section is installed on the other side surface 21 of the housing 17, the fourth guided section is inserted into the groove 52 on the other side, and the guide section 42 on the other side guides the fourth guided section. When only the third guided portion 33 is present on the other side 21 of the housing 17, the number of points where friction occurs between it and the guide portion 42 is reduced compared to when there is a fourth guided portion, resulting in smoother movement.

[0021] 1.3.2 Groove Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the state of one side guide section 41 provided on the main body 12 of the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 1, as seen from the side on which the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 is provided. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the state of the other side guide section 42 provided on the main body 12 of the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 1, as seen from the side on which the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 is provided.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the guide portion 41 on one side and the guide portion 42 on the other side each have a groove 51 on one side and a groove 52 on the other side. The guide portion 41 on one side and the guide portion 42 on the other side are installed so that the groove 51 on one side and the groove 52 on the other side face the imaging unit 11. The groove 51 on one side is formed along the path 60a on one side through which the guide portion 41 guides the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32. The groove 52 on the other side is formed along the path 60b on the other side through which the guide portion 42 guides the third guided portion 33. The paths 60a on one side and the paths 60b on the other side are parallel to each other. The first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 are inserted into the groove 51 on one side. The third guided portion 33 is inserted into the groove 52 on the other side.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, one side of the path 60a has a lower end 64a and an upper end 63a located above the lower end 64a, extends from the lower end 64a to the upper end 63a, and is bent in the front-rear direction.

[0024] Therefore, one side of the path 60a has a first section 65a that extends in the vertical direction and a second section 66a that is connected to the first section 65a and extends in a direction inclined from the vertical direction to the front-rear direction. The first section 65a has an upper section end 67a, and the second section 66a has a lower section end 68a that is connected to the upper section end 67a, and extends from the lower section end 68a in a direction inclined from the upward direction to the front direction.

[0025] As shown in Figure 6, the other side path 60b has a lower end 64b and an upper end 63b located above the lower end 64b, extends from the lower end 64b to the upper end 63b, and is bent in the front-rear direction.

[0026] Therefore, the path 60b on the other side, like the path 60a on the first side, has a first section 65b that extends vertically and a second section 66b that is connected to the first section 65b and extends in a direction inclined from vertically to longitudinally. The first section 65b has an upper section end 67b, and the second section 66b has a lower section end 68b that is connected to the upper section end 67b, and extends from the lower section end 68b in a direction inclined from upward to forward.

[0027] The first section 65a and the second section 66a of the path 60a on one side are parallel to the first section 65b and the second section 66b of the path 60b on the other side, respectively. The angle at which the second section 66a of the path 60a on one side is inclined from upward to forward is equal to the angle at which the second section 66b of the path 60b on the other side is inclined from upward to forward.

[0028] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the state in which the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 1 is pulled up vertically and tilted forward. Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the state in which the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 1 is pulled up vertically without tilting.

[0029] As shown in Figures 7 and 12, the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 are inserted into the groove 51 of the guide portion 41 on one side. Each of the inserted first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 moves within the groove 51 and along the path 60a on one side. Similarly, the third guided portion 33 is inserted into the groove 52 of the guide portion 42 on the other side. The inserted third guided portion 33 moves within the groove 52 and along the path 60b on the other side.

[0030] Figure 8 is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 of the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 of the first embodiment are positioned lower to the first section 65a of the groove 51 on one side of the guide portion 41 provided on the main body 12 of the television receiver 10. Figure 9 is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 of the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 of the first embodiment are positioned higher to the first section 65a of the groove 51 on one side of the guide portion 41 provided on the main body 12 of the television receiver 10. Figure 10 is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 of the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 of the first embodiment are arranged in the second section 66a and the first section 65a of the groove 51 on one side of the guide portion 41 provided on the main body 12 of the television receiver 10, respectively. Figure 11 is a schematic side view illustrating the state in which the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 of the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 of the first embodiment are arranged in the second section 66a of the groove 51 on one side of the guide portion 41 provided on the main body 12 of the television receiver 10.

[0031] As shown in Figures 8 to 11, the imaging unit 11 rises as the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 move along the path 60a on one side. Also, as the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 move along the path 60a on one side, the state of the imaging unit 11 changes from the state shown in Figure 8 to the state shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10, and then to the state shown in Figure 11. In the state shown in Figure 8, the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 are positioned towards the lower part of the first section 65a. In the state shown in Figure 9, the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 are positioned towards the upper part of the first section 65a. In the state shown in Figure 10, the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 are positioned in the second section 66a and the first section 65a, respectively. In the state shown in Figure 11, the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 are positioned in the second section 66a. When the state of the imaging unit 11 is as shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9, the first guided portion 31 is positioned at the same position as the second guided portion 32 in the front-rear direction. When the state of the imaging unit 11 is as shown in Figure 10, the first guided portion 31 is positioned forward of the second guided portion 32 in the front-rear direction. When the state of the imaging unit 11 is as shown in Figure 11, the first guided portion 31 is positioned even further forward of the second guided portion 32 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the state of the imaging unit 11 is as shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9, the imaging unit 11 does not tilt. When the state of the imaging unit 11 is as shown in Figure 10, the imaging unit 11 tilts. If the state of the imaging unit 11 is as shown in Figure 11, the imaging unit 11 tilts even further. Therefore, as the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 move along the path 60a on one side, the imaging unit 11 rises without tilting and then rises while tilting. This allows the imaging direction of the camera 16 to be changed when the imaging unit 11 is extended from the main body 12. The tilt angle of the imaging unit 11 increases continuously as the imaging unit 11 rises.

[0032] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first section 65a of the groove 51 has a length longer than the distance from the first guided portion 31 to the second guided portion 32. This prevents the first guided portion 31 from rising above the upper end 67a of the first section 65a, making it possible to raise the imaging unit 11 vertically upward without tilting, as shown in Figure 12. Therefore, it is possible to switch between tilting and not tilting depending on the user's usage.

[0033] Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating one side of the guide portion 40 provided on the main body of a modified television receiver according to Embodiment 1. The path 60 and groove 50 on one side only need to have a shape that has a section that moves forward when moving vertically upward, and may be a curved shape as shown in Figure 13, rather than a bent shape as shown in Figure 5. Also, the direction in which the path 60 on one side bends is not limited to forward, but may also be backward. The same applies to the path 60 on the other side.

[0034] The shapes of the first guided portion 31, the second guided portion 32, and the third guided portion 33 are cylindrical. This allows the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 to move smoothly without getting stuck at the boundary between the first section 65a and the second section 66a of the groove 51. Similarly, the third guided portion 33 can move smoothly without getting stuck at the boundary between the first section 65b and the second section 66b of the groove 52. The diameters of the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 are narrower than the width of the groove 51 so that they can move within the groove 51. Furthermore, in order to stabilize the imaging unit 11 when it is fixed in a raised position, it is desirable that the diameters of the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 be wider than the width of the groove 51. The diameter of the third guided portion 33 is narrower than the width of the groove 52 so that the third guided portion 33 can move within the groove 52, but it is desirable that it be wider than the width of the groove 52 in order to stabilize the imaging unit 11 when the imaging unit 11 is fixed in the raised position.

[0035] When the imaging unit 11 is tilted forward, the second guided portion 32 supports the imaging unit 11 by contacting the wall surface of the groove 51 near the boundary between the first section 65a and the second section 66a of the groove 51, thereby stabilizing the imaging unit 11 in a forward-tilted position in its protruding position.

[0036] The mechanism for guiding the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 by the guide portion 41 on one side is not limited to a combination of the groove 51 on one side and the first projection and the second projection. For example, any mechanism that can engage with each other, such as a combination of a rail and a bearing, in which the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 move along the path 60a on one side and the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 are guided in the direction defined by the guide portion 41, is acceptable. The mechanism for guiding the third guided portion 33 by the guide portion 42 on the other side is not limited to a combination of the groove 52 on the other side and the third projection. For example, any mechanism that can engage with each other, such as a combination of a rail and a bearing, in which the third guided portion 33 moves along the path 60b on the other side and the third guided portion 33 is guided in the direction defined by the guide portion 42 on the other side, is acceptable.

[0037] Even if the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 are attached to the housing 17, but the third guided portion 33 is not attached to the housing 17, the imaging unit 11 can still be fixed in a tilted position. In this case, the imaging unit 11 is supported by the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 and moves up and down guided by the guide portion 41 on one side. However, having the third guided portion 33 on the opposite side of the imaging unit 11 allows for more stable support of the imaging unit 11 and enables the imaging unit 11 to move up and down more smoothly.

[0038] 2 Embodiment 2 The following describes the differences between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1. For aspects not described, the same configuration as in Embodiment 1 is assumed.

[0039] Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 2 is pulled up vertically and tilted forward, with the first path being the path through which one guide part 41 on the main body 12 guides the first guided part 31 and the second guided part 32 of the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10, and the other guide part 42 on the main body 12 guides the third guided part 33 of the imaging unit 11. Figure 16 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which the imaging unit 11 is pulled up vertically without tilting, with the second path being the path through which one guide part 41 on the main body 12 of the television receiver 10 guides the first guided part 31 and the second guided part 32 of the imaging unit 11 of the television receiver 10, and the other guide part 42 on the main body 12 guides the third guided part 33 of the imaging unit 11.

[0040] In Embodiment 2, the path by which the guide 41 on one side guides the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32, and the path by which the guide 42 on the other side guides the third guided portion 33 of the imaging unit 11, are switched between a first path and a second path. The first path is the same curved path as the paths 60a and 60b described in Embodiment 1. The second path is a straight path different from the paths 60a and 60b described in Embodiment 1. Therefore, when the path is the first path, the imaging unit 11 tilts forward when it is pulled up vertically, as shown in Figure 15. However, when the path is the second path, the imaging unit 11 does not tilt forward when it is pulled up vertically, as shown in Figure 16.

[0041] 2.1.1 Information section In Embodiment 2, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, one guide section 41 comprises a structure 81 and a member 91a, and the other guide section 42 comprises a structure 82 and a member 91b. In Embodiment 2, by switching the position in which member 91a is inserted into the structure 81, the path by which one guide section 41 guides the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 is switched between the first path and the second path. Also, by switching the position in which member 91b is inserted into the structure 82, the path by which the other guide section 42 guides the third guided portion 33 is switched between the first path and the second path. Note that one guide section 41 and the other guide section 42 have a symmetrical structure. For this reason, the following description will focus on one guide section 41, and the description of the other guide section 42 will be omitted.

[0042] 2.1.2 Structures Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a structure 81 that constitutes one of the guide sections 41 provided on the main body 12 of the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 2.

[0043] As shown in Figure 17, a space 85 is formed in the structure 81. The structure 81 has a first wall surface 83 and a second wall surface 84 that faces the first wall surface 83 across the space 85 and is inclined with respect to the first wall surface 83.

[0044] The space 85 formed in the structure 81 is a continuous space formed by combining a first groove 53 formed along the same first path 61 as the path 60a on one side described in the first embodiment, and a second groove 54 formed along a second path 62 that is different from the path 60a on one side described in the first embodiment. The structure 81 can be configured as a guide section that guides the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 along the first path 61, and a guide section that guides the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 along the second path 62 that extends vertically upward. For this reason, the space 85 has a shape larger than the shapes of the first groove 53 and the second groove 54.

[0045] Space 85 communicates with the space above the structure 81 through an opening 86. Member 91a is inserted into space 85 via the opening 86. By inserting member 91a into space 85 via the opening 86, a groove is defined as a portion 92, which is at least a part of member 91a, is positioned in a predetermined location within space 85.

[0046] 2.1.3 Components Figure 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a component constituting one side of the guide portion provided on the main body of the television receiver of Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 18, the component 91a includes a portion 92 that is positioned within the space 85. In this embodiment, the component 91a is a pin component. By positioning the portion 92 at a predetermined location within the space 85, a groove is defined, and the path through which the first guided portion 31 and the second guided portion 32 are guided is determined.

[0047] As shown in Figure 18, portion 92 has a first surface 93 and a second surface 94 located on the opposite side from the first surface 93 and inclined with respect to the first surface 93. Portion 92 can be positioned in a first position and a second position different from the first position within space 85.

[0048] Figure 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a first groove 53 is formed in a guide portion 41 on one side of the main body 12 of the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 19, when the portion 92 is positioned at a first position P1 in the space 85, the first surface 93 abuts against the first wall surface 83, and the second surface 94 faces the second wall surface 84 across the first groove 53 and is parallel to the second wall surface 84. Thus, the structure 81 and the portion 92 define the first groove 53 formed along the first path 61.

[0049] Figure 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a second groove 54 is formed in a guide portion 41 on one side of the main body 12 of the television receiver 10 of Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 20, when the portion 92 is positioned at a second position P2 in the space 85, the second surface 94 abuts against the second wall surface 84 and the first surface 93 faces the first wall surface 83 across the second groove 54 and is parallel to the first wall surface 83. Thus, the structure 81 and the portion 92 define the second groove 54 formed along the second path 62. The second groove 54 is formed to follow the second path 62 which is straight in the vertical direction.

[0050] 2.2 Switching Operation When the imaging unit 11 is raised and the imaging unit 11 is to be tilted, members 91a and 91b are inserted into the first position P1 of the structure 81 on one side and the structure 82 on the other side, respectively. This forms a first groove 53 in the guide part 41 on one side and a similar first groove in the guide part 42 on the other side. When the imaging unit 11 is raised in this state, the imaging unit 11 can be tilted as shown in Figure 15, and the camera 16 is fixed at an angle that photographs in the forward diagonal downward direction. When raising the imaging unit 11 vertically upward, if the imaging unit 11 is not tilted when it is raised, members 91a and 91b are inserted into the second position P2 of the structure 81 on one side and the structure 82 on the other side, respectively. This forms a second groove 54 in the guide part 41 on one side and a similar second groove in the guide part 42 on the other side. When the imaging unit 11 is raised in this state, as shown in Figure 16, the imaging unit 11 can be raised without tilting, and the imaging unit 11 rises vertically upward so that the camera 16 is fixed at an angle that captures the front view, and the camera 16 is fixed in a direction that captures the front view.

[0051] The path 60a defined in the guide section 41 on one side is not limited to only two directions, vertically upward and forward, but may also include, for example, a direction of tilting backward. The path 60a is not limited to only the first path 61 and the second path 62, but may also include a third path. If a third path is assumed, for example, the guide section 41 on one side is provided with a structure 81 in which a space 85 is formed by connecting the first groove 53, the second groove 54, and the third groove corresponding to the third path. In addition, members with shapes that define the grooves 51 along each path are provided. Similarly, for the guide section 42 on the other side, the path 60b on the other side may include a third path in addition to the first and second paths. The structure 82 on the other side is provided with a space formed by connecting the first groove, the second groove, and the third groove, and members that define the grooves defining each path on the other side are provided.

[0052] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be replaced with configurations that are substantially the same as those shown in the embodiments, configurations that produce the same effects, or configurations that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 Television receiver, 11 Imaging unit, 12 Main unit, 13 Display panel, 16 Camera, 31 Guided unit, 32 Guided unit, 33 Guided unit, 40 Guide unit, 41 Guide unit, 42 Guide unit, 50 Groove, 51 Groove, 52 Groove, 53 First groove, 54 Second groove, 60 Path, 60a Path, 60b Path, 61 First path, 62 Second path, 63a Upper end, 63b Upper end, 64a Lower end, 64b Lower end, 65a First section, 65b First section, 66a Second section, 66b Second section, 67a Upper end of section, 67b Upper end of section, 68a Lower end of section, 68b Lower end of section, 81 Structure, 82 Structure, 83 First wall surface, 84 Second wall surface, 85 space, 91a member, 91b member, 92 part, 93 first surface, 94 second surface, D direction, P1 first position, P2 second position

Claims

1. An imaging unit comprising a camera for taking images, a first guided portion, and a second guided portion separated from the first guided portion, A main body having a lower end and an upper end located above the lower end, and a guide portion that guides the first guided portion and the second guided portion along a path that extends from the lower end to the upper end and is bent or curved in the front-rear direction, Electronic devices equipped with the following features.

2. The camera captures an image in the imaging direction, The second guided portion is separated from the first guided portion in a direction perpendicular to the imaging direction. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The path comprises a first section extending in the vertical direction and a second section connected to the first section and extending in a direction inclined from the vertical direction to the front-to-back direction. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first section has an upper end, The second section has a lower section end connected to the upper section end, The second section extends from the lower end of the section in a direction that slopes upward and forward. The electronic device according to claim 3.

5. The first section has a length longer than the distance from the first guided portion to the second guided portion. The electronic device according to claim 3.

6. The first guided portion and the second guided portion are, respectively, a first projection and a second projection. The guide portion has grooves formed along the path into which the first projection and the second projection are inserted. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The guide portion comprises a structure having a space having a shape larger than the shape of the groove, and a member having a portion disposed within the space. The aforementioned structure and the aforementioned part define the groove. The electronic device according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned route is the first route, The groove is the first groove, The aforementioned portion can be positioned at a first position and a second position different from the first position. The structure and the part define the first groove when the part is positioned in the first position, and define the second groove along a straight second path when the part is positioned in the second position. The electronic device according to claim 7.

9. The structure has a first wall surface and a second wall surface that faces the first wall surface across the space and is inclined with respect to the first wall surface. The portion has a first surface and a second surface located on the side opposite to the side on which the first surface is located and inclined with respect to the first surface. When the aforementioned portion is positioned in the first location, the first surface abuts against the first wall surface, and the second surface faces the second wall surface across the first groove and is parallel to the second wall surface. When the aforementioned portion is positioned at the second location, the second surface abuts against the second wall surface, and the first surface faces the first wall surface across the second groove and is parallel to the first wall surface. The electronic device according to claim 8.

10. The imaging unit includes a third guided portion, The aforementioned guide section is a guide section on one side, The aforementioned route is the route on one side, The other side guide portion guides the third guided portion along the other side path which is parallel to the one side path. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The camera captures an image in the imaging direction, The second guided portion is separated from the first guided portion in a direction perpendicular to the imaging direction. The third guided portion is positioned in the same location as the first guided portion in the aforementioned direction. The electronic device according to claim 10.

12. The main unit includes a display panel for displaying images. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images