IMAGE CAPTURING UNIT AND IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM

Abstract

Provided is an image capturing unit including an abutting member that abuts on an image capturing target which is inserted in a direction intersecting with an optical axis direction of an image capturing section which is included in a portable terminal, and makes a predetermined region of the image capturing target face the image capturing section, a facing member that faces the image capturing target which is abutted on the abutting member in the optical axis direction from an image capturing section side, and a pressing section that presses the image capturing target against the facing member along the optical axis direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2015-150756 filed Jul. 30, 2015 and 2015-158557 filed Aug. 10, 2015.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image capturing unit, and an image capturing system.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an image capturing unit including:

an abutting member that abuts on an image capturing target which is inserted in a direction intersecting with an optical axis direction of an image capturing section which is included in a portable terminal, and makes a predetermined region of the image capturing target face the image capturing section;

a facing member that faces the image capturing target which is abutted on the abutting member in the optical axis direction from an image capturing section side; and

a pressing section that presses the image capturing target against the facing member along the optical axis direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image capturing system to which an exemplary embodiment is applied;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the schematic configuration of the image capturing system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line of an image capturing unit in the image capturing system which is illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an inner configuration of an image capturing case which is described later in the image capturing unit;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are views illustrating a configuration of a positioning member to which the exemplary embodiment is applied;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state where a card being an image capturing target is inserted into the image capturing case; and

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are views illustrating the state where the card being the image capturing target is inserted into the image capturing case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views illustrating a schematic configuration of an image capturing system 1 to which an exemplary embodiment is applied. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment is configured such that an image capturing unit 3 is attached to a portable terminal 2 which includes an image capturing section (camera function) and an illumination section (illumination lighting function).

Here, in the exemplary embodiment, when the image capturing system 1 is viewed from a front side (side of a display 20 which is described later in the portable terminal 2), the image capturing unit 3 may be confirmed by sight, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

For example, the portable terminal 2 according to the exemplary embodiment, is realized by a mobile phone such as a smart phone. Furthermore, the portable terminal 2 may be realized by a tablet terminal, a digital camera or the like if including the image capturing section and the illumination section.

The portable terminal 2 includes a storage portion which is configured by a storage medium such as a microprocessor, a random access memory (RAM) or a hard disk drive, a communication interface, an operation button and the like. Therefore, an application for obtaining the pattern information, is installed in the portable terminal 2 according to the exemplary embodiment.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the portable terminal 2 includes the display 20 as an example of a display section, a camera 21 as an example of the image capturing section that is arranged on a rear surface of the display 20, and a flash lamp 22 as an example of the illumination section.

The camera 21 which is arranged in the portable terminal 2, is configured by an image pickup device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, an optical system such as lens and the like. Therefore, the camera 21 obtains the image data by capturing an image of an image capturing target. Moreover, an optical axis of the optical system in the camera 21 becomes a direction which is perpendicular to the display 20 of the portable terminal 2.

Still more, for example, the flash lamp 22 which is arranged in the portable terminal 2, is configured to include a light-emitting diode (LED) as a light-emitting element. Therefore, the flash lamp 22 emits the light at the time of obtaining the image of the image capturing target by the camera 21.

For example, the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, obtains the pattern information of the image capturing target which has a thin plate shape (card shape).

Specifically, when the pattern information is obtained by capturing an image of a card C being an example of the image capturing target by the image capturing system 1, the card C is inserted into the image capturing unit 3, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Moreover, when the pattern information is obtained by capturing the image of the card C by the image capturing system 1, the application for obtaining the pattern information which is installed in the portable terminal 2, is started. Thereby, the image capturing by the camera 21 is begun while the light-emitting by the flash lamp 22 of the portable terminal 2 is maintained, and the situation is displayed on the display 20. Therefore, by making an input to the operation button or the display 20 of the portable terminal 2, the image of the image capturing target (card C) which is illuminated by the light from the flash lamp 22 is obtained, and furthermore, the pattern information is obtained.

Additionally, the image capturing target of which the pattern information is obtained by the image capturing system 1, or a method for positioning the image capturing target with respect to the image capturing unit 3, will be described in detail at the following stage.

Subsequently, a configuration of the image capturing unit 3 according to the exemplary embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along III-III line of the image capturing unit 3 in the image capturing system 1 which is illustrated in FIG. 1. Moreover, FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an inner configuration of an image capturing case 40 which is described later in the image capturing unit 3, and illustrates a state of detaching a bottom portion 452 of a light-shielding member 45 and a positioning member 46 which are described later from the image capturing case 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the image capturing unit 3 according to the exemplary embodiment, has a shape following an outer shape of the portable terminal 2, and includes an attaching member 31 as an example of an attaching section to which the portable terminal 2 is fit by being fit in the attaching member 31, and the image capturing case 40 which is fixed to the attaching member 31, the image capturing target is inserted into, and performs the positioning of the image capturing target.

In the attaching member 31, a hole portion 310 which is open toward the image capturing case 40, is formed at a position responding to the camera 21 and the flash lamp 22 of the portable terminal 2. Therefore, in the image capturing system 1, the camera 21 of the portable terminal 2 faces a close-up lens 411 of a lens portion 41 which is described later through the hole portion 310, in the state where the portable terminal 2 is attached to the image capturing unit 3. Moreover, the flash lamp 22 of the portable terminal 2 faces a light-guiding member 42 which is described later through the hole portion 310.

In the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, the lens portion 41 which faces the camera 21 of the portable terminal 2 through the hole portion 310 in the state where the portable terminal 2 is attached to the attaching member 31, is arranged. As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the lens portion 41 includes the close-up lens (macro lens) 411 that shortens a minimum image capturing distance of the camera 21, and a cylinder-shaped lens tube 412 that is attached to the light-shielding member 45 which is described later in the image capturing case 40, and supports the close-up lens 411.

As described above, the close-up lens 411 is arranged so as to face the camera 21 of the portable terminal 2. More specifically, the optical axis of the close-up lens 411, and the optical axis of the optical system in the camera 21 are arranged so as to agree with each other.

The close-up lens 411 according to the exemplary embodiment focuses on a surface of the image capturing target (card C) which is positioned by the image capturing case 40.

Moreover, the image capturing case 40 includes the light-guiding member 42 that guides the illumination light which is output from the flash lamp 22 into the image capturing case 40, and a reflecting member 43 that reflects the illumination light which is guided by the light-guiding member 42, and irradiates the image capturing target with the illumination light.

The light-guiding member 42 supplies the illumination light which is output from the flash lamp 22, to the reflecting member 43. In the exemplary embodiment, the light-guiding member 42 is configured by a tube-shaped light-guiding member which guides the light so as to change a direction in which the illumination light from the flash lamp 22 advances.

The reflecting member 43 is arranged so as to face a tip (emission side of the illumination light) of the light-guiding member 42. Therefore, the reflecting member 43 reflects the illumination light which is guided through the light-guiding member 42 from the flash lamp 22, and supplies the illumination light to a close-up portion (region that is incorporated as an image which is captured in a close-up manner with the optical system by the camera 21 and the close-up lens 411 of the portable terminal 2) of the image capturing target.

For example, the reflecting member 43 is configured by a metal plate to which a bending process is carried out or the like.

Still more, the image capturing case 40 includes the light-shielding member 45 that shields the close-up portion of the image capturing target against the light from the outside of the image capturing case 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the light-shielding member 45 is configured by a box-shaped side wall portion 451 that has an opening on an opposite side to the attaching member 31, and the bottom portion 452 as an example of a facing member that closes the opening of the side wall portion 451. Therefore, the light-shielding member 45 accommodates the lens portion 41, the light-guiding member 42, and the reflecting member 43 which are described above, within a space that is surrounded by the side wall portion 451 and the bottom portion 452. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the bottom portion 452, an opening 453 is formed at a position which faces the close-up lens 411. Thereby, when the image capturing target inserted into the image capturing case 40, the close-up lens 411 faces the close-up portion of the image capturing target through the opening 453.

For example, the light-shielding member 45 according to the exemplary embodiment, is configured of a resin material such as ABS resin. Moreover, it is preferable that an inner wall (wall surface which faces the lens portion 41, the light-guiding member 42, and the reflecting member 43) of the light-shielding member 45 is colored in black in order to suppress the scattering of the illumination light.

Furthermore, the image capturing case 40 includes the positioning member 46 as an example of an abutting member that is arranged by facing the bottom portion 452 of the light-shielding member 45, and performs the positioning of the image capturing target in a plane intersecting with an optical axis direction, a sphere-shaped member 47 that is attached to the positioning member 46, and performs the positioning of the image capturing target in the optical axis direction, and an elastic member 48 as an example of an urging member that pressurizes the sphere-shaped member 47 in a direction toward the close-up lens 411. In the exemplary embodiment, the positioning member 46 is configured by a hard resin material such as ABS resin which is unlikely to be deformed when being in contact with the image capturing target. Moreover, for example, the sphere-shaped member 47 is configured by a ball which is manufactured of metal such as stainless steel. Furthermore, the elastic member 48 is configured by a sheet-shaped member such as felt or foamed rubber which has elasticity.

Here, in the exemplary embodiment, a pressing section is configured by the sphere-shaped member 47 and the elastic member 48.

In the description of the exemplary embodiment, the optical axis direction of the camera 21 (close-up lens 411) is referred to as a Z direction, and a plane which is orthogonal to the Z direction is referred to as an XY plane. Moreover, in the example, a short direction of the rectangle-shaped portable terminal 2 (attaching member 31) is referred to as an X direction, and a direction along a long direction thereof is referred to as a Y direction.

Still more, in the exemplary embodiment, an example of a direction intersecting with the optical axis direction is described by exemplifying a direction which is orthogonal to the optical axis direction, but the “direction intersecting with the optical axis direction” is not orthogonal to the optical axis direction, and may be slightly inclined thereto if being capable of performing the capturing of the image capturing target.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are views illustrating a configuration of the positioning member 46 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the positioning member 46, and FIG. 5B is a view when the positioning member 46 illustrated in FIG. 5A is viewed from an upstream side in the Z direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the positioning member 46 according to the exemplary embodiment includes a first abutting wall 461 as an example of a first abutting portion that performs the positioning of the image capturing target in a predetermined first direction (X direction), and a second abutting wall 462 as an example of a second abutting section that performs the positioning in a second direction (Y direction) which is orthogonal to the first direction. In the example, the first abutting wall 461 is configured by a wall surface along a YZ plane, and the second abutting wall 462 is configured by a wall surface along a ZX plane.

The first abutting wall 461 and the second abutting wall 462 of the positioning member 46, are arranged at a predetermined distance from an image capturing region by the camera 21. In other words, the first abutting wall 461 is arranged at the position which is separated from the image capturing region by the camera 21 as the predetermined distance in the X direction. Similarly, the second abutting wall 462 is arranged at the position which is separated from the image capturing region by the camera 21 as the predetermined distance in the Y direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 or the like, the positioning member 46 is attached to the light-shielding member 45 such that the first abutting wall 461 and the second abutting wall 462 are in contact with the bottom portion 452. Thereby, in the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, an insertion space S into which the image capturing target is inserted, is formed between the bottom portion 452 of the light-shielding member 45 and the first abutting wall 461 and the second abutting wall 462 of the positioning member 46.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, a retaining hole 463 where the sphere-shaped member 47 is retained is arranged in the positioning member 46.

Therefore, in the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, the sphere-shaped member 47 is retained in the retaining hole 463 of the positioning member 46, and the elastic member 48 is attached to the rear surface (opposite surface to the surface which faces the light-shielding member 45) of the positioning member 46. Thereby, the sphere-shaped member 47 is pressurized onto the upstream side in the Z direction by the elastic member 48, and the sphere-shaped member 47 is in contact with the bottom portion 452 of the light-shielding member 45, in the state where the image capturing target is not inserted into the insertion space S.

In the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, the sphere-shaped member 47 is not fixed to the retaining hole 463, and is rotatably retained. Thereby, when the image capturing target is inserted into the insertion space S, the sphere-shaped member 47 rotates along the movement of the image capturing target.

Furthermore, the details thereof will be described later. However, when the image capturing target is inserted into the insertion space S, the sphere-shaped member 47 is pushed in a direction which is distant from the close-up lens 411, and thereby, the elastic member 48 is elastically deformed. Accordingly, the image capturing target is supported by being interposed between the sphere-shaped member 47 and the bottom portion 452 of the light-shielding member 45.

Moreover, in the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, when the image capturing case 40 is viewed along the Z direction (optical axis direction), the retaining hole 463 and the sphere-shaped member 47 are arranged at a position which deviates from the close-up lens 411 (opening 453 of the bottom portion 452). If being more specifically described, as illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, in the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, the sphere-shaped member 47 is arranged on the downstream side in the X direction and the Y direction, with respect to the close-up lens 411. In other words, in the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, the sphere-shaped member 47 is arranged on the downstream side in the inserted direction of the image capturing target from the close-up lens 411.

Subsequently, the image capturing target in the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment will be described. For example, in the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, the card C of the thin plate shape such as a security card, a credit card or a ticket is used as an image capturing target, and a check (authenticity determination) of the card C is performed.

If being specifically described, in the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, the information relating to the pattern information of the card C is previously stored in the portable terminal 2 or an external device such as a server PC which is connected to the portable terminal 2 in a wire manner or a wireless manner.

When the check of the card C is performed, an image of a predetermined region of the card C is captured by using the image capturing system 1, and thereby, the pattern information of the card C is obtained. It is performed to determine whether or not the obtained pattern information of the card C agrees with the pattern information which is stored in the portable terminal 2 or the external device, and thereby, the check of the card C is performed, and a check result is output through the display 20 of the portable terminal 2 or the like.

Here, in the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, the image of the pattern which is expressed on the surface of the card C, and is peculiarly included in each card C, and is fine in random, is obtained as the pattern information. In general, the obtained fine pattern of the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, means a fine pattern of a degree which is unlikely to be recognized with the naked eye, for example, differently from a common character or symbol which is formed on the card C.

Specifically, as a pattern of the card C, a pattern that is formed by fibers configuring the card C, a pattern that is formed by minute cracks of the surface of the card C, a pattern that is formed by fine particles of a material configuring the card C, or a pattern of a hologram that is formed on the surface of the card C is used. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments, the pattern which performs the check (authenticity determination) of the card C is not limited thereto.

In this manner, the pattern of the card C which is obtained by the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment is fine, and in order to accurately capture the image of the pattern of the card C, there is a need to perform the positioning of the card C such that the surface of the card C comes to the focus position of the close-up lens 411. In other words, in order to accurately capture the image of the pattern of the card C, there is a need to accurately perform the positioning of the card C in the Z direction (optical axis direction).

Moreover, in the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, the region where the pattern information is obtained from the card C generally is a narrow range in the card C. Accordingly, in order to accurately obtain the pattern of the region which becomes a target of the check from the card C, there is a need to accurately perform the positioning of the card C with respect to a readout position of the camera 21. In other words, in order to accurately obtain the pattern of the region which becomes the target of the check from the card C, there is a need to accurately perform the positioning of the card C on the XY plane (positioning of the card C in the X direction and the Y direction).

In the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, the positioning of the card C is performed on the XY plane by using the positioning member 46, and the positioning thereof is performed in the Z direction by using the sphere-shaped member 47, the elastic member 48, and the bottom portion 452 of the light-shielding member 45.

Subsequently, the positioning of the image capturing target (card C) in the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, will be described. FIG. 6, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are views illustrating a state where the card C being the image capturing target is inserted into the image capturing case 40. FIG. 7A is a view illustrating a relationship between the image capturing case 40 and the card C, and FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along VIIB-VIIB line in FIG. 7A.

In the card C being the image capturing target, an information region D for obtaining the pattern information described above, is set at a predetermined position. Here, a case where the card C of the rectangle shape is used as an image capturing target, will be described by being exemplified. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the card C, the information region D is set at one (lower right corner portion Cx of the drawing in the example) among four corners. In other words, in the card C, the information region D is set at the corner portion Cx that is interposed between one long side (first side portion) Ca and one short side (second side portion) Cb which are orthogonal to each other among four sides.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 according to the exemplary embodiment and FIG. 3 described above, the card C is inserted into the insertion space S which is formed between the light-shielding member 45 and the positioning member 46 of the image capturing case 40, along the X direction and the Y direction by using the corner portion Cx as a tip side (see arrow A in FIG. 6).

If the insertion of the card C is continued, the corner portion Cx of the card C abuts on the sphere-shaped member 47 which protrudes into the insertion space S. Therefore, by pressurizing the card C, the elastic member 48 is deformed onto the downstream side in the Z direction, and the sphere-shaped member 47 is moved onto the downstream side in the Z direction. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the card C is in the state of being interposed between the sphere-shaped member 47 and the bottom portion 452 of the light-shielding member 45.

As described above, the sphere-shaped member 47 is pressurized toward the upstream side in the Z direction by the elastic member 48, and the card C is pressed against the bottom portion 452 by the sphere-shaped member 47. Thereby, the positioning of the card C is made in the Z direction. In other words, by pressing the card C against the bottom portion 452, the positioning of the card C is made so that the distance which is from the close-up lens 411 to the surface of the card C is equal to the distance which is from the close-up lens 411 to the bottom portion 452. Thereby, the focus position of the close-up lens 411 agrees with the surface of the card C.

Here, the sphere-shaped member 47 has a spherical shape, and the surface thereof becomes a spherical surface. Thereby, when the card C abuts on the sphere-shaped member 47 along the insertion of the card C, the card C is apt to be guided to the surface of the sphere-shaped member 47. Moreover, as described above, the sphere-shaped member 47 is rotatably retained with respect to the retaining hole 463 of the positioning member 46. Hence, when the card C abuts on the sphere-shaped member 47 along the insertion of the card C, the sphere-shaped member 47 is rotated depending on the movement of the card C.

By adopting the configuration, in the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, occurrence of bending or damage on the card C by that the card C abuts on the sphere-shaped member 47 is suppressed.

Furthermore, if the insertion of the card C is continued, the card C abuts on the first abutting wall 461 and the second abutting wall 462 of the positioning member 46. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the long side Ca of the card C abuts on the first abutting wall 461, and the short side Cb abuts on the second abutting wall 462.

Thereby, the positioning of the card C is made in the X direction and the Y direction. Specifically, the long side Ca of the card C abuts on the first abutting wall 461, and thereby, the card C is positioned in the X direction, and the short side Cb abuts on the second abutting wall 462, and thereby, the card C is positioned in the Y direction. Accordingly, the information region D of the card C comes to the image capturing region by the camera 21.

When the card C is inserted into the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, in general, any one of the long side Ca and the short side Cb of the card C previously abuts on the first abutting wall 461 or the second abutting wall 462. For example, when the long side Ca of the card C previously abuts on the first abutting wall 461, if the insertion of the card C is continued, the card C is moved to the Y direction by being guided to the first abutting wall 461, and the short side Cb abuts on the second abutting wall 462, and the card C is positioned in the X direction and the Y direction.

That is, in the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, the first abutting wall 461 and the second abutting wall 462 have a function of guiding an advancing direction of the inserted card C. Thereby, operability at the time of performing the inserting of the card C by the user becomes good.

As described above, in the image capturing system 1 (image capturing unit 3) according to the exemplary embodiment, the positioning of the card C is performed on the XY plane by using the positioning member 46, and the positioning thereof is performed in the Z direction by using the sphere-shaped member 47, the elastic member 48, and the bottom portion 452 of the light-shielding member 45. Thereby, it is possible to position the information region D of the card C at the image capturing region by the camera 21, in comparison with a case where the configuration is not adopted.

Thereby, it is possible to accurately read out even a pattern that is fine and is unlikely to be read out in general just as the pattern which is formed by the fibers of the card C, by the camera 21 of the portable terminal 2, and it is possible to perform the check (authenticity determination) of the card C by using the pattern which is read out.

Here, in the image capturing system 1 (image capturing unit 3) according to the exemplary embodiment, the sphere-shaped member 47 is arranged on the downstream side in the X direction and the Y direction from the image capturing region by the camera 21. In other words, the sphere-shaped member 47 is arranged on the downstream side in the inserted direction of the card C being the image capturing target from the image capturing region by the camera 21.

Thereby, for example, in comparison with a case where the sphere-shaped member 47 is arranged on the upstream side in the X direction or the Y direction from the image capturing area by the camera 21, it is possible to shorten the distance of inserting the card C in the state where the sphere-shaped member 47 is pressurized, and a load which is applied to the card C is reduced.

Moreover, in the image capturing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, a display indicating the inserted direction, the inserted region and the like of the card C to the user may be performed on the display 20 of the portable terminal 2. Thereby, it is possible to improve the operability at the time of performing the check of the card C even more by using the image capturing system 1.

Still more, when the card C is inserted into the image capturing case 40 of the image capturing unit 3, the image which is captured by the camera 21 may be displayed on the display 20 of the portable terminal 2. Thereby, the user is capable of performing the insertion of the card C while confirming the image which is displayed on the display 20, and is capable of confirming whether or not the information region D of the card C is moved up to the image capturing region by the camera 21 with the display 20.

Furthermore, in the image capturing case 40 according to the exemplary embodiment, the positioning of the card C in the X direction, and the positioning of the card C in the Y direction are performed by the first abutting wall 461 and the second abutting wall 462 which are planes together. Specifically, the positioning of the card C in the X direction is performed by being in contact with the long side Ca of the card C continuously to the first abutting wall 461, and the positioning of the card C in the Y direction is performed by being in contact with the short side Cb of the card C continuously to the second abutting wall 462.

However, for example, one of the long side Ca and the short side Cb of the card C is in contact with the positioning member 46, and thereby, the positioning of the card C in the X direction or the Y direction may be performed.

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiments, the positioning of the card C in the Z direction is performed by one sphere-shaped member 47, but plural sphere-shaped members 47 may be arranged. In this case, the entire surface of the card C is apt to be in contact with the bottom portion 452 of the light-shielding member 45, and it is possible to perform the positioning of the card C in the Z direction more stably, in comparison with a case where the positioning of the card C in the Z direction is performed by one sphere-shaped member 47.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An image capturing unit comprising:

an abutting member that abuts on an image capturing target which is inserted in a direction intersecting with an optical axis direction of an image capturing section which is included in a portable terminal, and makes a predetermined region of the image capturing target face the image capturing section;

a facing member that faces the image capturing target which is abutted on the abutting member in the optical axis direction from an image capturing section side; and

a pressing section that presses the image capturing target against the facing member along the optical axis direction.

2. The image capturing unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

an attaching section that is detachably attached to the portable terminal by attaching the abutting member and the pressing section, or integrally arranging the abutting member and the pressing section.

3. The image capturing unit according to claim 1,

wherein the abutting member abuts on the image capturing target that is inserted in a direction which is orthogonal to the optical axis direction.

4. The image capturing unit according to claim 1,

wherein the abutting member abuts on the image capturing target from two directions of a direction intersecting with the optical direction and a direction intersecting with each other in a plane along the inserted direction of the image capturing target.

5. The image capturing unit according to claim 1,

wherein the abutting member includes a first abutting portion that abuts on a first side portion of the card-shaped image capturing target which includes the first side portion and a second side portion intersecting with each other, and a second abutting portion that abuts on the second side portion.

6. The image capturing unit according to claim 1,

wherein the pressing section includes a sphere-shaped member that has a sphere shape and faces the facing member, and an urging member that urges the sphere-shaped member toward the facing member along the optical axis direction.

7. The image capturing unit according to claim 1,

wherein the pressing section presses the image capturing target against the facing member on a downstream side in an inserted direction of the image capturing target of a facing position between the image capturing section and the image capturing target.

8. An image capturing system comprising:

a portable terminal that includes an image capturing section which captures an image capturing target; and

an image capturing unit that is attached to the portable terminal,

wherein the image capturing unit includes an attaching section for attachment to the portable terminal, an abutting member that abuts on the image capturing target which is inserted in a direction intersecting with an optical axis direction of the image capturing section, and makes a predetermined region of the image capturing target face the image capturing section, a facing member that faces the image capturing target which is abutted on the abutting member in the optical axis direction from the image capturing section side, and a pressing section that presses the image capturing target against the facing member along the optical axis direction.

9. The image capturing system according to claim 8,

wherein the portable terminal further includes a display section that displays an image which is captured by the image capturing section, and

when the insertion of the image capturing target is started, the image of the image capturing target which is captured by the image capturing section is displayed on the display section.

10. An image capturing unit comprising:

an abutting member that is fixed to an image capturing section, abuts on an image capturing target which is inserted in a direction intersecting with an optical axis direction of the image capturing section, and makes a predetermined region of the image capturing target face the image capturing section;

a facing member that faces the image capturing target which is abutted on the abutting member in the optical axis direction from an image capturing section side; and

a pressing section that presses the image capturing target against the facing member along the optical axis direction.