Imaging apparatus and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus with good communication performance using a slot antenna.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus 100 is capable of performing wireless communication with the outside world. The imaging apparatus is provided on the front, back, or side of the subject side of the imaging apparatus, and has a metal enclosure with slits 110, 112, 118 and power-feeding boards 92 and 94 that supply power to the slit to enable wireless communication using the slit as a slot antenna.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device having a wireless communication function. [Background technology]

[0002] Imaging devices such as digital cameras equipped with wireless communication functions can communicate image data and other information with the outside world. On the other hand, the housings of imaging devices are often made of metal for strength, but if there is a metal housing near the wireless communication antenna, wireless communication will be hindered, so the antenna must be covered with a resin material that transmits radio waves.

[0003] In addition, in order to support large-volume data communications, MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology is known, which uses multiple antennas for communication, and imaging devices are also required to be equipped with multiple antennas. However, if the housing is made of metal, the number and placement of antennas are limited.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that suppresses the decrease in antenna gain by optimizing the arrangement of a slot antenna. Patent Document 2 discloses a device that has good communication performance while using a metal housing by placing the slot antenna away from an area where many metal parts are arranged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-228982 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7157964 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] A slot antenna requires a slit having a length determined by the frequency to be used, and therefore, when a slot antenna is arranged in an imaging device having many operating members, the arrangement location is limited.

[0007] The present invention provides an imaging device that uses a slot antenna and has good communication performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An image pickup device according to one aspect of the present invention is capable of wireless communication with an external device. The image pickup device includes a metal housing having a slit provided on one of a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface on the subject side, and a power supply board that supplies power to the slit to enable wireless communication using the slit as a slot antenna.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, an imaging device includes a metal front housing arranged on the subject side and having a first slit and a second slit, and a power supply board that supplies power to the first and second slits to enable wireless communication using the first and second slits as slot antennas. The front housing includes a first grip portion that is held by a user when the imaging device is in the normal position, and a second grip portion that is held by the user when the imaging device is in the vertical position. The imaging device includes a control means that selects one of the first and second slits to supply power depending on which of the first and second grip portions is being used and is held by the user.

[0010] A control method according to another aspect of the present invention is applied to an imaging device having a metal front housing arranged on the subject side and having a first slit and a second slit, and a power supply board that supplies power to the first and second slits to enable wireless communication using the first and second slits as slot antennas, the front housing having a first grip part held by a user when the imaging device is in a normal position, and a second grip part held by a user when the imaging device is in a vertical position. The control method includes a step of determining which of the first and second grip parts is being used and which is being used and which of the first and second slits is being used, depending on the grip part being used. Note that a program for causing a computer of the imaging device to execute processing according to the above control method also constitutes another aspect of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device that uses a slot antenna and has good communication performance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the digital camera according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the digital camera according to the embodiment with the front rubber and the bottom rubber removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the digital camera according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the inside of a front cover of the digital camera according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an antenna board and a slit in a vertical position grip portion of a digital camera according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical grip portion shown in FIG. 7 . [Figure 9]4 is a flowchart showing a process according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] 1 shows the internal configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as camera) 100 as an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. An imaging lens 20 is detachably attached to the camera 100 via a lens mount 22, which is a lens attachment section. The imaging lens 20 has an imaging optical system that includes multiple lenses, including a focus lens 24, and an aperture 26.

[0015] A light beam incident from a subject into the imaging optical system is guided to the imaging element 14 via the aperture 26 and the shutter 12, and forms an image of the subject as an optical image on the imaging surface of the imaging element 14. The shutter 12 opens and closes to control the amount of exposure of the imaging element 14. The imaging element 14 is a photoelectric conversion element such as a CMOS sensor, which photoelectrically converts (captures) the subject image and outputs an imaging signal.

[0016] The system control circuit 50 as a control means is a computer including a CPU and controls the camera 100 and the imaging lens 20. The system control circuit 50 operates using constants, variables, programs, etc. for operation stored in the memory 52 and time information from the timer 56. The image processing circuit 60 performs various image processing on the imaging signal from the imaging element 14 to generate image data. The image data is displayed as a live view image on the rear display unit 74 or the electronic viewfinder 70, or recorded as an image for recording on the recording medium 62. The system control circuit 50 detects a user looking into the eyepiece of the electronic viewfinder (hereinafter simply referred to as the finder) 70 by an eyepiece detection unit 72 composed of an optical proximity sensor or the like, and switches the image display on and off on the finder 70 and the rear display unit 74. The user can observe the subject through the finder 70 and the rear display unit 74.

[0017] In addition, the system control circuit 50 performs autofocus (AF) by controlling the focus lens 24 based on the results of calculations using image data, and performs automatic exposure control (AE) processing by controlling the aperture 26 and the shutter 12. The display unit 54 displays information related to imaging set by the system control circuit 50 or the user.

[0018] The operation members 80 include various buttons, switches, etc., and are operated by a user to select and set various functions when performing image capture, playback, communication with the outside, etc., and to give instructions for image capture and playback. The operation members 80 output instruction signals in response to user operations to the system control circuit 50, and the system control circuit 50 performs an operation in response to the instruction signals.

[0019] The normal position grip detection unit 82 detects that the user is gripping the normal position grip portion of the camera 100. The vertical position grip detection unit 84 detects that the user is gripping the vertical position grip portion of the camera 100. These grip detection units 82, 84 are composed of piezoelectric elements or the like. The normal position grip portion and the vertical position grip portion will be described later. The system control unit 50 controls the power supply from an antenna board described later to a slit in accordance with the detection result of the grip portion being held by the user by the normal position and vertical position grip detection units 82, 84 and the detection result of the user's eye contact with the viewfinder 70 by the eyepiece detection unit 72 described above.

[0020] A power switch 86 instructs the system control circuit 50 to turn the power of the camera 100 ON / OFF in response to a user operation. The power control circuit 87 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC / DC converter, a switch circuit that switches between blocks to which electricity is applied within the camera 100, and the like. The power control circuit 87 detects the type and remaining charge of a battery 88 attached to the camera 100, and supplies the required voltage to each block based on the detection result and instructions from the system control circuit 50.

[0021] The communication control unit 90 controls wireless communication with the outside via a first antenna board (first power feed board) 92, a second antenna board (second power feed board) 94, a rear antenna board (third power feed board) 96, and a side antenna board 98, each of which serves as a power feed board. The system control circuit 50 can transmit and receive image data and various information to and from the outside by wireless communication via the communication control unit 90.

[0022] 2 shows the appearance of camera 100 as seen from the front (subject side), FIG. 4 shows the appearance of camera 100 as seen from the back, and FIG. 5 shows the appearance of camera 100 as seen from the normal position grip side.

[0023] The camera 100 has a housing including a front cover (front housing) 110, a rear cover (rear housing) 112, a top cover (upper housing) 114, and a bottom cover (bottom housing) 116, each of which is made of metal. The housing also includes a side cover (side housing) 118 and a media cover 120, both of which are made of metal or resin. A normal position grip portion 130 is provided on the right side of the front cover 110 as a first grip portion that protrudes forward (toward the subject). A vertical position grip portion 132 is provided on the lower part of the front cover 110 as a second grip portion that protrudes forward.

[0024] The user can hold the camera 100 in a normal position and a vertical position. The normal position is a camera position (posture) in which the upper part of the camera 100 (operating members 80 such as the top cover 114 and the image capture instruction switch) faces upward as shown in Figs. 2 to 4. The normal position grip part 130 is a part that the user holds when holding the camera 100 in the normal position. The vertical position is a camera position in which the upper part of the camera 100 faces to the side. The vertical position grip part 132 is a part that the user holds when holding the camera 100 in the vertical position.

[0025] A part of the outer surface of the housing is covered with an elastic and non-conductive rubber member to improve the grip when the user holds the camera 100. Specifically, a front rubber 140 is attached to the outer surface of the area of ​​the front cover 110 from the right side of the lens mount 22 to the right side of the normal position grip part 130 (from the left side of the lens mount 22 to the left side in FIG. 2) with a non-conductive double-sided tape (not shown). Also, a bottom rubber 142 is attached to the outer surface of the area of ​​the front cover 110 from the lower side of the lens mount 22 through the vertical position grip part 132 to the lower part of the rear cover 112 with a non-conductive double-sided tape (not shown).

[0026] FIG. 3 shows the camera 100 seen from the front with the front rubber 140 and the bottom rubber 142 removed from the front cover 110. As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2 and by the solid line in FIG. 3, a first slit 202 is formed in the area of ​​the front cover 110 that is the back side of the front rubber 140 between the lens mount 22 and the normal position grip part 130, and extends so that the vertical direction of the camera 100 is the longitudinal direction. The vertical direction is the direction in which the normal position grip part 130 extends. In addition, a second slit 204 is formed in the area of ​​the front cover 110 that is the back side of the bottom rubber 142 between the lens mount 22 and the vertical position grip part 132, and extends so that the horizontal direction of the camera 100 is the longitudinal direction. The horizontal direction is the direction in which the vertical position grip part 132 extends.

[0027] 2, instead of the above-mentioned first slit 202 and second slit portion 204, a first slit 212 and a second slit 214 may be formed on the normal position grip portion 130 and the vertical position grip portion 132, respectively. Also, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, a first slit 216 may be provided in the front cover 110 at a position between the lens mount 22 and the side cover 118.

[0028] In this embodiment, the camera 100 is an interchangeable lens camera having a lens mount 22 to which the imaging lens 20 is detachably attached, but the camera may be an integrated lens camera in which the imaging lens is fixed so that it cannot be detached. In this case, the part to which the imaging lens is fixed is referred to as the lens attachment part.

[0029] 4, a rear slit 206 is provided at the bottom of the rear cover 112 as a third slit extending in the left-right direction of the camera 100. Furthermore, as shown by a dashed line in FIG. 5, a side slit 208 extending in the up-down direction of the camera 100 is provided at a side surface of the normal position grip portion 130 of the front cover 110. Note that the side slit 208 may be formed in the media cover 120 when the media cover 120 is made of metal. Furthermore, since the side slit 208 is provided in the front cover 110, it may be regarded as a first slit like the first slit 202.

[0030] The length of each slit in the longitudinal direction is set to be approximately equal to the wavelength λ / 2 of the frequency f of the wireless communication via the communication control unit 90. For example, when the frequency of the wireless communication is 2.4 GHz, λ / 2=49 mm, and when the frequency is 5 GHz, λ / 2=32.5 mm. Although the slits in Figs. 2 to 4 each extend linearly, they may have a polygonal line shape with a partial bend.

[0031] Moreover, the normal position grip portion 130 and the vertical position grip portion 132 may be covered with a non-conductive member such as a resin part or a sheet part, instead of the front rubber 140 and the bottom rubber 142.

[0032] 6 shows the configuration of the inside (rear side) of front cover 110 as viewed from the rear side. The first antenna board 92 is provided at a position corresponding to the first slit 202 on the inner surface of front cover 110, and supplies power to the first slit 202. The second antenna board 94 is provided at a position corresponding to the second slit 204 on the inner surface of front cover 110, and supplies power to the second slit 204.

[0033] Although not shown, a rear antenna board 96 is provided on the inner surface of the rear cover 112 at a position corresponding to the rear slit 206, and the rear antenna board 96 feeds power to the rear slit 206. Furthermore, although not shown in Fig. 6, a side antenna board 98 is provided on the inner surface of the front cover 110 at a position corresponding to the side slit 208, and the side antenna board 98 feeds power to the side slit 208.

[0034] Each antenna substrate supplies power to each slit, so that each slit functions as a slot antenna and wireless communication can be performed.

[0035] Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of the second slit 204 and the second antenna substrate 94. Fig. 8 shows a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 7.

[0036] An antenna pattern 224 serving as a power supply line is formed on the second antenna substrate 94. When viewed from the thickness direction of the front cover 110, the second antenna substrate 94 is disposed so as to be in close contact with the front cover 110 at a position where the antenna pattern 224 overlaps the second slit 204 so as to diagonally intersect with the second slit 204. The second antenna substrate 94 is fixed to the front cover 110 with two screws 226 serving as conductive fastening members. The ground of the second antenna substrate 94 is electrically connected to the front cover 110 by the screws 226.

[0037] The first antenna board 92 is also arranged so as to be in close contact with the front cover 110 at a position where its antenna pattern overlaps and diagonally intersects with the first slit 202, and is fixed to the front cover 110 with two conductive screws. The rear antenna board 96 is arranged so as to be in close contact with the rear cover 112 at a position where its antenna pattern overlaps and diagonally intersects with the rear slit 206, and is fixed to the rear cover 112 with two conductive screws. The side antenna board 98 is also arranged so as to be in close contact with the front cover 110 at a position where its antenna pattern overlaps and diagonally intersects with the side slit 208, and is fixed to the front cover 110 with two conductive screws.

[0038] In camera 100 configured as above, system control unit 50 executes processing (control method) relating to wireless communication shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 in accordance with a program.

[0039] First, in step S101, the system control circuit 50 determines whether the user is using (holding) the normal position grip portion 130 or the vertical position grip portion 132 via the normal position grip detection portion 82 and the vertical position grip detection portion 84. If the normal position grip portion 130 is being used, the process of step S102 is performed, and if the vertical position grip portion 132 is being used, the process of step S103 is performed.

[0040] In step S102, the system control unit 50 controls the communication control circuit 90 to feed power to the first slit 202 and the side slit 208 through the first antenna board 92 and the side antenna board 98. This causes the first slit 202 and the side slit 208 to function as slot antennas to start wireless communication with the outside.

[0041] In step S103, the system control circuit 50 controls the communication control circuit 90 to feed power to the second slit 204 through the second antenna board 94. This causes the second slit 204 to function as a slot antenna to start wireless communication with the outside.

[0042] In this way, in this embodiment, the slot antenna arranged on or near the grip part held by the user is not used, but another slot antenna is used to perform wireless communication with the outside. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in wireless communication performance caused by the slot antenna being covered by the user's hand. Also, in this embodiment, two slot antennas (first and second slits 202, 204) are provided on the front cover 110 located on the opposite side to the user holding the camera 100, and wireless communication is performed using one of these. This makes it possible to suppress the impact of radio waves from wireless communication on the user's body.

[0043] Next, in step S104, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the user is using (looking into) the viewfinder 70 through the eyepiece detection unit 72. If the viewfinder 70 is being used, the system control unit 50 ends this process. This is to prevent radio waves from affecting the body of a user who has their head (face) close to the rear slit 206.

[0044] On the other hand, if the finder 70 is not being used, the system control unit 50 controls the communication control circuit 90 in step S105 to feed power to the rear slit 206 through the rear antenna board 96. This causes the rear slit 206 to function as a slot antenna and starts wireless communication with the outside. After that, this process ends.

[0045] When the user is using the viewfinder 70 in step S104, wireless communication through the rear slit 206 may be performed at a radio wave intensity that does not affect the human body in terms of SAR (Specific Absorption Rate). That is, when the viewfinder 70 is being used, wireless communication through the rear slit 206 may be prohibited or restricted by reducing the radio wave intensity.

[0046] Furthermore, when the detection units change whether the grip unit or the viewfinder is in use or not, the system control circuit 50 may control the communication control circuit 90 in response to the change to change the slit to which power is supplied.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, the front and rear covers 110, 120 are provided with at least four slits that function as slot antennas, but it is sufficient that at least two (first and second) slits are provided in the front cover 110.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case has been described where the grip of each grip part is directly detected in order to determine which grip is being used, either the normal position grip part 130 or the vertical position grip part 132. However, the use of each grip part may be determined (estimated) by detecting the attitude of the camera 100 using an attitude sensor such as a gyroscope.

[0049] The above embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0050] (Configuration 1) An imaging device capable of wireless communication with an external device, a metal housing provided on one of a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface of the imaging device facing the subject, the housing having a slit; and a power supply board that supplies power to the slit to enable wireless communication using the slit as a slot antenna. (Configuration 2) 2. The imaging device according to configuration 1, wherein at least a front housing, which is the housing provided on the front side, has the slit. (Configuration 3) the front housing has a grip portion to be held by a user, The imaging device according to configuration 2, wherein the slit is provided in the front housing between the grip portion and the lens mounting portion or in the grip portion. (Configuration 4) The imaging device according to configuration 3, wherein the slit is formed so that the direction in which the grip portion extends is the longitudinal direction. (Configuration 5) the front housing has, as the grip portion, a first grip portion to be held by a user when the imaging device is in a normal position, and a second grip portion to be held by a user when the imaging device is in a vertical position, a first slit as the slit is provided in the front housing between the first grip portion and the lens mounting portion or in the first grip portion, and a second slit as the slit is provided in the front housing between the second grip portion and the lens mounting portion or in the second grip portion, 5. The imaging device according to configuration 4, wherein the power supply board is provided for each of the first and second slits. (Configuration 6) 6. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the power supply board has a power supply line that overlaps the slit so as to diagonally intersect with the slit on the back side of the housing. (Configuration 7) 7. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the power supply board is electrically connected to the housing by a conductive fastening member. (Configuration 8) 8. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the slit is covered with a non-conductive member attached to an outer surface of the housing. (Configuration 9) the imaging device has a control means for controlling power supply from the power supply board to the first and second slits, The control means Identifying a grip portion being used that is being held by a user from among the first and second grip portions; The imaging device described in configuration 5, characterized in that when the first grip portion is the grip portion in use, power is supplied to the second slit, and when the second grip portion is the grip portion in use, power is supplied to the first slit. (Configuration 10) The imaging device includes: a rear housing provided on the rear surface, the rear housing having a third slit; a viewfinder through which a user places his / her eye to observe a subject; a control means for controlling power supply from the power supply board to the third slit, 10. The imaging device according to configuration 9, wherein the control means limits power supply to the third slit when it detects that a user has placed an eye on the viewfinder. (Configuration 11) An imaging device having a metal front housing arranged on a subject side and having a first slit and a second slit, and a power supply board that supplies power to the first and second slits to enable wireless communication using the first and second slits as slot antennas, the front housing has a first grip portion to be held by a user when the imaging device is in a normal position, and a second grip portion to be held by a user when the imaging device is in a vertical position, An imaging device characterized by having a control means for selecting one of the first and second slits to supply power depending on which of the first and second grip portions is being held by a user. (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0051] The embodiments described above are merely representative examples, and various modifications and alterations are possible for each embodiment when implementing the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 100 Digital Camera 110 Front cover 112 Rear cover 118 Side cover 50 System control circuit 92 First antenna board 94 Second antenna board 202 First Slit 204 Second Slit

Claims

1. An imaging device capable of wireless communication with an external device, a metal housing provided on one of a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface of the imaging device facing the subject, the housing having a slit; and a power supply board that supplies power to the slit to enable wireless communication using the slit as a slot antenna.

2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein at least a front housing, which is the housing provided on the front side, has the slit.

3. the front housing has a grip portion to be held by a user, The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the slit is provided in the front housing between the grip section and a lens mounting section or in the grip section.

4. 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the slit is formed so that the extending direction of the grip portion is the longitudinal direction.

5. the front housing has, as the grip portion, a first grip portion to be held by a user when the imaging device is in a normal position, and a second grip portion to be held by a user when the imaging device is in a vertical position, a first slit is provided as the slit in the front housing between the first grip portion and the lens mounting portion or in the first grip portion, and a second slit is provided as the slit in the front housing between the second grip portion and the lens mounting portion or in the second grip portion, 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the power supply board is provided for each of the first and second slits.

6. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply board has a power supply line that overlaps the slit so as to cross obliquely on the back side of the housing.

7. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply board is electrically connected to the housing by a conductive fastening member.

8. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the slit is covered with a non-conductive member attached to an outer surface of the housing.

9. the imaging device has a control unit that controls power supply from the power supply board to the first and second slits, The control means Identifying a grip portion being used that is being held by a user from among the first and second grip portions; The imaging device according to claim 5, characterized in that when the first grip portion is the grip portion in use, power is supplied to the second slit, and when the second grip portion is the grip portion in use, power is supplied to the first slit.

10. The imaging device includes: a rear housing provided on the rear surface, the rear housing having a third slit; a viewfinder through which a user places his / her eye to observe a subject; a control unit for controlling power supply from the power supply board to the third slit, 10. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control means limits power supply to the third slit when it detects that the user has placed his / her eye close to the viewfinder.

11. An imaging device having a metal front housing arranged on a subject side and having a first slit and a second slit, and a power supply board that supplies power to the first and second slits to enable wireless communication using the first and second slits as slot antennas, the front housing has a first grip portion to be held by a user when the imaging device is in a normal position, and a second grip portion to be held by a user when the imaging device is in a vertical position, An imaging device characterized by having a control means for selecting one of the first and second slits to supply power depending on which of the first and second grip portions is being held by a user.

12. A method for controlling an image capture device comprising: a metal front housing arranged on a subject side and having a first slit and a second slit; and a power supply board that supplies power to the first and second slits to enable wireless communication using the first and second slits as slot antennas, the front housing having a first grip portion held by a user when the image capture device is in a normal position, and a second grip portion held by a user when the image capture device is in a vertical position, the method comprising: determining which of the first and second grip portions is being held by a user; and selecting one of the first and second slits to supply power in accordance with the grip part being used.

13. A program for causing a computer of the imaging device to execute a process according to the control method of claim 12.

Images