Imaging device

Abstract

To achieve both improved communication performance and miniaturization of a device when a metal housing is used.SOLUTION: The present invention is an imaging device including a metallic bottom case 110 supporting a camera unit 300, and a wireless antenna 410 arranged rearward of a rear metal plate 140 of the bottom case 110 and capable of wireless communication with an external device. The bottom case 110 has protrusions 121a, 121b, and 131 that protrude rearward of the rear metal plate 140. The wireless antenna 410 is located closer to the rear metal plate 140 than the tips of the protrusions 121a, 121b, and 131.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, pan-tilt network cameras used for recording and distributing lectures and live streaming concerts have become increasingly more pixel-rich and perform better. In addition, as the pixels and performance increase, the load on electronic components such as ASICs and CPUs that perform image processing and network communication increases, resulting in increased power consumption. The control boards on which these electronic components are mounted are the main source of heat, so the housings in which the control boards are mounted are often made of highly thermally conductive metals to dissipate heat.

[0003] In addition, a network camera may be equipped with a wireless module for wireless communication with an external device. In this case, it is desirable to place the control board and the wireless module in the same housing, taking into consideration the transmission characteristics. However, if the wireless antenna of the wireless module is placed in a metal housing, electromagnetic waves will be blocked, which may adversely affect wireless communication.

[0004] Patent document 1 discloses an imaging device that enables good wireless communication by having a wireless module fixed to a bottom case and an antenna unit disposed between a pan base and a cover, with the antenna unit protruding from an opening to the outside of the bottom case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-121078 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the imaging device of Patent Document 1 needs to secure a space between the pan base and the cover to accommodate the antenna unit, so there is room for improvement in terms of miniaturizing the device. Furthermore, when multiple antenna units are arranged, it becomes even more difficult to miniaturize the device.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to achieve both improved communication performance and miniaturization of the device when a metal housing is used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is an imaging device comprising a metal housing supporting an imaging unit, and a wireless antenna arranged rearward of a rear metal plate of the housing and capable of wireless communication with an external device, wherein the housing has a protrusion that protrudes rearward of the rear metal plate, and the wireless antenna is located closer to the rear metal plate than the tip of the protrusion. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when a metal housing is used, it is possible to achieve both improved communication performance and a smaller device size. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a network camera according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration of a network camera according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a network camera according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a peripheral configuration of a wireless module according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover member of the first embodiment is removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a network camera according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a network camera according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, and relative positions of components described in the following embodiments are arbitrary and can be changed according to the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied or various conditions. Note that descriptions of cables and parts that are not directly related to the present invention will be omitted and are not shown. Furthermore, for convenience of explanation, the shapes of parts may be described in a simplified manner.

[0012] (First embodiment) In this embodiment, a case where the imaging device is a network camera 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a network camera 1. Specifically, Fig. 1(A) is a perspective view of the network camera 1 as viewed obliquely from the front, and Fig. 1(B) is a perspective view of the network camera 1 as viewed obliquely from the rear. For ease of explanation, each figure illustrates one side in the direction along the optical axis 301 in Fig. 1 as the "front" and the other side as the "rear," one side in the direction along the tilt axis T in Fig. 1 as the "right" and the other side as the "left," one side in the direction along the pan axis P as the "upper" and the other side as the "lower."

[0013] The network camera 1 includes a camera unit 300 as an imaging unit, a panning section 200, and a bottom unit 100. The camera unit 300 can rotate by tilting about a tilt axis T that is substantially parallel to the installation surface and substantially perpendicular to the optical axis 301. The panning section 200 can rotate by panning about a pan axis P that is substantially perpendicular to the installation surface. The camera unit 300 can capture an image in a desired direction by panning and tilting. The installation surface is a surface on which the network camera 1 is installed, and refers to, for example, a floor, a wall, a ceiling, a desk, etc. Also, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the network camera 1 has a rear plate 140 disposed on the rear side. The rear plate 140 is provided with connectors for a power source and various wiring, and is capable of supplying power and communicating with the outside.

[0014] <Configuration of camera unit 300> Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of network camera 1 cut along a plane including optical axis 301 and pan axis P. Fig. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view of network camera 1 cut along a plane including optical axis 301 and pan axis P, and Fig. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view of network camera 1 cut along a plane including tilt axis T and pan axis P.

[0015] The camera unit 300 includes an optical unit 310 made up of a group of lenses (not shown), a lens substrate 311 for controlling the group of lenses, a sensor substrate 321 on which an image sensor 320 such as a CMOS sensor is mounted, and the like. The optical unit 310 is fixed to a camera frame metal plate 340. A pair of tilt rotation shafts 350 are fixed to the camera frame metal plate 340, and the optical unit 310 is tilt-driven by a tilt motor 240 mounted on the pan movable part 200 around the tilt rotation shafts 350 as a rotation center. A camera unit case 330 made of resin or the like is fixed to the outside of the camera frame metal plate 340. The camera unit case 330 houses the optical unit 310, the image sensor 320, and the like inside and protects them from the outside.

[0016] Light from a subject to be imaged is focused on an imaging sensor 320 via an optical unit 310. The imaging sensor 320 transmits the focused image information as an electrical signal via a sensor board 321 to a pan unit board 260 of the pan movable section 200 using a cable (not shown). The pan unit board 260 transmits the transmitted electrical signal to a control board 170 of the bottom unit 100 using a cable (not shown).

[0017] <Configuration of the pan movable part 200> The configuration of pan movable section 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The pan movable section 200 includes a pan base 210 fixed to the pan rotation shaft 230, and a pair of camera unit support columns 250 extending upward from the pan base 210. The pan base 210 and the camera unit support column 250 function as strength members that maintain the strength of the pan movable section 200. The pan movable section 200 supports the camera unit 300 via a tilt rotation shaft 350 rotatably supported by the pair of camera unit support columns 250. The tilt motor 240 is fixed to the camera unit support column 250 on one side. The tilt motor 240 rotates the tilt rotation shaft 350 via a timing belt 241, a tilt pulley 242, a tilt gear 243, etc., thereby tilting the camera unit 300. The pan unit board 260 is fixed to the camera unit support column 250 on the other side. The pan unit board 260 relays electrical signals from the camera unit 300 and controls the driving of the tilt motor 240. Furthermore, pan unit board 260 is protected from the outside by being covered with pan unit case 220 made of resin or the like. Pan unit case 220 is fixed to camera unit support column 250 and pan base 210 by engagement, screws or the like. The pan movable section 200 configured as described above is driven in its entirety to pan around the pan rotation shaft 230 relative to the bottom unit 100 .

[0018] <Configuration of bottom unit 100> The configuration of the bottom unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The bottom unit 100 includes a bottom case 110 as a housing made up of a metal exterior and structural members made of sheet metal. The bottom case 110 supports the camera unit 300 via a pan movable part 200. The bottom case 110 houses electric boards, a cooling mechanism for the electric boards, and a pan drive mechanism inside and protects them from the outside. The bottom case 110 includes a main case 120, a bottom sheet metal 130, and a back sheet metal 140.

[0019] The main case 120 is a major component of the bottom case 110 and is made of metal. The main case 120 constitutes the front, side, and top surfaces of the bottom case 110. In other words, the back and bottom surfaces of the main case 120 are open. The main case 120 is preferably made of a material that has both strength and heat dissipation performance, and is formed by die casting using an aluminum alloy, for example.

[0020] The bottom metal plate 130 is disposed on the bottom surface of the main case 120 to form the bottom surface of the bottom case 110. The bottom metal plate 130 is fixed to the main case 120. The bottom metal plate 130 can be fixed to the installation surface using fixing screws (not shown) to attach the network camera 1 to the installation surface. The bottom metal plate 130 is not limited to being a separate body from the main case 120, and may be configured as an integral body.

[0021] The rear metal sheet 140 is disposed on the rear surface of the main case 120, thereby forming a rear portion of the bottom case 110. The rear metal sheet 140 is fixed to the main case 120. Also, the rear metal sheet 140 has cutouts formed therein in accordance with the shapes of the terminals mounted on the control board 170 and the power supply board 180. Note that the rear metal sheet 140 is not limited to being a separate body from the main case 120, and may be configured as an integral body.

[0022] The bottom unit 100 accommodates electric boards such as a pan drive mechanism 190, a power supply board 180, a control board 170, and a wireless module 400 in a bottom case 110. The bottom unit 100 also accommodates other electric boards such as a rotation angle sensor board (not shown) and an LED board that displays the operating state of the network camera 1 to the outside.

[0023] 3(B), the pan drive mechanism 190 includes a pan motor 191, a timing belt 192, and a pan pulley 193. When the pan motor 191 rotates, the rotational force of the pan motor 191 is transmitted from the timing belt 192 to the pan rotation shaft 230 via the pan pulley 193. Since the pan rotation shaft 230 is fixed to the pan base 210, when the pan rotation shaft 230 rotates, the pan movable part 200 is pan-driven relative to the bottom unit 100.

[0024] 2, power supply board 180 is mounted with a power input terminal, an audio input terminal, etc., and each terminal faces the outside through a cutout in rear sheet metal 140. Power supply board 180 is fixed to main case 120 with screws or the like. Heat from power supply board 180 is thermally conducted to main case 120 from a fixing portion where power supply board 180 is fixed with screws or the like. In addition, the heat from power supply board 180 can be effectively dissipated by using duct unit 160 by contacting the power supply board 180 with a sheet metal part (not shown) that extends from duct unit 160 arranged on the upper part of power supply board 180 toward power supply board 180.

[0025] The control board 170 is mounted with electronic components such as ASIC for controlling image processing and network communication, an SDI output terminal, an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal, a USB terminal, a LAN terminal, and the like, and each terminal faces the outside through a cutout in the back metal plate 140. The control board 170 is fixed to the main case 120 with screws or the like. The control board 170 is also mounted with an external terminal 141 for connecting to an external device, and the external terminal 141 penetrates a cutout in the back metal plate 140 and protrudes from the back metal plate 140 to the outside. Furthermore, the control board 170 receives image signals from the sensor board 321 via the pan unit board 260, and performs calculations such as image processing and compressing data to be transmitted. Therefore, the control board 170 consumes a lot of power and generates a lot of heat, and has heat dissipation measures on both the top and bottom surfaces of the control board 170.

[0026] Heat-generating components (not shown) are mounted on the upper surface of the control board 170. Heat from the heat-generating components is thermally conducted to the heat dissipation metal plate 150 via the thermally conductive member 151, and is further dissipated via the main case 120 as the heat dissipation metal plate 150 is connected to the main case 120. Heat-generating components (not shown) are mounted on the lower surface of the control board 170. Heat from the heat-generating components is conducted to the duct unit 160 via the thermal conductive member 151, and can be dissipated effectively.

[0027] The wireless module 400 receives a signal from the control board 170 and can wirelessly communicate with an external device. The wireless module 400 and the control board 170 are electrically connected via a cable. If the cable is long, this may lead to deterioration of waveform quality and deterioration of transmission characteristics. Therefore, the wireless module 400 of this embodiment is disposed in the bottom case 110 together with the control board 170. Therefore, the length of the cable electrically connecting the wireless module 400 and the control board 170 can be shortened. Details of the wireless module 400 will be described later.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the rear side of the bottom unit 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the main case 120 has a plurality of (here, two) protrusions 121a, 121b that protrude rearward (toward the rear side) beyond the rear metal plate 140. The protrusions 121a, 121b are integrally formed with the main case 120. When the network camera 1 is viewed from the rear side, the protrusions 121a and 121b are located apart in the left-right direction (width direction) with the pan axis P in between. Specifically, the protrusions 121a, 121b are located at the left and right corners of the upper side of the main case 120. In this embodiment, the pan axis P corresponds to the center line in the left-right direction of the bottom case 110 when the bottom case 110 is viewed from the rear side. 2, the bottom metal sheet 130 has a protruding portion 131 whose right corner protrudes rearward (toward the rear side) beyond the rear metal sheet 140. The protruding portion 131 is formed integrally with the bottom metal sheet 130. The protruding portion 131 also has a fixing hole for fixing to an installation metal sheet (not shown) that is attached to an installation surface. The protruding portion 131 may be formed at the left corner of the bottom metal sheet 130, or may be formed at the left and right corners of the bottom metal sheet 130. The protruding portion 131 is not limited to being a portion that is fixed to the installation metal sheet.

[0029] Here, the surface connecting the rear ends (tips) of the three protrusions 121a, 121b, 131 described above becomes the contact surface 122 when the network camera 1 falls backwards (see FIG. 3(A)). 3(A), the rear end (tip) of the external terminal 141 is located forward (toward the rear metal plate 140) of the ground surface 122. In other words, the rear end of the external terminal 141 is located forward of the rear ends of the protrusions 121a, 121b, and 131. Therefore, even if the network camera 1 unintentionally falls over on a flat floor, the external terminal 141 can be prevented from hitting the floor and being damaged. It should be noted that damage to the external terminals 141 can be prevented if the protruding amount is such that the rear end is located rearward of the rear metal sheet 140 and forward of the ground surface 122. In addition, the protruding parts 121a, 121b, and 131 are not limited to being formed on the main case 120 or the bottom metal sheet 130, and may be formed on the rear metal sheet 140.

[0030] <Configuration of Wireless Module 400> Next, the wireless module 400 will be described in detail. 1(B), the network camera 1 includes a cover member 125 between protrusions 121a and 121b of the main case 120. The cover member 125 is detachably attached to the main case 120. The cover member 125 is made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves, such as resin. The cover member 125 of this embodiment is a member that is long in the left-right direction. A part of the wireless module 400 is housed inside the cover member 125. Here, the rear end (end on the rear side) of the cover member 125 is located at substantially the same position as the rear ends of the protrusions 121a, 121b, and 131, or further forward than the rear ends of the protrusions 121a, 121b, and 131. Therefore, even if the network camera 1 unintentionally falls over on a flat floor surface, the cover member 125 and the wireless module 400 therein can be prevented from hitting the floor surface and being damaged.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the wireless module 400 and its surroundings. The wireless module 400 is an electronic component that receives a signal from an external device and controls shooting, and communicates according to a wireless communication standard such as Z-wave. The wireless module 400 has a wireless board 401, a wireless IC 402, and a wireless antenna 410.

[0032] The wireless board 401 mounts a wireless IC 402 and a wireless antenna 410. The wireless board 401 is fixed to the main case 120 with screws or the like, sandwiching the heat conductive member 151 therebetween. The wireless board 401 is located across the rear metal plate 140 in the front-to-rear direction. That is, the wireless board 401 has a portion located in front of the rear metal plate 140 and a portion located behind the rear metal plate 140. The wireless board 401 is also electrically connected to the control board 170 via a connector (not shown) and a cable or a flexible printed circuit board.

[0033] The wireless IC 402 is mounted on a portion of the wireless board 401 that is located in front of the rear metal plate 140. Therefore, the wireless IC 402 is located inside the main case 120 and in front of the rear metal plate 140. Heat from the wireless IC 402 is conducted from the wireless board 401 by the heat conductive member 151 and dissipated from the main case 120.

[0034] The wireless antenna 410 is mounted on a portion of the wireless board 401 that is located rearward of the rear metal sheet 140. Therefore, the wireless antenna 410 is located rearward of the rear metal sheet 140. Moreover, the wireless antenna 410 is located forward of the rear ends of the protrusions 121a, 121b, and 131. Furthermore, the wireless antenna 410 is located between the protrusions 121a and 121b.

[0035] The wireless antenna 410 is covered by the cover member 125 described above. The cover member 125 has an upper portion 126a, a lower portion 126b, and a back portion 126c, and a space is formed between the upper portion 126a and the lower portion 126b. The wireless antenna 410 is located between the upper portion 126a and the lower portion 126b of the cover member 125. The back metal plate 140 is made of a metal material and therefore blocks electromagnetic waves, but the cover member 125 is made of a material such as resin that transmits electromagnetic waves, and therefore wireless communication by the wireless antenna 410 is possible.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the cover member 125 is removed. The network camera 1 includes a plurality of wireless modules in addition to the wireless module 400 described above. As shown in FIG. 5, wireless antennas 410a to 410d corresponding to the wireless modules are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. The wireless antennas 410a to 410d are covered by a cover member 125, similar to the wireless antenna 410 of the wireless module 400. The wireless antennas 410a and 410c are antennas corresponding to wireless modules for 5G / LTE, and are capable of distributing captured images by live broadcasting or the like even in an environment without wires. The wireless antennas 410b and 410d are antennas corresponding to wireless modules for Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and are capable of improving the wireless transmission speed associated with higher image quality.

[0037] The network camera 1 also includes an infrared module 500. As shown in Fig. 5, the infrared module 500 has a light receiving unit 510 that receives infrared light emitted from outside. The light receiving unit 510 is disposed between the wireless antenna 410 and the wireless antenna 410c. The light receiving unit 510 is covered by the cover member 125, similar to the wireless antenna 410. The cover member 125 is made of a material such as resin that transmits infrared light. Therefore, the light receiving unit 510 is capable of receiving infrared light emitted from outside.

[0038] Here, like the wireless antenna 410, the wireless antennas 410a to 410d and the light receiving unit 510 are located rearward of the rear metal sheet 140 and forward of the rear ends of the protrusions 121a, 121b, and 131. Furthermore, like the wireless antenna 410, the wireless antennas 410a to 410d and the light receiving unit 510 are located between the protrusions 121a and 121b.

[0039] According to the network camera 1 configured in this manner, even when a metal bottom case 110 is used, the wireless antenna 410 is positioned behind the rear metal plate 140, so that electromagnetic waves are not blocked, and communication performance can be improved. Also, the wireless antenna 410 is positioned forward of the rear ends of the protrusions 121a, 121b, and 131, so that damage to the wireless antenna 410 can be prevented and the entire network camera 1 can be made compact. Therefore, according to the network camera 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to achieve both improved communication performance and a compact device.

[0040] Moreover, according to this embodiment, the wireless antennas 410a to 410d are similarly positioned rearward of the rear metal sheet 140 and forward of the rear ends of the protrusions 121a, 121b, and 131. Therefore, even when a plurality of wireless antennas 410, 410a to 410d are provided, it is possible to achieve both improved communication performance and a more compact device. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by arranging the wireless antenna 410 in the space between the protrusions 121a and 121b, there is no need to secure new space to arrange the wireless antenna 410, and therefore the entire network camera 1 can be made smaller.

[0041] Second embodiment The network camera 2 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The network camera 2 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the bottom case 1110 and the position where the wireless module 1400 is arranged. Note that the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0042] The bottom case 1110 of the network camera 2 includes a main case 1120 , a bottom metal plate 1130 , and a rear metal plate 140 . The main case 1120 has a plurality of (three in this example) protrusions 1121a-1121c that protrude rearward beyond the rear metal plate 140. When the network camera 2 is viewed from the rear side, the protrusions 1121a-1121c are positioned apart from one another. Specifically, the protrusion 1121a is formed long in the left-right direction on the upper side of the main case 1120. The protrusion 1121a is also bent downward at both ends in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the protrusions 1121b and 1121c are positioned at the left and right corners on the lower side of the main case 1120. The surface connecting the rear ends of the protrusions 1121a-1121c becomes the contact surface when the network camera 2 falls backwards. The bottom metal sheet 1130 is different from the bottom metal sheet 130 of the first embodiment in that no protruding portion is formed.

[0043] The network camera 2 includes a cover member 1125 located between the protruding parts 1121a to 1121c of the main case 1120. The cover member 1125 is detachably attached to the rear metal plate 140. The cover member 1125 is made of, for example, resin, and is a rectangular parallelepiped member.

[0044] A wireless antenna (not shown) of the wireless module 1400 is housed inside the cover member 1125. The wireless antenna of the wireless module 1400 is located behind the rear metal plate 140, and thus electromagnetic waves are not blocked by the rear metal plate 140, and communication performance can be improved. The wireless antenna of the wireless module 1400 is located forward of the rear ends of the protrusions 1121a to 1121c. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the wireless antenna of the wireless module 1400 and to reduce the size of the entire network camera 2. The wireless antenna of the wireless module 1400 is located between the three protrusions 1121a, 1121b, and 1121c, and therefore makes it possible to further prevent damage to the wireless antenna.

[0045] Furthermore, the rear end of the cover member 1125 in this embodiment is located at approximately the same position as the rear ends of the three protrusions 1121a to 1121c or further forward than the rear ends of the three protrusions 1121a to 1121c. Therefore, even if the network camera 2 unintentionally falls over on a flat floor, the cover member 1125 and the internal wireless module 1400 can be prevented from hitting the floor and being damaged. The number of wireless antennas covered by the cover member 1125 is not limited to one, and may be multiple.

[0046] Third embodiment A network camera 3 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The network camera 3 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the bottom case 2110 and the position where the wireless module 2400 is disposed. Note that the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0047] The bottom case 2110 of the network camera 3 includes a main case 2120 , a bottom metal plate 2130 , and a rear metal plate 140 . The main case 2120 has one protrusion 2121 that protrudes rearward beyond the rear metal sheet 140. When the network camera 3 is viewed from the rear side, the protrusion 2121 is formed continuously along the surface of the rear metal sheet 140. Specifically, the protrusion 2121 has a shape of a rectangle or trapezoid with three sides excluding one side. In this embodiment, the protrusion 2121 extends in the left-right direction at the top and is bent at both left-right ends to extend downward to the bottom end of the main case 2120. The surface connecting the rear ends of the protrusions 2121 becomes the contact surface when the network camera 3 falls backwards. The bottom metal sheet 2130 is different from the bottom metal sheet 130 of the first embodiment in that no protruding portion is formed.

[0048] The network camera 3 includes a cover member 2125 that is surrounded by the protruding portion 2121 of the main case 2120. The cover member 2125 is detachably attached to the rear metal plate 140. The cover member 2125 is made of, for example, resin, and is a rectangular parallelepiped member.

[0049] The wireless antenna (not shown) of the wireless module 2400 is housed inside the cover member 2125. The wireless antenna of the wireless module 2400 is located behind the rear plate 140, so that the electromagnetic waves are not blocked by the rear plate 140, and communication performance can be improved. The wireless antenna of the wireless module 2400 is located forward of the rear end of the protruding portion 2121. Therefore, damage to the wireless antenna of the wireless module 2400 can be prevented, and the entire network camera 3 can be made smaller. The wireless antenna of the wireless module 2400 is surrounded by the protruding portion 2121, so that damage to the wireless antenna can be further prevented. Here, the wireless antenna being surrounded by the protruding portion 2121 means that the wireless antenna overlaps the protruding portion 2121 when viewed from a plurality of directions. In this embodiment, the wireless antenna overlaps the protruding portion 2121 when viewed from the top side in the direction along the pan axis P, and the wireless antenna overlaps the protruding portion 2121 when viewed from the left and right directions. The number of wireless antennas covered by the cover member 2125 is not limited to one, and may be multiple.

[0050] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0051] In this embodiment, a network camera capable of tilt rotation and pan rotation has been described, but this is not limited to this case, and the configuration may be such that either tilt rotation or pan rotation is possible, or the configuration may be such that tilt rotation and pan rotation are not possible. In this embodiment, the case where the bottom case 110 supports the camera unit 300 via the pan movable part 200 has been described, but this is not limited to the case, and the bottom case 110 may be configured to directly support the camera unit 300.

[0052] In this embodiment, the bottom cases 110, 1110, 2110 have one protrusion or three protrusions, but this is not limited to this case and may have two protrusions or four or more protrusions.

[0053] The disclosure of this embodiment also includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) A metal housing for supporting an imaging unit; an imaging device including a wireless antenna that is disposed on a rear side of a rear plate of the housing and is capable of wireless communication with an external device, the housing has a protruding portion protruding toward a rear side beyond the rear metal plate, The imaging device, wherein the radio antenna is located closer to the rear metal plate than the tip of the protrusion. (Configuration 2) Further comprising a plurality of said radio antennas, The imaging device according to configuration 1, wherein each of the plurality of wireless antennas is located closer to the rear metal plate than the tip of the protrusion. (Configuration 3) The housing has a plurality of the protrusions, 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless antenna is located between the plurality of protrusions when viewed from the rear side of the housing. (Configuration 4) The housing has at least two of the protrusions, The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the two protrusions are positioned apart from each other across a center line in the width direction of the housing when viewed from the rear side of the housing. (Configuration 5) 4. The imaging device according to configuration 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of protrusions is integrally formed on a bottom surface of the housing. (Configuration 6) Further, an external terminal is provided which protrudes toward a rear side from the rear metal plate and is for connecting to an external device, 6. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the external terminal is located closer to the rear metal plate than a surface connecting tips of at least three of the protrusions. (Configuration 7) The protrusion is formed continuously along a surface of the rear metal plate, 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless antenna is surrounded by the protruding portion when viewed from the rear side of the housing. (Configuration 8) Further, an external terminal is provided which protrudes toward a rear side from the rear metal plate and is for connecting to an external device, The imaging device according to configuration 7, wherein the external terminal is located closer to the rear metal plate than a surface connecting the tips of the protrusions. (Configuration 9) A resin cover member for covering the radio antenna is further provided. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the cover member has a rear end located at a position substantially identical to the tip of the protrusion or closer to the rear sheet metal than the tip of the protrusion. (Configuration 10) The housing has a plurality of the protrusions, 10. The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein the cover member is positioned between the protrusions arranged apart in the width direction of the housing. (Configuration 11) Further comprising a light receiving unit that receives infrared light emitted from an external source, 11. The imaging device according to configuration 9 or 10, wherein the cover member covers the light receiving section. (Configuration 12) The wireless communication device further includes a wireless substrate on which the wireless antenna is mounted, An imaging device described in any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that the wireless board is fixed to the housing with at least a portion of it located inside the housing, and heat from the wireless board is dissipated through the housing. (Configuration 13) a control board on which electronic components for controlling the imaging device are mounted, 13. The imaging device according to configuration 12, wherein the control board is located inside the housing and is electrically connected to the wireless board. (Configuration 14) A pan movable part supporting the imaging unit is further provided, the imaging unit is capable of tilt rotation about a tilt axis with respect to the pan movable section, 14. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the pan movable portion is capable of pan rotation about a pan axis relative to the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1, 2, 3: network camera (imaging device) 110, 1110, 2110: bottom case (housing) 121a, 121b, 131, 1121a to 1121c, 2121: protrusion 410, 410a to 410d: wireless antenna

Claims

1. A metal housing for supporting an imaging unit; an imaging device including a wireless antenna that is disposed on a rear side of a rear plate of the housing and is capable of wireless communication with an external device, the housing has a protruding portion protruding toward a rear side beyond the rear metal plate, The imaging device, wherein the radio antenna is located closer to the rear metal plate than the tip of the protrusion.

2. Further comprising a plurality of said radio antennas, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein all of the plurality of wireless antennas are located closer to the rear metal plate than the tip of the protruding portion.

3. The housing has a plurality of the protrusions, 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless antenna is located between the plurality of protruding portions when viewed from the rear side of the housing.

4. The housing has at least two of the protrusions, 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the two protruding portions are positioned apart from each other across a center line in a width direction of the housing when viewed from the rear side of the housing.

5. The imaging device according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the plurality of protrusions is integrally formed on a bottom surface of the housing.

6. Further, an external terminal is provided which protrudes toward a rear side from the rear metal plate and is for connecting to an external device, The imaging device according to claim 3 , wherein the external terminal is located closer to the rear metal plate than a surface connecting the tips of at least three of the protrusions.

7. The protrusion is formed continuously along a surface of the rear metal plate, 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless antenna is surrounded by the protruding portion when viewed from the rear side of the housing.

8. Further, an external terminal is provided which protrudes toward a rear side from the rear metal plate and is for connecting to an external device, The imaging device according to claim 7 , wherein the external terminal is located closer to the rear metal plate than a surface connecting the tips of the protrusions.

9. A resin cover member for covering the radio antenna is further provided.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member has a rear end located at substantially the same position as a tip of the protrusion or on the side of the rear sheet metal relative to the tip of the protrusion.

10. The housing has a plurality of the protrusions, The imaging device according to claim 9 , wherein the cover member is positioned between the protrusions that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the housing.

11. Further comprising a light receiving unit that receives infrared light emitted from an external source, The imaging device according to claim 9 , wherein the cover member covers the light receiving section.

12. The wireless communication device further includes a wireless substrate on which the wireless antenna is mounted, 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless board is fixed to the housing with at least a portion of the wireless board positioned inside the housing, and heat from the wireless board is dissipated through the housing.

13. a control board on which electronic components for controlling the imaging device are mounted, 13. The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein the control board is located inside the housing and is electrically connected to the wireless board.

14. A pan movable part supporting the imaging unit is further provided, the imaging unit is capable of tilt rotation about a tilt axis with respect to the pan movable section, 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pan movable section is capable of panning around a pan axis relative to the housing.

Images