Accessory Shoe Wireless Layout for High-Speed Camera Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic apparatuses, such as digital cameras, face challenges in transmitting large amounts of data at high speed due to insufficient storage capacity and the limitations of conventional accessory shoe mechanisms, which hinder the integration of physical connectors and electrode members for high-speed data transfer.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a metallic shoe plate with a slide opening in the apparatus engagement unit, surrounding the external device in three directions, and the strategic arrangement of wireless communicators with non-parallel radiation characteristics to facilitate efficient wireless communication between the electronic apparatus and external devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an apparatus wireless communicator is provided around the apparatus engagement portion having an accessory shoe mechanism, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but the distance between wireless communicators increases requiring higher output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidwireless communication output

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communicator is nested within the apparatus engagement portion, specifically integrated into the accessory shoe mechanism structure. This allows the wireless communicator to be positioned close to the external device's wireless communicator when mounted, reducing transmission distance and power requirements while maintaining wireless communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus engagement portion serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical mounting for external devices, electrical connection through contact terminals, and houses the wireless communicator for wireless data transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate wireless communication components that would increase distance and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple wireless communicators are arranged in the apparatus engagement unit, then high-speed data transmission is enabled, but mutual interference between wireless communicators occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidmutual interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communicators are arranged with asymmetric radiation characteristics where their radiation patterns are oriented at different angles (e.g., one radiates primarily in the vertical direction while another radiates in a horizontal direction). This asymmetric arrangement reduces mutual interference while maintaining high-speed data transmission capability through multiple communication paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communicators are positioned in three-dimensional space within the apparatus engagement unit with different spatial orientations and radiation directions. By utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement rather than simple planar placement, the system achieves multiple communication channels with reduced interference through directional diversity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enables high-speed data transmission with reduced power consumption and minimizes mutual interference between wireless communication modules, ensuring stable and efficient data exchange between the electronic apparatus and external devices.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of apparatus wireless communicators... radiation characteristics of all of the plurality of apparatus wireless communicators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11805307B2Electronic apparatus capable of wirelessly communicating with external device mounted thereon, and external device

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 CANON KK

AI summary

An electronic apparatus which is capable of communicating with an external device mounted thereon, and the external device. An external engagement unit of the external device is capable of being mounted into an apparatus engagement unit of the electronic apparatus. A plurality of apparatus wireless communicators is located in the apparatus engagement unit so as to face respective ones of a plurality of external wireless communicators located in the external engagement unit mounted into the apparatus engagement unit. The plurality of apparatus wireless communicators is arranged in the apparatus engagement unit such that radiation characteristics of all of the plurality of apparatus wireless communicators are at least not parallel. The plurality of external wireless communicators is arranged in the external engagement unit such that radiation characteristics of all of the plurality of external wireless communicators are at least not parallel.