Camera Sensor Layout for Shake Detection and Wireless Coexistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image capturing apparatuses face challenges in compactly arranging a shake detection unit and a wireless communication unit while maintaining effective shake detection and wireless communication, often resulting in increased camera size due to the need to separate these components to minimize shutter vibration interference and ensure adequate distance for wireless communication.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus configures the shake detection unit and wireless communication unit in a shared accommodation area, with the communication unit positioned further from the image capturing optical axis than the shake detection unit, and uses flexible substrates and cushioning members to attenuate shutter vibrations, allowing for close proximity without hindering wireless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the shake detection unit and wireless communication unit are disposed in separate spaces to minimize shutter vibration interference, then wireless communication effectiveness is improved, but camera size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication effectivenessVSAvoidcamera size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the shake detection unit and wireless communication unit into the same accommodation space (camera housing), eliminating the need for separate spaces. This merging allows both units to coexist in a compact arrangement while using vibration attenuation structures to prevent interference, thereby reducing overall camera size while maintaining wireless communication effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces vibration attenuation structures (cushioning members, elastic materials, or damping structures) as intermediary elements between the shake detection unit and the shutter. These intermediaries absorb or isolate shutter vibrations, preventing them from reaching the shake detection unit, thus enabling close proximity arrangement without compromising shake detection accuracy or wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the shake detection unit is placed close to the shutter to reduce camera size, then camera compactness is improved, but shutter vibration transmission increases causing erroneous shake detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera sizeVSAvoidshake detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies cushioning members or elastic materials between the shake detection unit and the camera housing/shutter assembly in advance, before vibrations occur. These pre-installed vibration attenuation structures are designed to absorb or isolate shutter vibrations, ensuring that even when the shake detection unit is placed close to the shutter for compactness, the measurement precision of shake detection remains accurate by preventing erroneous vibration transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the wireless communication unit is disposed in the space on the object side further than the viewfinder to increase distance from shutter, then shutter vibration interference is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter vibration interferenceVSAvoidcomponent arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the wireless communication unit with the shake detection unit in the same accommodation space, simplifying the overall component arrangement. This combined placement reduces device complexity compared to distributing them in separate locations, while vibration attenuation structures ensure that shutter vibration interference is minimized even at closer distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Volume of moving object

If both wireless communication unit and shake detection unit are disposed in the same space, then camera size is reduced, but wireless communication may be hindered by proximity to shutter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera sizeVSAvoidwireless communication effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses vibration attenuation structures as intermediary elements between the shutter and the wireless communication unit (and shake detection unit) when they are disposed in the same accommodation space. These intermediaries absorb or isolate vibrations, ensuring that wireless communication effectiveness is not hindered by proximity to the shutter, while still achieving compact camera size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 compact arrangement of both units, ensuring accurate shake detection and effective wireless communication while minimizing the camera's size and maintaining image stabilization accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a first cushioning member that contacts the shake detection unit and that is configured to hold the shake detection unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a flexible substrate that connects the shutter and the shake detection unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3843374B1Image capturing apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 CANON KK
  • EP3843374B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3843374B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3843374B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The image capturing apparatus (100) includes a communication unit (316) configured to perform wireless communication, and a shake detection unit (320) including a sensor configured to detect shake of the image capturing apparatus. The communication unit and the shake detection unit are both disposed in a same accommodation area (S) provided in the image capturing apparatus, the accommodation area being located away from an image capturing optical axis (600). In the accommodation area, at least one if the following conditions is satisfied: an image capturing optical axis-side surface of the communication unit is disposed at a position farther than an image capturing optical axis-side surface of the shake detection unit; and an image plane-side surface of the communication unit is disposed on an object side further from the image capturing optical axis than an image plane-side surface of the shake detection unit.