Imaging Apparatus Antenna Selection for Memory Card EMC Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging apparatuses face issues with unstable wireless communication due to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) noise generated during access to recording media, particularly memory cards, leading to transmission loss.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates multiple antennas and a controller that selects an optimal antenna based on category information of the recording medium and stored antenna setting information, minimizing noise interference by using the selected antenna for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If wireless communication is performed using multiple antennas, then communication speed and data transfer capability are improved, but electromagnetic compatibility noise from recording medium access causes transmission loss and communication instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication speedVSAvoidwireless communication stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between multiple antennas based on the operational state. When recording medium access is detected, the controller switches from a first antenna to a second antenna, making the antenna selection dynamic rather than fixed, thereby adapting to changing electromagnetic conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication function is segmented across multiple antennas, with each antenna designated for specific operational states. The communication system is divided into separate antenna usage scenarios: first antenna for normal operation, second antenna for recording medium access periods, allowing independent optimization for each state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If access to recording medium is performed during wireless communication, then data storage and retrieval operations are enabled, but electromagnetic compatibility noise is generated causing transmission loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access capabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic compatibility noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller acts as an intermediary that monitors the operational state and mediates between recording medium access operations and wireless communication. It detects when recording medium access occurs and triggers the antenna switching mechanism, serving as a mediator that coordinates these two functions to minimize interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of recording medium access noise into a useful signal for antenna selection. The presence of electromagnetic noise during recording access becomes the trigger condition that activates the antenna switching mechanism, turning a harmful interference into a beneficial control signal that improves overall communication reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20250240385A1Imaging apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An imaging apparatus is enabled to stably operate a wireless communication function during access to a recording medium. In a case of performing wireless communication by a wireless communication unit and accessing the recording medium inserted into a slot, a controller selects an antenna to be used from a plurality of antennas by referring to antenna setting information stored in a memory and using category information of the recording medium inserted into the slot. The controller accesses the recording medium while performing wireless communication by the wireless communication unit by using the selected antenna.