JP2003046830A - Imaging apparatus and picture transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which possibly suppressed the influence of the miniaturization of the apparatus body on antenna characteristics and has no fear of damaging the beauty by the antenna. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises a transmit start instructing switch 108 vertically slidable for instructing to convert picture signals recorded on a recording means 210 to RF signals and transmit them, and an antenna 213 disposed behind the switch 108. The switch 108 is normally held at a position for covering the antenna 213 and slid downwards to expose to outside the antenna 213 located behind the switch 108 along with this slide operation when the transmitting operation start of picture signals is instructed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device and an image transmission device capable of wirelessly transmitting an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of mobile communication terminals have been reduced in size and weight and have been increased in data rate. Accordingly, the frequency used is required to be wide band due to the increased data rate. It is being shifted to higher frequencies.

When the frequency used is increased, it becomes easier to reduce the size of the high-frequency components that make up the radio, and the size of the terminal can be reduced accordingly. Also, because of its design and strength, the terminal does not jump out of the terminal like a whip antenna as a used antenna so that it does not come into contact with external obstacles or be damaged by falling. Chip antennas and the like that are built into the main body are being used.

Next, an image pickup apparatus having such a wireless communication function will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a conventional image pickup apparatus having a wireless communication function as viewed from the back side.

As shown in FIG. 8, this image pickup device has a main body 601. On the upper surface of the main body 601, a mode switching dial 602 for switching various shooting modes, a display panel 603 for displaying various modes set by the mode switching dial 602, and an LCD image monitor 60 described later.
The release button 606 for causing the recording means (not shown) to record the current image displayed on the display unit 4, and the RF signal obtained by converting the image pickup signal recorded in the recording means. A transmission button 607 for transmitting to space and an antenna 608 for emitting the RF signal to space are provided. The antenna 608 is composed of, for example, a helical antenna or a dipole antenna having a wavelength of 1/4 or 1/2 of the used frequency. Such an antenna normally obtains maximum radiation efficiency by protruding from the main body so that it is not affected by the main body of the apparatus as much as possible.

An eyepiece window 605 for visually observing a subject to be imaged and the LCD image monitor 604 are provided on the back surface of the main body 601. This LCD image monitor 60
Reference numeral 4 displays an image immediately before or based on an image signal output from a CCD (not shown) as an image sensor.

[0007] Such an image pickup device or a terminal having a wireless communication function will be further miniaturized in the future, and the appearance of a palm-sized device will be fully considered.

As described above, in a terminal having a wireless communication function with excellent portability, naturally, when performing data communication indoors or outdoors, it is reflected or diffracted by a shield or a reflective object such as a building. While propagating as multiple waves,
The received electric field strength at the receiving point fluctuates with fading. Depending on the position of the receiving point, the multipath may cause the received electric field strength to drop to the level of natural noise, which may hinder high-quality data transmission.

As a method of preventing the deterioration of transmission quality due to such multipath, there is a diversity reception system having a plurality of reception paths.

In order to perform diversity reception, naturally, a plurality of receiving antennas are required. As a method thereof, there are space diversity in which the positions of the antennas are arranged at a certain distance, and a plurality of antennas having different directivities are used. There is polarization diversity with individual antennas,
Each of them exerts its effect depending on the fading condition.

There is also a method of combining received signals of a plurality of antennas and obtaining received power from the plurality of antennas.

[0012]

Diversity reception using a plurality of antennas becomes stronger against multipath as the number of antennas increases. However, in the above diversity reception, for example, in the case of space diversity, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of receiving antennas at a sufficient distance so that the respective antennas are uncorrelated.

For example, if the receiving antennas are separated by λ / 2 or more of the wavelength of the received signal, the correlation between the respective antennas becomes low. The same can be said for directional diversity. Therefore, in view of further type of terminals having a wireless communication function in the future, such a diversity receiving method has a limit in terms of downsizing of equipment.

For example, when the wireless terminal is made small enough to fit in the hand, it is difficult to arrange the two antennas so that the correlation is small. Further, in the method of combining the reception signals of a plurality of antennas and obtaining the reception power from the plurality of antennas, it is necessary to perform phase matching for combining the powers. When this method is used, the number of parts is reduced. Increase, which is not desirable for miniaturization.

In recent years, with the miniaturization of terminal equipment, the occupancy rate of parts has been reduced by an antenna or the like incorporated in the terminal equipment. However, when a chip antenna suitable for miniaturization is used without using a whip antenna, the radiation characteristics of the antenna may change significantly due to the contact between this chip antenna and the human body, or the absorption of radio waves by human hands may occur. Loss may increase, and desired characteristics as an antenna may not be obtained.

In particular, a dielectric chip antenna suitable for miniaturization is useful as a small portable terminal antenna because it is small in size and can be built in a device, and is useful for many small portable terminals. Has been done. However, in the case of a chip antenna, it is not easy to take a wide band as the antenna from the viewpoint of size, and it affects the fluctuation of the impedance between the GND of the board on which the antenna is mounted and the feeding point to the antenna. When the antenna mounting portion of a small portable terminal is touched by a human hand, the resonance frequency characteristic of the chip antenna is changed and the chip antenna deviates from the used frequency band.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup device and an image transmission device which can suppress the influence on the characteristics of the antenna due to the miniaturization of the device main body as much as possible and which does not have a possibility of spoiling the appearance by the antenna. It is in.

[0018]

The invention according to claim 1 is
Image pickup means for picking up an image, recording means for recording the image signal obtained by the image pickup means, and RF for converting the image signal recorded in the recording means into an RF signal and outputting the RF signal.
In an imaging device including a signal generation unit, an antenna for radiating the RF signal output from the RF signal generation unit into the air, and a transmission operation start instruction unit for instructing a transmission operation start, the antenna is provided in the apparatus main body. The recording means is configured to be exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body when the transmission operation start means instructs the transmission operation, and when the transmission operation start instruction means instructs the transmission operation start. The image signal recorded in
It is characterized in that it is sent to the F signal generating means and converted into an RF signal by the RF signal generating means, and the RF signal is radiated into the air through the antenna.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect, the transmission operation start instruction means is provided in the main body of the apparatus, and is a switch that can be slid to a position for instructing the transmission operation start. Having, the antenna is provided on the back side of the switch in the device body,
When the switch is slid to a position instructing the start of the transmission operation, the switch is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect, the antenna projects outward from the apparatus main body and is covered by the switch, and the switch instructs the start of the transmission operation. It is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body when the slide operation is performed to the position.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect, each of the first position in which the antenna is housed in the device body and the second position in which the antenna protrudes to the outside of the device body. The antenna is normally held at the first position by the moving means, and when the transmitting operation start instruction means gives an instruction to start the transmitting operation, the moving means moves the antenna to the first position. It is characterized in that it is moved to the position of position 2.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the device main body is provided so as to be slidable in a predetermined direction, the operating means for switching signals by the sliding operation, and the device main body so as to be exposed on the surface of the device main body. Equipped with an antenna,
The antenna is configured to be exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body according to a slide operation of the operation unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image transmission apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the operating means is a slide switch formed in a cover shape so as to cover the antenna, and the antenna is the operating means. It is configured to be exposed on the surface of the main body of the apparatus by the sliding operation.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the image data is RF.
A device main body including RF signal generating means for converting into a signal and outputting it, a transmission switch operably provided on the device main body for instructing transmission of the image data, and a back side of the transmission switch in the device main body Is provided in the position
An antenna for radiating the RF signal into the air, the antenna being exposed on the front surface side of the apparatus main body when the switch is operated so as to instruct the transmission of the image data. To do.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the image data is RF.
An apparatus main body including RF signal generating means for converting into a signal and outputting it, a transmission switch operably provided on the apparatus main body for instructing image data transmission, and a transmission switch movably provided on the apparatus main body. An antenna for radiating an RF signal into the air, and a moving means for moving the antenna to a first position where the antenna is housed in the device body and a second position where the antenna projects to the outside of the device body, respectively. , The antenna is normally held in the first position by the moving means, and is moved to the second position by the moving means when the image data transmission is instructed by the transmission switch. It is characterized by

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front side.
2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image pickup apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where a transmission start instruction switch in the image pickup apparatus of FIG. 1 is slid, and FIG. 4 is a transmission start of the image pickup apparatus of FIG. It is a side view which shows the state which carried out the slide operation of the instruction switch.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image pickup device includes a main body 101 having a portable size. On the top surface of the main body 101, a mode switching dial 102 for switching various shooting modes, a display panel 103 for displaying various modes set by the mode switching dial 102, and a monitor means (see FIG. 2) are currently displayed. A release button 106 is provided for causing the recording means (see FIG. 2) to record the image of FIG. Body 1
On the front surface of 01, an optical lens 1 for imaging a subject
09 and a transmission start instruction switch 108 for transmitting the RF signal obtained by converting the image pickup signal recorded in the recording means to the space. An antenna is provided on the back side of the transmission start instruction switch 108 as described later. Detailed configurations of the transmission start instruction switch 108 and the antenna will be described later.

Next, the internal structure of the image pickup apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image pickup apparatus includes control means 201 for controlling the entire apparatus. Control means 2
Reference numeral 01 denotes a memory (not shown) in which a control program is stored, a CPU that controls the entire apparatus according to the control program stored in the memory, and an image signal captured by the CCD 209 via the optical lens 109. The image processing unit 208 performs predetermined image processing. The image signal processed by the image processing unit 208 is recorded in a recording medium (memory card or the like) by the recording unit 210.

The control means 201 includes a lens control means 20.
2, external display control means 203, switch sense means 20
5, monitor means 207, shutter control means 211 and RF signal generating means 212 are connected. The lens control unit 202 drives the optical lens 109 (shown in FIG. 1) according to a command from the control unit 201. The external display control means 203 controls the display panel 103. The switch sensing unit 205 has a function of detecting a signal of a switch group including the mode changeover switch 102 and the transmission start instruction switch 106 and transmitting the signal to the control unit 201.

The monitor means 207 is composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display device), and displays the image just before or after the image is taken based on the image signal output from the CCD 209. The shutter control unit 211 performs appropriate exposure control on the CCD 209. The RF signal generating means 212 converts the image signal recorded in the recording means into an RF signal for radiating in the air as a radio wave and outputs the RF signal. The RF signal output from the RF signal generating means 212 is the antenna 21.
It is radiated into the air through 3.

The transmission start instruction switch 108 starts the transmission operation of converting the image signal recorded in the recording means 210 into an RF signal and outputting the RF signal.
Is a switch for instructing to. The transmission start instruction switch 108 is a switch provided on the front surface of the main body 101 so as to be vertically slidable. The antenna 213 is arranged on the back side of the transmission start instruction switch 106. Transmission start instruction switch 106
Is normally held in a position as shown in FIG. 1 and covers the antenna 213 in this position. When instructing to start the transmission operation of the image signal, the transmission start instruction switch 106 is slid downward to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and along with this sliding operation, the transmission start instruction switch 106 is provided on the back side of the transmission start instruction switch 106. Antenna 213
Is exposed to the outside. The antenna 213 is arranged so as to project to the front surface by about 10 mm with respect to the main body 101, and is configured so that the characteristics of the antenna 213 are not affected by the main body 101 as much as possible and the maximum radiation efficiency is obtained.

Next, the operation of the image pickup apparatus will be described.

When the release button 106 is pressed, the image signal picked up by the CCD 209 via the optical lens 109 is temporarily recorded in the recording means 210. When transmitting the recorded image signal, the transmission start instruction switch 108 is slid downward (from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3). As a result, the start of image transmission is instructed, and the image signal recorded in the recording means 210 is sent to the RF signal generating means 212. In the RF signal generating means 212, the image signal is converted into an RF signal and the antenna 21
It is radiated to the space via 3. Further, when the transmission start instruction switch 108 is slid downward, the antenna 213 is exposed on the front side of the main body 101 (FIG. 3).
And FIG. 4).

As described above, in the present image pickup apparatus, the transmission start instruction switch 108 is formed in a cover shape so as to cover the antenna 213 arranged on the back side thereof, and the operation start instruction switch 108 is at the transmission operation start instruction position. When the slide operation is performed, the antenna 213 is configured to be exposed on the front surface of the main body 101. Therefore, for example, even when the main body 101 is dropped, the antenna 213 is not likely to be damaged. Further, since the antenna 213 is normally located on the back side of the transmission start instruction switch 108, the antenna 213 is
This does not impair the design aesthetics. Also,
The transmission start instruction switch 10 is used to instruct the transmission operation start.
When the slide operation of 8 is performed, the antenna 213 is moved to the main body 10
Since it is exposed on the front surface side of 1 and the protruding length is about 10 mm, the influence of the main body 101 on the antenna characteristics can be minimized.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the back side, and FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing the state of the antenna during image transmission of the image pickup apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image pickup apparatus of FIG.

The present embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment in that the antenna is normally housed in the main body, and a driving means for projecting the antenna from the main body when transmitting an image signal is provided. different.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, on the upper surface of the main body 501, a mode switching dial 502 for switching various modes including at least a photographing mode and a transmission mode, and a mode switching dial. A display panel 503 for displaying various modes set by 502, a release button 506 for causing the recording means (shown in FIG. 7) to record the current image displayed on the monitor means 504, which will be described later, and the above-mentioned. R
An antenna 508 is provided for radiating the F signal into space. Here, the transmission mode set by the mode switching dial 502 is a mode in which the image signal recorded in the recording means is converted into an RF signal and transmitted. Further, the antenna 508 is housed in the main body 501 so as to project from the upper surface of the main body 501, and when transmission start is instructed by the transmission start instruction button 507, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, it is driven so as to project from the main body 501 by an antenna driving means (shown in FIG. 7) described later.

On the back surface of the main body 501, an eyepiece window 505 for visually observing a subject to be imaged and monitor means 504 composed of an LCD are provided. This monitor means 504
Displays the image immediately before or based on an image signal output from a CCD (shown in FIG. 7) which is an image sensor.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image pickup apparatus has a control means 201, a lens control means 202, an external display control means 203, a switch sense means 205, and a monitor means 20.
7, shutter control means 211 and RF signal generation means 2
12 is provided. The lens control means 202 is the control means 20.
An optical lens (not shown) is driven according to the instruction from 1. The external display control unit 203 controls the display panel 503. The switch sense means 205 has a function of detecting a signal of a switch group including the mode changeover switch 502 and transmitting it to the control means 201.

The monitor means 207 is composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display device), and displays the image just before or after taking an image based on the image signal output from the CCD 209. The shutter control unit 211 performs appropriate exposure control on the CCD 209. The RF signal generating means 212 converts the image signal recorded in the recording means into an RF signal for radiating in the air as a radio wave and outputs the RF signal. The RF signal output from the RF signal generating means 212 is the antenna 50.
It is radiated into the air via 8.

The control means 201 is a switch sense means 2
Based on the signal from 05, it is recognized whether the mode set by the mode switching dial 502 is the photographing mode or the transmission mode, and the antenna driving means 214 is controlled according to the recognition result. Mode switching dial 502
When the mode set by is the transmission mode,
The antenna 508 is connected to the main body 5 by the antenna driving means 214.
It drives so that it may protrude from 01 (refer FIG. 6). When not in the transmission mode, the antenna 508 is held in a position to be stored in the main body 501.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The antenna is provided in the main body of the device, and is configured to be exposed to the outside of the main body of the device when the transmission start operation is instructed by the transmission operation start means, and when the transmission operation start instruction means instructs the transmission operation start, The image signal recorded in the recording means is sent to the RF signal generating means and converted into the RF signal by the RF signal generating means, and the RF signal is radiated into the air through the antenna, so that the main body of the apparatus is miniaturized. It is possible to suppress the influence of the antenna on the characteristics of the antenna as much as possible, and there is no fear that the aesthetics will be spoiled by the antenna.

Further, according to the present invention, the operation means is provided on the main body of the apparatus so as to be slidable in a predetermined direction, and the operation means for switching signals by the slide operation is provided on the main body of the apparatus so as to be exposed on the surface of the main body. Since the antenna is configured to be exposed to the outside of the device body in response to the slide operation of the operating means, it is possible to suppress the influence on the characteristics of the antenna due to the downsizing of the device body as much as possible. It is possible, and there is no fear that the aesthetics will be spoiled by the antenna.

Further, according to the present invention, the image data is RF
An apparatus main body including an RF signal generating means for converting into a signal and outputting the same, a transmission switch operably provided in the apparatus main body for instructing transmission of image data, and a position behind the transmission switch in the apparatus main body. , An antenna for radiating an RF signal into the air, the antenna being operable when the switch is operated to direct transmission of image data,
Since it is exposed on the surface side of the device body, it is possible to suppress the influence on the characteristics of the antenna due to the miniaturization of the device body as much as possible, and there is no fear that the antenna may damage the aesthetics.

Further, according to the present invention, the image data is RF
A device main body including an RF signal generating means for converting into a signal and outputting the signal, a transmission switch operably provided on the device main body for instructing image data transmission, and a movably provided device main body for transmitting the RF signal. An antenna for radiating in the air, and a moving means for moving the antenna to a first position where the antenna is housed in the device body and a second position where the antenna projects to the outside of the device body are provided. Is held at the first position by the moving means, and when the image data transmission is instructed by the transmission switch, it is moved to the position of the second position by the moving means, so that it is exposed on the surface side of the apparatus main body. The influence on the characteristics of the antenna due to the miniaturization of the main body can be suppressed as much as possible, and there is no fear that the aesthetics will be damaged by the antenna.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image pickup apparatus of FIG.

3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a transmission start instruction switch in the image pickup apparatus in FIG. 1 is slid.

4 is a side view showing a state in which a transmission start instruction switch in the image pickup apparatus in FIG. 1 is slid.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the back side.

6 is an external perspective view showing a state of an antenna of the image pickup apparatus of FIG. 5 during image transmission.

7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image pickup apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a conventional imaging device having a wireless communication function, as viewed from the back side.

[Explanation of symbols]

101,501 main body 106,506 Release button 108 Transmission start instruction switch 109 optical lens 201 control means 210 recording means 212 RF signal generating means 213,508 antenna

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup unit for picking up an image, a recording unit for recording the image signal obtained by the image pickup unit, and an RF signal for converting the image signal recorded in the recording unit into an RF signal and outputting the RF signal. Generating means, and an antenna for radiating the RF signal output from the RF signal generating means into the air,
In an image pickup apparatus comprising a transmission operation start instruction means for instructing a transmission operation start, the antenna is provided in the apparatus main body, and is external to the apparatus main body when the transmission operation start instruction is given by the transmission operation start means. When the transmission operation start instructing means instructs the start of the transmission operation, the image signal recorded in the recording means is sent to the RF signal generating means to be exposed by the RF signal generating means. An imaging device, wherein the imaging device is converted into an RF signal, and the RF signal is radiated into the air through the antenna. 2. The transmission operation start instructing means includes a switch which is provided in the apparatus main body, and which can be slid to a position for instructing the transmission operation start, and the antenna is a rear surface of the switch in the apparatus main body. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the switch is slid to a position instructing the start of the transmission operation, the image pickup apparatus is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body. 3. The antenna projects from the device body to the outside and is covered by the switch, and when the switch is slid to a position instructing the start of the transmission operation, the antenna is outside the device body. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image pickup apparatus is exposed. 4. A moving means for moving the antenna to a first position where the antenna is housed in the apparatus body and a second position where the antenna protrudes to the outside of the apparatus body is provided. When the moving means holds the first position and the transmitting operation start instruction means gives an instruction to start the transmitting operation, the moving means moves the second
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is moved to a position of the position. 5. An apparatus body is provided so as to be slidable in a predetermined direction, and an operation unit for switching a signal by the sliding operation; and an antenna provided on the apparatus body so as to be exposed on a surface of the apparatus body, The image transmission device, wherein the antenna is configured to be exposed to the outside of the device body in response to a slide operation of the operation device. 6. The operating means comprises a slide switch formed in a cover shape so as to cover the antenna, and the antenna is configured to be exposed on a surface of the apparatus main body by a sliding operation of the operating means. The image transmission device according to claim 5, wherein 7. An apparatus main body including an RF signal generating means for converting image data into an RF signal and outputting the RF signal, and a transmission switch operably provided on the apparatus main body for instructing transmission of the image data. An antenna for radiating the RF signal into the air is provided at a position on the back side of the transmission switch in the apparatus body, and the antenna is operated so that the switch directs the transmission of the image data. An image transmission device, which is exposed on a front surface side of the device body. 8. An apparatus main body including an RF signal generating means for converting image data into an RF signal and outputting the RF signal, a transmission switch operably provided on the apparatus main body for instructing image data transmission, and the apparatus. An antenna movably provided on the main body for radiating the RF signal into the air; a first position where the antenna is housed in the device main body and a second position protruding outside the device main body. The antenna is normally held at the first position by the moving means, and when the image data transmission is instructed by the transmission switch, the antenna is moved by the moving means. An image transmission device, wherein the image transmission device is moved to a position of 2.