JP2006121494A - Apparatus with communication functions - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus with a high communication functions without losing the exterior appearance of the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus comprises an antenna (9) for radio communication disposed in a packaging member (8), and a display unit (6), having a display surface exposed from an opening (9a) of the packaging member. The antenna is disposed in a region on the backside of the display unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus with a communication function having an antenna for performing wireless communication.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, cases in which a metal casing is used in a portable electronic device typified by a digital camera or a mobile phone are used to absorb shocks and shield electromagnetic waves. In addition, even in an electronic device having a non-metallic casing that cannot shield electromagnetic waves, the non-metallic casing is often subjected to metal plating or metal coating in order to suppress unnecessary radiation.

  On the other hand, in addition to wireless communication devices capable of long-distance communication such as mobile phones and PHS, wireless communication devices for short distance such as wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark) have been proposed, such as digital cameras. Electronic devices are also required to be equipped with radio.

  In such a case, in an electronic device having a wireless function mounted on a metal, metal-plated, or metal-coated casing, the metal does not transmit radio waves, which causes a problem with antenna arrangement. As a method for solving this problem, a method of arranging an antenna outside the casing (see Patent Document 1), and a method of using a metal casing portion corresponding to the antenna arrangement position as a non-metallic material (see Patent Document 2). It has been known.

When the antenna is disposed outside the housing, stable communication can be performed without being affected by the metal material constituting the housing. In addition, even when the casing portion corresponding to the communication path of electromagnetic waves transmitted and received via the antenna is made of a non-metallic material, stable wireless communication can be performed.
JP2003-319225A (6th page, FIG. 1) JP 2002-32150 A (page 18, FIG. 44)

  In the case of a portable electronic device, it is desired to have a structure that avoids a portion protruding from the device main body as much as possible from the viewpoints of preventing breakage during use or carrying, improving storage properties, and design.

  Therefore, in the method of arranging the antenna outside the housing, the protruding portion from the device main body increases unnecessarily, and there arises a problem that the contact of the antenna, the storage property of the electronic device main body, and the portability are deteriorated.

  Also, in an electronic device such as a digital camera, placing the protruding antenna in a conspicuous position is problematic in terms of design, and in the case of a digital camera, the antenna is always used to communicate with an external device. Therefore, it is not necessary to place the protruding antenna in a conspicuous position.

  On the other hand, the method of using a non-metallic material only in the portion where the antenna is present in the metal casing has fewer problems as described above, such as damage and stowability, than the method of disposing the antenna outside the casing. However, because of the increase in the number of parts, problems of assembly, manufacturing costs, design problems due to the use of two types of materials, and when non-metal parts become large, electromagnetic waves cannot be shielded. Problems can arise. Therefore, when an antenna is disposed in a metal housing, it is desired that the antenna does not protrude outside and that stable communication is possible without performing special processing on the exterior.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the communication function-equipped device according to the present invention has, as one aspect, an antenna disposed in an exterior member and a display surface exposed from an opening of the exterior member and an antenna for performing wireless communication. And the antenna is arranged in a region on the back side of the display unit.

  According to the present invention, when the device is used, the antenna can be arranged in the area behind the display unit that is less in contact with the human body, so that the human body absorbs the radio waves from the antenna and the possibility that wireless communication is hindered can be reduced. it can.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Example 1)
1A and 1B are external perspective views of a digital camera 1 (device with a communication function) in the present embodiment, where FIG. 1A is a front perspective view and FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view. 2 is a perspective view of the antenna, and FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera in which the antenna is incorporated. On the upper surface of the digital camera 1, a shooting preparation operation (focus adjustment operation and photometry operation) is started by a first stroke operation, and a shooting operation (exposure to the image sensor 22 such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor) is performed by a second stroke operation. A release button 2 for starting recording of an image signal output from the image sensor 22 on a recording medium is provided.

  An optical viewfinder 3 for confirming the photographing range is provided at the upper center of the front of the camera, and a light emitting unit 4 is provided on the right side of the optical viewfinder 3 to irradiate a subject with strobe light emission during photographing. A lens barrel 5 capable of zooming and focusing is provided below the optical viewfinder 3 and the light emitting unit 4.

  The lens barrel 5 is a camera-fixed lens barrel that can move between a storage area provided in the camera body and a photographing area disposed in front of the storage area in the optical axis direction.

  An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 6 that displays captured images, menu setting information, and the like is provided on the left side of the camera. The LCD 6 is covered with a transparent plastic material in a state where the display surface is exposed so that an image displayed on the screen can be confirmed. A function setting button 7 for setting various functions is provided on the right side of the LCD 6. The exterior member 8 of the digital camera 1 is made of metal, and a rectangular opening 8a is formed on the camera rear side of the exterior member 8, from which the display surface of the LCD 6 is a camera. Exposed outside.

  The antenna 9 of this embodiment is configured by a film-like ground portion 9a shown in FIG. 2 and a radiating element portion 9b provided at the end of the ground portion 9a. The radiating element portion 9b is an external device. It has an antenna function for transmitting and receiving radio signals.

  Here, when a metal exists in the vicinity of the radiating element portion 9b, an electromagnetic wave used for communication is absorbed by the metal, and communication with an external device may be hindered. Therefore, in the digital camera of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the antenna 9 is arranged in the region on the back side of the LCD 6 that does not contain metal. Thereby, since absorption by the metal of the radio signal transmitted / received via the radiation | emission element part 9b can be avoided, a camera with a high communication function can be provided.

  However, in the case where the LCD holder 63 (holding member) for holding the LCD 6 shown in FIG. 4 is made of metal, the LCD holder 63 may absorb radio wave electromagnetic waves and hinder communication. In such a case, it is necessary to arrange the antenna 9 and the LCD holder 63 as shown in FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the LCD 6, the LCD holder 63, and the antenna 9, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the LCD holder 63 in which the antenna 9 is assembled. The LCD holder 63 is also used as a ground for forming an equipotential surface of the antenna 9.

  In the figure, reference numeral 63a denotes an opening having a size larger than that of the radiating element portion 9a formed in the LCD holder 63. The radiating element portion 9a is disposed inside the opening 63a. Thereby, since the metal material which comprises LCD holder 63 can be evacuated from the transmission path | route of the radio signal transmitted / received via the radiation | emission element part 9a, even if it is a case where LCD holder 63 is comprised with a metal, communication is possible. A highly functional camera can be provided.

    By the way, it is known that the ground of the antenna 9 can obtain stable characteristics when the wavelength of the radio wave used is λ / 4 or more. However, in the case of a device with a small communication function such as a digital camera, it is difficult to secure a ground of λ / 4 or more. Therefore, by using the LCD holder 63 as the ground of the antenna 9 as described above, the ground of the antenna 9 becomes large and stable characteristics can be obtained.

  Further, since the human body has a property of absorbing radio signals, it is preferable to dispose the antenna 9 in a portion that cannot be touched by the hand. In this regard, in the digital camera of the present embodiment, the antenna 9 is disposed in a region on the back side of the LCD 6 on which a photographed image or the like is displayed. Signal absorption can also be prevented.

  Next, the overall configuration of the digital camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the digital camera. As shown in the figure, the digital camera 1 is provided with an imaging unit 20, an imaging signal processing unit 30, a control unit 40, an operation unit 50, a display unit 60, and a wireless communication unit 70.

  The imaging unit 20 includes a photographing lens 21 including a focus lens and a zoom lens, and an imaging element (for example, a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor) 22, and a subject image that has passed through the photographing lens 21 is a light receiving surface of the imaging element 22. An image is formed on the top, and charges are accumulated according to the amount of light of the imaged subject. The imaging unit 20 further includes the finder 3 and the strobe 4 described above.

  In the imaging signal processing unit 30, the analog signal output from the imaging element 22 is color-separated into R, G, and B components, and white balance is adjusted. Further, the imaging signal processing unit 30 performs gamma correction, sequentially A / D-converts the R, G, and B signals at a necessary timing, and outputs the obtained digital image data to the control unit 40.

  The control unit 40 includes a CPU 41 and a memory control unit 42. The CPU 41 controls the operation of the digital camera, and also selects whether to communicate wirelessly or wiredly when controlling strobe light emission, adjusting the aperture, or communicating with an external device. The memory control unit 42 controls a nonvolatile memory (not shown) and a main memory. The nonvolatile memory stores data that should be retained even when the power of the digital camera is OFF, such as setting information by the user and adjustment values at the time of shipment.

  The main memory has a function as a frame memory for storing image data output from the imaging signal processing unit 30, a function as a system memory for loading various programs, and other functions as a work area.

  The operation unit 50 detects a switch operation by the user and outputs a control signal to the control unit 40. The power switch 51 switches the power on / off state of the digital camera. The zoom button 52 sets the zoom lens magnification. In addition to these switches, the operation unit 50 is provided with a function setting button 7 constituted by a rotation mode dial, a cross key, and the like. By operating the function setting button 7, it is possible to set a file format, a special function, determination / saving, display switching, a wireless communication mode, and the like.

  The display unit 60 includes an LCD 6 and an LCD drive circuit 61 that drives and controls the LCD 6. When the LCD drive circuit 61 is driven, image data is displayed on the screen of the LCD 6 or wireless communication is performed. Menu information is displayed.

  The wireless communication unit 70 is configured in accordance with the Bluetooth standard, and includes a baseband unit 71 and an RF (Radio Specification) unit 72. The baseband unit 71 includes a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a microcomputer, a system clock, and the like, and is equipped with functions defined by the baseband layer of the Bluetooth protocol, and performs a process of setting a physical RF link for total replacement. Do.

  The RF unit 72 includes a D / A conversion unit, a modulator, a demodulator, and the like. The RF unit 72 has a function defined by the RF layer of the Bluetooth protocol, and performs data modulation / demodulation processing. By performing such processing, it becomes possible to exchange data with an external device through the antenna 9.

(Example 2)
The configuration of a digital camera that is an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the digital camera of the present embodiment, and the same components as those of the digital camera of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed descriptions of the same components as those in the first embodiment are omitted.

  In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes an exterior member constituting the exterior of the digital camera, which is made of metal. A rectangular opening 8b is formed in a portion of the exterior member 8 corresponding to the upper surface of the camera. An LCD 12 with a display surface exposed to the outside is incorporated in the opening 8b, and the number of captured images, a shooting mode, a remaining battery level, and the like are displayed on the display surface of the LCD 12. Further, the LCD 12 is covered with a transparent plastic material in a state where the display surface is exposed so that an image displayed on the display surface can be confirmed.

  The antenna to be used is the antenna 9 having the same configuration as the antenna used in the first embodiment, and is disposed in the area on the back side of the LCD 12 (see FIG. 7).

  Thus, in the digital camera of the present embodiment, the antenna 9 is disposed in the area on the back side of the LCD 12 that does not contain metal. Thereby, since absorption by the metal of the radio signal transmitted / received via the radiation | emission element part 9a can be avoided, a camera with a high communication function can be provided. Furthermore, since the LCD 12 is a portion that is rarely covered by a hand, absorption of radio signals by the human body can also be prevented.

  Furthermore, by arranging the antenna 9 on the top surface of the digital camera, radio waves radiated from the digital camera can be evenly distributed to the front and rear surfaces of the camera, so it is stable regardless of the orientation and orientation of the digital camera. Communication can be performed.

(Other examples)
In the above embodiment, the exterior member of the digital camera is made of metal. However, an exterior member obtained by applying metal plating or metal coating to a non-metallic housing, or an exterior member using a part thereof may be used.

  Further, as a film antenna, for example, an FPC technique is used, and an antenna circuit is formed by etching on a single-sided or double-sided copper-clad laminate, or an end of a metal flat plate 101 having a polyimide film pasted on both sides as shown in FIG. Alternatively, a slit-shaped radiating element portion 102 may be formed in a portion, and a radiating element portion 102 connected to a thin coaxial cable 103 for feeding may be used. Furthermore, instead of the film antenna, another antenna such as a chip antenna may be used, and the number of antennas may be plural.

  Further, although the LCD is used as the display unit, for example, an organic EL display may be used, and the present invention can be applied to a wireless communication system other than Bluetooth such as a wireless LAN.

  Further, an antenna may be arranged in the back side area of both the LCD 6 and the LCD 12. In addition, a plurality of antennas may be arranged in the back side region, and an antenna having good sensitivity may be selectively used.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to devices with communication functions other than cameras. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the present invention can be applied to a notebook personal computer in which an antenna 83 is disposed between a panel surface of the display panel 81 and an exterior member 82 that covers the display panel 81. 10 further includes an operation unit 91 provided with an operation button (not shown) and a display unit 92 that is rotatably attached to the operation unit 91. The present invention can also be applied to a portable phone in which an antenna 95 is disposed between the exterior member 94 and the exterior member 94.

  According to the above-described embodiment, since the antenna is disposed inside the exterior member, it is possible to provide a digital camera having a communication function without impairing design.

  In addition, because there is no need to apply special treatment to the exterior member, the effects of mounting the antenna on the assembly and manufacturing costs are reduced, and the use of non-metallic materials for the metallic exterior member increases unnecessary radiation. Can also prevent.

Front and back perspective view of digital camera Perspective view of antenna (film antenna) Rear perspective view of digital camera with built-in antenna LCD holder and antenna perspective view Functional block diagram of digital camera Front perspective view of digital camera Front perspective view of digital camera The perspective view which showed the modification of the film antenna Perspective view of personal computer Perspective view of mobile phone

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Release button 3 Optical viewfinder 4 Light emission unit 5 Lens barrel 6 LCD
7 Function setting button 8 Exterior member 9 Antenna 11 Digital camera 12 LCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Imaging part 21 Shooting lens 22 Imaging element 30 Imaging signal processing part 40 Control part 41 CPU
42 Memory Control Unit 50 Operation Unit 51 Power Button 52 Zoom Button 60 Display Unit 61 LCD Drive Circuit 70 Wireless Communication Unit 71 Baseband Unit 72 RF Unit

Claims (6)

An antenna disposed in the exterior member for wireless communication;
A display unit having a display surface exposed from the opening of the exterior member;
The apparatus with a communication function, wherein the antenna is arranged in a region on the back side of the display unit. The antenna has a radiating element portion,
The apparatus with a communication function according to claim 1, wherein the radiating element portion is disposed in the region on the back surface side.   The apparatus with a communication function according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member is made of metal.   The apparatus with a communication function according to claim 1, wherein the exterior member is a member in which a metal layer is formed on a resin member. A holding member that is provided in the exterior member and holds the display unit;
The apparatus with a communication function according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is used as a ground that forms an equipotential surface of the antenna.   6. The apparatus with a communication function according to claim 1, further comprising: a photographing lens that forms a subject image; and an image sensor that photoelectrically converts the subject image.

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