JP2007033884A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to confirm a radio communication state, irrespective of the attitude of portable electronic equipment, in the case a wireless apparatus is incorporated in the portable electronic equipment. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes an antenna 72 for receiving/transmitting a radio signal from/to an external apparatus, a radio processing means for processing the radio signal and a light emitting means 10 for displaying the radio communication state, the imaging apparatus also includes a light guiding member 9 for guiding the light emitted from the light emitting means 10 in at least two directions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an display apparatus that notifies a user of wireless communication status in an imaging apparatus equipped with wireless communication.

  In recent years, with the progress of wireless use of personal computers and peripheral devices, it is desired to mount a wireless LAN or Bluetooth on a portable electronic device such as a digital camera. By mounting a wireless device on a portable electronic device, wireless communication with a personal computer and peripheral devices becomes possible, enabling a wide range of use. However, in such a case, since the communication is performed without connecting to an external device by connecting a conventional cable, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to visually determine that the wireless communication is in progress or the communication is possible. Arise. In order to solve such a problem, a method of notifying a user of a wireless communication state using a light emitting means such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is known.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method of performing LED light emission control in each of a normal operation mode, a maintenance mode, and a power-on self-test mode when power is turned on, and notifying the user. .

As another method, there is known a method of notifying a user of a wireless communication status using a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). In this method, the user can check the communication status of the portable electronic device by displaying the wireless communication status and the wireless standby display on the LCD.
JP 2001-345881 A

  By mounting the wireless device on the portable electronic device, communication from a long distance is possible regardless of the length of the cable. Furthermore, since remote control from a personal computer and peripheral devices becomes easy, use from various angles is expected for portable electronic devices.

  In such a case, the method of notifying the user by the LED or LCD as described above is used when the LED light or the LCD screen is used at an angle at which it cannot be seen, or when the characters displayed on the LCD are not visible. When the operation is performed, there arises a problem that the wireless communication status cannot be confirmed.

  Therefore, when a wireless device is built in a portable electronic device, it has been desired that the wireless communication status can be confirmed from various angles and long distances.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the problems as described above, and includes display means for easily determining the wireless communication status (communication ON / OFF, communication standby) from a plurality of directions. An object is to provide an imaging device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving a radio signal to and from an external device, a radio processing unit for processing the radio signal, and a light emitting unit for displaying a radio communication status. The imaging apparatus has a light guide member that guides light emitted from the light emitting means in at least two directions.

  According to the present invention, when a wireless device is mounted on a portable electronic device, a means for displaying the wireless communication status is necessary, and the display is confirmed from various angles and long distances assuming remote operation. It is desirable to be possible.

  The light emitting means for displaying the wireless communication status as described in claim 1 and a light guide member that guides light emitted from the light emitting means in at least two directions, so that a plurality of light emitting means can be provided by one light emitting means. Display in the direction is possible. As a result, the wireless communication status can be displayed in a plurality of directions, and can be displayed to the user regardless of the direction in which the mobile electronic device is operated. Further, since the wireless communication status is displayed by the light emitting means, it is possible to confirm from a long distance as compared with the case where the communication status is displayed on the LCD. Furthermore, since light can be emitted in a plurality of directions by one light emitting means, low cost and low power consumption can be achieved.

  In addition, as described in claim 2, the light guide member that guides the light emitted from the issuing means in a plurality of directions is constituted by one component, thereby reducing the component cost and saving the component space. It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, as described in claim 3, the direction in which light is guided by the light guide member is the front and rear of the portable electronic device, because many of the portable electronic devices have the largest front and rear areas in many cases. The range in which the user can confirm the light emitted from the means can be expanded.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below based on examples.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera 1 used in this embodiment. Imaging devices used in this embodiment are roughly classified into a camera unit having a function as a digital camera and a wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function. The camera unit includes a release button 2 for releasing the shutter, a finder 3 for confirming a photographing range, a strobe 4 for assisting photographing in a dark place, a lens for performing processing of an optical system, a mirror A cylinder unit 5, an LCD 6 which is a display unit for displaying images such as a photographed image and a menu setting screen, and a function setting button 7 for setting various functions are provided. In addition, the wireless communication unit 8 includes a wireless module for controlling wireless communication and an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. Between the camera unit and the wireless communication unit 8, an LED for displaying the wireless communication status and a light guide member 9 for guiding light emitted from the LED are arranged.

  FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the LED and the light guide member, and FIG. 3 shows a light guide state of the LED.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitted from the LED 10 is split by the light guide member 9 in the front direction and the rear direction of the camera. Thereby, light emission of LED10 can be confirmed also from the front of a camera, and a rear surface.

  Therefore, even when the digital camera is remotely operated wirelessly, it is possible to check the light of the LED regardless of the posture of the camera. Moreover, since the light guide member 9 is composed of a single component, it is possible to achieve a reduction in component costs and space saving of components. Furthermore, since light can be emitted in two directions with one LED 10, it is possible to reduce power consumption in addition to reducing component costs.

  A block diagram of a digital camera equipped with the wireless communication function shown in this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  As illustrated, 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 8.

  The imaging unit 20 includes a photographic lens 21 such as a focus lens and a zoom lens, and a CCD 22, and a subject image that has passed through the photographic lens 21 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 22. Is accumulated. The imaging unit 20 further includes a finder 3 and a strobe 4, and the finder 3 can check a shooting range. When the energy stored in the capacitor is supplied to the discharge tube, the strobe 4 It works by emitting light.

  In the imaging signal processing unit 30, the analog signal output from the CCD 22 is decomposed 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 performs control for operating the camera. When controlling the flash emission, adjusting the aperture, and communicating with an external device, it also controls whether wireless communication or wired communication. The memory control unit 42 controls the nonvolatile memory and the 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 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 determines whether the digital camera is turned on or off. The release button 2 has a two-step pushing structure of half-pressing and full-pressing. The AF and AE are locked when pressed halfway, and the captured image is captured when pressed fully. The zoom button 52 sets the zoom lens magnification. In the operation unit 50, buttons such as a rotation mode dial and a cross key may be set in addition to these switches, which are referred to as function setting buttons 7. Operations that can be specified by the function setting button 7 include a file format, a special function, determination / saving, display switching, and a wireless communication button for performing wireless communication.

  The display unit 60 includes an LCD 6 and an LCD drive circuit 61. The LCD 6 displays image data under the control of the LCD drive circuit 61 and also displays a setting screen such as a menu for performing wireless communication.

  The wireless communication unit 8 includes a wireless module 71 for controlling wireless communication, an antenna 72 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, and an LED 10 for displaying wireless communication status. When a wireless communication operation is performed by the operation unit 50, a signal is transmitted to the wireless module 71 through the control unit 40, and data is exchanged with an external device through the antenna 72. Here, the wireless module 71 sends a signal for wireless communication to the antenna 72 and controls the light emission of the LED 10. In this embodiment, the LED is blinked when data is communicated by wireless communication, and the LED is lit when in a wireless standby state. Further, the LED is turned off when the wireless unit is in the sleep mode or when the communication state is poor and communication cannot be performed. Thus, the user can grasp the communication status of the digital camera even when the user is remotely operating. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the power of the digital camera, the personal computer, and the peripheral device is turned off during communication.

Outline diagram of digital camera in this embodiment Enlarged view of LED and light guide member in this example The figure explaining the light guide condition of LED in a present Example Block diagram of a digital camera equipped with a wireless communication function in this embodiment

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital Camera 2 Release Button 3 Viewfinder 4 Strobe 5 Lens and Lens Unit 6 LCD
7 Function setting button 8 Wireless communication unit 9 Light guide member 10 LED
21 Shooting lens 22 CCD
30 Imaging signal processing unit 40 Control unit 41 CPU
42 Memory Control Unit 50 Operation Unit 51 Power Switch 52 Zoom Button 60 Display Unit 61 LCD Drive Circuit 71 Wireless Module 72 Antenna

Claims (3)

  In an imaging apparatus having an antenna for transmitting / receiving a radio signal to / from an external device, a radio processing unit for processing a radio signal, and a light emitting unit for displaying a wireless communication status, the light emitting unit emits An imaging apparatus having a light guide member that guides light in at least two directions.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member is formed of a single member.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member extends in a front-rear direction of the imaging apparatus.

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