JP2009182938A - Radio communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide radio communication equipment equipped with an antenna with variable directivity by simpler configuration, and to facilitate setting of the directivity. <P>SOLUTION: The radio communication equipment 100 is equipped with a housing 1, one feed antenna 2, and one or more parasitic antennas 3, wherein the housing 1 is equipped with a plurality of attachment parts 11 for selectively attaching any of one feed antenna 2 and one or more parasitic antennas 3 to be attachable/detachable, and a directivity display part 12 which indicates relation between installation positions of the feed antenna 2 and the parasitic antennas 3 to the attachment parts 11 and the directivity of radiowave to be received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus that performs wireless communication using an antenna.

  When a wireless communication device such as a printer or a copier equipped with a wireless LAN function is used in a building such as an office, the wireless communication device is often installed at a corner or a wall of a room to be used. For this reason, it is desirable that the antenna mounted on the wireless communication device has directivity in the center direction of the room or in the direction opposite to the wall.

Therefore, conventionally, a wireless communication device that can freely switch the directivity is known. For example, in the wireless communication device of Patent Document 1, a plurality of parasitic elements are arranged around a power feeding element, and a switching element is turned on / off, so that each of the plurality of parasitic elements is a reflector or a director. The directivity is switched.
Further, the antenna device of Patent Document 2 includes an inner case and an outer case, and the inner case is configured to be movable with respect to the outer case. The inner case and the outer case have conductor patterns that function as radiators, radiators, and reflectors, and direct the directivity in the direction of communication by fixing the inner case in place. Is possible.
JP 2003-198246 A Patent No. 3783006

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is a problem that a switching element and a control line must be connected to each parasitic element, resulting in a high manufacturing cost. Furthermore, the wireless communication device is often used with little movement from the place where it is once installed. For this reason, there is usually no need to frequently switch the directivity of the antenna, and power that always turns on a specific switching element in order to maintain the electrical length of the parasitic element at a necessary length is wasted. Moreover, even if it is an antenna apparatus of patent document 2, since an apparatus is large-scale, manufacturing cost will rise. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to understand the directivity setting method.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus including an antenna with variable directivity with a simpler configuration and to facilitate the setting of directivity.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an invention according to claim 1 is a wireless communication apparatus including a housing, one feeding antenna, and one or more parasitic antennas.
The housing is provided with a plurality of attachment portions for selectively detachably attaching either the one feeding antenna and the one or more parasitic antennas, and the feeding antenna to the attachment portion and A directional display unit is provided which indicates a relationship between a position where the parasitic antenna is attached and a directivity of a received radio wave.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication device according to the first aspect, the parasitic antenna includes a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of a target radio wave and longer than 0.7 wavelength. There are two types, that is, a long parasitic antenna having a length of 0.3 mm and a short parasitic antenna having a second length shorter than 0.5 wavelength and shorter than 0.5 wavelength.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication device according to the first aspect, the parasitic antenna includes a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and shorter than 0.35 wavelength. There are two types: a long parasitic antenna with one side grounded, and a short parasitic antenna with a second length of 0.15 wavelength or longer and shorter than 0.25 wavelength. And

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication apparatus according to the first aspect, the parasitic antenna can be expanded and contracted, and is longer than 0.5 wavelength of a target radio wave and shorter than 0.7 wavelength. And a second length shorter than 0.5 wavelength and shorter than 0.5 wavelength.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication apparatus according to the first aspect, the parasitic antenna is grounded on one side and can be expanded and contracted, and is longer than a 0.25 wavelength of a target radio wave. A first length of 0.35 wavelength or less and a second length of 0.15 wavelength or more and shorter than 0.25 wavelength can be set.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one or a plurality of sets each including the two attachment portions are provided, and the attachment portions in each of the sets are provided. Is characterized by being 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength of the target radio wave.

The invention according to claim 7 is the wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the attachment portion is
A first mounting portion for mounting the feeding antenna;
A plurality of second mounting portions that are provided on a circumference with a radius of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength of a target radio wave with the first mounting portion as a center, and for mounting the parasitic antenna;
It is characterized by providing.

The invention according to claim 8 is the wireless communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second attachment portion is
The first mounting portion is a vertex, and the vertex is provided at the position of two other vertices in a right-angled isosceles triangle.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the attachment portion is provided on a rotating body that is rotatable with respect to the housing. It is characterized by.

The invention according to claim 10 is a wireless communication apparatus comprising a housing, one feeding antenna and one or more parasitic antennas.
The housing is provided with a plurality of attachment portions for selectively detachably attaching either the feeding antenna or the parasitic antenna, and mounting the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna to the attachment portion. There is a directivity display that shows the relationship between the position and the directivity of the received radio waves,
The parasitic antenna can be expanded and contracted, and has a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of a target radio wave and is shorter than or equal to 0.7 wavelength, and a first length that is longer than 0.3 wavelength and shorter than 0.5 wavelength. Can be set to a length of 2,
The attachment portion is provided on a circumference of a first attachment portion for attaching the feeding antenna and a radius having a radius of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength with the first attachment portion as a center. A second attachment portion for attaching
The second mounting portion is
The first mounting portion is a vertex, and the vertex is provided at the position of two other vertices in a right-angled isosceles triangle.

The invention according to claim 11 is a wireless communication device comprising a housing, one feeding antenna and one or more parasitic antennas.
The housing is provided with a plurality of attachment portions for selectively detachably attaching either the feeding antenna or the parasitic antenna, and mounting the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna to the attachment portion. There is a directivity display that shows the relationship between the position and the directivity of the received radio waves,
The parasitic antenna is grounded on one side and can be expanded and contracted, and has a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and that is 0.35 wavelength or less, and 0.15 wavelength or more and 0. Can be set to a second length shorter than 25 wavelengths,
The attachment portion is provided on a circumference of a first attachment portion for attaching the feeding antenna and a radius having a radius of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength with the first attachment portion as a center, and the parasitic antenna A second attachment portion to be attached,
The second mounting portion is
The first mounting portion is a vertex, and the vertex is provided at the position of two other vertices in a right-angled isosceles triangle.

The invention according to claim 12 is a wireless communication apparatus comprising a housing, one feeding antenna and one or more parasitic antennas.
The casing includes a plurality of mounting portions on a rotating body that is rotatable with respect to the casing. A directional display unit indicating a relationship between a mounting position of the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna and a directivity of a received radio wave to the mounting unit;
The parasitic antenna includes a long parasitic antenna having a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and longer than 0.7 wavelength, and is shorter than 0.5 wavelength and shorter than 0.5 wavelength. There are two types of short parasitic antennas of the second length,
One or a plurality of sets including the two mounting portions are provided, and the interval between the mounting portions in each of the sets is 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength.

The invention according to claim 13 is a wireless communication apparatus comprising a housing, one feeding antenna and one or more parasitic antennas.
The casing includes a plurality of mounting portions on a rotating body that is rotatable with respect to the casing. A directional display unit indicating a relationship between a mounting position of the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna and a directivity of a received radio wave to the mounting unit;
The parasitic antenna includes a long parasitic antenna having a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of a target radio wave and having a first length of 0.35 wavelength or less and one side grounded. There are two types: a short parasitic antenna with a second length that is longer than 15 wavelengths and shorter than 0.25 wavelengths and grounded on one side,
One or a plurality of sets including the two mounting portions are provided, and the interval between the mounting portions in each of the sets is 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength.

According to the present invention, a casing, one feeding antenna, and one or more parasitic antennas are provided, and the casing selectively selects one feeding antenna and one or more parasitic antennas. There are provided a plurality of attachment portions for removably attaching to the attachment portion, and a directivity display portion indicating the relationship between the attachment positions of the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna to the attachment portion and the directivity of the received radio wave. .
In other words, the directivity can be obtained simply by providing a mounting portion, a mounting position of the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna to the mounting portion, and a directivity display portion indicating the directivity of the received radio wave on the housing. Can be set variably. Therefore, a wireless communication device including an antenna with variable directivity can be provided with a simpler configuration. In addition, since the user can set the directivity simply by attaching the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna to the attachment portion according to the directivity display portion, the directivity can be easily set.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the relationship among the lengths of the feeding antenna, the stretched parasitic antenna, and the contracted parasitic antenna. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of each mounting portion in the housing of the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a directivity display unit included in the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of attachment of the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating directivity set in the attachment example of FIG.

The wireless communication device 100 according to the first embodiment is, for example, a printer or a copier equipped with a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) function, and performs wireless communication with other wireless communication devices.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wireless communication device 100 feeds power to the housing 1, one feeding antenna 2, one or a plurality of (for example, two) parasitic antennas 3 and 3, and the feeding antenna 2. 4, a wireless communication unit 5 that realizes wireless communication with another wireless communication device, a control unit 6 that controls each unit of the wireless communication device 100, and the like.

The feed antenna 2 is, for example, a dipole antenna having a length that is ½ of the wavelength (λ) of a radio wave to be used, or a monopole antenna that acts as a dipole antenna by an image that appears on the housing 1. By being attached to the attachment portion 111 (described later), power is supplied from the power supply portion 4 connected to the first attachment portion 111.
Each of the two parasitic antennas 3 and 3 is configured to be able to expand and contract. Each of the parasitic antennas 3 and 3 functions as a reflector by being set to the first length in the extended state, as shown in FIG. Moreover, it functions as a director by being set to the second length in the contracted state. Specifically, when the feeding antenna 2 is a dipole antenna having a full length of ½ wavelength, the parasitic antenna 3 is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave in the extended state and has a wavelength of 0.7 wavelength or less. It is set to a length of 1, and is set to a second length that is 0.3 wavelength or more and shorter than 0.5 wavelength in the contracted state. When one side of the parasitic antenna is grounded, the parasitic antenna 3 is set to a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength and shorter than or equal to 0.35 wavelength in the extended state, and 0.15 wavelength in the contracted state. Thus, the second length shorter than 0.25 wavelength is set.

The parasitic antenna 3 may not be able to expand and contract. Instead, the parasitic antenna 3 has two types, a long parasitic antenna having a first length and a short parasitic antenna having a second length. A parasitic antenna 3 may be provided.
Specifically, when the feeding antenna 2 is a dipole antenna having a total length of ½ wavelength, a long parasitic antenna having a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength and shorter than or equal to 0.7 wavelength; Two types of parasitic antennas 3 of short parasitic antennas with a second length that is equal to or longer than the wavelength and shorter than 0.5 wavelengths are provided. In addition, when one side of the parasitic antenna 3 is grounded, a long parasitic antenna whose one side is grounded with a first length longer than 0.25 wavelength and not longer than 0.35 wavelength, and 0.15 wavelength or more Thus, two types of parasitic antennas 3 are provided: a short parasitic antenna having a second length shorter than 0.25 wavelength and one side grounded.

The housing 1 includes a plurality of attachment portions 11 for attaching the feeding antenna 2 and the parasitic antenna 3 on the upper surface thereof, and each of the feeding antenna 2 and the parasitic antennas 3 and 3 includes these attachment portions. 11 can be freely attached and detached.
The attachment portion 11 includes a first attachment portion 111 for attaching the feeding antenna 2 and two second attachment portions 112 and 113 capable of selectively attaching each of the two parasitic antennas 3 and 3. . As shown in FIG. 4, the second attachment portions 112 and 113 are circles having a radius (α) of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than ¼ wavelength of the target radio wave, with the first attachment portion 111 as the center. On the circumference, the first mounting portion 111 is the vertex, and the vertex is provided at the position of the other two vertices in a right-angled isosceles triangle.

Moreover, the housing | casing 1 has the relationship between the attachment position of the feed antenna 2 and the parasitic antenna 3 to the attachment part 11 (the 1st attachment part 111 and the 2nd attachment part 112, 113), and the directivity of the electromagnetic wave to receive. A directional display unit 12 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 5, the directivity display unit 12 exemplifies, for example, four directivities as directivities that can be set in the wireless communication apparatus 100, and a first attachment for setting each directivity. The attachment positions of the feeding antenna 2 and the parasitic antenna 3 to the portion 111 and the second attachment portions 112 and 113 are shown.
According to the directivity display unit 12 of FIG. 5, for example, the feeding antenna 2 is attached to the first attachment part 111 of (A), and the stretched state that functions as a reflector is attached to the second attachment part 112 of (B). By attaching the feeding antenna 3, directivity can be set in the first direction (direction (A) viewed from (B)).
In addition, by attaching the feeding antenna 2 to the first attachment portion 111 of (A) and attaching the parasitic antenna 3 in a contracted state functioning as a director to the second attachment portion 112 of (B), Directivity can be set in the direction (direction (B) viewed from (A)).
In addition, the feeding antenna 2 is attached to the first attachment portion 111 in (A), the parasitic antenna 3 in a contracted state that functions as a director is attached to the second attachment portion 112 in (B), and the first attachment portion 111 in (C). By attaching the stretched parasitic antenna 3 that functions as a reflector to the 2 attachment portion 113, directivity can be set in the third direction.
Further, the feeding antenna 2 is attached to the first attachment portion 111 in (A), the parasitic antenna 3 in the extended state is attached to the second attachment portion 112 in (B), and the extended state is attached to the second attachment portion 113 in (C). Directivity can be set in the fourth direction by attaching the parasitic antenna 3.
Note that descriptions of other directivities other than the four directivities that can be set in the wireless communication apparatus 100 and antenna mounting positions for setting the directivities are omitted.

  For example, referring to the directivity display unit 12 described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the user attaches the power feeding antenna 2 to the first attachment portion 111 of (A) and attaches the second attachment portion 112 of (B). When the stretched parasitic antenna 3 is attached, the directivity is set in the first direction (direction (A) viewed from (B)) as shown in FIG.

According to the wireless communication device 100 of the first embodiment described above, the housing 1, the one feeding antenna 2, and one or a plurality of parasitic antennas 3 (for example, two parasitic antennas 3 and 3) are provided. The casing 1 is provided with a plurality of (for example, three) attachment portions 11 for selectively attaching either the power supply antenna 2 or the parasitic antenna 3 in a detachable manner, and the power supply antenna to the attachment portion 11. A directivity display unit 12 is provided that indicates the relationship between the mounting positions of the antenna 2 and the parasitic antenna 3 and the directivity of received radio waves. The parasitic antenna 3 can be expanded and contracted, and has a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and is shorter than 0.7 wavelength, and is longer than 0.5 wavelength and longer than 0.5 wavelength. A second length that is short, or a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and is not longer than 0.35 wavelength, and a second length that is not shorter than 0.25 wavelength and shorter than 0.25 wavelength. Can be set. In addition, the attachment portion 11 has a first attachment portion 111 to which the power feeding antenna 2 is attached, and a circumference of the first attachment portion 111 having a radius that is 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength of a target radio wave. And the second mounting portions 112 and 113 for mounting the parasitic antenna 3. The second mounting portions 112 and 113 are right-angled isosceles triangles having the first mounting portion 111 as a vertex and the vertex being a right angle. In the other two vertices.
That is, on the housing 1, the relationship between the first mounting portion 111 and the second mounting portions 112 and 113, the mounting positions of the feeding antenna 2 and the parasitic antenna 3 to the mounting portion 11, and the directivity of the received radio wave. The directivity can be variably set only by providing the directivity display unit 12 indicating the above. Therefore, the wireless communication apparatus 100 including an antenna with variable directivity can be provided with a simpler configuration. Further, according to the directivity display unit 12, the user can set the directivity simply by attaching the feeding antenna 2 and the parasitic antenna 3 to the first attachment portion 111 and the second attachment portions 112 and 113. The sex can be easily set.

  The parasitic antenna 3 can be expanded and contracted, and has a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and is shorter than 0.7 wavelength, and is longer than 0.5 wavelength and longer than 0.5 wavelength. A second length that is short, or a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and is not longer than 0.35 wavelength, and a second length that is not shorter than 0.25 wavelength and shorter than 0.25 wavelength. Can be set. Therefore, a greater number of directivities can be set with respect to the number of attachment portions 11. Moreover, since each parasitic antenna 3 can be set to any length of the first length and the second length, it is not necessary to prepare many parasitic antennas 3.

  In addition, the attachment portion 11 has a first attachment portion 111 to which the power feeding antenna 2 is attached, and a circumference of the first attachment portion 111 having a radius that is 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength of a target radio wave. Provided with the second mounting portions 112 and 113 for mounting the parasitic antenna 3, it is sufficient if the first mounting portion 111 is configured to be able to feed power instead of all the mounting portions. Thus, the wireless communication device 100 can be provided.

  Further, since the second mounting portions 112 and 113 are provided at the positions of the other two vertices in the right isosceles triangle with the first mounting portion 111 as a vertex, the vertex is a right angle. With this simple configuration, directivity can be set with no deviation in 45 degree increments for all directions of 360 degrees.

(Modification)
Next, a modification of the wireless communication device to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wireless communication apparatus according to a modified example, and FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of each attachment portion in a housing of the wireless communication apparatus according to the modified example.

  In the wireless communication device 100a of the modification, the housing 1a includes a plurality of attachment portions 11a for attaching the feeding antenna 2 and the parasitic antennas 3 and 3, and the feeding antenna 2 to the attachment portion 11a, as shown in FIG. A directivity display unit 12a is provided that indicates the relationship between the attachment position of the parasitic antenna 3 and the directivity of the received radio wave.

The attachment portion 11a includes a first attachment portion 111a for attaching the feeding antenna 2 and four second attachment portions 112a, 113a, 114a, and 115a that can selectively attach each of the two parasitic antennas 3 and 3. Thus, each of the feeding antenna 2 and the parasitic antennas 3 and 3 can be freely attached to and detached from these attachment portions 11a.
As shown in FIG. 9, the second mounting portions 112a, 113a, 114a, and 115a have a radius (α) centered on the first mounting portion 111a on the circumference of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength. The adjacent second mounting portions are arranged so as to be positioned at the other two vertices in a right-angled isosceles triangle with the first mounting portion 111 as a vertex. That is, the four second mounting portions 112a, 113a, 114a, and 115a have positions of 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees on the circumference having a radius (α) of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength. The second mounting portions that are disposed at the positions facing each other via the first mounting portion 111a are positioned on a straight line that passes through the first mounting portion 111a.

Then, for example, by attaching the feeding antenna 2 to the first mounting portion 111a of (A) and attaching the stretched parasitic antenna 3 functioning as a reflector to the second mounting portion 112a of (B), The directivity is set in the direction of ((B) viewed from (A)). In this state, the parasitic antenna 3 in a contracted state that functions as a director is further attached to (D) that exists on the straight line passing through (A) and (B), so that the first direction ( A stronger directivity can be set in the direction (A) as viewed from (B).
In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the attachment position of the antenna for setting the other directivity which can be set in this radio | wireless communication apparatus 100a, and the directivity.

According to the wireless communication device 100a of the modified example described above, the housing 1a, one feeding antenna 2 and one or a plurality of parasitic antennas 3 (for example, two parasitic antennas 3 and 3) are provided. The housing 1a is provided with a plurality (for example, five) of attachment portions 11a for selectively attaching either the feeding antenna 2 or the parasitic antenna 3 in a detachable manner, and the feeding antenna 2 to the attachment portion 11a. And the directivity display part 12a which shows the relationship between the attachment position of the parasitic antenna 3 and the directivity of the received electromagnetic wave is provided. The parasitic antenna 3 can be expanded and contracted, and has a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and is shorter than 0.7 wavelength, and is longer than 0.5 wavelength and longer than 0.5 wavelength. A second length that is short, or a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and is not longer than 0.35 wavelength, and a second length that is not shorter than 0.25 wavelength and shorter than 0.25 wavelength. Can be set. Further, the attachment portion 11a has a first attachment portion 111a to which the power feeding antenna 2 is attached, and a circumference of the first attachment portion 111a having a radius of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength of the target radio wave. And second mounting portions 112a, 113a, 114a, and 115a for mounting the parasitic antenna 3 are provided.
In the wireless communication device 100a according to the present modification, the second mounting portions 112a, 113a, 114a, and 115a have a radius of 1/6 or more of the wavelength of the target radio wave with the first mounting portion 111a as the center. On the circumference of less than / 4 wavelength, the adjacent second mounting portions are located at the other two vertices in a right-angled isosceles triangle with the first mounting portion 111 serving as a vertex. It is arranged as follows. Therefore, even if the parasitic antenna 3 is not formed to be stretchable and contractible, at least a set of two feeding antennas 2 functioning as a reflector or a pair of two parasitic antennas 3 functioning as a director, Alternatively, four directivities that can be set in the first embodiment are provided as long as any one of a set of one parasitic antenna 3 that functions as a reflector and one parasitic antenna that functions as a director is provided. Can be set, and the manufacturing cost of the parasitic antenna 3 can be suppressed.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. Note that, in the following description, portions that are the same as those in the first embodiment or the modified example are given the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of each attachment portion in the housing of the wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a directivity display unit provided in the wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment.

The wireless communication apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment is, for example, a printer or a copier equipped with a wireless LAN function, as in the first embodiment, and performs wireless communication with other wireless communication apparatuses.
As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the wireless communication device 200 includes a housing 21, one power supply antenna 22, one or a plurality of (for example, one) parasitic antenna 23, and a power supply unit 24 that supplies power to the power supply antenna 22. The wireless communication unit 5 that realizes wireless communication with another wireless communication device, the control unit 25 that controls each unit of the wireless communication device 200, and the like are configured.

For example, the power supply antenna 22 is attached to any one of eight attachment portions 211a to 211h (described later) provided on the upper surface portion of the casing 21, so that power is supplied from the power supply portion 24 connected to each of the attachment portions 211a to 211h. The
The parasitic antenna 23 is configured to be able to expand and contract, and functions as a reflector when set to the first length in the extended state, as shown in FIG. Moreover, it functions as a director by being set to the second length in the contracted state. Specifically, when the feeding antenna 2 is a dipole antenna having a full length of ½ wavelength, the parasitic antenna 3 is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave in the extended state and has a wavelength of 0.7 wavelength or less. It is set to a length of 1, and is set to a second length that is 0.3 wavelength or more and shorter than 0.5 wavelength in the contracted state. When one side of the parasitic antenna is grounded, the parasitic antenna 3 is set to a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength and shorter than or equal to 0.35 wavelength in the extended state, and 0.15 wavelength in the contracted state. Thus, the second length shorter than 0.25 wavelength is set.
The parasitic antenna 23 may not be able to expand and contract. Instead, there are two types of parasitic antennas: a long parasitic antenna having a first length and a short parasitic antenna having a second length. A parasitic antenna 3 may be provided.
The power feeding unit 24 is connected to each of the eight mounting portions 211a to 211h and feeds power to the power feeding antenna 22 inserted into any of these mounting portions 211a to 211h.

The casing 21 includes eight attachment portions 211a to 211h for attaching the feeding antenna 22 and the parasitic antenna 23 on the upper surface thereof, and each of the feeding antenna 22 and the parasitic antenna 23 includes these attachment portions. It is possible to freely attach and detach to each of 211a to 211h.
As shown in FIG. 12, each of the eight attachment portions 211a to 211h is provided on the same circumference having a diameter of 1/6 or more and less than 1/4 wavelength, and is positioned on a straight line passing through the center of the circle. Are arranged so that the interval (β) between the two attachment portions 211 in each set is not less than 1/6 wavelength but less than 1/4 wavelength. ing. That is, a set including the mounting portion 211a of (A) and a mounting portion 211e of (E), a set of mounting portion 211b of (B) and a mounting portion 211f of (F), a mounting portion 211c of (C) and (G ) Of the mounting portion 211g, and each of the pair of the mounting portion 211d of (D) and the mounting portion 211h of (H), the two mounting portions 211 are spaced by 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength. (Β).

The casing 21 also includes a directivity display unit 212 that indicates the relationship between the attachment positions of the feeding antenna 22 and the parasitic antenna 23 to the attachment portions 211a to 211h and the directivity of the received radio wave.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the directivity display unit 212 exemplifies two directivities, for example, as directivities that can be set in the wireless communication device 200, and the attachment units 211 a to 211 a to set each directivity. The attachment positions of the feeding antenna 22 and the parasitic antenna 23 to 211f are shown.
According to the directional display unit 212 of FIG. 13, for example, the feeding antenna 22 is attached to the attachment portion 211b of (B), and the stretched parasitic antenna 23 that functions as a reflector is attached to the attachment portion 211f of (F). By attaching, directivity can be set in the first direction (direction (B) as viewed from (F)).
In addition, the feeding antenna 22 is attached to the attachment portion 211h of (H), and the parasitic antenna 23 in a contracted state that functions as a director is attached to the attachment portion 211d of (D), so that the second direction ((H The directivity can be set in the direction (D) as seen from FIG.
Note that description of other directivities that can be set in the wireless communication apparatus 200 and the antenna attachment positions for setting the directivities will be omitted.

According to the wireless communication device 200 of the second embodiment described above, the housing 21, the one feeding antenna 22, and one or a plurality of (for example, one) parasitic antenna 23 are provided. A plurality of (for example, eight) attachment portions 211a to 211h for selectively detachably attaching one of the one feeding antenna 22 and one or a plurality of parasitic antennas 23 are provided, and the attachment portions 211a to 211h. A directivity display unit 212 is provided that indicates the relationship between the attachment positions of the feeding antenna 22 and the parasitic antenna 23 and the directivity of the received radio wave. The parasitic antenna 23 can be expanded and contracted, and has a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and longer than 0.7 wavelength, and is longer than 0.5 wavelength and longer than 0.5 wavelength. A second length that is short, or a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and is not longer than 0.35 wavelength, and a second length that is not shorter than 0.25 wavelength and shorter than 0.25 wavelength. Can be set. Furthermore, one or a plurality of (for example, four) sets each including two attachment portions 211 are provided, and the interval between the attachment portions 211 in each of the sets is 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength.
That is, on the housing 21, a mounting portion 211, and a directivity display portion 212 that indicates the relationship between the mounting positions of the feeding antenna 22 and the parasitic antenna 23 to the mounting portion 211 and the directivity of received radio waves. Directivity can be variably set only by providing. Therefore, the wireless communication apparatus 200 including an antenna with variable directivity can be provided with a simpler configuration. Further, since the user can set the directivity simply by attaching the feeding antenna 22 and the parasitic antenna 23 to the attachment portion 211 in accordance with the directivity display portion 212, the directivity can be easily set. .

  Furthermore, since one or a plurality of sets including two mounting portions 211 are provided, and the interval between the mounting portions 211 in each of the sets is 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength, the directivity is reliably set. can do.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a wireless communication apparatus according to a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. Note that, in the following description, portions that are the same as those in the first embodiment, the modified example, and the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the wireless communication apparatus according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the wireless communication apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of each attachment portion in the housing of the wireless communication apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a directivity display unit included in the wireless communication apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is an example in which a directivity display unit is provided on a rotating body in the wireless communication apparatus of the third embodiment. FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the wireless communication apparatus, and FIG. It is a plane enlarged view of the rotary body in the radio | wireless communication apparatus of a).

The wireless communication apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment is, for example, a printer or a copier equipped with a wireless LAN function as in the first and second embodiments, and performs wireless communication with other wireless communication apparatuses.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the wireless communication apparatus 300 includes a housing 31, one power supply antenna 32, one or a plurality (for example, one) parasitic antenna 33, and a power supply unit 34 that supplies power to the power supply antenna 32. The wireless communication unit 5 that realizes wireless communication with other wireless communication devices, the control unit 35 that controls each unit of the wireless communication device 300, and the like are configured.

For example, the power supply antenna 32 is attached to one of two attachment portions 311 and 312 (described later) provided on the upper surface portion of the housing 31, thereby being fed by the power supply portion 34 connected to each of the attachment portions 311 and 312. The
The parasitic antenna 33 is one of two types: a long parasitic antenna having a first length that functions as a reflector, and a short parasitic antenna having a second length that functions as a director. Specifically, when the feeding antenna 32 is a dipole antenna having a total length of ½ wavelength, the length of the long parasitic antenna (first length) is 0.5 wavelength of the wavelength of the target radio wave. The length is not longer than 0.7 wavelength, and the length (second length) of the short parasitic antenna is not less than 0.3 wavelength and shorter than 0.5 wavelength. In addition, when one side of the parasitic antenna 33 is grounded, the length of the long parasitic antenna (first length) is longer than 0.25 wavelength and not longer than 0.35 wavelength. The length of the feed antenna (second length) is 0.15 wavelength or more and shorter than 0.25 wavelength. The bottom surface portion of the parasitic antenna 33 is insulated so that it is not fed by the power feeding portion 34 when attached to the attachment portions 311 and 312. The parasitic antenna 33 may be an antenna that can be expanded and contracted.
The power feeding section 34 is connected to each of the two mounting sections 311 and 312 and feeds power to the power feeding antenna 32 inserted into either of the mounting sections 311 or 312.

  The casing 31 includes a rotating body 31 a that is rotatable with respect to the casing 31. The rotating body 31a is provided with a pair of attachment portions including two attachment portions 311 and 312 for attaching the feeding antenna 32 and the parasitic antenna 33 on the upper surface portion thereof. Each of 33 can be freely attached to and detached from each of these attaching portions 311 and 312 provided on the rotating body 31a. As shown in FIG. 16, the two attachment portions 311 and 312 are arranged at an interval (β) of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength. Then, if the feeding antenna 32 and the parasitic antenna 33 (long parasitic antenna or short parasitic antenna) are attached to these attachment portions 311 and 312 and the rotating body 31a is rotated by a necessary rotation angle, 0 degrees to Directivity can be set in all directions of 360 degrees.

In addition, the housing 31 includes a directivity display unit 313 that indicates the relationship between the attachment positions of the feeding antenna 32 and the parasitic antenna 33 to the attachment units 311 and 312 and the directivity of received radio waves.
As shown in FIG. 17, the directivity display unit 313 exemplifies, for example, two directivities as directivities that can be set in the wireless communication apparatus 300. The attachment positions of the feeding antenna 32 and the parasitic antenna 33 to 312 are shown. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 18, the directivity display part 313 may be provided on the rotary body 31a, and the directivity direction may be described on the rotary body 31a.
17 or 18, for example, the feeding antenna 32 is attached to the attachment portion 311 of (A), and the non-feeding state of the stretched state that functions as a reflector is attached to the attachment portion 312 of (B). Directivity can be set in the first direction by attaching the antenna 33 and further rotating the rotating body 31a 90 degrees in the right direction.
Further, the feeding antenna 32 is attached to the attachment portion 311 of (A), the parasitic antenna 33 in an extended state functioning as a reflector is attached to the attachment portion 312 of (B), and the rotating body 31a is moved 135 to the left. The directivity can be set in the second direction by rotating the angle.

  Note that the wireless communication apparatus 300 may be provided with a drive unit that rotates the rotating body 31a in accordance with a user operation. Also, in this case, for example, if the directivity is indicated on the menu screen, an angle for setting the instructed directivity is calculated, and the rotating body 31a rotates by the calculated angle so that the desired directivity is obtained. It may be configured so that the characteristics can be set more easily and accurately. Further, the directivity set by rotating the rotating body 31a may be configured to be confirmed on the menu screen.

According to the wireless communication apparatus 300 of the third embodiment described above, the housing 31, the one feeding antenna 32, and one or a plurality of (for example, one) parasitic antenna 33 are provided. A plurality of mounting portions 311 and 312 for selectively detachably attaching one feeding antenna 32 and one or a plurality of parasitic antennas 33 on a rotating body 31 a that is rotatable with respect to the casing 31. In addition to being provided, there is provided a directivity display unit 313 that indicates the relationship between the attachment positions of the feeding antenna 32 and the parasitic antenna 33 to the attachment units 311 and 312 and the directivity of the received radio wave. The parasitic antenna 33 includes a long parasitic antenna having a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and longer than 0.7 wavelength, and is longer than 0.3 wavelength and longer than 0.5 wavelength. Two types of short parasitic antennas with a short second length, or long parasitics with one side grounded with a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and not longer than 0.35 wavelength There are two types: antennas and short parasitic antennas with a second length that is greater than or equal to 0.15 and shorter than 0.25 wavelengths and grounded on one side. Further, one or a plurality of (for example, one) sets each including two attachment portions 311 and 312 are provided, and the interval between the attachment portions 311 and 312 in each of the sets is 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength. It is.
That is, on the housing 31, the directivity display unit indicating the relationship between the attachment portions 311 and 312, the attachment positions of the feeding antenna 32 and the parasitic antenna 33 to the attachment portions 311 and 312, and the directivity of the received radio wave. The directivity can be variably set only by providing 313. Therefore, the wireless communication apparatus 300 including an antenna with variable directivity can be provided with a simpler configuration. In addition, since the user can set the directivity simply by attaching the feeding antenna 32 and the parasitic antenna 33 to the attachment portions 311 and 312 according to the directivity display portion 313, the directivity can be easily set. Can do.

  The parasitic antenna 33 includes a long parasitic antenna having a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and longer than 0.7 wavelength, and is longer than 0.3 wavelength and longer than 0.5 wavelength. Two types of short parasitic antennas with a short second length, or long parasitics with one side grounded with a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and not longer than 0.35 wavelength Since there are two types of antennas and a short parasitic antenna having a second length shorter than 0.25 wavelength and shorter than 0.25 wavelength, the parasitic antenna 33 can be provided at lower cost. .

  In addition, since one or a plurality of sets including two mounting portions 311 and 312 are provided, and the interval between the mounting portions 311 and 312 in each of the sets is 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength, directivity Can be set reliably.

  Furthermore, since the attachment portions 311 and 312 are provided on the rotating body 31a that is rotatable with respect to the casing 31, the feed antenna 32 and the parasitic antenna 33 are attached to the two attachment portions 311 and 312 one by one. Thus, the directivity can be set in a desired direction only by rotating the rotating body 31a by a desired angle. Therefore, the directivity can be set very easily, and the directivity can be set in any direction. In addition, since the number of necessary attachment portions 311 and 312 and the number of the feeding antenna 32 and the parasitic antenna 33 may be small, wireless communication in which directivity can be variably set with a low-cost and simpler configuration. An apparatus 300 can be provided.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the number of mounting portions provided in the housing and the arrangement thereof are not limited to the forms exemplified in the above-described embodiments and modifications, and any number of mounting portions may be arranged at arbitrary positions. it can. Also, any number of parasitic antennas can be used.
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the directivity display unit is configured by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and the directivity setting method is displayed only when necessary according to a user operation. May be.
In addition, in the wireless communication devices of the first and second embodiments and the modified example, as in the third embodiment, an attachment portion is provided on a rotating body that is rotatable with respect to the housing so that the direction of directivity can be set more finely. You may comprise.

1 is a perspective view of a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main part configuration of a wireless communication apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship between the length of a feed antenna, a parasitic antenna in an extended state, and a parasitic antenna in a contracted state. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of each attachment portion in the housing of the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a directivity display unit provided in the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of attachment of a feed antenna and a parasitic antenna. It is a figure which shows the directivity set in the example of attachment of FIG. It is a perspective view of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of a modification. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of each attaching part in the housing | casing of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of a modification. 6 is a perspective view of a wireless communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of each attachment portion in a housing of a wireless communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a directivity display unit provided in the wireless communication apparatus of Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a wireless communication apparatus according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a wireless communication apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of each attachment portion in a housing of the wireless communication apparatus according to the third embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a directivity display unit provided in a wireless communication apparatus according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 18A is an example in which a directivity display unit is provided on a rotating body in the wireless communication apparatus of Embodiment 3, FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the wireless communication apparatus, and FIG. 18B is a wireless view of FIG. It is a plane enlarged view of the rotary body in a communication apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Radio | wireless communication apparatus 1 Case 11 Attachment part 111 1st attachment part 112,113 2nd attachment part 12 Directional display part 2 Feeding antenna 3 Parasitic antenna 100a Radio | wireless communication apparatus 1a Case 11a Attachment part 111a 1st attachment part 112a , 113a, 114a, 115a Second attachment portion 12a Directional display portion 200 Wireless communication device 21 Case 211 (211a to 211h) Attachment portion 212 Directional indication portion 22 Feed antenna 23 Parasitic antenna 300 Wireless communication device 31 Case 31a Rotating body 311, 312 Mounting portion 313 Directivity display portion 33 Feeding antenna 34 Parasitic antenna

Claims (13)

In a wireless communication device comprising a housing, one feeding antenna and one or more parasitic antennas,
The housing is provided with a plurality of attachment portions for selectively detachably attaching either the one feeding antenna and the one or more parasitic antennas, and the feeding antenna to the attachment portion and A wireless communication apparatus, comprising: a directivity display unit that indicates a relationship between a mounting position of the parasitic antenna and directivity of a received radio wave.   The parasitic antenna includes a long parasitic antenna having a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and longer than 0.7 wavelength, and is shorter than 0.5 wavelength and shorter than 0.5 wavelength. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are two types: a short parasitic antenna having a second length.   The parasitic antenna includes a long parasitic antenna in which one side is grounded with a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and shorter than or equal to 0.35 wavelength, and zero when the wavelength is longer than 0.15 2. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are two types: a short parasitic antenna having a second length shorter than 25 wavelengths and one side grounded.   The parasitic antenna can be expanded and contracted, and has a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and is shorter than or equal to 0.7 wavelength, and a first length that is longer than 0.3 wavelength and shorter than 0.5 wavelength. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication apparatus can be set to a length of two.   The parasitic antenna is grounded on one side and can be expanded and contracted, and has a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and that is 0.35 wavelength or less, and 0.15 wavelength or more and 0. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication apparatus can be set to a second length shorter than 25 wavelengths.   One or a plurality of sets including the two mounting portions are provided, and the interval between the mounting portions in each of the sets is not less than ¼ wavelength and less than ¼ wavelength of the target radio wave. The radio | wireless communication apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5. The mounting portion is
A first mounting portion for mounting the feeding antenna;
A plurality of second mounting portions that are provided on a circumference with a radius of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength of a target radio wave with the first mounting portion as a center, and for mounting the parasitic antenna;
The wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: The second mounting portion is
8. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is provided at the position of the other two vertices in a right-angled isosceles triangle with the first attachment portion serving as a vertex.   The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is provided on a rotating body that is rotatable with respect to the housing. In a wireless communication device comprising a housing, one feeding antenna and one or more parasitic antennas,
The housing is provided with a plurality of attachment portions for selectively detachably attaching either the feeding antenna or the parasitic antenna, and attaching the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna to the attachment portion. There is a directivity display that shows the relationship between the position and the directivity of the received radio waves,
The parasitic antenna can be expanded and contracted, and has a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and is shorter than or equal to 0.7 wavelength, and a first length that is longer than 0.3 wavelength and shorter than 0.5 wavelength. Can be set to a length of 2,
The attachment portion is provided on a circumference of a first attachment portion for attaching the feeding antenna and a radius having a radius of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength with the first attachment portion as a center. A second attachment portion for attaching
The second mounting portion is
A wireless communication apparatus, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is provided at the position of two other vertices in a right-angled isosceles triangle with the first attachment portion as a vertex. In a wireless communication device comprising a housing, one feeding antenna and one or more parasitic antennas,
The housing is provided with a plurality of attachment portions for selectively detachably attaching either the feeding antenna or the parasitic antenna, and mounting the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna to the attachment portion. There is a directivity display that shows the relationship between the position and the directivity of the received radio waves,
The parasitic antenna is grounded on one side and can be expanded and contracted, and has a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of the target radio wave and that is 0.35 wavelength or less, and 0.15 wavelength or more and 0. Can be set to a second length shorter than 25 wavelengths,
The attachment portion is provided on a circumference of a first attachment portion for attaching the feeding antenna and a radius having a radius of 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength with the first attachment portion as a center, and the parasitic antenna A second attachment portion to be attached,
The second mounting portion is
A wireless communication apparatus, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is provided at the position of two other vertices in a right-angled isosceles triangle with the first attachment portion as a vertex. In a wireless communication device comprising a housing, one feeding antenna and one or more parasitic antennas,
The casing includes a plurality of mounting portions on a rotating body that is rotatable with respect to the casing. A directional display unit indicating the relationship between the mounting position of the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna to the mounting unit and the directivity of the received radio wave,
The parasitic antenna includes a long parasitic antenna having a first length that is longer than 0.5 wavelength of the target radio wave and longer than 0.7 wavelength, and is shorter than 0.5 wavelength and shorter than 0.5 wavelength. There are two types of short parasitic antennas of the second length,
One or a plurality of sets each including the two mounting portions are provided, and the interval between the mounting portions in each of the sets is 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength. In a wireless communication device comprising a housing, one feeding antenna and one or more parasitic antennas,
The casing includes a plurality of mounting portions on a rotating body that is rotatable with respect to the casing. A directional display unit indicating a relationship between a mounting position of the feeding antenna and the parasitic antenna and a directivity of a received radio wave to the mounting unit;
The parasitic antenna includes a long parasitic antenna having a first length that is longer than 0.25 wavelength of a target radio wave and having a first length of 0.35 wavelength or less and one side grounded. There are two types: a short parasitic antenna with a second length that is longer than 15 wavelengths and shorter than 0.25 wavelengths and grounded on one side,
One or a plurality of sets each including the two mounting portions are provided, and the interval between the mounting portions in each of the sets is 1/6 wavelength or more and less than 1/4 wavelength.

Images