JP4897231B2 - The camera module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera module that performs imaging, and more particularly to a camera module that transmits and receives image data generated by imaging to and from other devices by wireless communication.

  Small camera modules are being used in various fields. Such a small camera module is used in a state where it is built in a mobile phone device, connected to a computer, or connected to a monitor or a recording device.

There is also a wireless camera device in which a camera module and a wireless transmitter are housed in one housing . As this prior art document, for example, the following exists. In the following Patent Document 1 (paragraph number [0016], FIG. 2), a wireless photographing terminal device is configured by a control unit, a video photographing unit, a transmission / reception unit, a power supply unit, and the like. Further, in the following Patent Document 2 (paragraph number [0023], FIG. 3), a camera unit device is configured by a camera block, a signal processing block, a control block, a transmission / reception block, and an antenna block. Yes. As described above, there is a problem in that the camera module itself is small, but the whole apparatus is not small because of the relationship with the wireless transmitter and the wireless antenna.

A technique for integrating an electronic circuit, an RF circuit, and an antenna so as to be compact is proposed in Patent Document 3 below.
JP 2005-26832 A JP 2005-51710 A JP-A-5-250529 (first page, FIG. 1)

The technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 described above incorporates an IC and an antenna integrally, and cannot be applied to a camera module.
That is, when the wireless camera device in which the camera module and the wireless transmitter are housed in one housing is downsized, the technique of the above-described Patent Document 3 cannot be applied.

  Also, in the conventional wireless camera device, since the control of the camera module and the wireless transmitter is not coordinated, each part must be turned on in order to be usable, and low power consumption is required. There was a problem that couldn't be done.

  Further, in the conventional wireless camera device, the camera module and the wireless transmitter are simply combined, and the cooperation processing when another similar camera module exists, or the camera module from the other device Access to was not considered at all.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera module that can perform imaging in a state in which control in cooperation with a communication device is taken into consideration.

  In addition, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the related art, and provides a camera module that takes into consideration control in cooperation with a communication apparatus and consideration of operation in cooperation with another apparatus. This is the issue.

That is, the above-described problems are solved by the inventions listed below .

The invention of this camera module has an image sensor that reads out the charge generated in the light receiving unit repeatedly in vertical transfer and horizontal transfer, and image information obtained by the image sensor is subjected to signal processing by a signal processing unit to generate image data. A camera unit that outputs data, a memory that stores image data from the camera unit or external image data, a high-frequency unit that transmits data by wireless communication, control of imaging in the camera unit, and the memory and a control unit for the stored image data performs the control to be transmitted through the RF unit on, on a substrate on which the imaging element is arranged, which is arranged parallel to the horizontal transfer unit of the imaging device a horizontal antenna, on the substrate, has a vertical antenna disposed to be parallel to the vertical transfer unit of the imaging device, the control unit may transmit image data If the overlapped timing of imaging, using the horizontal antenna during vertical transfer, during horizontal transfer transfer and executes the control of switching to use the vertical antenna.
The invention of the camera module further includes an antenna on a lens barrel that holds the lens of the camera unit. The invention of the camera module further includes two antennas on a lens barrel that holds the lens of the camera unit.

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

In the invention of this camera module, the imaging device has a configuration for reading a charge generated in the light receiving portion repeats the vertical transfer and horizontal transfer, if the transmission of the image data and the timing of the next imaging overlap, use horizontal antenna during vertical transfer switches control unit as the horizontal rolling Okutoki using a vertical antenna.

  In this way, even if image data transmission and imaging are performed in parallel, the direction of charge transfer and the direction of the antenna are orthogonal to each other, making it difficult for electromagnetic coupling, and adverse effects such as noise contamination. Will not occur.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
A preferred embodiment of a camera module of the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described. This does not limit the scope of the present invention.

<First Embodiment>
overall structure:
A camera module 100 shown in FIG. 1 stores a camera unit that outputs image data obtained by performing signal processing on image information obtained by an image sensor, and image data from the camera unit or external image data. Memory, high-frequency unit that transmits or receives data by wireless communication, control of imaging by the camera unit, control to transmit image data stored in the memory via the high-frequency unit, and external data A control unit that performs control for reception via a high-frequency unit (RF unit), and an antenna that is disposed on at least one of a substrate on which each unit is disposed or a lens barrel that holds a lens of a camera unit and is used for transmission or reception It is equipped with. Here, external data includes image data from other devices, image data from a similar camera module, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the camera module refers to a unit in which a camera unit and a signal processing unit including a solid-state imaging device or a lens are mounted on a substrate, or a unit close to the unit. .

  Therefore, products such as a video camera device and a digital camera (digital still camera device) that include an operation unit and a display unit and can record image data on a tape recording medium or a disk recording medium are not included.

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the camera module 100 includes a control unit 101, a power supply unit 110, a camera unit 120, a memory 130, an RF unit 140, and an antenna 150 as main components.

  Here, the control unit 101 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like (not shown), and performs imaging, data storage, wireless communication in cooperation with various programs stored in the ROM. Various controls and various processes related to communication and the like are executed. The control unit 101 also includes a communication control unit for performing wireless communication with other devices (external devices and other camera modules) as the camera module 100 and an information processing unit for performing various information processing. is doing.

  The power supply unit 110 includes a battery or a rechargeable battery, a booster circuit, a constant voltage circuit, and the like, and receives power from the outside to control power by a necessary voltage for each unit in the camera module 100. Supply in response to an instruction from the unit 101.

  The camera unit 120 is a camera unit having a function of processing image information obtained by a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD image sensor or a C-MOS type image sensor and outputting the image information as image data. The camera unit 120 is provided with a lens unit that forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device, and the lens unit is held by a lens barrel.

The memory 130 includes a volatile memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), or a non-volatile memory such as FLASHROM, EEPROM, or FRAM (registered trademark) . In addition to the various setting data of the camera module 100, the memory 130 stores image data obtained by imaging with the camera unit 120, image data received from other camera modules, and the like.

  An RF (Radio Frequency) unit 140 is a communication unit (high frequency unit) that transmits or receives data by wireless communication with another device (an external device or another camera module) based on an instruction from the control unit 101.

  The antenna 150 is an antenna used for transmission or reception by the RF unit 140, which is arranged on at least one of the substrate on which each unit is arranged or the lens barrel that holds the lens of the camera unit 120. In addition, as this antenna 150, when arrange | positioning on a board | substrate, the antenna by a printed wiring, the chip antenna by a ceramic element, etc. correspond. In addition, as this antenna 150, when arrange | positioning at a lens-barrel, the coil antenna arrange | positioned at the part of the cylinder of a lens-barrel, the loop antenna by which an element is arrange | positioned at loop shape, etc. correspond.

Here, a detailed configuration of the RF unit 140 in the camera module 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
The carrier wave generation unit 141 generates a carrier wave signal used for transmission and a local oscillation signal used for frequency conversion and demodulation during reception according to the control of the control unit 101. The modulator 142 generates a transmission signal by modulating a carrier wave signal by a predetermined modulation method with data to be transmitted from the control unit 101 or the memory 130 (image data for transmission or command data to another device). To do. The band pass filter (BPF) 143 performs frequency band limitation around the frequency of the transmission signal to reduce spurious. The amplifier 144 amplifies the transmission signal to a predetermined power by performing high frequency power amplification. When the antenna 150 is used for transmission and reception, the transmission / reception signal switch 145 switches between using the antenna 150 for transmission and reception based on the control of the control unit 101. The tuning circuit 146 includes a resonance circuit and an impedance matching circuit, and functions as a kind of filter that tunes to the frequency of radio waves to be transmitted and received. The amplifier 147 amplifies a weak received signal to a predetermined level. The bandpass filter (BPF) 148 performs frequency band limitation around the frequency of the received signal, and removes the adjacent frequency signal. The demodulator 149 uses the local oscillation signal from the carrier wave generator 141 to demodulate the received signal at the carrier frequency, thereby receiving the received data (image data from another device or command data from another device). To extract. Note that the received data extracted by demodulation is stored in the memory 130 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 101.

  Here, a detailed configuration of the camera unit 120 in the camera module 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The camera control unit 1201 controls each unit with respect to imaging of the camera unit 120 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 101. The camera control unit 1201 can also be used as the control unit 101.

  The timing generation unit 1210 generates various timing signals required by each unit of the camera unit 120 based on instructions from the camera control unit 1201. Based on an instruction from the camera control unit 1201, the aperture control unit 1220 drives an iris diaphragm arranged in the lens unit and performs control so that a desired aperture value is obtained. The lens unit 1230 is an optical system that forms an object image on the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device, and the lens unit 1230 is held by a lens barrel described later.

  The solid-state image sensor 1240 is a solid-state image sensor composed of various image sensors such as a CCD image sensor and a C-MOS type image sensor, and supplies image information obtained by imaging to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit 1250 performs signal processing on the image information from the solid-state imaging device 1240 and outputs it as image data. The AE / WB evaluation value detection unit 1260 detects an evaluation value for AE (automatic exposure adjustment) or WB (white balance adjustment) from the data being processed by the signal processing unit 1250, and sends it to the camera control unit 1201. Supply.

  As the signal processing unit 1250, image information from the solid-state image sensor 1240 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 1251, black level correction is performed by the black reference correction unit 1252, and FPN correction unit 1253 performs FPN. (Fixed pattern noise) correction is performed, the RGB gain correction unit 1254 performs RGB color correction, the WB control unit 1255 performs white balance adjustment, the color interpolation unit 1256 performs necessary color interpolation, and the color correction unit 1257. Then, color correction is performed, gradation conversion is performed by a gradation conversion unit 1258, and coring processing (removal of noise components during sharpness adjustment) is performed by a coring unit 1259. In this manner, image data regarding image information captured by the solid-state image sensor 1240 is generated.

The camera module 100 electrically configured as described above is mechanically configured as shown in FIGS. 4 to 5.
Here, a state in which the control unit 101, the memory 130, the signal processing unit 1250, and the RF unit 140 are arranged on the back surface of the substrate 100p on which each unit is arranged is shown as an example, but the front surface (imaging surface side) of the substrate 100p is shown. ) May be arranged, or both sides may be used properly.

  Further, here, a state where antennas are arranged on the substrate 100p and the lens barrel 1230a is shown as an example. As the antenna 150, the antenna on the substrate 100p and the antenna on the lens barrel 1230a can be switched according to transmission and reception.

As the antenna 150, the antenna 150a and the antenna 150b on the lens barrel 1230a can be switched according to transmission and reception.
Further, without switching as described above, the antenna on the substrate and the antenna on the lens barrel can be used in combination, and the space diversity can be configured to transmit and receive in a wide range with wide directivity. .

Further, the antenna 150a and the antenna 150b on the lens barrel 1230a can be used by phase difference feeding so that transmission and reception with sharp directivity can be performed.
Hereinafter, the operation of the camera module 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

<First operation example>
Here, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the camera module 100 and another device (external device) exist.

  The other device (external device) has a function of communicating at the same frequency as the frequency that can be transmitted / received by the camera module 100, and a function of transmitting / receiving a command that can be understood by the camera module 100. And

  First, when the activation request command from the external device is not received via the antenna 150 and the RF unit 140, the control unit 101 sets each unit of the camera module 100 to the sleep state.

  This sleep state means that at least the camera unit 120 and the memory 130 are kept stopped or close to being stopped. Further, the control unit 101 may also control the RF unit 140 so as to receive intermittently.

  When the camera module 100 receives an activation request command from an external device via the antenna 150 and the RF unit 140, the control unit 101 activates the camera unit 120 and each unit and is necessary. Execute control.

  This active state means that at least the camera unit 120 and the memory 130 are kept in an operable state. Also, the control unit 101 controls the RF unit 140 to perform continuous reception that is not intermittent.

  Furthermore, when the camera module 100 receives a data request command from an external device via the antenna 150 and the RF unit 140, the control unit 101 stores image data obtained by imaging with the camera unit 120 in the memory. 130.

  Then, the control unit 101 transmits a data transmission start message from the RF unit 140 and the antenna 150 to the external device. Thereafter, the image data stored in the memory 130 is transmitted from the RF unit 140 and the antenna 150 to the external device. Further, when the transmission of the image data is completed, the control unit 101 transmits a data end message from the RF unit 140 and the antenna 150 to the external device.

  Then, when the transmission of the image data to the external device is completed, the control unit 101 puts each unit of the camera module 100 into a sleep state. In this sleep state, it means that at least the camera unit 120 and the memory 130 are stopped or kept in a close state. Further, the control unit 101 may also control the RF unit 140 so as to receive intermittently.

  As described above, since the control unit 101 controls each process of receiving a startup command from an external device, storing image data in a memory, and transmitting stored image data, the control is performed in cooperation with the communication device. It is possible to realize a camera module that takes into consideration the operation in cooperation with an external device while being considered.

  In addition, each process of starting imaging at the camera unit 120, storing image data in the memory 130, and transmitting stored image data is controlled by the control unit 101, and imaging operations without waste as necessary Therefore, it is possible to realize a camera module that can perform imaging in a state in which control in cooperation with a communication device and control in cooperation with an external device are taken into consideration.

  In addition, each process such as start (activation) and stop (sleep) of the imaging operation in the camera unit 120 is controlled as necessary in cooperation with the external device, and the camera unit without waste as necessary A camera module that can perform 120 operations and can perform imaging when necessary without waste in a state in which control in cooperation with a communication device or control in cooperation with an external device is considered.

<Second operation example>
Here, as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that a camera module 100 (camera module # 1) and a similar camera module 100 ′ (camera module # 2) exist.

  The camera module 100 ′ has a function of communicating at the same frequency as the frequency that can be transmitted and received by the camera module 100, a function of transmitting and receiving commands that can be understood by the camera module 100, and imaging, It is assumed that similar operations such as storage and transmission / reception are possible.

In the following description, on the camera module 100 ′ side, the description will be made with “′” added to each unit, such as the control unit 101 ′ and the camera unit 120 ′.
First, when the control unit 101 ′ on the camera module 100 ′ side has not received the activation request command from the camera module 100 via the antenna 150 ′ and the RF unit 140 ′, each unit of the camera module 100 ′. Set to sleep.

  This sleep state means that at least the camera unit 120 ′ and the memory 130 ′ are kept stopped or close to being stopped. Further, the control unit 101 ′ may control the RF unit 140 ′ so that reception is intermittently performed.

  When the camera module 100 ′ receives the activation request command from the camera module 100 via the antenna 150 ′ and the RF unit 140 ′, the control unit 101 ′ activates the camera unit 120 ′ and each unit. The necessary control is executed as well as the state.

  This active state means that at least the camera unit 120 ′ and the memory 130 ′ are kept in an operable state. Also, the control unit 101 ′ controls the RF unit 140 so as to perform continuous reception that is not intermittent.

  Further, when the camera module 100 ′ receives a data request command from the camera module 100 via the antenna 150 ′ and the RF unit 140 ′, the control unit 101 ′ captures an image with the camera unit 120 ′. The obtained image data is stored in the memory 130 '.

  The control unit 101 ′ transmits a data transmission start message from the RF unit 140 ′ and the antenna 150 ′ toward the camera module 100. Thereafter, the image data stored in the memory 130 ′ is transmitted from the RF unit 140 ′ and the antenna 150 ′ toward the camera module 100. Further, the control unit 101 ′ transmits a data end message from the RF unit 140 ′ and the antenna 150 ′ toward the camera module 100 when the transmission of the image data is completed.

  Then, the control unit 101 ′ on the camera module 100 ′ side puts each unit of the camera module 100 ′ in the sleep state when transmission of image data to the camera module 100 is completed. In this sleep state, it means that at least the camera unit 120 ′ and the memory 130 ′ are stopped or kept close to being stopped. Further, the control unit 101 ′ may control the RF unit 140 ′ so that reception is intermittently performed.

  Further, the control unit 101 on the camera module 100 side stores the received image data in the memory 130 when the reception of the image data from the camera module 100 ′ is completed, and then puts each unit of the camera module 100 into the sleep state. Keep it. In this sleep state, it means that at least the camera unit 120 and the memory 130 are stopped or kept in a close state. Further, the control unit 101 may also control the RF unit 140 so as to receive intermittently.

  By doing as described above, the imaging with the other camera module 100 ′ can be controlled from the camera module 100 side, and the image data captured with the other camera module 100 ′ is stored on the camera module 100 side. can do.

  Even if multiple camera modules are arranged, even if the radio waves of each camera module are weak, the above-mentioned data transfer between camera modules can be used in a multi-stage relay format, so Image data can be transferred to a certain camera module.

  As described above, since the control unit 101 (101 ′) controls each process of receiving the activation command from the partner camera module, storing the image data in the memory, and transmitting the stored image data, the communication is performed. It is possible to realize a camera module that takes into consideration operations linked to each other while considering control linked to the apparatus.

  In addition, each process such as start (activation) and stop (sleep) of the imaging operation in the camera unit 120 (120 ′) is controlled as necessary in cooperation with the camera module 100 (100 ′). The operation of the camera unit 120 (120 ′) without waste is realized as needed, and imaging and image data can be captured as needed without waste in a state in which control in cooperation with a communication apparatus and control in cooperation with camera modules are considered. A camera module that can send and receive can be realized.

<Third operation example>
Here, as shown in FIG. 8, a camera module 100 (camera module # 1), a similar camera module 100 ′ (camera module # 2), and another device (external device) are present. .

  The camera module 100 ′ has a function of communicating at the same frequency as the frequency that can be transmitted and received by the camera module 100, a function of transmitting and receiving commands that can be understood by the camera module 100, and imaging, It is assumed that similar operations such as storage and transmission / reception are possible. Further, the other device (external device) has a function of communicating at the same frequency as the frequency that can be transmitted / received by the camera module 100, and a function of transmitting / receiving a command that can be understood by the camera module 100. And

In the following description, on the camera module 100 ′ side, the description will be made with “′” added to each unit, such as the control unit 101 ′ and the camera unit 120 ′.
First, when the control unit 101 ′ on the camera module 100 ′ side has not received the activation request command from the camera module 100 via the antenna 150 ′ and the RF unit 140 ′, each unit of the camera module 100 ′. Set to sleep.

  This sleep state means that at least the camera unit 120 ′ and the memory 130 ′ are kept stopped or close to being stopped. Further, the control unit 101 ′ may control the RF unit 140 ′ so that reception is intermittently performed.

  When the camera module 100 ′ receives the activation request command from the camera module 100 via the antenna 150 ′ and the RF unit 140 ′, the control unit 101 ′ activates the camera unit 120 ′ and each unit. The necessary control is executed as well as the state.

  This active state means that at least the camera unit 120 ′ and the memory 130 ′ are kept in an operable state. Also, the control unit 101 ′ controls the RF unit 140 so as to perform continuous reception that is not intermittent.

  Further, when the camera module 100 ′ receives a data request command from the camera module 100 via the antenna 150 ′ and the RF unit 140 ′, the control unit 101 ′ captures an image with the camera unit 120 ′. The obtained image data is stored in the memory 130 '.

  The control unit 101 ′ transmits a data transmission start message from the RF unit 140 ′ and the antenna 150 ′ toward the camera module 100. Thereafter, the image data stored in the memory 130 ′ is transmitted from the RF unit 140 ′ and the antenna 150 ′ toward the camera module 100. Further, the control unit 101 ′ transmits a data end message from the RF unit 140 ′ and the antenna 150 ′ toward the camera module 100 when the transmission of the image data is completed.

  Then, the control unit 101 ′ on the camera module 100 ′ side puts each unit of the camera module 100 ′ in the sleep state when transmission of image data to the camera module 100 is completed. In this sleep state, it means that at least the camera unit 120 ′ and the memory 130 ′ are stopped or kept close to being stopped. Further, the control unit 101 ′ may control the RF unit 140 ′ so that reception is intermittently performed.

  Further, the control unit 101 on the camera module 100 side stores the received image data in the memory 130 when the reception of the image data from the camera module 100 ′ is completed, and then puts each unit of the camera module 100 into the sleep state. Keep it. In this sleep state, it means that at least the camera unit 120 and the memory 130 are stopped or kept in a close state. Further, the control unit 101 may also control the RF unit 140 so as to receive intermittently.

  By doing as described above, the imaging with the other camera module 100 ′ can be controlled from the camera module 100 side, and the image data captured with the other camera module 100 ′ is stored on the camera module 100 side. can do.

  Then, the control unit 101 puts each unit of the camera module 100 in the sleep state when the activation request command from the camera module 100 ′ or the external device is not received via the antenna 150 and the RF unit 140. .

  When the camera module 100 receives an activation request command from an external device via the antenna 150 and the RF unit 140, the control unit 101 activates the camera unit 120 and each unit and is necessary. Execute control.

  Furthermore, it is assumed that the camera module 100 receives a data request command from an external device via the antenna 150 and the RF unit 140. In this case, it is assumed that the command requests image data stored in the memory 130 without imaging.

  Here, the control unit 101 transmits a data transmission start message from the RF unit 140 and the antenna 150 to the external device. Thereafter, image data (image data captured by the camera module 100 ′) stored in the memory 130 is transmitted from the RF unit 140 and the antenna 150 to the external device. Further, when the transmission of the image data is completed, the control unit 101 transmits a data end message from the RF unit 140 and the antenna 150 to the external device. Then, when the transmission of the image data to the external device is completed, the control unit 101 puts each unit of the camera module 100 into a sleep state.

  As described above, since the control unit 101 (101 ′) controls each process of receiving the activation command from the partner camera module, storing the image data in the memory, and transmitting the stored image data, the communication is performed. It is possible to realize a camera module that takes into consideration operations linked to each other while considering control linked to the apparatus.

  In addition, each process such as start (activation) and stop (sleep) of the imaging operation in the camera unit 120 (120 ′) is controlled as necessary in cooperation with the camera module 100 (100 ′). The operation of the camera unit 120 (120 ′) without waste is realized as needed, and imaging and image data can be captured as needed without waste in a state in which control in cooperation with a communication apparatus and control in cooperation with camera modules are considered. A camera module that can send and receive can be realized.

  A camera that can perform comprehensive operations in cooperation with various peripheral devices by transmitting image data accompanied by image data transfer in cooperation with external devices as well as camera modules. Modules can be realized.

<Fourth operation example>
Even when multiple camera modules are arranged, even when the radio waves of each camera module are weak, using the multi-stage relay format for data transfer between camera modules as described above, Image data can be transferred to a certain camera module. As a result, it is possible to transfer image data captured by the camera module at a position away from the external device to the external device.

  In this case, an ID is assigned to each camera module, and an image data read command is given from the external device by designating the ID. In this case, the command is transmitted to the desired camera module via the plurality of camera modules in the above-described multi-stage relay format, and the read image data is also transmitted to the external device via the plurality of camera modules. The

  Further, when such an operation is performed, as long as the problem of power supply is solved for each camera module, image data and commands are transmitted in a relay format by wireless communication. For this reason, it becomes possible to arrange | position a camera module freely in the indoor or outdoor desired position. In this case, the entire system can be transmitted over a long distance by considering the distance between the camera modules so that commands and image data can be transmitted in a relay format.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. The electrical configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that in FIG. In the second embodiment, it is only necessary that at least the image data obtained by the camera unit 120 can be transmitted, and it may not be received.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the solid-state imaging device 1240 horizontally transfers charges transferred from the vertical transfer paths 1240v1 to 1240v4 that vertically transfer charges obtained by the light receiving unit by imaging. It is configured with a horizontal transfer path 1240h.

  And it has the horizontal antenna 150h arrange | positioned on the board | substrate 100p in the direction parallel to the horizontal transfer path 1240h, and the vertical antenna 150h arrange | positioned on the board | substrate 100p in the direction parallel to the vertical transfer path 1240h. That is, here, the horizontal antenna 150h and the vertical antenna 150v are parallel to the horizontal transfer path 1240h and the vertical transfer path 1240v as described above, and are generally called horizontal / vertical with respect to the ground as a general antenna concept. The meaning is different.

  Here, when the inventor of the present application conducted extensive experiments, when the horizontal antenna 150h is used when the horizontal transfer path 1240h of the solid-state imaging device 1240 is used, the radio wave radiated from the horizontal antenna 150h is transferred horizontally. It has been discovered that noise affects the image by affecting the road 1240h. Similarly, when the vertical antenna 150v is used when the vertical transfer path 1240v of the solid-state imaging device 1240 is used, radio waves radiated from the vertical antenna 150v affect the vertical transfer path 1240v and noise is mixed in the image. It was discovered.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the following operation is performed under the control of the control unit 101. That is, when the transmission of the image data obtained by the previous imaging and the timing of the next imaging overlap, the horizontal antenna 150h and the vertical antenna used for transmission are synchronized with the timing of the vertical transfer and the horizontal transfer. The control unit 101 switches 150v.

  The charges accumulated in the light receiving portion during the charge accumulation period (FIG. 10A, FIG. 11S1) are transferred to the vertical transfer path adjacent to each light receiving portion when the charge accumulation period ends (electronic shutter closed) (FIG. 10B). ), FIG. 11S2).

In the charge accumulation period, either the horizontal antenna 150h or the vertical antenna 150v may be used.
Then, transfer in the vertical direction (vertical transfer) is performed on the vertical transfer path, and the charge for one horizontal line is transferred to the horizontal transfer path 1240h (FIG. 10C, FIG. 11S3). At the time of this vertical transfer, the horizontal antenna 150h is used under the control of the control unit 101.

  Then, the charges for one horizontal line on the horizontal transfer path 1240h are horizontally transferred and read out (FIG. 10 (d), FIG. 11S4). During the horizontal transfer, the vertical antenna 150v is used under the control of the control unit 101.

  Further, transfer is performed in the vertical direction (vertical transfer) through the vertical transfer path, and the charge for one horizontal line is transferred to the horizontal transfer path 1240h (FIG. 10 (e), FIG. 11S3). At the time of this vertical transfer, the horizontal antenna 150h is used under the control of the control unit 101.

  Then, the charges for one horizontal line on the horizontal transfer path 1240h are horizontally transferred and read (FIG. 10 (f)). During the horizontal transfer, the vertical antenna 150v is used under the control of the control unit 101.

  Thereafter, the vertical transfer and horizontal transfer are repeated to read out the charges of all the light receiving portions (N and S2 in FIG. 11 S5). If the next imaging is performed (Y in FIG. 11 S6), the above charge accumulation (S1 in FIG. 11) is repeated.

  As described above, when the transmission of image data overlaps with the timing of the next imaging, the control unit 101 switches to use the horizontal antenna 150h for vertical transfer and to use the vertical antenna 150v for horizontal transfer. Therefore, even if image data transmission and imaging are executed in parallel, the direction of charge transfer and the direction of the antenna are orthogonal to each other, making it difficult for electromagnetic coupling to occur, and adverse effects such as noise mixing do not occur.

  Note that the horizontal antenna 150h and the vertical antenna 150v cannot be arranged because of the component arrangement on the board 100p, and it is possible that only one of the antennas can be arranged. In that case, considering that there are a plurality of vertical transfer paths 1240v but only one horizontal transfer path 1240h, it is desirable to arrange only the horizontal antenna 150h as far as possible from the horizontal transfer path 1240h. .

  In the above description, the interline CCD has been described as a specific example of the solid-state imaging device. However, the same control is performed on various solid-state imaging devices that perform vertical transfer and horizontal transfer. The result can be obtained.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic overall configuration of a camera module 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of RF part of the camera module 100 of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the signal processing part which is the principal part of the camera module 100 of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance at the time of use of the camera module 100 of 1st Embodiment of this invention with a perspective view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance at the time of use of the camera module 100 of 1st Embodiment of this invention with a perspective view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of communication of the camera module 100 of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of communication of the camera module 100 of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of communication of the camera module 100 of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement state of the solid-state image sensor and antenna of the camera module 100 of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of the solid-state image sensor of the camera module 100 of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera module 100 of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Camera module 101 Control part 110 Power supply part 120 Camera part 130 Memory 140 RF part 150 Antenna

Claims (3)

A camera unit that has an image sensor that repeatedly reads out the charge generated in the light receiving unit by performing vertical transfer and horizontal transfer, and performs signal processing on the image information obtained by the image sensor by the signal processing unit, and outputs the image data;
A memory for storing image data from the camera unit or external image data;
A high-frequency unit that transmits data by wireless communication; and
A control unit that performs control of imaging in the camera unit and control of transmitting the image data stored in the memory via the high-frequency unit;
On the substrate on which the imaging element is arranged a horizontal antenna disposed in parallel to the horizontal transfer unit of the image sensor;
On the substrate, has a vertical antenna disposed to be parallel to the vertical transfer unit of the image pickup device,
Wherein, when the transmission of the image data and the imaging timing are overlapped, during vertical transfer using the horizontal antenna, that during horizontal transfer transfer performs control switching so as to use the vertical antenna A featured camera module. An antenna is further provided on the lens barrel that holds the lens of the camera unit.
The camera module according to claim 1. Two additional antennas are provided on a lens barrel that holds the lens of the camera unit.
The camera module according to claim 1.

Images