JP2005167366A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment with a communication function and a photographing function, in which the communication function can be improve together with holding performance and operability. <P>SOLUTION: An opening 4 to penetrate a body front face 2 and a body rear face 3 is provided to a digital still camera 1, and a wireless communication section 23 and an antenna 24 are provided to a small volume part of the main body of the camera 1 partitioned by the opening 4. Further, a shutter button 21 is located to an upper side of the camera at a position providing ease of operation of the shutter button 21 when a user puts its hand into the opening 4 to hold the camera 1 as shown in Figure. Through the arrangement, the holding performance and the operability can be enhanced, and the wireless communication section 23 and the antenna 24 are not covered by the hand to reduce a change in the antenna characteristic (frequency characteristic) at wireless communication and the affect such as power attenuation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device having a photographing function and a communication function.

In recent years, portable electronic devices having an imaging device such as a camera have become widespread. Such a portable electronic device has been reduced in size year by year, and has a thin flat rectangular shape, which has improved portability and hold performance and has improved operability.

In addition, because of the emphasis on design, it has a shape with few irregularities, and when it is held, it is easy to slip, and there is a risk of dropping the portable electronic device. As a measure against such an erroneous drop, a method of preventing the fall by attaching one end of an annular string to the main body of the portable electronic device and passing the annular portion through the arm is employed.

In addition, as another erroneous drop prevention technique, a technique is known in which a hole into which a circular finger penetrating from the key operation unit to the back surface of a mobile phone can be inserted is provided (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-18373

In the above-described prior art, a troublesome act of passing an annular string through an arm is necessary, and there are cases where the annular string is caught and an electronic device is dropped.

Moreover, in above-mentioned patent document 1, it is fall prevention and the consideration in terms of operativity is not made | formed. In general, it should be considered that the mobile phone is operated with one hand, but there is a problem that the buttons that can be pressed are limited when a finger is inserted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device having a communication function and a photographing function, which can improve the hold functionality and operability as well as the communication functionality.

To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an annular outer wall connecting a front surface having a first opening edge, a rear surface having a second opening edge, and an outer periphery of the front surface and an outer periphery of the back surface. A main body composed of an annular inner wall that connects the first opening edge and the second opening edge, a front surface, a back surface, an outer wall, and an inner wall, an imaging unit provided on the front surface, and a main body. And a wireless communication unit capable of transmitting data captured by the imaging unit.

With such a configuration, in an electronic apparatus having a communication function and a photographing function, it is possible to provide an electronic apparatus that can improve the hold functionality and operability as well as the communication functionality.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the main body and the concave portion are provided, and the concave portion is slid between a first position where the concave portion is in contact with the end portion of the main body and a second position where the concave portion is not in contact with the end portion of the main body. A sliding unit that can be connected to the main body, an imaging unit provided in the main unit, and a wireless communication unit that is provided in the sliding unit and can transmit data captured by the imaging unit. .

With such a configuration, in an electronic apparatus having a communication function and a photographing function, it is possible to provide an electronic apparatus that can improve the hold functionality and operability as well as the communication functionality.

In the invention according to claim 7, the front surface having the first opening edge, the back surface having the second opening edge, the annular outer wall connecting the outer periphery of the front surface and the outer periphery of the back surface, and the first opening edge An annular inner wall that connects the first opening edge and the second opening edge, a first operating portion that is provided on the inner wall and is movable between the first position and the second position, and is provided on the front surface. And a second operation unit operable when the operation unit is at the first position.

With such a configuration, in an electronic apparatus having a communication function and a photographing function, it is possible to provide an electronic apparatus that can improve the hold functionality and operability as well as the communication functionality.

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in an electronic device having a communication function and a photographing function, it is possible to provide an electronic device that can improve the communication functionality as well as the hold property and the operability.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera) 1 will be described as an example of a communication device with a photographing function. The camera 1 is provided with an opening 4 so as to penetrate the main body front surface 2 and the main body rear surface 3.

The opening 4 is provided at a position that is not disposed on a center line (indicated by a one-dot chain line) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the front surface 2 of the main body. In the present embodiment, the lens of the camera is located substantially at the center, and the opening 4 is provided at a position away from this center.

In the present embodiment, the opening 4 is provided with a vertical length large enough to accommodate one or more fingers of the user (a width of about 3 cm or more). It may be provided. However, in this embodiment, only the case where one opening is provided will be described.

In this embodiment, the main body of the camera 1 divided by the opening 4 is referred to as a first main body portion 5 having a larger volume, and the second main body portion 6 is referred to as having a smaller volume. . In the present embodiment, the first main body unit 5 generally stores functional components related to photographing as the camera 1, and the second main body unit 6 stores functions related to communication functions.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a hardware block diagram of the electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the camera 1 includes an imaging lens 11 that captures an optical image of a subject. The optical image input through the imaging lens 11 is formed on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 12 and subjected to photoelectric conversion.

The analog signal output from the CCD 12 is supplied to an A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion circuit 13, converted into digital image data (hereinafter referred to as image data), and then supplied to the CCD signal processing circuit 14. .

The CCD signal processing circuit 14 performs predetermined signal processing on the input image data, thereby converting the image data into a luminance signal component and a color difference signal component.

Digital image data of luminance signal components and color difference signal components obtained from the CCD signal processing circuit 14 is written into the work memory 16 via the memory controller 15.

The image data output from the CCD signal processing circuit 14 is supplied to the image compression / decompression processing circuit 17 via the memory controller 15 and can be subjected to predetermined compression processing.

The image data subjected to the compression / decompression processing by the image compression / decompression processing circuit 17 is temporarily recorded in the work memory 16 via the memory controller 15. Thereafter, the image data read from the work memory 16 is guided to the memory card slot 19 via the memory controller 15 and the CPU 18 and recorded on the memory card 20 detachably connected to the memory card slot 19.

A series of processing operations as described above are centrally controlled by the CPU 18 that operates in response to operation information from the operation unit 21 including the shutter button.

Further, the camera 1 is provided with a display unit 21 and can display image data held in the video memory 22. The camera 1 has a battery (not shown) and is operated by supplying power from the battery.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the camera 1 includes a wireless communication unit 23 connected to the CPU 18 and an antenna 24 serving as a communication interface with a wireless communication device.

The wireless communication unit 23 is connected to the CPU 18 and is switched between power supply and a state where the wireless communication function can be used and a state where the wireless communication function cannot be used. The wireless communication unit 23 uses, for example, a wireless communication system such as 802.11b, 802.11a, or 802.11g formulated by the IEEE 802.11 working group, or a wireless communication system such as Bluetooth (TM). Under the control of the CPU 18, communication with an external wireless communication device is established, or an image data recording request signal is transmitted to the external wireless communication device. The wireless communication unit 23 can transmit image data stored in the memory card 20 via the antenna 24 and receive data from an external device.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 23 and the antenna 24 are provided in the second main body unit 6, and other hardware is provided in the first main body unit 5. However, the operation unit 21 may be provided in either the first main body 5 or the second main body 6, or may be provided in both the first main body 5 and the second main body 6. good.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The camera 1 includes a wireless communication unit 23 and an antenna 24 in the second main body unit 6 as illustrated. When the user operates the camera 1, the camera 1 is held in the form shown by the broken line A in the figure. Thus, the wireless communication unit 23 and the antenna 24 are not covered with the user's hand. A shutter button 21 is disposed on the upper surface of the camera, and is provided at a position where the user can easily operate the shutter switch 21 with the thumb when the user holds the camera 1 by putting his hand in the opening 4 as shown in the figure.

By adopting such an arrangement, the wireless communication unit 23 and the antenna 24 are not covered with hands, and the antenna characteristics (frequency characteristics) change during wireless communication, and there is little influence such as power attenuation. Become. Thus, in the present embodiment, the performance of the wireless communication device is hardly deteriorated and the hold performance can be improved.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a modification of the first embodiment. In this modified example, the position of the shutter button 25 is provided on the front surface 2 of the main body so that it can be touched with any finger when the user inserts his / her hand into the opening 4.

As described above, according to the first embodiment and the modification, it is possible to improve the hold performance and improve the operability by arranging the switches with high operation frequency in the vicinity of the opening 4. .

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, a slide portion 33 is provided on the first main body portion 5 of the camera 1, and a slide portion 31 formed in a U-shape so as to be slidable is provided on the slide portion 33. . Any connection form may be used as long as the slide part 33 and the slide part 31 are slidable connections. This example will be described later with reference to FIG.

The sliding part 31 is in contact with the first main body part 5 as shown in FIG. When the sliding portion 31 is slid in the direction of the arrow L, an opening 32 is formed by the sliding portion 31 and the first main body as shown in FIG. The shutter button 21 is disposed on the upper surface of the first main body 5, and the distance from the left end of the camera 1 to the shutter button 21 in the state of FIG. 5A and the state of FIG. The distance from the section 32 to the shutter button 22 is provided so as not to change significantly.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view along the line XX.

As shown in FIG. 6, the slide portion 33 and the slide portion 31 are engaged with each other in a concavo-convex shape so as to be slidable from the front to the back with respect to the drawing. Since it is such a structure, the slide part 33 and the sliding part 31 become a structure which does not remove | deviate easily except a sliding direction. With such a sliding mechanism, when carrying or shooting, the sliding portion 31 is slid so as to form the opening 32, and the holdability of the camera 1 is improved. When carrying in a bag or the like, a compact shape as shown in FIG. 5 (a) is obtained by sliding it toward the first main body 5 side.

In addition, in the second embodiment, in addition to the case of taking a picture with the camera 1, it is also possible to carry the sliding portion 31 as a handle when carrying it.

The wireless communication unit 23 and the antenna 24 may be provided on the sliding part 31 or may be provided on the first main body part 5. When providing in the sliding part 31, it is possible to make a hole in the 1st main-body part 5 and the sliding part 31, and let the coaxial cable connected with CPU18 pass through this hole.

As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to improve the hold performance and improve the operability by arranging switches with high operation frequency in the vicinity of the opening 32.

Subsequently, a third embodiment will be described.

Components having the same configuration as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

In the third embodiment, a button 42 is provided on the side wall of the opening 4 on the first main body 5 side, and an operation mode selection dial / shutter button (hereinafter referred to as a dial button) is further provided on the front surface 2 of the first main body. 43 is provided. The dial button 42 can be rotated to select a shooting mode, a playback mode, and the like, and has a function as a shutter button when pressed to the camera 1 side in the shooting mode. However, the dial button 43 is held in a pressable state only when the button 42 is pressed. The state where the button 42 is pressed is a case where the user inserts a finger into the opening 4 and holds the camera 1. At this time, the button 42 is pressed by the user's hand. Therefore, when the user inserts a finger into the opening and holds the camera 1, the dial button 43 can also be pressed. This prevents the dial button 43 from being easily pressed or erroneously operated.

Subsequently, the hold mechanism of the dial button 43 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views taken along line YY.

FIG. 8A shows a cross-sectional view seen from above along the Y-Y line when the button 42 is not pressed, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view seen from the Z direction of FIG. 8A. The figure is shown.

A system stop plate 45 is connected to the button 42 via a connection portion 46, and the dial switch is stopped inside the camera 41 so that the dial switch 43 is not pressed when the button 42 is not pressed. The connecting portion 46 is provided so as not to be positioned on the operating position even when the dial switch 43 is pressed. The button 42 is normally urged toward the opening 4 by an elastic member 47. Due to this injustice, the system stop plate 45 prevents the dial switch 43 from being pressed unless the button 42 is pressed.

Further, FIG. 9A shows a cross-sectional view seen from above along the YY line in a state where the button 42 is pressed, and FIG. 9B shows the Z direction of FIG. 9A. FIG.

When the button 42 is pressed, the system stop plate 45 is moved in the direction of the elastic member 47. As a result, the dial button 43 can be pressed, and shooting can be performed by pressing the dial switch 43.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of preventing operation performance and erroneous operation while maintaining hold performance.

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic device that can improve communication functionality as well as holdability and operability in an electronic device having a communication function and a photographing function. In addition to the electronic devices shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a mobile phone with a camera.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

The perspective view of the electronic device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the electronic device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The front view of the electronic device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The front view of the electronic device which concerns on the modification of this embodiment. The front view of the electronic device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing along the XX line concerning 2nd Embodiment. The front view of the electronic device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. (A): Sectional view seen from above along line YY in a state where the button 42 is not pressed. (B): The perspective view seen from the Z direction of (a). (A): Sectional view seen from above along the YY line in a state where the button 42 is pressed. (B): The perspective view seen from the Z direction of (a).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 41 ... Digital still camera, 2 ... Main body front surface, 3 ... Main body rear surface, 4, 32 ... Opening part, 5 ... 1st main body part, 6 ... 2nd main body part, 11 ... Imaging lens, 12 ... CCD, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... A / D conversion circuit, 14 ... CCD signal processing circuit, 21 ... Operation part, 23 ... Wireless communication part, 24 ... Antenna, 25 ... Shutter button, 31 ... Slide part, 33 ... Slide part, 42 ... Button, 43 ... Dial switch, 45 ... System stop plate, 46 ... Connection part, 47 ... Elastic member

Claims (10)

A front surface having a first opening edge;

A back surface having a second opening edge;

An annular outer wall connecting the outer periphery of the front surface and the outer periphery of the back surface;

An annular inner wall connecting the first opening edge and the second opening edge;

A main body composed of the front surface, the back surface, the outer wall, and the inner wall;

An imaging unit provided on the front surface;

A wireless communication unit provided in the main body and capable of transmitting data captured by the imaging unit;

An electronic apparatus comprising:
The electronic device includes a processing circuit that processes data captured by the imaging unit in the main body,

The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is provided opposite to the wireless communication unit with the inner wall interposed therebetween and between the inner wall and the outer wall.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is provided with an operation unit capable of instructing photographing by the imaging unit on the outer wall.
With the body

A recess is provided, and the recess is slidably connected between the first position where the recess contacts the end of the body and the second position where the recess does not contact the end of the body. A sliding part;

An imaging unit provided in the main body;

A wireless communication unit provided in the sliding unit and capable of transmitting data captured by the imaging unit;

An electronic apparatus comprising:
The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the electronic apparatus includes a processing circuit that processes data captured by the imaging unit in the main body.
The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein an operation unit capable of instructing photographing by the imaging unit is provided on the outer surface of the main body.
A front surface having a first opening edge;

A back surface having a second opening edge;

An annular outer wall connecting the outer periphery of the front surface and the outer periphery of the back surface;

An annular inner wall connecting the first opening edge and the second opening edge;

A first operating portion provided on the inner wall and movable between a first position and a second position;

A second operating portion provided on the front surface and operable when the first operating portion is at the first position;

An electronic device comprising:
The electronic device includes a processing circuit that processes data captured by the imaging unit in the main body,

The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is provided opposite to the wireless communication unit with the inner wall interposed therebetween and between the inner wall and the outer wall.
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein an operation unit capable of instructing photographing by the imaging unit is provided on the outer wall.
The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the second operation unit has a disk shape, and an operation mode of the electronic device can be changed by rotating around a center of a circle with respect to the front surface. .

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