# US 2023/0266641 A1 · Waterproof camera system

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- Number: US 2023/0266641 A1
- Document ID: US20230266641A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/164,771
- Filed: 2023-02-06
- Published: 2023-08-24
- Earliest claimed: 2022-02-18
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: HIDETOSHI KEI; MASAYOSHI SHIBATA; TAKASHI YOSHIDA
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230266641A1

## CPC

- G03B 17/08: Waterproof bodies or housings
- G03B 17/02: Bodies
- H04N 23/50: Constructional details
- H04N 23/51: Housings
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A waterproof camera system that maintains a wireless connection state with an external device while floating on a water surface includes an image pickup apparatus equipped with a wireless module, a waterproof casing that hermetically stores the image pickup apparatus, and a float attached to the waterproof casing. An antenna unit of the wireless module is arranged at either a position with a height approximately equal to a water surface or a position separated from the water surface in an above water direction in each of a first position where the waterproof camera system floats on the water surface so that the image pickup apparatus can perform underwater image pickup and a second position where the waterproof camera system floats on the water surface so that the image pickup apparatus can perform above water image pickup.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A waterproof camera system comprising:
an image pickup apparatus equipped with a wireless module;
a waterproof casing that hermetically stores the image pickup apparatus; and
a float attached to the waterproof casing,
wherein an antenna unit of the wireless module is arranged at either a position with a height approximately equal to a surface of water the waterproof system in located in or a position separated from the water surface in an above water direction in each of a first position where the waterproof camera system floats on the water surface so that the image pickup apparatus can perform underwater image pickup and a second position where the waterproof camera system floats on the water surface so that the image pickup apparatus can perform above water image pickup.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The waterproof camera system according to claim 1, wherein the antenna unit overlaps with the float when viewed in a direction parallel to the water surface in both the first position and the second position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The waterproof camera system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless module has a circuit board in which electronic parts are implemented, and
wherein the antenna unit is integrally provided in the circuit board.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The waterproof camera system according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof casing has a hemispherical part in a portion of the waterproof casing, and
wherein a center of the hemispherical part is located on an image-pickup optical axis line of the image pickup apparatus.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The waterproof camera system according to claim 4, wherein the image pickup apparatus comprises:
a lens unit;
a first housing storing the lens unit; and
a second housing that stores the first housing rotatably around a first axis and is secured to the waterproof casing,
wherein the first housing stores the lens unit rotatably around a second axis that intersects perpendicularly with the first axis, and
wherein the center of the hemispherical part coincides approximately with an intersection of the first axis and the second axis.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The waterproof camera system according to claim 5, wherein the float is shaped to not be included in an image pickup area obtained by rotating the lens unit around the first axis and the second axis, respectively.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The waterproof camera system according to claim 4, wherein the waterproof casing comprises:
a first casing to which the image pickup apparatus is secured; and
a second casing that has the hemispherical part and is secured to the first casing,
wherein the second casing comprises:
a rib; and
a float installation part to which the float is attached,
wherein the float is prevented from separating from the waterproof casing by the rib and the first casing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The waterproof camera system according to claim 1, wherein the position of the water surface falls within the range of the thickness of the float in the first position or the second posture.