Received information transferring apparatus, receiving apparatus and received information transferring system

In order to maintain stability when connected, a cradle 27 includes an engagement part 33 for engaging with regard to a unit connection part which allows an antenna unit having at least a receiving antenna to be detachably connected to a receiving unit constituting a receiving apparatus together with the antenna unit; and a connecting terminal 31 provided so as to be communicably connected to a connector provided to the receiving unit only when the unit connection part and the engagement part are in engaged state.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §§371 national phase conversion of PCT/JP2006/317867, filed 8 Sep. 2006, which claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-263114 filed 9 Sep. 2005, which is herein, incorporated by reference. The PCT Application was published in the Japanese Language.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a received information transferring apparatus, a receiving apparatus and a received information transferring system, and more particularly to a received information transferring apparatus capable of maintaining a received information transferring apparatus stably under connected state and a receiving apparatus connected to the received information transferring apparatus and a received information transferring system including the received information transferring apparatus and receiving apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, capsule endoscopes (swallowable endoscopes in pill shape for medical use) which can be introduced from the mouth into body cavity and are designed to acquire information in the living body cavity through imaging or the like inside of digestive organs such as stomach or the like have been developed. As capsule endoscope of this sort, those incorporating in a capsule an illuminating unit composed of LED or the like, a solid-state imaging element composed of CCD, CMOS or the like, a transmitter for transmitting to the outside image data obtained by the solid-state imaging element, and a power supply unit composed of a battery or the like for driving these illuminating unit, solid-state imaging element and transmitter have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

When performing clinical examination using a capsule endoscope, electric wave transmitted by a capsule swallowed by a subject is caught by receiving antennae pasted at more than one portion, for example, eight portions, on the surface of the subject body, data thus caught are sent to a receiving apparatus via antenna cable, and is recorded by the receiving apparatus into CF memory or the like. Although it takes, for example, 8 to 10 hours until the clinical examination is completed, the subject is able to continue normal life while equipped with the receiving antennae and receiving apparatus. Upon completion of measurements by the capsule endoscope, the subject submits the receiving apparatus or the like to the hospital, hospital side then plugs the receiving apparatus into a cradle, and all measurement data recorded in the receiving apparatus are taken in a workstation which is connected to the cradle via USB cable. Following this, measurement results are observed as moving images on the workstation.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

However, there is such a problem that if a receiving apparatus is plugged into a cradle while receiving antennae are connected, the cradle becomes unstable and the receiving apparatus is disengaged from the cradle while recorded measurement data are taken from the receiving apparatus to the workstation.

The present invention has been developed in view of the foregoing, and an object of the present invention is to provide a received information transferring apparatus, a receiving apparatus and a received information transferring system which are stable under connected state.

Means for Solving Problem

A received information transferring apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an engagement part for engaging with regard to a unit connection part which allows an antenna unit having at least a receiving antenna to be detachably connected to a receiving unit constituting a receiving apparatus together with the antenna unit; and a communication connector that is provided so as to be communicably connected to a connector provided to the receiving unit only when the unit connection part and the engagement part are in an engaged state.

In the received information transferring apparatus the engagement part may be formed so as to be protruding to a portion where the antenna unit is mounted to the receiving unit, when the receiving unit is mounted to the received information transferring apparatus.

In the received information transferring apparatus, the engagement part is may be formed such that a length from a lower end of the receiving unit to an upper end of the engagement part, in a state where the receiving unit is mounted to the received information transferring apparatus, becomes longer than a length from the lower end of the receiving unit to a lower end of a convex part provided to the antenna unit, in a state where the antenna unit is mounted to the receiving unit, and when it is attempted to electrically connect the receiving apparatus, in the state where the antenna unit is mounted to the receiving unit, the upper end of the engagement part and the lower end of the convex part may interfere with each other.

A receiving apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an antenna unit to which a receiving antenna is connected and that executes a receiving processing of a radio signal received by the receiving antenna; and a receiving unit to which the antenna unit is detachably mounted and that executes various processings based on a received signal received by the antenna unit. In the receiving apparatus, the receiving unit can be electrically connected to a received information transferring apparatus via a connector of the receiving unit and a communication connector of the received information transferring apparatus, a convex part is provided to the antenna unit, the convex part is formed such that a length from a lower end of the receiving unit to a lower end of the convex part, in a state where the antenna unit is mounted to the receiving unit, is shorter than a length from the lower end of the receiving unit to an upper end of an engagement part provided on the received information transferring apparatus, in a state where the receiving unit is mounted to the received information transferring apparatus, and when it is attempted to electrically connect to the received information transferring apparatus, in the state where the antenna unit is mounted to the receiving unit, the upper end of the engagement part and the lower end of the convex part interfere with each other.

A received information transferring system according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a receiving apparatus having an antenna unit to which a receiving antenna is connected and which executes a receiving processing of a radio signal received by the receiving antenna and a receiving unit to which the antenna unit is detachably connected and which executes various processings based on a received signal received by the antenna unit; and a received information transferring apparatus that can be electrically connected to the receiving unit via a connector of the receiving unit and a communication connector of the received information transferring apparatus. In the received information transferring system, a convex part is provided to the antenna unit and an engagement part is provided to the receiving unit, the convex part and the engagement part are formed such that a length from a lower end of the receiving unit to an upper end of the engagement part, in a state where the receiving unit is mounted to the received information transferring apparatus, is longer than a length from the lower end of the receiving unit to a lower end of the convex part, in a state where the antenna unit is mounted to the receiving unit, and when it is attempted to electrically connect the receiving apparatus to the received information transferring apparatus, in the state where the antenna unit is mounted to the receiving unit, the upper end of the engagement part and the lower end of the convex part interfere with each other.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

In the received information transferring apparatus, receiving apparatus and received information transferring system according to the present invention, since a communication connector can be communicably connected to a connector provided to the receiving unit only when an engagement part for engaging with regard to a unit connection part which allows an antenna unit having at least a receiving antenna to be detachably connected to a receiving unit constituting a receiving apparatus together with the antenna unit is in engaged state with the unit connection part, it is possible to stabilize the received information transferring apparatus in connected state.

EXPLANATIONS OF LETTERS OR NUMERALS

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the received information transferring apparatus (cradle), receiving apparatus, and received information transferring system (cradle system) of the present invention will be explained hereafter. In the embodiments shown below, an example where the cradle, receiving apparatus, and cradle system of the present invention are applied to the capsule endoscope system is shown. However, the present invention is in no way restricted by such specific embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a drawing showing an example of a whole composition of the capsule endoscope system including the cradle according to a first embodiment, andFIG. 2is a perspective view showing the receiving antenna and receiving apparatus. A capsule endoscope system1primarily includes a capsule endoscope2; receiving antennae12ato12hhaving loop antenna structure directly mounted by adhesion or the like to predetermined sites on the surface of a subject3; a receiving apparatus6as a portable clinical equipment which is electrically connected to these receiving antennae12ato12hby a cable5and records results of detection; and a workstation8provided at other than the subject3.

It is possible for the subject3to swallow the capsule endoscope2which incorporates an imaging device; an illuminating device; a signal processor; a transmitter; and a power supply or the like (not shown). This capsule endoscope2swallowed by the subject3is introduced in the body cavity, takes images of imaging sites illuminated by the illuminating device such as LED or the like by the imaging device such as CCD, CMOS or the like to acquire pictorial images in the body cavity while it is moving in the body cavity lumen, converts the image data to a predetermined signal by the signal processor, and transmits the signal by the transmitter towards the receiving antennae12ato12hwirelessly.

Further, the receiving antennae12ato12hare to detect a signal of image data transmission output wirelessly from the transmitter in the capsule endoscope2as a predetermined electrical displacement, and are constituted by a plurality of loop antennae (eight in this example). Each of the antennae12ato12his pasted directly or put into a bag or the like to the predetermined sites for example, right and left flank of abdomen of the subject3, around epigastric fossa, right and left seventh rib, right and left hypogastric region or the like, using adhesive tape or the like.

Eight cables5extending from these receiving antennae12ato12hare constituted by cables with good shielding performance, for example, coaxial cables. The length of these cables5each is determined in advance for each of corresponding receiving antennae12ato12haccording to their positions on the body surface. Further, these cables5are aligned by a plurality of bundling members13so that eight cables may be lined up on the same plane on the way, as shown inFIG. 2, and are pulled into an antenna unit6bto be electrically connected to a receiving unit6aof the receiving apparatus6. Further, cables5are designed to be detachable from the antenna unit6b.

The receiving apparatus6includes the receiving unit6aand the antenna unit6b, and these are designed to be detachably attached. As shown inFIG. 2, the receiving unit6aincludes a liquid crystal display unit16; an antenna unit mounting part17, a viewer cable connector18, a connector19for connection with a cradle27which will be described later, or the like. Inside the receiving unit6a, a circuit member including CF memory for recording image data transmitted via the cable5is mounted on a substrate, and a battery pack with a capacity capable of coping with clinical examination continued for lengthy time as long as 8 to 10 hours is loaded in a battery chamber (not shown). In addition to recording of the image data, the receiving unit6aexecutes various processings on signals received by the receiving antennae12ato12h. The antenna unit mounting part17has such a composition that an internal circuit of the receiving unit6aand the receiving antennae12ato12hare electrically connected, while the antenna unit6b, which has removably attached connector construction, is inserted. Numeral20denotes an eject button for removing the antenna6b.

The viewer cable connector18is provided at side face of one side of the receiving unit6a. The composition is such that if one connector21aof the viewer cable21is attached to the viewer cable connector18and the other connector21bto the viewer22, images during clinical examination recorded by the receiving unit6acan be checked by the viewer22as needed.

Besides, the workstation8primarily has personal computers or the like installed in a hospital, and includes a display device24, a printer25, a keyboard26or the like, and further includes the cradle27for taking image data recorded in CF memory in the receiving unit6acollectively into a workstation main body23, and a cradle cable28such as USB cable or the like. When the receiving unit6ais inserted into the cradle27and is put into a state where it is electrically connected via the connector19, the workstation main body23takes all image data recorded in CF memory in the receiving unit6acollectively into the workstation main body23.

Next, the cradle27according to the first embodiment will be explained.FIG. 3is a perspective view of the cradle27according to the first embodiment, andFIG. 4is a side elevation view of the cradle27according to the first embodiment. The cradle27according to the first embodiment is of stationary type and includes a concave part30at center portion thereof for placing the receiving unit6aof the receiving apparatus6, a connecting terminal31provided at bottom of the concave part30, a backrest32for preventing falling of the receiving unit6awhen the receiving unit6ais placed, and a protruding portion33provided at front edge of the backrest32.

Now, a method for connecting the receiving unit6ato the cradle27will be explained hereafter.FIG. 5is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the receiving unit6ais connected to the cradle27. First, the antenna unit6bis removed from the receiving unit6aof the receiving apparatus6to obtain such a state that receiving antennae12ato12hand the receiving unit6aare electrically separated. Lower end side (connector19side) of the receiving unit6a, which is now in such a state that the antenna unit6bis removed, is then inserted into the concave part30. This manipulation allows for engagement of the connector19of the receiving unit6aand the connecting terminal31of the cradle27, and the receiving unit6aand the cradle27are electrically connected.

In a state where the receiving unit6ais inserted into the concave part30of the cradle27, and the receiving unit6aand the cradle27are electrically connected, the protruding portion33is protruding to a portion where the antenna unit6ais mounted to the receiving unit6a, as shown inFIG. 5.

Therefore, when it is attempted to connect the receiving apparatus6to the cradle27while the antenna unit6bis mounted to the receiving unit6a, as shown inFIG. 6, the receiving apparatus6can not be inserted completely into the concave part30, and the connector19is not engaged with the connecting terminal31. This means that in a state where the antenna unit6bis mounted to the receiving unit6a, the receiving apparatus6and the cradle27are not electrically connected.

Since the cradle27according to the first embodiment has the protruding portion33for preventing the receiving apparatus6from being electrically connected, in a state where the antenna unit6bis mounted to the receiving unit6a, it is possible to prevent the receiving apparatus6from being connected to the cradle27while the receiving antennae12ato12hare connected, thereby maintaining the cradle stably in the connected state.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be explained. Compared with the cradle27according to the first embodiment, a cradle37according to the second embodiment has no backrest32, and shapes of the protruding portion33and protruding portion43are different. Further, constitution of the receiving apparatus6or the like are same as those according to the first embodiment, and therefore, like components are identified by the same reference numerals for explanation.

FIG. 7is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the receiving unit6ais connected to the cradle37. The cradle37according to the second embodiment has no backrest32, and the protruding portion43is in a state protruding upwardly from rear side of the cradle37. As with the first embodiment, when lower end side (connector19side) of the receiving unit6a, from which the antenna unit6bis removed, is inserted into the concave part30, the connector19of the receiving unit6aand the connecting terminal31of the cradle37are engaged, thereby electrically connecting the receiving unit6aand the cradle37.

In a state where the receiving unit6ais inserted into the concave part30of the cradle37, and the receiving unit6aand the cradle37are electrically connected, the protruding portion43is, as shown inFIG. 7, protruding to a portion where the antenna unit6bis mounted to the receiving unit6a.

Further, when it is attempted to connect the receiving apparatus6to the cradle37while the antenna unit6bis mounted to the receiving unit6a, as shown inFIG. 8, as with the first embodiment, the receiving apparatus6can not be inserted completely into the concave part30, and the connector19is not engaged with the connecting terminal31. This means that in a state where the antenna unit6bis mounted to the receiving unit6a, the receiving apparatus6and the cradle37are not electrically connected.

Since the cradle37according to the second embodiment has the protruding portion43for preventing the receiving apparatus6from being electrically connected, in a state where the antenna unit6bis mounted to the receiving unit6a, it is possible to prevent the receiving apparatus6from being connected to the cradle27while the receiving antennae12ato12hare connected, thereby maintaining the cradle stably in the connected state in similar fashion as the first embodiment. Meanwhile, position, shape or the like of protruding portion to be provided to the cradle are not limited to above-mentioned ones as long as the receiving apparatus6is prevented from being electrically connected to the cradle in a state where the antenna unit6bis mounted to the receiving unit6a.

Third Embodiment

Next, a cradle, receiving apparatus and cradle system including this cradle and receiving apparatus according to a third embodiment will be explained. Meanwhile, components similar to those of the first embodiment are identified by the same reference numerals for explanation.FIG. 9is a perspective view showing the receiving apparatus46according to the third embodiment. Although a receiving unit46aof the receiving apparatus46is similar to the receiving unit6aaccording to the first embodiment, an antenna unit46bhas a convex part50at both side faces, respectively.

FIG. 10is a front view showing a state when the receiving apparatus46is about to be connected to a cradle57according to the third embodiment under a state where the antenna unit46bis mounted to the receiving unit46a. The cradle57according to the third embodiment has two protruding portions63at both ends, and a concave part60is formed therebetween. In a state where the antenna unit46bis removed, the receiving unit46ais inserted into the concave part60to height A to be electrically connected with the cradle57. On this occasion, the connector19of the receiving unit46aand a connecting terminal61of the cradle57are engaged. In the meantime, breadth of the receiving unit46aand antenna unit46b(excluding convex part50) according to the third embodiment, and breadth of the concave part60are set to be nearly identical.

The receiving unit46aand antenna unit46baccording to the embodiment are formed such that length L1from lower end of the receiving unit46a(height A) to upper end of a protruding portion63(height B), in a state where the receiving unit46ais mounted to the cradle57, is longer than length L2from lower end of the receiving unit46a(height C) to lower end of the convex part50(height C), in a state where the antenna unit46bis mounted to the receiving unit46a. For this reason, when it is attempted to connect the receiving apparatus46to the cradle57while the antenna unit46bis mounted to the receiving unit46a, upper end of the protruding portion63and lower end of the convex part50interfere with each other.

Accordingly, when it is attempted to connect the receiving apparatus46to the cradle57while the antenna unit46bis mounted to the receiving unit46a, as shown inFIG. 10, as with the first embodiment, the receiving apparatus46can not be inserted completely into the concave part60, and the connector19is not engaged with the connecting terminal61. This means that in a state where the antenna unit46bis mounted to the receiving unit46a, the receiving apparatus46and the cradle57are not electrically connected.

With the cradle system according to the third embodiment, the antenna unit46bhas the convex part50, and when it is attempted to connect the receiving apparatus46to the cradle57while the antenna unit46bis mounted to the receiving unit46a, upper end of the protruding portion63and lower end of the convex part50interfere with each other, and therefore, as with the first embodiment, it is possible to maintain stability of the cradle in connected state. Meanwhile, position, shape or the like of the convex part50and protruding portion63are not limited to those exemplified in the third embodiment. For example, the convex part50may be integrated to rear side of the antenna unit or the protruding portion63may be integrated to rear side of the cradle57.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As mentioned above, the received information transferring apparatus, receiving apparatus and received information transferring system according to the present invention are useful for received information transferring apparatus, receiving apparatus and received information transferring system where connected state is maintained in stable fashion, and is particularly suited for received information transferring apparatus, receiving apparatus and received information transferring system in capsule endoscope system in which information transmitted from capsule endoscope is processed.