Imagine going back to your hotel after a day of shooting photographs, videos, etc, during the day on your vacation, and projecting them on the wall that evening to show your friends. The COOLPIX S1000pj compact digital camera from Nikon Corp of Japan (Fig 1), which will be released in Oct 2009, will enable you to do just that.
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd of Korea and other companies have already released mobile phones with internal projectors, but Nikon claims this is the first camera in the world with one. The company developed its own projector module, with performance equivalent to pico projectors already on the market, to keep camera size about the same as the prior model. In addition to reviewing internal component layout and other points, Nikon also took careful measures to ensure the product can handle excess heat.
The liquid crystal display (LCD) screens in most digital cameras are, at best, about 3-inch size, which means that only a maximum of two or three people can watch at once. "The projector function is essential" in allowing more people to view the imagery, says Nikon. The company could have implemented the function in larger cameras, such as its single-lens reflex models, but decided to put it in a compact this time to make it possible for as many people as possible to enjoy. "Our goal with this camera was to give people the pleasure of taking pictures, and viewing them, both," explained a source at the firm.
In the S1000pj, the Nikon-developed L-shaped projector module is mounted in the center of the camera body (Fig 2).
The light source is a white light-emitting diode (LED), and the display device a reflective LCD panel. Manufacturing for both is outsourced, with the LED an off-the-shelf item and the LCD panel a custom job.
Nikon engineers made it possible to mount the module in the compact by (1) reviewing the camera's internal structure, (2) applying thorough heat control measures, and (3) miniaturizing the projector module, among other things.
The positioning and layout of components in the camera, including optical components (1), was optimized to increase the layout density and free up volume to mount the module. The module itself was made L-shaped so it could be fitted into the projection lens barrier mechanism.
Thorough heat control measures (2) were needed because of the high thermal output from the white LED area. In addition, the higher component mounting density increased thermal trapping inside the camera, but mounting a cooling fan was considered out of the question.
Nikkei Electronics Asia magazine is available each month free of charge to engineers, managers and other qualified readers.
Nikkei Electronics |
Nikkei Monozukuri |
Nikkei Microdevices |
Nikkei Automotive Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The magazine for electronics designers and managers. | Design You Won't Regret - How to Reduce the Risk of Accidents | The most comprehensive technical journal for makers and users of LSIs and LCDs. | The comprehensive automotive technology magazine. |
Copyright © 1995-2009 Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
All editorial content and graphics on this Web site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the copyright owner.
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009