Canon patent shows how to implement GPS and other radio devices in metal DSLR bodies

The more a DSLR is build to last, i.e. is made of metal instead of plastic, the more difficult it gets to add radio devices like GPS or WiFi. This is something Canon explained often.

This Canon patent appears to show a solution for the issue. The GPS module is placed on top of the camera body, where usually the pop-up flash is located. That’s where the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II has the GPS device. The patent does not explicitly mention WiFi but I think it is safe to assume the solution described in the patent would work for WiFi too.

It may be that the patent points to something that has to do with the upcoming EOS 5D Mark IV, which, as it was anticipated first on CW, will most likely have GPS and WiFi on board.

• Patent Publication No. 2016-53665
  • Published 2016.4.14
  • Filing date 2014.9.4
• Canon patent
  • Magnesium alloy
  • Providing a GPS module to the finder part
  • To protect the GPS module in the wireless communication lid made of a synthetic resin material
  • The GPS module and the warship portion connected by high thermal conduction efficiency copper foil tape, heat away

[via Egami]