JP2000209533A - Digital image fetching device and its control method and computer readable medium storing program to execute control method of the fetching device via computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow even a person having no expert knowledge on a hardware architecture of a computer such as a personal computer to easily fetch a picture from a digital video camera or the like and to display the picture in response to the processing capability of the personal computer. SOLUTION: The digital image capture device is provided with a 1st input output terminal 6 to which a communication means 9 receiving digital video image data can be connected, with at least one 2nd input output terminal 7 to which a communication means 10 adopting a communication system different from that of the 1st input output terminal 6 can be connected, and also with a communication system conversion means 2b that converts a communication system of the digital video image data into another communication system that is available for transmission of the data from the 2nd input output terminal 7 in the case of outputting the digital video image data received from the 1st input output terminal 6 and from the 2nd input output terminal 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital image capturing device connectable to a computer, a method of controlling the digital image capturing device, and a method of controlling the digital image capturing device for capturing a digital video image into the computer. The present invention relates to a computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital video cameras have become widespread,
By taking in and outputting an image from a digital video camera to a personal computer or the like, an output similar to that of a conventional photograph can be obtained.

[0003] Such a digital video camera is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), an input / output terminal (DV terminal) 25 used for reading (or writing) image data captured by the digital video camera 21 receives a standard (IEEE 1394 standard).
And outputs an input / output signal corresponding to.

[0004] In order to capture image data captured by the digital video camera 21 into a personal computer 23, the image data is converted from the standard (IEEE 1394 standard) to a PCI standard.
For example, a 1394 conversion board 22 for converting to a bus is attached to the personal computer 23 by the user.
By providing the 1394 conversion board 22 inside the personal computer 23 in this manner, image data can be taken into the personal computer 23 from the DV terminal 26 provided on the 1394 conversion board 22.

[0005]

However, as described above, the personal computer 23 has a 1394 conversion board.
In order for the user to attach the 22, it is necessary to have appropriate knowledge of the hardware structure of the personal computer 23, so that there is a problem that it is difficult to use it for beginners and ordinary homes.

There is also a problem that a high-speed processing capability is required on the personal computer side in order to display all images transmitted from the digital video camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. Even if a digital video camera or the like does not have any specialized knowledge regarding the hardware structure of a computer such as a personal computer, the present invention is not limited thereto. A digital image capturing apparatus capable of easily capturing an image and displaying an image in accordance with the processing capability of a personal computer, a method of controlling the digital image capturing apparatus, and a method of controlling the digital image capturing apparatus. It is an object to provide a computer-readable medium on which a program for recording is recorded.

[0008]

A feature of the digital image capturing apparatus according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is that a communication means 9 for inputting digital video image data is provided. Connectable first input / output terminal 6
Communication means of a communication system different from the first input / output terminal 6
And at least one second input / output terminal 7 to which the digital video image data input from the first input / output terminal 6 can be connected. The point is that a communication system conversion means 2b for converting the communication system into a communication system that can be transmitted from the input / output terminal 7 is provided. As described above, when the digital video image data input from the first input / output terminal 6 is output from the second input / output terminal 7 to the digital image capturing device, a communication system that can be transmitted from the second input / output terminal 7 If the communication system conversion means 2b is provided, for example, when a digital image capture device is connected to a computer or the like, a board or the like for converting to the same communication system as the first input / output terminal is connected to the computer. No incorporation work is required, so that a device for supplying digital video image data and the computer can be easily connected via the digital image capture device.

Further, in the digital image capturing apparatus according to the present invention, as set forth in claim 2, the communication system conversion means 2b is
It has a discriminating means for discriminating the communication method of the communication means to which the second input / output terminal 7 is connected, and converts the digital video image input from the first input / output terminal 6 into the communication method discriminated by the discriminating means. When the digital image capturing device is configured to have a function of connecting to the digital image capturing device, the digital image capturing device can be appropriately connected in accordance with the type of terminal mounted on the computer or the like. Can be made.

Further, in the digital image capturing apparatus according to the present invention, if a storage means 2a for storing a digital video image input from the first input / output terminal 6 is provided, Digital video image storage means 2a
Can be stored.

A feature of the control method of the digital image capturing apparatus according to the present invention is that the first input / output terminal 6 to which the communication means 9 for inputting digital video image data can be connected is connected to the first input / output terminal 6. And at least one second input / output terminal 7 to which a communication means 10 of a communication system different from the first input / output terminal 6 can be connected, and digital video image data inputted from the first input / output terminal 6 are stored. When the digital video image data input from the first input / output terminal 6 is output from the second input / output terminal 7,
A method for controlling a digital image capture device in which a computer 3 controls a digital image capture device provided with a communication system conversion means 2b for converting the communication system into a communication system capable of being transmitted from a second input / output terminal 7, Image data is fetched from one terminal 6 into the storage means 2a by a predetermined number of frames, and the storage means
The point is that the digital image capturing device is controlled so that at least selected image data of the image data captured in 2a is transmitted from the second input / output terminal 7. in this way,
When the digital image capture device is controlled to transmit at least the selected image data from the second input / output terminal 7,
Not only all image data but also desired image data can be output from the second input / output terminal 7.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a digital image capturing apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of digital video image data stored in the storage means are continuously captured by the computer. An identifier is assigned to each frame of digital video image data to be captured by the computer 3 and stored in the computer 3.
(3) If the desired image data is not stored in the image data successively captured, a frame identifier of the digital video image data is searched, and the digital video image data is re-input from the first input / output terminal. Thus, all of the desired digital video image data can be taken into the computer 3 without causing the computer 3 to miss the image data.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital image capturing device according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a control method of the digital image capturing device of FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a digital camera capable of inputting and outputting digital video image data (hereinafter simply referred to as image data).
A communication cable 9 as a communication means is connected to the DV terminal 5 provided in the printer, and image data can be output from the communication cable 9.

The communication cable 9 is connected to the digital image capturing device 2 according to the present invention, which can capture image data from the digital camera 1.

The digital image capturing device 2 has the same communication system as the DV terminal 5 of the digital camera 1, and is capable of inputting and outputting data such as image data from the digital camera 1.
DV terminal 6 as an input / output terminal, and frame memory 2a as storage means for taking in image data frame by frame
A microprocessor (a program for converting a communication method is incorporated in advance) 2b as a communication method conversion means capable of converting image data into a communication method different from that of the DV terminal 6; A USB terminal 7 as a second input / output terminal capable of inputting / outputting data such as image data of the communication method converted by the method conversion means 2b.
Are provided.

The DV terminal 6 and the frame memory 2
a, the frame memory 2a and the microprocessor 2b, and the microprocessor 2b and the USB terminal 7 are connected to each other (not shown), and the image data input at the DV terminal 6 is converted by the microprocessor 2b to the US
Output can be made from the B terminal 7 to the outside.

Further, the personal computer 3 as control means for controlling the capture of image data from the digital camera 1 into the digital image capture device 2 includes a USB terminal 7 of the digital image capture device 2 and a computer 3. US
It is connected via a B terminal 8 and a communication cable 10 as communication means.

A monitor 4 as a display device is connected to the personal computer 3 via a cable 11 so that image data taken into the personal computer 3 from the digital image taking device 2 can be visually recognized on the monitor 4. Can be.

As described above, the digital image capturing device 2
It has a V terminal 6 and a USB terminal 7, and the communication system can be changed so that image data captured from the DV terminal 6 can be output from the USB terminal by the microprocessor 2b. The image data can be captured by using a terminal provided in the personal computer 3 in advance without attaching a 1394 conversion board or the like to the personal computer 3.

The output of the monitor 4 connected to the personal computer 3 may be all the image data stored in the frame memory 2a of the digital image capturing device 2, or the image may be such that the image can be visually recognized. A program is incorporated in the personal computer 3 so that the personal computer 3 can select whether the data, that is, a part of the image data stored in the frame memory 2 or not.

That is, the personal computer 3 controls the microprocessor 2b so that the output of the microprocessor 2b can be controlled from the personal computer 3.
The control program b is incorporated so that the user can select the resolution of image data to be taken into the personal computer 3.

As described above, all the image data stored in the frame memory 2a is transferred to the personal computer 3
By selecting whether to capture the image data or only a part of the image data, the resolution of the captured image data can be selected according to the processing capability of the personal computer 3.

When a part of the image data is taken in, for example, a method of taking in a predetermined number of pixels of one frame, for example, every four pixels is adopted.

Next, a process programmed in the computer when a plurality of image data are continuously stored in the frame memory 2a and the image data is continuously read into the computer will be described with reference to FIG. First,
From the digital camera 1, a DV terminal 5, a communication cable 9,
And 1 via the DV terminal 6 of the digital image capture device 2.
The image data for the frame is taken into the frame memory 2a in the digital image taking device 2 (step S in FIG. 2).
1). At this time, the frame is assigned an ATN (absolute track number) as a frame identifier, and the frame memory 2a stores the A and the image data together.
TN is stored.

Next, in the personal computer 3, after reading the ATN of the one frame from the frame memory 2a, one of the frames is read based on the ATN.
The ATN of the toe is predicted and stored (see step S2 in FIG. 2).

On the other hand, the image data fetched into the frame memory 2a is converted by the microprocessor 2b into a format that can be transmitted by USB, and then the digital image fetching device 2 is connected via the USB terminals 7, 8 and the communication cable 10. Is transmitted to the personal computer 3, and the personal computer 3 stores the image data for one frame (see step S3 in FIG. 2).

Next, the frame memory 2a captures the image data of the frame following the captured frame together with the ATN (see step S4 in FIG. 2), and transmits the captured ATN to the personal computer 3. Then, in the personal computer 3, the transmitted AT
It is determined whether N matches the ATN predicted in step S2 (see step S5 in FIG. 2).

As a result of comparing whether the transmitted ATN matches the ATN predicted in step S2, if the ATN does not match, the predicted ATN is missed and stored in the personal computer 3 as the ATN and the image data is stored. After advancing the pointer to be performed by one image data, and predicting the ATN of one frame ahead (see step S6 in FIG. 2), the process returns to step S5. On the other hand, if they match,
The image data of the frame memory 2a taken in step S4 is stored in the personal computer 3, and
Based on the ATN of the stored image data, the next ATN of the frame is predicted and stored (see step S7 in FIG. 2).

Steps S4 to S7 are repeated until all the desired image data is taken into the personal computer (see step S8 in FIG. 2).
(See step S9 in FIG. 2).

If there is no missing ATN, it is determined that all the desired image data has been taken into the personal computer 3, and the processing related to taking and storing the image data is terminated. Is retrieved and the image data of the digital camera 1 is rewound and reproduced in order to inquire the digital camera 1 of the ATN image data (see step S10 in FIG. 3).

At the time of this reproduction, image data of a certain frame from the digital camera 1 is taken into the digital image taking device together with the ATN (see step S11 in FIG. 3), and whether or not the ATN of the frame is smaller than the missed ATN. Is detected by the personal computer 3 (see step S12 in FIG. 3).
If not, the personal computer 3 detects whether or not the ATN of the frame is larger than the ATN of the lost frame (see step S13 in FIG. 3).

If the ATN of the frame is not larger than the dropped ATN, the AT of the frame is
Assuming that N coincides with the missed ATN, the image data of the frame is stored in the pointer advanced in step S6 of FIG. 2, that is, the pointer storing the missed image data (see step S14 of FIG. 3). Delete the ATN from the list of ATNs that have been dropped.

Further, it is detected whether or not another missing ATN exists, and if it exists, steps S11 to S14 are repeated. If not, step S9 of FIG. 2 is performed (see step S15 of FIG. 3).

In step S13 of FIG. 3, if the ATN of the frame is larger than the dropped ATN, step S15 of FIG. 3 is performed.

When the image data is successively stored in the personal computer in this manner, it is preferable that the program is programmed so that the image is not missed and all the desired image data is stored in the personal computer. .

In the above-described embodiment, the personal computer 3 is provided with the personal computer 3 so that the user can select whether to take in a part of the image data stored in the frame memory 2 or the whole. Although the control program of the microprocessor 2b is incorporated, the control program may be recorded on a medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM, and may be incorporated in a personal computer as needed.

Further, the configuration in which the control program is incorporated in the personal computer is not always necessary. However, if the control program is incorporated, if the processing capability of the personal computer is low, the resolution can be visually recognized on the monitor. Image data, while
When the processing capacity is high, all the image data stored in the microprocessor can be taken in, and can be selectively controlled according to the processing capacity of the personal computer.

Further, in the above embodiment, the user himself / herself can select the resolution of the image data. However, it may be programmed so that the resolution is automatically selected according to the clock frequency of the CPU of the personal computer. .

As another embodiment of the digital image capturing apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of second input / output terminals are provided as shown in FIG. 4, and the second input / output terminals are connected to the personal computer. The digital image capturing device may be configured to be able to convert image data according to the communication method.

Such a digital image capturing device is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, as the plurality of second input / output terminals, for example, U
SB terminal 7a, SCSI terminal 7b and IrDA terminal 7c
The USB terminal 7a, the SCSI terminal 7b, and the IrDA terminal 7c are connected to a sensor 12 as a determining means for determining which terminal is connected to the personal computer. The sensor 12 is further connected to a microcomputer 2b.

The sensor 12 may read the type of the signal input from the terminal and transmit the communication method to the microcomputer 2b, or may simply read the signal input first. The microcomputer 2 determines which communication system is used by detecting the terminal.
b. In short, any sensor that can detect which terminal is connected to the personal computer and can transmit the detection result to the microcomputer 2b can be appropriately changed in design.

Further, the second input / output terminal is not limited to the above-mentioned terminal, and can be appropriately changed as long as it is a terminal that can be mounted in advance on a computer such as a personal computer.

As described above, when a plurality of second input / output terminals are provided, the second input / output terminals can be appropriately selected according to the types of terminals provided in the personal computer. The device can be provided with versatility.

In the above-described embodiment, the image data captured by the digital image capturing device is supplied from the digital camera. However, digital image data such as digital video and digital television can be supplied to the input / output terminal of a certain communication system. It can be appropriately changed as long as it can be supplied.

Further, although a personal computer was used as the computer, it can be changed as appropriate as long as it has an input / output terminal such as a workstation or another computer and can process an image and output it from a display device. It is.

The communication system conversion means of the digital image capture device is not limited to the above-mentioned microcomputer, but can be changed as appropriate as long as a program for converting the communication system can be stored therein. It is.

Although the frame memory is used as the storage means of the digital image capturing device, any device capable of storing image data, such as a line buffer, may be used.
It can be changed as appropriate. Also, the capacity can be changed as appropriate.

[0049]

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily capture an image from a digital video camera or the like without having to have specialized knowledge on the hardware structure of a computer such as a personal computer and to obtain a personal computer. Of the image according to the processing capability of the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital image capturing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a control method of the digital image capturing device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a control method of the digital image capturing device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the digital image capturing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a connection relationship between a conventional digital video camera and a personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

2a Frame memory 2b Microprocessor 6 DV terminal 7 DV terminal 10 Communication cable

Claims (7)

[Claims] A first input / output terminal (6) connectable to a communication means (9) for inputting digital video image data;
And at least one second input / output terminal (7) to which communication means (10) of a different communication system can be connected from the input / output terminal (6). When the digital video image data is output from the second input / output terminal (7), communication system conversion means (2b) for converting the digital video image data into a communication system that can be transmitted from the second input / output terminal (7) is provided. A digital image capturing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The communication method conversion means (2b) includes a judgment means for judging a communication method of a communication means to which a second input / output terminal (7) is connected, and a first input / output terminal (6). 2. The digital image capturing device according to claim 1, further comprising a function of converting the digital video image input from the step (d) into the communication method determined by the determination unit. 3. The digital image capturing device according to claim 1, further comprising storage means (2a) for storing the digital video image input from said first input / output terminal (6). 4. A first input / output terminal (6) to which communication means (9) for inputting digital video image data can be connected;
At least one second input / output terminal (7) to which communication means (10) of a communication system different from the input / output terminal (6) can be connected; and a digital video input from the first input / output terminal (6). A storage means (2a) for storing image data, wherein when digital video image data input from the first input / output terminal (6) is output from the second input / output terminal (7), a second input / output Terminal
(7) A method for controlling a digital image capture device, wherein a computer (3) controls a digital image capture device provided with a communication mode conversion means (2b) for converting the communication mode into a communication mode that can be transmitted from the computer. The image data is fetched from the first terminal (6) into the storage means (2a) by a predetermined number of frames, and the storage means (2a)
And controlling the digital image capturing device so that at least selected image data among the image data captured in the image data is transmitted from the second input / output terminal (7). 5. A computer which continuously stores a plurality of digital video image data stored in said storage means (2).
At the time of importing to the computer (3), an identifier is assigned to each frame of digital video image data to be imported to the computer (3) and stored in the computer (3). 5. When the desired image data is not stored, the digital video image data is retrieved from the first input / output terminal by retrieving a frame identifier of the digital video image data.
The control method of the digital image capture device described in the above. 6. A first input / output terminal (6) to which communication means (9) for inputting digital video image data can be connected;
At least one second input / output terminal (7) to which communication means (10) of a communication system different from the input / output terminal (6) can be connected; and a digital video input from the first input / output terminal (6). A storage means (2a) for storing image data, wherein when digital video image data input from the first input / output terminal (6) is output from the second input / output terminal (7), a second input / output Terminal
(7) A program for causing a computer to execute a control method of a digital image capture device that controls a digital image capture device provided with a communication format conversion unit (2b) that converts the communication format into a communication format that can be transmitted from A computer-readable medium, wherein the step of taking in image data from the first terminal (6) into the storage means (2a) by a predetermined number of frames, and among the image data taken into the storage means (2a), A second input / output terminal for at least selected image data
(7) A computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a digital image capturing device, the method comprising: 7. When a plurality of digital video image data stored in said storage means (2) are continuously taken into a computer (3), an identifier is assigned to each frame of the digital video image data taken into the computer (3). If the desired image data is not stored in the image data continuously captured by the computer (3), the computer (3) searches for the frame identifier of the digital video image data. 7. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, further comprising the step of retrieving digital video image data from the first input / output terminal.