JP2002027379A - Portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display the pictures of JPG, BMP, GIF, TIF, which are obtained by an E-mail, HTML and a P-mail, by the other units (a digital camera, a portable terminal, a personal computer and the like) in the portable information terminal which can input/output data from a memory card. SOLUTION: The terminal is provided with a memory card interface inputting/outputting a data file with the memory card. Picture data obtained by the E-mail, HTML and the P-mail is converted into a JPG system. At the time of preserving it in the memory card, it is converted into a DCF system and it is preserved in a directory only for a self-terminal in the memory card. Data can be preserved in the memory card by a unified system, data is transferred to the other units (digital camera, portable terminal, personal computer and the like) with the memory card as a medium and it can be displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic cameras have become widespread. In a conventional electronic camera, when checking an image captured by the electronic camera, the electronic camera is connected to a television monitor or the like, and the image captured by the electronic camera is transmitted and displayed on the television monitor, so that the image quality is improved. Images can be easily checked without trouble.

In order to send an image captured by an electronic camera to another place, there is a method of temporarily printing the image with a video printer or the like and mailing the paper or transmitting the paper by facsimile.

However, when an image is sent by the above-described method, the image quality is deteriorated as compared with the case where the image is displayed on a television monitor as it is, and furthermore, there is a problem that a user's operation is troublesome.

[0005] In mobile information terminals typified by mobile devices such as mobile phones, terminals having a shooting function, a function of processing a shot image, or a function of creating an image have begun to spread. By mounting a memory card interface for writing / reading data to / from a memory card in a portable information terminal incorporating such a photographing function (electronic camera function), files including images can be exchanged using the memory card as a medium. it can. That is, through this memory card, an image data file created by the portable information terminal can be read by another device, and an image data file created by another device can be read by the present portable information terminal.

Also, using an e-mail transmission tool,
There is also a method in which an image data file photographed by an electronic camera or the like is attached to an e-mail and transmitted. In this case, the following procedure must be performed.

[0007] 1. The photographing data is stored in the storage area.

[0008] 2. The electronic mail creation screen is displayed, and the photographed data is designated as an attached file using the mailer's file attachment function.

3. Add a destination, title, and text and send.

In this case, a computer on which an electronic mail transmission tool is installed for transmitting data of the electronic camera,
Alternatively, it is necessary to save data (download data from an electronic camera) in a storage area accessible by the computer, but this operation may require a lot of effort.

[0011] Further, even in a portable information terminal with a built-in electronic camera capable of transmitting and receiving e-mail, if the photographed data is to be attached to the e-mail and transmitted, the same procedure as described above must be performed. However, there is a problem that the processing is complicated.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a memory card,
An image file taken by another electronic camera or the like or an image created by another image terminal may be mixed. For example, a format (GI) sent by e-mail may be used.
F. JPG. BMP. TIFF. etc), an HTML file (GIF.JPG) obtained by downloading a home page, and the like. If image files of various formats were transferred to the memory card as they were, various types of image files with different compression formats would coexist in the memory card, making it difficult to organize and difficult to find the image files There is.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a portable information terminal capable of exchanging a file including an image using a memory card as a medium. The image file to be written to the memory card is stored in a specific compression format without the user having to operate the image file. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal that can be unified into a portable information terminal.

[0014]

In order to solve the above problems, a portable information terminal according to the present invention, when an operation of writing data of an image file in a storage means to a memory card is performed, compresses the image of the image file. When the system is different from the specific compression system, the image compression system conversion means performs a compression system conversion process for converting the image compression system to the specific compression system.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a memory card interface for inputting / outputting a data file or the like from / to a memory card capable of storing an image data file, and an object such as image data. A storage unit for storing information; a display device; an image compression system conversion unit for converting image data into a specific compression system; an operation unit operated by a user; and a control unit. When the operation of writing the image file data to the memory card is performed, if the image compression method of the image file matches the specific compression method, the image data of the file is directly written to the memory card via the memory card interface. If the image compression method of the image file is different from the specific compression method, the image compression method conversion means A portable information terminal, which performs a compression method conversion process for converting an image compression method to a specific compression method, and controls the image data of the converted file to be written to a memory card via a memory card interface. Yes, with such a configuration,
Image files to be written to the memory card can be unified to a specific compression format.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a data file or the like is transferred between a main image and a memory card capable of storing an image data file having both a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the main image to an arbitrary standard. A memory card interface for input and output, storage means for storing object information such as image data, a display device for displaying an image data file, and image compression method conversion means for converting the image file into image data of a specific compression method. Operating means for the user to select a thumbnail image displayed on the display device and select an image, and control means, wherein the control means stores the image file data stored in the storage means in a memory card. When the writing operation is performed, if the image compression method of the image file matches the specific compression method, the image data of the file is Is directly written to the memory card via the memory card interface, and when the image compression method of the image file is different from the specific compression method, the image compression method conversion means converts the compression method to the specific compression method. And performs control to write the image data of the file after the conversion process to the memory card via the memory card interface. Since the user can select an image while checking the thumbnail image, the usability is improved.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of the portable information terminal.

In FIG. 1, a portable information terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a CPU 1 as a central processing unit for controlling the entire apparatus, and a ROM (Read) as storage means for storing program codes executed by the CPU 1.
RAM (Random Memory) 2, a storage means for storing object information such as images
Access Memory 3, a photographing device 4 for photographing an image and converting it into a digital image, a memory card interface 5 for connecting a memory card 21 and a portable information terminal 20 to input and output image data files, etc. An input device 6 such as a keyboard, a display device 7 for displaying an image data file or the like, and a transmitting / receiving means 10 for transmitting and receiving an image data file or the like to / from an external device via a communication network 11 such as the Internet.

The memory card 21 is a card storage medium such as a compact flash (registered trademark) card, a smart media, and an SD card. Also, information such as the resolution and the image compression method for each image to be handled is RA information.
It is stored in M3.

C used in the portable information terminal 20
The PU 1 has a function of reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 2. For example, the PU 1 has a function of determining an attribute (image compression method and data amount) of an image file to be handled (a file attribute determining unit 15), and a memory card 2.
A function of reading the image data file stored in the memory card 1, converting the data and outputting the data to the display device 7 (image processing means 8), and a function of converting the file stored in the memory card 21 into a predetermined format (image compression method conversion). Means 9).

The information obtaining means 16 obtains information data coming through the memory card interface 5 of the portable information terminal. The file attribute determining means 15 determines whether or not the image compression method of the image data file specified to be stored in the memory card matches the specific compression method determined when transferring the image data file to the memory card. Based on the information data obtained by the information acquisition means 16, the required capacity when the data is stored in each compression method is calculated. The image compression method conversion means 9 converts the image data into the compression method determined by the file attribute determination means 15.

Further, when reading an image from the memory card, the CPU 1 first searches for a folder dedicated to its own terminal, reads information of an image file from the folder,
When writing an image to the memory card, a directory management function is first provided in which a folder dedicated to the terminal is searched, and an image data file to be written is written in the folder.

As shown in FIG. 2, a slot 12 for mounting a memory card 21 is provided on the side of the portable information terminal 20. Reference numeral 13 denotes direction keys for moving the cursor in each direction by the user and performing various scans according to messages displayed on the display unit. A selection / cancel key 14 is used to confirm or cancel the selection of the operation.

Next, a procedure for saving an image file stored in the user memory (RAM 3) to a memory card will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the memory card 21 as the storage destination is inserted into the slot 12 shown in FIG. 2 and connected to the memory card interface 5, so that input and output of image data files are enabled. Next, an image display operation is performed using the input device 6.

By the image display operation, the thumbnail images of the respective image files read from the user memory (RAM3) in the terminal main body are displayed on the left half of the display device as shown in FIG. The data of the thumbnail image of each image file currently recorded on the memory card 21 is read from the memory card 21, and the thumbnail image is displayed on the right half of the display device.

The user views a plurality of thumbnail images displayed on the left half of the display device and specifies a display image file. That is, the user operates the direction key 13 of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 3B to move the cursor up, down, left, and right, and puts the cursor on the thumbnail image of the matter to be transferred to the memory card. Then, when the select / cancel key 14 of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 3C is operated, the image where the cursor is located at that time is selected. For example, in FIG. 3A, the cursor is located at the position of FIG. When the user operates the direction selection key 13 to move the cursor to the right, the state shown in FIG. In this state, the cursor comes to the position of FIG. 2 stored in the memory card 21. When the user operates the select / cancel key 14 in this state, the process of transferring the image data file corresponding to FIG. 2 to the memory card is started.

Hereinafter, a process of transferring image data to a memory card will be described. First, the information acquisition unit 16 acquires attribute information about an image data file specified by the user, that is, data indicating an image compression method, a data amount, and the like.

Next, the file attribute determination means 15 is executed. The current image compression method of the image data file is compared with a specific compression method determined when the image data file is transferred to the memory card. Further, the file attribute determining unit 15 calculates a file size when the current image data is stored in the specific compression method based on the data amount received from the information acquiring unit 16.

If the current image compression method matches the specific compression method and the file size is within the specified size, the image data of the file is transferred to the memory card interface 5 and the memory card The data is written to the memory card 21 via the interface 5.

Here, if the current image compression method is different from the specific compression method, the image data is transferred to the image compression method conversion means 9 and the image compression method of the image data file is changed to the specific compression method (JFIF format). ) Is performed. If the file size after the compression method conversion processing is within the specified size, the image compression method conversion means 9 further specifies the image data file from the specific compression method (JFIF format) in the memory card 21. The data is converted into a compression format (DCF format), and the image data of the converted file is transferred to the memory card interface 5.
Is written to the memory card 21 via the.

When writing to the memory card 21,
When the process of writing the image data file in the memory card 21 is completed, a thumbnail of the image data is newly displayed on the display device. That is, when the image data file of FIG. 2 shown in FIG. 4A is written to the memory card 21, the display device changes to the state shown in FIG. 4B, and the image data written in the left half of the display device is displayed. Is displayed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the concept of the image compression method conversion process of the portable information terminal and the file structure of one image file in the memory card.

As a method of compressing an image that can be taken into the portable information terminal, a format sent by e-mail (GIFF.JPG.BMP.TIFF.etc.
), HT obtained by downloading a home page, etc.
There are a ML file (GIFF.JPG) and a format (BMP) sent by P-mail, and the image compression method conversion process converts these image compression methods into a specific compression method (JFI).
F), and further to a compression method (DCF format) defined by the memory card 21.

The structure of the image file in the memory card is as follows:
An area for storing main image data and an area for storing thumbnail image data obtained by reducing the main image are provided in one image file. Based on the data read from the thumbnail image area, a thumbnail image is displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a directory structure in the memory card. In FIG. 6, the names of a plurality of folders created under the main folder “DCIM” and the file names under the folders follow the following rules. That is, the name of the folder is composed of the first three digits "####" and the five digits "xxxxxx". The file name underneath consists of the first four digits of the character "xxx" and the second half of the four digits "####".
PG etc.) are added.

In FIG. 6, "100K MED T"
Is a folder dedicated to the terminal itself. When storing an image file created on your own terminal, the first three
The digit number is “100” and the last five digits are “KMED”.
Create a dedicated folder named "T". Under the dedicated folder, the first four digits are “K MED” and the last four digits are
The file number is automatically determined by setting the digit number to a serial number starting from “0001” and the file is stored. That is, the image file created on the own terminal is “KMED000
1. JPG ”,“ KMED0002.JPG ”,“ KME
D0003.JPG ".

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the file attribute determining means 15 in another communication terminal determines whether or not the current image compression method of image data is optimal. Since the image compression method is converted into an optimal format and stored in the memory card 21, the image data transferred from another communication terminal to the portable information terminal is automatically subjected to the optimal compression without human intervention. It becomes possible to convert to a system.

As described above, a display order list as shown in FIG. According to this display order list, the thumbnail images of the respective image files stored in the memory card 21 are sequentially read out, and FIG.
Each thumbnail image is displayed on the right half of the display device as shown in FIG.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the operation of writing the data of the image file in the storage means to the memory card is performed, if the image compression method of the image file matches the specific compression method, The image data of the file is directly written into the memory card via the memory card interface, and when the image compression method of the image file is different from the specific compression method, the image compression method is converted by the image compression method conversion means to the specific compression method. A portable information terminal that performs a compression method conversion process to control the writing of image data of a file after the conversion process to a memory card via a memory card interface. Image files to be written to the card can be unified to a specific compression format.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a portable information terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an image file is selected while an image stored in a memory and a memory card is displayed on a display device. FIG. 3B is a direction selection key of the portable information terminal according to the embodiment. (C) A diagram showing a select / cancel key of the portable information terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing a state of selecting an image file while each thumbnail image is displayed on a display device. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state of selecting an image file while each thumbnail image is displayed on a display device. Illustration

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a concept of an image compression method conversion process of the portable information terminal and a file structure of one image file in a memory card.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a directory structure in a memory card used in the portable information terminal according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 imaging device 5 memory card interface 6 input device 7 display device 8 image processing means 9 image compression system conversion means 10 transmission / reception means 11 communication network 12 slot 13 direction key 14 selection / cancel key 15 file attribute judgment Means 16 Information acquisition means 20 Portable information terminal 21 Memory card

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04N 1/41 H04N 5/76 5C078 5/76 5/91 L 5/91 J 7/24 7/13 Z F term ( 5B065 BA09 CA18 CC08 CS04 5B082 AA13 GA02 5C052 AA17 CC11 DD02 DD04 EE08 5C053 FA07 FA08 FA27 GA11 GB36 KA01 LA11 LA14 5C059 KK25 KK41 SS15 SS26 5C078 BA21 CA12 DA00 DB04

Claims (4)

[Claims] A memory card interface for inputting / outputting a data file to / from a memory card capable of storing an image data file; storage means for storing object information such as image data; a display device; Image compression method conversion means for converting the image data into a specific compression method, operation means operated by a user, and control means, wherein the control means performs an operation of writing data of an image file in the storage means to a memory card. If the image compression method of the image file matches the specific compression method, the image data of the file is written to the memory card as it is via the memory card interface, and the image compression method of the image file is changed to the specific compression method. If not, the image compression method conversion means changes the image compression method to a specific compression method. A portable information terminal, characterized in that the compression method performs conversion processing, and controls to write the image data in the file after the conversion into the memory card through the memory card interface to. 2. A memory card interface for inputting and outputting data files to and from a memory card capable of storing an image data file having both a main image and a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the main image to an arbitrary standard; Storage means for storing object information such as data, a display device for displaying an image data file, image compression method conversion means for converting image data to a specific compression method, and a user displayed on the display device. Operating means for selecting the thumbnail image and selecting the image, and a control means, wherein the control means is configured to, when an operation of writing the data of the image file stored in the storage means to the memory card is performed, If the image compression method of the image file matches the specific compression method, the image data of the file Writing to the memory card via the interface, and when the image compression method of the image file is different from the specific compression method, performs a compression method conversion process of converting the compression method to the specific compression method by the image compression method conversion means, A portable information terminal that controls to write image data of a file after the conversion processing to a memory card via a memory card interface. 3. When a memory card is connected to a memory card interface to enable input / output of image data files, a thumbnail image of each image file read from a storage means in the terminal body is displayed on a first display device. 3. The portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein the portable information terminal is displayed in an area, and a thumbnail image of each image file read from the memory card is displayed in a second area of the display device. 4. The portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein when the process of writing the image data file in the memory card is completed, a thumbnail image of the image file is newly displayed on the display device.