JP2003125336A - Storage device and electronic image pickup unit communicating with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient storage device and electronic image pickup unit for making it possible to know the vacant capacity of an external storage device and a memory incorporated in a camera. SOLUTION: This electronic image pickup unit is provided with a communicating means for communicating with a storage device having a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a first interface for transmitting/receiving data with external equipment by a serial communication format, a second interface for transmitting/receiving data with the external equipment by a serial communication format different from the above mentioned serial communication format, and a controller for controlling the semiconductor memory and the first and second interfaces and a display means for displaying photographed electronic pictures and various information related with the electronic image pickup unit. Then, information related with the capacity of the semiconductor memory of the storage device is transmitted to the electronic image pickup unit by the communicating means, and the information related with the capacity of the semiconductor memory of the storage device is displayed on the display means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage device and an electronic image pickup device that communicates with the storage device, and more particularly to a storage device and a camera such as a digital camera and an external device such as a personal computer, which can be attached / detached or physically connected. The present invention relates to an unnecessary storage device and an electronic imaging device such as a digital still camera capable of communicating with the storage device.

The above-mentioned storage device stores and saves image data as an external storage device of an electronic image pickup device such as a digital camera, and image data between a camera such as a digital camera and an external device such as a personal computer (PC). It is intended to be used for moving.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a conventional storage device for storing image data used in a digital camera or the like is generally of a type that can be attached to and detached from a camera body and is included in the camera body. (Registered trademark), SmartMedia (registered trademark), and the like are known.

Some inexpensive digital cameras store image data in a memory built in the camera without using the removable storage device as described above.

[0005]

However, in the case of the detachable type storage device as described above, in order for the user to grasp the free space of the memory, the storage device itself should be attached to the camera or a dedicated adapter. There is no way to know the free capacity of the storage device unless it is connected to a PC or the like using.

Further, in a system in which the camera itself has a built-in memory and the captured electronic image can be stored in both the memory built in the camera and the memory built in the removable storage device, At the same time, I would like to know whether or not the electronic image stored in the built-in memory should be transferred to the removable storage device, or whether there is a transferable space in the removable storage device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to grasp the free space of the memory built in the storage device without connecting the storage device to a camera or a PC. Another object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use storage device and an electronic image pickup device capable of collectively knowing the free space of the external storage device and the memory built in the camera.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, (1) a non-volatile semiconductor memory and a first interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device by a serial communication system are provided. A second interface of a serial communication system different from the serial communication system for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device, a controller for controlling the semiconductor memory, the first interface, and the second interface, There is provided a storage device including a display unit for displaying information relating to the capacity of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, (2) the information relating to the capacity of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory is the already used capacity, free capacity or total capacity. A storage device according to (1) is provided.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, (3) in an electronic image pickup device for photoelectrically converting an object image and recording the same, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory and data transmission / reception with an external device are serially performed. A second interface of a serial communication system, which transmits and receives data to and from an external device and performs communication with a first interface of the communication system, the semiconductor memory, the first interface, and the second interface Communication means for communicating with a storage device having a controller for controlling the interface of the device, and display means for displaying various kinds of information about the captured electronic image or the electronic imaging device. The information relating to the capacity of the semiconductor memory of the storage device is transmitted to the electronic image pickup device by the above and is displayed on the display means. There is provided an electronic image pickup device characterized in that information relating to the capacity of a semiconductor memory of a storage device is displayed.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, (4) the information relating to the capacity of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory is an already used capacity, a free capacity or a total capacity. An electronic image pickup device according to (3) is provided.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, (5) the electronic image pickup device has a built-in memory, and the display means has a capacity of the memory built in the electronic image pickup device. The electronic image pickup device according to (3) is also provided in which related information is also displayed.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, (6) the information relating to the capacity of the memory built in the electronic image pickup device is the already used capacity,
There is provided the electronic image pickup device according to (5), which is free space or full capacity.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a storage device (external storage device) 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a connection destination of the storage device (external storage device) 3.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a camera body, which is a camera having an image pickup function (either a digital camera or a hybrid camera having two functions of a silver salt camera and a digital camera).

Reference numeral 2 is a personal computer (PC) which is an external device when viewed from the camera body 1.

Reference numeral 3 is a storage device (external storage device) according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a display unit 6 described later and a connector 4 for connecting to the camera body 1.
And a connector 5 for connecting to the PC 2.

FIG. 2 shows the storage device (external storage device) of FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system built in the No. 3 unit. FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 7 is a semiconductor memory, and a FLASH memory is used in this embodiment.

The semiconductor memory 7 may be any non-volatile memory, and is not particularly limited to a FLASH memory.

Further, reference numeral 8 is a first interface, and in the embodiment, UART is used.

The first interface 8 may be a serial communication interface, and in particular, U
It is not limited to ART.

However, the first interface 8 is
It is a serial communication system different from the second interface 9 described later.

Further, reference numeral 9 is a second interface, and USBTM is used in the embodiment.

Similarly, this second interface 9
Is a serial communication interface, and is not particularly limited to USBTM and may be different from the first interface 8.

Reference numeral 10 is a controller (C
PU) and controls the operations of the semiconductor memory 7, the first interface 8 and the second interface 9 described above.

Specifically, this controller (CPU)
A semiconductor memory 10 stores and stores external data in the semiconductor memory 7 by reading and writing data between the semiconductor memory 7 and the first interface 8 and the second interface 9. The operation such as outputting the data stored and stored in the outside is controlled.

Here, the reading and writing of data between the semiconductor memory 7 and the first interface 8 and the second interface 9 by the controller (CPU) 10 will be described.

First, the semiconductor memory 7 and the controller 10
Generally, the reading and writing of data is performed based on the following three types of signals.

One is a control signal for the semiconductor memory 7, the other is an address signal indicating an internal address of the semiconductor memory 7, and the other is a data signal for reading and writing.

The address signal and the data signal are called an address bus and a data bus, respectively, and are generally transferred in parallel.

In addition, a memory controller may be interposed between the semiconductor memory 7 and the controller 10 in order to share the address bus and the data bus.

Further, the description regarding the reading and writing of data between the semiconductor memory 7 and the controller 10 is an example when the semiconductor memory 7 is a FLASH memory,
The present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be considered depending on the semiconductor memory actually used.

Next, reading and writing of data between the controller 10 and the first interface 8 or the second interface 9 will be described.

In the present embodiment, the reading and writing of data is performed by using a FIFO (First-In-First-Ou).
t) It is performed using a general and well-known technique performed via a memory.

The serial data received from the outside by the first interface 8 and the second interface 9 is converted into data having a predetermined bit length (parallel data) at the time of being stored in the FIFO memory.

As described above, the first interface 8 and the second interface 9 are not limited as long as they are serial communication systems, and various modifications are possible for reading and writing data via the FIFO memory. However, a method that does not use a FIFO memory may be used.

Next, a description will be given of the connector member with the external device provided in the storage device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 is a connector used when the first interface 8 is connected to an external device (the appearance corresponds to the connector 4 in FIG. 1).

Further, reference numeral 12 is a connector used when the second interface is connected to an external device (appearance corresponds to the connector 5 in FIG. 1).

The connector shapes of the above-mentioned two types of connectors 11 and 12 are matched with the connector shapes of the connectors used for a general-purpose USB (registered trademark) cable.

In this USB (registered trademark), the shape of the connector differs depending on the relationship between the host and the device, and the shape of the connector 4 in FIG. 1 is used for connecting with the device.

The shape of the connector 5 shown in FIG. 1 is used for connection with the host.

As described above, by matching the connector shape of the storage device according to the present invention with the USB (registered trademark) cable of the general-purpose product, the storage device of the present invention can be used as the general-purpose USB.
It becomes possible to simply replace the (registered trademark) cable.

Also, new connectors are not required on the device side (digital camera in this embodiment) and the host side (PC in this embodiment).

However, as described above, the shape of the connector is not necessarily limited.

Further, reference numeral 13 is a display circuit for driving the display unit 6 formed on the external storage device 3,
It is controlled by the controller 10.

Reference numeral 14 is a power supply circuit including a battery built in the external storage device 3.

The power supply circuit 14 includes a controller 10,
Power is supplied so that the semiconductor memory 7, the display circuit 13, the first interface 8 and the second interface 9 can operate.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views showing display examples on the display unit 6 of FIG.

First, a display example of the display unit 6 in FIG. 3 will be described.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 15 is a battery remaining amount display mark, which is turned on or blinks according to the remaining capacity of the battery included in the power supply circuit 14.

Further, reference numeral 16 indicates the free capacity of the semiconductor memory 7, which is 40 MB (megabytes) in the display example.

Therefore, the user can know the free capacity of the external storage device 3.

FIG. 4 is a modification of FIG.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 17 is a battery remaining amount display mark.

Further, reference numeral 18 is a schematic diagram showing the usage status of the memory space of the semiconductor memory 7.

That is, the shaded area represents the amount of used memory, and the white area represents the amount of unused memory, that is, the free space.

Reference numeral 19 is an index of the schematic diagram, and the unit is MB (megabyte).

Specifically, FIG. 4 shows the semiconductor memory 7
Of the total capacity of 90 MB, 50 MB indicates that it is already used and 40 MB indicates that it is free.

Therefore, the user can know the total capacity of the external storage device 3, the already used capacity, and the free capacity.

The displays of FIGS. 3 and 4 are automatically updated when a battery included in the power supply circuit 14 is loaded or when communication with a camera or a PC is made.

For example, when the content of the memory built in the camera body 1 is downloaded to the external storage device 3, when the content of the semiconductor memory 7 of the external storage device 3 is downloaded to a memory (not shown) in the PC 2, Alternatively, the latest information is displayed when the semiconductor memory 7 of the external storage device 3 is formatted.

In the present embodiment, when the external storage device 3 is loaded with a battery, the display unit 6 is always in a display state. However, a push button switch is provided on the external storage device 3, and this button switch is The controller 10 may display the information in response to being pressed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of a camera as an electronic image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, as viewed from the back.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 20 indicates a liquid crystal monitor.

On the liquid crystal monitor 20, electronic images taken by an image pickup device built in the camera, electronic images stored in a memory (not shown) built in the camera,
The display described later is made.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the free memory capacity in the camera and the free memory capacity of the external storage device 3 displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 20 of FIG. 5 are displayed.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are modifications thereof.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, reference numeral 21 is
It shows the free space of the memory built in the camera, which is 1 MB free in the display example.

Reference numeral 22 indicates the free space of the semiconductor memory 7 built in the external storage device 3, which is 60 MB in the display example.

Therefore, the user can know the free space of each of the memory built in the camera and the memory built in the external storage device 3.

Further, reference numeral 23 indicates the free space of the memory built in the camera and the total capacity of the memory. In the display example, the free space is 1 MB and the total capacity is 32 MB.

Further, reference numeral 24 indicates the free space and the total capacity of the semiconductor memory 7 built in the external storage device 3. In the display example, the free capacity is 60 MB and the total capacity is 128.
It is MB.

Therefore, the user can know each free space and each total capacity of the memory built in the camera and the memory built in the external storage device 3.

Further, reference numeral 25 indicates the used capacity and the free capacity of the memory built in the camera. In the display example, the used capacity is 31 MB and the free capacity is 32 M.
B.

Further, reference numeral 26 indicates the used capacity and the free capacity of the semiconductor memory 7 built in the external storage device 3. In the display example, the used capacity is 60 MB,
The free space is 68 MB.

The reference numeral 27 indicates that the memory used in the camera has a capacity of 31 MB, and the semiconductor memory 7 built in the external storage device 3 has a free space of 6 MB.
Since it is 8 MB, it indicates that the data can be transferred to the memory space of the semiconductor memory 7.

Therefore, the user can know the used capacity and the free capacity of the memory built in the camera and the semiconductor memory 7 built in the external storage device 3, and further, stored in the memory built in the camera. It can also be known that all the data can be transferred to the semiconductor memory 7 built in the external storage device 3.

The display of FIGS. 6 to 8 shows that after the connector 4 of the external storage device 3 is inserted into the connector of the camera, the insertion of the connector 4 is detected on the camera side, and the memory of the external storage device 3 is detected. The display may be automatically started immediately after reading the use state of, or the camera may be provided with a push button switch to detect that the button is pushed and start.

As for the free space and the used space, the number of sheets may be used instead of MB by obtaining the capacity of the memory consumed for each shot.

In the above-described embodiment, instead of the plurality of interfaces and the plurality of connectors of reference numerals 8 and 9 and reference numerals 11 and 12, Bluetooth is used.
An oth (registered trademark) wireless antenna unit and a wireless signal processing unit may be provided so that no physical connection is made.

According to the storage device of the present invention, the free space of the memory built in the storage device, the used capacity, and the total capacity can be easily known by the storage device alone.

Further, according to the camera of the present invention, the monitor provided in the camera is compared with the free space of the memory built in the storage device and the free space of the memory built in the camera, the used capacity, and the total capacity. Since it is displayed, the user can easily determine whether or not the data stored in the camera can be transferred to the external storage device.

[0086]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to grasp the free space of the memory built in the storage device without connecting the storage device to a camera, a PC or the like. Further, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use storage device and an electronic imaging device capable of knowing the free space of the external storage device and the memory built in the camera together.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a storage device (external storage device) according to an embodiment of the present invention and a connection destination of the storage device (external storage device).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system built in a storage device (external storage device) 3 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit 6 in the storage device (external storage device) 3 of FIG.

4 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit 6 in the storage device (external storage device) 3 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of a camera as an electronic image pickup device according to the present invention when viewed from the back side.

6 is a diagram showing a state in which a free memory space in a camera and a free space in an external storage device 3 displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 20 of FIG. 5 are displayed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example in which the free memory space in the camera and the free memory space of the external storage device 3 displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 20 of FIG. 5 are displayed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modified example in which the free memory capacity in the camera and the free memory capacity of the external storage device 3 displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 20 of FIG. 5 are displayed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera body, 2 ... Personal computer (PC) used as external equipment, 3 ... Storage device (external storage device), 4 ... Connector, 5 ... Connector, 6 ... Display part 6, 7 ... Semiconductor memory, 8 ... 1st , 9 ... Second interface, 10 ... Controller (CPU), 11 ... Connector, 12 ... Connector 13 ... Display circuit, 14 ... Power supply circuit, 15 ... Battery remaining amount display mark, 16 ... Free space of semiconductor memory 7 , 17 ... Battery remaining amount display mark, 18 ... Memory space usage status of the semiconductor memory 7, 19 ... Index, 20 ... LCD monitor, 21 ... Display example showing free space of camera built-in memory, 22 ... External storage device 3 Display example showing free space of built-in semiconductor memory 7, 23 ... Display example showing free space and total capacity of camera built-in memory, 24 ... Half Display example showing the free capacity and total capacity of the conductor memory 7, 25 ... Display example showing the used capacity and free capacity of the camera built-in memory, 26 ... Display example showing the used capacity and free capacity of the semiconductor memory 7, 27 ... Built-in camera A display example showing that the data stored in the memory can be transferred to the semiconductor memory 7 built in the external storage device 3.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/225 H04N 5/91 J 5/91 G06K 19/00 J // H04N 101: 00 LF term ( Reference) 2H102 AA71 AB00 BB08 CA03 5B035 AA00 BB09 BC00 CA06 CA11 CA22 CA27 CA33 5C022 AA13 AC16 AC18 AC69 5C052 GA02 GA06 GA08 GE06 GE08 5C053 FA08 FA23 FA27 KA24 KA30 LA01 LA11

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A non-volatile semiconductor memory, a first interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device by a serial communication system, and a serial interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device, which is different from the serial communication system. A second interface of the method, a controller for controlling the semiconductor memory, the first interface, and the second interface, and a display unit for displaying information relating to the capacity of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory. A storage device characterized by: 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the capacity of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory is an already used capacity, a free capacity or a total capacity. 3. An electronic imaging device for photoelectrically converting and recording a subject image, comprising: a nonvolatile semiconductor memory; a first interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device by a serial communication method; For transmitting and receiving, and for communicating with a storage device having a second interface of a serial communication system different from the serial communication system, the semiconductor memory, the interface of the first interface, and a controller for controlling the second interface. A communication means and a display means for displaying various kinds of information relating to the captured electronic image or the electronic image pickup device are provided, and the information relating to the capacity of the semiconductor memory of the storage device is transferred to the electronic image pickup device by the communication means. Information transmitted regarding the capacity of the semiconductor memory of the storage device is displayed on the display means. An electronic image pickup device characterized by the above. 4. The electronic image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information related to the capacity of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory is a capacity which has already been used, a free capacity, or a total capacity. 5. The electronic image pickup device has a built-in memory, and information related to the capacity of the memory built in the electronic image pickup device is also displayed on the display means. The electronic imaging device according to item 1. 6. The electronic image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information relating to the capacity of the memory built in the electronic image pickup apparatus is a capacity which has already been used, a free capacity or a total capacity.