JP2007079845A - Non-contact ic card, portable device with camera, cradle device and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable image data photographed by a portable device with camera to be stored in a non-contact IC card in a non-contact status. <P>SOLUTION: The portable telephone 10 with camera is provided with a card reader/writer 22 and a card mounting part 24. On the other hand, the non-contact IC card 100 is provided with a built-in memory whose capacity is large enough to record image data. The portable telephone 10 with a camera communicates through the card reader/writer 22 with the non-contact IC card 100 mounted on a card mounting part 24, and transfers photographed image data to the non-contact IC card 100 in a non-contact status. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a non-contact IC card, a mobile device with a camera, a cradle device, and a camera system, and more particularly to a technique for recording image data taken with a digital camera, a mobile phone with a camera, or the like.

  Conventional digital cameras, camera-equipped mobile phones, camera-equipped personal digital assistants (PDAs), camera-equipped palm computers (hereinafter also referred to as “camera-equipped mobile devices”) can only be equipped with recording media dedicated to that device, Data could not be recorded on various recording media. As a result, for example, when a digital camera using a different type of recording medium is replaced, there is a problem that the recording medium used so far is wasted.

  In addition, since it is necessary to secure a place for storing the recording medium in the camera-equipped mobile device and to arrange a connector, there is a problem that the device is prevented from being downsized.

  Incidentally, it has been proposed to use a non-contact IC card mounted on a portable terminal such as a cellular phone (Patent Document 1). In the portable terminal described in Patent Document 1, a part (antenna) of the non-contact IC card is exposed so that the housing of the portable terminal does not hinder non-contact communication between the non-contact IC card and an external reader / writer. It is characterized in that a window opening portion is provided in the housing.

  Patent Document 2 proposes a portable information device in which a reading device that wirelessly communicates with a non-contact IC card and reads information registered in the non-contact IC card is incorporated in a battery of a portable information device such as a mobile phone. ing.

As this type of non-contact IC card, for example, Suica (watermelon) of JR East, FeliCa developed by Sony Corporation, and those that can be used as electronic money embedded in a mobile phone are known. .
JP 2002-342720 A JP 2003-99731 A

  A non-contact IC card used by being mounted on a portable terminal described in Patent Document 1 records information on a mobile phone (specific number, address, etc.) and is a recording medium for recording image data and the like. Different. Data registered in the memory of the non-contact IC card described in Patent Document 2 is registration data such as point information.

  That is, the conventional contactless IC card reads and writes information such as personal authentication information, subscriber information, prepaid information (electronic money), purchase history (points), and stores a large amount of information such as image data. There was nothing to deal with.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a non-contact IC card capable of storing image data taken by a camera-equipped portable device in a non-contact manner and the non-contact IC card can be used. An object is to provide a portable device with a camera, a cradle device, and a camera system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a non-contact IC card according to claim 1 is capable of recording an IC chip for a non-contact IC card, an antenna for supplying power to the IC chip and reading / writing data, and image data. A large-capacity built-in memory, and the IC chip receives image data wirelessly transmitted from an external device via the antenna, records the image data in the built-in memory, and stores the image data in the built-in memory. The recorded image data is wirelessly transmitted to an external device via the antenna.

  Since this non-contact IC card can read and write data (image data) in a non-contact manner and does not need to be stored in a camera-equipped mobile device, it has a card reader / writer function regardless of the card shape or mounting device. If it is a portable device with a camera, it can be used in common for all kinds of devices. Further, the portable device with a camera using the non-contact IC card does not require a place for storing a recording medium and a connector, and thus can be miniaturized.

  2. The contactless IC card according to claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery that supplies power to the IC chip and the battery is charged based on the power supplied through the antenna. And a charging means.

  Since this non-contact IC card includes a battery, the communication partner does not need to supply electromagnetic power to the non-contact IC card during communication, and power saving can be achieved on the communication partner. Further, the non-contact communication distance can be increased.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera-equipped mobile device, wherein the non-contact IC card according to the first or second aspect is detachably mounted, and the non-contact IC card is disposed on a substantially exterior surface. And a card writer or a card reader / writer that performs wireless communication with a non-contact IC card mounted on the card mounting unit to write or read image data. It is a feature.

  The camera-equipped mobile device includes a digital camera, a camera-equipped mobile phone, a camera-equipped personal digital assistant (PDA), a camera-equipped palm personal computer, and the like. In this camera-equipped mobile device, since the non-contact IC card is arranged on the substantially exterior surface by the card mounting portion, space can be saved as compared with the case where it is built in the device. Further, even a non-contact IC card having a different shape that cannot be mounted on the card mounting portion can be used by being brought close to a card writer or a card reader / writer, and is highly versatile.

  4. The camera-equipped mobile device according to claim 3, wherein a mark indicating a location with good communication sensitivity of the card writer or card reader / writer is attached to the card mounting portion. Yes. Even a non-contact IC card having a different shape that cannot be mounted on the card mounting section can be read and written satisfactorily in a non-contact manner by using the mark as a mark.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the mobile device with a camera according to the third or fourth aspect, the portable device with a camera is composed of two exterior bodies connected to each other so as to be folded, slid, or rotated. Thereby, the portable apparatus with a camera can be made small and portability improves.

  A cradle device according to claim 6 is a camera mounting portion to which the camera-equipped mobile device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 is mounted, wherein the non-contact IC card is on the mounting surface side. Mounted on the card mounting portion of the camera-equipped mobile device mounted on the camera mounting portion, the camera mounting portion on which the mobile device with the camera is detachably mounted, the charging means for charging the mounted mobile device with the camera A card reader or a card reader / writer that reads or reads / writes image data through wireless communication with the non-contact IC card.

  In other words, the cradle device can charge a portable device with a camera attached and can read or read / write image data in a non-contact manner from a non-contact IC card attached to the portable device with a camera. . Further, image data can be directly read from the camera-equipped mobile device.

  The cradle device according to claim 7 is a camera mounting portion on which the camera-equipped mobile device is mounted, a charging unit that charges the camera-mounted mobile device mounted on the camera mounting portion, and the non-claim according to claim 1 or 2. A card mounting unit on which a contact IC card is detachably mounted; and a card reader or card reader / writer that reads or reads / writes image data by wireless communication with a non-contact IC card mounted on the card mounting unit. It is characterized by having prepared. Note that the card mounting portion also includes a recess for guiding the non-contact IC card to a predetermined position.

  That is, the cradle device can charge the mounted mobile device with camera and can read image data from a non-contact IC card mounted on the card mounting unit, or read and write it. Note that even when a non-contact IC card having a different shape that cannot be mounted on the card mounting unit is placed on or brought close to the cradle device, image data can be read from or read from the non-contact IC card.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the cradle device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a mark indicating a location with good communication sensitivity of the card reader or the card reader / writer is attached to the card mounting portion. Even a non-contact IC card having a different shape that cannot be mounted on the card mounting section can be read or read well without contact by bringing the mark close to the card.

  The cradle device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a large-capacity built-in memory capable of recording image data and image data read by the card reader or card reader / writer are provided. And a recording means for recording in the built-in memory. That is, the image data recorded on the non-contact IC card can be stored in a large-capacity built-in memory in the cradle device.

  The invention according to claim 10 is a camera system comprising the non-contact IC card according to claim 1 or 2 and the camera-equipped mobile device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the camera-equipped mobile phone. The apparatus includes an internal memory that stores and holds image data, a detection unit that detects a contactless IC card that is a transfer destination of the image data, and only when a transfer destination contactless IC card is detected by the detection unit. And control means for transferring the image data stored and held in the internal memory to the non-contact IC card.

  That is, when the contactless IC card to which the image data is transferred cannot be detected at the time of shooting, the image data is stored in the internal memory of the camera-equipped mobile device, and when the contactless IC card is detected, the image data is stored. Transfer to contactless IC card. Note that it is preferable to provide the camera-equipped portable device with a means of calling attention by sound or display so that communication with the non-contact IC card is not interrupted during transfer.

  11. The camera system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit detects the transfer destination non-contact IC card by the detection unit and the non-contact IC card has a remaining memory. The image data stored in the internal memory is transferred to the contactless IC card.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the camera system according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, the control unit erases the image data stored and held in the internal memory after completion of the transfer of the image data.

  The camera system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the number of untransferred image data stored in the internal memory and the remaining number of image data recordable in the internal memory are as set forth in claim 13. It is further characterized by further comprising display means for displaying.

  14. The camera system according to claim 13, wherein the display unit displays at least one of presence / absence of the non-contact IC card of the transfer destination and whether image data can be transferred. It is said.

  According to the present invention, image data taken with a camera-equipped portable device can be stored in a non-contact IC card in a non-contact manner, thereby eliminating the need for a media storage unit and a connector on the device side, thereby saving space. Can do. Further, since the non-contact IC card can be used without depending on the connector, the outer shape, etc. like a recording medium, there is an advantage of high versatility.

Preferred embodiments of a non-contact IC card, a camera-equipped mobile device, a cradle device, and a camera system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Overall configuration of camera system]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the overall configuration of a camera system according to the present invention.

  The camera system includes a camera-equipped mobile device (a camera-equipped mobile phone in FIG. 1) 10 and a non-contact IC card 100.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 has two exterior bodies 12 and 14 that are rotatably connected by a hinge portion 16, thereby being foldable. In addition, the exterior bodies 12 and 14 are not limited to the case of being foldably connected by the hinge portion 16, but may be connected in a sliding manner or a rotational manner.

  A camera unit 18, an antenna 20 for communicating with a mobile phone base station, and monitors are provided on the exterior body 12 side. An operation unit such as a numeric keypad (not shown), a battery, and the present invention are provided on the exterior body 14 side. Such a card reader / writer 22 is provided.

  The exterior body 14 is provided with a card mounting portion 24. For example, a guide groove 24A for slidingly guiding the non-contact IC card 100 is formed in the card mounting portion 24. The non-contact IC card 100 is detachably mounted along the guide groove 24A. As a result, the non-contact IC card 100 attached to the card attachment unit 24 is disposed on the substantially exterior surface of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10.

  The card reader / writer 22 performs wireless communication with the non-contact IC card 100 mounted on the card mounting unit 24 (non-contact) to read / write various data including image data. While supplying electric power, it has an antenna etc. for reading / writing data (image data etc.) to the non-contact IC card 100.

In addition, a mark 26 indicating a location with good communication sensitivity of the card reader / writer 22 is attached to the card mounting portion 24. Even when the non-contact IC card 100 is not mounted on the card mounting unit 24 or when it cannot be mounted due to a different shape, good communication can be performed in a non-contact manner by bringing the non-contact IC card closer to the mark 26 as a mark. .
[Overall configuration of digital camera]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the camera-equipped mobile device according to the present invention.

  A camera-equipped mobile device 10 ′ shown in FIG. 2 is a digital camera, and, like the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 shown in FIG. 1, a card attachment unit to which a non-contact IC card 100 is attached and a card reader / writer 22. Is provided.

  The digital camera 10 ′ is a digital camera having a function for recording and reproducing still images and moving images, and the overall operation of the digital camera 10 ′ is controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 30. The CPU 30 functions as control means for controlling the camera system according to a predetermined program, and performs various calculations such as automatic exposure (AE) calculation, automatic focus adjustment (AF) calculation, and white balance (WB) adjustment calculation. Functions as a means.

  The ROM 34 connected to the CPU 30 via the bus 32 stores programs executed by the CPU 30 and various data necessary for control. The EEPROM 36 stores CCD pixel defect information, various constants / information related to camera operation, and the like. Has been.

  The memory (SDRAM) 38 is used as a program development area and a calculation work area for the CPU 30, and is also used as a temporary storage area for image data and audio data. The VRAM 40 is a temporary storage memory dedicated to image data, and includes an A area 40A and a B area 40B. The memory 38 and the VRAM 40 can be shared.

  The digital camera 10 'is provided with a mode selection switch 42, a shooting button 44, and other operation means 46 such as a menu / OK key, a cross key, and a cancel key. Signals from these various operation units (42 to 46) are input to the CPU 30, and the CPU 30 controls each circuit of the digital camera 10 ′ based on the input signals, for example, lens driving control, photographing operation control, and image processing control. Image data recording / reproduction control, display control of the image display device 48, and the like are performed.

  The mode selection switch 42 is an operation means for switching between the photographing mode and the reproduction mode. When the mode selection switch 42 is operated to connect the movable contact piece 42A to the contact point a, the signal is input to the CPU 30, the digital camera 10 'is set to the photographing mode, and the movable contact piece 42A is connected to the contact point b. The digital camera 10 ′ is set to a reproduction mode for reproducing recorded images.

  The shooting button 44 is an operation button for inputting an instruction to start shooting, and is configured by a two-stroke switch having an S1 switch that is turned on when half-pressed and an S2 switch that is turned on when fully pressed.

  The image display device 48 is composed of a liquid crystal display capable of color display. The image display device 48 can be used as an electronic viewfinder for checking the angle of view at the time of shooting, and is used as a means for reproducing and displaying a recorded image. The image display device 48 is also used as a user interface display screen, and displays information such as menu information, selection items, and setting contents as necessary.

  Next, the photographing function of the digital camera 10 'will be described.

  When the shooting mode is selected by the mode selection switch 42, power is supplied to the imaging unit including the color CCD solid-state imaging device (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 50, and the camera is ready for shooting.

  The lens unit 60 is an optical unit that includes a photographic lens 62 including a focus lens and a diaphragm shutter mechanical shutter 64. The lens unit 60 is electrically driven by a lens driving unit 66 and a diaphragm driving unit 68 that are controlled by the CPU 30 to perform zoom control, focus control, and iris control.

  The light that has passed through the lens unit 60 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 50. A large number of photodiodes (light receiving elements) are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 50, and red (R), green (G), and blue (B) primary color filters corresponding to the respective photodiodes. They are arranged in a predetermined arrangement structure (Bayer, G stripe, etc.). The CCD 50 has an electronic shutter function for controlling the charge accumulation time (shutter speed) of each photodiode. The CPU 30 controls the charge accumulation time in the CCD 50 via the timing generator 70. Instead of the CCD 50, another type of image sensor such as a MOS type may be used.

  The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 50 is converted into a signal charge of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each photodiode. The signal charge accumulated in each photodiode is sequentially read out as a voltage signal (image signal) corresponding to the signal charge based on a drive pulse given from the timing generator 70 in accordance with a command from the CPU 30.

  The signal output from the CCD 50 is sent to an analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 72, where the R, G, B signals for each pixel are sampled and held (correlated double sampling processing), amplified, and then A / Applied to the D converter 74. The dot sequential R, G, B signals converted into digital signals by the A / D converter 74 are stored in the memory 38 via the image input controller 76.

  The image signal processing circuit 78 processes the R, G, B signals stored in the memory 38 in accordance with a command from the CPU 30. That is, the image signal processing circuit 78 includes a synchronization circuit (a processing circuit that converts a color signal into a simultaneous expression by interpolating a spatial shift of the color signal associated with the color filter array of the single CCD), a white balance correction circuit, It functions as an image processing means including a gamma correction circuit, a contour correction circuit, a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, and the like, and performs predetermined signal processing using the memory 38 in accordance with a command from the CPU 30.

  The RGB image data input to the image signal processing circuit 78 is converted into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, Cb signal) by the image signal processing circuit 78, and predetermined processing such as gamma correction is performed. Applied. The image data processed by the image signal processing circuit 78 is stored in the VRAM 40.

  When a captured image is output to the image display device 48 on a monitor, image data is read from the VRAM 40 and sent to the video encoder 80 via the bus 32. The video encoder 80 converts the input image data into a predetermined display signal (for example, an NTSC color composite video signal) and outputs the converted signal to the image display device 48.

  Image data representing an image for one frame is rewritten alternately in the A region 40A and the B region 40B of the VRAM 40 by the image signal output from the CCD 50. Of the A area 40A and B area 40B of the VRAM 40, the written image data is read from an area other than the area where the image data is rewritten. In this way, the image data in the VRAM 40 is periodically rewritten, and a video signal generated from the image data is supplied to the image display device 48, whereby the image being captured is displayed on the image display device 48 in real time. Is done. The photographer can check the shooting angle of view from the video (through movie image) displayed on the image display device 48.

  When the shooting button 44 is pressed halfway and S1 is turned on, the digital camera 10 'starts AE and AF processing. That is, the image signal output from the CCD 50 is input to the AF detection circuit 82 and the AE / AWB detection circuit 84 via the image input controller 76 after A / D conversion.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 84 includes a circuit that divides one screen into a plurality of areas (for example, 16 × 16) and integrates RGB signals for each divided area, and provides the integrated value to the CPU 30. The CPU 30 detects the brightness of the subject (subject brightness) based on the integrated value obtained from the AE / AWB detection circuit 84, and calculates an exposure value (shooting EV value) suitable for shooting. According to the obtained exposure value and a predetermined program diagram, the aperture value and the shutter speed are determined, and the CPU 30 controls the electronic shutter and iris of the CCD 50 to obtain an appropriate exposure amount.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 84 calculates an average integrated value for each color of the RGB signals for each divided area during automatic white balance adjustment, and provides the calculation result to the CPU 30. The CPU 30 obtains the integrated value of R, the integrated value of B, and the integrated value of G, obtains the ratio of R / G and B / G for each divided area, and R of these R / G and B / G values. The light source type is determined based on the distribution in the color space of / G, B / G, etc., and, for example, the value of each ratio is approximately 1 (that is, in one screen) according to the white balance adjustment value suitable for the determined light source type. The gain values (white balance correction values) for the R, G, and B signals of the white balance adjustment circuit are controlled so that the RGB integration ratio becomes R: G: B≈1: 1: 1), and the signal of each color channel. Apply correction to.

  In the AF control in the digital camera 10 ′, for example, a focusing lens (a moving lens that contributes to focus adjustment in the lens optical system constituting the photographing lens 62) is moved so that the high-frequency component of the G signal of the video signal is maximized. Contrast AF is applied. That is, the AF detection circuit 82 cuts out a signal in a focus target area preset in a high-pass filter that passes only a high-frequency component of the G signal, an absolute value processing unit, and a screen (for example, the center of the screen). An area extraction unit and an integration unit that integrates absolute value data in the AF area are configured.

  The integrated value data obtained by the AF detection circuit 82 is notified to the CPU 30. The CPU 30 calculates a focus evaluation value (AF evaluation value) at a plurality of AF detection points while moving the focusing lens by controlling the lens driving unit 66, and determines a lens position where the evaluation value is a maximum as a focus position. To do. Then, the lens driving unit 66 is controlled so as to move the focusing lens to the obtained in-focus position. The calculation of the AF evaluation value is not limited to a mode using the G signal, and a luminance signal (Y signal) may be used.

  The shooting button 44 is half-pressed, AE / AF processing is performed when S1 is on, the shooting button 44 is fully pressed, and recording operation starts when S2 is on. The image data acquired in response to S2 ON is converted into a luminance / color difference signal (Y / C signal) by the image signal processing circuit 78, subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction, and then stored in the memory 38. The

  The Y / C signal stored in the memory 38 is compressed according to a predetermined format by the compression / decompression circuit 86 and then recorded on the non-contact IC card 100 via the card reader / writer 22. For example, a still image is recorded in JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format.

  When the playback mode is selected by the mode selection switch 42, the compressed data of the final image file (last recorded file) recorded on the non-contact IC card 100 is read. When the file related to the last recording is a still image file, the read image compression data is expanded to an uncompressed YC signal via the compression / decompression circuit 86, and via the image signal processing circuit 78 and the video encoder 80. After being converted into a display signal, it is output to the image display device 48. As a result, the image content of the file is displayed on the screen of the image display device 48.

During single-frame playback of still images (including playback of the first frame of a movie), the file to be played can be switched (forward / reverse frame advance) by operating the right or left key of the four-way controller. it can. The image file at the frame-advanced position is read from the non-contact IC card 100, and still images and moving images are reproduced and displayed on the image display device 48 in the same manner as described above.
[Non-contact IC card]
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a non-contact IC card according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the non-contact IC card 100 includes an IC chip 110 for a non-contact IC card, an antenna (antenna coil) 120 for supplying power to the IC chip 110 and reading / writing data, and a plurality of sheets. A large-capacity built-in memory (flash memory) 130 capable of recording the image data and other data (text data or the like) is enclosed in a plastic card.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the IC chip 110 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 111, a ROM (read only memory) 112, a RAM (optional read / write memory) 113, a power supply circuit 114, an interface 115, and a coprocessor 116. It is connected to an antenna 120 for power supply and data reading / writing and a built-in memory 130.

  The CPU 111 is a processing unit that performs overall control of each unit. The ROM 112 stores a control program necessary for the operation of the CPU 111, IC chip serial number, manufacturer information, IC chip information (ID information) such as memory capacity, and the like. Reads and writes temporary data and functions as a work area during program execution.

  The built-in memory 130 is a nonvolatile memory mainly used for storing data (image data or the like). The IC chip 110 and the built-in memory 130 may be integrated.

  The power supply circuit 114 smoothes the induced electromotive force from the antenna 120 to generate electric power, and supplies it to the circuits of the respective parts. The interface 115 performs communication control with the outside and exchanges data. The coprocessor 116 mainly performs cryptographic calculation processing and assists the CPU 111. A CPU with a coprocessor may be used.

The IC chip 110 configured as described above can read and write image data without contact with the card reader / writer 22 by bringing the antenna 120 close to the antenna of the card reader / writer 22. The communication distance includes a close contact type with a communication distance of 3 mm or less, and a proximity type with a communication distance using a short wave of 10 cm or less.
<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the non-contact IC card according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram thereof. 5 and FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given to the portions common to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the non-contact IC card 100 ′ of the second embodiment further includes a charging circuit 140 and a battery 150 compared to the non-contact IC card 100 of the first embodiment. It differs in that it has.

  That is, the non-contact IC card 100 of the first embodiment is a non-power-supply type using an electromagnetic induction wave, and the non-contact IC card 100 ′ of the second embodiment is constituted by a built-in battery 150. It is a built-in battery that operates.

  The charging circuit 140 generates a required voltage for charging the battery 150 based on the induced electromotive force from the antenna 12 and supplies the voltage to the battery 150. Note that the charging circuit 140 may be supplied with power from the power supply circuit 114, boost the voltage, and supply it to the battery 150.

  The battery 150 is, for example, a rechargeable sheet battery, and is charged by power supplied from the charging circuit 140. The charging circuit 140 is controlled based on a charging start command, a charging end command, etc. from the CPU 111. The charged power of the battery 150 is supplied to each part of the IC chip 110.

  The battery-incorporated non-contact IC card 100 ′ can have a longer communication distance than the non-power-source type IC card 100 ′. Further, since it is not necessary for the card reader / writer side to generate a battery induced wave for power generation, it is possible to save power in the card reader / writer side device.

The non-contact IC card 100 ′ with a built-in battery is a rechargeable battery that does not require a battery replacement, but may be a battery replaceable battery. In this case, since it is necessary to use a button battery or the like, the thickness of the card increases.
<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the non-contact IC card according to the present invention, and particularly shows an attachment structure for easily attaching to a device such as a camera-equipped mobile phone.

  The non-contact IC card 102 shown in the figure has a plate-like magnet 104 disposed around the card. The antenna provided in the card is arranged at a position avoiding the magnet 104.

  On the other hand, in a card mounting portion (a portion corresponding to the magnet 104) in a device such as a mobile phone with a camera that uses the non-contact IC card 102 as an external memory, a member on which the magnet 104 is easily attached is disposed. The portion of the card mounting portion that does not correspond to the magnet 104 is made of a material that does not inhibit wireless communication by the card reader / writer.

The non-contact IC card 102 having the above configuration can be easily attached to and detached from a card mounting portion of a camera-equipped mobile phone or the like by a magnet 104.
<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the non-contact IC card according to the present invention, and particularly shows another attachment structure for easily attaching to a device such as a mobile phone with a camera.

  8A is a plan view of the non-contact IC card 106, and FIG. 8B is a front view of the non-contact IC card 106. FIG.

  In this non-contact IC card 106, as shown in FIG. 8B, an adhesive (for example, an adhesive silicon sheet) 108 having an attaching / detaching performance is disposed on the attachment surface side to the device, and the card is bent. Three incisions 109 are made possible.

  The non-contact IC card 106 having the above configuration can be easily attached to and detached from a card attachment portion (substantially flat attachment surface) of a camera-equipped mobile phone or the like with an adhesive 108. Further, since the card can be bent by the cut portion 109, the non-contact IC card 106 can be gradually attached or peeled off gradually.

The non-contact IC card 106 can be bent by the notch 109 or the like, but may have a structure that cannot be bent.
[Cradle device]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a cradle device according to the present invention.

  The cradle device 200 shown in the figure functions as a charging function of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 shown in FIG. 1 or as a card reader / writer of the non-contact IC card 100, and the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is attached. A camera mounting unit 210, a card mounting unit 220 in which the non-contact IC card 100 is mounted, an operation unit 230 including various switches, a lighting lamp such as a light emitting diode, a display unit 231 such as a liquid crystal monitor, a USB connector, an AV A connector 240 such as an output terminal, and a card reader / writer and charging means (not shown) are provided.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is detachably attached to the camera attachment portion 210 such that the card attachment portion 24 (see FIG. 1) side of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is the attachment surface side. Further, when the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is correctly attached to the camera mounting portion 210, the charging power input terminal 28 on the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 side becomes the charging power output terminal (not shown) on the cradle device 200 side. ).

  For example, a guide groove 220A for guiding the non-contact IC card 100 in a slidable manner is formed in the card mounting portion 220, and the non-contact IC card 100 is detachably mounted along the guide groove 220A. In addition, a mark 222 indicating a location with good communication sensitivity of the card reader / writer is attached to the card mounting unit 220.

  The cradle device 200 reads / writes image data without contact with the non-contact IC card 100 when the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 with the non-contact IC card 100 attached is attached to the camera attachment unit 210. In addition, when the non-contact IC card 100 is mounted on the card mounting unit 220, image data can be read and written without contact with the non-contact IC card 100.

  Furthermore, even when the non-contact IC card cannot be mounted on the card mounting unit 220 or the like due to a different shape, the non-contact IC card can be mounted on or close to the camera mounting unit 210 or the card mounting unit 220 without touching the non-contact IC card. It is also possible to read and write image data without contact with the IC card. In this case, good communication can be achieved by placing the non-contact IC card with the mark 222 as a mark.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the internal configuration of the cradle apparatus 200. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the cradle device 200 mainly includes an operation unit 230, a display unit 231, a USB interface 242, a charging circuit 250, a card reader / writer 260, a CPU 270, a ROM 280, and a RAM 290.

  The operation unit 230 instructs the CPU 270 to read and write image data from the non-contact IC card 100, and to instruct image reproduction, frame advance, and deletion. The CPU 270 performs overall control of the entire operation of the cradle device 200, and functions as a control unit that controls reading / writing, erasing, transferring, charging, and the like of image data according to a predetermined program.

  A ROM 280 connected to the CPU 270 via the bus 254 stores programs executed by the CPU 270 and various data necessary for control. The RAM 290 is used as a program development area and a calculation work area for the CPU 270, and is also used as a temporary storage area for image data.

  The charging circuit 250 receives a DC power from a commercial power source or an AC adapter, converts the DC power into a predetermined DC voltage for charging the battery of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, and outputs it to the power output terminal 252. Therefore, when the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is attached to the camera attachment portion 210 and the power input terminal 28 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is connected to the power output terminal 252, the battery of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is charged.

  In this embodiment, the battery of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is charged by supplying a DC voltage from the power output terminal 252. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the battery of the camera-equipped mobile phone is electromagnetically induced. In the case of a configuration in which charging is performed, the charging means on the cradle device side includes a primary coil, and an induced electromotive force is generated from the primary coil to the secondary coil on the camera-equipped mobile phone side.

  The card reader / writer 260 performs wireless communication with the non-contact IC card 100 to read or read image data in a non-contact manner. The read image data is temporarily stored in the RAM 290. The RAM 290 temporarily holds image data to be written to the non-contact IC card 100.

  Then, the image data held in the RAM 290 is transferred via the USB interface 242 to a large-capacity recording device including a personal computer and a hard disk. Note that a cradle device 200 may be provided with a large-capacity recording device, and image data may be stored therein.

  In addition, when reading and writing image data by wireless communication with the non-contact IC card 100 ′ shown in FIG. 5, the battery 150 of the non-contact IC card 100 ′ is charged at the same time or after completion of the reading and writing. It may be.

Furthermore, when the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to which the non-contact IC card 100 is not attached is attached to the cradle device 200 and image data is held in the internal memory of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, the camera-equipped mobile phone The image data may be read directly from the internal memory of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 by performing wireless communication with the card reader / writer 22 of the phone 10.
[Communication between camera phone and contactless IC card]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and the non-contact IC card 100.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as “camera”) transmits a search code and searches for the non-contact IC card 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as “external memory”). When the external memory receives the search code, it returns the memory remaining amount and the like together with the ID information of the external memory. In the case of an external memory having a battery, the battery remaining amount is also returned.

  When the camera side receives a reply such as the ID information of the external memory and the remaining amount of memory, it transfers the image data together with the received ID information, and transmits a transfer end code when the transfer of the image data is completed.

  When the external memory recognizes its own ID information, it records the image data transferred together with the ID information, and when it receives the transfer end code, it returns a response signal indicating whether or not it has been normally received.

The camera side determines whether or not the image data has been normally transferred based on the received response signal.
[Flow from camera system shooting to recording]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow from photographing to recording in the camera system according to the present invention.

  In the digital camera 10 'shown in FIG. 2, it is determined whether the shooting mode is selected by the mode selection switch 42 or the playback mode is selected (step S10). If the shooting mode is selected, the camera mode is set to the shooting mode (step S12), and a shooting process described later is performed. On the other hand, if the playback mode is selected, the camera mode is set to the playback mode (step S14), and normal playback processing is performed based on playback instructions such as one-frame forward and one-frame backward (step S16). ).

  When the shooting mode is set, it is determined whether or not the release button 44 is turned on by the shooting button 44 (step S18). When the release button is turned on, the shooting is performed (step S20). The image data (compressed image file) acquired at the time of shooting is once recorded in the EEPROM 36 or a flash memory (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as “internal memory”) (step S22).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the remaining number of images that can be recorded in the internal memory and the number of images remaining in the internal memory (the number of untransferred images) are displayed on the screen of the image display device 48. In the example shown in FIG. 13, as the remaining number, it is displayed that five 3 mega (M) images can be recorded, and that there is one untransferred number. Further, this display is performed for a certain time, for example, when the release is ON or when the photographing mode is switched.

  Next, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the contactless IC card 100 (external memory) is searched (step S24). This external memory search is performed for a fixed time (about 2 minutes) after shooting, and it is determined whether or not the external memory is found within the fixed time (step S26). If the external memory is not found, the search for the external memory is stopped, and a message indicating that there is no external memory is displayed on the screen of the image display device 48 (step S28).

  On the other hand, if the external memory is found, wireless communication is performed with the external memory, necessary information such as ID information and the remaining memory is acquired from the external memory, and the remaining capacity of the external memory is checked (steps S30 and S32). ).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether image data can be transmitted from the remaining capacity of the external memory (step S34). If transmission is not possible, a message indicating that there is no remaining capacity in the external memory is displayed on the screen of the image display device 48 (step S36).

  If transmission is possible, the image file stored in the internal memory is transmitted to the external memory via the card reader / writer 22 and recorded in the external memory (steps S38 and S40).

  Thereafter, when the recording of the image file to the external memory is normally completed, the image file in the internal memory is deleted (step S42).

  In addition, when there is no external memory or when there is no remaining capacity of the external memory, transfer of the image file recorded and held in the internal memory without being transferred to the external memory is performed when the apparatus is turned on or when a transfer instruction is input. Alternatively, it is performed at the time of transferring the image file acquired by the next shooting.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the overall configuration of a camera system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the camera-equipped mobile device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of a non-contact IC card according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a non-contact IC card according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a second embodiment of the non-contact IC card according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the non-contact IC card according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a third embodiment of the non-contact IC card according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the non-contact IC card according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a cradle device according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the internal configuration of the cradle apparatus. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the camera-equipped mobile phone and the non-contact IC card. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow from photographing to recording in the camera system according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of information displayed on the screen of the image display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mobile device with a camera (mobile phone with a camera) 10 '... Mobile device with a camera (digital camera) 12, 14 ... Exterior body, 16 ... Hinge part, 18 ... Camera part, 22, 260 ... Card reader / Writer, 24, 220 ... Card mounting portion, 26, 222 ... Mark, 30, 111, 270 ... CPU, 100, 100 ', 102, 106 ... Non-contact IC card, 104 ... Magnet, 108 ... Adhesive, 110 ... IC Chip 120 ... Antenna 130 ... Built-in memory (flash memory) 140, 250 ... Charging circuit 150 ... Battery 200 ... Cradle device 210 ... Camera mounting part

Claims (14)

An IC chip for a non-contact IC card;
An antenna for supplying power to the IC chip and reading and writing data;
A large-capacity built-in memory capable of recording image data,
The IC chip receives image data wirelessly transmitted from an external device through the antenna, records the image data in the built-in memory, and stores the image data recorded in the built-in memory through the antenna. A non-contact IC card characterized by wirelessly transmitting to an external device.   2. The contactless battery according to claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable battery that supplies power to the IC chip, and charging means that charges the battery based on the power supplied via the antenna. IC card. A card mounting part to which the non-contact IC card according to claim 1 or 2 is detachably mounted, wherein the card mounting part is mounted so that the non-contact IC card is disposed on a substantially exterior surface;
A card writer or a card reader / writer that wirelessly communicates with the non-contact IC card mounted on the card mounting unit to write or read image data;
A camera-equipped mobile device comprising:   4. The camera-equipped mobile device according to claim 3, wherein a mark indicating a location with good communication sensitivity of the card writer or card reader / writer is attached to the card mounting unit.   5. The camera-equipped mobile device according to claim 3, wherein the camera-equipped mobile device includes two exterior bodies that are connected to each other so as to be folded, slid, or rotated. 6. A camera mounting portion to which the camera-equipped mobile device according to claim 3 is mounted, wherein the camera-equipped mobile device is detachably mounted so that the non-contact IC card is on a mounting surface side. A camera mounting part,
Charging means for charging the mounted mobile device with camera;
A card reader or card reader / writer that reads or reads / writes image data by wireless communication with a non-contact IC card attached to the card attachment portion of the camera-equipped mobile device attached to the camera attachment portion;
A cradle device comprising: A camera mounting unit on which a mobile device with a camera is mounted;
Charging means for charging the camera-equipped mobile device mounted on the camera mounting unit;
A card mounting part to which the non-contact IC card according to claim 1 is detachably mounted;
A card reader or card reader / writer that wirelessly communicates with a non-contact IC card mounted on the card mounting unit to read or read image data;
A cradle device comprising:   8. The cradle device according to claim 7, wherein a mark indicating a location with good communication sensitivity of the card reader or the card reader / writer is attached to the card mounting portion.   7. A large-capacity built-in memory capable of recording image data, and recording means for recording image data read by the card reader or card reader / writer in the built-in memory. The cradle device according to any one of 1 to 8. A camera system comprising the contactless IC card according to claim 1 or 2 and the camera-equipped mobile device according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The camera-equipped mobile device includes an internal memory that stores and holds image data, a detection unit that detects a non-contact IC card that is a transfer destination of the image data, and a non-contact IC card that is a transfer destination is detected by the detection unit And a control means for transferring image data stored and held in the internal memory to the non-contact IC card only when.   The control means stores image data stored in the internal memory in the non-contact IC card only when the non-contact IC card of the transfer destination is detected by the detection means and the non-contact IC card has a remaining memory. The camera system according to claim 10, wherein transfer is performed.   The camera system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control means deletes the image data stored and held in the internal memory after the transfer of the image data is completed.   13. The display device according to claim 10, further comprising display means for displaying an untransferred number of image data stored in the internal memory and a remaining number of image data recordable in the internal memory. The camera system described in.   The camera system according to claim 13, wherein the display unit displays at least one of presence / absence of the non-contact IC card of the transfer destination and whether or not image data can be transferred.

Images