JP4501565B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having an imaging function and a television reception function.

In recent years, mobile phones with an imaging function have been rapidly developed. On the other hand, mobile phones with built-in TV tuners have also appeared (Non-patent Document 1). In the future, it is expected that not only analog broadcasting but also digital broadcasting can be viewed.
http://www.vodafone.jp/japanese/products/kisyu/v401t/index.html

  By the way, since the program currently being broadcast is intended for viewing by the viewer, it can be said that the viewer is free to view it. However, recording a part of a broadcasted program may correspond to a reproduction of a literary work, so if unlimited recording is possible, there is a possibility that the profit on the broadcasting station side cannot be secured. On the other hand, if recording of all broadcast programs is prohibited, the convenience of the user cannot be achieved.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can achieve both the benefits of the broadcasting station and the convenience of the user.

An electronic device of the present invention is a portable electronic device, an imaging unit that performs imaging to generate an image signal, a tuner unit that receives a television signal and generates an image signal from the television signal, A display unit that displays at least one of an image based on the imaging and an image based on the television signal, and an image signal generated by the imaging unit is generated as first image data and generated by the tuner unit. An electronic device having a storage unit that stores an image signal as second image data and an input unit through which a user can input key information, and only when predetermined key information is input via the input unit The second image data is read from the storage unit, and the display unit displays an image based on the second image data. First, a user of an electronic device can arbitrarily view an image based on the television signal displayed in a streaming manner on the display unit, but this does not impair the profit on the broadcasting station side. Even if the image data corresponding to the television signal is stored in the storage unit, it is considered that if it is not displayed again, the profit on the broadcasting station side is not impaired thereby. However, if the second image data stored in the storage unit can be read and displayed without limitation, there is a risk that the profit on the broadcasting station side may be impaired. Therefore, it is up to the user to store the second image data in the storage unit, but displaying an image based on the second image data is limited to when predetermined key information is input via the input unit. In this way, we are trying to balance user convenience with the profits of the broadcasting station. Note that when a predetermined key information through the input unit is inputted, for example, when to perform the charging in exchange for displaying images from a broadcast station, and pay the price for the users specified Ukoto In this case , the key information provided by the broadcasting station is input in exchange . In this specification, the term “image” includes a moving image without sound and a moving image with sound in addition to a still image. In this specification, image data is processed into image data. However, an already processed image signal is treated as the same as image data.

The storage unit includes a memory detachable and a non-removable memory, said second image data is preferably stored only in the non-removable memory. Previous SL second image data, when the wear in the removable memory storage, via a memory detached from the electronic apparatus, the second image data stored therein is liable to flow out indefinitely Because.

The first image data is preferably stored in at least one of the removable memory and the non- removable memory. This is because, in principle, the user can freely handle images that the user has taken.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electronic device which can make the profit on the broadcast station side and the user's usability compatible can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view (a) and a rear view (b) of a mobile phone T with an imaging function as an example of the electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment. The mobile phone T will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, in the mobile phone T, an upper housing 171 as a case having a display screen (also referred to as a display unit) 174 and a lower housing 172 having an operation button group 16 are connected via a hinge 173. Are connected. The imaging unit 100 including a lens and a CCD is built below the display screen 174 on the inner surface side (the side having the display screen 174) of the upper housing 171, and the lens 42 (see FIG. The light can be taken in from the outer surface of the upper housing 171 via 2).

  A mode switch 41 is disposed on the side surface of the lower housing 172. The mode switch 41 is slidable upward from the center position shown in the figure. Each time the mode switch 41 is slid once, the control unit 8 changes the mode to “call mode” → “camera shooting mode” → “camera playback mode” → “ The rotary mode is sequentially switched in the order of “TV broadcast mode” → “TV playback mode” → “call mode”. In the call mode, the user can make a call using the mobile phone T. In the camera shooting mode, the user can take an image by operating the release switch R. In the camera playback mode, the user can display a camera image on the display screen 174 based on the image data stored in the storage unit. In the television broadcast mode, the user can view a television image displayed in a streaming manner on the display screen 174 based on an image signal generated by the TV tuner unit 50 (FIG. 2). In the television playback mode, the user can view a television image displayed on the display screen 174 based on image data stored in the storage unit under predetermined conditions.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile phone T with an imaging function according to the present embodiment. In the case where the call mode is set, in FIG. 2, in the transmitting unit 2, for example, the voice emitted from the user from the condenser microphone 21 or the like is converted into a voice signal through the microphone 21, and then the voice codec 11, The signal is output to the transmission unit 23 via the channel codec 12 and the modulation unit 22, and transmitted from the diversity antenna 14 to the other party via the external telephone or the like by the SWIC 13. Further, the transmission unit 23 serving as a communication unit corresponds to an image stored in the FROM 51 serving as a storage unit (or memory) or the removable memory card 7 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 8 under a predetermined condition. Image data can be sent as an email attachment to an external terminal.

  On the other hand, when the receiver 3 receives a transmission signal from the other party by the SWIC 13 via the diversity antenna 14 and the receiver 31 receives the other party's voice via the demodulator 32, the channel codec 12, and the voice codec 11. It is configured to be heard from the receiver 33 and the speaker 34.

  A TV tuner unit (also referred to as a tuner unit) 50 acquires a television analog broadcast signal or a digital broadcast signal (collectively referred to as a television signal) via an antenna (not shown), and generates an image signal based thereon. To do. The image signal is subjected to image processing by the control unit 8 and input to the display screen 174 to be displayed as a visible image. In addition, the image signal (and the image data obtained by processing the image signal) includes information corresponding to the image (for example, “broadcast station name”, “program title”, “broadcast date”) and the like as supplementary information.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging unit 100 including the imaging element includes a lens 42 on the back side opposite to the front side on which the display screen 174 and the operation button group 16 are provided, and the camera mode is set. In this case, since the photographed image is formed on the image sensor 43 such as a CCD through the lens 42, an image signal output therefrom can be acquired. Although not shown, the lens 42 is configured to be driven in the optical axis direction so as to be in a focused position. Further, in the camera mode, the imaging unit 100 of this embodiment performs an imaging process by operating the release switch R in the operation button group 16, and performs an image process on an image signal obtained thereby, and a card controller. The corresponding image data is stored in the FROM 51 or the memory card 7 selected by 52. Here, the image processing means that, for example, an image signal obtained from the imaging unit 100 or the tuner unit 50 is converted into a video signal composed of luminance and color difference, and compression processing is performed using a standardized compression method. Process to obtain image data. Note that the image processing is not limited to this method, and in short, in order to store in the storage unit, data obtained by using some processing on the image signal is handled as image data.

  A non-removable FROM 51 (first memory) and a removable memory card 7 (second memory) are used for storing image data corresponding to an image captured by the image capturing unit 100. FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, image data corresponding to an image based on a television signal is stored only in the FROM 51. In addition, the control unit 8 has a work memory. This work memory is used to record temporarily when a predetermined process is performed on an image signal for preview display, which will be described later, or when a predetermined image process is performed on an image signal for storage in the memory card 7. Is used.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the mobile phone T with an imaging function according to the present embodiment. When the user of the mobile phone T turns on the power switch, the control unit 8 sets the call mode by default, so that the user can make a call. Here, it is assumed that the user who desires the mode change operates the mode switch 41.

  Accordingly, the control unit 8 determines whether one of “camera shooting mode”, “camera playback mode”, “TV broadcast mode”, and “TV playback mode” has been set based on the signal from the mode switch 41. (Steps S101, S102, S109). First, when it is determined that the camera shooting mode is set (step S102), the control unit 8 waits for the release switch R (S1) to be turned on in step S103, and in step S104, in response to the on operation. An image signal from the imaging unit 100 is acquired and image processing is performed to generate image data (first image data), which is stored in the FROM 51 or the memory card 7 set in advance as a storage destination in step S105. For example, when the release switch R is momentarily pressed, an image signal corresponding to the still image at that moment is used as image data, and when the release switch R is pressed for a certain period, it corresponds to a moving image during that period. Assume that an image signal is image data.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the camera playback mode has been set (step S102), the control unit 8 reads the most recently stored image data from the FROM 51 or the memory card 7 set as a read destination in advance in step S106. In step S107, the image is displayed on the display screen 174 as a visible image. By operating the release switch R up and down, an image can be selected and displayed for each frame (step S108).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the TV broadcast mode is set (step S109), the control unit 8 displays an image in a streaming manner on the display screen 174 based on the image signal generated by the TV tuner unit 50 in step S110. To do. Here, when the release switch R (S1) is turned on (step S111), the control unit 8 performs image processing on the image signal based on the television signal in step S112 in response to the on operation. Data (second image data) is generated and stored in the FROM 51 in step S113, but not stored in the memory card 7 . For example , when the release switch R is momentarily pressed, the television signal corresponding to the still image at that moment is used as the image data, and when the release switch R is pressed for a certain period, it corresponds to the moving image of that period. It is assumed that a television signal to be processed is image data.

  If it is determined that the TV playback mode is set (step S109), the control unit 8 reads the supplementary information of the most recently stored image data from the FROM 51 in step S114, and displays the corresponding information on the display screen. Is displayed (see FIG. 4). The user can select an image desired to be reproduced by looking at the title name of the program (step S115). By operating the release switch R up and down, the displayed information can be selectively displayed for each corresponding image data.

  Here, even if the user selects the image data stored in the FROM 51 by pressing the release switch R or the like, the image cannot be viewed immediately based on the selected image data. If this can be viewed freely, there is a risk that the profit on the broadcasting station side cannot be achieved. Therefore, the control unit 8 displays, for example, “Please enter key information” on the display screen 174, and requests the user to input key information for viewing. Such key information can be assigned predetermined encryption information (for example, a combination of numbers) when the user pays a viewing fee to the broadcasting station side (including when it is automatically withdrawn from a mobile phone account). To do.

  In step S116, if the key information input by the user using the operation button group 16 serving as an input unit matches the key information included in the original television signal, the authentication is correctly performed (that is, In step S118, the control unit 8 reads out the corresponding image data stored in the FROM 51, and displays it as a visible image on the display screen 174. Thereby, the user of the mobile phone can view the stored television program. If the user wants to watch the next television program, the user repeats the steps from step S115. If the user does not want to watch, the user can change the mode (step S119).

  On the other hand, if the input key information and the key information included in the television signal do not match, it is determined that the authentication has not been correctly performed, and the control unit 8 determines that “key” in step S117. A warning display such as “information is incorrect” is displayed on the display screen 174, and an image based on the television signal is not displayed (including applying a mosaic or the like).

  According to the present embodiment, image data corresponding to a television signal is freely left to the user until it is stored in the FROM 51. However, displaying an image based on the image data is limited to a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied. , It aims to achieve both user convenience and the benefit of the broadcasting station.

  The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified or improved as appropriate. For example, the electronic device is not limited to a mobile phone, but includes all electronic devices such as PDA (Personal Digital (Data) Assistants), but is preferably portable.

It is the front view (a) and the rear view (b) of the mobile phone T concerning this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone T concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the mobile telephone T concerning this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the information displayed on the display screen.

Explanation of symbols

7 Memory Card 11 Audio Codec 12 Channel Codec 14 Diversity Antenna 16 Operation Button Group 21 Capacitor Microphone 21 Microphone 22 Modulator 23 Transmitter 31 Receiver 31 Demodulator 33 Receiver 34 Speaker 42 Lens 43 Image Sensor 50 TV Tuner 51 FROM
100 Imaging device 174 Display screen R Release switch

Claims (3)

A portable electronic device,
An imaging unit that performs imaging and generates an image signal;
A tuner for receiving a television signal and generating an image signal from the television signal;
A display unit that displays at least one of the image based on the imaging and the image based on the television signal;
A storage unit for storing the image signal generated by the imaging unit as first image data and the image signal generated by the tuner unit as second image data;
An electronic device having an input unit through which a user can input key information,
Only when predetermined key information is input via the input unit, the second image data is read from the storage unit, and the display unit displays an image based on the second image data. machine.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a removable memory and a non-removable memory, and the second image data is stored only in the non-removable memory. .   The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first image data is stored in at least one of the removable memory and the non-removable memory.

Images