RU2218594C2 - Digital data storage and transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: digital camera appliances. SUBSTANCE: device has digital information store, three input-output buses, microprocessor unit, digital port for interaction with other digital devices, power unit, control module, display, and receiver for electronic data media. EFFECT: enlarged functional capabilities. 12 cl, 4 dwg

Description

 The invention relates to a device for storing and transferring digital information and is intended, in particular, for use as an accessory for a digital camera.

State of the art
The process of photographing using a digital camera is completed by storing the digitally obtained photograph on a storage medium. Currently, there are known storage media that can be divided into two types:
1. Electronic-mechanical (EMNI), such as a 1.44 '' (32 mm) magnetic diskette, an IBM Microdrive type disk drive, which is a micro-winchester disk drive inserted in a slotted digital camera hole type "Slot II".

 2. Electronic (ENI), such as devices based on rewritable non-volatile memory, currently produced with the trademarks Flach, Compact Flach, Smart Media, Memory Stick.

The prospects for the development of digital cameras with electronic-mechanical types of storage media seems doubtful due to factors such as
1. Reduced system reliability due to the presence of additional moving parts.

 2. Increased power consumption.

 3. Low write speed, as in the aforementioned 1.44-inch magnetic diskette.

 4. High cost and hence the low demand for them in the consumer market, as in the aforementioned "IBM Microdrive" drive.

 Electronic storage media (ENI) are the most promising, as evidenced by a sharp increase in the number of devices released to the consumer market, and an increase in the number of types of such devices.

 Despite the constant increase in the size of ENI produced, in parallel there is an increase in the quality of digital photos produced, so the number of digital photographs taken with the maximum resolution that ENI can accommodate remains small and averages 20-30. Thus, archiving (moving digital photos from ENI to another type of medium) seems to be very relevant.

To date, the only way to back up is to transfer data from ENI to a computer. If archiving is necessary for mobile users, then it is performed on a portable computer, such as a laptop. This archiving method has a number of disadvantages, for example
1. The weight and dimensions of the laptop do not allow the user to carry it with him constantly, especially this applies to non-business trips.

 2. The rather high cost of the laptop makes it a potential target for theft, and the prospect of constantly carrying with it a rather heavy and bulky item that is sensitive to shock, temperature, humidity often leads to the decision that the laptop cannot be taken on a trip made with purpose of rest.

 3. To own a laptop you need a certain qualification of the user, which should not be an indispensable condition for the user of a digital camera.

 4. The laptop consumes significant resources of its battery just to load the operating system. If the laptop is used solely for the purpose of archiving data from ENI, it turns out that the resources of its battery are used extremely inefficiently.

 5. The laptop boot time can be up to several minutes, which is inconvenient, especially if the transfer time of the ENI data is critical, for example, during a reporter survey.

 A device for storing digital information containing a Winchester-type drive, a processor module, a communication module with other digital devices, a control module is known.

 A device for storing digital photographs that is inserted into a digital camera, such as the said "IBM Microdrive" drive, is known.

 The disadvantages of the known devices are that they require the mentioned slot type “Slot II” in the digital camera, cause increased sensitivity to mechanical stress, increased battery consumption of the digital camera when shooting, high cost, information capacity limited by dimensions, limited compatibility: for data transfer from known devices requires a computer containing a slot-type hole "Slot II".

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is a device for storing and transferring digital information, containing a digital information storage device connected via a first input / output bus to a microprocessor unit including a microprogram module and random access memory (RAM), a digital port for interacting with other digital devices, connected through a second I / O bus with a microprocessor unit, a power supply unit for storing and transferring digital information.

 The device according to the invention is characterized in that it contains a control module, the output of which is connected to the input of the microprocessor unit, and a display connected at the input to the output of the microprocessor unit, a receiver for electronic storage media (ENI), connected via a third input / output bus to the microprocessor unit.

 An embodiment of the claimed device for reporter surveys further comprises a radio modem coupled via a fourth I / O bus to a microprocessor unit and configured to transmit and receive digital data over a radio channel via mobile telephone or other radio channels.

 In the device according to the invention, the digital information storage device can be made in the form of a miniature Winchester storage device.

 The display can be made in the form of a liquid crystal display and have a backlight.

 The power supply may be a battery pack.

 The power supply can be made in the form of a battery pack.

 The control module can be made in the form of a control command input device by pressing a key on the control panel.

 The control module can also be made in the form of input devices for voice control commands.

 In the device according to the invention, the digital information storage device, the receiver for the ENI and the mentioned digital port can be connected to the microprocessor unit via the collective input / output bus.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
The invention is illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention with the cover open,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a device for storing and transferring digital information according to the invention,
figure 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a device according to the invention, intended for reporter filming,
figure 4 is a variant of the connection circuit of peripheral devices: a digital information storage device, a receiver for ENI and a digital port to a microprocessor unit via a collective input-output bus line.

 A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention.

 As shown in figure 1, the device for storing and transferring digital information according to the invention is a compact unit with dimensions slightly exceeding the dimensions of a pack of cigarettes and low weight (presumably not more than 200 grams). The information capacity of the device according to the invention exceeds the information capacity of electronic storage media (ENI) by 50 times or more, while its cost is comparable to ENI in mass production.

 As shown in FIG. 2, the device according to the invention consists of a digital information storage device (1), a microprocessor unit (2) including a microprogram module (8) and random access memory (9) (RAM), a display (3), a module control (4), receiver (5) for ENI, power supply (6). In the device according to the invention, said drive (1), receiver (5) for ENI have two-way communication via an input-output bus with a microprocessor unit (2). The output of the microprocessor unit (2) is connected to the input of the display (3). The output of the control module (4) is connected to the input of the microprocessor unit (2).

The operation of the device according to the invention
The device according to the invention operates as follows.

 - An ENI is inserted into the ENI receiver (5).

 - The device turns on, it performs a self-test.

 - Using the control module (4), a command is given to transfer data from the ENI to the claimed device.

 - The request is processed by the microprocessor unit (2), the possibility of transferring digital information from ENI to the claimed device for storing and transferring digital information is checked, if it is impossible to transfer digital information, information appears about the impossibility of transferring the mentioned digital information on the display (3). If it is possible to transfer digital information, the display (3) displays information about the transfer process. Transfer can occur in the ENI cleaning mode or the data on the ENI remain unchanged, which is determined by the user's choice.

 The microprocessor unit prepares for recording portable digital information. The drive (1), in the event that it is a "Winchester" drive, spins its magnetic disks. The microprocessor unit reads data from the ENI receiver (5) and writes them to the drive (1). If after recording the ENI is required to be cleaned, the microprocessor unit will overwrite the mentioned record in accordance with the technical specifications for the ENI. The power supply unit (6) provides electricity to all nodes of the claimed device during operation. Disconnecting the power supply due to the discharge of the batteries does not lead to data loss on the drive (1), which is provided by the microprocessor unit, which determines the state of the batteries (or battery) at the stage of self-testing. The claimed device has the ability to recharge from an external power source during operation through an electrical connector.

 - After the data transfer is completed, the device according to the invention can be turned off using the control module (4) or after a certain period of time. After the transfer of data from or to the ENI is completed, it is assumed that the ENI will be removed from the ENI receiver, but if it is not removed, this will not lead to malfunction of the claimed device or its breakdown.

 - The device can also be configured to organize data on the drive (1), for example, creating electronic folders, copying digital information into them, erasing digital information, protecting against erasing, copying data to ENI.

 - The device can also be configured to supply other service micro-commands, for example, viewing the contents of the ENI, selectively deleting information from the ENI, etc.

 - The device may have a mode of automatic recognition of the inserted ENI and automatic transfer of data from the ENI to the drive.

 - To interact with other electronic devices, such as a laptop computer, such as a laptop, the device has a digital port (7), which can be wireless or provide data transfer through a cable connected to port (7), which can be determined by the modification of the device. The process of interacting with another electronic device involves the transfer of data in both directions on the I / O bus. The digital port (7) assumes that the device may have other purposes, which will be described below. The process of transmitting data through port (7) is controlled by a microprocessor unit (2).

 In an embodiment of the invention intended for reporter filming (see FIG. 3), the device has a radio modem (10) that can transmit and receive digital data over a radio channel via mobile telephone or other radio channels.

 The microprocessor unit (2) in this case is equipped with appropriate microprograms.

 The device can also be used to archive video information, which is recorded on the ENI during video recording. The same device can be used as an archive of music, which you can take with you on trips for the subsequent dubbing of music to a digital audio player. This audio player uses the same ENI as the claimed device.

 In FIG. Figure 4 shows a variant of the connection scheme for peripheral devices of a digital information storage device, according to which a digital information storage device (1), an ENI receiver (5) and a digital port (7) are connected to the microprocessor unit (2) via a collective input / output bus (E) .

Other embodiments of the device
A. Variant oriented to mobile computer user. In this embodiment, the presence of an ENI receiver (5) is optional, but desirable. Via a digital port (7), data is transmitted to the device, which is written to the drive using a microprocessor module (2). During the recording process, data can be encrypted at the discretion of the user. The encryption key is located on the ENI, from where it is read into the buffer of the microprocessor module (2). After turning off the device, the key in the buffer is automatically erased. If the legislation of the country of use of the device does not allow encrypting data using a long key, the keyword is entered from the control module (4). The device has the ability to recharge from an external power source during operation.

 B. An embodiment of the device according to the invention, focused on the use of the device as an information storage device in autonomous information collection and processing stations. Data in the process of collecting information is recorded on the ENI, which is divided into two logical blocks of equal capacity. First, the data is written into one logical block, after filling it, the data begins to be written to the second logical block, while the data from the first block is overwritten to the drive (1).

Claims (12)

1. A device for storing and transferring digital information, intended for use as an accessory of a digital camera, containing a digital information storage device connected via a first input / output bus to a microprocessor unit including a microprogram module and random access memory, a digital port for interacting with other digital devices, connected via a second I / O bus (B) with a microprocessor unit, and a power supply unit for storing and transferring digital information and, characterized in that it contains a control module, the output of which is connected to the input of the microprocessor unit, and a display connected at the input to the output of the microprocessor unit, a receiver for electronic storage media (ENI) connected via a third input / output bus (C) to the microprocessor the unit, the microprocessor unit is configured to automatically recognize ENI inserted into the receiver, read information from the ENI and automatically transfer data from the ENI to the drive, while the user selects NO will either left unchanged or when said transfer will be used ENI cleaning mode. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a radio modem connected through a fourth I / O bus (D) to a microprocessor unit. 3. The device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the digital information storage device, the receiver for the ENI and said digital port are connected to the microprocessor unit via a shared input / output bus (E). 4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the digital information storage device is made in the form of a miniature Winchester storage device. 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the display is made in the form of a liquid crystal display and has a backlight. 6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the power supply is a battery pack. 7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the power supply is a battery pack. 8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control module is made in the form of a control command input device when a control panel key is pressed. 9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control module is made in the form of an input device for voice control commands. 10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the microprocessor unit is configured to determine the condition of the batteries or accumulator. 11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is arranged to organize data in the form of folders on the drive, copy digital information into them, erase digital information, protect it from erasure, copy data to ENI. 12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is configured to view the contents of the ENI and selectively delete information from the ENI.

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