JP2000324375A - Digital still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a digital still camera for a video input device acting also as display device in a video transmission reception system for full duplex communication. SOLUTION: A temporary storage means 4 stores image data obtained by an image pickup means 2 and an A/D converter means 3, a compression expansion means 8 reads the image data from the temporary storage means 4, compresses the picture in compliance with the JPEG or the like and transmits the compression data to an external device (e.g. a personal computer) via a 2-way digital communication interface 14 and a full duplex communication transmission line connected to the interface 14. The compression expansion means 8 receives the compression data sent from the external device via the full duplex communication transmission line through the 2-way digital communication interface 14 and applies expansion processing to the compression data, the expanded image data are fed to a display means 10, which displays the image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital still camera having a function of transmitting image data obtained by imaging to the outside and a function of displaying image data transmitted from the outside. It is suitable as a video input device and a display device in a video transmission / reception system of full-duplex communication such as a videophone, but it is not necessary to limit to such a device, and it is suitable for any video information transmission system such as a monitoring system. Shall be applicable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various digital still cameras have been proposed and are becoming popular in place of conventional film type cameras.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital still camera according to the prior art. When the user instructs the imaging mode by operating the operation unit 11, serial information designating the imaging mode is input to the control unit 9. The control means 9 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and sends out control signals to the imaging means 2, A / D conversion means 3, image data temporary storage means 4, compression / decompression means 8 and display means 10. The imaging means 2 is constituted by, for example, a CCD (charge coupled device), the image data temporary storage means 4 is constituted by, for example, a frame memory, and the display means 10 is constituted by, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device). The subject image is optically captured by the imaging means 2 such as a CCD which has received the control signal from the control means 9, and the optical image is formed on the imaging means 2. The imaging means 2 photoelectrically converts the optical image and converts the optical image into an electric signal.
Output to D conversion means 3. The A / D conversion means 3 digitizes an analog video signal (CCD output signal) from the imaging means 2 and converts it into image data of, for example, YCrCb format. The image data temporary storage means 4 stores the digitized image data. The compression / decompression means 8 reads the image data from the image data temporary storage means 4 and transfers it to the display means 10. The display means 10 projects the image data.

When the user designates the external monitor mode by operating the operation unit 11, serial information designating the mode is input to the control unit 9. The control unit 9 sends a control signal to the imaging unit 2, the A / D conversion unit 3, the image data temporary storage unit 4, the D / A conversion unit 5, and the video encoder 6. Image data obtained by imaging in the same manner as described above is stored in the image data temporary storage unit 4 and further output to the D / A conversion unit 5. D /
The A conversion means 5 converts the image data read from the image data temporary storage means 4 into an analog video signal and sends it to the video encoder 6. The video encoder 6 converts the input analog video signal into, for example, an NTSC format and sends it to the output interface 7. A video signal is output from the output interface 7 to an external monitor display or video tape recorder (not shown).

When the user designates a memory mode by operating the operation unit 11, serial information designating the mode is input to the control unit 9. The control means 9 sends a control signal to the imaging means 2, the A / D conversion means 3, the image data temporary storage means 4, the compression / decompression means 8, and the card interface 13. Image data obtained by imaging in the same manner as described above is stored in the image data temporary storage means 4 and further output to the compression / decompression means 8. The compression engine unit in the compression / decompression means 8 applies JPEG to the image data from the image data temporary storage means 4.
Image compression is performed by an image compression method such as MPEG or MPEG, and the compressed data is transmitted to an image storage memory such as an external IC card memory (not shown) via the card interface 13 and a cable connected thereto. The transmitted compressed data is stored in the image storage memory.

When the user designates a serial communication mode by operating the operation means 11, serial information designating the mode is input to the control means 9.
The control means 9 sends a control signal to the imaging means 2, the A / D conversion means 3, the image data temporary storage means 4, the compression / decompression means 8 and the serial interface 12. Image data obtained by imaging in the same manner as described above is stored in the image data temporary storage means 4 and further output to the compression / decompression means 8. The compression engine unit of the compression / decompression means 8 applies J to the image data from the image data temporary storage means 4.
The image compression is performed by an image compression method such as PEG or MPEG, and the compressed data is transmitted to an external device (not shown) (not shown) via the serial interface 12 and a cable (RS232C or RS422A) connected thereto.

On the other hand, compressed data sent from an external device via a cable is transmitted to the serial interface 12.
The compression / decompression means 8 receives the compressed data and performs decompression processing on the input compressed data, and sends out the decompressed image data to the display means 10. The display means 10 projects the image data.

The operation mode in which compressed data is transmitted from the digital still camera to the external device through the serial interface 12 is simultaneously and concurrently with the operation mode in which compressed data is transmitted from the external device to the digital still camera through the serial interface 12. Instead, they are individually operated at different times.

[0009]

In a conventional digital still camera having the serial interface 12 configured as described above, an operation mode in which image data obtained by an image pickup system is sent out through the serial interface 12 to the outside. And an operation mode in which image data from an external device is fetched into a digital still camera via the serial interface 12 and displayed on a display system are not at the same level, but must be individually operated at different times. And both operations could not be performed simultaneously. Therefore, the conventional digital still camera cannot be used for a video conference or a video phone, which is a transmission system of full-duplex communication.

The present invention realizes a digital still camera capable of outputting image data obtained by imaging to the outside and displaying the image data taken in from the outside, and a video input device in a video transmission / reception system of full-duplex communication. It can also be used as a display device.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A digital still camera according to the present invention, which aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises:
It is characterized in that the image data obtained by imaging is transmitted to the outside and the image data transmitted from the outside is displayed at the same time. According to this configuration, simultaneous and parallel data transmission with an external device using a transmission path of full-duplex communication becomes possible. That is, the digital still camera can be used as a video input device and a display device of a video transmission / reception system of full-duplex communication, and its versatility is expanded. By connecting to a personal computer or the like, it becomes effective in realizing a low-cost construction of a video transmission / reception system of full-duplex communication.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The digital still camera according to the first aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is characterized in that the image data obtained by imaging is transmitted to the outside and the image data transmitted from the outside is displayed at the same time. According to this configuration, simultaneous and parallel data transmission with an external device using a transmission path of full-duplex communication becomes possible. That is, the digital still camera can be used as a video input device and a display device of a video transmission / reception system of full-duplex communication, and its versatility is expanded. By connecting to a personal computer or the like, it becomes effective in realizing a low-cost construction of a video transmission / reception system of full-duplex communication.

A digital still camera according to a second aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
Means for compressing image data obtained by imaging, interface means for transmitting the compressed data to the outside, interface means for receiving compressed data transmitted from the outside, means for expanding the captured compressed data, and decompression And a means for displaying the compressed image data. The digital still camera comprises: an interface for transmitting the compressed data to the outside; and an interface for receiving the compressed data transmitted from the outside. It is equipped with a possible two-way digital communication interface. This configuration describes claim 1 more specifically, and exhibits the same operation as claim 1.

A digital still camera according to a third aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A photographing lens, an image pickup unit, an A / D conversion unit, an image data temporary storage unit, a compression / decompression unit, a bidirectional digital communication interface, and a display unit; The digital image data obtained by the D conversion means is stored in the image data temporary storage means, and the image data read out from the image data temporary storage means is compressed by the compression / decompression means. The compressed image data is sent out to the outside through the digital communication interface, compressed data sent from the outside is taken in through the bidirectional digital communication interface, and the compressed data is expanded by the compression / expansion means. Is sent to the display means to be displayed. This configuration is a more specific description of the second aspect, and exhibits the same effect as the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital still camera according to the second or third aspect, the bidirectional digital communication interface is subjected to a compression process after digital conversion as a transmission mode other than the bidirectional transmission mode. Compressed image transmission mode for transmitting image data, uncompressed transmission mode for transmitting digitally converted uncompressed image data, and recorded image transmission for capturing image data recorded on a recording medium via a card interface and transmitting it to the outside It is characterized in that it is provided with at least one of the modes, and with a switching means for switching and selecting these plural transmission modes. Since the two-way digital communication interface has a plurality of functions, it can be used for a plurality of purposes. For example, a security system can be realized at low cost by using it as a surveillance camera.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the digital still camera according to the fourth aspect, the switching of the transmission mode can be externally controlled via the bidirectional digital communication interface. I do. Remote operation from outside is possible, and the usability is improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital still camera according to the second to fifth aspects, wherein an image size outputted by the compression / decompression means is varied by providing an image size varying means. It is. High-speed communication is enabled by reducing the storage capacity when recording image data on an external recording medium or reducing the transmission bit rate.

The compression / decompression means may be configured to have a compression engine section and a decompression engine section which operate independently of each other. Further, when the imaging lens and the display means are configured to have a state in which they are substantially in the same direction in the camera body, in a video conference or a video phone, the image of the speaker is taken through the imaging lens. The appearance of the other party can be seen on the display means.

It should be noted that the meaning of “characteristic” in the claims is merely for convenience of explanation, and the relevant configuration of the actual digital still camera to which the present invention is applied is not limited. It should not be interpreted merely to mean that it is particularly pronounced. this is,
It should be noted that the wording is used for convenience of explanation in comparison with the related art.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a digital still camera according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall electrical configuration of a digital still camera according to Embodiment 1. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing lens, 2
Is imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), 3 is A
/ D conversion means, 4 is image data temporary storage means composed of, for example, a frame memory, 5 is D / A conversion means, 6 is a video encoder, 7 is an output interface, 8 is compression / decompression means, and 9 is, for example, a CPU ( A control means constituted by a central processing unit), a display means 10 such as an LCD (liquid crystal display), an operation means 11 constituted by operation keys and operation buttons, a card interface 13, a card interface 14
Is a two-way digital communication interface.

The image pickup means 2 photoelectrically converts the optical image formed thereon by the photographing lens 1 and outputs it as an electric signal. The A / D converter 3 digitizes an analog video signal (CCD output signal) from the imager 2 and converts it into image data of, for example, YCrCb format. The image data temporary storage means 4 stores the digitized image data. The image data temporary storage means 4 is an image memory capable of storing image data of at least one screen, and includes a VRAM, an SRA
M, DRAM, and the like are generally used. Here, it is assumed that a VRAM operable independently of the bus of the control means 9 is used. This memory can be shared with the system memory.

The D / A conversion means 5 converts the image data read from the image data temporary storage means 4 into an analog video signal. The video encoder 6 converts the input analog video signal into a required format, for example, NTS.
The format is converted into the C format. The output interface 7 is an interface for outputting a video signal from the video encoder 6 to an external monitor display (not shown), a video tape recorder, or the like.

The control means 9 mainly controls the sequence of imaging, recording, and reproduction, controls the man-machine interface of the operation means 11 and the display means 10 of the camera body, and controls the imaging means 2 according to predetermined instructions. A
/ D conversion means 3, image data temporary storage means 4, D / A conversion means 5, video encoder 6, compression / decompression means 8, display means 10, card interface 13, two-way digital communication interface 14, etc. It is configured.

The compression / decompression means 8 performs data compression based on an image compression method such as JPEG or MPEG on the image data read from the image data temporary storage means 4 in accordance with an instruction from the control means 9, and converts the compressed data into a card. It has a function of outputting to the interface 13 and the bidirectional digital communication interface 14. Further, the compression / expansion means 8 has a function of transferring the image data read from the image data temporary storage means 4 to the display means 10. Further, the compression / decompression means 8 has a function of decompressing compressed data input from an external device (not shown) via the bidirectional digital communication interface 14 and transferring the decompressed data to the display means 10. .

The card interface 13 is an interface for exchanging data with an external image storage memory (external recording medium) not shown. SRAM, DRAM, EEP
Although there is a ROM or the like, an EEPROM is preferable in consideration of storing image data in the memory. In any case, a format such as an IC memory card can be adopted. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the image storage memory has a configuration independent of the camera body, but may be built in the camera body. Furthermore, it is also possible to use a modem card or an ISDN card to transmit image data to a remote terminal via a public line.

Two-way digital communication interface 14
Transmits the compressed data read from the compression / decompression means 8 to an external device based on an instruction from the control means 9 and compresses / compresses the compressed data transmitted from the external device.
It has a function of transferring the data to the decompression means 8, and in particular, has a function corresponding to full-duplex communication capable of simultaneously transmitting compressed data to an external device and inputting compressed data from the external device. It is configured. In this simultaneous and parallel full-duplex communication, the external devices of the communication partner may be two different devices or may be the same. These are specifications that can be used for videophones and videoconferencing. A general external device is, for example, a computer.

Next, the operation of the digital still camera according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When the user instructs the imaging mode by operating the operation unit 11, serial information designating the imaging mode is input to the control unit 9. The control means 9
A control signal is sent to the image pickup means 2, the A / D conversion means 3, the image data temporary storage means 4, the compression / decompression means 8, and the display means 10. A subject image is optically captured by the imaging unit 2 that has received the control signal from the control unit 9, and the optical image is formed on the imaging unit 2. The image pickup means 2 photoelectrically converts the optical image and converts it into an electric signal.
Output to The A / D conversion means 3 digitizes an analog video signal (CCD output signal) from the imaging means 2 and converts it into image data of, for example, YCrCb format. The image data temporary storage means 4 stores the digitized image data. The compression / decompression means 8 reads the image data from the image data temporary storage means 4 and transfers it to the display means 10. The display means 10 projects the image data.

When the user selects the external monitor mode, an external monitor display or video tape recorder (not shown) is connected to the output interface 7. When the user instructs the external monitor mode by operating the operation unit 11, serial information designating the mode is input to the control unit 9. The control means 9
Control signals are sent to the image pickup means 2, A / D conversion means 3, image data temporary storage means 4, D / A conversion means 5, and video encoder 6. Image data obtained by imaging in the same manner as described above is stored in the image data temporary storage unit 4 and further output to the D / A conversion unit 5. D / A conversion means 5
Converts the image data read from the image data temporary storage means 4 into an analog video signal,
To send to. The video encoder 6 converts the input analog video signal into, for example, an NTSC format and sends it to the output interface 7. A video signal is output from the output interface 7 to a monitor display or a video tape recorder.

When the user selects the memory mode, an external E (not shown) is connected to the card interface 13.
An image storage memory such as an EPROM is connected. When the user designates a memory mode by operating the operation unit 11, serial information designating the mode is input to the control unit 9. The control means 9 includes an imaging means 2, an A / D conversion means 3, an image data temporary storage means 4,
A control signal is sent to the compression / expansion means 8 and the card interface 13. Image data obtained by imaging in the same manner as described above is stored in the image data temporary storage means 4 and further output to the compression / decompression means 8. A compression engine unit in the compression / decompression means 8 performs image compression on the image data from the image data temporary storage means 4 using an image compression method such as JPEG or MPEG, and transmits the compressed data to the card interface 13 and a cable connected thereto. The image data is transmitted to an image storage memory such as an external IC card memory (not shown) via the memory. The transmitted compressed data is stored in the image storage memory.

When the user selects the two-way communication mode, an external full-duplex communication transmission path (not shown) is connected to the two-way digital communication interface 14. And
When the user designates a two-way communication mode by operating the operation unit 11, serial information designating the mode is input to the control unit 9. The control means 9 includes an imaging means 2, an A / D conversion means 3, an image data temporary storage means 4,
Control signals are sent to the compression / expansion means 8, the display means 10, and the two-way digital communication interface 14. Image data obtained by imaging in the same manner as described above is stored in the image data temporary storage unit 4, and further stored in the compression / decompression unit 8.
Is output to The compression engine unit in the compression / decompression means 8 performs image compression on the image data from the image data temporary storage means 4 by using an image compression method such as JPEG or MPEG, and connects the compressed data to the bidirectional digital communication interface 14 and to this. External device (not shown) via a full-duplex communication transmission path (for example, a personal computer)
To send to. At the same time, the compressed data sent from the external device via the full-duplex communication transmission line is taken into the compression / decompression means 8 via the two-way digital communication interface 14, and the decompression engine in the compression / decompression means 8 The section performs decompression processing on the input compressed data, and sends out the decompressed image data to the display means 10. The display means 10 projects the image data. Thus, full-duplex communication is performed.

That is, the digital still camera according to the first embodiment is extremely useful as a video input device and a display device for a video transmission / reception system of full-duplex communication, and is used for full-duplex communication such as a video conference and a videophone. A video transmission / reception system can be realized at low cost.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the bidirectional digital communication interface 14 is multifunctional. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration as an internal configuration of the bidirectional digital communication interface 14 in the digital still camera according to the second embodiment. The compression / expansion means 8 and the control means 9 are also shown.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes bidirectional transmission means, 22 denotes compression transmission means, 23 denotes non-compression transmission means, and 24 denotes
Denotes recording image transmission means, and 25 and 26 denote switching means. The bidirectional digital communication interface 14 according to the second embodiment is configured by these components. One end of the switching means 25 is connected to the compression / expansion means 8, and the other end of the switching means 25 is connected to the bidirectional transmission means 21,
The bidirectional transmission means 2 is connected to one end of each of the compression transmission means 22, the non-compression transmission means 23, and the recorded image transmission means 24.
1, each other end of the compressed transmission means 22, the non-compressed transmission means 23 and the recorded image transmission means 24 is another switching means 2
6 and one end of the switching means 26 is a connector. The switching means 25 and 26 are switched by the control means 9. That is, these switching units 25 and 26 have a role of a selector for selecting any one of the bidirectional transmission unit 21, the compression transmission unit 22, the non-compression transmission unit 23, and the recorded image transmission unit 24.

Other configurations of the digital still camera according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The bidirectional transmission means 21 is actually the first embodiment.
In the case of (1), the compressed data which has been compressed by the compression / decompression means 8 is transmitted to an external full-duplex communication transmission line, and the full-duplex communication is performed. Has the function of taking in the compressed data sent from the transmission line of (1). That is, the bidirectional transmission means 21 has a bidirectional simultaneous input / output processing function. The compression transmission means 22 has a function half that of the two-way transmission means 21. The compression transmission means 22 simply transmits the compressed data compressed by the compression / decompression means 8 to a transmission path of full-duplex communication. Has the function of sending to
The non-compression transmission unit 23 transmits the image data stored in the image data temporary storage unit 4 as it is, without performing compression processing in the compression / decompression unit 8. The recording image transmission means 24 transmits the image data from the external image storage memory to the card interface 13.
And has the function of transmitting it as it is when taken in via the compression / decompression means 8.

Next, the operation of the digital still camera of the second embodiment configured as described above, in particular, the bidirectional digital communication interface 14 will be described.

When the user designates a two-way communication mode by operating the operation unit 11, serial information designating the mode is input to the control unit 9. The control means 9 sends a control signal to both switching means 25 and 26 of the bidirectional digital communication interface 14 and selects the bidirectional transmission means 21. The object to which the control means 9 gives other control signals is the same as in the first embodiment. Image data obtained by imaging is stored in the image data temporary storage unit 4 and further output to the compression / decompression unit 8. A compression engine unit in the compression / decompression means 8 performs image compression on the image data from the image data temporary storage means 4,
The compressed data is transferred to the bidirectional digital communication interface 14
To send to. Two-way digital communication interface 14
In, the two-way transmission means 21 is selected and activated, and is transmitted to an external device (not shown) via the two-way transmission means 21 and a full-duplex communication transmission path connected thereto. At the same time, the compressed data sent from the external device via the transmission path of full-duplex communication is taken into the compression / decompression means 8 via the bidirectional transmission means 21, and the decompression engine section in the compression / decompression means 8 Performs decompression processing on the input compressed data, and sends the decompressed image data to the display means 10. The display means 10 projects the image data. Thus, full-duplex communication is performed.

When the compressed image transmission mode is instructed by the operation of the operation means 11, the switching means 25 and 26 are switched under the control of the control means 9 to activate the compression transmission means 22, and the compression / decompression means 8 obtained by imaging is used. And sends the compressed data compressed in the transmission path of full-duplex communication, half-duplex communication or one-way communication.

When the non-compressed transmission mode is instructed by the operation of the operation means 11, the switching means 25 and 26 are switched under the control of the control means 9 to activate the non-compressed transmission means 23, and the image data obtained by the imaging is transferred. The image data is transmitted as it is to the full-duplex communication, half-duplex communication, or one-way communication transmission path without compression processing without compression processing.

When the recording image transmission mode is instructed by the operation of the operation means 11, the switching means 25 and 26 are switched under the control of the control means 9 to activate the recording image transmission means 24, and from the external image storage memory such as an EEPROM. When the image data is received via the card interface 13 and the compression / decompression means 8, it is transmitted to the outside as it is.

As described above, in the second embodiment, since a single bidirectional digital communication interface 14 has a plurality of functions, it can be used for a plurality of purposes. For example, if it is used as a surveillance camera, a security system can be constructed at low cost.

The other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 1), and the description is omitted. In addition, any other items described in the first embodiment also correspond to the second embodiment.

[Embodiment 3] In Embodiment 3, the compression
The extension means 8 is multifunctional. FIG. 3 shows a compression / expansion means 8 in the digital still camera according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration as an internal configuration of the electronic device. The image data temporary storage unit 4, the control unit 9, the display unit 10, the card interface 13, and the two-way digital communication interface 14 are also shown.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 denotes an image size variable unit, 32 denotes a compression / expansion engine, and 33 denotes an input / output switching unit. Compression / decompression means 8 of the third embodiment
Is composed of these components. One end of the image size changing means 31 is connected to the image data temporary storage means 4, and the other end of the image size changing means 31 is connected to one end of the compression / expansion engine 32.
2 is connected to one end of the input / output switching means 33,
The other end of the input / output switching means 33 is connected to the card interface 13 and the bidirectional digital communication interface 1.
4 is connected. Image size variable means 31, compression /
The extension engine 32 and the input / output switching means 33 are configured to be controlled by the control means 9 respectively. The expansion engine section of the compression / expansion engine 32 is connected to the display means 10.

Other configurations of the digital still camera according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The compression / decompression engine 32 is actually built in the compression / decompression means 8 also in the first embodiment, and includes a compression engine unit for transmitting image data to the outside, and an external A decompression engine for decompressing the compressed data.

The image size changing means 31 changes the image size of the image data taken in from the image data temporary storage means 4 in accordance with an instruction from the control means 9. The compression engine section of the compression / decompression engine 32 compresses image data into JPEG or MPEG format. The input / output switching means 33 switches between a state in which the compression / decompression engine 32 is connected to the card interface 13 and a state in which the compression / decompression engine 32 is connected to the bidirectional digital communication interface 14 in accordance with an instruction from the control means 9. is there.

The image size changing means 31 outputs, for example, 720 × 480 and 360 × 480 (half D
1 size). A direct instruction for the switching is issued from the control means 9. An instruction is given to the control means 9 from the operation means 11 or from an external device. When given from an external device, instructions are given via the bidirectional digital communication interface 14.

Next, the operation of the digital still camera of the third embodiment configured as described above, particularly, the operation of the compression / expansion means 8 will be described.

A request is given to the control means 9 by the user through the operation of the operation means 11 or by a remote command from an external device such as a personal computer so as to convert the image data into 360 × 480 half-D1 size image data. Then, the control means 9 gives an instruction to the image size changing means 31 to change the image to an image size of 360 × 480. In the image size changing means 31, for example, 720 × 48
Even if data having an image size of 0 is read, 360 × 48 pixels can be obtained by thinning out even-numbered horizontal pixels.
The image size is changed to 0 and output to the compression / expansion engine 32. In the compression / decompression engine 32, the image size is 72
Since half the data of 0 × 480 is input, the compression processing can be performed by reducing the data size and bit rate of the compressed data to approximately half. The compressed data is output to the card interface 13 or the bidirectional digital communication interface 14 via the input / output switching means 33.

When the compression / expansion engine 32 compresses the thinned-out compressed data as described above, if the data size of the compressed data is reduced to half, an image such as an EEPROM connected to the card interface 13 is stored. The storage capacity of the storage memory can be reduced.
When the bit rate is reduced to half, the transmission capacity for output to an external device via the bidirectional digital communication interface 14 can be reduced.

The other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 1), and the description is omitted. In addition, any other items described in the first embodiment also correspond to the third embodiment.

[Embodiment 4] In Embodiment 4, the compression / compression
In the expansion means 8, the functional blocks are separated into a compression engine section 41 and an expansion engine section 42.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration as an internal configuration of the compression / expansion means 8 in the digital still camera according to the fourth embodiment. The image data temporary storage unit 4, the control unit 9, the display unit 10, the card interface 13, and the two-way digital communication interface 14 are also shown.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 41 denotes a compression engine unit, 42 denotes an expansion engine unit, and 43 denotes an input / output switching unit. The input side of the compression engine unit 41 is connected to the image data temporary storage unit 4, and the output side of the compression engine unit 41 is connected to the input / output switching unit 43. The input side of the decompression engine unit 42 is connected to the input / output switching unit 43, and the output side of the decompression engine unit 42 is connected to the display unit 10 and the image data temporary storage unit 4. The other end of the input / output switching means 43 is the card interface 13
And a two-way digital communication interface 14. Compression engine section 41, expansion engine section 42
And the input / output switching means 43
It is configured to be controlled by In particular, it is characterized in that the compression engine unit 41 and the expansion engine unit 42 are separated and operate independently.

Other configurations of the digital still camera according to the fourth embodiment are the same as the configurations of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Embodiment 4
In this case as well, the image size changing means may or may not be provided as in the third embodiment.

Next, the operation of the digital still camera of the fourth embodiment configured as described above, particularly, the operation of the compression / expansion means 8 will be described.

When the user designates the two-way communication mode by operating the operation means 11, serial information designating the mode is input to the control means 9. The control means 9 includes a compression engine section 41 in the compression / decompression means 8,
A control signal is transmitted to the decompression engine unit 42 and the input / output switching unit 43, and a control signal is also transmitted to the display unit 10 and the bidirectional digital communication interface 14. The object to which the control means 9 gives other control signals is the same as in the first embodiment. The image data obtained by imaging is stored in the image data temporary storage unit 4 and further output to the compression engine unit 41 in the compression / decompression unit 8. The compression engine unit 41 performs image compression on the image data from the image data temporary storage unit 4 and sends the compressed data to the bidirectional digital communication interface 14 via the input / output switching unit 43, from which full-duplex communication is performed. Is transmitted to the external device via the transmission path of the above. At the same time, the compressed data sent from the external device via the full-duplex communication transmission path is taken into the decompression engine section 42 of the compression / decompression means 8 via the bidirectional digital communication interface 14, and the decompression engine section Reference numeral 42 performs a decompression process on the input compressed data, and sends out the decompressed image data to the display means 10. The display means 10 projects the image data. Thus, full-duplex communication is performed.

As a result, the image data picked up by the image pickup means 2 is compressed and output to the full-duplex communication transmission line, and at the same time, the compressed data sent from the full-duplex communication transmission line is decompressed and displayed. It is displayed on the means 10. Therefore, the digital still camera according to the fourth embodiment becomes extremely useful as a video input device and a display device of a video transmission / reception system of full-duplex communication, and it is possible to realize a video conference, a video phone, and the like at low cost. Become.

The other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 1), and the description is omitted. In addition, any other items described in the first embodiment also correspond to the fourth embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment] A fifth embodiment relates to a mechanical form of a digital still camera. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the digital still camera according to the fifth embodiment. The photographing lens 1 is arranged in front of the camera body 51, and a display means 10 for displaying an image sent from an external device via a full-duplex communication transmission path is also arranged in front of the camera body 51. It is supposed to be.

In a video conference or a video phone, the speaker 52 of the other party can be seen on the display means 10 while the image of the speaker 52 is imaged through the photographing lens 1. is there.

The display means 10 may be configured so that its position can be changed, or may have a fixed position specification.

Lastly, notes on the description of the specification relating to the present case will be described. In the specification (especially, the detailed description of the invention and the claims) or the drawings relating to the present case, regarding any given matter (including any element or a connection relation / combination relation of any element), Reserve the possibility of omission. Furthermore, the possibility of adding any matter not described in the claims but described in the detailed description of the invention or in the drawings to the claims and the possibility of changing the description accompanying the additions is described. Reserve

[0066]

According to the present invention with respect to a digital still camera, simultaneous and parallel data transmission with an external device using a full-duplex communication transmission path becomes possible. That is, the digital still camera can be used as a video input device and a display device of a video transmission / reception system of full-duplex communication.
By connecting to a personal computer or the like, it becomes effective in realizing a low-cost construction of a video transmission / reception system of full-duplex communication.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall electric configuration of a digital still camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration as an internal configuration of a bidirectional digital communication interface in the digital still camera according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration as an internal configuration of compression / expansion means in the digital still camera according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration as an internal configuration of compression / expansion means in a digital still camera according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a digital still camera according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital still camera according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... photography lens, 2 ... imaging means, 3 ... A / D conversion means,
4 ... image data temporary storage means, 5 ... D / A conversion means, 6
... Video encoder, 7 ... Output interface, 8 ...
Compression / expansion means 9 control means 10 display means 11
... Operation means, 12 ... Serial interface, 13 ...
Card interface, 14 bidirectional digital communication interface, 21 bidirectional transmission means, 22 compressed transmission means, 23 non-compression transmission means, 24 recorded image transmission means, 25, 26 switching means, 31 image size variable Means 32 compression / decompression engine 33 input / output switching means 41 compression engine section 42 expansion engine section 43 input / output switching means 51 camera body

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hideto Kobayashi 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. AC11 AD02 AD06 AD14

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A digital still camera configured to transmit image data obtained by imaging to the outside and to simultaneously display the image data transmitted from the outside. Means for compressing image data obtained by imaging, interface means for transmitting the compressed data to the outside, interface means for receiving compressed data transmitted from the outside, and decompression of the compressed data thus received. And a means for displaying the decompressed image data, wherein the interface means for transmitting the compressed data to the outside and the interface means for taking in the compressed data transmitted from the outside, A digital still camera equipped with a two-way digital communication interface capable of performing both operations simultaneously. 3. A photographing lens, comprising: a photographing lens; an image pickup unit; an A / D conversion unit; an image data temporary storage unit; a compression / decompression unit; a bidirectional digital communication interface; Digital image data obtained by the imaging means and the A / D conversion means is stored in the image data temporary storage means, and the image data read from the image data temporary storage means is compressed by the compression / decompression means, and the compression is performed. Sending data to the outside via the two-way digital communication interface,
Compressed data sent from outside is taken in through the bidirectional digital communication interface, the compressed data is expanded by the compression / expansion means, and the expanded image data is sent to the display means for display. A digital still camera, characterized in that: 4. The non-compressed image data in which the two-way digital communication interface transmits image data which has been subjected to compression processing after digital conversion in addition to the two-way transmission mode as a transmission mode. And at least one of a recorded image transmission mode for taking in image data recorded on a recording medium via a card interface and transmitting the acquired image data to an external device. The digital still camera according to claim 2, wherein the digital still camera is provided with a switching unit. 5. The digital still camera according to claim 4, wherein switching of the transmission mode is configured to be externally controllable via the bidirectional digital communication interface. 6. The digital still camera according to claim 2, further comprising an image size changing means for changing an image size output by said compression / expansion means. 7. The digital still according to claim 2, wherein said compression / expansion means includes a compression engine section and an expansion engine section which operate independently of each other. camera. 8. The digital still camera according to claim 2, wherein the imaging lens and the display unit have a state in which they are oriented substantially in the same direction in the camera body.