CN1270257C - Support for information equipment, support for digital camera and camera system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The cradle is capable of supplementing convenience of a portable information apparatus such as a digital camera of which functions including an image display function and a removable medium are omitted. If the camera is mounted on a camera mounting section of the cradle, a camera connector is electrically connected to a cradle connector in synchronization with a mounting operation thereof. The control circuit contained in the cradle detects a connection of the camera, and automatically starts communication between them. The image stored in the internal memory of the camera is sent to the cradle side, and is displayed on a liquid crystal display. The user can erase unnecessary images while checking the images. In addition, a variation is also desirable wherein a data storing device such as the removable medium is provided on the cradle side to transfer the image in the camera to the data storing device on the cradle side and then erase the internal memory of the camera.

Description

Information equipment support, digital camera support and camera system

Technical field

The present invention relates to information equipment with support, digital camera support and camera system, particularly about saving the support that is applicable to the low price digital camera and the camera system of image display function and removable media.

Background technology

Opening in the flat 6-44050 open file real, disclosing the syndeton of second electronic equipment suitable such as first electronic equipment of mobile phone etc. with its support.Be not limited to portable phone, in the field of Digital Still Camera, can recognize has such system: Yi Bian use support to charge to camera, Yi Bian and carry out data between the external unit such as computer and send and receive.

In recent years, developed the such low price Digital Still Camera of multiple so-called toy camera (Toy camera), and obtained accepting extensively of consumer as portable photographic camera.Usually, use the imaging circuit that is similar to general (each company is general general) to make this Digital Still Camera, realize low price audaciously by saving function by the pixel count below the VGA level.For example, for having omitted the removable media that is used to preserve image, the camera structure that image shows the LCD monitor of usefulness.

But, as mentioned above, in the situation of the Digital Still Camera of having omitted removable media,, limited and can take number (picture number that can take) for memory image in the built-in storer of camera (internal storage).And, owing to omit the LCD monitor that image shows usefulness, in camera self, can not carry out image confirming, sacrificed the convenience of Digital Still Camera.

Summary of the invention

The objective of the invention is to address the above problem the convenience of other portable information device except the toy camera of institute's omit function that affords redress and the support and the camera system that obtain.

To achieve these goals, support as the information equipment of claim 1 record is used is characterized in that it has: can be freely load and unload the device loads portion of support information equipment, be used for and the communicator that between the described information equipment that described device loads portion loads, communicates, by described communicator and come the display device of display message based on the data that from described information equipment, receive, control the control device of the demonstration of described display device when controlling data transmission by described communicator.

The present invention is that the support with various information equipments such as portable phone, portable data assistance (PDA:Personal Digital Assistant), portable music transcribers is an object.Information equipment can freely load and unload in the device loads portion of support, when equipment uses, information equipment is separated from support, thereby can use this individual equipment.After in support, placing information equipment, in support in the supporting information equipment, by communicator (first communicator) but information equipment is linked to each other with communication mode with support, thereby can transmit various data by between.

For example, be transmitted in the view data of preserving in the information equipment to support one side, in the display device of support, show this image by communicator.In addition, be transmitted in information such as the bent name of the music file of preserving in the information equipment, artist name to support one side, show that in the display device of support bent name waits Word message by communicator.Therefore, even do not have the information equipment of Presentation Function, also can utilize support of the present invention to confirm image etc.

According to one embodiment of present invention, shown in claim 2, it is characterized in that having the data conversion that from above-mentioned information equipment, to receive for showing the demonstration memory storage of signal processing apparatus with signal, the storage demonstration by described signal processing apparatus generation with data.

Generate the demonstration signal processing apparatus of signal, store the demonstration memory storage that shows with data by being arranged on internal stent, can in information equipment, omit these devices.

The information equipment support of record in claim 3, it is characterized in that it has: the device loads portion that can freely support information equipment with loading and unloading, the communicator that is used for and between the described information equipment that described device loads portion loads, communicates, the medium insertion section of detachable media is housed, be used for carrying out the wherein Media Interface Connector portion of at least a processing in the processing of recorded information in the processing of sense information from the detachable media that described medium insertion section loads and in described detachable media, when the data of control by described communicator transmit, control the processing of sense information from described detachable media and the control device of at least a processing in the processing of recorded information in described detachable media.

According to the present invention, be transmitted in the data of preserving in the information equipment by communicator to support one side, these data are kept in the detachable media (external record medium) that is carried in this support.During insufficient memory capacity in information equipment, use support of the present invention can simply carry out the backup of data.In addition, read out in the data (image and sound) that write down in the detachable media by support, and export in display device that can in this support, have and the voice output.For detachable medium, be configured to the form that can implement though preferably will read the processing of handling and write this two aspect of processing (recording processing), if can implement at least a processing, also can obtain corresponding effect.

Especially, shown in claim 4, use in the support at information equipment of the present invention, for add outside the communicator of the information equipment communication usefulness of in support, loading be used to carry out with external unit such as PC between the external unit of communicating by letter with the form of communicator (the 2nd communicator), can be by carrying out the data transmission between the external units such as support and PC.In addition, external unit between external unit such as communicator between information equipment and the support (the 1st communicator) and PC and the support is with communicator (the 2nd communicator), no matter be wired or wireless, can adopt the various communication interfaces that communication may be used between the both sides.

To achieve these goals, the digital camera support that claim 5 is related, it is characterized in that it has: can freely load and unload digital camera camera loading portion, be used in executive communication between the digital camera that described camera loading portion loads the 1st communicator, show the image display device of the image that receives by described the 1st communicator, control the control device of the demonstration of described image display device when controlling data transmission by described the 1st communicator.

According to the present invention, digital camera can freely load and unload from the camera loading portion of support, during photography, from support digital camera is separated, and photographs with single camera.Digital camera has the image transformation that will take to be Digital Image Data and to be recorded in pen recorder in the recording medium (internal storage or external memory storage).When being loaded in digital camera on the support, camera and support are connected into the form that can communicate by letter, thereby make the transmission of view data between the two become possibility by the 1st communicator.Be transmitted in the view data of preserving in the digital camera by the 1st communicator to support one side, and in the image display device of support, show this image.Therefore, even do not have the digital camera of image display function, also can utilize support of the present invention to confirm image.

The digital camera support that claim 6 is related, it is characterized in that it has: can freely load and unload digital camera camera loading portion, be used for the digital camera that loads in described camera loading portion between data storage device by the data of described the 1st communicator reception of the 1st communicator, storage of executive communication, control control device when controlling data transmission to the reading and writing data of described data storage device by described the 1st communicator.

According to the present invention, be transmitted in the view data of preserving in the digital camera by the 1st communicator to support one side, and this image is kept in the interior data storage device of support.When the insufficient memory capacity of camera one side, owing to can utilize support of the present invention simply to carry out the backup of view data, so after being kept at view data in the support, the storer of removing camera one side writes down new image.

Data storage device both can be also can be to the device that writes data such as the such internal record medium of high capacity read-only storage to the device that writes data such as the such external record medium (detachable media) that can freely load and unload of memory card.

In addition, shown in claim 7, the digital camera support of record has the image display device that shows the image that receives by aforementioned the 1st communicator in aforesaid right requirement 6, and aforementioned control device is preferably controlled the form of the demonstration of aforementioned image display device.

According to other form of the present invention, shown in claim 8, the digital camera support of record in aforesaid right requirement 5,6 and 7, it is characterized in that having be used for carrying out with external unit such as PC between the 2nd communicator of communicating by letter, aforementioned control device control is by the data transmission of aforementioned the 2nd communicator.

Digital camera support as claim 9 record is characterized in that having the power supply battery, and can utilize battery to drive.Support of the prior art supposition is the type of service of fixed, though have from the type of AC power supplies adaptor power supplies, according to the present invention because load cell, regardless of how using support in the place.Carry support with camera, in case of necessity,, can carry out image affirmation and view data backup etc., the convenience of camera can be provided by on support, loading camera.

Form according to claim 10 record, aforementioned digital camera is characterized in that, it has the camera head that optical image is transformed to electric signal on the one hand, the shooting indicating device that indication is made a video recording by aforementioned camera head, based on indication from aforementioned shooting indicating device, storage is by the internal storage device of the image that aforementioned camera head obtained, work with the load operation in aforementioned camera loading portion, connect aforementioned the 1st communicator, carry out and aforementioned brackets between the 3rd communicator that transmits of information, it is not have the image display device that is used for being presented at memory image in the aforementioned internal storage device and will be by the camera of the external memory of image recording on detachable media that aforementioned camera head obtained.

The digital camera that support of the present invention has omitted image display device and detachable media by combination uses, and can remedy the deficiency of prior art digital camera.

The invention of record in the claim 11, digital camera support by record in claim 5 to 9 can also be provided, the camera system that the digital camera that can load in this support constitutes, this digital camera is characterized in that, it has on the one hand: the camera head that optical image is transformed to electric signal, the shooting indicating device that indication is made a video recording by aforementioned camera head, based on indication from aforementioned shooting indicating device, storage is by the internal storage device of the image that aforementioned camera head obtained, work with the load operation in aforementioned camera loading portion, connect aforementioned the 1st communicator, carry out and aforementioned brackets between the 3rd communicator that transmits of information, it is not have the image display device that is used for being presented at memory image in the aforementioned internal storage device and will be by the camera of the external memory of image recording on detachable media that aforementioned camera head obtained.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the camera system oblique view of relevant first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows the block diagram of camera shown in Fig. 1 and internal stent structure.

Fig. 3 shows the system construction drawing of the annexation of camera, support and battery.

Fig. 4 is the camera system oblique view of relevant second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is the camera system oblique view of relevant third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 shows the block diagram of camera shown in Fig. 5 and internal stent structure.

Fig. 7 is the camera system oblique view of relevant fourth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 shows the block diagram of camera shown in Fig. 7 and internal stent structure.

Embodiment

Information equipment of the present invention support, the digital camera preferred forms of support and camera system is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is the camera system oblique view of relevant first embodiment of the invention.Camera 10 is the static cameras of low price numeral that are classified as the limited type of function of toy camera, it has shutter release button 12, optical finder 14, power switch 16, liquid crystal display part 18 and mode switch button 20, and be provided with at the phase motor spindle and be used to carry out the connector that is electrically connected with support 100 (below, be called the camera connector) 22.

Liquid crystal display part 18 has by means of literal and simple mark and waits the simple displaying portion that shows may make a video recording number and mode state, and camera 10 does not have the image display device (LCD etc.) that is used to reproduce the displayed record image.Mode switch button 20 is the mode-changeover devices that are used for switching camera 10 operator schemes, when pressing lower module switching push button 20 once more, for example, also can be with the sequential loop switch mode of " high resolving power image pickup mode ", " low resolution image pickup mode ", " image elimination pattern ", " automatic camera pattern ", " shooting (continuous shooting) pattern continuously ".Change the displaying contents of liquid crystal display part 18 according to institute's lectotype.

When selecting " high resolving power image pickup mode " or " low resolution image pickup mode ", in liquid crystal display part 18, show the number that may take by this pattern.At this moment, pressing shutter release button 12 takes.After predetermined signal processing, the image that obtains by shooting operation is recorded in the internal storage (being represented by symbol 48 among Fig. 2) of camera 10, when recording processing finishes, changes the demonstrations of taking the possibility numbers in the liquid crystal display part 18.In addition, when selecting image to eliminate pattern, in liquid crystal display part 18, show expression " removing (clear) " literal (CL) by mode switch button 20.At this moment, when operating, remove all images of in camera 10, preserving together according to the scheduled operation order.

Form depressed part on support 100 tops, be provided with in this depressed part bottom and be used for the support connector 104 that is electrically connected with camera 10 as camera loading portion 102.When in camera loading portion 102, loading camera 10, carry out, camera connector 22 is linked to each other with support connector 104, so that both can be electrically connected with this loading operation.

Communication interface between camera 10 and the support 100 can adopt USB, IrDA, IEEE1394 and various interfaces such as other serial line interfaces and parallel interface.For the present embodiment, adopt USB interface.In addition, in using the form of rechargeable battery as the power supply of camera 10, support connector 104 and camera connector 22 are constructed to concentrate in a connector USB terminal and charge power supply terminal and other necessary signal to transmit the compound terminal of terminal.

When support 100 has as the LCD 106 of image display device, also have operating portions such as cross button 110, menu button 112, OK button 114, reset button 116.LCD 106 is presented at the device of document images in the camera 10 as reproduction, and it also has the device as various information such as display operation menu and warning messages concurrently simultaneously.Cross button 110 is to import the multifunctional button of 4 direction indications up and down, in as the indication menu screen during action button of the change of the selection of various setting items and setting content, the magnification adjustment in the time of can reproducing used as indicating image and reproduce the device that the aberration transmission/aberration of object images returns.

When the display menu picture, use menu button 112, operation according to this button, switch display modes such as an aberration reproduction mode, reproduction automatically (slip photography) pattern, many picture segmentation reproduction (a plurality of reproduction) pattern, can switch sweep-out methods such as an aberration removing or whole aberration removings simultaneously.0K button 114 is determined, used when processing execution (affirmation) is indicated to selected content at menu screen.At piclear indication, cancellation use reset button 116 during from project (cancellation) that menu is selected.

Support 100 has and is used for carrying out and sends the communication terminal (being the USB terminal in the present embodiment) 120 that receives such as the data between such other external units (not illustrating among Fig. 1) of PC, can with the external unit that is connected by this USB terminal 120 between carry out two-way communication.Symbol 130 is attaching plugs, and symbol 131 is feed cables.By attaching plug 130 is inserted unshowned source power supply socket, it can be converted to the DC power supply with the AC power supplies of input, thereby is used as the power supply of support 100.In addition, preferably feed cable 131 and USB cable 121 are configured to the structure that to load and unload with respect to support 100.

In support 100 inside control circuit 140 is housed.Control circuit 140 control with by communicating by letter between the support connector 104 connected cameras 10, and actual figure reportedly send, the demonstration of also carrying out LCD 106 is simultaneously controlled and and such as the Control on Communication between such other external units of PC.

Fig. 2 shows the block diagram of camera shown in Figure 1 10 and support 100 inner structures.The photoimaging that to inject by photographic lens 32 is on the sensitive surface as the ccd image sensor (hereinafter being called CCD) 34 of photographic element.The sensitive surface of CCD34 has the optical sensor that is equivalent to photosensitive pixel that is two-dimensional arrangements, and has predetermined colored filter configuration structures such as G striped or payer's configuration.In addition, CCD34 has the so-called electronic shutter function that can be controlled at the accumulated time (shutter speed) of stored charge in each optical sensor according to the shutter strobe pulse.Substitute CCD34, can also use other picture pick-up devices such as cmos image sensor.

Will be by the be taken body and the signal charge that is transformed to the corresponding amount of incident light quantity by each photoelectric sensor of photographic lens 32 imaging on the CCD34 sensitive surface.Therefore, according to the pulse that the CCD driver that does not illustrate from figure provides, the signal charge that will be accumulated is read successively as the voltage signal (picture signal) corresponding with signal charge.From the picture signal of CCD34 output keeps predetermined analog signal processing such as processings, look separating treatment, gain adjustment processing by sampling after, it is transformed to digital signal by A/D transducer 36.

The Digital Image Data that to export from A/D transducer 36 sends signal processor 38 to.Signal processor 38 has conduct and has comprised the function of the image processing apparatus of brightness colour difference signal generative circuit, gray-scale factor correction circuit, acutance correcting circuit, contrast correction circuit, white balance correcting circuit etc., and can be according to the instruction process picture signal of CPU40.Operating portion 42 is the pieces that comprised the various operating switchs of describing such as shutter release button 12, power switch 16 and mode switch button 20 in Fig. 1.When pressing shutter release button 12, send photography and begin indication (unclamping ON) signal, CPU40 detects and discharges ON signal and executive logging camera operation.

That is, with the push of corresponding shutter release button 12 and the image of reading in data signal processor 38, be transformed in luminance signal (Y-signal) and the colour difference signal (Cr, Cb signal), apply predetermined process such as gamma correction.Like this, to in signal processor 38, the processed images data send compression processor 46 to by bus 44, in compression processor 46 according to such other the predetermined forms of JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) form with after its compression, it is recorded in the internal storage (in camera 10 built-in read-only storage) 48.Though this routine camera 10 uses the device of internal storage 48 as storing image data, the device of preserving image is not limited to internal storage 48, can also use other such detachable media form of memory card.

The CPU40 of camera 10 is according to the control part of controlling the corresponding circuits operation from the input signal of operating portion 42 inputs.CPU40 carries out focus to the view data of reading according to half down state of shutter release button 12 and estimates various computings such as computing and AE computing, thereby on the one hand controlling lens drive division (not shown) based on this operation result moves photographic lens 32 to focal position, in addition, in the iris apparatus that in control chart, does not illustrate, the charge accumulation time of control CCD34.In addition, by dark photographic optical systems of the regional depth that is taken such as employing camera work lens, the form of omitting the AF function can be arranged.CPU40 also carries out the capacity management of other record image data processing controls, internal storage 48, the demonstration control of liquid crystal display part 18 and the Control on Communication of using USB controller 50 except that the control of shooting operation.

Power supply in camera 10 uses battery 52.To provide the power converter that comes from battery 52 by DC-DC converter 54 is after the required voltage, offers each circuit block.Battery 52 can use the disposable battery of selling on the market that can obtain easily (three joints or four joint alkaline dry batteries etc.).Certainly, also can use rechargeable battery.

On the one hand, in support 100, except being provided with the such operating portion 150 of aforementioned control circuit 140, LCD 106, USB terminal 120 and cross button 110, also be provided with essential signal Processing such as carries out image reproduction signal processor 152, show with storer 154, symbol generator 156, scrambler 158, lcd controller 160 and the bus 162 that links to each other with these circuit.Control circuit 140 comprise CPU142 with and peripheral circuit, and based on controlling related circuit from the input signal of operating portion 150 input, carry out Control on Communication between demonstration control and the camera support by LCD 106, with the external unit that is connected by USB terminal 120 between Control on Communication.

According to the camera system that constitutes as mentioned above, when being connected to camera connector 22 on the support connector 104, the control circuit 140 in the support 100 detects this connection and (uses plug﹠amp; The play function detects automatically), begin the usb communication between the camera support automatically.The view data that to preserve in camera 10 internal storages 48 by USB controller 50 is sent to support 100 1 sides.In signal processor 152, the view data of reading by support connector 104 applied predetermined process in support 100 after, by bus 162 it is stored in and shows with in the storer 154.

After the data of storage are sent to scrambler 158 in showing with storer 154, there it is transformed to the signal (for example, the colored composite picture signal of NTSC mode) that shows with predetermined way together with literal that provides from symbol generator 156 and symbol data.To offer LCD 106 by the signal that scrambler 158 was handled by lcd controller 160.Then, display image in LCD 106.

When operating in the support 100 the cross button 110 that is provided with, send this indicator signal the CPU40 of camera 10 1 sides to, the aberration of reproduced image is transmitted or aberration returns and becomes possibility.In addition, by operation reset button 116, can also remove unwanted picture in the internal storage 48 selectively.Even without image display device, confirm in the camera 10, therefore can judge unwanted picture easily, thereby carry out clear operation owing to also can carry out image by the LCD 106 of support 100.In addition, camera 10 is loaded on the support 100,, can the appreciation order reproduces the slip displaying that is kept at the image in the camera 10 automatically by " reproduction mode automatically " in the reproduction menu of selection support 100.

In addition, according to the camera 10 of present embodiment form in nature as the toy camera, for the number with action button is restricted to necessary minimum limit, therefore, though be provided with the operating portion 150 that reproduces operation usefulness in support 100 1 sides, also the operating portion 42 in camera 10 1 side settings can be also used as and reproduce the operating portion of operation, in this situation, can omit the operating portion of support 100 1 sides with (the support operation is used).

Especially, according to the support 100 of present embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, can and external unit such as PC 200 between carry out two-way communication.When support 100 is connected with PC 200 with the state that loads camera 10 in support 100, can between camera and PC, carry out the transmission and the reception of data by support 100.Thus, the image in the camera 10 is transmitted to PC 200, maybe can also image and other data are provided for camera 10 1 sides from PC 200 1 sides.

Even, also can carry out two-way communication, can on the LCD 106 of support 100, show the image that receives from PC 200 with PC 200 with independent support 100 with the situation that camera 10 takes off from support 100.In addition, the high capacity read-only storage and the detachable media that have image storage usefulness in support 100 inside are used in the situation of interface, also can store the image that receives in storer in the support 100 or detachable media from PC 200.

Be connected with PC 200 in the situation about using at support 100, for the display device that the display of PC 200 is used as user interface, preferably the LCD 106 to support 100 is carried out auto-closing (become and do not show) control when connecting PC.

Though above-mentioned support 100 is configured to obtain electric power supply to pass through feed cable 131,, also can be the form of omitting feed cable 131 or share built-in high capacity cell (not shown) with it.Can battery-driven support, even, carry this support, need not to select the place with camera owing to also can not use under the situation of feed cable having, in case of necessity, no matter when can carry out image confirming, removing or backup.

Secondly, other embodiments of the invention are described.

Fig. 4 is the oblique view of the camera system of the 2nd embodiment of relevant the present invention.Among this figure, or similar portions identical with example shown in Figure 1 used identical symbol and saved explanation to it.Support 100 shown in Fig. 4 has the memory card slot (detachable media loading portion) 172 that memory card 170 can be loaded and unloaded.In support 100, be provided with the card interface circuit (in Fig. 4 do not illustrate) of execution, the read-write control of control circuit 140 execute store cards 170 at the reading and writing data of storage card 170.In Fig. 4, though show the support 100 that has omitted LCD 106,, added in the support of the described LCD of Fig. 1, can be for adding the structure of memory card 172.

According to camera system as shown in Figure 4, when in the camera loading portion 102 of support 100, loading camera 10, load the action operation with this, camera connector 22 is linked to each other with support connector 104.The connection of the control circuit 140 automatic detection camera 10 of support 100, execution will be stored in the processing in the view data write store card 170 in the camera 10.

After the view data write store card 170 that is stored in the camera 10, remove the view data in the camera 10.Will be from camera 10 to support the transmission of 100 view data handle so-called a succession of handling procedureization that the removing of---to the processing that writes of memory card 170---internal storage 48 is handled, thereby so that assist moving these processing that automatically performs according to CPU40 in control circuit 140 or the camera or their, also can be configured to carry out in case of necessity the operation of consumer premise, and carry out processing based on this operation.

Especially, the image of can be constructed to be permeable to the above-mentioned automatic backup function of selectively switching, operating by the user transmits processing capacity.In addition,, replace memory card 170 or share with it, mass storage device (hard disk etc.) can be built in the support 100 as a distortion of the foregoing description form.

As mentioned above, view data in the camera 10 are sent to after memory card 170 finishes, by from camera 10 internal storages 48, removing this view data automatically, can prevent to repeat identical view data and in memory card 170, write (twice backup) once more.

In the state of a control that from camera 10 internal storages 48, remove not to transmit the view data that is over automatically (after image transmits, will view data be kept in the camera 10, by the removing indication of user's operation, the state that clears data) in, preferably be constructed to be permeable to the device that prevents that secondary from backing up.For example, when data transmit, the file table of internal storage 48 and the file table of support one side memory card 170 are compared, only with the state of a control of different image files as transmission object.In addition, the image (image that backup is over) that is over for transmission, record show and transmit the distinguished symbol (flag information) that finishes, and also can be the image and the form of judging after transmitting of transmitted image (not back-up processing image) not.

Secondly, other embodiments of the invention are described.

Fig. 5 is the camera system oblique view of relevant the present invention the 3rd embodiment, and Fig. 6 is its block diagram.Among these figure, or similar portions identical with Fig. 1 and example shown in Figure 2 used identical symbol, and saves explanation.As shown in Figure 5, in support 100, be provided with loudspeaker 180 and audio output (AUDIOOUT) 182 that to export stereo audio.

In support 100, as shown in Figure 6, be provided with audio signal processor 184, this audio signal processor 184 links to each other with bus 162.After the digital audio and video signals that generates in audio signal processor 184 is transformed to simulated audio signal by D/A transducer 186,188, to loudspeaker 180 and 182 outputs of audio output.

On the one hand, camera 10 has D/A transducer 76, audio output 78 that the audio signal processor 74 of microphone 70 as voice input device, the A/D transducer 72 that will be converted to digital signal from the voice signal that microphone 70 obtains, processing audio signal, the voice data that will generate are converted to simulating signal audio signal processor 74, audio output 78 can load and unload with earphone 80 and freely be connected.

Audio signal processor 74 links to each other with bus 44, and compression processor 46 is also used as the compression set of view data and voice data.In addition, compression processor 46 also has the device as the extension process circuit function concurrently.

This camera 10 also has the function (SoundRec function) of record audio, the function (audio reproducing function) of music file playing except camera function.Camera 10 is provided with the operating means (for example, the mode switch rotating disk that does not illustrate among mode switch button 20 or the figure) of each operator scheme that is used for optionally switching photograph mode, reproduction mode, SoundRec pattern, audio reproducing pattern.In addition, link to each other with audio output 78 if detect earphone 80, may command automatically switches to the audio reproducing pattern.

Thereby realize audio recording (recording) by camera 10 being set at the SoundRec pattern.The recording that shutter release button 12 is also used as in the SoundRec pattern begins/stop button.

Be transformed to electric signal from the sound of microphone 70 input, and be transformed to after the digital signal, be imported into audio signal processor 74 by A/D transducer 72.Audio signal processor 74 is transformed to the prearranged signals form with the voice data of input.In case of necessity, voice data is transformed to predetermined document form (for example, the wave form), is stored in the internal storage 48 of camera 10.

During audio reproduction, the sound data of reading aloud in the storer 48 is internally delivered to audio signal processor 74.Then, in audio signal processor 74 decoded and be transformed to simulating signal by the D/A transducer after, output to earphone 80 by voice output terminal 78.Therefore, export from earphone 80 as the sound that can hear.Certainly, in camera 10 bodies, be provided with the loudspeaker that does not illustrate, can from the loudspeaker of camera 10, export the sound that reproduces.

Secondly, the audio reproducing function is described.

The audio reproducing function of camera 10 has the function that can reproduce the music files such as MP3 (MPEG-1Audio Layer-III) form that are recorded in the internal storage 48.Music file can also be to download to the internal storage 48 of camera 10 from PC and music transmission terminal etc.Relevant bent name and player's name additional informations (data) relevant such as (artist name) have also been write down in the music file with this music file.For example, in the situation of mp3 file form, in the mark of mp3 file, write bent name and other musical composition information, when display file information, with reference to this label information.

When camera 10 is set in audio mode, can carry out audio reproducing.Carry out operations such as the reproduction of music file/stop, volume adjusting according to the remote control operation device (not shown) that in earphone 80, is provided with.

By compression processor 46 internally the music file packed data read of storer 48 expand to non-compressed music data.The music data of this expansion is transformed to sound signal in audio signal processor 74 after, by D/A transducer 76 and earphone 80 output sounds.In addition, according to the contents processing (recording/reproduction processes of SoundRec pattern, the reproduction processes of music file etc.) that switches audio signal processor 74 from the switching signal of CPU40.

The effect of Fig. 5 and camera system shown in Figure 6 is described subsequently.When being loaded into camera 10 on the support 100, the CPU142 of support 100 judges the file content (data class) that is kept in camera 10 internal storages 48, according to the control of this kind execution to the automatic switchover representational role.

That is, the situation of recording musical file in internal storage 48 when loading camera 10 on support 100, transmits music file to support 100 1 sides.The music file that transmits to support 100 by audio signal processor 184 decoding is transformed to it after desired voice signal, by D/A transducer 186 to loudspeaker 180 outputs.Be connected to voice outputs such as the earphone that do not illustrate among the figure and external loudspeaker by voice output terminal 182, also can export reproducing music support 100.

At this moment, by show bent name, artist name and melody at least a information (preferably full detail) in time relevant with music file on the LCD 106 of support 100, the user can hold the reproduction object easily.Especially, in the situation of the view data (the book jacket image of music CD collection and the data that are equivalent to explain orally on the sleeve for phonograph record) of relevant one or more music files is relevant and record, on the LCD 106 of support 100, show this image.

As other control forms, such form is arranged: show the check lost of documents of internal storage 48 on the LCD 106 of support 100, the user selects to reproduce the file of object.When the user selected desired file, response selected file content automatically switched to representational role (reproducing music, the reconstruction of image, audio reproduction), implements necessary reproduction processes.

Especially, in internal storage 48 hybrid recording music file, image file and recorded in the situation of audio files of sound, preferably constitute like this so that on the LCD 106 of support 100 the display reproduction menu, the user can select the reconstruction of image, reproducing music, audio reproduction, file to transmit contents processings such as (backups).

In above-mentioned the 3rd embodiment, though show except having the still image photographing pattern with example, the digital camera that also has SoundRec pattern, audio reproducing pattern, but usable range of the present invention is not restricted to the digital camera with above-mentioned repertoire.Even have the SoundRec pattern, do not have the camera of audio reproducing pattern, the camera that has the audio reproducing pattern, do not have the SoundRec pattern, especially have the camera of the pattern (process photography pattern) that recording strip has the animation of sound etc., also be suitable for the present invention.

Secondly, other embodiments of the invention are described.

Fig. 7 is the oblique view of the camera system of relevant the present invention the 4th embodiment.Fig. 8 is its block diagram.Among these figure, use identical symbol with Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 identical part or similar portions, and omit explanation it.

The support 100 of camera system as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 also has loudspeaker 180 and sound lead-out terminal (AUDIO OUT) 182 except can the memory card slot 172 of removable memories card 170.In support 100, as shown in Figure 8, be provided with card interface circuit 190 and the audio signal processor 184 of execution, the read-write control of control circuit 140 execute store cards 170 and the control of Audio Signal Processing to the reading and writing data of storer device card 170.

According to Fig. 7 and camera system shown in Figure 8, identical with camera system illustrated in fig. 4, can send memory card 170 to and preserve with the image, sound of storage in camera 10 internal storages 48 or with e-files such as music.Certainly, for the function that can remove the file that transmit to finish automatically and prevent to carry out described example identical operations for the function of twice backup with Fig. 4.

According to Fig. 7 and camera system shown in Figure 8,, can realize the reproduction of music file and according to functions such as file content representational role automatic switchovers with identical with the camera system of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 explanation.Especially, both can be reproduced in image file, audio files or the music file that write down in the memory card 170, also the music file of record in memory card 170 can be sent to the internal storage 48 of camera 10 with support 100.

In the above-mentioned explanation, though show as the memory card 170 that detachably connects medium with example, but during the invention process, be not restricted to the detachable media form especially, be not only to be the representative semiconductor memory, can also use various forms of recording mediums such as disk, CD, magneto-optic disk with memory card 170.

In addition, though Fig. 1 to Fig. 8 with digital camera with and support be that example illustrates, usable range of the present invention is not limited to this, the present invention can also be applicable to various information equipments such as mobile phone, MD player, MP3 player, PDA with and support.For example, in music reproduction device and support thereof, use situation of the present invention, when the loading reproducing music is used equipment on support, can reproduce music file from the support loudspeaker.

According to aforesaid information equipment support of the present invention, because the information that is provided with shows the display device of usefulness, the control device that communicates control and show control, therefore can confirm to be kept at the information content in the information equipment with the display device of support on the rack body that can load and unload information equipment.

According to other form of the present invention,, therefore, can send the data in the information equipment to support, and be kept in the detachable media owing in support, be provided with the interface that detachable media is used.In addition, can reproduce the information that writes down in the detachable media, can also transmit to information equipment with support.

According to digital camera support of the present invention,, can confirm to be kept at image in the camera with the image display device of support by on the support of loading and unloading digital camera, image display device and control device being set.Thus, carry out clear operation while can confirm unwanted picture.Especially, by in the camera support that has omitted reconstruction of image function, using the present invention, can remedy the defective that lacks camera from shooting operation to the piclear instantaneity.

By data storage device being set in support, can send view data in the camera to support, and in data storage device, preserve at digital camera.When the storer of image storage usefulness in the camera is not enough, owing to use support of the present invention, can carry out the backup of view data simply, therefore can remedy the defective of taking the camera that number is restricted.

Especially, battery-operated by support is configured to, can carry out the backup of image affirmation and data regardless of the place.In recent years, owing to can replace carrying notebook computer and carries out image affirmation and data backup, therefore, just there is no need to have carried notebook computer with support of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. information equipment support is characterized in that: it have can be freely load and unload the device loads portion of support information equipment, be used for and the communicator that between the described information equipment that described device loads portion loads, communicates, by described communicator and come the display device of display message based on the data of from described information equipment, importing, control the control device of the demonstration of described display device when controlling data transmission by described communicator.

2. as the information equipment support of claim 1 record, it is characterized in that: it has the data conversion that will receive for showing signal processing apparatus with signal, storing demonstration by described signal processing apparatus generation with the demonstration memory storage of data from described information equipment.

3. information equipment support, it is characterized in that: it has the device loads portion that can freely support information equipment with loading and unloading, the communicator that is used for and between the described information that described device loads portion loads is equipped with, communicates, the medium insertion section of detachable media is housed, be used for carrying out the wherein Media Interface Connector portion of at least a processing in the processing of recorded information in the processing of the detachable media sense information that loads from described medium insertion section and described detachable media, when the data of control by described communicator transmit, control the processing of sense information from described detachable media and the control device of at least a processing in the processing of recorded information in described detachable media.

As in the claim 1,2 or 3 record the information equipment support, it is characterized in that: it have be used to carry out with the external unit that comprises PC between the external unit communicator of communicating by letter, described control device control is by the data transmission of described external unit with communicator.

5. digital camera support is characterized in that: it has the camera loading portion that can freely load and unload digital camera, be used for the digital camera that loads in described camera loading portion between executive communication the 1st communicator, show image display device, control the control device of the demonstration of described image display device when controlling data transmission by described the 1st communicator by the image of described the 1st communicator reception.

6. digital camera support is characterized in that: it has the camera loading portion that can freely load and unload digital camera, be used for the digital camera that loads in described camera loading portion between data storage device by described the 1st communicator reception data of the 1st communicator, storage of executive communication, control control device when controlling data transmission to the reading and writing data of described data storage device by described the 1st communicator.

7. as the digital camera support of claim 6 record, it is characterized in that: it has the image display device that shows the image that receives by above-mentioned the 1st communicator, and described control device is controlled the demonstration of described image display device.

8. as the digital camera support of claim 6 record, it is characterized in that: it have be used to carry out with the external unit that comprises PC between the 2nd communicator of communicating by letter, described control device is controlled the data transmission by described the 2nd communicator.

9. the digital camera support of putting down in writing as claim 8, it is characterized in that: it has the power supply battery, and can utilize battery to drive.

10. the digital camera support of putting down in writing as claim 9, it is characterized in that: described digital camera has the camera head that optical image is transformed to electric signal on the one hand, the shooting indicating device that indication is made a video recording by described camera head, based on indication from described shooting indicating device, storage is by the internal storage device of the image that described camera head obtained, link with load operation in described camera loading portion and to be connected described the 1st communicator, carry out with described support between the 3rd communicator of information transmission, it is not to have the image display device that is used for being presented at the image of storing in the described internal storage device and will be by the camera of the external memory of image recording on detachable media that described camera head obtained.

11. camera system, have as each digital camera support of putting down in writing in the claim 5～9, the digital camera that in this support, can load, it is characterized in that: digital camera has the camera head that optical image is transformed to electric signal, the shooting indicating device that indication is made a video recording by described camera head, based on indication from described shooting indicating device, storage is by the internal storage device of the image that described camera head obtained, be connected described the 1st communicator in linkage with the load operation in described camera loading portion, carry out with described support between the 3rd communicator of information transmission, it is not to have the image display device that is used for being presented at memory image in the described internal storage device and will be by the camera of the external memory of image recording on detachable media that described camera head obtained.

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