JP2000125234A - Portable information storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information storage device that can enhance carrying convenience of a device such as a digital camera, its operating efficiency and its economical efficiency. SOLUTION: An image storage device 2 connects to a digital camera 1 via an interface section 21, receives a digital image photographed by the digital camera 1 and stores the image to a storage section 23 magnetically or optically. When photographing by the digital camera 1 is finished, the image storage device 2 connects to a computer via the interface section 21 and the digital image stored in the storage section 23 to deliver the digital image stored in the storage section 23 to the computer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information device such as a digital camera, which receives digital information such as a digital image from the portable information device and stores the digital information, and transmits the stored digital information to a computer. The present invention relates to a portable information storage device, and more particularly, to a portable information storage device capable of improving the convenience, operation efficiency, and economic efficiency of carrying portable information devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, digital information obtained by a portable information device such as a digital camera is taken into a computer through various media. For example, recent digital cameras have a serial or parallel port, an infrared communication interface, a memory card interface, and the like.

[0003] Therefore, a digital image captured by such a digital camera can be transmitted to a computer via a communication medium such as cable communication or infrared communication. In particular, today, when PHS and Internet communication have become widespread, digital images obtained by a digital camera can be transmitted to a computer located at a remote place via a telephone line or a LAN.

In addition to using these communication media, a digital image obtained by a digital camera can be taken into a computer via a nonvolatile memory card. Specifically, after the memory card is inserted into a digital camera and a digital image is stored in the memory card, the digital image can be acquired from the memory card by inserting the memory card into a computer.

[0005]

However, when transmitting a digital image taken by a digital camera via an RS-232C cable or SCSI cable, the cable length is generally set at the center of the position of the computer. There is an operational restriction that the digital camera can only be moved within the circle.

[0006] In recent years, since light and small mobile computers have become widespread, it is possible to extend the moving range of the digital camera by carrying the mobile computer together with the digital camera.
Since this mobile computer also has a certain size and weight, there is a problem of a portable surface.

[0007] Further, when transmitting a digital image taken by a digital camera by infrared communication, the cost increases because an infrared communication device is newly required.
In addition, there is an operational problem in that the moving range of the digital camera is limited to the communication distance of infrared rays.

Further, when a digital image taken by a digital camera is taken into a computer via a memory card, it is not economical because a large number of memory cards having a high unit price must be prepared. Subject to operational constraints.

For example, a memory card "SmartMedia" having a storage capacity of 8 Mbytes developed by Toshiba Corporation can store only several tens of digital images of several hundred Kbytes, (SanDisk
A memory card “CompactFlash” with a storage capacity of 30 Mbytes developed by the company can store only about 100 digital images of several hundred Kbytes.

[0010] For this reason, in the case where the image quality is further improved in the future and the data amount of the digital image is increased, or when a moving image is picked up, it becomes necessary to prepare a large number of expensive memory cards.

[0011] From these facts, it is extremely important to efficiently transmit digital information obtained by a portable information device such as a digital camera to a computer in view of portability, economy and operability. ing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems (problems), and is a portable information storage capable of improving the convenience, operation efficiency, and economic efficiency of portable information equipment such as a digital camera. It is intended to provide a device.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a portable information storage device according to the present invention receives digital information obtained by a portable information device from the portable information device. A portable information storage device for storing and transmitting stored digital information to a computer, comprising: a first interface for transmitting and receiving digital information to and from the portable information device; and transmitting and receiving digital information to and from the computer. A second interface; storage means for magnetically, optically, or electrically storing digital information obtained by the portable information device; and digital information received from the portable information device via the first interface. Receiving the digital information stored in the storage means and the digital information stored in the storage means via the second interface. Characterized by comprising a control means for performing a transmission control for transmitting to the computer.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the portable information device is connected to the portable information device via the first interface, receives the digital information acquired by the portable information device, and converts the digital information into magnetic and optical data. Since the digital information stored in the storage means is electrically or electrically connected to the computer via the second interface and the digital information stored in the storage means is transmitted to the computer, the portability of the portable information device is reduced. Without this, the operation efficiency and economic efficiency of the portable information device can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the portable information storage device according to the first aspect, the control means is connected to the portable information device via the first interface. In the meantime, the digital information is received only from the portable information device, and only the reception control for writing the digital information in the storage device is performed. When the digital information is connected to the computer via the second interface, the digital information is stored in the storage unit. Only transmission control for transmitting digital information to the computer is performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means receives the digital information from the portable information device while connected to the portable information device via the first interface, and stores the digital information in the storage device. Only the reception control for writing to the computer is performed, and the function is limited so that only the transmission control for transmitting the digital information stored in the storage means to the computer is connected to the computer via the second interface. A high-performance control means (CPU) is not required, and the portable information storage device can be reduced in size, weight, and cost.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the portable information storage device according to the first or second aspect, the first interface and the second interface are unified, and a common interface is used. The digital information is transmitted and received between the portable information device and the computer by using the digital information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the first interface and the second interface are integrated, it is possible to reduce the size, weight and cost by reducing the number of interfaces.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information storage device according to the first to third aspects, the control means is connected to the portable information device via the first interface. When the portable information device acquires digital information, the digital information is sequentially received and written in the storage means.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the portable information device is connected to the portable information device via the first interface, the digital information is sequentially read each time the portable information device acquires the digital information. Since the information is received and written into the storage unit, even when an abnormality occurs in the portable information device, the digital information can be backed up in the portable information storage device, thereby improving the operability of the portable information device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information storage device according to the first to third aspects, the control means is connected to the portable information device via the first interface. If the digital information acquired by the portable information device exceeds a predetermined data amount, the digital information is received and written in the storage means.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the portable information device is connected to the portable information device via the first interface, the digital information acquired by the portable information device becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined data amount. In such a case, since the digital information is received and written into the storage means, it is not necessary to always connect the portable information device and the portable information storage device, and the operability of the portable information device can be improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information storage device for receiving and storing a digital image taken by a digital camera from the digital camera, and transmitting the stored digital image to a computer. An interface for transmitting and receiving a digital image to and from the digital camera or the computer; a first storage unit for magnetically, optically, or electrically storing the digital image captured by the digital camera; 1
Compression processing means for compressing the digital image stored in the storage means, second storage means for storing the compressed image compressed by the compression processing means, and digital data received from the digital camera via the interface. A reception control for writing an image in the first storage means, a compression control for compressing the digital image stored in the first storage means by the compression processing means and writing the digital image in the second storage means, And control means for performing transmission control for transmitting the digital image stored in the storage means to the computer via the interface.

According to the present invention, the digital camera is connected to the digital camera via the interface, receives the digital image picked up by the digital camera, and magnetically, optically or electrically converts the digital information into the first digital image. The digital image stored in the first storage means is compressed by the compression processing means and written in the second storage means. The digital camera is connected to the computer via an interface, and the digital image stored in the second storage unit is transmitted to the computer. Therefore, the operation efficiency and economic efficiency of the digital camera can be reduced without reducing the portability of the digital camera. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform image compression processing on the digital camera side, the operation efficiency of the digital camera can be further increased.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a portable information storage device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera system will be described.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a digital camera system used in the present embodiment. This digital camera system transmits a digital image of a subject and is lightweight and compact. The digital camera 1 includes a digital camera 1 and an image storage device 2 that stores a digital image captured by the digital camera 1.

That is, this digital camera system not only transmits digital images using a cable connection, infrared communication, or a memory card like a conventional digital camera but also stores digital images magnetically, optically, or electrically. The digital image is transmitted to the computer through the image storage device 2 that can be used as a medium.

The image storage device 2 is not an expensive non-volatile memory such as the memory card 15 but a magnetic, optical or optical disk such as a hard disk or an optical disk generally used as a storage medium in a computer. Since an electric memory is used, the configuration can be made at low cost.

The image storage device 2 does not have a sophisticated function of executing various controls and processes such as a mobile computer, but has a reception control function for writing a digital image received from a digital camera into the storage unit 23. By limiting the function to transmission control for transmitting a digital image stored in the storage unit 23 to a computer, portability is improved by reducing the size and weight.

Next, the configuration of the digital camera 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, this digital camera 1
Optical lens 10 and CCD (Charge Coupled Device)
11, a controller 12, and a liquid crystal display 13
, A built-in memory 14, a memory card 15, and an interface unit 16.

The optical lens 10 converts the light from the subject into CC light.
The CCD 11 is a solid-state imaging device that converts a subject image incident via the optical lens 10 into an electric signal. Note that a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semicond
uctor) An image sensor can also be used.

The controller 12 is a control unit that performs overall control of the digital camera 1.
When an electric signal is received from the electric signal 11, the digital signal is subjected to A / D conversion through correlated double sampling for reducing a noise component from the electric signal, and then digital signal processing such as complement processing, black level adjustment and correction processing is performed.

The controller 12 applies a JPEG (Joint Ph.D.) to the digital image subjected to the digital signal processing.
In addition to performing compression processing in the form of an otographic Experts Group, it performs image display control for the liquid crystal display 13, storage of JPEG images in the built-in memory 14, transmission of digital images via the interface unit 16, and the like.

The controller 12 further includes a memory card mode for storing a digital image in the memory card 15 in response to switching of a switch (not shown).
The mode is switched to an external storage device mode for storing digital images in the image storage device 2. In the following, it is assumed that the changeover switch has been switched to the external storage device mode in which the digital image is stored in the external storage device 2.

The liquid crystal display 13 is a display device for displaying a captured color image or black and white image. The built-in memory 14 includes a DRAM and an SRAM.
The image data before compression by PEG is stored in the DRAM, and the compressed JPEG image is stored in the SRAM.

The memory card 15 is a card including a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, and has a “smart media” having a storage capacity of 8 Mbytes as described above.
And "compact flash" having a storage capacity of 30 Mbytes.

The JPEG image in the internal memory 14 is finally stored in the memory card 15 when a switch (not shown) is switched to the memory card mode.

The interface unit 16 is an external interface unit for performing data transfer with the image storage device 2, and includes a serial interface such as RS-232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, and the like.
An IrDA interface for infrared communication, USB or IEEE 1394, or the like can be used.

It should be noted that the interface unit 16 may be a unique interface. In that case, however, it is desirable to provide the interface unit 16 also in a computer. The reason is that when the image storage device 2 has an interface unit for the digital camera 1 and an interface unit for the computer separately, the size and weight of the image storage device 2 increase.

Next, the configuration of the image storage device 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image storage device 2 includes an interface unit 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23,
And a battery 24.

The interface unit 21 is an interface unit for transferring data to and from the digital camera 1, and as described above for the digital camera 1, various units such as a serial interface and a parallel interface can be used. However,
The digital camera 1 and the computer have the same interface specifications.

The control unit 22 receives a digital image from the digital camera 1 via the interface unit 21, and controls reception of writing the received digital image into the storage unit 23, reads the digital image from the storage unit 23, and And a transmission unit for transmitting a digital image to a computer via a computer.

That is, the control unit 22 does not perform various calculations and processes unlike the control unit of a general computer, but performs only the above-described reception control and transmission control. The reason why the function of the control unit 22 is limited in this way is to make the image storage device 2 small, lightweight, and inexpensive. When a hard disk drive or the like is used for the storage unit 23, the control unit 22
Also has a disk driver function.

The storage section 23 is a storage section for magnetically, optically or electrically storing image data of a digital image, such as a hard disk drive or an MO (Magnet).
o) A removable medium such as Optical) or a semiconductor memory such as SIMM which is typically used for a desktop personal computer can be used. An advantage of using a hard disk or a removable medium for the storage unit 23 is that a large storage capacity (several hundred megabytes to several gigabytes) can be obtained while maintaining miniaturization and low cost. The storage unit 23 stores the SI
When the MM is mounted, the capacity can be considerably increased (about 5 times) at the same price as that of, for example, existing smart media. The writing and reading of the digital image to and from the storage unit 23 are performed by the control unit 22.

The battery 24 is a power supply unit for supplying power to each unit of the image storage device 2, and uses a battery instead of an AC power supply or the like so as not to impair the portability and operability of the digital camera 1.

Next, the processing after the end of image pickup by the digital camera system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
When the digital camera 1 is connected to the image storage device 2 as shown in FIG. 2 and writing of the digital image to the image storage device 2 is completed, the image storage device 2 is connected to the computer 3 as shown in FIG. I do.

When the connection is completed and the power of the computer 3 is turned on, the storage unit 2 of the image storage device 2
The digital image stored in the computer 3 is read and transmitted to the computer 3 via the interface unit 21.

The computer 3 that has received this digital image via the interface unit 32
The digital image is stored in the hard disk 33 under the control of 1.

As described above, in the digital camera system used in the present embodiment, when taking an image of a subject, the image storage device 2 is connected to the digital camera 1 and the digital image is stored in the image storage device 2. When the photographing of the subject by the photographing device 1 is completed, the image storage device 2 is moved off-line and connected to the computer 3.

Next, a description will be given of a processing procedure from imaging of a subject by the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 to writing of a digital image into the image storage device 2. In this case, the digital camera 1 captures a digital image every time.
The digital images are sequentially transmitted to the image storage device 2, and the digital camera 1 is set to the image storage device mode.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from the photographing of a subject by the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 to the writing of a digital image to the image storage device 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the image storage device 2 is a digital camera 1
(Step S307), the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on, and an imaging operation of the subject is performed (steps S301 to S302).

When such a subject imaging operation is performed, C
Digital signal processing such as complement processing, black level adjustment, and correction processing is performed on the digital image obtained by A / D converting the output of the CD 11 (step S303).

Thereafter, JPE is performed on this digital image.
The compression processing by G is performed (step S304), and the compressed digital image is transmitted to the image storage device 2 via the interface unit 16 (step S305).
Note that the digital camera 1 that has completed the digital image transmission processing shifts to step S302 and is ready to shoot a subject unless the power is turned off (step S306).

At this point, since the image storage device 2 is in the reception waiting state (step S308), the digital camera 1
Receives the image data of the transmitted digital image (step S309), and writes the received digital image into the storage unit 23 (step S310).

It should be noted that the image storage device 2 that has finished writing the digital image to the storage section 23 is a digital camera 1
Unless the connection with is released, the process moves to step S308 and waits for reception of a digital image from the digital camera 1 (step S311).

As described above, each time a digital image is taken by the digital camera 1, the digital image is transmitted to the image storage device 2, and the digital image is sequentially written into the storage unit 23 of the image storage device 2. The procedure was explained.

By the way, in the above flow chart, the case where the digital image is sequentially transmitted to the image storage device 2 every time the digital camera 1 captures the digital image has been described.
After storing a predetermined amount of digital images in the internal memory 14, the digital images can be transmitted.

Next, a processing procedure when the digital camera 1 stores a predetermined amount of digital images in the built-in memory 14 and then transmits the digital images to the image storage device 2 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows that the digital camera 1 has the built-in memory 1.
4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a predetermined amount of digital images are stored in the image storage device 4 and then transmitted to the image storage device 2. As shown in FIG.
Is connected to the digital camera 1 (step S411), and the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on to perform an imaging operation of a subject (steps S401 to S402).

When the imaging operation of the subject is performed, C
Digital signal processing such as complement processing, black level adjustment, and correction processing is performed on the digital image obtained by A / D converting the output of the CD 11 (step S403).

Then, JPE is performed on this digital image.
The compression process by G is performed (step S404), and the compressed digital image is stored in the built-in memory 14 (step S405).

Here, it is determined whether the total amount of digital images stored in the built-in memory 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (step S406). If the total amount does not reach the predetermined amount, the power supply is not turned off. Step S40 above
Then, the process proceeds to step S409, where the subject can be photographed (step S409).
4 (steps S402 to S405).

When the total amount of digital images stored in the built-in memory 14 exceeds a predetermined amount, the digital image stored in the built-in memory 14 is transmitted to the image storage device 2 via the interface unit 16. Then, the built-in memory 14 is cleared (step S408).

When the power of the digital camera 1 is turned off, the image data in the internal memory 14 is saved in the memory card 15 even in the image storage mode (step S410). In addition, when the memory card 15 is not mounted, control can be performed so that power-off is not permitted.

On the other hand, if the image storage device 2 is connected to the digital camera 1, the image storage device 2 enters a reception waiting state (step S411), and receives the image data of the digital image transmitted by the digital camera 1 (step S412). The written digital image is written to the storage unit 23 (step S41).
3).

It should be noted that the image storage device 2 that has finished writing the digital image to the storage section 23 is a digital camera 1
Unless the connection with is released, the flow shifts to step S412 to wait for reception of a digital image from the digital camera 1 (step S415).

As described above, in the present embodiment,
An image storage device 2 having an inexpensive storage unit 23 composed of a magnetic, optical or electric memory such as a hard disk or an optical disk, and a control unit 22 having a function limited to a function of reading and writing image data in the storage unit 23 is provided. Since the image storage device 2 is provided and the image data is fetched into the computer via the image storage device 2, the imaging efficiency and the economic efficiency can be increased without lowering the portability of the digital camera 1.

(Embodiment 2) By the way, in Embodiment 1 described above, the case where the digital camera 1 transmits a digital image subjected to JPEG processing to the image storage device 2 has been described. You can do it on your side.

That is, one of the major problems of the digital camera is a processing delay due to JPEG processing or the like. Due to the processing delay, the user often cannot press the shutter unless a certain time interval is provided. This is one operational restriction of digital cameras. For this reason, the second embodiment is configured so that the JPEG processing is performed on the image storage device side.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the digital camera system used in the second embodiment. The digital camera system shown in FIG. 3 includes a digital camera 5 and an image storage device 6 as in the digital camera system shown in FIG.

The digital camera 5 transmits a JPEG-processed compressed digital image (hereinafter referred to as a “compressed image”) to the image storage device 6 as in the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. The digital image before processing is transmitted to the image storage device 6.

Specifically, when the controller 51 of the digital camera 5 receives the electric signal from the CCD 11, the controller 51 performs A / D conversion through correlated double sampling for reducing a noise component from the electric signal, and then performs a complementary process, It performs digital signal processing such as level adjustment and correction processing, and transmits the digital image to the external storage device 6 in the case of the external storage device mode.

As described above, the controller 51 shortens the processing time required for the JPEG processing by not performing the JPEG processing on the digital image subjected to the digital signal processing. The JPEG processing on the digital image is performed by a compression processing unit 62 of the image storage device 6 described later.

The image storage device 6 is a device having a function of performing JPEG processing on image data received from the digital camera 5, and includes an interface unit 21 and a battery 24.
, A digital image storage unit 61, a compression processing unit 62, a compressed image storage unit 63, and a control unit 64. Since the interface unit 21 and the battery 24 have the same functions as those shown in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted.

The digital image storage section 61 is composed of a magnetic, optical or electric memory such as a hard disk or an optical disk, and stores a digital image received from the digital camera 5 in the same manner as the storage section 23 shown in FIG. However,
Although the storage unit 23 shown in FIG. 1 stores a compressed image that is a digital image after JPEG processing, the digital image storage unit 61 stores a digital image before JPEG processing.

The compression processing section 62 includes a digital image storage section 6
Receiving the digital image stored in 1 from the control unit 64;
This is a processing unit that JPEG-processes this digital image and outputs it to the control unit 64. That is, in the digital camera system shown in FIG.
Was responsible for the JPEG processing, but in this digital camera system, the compression processing unit 62 provided on the image storage device 6 side.
Performs JPEG processing.

The compressed image storage section 63 is, similarly to the digital image storage section 61, composed of a magnetic, optical or electric memory such as a hard disk or an optical disk, and stores the compressed image subjected to the JPEG processing by the compression processing section 62. It is a storage unit. When the image capturing by the digital camera 5 is completed and the image storage device 6 is connected to the computer, the compressed image stored in the compressed image storage unit 63 is transmitted to the computer. Here, for convenience of explanation, the case where the digital image storage unit 61 and the compressed image storage unit 63 are separately provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You can also.

The control unit 64 receives a digital image from the digital camera 5 via the interface unit 21 and writes the received digital image into the digital image storage unit 61, and controls the digital image stored in the digital image storage unit 61. Control to write the compressed image into the compressed image storage unit 63 by performing JPEG processing using the compression processing unit 62, read the compressed image from the compressed image storage unit 63,
1 is a control unit for performing transmission control for transmitting a digital image to a computer via the control unit 1.

As described above, the control unit 64 adds a compression control function to the control unit 22 shown in FIG. Even when the compression control function is added, various operations and processes are not performed as in a control unit of a normal computer, so that the image storage device 6 is reduced in size, weight, and cost. be able to.

When the image pickup by the digital camera system is completed and the connection between the digital camera 5 and the image storage device 6 is released, the image storage device 6 is connected to a computer.

When the connection is completed and the power of the computer is turned on, the compressed image stored in the compressed image storage section 63 of the image storage device 6 is read out and transmitted to the computer via the interface section 21. Is done. The computer that has received the compressed image via the interface unit stores the compressed image on the hard disk.

Next, the processing procedure from the photographing of the subject by the digital camera 5 shown in FIG. 5 to the writing of the compressed image into the image storage device 6 will be described. Here, as in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the digital camera 5 sequentially transmits the captured digital images to the image storage device 6, and that the digital camera 5 is set to the image storage device mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from the photographing of a subject by the digital camera 5 shown in FIG. 5 to the writing of a compressed image to the image storage device 6. FIG.
As shown in (1), when the image storage device 6 is connected to the digital camera 5 (step S606), the power of the digital camera 5 is turned on, and the imaging operation of the subject is performed (step S606).
601 to S602), the digital image obtained by A / D conversion of the output of the CCD 11 is subjected to digital signal processing such as complementation processing, black level adjustment and correction processing (step S603).

Thereafter, the digital camera 5 transmits the digital image to the image storage device 6 via the interface unit 16 without performing the JPEG processing requiring a processing time (step S605). In addition, the digital camera 5 that has completed the digital image transmission processing shifts to step S602 and becomes ready to photograph a subject unless the power is turned off (step S605).

At this point, since the image storage device 6 is in a reception waiting state (step S607), the digital camera 5
Receives the image data of the transmitted digital image (step S608), and writes the received digital image into the digital image storage unit 61 (step S608).

Thereafter, the digital image written in the digital image storage unit 61 is subjected to JEPG processing using the compression processing unit 62 (step S609), and the compressed image after JPEG processing is written to the compressed image storage unit 63 (step S61).
0). However, the compression processing of the digital image can be performed during an idle time when the digital image from the digital camera 5 is not received.

The compressed image storage unit 63 for the compressed image
The image storage device 6 that has finished writing to the digital camera 5 is connected to the digital camera 5 unless the connection is released (step S607).
Then, the process waits for reception of a digital image from the digital camera 5 (step S611).

As described above, in the present embodiment,
Inexpensive storage means (digital image storage unit 61 and compressed image storage unit 63) composed of magnetic, optical or electric memory such as a hard disk or optical disk, and a function of reading / writing image data from / to this storage means and a function of controlling compression And the control unit 64 having limited functions is provided, and the JPEG processing is performed on the image storage device 6 side instead of the digital camera 5 side, so that the imaging efficiency of the digital camera 5 can be further improved.

In this embodiment, the case where JPEG is used as the image compression format has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
It can be applied to the case where vingPicture coding Experts Group) is used.

Further, in this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various portable information devices.

[0091]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the portable information device is connected to the portable information device via the first interface, and receives the digital information acquired by the portable information device. Since the digital information is magnetically, optically or electrically stored in the storage means, and connected to the computer via the second interface, the digital information stored in the storage means is transmitted to the computer. There is an effect that a portable information storage device capable of improving the operation efficiency and economic efficiency of the portable information device without lowering the portability of the portable information device is obtained. Further, by using the portable information storage device of the present invention, it is possible to provide convenience that a large-capacity storage device can be carried.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means receives and stores digital information from the portable information device while connected to the portable information device via the first interface. It is configured to perform only reception control for writing to the device and perform only transmission control for transmitting digital information stored in the storage means to the computer while connected to the computer via the second interface. There is an effect that a portable information storage device which does not require a control means (CPU) and can be reduced in size, weight, and cost can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the first interface and the second interface are configured to be integrated, it is possible to reduce the size, weight and cost by reducing the number of interfaces. There is an effect that a possible portable information storage device is obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the portable information device is connected to the portable information device via the first interface, the digital information is transferred every time the portable information device acquires the digital information. Since the configuration is such that the information is sequentially received and written into the storage means, a portable information storage device capable of backing up the digital information of the portable information device and improving its operability even when an abnormality occurs in the portable information device is provided. The effect is obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the portable information device is connected to the portable information device via the first interface, the digital information acquired by the portable information device is determined to be equal to or larger than a predetermined data amount. In such a case, the digital information is received and written in the storage means, so that it is not necessary to always connect to the portable information device, so that the operability of the portable information device can be improved. There is an effect that a storage device can be obtained.

According to the invention of claim 6, the digital camera is connected to the digital camera via the interface, receives the digital image picked up by the digital camera, and magnetically, optically or electrically transmits the digital information. The digital image stored in the first storage means is compressed by the compression processing means and written into the second storage means. Then, the digital camera is connected to the computer via the interface, and the digital image stored in the second storage means is transmitted to the computer. Therefore, the operation efficiency of the digital camera can be reduced without lowering the portability of the digital camera. In addition, it is possible to improve the economic efficiency and to eliminate the necessity of performing the image compression processing on the digital camera side, so that a portable information storage device capable of further increasing the operation efficiency of the digital camera can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital camera system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a state where the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a computer.

3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from imaging of a subject by the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 to writing of a digital image into an image storage device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 stores a predetermined amount of digital images and then transmits the digital images to an image storage device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital camera system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from imaging of a subject by the digital camera shown in FIG. 5 to writing of a compressed image into an image storage device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 5 Digital camera 2, 6 Image storage device 3 Computer 10 Optical lens 11 CCD 12 Controller 13 Liquid crystal display 14 Built-in memory 15 Memory card 16 Interface unit 21 Interface unit 22 Control unit 23 Storage unit 24 Battery 31 CPU 32 Interface unit 33 Hard disk 51 controller 61 digital image storage unit 62 compression processing unit 63 compressed image storage unit 64 control unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A portable information storage device for receiving and storing digital information acquired by a portable information device from the portable information device, and transmitting the stored digital information to a computer, comprising: A first interface for exchanging digital information with the computer; and a second interface for exchanging digital information with the computer.
Interface, digital information acquired by the portable information device magnetically,
A storage unit that optically or electrically stores the digital information received from the portable information device via the first interface into the storage device; 2. A portable information storage device, comprising: control means for performing transmission control for transmitting data to the computer via the second interface. 2. The reception control unit receives digital information from the portable information device and writes the digital information to the storage device while being connected to the portable information device via the first interface. And performing only transmission control for transmitting digital information stored in the storage means to the computer while being connected to the computer via the second interface. The portable information storage device as described in the above. 3. The first interface and the second interface.
3. The portable information storage device according to claim 1, wherein digital information is transmitted and received between the portable information device and the computer using a common interface. 4. 4. When the portable information device acquires digital information when the portable information device is connected to the portable information device via the first interface, the control means sequentially receives the digital information. And writing the data in the storage means.
A portable information storage device according to claim 1. 5. The control means, when being connected to the portable information device via the first interface, the digital information acquired by the portable information device has exceeded a predetermined data amount. In case,
4. The portable information storage device according to claim 1, wherein said digital information is received and written in said storage means. 6. A portable information storage device for receiving and storing a digital image captured by a digital camera from the digital camera, and transmitting the stored digital image to a computer, wherein the digital information is transmitted to or from the digital camera or the computer. An interface for exchanging images, and a digital image captured by the digital camera,
A first storage unit for optically or electrically storing, a compression processing unit for compressing the digital image stored in the first storage unit, and a second storage unit for storing the compressed image compressed by the compression processing unit. (2) storage means, reception control for writing a digital image received from the digital camera via the interface to the first storage means, and compression of the digital image stored in the first storage means by the compression processing means. Control means for performing compression control for processing and writing to the second storage means and transmission control for transmitting the digital image stored in the second storage means to the computer via the interface. Characteristic portable information storage device.