JP2000196987A - Portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information terminal which can automatically transmit picture data to an information processor by adding various additional information to the data when a picture is photographed. SOLUTION: When picture inputting operation is instructed, a portable information terminal photographs a picture by means of a picture inputting section and, after performing necessary picture processing on photographed picture data, stores the data in a storing section. Simultaneously with the photographing, the terminal acquires input data, such as the voice, temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, location, azimuth, etc., from each input section and stores the data in the storing section as digital additional information and, after compressing the picture data stored in the storing section by a prescribed compressing method, correlatively adds the various additional information to the data. The terminal transmits the picture data containing the additional information to a computer connected by radio through a communication section composed of an interface for radio communication and radio communication equipment, such as the PHS, etc., (steps S101-S107). When the terminal is normally operated for photographing, the terminal can automatically collect picture data and additional information and transmit the data and information to an information processor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, and more particularly, to a portable information terminal having a digital camera function and a data communication function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a PDC (Personal Digital Commu
nicator) and PHS (Personal HandyPhone System) mobile phones have become widespread, and mobile information terminals having a data communication function based on them have been widely used.

[0003] With the spread of personal computers, digital cameras have been used as one of image input devices for computers.

Some digital cameras record image data by adding photographing conditions such as photographing date and time, exposure and shutter speed, and others have a digital sound recording function for recording sound data. .

Some applications that handle digital camera data on a computer can be used as search information when searching for image data by adding text data to image data.

[0006] In the conventional digital camera, in order to work on an image on a computer, the digital camera is connected to the computer with a cable or IrDA, or data is transferred to a memory card such as a compact flash memory or a smart media. In general, transmission is performed via a communication line.

[0007]

However, in such a portable information terminal such as a conventional digital camera, a cable is used to transfer data from the portable information terminal to the computer. The connection or the connection between the information processing terminal and the computer by IrDA and the transfer of data by performing a predetermined operation are performed, so that the file transfer operation is complicated and the usability is poor.

Accordingly, the invention according to claim 1 adds various additional information input from the information input means to the digital image data captured by the image capturing means in association with each other,
By transmitting the image data to which the additional information has been added to the information processing device via a predetermined communication unit, the image data can be transferred to an information processing device such as a computer as in the related art. When a normal photographing operation is performed without performing a file transfer operation by connecting with IrDA or the like, image data and additional information are automatically collected and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and a portable information terminal having good usability is obtained. It is intended to provide.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, temperature information can be easily and automatically input by using temperature information input means for detecting at least the outside air temperature and inputting digital temperature information as additional information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal with even better usability by adding it to image data and transmitting it to an information processing device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the pressure information can be easily and automatically obtained by using, as the information input means, pressure information input means for detecting at least the outside air pressure and inputting digital pressure information as additional information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal with even better usability by adding it to image data and transmitting it to an information processing device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the humidity information can be easily and automatically inputted by using at least the outside air humidity as information input means and inputting digital humidity information as additional information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal with even better usability by adding it to image data and transmitting it to an information processing device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the information input means uses a position information input means for detecting a current position at least by a GPS signal and inputting digital position information as additional information, thereby easily and automatically. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal with even better usability by adding position information to image data and transmitting it to an information processing device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a position information input means for detecting a current position based on at least a signal from a wireless telephone device and inputting digital position information as additional information is used as the information input means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal with even better usability by adding position information to image data more easily and at a lower cost and transmitting it to an information processing apparatus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, by using direction information input means for detecting at least the azimuth and inputting digital direction information as additional information as the information input means, the direction information can be easily and automatically converted to an image. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal with even better use by transmitting the data to an information processing apparatus in addition to data.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal, comprising: image capturing means for capturing an image as digital image data; and various types of information added to the image data captured by the image capturing means. Information input means for inputting information as digital additional information, communication means for transmitting data to a predetermined information processing device, and the additional information input from the information input means to the image data captured by the image capturing means The above object is achieved by providing control means for associating and adding information and causing the communication means to transmit the image data to which the additional information has been added to the information processing apparatus.

According to the above arrangement, various additional information input from the information input means is added to the digital image data captured by the image capturing means in association with the digital image data, and the additional information is provided via a predetermined communication means. Since the added image data is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, it is necessary to connect the information processing apparatus with a cable or IrDA to perform a file transfer operation in order to transfer the image data to the information processing apparatus such as a computer as in the related art. In addition, when a normal shooting operation is performed, image data and additional information can be automatically collected and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, so that usability of the portable information terminal can be improved.

In this case, for example, the information input means may be temperature information input means for detecting at least an outside air temperature and inputting digital temperature information as the additional information. .

According to the above arrangement, as the information input means,
Since temperature information input means for detecting at least the outside air temperature and inputting digital temperature information as additional information is used, the temperature information can be easily and automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Thus, the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

Further, for example, the information input means may be pressure information input means for detecting at least the outside air pressure and inputting digital pressure information as the additional information.

According to the above configuration, as the information input means,
Since at least the outside air pressure is detected and pressure information input means for inputting digital pressure information as additional information is used, the pressure information can be easily and automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Thus, the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

Further, for example, the information input means may be humidity information input means for detecting at least outside air humidity and inputting digital humidity information as the additional information.

According to the above arrangement, as the information input means,
Since the humidity information input means for detecting at least the outside air humidity and inputting digital humidity information as additional information is used, the humidity information can be easily and automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Thus, the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 5, the information input means is a position information input means for detecting a current position at least by a GPS signal and inputting digital position information as the additional information. Is also good.

According to the above configuration, as the information input means,
At least a current position is detected by a GPS signal, and position information input means for inputting digital position information as additional information is used, so that the position information is easily and automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus. It is possible,
The usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 6, the information input means detects a current position based at least on a signal of a wireless telephone device, and inputs position information for inputting digital position information as the additional information. Input means may be used.

According to the above arrangement, as the information input means,
At least the current position is detected based on the signal of the wireless telephone device, and the position information input means for inputting the digital position information as the additional information is used. The information can be transmitted to the information processing device, and the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

Also, for example, the information input means may be direction information input means for detecting at least a direction and inputting digital direction information as the additional information.

According to the above arrangement, as the information input means,
Since the direction information input means to detect at least the azimuth and input digital direction information as additional information is used,
The direction information can be easily and automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

[0029]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, various technically preferable limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. The embodiments are not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a portable information terminal according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a portable information terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information terminal 1.

In FIG. 1, a portable information terminal 1 includes an image input unit 2, an image processing unit 3, a plurality of input units 4a to 4n, a plurality of processing units 5a to 5n, a storage unit 6, a display unit 7, and a communication unit 8. And a control unit 9 and the like.

The image input unit 2 is, for example, a CCD (Charge)
Coupled Device) A camera or the like is used to output captured image data to the image processing unit 3.

The image processing section 3 operates under the control of the control section 9 to digitally convert the image data into image data input from the image input section 2 and to perform predetermined image processing, for example, an image format set in advance. Image processing such as conversion into a predetermined image format is performed and output to the storage unit 6.

The image input unit 2 and the image processing unit 3 function as image capturing means for capturing an image as digital image data.

The input units 4a to 4n provide various kinds of additional information to be added to the image data captured by the image input unit 2, and are, for example, a calendar clock, a voice microphone, or various sensors.

Each of the processing units 5a to 5n includes an input unit 4a
4n, and operates under the control of the control unit 9 to acquire various types of additional information input from the input units 4a to 4n simultaneously with image input by the image input unit 2, and to transmit the acquired additional information to the portable information terminal. The data is processed into a state that can be processed in step 1, for example, analog / digital converted and transferred to the storage unit 6.

The input units 4a to 4n and the processing units 5a to 5
n functions as information input means for inputting various information to be added to image data as digital additional information.

The storage unit 6 stores, for example, image data photographed by the image input unit 2 and image-processed by the image processing unit 3 under the control of the control unit 9 using a semiconductor memory or the like. 4a to 4n and processing units 5a to 5
The various additional information processed in n is stored in association with the image data.

The display unit 7 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Cry).
The image data and necessary additional information stored in the storage unit 6 are displayed and output under the control of the control unit 9.

The control unit (control means) 9 includes, for example, a CPU
(Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Me)
mory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)
The ROM stores a basic control program as the portable information terminal 1, a data transmission control program, necessary system data, and the like. The control unit 9 determines that the CPU
While using the RAM as a work memory based on the program in M, each part of the portable information terminal 1 is controlled to execute basic control processing, data transmission control processing, and the like as the portable information terminal 1.

The communication unit (communication means) 8 includes a wireless communication interface and a wireless communication device such as a PDC or a PHS connected to the wireless communication interface. By performing a shake, the image data and the additional information stored in the storage unit 6 are transmitted to the information processing device such as a computer wirelessly connected to the wireless communication device via the connected wireless communication device.

The portable information terminal 1 is not shown, but
An operation unit for instructing various operations of the portable information terminal 1 is provided.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The portable information terminal 1 adds various types of additional information input from the input units 4a to 4n to an image captured by the image input unit 2 and automatically transmits the added information to an information processing apparatus such as a designated computer. There are features.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when an instruction operation for inputting an image is performed from an operation unit (not shown) (step S101), the portable information terminal 1 captures an image using the image input unit 2 and controls the control unit. 9 captures (acquires) the captured image data into the image processing unit 3 (step S10).
2).

The control unit 9 causes the image processing unit 3 to perform necessary image processing on the image data input from the image input unit 2 to the image processing unit 3, and then stores the image data in the storage unit 6 (step S103) After the input data from each of the input units 4a to 4n is processed by each of the processing units 5a to 5n, the storage unit 6
(Step S104).

Next, the control section 9 compresses the image data in the storage section 6 on the storage section 6 by a predetermined compression method (Step S).
105), the processing units 5a to 5n
Then, related information which associates various input data input from the storage unit 6 and stored in the storage unit 6 as additional information is created (step S106).

After creating the relevant information, the control unit 9 performs a handshake with the wireless communication interface of the communication unit 8 and performs the handshake with the wireless communication device via the wireless communication device connected to the wireless communication interface. The image data and the additional information are transmitted to an information processing device such as a computer (referred to as a host in FIG. 2) that is wirelessly connected in step S107, and the process ends (step S107).

As described above, the portable information terminal 1 of the present embodiment adds various types of additional information input from the input units 4a to 4n to the digital image data captured by the image input unit 2 in association with each other. The image data to which the additional information is added is transmitted to the information processing device via the communication unit 8.

Therefore, in order to transfer image data to an information processing apparatus such as a computer as in the related art, a normal photographing operation is performed without connecting the information processing apparatus with a cable or IrDA and performing a file transfer operation. Then, the image data and the additional information can be automatically collected and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the usability of the portable information terminal 1 can be improved.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the portable information terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing portable information to which the second embodiment of the portable information terminal according to the present invention is applied. Terminal 1
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a block 0.

The present embodiment is applied to a portable information terminal similar to the portable information terminal of the first embodiment, and in the description of the present embodiment, the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the portable information terminal, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, a portable information terminal 10 includes an image input unit 2, an image processing unit 3, a storage unit 6, a display unit 7, a communication unit 8, and a similar to the portable information terminal 1 of the first embodiment. In addition to the control unit 9 and the like, the voice input unit 11 and the calendar clock unit 12 are used as the input units 4a to 4n of the first embodiment, and the processing units 5a to 5n of the first embodiment are used.
An audio processing unit 13 and a data processing unit 14 are provided.

The audio input unit 11 is constituted by a microphone, an amplifier, and the like, acquires audio, and outputs it to the audio processing unit 13 as analog audio data.

The audio processing unit 13 operates under the control of the control unit 9 to acquire analog audio data input from the audio input unit 11 simultaneously with image input by the image input unit 2,
The acquired analog audio data is converted into digital audio data and output to the storage unit 6.

The calendar clock unit 12 includes an oscillator, a frequency divider, etc., measures the current date and time, and outputs the current date and time to the data processing unit 14.

The data processing unit 14 operates under the control of the control unit 9, acquires digital current date and time information input from the calendar clock unit 12 at the same time as image input by the image input unit 2, and Output to

As in the first embodiment, when an image input instruction operation is performed from the operation unit, the portable information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment shoots an image with the image input unit 2 and performs control. The unit 9 takes in the captured image data into the image processing unit 3. The control unit 9 is configured to switch from the image input unit 2 to the image processing unit 3
After the necessary image processing is performed by the image processing unit 3 on the image data input to the storage unit 6, the image data is stored in the storage unit 6, and the image is acquired from the image input unit 2 and the sound from the audio input unit 11 The data is made to be acquired by the voice processing unit 13 and the current date and time information from the calendar clock unit 12 is made to be acquired by the data processing unit 14. The control unit 9 causes the storage unit 6 to store the voice data obtained by the voice processing unit 13 and converted to digital, and the current date and time information obtained by the data processing unit 14.

Next, the control section 9 compresses the image data in the storage section 6 on the storage section 6 by a predetermined compression method, and inputs the compressed image data from the audio processing section 13 to the storage section 6.
And associated information that associates the current date and time information input from the data processing unit 14 and stored in the storage unit 6 as additional information.

After creating the related information, the control unit 9 performs handshaking with the wireless communication interface of the communication unit 8 and performs the handshake with the wireless communication device via the wireless communication device connected to the wireless communication interface. Transmits the image data and the additional information to the computer wirelessly connected, and terminates the processing.

As described above, the portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment has, as the input units 4a to 4n, the voice input unit 11 for inputting voice and the calendar clock unit 1 for inputting current date and time information.
2 is used.

Therefore, audio information and current date and time information can be easily and automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the usability of the portable information terminal 10 can be further improved.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the portable information terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing portable information to which the third embodiment of the portable information terminal according to the present invention is applied. Terminal 2
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a block 0.

The present embodiment is applied to a portable information terminal similar to the portable information terminal of the first embodiment, and in the description of the present embodiment, the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the portable information terminal, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, a portable information terminal 20 includes an image input unit 2, an image processing unit 3, a storage unit 6, a display unit 7, a communication unit 8, and a similar to the portable information terminal 1 of the first embodiment. In addition to the control unit 9 and the like, the temperature input unit 21 and the atmospheric pressure input unit 22 are used as the input units 4a to 4n of the first embodiment.
And the humidity input unit 23, the processing unit 5a of the first embodiment.
5n, data processing units 24, 25, and 26 are provided.

The temperature input section 21 is constituted by a temperature sensor or the like, measures the outside air temperature, and outputs it to the data processing section 24 as analog temperature data.

The data processing unit 24 operates under the control of the control unit 9 to acquire the analog temperature data input from the temperature input unit 21 simultaneously with the image input by the image input unit 2, and to acquire the acquired analog temperature data. The data is converted into digital temperature data and output to the storage unit 6. The temperature input unit 21 and the data processing unit 24 function as temperature information input means.

The air pressure input section 22 is constituted by an air pressure sensor or the like, measures the atmospheric pressure of the surrounding environment, and outputs it to the data processing section 25.

The data processing section 25 operates under the control of the control section 9 to acquire the analog pressure data inputted from the pressure input section 22 simultaneously with the image input by the image input section 2, and to acquire the acquired analog pressure data. The data is converted into digital atmospheric pressure data and output to the storage unit 6. The atmospheric pressure input unit 22 and the data processing unit 25 function as atmospheric pressure information input means.

The humidity input section 23 is composed of a humidity sensor or the like, measures external humidity, and outputs it to the data processing section 26 as analog humidity data.

The data processing section 26 operates under the control of the control section 9 to acquire the analog humidity data inputted from the humidity input section 23 simultaneously with the image input by the image input section 2 and to acquire the acquired analog humidity data. The data is converted into digital humidity data and output to the storage unit 6. The humidity input section 23 and the data processing section 26 function as humidity information input means.

As in the first embodiment, when an instruction operation for inputting an image is performed from the operation unit, the portable information terminal 20 according to the present embodiment shoots an image using the image input unit 2 and performs control. The unit 9 takes in the captured image data into the image processing unit 3. The control unit 9 is configured to switch from the image input unit 2 to the image processing unit 3
After the necessary image processing is performed by the image processing unit 3 on the image data input to the storage unit 6, the image data is stored in the storage unit 6, and the image is acquired from the image input unit 2. It causes the data processing unit 24 to acquire temperature data, causes the data processing unit 25 to acquire pressure data from the atmospheric pressure input unit 22, and causes the data processing unit 26 to acquire humidity data from the humidity input unit 23. Control unit 9
The storage unit 6 stores the temperature data obtained by the data processing unit 24 and converted into digital data, the atmospheric pressure data obtained by the data processing unit 25 and converted into digital data, and the humidity data obtained by the data processing unit 26 and converted into digital data. .

Next, the control unit 9 compresses the image data in the storage unit 6 by a predetermined compression method on the storage unit 6, inputs the data from each of the data processing units 24 to 26, and stores the image data in the storage unit 6. The related information which associates the temperature data, atmospheric pressure data, and humidity data with the compressed image data as additional information is created.

After creating the related information, the control unit 9 performs a handshake with the wireless communication interface of the communication unit 8 and performs the handshake with the wireless communication device via the wireless communication device connected to the wireless communication interface. Transmits the image data and the additional information to the computer wirelessly connected, and terminates the processing.

As described above, the portable information terminal 20 of the present embodiment uses the outside air temperature detected by the temperature input unit 21, the outside air pressure detected by the air pressure input unit 22, and the outside air humidity detected by the humidity input unit 23, respectively. It is fetched as additional information, added to the image data, and transferred to the information processing device.

Therefore, the temperature information can be easily and automatically obtained.
The pressure information and the humidity information can be added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the usability of the portable information terminal 20 can be further improved.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the portable information terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing portable information to which the fourth embodiment of the portable information terminal of the present invention is applied. Terminal 3
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a block 0.

This embodiment is applied to a portable information terminal similar to the portable information terminal of the first embodiment, and in the description of the present embodiment, the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the portable information terminal, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 5, a portable information terminal 30 includes an image input unit 2, an image processing unit 3, a storage unit 6, a display unit 7, a communication unit 8, and a communication unit similar to the portable information terminal 1 according to the first embodiment. A control unit 9 and the like are provided, and GPS (Global Positioning System) is used as the input units 4a to 4n in the first embodiment.
tem) The receiving unit 31 and the direction input unit 32 are provided with a data processing unit 33 and a data processing unit 34 as the processing units 5a to 5n of the first embodiment.

The GPS receiver 31 includes a GPS antenna and a demodulation circuit, receives GPS satellite signals (GPS signals) transmitted from three or four GPS satellites via the GPS antenna, and receives the received GPS satellite signals. The current position is calculated in real time by the demodulation circuit from the propagation time of
The current position information of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional portable information terminal 30 is calculated and output to the data processing unit 33 as analog position data.

The data processing unit 33 operates under the control of the control unit 9, and simultaneously executes the GPS input simultaneously with the image input by the image input unit 2.
It acquires analog position data input from the receiving unit 31, converts the acquired analog position data into digital position data, and outputs it to the storage unit 6.

The direction input unit 32 uses, for example, a compass device or the like for detecting an azimuth, and acquires data indicating the direction of the portable information terminal 30 (for example, the shooting direction by the image input unit 2 of the portable information terminal 30). Then, the data is output to the data processing unit 34 as analog direction data.

The data processing unit 34 operates under the control of the control unit 9 to obtain the direction data input from the direction input unit 32 simultaneously with the image input by the image input unit 2 and to convert the obtained analog direction data. The data is converted into digital direction data and output to the storage unit 6.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the portable information terminal 30 according to the present embodiment captures an image with the image input unit 2 and performs control when an instruction to input an image is made from the operation unit. The unit 9 takes in the captured image data into the image processing unit 3. The control unit 9 is configured to switch from the image input unit 2 to the image processing unit 3
After the necessary image processing is performed by the image processing unit 3 on the image data input to the storage unit 6, the image data is stored in the storage unit 6, the image is obtained from the image input unit 2, and the GPS
It causes the data processing unit 33 to acquire the position data from the receiving unit 31 and the direction processing unit 34 to acquire the direction data from the direction input unit 32. The control unit 9 includes the data processing unit 3
The storage unit 6 stores the position data obtained and digitally converted by the data processing unit 3 and the direction data obtained and digitally converted by the data processing unit 34.

Next, the control section 9 compresses the image data in the storage section 6 on the storage section 6 by a predetermined compression method, and inputs the compressed image data from the data processing section 33 to the storage section 6. Related information is created which associates the stored position data and the direction data input from the data processing unit 34 and stored in the storage unit 6 as additional information.

When the control unit 9 creates the related information, it performs a handshake with the wireless communication interface of the communication unit 8 and performs the handshake with the wireless communication interface via the wireless communication device connected to the wireless communication interface. Transmits the image data and the additional information to the computer wirelessly connected, and terminates the processing.

As described above, the portable information terminal 30 of the present embodiment has the GPS receiver 31 and the azimuth as the input units 4a to 4n, which detect the current position based on the GPS signal and input digital position information as additional information. And a direction input unit 32 for inputting digital direction information as additional information.

Therefore, the position information and the direction information can be easily and automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the usability of the portable information terminal 30 can be further improved.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the portable information terminal according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing portable information to which the fifth embodiment of the portable information terminal of the present invention is applied. Terminal 4
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a block 0.

This embodiment is applied to the portable information terminal according to the first embodiment and the portable information terminal similar to the fourth embodiment. Are similar to the portable information terminal according to the first embodiment and the portable information terminal according to the fourth embodiment,
The same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted.

In FIG. 6, a portable information terminal 40 includes an image input unit 2, an image processing unit 3, a storage unit 6, a display unit 7, a communication unit 8, and a similar to the portable information terminal 1 according to the first embodiment. It includes a control unit 9 and the like, and further includes a direction input unit 32 and a data processing unit 34 similar to those of the portable information terminal 30 according to the fourth embodiment, and an input unit 4a according to the first embodiment.
To 4n, a wireless receiving unit 41 is provided, and as the processing units 5a to 5n of the first embodiment, a data processing unit 42 is provided.

The radio receiving unit 41 is, for example, a PHS (Pers
onal Handy Phone System), and obtains position information used in a PHS or the like and outputs it to the data processing unit 33 as analog position data indicating the current position of the portable information terminal 40. I do.

The data processing section 42 operates under the control of the control section 9 to acquire the analog position data inputted from the radio receiving section 41 simultaneously with the image input by the image input section 2, and to acquire the acquired analog position data. The data is converted into digital position data and output to the storage unit 6.

As in the fourth embodiment, when an instruction to input an image is made from the operation unit, the portable information terminal 40 of this embodiment shoots an image with the image input unit 2 and controls the image. The unit 9 takes in the captured image data into the image processing unit 3. The control unit 9 is configured to switch from the image input unit 2 to the image processing unit 3
After the necessary image processing is performed by the image processing unit 3 on the input image data, the image data is stored in the storage unit 6 and the image is acquired from the image input unit 2 and the position from the wireless reception unit 41 is simultaneously obtained. The data processing unit 42 acquires the data, and the data processing unit 34 acquires the direction data from the direction input unit 32. The control unit 9 includes a data processing unit 42
And the direction data obtained and digitally converted by the data processing unit 34 are stored in the storage unit 6.

Next, the control section 9 compresses the image data in the storage section 6 on the storage section 6 by a predetermined compression method, and inputs the compressed image data from the data processing section 42 to the storage section 6. Related information is created which associates the stored position data and the direction data input from the data processing unit 34 and stored in the storage unit 6 as additional information.

When the control unit 9 creates the related information, it performs a handshake with the wireless communication interface of the communication unit 8 and performs the handshake with the wireless communication device via the wireless communication device connected to the wireless communication interface. Transmits the image data and the additional information to the computer wirelessly connected, and terminates the processing.

As described above, the portable information terminal 40 of the present embodiment uses the input units 4a to 4n which detect the current position based on the signal of the wireless telephone device and input digital position information as additional information. A receiving unit 41 and a direction input unit 32 for detecting a bearing and inputting digital direction information as additional information are used.

Therefore, the position information and the direction information can be added to the image data more easily and inexpensively and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the usability of the portable information terminal 40 can be further improved.

Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

[0099]

According to the portable information terminal of the present invention, various additional information input from the information input means is added to the digital image data fetched by the image fetching means in association with each other. The image data to which the additional information has been added is transmitted to the information processing apparatus via the communication means of (1). If a normal shooting operation is performed without performing a file transfer operation by connecting with the PC, image data and additional information can be automatically collected and transmitted to the information processing device, improving the usability of the portable information terminal. Can be done.

According to the portable information terminal of the present invention, since the temperature information input means for detecting at least the outside air temperature and inputting digital temperature information as additional information is used as the information input means, the portable information terminal is simple. In addition, the temperature information can be automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, so that the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

According to the portable information terminal of the third aspect of the present invention, since the pressure input means for detecting at least the outside air pressure and inputting the digital pressure information as additional information is used as the information input means, the portable information terminal is simple. In addition, the atmospheric pressure information can be automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

According to the portable information terminal of the fourth aspect of the invention, since the humidity input means for detecting at least the outside air humidity and inputting the digital humidity information as additional information is used as the information input means, the portable information terminal is simple. In addition, the humidity information can be automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, so that the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

According to the portable information terminal of the present invention, as the information input means, the position information input means for detecting the current position at least by a GPS signal and inputting digital position information as additional information is used. Therefore, the position information can be easily and automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

According to the portable information terminal of the present invention, as the information input means, the current position is detected based on at least a signal from the wireless telephone device, and the position information input for inputting digital position information as additional information is provided. Since the means is used, the position information can be added to the image data more easily and at a lower cost and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, so that the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

According to the portable information terminal of the present invention, the direction information input means for detecting at least the azimuth and inputting the digital direction information as the additional information is used as the information input means. The direction information can be automatically added to the image data and transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the usability of the portable information terminal can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable information terminal to which a first embodiment of a portable information terminal according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing data transmission control processing by the portable information terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portable information terminal to which a second embodiment of the portable information terminal of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portable information terminal to which a third embodiment of the portable information terminal of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a portable information terminal to which a fourth embodiment of the portable information terminal according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a portable information terminal to which a fifth embodiment of the portable information terminal of the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 portable information terminal 2 image input unit 3 image processing unit 4a-4n input unit 5a-5n processing unit 6 storage unit 7 display unit 8 communication unit 9 control unit 11 voice input unit 12 calendar clock unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Voice processing part 14 Data processing part 21 Temperature input part 22 Atmospheric pressure input part 23 Humidity input part 24, 25, 26 Data processing part 31 GPS receiving part 32 Direction input part 33, 34 Data processing part 41 Radio receiving part 42 Data processing part

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image capturing means for capturing an image as digital image data, an information input means for inputting various information to be added to the image data captured by the image capturing means as digital additional information, A communication unit for transmitting data to the information processing apparatus, and adding the additional information input from the information input unit in association with the image data captured by the image capturing unit, and adding the additional information to the communication unit And a control means for transmitting the image data to the information processing apparatus. 2. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein said information input means is a temperature information input means for detecting at least an outside air temperature and inputting digital temperature information as said additional information. 3. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information input means is pressure information input means for detecting at least an outside air pressure and inputting digital pressure information as said additional information. Information terminal. 4. The information input means according to claim 1, wherein said information input means is a humidity information input means for detecting at least outside air humidity and inputting digital humidity information as said additional information. Mobile information terminal described in. 5. The information input means according to claim 1, wherein said information input means is a position information input means for detecting a current position by at least a GPS signal and inputting digital position information as said additional information. The portable information terminal according to any of the above. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information input means is a position information input means for detecting a current position based on at least a signal from a wireless telephone device and inputting digital position information as said additional information. The portable information terminal according to claim 1. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information input means is direction information input means for detecting at least a bearing and inputting digital direction information as said additional information. The portable information terminal described.