JP2000307911A - Mass storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mass storage device equipped with the function of a digital camera for displaying a photographed picture file on a personal computer instantaneously after photographing. SOLUTION: This mass storage device is provided with a transmitting function part 22 which transmits file information and data to the personal computer 20 by receiving a reading command from a personal computer 20, and an updating function part 23 which preserves and updates a picture file photographed by a digital camera, and inserts a status for indicating that the picture file is updated into status information transmitted at a fixed interval from the personal computer 20, and transmits this, and a transmitting function part 24 which transmits the updated file information and data to the personal computer 20 by receiving the reading command from the personal computer 20. Then, the updated file information and data of the storage device are displayed as a file on the personal computer 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a mass storage device which can be connected to a personal computer and appears as a device capable of storing a large amount of data, and more particularly to a mass storage device having a function of a digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A device that can be viewed as a device capable of storing a large amount of data with a conventional personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a mass storage device) has only a data storage function, and is a device added to the mass storage device itself or the mass storage device. There was nothing that itself generated a file and displayed it as a file on a personal computer.

[0003]

In a digital camera whose main function is a mass storage device that can be viewed by a personal computer, an image file taken in a state connected to the personal computer can be instantaneously mass-produced after shooting. Unable to send from storage device to personal computer for display,
It was necessary to reconnect the personal computer with a device that appeared as a mass storage device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mass storage device for displaying a photographed image file on a personal computer immediately after photographing.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mass storage device which can be connected to a personal computer, has a main function as a digital camera, and can be viewed as a device capable of storing a large amount of data. A file is generated in the mass storage device itself immediately after shooting, and is displayed as a file on a personal computer.

Further, the present invention relates to a mass storage device which can be connected to a personal computer, has a main function of a digital camera, and can be seen as a device capable of storing a large amount of data. A first transmission function unit for transmitting information and data to a personal computer, and storing and updating an image file photographed by the digital camera to indicate that the status information has been updated at regular intervals from the personal computer. An update function unit for sending the status to the personal computer, and a second transmission function unit for sending updated file information and data to the personal computer by receiving a read command from the personal computer. Provided, and displaying as a file in the personal computer.

[0007]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the mass storage device of the present invention, in which a personal computer 20 and a mass storage device 21 whose main function is a digital camera are connected by USB.

[0009] The mass storage device 21 has file information of the mass storage device 21 through a USB connection.
Transmission function unit 22 for sending data to a personal computer
And an update function unit 23 that saves and updates the captured data in the mass storage device 21 by taking a picture with a digital camera attached to the mass storage device 21 and notifies the personal computer of the update.
And a transmission function unit 24 that sends updated file information and data of the mass storage device to the personal computer 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the personal computer 20 includes a display function unit 25 for displaying an image file and a file configuration photographed by the digital camera of the mass storage device 21 on the ordinary application 10, and an updated mass storage device 21. And a display function unit 26 for displaying file information and data.

After photographing with a digital camera, the personal computer 20 displays image files 11 and 12 in addition to the ordinary application 10 as shown in FIG.

The photographing instruction operation of the digital camera can be performed by a command from the personal computer 20 or a shutter key input on the digital camera. The mass storage device 21 may be any device such as a removable PCMCIA card, CF card, smart media, hard disk, etc., as long as the device can be viewed as a device capable of storing a large amount of data in the personal computer 20, and may be connected via USB, SCSI, RS23
Anything such as 2C or IEEE1394 may be used.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4 based on the connection state between the personal computer 20 and a mass storage device 21 whose main function is a digital camera.

A personal computer 20 and a mass storage device 21 whose main function is a digital camera
And with a USB cable. Upon connection, the personal computer 20 outputs a read command to the mass storage device 21 to read data from the mass storage device 21.

When the mass storage device 21 receives a command from the personal computer 20, the mass storage device 21
The personal computer 20 displays the file information and data of the mass storage device 21 on the normal application 10 as shown in FIG. 2 (S30).

Next, it is checked whether or not there is a photographing instruction of the digital camera, which is a main function of the mass storage device 21, by an operator panel provided on the digital camera, a shutter button, or a command from the personal computer 20 (see FIG. 1). S31).

When a photographing instruction is issued, an image file photographed by the digital camera is written to the mass storage device 21 and the data in the mass storage device 21 is updated (S32).

Next, the fact that the file information of the mass storage device 21 has been updated is included in the status information that the personal computer 20 requests the mass storage device 21 at regular intervals, and the personal computer 20
(S33).

The personal computer 20 knows from the status information sent from the mass storage device 21 that the file information of the mass storage device 21 has been updated, and issues a command for reading data from the mass storage device 21 to the mass storage device 21. 2
1, and the mass storage device 21 sends file information and data to the personal computer 20 (S34).

The personal computer 20 displays the file information and data by adding the image file 11 and the image file 12 to the ordinary application 10 as shown in FIG. 3 (S35).

If there is no photographing instruction in S31, the process ends without outputting the updated status of the file information to the personal computer 20.

In this embodiment, the USB connection has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a connection having another interface or protocol that can be viewed as a mass storage device.

As a means for returning the status from the mass storage device 21 to the personal computer 20, a device such as a USB connection that can be inserted and removed while the power is turned on, causes the mass storage device to disappear momentarily by being removed, and a new Assuming that the storage device has been connected, the personal computer 20 reads the file information again and makes it possible to display the latest file information, thereby making the mass storage device 21 look as if the cable was connected and disconnected. Thus, the image file can be used as an updated status.

In this embodiment, a mass storage device having the function of a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, but is another device having the same function as a digital camera. It goes without saying that this may be done.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, when file information of a mass storage device is updated by a mass storage device having an additional function, such as a digital camera, the status is transmitted to a personal computer. With the personal computer,
It notifies that the file information has been updated, and instantaneously updates the display of the file information on the personal computer. Also, it is possible to use the file information updated instantaneously.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a mass storage device with a digital camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an image file photographed by a digital camera of a mass storage device on an application.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image file photographed by a digital camera of a mass storage device on an application.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Application 11, 12 Image file 20 Personal computer 21 Mass storage device 22, 24 Transmission function part 25, 26 Display function part 23 Update function part

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A mass storage device that can be connected to a personal computer, has a main function of a digital camera, and appears as a device capable of storing a large amount of data. A mass storage device that generates a file for itself and displays it as a file on a personal computer. 2. A mass storage device which can be connected to a personal computer, whose main function is a digital camera, and which can be viewed as a device capable of storing a large amount of data. A first transmission function unit for sending to a personal computer; storing and updating an image file photographed by the digital camera; and entering a status indicating that the status information has been updated to status information sent from the personal computer at regular intervals. An update function unit for sending to a personal computer; and a second transmission function unit for sending updated file information and data to the personal computer by receiving a read command from the personal computer. A mass storage device that is displayed as a file on a sonar computer. 3. The mass storage device according to claim 1, wherein the photographing instruction operation of the digital camera can be performed by a command from the personal computer or a shutter key input to the digital camera. 4. A means for connecting the mass storage device to a personal computer, comprising: USB, SCS
4. The mass storage device according to claim 1, wherein I, RS232C, or IEEE1394 is used. 5. The mass storage device according to claim 1, wherein the device capable of storing a large amount of data is a removable PCMCIA card, CF card, smart media or hard disk. 6. A file according to claim 1, wherein a means for connecting said mass storage device to a personal computer is used as an updated status by connecting and disconnecting the power supply while the power is on. A mass storage device according to claim 1. 7. A digital camera using the mass storage device according to claim 1.