JP2002142065A - Personal digital assistant and digital camera for the personal digital assistant, and the personal digital assistant with the digital camera connected thereto - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a personal digital assistant, a digital camera for the personal digital assistant, and the personal digital assistant to which the digital camera is connected that can quickly and efficiently transmit/receive image data through the use of serial communication. SOLUTION: When a mobile phone applies a specified power supply voltage P [V] to the digital camera (t0), the digital camera starts its operation to change a state of a data output signal line L1c from a high impedance state to an 'H' level. In this case, the digital camera initializes each section and applies 1st image processing to a picked-up image (M0), and brings the data output signal line L1c to an 'L' level (t1). The mobile phone detects the 'L' level state of the data output signal line L1c and outputs a clock signal C1 from a data request signal line L1b to the digital camera (t2). The digital camera outputs image data S1 to the data output signal line L1c in response to the clock signal C1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a portable information terminal for transmitting or receiving image data, a digital camera for connecting the portable information terminal, and a portable information terminal device connected to the digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, mobile phones and PHS (Personal Han
In a portable information terminal such as a dyphone system, a color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is adopted as a display screen, and a clear color image can be displayed. Using this function, image data taken by a digital camera is transmitted to the terminal and displayed on the display screen, and further, the image is transmitted to the outside using the wireless communication function of the terminal. It is getting. By the way, when image data is transmitted from a digital camera to a portable information terminal, it is preferable that interconnection can be performed with fewer signal lines using existing terminals of the portable information terminal.
For example, it is convenient to be able to use the earphone microphone terminal of the terminal, but in this case, the number of usable signal lines is two.
Since the number of image data is limited to about three, serial communication based on the standard “RS-232C” specified by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) is generally used for transmission of the image data. In this serial communication, a predetermined command is transmitted and received between the portable information terminal and the digital camera at the start of communication, and image data is transmitted and received after confirming that communication is possible with each other (handshake operation). In addition, information for identifying the start and end is added to each byte of data transmitted and received individually.

[0003]

However, in the case of serial communication, the transmission and reception of commands by the handshake operation at the start of communication as described above has a problem that the transmission of image data cannot be started quickly. Was. Since data transmitted and received between the portable information terminal and the digital camera has identification information added in units of one byte as described above, for example, one byte (= 8 bits) of each data to be transmitted is included. When two bits are added as identification information, the amount of information of the data itself that can be transmitted with the one byte is only six bits, and there is a problem that the data itself cannot be transmitted and received efficiently. There is also known parallel communication that can increase the communication speed as compared with serial communication by increasing the number of signal lines for data to be transmitted and received. However, in the parallel communication, it is necessary to increase the number of signal lines of connection terminals of devices that require small size, light weight and low cost such as the above-mentioned portable information terminal and digital camera, and the cost of the terminal increases accordingly. There is a problem and it is not preferable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and particularly, a portable information terminal and a portable information terminal capable of transmitting, receiving, and transmitting image data easily, quickly, and efficiently using serial communication. It is an object to provide a digital camera for an information terminal and a portable information terminal device connected to the digital camera.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal detecting means for detecting a transmission preparation signal indicating an image data transmission enabled state notified from a digital camera. And receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the digital camera, wherein after the terminal-side detecting means detects the transmission preparation signal, the receiving means receives the image data. I do. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the receiving means detects an abnormality at the time of receiving the image data based on a reception abnormality determination signal included in the received image data. The invention according to claim 3, further comprising a terminal-side output unit that outputs a transmission request signal requesting transmission of the image data, wherein the terminal-side output unit outputs the terminal-side output signal when the terminal-side detection unit detects the transmission preparation signal. The means outputs a transmission request signal to the digital camera, and the receiving means receives image data transmitted from the digital camera in response to the transmission request signal. The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the receiving means collectively receives the image data when the transmission request signal is not interrupted.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera connectable to a portable information terminal, wherein the camera-side output means outputs a transmission preparation signal indicating a state in which image data can be transmitted to the portable information terminal. Transmitting means for transmitting the image data to the portable information terminal at a time, wherein the transmitting means transmits the image data to the portable information terminal after the camera-side output means outputs a transmission preparation signal. It is characterized by. The invention according to claim 6 further comprises a camera-side detection unit that detects a transmission request signal requesting transmission of the image data notified from the portable information terminal, and after the camera-side output unit outputs a transmission preparation signal. When the camera-side detecting means detects the transmission request signal, the transmitting means transmits the image data to the portable information terminal. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a digital camera according to the fifth or sixth aspect is connected to the portable information terminal according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, a mobile phone will be described as an example of the mobile information terminal according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone and a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the mobile phone 30 stores image data received from the digital camera 50 via a predetermined signal line as appropriate and displays the image data in a viewable manner. On the other hand, the digital camera 50
Is operated by the power supplied from the mobile phone 30,
The captured image data is transmitted to the mobile phone 30 via a predetermined signal line. The mobile phone 30 and the digital camera 50 are connected by signal lines L1a to L1c, and a power supply line L1a for supplying power from the mobile phone information terminal 30 to the digital camera 50, and image data from the mobile phone 30 to the digital camera 50 are sent to the digital camera 50. A data request signal line L1b for outputting a transmission request signal, and a transmission preparation signal and image data are output (transmitted) from the digital camera 50 to the mobile phone 30.
Data output signal line L1c. Note that the signal line L
1a to L1c are connected to an earphone / microphone connection terminal J1 of the mobile phone 30, for example.

Next, the configuration of the mobile phone 30 will be described. The telephone control unit 2 has a function of detecting a transmission preparation signal indicating a state in which image data output from the digital camera 50 can be transmitted via the data output signal line L1c (terminal side detection unit), and a data request signal line L1b. (Terminal output means) for outputting a transmission request signal for requesting transmission of image data to the digital camera 50 via the digital camera 50, and a function for receiving image data transmitted from the digital camera 50 via the data output signal line L1c ( Receiving means). Further, the telephone control unit 2 controls on / off of power supplied to the digital camera 50 via the power line L1a. Further, it controls each section of the mobile phone 30.
The telephone control unit 2 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CP)
U: Central Processing Unit, and realizes the function by executing a program for realizing the function of the telephone control unit 2 stored in advance in a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like.

The memory 4 is a memory for storing information corresponding to each function of the portable telephone 30. For example, a telephone number by a telephone directory function and image data received from the digital camera 50 are stored based on the operation of the telephone control section 2. You.

The display unit 6 displays the operation status of each function of the mobile phone 30. For example, the caller's telephone number at the time of an incoming call, the state of radio waves, the remaining battery level, or the information received from the digital camera 50. The image data is appropriately displayed so as to be browsed.

The power supply section 8 supplies power to each section of the digital camera 50. On / off of the power supply is controlled based on the operation of the telephone control section 2.

The operation unit 10 is operated by a user to execute various functions of the mobile phone 30 when using the telephone function or when receiving image data from the digital camera 50. A menu key or the like (not shown) for selecting a function is provided. The wireless communication unit 70 constitutes a telephone function of the mobile phone 30 and has a wireless unit 70 for performing transmission and reception by wireless communication.
a, a speaker 70b for talking, and a microphone 70c. In the above configuration, the wireless communication unit 70 is the same as the configuration of the conventional mobile phone, and the detailed description is omitted.

Next, the configuration of the digital camera 50 will be described. The camera control unit 22 includes a data output signal line L1
c) a function for outputting a transmission preparation signal indicating a state in which image data can be transmitted to the mobile phone 30 via the camera c (camera-side output means), and the mobile phone 3 via the data request signal line L1b.
It has a function of detecting a transmission request signal requesting transmission of image data from 0 (camera-side detection means) and a function of transmitting image data to the mobile phone 30 via the data output signal line L1c (transmission means). . In addition, digital camera 5
0 is controlled. The camera control unit 22 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).
nit) and ROM (Read Only M)
The function is realized by executing a program for realizing the function of the camera control unit 22 stored in the emory) or the like.

The memory 24 is a memory for sequentially storing image data captured by the digital camera 50. The image data is sequentially stored, for example, in units of one image. The imaging unit 26 constitutes an imaging function of the digital camera 50 and includes, for example, a lens or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).
e) and the like (not shown), and images an object based on the operation of the camera control unit 22. The image captured by the imaging unit 26 is processed by the camera control unit 22 and stored in the memory 24 as image data. Also, the digital camera 50
For example, based on the operation of the camera control unit 22, the image is automatically captured by the imaging unit 26 at a predetermined cycle and the image data is stored in the memory 24. The image data of the memory 24 is updated at the predetermined cycle. .

Next, the operation of transmitting image data from the digital camera 50 to the mobile phone 30 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a timing chart when image data is transmitted from the digital camera 50 to the mobile phone 30. Here, the image data S1 includes an image data body of one image of the digital camera, and a header and an end marker described later. In this figure, the power line L1a
The specified power supply voltage P [V] is
(Time t0), the digital camera 50 starts operating, and the camera control unit 22 sends the data output signal line L
1c is changed from the state of high impedance (Hiz) to "H".
(High) state. Thereby, the digital camera 50 notifies the mobile phone 30 that the transmission of the image data is being prepared. At this time, the camera control unit 22 initializes each unit of the digital camera 50,
Performs the first image processing (including the processing of writing image data for one image into the memory 24) (time M0). Also, during the time M0, the data output signal line L1c
(1) is held in the “H” state. When the above processing is completed, the camera control unit 22 sets the data output signal line L1c to an “L” (low, “transmission preparation signal”) state (time t).
1). Thus, the mobile phone 30 is notified that the preparation for transmitting the image data is completed.

The telephone control unit 2 includes a data output signal line L1
c, and outputs a predetermined signal, for example, a clock signal (“transmission request signal”) C1 corresponding to the number of bits of the image data S1 to the digital camera 50 from the data request signal line L1b. (Time t2). The data request signal line L1b is constantly in the “L” state when the clock signal C1 is not output by the telephone control unit 2.

In response to the clock signal C1, the camera controller 22 controls the image data S1 stored in the memory 24.
Are sequentially read and output to the data output signal line L1c.
When the output of the image data S1 for one image is completed, the camera control unit 22 sets the data output signal line L1c to the “H” state again (time t3), and notifies the mobile phone 30 that the transmission of the image data is being prepared. At this time, the camera control unit 22 performs the second image processing (including the process of writing image data for one image to the memory 24) captured by the imaging unit 26 (time M1). When the above processing is completed, the camera control unit 22 sets the data output signal line L1c to the “L” state (time t4). Thus, the mobile phone 30 is notified that the preparation for transmitting the image data is completed. Thereafter, the processing from time t1 to time t4 is repeated, and transmission and reception of image data are performed as appropriate. As described above, the camera control unit 22 transmits image data in units of one image, and the image data is transmitted by the clock signal from the telephone control unit 2 after outputting the transmission preparation signal (the “L” state of the data output signal line L1c). Is output according to the output of.

The telephone controller 2 sequentially receives the image data output as the data output signal L1c, writes the image data in the memory 4, and writes the image data for one image into the memory 4, and displays the image data on the display unit 6. Display it for browsing. To stop receiving image data from the digital camera 50, the telephone control unit 2
Supply of the specified power supply voltage P [V] to the
x) Stop the operation of the digital camera 50 so that image data is not transmitted. By doing so, the mobile phone 30 does not supply power to the digital camera when it does not receive image data.
Battery (power supply) can be prevented from being wasted.

On the other hand, for example, when the portable telephone 30 receives a call while receiving image data, the telephone control unit 2 gives priority to the incoming call processing, so that the output of the clock signal C2 is temporarily interrupted (ΔMa, ΔMb). , And the clock signal C2 is divided into clock signals C2a to C2c and output. At this time, the camera control unit 22 interrupts the output of the image data S2 in response to the interruption of the clock signal C2 (ΔMa, ΔM
b). When the output of the clock signal C2 following the clock signal (C2a) immediately before the interruption is resumed from the telephone control unit 2 (C2b, C2c), the camera control unit 2 responds accordingly.
2 sequentially outputs image data S2 following the data (S2a) output immediately before interruption (S2b, S2c). Thus, even if the output of the clock signal C2 is temporarily interrupted by the telephone controller 2 performing processing other than the acquisition of the image data, the interrupted image data S2 is continued by restarting the output of the clock signal C2. Can be received.

When the camera control unit 22 updates (overwrites) the image data of the memory 24 to the latest image data of the captured image at a predetermined interval (for example, every two seconds), the output of the clock signal C2 is interrupted. When the period (ΔMa, ΔMb) becomes longer than the update interval of the image data, the image data in the memory 24 is updated to the latest image data during that period. Therefore, the clock signal C2
There is a problem that the image data output from the camera control unit 22 in response to the restart of the output becomes different from the image before the interruption of the clock signal. Therefore, in such a case, the camera control unit 22 outputs the data output signal line L1c “H”.
To notify the mobile phone 30 that the transmission of the image data is being prepared. On the other hand, the telephone control unit 2 detects the signal in preparation for transmission and stops the process of restarting the reception of the interrupted image data S2 (resume of the output of the clock signal C2). If the telephone control unit 22 detects a signal indicating that image data can be transmitted from the camera control unit 22 (the “L” state of the data output signal line L1c) again, the telephone control unit 22 performs the above-described time t1 to time t4. It is preferable to perform the normal image data receiving operation shown in FIG. As a result, transmission and reception of image data can be resumed normally after the clock signal of the mobile phone 30 is interrupted for a period longer than the image update interval of the digital camera 50.

Here, the structure of the image data (frame) will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, the image data S1 includes an image data body 400b of one image captured by the digital camera 50, a header 400a including the attribute of the one image, and an end marker 400c indicating the tail of the image data S1.

Next, the relationship between the output of the clock signal and the output timing of the image data will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, each bit data S1 [0], S1 [1],..., S1 constituting the image data S1
[N] (n is an arbitrary integer) is the rising time t2 [0] (t2 [0] = t2) of the clock signal C1, t2 [1],
.., And are output according to t2 [n]. Also, time M2
Is the time from the rising time t2 [n] of the clock signal C1 to the output of each bit data S1 [n] of the image data S1, the time M3 is the width of the “H” period of the clock signal C1, and the time M4 (M5) Indicates the time (frequency) of one cycle of the clock signal C1. The clock signal C1 usually has a constant cycle, but the cycle may change from time M4 to time M5 depending on the state of processing of the telephone control unit 2. In such a case, the output timing of the bit data S1 [n] of the image data S1 also changes accordingly (S1 [1] to S1 [2]).

Here, the configuration of the header 400a is as shown in FIG. For example, the header 400a includes items "dummy" and "image data start recognition" for detecting data abnormality at the time of reception, which will be described later, and items "image width" and "image height" indicating attributes of the image data body. And 32 bytes. And the telephone control unit 2
As long as the clock signal from is not interrupted, the camera control unit 22 converts the data of each item of the header 400a into the image data S.
1 (FIG. 3). This way,
Conventionally, a handshake operation (an operation of transmitting and receiving a command for confirming a communicable state between a transmission side and a reception side before starting data transmission / reception) which has been performed for each item of the above header is performed in one operation. And the time required for the handshake operation is reduced. Also, telephone control unit 2
Is the “dummy” or “image data start recognition” data of the item of the header 400a of the received image data S1,
It is possible to detect an abnormality at the time of receiving the image data S1 by comparing it with a predetermined value. For example, if the value of the received “dummy” data is “552”
A ”(hexadecimal), the fixed value“ AA55 ”(16
) Is detected as abnormal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a 2-byte data value of the end marker 400c. In this figure, the data value of the end marker is “FFD9” (16
), Which is data indicating the tail of the image data S1. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output order of the image data S1. In this figure, the image data body 400b is transmitted sequentially after the header 400c, and finally the end marker 400c is transmitted.

It should be noted that the digital camera may be directly integrated with the external terminal of the mobile phone 30 by attaching the digital camera 50 to the external terminal. In this case, a cable for connection is not required, and the digital camera is easy to use.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Although a mobile phone has been described as an example of a mobile information terminal in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any terminal to which a digital camera can be connected, such as a portable personal computer or an electronic organizer, may be used.

In this embodiment, a case has been described in which the portable information terminal outputs a clock signal requesting transmission of image data to the digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after notifying the portable information terminal of a state in which image data can be transmitted from the digital camera, image data may be transmitted from the digital camera as appropriate. This eliminates the need for a data request signal line between the portable information terminal and the digital camera, further simplifies interconnection, and reduces the number of signal lines of connectors and cables for the connection, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Can be reduced.

The contents of the header and end marker constituting the image data (frame) can be appropriately changed according to the type, function, and carrying of the digital camera or portable information terminal.

[0029]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a portable information terminal (portable telephone) detects a state in which image data transmitted from a digital camera can be transmitted, and sends the notification to the portable information terminal. Since the image data transmitted from the digital camera is received by the portable information terminal on the basis of the above, a predetermined command is transmitted and received as in the related art, and the transmission start is confirmed.
(Handshake) does not need to be performed mutually, and image data can be transmitted to the portable information terminal quickly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the portable information terminal detects an abnormality at the time of receiving image data based on the reception abnormality determination signal (header information) included in the received image data. It is possible to prevent an error in acquiring or displaying the abnormally received image data on the portable information terminal.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by using the transmission preparation signal, the portable information terminal notifies the digital camera that the image data can be transmitted. Image data can be acquired at a convenient time according to the operation state of the terminal.

Further, according to the present invention, since the image data from the digital camera is collectively received, the image data is not divided into small data (in units of 1 byte) as in the prior art. Collective reception is possible, and the portable information terminal can receive image data quickly and efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile phone and a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart when image data is transmitted from the digital camera 50 to the mobile phone 30.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration of image data S1. FIG. 9 is a timing chart of a clock signal output to a data request signal line L1b and image data output to a data output signal line L1c.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart of a clock signal output to a data request signal line L1b and image data output to a data output signal line L1c.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of each item constituting a header 400a.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a value of 2-byte data of an end marker 400c.

FIG. 7 shows the image data body 40 in the image data S1.
It is a figure showing an example of an output order of 0b.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Terminal control unit (terminal-side detection unit, reception unit, terminal-side output unit) 22 Camera control unit (camera-side output unit, transmission unit, camera-side detection unit) 30 Mobile phone (portable information terminal) 50 Digital camera S1, S2 Image data 400a Header (reception error discrimination signal)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Katsuya Kita 3-5-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo DDI Pocket Co., Ltd. (72) Kenichi Yamashita 3-5-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside DDI Pocket Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shunji Ishikawa 3-5-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside DDI Pocket Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuya Kamijo 3-5-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo DDI Pocket Co., Ltd. (72) Susumu Susumu 3-5-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo DDI Pocket Co., Ltd. (72) Hirofumi Oishi 3-5-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo No. DDI Pocket Inc. (72) Inventor Tomoya Iwashige Torano, Minato-ku, Tokyo 3-5-1, Mon Gate Inside DDI Pocket Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Sunaga 3-5-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo DDI Pocket Corporation F-term (reference) 5C062 AA01 AA12 AB38 AC34 AE03 AE14 BA01 5C064 AA04 AB03 AC04 AC11 AD08 AD14 5K027 AA11 BB01 EE11 FF01 FF22 GG04 HH26 KK07 MM17

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A terminal detecting means for detecting a transmission preparation signal indicating an image data transmittable state notified from a digital camera, and a receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the digital camera, The mobile information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives the image data after the terminal-side detecting unit detects the transmission preparation signal. 2. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit detects an abnormality at the time of receiving the image data based on a reception abnormality determination signal included in the received image data. 3. A terminal output means for outputting a transmission request signal for requesting transmission of the image data, wherein when the terminal detection means detects the transmission preparation signal, the terminal output means outputs the digital signal. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein a transmission request signal is output to a camera, and the receiving unit receives image data transmitted from the digital camera in response to the transmission request signal. . 4. The portable information terminal according to claim 3, wherein said receiving means collectively receives said image data when said transmission request signal is not interrupted. 5. A digital camera connectable to a portable information terminal, wherein the camera-side output means outputs a transmission preparation signal indicating a state in which image data can be transmitted to the portable information terminal; Transmitting means for transmitting the image data to the portable information terminal after the camera-side output means outputs a transmission preparation signal. 6. A camera-side detection unit for detecting a transmission request signal for requesting transmission of the image data notified from a portable information terminal, wherein the camera-side detection is performed after the camera-side output unit outputs a transmission preparation signal. 6. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein when the transmission unit detects the transmission request signal, the transmission unit transmits the image data to the portable information terminal. 7. A digital camera connection portable information terminal device comprising the portable information terminal according to claim 1 and the digital camera according to claim 5 connected to the portable information terminal according to claim 5.