JP2004166057A - Image filing device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transfer image data to an image filing device without extracting a memory card from a digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: The image filing device 10 and a digital camera 48 are provided with USB interfaces 57 and 67, respectively. The USB interface 57 consists of a host controller 58 and a connector 42, and meanwhile, the USB interface 67 consists of a target controller 69 and a connector 68. When the image filing device 10 is connected to the digital camera 48 by a cable 49, the device 10 functions as a USB host, and the camera 48 functions as a USB target. This can directly transfer an image file in the memory card 17 from the digital camera 48 to the image filing device 10 with the memory card 17 set in the digital camera 48. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image filing apparatus for recording image data stored in a memory card at the time of photographing with a digital camera onto a storage recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Digital cameras that record captured images as digital data on a memory card are known. The memory card is used for data recording at the time of shooting because of its high data writing speed, but the unit price per unit storage capacity is high, so when storing the image data recorded on it, compared with the memory card A storage recording medium having a low unit price per unit storage capacity is used. As a storage medium for storage, for example, various removable media such as a large capacity flexible disk such as ZIP (registered trademark), a CD (Compact Disk) medium, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) medium, and a hard disk drive are used. Data storage.
[0003]
A personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) includes, for example, a hard disk drive and a CD-R drive for accessing a CD medium and writing data, and a communication interface between the PC and the digital camera body is provided. The image data in the memory card can be copied to a storage recording medium.
[0004]
However, there are many camera users who are unfamiliar with the PC, and for such users, the operation of the PC is not complicated, and there is a great demand for copying image data to a storage recording medium without using the PC. In response to these demands, the present applicant manufactures and sells image filing devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This image filing apparatus includes a card reader that reads image data in a memory card, and a media drive that writes the read image data to a storage recording medium. The image filing apparatus main body is provided with a memory card slot, and a memory card taken out from the digital camera main body is set in this slot. When the copy button is pressed, the image data is read from the memory card, and the image data is written to the storage recording medium set in the media drive.
[0005]
In addition, the image filing apparatus is provided with a communication connector for connecting to a PC via a communication cable so that data communication is possible. By using this communication connector, the media drive in the image filing apparatus can be used as a peripheral device of the PC.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-170321 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when copying image data using the image filing apparatus, it is necessary to remove the memory card from the digital camera body and set it in the image filing apparatus body. Then, after copying of the image data is completed, it is necessary to return the memory card to the digital camera again. According to the survey, there were many voices that the memory card insertion / removal work was troublesome, and improvement was desired.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to enable image data to be transferred to an image filing apparatus without removing a memory card from a digital camera.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image filing apparatus according to the present invention is an image filing apparatus that takes in the image data from a memory card that stores image data captured by a digital camera and records the data on a storage medium for storage. A communication interface for connecting the digital camera and the apparatus main body so that data communication is possible, and the image data in the memory card is transferred to the digital camera via the communication interface while the memory card is loaded. It can be transferred to the main body of the apparatus.
[0010]
An image filing system according to the present invention comprises an image filing comprising a digital camera that records captured images on a memory card, and an image filing device that captures image data from the memory card and records it on a storage medium different from the memory card. In the system, both the digital camera and the image filing device are provided with a communication interface for connecting the image file directly from the memory card in the digital camera to the image filing device. .
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An image filing device 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes first and second card readers (see reference numerals 52 and 53 in FIG. 6) that read image files from first and second memory cards 17 and 18. And a CD-R drive (see reference numeral 54 in FIG. 6) for accessing the CD-R medium 19 to read and write image files. At the front end of the apparatus main body 11, slots 23 and 24 in which the first and second memory cards 17 and 18 are set are provided.
[0012]
The first memory card 17 is SmartMedia (registered trademark), and the memory card 17 is set in a first slot 23 which is a dedicated slot. The second slot 24 is a slot in which a PC card type memory card 18 is set. By using a PC card type adapter in this slot 24, various memory cards smaller than the memory card 18, such as CompactFlash (registered trademark), SD card (registered trademark), Memory Stick (registered trademark) ), Microdrive (registered trademark), etc. can be set. There are various storage capacities of memory cards, but currently a storage capacity of about 16 MB to about 128 MB is standard.
[0013]
The first and second card readers 52 and 53 are selectively used, and switching between them is performed by the slide switch 26. A shielding plate (not shown) is slidably provided in the vicinity of the entrances at the back of the first and second slots 23 and 24, and the shielding plate is linked to the slide switch 26 and is connected to the first and second slots 23. , 24 are selectively blocked. This prohibits two slots from being used simultaneously.
[0014]
A tray 28 for setting the CD-R media 19 is provided at the front center of the apparatus main body 11. The tray 28 is attached so as to be movable between a drawer position where the tray 28 is pulled forward and a storage position where the tray 28 is stored in the apparatus main body 11.
[0015]
The CD-R media 19 has a storage capacity of about 650 MB to 700 MB, has a larger storage capacity than various memory cards, and has a lower unit price per unit storage capacity. Used as storage media for filing and storage. The image files in the memory cards 17 and 18 are read by the card readers 52 and 53, and the read image files are recorded on the CD-R media 19 by the CD-R drive 19.
[0016]
The apparatus main body 11 is provided with a printer unit (see reference numeral 56 in FIG. 6) so that images recorded on the memory cards 17 and 18 and the CD-R media 19 can be printed. In the opening 16, for example, a paper feed cassette (not shown) in which a plurality of L-size recording sheets are stored is detachably set. The recording paper is drawn from the paper feed cassette to the printer unit, and an image is printed. The printed recording paper is discharged from the opening 29. The lid 31 covers the opening 29 when the image filing device 10 is not used.
[0017]
An LCD 32 is provided on the right side of the tray 28 and the opening 29. The LCD 32 displays an operation screen, image files in each of the memory cards 17 and 18 or the CD-R media 19, and images reproduced from them. An operation unit 33 is provided around the LCD 32.
[0018]
The operation unit 33 is a general-purpose cross key for moving the cursor in the operation screen, selecting a frame, a confirmation button for confirming the selected menu or image, an execution button for executing the confirmed menu, and a previous operation. It consists of a cancel button for canceling. Various instructions are given by the operation screen and these various operation buttons. By operating these cross keys and the execution button, a desired image file in each of the memory cards 17 and 18 is selected, and the selected image file is copied to the CD-R media 19, or each memory card 17, 18 or a desired image in the CD-R media 19 can be printed.
[0019]
The operation unit 33 is provided with dedicated buttons for instructing frequently used functions in addition to these general-purpose operation buttons. The save button 37 is a dedicated button for reading all image files in the first or second memory card 17, 18 and instructing to file these image files on the CD-R media 19.
[0020]
When the save button 37 is pressed, all the image files in the first or second memory card 17 or 18 are read, and a folder for storing all the read image files together as one album data is displayed. Processing Created in the CD-R Media 19 A series of processing consisting of processing of writing all image files in the created folder is automatically executed.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, a video output terminal 41, a USB connector 42, and a power supply terminal 43 are provided on the back surface of the apparatus main body 11. The video output terminal 41 outputs an image signal (composite signal) to the monitor 46 in order to reproduce and display images and operation screens on the monitor 46. The power supply terminal 39 is for connecting an AC adapter, and is supplied with power from a commercial power supply via the power supply terminal 39. The image file device 10 can also be driven by a battery (not shown) that is detachably loaded.
[0022]
The USB connector 42, together with a USB host controller (see reference numeral 58 in FIG. 6) described later, constitutes a USB interface having a USB host function. The USB interface is a communication interface that connects the main body of the digital camera 48 and the apparatus main body 11 so that data communication is possible. The digital camera 48 constitutes an image filing system together with the image filing device 10.
[0023]
The communication interface includes a peer-to-peer type in which two connected devices perform communication control in an equal relationship, and one of the two connected devices has the initiative of communication control, There is a master / slave type in which the other depends on the communication. In the master / slave type, since the master side bears much of the communication control load, the communication control load on the slave side is reduced. Therefore, in the master / slave type, the configuration of the communication interface on the slave side can be simplified. The USB interface is the latter, and the master device is called a USB host, and the slave device is called a USB target.
[0024]
As described above, the USB interface is used as a standard communication interface for connecting a PC and a peripheral device. Usually, the PC is a USB host and the peripheral device is a USB target. The USB interface is a hot plug-in function that allows devices to be connected to each other with the power turned on, and automatically recognizes when a USB target is connected to a USB host, and puts the USB target into an operable state. It has a plug and play function. Furthermore, the USB interface has a USB bus power supply function for supplying power to a USB target via a USB data bus. The USB data bus is provided with a power supply line in addition to the data communication line, and power of about 5 V is supplied using this power supply line.
[0025]
Although digital cameras and conventional image filing devices are provided with a USB interface, they do not have a USB host function and operate exclusively as a PC peripheral device (USB target). USB target devices cannot be connected without going through a USB host device. For this reason, it has been impossible to transfer data directly from the digital camera to the image filing device by connecting the digital camera and the conventional image filing device.
[0026]
Since the image filing apparatus 10 of the present invention has a USB interface having a USB host function, it can be connected to a digital camera 48 that operates only as a USB target device via a USB cable 49. Therefore, the image file in the memory card 17 can be directly transferred to the image filing device 10 while the memory card 17 is loaded in the main body of the digital camera 48.
[0027]
When the digital camera 48 is driven by a battery and the battery runs out, the drive power source is automatically switched to the USB bus power source. Therefore, even if the battery runs out during the transfer of the image file, the digital camera 48 can be driven by the supply of the USB bus power from the image filing device 10, so that the data transfer can be continued.
[0028]
FIG. 3 shows a sequence when a USB data bus is established between the image filing device 10 and the digital camera 48. When the digital camera 48 and the image filing device 10 are physically connected via the USB cable 49, the image filing device 10 detects that the voltage of the signal line of the USB bus has increased, and the USB connector 42 is connected to the USB. Detects that the target device is connected.
[0029]
When the connection of the USB target device is detected, the image filing device 10 sends an inquiry command to the digital camera 48 to inquire device information. The device information includes drive specification information, USB interface specification information, and the like. The drive specification information includes, for example, the type of drive (being a drive unit that accesses a memory card), and the USB interface specification information includes data transfer speed and the like. The digital camera 48 transmits device information of the digital camera 48 in response to an inquiry from the image filing device 10. When such negotiation is completed, a data bus is established and data transfer is possible.
[0030]
When the digital camera 48 is connected to the USB host device, the digital camera 48 automatically shifts to the data transfer mode. In this mode, the digital camera 48 operates as a media drive that accesses the memory card 17 to read and write data.
[0031]
When the digital camera 48 is connected to the USB connector 42, the digital camera 48 is selected as a drive for reading image files with priority over the first and second card readers 52 and 53.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage format of image data taken by a digital camera. A captured image folder is created in the memory card 17, and the captured image data is stored in the captured image folder as an EXIF format image file.
[0033]
The EXIF format is obtained by adding EXIFTAG data in addition to image data. The EXIFTAG data includes shooting condition data regarding shooting conditions such as an exposure value, a focal length, and the presence or absence of strobe light emission, and MakerNoteTAG data. The MakerNoteTAG is an area where each camera manufacturer can freely set information unique to the manufacturer. In this area, for example, information on the model of the camera used for shooting is recorded. Data such as the shooting date is also recorded as the EXIFTAG data.
[0034]
The image data is compressed, for example, in JPEG format. Further, thumbnail image data can be included in the EXIF format. This thumbnail image is used for monitor display or when creating an index image. The image folder name and the file name of the image file are defined by the DCF (Design rule for Camera Format) standard. When JPEG is used as the data compression format, DSCF0001 to n. It becomes JPG.
[0035]
The image filing device 10 employs a multi-session method as a data writing method to the CD-R media 19. Writing to the CD-R media 19 is performed with one data writing as one session. The multi-session method is a writing method in which additional writing can be performed on a free area as long as the CD-R media 19 on which data has been written once has a free area. As a result, for example, an image file shot in a plurality of times and a plurality of memory card image files can be collectively stored in one CD-R media 19.
[0036]
FIG. 5 shows an example of a data storage structure when an image file is written on the CD-R media 19 using the image filing device 10. A folder is created in the CD-R media 19, and an image file is stored in the folder. A plurality of folders such as F1 to F3 can be provided. For example, when data is copied by the save button 37, a new folder is automatically created each time, and an image file to be copied is stored in the created folder. A user can arbitrarily assign a name to a newly created folder, or a folder name can be automatically assigned. These can be changed at any time according to the setting.
[0037]
Also, when copying by specifying an image file, you can create a new folder and store the image file there, or you can specify an already created folder and place it in that folder. You can also add image files.
[0038]
Access restrictions can also be set for the created folder. For example, in the case of a user who has a plurality of digital cameras 48, it is conceivable to use a method of dividing a folder for storing image files for each camera. In such a case, the identification information of the camera is stored in the CD-R media 19 in association with the folder whose access is to be restricted so that the image file transferred from another camera cannot be stored in the folder. can do. In this way, it is possible to prevent the image file from being stored in a folder different from the folder intended by the user.
[0039]
As camera identification information, for example, device information transmitted from the digital camera 48 when a USB data bus is established is used. First, when transferring an image file from the digital camera 48, the image filing device 10 temporarily stores the device information in a memory. After the image file is stored in a newly created or selected folder, an inquiry screen asking whether to restrict access to the folder is displayed on the display panel 32, and the user is allowed to select it. When receiving an instruction to restrict access, the device information stored in the memory is written in the CD-R media 19 in association with the folder.
[0040]
Of course, as information for realizing access restriction, identification information arbitrarily input by the user may be used instead of the device information. In this case, first, identification information arbitrarily input by the user is stored in both the digital camera 48 and the image filing device 10. As a means for storing the identification information, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM is used. Then, at the time of image file transfer, the identification information is transferred from the digital camera 48 to the image filing device 10. Then, the transferred identification information and the identification information stored in the image filing device 10 are collated, and if both match, access is permitted, and if they do not match, access is denied. Restrict access.
[0041]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of the image filing device 10 and the digital camera 48. The main controller 51 of the image filing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 51a and a memory 51b, and comprehensively controls each unit of the image filing apparatus 10. The memory 51b is used not only as a working memory when the CPU 51a executes the program, but also as a memory for temporarily storing the identification information of the camera.
[0042]
The main controller 51 includes first and second card readers 52 and 53, a CD-R drive 54, a printer unit 56, a display panel 32, an operation unit 33, a video output terminal 41, a power supply terminal 43, and a USB interface 57. It is connected. The USB interface 57 includes a USB connector 42 and a USB host controller 58.
[0043]
The digital camera 48 includes a main controller 61, an imaging unit 62, an image processing unit 63, an operation unit 64, a media controller 66, and a USB interface 67. The imaging unit 62 includes an imaging optical system, a CCD image sensor, an A / D converter, and the like, and converts an image obtained by imaging a subject into digital data and outputs the digital data. The image processing unit 63 performs various image processes on the digitized image data. The media controller 66 accesses the memory card 17 to write and read image data. The main controller 61 controls each part of the digital camera 48 according to an operation signal from the operation part 64.
[0044]
The USB interface 67 includes a USB connector 68 and a USB target controller 69. The USB host controller 58 of the image filing device 10 and the USB target controller 69 of the digital camera 48 establish a data bus according to the above-described data bus establishment sequence and control data communication.
[0045]
Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described. In the case where an image captured by the digital camera 48 is stored in the CD-R media 19, the CD-R media 19 and the memory card 17 are set in the image filing device 10. When all the image files in the memory card 17 are to be saved, the save button 37 is pressed. Then, reading of the image file from the memory card 17 is started. Then, a new folder is created on the CD-R media 19, and the read image file is stored in the created folder.
[0046]
When it is difficult to remove the memory card 17 from the digital camera 48, the digital camera 48 and the image filing device 10 are connected by the USB cable 49. When the digital camera 48 is physically connected to the image filing device 10 via the USB cable 49, the image filing device 10 automatically detects that the digital camera 48 is connected due to a voltage change of the signal line of the USB bus. Detect. Then, the device information is inquired to the digital camera 48, and the data bus is established in response to the response from the digital camera 48. Further, when the image filing apparatus 10 detects the connection with the digital camera 48, the image filing apparatus 10 selects the digital camera 48 as a reading drive.
[0047]
When the save button 37 is pressed in this state, transfer of the image file from the memory card 17 in the digital camera 48 to the image filing device 10 is started, and the image file is copied to the CD-R media 19 in the above-described procedure. It is also possible to display the image file in the memory card 17 on the display panel 32, select a desired image file with the cross key, and copy the selected image file. In this case, a new folder may be created and an image file may be stored in the folder, or an existing folder may be selected and the image file stored in the selected folder.
[0048]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the USB host function is provided in the image filing apparatus has been described. However, the host function may be provided in the digital camera. In the above embodiment, the USB interface is used. However, for example, an IEEE 1394 interface may be used as the communication interface in addition to the USB interface. This IEEE 1394 interface is also used as one of the standard communication interfaces between the PC and its peripheral devices, and has a hot plug-in function and a plug-and-play function like the USB interface.
[0049]
In addition to performing wired communication using a cable, wireless communication may be performed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, wireless interfaces 76 and 77 are provided in both the image filing device 71 and the digital camera 72. Each of the wireless interfaces 76 and 77 includes antenna units 76a and 77a that transmit and receive radio waves, and controllers 76b and 77b. When using wireless communication, the image filing device 71 and the digital camera 72 must be in the communication area 78. This communication area 78 is defined by the reach of radio waves. As a wireless interface, for example, there are interfaces such as IEEE 802.01 standard and Bluetooth standard.
[0050]
When a master / slave type interface is used as a wireless interface, as in the case of a USB interface, the wireless interface of either the image filing device or the digital camera needs to have a host function.
[0051]
When performing wireless communication, as shown in FIG. 8, when the image filing device 71 receives radio waves from the digital camera 72 and the image filing device 71 is not turned on, it is automatically It is preferable that the data bus (wireless transmission path) is established.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, since a communication interface is provided for direct data transfer from a digital camera to an image filing device, image data can be captured without removing the memory card from the digital camera. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image filing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the image filing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a chart for explaining a data bus establishment sequence.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of an image file.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage format of an image file on a CD-R medium.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image filing device and a digital camera.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an image filing system when a wireless interface is used.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data bus establishment sequence when a wireless interface is used.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Image filing device
17 Memory card
19 CD-R media
42,68 USB connector
48 digital camera
49 USB cable
57, 67 USB interface
58 USB host controller
69 USB target controller

Claims (2)

In an image filing device that captures the image data from a memory card that stores image data captured by a digital camera and records the data on a storage medium for storage,
A communication interface for connecting the digital camera and the apparatus main body so as to allow data communication is provided, and the image data in the memory card is transferred to the apparatus via the communication interface in a state where the memory card is loaded in the digital camera. An image filing apparatus characterized in that it can be directly transferred to the main body. In an image filing system comprising a digital camera that records captured images on a memory card and an image filing device that captures image data from the memory card and records it on a storage medium different from the memory card,
An image filing system characterized in that both the digital camera and the image filing device are provided with a communication interface for connecting the image file directly from the memory card in the digital camera to the image filing device. .

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