JP2004213487A - Card type device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To pick up an image by a camera without concern about memory capacity on a camera which stores an image in a memory inserted into a card slot. <P>SOLUTION: The device can be inserted into the card slot, and can be accessed as a memory card from host equipment with the card slot. It is provided with a data storing device which stores data, a communication means which communicates via a network, a CPU which controls the communication means, and a pseudo-memory to which data writing/data reading are requested from the host equipment. The CPU reads out data from the pseudo-memory and controls so as to store the read data in the data storing device via the communication means when detecting that the host requests the data writing, meanwhile, the CPU reads out desired data from the data storing device via the communication means and controls writing to the pseudo-memory then defines it as data for reading by the host when detecting that the host requests the data read. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a memory card slot for inserting a memory card such as a compact flash memory or a PC card for inserting a PC card into an imaging device such as a digital camera or an information processing device such as a personal computer. The present invention relates to a card type device that can be inserted into a slot.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a device capable of taking photographed data as digital data, a storage medium is required to store the photographed data, and the amount of photographable data is the same as that of a film or tape of an analog photographing device. Limited by storage capacity.
[0003]
Further, a PC card or a PC card interface has been used as an interface with an external device, as an adapter for adding functions, or as a storage device for storing photographed data (for example, see Patent Document 1). .
[0004]
In addition, there is a device in which a transmission / reception circuit is provided for transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external device (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0005]
In addition, a connector for a card that can be attached to and detached from the camera is provided so that images can be input and output to and from this connector. (For example, see Patent Document 3).
[0006]
Further, transmission of image data of a digital camera to a commercial network or the like using a PHS communication system has already been performed (for example, see Patent Document 4).
[0007]
In addition, the memory card storing the image is detached from the camera and inserted into the memory card device. The memory card device is connected to the PHS, and the PHS is wirelessly connected to a PC (personal computer). Transmission to the receiving-side PHS is also performed (for example, see Patent Document 5).
[0008]
There is also a digital camera that can transfer captured image data to a remote high-capacity server via the Internet and accumulate the data, and can download desired image data from the server as needed (for example, see Patent Document 6). ).
[0009]
In addition, by incorporating an image and audio compression / expansion circuit, a telephone function circuit, an RF transmission / reception circuit, a camera, a microphone, and the like in the PC card, the PC card can be used as a TV phone simply by inserting the PC card into the PC. It is considered (for example, refer to Patent Document 7).
[0010]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-08-098125
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-167979
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-04-980
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-10-308981
[Patent Document 5]
JP-A-11-308588
[Patent Document 6]
JP 2001-197429 A
[Patent Document 7]
JP 2000-184342 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, with the increase in the number of pixels of the image sensor used in digital cameras to mega-pixels, the size of digital data has expanded, and as digital moving images have progressed, so has the capacity of storage media. It is unavoidable and the price is high, but users have to own several media like analog shooting media. In particular, when bringing a digital camera for a long trip, the capacity of a single media may be insufficient, so prepare multiple media as if a conventional film camera provided multiple films. This has created a compelling situation.
[0018]
In the case of analog media, for example, a conventional still camera can capture images on a plurality of films, and the captured films take the form of being stored by development, whereas in the case of digital storage media, they are stored there. When trying to save existing data as data, it was necessary to take it to a personal computer and empty the storage media, which was a high threshold for non-owners of personal computers.
[0019]
In a conventional method in which a memory card of a camera is removed, the memory card device is attached to the memory card device, and the PHS is connected to the memory card device and wirelessly transmitted from the PHS, the image data in the memory card is transmitted. However, there is a problem in that the security of the PHS is unsafe, and it takes a lot of time to transmit an image to the outside by such a method, during which time the use of the PHS becomes impossible.
[0020]
In addition, there are digital cameras that can transfer captured image data to a remote high-capacity server via the Internet and store the data, and can download desired image data from the server as needed. It is a prerequisite to have such a function, and it cannot be used with a camera without such a function.
[0021]
Further, even if a telephone function circuit and an RF transmission / reception circuit are built in the PC card, the camera itself has only one PC card slot, and the specification is such that images are stored in a card inserted into the PC card slot. If not, it is not available.
[0022]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera that stores images in a memory inserted into a card slot, without regard to the memory capacity of the camera. It is an object of the present invention to provide a card-type device capable of capturing an image with a camera.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an apparatus that can be inserted into a card slot and is accessible as a memory card from a host device having the card slot, A communication unit that communicates with a data storage device that stores data via a network, a CPU that controls the communication unit, and a pseudo memory that performs a data write request / data read request from the host device; Upon detecting that the data write request has been made to the pseudo memory, the CPU reads data written by the host device into the pseudo memory, and stores the read data in the data storage device via the communication unit. While detecting that the data read request has been made to the pseudo memory. That when, characterized by a read data of the host device by controlling to write to the pseudo memory reads desired data from the data storage device via the communication means.
[0024]
According to the present invention, captured image data can be stored in a server connected to the Internet or a home server. Therefore, a new storage medium is required without worrying about the capacity of the storage medium. It is possible to continue imaging with the camera without having to do so.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0026]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a system to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 100 denotes a camera using the storage card of the present invention, and reference numeral 101 denotes a storage card that transmits data to be stored via the Internet. Device that can be inserted into the card mounting section). In the figure, the camera 100 and the storage card 101 are illustrated as being separated from each other and connected by a cable, but the storage card 101 is attached to the camera 100. Since the storage card 101 communicates with the outside, it is drawn in a separated form to emphasize it.
[0027]
In the figure, reference numeral 106 denotes the Internet (it is assumed to be the Internet in the present embodiment, but may be another network such as a LAN or a wireless LAN). Reference numeral 102 denotes a server device that communicates with the storage card 101 via the Internet 106 to receive data, and reference numeral 103 denotes a storage device connected to the server device. Reference numeral 104 denotes a server device 102 that communicates with the storage card 101 via the Internet 106 or communicates with the storage card 101 via the Internet 106 to receive and store data stored in the storage card 101; Home server that displays on Here, it is assumed that a storage device is also provided in the home server.
[0028]
In FIG. 1, data sent from the storage card 101 to the Internet is received by the server device 102 and stored in the storage device 103, or received by the home server 104 and stored in the internal storage device. Is determined by the storage PC card 101. In the determination of the destination, in the system as shown in FIG. 1, the transmission may be performed after the destination is determined in advance, or the home server may be accessed first and then the home server may be accessed. After confirming that the file is possible and storable, the message may be sent to the home server if it can be confirmed, or sent to the server 102 if it cannot be confirmed.
[0029]
In FIG. 1, in a system without the home server 104, the storage card 101 transmits data to the server 102.
[0030]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the storage card 101 of the present invention shown in FIG. The storage card embodying the present invention uses software to operate a bus 200 connected to a connector 211 for transmitting and receiving data to and from a device to which the card is mounted, and a memory chip (such as a compact flash (trademark)). A pseudo memory device 202 to be simulated, a communication device denoted by reference numeral 205 for communicating with a server via the Internet, a CPU 203 denoted by reference numeral 203, and a program storage device denoted by reference numeral 204 storing a program executed by the CPU (203) And a work memory chip of the CPU denoted by reference numeral 210.
[0031]
Here, the CPU 203 can operate independently of the device into which the PC card is inserted, and when viewed from the connector 211 side (device to which the card is attached), the card shown in FIG. 2 is a memory such as a compact flash. -Operates as a card or similar to a CardBus PC card. In other words, the storage card 101 is treated as a storage medium from the device into which the card is inserted. In FIG. 2, the pseudo memory device 202 performs a simulation operation of a memory card such as a CF card, a smart media, and a memory stick.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing the configuration of the pseudo memory device of FIG. 2 in detail. The pseudo memory device includes an address register 307 for writing an address in accordance with an instruction from the interface bus 301, a read data register block 308 for reading data when a read instruction is issued from the interface bus 301, and an interface bus 301. A write data register block 309 for writing data at the time of a write instruction from the CPU, an OR gate block 306 for generating a write signal to the address register block, and data for notifying read / write of an interface signal to the CPU. It comprises a flip-flop block 325 to generate, an address decoder block 318 to decode an address of the CPU and generate an access signal to each device, and a signal line as shown in the figure. That.
[0033]
In a state where the storage card is inserted into a device using a storage medium such as a camera, for example, when a user operates the device to take an image, data writing from the device occurs. The write consists of a write address and write data, where the address is written to the address register block 307 and the data is written to the data write block 309. At this time, the CPU 314 detects that writing has been performed by the flip-flop block 325, reads a write address from the address register block 307, reads data written from the data write block 309, and reads the read data to the communication device 317. The transferred data and address data are transferred, and the CPU controls the communication device according to the program in the program storage device 317 to control the written data to be transmitted to the server device or the home server device via the Internet. By repeating the above operation, an imaging device such as a camera can access the storage card 101 in the same manner as a conventional storage device and store imaging data.
[0034]
When reading the stored data, the read address is similarly written in the address register block 307, and the CPU detects that the read is performed by the flip-flop block, and the address data written in the address register block is read. , And transfers the address data to the communication device. The CPU controls the communication device according to the program in the program storage device 317 and transmits the address data to the server device or the home server device via the Internet. Alternatively, the home server device transmits the corresponding data. The CPU controls the communication device and writes the received read data to the data read register block 308 to be read data of the interface bus. By repeating the above operation, an imaging device such as a camera accesses the pseudo memory device in the same manner as a conventional storage device and reads out imaging data.
[0035]
Here, when sending data to the home server, it is possible to send the data via the server device 102 instead of sending it directly, and to send it to another server device via the server device 102. It can also be sent and stored in the storage device.
[0036]
In addition to transmitting (uploading) data from the storage card to the Internet, for example, a request is made to download previously transmitted data, and the transmitted data is downloaded and stored in the memory chip 210. It is possible to do so. The data stored in the memory chip 210 can be viewed on an LCD monitor using, for example, the playback function of the camera.
[0037]
In the above-described data transfer via the Internet, for example, when connecting to a provider and storing the data in a storage device of the provider or a storage device of another server, establishment of communication with the provider and final data The transfer destination and the like are stored in advance in the program storage device 204 together with the program, so that the program can be executed without requiring a special operation by the user. Further, it is also possible to download a program for executing the above-described function including such user-specific data, store the program in the program storage device 204, and execute the program.
[0038]
In addition, data transfer via the Internet is not triggered by directly transmitting and receiving data through the interface bus access, but by temporarily writing to the memory chip 210 and accessing the memory chip 210 each time. The transfer of data is started when the free space becomes equal to or less than a predetermined first value. When the free space becomes equal to or more than the second value during the transfer, the remaining data is calculated. May be stopped. In this case, for example, the transfer is started when the remaining capacity becomes equal to or less than the maximum size of the writable data amount, and the transfer is ended when the remaining data amount not transferred is reduced to half or less. It is also possible. In this case, for example, it is possible to secure a writable free space in the memory chip while suppressing the amount of data to be transferred, and to reduce the amount of image data up to the sum of the storage capacity of the transfer destination and the capacity of the memory chip. Can be imaged and stored, and it is possible to cope with a timing shift at the time of communication.
[0039]
Further, the data stored in the memory chip may be a thumbnail of a captured image. This means that the image data is transmitted to the outside of the card, but if you want to view the image with the imaging device alone, it is possible to check it without displaying detailed data as much as the image data. It can be done without.
[0040]
If there is a limit on the available recording capacity in the server device 102, when the limit is exceeded, the CPU writes data to the interface bus to the data read register block to the effect that writing is not possible.
[0041]
When connecting to the Internet using wireless, a hotspot (trademark) or a place generally called a wireless spot (wireless spot) can be used, and the functions described above at such points are available. Is performed, the communication device 205 may be configured to use such equipment.
[0042]
In a ubiquitous network, the above-described storage card of the present invention can be used in, for example, a digital camera having a conventional memory card slot, so that a user using the digital camera has much convenience. Will bring.
[0043]
While various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that the spirit and scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific description and figures herein, but rather the patents herein. It will be understood that various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims.
[0044]
Examples of embodiments of the present invention are listed below as embodiments, including the claims of the present application.
[0045]
[Embodiment 1]
A device that can be inserted into a card slot and is accessible as a memory card from a host device having the card slot,
Communication means for communicating via a network with a data storage device for storing data,
A CPU for controlling the communication means;
A pseudo memory in which a data write request / data read request is made from the host device;
Upon detecting that the data write request has been made to the pseudo memory, the CPU reads data written by the host device into the pseudo memory, and stores the read data in the data storage device via the communication unit. When the data read request is detected in the pseudo memory, control is performed such that desired data is read from the data storage device via the communication means and written in the pseudo memory. A card-type device for reading data from the host device.
[0046]
[Embodiment 2]
The card according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo memory includes an address register for writing an address for reading data, and a data register for writing data to be written and data to be read. Mold device.
[0047]
[Embodiment 3]
The data register according to claim 2, wherein the data register includes a write data register for writing the write target data and a read data register for writing the read target data. Card type device.
[0048]
[Embodiment 4]
The card type device further has an interface bus connected to the card slot, and a CPU bus connected to the communication means and the CPU, and the pseudo memory includes the interface bus and the CPU. The card type device according to embodiment 1, wherein the card type device is connected to a bus.
[0049]
[Embodiment 5]
The card type device further has a program storage memory for storing a program for operating the CPU, and the program stored in the program storage memory is downloaded via the network and can be executed by the CPU. 2. The card-type device according to claim 1, wherein:
[0050]
[Embodiment 6]
The card-type device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is connected to the network wirelessly.
[0051]
[Embodiment 7]
The card-type device according to claim 1, wherein the host device is a digital camera.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the digital camera equipped with the storage card (card type device) according to the present invention transfers the data stored in the storage card to the storage device connected to the Internet. As long as the built-in battery functions beyond the storage capacity of the card to a capacity that can be stored in the destination storage device, the photographer can shoot without worrying about the remaining amount of the storage medium. Therefore, since the user only needs to own the storage medium, the user does not need to carry a plurality of memory cards.
[0053]
Further, since the communication device is provided in the storage card, the function of the digital camera to which the storage card can be attached can be improved.
[0054]
Furthermore, since communication with the server device or home server is automatically performed, the photographer can confirm and delete the photographed data and perform operations equivalent to those of ordinary storage media. There is no need to learn new operations.
[0055]
Further, even if a non-owner of a personal computer can perform operations related to storing and organizing shooting data stored on a server from a mobile phone or the like, the threshold for the non-personal computer can be reduced. For a user who is a personal computer owner and has a home server, by increasing the capacity of the storage device of the home server, the number of pictures that can be taken can be substantially unlimited.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a storage card 101 according to the present invention, which is shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a pseudo memory device shown in FIG. 2 in detail;
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Camera mounting storage card as storage device 101 Storage card 102 according to the present invention 102 Server device 103 Storage of server device 104 Home server (including storage device)
105 Display Device 106 Internet 200 Storage I / F Bus 201 PC Card Internal CPU Bus 202 Pseudo Memory Device 203 CPU
204 Program storage device 205 Communication device 301 Storage I / F bus 302 Interface side address bus 303 Interface side data bus 304 Interface side write enable signal line 305 Interface side read enable signal line 306 OR gate block 307 Address register Block 308 Interface side data read block 309 Interface side data write block 310 CPU side data bus 311 CPU bus 312 CPU side address bus 313 CPU side data bus 314 CPU
315 Program storage device 316 Work memory device 317 Communication device 318 Decoder device 319 Communication device select signal line 320 Work memory device select signal line 321 Program storage device select signal line 322 Address register block select signal line 323 Interface side data Read block select signal line 324 Interface side data write block select signal line 325 Flip-flop block

Claims (1)

A device that can be inserted into a card slot and is accessible as a memory card from a host device having the card slot,
Communication means for communicating via a network with a data storage device for storing data,
A CPU for controlling the communication means;
A pseudo memory in which a data write request / data read request is made from the host device;
Upon detecting that the data write request has been made to the pseudo memory, the CPU reads data written by the host device into the pseudo memory, and stores the read data in the data storage device via the communication unit. While controlling to store the data in the pseudo memory, when detecting that the data read request has been made to the pseudo memory, control is performed such that desired data is read from the data storage device via the communication means and written to the pseudo memory. A card-type device for reading data from the host device.

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