JP2006088656A - Electronic equipment and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To add the function of electronic equipment without uploading software. <P>SOLUTION: An α<SB>1</SB>-th block and an α<SB>2</SB>-th block of a memory card 54 are registered as a defective block beforehand. A specific code for releasing restrictions of storage control is recorded in the α<SB>1</SB>-th and the α<SB>2</SB>-th blocks. When starting up a printer 14, a code search part 59 detects whether the α<SB>1</SB>-th block or the α<SB>2</SB>-th block is registered as the defective block or not. When detecting that the α<SB>1</SB>-th block or the α<SB>2</SB>-th block is registered as the defective block, the code search part 59 detects whether the specific code is recorded or not in the α<SB>1</SB>-th block or the α<SB>2</SB>-th block. When detecting the specific code, the restrictions of the storage control are released. After image data are transmitted to the printer 14 from a digital camera 12, a mass storage driver 56 stops voltage supply to a power supply feed line of a USB cable 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a storage medium that stores digital data such as image data, and an electronic device that can be loaded with the storage medium.

  Conventionally, when adding a new function or changing a function to an electronic device such as a digital camera or a printer, for example, update software is prepared and the firmware in the electronic device is updated. It was.

  When adding or changing a function by updating, it is necessary to update the firmware in the electronic device. However, if there is a defect in the update software, the updated electronic device may not operate normally. Moreover, since it was necessary to bring an electronic device to the manufacturer in order to update the firmware, it was very time-consuming.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. A storage medium that can add or change functions of an electronic device without uploading software, and an electronic that can be loaded with the storage medium. The purpose is to provide equipment.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device in which the storage medium of the present invention can be loaded has a memory access means that can directly access a defective registration block area in the storage medium and a specific code recorded in the defective registration block area. And a function restriction releasing unit that activates a specific function provided in advance.

  The memory access means detects whether or not a predetermined specific block is registered in the storage medium as a defective registration block. It is preferable to provide a plurality of specific blocks. The defective registration block is composed of a plurality of sectors as data recording units, and the memory access means detects whether or not a specific code is recorded in at least one sector in the defective registration block. It is preferable to detect whether or not a specific code is recorded in the defective registration block area while the storage medium is loaded, and to prevent the specific function from being executed if the specific code is not detected.

  The electronic apparatus operates a storage unit that stores image data and a cable-connected imaging device as a storage device, and after image data is stored in the storage unit from the imaging device, the imaging device serves as the storage device. The printer includes a storage control unit that cancels the operation, and the operation of the imaging apparatus as a storage device is canceled only when a specific code is recorded in the defect registration block area.

  A USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable is used as the cable. After the image data is stored in the storage unit, the storage control unit stops power supply to the imaging device via the power supply line of the USB cable, and performs imaging. Cancel the operation of the device as a storage device.

  The storage medium of the present invention is composed of a plurality of blocks in which data is recorded, and can be inserted into and removed from an electronic device provided with a specific function in advance. The specific block is registered in advance as a defective registration block, Is recorded with a specific code for canceling the specific function of the electronic device. It is preferable that a plurality of defect registration blocks are provided. The defective registration block is preferably composed of a plurality of sectors as data recording units, and a specific code is preferably recorded in at least one sector in the defective registration block.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the memory access means that can directly access the defective registration block area in the storage medium and the specific identification provided in advance only when the specific code is recorded in the defective registration block area Since the function restriction releasing means for enabling the function is provided, it is possible to add a function that can be reliably operated in the electronic device without downloading software.

  Further, the memory access means detects whether or not a predetermined specific block is registered in the storage medium as a defective registration block, and since a plurality of specific blocks are provided, the specific block is physically defective. Even if it exists, a specific code can be detected from another specific block. Furthermore, since the memory access means detects whether or not a specific code is recorded in at least one sector in the defective registration block, the specific code can be reliably detected. While the storage medium is loaded, it is detected whether or not a specific code is recorded in the defective registration block area. If the specific code is not detected, the specific function is not executed. It is possible to prevent a specific function of a plurality of electronic devices from being released using a single storage medium in which is stored.

  According to the storage medium of the present invention, the specific block is registered in advance as a defect registration block, and the specific code for canceling the specific function of the electronic device is recorded in the defect registration block. Functions that can be operated with electronic devices can be added. Further, since a function usable in the electronic device can be added simply by recording the function addition code in the specific block, it is possible to differentiate from other storage media with a simple means.

  Further, since the block in which the function addition code is recorded is registered as a defective block in advance, the function addition code is not detected or copied even if it is set in a general electronic device. Furthermore, even when the data in the storage medium is formatted, the block is registered as a defective block in advance, so that the function addition code is not erased.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the print system 10 includes a digital camera 12 that captures an image of a subject and generates image data, and a printer 14 that prints an image based on the image data output from the digital camera 12. These are connected to each other via a USB cable 16. A connector 40 for connecting the USB cable 16, an LCD panel 41 for displaying an image to be printed and various messages, a print button and a cross key for selection, and an ID print button 42 described later are arranged on the upper surface of the printer 14. The operation unit 43 is provided. Further, a card slot 58 for inserting a memory card 54 for releasing the restriction of the mass storage control function described later is provided on the front surface of the printer 40.

  In FIG. 2, the operation of the digital camera 12 is comprehensively controlled by the system controller 20. The operation unit 21 includes, for example, a shutter button, a zoom button, a selection key, and the like, and the system controller 20 controls the operation of each unit of the digital camera 12 according to an input signal from the operation unit 21. Each unit of the digital camera 12 is electrically connected via a data bus 22.

  The imaging unit 23 includes an imaging lens and an imaging element, and generates an image signal by photoelectrically converting an optical image of a subject. The image signal is subjected to predetermined signal processing in a signal processing circuit (not shown), and then converted into digital image data in the A / D converter 24. This image data is once recorded in the DRAM 25, subjected to image correction such as white balance and distortion correction in the image processing circuit 26, and then recorded on the removable memory card 28 via the card driver 27. Further, by outputting the image data recorded on the memory card 28 to the LCD driver 29, the photographed image can be reproduced and displayed on the LCD panel 30.

  A USB controller 31 is connected to the USB cable 16 via a connector (not shown). The USB controller 31 transmits / receives data to / from a USB controller 55 (see FIG. 3) provided in the printer 14 in accordance with the USB standard. The USB cable 16 includes two signal lines, a power supply line (VSUB), and a ground line (GND). When an operating voltage of +5 V is supplied from the printer 14 to the power supply line (VSUB) of the USB cable 16, the digital camera 12 is controlled by the printer 14 as a mass storage device and reads out image data recorded on the memory card 28.・ Erasing is possible. While the digital camera 12 operates as a mass storage device, the digital camera 12 cannot perform a shooting operation.

  FIG. 3 shows the electrical configuration of the printer 14. The operation of the printer 14 is comprehensively controlled by the system controller 45 in accordance with an input signal from the operation unit 43. Each unit constituting the printer 14 is electrically connected to each other via a data bus 46. The ID print button 42 provided on the operation unit 43 is operated when creating an ID photo by dividing the image into four parts, for example, as will be described later.

  The image recording unit 47 includes a recording paper loading unit for loading recording paper, a conveying unit for conveying the recording paper, and a recording head for recording an image on the recording paper. The recording paper loading unit conveys the recording paper from the recording paper loading unit. On the other hand, the recording head is driven based on the image data stored in the image memory 48 to color record the image on the recording paper. For the image recording unit 47, for example, image recording means such as a thermal printing system, an ink jet system, and a laser printing system can be used, but the invention is not limited to these, and any known recording means can be applied.

  The LCD panel 41 is connected to the image memory 48 via the LCD driver 49 and can display and output an image stored in the image memory 48. The PC card 53 and the memory card 54 used as external storage media can be loaded into dedicated slots, respectively. By reading out image data via the PC card driver 51 and the card driver 52, an image is displayed on the LCD panel 41. Alternatively, it can be printed out. As the memory card 54, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an XD picture card (registered trademark), a memory stick (registered trademark) or smart media (registered trademark), a small hard disk such as a micro drive (registered trademark), or the like may be applied. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the memory card 54 includes a header area 60 and a data recording area 61. The data recording area 61 is composed of a plurality of data blocks, and each block is associated with a physical address, and data in a specified block can be accessed via this physical address. Each block is composed of 32 sectors 63 as data recording units.

The header area 60 is provided with a defective block table 62 in which data relating to the presence or absence of a defective block in the data recording area 61 is recorded. The defective block table 62 is provided with a flag indicating the presence or absence of a defective block for each block number. For example, when the flag is “0”, it indicates that the corresponding block is not a bad block, and when the flag is “1”, it indicates that the block is registered as a bad block. The data in the bad block table is recorded when the memory card 28 is manufactured, and is updated when a new bad block is detected on the printer 14 side. In the example of FIG. 4, it is shown that defective blocks are registered in the α ₁ block and the α ₂ block. Further, a function addition code consisting of a specific character string is recorded in each sector 63 in the α ₁ block and the α ₂ block in the data recording area 61.

Code search unit 59 is can be accessed directly via a physical address in the memory card 54 to the data in each data block, with reference to the bad block table 62 of the memory card 54, the alpha ₁ block detecting whether the defective block registered in any of the alpha ₂ blocks. When the bad block is registered, the data in each sector 63 in the α ₁ block to the α ₂ block is directly read via the physical address and stored in the code search unit 59 in advance. It is determined whether or not it matches the additional code. If the function addition codes match, functions usable by the printer 14 are added as will be described later.

  The USB cable 16 is connected to the USB controller 55 via the USB connector 40 on the printer side. The USB controller 55 transmits and receives data between the digital camera 12 and the printer 14 using the printer 14 as a host in the USB mass storage class. The mass storage driver 56 connected to the USB controller 55 controls the digital camera 12 connected to the printer 14 via the USB cable 16 as a mass storage device in which image data obtained by imaging is recorded.

  The mass storage driver 56 operates on the power supply line (VSUB) of the USB cable 16 via the USB controller 55 when a specific operation is performed on the printer 14 (for example, when the ID print button 42 is operated). To operate the digital camera 12 as a mass storage device. Then, image data is sent from the memory card 28 of the digital camera 12 to the memory card 54 of the printer 14 via the USB cable 16.

  Further, when the function addition code is detected from the memory card 28 by the code search unit 59, the mass storage driver 56 stops the voltage supply to the power supply line (VSUB) when the transmission of the image data is completed. To release the storage control. At this time, although the USB cable 16 is connected to the digital camera 12, the operation voltage is not supplied to the power supply line (VSUB), so that the digital camera 12 does not operate as a mass storage device. Therefore, a photographing operation can be performed using the digital camera 12. On the other hand, when the function addition code is not detected, the storage control release function is not enabled, so even if the transmission of the image data is completed, the printer 14 and the digital camera 12 are connected with the USB cable 16. As long as it is present, the mass storage driver 56 continues to supply voltage to the power supply line (VSUB).

The operation of the printing system having the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, first, when the printer 14 is activated by operating a power button (not shown), the code search unit 59 searches the defective block table 62 in the memory card 54 (S1). Then, the code search unit 59 detects whether or not the α ₁ block is registered as a bad block (S 2), and if it is registered, a function addition code is stored in at least one sector in the α ₁ block. Whether it is recorded or not is detected (S3). When the function addition code is detected, the storage driver 56 validates the storage control release function (S6).

On the other hand, if the α ₁ block is not registered as a bad block, or if a function addition code is not recorded in the α ₁ block, the code search unit 59 determines that the α ₂ block is registered as a bad block. detects whether dolphins not (S4), feature additional code to at least one sector of the alpha ₂ in the block if it is registered to detect whether it is recorded (S5). When the function addition code is detected, the storage driver 56 validates the storage control release function (S6).

Here, at the time of manufacturing the memory card 54, the α ₁ block may be physically defective. Therefore, by registering a plurality of blocks as defective blocks, the blocks in the blocks registered as defective blocks are registered. Data can be read reliably. Furthermore, the function addition code can be reliably detected by recording the function addition code in all sectors in the block registered as a defective block.

  When the storage control release function is enabled, the user takes an ID photo subject using the digital camera 12, as shown in FIG. At this time, since the voltage supply to the power supply line (VSUB) of the USB cable 16 is turned off, the digital camera 12 does not operate as a mass storage device, and thus can perform a photographing operation. Image data obtained by shooting is recorded in the memory card 28.

  When outputting a subject image obtained by photographing as an ID photo, the user presses the ID print button 42. At this time, the mass storage driver 56 of the printer 14 supplies a voltage of +5 V to the power supply line (VSUB) via the USB controller 55 to operate the digital camera 12 as a mass storage device. A connection confirmation request signal is sent from the printer 14 to the digital camera 12, and a connection confirmation signal is received from the digital camera 12. Thereby, the preparation for image data transfer is completed.

  After erasing the image data recorded in the memory card 54, the printer 14 sends an image data transmission request signal to the digital camera 12. In response to the image data transmission request signal, the image data recorded on the memory card 28 in the digital camera 12 is transmitted to the printer 14 via the USB cable 16. The printer records the received image data on the memory card 54. At this time, image data corresponding to all images recorded on the memory card 28 of the digital camera 12 may be transmitted to the printer 14, or an image to be transmitted may be selected on the printer 14 side. When the transmission of the image data is completed, the digital camera 12 sends an image data transmission completion signal to the printer 14.

    When transmission / reception of image data is completed, an image data erasing signal is sent from the printer 14 to the digital camera 12, and the image data recorded in the memory card 28 on the digital camera 12 side corresponds to the image transmitted to the printer 14. The image data to be deleted is deleted. This eliminates the possibility that the memory card 28 on the digital camera 12 side will run out of free space, so there is no need to switch the digital camera 12 from the shooting mode to the playback mode to delete the image, and shooting and printing. Work can be performed efficiently. Further, since the amount of images recorded on the memory card 28 is reduced, the time required for transmitting image data can be shortened. Further, when the next image is taken by the digital camera 12, the image used in the previous photographing / printing operation is deleted, so that the image selection becomes easy.

  When the image data in the memory card 28 is erased, the printer 14 turns off the voltage supply to the power supply line (VSUB) of the USB cable 16. As a result, no voltage is supplied to the digital camera 12 from the USB cable 16, so that the digital camera 12 is released from the operation as a mass storage device and can perform a photographing operation. In the printer 14, the image data captured from the digital camera 12 is read from the memory card 54 and an image is displayed on the LCD panel 41. The user designates an image to be printed and the number of prints, and operates a print button (not shown) to instruct printing of the selected image. Since the memory card 54 stores only the image data captured immediately before from the digital camera 12, it is easy to search for a desired image.

  When a print instruction is given, image data of an image to be printed is sent to the image recording unit 47, and the selected image is printed. While the image is being printed, a message indicating that printing is in progress is displayed on the LCD panel 41. At this time, since the mass storage driver 56 does not supply a voltage to the power supply line (VSUB) of the USB cable 16, the digital camera 12 does not operate as a mass storage device but operates independently from the printer 14. Therefore, even when the USB cable 16 is connected, the subject can be photographed using the digital camera 12 during image printing, and work can be performed efficiently. When the image printing is completed, the printer 14 enters a standby state.

  On the other hand, when the memory control release function is not activated, that is, when the memory card 54 in which the function addition code is not recorded is used, the digital camera 12 and the printer 14 are connected by the USB cable 16. At that time, the digital camera 12 operates only as a mass storage device, and thus cannot perform a shooting operation. Further, when the photographing / printing operation is repeated, the image data is stored in the memory card 28 without being erased, so that there is not enough free space. In this case, since the user needs to manually cancel the operation of the digital camera 12 as a mass storage device and erase the image data in the memory card 28, the photographing / printing operation cannot be repeated efficiently.

  As described above, since the function of canceling the operation of the digital camera 12 as a mass storage device is enabled according to the presence / absence of the function addition code in the memory card 54, the printer 14 can be surely used without downloading software. Functions that can operate can be added. Further, since the function of the printer 14 can be added simply by recording the function addition code in a specific block in the memory card 54, it is possible to differentiate from other memory cards with a simple means.

  Since the block in which the function addition code is recorded is registered as a defective block in advance, the function addition code is not detected or copied even if it is set in a general digital camera or the like. Further, even when the data in the memory card 54 is erased or the memory card 54 is formatted, the block is registered in advance as a defective block, so that the function addition code is not erased.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is detected whether or not a function addition code is recorded in the defect registration block only when the printer is activated. However, while the memory card 54 is set in the printer 14 (for example, at regular intervals). When the memory card 54 is set again, when the ID print button 42 is operated, or immediately before the voltage supply to the power supply line (VSUB) of the USB cable 16 is turned off, it functions in the defective registration block area. It is preferable to detect whether or not an additional code is recorded, and to invalidate the storage control release function if not detected. Thus, by removing the memory card 54 in which the function addition code is recorded after the printer 14 is activated, it is possible to prevent the specific functions of a plurality of electronic devices from being released using the single memory card 54. it can.

  In the above embodiment, two consecutive blocks of the memory card 54 are registered as defective blocks. However, they are not necessarily consecutive blocks, and the same blocks that are predetermined by the printer 14 are registered as defective blocks. It should be. Further, the number of blocks in which the function addition code is recorded is not limited to two, but may be one block or three or more blocks.

  In the above embodiment, the function addition code is recorded in all sectors in the block registered as a bad block. However, the function addition code may be recorded in some sectors.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ID photo print is described as an example. However, in normal printing other than the ID photo, the image data is read from the digital camera only while the image data is being read from the digital camera. A voltage may be supplied. In the above embodiment, the USB cable is described as an example of the image data transmission medium. However, any transmission is possible as long as the digital camera can operate as a mass storage device by supplying a voltage to the digital camera. A medium may be applied.

  In the above embodiment, a function for canceling mass storage control of the digital camera 12 is added. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a function for prohibiting copy of image data in the memory card 54 is added. can do.

  In the above embodiment, the printer is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a function is added to an electronic device (for example, a digital camera) in which a storage medium such as a memory card can be loaded. The same can be applied to the change.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a printing system embodying the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a digital camera. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a memory card schematically. It is a flowchart which shows the search procedure of a function addition code. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which prints out an image based on the image data output from the digital camera.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Print system 12 Digital camera 14 Printer 16 USB cable 28 Memory card 31,55 USB controller 54 Memory card 56 Mass storage driver 59 Code search part 62 Bad block table

Claims (10)

  An electronic device that can be loaded with a storage medium, the electronic device having a specific function in advance, a memory access means that can directly access a failure registration block area in the storage medium, and a memory access means in the failure registration block area An electronic device comprising: a function restriction release unit that activates the specific function only when a specific code is recorded.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the memory access unit detects whether a predetermined specific block is registered in the storage medium as the defective registration block.   The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the specific blocks are provided.   The defective registration block is composed of a plurality of sectors as data recording units, and the memory access means detects whether or not the specific code is recorded in at least one sector in the defective registration block. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein   While the storage medium is loaded, it is detected whether or not the specific code is recorded in the defect registration block area of the storage medium, and if the specific code is not detected, the specific function is executed. It does not perform, The electronic device of any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The electronic device is a printer that is connected to an imaging device via a cable and prints out an image based on image data sent from the imaging device. The printer stores storage means for storing the image data, and the imaging device. A storage control unit that operates the apparatus as a storage device, and releases the operation of the imaging apparatus as the storage device after the image data is stored in the storage unit from the imaging apparatus;
The function restriction canceling unit can cancel the operation of the imaging apparatus as the storage device only when a specific code is recorded in the defect registration block area. The electronic device of any one of -5.   The cable is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, and the storage control unit supplies power to the imaging device via a power supply line of the USB cable after the image data is stored in the storage unit. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the electronic apparatus is stopped and the operation of the imaging apparatus as the storage device is canceled.   In a storage medium composed of a plurality of blocks in which data is recorded and which can be inserted into and removed from an electronic apparatus provided with a specific function in advance, the specific block is registered in advance as a defect registration block, and the electronic apparatus is included in the defect registration block A storage medium on which a specific code for canceling the specific function is recorded.   The storage medium according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of the defect registration blocks are provided. 10. The defect registration block is composed of a plurality of sectors as data recording units, and the specific code is recorded in at least one sector in the defect registration block. The storage medium described.

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