JP2006209537A - Data fetching device and data fetching program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data fetching device and a data fetching program with improved operability. <P>SOLUTION: A personal computer 2 provided with a USB connection part 214 to which a digital camera 1 accumulating data is mechanically connected, fetches image data from the digital camera 1 when the digital camera 1 is connected to the USB connection part 214. In the personal computer 1, when the fetching of the image data from the digital camera 1 connected to the USB connection part 214 is finished, transition to a dismount condition in which the digital camera 1 can be mechanically removed from a USB connection part 214 is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data capture device that receives a connection from a storage device that stores data and captures data from the storage device, and a data capture program that causes an information processing device to function as the data capture device.

  Generally, a personal computer, which is one of information processing apparatuses, includes a USB connection unit to which a USB connector compliant with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard is connected. A storage device (for example, a digital camera) for storing data is connected to the USB connection portion of such a personal computer, and a mouse or the like is operated to capture image data stored in a memory provided in the digital camera. Has been done.

Here, even when the digital camera is set to the shooting mode or playback mode, when the digital camera is connected to the printer, the digital camera is automatically set to the transmission mode for sending image data to the printer. The technique to do is proposed (refer patent document 1). According to this technique, it is possible to save the user from setting a mode for sending image data to a printer by operating a menu switch or the like of the digital camera. Employing this technology, when a digital camera is connected to a personal computer, the digital camera is automatically set to the transmission mode and image data is automatically taken into the personal computer. .
JP-A-10-271377

  However, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to know at what timing the digital camera should be safely removed from the personal computer after the image data is taken from the digital camera to the personal computer. Also, some storage devices connected to a personal computer via USB have an icon (or a message to that effect) for safely removing the storage device from the personal computer after the image data has been captured from the storage device to the personal computer. Some tasks require clicking on the text display. Therefore, there is a problem that the operability is poor when data is taken from the storage device to a data take-in device such as a personal computer.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a data capture device and a data capture program with improved operability.

The data capturing device of the present invention that achieves the above object has a connection unit to which a storage device for storing data is mechanically connected, and receives data from the storage device upon receiving the connection of the storage device to the connection unit. In the data capture device to capture,
An unmounting unit that shifts to an unmountable state in which the storage device can be mechanically removed from the connection unit in response to the end of data fetching from the storage device connected to the connection unit. .

  Since the data capture device of the present invention shifts to an unmounted state in which the storage device can be mechanically removed from the connection section upon completion of data capture from the storage device, This eliminates the problem that it is difficult for the user to know when to safely remove the storage device after the data acquisition is completed. Also, there is no need to click an icon or the like for safely removing the storage device. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  Here, it is preferable that the unmounting means in the data fetching apparatus of the present invention shifts to an unmounted state after a predetermined time after the completion of fetching of data from the storage apparatus.

  In this way, the user can reliably distinguish between the end of taking in data from the storage apparatus and the transition to the unmounted state.

  The data capturing device of the present invention further includes an operation receiving unit that receives a user operation for preventing the transition of the unmount state within the predetermined time, and the unmount unit receives the user operation and enters the unmount state. It is also a preferable aspect to cancel the transition.

  In this way, the user can cancel the transition to the unmounted state even when the data acquisition from the storage device is completed.

In addition, the data capture program of the present invention that achieves the above object provides an information processing apparatus having a connection unit to which a storage device for storing data is mechanically connected and a CPU for executing the program to the connection unit. In a data capture program that functions as a data capture device that receives a connection from a storage device and retrieves data from the storage device,
Unmounting means for transitioning the information processing apparatus to an unmounted state in which the storage apparatus can be mechanically removed from the connection unit upon completion of data capture from the storage apparatus connected to the connection unit And operating as a data capturing device.

  The data fetching program of the present invention is executed in the information processing apparatus and operates the information processing apparatus as the data fetching apparatus of the present invention. The problem that it is difficult for the user to know whether to safely remove the storage device at the timing is solved, and it is not necessary to click an icon or the like for safely removing the storage device, so that the operability is improved.

  Here, it is preferable that the unmounting means in the data fetching program of the present invention shifts to the unmounted state after a predetermined time after the completion of fetching data from the storage apparatus.

  In this way, the user can reliably distinguish between the end of taking in data from the storage apparatus and the transition to the unmounted state.

  In the data acquisition program of the present invention, there is provided operation accepting means for accepting a user operation for preventing the transition of the unmount state within the predetermined time, and the unmount means receives the user operation and enters the unmount state. It is also a preferable aspect to cancel the transition.

  In this way, the user can cancel the transition to the unmounted state even when the data acquisition from the storage device is completed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a data capturing device and a data capturing program with improved operability.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a personal computer, which is an embodiment of a data capturing device of the present invention, is connected to a digital camera with a USB cable.

  FIG. 1 shows a digital camera 1 as a storage device for storing data. Although details of the digital camera 1 will be described later, the digital camera 1 includes a USB connection unit 172 to which the USB connector 301 of the USB cable 300 is connected.

  In addition, FIG. 1 includes a USB connection unit 214 connected to the USB connector 302 of the USB cable 300, and the digital camera 1 receives connection from the digital camera 1 to the connection unit 214. A personal computer 2 for capturing image data is shown. The personal computer 2 includes a main body 210, an image display device 220 including a display screen 220a, a keyboard 230, and a mouse 240. Although the details will be described later, the main body 210 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, a USB communication device, and the like. In addition, the main body 210 has a CD-ROM loading slot 211 into which a CD-ROM or the like storing driver software for the digital camera 1 is loaded and a flexible disk loading slot 212 into which a flexible disk is loaded. Inside these, a CD-ROM drive and a flexible disk drive for accessing and accessing a CD-ROM and a flexible disk loaded from the loading ports 211 and 212 are incorporated. Further, the main body 210 has a power switch 213.

  Next, details of the digital camera 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital camera shown in FIG. 2A is a front view, FIG. 2B is a top view, FIG. 2C is a side view, and FIG. 2D is a rear view.

  A digital camera 1 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D is a camera as an example of a storage device that shoots a subject to generate and store image data.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a photographing zoom lens 111 is provided in front of the digital camera 1. In addition, a flash light emitting device 160 having a flash light emitting tube 160a that emits flash light is disposed on the digital camera 1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, a key input device 120 for performing various operations when the user uses the digital camera 1 is provided on the back of the digital camera 1. The key input device 120 includes a power switch 121 for turning on the power for operating the digital camera 1, a shooting / playback switching lever 122 for freely switching between shooting and playback, auto shooting, manual shooting, and the like. Shooting mode dial 123, cross switch 124 for setting, selecting or zooming various menus, flash emission switch 125, execution switch 126a for executing the menu selected by cross switch 124, canceling A cancel switch 126b for performing is provided.

  Further, on the back side of the digital camera 1, a liquid crystal display device 140 for displaying a photographed image, a reproduced image, and the like, and a display unit 141 for assisting the operation are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, a shutter button 127 constituting the key input device 120 is provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 1. The shutter button 127 transmits a shooting start instruction to a CPU (described later) provided in the digital camera 1. In this digital camera 1, shooting / playback switching lever 122 can freely switch between shooting and playback. When shooting, the user switches shooting / playback switching lever 122 to shooting side 122a, and when shooting, shooting is performed. The playback switching lever 122 is switched to the playback side 122b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), a video output terminal to which a cable for outputting image data of a subject photographed by the digital camera 1 to a television or a projector is connected to the side surface of the digital camera 1. 171; a USB connection unit 172 for sending image data of a subject photographed by the digital camera 1 to the personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 1; and a DC voltage input terminal 173 to which a DC voltage from an AC adapter is input. Is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the digital camera shown in FIG.

  The digital camera 1 includes a photographic zoom lens 111 and an image sensor 112 that converts a subject image formed through the photographic zoom lens 111 into an analog image signal. The digital camera 1 includes an analog signal processing unit 113 that performs analog signal processing such as gamma correction and white balance adjustment on an analog image signal from the image sensor 112, and an analog signal processed by the analog signal processing unit 113. An A / D converter 114 for A / D converting the image signal into a digital image signal is provided. The photographing zoom lens 111, the image sensor 112, the analog signal processing unit 113, and the A / D converter 114 constitute an image input device 110.

  The digital camera 1 is also provided with a CPU 100 that performs digital processing of the image signal from the A / D converter 114 and controls the entire digital camera 1. 3 also shows the key input device 120, the memory 130, the liquid crystal display device 140, and the USB communication device 150 described above.

  The memory 130 stores image data generated by digital processing by the CPU 100.

  The liquid crystal display device 140 displays an image or a menu based on the image data stored in the memory 130.

  The USB communication device 150 sends the image data stored in the memory 130 to the personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 1, and performs other necessary exchanges.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing schematic circuit blocks of both the digital camera and the personal computer.

  As described above, the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 4 includes the CPU 100, the image input device 110, the key input device 120, the memory 130, the liquid crystal display device 140, the USB communication device 150, and the flash light emitting device 160. .

  On the other hand, in the personal computer 2, a main memory constituting the main unit 210 shown in FIG. 1, a CPU 201 that executes various programs, and a main memory that is loaded for execution by the CPU 201 by reading programs stored in the hard disk device 203. 202, a hard disk device 203 in which various programs and data are stored, a flexible disk 204_1 is loaded, a flexible disk drive 204 that accesses the loaded flexible disk 204_1, a CD-ROM drive 205 that accesses the CD-ROM 205_1, a digital A USB communication device 206 that is connected to the camera 1 and captures image data from the digital camera 1, and the image display device 220, the keyboard 230, and the mouse 240 shown in FIG. . These are connected to each other via a bus 215.

  Here, the CD-ROM 205_1 has a data capture program (corresponding to one embodiment of the data capture program of the present invention) for causing the personal computer 2 to function as one embodiment of the data capture device of the present invention. The CD-ROM 205_1 is stored in the CD-ROM drive 205, and the data fetching program stored in the CD-ROM 205_1 is uploaded to the personal computer 2 and stored in the hard disk device 203. Thus, the personal computer 2 functions as an embodiment of the data capturing device of the present invention.

  Here, a data capturing program executed in the personal computer 2 of FIG. 4 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a CD-ROM in which an embodiment of the data capturing program of the present invention is stored.

  A data capture program 20 is stored in the CD-ROM 205_1 shown in FIG. 5. The data capture program 20 includes an unmount means processing routine section 21 and an operation reception means processing routine section 22. Details of the data acquisition program 20 will be described together with the operation of the data acquisition unit of the personal computer 2.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data fetch unit of the personal computer.

  6 includes an unmount unit 2_1 and an operation receiving unit 2_2.

  The unmount means 2_1 operates under the action of the program of the unmount means processing routine section 21 shown in FIG. 5, and completes the capture of image data from the digital camera 1 connected to the USB connection section 214 shown in FIG. In response, the digital camera 1 operates to shift to an unmounted state in which the digital camera 1 can be mechanically removed from the USB connection unit 214. Specifically, the unmount unit 2_1 operates so as to shift to the unmount state after a predetermined time after the completion of the capture of the image data from the digital camera 1. For this reason, the user can reliably distinguish between the end of taking in the image data from the digital camera 1 and the transition to the unmounted state.

Further, the operation accepting means 2_2 operates under the action of the program of the operation accepting means processing routine unit 22 shown in FIG. 5, and operates to accept a user operation that prevents the transition of the unmount state within the predetermined time. . The user operation will be described later. Further, the unmount means 2_1 operates to stop the transition to the unmount state upon receiving this user operation. For this reason, the user can cancel the transition to the unmounted state even when the capturing of the image data from the digital camera 1 is completed.

The personal computer 2, which is an embodiment of the data acquisition apparatus of the present invention, can be unmounted that can mechanically remove the digital camera 1 from the USB connection unit 214 upon completion of image data capture from the digital camera 1. Since the state is shifted to the state, it is possible to solve the problem that it is difficult for the user to know at what timing the digital camera 1 should be safely removed after the completion of the capturing of the image data from the digital camera 1. Further, it is not necessary to click an icon or the like for safely removing the digital camera 1. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a processing routine for shifting to the unmounted state of the personal computer which is an embodiment of the data acquisition apparatus of the present invention.

  First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a new digital camera is connected. If it is determined that a new digital camera is not connected, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined that a new digital camera is connected, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, it is determined whether or not it is an automatic transfer mode in which image data from the digital camera is automatically transferred. If it is determined that the mode is not the automatic transfer mode, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, a setting screen for capturing described later is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the target file (image data) is fetched. Next, in step S5, a removal screen described later is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not “Remove” has been clicked. If it is determined that “Remove” has been clicked, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the digital camera is unmounted and can be removed. On the other hand, if it is determined that “Remove” has not been clicked, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, it is determined whether or not “cancel” has been clicked. If it is determined that “Cancel” has been clicked, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined that “cancel” has not been clicked, the process returns to step S6.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the automatic transfer mode is set, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, a capture countdown screen described later is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not “display setting screen” has been clicked. If it is determined that “display setting screen” has been clicked, the process returns to step S3 described above. On the other hand, when it is determined that the “display setting screen” is not clicked, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, it is determined whether or not “transfer start” has been clicked. If it is determined that “transfer start” has been clicked, the process proceeds to step S15 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that “transfer start” is not clicked, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, it is determined whether 10 seconds have not yet elapsed. If it is determined that 10 seconds have not yet elapsed, the process returns to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined that 10 seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the target file is fetched and the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, a countdown screen in an unmounted state is displayed. Next, in step S17, it is determined whether or not “Cancel” has been clicked. If it is determined that “Cancel” has been clicked, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined that “cancel” is not clicked, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, it is determined whether 10 seconds have not yet elapsed. If it is determined that 10 seconds have not yet elapsed, the process returns to step S17. On the other hand, if it is determined that 10 seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the digital camera is brought into an unmounted state and is removable, and the process returns to step S1.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing a screen display executed by the processing routine shown in FIG. 7 of the personal computer which is an embodiment of the data acquisition apparatus of the present invention.

  First, the case where the mode is not the automatic transfer mode will be described. When a new digital camera is connected, the setting screen A is displayed. Click “Next”. Then, the screen B indicating the image acquisition state is displayed and the image data is captured.

  When the capture of the image data is completed, a removal screen C is displayed. Clicking "Remove" here will display a "Complete message" and the digital camera will be unmounted and ready for removal. If you want to remove it later, click “Cancel”.

  Next, the automatic transfer mode that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described. When a new digital camera is connected, the capture countdown screen E is displayed. Here, after 10 seconds have elapsed, the screen B indicating the image acquisition state described above is displayed. Screen B is displayed even if "Transfer start" is clicked in less than 10 seconds. When “Display setting screen” is clicked in less than 10 seconds, the setting screen A described above is displayed.

  When the image acquisition state is displayed on the screen B and the capturing of the image data is completed, the detaching screen D is displayed, and transition is made to be detachable after 10 seconds. Specifically, a “completion message” is displayed. If you want to remove it later, click “Cancel”. In this way, in the automatic transfer mode, simply connecting a new digital camera, the image data is automatically captured from the digital camera, and when the capture is completed, the digital camera transitions to a removable state that can be safely removed. To do.

  In this embodiment, the example conforming to the USB standard has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data capturing device of the present invention has a connection unit conforming to a wired interface standard such as the IEEE 1394 standard. If it is.

  In this embodiment, a digital camera is described as an example of a storage device. However, a mobile phone with a camera, a video camera, a card reader device, or the like may be used.

It is a figure which shows a mode that the personal computer which is one Embodiment of the data acquisition apparatus of this invention is connected to a digital camera with a USB cable. It is an external view of the digital camera shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the digital camera shown in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the schematic circuit block of both a digital camera and a personal computer. It is a conceptual diagram which shows CD-ROM in which one Embodiment of the data acquisition program of this invention was memorize | stored. It is a figure which shows the structure of the data acquisition part of a personal computer. It is a flowchart of the processing routine for shifting to the unmount state of the personal computer which is one Embodiment of the data acquisition apparatus of this invention. It is the figure which showed the screen display performed by the processing routine shown in FIG. 7 of the personal computer which is one Embodiment of the data acquisition apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Personal computer 2_1 Unmount means 2_2 Operation acceptance means 20 Data acquisition program 21 Unmount means processing routine part 22 Operation acceptance means processing routine part 100,201 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Image input device 111 Shooting zoom lens 112 Image pick-up element 113 Analog signal processing part 114 A / D converter 120 Key input device 121 Power switch 122 Shooting / reproduction switching lever 123 Shooting mode dial 124 Cross switch 125 Flash light emission switch 126a Execution switch 126b Cancel switch 127 Shutter button 130 Memory 140 Liquid crystal display device 150, 206 USB communication device 160 Flash light emitting device 172, 214 USB connection unit 200 Data acquisition unit 202 Main memory 203 Hard disk device 204 Flexible disk drive 204_1 Flexible disk 205 CD-ROM Drive 205_1 CD-ROM
210 Main body 211 CD-ROM loading slot 212 Flexible disk loading slot 213 Power switch 215 Bus 220 Image display device 220a Display screen 230 Keyboard 240 Mouse 300 USB cable 301, 302 USB connector

Claims (6)

In a data capturing device that has a connection unit mechanically connected to a storage device that accumulates data and receives the connection of the storage device to the connection unit and captures data from the storage device,
An unmounting unit that shifts to an unmountable state in which the storage apparatus can be mechanically removed from the connection unit in response to the completion of the data capture from the storage apparatus connected to the connection unit. Data acquisition device.   2. The data fetching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unmounting unit shifts to an unmounted state after a predetermined time after the end of fetching of data from the storage apparatus.   It has an operation accepting unit that accepts a user operation that prevents the transition of the unmount state within the predetermined time, and the unmount unit receives the user operation and stops the transition to the unmount state. The data capturing device according to claim 2. An information processing apparatus having a connection unit to which a storage device for storing data is mechanically connected and a CPU for executing a program is connected to the data storage unit for receiving data from the storage device upon receiving the connection of the storage device to the connection unit. In a data capture program that functions as a data capture device,
Unmounting means for transitioning the information processing apparatus to an unmounted state in which the storage apparatus can be mechanically removed from the connection unit upon completion of data capture from the storage apparatus connected to the connection unit A data fetching program which is operated as a data fetching device having the data fetching program.   The data unloading program according to claim 4, wherein the unmounting means shifts to an unmounted state after a predetermined time after the end of the capturing of data from the storage device.   It has an operation accepting unit that accepts a user operation that prevents the transition of the unmount state within the predetermined time, and the unmount unit receives the user operation and stops the transition to the unmount state. The data capturing program according to claim 5.

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