JP2007241547A - Information recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a recording error in failing to mount a card to an adapter and inserting only the adapter in a slot. <P>SOLUTION: This information recording device wherein a second memory card smaller in size than a first memory card is inserted in a slot sized to allow the insertion of the first memory card, in a state of being mounted to the adapter of substantially the same size as the first memory card, is configured to display a warning message when the insertion of the adapter into the slot is detected by a first sensor but the mounted state of the second memory card to the adapter is not detected by a second sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus for recording information such as images and sounds on a memory card.

  In an information recording device such as a camera-equipped cellular phone or an IC recorder having a slot into which a memory card is inserted, a photographed image or recorded sound is recorded on a memory card inserted into the slot. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an example of a memory card. The memory card 31 in FIG. 12A is a large SD card (SD is a registered trademark), and the outer dimensions are a1 = 32 mm, b1 = 24 mm, and the thickness is 2.1 mm. . Further, a plurality of connection terminals (not shown) that are electrically connected to terminals on the information recording apparatus side are provided at the end on the back side of the card. On the other hand, the memory card 32 in FIG. 12B is a miniSD card having a small size, the outer dimensions are a2 = 21.5 mm, b2 = 20 mm, and the thickness is 1.4 mm. Further, a plurality of connection terminals (not shown) that are electrically connected to terminals on the information recording apparatus side are provided at the end on the back side of the card.

  As described above, since the miniSD card 32 is smaller in size than the SD card 31, an adapter is used when the miniSD card 32 is used in an information recording apparatus having a slot corresponding to the size of the SD card 31. . FIG. 13A is an external view showing an example of an adapter 40 for a miniSD card. The adapter 40 has substantially the same size as the SD card 31, and is provided with terminals that are electrically connected to the connection terminals of the miniSD card 32, and at the end on the back side of the adapter. The unit is provided with a connection terminal (not shown) that is electrically connected to a terminal on the information recording apparatus side. FIG. 13B shows a state where the miniSD card 32 is attached to the adapter 40. When the adapter 40 to which the miniSD card 32 is attached is inserted into the slot of the information recording device, the miniSD card 32 and the information recording device are electrically connected via the terminal of the adapter 40, and images and audio to the miniSD card 32 are connected. Can be recorded.

Patent Document 1 below describes that a memory card is inserted into a slot provided in a device such as a personal computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA) via an adapter.
JP 2003-281473 A

  The conventional information recording apparatus has the following problems when using an adapter for an SD card. For example, even if you forget to install the miniSD card in the adapter and insert only the adapter into the slot, or after inserting the adapter into the slot with the miniSD card, leave the adapter in the slot and pull out only the miniSD card Since the adapter of the same size as the SD card is attached, the apparatus side erroneously determines that the SD card is inserted, and permits recording of images and sounds. However, since only the adapter is in the slot, the information is not recorded even if a recording operation such as an image or sound is performed. For this reason, for example, a situation may occur in which an image taken with a camera-equipped mobile phone is intended to be recorded on a miniSD card, but it is later discovered that the image was not actually recorded.

  Patent Document 1 discloses that a switch provided on an adapter detects that a memory card has been attached to the adapter. The purpose of this is mainly to detect the presence or absence of a card and supply / stop power. It does not provide a means for solving the problems peculiar to the information recording apparatus as described above.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems. The purpose of the present invention is to forget to attach a card to the adapter and insert only the adapter into the slot or after inserting the adapter into the slot together with the card. It is to prevent a recording error when only the card is pulled out.

  An information recording apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for recording information in a memory card inserted into a slot provided in a main body, and the first memory is inserted into a slot having a size capable of inserting the first memory card. A second memory card smaller in size than the card is inserted in a state of being attached to an adapter having substantially the same size as the first memory card. According to the present invention, in such an information recording apparatus, the first detection means for detecting the adapter when the adapter is inserted into the slot, and the second memory card attached to the adapter inserted into the slot are provided. Second detection means for detecting, and control means for controlling information recording on the first and second memory cards based on the detection results of the first and second detection means are provided. The control means detects that the adapter is inserted into the slot by the first detection means and does not detect that the second memory card is attached to the adapter by the second detection means. Output a warning.

  In the present invention, even if it is detected that the adapter is inserted in the slot, if it is not detected that the second memory card is attached to the adapter, a warning is output to the user. The user notices an error in the operation and takes measures to attach the second memory card. Therefore, as in the prior art, the apparatus erroneously determines that the SD card is inserted when only the adapter is inserted, and prevents the information recording operation from being performed without the card. be able to.

  The warning is preferably output as, for example, a message prompting insertion of the second memory card. According to this, it is possible to accurately notify the user that the second memory card is not inserted, and it is possible to reliably record information by inserting the second memory card. The message output in this case may be a display on a monitor screen or an audio notification. Both of them can also be adopted. However, the warning mode in the present invention is not limited to the message as described above, and for example, a method of outputting only an alarm sound can be employed.

  Further, in the present invention, when the information recording apparatus has a built-in memory, it is detected by the first detection means that the adapter is inserted in the slot, and the second detection means detects that the adapter has the second If it is not detected that a memory card is installed, it is determined whether or not information can be recorded in the internal memory. If information can be recorded in the internal memory, the information is recorded in the internal memory. If it is not possible to record information in the memory, a warning may be output. According to this, even if the user forgets to insert the second memory card, information can be recorded using the built-in memory.

  According to the present invention, when only the adapter is inserted in the slot and the memory card is not inserted, a warning is output to the user, so that a recording error can be prevented in advance and information on the memory card can be prevented. Recording can be performed reliably.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main part of the information recording apparatus of the present invention. Reference numeral 100 denotes an information recording device such as a camera-equipped mobile phone or an IC recorder. The main body 1 has a slot 2 for card insertion. A lid 3 closes the slot 2 and is provided on the main body 1 so as to be rotatable. Reference numeral 4 denotes a sensor provided in the vicinity of the entrance of the slot 2, which is composed of a microswitch here. 4 a is an actuator of the microswitch 4 and faces the slot 2.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes a first memory card, which is an SD card, similar to the memory card 31 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 32 denotes a second memory card, which is a miniSD card, similar to the memory card 32 shown in FIG. 40 is the same adapter as shown in FIG. 13A, 41 is a card insertion slot provided in the adapter 40, 42 is a notch formed on the front side of the adapter 40, and 43 is formed on the back side of the adapter 40. It is a notch. The SD card 31 is inserted in the slot 2 as it is, and the miniSD card 32 is inserted into the adapter 40 after being inserted into the adapter 40.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the miniSD card 32 is inserted from the card insertion slot 41 of the adapter 40 and the miniSD card 32 is attached to the adapter 40. As described above, the adapter 40 is provided with a terminal (not shown) that is electrically connected to a connection terminal (not shown) of the miniSD card 32. In the state of FIG. And the terminal of the miniSD card 32 are electrically connected.

  3 and 4 are views showing examples of the card detection means, and show a front view of the vicinity of the slot 2 of the main body 1. When the miniSD card 32 is inserted into the slot 2 together with the adapter 40 as shown in FIG. 3A, the microswitch is caused by the upper surface of the miniSD card 32 exposed in the notch 42 of the adapter 40 in FIG. 4 actuator 4a is pushed in, and microswitch 4 is turned on. When only the adapter 40 in which the miniSD card 32 is not mounted or the adapter 40 from which the miniSD card 32 has been removed is inserted into the slot 2 as shown in FIG. 4 actuator 4a protrudes into the slot 2, and the microswitch 4 is turned off. Therefore, the presence / absence of the miniSD card 32 can be detected by the ON / OFF state of the microswitch 4.

  When the SD card 31 is inserted into the slot 2 as shown in FIG. 4A, the actuator 4a of the micro switch 4 is pushed in as in FIG. Turns on. On the other hand, when the SD card 31 is not inserted into the slot 2 as shown in FIG. 4B, the actuator 4a of the micro switch 4 protrudes into the slot 2 as shown in FIG. The switch 4 is turned off.

  5 and 6 show another example of the card detection means. In FIG. 5, a transmissive photosensor 5 is used instead of the microswitch 4 described above. 5 a is a projector of the photosensor 5, and 5 b is a light receiver of the photosensor 5. When the miniSD card 32 is inserted into the slot 2 together with the adapter 40 as shown in FIG. 5A, the projection is performed from the projector 5a by the miniSD card 32 exposed in the notch 42 of the adapter 40 in FIG. Since the light 6 is blocked and the light 6 does not enter the light receiver 5b, the photosensor 5 is turned off. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when only the adapter 40 in which the miniSD card 32 is not mounted or only the adapter 40 from which the miniSD card 32 is removed afterwards is inserted in the slot 2, the projector 5a The light 6 projected from the light enters the light receiver 5b through the notches 42 and 43 of the adapter 40 without being blocked by the card, so that the photosensor 5 is turned on. Therefore, the presence / absence of the miniSD card 32 can be detected by the ON / OFF state of the photosensor 5.

  In FIG. 6, a reflective photosensor 7 including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is used instead of the transmissive photosensor. This example is suitable when the adapter 40 includes only the cutout portion 42 and does not include the cutout portion 43. When the miniSD card 32 is inserted into the slot 2 together with the adapter 40 as shown in FIG. 6A, the photosensor is formed on the upper surface of the miniSD card 32 exposed in the notch 42 of the adapter 40 in FIG. Since the light 8 projected from the light projecting unit 7 is reflected and enters the light receiving unit of the photosensor 7, the photosensor 7 is turned on. In this case, the light reflectance can be increased by printing, for example, white characters or marks or attaching a metal foil label to the light reflection position on the upper surface of the miniSD card 32. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6B, when only the adapter 40 in which the miniSD card 32 is not mounted or the adapter 40 from which the miniSD card 32 is removed afterwards is inserted into the slot 2, the photo sensor The light 8 projected from the light projecting portion 7 reaches the bottom surface through the cutout portion 42 of the adapter 40 and is reflected there, but this reflected light does not enter the light receiving portion of the photosensor 7 and part of it is reflected. Even if it is incident, the amount of light is very small, so the photosensor 7 is turned off. Therefore, the presence or absence of the miniSD card 32 can be detected based on the ON / OFF state of the photosensor 7.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the information recording apparatus 100. 50 is a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus, 51 is an operation unit for performing information recording operations, and 52 is an information input unit for inputting information such as images and sounds to be recorded. Reference numeral 53 denotes a first sensor, which includes a microswitch (not shown) provided in the back of the slot 2 of the main body 1. Reference numeral 54 denotes a second sensor, which includes the microswitch 4, the transmissive photosensor 5, or the reflective photosensor 7 shown in FIGS. Reference numeral 55 denotes a ROM that stores an operation program of the CPU 50, 56 denotes a RAM that temporarily stores various data, and 57 denotes a display unit including a liquid crystal display. Reference numeral 58 denotes an interface provided in the slot 2, which includes a connection terminal that is electrically connected to a terminal of a card or an adapter. 31 is an SD card, 32 is a miniSD card, and 40 is an adapter, which are the same as those shown in FIGS.

  In the above, the SD card 31 constitutes an embodiment of the first memory card in the present invention, the miniSD card 32 constitutes an embodiment of the second memory card in the present invention, and the first sensor 53 corresponds to the present invention. 1 constitutes an embodiment of the first detection means, the second sensor 54 constitutes an embodiment of the second detection means of the present invention, and the CPU 50 constitutes an embodiment of the control means of the present invention. Yes.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control operation during information recording out of the operations of the information recording apparatus 100. This procedure is a procedure executed by the CPU 50 when an information recording operation is performed by the operation unit 51 of the information recording apparatus 100. The operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

  When an information recording operation (for example, setting of a shooting mode or a recording mode) is performed, the CPU 50 determines whether or not there is a detection output from the first sensor 53 (step S1). The first sensor 53 is provided in the back of the slot 2 as described above. When the SD card 31 or the adapter 40 is not inserted into the slot 2, there is no detection output from the first sensor 53, and the SD card 31 is inserted into the slot 2. Alternatively, when the adapter 40 is inserted, a detection output is obtained from the first sensor 53. Therefore, if there is no detection output from the first sensor 53 (step S1: NO), it is determined that neither the SD card 31 nor the adapter 40 is in the slot 2 (step S2), and the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, if there is a detection output from the first sensor 53 (step S1: YES), it is determined that the SD card 31 or the adapter 40 is in the slot 2, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the CPU 50 determines whether there is a detection output from the second sensor 54. The second sensor 54 (for example, the microswitch 4) is provided near the entrance of the slot 2 as described above, and the miniSD card 32 is attached to the adapter 40 or the SD card 31 is inserted into the slot 2. In the state in which the miniSD card 32 is not attached to the adapter 40, the detection output cannot be obtained from the second sensor 54. Therefore, if there is a detection output from the second sensor 54 (step S3: YES), it is determined that either the SD card 31 or the miniSD card 32 is normally inserted in the slot 2 and the card is present ( Step S5). If it is determined in this way, the process proceeds to step S6, information recording is permitted, and a normal recording operation is performed. That is, for example, in the case of a camera-equipped mobile phone, image recording is performed on the SD card 31 or miniSD card 32 by pressing the shooting button, and in the case of an IC recorder, the SD card is pressed by pressing the recording button. Audio recording to the 31 or miniSD card 32 is performed. On the other hand, if there is no detection output from the second sensor 54 in step S3 (step S3: NO), it is determined that only the adapter 40 is inserted in the slot 2 and the miniSD card 32 is not installed, and no card is determined. (Step S4).

  If it is determined in step S2 or step S4 that there is no card, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S <b> 7, a message prompting insertion of the card into the slot 2 is output as a warning on the display unit 57 of the information recording apparatus 100. FIG. 9A shows an example of a message displayed on the screen 57 a of the display unit 57. If the SD card 31 is not inserted into the slot 2, the determination is NO in step S1, whereas if the miniSD card 32 is not attached to the adapter 40, the determination is NO in step S3. In the case of the former, the message of FIG. 9A may be displayed, and in the case of the latter, the message of FIG. 9B may be displayed. While displaying such a message, the CPU 50 prohibits the information recording operation (step S8). Thus, for example, in the case of a mobile phone with a camera, nothing is shot even if the shooting button is pressed, and in the case of an IC recorder, nothing is recorded even if the recording button is pressed.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the first sensor 53 detects that the adapter 40 is inserted into the slot 2, and the second sensor 54 attaches the miniSD card 32 to the adapter 40. Is detected, the first sensor 53 detects that the adapter 40 is inserted in the slot 2, and the second sensor 54 detects that the adapter 40 is miniSD. When it is not detected that the card 32 is mounted, a warning message is displayed on the display unit 57 to prohibit information recording on the card. For this reason, the apparatus erroneously determines that the SD card 31 is inserted when only the adapter 40 is inserted as in the prior art, and the information recording operation is performed without the card. Can be prevented. In addition, since a message prompting the insertion of the card is displayed as a warning, the user notices that the miniSD card 32 is not attached to the adapter 40, and the information can be reliably recorded by inserting the miniSD card 32. it can.

  FIG. 10 shows a flowchart according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the information recording apparatus 100 includes a built-in memory 59 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the configuration other than the built-in memory 59 is the same as that in FIG. 7, and thus the same parts as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the processing in steps S1 to S6 is exactly the same as the processing in steps S1 to S6 in FIG. When the information recording operation is performed, the CPU 50 determines whether or not there is a detection output from the first sensor 53 (step S1). If there is no detection output (step S1: NO), the SD card 31 is also inserted into the slot 2 and the adapter. It is determined that there is not 40 (step S2), and the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if there is a detection output from the first sensor 53 (step S1: YES), it is determined that the SD card 31 or the adapter 40 is in the slot 2, and the process proceeds to step S3, where the detection output from the second sensor 54 is detected. Determine presence or absence. If there is a detection output (step S3: YES), it is determined that either the SD card 31 or the miniSD card 32 is normally inserted in the slot 2 and the card is present (step S5), and the process proceeds to step S6. To do. On the other hand, if there is no detection output from the second sensor 54 (step S3: NO), it is determined that only the adapter 40 is inserted in the slot 2 and the miniSD card 32 is not installed, and it is determined that there is no card (step). S4), the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, it is determined whether or not the internal memory 59 can be used. If the storage capacity of the internal memory 59 is empty, it is determined that it can be used (step S9: YES), the process proceeds to step S10, the storage medium is switched to the internal memory 59 (step S10), and the same normal as step S6. The operation is moved (step S11). On the other hand, if there is no free space in the built-in memory 59, it is determined that it cannot be used (step S9: NO), the process proceeds to step S12, and the display unit 57 as shown in FIG. A warning message is displayed and the information recording operation is prohibited (step S13).

  As described above, in the embodiment of FIG. 10, when it is determined that there is no card, a warning message is not immediately displayed or a recording operation is not prohibited. If it can be used, the internal memory 59 is switched to perform a normal operation, and when the internal memory 59 cannot be used, a warning message is displayed and a recording operation is prohibited. For this reason, even if the miniSD card 32 is not attached to the adapter 40, if the built-in memory 59 can be used, information can be recorded using the built-in memory 59.

  In the above-described embodiment, an SD card (miniSD card) is taken as an example of a memory card. However, the memory card of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a memory stick (registered trademark), smart media (registered trademark), or the like. ), A thin storage medium such as a compact flash (registered trademark).

  In the above-described embodiment, the camera-equipped mobile phone or IC recorder is taken as an example of the information recording device. However, the present invention is not limited to these, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital audio device, a digital camera, etc. The present invention can also be applied to an information recording apparatus.

It is a figure which shows the principal part of the information recording device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which mounted | wore the adapter with a miniSD card. It is a figure which shows the example of a card | curd detection means. It is a figure which shows the example of a card | curd detection means. It is a figure which shows the other example of a card | curd detection means. It is a figure which shows the other example of a card | curd detection means. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the information recording device. It is the flowchart which showed the control action at the time of information recording. It is an example of the message displayed on the screen of a display part. 6 is a flowchart according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the information recording device by other embodiment. It is the schematic which showed an example of the memory card. It is an external view which shows an example of an adapter, and a figure which shows the state which mounted | wore the adapter with a miniSD card.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Slot 4 Micro switch 5 Transmission type photo sensor 7 Reflection type photo sensor 31 SD card 32 miniSD card 40 Adapter 50 CPU
53 1st sensor 54 2nd sensor 57 Display part 59 Built-in memory 100 Information recording device

Claims (3)

An apparatus for recording information in a memory card inserted into a slot provided in a main body, wherein a second memory card having a size smaller than that of the first memory card is inserted into a slot having a size capable of inserting the first memory card. In the information recording apparatus to be inserted in a state where the memory card is mounted on an adapter of substantially the same size as the first memory card,
A first sensor provided at the back of the slot and detecting the adapter when the adapter is inserted into the slot;
A second sensor that is provided near the entrance of the slot and detects a second memory card attached to an adapter inserted into the slot;
Control means for controlling information recording on the first and second memory cards based on detection results of the first and second sensors;
A display unit for displaying a predetermined message based on the detection results of the first and second sensors;
The control means detects that the adapter is inserted into the slot by the first sensor and that the second sensor detects that the second memory card is attached to the adapter by the second sensor. In addition, the information recording to the second memory card is permitted, and it is detected by the first sensor that the adapter is inserted into the slot, and the second memory card is inserted into the adapter by the second sensor. If it is not detected that the card is installed, information recording to the second memory card is prohibited,
In the case where the display unit detects that the adapter is inserted into the slot by the first sensor, and the second sensor does not detect that the second memory card is attached to the adapter. An information recording apparatus for displaying a message prompting insertion of a card. An apparatus for recording information in a memory card inserted into a slot provided in a main body, wherein a second memory card having a size smaller than that of the first memory card is inserted into a slot having a size capable of inserting the first memory card. In the information recording apparatus to be inserted in a state where the memory card is mounted on an adapter of substantially the same size as the first memory card,
First detecting means for detecting the adapter when the adapter is inserted into the slot;
Second detection means for detecting a second memory card attached to the adapter inserted into the slot;
Control means for controlling information recording on the first and second memory cards based on detection results of the first and second detection means,
The control means detects that the adapter is inserted into the slot by the first detection means, and does not detect that the second memory card is attached to the adapter by the second detection means. An information recording apparatus that outputs a warning in some cases. The information recording apparatus according to claim 2,
When the first detection means detects that the adapter is inserted into the slot and the second detection means does not detect that the second memory card is attached to the adapter, the control The means determines whether information can be recorded in the built-in memory. If information can be recorded in the built-in memory, the information is recorded in the built-in memory, and if information cannot be recorded in the built-in memory, a warning is issued. Is output. The information recording device characterized by the above-mentioned.

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