JP2008072432A - Compact memory card interface device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is difficult to add a photographing function and a function for displaying photographed video without modifying software of a main body in a host device such as a television receiver. <P>SOLUTION: This compact memory card interface device 10 is provided with a host connection control part 13 for detecting a control signal from the host device 20 and disconnecting the connection from the host device 20, an access control part 14 for accessing a file in a compact memory card 30, an imaging part 15 for photographing a circumference, a data converting part 16 for converting photographed video information into a data format displayable in the host device 20, and a recording control part 17 for recording output information of the data converting part 16 in the compact memory card 30 after disconnecting the host device 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a small memory card interface device used by connecting to a television receiver for receiving digital broadcasting, which has been increasing rapidly in recent years.

  In recent years, a television receiver that receives a digital broadcast has a small memory card slot and has a function of displaying still images, moving images, and the like stored in the small memory card on a screen. It has become widespread. The television receiver checks the file system in the small memory card after the power is turned on, and stores the stored still image data in JPEG format, MPEG2, MPEG4, or H.264. H.264 format video data and HTML format data are displayed.

Standards that provide functions other than access to small memory cards exist separately from memory standards, so information other than memory access formats, such as environmental data transmission, video cameras such as CMOS sensors, etc. are connected. It was impossible to browse these information with a television receiver. In order to view these information on a television receiver, for example, in the invention of Patent Document 1, by using an unused signal line in a memory card, instead of connecting to a memory card according to a specific standard, By using serial communication according to another standard and communicating with a PC or the like via a communication card adapter, access to other information by a television receiver is realized.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-082405

  However, in order to realize the invention of Patent Document 1, a configuration such as a serial controller for using unused signal lines for serial communication is required, and hardware and software modifications are required in the television receiver body. There was a problem of becoming.

  In order to solve the above problems, a small memory card interface device of the present invention includes a small memory including a card connection interface with a small memory card and a host connection interface with a host device having an interface for connecting the small memory card. A card interface device that detects a control signal from the host device and disconnects the host connection interface; an access control unit that accesses a file in the small memory card; An image capturing unit; a data converting unit that converts video information captured by the image capturing unit into a data format that can be displayed by the host device; and the data conversion after the host device is disconnected using the host connection control unit. Output information of the unit using the access control unit And a recording control section for recording on the memory card.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a browsing function for images taken by a camera using an existing television receiver via a photo, a moving image, or an HTML file.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing configurations of a small memory card interface device, a host device, and a small memory card according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Examples of the host device include a television receiver and a PC, and examples of the small memory card include an SD memory card.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a host connection interface for inserting and connecting the small memory card interface device 10 into a small memory card socket of the host device 20. Reference numeral 12 denotes a card connection interface for inserting and connecting the small memory card 30 to the small memory card interface device 10.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a host connection control unit that controls disconnection between the host device 20 and the small memory card interface device 10 via the host connection interface 11, and reference numeral 14 denotes an access file 31 that exists in the small memory card 30. It is a card access control part for accessing. Reference numeral 15 denotes an imaging unit that captures an image of surroundings and outputs video information. Reference numeral 16 denotes a data conversion unit that converts video information output from the imaging unit 15 into a data format that can be displayed on the host device 20. Is a recording control unit that records the video information converted by the data conversion unit 16 in the small memory card 30 via the card access control unit 14.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the small memory card interface device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  By turning on the power of the host device 20 (step 100), the small memory card interface device 10 is secured to be connected to the host device 20 (step 101). The host device 20 accesses the small memory card 30 stored and connected to the small memory card interface device 10 via the small memory card interface device 10 and recognizes the file system of the small memory card 30 (step 102). Thereafter, a cutting control signal is transmitted. The host connection control unit 13 of the small memory card interface device 10 detects the disconnection control signal and disconnects the connection between the host device 20 and the small memory card interface device 10 (step 103).

  Thereafter, the small memory card interface device 10 starts photographing the surrounding situation by the imaging unit 15 (step 104). The data conversion unit 16 converts the video information output from the imaging unit 15 into a data format such as MPEG2 that can be displayed on the host device 20 (step 105), and the recording control unit 17 converts the converted video information into a card. Recording is made in the small memory card 30 via the access control unit 14 (step 106).

  The small memory card interface device 10 periodically connects to the host device 20 using the host connection control unit 13, and checks whether there is an access request from the host device 20 (step 107). If there is an access request, the connection is maintained, and the host device 20 can access the file in the small memory card.

  With the above configuration, by using a small memory card interface device, it is possible to provide a surveillance camera function for monitoring an intruder into a living room or the like where a television receiver is installed. Existing television receivers can be used for viewing without modification of the television receiver hardware and software.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing configurations of the small memory card interface device, the host device, and the small memory card according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, except for the environment measurement unit 18, the same components as those in FIG. The environment measurement unit 18 measures environmental information such as ambient temperature and humidity.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the small memory card interface device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  By turning on the power of the host device 20 (step 200), the small memory card interface device 10 is secured to be connected to the host device 20 (step 201). The host device 20 accesses the small memory card 30 stored and connected to the small memory card interface device 10 via the small memory card interface device 10 and recognizes the file system of the small memory card 30 (step 202). Thereafter, a cutting control signal is transmitted. The host connection control unit 13 of the small memory card interface device 10 detects the disconnection control signal and disconnects the connection between the host device 20 and the small memory card interface device 10 (step 203).

  Thereafter, the small memory card interface device 10 measures environmental information such as ambient temperature and humidity by the environment measuring unit 18 (step 204). The data conversion unit 16 converts the environment information output from the environment measurement unit 18 into an HTML format that is a data format that can be displayed on the host device 20 (step 205), and the recording control unit 17 converts the converted HTML file into an HTML format. Then, it is recorded in the small memory card 30 via the card access control unit 14 (step 206).

  The small memory card interface device 10 periodically connects to the host device 20 using the host connection control unit 13, and checks whether there is an access request from the host device 20 (step 207). If there is an access request, the connection is maintained, and the host device 20 can access the file in the small memory card.

  With the above configuration, by using a small memory card interface device, it is possible to provide an environment measurement function for recording environmental information such as temperature and humidity of a living room where a television receiver is installed. Existing television receivers can be used for viewing without modification of the television receiver hardware and software.

  The small memory card interface device of the present invention has a new function by inserting and connecting to a small memory card slot in a device having a small memory card connection interface such as a PC and a digital camera as well as a television receiver. Can be added and useful.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the small memory card interface apparatus in one embodiment of this invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the small memory card interface apparatus in one embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the small memory card interface apparatus in other embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the small memory card interface apparatus in other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Small memory card interface apparatus 11 Host connection interface 12 Card connection interface 13 Host connection control part 14 Card access control part 15 Imaging part 16 Data conversion part 17 Recording control part 18 Environment measurement part 20 Host apparatus 30 Small memory card 31 Access file

Claims (2)

A small memory card interface device comprising a card connection interface with a small memory card and a host connection interface with a host device having an interface for connecting the small memory card,
A host connection control unit that detects a control signal from the host device and disconnects the host connection interface;
An access control unit for accessing a file in the small memory card;
An imaging unit for photographing the surroundings;
A data converter that converts video information captured by the imaging unit into a data format that can be displayed by the host device;
A small memory card interface comprising: a recording control unit that records output information of the data conversion unit on the small memory card using the access control unit after disconnecting the host device using the host connection control unit apparatus. An environmental measurement unit that measures environmental information including ambient temperature and humidity is further provided.
The data conversion unit is a small memory card interface device that converts environment information measured by the environment measurement unit into a data format that can be displayed by the host device.