JP2012044678A - Portable electronic equipment unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable electronic equipment unit including a holster-like equipment holding member which just holds a portable electronic equipment and to which not a function for only improving snapshot property but an other advantageous function on use of the portable electronic equipment can be added; and the portable electronic equipment which can use the holding member.SOLUTION: A battery 102 is installed in a holster 100 holding a digital camera 10. When the digital camera 10 is installed on the holster 100 after photographing, a connector 104 connected to a charger of the holster 100 is connected to a connector 84 of the digital camera 10. Power supply control means 108 controlled by a system control circuit 106 of the holster 100 automatically charges a battery 82 of the digital camera 10 with the battery 102 of the holster 100.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device unit, and more particularly to a portable electronic device unit including a portable electronic device such as a digital camera having a photographing function and a device holding member such as a holster that holds the portable electronic device.

  Conventionally, a camera mounted on a holster and attached to the body and carried is disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the like.

  The holster of Patent Document 1 has an inner shape that fits the outer shape of the camera, and includes a pair of cover bodies that cover each half of the housing camera with a case body having a slot that allows a part of the stored camera to protrude. In the meantime, by locking them in a closed state and providing a locking member that can release the locking, the purpose of carrying the camera safely and taking it out instantly as needed is achieved.

  On the other hand, the holster (camera case) of Patent Document 2 is formed of an elastic material such as synthetic resin, and holds the camera by elastic force when the camera is stored, The form which covers a finder part and a connector, and exposes the grip part of the camera achieves the purpose of improving the rapid photographing property. The holster disclosed in Patent Document 2 also has a structure in which the camera is turned off by the operation of storing the camera, and the camera is turned on by the operation of taking out the camera.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-66615 JP 2000-23727 A

  However, the functions of the holster disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 simply hold the camera or control the power on / off according to the storage / removal operation of the camera, and there is no further function. .

  In addition, recently, a data communication adapter with an external device such as a personal computer has a digital camera charging function. However, this is one that performs charging at the same time as data communication. There is no function.

  By the way, in recent digital cameras, there is a contradictory demand to increase the number of shots as the miniaturization is demanded and the miniaturization progresses. However, the above-described data communication adapter cannot be a peripheral device for solving this conflicting request.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is not only a function of simply holding a portable electronic device and improving a rapid shooting property, but also adding another advantageous function in the use of the portable electronic device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic device unit including a holster-shaped device holding member capable of performing the above and a portable electronic device capable of using the same.

  In other words, when referring to a digital camera, it is intended to solve the conflicting demands of downsizing and increasing the number of shots. More specifically, by providing a unit that can significantly improve the number of shots without taking restrictions on the battery capacity and recording capacity of the digital camera during shooting, while miniaturizing the battery and data recording unit of the digital camera as much as possible. is there. In other words, using a holster with a built-in battery to reduce the size of the digital camera while dramatically shortening the battery life, and using a holster with a built-in recording unit to make the digital camera smaller, the number of shots can be dramatically increased. By connecting to external devices via holster, charging digital camera or holster battery or sending data to external device by external device, and data backup by memory backup It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic device unit capable of increasing the power.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a portable electronic device unit having a portable electronic device and a portable device holding member to which the portable electronic device can be attached and detached, and the device holding member includes the portable electronic device. A battery for charging the battery of the device is provided, and a bottom surface of the device holding member has a connection terminal that can be connected to an external device to charge both the battery and the battery for charging. And when connecting the said connection terminal to the said external device and charging both the said battery and the said battery for charge, the said battery is charged prior to charge of the said battery for charge, The portable electronic device characterized by the above-mentioned Provide units.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a portable electronic device unit having a portable electronic device and a portable device holding member to which the portable electronic device can be attached and detached. A charging battery for charging the battery of the portable electronic device is provided, and the data in the data recording unit of the portable electronic device is transferred to the external device via the device holding member by connecting to the external device. In a portable electronic device unit that has a connection terminal that can be connected to the external device and can charge both the battery and the charging battery, the connection terminal is connected to the external device. When charging the battery or the charging battery by connecting to the external device, the data in the data recording unit is transferred to the external device via the device holding member prior to charging. To provide a portable electronic equipment unit, characterized in that the transfer.

  According to the present invention, a charging battery is provided on the device holding member, and the battery of the portable electronic device is charged by the charging means using the charging battery.

  Thereby, since the battery of a portable electronic device should just be a battery of the capacity | capacitance required for at least one photography of several sheets, a battery can be reduced in size and a portable electronic device can be reduced in size. Further, after the photographing, when the portable electronic device is stored in the device holding member, the battery of the portable electronic device is immediately charged by the charging means by the charging battery of the device holding member. Thereby, since the battery is fully charged at the next use of the portable electronic device, it can be used without any problem. Furthermore, since the portable electronic device is protected by the device holding member when being carried, damage to the portable electronic device can be prevented. In addition, since the device holding member is provided with a protective member that protects the display means such as the photographing lens and the liquid crystal monitor, the photographing lens of the portable electronic device can be configured without a lens barrier. Further downsizing can be achieved.

  The capacity of the battery for charging of the device holding member is appropriately set according to the capacity of the battery of the portable electronic device. For example, if the capacity of the battery of the portable electronic device is about 10 shots, in general, when about 100 shots are taken in one shot, the battery is 10 times as large as the battery of the portable electronic device. What is necessary is just to set to the above capacity | capacitance.

  The second data recording unit preferably has a larger recording capacity than the first data recording unit.

  According to the present invention, the data recorded in the first data recording unit of the portable electronic device is transferred to the second data recording unit of the device holding member. As a result, the first data recording unit of the portable electronic device is sufficient if it is a data recording unit having a capacity required for shooting at least one shot, so that the portable electronic device can be reduced in size and cost. In addition, since the portable electronic device is held by the device holding member when being carried, damage to the portable electronic device can be prevented. When the portable electronic device is used, the data recorded in the first data recording unit of the portable electronic device is automatically transferred and recorded in the second data recording unit of the device holding member. The space for the first data recording unit is always secured.

  As in the present invention, when the portable electronic device is held on the device holding member by providing the battery and the second data recording unit on the device holding member to be worn and carried, charging of the portable electronic device is started, Data such as image data is transferred from the first data recording unit to the second data recording unit of the device holding member. Therefore, since the portable electronic device only needs to be equipped with a battery and a data recording unit that have a small capacity for shooting in a series of operations, the portable electronic device can be reduced in weight, size, and cost. And the object of the present invention to increase the number of shots can be achieved.

  In general photography, it is rare that 100 or more pictures are taken at one place, and usually a few pictures are taken and moved to the next shooting place. Since the present invention uses the travel time to charge the battery and transfer data, the battery state of the portable electronic device is always good when fully charged, and the data recording unit is always kept empty. So you never miss a photo opportunity.

  Further, the data transfer means compares the data in the first data recording unit with the data in the second data recording unit, and stores the data in the first data recording unit in the second data recording unit. It is preferable to select data that has not been transferred and transfer it to the second data recording unit.

  As a result, only newly acquired data is transferred from the first data recording unit to the second data recording unit, so that the capacity of the second data recording unit is not wasted and the editing operation caused by data duplication No complications such as erasure operations occur. The newly acquired data is image data newly taken when the portable electronic device is a digital camera.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the data transfer means is capable of selecting predetermined data from a plurality of data recorded in the first data recording unit and transferring it to the second data recording unit.

  As a result, the data to be transferred from the first data recording unit to the second data recording unit can be manually selected, so that unnecessary data is not stored in the second data recording unit. Can be used efficiently. Further, unnecessary data stored in the first data recording unit may be erased from the portable electronic device, or may be erased from the device holding member after being transferred to the second data recording unit. Thus, the portable electronic device is always used in a good environment.

  The device holding member of the present invention is usually used as a holster, but is convenient because it can be used as a cradle for transferring data transferred from a portable electronic device to an external device via a communication terminal. Thereby, the 2nd data recording part of an apparatus holding member can be made into an empty state.

  The device holding member of the present invention is provided with a power receiving terminal connected to an external device to receive power from the external device, and charging of the battery of the portable electronic device by the external device is performed by the device holding The charging is preferably performed in preference to the charging of the charging battery of the member.

  The device holding member of the present invention not only holds a portable electronic device but also can be used as an adapter for connection with an external device, and has at least a power receiving terminal for receiving power from the external device. Can be effectively used for portable electronic devices and device holding members. When the device holding member is connected to an external device, the device holding member cannot be carried, but it is convenient when charging a device holding member that is not carried. In addition, according to the present invention, since the battery of the portable electronic device is charged first, it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity.

  Note that charging of the battery of the device holding member by the external device may be performed with priority over charging of the battery of the portable electronic device.

  Accordingly, the device holding member which is the main battery, rather than first fully charging a small-capacity battery (for example, a polymer lithium battery) of a portable electronic device that can be charged in an instant (several seconds) by the battery of the device holding member. It is easier for users to fully charge the large-capacity battery first. In this case, it is sufficient to charge only the battery of the device holding member.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a device holding member capable of adding not only a function of simply holding a portable electronic device and improving a quick transfer property but also another advantageous function in use of the portable electronic device. It is possible to provide a portable electronic device unit including a portable electronic device that can use the above.

Perspective view of the portable electronic device unit as seen from the front The perspective view which looked at the portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. 1 from the back surface The block diagram which showed the structure of the portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. The perspective view which showed the composition of the polymer lithium battery on a sheet The flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. Vertical sectional view of another form of portable electronic device unit The block diagram which showed the structure of the portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. The flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. The perspective view of the portable electronic device unit of other forms The block diagram which showed the structure of the portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. The perspective view of the portable electronic device unit of other forms The flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. Assembly perspective view of another form of portable electronic device unit Overall perspective view of the portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. The flowchart which showed an example of operation | movement of the portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. The flowchart which showed another example of operation | movement of the portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. Assembly perspective view of a portable electric device unit exemplifying a mobile phone as a portable electronic device

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a portable electronic device unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the following description, an example in which the portable electronic device of the present invention is applied to the digital camera 10 that is an electronic camera will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the camera-equipped portable camera having a camera function is described. The present invention is applicable to a DVD moving image (image) player having a display unit such as a telephone, a video camera, and a liquid crystal display, and a portable HDD audio player.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the digital camera 10 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the digital camera 10 as viewed from the back, each showing a state before being housed in a holster 100 that is a device holding member. ing. The holster 100 and the digital camera 10 constitute a portable electronic device unit. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the digital camera 10. The holster 100 will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the digital camera 10 has a camera case 12 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance, and has a horizontally long shape whose dimension in the width direction is longer than the dimension in the vertical direction of the camera case 12. A grip portion 14 swelled forward as shown in FIG. 1 is formed on the front surface of the camera case 12, and a photographing button 16 is disposed on the upper surface of the camera case 12 where the grip portion 14 is located. The photographing button 16 is provided at a position where it can be operated by the index finger of the right hand of the user who holds the grip portion 14. Further, a retractable / feed-out telescopic lens barrel 20 holding a photographing lens 18 without a lens barrier is provided at a substantially central portion of the front surface of the camera case 12. Furthermore, a strobe light emitting unit 22 having a xenon tube is provided on the upper right side of the front surface of the camera case 12, and a liquid crystal monitor 24, a mode selection switch 26, and a cross key 27 are disposed on the rear surface of the camera case 12 as shown in FIG. These switches, a finder 28, and a power switch 29 are provided at predetermined positions. The power switch 29 may be a pressing type or a sliding type. In the case of the slide type, the holster 100 is moved to the OFF position by the operation of storing the digital camera 10 in the holster 100 as in Patent Document 2 and moved to the ON position by the operation of taking the digital camera 10 out of the holster 100. The switch contact portion can be configured.

  The overall operation of the digital camera 10 is comprehensively controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 30 as shown in FIG. The CPU 30 functions as a control unit that controls the camera system according to a predetermined program, and also performs a calculation unit such as an automatic exposure (AE) calculation, an automatic focus adjustment (AF) calculation, and a white balance (WB) adjustment calculation. Function as.

  The ROM 34 connected to the CPU 30 via the bus 32 stores programs executed by the CPU 30 and various data necessary for control. The EEPROM 36 stores CCD pixel defect information, various constants / information related to camera operation, and the like. Has been.

  The memory (SDRAM) 38 is used as a program development area and a calculation work area for the CPU 30, and is also used as a temporary storage area for image data and audio data. The recording unit (first data recording unit) 40 is a temporary storage memory dedicated to image data, and can be erased by operating the cross key 27 of the digital camera 10.

  The mode selection switch 26 is an operation means for switching between the photographing mode and the reproduction mode. When the mode selection switch 26 is operated to connect the movable contact piece 26A to the contact a, the signal is input to the CPU 30, and the digital camera 10 is set to the photographing mode. When the movable contact piece 26A is connected to the contact point b, the digital camera 10 is set to a reproduction mode for reproducing a recorded image.

  The shooting button 16 is an operation button for inputting an instruction to start shooting, and includes a two-stroke switch having an S1 switch that is turned on when half-pressed and an S2 switch that is turned on when fully pressed.

  The menu / OK key (not shown in FIG. 2) functions as a menu button for instructing to display a menu on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 24 and as an OK button for instructing confirmation and execution of the selection contents. This is an operation key that has both functions. The cross key 27 is provided so as to be tiltable in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and is used as an operation key for instructing selection of various setting items in setting of a mode or the like, change of setting contents, and deletion of recorded images. It is used as an operation key for instructing zoom magnification adjustment of the lens barrel 20 and frame advance / return during reproduction. A cancel key (not shown in FIG. 2) is used to delete a desired object such as a selection item, cancel an instruction content, or return to the previous operation state.

  The liquid crystal monitor 24 is also used as a user interface display screen, and displays information such as menu information, selection items, and setting contents as necessary. In addition, the image data recorded in the first data recording unit 40 is reduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24. Although the liquid crystal monitor 24 is a liquid crystal display, other types of display devices such as an organic EL may be used instead.

  The digital camera 10 has a media socket 46, and a recording medium 48 can be attached to the media socket 46. The form of the recording medium is not particularly limited, and various media such as a semiconductor memory card represented by SmartMedia (trademark), a portable small hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk can be used.

  The media controller 50 performs necessary signal conversion in order to exchange input / output signals suitable for the recording medium 48 mounted in the media socket 46.

  The digital camera 10 also includes a USB interface unit 52 as communication means for connecting to a personal computer or other external device. By connecting an external device to the connector 53, which is a communication terminal, connected to the USB interface unit 52 via a USB cable (not shown), data such as image data can be exchanged with the external device. Become. Of course, the communication method is not limited to USB, and other communication methods may be applied.

  Next, the photographing function of the digital camera 10 will be described.

  When the shooting mode is selected by the mode selection switch 26, power is supplied to an imaging unit including a color CCD solid-state imaging device (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 54, and the camera is ready for shooting.

  The lens barrel 20 is an optical unit that includes a photographic lens 18 including a focus lens and a mechanical shutter 56 that also serves as an aperture. The lens barrel 20 is electrically driven by a lens driving unit 58 and a diaphragm driving unit 60 that are controlled by the CPU 30 to perform zoom control, focus control, and iris control.

  The light that has passed through the photographic lens 18 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 54. A number of photodiodes (light receiving elements) are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 54, and primary color filters of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are provided for each photodiode. They are arranged in a predetermined arrangement structure. The CCD 54 has an electronic shutter function for controlling the charge accumulation time (shutter speed) of each photodiode. The CPU 30 controls the charge accumulation time in the CCD 54 via the timing generator 62. Instead of the CCD 54, another type of image sensor such as a MOS type may be used.

  The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 54 is converted into a signal charge of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each photodiode. The signal charge accumulated in each photodiode is sequentially read out as a voltage signal (image signal) corresponding to the signal charge based on a drive pulse given from the timing generator 62 in accordance with a command from the CPU 30.

  The signal output from the CCD 54 is sent to an analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 64 where the R, G, and B signals for each pixel are sampled and held (correlated double sampling processing), amplified, and then A / Applied to D converter 66. The dot sequential R, G, B signals converted into digital signals by the A / D converter 66 are stored in the memory 38 via the image input controller 68.

  The image signal processing circuit 70 processes the R, G, and B signals stored in the memory 38 in accordance with a command from the CPU 30. That is, the image signal processing circuit 70 includes a synchronization circuit (a processing circuit that converts a color signal into a simultaneous expression by interpolating a spatial shift of the color signal associated with the color filter array of the single CCD), a white balance correction circuit, It functions as an image processing means including a gamma correction circuit, a contour correction circuit, a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, and the like, and performs predetermined signal processing using the memory 38 in accordance with a command from the CPU 30.

  The RGB image data input to the image signal processing circuit 70 is converted into a luminance signal and a color difference signal by the image signal processing circuit 70 and subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction. The image data processed by the image signal processing circuit 70 is recorded in the first data recording unit 40.

  When the captured image is output to the liquid crystal monitor 24, the image data is read from the first data recording unit 40 and sent to the video encoder 72 via the bus 32. The video encoder 72 converts the input image data into a predetermined signal for display (for example, an NTSC color composite video signal) and outputs the converted signal to the liquid crystal monitor 24.

  When the shooting button 16 is pressed halfway and S1 is turned on, the digital camera 10 starts AE and AF processing. That is, the image signal output from the CCD 54 is input to the AF detection circuit 74 and the AE / AWB detection circuit 76 via the image input controller 68 after A / D conversion.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 76 includes a circuit that divides one screen into a plurality of areas (for example, 16 × 16) and accumulates RGB signals for each divided area, and provides the accumulated value to the CPU 30. The CPU 30 detects the brightness of the subject (subject brightness) based on the integrated value obtained from the AE / AWB detection circuit 76, and calculates an exposure value (shooting EV value) suitable for shooting. In accordance with the obtained exposure value and a predetermined program diagram, the aperture value and the shutter speed are determined, and the CPU 30 controls the electronic shutter and iris of the CCD 54 to obtain an appropriate exposure amount.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 76 calculates an average integrated value for each color of the RGB signals for each divided area during automatic white balance adjustment, and provides the calculation result to the CPU 30. The CPU 30 obtains the integrated value of R, the integrated value of B, and the integrated value of G, obtains the ratio of R / G and B / G for each divided area, and R of these R / G and B / G values. The light source type is discriminated based on the distribution in the color space of / G, B / G, etc., and the white balance adjustment value suitable for the discriminated light source type is set so that, for example, each ratio value is about 1. The gain value (white balance correction value) for the R, G, and B signals of the balance adjustment circuit is controlled to correct the signal of each color channel. If the gain value of the white balance adjustment circuit is adjusted so that the above-described ratio values are values other than 1, an image in which a certain color remains can be generated.

  The AF control in the digital camera 10 is, for example, a contrast AF that moves a focusing lens (a moving lens that contributes to focus adjustment among the lens optical systems constituting the photographing lens 18) so that the high-frequency component of the G signal of the video signal is maximized. Applies. That is, the AF detection circuit 74 cuts out a signal in a focus target area set in advance in a high-pass filter that passes only a high-frequency component of the G signal, an absolute value processing unit, and a screen (for example, the center of the screen). An area extraction unit and an integration unit that integrates absolute value data in the AF area are configured.

  The integrated value data obtained by the AF detection circuit 74 is notified to the CPU 30. The CPU 30 calculates a focus evaluation value (AF evaluation value) at a plurality of AF detection points while moving the focusing lens by controlling the lens driving unit 58, and determines a lens position where the evaluation value is a maximum as a focus position. To do. Then, the lens driving unit 58 is controlled so as to move the focusing lens to the obtained in-focus position. The calculation of the AF evaluation value is not limited to a mode using the G signal, and a luminance signal (Y signal) may be used.

  The shooting button 16 is pressed halfway, AE / AF processing is performed when S1 is turned on, the shooting button 16 is fully pressed, and the shooting operation for recording starts when S2 is turned on. The image data acquired in response to S2 ON is converted into a luminance / color difference signal (Y / C signal) in the image signal processing circuit 70, subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction, and then stored in the memory 38. The

  The Y / C signal stored in the memory 38 is compressed according to a predetermined format by the compression / expansion circuit 78 and then recorded on the recording medium 48 via the media controller 50. For example, a still image is recorded in JPEG format.

  When the playback mode is selected by the mode selection switch 26, the compressed data of the final image file (last recorded file) recorded on the recording medium 48 is read. When the file related to the last recording is a still image file, the read compressed image data is expanded to an uncompressed YC signal via the compression / expansion circuit 78 and then passed through the image signal processing circuit 70 and the video encoder 72. Are converted into display signals and then output to the liquid crystal monitor 24. Thereby, the image content of the file is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 24.

  During single-frame playback of still images (including playback of the first frame of a movie), the file to be played can be switched (forward / reverse frame advance) by operating the right or left key of the four-way controller. it can. The image file at the frame-advanced position is read from the recording medium 48, and still images and moving images are reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24 in the same manner as described above. The digital camera 10 is driven by the power of the battery 82 supplied via the power circuit 80.

  Further, the digital camera 10 is provided with a connector 84 for charging a battery 82 as a secondary battery on the back surface of the camera case 12 as shown in FIG. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, a connector 86 for transferring the image data stored in the first data recording unit 40 to another device is provided. The above is the overall configuration of the camera 10.

  In general, a conventional digital camera incorporates a rechargeable secondary battery that has a capacity (200 to 300 images) necessary for shooting on a trip for several days. If a large-capacity battery is reduced in capacity, the digital camera will be downsized by the difference.

  For this reason, the battery 82 of the embodiment employs a sheet-like polymer lithium battery capable of forming a thin film as shown in FIG. The polymer lithium battery 82 is bent and disposed along a gap between the grip portion 14 shown in FIG. 1 and the camera substrate 88 disposed therein, and the volume ratio is generally two. A secondary battery having a small capacity of 10 to 20% is used. As a result, the digital camera 10 according to the embodiment can have a light weight and a small configuration that cannot be considered in the conventional digital camera.

  However, if the battery 82 has a small capacity such as the polymer lithium battery 82, the capacity is insufficient for travel, and in that case, a spare battery needs to be prepared separately.

  Therefore, in the electronic device unit according to the embodiment, a holster 100 that is a device holding member is provided with a battery 102 that is a secondary battery as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a battery 82 of the digital camera 10 is used by using the battery 102. Like to charge.

  As a result, the battery 82 of the digital camera 10 is sufficient if it has a capacity required for shooting several shots at least once. Therefore, the battery 82 can be reduced in size as shown in FIG. 4, and the digital camera 10 can be reduced in size.

  When the digital camera 10 is stored in the holster 100 after shooting, the connector 104 connected to the charger (not shown) of the holster 100 is connected to the connector 84 of the digital camera 10 and is controlled by the system control circuit 106 of the holster 100. The power control means (charging means) 108 supplies power to the digital camera 10 from the holster 100, and the battery 82 of the digital camera 10 is immediately charged by the battery 102 of the holster 100. As a result, the battery 82 is fully charged when the digital camera 10 is next used, so that it can be used without any problem.

  Furthermore, since the digital camera 10 is protected by the holster 100 when being carried, damage to the digital camera 10 can be prevented. The holster is integrally provided with a tongue-shaped protective member 110 for protecting the photographing lens 18 of the digital camera 10 and a protective member 112 on the back side for protecting the liquid crystal monitor 24 as shown in FIGS. The photographing lens 18 of the digital camera 10 can be configured without a lens barrier, and the digital camera 10 can be further downsized.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 114 denotes a belt threading portion, and reference numeral 116 denotes a band that prevents the digital camera 10 housed in the main body of the holster 100 from popping out. The band 116 is detachably locked to the tongue-shaped protection member 110 by a button 118.

  Further, as a charging means between the digital camera 10 and the holster 100, in addition to the contact type connectors 84 and 104, a non-contact type charging means for charging by electromotive force by electromagnetic induction can be applied.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the portable electronic device unit of the form shown in FIGS. According to this flowchart, when the digital camera 10 is mounted on the holster 100 and the charging connector 84 of the digital camera 10 is connected to the charging connector 104 of the holster 100 (S (Step) 100), The battery 102 automatically starts charging the battery 82 of the digital camera 10 (S110). When the battery 82 is fully charged (S120), the digital camera 10 is fully charged (S130), and the digital camera 10 enters a shooting standby state. By providing the digital camera 10 with a lamp for notifying full charge, the user can know that the battery is fully charged.

  As shown in this flowchart, since the battery 82 is automatically charged every time when one shooting is completed and the digital camera 10 is returned to the holster 100, the battery 82 is always kept in a fully charged state. In addition, the time from the completion of one shooting until the next shooting is between several minutes to several hours. However, a battery that recovers 80% charge capacity in one minute is known with the latest technology. By using such charging technology, it is possible to keep the digital camera in a state where charging is always completed.

  6 and 7 are a cross-sectional view and a block diagram showing another embodiment of the portable electronic device unit, and the same or similar members as those of the portable electronic device unit of the embodiment shown in FIGS. Reference numerals are assigned and explanations thereof are omitted.

  The digital camera 10 shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 includes only the first data recording unit 40 having a capacity (several tens of sheets) necessary for one shooting. In recent years, the cost ratio of the data recording unit to the digital camera has increased, and by incorporating a small-capacity data recording unit, the cost of the digital camera can be significantly reduced.

  However, in the case of travel, for example, the capacity of the data recording unit is insufficient, and it is usually necessary to prepare a spare recording medium separately.

  In view of this, the portable electronic device unit according to another embodiment includes the HDD serving as the second data recording unit 120 in the holster 100.

  When the connector 86 of the digital camera 10 is connected to the data transfer connector 122 of the holster 100, the system control circuit 106 of the holster 100 captures the image data recorded in the first data recording unit 40 of the digital camera 10. The data is automatically transferred to the second data recording unit 120 of the holster 100.

  As a result, the first data recording unit 40 of the digital camera 10 is sufficient if it is a data recording unit having a capacity necessary for photographing at least one shot, so that the digital camera 10 can be reduced in size and cost. . In addition, since the digital camera 10 is held by the holster 100 when being carried, the digital camera 10 can be prevented from being damaged. Further, when carried (not photographed), the image data recorded in the first data recording unit 40 of the digital camera 10 is automatically transferred and recorded in the second data recording unit 120 of the holster 100. Therefore, when the digital camera 10 is used, the first data recording unit 40 is always free. Note that recording to the second data recording unit 120 can also be performed from the USB interface 52 via the connectors 53 and 123.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the portable electronic device unit of another form shown in FIGS. According to this flowchart, when the digital camera 10 is housed in the holster 100 and the data transfer connector 86 of the digital camera 10 is connected to the data transfer connector 122 of the holster 100 (S200), the digital camera 10 changes to the holster. Data transfer to 100 is automatically started (S210). When all the data is transferred (S220), the data transfer is completed (S230). After that, as shown in FIG. 9, the character “Would you like to delete the camera data?” Is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24 of the digital camera 10 (S240), and when the deletion information is input using the cross key 27 or the like ( S250), the data is erased (S260), the first data recording unit 40 of the digital camera 10 becomes empty, and the digital camera 10 enters a shooting standby state.

  As shown in this flowchart, every time one image is taken and the digital camera 10 is returned to the holster 100, the first data recording unit 40 of the digital camera 10 automatically changes to the second data recording unit of the holster 100. Since the image data is transferred to 120, if the digital camera 10 has only the first data recording unit 40 having a capacity necessary for one photographing, the capacity will not be insufficient.

  Unlike the first data recording unit 40 of the digital camera, the second data recording unit 120 of the holster 100 does not affect operability, so that a cheaper recording unit such as an HDD can be mounted.

  As described above, the cost of the digital camera 10 can be reduced entirely. The holster 100 shown in FIG. 9 has a concave notch 101 for exposing the liquid crystal monitor 24. The transparent notch 101 is provided with a transparent cover to protect the liquid crystal monitor 24 when being carried. be able to.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable electronic device unit according to another embodiment, and the same or similar members as those of the portable electronic device unit according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  The portable electronic device unit of the form shown in FIG. 10 is a combination of the two types of portable electronic device units described above. That is, the holster 100 includes a battery 102 for charging the battery 82 of the digital camera 10 and The second data recording unit 120 records the image data transferred from the first data recording unit 40 of the digital camera 10.

  According to the portable electronic device unit of the form shown in FIG. 10, since the battery 102 and the second data recording unit 120 are provided in the holster 100 that is worn and carried, when the digital camera 10 is attached to the holster 100, the battery Charging of the battery 82 of the digital camera 10 is automatically started by 102, and image data is automatically transferred from the first data recording unit 40 to the second data recording unit 120 of the holster 100.

  Therefore, since the digital camera 10 only needs to be equipped with the battery 82 and the first data recording unit 40 that have a small capacity for taking a series of operations, the digital camera 10 can be reduced in weight, size, and cost. It is possible to achieve the object of the present invention to reduce the size of the digital camera 10 and increase the number of shots.

  The system control circuit (data transfer means) 106 of the holster 100 compares the image data of the first data recording unit 40 with the image data of the second data recording unit 120, and Among the image data, image data that has not been transferred to the second data recording unit 120 is selected and transferred to the second data recording unit 120.

  As a result, only newly acquired image data is transferred from the first data recording unit 40 to the second data recording unit 120, so that the capacity of the second data recording unit 120 is not wasted and duplication of image data is performed. No complications such as editing operations and erasing operations due to the above occur. Further, part or all of the image data recorded in the first data recording unit 40 may be transferred to the second data recording unit 120. This operation may be executed by the CPU 30 of the digital camera 10.

  The system control circuit (data transfer unit) 106 may select predetermined image data from among a plurality of image data recorded in the first data recording unit 40 and transfer the selected image data to the second data recording unit 120. it can. This operation can be performed by providing a display unit for displaying image data on the holster 100 side and a selection member for selecting image data to be transferred.

  As a result, the data to be transferred from the first data recording unit 40 to the second data recording unit 120 can be manually selected, so that unnecessary data is not stored in the second data recording unit 120. The second data recording unit 120 can be used efficiently. Unnecessary image data stored in the first data recording unit 40 may be erased from the digital camera 10 side, transferred to the second data recording unit 120, and then erased from the holster 100 side. Good. Thus, the digital camera 10 is always used in a good environment.

  Further, the CPU 30 of the digital camera 10 can display the plurality of image data recorded in the first data recording unit 40 on the liquid crystal monitor 24 and the first of the plurality of image data displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24. 2 has a selection means (cross key 27, menu / OK key) for selecting and executing data to be transferred to the second data recording unit 120.

  As a result, the image data to be transferred from the first data recording unit 40 to the second data recording unit 120 can be visually selected, which facilitates the selection and is unnecessary for the second data recording unit 120. Therefore, the second data recording unit 120 can be used efficiently.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a portable electronic device unit of still another embodiment, and the same or similar members as those of the portable electronic device unit of the embodiment shown in FIGS. A description thereof will be omitted.

  In the portable electronic device unit of the form shown in FIG. 11, a power receiving terminal 124 (see FIG. 13) connected to the terminal 152 (see FIG. 13) of the cradle base (external device) 150 is arranged on the bottom surface of the holster 100. By disposing the holster 100 on the cradle base 150 as shown in FIG. 11, the power receiving terminal 124 is connected to the terminal 152, and the holster 100 and the cradle base 150 are electrically connected. The cradle base 150 is connected to an outlet (charger) via an AC adapter cable 152 and is supplied with power from a general household power source. In FIG. 11, the digital camera 10 is not shown for convenience.

  According to the portable electronic device unit of the form shown in FIG. 11, when the holster 100 is connected to an outlet via the cradle base 150, the battery 102 (see FIG. 3) of the holster 100 is charged by a general household power source. . At this time, when the digital camera 10 is stored and held in the holster 100 and the connector 84 is connected to the connector 104, the cradle base 150 and the digital camera 10 are electrically connected via the holster 100, and the battery of the digital camera 10 is connected. 82 can be charged. Note that by connecting the cradle base 150 to a personal computer via a communication cable (not shown), charging from the personal computer and transfer of image data from the digital camera 10 to the personal computer are possible.

  In the form shown in FIG. 11, in the state where the holster 100 is connected to the cradle base 150, the battery 82 of the digital camera 10 is automatically charged every time the digital camera 10 is returned to the holster 100. Always fully charged. Further, if image data is automatically transferred from the first data recording unit 40 to the holster 100 or a personal computer, the first data recording unit 40 of the digital camera 10 is always secured. By connecting the holster 100 to the cradle base 150 in this way, the same handling as a normal cradle can be performed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the portable electronic device unit of the form shown in FIG. According to this flowchart, when the holster 100 is connected to the cradle base 150 (external device) (S300), charging of the battery 102 of the holster 100 is started (S310). Charging is continued until the battery is fully charged (S320), and the charging is completed when the battery is fully charged (S330).

  13 and 14 are an assembled perspective view and an overall perspective view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the portable electronic device unit, which is the same as or similar to the portable electronic device unit of the embodiment shown in FIGS. The members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The portable electronic device unit shown in FIG. 13 is provided with an AC adapter connector 154 and a USB connector 156 on the cradle base 150 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the AC adapter cable 152 is connected to the AC adapter connector 154. The AC adapter cable 152 is connected to an outlet (charger). The USB connector 152 is connected to the USB cable 156. The USB cable 156 is connected to a personal computer (external device: not shown). It should be noted that the connectors 84, 124, and 152 shown in FIG. 13 serve both for power feeding and for image data transfer. FIG. 17 is an assembled perspective view of a mobile electronic device unit illustrating the mobile phone 11 with an electronic camera as the mobile electronic device.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the portable electronic device unit of the form shown in FIGS. According to this flowchart, when the cradle base 150 to which the holster 100 is connected is connected to a personal computer (external device) (S400), the image data recorded in the HDD 120 of the holster 100 is automatically transferred to the personal computer. The process is started (S410). When all the image data is transferred (S420), the transfer of the image data is completed (S430). Thereafter, a character “Would you like to erase HDD data?” Is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor (not shown) of the holster 100 (S440), and when the erasure information is input (S450), the data is erased (S460). The HDD 120 of the holster 100 becomes empty.

  This operation is an example in which image data is automatically transferred to a personal computer. However, the image data may be transferred by an operation from the personal computer, or may be transferred by an operation member provided on the holster 100 or the cradle base 150. The holster 100 is a member that holds the digital camera 10 and has a one-to-one design (dedicated product) according to the digital camera 100, but the cradle base 150 is designed to correspond to the connection connector (general-purpose design). Is possible. Therefore, a cheaper system can be provided and the overall cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the portable electronic device unit of the form shown in FIG. According to this flowchart, when the cradle base 150 to which the holster 100 is connected is connected to a personal computer (external device) (S500), transfer of image data recorded in the HDD 120 of the holster 100 to the personal computer is started. (S510). When all the image data is transferred (S520), the transfer of the image data is completed (S530). Thereafter, a character “Would you like to erase the HDD data?” Is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor (not shown) of the holster 100 (S540), and when erasure information is input from the holster 100 by an input means (not shown) (S550). The data is erased (S560), and the HDD 120 of the holster 100 becomes empty. Thereafter, when the digital camera 10 is stored and held in the holster 100 and the digital camera 10 is connected to the holster 100 (S570), charging of the battery 82 of the digital camera 10 is started via the holster 100 (S580). When the battery is fully charged (S590), charging of the holster battery is started (S600). Thereafter, when the battery is fully charged (S610), the charging of the holster battery is terminated (S620).

  This operation starts charging of the battery 82 of the digital camera 10 prior to charging of the battery 102 of the holster 100, and after completion, shifts to charging of the battery 102 of the holster 100. By defining the charging order in this way, it is possible to minimize the period during which the digital camera 10 is in an uncharged state and prevent a photo opportunity from being missed.

  On the other hand, the charging of the battery 102 of the holster 100 may be started prior to the charging of the battery 82 of the digital camera 10. Rather than fully charging a small-capacity battery (for example, a polymer lithium battery) 82 that can be charged instantly (several seconds) by a holster or personal computer, the large-capacity battery 102 of the holster 100 that is the main battery is first This is because it is easier for the user to fully charge. This is because it is sufficient to charge only the battery 102 of the holster 100 in this case.

  In addition, since this operation transfers image data prior to charging, important data can be prevented from being lost. That is, data safety is enhanced by memory backup.

  In addition, if charging is performed prior to image data transfer, it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity due to a lack of charge.

  Further, the battery 82 of the digital camera 10 and the battery 102 of the holster 100 may be the same or different batteries. Secondary batteries, fuel cells, solar cells and the like can be exemplified as the batteries 82 and 102, and these batteries may be used in combination according to the size, design, etc. of the digital camera 10 and the holster 100.

  As described above, the main feature of the present invention is that the digital camera 10 is supplied with power through the holster 100. That is, power may be supplied directly from the holster 100 or may be supplied from the external device via the holster 100. Further, the present invention is not limited to charging, and the digital camera 10 may be directly operated by electric power supplied via the holster 100.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 11 ... Mobile phone with an electronic camera, 24 ... Liquid crystal monitor, 30 ... CPU, 40 ... 1st data recording part, 52 ... USB interface part, 53 ... Connector, 54 ... CCD, 82 ... Battery, 84 ... Connector, 86 ... Connector, 100 ... Holster, 102 ... Battery, 106 ... System control circuit, 110 ... Protection member, 112 ... Protection member, 120 ... Second data recording unit, 150 ... Cradle base

Claims (3)

In a portable electronic device unit having a portable electronic device and a portable device holding member to which the portable electronic device can be attached and detached,
The device holding member is provided with a charging battery for charging the battery of the portable electronic device, and the bottom surface of the device holding member is connected to an external device to connect both the battery and the charging battery. It has a connection terminal that can be charged,
A portable electronic device unit that charges the battery prior to charging the charging battery when the connection terminal is connected to the external device to charge both the battery and the charging battery. The data in the data recording unit of the portable electronic device can be transferred to the external device via the device holding member when the connection terminal is connected to the external device.
2. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein when the connection terminal is connected to the external device and the battery is charged, the data in the data recording unit is transferred to the external device via the device holding member prior to charging. Electronic equipment unit. A portable electronic device unit having a portable electronic device and a portable device holding member to which the portable electronic device can be attached and detached,
The device holding member is provided with a charging battery for charging the battery of the portable electronic device, and is connected to an external device to transfer data in the data recording unit of the portable electronic device via the device holding member. In the portable electronic device unit that has a connection terminal that can be transferred to the external device, and can connect the connection terminal to the external device to charge both the battery and the charging battery.
When charging the battery or the charging battery by connecting the connection terminal to the external device, transferring data in the data recording unit to the external device via the device holding member prior to charging. A portable electronic device unit.

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