JP2012060361A - Communication module, and electronic apparatus having the communication module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication module that can be used in more aspects.SOLUTION: A communication module detachably connectable to a connection section of a main apparatus includes a recording medium, radio communication means and control means. Further, the control means enables the main apparatus to store and read information to and from the recording medium, and has transmission control means (S10) for reading information stored in the recording medium and controlling the radio communication means so as to transmit the information in an email format to a predetermined destination, and reception control means (S11) for controlling the radio communication means so as to receive an email format of information addressed to the communication module, acquiring a predetermined format of information from the email format of information received by the radio communication means and storing the acquired information in the recording medium.

Description

  The present invention includes a communication module having a recording medium for storing information and wireless communication means, removably connected to a connection unit of the main device, and a configuration in which the communication module is connected to the connection unit of the main device Relating to electronic devices.

  Conventionally, a media card that is detachably connected to a connection portion of a digital camera and includes a flash memory and a wireless communication unit has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). With this media card, when shooting with a digital camera is performed, an image obtained by the shooting is stored from the digital camera into the flash memory of the media card. Then, the wireless communication unit transmits the image stored in the flash memory to a predetermined destination.

  In such a media card (communication module), an image obtained by photographing with a digital camera can be stored not only in a flash memory but also wirelessly transmitted to a desired destination. Can be expanded more.

International Publication WO2007 / 035275

  By the way, in the above-described media card (communication module), when a photograph is taken with a digital camera and the photographed image is stored in the flash memory, the stored photographed image is read from the flash memory and wirelessly transmitted. Such a media card can be connected not only to a digital camera but also to other main devices such as a personal computer. However, even if the media card described above is connected to a personal computer, if data such as a file is stored in the flash memory of the media card from the personal computer (main device), the data can be used only by wireless transmission. The form is limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a communication module that can be used in more forms.

  A communication module according to the present invention is a communication module that is detachably connected to a connection unit of a main device, and includes a recording medium that stores information, a wireless communication unit that communicates by connecting to a predetermined wireless network, Control means for controlling the storage and reading of information with respect to the recording medium and controlling the operation of the wireless communication means, and the control means stores and reads information with respect to the recording medium with respect to the main device. And a transmission control means for reading the information stored in the recording medium and controlling the wireless communication means to connect to the network and transmit the information to a predetermined destination in the form of an e-mail. Controlling the wireless communication means to connect to the wireless network and receive information in the form of an e-mail addressed to the communication module; Get the predetermined format information from the electronic mail format information received by the wireless communication unit, a configuration and a reception control means for storing the obtained information in the recording medium.

  With this configuration, when information from the main device is stored in the recording medium, the information is read from the recording medium, and the information is predetermined by the wireless communication unit in the form of an e-mail via a wireless network. Sent to the destination. Further, when the wireless communication means receives the information in the e-mail format via the wireless network, the information in a predetermined format is acquired from the received information in the e-mail format, and the acquired information is stored in the recording medium. . Information stored in the recording medium can be read out by the main device.

  In the communication module according to the present invention, a transmission-only area is set in the recording medium so as to be distinguished from other areas, and the transmission control unit allows the main device to transmit information stored in the other areas. The wireless communication unit may be configured to control the information stored in the transmission-only area of the recording medium to be transmitted to the predetermined destination in the form of the e-mail.

  With such a configuration, when information is stored in the transmission-only area of the recording medium from the main device, the information stored in the transmission-only area is read, and the information is sent to the electronic mail via the wireless network by the wireless communication means. It is sent to a predetermined destination in the form. When the main device stores information in another area of the recording medium, the information is not transmitted. Thus, the main device can use the communication module as a storage device.

  Further, in the communication module according to the present invention, a reception-only area is set in the recording medium so as to be distinguished from other areas, and the reception control unit is configured to receive an e-mail addressed to the communication module received by the wireless communication unit. Predetermined format information acquired from format information can be stored in the reception-only area of the recording medium.

  With such a configuration, when the wireless communication unit receives information in the e-mail format via the wireless network, information in a predetermined format is acquired from the received information in the e-mail format, and the acquired information is stored in the recording medium. Stored in the receive-only area. The main device can use the information stored in the reception-only area of the recording medium separately from the information stored in other areas as information received by e-mail.

  Further, in the communication module according to the present invention, when the communication module is connected to the main device and activated, the transmission control unit reads information stored in the recording medium and connects to the network. The wireless communication unit may be controlled to transmit the information to a predetermined destination in the form of an e-mail.

  With such a configuration, when the communication module is connected to the main unit connection unit and activated, the information stored in the recording medium at that time is transmitted to a predetermined destination in the form of an e-mail. become.

  Further, in the communication module according to the present invention, when there is a request for writing information from the main device to the communication module, the transmission control unit reads the information stored in the recording medium. The wireless communication unit may be configured to connect to the network and transmit the information to a predetermined destination in the form of an e-mail.

  With this configuration, when the information is stored in the recording medium in accordance with the information writing request from the main device to the recording medium of the communication module, the information stored in the recording medium is sent to a predetermined destination in the form of an e-mail. Sent.

  Furthermore, in the communication module according to the present invention, when the communication module is connected to the main device and activated, the reception control means connects to the wireless network and is in the form of an e-mail addressed to the communication module. The wireless communication means is controlled to receive information.

  With such a configuration, when the communication module is connected to the main unit connection unit and activated, the wireless communication unit connects to the wireless network and performs a reception operation on information in the form of an e-mail addressed to the communication module. Do.

  Further, in the communication module according to the present invention, the reception control means controls the wireless communication means so as to connect to the wireless network and receive information in the form of an e-mail addressed to the communication module every predetermined time. To do.

  With such a configuration, the wireless communication unit connects to the wireless network and performs a receiving operation on information in the form of an e-mail addressed to the communication module every predetermined time.

  In the communication module according to the present invention, the control means maintains the state in which the main device can store and read information on the recording medium, and the transmission control means and the reception control means. It can be set as the structure which has a means to invalidate.

  With such a configuration, the main device can use the communication module (recording medium) as a mere storage device that can write and read information.

  Further, in the communication module according to the present invention, the control unit disables the main body device from storing and reading information with respect to the recording medium and invalidates the transmission control unit and the reception control unit. It may be configured to have means for enabling the device to control the wireless communication means.

  With such a configuration, the main device can use the communication module (wireless communication means) as a simple communication device such as a network adapter.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the communication modules described above and a main unit having a connection unit, and the communication module is connected to the connection unit. Based on a control that enables storage and reading of information to and from the recording medium by the control means, means for supplying information to be stored in the recording medium to the communication module, and reading out information stored in the recording medium Means.

  With this configuration, when information is supplied from the main device to the communication module, the information is stored in the recording medium of the communication module, the information is read from the recording medium, and the information is wirelessly transmitted by the wireless communication unit. It is transmitted to a predetermined destination via the network in the form of an e-mail. Further, when information in the format of an e-mail addressed to the communication module is received by the wireless communication means in the communication module via the wireless communication network, information in a predetermined format is acquired from the information in the received e-mail format, The acquired information is stored in a recording medium. The main device can read the information stored in the recording medium.

  In the electronic device according to the present invention, the communication module makes the main device unable to store and read information from and to the recording medium, disables the transmission control unit and the reception control unit, and On the other hand, it has means for enabling control of the wireless communication means, and the main device has a means for controlling the operation of the wireless communication means of the communication module.

  With such a configuration, the main device can control the wireless communication means of the communication module to transmit information in the main device via the wireless network, and the wireless communication via the wireless network. The information received by the means can be captured.

  Further, in the electronic device according to the present invention, the communication module receives means for supplying a signal indicating that transmission is in progress to the main device while transmitting information in the e-mail format, and receives e-mail format information. Means for supplying a signal indicating that the signal is being received to the main device while the main device is a power supply device dedicated to the communication module, and supplies power to the communication module. The transmission lamp is turned on based on the signal indicating that the transmission is being performed from the communication module, and the reception lamp is turned on based on the signal that is being received from the communication module.

  With such a configuration, for example, when a communication module in which information to be transmitted by connecting to another main device such as a digital camera or a personal computer is stored in a recording medium is connected to the connection portion of the power supply device, the communication The module receives power supply from the power supply device and transmits information stored in the recording medium to a predetermined destination in the form of an e-mail. Further, when the communication module receives information in the e-mail format addressed to the communication module, information in a predetermined format is acquired from the information in the e-mail format, and the acquired information is stored in the recording medium. . While the information read from the recording medium of the communication module is being transmitted to a predetermined destination in the form of e-mail, the transmission lamp of the power supply device is lit and information in the form of e-mail is received. In the meantime, the receiving lamp of the power feeding device is turned on.

  According to the communication module of the present invention, information stored in a recording medium can be transmitted to a predetermined destination in the form of an e-mail, and information in the form of an e-mail can be received. In addition, since the information in a predetermined format acquired from the received information in the format of the e-mail is stored in the recording medium, the information stored in the recording medium can be used in the main device. . As described above, the module according to the present invention can be used as a mailer that transmits and receives information in the form of (portable) e-mail that can be connected to various main devices. Will be able to.

1 is a diagram illustrating a communication module (SD card) according to an embodiment of the present invention and an example of a main device (digital camera) to which the communication module is to be attached. It is a figure which shows the communication module (SD card) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the other example (personal computer) of the main body apparatus with which this communication module should be mounted | worn. It is a figure which shows pin arrangement | positioning of the communication module (SD card) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the communication module (SD card) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the processing unit in a communication module (SD card). It is a figure which shows an example of the storage and transmission form of an image file when a communication module (SD card) is attached to a digital camera (main device). It is a figure which shows an example of the storage and transmission form of a file when a communication module (SD card) is attached to a personal computer (main device). It is a figure which shows another example of the storage and transmission form of a file when a communication module (SD card) is mounted on a personal computer (main device). It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the process unit at the time of starting a communication module performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure (the 1) of the process which a processing unit performs when there is an operation interruption in a processing unit. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure (the 2) of the process which a processing unit performs when there is an operation interruption in a processing unit. 10 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of SD control processing other than writing in the processing shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. 10 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of SD control processing for writing in the processing shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure of the transmission data reading interruption process in the process shown to FIG. 9B. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure of the reception data write interruption process in the process shown to FIG. 9A. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure of the process which concerns on a periodical reception timer. 10 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure (part 1) of the mail transmission process in the processes shown in FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B. 10 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure (part 2) of the mail transmission process in the processes shown in FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure of the internal temperature monitoring process in the process shown to FIG. 15A and FIG. 18A. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure of the transmission data reading process in the process shown to FIG. 15B. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure (the 1) of the mail reception process in the process shown in each of FIG.8 and FIG.14. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure (the 2) of the mail reception process in the process shown in each of FIG.8 and FIG.14. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure of the reception data writing process in the process shown to FIG. 18B. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure of the wireless network connection process in each of the process (mail transmission process) shown to FIG. 15A, and the process (mail reception process) shown to FIG. 18A. It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure of the radio | wireless quality determination process in the process shown in FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication module (SD card) according to an embodiment of the present invention and an example of a main device (power supply device) to which the communication module is to be attached. It is a block diagram which shows the specific structural example of the main body apparatus (electric power feeding apparatus) shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows allocation of the signal with respect to each pin of the SD card used in SD mode.

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

  A communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured as an SD card standardized by the SD standard. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the SD card 10 (communication module) is inserted into the SD slot (connection unit) of the digital camera 20 (main device), and as shown in FIG. 1B, the personal computer 30 (main device). The SD slot can be further loaded into a standardized SD slot of another device. The standardized SD card 10 has nine pins 12 as shown in FIG. 2, and these nine pins 12 are electrically connected to a connector (connection portion) in the SD slot of the main device (20, 30). The The SD card 10 receives power supply from the main device (20, 30) via the pin 12 and transmits / receives various information.

  The SD card 10 (communication module) has a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, an SD card 10 includes a device controller 101, a processing unit 102 constituted by a processor having a predetermined processing capability, a flash memory (flash ROM) 103 (recording medium), a RAM 104, and a wireless communication unit 110 (wireless communication means). )have. The device controller 101 is controlled by the processing unit 102 to a mode corresponding to the connected main device (20, 30) among various modes (“SD memory”, “SDIO”) compliant with the SD standard. Interface control with the main device (20, 30). The processing unit 102 controls the device controller 101 described above, controls the storage and reading of information with respect to the flash memory 103 (recording medium) and the RAM 104, and controls the operation of the wireless communication unit 110 (wireless communication means). . The wireless communication unit 110 includes an RF front end unit 111 that transmits and receives signals, and a baseband unit 112 that includes a circuit that modulates and demodulates data.

  The processing unit 102 operates according to a predetermined program, and is configured with functional blocks as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The processing unit 102 includes an interface control unit 1021, an application unit 1022, a flash memory control unit (flash ROM control unit) 1023, and a communication control unit 1024. The interface control unit 1021 uses the main device (20, 30) in a mode corresponding to the connected main device (20, 30) among various modes (“SD memory”, “SDIO”) compliant with the SD standard. The device controller 101 is controlled so as to perform interface control. The application unit 1022 defines applications corresponding to functions that can be realized in the SD card 10 such as a mail function and a network adapter function. The flash memory control unit 1023 performs control related to storage and reading of information with respect to the flash memory 103 in accordance with an application defined in the application unit 1022. The communication control unit 1024 controls the wireless communication unit 110 according to an application (for example, a mail function and a network adapter function) defined in the application unit 1022. In FIG. 4, the RAM 104 (see FIG. 3) and the control function block for it are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a switch 11 that can be turned on and off is connected to the processing unit 102 of the SD card 10. The switch 11 can be manually operated. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a switch knob 11a for manually operating the switch 11 is provided in the case of the SD card 10. The slide knob 11a is movable between a position corresponding to ON and a position corresponding to OFF. As will be described later, the switch 11 is a switch for selecting whether to enable the function of the wireless communication unit 110.

  In the interface of the “SD memory” mode, the main device (20, 30) recognizes the SD card 10 as a recording medium (flash memory 103), and stores and reads information on the SD card 10 (flash memory 103). Can do. In the “SDIO” mode interface, the main device (30) can recognize the SD card 10 as a network adapter (communication card) and connect the SD card 10 to a predetermined wireless network to transmit and receive information.

  When the SD card 10 is connected to the main device via an interface in the “SD memory” mode, the information stored in the flash memory 103 from the main device is transmitted to the predetermined destination by the wireless communication unit 110 under the control of the processing unit 102. The electronic mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10 physically addressed to the SD card 10 is received by the wireless communication unit 110 and the received electronic mail information is received from the main device. Can be stored in the flash memory 103 as readable information (automatic transfer function). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the SD card 10 is loaded in the digital camera 20, an image file (file) obtained by photographing with the digital camera 20 is stored in the flash memory 103 of the SD card 10. The image file (file) is transmitted by e-mail to a predetermined destination by the wireless communication unit 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the SD card 10 is loaded in the personal computer 30, when a file created by the personal computer 30 is stored in the flash memory 103 of the SD card 10, The file (file) is transmitted to a predetermined destination by e-mail by the wireless communication unit 110. Although not shown, when the wireless communication unit 110 of the SD card 10 receives an e-mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10, information (file) of the received mail is stored in the flash memory 103, and the information Can be read from the flash memory 103 by the personal computer 30 (main device).

  Furthermore, when the SD card 10 is loaded in the personal computer 30, as shown in FIG. 7, various folders (areas for storing information in the SD card 10 (flash memory 103) as a recording medium by the personal computer 30 ( fol1, fol2) can be set. Any of the set folders (fol1, fol2) can be set as a dedicated folder to which the stored file can be transmitted. In this case, when the file (file1) is stored in the dedicated folder (fol1) by an operation on the personal computer 30, the file (file1) is automatically transmitted by e-mail by the wireless communication unit 110 ( Automatic transfer function). Even if the file (file2) is stored in another folder (fol2), the file (file2) is kept in the folder (fol2) without being sent, and the file from that folder (fol2) is maintained. (File2) can be read. Similarly, a dedicated folder for reception can be set, information on the received electronic mail can be stored in the dedicated folder, and the received mail information can be read from the dedicated folder by the personal computer 30.

  When the SD card 10 as described above is loaded into the main device (20, 30), power is supplied from the main device to the SD card 10, and the SD card 10 is activated. At the time of activation, the processing unit 102 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  The processing unit 102 determines whether the wireless function should be enabled based on whether the switch 11 is in the ON state or the OFF state (S1). When the switch 11 is in the ON state, the processing unit 102 determines that the wireless function in the wireless communication unit 110 should be validated, and the SD card 10 is in either the “SD memory” mode or the “SDIO” mode. It is recognized that the device operates as an “SD / SDIO combo” device that is also possible with the interface (S2). Then, the processing unit 102 monitors the timeout (S3) and negotiates with the main device to determine which interface should be the “SD memory” mode or the “SDIO” mode (S4).

  As a result of the negotiation, if there is a request (instruction) for an interface in the “SD memory” mode from the main device (20, 30) (SD in S4), the processing unit 102 performs an automatic transfer function (automatic transmission by the wireless communication unit 110). The function (automatic reception function) is enabled (S8), the configuration file stored in advance is read from the flash memory 103 (S9), the mail function (mailer) of the application unit 1022 is activated and stored in the flash memory 103. A mail transmission process (S10) of the file being processed and a mail reception process (S11) of information addressed to the SD card 10 are performed. Then, the processing unit 102 starts a periodic reception timer for periodically executing this mail reception process (S12). The configuration file describes information necessary for sending and receiving e-mails, such as an address for specifying an e-mail destination, mail server information, mail user information, and the like. The wireless communication unit 110 connects to a predetermined wireless network and transmits the file stored in the flash memory 103 to the destination by electronic mail (automatic transmission function). In the mail reception process, the wireless communication unit 110 connects to a predetermined wireless network based on the information described in the configuration file, accesses the mail server, and is addressed to the user set in the SD card 10. Receive information by e-mail (automatic reception function).

  On the other hand, if there is a request (instruction) for an interface in the “SDIO” mode from the main device (for example, the personal computer 30) as a result of the negotiation (SDIO in S4), the processing unit 102 performs the automatic transfer function ( The automatic transmission function and automatic reception function are disabled (S5), and the network adapter function of the application unit 1022 is activated (S6). As a result, the main device (for example, the personal computer 30) can control the operation of the SD card 10 as a network adapter, and can transmit / receive information to / from other communication devices via a predetermined wireless network. become.

  As a result of the negotiation, if the main device is compatible with the “SD / SDIO combo” interface, either the “SD memory” mode or the “SDIO” mode is used as an interface with the SD card 10 in the main device. A utility for selection is activated, and either the “SD memory” mode or the “SDIO” mode is selected in accordance with a user operation on the main device. The processing unit 102 determines the result of selection in the main device (S7), and when the “SD memory” mode is selected (SD in S7), the file stored in the flash memory 103 is the same as described above. The automatic transmission function by e-mail and the automatic reception function of e-mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10 are enabled (S8), and a configuration file necessary for transmitting / receiving information by e-mail is stored from the flash memory 103. Read (S9), mail transmission processing (S10), mail reception processing (11), and periodic reception timer activation processing (S12) are performed. On the other hand, if “SDIO” is selected (SIO in S7), the automatic transfer function by e-mail is disabled (S5) and the network adapter function is activated (S6), as described above.

  The main unit does not have the function of executing the negotiation with the SD card 10 as described above, and the negotiation is not performed with the main unit (no interface request (instruction)) for a predetermined time. Has elapsed (timed out) (YES in S3), the processing unit 102 sets the interface of the “SD memory” mode, forcibly enables the automatic transfer function by e-mail (S8), A configuration file necessary for transmitting and receiving information is read from the flash memory 103 (S9), mail transmission processing (S10), mail reception processing (S11), and periodic reception timer activation processing (S12) are executed. As a result, when there is no response from the main device, the SD card 10 transmits the file stored in the flash memory 103 at that time to a predetermined destination by e-mail (automatic transmission) and the SD card by e-mail. Information addressed to the user of the card 10 can be received (automatic reception).

  On the other hand, when the switch 11 (see FIGS. 3, 1A, and 1B) of the SD card 10 connected to the main device (20, 30) is in the OFF state, the processing unit 102 performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 110. It is determined that the function should be invalidated (invalid at S1), and it is recognized that the SD card 10 operates as a device that is an interface of the “SD memory” mode (S13). Then, the processing unit 102 disables the automatic transfer function by the wireless communication unit 110 without starting up the automatic transfer function (automatic transmission function, automatic reception function) by e-mail (S14), and the main unit device executes the flash memory 103. The file can be stored and read from the file. As a result, the main device (20, 30) can use the SD card 10 as a recording medium.

  Each time a processing request (interrupt instruction) is made from the main device to the SD card 10 in a situation where the SD card 10 is connected to the main device (20, 30) by the interface in the “SD memory” mode described above. The processing unit 102 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

  The processing unit 102 determines whether or not a process for reading a file (transmission data) to be transmitted from the flash memory 103 to the RAM 104 is being executed in order to transmit the file by e-mail (S21). ), It is determined whether the process of receiving the electronic mail and temporarily writing the file (received data) stored in the RAM 104 to the flash memory 103 is being executed (S22). If it is not in the middle of reading (NO in S21) and not in the middle of writing (NO in S22), the processing unit 102 sends a processing request from the main device (20, 30) to the flash memory 103. It is determined whether or not it is a file write (store) instruction (S23). When the processing request from the main device is not a writing instruction (NO in S23), for example, when reading a file, deleting a file, etc., the processing unit 102 performs processing other than the writing to the flash memory 103 according to the processing request. Execute (S24). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the processing unit 102 executes processing other than the writing (S41), and whether or not the processing meets the data transmission condition, for example, by e-mail. It is determined whether the file stored in the predetermined folder for automatic transmission is deleted (see FIG. 7) or the like (S42). If the process does not meet the data transmission conditions (NO in S42), the processing unit 102 holds the process as it is if the process meets the data transmission conditions (YES in S42). The transmission history to be updated is updated (S43), and the processing for the processing request (interrupt instruction) from the main device is terminated. In the transmission history update, for example, in the case of processing in response to a file deletion instruction, information on the file is deleted from the transmission history as well as deletion of the designated file in the flash memory 103.

  Returning to FIG. 9A, when the processing request (interrupt) from the main device is a write request (YES in S23), the processing unit 102 executes the processing for writing the information (file) from the main device to the flash memory 103. (S25). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the processing unit 102 executes a process for writing a file from the main device to the flash memory 103 (S45), and the process meets the data transmission conditions. For example, it is determined whether or not a file is written in a predetermined folder for automatic transmission by e-mail (see FIG. 7) (S46). If the processing does not meet the data transmission conditions (NO in S46), the processing unit 102 ends the processing as it is. On the other hand, if the process meets the data transmission conditions, the transmission history held inside is updated (S47). In this transmission history update, for example, a file written in a predetermined folder of the flash memory 103 is added to the transmission history as a file to be transmitted. Then, the processing unit 102 executes mail transmission processing for the file written (stored) in the flash memory 103 (S27 in FIG. 9A), and ends the processing for the processing request from the main device. The processing unit 102 determines whether or not a mail reception process is performed prior to the mail transmission process (S27 in FIG. 9A) (S26), or after confirming that the mail reception process is not performed, or Then, after the mail reception process is completed (NO in S26), the mail transmission process is executed.

  On the other hand, the processing unit 102 is executing a process of reading a file (transmission data) to be transmitted stored in the flash memory 103 from the flash memory 103 to the RAM 104 when a processing request is received from the main device. If it is in the middle (YES in S21), the process proceeds to the process of FIG. 9B, and the reading process of the data to be transmitted is interrupted (S32). Then, the processing unit 102 determines whether or not the processing request from the main device is a write request to the flash memory 103 (S33). If it is not a write request (NO in S33), the processing unit 102 executes processes other than the write as described above (see FIG. 10) (S34), and if it is a write request (YES in S33), The writing process is executed as described above (see FIG. 11) (S35). When one of the processes is completed, the processing unit 102 resumes the interrupted process of reading data to be transmitted (S36).

  In the process of interrupting reading of the transmission data (S32), for example, as shown in FIG. 12, reading of data (file) to be transmitted from the flash memory 103 is interrupted (S51), and the data in the flash memory 103 is The data read completion position (address) is stored (S52). Then, in the transmission data reading restart process (S36), the stored data (file) to be transmitted is read from the position next to the stored read completion position in the flash memory 103 to the RAM 104. The file read from the flash memory 103 to the RAM 104 by the resumed transmission data read process (S36) is transmitted to a predetermined destination by e-mail by the mail transmission process.

  Returning to FIG. 9A, on the other hand, at the time when the processing request from the main device is received, the process of temporarily writing the received file (received data) stored in the RAM 104 to the flash memory 103 is executed. If it is in progress (YES in S22), the processing unit 102 interrupts the process of writing the received data (S28). Then, the processing unit 102 determines whether or not the processing request from the main device is a write request to the flash memory 103 (S29). If it is not a write request (NO in S29), the processing unit 102 executes processing other than the writing in the same manner as described above (see FIG. 10) (S30), and interrupts when processing other than this writing is completed. The received data writing process is resumed (S31).

  If the processing request is a write request (YES in S29), the processing unit 102 proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 9B and executes the write process as described above (see FIG. 11) (S37). When the writing process ends, the processing unit 102 resumes the interrupted reception data writing process (S38). Then, the processing unit 102 waits for the completion of the mail reception process (NO in S39), and executes the mail transmission process for the file written in the flash memory 103 by the write process (S37) (S40).

  In the process of interrupting the writing of the received data (S28), for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the writing of the received data (file) to the flash memory 103 is interrupted (S53), and the data in the flash memory 103 is stored. The write completion position (address) is stored (S54). In the received data writing restart process (S31, S38), received data is continuously written from the position next to the stored write completion position in the flash memory 103. The reception data (file) written in the flash memory 103 in this way can be read by the main device (for example, the personal computer 30), and the received data can be used by the main device. .

  9A and 9B, in the transmission data read interruption process (S32, see FIG. 12) and reception data write interruption process (S28, see FIG. 13), the transmission data read completion position and the reception data The processing may be interrupted without particularly storing the write completion position. In this case, in the transmission data read restart process (S36), the data (file) to be transmitted stored in the flash memory 103 is read again from the beginning, and in the received data write restart process (S31, S38), the data is temporarily stored in the RAM 104. In other words, the received data (file) stored in the memory may be rewritten to the flash memory 103 from the beginning.

  As described above, during the process of reading the file (transmission data) to be transmitted from the flash memory 103 to the RAM 104 in order to transmit the file by e-mail, or the user of the SD card 10 When a processing request (interrupt) is made from the main device while executing a process of writing a received file (received data) when receiving an e-mail addressed to the flash memory 103 from the RAM 104, the read process Alternatively, since the write process is interrupted and the process request (interrupt) is given priority, the process for the process request from the main device to the flash memory 103 can be executed without waiting when the file is transmitted. . For example, an image file obtained by photographing with the digital camera 20 (main device) can be stored in the flash memory 103 without waiting for processing in the SD card 10. Therefore, it is possible to continuously perform shooting with the digital camera 20 without waiting.

  As described above, when the SD card 10 is activated (see FIG. 8) and when a processing request is interrupted (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) from the main unit (20, 30), the mail transmission process (S10, FIG. 8) is performed. S27 shown in FIG. 9A and S40) shown in FIG. 9B are executed. Further, a mail reception process (S11 shown in FIG. 8) is executed when the SD card 10 is activated (see FIG. 8). Further, the mail reception process is periodically executed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the mail reception process (S11) ends and the periodic reception timer is started (S12). When the set time of the timer elapses, the processing unit 102 is interrupted, and the procedure shown in FIG. 14 is followed. Processing is done. That is, the processing unit 102 confirms whether or not the mail transmission process is performed at the time of the interruption (S61), and waits for the mail transmission process to end after confirming that the mail transmission process is not performed. (NO in S61), the mail receiving process is executed (S62). Then, the processing unit 102 activates the periodic reception timer again (S63). Thus, the mail reception process is executed (periodically) each time the time set in the periodic reception timer elapses.

  The mail transmission process executed when the SD card 10 is activated and when a processing request from the main device is interrupted is executed according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B.

  In FIG. 15A, the processing unit 102 determines whether or not the automatic transfer function by mail is valid (S71). If the automatic transfer function is valid (valid in S71), the number of transmission retries is initialized ( 0 times) (S72). Thereafter, the processing unit 102 checks the transmission history and determines whether there is data (file) to be transmitted to the flash memory 103 (for example, a folder dedicated to automatic transmission) (S73). When the data to be transmitted exists in the flash memory 103 (YES in S73), the processing unit 102 monitors the internal temperature based on the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the housing of the SD card 10. (S74). If there is no abnormality in the internal temperature, a wireless network connection process is performed (S75).

  The internal temperature monitoring process is executed, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, it is determined whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature threshold (S91). If the detected temperature is lower than the temperature threshold value (YES in S91), the monitoring process for the internal temperature ends. On the other hand, if the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold (NO in S91), the wireless network is disconnected (S92), and a heat radiation timer set for a predetermined time is started (S93). Then, the elapsed time in the heat radiation timer is monitored (S94), and when the heat radiation timer times out (when the predetermined time has elapsed) (YES in S94), it is determined again whether the detected temperature is lower than the temperature threshold value. (S91). In the process of repeating such processing, when the SD card 10 is cooled and the detected temperature becomes lower than the temperature threshold (YES in S91), the internal temperature monitoring processing is terminated.

  Such an internal temperature monitoring process is performed in consideration of the possibility that heat radiation may not be sufficient when the SD card 10 is loaded into an SD slot of a main device such as the digital camera 20. Thereby, it is possible to avoid using the SD card 10 in a high temperature environment.

  Returning to FIG. 15A, when the processing unit 102 confirms that the temperature inside the SD card 10 is normal by the internal temperature monitoring process, the processing unit 102 executes a process of connecting the wireless communication unit 110 to a predetermined wireless network (S75: As will be described in detail later), as a result of the processing, it is determined whether or not the connection of the wireless communication unit 110 to the wireless network has succeeded (S76). When the wireless connection is successful (YES in S76), the processing unit 102 proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 15B and executes a process of reading data (file) to be transmitted stored in the flash memory 103 (S77). In this reading process, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, if other processing is being executed, the processing unit 102 waits until the processing is completed (S101). When the processing ends (NO in S101), the processing unit 102 reads data to be transmitted from the flash memory 103 and stores it in the RAM 104 (S102).

  Returning to FIG. 15B, when the processing unit 102 reads data to be transmitted from the flash memory 103, the processing unit 102 converts the data into a packet in a mail transmission format according to a mail transfer protocol (SMTP), and transmits the packet. Data is created (S78). Then, the processing unit 102 controls the wireless communication unit 110 according to the mail function (mailer), and transmits the data to be transmitted to the destination (see S9 in FIG. 8) acquired from the configuration file by e-mail as described above. To execute the process.

  The processing unit 102 determines whether or not the transmission of the mail is successful by the process for transmitting the data to be transmitted by electronic mail (S79). When the radio wave environment is good and the transmission of the mail is successful (successful in S79), the processing unit 102 updates the transmission history such that the transmitted data (file) is the transmitted data (S80). Then, returning to the processing shown in FIG. 15A, the processing unit 102 determines whether there is still data (file) to be transmitted to the flash memory 103 (S73). In accordance with the procedure (S74 to S80), the data (file) to be transmitted is transmitted to the destination by electronic mail. Such processing is repeatedly executed until there is no unsent data in the flash memory 103. When there is no untransmitted data in the flash memory 103 (NO in S73), the processing unit 102 disconnects the wireless communication unit 110 from the wireless network (S87) and ends the process.

  As a result of the wireless network connection process (S75) in the process of the above-described process (see FIGS. 15A and 15B), if the wireless connection fails due to a bad radio wave environment (NO in S76), the processing unit 102 The communication unit 110 is disconnected from the wireless network (S87), and the process ends. In this case, the data (file) to be transmitted remains in the flash memory 103. The data remaining in the flash memory 103 is transmitted together with new data at the time of the next processing request (interrupt) from the main device (see S27 in FIG. 9A).

  Further, in the process described above, the processing unit 102 executes the mail transmission process, but if the mail transmission is not successful (failed in S79 of FIG. 15B), the cause of the transmission error is determined ( S81). When the cause of the transmission error is determined as a fatal factor that cannot be recovered, such as a mail server failure, a destination (mail address) acquired from the configuration file, or a mail server setting information error (S81) Therefore, the processing unit 102 deactivates the automatic transfer function by e-mail by deactivating the mail function (mailer), assuming that normal transmission to a predetermined destination is not performed (S86). Then, the connection with the wireless network is disconnected (S87 in FIG. 15A), and the process ends. Thereafter, in the mail transmission process, it is determined that the automatic transfer function is invalid (see S71 in FIG. 15A), and data (file) is stored in the flash memory 103 of the SD card 10 from the main device (20, 30). However, the data is not automatically transferred by e-mail. In this case, it is necessary to restart the SD card 10 (see FIG. 8) after removing the fatal factor.

  On the other hand, even if the mail transmission is not successful (failed in S79), if the factor is a recoverable and temporary factor such as the mail server is busy (temporary in S81) (Cause), the processing unit 102 does not invalidate the automatic transmission function, but updates the transmission retry count by incrementing by 1 (S82), and whether or not the updated transmission retry count reaches a predetermined number. Is determined (S83). If the number of transmission retries after the update has not reached the predetermined number (NO in S83), the processing unit 102 starts the transmission retry timer (S84), and monitors the elapsed time in the transmission retry timer. (S85). When the transmission retry timer times out (when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time) (YES in S85), the processing unit 102 returns to the processing shown in FIG. 15A and the data (file) that should still be transmitted to the flash memory 103 again. (S73), and the process for the untransmitted data in the flash memory 103 is executed according to the same procedure (S74 to S79) as described above. If the mail transmission is successful before the number of transmission retries reaches the predetermined number (successful in S79), the processing unit 102 updates the transmission history of the data transmitted by the mail (S80), If there is still untransmitted data (YES in S73), the same processing (S74 to S80) as described above is executed. If there is no untransmitted data (NO in S73), the wireless communication unit 110 wirelessly The connection with the network is disconnected (S87), and the process ends.

  For example, if the busy state of the mail server is not resolved and the number of transmission retries reaches a predetermined number (YES in S83), the processing unit 102 assumes that normal mail transmission to the destination cannot be performed, and the wireless communication unit 110 Is disconnected from the wireless network (S87), and the process is terminated.

  In the mail transmission process as described above (see FIGS. 15A and 15B), when an error occurs in the mail transmission, the cause of the transmission error is the failure of the mail server, the destination (mail address) or mail acquired from the configuration file. If it is determined as a fatal factor that cannot be recovered, such as an error in server setting information, the transmission operation is stopped and the automatic transfer function by electronic mail is immediately disabled. As a result, when a file in the flash memory 103 is transmitted to a predetermined destination, a transmission attempt is wasted in spite of a situation in which the wireless communication unit 110 connected to the wireless network is not normally transmitted due to an unrecoverable factor. Can be prevented from being continued.

  In addition, if the cause is a temporary factor that can be recovered, such as when the mail server is busy, a transmission retry is performed, and if the number of transmission retries exceeds the specified number, Since the transmission operation is stopped and the wireless communication unit 110 is disconnected from the wireless network because it cannot be transmitted, the file is connected to the wireless network when transmitting the file in the flash memory 103 to a predetermined destination. It is possible to prevent the transmission attempt from being continued unnecessarily beyond a predetermined number of times despite the situation where the transmission of the wireless communication unit 110 is not normally performed. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of the battery of the digital camera 20 to which the SD card 10 is connected.

  As described above, the mail reception process executed when the SD card 10 is activated (see S11 shown in FIG. 8) and periodically (see FIG. 14) is executed according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B.

  In FIG. 18A, the processing unit 102 determines whether or not the automatic transfer function by mail is valid (S111). If the automatic transfer function is valid (valid in S111), the reception retry count is initialized ( 0 times) (S112). Thereafter, the processing unit 102 performs an internal temperature monitoring process based on the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the housing of the SD card 10 (S113). Then, a wireless network connection process is performed (S114: details will be described later). The temperature monitoring process is the same as that executed at the time of mail transmission, and is executed, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  After executing the wireless network connection process, the processing unit 102 determines whether or not the wireless communication unit 110 has successfully connected to the wireless network (S115). If the wireless connection is successful (YES in S115), the wireless communication unit 110 communicates with a mail server set in advance according to a mail reception protocol (POP: Post Office Protocol) via the wireless network under the control of the processing unit 102 ( The processing unit 102 determines whether the communication (inquiry) is successful (S116). When the communication with the mail server is successful (YES in S116), the processing unit 102 updates the reception history according to the received mail list addressed to the user of the SD card 10 stored in the mail server (S117). As a result, the reception history on the SD card 10 side and the received mail list on the mail server side are synchronized. Then, the processing unit 102 determines whether there is an e-mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10 that has not yet been received based on the reception history (S118). If there is no e-mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10 (NO in S118), the processing unit 102 proceeds to the process of FIG. 18B and disconnects the wireless communication unit 110 from the wireless network (S129). The process is terminated.

  Returning to FIG. 18A, if there is an e-mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10 that has not yet been received (YES in S118), the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG. The wireless communication unit 110 determines whether or not the electronic mail is normally received from the mail server via the wireless network (S119). When an unreceived e-mail from the mail server is normally received (successful in S119), the processing unit 102 analyzes the received packet related to the e-mail (S120), and from the received packet, mail body data and electronic A file (text data, image data, etc.) attached to the mail is extracted and temporarily stored as received data in the RAM 104, and the received data is written to the flash memory 103 (S121). In this writing process, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, if another process is being executed, the processing unit 102 waits until the process ends (S131). When the processing ends or when it is confirmed that no other processing is performed (NO in S131), the processing unit 102 reads the received data extracted from the e-mail from the RAM 104 and writes it to the flash memory 103. (S132).

  When the processing unit 102 writes the received data in the flash memory 103 (S121), the processing unit 102 updates the reception history in order to identify the already received mail (S122). Thereafter, the processing unit 102 returns to the processing of FIG. 18A and, similarly to the above-described processing, the internal temperature monitoring processing (S113: see FIG. 16), the wireless network connection processing (S114), and the wireless connection confirmation (S115). ) Inquiries to the mail server (S116) and reception history update (S117) are performed, and it is determined whether there is an e-mail that has not yet been received in the mail server (S118).

  If there is still an e-mail that has not been received by the mail server (YES in S118), the processing unit 102 follows the same procedure as described above (S119 to S122 in FIG. 18B) from the mail server to the SD card 10. Receiving mail addressed to the user, extracting received data (mail body data, attached file) from the received e-mail, writing the extracted received data into the flash memory 103, and updating the reception history are executed. Is done. Such processing is repeatedly executed until there is no unreceived e-mail in the mail server. When there is no unreceived e-mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10 in the mail server (NO in S118), the processing unit 102 disconnects the wireless communication unit 110 from the wireless network (S129). The process is terminated.

  When the inquiry to the server for the received mail fails in the process described above (NO in S116), or when the e-mail cannot be normally received from the mail server (failed in S119), the processing unit 102 The cause of the reception processing error is determined (S123). When the cause of the reception error is determined as a fatal factor that cannot be recovered, such as a mail server failure or an error in mail server information or mail user information (fatal factor in S123), the processing unit 102 If the mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10 is not normally received, the mail function (mailer) is deactivated, and the automatic transfer function by electronic mail is disabled (S128). Then, the connection with the wireless network is disconnected (S129), and the process ends. Thereafter, in the mail reception process, it is determined that the automatic transfer function is invalid (see S111 in FIG. 18A), and the automatic reception of the e-mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10 is not performed. In this case, it is necessary to restart the SD card 10 (see FIG. 8) after removing the fatal factor.

  On the other hand, even when the inquiry of the received mail to the server fails (NO in S116), or when the electronic mail cannot be normally received from the mail server (failed in S119), the cause is that the mail server is busy. If the recovery unit is set as a temporary factor (such as a temporary factor in S123), the processing unit 102 increments the reception retry count by +1 instead of invalidating the automatic reception function. It is updated (S124), and it is determined whether or not the number of reception retries after the update has reached a predetermined number (S125). If the updated number of reception retries has not reached the predetermined number (NO in S125), the processing unit 102 activates the reception retry timer (S126) and monitors the elapsed time in the reception retry timer. (S127). When the reception retry timer times out (when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time) (YES in S127), the process returns to the process shown in FIG. 18A, and the processing unit 102 again performs the internal temperature monitoring process (S113) and the wireless network connection process. (S114), the connection confirmation (S115) is performed. Even if the inquiry to the mail server still fails due to a temporary factor that can be recovered (NO in S116) or the inquiry to the mail server is successful (YES in S116), the e-mail from the mail server is normal. If the data cannot be received (failed in S119), the processing unit 102 updates the number of reception retries and confirms the number of reception retries, starts the reception retry timer, and sets the reception retry timer according to the same procedure (S123 to S127) as described above. Each process of expiration check is executed.

  If the above-described processing (S123 to S127, S113 to S119) is repeatedly executed and the normal reception of the e-mail is successful before the number of reception retries reaches a predetermined number (YES in S116, S117, and S118). The processing unit 102 extracts the received data from the e-mail, and executes the process of writing the received data to the flash memory 103 and updating the reception history (S120 to S122). On the other hand, in a situation where normal reception of an e-mail cannot be performed due to a recoverable temporary factor, if the number of reception retries reaches a predetermined number (YES in S125), the processing unit is assumed to be in a state where normal reception of the e-mail cannot be performed. 102 disconnects the wireless communication unit 110 from the wireless network (S129), and ends the process.

  In the mail reception process as described above (see FIGS. 18A and 18B), when a mail reception error occurs, the cause of the reception error is a failure of the mail server, an error in the mail server information or mail user information, etc., and cannot be recovered. If it is determined as a fatal factor, the reception operation is stopped and the automatic reception function by electronic mail is immediately disabled. As a result, when receiving information addressed to the user of the SD card 10, the reception of the wireless communication unit 110 connected to the wireless network is not normally performed due to an unrecoverable factor. It can be prevented from continuing in vain.

  In addition, when the factor is set as a temporary factor that can be recovered, such as when the mail server is busy, a reception retry is performed, and when the number of reception retries reaches a predetermined number, Since the reception operation is stopped and the connection of the wireless communication unit 110 with the wireless network is cut off when the wireless communication unit 110 cannot be received, the wireless communication unit 110 is connected to the wireless network when receiving an e-mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10. Even if the wireless communication unit 110 is not normally received, it is possible to prevent the reception attempt from being continued unnecessarily beyond a predetermined number of times.

  The wireless network connection process (see S75 in FIG. 15A and S114 in FIG. 18A) in the mail transmission process (see FIGS. 15A and 15B) and the mail reception process (see FIGS. 18A and 18B) described above is shown in FIG. 20, for example. Made according to the procedure.

  In FIG. 20, the processing unit 102 initializes the connection retry count (0 times) (S141). Thereafter, the processing unit 102 determines whether or not the connection to the wireless network has succeeded as a result of the connection processing of the wireless communication unit 110 to the wireless network (S142). If the wireless communication unit 110 is successfully connected to the wireless network (YES in S142), the processing unit 102 determines whether the wireless quality is good (S143, S144), and if the wireless quality is good (OK in S144), The connection state is maintained as a successful connection of the wireless communication unit 110 to the wireless network (S145).

  The wireless quality pass / fail judgment process is performed, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 21, the processing unit 102 determines whether or not the received signal strength (RSSI) from the wireless network (access point) is equal to or greater than a predetermined RSSI threshold (S161), and measures carrier level to interference / noise ratio ( It is determined whether or not (CINR) is equal to or greater than a predetermined CINR threshold (S162) and whether or not the reception level fluctuation is smaller than a predetermined fading threshold (S163). In any of the determinations (S161, S162, S163), if the result is good (YES), the processing unit 102 determines that the wireless quality is good (S164). On the other hand, in at least one of these determinations, if the result is not good (NO), the processing unit 102 determines that the wireless quality is not good (S165).

  Returning to FIG. 20, for example, when the wireless communication unit 110 is out of the communication range and the wireless communication unit 110 has failed to connect to the wireless network (NO in S142), the processing unit 102 increments the connection retry count by +1. (S147), and it is determined whether or not the number of connection retries after the update has reached a predetermined number (S148). If the number of connection retries after the update has not reached the predetermined number (NO in S148), the processing unit 102 starts the connection retry timer (S149), and monitors the elapsed time in the connection retry timer ( S150). When the connection retry timer times out (when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time) (YES in S150), the processing unit 102 executes again the connection processing of the wireless communication unit 110 to the wireless network, and the wireless communication unit 110 It is determined whether or not the connection to the wireless network is successful (S142). If not successful (NO in S142), the processing unit 102 executes the connection retry process according to the same procedure (S147 to S150) as described above. If the wireless communication unit 110 is successfully connected to the wireless network before the number of connection retries reaches the predetermined number (YES in S142), the processing unit 102 performs the wireless quality determination process (S143) as described above. If the determination result that the wireless quality is good is obtained (OK in S144), the connection state of the wireless communication unit 110 to the wireless network is maintained (S145).

  On the other hand, if the number of connection retries reaches a predetermined number without successfully connecting the wireless communication unit 110 to the wireless network (YES in S148), the processing unit 102 fails to connect the wireless communication unit 110 to the wireless network. As a result, the wireless communication unit 110 is not connected to the wireless network (S151).

  If it is determined in the above-described process that the wireless communication unit 110 is connected to the wireless network and the wireless quality is not good (NG in S144), the processing unit 102 is connected to the wireless communication unit 110. The connection with the wireless network is disconnected (S146), and the connection retry process (S147 to S150, S142 to S144) described above is repeatedly executed. In the process, if the wireless quality is good (OK in S144), the processing unit 102 maintains the connection of the wireless communication unit 110 to the wireless network (S145) as described above. On the other hand, when the number of connection retries reaches a predetermined number (YES in S148), the processing unit 102 maintains a state where it is not connected to the wireless network of the wireless communication unit 110 (S151).

  In the wireless network connection process (see FIG. 20) as described above, when the SD card 10 is out of the wireless network (NO in S142, YES in S148), or the wireless communication unit 110 and the wireless network (access point) If the wireless quality between the wireless communication units 110 is not good (NG in S144, YES in S148), the connection processing of the wireless communication unit 110 to the wireless network is forcibly terminated. It is possible to prevent unnecessary connection processing from being repeatedly executed. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the battery of the digital camera 20 loaded with the SD card 10 from being wasted.

  In the above-described SD card 10 (communication module), if the switch 11 is turned on and connected to the main device (for example, the digital camera 20 or the personal computer 30) in the “SD memory” mode interface, the file from the main device is stored. By storing (information) in the flash memory 103 of the SD memory 10, the file is converted into a format that can be sent by e-mail and sent to a predetermined destination by e-mail, and the user of the SD card 10 The addressed e-mail is automatically received (see S8 to S11 in FIG. 8, S27 in FIG. 9A, S40 in FIG. 9B, S62 in FIG. 14, FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B, FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B). On the other hand, for example, when the wireless environment is bad, the automatic transfer function (automatic transmission function and automatic reception function) by e-mail of the file (information) stored in the flash memory 103 is disabled if the switch 11 is turned off. Thus, information can be stored in and read from the flash memory 103 by the main device (see S13 and S14 in FIG. 8), so that the flash memory 103 of the SD card 10 is simply stored in the main device (digital camera 20 and personal computer 30). It can be used as information holding means.

  Further, if the SD card 10 in which the switch 11 is turned on is connected to the main body device (for example, the personal computer 30) of the “SDIO” mode interface, the main body device controls the operation of the wireless communication unit 110 of the SD card 10. The main device can control the wireless communication unit 110 to communicate with other communication devices without using the automatic transfer function using the flash memory 103 (S5 and S6 in FIG. 8). reference).

  As described above, according to the SD card 10 described above, it is possible to effectively use the SD card 10 not only when the wireless communication environment is good but also when the wireless communication environment is bad.

  The power supply device 40 having a structure as shown in FIG. 22 can be a main device in which the SD card 10 is loaded. The power supply device 40 is a power supply device dedicated to the SD card 10, and an SD slot 41 is formed in the power supply device 40. When the SD card 10 is loaded into the SD slot 41, power is supplied from the power supply device 40 to the SD card 10.

  As shown in FIG. 23, such a power supply device 40 includes an SD connector 43, a rechargeable battery 44, a charging circuit 45, display units (lamps) 42 a and 42 b (see FIG. 22) provided in the SD slot 41, and others. A circuit 46 is included. The SD connector 43 has nine terminals to which 9 pins (see FIG. 2) of the SD card 10 are connected. In the “SD memory” mode interface, the nine terminals (9 pins of the SD card 10) are assigned signals as shown in FIG. In this case, the fourth terminal (VDD) is connected to the output line of the rechargeable battery 44 and the charging circuit 45, and the third terminal (Vss1) and the sixth terminal (Vss2) are connected to the ground line. Further, the first terminal and the seventh to ninth terminals (DATA) and the second terminal (Command / Response) are connected to the display units 42 a and 42 b and the other circuit 46.

  When the SD card 10 is connected to the power supply device 40 having such a structure, the processing unit 10 of the SD card 10 executes a process at the time of activation (see FIG. 8). The power supply device 40 does not have a function of performing negotiation with the SD card 10, and the negotiation is not performed between the processing unit 102 of the SD card 10 and the power supply device 40. For this reason, the processing unit 102 of the SD card 10 forcibly enables the automatic transfer function by the e-mail (S8) when a predetermined time has elapsed (time-out) (YES in S3 in FIG. 8). A configuration file necessary for transmitting and receiving information is read from the flash memory 103 (S9), mail transmission processing (S10), mail reception processing (S11), and periodic reception timer activation (S12) are executed. If there is data (file) to be transmitted to the flash memory 103 of the SD card 10 loaded in the power supply device 40 by this mail transmission process (S10: see FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B), the same procedure as described above ( According to S73 to S80 in FIGS. 15A and 15B), the data is transmitted to a predetermined destination by e-mail. Further, by the mail reception process (S11: see FIGS. 18A and 18B), an e-mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10 is received, and the received data extracted from the e-mail is written into the flash memory 103.

  Note that the processing unit 102 transmits data using, for example, the data line (for example, any one of the first terminal and the seventh terminal to the ninth terminal of the SD connector 43) while data is transmitted and received by e-mail. If signals representing medium and receiving are supplied to the power supply device 40, the display units 42a (transmission lamp) and 42b (reception lamp) of the power supply device 40 can be turned on. In this case, the display units 42a and 42b can be used as indicators representing data transmission and data reception.

  The power supply apparatus 40 can be used as follows, for example.

  The switch 11 is turned off and the SD card 10 is loaded into the digital camera 20. In this state, every time the digital camera 20 captures an image, the image file is stored in the flash memory 103 without being automatically transferred. Then, after the shooting is finished, the SD card 10 is taken out from the digital camera 20, and the switch 11 is turned on and loaded into the power supply device 40 in a place where the radio wave environment is good. Then, the SD card 10 is activated, and a plurality of image files stored in the flash memory 103 are sequentially transmitted to a predetermined destination by e-mail by an automatic transfer function at the time of activation (see S8 to S12 in FIG. 8). (See S73 to S80 in FIGS. 15A and 15B). After the e-mail transmission process, an e-mail addressed to the user of the SD card 10 is received, and information in a predetermined format acquired from the received e-mail is stored in the flash memory 103. Thereafter, by loading the SD card 10 into another main device (for example, the personal computer 30), the information stored in the flash memory 103 can be read and used by the main device.

  According to the SD card 10 as described above, information stored in the flash memory 103 can be transmitted to a predetermined destination in the form of an e-mail, and information in the form of an e-mail can be received. In addition, since information in a predetermined format acquired from the information in the received e-mail format is stored in the flash memory 103, the information stored in the flash memory 103 can be used in the main device. become. As described above, the SD card 10 can be used as a mailer for transmitting and receiving information in the form of (portable) e-mail that can be connected to various main devices. Will be able to.

  In the above-described example, the SD card 10 is used as a communication module. However, other types, for example, a storage device such as a USB memory can be used as a communication module.

10 SD card (communication module)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Switch part 11a Switch knob 12 pin 101 Device controller 102 Processing unit (processor)
1021 Interface control unit 1022 Application unit 1023 Flash memory control unit (flash ROM control unit)
1024 Communication control unit 103 Flash memory (flash ROM)
104 RAM
110 Wireless communication unit (wireless communication means)
111 RF Front End 112 Baseband 20 Digital Camera (Main Device)
30 Personal computer (main device)
40 Power supply equipment (main equipment)
41 slot 42a display section (transmitting lamp)
42b Display section (reception lamp)
43 SD connector 44 Rechargeable battery 45 Charging circuit 46 Other circuit components

Claims (12)

A communication module that is detachably connected to a connection part of the main device,
A recording medium for storing information;
Wireless communication means for communicating by connecting to a predetermined wireless network;
Control means for controlling the storage and reading of information with respect to the recording medium, and for controlling the operation of the wireless communication means,
The control means includes
While allowing the main device to store and read information on the recording medium,
Transmission control means for reading the information stored in the recording medium, controlling the wireless communication means to connect to the network and transmit the information to a predetermined destination in the form of an e-mail;
The wireless communication means is controlled to connect to the wireless network and receive information in the form of an e-mail addressed to the communication module, and a predetermined format is determined from the e-mail format information received by the wireless communication means. And a reception control means for storing the acquired information in the recording medium. In the recording medium, a transmission-only area is set separately from other areas,
The transmission control means transmits the information stored in the transmission-dedicated area of the recording medium by the main device in the form of the e-mail without transmitting the information stored in the other area. The communication module according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is controlled so as to transmit to the communication module. In the recording medium, a reception-only area is set separately from other areas,
2. The reception control unit stores predetermined format information acquired from information of an email format addressed to the communication module received by the wireless communication unit in the reception-only area of the recording medium. 2. The communication module according to 2.   When the communication module is activated by being connected to the main device, the transmission control means reads information stored in the recording medium, connects to the network, and stores the information in the form of an e-mail. The communication module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wireless communication unit is controlled to transmit to a destination.   When there is a request to write information to the recording medium from the main device to the communication module, the transmission control means reads the information stored in the recording medium and connects the information to the network. The communication module according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is controlled to transmit to a predetermined destination in an electronic mail format.   When the communication module is connected to the main device and activated, the reception control means connects to the wireless network and receives information in the form of an e-mail addressed to the communication module. The communication module according to claim 1, wherein the communication module is controlled.   7. The reception control unit according to claim 1, wherein the reception control unit controls the wireless communication unit to connect to the wireless network and receive information in the form of an e-mail addressed to the communication module every predetermined time. The communication module described.   The control means includes means for invalidating the transmission control means and the reception control means while maintaining a state in which the main device can store and read information on the recording medium. The communication module according to any one of 1 to 7.   The control unit disables the main device from storing and reading information on the recording medium, disables the transmission control unit and the reception control unit, and controls the radio communication unit to the main device. The communication module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising means for enabling the operation. A communication module according to any one of claims 1 to 9;
A main body device having a connection portion, and the communication module connected to the connection portion;
The main unit is configured to supply information to be stored in the recording medium to the communication module based on a control that enables storage and reading of information with respect to the recording medium by the control unit of the communication module; An electronic device having means for reading information stored in a recording medium. The communication module according to claim 9, wherein the communication module comprises:
The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the main device includes a unit that controls operation of the wireless communication unit of the communication module. The communication module includes means for supplying a signal indicating that transmission is being performed while transmitting information in an e-mail format to the main unit, and a signal indicating that reception is being performed while receiving information in an e-mail format And supplying means to the main device,
The main device is a power supply device dedicated to the communication module,
Means for supplying power to the communication module;
A transmission lamp that is turned on based on a signal representing the transmission from the communication module;
The electronic device according to claim 10, further comprising: a reception lamp that is turned on based on a signal indicating that the reception is in progress from the communication module.

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