JP2832110B2 - Transmission equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission apparatus having a plurality of transmission means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the present specification, a case where a still image captured by an electronic still camera is transmitted will be described as an example.

Conventionally, an electronic still camera capable of recording a still image and a sound by using a magnetic disk called a still video floppy as a recording medium is already on the market.
An electronic still camera using a memory card having a solid-state memory element such as a DRAM, an SRAM, or an EEPROM as a recording medium has also been proposed.

Since these electronic still cameras perform digital recording, unlike a conventional analog recording, a digital interface (I / F) is generally used as a means for transmitting data from the camera to an external device. is there.

Although various digital I / Fs are conceivable, the size of a camera is limited, so that a digital I / F used as a standard in a personal computer or the like cannot be attached in many cases. For this reason, a small digital I / F is generally used as a transmission means dedicated to a camera.

A method has been proposed in which a connector of a memory card is used for transmission as a digital I / F.

Since an electronic still camera using a memory card has a connector for the memory card, data can be transmitted to an external device even by using the general-purpose digital I / F.

[0008]

However, an electronic still camera having both a transmission means which is a digital I / F dedicated to a camera and a transmission means which is a general-purpose digital I / F using a connector of a memory card is used. Assuming,
When those transmission means are both connected to external equipment,
There is a problem that it is not clear which transmission means is used for optimal transmission.

[0009] Under such a background, an object of the present invention is to provide a transmission apparatus capable of optimally transmitting data according to the connected transmission means.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a transmission apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmission means for transmitting data; a detection means for detecting a transmission capability of the plurality of transmission means; And selecting means for selecting a desired transmission means from the plurality of transmission means.

[0011]

According to the above-mentioned invention, for example, even if both the transmission means which is a digital I / F dedicated to a camera and the transmission means which is a general-purpose digital I / F are connected to an external device,
Data transmission can be performed by selecting a transmission unit that is an optimal I / F regardless of the performance of the external device.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transmission system according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an electronic still camera having a transmission function.

First, the configuration of the electronic still camera 100 will be described.

1 is a photographing lens, 2 is a shutter having an aperture function, 3 is an image pickup device for converting an optical image into an electric signal by a CCD or the like, 4 is a process circuit for performing known camera signal processing such as gamma correction, 5 Is an A / D converter for converting an analog output of the process circuit 4 into a digital signal, 6 is an image compression circuit for compressing image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, and 7 is compressed by the image compression circuit 6. A switch for switching transmission between the compressed image data and the image data bypassing the image compression circuit 6 (uncompressed).

Reference numeral 8 denotes a buffer memory. The buffer memory 8 is a memory that temporarily stores image data (video signal) and can read the signal at a desired speed by a memory control circuit 9 described later.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a memory control circuit for controlling the A / D converter 5, the image compression circuit 6, the changeover switch 7, and the buffer memory 8. A compression circuit 6 for compressing image data
Thus, the compressed image data is written in the buffer memory 8 under the control of the memory control circuit 9 when the compressed image data is not compressed, and the image data output from the A / D converter 5 when not compressed.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an interface (I / F) with the memory card 40, the hard disk 50, or the transmission modem (modem) 60. The interface 10 is a modem 6
Data can be transmitted via the connector 13 without passing through the “0”.

Reference numerals 11 and 12 denote connectors for recording media and transmission on the camera side for connecting the memory card 40, the hard disk 50 or the modem 60 to the camera body.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a transmission-only connector.

Here, the configuration of the memory card 40 will be described.

The recording area of the memory card 40 has a management data area 41 and an information data area 42, and the information stored therein is externally read and written via an interface 43 and a connector 44 on the memory card side. .
Further, the information of the write protect (write prohibition) 45 can be read out to the outside via the interface 43 and the connector 44. The interface 43
Are control circuits such as CPU and MPU, ROM, EEPROM
A nonvolatile memory such as M, a RAM, etc.,
The control of the memory card 40 is performed based on a predetermined program.

On the other hand, the configuration of the hard disk 50 will be described.

The storage area of the hard disk 50 has a management data area 51 and an information data area 52, and the information stored therein is an interface 53 and a connector 5
Reading and writing are performed externally via the control unit 4. The interface 53 includes a control circuit such as a CPU and an MPU,
The hard disk 50 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as an M or EEPROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the hard disk 50 based on a predetermined program.

The structure of the electronic still camera 100 will be further described.

14 is a shutter drive circuit for driving the shutter 2, 15 is a lens drive circuit for driving the focusing lens in the photographing lens 1, 16 is a distance measurement circuit for measuring the distance to the subject, and 17 is the brightness of the subject. A photometric circuit for measuring, 18 is a flash, 19 is a power control circuit for detecting and controlling the state of a power supply, 20 is a power supply unit, and a battery,
The power supply control circuit 19 comprises a C-DC converter, a switch for switching a block to be energized, and the like.
Is controlled by

That is, the power supply control circuit 19 detects the presence or absence of the battery, the type of the battery, and the remaining amount of the battery, and controls the power supply unit 20 based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control circuit 24.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a display device for displaying the operation state of the camera (the number of shots, etc.) and the like, and reference numeral 22 denotes a control memory for storing shooting operation constants and variables of the system control circuit 24.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a group of switches for inputting various operation instructions of a system control circuit 24 described later. The switch group 23 is closed, for example, by the first stroke of the main switch 29 and the release button 30, and the distance measuring circuit 1
6 and the metering circuit 17, a distance metering switch 31 for instructing distance measurement and photometry, and a recording switch 32 which is closed by the second stroke of the release button 30, and instructs recording of a captured image on the memory card 40 or the hard disk 50. , 1
A mode switch 33 for selecting a single (S) mode for photographing one or a set of images, a continuous (C) mode for continuously photographing a plurality of images or a plurality of sets, and a self-timer photographing mode; Image mode switch 34 for selecting an image recording method such as frame recording / field recording distinction, aspect ratio, pixel configuration, compression method, compression ratio, etc.
(It is written as one switch in the figure, but is composed of a plurality of switches), an erase mode switch 35 for selecting an erase mode, an erase switch 36 for instructing execution of erase, and a transmission for selecting a transmission mode. There are a mode switch 37, a transmission switch 38 for instructing execution of transmission, and the like.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an instruction from the switch group 23, detection of the type of recording medium mounted on the camera body and the state of the recording medium (remaining storage capacity, etc.), and other than the above, detection of the entire camera in accordance with the above-described detection device of the camera body. This is a system control circuit that performs control. For example, the focusing lens of the photographing lens 1 is driven by the lens driving circuit 15 according to the measurement result of the distance measuring circuit 16 to control the photographing lens 1 to be in focus. Further, the system control circuit 24 controls the shutter driving circuit 1 so that the optimal exposure amount is obtained based on the photometry result of the photometry circuit 17.
The control for determining the opening time of the shutter 2 is performed by the control unit 4. Further, the characteristic control of the present invention will be described later in detail.

Next, the transmission modems 60 and 70 will be described.

The transmission modem 60 has an interface 61
Data is transmitted while performing predetermined data conversion with the electronic camera 100 via the connector 62 and a transmission modem 70 connected to an external device 200 described later via the connector 63.

The transmission modem 70 has an interface 71 and connectors 72 and 73 similarly to the transmission modem 60, and performs data transmission while performing predetermined data conversion with the external device 200 and the transmission modem 60, respectively.

Reference numeral 80 denotes a cable for a transmission modem;
Reference numerals 1 and 82 denote connectors for connecting to the transmission modems 60 and 70, respectively.

Next, the configuration of the external device 200 for transmitting data to and from the electronic still camera 100 will be described.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a transmission connector to which a transmission cable 90 is connected, and reference numeral 102 denotes a connector to which a transmission modem 70 is connected.
0 or the hard disk 50 can also be connected.

An interface 103 transmits data via the connector 101 or the connector 102.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data sent from the electronic still camera 100;
Reference numeral 05 denotes a data expansion circuit for expanding compressed image data, and reference numeral 106 denotes a switch for switching transmission between data expanded by the data expansion circuit 105 and data bypassing the data expansion circuit 105 (not expanded). Switch.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a D / A converter, and reference numeral 108 denotes a display device for displaying image data transmitted or recorded on a connected recording medium.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a buffer memory 104, a data expansion circuit 105, a changeover switch 106, and a D / A converter 1.
07, a memory control circuit 109 that expands the data by the expansion circuit 105 when the data is expanded and the data in the buffer memory 104 when the data is not expanded.
Is converted under the control of, and is displayed on the display device.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a system control circuit for controlling the entire external device 200; 111, a memory for storing constants, variables, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 110; 112, a display device for displaying an operation state using liquid crystal; An operation unit for inputting various operation instructions to the system control circuit 110.

External device 200 and electronic still camera 100
The transmission and reception of data with the connector 101 can be performed not only by the transmission modem described above but also by a transmission cable 90 connected to the connector 101. The transmission cable 90 has connectors 91 and 92 connected to the connector 13 on the camera side and the connector 101 on the external device side.

The operation control of the transmission system configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a main routine of the transmission system according to the first embodiment.

When the power is turned on, the system control circuit 24 initializes flags and control variables (step S1). When the main switch 29 is closed (step S2), it is determined whether the transmission mode switch 37 is ON (step S2). Step S3).

If the transmission mode switch 37 is OFF, a photographing operation is performed (step S5), and after photographing is completed, the process returns to step S2.

If the transmission mode switch 37 is ON, the electronic camera is connected between the electronic still camera and the external device.
A transmission means for transmitting data is detected (step S4). Details of the transmission means detection in step S4 will be described later.

Next, the number of transmission means connected to the electronic still camera is determined based on the transmission means detection result in step S4 (step S6).

If it is determined in step S6 that the transmission means is not connected, a warning is displayed on the display device 21 (step S7), and the process returns to step S2.

If it is determined in step S6 that the number of connected transmission means is singular, the flow advances to step S9 without performing transmission capability detection.

If it is determined in step S6 that the number of connected transmission means is plural, the transmission capability of the connected transmission means is detected (step S8). Details of the transmission capability detection in step S8 will be described later.

Next, the most suitable transmission means is selected based on the detection result of step S8.

As a selection method, a transmission means having a high transmission rate is selected. This is advantageous in terms of communication cost, battery drive time, and the like.

If the number of connected transmission means is singular, the connected transmission means is selected in step S9.

The setting according to the selected transmission means is performed (steps S10 and S11).

A device for transmitting data via the transmission cable 90 using the transmission connectors 13 and 101 is defined as a first transmission means, and the recording medium / transmission connector 1 is used as the first transmission means.
A device that performs transmission via the modems 60 and 70 using the communication devices 2 and 102 is referred to as a second transmission unit.

After selecting an image to be transmitted (step S
12) If the transmission switch 38 is ON (step S1)
3) The image data and its related information are transmitted to the external device 200 (step S16).

When the transmission is completed (step S1)
7) Wait for operation of the main switch 29 (step S2)
Back to).

In step S13, if the transmission switch 38 is still off after a predetermined time (S14), a warning is displayed on the display device 21 (step S15) and the operation of the main switch 29 is waited (return to step S2). .

Hereinafter, the details of the detection of the transmission means in step S4 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, it is determined whether the connector 13 for exclusive use for transmission, which is the first transmission means, and the connector 101 of the external device 200 are connected via the transmission cable 92 (step S31). Then, a flag indicating that the first transmission means is connected is set (step S32). If not connected, step S
Go to 33.

Subsequently, the recording medium / transmission connector 11
The type of the medium connected to is determined (step S3).
3).

If it is determined in step S33 that the connector 102 of the external device 200 is connected via the transmission modem 60, the modem cable 80, and the transmission modem 70, it is determined that the second transmission means is connected. Is set (step S35).

If it is determined in step S33 that a recording medium is connected instead of the transmission means, a recording medium flag is set according to the medium (step S34). If nothing is connected to the connector 11, the process proceeds to step S36, and the type of the medium connected to the medium / transmission combined connector 12 is determined (step S36).

If it is determined in step S36 that the connector 102 of the external device 200 is connected via the transmission modem 60, the modem cable 80, and the transmission modem 70, it is determined that the second transmission means is connected. Is set (step S36).

In step S36, if a recording medium is connected instead of the transmission means, a recording medium flag is set according to the medium (step S37). If nothing is connected to the connector 12, nothing is performed, and the transmission means detection routine ends.

In the case of this embodiment, since only one transmission modem is connected to the external device 200, no modem is connected to both the connectors 11 and 12 of the electronic still camera 100.

Hereinafter, details of the transmission capability detection in step S8 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Transmission dedicated connector 1 as first transmission means
3, the transmission cable 90 and the connector 101
The transmission is performed with the external device 200 via the PC, and the transmission capability is detected (step S41).

Subsequently, the recording medium, which is the second transmission means,
The transmission modem 60 connected to the transmission / combination connector 11 or 12, the modem cable 80, the transmission modem 70,
Transmission with the external device 200 via the connector 102,
The transmission capability is detected (step S42).

By comparing the transmission capabilities detected in steps S41 and S42, it is determined which of the first and second transmission means is superior in transmission capability (data transmission speed) (step S43).

If it is determined in step S43 that the first transmission means is superior, a selection flag is set in the first transmission means (step S44). Conversely, if it is determined that the second transmission means is superior, a selection flag is set for the second transmission means. After completing the settings,
The transmission capability detection routine ends.

When a plurality of transmission means are connected in the transmission means selection process in step S9 of FIG. 2, an appropriate transmission means (high transmission speed) is displayed by the display device 21 in response to the detection of the transmission capability in step S8. May be displayed, and the operator may select the transmission means using a switch. In this case, when there is only one transmission means, the connected transmission means is automatically selected.

There is no problem even if the transmission modem 70 is incorporated in the external device 200 as shown in FIG.

In the description of this embodiment, the memory card 40 and the hard disk 50 are both separated from the electronic still camera body and can be arbitrarily connected. However, the memory card 40 and the hard disk 50 are provided with a connector to which a transmission modem can be connected. If so, it goes without saying that either or both of the memory card 40 and the hard disk 50 may be fixed to the electronic still camera body.

In this embodiment, only two transmission means are provided. However, the number of transmission means is not limited to two, and optimal data transmission can be performed by controlling three or more in the same manner.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of transmission means are provided and a plurality of transmission means are connected to an external device, the transmission capability of each of the transmission means is detected and an optimum transmission capacity is detected. Since the data is transmitted by selecting the transmission means having the capability, the operator can perform the optimal data transmission without worrying about the performance of the external device of the transmission partner or the performance of the transmission means itself. A very easy-to-use transmission device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a main routine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a detailed flowchart of a transmission means detection routine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart of a transmission capability detection routine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a transmission system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photographing lens 2 Shutter 3 Image sensor 10 Interface 40 Memory card 50 Hard disk 60, 70 Transmission modem 11, 12, 102 Media / transmission combined connector 13, 101 Transmission dedicated connector 21 Display device 23 Switch group 24 System control circuit

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of transmission means for transmitting data; a detection means for detecting a transmission capability of the plurality of transmission means; and a desired transmission from the plurality of transmission means in accordance with an output of the detection means. Transmission means comprising: selection means for selecting means. 2. The transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects a data transmission speed of the plurality of transmission units. 3. The transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging unit that converts an optical image into an electric signal, wherein the data is image information output from the imaging unit. A transmission device according to claim 1.