JP3610073B2 - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera having a function of transmitting or receiving image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in order to transmit data such as images obtained by an IC card camera to a separate device such as an IC card camera via a normal communication line or cable, as shown in FIG. The image data from the card 101 is sent to the transmitter 200 prepared individually, and the data subjected to the predetermined transmission processing is sent to the communication line via the modem 300. The modem 400 on the receiving side sends the image data received via the communication line to the receiver 500, the output data from the receiver 500 is played back by the playback device 600, and the playback image data is displayed on the monitor 700.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventional electronic cameras having an image data transmission / reception function do not consider any convenience in transmission or reception.
[0004]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that is excellent in convenience during transmission or reception.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an electronic camera according to the present invention provides:
Image pickup means for obtaining image data by photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by a lens, memory means capable of holding image data , and image data obtained by the image pickup means or the memory means after being received through a communication line A recording means for recording the image data held in the recording medium on a recording medium detachably attached to the electronic camera, a selection means for selecting desired image data from the image data recorded on the recording medium, and a communication line. The communication line mode for transmitting or receiving the image data preselected by the selection means with the external device, and the selection with the selection means directly with another electronic camera without going through the communication line . and a camera between the communication mode for transmission or reception of image data, and mode switching means for switching these modes, the said mode switching means Of switched mode, the control include control of starting communication, including the stop of data transmission by the communication waiting state according to the channel conditions after the delivery of the phone number in the communication line mode, in the camera with each other communication mode a communication control means for performing communication control the delivery of the phone number as unnecessary, even in a state where the recording can not be performed on the recording medium is capable of retaining the image data to said memory means, and image data in said memory means In the state in which the recording medium is held, the recording medium is configured to include control means for performing control so that the recording medium can be attached to and detached from the electronic camera.
[0006]
[Action]
In the present invention, the communication line mode for transmitting or receiving image data to or from an external device via a communication line, and the transmission or reception of image data to or from another electronic camera directly not via the communication line. and a camera together mode for, that is configured to be switchable these modes.
[0007]
【Example】
Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention, which is an application example to an IC card camera. In FIG. 1, a subject image formed on a CCD 2 via a lens 1 is converted into an electric signal, and then subjected to predetermined processing such as γ correction in an image pickup process circuit 3, and an A / D converter (ADC). 4 is converted to a digital signal.
The selector 5 sets a path for recording the digital image data from the A / D converter 4 in the RAM 6 during recording. Block data read from the RAM 6 (data for each divided block when one screen is divided into a plurality of blocks) is supplied to the compression / decompression unit 8 via the selector 7. The DCT / IDCT circuit 81 of the compression / decompression unit 8 is a discrete cosine transform / inverse discrete cosine transform circuit, and performs orthogonal transform processing on the block data. The transform coefficient obtained by the orthogonal transform is quantized by the quantization / inverse quantization circuit 82 and then encoded by the encoding / decoding circuit 83.
[0008]
Processing such as encoding in the compression / decompression unit 8 is controlled by the encoding control circuit 13 based on an instruction from the system control circuit 12. That is, based on the contrast information for each divided area, the system control circuit 12 selects and sets an appropriate Q table for the divided area as described above, and compresses / decompresses it via the encoding control circuit 13. The compression process in the unit 8 is controlled.
Thus, the image data compression-encoded by the compression / decompression unit 8 is supplied to the card interface (I / F) 10 via the selector 9 and recorded on the IC card 11.
The system control circuit 12 controls operations of the compression / decompression unit 8, the card interface circuit 10, and the communication control circuit 20 via the RAM 6, selectors 7 and 9, and the encoding control circuit 13. In response, the camera performs various controls.
[0009]
At the time of reproduction, the digital image data switched by the selector 5 is subjected to a predetermined reproduction process by the reproduction process unit 15 and converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 16, and then the EVF (electronic viewfinder) 17 or a monitor. Is output to the output terminal on the side.
The system control circuit 12 receives operation information from the operation unit 14 to which various switches such as the release switch 18 are connected, performs corresponding control, is connected to the communication control unit 20, and is connected to the serial interface circuit 21. Performs communication control operations. The selector 9 is connected to a RAM 19 that operates as described later. The serial interface circuit 21 is connected to a modem or a transmission partner camera, and a signal from the cable terminal CNT for detecting the cable attachment state and mode switching at that time is supplied to the system control circuit 12. .
[0010]
In the configuration of FIG. 1, in the data transmission mode for transmitting data, the selector 9 is connected to the RAM 19 side, and data read from the IC card 11 via the card interface 10 is sent to the selector 9. The image data read out via the selector 9 is written into the RAM 19, decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 8, and written into the RAM 6 via the selector 7. The image data read from the RAM 6 passes through the selector 5, is subjected to the reproduction process by the reproduction process unit 15, is converted to an analog signal by the D / A converter 16, is output to the EVF 17, and is transmitted from there. Enables confirmation of video content.
When the transmission video content is confirmed on the monitor and a transmission instruction signal is sent to the system control circuit 12 via the operation unit 14, the microcomputer of the system control circuit 12 dials the telephone number of the other party through a modem (not shown). After confirming that the other party has responded, control data and image data are transmitted. The image data is read from the RAM 19 and sent to the other party via the selector 9 and the system control circuit 12.
[0011]
The modem on the other side (reception side) receives the transmitted image data and sends it to a serial interface circuit 21 '(not shown) similar to the configuration on the transmission side. The image data from the serial interface circuit 21 'is stored in the RAM 19' (not shown) on the other side corresponding to the RAM 19 through the microcomputer of the system control circuit 12 '(not shown), and the compression / decompression unit 8 ( (Not shown) and decompressed, and stored in a RAM 6 ′ (not shown) corresponding to the RAM 6. The image data read from the RAM 6 'is sent to the EVF 17' (not shown) via the reproduction process unit 15 '(not shown) and the D / A converter 16' (not shown), and is sent to the other side. Monitor display. The other party confirms this monitor display, and if there is a defect or error in the display content, it sends a retransmission request signal to the transmission side to request retransmission of the same image data.
[0012]
With the configuration described above, the reception side can confirm the content of the received image data on the monitor, and reliable image transmission is possible. When the content of the received image is confirmed by the monitor, the image data stored in the RAM 19 'is read by operating the switch of the operation unit 14, and based on the operation of the microcomputer, the IC card 11 is connected via the card interface circuit 10'. It is recorded in ′.
[0013]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram in which the transmission side camera and the reception side camera are connected by a modem and a public line.
The camera 30 includes a microcomputer (CPU) 310 corresponding to the system control circuit 12, a RAM 320 (corresponding to the RAM 19 in FIG. 1) for temporarily storing image data, an IC card 330 (corresponding to the IC card 11 in FIG. 1), The camera 40 includes a CPU 410, a RAM 420, an IC card 430, and a serial interface circuit 440. The serial interface circuit 340 corresponds to the serial interface circuit 21 shown in FIG. One of the cameras 30 and 40 is the transmission side and the other is the reception side, and both cameras are connected via a public line via modems 50 and 60. In a transmission mode (hereinafter referred to as a modem mode) using such a modem via a public line, the other party's telephone number, password, control code such as communication start, actual (compressed) image data, attribute data, etc. Is sent out. When a modem is used, communication may be awaited depending on the line status, and control for stopping data transmission using RTS (data request signal), CTS (data transmission signal), or the like is also required. Therefore, the data transmission rate has an upper limit, and is usually set to about 1,200 to 2,400 bps.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a connection configuration diagram of a camera-to-camera transmission mode (hereinafter referred to as a camera-to-camera mode) in which direct transmission is performed between cameras without using a modem or a public line. And 440 are connected. In this mode, unlike the modem mode, the situation of the other party is fixed, so that high-speed data transfer is possible. Further, since transmission of a telephone number or the like is not required, it is possible to increase the transfer speed without using RTS, CTS, etc., and to switch to high-speed transmission processing, and a transmission speed substantially up to about 9,600 to 19,200 bps. Setting is possible.
[0015]
Switching between the modem mode and the camera mode can be performed by determining the level of the CNT terminal among the line terminals in the cable to which the camera is connected. For example, FIG. 4 shows a connection relationship between terminals in a cable connecting a camera and a modem. In this case, the reception data RD terminal, transmission data SD terminal, data request signal RTS terminal, data transmission signal CTS terminal and ground GND terminal of both are connected by lines, and the modem side corresponding to each terminal on the camera side is connected. Data is transmitted from the corresponding terminal to the line. At this time, a + power supply (for example, +5 V) is connected to the CNT terminal, and the camera side detects this + power supply voltage, “H” level, and determines that it is in the modem mode state. On the other hand, in the camera communicative mode, the RD terminal and SD terminal of the transmission camera of the cable are connected to the SD terminal and RD terminal of the partner camera, and the CNT terminal of each camera is connected to the GND terminal. . Therefore, on the camera side, the ground level of the CNT terminal and the “L” level are detected, so that the camera mode is determined.
[0016]
With reference to FIG. 1, the transmission side function and the reception side function of the camera in a present Example are demonstrated.
First, in the transmission side function, image information converted / compressed and recorded at a selected address of a recording medium (IC card) 11 loaded in the camera is read and loaded into the RAM 19. The information once loaded in the RAM 19 is held until the next information is loaded or reset. Next, the image information loaded in the RAM 19 is decompressed / inverted and loaded into the RAM 6. The image data read from the RAM 6 is supplied to the EVF 17 via the reproduction process unit 15 and the D / A converter 16 so that monitoring is possible. Through this monitoring, the operator can determine whether the information read from the medium and held in the RAM 19 should be transmitted. Here, when it is determined that the monitored information should be transmitted and the operator performs a “transmission” switch operation, the image information held in the RAM 19 is read in response to this operation and converted. -Send to the line in a compressed form. Instead of loading the information read from the IC card 11 into the RAM 19, if the video data obtained by shooting with the camera is converted and compressed and loaded into the RAM 19 without passing through the IC card 11 as it is, It can also be sent to the line as above.
[0017]
Next, in the receiving side function, the information received from the line is loaded into the RAM 19 in a form that is converted and compressed. The information once loaded in the RAM 19 is held until the next information is loaded or reset. Then, the image information loaded into the RAM 19 can be decompressed / inverted by the compression / decompression unit 8 and loaded into the RAM 6. The image data read from the RAM 6 is D / A converted in the same manner as described above, and is supplied to the EVF 17 for monitoring. Through this monitoring, the operator can determine on which medium the information received from the line and temporarily held in the RAM 19 should be recorded. When it is determined on which medium the monitored information should be recorded, and the operator loads the medium into the camera and performs a “record” switch operation, the RAM 19 responds to this operation and enters the RAM 19. The stored image information is read out and stored in the selected address of the loaded medium in the form of being converted and compressed.
[0018]
Hereinafter, the operation processing procedure of the camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 6, when the power is turned on, it is first determined whether the mode is the recording mode or the reproduction mode (step S1). If it is determined that the mode is the reproduction mode, it is determined whether or not the connection cable is attached (step S3). When the cable is attached, the operation enters the reception mode (step S4), and when the cable is not attached, the operation enters the reproduction mode (step S5). If it is determined in step S1 that the recording mode is set, it is determined whether or not the connection cable is attached (step S2). When the cable is attached, the transmission mode operation is performed (step S7), and when the cable is not attached, the normal recording mode operation is started (step S6).
[0019]
When the transmission mode operation (step S7) is entered, as shown in FIG. 7, an image to be transmitted is selected (step S8). This image selection is performed by operating the “+” key or the “−” key of the operation unit 14. Next, the selected image data is read from the IC card 11 (step S9), transferred to the RAM 19, and stored (step S10). Subsequently, the image data read from the RAM 19 is subjected to data expansion processing by the compression / decompression unit 8 and stored in the RAM 6 (step S11). The image data read from the RAM 6 is output to the monitor (EVF) 17 (step S12), and the operator confirms the image content with this monitor image (step S13). The data transmission mode operation is started by the operation 18 (step S14).
[0020]
When the data transmission mode is entered, mode confirmation is performed as shown in FIG. 8 (step S15). This confirmation is performed by detecting whether the level of the CNT terminal of the cable is “H” (step S16). If "H", the modem transmission mode operation is entered (step S17), and if not "H", the camera transmission mode operation is entered (step S27).
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 9, when the modem transmission mode is entered, it is first determined whether or not the modem is in a standby OK state (step S18). When the modem standby OK state is reached, the telephone number of the other party that is the transmission destination is determined. Is dialed (step S19), and the presence or absence of a response is determined (step S20). If there is no response, the other party is busy and the line is not connected, so the timer is operated for one minute (step S21), and the redial operation is performed by the other party dial operation in step S19. If there is a response in step S20, a password is transmitted (step S22), and it is determined whether the password is OK (step S23). If the password is OK, the data is transmitted byte by byte (step S24), the end of reception is determined (step S25), the end of data is determined (step S26), and if not the end of data, the process returns to step S24. .
[0022]
On the other hand, when the camera transmission mode in step S27 of FIG. 8 is entered, as shown in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the connection state of the transmission destination counterpart camera is OK (step S28). The data is transmitted byte by byte (step S29), and it is determined whether or not the data is terminated (step S30). If not completed, the process returns to the data transmission process in step S29, and if the data is terminated, the transmission is terminated.
[0023]
When the reception mode operation (step S4) in FIG. 6 is entered, as shown in FIG. 11, the image data sent from the transmission side is received, transferred to the RAM 19, and stored (step S41). Next, the image data read from the RAM 19 is decompressed by the compression / decompression unit and stored in the RAM 6 (step S42). The image data read from the RAM 6 is monitor output to the EVF 17 in the same manner as described above (step S43). After the operator confirms the monitor image (step S44), it is determined whether or not the IC card insertion / removal mode is “ON” (step S45). If “ON”, the IC card is inserted (step S46). ). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the release switch 18 for writing image data is “ON” (step S47), and the image data read from the RAM 19 when it is “ON” is recorded on the IC card 11 ( Step S48), the process is terminated.
[0024]
In this embodiment, a simple transmission function is provided in the IC card camera itself, and the transmission function is made possible by connecting two cameras via a modem. Also, by direct connection between cameras without a modem. Processing such as copying and dubbing of an IC card is also possible. At this time, a modem function can be incorporated. A buffer RAM for storing compressed data is provided, and a modem and communication control software are functioned by a communication control circuit. By providing this buffer RAM, data can be received even when an IC card is not attached, and a reproduced image can be obtained by decompressing the compressed data instantaneously. As a communication control circuit, a serial interface signal is output from a microcomputer and converted to an RS232C level serial interface, which is a communication means for controlling a standard modem. Allows transmission / reception control.
[0025]
The apparatus according to the present embodiment described above has a memory (RAM 19) other than the frame memory (RAM 6) in order to enable reception of image data even when no IC card is inserted. After confirmation, the image data can be stored with an IC card suitable for the type of image. Therefore, it is not necessary to copy to another IC card after transferring the image data, and the operability is improved. Actually, the signal line is controlled so that the transmission / reception operation can be performed even when the IC card is not inserted, and the card can be inserted / removed with the data in the memory as the camera. By pressing the card insertion / removal operation switch, even if the power to the IC card is turned off and the connected signal is set to high impedance and the card is removed, the data in the card is destroyed. Remove the card after removing the inconvenience. The same applies when inserting a card. When the switch for operation is pressed after inserting the card, the power and signals are applied to the card in the specified order for the first time. Can be prevented from being destroyed at the moment of card insertion / removal. Furthermore, copying between cards (in units of one screen) becomes possible.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, since the electronic camera according to the present invention includes the mode switching means that can switch between the communication line mode and the camera-to-camera mode, the communication mode can be arbitrarily switched according to the use situation. Easy to use .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram in which the camera is connected via a modem and a public line in the embodiment of the electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram in which the cameras are directly connected via a cable in the embodiment of the electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing connection between cable terminals of the modem mode in the embodiment of the electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing connection between cable terminals of camera modes in an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure in the embodiment of the electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of a transmission mode in the embodiment of the electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of a data transmission mode in the embodiment of the electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of a modem transmission mode in the embodiment of the electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of a camera transmission mode in the embodiment of the electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the reception mode in the embodiment of the electronic camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram for transmitting and receiving image data between conventional IC card cameras.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Lens 2 CCD
3 Imaging process circuit 4 A / D converter 5, 7, 9 changeover switch 6, 19 RAM
8 Compression / Expansion Unit 10 Card Interface Circuit 11 IC Card Memory 12 System Control Circuit 13 Encoding Control Circuit 14 Operation Unit 15 Reproduction Process Circuit 16 D / A Converter 17 EVF 18 Release Switch 20 Communication Control Circuit 21 Serial Interface Circuit

Claims (1)

Imaging means for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by a lens to obtain image data;
Memory means capable of holding image data;
Recording means for recording image data obtained by the imaging means or image data held in the memory means after being received through a communication line on a recording medium detachably attached to the corresponding electronic camera ;
Selecting means for selecting desired image data from the image data recorded on the recording medium;
A communication line mode for transmitting or receiving image data preselected by the selection means with an external device via a communication line;
A mode switching means having a camera-to-camera communication mode for transmitting or receiving image data selected in advance by the selection means directly with another electronic camera without going through a communication line, and capable of switching between these modes; ,
Among the modes switched by the mode switching means, in the communication line mode, control is performed including control of communication start including stop of data transmission due to a communication waiting state after transmission of a telephone number according to the line status. and communication control means for performing communication control as unnecessary the transmission of telephone numbers in between communication mode,
Even in a state where recording on the recording medium cannot be performed, image data can be held in the memory means, and in a state where image data is held in the memory means, the electronic camera of the recording medium Control means for performing control so as to enable attachment / detachment to / from,
An electronic camera characterized by comprising:

Images