JP3774239B2 - Digital electronic still camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a digital electronic still camera, and more particularly to a configuration of an electronic still camera that can be commonly connected to a storage medium such as a memory card or a connection cable to an external control device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An example of the configuration of an electronic still camera in which a conventional card is used as a recording medium and a buffer memory is provided in the camera body is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a memory card that is attached to and detached from the camera shown in FIG.
[0003]
In the figure, a subject imaged by a lens 1 is converted into an electric signal by a CCD 2 and input to a signal processing circuit 4 as an imaging signal 3. The signal processing circuit 4 outputs a video signal 5 from the imaging signal 3, the A / D converter 6 converts the video signal 5 into a digital signal, and the digital signal is input to the memory controller 7. The user designates recording / playback / erasing by a signal 16, and the signal is input to a microcomputer (CPU) 19. The microcomputer 19 controls the memory controller 7 by the control signal bus 20 based on the signal 16. The microcomputer 19 notifies the memory controller 7 of one of the recording / reproducing / erasing operation modes.
[0004]
In the case of recording, the memory controller 7 stores the digital signal from the A / D converter 6 in the buffer memory 11 and then records it in the memory card.
[0005]
In the case of reproduction, the digital signal from the memory card is stored in the buffer memory 11 and then the digital video signal 24 is output.
[0006]
In the case of erasing, the memory card is erased.
[0007]
In any case, when accessing the buffer memory 11, the memory controller 7 transmits the operation mode to the buffer memory 11 via the control signal bus 10, then designates an address via the address bus 9 and designates the address via the data bus 8. Input / output data. Further, when accessing the memory card, the memory controller 7 first transmits an operation mode to the memory card via the control signal bus 23, then designates an address via the address bus 22 and inputs / outputs data via the data bus 21. I do. A digital video signal output 24 output from the memory controller 7 is D / A converted by a D / A converter 25 and output as an analog video signal 26. The NTSC encoder 27 creates an NTSC signal from the analog video signal 26 and outputs an NTSC video out signal 28.
[0008]
The card interface 29 is connected to the inside of the camera via a data bus 21 / address bus 22 / control signal bus 23, and to the memory card throttle section via a data bus 30 / address bus 31 / control signal bus 32. The data format between the camera and the memory card is matched.
[0009]
Next, in the memory card of FIG. 6, the data bus 50 / address bus 51 / control signal bus 52 is connected to the memory controller 53. The memory controller 53 first accesses the attribute memory 57 when accessing the common memory 61 in any case of recording / reproducing / erasing, and searches the attribute information (access time, R / W condition such as memory type) of the common memory 61. After that, the common memory 61 is accessed according to the attribute information. To access the common memory 61, the operation mode is transmitted to the common memory via the control signal bus 60, and then the address is designated via the address bus 59 and the data is designated. A power supply voltage 63 from the power supply 62 that inputs and outputs data via the bus 58 is input to the power supply control circuit 64. The power supply control circuit 64 outputs power supply voltages 65, 66, and 67, which are input to 57, 53, and 61, respectively, and act as memory backup for SRAM and the like.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the prior art, a PC card that can be directly connected to an external control device such as a PC (personal computer) is often used as an external storage medium. As this PC card, an SRAM card, a flash memory card, a 1.8 "HDD and the like are put into practical use.
In the case of an SRAM card, the SRAM chip itself has a small capacity and is expensive.
[0011]
In the case of a flash memory card, there is a possibility of increasing the capacity, but in order to handle large volumes of data such as image files at a high speed due to the slow writing time, a control circuit is required in addition to the memory. In order to control the memory card, the overall price will increase.
[0012]
Similarly, when the HDD device is considered as an external storage medium, the storage medium itself is expensive.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve these problems, the present invention provides a built-in non - detachable common memory for storing captured image information, a removable external storage means for storing image information, and an external control device. A mounting unit that can connect the connection cable in common, and a mounting determination unit that determines a mounting state of the mounting unit to determine whether the mounted medium is the external storage unit or the connection cable. In the electronic still camera, the common memory is described in a file system similar to that of the external storage unit. When recording / reproduction is performed, the mounting determination unit determines that the external storage unit is not mounted. When image information is controlled and the mounting determination unit determines that the external storage unit is mounted, the access time of the external storage unit, the memory type, and the like R If the attribute information that is the W condition is acquired, the image information of the external storage means is recorded or reproduced based on the acquired attribute information, and when the connection cable is determined to be attached by the determination means, The attribute information which is the R / W condition such as the access time and memory type of the common memory is transferred to the external control device, and the image information of the common memory by the external control device is recorded based on the transferred attribute information. An electronic still camera characterized in that playback control is performed.
[0014]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the figure, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of an electronic still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a lens, 2 is an imaging device such as a CCD, 3 is an imaging signal from the imaging device, 4 is a signal processing circuit for creating a video signal, 5 is a video signal obtained by the signal processing circuit 4, and 6 is a video. An A / D converter that converts the signal 5 into a digital signal, 7 is a memory controller that controls the image data of the common memory 11, 8 is a data bus between the memory controller 7 and the common memory 11, and 9 is the same address bus. 10 is the same control signal bus, 11 is a common memory capable of storing image data for a plurality of sheets, 12 is a data bus between the memory controller 7 and the attribute memory 15, 13 is the same address bus, and 14 is the same control signal. A bus 15 is an attribute memory for storing attribute information (R / W conditions such as access time and memory type) of the common memory 11, and 16 is a user memory. The user designates an operation mode of the camera, 17 is an attachment discriminating means for discriminating the type of card that is attached, 18 is a discrimination signal from the discriminating means 17, and 19 is based on the designation signal 16 and the discrimination signal 18. The microcomputer controls the memory controller 7, 20 is a control signal bus between the microcomputer 19 and the memory controller 7, 21 is a data bus between the memory controller 7 and the card interface 29, 22 is the same address bus, and 23 is the same. Control signal bus, 24 is a digital video signal, 25 is a D / A converter, 26 is an analog video signal, 27 is an NTSC encoder for creating an NTSC signal, 28 is an NTSC video-out signal, and 29 is attached to a bus inside the camera. The card interface that matches the bus of the card that is Buses, the address bus 31, 32 are the same control signal bus.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a memory card that can be attached to and detached from the camera shown in FIG. 1, and a card discrimination claw 68 is added to the conventional memory card shown in FIG. In the figure, 50 is a memory card side data bus, 51 is the same address bus, 52 is the same control signal bus, 53 is a memory controller for controlling image data in the common memory 61, and 54 is between the memory controller 53 and the attribute memory 57. Data bus, 55 is the same address bus, 56 is the same control signal bus, 57 is an attribute memory for storing attribute information (R / W conditions such as access time and memory type) of the common memory 61, and 58 is a memory controller 53. Data bus to and from the common memory 61, 59 is the same address bus, 60 is the same control signal bus, 61 is a common memory capable of storing image data for a plurality of sheets, 62 is a power supply, 63 is a power supply voltage, and 64 is a power supply Control circuit, 65, 66, 67 are power supply voltages from the power supply control circuit 64, 68 is a memo Claws for the camera is determined that it is the card 69 is a case for storing the devices and signal lines 50 to 68.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a connection configuration diagram of a connection cable that can be attached to the electronic still camera of FIG. 1 and an external control device. In the figure, 100 is a connection cable side data bus, 101 is the same address bus, 102 is the same control signal bus, 120 is a signal line that is externally output through the data bus 100, and 121 is a signal that is externally output through the address bus 101. Line 122, a signal line that is output through the control signal bus 102 to the outside, 118 a claw for the camera to determine that this card is a connection cable, 119 stores devices 100 to 122 and signal lines A case 123 is an external control device such as a personal computer.
[0017]
The operation of the electronic still camera configured as described above will be described below.
The subject imaged by the lens 1 is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD 2 and input to the signal processing circuit 4 as an imaging signal 3. The signal processing circuit 4 outputs a video signal 5 from the imaging signal 3, the A / D converter 6 converts the video signal 5 into a digital signal, and the digital signal is input to the memory controller 7. The user designates recording / playback / erasing by the signal 16 and the signal is input to the microcomputer 19. The attachment discriminating means 17 discriminates the card type and outputs a discrimination signal 18 to inform the microcomputer 19 of the card type.
[0018]
When the memory card is inserted, the memory controller 7 first transmits the operation mode to the memory card via the control signal bus 23 in the case of recording / playback / erasing when accessing the memory card, and then addresses via the address bus 22. Is specified and data is input / output via the data bus 21, and image recording / playback / erasing is controlled through a common memory in the memory card.
[0019]
When no memory card is inserted, image recording / playback / erasing is controlled through the common memory in the camera. In order to access the common memory 11, an operation mode is transmitted to the common memory via the control signal bus 10, and then an address is designated via the address bus 9 and data is input / output via the data bus 8. Here, the in-camera common memory 11 is configured to be described by a normal DOS FAT file system similar to the common memory in the memory card.
[0020]
When the connection cable is attached, the memory controller 7 operates according to the control signal / address signal from the external control device when the connection cable is attached, and inputs / outputs data via the data bus. When accessing the common memory 11, the memory controller 7 first accesses the attribute memory 15 and transfers the attribute information of the common memory 11 (access time, R / W conditions such as memory type) to the external control device, and then according to the attribute information. The common memory 11 is accessed from an external control device. When the connection cable is attached, the built-in common memory described in the DOS FAT file system is accessed from the external control device.
[0021]
In order to output an analog video signal, the digital video signal output 24 output from the memory controller 7 is D / A converted by the D / A converter 25 and output as an analog video signal 26. The NTSC encoder 27 creates an NTSC signal from the analog video signal 26 and outputs an NTSC video out signal 28. The card interface 29 is connected to the inside of the camera via a data bus 21 / address bus 22 / control signal bus 23, and is connected to the throttle section via a data bus 30 / address bus 31 / control signal bus 32. The data format between the camera interior and the throttle mounting member is matched.
[0022]
When the memory card is installed, it is controlled as follows through the camera throttle. The data bus 50 / address bus 51 / control signal bus 52 in the memory card is connected to the memory controller 53. When accessing the common memory 61, the memory controller 53 first accesses the attribute memory 57 in any case of recording / reproducing / erasing, and the attribute information (access time, R / W condition such as memory type) of the common memory 61 is stored in the camera body. Then, the common memory 61 is accessed from the camera body side according to the attribute information. To access the common memory 61, the operation mode is transmitted to the common memory via the control signal bus 60, and then an address is specified via the address bus 59 and data is input / output via the data bus 58.
[0023]
Here, the common memory 61 in the memory card is normally described by a DOS FAT file system, and is composed of a system reserved area, a FAT, a directory, and a data area in order from the sector 0 as shown in FIG. The camera CPU 16 performs read / write control to the common memory 61 through the memory controllers 7 and 53 while managing the directory and FAT. A power supply voltage 63 from the power supply 62 is input to the power supply control circuit 64. The power supply control circuit 64 outputs power supply voltages 65, 66, and 67, which are input to 57, 53, and 61, respectively, and serve as memory backup for SRAM and the like.
[0024]
When the connection cable is mounted, the data bus 100 / address bus 101 / control signal bus 102 in the connection cable can be directly passed through the connection cable case 119 without any signal processing. The data is output to the outside as a bus 122. The externally output bus 120/121/122 is connected to an external control device 123 such as a personal computer.
[0025]
In this embodiment, the attachment discriminating means 17 has two mechanical switches in the camera's throttle part, for example, one is A and the other is B. When B = OFF and the connection cable is attached, it is configured so that it reacts to the claw 118 and A = OFF and B = ON, and the electrical signals from these two switches are input to the microcomputer 19. Adopt the configuration.
[0026]
By performing the above operations, data is accessed to the common memory in the memory card according to the control signal output from the camera microcomputer when the memory card is installed, and the camera is controlled according to the control signal output from the external device when the connection cable is installed. It is possible to realize a video device that accesses data to the common memory in the system.
[0027]
When the connection cable is installed, the external control device can write / read / erase image data to / from the common memory 11 in the camera. Furthermore, the digital image data is output to the NTSC video via the digital video signal output 24. It is also possible to output as a signal.
[0028]
In this embodiment, the common memory 11 and the attribute memory 15 for storing the attribute information (access time, R / W conditions such as the memory type) are divided into two, but the same function as one memory. It is also possible to have
[0029]
In this embodiment, the common memory file management is described in the DOS FAT file system, but another common management system may be used.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a card-type storage medium can be used, and the built-in image storage means is handled in the same manner as the card-type storage medium (that is, as viewed from an external control device such as a PC. The electronic still camera itself can operate as an inexpensive memory card type storage medium), and the user can select a storage medium according to his / her purpose.
[0031]
In addition, if a relatively small number of recordings is sufficient, an inexpensive storage medium built into the camera is sufficient, and after shooting, image data inside the camera is transferred to an external control device such as a PC through a PC card interface. Just do it.
[0032]
In the case of shooting with a large number of recorded images, images are recorded on a PC card capable of storing a large capacity such as a flash memory card or HDD, and after shooting, the PC card is directly attached to an external control device such as a PC. The image data can be transferred.
[0033]
Also, image data processed by an external control device such as a PC can be directly transferred to a storage means built in the camera and viewed on a TV.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a memory card that can be attached to the electronic still camera of FIG. 1; FIG.
3 is a connection configuration diagram of a connection cable that can be attached to the electronic still camera of FIG. 1 and an external control device. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a DOS FAT file system in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an example of a configuration block diagram of a conventional electronic still camera.
6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a memory card that can be attached to the electronic still camera of FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lens 2 Image pick-up element 3 Image pick-up signal 4 Signal processing circuit 5 Video signal 6 A / D converter 7 Memory controller 8, 12, 21, 30, 50, 54, 58, 100 Data bus 9, 13, 22, 31, 51 , 55, 59, 101 Address bus 10, 14, 23, 32, 52, 56, 60, 102 Control signal bus 11, 61 Common memory 15, 57 Attribute memory 16 User-specified signal 17 Mounting determination means 18 Determination signal 19 Microcomputer (CPU)
24 Digital video signal 25 D / A converter 26 Analog video signal 27 NTSC encoder 28 NTSC video out signal 29 Card interface 53 Memory controller 62 Power supply 63 Power supply voltage 64 Power supply control circuit 65, 66, 67 Power supply voltage 68 Card discrimination claw 69 Case 120, 121, 122
118 Connection cable discrimination claw 119 Case 123 External control device

Claims (1)

Non-detachable built-in common memory for storing captured image information,
A detachable external storage means for storing image information, and a mounting means for enabling common connection with a connection cable to the external control device;
In an electronic still camera comprising: a mounting determination unit that determines whether the mounted medium is determined by determining a mounting state of the mounting unit; and whether the mounted medium is the external storage unit or the connection cable.
The common memory is described in a file system similar to the external storage means,
During recording or reproduction, when the mounting determination unit determines that the external storage unit is not mounted, the image information in the common memory is controlled,
When the mounting determination unit determines that the external storage unit is mounted, it acquires attribute information that is an R / W condition such as an access time or a memory type of the external storage unit, and based on the acquired attribute information Control recording or playback of image information in external storage means,
When it is determined by the determining means that the connection cable is mounted, the attribute information which is the R / W condition such as the access time and memory type of the common memory is transferred to the external control device, and the transferred attribute information An electronic still camera characterized in that control for recording or reproducing image information in the common memory is performed by the external control device.

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