JP3915298B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic device that can connect to a personal computer or the like and exchange data and image data using a connection program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Digital cameras are known as conventional electronic devices and imaging devices. This digital camera can set a recording mode and a reproduction mode, and in the recording mode state, the CCD arranged behind the lens outputs a photoelectric conversion output for one screen at a certain period. The photoelectric conversion output is sampled and held by a sample and hold circuit, converted to digital data by an A / D converter, color processed by a color process circuit, and digital luminance and color difference multiplexed signal (YUV data) are converted into DMA ( Direct Memory Access) is output to the controller. The DMA controller once writes the YUV data output of the color process circuit into the buffer inside the DMA controller using the synchronization signal, memory write enable, and clock output of the color process circuit, and DMA-transfers it to the DRAM via the DRAM I / F.
[0003]
After completing the DMA transfer of the YUV data to the DRAM, the CPU reads this YUV data from the DRAM via the DRAM I / F and writes it to the VRAM via the VRAM controller. A digital video encoder (hereinafter simply referred to as a video encoder) periodically reads the YUV data from the VRAM via the VRAM controller, generates a video signal based on the data, and outputs the video signal to the display device. As a result, an image based on the image information captured from the current CCD is displayed on the display device.
[0004]
In this way, when the shutter key is operated at a timing at which recording and storage are desired in a state where an image is currently displayed on the display device, a trigger is generated. Then, the CPU immediately stops the path from the CCD to the DRAM after the DMA transfer of the YUV data for one screen captured from the current CCD to the DRAM in response to the trigger, and makes a transition to the record storage state. In this recording and storage state, the YUV data for one frame written in the DRAM by the CPU is called a basic block of 8 pixels vertically by 8 pixels horizontally for each component of Y, Cb, and Cr via the DRAM I / F. The data is read in units and written to the JPEG circuit, and the code data compressed by the JPEG circuit is read from the JPEG circuit and written to the flash memory, which is a nonvolatile memory. Then, along with the compression processing of one frame of YUV data and the completion of writing all the compressed data to the flash memory, the CPU activates the path from the CCD to the DRAM again.
[0005]
In the playback mode, the CPU stops the path from the CCD to the DRAM, and when the image selection key or the like is pressed, the CPU reads a specific frame of code data from the flash memory, writes it to the JPEG circuit, and decompresses it with the JPEG circuit. One frame of YUV data is developed into VRAM via the VRAM controller in units of 8 × 8 basic blocks obtained by processing. Then, the video encoder generates a video signal based on the YUV data for one frame developed in the VRAM and displays it on the display device.
[0006]
And the digital camera as shown above transfers the image data written in the flash memory which is a non-volatile memory from the main unit to the personal computer and saves it in the personal computer memory, or transfers the image data on the personal computer to the digital camera, In order to write to the flash memory, personal computer connection software using serial communication (RS232C or the like) is used.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when such a conventional digital camera tries to connect to a personal computer, the software that connects to the personal computer must be installed in advance on each personal computer to be connected. If the software is not installed on all computers in advance, such as when a version upgrade is made, the functions of the digital camera to be connected cannot be extracted to the maximum.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and since connection software for a personal computer can be stored in the storage means of an electronic device and an imaging device, connection software for the personal computer can be stored from there. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device and an image pickup apparatus that can be connected to all personal computers and can be transferred to and from a personal computer.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention described in claim 1 is an electronic apparatus comprising a storage means for recording a program and a communication means for connecting to the image pickup apparatus and performing data communication with the image pickup apparatus. Compared with the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging apparatus, the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging apparatus is compared with the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging apparatus. When the program stored in the storage unit of the electronic device is older, the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging device is transferred to the electronic device using the communication unit, Update the program stored in the storage means of the electronic device, start the program stored in the storage means of the electronic device, and based on the program The control process of the image pickup apparatus is executed, and after the control process is finished, the program stored in the storage unit of the electronic device is compared with the program stored in the storage unit of the image pickup apparatus, and the electronic device If the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging apparatus is older than the program stored in the storage unit, the program stored in the storage unit of the electronic device is stored using the communication unit. The electronic apparatus is characterized in that the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging apparatus is updated by the program transferred to the imaging apparatus.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the program stored in the storage unit of the electronic device and the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging device are a connection program for the electronic device to connect to the imaging device. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A digital camera will be described as an example of an electronic apparatus and an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera. At the time of shooting, image data shot by the image pickup unit 1 is converted into a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cb and Cr by the signal processing unit 2 and stored in the image buffer 3. The Y, Cb, and Cr image data in the image buffer 3 is compressed by the encoder / decoder 4, stored in the compressed code buffer 5, and written in the recording memory 6.
[0022]
At the time of reproduction, the compressed code recorded in the recording memory 6 is read into the compressed code buffer 5, decompressed into Y, Cb, and Cr image data by the encoder / decoder 4 and stored in the image buffer 3. The Y, Cb, and Cr image data on the image buffer 3 is output to the video encoder 7 and displayed by the display 8.
[0023]
During serial transmission of image data, the compressed image data is read from the recording memory 6 to the compression code buffer 5 and output from the serial control unit 9 to the serial I / O 10. The serial I / O 10 outputs to the personal computer 11 using the RS232C path. Note that the serial I / O 10 can also output to the personal computer 11 using USB and IrDA paths. When the image data is serially received, it is received from the personal computer 11 to the serial I / O 10 using the RS232C path. It is also possible to receive data from the personal computer 11 to the serial I / O 10 using USB and IrDA paths. The data is stored in the compression code buffer 5 from the serial control unit 9 and stored in the recording memory 6. As described above, the image captured by the digital camera is stored as image data in the recording memory 6, and transmission and reception of the stored image data to and from the personal computer 11 can be performed using the RS232C, USB, and IrDA paths.
[0024]
FIG. 2 shows a concept of connection between a digital camera and a personal computer which is one of other devices. The FLASH ROM 12 is a readable / writable memory for storing data other than image data, and link software (a program for connecting to a personal computer) is written in the FLASH ROM 12 in advance. The data stored here is read out to the serial control unit 9 and output to the serial I / O 10. The data is output from the serial I / O 10 to the personal computer 11 using the RS232C route. The serial I / O 10 can also output to the personal computer 11 using the USB and IrDA paths. If the recording memory 6 has a sufficient capacity, a part of the recording memory 6 may be used to store data other than image data. In the personal computer 11, a loader program for transferring the link software (program for connection with the personal computer) written in the FLASH ROM 12 of the digital camera to the personal computer 11 is written.
[0025]
FIG. 3 shows a connection method between a digital camera and a personal computer. First, the digital camera and the personal computer 11 are connected by RS232C, and a loader program written in advance in the personal computer 11 is executed (S1). The loader program synchronizes with the digital camera (S2), and the link software (program for connecting to the personal computer) stored in the FLASH ROM 12 is transferred to the personal computer 11 (S3). When the transfer to the personal computer 11 is completed, the loader program activates the transferred link software (a program for connection with the personal computer) (S4), and the loader program ends (S5). The started link software (connection program with the personal computer) is synchronized with the digital camera, controls the digital camera, and is connected to the personal computer 11 (S6). As described above, since the link software (connection program with the personal computer) can be installed from the digital camera to the personal computer 11 simply by executing the loader program, each personal computer 11 can be connected to the digital camera. Image data can be transmitted and received between the computer 11 and the personal computer 11. Also, if the transferred link software (computer connection program) is used as the PC setup data, the link software (computer connection program) can be installed in the computer when the transfer is completed. It is possible to execute the link software (connection program with the personal computer) in the personal computer without transferring the link software (connection program with the personal computer).
[0026]
FIG. 4 shows a version upgrade method when the link software (program for connecting to a personal computer) stored in the personal computer 11 is old. If the link software (PC connection program) is already installed in the personal computer 11, the link software (PC connection program) is first executed on the personal computer 11 (S7) and synchronized with the digital camera (S8). Then, the version number of the link software (program for connecting to the personal computer) stored in the FLASH ROM 12 of the digital camera is acquired (S9). Next, the version number acquired from the digital camera is compared with the version number of the link software (connection program for the personal computer) in the personal computer 11 (S10-S11). If the version number of the link software (connection program with the personal computer) of the personal computer 11 is a new version, the link software (connection program with the personal computer) of the personal computer 11 is used as it is to connect to the digital camera (S12-S15). ). On the other hand, if the version number of the link software (computer connection program) stored in the FLASH ROM 12 of the digital camera is newer, the link software (connection to the computer) stored in the FLASH ROM 12 of the digital camera. Program) is transferred to the personal computer 11 (S13), and after the transfer is completed, the transferred link software (program for connecting to the personal computer) is executed (S14) to synchronize with the digital camera and control the digital camera. (S15). As described above, the link software (connection program for the personal computer) of each personal computer 11 connected to the digital camera can be updated to the latest one. If you have a digital camera, you can install it on your PC 11 without having a recording medium containing link software (a program for connecting to your PC), CDROM, etc.
[0027]
Fig. 5 compares the version numbers of the link software (computer connection program), and shows how to upgrade when the link software (computer connection program) stored in the FLASH ROM 12 of the digital camera is older. Show. When the connection between the personal computer 11 and the digital camera is terminated (S16), the version number of the link software (connection program with the personal computer) stored in the FLASH ROM 12 of the digital camera is acquired (S17). The acquired version number is compared with the version number of the link software (connection program for the personal computer) in the personal computer 11 (S19). As a result, the link software stored in the FLASH ROM 12 of the digital camera (with the personal computer) If the version number of the connection program is newer, the digital camera is turned off and the connection between the digital camera and the personal computer 11 is terminated (S22-S23). On the other hand, if the version number of the link software (connection program with the personal computer) in the personal computer 11 is newer, the link software (connection program with the personal computer) in the personal computer 11 is transferred to the digital camera (S20) FLASH ROM 12 (S21). After saving, the power of the digital camera is turned off, and the connection between the digital camera and the personal computer 11 is terminated (S22-S23). As described above, the link software (connection program for the personal computer) of each digital camera connected to the personal computer 11 can be always updated to the latest one. If you have a digital camera, you can install it on a digital camera even if you do not have a recording medium with a link software (computer connection program) or a CDROM.
[0028]
As described above, in the above-described embodiment, a digital camera and a personal computer are shown as examples of an electronic device and an imaging device that can be connected to other devices, but a digital camera and a printer, a digital camera and a digital camera, a printer and a printer, a personal computer And printers, personal computers and personal computers.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the predetermined program stored in the electronic device can be operated after being updated .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a concept of connection between the digital camera and a personal computer which is one of other devices.
FIG. 3 is a flow of a connection method between a digital camera and a personal computer.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a version upgrade method when the link software (connection program with a personal computer) of the personal computer is old.
FIG. 5 is a flow of a version upgrade method when the link software (connection program with a personal computer) of the digital camera is old.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up part 2 Signal processing part 3 Image buffer 4 Encoder / decoder 5 Compression code buffer 6 Recording memory 7 Video encoder 8 Display
9 Serial control unit 10 Serial I / O
11 PC 12 FLASH ROM

Claims (2)

Storage means for recording the program;
An electronic apparatus that includes a communication unit that performs connection with an imaging device and performs data communication with the imaging device,
Connected to the imaging device by the communication means;
Compare the program stored in the storage means of the electronic device with the program stored in the storage means of the imaging device,
If the program stored in the storage unit of the electronic device is older than the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging apparatus, the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging apparatus is transferred to the communication unit. Using the program to update the program stored in the storage means of the electronic device,
Start the program stored in the storage means of the electronic device, execute the control process of the imaging device based on the program,
After the end of the control process, the program stored in the storage unit of the electronic device is compared with the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging device,
If the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging apparatus is older than the program stored in the storage unit of the electronic device, the program stored in the storage unit of the electronic device is transferred to the communication unit. The electronic apparatus is used to update a program stored in a storage unit of the imaging apparatus by using the program and transferring the program to the imaging apparatus . The program stored in the storage unit of the electronic device and the program stored in the storage unit of the imaging device are connection programs for the electronic device to connect to the imaging device. Item 2. The electronic device according to Item 1.

Images