JP4032986B2 - Data storage device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data storage device that stores still image data captured by an electronic still image capturing device or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a recording medium of an electronic still image pickup device (hereinafter referred to as a digital still camera), a removable card type small IC memory device (hereinafter referred to as a memory card) is often used (for example, a patent). Reference 1). The memory card is relatively small compared to other recording media, but has a relatively large capacity, and can also be used as a recording medium for personal computers and other devices. Easy to use.
[0003]
In general, an image taken by a digital still camera is transferred from a memory card to a hard disk of a personal computer, and the image is viewed and managed on the personal computer.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 340575
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, it is very troublesome to transfer and manage images taken by a digital still camera to a personal computer. There are also users who do not have (or cannot use) personal computers, and it is very difficult for such users to view and manage a large number of captured images. Many users are hesitant to use digital still cameras.
[0006]
The present invention has been proposed in view of such a situation. For example, it is possible to easily store a large amount of images and the like taken with a digital still camera. An object of the present invention is to provide a data storage device that can be easily referred to by a monitor.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A data storage device according to the present invention has a slot in which a memory card, which is a card-like memory device for storing data, is attached and detached, and reads out data recorded in a memory card mounted in the slot A hard disk drive that has a hard disk and stores data magnetically in the hard disk, a video output unit that converts still image data into a video signal and outputs the video signal, and a slot in the memory card drive Transfer control for reading out still image data recorded on the memory card and transferring it to the hard disk in response to mounting of the memory card to the hard disk, and file information of still image data stored in the hard disk for the video display device Operation based on the output file information. Select still image data in the hard disk in response to an input, and a control unit that performs output control of outputting to the display device a still image data selected.
[0008]
In the data storage device according to the present invention, transfer processing for transferring still image data stored in a memory card to a hard disk, and conversion of the still image data stored in the hard disk into a video signal for use in a television monitor or the like. Control output to be displayed.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic album apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
In the electronic album apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a memory card 4 storing still image data photographed by a digital still camera 2 is inserted and stored in the memory card 4. It is a device that transfers still image data that is being transferred to an internal hard disk drive. The electronic album apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus that outputs still image data stored in an internal hard disk as a video signal and displays it on the television monitor 3.
[0011]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic album apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic album apparatus 1 includes a memory card drive 11 that records and reproduces data on a memory card 4 and a hard disk drive (HDD) that records and reproduces data on an internal hard disk 12a. 12, a decoder 13 that converts still image data into a video signal, an operation input unit 14, and a control unit 15. In addition, the electronic album apparatus 1 includes a USB interface circuit 16 that is an interface between an external personal computer and the HDD 12, and a remaining amount display unit 17.
[0013]
The memory card drive 11 has a slot 11a to / from which the memory card 4 is attached / detached. The memory card drive 11 performs data recording / reproduction with respect to the memory card 4 when the memory card 4 is inserted in the slot 11a.
[0014]
The HDD 12 has a hard disk 12a in which data is magnetically recorded, and performs data recording / reproduction on the hard disk 12a.
[0015]
The decoder 13 reads out still image data stored in the HDD 12, converts it into a video signal such as a television signal, and outputs it. The video signal output from the decoder 13 is output from the video output terminal 18 to the outside. As shown in FIG. 1, the video output terminal 18 is connected to the video input terminal 3 a of the television monitor 3 via the AV cable 5. Accordingly, the video signal output from the decoder 13 is displayed on the television monitor 3.
[0016]
The operation input unit 14 is a remote operation device on which a user inputs an operation. The operation input unit 14 transmits information input by the user to the main body of the electronic album apparatus 1 by, for example, infrared communication using the infrared interface 14a.
[0017]
The control unit 15 controls mutual data transfer processing among the memory card drive 11, the HDD 12, and the decoder 13. Further, the control unit 15 performs file management of still image data stored in the HDD 12. The control unit 15 performs various operation controls based on operation input information from the operation input unit 14.
[0018]
The USB interface 16 is an interface circuit between the electronic album apparatus 1 and a personal computer. The electronic album device 1 can be connected to the HDD 12 via the USB terminal 19, and data can be written to and read from the HDD 12 by the host computer via the USB interface 16. For example, in the electronic album apparatus 1, by performing some external setting, the HDD 12 can be connected to a personal computer via the USB interface 16, and the HDD 12 can be operated as an external storage device of the personal computer.
[0019]
The remaining amount display unit 17 visually represents, for example, a gauge of the free capacity of the HDD 12. Display control of the remaining amount display unit 17 is performed by the control unit 15. The control unit 15 appropriately detects the amount of data recorded in the HDD 12 and performs display control of the remaining amount display unit 17 according to the data amount.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the electronic album apparatus 1 will be described.
[0021]
First, after the memory card 4 is inserted into the slot 4, when a transfer control operation is performed by the user using the operation input unit 14, the control unit 15 performs a series of imaging data groups stored in the memory card 4. (One or more still image data imaged by the digital still camera 2) is read out, and the read out image data group is stored in the HDD 12.
[0022]
At this time, the control unit 15 refers to the shooting date of the imaging data stored in the memory card 4 and requests the user to input a title for each series of imaging data on the same shooting date. The title input request is made, for example, by displaying a title input screen on the television monitor 3. The user inputs a title using the operation input unit 14 in accordance with a request for a screen for title input. As a method for inputting a title, for example, text may be directly input using the input button of the operation input unit 14, or an appropriate title is prepared in advance (for example, "athletic meet""birthday""travel"). Etc.), and the user may select an arbitrary title from them. When a title is input, the control unit 15 generates a folder (directory) in which the title and shooting date are described as names, and stores a group of still image data in the memory card 4 in the folder. For this reason, a folder is generated in the HDD 12 at least for each shooting date and event, and a plurality of pieces of imaging data are stored in the folder.
[0023]
Further, the control unit 15 may delete the image data transferred from the memory card 4 to the HDD 12 from the memory card 4 after the transfer. In addition, the title and shooting date information need not be shown in the folder name. A separate management file is generated, and the correspondence between the folder name and the title and shooting date information is created in the management file. May be shown.
[0024]
Subsequently, when displaying shooting data stored in the HDD 12 on the television monitor 3, the user must first select desired imaging data from among a plurality of imaging data stored in the HDD 12. I must. Therefore, first, the control unit 15 displays an image selection screen on the television monitor 3. The user selects a desired captured image using the operation input unit 14 based on the image selection screen. The control unit 15 reads out the imaging data selected by the user from the HDD 12 and supplies it to the decoder 13. The decoder 13 decodes the supplied imaging data, converts it into a video signal, and outputs it from the video output terminal 18.
[0025]
Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the image selection screen displays a calendar 20, and icons (for example, icons 21 to 24) indicating folders generated in the HDD 12 on the date corresponding to the calendar 20. ) Is displayed. The user operates the “month” movement buttons 25 and 26 on the calendar 20 to move the display month of the calendar 20 and moves the date selection cursor 27 to select an arbitrary date on the calendar 20. select. When a date is selected by the user, the control unit 15 searches for a folder in which the selected date is indicated, reads a captured image stored in the folder from the HDD 12, and causes the television monitor 3 to display the captured image.
[0026]
In the electronic album apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 4, a small display device 30 having a liquid crystal monitor or the like is connected, for example, and any still image data stored in the HDD 12 is connected to the display device 30. For example, the calendar 20 may be combined and displayed to be used as a desktop calendar. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, arbitrary still image data and time may be synthesized and displayed on the small display device 30 and used, for example, as a desktop clock.
[0027]
As described above, in the electronic album apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, an image shot with the digital still camera 2 stored in the memory card 4 can be easily stored, and further, the stored image can be stored. For example, it can be easily referred to by a normal monitor such as the television monitor 3. Therefore, for example, it becomes unnecessary to manage imaging data by a personal computer or the like, which is very convenient.
[0028]
In the electronic album apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the housing is a box shape, but any shape may be used. For example, it is good also as a shape as shown in FIG. The casing of the electronic album apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 6 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is used by being placed vertically in a normal state. In the electronic album apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 6, the bottom surface portion 41 of the housing is narrower than the top surface portion 42, and the top surface portion 42 is inclined toward the center. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the electronic album apparatus 1 having such a shape, the remaining amount display portion 17 is formed on the entire side surface portion of the housing, and as the stored capacity of the HDD 12 is increased. The light emitting region 43 increases from the lower side to the upper side. When the capacity of the HDD 12 becomes full, the emission color is changed from blue to red, for example. By making it emit light in this way, it is possible to produce an effect by shining the number of memories of a photograph taken.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
In the data storage device according to the present invention, transfer processing for transferring still image data stored in a memory card to a hard disk, and conversion of the still image data stored in the hard disk into a video signal for use in a television monitor or the like. Control output to be displayed.
[0030]
As a result, in the data storage device according to the present invention, it is possible to easily store a large amount of still images taken by the electronic still image capturing device, and further, the stored still images can be stored in, for example, a television monitor. It can be easily referred to by a normal monitor.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an application example of an electronic album apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of the electronic album apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen for managing internal data of the electronic album apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which still image data stored in the electronic album apparatus is displayed on a small display device together with a calendar.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which still image data stored in the electronic album apparatus is displayed on a small display device together with a calendar.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a modification of the casing of the electronic album apparatus.
7 is a diagram showing a display example of the electronic album apparatus shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 electronic album device, 2 digital still camera, 3 television monitor, 4 memory card, 11 memory card drive, 12 hard disk drive, 12a hard disk, 13 decoder, 14 operation input unit, 15 control unit, 16 USB interface, 17 remaining Quantity display section

Claims (10)

A memory card drive that has a slot in which a memory card, which is a card-like memory device for storing data, is attached and detached, and reads data recorded in a memory card mounted in the slot;
A hard disk drive having a hard disk and storing data magnetically in the hard disk;
A video output unit that converts still image data into a video signal and outputs the video signal to a video display device;
Transfer control for reading out still image data recorded on the memory card and transferring it to the hard disk in response to the insertion of the memory card into the slot of the memory card drive, and a file of still image data stored in the hard disk Control for outputting information to the video display device, selecting still image data in the hard disk according to an operation input based on the output file information, and performing output control for outputting the selected still image data to the video display device A data storage device. 2. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit erases still image data transferred from the memory card to the hard disk from the memory card. The data storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that indicates a storage amount of data in the hard disk. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a ratio of a data storage amount to a capacity of the hard disk. When transferring still image data from the memory card to the hard disk, the control unit generates a folder for each related still image data group in the hard disk, and the related still image data in the generated folder The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the group is stored. 6. The data storage device according to claim 5, wherein when the folder is generated in the hard disk, the control unit requests input of a title for each of the related still image data groups. The data storage device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit creates a folder in which the input title is written. The data storage device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit creates related information indicating a relationship between the input title and the folder and records the related information on the hard disk. The memory card stores still image data captured by an electronic still image capturing device,
When transferring the still image data from the memory card to the hard disk, the control unit also transfers the shooting date information of the still image data to be transferred to the hard disk, and uses the calendar as management information to be displayed on the video display device. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein instruction information indicating still image data stored in the hard disk is displayed at a position corresponding to a shooting date of the calendar. The control unit manages and classifies still image data stored in the hard disk with a title at least by shooting date unit,
10. The data storage device according to claim 9, wherein information indicating the title is displayed at a position corresponding to a shooting date of the calendar as management information to be displayed on the video display device.

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