JP4115287B2 - Camera repair service system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera repair service system having a function of recording information relating to a shock when a strong shock such as a drop shock is applied.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique is known in which an acceleration sensor is provided in a video recording portable electronic device such as a video camera, and a recording operation is automatically stopped when a strong impact that cannot be captured is detected by the acceleration sensor. According to this technology, it is possible to prevent erroneous recording and wasteful power consumption due to the recording switch being turned on by an unintended impact. (See Patent Document 1)
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 07-95465 A [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional technique described above, when a strong impact is applied to the portable electronic device, the device itself can detect the impact and automatically stop the recording operation. However, when a strong impact such as a drop impact or impact impact is applied to the portable electronic device, information relating to the impact (hereinafter referred to as impact information) cannot be recorded. . Therefore, at repair service bases, even if you request repair of equipment damaged by an external impact such as dropping, if there is no abnormality in appearance, it is difficult to determine whether the cause of the damage is due to an external impact. It may take time to identify the location. As a result, the efficiency of the repair service was reduced.
[0005]
The present invention was created under the circumstances described above, and its purpose is to record the impact information when a strong impact that causes damage is applied to the camera. It is to provide a camera repair service system .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a camera repair service system of the present invention includes a camera having an impact detection function, a server for storing and managing impact information sent from the camera in a database, and a camera to be repaired from the database. A repair service system for a camera having a client PC at a repair service base that reads the impact information of the camera, wherein the camera has an identification information memory for storing camera identification information, and an impact detection means for sensing an impact applied to the camera when the when more than a certain intensity of the impact it is sensed by the impact sensing means, and a wireless communication means for transmitting the identification information of the impact information and camera about the impact on the server, impact logging for recording the impact information and means, wherein the server receives the impact information and identification information from the camera, from the impact information The intensity value and direction of the shot are acquired, the data is associated with the identification information and stored in the database, and the client PC specifies the identification information of the camera to be repaired, and the information stored in the database It is configured to receive the provision of .
[0007]
With the configuration described above, when a strong impact that causes damage is applied to the camera, the impact information can be collected by the server . Therefore, by checking the impact information collected in the server, it is possible to improve the efficiency of failure analysis at the time of repair service, and to design and develop a device with excellent impact resistance.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1A is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a repair service system using the portable electronic device of the present invention.
[0020]
This repair service system 100 is a system that targets a camera (digital still camera, video camera, silver salt photography camera, etc.) for repair service, and is a camera 200 that is an application example of the portable electronic device of the present invention. PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) base station 300, telephone network 400, Internet 500, server PC (Personal Computer) 610 and database 620 installed in management center 600, repair service base 700 And a client PC 710 installed in the network. Although not shown in the figure, there are actually a plurality of cameras 200, PHS base stations 300, and repair service centers 700, respectively.
[0021]
The camera 200 has an impact sensing function and a wireless communication function based on the PHS method. When a strong impact of a certain strength or more that causes damage is detected, the impact information and the identification information are sent to the management center 600. It transmits to server PC610. At that time, a signal wirelessly transmitted from the camera 200 is received by the PHS base station 300 and then sent to the server PC 610 in the management center 600 via the telephone network 400 and the Internet 500. The impact information includes the impact strength value and direction. The identification information includes a serial number (manufacturing number) of the camera 200 and a user ID.
[0022]
When the server PC 610 receives the impact information and the identification information from the camera 200, the server PC 610 associates the serial number, the user ID, the impact strength value, and the direction with each other and stores them in the database 620. In response to a request from the client PC 710, the server PC 610 reads out the corresponding information from the database 620 and transmits it to the requesting client PC 710. Information provision to the client PC 710 is performed in units of serial numbers or user IDs.
[0023]
FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the camera 200, and illustrates a case where the camera 200 is a digital still camera or a video camera.
[0024]
The camera 200 includes a lens unit 201, an imaging unit 202, a signal processing unit 203, a recording unit 204, a display unit 205, an impact sensing unit 206, a wireless communication control unit 207, an audio output unit 208, an identification information memory 209, an impact log / A test log information memory 210, a control unit 213, a main battery 214, and a sub battery 215 are provided.
[0025]
The lens unit 201 includes an optical system formed by combining a plurality of lenses, and a drive system that drives the optical system to change the focus and the angle of view.
[0026]
The imaging unit 202 includes an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, and converts a subject image irradiated to the light receiving surface of the imaging device through the lens unit 201 into an electrical signal. And output to the signal processing unit 203.
[0027]
The signal processing unit 203 performs a predetermined process on the signal from the imaging unit 202 to generate a digital image signal, converts the signal into image data of a predetermined format, and stores the image data in the recording unit 204.
[0028]
The display unit 205 includes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays a captured image read from the recording unit 204 and an image being captured by the imaging unit 202. Various operation screens and messages are also displayed on the display unit 205.
[0029]
The impact sensing unit 206 includes first to third acceleration sensors 211 a to 211 c and an impact calculation circuit 212.
[0030]
The first to third acceleration sensors 211a to 211c are arranged so as to detect impacts in three axial (x, y, z) directions orthogonal to each other. Specifically, the first acceleration sensor 211a senses an impact acting on the camera 200 from the left-right direction (the arrow x direction in FIG. 1A). The second acceleration sensor 211b senses an impact acting on the camera 200 from the vertical direction (the direction of the arrow y in FIG. 1A). The third acceleration sensor 211c senses an impact acting on the camera 200 from the vertical direction (the direction of the arrow z in FIG. 1A, that is, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface). The place where the first to third acceleration sensors 211a to 211c are arranged is the lens unit 201 or the vicinity thereof.
[0031]
The impact detection circuit 212 constantly monitors the output signals from the first to third acceleration sensors 211a to 211c, detects the strength of the impact based on the three output signals, and calculates the direction in which the impact is applied. To do. If the impact strength is equal to or higher than a predetermined strength, the strength value and direction calculation result is output to the wireless communication control unit 207, the impact log / test log information memory 210, and the control unit 213. .
[0032]
The wireless communication control unit 207 performs wireless communication with the PHS base station 300 using the antenna 207a. It also controls automatic notification processing when the camera 200 is powered off. The audio output unit 208 outputs an alarm sound.
[0033]
The identification information memory 209 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (Read-Only Memory), and stores identification information of the camera 200, that is, a serial number and a user ID.
[0034]
The impact log / test log information memory 210 is composed of a non-volatile RAM (Random Access Memory), and impact information obtained by the impact sensing unit 206 and damage location detection information to be described later are recorded along with recording time information (time stamp) as needed. To be recorded.
[0035]
The control unit 213 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 213a and a ROM 213b, and the CPU 213a controls the operation of the entire camera 200 according to a program stored in the ROM 213b. The control unit 213 not only controls basic operations for realizing camera functions such as shooting, image recording, and image display, but also performs automatic notification processing and damage when a strong impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the camera 200. It also controls operations such as location detection processing.
[0036]
The main battery 214 is a main power source that supplies power to each unit (all load elements) of the camera 200. The sub-battery 215 is an auxiliary power source that supplies power to the impact detection unit 206, the wireless communication control unit 207, the identification information memory 209, and the impact log / test log information memory 210. The power supply to each part by the main battery 214 is turned on / off by operating a power switch (not shown) of the camera 200. The sub-battery 215 receives the impact detection unit 206, the wireless communication control unit 207, the identification information memory 209, and the impact log / test log information even when the power is off, that is, when the power supply to each unit by the main battery 214 is cut off. The power supply to the memory 210 is supported.
[0037]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0038]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of the automatic notification process when a strong impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the camera 200.
[0039]
When the camera 200 senses an impact of a certain strength or more (Yes in S1), the impact information is recorded in the impact log / test log information memory 210 (S2), and is then stored in the impact information and identification information memory 209. Is transmitted to the server PC 610 of the management center 600 (S3). The server PC 610 receives impact information and identification information from the camera 200 (S4). Then, the serial number and user ID are obtained from the identification information (S5), the impact strength value and direction are obtained from the impact information (S6), and the serial number and user ID are associated with the impact strength value and direction. Save in the database 620 (S7).
[0040]
When some trouble or malfunction occurs in the camera 200, the camera 200 is brought into the repair service base 700 by the user himself or an intermediary (S8). The person in charge of repair at the repair service base 700 checks the serial number or user ID assigned to the camera 200 (S9). Then, a serial number or user ID is designated on the monitor screen of the client PC 710, and an information provision request is transmitted to the server PC 610 (S10).
[0041]
When the server PC 610 receives the information provision request from the camera 200 (S11), the server PC 610 reads out the impact information corresponding to the designated serial number or user ID from the database 620 (S12) and transmits it to the requesting client PC 710 (S13). . The client PC 710 receives the impact information from the server PC 610 (S14), and displays the contents on the monitor (S15).
[0042]
The repair person in charge at the repair service base 700 identifies the defective portion of the camera 200 based on the content of the impact information displayed on the monitor of the client PC 710, that is, the intensity value and direction of the impact applied to the camera 200 (S16). ).
[0043]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the content of the damaged portion detection process when a strong impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the camera 200.
[0044]
When the camera 200 detects an impact of a certain level or higher (Yes in S21), the lens 200, the imaging unit 202, the signal processing unit 203, the recording unit 204, and the display unit 205 are tested for proper function ( A self test is performed (S22). When a damaged part is detected (Yes in S23), the result is recorded in the impact log / test log information memory 210 as damaged part detection information (S24). Then, in order to notify the user that the damage has occurred, a message such as “the lens may have been damaged” is displayed on the display unit 205 (S25), and an alarm sound is output from the audio output unit 208 (S26). .
[0045]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the damaged portion detection process for detecting damage when the camera 200 is powered off.
[0046]
When the camera 200 is turned on (Yes in S31), the lens unit 201, the imaging unit 202, the signal processing unit 203, the recording unit 204, and the display unit 205 are tested to function normally (self-test). (S32). If a damaged part is detected (Yes in S33), the result is recorded in the impact log / test log information memory 210 as damaged part detection information (S34). In order to notify the user that the damage has occurred, a message such as “the lens may have been damaged” is displayed on the display unit 205 (S35), and an alarm sound is output to the audio output unit 208 (S36). .
[0047]
As described above, according to this embodiment, when a strong impact of a certain strength or more that causes damage is applied to the camera 200, the camera 200 itself detects the impact, and the impact information and the camera 200 or Identification information for specifying a user can be transmitted to the server PC 610 of the management center 600. The impact information transmitted to the server PC 610 is stored in the database 620 in association with the identification information. The contents of the impact information stored in the database 620 can be confirmed on the monitor screen of the client PC 710 provided in the repair service base 700.
[0048]
Therefore, when the camera 200 damaged by an external impact is brought into the repair service base 700, the repair person at the repair service base 700 considers the content of the impact information displayed on the monitor of the client PC 710, thereby It is possible to quickly identify damaged parts due to, and perform repairs and parts replacement.
[0049]
In addition, the impact information stored in the database 620 is periodically sent to the client PC 710 of the repair service base 700 in charge of the repair of the camera 200 regardless of whether the camera 200 is requested to be repaired, or when the database 620 is updated. If the transmission is performed at a specific timing, the repair service base 700 side can estimate in advance the location where the camera 200 is likely to break down and the necessity of repair, so that maintenance parts can be easily managed. In other words, when a repair request is made, it is possible to improve the inefficiency such as obtaining a part after identifying the fault location.
[0050]
In addition, by providing acceleration sensors 211a to 211c for detecting an impact at or near the lens unit 201, which is one of the weakest parts to the impact, information on the impact acting on the lens unit 201 can be obtained with high accuracy. It can be acquired and the information can be used for repair services.
[0051]
In addition, if the camera designer can use the impact information stored in the database 620, the development of a camera excellent in impact resistance can be promoted.
[0052]
In addition, for a camera for which impact information is not sent to the management center 600 for a certain period of time, it is possible to urge the user to handle the camera carefully by giving a privilege such as extending the compensation period.
[0053]
In addition, when a strong impact of a certain strength or more that causes damage to the camera 200 is applied, the camera 200 itself performs a damage location detection process. In addition, since the user is notified by the display, when the camera 200 hits something strongly or receives a drop impact, the user is informed whether the camera 200 is damaged or not, and if it is damaged, which part is damaged. I can inform you.
[0054]
Further, even when the camera 200 is damaged for some reason when the power is turned off, the presence / absence of the damage and the damaged portion can be detected and notified to the user by the damaged portion detection process performed immediately after the power is turned on. .
[0055]
In addition, since the impact information is recorded in the impact log / test log information memory 210 of the camera 200, it can be applied to failure analysis and complaint processing at the time of after-sales service by confirming the recorded contents.
[0056]
Even when the power of the camera 200 is turned off, power is supplied to the impact sensing unit 206, the wireless communication control unit 207, the identification information memory 209, and the impact log / test log information memory 210 by the sub battery 215. When a strong impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the camera 200, automatic notification processing and impact information recording processing to the impact log / test log information memory 210 are performed.
[0057]
Further, when the camera 200 is turned off, only the impact detection by the impact detection unit 206 is performed. When a vibration of a certain level or more is detected, the power is automatically turned on, and automatic notification processing and the impact log / test log information memory 210 are performed. The recording process of the impact information to the head may be performed. In this case, it is not necessary to supply power to the wireless communication control unit 207, the identification information memory 209, and the impact log / test log information memory 210 by the sub battery 215.
[0058]
In the above embodiment, the serial number and the user ID are stored in the identification information memory 209, and both the serial number and the user ID are notified as the identification information together with the impact information during the automatic notification process. However, either one of the serial number and the user ID may be stored in the identification information memory 209 and notified as identification information.
[0059]
Further, in the above embodiment, when a damaged part is found, the fact is notified to the user by voice and display. However, either one of voice and display may be used for notification. .
[0060]
In the above embodiment, the wireless communication control unit 207 performs communication using the PHS method. However, other wireless communication methods such as a wireless local area network (LAN) and Bluetooth may be used.
[0061]
In the above embodiment, the case where the portable electronic device of the present invention is applied to a camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be effectively applied to other devices such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and a notebook PC. There is no doubt that there is.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the camera repair service system of the present invention, when a strong impact that causes damage is applied to the camera , the impact information can be collected by the server . Therefore, by checking the impact information collected in the server, it is possible to improve the efficiency of failure analysis at the time of repair service, and to design and develop a device with excellent impact resistance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a repair service system using a portable electronic device of the present invention.
FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a camera which is an example of the portable electronic device according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of automatic notification processing when a strong impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to a camera which is an example of the portable electronic device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of a damaged portion detection process when a strong impact of a predetermined value or more is applied to a camera which is an example of the portable electronic device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a damage location detection process for detecting damage when a camera as an example of the portable electronic device of the present invention is powered off.
[Explanation of symbols]
100: Repair service system 200: Camera (portable electronic device)
201: lens unit 202: imaging unit 203: signal processing unit 204: recording unit 205: display unit (alarm means)
206: Impact sensing unit (impact sensing means)
207: Wireless communication control unit 208: Audio output unit (alarm means)
209: Identification information memory 210: Impact log / test log information memory (impact log recording means)
211a: 1st acceleration sensor 211b: 2nd acceleration sensor 211c: 3rd acceleration sensor 212: Impact calculation circuit 213: Control part (damaged part detection means)
214: Main battery 215: Sub battery 600: Management center 610: Server PC
620: Database 700: Repair service base 710: Client PC

Claims (1)

Repair of a camera having a camera having an impact detection function, a server that stores and manages impact information sent from the camera in a database, and a client PC at a repair service base that reads impact information of the camera to be repaired from the database A service system,
The camera includes identification information memory that stores identification information of the camera, and the impact sensing means for sensing an impact applied to the camera, when more than a certain intensity of the impact is sensed by the impact sensing means, the impact information about the impact And wireless communication means for transmitting camera identification information to the server, and impact log recording means for recording the impact information ,
When the server receives the impact information and the identification information from the camera, the server obtains the impact intensity value and direction from the impact information, stores the data in the database in association with the identification information,
The client PC specifies the identification information of the camera to be repaired and receives the information stored in the database
This is a camera repair service system.

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