JP4431366B2 - Charging device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging device and a control method thereof.

Currently, electronic files are being sent and received through networks. In order to improve the efficiency of transmission / reception of electronic files, there is a technique that stores electronic files received by a terminal device so that the terminal device receives only updated electronic files (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-249977

  A P2P (peer to peer) system is used as such a network. By using the P2P system, image files stored in computer devices can be exchanged between computers.

  However, the computer device stores not only the image file to be exchanged using the P2P system but also data not to be exchanged, such as received e-mail data. When using the P2P system, there is a fear that data not to be exchanged may be read by others.

  An object of the present invention is to improve security.

  A charging device according to the present invention comprises a charging circuit for charging an image processing device for storing image data, an image data input means for inputting image data output from the image processing device, an image memory for storing image data, an image server, A communication circuit for communicating image data between the image data input means, a first storage control means for storing the image data input from the image data input means in the image memory, and the control under the control of the first storage control means. First communication control means for controlling the communication circuit so as to transmit the image data stored in the image memory to the image server, and controlling the image memory so as to store the image data received by the communication circuit. The second storage control means is provided.

  The present invention also provides a method for controlling the charging device. That is, in this method, in a charging device that charges an image processing device that stores image data, the image data output from the image processing device is input, the input image data is stored in an image memory, and the image memory is stored. The stored image data is transmitted to the image server, the image data transmitted from the image server is received, and the received image data is stored in the image memory.

  The present invention relates to a charging device for charging an image processing device (an imaging device for imaging a subject, a mobile phone with a camera, etc.). In such a charging apparatus, the image data output from the image processing apparatus is input, and the input image data is transmitted to the image server. The image data transmitted from the image server is received and stored. Since the image data to be exchanged is stored in the charging device that charges the image processing apparatus, there is no fear that data that is not to be exchanged will be read. Security is improved.

  The determination means for determining whether image data of the user of the charging device is stored in the image server, and the determination means determines that the image data of the user of the charging device is stored in the image server In response, a second communication control means for controlling the communication circuit so as to transmit a request for image data stored in the image server to the image server may be further provided.

  The image data of the user of the charging device may be transmitted and stored from the device other than the charging device (image processing device or other devices) to the image server. Even image data transmitted from a device other than the charging device to the image server can be stored in the charging device. Image data owned by the user can be stored together in the charging device. In addition, since all of the image data stored in the image processing apparatus can be collected in the charging device, when there is a request for transmission of the image data stored in the image processing apparatus, charging is performed instead of the image processing apparatus. The image data requested by the apparatus can be transmitted.

  The image memory may be a memory card that is detachable from the charging device.

  The image data input means is, for example, an image data receiving apparatus that receives and inputs image data transmitted from an image processing apparatus (wired transmission, wireless transmission, transmission via a network such as the Internet).

  The image data input means may be a camera interface to which a digital still camera is detachably attached.

  In this case, mounting determination means for determining whether or not the digital still camera is mounted, and when the digital still camera is determined to be mounted by the mounting determination means, the digital still camera It is preferable to further include a transmission means for transmitting a request for image data stored in the camera to the digital still camera.

  In response to a request for image data, the image data stored in the digital still camera is transmitted from the digital still camera to the charging device. Image data stored in the digital still camera can be collected in the charging device.

  The image server may be accessible by computer devices belonging to a specific group. It can be applied to what constitutes a so-called P2P system.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and shows an outline of a P2P system.

  The P2P system includes a center server 1, a peer computer 2, and a camera-equipped mobile phone 11 and a camera system 12 owned by a specific user A (user A's home 10). These center server 1, peer computer 2, camera-equipped mobile phone 11 and camera system 12 can communicate with each other via the Internet.

  The camera system 12 includes a digital still camera 40 (image processing device) and a cradle 20 (charging device) for mounting and charging the digital still camera 40. Specifically, as will be described later, the cradle 20 can read and store the image data stored in the digital still camera 40, and can store the stored image data via the Internet. Can be sent to peer computer 2. The cradle can also receive image data transmitted via the Internet. The digital still camera 40 can also be transmitted via the Internet.

  In this embodiment, cradle 20 acts as user A's peer computer. Of course, in addition to the cradle 20, there may be a peer computer of user A. The cradle 20 does not store e-mail data or other data that is not disclosed in the P2P system, but stores image files that are scheduled to be released, thereby preventing fear of reading data that is not intended to be released. it can.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera system 12.

  On both sides of the cradle 20 are formed holding bodies 25 and 26 which are erected almost vertically. The insides of the holding bodies 25 and 26 are recessed to form a pedestal 24 on which the digital still camera 40 is placed. A cradle connector (not shown in FIG. 2) for data communication with the digital still camera 40 is formed on the pedestal 24.

  A memory card slot 21 for inserting a memory card is formed almost at the center of the front surface of the cradle 20. On the right side of the memory card slot 21, a light emitting diode 28 and a power button 29 are provided to notify that the power is turned on and that the digital still camera 40 is mounted on the cradle 20. It has been.

  A wireless antenna 23 and a USB connector 27 for communicating with the center server 1, the peer computer 2 and the digital still camera 40 via the Internet are formed on the side surface of the holder 26 on the right side of the cradle 20. .

  On the right side of the upper surface of the digital still camera 40, a shutter release button 41 and a rotatable mode dial 43 are provided. A wireless antenna 42 for communicating via the Internet is formed on the left side of the upper surface of the digital still camera 40.

  A liquid crystal display screen 46 for displaying an image is formed on almost the entire back surface of the digital still camera 40. A power switch 44 is formed on the liquid crystal display screen 46. Further, on the right side of the liquid crystal display screen 46, there are provided an up / down / left / right button 45, a menu button 47, an execution button 48 and a cancel button 49 which are formed so that an up / down / left / right arrow can be pressed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the cradle 20 and the digital still camera 40.

  The cradle 20 includes a CPU 30 for supervising the overall operation.

  The cradle 20 is for charging the rechargeable battery 63 of the digital still camera 40, and the voltage input from the DC jack 33 is applied to the DCDC converter 34 via the cradle connector 31 and the charging circuit 35. The rechargeable battery 63 is charged by being converted into a predetermined power supply voltage in the DCDC converter 34 and given to the rechargeable battery 63 of the digital still camera 40 via the charging circuit 35 and the cradle connector 31.

  The cradle 20 includes a cradle connector 31 for electrical connection with the digital still camera 40 as described above. Connected to the cradle connector 31 are a USB connector 27, a light emitting diode 26, a power button 29, a wireless interface 32, and a card interface 37.

  As described above, the wireless antenna 23 for communicating with the Internet is connected to the wireless interface 32. The card interface 37 and the memory card slot 21 described above are electrically connected, and image data is written to the memory card 39 and image data is read from the memory card 39.

  A connector (not shown) is also formed on the digital still camera 40. By attaching the digital still camera 40 to the cradle 20, the connector of the digital still camera 40 and the cradle connector of the cradle 20 are provided. 31 is electrically connected. As a result, communication or the like can be performed between the digital still camera 40 and the cradle 20.

  The entire operation of the digital still camera 40 is controlled by the CPU 50.

  The digital still camera 40 includes a flash memory 57 in which an operation program and other data are stored.

  As described above, the power switch 44, the mode switch 43, the shutter release button 41, the up / down / left / right button 45, the menu button 47, the execute button 48, the cancel button 49, etc. formed on the digital still camera 40, etc. The signals output from the switches 60 are input to the CPU 50.

  A lens 52 is driven by a motor (focus motor, zoom motor, iris motor) 51. The light collected by the lens 52 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 53. A video signal representing a subject image is output from the CCD 53 and converted into digital image data by an analog / digital conversion circuit 54. Digital image data is subjected to predetermined signal processing such as white balance adjustment and gamma correction in a digital signal processor (DSP) 55 and is given to the liquid crystal display device 46 (the liquid crystal display device 46 also has the same sign as the display screen). Attached). An image obtained by imaging is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 46.

  When the shutter release button 41 is pressed, the image data obtained as described above is temporarily stored in the internal memory 56. The image data is recorded by being read from the internal memory 56 and given to an external memory (recording medium) 58 that is detachable from the digital still camera 40.

  The digital still camera 40 includes a USB controller 59 and can perform USB communication with the cradle 20.

  Further, the digital still camera 40 includes a wireless interface 61 and a wireless antenna 62 connected to the wireless interface 61. Image data recorded in the external memory 58 can be transmitted to the Internet by the wireless antenna 62, and image data transmitted from the Internet is received.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the P2P system.

  In the example shown below, the digital still camera 40 may or may not be mounted on the cradle 20.

  First, the cradle 20 is turned on. Thereafter, the IP (Internet Protocol) address and peer ID of the digital still camera 40, the mobile phone 11 and the cradle 20 owned by the user are transmitted to the center server 1 via the Internet, respectively. Registered in

  Peer information (IP address and peer ID) registered in the center server 1 is requested from the cradle 20 to the center server 1. Then, all registered peer information is transmitted from the center server 1 to the cradle 20. The cradle 20 can communicate with the digital still camera 40 and the mobile phone 11 via the Internet.

  Request for transmission of file names of image data representing images that are transmitted from the cradle 20 to the digital still camera 40 and from the digital still camera 40 to the center server 1 and are disclosed in the group using the P2P system Is done via the internet. When the transmission request transmitted from the cradle 20 is received by the digital still camera 40, data representing the file name of the image data representing the published image is transmitted from the digital still camera 40 to the cradle 20 via the Internet. Sent.

If new image data other than the image data stored in the memory card 39 loaded in the cradle 20 is recorded in the center server 1, the transmission request for the new image data is sent to the digital still camera. Sent over 40 to the Internet. In response to the transmission request, new image data (014.jpg to 017.jpg) is transmitted from the digital still camera 40 to the cradle 20 via the Internet. New image data is recorded on the memory card 39 of the cradle 20.

  Similarly, the mobile phone 11 is also requested from the cradle 20 for a publicly available image file name, and data indicating the image file name is transmitted from the mobile phone 11 to the cradle 20 in response to the request. If there is new image data stored in the cradle 20, a request for transmission of the new image data is made. In response to the transmission request, new image data (134.jpg to 137.jpg) is transmitted from the mobile phone 11 to the cradle 20. New image data is recorded on the memory card 39 of the cradle 20.

  In this way, the image data recorded in the digital still camera 40 owned by the user and the image data recorded in the mobile phone 11 can be collected in the cradle 20. Since the image data collected in the cradle 20 is assumed to be disclosed, there is no inconvenience even if it is read by a third party.

  When the image data is collected in the cradle 20, both the power supply of the mobile phone 11 and the power supply of the digital still camera 40 are turned off. Image data corresponding to image data stored in the mobile phone 11 and the digital still camera 40 can be transmitted from the cradle 20 regardless of whether the power of the mobile phone 11 or the digital still camera 40 is off.

  Further, the IP address and peer ID of the peer computer 2 owned by a user different from the user A are registered in the center server 1. Then, the groups of the P2P systems registered in the center server 1 are displayed in a list on the display screen of the display device of the peer computer 2. When a desired group is selected from among the displayed groups by the user of the peer computer 2, data representing the image file name of the image published in the group is transferred from the center server 1 via the Internet to the peer. Sent to computer 2 Then, the file name of the image published to the selected group is displayed on the display screen of the display device of the peer computer 2.

  The user of the peer computer 2 selects a desired image file name (015.jpg, 137.jpg) from the displayed image file names. A request for transmission of desired image data is transmitted to the cradle 20 via the Internet. The requested image data is transmitted from the cradle 20 that has received the transmission request to the peer computer 2. Then, a desired image is displayed on the display screen of the display device of the peer computer 2.

  Thereafter, the power of the cradle 20 is also turned off.

  5 and 6 show another embodiment and are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the P2P system.

  In the processing shown in FIG. 4, communication between the cradle 20 and the digital still camera 40 is performed via the Internet. However, the processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is performed in the cradle 20 and the digital still camera. Communication with 40 is performed using USB via the cradle connector 31 or the like.

  First, it is assumed that the digital still camera 40 is not attached to the cradle 20.

  As described above, the power of the cradle 20 is turned on, and the peer computer 2 of a user other than the cradle 20 and the user A is registered in the center server 1.

  A group of P2P systems is displayed in a list on the display screen of the display device of the peer computer 2, and the group is selected by the user of the peer computer 2. Data representing an image file name representing an image that can be browsed in the selected group is transmitted from the center server 1 to the peer computer 2. The image file name is displayed on the display screen of the display device of the peer computer 2. A desired image file (001.jpg, 002.jpg) is selected from the displayed image file names, and a transmission request is transmitted from the peer computer 2 to the cradle 20. Image data is transmitted from the cradle 20 to the peer computer 2 in response to a transmission request from the peer computer 2. A desired image is displayed on the display screen of the display device of the peer computer 2.

  Thereafter, when the digital still camera 40 is mounted on the cradle 20, the cradle 20 starts charging the rechargeable battery 63 of the digital still camera 40. In addition, the digital still camera 40 and the cradle 20 are connected by USB.

  When the digital still camera 40 detects that the cradle 20 is connected to the USB, a new image data transmission request not stored in the memory card 39 of the cradle 20 is sent from the digital still camera 40 to the cradle 20. Sent to 20. The file name of the image data stored in the digital still camera 40 is transmitted from the digital still camera 40 to the cradle 20, and is not stored in the memory card 39 of the cradle 20 based on the file name. Needless to say, image data is determined.

  When new image data not stored in the memory card 39 of the cradle 20 is transmitted from the digital still camera 40 to the cradle 20, the USB connection is terminated. The charging of the rechargeable battery 63 of the digital still camera 40 is also terminated. The digital still camera 40 is removed from the cradle 20.

  Again, a group is selected by the peer computer 2, and data representing the selected group name is transmitted to the center server 1. Then, data representing the image file name of an image that can be viewed in the selected group is transmitted from the center server 1 to the peer computer 2.

  The desired image data (012.jpg, 013.jpg, 014.jpg, 017.jpg) is selected by the user of the peer computer 2, and the selected image data is transmitted from the cradle 20 to the peer computer 2. The Then, the selected image is displayed on the display screen of the display device of the peer computer 2. Thereafter, the cradle 20 is turned off.

  In the embodiment described above, the cradle 20 is used for the P2P system, but it can also be used for communications other than the P2P system. Further, the image data stored in the peer computer can be collected in the cradle 20 using the peer computer owned by the user A.

1 shows an overview of a P2P system. It is a perspective view of a camera system. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a camera system. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a P2P system. It is a part of flowchart which shows the process sequence of a P2P system. It is a part of flowchart which shows the process sequence of a P2P system.

Explanation of symbols

1 Center server (image server)
11 Camera phone
20 Cradle
23, 62 Wireless antenna
30, 50 CPU
31 Cradle connector
35 Charging circuit
39 Memory card

Claims (8)

A charging circuit for charging an image processing device for storing image data;
Image data input means for inputting image data output from the image processing apparatus;
Image memory for storing image data,
A communication circuit for communicating image data with a computer via the Internet ,
First storage control means for storing image data input from the image data input means in the image memory;
First communication control means for controlling the communication circuit so as to transmit the image data stored in the image memory to the computer under the control of the first storage control means, and received by the communication circuit; Second storage control means for controlling the image memory so as to store the processed image data;
File name requesting means for requesting the image processing apparatus for a file name of an image transmitted from the image processing apparatus to the center server and published in a group using the P2P system;
Data representing the published image file name transmitted from the image processing device in response to a request by the file name requesting unit is received, and image data other than the image data stored in the image memory is received as the image Image data requesting means for requesting the processing device, and
Third storage control means for storing, in the image memory, image data transmitted from the image processing device in response to a request from the image data requesting means;
A charging device comprising: Depending on the image data of the user of the charging device determination means for determining whether stored on the computer, and by the determination means, the image data of the user of the charging device is determined to be stored in the computer Second communication control means for controlling the communication circuit to transmit a request for image data stored in the computer to the computer ,
The charging device according to claim 1 , further comprising: Those the image memory is detachable from the charging device, charging device according to claim 1. The image data input means is an image data receiving device for inputting by receiving image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus, charging apparatus according to claim 1. The image data input means is a camera interface for detachably mounting a digital still camera, charging device according to claim 1. Mounting determination means for determining whether or not the digital still camera is mounted, and storing in the digital still camera in response to the mounting determination means determining that the digital still camera is mounted Transmitting means for transmitting the requested image data request to the digital still camera;
Charging device according to claim 5, further comprising a. In which a computer system in which the image server belongs to a particular group can access, charging device according to claim 1. In a charging device for charging an image processing device for storing image data,
Input the image data output from the image processing device, store the input image data in the image memory,
Send the image data stored in the image memory to the computer ,
Receiving the image data transmitted from the computer , storing the received image data in the image memory ;
Requesting the image processing apparatus the file name of an image transmitted from the image processing apparatus to the center server and published in a group using the P2P system;
Receiving data representing the published image file name transmitted from the image processing device in response to the request, requesting the image processing device for image data other than the image data stored in the image memory,
Storing image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus in the image memory in response to a request;
Control method of charging device.

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