JP4548165B2 - Digital camera with non-contact readable / writable storage - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a storage unit that stores a program for realizing the function, and more particularly to a digital camera.

The digital camera includes a storage unit that stores a program for causing the control unit to execute the function. Furthermore, an internal memory for temporarily storing image data of a photographed image and various recording media such as a compact flash memory card and an SD memory card to which the image data is transferred are provided.
Some functions of a digital camera have different functions depending on the destination. For example, the type of language used for display on the display unit varies depending on the destination. To select one of a plurality of types of processing programs and a plurality of execution conditions for causing the control unit to execute a part of the functions of the digital camera under different execution conditions in order to make the partial functions different depending on the destination A data list to be referred to is stored in the storage unit, and any one processing program selected by a predetermined method according to a destination or the like or an execution condition selected from the data list is used.
The processing program to be used and the data list are determined by, for example, parameter values described in the program. When the partial function is changeable by the user, the value of the parameter is initialized to a value corresponding to the destination in the manufacturing process of the digital camera manufacturer. There is also known a camera that stores the parameter value in a storage medium, reads the parameter value from the storage medium mounted on the camera, and uses the parameter value.

  Also known is an IC card or IC tag that has an antenna unit and a storage unit, receives power from the outside wirelessly, and reads and writes data in the storage unit in a contactless manner based on an external signal. Yes.

  The manufacturer of the digital camera, for example, installs a program having different parameter values according to the shipping destination in the storage unit of the digital camera, so that the language type used for display on the display unit is changed to the language according to the shipping destination. It is said.

  For this reason, when the shipping destination is changed after installing the program, it is necessary to install a program having a different parameter value again, which requires a lot of trouble. When the shipping destination is changed after the completion of shipping packaging, unpacking work and repacking work for unpacking are also required.

Although the parameter can be changed by applying a predetermined operation to the digital camera, it still requires a lot of labor.
The above situation is not limited to digital cameras, and there are similar problems with respect to all electronic devices in which a firmware program is installed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera or an electronic device that can easily change an installed program or a parameter cited by the program.

In order to achieve the above object , the present invention is as follows.
First, an image capturing unit, a first storage unit for storing a first program for controlling the operation of the digital camera, the operation based on the first program stored in the first storage unit A digital camera unit having a first control unit for controlling; an antenna unit for receiving radio waves; a second storage unit for storing data; and a second control unit for controlling storage of the second storage unit. The data in the second storage unit can be read and written from the outside by exchanging data wirelessly with the outside through the antenna unit using the electric power induced in the antenna unit by receiving the radio wave An IC memory unit, wherein the second storage unit stores data for differentiating the operation based on the first program, and the first control unit stores the data stored in the second storage unit Get The operation by the first program, and a digital camera and controlling so that operation in accordance with the acquired data.

Second, a function unit, a first storage unit that stores a first program for controlling the operation of the function unit, and the operation is controlled based on the first program stored in the first storage unit An electronic device unit having a first control unit, an antenna unit for receiving radio waves, a second storage unit for storing data, and a second control unit for controlling storage of the second storage unit, An IC memory capable of reading and writing data in the second storage unit from the outside by transmitting and receiving data wirelessly via the antenna unit with the outside using electric power induced in the antenna unit by receiving radio waves The second storage unit stores data that makes the operation based on the first program different, and the first control unit acquires the data stored in the second storage unit The first program The operation of the beam, an electronic device and controlling so that operation in accordance with the acquired data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform non-contact read / write from the outside and control by the control unit of the digital camera unit or the electronic device unit in the second storage unit of the IC memory unit. It is possible to easily change the program installed in the section or the parameters cited by the program.

Discretionary form for carrying out the invention

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 100 is a digital camera, and 200 is an IC reader / writer (hereinafter referred to as an IC reader). The digital camera 100 includes an IC unit including an antenna unit 21, a memory unit 22, a control unit 23, and the like in addition to the digital camera unit 10 including the imaging unit 11, the storage unit 12, the recording unit 13, the control unit 14, and the input unit 16. A memory unit 20 is provided. Some of the exterior parts of the digital camera 100 are made of a material such as plastic that transmits radio waves. The antenna unit 21 of the IC memory unit 20 is disposed inside the member that transmits the radio waves.

  The digital camera unit 10 has a configuration and functions that are available in ordinary digital products on the market. The storage unit 12 includes a temporary storage unit 121 that temporarily stores an image captured by the imaging unit 11 and a nonvolatile storage unit 122 that stores a program for the control unit 14 to control the respective units. The recording unit 13 transfers the image stored in the temporary storage unit 121 to the removable storage medium 15.

  The IC memory unit 20 operates by electric power induced by electromagnetic induction in the antenna unit 21 by receiving radio waves from the IC reader 200, and transmits and receives signals to and from the IC reader 200 at a predetermined frequency, for example, 13.65 MHz. That is, the data sent from the IC reader 200 is received by the antenna unit 21 and recorded in the memory unit 22, and the data recorded in the memory unit 22 is transmitted from the antenna unit 21 to the IC reader 200.

  The IC reader 200 includes an antenna unit 210, a memory unit 220, a control unit 230, and the like, and transmits / receives a signal to / from the IC memory unit 20 at a predetermined frequency by a predetermined operation. The stored data is read or predetermined data is written in the memory unit 22.

  The memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20 includes a rewritable area 221 in which data can be rewritten many times and a non-rewritable area 222 in which data cannot be rewritten. The non-rewritable area 222 is realized, for example, by allowing the storage control by the control unit 23 to perform write access only once for a predetermined address of the memory unit 22. Alternatively, the hardware structure of the non-rewritable part region 222 may be a structure that can be written only once. Data can be freely read in any area.

  The technology for reading and writing data in the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20 by the IC reader 200 is a technology that has been put to practical use as an IC tag or an IC card, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted. The data in the memory unit 22 can be read and written without contact from the outside of the individual packaging such as the individual packaging or the packaging of the individual digital cameras 100.

  The control unit 23 of the IC memory unit 20 is connected to the control unit 14 of the digital camera unit 10 and can exchange data with the control unit 14. The digital camera unit 10 supplies power to the IC memory unit 20 while the power of the digital camera unit 10 is turned on. As a result, the control unit 14 of the digital camera unit 10 can read and write data in the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20 via the control unit 23. That is, the data in the IC memory unit 20 can be read and written by both the IC reader 200 and the control unit 14 of the digital camera unit 10. The control unit 14 of the digital camera unit 10 and the memory unit 22 may be directly connected so that the control unit 14 can directly read and write data in the memory unit 22. The control unit 14 can also store the image captured by the imaging unit 11 in the memory unit 22. The control unit 14 temporarily stores a captured image when the capacity of the temporary storage unit 121 is insufficient, or continuously stores the captured image.

  The respective parts of the IC memory 20 are preferably arranged on the same substrate as the control part 14 and the storage part 12 of the digital camera part 10. In the manufacturing process of each part of the digital camera unit 10, the respective parts of the IC memory 20 can be formed at the same time, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The digital camera 100 may be required to perform different operations depending on the shipping destination. For example, the language type of a menu screen displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the digital camera is changed, or the content of image processing performed inside the digital camera is changed to one that generates an image preferred by the shipping destination. Such an operation change can be performed by changing a program executed by the control unit 14.

The program executed by the control unit 14 is installed in the digital camera 100 during the manufacturing process of the camera manufacturer. The program causes the digital camera 100 to perform different operations as described above in accordance with parameter values. For example, the program refers to a correspondence table (FIG. 2) between parameter values prepared in advance and the language to be used (FIG. 2), and displays using the language corresponding to the designated parameter value. A plurality of processing programs having different processing contents are installed in the digital camera 100 in advance, and a processing program to be used is selected according to the parameter value. An example of the processing program is an image processing program.
The parameter value is set to a predetermined value at the time of installation according to a predetermined shipping destination. During the installation, most of the program is stored in the storage unit 12 of the digital camera unit 10, but the value of the parameter is stored in the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20. The control unit 14 of the digital camera unit 10 reads the value of the parameter from the memory unit 22 when the power switch of the digital camera 100 is turned on, and controls the operation of the digital camera 100 according to the value. The control unit 14 may read the value of the parameter from the memory unit 22 when the digital camera unit 10 is in a predetermined operation mode. This is effective when the program is a program for a specific operation mode of the digital camera unit 10, for example, a shooting mode.

  The manufacturing and distribution process of the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the manufacturing process of the manufacturer, the IC reader 200 provided in the computer 1000 for the digital camera manufacturing system stores the manufacturer information about the digital camera 100 in the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20 of the digital camera 100, for example, the manufacturer, model, manufacturing factory. , Lot number, date of manufacture, firmware version number, product number, date of shipment inspection, etc. are stored. A part of the manufacturer information may be stored as a JAN (Japanese Article Number) code which is a common product code.

  When the storage is performed, unique information unique to the digital camera, such as some items, in particular, a serial number, is stored in the non-rewritable area 222. Since the unique information is written in the non-rewritable area 222 of the memory unit 22 of the IC memory 20 inseparably integrated with the digital camera 100, the digital camera 100 is similar to the serial number engraved on the main body of the digital camera 100. Cannot be separated or rewritten. That is, it corresponds completely one to one.

When the manufacturing system computer 1000 directly connected to the digital camera 100 stores the program in the storage unit 12 of the digital camera unit 10, the manufacturer information can be stored in the IC memory unit 22 at the same time.
The digital camera 100 is shipped from the manufacturer's logistics department to the dealer and sold to the user. On the way, it goes through the distribution base of the manufacturer, the distribution base of the wholesaler, and the distribution base of the dealer. The manufacturer's logistics department and each logistics base are each equipped with an inventory management system computer having an IC reader 200 as an input / output means. Assume that the computers for the inventory management system included in the manufacturer's distribution base, the wholesaler's distribution base, and the distributor's distribution base are 2000, 3000, and 4000, respectively.

A cash register 5100 having an IC reader 200 as an input / output means is provided at the store front. The cash register 5100 is connected to a sales management system computer 5000 to constitute a so-called POS system.
Then, at each distribution base, the manufacturer information is read from the memory section 22 of the IC memory section 20 by the IC reader 200 and input to the inventory management system computers 2000, 3000, and 4000 at the time of entering and leaving the distribution base. Is done. At the same time, distribution information such as the date and time of entry / exit and the shipping destination is added to the memory unit 22 by the IC reader 200. As a result, the distribution history of the digital camera 100 is recorded in the memory unit 22 of each digital camera 100.

  Reading / writing to / from the memory unit 22 at each distribution base does not require unpacking, and the digital camera 100 can be left in a packaged or individually packaged state. Compared to a significant reduction in labor.

Then, when selling the digital camera 100 to the user at the store, the salesperson causes the IC reader 200 of the cash register 5100 to read the information in the memory unit 22. The read information is input to the sales management system computer 5000. The cash register 5100 and the sales management system computer 5000 perform sales processing based on the input information. At the same time as the reading, the IC reader 200 adds sales information such as a sales date and a store name to the memory unit 22.
Further, the salesperson inputs owner information regarding the owner of the digital camera 100 such as the purchaser's name, address, and telephone number to the sales management system computer 5000. The owner information is sent from the sales management system computer 5000 to the IC reader 200, and the IC reader 200 adds the owner information to the memory unit 22.

The owner information can be changed by the owner himself / herself through a menu operation of the digital camera 100, but cannot be changed by anyone other than the owner. For example, a program that allows the owner information to be changed after a predetermined password known only to the owner is input by a menu operation of the digital camera 100 to the control program of the digital camera 100. The program authenticates with the predetermined password and prohibits rewriting of the owner information unless after the authentication. The owner information is rewritten when the digital camera 100 is transferred to another person.
Since the manufacturer information, distribution history, sales information, and owner information are stored in the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20 that cannot be separated from the digital camera unit 10, the digital camera 100 always has such information. ing.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. When a service such as repair is necessary for the digital camera 100 at a later date, the service management computer 6000 in the service department of the store or manufacturer is sold from the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20 by the IC reader 200 provided therein. Read the record, the owner information, and the manufacturer information, especially the product number. Further, the distribution history is also read from the memory unit 22 as necessary. Then, the verification unit 6100 verifies whether the digital camera 100 is within the free service period based on the sales date and time of the sales record, and the service management computer 6000 issues different service slips depending on the result. Charge different service charges. Further, the service information of the digital camera 100 is stored in the service management information database of the service management computer 6000.

  That is, the sales record and the owner information stored in the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20 serve as a conventional warranty. The warranty card is often lost or requires a lot of time to search, but the sales record and the owner information are stored in the memory unit 22 incorporated in the digital camera 100, so that the above problem occurs. There is no.

Note that the above-described parameter value change and program upgrade can also be performed by the IC reader 200 provided in the service management computer 6000.
Although not shown in FIG. 5, the digital camera 100 may need to be changed after it is completed by the manufacturer. In such a case, the manufacturer rewrites the value of the parameter in the memory unit 22 to a value corresponding to the new shipping destination by the IC reader 200 of the inventory management system computer 2000 at the physical distribution base. The rewriting of the parameter values is not limited to the IC reader 200 of the inventory management system computer 2000, but can be performed by an appropriate computer of the manufacturer including the IC reader 200, for example, the manufacturing system computer 1000. This is described as being performed by the IC reader 200.

  As a result, the digital camera 100 can be adapted to a new shipping destination. It should be noted that the parameters cannot be changed depending on other than the manufacturer. For example, the control unit 23 performs authentication with a predetermined password known only by the manufacturer, and prohibits rewriting of the parameters unless the authentication is obtained.

  The parameters include parameters that allow the digital camera 100 to operate. The control unit 14 of the digital camera unit 10 detects that this parameter is a predetermined value and enables the digital camera unit 10 to be used. This parameter is set to a value other than the predetermined value at the final stage of manufacture by the manufacturer, and the digital camera unit 10 is disabled. When the digital camera 100 is sold to the user and the IC reader 200 of the cash register 5100 adds sales information to the memory unit 22, the parameter is changed to the predetermined value. As a result, the digital camera 100 is ready for use. In this way, the digital camera 100 that is not properly sold cannot be used.

  The case where the parameter value is changed has been described above as an example. Similarly, a program for operating the digital camera unit 10 is stored in the memory unit of the IC reader 200, and the program is stored in the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20. The program can be written in a non-contact manner and the program can be transferred to the storage unit 12 of the digital camera unit 10 in accordance with a predetermined operation on the digital camera 100. As a result, the program stored in the digital camera 100 can be easily upgraded.

  By the way, the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20 can also store a relatively small program that performs a part of the functions of the digital camera unit 10. The control unit 23 of the IC memory unit 20 performs predetermined processing using the program in response to a request from the control unit 14 of the digital camera unit 10, and delivers the result to the digital camera unit 10. Information such as data necessary for the predetermined processing is obtained from the control unit 14 as necessary. The control unit 14 of the digital camera unit 10 controls the operation of the digital camera 100 using the processing result received from the IC memory unit 20. Similarly to the above, this program can be easily upgraded by writing the program stored in the memory unit of the IC reader 200 into the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20 in a non-contact manner.

  The program stored in the memory unit 22 can be rewritten to a new program by the IC reader 200 of the manufacturer's inventory management system computer 2000 as necessary. The IC reader 200 obtains the new program in advance from the manufacturer's manufacturing system computer 1000 or the like. It is suitable for a program in which a new program for improving functions may be released in a short period of time, such as a program for newly developed functions.

The parameter change and program rewriting are performed simultaneously when the IC reader 200 of the manufacturer's inventory management server 2000 reads / writes the unique information and the distribution information.
Further, a wholesaler or a store who has received a request from a manufacturer and provided necessary data can use an IC reader 200 connected to the inventory management system computer 3000, 4000 or an IC reader 200 connected to a cash register 5100. It can also be performed simultaneously when reading / writing specific information, distribution information, and sales information.

  A description will be given with reference to FIG. 5 again. The digital camera 100 reads the sales information from the memory unit 22 of the IC memory unit 20 when the recording medium 15 is attached to the recording unit 13 and records the sales information on the recording medium 15. Further, the distribution information is also read and recorded on the recording medium 15. In addition, every time a picture is taken, the data of the taken picture is recorded in the recording medium 15. The recording medium 15 is delivered to a service provider in order to receive a service using the image data. For example, the recording medium 15 on which the image data is recorded for image printing is taken out from the digital camera 100 and delivered to a printing company. The service provider provides a predetermined service such as creating an image print using the received image data.

  The service provider receives the recording medium 15 when receiving a service application from a user, and attaches it to the service provision system computer 7000. The service providing system computer 7000 reads the owner information included in the sales information from the recording medium 15 and prints it out on the service application form. This eliminates the need for the service orderer to fill in the name, address, telephone number and the like.

  The service providing system computer 7000 includes a verification unit 7100. The verification unit 7100 verifies whether the distribution information, the sales information, and the owner information read from the recording medium 15 are appropriate. If the result is appropriate, the verification unit 7100 performs a predetermined service process, If not, a notification output is sent to notify that effect. If sales information or owner information is not recorded, the camera may not be properly sold. If the distribution information is not continuous, it may be an irregularly distributed camera, for example, a camera exported to a foreign country and reimported. Further, if the unique information such as the product number of the camera that has been stolen is registered in the service providing system computer 7000 in advance, the stolen product can be found. Here, the theft information is also included in the distribution information.

  Since image data generated by a digital camera is often brought to a service provider in order to receive a service based on the image data, it is effective to perform the above verification when a service application is received by the service provider. is there.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the digital camera of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the control unit 14 serves as the control unit 23 in the first embodiment, and the memory unit 22 is a part of the storage unit 12. By doing in this way, it can comprise compactly. Furthermore, it can be manufactured at a lower cost.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera of one embodiment of this invention, and an IC reader. It is a figure for demonstrating the example which makes a digital camera perform different operation | movement according to a parameter. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing process of a digital camera. It is a figure for demonstrating the distribution process of a digital camera. It is a figure for demonstrating after-sales service with respect to a digital camera, and service provision based on image data. It is a figure which shows the structure of the digital camera in the example of an embodiment different from FIG. 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 ………… Digital camera 10 ………… Digital camera unit 12 ………… Storage unit 13 ………… Recording unit 14 ………… Control unit 15 ………… Recording medium 20 ………… IC memory unit 21 ………… Antenna 22 ………… Memory unit 221 ………… Rewritable area 222 ………… Non-rewritable area 23 ………… Control unit 200 ………… IC reader 210 ……… Antenna 220 ……… Memory Section 230 ... Control section 1000 ... Manufacturing system computer 2000 ... Manufacturer's inventory management system computer 3000 ... Wholesaler's inventory management system computer 4000 ... Distributor's inventory management system computer 5000 ... Sales Store management system computer 5100 …… Cash register 6000 …… Computer for service management system Computer 6100 …… Verification unit 7000 …… Service providing system computer 7100 …… Verification unit

Claims (16)

An image capturing unit, a first storage unit that stores a first program for controlling the operation of the digital camera, and a first control that controls the operation based on the first program stored in the first storage unit A digital camera unit having a unit,
An antenna unit that receives radio waves, a second storage unit that stores data, and a second control unit that controls storage of the second storage unit, and is induced in the antenna unit by receiving the radio waves An IC memory unit capable of reading / writing data from / to the second storage unit from the outside by transmitting / receiving data wirelessly via the antenna unit with external power using
The second storage unit stores data that makes the operation based on the first program different,
The first control unit acquires the data stored in the second storage unit, and controls the operation according to the first program to be an operation according to the acquired data. Digital camera. The digital camera according to claim 1 , wherein the data in the second storage unit is acquired from the outside via the antenna unit and written to the second storage unit. The first program is a program for image processing or a program for displaying a menu screen,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the data is data for specifying a content of the image processing or a language type of the menu screen display.   3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit acquires the data from the second storage unit when the power of the digital camera is turned on.   The first control unit acquires data that makes the operation of the digital camera different in the predetermined mode from the second storage unit when the digital camera is set to a predetermined mode. Or the digital camera of 2.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the data is different data depending on a destination of the digital camera.   3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the data is data that enables operation of the digital camera or data that cannot be operated. The second storage unit stores sales information when the digital camera is sold,
8. The digital camera according to claim 7, wherein data enabling the operation of the digital camera is stored when the sales information is stored. The data of the second storage unit is obtained from the outside via the antenna unit and written to the second storage unit,
The first control unit is configured such that when the data of the second storage unit is written to the second storage unit and the digital camera is turned on for the first time, or when the digital camera is first set to a predetermined mode 6. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein data is acquired from the second storage unit. The second storage unit stores a second program used by the second control unit,
The first control unit communicates data to be processed by the second program to the second control unit by communication with the second control unit, and receives a result processed by the second program,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein an operation of the digital camera is controlled using the received processing result. The second storage unit stores the first program,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit acquires the first program from the second storage unit and stores the first program in the first storage unit. The first control unit can control storage of the second storage unit,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit stores the image data captured by the digital camera unit in the second storage unit.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit or the second storage unit is configured integrally with the first control unit and the first storage unit.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit also serves as the second control unit.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit also serves as the second storage unit. A function unit, a first storage unit that stores a first program for controlling the operation of the function unit, and a first control unit that controls the operation based on the first program stored in the first storage unit An electronic device unit having
An antenna unit that receives radio waves, a second storage unit that stores data, and a second control unit that controls storage of the second storage unit, and is induced in the antenna unit by receiving the radio waves An IC memory unit capable of reading / writing data from / to the second storage unit from the outside by transmitting / receiving data wirelessly via the antenna unit with external power using
The second storage unit stores data that makes the operation based on the first program different,
The first control unit acquires the data stored in the second storage unit, and controls the operation according to the first program to be an operation according to the acquired data. Electronics.

Images