JP4868752B2 - Portable information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus, and more particularly to a portable information processing apparatus that can selectively use a plurality of information equipment units.

  Information equipment units include, for example, digital cameras, audio recorders, audio playback players, etc., and devices that combine these are also commercialized. However, simply combining them may increase the size of the equipment, and instead There is also a possibility that the usability of each individual function of the information equipment unit may deteriorate. Therefore, an information processing apparatus has been proposed in which a plurality of information device units are prepared and communication cables for connecting these various information device units are eliminated to improve portability and usability (see Patent Document 1). ).

This information processing device is provided on a card-type recording medium so that the camera body and recording / playback attachment, monitor attachment, interface attachment, etc. are detachable, and the electronic still camera is reduced in size and weight, and voice recording / playback is performed. Function and monitor function can be demonstrated. That is, in Patent Document 1, a camera attachment or the like necessary for a card-type recording medium can be attached and detached according to the scene.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-139877 (page 7, FIG. 1)

  However, according to the above-described prior art, when an electronic still camera is mounted on a card-type recording medium and used as a camera, other locations such as a monitor attachment, a recording / playback attachment, etc. Other attachments that are not in use will fall apart. For example, when a conventional information processing apparatus is used outdoors, it is extremely inconvenient when it is desired to carry attachments together.

  Also, if you want to continue recording audio while shooting with the camera, you must replace the attachment attached to the card-type recording medium from the camera attachment to the recording / playback attachment. There was also a problem that work was troublesome.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide portable information in which a plurality of information device units are individually housed to improve the usability of each information device unit. It is to provide a processing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes two or more information device units of different types, and a device main body that transmits and receives data to and from the information device unit. , at least two types of the information equipment units can individually accommodating a housing portion, said one of at least two types of information equipment unit, the control mode corresponding to the type of information equipment unit has been removed from the storage portion set A mode setting unit, a storage unit for storing data handled by the at least two types of information device units, and data transmitted from the information device unit taken out from the storage unit are related to the set mode. It has a data control part memorized in the storage part as a kind of data.

The invention according to claim 2 is the portable information processing device according to claim 1 ,
The mode setting unit sets the plurality of modes when there are a plurality of types of information device units taken out from the storage unit among the at least two types of information device units.

The invention according to claim 3 is the portable information processing device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The at least two types of information equipment units include at least two of a camera unit, an audio recorder unit, and a music playback unit.

The invention according to claim 4 is the portable information processing device according to claim 3 ,
The apparatus main body includes an image display unit that displays an image captured by the camera unit.

The invention according to claim 5 is the portable information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The apparatus main body transmits / receives data to / from an information device unit taken out from the storage unit by wireless communication among the at least two types of information device units.

The invention according to claim 6 is the portable information processing device according to claim 1,
The information equipment unit includes an information equipment unit for data transfer having a storage unit for storing data and a connector for transferring data stored in the storage unit to an external device.

The invention according to claim 7 is the portable information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The apparatus main body has a hanging part, and the apparatus main body is suspended from a neck strap via the hanging part so as to be portable.

The invention according to claim 8 is the portable information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The information device unit has a hook portion, and the information device unit is suspended from a neck strap via the hook portion so as to be portable.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body that transmits / receives data to / from various information equipment units, and the apparatus main body is an information equipment unit taken out from a storage section that stores at least two types of information equipment units. By providing a mode setting unit capable of setting a control mode according to the above, it is possible to improve the usability of various information equipment units.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1A and 1B are a front view and a plan view of a portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The portable information processing device 1 includes a device main body 2 that transmits and receives data to and from various information device units such as an audio recorder 11, and the device main body 2 includes at least two types of information device units to be described later. A storage unit 3 that can be stored individually, and a mode setting unit that can set a control mode according to the type of the information device unit taken out from the storage unit 3 among the at least two types of information device units (see FIG. 6). ). In the present embodiment, as the at least two types of information equipment units, for example, a camera unit 10, an audio recorder unit 11, a music playback unit (MPU) 12, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) transmission unit 13, and the like are assumed. .

  Note that the “two types of information device units” here are not limited to the camera unit 10 and the audio recorder unit 11 that have different uses, but for example, the camera unit 10 has the same use, but for close-up and telephoto purposes. Each unit provided with a lens having a different focal length, such as for a fish or a fisheye, is also treated as a different type of unit.

  The storage unit 3 has storage pockets 14 to 17 that can store various information device units 10, 11, etc., and these are formed in the upper part of the apparatus main body 2. An image display unit 18 made of an LCD or the like is provided at the front center of the apparatus main body 2, and an operation unit 19 having various operation buttons is provided on the left side of the front. Further, a hanging part 20 is provided at the lower right side of the apparatus body 2. Details of these functions and applications will be described later.

  2A to 2C are external views of the camera unit 10, FIG. 3 is a front view of the audio recorder unit 11, FIG. 4 is a front view of the music playback unit 12, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the USB transmission unit 13. It is.

  2 (a) to 2 (c), the camera unit 10 has a unit main body 24 having a substantially oval shape that is vertically long when viewed from the front, has a lens window 25 in the lower part of the front, and has a step part in the upper part. An engaging portion 26 is formed, and a ring-shaped hook 27 is provided on the upper portion of the engaging portion 26 so as to protrude upward. The engaging portion 26 is configured so that the apparatus main body 2 is currently selected from the plurality of information apparatus units when a plurality of information apparatus units (10, 11, 12, etc.) are stored in the storage section 3 of the apparatus main body 2. It can be used to electrically identify which unit is pulled out, which unit is housed, etc., and can supply power to the unit in a state of being housed in the housing part 3 from the apparatus main body 2. Used as a power supply terminal. In this case, for example, a surface formed on the inner side of the step formed in the engaging portion 26 described above is used as the unit identifying and power feeding terminals.

  The hook 27 is used as a handle when the camera unit 10 housed in the apparatus main body 2 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 2, or when the camera unit 10 is hung on a neck strap described later and carried. Used. Further, a release button 28 is provided on the side surface of the camera unit 10, and an image display unit 29 is provided on the back side. The image display unit 29 is for displaying on the monitor a subject image being shot. In addition, the image reproduction is performed by the apparatus main body 2.

  Note that the method of determining the type of information equipment unit to be accommodated is different, for example, as in the above-described embodiment, by changing the pattern of the terminal for identification of the engaging portion 26 according to the type of each information equipment unit. The CPU 44 (see FIG. 6) detects the state of the terminal (connector) of the apparatus main body 2 that contacts the terminal on the information equipment unit side to determine the type of each information equipment unit. You may make it discriminate | determine by reading the code according to the kind transmitted from each information equipment unit using the communication part for data communication.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the voice recorder unit 11 used for recording music and conversation. The outline of the unit main body 30 is similar to that of the camera unit 10 described above (however, the lens window 25 and the image display unit). 29), a microphone opening 31 is provided in the lower front portion of the unit body 30, and various operation buttons 32 are provided on the side surface. FIG. 4 is a front view of the music playback unit 12, which also has an outline of the unit main body 34 similar to that of the camera unit 10 (however, there is no lens window 25). 35, and an operation button 36 is provided at the lower part thereof. The display unit 35 is composed of, for example, an LCD, and displays the selected music piece, performance time, and the like. Further, FIG. 5 is a front view of the USB transmission unit 13, and the unit main body 40 has a lower front portion different from the outline of the camera unit 10, and a USB terminal 41 is provided at the lower portion of the unit main body 40. . The USB transmission unit 13 has a function of connecting to a computer using the USB terminal 41 and temporarily storing the data after transferring it, for example, when transferring data to the computer.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the apparatus main body 2 of the present embodiment.
In the figure, the apparatus main body 2 includes a CPU 44 that controls the entire apparatus main body 2 according to a program, and the storage unit 3 having the storage pockets 14 to 17 as described above. Further, the CPU 44 has a mode setting unit for setting a control mode according to the types of the various information device units 10 to 13 taken out from the storage unit 3. In the storage pockets 14 to 17, various information device units 10 to 13 are electrically connected to the CPU 44 and the like by being connected to the respective engaging portions 26 to perform unit charging, transmission and reception of unit insertion detection signals, and the like. Connectors 14a to 17a (however, the connector 17a is a USB connector) are provided.

  In addition, the apparatus main body 2 includes an image processing unit 45 that encodes image data, an image display unit 18 that displays a video signal, and audio that is recorded in a microphone (not shown) and converted into an electrical signal. An audio processing unit 46 that performs D conversion, a hard disk 47 that stores data processed by the image processing unit 45 and the audio processing unit 46, and a communication unit 48 that converts image data and audio data into radio wave signals are provided. . Further, the CPU 44 includes a data control unit that detects the control mode set by the mode setting unit and the attribute of the input data, identifies the mode of data transmitted from the unit, and records the data in the hard disk 47.

  In addition to the control unit 4, the apparatus main body 2 includes an operation unit 19 that operates the apparatus main body 2 and a battery 49, and further outputs an audio output unit 50 that outputs audio data from the audio processing unit 46, and data. An antenna 51 for transmitting and receiving wirelessly is provided.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the camera unit 10.
The camera unit 10 includes a lens 53 that forms an image of a subject, an image sensor (CCD) 54 that photoelectrically converts the video signal from the lens 53, and gain control of the video signal from the image sensor 54. (AGC) A / D-converted and converted into a digital signal The imaging circuit unit 55, the A / D-converted image data is encoded, the image processing unit 56 performs JPEG compression, and the image-processed video is converted into an image. An image display unit 57 to be displayed, a work area for image processing, a buffer memory 58 as a storage device for a buffer during communication, and a CPU 59 for controlling the whole according to a program are provided. In addition, a communication unit 60 that transmits image data subjected to JPEG compression processing to the apparatus main body 2 by radio waves, an antenna 64 that is connected to the communication unit 60 and transmits / receives data wirelessly, an operation unit 61 that instructs to start photographing, and the like in the unit A power supply terminal for supplying charging power from the apparatus main body 2 to the battery 62 connected to the battery 62 for driving each part, the connector 14a of the apparatus main body 2 (see FIG. 6), etc. I have. The connector 63 and the unit identification terminal are provided in the engaging portion 26.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of the audio recorder unit 11.
The audio recorder unit 11 includes an audio processing unit 66 that performs gain control (AGC), A / D conversion, encoding processing, compression processing, and the like on the audio signal converted into an electric signal by the microphone 65, recording start and recording stop, and the like. Are provided with an operation unit 67 for instructing the CPU 69, a work area for voice processing, a buffer memory 58 as a storage device for buffers during communication, and the CPU 69 for controlling the whole according to a program. The audio recorder unit 11 includes a communication unit 70 that transmits JPEG-compressed audio data to the apparatus main body 2 by radio waves, an antenna 73 that is connected to the communication unit 70 and transmits / receives data wirelessly, and drives each unit in the unit. Battery 71, a connector 72, which is a power supply terminal for supplying charging power from the apparatus main body 2 to the battery 71, and the like. The connector 72 and the unit identification terminal are provided in the engaging portion 26.

FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of the music playback unit 12.
The music playback unit 12 includes a communication unit 75 that communicates with the apparatus main body 2 to receive music (voice) data from the apparatus main body 2, an antenna 84 that is connected to the communication unit 75 and transmits / receives data wirelessly, and audio processing. Work area, buffer for communication, or buffer memory 76 as a storage device for temporarily storing received music data, audio processing unit 77 that decompresses and decodes received music data, and performs D / A conversion, program The CPU 81 for controlling the whole is provided. Also, an output terminal 78 connected to the earphone to output an audio signal, an operation key 79 for instructing a cross key, music selection, fast forward, rewind, etc., a display unit 80 for displaying a program number, time, etc., for driving each part in the unit The battery 82, the connector 83 which is a power supply terminal for supplying charging power from the apparatus main body 2 to the battery 82, and the like. The connector 83 and the unit identification terminal are provided in the engaging portion 26.

FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of the USB transmission unit 13.
The USB transmission unit 13 is a flash memory 85 for storing data to be transferred to a computer or the like. At the time of storage, the USB transmission unit 13 controls the apparatus main body 2 and transmission of music data and image data from the apparatus main body 2 and transfers the data to a computer or printer. Occasionally, an I / F 86 for controlling communication of music data and image data with a computer or the like, a USB connector 87 for USB connection for receiving music data and image data communication and power supply, and a CPU 88 for controlling the whole according to a program. I have.

FIG. 11 is a control flowchart of the mode setting process of the apparatus body 2.
This flow is to detect an information device unit extracted from the storage unit 3 among the information device units (10, 11, 12, etc.) stored in the storage unit 3 of the apparatus main body 2.

  In S1, it is first determined whether or not the camera unit 10 is present. If yes (Yes), the process proceeds to S2. If not (No), the process proceeds to S3. In S3, it is determined whether or not the audio recorder unit 11 is present. If yes (Yes), the process proceeds to S4, and if not (No), the process proceeds to S5. In S5, it is determined whether or not there is a music playback unit (abbreviated as MPU) 12. If there is no music playback unit (No), that is, if all the information equipment units 10, 11, and 12 have been extracted, the process proceeds to S6. . In S6, in order to be able to communicate with all the information equipment units 10, 11, and 12, the CPU 44 of the apparatus body 2 is set to the camera / recorder / MP (music playback) mode and the process returns.

  In S5, if the music playback unit 12 is present (Yes), that is, if the camera unit 10 and the audio recorder unit 11 are extracted, the process proceeds to S7. In S7, in order to enable the apparatus main body 2 to communicate with the camera unit 10 and the audio recorder unit 11, the CPU 44 of the apparatus main body 2 is set to the camera / recorder and the process returns.

  Further, in S4 described above, it is determined whether or not there is a music playback unit 12, and if there is no (No), that is, if there is no camera unit 10 and music playback unit 12, the process proceeds to S8. In S8, in order to enable the apparatus main body 2 to communicate with the camera unit 10 and the music playback unit 12, the CPU 44 of the apparatus main body 2 is set to the camera / MP mode and the process returns. If the music playback unit 12 is present in S4 (Yes), that is, if only the camera unit 10 is extracted, the process proceeds to S9. In S9, in order to enable the apparatus main body 2 to communicate with the camera unit 10, the CPU 44 of the apparatus main body 2 is set to the camera mode and the process returns.

  Next, in S2 described above, it is determined whether or not the audio recorder unit 11 is present. If yes (Yes), the process proceeds to S10, and if not (No), the process proceeds to S11. In S11, it is determined whether or not there is a music playback unit 12. If there is no music playback unit 12 (No), that is, if there is no audio recorder unit 11 and music playback unit 12, the process proceeds to S12. In S12, in order to enable the apparatus main body 2 to communicate with the audio recorder unit 11 and the music playback unit 12, the CPU 44 of the apparatus main body 2 is set to the recorder / MP mode and the process returns. In S11, if the music playback unit 12 is present (Yes), that is, if only the audio recorder unit 11 is not present, the CPU 44 of the apparatus body 2 is set to the recorder mode in S13 and the process returns.

  Further, in S10 described above, it is determined whether or not the music playback unit 12 is present. If there is no music playback unit 12 (No), that is, if only the music playback unit 12 is not present, the process proceeds to S14. In S14, in order to enable the apparatus main body 2 to communicate with the music playback unit 12, the CPU 44 of the apparatus main body 2 is set to the MP mode and the process returns. In S10, if there is a music playback unit 12 (Yes), that is, if there is no extracted information device unit, the process proceeds to S15. In S15, the CPU 44 of the apparatus main body 2 is set to the reproduction mode and the process returns. In the playback mode, image playback and audio playback are further selected using the operation buttons.

  According to the present embodiment, the apparatus main body 2 and the information equipment unit transmit and receive data by wireless communication, so no cable is necessary, and the apparatus can be downsized. Further, according to the present embodiment, the mode setting operation can be omitted by simply extracting the information device unit from the storage unit 3 according to the extracted information device unit. In addition, music can be listened to while using a camera, and multiple functions can be easily used simultaneously.

FIG. 12 is a control flowchart of processing by the CPU 59 of the camera unit 10.
In this process, monitor display is performed on the image display unit 29 in S20, and the process proceeds to S21. In S21, it is determined whether or not the release button 28 has been pressed. If No, the monitor display is repeated. If Yes, shooting is performed in S22, and then in S23, the image processing unit 56 and the buffer memory 58 (see FIG. 7). Image processing and storage are performed, and image data captured wirelessly is transmitted to the apparatus main body 2 through the communication unit 60 and the antenna 64 in S24.

FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of processing by the CPU 69 of the audio recorder unit 11.
In this process, it is determined in S30 whether or not there has been a start instruction. If No, the process returns to the beginning, and if Yes, recording is started (S31). The audio data is sequentially processed by the audio processing unit 66 and stored in the buffer memory 68 (S32), and the process proceeds to S33. In S33, it is determined whether or not a stop instruction has been issued. If Yes, the process returns to the beginning. In S34, it is determined whether or not the amount of data is greater than or equal to the capacity of the buffer memory 68. If it is less (No), the process returns to S31. In S35, a part of the audio data accumulated in the buffer memory 68 is sequentially transmitted to the apparatus main body 2 while recording is continued, the buffer memory 68 is secured with a free space, and the process returns to S31.

FIG. 14 is a control flowchart of processing by the CPU 81 of the music playback unit 12.
In this music playback (MP) process, it is determined in S40 whether or not a song name is specified (or song number). If No, the process returns to the beginning. If Yes, the song name is transmitted to the apparatus main body 2 in S41. Then, the apparatus main body 2 side receives the song title (S42) and transmits the song data to the voice recorder unit 11 side (S43). The voice recorder unit 11 receives the song data (S44), temporarily stores it in the memory (S45), reproduces the stored song data (S46), and proceeds to S47. In this S47, it is determined whether or not there is an end or stop instruction. If No, the reproduction is continued and the process proceeds to S46. If Yes, the reproduction is ended first or the reproduction is ended or stopped, and the next song name designation is waited.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a usage example in a state where the music playback unit 12 is suspended from the neck strap 90. The neck strap 90 has an earphone 91, and the music playback unit 12 is suspended through a hook 27 at the bottom. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a usage example in a state where the apparatus main body 2 is suspended from the neck strap 90. In this embodiment, instead of suspending various information equipment units such as the music playback unit 12, the apparatus main body 2 is suspended from the neck strap 90 via the suspending section 20.

FIG. 17 shows a specific usage example of the portable information processing apparatus 1.
In this case, for example, the user puts the apparatus main body 2 in the bag 92 with his right hand and carries it, hangs the music playback unit 12 on the neck strap 90 on his neck, and holds the camera unit 10 on his left hand. Data is transmitted and received between the apparatus main body 2, the music playback unit 12, and the camera unit 10 by wireless communication. For this reason, for example, for the music playback unit 12, a lot of music data can be received wirelessly from the device main body 2 in the bag 92, and for the camera unit 10, the data can be transmitted wirelessly by just taking a picture. And stored in the hard disk 47 (see FIG. 6) of the apparatus main body 2 in the bag 92.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state when the information device unit is mounted on the apparatus main body 2. Specifically, the case where the extracted camera unit 10 is stored in the pocket 14 of the apparatus body 2 in the direction of the arrow is shown. Also in this case, it is electrically detected that the camera unit 10 is stored in the storage unit 3 at the time of insertion. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of use during reproduction in the apparatus main body 2. The user holds the apparatus main body 2 in the left hand and operates the operation unit 19 to reproduce music or perform image reproduction operation. The image recorded on the image display unit 18 can be viewed.

(A) is a front view of the portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and (b) is a plan view of the same. (A) is the front view of a camera unit, (b) is the side view, (c) is the back view. It is a front view of an audio recorder unit. It is a front view of a music reproduction unit. It is a front view of a USB transmission unit. It is a control block diagram of the apparatus main body of this Embodiment. It is a control block diagram of a camera unit. It is a control block diagram of an audio recorder unit. It is a control block diagram of a music reproduction unit. It is a control block diagram of a USB transmission unit. It is a control flowchart of the mode setting process of an apparatus main body. It is a control flowchart of the mode process of a camera unit. It is a control flowchart of the mode process of an audio recorder unit. It is a control flowchart of the mode process of a music reproduction unit. It is a figure which shows the usage example of the state which suspended the music reproduction unit on the neck strap. It is a figure which shows the usage example of the state which suspended the apparatus main body from the neck strap. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific usage example of a portable information processing device. It is a figure which shows mounting | wearing of the information equipment unit to an apparatus main body. It is a figure which shows the usage example at the time of the reproduction | regeneration by an apparatus main body.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable information processing apparatus 2 Device main body 3 Storage unit 10 Camera unit 11 Audio recorder unit 12 Music playback unit 13 USB transmission unit 14 Storage pocket 14a Connector 15 Storage pocket 15a Connector 16 Storage pocket 16a Connector 17 Storage pocket 17a Connector 18 Display unit 19 Operation unit 20 Hanging unit 26 Engaging unit 27 Hook 44 CPU
45 Image processing unit 46 Audio processing unit 47 Hard disk 48 Communication unit 51 Antenna 90 Neck strap

Claims (8)

Two or more different types of information device units, and an apparatus main body that transmits and receives data between the information device units,
The apparatus body includes a storage unit capable of individually storing at least two types of the information device units;
A mode setting unit for setting a control mode in accordance with the type of the information device unit taken out of the storage unit among the at least two types of information device units;
A storage unit for storing data handled by the at least two types of information equipment units;
A data control unit that stores data transmitted from the information device unit taken out from the storage unit in the storage unit as data of a type related to the set mode;
A portable information processing apparatus. The mode setting unit sets the plurality of modes when there are a plurality of types of information device units taken out from the storage unit among the at least two types of information device units.
The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The at least two types of information equipment units include at least two of a camera unit, an audio recorder unit, and a music playback unit.
The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a portable information processing apparatus. The apparatus main body includes an image display unit that displays an image captured by the camera unit.
The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 3. The apparatus main body transmits / receives data by wireless communication with the information device unit taken out from the storage unit among the at least two types of information device units.
The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable information processing apparatus is a portable information processing apparatus. The information equipment unit includes an information equipment unit for data transfer having a storage unit for storing data and a connector for transferring the data stored in the storage unit to an external device.
The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The apparatus main body has a hanging part, and the apparatus main body is suspended from a neck strap through the hanging part to be portable.
The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable information processing apparatus is a portable information processing apparatus. The information device unit has a hook portion, and the information device unit is suspended from a neck strap through the hook portion and is portable.
The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable information processing apparatus is a portable information processing apparatus.

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