JP5800261B1 - Portable information terminal, program, and operation method of portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The content of a memory card is confirmed by selectively outputting information about a file stored in the memory card to a display unit of a portable information terminal. Card ID information is associated with a plurality of files stored in a memory card and stored in a first storage unit, the appearance of the memory card is recognized, and a file stored in the first storage unit is selected. Then, the card ID information associated with the selected image information is searched, and the searched card ID information is stored in association with the result of recognizing the appearance of the memory card. When the appearance is recognized again, information relating to the file stored in association with the card ID information stored in association with the result of the recognition again is output. [Selection] Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to an image display method and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a portable information terminal such as a smartphone that outputs information about a file such as image information stored in a memory card, an information output system, an operation method of the information output system, a program, and a storage medium storing such a program.

With the widespread use of information recording devices, especially digital cameras, the costs associated with shooting and viewing photos have dropped, and many photos have been taken compared to the days when film-based cameras were mainstream. It was. In addition, with the spread of smartphones, the number of users who have both digital cameras and smartphones is increasing, and the number of photographs taken is further increasing. Since digital cameras are also available in a variety of products such as compact types, single-lens reflex cameras, and mirrorless cameras, many users have multiple digital cameras.

Many of the pictures taken in this manner are stored in the memory card in the form of files. As described above, a user often has a plurality of imaging terminals, and a plurality of different memory cards are used for each imaging terminal. As photos to be taken are accumulated, the number of memory cards held per user is increasing. Many users save image data stored in a memory card after saving it to another terminal, and do not reuse the memory card. It continues to be held as media. For this reason, the number of memory cards held by one user further increases. In order to organize memory cards, storage cases for a large number of memory cards are widely used.

JP-A-6-333326 JP-A-8-87567 JP-A-2005-302135 JP 2000-90228 A JP 2002-132793 A

Usually, a label that allows visual observation of memory capacity, speed, manufacturer, and the like is attached to the memory card. Many users manage what information such as image information is stored in many memory cards by physically writing the card number, shooting date, etc. on this label with a writing instrument. ing. However, the writing operation to the card is complicated, and since the area of the card is small, there is little information that can be written. In addition, it is difficult to infer from the limited information that has been written which information such as an image is stored in the memory card. Further, there is a problem that it is not possible to cope with a case where information such as image information stored in a memory card is erased and new information is stored. If it is possible to easily refer to what kind of information such as image information is stored in each memory card, it becomes easy to manage memory cards held by a large number of users.

For recording media such as video tapes and magnetic disks, the following proposals have been made as conventional techniques for solving similar problems. For example, an apparatus for extracting a meta information from information recorded on a recording medium and printing a label has been proposed (Patent Document 1). Thus, manual label information entry can be omitted. Also, a technology for inferring information in the recording medium by reading the multi-dimensional bar code by meta-labeling the meta information such as date, title, and abstract necessary for searching the recording medium into a multi-dimensional bar code. Has been proposed (Patent Document 2). Furthermore, a technique has been proposed for estimating information in a recording medium using a recording medium having an IC tag that can be read in a non-contact manner and can read more meta information (Patent Document 3). An ID card having a structure in which an IC tag and a barcode are integrated has also been proposed (Patent Document 4).

In these conventional techniques, it is necessary to guarantee the correspondence between the information in the recording medium and the barcode printed on the label when the recording medium is manufactured. Therefore, it is effective in the case where contents such as movies and music recorded on an optical disk are sold and the user searches for the contents. However, it is not effective when the storage contents are not fixed at the time of shipment, such as a memory card used for image storage of a digital camera. In addition, when manufacturing a recording medium such as an optical disk or a memory card, ID information for specifying a storage medium is written electrically, optically or magnetically, and an ID corresponding to the ID information is also displayed on a label as character information or a bar. Printing with codes incurs additional costs in manufacturing the recording medium.

In order to solve such a problem, an apparatus has been proposed in which meta information is generated based on information read from a recording medium, and this meta information is written as a barcode on a rewritable label (Patent Document 5). . The technique of dynamically changing the barcode as described above is effective for managing the storage contents of the memory card used for storing images of the digital camera. However, such a rewritable label is not only expensive, but it is not easy to incorporate a mechanism for rewriting a barcode, so such a technique is not widespread.

In the case of a memory card that stores information such as image information captured by an information recording device, particularly a digital camera in a nonvolatile manner (hereinafter referred to as “memory card”), a method for easily referring to the stored image information is proposed. There is no. One possible method is to print a different two-dimensional barcode for each sheet as in the prior art. By sending the tag information corresponding to the two-dimensional barcode together with the image information stored in the memory card to a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, the memory is obtained by reading the two-dimensional barcode with a camera provided in the smartphone. The image information stored in the card is selectively displayed on the smartphone. In this case, however, the process of printing different barcodes one by one on the memory card at the time of manufacturing the memory card and writing electrically readable tag information corresponding to each barcode to each memory card is performed. This increases the manufacturing cost. Therefore, like the prior arts of Patent Documents 1 to 5, it cannot be widely used.

That is, there is a need for a technique that can minimize the increase in the manufacturing cost of a memory card and can guarantee the correspondence between barcode information printed on the surface of the memory card and electrically readable tag information.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the memory card can be obtained only by photographing the appearance of the memory card with the camera of the portable information terminal even though there is almost no increase in cost at the time of manufacturing the memory card. Information about files including images stored on the card can be easily viewed on a portable information terminal. The present invention provides a method, a system, an information terminal, a memory card, and the like that facilitate the management of image information by a user.

As one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal comprising first storage management means, recognition means, selection means, search means, and second storage management means. The first storage management unit stores the card ID information stored in the memory card storing the file in association with each of the plurality of files stored in the plurality of memory cards having different appearances. It is means for managing the first storage means. The recognition means recognizes the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards. The selection means selects a file stored in the memory card whose appearance is recognized by the recognition means from among the plurality of files stored in the first storage means. The search means searches for card ID information associated with the file selected by the selection unit. The second storage management means includes second storage means for storing the card ID information searched by the search means in association with the result of recognizing the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards by the recognition means. It is a means for managing. When the mobile terminal recognizes the appearance of any one of the plurality of memory cards again, the first memory is associated with the card ID information stored in the second storage unit in association with the result of the second recognition. Outputs information about the file stored in the means.

As one embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a mobile terminal is provided. The operation method includes: an information terminal that reads a plurality of files stored in any one of a plurality of memory cards having different appearances and card ID information stored in the one memory card; Receiving a plurality of files and the card ID information, associating the received card ID information with each of the plurality of received files and storing them in a first storage means; The information on the plurality of files stored in the first storage means is displayed, one file is selected from the plurality of displayed files, and the selected one is displayed. Result of searching for card ID information stored in the first storage means in association with a file and recognizing the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards The retrieved card ID information is associated and stored in the second storage means, and when the appearance of any one of the plurality of memory cards is recognized again, the second storage is associated with the result of the second recognition. Outputting information relating to the file stored in the first storage means in association with the card ID information stored in the means.

As one embodiment of the present invention, in a portable terminal as a computer, a plurality of files stored in one of the plurality of memory cards having different appearances and a card stored in the one memory card From the information terminal that reads the ID information, the plurality of files and the card ID information are received, and the received card ID information is associated with each of the plurality of received files in the first storage means. Storing, recognizing the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards, displaying information about the plurality of files stored in the first storage means, and selecting one file from the plurality of displayed files And search for the card ID information stored in the first storage means in association with the selected file. As a result of recognizing the appearance of any one of the memory cards, the searched card ID information is associated and stored in the second storage means, and the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards is recognized again. Then, a program is provided for outputting information relating to the file stored in the first storage means in association with the card ID information stored in the second storage means in association with the result of the second recognition. .

As an embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a first information terminal including an optical reading unit, an image display unit, and an input unit is provided. In this operation method, the operation method of the first information terminal is such that the first ID information and the first image information which can uniquely identify the first memory card and can be electrically read are stored in the first memory. Received from the card via the second information terminal and the network, the first ID information and the first image information are associated with each other and stored in the first storage table of the first information terminal; Second ID information and second image information that can uniquely identify and electrically read the second memory card are transmitted from the second memory card via the second information terminal and the network. The second ID information and the second image information are associated and stored in the first storage table, and the optically readable third ID information of the first memory card is stored in the first memory table. Read by optical reading means And displaying a third image including a first image generated from the first image information and a second image generated from the second image information on the image display means, When the first image in the third image is selected by the input means, the second storage table of the first information terminal is associated with the first ID information and the third ID information. When the third ID information is read again by the optical reading means, the second storage table is searched using the third ID information as a search key and associated with the third ID information. Obtaining the first ID information obtained,
The first table is searched by using the first ID information as a search key, the first image information associated with the first ID information is obtained, and the first image is displayed on the image display means. And displaying a fourth image that does not include the second image.

As an embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a first information terminal including an optical reading unit, an image display unit, and an input unit is provided. In this operation method, the first information terminal is capable of uniquely identifying the first memory card and electrically reading first ID information and first image information from the first memory card. Receiving via a second information terminal and a network, storing the first ID information and the first image information in association with each other in a storage table of the first information terminal, and storing a second memory card Second ID information and second image information that can be uniquely specified and electrically read out are received from the second memory card via the second information terminal and the network, and 2 ID information and the second image information are associated and stored in the storage table, and the third optically readable ID information of the first memory card is read and stored by the optical reading means. The first A third image including a first image generated from image information and a second image generated from the second image information is displayed on the image display means, and the input means displays the third image in the third image. When the first image is selected, the third ID information is stored in association with the first image information stored in the storage table, and the third ID is again read by the optical reading means. When the information is read, the information table is searched with the third ID information, the first image information stored in association with the third ID information is obtained, and the first image information is stored in the image display means. And displaying a fourth image that does not include the second image.

As an embodiment of the present invention, an operation method of an information terminal including an optical reading unit, an image display unit, and an input unit is provided. In this operation method, the information terminal receives the first ID information and the first image information that can uniquely identify the first memory card and can be electrically read from the first memory card, and The first ID information and the first image information are associated with each other and stored in the first storage table of the information terminal, and the second memory card can be uniquely identified and electrically readable. Information and second image information are received from the second memory card, the second ID information and the second image information are stored in the first storage table in association with each other, and the optical reading means Then, the optically readable third ID information of the first memory card is read and stored, and is generated from the first image and the second image information generated from the first image information. A third containing a second image An image is displayed on the image display means, and when the first image in the third image is selected by the input means, the first ID information and the third ID information are associated with each other and the information When storing the second ID information in the second storage table of the terminal and reading the third ID information again with the optical reading means, the second table is searched using the third ID information as a search key, The first ID information associated with third ID information is obtained, the first table is searched using the first ID information as a search key, and the first ID information is associated with the first ID information. Obtain the first image information,
Displaying the fourth image including the first image and not including the second image on the image display means.

As an embodiment of the present invention, an operation method of an information terminal including an optical reading unit, an image display unit, and an input unit is provided. In this operation method, the information terminal receives the first ID information and the first image information that can uniquely identify the first memory card and can be electrically read from the first memory card, and The first ID information and the first image information are associated with each other and stored in the storage table of the information terminal, and the second ID information and the second ID information that can be uniquely identified and electrically read out can be specified. 2 image information is received from the second memory card, and the second ID information and the second image information are stored in the storage table in association with each other. Read and store the third optically readable ID information of the memory card, and store the first image generated from the first image information and the second image generated from the second image information. A third image containing the image When the first image is displayed on the display means and the first image is selected by the input means, the third ID information is associated with the first image information stored in the storage table. When the third ID information is read again by the optical reading means, the information table is searched with the third ID information, and the third ID information stored in association with the third ID information is stored. 1 image information is obtained, and a fourth image including the first image and not including the second image is displayed on the image display means.

As an embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a first information terminal is provided. In this operation method, the first information terminal reads the first ID information and the first image information that can uniquely identify the first memory card and can be electrically read from the first memory card, Second ID information and second image information that is generated by storing first reduced image information obtained by reducing the first image information, stores it, can uniquely identify the second memory card, and is electrically readable. Is read out from the second memory card, second reduced image information obtained by reducing the second image information is generated and stored, and then second read-out means, image display means and input means are provided. Information terminal
The first reduced image information and the first ID information are received from the first information terminal and stored in the first information table in association with each other, and the second reduced image information and the second information are stored in the first information table. The ID information is received from the first information terminal and stored in the first information table in association with the ID information, and the optically readable third ID information of the first memory card is read by the optical reading. Means for reading and storing, and displaying on the display means a third image including a first image generated from the first reduced image information and a second image generated from the second reduced image information. When the first image in the third image is selected by the input means, the second information terminal has a second information terminal associated with the first ID information and the third ID information. Memorize in the memory table and again When reading the third ID information serial optical reading means,
The second storage table is searched using the third ID information as a search key to obtain the first ID information associated with the third ID information, and the first ID information is used as a search key. To retrieve the first reduced image information associated with the first ID information, including the first image in the first image display means, and Including displaying a fourth image that does not include the second image.

According to the present invention, information about a file stored in a memory card can be selectively obtained by photographing the appearance of a storage medium such as a memory card with a camera of a portable information terminal. Nevertheless, since it is not necessary to store different tag information in the storage medium for each memory card for identifying the memory card at the time of manufacturing, the manufacturing cost is increased as compared with a general memory card not according to the present invention. Can be invited.

(A) An example figure of a personal digital assistant for realizing an image display system concerning one embodiment of the present invention, (b) An example figure of a touch screen (A) An example figure of a memory card concerning one embodiment of the present invention (b) An example figure of a memory card with a label stuck 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Flow chart of processing according to one embodiment of the present invention Flow chart of processing according to one embodiment of the present invention (A) An example of a stored image information table of an information terminal electrically connected to a memory card according to an embodiment of the present invention. (B) An electrically connected memory card according to an embodiment of the present invention. Of saved image table of information terminal 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a stored image information table of a portable information terminal that optically reads a label of a memory card according to an embodiment of the present invention. Flow chart of processing according to one embodiment of the present invention An example figure of an image list screen of a personal digital assistant based on one embodiment of the present invention An example figure of a display screen of a personal digital assistant concerning one embodiment of the present invention An example figure of a display screen of a personal digital assistant concerning one embodiment of the present invention An example figure of a card ID correspondence table concerning one embodiment of the present invention Flow chart of processing according to one embodiment of the present invention An example figure of an image display screen memorized by a memory card of a personal digital assistant concerning one embodiment of the present invention

The best mode currently conceivable for carrying out the present invention will be described below. Since the scope of the present invention is clearly defined by the appended claims, this description should not be construed in a limiting sense, but merely to illustrate the general principles of the invention. In the following description, it is assumed that image information is mainly stored in a file and that information related to the file is output when an image of the image information is displayed on a display device. However, any information such as music information and video information may be stored in the file, and information on the file may be output by reproducing music information or video information or displaying information such as music. included.

FIG. 1A is an example of a portable information terminal for realizing an image display system which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The portable information terminal 101 includes a touch screen 120, an optical reading unit 103, and an input unit 102. The touch screen 120 has an input function and a display function for the portable information terminal 101. FIG. 1B is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of the touch screen 120. The touch screen 120 has a structure in which a liquid crystal display unit 121, a touch position detection unit 122, and a transparent protective panel 123 are stacked. The liquid crystal display unit 121 provides a display function and operates as a display unit. Further, the touch position detection unit 122 provides an input function. The user of the portable information terminal 101 touches the transparent protective panel with the finger 100 or the like according to the display of the graphic or icon displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 121, so that the touch position detection unit 122 is displayed on the touch screen. The touched position is detected and used as input information.

FIG. 2 is an example of the appearance of a memory card for realizing an image display system that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is an example of the appearance of the front surface of the memory card 200, and FIG. 2B is an example of the appearance of the back surface of the same memory card 200. FIG. A label 210 is affixed to the back of the memory card, and information relating to the memory card is displayed on the label 210. The memory card 200 has a storage element therein, and storage by writing information and output by reading information are performed via an electrical input / output terminal 201.

A memory card 200 that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention displays a card ID code 211 that can uniquely identify the memory card 200. The unique means that the memory card 200 can be specified in a specific set of the plurality of memory cards 200. For example, when considering a set of memory cards 200 possessed by a single user or the family or acquaintance of the user, the card ID code 211 of each memory card 200 possessed by the one user or acquaintance is as follows. It means that the appearance is different.

In the example of FIG. 2B, it is assumed that the card ID code 211 is “8456512”. This is an example for explaining the principle of the present invention, and is used in the description of FIGS. In the example of FIG. 2B, a two-dimensional barcode is displayed as the card ID code 211 included in the external appearance of the memory card 200, but any display can be used as long as the ID information is optically readable. It may be displayed by being included in the appearance of the memory card 200 by a method. For example, the information which the portable information terminal 101 can recognize, such as a one-dimensional barcode, a character, and a number, may be sufficient. Moreover, as long as the portable information terminal 101 can recognize, a general video, handwritten characters, and symbols may be used. However, by using the bar code, the card ID code 211 can be more reliably decoded. In the example of FIG. 2B, the card ID code 211 is displayed on the label 210, but the card ID code 211 may be displayed on the package body of the memory card.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a schematic configuration diagram of a system which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The portable information terminal 101 includes a processing unit 310, an external storage unit 321, an optical reading unit 103, a touch screen 120, and a communication unit 330. The portable information terminal 101 can communicate with the information terminal 301 having the electrical input / output unit 380 with the memory card via the communication unit 330 and the network 300. The network 300 may be a so-called Local Area Network, or the Internet via a server. The information terminal 301 includes a processing unit 350, an external storage unit 361, a communication unit 371, an input unit 372, a display unit 373, and an electrical input / output unit 380. Note that the adjective “outside of the external storage unit 361” is used to mean that it is arranged outside the processing unit 350. The memory card 200 has an electrical input / output terminal 201 and storage means 391. The storage unit 391 stores image information 392 and card ID information 393. In an example of the embodiment of the present invention described here, the image information 392 is written and stored in advance in the storage unit 391 from an information terminal such as a camera via the electrical input / output terminal 201, for example. . In the example of the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 5, 8, and 13, the card ID information 393 is stored in the information terminal 301 when the memory card 200 is first connected to the information terminal 301. It can be generated, written to the memory card 200 and stored in the memory card 200. In another example of the embodiment of the present invention, the card ID information 393 may be stored in the memory card storage unit 391 in advance when the memory card 200 is manufactured. The card ID information 393 may be anything as long as it is information that can uniquely identify the memory card 200. In the present invention, the card ID information 393 may be the same as or different from the card ID code 211 on the label. Further, the card ID information 393 may be uniquely derived from the card ID code 211 or may not be uniquely derived. The card ID code 211 may be uniquely derived from the card ID information 393 or may not be uniquely derived. Hereinafter, in the example of the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 13, the optical read card ID information derived from the card ID information 393 and the card ID code 211 is different, and the card It is assumed that the card ID code 211 cannot be derived from the ID information 393 and the card ID information 393 cannot be derived from the card ID code 211. That is, the card ID code 211 and the card ID information 393 can be made different.

  As described above, since the card ID code and the card ID information may be different, it is not necessary to confirm that the card ID code and the card ID information match, and the card ID code and the card ID are also not required. The generation of the card ID code and the generation of the card ID information can be performed when different persons are different without generating the management of information. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in manufacturing cost and management cost of the memory card.

When the memory card 200 is connected to the electrical input / output means 380 of the information terminal 301, information can be written from the information terminal 301 to the memory card 200 and information can be read from the memory card 200 to the information terminal 301. . In the present invention, the information terminal 301 may be any of a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, and a storage device, but is not limited thereto. For example, any information terminal that does not have the input unit 372 and the display unit 373 may be used. In the example of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the memory card and the information terminal 301 read and write information via the electrical input / output means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information terminal 301 and the memory card 200 may perform reading and writing via wireless communication.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, and 13. First, the electrical input / output terminal 201 of the memory card 200 and the electrical input / output means 380 of the information terminal 301 are connected (step S401). Next, the calculation means 351 of the information terminal 301 generates ID information for uniquely specifying the memory card 200, and the card ID information 393 is stored in the storage means 391 of the memory card via the electrical input / output means 380. Write (step S402). Next, the memory card 200 is removed from the information terminal 301. Next, after the memory card 200 is connected to an imaging terminal such as a digital camera, the information photographed by the user is written as image information 392 in the storage means 391 of the memory card 200 as image information 392 (step S403).

In the present specification, it is assumed that image information is stored in the memory card 200. However, the present invention is not limited to storing image information in the memory card 200, and can be applied to the case where information other than image information such as audio information, video information, and programs is recorded. Is possible.

Next, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. After the memory card 200 is removed from the imaging terminal, it is connected again to the electrical input / output means 380 of the information terminal 301 (step S501). Next, the computing unit 351 of the information terminal 301 calls the image information and card ID information of the saved image information table 362 stored in the external storage unit 361 to the storage unit 352 and stores them in the image information table 353 (step S502). . Next, the computing means 351 of the information terminal 301 reads the image information 392 and the card ID information 393 from the storage means 391 of the memory card 200 via the electrical input / output means 380 (step S503). The computing unit 351 adds the image information 392 and the card ID information 393 read in step S402 to the image information table 353 of the storage unit 352 in a state where they are associated (step S504).

FIG. 6A shows an example of the stored image information table 362 in which image information has been stored since step S501. The stored image table 362 has a column of image information 610 and a column of card ID information 620, and stores the card ID information in association with the image information. In addition, the saved image table 362 may store meta information such as the shooting date and time and the shooting position in association with each piece of image information, as shown in FIG. 6A. FIG. 5B shows an example of the image information table 353 after being stored in step S502 and step S504. The image information table 353 has an image information column 650 and a card ID column 660, and stores card ID information in association with image information. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6B, the image table 353 may store meta information such as the shooting date and time and the shooting position in association with each piece of image information.

The image information 611 to 614 and the card ID information 621 to 624 illustrated in FIG. 6A are read and stored by the information terminal 301 from a memory card other than the memory card 200 before step S501. Image information 613 and 614 was read from a memory card having card ID information 623 and 624. Image information 611 and 612 were read from a memory card that cannot read card ID information. For example, the image information 611 and 612 are read from a memory card that does not store card ID information.

In the image information table 353 illustrated as an example in FIG. 6B, the image information 654 to 657 and the card ID information 664 to 667 are read from the stored image information table 362 of the external storage unit in step S502, and the image information table 353 is obtained. Is remembered. Image information 651 to 653 and card ID information 661 to 663 illustrated in FIG. 6B are read from the memory card 200 and stored in the image information table 353 in steps S503 and S504. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6B, the image information 651 is obtained by reading the image information 392 of the storage unit 391 of the memory card 200 in step S503 and storing it in the image information table 353 in step S504. Similarly, the card ID information 661 is obtained by reading the image information 393 of the storage unit 391 of the memory card 200 in step S503 and storing it in the image information table 353 in step S504. The image information table 353 stores card ID information 661 in association with the image information 651.

Next, the information terminal 301 sends the information (contents) stored in the image information table 353 generated in step S504 to the portable information terminal 101 via the communication unit 371 and the network 300 (step S505). The portable information terminal 101 receives this via the communication means 330 and stores the contents of the image information table 353 in the saved image information table 322 (step S506). If the stored image information table 322 stores image information and card ID information before step S506, the information stored in the image information table 353 received from the information terminal 301 in step S505 is added and updated. Let it be an image information table. Note that the stored image information table 322 may be referred to as a first storage unit of the portable information terminal 101. In addition, means for managing the saved image information table 322 by adding, updating, reading, deleting, etc. information to the saved image information table 322 may be referred to as first storage management means. The first storage management unit can be realized by a program stored in the storage unit 312 of the portable information terminal 101 and executed by the calculation unit 311. For example, the first storage management unit corresponds to a device driver that inputs / outputs information to / from the external storage unit 321 and a module of a program that operates such a device driver. Further, the first storage management means can be realized only by a hardware configuration.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the saved image information table 322 updated by adding the contents stored in the information table 353. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the image information 718 and 719 and the card ID information 728 and 729 are stored in the saved image table 322 before step S506. Image information 711 to 717 and card ID information 721 to 727 are the image information and card ID information received from the information terminal 301 in step S505. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the card ID information 724 and 725 is “NULL”, indicating that there is no card ID information associated with the image information 714 and 715. The card ID information 729 is “201354”, which is the same as the card ID information 393 of the memory card 200. Therefore, the image information 719 is received or acquired by the portable information terminal 101 via the information terminal 301 or by other methods and stored in the saved image information table 322 before step S501.

4, 5, 8, and 13, the image information 651 to 657 stored in the image information table 353 of the information terminal 301 is sent to the portable information terminal 101 as it is. This is added to the stored image information table 322. According to another example of the embodiment of the present invention, in step S505, the information terminal 301 causes the computing unit 351 to reduce the image information 651 to 657 and send it to the portable information terminal 101. Further, in step 506, the portable information terminal 101 The reduced image information may be added to the saved image information table 322. In the case of this example, the image information 711 to 717 processed by the portable information terminal 101 is a reduced image of the image information 651 to 657 stored in the information terminal 301, respectively. According to this example, the capacity required for the external storage means in the portable information terminal 101 can be reduced. The present invention can achieve a great effect when a large number of image information stored in a plurality of memory cards is collectively managed by the portable information terminal 101. When a large amount of image information is stored in the portable information terminal 101, the storage capacity of the external storage unit 321 may be insufficient. However, according to this example, the problem of insufficient capacity of the external storage unit 321 can be solved. In the case of this example, the image displayed on the display means 123 shown in FIGS. 9, 11 and 14 is a display of reduced image information. In this example, any method for reducing the image information in the image information table 353 by the information terminal 301 may be used.

Note that the memory card 200 may have a wireless communication function for communicating with the portable information terminal 101. In this case, when the memory card 200 is attached to the portable camera or the information terminal 301 and power is supplied, the memory card 200 does not pass the stored image information and card ID information via the information terminal 301. Is transmitted to the portable information terminal 101. In this case, the portable information terminal 101 receives the image information and the card ID information from the memory card 200 through the communication unit 330, and stores the image information in association with the card ID information in the saved image information table 322. In addition, the memory card 200 is attached to the portable information terminal 101, and the portable information terminal 101 directly reads information stored in the memory card 200 without using the information terminal 301 and the network 300, and stores the stored image information table. In 322, the card ID information may be stored in association with the image information.

The information stored in the memory card 200 is stored in the information terminal 301, and then the information terminal 301 transmits the information to the portable information terminal 101, so that the information terminal 301 can back up the information stored in the memory card 200. It can function as a device. The information stored in the plurality of memory cards is stored in the information terminal 301, and the information stored in the plurality of memory cards is stored in the portable information terminal through a single communication between the information terminal 301 and the portable information terminal 101. 101 can be stored, and the operation of the user becomes easy. Further, as described above, the image information stored in the memory card 200 can be processed, such as transmitting image information obtained by reducing the image information stored in the memory card 200 to the portable information terminal 101. it can.

Next, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The display unit 123 of the portable information terminal 101 displays the image information in the stored image information table 313 (step S801). In this example, the stored image information table 322 included in the external storage unit 321 is copied to the storage unit 312 of the processing unit, a display image information table 313 is created, and this is displayed on the display unit 123. The stored image information table may be displayed on the display unit 123 without being copied to the storage unit 312. FIG. 9 shows an example in which all the image information stored in the display image information table 313 is displayed on the display unit 123 of the touch screen 120. In the example of FIG. 9, the image 901 displays the image information 711 shown in FIG. Similarly, images 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, and 909 display image information 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, and 719, respectively.

Next, the user takes an image of the memory card 200 shown in FIG. 2B by using the optical reading means 103 such as a camera of the portable information terminal 101. As a result, the card ID code 211 is read (step S802). Next, the computing means 311 converts the read card ID code 211 into card ID information (step S803). As a result, the portable information terminal 101 recognizes the appearance of the memory card 200 using the step-captured image. For example, barcode recognition and decoding are performed. Here, the information that is the recognized result is referred to as optical reading card ID information. The means for recognizing the appearance of the memory card 200 is called recognition means. The recognition means can be realized by a program stored in the storage means 312 of the portable information terminal 101 and executed by the calculation means 311. Further, the recognition means can be realized only by hardware configuration.

Since the card ID code 211 is information that can uniquely identify the memory card 200 as described above, the optical reading card ID information is also information that can uniquely identify the memory card 200. However, since the card ID information 393 stored in the storage unit 391 in the memory card 200 and the card ID code 211 displayed on the label 210 may not be the same, in the step S803, the optical reading card ID information is Of the card ID information stored in the card ID information column 720 of the saved image information table 322, it may not be possible to specify which card ID information corresponds to the card ID information.

Next, an image stored in the memory card 200 is selected from the list of image information displayed on the display unit 123. For example, the computing unit 311 of the portable information terminal 101 displays the label 210 of the memory card 200 acquired by the optical reading unit 103 in step S801 on the display unit 123. In addition, an image that instructs the user of the portable information terminal 101 to select an image stored in the memory card 200 from the list of image information displayed on the display unit 123 is displayed on the display unit 123. (Step S804). FIG. 10 shows an example of the image displayed on the display unit 123 of the touch screen 120 in step S804. This image includes an appearance image 1001 of the memory card 200 optically read in step S802 and an image 1002 that requests to select an image stored in the memory card. Accordingly, by displaying the appearance image 1001 of the memory card 200 optically read in step S802 and the image 1002 requesting to select the image stored in the memory card, the recognition of the appearance image 1001 is recognized by the portable information terminal 101. It is possible to notify the user that this has been done by the recognition means.

The means for making a selection in this way is called a selection means. The selection means can be realized by a combination of hardware such as the touch screen 120 and a program stored in the storage means 312 of the portable information terminal 101 and executed by the calculation means 311. Further, the selection means can be realized only by a hardware configuration.

  Thus, by selecting the image stored in the memory card, the card ID information and the optical reading card ID information obtained from the appearance of the memory card can be easily and accurately associated. In addition, even if information stored in a plurality of memory cards is stored in the portable information terminal 101 at a time, the user can use the optical information obtained from the card ID information and the appearance of the memory card at any time such as when the user has time. Association with the reading card ID information can be performed.

  When information other than image information is stored in the memory card 200, instead of displaying the image information on the display means 123, an image such as an icon representing information other than the image information or an image other than the image information is displayed. The file name and attribute information storing information can be displayed.

In the example of the embodiment of the present invention described here, the image read in step S802 is used as the appearance image 1001 of the memory card 200 displayed on the display unit 123 in step S804. In an example of another embodiment of the present invention, a card appearance image table 323 is provided in the external storage unit 321 of the portable information terminal 101, and the appearance image of the memory card stored in the card appearance image table is used as the appearance image 1001. Also good. In this case, the card appearance image table 323 stores the card appearance image and the optical read card ID information corresponding to each card in association with each other.

Next, when the user contacts the input unit 121 of the touch screen 120, one of the images stored in the memory card 200 is selected (step S805). FIG. 11 shows an example of an image for image selection in step S805. Images 1101 to 1109 in the example of FIG. 11 correspond to the images 901 to 909 of FIG. 9, respectively. Also, check boxes for selecting images corresponding to the images 1101 to 1109 are displayed. For example, the image 1111 is a check box for selecting the image 1101. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the user selects the image 1102 by touching the check box 1112 of the touch screen 120. The method of selecting an image is not limited to a check box, and any method may be used as long as an image can be selected on a touch screen.

The image information 1102 selected in step S805 is obtained by displaying the image information 712 stored in the saved image information table 322. Then, the stored image information table 322 is searched with the image information 712, and the card ID information 722 associated therewith is extracted as a search result (step S806). The card ID information 722 read here is referred to as user-selected card ID information. This user selection card ID information is also information that is electrically read from the memory card 200 in step 503 and stored in the portable information terminal 101 via the information terminal 301 and the network 300. The search in step S806 may be performed on the saved image information table 322 in the external storage unit, and this search is performed by adding card ID information to the image information stored in the saved image information table 322 in the processing unit 310. May be performed on the display image information table 313 that has been copied in association with each other. A means for performing such a search is referred to as a search means. The search means can be realized by a program stored in the storage means 312 or the like of the portable information terminal 101 and executed by the calculation means 311. Further, the search means can be realized only by a hardware configuration.

As a result of the search in step S806, the portable information terminal 101 uses the optical read card ID information acquired from the card ID code 211 displayed on the label of the memory card and the user acquired via the electrical input / output terminal 201 or the like. The selected card ID information 722 can be processed as ID information indicating the same memory card 200. Next, this correspondence is stored in the card ID correspondence table 324 of the external storage means 321 (step S807).

FIG. 12 shows an example of the card ID correspondence table 324. The card ID correspondence table 324 includes a column 1210 for optical reading card ID information and a column 1220 for user-selected card ID information. In the example of FIG. 12, the card ID correspondence table 324 stores the optical reading card ID information 1211 obtained in step S803 and the user selection ID information 1221 obtained in step S806 in association with each other. As described above, the card ID correspondence table 324 is a table that stores the correspondence relationship between the memory card ID displayed on the outer appearance of the memory card and the electrically readable memory card ID. Referring to FIG. 7, for example, portable information terminal 101 stores, in addition to memory card 200, a memory card having card ID information 726 and image information acquired from a memory card having card ID information 728. I understand that. In FIG. 12, these are user selection ID information 1222 and 11223, respectively, and 1212 and 1213 are stored in association with each other as optical reading card ID information corresponding to each of them in the card ID table.

The processes described above with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 8 are preparations for selectively displaying the photos stored in the specific memory card on the portable information terminal 101. These processes are executed only once for each memory card. After step S807, when the portable information terminal 101 optically re-reads and recognizes the card ID code of the memory card 200, the card ID code of the memory card 200 is re-read and recognized by searching the card ID correspondence table 324. Can be detected. For this reason, the portable information terminal 101 can execute only the processing shown in FIG. The card ID correspondence table 324 may be referred to as a second storage unit. In addition, means for managing the card ID correspondence table 324 by adding, updating, reading, or deleting information to the card ID correspondence table 324 may be referred to as second storage management means. The first storage management unit can be realized by a program stored in the storage unit 312 of the portable information terminal 101 and executed by the calculation unit 311. For example, the second storage management unit corresponds to a device driver that inputs / outputs information to / from the external storage unit 321 and a module of a program that operates such a device driver. Further, the second storage management means can be realized only by hardware configuration.

A process for selectively displaying image information stored in a specific memory card on a portable information terminal will be described as an example of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. Here, “selectively displaying” means that image information stored in a memory card different from a specific memory card is not displayed. In this example, the user displays only the image information stored in the memory card 200 from the image information acquired from the plurality of memory cards stored in the portable information terminal 101, and the user displays the memory card 200. A case of confirming the contents stored in will be described. The label 210 included in the external appearance of the memory card 200 that is the target for checking the stored image information is photographed by the optical reading means 103 of the portable information terminal 101 (step S1301), and the external appearance of the memory card 200 is recognized. . In the example shown in FIG. 2, the recognition result is “8451212” 1211 which is read card ID information read from the card ID code 211. Next, the computing means 311 of the portable information terminal 101 searches the optical reading card ID information column 1220 in the card ID correspondence table 324 using the reading card ID information 1211 as a search key. As a search result, user selection card ID information 1221 corresponding to the optical reading card ID information 1211 is obtained (step S1302). In the example shown in FIG. 12, the searched user selection card ID information is “201354”. Next, the computing means 311 searches the card ID information column 720 of the stored image information table 322 illustrated in FIG. 7 using the user selection card ID information 1221 obtained in step S1302 as a search key. Image information 711, 712, 713, and 719 is obtained as a search result (step S1303). Then, the display unit 123 of the portable information terminal 310 displays these pieces of image information (step S1304).

FIG. 14 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 123 as a result of step S1304. The image information 711, 712, 713, and 719 searched in step S1303 are displayed on the display unit 123 as images 1401, 1402, 1403, and 1409, respectively. In the example of FIG. 14, the appearance image 1401 of the memory card 200 is displayed, and the memory card in which the image displayed in FIG. 14 is stored is explicitly displayed. In one embodiment of the present invention, a memory card title 1411 may be displayed as in the example of FIG. In these cases, for example, a card appearance information column or a memory card title information column is added to the card ID correspondence table 324 and stored in association with the optical read card ID information and the user-selected card ID information. It is feasible. In FIG. 9, images stored in a plurality of memory cards are collectively displayed, whereas in FIG. 14, only images stored in the memory card 200 are selectively displayed. As described above, the user of the portable information terminal 101 can confirm the image information stored in the memory card 200 only by photographing the appearance of the memory card 200.

In addition, when information other than image information is stored in the memory card 200, for example, when music information is stored in a file format or the like, when the appearance of the memory card 200 is photographed, the memory card 200 The titles of the music information stored in 200 can be displayed. Thereby, the information about the music information stored in the memory card 200 can be obtained without viewing all the music information. The same applies to moving image information. When image information is stored in the memory card 200, a large number of image information is often recorded on a large number of memory cards by a digital camera as described above. It is possible to more easily grasp whether information is stored.

Referring to FIG. 7, for example, card ID information 726 and 727 is user-selected card ID information different from that searched in step S1303. Therefore, the image information 716 and 717 is acquired by the portable information terminal 101 from a memory card other than the memory card 200, and the image information is stored through the processing corresponding to FIGS. 4, 5, and 8. The memory card is in an identifiable state. The card ID information 724 and 725 is NULL. Accordingly, the image information 714 and 715 are unclear on which memory card the image is stored. The image 719 is associated with the user selection card ID information 729 of the memory card 200. In step 506, only the image information 711 to 713 is stored in the saved image information table 322, and the image information 729 is not stored. This image information 729 is acquired by the portable information terminal 101 from the memory card 200 in association with the card ID information 393 between step S807 and step S1301, but the processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed. Absent.

4, 5, 8, and 13, as an example of the embodiment of the present invention, card ID information that can be electrically read from a memory card and card ID that can be optically read are shown. The method for storing the information correspondence in the card ID correspondence table 324 has been described. However, the present invention may store the correspondence between the optically readable card ID and the electrically readable card ID in any state. For example, as another example of the embodiment of the present invention, the optical reading ID information acquired in step S803 may be stored in the saved image information table 322 instead of the card ID correspondence table 324. In this case, the optical reading ID information obtained in step 803 may be stored in association with the image information 711, 712, 713, and 719 associated with the user selection card ID information obtained in step S806. Good.

In the above description, the portable information terminal 101 acquires the image information 392 and the card ID information 393 of the memory card 200 via the information terminal 301. However, in another example of the embodiment of the present invention, The portable information terminal 101 having an output unit may acquire the image information 392 and the card ID information 393 by connecting the memory card 200 directly to the portable information terminal 101.

In the above description, the portable information terminal 101 is a portable terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to a portable terminal, and can also be implemented in a desktop personal computer.

As described above, the portable information terminal 101 can be realized by executing the program stored in the storage unit 312 or the like of the portable information terminal 101 by the calculation unit 311. Such a program or a program for installing such a program in the portable information terminal 101 is stored in a server that can communicate with the portable information terminal 101, the portable information terminal 101 communicates with the server, and the program is You may memorize | store in the memory | storage means 312. FIG. Alternatively, the program may be stored in a storage medium such as a memory card, and the portable information terminal 101 may read the program stored in the storage medium.

Claims (9)

Managing first storage means for storing a plurality of files stored in a plurality of memory cards having different appearances in association with card ID information stored in a memory card storing the files. First storage management means,
Recognition means for recognizing the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards;
A selection unit that selects a file stored in a memory card whose appearance is recognized by the recognition unit among a plurality of files stored in the first storage unit;
Search means for searching for card ID information associated with the file selected by the selection means;
Second storage management for managing second storage means for storing the card ID information searched by the search means in association with the result of recognizing the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards by the recognition means Means,
With
When the appearance of any one of the plurality of memory cards is recognized again, it is stored in the first storage unit in association with the card ID information stored in the second storage unit in association with the result of the second recognition. A portable information terminal that outputs information about existing files.   The recognition means recognizes barcode information included in one of the plurality of memory cards, and the result of recognizing one of the plurality of memory cards is information obtained by decoding the barcode information. The portable information terminal according to claim 1.   3. The portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein information obtained by decoding barcode information included in an appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards is different from card ID information stored in any of the plurality of memory cards. From an information terminal that reads a plurality of files stored in one of the plurality of memory cards having different appearances and card ID information stored in the one memory card, the plurality of files and the Receiving means for receiving card ID information;
The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the received card ID information is associated with each of a plurality of files received by the receiving unit and stored in the first storage unit. In the portable information terminal as a computer,
From an information terminal that reads a plurality of files stored in one of the plurality of memory cards having different appearances and card ID information stored in the one memory card, the plurality of files and the Receive card ID information,
The first storage means stores the received card ID information in association with each of the plurality of received files,
Recognizing the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards;
Display information on a plurality of files stored in the first storage means, and select one file from the plurality of displayed files,
The card ID information stored in the first storage means is searched in association with the selected one file,
As a result of recognizing the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards, the searched card ID information is associated and stored in the second storage means,
When the appearance of any one of the plurality of memory cards is recognized again, it is stored in the first storage unit in association with the card ID information stored in the second storage unit in association with the result of the second recognition. A program to output information about the file being used.   The program according to claim 5, wherein when the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards is recognized again, a file that is not associated with the result of the recognition again is not displayed.   6. The barcode information included in the appearance of any one of the plurality of memory cards is recognized, and the result of recognizing the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards is information obtained by decoding the barcode information. The program described in.   The program according to claim 7, wherein information obtained by decoding barcode information included in an appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards is different from card ID information stored in any of the plurality of memory cards. From an information terminal that reads a plurality of files stored in one of the plurality of memory cards having different appearances and card ID information stored in the one memory card, the plurality of files and the Receive card ID information,
Storing the received card ID information in the first storage means in association with each of the plurality of received files;
Recognizing the appearance of any of the plurality of memory cards;
Outputting information on a plurality of files stored in the first storage means, selecting one file from the plurality of displayed files,
The card ID information stored in the first storage means is searched in association with the selected one file,
As a result of recognizing the appearance of any one of the plurality of memory cards, the searched card ID information is associated and stored in the second storage means,
When the appearance of any one of the plurality of memory cards is recognized again, it is stored in the first storage unit in association with the card ID information stored in the second storage unit in association with the result of the second recognition. A method of operating a portable information terminal, including outputting information about a file being stored.

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