JPH0236491A - Portable information storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To extremely reduce the size and the weight of a whole device, and to obtain an information storage device which is superior in portability and has fast retrieving speed by using an IC memory card as an information storing medium. CONSTITUTION:Picture information is read by using a hand scanner 15, and is stored in a RAM 58 in the IC memory card 11. At that time, ID information necessitated at the time of retrieval is inputted from a keyboard 3, and is stored together with the picture information. Then, at the time of the retrieval, by inputting the ID information from the keyboard 3, the corresponding picture information is retrieved and read out from the RAM 58 in the IC memory card 11, and is display-outputted by a liquid crystal displaying part 2 or is printed out by a printer 20. Thus, since the IC memory card is used as the information storing medium, the whole device can be extremely miniaturized and lightened, and the device can be made superior in the portability and fast in the retrieving speed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention stores image information such as a business card on an IC memory card, retrieves it as necessary, and displays and outputs it. The present invention relates to a portable information storage device that can arbitrarily combine memo information and date information with the above two image information as needed.

(Prior Art) Recently, as a method for storing a large amount of image information such as documents, an information storage device (electronic file device) using an optical disk as an information storage medium has been developed and put into practical use.

Here, to briefly explain information storage devices using conventional optical discs, first, when registering (storing) image information,
In addition to setting the image information to be registered in the scanner,
By inputting ID information (hiking information) from the keyboard, the image information is read with a scanner, the ID information inputted above is added to the read image information, and the image information with this ID information added is compressed. Later recorded on an optical disc.

Next, when searching for registered image information in this way, by inputting the ID information of the image information you want to search from the keyboard, the corresponding ID information is assigned based on the input ID information. The image information is searched and read from the optical disk, and the read image information is expanded and restored to the original image information, and then displayed on a display or output as a hard copy using a printer.

In this way, conventional information storage devices have used optical disks as information storage media. However, as is well known, although optical disks have the characteristics of inexpensive large-capacity memories with fast access speeds, their drive devices are extremely large, making it difficult to make the entire device smaller and lighter. However, the drawback is that it lacks portability.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, the present invention uses an optical disk as an information storage medium, so it is difficult to make the entire device smaller and lighter, and it solves the problem that it lacks portability. It was developed to solve this problem, and the entire device can be made significantly smaller and lighter, making it highly portable. Moreover, it is possible to arbitrarily combine memo information, date information, etc. with image information as needed. The purpose is to provide a highly convenient portable information storage device that can be used.

[Structure/Configuration of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) A portable information storage device of the present invention includes an information input means for inputting image information to be stored, and input means for inputting expedition information, memo information, etc. a removably provided IC memory card for storing image information, and information synthesis means for synthesizing image information input by the information input means with memo information input from the keyboard; information storage control means for adding adventure information inputted from the keyboard to the image information synthesized by the information synthesis means and storing it in the IC memory card; (1) information read control means for searching and reading out image information attached to the expedition information from the IC memory card; and (2) a display section for displaying and outputting the image information read by the information read control means as a visible image. and a portable main body that houses at least the keyboard, information synthesis means, information storage control means, information readout control means, and display section.

The portable information storage device of the present invention also includes an information input means for inputting image information to be stored, a keyboard for inputting expedition information, etc., and a time information generator for generating time information such as date information and time information. means and is removably provided,
an IC memory card for storing image information, etc.; an information synthesizing means for synthesizing image information input by the information inputting means with time information generated from the time information generating means; Information storage control means for adding adventure information inputted from the keyboard to image information and storing it in the IC memory card; and adding corresponding adventure information based on the adventure information inputted from the keyboard. information readout control means for searching and reading out image information from the IC memory card; a display section for displaying and outputting the image information read by the information readout control means as a visible image; and at least the keyboard and time information generation. means,
Information synthesis means, information storage control means, information readout control means,
and a portable main body that houses a display section.

(Function) By using an IC memory card as an information storage medium, the entire device can be made much smaller and lighter than before, making it highly portable and fast in search speed. . In particular, the entire device can be made significantly smaller and lighter, and by incorporating a battery as a power source, it is convenient to carry, and it is possible to store information at any location and search for and output stored information. becomes.

In addition, by providing a means for combining memo information entered from the keyboard or time information such as date information and time information generated from an internal time information generation means with image information, image information can be added as necessary. Memo information, date information, etc. can be combined arbitrarily. This results in
For example, when this device is used as a business card file device, simple memo information, meeting dates, and meeting times can be automatically recorded along with the business card image, making it extremely convenient and practical.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 shows the external appearance of a portable information storage device according to the present invention. That is, 1 is a portable device body formed in the shape of a thin rectangular parallelepiped, and a liquid crystal display section 2 and a keyboard 3 are provided on the surface of this body 1. The keyboard 3 is provided with a numeric keypad and various function keys that also function as English or kana character keys, as well as a registration key 4, a search key 5, an execution key 6, and a memo key for synthesizing memo information. 7, a date key 8 for synthesizing date information, a power-on key 9, etc. are also provided.

Note that specific key 10 of the above function keys
also functions as a cursor movement key for setting the position of information to be synthesized.

Further, a card insertion slot 12 for inserting and setting an IC memory card 11 as an information storage medium is provided on the end surface of the main body 1 in the transverse direction.
A multi-contact contact section 14 (not shown) is provided in the main body 1 corresponding to the main body 1 for making electrical contact with the multi-contact contact section 13 (not shown) of the inserted IC memory card 11 .

In addition, the main body 1 includes a hand scanner (image reading unit, information input means) 15 as an obunyon component with a cable 16.
and can be electrically connected via the connector 17. The hand scanner 15 is configured as follows, for example.

That is, 18 is a thin hand-held scanner body,
One rectangular reading window is formed at its tip. The width of the reading window 19 in the longitudinal direction is set to, for example, at least the width of the business card in the lateral direction. Inside the main body 18, there is a light source that irradiates light onto the object to be read through one reading window, and a reading window 19 that emits light reflected from the object to be read.
It houses a CCD type image that receives light and converts it into an electrical signal, a sensor, an optical system for the sensor, a drive circuit that drives the light source and the image sensor, a signal processing circuit that processes the output signal of the image sensor, and the like.

When reading image information using the hand scanner 15 configured in this way, the hand scanner 15 is held in the hand and is read by moving the reading window 19 in a predetermined direction while touching the object to be read.

Furthermore, the main body 1 includes a printer (image output device) 20, a cable 21, and a connector 2 as obunion parts.
2, electrical connection is possible in a detachable manner.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a portable information storage device according to the present invention. That is, an MPU (micro processor unit) 31 serves as a control section that controls the entire device, and operates based on a clock supplied from a clock generation control section 32.

A system bus 33 is connected to the MPU 31,
The system bus 33 includes a contact section 14 for making electrical contact with the contact section 13 of the IC memory card 11, a time information generating section 34, and a RAM for temporarily storing application programs and data.
(random access memory) 35, an image processing section 36 that performs compression/expansion processing of image information, a display section control section 37 that controls the liquid crystal display section 2, a keyboard control section 38 that controls the keyboard 3, and a hand scanner 15. Three scanner control units to control and a printer control unit 40 to control the printer 20 are connected.

Note that 41 is a battery for supplying power to each of the above parts.

The time information generating section 34 is configured to generate time information such as date information (year, month, day information) and time information by counting a reference clock output from a crystal oscillator, for example.

FIG. 5 shows the circuit configuration of the IC memory card 11. That is, buffers 53 and 54 are connected to the contact section 13 via an address bus 51 and a data bus 52, and these buffers 53 and 54 are connected to the address bus 5.
5. ROM (Read Only Memory) 57 as program memory and RAM (Random Access Memory) as image memory via data bus 56
58 is connected, and an address decoder 59 is connected to the ROM 57 and RAM 58. The ROM 57 stores control programs for the MPU 31 to operate. The RAM 58 is for storing various information.

Further, a buffer 61 is connected to the contact section 13 via a control signal bus 60, and various control signals (for example, a data write signal, a data read signal, etc.) are outputted from the buffer 61. Furthermore, a power supply switching circuit 6 is connected to the contact portion 13 via a power supply line 62.
3 are connected, and a lithium battery 64 for RAM backup is connected to this power supply switching circuit 63. The power supply switching circuit 63 normally switches power from the battery 64 to the RAM 58.
When the IC memory card 11 or card insertion slot 12 is inserted and set, the IC memory card 11 is switched to supply the 1 source supplied from the outside through the contact section 13 to each section including the RAM 58. be.

FIG. 6 shows a memory map of the RAM 58.

That is, the RAM 58 is divided into a directory area 58 and an image information area 582. Directory area 58. Title information of already registered image information is written in .

The title information includes, for example, ID information unique to the image information (search information), the block number of the first block, the number of blocks,
and a block check code (BCC). Image information is written in the image information area 582. In this case, one piece of image information is written in a blocking manner, for example, in a word length of 4 kilobytes. That is, the data is written divided into a plurality of blocks, and consecutive block numbers are added to the beginning of each block.

Next, in such a configuration, registration (storage) and search operations of image information will be described.

First, image information registration processing using, for example, the hand scanner 15 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, after connecting the hand scanner 15 to the main body 1, the IC memory card 11 is set by inserting it into the card insertion slot 12 (Sl). Next, by pressing the registration key 4 in the keyboard 3 (S2), the MPU
31 reads a registration program from the ROM 57 in the IC memory card 11, starts an operation based on the registration program, and displays a message for inputting ID information on the liquid crystal display section 2. According to this message, use the keyboard 3 to enter 1,000 unique ID information (for example, a person's name, □
etc.) (S3), and then presses the execution key 6 in the keyboard 3 (S4).

Then, the MPU 31 checks the severity of the ID information (S5 and S6). That is, since the ID information of already registered image information is already written in the directory area 58□ of the RA kl 58 in the IC memory card 11, the ID information is read out and the newly input ID information is read out. Check one by one.

As a result of this comparison, if there is a match, the MPU 31 displays an error message on the liquid crystal display section 2 (S7) and instructs the author to input another ID information. If there is no match as a result of the above matching, M
The P U 31 temporarily stores the input ID information in the RAM 35 and displays a message for inputting image information on the liquid crystal display section 2.
to be displayed.

According to this message, the operator scans the hand scanner 1.
5 in hand, and read image information to be registered, such as a business card, by scanning it (S8). The read image information is converted into 21 images by the scanner controller 39 and then temporarily stored in the RAM 35 under the control of the MPU 31. After that, the MPU 31 uses the RAM
The image information in 35 is sent to the display controller 37 to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 2 (S9). Here, the operator visually checks the display contents on the liquid crystal display section 2 to confirm whether the business card has been read as desired.
10) If you are not satisfied with the read content, read it again.

Now, when combining memo information with the read image information, the operator must press the memo key 7 in the keyboard 3.
), then use the cursor movement key 10 in the kill boat 3 to move the cursor C (third
(see figure), the composition position is set (S12).

Then, the operator inputs the memo information using the keyboard 3.] 3) By pressing the execution key 6 in the keyboard 3 (S14), the MPU 31 stores the input memo information in the RAM 35. The image information displayed on the liquid crystal display section 2 is synthesized at the position set by the cursor C (S15).As a result, the image information is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 2 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the memo information M synthesized therewith is displayed.

In addition, when combining date information with image information that has been taken,
The operator presses the date key 3 on the keyboard 3.
6'), then cursor movement key 10 in keyboard 3
The combination position is set by moving the cursor C displayed on the liquid crystal display section 2 using the (S17).

Then, when the operator presses the execution key 6 in the keyboard 3 (S18), the MPU 31 executes the time b'
The date information is read out from the f-report generation unit 34 (519), and this read date information is combined with the image information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the RAM 35 at the position set by the cursor C (520). ). As a result, the date information combined with the image information is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 2 as shown in FIG. In this case, the time information may also be read out from the time information generation section 34 and synthesized.

In this way, memo information for the read image information and
Alternatively, when the date information has been synthesized, the operator presses the execution key 6 on the keyboard 3 (S21). Then, the MPU 31 transfers the memo information and/or the image information combined with the date information in the RAM 35 to the image processing section 36. The image processing unit 36 compresses the transferred image information (S22), and converts the compressed image information into a format to be recorded on the IC memory card, for example, in a word length of 4 kilobytes. King and send out. At this time, the MPU 31 adds a consecutive block number of, for example, 4 Hi to the beginning of each block of image information sent from the image processing unit 36, and transfers the image information to which this block number is added to the IC. The information is sequentially written to the image information area 582 of the RAM 2S in the memory card 11 (823).

Then, when the writing of image information is completed normally, the MPU
31 is the title information of the written image information, that is, R
Write the ID information temporarily stored in the AM35, the block number of the first block, the number of blocks, and their block check code (B CC') on the IC memo 1) Card 1
The data is written to the beginning of the empty area of the directory area 58 of the RAM 58 in the RAM 58 (S24). In this way, the registration process for one piece of image information is completed.

Next, the search process for the image information registered as described above will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, set the IC memory card 11 by inserting it into the card insertion slot 12 (8.31), then the keyboard 3
Press the search key 5 (S32). Then, M.P.
U31 reads a search program from the ROM 57 in the IC memory card 11, starts an operation based on the search program, and displays an I'D information input procedure on the liquid crystal display section 2. According to this message, the user inputs the ID information of the image information to be searched for from the keyboard 3 (333), and then presses the execution key 6 in the keyboard 3 (S34).

Then, the MPU 30 reads the input ID information as
After temporarily storing it in the AM 35, the ID information in the directory area 581 of the RAM 58 in the IC memory card 11 is searched (S35.836).

As a result, if there is no ID information that matches the input ID information, the MPU 31 displays an ID information error message on the liquid crystal display section 2 (537) and prompts the operator to confirm the I'D information.
Guide you to re-enter information. If there is ID information that matches the input ID information, the MPU-314t
Based on the block number and block number following the D information,
Sequentially read the image information of the corresponding block number from the image information area 582 of the RAM 58 for the number of blocks 53
8), and send it to the image processing section 36.

Since the sent image information is compressed, the image processing section 36 decompresses it to restore it to the original image information (539), and then transfers it to the RAM 35. When the data transfer for one image is completed, the MPU 31 transfers the decompressed image information in the RAM 35 to the display controller 3.
7 and displayed on the liquid crystal display section 2 (S40). Also,
At this time, if the printer 20 is connected and printout is specified, the MPU 31 uses the RAM 2
The expanded image information in S is sent to the printer control unit 40 and printed out as a hard copy. In this way, the search process for one piece of image information is completed.

In this way, the image information is read using the hand scanner 15 and stored in the RAM 58 within the IC memory card 11. At this time, enter the ID information necessary for the search from the keyboard 3, and enter the ID information in the IC memory card 11 along with the image information.
Store in AM58.

Then, by inputting this ID information from the keyboard 3 at the time of search, the RAM 5 in the IC memory card 11 is
8, the corresponding image information is retrieved and read out, and displayed on the liquid crystal display section 2 or printed out on the printer 20.

Therefore, since an IC memory card is used as the information storage medium, the entire device can be made much smaller and lighter than conventional ones using optical disks, etc., and it has excellent portability and search speed. It can be fast. In particular, the entire device can be made significantly smaller and lighter; by incorporating a battery as a power source,
It is convenient to carry, and allows you to store and write down image information at any location, and search for and output refined image information.Also, you can remove the IC memory card that stores image information and use it with other card leagues, etc. By setting it to , it is also possible to display or print out.

Further, a time information generating section 34 is provided inside, and a means for synthesizing time information such as date information and time information generated from the time information generating section 34 or memo information inputted from the keyboard 3 with image information is provided. This allows memo information, date information, etc. to be arbitrarily combined with image information as needed. As a result, when this device is used as a business card file device, for example, it is possible to easily store business card images and
Memo information, meeting dates, and meeting times can be automatically recorded, making it extremely convenient and practical.

Note that in the above embodiment, memo information and date information to be combined are treated in the same way as image information, and are stored in the RAM 58 after being combined with the image information and subjected to compression processing. The memo information and date information to be synthesized are stored as code information in an area different from the image information of the RAM 58, and when searching for the corresponding image information, the memo information and date information are simultaneously read out, the image information is synthesized, and the image information is displayed and output. You can do it like this.

Further, in the above embodiment, since an IC memory card using a battery-backed RAM is used as the image memory, it is possible to both register and search image information. However, if you only need to search for image information, mask ROM or programmable R is used as the image memory.
IC using OM (EPROM or EEFROM)
A memory card can also be used. In this case, of course,
Registration of image information is performed in a separate dedicated device. Since such an IC memory card does not require a built-in battery, it can be made into an inexpensive and thin card, and is particularly suitable for displaying and outputting fixed image information such as maps and timetables.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, a case has been described in which a ROM for storing an MPU control program is built into an IC memory card, but it is not always necessary to do so, and this ROM may be provided on the main body side. . Therefore, it is sufficient that the IC memory card has at least a built-in image memory such as a RAM.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the hand scanner and the printer can be optional parts, and can be separate from the main body of the device, or both or one of them can be built into the main body of the device, which further improves portability. It will be excellent.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the case where the image information to be stored is read and inputted with a hand scanner has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a case where the image information to be stored is inputted as an electric signal from the outside without using a hand scanner.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, the entire device can be significantly reduced in size and weight, and has excellent portability.Moreover, it is possible to add memo information and date information to image information as needed. It is possible to provide a very convenient portable information storage device that can arbitrarily synthesize information.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures are for explaining one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a flowchart explaining image information registration processing, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart explaining the image information search process, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the portable information storage device, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable information storage device, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of an IC memory card,
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a memory map of the RAM built into the IC memory card. 1...Device body, 2...Liquid crystal display section (display section), 3...Keyboard, 11...S/I
C memory card, 15...hand scanner (image reading section, information input means) 31...MPU (control section, information synthesis means, information storage control means, information readout control means), 34. ...Time information generation unit (time information generation means), 37...Display unit control unit, 38...
...Keyboard control, 57...ROM (program memory), 58...RAM (image memory). Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 2

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) Information input means for inputting image information to be memorized, a keyboard for inputting search information, memo information, etc., a removably provided IC memory card for storing image information, etc., and inputting said information. an information synthesizing means for synthesizing memo information inputted from the keyboard with image information inputted by the means; an information storage control means for storing information in the card; an information readout control means for searching and reading image information to which corresponding search information is attached based on search information input from the keyboard from the IC memory card; a display unit that displays and outputs the image information read by the readout control means as a visible image; and a portable main body that houses at least the keyboard, the information synthesis means, the information storage control means, the information readout control means, and the display unit. A portable information storage device comprising: (2) Information input means for inputting image information to be memorized, a keyboard for inputting search information, memo information, etc., and an I that is detachably provided and used for memorizing image information, etc.
C memory card; first information storage control means for adding search information input from the keyboard to the image information input by the information input means and storing the search information in the IC memory card; a second information storage control means for storing memo information input from the keyboard in correspondence with the image information inputted from the keyboard as code information in a portion of the IC memory card different from the image information; information reading control means for searching and reading out image information to which corresponding search information is attached based on the IC memory card and memo information corresponding to the image information; an information synthesizing means for synthesizing the read memo information; a display section for displaying and outputting the image information synthesized by the information synthesizing means as a visible image; and at least the keyboard, a first information storage control means, and a second information storage control. What is claimed is: 1. A portable information storage device comprising a portable information storage device, an information readout control device, an information synthesis device, and a portable main body that houses a display section. (3) An information input means for inputting image information to be memorized, a keyboard for inputting search information, etc., and a time information generation means for generating time information such as date information and time information; I for storing information etc.
C memory card; information synthesizing means for synthesizing time information generated from said time information generating means with image information inputted by said information inputting means; an information storage control means for storing image information to which corresponding search information is attached based on the search information inputted from the keyboard in the IC memory card; an information readout control means to be read; a display unit that displays and outputs the image information read by the information readout control means as a visible image; at least the keyboard, time information generation means, information synthesis means, information storage control means, and information readout. 1. A portable information storage device comprising a control means and a portable main body housing a display section. (4) An information input means for inputting image information to be memorized, a keyboard for inputting search information, etc., and a time information generation means for generating time information such as date information and time information. I for storing information etc.
C memory card; first information storage control means for adding adventure information input from the keyboard to the image information input by the information input means and storing it in the IC memory card; second information storage control means for storing the time information generated by the time information generation means in response to the image information inputted from the keyboard as code information in a portion of the IC memory card different from the image information; information read control means for searching and reading out image information to which corresponding search information is attached based on the search information and time information corresponding to the image information from the IC memory card; an information synthesizing means for synthesizing image information with time information read out in the same way; a display section for displaying and outputting the image information synthesized by the information synthesizing means as a visible image; at least the keyboard, the time information generating means, and first information. A portable information storage device comprising a storage control means, a second information storage control means, an information readout control means, an information synthesis means, and a portable main body housing a display section.