JPH05153453A - Recording and reproducing device incorporating communication means - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent transmission and recording of a defective picture by sending picture data read from a buffer memory after the picture data are once stored therein to an opposite party through a communication control means. CONSTITUTION:Data read from an IC card 11 via a card interface 10 are sent to a selector 9, the picture data are written in a RAM 19, expanded in a compression expansion unit 8 and written in a RAM 6 via a selector 7. The picture data read from the RAM 6 are subject to reproduction processing at a reproduction process section 15, converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter 16 and the signal is outputted as a monitor output onto an electronic view finder 17, and the sent video content is confirmed. Then after the content of the sent video image is confirmed by the monitor, when a transmission command signal is sent to a system control circuit 12 via an operation section 14, a microcomputer dials an opposite telephone number through a MODEM to send control data and picture data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus with a built-in communication means, and more particularly to a recording / reproducing apparatus with a communication means having a function of transmitting / receiving / recording / reproducing image data between electronic still cameras and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in order to transmit data such as an image obtained by an IC card camera to a separate device such as an IC card camera via an ordinary communication line or cable, FIG.
As shown in 2, the IC card 1 of the IC card camera 100
Image data from 01 is individually prepared for the transmitter 200
The data sent to the modem and subjected to the predetermined transmission processing is sent to the modem 3
00 to the communication line. Modem 40 on the receiving side
0 is the receiver 5 for image data received via the communication line.
00, and the output data from the receiver 500 is the reproduction device 6
The reproduction processing is performed at 00, and the reproduction image data is displayed on the monitor 700.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional recording / reproducing apparatus having the function of transmitting / receiving image data, the camera / memory card is connected to the communication line via a separate transmitter and modem to receive data. Since it is necessary to connect a separate modem and receiver on the (playback) side, the system configuration becomes complicated and large, and there is a problem in terms of cost. Also,
When reproducing, there is a problem in terms of operability because the reproducing device must be connected to the receiver.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus with a built-in communication means, which is capable of transmitting and receiving a video signal with a simple structure.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a recording / reproducing apparatus with a built-in communication means according to the present invention includes a conversion / compression means for converting / compressing a video signal, and this conversion / compression means.
A decompression / inverse conversion means for performing decompression / inverse conversion processing corresponding to the compression processing, and a video signal to be subjected to conversion / compression processing by the conversion / compression processing or the expansion / inverse conversion processing by the expansion / inverse conversion means. Means for monitoring the video signal, and the video signal converted / compressed by the conversion / compression means is supplied to the applied information recording medium, or the video signal from the information recording medium is expanded. Interface means for supplying to the inverse conversion means, and memory means for loading the video signal in a converted / compressed form transferred via this interface means as required and holding the loaded video signal And means for supplying the video signal held in the memory means to the decompression / inverse conversion means, and the video signal held in the memory means in response to a predetermined command. Constituted by and a delivery means for delivering. A recording / reproducing apparatus with a built-in communication means according to another aspect of the present invention is a conversion / compression means for converting / compressing a video signal, and an expansion / inverse conversion for performing expansion / inverse conversion processing corresponding to this conversion / compression processing. Means, means for monitoring the video signal to be converted / compressed by the conversion / compression processing or the video signal expanded / reverse-converted by the expansion / inverse conversion means, and the conversion / compression means The interface means for supplying the video signal converted and compressed by the applied information recording medium to the applied information recording medium, or the video signal from the information recording medium to the decompression / inverse conversion means, and the line. Receiving means for receiving the video signal in the converted / compressed form, and the converted / compressed form transferred via the interface means or received by the receiving means. A video signal is loaded as required, a memory means for holding the loaded video signal, a means for supplying the video signal held by the memory means to the decompression / inverse conversion means, and a means for responding to a predetermined command. And means for supplying and recording the video signal held in the memory means to the applied information recording medium via the interface means.

[0006]

In the present invention, the image data to be transmitted or received / recorded is temporarily stored in the buffer memory, and the image data read from this buffer memory is transmitted to the other party via the communication control means, or By configuring to record on a desired recording medium, a complicated transmitter or player is not required, and after confirming the transmitted image content or the received recorded content read from the buffer, the transmitted or recorded data can be recorded and the defective image data can be recorded. -Eliminates the fear of data transmission and recording.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus with a built-in communication means according to the present invention, which is an application example to an IC card camera. In FIG. 1, a subject image formed on the CCD 2 via the lens 1 is converted into an electric signal, and then subjected to a predetermined process such as γ correction in the image pickup process circuit 3, and an A / D converter (ADC). It is converted into a digital signal at 4. The selector 5 sets a path for recording the digital image data from the A / D converter 4 in the RAM 6 during recording. The block data read from the RAM 6 (data for each divided block when one screen is divided into a plurality of blocks) is supplied to the compression / expansion unit 8 via the selector 7. DCT of compression / expansion unit 8
The / IDCT circuit 81 is a discrete cosine transform / inverse discrete cosine transform circuit, and performs orthogonal transform processing on the block data. The transform coefficient obtained by the orthogonal transform is quantized /
After being quantized by the inverse quantization circuit 82, it is encoded by the encoding / decoding circuit 83.

Processing such as encoding in the compression / expansion unit 8 is controlled by the encoding control circuit 13 based on an instruction from the system control circuit 12. That is, based on the contrast information for each divided area, the system control circuit 12 selects and sets an appropriate Q table for the divided area as described above, and compresses / decompresses it via the encoding control circuit 13. The compression process in the unit 8 is controlled. In this way, the image data compressed and encoded by the compression / expansion unit 8 is supplied to the card interface (I / F) 10 via the selector 9 and recorded in the IC card 11. The system control circuit 12 is a RAM
6, the selectors 7 and 9, the operation of the compression / expansion unit 8 via the encoding control circuit 13, the card interface circuit 10, and the communication control circuit 20.
In response to the signal from No. 4, various controls of the entire camera are performed.

At the time of reproduction, the digital image data switched by the selector 5 is subjected to a predetermined reproduction process by the reproduction process unit 15, converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 16, and then EVF (electronic viewfinder). 1
7 and the output terminal on the monitor side. The system control circuit 12 receives operation information from the operation unit 14 to which various switches such as the release switch 18 are connected, performs corresponding control, and is also connected to the communication control unit 20 to communicate with the serial interface circuit 21. Performs communication control operation. Further, the selector 19 is connected to a RAM 19 that operates as described below. A modem or a transmission partner camera is connected to the serial interface circuit 21, and a signal from the cable terminal CNT for detecting the cable attachment state and mode switching at that time is supplied to the system control circuit 12. ..

In the configuration of FIG. 1, in the data transmission mode for transmitting data, the selector 9 is connected to the RAM 19 side, and the data read from the IC card 11 via the card interface 10 is sent to the selector 9.
The image data read out via the selector 9 is stored in the RAM.
In addition to being written in 19, the data is decompressed in the compression / expansion unit 8 and written in the RAM 6 via the selector 7.
The image data read from the RAM 6 passes through the selector 5, is subjected to the reproduction processing by the reproduction processing unit 15, is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 16, is output to the EVF 17 as a monitor, and is transmitted from this. Allows you to check the video content. When the transmission video signal is sent to the system control circuit 12 via the operation unit 14 after confirming the transmission video content on the monitor, the microcomputer of the system control circuit 12 dials the telephone number of the other party through a modem (not shown). Then, after confirming that the other party responded, the control data and the image data are transmitted. The image data is stored in the RAM 19
Read from the selector 9 and the system control circuit 12
Is sent to the other party via.

The modem on the receiving side (receiving side) receives the transmitted image data and sends it to a serial interface circuit 21 '(not shown) having the same configuration as the transmitting side. The image data from the serial interface circuit 21 'is
The data is stored in a counterpart RAM 19 '(not shown) corresponding to the RAM 19 through a microcomputer of a system control circuit 12' (not shown), and is also sent to a compression / expansion unit 8 (not shown) for expansion processing. , RAM6 '(not shown) corresponding to RAM6. The image data read from the RAM 6'is the reproduction process unit 15 '.
(Not shown) and D / A converter 16 '(not shown)
Is sent to the EVF 17 '(not shown) via the monitor and is displayed on the monitor of the other party. The other party confirms this monitor display, and if there is a defect or an error in the display contents, it sends a retransmission request signal to the transmitting side to request retransmission of the same image data.

With the above arrangement, the contents of the received image data can be confirmed on the monitor on the receiving side, and reliable image transmission becomes possible. When the content of the received image is confirmed by the monitor, the RA is operated by operating the switch of the operation unit 14.
The image data stored in M19 'is read out, and based on the operation of the microcomputer, the card interface circuit 1
It is recorded on the IC card 11 'via 0'.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram in which the transmission side camera and the reception side camera are connected by a modem and a public line. The camera 30 includes a microcomputer (CPU) 310 corresponding to the system control circuit 12 and a RAM 320 for temporarily storing image data (corresponding to the RAM 19 of FIG. 1).
And an IC card 330 (corresponding to the IC card 11 in FIG. 1)
And a serial interface circuit 340 (corresponding to the serial interface circuit 21 in FIG. 1), the camera 40 similarly includes a CPU 410, a RAM 420, and an IC card 4.
30 and a serial interface circuit 440. One of the cameras 30 and 40 is the transmission side and the other is the reception side, and both cameras are connected via a public line via modems 50 and 60. In a transmission mode using such a modem through a public line (hereinafter referred to as a modem mode),
The other party's telephone number, password, control code for starting communication, actual (compressed) image data, attribute data, etc. are sent to the modem. Further, when a modem is used, communication may be kept waiting depending on the line condition, and control for stopping data transmission using RTS (data request signal), CTS (data transmission signal), etc. is also required. Therefore, the data transmission speed has an upper limit, and is usually 1,200 to 2,4.
It is set to about 00 bps.

FIG. 3 shows a camera communicative transmission mode (hereinafter, referred to as a "camera communicative transmission mode" in which the cameras directly communicate with each other without using a modem or a public line.
In the connection configuration diagram (referred to as camera comrades mode), the serial interface 3 of the cameras 30 and 40 is connected via a cable.
40 and 440 are connected. In this mode, unlike the modem mode, the situation of the other party is fixed, so that high-speed data transfer is possible. Further, since it is not necessary to send out a telephone number or the like, it is possible to increase the transfer rate and switch to high-speed transmission processing without using RTS, CTS, etc., and the transmission rate of up to about 9,600 to 19,200 bps is substantially achieved. Can be set.

Switching between the modem mode and the camera-to-camera mode can be performed by determining the level of the CNT terminal among the line terminals in the cable to which the camera is connected. For example, FIG. 4 shows a connection relationship between terminals in a cable connecting a camera and a modem. In this case, the reception data RD terminal, the transmission data SD terminal, the data request signal RTS terminal, the data transmission signal CTS terminal, and the ground GND terminal of both are connected by a line, and the modem side corresponding to each terminal on the camera side is connected. Data is transmitted from the corresponding terminal to the line. At this time, a + power supply (for example, +5 V) is connected to the CNT terminal, and the camera side detects this + power supply voltage, "H" level, and determines that the modem mode is set. On the other hand, in the camera comrade mode, the RD terminal and SD terminal of the transmission side camera of the cable and the SD terminal and RD terminal of the other side camera are respectively connected, and the CNT terminal of each camera side is GND.
Connected to the terminal. Therefore, on the camera side, this C
By detecting the ground level or "L" level of the NT terminal, it is determined that the camera is in the comrade mode.

The transmitting side function and the receiving side function of the camera in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the transmitting side function, the image information converted / compressed and recorded at the selected address of the recording medium (IC card) 11 loaded in the camera is read and loaded into the RAM 19. RA
The information once loaded in M19 is retained until the next information is loaded or reset. Next, RA
The image information loaded in M19 is decompressed and inversely converted and loaded in the RAM 6. The image data read from the RAM 6 is supplied to the EVF 17 via the reproduction process unit 15 and the D / A converter 16 to enable monitoring. By this monitoring, the operator can judge whether the information read from the medium and held in the RAM 19 is to be transmitted. Here, when it is determined that the monitored information should be transmitted, and the operator operates the "transmit" switch operation, the image information stored in the RAM 19 is read out in response to this operation and is converted. -Send to the line in the compressed form. The information read from the IC card 11 is stored in the RAM 1
Instead of loading it in 9, the video data obtained by shooting with the camera is converted and compressed, and the IC card 1 is used as it is.
If it is loaded into the RAM 19 without passing through 1, it can be sent out to the line as described above.

Next, in the receiving side function, the information received from the concerned line is stored in the RAM in the converted and compressed form.
Loaded at 19. The information once loaded in the RAM 19 is held until the next information is loaded or reset. Then, the image information loaded in the RAM 19 is subjected to decompression / inverse conversion processing by the compression / decompression unit 8 and loaded into the RAM 6. The image data read from the RAM 6 is D / A converted in the same manner as above,
Supplied to the EVF 17 for monitoring. By this monitoring, the operator receives RA from the line once.
It is possible to judge on which medium the information held in M19 should be recorded. When it is determined which medium should be recorded with the monitored information, and the operator loads the medium into the camera and operates the switch of "record", the RAM 19 is responded to by this operation. The held image information is read out and stored in the selected address of the loaded medium in the converted and compressed form.

The operation processing procedure of the camera according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 6, when the power is turned on, first, it is determined whether the mode is the recording mode or the reproduction mode (step S1), and when it is determined that the mode is the reproduction mode, it is determined whether or not the connection cable is attached (step S3). When the cable is attached, the reception mode operation is started (step S4), and when the cable is not attached, the reproduction mode operation is started (step S5). When it is determined in step S1 that the recording mode is set, it is determined whether or not the connection cable is attached (step S2). When the cable is attached, the transmission mode operation is performed (step S7), and when the cable is not attached, the normal recording mode operation is started (step S6).

When entering the transmission mode operation (step S7), as shown in FIG. 7, an image to be transmitted is selected (step S8). This image selection is performed by operating the “+” key or the “−” key of the operation unit 14. Next, the selected image data is read from the IC card 11 (step S9), transferred to the RAM 19 and stored (step S10). Subsequently, the image data read from the RAM 19 is subjected to data expansion processing by the compression / expansion unit 8 and stored in the RAM 6 (step S11). RA
The image data read from M6 is a monitor (EVF)
It is output to 17 (step S12), the operator confirms the image content with this monitor image (step S13), and if there is no problem, for example, the release switch 18 is operated to enter the data transmission mode operation (step S14). ..

When the data transmission mode is entered, mode confirmation is performed as shown in FIG. 8 (step S15). This confirmation is performed by detecting whether or not the level of the CNT terminal of the cable described above is "H" (step S1).
6). If it is "H", the modem transmission mode operation is entered (step S17), and if it is not "H", the camera transmission mode operation is entered (step S27).

As shown in FIG. 9, when the modem transmission mode is entered, it is first judged whether or not the modem is in the standby OK state (step S18), and when the modem standby OK state is reached, the other party which is the transmission destination. The telephone number is dialed (step S19), and it is determined whether or not there is a response (step S20). If there is no response, the line is not connected because the other party is busy, so the timer is operated for 1 minute (step S21), and the redial operation is performed by the destination dial operation of step S19. When there is a response in step S20, the password is transmitted (step S22), and it is determined whether or not the password is OK (step S23). If the password is OK, the data is transmitted byte by byte (step S24), the reception end is determined (step S25), and the data end is determined (step S26). If the data is not ended, the process returns to step S24. ..

On the other hand, when the camera transmission mode of step S27 in FIG. 8 is entered, as shown in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the connection state of the transmission destination camera is OK (step S2).
8) If it is OK, the data is transmitted byte by byte (step S29), and it is judged whether or not the data ends (step S29).
30) If not completed, the process returns to the data transmission process of step S29, and if the data is completed, the transmission is completed.

Reception mode operation in FIG. 6 (step S
When 4) is entered, as shown in FIG. 11, the image data sent from the transmission side is received, transferred to and stored in the RAM 19 (step S41). Then, the image data read from the RAM 19 is expanded by the compression / expansion unit and stored in the RAM 6 (step S42). RA
The image data read from M6 is monitor output to the EVF 17 in the same manner as described above (step S43). After the operator confirms this monitor image (step S4)
4) It is determined whether the IC card insertion / removal mode is "ON" (step S45), and if "ON", the IC card is inserted (step S46). Then, it is determined whether or not the release switch 18 for writing the image data is "ON" (step S47), and the image data read from the RAM 19 when the release switch 18 is turned "ON" is stored in the IC card 1
The value is recorded as 1 (step S48), and the process ends.

In this embodiment, the IC card camera itself is provided with a simple transmission function, and the transmission function is made possible by connecting two cameras via a modem, and the cameras can be directly connected to each other without going through the modem. The connection of allows the processing such as copying and dubbing of the IC card. At this time, a modem function can be incorporated. A buffer RAM for storing compressed data is provided, and the communication control circuit causes the modem and communication control software to function. This buffer R
By providing the AM, data can be received even when the IC card is not mounted, and compressed data can be instantly expanded to obtain a reproduced image. The communication control circuit outputs a serial interface signal from the microcomputer and converts it into a RS232C level serial interface which is a communication means for controlling a standard modem, and the modem's telephone number, password and data. Enables control of transmission and reception.

In the apparatus according to this embodiment described above, I
It has a memory (RAM 19) other than the frame memory (RAM 6) to enable the reception of image data even if the C card is not inserted, so it is suitable for the type of image after receiving and checking the image. It is possible to save the image data with the IC card. Therefore, after transferring the image data, it is not necessary to copy the image data to another IC card, and the operability is improved. Actually, it enables transmission / reception operation even when the IC card is not inserted.
In addition, the signal line is controlled so that the card can be inserted and removed while the camera has data in the memory. By pressing the card removal and insertion operation switch,
Turn off the power to the IC card, leave the connected signal in the high-impedance state, and remove the card without changing the condition of the main unit. Pull out. Also,
Reversely, when inserting the card, do the same.
When the operation switch is pressed, power and signals are applied to the card in a prescribed order for the first time, so that the data for the IC card can be prevented from being destroyed at the instant when the card is inserted or removed. Furthermore, copying between cards (in units of one screen) is possible. Although the above-mentioned embodiment describes an example of application to an IC card camera, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus for image transmission, reception, recording, and reproduction other than an electronic still camera.

[0026]

As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus with built-in communication means according to the present invention temporarily stores the image data to be transmitted or received / recorded in the buffer memory and reads the image data from the buffer memory. Is transmitted to the other side via the communication control means or is recorded on the recording medium, so that not only a complicated transmitter and a regenerator having a conventional configuration are unnecessary but also a buffer is provided. After confirming the transmitted image content and the received recorded content read from, the transmission or recording can be performed, so there is no fear of transmitting or recording defective image data, and after confirming the image content, select the optimum recording medium. And the usability is significantly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus with a built-in communication means according to the present invention, showing an application example to an electronic still camera.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram in which a camera is connected via a modem and a public line in the embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus with built-in communication means according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram in which cameras are directly connected to each other through a cable in an embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus with a built-in communication means according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the connection between the cable terminals of the modem mode in the embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus with built-in communication means according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the connection between the cable terminals of cameras in the same mode in the embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus with built-in communication means according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure in the embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus with a built-in communication means according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation processing procedure of a transmission mode in the embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus with built-in communication means according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation processing procedure of the data transmission mode in the embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus with built-in communication means according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation processing procedure of a modem transmission mode in the embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus with built-in communication means according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation processing procedure of the camera transmission mode in the embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus with built-in communication means according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation processing procedure of the reception mode in the embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus with built-in communication means according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of transmitting and receiving image data between conventional IC card cameras.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 lens 2 CC
D 3 Imaging process circuit 4 A /
D converter 5,7,9 selector switch 6,19 RA
M 8 compression / expansion unit 10 card interface circuit 11 IC card memory 12 system control circuit 13 encoding control circuit 14 operation unit 15 reproduction process circuit 16 D /
A converter 17 EVF 18 Release switch 20 Communication control circuit 21 Serial interface circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A conversion / compression means for converting / compressing a video signal, an expansion / inverse conversion means for performing expansion / inverse conversion processing corresponding to the conversion / compression processing, and conversion / compression by the conversion / compression processing. The video signal to be processed or the extension
Means for monitoring the video signal expanded and inversely converted by the inverse conversion means, and the video signal converted and compressed by the conversion and compression means are supplied to the applied information recording medium, or Interface means for supplying a video signal from the information recording medium to the decompression / inverse conversion means, and conversion / transferred via this interface means.
A memory means for holding the loaded video signal when the video signal in a compressed form is loaded as required; a means for supplying the video signal held by the memory means to the decompression / inverse conversion means; A recording / reproducing apparatus with built-in communication means, comprising: a sending means for sending the video signal held in the memory means to the line in response to a predetermined command. 2. A conversion / compression means for converting / compressing a video signal, an expansion / inverse conversion means for performing expansion / inverse conversion processing corresponding to this conversion / compression processing, and conversion / compression by the conversion / compression processing. The video signal to be processed or the extension
Means for monitoring the video signal expanded and inversely converted by the inverse conversion means, and the video signal converted and compressed by the conversion and compression means are supplied to the applied information recording medium, or The interface means for supplying the video signal from the information recording medium to the decompression / inverse conversion means, the receiving means for receiving the video signal in the converted / compressed form from the line, and the interface means are provided. A memory means for loading, if necessary, a video signal in a converted / compressed form that is transferred via the above-mentioned or received by the receiving means, and holds the loaded video signal; The video signal
It comprises means for supplying to the inverse conversion means, and means for supplying and recording the video signal held in the memory means to the applied information recording medium via the interface means in response to a predetermined command. A recording / reproducing apparatus with a built-in communication means.