JPH06296206A - Portable information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a portable information equipment which fetches and displays the images which are photographed at an image pickup part and received through a telephone circuit. CONSTITUTION:The binary image data are fetched from a camera via an I/F 34 and displayed at a liquid crystal display part 7. Then these image data are stored in a data RAM 37 as it is or after compression through an image compressing/expanding circuit 40. Meanwhile the image data received via a telephone circuit are fetched via a coupler part 39 and expanded by the circuit 40. These expanded data are displayed at the part 7 and also stored in the RAM 37. Then the image data are retrieved out of the RAM 37 and displayed at the part 7 or sent to the telephone circuit via the part 39. Furthermore the memo data and the address data supplied from a key input part 31 are stored in the RAM 37 and then retrieved and displayed at the part 7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information device, and more specifically, to capturing an image from an image pickup section such as a camera,
The present invention also relates to a portable information device that can send and receive an image via a telephone line and can display the image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in an advanced information society, portable information devices represented by electronic notebooks have become widespread.

Initially, the electronic notebook stores the address book data, memo data, schedule data and the like input from the key input section in a memory and displays these data on the liquid crystal display section.

However, various functions have been added to the electronic notebook as it spreads.

For example, conventionally, only text data such as address book data and memo data has been handled, but recently, it has become possible to handle picture data such as a map input by a pen. It is also possible to transmit / receive data between electronic notebooks by infrared rays, or to transmit / receive data to / from a personal computer by connecting to a personal computer via RS-232C.

[0006]

However, such conventional portable information equipment cannot handle image data freely.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and makes it possible to capture and display image data from an image pickup section such as a camera or to transmit the image data to and from a telephone line, and The purpose is to improve the usability of type information equipment.

[0008]

The portable information device of the present invention is as follows.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the data input from the key input unit is stored in the storage unit, and the data stored in the storage unit is searched and displayed based on the key operation of the key input unit. In a portable information device to be displayed on a display unit, a line connection unit for connecting to a telephone line, an image pickup unit connection unit for connecting an image pickup unit, and image data picked up by the image pickup unit are fetched via the image pickup unit connection unit. An image to be stored in the storage means, to display the image data stored in the storage means on the display unit, and to send the image data stored in the storage means to the telephone line through the line connection means. By providing the voice control means,
It has achieved the above objectives.

In this case, the image control means is, for example,
As described in claim 2, the image data sent from the telephone line is taken into the storage means via the line connection means and stored in the storage means, and the image data stored in the storage means is stored in the storage means. It may be displayed on a display unit, and as described in claim 3, the image data captured via the image capturing unit connecting means is compressed, and the image captured via the line connecting means is also compressed. It may further include a compression / decompression means for decompressing the data.

Further, for example, as described in claim 4, the image control means is provided with a binarization means for binarizing multi-valued image data fetched through the image pickup section connection means, The display section may be a binary display liquid crystal display device, and as described in claim 5, the image control unit displays the multi-valued image data captured via the line connection unit. The liquid crystal display device may be a liquid crystal display device that includes a binarization unit for binarizing the display unit.

Further, the image pickup unit may be, for example, as described in claim 6.
As described in, the captured image data may be binarized and output.

The line connection means may include an acoustic coupler, for example. In this case, the acoustic coupler may be adjustable in the distance between the input section and the output section, for example, as described in claim 8.

Further, for example, as described in claim 9, the storage means stores a plurality of image data taken in through the line connection means or the imaging section connection means, and by operating a key of the key input section. It may be retrieved and displayed on the display unit.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the data input from the key input unit is stored in the storage unit, the data stored in the storage unit is searched based on the key operation of the key input unit, and the display unit is displayed. In the portable information device displayed on the screen, line connection means for connecting to a telephone line, image pickup section connection means for connecting to an image pickup section, and image data picked up by the image pickup section are fetched via the image pickup section connecting means to obtain index data. Along with the storage means, a plurality of storage means, a search means for searching the image data stored in the storage means by the index data, and a telephone line through the line connection means for the image data searched by the search means. And a means for delivering to the.

[0016]

According to the portable information device of the present invention, after the image data picked up by the image pickup section is fetched through the image pickup section connection means and stored in the storage means, the image data stored in the storage means is stored. Since it is displayed on the display unit or sent out to the telephone line through the line connection means, the image data can be easily handled by the portable information device and the image data in the storage means is transmitted through the telephone line. Therefore, the usability of the portable information device can be improved.

Further, since the image data sent from the telephone line is fetched and stored in the storage means and then displayed on the display section, the image data can be fetched from a wide range and used effectively. The usability of the portable information device can be further improved.

Further, the compression / decompression means compresses the uncompressed image data fetched from the image pickup section and the compressed image data fetched from the line, so that the image data is compressed. It is possible to store and transmit compressed image data, and to decompress and display the compressed and transmitted image data, making effective use of the storage means to improve the portability of portable information equipment. The image quality can be improved and high-quality image transmission can be performed.

Further, the multivalued image data taken in through the image pickup unit connecting means and the multivalued image data taken in from the telephone line are binarized, and a binary display liquid crystal display device is used as a display unit. Since the binarized image is displayed, 2
Image data can be handled by an inexpensive portable information device that uses a display unit for displaying values.

Further, since a plurality of captured image data are stored in the storage means and retrieved by a key operation and displayed on the display unit, the image data can be effectively used.

Further, since the transmission and reception of the image data are performed by using the acoustic coupler, the image data can be easily transmitted using the external telephone device, and this acoustic coupler is used. When separated from the portable information device, the portable information device can be downsized.

Further, according to the portable information device of the present invention, a plurality of image data picked up by the image pickup unit is stored in the storage means together with the index data, and the image data stored in this storage means is searched by the index data. Since the retrieved image data is transmitted to the telephone line, a plurality of image data can be efficiently retrieved and transmitted to the telephone line, and the image data can be used more effectively. it can.

[0023]

【Example】

<First Embodiment> A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electronic notebook will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 10 are views showing a first embodiment of an electronic notebook according to the present invention.

First, the structure will be described.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a first embodiment of an electronic notebook as a portable information device of the present invention.

The case where an analog telephone general subscriber line is used as a telephone line will be described below.

In FIG. 1, an electronic notebook 1 is formed by a main body case 4 whose outer appearance is composed of a lower case 2 and a lid 3. A camera 5 is connected to the electronic notebook 1 via a cord 6. Has been done.

The lid 3 is openably and closably attached to the lower case 2, and the lid 3 has a liquid crystal display portion 7 on its inner surface.
A mode key 8 and the like are provided. Mode key 8 is
For example, various processing modes such as an input mode, a search mode, a shooting mode, and a communication mode are switched. Further, the liquid crystal display unit 7 displays a binary image in a display area having a predetermined size, and displays data corresponding to the above various modes.

On the inner surface of the main body case 2,
Various keys such as a character input key 9, a numeric key 10, a cursor movement / screen movement key 11 and a search key 12 are provided to input commands necessary for causing the electronic notebook 1 to perform various processes. In particular, the search key 12 is used when searching various data stored in the memory of the electronic notebook.

As shown in FIG. 2, a speaker 13 and a microphone 14 are attached to the outer surface of the lid 3, and the microphone 14 extends in the longitudinal direction of the electronic notebook 1 (horizontal direction in FIG. 2). It is provided on a slide plate 15 that slides. A speaker 16a and a receiver 16b of a transmitter / receiver 16 of the telephone device are attached to the speaker 13 and the microphone 14, and a voice signal emitted from the receiver 16a is input to the microphone 14 and output from the speaker 13. The voice signal is input to the transmitter 16a.

A slide plate 15 provided with a microphone 14
Is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the electronic notebook 1, and when not in use, it is housed in the lid 3 as shown in FIG. 3 and locked in the lid 3 by a locking mechanism (not shown). Then, in use, when the lock release button 17 provided on the side surface of the slide plate 15 is pressed, the lock of the lock mechanism is released, the slide plate 15 projects out of the lid 3, and the transmitter of the handset 16 16a and handset 16b
By adjusting the slide position of the slide plate 15 in accordance with the distance between the transmitters 16a and 16b, the transmitters and receivers 16a and 16b having different intervals can be used.

Although not shown, an image input terminal is provided on the side surface of the lower case 2 of the electronic notebook 1, and the connector of the cord 6 connected to the camera 5 can be attached to and detached from the image input terminal. It is installed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the camera 5 has a housing 18 with a release button 19 and a camera mode switch 2.
0, an operation mode switch 21 and the like are provided. The camera mode switch 20 has a portrait (PORTRATE)
It is used to switch between the macro mode and the macro mode, and the operation mode switch 21 is set to the standby (STANDB
Used to switch between Y) and LOCK modes. Further, the camera 5 is driven by a battery, and a cover 18 a of a storage portion for the driving battery is provided on a side portion of the housing 18.

The camera 5 has a CCD 2 as shown in FIG.
2, driver 23, S / H (sample hold circuit) 2
4, A / D (A / D converter) 25, memory 26, CPU
A (Central Processing Unit) 27, an I / O 28, a power supply circuit 29, etc. are built in, and the power supply circuit 29 adjusts the voltage of the built-in battery and supplies it to each part of the camera 5. The driver 23 drives the CCD 22, and the light accumulated in the CCD 22 by the light input to the CCD 22 is sequentially output to the S / H 24 for each frame. The charges sampled and held by the S / H 24 are output to the A / D 25 and
It is converted into digital image data by / D25 and is temporarily stored in the memory 26. The CPU 27 binarizes the multi-valued image data stored in the memory 26 by an error diffusion method described later, and outputs it to the electronic notebook 1 via the I / O 28.

The electronic notebook 1 has a circuit configuration as shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the electronic notebook 1 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30, a key input unit 31, a display buffer 32, a liquid crystal driver 33, a liquid crystal display unit 7, and an interface (I / F) 34. , Control ROM
(Read Only Memory) 35, dictionary ROM 36, data R
AM 37, work RAM 38, coupler section 39, image compression / expansion circuit 40, timing circuit 41 and power supply circuit 4
2 and the like, and the above units are connected by a bus 43.

The control ROM 35 stores a control program for the electronic notebook 1, an image processing program, system data, etc., and the CPU 30 controls the control ROM 35.
Control each part of the electronic notebook 1 according to the program in the
The processing as the electronic notebook 1 and the image control processing are performed.

The key input section 31 is a general term for various keys provided in the electronic notebook such as the mode key 8, the character input key 9, the numeric key 10, the cursor movement / screen movement key 11 and the search key 12. The CPU 30 scans the key input unit 31 and performs processing according to the key operation of the key input unit 31.

The dictionary ROM 36 stores dictionary data for Kana-Kanji conversion and the like, and the CPU 30 causes the dictionary ROM 36 to operate in response to the operation of the keys of the key input unit 31, especially the character input keys 7 and the number keys 8. Search for and read the character corresponding to the key input or convert it to Kanji or Hiragana.

The display buffer 32 is a memory for temporarily storing the image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display section 7. The image data stored in the display buffer 32 is sequentially transferred to the liquid crystal driver 33, and is then displayed on the liquid crystal display section 7. Displayed and output.
Further, the key input data is temporarily stored in the display buffer 32 and is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7. When the execute key is pressed, the display buffer 32 is moved to a corresponding area of the data RAM 38 described later. The data is written.

The I / F 34 is connected to an image pickup unit such as the camera 5, and the I / F 34 takes in binary image data input from the camera 5 into the electronic notebook 1.

The data RAM 37 is for storing various data such as image data taken from the camera 5 and the telephone line and memo data and address book data inputted from the key input unit 31, as shown in FIG. Input buffer area 37a, address book area 37b, memo area 37
It is divided into the area c and the image area 37d.

The data RAM 37 is stored in the address book area 3
7b, address book data input from the key input unit 31,
For example, data such as name, telephone number, address, company name, and remarks is stored, and random memo data input from the key input unit 31 in the memo area 37c, such as timetable, bank account number, shopping list. Stores freely written data for multiple pages.

The image area 37d of the data RAM 37 is divided into a plurality of index areas 37e and image data areas 37f, and one index area 37e is allocated to each image data area 37f. That is, the index IX can be added to each image data stored in each image data area 37f, and the CPU 30 sets the index data IX input from the key input unit 31 or the preset index data IX to the image data area. It is given to each image data stored in 37f and stored in the index area 37e. The index IX includes, for example, date, keyword, shooting location, and the like. Further, in each data area 37f, the image data compressed by the image compression / expansion circuit 40 may be stored, or the uncompressed image data may be stored. However, by storing the compressed image data, the data RAM 37 can be effectively used.

Each data stored in the data RAM 37 can be searched in the search mode, as will be described later. Especially, the memo data can be searched by the first character, the input date, or the keyword given by the operator. You can sort. The input date is automatically added to the memo data. That is, the electronic notebook 1 has a built-in clock circuit (not shown), and adds the input date to each data, especially memo data.

The work RAM 38 is used by the CPU 30 to temporarily store necessary data during the processing.

The coupler section 39 includes a DAC (D / A converter) 44, a modulation circuit 45, a speaker 13, and an ADC (A / A / D converter).
A D converter) 46, a demodulation circuit 47, and a microphone 14, and exchanges signals with the transmitters 16a and 16b of the transmitter / receiver 16 of the telephone device to input / output image data. . That is, the data R
The compressed digital image data is input from the AM 37 and the image compression / expansion circuit 40, and the DAC 44 converts the digital image data into analog image data and outputs the analog image data to the modulation circuit 45. The modulation circuit 45 modulates the input analog image data and outputs it to the speaker 13. The loudspeaker 13 outputs the modulated signal input from the modulation circuit 45 in a loud voice, and the loud output signal is input to the transmitter 16a of the telephone device mounted in the speaker 13.

The microphone 14 is equipped with a telephone receiver 16b of a telephone device, and the modulated signal output by the speaker 16b is input to the microphone 14. Microphone 14
This modulated signal is converted into an electric signal and output to the demodulation circuit 47. The demodulation circuit 47 demodulates the input modulated signal,
Output to the ADC 46. The ADC 46 converts the signal demodulated by the demodulation circuit 47 into a digital signal and outputs the data RAM.
37 and the image compression / expansion circuit 40.

Image compression / expansion circuit (compression / expansion means) 40
Is a predetermined encoding method for the uncompressed image data captured from the camera 5 via the I / F 34, that is,
Depending on the type of image to be handled (still image in this case), for example, JPEG (Joint Photographic (Coding) Expert
s Group) D for each predetermined pixel block by the algorithm
A compression process (encoding) is performed by CT (discrete cosine transform), quantization, and Huffman encoding, and the result is output to the data RAM 37 and the DAC 44. Also, the image compression / expansion circuit 40
Is the expansion (decoding) of the compressed image data fetched from the telephone line via the ADC 46 of the coupler unit 39 and the compressed image data stored in the data RAM 37.
The processing is executed and the expanded image data is output to the display buffer 32.

The timing circuit 41 includes an oscillator, a frequency divider, etc., and generates a timing signal for controlling the operation timing of each part of the electronic notebook 1 and outputs it to each part.

The power supply circuit 42 is provided with a rechargeable battery, a voltage adjusting circuit, etc., and adjusts the voltage of the power supply of the rechargeable battery with the voltage adjusting circuit etc. to supply the power to each part of the electronic notebook 1. DC power is supplied to the power supply circuit 42 from a power supply adapter (not shown) connected to an insertion terminal (not shown) provided in the lower case 2. The power supply circuit 42 charges the internal rechargeable battery with the DC power supply input through the plug-in terminal, and also adjusts the voltage of the DC power supply to make the electronic notebook 1
Supply power to each part of. Although the power supply circuit 42 uses a rechargeable battery in this embodiment, a non-rechargeable battery such as a dry battery may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to perform signal transmission at the maximum transmission speed of 14400 bps that can be used in the analog public line connected through the coupler unit 39, and the image can be transmitted in one frame as a processing unit. By transmitting the image data by incorporating the code, for example,
Image data for one screen is transmitted as an intermittent image at a rate of one frame every three seconds.

In this case, the image data to be transmitted may be one in which the image data for one screen is collectively compressed and the compressed image data is transmitted, or the image data to be transmitted is transmitted. The image data may be divided in advance based on time and the divided image data units may be compressed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The electronic notebook 1 performs processing corresponding to various modes selected by the mode key 8 of the key input unit 31.

That is, the electronic notebook 1 has an input mode, a search mode, a photographing mode, and a communication mode as basic modes, and the input mode and the search mode have a plurality of modes as described later. ing.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the power is turned on, the electronic notebook 1 first performs a key sampling process (step S1). In this key sampling process, the key input unit 31 is scanned to perform key sampling, and a preset basic screen is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7. If there is any key input as a result of the key sampling. The key data input at that time is transferred to the display buffer 32 and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7 for output. In other words, as a result of key sampling, the entered key is
When the key is a key that changes the display state, such as a numeric key or a cursor key, the key data and display data corresponding to the key input is transferred to the display buffer 32, and the screen display associated with the key input is performed.

Next, if there is a key input, it is checked whether the entered key is the mode key 8 (step S2), and if it is not the mode key 8, step S1.
Then, the key sampling process is performed.

At step S2, when the input key is the mode key 8, it is checked which of the input mode key, the search mode key, the photographing mode key and the communication mode key the input mode key 8 is. Then, the mode is changed to the mode corresponding to the mode key 8 that has been input. Note that the selection of this mode is not limited to the one in which the mode key 8 is pressed.
Display one mode, cursor move / screen move key 11
The mode may be selected by moving the cursor with to select and then pressing the enter key.

The respective modes will be sequentially described below.

<Input Mode> When it is determined in step S2 that the input mode is selected, the mode is shifted to the input mode, and it is first checked whether the mode is the memo mode or the address book mode (step S3). That is, the input mode has a memo input mode and an address book input mode,
In step S3, it is checked which of these two modes is the mode. In the memo mode, a preset memo input screen is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7, and key input by the character input keys 9 or the numeric keys 10, that is, data input is waited (step S4), and the key input is performed. , Input memo data corresponding to the input key to the input buffer 37a of the data RAM 37,
The data is transferred to the display buffer 32 and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7 for output (step S5).

Then, it is judged whether or not the input is completed, depending on whether or not the execution key of the key input unit 31 is turned on (step S6). When the key input is not completed, the procedure returns to step S4 and the data is similarly read. Perform input processing and display processing, and repeat until key input is completed.

When the execution key is pressed and the key input is completed, the input memo data is stored in the memo area 37c of the data RAM 37 (step S7), and the process returns to step S1 to perform the same processing from the key sampling processing. At this time, as described above, the date data when the memo data is input is automatically added to the memo data, and when the keyword is input, the input keyword is added to the memo data.

As described above, in the memo input mode, the memo data input from the key input unit 31 is fetched,
It is stored in the memo area 37c of the data RAM 37.

In step S3 of the input mode, in the address book mode, a preset address book input screen is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7, and the character input key 9 is displayed.
Waiting for key input by the or numeric keys 10, that is, data input (step S8), and when key input is performed, the address book data corresponding to the input key is transferred to the display buffer 32 and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7. Yes (step S9).

Then, it is judged whether or not the input is completed (step S10), and when the key input is not completed, the process returns to step S8 and the data input process and the display process are similarly performed to determine whether the key input is completed. Check it out.

When the key input is completed, the input address book data is stored in the address book area 37b of the data RAM 37 (step S11), and the process returns to step S1 to perform the same processing from the key sampling process.

Thus, in the address book input mode,
The address book data input from the key input unit 31 is fetched and stored in the address book area 37b of the data RAM 37.

<Search Mode> When it is determined in step S2 that the search mode has been selected, the mode is shifted to the search mode, and it is first checked whether the search mode is the data search mode or the image search mode (step S12). That is, the search mode includes a data search mode and an image search mode, and the data search mode includes a memo search mode and an address book search mode as described later. Therefore, in step S12, it is first determined whether the mode is the data search mode or the image search mode.

In step S12, it is checked whether the data search mode is the address book search mode or the memo search mode (step S13). In the memo search mode, the search condition input screen is displayed to display the search conditions. It waits until is input and designated (step S14). As described above, the search conditions include, for example, date search, keyword search, etc., and these search conditions and search data are input as the search conditions. When the search condition is specified, the memo area 37c of the data RAM 37 is searched based on the specified search condition (step S15), and the search result is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7 (step S16).
When the display of the search result on the liquid crystal display unit 7 is completed, the process returns to step S1 to perform the same processing from the key sampling processing.

In step S13, in the case of the address book search mode, the search condition input screen is displayed to wait until the search condition is input and designated (step S17). The search conditions include, for example, name search, telephone number search, etc., and these search conditions and search data are input as the search conditions. When the search condition is specified, the address book area 3 of the data RAM 37 is based on the specified search condition.
7b is searched (step S18), and the search result is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7 (step S19). When the display of the search result on the liquid crystal display unit 7 is completed, the process returns to step S1 to perform the same processing from the key sampling processing.

As described above, in the search mode, in the case of data search, the corresponding search condition input screen is displayed depending on whether the search target is memo data or address book data, and the specified search condition is displayed. Data RAM 37
The corresponding area can be searched and the search result can be output to the liquid crystal display unit 7.

When the selected search mode is the image search mode in step S12, the search condition input screen is displayed, and the input of search conditions is awaited (step S20). As the search conditions, the index IX search and the image data stored in the data RAM 37 are sequentially moved from the head address / cursor /
There is a cursor search to display with the screen movement key 11,
As a search condition, the input operation of these indexes IX and the key operation of the cursor movement / screen movement key 11 are performed.

When the search condition is specified, the image area 37d of the data RAM 37 is searched based on the specified search condition (step S21), and the search result is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7 (step S22). When the display of the search result on the liquid crystal display unit 7 is completed, the process returns to step S1 to perform the same processing from the key sampling processing.

In the display of this image, if the image data is compressed and stored in the data RAM 37, the CPU 30 transfers the retrieved image data from the data RAM 37 to the image compression / expansion circuit 40. After being expanded by the image compression / expansion circuit 40, the image is transferred to the display buffer 32 and the image is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7.

<Photographing Mode> When it is determined in step S2 that the photographing mode has been selected, the mode shifts to the photographing mode and image data is taken in from the camera 5 (step S23).

At this time, the camera 5 is set to 2 as described above.
The binarized image data is output to the electronic notebook 1.

That is, the CPU 27 of the camera 5 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, first, the maximum value and the minimum value of the image data in the memory 26 are detected (step P1). Next, the automatic gain control value (AGC value) is determined (step P2), and the image data (pixel data) is read (step P).
3). Then, the read image data is compared with a threshold value to be binarized (step P4), and binary xa (output value) is subtracted from the multivalued image data (original value) to obtain an error (error = multivalue). The value-2 value × a) is obtained (step P5).
Here, a is the maximum value that the multi-valued image data can take. For example, in the case of 4 bits, “7” of 0 to 7 is the maximum value. Next, error diffusion is performed by the error diffusion filter (step P6).

This error diffusion filter, as an example is shown in FIG. 10, diffuses the error of the "●" portion at the adjacent position at a ratio indicated by a numerical value (correctly, a value of 1/16 of these numerical values). It is what makes me. In other words, the error in the "●" part is distributed to the surroundings.

When this error diffusion processing is performed, the next image data (pixel data) is read (step P7), the error is collected, and then the process returns to step P4 and the processing from step P4 to step P8 is performed in the same manner as described above. .

The CPU 27 outputs the binarized image data to the electronic notebook 1 via the I / O 28 and the code 6.

Returning to FIG. 8 again, the electronic notebook 1 is taken in from the camera 5 via the I / F 34 (step S2).
3), the captured binary image data is displayed in the display buffer 32.
The data is transferred to the liquid crystal driver 33 via and is output to the liquid crystal display unit 7 for display (step S24). As described above, in the electronic notebook 1, since the camera 5 outputs the binarized image data, a binary display can be used as the liquid crystal display unit 7, and an inexpensive liquid crystal display unit 7 can be used. It can be used and the electronic notebook 1 itself can be made inexpensive.

When the display of the captured image data on the liquid crystal display section 7 is completed, it is checked whether or not the execution key has been pressed (step S25). If the execution key has not been pressed, the displayed image is selected. If not, the process returns to step S23 to fetch and display the next image data in the same manner. That is, when the camera 5 is connected and the photographing mode is set, the images photographed by the camera 5 are sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7.

When the execution key is pressed in step S25, it is determined that the image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7 is selected, and the image data is temporarily fetched in the work RAM 38, and then the image compression / expansion circuit. The data is transferred to the image compression / expansion circuit 40 (step S26), and the image compression / expansion circuit 40 performs compression processing (step S27). Compressed image data into data RA
The data is transferred to M37 and stored in the empty image area 37d of the data RAM 37 (step S28).

In this case, if the fetched image data is compressed and stored in the data RAM 37, the image compression / decompression circuit 40 needs to decompress the retrieved image data in the image data retrieval process. However, when the capacity of the data RAM 37 is sufficient, the captured image data is not limited to being compressed by the image compression / expansion circuit 40, and uncompressed binary image data may be stored in the data RAM 37 as it is. Good. In this case, when displaying the searched image data in the image search process on the liquid crystal display unit 7, image compression / compression is performed.
There is no need to re-expand by the expansion circuit 40.

With respect to the image data stored in the data RAM 37, an input screen for inputting the index IX is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7, and when the index IX is input, it is stored in the data RAM 37. The input index IX is written in the index area 37e of the image data and the process returns to step S1 (step S29).

The image data thus stored in the data RAM 37 is searched for the image data designated in the search mode process and is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7.

As described above, in the photographing mode, binary image data is fetched from the camera 5 and constantly displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7, and the image selected by the operator with the execution key is displayed on the displayed image. Can be stored in the data RAM 37 together with the index IX.

<Communication Mode> When it is determined in step S2 that the communication mode is selected, the mode is shifted to the communication mode and it is checked whether the mode is the transmission mode or the reception mode (step S30). That is, the communication mode includes a transmission mode and a reception mode, and it is determined in step S30 which of the transmission mode and the reception mode.

In step S30, in the transmission mode, image data selection processing is performed (step S31).
The image data is selected by selecting the image data to be transmitted by the same process as the image search process in the search mode.

When the image data is selected, next, waiting for the transmission key to be pressed (step S32), negotiation for image data transmission is performed (step S33), and when preparation for transmission is completed, selection is made. The transmitted image data is transmitted (step S34). In this case, the selected image data is stored in the data RAM 37 in a non-compressed state, and when the selected image data is transmitted according to the standard of a predetermined compression format, the selected image data is temporarily compressed by the image compression / expansion circuit 40. Send after compressing with.
However, in this case, the data may be transmitted without being compressed depending on the specifications of the partner terminal. When the image data transmission is completed,
Returning to step S1, the key sampling process and the same process as above are performed.

As described above, in the transmission mode, the image data can be appropriately selected and the selected image data can be transmitted.

In step S30, in the reception mode, the coupler unit 39 and the like wait for reception (step S3).
5) When there is an incoming call from the telephone line, negotiation is performed via the coupler unit 39 (step S36). When the preparation for reception is completed, the coupler unit 39 receives the image data transmitted via the telephone line (step S3).
7), after demodulating the received image data by the demodulation unit 49,
A / D47 converts it to digital data and compresses the image.
Transfer to the expansion circuit 40.

Then, the image compression / decompression circuit 40 decompresses the received image data (step S38), and outputs the decompressed image data to the liquid crystal display section 7 via the display buffer 32 (step S39). And in this case,
Binary image data is transmitted from the communication partner, and the electronic notebook 1
Displays the received image data after decompressing it.

Further, the same image data as the image data received and displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7 is transferred to the data RAM 37 without being expanded by the image compression / expansion circuit 40 and transferred to the image area 37d of the data RAM 37. do it,
It is stored in the empty image area 37d (step S4
0). When the image data is stored, the input screen of the index IX is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7, and when the index IX is input, the input index IX is stored in the index area 37e of the stored image data (step S41). This index IX may be sent together with the image data from the other party. When the processing of the index IX is completed, the process returns to step S1 and the key sampling processing and the same processing are performed.

When uncompressed image data is transmitted from the partner terminal, the image data is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7 without performing the decompression process, and the received image data is stored in the data RAM 37 as it is. After being compressed by the image compression / expansion circuit 40, the data RAM 37
May be stored in.

As described above, in the reception mode, the binary image is transmitted, and the transmitted image data can be displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7 and stored in the data RAM 37.

Therefore, the memo data and the address book data input from the key input unit 31 can be stored in the data RAM 37, the stored data can be searched by the search processing, and the data can be output to the liquid crystal display unit 7.

Image data taken by the camera 5 is binarized and input to the electronic notebook 1, and the electronic notebook 1
This image data can be displayed and output on the liquid crystal display unit 7, and the data R can be displayed together with the index IX.
It can be stored in AM37.

The image data stored in the data RAM 37 can be appropriately output for display on the liquid crystal display section 7 and can be transmitted from the coupler section 39 via the telephone line.

Furthermore, the image data transmitted from the telephone line can be expanded and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7, and can be stored in the data RAM 37. The stored image data can be appropriately selected. Then, it can be output to the liquid crystal display unit 7 for display.

As a result, the electronic notebook 1 can handle the image data, and the usability of the electronic notebook 1 can be improved.

When storing the image data in the data RAM 37, the image data can be compressed by the image compression / expansion circuit 40 and stored if necessary.
Can be used effectively.

Further, when transmitting the image data, it can be compressed by the image compression / expansion circuit 40 and transmitted when necessary, and the compressed image data is received and stored in the data RAM. Or can be expanded by the image compression / expansion circuit 40 and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7,
High-quality image data can be transmitted and received at high speed, and high-quality image data can be handled by the electronic notebook 1.

<Second Embodiment> FIGS. 11 to 13 are views showing a second embodiment of the portable information device of the present invention.

The present embodiment is applied to an electronic notebook, in which the coupler section is separate from the electronic notebook body. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram of the electronic notebook 50 of this embodiment.
CPU 30, key input unit 31, display buffer 32, liquid crystal driver 33, liquid crystal display unit 7, I / F 34, control ROM
35, dictionary ROM 36, data RAM 37, work RA
M38, image compression / expansion circuit 40, timing circuit 41
And a power supply circuit 42, and a connector 51 on the lower case 2 of the main body case 4. This connector 5
1, the coupler section 5 is configured separately from the main body case 4.
Two connectors 53 are connected, and data is input and output to and from the coupler unit 52 via the connector 53 of the coupler unit 52.

Similar to the first embodiment, the coupler section 52 includes the DAC 44, the modulation circuit 45, the speaker 13 and the ADC.
46, a demodulation circuit 47, a microphone 14, etc. are provided to exchange signals with the telephone device. The coupler section 52 is
It is connected to the connector 53 by a cord (not shown), and the connector 53 and the connector 51 of the electronic notebook 51 main body are detachably connected.

This coupler section 52 is shown in FIGS.
The external configuration is as shown in FIG.
The main body case 54 is roughly composed of a microphone mounting case 55, a speaker mounting case 56, and a slide plate 57. The microphone 14 is attached to the microphone mounting case 55, and the speaker 13 is attached to the speaker mounting case 56. And the coupler section 52
Is the microphone mounting case 55 and the speaker mounting case 5
6 slides in the longitudinal direction via the slide plate 57, and the distance between the microphone 14 and the speaker 13 can be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 13, the handset 16 of the telephone device is detachably attached to the coupler section 52.

That is, the transmitter 16a of the transmitter / receiver 16 is detachably attached to the speaker 13, and the receiver 16b is detachably attached to the microphone 14. At this time, when the distance between the speaker 13 which is the output section of the coupler 52 and the microphone 14 which is the input section does not match the distance between the transmitter 16a and the receiver 16b of the handset 16, the microphone mounting case 55 and the speaker mounting The case 56 is slid through the slide plate 57 to adjust the distance between the microphone 14 of the microphone mounting case 55 and the speaker 13 of the speaker mounting case 13. Therefore, the gap between the speaker 13 and the microphone 14 can be adjusted appropriately according to the handset 16 of the telephone device, and the usability of the coupler unit 52 can be improved.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The electronic notebook 50 of this embodiment is composed of the coupler unit 5.
2 can be detachably attached to the body of the electronic notebook 50, so normally, when the image data is not transmitted / received, the coupler unit 52 can be detached from the body of the electronic notebook 50 and used. The portability can be improved.

Even when the coupler section 52 is detached in this way, the camera 5 is connected to the I / F 34 to capture the image data taken by the camera 5 as in the case of the first embodiment. The data can be output to the liquid crystal display unit 7 or can be compressed and stored in the data RAM 37.

When transmitting the image data stored in the data RAM 37 to the telephone line or receiving the image data via the telephone line, the connector 53 of the coupler section 52 is connected to the connector 51 of the electronic notebook 50 main body, Image data can be transmitted and received as in the first embodiment.

Also in this embodiment, the camera 5 binarizes the photographed image and outputs it to the electronic notebook 50 as binarized image data, and also binarizes the image data transmitted from the telephone line. It is image data. Therefore, it is possible to display an image by using the liquid crystal display unit 7 that displays a binary image without having the binarization circuit in the electronic notebook 50. As a result, the electronic notebook 50 can be made inexpensive and highly portable.

<Third Embodiment> FIGS. 14 to 16 are views showing a third embodiment of the portable information device of the present invention.

This embodiment is applied to an electronic notebook, and has a built-in binarization circuit to capture a multivalued image, binarize it, and display the binary image. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is a circuit configuration diagram of the electronic notebook 60 of this embodiment. The electronic notebook 60 of this embodiment has a binary circuit 61 in addition to the circuit configuration of FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. I have it. The binarization circuit 61 binarizes the multivalued image data. For example, the binarization circuit 61 binarizes the multivalued image data by the error diffusion method shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and the liquid crystal driver 33.
Or to the data RAM 37. And data RAM
The image data binarized by the binarization circuit 61 is stored in 37. However, the image data stored in the data RAM 37 is not limited to the binarized image data, but multivalued image data is stored and binarized by the binarization circuit 61 when displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7. After that, it may be displayed.

In this embodiment, since the binarization circuit 61 is provided, not only the camera 5 that outputs the binary image data but also a normal camera that outputs a multi-valued image is connected to the I / F 34. Moreover, not only the binary image data but also the multi-valued image data can be received via the telephone line.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

Also in the electronic notebook 60 of this embodiment, FIG.
15 and 16 are performed in the shooting mode and the reception mode of the mode processing of FIG. 8 since the multi-valued image is handled. As described above, the binarization processing is performed. Note that FIG.
16 and 16, the same processing steps as those in FIG. 8 are designated by the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted.

That is, in the photographing mode, FIG.
As shown in, when image data is captured from the camera 5 (step S23), the captured image data is binarized (step Q1). This binarization processing is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and binarizes the multi-valued image by the error diffusion method.

When the binarization is completed, the binarized image data is displayed and output to the liquid crystal display unit 7 via the liquid crystal driver 33 (step S24). Similarly, when the execution key is selected, the selection is made. After taking in the compressed image data and compressing it, it is stored in the image area 37d of the data RAM 37 together with the index IX (steps S26 to S29).
The compression in step S27 may not be performed.

In the reception mode, as shown in FIG. 16, after the received multivalued image data is expanded by the image compression / expansion circuit 40 (steps S35 to S38), 2
The value is converted (step Q2). This binarization processing is performed in the same manner as the binarization processing in FIG. 15 above. When the binarization of the multi-valued image is completed, it is output to the liquid crystal display unit 7 via the liquid crystal driver 33 and compressed. Process (step Q3),
The index I is displayed in the image area 37d of the data RAM 37.
It is stored together with X (steps S39 to S41). The compression in step Q3 may not be performed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the binarization circuit 6
1, the multi-valued image data can be taken in from the camera or the telephone line, binarized, and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7 for binary display. As a result, not only a binary image but also a multivalued image can be handled, and the usability of the electronic notebook 60 can be further improved.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the portable information device of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a camera as an image pickup unit is integrally attached to an electronic notebook body as a portable information device. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same components as those in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 17, an electronic notebook 70 has a body case 7 whose external appearance is composed of a lower case 2 and a lid 71.
2, the lower case 2 is similar to the lower case of FIG.

The lid 71 has the same structure as the lid 3 of the first embodiment.
A mode selection key 8 is provided, and a liquid crystal display unit 73 and a camera 74 are attached. The liquid crystal display unit 73 displays a binary image as in the liquid crystal display unit 7 of the first embodiment. However, since the camera 74 is attached to the lid 3, the liquid crystal display unit 73 of the first embodiment is different from the liquid crystal display unit 7 of the first embodiment. However, the one with a small display area is adopted.

As shown in FIG. 6 or 11, the electronic notebook 70 has a coupler section 39 or a coupler section 52 built-in or externally attached, and the handset 1 of the telephone device is provided.
6 exchanges signals with each other.

The basic structure of the camera 74 is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, and the light incident from the lens attached to the surface of the lid 71 is detected by the CCD 22 and output as image data. And the circuit of the camera 74 is
It is incorporated in the lower case 2, and the lower case 2 has a structure shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 5 is incorporated into the circuit configuration shown in FIG.

Therefore, according to the electronic notebook 70 of the present embodiment, in the photographing mode, the image data photographed by the camera 74 is binarized and displayed on the liquid crystal display section 73 for output, and the photographed image data is coupled by the coupler. It is transmitted via the unit 39 or the coupler unit 52. As a result, the image can be easily captured by the camera 74, and the usability of the electronic notebook 70 can be improved.

[0135]

According to the portable information equipment of the present invention, after the image data picked up by the image pickup section is taken in through the image pickup section connection means and stored in the storage means, the image stored in the storage means is acquired. Since the data is displayed on the display unit or transmitted to the telephone line through the line connection means, the image data in the storage means can be easily handled by the portable information device and the image data in the storage means can be transmitted over the telephone line. And the usability of the portable information device can be improved.

Further, since the image data sent from the telephone line is fetched and stored in the storage means, and then displayed on the display section, the image data can be fetched from a wide range and used effectively. The usability of the portable information device can be further improved.

Further, the compression / decompression means compresses the uncompressed image data fetched from the image pickup section and the compressed image data fetched from the line, so that the image data is compressed. It is possible to store and transmit compressed image data, and to decompress and display the compressed and transmitted image data, making effective use of the storage means to improve the portability of portable information equipment. The image quality can be improved and high-quality image transmission can be performed.

Further, the multivalued image data taken in through the image pickup unit connecting means and the multivalued image data taken in from the telephone line are binarized, and a binary display liquid crystal display device is used as a display unit. Since the binarized image is displayed, 2
Image data can be handled by an inexpensive portable information device that uses a display unit for displaying values.

Further, since a plurality of captured image data are stored in the storage means and searched by a key operation and displayed on the display unit, the image data can be effectively used.

Since the image data is transmitted and received by using the acoustic coupler, it is possible to easily transmit the image data by using an external telephone device, and this acoustic coupler is used. When separated from the portable information device, the portable information device can be downsized.

Further, according to the portable information device of the present invention, a plurality of image data picked up by the image pickup unit is stored in the storage means together with the index data, and the image data stored in this storage means is searched by the index data. Since the retrieved image data is sent out to the telephone line, it is possible to efficiently retrieve a plurality of image data and send out to the telephone line, and to use the image data more effectively. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic notebook according to a first embodiment of a portable information device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic notebook shown in FIG. 1 with a lid closed and a slide plate pulled out.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electronic notebook shown in FIG. 1 with the lid closed and the slide plate closed.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the camera shown in FIG.

5 is a circuit block diagram of the camera of FIG.

6 is a circuit block diagram of the electronic notebook shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a data RAM.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing each mode processing of the electronic notebook.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a binarization process of the camera.

10 is an explanatory diagram of error diffusion processing by a filter in the binarization processing of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram of an electronic notebook of a second embodiment of the portable information device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of the coupler section of the electronic notebook of the second embodiment of the portable information device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the portable information device according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the slide plate of the coupler of the electronic notebook is pulled out.

FIG. 14 is a circuit block diagram of an electronic notebook of a third embodiment of the portable information device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a shooting mode process of the electronic notebook of the third embodiment of the portable information device of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a reception mode process of the electronic notebook of the third embodiment of the portable information device of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an external view of an electronic notebook according to a fourth embodiment of the portable information device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 50, 60, 70 Electronic notebook 2 Lower case 3, 71 Lid 4, 72 Main body case 5, 74 Camera 7, 73 Liquid crystal display 8 Mode key 9 Character input key 10 Numeric key 11 Cursor move / Screen move key 12 Search Key 13 Speaker 14 Microphone 15 Slide plate 16 Handset 16a Transmitter 16b Handset 30 CPU 31 Key input section 32 Display buffer 33 Liquid crystal driver 34 Liquid crystal display section 35 Control ROM 36 Dictionary ROM 37 Data RAM 38 Work RAM 39 Coupler section 40 image Compression / expansion circuit 41 Timing circuit 42 Power supply circuit 43 Bus 44 DAC 45 Modulation circuit 46 ADC 47 Demodulation circuit 61 Binarization circuit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A portable type in which data input from a key input unit is stored in a storage unit, the data stored in the storage unit is searched based on a key operation of the key input unit, and is displayed on a display unit. In an information device, a line connecting unit that connects to a telephone line, an image capturing unit connecting unit that connects an image capturing unit, and image data captured by the image capturing unit are captured via the image capturing unit connecting unit and stored in the storage unit. Image control means for displaying the image data stored in the storage means on the display portion and sending the image data stored in the storage means to a telephone line through the line connection means. A portable information device characterized by being provided. 2. The image control means captures image data sent from a telephone line via the line connection means, stores the image data in the storage means, and stores the image data stored in the storage means in the display unit. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the portable information device is displayed on the screen. 3. The image control means further comprises a compression / expansion means for compressing the image data taken in via the image pickup section connecting means and expanding the image data taken in via the line connecting means. The portable information device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The image control means comprises binarization means for binarizing multi-valued image data taken in through the image pickup section connecting means, and the display section is a liquid crystal display device for binary display. The portable information device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. The image control means comprises binarization means for binarizing multi-valued image data taken in through the line connection means, and the display section is a binary liquid crystal display device. The portable information device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portable information device is present. 6. The image pickup unit binarizes the picked-up image data and outputs the binarized image data.
Alternatively, the portable information device according to claim 5. 7. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein the line control means includes an acoustic coupler. 8. The portable information device according to claim 7, wherein the acoustic coupler has an adjustable distance between an input section and an output section. 9. The storage means stores a plurality of image data taken in through the line connection means or the image pickup section connection means, retrieves the image data by a key operation of the key input section, and displays it on the display section. Claims 1 to 8 characterized by
The portable information device according to any one of 1. 10. Portable information for storing data input from a key input unit in a storage unit, searching the data stored in the storage unit based on a key operation of the key input unit, and displaying the data on a display unit. In the device, a line connecting unit that connects to a telephone line, an image capturing unit connecting unit that connects to an image capturing unit, and image data captured by the image capturing unit are captured via the image capturing unit connecting unit and stored in the storage unit together with index data. Storing means, searching means for searching the image data stored in the storing means with the index data, and means for sending the image data searched by the searching means to a telephone line through the line connecting means, A portable information device comprising: