JPH07184093A - Image pickup system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the inexpensive image pickup device body capable of image processing according to its uses by a method wherein an image processing unit, a body separate from the image pickup device and detachable, is mounted on an information processing unit such as a portable computer so as to implement the processing according to the uses. CONSTITUTION:A removable image processing unit 400 being a separate body from an image pickup device 200 is mounted on an information processing unit such as a portable computer and makes processing according to its uses. The information processing unit is provided with an operation means entering a command for a prescribed operation for an image pickup system externally, a display means displaying the operating state of the image pickup system, a storage means storing prescribed information, and a control means controlling the operation of the image pickup system. The image pickup device 200 is detachably connected to the information processing unit. The picture processing unit 400 is provided with a photocoupler expansion means 410 such as a card of the PCMCIA specifications, is connected to the information processing unit detachably and applies prescribed processing to the image information received from the image pickup device 200.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup system for taking an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a memory having a solid-state memory device
Electronic still cameras capable of recording still images using cards as recording media are already on the market, and electronic notebooks, portable computers, etc., which can use memory cards are also on the market. When an image is input to a portable computer or the like, an image taken by an electronic still camera is recorded in a memory card, and the card is inserted into the portable computer to read the image.

However, in a method of recording an image taken by such an electronic still camera in a memory card and inserting the card into a portable computer to read the image, a procedure for taking an image. However, it was inconvenient because I had to carry an electronic still camera and a portable computer together. In order to solve this problem, an image pickup device having an image pickup unit and a program storage unit can be attached to and detached from an information processing apparatus having an operation unit, a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, so that an image having excellent portability can be obtained. By providing a system, and by allowing an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup unit and a program storage unit to be attached to an information processing apparatus having an operation unit, a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, it is possible to perform portability. The applicant of the present application has previously made a proposal that makes it possible to provide an excellent imaging system.

1 and 2 show this conventional example. 1 and 2, reference numeral 200 denotes an image pickup device, for example, P
For example, a card of CMCIA specifications. An information processing device 300 corresponds to, for example, a portable computer or the like. Reference numeral 50 denotes a program storage unit that stores a program for capturing an image by the image capturing unit 210, and the stored program is executed by the information processing apparatus 300. 52 is an interface with the information processing means 300,
Reference numeral 54 is a connector for exchanging data signals and control signals with the information processing apparatus 300 and for supplying power to the interface 52 and the program storage means 50.

Reference numeral 10 is an image pickup lens, 12 is a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 is an image pickup element for converting an optical image into an electric signal, and 16 is an A / D converter for converting the analog output of 14 into a digital signal. Reference numeral 18 denotes a clock circuit that supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the memory control circuit 20.
And is controlled by the system control circuit 40. Reference numeral 22 is an image compression / expansion circuit for compressing / expanding data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, and 24 is an image memory.

Reference numeral 20 is a memory control circuit for controlling the clock circuit 18, the image compression / expansion circuit 22 and the image memory 24. The data of the A / D converter 16 is stored in the memory control circuit 20.
Is written in the image memory 24 via. When compressing an image, the data is read from the image memory 24, compressed by the image compression / expansion circuit 22, and then the image memory 24
Write data to. When decompressing an image, the data is read from the image memory 24, decompressed by the image compression / decompression circuit 22, and then written in the image memory 24.

Reference numeral 30 is a shutter drive circuit for driving the shutter 12, 32 is a lens drive circuit for driving the focusing lens of the taking lens 10, 34 is a distance measuring circuit for measuring the distance to the subject, and 36 is the brightness of the subject. A photometric circuit for measurement, 38 is a flash. A system control circuit 40 controls the entire imaging system. 42 is a power supply circuit and 44 is a battery. The power supply circuit 42 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch for switching blocks to be energized, and the like.
The presence / absence of the battery, the type of the battery, and the remaining battery amount are detected, and the DC-
It controls the DC converter and supplies the required voltage to each unit for the required period.

The system control circuit 40 drives the focusing lens of the photographic lens 10 by the lens drive circuit 32 according to the measurement result of the distance measuring circuit 34 to drive the photographic lens 1
0 is controlled to the in-focus state. The system control circuit 40 also determines the opening time of the shutter 12 by the shutter drive circuit 30 based on the measurement result of the photometry circuit 36 so that the optimum exposure amount is obtained.

Reference numeral 60 is a control means for controlling the entire information processing apparatus 300, 62 is a storage means for storing a program of the operation of the control means 60, variables and the like, and 64 is a character required according to the execution of the program by the control means 62. , Liquid crystal display device for displaying images, sounds, etc., display means such as speakers, 66
Is an operation means for inputting various operation instructions to the control means 60.

Reference numeral 68 is a power supply circuit, and 70 is a battery. The power supply circuit 68 is configured by a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch that switches blocks to be energized, and the like, detects whether or not the battery 70 is mounted, the type of the battery, and the remaining battery level. The DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the control means 60, and a required voltage is supplied to each unit for a required period.

Reference numeral 72 is an interface with the image pickup apparatus 200, and 74 is a connector for exchanging data signals and control signals with the image pickup apparatus 200 and for supplying power to the interface 52 and the program storage means 50. 76
Is a recording medium 9 such as a hard disk or a memory card.
0, or an interface with the communication means 100. 7
Reference numeral 8 is a connector for exchanging data signals and control signals with the recording medium 90 and supplying power to the recording medium 90. Reference numeral 80 is a connector for exchanging data signals and control signals with the communication means 100 and supplying power to the communication means 100.

Reference numeral 90 is a recording medium such as a hard disk or a memory card. Reference numeral 92 is a connector for exchanging data signals and control signals with the information processing apparatus 300 and receiving power supply, 94 is an interface with the information processing apparatus 300, and 96 is a recording area. Reference numeral 100 is a communication means for communicating with an external device or a communication circuit. Reference numeral 102 denotes a connector for exchanging data signals and control signals with the information processing apparatus 300 and receiving power supply, and 104 denotes the information processing apparatus 3
Reference numeral 106 denotes an interface with 00, 106 is a communication control circuit that controls communication with external devices, and communication control according to a protocol of a layer to be connected according to a predetermined program,
Data conversion / inverse conversion, modulation / demodulation, etc. are performed. 108
Is a connector for exchanging data signals and control signals with external devices and communication circuits. If 108 is used, communication such as electric transmission can be performed with an external device directly or via a communication circuit.

In the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image data compression / expansion function is included in the detachable image pickup device 200, and the compression / expansion circuit 22 performs the processing.

[0014]

However, when the compression / expansion means is provided inside the image pickup apparatus as described above, the compression / expansion method is fixed by the image pickup card. Therefore, in order to perform efficient compression / expansion for various imaging targets, for example, when the imaging target is a natural image, an imaging card that can perform compression / expansion by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) If is a character, it is necessary to use a different imaging card for each object to be photographed, such as an imaging card having a different compression / expansion means, and the circuit scale of the imaging card itself. However, it has a drawback that the cost increases and the cost increases.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image pickup apparatus main body at a low cost while being capable of performing image processing according to the intended use. An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system capable of performing the above.

[0016]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and to achieve the object, the image pickup system of the present invention comprises an operating means for inputting a command for causing the image pickup system to perform a predetermined operation from the outside. An information processing device having display means for displaying the operation state of the imaging system, storage means for storing predetermined information, and control means for controlling the operation of the imaging system, and detachably attached to the information processing device. It is characterized by comprising an image pickup device to be connected and an image processing device detachably connected to the information processing device and performing a predetermined process on image information input from the image pickup device.

Further, in the image pickup system according to the present invention, the image pickup operation is possible in a state where the information processing apparatus, the image pickup apparatus and the image processing apparatus are connected. Further, in the image pickup system according to the present invention, the image processing device has a compression / expansion function of compressing and expanding the image information.

[0018]

As described above, since the image pickup system according to the present invention is configured, an image processing apparatus which is detachable from the image pickup apparatus and which is detachable from the image pickup apparatus is attached to an information processing apparatus such as a portable computer, and processing is performed according to the purpose. By doing so, the main body of the image pickup apparatus can be provided at a low cost, and the system can be expanded only by adding the card even when the processing of the captured image data is required.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of an image pickup system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 3 and 4 show system configuration diagrams of the first embodiment. Of these, the same parts as those of the conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of each block is omitted because it is the same as that of the conventional example, and only changed parts will be described.

Reference numeral 400 denotes a removable compression / expansion device, such as a PCMCIA card. 402
Is a connector for exchanging data signals and control signals with the information processing apparatus 300 and receiving power supply from the information processing apparatus 300, and 404 is an interface with the information processing apparatus 300. Reference numeral 406 is a memory control circuit for transferring the image data transferred from the information processing apparatus 300 to the buffer memory 408 and the compressed image data for the information processing apparatus, 408 is a buffer memory for temporarily storing the image data, and 410 is a compression unit. It is a stretching means.

The operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the main routine of this embodiment. When the information processing apparatus 300 is powered on such as battery replacement, the control unit 60 initializes flags and control variables and executes a control program such as an operating system stored in a part of the storage unit 62 ( S
1). At this time, the control means 60 detects what kind of apparatus is connected to the information processing apparatus 300, and the necessary information is displayed on the display means 64 by images such as letters / numbers and icons according to the type of connected apparatus. It is set to display a predetermined display and receive an input from the operating means 66.

When an instruction is input from the operating means 66 (S2), the control means 60 determines whether or not the image pickup mode is executed by the image pickup apparatus 200 (S3). If the instruction is not to execute the image pickup mode, the instruction is given. A predetermined process is executed by the information processing apparatus 300 according to the step S7, and when the predetermined process is completed, a predetermined display is performed on the display unit 64 by an image such as letters / numbers and icons, and the operation is performed. The input by the means 66 is set to be accepted, and the input of the next command is waited (S2).

If the command is to execute the imaging mode (S
3), in the control means 60, the imaging device 200 is the information processing device 3
00 is connected (S4), and if not connected, a predetermined warning is given by the display means 64 (S8), and the input of the next command is waited (S2). Imaging device 2
00 is connected to the information processing apparatus 300, the control means 60 causes the image storage apparatus 20 to move from the program storage means 50.
A program for operating 0 is read out and stored in a part of the area of the storage means 62 via the interface 52, the connector 54, the connector 74, and the interface 72 (S5).

The control means 60 reads the program for operating the image pickup apparatus 200 from the storage means 62 and executes it (S6). By executing the program, the control means 60
Performs a predetermined display necessary for capturing an image on the display unit 64, and the image capturing apparatus 20 according to an input command from the operating unit 66.
The respective units of 0 are sequentially operated to pick up an image. When all the image pickup operations have been completed, the control means 60 ends the execution of the image pickup mode, displays the necessary predetermined display on the display means 64 on the screen of characters, numbers, icons, etc., and accepts the input from the operation means 66. And wait for the next command input (S
2).

FIG. 6 shows a detailed flowchart of the execution of the imaging program in S6 of FIG. In the description, the exchange of data signals and control signals between the control means 60 and the system control circuit 40 will be described in the interface 7.
2, connector 74, connector 54, interface 52
Shall be performed via. The control means 60 causes the display means 64 to perform a predetermined display necessary for capturing an image (S1).
1). For example, operation modes such as single shooting, continuous shooting, and self-timer shooting of the image pickup apparatus 200, distance measurement / photometry information, operating state of the flash 38, remaining battery level 44, shutter speed value, aperture value, exposure correction value, Gain-up operation state for increasing the sensitivity of the image sensor, image memory 24
, The operating state of the compression / expansion circuit 22, the recording operation state of the recording medium 90, the number of shots, the captured capacity,
The remaining number of sheets, the remaining capacity, etc. are displayed on the display means 64 by using images such as letters / numbers and icons. Further, the function of the image pickup apparatus 200 may be displayed on the display unit 64 as an image of a general camera operation unit such as a receive button, an electronic dial, or a mode select dial. further,
The displayed image of the operation unit of the camera may be selected by a pointing device such as a pen, a mouse, a trackball, or a touch panel and used as the input of the operation unit 66.
As a result, it is possible to perform the same image capturing operation as that of the camera in the information processing apparatus 300 without a sense of discomfort.

The control means 60 commands the system control circuit 40 to initialize the image pickup device 200. In response to this, the system control circuit 40 initializes the flags and variables, turns on the power supply circuit 42, and sets each unit of the imaging apparatus 200 to the initialized state (S12). Control means 60
Determines whether the image data captured by the imaging device 200 can be recorded in the storage unit 62 or the recording medium 90 (S).
13) If recording is not possible because there is no recordable free area or the recording medium is not connected, a warning is given by the display means 64 (S26), and the imaging program execution (S6) ends. At the end of execution of the imaging program, the control means 60 commands the system control circuit 40 to end the operation of the imaging device 200, and the system control circuit 40
Performs necessary termination processing in each unit of the image pickup apparatus 200 and turns off the output of the power supply circuit 42.

If the distance measuring / light measuring switch (SW1) is set by the operating means 66, the control means 60 will operate (S1).
4) Command the image pickup control circuit 40 to perform distance measurement / photometry operations. The system control circuit 40 performs distance measurement / photometry by the distance measurement circuit 34 and the light measurement circuit 36, focuses the imaging lens 10 on the subject, and determines the shutter time (S1).
5).

The control means 60 has the distance measuring / light measuring (SW1) set by the operating means 66 and the distance measuring / light measuring operation (S15) until the photographing switch (SW2) is set by the operating means 66 (S16). repeat. The control means 60 is
When the photographing switch (SW2) is set by the operation means 66 (S16), the system control circuit 40 is instructed to perform the photographing operation. The system control circuit 40 executes the photographing operation and writes the image data in the image memory 24 (S1).
7).

When continuous shooting is performed (S18), if the image memory 24 has a writable area for image data (S18).
19) and returns to S16 to repeat the same processing. If continuous processing is not performed (S18), or if there is no writable area in the image memory 24 (S19), it is determined whether or not compression is performed (S20). When the compression is not performed, the data in the image memory 24 is transferred to the information processing apparatus 300 via the interface 52 and the connector 54 and further recorded in the recording medium 90 (S22).

The compression recording mode is set by the operating means 66, and the compression / expansion device 400 is set to the information processing device 300.
If it is connected to the image memory 2
4 image data to the connector 74, the interface 72,
The data is transferred to the compression / expansion device 400 via the connector 82 and the connector 84. The memory control device 406 transfers this image data to the compression / expansion device 400, performs compression by the compression / expansion means 410 (S21), and transfers the compressed image data to the information processing device 300 again. The control means 60 stores this data in the storage means 62 and further in the storage area 96 of the recording medium 90 (S22).

If the distance measuring / light measuring switch (SW1) is released by the operating means 66, the control means 60 will cancel the setting (S
14) The timer counts (S23) and waits until the distance measuring / photometry switch (SW1) is set until the predetermined count is reached (S24) (S14). Distance measurement
If the photometric switch (SW1) is not set (S14) and the predetermined count is reached (S24), the display means 6 is displayed.
The display for imaging by 4 is canceled (S25), and the execution of the imaging program (S6) ends. At the end of execution of the imaging program, the control means 60 causes the system control circuit 40 to
To the system control circuit 40.
Performs necessary termination processing in each unit of the image pickup apparatus 200 and turns off the output of the power supply circuit 42.

In the present embodiment, the main body of the image pickup apparatus is configured to have a minimum image pickup function, and a dedicated compression / decompression device, which is separate from the main body, is attached to the information processing apparatus, so that the main body of the image pickup apparatus is not changed. Since only the compression means can be changed, the system can be expanded depending on the application with a minimum investment. (Second Embodiment) FIGS. 7 and 8 are system configuration diagrams of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a still image compression / expansion circuit built in the image pickup device, for example, adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT).
Data is compressed / decompressed by the above. Reference numeral 500 denotes an OCR device that extracts and recognizes a character portion from image data obtained by shooting with the imaging device 200. 502 is a connector for exchanging data signals and control signals with the information processing apparatus 300, 504 is an interface with the information processing apparatus 300, 508 is a buffer memory for temporarily holding image data, and 510 is a character from the image data. OCR (optical character recognition) means for extracting data, 506
Is a memory controller for controlling input / output of image data between the buffer memory 408 and the interface 504, 51
An OCR system control device 2 controls the entire OCR device. The other parts have exactly the same configuration as the first embodiment.

The operation for photographing / recording character information in this embodiment will be described. When the user sets the character recognition mode by the operation means 66, the control means 60 transfers the uncompressed image data in the image memory 24 to the OCR device 500 through the interfaces 52, 72, 82. The memory control device 506 in the OCR device 500 temporarily stores the image data received through the interface 504 in the buffer memory 508 according to a command from the OCR system control device 512. The OCR means 510 extracts character information based on this image data. The textified data is transferred from the OCR system control device 512 to the information processing device 300 side through the interface 504.

In the present embodiment, the user operates the operation means 6 in the information processing apparatus 300 to distinguish between character information and non-character information.
Although it is designated by using 6, the identification may be automatically made in the OCR device 500. As described above, the compression recording of a normal still image is performed on the imaging device side, and when the character information is photographed / recorded, by recording it as text data by a separate OCR device, it is possible to obtain an effect depending on the object to be photographed. Compression can be performed.

In this embodiment, for example, a moving picture processing device is connected to the information processing apparatus as a detachable auxiliary device instead of the OCR, and the moving picture processing and the moving picture compatible compression processing are performed in this apparatus, and the It is also possible to construct an imaging system compatible with both still images and moving images by performing still image processing and still image compatible compression processing. (Third Embodiment) FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing a system configuration of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 412 is a flash memory for recording the compression algorithm in the compression / expansion means 410 '. The other parts have the same structure as the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, since the program is contained in the compression / expansion means 410, there is a problem that the compression / expansion device main body must be exchanged even when only software modification is required. However, with the configuration of FIG. 6, the processing program can be externally loaded into the flash ROM and can be compressed and recorded by a new algorithm.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. Further, the present invention can be applied to a modified or modified version of the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0039]

As described above, according to the image pickup system of the present invention, an image processing apparatus which is detachable from the image pickup apparatus and which is detachable from the image pickup apparatus is attached to an information processing apparatus such as a portable computer so as to perform processing according to the purpose. By doing so, the main body of the image pickup apparatus can be provided at a low cost, and the system can be expanded only by adding a card even when it is necessary to process the captured image data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conventional system configuration diagram.

FIG. 2 is a conventional system configuration diagram.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main routine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an imaging program execution routine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram of a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Shooting Lens 12 Shutter 14 Image Sensor 16 A / D Converter 20 Memory Control Circuit 22 Image Compression / Expansion Circuit 24 Image Memory 25 Image Signal Processing Circuit 30 Shutter Drive Circuit 32 Lens Drive Circuit 34 Distance Measuring Circuit 36 Photometry Circuit 38 Flash 40 System Control circuit 42 Power supply circuit 44 Battery 46 White balance measurement circuit 50 Program storage means 52 Interface 53 Interface 54 connector 55 Connector 60 Control means 62 Storage means 64 Display means 66 Operating means 68 Power supply circuit 70 Power supply 72 Interface 74 Connector 76 Interface 78 connector 80 connector 82 interface 84 connector 90 recording medium 92 connector 94 interface 96 recording area 100 communication means 102 connector 104 Interface 106 Communication control circuit 108 Connector 200 Imaging device 300 Information processing device 400 Compression / expansion device 402 Connector 404 Interface 406 Memory control device 408 Buffer memory 410 Compression / expansion means 410 ′ Compression / expansion means 412 Flash memory 500 OCR device 502 Connector 504 Interface 506 Memory controller 508 Buffer memory 510 OCR means 512 OCR system controller

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An operating means for inputting a command for causing the imaging system to perform a predetermined operation from the outside, a display means for displaying an operation state of the imaging system, a storage means for storing predetermined information, and An information processing apparatus having a control unit for controlling the operation of the imaging system, an imaging apparatus detachably connected to the information processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus detachably connected to the information processing apparatus, and input from the imaging apparatus An image pickup system, comprising: an image processing device that performs a predetermined process on image information. 2. The information processing device, the imaging device,
The image pickup system according to claim 1, wherein an image pickup operation is possible in a state where the image processing apparatus is connected. 3. The image pickup system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus has a compression / expansion function for compressing and expanding the image information.