JPH1155557A - Image pickup element card and card cover - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup element card that uses an optical camera for a digital camera through the utilization of the performance of an optical lens system of the optical camera. SOLUTION: A card medium 2 loaded removably in an internal space of an optical camera main body and placed to a film loading section of the optical camera main body at loading and a circuit container 3 contained in a film windup section of the optical camera main body are formed integrally. An image pickup element 21 whose light receiving face is placed to an image forming part of the film loading section is provided to the card medium 2 and a liquid crystal display cover 22 that is made opaque when it is removed from the optical camera is provided to the surface. The circuit container 3 contains a memory that records an output of the image pickup element 21 in a freely updated way and a control IC that controls the operation of an in-card electronic circuit including the image pickup element 21 and the memory.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image sensor card for digitizing and storing a photographed image using an optical lens system of an optical camera, and an accessory part thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of image processing technology, digital cameras have become widespread, and a captured image can be directly taken into a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC) or another image processing device and processed and edited. Such a digital camera generally has an optical lens system similar to a normal optical camera, and an image processing system for converting a captured image into image data in a form recognizable by a computer. The image data is stored in a detachable recording medium, for example, a flash memory.
The light receiving part of the image processing system has a CCD (charge couple device)
e: charge-coupled device), and the resolution of the image data is uniquely determined by the number of CCD pixels (tens of thousands of pixels). Conventionally, a digital camera and a normal optical camera are separate and dedicated products, and consumers have to use two types of cameras depending on the purpose of photographing.

[0003]

As described above, although an optical camera and a digital camera have many essential functions as a camera, for example, an optical lens system and a shutter, there are many common parts. Because they are manufactured as independent types of products, consumers have to carry two types of cameras according to the purpose of photography. On the other hand, in optical cameras, various improved techniques for improving the performance of the optical lens system have been proposed, but in digital cameras, there is a focus on technical development to improve the number of CCD pixels, and the performance of the optical lens system is improved. Things have become secondary. Therefore, the performance of the optical lens system of the digital camera cannot be relatively improved as compared with that of the optical camera.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup device card and its attached parts which enable the optical camera to be used as a digital camera by utilizing the performance of an optical lens system of the optical camera.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an imaging device card which is detachably mounted in an internal space of an optical camera body. This imaging element card is formed by integrally forming a card medium arranged in a film loading portion of the optical camera main body at the time of mounting and a circuit storage body accommodated in a film winding upper part of the optical camera main body. An image sensor, for example, a CCD, in which a light receiving surface is located at an image forming portion of the film loading unit is provided. And a control IC for controlling the operation of the electronic circuit in the card including the memory.

A mask is formed on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device. The mask body allows light to pass through the light receiving surface when external light is blocked by a path other than the optical lens system based on an instruction from the control IC, and when the external light enters, This prevents transmission of light, thereby protecting the image sensor from being detached from the optical camera and coming into contact with external light.

The memory is a removable recording medium.
Alternatively, a connector for transferring the recorded contents of the memory to an external recording means is formed in the circuit housing. This enables image processing outside the image sensor card.

[0008] The control IC reads and executes a predetermined program, thereby realizing image data processing means for converting the output of the image pickup device into image data in a computer-readable form and storing the image data in the memory. It is. The image data processing means is configured to store the converted image data in the memory in units of light reception in synchronization with a shutter pressing timing of the optical camera. Further, when the image data cannot be stored in the memory, an alarm signal is generated.

The present invention also provides a bottomed cylindrical card cover for detachably accommodating the image sensor card. In the card cover, the tubular portion has a shape that shields at least a light receiving surface of the image sensor, and a connector for transferring the information stored in the memory to an external recording unit is formed at the bottom. It is characterized by.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an outline of an optical camera to which the imaging element card is applied will be described. As shown in the top view of FIG. 1, the optical camera has a patrone section PT, a film loading section FL, and a film winding top FM formed therein when no film cartridge is loaded. The patrone part PT has a shape for accommodating the film cartridge, and the film winding upper part F
M is shaped so that the film in the film cartridge can be wound up. Note that a take-up spool SP is provided on the film winding top FM.
The film loading section FL is formed such that light received from the optical lens system OP forms an image on the photosensitive surface FS of the film. The image sensor card of the present embodiment is detachably mounted in the gap between the film loading portion FL and the film winding upper portion FM, and is elastically supported by a pressure plate (not shown) provided on the back cover of the optical camera.

(First Embodiment) Next, the configuration of the image sensor card of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of the image sensor card, and FIG. 2B is a rear view thereof. The image pickup device card 1 includes the film loading unit FL
, And a circuit housing 3 housed in a manner that sandwiches the take-up spool SP in the film winding top FM, and these are integrally formed.

An image sensor 21 is embedded in the surface of the card medium 2. The image pickup device 21 is, for example, a CCD (charge coupled device) provided in a light receiving section of an existing digital camera.
When the image sensor card 1 is mounted on the optical camera, the light receiving surface is located at the image forming portion of the film loading portion FL. A mask body is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 21. Specifically, the mask body is constituted by a liquid crystal cover 22 in which liquid crystal cells are arranged in a direction in which light is prevented from entering the light receiving surface of the image sensor except during operation. The control of the liquid crystal cell is performed by a liquid crystal control unit 331 described later. A back cover switch 23 for detecting opening and closing of the camera back cover is provided on the back surface of the card medium 2. The wiring members for the image pickup device 21, the liquid crystal cover 22, and the back cover switch 23 are electrically connected to a control IC described later through a film wiring attached to the surface of the card medium 2.

A connector 31 for transferring data in the memory to a PC or the like is formed on the back of the circuit housing 3. As shown in FIG. 3, a memory 32 for recording the output of the image sensor 21 in an updatable manner, a control IC 32 for controlling the overall operation of the image sensor card 1, and an abnormal operation Small sound generator (buzzer, etc.) 34 that emits a warning sound, and power supply (battery) for circuit components in the card
35 are stored.

The memory 32 has a temporary area 321 for temporarily storing the output of the image sensor 21 and a main area 322 for storing image data read from the temporary area 321 and subjected to image processing. Are formed. What is transferred to the connector 31 is the data stored in the main area 322.

The control IC 33 includes a liquid crystal control unit 331, a memory control unit 332, and an image processing unit 33 realized by a predetermined program stored in a ROM (not shown).
3, the functional blocks of the alarm processing unit 334 and the date and time information management unit 335.

The liquid crystal control unit 331 detects the opening and closing of the back cover switch 23 and controls the voltage applied to the liquid crystal cover 22.
Specifically, when the back cover switch 23 is off, the orientation of the liquid crystal cell of the liquid crystal cover 22 is unified to the direction that blocks incident light (opaque state), and when the back cover switch 23 is on, the liquid crystal cover 22 is closed. The direction of the liquid crystal cell is unified to the direction of the light receiving surface of the image sensor 21 (transparent state). That is, the transparency of the liquid crystal cover 22 is controlled according to the state of the back cover switch 23.

The memory control unit 332 transfers the output of the image sensor 21 to the temporary area 321 and the temporary area 3
21, read and write data to and from the main area 322, transfer the data read from the main area 322 to the connector 32, reset the entire temporary area 321 and the main area 322, or perform exposure processing in units of exposure. Is what you do.

The image processing section 333 stores the temporary area 32
The electronic signal is converted into image data in a form readable by a computer, for example, a bitmap image.

The alarm processing section 334 monitors the operation in the control IC 33 to check for the presence or absence of an abnormality. If an abnormality is found, the alarm processing section 334 generates an alarm signal to sound the sounding body 35. One of the abnormalities is, for example, a state in which data cannot be recorded due to the remaining capacity of the main area 322 being exhausted.
The data recording disabled state is detected by sequentially subtracting the converted image data capacity from the specified capacity of the main area, or by counting the number of times of shooting or the number of times of recording in the main area 332, and remaining according to the count value. This is performed by estimating the capacity by analogy.

The date and time information management section 335 generates a date and time information using the clock in the IC, and writes the date information and the like when recording the image data in the main area 322, thereby realizing a so-called quartz date function. Is what you do. This quartz date function can also be used for synthesizing preset messages and the like.

Next, the operation when the image pickup device card 1 is incorporated in an optical camera to actually shoot an image will be described. When the image sensor card 1 is mounted and the lid of the optical camera is closed, the back cover switch 23 is turned on. The control IC 33 detects this state and controls the entire card according to the procedure shown in FIG.

First, the liquid crystal cover 22 on the image sensor 21 is made transparent so that the image sensor 21 can receive light (step S101: Yes, S102). After that, the image sensor 21
Is reset and the data in the main area 322 is reset to form a standby state (step S103). When the shutter button of the optical camera is pressed, the light receiving surface of the image sensor 21 is exposed, and the charge corresponding to the subject is excited. Control IC2
Reference numeral 4 designates an output of the image sensor 21 as a temporary area 321.
(Step S104: Yes, S10
5) The image processing unit 333 converts the image data into image data in a predetermined format, for example, a bitmap format. If necessary,
Here, compression processing is performed (step S106). afterwards,
This image data is recorded in the main area 322 (step S107). If the recording in the main area 322 has been completed normally, the temporary area 321 is erased to prepare for the next photographing (Step S108: Yes). At this time, the remaining capacity of the main area 322 is detected (step S109), and when the remaining capacity is less than the specified value, the alarm processing unit 35 generates an alarm signal (step S110: No, S111). If the remaining capacity is sufficient, the process returns to step S104. This operation is repeated. In this manner, the operator presses the shutter button in the conventional manner, so that the image sensor card 1
Then, image data obtained by photographing the subject is recorded.

After photographing, the image pickup device card 1 is detached from the optical camera, and image data is taken into a PC or the like in the following procedure. First, as shown in FIG. 5, an external connector from the PC is mounted on the connector on the back of the circuit housing 3.
The PC issues an instruction to the memory control unit 332 to fetch the image data in the main area 322. With this, PC
Enables image processing.

(Second Embodiment) Referring to FIG. 6, an example of an image sensor card 4 using a detachable thin smart media (recording medium) 50 as the memory 32 will be described. FIG. 6A is an external perspective view of the image sensor card 4 of this embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a side view thereof. In the example of the first embodiment, the smart media 50 includes the main area 322
Is used as a memory area corresponding to. Figure 6 shows the implementation
As shown in (a), the insertion is performed by inserting the circuit housing 3 from the lower rear portion into the memory insertion space 51 in the card medium 2. However, in this case, it is necessary to partially increase the thickness of the card medium 2 in consideration of the thickness of the smart media 50 as shown in the figure.

After the image data is recorded by the control IC 33 in the image pickup device card 4 using the smart media 50, the smart media 50 is connected to the image pickup device through a medium detaching mechanism (not shown) provided on the circuit housing 3 side. Remove from card 4. Smart media 50
At present, it is difficult to directly read the data by itself on a PC. Therefore, the data is inserted into a PCMCIA type card adapter to read the recorded contents. When the imaging element card 4 is formed in such a form, the smart media 50 can be replaced as needed according to the purpose of photographing, so that the optical camera can be used as if handling a normal silver film according to the purpose. Become.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of an image sensor card 5 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The image sensor card 5 is different from the image sensor card 1 of the first embodiment in that the back cover switch 23 is replaced with a card medium 2.
A photosensitive sensor 61 for detecting external light is provided on the surface of the LCD, and the control IC 33 controls the transparency of the liquid crystal cover 22 based on the output of the photosensitive sensor 61. As the photosensitive sensor 61, a semiconductor element, such as a photodiode, that outputs an electric signal according to the amount of received light, and an amplification element that amplifies the output and guides the output to the control IC 33 are used.

In the first to third embodiments, a case has been described in which the liquid crystal cover 22 is attached to the image sensor 21 as a mask body, but instead of the liquid crystal cover 22, the surface of the image sensor 21 is formed as a film. It is also possible to cover the camera with an opaque cover and slide the opaque cover during photographing to block external light. In this case, an opening having the same shape as that of the image sensor 21 is formed in advance in a part of the opaque cover, so that the opening is located on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 21 during photographing, and the opening is otherwise provided. The light receiving surface of the image sensor 21 is covered by a portion other than the above. For the slide of the opaque cover, for example, a microswitch is provided at a portion of the circuit housing 3 opposite to the film take-up spool SP. Detects this and repeats the winding and rewinding of the opaque cover. When the image sensor card is removed from the optical camera, the opaque cover keeps the light receiving surface of the image sensor 21 blocked.

(Fourth Embodiment) The first to third embodiments are examples in which image data is read from the image sensor card itself or image data is read via the smart media 50. In the description, an example in which a PC or the like can read image data via a card cover will be described. As a premise, PC etc. are PC
It shall have a card slot.

FIG. 7A is an external perspective view showing the back surface of the image sensor card 6 used in this embodiment. In the image sensor card 6, in the image sensor card 1 of the first embodiment, a connector 62 is provided on the back surface of the circuit housing 3 instead of the connector 31 on the back surface of the circuit housing 3. The image sensor card 6 is detachably accommodated in a card cover 7 shown in FIG. 7B.

The card cover 7 is a cylindrical card cover having a bottom. The cylindrical portion is formed in a shape that shields the image sensor 21 and the liquid crystal cover 22 from light. The memory 32 is connected to the connector 62.
A connector 72 for receiving image data recorded in the (main area 322) is formed. A cover connector 73 that is electrically connected to the connector 72 is provided at the bottom. The size of the card cover and the standard of the cover connector 73 are the size and the connector standard conforming to PCMCIA. FIG. 7C is an external perspective view showing a state in which the imaging element card 6 is accommodated in the card cover 7.
The user can use the card cover 7 in the same manner as other PC cards by inserting the card cover 7 into a card slot of a PC or the like.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the imaging device card of the present invention, the optical camera can be used as a digital camera only by mounting it on the optical camera. In other words, clear image data can be recorded in the memory using the performance of the optical lens system of the camera, and can be transferred to an external image processing means such as a personal computer through a connector. Therefore, unlike the related art, the consumer does not need to have two types of cameras according to the purpose of photographing.

Further, in the image sensor card, a mask is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and the mask prevents light transmission to the light receiving portion except when external light is detected. In this case, the image sensor is not destroyed by external light.

When the memory is constituted by a detachable recording medium, photographing can be performed without concern for the recording capacity of image data, and the memory can be exchanged according to the purpose of photographing. A usage pattern similar to that of the membrane film can be obtained.

Further, according to the card cover of the present invention, the image pickup device card can be used as it is as a PC card in a housed state, so that the protection of the image pickup device on the image pickup device card and the practicality of the image pickup device card are possible. And at the same time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an optical camera to which an image sensor card of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of an image sensor card according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a rear external perspective view.

FIG. 3 is a connection configuration diagram of a memory, a control IC, and the like incorporated in the circuit housing.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a control procedure at the time of photographing performed by a control IC.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection procedure between an image sensor card and an external connector.

FIG. 6A is an external perspective view of an image sensor card according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a side view of the image sensor card.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of an image sensor card according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

8A is an external perspective view of the back side of an image sensor card according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8B is an external perspective view of a card cover that accommodates the image sensor card, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view illustrating a state where an imaging element is housed in a cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 4, 5, 6 Image sensor card 2 Card medium 3 Circuit housing 7 Card cover 21 Image sensor 22 Liquid crystal cover 23 Back cover switch 31, 62 Connector 32 Memory 321 Temporary area 322 Main area 33 Control IC 331 Liquid crystal controller 332 Memory control unit 333 Image processing unit 334 Alarm processing unit 335 Date and time information management unit 34 Sound generator (buzzer, etc.) 35 Battery 72, 73 Card cover connector FL Optical camera film loading unit FM Optical camera film top FS On film Imaging surface PT Patrone section OP Optical lens system

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/765 H04N 5/781 510C 5/781

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image sensor card detachably mounted in an internal space of an optical camera main body, wherein a card medium arranged in a film loading portion of the optical camera main body at the time of mounting and a film winding upper part of the optical camera main body. The card medium is provided integrally with a circuit housing, and the card medium is provided with an imaging element having a light receiving surface located at an image forming portion of the film loading unit. An image sensor card, comprising: a memory for renewably recording an output of an image sensor; and a control IC for controlling operation of an electronic circuit in the card including the image sensor and the memory. 2. The image pickup device card according to claim 1, wherein said image pickup device comprises a CCD. 3. The control IC according to claim 1, wherein
When external light is blocked by a path other than the optical lens system based on the instruction of C, a mask body that permits light transmission to the light receiving surface and blocks the light transmission when the external light enters. The imaging device card according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device card is formed. 4. The imaging device card according to claim 1, wherein said memory is a removable recording medium. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a connector for transferring the recorded contents of the memory to an external image processing means is formed in the circuit housing. Element card. 6. The control IC realizes an image data processing unit that reads and executes a predetermined program to convert an output of the image sensor into image data in a computer-readable form and store the image data in the memory. The imaging device card according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: 7. The image data processing means is configured to store the converted image data in the memory in units of light reception in synchronization with a shutter pressing timing of the optical camera. 6. The imaging device card according to 6. 8. The image pickup device according to claim 7, wherein said image data processing means is configured to generate an alarm signal when accumulation of said image data in said memory becomes impossible. card. 9. The control IC reads and executes a predetermined program to generate date and time information using a clock in the IC, and, when recording the image data in a memory, stores the date and time information in the image data. 6. The imaging device card according to claim 1, wherein a date and time information management unit for writing the generated date information and the like is realized. 10. A bottomed cylindrical card cover for removably accommodating the image sensor card according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical portion is at least a light receiving surface of the image sensor. A card cover for transmitting light stored in the memory to an external recording means. 11. The card cover according to claim 10, wherein the size of the card cover and the connector are of a size and a connector standard conforming to PCMCIA.