WO2006085702A1

WO2006085702A1 - Automatic photographing portable electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2006085702A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002229
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byong Seop Yoo; Hak Man Do
Original assignee: Know-How Bank Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-07-12
Filing date: 2005-07-11
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Also published as: KR20070100681A

Abstract

An automatic image capture portable electronic device is disclosed which enables an image capture mode immediately after inputting of an image capture signal is continued for a predetermined time or more, to automatically capture an image, releases the image capture mode when the inputting of the image capture signal ceases, and permanently stores data of the captured image after the release of the image capture mode. Also, a security image capture system is disclosed which uses the portable electronic device. Since the image capture mode is automatically executed without an additional command from the user, an enhancement in use convenience is achieved. In the security image capture system, an image of an external situation is automatically captured in a charging mode enabled when the portable electronic device is coupled to a charger, and the captured image is transmitted to a security server via the Internet.

Description

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING PORTABLE ELECTRONIC

DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, and more particularly, to an automatic image capture portable electronic device which has an automatic image capture function to more easily capture an image of a peripheral situation and to more easily store the captured image, and a security image capture system using the automatic image capture portable electronic device. Background Art

[2] Recently, a portable electronic device such as a PDA or a mobile phone, in which a camera is mounted, has been developed, by virtue of the advance of the associated technologies. Such a portable electronic device can obtain a still or moving image through an image capture operation of a camera, store the obtained image, and externally output the stored image.

[3] In a conventional portable electronic device provided with a camera, it is possible to capture a desired image as the user selects an image capture mode, and to store data of the captured image in a memory provided in the portable electronic device. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] In such a portable electronic device, however, there is a drawback in that capture of an image can only be achieved by operating keys or buttons on a key pad several times to input an image capture command. Furthermore, there is another drawback in that, under the condition in which there is insufficient memory to store a captured image, it is impossible to store captured images unless the image stored in the memory is deleted. For this reason, although the conventional portable electronic device can support a simple image capture mode, there is a limitation in supporting various image capture modes.

[5] Furthermore, when an image capture mode is carried out for a prolonged period of time, the conventional portable electronic device cannot perform the natural function thereof (wireless communication function in the case of a mobile communication terminal) because the power consumption of the image capture mode is considerable. Accordingly, it is also necessary to cope with such a problem.

Technical Solution

[6] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the invention to provide an automatic image capture portable electronic device which is capable of performing an automatic image capture mode using a simple operation, and automatically storing data of captured images, to more easily execute an image capture function.

[7] Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic image capture portable electronic device which is capable of storing desired image data selected from images captured in a state in which the portable electronic device is mounted in a vehicle, to store the history of the running of the vehicle or the history of an accident occurring during the running of the vehicle.

[8] Another object of the invention is to provide a security image capture system using the automatic image capture portable electronic device which is capable of automatically transmitting data of an image captured in accordance with an automatic image capture function of the portable electronic device to a security server via a communication network to which the security image capture system is connected.

[9] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a portable electronic device having an image capture function, comprising:

[10] an image capture unit including a camera to capture an image;

[11] an image capture command input unit which inputs an image capture signal to operate the image capture unit;

[12] an image database which stores data of the image captured through the image capture unit; and

[13] a controller which operates the image capture unit to capture an image of a peripheral situation around the portable electronic device in response to the image capture signal input from the image capture command input unit, temporarily store data of the captured image in the image database, stops the operation of the image capture unit when the inputting of the image capture signal from the image capture command input unit ceases during the image capture operation, and permanently stores the temporarily stored image data in the image database when the image capture operation is stopped, whereby the portable electronic device can perform an automatic image capture operation.

[14] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a portable electronic device which operates with electric power supplied from a battery, comprising:

[15] an image capture unit including a camera to capture an image;

[16] an image database which stores data of the image captured through the image capture unit;

[17] a charging manager which measures a voltage of the battery, and outputs information about the measured voltage; and

[18] a controller which determines whether or not the battery is being charged, based on the information output from the charging manager, operates the image capture unit when the battery is in a state of being coupled to a charger such that the battery is charged, stores data of an image captured by the operated image capture unit in the image database, and stops the operation of the image capture unit and the storage of the image data when the battery is separated from the charger during the image capture.

[19] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a portable electronic device comprising a battery chargeable through a charger, the portable electronic device operating with electric power supplied from the battery, the portable electronic device further comprising:

[20] an image capture unit including a camera to capture an image;

[21] an image database which stores data of the image captured through the image capture unit;

[22] a radio frequency (RF) module which receives a predetermined RF signal externally transmitted to the potable electronic device, and outputs an image capture command signal, based on the predetermined RF signal; and

[23] a controller which operates the image capture unit when the controller receives the image capture command signal from the RF module, and stores data of an image captured by the image capture unit in the image database, whereby the portable electronic device can perform an automatic image capture operation.

[24] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a security image capture system using a portable electronic device, comprising:

[25] a security server which is connected to a communication network, the security server storing image data received via the communication network and managing the stored image data; and

[26] the portable electronic device which comprises a battery chargeable through a charger, the portable electronic device capturing an image when the portable electronic device is coupled to the charger, and transmits data of the captured image to the security server in a state of being connected to the communication network,

[27] wherein the portable electronic device further comprises:

[28] an image capture unit including a camera to capture an image;

[29] an image capture command input unit which inputs an image capture signal to operate the image capture unit;

[30] an image database which stores data of the image captured through the image capture unit; and

[31] a controller which operates the image capture unit to capture an image of a peripheral situation around the portable electronic device when the inputting of the image capture signal from the image capture command input unit is continued for not less than a predetermined time, temporarily store data of the captured image in the image database, stops the operation of the image capture unit when the inputting of the image capture signal from the image capture command input unit ceases during the image capture operation, and permanently stores the temporarily stored image data in the image database when the image capture operation is stopped Advantageous Effects

[32] The automatic image capture portable electronic device according to the present invention enables an image capture mode immediately after inputting of an image capture signal is continued for a predetermined time or more, to automatically capture an image, releases the image capture mode when the inputting of the image capture signal ceases, and permanently stores data of the captured image after the release of the image capture mode. Accordingly, it is possible to securely obtain evidential images because the portable electronic device can store captured images simultaneously with the mode change to the automatic image capture mode. Since the image capture mode is automatically executed without an additional command from the user, an enhancement in use convenience is achieved. Since the configuration implementing the automatic image capture is simple, the manufacturing costs are considerably reduced.

[33] In the security image capture system according to the present invention, an image of an external situation is automatically captured in a charging mode enabled when the portable electronic device is coupled to a charger, and the captured image is transmitted to a security server via the Internet. Accordingly, it is possible to more securely perform a black box function for capturing and storing an image of an external situation and a security function. Brief Description of the Drawings

[34] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[35] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic views illustrating an outer structure of a portable electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, respectively;

[36] FlG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[37] FlG. 4 is a flow chart explaining operation of the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[38] FlG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a use condition of the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[39] FlG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [40] FIGS. 7 and 8 are graphs explaining procedures for charging a battery of the portable electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, respectively; [41] FlG. 9 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating connection of the portable electronic device to a charger in the second embodiment of the present invention; [42] FlG. 10 is a graph depicting a voltage variation in the portable electronic device depending on coupling to the charger in the second embodiment of the present invention; [43] FlG. 11 is a flow chart explaining a method for controlling the portable electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; [44] FlG. 12 is a flow chart explaining an image capture procedure of the portable electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; [45] FlG. 13 is a flow chart explaining an image data processing procedure of the portable electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; [46] FlG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating a cradle for a portable electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [47] FlG. 15 is a block diagram explaining a configuration of the portable electronic device according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [48] FlG. 16 is a schematic view explaining connection of the portable electronic device to a charger in the third embodiment of the present invention; [49] FlG. 17 is a flow chart explaining a control procedure of the portable electronic device according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [50] FlG. 18 is a flow chart explaining operation of the portable electronic device according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [51] FlG. 19 is a flow chart explaining another operation of the portable electronic device according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [52] FlG. 20 is a block diagram explaining a connection procedure of a portable electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; [53] FlG. 21 is a block diagram explaining a configuration of the portable electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; [54] FlG. 22 is a block diagram explaining a configuration of a security server according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; [55] FlG. 23 is a block diagram explaining a configuration of a security manager according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; [56] FlG. 24 is a flow chart explaining a control procedure of the portable electronic device and security image capture system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[57] FlG. 25 is a flow chart explaining a control operation of the portable electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

[58] FlG. 26 is a flow chart explaining another control operation of the portable electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[59] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings.

[60] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an automatic image capture portable electronic device

1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The portable electronic device 1 includes a lower base 10 provided with a dial keypad 11, an upper base 20 mounted to an upper surface of the lower base 10, and provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen 21 arranged at an upper surface of the upper base 20, and a slide assembly (not shown) which slidably couples the upper base 20 to the upper surface of the lower base 10.

[61] The lower base 10 defines the appearance of the portable electronic device 1 which may be a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone. In the lower base

10, a printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown) or the like is disposed. The dial keypad

11, which may be of a membrane type, is arranged at a lower portion of the upper surface of the lower base 10. A microphone is also arranged at the upper surface of the lower base 10 beneath the dial keypad 11. A terminal battery 12 is detachably attached to a lower surface of the lower base 10. A pushbutton type image capture button 13 is provided at one side surface of the lower base 10, in order to input an image capture signal.

[62] The upper base 20 is mounted to the lower base 10 through the slide assembly such that the upper base 20 is vertically slidable along the lower base 10. In addition to the LCD screen 21, an earphone 22 and a camera 23 for execution of an image capture function are arranged at the upper base 20. The camera 23 is rotatable forwards and backwards (as shown by arrows in FlG. 2), so as to diversely adjust the image capture direction.

[63] As shown in FlG. 3, the portable electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention also includes a main controller 31 which controls the overall operation of the portable electronic device 1, namely, the mobile communication terminal, an input unit 30 which receives a certain command from the user, a wireless communicator 34 which performs wireless communication with a mobile communication network, an image capture unit 32 which captures an image, an image controller 35 which stores the image captured through the image capture unit 32 in the form of a still image or a moving image in an image database 36, and manages the stored image, and a memory 33 which stores a program and data to control the portable electronic device 1, namely, the mobile communication terminal.

[64] The input unit 30 includes an image capture command input unit which enables the user to input an image capture signal. The pushbutton type image capture button 13 is included in the image capture command input unit. In response to the image capture signal input through the image capture button 13, the main controller 31 determines whether or not the image capture unit 32 has to operate, and controls operations for storing data of an image captured through the image capture unit 32 in the image database 36 and managing the stored image data.

[65] Meanwhile, the main controller 31 enables an automatic image capture mode when the time, for which the image capture signal is continuously input through the image capture button 13, is not less than a predetermined time, and enables a general mode when the image capture signal input time is less than the predetermined time.

[66] That is, when the user presses the image capture button 13 though a one-touch operation or continuously presses the image capture button 13 for a time less than the predetermined time, to input an image capture signal, the main controller 31 senses the image capture signal input through the image capture button 13, and controls the image controller 35, based on the image capture signal, to execute an initial setting mode in which a menu for selecting one of a still image capture mode and a moving image capture mode is displayed on the LCD screen 21. In this case, the user selects a desired one of the still image capture mode and moving image capture mode by operating the keypad 11, to capture and store a still image or a moving image. Thus, when the image capture button 13 is pressed for a time less than the predetermined time to input a corresponding image capture signal, it is necessary to additionally perform a separate operation enabling the still image capture mode or moving image capture mode.

[67] On the other hand, the main controller 31 monitors the continuously pushed state of the image capture button 13 in real time. When the time, for which the image capture signal is input through the image capture button 13, is not less than the predetermined time (set to 3 seconds in the first embodiment of the present invention), the main controller 31 controls the image capture unit 32 to operate, based on the corresponding image capture signal. That is, in this case, the main controller 31 controls the image controller 35 to directly execute the moving image capture mode and to temporarily store data of a captured moving image in the image database 36. When no further image capture signal is input through the image capture button 13 in the state in which the moving image capture mode is enabled, the main controller 31 controls the image controller 35 to permanently store the captured image data, and controls the image capture unit 32 to stop the image capture operation. [68] The image controller 35 is configured to control the image database 36 in a fϊrst- in-fϊrst-out (FIFO) manner when data of a captured image is stored in the image database 36. That is, when the storage capacity of the image database 36 is exhausted, the image controller 35 controls the image database 36 to delete the image data previously stored therein, so as to store data of a newly captured image. Thus, the image controller 35 enables continuous image capture and storage operations irrespective of the storage capacity of the image database 36.

[69] Hereinafter, a procedure for controlling the portable electronic device having the above-described configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[70] First, the main controller 31 determines whether or not the portable electronic device 1 is powered on (S40). When it is determined, in operation S40, that the portable electronic device 1 is powered on, the main controller 31 determines whether or not an image capture signal is input through the image capture button 13 (S41).

[71] When it is determined, in operation S41, that an image capture signal is input through the image capture button 13, the main controller 31 counts an image capture signal input time, for which the image capture signal is continuously input (S42), and determines whether or not the image capture signal input time is not less than a predetermined time (set to 3 seconds in the first embodiment of the present invention) (S43).

[72] When it is determined, in operation S43, that the image capture signal input time is less than the predetermined time, the main controller 31 determines whether or not another key signal is input (S44). When it is determined, in operation S44, that another key signal is input, the main controller 31 executes an operation of the portable electronic device 1 corresponding to the input key signal (S45).

[73] On the other hand, when it is determined, in operation S43, that the image capture signal input time is not less than the predetermined time, the main controller 31 controls the image controller 35 to operate the image capture unit 32 (S46), and to temporarily store data of an image captured by the image capture unit 32 in the image database 36 (S47). That is, the image capture unit 32 operates to capture an image, and sends data of the captured image to the image controller 35. In accordance with a predetermined procedure, the image controller 35 processes the image data sent from the image capture unit 32 (S47). In this case, if the storage capacity of the image database 36 is exhausted, the image controller 35 controls the image database 36 in an FIFO manner such that the image database 36 deletes the previously stored image data, so as to store data of a newly captured image. Thus, continuous image capture and storage operations can be carried out irrespective of the storage capacity of the image database 36. The image database 36 may be divided into a plurality of storage sectors to store a certain amount of image data in each storage sector in an independent manner.

[74] Meanwhile, the main controller 31 continuously determines whether or not the inputting of the image capture signal through the image capture button 13 is continued (S48).

[75] When it is determined, in operation S48, that the inputting of the image capture signal through the image capture button 13 is continued, the main controller 31 returns to operation S46 to operate the image capture unit 32. On the other hand, when it is determined, in operation S48, that the inputting of the image capture signal through the image capture button 13 is stopped, the main controller 31 controls the image database 36 to permanently store the temporarily stored image data (S49), and controls the image capture unit 32 to stop the image capture operation, so as to release the image capture mode (S50).

[76] Where the portable electronic device 1 is used in a state of being seated in a cradle

60 provided with a pusher (not shown) to operate the image capture button 13, the portable electronic device 1 executes the automatic image capture mode immediately after being seated in the cradle 60, to capture an image of a peripheral situation around the vehicle in which the cradle 60 is mounted and to store data of the captured image. Of course, the cradle 60 may dispense with the pusher. In this case, the cradle 60 may be configured such that the image capture button 13 is pressed to enable an image capture operation when the portable electronic device 1 is seated in the cradle 60, and is returned to an original position to stop the image capture operation when the portable electronic device 1 is separated from the cradle 60.

[77] When the portable electronic device 1 is seated in the cradle 60, the pusher presses the image capture button 13 which, in turn, generates an image capture signal. On the other hand, when the portable electronic device 1 is separated from the cradle 60, the generation of the image capture signal is stopped, so that the image capture mode is automatically released.

[78] Thus, it is possible to perform a black box function by automatically capturing an image of an internal situation in the vehicle or an image of an external situation around the vehicle and automatically storing data of a captured image through the portable electronic device 1. Since the captured image can be conveniently recorded without a separate operation of the user, it is possible to achieve an enhancement in use convenience and to securely obtain an evidential image when an event such as a traffic accident occurs. Also, when the portable electronic device 1 is separated from the cradle 60, the image capture mode is released in a state in which the captured image data has been automatically stored. Accordingly, the portable electronic device 1 can effectively cope with the user s carelessness or external impact.

[79] Meanwhile, although the image capture command input unit has been described as including the pushbutton type image capture button 13 in the first embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to input an image capture command using a magnetic member (magnet) and a Hall sensor.

[80] In this case, the Hall sensor, which is turned on/off in accordance with whether or not there is a magnetic field having influence on the Hall sensor, is coupled to the input unit 30 of the main controller 31. The magnetic member is arranged at a position where the magnetic member faces the Hall sensor when the portable electronic device 1 is seated in the cradle 60.

[81] Accordingly, when the portable electronic device 1 is seated in the cradle 60, the

Hall sensor is turned on by virtue of a magnetic field generated from the magnetic member. In this state, an ON signal from the Hall sensor is continuously input to the main controller 31. When the inputting of the Hall sensor ON signal is continued for a predetermined time or more, the main controller 31 enables the automatic image capture mode. On the other hand, when the portable electronic device 1 is separated from the cradle 60, the Hall sensor is turned off. When an OFF signal from the Hall sensor is input to the main controller 31, the automatic image capture mode is released, and the captured image data is permanently stored. In accordance with the present invention, other sensors may be used, so far as they can sense whether or not the portable electronic device is seated in the cradle.

[82] Thus, in the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to capture an image of the peripheral situation around a vehicle and to store data of the captured image by simply holding the portable electronic device in the cradle mounted in the vehicle. Accordingly, the portable electronic device can enhance the use convenience thereof.

[83] Meanwhile, since the power consumption of the terminal battery is increased during the image capture mode, it is preferred that the cradle be equipped with a charging circuit to perform a charging function along with the function of holding the portable electronic device.

[84] Hereinafter, a configuration and functions of an automatic image capture portable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13.

[85] As shown in FIG. 6, the portable electronic device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a main controller 120 which controls the overall operation of the portable electronic device 100, an input unit 110 which receives a certain command from the user, a wireless communicator 160 which performs wireless communication with a mobile communication network, an image capture unit 130 which captures an image, an image controller 170 which stores the image captured through the image capture unit 130 in the form of a still image or a moving image in an image database 180, and manages the stored image, and a memory 140 which stores a program and data to control the portable electronic device 100.

[86] The portable electronic device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention also includes a charging manager 190 which not only monitors the voltage of a battery 200 included in the portable electronic device 100, to send information about the monitored voltage to the main controller 120, but also monitors whether or not the battery 200 is being charged, to send information as to the results of the monitoring. The portable electronic device 100 further includes a global positioning system (GPS) unit 151 which receives a GPS signal transmitted from a satellite, and sends data about the current position of the portable electronic device 100 to the main controller 120, based on the GPS signal.

[87] The portable electronic device 100 having the above-described configuration according to the second embodiment of the present invention can perform a black box function to capture an image of an external situation through the image capture unit 130, based on information sent from the charging manager 190, to store data about the captured external situation image in the image database 180, and to manage the stored data.

[88] When the charging manager 190 determines that the portable electronic device 100 is seated in a cradle to cause the battery 200 to be coupled to a charger 300 included in the cradle, and thus, to be charged through the charger 300, the charging manager 190 sends a charging initiation signal to the main controller 120. In response to the charging initiation signal, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to enable an image capture mode (for a still image or moving image). Under the control of the main controller 120, the image controller 170 also controls the image database 180 in an FIFO manner when data of a captured image is stored in the image database 180.

[89] The charging manager 190 also detects whether or not the portable electronic device 100 coupled to the charger 300 is separated from the charger 300. When it is determined that the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300, the charging manager 190 sends a charging completion signal to the main controller 120. In response to the charging completion signal, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to stop the image capture mode.

[90] The procedure for determining the coupling of the portable electronic device 100 to the charger 300 through the charging manager 190 will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 (FIGS. 7 and 8 are graphs explaining battery charging states of the portable electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, respectively). [91] Referring to FlG. 7, when the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300 in a state in which the voltage of the battery 200 is Vl, a certain higher voltage from the charger 300 is applied to the battery 200, so that current is supplied to the battery 200. Thus, the battery 200 initiates a charging operation (Tl).

[92] At this time, the charging manager 190, which monitors the voltage of the battery

200, can recognize an increase in the voltage of the battery 200 from Vl to V2. When the charging manager 190 senses such an increase in voltage, it recognizes that the battery 200 is being charged. Accordingly, the charging manager 190 sends a charging initiation signal to the main controller 120. In response to the charging initiation signal, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to enable the image capture mode.

[93] As the charging of the battery 200 is continued (T2), the voltage of the battery 200 is continuously increased to a charging completion voltage V3. At the point of time T3 when the voltage of the battery 200 reaches the charging completion voltage V3, the battery 200 is completely charged. In this state, the output voltage V4 of the charger 300 higher than the charging completion voltage V3 is still applied to the battery 200, so that the charging manager 190 detects the output voltage V4 of the charger 300, and sends information about the results of the detection to the main controller 120. Based on the information sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to maintain the image capture mode.

[94] On the other hand, when the battery 200 is separated from the charger 300 (T4), the voltage of the battery 200 is lowered from V4 to V3. The lowering of the battery voltage from V4 to V3 is detected by the charging manager 190 which, in turn, determines that the charging is stopped, and sends a corresponding signal to the main controller 20. In response to the signal sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to stop the image capture mode.

[95] FlG. 7 explains the operation carried out until the battery 200 of the portable electronic device is separated from the charger 300 after being completely charged. The case, in which the portable electronic device is separated from the charger 300 during the charging operation, namely, the charging operation is stopped in an incompletely charged state, is illustrated in FlG. 8.

[96] Referring to FlG. 8, when the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300 in a state in which the voltage of the battery 200 is Vl, a certain higher voltage from the charger 300 is applied to the battery 200, so that current is supplied to the battery 200. Thus, the battery 200 initiates a charging operation (Tl).

[97] At this time, the charging manager 190, which monitors the voltage of the battery

[98] As the charging of the battery 200 is continued (T2), the voltage of the battery 200 is continuously increased to a charging completion voltage V3. When the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300 in an incompletely charged sate, namely, at the point of time T2 when the voltage of the battery 200 reaches a voltage V5 lower than the charging completion voltage V3, the charging of the battery 200 is stopped. In this state, the voltage of the battery 200 is lowered from V5 to V5 because no voltage from the charger 300 is applied to the battery 200.

[99] The lowering of the battery voltage from V5 to V5 is detected by the charging manager 190 which, in turn, determines that the charging is stopped, and sends a corresponding signal to the main controller 20. In response to the signal sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to stop the image capture mode.

[100] Although the charging manager has been described as determining the charging of the battery and sending the corresponding signal to the main controller in conjunction with FIGS. 7 and 8, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the charging manager may have only the function to detect the voltage of the battery, and in this case, the determination of whether or not the battery is being charged may be achieved by the main controller.

[101] FlG. 9 is a circuit diagram explaining the coupling of the portable electronic device to the charger in the second embodiment of the present invention (typically, the battery 200 can be charged in a state of being attached to the portable electronic device 100 in accordance with the coupling of the battery 200 to the charger 300).

[102] Referring to FlG. 9, the battery 200 is connected to the portable electronic device at a node Nl as a positive electrode and a node N3 as a ground electrode. The nodes Nl and N3 are connected to nodes Sl and S3 of the charger 300, so that electric power from the charger 300 is supplied to the battery 200. A resistor Rl is connected between the node N2 of the portable electronic device 100 and the ground. The node N2 is connected to the node S2 of the charger 300. A resistor RL is connected between the node S2 and the node Sl.

[103] When the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300, the nodes

Nl, N2, and N3 are connected to the nodes Sl, S2, and S3, respectively. Accordingly, the battery 200 is charged with electric power supplied from the charger 300 via the node Nl.

[104] At this time, the voltage at the node N2 corresponds to Charger s Output Voltage (V ) x {R /(R + R )} ( V is an output voltage at the node Sl). That is, the voltage at the node N2 in a coupled state of the portable electronic device 100 to the charger 300 corresponds to Charger s Output Voltage (V ) x {R /(R + R )} . On the other hand, when the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300, the voltage at the node N2 corresponds to OV. Accordingly, the charging manager 190 can determine whether or not the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300, by detecting the voltage at the node N2. The variation in the voltage at the node N2 is depicted in a graph of FlG. 10.

[105] Hereinafter, a procedure for controlling the portable electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13 (FlG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a control procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FlG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an image capture procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention).

[106] Referring to FlG. 11, the charging manager 190 first detects the current battery voltage (S210), for determination of whether or not a charging operation is initiated. The charging manager 190 then sends information about the results of the detection to the main controller 120. Based on the information sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 determines whether or not the charging operation is carried out (S211). When it is determined, in operation S211, that the charging operation is carried out, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to enable an image capture mode (S212). Operation S212 will be described hereinafter with reference to FlG. 11.

[107] On the other hand, when it is determined, in operation S211, that the charging operation is not carried out, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to release the image capture mode. That is, operation of the imaging device, namely, the image capture unit 130, is stopped, to cease the image capture operation (S213).

[108] In operation S212, an image of the external situation around the portable electronic device 100 is captured through the image capture unit 130 under the control of the image controller 170. This operation will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 11.

[109] The main controller 120 first changes the current operation mode to the image capture mode (S220). In accordance with the mode change, the main controller 120 drives the image controller 170, thereby causing the image controller 170 to determine whether or not the image capture unit 130 is turned on (S221). When it is determined, in operation S221, that the image capture unit 130 is in an OFF state, the image controller 170 turns on the image capture unit 130 (S222). In an ON state thereof, the image capture unit 130 captures an image, and sends the captured image to the image controller 170.

[110] In accordance with a predetermined process, the image controller 170 processes data of the captured image sent from the image capture unit 130 (S223). In operation S223, the image controller 170 may control the number of processing frames for the image sent from the image capture unit 130 in accordance with predetermined information. Also, the image controller 170 may set time stamps for image data. The image controller 170 may receive position data associated with the current position of the portable electronic device from the GPS unit 151, to attach the position data to the image data.

[Ill] The image controller 170 then stores the processed image data in the image database 180 (S224). In this case, the image controller 170 controls the image database 180 in an FIFO manner for storage of image data. That is, when the storage capacity of the image database 180 is exhausted, the image controller 170 controls the image database 180 to delete the image data previously stored therein, so as to store data of a newly captured image. Thus, the image controller 170 enables continuous image capture and storage operations irrespective of the storage capacity of the image database 180.

[112] The above procedure will be described in more detail in conjunction with relations of constituent elements (FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a processing procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention).

[113] Referring to FIG. 13, the charging manager 190 detects the voltage of the battery

200 (S230), and determines whether or not a charging operation is carried out, based on the results of the detection (S231). When it is determined, in operation S231, that the charging operation is carried out, the charging manager 190 sends a charging signal to the main controller 120 (S232).

[114] In response to the charging signal, the main controller 120 changes the current operation mode to the image capture mode (S233). In accordance with the mode change, the image capture unit 130 captures an image, and sends the captured image to the image controller (170) (S234). In accordance with a predetermined process, the image controller 170 processes data of the captured image sent from the image capture unit 130 (S235). In operation S235, the image controller 170 may receive position data, to attach the position data to the image data. The image controller 170 then sends the processed image data to the image database 180, so as to store the image data in an FIFO manner (S237).

[115] During the above procedure, the charging manager 190 continuously detect the voltage of the battery 200 (S240), and determines whether or not the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300 (S241). When it is determined, in operation S241, that the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300, the charging manager 190 sends a corresponding signal to the main controller 120 (S242). In response to the signal sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to stop the image capture mode (S243).

[116] Thus, when the portable electronic device 100 is simply coupled to the charger, an image of the external situation around the vehicle is automatically captured, and the captured image is automatically stored. Accordingly, the portable electronic device 100 can perform a black box function in the vehicle or the like, and can be used as a security device in the home.

[117] Hereinafter, a configuration and functions of an automatic image capture portable electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 19 (the constituent elements of the portable electronic device according to the third embodiment identical to those of the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be briefly given).

[118] Referring to FlG. 14, the portable electronic device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention can perform a mobile communication function, and is connectable to a charger 300, so as to enable a battery included in the portable electronic device 100 to be charged. The charger 300 includes a plurality of contacts, for example, contacts Sl, S2, and S3, and a switch SW which is switched on when the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300.

[119] When the portable electronic device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the charger 300, the switch SW of the charger 300 is switched on. In an ON state of the switch SW, a radio frequency (RF) generator 310 of the charger 300 operates to generate a coupling signal.

[120] The coupling signal is applied to the portable electronic device 100 which, in turn, enables the battery to receive electric power from the charger 300 via the contacts Sl to S3. Thus, the battery is charged. A detailed configuration of the portable electronic device 100 will now be described.

[121] FlG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the portable electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The portable electronic device according to the third embodiment of the present invention may be configured to automatically perform an automatic image capture in accordance with reception of only an RF signal informing of the coupling of the portable electronic device to the charger. Alternatively, the portable electronic device may be configured to automatically perform an automatic image capture only when the RF signal is input to the portable electronic device in a charging mode. These configurations will be described hereinafter. [122] Referring to FlG. 15, the portable electronic device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a main controller 120 which controls the overall operation of the portable electronic device 100, an input unit 110 which includes a hot key to generate an event signal, and receives a certain command from the user, a wireless communicator 160 which performs wireless communication with a mobile communication network, and an RF module 162 which processes a coupling signal sent from the exterior of the portable electronic device 100. The hot key may be a key separately provided at the input unit 110, or may be an abbreviated combination of keys. The RF module 162 includes an antenna which may be mounted to the battery 200.

[123] The portable electronic device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention also includes an image capture unit 130 which captures an image, an image controller 170 which stores the image captured through the image capture unit 130 in the form of a still image or a moving image in an image database 180, and manages the stored image, and a memory 140 which stores a program and data to control the portable electronic device 100. The portable electronic device 100 further includes a charging manager 190 which not only monitors the voltage of a battery 200 included in the portable electronic device 100, to send information about the monitored voltage to the main controller 120, but also monitors whether or not the battery 200 is being charged, to send information about the results of the monitoring.

[124] The charging manager 190 determines whether or not the battery 200 is being charged, and sends a corresponding signal to the main controller 120. Based on the signal sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 determines that the battery 200 is being charged. In this state, the main controller 120 drives the image capture unit 130 upon receiving a coupling signal sent from the RF module 162, and also controls the image controller 170 for storage of data of an image captured by the image capture unit 130.

[125] The portable electronic device 100 may further include a GPS unit 151 which receives a GPS signal transmitted from a satellite, and sends data about the current position of the portable electronic device 100 to the main controller 120, based on the GPS signal, and a vibration detector 152 which detects vibration such as impact. The vibration detector 152 can detect vibration generated when the portable electronic device 100 is damaged or when collision of the vehicle occurs in a state in which the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300, and can detect vibration generated when the portable electronic device 100 is damaged in a state in which the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to a charger in the home. Based on a detect signal output from the vibration detector 152, it is possible to detect damage of the portable electronic device 100 or collision of the vehicle. [126] The image database 180 includes a first storage 181 which stores image data, and a second storage 182 which stores desired image data read from the first storage 181 under the control of the image controller 170 when the vibration detector 152 detects impact or vibration.

[127] The portable electronic device 100 having the above-described configuration according to the third embodiment of the present invention can perform a black box function to capture an image of an external situation through the image capture unit 130, based on a signal sent from the RF module 162 and information sent from the charging manager 190, to store data about the captured external situation image in the image database 180, and to manage the stored data.

[128] That is, when the RF module 162 receives a coupling signal from the exterior of the portable electronic device 100, the RF module 162 sends an image capture signal to the main controller 120. Meanwhile, the charging manager 190 sends a charging initiation signal to the main controller 120 when the charging manager 190 determines that the portable electronic device 100 is in a state of being coupled to the charger 300, to enable the battery 200 to be charged. Accordingly, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to initiate an image capture mode (for capture of a still image or moving image).

[129] The image controller 170 controls the image database 180 in an FIFO manner when data of an image captured through the image capture unit 130 is stored in the image database 180. That is, the image controller 170 controls the first storage 181 of the image database 180 to store image data in an FIFO manner. Also, when an event occurs, the image controller 170 controls the second storage 182 of the image database 180 to store the image data produced at the point of time when the event occurred, under the control of the main controller 120.

[130] For the event according to the third embodiment of the present invention, there may be two cases, namely, the first case in which impact or vibration of a certain level is detected by the vibration detector 152, and the detected impact or vibration meets a predetermined condition, and the second case in which an event signal is input through the hot key of the input unit 110.

[131] Where the occurrence of an event is detected by the vibration detector 152, the predetermined condition may be the case in which a signal representing impact or vibration of a predetermined level is continuously detected for more than a predetermined time, the case in which the intensity of the signal detected through the vibration detector 152 is not less than a predetermined value, or the like. This condition may be changeable by the user.

[132] For the image data to be stored in the second storage 182 of the image database 180 in association with the occurrence of an event caused by impact or vibration, the image controller 170 extracts, from the first storage 181, image data produced for a period of time from the point of time earlier than the point of time when a signal representing impact or vibration meeting the above-described predetermined condition is detected, namely, a current time point, by a predetermined time, to the point of time later than the current time point by a predetermined time, or for a period of time from the point of time earlier than the current time point by a predetermined time to the point of time when the detection of the impact or vibration ceases. The image controller 170 then controls the second storage 182 to store the extracted image data. The image data to be stored in the second storage 182 may be set by the user.

[133] On the other hand, when a predetermined key signal is input through the hot key or abbreviated keys of the input unit 110, it is recognized that an event occurs. In this case, for the image data to be stored in the second storage 182 of the image database 180, the image controller 170 extracts, from the first storage 181, image data produced for a period of time from the point of time earlier than the point of time when the occurrence of the event is detected in accordance with inputting of the predetermined key signal through the hot key or abbreviated keys, namely, a current time point, by a predetermined time, to the point of time later than the current time point by a predetermined time, or for a period of time from the point of time earlier than the current time point by a predetermined time to the point of time when the event is released in accordance with re-inputting of the predetermined key signal through the hot key or abbreviated keys. The image controller 170 then controls the second storage 182 to store the extracted image data. The image data to be stored in the second storage 182 may be set by the user.

[134] Meanwhile, the charging manager 190 detects whether or not the portable electronic device 100 coupled to the charger 300 is separated from the charger 300. When it is determined that the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300, the charging manager 190 sends a charging completion signal to the main controller 120. In response to the charging completion signal applied thereto, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to stop the current image capture operation.

[135] As described above, the portable electronic device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention can automatically perform an automatic image capture in accordance with reception of only an RF coupling signal from the exterior of the portable electronic device 100 through the RF module 162, or only when the RF signal is input to the portable electronic device 100 in the charging mode. The procedure for coupling the portable electronic device 100 to the charger and performing a charging operation will be described hereinafter.

[136] FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram explaining the coupling of the portable electronic device to the charger in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[137] Typically, the battery 200 can be charged in a state of being attached to a back surface of the portable electronic device 100 in accordance with the coupling of the battery 200 to the charger 300. When the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300, the switch SW of the vehicle changer 300 is switched on. Accordingly, the RF generator 310 of the charger 300 operates to generate a coupling signal representing the coupling of the portable electronic device 100 to the charger 300. The portable electronic device 100 receives the coupling signal through the RF module 162. Also, the battery 200 receives electric power from the charger 300 via contacts Sl to S3, so that the battery 200 is charged.

[138] The battery 200 is connected to the portable electronic device 100 at a node Nl as a positive electrode and a node N3 as a ground electrode. The nodes Nl and N3 are connected to the contacts or nodes Sl and S3 of the charger 300, so that electric power from the charger 300 is supplied to the battery 200. A resistor Rl is connected between the node N2 of the portable electronic device 100 and the ground. The node N2 is connected to the node S2 of the charger 300. A resistor RL is connected between the node S2 and the node Sl. When the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300, the nodes Nl, N2, and N3 are connected to the nodes Sl, S2, and S3, respectively. Accordingly, the battery 200 is charged with electric power supplied from the charger 300 via the node Nl.

[139] Since the procedure for detecting the charged state of the battery 200 by the charging manager 190 when the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300 is carried out in the same manner as in the second embodiment, no description will be given of the detecting procedure. Also, although the coupling of the portable electronic device 100 to the charger 300 is detected through the push type switch SW provided at the charger 300 in the third embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the case using the push type switch. In accordance with the present invention, a near-distance sensor may be used.

[140] Hereinafter, a procedure for controlling the portable electronic device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 17 (FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a control procedure according to the third embodiment of the present invention).

[141] Referring to FIG. 17, the RF generator 310 of the charger 300 first determines whether or not the switch SW is switched on (S400). When it is determined that the switch SW is switched on, the RF generator 310 generates a predetermined RF signal (S401).

[142] Meanwhile, the RF module 162 of the portable electronic device 100 determines whether or not there is an RF signal received by the portable electronic device 100. When it is determined that there is an RF signal received by the portable electronic device 100, the RF module 162 sends a coupling signal representing the coupling of the portable electronic device 100 to the charger 300 to the main controller 120 (S403).

[143] In response to the coupling signal, the main controller 120 determines whether or not a charging operation is carried out, and performs a control operation for an image capture mode. This procedure will be described hereinafter.

[144] The main controller 120 may control the image capture operation to be automatically executed when the main controller 120 receives only a predetermined RF signal from the exterior of the portable electronic device 100 through the RF module 162, or only when the main controller 120 receives the predetermined RF signal in the charging mode. The following description will be given only in conjunction with the latter case (FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the portable electronic device according to the present invention).

[145] Referring to FIG. 18, the portable electronic device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention first determines whether or not there is an RF signal detected through the RF module 162 (S410). When it is determined, in operation S410, that there is a detected RF signal, the charging manager 190 detects the voltage of the battery 200 (S412), for determination of whether or not a charging operation is carried out. The charging manager 190 then sends information about the results of the detection to the main controller 120. Based on the information sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 determines whether or not the charging operation is carried out (S413).

[146] When it is determined, in operation S413, that no charging operation is carried out, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to release an image capture mode (S411).

[147] However, when it is determined, in operation S413, that a charging operation is carried out, the image controller 170 determines whether or not the image capture unit 130 is in an ON state (S414). When it is determined, in operation S414, that the image capture unit 130 is in an OFF state, the image controller 170 turns on the image capture unit 130 (S415).

[148] In an ON state thereof, the image capture unit 130 captures an image, and sends the captured image to the image controller 170. In accordance with a predetermined process, the image controller 170 processes data of the captured image sent from the image capture unit 130 (S416). In operation S416, the image controller 170 may control the number of processing frames for the image sent from the image capture unit 130 in accordance with predetermined information. Also, the image controller 170 may set time stamps for image data. The image controller 170 may receive position data associated with the current position of the portable electronic device from the GPS unit 151, to attach the position data to the image data.

[149] The image controller 170 then stores the processed image data in the image database 180 (S417). In this case, the image controller 170 controls the image database 180 in an FIFO manner for storage of image data.

[150] During the above procedure, the charging manager 190 continuously detects the voltage of the battery 200, to determine whether or not the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300. When it is determined that the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300, the charging manager 190 sends a corresponding signal to the main controller 120. Based on the signal sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to cease the image capture mode.

[151] FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating another operation of the portable electronic device according to the present invention.

[152] Referring to FIG. 19, the portable electronic device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention first determines whether or not there is an RF signal detected through the RF module 162 (S420). When it is determined, in operation S420, that there is a detected RF signal, the charging manager 190 detects the voltage of the battery 200 (S422), for determination of whether or not a charging operation is carried out. The charging manager 190 then sends information about the results of the detection to the main controller 120. Based on the information sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 determines whether or not the charging operation is carried out (S423). When it is determined, in operation S423, that no charging operation is carried out, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to release an image capture mode (S421).

[153] However, when it is determined, in operation S423, that a charging operation is carried out, the image controller 170 determines whether or not the image capture unit 130 is in an ON state, under the control of the main controller 120 (S424). When it is determined, in operation S424, that the image capture unit 130 is in an OFF state, the image controller 170 turns on the image capture unit 130 (S425).

[154] In an ON state thereof, the image capture unit 130 captures an image, and sends the captured image to the image controller 170. In accordance with a predetermined process, the image controller 170 processes data of the captured image sent from the image capture unit 130 (S426). In operation S426, the image controller 170 may control the number of processing frames for the image sent from the image capture unit 130 in accordance with predetermined information. Also, the image controller 170 may set time stamps for image data. The image controller 170 may receive position data associated with the current position of the portable electronic device from the GPS unit 151, to attach the position data to the image data. [155] The image controller 170 then stores the processed image data in the image database 180 (S427). In this case, the image controller 170 controls the image database 180 in an FIFO manner for storage of image data. That is, when the storage capacity of the first storage 181 in the image database 180 is exhausted, the image controller 170 controls the image database 180 to delete the image data previously stored in the first storage 181, so as to store data of a newly captured image. Thus, the image controller 170 enables continuous image capture and storage operations irrespective of the storage capacity of the image database 180.

[156] For the event determined in operation S428, there may be two cases, namely, the first case in which impact or vibration of a certain level is detected through the vibration detector 152, and the second case in which an event signal is input through the hot key of the input unit 110.

[157] When it is determined, in operation S428, that impact or vibration is detected through the vibration detector 152, the main controller 120 determines whether or not the signal detected through the vibration detector 152 meets a predetermined condition (S429). The predetermined condition may be the case in which the signal detected through the vibration detector 152 is continuously detected for more than a predetermined time, or the signal detected through the vibration detector 152 has an intensity not less than a predetermined reference value. This condition may be configured by the user. Meanwhile, when an event signal is input through the hot key in operation S428, operation S429 may be dispensed with.

[158] When it is determined, in operation S429, that the signal detected through the vibration detector 152 meets the predetermined condition, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170. That is, under the control of the main controller 120, the image controller 170 reads image data meeting a predetermined condition from the first storage 181, and stores the read image data in the second storage 182 (S430).

[159] Image data meeting the predetermined condition in operation S430 may be image data produced for a period of time from the point of time earlier than the current point of time by a predetermined time to the point of time later than the current time point by a predetermined time, or for a period of time from the point of time earlier than the current time point by a predetermined time to the point of time when the condition of the event is released, namely, when the detection of the impact or vibration ceases or when an event release signal is input through the input unit 110. The predetermined condition may also be set by the user.

[160] During the above procedure, the charging manager 190 continuously measures the voltage of the terminal battery 200, to determine whether or not the portable electronic device is separated from the charger 300. When it is determined, through the charging manager 190 or RF module 162, that the portable electronic device is separated from the charger 300, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to stop the image capture mode (S421).

[161] Thus, the portable electronic device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention can perform a black box function to capture an image of a current situation and to store the captured image by automatically capturing an image of an external situation when the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300, and separately store and manage data associated with an event.

[162] Hereinafter, a configuration and functions of a security image capture system using an automatic image capture portable electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 26 (the constituent elements of the portable electronic device according to the fourth embodiment identical to those of the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be briefly given).

[163] FlG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating connection of the portable electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention to the security image capture system.

[164] Referring to FlG. 20, the portable electronic device 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is connected to a security server 530 via a mobile communication network 500. The mobile communication network 500 includes a base transceiver station (BTS) 510 which perform wireless communication with the portable electronic device 100, a base station controller (BSC) 511 which controls the BTS 510, a mobile switching center (MSC) 512 which is connected to the BSC 5121, to perform call switching, and a short message service center (SMSC) 516 which is connected to the MSC 512, to control short message services.

[165] In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication network 500 also includes a packet data service node (PDSN) 513 which is connected to the BSC 511, to provide packet data services, and a data core network (DCN) 514 which is connected to the PDSN 513. The DCN 514 may be directly connected to the security server 530 via the Internet 520.

[166] FlG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the portable electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The substantial configuration of the portable electronic device according to the fourth embodiment is identical to that of the second embodiment, and so, will be described in brief.

[167] Referring to FlG. 21, the portable electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a main controller 120 which controls the overall operation of the portable electronic device 100, an input unit 110 which receives a certain command from the user, and a wireless communicator 160 which performs wireless communication with the mobile communication network 150.

[168] The portable electronic device also includes an image capture unit 130 which captures an image, an image controller 170 which stores the image captured through the image capture unit 130 in the form of a still image or a moving image in an image database 180, and manages the stored image, and a memory 140 which stores a program and data to control the portable electronic device 100.

[169] The portable electronic device 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention further includes a charging manager 190 which not only monitors the voltage of a battery 191 included in the portable electronic device 100, to send information about the monitored voltage to the main controller 120, but also monitors whether or not the battery 191 is being charged, to send information about the results of the monitoring. The portable electronic device 100 further includes a GPS unit 151 which receives a GPS signal transmitted from a satellite, and sends data about the current position of the portable electronic device 100 to the main controller 120, based on the GPS signal, and a vibration detector 152 which detects vibration such as impact.

[170] The image database 180 includes a first storage 181 which stores image data, and a second storage 182 which stores desired image data read from the first storage 181 under the control of the image controller 170 when the vibration detector 152 detects impact or vibration.

[171] When the charging manager 190 determines that the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to a charger 300, to charge the battery 191 through the charger 300, the charging manager 190 sends a charging initiation signal to the main controller 120. In response to the charging initiation signal, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to enable an image capture mode (for a still image or moving image). In accordance with predetermined connection information, the main controller 120 also performs access to the security server 530 via the mobile communication network 500, using the wireless communicator 160. In this case, the security server 530 can identify the user, based on the telephone number of the portable electronic device 100 received via the mobile communication network 500.

[172] Meanwhile, the image controller 170 controls the image database 180 to store data of an image captured by the image capture unit 130. The storage of images in the image database 180 is carried out in an FIFO manner under the control of the image controller 170.

[173] In this case, the image controller 170 stores image data in the first storage 181 of the image database 180 in an FIFO manner. When impact or vibration of a certain level is sensed through the vibration detector 152, and the detected impact or vibration meets a predetermined condition, the image controller 170 stores image data produced at the point of time when the impact or vibration was detected in the second storage 182 under the control of the main controller 120.

[174] For the image data to be stored in the second storage 182 of the image database 180 in association with the occurrence of an event caused by impact or vibration, the image controller 170 extracts, from the first storage 181, image data produced for a period of time from the point of time earlier than the point of time when a signal representing impact or vibration meeting the above-described predetermined condition is detected, namely, a current time point, by a predetermined time, to the point of time later than the current time point by a predetermined time, or for a period of time from the point of time earlier than the current time point by a predetermined time to the point of time when the detection of the impact or vibration ceases. The image controller 170 then stores the extracted image data in the second storage 812. The image data to be stored in the second storage 182 may be set by the user.

[175] The main controller 120 also selectively transmits the data stored in the image database 180, namely, the image data stored in the first storage 181 or the image data stored in the second storage 182, to the security server 530. The security server 400 stores and manages the data transmitted from the portable electronic device 100. This will be described hereinafter.

[176] The charging manager 190 also detects whether or not the portable electronic device 100 coupled to the charger 300 is separated from the charger 300. When it is determined that the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300, the charging manager 190 sends a charging completion signal to the main controller 120.

[177] In response to the charging completion signal, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to stop the image capture mode, and stops transmission of data to the security server 400. The procedure for determining the coupling of the portable electronic device 100 to the charger 300 through the charging manager 190 is identical to that of the second embodiment, and so, no description thereof will be given.

[178] FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the security server according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[179] Referring to FIG. 22, the security server 530 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a controller 531 which controls the overall operation of the security server 530, a network connection unit which connects the security server 530 to the Internet 520 and/or the DCN 514, a Web service provider 533 which provides Web services to clients connected to the security server 530, a user manager 523 which manages information about terminals connected to the security server 530, and a user information database 535. The security server 530 also includes an image information manager 536 which manages image data transmitted from portable electronic devices 100, an image information database 537, and a security manager 538 which detects a predetermined security warning situation, based on the transmitted image data, and performs security warning using predetermined address information.

[180] The user manager 534 of the security server 530 stores and manages a telephone number, security information, and address information for security warning associated with the portable electronic device 100 of each user in the user information database 535.

[181] When one portable electronic device 100 is connected to the security server 530 having the above-described configuration via the mobile communication network 500, the user manager 534 of the security server 530 performs user authentication, based on the telephone number of the connected portable electronic device 100.

[182] When the security server 530 receives image data from the portable electronic device 100, the image information manager 536 stores and manages the received image data under the condition in which the image data is matched with the telephone number of the portable electronic device 100. Also, the security manager 538 analyzes the received image data, and performs a security warning operation when the image data meets a predetermined condition. This will be described in detail hereinafter.

[183] FlG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the security manager according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FlG. 23, the security manager 538 includes an image analyzer 539 which analyzes image data, a security determiner 540 which determines whether or not a security warning situation has occurred, based on the results of the analysis, and a security caller 541 which performs security warning using predetermined information, based on the results of the determination carried out by the security determiner 540.

[184] The image analyzer 539 of the security manager 538 analyzes image data, and sends the results of the analysis to the security determiner 540. For example, the image analyzer 539 detects an image variation from the image data, to detect whether or not there is movement of a person or object in the analyzed image.

[185] Accordingly, the security determiner 540 can determine the currently image- captured situation, based on the information sent from the image analyzer 539. The security determiner 540 determines whether or not the current situation corresponds to a security warning situation, based on predetermined security information managed by and sent from the user manager 534, and sends the results of the determination to the security caller 541.

[186] The security caller 541 receives the results of the determination from the security determiner 540 to determine whether or not it is necessary to make a security call. If it is necessary to make a security call, the security caller 541 receives predetermined security call information managed by and sent from the user manager 534, and performs a security calling operation, based on the received security call information. The security call includes a security-calling voice guidance through a predetermined telephone number, a security-calling guidance through a predetermined electronic mail, and a security-calling guidance through a short message. The security caller 541 may transmit a report message to a server (not shown) of a police office or security company.

[187] Hereinafter, a procedure for controlling the security image capture system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to HG. 23.

[188] Referring to FlG. 24, the portable electronic device 100 determines whether or not the portable electronic device 100 is in a state of being coupled to the charger 300. When it is determined that the portable electronic device 100 is in a state of being coupled to the charger 300, the portable electronic device 100 performs an image capture operation (S600). In operation S600, the portable electronic device 100 transmits data of a captured image to the security server 530 via the mobile communication network 500.

[189] The image information manager 536 of the security server 530 stores the image data transmitted via the mobile communication network 500 in the image information database 537 (S610).

[190] The image analyzer 539 of the security manager 538 analyzes the image data, to detect an image variation from the image data, and thus, to detect whether or not there is movement of a person or object in the analyzed image (S620). The image analyzer 539 sends the results of the analysis to the security determiner 540.

[191] Accordingly, the security determiner 540 can determine the currently image- captured situation, based on the information sent from the image analyzer 539. The security determiner 540 determines whether or not the current situation corresponds to a security warning situation, based on predetermined security information managed by and sent from the user manager 534 (S630).

[192] When it is determined, in operation S630, that the current situation corresponds to a security warning situation, the security caller 541, which receives the results of the determination from the security determiner 540, performs a security calling operation after receiving predetermined security call information managed by and sent from the user manager 534 (S640).

[193] The security call in operation S640 may include a security-calling voice guidance through a predetermined telephone number, a security-calling guidance through a predetermined electronic mail, and a security-calling guidance through a short message. The security caller 541 may also transmit a report message to a server (not shown) of a police office or security company.

[194] Operation S600 will now be described in detail (FlG. 25 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the portable electronic device 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention).

[195] Referring to FlG. 25, the charging manager 190 of the portable electronic device

100 detects the current battery voltage (S700), for determination of whether or not a charging operation is carried out. The charging manager 190 then sends information about the results of the detection to the main controller 120. Based on the information sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 determines whether or not the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300 (S710).

[196] When it is determined, in operation S710, that the portable electronic device 100 is not coupled to the charger 300, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to release the image capture mode (S711). However, when it is determined, in operation S710, that the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300, and it is determined, in operation S712, that the portable electronic device 100 is being charged, the main controller 120 is connected to the security server 530 via the mobile communication network 500 (S713).

[197] In this case, the image controller 170 determines whether or not the image capture unit 130 is turned on (S714). When it is determined, in operation S714, that the image capture unit 130 is in an OFF state, the image controller 170 turns on the image capture unit 130 (S715). In an ON state thereof, the image capture unit 130 captures an image, and sends the captured image to the image controller 170.

[198] In accordance with a predetermined process, the image controller 170 processes data of the captured image sent from the image capture unit 130 (S716). In operation S716, the image controller 170 may control the number of processing frames for the image sent from the image capture unit 130 in accordance with predetermined information. Also, the image controller 170 may set time stamps for image data. The image controller 170 may receive position data associated with the current position of the portable electronic device from the GPS unit 151, to attach the position data to the image data.

[199] The image controller 170 then stores the processed image data in the image database 180 (S718). In this case, the image controller 170 controls the image database 180 in an FIFO manner for storage of image data. That is, when the storage capacity of the image database 180 is exhausted, the image controller 170 controls the image database 180 to delete the image data previously stored therein, so as to store data of a newly captured image. Thus, the image controller 170 enables continuous image capture and storage operations irrespective of the storage capacity of the image database 180. During execution of operation S718, the portable electronic device 100 also transmits the image data to the security server 530 (S717).

[200] During the above procedure, the charging manager 190 continuously detects the voltage of the battery 200, and determines whether or not the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300. When it is determined that the portable electronic device 100 is separated from the charger 300, the charging manager 190 sends a corresponding signal to the main controller 120. In response to the signal sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to stop the image capture mode.

[201] FlG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating another operation of the portable electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[202] Referring to FlG. 26, the charging manager 190 of the portable electronic device

100 detects the current battery voltage (S720), for determination of whether or not a charging operation is carried out. The charging manager 190 then sends information about the results of the detection to the main controller 120. Based on the information sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 determines whether or not the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300 (S721).

[203] When it is determined, in operation S721, that the portable electronic device 100 is not coupled to the charger 300, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to release the image capture mode (S722).

[204] However, when it is determined, in operation S721, that the portable electronic device 100 is coupled to the charger 300, the image controller 170 determines whether or not the image capture unit 130 is turned on (S724). When it is determined, in operat ion S724, that the image capture unit 130 is in an OFF state, the image controller 170 turns on the image capture unit 130 (S725).

[205] The image capture unit 130 captures an image, and sends the captured image to the image controller 170. In accordance with a predetermined process, the image controller 170 processes data of the captured image sent from the image capture unit 130 (S726). In operation S726, the image controller 170 may control the number of processing frames for the image sent from the image capture unit 130 in accordance with predetermined information. Also, the image controller 170 may set time stamps for image data. The image controller 170 may receive position data associated with the current position of the portable electronic device from the GPS unit 151, to attach the position data to the image data.

[206] The image controller 170 then controls the first storage 181 of the image database

180 in an FIFO manner for storage of image data.

[207] Meanwhile, the main controller 120 determines whether or not impact or vibration is detected through the vibration detector 152 (S728). When it is determined, in operation S728, that the main controller 120 determines whether or not the signal detected through the vibration detector 152 meets a predetermined condition (S729). The predetermined condition may be the case in which the signal detected through the vibration detector 152 is continuously detected for more than a predetermined time, or the signal detected through the vibration detector 152 has an intensity not less than a predetermined reference value. This condition may be configured by the user.

[208] When it is determined, in operation S729, that the signal detected through the vibration detector 152 meets the predetermined condition, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170. That is, under the control of the main controller 120, the image controller 170 reads image data meeting a predetermined condition from the first storage 181, and stores the read image data in the second storage 182 (S730).

[209] Image data meeting the predetermined condition in operation S730 may be image data produced for a period of time from the point of time earlier than the current point of time by a predetermined time to the point of time later than the current time point by a predetermined time, or for a period of time from the point of time earlier than the current time point by a predetermined time to the point of time when the condition of the event is released, namely, when the detection of the impact or vibration ceases. The predetermined condition may also be set by the user.

[210] After the storage of the image data in operation S730, the main controller 120 performs connection to the security server 530, and subsequently transmits the image data stored in the second storage 182 to the security server 530 (S731).

[211] During the above procedure, the charging manager 190 continuously measures the voltage of the terminal battery 200, to determine whether or not the portable electronic device is separated from the charger 300. When it is determined that the portable electronic device is separated from the charger 300, the charging manager 190 sends a corresponding signal to the main controller 120. In response to the signal sent from the charging manager 190, the main controller 120 controls the image controller 170 to stop the image capture mode (S722). Industrial Applicability

[212] As apparent from the above description, the automatic image capture portable electronic device according to the present invention can function as a vehicle black box in a state in which the portable electronic device is mounted in a vehicle, by capturing and storing an image of the history of the running of the vehicle or the history of an accident occurring during the running of the vehicle. In accordance with the present invention, when the portable electronic device is simply coupled to the charger, the portable electronic device automatically captures an image of an external situation in the charging mode, stores the captured image of the current situation associated with the running of the vehicle, and transmits the stored image to the security server. Accordingly, the portable electronic device can more securely perform the black box function. Also, when the portable electronic device is simply coupled to a charger for domestic use, the portable electronic device automatically captures an image of an external situation in the charging mode, stores the captured image of the current situation, and transmits the stored image to the security server. Accordingly, the portable electronic device can function as a security image capture system. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A portable electronic device having an image capture function, comprising: an image capture unit including a camera to capture an image; an image capture command input unit which inputs an image capture signal to operate the image capture unit; an image database which stores data of the image captured through the image capture unit; and a controller which operates the image capture unit to capture an image of a peripheral situation around the portable electronic device in response to the image capture signal input from the image capture command input unit, temporarily store data of the captured image in the image database, stops the operation of the image capture unit when the inputting of the image capture signal from the image capture command input unit ceases during the image capture operation, and permanently stores the temporarily stored image data in the image database when the image capture operation is stopped, whereby the portable electronic device can perform an automatic image capture operation.

[2] The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs a first-in-first-out control operation when a storage capacity of the image database is exhausted, to delete an earlier one of the temporarily stored image data and to store data of an image captured after the deletion.

[3] The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a cradle which holds the portable electronic device, and operates the image capture command input unit, whereby an image capture signal is generated through the image capture command input unit when the portable electronic device is seated in the cradle, and the generation of the image capture signal through the image capture command input unit ceases when the portable electronic device is separated from the cradle.

[4] The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein: the image capture command input unit comprises a pushbutton type image capture button coupled to the controller; and the cradle is provided with a pusher which operates the image capture button when the portable electronic device is seated in the cradle.

[5] The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein: the image capture command input unit comprises a Hall sensor which is coupled to the controller, and is turned on/off in accordance with whether or not there is a magnetic field having influence on the Hall sensor; and the cradle is provided with a magnetic member which turns on the Hall sensor when the portable electronic device is seated in the cradle.

[6] The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the image capture unit is operated when the inputting of the image capture signal from the image capture command input unit is not less than a predetermined time.

[7] A portable electronic device which operates with electric power supplied from a battery, comprising: an image capture unit which captures an image; an image database which stores data of the image captured through the image capture unit; a charging manager which measures a voltage of the battery, and outputs information about the measured voltage; and a controller which determines whether or not the battery is being charged, based on the information output from the charging manager, operates the image capture unit when the battery is in a state of being coupled to a charger such that the battery is charged, stores data of an image captured by the operated image capture unit in the image database, and stops the operation of the image capture unit and the storage of the image data when the battery is separated from the charger during the image capture.

[8] The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the controller performs a first-in-first-out control operation when a storage capacity of the image database is exhausted, to delete an earlier one of the temporarily stored image data and to store data of an image captured after the deletion.

[9] The portable electronic device according to claim 7, further comprising: a global positioning system (GPS) unit which receives a GPS signal transmitted from a satellite, and outputs position data, based on the GPS signal, wherein the controller stores the image data after matching the image data with the position data output from the GPS unit.

[10] The portable electronic device according to claim 7, further comprising: a first node which is connected to a positive electrode of the battery; a second node; a third node which is connected to a ground electrode of the battery; and a measure resistor which is connected between the second node and the ground, wherein the charger comprises a first node which is connected to the first node of the portable electronic device, to output a voltage of the charger for supply of electric power from the charger, a second node, a third node which is connected to the ground, and a load resistor connected between the first node and the second node, wherein the controller detects a voltage across the measure resistor through the charging manager.

[11] The portable electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the charging manager determines that the portable electronic device is coupled to the charger when the voltage across the measure resistor corresponding to a voltage applied to the second node of the portable electronic device is detected, determines that the portable electronic device is separated from the charger when no voltage across the measure resistor is detected, and outputs information about the determination to the controller.

[12] A portable electronic device comprising a battery chargeable through a charger, the portable electronic device operating with electric power supplied from the battery, the portable electronic device further comprising: an image capture unit including a camera to capture an image; an image database which stores data of the image captured through the image capture unit; a radio frequency (RF) module which receives a predetermined RF signal externally transmitted to the potable electronic device, and outputs an image capture command signal, based on the predetermined RF signal; and a controller which operates the image capture unit when the controller receives the image capture command signal from the RF module, and stores data of an image captured by the image capture unit in the image database, whereby the portable electronic device can perform an automatic image capture operation.

[13] The portable electronic device according to claim 12, further comprising: a charging manager which measures a voltage of the battery, and outputs information about the measured voltage, wherein the controller determines whether or not the battery is being charged, based on the information output from the charging manager, and stores the data of the image captured by the image capture unit in the image database.

[14] The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the charger comprises an RF generator which generates the predetermined RF signal when the charger is connected to the battery.

[15] The portable electronic device according to claim 14, wherein: the charger further comprises a sensor which determines whether or not the portable electronic device is coupled to the charger; and the RF generator generates the predetermined RF signal when it is determined through the sensor that the portable electronic device is coupled to the charger.

[16] The portable electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a push type switch which is switched on when the portable electronic device is coupled to the charger.

[17] The portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the controller performs a first-in-first-out control operation when a storage capacity of the image database is exhausted, to delete an earlier one of the temporarily stored image data and to store data of an image captured after the deletion.

[18] The portable electronic device according to claim 12, further comprising: a first node which is connected to a positive electrode of the battery; a second node; a third node which is connected to a ground electrode of the battery; and a measure resistor which is connected between the second node and the ground, wherein the charger comprises a first node which is connected to the first node of the portable electronic device, to output a voltage of the charger for supply of electric power from the charger, a second node, a third node which is connected to the ground, and a load resistor connected between the first node and the second node, wherein the controller detects a voltage across the measure resistor.

[19] The portable electronic device according to claim 18, wherein: the controller determines that the portable electronic device is coupled to the charger when the voltage across the measure resistor corresponding to a voltage applied to the second node of the portable electronic device is detected, and determines that the portable electronic device is separated from the charger when no voltage across the measure resistor is detected; and the controller stops the storage of the image data when it is determined that the portable electronic device is separated from the charger or when the controller does not receive the predetermined RF signal.

[20] The portable electronic device according to claim 1 or 12, further comprising: a vibration detector which detects impact or vibration applied to the portable electronic device, and outputs a corresponding detect signal, wherein the image database comprises a first storage which stores image data, and a second storage which stores image data in accordance with the detect signal output from the vibration detector, wherein, when the detect signal meets a predetermined condition, the controller reads from the first storage image data meeting a predetermined condition, and stores the read image data in the second storage, wherein the predetermined condition for the detect signal corresponds to a condition in which the detect signal is continuously detected for more than a predetermined time or a condition in which the detect signal has an intensity not less than a predetermined reference value.

[21] The portable electronic device according to claim 20, wherein the image data meeting the predetermined condition is image data produced for a period of time from a point of time earlier than a current point of time when the detect signal is output from the vibration detector, by a predetermined time, to a point of time later than the current point of time by a predetermined time, or image data produced for a period of time from a point of time earlier than the current point of time by a predetermined time to a point of time when the detection of the impact or vibration ceases.

[22] The portable electronic device according to claim 1 or 12, further comprising: a hot key which inputs an event signal representing generation of an event, wherein the image database comprises a first storage which stores image data, and a second storage which stores image data in accordance with the event signal from the hot key, wherein the controller extracts, in response to the event signal from the hot key, from the first storage, image data produced for a period of time from a point of time earlier than a current point of time when the event is generated, by a predetermined time, to a point of time later than the current point of time by a predetermined time, or image data produced for a period of time from a point of time earlier than the current point of time to a point of time when the event signal from the hot key is input, and stores the extracted image data in the second storage.

[23] A portable electronic device having an image capture function, comprising: an image capture unit including a camera to capture an image; an image database which stores data of the image captured through the image capture unit; a sensor which detects whether or not the portable electronic device is seated in a cradle; and a controller which operates the image capture unit to capture an image of a peripheral situation around the portable electronic device when a detect signal from the sensor is input to the controller, temporarily store data of the captured image in the image database, stops the operation of the image capture unit when the inputting of the detect signal from the sensor ceases during the image capture operation, and permanently stores the temporarily stored image data in the image database when the image capture operation is stopped, whereby the portable electronic device can perform an automatic image capture operation.

[24] The portable electronic device according to claim 23, wherein: the sensor comprises a Hall sensor; and the cradle is provided with a magnetic member which turns on the Hall sensor when the portable electronic device is seated in the cradle.

[25] A security image capture system using a portable electronic device, comprising: a security server which is connected to a communication network, the security server storing image data received via the communication network and managing the stored image data; and the portable electronic device which comprises a battery chargeable through a charger, the portable electronic device capturing an image when the portable electronic device is coupled to the charger, and transmits data of the captured image to the security server in a state of being connected to the communication network, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises: an image capture unit including a camera to capture an image; an image capture command input unit which inputs an image capture signal to operate the image capture unit; an image database which stores data of the image captured through the image capture unit; and a controller which operates the image capture unit to capture an image of a peripheral situation around the portable electronic device when the inputting of the image capture signal from the image capture command input unit is continued for not less than a predetermined time, temporarily store data of the captured image in the image database, stops the operation of the image capture unit when the inputting of the image capture signal from the image capture command input unit ceases during the image capture operation, and permanently stores the temporarily stored image data in the image database when the image capture operation is stopped.

[26] The security image capture system according to claim 25, wherein the controller performs a first-in-first-out control operation when a storage capacity of the image database is exhausted, to delete an earlier one of the temporarily stored image data and to store data of an image captured after the deletion.

[27] The security image capture system according to claim 25, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises: a global positioning system (GPS) unit which receives a GPS signal transmitted from a satellite, and outputs position data, based on the GPS signal, wherein the controller stores the image data after matching the image data with the position data output from the GPS unit.

[28] The security image capture system according to claim 25, wherein: the image capture command input unit comprises a charging manager which measures a voltage of the battery in real time, determines that the portable electronic device is coupled to the charger, when an increase in the voltage of the battery occurs, and outputs information about the battery voltage increase to the controller; and the controller operates the image capture unit when the information about the battery voltage increase from the charger is input to the controller for not less than a predetermined time, to enable an automatic image capture mode.

[29] The security image capture system according to claim 25, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a vibration detector which detects impact or vibration applied to the portable electronic device, and outputs a corresponding detect signal, wherein the image database comprises a first storage which stores image data, and a second storage which stores image data in accordance with the detect signal output from the vibration de ector, wherein, when the detect signal meets a predetermined condition, the controller reads from the first storage image data meeting a predetermined condition, stores the read image data in the second storage, and transmits the image data stored in the second storage to the security server,

[30] The security image capture system according to claim 29, wherein the image data meeting the predetermined condition is image data produced for a period of time from a point of time earlier than a current point of time when the detect signal is output from the vibration detector, by a predetermined time, to a point of time later than the current point of time by a predetermined time, or image data produced for a period of time from a point of time earlier than the current point of time by a predetermined time to a point of time when the detection of the impact or vibration ceases.

[31] The security image capture system according to claim 25, wherein the security server comprises: a controller which controls the overall operation of the security server; a network connection unit which connects the security server to the communication network; a Web service provider which provides Web services to clients connected to the security server; a user manager which manages information about terminals connected to the security server; a user information database; an image information manager which manages image data transmitted from the portable electronic device; and an image information database

[32] The security image capture system according to claim 31, wherein the user manager stores and manages a telephone number, security information, and address information for security warning associated with the portable electronic device in the user information database.

[33] The security image capture system according to claim 31, wherein the user manager performs user authentication, based on the telephone number of the portable electronic device, and stores the image data transmitted from the portable electronic device in the image information database after matching the image data with the telephone number of the portable electronic device.

[34] The security image capture system according to claim 31, wherein the security server further comprises a security manager which detects a predetermined security warning situation, based on the transmitted image data, and performs security warning using predetermined address information.

[35] The security image capture system according to claim 34, wherein the security manager comprises: an image analyzer which analyzes image data; a security determiner which determines whether or not a security warning situation has occurred, based on the results of the analysis; and a security caller which performs security warning using predetermined information, based on the results of the determination carried out by the security determiner.

[36] The security image capture system according to claim 35, wherein the security determiner determines the currently image-captured situation, based on the information sent from the image analyzer, determines whether or not the current situation corresponds to a security warning situation, based on predetermined security information managed by and sent from the user manager, and sends the results of the determination to the security caller.

[37] The security image capture system according to claim 35, wherein the security caller receives the results of the determination from the security determiner to determine whether or not it is necessary to make a security call, and receives predetermined security call information managed by and sent from the user manager when it is necessary to make a security call, and performs a security calling operation, based on the received security call information.

[38] The security image capture system according to claim 35, wherein: the security call includes a security-calling voice guidance through a predetermined telephone number, a security-calling guidance through a predetermined electronic mail, and a security-calling guidance through a short message; and the security caller transmits a report message in accordance with predetermined information.