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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a still video camera system including a
still video camera and a remote controller.
Conventionally, a still video camera system, including a still video camera
and a remote controller for controlling the still video camera to perform
a photographing operation, has been known.
Generally, in such a still video camera, a built-in rewritable non-volatile
memory is provided, and the image data of photographed objects is stored
in the memory.
The number of frames recordable in such a non-volatile memory is limited.
Accordingly, if there is not enough room for storing a new data, at least
a part of the data which has already been stored in the memory should be
deleted in order to perform another photographing.
To deal with this problem, the data stored in the memory of the camera is
transferred to an external device, such as a personal computer or the
like. However, in order to transfer the data, conventionally, an extra
transmission device should be incorporated in the camera, or should be
attached to the camera, which complicates the structure of the camera
and/or increases the cost of the camera system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a still video camera
system which allows the data stored in the memory of the camera to be
transmitted without complicating the structure thereof.
For the above object, according to an aspect of the invention, there is
provided an image data processing system including an image data
processing apparatus and a remote controller for controlling operations of
the image processing apparatus. The remote controller is detached from or
coupled to the image data processing apparatus. The image data processing
apparatus comprises a signal receiving device which receives a control
signal transmitted from the remote controller; and a data storage, which
stores image data. The remote controller comprises a signal transmitting
device, which transmits the control signal. The image data processing
apparatus further comprises a controller which controls the signal
transmitting device, based on the image data stored in the data storage,
to transmit a signal carrying the image data to an external apparatus when
the remote controller is coupled to the image data processing apparatus.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an image
data processing system including an image data processing apparatus and a
remote controller for controlling operation of the image data processing
apparatus, said remote controller being detached from or coupled to said
image data processing apparatus. The image data processing apparatus
comprises a signal receiving device which receives a control signal
transmitted from the remote controller; a controller which controls
operations of the image data processing apparatus in accordance with
signal received by the signal receiving device; a data storage, which
stores an image data; data output terminals, through which the image data
stored in the data storage can be output. The remote controller comprises
data input terminals; a signal transmitting device, the signal
transmitting device transmitting signal carrying the image data stored in
the data storage to an external apparatus when the data input terminals
and the data output terminals are electrically connected and the image
data is transmitted from the data output terminals through the data input
terminals when the remote controller is coupled to the image data
processing apparatus.
Optionally, the image data processing apparatus may include a still video
camera which captures an image of an object and stores an image data of
the object in the data storage.
Preferably, the signal transmitting device is capable of transmitting the
control signal.
Optionally, the remote controller may include a second signal receiving
device, which receives signal transmitted from the external device.
Further, the external device may transmit a signal indicative of received
status of the signal transmitted from the signal transmitting device.
Alternatively, the signal receiving device may receive a signal indicative
of received signal status that is transmitted from the external device.
Further optionally, the still video camera is operable in either one of a
recording mode, a reproducing mode, or a data transmission mode in which
the image data is to be transmitted to the external device, and wherein
the still video camera is provided with a manually operable member which
is used to select one of the operation modes.
Optionally, the still video camera is provided with a sensor which detects
whether the remote controller is coupled to the still video camera, and
wherein the controller selects the transmission mode when the sensor
detects that the remote controller is coupled to the still video camera.
Alternatively, the still video camera is provided with a sensor which
detects whether the remote controller is coupled to the still video
camera, and wherein the controller inhibits selection of the transmission
mode if the sensor detects that the remote controller is not coupled to
the still video camera.
Further optionally, the still video camera comprises a body, an insertion
slot for receiving the remote controller being formed on the body.
Preferably, a direction in which the receiving element is directed and a
direction in which the signal transmitting device is directed when the
remote controller is inserted in the insertion slot of the body are
substantially the same.
Optionally, the signal receiving device receives an infrared light signal.
Still optionally, the signal transmitting device transmits an infrared
light signal.
According to further aspect of the invention, there is provided a still
video camera system, comprising: a still video camera and a remote
controller. The remote controller includes a signal transmitting device,
the signal transmitting device being used for transmitting signal to
control operation of the still video camera, and a connector for
connecting the remote controller to the still video camera. The still
video camera has a memory for storing image data, and a receptor connector
to which the connector of the remote controller is connected. The still
video camera system further comprises data transmitting system which
transmits data stored in the memory to an external device by way of the
signal transmitting device of the remote controller when the connector of
the remote controller and the receptor connector of the still video camera
are connected.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a still video camera according to an
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a remote controller for the camera shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a still video camera system including the
camera shown in FIG. 1 and the remote controller shown in FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4A and 4B show a signal configuration of a UART frame and an IR
frame;
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show a flowchart illustrating an operation of the still
video camera;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a remote controller insertion process;
FIG. 9 Is a perspective view of a remote controller according to a second
embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a still video camera system according to the
second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
Hereinafter, the invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a still video camera 2 according to a first
embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a remote
controller 3 for the still video camera shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block
diagram illustrating a control system of a still video camera system 1
including the still video camera 2 and the remote controller shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a still video camera system 1 includes the still
video camera 2 and the remote controller 3.
As shown in FIG. 1, the still video camera 2 has a body 20. On a front
surface of the body 20, a photographing optical system 5, a photo diode
21, and a remote controller ejection button 39 are provided. On a top
surface of the body 20, a camera side release switch 31, a mode setting
switch 32, and a display unit 28 are provided. Throughout the front
surface to the rear surface of the body 20, a finder optical system 41 is
provided.
On the body 20, a remote controller slot 37 to which the remote controller
37 is accommodated is formed. An opening 38 of the remote controller slot
37 is formed on the front surface of the body 20. On the bottom surface of
the slot 37, a connector 33 which is to be connected with a remote
controller connector 57 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller 3 has a casing 30. On a front
surface of the casing 30, an infrared light emitting diode 53 is provided.
On the rear surface of the casing 30, the remote controller connector 57
is provided. On a top surface of the casing 30, a remote controller side
release switch 56 is provided.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the photo diode 21 and the infrared emitting
diode 53 are arranged to be directed substantially in the same direction
when the remote controller 3 is accommodated in the slot 37.
The still video camera system 1 is capable of performing the photographing
under the control of the remote controller 3, and further, image data of
an object which was photographed can be transferred to an external device
such as a personal computer through the remote controller 3 with use of an
infrared communication method. When the infrared communication is executed
between the still video camera 1 and the external device, i.e., when the
image data is transferred from the still video camera system 1 to the
external device, the remote controller 3 is to be accommodated in the slot
37.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the remote controller 3 is accommodated in the
slot 37, firstly the remote controller 3 is held by hand and inserted
through the opening 38, and further pushed after the remote controller 3
contacts the bottom of the slot 37, so that connection of the remote
controller side connector 57 with respect to the camera side connector 33
is ensured.
It should be noted that, inside the camera body 2, a remote controller
ejection mechanism is provided, which is driven upon operation of a remote
controller ejection button 39 (located on the camera body 2)to eject the
remote controller 3.
As shown in FIG. 3, the still video camera system 1 further includes a
photographing unit having a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 6, and a
photographing circuit 7.
The CCD 6 is arranged behind the photographing optical system 5, and has a
plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. Each pixel accumulates an
electrical charge. The electrical charge accumulated by the pixels are
transferred sequentially.
The input terminals of the photographing circuit 7 are connected with the
output terminals of the CCD 6, and reads out the signal out of the CCD 6,
and performs various signal processing operations.
The still video camera 1 embodying the invention is for photographing a
color image. In this connection, the CCD 6 is a color CCD provided with
complementary color filters. Specifically, on each pixel of the CCD 6, a
magenta (Mg), a yellow (Ye), a cyan (Cy) or a green (G) filter is
provided. Since this type of filter is well-know, a further description
will not be given. An object image is formed on the light receiving
surface of the CCD 6 by the photographing optical system 5.
The still video camera 1 has a system controller 4. The system controller 4
includes, generally, a microprocessor, and controls various operations,
such as an operation sequence of the still video camera 1, infrared
communication, or the like.
An operation panel 29 and an indication unit 28 are also connected to the
system controller 4.
The operation panel 29 is provided with various switches, such as a power
switch (i.e., a main switch), a camera side release switch 31, a mode
selection switch 32 and the like. The still video camera 1 operates in
either a recording mode, a reproducing mode or a transmission mode. The
mode is selected by operating the mode selection switch 32.
The display unit 28 includes a displaying device, such as an LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display) or LED (Light Emitting Diode) to display various
information, such as an ON or OFF status of the power switch, a currently
selected operation mode, an OK or NG indication, which will be described
in detail later, information of a year, date and time if necessary.
On the camera side connector 33, terminals 34, 35 and 36 are provided.
Terminal 34 is connected to an infrared light transmission encoder 19.
Terminal 35 is connected to the system controller 4, and the terminal 36
is connected to a power source 26.
The remote controller side connector 57 is provided with terminals 58, 59
and 61. Terminal 58 is connected to an LED driver 52. Terminal 61 is
connected to a condenser 54 and a remote controller power supply circuit
55, and terminal 59 is grounded (i.e., connected to earth).
When the remote controller 3 is installed, i.e., when the camera side
connector 33 and the remote controller side connector 57 are appropriately
connected, terminals 34, 35 and 36 are electrically connected to terminals
58, 59 and 61, respectively.
Electrical power is supplied from the power source 26 to various circuits
inside the camera body 2 via the camera side power supply circuit 27.
If terminal 35 of the connector 33 is connected to terminal 59 of connector
57, the power is supplied from the power source 26 to various circuits
inside the remote controller 3 through the remote controller side power
supply circuit 55, and further, power is supplied to the condenser 54, so
that the condenser is charged.
If terminal 35 and terminal 59 are not connected, condenser 54 serves as a
power source of the remote controller 3. That is, in such a case, power is
supplied to respective circuits inside the remote controller 3 from the
condenser 54 through the remote controller power supply circuit 55.
As described above, in the still video camera 1, the condenser 54 is used
as the power source of the remote controller 3. Accordingly the remote
controller 3 is capable of utilizing the power source inside the camera
body 2. Therefore, the remote controller 3 does not require batteries.
A remote controller detection signal is input to the system controller 4.
When the camera side connector 33 and the remote controller side connector
57 are correctly connected, i.e., when terminal 35 and terminal 59 are
electrically connected, terminal 35 is grounded. In this case, the remote
controller detection signal is a logical LOW (L). If the connector 33 and
the connector 57 are not connected appropriately, i.e., if terminals 35
and 59 are not connected, terminal 35 is not grounded, and thus the remote
controller detection signal is a logical HIGH (H).
As described above, the system controller 4 recognizes whether the
connectors 33 and 57 are appropriately connected (i.e., whether the remote
controller 3 is coupled to the remote controller receiving portion 37) by
detecting the remote controller detection signal. Further, by detecting
charges of the status of the remote controller detecting signal from the
logical HIGH (H) to the logical LOW (L), when the connectors 33 and 58 are
connected (i.e., when the remote controller 3 is coupled to the remote
controller receiving portion 37) is recognized.
According to the embodiment, an external device which performs the infrared
communication with the still video camera 1 is a personal computer system
having an infrared communication. The personal computer system includes a
personal computer 71, and an infrared communication unit 72.
The personal computer 71 is provided with a memory for storing various
data, such as image signal data and the like.
The infrared communication unit 72 has an infrared light emission diode 73
and a photodiode 74, which are provided on a front surface of the body of
the infrared communication unit 72, and an infrared communication
interface circuit, which is well known, and not shown, to be used for data
communication utilizing the infrared light.
Operation of the still video camera 1 will be described below.
On each operation of the mode selection switch 32, the system controller 4
receives a recording mode set command, a reproducing mode set command, a
deletion mode set command, and a transmission mode set command in this
order, and selects the recording mode, the reproducing mode, the deletion
mode, the transmission mode, also in this order. The selection of the mode
upon operation of the mode selection switch 32 is cyclically executed,
i.e., if the mode selection switch 32 is operated when the transmission
mode is selected, the system controller 4 receives the recording mode set
command, and selects the recording mode.
If the release switch 31 is turned ON when the recording mode is selected,
the system controller 4 detects a recording trigger. Similarly, if the
release switch 31 is turned ON when the reproducing mode, the deletion
mode or the transmission mode is selected, the system controller 4 detects
a reproducing trigger, a deletion trigger or a transmission trigger. Upon
detection of the recording, reproducing, deletion or transmission trigger,
a recording operation, a reproducing operation, a deleting operation or a
transmission operation is executed.
Firstly, the recording mode is described.
If the release switch 31 is operated when the recording mode is selected,
CCD 6 is exposed to light in accordance with a predetermined exposure
condition, and an electrical charge corresponding to an object image
formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 6 is integrated. The
integrated charge is transmitted to the photographing circuit 7.
The photographing circuit 7 processes the signal transmitted from the CCD
6, and an analog image signal, i.e., an analog brightness signal Y and an
analog chromatic signal C representative of the object image is generated.
The analog signals Y and C are converted, by the A/D converter 8, into
digital image signals, i.e., a digital brightness signal Y' and a digital
chromatic signal C'. The digital signals Y' and C' are written in the
image memory 11, at a predetermined address, as an image data through a
data selector 9 which selectively receives data from the A/D converter 8
or a data expansion circuit 13. The system controller 4 controls the data
selector 4 to select one of the A/D converter 8 or the data expansion
circuit 13.
Then, from the predetermined address of the image memory 11, the digital
image data is read.
The digital image data is compressed by an image data compression circuit
12 to have a predetermined data size, and is, through the system
controller 4, transmitted to a flash memory control circuit 14. The flash
memory control circuit 14 stores the compressed image data in a flash
memory, or a rewritable non-volatile memory 15, at a predetermined
address. Note that in the present embodiment, the flash memory 15 stores
one frame of the image data.
If the photographing is executed with the remote controller 3, the remote
controller 3 is positioned so that an infrared signal output from the
remote controller 3 is incident to the still video camera 1.
When the release switch 56 of the remote controller 3 is turned ON, the
microprocessor 51 controls the LED driver 52 to drive the infrared light
emission diode 53 to emit light. Thus, when the release switch 56 is
turned ON, the infrared light indicative of a turning ON operation is
transmitted to the still video camera 1.
The infrared light emitted from the remote controller 3 is received by the
photodiode 21 of the camera body 2, amplified by a pre-amplifier 22,
transmitted to a waveform shaping circuit 23 in which the waveform is
adjusted, and then transmitted to a received data decoder 24, and a
microcomputer 25.
In the above case, the decoder 24 does not decode the received data when
the data is transmitted from the waveform shaping circuit 23.
The microcomputer 25 generates a signal indicating that the release switch
56 of the remote controller 3 is turned ON based on the signal transmitted
from the waveform shaping circuit 23.
The signal indicative of turning ON of the release switch 56 is transmitted
to the system controller 4. The system controller 4 starts an exposure
operation upon receipt of the signal indicative of turning ON of the
release switch 56. The recording operation itself is similar to the
operation when the release switch 31 is turned ON, and accordingly the
description therefor is omitted.
Secondly, the reproducing mode will be described hereinafter.
If the release switch 31 is turned ON, the system controller detects the
reproducing trigger and synchronously with the detection of the
reproducing trigger, the system controller 4 initiates the reproducing
operation.
In the reproducing operation, from the predetermined address of the flash
memory 15, the digital image signal (i.e., the image data) is read by the
flash memory control circuit 14. The digital image signal is transmitted
to the data expansion circuit 14 through the system controller 4.
The digital image signal is expanded to the original image data by the data
expansion circuit 13. The expanded image data is temporarily stored at a
predetermined address in the image memory, through the data selector 9.
Data selection of the data selector 9 is controlled by the system
controller 4.
Then, the digital image signal is read out of the image memory 11, at the
predetermined address.
The digital image signal is converted into an analog image signal by a D/A
converter.16, and transmitted to an NTSC encoder 17. The NTSC encoder 17
generates a standard NTSC video signal based on the analog signal, i.e.,
the brightness signal Y and the chromatic signal C, and synchronizing
signals which are generated by a synchronizing signal generating circuit
(not shown). The video signal generated by the NTSC encoder 17 is input to
a displaying device (not shown) such as an LCD or a CRT, and the image is
reproduced.
If the release switch 31 is turned ON again, the system controller 4
detects the reproducing trigger again, and stops reproducing the image.
Thirdly, the deletion mode will be described.
When the release switch 31 is turned ON when the deletion mode is selected,
the system controller 4 detects the deletion trigger, and starts the
deletion operation.
The deletion operation is an operation in which the digital image signal
stored in the flash memory 15 is deleted by the flash memory control
circuit 14.
Lastly, the transmission mode will be described.
When data is transmitted, reproduction of the data is executed before the
data is transmitted. As described before, when an image is reproduced, a
digital image signal is stored in the image memory 11,
When the data is transmitted, the remote controller 3 is inserted through
the insertion opening 48, into the remote controller insertion section 37
so that the connector 57 of the remote controller 3 is connected to the
connector 33, as shown in FIG. 3.
When the connector 57 and the connector 33 are appropriately connected, the
remote controller detection signal is changed from logical H to logical L,
as mentioned before. This change, i.e., the falling edge of the remote
controller detection signal is detected, and the system controller 4
selects the transmission mode.
If the release switch 31 is turned ON in the transmission mode, the system
controller 4 detects the transmission trigger, and upon detection of the
transmission trigger, the system controller 4 starts the data
transmission.
When the data transmission starts, the digital image signal stored in the
image memory 11 is read out. The digital image signal read out of the
image memory 11 is compressed by the image compression circuit 12 to have
a predetermined size, and, via the system controller 4, transmitted to a
UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) 18.
The UART 18 converts the digital image signal, which is a parallel signal,
into an asynchronous serial signal representative of UART frames.
The serial signal is transmitted to the infrared light transmitting encoder
19, at which the serial signal is converted (modulated) into a signal
representative of IR frames. The IR frame signal is a signal according to
an IrDA (Infrared Data Association) data transmission process. The IR
frame thus generated is input to the LED driver 52.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show timing charts illustrating a signal configuration of
the UART frame and the IR frame.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the asynchronous serial signal (UART frame) includes a
start bit "0", a stop bit "1", and "0"s and "1"s provided therebetween. In
this embodiment, a value "0" corresponds to the logical high H of the
signal, and a value "1" corresponds to the logical low L of the signal.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the IR frame in accordance with the IrDA method
includes a start bit "0", a stop bit "1", and "0"s and "1"s provided
therebetween. In this chart, a value "0" corresponds to the logical high H
of the signal, and a value "1" corresponds to the logical low L of the
signal. Further, an interval T2 between high level signals is expressed in
the equation below:
T2=3T1/16
where, T1 is a period between bits.
Note that the infrared light is not emitted when the signal value is "1",
and is emitted when the signal value is "0" for a duration of T2 by the
infrared light emitting diode 53.
In the still camera 1, since the UART frame is modulated into IR frame, the
duration of time during which the diode 53 emits light when the signal
value is "0" is reduced to 3/16 times in comparison to the case when the
UART frame is used, power consumption of the light emitting diode 53 can
be reduced.
As shown in FIG. 3, the LED driver 52 operates in accordance with the
signal transmitted from the infrared light transmission encoder 19, and
drives the infrared light emitting diode 53 to emits the infrared light in
accordance with a predetermined emitting pattern. Accordingly, the
infrared light emitting diode 53 transmits the signal in accordance with
the IrDA method.
The infrared light emitted by the diode 53 is received by the photodiode
74, and demodulated by the infrared communication interface circuit. With
this process, the digital image signal is obtained and stored in a memory
built in the personal computer 71.
The personal computer 71 determines whether the digital image signal is
correctly obtained. If the digital image signal is read correctly, a
signal indicating that the reading is successful is input in the interface
circuit. If the digital image signal is not read correctly, a signal
indicating the reading is not successful is input in the interface
circuit. The interface circuit generates an IR frame signal corresponding
to the signal transmitted from the interface circuit, and the infrared
light emitting diode 73 is driven in accordance with the IR frame signal.
The IR frame signal thus emitted by the diode 73 is received by the
photodiode 21 of the camera body 2, and amplified by the pre-amplifier 22.
A waveform of the signal amplified by the pre-amplifier 22 is adjusted by
the waveform shaping circuit 23, and then transmitted to the infrared
light receiving decoder 24, and the microcomputer 25.
In this case, the microcomputer 25 does not operate when the signal is
transmitted from the waveform shaping circuit 23.
The infrared light receiving decoder 24 demodulates the received signal
(i.e., IR frame signal) into an asynchronous serial signal (i.e., UART
frame signal).
The serial signal is transmitted to the UART 18 and converted into a
parallel signal, and then, transmitted to the system controller 4.
The system controller 4 displays that the reading is successful or not
successful with the display unit 28, in accordance with the signal
transmitted from the UART 18.
The control operation of the system controller 4 will be further described
hereinafter.
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show a flowchart illustrating a control process executed
by the system controller 4.
At S101, an interruption operation, "REMOTE CONTROLLER INSERTION" is
allowed to be executed. This interruption process is allowed between S101
and S113.
The "REMOTE CONTROLLER INSERTIONS" is illustrated in FIG. 8.
If the connector 57 and the connector 33 has been connected (i.e., if the
remote controller is inserted) while the execution of the interruption
"REMOTE CONTROLLER INSERTION" process is allowed, the remote controller
detection signal is changed from a logical HIGH H to logical LOW L. When
the system controller 4 detects this change, i.e., the falling edge of the
remote controller detection signal, the "REMOTE CONTROLLER INSERTION" is
executed.
In the "REMOTE CONTROLLER INSERTION" process, the system controller 4 sets
the operation mode to the transmission mode (S201), and then the process
returns to the main routine.
At Sl02, the system controller 4 determines whether the recording mode set
command is received (S102). If the recording mode set command is received
(S102:YES), the system controller 4 selects the recording mode (Sl03). If
the recording mode set command is not received (S102:NO), the system
controller 4 determines whether the reproducing mode set command is
received (S104). If the reproducing mode set command is received
(S104:YES), the system controller 4 selects the reproducing mode (S105).
If the reproducing mode set command is not received (S104:NO), then the
system controller 4 determines whether the deletion mode set command is
received (S106). If the deletion mode set command is received (S106:YES),
the system controller selects the deletion mode (S107). If the system
controller 4 determines that the deletion mode is not received at S106,
the system controller 4 determines whether the remote controller 3 is
inserted, i.e., whether the connector 57 and the connector 33 are
connected appropriately (S108).
Determination at S108 is executed such that if the remote controller
detection signal is a logical LOW L, it is determined that the connectors
57 and 33 are appropriately connected; while if the remote controller
detection signal is a logical HIGH H, it is determined that the connectors
57 and 33 are not connected appropriately.
If it is determined that the remote controller 3 is inserted at S108, i.e.,
if it is determined that the connectors 57 and 33 are connected
appropriately, the system controller 4 determines whether the transmission
mode set command is received (S109).
If it is determined that the transmission mode set command is received
(S109:YES), the system controller 4 selects the transmission mode (S110).
If it is determined that the remote controller 3 is not inserted
(S108:NO), i.e., i | | |
