U.S. patent application number 12/071559 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for digital image storage system that switches digital camera to operative state without manual operation of camera power switch to transmit images.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Akira Ohmura, Masahide Tanaka.
Application Number | 20080180552 12/071559 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36045661 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080180552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ohmura; Akira ; et
al. |
July 31, 2008 |
Digital image storage system that switches digital camera to
operative state without manual operation of camera power switch to
transmit images
Abstract
A digital image storage system includes a digital camera having
a memory capable of storing digital images and an adapter on which
the digital camera is to be laid down=for informing the adapter of
the digital images in the memory. The digital image storage system
further includes a data storage having a storage medium that stores
the digital images informed through the adapter. The data storage
is in cooperation with the digital camera by way of the adapter to
delete a digital image from the memory of the digital camera in
case of the digital image completely informed and stored in the
storage medium.
Inventors: |
Ohmura; Akira;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; Tanaka; Masahide;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
36045661 |
Appl. No.: |
12/071559 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10065272 |
Sep 30, 2002 |
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12071559 |
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09576221 |
May 22, 2000 |
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10065272 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/231.99 ;
348/372; 348/E3.035 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 9/8227 20130101;
H04N 9/8063 20130101; H04N 5/772 20130101; H04N 2201/0082 20130101;
H04N 9/8233 20130101; H04N 1/00885 20130101; H04N 2201/0058
20130101; H04N 2201/0087 20130101; H04N 5/781 20130101; H04N 5/445
20130101; H04N 9/8205 20130101; H04N 1/00283 20130101; H04N 9/8042
20130101; H04N 21/4223 20130101; H04N 1/00901 20130101; G11B 27/105
20130101; H04N 21/43632 20130101; H04N 21/426 20130101; H04N
2201/0089 20130101; H04N 5/765 20130101; H04N 2201/0044 20130101;
H04N 1/00127 20130101; H04N 2201/0084 20130101; H04N 9/7921
20130101; H04N 5/775 20130101; H04N 9/8047 20130101; H04N 2201/0074
20130101; H04N 21/433 20130101; H04N 21/4436 20130101; H04N 1/00347
20130101; H04N 5/907 20130101; H04N 2201/001 20130101; G11B 27/34
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/231.99 ;
348/372; 348/E03.035 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/907 20060101
H04N005/907; H04N 3/18 20060101 H04N003/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 28, 1999 |
JP |
11-149972 |
Jun 10, 1999 |
JP |
11-163988 |
Jun 10, 1999 |
JP |
11-163989 |
Jun 10, 1999 |
JP |
11-163990 |
Claims
1. A digital image storage system comprising: a digital camera
having a memory capable of storing digital images and a manually
operable power switch that switches the digital camera between an
operative state and an inoperative state; a data storage including
a docking station on which the digital camera can be placed and a
storage medium that stores the digital images transmitted from the
digital camera memory through the docking station; and a controller
that controls reading-out of the digital images from the digital
camera memory and the transmission of the digital images from the
digital camera memory to the storage medium without a manual
operation of the power switch to switch the digital camera from the
inoperative state to the operative state.
2. The digital image storage system according to claim 1, wherein
the controller switches the digital camera from the inoperative
state to the operative state without the manual operation of the
power switch.
3. The digital image storage system according to claim 1, wherein
the controller transmits a signal to the digital camera for
switching the digital camera from the inoperative state to the
operative state before the digital images are transmitted from the
digital camera.
4. The digital image storage system according to claim 3, wherein
the digital camera switches from the inoperative state to the
operative state in response to the signal transmitted by the
controller.
5. The digital image storage system according to claim 1, wherein
the controller switches the digital camera from the operative state
to the inoperative state after the transmission of the digital
images is completed.
6. The digital image storage system according to claim 1, wherein
the controller is located at the data storage.
7. The digital image storage system according to claim 1, wherein
the docking station has a shape to fit a bottom of the digital
camera.
8. A digital image storage system comprising: a digital camera
having a memory capable of storing digital images and a manually
operable power switch that switches the digital camera between an
operative state and an inoperative state; a docking station on
which the digital camera can be placed; a storage medium that
stores the digital images transmitted from the digital camera
memory through the docking station; and a controller that controls
reading-out of the digital images from the digital camera memory
and the transmission of the digital images from the digital camera
memory to the storage medium without a manual operation of the
power switch to switch the digital camera from the inoperative
state to the operative state.
9. The digital image storage system according to claim 8, wherein
the controller switches the digital camera from the inoperative
state to the operative state without the manual operation of the
power switch.
10. The digital image storage system according to claim 8, wherein
the controller transmits a signal to the digital camera for
switching the digital camera from the inoperative state to the
operative state before the digital images are transmitted from the
digital camera.
11. The digital image storage system according to claim 10, wherein
the digital camera switches from the inoperative state to the
operative state in response to the signal transmitted by the
controller.
12. The digital image storage system according to claim 8, wherein
the controller switches the digital camera from the operative state
to the inoperative state after the transmission of the digital
images is completed.
13. The digital image storage system according to claim 8, wherein
the docking station has a shape to fit a bottom of the digital
camera.
14. A digital camera that can be placed on a docking station, the
digital camera comprising: a memory capable of storing digital
images; a battery; a manually operable power switch that switches
the digital camera between an operative state and an inoperative
state, the operative state being a state in which stored digital
images can be read and transmitted from the memory; a first
connector through which data communication between the docking
station and the digital camera is carried out when the digital
camera is placed on the docking station; a controller that receives
a signal through the first connector for switching the digital
camera from the inoperative state to the operative state without a
manual operation of the power switch; and a second connector
through which the docking station supplies the battery with
electric power to charge the battery when the digital camera is
placed on the docking station.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/065,272 filed Sep. 30, 2002, which in turn is a divisional of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/576,221, filed May 22, 2000.
The disclosure of each of the prior applications identified above
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a digital image storage
system, and more particularly to a digital image storage system
capable of being informed of digital images from a digital
camera.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In this field of art, various types of image storage have
been proposed for storing images taken by digital cameras.
[0006] For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.
8-69684 has proposed to transmit images to an image storage from a
camera when the camera is coupled to the image storage.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,335 has proposed a docking adapter for
transferring stored images from an electronic still camera to a
host computer.
[0008] However, there have been problems and disadvantages still
left in the related arts. For example, the related arts have not
proposed in detail the charge control to the battery in the digital
cameras.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In order to overcome the problems and disadvantages, the
invention provides a digital image storage system including a
digital camera having a memory capable of storing digital images
and an adapter on which the digital camera is to be laid down=for
informing the adapter of the digital images in the memory. The
digital image storage system further including a data storage
having a storage medium that stores the digital images informed
through the adapter. The data storage is in cooperation with the
digital camera by way of the adapter to delete a digital image from
the memory of the digital camera in case of the digital image
completely informed and stored in the storage medium.
[0010] According to the another feature of the invention, a digital
image storage system includes a digital camera having a memory
capable of storing digital images and a data storage having a
storage medium that stores the digital images informed from the
digital camera. The data storage is in cooperation with the digital
camera to delete a digital image from the memory of the digital
camera in case of the digital image completely informed and stored
in the storage medium, and not to delete a digital image from the
memory of the digital camera in case of the digital image
incompletely informed and stored in the storage medium.
[0011] According to still another feature of the invention, a
digital image storage system includes a storage medium that stores
digital images informed from a digital camera and a function unit
that distinguishes a digital image completely informed and stored
in the storage medium from a digital image incompletely informed
and stored in the storage medium.
[0012] Other features and advantages according to the invention
will be readily understood from the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the system of First
Embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of
First Embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image storage.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a docking station.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a digital camera.
[0018] FIG. 6 is the first flowchart illustrating the operation of
the image storage.
[0019] FIG. 7 is the second flowchart illustrating the operation of
the image storage.
[0020] FIG. 8 is the first flowchart illustrating the manner of
controlling signal transmission.
[0021] FIG. 9 is the second flowchart illustrating the manner of
controlling signal transmission.
[0022] FIG. 10 is the third flowchart illustrating the manner of
controlling signal transmission.
[0023] FIG. 11 shows an example of folder made in the memory of the
image storage.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating disconnection
interruption.
[0025] FIG. 13 is the first flowchart illustrating the manner of
controlling signal transmission that is different from FIGS. 7, 8
and 9.
[0026] FIG. 14 is the second flowchart illustrating the manner of
controlling signal transmission that is different from FIGS. 7, 8
and 9.
[0027] FIG. 15 is the second flowchart illustrating the manner of
controlling signal transmission that is different from FIGS. 7, 8
and 9.
[0028] FIG. 16 shows a remote controller used in First
Embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of a main
body.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a basic flowchart showing operation in the album
mode of First Embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing image acquisition
interruption of First Embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing detailed operation in the
album mode of First Embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of advancing
the image of First Embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 22 is an example of display on the monitor that
illustrates the operation of changing the hierarchy of First
Embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of hierarchy
change.
[0036] FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the selection in the
operation of hierarchy change.
[0037] FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation of my-album
mode.
[0038] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the operation of
retrieval.
[0039] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of
printing.
[0040] FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the operation of termination
of the album mode of First Embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the system Second
Embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of the system configuration
of Second Embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 31 shows the remote controller used in Second
Embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the operation of mode
selection processing in Second Embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 33 is an example of display on the monitor of Second
Embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the operation of the album
mode of Second Embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 35 is an example of schedule display on the monitor on
information on all folders in Second Embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 36 is an example of thumbnail images displayed on the
monitor of Second Embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search
condition setting process of Second Embodiment.
[0050] FIG. 38 is an example of the search condition setting menu
displayed on the monitor of Second Embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of
searching the title of the album of Second Embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 40 is an example of the page of the list of album
titles displayed on the monitor of Second Embodiment.
[0053] FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the operation of saving and
entering the search conditions of Second Embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the operation of entering the
search condition option item of Second Embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the operation of print mode
process of Second Embodiment.
[0056] FIG. 44 is the print mode process menu displayed on the
monitor of Second Embodiment.
[0057] FIG. 45 is the print condition menu displayed on the monitor
of Second Embodiment.
[0058] FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing the operation of television
mode process of Second Embodiment.
[0059] FIG. 47 is an example of the display of a print output of
Second Embodiment.
[0060] FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the system design of Third
Embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 49 is a schematic diagram of system configuration of
Third Embodiment.
[0062] FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the system of Fourth
Embodiment.
[0063] FIG. 51 is a diagram showing the configuration of the
printer of Fifth Embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
(1) System Design
[0064] The perspective view and the schematic diagram of the system
design for First Embodiment are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
respectively.
[0065] According to the television set in First Embodiment, a
monitor 2 consisting of the plasma display panel, for example, is
separated from a main body 1. The main body 1 is connected to the
monitor 2 by a cable 1a for transmitting the audio and image signal
from the former to the latter. The main body 1 is operated by means
of a remote controller 3. The main body 1 and the monitor 2 are
provided with the common power source by way of cables 1b and 2a,
respectively.
[0066] An image storage 4 is connected to the main body 1 through a
cable 4a for transmitting control signal from the main body 1 to
the image storage 4, and further through a cable 4b for
transmitting the audio and image signal from the image storage 4 to
the main body 1 at AV input thereof. The image storage 4 includes a
large capacity memory such as a hard disc for storing large number
of digital image date with their identification data. The image
storage is provided with the common power source by way of a cable
4c, and further connected to a printer 9 through a cable.
[0067] The remote controller 3 for usually controlling the ordinary
television watching function in the television mode is switched
into an album mode when a later mentioned album mode button is
pressed. In the album mode, the main body 1 responsive to the
operation of the remote controller 3 controls the image storage 4
to transmit image signal ordered by the remote controller 3 for the
display of the image on the monitor 2.
[0068] A docking station 5 has a mounting portion for a digital
still camera (herein after referred to as a digital camera) 6. The
mounting portion is provided with a power supply connector 5f and a
signal connector 5d, which are automatically made in contact with
corresponding connectors of the digital camera 6 when it is mounted
on the mounting portion of the docking station 5. The docking
station 5 includes an AC adapter 5e, which is fed with the common
power source through a cable 5a and has an output connected to
power connector 5f. An IEEE 1394 connector 5c of the docking
station 5 is directly connected to the image storage 4. Thus, the
docking station 5 is of a simple design consisting of the mounting
portion for the digital camera, the signal connector 5d, the IEEE
1394 connector 5c, power connector 5f, and the AC adapter 5e, and
is dedicated to the digital camera 6 of a specific type. On the
contrary, the image storage 4 is of a common use type
interchangeably connected to any docking station dedicated to one
of various types of digital cameras by means of standardizing the
shape of the connector for a cable 5b.
[0069] In operation, in automatic response to the mounting of the
digital camera 6 on the docking station 5, the data transmission is
initially triggered to automatically transmit the entire digital
image signal in the digital camera to the image storage 4 through
the cable 4b. If the completion of the automatic transmission
without error is confirmed, all contents of memory in the digital
camera is automatically deleted, when the LED 5k is energized to
inform the emptiness of the memory. On the completion of the data
transmission, the power charging is automatically triggered, and
automatically terminated on its completion, when the LED 5m is
energized to inform the completion of the power charging. If a user
merely mounts the digital camera 6 on the docking station 5 and
lets it be, accordingly, the data transmission and the power
charging will be completed to prepare for instant use of the
digital camera 6 when it will be get back from the docking station
5. On getting back the digital camera 6, LED's 5k and 5m should be
confirmed. If the power will be found to be naturally discharged
while the digital camera 6 is left on the docking station 5, the
power is automatically recharged, which will be repeated.
[0070] FIG. 2 represents schematic diagram of the system design for
First Embodiment, in which the cable 1a connects an AV connector 1c
of the main body 1 to an AV connector 2b of the monitor 2. In the
ordinary television mode, the main body 1 transmits signal
generated from a TV circuit 1d including tuner to the AV connector
1c by way of an AV output controller 1e. A receiver 1f receives
infrared signal from an emitter 3a of the remote controller 3 to
transmit the received information to a CPU 1h through a decoder 1g.
In the television mode, the necessary change in channel or volume
is carried out by the TV circuit 1d in response to the operation at
the remote controller 3.
[0071] When the CPU 1h detects a mode change from the television
mode to the album mode in response to a signal form decoder 1g
caused by a mode changing operation at the remote controller 3, the
AV output controller 1e is made to transmit a signal from an AV
connector 1i to the AV connector 1c in place of the signal from the
TV circuit 1d. Further, in the album mode, the CPU responsive to
the signal of the decoder 1g transmits control signal from an IEEE
1394 connector 1j to an IEEE 1394 connector 4d of the image storage
4 through the cable 4a designed according to the IEEE 1394
standard. Thus, the control of the image storage 4 by means of the
remote controller 3 for the television set is made possible. For
example, if the next still image is requested at the remote
controller 3, the request is transmitted through the receiver 1f,
the decoder 1g, the TV circuit 1h, the IEEE 1394 connector 1j and
the cable 4a to the IEEE 1394 connector 4d of the image storage 4.
Then, a CPU 4e connected to the IEEE 1394 connector 4d identifies
the request to read out the next image from a memory 4f such as a
hard disc. The read image is transmitted through an NTSC (National
Television System Committee) encoder 4g, an AV connector 4h and the
cable 4b to the AV connector 1i.
[0072] Cable 5e designed according to the IEEE 1394 standard is
connected between an IEEE 1394 connector 4i of the image storage 4
and the IEEE 1394 connector 5c of the docking station 5. Within the
docking station 5, the IEEE 1394 connector 5c directly leads to the
signal connector 5d, which is of a specific mechanical shape
dedicated to the digital camera 6 although electrically designed
under the IEEE 1394 standard. The output of the AC adapter 5e fed
with the common power source is connected to the power supply
connector 5f. The signal connector 5d and the power supply
connector 5f are formed as a single connector unit, while a signal
connector 6a and a power supply connector 6c of the digital camera
6 are correspondingly formed as a single connector unit. When the
digital camera 6 is mounted on the docking station 5, accordingly,
the signal connector 6a of the digital camera 6 is made in contact
with the signal connector 5d of the docking station 5, while the
power supply connector 6c connected to a rechargeable battery 6b of
the digital camera 6 is made in contact with the power supply
connector 5f of the docking station 5. Thus, the image signal of
the digital camera 6 is transmitted to the TV circuit 4e of the
image storage 4 by way of the signal connector 6a, the signal
connector 5d, the IEEE 1394 connector 5c, the cable 5b and the IEEE
1394 connector 4i, and the rechargeable battery 6b is charged by
the AC adapter 5e.
[0073] In the television set in First Embodiment, the monitor 2 is
separated from the main body 1. According to the present invention,
however, such a modification is possible that the main body 1 and
the monitor 2 are combined within a single housing as in an
ordinary television set.
[0074] Further, in the television set in First Embodiment, the
image storage 4 transmits the AV signal formed by the NTSC encoder
4g to the main body 1 at the AV connector. According to the present
invention, however, such a modification is possible that the
digital image signal without the encoding is received by the main
body 1 at the IEEE 1394 connector 1j, the digital image signal
being encoded into AV signal by the TV circuit 1d within the main
body 1.
[0075] Such a modification is also possible that the signal from
the image storage 4 is directly transmitted to the monitor 2 at its
AV connector, instead of transmitting the signal by way of the main
body 1.
[0076] According to the present invention, the monitor 2 has an
IEEE 1394 interface and the IEEE 1394 connector (not shown). To
such a monitor, the digital image signal may be transmitted to
monitor 2 at the IEEE 1394 connector.
(2) Designs of Parts and Functions
[0077] The description will be advanced to individual designs for
the parts, such as the image storage, the docking station and the
digital camera in the system of the present invention, and to the
functions thereof.
[0078] FIG. 3 represents a block diagram showing the design of the
image storage 4 of First Embodiment. The following devices form the
image storage 4 of First Embodiment according to the present
invention. The CPU 4e controls devices in the image storage 4 and
carries out the functions in the later explained flow charts in
FIGS. 6 to 8 in cooperation with a CPU 6h of the digital camera 6.
The CPU 4e has ROM for storing data such as image data. A card slot
4s is for reading image or audio signal from the card memories,
such as COMPACT FLASH, SMART MEDIA and MEMORY STICK, which are the
names of products from San Disc of the United States, Toshiba of
Japan and Sony of Japan, respectively. A card driver 4p is for
driving the card slot 4s in response to the direction of the CPU
4e. The memory 4f is of non-volatility and large capacity, such as
a hard disc, which also stores the program to be carried by the CPU
4e.
[0079] Alternatively, the memory 4f of built-in type in the
embodiment above may be replaced by a removable type such as a
DVD.
[0080] A memory driver 4n is for driving the memory 4f in response
to the direction of the CPU 4e.
[0081] An MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) decoder 4k is for
expanding the motion picture data compressed in accordance with
MPEG system for playing the motion picture. A JPEG (Joint
Photographic Expert Group) decoder 4t is for expanding the still
image data compressed in accordance with JPEG system for playing
the still image. A frame memory 4m is a non-volatile semiconductor
memory for temporally storing the image or audio signal. The frame
memory 4m is used in transmitting the image or audio signal from
the digital camera 6, and also in outputting the image data to the
main body 1 of the television set or to the printer 9. A switch
circuit 4q is for detecting the operation of switches provided in
the image storage 4 to inform the CPU 4e of it. Power circuit 4r is
connected to the common power source (not shown) for providing each
device in the image storage 4 with the electric power.
[0082] An IEEE 1394 interface 4j is for communicating control
signals and image audio signals with various IEEE 1394 interfaces
located in the main body 1 of the television set, the digital
camera 6 (the docking station 5) and the printer 9, and for
receiving a signal from the remote controller 3 of the television
set to inform the CPU 4e of it. The IEEE 1394 connectors 4i and 4d
is for the connection with cables which connect to various IEEE
1394 interfaces located in the main body 1 of the television set,
the digital camera 6 (the docking station 5) and the printer 9. The
NTSC encoder 4g is for converting the digital image signal into the
television signal of NTSC system, on which the television set
without the IEEE 1394 interface is able to play the image. The
connector 4h outputs the television signal encoded by The NTSC
encoder 4.
[0083] FIG. 4 represents a block diagram showing the design of the
docking station 5 of First Embodiment. The docking station 5 of
First Embodiment is described with help of FIG. 4. The AC adapter
5e connected with commercial power source, which is not shown in
the figure, is a power source in order to supply the digital camera
6 mounted on the docking station 5 with electric power, and is also
used for charging the rechargeable battery 6b of the digital camera
6.
[0084] A DSC connector 5j is a kind of connector connected with a
DSC connector 6n arranged in the digital camera 6 and corresponds
to the signal connector 5d and the power supply connector 5f shown
in FIG. 2. The DSC connector 5j is electrically connected with the
AC adapter 5e and the IEEE 1394 connector 5c. Signal transmission
and power supply to the digital camera 6 are made through the DSC
connector 5j. The signal connector 5d is a terminal for giving and
receiving a signal in conformity with the IEEE 1394 standard. The
DSC connector 5j has a specific mechanical shape dedicated to the
digital camera 6 and also has a terminal electrically connected
with an AV connector 5g, which was not mentioned in FIG. 2.
[0085] The AV connector 5g is for outputting the TV signal encoded
with the NTSC standard by the digital camera 6. Although no
explanation has been made in the First Embodiment, by means of
connecting the AV connector 5c with an AV connector of another
instrument, a TV signal encoded in the digital camera 6 can be
watched by the instrument having no IEEE 1394 interface.
[0086] The IEEE 1394 connector 5c is a connector connected with the
cable 5b, which is connected with IEEE 1394 interfaces equipped in
the image storage 4. In explanation of the First Embodiment, only
the case that the IEEE 1394 connector 5c is connected with the IEEE
1394 connector 4i of the image storage 4 is mentioned. However,
when the main body 1 or the printer 9 can handle image or audio
signal stored in the digital camera 6, the image or audio files can
be replayed or printed without help of the image storage 4 by means
of connecting the IEEE 1394 connector 5c with the IEEE 1394
interface equipped in the main body 1 or the printer 9.
[0087] An LED 5i has an LED 5k for memory and an LED 5m for
recharging. The LED 5i indicates the state of a card memory stored
in the digital camera 6 and the state of the rechargeable battery
by its lighting condition. An LED driver 5h controls lighting of
the LED 5i in accordance with a command from the CPU 6h of the
digital camera 6 or the CPU 4e of the image storage 4.
[0088] FIG. 5 represents a block diagram showing the design of the
digital camera 6. The digital camera 6 of the First Embodiment is
described with help of the FIG. 5. Although, we omitted the
explanation of picture taking and image processing, it is needless
to say that the system includes photographic lens, image detector,
image processing circuit, and the like. The CPU 6h controls each
device in the digital camera 6 and performs the procedure shown in
FIG. 26 mentioned later in cooperation with the CPU 4e of the image
storage 4.
[0089] A switch circuit 6f detects whether a release button 6r or a
command dial 6s equipped in the digital camera 6 is handled or not,
and transmits it to the CPU 6h.
[0090] An IEEE 1394 interface 6e is the device for giving and
receiving control signal, image or audio signal through the IEEE
1394 interface stored in the main body 1, the image storage 4, or
the printer 9.
[0091] An IEEE 1394 connector 6d is a kind of connector for giving
and receiving signal with other instruments having the IEEE 1394
interface and is used for giving and receiving signal with the
image storage 4 without help of the docking station 5, not
mentioned in the First Embodiment. When the main body 1 or the
printer 9 can handle image or audio signal in the digital camera 6,
the image or audio files can be replayed or printed without help of
the image storage 4 by means of connecting with the IEEE 1394
interface equipped in the main body 1 or the printer 9.
[0092] An AV connector 6m is a connector through which converted
NTSC television signals are output outside. By connecting the AV
connector 6m to another AV connector, television signals, which are
converted in the digital camera 6, are observable even on devices
without the IEEE interface.
[0093] The DSC connector 6n, through which power and signals are
transferred, is connected to the DSC connector 5j. The DSC
connector 6n includes the signal connectors, the power supply
connectors, and AV terminals, as well as the DSC connector 5j.
Through the signal connectors, signals designed according to the
IEEE standard are transferred. The DSC connector 6n has a structure
only for connecting to the docking station 5.
[0094] The rechargeable battery 6b, which supplies power to each
device of the digital camera 6, is recharged through the AC adapter
5e of the docking station 5. A card slot 6i records image signals
and audio signals onto the card memory (e.g., Compact Flash, Smart
Media, Memory Stick) which is mounted to the card slot 6i, and
reads out image signals and audio signals from the card memory.
[0095] A card driver 6j drives the card slot 6i under instruction
from CPU 6h. The image storage 4 and the digital camera 6 can be
powered on under signal input from outside, in the case that
imaging storing device 4 is not powered.
(a) Recharging an Taking in Images Flow
[0096] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are flowcharts illustrating programs
executed by the CPU 4e of the image storage 4. Referring to FIG. 6,
program starts when the image storage 4 detects that the digital
camera 6 is connected to the docking station 5. The image storage 4
can always communicate with the docking station 5 through the IEEE
1394 connector 4i, the cable 5b, and the IEEE 1394 connector 5c,
because the image storage 4 is always in the state of standing by,
passing low current between the docking station 5 and the image
storage 4. Therefore, when the digital camera 6 is connected to the
docking station 5. The image storage 4 can detect the connection
between camera 6 and the docking station 5.
[0097] Alternatively, the above mentioned detection through the
connection between camera 6 and the docking station 5 may be
replaced by a detection by means of a combination of a mechanical
contact and a sensor.
[0098] In step S151, function necessary to receive image signals
and audio signals from the digital camera 6 is activated. More
specifically, the main power is turned on, the memory 4f which
records image signals and audio signals is driven, and a receiving
program is activated.
[0099] In step S152, the AC adapter 5e of the docking station 5 is
operated through the cable 5a, power is supplied to the digital
camera 6, and the main power source of the digital camera 6 is
switched on. In the case that the main power source of the digital
camera 6 is already switched on, the main power source continues to
be on.
[0100] The above embodiment may be modified to an alternative
embodiment in which the CPU 4e does not transmit the signal to the
digital camera 6 for turning on the same if the camera 6 has
already be turned on.
[0101] In step S153, it is detected whether the digital camera 6
has image files or audio files that are reproducible by the image
storage 4. If the digital camera 6 has them, program proceeds to
step S154. If the digital camera 6 does not have them, program
proceeds to step S161 in FIG. 7. The image storage 4 is already set
so that JPEG file, MPEG file, GIF file, bitmap file, and WAVE file
can be reproduced. Although some digital camera has a proprietary
format image, such proprietary image is reproduced only by
dedicated software. Furthermore, card memories mounted to the
digital camera 6 may be used for other devices, therefore, other
files except for image files or audio files, e.g., document files,
may be mounted to the digital camera 6. However, the image storage
4 is designed so that the image storage 4 does not receive files
which can not be reproduced by the image storage 4.
[0102] By installing a dedicated software in the image storage 4,
however, the files that were not handleable with the image storage
4 become handleable with the device. The files that have thus
become handleable through the installation of the software will now
be automatically received by the device upon the installation.
[0103] If, provided the card memory is loadable to the
digital-camera 6, the camera is not loaded with a card the memory,
it is naturally interpreted that no file exists. If the camera is
not loaded with a card the memory, the digital camera 6 is
controlled so that the LCD 6q of the digital-camera 6 presents an
alarm display that reports to a user that no card-memory exists.
Further, if there exists an unhandleable file, the digital camera 6
is controlled so that the LCD 6q of the digital-camera 6 presents
an alarm display that reports to a user that there exists an
unhandleable file.
[0104] At the step S154, a folder to which a name, e.g., date, is
attached, is created in a common folder in the memory 4f. The
folder is named, e.g., "990401-990402" so that it specifies the
initial and last date when the image or audio signal was recorded.
The date information is taken from the date information recorded in
the header of the image or audio file. The common folder is a
folder which is pre-created in the memory 4f and to which files are
transferred from the digital camera 6. The files named "Family",
"Father", "Mother", and "Taro" are also pre-created in a common
folder of the image storage 4.
[0105] At the step S155, by blinking the memory indicator LED 5k in
the docking station 5, a user is informed that a file is being
transferred.
[0106] At the step S156, the image or audio files from the digital
camera 6 are received in photographing or sound recording order,
and stored in the "990401-990402" folder in the memory 4f.
Referring to FIG. 8, the way to control signal detection at this
step is described in detail below.
[0107] At the step S157, such a display as shown in FIG. 11 is
presented with the LCD 6q of the digital camera 6, and a users is
asked in what folder the file is to be stored. The display presents
choosable folders present in the common folder. By revolving the
command dial 6s, a folder is chosen, and, by pressing the release
button 6r, the folder chosen is indicated.
[0108] At the step S158, whether or not a folder has been chosen is
detected. If detected, then the step 160 is followed; if not
detected, the step 159 is followed.
[0109] At the step S159, whether or not a pre-determined time has
passed from the beginning of the inquiry into what folder is to be
chosen is detected. If the pre-determined time has passed, the step
161 is followed; if not, the step 157 is recommenced and the
inquiry into what folder is to be chosen is resumed.
[0110] At the step S160, the folder "990401-990402" in the common
folder is, wholly and without change of its folder structure,
transferred to the designated (chosen) folder.
[0111] At the step S161, whether or not the card memory loaded in
the digital camera 6 is written is detected. If unwritten, the step
S162 is followed; if written, the step S163 is followed.
[0112] At the step S162, by lighting the memory indicator LED 5k in
the docking station 5, a user is informed that the card memory
loaded in the digital camera 6 is unwritten.
[0113] At the step S163, by lighting out the memory indicator LED
5k in the docking station 5, a user is informed that the card
memory loaded in the digital camera 6 is written.
[0114] At the step S164, the main power supply with the digital
camera 6 is switched off. Even when the main power supply with the
digital camera 6 had been switched on at the point of connection,
the main power supply of the digital camera 6 is switched off at
this step.
[0115] At the step S165, whether or not the rechargeable battery 6b
is loaded in the digital camera 6 is detected. If loaded, the step
166 is followed; if the loaded thing is not the rechargeable
battery 6b or the rechargeable battery 6b is not loaded, the step
170 is followed.
[0116] In step S166, the charging to the rechargeable battery 6b of
the digital camera 6 is started. In step S167, charging the
indication LED (light emitting diode) 5m is intermittently
energized to inform the user of the status of the rechargeable
battery 6b in the process of charging.
[0117] In step S168, it is checked whether the charging is
completed or not. If the completion of charging is detected, the
flow is advanced to step S169. On the other hand, the flow returns
to step S166 to continue the charging. In step S169, charging the
indication LED 5m is continuously energized to inform the user of
the completion of the charging to the rechargeable battery 6b. In
step S170, the power supply to the docking station 5 is terminated.
In step S171, the main power switch of the image storage 4 is
turned off to close the present flow.
(b) Transmission of Signals
[0118] FIGS. 8 to 10 explain the manner of controlling signal
transmission in step S156 in FIG. 6.
[0119] In step S101, disconnection interruption is enabled, the
interruption being carried out when the digital camera 6 will be
disconnected from the docking station 5. In step S102, it is
checked whether or not the digital camera 6 directs to stop the
data transmission, the direction being caused by operating the
release button of the digital camera 6. If the date transmission is
directed to stop, the flow goes to step S110 in FIG. 9. On the
other hand, the flow is advanced to step S103 if the date
transmission is not directed to stop.
[0120] In step S103, the digital camera 6 is checked for a folder
(hierarchical) structure that holds files not transmitted yet. If
files not transmitted yet are held in a folder structure, the flow
is advanced to step S104. On the other hand, the flow is advanced
to step S106 if files not transmitted yet are held without any
folder structure.
[0121] In step S104, it is checked whether the folder structure has
already existed in the image storage 4. If the folder structure has
existed, the flow is advanced to step S106. On the other hand, the
flow is advanced to step S105 if the folder structure has not
existed yet.
[0122] In step S105, a new folder is further created within the
folder "990401-990402", which has been created in step S154 in FIG.
6. In step S106, the digital camera 6 is directed to transmit new
files, which are received and stored in the folder created in steps
S154 and 105.
[0123] Thus, the folder structure holding files in the digital
camera 6 will be took over by the image storage 4 without
destruction of the original folder structure, which is convenient
for the user to search for the stored files.
[0124] Further, in step S106, the digital camera 6 is directed to
inform the user of the status in the process of data transmission
by means of LCD 6q of the digital camera 6.
[0125] In step S107, it is checked whether the data transmission
from the digital camera 6 to the image storage 4 is completed or
not. If the completion of data transmission is detected, the flow
is advanced to step S108. On the other hand, the flow returns to
step S106 to continue the data transmission if the completion of
data transmission is not detected.
[0126] In step S108, the digital camera 6 is directed to add to the
header of the transmitted file therein the information indicating
that the transmission of the file has been completed. In steps S121
and S122 in FIG. 10, the file will be deleted from the digital
camera 6 in dependence on the added information. The flow is to be
advanced from step S108 to step S109.
[0127] In step S109, it is checked whether files capable to be
treated by the image storage 4 still remain to be transmitted in
the digital camera 6. If files remain to be transmitted, the flow
is returned to step S102. On the other hand, the flow is advanced
to step S116 if no file remains to be transmitted.
[0128] If the direction to stop the data transmission is detected
in the above mentioned step S102, a question at LCD 6q of the
digital camera 6 as in FIG. 11 is made in step S110 to ask the user
whether or not the transmission of all the files including already
transmitted files should be cancelled.
[0129] Step S111 checks the answer of the user to the question in
step S110 for "No". If the answer, "No" is detected, the flow goes
to step S116. On the other hand, the flow is advanced to step S112
if the answer, "No" is not detected. The answer, "No" of the user
means that the already transmitted files should not be
cancelled.
[0130] Step S112 checks the answer of the user to the question in
step S110 for "Yes". If the answer, "Yes" is detected, the flow
goes to step S114. On the other hand, the flow is advanced to step
S113 if the answer, "Yes" is not detected. The answer, "Yes" of the
user means that the user mounts the digital camera 6 on the docking
station 5 for the purpose of only charging the camera without data
transmission. For answering the question, the use is to select
"Yes" or "No" by rotating the command dial 6s and press release
button 6r to enter the selected answer.
[0131] In step S114, the files and folder transmitted this time,
and also the folder, "990401-990402" created this time are all
deleted from the memory 4f of the image storage 4.
[0132] In step S115, the digital camera 6 is directed to cancel the
information which has been add to the header of the transmitted
file to indicate that the transmission of the file has been
completed.
[0133] In step S113, it is checked whether a predetermined time has
passed or not after the direction to stop the data transmission. If
the time has not passed yet, the flow is returned to step S110 to
wait for the answer. If the time has passed, on the other hand, the
flow is advanced to step S114 on the assumption that the direction
to stop the data transmission at step S102 was made because user
mounts digital camera 6 on the docking station 5 for the purpose of
only charging the camera without data transmission.
[0134] In step S116, it is checked whether a protected file is
transmitted or not. If a protected file is transmitted, the flow is
advanced to step S117, while the flow is advanced to step S122 if a
protected file is not transmitted. The digital camera 6 has a
"protection" function of file management for preventing a protected
file from being deleted out of the memory card in error.
Ordinarily, a protected file cannot be deleted unless the
protection function is cancelled.
[0135] In step S117, a question is indicated at LCD 6q as in FIG.
11 to ask whether the protected file is to be deleted. Step S118
checks the answer of the user to the question in step S117 for
"No". If the answer, "No" is detected, the flow goes to step S122.
On the other hand, the flow is advanced to step S119 if the answer,
"No" is not detected.
[0136] Step S119 checks the answer of the user to the question in
step S117 for "Yes". If the answer, "Yes" is detected, the flow
goes to step S121. On the other hand, the flow is advanced to step
S120 if the answer, "Yes" is not detected.
[0137] In step S120, it is checked whether a predetermined time has
passed or not after the question is started to be indicated at LCD
6q to ask whether the protected file is to be deleted. If the time
has not passed yet, the flow is returned to step S117 to wait for
the answer. If the time has passed, on the other hand, the flow is
advanced to step S121. In this design, a protected file in the
digital camera 6 which has been successfully transmitted to the
image storage 4 is to be deleted unless an answer is especially
made to the contrary, for always making use of the maximum capacity
of the memory card in the digital camera 6.
[0138] In step S121, all the already transmitted files are deleted
from the digital camera 6 in response to the information add in
step S108 to the header of the transmitted file. In step S122,
files that have been already transmitted and are not protected are
deleted from the digital camera 6 in response to the information
add in step S108 to the header of the transmitted file and also to
the protection information. In step S123, the disconnection
interruption is disabled to close the present flow.
(c) Disconnection During Data Transmission
[0139] FIG. 12 explains the disconnection interruption. This flow
starts in response to disconnecting the digital camera 6 from the
docking station 5 with the disconnection interruption enabled.
[0140] In step S181, warning of disconnection without completing
the data transmission is made at the display on the digital camera
6 for recommending the user to mount the camera again. Step S182
checks whether such a file exists in the memory 4f that the
transmission thereof is unfinished by reason of the disconnection
in the course of the data transmission. If such a file exists, the
flow is advanced to step S183, while the flow goes to step S184 if
such a file does not exist.
[0141] In step S183, the file in the memory 4f that the
transmission thereof is unfinished is removed. Step S184 checks
whether the digital camera 6 is mounted again on the docking
station 5 for the connection. If the connection is detected, the
flow is advanced to step S187, while the flow goes to step S185 if
the connection is not detected.
[0142] Step S187 checks whether the digital camera mounted again is
the same digital camera 6 or not. In the case of the same digital
camera 6, the flow is advanced to step S109 in FIG. 8, while the
flow goes to step S152 in FIG. 6 in the case of a different digital
camera.
[0143] In step S185, it is checked whether a predetermined time has
passed or not after the disconnection. If the time has passed, the
flow is advanced to step S186, while the flow returns to step S184
if the time has not passed yet. In step S186, the main power switch
of the image storage 4 is turned off to close the present flow.
[0144] In the above mentioned First Embodiment, all the correctly
transmitted files are deleted from the digital camera 6 at once
after completing the transmission of all of them. However, such a
modification is possible that each file is deleted after completing
the transmission of it one by one. Further, the file is actually
deleted from the digital camera in First Embodiment. However, it is
possible to merely add information of permitting the deletion to
the header of the file to be deleted in place of actually deleting
the file, in the case of a digital camera capable of overwriting a
new file on the file to be deleted.
[0145] Such a modification is further possible that the main body 1
of television set is designed to be capable of detecting the
mounting of the digital camera 6, in place of the detection by the
image storage 4 in First Embodiment.
[0146] The functions of flow charts, which is carried out by the
CPU 4e in the image storage 4 according to the above mentioned
embodiment, can be alternatively carried out by the CPU 1h in the
main body 1 of the television set.
(d) Modification of the Function on Disconnection During Data
Transmission
[0147] The CPU 6h in the digital camera 6 can alternatively carry
out the functions of flow chart shown in FIG. 8 on the
disconnection during data transmission. FIG. 13 explains this
modification in which the CPU 6h in the digital camera 6 carries
out the functions.
[0148] In step S501, the disconnection interruption is enabled, the
interruption being carried out when the digital camera 6 will be
disconnected from the docking station 5. The disconnection
interruption can be understood in accordance with FIG. 12.
[0149] In step S502, it is checked whether or not the digital
camera 6 directs to stop the data transmission, the direction being
caused by operating the release button of the digital camera 6. If
the date transmission is directed to stop, the flow goes to step
S510. On the other hand, the flow is advanced to step S503 if the
date transmission is not directed to stop.
[0150] In the step S503, it is checked whether the structure of the
folder in which such a file is stored that the transmission thereof
is unfinished has hierarchical structure or not. If the folder has
hierarchical structure, the flow is advanced to the step S504,
otherwise the flow is advanced to the step S506.
[0151] In the step S504, it is checked whether the folder found in
the step S503 has already existed in the image storage 4 or not. If
the folder has existed, the flow is advanced to the step S506,
otherwise the flow is advanced to the step S505.
[0152] In the step S505, an order is given to the image storage 4
that a new folder is to be made inside of the folder
"990401-990402" made in the step S154 shown in the FIG. 6, which
exists in the memory 4f of the image storage 4.
[0153] In the step S506, it is ordered that the file that the
transmission thereof is unfinished is transmitted to the image
storage 4, and is stored in the folder made in the steps S154 and
S505. Therefore, when the file is stored in the hierarchical folder
of the digital camera 6, it is convenient to rearrange the file
because the recording onto the image storage 4 does not affect the
structure of the folder. Further, in the step S506, the digital
camera 6 is directed to inform the user of the status in the
process of data transmission by means of LCD 6q of the digital
camera 6.
[0154] In the step S507, it is checked whether the transmission of
the file to the image storage 4 has been completed or not. If the
transmission has been completed, the flow is advanced to the step
S508, otherwise the flow is advanced to the step S506 for
continuing the transmission. When the transmission has been
completed, it is devised such that the image storage 4 transmits
the completion signal to the digital camera 6.
[0155] In the step S508, the information indicating the completion
of the transmission is added to the header portion of the file
inside of the digital camera 6. In the steps S521 or S522 shown in
the FIG. 15, the file is deleted in accordance with the added
information. Then, the flow is advanced to the step S509.
[0156] In the step S509, it is checked whether a
transmission-unfinished file being able to be handled by the image
storage 4 is still existed in the digital camera 6 or not. If a
transmission-unfinished file is existed, the flow is returned to
the step S502, otherwise the flow is advanced to the step S516.
[0157] In the step S510, a query whether all the transmission of
files including transmission-completed files should be cancelled is
provided for the user on the LCD 6q of the digital camera 6 shown
in FIG. 11.
[0158] In the step S511, it is checked whether "no" is detected as
the answer of the query provided in the step S510. If "no" is
detected, the flow is advanced to the step S516, otherwise the flow
is advanced to the step S512. In the case "no files should be left
as it is.
[0159] In the step S512, it is checked whether "yes" is detected as
the answer of the query provided in the step S510. If "yes" is
detected, the flow is advanced to the step S514, otherwise is
advanced to the step S513. In the case "yes" is detected, it is
understood that the digital camera 6 is mounted on the docking
station 5 in order to recharge battery.
[0160] In the step S514, it is ordered that the file and the folder
transmitted this time, together with the folder "990401-990402"
should be deleted from the memory 4f of the image storage 4.
[0161] In the step S515, the information indicating the completion
of the transmission added to the header portion of the file inside
of the digital camera 6 is lifted.
[0162] In the step S513, it is checked whether a predetermined time
has passed or not after the direction to stop the data
transmission. If the time has not passed yet, the flow is returned
to the step S510 to wait for the answer. If the time has passed, on
the other hand, the flow is advanced to the step S514 on the
assumption that the direction to stop the data transmission at the
step S502 was made because user mounts the digital camera 6 on the
docking station 5 only for recharging the camera without data
transmission.
[0163] In the step S516, it is checked whether a protected file is
transmitted or not. If a protected file is transmitted, the flow is
advanced to the step S517, while the flow is advanced to the step
S522 if a protected file is not transmitted. The digital camera 6
has a "protection" function of file management for preventing a
protected file from being deleted out of the memory card in error.
Ordinarily, a protected file cannot be deleted unless the
protection function is cancelled.
[0164] In the step S517, a question is indicated at the LCD 6q as
in FIG. 11 to ask whether the protected file is to be deleted.
[0165] In the step S518, it is checked whether the answer of the
question in the step S517 is "Yes". If the answer "Yes" is
detected, the flow is advanced to the step S522. If the answer
"Yes" is not detected, on the other hand, the flow is advanced to
the step S519.
[0166] In the step S519, it is checked whether the answer of the
question in the step S517 is "No". If the answer "No" is detected,
the flow is advanced to the step S521. If the answer "No" is not
detected, on the other hand, the flow is advanced to the step
S520.
[0167] In the step S520, it is checked whether a predetermined time
has passed or not after the question is started to be indicated at
the LCD 6q to ask whether the protected file is to be deleted. If
the time has not passed yet, the flow is returned to the step S517
to wait for the answer. If the time has passed, on the other hand,
the flow is advanced to the step S521. In this design, a protected
file in the digital camera 6 is not to be deleted unless an answer
is especially made to the contrary.
[0168] In the step S521, the files that have been already
transmitted and are not protected are deleted from the digital
camera 6 in response to the information added in the step S508 to
the header of the transmitted file and also to the protection
information.
[0169] In the step S522, all the already transmitted files are
deleted from the digital camera 6 in response to the information
added in the step S508 to the header of the transmitted file. In
the step S523, the disconnection interruption is disabled to close
the present flow.
(3) Operation of the Image Storage
[0170] Operation of the image storage 4 performed by the remote
controller 3 is explained specifically. FIG. 16 illustrates the
remote controller 3 in detail. When the main body 1 is on standby
after receiving a very small current, the main power of the main
body 1 is turned on by pressing a power source bottom 3a of remote
controller 3.
[0171] FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the basic operation of the
main body 1 after main power is turned on. When the main power is
turned on in step S1, the main body 1 always starts up in the
television mode in step S2. Even if the main power of the main body
1 is turned off in the last mode, as described later, by turning on
the main power again, the main body 1 can start up in the
television mode. The television mode is a mode in which the
television set receives ordinary television broadcasting. Step S3
enables interruption by means of mode change operation, which
switches a mode to another mode such as the album mode. Step S4
enables interruption by means of turning off the main power. The
flow is advanced to step S5.
[0172] In step S5, the operation in the television mode is
performed. Information stored in the digital camera 6 is displayed
on the monitor 2 for predetermined time (e.g. 5 seconds),
superimposed on the current television image. The information of
the digital camera 6 displayed on the monitor 2 is as follows: for
example, whether or not the digital camera is placed on the docking
station 5; a state that digital still image is being transferred
from the digital camera to the image storage 4; or a state that the
digital camera 6 is being recharged.
[0173] FIG. 18 is a basic flow chart showing operation in the album
mode. When an album mode button 3b of remote controller 3, shown in
FIG. 16, is pressed, mode change interruption is performed in step
S6 in FIG. 18. In step S7, it is determined whether mode change is
the album mode in step S7. If mode change is the album mode, the
flow is advanced to step S8. If mode change is not the album mode,
the flow is advanced to a flow in another mode.
[0174] In step S8, the operation that enables the mode change
interruption is performed. The mode change interruption is
necessary for changing mode from the album mode to another mode. In
step S9, operation that enables main-power-off interruption is
performed. The main-power-off interruption is necessary for turning
off main power.
[0175] In step S10, it is determined whether the image storage 4 is
on standby after receiving very small current. When it is
determined that the image storage 4 is on standby, the flow is
advanced to step S11. In step S11, it is instructed that the power
source of the image storage 4 is turned on, and the image storage 4
starts up. In step 12, the operation that enables data read out
completion interruption is performed. The data read out completion
interruption is necessary for reading out data.
[0176] On the other hand, in step S10, when it is determined that
the image storage 4 is not on standby, the flow is advanced to step
S13. In step S13, a message "Turn on the image storage 4" is
indicated, and the flow is advanced to step S14. In step S14, it is
determined whether print information is included or not. When the
image storage 4 is turned on, the flow is advanced to step S15. In
step S15, the message "Turn on the image storage 4" is closed, and
the flow advances to step S12.
[0177] The above embodiment may be modified to an alternative
embodiment in which the CPU 1h of the main body 1 transmits a
control signal to the image storage 4 for turning on the same when
the main power of the main body 1 is turned on.
[0178] In step S16, in order to avoid the state of no sounds in the
album mode, background music starts, resulting in natural
feeling.
[0179] The background music number is arbitrarily selected from
music numbers that have been already selected. Instead of using the
background music, it is possible to use television sound directly.
It is also possible to perform the album mode in a state without
sound, that is, completely in no sound state. Each of these states
is arbitrarily selectable.
[0180] In step S171, it is determined whether an image is stored in
the frame memory 4m or not. The image is stored in the frame memory
4m in step S87 in FIG. 28. If the images are stored, the flow is
advanced to step S172, if not, the flow is advanced to step
S174.
[0181] In step S172, the image stored in the frame memory 4m in
step S87 in FIG. 28 is read out, and is displayed on the monitor 2.
The image stored in the frame memory 4m, which is a semiconductor
memory, is read out instantly and displayed. Accordingly, the
period between the time when mode is changed to the album mode and
the time when the image is displayed on the monitor 2 can be made
very small, so that an operator can view the image comfortably.
[0182] In step S173, instruction is transmitted to the memory
driver 4n, and the memory 4f starts, and the flow is advanced to
step S18.
[0183] When it is determined that the image is not stored in the
frame memory 4m, in above-mentioned step S171, a menu image of the
album mode, which is stored in ROM in advance, is read out and
displayed in step S174. The ROM, which is located in the CPU 4e in
the image storage 4, is a semiconductor memory. The menu image
stored in ROM can be read out instantly and displayed.
[0184] In step S175, the memory 4f is driven after instruction is
transmitted to the memory driver 4n. In step S176, a regenerative
program for image and sound is activated and the flow is advanced
to step S17.
[0185] In step S17, the first image in the latest folder that is
stored into the image storage 4 is reproduced, and is displayed on
the screen of the main body 1. That is, the image selected
according to a predetermined rule is reproduced by the image
storage 4 and displayed automatically, in response to change from
the current mode to the album mode.
[0186] With regard to the image selected according to the
predetermined rule, in stead of using the first image in the latest
folder, for example, the image of the latest date of photograph
that is captured into the image storage 4 may be used. Thus, the
album mode is started up, and then the flow is advanced to the
album mode operation in step S18.
[0187] Furthermore, in step S174, in stead of above-mentioned
operation, it is possible to continue to display in the television
mode, and to change to the album mode after reproduction of the
image in step S17.
[0188] By performing the flow in FIG. 19, it is possible to change
the present mode to the album mode while the image storage 4 is
taking the images from the digital camera 6. It is also possible to
mount the digital camera 6 on the docking station 5 in order to
take the images from the digital camera 6 into the image storage 4
while main body 1 is being used in the album mode.
[0189] When image acquisition from the digital camera 6 to the
image storage 4 is completed before a mode is changed to the album
mode, the flow of FIG. 19 is not performed because the first image
in the last folder is already displayed in step S17 in FIG. 18.
[0190] On the contrary, when image acquisition from the digital
camera 6 to the image storage 4 is completed after mode is changed
to the album mode, interruption is performed in step S19 in FIG. 1.
And the message "the last folder of image files is taken in" is
indicated on the monitor 2, being superimposed on the current
picture. The indication is being displayed until a counter measures
a predetermined time, for example, about 7 seconds, and ends at
step S22. In the album mode, the above-mentioned operation works
without exception. A user who watches the message can view a new
image in the last folder by the operation described later.
[0191] FIG. 20 shows the details of the album mode operation in
step S18 in FIG. 18. When the image is displayed in step S17 in
FIG. 18 responsive to the change to the album mode, the flow of the
album mode starts at step S24, subsequent to which steps S25-S30
follow. In step S25 to step S30, various interruptions are possible
as described below, and the process becomes standby at step S31.
The operation time from the press of a channel button 3c in FIG. 16
to step S31 in FIG. 20 is extremely short.
[0192] To advance the image displayed on the monitor 2, the "+"
button or the "-" button of the channel button 3c in FIG. 16 is
operated. The operation of advancing the image displayed on the
monitor 2 is shown in FIG. 21. When the image is displayed on the
monitor 4, if the button 3c is pressed, picture-advance
interruption is performed in step S32 in FIG. 21 and the process
advances to step S33. In step S33, it is determined whether or not
pressing of the button 3c is advancing the picture. If the "+"
button of the channel button 3c, which is for advancing a picture,
is pressed, then it is determined that the pressing of the button
3c is advancing the picture and the process advances to step S34.
In step S34, and it is determined whether or not the last picture
before pressing the "+" button is the last picture in the folder.
If the last picture before pressing the "+" button is not the last
picture in the folder, then the process advances to step S35. After
one picture is advanced in step S35, the process advances to step
S36 and returns.
[0193] If the last picture before pressing the "+" button is the
last picture in the folder in step S34, then the process advances
to step S36 because there is not any picture to advance, and
returns in step S36. Accordingly, when the picture is the last
picture in the folder, if the "+" button is pressed, any operation
does not occur.
[0194] In step S33, if the "-" button of the channel button 3c is
pressed, then it is determined that the pressing of the button 3c
is not advancing the picture, and that the pressing of the button
3c is returning back the picture, and the process advances to step
S37.
[0195] In step S37, it is determine whether or not the last picture
before pressing the channel button 3c is the first picture in the
folder. If it is determine that the last picture before pressing
the channel button 3c is not the first picture in the folder, then
one picture is returned back in step S38 and the process returns in
step S36. If the last picture before pressing the channel button 3c
is the first picture in the folder, the process advances to step
S36 because it is not necessary to return back the picture any
more, and returns. Accordingly, when the last picture before
pressing the channel button 3c is the first picture in the folder,
if the "-" button is pressed, then any operation does not
occur.
[0196] Although it is considered that the first picture and the
last picture in the folder are in the same folder, it is possible
to make them to be the first picture and the last picture in all
pictures in the image storage 4. In this case, when the first
picture in the last folder is displayed on the monitor 2, if the
"-" button of the channel button 3c is pressed, the last picture in
the folder previous to the last folder is displayed.
[0197] If pressing the "-" button of the channel button 3c is
repeated, the first picture in the first folder of the image
storage 4 appears on the monitor 2. Thus, even if the user does not
know an operation for changing hierarchy as described later, the
user can view all pictures in the image storage 4.
[0198] FIG. 22 shows various kind of indication displayed on
monitor 2. G1 and G2 are pictures that are displayed on monitor 2.
When the picture G1 is displayed on the monitor 2, if the "+"
button of the channel button 3c is pressed, then the picture G2
that is the next picture of the picture G1 is displayed. When the
picture G2 is displayed on the monitor 2, if the "-" button of the
channel button 3c is pressed, then the picture G1 that is the
previous picture of the picture G2 is displayed.
[0199] S1 shows nine small size pictures that are displayed in the
nine dividend areas on the monitor 2, and S2 shows five small size
pictures that are displayed in the nine dividend areas on the
monitor 2. S1 and S2 correspond to thumbnail pictures of the
digital camera, and here, 14 pictures in total are shown in S1 and
S2.
[0200] F1 shows seven small size sequential indications that are
displayed in the nine dividend areas on the monitor 2. Each
indication of F1 has a small picture and textual information of a
folder that contains the folder name, date, and the contents of the
folder. In this case, there are seven folders.
[0201] Y1 or Y2 shows nine small size sequential indications that
are displayed in the nine dividend areas on the monitor 2. Each
indication of Y1 and Y2 shows one of 18 calendar years.
[0202] The image storage 4 controls to display each indication of
"thumbnails", "folders" and "calendar years" in each of the nine
dividend areas on the monitor 2. When a total number of indications
is nine or less than nine, all indications are displayed
simultaneously at one time. However a total number of indications
is more than nine, the image storage controls to display one
different indication representing the nine indications.
Accordingly, if there are more than nine folders, a plural of
different indications, each of which represents nine folders, are
created and displayed in nine areas on the monitor 4 as described
above. Since these pictures, thumbnails, folders and calendar years
are configured as a hierarchy configuration (hereafter, pictures,
thumbnails, folders and calendar years are called "hierarchy").
[0203] FIG. 23 is a flow chart that shows the operation of
hierarchy change. Referring to FIG. 23, to change the hierarchy
displayed on the monitor 2 in the album mode, the "+" button or the
"-" button of a volume button 3d is pressed.
[0204] When the indication is displayed on the monitor 2, if the
volume button 3d is operated, hierarchy change interruption is
performed in step S39. When the +button of the volume button 3d is
pressed, it is determined that a transfer to the upper hierarchy is
instructed in step S40, and the process advances to step S41. In
step S41, it is determined whether or not the displayed hierarchy
before the volume button 3d is pressed is the calendar year. If the
displayed hierarchy is not the calendar year, then the process
advances to step S42. In step S42, one hierarchy is stepped up, and
the process advances to step S43 and returns.
[0205] For example in FIG. 22, when the picture G1 is displayed, if
the "+" button of the volume button 3d is pressed, then the
thumbnail S1 is displayed instead of the picture G1. In this case,
the small picture G1 is placed in the upper left corner of the
screen, and small picture G2 is placed on the right of the G1.
Other seven pictures are arranged according to this order, and the
ninth picture is arranged in the lower right corner of the screen.
Alternatively, it is possible to arrange the G1 picture in the
center of the screen.
[0206] In step S41, if it is determined that the displayed
hierarchy is the calendar year, then, even if the "+" button of the
volume button 3d is pressed, nothing happens because the calendar
year is the highest hierarchy and there is no hierarchy ahead of
the calendar year.
[0207] In step S40, if the "-" button of the volume button 3d is
pressed, then it is determined that a transfer to the upper
hierarchy is not instructed, and the process advances to step S44.
In step S44, it is determined whether or not the displayed
hierarchy before the volume button 3d is pressed is the picture. If
the displayed hierarchy before the volume button 3d is pressed is
not the picture, then the process advances to step S45. In step
S45, one hierarchy is stepped down, and the process advances to
step S43 and returns. For example in FIG. 22, the hierarchy
transfers to the thumbnail (S1) from the folder (F1). In this case,
nine thumbnails of the thumbnail (S1) are contained in the head of
the folder that is located in the upper left corner of the
screen
[0208] In step S44, if the displayed hierarchy before the volume
button 3d is pressed is the picture, then even if the "-" button of
the volume button 3d is pressed, nothing happens because the
picture is the lowest hierarchy and there is no hierarchy under the
picture. And in step S43, the process returns.
[0209] FIG. 24 is a flow chart that shows the operation of Stepping
down of the hierarchy is also performed in the selective flow shown
in FIG. 24, in stead of using the hierarchy change interruption.
For example, when the thumbnail S1 is displayed, if a "2" numeral
button 3e is pressed, a frame of the monitor 4 is changed to the
picture G2, because the numeral buttons 3e from "1" to "9"
correspond to the positions of nine dividend areas on the monitor
4, respectively. By pressing one of the numeral buttons 3e, the
corresponding area on the monitor 4 is selected. In FIG. 22, the
thumbnail of picture G1 is located at the center of the upper row,
and this position corresponds to the "2" numeral button. These
operations are described in detail in FIG. 24.
[0210] FIG. 24 is a flow chart that shows the operation of
selection in which the calendar year Y2 is used as a clue to search
a picture.
[0211] When the picture is searched, for example, in the year 1988,
a "6" numeral button is pressed because the year 1988 is located at
the right in the middle row of the calendar year index Y2. By
pressing the "6" button, selection interruption starts in step S46.
In step S47, it is determined whether or not the present hierarchy
is the picture. If it is determined that the present hierarchy is
the picture, then any operation is not performed, and the process
advances to step S52 and returns. That is, if what is displayed on
the monitor 2 is the picture, there is no room for selection: press
of any numeral button 3e causes nothing.
[0212] Since the hierarchy is the calendar year, the process
advances to step S48 from step S47. In step S48, by pressing the
"6" numeral button, all folders created in 1988 are selected and
arranged in order according to the creation date.
[0213] In step S49, it is determined whether or not the hierarchy
is the calendar year, the folder or the thumbnail. In this case,
since the hierarchy is the calendar year, the hierarchy is stepped
down one step in step S50 and becomes the hierarchy of the folder,
thereby causing the monitor 2 to display the folder index F1. The
first folder created in 1988 is located in the upper left corner of
the folder index F1, and other folders are arranged in order from
the left to the right and from the top to the bottom of the screen
according to the creation date. In step S51, it is determined
whether or not the present hierarchy--the stepped down new
hierarchy--is the picture. In the case, since the new hierarchy is
the folder, the process advances to step S52 and returns.
[0214] In steps from S53 to S56, operation that adds a process
history to each picture is performed. In step S51, it is determined
whether or not the stepped down hierarchy is the picture. If it is
determined that the stepped down hierarchy is the picture, then the
process advances to step S53. In step S53, it is determined whether
the mode is my-album mode, which is described in detail later.
[0215] If it is determined that the mode is not the my-album mode,
then the process advances to step S54. In step S54, the date and
time of picture selection is written in the header portion of the
picture, and the process advances to step S55. In step S55, a
search history until the picture is displayed and other selection
conditions are written in the header portion of the picture. This
information is used as clues to search the same picture later. For
example, the same picture can be searched by the search condition
of "the image viewed one week ago"
[0216] In step S53, if it is determined that the mode is the
my-album mode, then the process advances to step S56. In step S56,
personal information, for example, a name of a person who searched
the picture previously, is written in the header of the picture.
This information is used as a clue to search the same picture. In
step S49, if it is determined that the hierarchy is not any of the
calendar year, the folder or the thumbnail, then the hierarchy is
considered to be irrelevant to the predetermined hierarchy, and
selection process necessary to select the thing is performed in
step S57. For example, typical thing is the personal information in
the my-album mode.
[0217] FIG. 25 is a flow chart that shows the operation of my-album
mode. Pressing a menu button 3f of the remote controller 3 displays
the nine dividend areas on the screen to which the numbers from "1"
to "9" are attached. The nine numbers can be replaced with, for
example, personal names of a family by an adequate input
device.
[0218] In step S56, my-album interruption starts by pressing the
menu button 3f. In step S57, the numbers from "1" to "9" are
attached to the nine areas on the screen. Each of the nine areas
having the numbers from "1" to "9" is arranged at the same position
as each of the numeral buttons 3e from "1" to "9," respectively. In
step S58, the flow returns, and becomes a standby sate for
operation of the numeral buttons 3e.
[0219] For example, when the operator is a father and is designated
with the number "1", if the "1" of the numeral buttons 3e is
pressed, steps from S46 to S49, step S57 and step S52 are executed
in FIG. 24. After that, if the picture is selected, then
information on father is written in the header of the selected
picture through step S51, step S53 and step S56.
[0220] FIG. 26 is a flow chart that shows the operation of
retrieval. When a selection button 3g of the remote controller 3 is
pressed in FIG. 16, retrieval interruption starts in step S59 in
FIG. 26, and a retrieval conditions entry screen is displayed in
step S60. By operating the selection button 3g adequately, it is
possible to change a retrieval category that is indicated in the
retrieval conditions entry screen in step S61. To input the
retrieval condition such as the date, the numeral buttons 3e is
used in step S62.
[0221] When the retrieval conditions are determined, pressing a
conclusion button 3h advances the process from step S63 to step
S64. Since steps from S61 to S63 are repeated every predetermined
time while storing the last operation result, it is possible to
repeat changes in step S61 and S62 as long as the conclusion button
3h is not pressed.
[0222] In step S64 retrieving is performed and the resultant folder
is created. In step S65 a retrieved result is displayed in a form
such as the thumbnail index S1 in FIG. 22. If more than nine images
have been retrieved or retrieve conditions contain the hierarchy,
retrieved results are separated adequately to a plural of folders,
being displayed like the folder index F1 in FIG. 22. In steps from
S66 to S69, information for later retrieval is written in the
headers of retrieved images, and the process advances to step S70
and returns.
[0223] FIG. 27 is a flow chart that shows the operation of
printing. In the case where an image is displayed on the monitor 2,
when the user desires to print the image, pressing the conclusion
button 3h starts print interruption in step S71 in FIG. 27. When
the image is not displayed on the monitor 2, if the conclusion
button 3h is pressed, any operation is not performed, and the
process advances to step S78 from step S72 and returns. When the
image is displayed on the monitor 2, if the conclusion button 3h is
pressed, then the process advances to step S73.
[0224] In steps from S73 to S75, information for later retrieval is
written in the header of the image. In step S751, it is determined
whether or not the header of the image has print information. If
the header of the image has not the print information, then the
process advances to step S76. In step S76, information to print is
written in the header of the image. In step S77, a message
"printing has been received" is superimposed on the screen of the
monitor 2.
[0225] In step S751, if the header of the image has the print
information, then the process advances to step S752. In step S752,
information written in the header of the image is deleted. In step
S753, the superimposed message "printing has been received" is
deleted, and the process advances to step S78 and returns. These
steps from S751 to S753 are performed when a different image is
retrieved. The execution of printing is performed all together when
the album mode is finished.
[0226] FIG. 28 is a flow chart that shows the operation of an album
mode completion mode. The album mode finishes when a change
operation to other mode is performed, or when the main power of the
image storage 4 is turned off carelessly. For example, when the
album mode button 3b is pressed to change to the television mode
from the album mode, when a video-1 button 3j is pressed to change
to a video-1 mode, or when the main power switch of the image
storage 4 is operated, the mode change interruption starts in step
S79 in FIG. 28.
[0227] In step S80 and step S81, the same processes as the
processes in step S7 and step S8 in FIG. 18 are performed. In step
S91, it is determined whether the album mode change flow is started
by changing to other mode or by turning off the main power. If the
album mode change flow is started by changing to other mode, then
the process advances to step S82. In step S82, it is determined
whether or not there is an image having printing information. If it
is determined that there is an image having printing information,
then a thumbnail index like S1 in FIG. 22 is displayed in step
S83.
[0228] Then, when the conclusion button 3h of the remote controller
3 is pressed, printing is performed and information that printing
has been performed is written into the header of the image in step
S85. In step S86, changing to designated mode is performed. Since
moving to step S86 from step S85 is performed just after printing
is instructed, real printing action is performed in the background
of other mode, for example, during viewing TV program.
[0229] In step S82, if there is not any image having printing
information, then the process advances to step S86. In step S84, if
the menu button 3f of the remote controller 3 is pressed instead of
the conclusion button 3h, then printing is held in step S90, and
the process advances to step S86.
[0230] In step S90, information that printing is put on the shelf
is written in the header of each image. After this time, a message
that printing is not performed is indicated for the predetermined
time at such a time when the power of the main body is turned on,
or when the mode is changed. This indication is repeated until
printing of each image is performed, or the delete of printing is
performed.
[0231] In step S87, a displayed image is stored in the frame memory
4m. The reason why the displayed image is stored in the frame
memory is to retain the same state of the album mode before being
changed to other mode when the mode is changed back to the album
mode again. After this process, the printing action is performed in
parallel in the background of the designated mode.
[0232] In step S88, it is determined whether or not the
predetermined time is past after the mode is changed to other mode.
If it is determined that the predetermined time is past after the
mode is changed to other mode, then the process advances to step
S89. If the predetermined time is not past, then measuring time is
continued.
[0233] In step S89, to lower power consumption, the memory 4f of
the image storage 4 is stopped and the mode is changed to a power
saving mode. The reason why the power saving mode begins after the
predetermine time is as follows. If the mode is changed to other
mode carelessly, the mode may immediately return to the image
storage mode. In this case, if the memory 4f is halted every time,
and driven again, it is not convenient because it takes a
considerable time to become the album mode. And it is not desirable
that the memory 4f is overdriven.
[0234] In the case where it is determined that the album mode
change flow is started by turning off the main power in step S91,
the process advances to step S92. In step S92, it is determined
whether or not an image has print information. If the image has
print information, then printing is held in step S93, and the
process advances to step S94 without executing printing.
[0235] In step S93, information on print holding is written in the
header of each image. On such a time when the power of the main
body is turned on or the mode is changed, a message that there is
an image not printed is displayed for the predetermined time. This
indication is repeated until printing is executed or printing is
deleted.
[0236] In step S92, if the image has not print information, then
the process advances to step S94. In step S94, the mode is changed
to the television mode, and the process advances to step S95. In
step S95, the power of the image storage 4 is turned off after a
completion procedure such as the halt of the memory 4f of the image
storage 4 is performed.
[0237] All functions of the printer 9, which includes the on-off
switch of the power source, are controlled by the image storage 7.
The CPU 1h of the image storage 7 receives instructions, which
controls the printer 9, from the remote controller 3 through the
main body 1, transmitting the received instruction to the printer
9. The CPU 1h refers a state of the image storage 7 and devices
connected to the image storage 7, thereby permitting the instructed
control, determining an output timing and executing the
control.
[0238] Furthermore, the system has the following advantages. That
is, the printer can be operated in consistent with an operation and
a state of another device. When the image storage 7 is operated,
the image storage 7 does not need a special remote controller, but
needs only the remote controller 3 that is common to other devices.
Furthermore, the system is convenient to use, since the remote
controller 3 always controls another device only through the main
body 1, without reference to the kind of the controlled device.
Accordingly, since other devices besides the main body 1 do not
receive a signal from the remote controller 3, the system does not
have a limit that there must not be an obstacle between the signal
receiving part of the device and the remote controller 3.
Second Embodiment
[0239] FIG. 29 is a schematic view that shows the Second Embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 30 a block diagram that shows the
configuration of the Second Embodiment.
[0240] Referring to FIG. 29, a modem 10 for telecommunication and a
telephone 11 are added to the configuration of the First Embodiment
in FIG. 1, and an image storage 7 and the digital camera 8 in the
Second Embodiment are different from the image storage 4 and the
digital camera 6 in the First Embodiment. Other devices besides
these four devices in the Second Embodiment are the same as the
devices in the First Embodiment. In the configuration of the Second
Embodiment, although the telephone 11 is connected to the image
storage 7 through the modem 10, this connection is also possible in
the configuration of the First Embodiment in FIG. 1.
[0241] In the Second Embodiment of the present invention, an AC
adapter that feeds power to the digital camera 8 through a cable 8a
is built in the image storage 7. The cable 8a is a special standard
cable, including a power supplying cable and a signal transmitting
cable, which connects the digital camera 8 with the image storage
7. The image storage 7 in the Second Embodiment is for
general-purpose use the same as the image storage 4 in the First
Embodiment. The cable 8a for the digital camera 8 is the only
exclusive product in the Second Embodiment. Connecting the digital
camera 8 with the image storage 7 by the cable 8a causes the
digital camera 8 automatically to charge power and to transmit
data.
[0242] Referring to FIG. 30, the digital camera 8 has a special
standard terminal 8c that is a combined terminal of a charging
terminal and a signal terminal that is in conformity with the IEEE
1394. The signal terminal of the special standard terminal 8c is
connected to the circuit system of the digital camera 6, and the
charging terminal of the special standard terminal 8c is connected
to a rechargeable battery 6b. The cable 8a, which is connected to
the special standard terminal 8c, is a special standard cable that
is a combined cable of the charging cable 8d and a signal cable 8e
that is in conformity with the IEEE 1394.
[0243] The image storage 7 has a special standard terminal 7i that
is a combined terminal of a charging terminal and a signal terminal
that is conformity with the IEEE 1394 standard. The charging
terminal of the special standard terminal 7i is connected to an AC
adapter 7j, and the signal terminal of the special standard
terminal 7i is connected to a IEEE 1394 terminal 7k.
[0244] As described above, the image storage 7 is a general-purpose
product that may be used for various kinds of digital cameras. The
considerable amount of digital cameras, however, are driven by
different power-supply voltages. Therefore, the AC adapter 7j is
constructed to be able to select a plural of voltages. A CPU 7e of
the image storage 7 detects information on the power-supply voltage
of the digital camera 8 through the terminal 8c, the signal cable
8e, terminal 7i and the IEEE 1394 terminal 7k. Then, the CPU 7e
controls the AC adapter 7j to output a power-supply voltage
suitable for the digital camera 8 according to the detected
information. Thus, by making only the terminal 8c adopt the special
standard, it is possible to apply different power-supply voltages
to digital cameras.
[0245] In the system as shown in FIG. 30, the IEEE 1394 terminal 7m
is coupled with the printer 9. Although the modem 10 is omitted in
FIG. 30, it is really possible to add the modem 10 to the system in
FIG. 30. Explanations of other things besides the modem 10 in FIG.
30 are omitted because they are the same as in FIG. 2.
[0246] According to the Second Embodiment of the present invention,
when transmitting and storing the entire image data in one holder
into the image storage 7 is completed, all thumbnails contained in
this holder are displayed on a monitor 2. An arbitrary thumbnail in
the holder is selected as the thumbnail representing the folder,
and the folder's name is assigned to the selected thumbnail. The
first image of the folder is, usually, selected as the
representative image. Display of thumbnails and selection of the
representative image may be made independent of transmitting and
storing image data from the digital camera 6 to the image storage
7, and may be performed after completion of the transmitting and
storing.
[0247] The remote controller 3 as shown in FIG. 31 has a menu
button 45, and a selection button 46 that is used to search a
folder or an image from the image storage 7. Since the menu button
45 and the selection button 46 are not comprised in the First
Embodiment, the remote controller 3 in the Second Embodiment is not
the same as the remote controller 3 in the First Embodiment. The
remote controller 3 in the Second Embodiment is used to select a
menu displayed on the monitor 2 and to perform the menu. The remote
controller 3, as a matter of course, is also used for viewing TV
programs. The operation buttons of the remote controller 3,
therefore, are used for selecting and performing the menu, and
viewing TV programs.
<Selecting Mode>
[0248] By turning on the main switch, a main body 1 of the present
embodiment starts in the television mode in the Second Embodiment
as well as in the First Embodiment, and mode selection interruption
is enabled. Then, TV mode processing is performed and it becomes
possible to receive TV program. When the menu button 45 (FIG. 31)
of the remote controller 3 is pressed, the mode selection
interruption is performed in the main body 1.
[0249] FIG. 32 is a flow chart that shows the operation of mode
selection processing. The CPU 1h of the main body 1 performs the
mode selection processing. By pressing the selection button 45, the
"Mode Selection" page at page 50 as shown in FIG. 33 is
superimposed on the TV program image on the monitor 2 (S301). The
displayed "Mode Selection" page 50 includes a TV operating menu 51
in addition to a mode selection menu 52. The TV operating menu 51
is a menu for normal operation of the main body 1 on view of a TV
program, and a selected item in the TV operating menu 51 is
processed in the main body 1. A part of the menu such as quality
control is also usable in the album mode.
[0250] The mode selection menu 52 contains three option items,
"Album Mode", "Print Mode" and "Return to Television Mode". The
"Album Mode" and the "Print Mode" are used for operating the image
storage 7. Selecting these two option items makes the image storage
7, which communicates with the printer 9, execute the process of
the "Album Mode", the "Print Mode", or the on-off of the power
source.
[0251] When the user selects an item in the mode selection menu,
the user can select a desired item by pressing a conclusion button
47, after placing a cursor 53 on a desired item by operating the
conclusion button 47.
[0252] In step S302, it is determined that the selected item is
which item of three items. If the selected item is the "Return To
Television", then the process advances to the process of the
television mode processing in step S303. If the selected mode is
the album mode or print mode, then the process advances to step
S304. In step S304, the power of the image storage 7 is set on, and
process advances to step S305.
[0253] In step S305, it is determined whether the selective mode is
the print mode or the album mode. If the selective mode is the
album mode, then the process advances to the album mode process in
step S306. If the selective mode is the print mode, then the
process advances to step S307. In step S307, the power of the
printer 9 is turned on and the process advances to step S308. In
step S304 or S307, if the power of the image storage 7 or the
printer 9 has been turned on, nothing is performed therein and the
process advances to the next process.
[0254] FIG. 34 is a flow chart that shows the operation of the
album mode (i.e., the operation of the image storage 7).
[0255] Selecting the "Album Mode" in the "Mode Selection" page as
shown in FIG. 33 makes the CPU 7e of the image storage 7 transmit a
signal to the CPU 1h of the main body 1. Then, the CPU 1h changes
an image on the monitor 2 from a TV frame screen to an image stored
in the image storage 7. The CPU 4e transmits the data of
information on all folders stored in a memory 7f of the image
storage 7 to a frame memory 106, and makes the monitor 2 display
the information on all folders on the page "Information on All
Folders", as shown in FIG. 35. The page "Information on All
Folders" includes the thumbnails of the representative images, a
listing of information on all folders, search option items, the
"Print Mode" button, and the "Return to Television Mode"
button.
[0256] The thumbnail 30 of the representative image of folder is
arranged in order of the folder number that is assigned to each
folder as shown in FIG. 35. Since the user can select the desired
folder after identifying the thumbnail of the representative image,
he can surely select the desired folder.
[0257] The page "Information on All Folders", which is used in the
album mode, has the button of "Return to the Television Mode".
Whenever the user desires to view a TV program, he can return to
the TV frame screen by pressing the button of "Return to the
Television Mode."
[0258] The listing of information on all folders displayed on the
monitor 2 are arranged in decreasing order of the date of
photography, regardless of when folders are created, that is,
regardless of whether folders are created at the time of shooting
or at the time of storing information in a memory 47. The desired
folder can be selected by pressing the selection button 46 of which
number is same as the folder number and determined by pressing the
conclusion button 47 (S205).
[0259] The listing of information on all folders displayed on the
monitor 2 also includes condition for sort. The condition for sort
can be determined by pressing the conclusion button 47 after the
target folder is selected by pressing the selection button 46 of
the remote controller 3.
[0260] By the above-mentioned selecting operation, the
representative image corresponding to the selected desired folder
is distinguished from other images in a manner that the
representative image is bordered, or displayed brightly.
[0261] Furthermore, the "Folder/Image Search" item in the page
"Information on All Folders" can search an image or a folder as
necessary from the data of images or folders stored in the image
storage 7. To search images using the "Folder/Image Search" item in
the page "Information on All Folders", the number "0" is selected
by using a channel button 43. (S202)
[0262] When the desired folder is determined in step S205 or step
S202, compressed image data stored in the selected folder is read
in the frame memory 4m and converted to analog data. The converted
analog data is displayed as an image containing nine small images,
on the screen of the monitor 2 (S207). FIG. 36 is an explanatory
drawing that shows the displayed page "Images in a folder" in step
S207.
[0263] The page "Images in a folder" in FIG. 36 is opened from the
page "Information on All Folders" in FIG. 35 using the remote
controller 3 as follows. The remote controller 3 has numeral
buttons to select TV programs. The numeral buttons 48 of the most
widely used remote controller has the arrangement of 4.times.3 as
shown in FIG. 31. In the embodiments of the present invention, nine
numeral buttons from 1 to 9 are used.
[0264] When the image storage 7 displays the thumbnails on the
monitor 2, the thumbnails are placed in the same arrangement as
that of the numeral buttons 48. A thumbnail is selected by pressing
the numeral button located at the same position as the target
thumbnail.
[0265] Each image in a folder, which is designated as a target
image that is read out from the data stored in the image storage 7,
has a series of number. This number is displayed together with each
thumbnail. If the operator selects a thumbnail image, which is not
displayed on the monitor 2, by designating the number of the
thumbnail with the channel button 43, the thumbnail image can be
displayed jumping to the corresponding folder.
[0266] In the present embodiment, although the remote controller
has twelve numeral buttons, the present invention is not limited to
the remote controller having twelve numeral buttons. In the future,
it is expected that the number of selectable TV channel will
increase because of the tendency that multi-channel TV broadcasting
is widening. Therefore, selecting images by the remote controller
for multi-channel TV is effective in selecting stored images.
[0267] In step S202 in FIG. 34, if it is determined that
"Folder/Image Search" is selected, then the process advances to
step S203 and search condition setting is performed. After the
search condition setting, searching is performed in step S204 and
the process advances to step S207. The search condition setting in
step S203 will be described later in FIG. 37.
[0268] Then, the operation of selecting one of images displayed on
the monitor 2, as shown in FIG. 36, and viewing the image will be
explained herein later.
[0269] In step S208, the desired thumbnail is selected from
thumbnails displayed in step S207. The desired thumbnail is
selected by using the selection button 46 of the remote controller
3 and determined by pressing the conclusion button 47. Then process
advances to step S209. In step S209, the image data corresponding
to the determined thumbnail is read out from the memory 7f and
stored in a frame memory 7m. In step 210, the selected image is
displayed after the image data is converted to analog data. In step
S207, if the desired thumbnail is not found in the first frame
screen, which includes nine thumbnails, the next frame screen is
displayed by using a volume button 42 (S211). Thus, the desired
image is read out from the memory 7f and it is possible to view the
desired image on the monitor 2.
[0270] In step S211, if it is determined that the viewed image is
printed, then printing the image is selected by pressing the "Print
Mode" button displayed on the frame screen, using the selection
button 46 of the remote controller 3, and determined by pressing
the conclusion button 47.
[0271] Although it is described that the printer 9 is powered on
when the print mode is selected referring to FIG. 32, the printer 9
may be powered on if the power of the printer 9 is off when
printing is instructed in step S211, as shown in step S211 to S213
in FIG. 34. Alternatively, the above-mentioned printing instruction
is also used as a signal that makes the printer be powered on.
[0272] FIG. 37 is a flow chart that shows the operation of the
search condition setting process. FIG. 38 is an explanatory drawing
showing the page of the search condition setting menu displayed on
the monitor 2 in step S202.
[0273] The search conditions, specifically, include a frame number
that is automatically attached to the image at the time of
photography, the text data that the user inputs, such as the date
and time of photography, the title of the image, the date of
battery charge and memos.
[0274] The input data such as the title or user's name shown in
figures of the present embodiment are used as a folder name, being
recorded on a recording medium of the camera at the time of
photography. This same folder name is also used in the memory 7f.
The search condition items include the folder number in the memory
7f, the date of battery charge, the date of photography,
photographer's name, title and memos in the present embodiment.
[0275] In step S221, it is determined whether or not the search
conditions created in the past are read out from the memory 7f and
displayed on the monitor 4. This process, for example, is like the
conventional work to take out the photographic album that was
arranged in the past. Two alternative operations are selected in
step S221. If it is determined that the search conditions created
in the past are not read out from the memory 7f and displayed on
the monitor 4, then the first operation is performed, advancing to
the step S221 to S227. In the first operation, the user can select
one among preassigned option items by using the selection button 46
and determine the values with the conclusion button 47 of the
remote controller 3. If it is determined that the search conditions
created in the past are read out from the memory 7f and displayed
on the monitor 2, then the second operation is performed, advancing
to step S222, the process of reading out the search condition. The
second one is to select the "Reading Out" option item in the
"Album" item in the "Search Condition Setting" page, and to
determine the album name with the conclusion button 47.
[0276] In the first operation, one of the option items in each
search condition item that are preassigned is selected, or adequate
words are input according to instructions instructed in the "Search
Condition Setting" page. In step S223, it is determined whether or
not photographer's name is selected. If it is determined that the
photographer's name is selected, then the process advances to step
S229 and the selected photographer's name is indicated. In FIG. 38,
preassigned photographer's name includes "TARO", "HANAKO", and
"ICHIRO" as the option items, who are members of a family, and
"HANAKO" is selected as the photographer. The option item is
described later in the process of entering and saving conditions in
step S232.
[0277] In step S224, it is determined whether or not the range of
the date of photography is selected. If it is determined that the
range of the date of photography is selected, then the process
advances to step S225 and the range of the date of photography is
input therein, and the process advances to step S229. In step S226,
it is determined whether or not the title is selected, in the same
manner that is performed in step S223. The preassigned title can
use the folder name created at the time of shooting, as its own
name. If it is determined that the preassigned title is selected,
then the process advances to step S229.
[0278] In step S227, it is determined whether or not the memos are
searched. The memo searching can search memos of text data that
were created at the time of shooting or editing an album, with
partial match retrieval, over all folders. If it is determined that
the memos are searched, then the process advances to step S228 and
keywords for retrieval are input therein. Inputting keywords is
performed using a character code table, displayed on the monitor 2,
by operating the selection button 46 and the conclusion button 47
of the remote controller 3. Inputting keywords may be also
performed with a keyboard (not shown) or a pen-input device
connected to the CPU of the image storage 7.
[0279] The second operation is performed in the process of reading
out the title of the album in step S222. In step S222, the title of
the album created in the past, stored in the memory 7f, is read
out. FIG. 39 is a flow chart that shows the operation of searching
the title of the album. Referring to FIG. 39, the process starts
from step S222 by selecting the "Read Out" option of the "Album"
item in the "Search Condition Setting" page shown in FIG. 38, using
the selection button 46 of the remote controller 3. In step S240,
all search conditions stored in the folder of the titles of the
album in the memory 7f are read out and displayed as the listing on
the screen. FIG. 40 is an explanatory drawing that shows the page
of "Listing of Album Titles".
[0280] In this page of "Listing of Album Titles", the title of the
album is searched in the same manner as performed in FIG. 35. In
the flow of FIG. 39, in step S242 to S243, the required title of
the album is input and searched. In step S246 to S247, a title of
the album is selected from the displayed listing by operating the
selection button 46 and the conclusion button 47 of the remote
controller 3. The resulting titles of the album are displayed in
step S244.
[0281] In step S232 in FIG. 37, the process of saving and entering
the search conditions such as the title of the album or the memo is
performed.
[0282] FIG. 41 is a flow chart that shows the operation of saving
and entering the search conditions. This operation starts when the
"Save" option item of the "Album" item in the "Search Condition
Setting" page shown in FIG. 38 is selected with the selection
button 46 and determined with the conclusion button 47 of the
remote controller 3.
[0283] In step S250, it is determined whether the search condition
item such as the "Title" or the "Date of Photography" is added or
deleted, and likewise, it is determined whether the option item in
the search condition items is added or deleted. If it is determined
that the search condition item or the option item is added or
deleted, then the process advances to step S251. If it is
determined that the search condition item or the option item is not
added or deleted, then the process advances to step S257. In step
S257, the operation of entering the title of the album is
performed, resulting in the title of the album stored in the memory
7f. The title of the album is created by pressing the channel
button 43 using the "Character Code Table" and determined by
pressing the conclusion button 47, resulting in a file stored in
the folder of the title of the album in the memory 7f.
[0284] Furthermore, in step S250, if it is determined that the
search condition item or the option item is deleted or added,
pressing the selection button 46 of the remote controller 3
determines it. Step 251 through step 255 process deletion or
addition of the search condition item or the option item. If there
is not the item to delete, the process advances to step 256 where
the option item of the search condition item is added.
[0285] FIG. 42 is a flow chart of operation of assigning an option
item of each search condition item in accordance with embodiments
of the present invention. The flowchart is performed when search
condition items such as "Photographer," "The Date of Photography,"
"Title," and "Memo" are assigned.
[0286] The flowchart is also performed when "Image ID" or
"Photographic Condition" is added as search condition. To add
"Image ID" as a search condition, the number of option items is
entered in step S260, and the search condition name "Image ID" is
entered in step S263. In step S264, the option items of "Image ID"
such as "99041501", "99040403" and "98040203" are entered. The
entering operation of the character such as "Image ID", "99041501",
"99040403" and "98040203" is performed by pressing the channel
button 43 of the remote controller 3, using "Character Code Table",
and determined by pressing the conclusion button 47.
[0287] After the process of step S264 is performed, the number of
search condition items and option items is entered, and the similar
operation previously described is repeated, thereby search
condition items being entered.
[0288] Thus, the present invention does not need the special remote
controller for image storage 7 because the remote controller 3 for
a television set is widely used in homes and can activate the image
storage 7. Furthermore, even a person that is clumsy at handling a
machine can operate it easily because operating procedures are
displayed on the monitor.
[0289] It is desirable to display a thumbnail of the image that is
searched according to the search condition items that are entered
by the previously mentioned operation, and to add the thumbnail as
the representative image to the "Listing of Album Titles", by
adding a new step, where an arbitrary thumbnail among searched
images is selected and stored, to the flowchart shown in FIG. 41
between step 250 and S257, because the album desired to view can be
surely selected.
[0290] When the "Print Mode" menu is selected in "Mode Selection"
page 50 shown in FIG. 33, the print mode process is performed. The
print mode process is a process that outputs a desired print from
the image storage 7. Although one embodiment of print output
process is shown in step S207 to S212 in FIG. 34, the present
embodiment having higher function will be described as follows. The
explanation of the system configuration is omitted because the
present embodiment has the same system configuration. The symbols
used in the previous embodiment are also used in the present
embodiment.
(a) Memory Contents of the Image Storage
[0291] All image data taken by the digital camera are transferred
and stored in the memory 7f of the image storage 7. Folder name,
folder number, file name, or file number designated while being
transferred and recorded, or being succeeded by the data given
while taking picture, is attached to image data stored in the
memory 7f. Each image data transferred and stored in the image
storage 7 includes comments, for example, the date of photography
or various memos attached while taking picture.
[0292] A print instruction signal indicating that an image is to be
printed is attached to all image data while taking picture. The
print instruction signal can be erased by operating the digital
camera. Accordingly, in image data stored in the image storage,
image data with the print instruction signal intermingle with image
data without the print instruction signal.
(b) Selection of Print Image
[0293] A desired print is designated by attaching a print
instruction signal while taking picture with a digital camera, or
by adding the print instruction signal to a selected and displayed
image obtained by album mode processing in the print mode. Further
in the print mode, a print condition for attaching comments to a
print image or designating trimming may be set up, if necessary.
Attaching comments, designating trimming, and adding, deleting and
changing print instruction signal are described later in
detail.
[0294] Attaching comments, designating trimming and processing
regarding setting up print instruction signal may be performed in
the album mode.
(c) Print
[0295] Print mode will be described in detail by means of a flow
chart shown in FIG. 43. The flow chart shows processing performed
by the CPU 7e that is controller of the image storage 7.
[0296] When print mode starts, the image storage 7 displays print
menu 54 shown in FIG. 44 on the monitor 2 superimposing on a
current displaying image (S311). In FIG. 44, although it is
described an example that when previous mode is the album mode,
print menu is superimposed on thumbnail pictures, when previous
mode is TV mode, it is superimposed on TV image.
[0297] Print menu 54 includes "successive print", "package print"
and "setting up print condition". In step 312, processing flow is
controlled in accordance with selected menu.
[0298] When successive print is selected, flow goes to S313, an
image to be printed is selected by album mode function described
before, the image is displayed on the monitor 2, and, at the same
time, a menu indicating start printing is superimposed on it
(S314). Here, it is possible to perform interruption processing to
displayed image such as designating trimming (S315), attaching
comments (S316), or setting up print condition (S317), if
necessary. Each interruption processing will be described later.
Above described steps S313 and S314 surrounded by dotted line are
album mode function described before. Print starts by pushing down
the conclusion button 47 (S318), displayed image on the monitor 2
is printed (S319), the next image is selected (S320), and flow
returns to step S313.
[0299] When package print is selected in step S312, flow goes to
step S321, and a folder including an image to be printed is
selected by album mode function. The folder is selected by folder
name searched and designated, or by specific image searched. When
searched image is included in a plurality of files, image control
information for the searched image is written temporarily in a
folder automatically produced for printing. When above mentioned
folder is produced, the folder is selected for print. Meanwhile,
thumbnail pictures or selected images are suitably displayed by
album mode function. Further, menu for starting package print is
displayed in superimposing manner, flow goes to step S322 by
pressing the conclusion button 47, and package print starts.
[0300] In package print, all images attached with print instruction
signal in the selected folder are printed sequentially with the
designated number of print. In step S323, processing flow is
controlled in accordance with a mode (previous mode) selected by
pushing the selection button 45 of the remote controller 3.
[0301] When previous mode is TV mode, flow goes to step S331, and
TV mode processing is performed. That is, ordinary TV processing is
performed and, at the same time, printing is continued in hidden
mode (S332). Then, a signal indicating progress of printing
(remaining number of print) or finished printing is displayed on
the monitor 2 by interruption (S333). Then, flow goes back to step
S311 continuing TV mode processing.
[0302] When previous mode is the album mode, flow goes to step
S324, and an image under printing is displayed. At a same time,
progress of printing is displayed in superimposing manner (S325).
When all printing has been completed (S326), "package print
completed" is displayed (S327), and the processing is
terminated.
[0303] Or, in step S324, only images attached with print
instruction signal in selected folder are displayed in thumbnail
pictures, and progress of printing S325 may be displayed by
finished displaying thumbnail picture that is finished
printing.
[0304] When setting up print condition is selected in step S312,
flow goes to step S341, menu for setting up print condition shown
in FIG. 45 is displayed on the monitor 2 in superimposing manner.
Print condition such as print image quality, a kind of printing
paper, the number of print, need to output comment or not, setting
up comment, is input and set up by suitably selecting menu. Then,
flow goes back to step S311, and print menu is displayed again for
further selection. After this, package print is performed under
settled print condition. Successive print also performed under
settled print condition unless different condition is set in step
S317. Although the interruption processing of S317 for setting up
print condition is similar to S341, various print condition set in
this step is only effective in next print, and print condition is
returned to previous setting after finished printing. By the way, a
condition thought to be most general is being set to each item by
default.
(d) TV Mode Processing
[0305] TV mode processing in step S331 is a similar processing to
that in step S303, which makes it possible to watch TV while
performing package print. This processing is performed by the CPU
1h of the main body 1. TV mode processing is described below with
the help of flow chart shown in FIG. 46.
[0306] When TV mode processing starts, the main body 1 receives
ordinary TV broadcasting in step S351, and, in step S353, judges
whether an interruption signal S352, which indicates progress in
printing or finished printing from the CPU 7e of aforementioned the
image storage 7 shown as S333 in FIG. 43, is happened or not. When
the interruption signal S352 is not happened, flow goes to step
S355. When the interruption signal S352 is happened, flow goes to
step S354, and progress in printing or finished printing received
from the CPU 7e of the image storage 7 is displayed on the monitor
2 in superimposing manner for predetermined time, and, then, flow
goes to step S355. In step S355, the CPU 1h detects whether power
supply to the main body 1 is turned off or not. When power supply
is not turned off, flow goes back to step S351, and TV broadcasting
is continued receiving.
[0307] When it is detected in step S355 that power supply to the
main body 1 is turned off, flow goes to step S356, and whether
package print is going on in hidden mode or not is detected. When
package print is not going on, flow goes to step S360, power supply
to the main body 1, the image storage 7, and the printer 9 is
turned off, and, then, processing is terminated. When package print
is going on, flow goes to step S357, and power supply to the TV
receiver circuit of the main body 1 and the monitor 2 is turned
off. Since power supply to the image storage 7 and the printer 9 is
not turned off, package print is continued until finished printing
is detected in step S358, and signal of progress in printing or
finished printing is transmitted to the main body 1 for
interruption. When finished printing signal is detected in step
S358, flow goes to step S359, power supply to the image storage 7
and the printer 9 is turned off, power supply to the rest of the
main body 1 is turned off, and, then, processing is terminated.
[0308] By the way, it may be possible to construct such that
processing on and after step S356 is mainly performed by the CPU of
the image storage 7 to perform same effect as described above by
outputting required signal to the main body 1 or the printer if
necessary.
[0309] When power supply to the TV receiver circuit of the main
body 1 is turned off in step S357, the main body 1 records that the
processing after step S357 has been performed. When power supply to
the main body 1 is turned on next time, a comment that print exists
in the printer is displayed. At that time, whether the printer 9 is
working or stopping (including power off) is detected. It is
desirable to display progress in printing when working, or display
"finished printing" when stopping.
[0310] Further, the printer may produce electric or acoustic noise
during operation, which is liable to disturb watching TV.
Therefore, it may be constructed such that when TV mode is started,
printing is interrupted and only receiving TV broadcasting is
performed in order to be able to watch TV without difficulty, and
when power supply to the main body 1 is turned off, or when other
than TV mode is selected, TV mode processing is restarted.
[0311] In addition, the CPU 1h of the main body 1 may be modified
to transmit a control signal to the image storage 4 for making it
inoperative when the main body 1 is changed into TV mode.
(e) Processing for Print Instruction Signal
[0312] Selection or designation of image to be printed can be
performed by the digital camera as well as by the album mode. That
is, image selection in the album mode (S313) and folder selection
in the album mode (S321) shown in FIG. 32 include function for
selecting image to be printed.
[0313] For example, when thumbnail pictures within a scope of
desired image data, for example, images in specific folder or
images designated by date of photography designated in image
selection function for watching are displayed (as shown in FIG.
36), print selection mark P1 (32 in FIG. 36) is displayed
simultaneously with the right side of the image (31 in FIG. 36) on
which print instruction signal has already been attached by the
digital camera. Print selection mark is not attached to the image
(33 in FIG. 36) on which print instruction signal is not
attached.
[0314] As described above, since print instruction signal is
automatically attached when taking picture, print instruction
signal is attached to the image read in from the digital camera
unless print instruction signal is deleted by operating the digital
camera. Thereby operation procedure for printing in print mode is
simplified.
[0315] Print selection mark P1 is displayed simultaneously with any
one image selected and displayed from thumbnail pictures by image
selection function. The number following the letter "P" of print
selection mark denotes the number of prints to be printed. Print
selection mark P1 attached by the digital camera denotes one
print.
[0316] The image storage 7 can attach, change or delete print
selection mark to an image displayed on thumbnail pictures by
operating the remote controller 3 (in FIG. 31). Specifically, a
target image is selected and displayed, and the number following
the letter "P" can be increased or decreased by pushing down up
button 42A or down button 42B of the volume button 42 of the remote
controller 3. In FIG. 36, print selection mark P2 (35) changed by
above-mentioned operation is displayed beside image 34, which
denotes that the number of pint is two. When the number of print is
zero, print instruction signal is deleted and print selection mark
is disappeared. If the up button 42A is pushed down while print
selection mark is not displayed, then print selection mark P1
appears.
(f) Trimming
[0317] Trimming can be designated to an image displayed in the
album mode by using zooming function. Zooming function is activated
by pushing down the channel button 43 while an image is displayed.
Zooming up or down is performed by pushing down "+" button 43A or
"-" button 43B of the channel button 43 respectively. The range of
the zoomed image displayed on the monitor 2 becomes the range of
printing. When the conclusion button 47 is pushed down while zoomed
image is displayed, range of trimming and magnification is added to
the image data.
[0318] When the image with this information is displayed, a mark T
(36 in FIG. 36) indicating that trimming condition is recorded is
displayed right side of the image. When images are displayed in due
order by pushing the selection button 46, trimming image formed by
trimming condition added to the image is displayed after the
original image. Therefore, the same trimming image can be printed
out in the future. Further, since forming the trimming image is
started while displaying original image, apparent time for
displaying the trimming image can be short. Since additional
recording data to the memory 7f of the image storage 7 for trimming
is only trimming condition, data amount for additional recording is
small in comparison with recording trimming image.
(g) Output Comment
[0319] In step S341 for setting up print condition, when comments A
and B are set up and "request for outputting comment" is selected,
comment attached to the image is printed outside the range of image
as shown in FIG. 47. In this case, comment is displayed adjacent to
the image in a comment display 62 arranged under an image display
area 61 of the image 60 displayed in the album mode. As for the
comment, there are a comment A such as date of photography attached
at the time of taking picture and a comment B added by using the
remote controller 3 in the album mode. These comments A and B can
be revised.
[0320] If comment A attached at the time of taking picture exists,
the comment is displayed in the comment display 62 of the image 60.
Then, a cursor is moved to the position for comment B, and
additional comment B can be input at the position by using the
remote controller 3. Displayed comment can be revised in a
overwrite manner by moving a cursor to arbitrary position of the
displayed comment, and inputting revised comment.
[0321] Furthermore, since comment B added in step S341 for setting
up print condition is attached to all prints printed after the
setting up, it is convenient to attach same comment. On the other
hand, since a comment B attached in step of input print condition
(S317) of successive print is effective only in the particular
image, it is convenient to attach different comment to each
image.
[0322] By the way, comment input function (S316) while setting up
print condition (S317) can be activated by operating comment input
described above by using the numeral button 48 of the remote
controller 3 while watching image.
Third Embodiment
[0323] FIG. 48 is a perspective view of Third Embodiment of the
present invention and the configuration of an image storage 4 is
the same as that of First Embodiment of FIG. 1. On the other hand,
the digital camera 8 is the same as that of Second Embodiment of
FIG. 29.
[0324] The characteristic of Third Embodiment of FIG. 48 is
represented by a complex battery charger 12. A cable 12b connecting
complex battery charger 12 and the image storage 4 is of the IEEE
1394 standard and is same as the cable 5a of FIG. 1. On the other
hand, a cable 12c connecting complex battery charger 12 and the
digital camera 8 is a dedicated standard cable that includes a
power supply cable and a signal transmission channel like the cable
8a of FIG. 29. A cable 12a for common power source is the same as
the cable 5a of FIG. 1. Since other configuration of the present
embodiment is quite similar to that of First Embodiment of FIG. 1,
the explanation is omitted.
[0325] FIG. 49 is a schematic diagram of the system design for
Third Embodiment. In the complex battery charger 12, the cable 12c
that includes a recharge cable 12d and a signal transmission
channel 12e in conformity with the IEEE 1394 combined in one is
connected with a connecting terminal 8c. To cope with this, the
complex battery charger 12 has a connecting terminal 12f in which a
signal connector in conformity with the IEEE 1394 and a power
supply connector are combined in one. The power supply connector of
the connecting terminal 12f is connected with an AC adapter 12g and
at the same time, the signal connector is connected with an IEEE
1394 terminal 12h. With the IEEE 1394 terminal 12h, the cable 12b
of the IEEE 1394 standard is connected. A common power source is
supplied to the AC adapter 12g by way of the cable 12a.
[0326] In Third Embodiment, complex battery charger 12 is the
exclusive accessory for the digital camera 8 and the AC adapter 12g
supplies the specific voltage with the digital camera 8. With a
different digital camera 8, a different complex battery charger 12
with different voltage is to be supplied to cope with this. Thus,
the image storage 4 can be for general-purpose use. The complex
battery charger 12 does not need particularly big cost increase
since it is formed by only adding to an ordinary battery charger
IEEE 1394 terminal to connect with the image storage 4, and,
preparing the connecting terminal combining the power supply
connector and the signal connector to connect the digital camera 8,
and, only wiring them.
Fourth Embodiment
[0327] FIG. 50 is a perspective view of Fourth Embodiment of the
present invention. In this embodiment, each function of First
Embodiment of FIG. 1 is integrated in one television set. To
illustrate the detail of that in relation with FIG. 1, the main
body 1 and the monitor 2 are separate in First Embodiment, but in
Fourth Embodiment of FIG. 50, they are configured as an ordinary
television set. The main body 1 including a tuner is housed in a
case 13 together with a monitor 14. Other functions corresponding
to the image storage 4 in First Embodiment are also incorporated in
the case 13.
[0328] Since in Fourth Embodiment, the main body 1 and functions
corresponding to the image storage 4 in First Embodiment are
integrated in one as an ordinary television set, it is possible to
memorize a program to control the main body 1 as well as image data
in a large capacity memory 4f consisting of a hard disc for the
image storage 4.
[0329] A storage space 15 is for a digital camera 18, and when a
door 16 is closed, the digital camera stored is shut tight and is
made dust-proof. The storage space 15 is located at the place least
affected by the heat and the electromagnetic wave emitted form
television set and walls of the storage space may be made
heat-resistant and anti-electromagnetic-wave structure as occasion
demands.
[0330] A docking station 17 in FIG. 50 corresponds to the docking
station 5 in FIG. 1 and is exclusively for the digital camera 18
and is interchangeable in accordance with the type of the digital
camera. The docking station 17 has standardized a power supply
connector and a signal connector, and when it is fixed to the
bottom of the storage space 15, these connectors are connected with
corresponding connectors of the main body 1. The storage space 15
has enough space so as to cope with various types of cameras and
docking stations, and only the connector between the docking
station and its arrangement is standardized.
[0331] To illustrate the condition of use in Fourth Embodiment, the
state that the desired docking station 17 is fixed to the storage
space 15 is standby state, and the digital camera 18 is, for
example, used outdoors. When coming back home, only opening the
door 16 and storing the digital camera 18 on the docking station 17
of the storage space 15 that is the usual storing place, and
closing the door 16 finishes the basic procedure. In such using
environment, first of all, there is no possibility of losing the
digital camera, since it is stored in the fixed storage place all
the time. Charge of battery and take-in of images are made
automatically during being stored and the memory is emptied out.
Therefore, at the time of next use, it won't be necessary to look
for the camera and to worry about the power source and free memory
space for picture taking. Besides, as pictures taken in the past
are surely stored in the image storage of television set, there is
no possibility of loosing negatives or prints, as in the case of
silver-halide film camera. Required picture can be found without
fail, by searching in the image storage with looking at the monitor
14. And, as the image storage is an electronic file, efficient
searching method can be conducted.
[0332] In Fourth Embodiment of FIG. 50, printer function and
communication function are also incorporated inside case 13. A
modular jack 19 is for coping with communication inside television
set and also for connecting to the telephone 11. The system also
includes a printer paper discharge slot 20 and the cover 21 for
printer paper supply. Common power source is supplied by way of a
cable 22 for all such functions of television set.
[0333] Details of functions and operation in Fourth Embodiment of
FIG. 50 are basically the same as those in other Embodiments of the
present invention, and they are operated by means of a remote
controller.
[0334] In Fourth Embodiment, a card slot corresponding to the card
slot 4s of First Embodiment is prepared in the position not seen in
FIG. 50, digital still image can also be input from a card memory
inserted in this card slot, apart from by storing the digital
camera 18.
Fifth Embodiment
[0335] An other Fifth Embodiment of the present invention will be
described below.
[0336] Although an image storage and a printer are separate in
First Embodiment to Fourth Embodiment, they are combined in one in
Fifth Embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those in
other Embodiments.
[0337] As shown in FIG. 51(a), the printer 9 is formed as a
separate unit from the image storage 7 and is mounted on the image
storage 7. In the top cover of the image storage 7, alignment means
as a hollow 7A is provided for engaging with projected parts 9A
arranged in the bottom plate of the printer 9 in order to mount the
printer steadily. Signal transmission means 7B and 9B such as a
connector terminal and a photo coupler are provided in the top
cover of the image storage 7 and bottom plate of the printer 9 to
transmit image data and controlling signals between the storage 7
and the printer 9. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 51(b), print output
can be ready if the printer 9 is just mounted on at the fixed
position of the image storage 7.
[0338] Installation space can be saved since the image storage 7
and the printer 9 are integrated in one (vertically). As they can
also be separated, when either of them is out of order, that part
only can be repaired or exchanged.
[0339] According to the present invention, still images taken by a
digital camera can be searched, viewed and printed as easily as
with conventional silver-halide picture album and television
broadcast can be watched as much as possible.
* * * * *