U.S. patent application number 13/802116 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-03 for electronic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Corporation. Invention is credited to Toru Hino, Yoichi HIRATA, Mitsuru Kashihara, Kazuyuki Murakami, Hironori Nakano, Takeshi Saeki.
Application Number | 20130262709 13/802116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44083121 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130262709 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HIRATA; Yoichi ; et
al. |
October 3, 2013 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
An electronic device comprises a plurality of memory components,
a connector, a receiver, and a communication component. The
connector is configured to operatively connect the electronic
device to an external device. The external device is capable of
individually recognizing the memory components one at a time or
simultaneously recognizing only a few of the memory components. The
receiver is configured to receive a select instruction that
specifies which of the memory components will be recognized by the
external device. The communication component is configured to
automatically communicate with the external device to permit the
external device to automatically recognize at least one of the
memory components as a predefined memory component. The
communication component is further configured to communicate with
the external device when the receiver receives the select
instruction to permit the external device to recognize at least one
memory components according to the select instruction.
Inventors: |
HIRATA; Yoichi; (Osaka,
JP) ; Hino; Toru; (Osaka, JP) ; Saeki;
Takeshi; (Osaka, JP) ; Murakami; Kazuyuki;
(Osaka, JP) ; Kashihara; Mitsuru; (Osaka, JP)
; Nakano; Hironori; (Osaka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Corporation |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
44083121 |
Appl. No.: |
13/802116 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12961503 |
Dec 7, 2010 |
|
|
|
13802116 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
710/5 ;
710/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 13/102 20130101;
G06F 3/0659 20130101; G06F 11/3065 20130101; G06F 15/177 20130101;
G06F 2213/0042 20130101; G06F 12/0646 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
710/5 ;
710/19 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/06 20060101
G06F003/06; G06F 11/30 20060101 G06F011/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 8, 2009 |
JP |
2009-278120 |
Claims
1. An electronic device comprising: a plurality of memory
components; a connector configured to operatively connect the
electronic device to a first external device and a second external
device, the first external device being capable of individually
recognizing each of the plurality of memory components one at a
time or simultaneously recognizing only a few of the plurality of
memory components, and the second external device being capable of
simultaneously recognizing each of the plurality of memory
components; and a display component configured to automatically
display a selection screen once the electronic device is connected
to the first external device so as to allow a user to select which
of the plurality of memory components will be recognized by the
first external device, the display component being further
configured to not display the selection screen when the electronic
device is connected to the second external device or to discontinue
displaying the selection screen once the electronic device is
connected to the second external device.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a determination component configured to automatically determine the
type of external device connected to the electronic device, wherein
the display component is further configured to automatically
display the selection screen once the determination component has
determined that the first external device is connected to the
electronic device, and wherein the display component is further
configured to not display the selection screen when the second
external device is connected to electronic device or to discontinue
displaying the selection screen once the determination component
has determined that the second external device is connected to the
electronic device.
3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: the
determination component is further configured to determine the type
of external device on the basis of a signal sent from at least one
of the first external device and the second external device.
4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:
an imaging element configured to create an image data of a subject;
and a data controlling component configured to store the image data
in at least one of the plurality of memory components, the data
controlling component being further configured to instruct the
image data to be sent from the at least one of the plurality of
memory components to at least one of the first external device and
the second external device, according to a command sent from at
least one of the first external device and the second external
device.
5. A method for controlling the electronic device which includes a
plurality of memory components, the method comprising: connecting
the electronic device to a first external device and a second
external device; the first external device individually recognizing
each of a plurality of the memory components one at a time, or
simultaneously recognizing only a few of the plurality of the
memory components; the second external device simultaneously
recognizing each of the plurality of memory components;
automatically displaying a selection screen once the electronic
device is connected to the first external device, the selection
screen configured to allow a user to select which of the plurality
of memory components will be recognized by the first external
device; displaying something other than the selection screen when
the electronic device is connected to the second external device or
to discontinuing the display of the selection screen once the
electronic device is connected to the second external device.
6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:
automatically determining the type of external device connected to
the electronic device; and automatically displaying the selection
screen once the determination component has determined that the
first external device is connected to the electronic device; and
displaying something other than the selection screen when the
second external device is connected to the electronic device or
discontinue the display of the selection screen once the
determination component has determined that the second external
device is connected to the electronic device.
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: determining
the type of external device based on at least one of a signal sent
from at least one of the first external device and the second
external device.
8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: creating an
image data of a subject; storing the image data in at least one of
the plurality of memory components; instructing the image data to
be sent from the at least one of the plurality of memory components
to at least one of the first external device and the second
external device, according to a command sent from at least one of
the first external device and the second external device.
9. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the
determination component is further configured to determine the type
of external device on the basis of a signal sent from the first
external device and/or a signal sent from the second external
device.
10. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:
an imaging element configured to create an image data of a subject;
and a data controlling component configured to store the image data
in at least one of the plurality of memory components, the data
controlling component being further configured to instruct the
image data to be sent from the at least one of the plurality of
memory components to either the first external device and/or the
second external device according to a command sent from either the
first external device and/or the second external device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a divisional application of application Ser. No.
12/961,503, filed on Dec. 7, 2010, which claims priority to
Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-278120, filed on Dec. 8, 2009.
The entire disclosures of application Ser. No. 12/961,503 and
Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-278120 are hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an electronic device. More
specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic device
that allows connection with an external device.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-202234 discloses a USB
switching device that controls the switching of a USB communication
path. This USB switching device switches between a digital still
camera (DSC)-printer connection state and a DSC-storage device
connection state, on the basis of a switching signal from a storage
device.
SUMMARY
[0006] It has been discovered that if the user tries to make a USB
connection between a DSC and an external device, e.g., a printer or
a storage device, using the device disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application No. 2006-202234 above, the operation remains
problematic.
[0007] In view of the state of the known technology, one object of
the present invention is to provide an electronic device in which
connection to an external device can be accomplished by a
relatively simple operation.
[0008] In order to achieve the above object of the present
invention, an electronic device is provided comprising a plurality
of memory components, a connector, a receiver, and a communication
component. The connector is configured to operatively connect the
electronic device to a first external device. The first external
device is capable of individually recognizing the plurality of
memory components one at a time or simultaneously recognizing only
a few of the plurality of memory components. The receiver is
configured to receive a select instruction that specifies which of
the memory components will be recognized by the first external
device. The communication component is configured to automatically
communicate with the first external device to permit the first
external device to automatically recognize at least one of the
memory components as a predefined memory component. The
communication component is further configured to communicate with
the first external device when the receiver receives the select
instruction to permit the first external device to recognize at
least one memory component according to the select instruction.
[0009] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the following detailed description, which, taken in
conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses embodiments of the
present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system including a digital
video camera and an external device;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of
the digital video camera;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of
initial communication;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the startup operation of
application software;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the decision operation of
a memory medium;
[0015] FIG. 6A is a diagram of a screen displayed on a liquid
crystal monitor during initial communication, and FIG. 6B is a
diagram of a screen displayed on a liquid crystal monitor after
completion of initial communication;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a medium selection screen;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the startup operation of
application software pertaining to a modification example;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the decision operation of
a memory medium pertaining to a modification example;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the startup operation of
application software pertaining to another modification
example;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the decision operation
of a memory medium pertaining to another modification example;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a medium selection screen pertaining
to a modification example; and
[0022] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a medium selection screen pertaining
to a modification example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0023] Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to
the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments
are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of
limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0024] An example of applying the present invention to a digital
video camera will now be described through reference to the
drawings.
1-1. Overview
[0025] The digital video camera 100 pertaining to this embodiment
has a USB (universal serial bus) 290. The digital video camera 100
can be connected via the USB 290 to various kinds of external
device, such as a personal computer or a DVD (digital versatile
disc) recorder.
[0026] The user can connect the digital video camera 100 with a
personal computer, a DVD recorder, or another such external device
by a relatively simple operation.
1-2. Configuration
1-2-1. Configuration of Entire System
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the digital video camera 100 pertaining
to this embodiment is connected via the USB 290 to an external
device to configure an entire system. With this system, the
external device can access a HDD (hard disk drive) 320 and/or a
memory card 240 within the digital video camera 100.
[0028] 1-2-2. Configuration of Digital Video Camera
[0029] The electrical configuration of the digital video camera 100
pertaining to this embodiment will be described through reference
to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration
of the digital video camera 100. The digital video camera 100 uses
a CCD image sensor 180 to capture an image of a subject formed by
an optical system composed of a zoom lens 110, etc. The image data
produced by the CCD image sensor 180 is subjected to various
processing by an image processor 190 and stored in the HDD320
and/or the memory card 240. The image data stored in the HDD320
and/or the memory card 240 can be displayed on a liquid crystal
monitor 270. The configuration of the digital video camera 100 will
now be described in detail.
[0030] The optical system of the digital video camera 100 includes
the zoom lens 110, an Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) 140, and a
focus lens 170. The zoom lens 110 can enlarge or reduce a subject
image by moving along the optical axis of the optical system. The
focus lens 170 adjusts the focus of the subject image by moving
along the optical axis of the optical system.
[0031] The OIS 140 has an internal correction lens that can move
within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The OIS 140
stabilizes the subject image by driving the correction lens in a
direction that cancels out shake of the digital video camera
100.
[0032] A zoom motor 130 drives the zoom lens 110. The zoom motor
130 may be a pulse motor, a DC motor, a linear motor, a servo
motor, or the like. The zoom motor 130 may drive the zoom lens 110
via a cam mechanism, a ball screw, or another such mechanism. A
detector 120 detects the position where the zoom lens 110 is
located on the optical axis. The detector 120 outputs a signal
related to the position of the zoom lens by means of a brush or
other such switch according to the amount of movement of the zoom
lens 110 in the optical axis direction.
[0033] An OIS actuator 150 drives and moves the correcting lens
inside the OIS 140 within a plane that is perpendicular to the
optical axis. The OIS actuator 150 can be a plane coil, an
ultrasonic motor, or the like. A detector 160 detects the amount of
movement of the correcting lens inside the OIS 140.
[0034] The CCD image sensor 180 produces image data by capturing a
subject image formed by the optical system composed of the zoom
lens 110, etc. The CCD image sensor 180 performs exposure,
transfer, electronic shuttering, and various other such
operations.
[0035] The image processor 190 subjects the image data produced by
the CCD image sensor 180 to various processing and thereby produce
image data for display on the liquid crystal monitor 270, or
produces image data to be re-stored in the HDD 320 and/or the
memory card 240. For example, the image processor 190 subjects the
image data produced by the CCD image sensor 180 to gamma
correction, white balance correction, scratch correction, and
various other such processing. The image processor 190 also
compresses the image data produced by the CCD image sensor 180,
using a compression format that conforms to the MPEG2 standard, the
H.246 standard, or the like. The image processor 190 can be a DSP,
a microprocessor, or the like.
[0036] A controller 210 is a control unit that controls the entire
digital video camera 100. The controller 210 can be a semiconductor
element or the like. The controller 210 may be constituted by
hardware alone, or a combination of hardware and software. In this
embodiment, the controller 210 is a microprocessor. The controller
210 reads and executes control programs held in an internal memory
280, and thereby operates as a communication component 210a, a
determination component 210b, a data controlling component 210c,
etc., to control, for example, the liquid crystal monitor 270 and
other devices in the digital video camera 100. The operation of the
communication component 210a, the determination component 210b, and
the data controlling component 210c will be described in detail
below.
[0037] A memory 200 functions as a working memory for the image
processor 190 and the controller 210. The memory 200 is a DRAM, a
ferroelectric memory, or the like, for example.
[0038] The liquid crystal monitor 270 is able to display an image
corresponding to the image data produced by the CCD image sensor
180, an image corresponding to the image data read out from the HDD
320 and/or the memory card 240, etc. In another embodiment, an
organic EL display, a plasma display, or another such display
capable of displaying images can be used in place of the liquid
crystal monitor 270.
[0039] A gyro sensor 220 has a piezoelectric element or another
such vibrating material. The gyro sensor 220 obtains angular
velocity information by converting the Coriolis force exerted on
the vibrating material, which is vibrated at a specific frequency,
into voltage. The controller 210 obtains angular velocity
information from the gyro sensor 220. The controller 210 corrects
any effect of shaking of the user's hand by driving the correcting
lens inside the OIS 140 in the direction of canceling out the shake
indicated by the angular velocity information.
[0040] The memory card 240 can be inserted into and removed from a
card slot 230. The card slot 230 can be mechanically and
electrically connected to the memory card 240. The memory card 240
includes an internal flash memory, ferroelectric memory, etc. The
memory card 240 is a storage medium that records video data and so
forth captured by the digital video camera 100.
[0041] The internal memory 280 can be a flash memory, ferroelectric
memory, or the like. The internal memory 280 holds control programs
and so forth for controlling the entire digital video camera
100.
[0042] A manipulation member 250 is an operating interface that
receives image capture commands and other various commands from the
user. A zoom lever 260 receives zoom ratio change commands from the
user.
[0043] The USB 290 is an interface for connecting the digital video
camera 100 with a personal computer or other such external device.
For example, the USB 290 and the USB of a personal computer or
other such external device can be connected via a USB cable. The
digital video camera 100 can send and receive data to and from an
external device, and can receive power supply from an external
device, via the USB 290.
[0044] An AC adapter connection terminal 300 is an interface for
connecting the digital video camera 100 to an AC adapter. The
digital video camera 100 can receive power supply from an AC
adapter via the AC adapter connection terminal 300.
[0045] A battery 310 is a chargeable battery for supplying power to
the digital video camera 100.
[0046] The HDD 320 is a storage medium that is incorporated into
the main body of the digital video camera 100. The HDD 320 is a
storage medium that records video data and/or the like captured by
the digital video camera 100.
1-2-3. Correspondence to Elements of the Embodiments
[0047] The memory card 240 and the HDD 320 are examples of memory
components of the present invention. A DVD recorder is one example
of a first external device. A personal computer is an example of a
second external device. The USB 290 is one example of a connector.
The manipulation member 250 is one example of a receiver. The
communication component 210a of the controller 210 is an example of
a communication component. The determination component 210b of the
controller 210 is one example of a determination component. The
data controlling component 210c of the controller 210 is one
example of a data controlling component 210c. The liquid crystal
monitor 270 is one example of a display component. The CCD image
sensor 180 is one example of an imaging element.
1-3. Operation
[0048] The various operations of the digital video camera 100
pertaining to this embodiment will be described through reference
to the drawings.
1-3-1. Initial Communication Between External Device and Digital
Video Camera
[0049] The initial communication between the digital video camera
100 and a personal computer, DVD recorder, or other such external
device will be described through reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a
sequence diagram illustrating the flow of the initial
communication.
[0050] The user can connect the digital video camera 100 to an
external device via the USB 290. Once an external device is
connected to the USB 290, the communication component 210a of the
digital video camera 100 notifies the external device that a USB
connection has been made (S100).
[0051] Upon receipt of a notification that a USB connection has
been made, the external device requests device information about
the digital video camera 100 from the communication component 210a
(S110). The device information here is information related to the
name of the device, the number and types of storage media included
in the device, and so on.
[0052] Upon receipt of the request for device information, the
communication component 210a responds to the external device with
the requested device information (S120). Upon receipt of this
response, the external device notifies the communication component
210a that the device information has been properly received, that
is, that the digital video camera 100 has been properly recognized
(S130).
[0053] After the notification of the proper receipt of device
information, the external device requests detailed information
about one or more of all the storage media included in the digital
video camera 100 from the communication component 210a (S140). The
detailed information about a storage medium here is information
related to the capacity of the storage medium, the number of blocks
of the storage medium, and so on. A personal computer requests
detailed information about all the storage media included in the
digital video camera 100. A DVD recorder, on the other hand,
requests detailed information about only a predetermined storage
medium (default storage medium) out of all the storage media
included in the digital video camera 100.
[0054] Upon receipt of a request for detailed information about a
storage medium or media, the communication component 210a responds
to the external device with the requested detailed information
(S150). As a result, a personal computer becomes in a state in
which it recognizes all the storage media included in the digital
video camera 100. On the other hand, a DVD recorder becomes in a
state in which it recognizes only a predetermined storage medium
out of all the storage media included in the digital video camera
100.
[0055] With the above operation, the initial communication between
the external device and the digital video camera 100 is completed.
This completion of initial communication establishes communication
between the digital video camera 100 and the external device via
the USB 290. More specifically, completion of initial communication
establishes communication between the digital video camera 100 and
a personal computer in a state in which both of the two storage
media (the memory card 240 and the HDD 320) of the digital video
camera 100 are recognized. Meanwhile, completion of initial
communication establishes communication between the digital video
camera 100 and a DVD recorder in a state in which one of the two
storage media (the memory card 240 and the HDD 320) of the digital
video camera 100 is recognized.
[0056] This initial communication is automatically begun once an
external device is connected to the USB 290. Therefore, the
above-mentioned communication is automatically established once the
user connects an external device to the USB 290 of the digital
video camera 100.
[0057] The operation after completion of initial communication will
now be described.
1-3-2. Startup Operation of Application Software in External
Device
[0058] The operation of the external device after the completion of
initial communication between the external device and the digital
video camera 100 will be described through reference to FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the startup operation of
application software in an external device. The external device is
in a state in which it is connected to the digital video camera 100
via the USB 290. Here, a personal computer and a DVD recorder will
be used as examples of external devices.
[0059] First, the operation of the personal computer will be
described. Application software and resident software corresponding
to the digital video camera 100 have been installed in this
personal computer ahead of time. Resident software is software that
causes the personal computer to execute processing for monitoring
the connection of a device to the personal computer. Resident
software is automatically started up once a device is connected to
the personal computer. Application software is software that causes
the personal computer to execute processing such as the editing of
moving pictures and/or still pictures outputted from the digital
video camera 100 to the personal computer.
[0060] The resident software (more precisely, the controller of the
personal computer that executes resident software, the same shall
apply hereinafter) executes initial communication with the device
connected to the personal computer (S200). If the device connected
to the personal computer is the digital video camera 100, the
initial communication shown in FIG. 3 is executed.
[0061] Upon completion of this initial communication (S200), the
resident software in the personal computer determines whether or
not the device connected to the personal computer is a target
device (S210). The "target device" here is a device that has been
recognized ahead of time by the resident software to be a device to
which the resident software can start up the application software.
The resident software recognizes the digital video camera 100 as a
target device ahead of time.
[0062] If the device is determined not to be a target device, the
resident software ends the operation.
[0063] On the other hand, if the device is determined to be a
target device, the resident software sends the digital video camera
100 a medium selection screen switch-off command (S220). The
"medium selection screen switch-off command" here is a command to
switch off the medium selection screen (discussed below) from the
liquid crystal monitor 270. Upon sending of a medium selection
screen switch-off command to the digital video camera 100, the
resident software starts up the application software (S230).
[0064] Next, the operation of the DVD recorder will be described.
The controller of the DVD recorder automatically executes the
initial communication shown in FIG. 3 once the digital video camera
100 is connected to the DVD recorder. Upon completion of the
initial communication (S300), the DVD recorder immediately starts
up the application software (S310). This application software is
software that causes the DVD recorder to execute moving picture
and/or still picture recording, reproduction, or other such
processing.
1-3-3. Operation of Determining Storage Media of Digital Video
Camera
[0065] The operation of the digital video camera 100 after
completion of initial communication between the external device and
the digital video camera 100 will be described through reference to
FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the decision operation
of the storage media of the digital video camera 100. The
processing in FIG. 5 performed by the digital video camera 100 is
executed in parallel with the processing in FIG. 4 performed by the
external device. The decision operation of the storage media of the
digital video camera 100 is automatically executed once an external
device is connected to the USB 290.
[0066] Upon completion of the initial communication (S400) shown in
FIG. 3, the determination component 210b of the controller 210
determines whether or not a medium selection screen switch-off
command has been received from the external device (S410). During
initial communication, the controller 210 displays the screen of
FIG. 6A on the liquid crystal monitor 270. After completion of the
initial communication, the controller 210 instructs the liquid
crystal monitor 270 to display the screen illustrated in FIG. 6B.
The screen displays the medium selection screen illustrated in
FIGS. 7, 12 and 13, which is generated when the controller 210
received information from the internal memory 280.
[0067] If it is determined that a medium selection screen
switch-off command has been received, the controller 210 executes
step S420. If a medium selection screen (discussed below) is being
displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 270, the controller 210
controls the liquid crystal monitor 270 so as to switch off the
medium selection screen (S420). On the other hand, if a medium
selection screen is not being displayed on the liquid crystal
monitor 270, the controller 210 does nothing (S420). The liquid
crystal monitor 270 displays the screen of FIG. 6B at the point
when step S420 comes to an end.
[0068] Meanwhile, if it is determined that no medium selection
screen switch-off command has been received, the controller 210
controls the liquid crystal monitor 270 so that the medium
selection screen of FIG. 7 is displayed (S430). The medium
selection screen is a screen that allows the user to input a select
instruction and thereby allows the user to select which of the two
storage media (the memory card 240 and the HDD 320) of the digital
video camera 100 is to be recognized by the external device. The
select instruction is an instruction with which the user shows the
digital video camera 100 which of the plurality of memory
components are to be recognized by the external device. In other
words, the medium selection screen prompts the user to select
either the memory card 240 or the HDD 320 as the storage medium to
be recognized by the external device. That is, the medium selection
screen asks the user to select either the memory card 240 or the
HDD 320 as the storage medium that the external device is to
recognize.
[0069] After step S430, the controller 210 determines whether or
not the user has selected a storage medium on the medium selection
screen (S440). The user can select a storage medium on the medium
selection screen by manipulating the manipulation member 250. The
manipulation member 250 is a member that receives the select
instruction from the user. The manipulation member 250 may be a
button, or may be a touch panel provided to the liquid crystal
monitor 270. In short, the manipulation member 250 may be any
interface with which the controller 210 can be made to recognize
the selection of a storage medium by the user. If it is determined
that no storage medium has been selected, the controller 210 again
performs the determination of step S410. On the other hand, if it
is determined that a storage medium has been selected, the
controller 210 determines which storage medium was selected by the
user (S450).
[0070] If it is determined that the HDD 320 was selected, the
digital video camera 100 and the external device again perform the
initial communication of FIG. 3 (S460). At that time, if the DVD
recorder is connected to the USB 290, the communication component
210a sends the DVD recorder detailed information about the HDD 320
in step S150, which is included in the initial communication.
Therefore, when the initial communication (S460) is complete, the
DVD recorder becomes in a state in which the HDD 320 of the digital
video camera 100 has been mounted (recognized) (S470).
[0071] On the other hand, if it is determined that the memory card
240 was selected, the digital video camera 100 and the external
device again perform the initial communication of FIG. 3 (S480). At
that time, if the DVD recorder is connected to the USB 290, the
communication component 210a sends the DVD recorder detailed
information about the memory card 240 in step S150, which is
included in the initial communication. Therefore, when the initial
communication (S480) is complete, the DVD recorder becomes in a
state in which the memory card 240 of the digital video camera 100
has been mounted (recognized) (S490).
[0072] The digital video camera 100 receives a medium selection
screen switch-off command only when the digital video camera 100 is
connected to a personal computer. That is, a medium selection
screen switch-off command is a signal that causes the digital video
camera 100 to recognize the type of external device (whether it is
a personal computer or a DVD recorder) connected to the digital
video camera 100. Therefore, the above-mentioned step S410 is a
step of determining the type of external device connected to the
digital video camera 100.
1-4. Data Controlling Component
[0073] The external device such as, for example, a personal
computer or a DVD recorder, can read data from the memory card 240
and/or the HDD320, whichever the external device is currently
recognizing. The data controlling component 210c stores the image
data recorded by the user in the memory card 240 and/or the HDD320.
The data controlling component 210 send the external device the
data (including the image data) stored in the memory card 240
and/or the HDD320 according to a command sent from the external
device.
1-5. Features of Digital Video Camera
[0074] Once a DVD recorder is connected to the digital video camera
100, the digital video camera 100 automatically executes initial
communication and causes the DVD recorder to recognize the default
storage medium. The DVD recorder is a type of external device
capable of simultaneously recognizing only some of the plurality of
storage media of the digital video camera 100. Therefore,
communication between the DVD recorder and the digital video camera
100 can be established in plug-and-play fashion, without requiring
the user to go through a complicated operation.
[0075] Also, once a DVD recorder is connected to the digital video
camera 100, the digital video camera 100 automatically displays a
medium selection screen on the liquid crystal monitor 270 upon
completion of the initial communication. The medium selection
screen is a screen that receives an instruction from the user with
which the storage medium to be recognized by the DVD recorder is
selected from among the two storage media (the memory card 240 and
the HDD 320) of the digital video camera 100. When the digital
video camera 100 is instructed via the medium selection screen to
change the storage medium, it executes initial communication again,
and causes the DVD recorder to recognize the storage medium
indicated by this instruction. Consequently, the user can easily
have the DVD recorder recognize a storage medium other than the
default storage medium.
[0076] Also, once a DVD recorder is connected to the digital video
camera 100, the digital video camera 100 automatically executes
initial communication to cause the DVD recorder to recognize the
default storage medium, and automatically causes the liquid crystal
monitor 270 to display the medium selection screen after completion
of initial communication. Consequently, if the usage frequency of
the default storage medium by the user is generally greater than
the usage frequency of other storage media, in most cases the
storage medium desired by the user will be recognized by the DVD
recorder in plug-and-play fashion. Furthermore, if necessary, the
user can select a storage medium other than the default storage
medium with the medium selection screen. The default storage medium
may be set to one with a storage capacity that is greater than that
of other storage media, or may be set to one with a data read speed
that is greater than that of other storage media, or may be set to
one determined to be suitable on the basis of survey results, or
can be set to any other storage medium.
[0077] Also, the medium selection screen is displayed on the liquid
crystal monitor 270, which allows the user to visually understand
the choices of the storage medium to be recognized by the external
device. As a result, changing the storage medium to be recognized
by the external device can be accomplished easily and
intuitively.
[0078] Also, once a personal computer is connected to the digital
video camera 100, the digital video camera 100 automatically
executes initial communication. A personal computer is a type of
external device capable of simultaneously recognizing all of the
plurality of storage media included in the digital video camera
100. As a result, regardless of whether the user connects a
personal computer or a DVD recorder to the digital video camera
100, communication between the digital video camera 100 and the
external device can be automatically established in plug-and-play
fashion. Consequently, the user can start communication between the
digital video camera 100 and the external device automatically,
merely by connecting the two, without going to the trouble of
making a selection, etc.
[0079] Also, once a DVD recorder is connected to the digital video
camera 100, the digital video camera 100 automatically displays a
medium selection screen on the liquid crystal monitor 270, but when
a personal computer is connected to the digital video camera 100,
either a medium selection screen is not displayed on the liquid
crystal monitor 270, or, if a medium selection screen is already
being displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 270, it is switched
off. The digital video camera 100 executes the different processing
according to the type of external device which is connected to the
digital video camera 100, so that the user does not need to do any
unnecessary operations.
Other Embodiments
[0080] Embodiment 1 was described above as an embodiment of the
present invention, but the present invention is not limited to or
by these. Other embodiments of the present invention will be
described in this section.
[0081] In Embodiment 1, a digital video camera was used as an
example of an electronic device pertaining to the present
invention, but the present invention can also be applied to other
electronic devices having a plurality of storage media.
[0082] Also, in Embodiment 1, a hard disk drive and a memory card
were given as examples of a plurality of storage media (or memory
components), but the present invention is not necessarily limited
to these examples. The present invention can be applied to an
electronic device equipped with a flash memory, a hard disk drive,
and a memory card, an electronic device equipped with two memory
cards, or other various electronic devices having a plurality of
media. In other words, in Embodiment 1 there were two storage media
that the DVD recorder could recognize, and there was one default
storage medium. In other embodiments, however, there may be three
or more storage media that the DVD recorder can recognize. In this
case, there may be two or more default storage media.
[0083] Also, in Embodiment 1 a medium selection screen switch-off
command was sent from the personal computer to the digital video
camera 100, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to
such a situation. For instance, instead of a medium selection
screen switch-off command, any command can be sent that can notify
to the effect that an external device is able to simultaneously
recognize all of the storage media of the digital video camera
100.
[0084] Also, in Embodiment 1 the USB 290 was given as an example of
a connector, but the present invention is not necessarily limited
to this. Any connector that allows bidirectional communication
between the digital video camera 100 and an external device may be
used.
[0085] Also, in Embodiment 1 a medium selection screen was
automatically displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 270 once the
DVD recorder was connected to the USB 290, but a medium selection
screen does not necessarily have to be displayed in plug-and-play
fashion. For example, the user may use the manipulation member 250
to direct that a medium selection screen be displayed at the
desired timing.
[0086] Also, in Embodiment 1 a medium selection screen switch-off
command was sent from the personal computer to the digital video
camera 100 in order for the digital video camera 100 to recognize
the type of external device connected to the digital video camera
100. However, the digital video camera 100 can recognize the type
of external device connected to the digital video camera 100 in
some other way.
[0087] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, both the personal computer
and the DVD recorder may send the digital video camera 100 signals
that allow the respective types to be identified. In this case, the
processing of FIG. 5 can be modified to the processing of FIG. 9,
for example. More specifically, in step S410, the processing is
ended when a specific signal has been sent from the personal
computer and the processing moves to step S430 when a specific
signal has been sent from the DVD recorder. If a determination of
"no" is made in step S440, the processing returns to step S440,
rather than going to step S410.
[0088] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, only the DVD recorder
may send a specific signal to the digital video camera 100. In this
case, the processing of FIG. 5 can be modified to the processing of
FIG. 11, for example. More specifically, if a determination of "no"
is made in step S410, step S410 is repeated. Furthermore, if a
determination of "no" is made in step S440, the processing returns
to step S440, rather than going to step S410.
[0089] As described above, if a specific signal is sent from the
personal computer and/or the recorder, the determination component
210b is able to determine the type of external device connected to
the digital video camera 100.
[0090] Also, the medium selection screen is not limited to the
example shown in FIG. 7, and may instead be as shown in FIG. 12 or
13, for example. That is, the medium selection screen need not be a
screen on which all of the storage media included in the digital
video camera 100 are given as options as shown in FIG. 7, and may
instead be a screen on which the currently selected storage medium
option is omitted as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and only options for
the storage media not currently selected are given.
[0091] The screen in FIG. 12 is a screen that receives an
instruction to change the storage medium to be recognized by the
DVD recorder from the HDD 320 to the memory card 240 when the HDD
320 has been connected to the USB 290. If the user wants to select
the HDD 320, he or she can make the selection to do nothing, but if
the user wants to select the memory card 240, he or she can make
the selection to press the icon for the memory card 240. Similarly,
the screen in FIG. 13 is a screen that receives an instruction to
change the storage medium to be recognized by the DVD recorder from
the memory card 240 to the HDD 320 when the memory card 240 has
been connected to the USB 290. If the user wants to select the
memory card 240, he or she can make the selection to do nothing,
but if the user wants to select the HDD 320, he or she can make the
selection to press the icon for the HDD 320. That is, the medium
selection screens shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are screens that allow
the user to select which of the two storage media (the memory card
240 and the HDD 320) of the digital video camera 100 is to be
recognized by the external device.
[0092] Also, in Embodiment 1, a DVD recorder was given as an
example of an external device (first external device) of a type
capable of simultaneously recognizing only some of the plurality of
storage media of the digital video camera 100, and a personal
computer was given as an example of an external device (second
external device) of a type capable of simultaneously recognizing
all of the plurality of storage media of the digital video camera
100. However, the present invention is not limited to or by these
examples. For instance, when USB connection is assumed, any device
equipped with an OS (operating system) that can simultaneously
recognize a plurality of logical units can be used as the second
external device. Meanwhile, a device in which such an OS is not
installed, and which is designed to be able to recognize only one
logical unit at a time, can be used as the first external
device.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0093] The present invention can be applied to a digital video
camera, a digital still camera, or other such electronic
devices.
General Interpretation of Terms
[0094] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the
term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended
to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated
features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but
do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements,
components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also
applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms
"including," "having," and their derivatives. Also, the terms
"part," "section," "portion," "member," or "element" when used in
the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a
plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe the above
embodiments, the following directional terms "forward", "rearward",
"above", "downward", "vertical", "horizontal", "below" and
"transverse" as well as any other similar directional terms refer
to those directions of an electronic device. Accordingly, these
terms, as utilized to describe the above embodiments should be
interpreted relative to an electronic device.
[0095] Moreover, the term "configured" as used herein to describe a
component, section, or part of a device includes hardware and/or
software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the
desired function.
[0096] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to
illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and
modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore,
the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the
present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for
the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents. Thus, the scope of the invention is
not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
* * * * *