JPH04980A - Memory card type interface card for digital electronic still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To supply image data to an external image data processing device by providing a connector to which the image data is supplied, and an image data output means which outputs the image data supplied to the connector to an image data processing means outside a digital electronic still camera. CONSTITUTION:The image data is inputted to a memory chip 23 via an interface connector 40B, and is stored once corresponding to a prescribed address. The image data is read out from the memory chip 23 sequentially under the control of a control circuit 28, and is supplied to a DAT interface processor 24. The image data is supplied to the optical fiber 31 of a connected interface card 20B. The image data is supplied from the optical fiber 31 to a DAT recorder connected to the connector 32 being connected to the optical fiber 31.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a memory card type interface card for a digital electronic still camera that records one image data on a memory card.

Prior Art and its Problems A digital electronic still camera is capable of recording and storing image data representing a captured image of a subject on a removable memory card. and.

By inserting the memory card into the reproducing device, the image data recorded on the memory φ card is reproduced, and the subject image represented by one image data is visually displayed on the screen of the reproducing device.

The amount of image data that can be recorded on one memory card depends on the memory capacity of the memory card, but there is a limit to increasing the memory capacity due to the size of the memory card.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Purpose of the Invention The present invention provides a digital electronic still camera that can provide image data to an external image data processing device instead of recording it on a memory card. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a memory card type interface card for electronic still cameras.

Structure and Effects of the Invention The memory card type interface card for a digital electronic still camera according to the present invention can be attached to a mounting location of a removable memory card for storing photographed image data, and can be used for digital electronic still cameras. - A connector to which image data output from the camera is applied, and an image data output means for outputting the image data applied to the connector to image data processing means external to the digital electronic still camera. .

With the interface card according to the second invention,
Captured image data can be output to the outside of a digital electronic still camera without changing the structure of a conventional digital electronic still camera that records image data of a subject image on an attached memory card. Therefore, image data can be provided and recorded in an external storage device with increased memory capacity, and communication of one image data can be performed relatively easily.

Preferably, the image data processing device further includes image data processing means for inputting and processing image data provided to the connector, and providing the processed image data to the image data output means. This allows the interface card to output image data in a format suitable for external image data processing means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital electronic still camera equipped with an interface card, showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the interface card.

The digital electronic still camera 10 is provided with a grip 1 on the left side when viewed from the front, and a recess 2 is formed in the front of the grip 1 to ensure a secure grip. Grip part 1
On the top surface there is a shutter release button 3 and a control switch that is pressed depending on the type of interface card installed (for example, when an interface card for serial communication is installed, the serial A transfer speed command switch (4) for communication is provided. A liquid crystal display 5 is provided at the top of the main body of the digital electronic still camera 10, and the functions of the attached interface card and the like are displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 5. There is also a strobe 6 on the front of the digital electronic still camera.
Strobe mode switch9. A photometric finder 7 and a lens 8 are provided, respectively. Furthermore, an opening 10A is formed on one side of the digital electronic still camera 10, and a connector 40A is formed within this opening 10A. Then, by inserting a memory card for recording image data into the opening 10A, the digital electronic still camera 10 and the memory card are electrically connected. When the interface card according to the present invention is used, the interface card 2OA is inserted into the opening 10A instead of a memory card and attached to the digital electronic still camera 10.

In this embodiment, a large capacity memory chip 30 is integrally formed with the interface card 2OA to increase the storage capacity.

The interface card 2OA includes an interface connector 40B as shown in FIG.
This interface connector 40B brings the interface card 2OA into contact with the connector 40A of the digital electronic still camera 10. This allows interface card 20A and digital electronic still
The camera 10 is electrically connected. The interface card 2OA includes a backup battery 21, and the power supply voltage of the backup battery 21 is supplied to a power supply control circuit 22. The power supply voltage of the backup battery 21 is converted into a predetermined voltage by the power supply control circuit 22 and applied to the control circuit 28 and the digital electronic still camera 0, respectively.

The control circuit 28 is a chip that selects a memory chip of the large capacity memory chip 30 connected to the interface card 2OA based on the control signal and address signal given from the digital electronic still camera 10.
Outputs select signals and image data read/write signals. As a result, chip selection of the large capacity memory chip 30 and designation of reading or writing of image data are performed. Further, an address bus and a data bus are respectively connected to the interface connector 40B, and a digital electronic still bus is connected to the large-capacity chip 30.
Image data input from the camera 10 is given.

In the digital electronic still camera 10 shown in FIG. The subject image is converted into an electrical signal at the time (time), and predetermined image data generation processing is performed. The generated image data is taken into the interface card 2OA via the interface connector 40B. The captured image data is then given to the mass memory chip 30 via the data bus under the control of the control circuit 28.
It will be written and stored in a predetermined memory chip designated by the control circuit 28. Since the interface card 2OA is attached to the digital electronic still camera 10 and image data is recorded in the large capacity memory chip 30, a large number of frames of image data can be stored without depending on the memory capacity of the memory card. can do.

3 and 4 show other embodiments. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the digital electronic still camera, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the interface card. In these figures, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

The interface card shown in this example converts image data into a DAT (Digital Audio Data).
pe) data format. For this purpose, interface card 20B includes a memory chip 23 and a DAT interface processor 24.

Image data captured by the digital electronic still camera 10 and subjected to the above-described predetermined processing is input to the memory chip 23 via the interface connector 40 and is temporarily stored in correspondence with a predetermined address. Then, under the control of the control circuit 28, image data is sequentially read out from the memory chip 23 and provided to the DAT interface processor 24. The DAT interface processor 24 applies an error correction code to input image data.
Performs DAT conversion processing that is compatible with the DAT format, such as interleaving. Image data converted into DAT format by DAT interface processor 24 is applied to optical fiber 31 connected to interface card 20B. Then, the image data is supplied to the DA pre-recording device connected to the connector 32 connected to the optical fiber 31 through the optical fiber 31, thereby recording the image data on the DAT recording tape. The image data output from the digital electronic still camera 1O can be directly applied to the DAT recording device and recorded on the DA pre-recording tape, which is very convenient.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show still other embodiments.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a digital electronic still camera; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a digital electronic still camera;
The figure is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the interface card. Also in these figures, Figures 1 and 2
Components that are the same as those in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The interface card shown in this embodiment converts parallel image data into serial data. For this purpose, the interface card 20C includes a system controller 25 and a parallel-serial conversion circuit 26 in addition to the memory chip 23.

Image data captured by the digital electronic still camera 10 and subjected to the above-described predetermined processing is input to the memory chip 23 via the interface connector 40 and stored in correspondence with a predetermined address.

Then, under the control of the system controller 25, the image data is sequentially read out from the memory chip 23, and the image data is read out in parallel.
The signal is applied to the serial conversion circuit 26. This converts parallel image data into serial image data.

The image data converted to serial data is transferred to the interface
It is applied to the serial line 33 connected to the card 20C. When image data is given to a serial communication device (for example, a personal computer) connected to a connector 34 connected to a serial line 33, a subject image is captured by the digital electronic still camera 10 on the CRT screen of the serial communication device. is displayed. The image data output from the digital electronic still camera 10 can be transmitted to a serial communication device via a serial line, making it highly versatile.

FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an interface card. In this figure as well, the same components as shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted.

The interface card shown in FIG. 7 is an interface card for processing image data, and performs predetermined image processing (eg, binarization conversion processing of image data) on input image data. For this purpose, interface card 20D includes an image processing processor 27.

Image data captured by the digital electronic still camera 10 and subjected to the above-described predetermined processing is input to the memory chip 23 via the interface connector 40B and is temporarily stored in correspondence with a predetermined address. Then, under the control of the control circuit 28, image data is sequentially read out from the memory chip 23 and provided to the image processing processor 27. The image processor 27 performs predetermined processing and conversion processing on input image data. The image data that has been processed and converted is again given to the memory chip 23 and stored therein. The processed image data is then read out by attaching the interface card 20D to another image processing device. It is very convenient because predetermined image data can be processed simply by attaching the interface card 20D to a digital electronic still camera.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital electronic still camera equipped with an interface card, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the interface card. 3 and 4 show other embodiments, in which FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a digital electronic still camera, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an interface card. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show still other embodiments,
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a digital electronic still camera; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a digital electronic still camera;
The figure is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the interface card. FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment, and is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the interface card. 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D...Interface card. 24...DAT interface processor. 26... Parallel-serial conversion circuit 27... Image processing processor. 28...control circuit. 40A...Connector. 40B...Interface connector. that's all

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A connector that can be attached to the attachment point of a removable memory card for storing photographed image data, and that receives image data output from a digital electronic still camera, and a connector that is attached to the above-mentioned connector. A memory card type interface card for a digital electronic still camera, comprising: image data output means for outputting image data to an image data processing means external to the digital electronic still camera. (2) The memory card type for a digital electronic still camera according to claim (1), further comprising image data processing means for inputting and processing image data applied to the connector and providing the image data to the image data output means. interface card.