JP2001237929A - Portable telephone and portable telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable telephone and a portable telephone system which supplement the function of an electronic picture recorder like an electronic still camera. SOLUTION: Though an electronic still camera 100 is not provided with a picture processing means, picture data is read out from the electronic still camera 100 and is subjected to picture processing so that a picked-up picture can be appreciated through a display device 9 normally equipped in a portable telephone 10. Since it is unnecessary to provide the electronic still camera 100 with a picture processing means, the cost is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable telephone capable of receiving image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electronic still camera, which is an electronic image recording apparatus, is useful in that it can immediately output images and facilitate image processing after photographing. There is a problem in that it is complicated and the price is high including these devices, and further simplification of operation and reduction in price are desired.

[0003]

In order to simplify and reduce the cost of the electronic still camera, it is conceivable to reduce the number of parts. On the other hand, in an electronic still camera, there is a problem that if the number of necessary components is reduced, the function cannot be exhibited.

On the other hand, with the development of communication technologies, multifunctional mobile phones have been developed. Some of such mobile phones have, for example, a color liquid crystal screen and a high-performance CPU. There is also the fact that mobile phones are widely spread and many people have them.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile phone and a mobile phone system which can supplement the function of an electronic image recording device such as an electronic still camera.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, a portable telephone according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a receiving means for receiving image data from an electronic image recording apparatus, and an image processing apparatus for processing the image data. And an output unit that outputs image data subjected to image processing by the image processing unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable telephone for receiving image data which has not been subjected to image processing from an electronic image recording apparatus, and transferring the image data from the electronic image recording apparatus to the outside. Means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable telephone system, comprising: first receiving means for receiving image data from an electronic image recording apparatus; image processing means for performing image processing on the image data; A first mobile phone comprising a transfer unit for transferring image data subjected to image processing by the first mobile phone;
A second mobile phone comprising: a second receiving unit capable of receiving the image data transferred by the transfer unit; and a display device for displaying an image based on the image data received by the second receiving unit. It is characterized by having.

A fourth portable telephone system of the present invention has a first portable telephone and a second portable telephone which can communicate with each other, and a communication between the first portable telephone and the second portable telephone. When image data having a small data volume is transmitted from the first mobile phone to the second mobile phone, the transmission of the sound is allowed. When image data having a large data volume is transmitted from the mobile phone to the second mobile phone, there is provided a limiting means for inhibiting transmission of the sound.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a receiving means for receiving image data from an electronic image recording apparatus, an image processing means for performing image processing on the image data, and an image processing means Output means for outputting the processed image data, so that, for example, even if the electronic image recording apparatus does not have the image processing means, the image data can be read from the electronic image recording apparatus and subjected to image processing. Thereby, the captured image can be viewed through a display device (display) or the like which is usually provided in the mobile phone. Further, it is not necessary to provide an image processing means in the electronic image recording apparatus, and the cost can be reduced.

That is, if the output means is a display device that displays an image based on the image data, an image captured by the display device can be viewed.

On the other hand, if the output means is a transfer device for transferring the image data to an external device, it is possible to transfer the image-processed image data to a personal computer or the like to perform image synthesis. .

Further, if the external device is a printer, an image can be printed based on the image data subjected to the image processing.

If a transmission means for transmitting a command signal to the electronic image recording apparatus is provided, it is convenient because, for example, on / off and release of a strobe of the electronic image recording apparatus can be remotely controlled.

Further, if the portable telephone is capable of receiving data relating to a program for executing image processing performed by the image processing means, the latest program may be downloaded as necessary by, for example, downloading from the Internet. This is convenient because it can be read and processed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile phone for receiving image data that has not been subjected to image processing from an electronic image recording device, and transferring image data from the electronic image recording device to the outside. Means, for example, even if the electronic image recording apparatus does not have an image processing means, read out image data from the electronic image recording apparatus and transfer it to an external device capable of performing various image processing. This makes it possible to perform optimal image processing on such image data. Thus, it is not necessary to provide an image processing unit in the electronic image recording apparatus and the mobile phone, and the cost can be reduced.

If the portable telephone is integrated with the electronic image recording apparatus or the printer by connecting via a connector, it is convenient to handle.

According to the portable telephone system of the third aspect of the present invention, the first receiving means for receiving image data from the electronic image recording device, the image processing means for performing image processing on the image data, A first mobile phone having a transfer unit for transferring image data processed by the processing unit, a second reception unit capable of receiving the image data transferred by the transfer unit, and a second reception unit A display device for displaying an image based on the image data received by the means, and a second mobile phone having the display device, so that, for example, when an image is captured by an electronic image recording device in a remote place, By transferring the image data via the first mobile phone, the image data can be displayed on the display device of the second mobile phone. It is convenient because it can observe an image even les locations.

Further, if the second portable telephone has a transmission means for transmitting a command signal to the first portable telephone, for example, the on / off and release of a strobe of the electronic image recording apparatus can be remotely controlled. It is convenient because it can be controlled.

Further, sound can be transmitted between the first mobile phone and the second mobile phone, and if the command signal is a signal related to sound, the command signal is one of sounds. Accordingly, it is possible to transmit an instruction to a caller of the first mobile phone and change the imaging direction of the electronic image recording apparatus, which is preferable.

According to a fourth mobile phone system of the present invention, the mobile phone system includes a first mobile phone and a second mobile phone that can communicate with each other, and the first mobile phone and the second mobile phone can communicate with each other. Between the first mobile phone and the second mobile phone, when the image data having a small data volume is transmitted, the transmission of the sound is allowed. When image data having a large data volume is transmitted from the first mobile phone to the second mobile phone, the transmission device has a limiting means for inhibiting the transmission of the sound. It is convenient because it can be done.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic still camera 100 shown as an example of an electronic image recording device. In FIG. 1, in an electronic still camera 100, a CPU 110 is supplied with power from a power source 112 such as a battery in response to an ON operation of a main switch 111, and includes an image pickup unit 103 such as a CCD, a memory 104 as a recording unit, and a flash 113. Is controlled. The strobe 113 including the light emitting capacitor starts charging for light emission only when the strobe switch 114 is turned on.

When the charging mechanism 107 drives the shutter 102 in response to the ON operation of the release switch 108, the photoelectric conversion is performed by forming an optical image on the light receiving surface by the photographing lens 101 through the opened shutter 102. The imaging unit 103 as a unit is controlled by the CPU 110,
A so-called photoelectric conversion for outputting an analog signal corresponding to an optical image of a subject is performed. An analog signal obtained by photoelectric conversion is converted into a digital signal as an analog signal or as a digital signal, and then converted into an image signal (image data) in the memory 1.
04. The number of photographed images is displayed on the number display device 109 in accordance with the operation of the charging mechanism 107. The image signal stored in the memory 104 is C
Under the control of PU 110, buffer 105 and connector 1
06 to the outside.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a portable telephone according to the present embodiment. The MPU 5 of the mobile phone 10 receives power from a power supply 7 such as a built-in battery and performs a control operation. Under the control of the MPU 5, when a call is first made, when the other party's telephone number is input using the numeric keypad 8c, the transmission / reception control circuit 8f sends the input telephone number to the transmission circuit 8j through the modulation circuit 8g. The transmitting circuit 8j as a transmitting means is superimposed on the carrier of the carrier synthesizer 8i and transmitted via the duplexer 8k and the antenna 8m. If there is a response to the effect that the other party has been connected, a call can be made.

Further, the sound signal from the microphone 11 and the MPU
The image signal from 5 is subjected to a predetermined modulation process in the modulation circuit 18 and sent to the other side through the transmission circuit 8j. On the other hand, radio waves from the other party are received by the receiving circuit 8h via the antenna 8m and the duplexer 8k. In the receiving circuit 8h, the carrier component is removed and demodulated by the demodulating circuit 8e. The demodulated sound signal is reproduced from a speaker 8d, and the demodulated image signal is displayed on a display device 9 such as a liquid crystal display.

The MPU 5 reads out an image signal from the memory 104 of the electronic still camera 100 communicably connected via the interface 6, and the image signal is subjected to image processing such as color conversion in the image processing circuit 3. Can be done. The image signal subjected to the image processing can be stored in the memory 4.

Further, the electronic still camera 100 shown in FIG.
When the digital signal obtained by A / D conversion of the analog signal from the imaging unit 103 is stored in the memory 104 of the portable telephone 10, the interface 6 of the mobile phone 10 reads the digital signal from the electronic still camera 100 when reading the image signal. The signal is passed as it is. On the other hand, when the analog signal from the imaging unit 103 is stored as it is in the memory 104 of the electronic still camera 100,
By causing the interface 6 of the mobile phone 10 to perform an A / D conversion function, when an image signal is read from the electronic still camera 100, an analog signal can be A / D converted and then passed. In such a case, there is no need to provide an A / D conversion function in the electronic still camera 100, and the cost of the electronic still camera 100 becomes lower.

FIG. 3 shows a portable telephone 10 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the electronic still camera 100 is connected. At the time of imaging, it may be disconnected from the mobile phone 10. The CPU 10 of the electronic still camera 100 receives the release signal from the release switch 108, drives the shutter 102, and photoelectrically converts the optical image obtained while the shutter is opened into an image signal by the imaging unit 103. I do. Such an image signal is stored in the memory 104.

Here, since the electronic still camera 100 does not have an image processing circuit and a display device, it has a simple and low cost structure. Neither can processing such as synthesis be performed.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the portable telephone 10 and the electronic still camera 100 are connected with the communication cable C or I.
It is communicably connected by a wireless communication device such as rDA, and transmits an image signal to the mobile phone 10. The mobile phone 10 receives an image signal via the interface 6 as a receiving unit, and performs predetermined image processing by an image processing circuit 3 as an image processing unit. The image signal subjected to the image processing is stored in the memory 4.

When a user who wants to view an image makes a predetermined input from the numeric keypad 8c, the MPU 5 reads out an image signal from the memory 4 and displays the image signal on the display device 9 as output means.
The image is displayed on the. Here, a user who wants to print an image is an electronic still camera 100.
Instead, when the mobile phone 10 is connected to the printer Pr, the image-processed data in the memory 4 is transferred to the printer Pr via the interface 6 as output means, and the desired image is printed. Become. At this time, the MPU 5 of the mobile phone 10 functions as a driver of the printer Pr.

On the other hand, a user who wishes to combine images can transfer the image-processed data in the memory 4 to the personal computer PC via the interface 6 as a transfer means by connecting the mobile phone 10 to the personal computer Pc. . Since the image data in the memory 4 is converted into a general-purpose image format such as the JPEG format, it is possible to easily synthesize an image such as a panoramic image using software installed in a personal computer.

The image processing software used in the image processing circuit 3 of the mobile phone 10 can be resident from the beginning provided, but if necessary, the receiving circuit 8h can be sent from a network such as the Internet. You may download it via

Further, by using the mobile phone 10,
The configuration of the electronic still camera 100 can be further simplified. Assuming that the electronic still camera 100 and the mobile phone 10 are always operated at the same time, a command signal such as a release operation signal of the electronic still camera 100 or an on / off signal of a strobe switch is transmitted from the mobile phone 10 by inputting the numeric keypad 8c. It can also be transmitted to the electronic still camera 100. As a result, the release switch 108 and the strobe switch 1 of the electronic still camera 100 are
14 can be omitted. Incidentally, if a command signal can be transmitted from the wireless communication device to the electronic still camera 100, it is convenient for self-photographing and the like.

The mobile phone 1 is connected via a cable C or the like.
If the electronic still camera 100 is connected to the electronic still camera 100, the electronic still camera 100 can be operated using the power of the mobile phone 10. In such a case, the power supply 112 and the main switch 111 can be omitted. The configuration of the electronic still camera 100 can be further simplified.

Further, in FIG. 3, if the electronic still camera 100 and the (first) mobile phone 10 are connected, another (second) mobile phone 10 is connected from the mobile phone 10 via a wireless line.
Image data can be transmitted to a mobile phone 10 '(or a normal phone having a liquid crystal display). There are two types of such image data, one having a small amount of data for preview, and the other having a large amount of data for reproducing a fine image.

The operation of the portable telephone system composed of the portable telephones 10 and 10 'will be described.
The user of the mobile phone 10 ′ at a remote place away from 00 can receive, via the mobile phone 10, transfer of preview image data related to an image captured by the electronic still camera 100. Such an image can be observed on the display 10a 'of the mobile phone 10'.

Here, since the image data for preview has a relatively small data transfer amount, bidirectional communication can be performed in parallel with the image data transfer. Therefore, the user of the mobile phone 10 receives an instruction from the user of the mobile phone 10 'while intermingling questions and the like as appropriate, and the electronic still camera 1
Since the position and direction of 00 can be changed, the image desired by the user of the mobile phone 10 'at a remote location can be obtained.

Further, if the position and direction in which the user of the mobile phone 10 'at a remote place can obtain a desired image is determined, the user of the mobile phone 10 near the electronic still camera 100 in such a state is determined. Can fix this, and can release the image at the signal of the user of the mobile phone 10 'at a remote location, thereby obtaining an image desired by the user. In this case, the mobile phone 1 in a remote location
If a command signal is transmitted from 0 ', for example, the strobe of the electronic still camera 100 is turned on / off or released by the user's operation, so that imaging can be performed with more reliable timing.

The image data obtained in this way has a considerably large capacity in the case of a high-definition image. Therefore, when transferring such a large amount of image data, it is possible to quickly transfer the image data by performing wireless transmission using, for example, the frequency of the communication band. In such a case, since the call is restricted by the MPU 5 as the restricting means, the call between the mobile phones 10 and 10 ′ may not be possible, but the desired imaging has already been performed and there is no particular problem. Can be

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a mobile phone 20 according to the second embodiment. The mobile phone 20 has a storage section 21 formed at an upper portion. The storage section 21 has a shape capable of receiving the electronic still camera 100, and is provided with a connector (not shown) capable of communicating when the electronic still camera 100 is received. The functions of the mobile phone 20 are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the electronic still camera 100 is stored in the storage section 21 of the mobile phone 20, the mobile phone 20 and the electronic still camera 100 are integrated, so that the photographing lens 101 is moved to the near side. When the electronic still camera 100 captures the face image of the caller, performs image processing on the obtained image data with the mobile phone 20, and then transfers the image data to the other party. On the other hand, if the photographing lens 101 is turned to the other side, the electronic still camera 100 can capture the subject image that the caller is looking at and transfer it to the other party. In such a case, the captured image can be displayed on the display 23 of the mobile phone 20, and a command signal for releasing the electronic still camera 100 can be transmitted using the numeric keypad 22.

As shown in FIG. 4B, even when the electronic still camera 100 is separated from the storage section 21 of the mobile phone 20, the mobile phone 20 and the electronic still camera 100 can be connected by a wireless means such as a cable C or IrDA. If the connection is established so that communication is possible, image data obtained by imaging with the electronic still camera 100 can be transferred to the other party after the mobile phone 20 performs image processing.

The printer 21 having the same shape as the electronic still camera 100 may be stored in the storage section 21 of the mobile phone 20. In such a case, after combining the mobile phone 20 and the electronic still camera 100, the image data obtained by the imaging by the electronic still camera 100 is read out to the mobile phone 20 side, subjected to image processing, and stored in the memory. A printer Pr may be combined with the electronic still camera 100 to output a print. Also, the electronic still camera 100 and the printer P
r may be combined with the mobile phone 20 at the same time (for example, in a serial state).

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
May have a built-in printer, or may have an interface or the like that can be connected to an external printer.

[0046]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable telephone and a portable telephone system which can supplement the functions of an electronic image recording device such as an electronic still camera.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic still camera 100 shown as an example of an electronic image recording device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a mobile phone according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the mobile phone 10 according to the present embodiment in a state where the mobile phone 10 is connected to an electronic still camera 100.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a mobile phone 20 according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 electronic still camera 10,20 mobile phone P printer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AB15 AB65 AB68 AC00 AC01 AC69 5C062 AA12 AB22 AB23 AB42 AC04 AC05 AC22 AC43 5K027 AA11 BB02 BB14 CC08 FF22 FF25 HH29 KK07 5K067 AA41 BB04 DD52 FF23 5NN06NN11

Claims (13)

[Claims] A receiving unit configured to receive image data from an electronic image recording apparatus; an image processing unit configured to perform image processing on the image data; and an output unit configured to output image data processed by the image processing unit. And a mobile phone. 2. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a display device that displays an image based on the image data. 3. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a transfer device that transfers the image data to an external device. 4. The mobile phone according to claim 3, wherein the external device is a printer. 5. The mobile phone according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit a command signal to the electronic image recording device. 6. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein said mobile phone is capable of receiving data relating to a program for executing image processing performed by said image processing means.
The mobile phone according to any of the above. 7. An image processing apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving image data that has not been subjected to image processing from an electronic image recording device; and transfer means for transferring image data from the electronic image recording device to an external device. Mobile phone. 8. By connecting via a connector,
The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the mobile phone is integrated with the electronic image recording device. 9. By connecting via a connector,
9. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the mobile phone is integrated with a printer. 10. An image receiving apparatus for receiving image data from an electronic image recording apparatus, image processing means for performing image processing on the image data, and transferring the image data processed by the image processing means. A first mobile phone including a transfer unit that performs a transfer operation, a second reception unit that can receive the image data transferred by the transfer unit, and an image displayed based on the image data received by the second reception unit. A mobile phone system, comprising: a display device; and a second mobile phone provided with the display device. 11. The mobile phone system according to claim 10, wherein the second mobile phone has a transmission unit for transmitting a command signal to the first mobile phone. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein sound can be transmitted between the first mobile phone and the second mobile phone, and the command signal is information using sound. 1
2. The mobile phone system according to 1. 13. A mobile phone comprising: a first mobile phone and a second mobile phone capable of communicating with each other; wherein the first mobile phone and the second mobile phone are communicable with each other.
Can transmit sound to and from the mobile phone,
When image data having a small data volume is transmitted from the mobile phone to the second mobile phone, the transmission of the sound is allowed, but the data is transmitted from the first mobile phone to the second mobile phone. A mobile phone system comprising a limiting unit that prohibits transmission of the sound when large-capacity image data is transmitted.