JP2005147885A - Automatic time correction system for mobile device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic time correction system for a mobile device preventing a mobile equipment body from getting large, without impairing convenience. <P>SOLUTION: A GPS reception part 81 receives GPS information in a cradle 3, and a time data extraction part 83 extracts a time data superposed in the GPS information. The time data are determined in a time signal determination part 84, and the time data are transmitted from a bluetooth transmission part 80 toward a digital camera 2, by a radio wave, when the reception data are determined as the time data. A bluetooth reception part 90 receives the radio wave from the bluetooth transmission part 80, in the digital camera 2, and the time data are determined in a CPU 46. A time data of a built-in time piece 92 are updated when the reception data are determined as the time data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving a radio wave on which time data is superimposed and correcting the time of a clock incorporated in an electronic device.

  In digital cameras, date imprinting is generally performed in which shooting time data is input to an image file in accordance with the time of a clock built in the main body when shooting. For this reason, it is necessary to periodically correct the time of the built-in clock in order to record accurate shooting time.

  On the other hand, it has been conventionally performed to automatically correct the time of a clock built in an electronic device in accordance with time data transmitted as a radio signal. For example, in Patent Document 1, the time of the built-in clock of the electronic notebook is corrected based on the time data received by the paging receiver by connecting the paging receiver and the electronic notebook with a connector. Patent Document 2 discloses a timepiece device that receives a radio wave transmitted from a CDMA mobile phone and / or a car phone base station and corrects the time of the built-in timepiece.

JP-A-5-165787 JP 2000-321383 A

  However, in order to automatically correct the time of the built-in clock, it is necessary to receive radio waves from a base station such as a mobile phone, long wave standard radio waves, radio waves from GPS satellites, and the like. For this reason, in order to add a time correction function to an electronic device, a large receiving device having a dedicated relatively large antenna is required, which leads to an increase in the size of the electronic device and an increase in power consumption.

  In addition, when connecting a device that receives radio waves on which time data is superimposed and an electronic device having a time correction function with a connector, it is necessary to connect the devices with the connector each time to perform time correction. Not only is the operation complicated, but the reception device and the electronic device are integrated during use, resulting in an increase in the size of the electronic device.

  In particular, a portable device such as a digital camera is required to be compact and save power, and must be easy to use. Therefore, the large-scale receiving apparatus and connector connection as described above are disadvantageous.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to perform automatic time correction of a portable device by an easy-to-use, compact and power-saving automatic time correction system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention uses a rechargeable battery as a power source of a recent portable device, and uses a cradle that holds the portable device placed for charging in a fixed posture. When the cradle receives a radio wave on which time data is superimposed, and the received data is time data, the received time data is output to the portable device, and the time from the cradle at which the portable device is output Data is input, and the time data held in the time measuring means is corrected according to the input time data. By providing the cradle with a function as a receiving means, the mobile device main body can be compactly integrated, easy to use, and can perform automatic time correction while suppressing power consumption.

  In addition, if the cradle and the portable device are connected in a non-contact manner, automatic time correction can be performed even when the portable device is not held by the cradle, so that the time can be updated periodically. It can also improve usability.

  As described above, according to the automatic time correction system for a portable device of the present invention, the cradle has a function as a receiving means, and the automatic time correction of the built-in clock of the portable device is performed according to the time data output from the cradle. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the mobile device body and an increase in power consumption by providing a large-scale receiving device in the mobile device body.

  In addition, by connecting the cradle and the mobile device in a contactless manner, automatic time correction can be performed even when the mobile device is not held in the cradle, so that the time can be updated periodically. In addition, convenience can be improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic time correction system 1 includes a digital camera 2 and a cradle 3 that holds the digital camera 2 in a fixed posture. On the front surface of the digital camera 2, a lens barrel 5 incorporating a photographic lens 4, an object-side finder window 7 constituting the finder 6, a strobe light emitting unit 8 for irradiating strobe light toward the subject, and a shutter release operation. A shutter button 9 is provided, and a self-timer light emitting unit 10 that blinks at the time of timer shooting to notify the shooting timing is provided. When the digital camera 2 is in a power-off state, the lens barrel 5 is housed in a lens barrel housing portion 12 provided on the front surface of the digital camera 2 and protrudes from the front surface of the digital camera 2 when the power is turned on.

  A memory card slot 17 in which a memory card 16 is set is provided on one side surface of the digital camera 2. A card reader that is electrically connected to the memory card 16 and reads / writes data is incorporated in the back of the memory card slot 17. The memory card slot 17 is protected by an openable / closable protective cover 18 in order to prevent dust from entering.

  On the back surface of the digital camera 2, an eyepiece finder window 20, an operation unit 21, an image display LCD 22, and the like that constitute the finder 6 are provided. A finder light emitting unit 23 is provided on the side of the eyepiece finder 20 so as to light and blink to notify the state of the digital camera 2. In the operation unit 21, a plurality of operation buttons 24-27 and a setting LCD 28 for displaying information such as various settings are provided.

  The digital camera 2 is connected to a personal computer, a photographing mode for performing still photographing, a reproduction mode for displaying the photographed image on the image display LCD 22, a communication mode for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device such as a personal computer, and the like. A plurality of operation modes of a PC camera mode functioning as a PC camera for moving image and sound input are provided, and switching of these operation modes is performed by the operation unit 21.

  The digital camera 2 is provided with a battery chamber in which a battery 30 is set. An opening 31 for accessing the battery chamber is provided on the bottom surface of the digital camera 2. The opening 31 is opened and closed by a lid member 32. A rechargeable battery 30 is set in the battery chamber.

  The cradle 3 has a substantially trapezoidal shape, and a concave mounting portion 34 on which the digital camera 2 is mounted is provided on the upper surface. In the mounting portion 34, a connection terminal 36 that is fitted and electrically connected to the connection connector 35 on the bottom surface of the digital camera 2 is provided. The cradle 3 functions as a table that stably holds the digital camera 2 when not in use, and also functions as a terminal that interposes charging and connection with an external device. When the digital camera 2 is set to the PC camera mode, it also functions as a tripod that holds the digital camera 2 toward the subject.

  The back of the cradle 3 is connected to an A / V output connector 42 for outputting a composite signal such as NTSC to a monitor or a video deck, a DC power connector 43 to which an AC power adapter is supplied and DC power is supplied, a personal computer or the like. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector 44 is provided. The connectors 42 and 44 are connected to the connection terminal 36 inside the cradle 3. Further, the connector 43 is connected to the connection terminals 36 and 84 via the charging circuit 71.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera 2 and the cradle 3. The CPU 46 controls each part of the digital camera 2 in response to input of operation signals from the shutter button 9 and the operation part 21. The imaging unit 50 includes a photographic lens 4, a CCD image sensor, an A / D converter, and the like, images subject light, and converts this imaging signal into digital data. The digitized image data is temporarily stored in the memory 54 via the image signal processing circuit 53.

  The image signal processing circuit 53 performs image correction processing such as white balance adjustment and gamma correction on the image data stored in the memory 54, and also stores the corrected image data in the memory card 16 when data is stored. Apply compression processing. The media controller 57 accesses the memory card 16 to write and read image data.

  The Bluetooth receiving unit 90 receives a radio signal transmitted by the Bluetooth transmitting unit 80. Data received by the Bluetooth receiving unit 90 is sent to the CPU 46. The CPU 46 determines received data, and updates the time data of the built-in clock 92 when it is determined that the received data is time data.

  A charging circuit 71 is incorporated in the cradle 3. The charging circuit 71 charges the battery 30 of the digital camera 2. When the digital camera 2 is placed on the cradle 3, the charging circuit 71 is connected to the battery 30 in the digital camera 2 via the connection connector 35 and the connection terminal 36. The charging circuit 71 measures the voltage of the battery 30, and automatically charges when the measured voltage is equal to or lower than the specified voltage.

  The cradle 3 incorporates a GPS receiving unit 81. When the GPS receiving unit 81 receives the GPS information, the time data extracting unit 83 extracts the time data superimposed on the GPS information. Then, the time signal is determined by the time signal determination unit 84, and when the received data is determined to be time data, the time data is transmitted from the Bluetooth transmission unit 80 to the Bluetooth reception unit 90 inside the digital camera 2. To do.

  Here, Bluetooth, which is a short-distance dedicated wireless communication standard, will be described. Bluetooth is a technique for solving the troublesomeness of cables connecting between devices, which is a problem in mobile communication, and is used as a communication technique that is low in cost and easy to use. Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology specialized for connecting devices over short distances, and uses radio waves in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, enabling data communication at a speed of 1 Mbps with devices up to a range of about 10 m. . In addition, unlike infrared communication, it does not have directivity, so there is an advantage that communication is possible even if there is a shielding object.

  Since Bluetooth is a short-distance radio, power consumption can be reduced. In addition, since the wireless connection technology is intended for mobile terminals, technical optimization has been made so that the outer shape of the terminal is small and lightweight.

  In addition, Bluetooth is an open standard that can be used without the need for a license fee, and because it is a common specification all over the world, and local localization is not required, it is expected to spread further throughout the world. As a result, the price of parts can be reduced, so that it is possible to provide an automatic time correction device for electronic equipment at a lower cost.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5. In the cradle 3, when the GPS data is in a receivable range, the GPS receiving unit 81 receives the GPS data. Next, the time data extraction unit 83 extracts the time data superimposed from the GPS data. Then, the time signal is determined by the time signal determination unit 84, and it is determined that the received data is time data. Further, when the digital camera 2 is nearby and Bluetooth transmission is possible, the Bluetooth transmission unit 80 Time data is transmitted to the digital camera 2.

  In the digital camera 2, when the cradle 3 is nearby and Bluetooth reception is possible, the Bluetooth receiving unit 90 receives the radio from the Bluetooth transmitting unit 80. Then, the CPU 46 determines whether or not the received data is time data. When it is determined that the received data is time data, the time data of the built-in clock 92 is updated.

  In the above embodiment, the GPS receiving unit is provided in the cradle. However, the present invention is not limited to GPS, and may receive radio waves from a base station such as a mobile phone or long wave standard radio waves. Further, the non-contact connection between the cradle and the digital camera is not limited to the Bluetooth connection, and various methods such as a connection based on other wireless communication standards or an infrared connection can be used.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the automatic time correction of the digital camera is always performed in a non-contact manner, but when the digital camera is held by a cradle, such as during charging, and the digital camera and the cradle are connected by a connection connector, You may make it output time data to a digital camera from a cradle via a connector. In addition, it is possible to cancel the non-contact automatic time correction function and provide the digital camera with a mode in which automatic time correction is performed by connecting a connector during charging to further reduce power consumption.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the digital camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to other portable devices such as a PDA.

It is a front side external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of a digital camera and a cradle. It is a back side external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of a digital camera and a cradle. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a digital camera and a cradle. It is a flowchart explaining the processing procedure of a cradle. It is a flowchart explaining the process sequence of a digital camera.

Explanation of symbols

2 Digital camera 3 Cradle 46 CPU
80 Bluetooth transmitter 81 GPS receiver 84 Time signal determination unit 90 Bluetooth receiver 92 Built-in clock

Claims (2)

A receiving means for receiving radio waves on which time data is superimposed; a judging means for judging whether the data received by the receiving means is time data; and when the received data is time data by the judging means An output means for outputting the received time data, and a cradle for charging a battery provided in the portable device;
Input means for inputting time data from the output means, time measuring means for holding while updating the time data, and correcting time data held in the time measuring means corresponding to the time data input from the input means An automatic time correction system for a portable device, further comprising: a portable device that uses a rechargeable battery as a power source and is charged by the cradle.   2. The automatic time correction system for a portable device according to claim 1, wherein the input means inputs time data from the output means by connecting the output means and the input means in a non-contact manner.

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