JP4363569B2 - Video camera information transfer system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a video camera information transfer system.

A conventional general digital video camera adopts the DV system. The DV method is a method of compressing an image data amount to about 1/5 by using discrete cosine transform and recording it as digital data on a magnetic tape as a recording medium. In general, a user using a DV tape recording video camera often uses a new tape when shooting at a new event. In other words, since a new tape is used for each event, there is no need to pay special attention in terms of data storage. However, in recent years, video cameras using a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HDD) as a recording medium are becoming mainstream for the purpose of improving reproduction response by random access and enabling long-time recording. The HDD has a large capacity and can record a large amount of data. However, no matter how much the capacity is limited, there is no change in the capacity, and it is natural that if the stored data is simply accumulated, the free capacity will eventually disappear. In particular, if there is no free space during shooting, shooting cannot be continued. On the other hand, a mechanism for automatically overwriting old saved data can be considered, but since old saved data is not necessarily unnecessary data, there is a high possibility of inconvenience. In Patent Document 1, a mechanism for backing up data is devised to restore data stored in the terminal device when the portable information terminal device is destroyed.
JP 11-259191 A

  However, since the data stored in the video camera is mainly moving images, the amount of data is large, and considerable time and power are required for backup. As a method for solving such a problem, a method of transferring backup data stored in the HDD to an external recording medium having a certain capacity and taking a backup can be considered. The point to note in this method is that it is not common for video camcorder users to make backups, so they may forget the backup process and must be simple. . It should also be noted that a power supply for backup processing is secured in consideration of the video camera battery.

  In order to solve these problems, the present invention proposes a system for easily transferring and storing data stored in an HDD of a video camera to an external recording medium.

  This system realizes a method for reliably transferring stored data to an external recording medium while taking the above-described problems into consideration. First, as a method of reliably backing up without making the user aware of it, a method of automatically backing up when charging a video camera battery is proposed. In particular, data storage by the HDD requires a relatively large amount of power, so it is necessary to charge the battery periodically. If the backup is performed automatically when the battery is charged, the data can be stored without any user intervention. Data can be transferred. In addition, since the AC adapter is connected when the battery is charged, power for backup can be taken from the AC adapter, and there is no need to consider the burden on the battery.

  As described above, charging of the video camera battery, which is always necessary when using the video camera, and automatically backing up the stored data, ensures that the shooting data can be transferred to other recording media without making the user aware of it. Can be transferred to and saved. In addition, since the present invention does not depend on the type of storage medium of the video camera, it can be applied not only to video cameras that employ HDDs but also to video cameras that use other recording media.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention. The relationship between the following embodiments and the claims is as follows. The second embodiment will mainly describe claim 1 and the like. The third embodiment will mainly describe claim 2 and the like. In the fourth embodiment, claims 1 and 3 will be mainly described. The fifth embodiment will mainly describe claim 4 and the like. Embodiment 6 describes a case where a video camera itself has a charging function and an information transfer function. Prior to these, Embodiment 1 is not included in the scope of claims of the present invention, but mainly in the video camera information transfer system according to Claim 1 , charging determination means, command transmission means, and drive information of the charging unit. A description will be given of a case where the command receiving means of the acquisition unit is not an essential component.

  <Outline of Embodiment 1> This embodiment relates to a video camera information transfer system comprising a video camera and a video camera charging device which is a device for charging the video camera. The feature of this embodiment is that, when the video camera battery is charged by the video camera charging device, the shooting data stored in the video camera can be transferred to an external recording medium at the same time. FIG. 1 shows an example of the concept of this embodiment. The video camera information transfer system according to this embodiment includes a “video camera” (0110) and a “video camera charging device” (0120). When charging the battery of the video camera (0110) by placing the video camera (0110) on the video camera charging device (0120), the video camera charging device (0120) uses a data transfer cable (0130) for transferring data. ) Is connected, and at the same time as charging, the stored data can be transferred to the external recording medium (0140) to take a backup.

  <Configuration of Embodiment 1> FIG. 2 shows an example of functional blocks in this embodiment. The video camera information transfer system of this embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a “video camera” (0210) and a “video camera charging device” (0220). The video camera (0210) includes a “drive battery unit” (0211), a “hard disk drive information storage unit” (0212), a “drive information acquisition unit” (0213), and an “information output unit” (0214). It consists of. The “driving battery unit” (0211) is for accumulating electric power for operating the video camera (0210). The “hard disk drive information storage unit” (0212) has a function of storing information. This is a portion corresponding to the HDD of a general video camera, and encodes, compresses and stores video information and audio information shot by the video camera. The assumed storage capacity is about 100 G (giga) bytes to 500 Gbytes, and the recording time is about 50 hours to 300 hours. The HDD may be a disk replaceable or may not be replaceable. In the case of a replaceable HDD, old information can be stored by replacing the disk, but the user may forget to replace the disk. In the case of a non-replaceable HDD, as a matter of course, the capacity is limited, so it is essential to take a backup. The “drive information acquisition unit” (0213) has a function of acquiring information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (0212). When acquiring the information, the storage format stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (0212) may be taken out as it is, or may be taken out after being converted. For example, data stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (0212) in MPEG7 may be converted into MPEG2 and acquired. If the recording format of the hard disk drive information storage unit (0212) is specific to the manufacturer of the video camera, for example, it may be converted to a format widely used in the world. When there are a plurality of format candidates to be converted, a “transfer unit” (0223) described later acquires information on a format suitable for the device from an external device to which information is to be transferred, and selects the format. It may be a mechanism like this. In addition, when acquiring information from the hard disk drive information storage unit (0212), if a plurality of information is recorded in the hard disk drive information storage unit (0212), it is not necessary to acquire all the information in order. Such information may be selected and acquired. The “information output unit” (0214) has a function of outputting the information acquired by the drive information acquisition unit (0213) to the outside. The output destination is basically a “video information acquisition unit” (0222), which will be described later, but is not necessarily limited, and may be output directly to a personal computer, a DVD recording device, or the like. Further, the connection at the time of output may not be a wired connection but may be a wireless connection. Further, the type of output signal is not limited to an electrical signal, and may be an optical signal. In the case of an optical signal, contact with a “video information acquisition unit” (0222), which will be described later, is not always necessary, so that it is considered highly reliable. The video camera charging device (0220) includes a “charging unit” (0221), a “video information acquisition unit” (0222), and a “transfer unit” (0223). The “charging unit” (0221) has a function of charging the driving battery unit (0211) of the video camera (0210). In order to charge the drive battery unit (0211), the method of sending power from the video camera charging device (0220) to the video camera (0210) may be sent wirelessly without being wired. Good. In addition, it is considered that the power to be sent to the driving battery unit (0211) is generally obtained from an external household power source or the like, but the charging unit (0221) itself includes a battery to store the power. May be held and power may be supplied from the battery to the driving battery unit (0211). Further, in this example, the charging unit (0221) is included in the video camera charging device (0220), but may be included in the video camera (0210). The “video information acquisition unit” (0222) has a function of acquiring information output from the information output unit (0214) of the video camera (0210). The “transfer unit” (0223) is for transferring the information acquired by the video information acquisition unit (0222) to the outside. A buffer for temporarily storing the acquired information may be provided, or a storage unit such as an HDD may be provided instead of the buffer. Further, the transfer destination is not limited to information storage means of a personal computer in the home, but may be information storage means of a digital television, a DVD recording device, or the like. Further, it may be transferred via the Internet or a telephone line. Furthermore, there may be a plurality of transfer destinations instead of a single location, or a transfer destination may be selected according to the content of information. Further, a mechanism may be adopted in which the information already stored in the aforementioned buffer or storage unit is transferred simultaneously.

  <Specific Example of Embodiment 1> A specific example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of a specific example. First, regarding power supply, the video camera charging device (0320) is connected to an outlet by an AC adapter, and power is supplied from the AC adapter to the charging unit (0321) of the video camera charging device (0320). In this specific example, the charging unit (0321) is included in the video camera charging device (0320), but may be included in the video camera (0310). Electric power is supplied from the charging unit (0321) to the driving battery unit (0311) of the video camera (0310). Here, when the charging unit (0321) is not charging, for example, a process of stopping the hard disk drive information storage unit (0312) can be considered. Further, to prevent the video camera (0310) from being detached from the video camera charging device (0320), for example, both contact surfaces are attracted by magnets, or the video camera (0310) is hooked on the video camera charging device (0320). It may have a claw that keeps it fixed. In general, shooting information stored in the HDD of a video camera is first stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (0312) of the video camera (0310). The stored shooting information is transferred to the drive information acquisition unit (0313), is further transferred to the information output unit (0314), and is output to the video camera charging device (0320). The video camera charging device (0320) acquires shooting information by the video information acquisition unit (0322), and then passes it to the transfer unit (0323) to be transferred to an external recording medium.

  <Processing Flow of First Embodiment> FIG. 4 shows an example of a processing flow relating to information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit in this embodiment, and includes the following steps. First, information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (information storage step S0410). Next, the information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit in the information storage step (S0410) is acquired (drive information acquisition step S0420). Next, the information acquired in the drive information acquisition step (S0420) is output to the video camera charging device (information output step S0430). The above steps are processing on the video camera side, and the following are processing on the video camera charging device side. Next, the information output from the video camera in the information output step (S0430) is acquired (video information acquisition step S0440). Finally, the information acquired in the video information acquisition step (S0440) is transferred to an external recording medium (information transfer step S0450).

<Effects of First Embodiment> The video camera information transfer system according to the first embodiment takes a backup by transferring shooting data stored in the video camera to an external recording medium simultaneously with charging of the video camera battery. Can do.
<< Embodiment 2 >>

  <Outline of Embodiment 2> The feature of the video camera information transfer system according to this embodiment is whether or not the charging operation is reliably performed when shooting data stored in the video camera is transferred to the video camera charging device. The camera has a function of checking the image, confirms that charging is in progress, outputs shooting data from the video camera to the video camera charging device, and transfers the data to the outside.

  <Configuration of Second Embodiment> FIG. 5 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The video camera information transfer system of this embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes a “video camera” (0510) and a “video camera charging device” (0520). The video camera (0510) includes a “drive battery unit” (0511), a “hard disk drive information storage unit” (0512), a “drive information acquisition unit” (0513), and an “information output unit” (0515). It consists of. The “drive information acquisition unit” (0513) includes “command receiving means” (0514). The configuration other than the “command receiving means” (0514) is the same as that of the first embodiment. The video camera charging device (0520) includes a “charging unit” (0521), a “video information acquisition unit” (0522), and a “transfer unit” (0525). The “video information acquisition unit” (0522) includes a “charge determination unit” (0523) and a “command transmission unit” (0524). The configurations other than the “charge determination unit” (0523) and the “command transmission unit” (0524) are the same as those in the first embodiment. Further, the “charging unit” (0521) may be included in the video camera (0510). The “charging determination means” (0523) of the video camera charging device (0520) has a function of determining whether or not the charging unit (0521) is performing a charging operation. Various methods can be considered for the determination. For example, a mechanism for detecting that the driving battery unit (0511) of the video camera (0510) is charged may be used, or an AC adapter may be used. You may judge by the mechanism which detects having been inserted in the outlet. The “command transmission means” (0524) of the video camera charging device (0520), when the determination result of the charging determination means (0523) is a determination result that the charging operation is being performed, 0510) has a function of transmitting a drive information acquisition command, which is a command for acquiring information from the hard disk drive information storage unit (0512), to the drive information acquisition unit (0513). The “command receiving unit” (0514) of the video camera (0510) has a function of receiving a drive information acquisition command transmitted from the command transmitting unit (0524).

  <Specific Example of Embodiment 2> A specific example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example of a specific functional block diagram of the present embodiment. First, shooting information shot by the user is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (0612) of the video camera (0610). Next, the charging unit (0623) charges the driving battery unit (0611) of the video camera (0610) by the charging determination unit (0623) included in the video information acquisition unit (0622) of the video camera charging device (0620). Determine if you are going. In this specific example, the charging unit (0621) is in the video camera charging device (0620), but may be in the video camera (0610). If the determination result of the charging determination means (0623) is “charging”, the command receiving means included in the drive information acquisition unit (0613) of the video camera (0610) from the command transmission means (0624). In response to (0614), a drive information acquisition command that is a command for acquiring shooting information from the hard disk drive information storage unit (0612) is transmitted. When the command receiving means (0614) receives the drive information acquisition command, the drive information acquisition unit (0613) acquires the shooting information from the hard disk drive information storage unit (0612), and the video camera charging device (0615) from the information output unit (0615). 0620), shooting information is output. The video information acquisition unit (0622) of the video camera charging device (0620) receives the shooting information and transfers it from the transfer unit (0625) to the external recording medium.

  <Processing Flow of Embodiment 2> FIG. 7 shows an example of the processing flow related to information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit in this embodiment, and includes the following steps. First, information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit on the video camera side (hard disk drive information storage step S0710). Next, it is determined whether or not the video camera is being charged. If it is determined that the battery is charged, the process proceeds to the next step. However, the subsequent process when it is determined that the battery is not charged is not limited to a specific process. For example, it may be possible to display a warning message indicating that transfer cannot be performed or a warning message indicating that charging is not being performed (charging operation determination step S0720). Next, when it is determined that the charging operation is being performed in the charging operation determination step (S0720), a drive information acquisition command is transmitted (drive information acquisition command transmission step S0730). Next, the video camera receives the drive information acquisition command transmitted in the drive information acquisition command transmission step (S0730) (drive information acquisition command reception step S0740). Next, based on the drive information received in the drive information acquisition command reception step (S0740), information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit in the hard disk drive information storage step (S0710) is acquired (drive information). Acquisition step S0750). Next, the information acquired in the drive information acquisition step (S0750) is output to the video camera charging device (information output step S0760). Next, on the video camera charging device side, the information output in the information output step (S0760) is acquired (video information acquisition step S0770). Finally, the information acquired in the video information acquisition step (S0770) is transferred to an external recording medium (information transfer step S0780).

<Effect of Second Embodiment> The video camera information transfer system according to the second embodiment determines whether or not the video camera is being charged, and the video camera is based on the determination that the charging operation is being performed reliably. Shooting data stored in the camera can be transferred to an external recording medium.
<< Embodiment 3 >>

  <Outline of Embodiment 3> The feature of the video camera information transfer system in this embodiment is that it supplies power to the hard disk drive information storage section of the video camera when the video camera is being charged. It is a point which has.

  <Configuration of Third Embodiment> FIG. 8 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The video camera information transfer system of this embodiment shown in FIG. 8 includes a “video camera” (0810) and a “video camera charging device” (0820). The video camera (0810) includes a “drive battery unit” (0811), a “hard disk drive information storage unit” (0812), a “drive information acquisition unit” (0813), and an “information output unit” (0815). It consists of. The “drive information acquisition unit” (0813) includes “command receiving means” (0814). This configuration is the same as in the second embodiment. The video camera charging device (0820) includes a “charging unit” (0821), a “drive power supply unit” (0822), a “video information acquisition unit” (0823), and a “transfer unit” (0826). The “video information acquisition unit” (0823) includes “charge determination unit” (0824) and “command transmission unit” (0825). The configuration other than the “drive power supply unit” (0822) is the same as that of the second embodiment. Further, the “charging unit” (0821) may be included in the video camera (0810). The “drive power supply unit” (0822) supplies power to the hard disk drive information storage unit (0812) of the video camera (0810) when the charging unit (0821) is being charged. Have

  <Specific Example of Embodiment 3> A specific example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 shows an example of a specific functional block diagram of the present embodiment. First, shooting information shot by the user is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (0912) of the video camera (0910). Next, the charging unit (0924) charges the driving battery unit (0911) of the video camera (0910) by the charging determination unit (0924) included in the video information acquisition unit (0923) of the video camera charging device (0920). Determine if you are going. In this specific example, the charging unit (0921) is in the video camera charging device (0920), but may be in the video camera (0910). If the determination result of the charging determination means (0924) is “charging”, the drive power supply unit (0922) stores the hard disk drive information storage unit (0912) of the video camera (0910). To supply power. Further, the command transmission unit (0925) causes the command reception unit (0914) of the drive information acquisition unit (0913) of the video camera (0910) to acquire shooting information from the hard disk drive information storage unit (0912). A drive information acquisition command that is a command is transmitted. When the command receiving means (0914) receives the drive information acquisition command, the drive information acquisition unit (0913) acquires the shooting information from the hard disk drive information storage unit (0912) and the video camera charging device (0915) from the information output unit (0915). 0920), shooting information is output. The video information acquisition unit (0923) of the video camera charging device (0920) receives the shooting information and transfers it from the transfer unit (0926) to the external recording medium.

  <Processing Flow of Embodiment 3> FIG. 10 shows an example of the processing flow related to photographing information in this embodiment, and includes the following steps. First, information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit on the video camera side (hard disk drive information storage step S1010). Next, it is determined whether or not the video camera is being charged. If it is determined that the battery is charged, the process proceeds to the next step. However, the subsequent process when it is determined that the battery is not charged is not limited to a specific process. For example, it is conceivable to display a warning indicating that transfer cannot be performed or display a warning indicating that charging is not being performed (charging operation determination step S1020). Next, when it is determined that the charging operation is being performed in the charging operation determination step (S1020), power is supplied to the hard disk drive information storage unit on the video camera side (hard disk drive power supply step S1030). ). Next, a drive information acquisition command is transmitted to the video camera (drive information acquisition command transmission step S1040). Here, the order of the hard disk drive power supply step (S1030) and the drive information acquisition command transmission step (S1040) does not matter. The hard disk drive power supply step (S1030) may be performed after the drive information acquisition command transmission step (S1040). Next, on the video camera side, the drive information transmitted in the drive information acquisition command transmission step (S1040) is received (drive information acquisition command reception step S1050). Next, based on the drive information received in the drive information acquisition command reception step (S1050), the information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit in the hard disk drive information storage step (S1010) is acquired (drive information acquisition). Step S1060). Next, the information acquired in the drive information acquisition step (S1060) is output to the video camera charging device (information output step S1070). Next, on the video camera charging device side, the information output in the information output step (S1070) is acquired (video information acquisition step S1080). Finally, the information acquired in the video information acquisition step (S1080) is transferred to an external recording medium (information transfer step S1090).

<Effect of Embodiment 3> In the video camera information transfer system according to this embodiment, when the battery of the video camera is charged, only when power is supplied to the hard disk drive information storage unit of the video camera. It is possible to guarantee that stored shooting data is transferred to an external recording medium. In order to transfer the information stored in the HDD of the video camera to the outside, it is necessary to operate the HDD, but this requires a relatively large amount of power. In addition, when the user charges the video camera, the video camera battery is usually in a low power state. Therefore, charging is performed when power for transferring HDD information is supplied from the battery. Although the efficiency is deteriorated, the HDD information can be transferred while maintaining the charging effect by having means for directly supplying power to the HDD.
<< Embodiment 4 >>

  <Outline of Embodiment 4> The feature of the video camera information transfer system in this embodiment is that the amount of charge required for the completion of charging when the video camera charging device charges the video camera is calculated, and the calculated charging is performed. It has a function of determining the amount of information to be acquired from the hard disk drive information storage unit of the video camera based on the amount. In addition, when acquiring information from the hard disk drive information storage unit, it also has a function of acquiring information in consideration of the acquisition order and the like. With these functions, information can be transferred efficiently during the charging operation, and information can be reliably transferred during the charging operation.

  <Configuration of Embodiment 4> FIG. 11 shows an example of functional blocks in this embodiment. The video camera information transfer system of this embodiment shown in FIG. 11 includes a “video camera” (1110) and a “video camera charging device” (1120). The video camera (1110) includes a “drive battery unit” (1111), a “hard disk drive information storage unit” (1112), a “drive information acquisition unit” (1113), and an “information output unit” (1115). It consists of. The “drive information acquisition unit” (1113) includes “command receiving means” (1114). The “drive information acquisition unit” (1113) is different from the second embodiment in that the “command receiving unit” (1114) receives a drive information acquisition command corresponding to a required charging amount, which will be described later. The rest is the same as in the second embodiment. In addition, the video camera charging device (1120) includes a “charging unit” (1121), a “necessary charging amount calculation unit” (1122), a “video information acquisition unit” (1123), and a “transfer unit” (1127). The “video information acquisition unit” (1123) includes “charge determination unit” (1124) and “command transmission unit” (1125). Further, the “command transmission means” (1125) includes a “required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command generator” (1126). The configurations other than the “required charge amount calculation unit” (1122) and the “required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command generator” (1126) are the same as those in the second embodiment. Further, the “charging unit” (1121) may be included in the video camera (1110). The “necessary charging amount calculation unit” (1122) has a function of calculating a charging amount necessary for completion of charging when the charging unit (1121) performs a charging operation. The unit for calculating the amount of charge may be the amount of electricity or the charge time. The “required charge requirement drive information acquisition command generator” (1126) outputs a drive requirement acquisition drive information acquisition command that is a drive information acquisition command corresponding to the charge amount calculated by the required charge amount calculation unit (1122). Generate. The required amount of drive corresponding drive information acquisition command is an amount specification that is information determined by calculating the amount of information that can be acquired from the hard disk drive information storage unit during charging from the amount of charge calculated in the required amount of charge calculation unit (1122). May contain information. Here, the unit of the quantity defining information is not particularly limited. For example, it may be the number of bits or the number of bytes. Further, the drive information acquisition command corresponding to the required charge amount may include transfer plan information that determines a transfer plan in consideration of the order of acquiring information from the hard disk drive information storage unit. As a specific example of the transfer plan information, there may be a case where information is acquired less so that a large amount of power is not used in the initial stage of charging, and more information is acquired near the end of charging. .

  <Specific Example of Embodiment 4> A specific example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 shows an example of a specific functional block diagram of the present embodiment. First, shooting information shot by the user is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (1212) of the video camera (1210). Next, the charging unit (1221) charges the driving battery unit (1211) of the video camera (1210) by the charging determination unit (1224) included in the video information acquisition unit (1223) of the video camera charging device (1220). Determine if you are going. In this specific example, the charging unit (1221) is in the video camera charging device (1220), but may be in the video camera (1210). When the determination result of the charge determination means (1224) is “charging”, the charging unit (1221) determines the amount of charge required for the charging completion in the charging required amount calculation unit (1222). It is calculated, but it is assumed that the required charging amount here is “charging time 40 minutes”. Next, the calculated information on the required charging amount “charging time 40 minutes” is passed to the charging required amount corresponding drive information acquisition command generator (1226), and the hard disk drive information storage unit is obtained from the information “charging time 40 minutes”. The amount defining information that is the amount of information acquired from (1212) is determined. For example, if it is determined that the amount defining information is “120 M (mega) bytes”, the information on “120 M bytes” is included in the drive information acquisition command corresponding to the required charge amount, and the video camera (1210) is sent from the command transmission means (1225). ) To the command receiving means (1214) of the drive information acquisition unit (1213). When the command receiving means (1214) receives the required drive amount compatible drive information acquisition command, the drive information acquisition unit (1213), based on the information “120 Mbytes” included in the required charge amount compatible drive information acquisition command, For example, when 120 MB and 200 MB information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (1212), only 120 MB information is acquired, and the information output unit (1215) sends the information to the video camera charging device (1220). Output. The video information acquisition unit (1223) of the video camera charging device (1220) receives the information and transfers it from the transfer unit (1227) to the external recording medium. In the above specific example, the information included in the drive information acquisition command corresponding to the required charging amount is the amount defining information, and the transfer plan information may be included instead of the amount defining information.

  <Processing Flow of Embodiment 4> FIG. 13 shows an example of processing flow relating to photographing information in this embodiment, and includes the following steps. First, information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit on the video camera side (hard disk drive information storage step S1310). Next, it is determined whether or not the video camera is being charged. If it is determined that the battery is charged, the process proceeds to the next step. However, the subsequent process when it is determined that the battery is not charged is not limited to a specific process. For example, it is conceivable to display a warning indicating that transfer cannot be performed or display a warning indicating that charging is not being performed (charging operation determination step S1320). Next, if it is determined that the charging operation is being performed in the charging operation determination step (S1320), the required charging amount for completion of charging is calculated (required charging amount calculation step S1330). Next, a required drive amount corresponding drive information acquisition command including the specified amount information or the transfer plan information determined based on the required charge amount calculated in the required charge amount calculating step (S1330) is transmitted to the video camera. (Necessary charging amount drive information acquisition command transmission step S1340). Next, on the video camera side, the required drive amount corresponding drive information acquisition command transmitted in the required drive amount corresponding drive information acquisition command transmission step (S1340) is received (required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command receiving step S1350). . Next, in the hard disk drive information storage step (S1310), the information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit on the basis of the charge requirement corresponding drive information acquisition command received in the required charge amount compatible drive information acquisition command reception step (S1350). The acquired information is acquired (drive information acquisition step S1360). Next, the information acquired in the drive information acquisition step (S1360) is output to the video camera charging device (information output step S1370). Next, the information output in the information output step (S1370) is acquired on the video camera charging device side (video information acquisition step S1380). Finally, the information acquired in the video information acquisition step (S1380) is transferred to an external recording medium (information transfer step S1390).

<Effect of Embodiment 4> The video camera information transfer system according to the present embodiment calculates the amount of charge required for completion of charging when the video camera battery is charged, and defines the amount based on the amount of charge required. It has a function to generate a drive information acquisition command corresponding to the required amount of charge including information and transfer plan information and send it to the video camera, so that it can be transferred efficiently during charging, and the charging operation is completed and the user is finished. However, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the video camera is disconnected from the video camera charging device and the information transfer is not completed and is terminated in the middle.
<< Embodiment 5 >>

  <Outline of Embodiment 5> A feature of the video camera information transfer system in this embodiment is that the video camera has a function of displaying a status relating to transfer of information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit by the transfer unit. It is. In the present embodiment, the shooting information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit of the video camera can be transferred to an external recording medium for backup, but the unfinished shooting information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit. It is convenient if there is a function that prevents new information from being overwritten on untransferred information. Because of this function, the video camera information transfer system according to this embodiment has a display function for notifying the user of the information transfer status.

  <Configuration of Embodiment 5> FIG. 14 shows an example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. The video camera information transfer system of this embodiment shown in FIG. 14 includes a “video camera” (1410) and a “video camera charging device” (1420). The video camera (1410) includes a “drive battery unit” (1411), a “hard disk drive information storage unit” (1412), a “drive information acquisition unit” (1413), and an “information output unit” (1414). And “display unit” (1415). Here, except for the “display unit” (1415), it is the same as in the first embodiment. The video camera charging device (1420) includes a “charging unit” (1421), a “required charging amount calculation unit” (1422), and a “transfer unit” (1423). Same as 1. Further, the “charging unit” (1421) may be included in the video camera (1410). The “display unit” (1415) has a function of displaying a status related to the transfer of the transfer unit (1423) of the video camera charging device (1420). There are various possible contents to be displayed. For example, a message indicating that the transfer has been completed or that the transfer is in progress is displayed. After the transfer, the information is deleted from the hard disk drive information storage unit (1412). For example, a display indicating that the information has been transferred, a display indicating that overwriting and erasing is permitted when the transfer is completed, and a display indicating that the information that has not been transferred cannot be overwritten. Further, a display for warning when the time required for transferring information is longer than the time until the completion of charging, a warning display when charging operation is interrupted during transfer, and the like are also conceivable.

  <Specific Example of Embodiment 5> A specific example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 shows an example of a specific example of the display function that is a characteristic point of the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 15, the display unit (1510) is located at a position where the user of the video camera (1500) can see, and the display unit (1510) stores each piece of information for each piece of information stored in the video camera (1500). The transfer status is displayed. Information 1 and 3 are displayed as being overwritten because the transfer has been completed, and information 2 is displayed as being overwritten prohibited since the transfer has not been completed. Since FIG. 15 is just a display example, the display method is not limited to this. In addition, various display methods are conceivable, such as displaying that the information is being transferred if the information is being transferred.

  <Processing Flow of Embodiment 5> FIG. 16 shows an example of the processing flow related to photographing information in this embodiment, and includes the following steps. First, information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (information storage step S1610). Next, the information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit in the information storage step (S1610) is acquired (drive information acquisition step S1620). Next, the information acquired in the drive information acquisition step (S1620) is output to the video camera charging device (information output step S1630). The above steps are processing on the video camera side, and the following are processing on the video camera charging device side. Next, the information output from the video camera in the information output step (S1630) is acquired (video information acquisition step S1640). Next, the information acquired in the video information acquisition step (S1640) is transferred to an external recording medium (information transfer step S1650). Finally, the transfer status in the information transfer step (S1650) is displayed on the display unit (transfer status display step S1660).

<Effect of Embodiment 5> The video camera information transfer system according to the present embodiment displays the hard disk drive information in addition to displaying the transfer status indicating that the transfer is in progress depending on the transfer status of the transfer section of the video camera charging device. In order to realize a convenient function of prohibiting or allowing overwriting of information in the storage unit, it is possible to notify the user of the transfer status.
<< Embodiment 6 >> (hereinafter added)

  <Overview of Embodiment 6> In this embodiment, a video camera device with an information transfer function will be described. The video camera device with an information transfer function has a function of charging a battery therein and a function of transferring information to the outside. FIG. 17 shows an example of the concept of this embodiment. The “video camera device with information transfer function” (1710) of this embodiment is connected to a data transfer cable (1720) for transferring data to the outside, and is stored in an external recording medium (1730) during charging. A backup can be taken by transferring data.

  <Configuration of Embodiment 6> Various configurations can be considered for the configuration of the video camera device with an information transfer function of the present embodiment. An example of the functional block of each configuration is shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG.

  18 includes an “internal drive battery unit” (1810), a “hard disk drive information storage unit” (1820), and an “external supply charging unit” (1830). ) And an “external transfer unit” (1840). The “built-in drive battery unit” (1810) is for accumulating electric power for operating the video camera device with information transfer function (1800). The “hard disk drive information storage unit” (1820) is the same as in the first to fifth embodiments. The “external supply charging unit” (1830) has a function of charging the built-in drive battery unit (1810) with electric power supplied from the outside. It is considered that power is generally acquired from an external household power source or the like. The “external transfer unit” (1840) has a function of acquiring information from the hard disk drive information storage unit (1820) and transferring it to the outside when the external supply charging unit (1830) is charging. When acquiring the information, the storage format stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (1820) may be taken out as it is, but may be taken out after being converted into another format as appropriate. Further, when a plurality of pieces of information are recorded in the hard disk drive information storage unit (1820), any information may be selected and acquired without sequentially acquiring all the information. When transferring the acquired information to the outside, a buffer for temporarily storing the acquired information may be provided, or a storage unit such as an HDD may be provided. Further, the transfer destination is not limited to a specific recording medium. Further, it may be transferred via the Internet or a telephone line. Furthermore, there may be a plurality of transfer destinations instead of a single location, or a transfer destination may be selected according to the content of information. Further, a mechanism may be adopted in which the information already stored in the aforementioned buffer or storage unit is transferred simultaneously.

  The “video camera device with information transfer function” (1900) shown in FIG. 19 has a “command output unit” (1950) in addition to the configuration of the video camera device with information transfer function of FIG. 18, and an external transfer unit (1940). ) Has “charging determination means” (1941). The “charging determination means” (1941) has a function of determining whether the externally supplied charging unit (1930) is performing a charging operation. As a determination method, for example, a mechanism for detecting that the built-in drive battery unit (1910) is charged may be used, or a determination may be made by a mechanism for detecting that the AC adapter is plugged into an outlet. May be. If the determination result of the charge determination means (1941) is a determination result that the charging operation is being performed, the “command output unit” (1950) sends the hard disk drive information to the external transfer unit (1940). It has a function of outputting a drive information acquisition command that is a command for acquiring information from the storage unit (1920).

  The “video camera device with information transfer function” (2000) shown in FIG. 20 includes a “drive power supply unit” (2060) in addition to the configuration of the video camera device with information transfer function of FIG. The “drive power supply unit” (2060) has a function of supplying power to the hard disk drive information storage unit (2020) while the external supply charging unit (2030) is charging.

  The “video camera device with information transfer function” (2100) shown in FIG. 21 has a “required charge calculation unit” (2170) in addition to the configuration of the video camera device with information transfer function of FIG. (2150) includes “required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command generation means” (2151). The “necessary charging amount calculation unit” (2170) has a function of calculating the charging amount necessary for completion of charging. The unit for calculating the amount of charge may be the amount of electricity or the charge time. The “required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command generation means” (2151) acquires the required drive amount corresponding drive information that is a drive information acquisition command according to the charge amount based on the calculation result of the required charge amount calculation unit (2170). It has a function to generate instructions. The drive information acquisition command corresponding to the required charge amount is the same as in the fourth embodiment.

  The “video camera device with information transfer function” (2200) shown in FIG. 22 has a “display unit” (2280) in addition to the configuration of the video camera device with information transfer function of FIG. The “display unit” (2280) has a function of displaying a status regarding the transfer of information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (2220) by the external transfer unit (2240). The function is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.

  <Specific Example of Embodiment 6> A specific example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 23 shows an example of a specific example of this embodiment. As a specific example, various patterns can be considered as in the configuration of the present embodiment. Here, a specific example in the case where the video camera device with an information transfer function has the configuration shown in FIG. 22 is shown in FIG. . First, shooting information shot by the user is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (2320). Next, it is determined whether or not the external supply charging unit (2330) is charging the built-in drive battery unit (2310) by the charging determination unit (2341) included in the external transfer unit (2340). Charging required for the external supply charging unit (2330) to complete charging in the required charge amount calculation unit (2370) when the determination result in the charging determination unit (2341) is “charging”. The amount is calculated, and it is assumed that the required charging amount is “charging time 40 minutes”. Next, the calculated information on the required charging amount “charging time 40 minutes” is passed to the charging required amount corresponding drive information acquisition command means (2351), and from the information “charging time 40 minutes”, the hard disk drive information storage unit ( 2320), the amount defining information which is the amount of information acquired is determined. For example, if the amount defining information is determined to be “120 M (mega) bytes”, the information “120 M bytes” is included in the drive information acquisition command corresponding to the required charge amount and is transmitted to the external transfer unit (2340). The When the external transfer unit (2340) receives the drive information acquisition command corresponding to the required charge amount, the external transfer unit (2340), for example, based on the information “120 Mbytes” included in the drive information acquisition command corresponding to the required charge amount When 120-Mbyte and 200-Mbyte information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (2320), only 120-Mbyte information is acquired and transferred from the external transfer unit (2340) to the external recording medium. In the above specific example, the information included in the drive information acquisition command corresponding to the required charging amount is the amount defining information, and the transfer plan information may be included instead of the amount defining information. Further, regarding a specific example of the display unit, an example similar to the specific example of the fifth embodiment can be considered.

  <Processing Flow in Embodiment 6> FIG. 24 shows an example of the processing flow in the present embodiment, and includes the following steps. First, information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit (hard disk drive information storage step S2410). Next, it is determined whether or not a charging operation is being performed. If it is determined that the battery is charged, the process proceeds to the next step. However, the subsequent process when it is determined that the battery is not charged is not limited to a specific process. For example, it is conceivable to display a warning indicating that transfer cannot be performed or display a warning indicating that charging is not being performed (charging operation determination step S2420). Next, if it is determined that the charging operation is being performed in the charging operation determination step (S2420), a required charging amount for completion of charging is calculated (required charging amount calculation step S2430). Next, a charge requirement corresponding drive information acquisition command including the amount regulation information or transfer plan information determined based on the charge requirement calculated in the charge requirement calculation step (S2430) is sent to the external transfer unit. Transmit (required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command transmission step S2440). Next, in the hard disk drive information storage step (S2410), the information is stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit based on the charge necessary amount compatible drive information acquisition command transmitted in the required charge amount compatible drive information acquisition command transmission step (S2440). The acquired information is acquired (drive information acquisition step S2450). Next, the information acquired in the drive information acquisition step (S2450) is transferred to an external recording medium (information transfer step S2460). Finally, the transfer status in the information transfer step (S2460) is displayed on the display unit (transfer status display step S2470).

  <Effect of Embodiment 6> The video camera device with an information transfer function in this embodiment has a function of charging the battery inside and a function of transferring information to the outside. 5 has the same function as that of the fifth embodiment, and the effect thereof is the same as that of the first to fifth embodiments.

Conceptual diagram for explaining the first embodiment Functional block diagram for explaining the first embodiment Specific example of Embodiment 1 The figure explaining the flow of processing of Embodiment 1. Functional block diagram for explaining the second embodiment Specific functional block diagram for explaining the second embodiment The figure explaining the flow of processing of Embodiment 2. Functional block diagram for explaining the third embodiment Specific functional block diagram for explaining the third embodiment The figure explaining the flow of processing of Embodiment 3. Functional block diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment Specific functional block diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment The figure explaining the flow of processing of Embodiment 4 Functional block diagram for explaining the fifth embodiment Specific example of Embodiment 5 The figure explaining the flow of processing of Embodiment 5 Conceptual diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment Functional block diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment Functional block diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment Functional block diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment Functional block diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment Functional block diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment Specific functional block diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment The figure explaining the flow of processing of Embodiment 6.

Explanation of symbols

0110 Video camera 0120 Video camera charger 0130 Data transfer cable 0140 External recording media

Claims (4)

A video camera information transfer system comprising a video camera and a video camera charging device,
The video camera
A battery for driving,
A hard disk drive information storage unit;
A drive information acquisition unit for acquiring information from the hard disk drive information storage unit;
An information output unit for outputting the information acquired by the drive information acquisition unit to the outside;
Have
The video camera charging device includes:
A charging unit for charging the driving battery unit of the video camera;
A video information acquisition unit for acquiring information output from the information output unit;
A transfer unit for transferring the information acquired by the video information acquisition unit;
A charge amount calculation unit for calculating the amount of charge necessary for the completion of charge,
A video camera information transfer system comprising:
The video information acquisition unit of the video camera charging device,
Charging determination means for determining whether the charging unit is performing a charging operation; and
If the determination result of the charging determination means is a determination result that the charging operation is being performed, an instruction for causing the drive information acquisition unit of the video camera to acquire information from a hard disk drive information storage unit Command transmission means for transmitting a certain drive information acquisition command;
Have
The command transmission means of the video information acquisition unit of the video camera charging device is:
A required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command generator that generates a required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command that is a drive information acquisition command according to the required charge amount calculated by the required charge amount calculation unit;
The required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command generator acquires the required charge amount information calculated by the required charge amount calculation unit, and uses the required charge amount information from the hard disk drive information storage unit to charge time The amount defining information is an amount of information that can be acquired, and a charge required amount corresponding drive information acquisition command including the amount defining information is generated,
The drive information acquisition unit of the video camera
A video camera information transfer system comprising command receiving means for receiving a drive information acquisition command transmitted from the command transmitting means of the video camera charging device. The video camera charging device includes:
A drive power supply unit that supplies power to the hard disk drive information storage unit of the video camera during the charging operation of the charging unit
The video camera information transfer system according to claim 1 . The video camera charging device includes:
It has a charge required amount calculation unit for calculating the amount of charge required for completion of charging,
The command transmission means of the video information acquisition unit includes:
A required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command generator that generates a required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command that is a drive information acquisition command according to the required charge amount calculated by the required charge amount calculation unit;
The required charge amount corresponding drive information acquisition command generator acquires the required charge amount information calculated by the required charge amount calculation unit, and uses the required charge amount information from the hard disk drive information storage unit to charge time 2. The video camera information transfer system according to claim 1 , wherein transfer plan information, which is a transfer plan of information that can be acquired, is defined, and a drive information acquisition command corresponding to a required charge amount including the transfer plan information is generated. . The video camera information transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the video camera further includes a display unit that displays a status relating to transfer of information stored in the hard disk drive information storage unit by the transfer unit.

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