Abstract:
An image capture device includes an image capture module, which uses an image sensor to convert field images obtained through a lens thereof into image data and has a viewfinder for finding the field, and an adapter pivoted to the image capture module and adapted to receive image data from the image capture module, to store received data in a RAM thereof, and to transmit image data to an external mobile computer or the like through a card bus thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to an image capture device connectable to an external electronic apparatus and, more particularly, to such an image capture device, which uses a CPU to set flags for image data received from an image sensor through a lens and an image processing circuit to reduce the size image data, enabling processed image data to be transmitted to an external electronic apparatus through a card bus interface. Therefore, the electronic apparatus to which the image capture device is connected has the function of a digital still camera as well as a digital video camera.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Following fast development of computer technology, computers of relatively higher operating power and faster operating speed are known. In order to expand the data storage capacity of a mobile computer, electronic dictionary, digital camera, or the like, electronic cards such as network cards, modem cards, SCSI cards are developed. Electronic cards for use in a computer system are commonly of PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) architecture. Various PCMCIA compatible interfaces such as PCMCIA to SCSI, PCMCIA to IDE, etc. have been developed for notebook computers. Most notebook computers support plug and play as well as hot plug. In additional to PCMCIA based memory cards, various other memory cards, such as MMCs (Multimedia Cards), CFs (CompactFlash Cards), SMCs (SmartMedia Cards), MSs (Memory Sticks), SDs (Secure Digital Memory Cards) are commercially available for use in a variety of electronic apparatus (digital cameras, digital video cameras, translation machines, personal digital assistants).  
           [0005]    However, the interface of a PDA (personal digital assistant) is of CF (CompatFlash Card) architecture. Manufacturers commonly use a card bus of CF architecture to connect a digital camera to a PDA. A digital camera for this purpose is practical for taking still photos only, and the field image can only be displayed on the display screen of the PDA. Due to limited function of the CPU and software, a PDA cannot controls a digital camera to take motion picture.  
           [0006]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide an image capture device for electronic apparatus that eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide an image capture device for electronic apparatus, which enables the electronic apparatus to take photos as well as motion picture. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image capture device for electronic apparatus, which can be adjusted to view the field from different angels. According to one aspect of the present invention, the image capture device comprises an image capture module, and an adapter adapted to connect the image capture module to an external electronic apparatus and to transmit image data from the image capture module to the external electronic apparatus connected thereto. The image capture module comprises an image capture lens adapted to capture field images, and a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly of the image capture module comprises an image sensor adapted to receive field images from the lens and to convert received field images into image data. The adapter comprises a card bus for connection to an external electronic apparatus, and a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly of the adapter comprises a video bus interface electrically connected to the image sensor of the image capture module, a control unit (central processing unit), a random access memory controlled by the control unit to store image data received from the image sensor through the video bus interface, and a card bus interface connected to the card bus and controlled by the control unit to output image data to the card bus. The video bus interface transmits image data from the image sensor to the control unit for setting flags and for enabling image data to be stored in the random access memory under the control of the control unit. The control unit has an image processing circuit adapted to contract field image data. According to another aspect of the present invention, the image capture module has a viewfinder window for finding the field, and a round neck fastened pivotally with a joint at one side of the adapter. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image capture device according to the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the image capture device according to the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the image capture device according to the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is an operation flow chart according to the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is an applied view of the present invention, showing the image capture device installed in a PDA.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 but showing the angular adjustment of the image capture module relative to the PDA.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an image capture device is shown comprised of an adapter  10  and an image capture module  20  electrically connected to the adapter  10 .  
         [0015]    The adapter  10  comprises a card bus  11  and a joint  12  at one side of the card bus  11 . The card bus  11  has a connecting side  111  opposite to the joint  12 . The image capture module  20  comprises an image capture lens  21 , a viewfinder window  22 , an indicator  23 , and a round neck  24 . The joint  12  is shaped like a barrel, and formed of two symmetrical halves. The two symmetrical halves of the joint  12  can be opened for receiving the round neck  24  of the image capture module  20 , and then closed to secure the image capture module  20  to the adapter  10 , for enabling the image capture module  20  to be rotated relative to the joint  12 .  
         [0016]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first circuit assembly  100  and a second circuit assembly  200  are respectively installed in the card bus  11  of the adapter  10  and the image capture module  20 . The first circuit assembly  100  comprises a control unit (CPU)  101 , a RAM (random access memory)  102 , a card bus interface  103 , and a video bus interface  104 . The RAM (random access memory)  102 , the card bus interface  103 , and the video bus interface  104  are respectively electrically connected to the control unit (CPU)  101 . The control unit (CPU)  101  records signal flags for executing different controls, having an image processing circuit  1011  adapted to contract field image data (to one second, one fourth, or one eighth of the bits of field image data). The card bus interface  103  is connected to the corresponding slot of the electronic apparatus (computer or PDA)  30  through the connecting side  111  of the card bus  11  (see FIG. 5). The video bus interface  104  is adapted to receive image data from the second circuit assembly  200  in the image capture module  20  and transfer received image data to the control unit (CPU)  101 . The second circuit assembly  200  has an image sensor  201  electrically connected to the video bus interface  104  and adapted to receive field images from the lens  21  and to convert received field images into image data.  
         [0017]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, when in use, the connecting side  111  of the card bus  11  of the adapter  10  is connected to the corresponding slot of the electronic apparatus  30  enabling the electronic apparatus  30 to pick up field image data through the lens  21  of the image capture module  20 . Image data picked by the lens  21  is transmitted to the image sensor  201  of the second circuit assembly  200 , enabling the video bus interface  104  to transmit field image data to the control unit (CPU)  101  of the first circuit assembly  100  in the adapter  10  for setting flag and then for storing in the RAM  102 . When the status of the set flag ended, the image processing circuit  1011  of the control unit (CPU)  101  sets the ratio of contract (one second, one fourth, or one eighth). When the ratio of contact set, the control unit (CPU)  101  controls the RAM  102  to transfer storage image data to the external electronic apparatus (computer, or PDA)  30  through the card bus interface  103  for storage in storage means of the external electronic apparatus  30  and for display on the display screen  31  of the electronic apparatus  30  when converted into field.  
         [0018]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the user operating the image capture device to take photos after the connection of the image capture device to the electronic apparatus  30 , the image capture device runs subject to the following steps:  
         [0019]    ( 400 ) Start;  
         [0020]    ( 401 ) Set image sensor  201 &#39;s default value;  
         [0021]    ( 402 ) Image sensor  201  output field image data to the control unit (CPU)  101  through the video bus interface  104 ;  
         [0022]    ( 403 ) Fetch flag, and then proceed to step ( 404 ) when succeeded, or to step  
         [0023]    ( 407 ) when failed;  
         [0024]    ( 404 ) New field? Proceed to step ( 405 ) when positive, or repeat step ( 404 ) when negative;  
         [0025]    ( 405 ) The control unit (CPU)  101  controls the video bus interface  104  to store image data in the RAM  102 ;  
         [0026]    ( 406 ) Clear fetched flag, and then proceed to step ( 403 );  
         [0027]    ( 407 ) The operating system of the electronic apparatus (computer system or PDA)  30  drives the control unit (CPU)  101  through the card bus interface  103  to fetch image data from the RAM  102 , and then convert image data into field for display on the display screen  31 ;  
         [0028]    ( 408 ) Set flag;  
         [0029]    ( 409 ) Next field? Return to step ( 403 ) if positive, or proceed to step ( 410 );  
         [0030]    ( 410 ) End the system.  
         [0031]    Referring to FIGS. 2, 5, and  6 , the round neck 24  of the image capture module  20  is fastened pivotally with the joint  12  so that the image capture module  20  can be rotated in the joint  12  to move the lens  21  and the viewfinder window  22  to the desired angle.  
         [0032]    When photographing, the user can find the view of the field through the viewfinder window  22  or preview field images through the display screen  31  of the electronic apparatus  30 , and operate the buttons  32  of the electronic apparatus  30  to select the function of taking still photos or the function of taking motion picture.  
         [0033]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the indicator  23  is a transparent or semitransparent shell having an indicator light  231  on the inside adapted to indicate data output status of the image capture device. Further, the connecting side  111  of the card bus  11  of the adapter  10  can be of CF (CompactFlash card), SD (Secure Digital Card), or PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) architecture.  
         [0034]    Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.