Abstract:
A portable device that sends and receives data to and from one of a plurality of external devices is provided. The portable device has connecting members, a selecting member, and a communicating member. The connecting members send and receive data to and from said external devices. The selecting member selects one of said connecting members among those connected to some of said external devices. The communicating member sends and receives data to and from an external device using the selected connecting member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a portable device, and more particularly, to an operating device which is connected to an external device, and send and receive data to and from the external device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A portable device may be connected to an external device in order to send and receive data to and from the external device. For example, a digital camera may be connected to a printer, and send image data stored in the digital camera to the printer. The digital camera detects whether a printer is connected to the digital camera before sending image data. This construction is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2004-221936. 
         [0005]    However, some digital cameras have a number of connecting members. When such digital cameras are simultaneously connected to a number of external devices through connecting members, the digital camera may become “confused” as to whether it is sending or receiving data, and transferred data may be lost. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An object of the present invention is to provide a portable device which has a plurality of connecting members, and sends and receives data reliably even when a plurality of external devices are connected to the portable device at the same time. 
         [0007]    The present invention is a portable device that sends and receives data to and from one of a plurality of external devices is provided having connecting members, a selecting member, and a communicating member. The connecting members send and receive data to and from said external devices. The selecting member selects one of said connecting members among those connected to external devices. The communicating member sends and receives data to and from an external device using the selected connecting member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a camera viewed diagonally from its base side, as the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the digital camera and the external device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing the digital camera and the external device which is connected to the digital camera; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing the first selection process; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view showing the digital camera and an external device which may be connected to the digital camera with a insertion dock; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of a detection switch that is provided in the digital camera; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view showing the digital camera and the external device which is connected to the digital camera with a insertion dock; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing the second selection process. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    The present invention is described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a digital camera  100  as a portable device viewed diagonally from its base side. Lens  111  and a flash  112  are provided on the front side of the digital camera  110 . A first connecting member  121  is provided on the lateral side  101 . The first connecting member  121  is a receptacle for a USB connector (USB camera-side connector  121 ). A second connecting member  131 , a detection switch  123 , and tripod mount hole  124  are provided on the bottom  102  of the digital camera. The second connecting member  131  is a receptacle of a connector which is compliant with the ImageLink™ print system. 
         [0019]    The construction of the digital camera  100  and printer is described below with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0020]    The digital camera  100  is connectable to a first printer  200  with the USB camera-side connector  121 , and a second printer  300  with the ImageLink™ connector  131 . The first printer  200  is a USB-compliant printer  200  which may communicate with the digital camera  100  using the USB standard, and print photographed images using the PictBridge™ standard. The second printer  300  is an ImageLink™-compliant printer  300 . 
         [0021]    The digital camera  100  is controlled by a camera system controller  141 . The user may send a photographing signal to the camera system controller  141  using a camera operating switch  150 . The camera system controller  141  receives the photographing signal, and photographs an object with an imaging member  151 . After photographing, the imaging member  151  outputs the image signal to an image-signal processor  152 . The image signal possessor  152  processes the image signal and temporarily stores it in an image memory  153 , and outputs an image file. The camera system controller  141  stores the image files which are output from the image-signal processor  153  to an image-storing memory  154 . 
         [0022]    A monitor  155  displays an image corresponding to the image file stored in the image-storing memory  154 . 
         [0023]    The camera system controller  141  is connected to the camera-side interface  142 . The camera-side interface  142  is connected to the USB camera-side connector  121  and ImageLink™ camera-side connector  131 , and controls the communications through each connector. The USB camera-side connector  121  is used for connecting the USB-compliant printer  200 . The ImageLink™ camera-side connector  131  is used for connecting the ImageLink™-compliant printer  300 . 
         [0024]    The USB-compliant printer  200  is controlled by a first printer system controller  241 . The first printer system controller  241  is connected to a first drawing member  254  which is used for printing images, a first image storage  253  which is used for storing image files, USB interface  242  which is used to connect the digital camera  242 , and a first printer operating switch  250 . The USB interface  242  is compatible with the USB specification. The USB printer-side connector  221  is a receptacle which mates with a USB connector. 
         [0025]    When the USB camera-side connector  121  is connected to the USB printer-side connector  221 , the camera-side interface  142  and the USB interface  242  perform a connecting process, so that a USB connection is established between them. Thereby, the camera system controller  141  may communicate with the first printer system controller  241 . 
         [0026]    Images which the user desires to print are selected with camera operating switch  150 . The first printer system controller  241  receives the specified images from the digital camera  100  through the USB interface  242 . The received images are stored in the first image storage  253 , and printed by the first drawing member  254 . Moreover, the user may print desired images by operating the first printer operating switch  250 . 
         [0027]    The ImageLink™-compliant printer  300  has similar construction to the USB-compliant printer  200 . The ImageLink™ interface  342  is compliant with the ImageLink™ print system. The ImageLink™ printer connector  343  is a plug which mates with the ImageLink™ connector. 
         [0028]    When the ImageLink™-compliant printer connector is inserted into the ImageLink™ camera connector  131 , the camera interface  142  and the ImageLink™ interface  342  perform a connecting process, so that an ImageLink™ connection is established between them. Thereby, the second printer system controller  341  may take control the digital camera  100 . 
         [0029]    The camera system controller  141  is connected to the detection switch  123 . The detection switch  123  detects that the ImageLink™-compliant printer  300  is connected to the ImageLink™ camera connector  131 . 
         [0030]    The connection between the digital camera  100  and the USB-compliant printer  200  or the ImageLink™-compliant printer  300  is described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0031]    The USB-compliant printer  200  is provided with a USB printer connector  221  on its lateral side. 
         [0032]    The ImageLink™-compliant printer  300  comprises an attaching surface  301  on the top surface on which the digital camera  100  may be placed. The ImageLink™ printer connector  343  projects perpendicularly from the attaching surface  301 . 
         [0033]    The USB camera connector  121  is connected to USB printer connector  221  by USB cable  260 . The digital camera  100  is placed on the attaching surface  301  while the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  engages with the ImageLink™ printer connector  343 . 
         [0034]    At that moment, the digital camera  100  is connected to both the ImageLink™-compliant printer  300  and the USB-compliant printer  200 . However, the digital camera  100  cannot communicate simultaneously with both printers because the communication specifications and the performance of the digital camera  100  do not permit communication with two printers. Therefore, the camera system controller  141  decides with which printer to communicate through the process described below. 
         [0035]    A first connecting process is described below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0036]    In the first connecting process, the ImageLink™ connection is used in preference to the USB connection. The process that the camera system controller  141  executes when it is powered on is described with reference to steps S 411  to S 434 . 
         [0037]    The first connecting process starts from step S 411  when the digital camera  100  is powered on. 
         [0038]    Flags Flg 1  and Flg 2  are initialized in step S 412 . The flag Flg 1  indicates whether the USB camera connector  121  is connected to the USB-compliant printer  200  or not. In the case they are connected, the flag Flg 1  is set to 1, otherwise, it is set to 0. The flag Flg 1  is initially set to 0. The flag Flg 2  indicates whether the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™-compliant printer  300  or not. In the case they are connected, the flag Flg 2  is set to 1; otherwise, it is set to 0. The flag Flg 2  is initially set to 0. 
         [0039]    In step S 413 , the camera system controller  141  judges whether the USB camera connector  121  is connected to the USB printer connector  221 . In the case they are connected, the flag Flg 1  is set to 1 in step S 414 . Otherwise, the flag Flg 1  is not set to 1, so that its value remains 0, and the process advances to step S 415 . 
         [0040]    In step S 415 , the camera system controller  141  judges whether the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector  343 . In the case they are connected, the flag Flg 2  is set to 1 in step S 416 . Otherwise, the flag Flg 2  is not set to 1, so that its value is kept to 0, and the process advances to step S 417 . 
         [0041]    In step S 417 , it is judged whether the flags Flg 1  and Flg 2  are both 0 or not. This judgment enables the recognition that the USB connection and the ImageLink™ connection are established. When the flags Flg 1  and Flg 2  are both 0, i.e. the USB camera connector  121  is not connected to the USB-compliant printer  221  and the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is not connected to the ImageLink™-compliant printer  343 , the digital camera  100  is activated and photographing preparation is performed. When the flag Flg 1  and Flg 2  are not 0, i.e. the USB camera connector  121  is connected to the USB-compliant printer  221  and/or the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™-compliant printer  343 , the process advances to step S 421 . 
         [0042]    In step S 421 , it is judged whether the flags Flg 1  and Flg 2  are 1 or not. When the flags Flg 1  and Flg 2  are both 1, i.e., the USB camera connector  121  is connected to the USB-compliant printer  221  and the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™-compliant printer  343 , the process advances to step S 422 . In step S 422 , the alert that both the USB camera connector  121  and the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  are connected is displayed on the monitor  155  or a beep is sounded. In step S 421 , when both flags Flg 1  and Flg 2  are not 1, the process advances to step S 423 . 
         [0043]    In step S 423 , it is judged whether the flag Flg 2  is 1 or not. When the flag Flg 2  is 1, i.e. the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™-compliant printer  343 , the process advances to step S 425 . When the flag Flg 2  is not 1, i.e., the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is not connected to the ImageLink™-compliant printer  343 , the process advances to step S 432 . 
         [0044]    In step S 425 , the digital camera  100  is activated with ImageLink™ connection mode, and executes an ImageLink™ mode process. The ImageLink™ connection mode is an operational mode in which the digital camera  100  and the ImageLink™-compliant printer  300  are connected using the ImageLink™ specification. In the ImageLink™ connection mode, the camera interface  142  and the ImageLink™ interface  342  perform a connection process, so that an ImageLink™ connection is established between them. After that, a second printer system controller  341  controls the digital camera  100 , so that data (i.e. image data) is transferred between them. 
         [0045]    When the ImageLink™ mode process is finished, it is determined whether the USB camera connector  121  is connected to the USB printer connector  221  in step S 426 . In the case it is not connected, the process returns to step S 425 , and executes the ImageLink™ mode process again. In the case it is connected, the process advances to step S 427 , and continues the ImageLink™ mode process. Therefore, in the case the digital camera  100  is activated with the ImageLink™ mode, the USB connection between the USB camera connector  121  and the USB printer connector  221  is neglected, even if the USB camera connector  121  is connected to the USB printer connector  221 . 
         [0046]    Otherwise, the flag Flg 2  is not 1 in step S 423 , and it is judged that the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is not connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector, and the process advances to step S 432 . 
         [0047]    In step S 432 , the digital camera is activated with the USB connection mode, and executes a USB connection mode process. The USB connection mode is an operational mode in which the digital camera  100  and the USB-compliant printer  200  are connected following the USB specification. In the USB connection mode, the camera interface  142  and the USB interface  242  perform a connection process, so that the USB connection is established between them. After that, the camera system controller  141  communicates with a first printer system controller  241  so that data (i.e., image data) may be transferred between them. 
         [0048]    When the USB mode process is finished, it is determined whether the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector  343  in step S 433 . In the case it is not connected, the process returns to step S 432 , and executes the USB mode process. In the case it is connected, the process advances to step S 434 , and the digital camera  100  disconnects the connection with the USB-compliant printer  200 , and switched to the ImageLink™ mode. Therefore, in the case the digital camera  100  is connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector  343  when the digital camera  100  is activated with the ImageLink™ mode, the connection with the ImageLink™-compliant printer is used in preference to the connection with the USB-compliant printer  200 . 
         [0049]    The process which is executed while the digital camera  100  is activated is described with reference to steps S 442  to S 451 . 
         [0050]    In step S 418 , the digital camera  100  is activated and photographing preparation is performed. After that, the process advances to step S 441 . 
         [0051]    In step S 441 , a camera process is executed. The camera process includes a photographing process and a displaying process which displays image data stored in the image-storing memory  154  on the monitor  155 . After the camera process is executed, it is judged whether the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector  343  in step S 442 . In the case it is connected, the process advances to step S 425 , and the digital camera  100  switches to the ImageLink™ connection mode. 
         [0052]    In step S 442 , the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is not connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector  343 , and it is determined whether the USB camera connector  121  is connected to the USB printer connector  221  in the following step S 451 . In the case it is connected, the process advances to step S 432 , and the digital camera  100  advances to the USB connection mode. In the case it is not connected, the process returns to step S 441 , and the digital camera  100  executes the camera process. 
         [0053]    According to this embodiment, in the case a number of the connectors provided with the digital camera  100  are connected to external devices, the digital camera  100  selects and keeps the connection with the ImageLink™-compliant printer  300 , so that images may be reliably printed. 
         [0054]    A second embodiment is described with reference to  FIGS. 2 , and  5 - 8 . In this embodiment, the camera system controller  141  detects whether the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector  343  through the detection switch  123 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the insertion dock  400  is provided on the attaching surface  301  for adequately supporting the digital camera  100 . The insertion dock  400  has flange  401  which extends upward from the attaching surface  301 .  FIG. 7  shows the digital camera connected to the ImageLink™-compliant printer  300 . The flange  400  contacts parts of the front, side, and rear surfaces which are near the bottom of the digital camera  100 , so that movement of the digital camera in the plane of the attaching surface  301  is restricted. Moreover, the flange  401  covers the USB camera connector  121  which is provided on the lateral side of the digital camera  100 . Due to this construction, USB cable connection with connector  121  is prevented. 
         [0056]    The insertion dock  400  comprises a hole  403  through which by the ImageLink™ printer connector  343  projects from the attaching surface  301 . In the case the digital camera  100  is attached to the insertion dock  400 , the ImageLink™ printer connector  343  passes through the hole  403 , and engages with the ImageLink™ camera connector  131 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the insertion dock  400  has a detection projection  402  which projects from a contact surface  404  which contacts the bottom  102  of the digital camera  100 . When the digital camera is attached to the insertion dock  400 , the detection projection  402  pushes the detection switch  123 . The detection switch  123  sends a detection signal to the camera system controller  141 . The camera system controller  141  receives the detection signal, and judges that the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector  343 . 
         [0058]    Therefore, when the digital camera  100  is placed on the insertion dock  400 , the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector  343 , while the USB camera connector  121  is not connected to the USB cable  260 . 
         [0059]    A second selection process is described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0060]    The second selection process is such that the printer which is connected earliest is used in preference to other printers. The camera system controller  141  executes the second selection process either when the digital camera is powered on, while the digital camera is already powered on, or periodically. 
         [0061]    The second connecting process is started from step S 810 . In step S 811 , a flag USBFlg which indicates that the USB connection is disabled, and a flag IMGFlg which indicates that the ImageLink™ connection is disabled are initialized to 0. In the case the flag USBFlg is 1, USB connection is prohibited. In the case it is 0, the USB connection is allowed. In the case the flag IMGFlg is 1, the ImageLink™ connection is prohibited. In the case it is 0, the ImageLink™ connection is allowed. 
         [0062]    In step S 812 , it is judged that the detection switch  123  has been pushed by the detection projection  402 , namely, the detection switch  123  has sent the detection signal. In the case the detection switch  123  has been pressed, in step S 813 , it is judged that the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector  343 . In the case it is not connected, an alert is displayed on the monitor  155  or a beep is sounded. Then the process returns to step S 812 . In the case it is connected, the ImageLink™ connecting mode, i.e. the process described in step S 425  in  FIG. 4  is executed in step S 815 . 
         [0063]    Otherwise, in the case the detection switch  123  is not pressed by the detection projection  402  in step S 812 , the process advances to step S 821 . In step S 812 , it is judged that the ImageLink™ camera connector  131  is connected to the ImageLink™ printer connector  343 . In the case it is connected, the flag USBFlg is set to 1 in step S 822 , so that the USB connection is disabled. After that, the digital camera  100  moves to the ImageLink™ mode. Otherwise, the process advances to step S 831 . 
         [0064]    In step S 831 , it is judged that the USB camera connector  121  is connected to the USB printer connector  221 . In the case it is connected, the flag IMGFlg is set to 1 in step S 832 , so that the ImageLink™ connection is disabled. Then, the digital camera  100  moves to the USB connection mode which is shown in step S 432  in  FIG. 4 . In the case it is not connected, the process advances to step S 834 , and then ends. After that, in the case that the second connecting process is executed when the power button of the digital camera  100  is pressed, the digital camera  100  is prepared for operation after the second connecting process is executed. In the case that the second connecting process is executed when the digital camera  100  is already powered on, the digital camera switches to normal operating mode. 
         [0065]    Note that the ImageLink™ connection may be used in preference to other connections. In this case, steps S 432  to S 434  are performed instead of steps S 832  to S 833 . 
         [0066]    The printer which is connected earliest may be used in preference to other printers without judging that the detection switch  123  has been pushed by the detection projection  402 . In this case, steps S 812  to S 814  are omitted. 
         [0067]    According to the embodiment, in the case that the detection switch  123  detects that the ImageLink™ printer connector is connected even if multiple external devices are connected to the digital camera  100 , the digital camera  100  selects and keeps the connection with the ImageLink™ compatible printer  300  so that images may be reliably printed. Moreover, in the case the ImageLink™-compliant printer is not connected, the printer which is connected earliest may be used in preference to other printers. Therefore the external device which is connected to the digital camera is selected properly, and the digital camera prints images reliably. 
         [0068]    Note that the external devices are exemplified as printers, however, other external devices may connect with the digital camera  100 . Examples of other external devices include a computer or an external memory device. 
         [0069]    Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, obviously many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0070]    The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-211940 (filed on Aug. 15, 2007), which is expressly incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety.