JP3140607B2 - Information reading device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information reading apparatus for reading information recorded or stored on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an information reading device for reading information recorded or stored in a recording medium, an IC memory card camera (for example, a still video camera having a device for storing an image photographed on an IC memory card) is known. I have. In this IC memory card camera, whether or not the IC memory card is loaded is detected by checking the electrical connection between the connector of the information reading device on the main body and the terminal of the IC memory card.

That is, in such an information reading apparatus, the IC memory card is inserted into the card loading section of the information reading apparatus to the innermost part, and the connector of the information reading apparatus is electrically connected to the terminal of the card. Is determined to have a card. If the card is pulled out of the loading section even a little (the card is not completely removed from the loading section) and the connector of the information reading device is not electrically connected to the terminal of the card, it is determined that there is no card. Is done.

Here, when photographing is performed with an IC memory card camera and the photographed image is stored in the IC memory card, the card is inserted into the loading section to the innermost part, and the connector of the information reading device and the terminal of the card are connected. Need to be connected. In this case, when the state of the card is changed from the absence of the card to the presence of the card, that is, when the connector of the information reading device is connected to the terminal of the card, the card attribute information (for example, , The storage capacity of the card, the access speed, etc.) are read into the memory of the information reading device, and power is supplied to the card from the main body.

[0005] For example, the card may be pulled out of the loading section and the connection between the connector of the information reading device and the terminal of the card may be temporarily disconnected for the following reasons. When the connector and the terminal of the IC memory card are connected, the card and each circuit on the main body side are connected by signal lines such as an address bus. In this case, when the main switch is turned on, information to the card is Even if writing of data and reading of information from the card are not performed, power is consumed by the card. Therefore, when writing information to the card and reading information from the card are not performed, the card may be once pulled out to prevent such power consumption of the card.

For the purpose of operation check, for example, to check the operation of the aperture and the shutter, each mechanism on the main body may be driven without writing and reading to and from an IC memory card. In this case, if an operation check is performed with the connector and the terminal of the card connected,
Unintended information may be stored on the card, or information that is not desired to be erased may be erased. Therefore, at the time of checking the operation, the card may be once pulled out to prevent such unnecessary writing and erasing.

When turning on / off the main switch,
During a predetermined period until the voltage completely rises or falls, the operation of each circuit becomes unstable. Therefore, if the main switch is turned on / off with the connector and the terminal of the IC memory card connected, Unintended information may be stored on the card, or information not desired to be erased may be erased due to malfunction of each circuit or the like. Therefore, turning on / off the main switch
When the card is turned off, the card may be once pulled out to prevent such unnecessary writing and erasing.

When the card is once pulled out for the above-mentioned reasons, it is rare that the card is completely pulled out from the loading section. Usually, the card is pulled out only slightly.
The electrical connection with the connector is cut off, but the card is left in the loading section of the information reading device.

However, in the conventional card presence / absence detection mechanism described above, the card is slightly pulled out of the loading section,
When the card is completely inserted again, it is determined that the card has been changed from the state without the card to the state with the card. Therefore, the card attribute information is re-inserted as in the case where the card is completely pulled out from the loading section and completely inserted again. Is performed.

In this case, it is wasteful to repeatedly read the card attribute information even though the cards are the same, and a waiting time is generated while the operation is repeated, thus delaying the operation. Such a problem arises.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an information reading apparatus which can eliminate a waiting time for useless reading.

[0012]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is defined below as (1) to (3).

(1) An information reading apparatus provided with a loading section for loading a recording medium on which attribute information is recorded or stored, wherein the storage means stores attribute information recorded or stored on the recording medium. Recording medium detection means for detecting whether or not the recording medium is present in the loading section, and connector connection detection for detecting whether or not a connector of the loading section is electrically connected to a terminal of the recording medium. Means for controlling the operation of the information reading apparatus as a whole, wherein the control means controls the loading of the recording medium based on a combination of values detected by the recording medium detecting means and the connector connection detecting means. The recording medium is loaded in the loading section, and the connector of the loading section is electrically connected to the terminal of the recording medium. A fully loaded state, or a semi-loaded state in which the recording medium is loaded in the loading section but the connector of the loading section and the terminal of the recording medium are not electrically connected. If the recording medium changes from the half-loaded state to the fully-loaded state, rewriting of the attribute information stored in the storage means is prohibited, and the recording medium is placed in the unloaded state. An information reading device for reading out attribute information recorded or stored in the recording medium and storing the attribute information in the storage means only when the state changes from the state to the fully loaded state.

(2) The information reading device according to (1), wherein the recording medium is an IC memory card.

(3) The information reading device according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the storage means is a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

[0016]

[0017]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information reading apparatus according to the present invention. The use of the information reading device of the present invention is not particularly limited,
Hereinafter, a case where the information reading apparatus of the present invention is typically applied to a still video camera will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a still video camera having an information reading apparatus according to the present invention. The illustrated still video camera 1 is a still video camera having a mechanism capable of storing a captured image on an IC memory card, and includes an imaging optical system 11, a solid-state imaging device (CCD) 12, an imaging circuit 13, and an image signal processing circuit. 1
4, image memory 15, image compression / decompression processing circuit 16,
IC memory card control circuit 17, operation unit 18, display unit 19, control unit 20, rewritable nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) 21 as storage unit, loading unit 23 for loading IC memory card 4, and recording medium detection unit Card detecting means 3.

In this case, the information reading device 2 of the present embodiment
Is the IC memory card control circuit 17, the control means 2
0, a rewritable non-volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as non-volatile memory) 21, card detection means 3, and loading unit 23. The card detecting means 3 will be described later in detail.

The control means 20 controls various functions of the still video camera 1 and the information reading device 2, and is usually constituted by a microcomputer. The operation unit 18 includes, for example, a main switch, a storage mode selection switch for selecting one of field storage / frame storage, a switch for selecting one of storage / reproduction, and a release switch (for photographing and information of the photographed image. Switch for storing the image information in the IC memory card 4), a switch for specifying an area (address) in the memory of the IC memory card 4 for storing or reproducing the image information, a reproduction switch for reproducing the image information from the IC memory card 4, Switches and the like for rewriting the card attribute information described later are provided as needed.

The display unit 19 displays, for example, whether the main switch is on or off, the storage mode, information such as the date of photographing, whether or not the IC memory card is loaded, the loaded state, and the status of the IC memory card. Necessary information such as an area on the memory, information on flash emission, and current time is displayed by, for example, a liquid crystal or a light emitting element.

The IC memory card 4 stores an image photographed by the still video camera 1 (hereinafter referred to as image information).
Storage medium (recording medium) for storing the
(Integrated Circuit) This is a card with built-in memory.

The IC memory of the IC memory card 4 stores card attribute information in advance. As the card attribute information, for example, the type of IC memory (for example, static ram, flash memory, etc.),
Examples include the storage capacity of the memory, the access speed, the date of shooting, and the like. It should be noted that the card attribute information relating to the date of photographing can usually be rewritten by operating the operation unit 18, and the card attribute information can be rewritten by the control unit 20 and the IC memory card control circuit 17. Done through.

Photographing is performed by such a still video camera 1 and the photographed image information is stored in an IC memory card 4.
First, the main switch is turned on in the operation unit 18, the IC memory card 4 is loaded into the loading unit 23 of the information reading device 2, and the connector of the information reading device 2 and the terminal of the IC memory card 4 are connected. And are electrically connected. As a result, the card attribute information stored in the IC memory card 4 in advance is stored at a predetermined address of the nonvolatile memory 21 via the IC memory card control circuit 17 and the control means 20. Power is supplied from the power supply 22 to the IC memory card 4.

Next, the control means 20 reads the card attribute information stored in the non-volatile memory 21 and sets the operation mode of each of the circuits 13 to 17 based on the read card attribute information.

When the photographer turns on the release switch of the still video camera 1 in a state where such photographing is possible, an image of the subject is formed on the CCD 12 via the imaging optical system 11 when the shutter is opened.

The image pickup circuit 13 drives the CCD 12 based on a command from the control means 20, and the CCD 12 photoelectrically converts the formed image and outputs an analog image signal. C
The analog image signal output from the CD 12 is input to the image signal processing circuit 14 via the imaging circuit 13. The image signal processing circuit 14 performs predetermined image processing such as amplification and A / D conversion on the analog image signal, and outputs a digital image signal.

Next, in order to match the writing speed to the IC memory card 4, the digital image signal output from the image signal processing circuit 14 is temporarily stored in the image memory 15.
Is read from a predetermined address of the image memory 15 at a speed slower than the writing speed, and is passed through the image signal processing circuit 14 for image compression / compression.
It is input to the decompression processing circuit 16.

The image compression / expansion processing circuit 16 performs processing such as thinning out the input digital image signal to reduce the data amount, and thereafter outputs a digital image signal compressed to a predetermined amount. . The digital image signal output from the image compression / expansion processing circuit 16 is written to a predetermined address of the IC memory card 4 via the IC memory card control circuit 17. Thus, the storage of the image information in the IC memory card 4 is completed.

At the time of reproduction, the image data read from the IC memory card 4 is input to the image compression / decompression processing circuit 16 via the IC memory card control circuit 17, where the image data of the original data amount is stored. Is returned to.

Next, the image data is temporarily written to the image memory 15 under the control of the image signal processing circuit 14. After the writing to the image memory 15 is completed, the image data is read from the image memory 15 under the control of the image signal processing circuit 14 and output as an image signal to the outside of the still video camera 1 (for example, a monitor).

Next, the information reading apparatus 2 of the present embodiment will be described. The information reading device 2 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, an IC memory card control circuit 17, a control means 20, a non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 21,
A loading section 23 for loading the C memory card 4 and a card detecting means 3 to be described later for detecting whether or not the IC memory card 4 is present in the loading section 23 are provided.

In the present embodiment, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable) is used as the nonvolatile memory 21.
e Read Only Memory), but in the present invention, the non-volatile memory is a power source (such as a main switch).
Is a storage or recording medium in which the stored contents are not erased even when the memory is turned off, and includes those in which the memory element itself is non-volatile and those in which the memory element (for example, a static ram) is backed up by a battery. It is. In addition, the nonvolatile memory includes a recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, and a magneto-optical recording medium.

In the present embodiment, the card detecting means 3 always detects whether or not the IC memory card 4 is inserted into the loading section 23 of the information reading device 2 and uses the information reading device 2 by a method described later. And the terminal of the IC memory card 4 are electrically connected.

First, a connector connection detecting means for detecting whether or not the connector of the information reading device 2 and the terminal of the IC memory card 4 are electrically connected will be described.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of the connector connection detecting means according to the present invention. The connector connection detecting means 5 shown in the figure is a JEIDA Ver. The pull-up resistors 53 and 55 are connected to the pair of connectors 25 and 27 of the information reading device 2 and have a predetermined circuit forming the OR circuit 51. ing. In this case, the voltage V _CC is applied to one ends of the pull-up resistors 53 and 55, respectively.

The IC memory card 4 has a pair of terminals -CD1 and -CD2.
CD1 and -CD2 are respectively connected to the ground side.

The connector connection detecting means 5 having such a configuration
Then, connectors 25 and 27 and terminals -CD1, -CD2
Are connected, the output of the OR circuit 51 becomes low (L). If the connectors 25 and 27 are not connected to the terminals -CD1 and -CD2 at all or if only one of them is connected, the OR circuit 5
The output of 1 becomes high (H).

That is, when the output of the OR circuit 51 is low, the connectors 25 and 27 of the information reading device 2 and the IC
When it is determined that the terminals -CD1 and -CD2 of the memory card 4 are connected and the output of the OR circuit 51 is high, the connectors 25 and 27 of the information reading device 2 and the IC
It is determined that the terminals -CD1 and -CD2 of the memory card 4 are not connected. As described above, the high or low level signal output from the connector connection detecting means 5 is input to the control means 20 and used for various controls (for example, predetermined control described later in this embodiment).

Next, the card detecting means 3 of the information reading device 2 will be described. FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are side views showing examples of the configuration of the card detecting means 3 in the present invention. FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show the unloaded state, the fully loaded state and the fully loaded state of the IC memory card 4, respectively. This shows a partially loaded state. Here, the unloaded state means that the IC memory card 4 is in the information reading device 2 as shown in FIG.
Is not inserted into the loading section 23 of the printer.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fully loaded state means that the IC memory card 4 is inserted into the loading section 23 of the information reading device 2 to the innermost position, and
And the connectors 25 and 27 of the information reading device 2 are electrically connected.

In the semi-loaded state, as shown in FIG. 5, the IC memory card 4 is inserted halfway into the loading section 23 of the information reading device 2, and the terminals of the IC memory card 4 and the information reading device 2 A state in which the connectors 25 and 27 are not electrically connected.

As shown in FIG. 3, the card detecting means 3
For example, a card detection switch 3 such as a touch switch
1 and the claw 33, and the loading unit 23 of the information reading device 2
It is installed near the entrance of.

The claw 33 is rotatably supported by the card detection switch 31 and is urged in a clockwise direction in the figure (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3). The claw 33 is configured to be stopped at the position a by a stopper (not shown).

The card detection switch 31 is a switch for outputting two kinds of signals according to the position of the claw 33. Nail 33
Is at the position a shown in FIG. 3, the card detection switch 31 outputs a low (L) level signal. When the claw 33 is at the position b shown in FIG. , High (H) level signals.

In this case, the state in which the low-level signal is output is a state in which there is no card in the present invention, that is, a state in which the IC memory card 4 is not loaded in the loading section 23 of the information reading device 2. . The state in which the high-level signal is output is the state of the card according to the present invention, that is, the state in which the IC memory card 4 is loaded in the loading section 23 of the information reading device 2 (the connector connection detecting means). 5 has nothing to do with detection). The signal output from the card detection switch 31 is input to the control means 20 and used for predetermined control described later in the present embodiment.

Here, the loading section 23 of the information reading device 2
The correspondence between the loaded state of the IC memory card 4 and the card detecting means 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, when the card is not loaded, the claw 33 of the card detecting means 3
Is at the position a, a low-level signal is output from the card detection means 3. As described above, this state is determined to be a state in which there is no card in the present invention, that is, a state in which the IC memory card 4 is not loaded in the loading section 23.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the card is fully loaded, the claw 33 of the card detecting means 3 falls down to the position b, so that a high-level signal is output from the card detecting means 3. As described above, this state is determined to be the state with the card in the present invention, that is, the state where the IC memory card 4 is loaded in the loading section 23.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the claw 33 of the card detecting means 3 falls down to the position b even in the half-loaded state, so that the card detecting means 3 outputs a high-level signal. Accordingly, similarly to the case of the fully loaded state shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that the card is present in the present invention, that is, the state where the IC memory card 4 is loaded in the loading section 23. You.

The control means 20 of the information reading apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, based on the detection value (low or high level signal output from the card detection means 3) by the card detection means 3 described above, IC memory card 4
As long as there is a state, control is performed so that the card attribute information already stored in the nonvolatile memory 21 is not rewritten.

That is, the control means 20 determines whether the fully loaded state continues, the half loaded state continues, or the state of the IC memory card 4 changes only between the fully loaded state and the half loaded state. As long as it is, control is performed to prohibit rewriting of the card attribute information already stored in the nonvolatile memory 21.

When the IC memory card 4 is replaced based on the value detected by the detecting means 3, the control means 20 performs control to rewrite the card attribute information already stored in the nonvolatile memory 21. Do.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, after the IC memory card 4 is completely pulled out from the loading section 23 to be in an unloaded state, the control means 20 inserts the IC memory card 4 into the loading section 23 again. When the card is completely loaded, control is performed to rewrite the card attribute information already stored in the nonvolatile memory 21 with that of a new card.

In this case, the card attribute information is rewritten irrespective of whether the replaced IC memory card is the same as or different from the previous IC memory card. When the IC memory card 4 is loaded into the loading section 23 for the first time, the card attribute information of the card is similarly written.

Next, the control means 20 of the information reading device 2
Is specifically described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control means 20 in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, this flowchart will be described.

Regardless of whether the main switch (energization) is on or off, the above-described card detection means 3
As a result, it is detected whether or not the IC memory card 4 is present in the loading section 23 of the information reading device 2 (step 101).
Based on the detection result (detected value) by the card detection means 3, it is determined whether or not the IC memory card 4 is present in the loading section 23 of the information reading device 2 (step 102).

If it is determined in step 102 that there is an IC memory card 4, the process returns to step 101, and steps 101 and 102 are executed again. Also,
If it is determined in step 102 that there is no IC memory card 4, the card detecting means 3 detects again whether or not the IC memory card 4 is present in the loading section 23 of the information reading device 2 (step 103). Based on the detection result (detected value) by the card detecting means 3, the IC memory card 4 is loaded into the loading section 23 of the information reading device 2.
It is determined again whether or not there is (step 104).

If it is determined in step 104 that there is no IC memory card 4, the process returns to step 103 and steps 103 and 104 are executed again. Also,
If it is determined in step 104 that the IC memory card 4 is present, that is, if the IC memory card 4 is changed from a state where the IC memory card 4 is not present in the loading unit 23 of the information reading device 2, the connector connection detecting means 5 Based on the detection result (detected value), it is determined whether or not the terminal of the IC memory card 4 is electrically connected to the connectors 25 and 27 of the information reading device 2 (Step 10).
5).

In step 105, the terminal of the IC memory card 4 is connected to the connector 25 of the information reading device 2,
If it is determined that it is not connected to the terminal 27 (in the case of the half-loaded state shown in FIG. 5), step 105 is executed again. In step 105, the terminals of the IC memory card 4 are connected to the connectors 25, 2
If it is determined that the main switch 7 is connected (in the case of the fully loaded state shown in FIG. 4), it is determined whether or not the main switch (energization) is turned on, that is, whether or not it is in the start mode (step). 106).

Here, the start mode occurs when the main switch (energization) is turned on, and various operations (for example, selection of storage mode / reproduction mode, storage, etc.) are performed in accordance with a signal input from the operation unit 18. Operation, playback operation, etc.).

In the still video camera 1 of the present embodiment, a sleep mode for the start mode is set. This sleep mode occurs when the main switch (power supply) is off. In the sleep mode, the frequency of the operation clock signal is lower than that in the start mode. For example, the ON / OFF monitoring of a specific switch (for example, a main switch), the detection of presence / absence of the IC memory card 4 and its determination, Detection and determination of whether or not the terminal of the memory card 4 is connected to the connector,
Only limited predetermined processing is performed.

If it is determined in step 106 that the mode is the activation mode, the card attribute information is read from a predetermined address of the IC memory of the IC memory card 4 (step 107), and the read card attribute information is stored in a non-volatile manner. It is stored at a predetermined address in the memory 21 (step 108).

Next, the card attribute information stored in the non-volatile memory 21 is read, and the operation mode of each of the circuits 13 to 17 is set based on the read card attribute information (step 109). By setting the operation mode, the still video camera 1 enters a standby state in which shooting, storage, reproduction, and the like can be performed (step 110).
Thereafter, the process returns to step 101, and the subsequent steps are repeatedly executed.

If it is determined in step 106 that the operation mode is not the start mode, that is, if the sleep mode is determined, the main switch (energization) is turned on (step 111).
The card attribute information is read from a predetermined address of the IC memory (step 112), and the read card attribute information is stored at a predetermined address of the nonvolatile memory 21 (step 113).

Next, the main switch (energization) is turned off (step 114) to return to the original sleep mode. Thereafter, the process returns to step 101, and the subsequent steps are repeatedly executed.

As described above, according to the information reading device 2 of the present embodiment, even if the state of the IC memory card 4 is changed between the fully loaded state and the partially loaded state, the IC memory card 4 remains in the loading section 23. Since the card attribute information already stored in the non-volatile memory 21 is not rewritten as long as there is, the terminals of the IC memory card 4 are connected to the connectors 25 and 27.
In comparison with a conventional information reading device that rewrites the card attribute information every time the IC memory card 4 is connected, the waiting time due to the repeated reading operation is changed every time the IC memory card 4 changes between the fully loaded state and the half loaded state. It can be substantially eliminated.

In the present embodiment, when the IC memory card 4 is replaced while the main switch is off (sleep mode), the main switch is turned on once to rewrite the card attribute information. Thereafter, the main switch is turned off to return to the original sleep mode. However, in the present invention, when the IC memory card 4 is replaced, the main switch is once turned on even if the main switch is off. The present invention is not limited to the one in which the card attribute information is rewritten. In addition, for example, when the IC memory card 4 is replaced when the main switch is turned off, the card attribute information is displayed when the user next turns on the main switch. May be rewritten.

In this case, the control means 20 stores, for example, information indicating that the IC memory card 4 has been replaced in the nonvolatile memory 21 and, upon detecting that the main switch has been turned on, based on the information. Control to rewrite the card attribute information.

In the information reading apparatus according to the present invention, the card detecting means 3 and the connector connection detecting means 5 in the information reading apparatus 2 of the embodiment change the loaded state of the IC memory card 4 into the unloaded state, the fully loaded state. It can be determined which of the state and the half-loaded state. In this case, for example, as shown in Table 1 below, the control unit 20 controls the IC memory card 4 based on a combination of detection values (H or L level signals) detected by the card detection unit 3 and the connector connection detection unit 5. Determine the loading state.

[0070]

[Table 1]

The result of determination of the loaded state of the IC memory card 4 can be displayed on the display unit 19 or by turning on a lamp (not shown), for example.
Thus, there is an advantage that the operator can easily visually confirm the loaded state of the IC memory card 4 from outside the apparatus.

Further, in this embodiment, the card detecting means 3 is constituted by a detecting means comprising a card detecting switch 31 and a claw 33 shown in FIG. The present invention is not limited to such detection means for mechanically detecting a recording medium. In addition, for example, an optical IC memory such as a photo-interrupter in which a light source and a light-receiving element are opposed to each other via a card passage path. Detecting means for detecting the presence of the card 4 or I
Detection means for magnetically detecting the presence of the IC memory card 4 such as a magnetic material provided on the C memory card 4 side and a magnetic head provided on the main body side may be used.

In this embodiment, the information stored in the nonvolatile memory 21 is the information stored in the IC memory card 4.
Card attribute information stored in C memory,
In the present invention, the information stored in the non-volatile memory 21 is not limited to the card attribute information, but may be other information such as, for example, preset camera shooting conditions (eg, shutter speed, aperture, etc.). You may.

Further, in this embodiment, the IC memory card 4 is used as a recording medium. However, the recording medium in the present invention is not limited to an IC memory card. It may be a recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or the like.

Further, in this embodiment, the case where the information reading apparatus is typically applied to a still video camera has been described. However, the use of the information reading apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a still video camera. Is applied to, for example, a personal computer, a word processor, and the like. As described above, the information reading apparatus of the present invention has been described based on the illustrated configuration example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0076]

As described above, according to the information reading apparatus of the present invention, useless reading, that is, reading operation and storage of information from the same recording medium when shifting from a half-loaded state to a fully-loaded state. The waiting time between re-writing the information to the means can be omitted,
Thereby, the work can be promoted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a still video camera having an information reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a connector connection detecting means according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a configuration example of a card detection unit in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a configuration example of a card detection unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a configuration example of a card detection unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control means in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 still video camera 11 imaging optical system 12 CCD 13 imaging circuit 14 image signal processing circuit 15 image memory 16 image compression / decompression processing circuit 17 IC memory card control circuit 18 operation unit 19 display unit 20 control means 21 nonvolatile memory 22 power supply 23 Loading section 25, 27 Connector 2 Information reading device 3 Card detecting means 31 Card detecting switch 33 Claw 4 IC memory card 5 Connector connection detecting means 51 OR circuit 53, 55 Pull-up resistor 101-114 Step

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information reading apparatus provided with a loading unit for loading a recording medium on which attribute information is recorded or stored, wherein: a storage unit for storing attribute information recorded or stored on the recording medium; Recording medium detecting means for detecting whether the recording medium is present in the loading section, and connector connection detecting means for detecting whether the connector of the loading section is electrically connected to a terminal of the recording medium. And control means for controlling the operation of the information reading apparatus as a whole. The control means is configured to load the recording medium into the loading unit based on a combination of detection values obtained by the recording medium detection means and the connector connection detection means. The recording medium is loaded in the loading section, and the connector of the loading section and the terminal of the recording medium are electrically connected. Either a fully loaded state or a semi-loaded state in which the recording medium is loaded into the loading section but the connector of the loading section and the terminal of the recording medium are not electrically connected. Is detected, and when the recording medium changes from the half-loaded state to the fully-loaded state,
Rewriting attribute information stored in the storage means is prohibited, and only when the recording medium changes from the unloaded state to the fully loaded state, the attribute information recorded or stored in the recording medium is deleted. An information reading apparatus, which controls reading and storing the information in the storage means. 2. The information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is an IC memory card. 3. The information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a rewritable nonvolatile memory.