JP3605008B2 - Digital camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly, to a digital camera that can be collected and reused.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, silver halide analog cameras have been provided as image capturing means. As such an analog camera, an inexpensive camera called a film with a lens has been commercialized.
[0003]
In recent years, digital cameras have been commercialized. Since images taken with digital cameras can be stored as digital data, they can be used to process images or send images to each other using a network such as the Internet. is there.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Although digital cameras have recently become popular for the above reasons, a digital camera with a large number of pixels is required to obtain high image quality comparable to an analog camera. However, since a digital camera having a large number of pixels is generally expensive, ordinary users cannot easily use the digital camera.
[0005]
Therefore, in order to enable anyone to enjoy such a digital camera at low cost, it is conceivable to make the digital camera reusable repeatedly. In such a case, if the user disassembles the digital camera without permission or uses it improperly, it may be difficult to reuse the digital camera.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a digital camera capable of preventing unauthorized use.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A digital camera according to the present invention includes: an optical system; a unit configured to perform image processing on a subject image input via the optical system; a memory configured to store image-processed shooting data; Transmitting means for transmitting the photographing data stored in the memory to a predetermined photographing data storage device via a network, A housing containing an optical system, an image processing means, and a memory; By detecting external light with a phototransistor Detecting means for detecting that the housing has been disassembled; When the detecting means detects that the housing has been disassembled, the transmitting means transmits a signal indicating the fact together with the photographing data to the photographing data storage device via the network. And control means for performing processing.
[0008]
When the housing containing the main part of the digital camera is disassembled, a predetermined process is performed, so that the user does not dare attempt to disassemble the digital camera. As a result, a digital camera that can prevent unauthorized use can be provided.
[0010]
More preferably , De By using a different access data for each digital camera and accessing the photographed data storage device via a network, the photographed image stored in the photographed data storage device can be browsed. signal Alerts you when viewing a captured image Signal used It is.
[0011]
Since a warning is issued when the photographed image stored in the photographed data storage device is viewed, the user will not use the image illegally next time.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an appearance of a digital camera 10 suitable for a collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a front perspective view of the digital camera, and (B) is a rear perspective view. Referring to FIG. 1A, a digital camera 10 includes a camera body 10a and an exterior part 10b that covers the camera body 10a. Referring to FIG. 1 (A), an advertisement such as a place name of a sightseeing spot may be displayed on the front of exterior part 10a.
[0022]
In the present invention, an image photographed by the digital camera 10 is accessed and browsed via a network such as the Internet after returning the digital camera 10 as will be described later in detail.
[0023]
Referring to FIG. 1B, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and a password 27 for accessing an image captured by digital camera 10 are displayed on the back of digital camera 10. Here, the password 27 is different for each digital camera 10, and is recorded on the exterior part of the digital camera 10b in a state in which it is not visible, for example, in a scratch card system. The scratch portion in which the password is stored may be in a two-sheet copy format. In this case, one copy is stored by the user as a copy when the user returns the digital camera 1, and the other copy is attached to the digital camera 10 and used as a copy on the collection side of the digital camera 10 described later. it can.
[0024]
In addition, a print for urging prohibition of disassembly of the camera may be displayed on the upper part of the exterior part 10b of the digital camera 10. As will be described later, when the digital camera 10 is disassembled, processing such as erasing the stored contents of the built-in memory 18 is performed, so this is displayed to prevent this.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 2A is a front view, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a portion indicated by IIB-IIB in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, a digital camera 10 includes a lens 11 for photographing a subject, a finder 24 for confirming the subject at the time of photographing the subject, a shutter 16, and a light source for determining whether the digital camera 10 is disassembled. The digital camera 10 includes a phototransistor 17 for detecting the incident light, a flash memory 18 for storing a captured image, and a battery 20 serving as a drive source of the digital camera 10. When the exterior part 10b is removed, the battery 20 can be easily removed and replaced. The digital camera 10 is provided with a transmission terminal 19 described later.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of the digital camera 10. FIG. 3A is a front view of the main body 10a of the digital camera, FIG. 3B is a left side view indicated by IIIB-IIIB of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a IIIC-III of FIG. It is a right view shown by IIIC. The digital camera 10 is configured such that an upper cabinet 22 provided with the lens 11 is engaged with a lower cabinet 23 on which the above-mentioned URL and the like are displayed. On the right side of the digital camera body 10a, a main switch 15 for starting the operation of the digital camera 10 and a transmission terminal 19 are provided.
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of the digital camera 10. Referring to FIG. 4, a digital camera 10 includes a CCD 12 that captures an image of a subject incident through a lens 11, an image processing unit 13 that is connected to the CCD 12 and processes captured image data, and an entire digital camera 10. It includes a control unit 14 for controlling, a shutter 16, a phototransistor 17, the above-described main switch 15, memory 18, and transmission terminal 19.
[0028]
Here, the number of pixels of the CCD 12 is 680,000, and the memory 18 is a 4 MB flash memory. However, the specifications of the digital camera 10 are not limited thereto, and may be any desired specifications.
[0029]
Next, a control flow of the digital camera 10 will be described. First, when the main switch 15 is turned on, the digital camera 10 enters a standby mode. In the standby mode, power is supplied from the battery 20 to the CCC 12, the shutter 16, the image processing unit 13, the memory 18, and the control unit 14 necessary for obtaining an image in a state where the image can be obtained. When the shutter 16 is turned on in this state, image shooting is performed.
[0030]
At the time of photographing, photographed image data is recorded in a memory 18 from a subject (not shown) via a lens 11, a CCD 12, an image processing unit 13, and a control unit 14. At the time of recording in the memory 18, the JPEG-compressed image is stored.
[0031]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a distribution / service system of the digital camera 10 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the solid line indicates the flow of digital camera 10, and the dotted line indicates the flow of image data captured by the user.
[0032]
Referring to FIG. 5, a user 200 goes to a store 300 of the digital camera 10 such as a convenience store to purchase the digital camera 10. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of dealers 300 are provided. After photographing with the digital camera 10, the user 200 purchases the digital camera 10 or returns the digital camera 10 to another store 300 such as a convenience store. At this time, the user 200 receives a copy of the display unit on the back surface of the exterior unit 10b of the digital camera 10 on which the address and password for releasing the captured image are described. The returned digital camera 10 is collected by the collection center 350. The collected digital camera 10 has the exterior part 10b removed, is electrically connected to the transmission terminal of the collection and delivery center 350, and the image data of the captured content is sent to the server of the image station 50. The image station 50 may be, for example, Sharp Space Town (hereinafter abbreviated as SST) which is a homepage on the Internet of Sharp Corporation.
[0033]
It is assumed that the image station 50 is set to be able to receive image data using a predetermined communication protocol.
[0034]
When the image data is transmitted from the authorized collection and delivery center 350, the communication protocol is correct, and a flag such as an unauthorized connection, which will be described later, is not set at the time of transmission. The user can receive a service to be described later at the image station 50 such as the SST, and can view and download the captured image.
[0035]
The digital camera body 10a to which the image has been transmitted is collected at a reuse base 402 on the side of the maker (for example, Sharp Corporation) of the digital camera 10 and sent to the circulation production factory 401. Therefore, after inspecting the battery 20, the appearance, the camera basic performance of the digital camera body 10a, the lens 11, etc., the contents of the memory 18 are cleared, the exterior part 10b is replaced, a new password is recorded, and the product is shipped again. .
[0036]
If the inspection fails, the digital camera body 10a is disassembled, and the upper and lower cabinets 22, 23 are recycled. Reusable components (CCD 12, shutter 16, substrate 21) and the like are reused after inspection and cleaning.
[0037]
The shipped digital camera 10 is sent to a store 300 such as a convenience store via a reuse base 402 and a collection / delivery center 350.
[0038]
Note that the collection and delivery center 350 may also serve as the store 300 such as a convenience store.
[0039]
Next, a specific flow of image data will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a specific flow of image data.
[0040]
Referring to FIG. 6, a transmission device 30 is provided at a collection and delivery center 350 which is a collection center for digital cameras 10. The transmission device 30 is a device that transmits image data captured by a user with the digital camera 10 to an image station 50 such as an SST via a network 100 such as the Internet.
[0041]
After receiving the returned digital camera 10, the collection center 350 transmits the image data to the image station device 50 via the transmission device 30.
[0042]
The transmission device 30 includes a terminal unit 37 connected to the digital camera 10 for receiving an image from the digital camera 10, and a modem 36 for transmitting image data input to the network 100 via the terminal 37 to the image station device 50. And a hard disk 38 for temporarily storing image data captured by the digital camera 10, and a CPU 31 for controlling the entire transmission device 30. The transmission device 30 is provided with a normal keyboard 35, a display unit 33, and a printer 34 in addition to the above elements. These elements are interconnected via an I / O interface 32.
[0043]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a connection state between the digital camera 10 and the transmission device 30. Referring to FIG. 7, transmission terminal 19 of digital camera 10 and terminal unit 37 of transmission device 30 are electrically connected using, for example, a plug and a jack, and stored in memory 18 of digital camera 10 via this connection. The obtained photographing data is sent to the image station device via the network 100.
[0044]
The shape of the plug and jack used for this connection is adapted to a well-known miniaturized plug, so-called mini plug (EIAJ RC-6701A standard), and the transmission terminal 19 and the transmission device of the digital camera 10 are connected. Assume that it is mounted on the terminal unit 37 of the terminal 30.
[0045]
Note that, in FIG. 7, elements that are not significantly involved in image transmission in the transmission device 30 are omitted.
[0046]
At the time of transmission from the digital camera 10 to the transmission device 30, the following data is transmitted. That is, the date and time of transmission, the name of the sender, the name of the sending store, the number of the digital camera 10 (the same number as the homepage address for publishing the captured image), the password (the password corresponding to the public address), and the number of the individual image data Data indicating whether the data is data is transmitted. Note that this data is not limited to image data, and when audio or the like is recorded during shooting, data such as audio may be transmitted.
[0047]
Further, flag information may be transmitted. Here, the flag information refers to information such as a sales area identification code, an unauthorized disassembly flag, an unauthorized connection flag, and use history information. Here, the sales place identification code is a code in which information on a region where the digital camera 10 is sold is written, and the unauthorized disassembly flag is a flag that is set when a user disassembles the digital camera 10 illegally. Yes, the unauthorized connection flag is a flag that is set when there is an unauthorized connection by the user, and the usage history information stores the battery power-on time, the number of shots, and the like. Details of these flags will be described later.
[0048]
Returning to FIG. 6, the image station device 50 will be described next. The image station device 50 is input via the CPU 51 for controlling the entire image station device 50, a modem 56 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the network 100, a display unit 53, a keyboard 55, a printer 54, and the network 100. It includes a hard disk 57 for storing image data and an I / O interface 52 for interconnecting these elements.
[0049]
Image data taken by the digital camera 10 received via the Internet is stored in the hard disk 57 at a predetermined address in association with the password of the digital camera 10.
[0050]
The transmission device 30 temporarily stores the image data captured by the digital camera 10 in the hard disk 38, displays the captured image data on the display unit 33 according to the needs of the purchased user, and prints the image data on the printer 34 as necessary. May be used to print the image.
[0051]
In the image station device 50, since the display unit 53 and the printer 54 are provided, when the user goes to the image station device 50, the image is displayed on the display unit 53 in response to the request or the image is output using the printer 54. You may print it.
[0052]
Next, a method of browsing an image photographed using the digital camera 10 purchased by the user will be described.
[0053]
Referring to FIG. 6, the user accesses image station apparatus 50 using user personal computer 60 connected to network 100, and browses the image taken by the user.
[0054]
The user personal computer 60 connects a CPU 61 for controlling the entire user personal computer 60, a display unit 63, a modem 64 for connection to the network 100, a printer 65, and a storage device 66 such as a hard disk, and the like. And an I / O interface 62.
[0055]
A user accesses the image station device 50 by specifying a URL in a network 100 such as the Internet via a user personal computer 60.
[0056]
When the user returns the digital camera 10 to the store 300 such as a convenience store in advance, the user scratches and knows the URL and password of the homepage address of the image station device 50 described with reference to FIG. And
[0057]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display contents of the display unit 63 of the user personal computer 60 when accessing the Internet using the data. (A) shows display contents when the image station device 50 is accessed. As shown in FIG. 8A, an image display service in a digital camera suitable for such collection is called a photonet service. When the user accesses the image station device 50 by using the user personal computer 60, specific data such as a camera collection date and a collected store is displayed. Here, the user clicks OK on the screen when the digital camera 10 used by the user is the same as that displayed on the screen. Then, the screen of FIG. 8B is displayed next. Here, enter the password described above and click OK.
[0058]
In the image station device 50, when the password is correctly entered, the user accesses the specific address of the hard disk 57 stored in connection with the password and stores the image data stored in that portion via the network 100 to the user personal computer. It is displayed on the display block 13 at 60.
[0059]
When the user accesses the Internet, a list of captured images is displayed. The user can shift to various services such as editing and downloading of an image taken in that state, and a composite image service.
[0060]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display state of a photograph displayed on the display unit 63 of the user personal computer 60 when the password is correctly input.
[0061]
As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of images are sequentially displayed on one screen. By clicking these images, the image may be enlarged or reduced or other desired processing may be performed.
[0062]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of such a photo processing service. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, a message can be input to each photograph, sightseeing spot one-point information can be input, and a print club based on the photograph can be created.
[0063]
Here, the one-point sightseeing spot input means the following service. That is, the information of the place of purchase is stored in advance in the memory 18 of the digital camera 10 purchased by the user, and the place of purchase can be specified from the information of the place of purchase in the memory 18. This is a service that displays famous sightseeing spots in the area as part of the captured image.
[0064]
Next, fraud prevention will be described. This is an operation performed by the control unit 14 when the user illegally disassembles the digital camera. When the user performs an illegal disassembly, the control unit 14 performs the following processing.
[0065]
(1) Unauthorized disassembly by the user is detected by detecting external light with a phototransistor (or a photo interpreter) 17, and the contents of the captured memory 18 are deleted.
[0066]
(2) Unauthorized decomposition by the user is detected by detecting external light with the phototransistor 17 and an unauthorized decomposition flag is set on the memory 18. This flag is transmitted as information at the time of transmission to the transmission device. This data is used to warn or charge the user for unauthorized use. This processing may be performed at the collection and delivery center 350 provided with the transmission device 30 or when the user accesses the image station device 50.
[0067]
FIG. 11 shows an example of the display screen on the user side when the user accesses the access image station device 50 after the fraud. FIG. 11A shows a display screen corresponding to the above (1), and FIG. 11B shows a display screen corresponding to the above (2). As described above, a warning that the camera has been illegally disassembled is issued, and a billing process is selected when an image is to be displayed. As a billing method, a known method such as a credit card billing method or a transfer method can be used. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it is also possible to display only a warning and display an original image.
[0068]
Next, another example of fraud prevention will be described. This is an operation performed by the control unit 14 when the user illegally connects to the transmission terminal 19 to obtain photographing data from the digital camera 10.
[0069]
In this case, the following control is performed.
(1) A predetermined communication confirmation procedure is performed, and when an unauthorized connection is found, the contents of the memory 18 are deleted.
[0070]
(2) A predetermined communication confirmation procedure is performed, and if an unauthorized connection is found, an unauthorized connection flag is set on the memory 18 and transmitted as information at the time of image transmission.
[0071]
FIG. 12 shows an example of the communication confirmation procedure. In FIG. 12, when it is detected that a flag is inserted into the transmission terminal 19 (Step S11, the following steps are omitted), the voltage generated at the terminal is checked to determine whether or not the voltage is a predetermined voltage (Step S11). S12). If there is an abnormality, it is regarded as an unauthorized connection (S15), and the above-mentioned processing (1) or (2) is executed. If it is determined that the protocol is the predetermined protocol (OK in S12, S13, S14), the photographing data of the digital camera is transmitted using the predetermined communication protocol.
[0072]
(3) When the connection is not established with the proper transmission terminal or when the communication is not a proper communication protocol, an unauthorized connection flag is set on the memory 18 and transmitted as information at the time of image transmission.
[0073]
Next, the determination of the communication protocol will be described.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a signal transmission sequence between the transmission terminal 19 and the transmission device 30 of the digital camera 10. The case where the IEEE-1394 standard is used as a protocol and a node corresponding thereto is described. The plug of the node of the transmission terminal 19 of the digital camera 10 has already been inserted, and the signal can be received from the node of the transmission device via the transmission path. When a signal conforming to IEEE-1394 such as a bus reset signal is received from the node of the transmission apparatus at the node of the transmission terminal 19, the received signal is subjected to protocol determination by a protocol determination unit (not shown). If the determination result indicates that the protocol conforms to the IEEE-1394, the control unit 14 performs a response operation according to the IEEE-1394. Thereafter, a signal transmission sequence according to 1394 starts between both nodes.
[0074]
The information of (2) and (3) is used to warn or charge the user that there has been an unauthorized connection as described above.
[0075]
FIG. 14 shows an example of the display screen on the user side when the user accesses the access image station device 50 after this fraud. FIG. 14A shows a display screen corresponding to the above (1), and FIG. 14B shows a display screen corresponding to the above (2). In this way, the user is warned that there has been an unauthorized connection of the camera, and selects an accounting process when the user wants to display an image. As a billing method, a known method such as a credit card billing method or a transfer method can be used. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it is also possible to display only a warning and display an original image.
[0076]
Note that the scratch-type password may be provided on an exterior film or the like (not shown) that wraps the digital camera 10 when the digital camera 10 is purchased without being provided on the exterior portion 10b of the digital camera 10. Further, they may be provided separately on the exterior film and the exterior portion 10b of the digital camera. In this way, the store that has returned the digital camera 10 can store the digital camera 10 side, and the user can store the exterior film side as his / her own copy.
[0077]
Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the operation waiting time of the shutter 16 is counted for energy saving, and the main switch 15 is automatically turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0078]
For a user who does not have a personal computer or a printer, an image display device that can be connected to the image station 50 is provided at a store 300 such as a convenience store that sells and collects the digital camera 10 or a collection and distribution center 350, and an image display device is provided there. The delivery may be made from the station 50.
[0079]
In this case, the image station 50 can distribute an image to an arbitrary image display device, and the user can browse the image on an image display device at a store 300 such as a desired convenience store or a collection and distribution center 350. Therefore, when a digital camera is purchased, photographed, and returned at a travel destination, it is possible to browse images photographed at a store 300 such as a convenience store near home or at a collection and distribution center 350.
[0080]
In the above embodiment, a digital camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a digital video camera may be used.
[0081]
The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital camera.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the digital camera.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an external configuration of the digital camera.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main part of the digital camera.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital camera collection system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow of image data in a digital camera collection system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a connection state between a transmission device and a digital camera.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display state when accessing the image station device.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a captured image is displayed.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen of a photo processing service.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the user side after an unauthorized process.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication confirmation procedure.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a sequence between the digital camera and the transmission terminal.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on the user side after an unauthorized process.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 digital camera, 11 lens, 12 CCD, 13 image processing unit, 14 control unit, 15 main switch, 16 shutter, 17 sensor, 18 memory, 19 transmission terminal, 20 battery, 21 board, 22 upper cabinet, 23 lower cabinet, Reference Signs List 30 transmission device, 31 CPU, 32 I / O, 33 display, 34 printer, 35 keyboard, 36 modem, 37 terminal, 38 hard disk, 50 image station device, 51 CPU, 52 I / O, 53 display, 54 printer, 55 Keyboard, 56 modem, 57 hard disk, 60 user personal computer, 61 CPU, 62 I / O interface, 63 display, 64 modem, 65 printer, 66 hard disk.

Claims (2)

Optical system,
Image processing means for performing image processing on a subject image input via the optical system,
A memory for storing the image-processed shooting data,
Transmitting means for transmitting the photographing data stored in the memory to a predetermined photographing data storage device via a network,
A housing containing the optical system, image processing means, and memory;
Detecting means for detecting that the housing is disassembled by detecting external light with a phototransistor,
Control means for performing, when the detecting means detects that the housing is disassembled, the transmitting means, together with the photographing data, transmitting a signal indicating the fact to the photographing data storage device via the network; And a digital camera, including. By using different access data for each digital camera, by accessing the shooting data storage device via the network, it is possible to browse the shot image stored in the shooting data storage device,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the signal is a signal used to issue a warning when viewing the captured image.

Images