JP2003319319A - Electronic camera adapted to reuse - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera adapted to reuse, capable of enhancing the recycling by increasing the rate of recovery of the camera. <P>SOLUTION: The number of available reuse times of the camera 10 is preset to an EEPROM 22 in the camera 10. A photographed image is recorded in an image memory 28 inside the camera so that a user cannot freely extract the image. When a user brings the camera 10 having recorded images by the specified number of times in a shop 40 such as a print shop, the shop 40 enters a password via a communication section 30 to the camera 10 to read the image data from the camera 10 and provides the prints or the like to the user. Further, the shop 40 deletes the image data in the image memory 28, recovers the camera 10 into a reuse available state within the range of the number of available reuse times and returns the camera 10 to the user. When an illegal dealer or the like enters an illegal password to the camera 10, a microcomputer 16 of the camera 10 rewrites data in the EEPROM 22 to bring the camera 10 into a reuse disabled state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reusable electronic camera, and more particularly to a technique for improving recyclability of a reusable electronic camera which is intended to be used up.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A simple camera called a lens-fitted film unit is widely known and is used as a photographing means which can be easily obtained at a resort or a station shop. In order to improve recyclability, the lens-fitted photo film unit is collected through a print shop or the like, and after a maker inspects and cleans it, a new film is loaded and then re-shipped (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-13).
1808). In recent years, a reusable digital camera has been proposed as a business model similar to a lens-fitted film unit.

[0003]

However, when a digital camera is used, it is difficult to collect and reuse the camera in a print shop or the like because there is no "photo film".

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reusable electronic camera capable of increasing the collection rate of cameras and the recyclability thereof.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a reusable electronic camera according to the present invention comprises an image pickup means for converting an optical image into an electric signal, and an image obtained through the image pickup means. A non-removable built-in recording medium on which data is recorded, communication means for transmitting image data stored in the recording medium to the outside of the camera, and recording set within a range of the capacity of the built-in recording medium A number setting means for setting the number of reusable times of the camera so that the possible number of images can be recorded plural times.

In the reusable electronic camera of the present invention, image data is recorded in a built-in recording medium so that a user cannot freely take a taken image. The number of reusable times is preset for this camera, and the camera can be reused a plurality of times within the set number of times.
The number of images that can be recorded for one use (number of shots for still images, recording time for movies) is set,
The user can take an image and record an image in this recordable quantity range. The number of images that can be recorded may be a fixed value or may be changed when resetting to a reusable state.

When the specified number of images have been recorded, no more images can be recorded. The user brings the camera to an appropriate trader such as a print shop or an agency (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “shop”) and requests to extract the image data. At the shop, the image data is sucked from the camera through the communication means. The read image data is copied to a general-purpose medium or provided as a printed matter to the user. At this time, the shop refers to the number of reusable times set in the camera, sets the camera in a usable state again within the range, and returns it to the user. For example, delete the image data stored in the recording medium,
After performing processing such as resetting the number of possible shots,
Return the camera to the user. On the other hand, if the number of reusable times is exceeded, return to the user is stopped and the camera is collected.

Thus, while managing the number of reuses, 1
By using one camera a plurality of times, the cost of the camera itself can be reduced, the collection rate of the cameras can be increased, and the recyclability can be improved.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a cipher storage unit in which a cipher necessary for reading out image data stored in the recording medium is stored, and an inputted cipher is stored in the cipher storage unit. Control means for collating and permitting the reading of the image data from the recording medium when the ciphers match, and performing internal control so as to set the camera in a non-reusable state when the ciphers do not match. And reading the image data from the built-in recording medium, and then returning the camera to a state in which image recording is possible again within the range of the number of reusable times. It has a feature.

According to the reusable electronic camera of this aspect, the image recorded in the camera is transferred from the communication means to the outside of the camera through the cryptographic authentication. At the store, the cipher is input using a predetermined device, and the image data is sucked out from the recording medium. If an illegitimate trader inputs an incorrect cipher, the control means implements internal control (software processing) that causes the camera to transition to a non-reusable state regardless of the setting of the number of reusable times. . For example, control is performed to prohibit data transfer so that image data cannot be taken out, and the set value of the number of reusable times and the data of the number of times of reuse are rewritten. As means for prohibiting the transfer of image data, there are a method of prohibiting access to a recording medium, a method of changing a program for reading data, a method of changing a read address, and the like. This can prevent unauthorized reuse.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the number of times setting means includes a rewritable non-volatile memory in which information indicating the number of reusable times is stored. According to this aspect, the number of times the camera can be reused can be managed by referring to the number of times the camera can be reused stored in the nonvolatile memory. Further, when there is an unauthorized access, the control program of the control means is set so that the data in the non-volatile memory is rewritten and the data cannot be reused.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of a reusable electronic camera according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. This camera 10
The taking lens 12, the image pickup means 14, the microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 16, the ROM 18, the RAM.
20, EEPROM 22, operation unit 24, display unit 26, image memory 28, communication unit 30, and the like.

The image pickup means 14 includes an image pickup element represented by a CCD solid-state image pickup element, a CMOS solid-state image pickup element, or the like. The optical image incident on the image pickup means 14 via the taking lens 12 is converted into an electric signal by the image pickup element,
It is converted into a digital image signal through processing such as correlated double sampling, gain adjustment, and A / D conversion.

The microcomputer 16 functions as a control unit that controls the camera system in accordance with a predetermined program, and also as a calculation unit that performs various calculations such as image signal processing. A ROM 18 connected to the microcomputer 16 stores a program executed by the microcomputer 16, various data necessary for control, encryption information necessary for reading an image, and the like. The RAM 20 is used as a work area of the microcomputer 16.

E which is a rewritable nonvolatile storage means
The EPROM 22 stores set values such as the number of shootable images and the number of reuses, and actual values. That is, in the camera 10 of this example, the number of shootable images and the number of reuses are set in advance, and the setting information is set in the EEPROM 22. The set value of the number of shootable images is set to a number that is convenient for a single-use camera (for example, 36 that has a proven record in the current photo film). Of course, the number of shootable images can be appropriately designed in relation to the capacity of the image memory 28. However, if the number of shootable images is set to a large number such as “100”, the number of times the user visits the print shop decreases. Therefore, the number of images to be shot is set so that the image can be shot at one or two shooting events so that the user can visit the store as much as possible with a feeling of use similar to that of a conventional film unit with a lens. Further, the number of reuses can be appropriately set in relation to the price of the camera 10.
For example, the same camera 10 is set so that it can be used up to 5 times (36 pieces × 5 times), and the number of times of use is counted each time the user brings in a camera 10 that has already taken a picture,
Manage the remaining usage count.

The operation unit 24 is means for the user to input various instructions to the camera 10. Operation unit 24
Includes a shooting switch (shutter button) 32 for inputting a shooting start instruction, a mode dial 34 for selecting an operation mode, a menu item selection operation (cursor movement operation), and an instruction for frame advance / frame return of a reproduced image. Cross button 36 for inputting, a menu button for instructing display of a menu screen, an OK button for instructing (registering) a selection item or executing an operation, erasing a desired object such as a selection item or canceling the instruction content, or one button. It includes various operation means such as a BACK button, a power switch, and a zoom switch used when returning to the previous screen.

The microcomputer 16 controls the operation of each circuit in the camera 10 based on the signal input from the operation unit 24. That is, the microcomputer 16 performs exposure and readout control of the image sensor, image processing control, image data recording control, encryption authentication processing, data communication control, display control of the display unit 26, and the like.

When the photographing mode is selected by the mode dial 34 and the photographing switch 32 is pressed, the microcomputer 1
Detecting this, 6 executes a still photographing operation. The image signal obtained from the image pickup means 14 is subjected to necessary signal processing such as luminance / color difference signal generation (YC conversion), gamma correction, white balance adjustment, contour enhancement, data compression,
It is recorded in the image memory 28. The means for storing the image data inside the camera 10 is not limited to the semiconductor memory and may be an internal hard disk or the like.

When the reproduction mode is selected by the mode dial 34, the image data is read from the image memory 28, subjected to decompression processing, converted into a signal for display, and output to the display unit 26. As a result, the image content is reproduced and displayed on the display unit 26. The display unit 26 is, for example,
It is composed of a liquid crystal monitor (LCD). Of course, the display means is not limited to the liquid crystal monitor, and an organic EL or other image display device can be applied.

A reproduced image of a recorded image can be displayed on the display unit 26, and information on the currently set mode, image compression rate information, date / time information, frame number, number of reusable times, etc. Is also displayed. The display unit 26 is also used as a user interface display screen when the user performs various setting operations and the like, and also displays menu information such as setting items as necessary.

In implementing the present invention, the display section 26 may be omitted. Particularly, in the case of a camera product intended for low price sale, the image display device is not provided. In this case, in place of the image display device, it is preferable to provide a simple display unit (such as a dot matrix liquid crystal panel) that displays information such as the number of shots in characters or simple figures.

In the camera 10 of this embodiment, the image memory 28 (removable) inside the camera 10 is provided so that the user himself cannot freely retrieve the electronic data (image data) of the image photographed through the image pickup means 14. It is recorded on an unreadable recording medium). And the recorded camera 1
By bringing 0 to a shop 40 such as a print shop,
Image data is read out through the communication unit 30 in the shop 40.

The communication section 30 is a communication interface section for performing data communication with an external information processing device (for example, a personal computer or a dedicated terminal). Communication methods are USB and IE
A wired system such as EE1394 may be used, or Bl
A wireless system represented by uetooth or wireless LAN may be used.

An information processing device capable of data communication with the camera 10 is installed in the shop 40. In the shop 40, the camera 10 brought in and the information processing apparatus are connected for communication, and the information processing apparatus sends an encryption to the camera 10 to read out image data.

When the cipher is input from the information processing device of the shop 40, the microcomputer 16 of the camera 10 collates with the cipher in the ROM 18, and if the cipher matches, the image can be read from the image memory 28. Since the legitimate shop 40 knows the correct code, the image can be extracted from the camera 10. The read image is provided to the user as a printed matter, or is provided to the user as an image file copied to a general-purpose medium (CD-R, memory card, MO, etc.).

At this time, the data of the image memory 28 is erased so that the camera 10 can be reused within the range of the number of times of reuse, the data of the number of photographable images in the EEPROM 22 is cleared, and the actual value of the number of times of use is used. Is incremented (or the value of the remaining usage count is decremented) and returned to the user. The above-described photographing and data reading are repeated within the set number of times, and when the set number of times of reuse is performed, the camera 10 is programmed so that it cannot be used any more.

On the other hand, if the cipher code input from the outside does not match the cipher code in the ROM 18, the microcomputer 16 sets the camera 10 in the unusable state (usage prohibition mode). That is, the microcomputer 16 performs control to prohibit access to the image memory 28 from the outside,
The reading process of image data is prohibited. Also, camera 1
The process of rewriting the data in the EEPROM 22 is executed so that the 0 cannot be reused. As a result, it is possible to prevent the camera 10 from being reused by an unauthorized business operator.

If an illegal encryption is input,
The camera 10 may be immediately controlled to be in the “use prohibition mode”, or prompting the user to re-enter the code within a predetermined number of times,
If the correct cipher is input within a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times), it is judged as erroneous input and normal processing (image reading, reuse setting processing, etc.) is performed, and the correct cipher is input within the predetermined number of times. If not, "use prohibited mode"
You may perform the control.

According to the above-described camera 10 of the present embodiment, one camera can be used a plurality of times within the preset number of reuses, so that the cost of the camera 10 itself can be reduced. , And also for the user
It is expected that the balance between the price and the number of times of use of the camera 10 will give a sense of affordability, motivate the purchase, and increase the reusability of the camera 10.

When one camera 10 is sold, the shop side can communicate with the user a plurality of times, so that it is possible to build a beneficial relationship for both parties through various information exchanges. become.

In the present example, the cipher is input via the communication unit 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the cipher or the cipher is transmitted via the operation unit or the image pickup means 14 provided in the main body of the camera 10. A mode of inputting corresponding information is also possible.

In the above embodiment, the digital camera for recording a still image is exemplified, but the applicable range of the present invention is not limited to this, and a digital camera capable of recording a moving image, both a still image and a moving image can be recorded. It can be applied to various electronic imaging devices such as various digital cameras and video cameras.

[0034]

As described above, according to the reusable type electronic camera of the present invention, the number of reusable times of the camera is preset in the camera, and the specified number of images are recorded. When you bring the product to the store, the image data is sucked from the camera via the communication means in the store, and after the image data is taken out, the camera is returned to the reusable state within the number of reusable times and passed to the user. Since this is done, one camera can be used multiple times, and the cost of the camera itself can be reduced. Further, since it can contribute to the collection of the camera, the recyclability can be improved.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the cipher is stored in the camera, the image data is read out through the cipher authentication, and the camera is set in a non-reusable state when the illegal cipher is input. Since it is configured, it is possible to prevent unauthorized reuse.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Camera, 12 ... Photographing lens, 14 ... Imaging means, 1
6 ... Microcomputer, 18 ... ROM, 22 ... EEPROM, 2
4 ... Operation part, 28 ... Image memory, 30 ... Communication part, 40 ...
shop

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for converting an optical image into an electric signal, a non-removable built-in recording medium for recording image data acquired through the image pickup means, and an image stored in the recording medium. Communication means for transmitting data to the outside of the camera, and the number of reusable times of the camera are set so that the recordable number of images set in the capacity range of the built-in recording medium can be recorded multiple times. A reusable electronic camera, characterized in that it has means for setting the number of times of presetting. 2. A cipher storage unit in which a cipher necessary for reading out image data stored in the recording medium is stored, and an input cipher is collated with a cipher in the cipher storage unit, and the ciphers match. Read-out of the image data from the recording medium, the control means performs an internal control to set the camera in a non-reusable state when the codes do not match, and the built-in 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the image data is read from the mold recording medium, the camera can be returned to a state in which image recording can be performed again within the range of the number of reusable times. Reusable electronic camera. 3. The reusable electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the number-of-times setting means includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory in which information indicating the number of reuses is stored.