JP2004173154A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera with a device of protecting privacy. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera is provided with an encrypting key preparing portion for preparing an encoding key based on unique information owned by its own, an encrypting processing portion for image data obtained by photographing with the encrypting key, a media loading portion for freely loading or taking out recording media in which the image data are recorded, an image recording portion for recording the image data encrypting in the recording media loaded in the media loading portion, a decrypting processing portion for decrypting the image data encrypting with the encrypting key, and an image display portion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera that takes a picture to obtain image data by reading a subject image formed on an image sensor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, some digital cameras that record image data in a memory that can be inserted and removed in the camera body such as a recording medium encrypt and record the image data in order to protect privacy when the memory is lost.
[0003]
The encryption of the image data is performed by using what is called an encryption key created based on information unique to the camera (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The encryption key is created by first transmitting the unique information of the camera to an external device capable of creating a secret key such as a host computer.
[0004]
The encryption key created by the host computer is returned to the camera, and the camera encrypts the image data with this encryption key.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application No. 11-107223 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the digital camera as described above, since the unique information and the encryption key that are the basis of image data encryption are exchanged with the host computer, there is a possibility that such information may be leaked. There is a problem that it is difficult to plan.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera in which a device for protecting privacy is devised than in the past.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera of the present invention provides:
In a digital camera for taking a photograph to obtain image data by reading a subject image formed on an image sensor,
An encryption key creation unit that creates an encryption key based on the unique information that the device has;
An encryption processing unit for encrypting image data obtained by taking a photograph using the encryption key;
A media loading unit in which a recording medium on which image data is recorded is removably loaded;
An image recording unit for recording the image data encrypted by the encryption processing unit on a recording medium loaded in the media loading unit;
A decryption processing unit for decrypting the image data encrypted using the encryption key in the encryption processing unit;
And an image display for displaying an image based on the image data decoded by the decoding processing unit.
[0009]
In the digital camera of the present invention, since the encryption key that has been conventionally created outside the camera is in-house manufactured, leakage of the encryption key or the like can be prevented. Thus, even if a third party obtains the memory used in this camera, the image recorded in the memory cannot be viewed unless the camera is also obtained. Therefore, according to the digital camera of the present invention, it is possible to protect privacy more than in the past.
[0010]
Here, the digital camera of the present invention is
A receiving unit for receiving image data encrypted using the encryption key;
The image processing apparatus may further include a transmission unit that reads image data read from the recording medium or received by the reception unit and decoded by the decoding processing unit.
[0011]
In this way, image data sent to an external device such as a host computer without being encrypted cannot be decrypted into an image without passing through this camera. Otherwise, the encrypted image data can be decrypted so that it cannot be transmitted to an external device.
[0012]
Furthermore, the digital camera of the present invention is
A flaw correction information storage unit for storing flaw correction information indicating the position of the flaw of the solid-state imaging device;
A flaw correction processing unit that performs flaw correction processing based on flaw correction information stored in the flaw correction information storage unit on image data obtained by photography,
It is preferable that the encryption key creation unit creates an encryption key based on the flaw correction information as the unique information stored in the flaw correction information.
[0013]
In this way, it is possible to easily create an encryption key that cannot be easily imagined.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the digital camera of the present invention will be described.
[0015]
1 and 2 are external perspective views of an embodiment of a digital camera of the present invention.
[0016]
A front surface of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a lens barrel 11 containing a photographing lens 11a, a finder objective window 12, a flash light emission window 13, and an AE light reception window 25.
[0017]
On the left side of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1, there is a modular jack 14 for transmitting image data over a telephone communication line, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) used when transmitting this image data to a host computer or the like. A USB terminal 15 to which a cable is connected is provided.
[0018]
A release button 23 is shown on the upper surface of the digital camera shown in FIG.
[0019]
On the back of the digital camera shown in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal panel 16 for displaying an image, a liquid crystal panel activation button 16a for turning on / off the image display by the liquid crystal panel, a viewfinder eyepiece window 17, various functions are selected and zoomed. A cross key 18 to be operated at the time, a menu / OK switch 19 used to display an image of a menu on the liquid crystal panel, and a confirmation thereof, a cancel button 24 operated when a photographed image is not recorded on a recording medium, and a main A switch 20 is shown. The cross key 18 is composed of four keys. The upper and lower keys are used for zooming up and down, respectively, and the left and right keys sequentially display images represented by the recorded image data. Is to do.
[0020]
Also, the digital camera shown in FIG. 2 is operated on the back of the digital camera to determine which one of the “shooting / recording function” and the “image data reproduction function” provided in the digital camera 1 is selected. A function selection lever 21 is also shown. When the function selection lever 21 is moved upward, the “shooting / recording function” is selected. When the function selection lever 21 is moved downward, the “image data reproduction function” is selected. Is done.
[0021]
An openable / closable lid 22 is attached to the lower surface of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 2, a recording medium loading chamber 22a in which a recording medium is detachably loaded, and a detachable battery. And a battery loading chamber 22b. These are closed by a lid 22.
[0022]
The digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is a digital still camera with a built-in zoom lens that employs a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor as a solid-state image sensor, as will be described in detail later. The zoom function performs optical zoom and electronic zoom. Used together. In the digital camera 1, when the main switch 20 is turned on, a lens cover (not shown) that is provided on the front of the camera and covers the lens is opened, and the lens barrel 11 is extended to a predetermined position. When the main switch 20 is turned off, the lens barrel 11 that has been extended is retracted inside the camera, and the photographing lens 11a is covered with the lens cover.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the digital camera of the present embodiment. The digital camera 1 is provided with a flash light emitting unit, a motor that is driven to perform optical zoom and focusing, a motor driver that controls the motor, and the like, which are not related to the present invention. Since it exists, it is omitted in FIG.
[0024]
FIG. 3 shows a control unit 30 that controls the entire digital camera 1, an imaging unit 31 that includes a charge coupled device (CCD) imaging element that forms an image of a subject through the imaging lens 11 a, an SDRAM (not shown), Image input controller for storing digital image data in SDRAM, image signal processing circuit for processing digital image data stored in SDRAM so as to be compressible, compression processing for compressing digital image data processed so as to be compressible An image processing unit 32 including a circuit as a component, a media controller 36 that controls recording of the compressed digital image data converted into a file format by the control unit 30 onto the recording medium 33, and before compression from the SDRAM. Digital image data is stored A liquid crystal panel 16 on which an image is displayed by an image display control device (not shown) that creates a video signal by adding a synchronization signal to image data of a VRAM (not shown) and converts the video signal from a digital signal to an analog signal; An operation unit 35 for detecting operations on various switches shown in FIG. 2 is shown.
[0025]
Further, FIG. 3 stores information such as the position of a defective light receiving element among the light receiving elements constituting the solid-state imaging device provided in the digital camera 1 and the contents of correction performed on the light receiving element. A flaw correction information storage unit 40, a flaw correction processing unit 41 that performs flaw correction according to information stored in the flaw correction information storage unit 40, and an encryption key that creates an encryption key based on the flaw correction information Connected by a telephone communication line to the creation unit 42, the encryption processing unit 43 that performs encryption processing of image data using this encryption key, and the decryption processing unit 44 that decrypts image data encrypted using this encryption key Communication port 4 having a receiving unit for receiving image data and a transmitting unit for transmitting image data with the external server 50 or the host computer 60 connected via USB. Door is shown.
[0026]
In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, an encryption key for encrypting image data is created inside the camera based on the flaw correction information of the solid-state imaging device that is unique information of the camera. Therefore, if this digital camera 1 is not available, it is impossible to decrypt the image data encrypted by this camera, no matter how much the recording medium is obtained. Next, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment. The operation flow will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.
[0027]
The digital camera 1 has already stored the position information and flaw correction information of defective light receiving elements among the light receiving elements constituting the solid-state imaging device at the time of factory shipment from the manufacturer. An encryption key for encrypting data is created in the encryption key creation unit 42 shown in FIG.
[0028]
When a recording medium is loaded in the recording medium loading chamber 22a shown in FIG. 2 and a battery is loaded in the battery loading chamber 22b, and the power button 20 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed, the digital camera 1 is turned on, as shown in FIG. When the function selection lever is moved upward, “shooting and recording function” is selected.
[0029]
In this digital camera 1, when the “photographing / recording function” is selected by the function selection lever 21, a through image of the object scene is displayed in real time on the liquid crystal panel 16 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0030]
When the subject is confirmed on the liquid crystal panel on which the through image is displayed and the release button 19 is pressed, the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel is displayed instead of the through image at the timing of the pressing. The image data of this image is recorded on the recording medium 33 through the media controller 36 when the menu / OK button 19 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed, but before being recorded on the recording medium, the encryption processing unit shown in FIG. In 43, it is encrypted.
[0031]
On the other hand, when the function selection lever 21 is lowered, the “image data reproduction function” is selected, and the image represented by the image data recorded on the recording medium 33 so far is operated with the cross key 18 shown in FIG. This is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 16. However, this is performed by decrypting the image data encrypted in the encryption processing unit 43 of the digital camera 1 and stored in the recording medium 33 by the decryption processing unit 44 shown in FIG. Even if the recording medium 33 is loaded into a digital camera different from the digital camera 1, the encryption key is unknown, so the image is not displayed correctly.
[0032]
Here, transmission / reception of image data performed between the digital camera 1 and an external device will be described.
[0033]
The transmission of image data from the digital camera 1 to the server 50 connected via the telephone communication line 51 is performed while being encrypted in order to prevent leakage of the image data. Further, the digital camera 1 is connected to the host computer 60 via the USB terminal 61, so that it can receive the image data that has already been transmitted to the host computer 60 without being encrypted. It is also possible to decrypt the encrypted image data stored in the host computer 60 and transmit it to the host computer 60 connected via the USB terminal 61.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a routine that is started when the power switch shown in FIG. 2 is turned on.
[0035]
In step S1 shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not “shooting / recording function” among “shooting / recording function” and “image data playback function” is selected by the function selection lever.
[0036]
If it is determined in step S1 that the “photographing / recording function” is selected, the process proceeds to step S2, and the image signal obtained by the solid-state imaging device is corrected by the flaw correction processing unit shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3, and a through image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel. In step S4, it is determined whether or not the release button 23 is turned on.
[0037]
If it is determined in step S4 that the release button is not turned on, the process returns to step S1. If it is determined that the release button is turned on, the process proceeds to step S5, and the liquid crystal panel is turned on when the release button is pressed. The displayed image is displayed instead of the through image. Then, it progresses to step S7.
[0038]
In step S7, it is determined whether or not to record the image on the recording medium, that is, whether or not the menu / OK button 19 shown in FIG. 2 is turned on. If it is determined that the image is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S6. It is determined whether or not the cancel button 24 is turned on.
[0039]
If it is determined in step S6 that the cancel button 24 is not turned on, the process returns to step S5. If it is determined that the cancel button 24 is turned on, the process returns to step S1.
[0040]
If it is determined in step S7 that the menu / OK button 19 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S8, and the image data of the still image displayed on the liquid crystal panel is encrypted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S9, and the image data encrypted in step S8 is recorded on a recording medium. Then, it returns to step S1.
[0041]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the “photographing / recording function” has not been selected, processing according to a normal routine is performed, and then the process returns to step S1.
[0042]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a routine that is started when image data is transmitted and received between the digital camera and the external device.
[0043]
This routine is started when a modular or USB is connected to either the modular jack 14 or the USB terminal 15 provided on the left side of the digital camera. In step S1, the current communication is transmitted to an external device. It is determined whether or not. Transmission or reception to an external device is determined by selecting either “transmission” or “reception” displayed on the liquid crystal panel with the cross key 18 and pressing the menu / OK button 19.
[0044]
If it is determined in step S1 that the current communication is transmission to an external device, the process proceeds to step S2 where transmission data is selected. Then, it progresses to step S3 and it is determined whether transmission data was selected.
[0045]
If it is determined in step S3 that selection of transmission data has not ended, the process returns to step S1, and if it is determined that selection of transmission data has ended, the process proceeds to step S4.
[0046]
In step S4, it is determined whether or not the communication means is a telephone communication line. If it is determined that the communication means is a telephone communication line, the process proceeds to step S7. If it is determined that the communication means is not a telephone communication line, step S5 is performed. Proceed to
[0047]
In step S5, it is determined whether or not to transmit after decoding. The encrypted image data recorded on the recording medium 33 is “encrypted” or transmitted to the outside after being “decrypted”, “encrypted” and “decrypted” displayed on the liquid crystal panel. This is determined by selecting one of 'with the cross key and pressing the menu / OK button.
[0048]
If it is determined in step S5 that the transmission is not decrypted, the process proceeds to step S7. If it is determined that the transmission is decrypted, the process proceeds to step S6, and the encrypted image data is decrypted. Is done. Then, it progresses to step S7. In step S7, the decoded image data is transmitted to an external device. Then, it returns to step S1.
[0049]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that the transmission is not to an external device, the description will be returned.
[0050]
In this case, the process proceeds to step S8, and it is determined whether or not the reception is OK. If the reception of data from the external device is OK, a response is made by pressing the menu / OK button.
[0051]
If it is determined in step S8 that the reception is not OK, the process returns to step S1. If it is determined that the reception is OK, the process proceeds to step S9, where data is received. Then, it progresses to step S10 and it is determined whether the received data are recorded. If it is determined in step S10 that recording is not performed, that is, the cancel button 24 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed, the process returns to step S1, and if recording is performed, that is, it is determined that the menu / OK button 19 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S11. Then, encryption is performed, and then recording on the recording medium 33 is performed in step S12. Then, it returns to step S1.
[0052]
As described above, in the digital camera 1, since an encryption key that has been created outside the camera in the past has been in-house manufactured, leakage of the encryption key and the like can be prevented. Even if the recording medium 33 used in this camera is obtained, the image stored in the recording medium cannot be viewed unless the camera is also obtained. Therefore, according to the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, privacy can be protected as compared with the conventional case.
[0053]
In this embodiment, the example in which the flaw information of the solid-state image sensor is adopted as the unique information of the camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the camera manufacturing number or the like is adopted as the unique information. It may be a thing. In the present embodiment, the case of having a data transfer function with an external device has been described as an example. However, even if such a function is not provided, the object of the present invention is not reduced. Absent.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the digital camera of the present invention, privacy can be protected more than before.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of a digital camera of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of a digital camera of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the digital camera of the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a routine that is started when a power switch shown in FIG. 2 is turned on;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a routine that is started when image data is transmitted and received between the digital camera and an external device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 11 Lens barrel 11a Shooting lens 12 Finder objective window 13 Flash light emission window 14 Modular jack 15 USB terminal 16 Liquid crystal panel 16a Liquid crystal panel starting button 17 Finder eyepiece window 18 Cross key 19 Menu / OK switch 20 Main switch 21 Function Selection lever 22 Lid 22a Recording medium loading chamber 22b Battery loading chamber 23 Release button 24 Cancel button 25 AE light receiving window 30 Control unit 31 Imaging unit 32 Image processing unit 33 Recording medium 35 Operation unit 36 Media controller 40 Scratch correction information storage unit 41 Scratch Correction processing unit 42 Encryption key creation unit 43 Encryption processing unit 44 Decoding processing unit 45 Communication port 50 Server 51 Telephone communication line 60 Host computer 61 USB

Claims (3)

In a digital camera for taking a photograph to obtain image data by reading a subject image formed on an image sensor,
An encryption key creation unit that creates an encryption key based on the unique information that the device has;
An encryption processing unit that encrypts image data obtained by photographing using the encryption key;
A media loading unit in which a recording medium on which image data is recorded is removably loaded;
An image recording unit for recording the image data encrypted by the encryption processing unit on a recording medium loaded in the media loading unit;
A decryption processing unit for decrypting image data encrypted using the encryption key in the encryption processing unit;
An image display for displaying an image based on the image data decoded by the decoding processing unit. A receiving unit that receives image data encrypted using the encryption key;
The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit that transmits image data read from the recording medium or received by the receiving unit and decoded by the decoding processing unit. A flaw correction information storage unit for storing flaw correction information indicating the position of the flaw of the solid-state imaging device;
A flaw correction processing unit that performs flaw correction processing based on flaw correction information stored in the flaw correction information storage unit on image data obtained by photography,
3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the encryption key creation unit creates an encryption key based on the flaw correction information as the unique information stored in the flaw correction information.

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