JP3979892B2 - Reusable digital camera and its operation control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to a reuse type digital camera and its operation control method.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Reusable digital cameras are sold at convenience stores. Sales of this reusable digital camera are entrusted by a manufacturer to a convenience store. The user purchases and shoots a reusable digital camera at a convenience store. The reusable digital camera has a built-in image memory, and image data obtained by photographing is recorded in the image memory.
[0003]
The user brings the reusable digital camera to a convenience store, and has the user print an image represented by image data recorded in the image memory. The print is given to the user. Reusable digital cameras are collected by manufacturers, erased image data recorded in the image memory, inspected circuits constituting the camera, etc., and again sold to convenience stores.
[0004]
Instead of paying a fee to purchase a reuse-type digital camera, the user takes a picture using the reuse-type digital camera and pays a fee for printing the captured image.
[0005]
Reusable digital cameras are assumed to be collected by manufacturers. For this reason, it is necessary for the user to disassemble the reusable digital camera and prevent it from being used again.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to prevent unauthorized use of a user.
[0007]
The reusable digital camera according to the present invention comprises a device state holding memory for storing device state holding data, a first detecting means for detecting whether or not device state holding data is stored in the device state holding memory, A camera control means for controlling the digital camera so as to be in an operable state in response to the detection of the device state holding data stored in the device state holding memory by the detecting means; Second detection means for detecting whether the housing of the digital camera has been opened, and stored in the device status holding memory in response to detection of the opening of the digital camera housing by the second detection means. And a data control means for clearing the device state holding data.
[0008]
The present invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the reusable digital camera. In other words, this method detects whether or not the digital camera housing has been opened in a reusable digital camera that is ready for operation in response to the device state holding data being stored in the device state holding memory. In response to the detection that the housing of the digital camera has been opened, the device state holding data stored in the device state holding memory is cleared.
[0009]
The reusable digital camera according to the present invention can capture and record image data as a camera when device state holding data (data indicating that the camera is operable) is stored in the device state holding memory. It is in an operable state.
[0010]
It is detected whether or not the casing of the reusable digital camera has been opened. When it is detected that the casing has been opened, the device state holding data stored in the device state holding memory is cleared. Since the device state holding data is cleared, the reusable digital camera cannot operate.
[0011]
When the user tries to use the camera again and opens the camera casing, the device state holding data is cleared and the reusable digital camera becomes inoperable, so that unauthorized use by the user can be prevented beforehand. Authorized manufacturers will be able to collect reusable digital cameras.
[0012]
The device state holding memory may store the device state holding data by a battery. In this case, a switch circuit for controlling power supply from the battery to the device state holding memory is further provided. The data control means shuts off the supply of power from the battery to the device state holding memory in response to detection of the opening of the digital camera housing by the second detection means. It would be a switch control device for controlling the switch circuit.
[0013]
[Explanation of Examples]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a reuse type digital still camera.
[0014]
A reusable digital still camera does not pay a fee to purchase the camera itself, but uses a reusable digital still camera to shoot and charge the photographed image for printing. To pay. Normally, the user cannot arbitrarily print an image represented by image data obtained by imaging a subject using a reusable digital still camera. Reusable digital cameras are assumed to be collected by manufacturers.
[0015]
A reusable digital still camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) is controlled by the CPU 22. A control signal from the CPU 22 is given to each circuit via the bus control circuit 17 and the image bus interface 12.
[0016]
The camera includes a selection key 24 for setting various functions such as a shooting mode. A signal output from the selection key 24 is input to the CPU 22. The camera is also provided with a detection switch 25 for detecting that the camera housing has been opened. A detection signal output from the detection switch 25 is also input to the CPU 22.
[0017]
The camera includes a holding data memory 13 for storing device state holding data. This retained data memory is non-volatile. The device holding data stored in the holding data memory 13 is read by the CPU 22 via the input / output buffer 16 and the bus control circuit 17. If the retained data is stored in the retained data memory 13, the camera can execute the photographing operation. If the retained data memory 13 is cleared, the camera cannot perform the photographing operation. As described above, when the detection switch 23 detects that the camera casing has been opened, the retained data stored in the retained data memory 13 is cleared. The camera cannot perform shooting operations.
[0018]
The camera includes a main battery 21. The main battery 21 supplies power to each circuit constituting the camera. The output voltage of the main battery 21 is also input to the reset circuit 19. When the voltage input to the reset circuit 19 falls below a predetermined threshold value, a reset signal is output. The reset signal is input to the CPU 22 via the parallel I / O circuit 18 and the bus control circuit 17. Then, the camera is reset and the shooting operation cannot be performed.
[0019]
When the shooting mode is set, the subject is imaged by the CCD 1 and a video signal representing the subject image is output. The video signal is subjected to correlated double sampling processing by a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 2. The video signal output from the CDS circuit 2 is converted into digital image data by the analog / digital conversion circuit 3 and input to the YC process circuit 6 via the first buffer circuit 4 and the second buffer circuit 5. In the YC process circuit 6, luminance data and color difference data are generated. The generated luminance data and color difference data are input to the compression circuit 7 via the second buffer circuit 5.
[0020]
Luminance data and color difference data are compressed by the compression circuit 7, supplied to the digital / analog conversion circuit 10, and converted into an analog video signal. By applying the analog video signal to the liquid crystal display device 11, a subject image obtained by photographing is displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 11.
[0021]
When a shutter release button (not shown) is pressed, the image data compressed by the compression circuit 7 as described above is given to the image memory 9 via the interface 8 and recorded.
[0022]
An output terminal 25 is also formed between the interface 8 and the image memory 9. The image data stored in the image memory 9 can be output to the print system by connecting the output terminal and a print system arranged in a convenience store or the like. An image represented by the image data stored in the image memory 9 can be printed using the print system. It goes without saying that the user cannot read the image data from the image memory 9 because there is no software for reading the image memory 9 even if the computer owned by the user is connected to the output terminal 25 of the camera. Nor. The image memory 9 is arranged in the camera casing, and the user cannot take out the image memory 9 without opening the camera casing.
[0023]
The above-described retained data memory 13 is nonvolatile, but may be volatile. When the retained data memory 13 is volatile, the retained data memory 13 will be backed up by the backup battery 14. Further, a switch circuit 15 that is turned off when the camera housing is opened may be provided between the backup battery 14 and the retained data memory 13. When the camera casing is opened, the voltage supplied from the backup battery 14 to the retained data memory 13 is cut off. The retained data stored in the retained data memory 13 is cleared. When the camera casing is opened, it is possible to prevent the camera from performing shooting operations.
[0024]
Further, a switch circuit 20 that is turned off when the camera housing is opened may be provided between the main battery 21 and the reset circuit 19. When the camera housing is opened, the switch circuit 20 is turned off, and a reset signal is output from the reset circuit 19. Then, the retained data stored in the retained data memory 13 is cleared by the CPU 22.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of shooting by the camera.
[0026]
When a power switch (not shown) is turned on (YES in step 31), operating power is supplied from the main battery 21 to each circuit (step 32). Data stored in the retained data memory 13 is read (step 33).
[0027]
If the device state holding data is stored in the holding data memory 13 (YES in step 34), the photographing can be performed as described above (step 35), and the subject image is displayed in response to the pressing of the shutter release button. The image data to be represented is stored in the image memory 9. Until the power is turned off by the power switch (NO in step 36), the processing from step 33 to step 35 is repeated. When the power is turned off by the power switch, the supply of power from the main battery 21 to each circuit is stopped (step 37). If the device status holding data is not stored in the holding data memory 13 (NO in step 34), it is considered that the camera housing has been opened, so the supply of power from the main battery 21 to each circuit is stopped. (Step 37).
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for clearing retained data. In this process, the retained data memory 13 is non-volatile. However, the present invention may also be applied to the case where the volatile retained data memory 13 is used.
[0029]
When the camera casing is opened (step 41) (even if it is opened by the user, it may be opened by a store clerk or an authorized manufacturer employee), the detection switch 23 indicates that the casing has been opened. Detected. The detection signal is read by the CPU 22 (step 42). Then, the device state holding data stored in the holding data memory 13 is cleared by the CPU 11 (step 43).
[0030]
When the camera housing is opened, the device state holding data stored in the holding data memory 13 is cleared, so that the camera cannot perform a photographing operation. Even if the camera casing is illegally opened by the user, for example, it is possible to prevent the contents of the image memory 9 from being erased and reused.
[0031]
Further, the retained data memory 13 may be backed up by the output voltage from the main battery 21, and the switch circuit 20 may be provided between the main battery 21 and the reset circuit 19. When the camera casing is opened, the switch other circuit 20 is turned off. A reset signal is output from the reset circuit 19 and is input to the CPU 22, whereby the device state holding data in the holding data memory 13 is cleared.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another process of clearing retained data. In this process, the retained data memory 13 is volatile.
[0033]
When the retained data memory 13 is volatile, the camera is provided with a backup battery 14 for the retained data memory 13 as described above, and between the backup battery 14 and the retained data memory 13 as described above. Is provided with a switch circuit 15.
[0034]
When the camera casing is opened (step 51), the switch circuit 15 is turned off (step 52). Then, the supply of voltage from the backup battery 14 to the retained data memory 13 is cut off. The device state holding data in the holding data memory 13 is cleared.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a reuse type digital camera.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a shooting mode.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a stored data clear processing procedure;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a stored data clear processing procedure;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 CCD
9 Image memory
13 Retained data memory
14 Backup battery
15, 20 switch circuit
22 CPU
23 Detection switch

Claims (3)

Device state holding memory for storing device state holding data,
First detection means for detecting whether device state holding data is stored in the device state holding memory;
Camera control means for controlling the digital camera to enter an operable state in response to detection by the first detection means that device state holding data is stored in the device state holding memory;
Second detection means for detecting whether the housing of the digital camera has been opened, and the device state holding memory in response to the detection of the opening of the digital camera housing by the second detection means; Data control means for clearing stored device state holding data;
Reusable digital camera equipped with The device state holding memory stores the device state holding data by a battery.
A switch circuit for controlling power supply from the battery to the device state holding memory;
The data control means is
A switch for controlling the switch circuit so as to cut off the supply of power from the battery to the device state holding memory in response to detection that the housing of the digital camera is opened by the second detection means. Control device,
The reuse type digital camera according to claim 1. In a reusable digital camera that is ready for operation in response to the device state holding data being stored in the device state holding memory,
Detect if the digital camera housing has been opened,
Clearing the device status holding data stored in the device status holding memory in response to detecting that the housing of the digital camera has been opened.
Operation control method for reusable digital camera.

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