JP5171989B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device capable of personal authentication using a wireless ID device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as identification means for identifying an individual who uses various devices, a method for inputting a personal identification number or the like, a method for inputting biological information such as a fingerprint or an iris pattern, and the like are known.

  As a method of inputting a personal identification number, a device is provided with a numeric keypad to input a predetermined personal identification number, or a device that cannot be provided with a numeric keypad is to enter a number by operating the same switch multiple times. There is.

  In addition, as a method for inputting biometric information, a fingerprint scanner or an iris pattern input camera is provided in the device, and the biometric information input from these input devices is compared with personal information registered in the device. User identification is performed.

  When these personal authentication means are applied to a camera, it is possible to restrict use by other than the original user and record photographer information. In particular, in a so-called electronic camera that converts an object image into an electrical signal and records it, information such as photographer information can be directly added to the image information to be recorded, so that images photographed by a plurality of photographers are handled. This is particularly effective in such cases (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-23733 A

  However, as described above, the camera with the personal authentication means has the following problems.

  For example, in the method of inputting a personal identification number, it is necessary to input the personal identification number prior to shooting, which takes time to handle the camera. Even if it is configured so that it is not necessary to input the password in a series of photographing after the password is once input, it is inevitable that the operation becomes complicated.

  Also, with the fingerprint scanner method, for example, when you are wearing gloves when shooting in a cold region, personal authentication is not possible, and when shooting, you must remove the gloves and touch the fingerprint scanner in a cold environment. There is.

  In the iris pattern input method, since the user's eyes need to be positioned within the shooting range of the input camera, there is no problem during normal shooting. For example, the camera is fixed on a tripod or the like, When shooting with a face apart, there was still a problem that personal authentication could not be performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable personal authentication in an imaging device using a wireless ID device .

Imaging device according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus, a detection means for detecting a wireless ID apparatus present within a prescribed range, the wireless ID apparatus detected by the detection means is registered in the imaging apparatus and a determining control means whether the Tei Ru equipment, after it is determined that the wireless ID apparatus sensed is equipment that are registered with the imaging device by said detecting means, said control The means is characterized in that the setting of the wireless LAN device connected to the imaging device is performed using wireless LAN setting information recorded in the wireless ID device detected by the detecting means.

According to the present invention, personal authentication in an imaging device can be performed using a wireless ID device .

It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the electronic camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the sequence of the processing operation in the electronic camera of 1st Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the electronic camera of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the sequence of the processing operation in the electronic camera of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the sequence of the processing operation in the electronic camera of 4th Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the electronic camera of 5th Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the electronic camera of 6th Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the electronic camera of 7th Embodiment.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a lens, 2 is a solid-state image sensor, 3 is an analog signal processing circuit that processes an analog signal obtained by the solid-state image sensor 2, 4 is an AD converter that converts the analog signal into digital data, and 5 is an AD converter. A digital data processing circuit for processing the digital data converted by the device 4, a buffer memory 6, a control circuit 7 for controlling the whole, a control circuit capable of registering a plurality of arbitrary RFID tags in advance, and 8 a memory card interface Face, 9 is a detachable recording medium memory card, 10 is a memory bus, 11 is a shutter button (release button), 12 is an RFID identification device that detects whether there is an RFID tag within a certain detection range, Reference numeral 13 denotes a display device.

  The processing operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the shutter button 11 is operated, power is supplied to the RFID identification device 12 and it is checked whether there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12.

  When there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range, it is checked whether or not the detected RFID tag is a tag registered in the control circuit 7. If the detected RFID tag is a registered tag, the photographing operation is started. That is, the subject image is formed on the solid-state image pickup device 2 by the lens 1, converted into an electrical signal, read out as an electrical signal, subjected to predetermined processing in the analog signal processing circuit 3, and then the AD converter. 4 is converted to digital data.

  The digital data output from the AD converter 4 is once subjected to predetermined preprocessing in the digital data processing circuit 5 and then stored in the buffer memory 6. Then, the data is read at a timing when the bandwidth of the memory bus 10 is vacant, subjected to predetermined development processing again in the digital data processing circuit 5 and converted into digital image data, and then stored in the buffer memory 6 again.

  Digital image data stored in the buffer memory 6 is read by the memory card interface 8 and written to the memory card 9. Each of these operations is appropriately controlled by the control circuit 7.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing operations in the electronic camera of the first embodiment. This sequence starts when the shutter button 11 is operated (step S101). After starting the sequence, power is first supplied to the RFID identification device 12 (step S102), and it is checked whether there is an RFID tag within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12 (step S103). In this way, when a predetermined operation member (shutter button 11 in this example) is operated, power is supplied to the RFID identification device 12 to start its operation. The increase of can be minimized.

  When an RFID tag is recognized within the detection range (YES in step S103), it is checked whether or not the detected RFID tag is a registered tag (step S104). If the detected RFID tag is a registered tag (YES in step S104), photographing is permitted (step S105), and then normal photographing operation is continued (step S106), and the sequence is terminated after the photographing operation. (Step S108).

  On the other hand, when the RFID tag is not recognized within the detection range (NO in step S103) and when the detected RFID tag is not a registered tag (NO in step S104), the display device 13 cannot shoot. A message is displayed (step S107), and the sequence is terminated without performing the photographing operation (step S108).

  As described above, the personal authentication in the electronic camera is performed by determining whether or not the RFID tag detected by the RFID identification device 12 is registered, so that the operation becomes complicated. In addition, personal authentication can be easily performed regardless of the situation at the time of shooting.

  Further, when the detected RFID tag is not a registered tag, shooting is disabled, so that shooting by a person other than the authenticated photographer can be prohibited.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment. The same components as those illustrated in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes a camera mode setting unit composed of buttons and the like.

  The processing operation will be described with reference to FIG. The shooting operation starting from the operation of the shutter button 11 is the same as in the first embodiment described above. Even when the camera mode setting unit 14 is operated, power is supplied to the RFID identification device 12 and it is checked whether there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12.

  When there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range, it is checked whether or not the detected RFID tag is a tag registered in the control circuit 7. If the detected RFID tag is a registered tag, the operation of the camera mode setting unit 14 is accepted, and various camera modes can be set.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing operations in the electronic camera of the second embodiment. This sequence starts when the camera mode setting unit 14 is operated (step S401). After starting the sequence, power is first supplied to the RFID identification device 12 (step S402), and it is checked whether there is an RFID tag within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12 (step S403).

  If an RFID tag is recognized within the detection range (YES in step S403), it is checked whether the detected RFID tag is a registered tag (step S404). If the detected RFID tag is a registered tag (YES in step S404), mode setting is permitted (step S405), various camera mode setting operations are executed (step S406), and sequence is performed after the mode setting operation. Is finished (step S408).

  On the other hand, when the RFID tag is not recognized within the detection range (NO in step S403) and when the detected RFID tag is not a registered tag (NO in step S404), the mode setting cannot be performed on the display device 13. A message to that effect is displayed (step S407), and the sequence is terminated without performing the mode setting operation (step S408).

Above mentioned manner, the detected RFID tag is set to be not set mode when not a tag is registered, it is possible to prohibit the change of the mode other than by authorized photographer set.

(Third embodiment)
The configuration of the electronic camera of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. The processing operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the shutter button 11 is operated, power is supplied to the RFID identification device 12 and it is checked whether there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12.

  When there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range, it is checked whether or not the detected RFID tag is a tag registered in the control circuit 7. In the present embodiment, the photographing operation is started regardless of whether or not the detected RFID tag is a registered tag. That is, the subject image is formed on the solid-state image pickup device 2 by the lens 1, converted into an electrical signal, read out as an electrical signal, subjected to predetermined processing in the analog signal processing circuit 3, and then the AD converter. 4 is converted to digital data.

  The digital data output from the AD converter 4 is once subjected to predetermined preprocessing in the digital data processing circuit 5 and then stored in the buffer memory 6. Then, the data is read at a timing when the bandwidth of the memory bus 10 is vacant, subjected to predetermined development processing again in the digital data processing circuit 5 and converted into digital image data, and then stored in the buffer memory 6 again.

  Thereafter, when the data is read by the memory card interface 8 and written to the memory card 9, predetermined information such as the RFID tag owner name is added and written out of the RFID tag information. Each of these operations is appropriately controlled by the control circuit 7.

(Fourth embodiment)
The configuration of the electronic camera of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. The processing operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the shutter button 11 is operated, it is checked whether or not the RFID identification device 12 has already recognized the RFID tag within a predetermined time. If a predetermined RFID tag has not been recognized within a predetermined time, power is supplied to the RFID identification device 12 and it is checked whether there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12.

  When there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range, it is checked whether or not the detected RFID tag is a tag registered in the control circuit 7. Then, when the RFID tag has been recognized within a predetermined time and when the newly detected RFID tag is a registered tag, the photographing operation is started. That is, the subject image is formed on the solid-state image pickup device 2 by the lens 1, converted into an electrical signal, read out as an electrical signal, subjected to predetermined processing in the analog signal processing circuit 3, and then the AD converter. 4 is converted to digital data.

  The digital data output from the AD converter 4 is once subjected to predetermined preprocessing in the digital data processing circuit 5 and then stored in the buffer memory 6. Then, the data is read at a timing when the bandwidth of the memory bus 10 is vacant, subjected to predetermined development processing again in the digital data processing circuit 5 and converted into digital image data, and then stored in the buffer memory 6 again.

  Digital image data stored in the buffer memory 6 is read by the memory card interface 8 and written to the memory card 9. Each of these operations is appropriately controlled by the control circuit 7.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a sequence of processing operations in the electronic camera of the fourth embodiment. This sequence starts when the shutter button 11 is operated (step S501). After starting the sequence, first, it is checked whether or not the RFID tag is already recognized within the predetermined time in the RFID identification device 12 (step S502). If the predetermined RFID tag has not been recognized within the predetermined time (NO in step S502), power is supplied to the RFID identification device 12 (step S503), and the RFID tag is within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12. It is checked whether or not (step S504).

  If an RFID tag is recognized within the detection range (YES in step S504), it is checked whether or not the detected RFID tag is a registered tag (step S505). If the detected RFID tag is a predetermined tag (YES in step S505) and if the RFID tag has already been recognized within a predetermined time (YES in step S502), photographing is permitted (step S506). Thereafter, the normal photographing operation is continued (step S507), and the sequence is terminated after the photographing operation.

  On the other hand, the predetermined RFID tag is not recognized within the predetermined time (NO in step S502), and the RFID tag is not recognized within the detection range (NO in step S504), or the detected RFID tag is registered. If it is not a tag (NO in step S505), the display device 13 displays a message indicating that photographing is not possible (step S508), and the sequence is terminated without performing the photographing operation (step S509).

  As described above, when it is determined that the RFID tag detected by the RFID identification device 12 is a registered one, the RFID tag is assumed to be within the detection range for a predetermined time thereafter, and operates. Therefore, it is possible to shoot even when the photographer is away from the electronic camera, such as shooting using a tripod or a remote controller.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic camera of the fifth embodiment. The same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. . In the figure, 15 is a power switch.

The processing operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the power switch 15 is operated, a photographing operation or the like can be performed. However, the control circuit 7 energizes the RFID identification device 12 every predetermined time, and an RFID tag (not shown) is within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12. It is checked whether there is any.

When there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range, it is checked whether or not the detected RFID tag is a tag registered in the control circuit 7. When the RFID tag registered within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12 is not detected for a predetermined time or longer, the control circuit 7 switches the power source of the electronic camera to a predetermined power saving mode to reduce power consumption.

  As described above, when the RFID tag registered within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12 is not detected for a predetermined time or longer, the power saving mode is selected, so that unnecessary power consumption due to forgetting to turn off the power is suppressed. Can do.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic camera according to the sixth embodiment. The same components as those shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Description is omitted. In the figure, reference numeral 16 denotes a wireless LAN device.

  The processing operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the power switch 15 is operated, power is supplied to the camera body and power is also supplied to the RFID identification device 12, and whether or not there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12. Checked.

  When there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range, it is checked whether or not the detected RFID tag is a tag registered in the control circuit 7. If the detected RFID tag is a registered tag, the wireless LAN device 16 is set using the wireless LAN setting information recorded in the RFID tag.

  As described above, if the detected RFID tag is a registered tag, the wireless LAN device 16 is set using the wireless LAN setting information recorded in the RFID tag. The wireless LAN device 16 can be set for each area.

(Seventh embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic camera according to the seventh embodiment. The same components as those shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 6, and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted. In the figure, 17 is a wired remote controller, and 18 is a second RFID identification device provided in the wired remote controller 17.

  The processing operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the shutter button 11 is operated, power is supplied to the RFID identification device 12, and it is checked whether there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12, and the wired remote controller 17 is connected. If the power is supplied to the second RFID identification device 18 provided in the wired remote controller 17, whether or not there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range of the second RFID identification device 18. Is checked.

  When there is an RFID tag (not shown) within the detection range of the RFID identification device 12 or the second RFID identification device 18, it is checked whether the detected RFID tag is a tag registered in the control circuit 7. Is done. If the detected RFID tag is a registered tag, the photographing operation is started. That is, the subject image is formed on the solid-state image pickup device 2 by the lens 1, converted into an electrical signal, read out as an electrical signal, subjected to predetermined processing in the analog signal processing circuit 3, and then the AD converter. 4 is converted to digital data.

  The digital data output from the AD converter 4 is once subjected to predetermined preprocessing in the digital data processing circuit 5 and then stored in the buffer memory 6. Then, the data is read at a timing when the bandwidth of the memory bus 10 is vacant, subjected to predetermined development processing again in the digital data processing circuit 5 and converted into digital image data, and then stored in the buffer memory 6 again.

  Digital image data stored in the buffer memory 6 is read by the memory card interface 8 and written to the memory card 9. Each of these operations is appropriately controlled by the control circuit 7.

  As described above, since the RFID identification device 18 is also provided in the accessory such as the wired remote controller 17, personal authentication is possible even when the photographer is away from the electronic camera.

  In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the RFID tag itself can be carried by the photographer by being incorporated in an ID badge worn by the photographer. Further, when the RFID tag recognizing device of the present invention can recognize the RFID tag is several tens of centimeters or less, it can be attached to the dominant hand operating the shutter button of the camera or the wired remote controller incorporating the second RFID identifying device. By incorporating it in a wristband or the like, suitable RFID recognition can be performed.

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lens 2 Solid-state image sensor 3 Analog signal processing circuit 4 AD converter 5 Digital data processing circuit 6 Buffer memory 7 Control circuit 8 Memory card interface 9 Memory card 10 Memory bus 11 Shutter button 12 RFID identification device 13 Display device 14 Camera mode Setting means 15 Power switch 16 Wireless LAN device 17 Wired remote control 18 Second RFID identification device

Claims (4)

An imaging device comprising:
Detecting means for detecting a wireless ID device existing within a predetermined range;
The wireless ID apparatus detected by the detection means and a determining control means whether the equipment that have been registered in the imaging device,
After it is determined that the wireless ID apparatus sensed an equipment that has been registered in the imaging device by said detecting means, said control means set the wireless LAN device connected to the imaging device the detection An image pickup apparatus characterized in that it is performed using wireless LAN setting information recorded in a wireless ID device detected by means. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein after the wireless ID device detected by the detection unit is determined to be a device registered in the imaging device, the control unit enables the imaging device to perform a shooting operation. Imaging device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising a storage means for storing image data obtained by photographing operation in the image pickup device on a recording medium. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the recording medium is a removable recording medium.

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