JP2001144937A - Image processor and its control method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the comfort of operators in the case of desirably changing setting of an electronic watermark by an object and a photographing purpose or in the case of changing the setting of a camera differently for a plurality of users when the camera is used in common by the users. SOLUTION: In a step S101, an image pickup sensor is driven to conduct an 'image storage/read' operation. In the next step S102, whether or not an imbedding function is active is judged. When the imbedding function is 'active', whether imbedded data are set to data A, data B or data C is judged in steps S103, S105, S107, and the imbedding of the corresponding data is executed in a step S104 or a step S106 or a step S108. Then digital image data to which the selected data are imbedded in a step S109 are stored in a flash memory 306 and the photographing operation is finished in a step S110.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for capturing and recording an image, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of embedding predetermined data in a captured image, a control method thereof, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a digital still camera, which is rapidly spreading, is a conventional silver halide camera in which an image of a subject is formed on a film surface and the image is chemically analog-recorded. The digitally recorded image is electrically recorded on a storage medium such as a memory card.

[0003] Digital data can be easily processed by a computer and can be easily distributed via a network or the like. Therefore, the need for a digital still camera capable of easily obtaining such digital images is expected to increase in the future.

On the other hand, digital data can be easily tampered with such as composition so that no trace is left, so that the reliability as evidence of a photographed digital image may be a problem. Such a problem is unlikely to occur as long as it is a hobby photographing by a general user, but it becomes a serious problem in photographing necessary for business or legal purposes such as a recorded photograph at a construction site.

Another problem is that the rights of the copyright holder of the image are not sufficiently protected because the copying and distribution are extremely easy.

Therefore, there is great expectation for a digital still camera capable of enhancing the evidential ability of a photographed digital image and protecting copyright.

For such a purpose, a digital watermark (Watermar
k) "is being studied.

This technique can embed other data which is not perceived by a human into digital image / audio data, and can extract the embedded data only by a person having a proper qualification or right as needed. Thereby, it becomes possible to enhance the evidential ability of the image or protect the copyright.

Hereinafter, a principle of the digital watermarking technique when digital data is image data will be described with reference to FIG. 2 with reference to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-290359. 10-1505
See # 17 Public Relations).

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a flow of processing for embedding another data (embedded data) in image data.

First, an original image (digital image data shown in FIG. 3)
101) is divided into a plurality of blocks in a block unit (102 in FIG. 3) in which one block is composed of n pixels × m pixels (division processing).
Next, orthogonal transformation such as discrete cosine transformation (DCT transformation) is performed on each of the divided blocks to obtain an n × m frequency component matrix (orthogonal transformation processing).

Prior to embedding the embedding data, an embedding position indicating in which position the embedding data is to be embedded in the frequency component matrix obtained by the orthogonal transformation processing is determined by a random number, and the value of the frequency component is changed to what extent. Is determined, and the embedding position and the change amount are obtained and stored as key data.

When embedding the embedding data, it is not necessary to embed all the data in the frequency component matrix for one block, and the embedding data may be embedded across the frequency component matrices of a plurality of blocks. In that case, a block group having an appropriate contrast in the screen is selected.

By selecting, for example, a low-frequency portion of a frequency component matrix as an embedding position, embedding can be performed so that it cannot be perceived by a human. Also, by changing the change amount, the difference from the original value of the frequency component matrix can be changed, so that the deterioration of the image quality can be controlled.

The value of the frequency component matrix of each block is changed based on the embedding position and the amount of change of the key data, thereby embedding the embedded data (embedding processing). Further, the frequency component matrix of each block in which the embedded data is embedded is subjected to inverse orthogonal transformation to obtain an image of a plurality of blocks of n pixels × m pixels (inverse orthogonal transformation processing). Finally, a plurality of blocks of images obtained by the inverse orthogonal transform processing are connected to obtain a watermark image in which embedded data is embedded (reconstruction processing).

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the flow of processing when extracting embedded data from a watermark image.

First, a watermark image is divided into a plurality of blocks each consisting of n pixels × m pixels (division processing). Next, orthogonal transformation such as discrete cosine transformation (DCT transformation) is performed on each of the divided blocks to obtain an n × m frequency component matrix (orthogonal transformation processing). Further, the embedding position and the change amount are obtained from the key data used for embedding, and the embedding data is extracted from the frequency component matrix of each block (extraction process).

As described above, the digital watermarking technique is based on (1)
(2) that the embedded data in the key data is not fixed because the embedded data in the key data is created by random numbers, and that it is difficult to decipher the embedded data; (3) 3) There are features such as embedding of embedded data so that humans cannot perceive it by devising the embedding position, and (4) the degree of image quality degradation can be controlled by changing the amount of change.

In the above description, the embedding data is a method of “embedding invisible data” which is not perceived by humans. Conversely, by embedding the copyright information and the like in the original image in a perceptible state, There is also a method called "visible data embedding" that expects the effect of discouraging three parties from illegal use of images. Regarding the digital watermarking technique for this visible data, U.S. Pat.
(No. 41403).

[0020]

As described above, by using a digital still camera equipped with a digital watermark function, it is possible to enhance the evidential ability of a captured image and protect copyright. However, conventional cameras equipped with this function do not have multiple digital watermark embedding modes and data settings for embedding, so if you want to change the digital watermark settings for each subject or shooting purpose,
Alternatively, when one camera is used jointly by a plurality of users, there is a problem that the operation is cumbersome when it is desired to change to individual settings.

Therefore, the present invention can be used to change the digital watermark setting for each subject or shooting purpose, or to change individual settings when a single camera is used jointly by a plurality of users. The purpose is to make the more comfortable.

[0022]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement according to the first aspect. That is, an image processing apparatus that embeds data using digital watermarks in image data, comprising: identification means for identifying a user of the image processing apparatus based on physical characteristics of the user; and a plurality of modes for embedding based on the identification means. And selecting means for selecting one mode for performing embedding.

As a result, one mode can be obtained for each user from a plurality of modes for embedding.

Further, the image processing apparatus according to claim 2, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features. That is, the identification means performs identification based on the fingerprint pattern, voiceprint pattern, and iris (or retina) pattern of the user.

As a result, the user can easily and reliably identify the user as compared with the means for manually operating the setting button or the like and inputting it.

Further, an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features. That is, the selection means selects a mode set by the user recognized by the identification means.

As a result, individual setting of the user becomes easier as compared with a means of manually operating a setting button or the like and inputting.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus having the following configuration. That is, an image processing apparatus that embeds data in a digital image by using a digital watermark. Selecting means for selecting one data.

As a result, only an authenticated user can select one data from a plurality of data.

Further, an image processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features. That is, the identification means performs identification based on the fingerprint pattern, voiceprint pattern, and iris (or retina) pattern of the user.

As a result, the user can easily and reliably identify the user as compared with a means for manually operating a setting button or the like for input.

Further, the image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features. That is, the selection means is characterized in that only the user authenticated by the identification means can select the data to be embedded according to the situation.

As a result, an authenticated user can select from a plurality of data according to the situation when embedding data to be embedded.

In order to solve the above problem, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration according to claim 7. That is, identifying means for identifying a user, holding means for holding setting information for embedding digital watermarks for a plurality of users, and selecting one of the setting means according to the identification result of the identifying means, Embedding means for embedding a digital watermark in input image data based on the image data.

As a result, a mode set by each user from among a plurality of modes can be used.

Further, the image processing apparatus according to claim 8, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features. That is, the image processing apparatus is included in a digital still camera.

Since the image processing apparatus captures an image,
It is preferable that the camera is a digital still camera.

In order to solve the above problems, a control method of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration according to claim 9. That is, a method of controlling an image processing apparatus that embeds data into a piece of image data using a digital watermark, wherein the identification step identifies a user of the image processing apparatus based on the physical characteristics of the user, and the embedding is performed based on the identification step. And selecting one mode for embedding from a plurality of modes.

As a result, one mode can be obtained for each user from a plurality of modes for embedding.

Further, the control method of the image processing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features. That is, in the identification step, identification is performed based on a fingerprint pattern, a voiceprint pattern, and an iris (or retina) pattern of the user.

As a result, the identification of the user is a simple and reliable identification step as compared with the step of manually operating a setting button or the like and inputting.

Further, a control method of an image processing apparatus according to claim 11, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features. That is, the selection step selects a mode set by the user recognized in the identification step.

As a result, the individual setting of the user becomes easier as compared with the step of manually operating the setting buttons and inputting.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a control method of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a method for controlling an image processing apparatus that embeds data using digital watermarking in image data, comprising: an identification step of identifying a user of the image processing apparatus from physical characteristics of the user; and a plurality of embedding based on the identification step. Selecting one data to be embedded from the data.

As a result, only an authenticated user can select one data from a plurality of data.

Further, a control method of an image processing apparatus according to claim 13 which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention has the following features. That is, in the identification step, identification is performed based on a fingerprint pattern, a voiceprint pattern, and an iris (or retina) pattern of the user.

As a result, the user identification becomes a simple and reliable identification step as compared with the step of manually operating a setting button or the like and inputting.

Further, a control method of an image processing apparatus according to claim 14 which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention has the following features. That is, the selection step is characterized in that only the user authenticated in the identification step can select the data to be embedded according to the situation.

As a result, an authenticated user can select from a plurality of data according to the situation when embedding data to be embedded.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising the following steps. That is, an identification step for identifying a user, a holding step for holding setting information for embedding digital watermarks for a plurality of users, and one of the setting steps is selected according to the identification result of the identification step, and the setting information is selected. And embedding a digital watermark in the input image data based on the

As a result, a mode set by each user can be used from a plurality of modes.

Further, a control method of an image processing apparatus according to claim 16 which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention has the following features.

The method for controlling the image processing apparatus is characterized in that it is included in the method for controlling a digital still camera.

Since the image processing apparatus captures an image,
It is preferable that the control method of the image processing device is included in a control method of a digital still camera.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the program code of the present invention has the following configuration according to claim 17. That is, a storage medium for storing a program code for embedding data by using a digital watermark in image data by a computer, wherein the identification program code for identifying the user of the image processing apparatus from the physical characteristics of the user; A selection program code for selecting one mode for embedding from a plurality of modes for embedding based on the embedding mode.

As a result, one mode can be obtained for each user from a plurality of modes for embedding.

Further, the program code according to claim 18, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features. That is, the identification program code performs identification based on a user's fingerprint pattern, voiceprint pattern, and iris (or retina) pattern.

As a result, the identification of the user becomes easier and more reliable than the program code input by manually operating the setting button or the like.

Further, the program code according to claim 19, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features.
That is, the selection program code selects a mode set by the user recognized by the identification program code.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program code having the following configuration. That is, a storage medium for storing a program code for embedding data by using a digital watermark in image data by a computer, wherein the identification program code for identifying the user of the image processing apparatus from the physical characteristics of the user; Selection program code for selecting one data to be embedded from a plurality of data to be embedded based on the selected program data.

As a result, only an authenticated user can select one data from a plurality of data.

Further, the program code according to claim 21, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features.
That is, the identification program code performs identification based on a user's fingerprint pattern, voiceprint pattern, and iris (or retina) pattern.

As a result, the user can easily and reliably identify the user as compared with the means for manually inputting the setting button or the like.

Further, the program code according to claim 22, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features.
That is, the selection program code is characterized in that only a user authenticated by the identification program code can select data to be embedded according to a situation.

As a result, an authenticated user can select from a plurality of data to be embedded according to the situation when embedding data.

In order to solve the above problem, the program code of the present invention has the following configuration according to claim 23. That is, the computer identifies an identification program code for identifying a user, a holding program code for holding setting information for embedding a digital watermark for a plurality of users, and one of the setting program codes according to the identification result of the identification program code. Selecting and embedding a digital watermark in the input image data based on the setting information;
Embedded program code.

As a result, the mode set by each user can be used from among a plurality of modes.

Further, the program code according to claim 24, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the following features. That is, the storage medium for storing the program code of the image processing apparatus is included in the storage medium for storing the program code of the digital still camera.

Since the image processing apparatus captures an image,
It is preferable that the control method of the image processing device is included in a control method of a digital still camera.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The following description will be made in the case of a digital still camera, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a computer device that embeds data in image data from an image processing apparatus such as a digital still camera or the like, It can also be applied to application programs that perform

[First Embodiment] In this embodiment, a digital still camera in which a plurality of data can be set in embedding digital watermark data will be described.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a digital still camera viewed from the back.

The digital still camera according to the present embodiment has an optical viewfinder 201. A back electronic dial 202 for inputting an up / down signal, a photographed image and a user interface screen are provided on the back of the digital still camera. Color monitor 20 for displaying
3. It has a group of various setting buttons 204 and the like.

Various settings of the digital still camera can be input and changed by using the setting button 204 and the rear electronic dial 202 while viewing the screen displayed on the color monitor 203.

FIG. 5 is an electric block diagram of the digital still camera.

The microprocessor 304 in the digital still camera controls various devices according to a program stored in the flash memory 306 in advance.

The image sensor 301 is operated by the release operation.
(For example, a CCD area sensor), a subject image is formed, the image signal is A / D converted by an A / D converter 302, and color interpolation processing and filtering processing are performed by an image signal processing IC 303. Through D
It is stored in the RAM 308.

The digital image data stored in the DRAM 308 is displayed on the color monitor 203 as needed.

After the digital image data is embedded with data such as copyright information by a method described later, the JPE
The data is compressed by the GIC 307 and written to the removable memory card 313 via the memory card interface (abbreviated as I / F) 310.

The image data is stored in the serial I / F 309.
The image data can also be output to the serial bus 312 via the PC, and image data can be easily distributed over the network.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show display examples of a monitor screen when embedding data is embedded.

When the operation mode of the digital still camera is set to the “digital watermark setting” mode, the color monitor 20
The setting screen shown in FIG. If this setting is performed before the embedding of the embedding data, it is convenient since the setting operation does not need to be performed each time the embedding is performed.

FIG. 6A shows an embedding mode setting screen. Each item surrounded by a square represents the selected setting.

In this setting example, the “embed” function is “ON”, the “type” of embedding is “invisible” embedding, the embedding “strength” is “image quality priority”, and the “embedding position” of the embedding data is the screen. The setting is “center”.

The embedding strength corresponds to the above-mentioned change amount. When the image quality is prioritized, the embedding strength is reduced by reducing the change amount, and the image quality is not impaired. Conversely, when the priority is given to the tolerance, the embedding strength is increased by increasing the change amount, and the image quality is reduced instead. There is a trade-off between image quality and tolerance.

FIG. 6B shows a setting screen for embedded data. In the present embodiment, three types of embedded data can be set in advance, and data enclosed by a square represents the selected data. Now, "Ieyasu Tokugawa" is selected as the embedded data.

These selections are made by the setting button 204 and the rear electronic dial 2 of the digital still camera shown in FIG.
02 can be input / changed.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the embedding position in the screen of the color monitor 203. FIG. 7A shows a case where the embedding position is “center”, and the shaded portion 401 represents an area where data is embedded. Similarly, FIG. 11B shows the case where the position is “left”, and the hatched portion 402 is an area where the data is embedded.

In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the respective hatched portions 401 and 402 are set at the lower part of the screen, but this position is not limited to this, and is not limited to this. It does not matter.

The embedding position is composed of a plurality of sets of the above-described blocks (102 in FIG. 3), and data to be embedded in the frequency components of each block is dispersed and embedded. The user of the digital still camera sees the configuration of the screen, and only has to select an area having sufficient contrast and having little effect on the image quality even when the embedded data is embedded.

The process for embedding will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a flowchart for selecting and embedding data determined by a user from a plurality of embedding data.

When the release button of the digital still camera is turned on (step S100), the image sensor is driven in step S101 to perform "accumulation / readout of an image" (during this step, image signal processing and DRAM access). Including storage).

In the next step S102, it is determined whether or not the embedding function is on. Since the current setting is "on", the embedding operation from step S103 is executed.

If the setting is "OFF", the process immediately proceeds to step S109, and the data is stored in the flash memory without performing the embedding operation.

When the embedding function is "ON",
In steps S103, S105, and S107, it is determined whether the data setting is A, B, or C.
In step S104, step S106, or step S108, the corresponding data is embedded.

In this example, since “Data B” is set, in step S106, the data “Ieyasu Tokugawa” is set to “Prefer image quality” and “Invisible format” is set to the “screen center area” according to the above setting. It will be embedded in the captured video.

Then, in step S109, the digital image data with the embedded data is
06, and the photographing operation ends in step S110. Although not specified, a JPEG compression operation is performed before storage in the flash memory 306.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, a digital still camera in which a plurality of data can be set in embedding digital watermark data has been shown and described.
In the second embodiment, an embodiment of a digital still camera capable of setting a plurality of modes (embedding modes) such as not only data but also types, intensities, and embedding positions will be described and described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart according to the second embodiment. When the release button of the digital still camera is turned on, the same release operation as in FIG. 1 is performed (the description of the same steps as in FIG. 1 is omitted). FIG. 9 is a display example of a monitor screen corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 9A shows a mode selection screen of the embedding mode. As in FIG. 6A, the setting surrounded by a square represents the selected setting. In this example, “mode A” is selected.

FIGS. 9B and 9C show modes A and A, respectively.
In mode A, which shows an example of a mode setting screen displayed on the color monitor 203 of B (mode C is omitted), the “embed” function is “on”, the “type” of embedding is “invisible”, The embedding “strength” is set to “image quality priority”, and the “embedding position” of the embedding data is set to the screen “center”.
The function is “ON”, the “type” of embedding is “visible” embedding, the embedding “strength” is “resistance priority”, and the “embedding position” of the embedding data is the screen “left”.

Based on the above settings, the embedding operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Steps S200 and S201 are the same as steps S100 and S101 in FIG. 1, and will not be described.
In step S202, S204, or S206, the setting mode is determined. Since the setting is now “mode A”, the process proceeds to step S203, the embedding operation is performed with the above-described mode A setting shown in FIG. 9B, and finally the release operation ends in step S209. .

[Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment, a digital still camera capable of setting a plurality of embedding modes such as a type, an intensity, and an embedding position has been described. In the third embodiment, the user of the digital still camera is associated with the digital watermark embedding mode, and the user's physical characteristics are input in advance, so that the user can be quickly and reliably determined by the user's physical characteristics at the time of shooting. Identify,
An embodiment of a digital still camera capable of quickly changing to a corresponding embedding mode will be shown and described.

As physical features that can be used for identifying a person, a fingerprint, a voice pattern (voiceprint), and an iris (or retina) pattern are generally used.

For detecting a fingerprint, see, for example,
This can be realized by providing a two-dimensional image sensor used in a fingerprint input device proposed in the 9304 publication around a release button of a digital still camera.

A method using a voice pattern (voiceprint) is more known.

Further, the iris (or retina) pattern can be detected by using an area sensor of a line-of-sight detection device of a digital still camera, as proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-323008 by the present applicant. This can be realized without adding a member dedicated to pattern detection.

Regardless of which physical feature is used, it is necessary to input the feature for each user in advance. For example, if an input screen as shown in FIG. 12 is prepared and an appropriate button is pressed in this state, The user's physical characteristics at that time may be input as information of the user surrounded by the square.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart particularly when the iris pattern is a physical feature, and FIG. 11 is a display example of a setting screen corresponding thereto.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show FIGS. 9B and 9B, respectively.
Since the content is the same as (c), the description is omitted.

Now, in the flowchart of FIG.
When the release button of the digital still camera is turned on,
A release operation similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 8 is executed (the description of the same steps as those of FIG. 1 is omitted). Step S
At 302, an iris pattern of a user who is in eye contact with the viewfinder is detected using the visual line detection device. For details, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-323008. Here, when other parameters, that is, the above-mentioned fingerprint pattern or voice pattern (voiceprint) are used as the physical characteristics of the user, “input the user's iris” and “input the user's fingerprint” in step S302, respectively. Needless to say, it can be realized by "inputting the voice pattern (voiceprint) of the user". In addition, it goes without saying that comparison and identification are performed in the following steps using patterns corresponding to respective physical characteristics.

Then, in the next step S303, a comparison is made with the iris pattern input in advance to identify the user.

If the corresponding iris pattern does not exist or if the identification fails, the process moves to steps S310 and S311 to end the photographing operation without performing the digital watermarking operation.

If the user is successfully identified, the corresponding embedding operation is executed in step S305, step S307, or step S309.
Finally, the process proceeds to steps S310 and S311 to end the photographing operation.

In the above flowchart, the user is identified during the release operation. If the physical feature is the user's fingerprint or iris pattern, there is no problem with this timing. However, if the physical pattern is a voice pattern (voiceprint), there is not enough time, so prior to the release operation, for example, when the power is turned on, etc. It is better to provide a timing for user identification.

[Fourth Embodiment] The above-described first to third embodiments can be implemented on a computer. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the embedding of a digital watermark on a computer is shown and described.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a computer used in this embodiment. Reference numeral 1301 denotes a CPU such as a microprocessor, which executes various programs stored in the RAM 1302. An area for temporarily storing data necessary for control in digital watermarking is also provided. 1
Reference numeral 302 denotes the RAM which reads and stores, from the external storage device 1303, various program codes for controlling embedded image data, embedded image data, digital watermarking, and the like. 1303 is the external storage device described above,
Various control program codes and data installed from a storage medium such as a D-ROM and a floppy disk are stored. An NCU 1304 can transmit and receive various data from the computer via a communication line. That is, it is possible to download various types of image data used for digital watermarking using the above-described communication line, and transmit digitally watermarked image data to a plurality of computers. A display device 1305 is configured by a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like, and is capable of displaying an embedded image or an embedded image, and displaying various system messages. In addition, various digital watermark control commands can be displayed. The display information can also be output to an external device via the NCU 1304. Reference numeral 1306 denotes a scanner which reads out an image and generates embedded image data or embedded image data. Reference numeral 1307 denotes a printer, which is composed of, for example, an ink jet printer, a laser beam printer, a thermal printer, and the like.
Print data is received from a printer driver (not shown) to be loaded and executed in 1302, and printing is performed. 1
An operation unit 308 is a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and is an interface device for controlling digital watermarking and the like. A bus 1309 connects the above-described units.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the above description, a digital still camera has been described as an example of an image processing apparatus. However, the image processing apparatus is not limited to a digital still camera, and may be a video camcorder or a portable terminal. This is effective for a device that captures and records a still image.

In the third embodiment, when the user cannot be identified, the digital watermark is not executed. However, in the case where a user other than a legitimate user uses the digital watermark, another specific watermark is used. The watermark data may be embedded, or the specific data may be embedded in the visible mode.

[Other Embodiments] The above embodiment is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.). (For example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the above embodiment is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide the system or the apparatus with the storage medium. It is needless to say that the present invention is also achieved when a computer (or a CPU or an MPU) reads and executes a program code stored in a storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the above-described embodiment. In addition, when the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

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

When the first to fifth embodiments are applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts (shown in FIGS. 1, 8, and 10) described above. become.

[0124]

Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a case where it is desired to change the digital watermark setting for each subject or a photographing purpose, or a case where a single camera is used jointly by a plurality of users or a case where it is desired to change to individual settings. Has the effect of making the operation more comfortable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart used in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a digital watermark technique.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of block division.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the digital still camera used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an electric block diagram of the digital still camera used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a monitor of the digital still camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an embedding position in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a monitor of a digital still camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart used in the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a monitor of a digital still camera according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a monitor of a digital still camera according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a computer according to a fourth embodiment.

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for embedding data in image data using a digital watermark, comprising: an identification unit for identifying a user of the image processing device from a physical characteristic of the user; and embedding based on the identification unit. Selecting means for selecting one mode for embedding from a plurality of modes. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identifying means includes a fingerprint pattern of a user,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification is performed based on a voiceprint pattern and an iris (or retina) pattern. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a mode set by a user recognized by the identification unit. 4. An image processing apparatus for embedding data in an image data using a digital watermark, comprising: identification means for identifying a user of the image processing apparatus from physical characteristics of the user; and a plurality of data based on the identification means. And selecting means for selecting one data to be embedded from the image processing apparatus. 5. The identification means includes a fingerprint pattern of a user,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the identification is performed based on a voiceprint pattern and an iris (or retina) pattern. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the selection unit is capable of selecting data to be embedded according to a situation only by a user authenticated by the identification unit. 7. An identification means for identifying a user, a holding means for holding setting information for embedding a digital watermark for a plurality of users, and selecting one of the setting means according to an identification result of the identification means; An image processing apparatus comprising: an embedding unit that embeds a digital watermark in input image data based on the setting information. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is included in a digital still camera. 9. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for embedding data in image data using a digital watermark, comprising: an identification step of identifying a user of the image processing apparatus from a physical characteristic of the user; A selecting step of selecting one embedding mode from a plurality of embedding modes. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the identification step performs the identification based on a fingerprint pattern, a voiceprint pattern, and an iris (or retina) pattern of the user. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the selecting step selects a mode set by the user recognized in the identifying step. 12. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus that embeds data in an image data by using a digital watermark, comprising: an identification step of identifying a user of the image processing apparatus from a physical characteristic of the user; A selecting step of selecting one data to be embedded from a plurality of data to be embedded. 13. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the identification step performs the identification based on a fingerprint pattern, a voiceprint pattern, and an iris (or retina) pattern of the user. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein in the selecting step, only the user authenticated in the identifying step can select data to be embedded according to a situation. 15. An identification step for identifying a user; a holding step for holding setting information for embedding a digital watermark for a plurality of users; and selecting one of the setting steps according to an identification result of the identification step. An embedding step of embedding a digital watermark in input image data based on the setting information. 16. The method according to claim 9, wherein the method for controlling the image processing apparatus is included in a method for controlling a digital still camera. 17. A storage medium in which a computer stores a program code for embedding data in an image data by using a digital watermark, comprising: an identification program code for identifying a user of the image processing apparatus based on physical characteristics of the user; A storage medium for storing a selected program code for selecting one embedding mode from a plurality of embedding modes based on a program code. 18. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the identification program code performs identification based on a user's fingerprint pattern, voiceprint pattern, and iris (or retina) pattern. 19. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the selection program code selects a mode set by a user recognized by the identification program code. 20. A storage medium in which a computer stores a program code for embedding data in an image data using a digital watermark, comprising: an identification program code for identifying a user of an image processing apparatus based on physical characteristics of the user; A storage medium for storing a selection program code for selecting one data to be embedded from a plurality of data to be embedded based on the program code. 21. The storage medium according to claim 20, wherein the identification program code performs identification based on a user's fingerprint pattern, voiceprint pattern, and iris (or retina) pattern. 22. The storage medium according to claim 20, wherein only the user authenticated by the identification program code can select data to be embedded according to a situation. 23. An identification program code for identifying a user by a computer; a holding program code for holding setting information for embedding a digital watermark for a plurality of users; A storage medium for storing an embedded program code for selecting one and embedding an electronic watermark in input image data based on the setting information. 24. The program code according to claim 17, wherein the storage medium storing the program code of the image processing apparatus is included in the storage medium storing the program code of the digital still camera. Storage medium for storing.