JP2002320194A - Image-reproducing system and method for reproducing image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-reproducing system, in which an image cannot be reproduced by another person without permission. SOLUTION: The image-reproducing system comprises an imaging device and an image reproducer. The imaging device has a cipher key storage unit for rewritably storing a cipher key, an imaging unit for imaging a subject to output an image signal, and an image signal processing unit for enciphering an image signal, by using the key stored in the key storage unit for generating a enciphering signal. The image reproducer has a decoding key storage unit for storing the decoding key corresponding to the cipher key, a signal converter for decoding the image signal from the enciphered signal by using the decoding key, and a reproducing unit for reproducing the image of the subject, based on the decoded image signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reproducing system and an image reproducing method. In particular, the present invention relates to an image reproducing system and an image reproducing apparatus devised so that an image is not easily reproduced by a third party.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a digital camera that converts a captured image into digital data and stores the data in, for example, a semiconductor memory. Images captured by a digital camera and stored as digital data do not degrade even if copied many times, and can be subjected to digital image processing such as adjusting the color tone of the image using a personal computer at home. It is possible. In recent years, digital cameras having such features have been rapidly spreading.

[0003]

However, in the conventional digital camera, it is easy for others to copy the captured image without permission. In addition, it was easy to falsify the copied image by digital image processing. For this reason, there is a possibility that the privacy or the like of the photographer may be infringed if another person uses an image that has been copied without permission and further altered in some cases.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reproducing system, an image reproducing method, and an image pickup apparatus which can solve the above-mentioned problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0005]

That is, an image reproducing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an encryption key storage unit for storing an encryption key in a rewritable manner, and an imaging unit for imaging a subject and outputting an image signal. An image capturing apparatus including an image signal processing unit that generates an encryption signal by encrypting an image signal using an encryption key stored in an encryption key storage unit, and a decryption unit that stores a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key The image storage device includes a key storage unit, a signal conversion unit that decodes an image signal from an encryption signal using a decryption key, and an image reproduction device that includes a reproduction unit that reproduces an image of a subject based on the decrypted image signal.

In the above image reproducing system, the image signal processing section includes an encryption processing section for encrypting a part of the image signal,
An encryption signal output unit that outputs a part of the encrypted image signal together with another part of the unencrypted image signal as an encryption signal. In this case, the imaging signal processing unit includes a luminance signal generation unit that generates a luminance signal from the imaging signal,
And a color signal generation unit that generates a color signal from the image signal, and the encryption processing unit may encrypt one of the luminance signal and the color signal.

Further, the image reproducing system includes a plurality of the above-mentioned image pickup devices, each image pickup device further includes an identification information recording section for recording different identification information for each of the image pickup devices, An identification information acquisition unit for acquiring information is further provided, wherein the decoding key storage unit stores a decoding key to be used in association with the identification information for each imaging device. The encryption signal may be decrypted using the decryption key extracted from the decryption key storage based on the acquired identification information. In this case, the identification information recording unit records the identification information in an optically readable manner, and the identification information acquisition unit optically reads the identification information from the identification information recording unit and transmits the identification information to the signal conversion unit. Preferably, it is an optical information reader.

The image reproducing system includes a plurality of imaging devices and further includes a key management device for managing a decryption key, and each imaging device further includes an identification information recording unit for recording different identification information for each imaging device. The key management device includes, for each imaging device, a key storage unit that stores a decoding key to be used and identification information in association with each other, and the image reproduction device includes an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information from the imaging device. ,
And a decryption key acquisition unit for acquiring a decryption key corresponding to the acquired identification information from the key management device, wherein the signal conversion unit decrypts the encrypted signal using the decryption key acquired by the decryption key acquisition unit. It may be.

Alternatively, the image reproduction system further includes a key management device including a plurality of imaging devices and a key storage unit storing a plurality of sets of an encryption key and a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key. An identification information recording unit that records different identification information for each imaging device; and an encryption key acquisition unit that acquires one encryption key from the key management device and adds the encryption key to the image signal processing unit. An image reproducing apparatus further comprising: an encryption key assigning unit that assigns an encryption key to the image acquisition device, acquires identification information from the imaging device, associates the identification information with a decryption key corresponding to the assigned encryption key, and stores the identification information in a key storage unit. Further includes an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the imaging device, and a key acquisition unit that acquires a decryption key corresponding to the acquired identification information from the key management device. Comprising, signal conversion unit may be to decrypt the encrypted signals by using a decryption key key acquisition unit has acquired. In this case, the imaging device may further include an imaging permission unit that permits the imaging unit to perform imaging on condition that the encryption key has been assigned from the key management device.

[0010] In the image reproducing apparatus, the reproducing section preferably prints the reproduced image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reproducing method, comprising: an image capturing step of capturing an image of a subject, outputting an image signal, and encrypting the image signal to generate an encrypted signal; A reproducing device for decoding the image signal from the encrypted signal and reproducing the image based on the decoded image signal.

That is, in the image reproducing system according to the third aspect of the present invention, an image pickup section for picking up an image of a subject and outputting an image pickup signal, and characteristic information input for receiving input of unique characteristic information resulting from individual differences between the image pickup sections. Unit, and an imaging device including a characteristic information storage unit that stores the characteristic information input to the characteristic information input unit, and adjusting the variation based on the individual difference of the imaging device in the imaging signal using the characteristic information, thereby obtaining the imaging signal. And an image reproduction device including a reproduction unit that reproduces an image of a subject based on the image signal.

[0013] In the above image reproducing apparatus, the characteristic information storage section stores the encrypted characteristic information, and the image reproducing apparatus further includes a decoding processing section for decoding the characteristic information, and the image signal generating section. May be to adjust the imaging signal using the characteristic information decoded by the decoding processing unit.

The above summary of the present invention does not enumerate all of the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these features may also constitute the present invention.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention and have the features described in the embodiments. Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an image reproducing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image playback system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes:
The image capturing apparatus 100 includes an image capturing apparatus 100 that captures an image of a subject, and an image reproducing apparatus 150 that reproduces an image captured by the image capturing apparatus 100.

The imaging device 100 is, for example, an analog or digital video camera or a digital still camera. The imaging device 100 encrypts an imaging signal obtained by imaging the subject, and outputs an encryption signal obtained as a result. On the other hand, the image reproducing device 150
0 reproduces the image of the subject captured from the encrypted signal output, and displays, prints, or prints it on photographic paper.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image pickup apparatus 100 has an image pickup section 102 for picking up an image of a subject and outputting an image signal, and an encryption key storage section 104 for storing an encryption key. The encryption key storage unit 104 has a data rewritable memory 108 and an encryption key receiving unit 106 that receives an input of an encryption key from a user and stores the input in the memory 108.

The image pickup apparatus 100 includes an image pickup section 1 in addition to the above.
Image signal processing unit 1 for encrypting the image signal outputted by
10 is provided. The image signal processing unit 110 encrypts the image signal and converts the image signal into an encryption signal, and the encryption signal output unit 1 writes the encryption signal into the recording medium 120.
14. The recording medium 120 is, for example, a semiconductor memory that can be attached to and detached from the imaging device.

On the other hand, the image reproducing device 150
A data reading unit 152 for reading data, that is, an encrypted signal from the device 20, and a signal converting unit 156 for decrypting the encrypted signal
And a decryption key storage unit 154 for storing a decryption key. The image reproducing device 150 reproduces an image of a subject imaged by the imaging device 100 from the signal decoded by the signal conversion unit 156, and prints the image on a photographic paper, for example.
8 is provided.

In the image reproducing system according to the present embodiment, first, the encryption key accepting unit 106 of the imaging device 100 accepts the input of the encryption key, and stores it in the memory 108.
Next, the imaging unit 102 captures an image of the subject, and transmits an image signal obtained as a result to the encryption processing unit 112. Next, the encryption processing unit 112 acquires an encryption key from the memory 108 and encrypts the transmitted image signal using the encryption key. Subsequently, the encryption signal output unit 114 is
Then, the encryption signal generated in step 2 is written to the recording medium 120. After the encryption signal is written, the recording medium 120
It is detached from the imaging device 100 and attached to the image reproducing device 150.

When the recording medium 120 is loaded, in the image reproducing device 150, the data reading unit 152
The encryption signal is read from 20 and transmitted to the signal conversion unit 156. Next, the signal conversion unit 156
Then, the transmitted encrypted signal is decrypted using the decryption key stored in No.4. Finally, the reproducing unit 158 controls the signal conversion unit 1
An image is reproduced from the signal decoded at 56 and printed, for example.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the imaging device 1
00 encrypts an image signal obtained by capturing an image of a subject, and stores it in the recording medium 120. Therefore, the image stored in the recording medium can be reproduced only by the image reproducing device 150 having a decryption key capable of decrypting the image, and a third party without the image reproducing device 150 can reproduce the image taken without permission. It cannot be played back, nor can any tampering be made to the played back image.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an image reproducing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The image reproducing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an image pickup device 200 for picking up an image of a subject, and an image reproducing device 250 for reproducing an image picked up by the image pickup device 200.

The imaging device 200 includes an imaging unit 102, an encryption key storage unit 104, and an image signal processing unit 204. The image signal processing unit 204 includes a luminance signal generation unit 202 that generates a luminance signal from the imaging signal output by the imaging unit 102.
And a color signal generation unit 204 that generates a color signal.
Further, the image signal processing unit 204 includes an encryption processing unit 206
And an encryption signal output unit 208. The encryption processing unit 206 of the present embodiment encrypts the luminance signal generated by the luminance signal generation unit 202 using the encryption key stored in the encryption key storage unit 104. Also, the encryption signal output unit 2
08 writes the encrypted luminance signal to the recording medium 120 in association with the unencrypted color signal.

The image reproducing device 250 includes a data reading unit 15
2, a decryption key storage unit 154, a signal conversion unit 156, and a reproduction unit 158. The data reading unit 152 reads an encrypted luminance signal from data recorded on the recording medium 120 and sends the luminance signal to the signal conversion unit 156. The signal conversion unit 156 decodes the input signal as in the first embodiment. Further, the data reading unit 152 reads out an unencrypted color signal from data recorded on the recording medium 120 and sends the color signal to the reproducing unit 156. The reproducing unit 158 includes a signal transmitted from the data reading unit 152,
From the signal transmitted from the signal conversion unit 156 and the imaging device 2
00 reproduces the captured image.

In the image reproducing system of the present embodiment, first, the image pickup section 102 of the image pickup apparatus 100 picks up an image of a subject,
The resulting imaging signal is transmitted to the luminance signal generation unit 202 and the color signal generation unit 204. Luminance signal generator 20
2 generates a luminance signal from the input image signal and transmits the luminance signal to the encryption processing unit 206. The encryption processing unit 206 encrypts the transmitted luminance signal and transmits the encrypted luminance signal to the encryption signal output unit 208. On the other hand, the color signal generation unit 204 generates a color signal from the input image signal and transmits the color signal to the encryption signal output unit 208. The encryption signal output unit 208 writes the encrypted luminance signal and color signal on the recording medium 120 as an encryption signal in association with each other. After the encryption signal is written, the recording medium 120
Is removed from the imaging device 100 and the image reproducing device 25
0 is attached.

In the image reproducing device 250, the data reading unit 1
52 reads the unencrypted color signal from the recording medium 120 and sends it to the reproducing unit 158. Further, the data reading unit 152 reads the encrypted luminance signal from the recording medium 120 and transmits the luminance signal to the signal conversion unit 156. The signal conversion unit 156 decodes the transmitted luminance signal and sends the decoded luminance signal to the reproduction unit 158. The reproducing unit 158 reproduces an image from the color signal transmitted from the data reading unit 152 and the luminance signal transmitted from the signal converting unit 156, and prints the image on, for example, photographic paper.

As described above, in the image reproducing system of the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, only a part of the signal for reproducing the image is encrypted. For this reason, the present embodiment can execute the encryption process and the decryption process in a shorter time than the first embodiment.

The image reproducing system according to the present embodiment
It is characterized in that only a part of a signal necessary for reproducing an image is encrypted. Therefore, the encryption processing unit 206
May be a chrominance signal instead of a luminance signal, or may be another part of the signal output by the imaging unit 102.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an image reproducing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The image reproducing system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of image pickup devices 300 for picking up an image of a subject and at least one image reproducing device 350 for reproducing an image picked up by the image pickup device 300. FIG. 3 shows only one imaging device 300 and one image reproducing device 350 for simplicity of description.

The image pickup device 300 includes an image pickup section 102, an encryption key storage section 104, an image signal processing section 110, and an identification information recording section 302. The encryption key storage unit 104 stores a different encryption key for each imaging device. The identification information recording unit 302 records different identification information for each imaging device. The identification information is, for example, a code number that differs for each imaging device. The image signal processing unit 110 includes an encryption processing unit 112 and an encryption signal output unit 304. Encryption signal output unit 304
Is written in the recording medium 120 in association with the encrypted signal generated by the encryption processing unit 112 and the identification information recorded in the identification information recording unit 302.

The image reproducing device 350 includes a data reading unit 152, a signal converting unit 156, and a reproducing unit 158. Further, the image reproducing device 350 is provided for each imaging device.
A decoding key storage unit 360 is provided for storing identification information of the imaging device and a decoding key corresponding to the imaging device in association with each other.

The data reading section 152 is provided in the recording medium 12.
An encryption signal acquisition unit 358 that reads an encryption signal from 0 and an identification information acquisition unit 356 that reads a code number associated with the read encryption signal from the recording medium 120.

The signal conversion section 156 has a decryption key extraction section 352 and a decryption processing section 354. The decryption key extraction unit 352 extracts a decryption key corresponding to the code number acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 356 from the decryption key storage unit 360. The decryption processing unit 354 decrypts the encrypted signal acquired by the encrypted signal acquisition unit 358 using the decryption key extracted by the decryption key extraction unit 352.

In the image reproducing system of the present embodiment, first, the image pickup section 102 of the image pickup apparatus 100 picks up an image of a subject and transmits an image signal to the encryption processing section 112. Next, the encryption processing unit 112 generates an encryption signal from the transmitted image signal, and transmits it to the encryption signal output unit 304. Further, the encrypted signal output unit 304 writes the transmitted encrypted signal on the recording medium 120 in association with the code number recorded in the identification information recording unit 302. When the encryption signal or the like is written, the recording medium 120 is detached from the imaging device 300 and attached to the image reproducing device 350.

When the recording medium 120 is mounted, in the image reproducing device 350, the encryption signal acquiring section 358
The encryption signal is read from 0 and transmitted to the decryption processing unit 354. Further, the identification information acquisition unit 356 reads the code number corresponding to the encryption signal from the recording medium 120 and transmits the code number to the decryption key extraction unit 352. The decryption key extraction unit 352 extracts a decryption key corresponding to the transmitted code number from the decryption key storage unit 360 and transmits the decryption key to the decryption processing unit 354. The decryption processing unit 354 decrypts the encrypted signal using the transmitted decryption key, and outputs the resulting image signal to the reproduction unit 15.
Send to 8. Finally, the reproducing unit 158 reproduces an image from the transmitted image signal and prints the image, for example.

As described above, in the present embodiment, an image signal is encrypted using a different encryption key for each imaging device. Therefore, in this embodiment, the possibility that a captured image is stolen by a third party is even lower than in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an image reproducing system according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.

The present modification is different from the first embodiment in that the identification information recording unit 302 of the imaging apparatus 300 records a code number in an optically readable manner such as a bar code. The third point is that only the encryption signal generated by the encryption processing unit 112 is written to the recording medium 120.
Different from the embodiment. Further, the present modified example is a modification of the image reproducing device 3.
50 is different from the third embodiment in that an optical information reading device 362 is provided instead of the identification information acquisition unit 356. The optical information reading device 362 is, for example, a bar code reader that optically reads the contents of a bar code in the identification information recording unit 302, and decodes the read information into a decryption key extracting unit 352.
Send to

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an image reproducing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fourth of the present invention
The image reproduction system according to the embodiment includes an imaging device 450 that images a subject, and an image reproduction device 500 that reproduces an image captured by the imaging device 450. Further, the image reproduction system includes a key management device 400 that can communicate with the imaging device 450 and the image reproduction device 500 via a communication network such as the Internet.

The image pickup apparatus 450 according to the present embodiment encrypts an image signal to generate an encrypted signal as in the other embodiments. The image reproducing device 500 reproduces an image by decoding an image signal from an encrypted signal. Key management device 400
Manages an encryption key used by the imaging device 450 for encryption and a decryption key used by the image reproducing device 500 for decryption, and transmits the encryption key to the imaging device 450 via the above-described communication network or the like.
Further, the decryption key is transmitted to the image reproducing device 500. In FIG. 5, the imaging device 450 and the image reproducing device 50
Although only one 0 is shown, the image reproduction system of the present embodiment may include a plurality of imaging devices 450 and image reproduction devices 500.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the image pickup device 450. The imaging device 450 includes the imaging unit 102, the image signal processing unit 110, and the identification information recording unit 302. The image signal processing unit 110 includes an encryption processing unit 112 and an encryption signal output unit 304.

The imaging device 450 further includes a communication unit 452 for establishing communication with the key management device 400. Further, the imaging device 450 includes an encryption key acquisition unit 45 that acquires an encryption key from the key management device 400 via the communication unit 452.
6 is provided. Further, the imaging device 450 may use the imaging unit 102 on the condition that the encryption key obtaining unit 456 obtains the encryption key.
Is provided with an imaging permission unit 454 that permits imaging.

In the imaging device 450 of this embodiment, an encryption key acquisition process for acquiring an encryption key from the key management device 400 and an imaging process for imaging a subject are performed.

In the encryption key obtaining process, first, the communication unit 45
2 establishes communication with the key management device 400. further,
The encryption key acquisition unit 456 requests the key management device 400 via the communication unit 452 to assign an encryption key. The code number read from the identification information recording unit 302 is attached to this request. Next, the encryption key acquisition unit 456 receives the encryption key transmitted by the key management device 400 in response to the above request, and transmits the encryption key to the encryption processing unit 112. As a result, it becomes possible for the encryption processing unit 112 to perform signal encryption.

On the other hand, in the imaging process, first, the imaging permission unit 454 checks whether or not the encryption key has already been obtained by the encryption key obtaining unit 456. Encryption key acquisition unit 456
Has not yet obtained the encryption key, the imaging permission unit 4
Reference numeral 54 prohibits the imaging unit 102 from imaging. As a result, imaging using the imaging device 450 cannot be performed. On the other hand, when the encryption key acquisition unit 456 has already acquired the encryption key, the imaging permission unit 454 permits the imaging unit 102 to perform imaging. As a result, imaging using the imaging device 450 becomes possible.

Next, the image pickup section 102 picks up an image and transmits an image signal to the encryption processing section 112. The encryption processing unit 112
The image signal is encrypted using the encryption key transmitted from the encryption key acquisition unit 456, and the resulting encryption signal is transmitted to the encryption signal output unit 304. Finally, the encryption signal output unit 304 writes the code number recorded in the identification information recording unit 302 and the encryption signal on the recording medium 120 in association with each other. After the encryption signal output unit 304 finishes writing, the recording medium 120 is removed from the imaging device 450 and attached to the image reproducing device 500.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the image reproducing apparatus 500. The image reproducing device 500 includes a data reading unit 15
2 is provided. The data reading unit 152 includes an encryption signal acquisition unit 358 that reads an encryption signal from the recording medium 120 and an identification information acquisition unit that reads identification information associated with the encryption signal, that is, a code number of the imaging device 450 that has output the encryption signal. 356.

The image reproducing apparatus 500 further includes a communication section 502 for establishing communication with the key management apparatus 400 and a decryption key for obtaining a decryption key corresponding to the identification information obtained by the identification information obtaining section 356 from the key management apparatus 400. Key acquisition unit 50
4 is provided. Further, the image reproducing device 500 includes a signal converting unit 156 for decoding the encrypted signal acquired by the encrypted signal acquiring unit 358 into an image signal, and a reproducing unit 158 for reproducing an image from the image signal.

In the image reproducing apparatus 500, the recording medium 120
Is attached, first, the encryption signal acquisition unit 358 reads the encryption signal from the storage medium 120 and reads the encryption signal from the recording medium 120.
Send to 56. Further, the identification information acquiring unit 356 reads out the code number associated with the read encrypted signal, and transmits the code number to the decryption key acquiring unit 504.

Next, the decryption key acquisition unit 504 transmits a transmission request of the decryption key together with the code number to the key management device 400 via the communication unit 502. When the decryption key is sent from the key management device 400 in response to the request for sending the decryption key, the decryption key acquisition unit 504 receives this and sends it to the signal conversion unit 156. Upon receiving the decryption key, signal conversion section 156 decrypts the encrypted signal using the decryption key and transmits the resulting image signal to playback section 158. The reproducing unit 158 reproduces an image from the transmitted image signal and prints the image on, for example, photographic paper.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the key management device 400. The key management device 400 includes the image reproduction device 50
0 includes a decryption key storage unit 402 for storing a decryption key required for decrypting an image signal from an encrypted signal. The decryption key storage unit 402 according to the present embodiment stores a set of a plurality of encryption keys and decryption keys as illustrated. The key management device 400 further includes a communication unit 408 that establishes communication with each of the imaging device 450 and the image reproduction device 500. The key management device 400 includes an encryption key assignment unit 404 that assigns an encryption key to the imaging device 450 and a decryption key assignment unit 406 that assigns a decryption key to the image reproduction device 500.
And

The encryption key assigning unit 404 receives a request for assigning an encryption key from the imaging device 450 via the communication unit 408 and the code number of the imaging device 450 transmitted with the request. Upon receiving the encryption key assignment request, the encryption key assignment unit 404 selects one encryption key that is not yet associated with any code number from the decryption key storage unit 402, and returns this to the imaging device 450. This allows the image pickup device 450 to encrypt the image signal described above. Further, the encryption key assigning unit 404 causes the decryption key storage unit 402 to store the transmitted code number in association with the transmitted encryption key and the decryption key paired with the encryption key.

On the other hand, the decryption key providing unit 406
08, a request for giving a decryption key is received from the image reproducing apparatus 500. When there is a request for giving a decryption key, the decryption key giving unit 406 searches the related information storage unit 402 using the code number transmitted from the image reproducing apparatus 500 together with the request for giving the decryption key as a search key. Then, the decryption key assigning unit 406 extracts the decryption key associated with the code number and returns it to the image reproducing device 500.
Thus, the image reproduction device 500 can decode the above-described image signal.

As described above, the image reproducing system of the present embodiment includes the key management device 400 that manages a decryption key required for the image reproducing device 500 to decode an image signal from an encrypted signal. Then, the key management device 400
Transmits a necessary decryption key to the image reproducing apparatus 500 in response to a request from the image reproducing apparatus 500. Therefore, the image reproducing device 500 does not need to have a function of storing and managing the decryption key corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging devices 450, and the structure can be simplified. Further, when the image reproducing system includes a plurality of image reproducing apparatuses 500, the update of the decryption key and the like need only be performed by the key management apparatus 400, and there is an advantage that it is not necessary to perform the update for each image reproducing apparatus 500. is there.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an image reproducing system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The image reproducing system according to the present embodiment generates an image signal according to a predetermined specification from an image capturing apparatus 600 that captures an image of a subject and outputs an image capturing signal, and an image obtained according to a predetermined specification from the image capturing signal output by the image capturing apparatus 600. An image reproducing device 650 that reproduces an image based on a signal is provided.

The image pickup apparatus 600 includes an image pickup section 602 for picking up an image of a subject and outputting an image pickup signal. The imaging unit 602 of the present embodiment outputs a signal obtained as a result of imaging as an imaging signal without performing, for example, white balance adjustment and gamma correction. The imaging device 600 further includes an imaging unit 60
A characteristic information input unit 606 is provided which receives an input of characteristic information resulting from two individual differences, in this embodiment, information for performing white balance adjustment and gamma correction of an image pickup signal. Further, the imaging device 600 includes an encryption processing unit 608 that encrypts the characteristic information, a characteristic information storage unit 610 that stores the characteristic information, and an image signal output unit that stores the imaging signal and the characteristic information in the recording medium 120 in association with each other. 60
4 is provided.

The image reproducing apparatus 650 includes a data reading section 656 for reading out an image pickup signal and characteristic information associated with the image pickup signal from the recording medium 120, and a decoding processing section 658 for decoding the characteristic information. In addition, the image reproducing device 650 includes an image signal generation unit 652 that generates an image signal according to a predetermined specification from the imaging signal. In the case of the present embodiment, the image signal generation unit 652 generates an image signal by performing white balance adjustment and gamma correction of the imaging signal using the characteristic information. Image playback device 65
0 includes a reproducing unit 654 that reproduces an image from an image signal in addition to the above.

In the image reproducing system according to the present embodiment, first, the characteristic information input unit 606 of the imaging device 600 receives the input of the characteristic information from the user and transmits it to the encryption processing unit 608. The encryption processing unit 608 encrypts the transmitted characteristic information and transmits the encrypted characteristic information to the characteristic information storage unit 610. The characteristic information storage unit 610 stores the transmitted encrypted characteristic information.

Next, the imaging unit 602 captures an image of the subject in accordance with the instruction of the user, and outputs an imaging signal to the imaging signal output unit 604.
Send to Upon receiving the imaging signal, the imaging signal output unit 604 extracts the encrypted characteristic information from the characteristic information storage unit 610. Further, the imaging signal output unit 604 includes:
The extracted characteristic information is associated with the imaging signal and the recording medium 12
Write to 0. When the imaging signal and characteristic information are written,
The recording medium 120 is removed from the imaging device 600, and is then mounted on the image reproducing device 650.

In the image reproducing device 650 having the recording medium 120 mounted thereon, first, the data reading section 656 reads out the imaging signal and the characteristic information associated with the imaging signal from the recording medium 120. Further, the data reading unit 656
Transmits the read image signal to the image signal generation unit 652 and the characteristic information to the decoding processing unit 658. next,
The decoding processing unit 658 decodes the transmitted characteristic information and transmits the decoded characteristic information to the image signal generation unit 652. Next, the image signal generation unit 652 generates an image signal according to a predetermined specification from the imaging signal using the characteristic information transmitted from the decoding processing unit 658, and transmits the image signal to the reproduction unit 654. Finally, the playback unit 6
54 reproduces an image from the transmitted image signal and performs display, printing, printing on photographic paper, and the like.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the imaging device 6
00 outputs an imaging signal that has not been subjected to, for example, white balance adjustment and gamma correction. For this reason, a third party cannot properly reproduce an image from the imaging signal. Further, in the present embodiment, since signal encryption is not performed in the imaging device 600 as in the first embodiment, for example, the load of signal processing in the imaging device 600 can be reduced.

As described above, the present invention has been described using the embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It should be noted that embodiments with such changes or improvements may be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
It is clear from the description of the claims. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, a case has been described in which the imaging device and the image playback device exchange an encryption signal and the like via the recording medium 120. However, the imaging device and the image playback device may communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. May be used to transmit and receive encrypted signals and the like.

[0066]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reproducing system, an image reproducing method, and an image pickup apparatus in which another person does not reproduce an image without permission.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an image reproduction system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an image reproducing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an image reproducing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an image reproducing system according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image reproduction system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an imaging device 450.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the image reproducing device 500.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the key management device 400.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an image reproducing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 imaging device 102 imaging unit 104 encryption key storage unit 110 image signal processing unit 112 encryption processing unit 150 image playback device 156 signal conversion unit 158 playback unit 200 imaging device 202 luminance signal generation unit 204 color signal generation unit 206 encryption processing unit 250 image Reproduction device 300 Imaging device 302 Identification information recording unit 350 Image reproduction device 352 Decryption key extraction unit 354 Decryption processing unit 356 Identification information acquisition unit 358 Encryption signal acquisition unit 360 Decryption key storage unit 362 Optical information reading device 400 Key management device 402 Decryption Key storage unit 404 Encryption key assignment unit 406 Decryption key assignment unit 450 Imaging device 454 Imaging permission unit 456 Encryption key acquisition unit 500 Image playback device 504 Decryption key acquisition unit 600 Imaging device 602 Imaging unit 606 Characteristic information input unit 610 Characteristic information storage unit 6 50 Image Reproduction Device 652 Image Signal Generation Unit 654 Reproduction Unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeharu Omata 2-26-30 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yuki Okabe 2-26-30 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo F-term in Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. (reference) 5C022 AA13 AC41 5C052 AA11 AA17 CC01 DD02 DD04 DD10 FA01 FA03 5C053 FA08 LA01 LA03 LA14 5C065 AA01 AA03 BB02 BB12 CC01 CC09 HH02

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An encryption key storage unit for storing an encryption key in a rewritable manner, an imaging unit for imaging a subject and outputting an image signal, and the image using the encryption key stored in the encryption key storage unit. An imaging device including an image signal processing unit that generates an encryption signal by encrypting a signal; a decryption key storage unit that stores a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key; and the image from the encryption signal using the decryption key. An image reproduction system, comprising: a signal conversion unit that decodes a signal; and an image reproduction device that includes a reproduction unit that reproduces an image of the subject based on the decoded image signal. 2. An image signal processing unit comprising: an encryption processing unit for encrypting a part of the image signal; and an encryption processing unit for encrypting a part of the encrypted image signal. 2. The image reproduction system according to claim 1, further comprising: an encryption signal output unit that outputs the encrypted signal together with the encryption unit. 3. The imaging signal processing unit further includes a luminance signal generation unit that generates a luminance signal from the imaging signal, and a color signal generation unit that generates a color signal from the image signal. 3. The image reproducing system according to claim 2, wherein one of the luminance signal and the color signal is encrypted. 4. An image processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of the image pickup apparatuses; each of the image pickup apparatuses further includes an identification information recording unit that records different identification information for each of the image pickup apparatuses; The decryption key storage unit stores the decryption key to be used in association with the identification information, for each of the imaging devices, and the signal conversion unit includes: The image reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the encryption signal is decrypted using the decryption key extracted from the decryption key storage unit based on the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit. 5. The identification information recording section records the identification information in an optically readable manner, and the identification information acquisition section optically reads the identification information from the identification information recording section. 5. The image reproducing system according to claim 4, wherein the image reproducing system is an optical information reading device that transmits the information to the signal conversion unit. 6. The imaging device further includes a key management device that manages the decryption key, including a plurality of the imaging devices, and each of the imaging devices further includes an identification information recording unit that records different identification information for each of the imaging devices. The key management device includes a key storage unit that stores the decoding key to be used and the identification information in association with each other for each of the imaging devices, and the image reproduction device stores the identification information from the imaging device. An identification information acquisition unit to acquire, and a decryption key acquisition unit to acquire the decryption key corresponding to the acquired identification information from the key management device, wherein the signal conversion unit is acquired by the decryption key acquisition unit The system according to claim 1, wherein the decryption key is used to decrypt the encrypted signal. 7. A key management device including a plurality of the imaging devices and a key storage unit storing a plurality of sets of an encryption key and the decryption key corresponding to the encryption key, wherein each of the imaging devices is An identification information recording unit that records different identification information for each imaging device; and an encryption key acquisition unit that acquires one encryption key from the key management device and adds the encryption key to the image signal processing unit. Acquires the identification information from the imaging device while giving the encryption key to the imaging device,
The image reproducing apparatus further includes an encryption key assigning unit that stores the identification information in the key storage unit in association with the decryption key corresponding to the assigned encryption key, wherein the image reproduction device obtains the identification information of the imaging device. An information acquisition unit, and a key acquisition unit that acquires the decryption key corresponding to the acquired identification information from the key management device, wherein the signal conversion unit uses the decryption key acquired by the key acquisition unit. 2. The image reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the encrypted signal is decrypted by decoding the encrypted signal. 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the imaging device further includes an imaging permission unit that permits the imaging unit to perform imaging on condition that the encryption key is given from the key management device. The image reproduction system described in the above. 9. The image reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the reproducing unit prints the reproduced image. 10. An image pickup device, wherein an image of a subject is picked up, an image signal is output, and an image signal is generated by encrypting the image signal. And a reproducing step of reproducing an image based on the decoded image signal. 11. An image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject and outputting an image pickup signal, a characteristic information input unit for receiving an input of unique characteristic information resulting from an individual difference of the image pickup unit, and the input to the characteristic information input unit An imaging device including a characteristic information storage unit that stores characteristic information; and adjusting a variation based on an individual difference of the imaging device in the imaging signal using the characteristic information, to comply with a predetermined specification from the imaging signal. An image reproduction system, comprising: an image signal generation unit that generates an image signal; and an image reproduction device that includes a reproduction unit that reproduces an image of the subject based on the image signal. 12. The characteristic information storage unit stores the encrypted characteristic information, the image reproduction device further includes a decoding processing unit that decrypts the characteristic information, and the image signal generation unit The image reproduction system according to claim 11, wherein the image processing device adjusts the imaging signal using the characteristic information decoded by the decoding processing unit.