JP2004038663A - Data transfer method, and digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the flood of data by transfer without involving a platform, and to reduce a time lag at transfer. <P>SOLUTION: When transfer is performed prescribed times or more, a program 98 for disenabling reproduction is embedded in picture data 94 itself so as to be automatically performed in reproduction or transfer, and, then, transferred by making a pair with an ID file 96. Minutely, the program 98 is transferred together with the ID file 96 when picture data 94 is transferred before transfer times become the prescribed times. When the transfer is the prescribed-time transfer, only picture data 94 is transferred without attaching the ID file 96. When the picture data 94 is reproduced, data for permitting reproduction is embedded only when the ID file 96 to be the pair exists, so that the transfer times of picture data 94 is restricted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data transfer method and a digital camera, and in particular, a data transfer method for transferring reproduction data reproduced by a reproduction device by communication, and image data representing a photographed subject image by photographing the subject. The present invention relates to a digital camera capable of acquiring and transferring acquired image data through communication.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a digital camera, image data representing a photographed subject image is recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, and the image data recorded on the recording medium is read later by a data processing device such as a personal computer, The data can be stored in a memory on the data processing apparatus side or reproduced and displayed.
[0003]
Further, the recording medium has a feature that when the recorded data becomes unnecessary, it can be erased and other data can be written. However, once the recording medium is full with the recorded data, the next shooting cannot be performed until the image data recorded on the recording medium is forcibly read or erased after being read by the data processing device, There is a problem that the number of images that can be shot is limited by the capacity of the recording medium.
[0004]
For this reason, in recent years, a digital camera that can be connected to a communication device such as a mobile phone or a PHS to perform data communication, or a digital camera provided with a communication function has been developed. While such a digital camera has the advantage of being able to easily transfer captured image data, the digital data can be easily copied, so that the captured image data is repeated against the photographer's intention. There was a risk of unauthorized use, such as being transferred and flooded.
[0005]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for embedding digital watermark information in image data is known in order to prevent unauthorized use such as falsification and unauthorized copying of image data. In general, as described in JP-A-11-341267, ID data is embedded in image data, and at the time of reproduction, the ID data is removed from the image data using a watermark removal program, and only the original image data is obtained. It comes to take out.
[0006]
There is also a technology for preventing unauthorized use by password authentication. That is, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-136486, when the received image data is further transferred to another device from the receiving device that has received the transmitted image data, By notifying the image data transmission source to the image data transmission source and receiving the transmission source password authentication, transfer to another device is permitted.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional technique using digital watermark, it is necessary that a watermark removal program be installed in advance on the apparatus that receives and reproduces image data, and the apparatus (platform) that can be reproduced is limited. There was a problem.
[0008]
In addition, in the conventional technique using password authentication, a password authentication procedure is required by communication with a transmission source device, so that there is a time lag between when a user inputs a transfer instruction and when transfer is actually started. There was a problem.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer method and a digital camera that can prevent data overflow due to transfer without depending on the platform and reduce a time lag during transfer. And
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, with respect to reproduction data reproduced by a reproduction apparatus, the number of transfers of the data is counted at the time of transfer of the reproduction data, and the number of transfers counted at the time of reproduction. A program for restricting the reproduction of the reproduction data based on the above is embedded so as to be automatically executed prior to the transfer or reproduction, and then transferred.
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the reproduction data to be transferred is embedded with a program that is automatically executed prior to transfer or reproduction when the reproduction data is transferred by the communication device or the reproduction device. Forwarded. When this program is automatically executed at the time of transfer, the number of transfers of the reproduction data is counted, and when automatically executed at the time of reproduction, the counted number of transfers, that is, until the reproduction data arrives at the current reproduction device. The reproduction of the reproduction data is restricted depending on how many times the data has been transferred.
[0012]
By embedding such a program in the playback data itself and transferring it, there is no need for a special function on the playback device side that plays back the playback data, and a password authentication procedure by communication is not required at the time of transfer. Thus, it is possible to prevent the reproduction data from being flooded (unauthorized use) due to the transfer, and to reduce the time lag during the transfer.
[0013]
In the above data transfer method, in order to prevent unauthorized use of reproduction data more reliably, for each reproduction data to be transferred, permission data for permitting reproduction of the reproduction data is generated, The program transfers the reproduction data together with the corresponding permission data when transferring the reproduction data up to a predetermined number of times, and transfers only the reproduction data when transferring the predetermined number of times, and When reproducing the reproduction data, the reproduction of the data may be permitted only when the corresponding permission data exists.
[0014]
In this case, it is more preferable that the program transfers the number of transfers to each of the reproduction data or the reproduction data and the permission data corresponding to the reproduction data at the time of transferring the special data. When the reproduction data is reproduced, even if there is the corresponding permission data, if the number of transfers embedded in the reproduction data and the permission data does not match, the reproduction data is reproduced. It is better to disallow data playback.
[0015]
Note that the above data transfer method does not specifically limit the type of playback data, and is created by application software such as image data representing still images or moving images, audio data, text data, word processors, spreadsheets, and drawing. It can be applied to prevent any data overflow (illegal use) caused by transfer for all types of data such as stored data.
[0016]
In particular, the above-described data transfer method allows a photographer to easily transfer image data taken by a digital camera without worrying about illegal use by installing the function in the digital camera. It becomes possible. More specifically, the present invention is a digital camera capable of capturing a subject and acquiring image data representing the captured subject image and transferring the acquired image data through communication. Embedding means for embedding a program for counting the number of transfers of the image data and restricting the reproduction of the image data based on the counted number of transfers at the time of reproduction so as to be automatically executed prior to the transfer or the reproduction And the image data after the program is embedded by the embedding unit is transferred.
[0017]
Further, in the above digital camera, in order to prevent unauthorized use of data more reliably, a generation unit that generates permission data for permitting reproduction of the image data in association with the image data to be transferred. The program further transfers image data after embedding the program together with the permission data when transferring less than a predetermined number of times, and image data after embedding the program when transferring a predetermined number of times. Only when the image data is reproduced, the reproduction of the image data is permitted only when there is the corresponding permission data, and together with the permission data generated by the generation means, It is preferable to transfer the image data after embedding the program by the embedding means.
[0018]
In this case, more preferably, when the data is transferred, the program embeds the count result of the transfer count in the data or each of the data and the permission data corresponding to the data. Transferring and reproducing the data, even if there is the corresponding permission data, if the number of transfers embedded in each of the data and the permission data does not match, the reproduction of the data is not permitted. Good.
[0019]
The digital camera may be connectable to a communication device for transferring the image data acquired by photographing via a predetermined connection member, or may be integrated with the communication device. .
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described as an example.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1A, a digital camera 10 to which the present invention is applied is photographed with a strobe 12 that emits light when the subject has a low illuminance at which an appropriate amount of exposure light cannot be obtained during exposure. A finder window 14 into which light showing an image substantially equivalent to the subject image is incident and an optical unit 16 including a photographing lens for forming the subject image are provided. Further, on the side of the digital camera 10, a portable recording medium (smart media in the present embodiment) 18 (see FIG. 2 and omitted in FIG. 1) for storing image data obtained by photographing as digital data is provided. A slot 20 that can be mounted, and a terminal (for example, a USB terminal) 38 to which one end of a predetermined cable (not shown) for connecting to the communication device 36 (see FIG. 2, omitted in FIG. 1) can be mounted. ing.
[0022]
The photographing lens in the optical unit 16 is composed of one or a plurality of lenses, and may be a single focal length (fixed focus) lens, a zoom lens or a telephoto / wide-angle bifocal switching lens. As shown in FIG.
[0023]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 (B), a digital camera 10 is incident from a finder window 14 and a display device (LCD) 24 that displays subject images obtained by shooting, various menus, parameters, and the like. The light is guided through an optical member (not shown), and the viewfinder eyepiece 26 that is taken by the photographer when determining the composition of the subject image to be photographed, and the photographing magnification is increased or decreased, or displayed on the display device 24. And a cross button 28 operated by a photographer when selecting a desired menu item or parameter from the menu screen.
[0024]
Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 10, a power switch 30 for switching supply / stop of supply of power to each part of the digital camera 10 and a shutter switch pressed by a photographer for inputting an instruction for photographing recording A so-called release switch 32 and a mode dial 34 that is rotated by a photographer when selecting a shooting mode are provided.
[0025]
Next, the configuration of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0026]
As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 50 disposed behind the optical axis of the optical unit 16 and an output signal indicating a subject image read from the CCD 50 by correlated double sampling ( CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) processing, color separation processing into R, G, and B color signals, and adjustment of the signal level of each color signal, and a digital signal processed by the CDS circuit 52 An analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as an “A / D converter”) 54 that converts the signal into a signal, a timing generator (TG) 56 that generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 50, and the optical unit 16 are driven. Various motors (for example included in the optical unit 16) A motor driver 58 for driving a zoom motor for moving the photographic lens, an AF (Auto Focus) motor for moving the focus lens, an iris shutter motor for driving the aperture / shutter mechanism, and the like. And a main control unit 60 that controls the overall operation of the system.
[0027]
The main control unit 60 also has an image input control unit 62 for inputting a signal after digital conversion by the A / D converter 54 as image data representing a photographing result (subject image) by the CCD 50, and input image data. An image signal processing circuit 64 for performing predetermined digital signal processing, a VRAM 66 for storing image data to be displayed on the display device 24, and a display device for displaying an image based on the image data stored in the VRAM 66 24, a display control unit 68 for controlling the display of 24, a compression / decompression processing circuit 70 for compressing / decompressing image data, a media control unit 72 for reading / writing various information with respect to the recording medium 18 loaded in the slot 20, The communication control unit 8 controls transmission / reception of various information to the communication device 36 connected via a predetermined cable attached to the terminal 38. A transfer restriction addition processing unit 90 that adds a transfer restriction to the image data when the image data is transmitted via the communication control unit 88, and an AF detection circuit that detects an optimum focal position based on the photographing result of the CCD 50 74, an AE (Auto Exposure) / AWB (Auto White Balance) detection circuit 76 for detecting an optimum exposure and white balance based on the result of photographing by the CCD 50, and an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Access Memory) 78 used as a work memory. An EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 80 in which information such as various programs and parameters is stored in advance, and an EEPROM 80 A CPU82 which controls the respective units reads et appropriate information, but are interconnected by a bus 84. The CPU 66 is connected to the TG 56 and the motor driver 58.
[0028]
Further, the CPU 82 is connected to the cross button 28, the power switch 30, the shutter switch 32, and the mode dial 34 provided in the digital camera 10 as operation means operated by the user, and these operation means by the photographer. You can always know the operation status.
[0029]
The CPU 82 controls the operation of each unit of the main control unit 60, the TG 56, and the motor driver 58 in accordance with the operation state of these operation means.
[0030]
Specifically, when the still image or moving image shooting mode is selected by the mode dial 34, the CPU 82 drives the TG 56 to cause the CCD 50 to shoot a subject image at a predetermined timing.
[0031]
In general, the CCD 50 is provided with a shutter drain via a shutter gate, and the accumulated signal charge can be swept out to the shutter drain by driving the shutter gate with a shutter gate pulse. That is, the CCD 50 has a so-called electronic shutter function that controls the accumulation time (shutter speed) of charges accumulated in each sensor by the shutter gate pulse, and this electronic shutter is used instead of the shutter function of the aperture / shutter mechanism. A function may be used.
[0032]
The analog image signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 50 is processed by the CDS circuit 52, converted into a digital image signal by the A / D converter 54, and then converted from the image input control unit 62 as image data. Input into the control unit 60. The input image data is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 78 via the bus 84.
[0033]
The main control unit 60 performs focus evaluation calculation in the AF detection circuit 74 and AE calculation and AWB calculation in the AE / AWB detection circuit 76 based on the input image data, and the CPU 82 performs the calculation based on these calculations. The motor driver 58 is controlled to move the focus lens in the optical unit 16 to the in-focus position, the aperture / shutter mechanism is set to an appropriate exposure control value (aperture value and shutter speed), and the AWB adjustment value ( (Digital gain described later) is set.
[0034]
For example, a contrast AF method in which the focus lens is moved so that the high frequency component of the G signal is maximized is employed for the AF control.
[0035]
In the AE control, subject luminance (shooting EV) is obtained based on an integrated value obtained by integrating R, G, and B signals of one frame, and an aperture value and a shutter speed are determined as exposure control values based on the taken EV. The aperture / shutter mechanism is driven by the motor driver 58.
[0036]
For AWB adjustment, the light source type is discriminated using subject luminance (photographing EV) and color information such as R / G and B / G, and a white subject is reproduced in white regardless of the color temperature of the light source. The digital gain for adjusting the white balance is determined.
[0037]
Therefore, in the digital camera 10, only by directing the optical unit 16 (photographing lens) toward the subject, focusing is automatically performed, and optimal exposure adjustment and AWB adjustment are performed.
[0038]
Specifically, when the still image shooting mode is selected by the mode dial 34, that is, during still image shooting and recording, when the shutter switch 32 is “half-pressed”, the above-mentioned photometric operation is repeated a plurality of times to focus. The lens is moved for focusing, an accurate shooting EV is obtained, an aperture value and a shutter speed as exposure control values at the time of shooting are finally determined based on the shooting EV, and a digital gain is determined. Then, after the aperture / shutter mechanism is driven so that the finally determined aperture value is reached when the shutter switch 32 is “fully pressed”, the aperture / shutter mechanism is further adjusted so as to achieve the finally determined shutter speed. To drive. Further, the image signal processing circuit 64 performs AWB adjustment processing on the image data obtained at this time using the determined digital gain.
[0039]
Further, when the moving image shooting mode is selected by the mode dial 34, that is, during moving image shooting and recording, this control is always repeated, and appropriate AF control, AE control, and AWB adjustment are performed during the mode selection period. Continued.
[0040]
In addition to the method of controlling AE and AF based on the image signal acquired from the CCD 50, a well-known photometric sensor, a distance measuring sensor including an AF light projecting / receiving sensor, or the like may be used.
[0041]
In the main control unit 60, predetermined digital image processing is performed on the input image data by the image signal processing circuit 64. Specifically, the image signal processing circuit 64 performs AWB adjustment by applying a digital gain corresponding to the light source type, performs gamma processing and sharpness processing, generates predetermined digital image data, and further performs YC conversion processing. , Converted into luminance data Y and chroma data Cr, Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”). The YC signal generated by the image signal processing circuit 64 is written into the VRAM 66.
[0042]
The YC signal stored in the VRAM 66 is supplied to the display control unit 68, converted into a predetermined signal (for example, an NTSC color decoded video signal), and output to the display device 24. As a result, an image showing the subject image photographed by the CCD 50 is displayed on the display device 24.
[0043]
Further, the image data is periodically rewritten by the image signal output from the CCD 50, and a video signal generated from the image data is supplied to the display device 24, whereby the subject image captured by the CCD 50 is a moving image in substantially real time. Or as a continuous image on the display device 24.
[0044]
The display device 24 can be used as an electronic viewfinder, and a photographer can connect a display image (so-called through image) of the display device 24 or an optical viewfinder (light that has entered through the viewfinder window 14 in FIG. 1) with an optical member (not shown). This is realized by guiding to the eye part 26), so that the shooting angle of view can be confirmed. In response to a predetermined recording instruction (photographing instruction) operation such as a pressing operation of the shutter switch 32, capturing of image data for recording is started.
[0045]
In the main control unit 60, when shooting recording is instructed by pressing the shutter switch 32, the YC signal generated by the image signal processing circuit 64 is also stored in the SDRAM 78 under the control of the CPU 82. The YC signal is compressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70 using a predetermined compression method such as JPEG or MPEG, and then recorded as image data 94 on the recording medium 18 via the media control unit 72. Note that the compression of the image data is not essential, and the compression processing by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70 is omitted when the cancellation of the compression is designated by the photographer's operation. Hereinafter, a case where the recording is set so as to be compressed will be described.
[0046]
In addition to the smart media, the recording medium 18 can take various forms such as a PC cart, a micro drive, a multimedia card (MMC), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a memory stick. The signal processing means and the interface corresponding to the medium to be used are applied.
[0047]
At the time of image reproduction, the image data 94 to be reproduced stored in the recording medium 18 is read out via the media control unit 72 and stored in the SDRAM 78. The image data 94 stored in the SDRAM 78 is decompressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70, written back to the SDRAM 78, accumulated as reproduction image data in the VRAM 66, and displayed via the display control unit 68 on the display device 24. Is displayed.
[0048]
Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the image data 94 being reproduced is transferred from the communication device 36 to another device by using the digital camera 10 connected to the communication device 36 via a cable attached to the terminal 38. Transfer is possible. Thereby, for example, the image data 94 being reproduced can be transferred to another reproduction device 92 by communication by the communication device 36.
[0049]
Specifically, when transmission of image data being reproduced is instructed, image data 94 before decompression is read from the recording medium 18 via the media control unit 72 and temporarily stored in the SDRAM 78. The image data 94 stored in the SDRAM 78 is subjected to communication via the communication control unit 88 after a transfer restriction for controlling transfer to another device is added in the transfer restriction addition processing unit 90 as necessary. The data is transmitted to the device 36 and transferred from the communication device 36 to the designated destination.
[0050]
The communication device 36 may be a personal computer equipped with a communication means for performing communication via a network such as a modem as well as a mobile phone and a PHS. Since it can be used, the description is omitted.
[0051]
In the present embodiment, the digital camera 10 that can be connected to the communication device 36 via the cable attached to the terminal 38 is taken as an example. However, the digital camera 10 includes the communication device 36, that is, the communication device 36. A digital camera integrated with can be used. For example, in recent years, mobile phones with a photographing function equipped with a CCD have been commercialized, and such mobile phones are also included in digital cameras.
[0052]
The playback device 92 is provided with display means such as an LCD, and is required to have a function of receiving an image file 94 transmitted by communication as well as an image playback function for playing back and displaying an image on the display means. For example, it may be used as a playback device 92 having a communication function together with an LCD capable of playing back and displaying images, such as a mobile phone or a PHS, or a device equipped with a display means such as a general personal computer or digital camera may be used as a modem or mobile phone. By connecting to a communication device such as a telephone, it can also be used as the playback device 92 so as to have a communication function. The digital camera 10 can also be used as the playback device 92.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer restriction addition processing unit 90 includes an ID issuing unit 90A and a program embedding processing unit 90B.
[0054]
The ID issuing unit 90A functions as a generating unit that generates permission data for permitting the reproduction of each data (image data) to be transferred. Specifically, the ID issuing unit 90A is illustrated in FIG. As described above, an ID number for identifying the image data 94 is issued to the image data 94 to be transmitted by generating a random number or the like, and an ID file 96 representing the issued ID number is used as permission data of the present invention. To create. Further, the ID file 96 also includes information on the taunter Cnt2 indicating the number of transfers of the ID file 96.
[0055]
The program embedding processing unit 90B embeds a program that counts the number of times the data is transferred at the time of transfer and embeds a program in the data to be transferred (image data) that restricts the reproduction of the data based on the counted number of times of transfer. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the program 98 represents a program 98 for performing a process of making reproduction impossible when the image data 94 to be transmitted is transferred a predetermined number of times or more. A script is embedded to be executed before the reproduction or transfer when the image data 94 is accessed for reproduction or transfer. When the transfer restriction is added, the image data 94 in which the program 98 is embedded is transmitted together with the ID file 96.
[0056]
The program 98 includes an ID number issued by the ID issuing unit 90A and information on a counter Cnt1 that represents the number of transfers of the image data 94. That is, the program embedding processing unit 90B embeds the ID number and the counter Cnt1 in the image data 94 by embedding the program 98 in the image data 94. Further, the image data 94 and the ID file 96 are associated with each other by the ID number.
[0057]
The program 98 includes a script executed when the image data 98 is reproduced and a script executed when the image data 94 is transferred. At the time of reproduction, the ID on the image data 94 side (in the program 98). The reproduction is permitted only when the number and counter Cnt1 coincides with the ID number on the ID file 96 side and the counter Cnt2, and at the time of transfer, the number of times of transfer of the image data 94 is counted, and the information of the counter Cnt1 and the counter Cnt2 Until the predetermined number of transfers, the image data 94 is instructed to be transferred together with the ID file 96. When the predetermined number of transfers is reached, only the image data 94 is transferred without transferring the ID file 96. (See FIG. 5).
[0058]
The program 98 for performing such processing can be realized by a simple script, and even if the program 98 is embedded in the image data 94, the increase in the data size of the entire image data 94 is slight.
[0059]
The program 98 may be embedded, for example, by writing a script in the header part or footer part of the image data 94, or may be embedded with a digital watermark. When embedding with a digital watermark, the ID file may be used as data for canceling the digital watermark. Further, the ID number and the information of the counter Cnt1 may be embedded in an area different from the area of the program 98 in the image data 94.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, the case where the image data 94 being reproduced can be transmitted when the reproduction mode is selected and the image data 94 to be transmitted is always reproduced once will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A transmission mode may be further provided so that the image data 94 to be transmitted can be designated and transmitted without reproducing the image data 94 once.
[0061]
In this embodiment, the case where the digital camera 10 is connected to the communication device 36 to transmit image data will be described as an example. However, the digital camera 10 may be equipped with a communication function.
[0062]
Next, as an operation of the present embodiment, a case where an image file 94 obtained by imaging with the digital camera 10 is transferred to the playback device 92 and further transferred from the playback device 92 to another playback device 92 will be described. To do. Note that the first transfer destination playback device is referred to as playback device 92A, and the second transfer destination (ie, retransfer destination) playback device is referred to as playback device 92B.
[0063]
The digital camera 10 of the present embodiment is activated by operating the power switch 30. When shooting the subject, the photographer operates the mode dial 34 to select the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode, and checks the shooting angle of view while looking through the through image or viewfinder displayed on the display device 24. When the composition is determined, the shutter switch 32 is pressed. In the case of a still image, the shutter switch 32 is pressed halfway and then fully pressed. In the case of a moving image, the shutter switch 32 is fully pressed. Thus, a subject image is taken by the CCD 50, image data 94 indicating the subject image is generated, compressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70, and stored in the recording medium 18.
[0064]
When displaying an image that has already been shot on the display device 24, the photographer operates the mode dial 34 to switch to the playback mode and designates image data to be played back by operating the cross button 28 or the like. The image data 94 is read out from the image data, decompressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 70, and an image based on the image data 94 is displayed (reproduced and displayed) on the display device 24.
[0065]
Here, in the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, by connecting to the communication device 36 and operating the cross button 28, the photographer determines whether or not to add a transfer restriction, and when adding a transfer restriction. A transfer instruction for image data being reproduced and displayed can be input by designating the transfer number to be limited (or permitted).
[0066]
In response to the input of this instruction, the digital camera 10 starts transmission processing shown in FIG.
[0067]
That is, when a transfer instruction for which transfer restriction is not added is input, as shown in FIG. 4, first, in step 100, the image data being reproduced is decompressed (that is, compressed) via the recording medium 18. The read image data 94 is read from the recording medium 18, proceeds from the next step 102 to step 104, and transmits the read image data to the communication device 36 via the communication control unit 88.
[0068]
Upon receiving the image data 94, the communication device 36 temporarily stores the image data 94 in an internal memory (not shown), accepts designation of a destination from a photographer, such as a telephone number or an e-mail address, and proceeds toward the designated destination. The image data is transferred. This image data can be freely reproduced on the reproduction device 92A and transferred (re-transferred) from the reproduction device 92A to another reproduction device 92B.
[0069]
On the other hand, when a transfer instruction designating the addition of transfer restrictions and the number of transfers is input, the image data 94 before decompression of the image data being reproduced is stored in the recording medium 18 via the recording medium 18 in step 100. After reading from, the process proceeds from step 102 to step 106. In the following description, a case where the number of transfers is designated so as to limit the second and subsequent transfers will be described as an example.
[0070]
In step 106, an ID number for identifying the image data is issued by the ID issuing unit 90 </ b> A to the read image data 94 to generate an ID file 96. Then, in the next step 108, the program embedding processing unit 90B loads the program 98 for performing the processing shown in FIG. 5 in order to make it unreproducible when it has been transferred a predetermined number of times or more, more specifically twice or more. When the image data 94 is accessed for transfer or reproduction, it is embedded so as to be automatically executed prior to the transfer or reproduction.
[0071]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 8A, the ID numbers on the program 98 side and the ID file 96 side embedded in the image data are naturally information indicating the same ID number issued by the ID issuing unit 90A. In addition, both the values of the counters Cnt1 and Cnt2 representing the number of times of transfer are both “0”.
[0072]
In the next step 110, together with the ID file 96 generated in step 106, the image data 94 in which the program 98 is embedded in step 108 is transmitted to the communication device 36 via the communication control unit 88.
[0073]
When the communication device 36 receives the image data 94 embedded with the ID file 96 and the program 98 transmitted from the communication control unit 88, the communication device 36 temporarily stores the image data 94 in an internal memory (not shown), and receives a telephone number from the photographer and electronic It accepts designation of a destination such as an e-mail address, and when the destination is designated, forwards it to the designated destination.
[0074]
At this time, since the program 98 is embedded in the image data 94 as described above, it is stored in the internal memory (not shown) for transfer in step 120 in the communication device 36 as shown in FIG. When the image data 94 is accessed and read out, the program 98 embedded in the image data 94 is automatically executed in the next step 122.
[0075]
When the program 98 is started, as shown in FIG. 5, first, in step 200, it is determined whether or not access is made for image reproduction. In this case, since access is for transfer, A negative determination is made at 200 and the routine proceeds to step 220.
[0076]
In step 220, the value of the counter Cnt1 in the image data 94 (more specifically, in the program 98 embedded in the image data 94) is incremented. In this case, the value of the counter Cnt1 is updated from “0” to “1”, indicating that the transfer of the image data 94 is the first time.
[0077]
In the next step 222, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter Cnt1 is less than 2 (predetermined number of times). In this case, since the value of the counter Cnt1 is “1”, an affirmative determination is made in step 222 and step 224 is performed. Proceed to
[0078]
In step 224, the ID file 96 corresponding to the image data 94 (the ID file 96 transmitted together with the image data) is read, and in the next step 226, the value of the counter Cnt2 in the ID file 96 is incremented. As a result, the value of the counter Cnt2 in the ID file 96 is updated from “0” to “1”, indicating that the transfer of the ID file is the first time.
[0079]
Then, in the next step 228, it is instructed to transfer the updated image data 94 of the counter Cnt1 together with the updated ID file 96 of the counter Cnt2, and the processing by the program 98 is ended.
[0080]
When the processing of the program 98 is completed, the process returns to step 124 of FIG. 6, and the communication device 36 transfers the specified data (here, ID file and image data) to the specified destination according to the transfer instruction. To do. As a result, the image data captured by the digital camera 10 is transferred to another playback device 92A.
[0081]
That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, the image data 94 photographed by the digital camera 10 is embedded with the program 98 and transferred to the playback device 92A together with the ID file 96 at this time. As shown in FIG. 8B, the ID numbers in the program 98 and the ID file 96 are the same and transferred without being changed, but the counter value Cnt1 and the counter value Cnt2 in the program 98 and the ID file 96 are transferred. Are changed from “0” to “1” and transferred.
[0082]
The playback device 92A receives the image data 94 in which such a program 98 is embedded together with the ID file 96, and stores the received image data 94 and the ID file 96 in an internal memory (not shown). Then, when reproduction of the image data 94 is instructed by the player, the image data is reproduced.
[0083]
At this time, since the program 98 is embedded in the image data 94 as described above, as shown in FIG. 7, in the reproduction device 92A, in step 140, the image data is designated as a reproduction target in order to reproduce the image data. When the image data 94 is accessed (read), the program 98 embedded in the image data is automatically executed in the next step 142.
[0084]
When the program 98 is started, as shown in FIG. 5, first, in step 200, it is determined whether or not access is made for image reproduction. An affirmative determination is made at 200 and the routine proceeds to step 202.
[0085]
In step 202, the ID file 96 corresponding to the image data 94 is searched based on the ID number, and the presence or absence of the corresponding ID file 96 is determined. Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, since the ID file 96 is transferred together with the image data 94 to the reproducing apparatus 92A, it is determined that there is a corresponding ID file 96, and from step 202 Proceed to step 204.
[0086]
In step 204, the counter Cnt1 held by the program 98 is compared with the value of the counter Cnt2 in the corresponding ID file 96. Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, since the values of the counter Cnt1 in the program 98 and the counter Cnt2 in the ID file 96 are both “1”, an affirmative determination is made that they match, and the step The process advances from step 204 to step 206, where it is determined that the reproduction of the image data 94 is permitted, and the processing by the program 98 is terminated.
[0087]
When the processing of the program 98 is completed, the processing returns to FIG. 7 and the reproduction permission determination is obtained by executing the program 98. Therefore, the processing proceeds from the next step 144 to step 146, decompresses the image data to be reproduced, and the next step 148. The image data expanded in step 1 is displayed on the display means. That is, in the first transfer, the image data can be reproduced by the reproducing device 92A.
[0088]
Next, a case will be described in which the image data 94 transferred for the first time is further transferred from the playback device 92A, which is the transfer destination, to another playback device 92B. Also during this transfer, the transfer process shown in FIG. 6 is performed. First, when the image data 94 is accessed for transfer in step 120, the program 98 embedded in the image data 94 is loaded in the next step 122. The process is automatically executed and the process of FIG. 5 is started.
[0089]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the program 98 embedded in the image data 94 is started, since this time is an access for transfer, the process proceeds from step 200 to step 220, and within the image data 94 (more in detail). Is incremented by the value of the counter Cnt1 in the program 98 embedded in the image data 94, and then proceeds to step 222. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8B, since the value of the counter Cnt1 is “1”, the value of the counter Cnt1 is updated from “1” to “2”, and the transfer of the image data is “2”. Indicates the second time. Therefore, a negative determination is made at step 222 and the process proceeds to step 230.
[0090]
In step 230, the counter Cnt1 is instructed to transfer only the updated image data 94, and the processing by the program 98 is ended.
[0091]
When the processing of the program 98 is completed, the process returns to step 124 in FIG. 6, and the communication device 36 transfers only the designated data, that is, the image data 94 this time, to the designated destination according to the transfer instruction. As a result, the image data 94 photographed by the digital camera 10 is transferred from the playback device 92A to another playback device 92B. Thereafter, the same processing is performed when transferring from the playback device 92B to another playback device 92A.
[0092]
That is, in the second and subsequent transfers, as shown in FIG. 8C, the counter value Cnt1 in the program 98 is changed from “1” to “2”, and only the image data 94 is transferred. It has become.
[0093]
Next, a description will be given of a playback process executed when the playback device 92B plays back the image data 94 in which the program 98 is embedded.
[0094]
Also in this case, the reproduction process shown in FIG. 7 is executed in the reproduction apparatus 92B. First, in step 140, when the image data 94 designated as the reproduction target is accessed (read out) in order to reproduce the image data, In step 142, the program 98 embedded in the image data 94 is automatically executed, and the process of FIG. 5 is started.
[0095]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the program 98 embedded in the image data is started, this time is an access for reproduction, but as shown in FIG. 8C, the corresponding ID file 96 is stored. Therefore, the process proceeds from step 200 to step 210 through step 202, and it is determined that the image data 94 has been transferred twice or more. Is done.
[0096]
When the processing by the program 98 is completed, the processing of the playback device 92B returns to FIG. 7, and since playback is not permitted, the process proceeds from step 144 to step 150, and an error message such as “image cannot be displayed” is displayed on the display means. Display (error display), the reproduction display of the image data is stopped, and the reproduction processing ends.
[0097]
That is, even if the image data 94 transferred from the digital camera 10 to the playback device 92A is further transferred to another playback device 92B, the transfer destination playback device 92B plays back the image data 94 in the second and subsequent transfers. Cannot be played (cannot be played back). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the captured image data 94 from being repeatedly transferred and flooded against the photographer's intention.
[0098]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 8D, the playback device 92B uses the fake ID file 96A (forged or created in correspondence with other image data) to generate image data 94. May be illegally played. In this case, in the fake ID file 96A, the ID number is different from the regular one.
[0099]
Therefore, the playback device 92B accesses the image data 94 for playback (step 140 in FIG. 7), and the program 98 in the image data 94 is automatically executed (step 142). Since the ID number in 98 and the ID number in the fake ID file 96A do not match, it is determined that there is no corresponding ID file 96, and the process proceeds from step 200 to step 210 in FIG. A decision not to permit reproduction of the image data 94 is made. As a result, the playback device 92B shifts from step 144 in FIG. 7 to step 150, an error display is performed, and the playback display of the image data 94 is stopped.
[0100]
Therefore, even if the fake ID file 96A is used, the playback device 92B cannot play back the image data 94 (unplayable).
[0101]
Further, as shown in FIG. 8E, it is conceivable that the playback device 92B copies the ID file 96 from the playback device 92A and attempts to play back the image data 94 illegally using the copied ID file 96B. . In this case, in the copied ID file 96B, the ID number is normal, but the value of the counter Cnt2 remains “1”.
[0102]
Therefore, the playback device 92B accesses the image data 94 for playback (step 140 in FIG. 7), and the program 98 in the image data 94 is automatically executed (step 142). It is determined that the value of the counter Cnt1 in 98 and the value of the counter Cnt2 in the copied ID file 96B do not match, and the process proceeds from step 200 to step 210 in FIG. A decision not to permit reproduction of the image data 94 is made. As a result, the playback device 92B shifts from step 144 in FIG. 7 to step 150, an error display is performed, and the playback display of the image data 94 is stopped.
[0103]
Therefore, even if the ID file 96B copied from the playback device 92A is used, the playback device 92B cannot play back the image data 94 (unplayable).
[0104]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the program 98 that cannot be reproduced when it is transferred a predetermined number of times or more is embedded in the image data 94 itself and transmitted so as to be automatically executed during reproduction or transfer. No special function is required on the playback device that plays back the image data 94. In addition, a password authentication procedure by communication with the transmission source device is not required at the time of transfer. Therefore, flooding of image data due to transfer can be prevented and the time lag during transfer can be reduced without depending on the platform.
[0105]
Further, when the image data 94 is transmitted by pairing with the ID file 96 and the image data 94 is transferred by executing the program 98 embedded in the image data 94, if the transfer is less than the predetermined number of times, the ID When the image data 94 is transferred together with the file 94 and is transferred for a predetermined number of times, the ID file 96 is transferred without being attached. As a result, the number of transfers of the image data 94 can be limited.
[0106]
Further, each of the image data 94 and the ID file 96 holds the count value of each transfer count, and the execution of the program 98 embedded in the image data 94 causes each count value to be set when the image data 94 is transferred. When the image data is reproduced, the count value on the image data 94 side is compared with the count value on the ID file 96 side, and if they do not match, the reproduction is not permitted, thereby preventing unauthorized use. Can be increased.
[0107]
In the above description, the case where the image data 94 is transmitted as a pair with the ID file 96 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ID file 96 is not necessarily required. That is, the ID issuing unit 90A can be omitted. In this case, a program 98 for processing as shown in FIG. 9 may be embedded in the image data.
[0108]
That is, when the ID file 96 is not used, the image data 94 is accessed for transfer and the program 98 is executed as shown in FIG. After incrementing the value of the counter Cnt1 in the program (more specifically, in the program 98 embedded in the image data 94), the next step 322 instructs the counter Cnt1 to transfer only the updated image data 94. Then, the processing by the program 98 is terminated.
[0109]
When the image data 94 is accessed for reproduction and the program 98 is executed, the process proceeds from step 300 to step 302, and in the image data 94 (more specifically, in the program 98 embedded in the image data 94). If the value of the counter Cnt1 is less than 2 (predetermined number of times), the process proceeds to step 304 and a decision is made to permit the reproduction of the image data 94. Then, it is sufficient to determine whether or not to permit the reproduction of the image data 94.
[0110]
However, since the unauthorized use is possible only by falsifying the value of the counter Cnt1 in the image data 94 (that is, in the program 98), the ID file 96 is used in order to prevent unauthorized use more reliably. Is effective.
[0111]
In the above description, the case of transferring image data representing a still image or a moving image taken by the digital camera 10 has been described as an example. However, the data transfer method of the present invention is data other than the image data acquired by the digital camera 10. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to the case of transferring.
[0112]
For example, in the case of a digital camera having a recording function such as a voice memo, the present invention can be applied when transferring voice data representing recorded voice. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a case where various data are transferred (distributed) via a network such as the Internet by a personal computer or a server device.
[0113]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent data overflow due to transfer without depending on the platform and to reduce a time lag during transfer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front (A) and back (B) of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are conceptual diagrams showing data before and after processing by a transfer restriction adding processing unit of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission process executed when image data is transmitted to a communication device in the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of a program embedded in image data by the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a transfer executed when the received image data is transferred to another device (playback device) in the communication device that has received the image data in which the program is embedded from the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows a process.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a reproduction process executed when image data transmitted from the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention is reproduced by a reproduction apparatus.
FIGS. 8A to 8E are conceptual diagrams showing states of a program and an ID file when image data acquired by the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention is transferred to a playback apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a program embedded in image data when an ID issuing unit is omitted.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Digital camera
18 Recording media
24 display devices
36 Communication equipment
38 terminals
50 CCD
60 Main control unit
70 Compression / decompression processing circuit
72 Media control unit
88 Communication control unit
90 Transfer restriction addition processing part
90A ID issuing department
90B Program embedding processor
92A, 92B Playback device
94 Image data
96 ID file
98 programs

Claims (3)

A program that counts the number of times the data is transferred when the playback data is transferred to the playback data that is played back by the playback device, and restricts playback of the playback data based on the counted number of transfers during playback. Transfer after embedding to be executed automatically prior to the playback,
A data transfer method characterized by the above. A digital camera capable of capturing a subject and acquiring image data representing the captured subject image and transferring the acquired image data through communication,
For the image data to be transferred, a program that counts the number of transfers of the image data at the time of transfer and restricts the playback of the image data based on the counted number of transfers at the time of playback is automatically executed prior to the transfer or playback. Embedding means for embedding to be performed on
Transferring the image data after embedding the program by the embedding means;
A digital camera characterized by that. A generation unit that generates permission data for permitting reproduction of the image data in association with the image data to be transferred;
The program transfers image data after embedding the program together with the permission data when transferring less than a predetermined number of times, and transfers only the image data after embedding the program when transferring a predetermined number of times. And at the time of reproduction of the image data, the reproduction of the image data is permitted only when there is the corresponding permission data,
The image data after embedding the program by the embedding unit is transferred together with the permission data generated by the generating unit.
The digital camera according to claim 2.

Images