JP2004120530A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera that can be effectively prevented from being carried outside a use allowable area. <P>SOLUTION: This digital camera 100 is provided with a camera function part 110 and a use restriction part 120. The use restriction part 120 is communicable with a management center 200 by radio. The use restriction part 120 determines whether the digital camera 100 itself is located within a prescribed use allowable area, restricts the use of digital image data recorded in a built-in media 117 when located outside the use allowable area and includes a use restriction control part 121, a memory 122 and a transmitting/receiving part 123. The use restriction control part 121 determines its own location based on a position detection signal received from the management center 200 and performs processing for restricting the use of the digital image data recorded on the built-in media 117 when located outside the use allowable area, for example, processing for erasing the digital image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera having a position detection function and suitable for rental service use.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When renting a digital camera at an amusement park or theme park, it is necessary to prevent theft, that is, taking it out of the area. In order to ensure the return of rental items, methods such as confirming the identity at the time of rental or depositing a deposit have been used. However, the procedure for identifying the identity is complicated, and depending on the product, the deposit is high, so it is not easy for both users and lenders to use.
[0003]
As a solution to such a problem, a digital camera described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. This digital camera is equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, detects the position of the digital camera, and stops supplying power to the camera function unit after being taken out of the permitted use area. . Therefore, the digital camera cannot be used outside the use permission area, and an effect of preventing take-out can be expected.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-155878 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the digital camera described in the above publication cannot continuously shoot outside the use-permitted area, but image data that has been taken within the use-permitted area remains on the recording medium in the digital camera. Even outside the use-permitted area, the image data shot in the use-permitted area can be played back or taken out for a certain period of time. For this reason, it cannot be said that the effect of preventing the digital camera from being taken out of the use permission area is sufficient.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera that can effectively prevent taking out of the use permission area.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The digital camera of the present invention has a position recognition function, captures a subject image and acquires digital image data, and records the acquired digital image data on a recording medium; and the position Use of the recognition function to determine whether or not the user is within the use permission area, and to limit the use of the digital image data recorded on the recording medium when the use is outside the use permission area And a limiting unit.
[0008]
When the digital camera of the present invention is taken out of the use permission area, use of the digital image data recorded on the recording medium is restricted. Therefore, when renting out the digital camera, the user is previously out of the use permission area. By giving a warning that the captured image data cannot be reproduced if it is taken out, it is possible to effectively prevent the digital camera from being taken out of the use permission area.
[0009]
The use restriction unit in the digital camera of the present invention includes a unit that disables the use of the camera function unit when it is outside the use permission area.
[0010]
The use restricting unit in the digital camera of the present invention includes a use restricting unit by erasing digital image data recorded on the recording medium.
[0011]
In the digital camera of the present invention, the use restriction unit turns on an available flag indicating that the digital image data can be used when the acquired digital image data is recorded on a recording medium in the use permission area. The usage restriction unit includes a unit that restricts the usage by turning off the availability flag recorded on the recording medium.
[0012]
The recording medium in the digital camera of the present invention has an access permission flag to permit to the recording medium, and within the use permission area, the access permission flag is set to ON, The use restriction unit includes a unit that restricts the use by turning off an access permission flag of the recording medium.
[0013]
The position recognition function in the digital camera of the present invention includes that realized by performing wireless communication with a management center.
[0014]
The position recognition function in the digital camera of the present invention includes those realized by mounting a GPS system.
[0015]
In the digital camera of the present invention, the camera function unit and the data use restriction unit are independently controlled in power supply, and the position detection function is supplied with power to at least the data use restriction unit. Sometimes it includes what is enabled.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 100 of FIG. 1 includes a camera function unit 110 and a use restriction unit 120, and the use restriction unit 120 can wirelessly communicate with the management center 200.
[0018]
The camera function unit 110 includes an imaging unit 111, a signal processing unit 112, a compression / decompression unit 113, a camera control unit 114, a system memory 115, a nonvolatile memory 116, a built-in medium 117, and a CPU 118. These elements are system components. They are connected by a bus 118. Each element of the camera function unit 110 is supplied with power from the camera function unit battery 119.
[0019]
The imaging unit 111 obtains an imaging signal by an optical system such as a photographic lens and an imaging element such as a CCD sensor. The imaging signal obtained by the imaging unit 111 is sent to the signal processing unit 112 and a predetermined analog signal is obtained. Processing and digital signal processing are performed and converted into digital image data. Then, a predetermined compression process is performed by the compression / decompression unit 113, and the captured image is filed and recorded in the built-in medium 117. Such imaging processing is controlled by the camera control unit 114 based on an operation of an operation unit (not shown).
[0020]
The built-in medium 117 is composed of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and records captured digital image data. Data recorded and stored in the built-in medium 117 can be read out through an interface (not shown), and can be output to an output device such as a printer or an image display device, or an external recording device for storing image data. When the digital camera 100 includes an LCD display device, it is possible to display an image obtained by decompressing the digital image data recorded on the built-in medium 117 by the compression / decompression unit 113. In addition, the LCD display device can display a through image at the time of shooting, display the state of the digital camera 100, information on operations, and the like. The medium for recording the digital image data based on the photographing information is not necessarily an internal medium, and may be a removable medium such as a memory card.
[0021]
The camera control unit 114 controls the overall operation of the camera function unit 110, and is configured mainly by a processor that operates according to a predetermined program. The camera control unit 114 controls the imaging unit 111 and the signal processing unit 112 according to an operation signal from an operation unit (not shown), and the digital obtained through the signal processing unit 112 and the compression / decompression unit 113. Controls the recording operation of the image data on the built-in medium 117, the image display operation on the LCD display device (not shown), and the like, and restricts the use of the digital image data in cooperation with the use restriction unit 120 as described later. It also controls the operation for
[0022]
The system memory 115 and the nonvolatile memory 116 store data and programs used for various processes in the camera function unit 110, and are used as work memories.
[0023]
The use restriction unit 120 determines whether or not the use restriction unit 120 exists within a predetermined use permission area. If the use restriction part 120 is outside the use permission area, the use restriction unit 120 restricts use of the digital image data recorded in the built-in medium 117. It includes a use restriction control unit 121, a memory 122, and a transmission / reception unit 123. These elements are connected by a system bus 124. In addition, each element of the use restriction unit 120 is supplied with power from the use restriction unit battery 125. Although it is necessary to recognize the position of the digital camera 100 in order to determine whether or not it exists in the use-permitted area, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the usage restriction unit 120 has a position recognition function.
[0024]
The transmission / reception unit 123 performs wireless communication with the management center 200, and always wirelessly transmits a unique signal to the outside. The unique signal is a signal of a specific code or a specific frequency assigned to each digital camera 100. The management center 200 receives the unique signal transmitted from the digital camera 100, detects the presence position of the digital camera 100, and transmits it to the digital camera 100. The presence position can be detected, for example, by providing a plurality of wireless signal detection points from the digital camera 100.
[0025]
The position detection signal from the management center 200 may be a signal indicating an area where the digital camera 100 exists, or a signal indicating the use permission area or the use permission area. In the case of a signal indicating an existing area, the use restriction control unit 121 determines whether or not its own position is within the use permission area by using data for specifying the use permission area stored in the memory 122 in advance. . If the signal indicates that the area is within the use permission area, it is determined that the signal is outside the use permission area when the position detection signal from the management center 200 cannot be received for a certain period of time. In some cases, when the position detection signal is received, it is determined that it is outside the use permission area.
[0026]
The usage restriction control unit 121 controls the overall operation of the usage restriction unit 120, and is configured mainly by a processor that operates according to a predetermined program. Specifically, it is recorded on the built-in medium 117 when it is outside the use-permitted area, the process of transmitting a unique signal to the transmission / reception unit 123, the process of determining its own location based on the position detection signal received from the management center 200 At least a process for limiting the use of digital image data is controlled. In order to perform processing for restricting the use of digital image data, the use restriction control unit 121 can access the built-in medium 117 via the system bus 118, and if the use restriction control unit 121 is outside the use permission area, for example, The digital image data recorded on the built-in medium 117 is erased.
[0027]
At this time, the camera function unit 110 may be disabled. For example, it can be realized by a camera unavailable flag provided in a predetermined area of the nonvolatile memory 116. That is, the usage restriction control unit 121 turns on this flag when the digital camera 100 moves out of the use permission area, and the camera control unit 114 becomes inoperable when this flag is on. By setting to, the camera function unit 110 can be disabled when it exists outside the use permission area.
[0028]
The memory 122 stores data and programs used for various processes in the usage restriction unit 120, and is used as a working memory. A high-speed RAM, a non-volatile memory, or the like is appropriately used.
[0029]
The digital camera 100 can turn on / off the power supply to the camera function unit 110 by operating a power switch (not shown). That is, when the power switch is turned off, power supply from the camera function unit battery 119 to each element in the camera function unit 110 is interrupted.
[0030]
On the other hand, the power supply to each element in the use restriction unit 120 is continued by the use restriction unit battery 125 even after the power switch of the camera function unit 110 is turned off. In other words, regardless of whether the camera function unit 110 is functioning, the usage restriction unit 120 transmits a unique signal by the transmission / reception unit 123, receives a position detection signal, and determines the presence position by the usage restriction control unit 121. Continue.
[0031]
When the usage restriction control unit 121 of the usage restriction unit 120 determines that the usage restriction area exists outside the usage-permitted area, the usage restriction control unit 121 executes a process of limiting the use of the digital image data recorded in the built-in medium 117. For example, the internal media 117 is accessed via the system bus 118 in the camera function unit 110 and all image files recorded on the internal media 117 are deleted.
[0032]
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, power is supplied to the camera function unit 110 and the usage restriction unit 120 by individual batteries. However, if a switch for individually supplying power is provided, the power is supplied by one battery. Also good. Although the function for recognizing the location of the digital camera is provided in the use restriction unit, it may be provided individually. In this case, however, the power supply is the same as that of the use restriction unit.
[0033]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic operation flow of the use restriction unit 120. The usage restriction unit 120 executes a process as shown in FIG. 2 at predetermined time intervals, for example. In step S <b> 21, a process for recognizing its own location is performed using a received signal from the management center 200. Next, based on the recognized existence position, it is determined whether or not it exists in the use permission area (step S22). When it does not exist in the use permission area, a use restriction process is performed (step S23). If it exists in the use permission restricted area, the process ends as it is.
[0034]
An example of the use restriction process in step S23 is to erase the digital image data recorded on the built-in medium as described above. However, use of the digital image data can be restricted by other methods.
[0035]
One of the other methods is to record the use permission flag together with the digital image data recorded on the internal medium 117 in units of image files. When this usage permission flag is off, a file format that makes display and printing based on digital image data impossible is adopted, and this flag is turned off by the usage restriction control unit 121 when moved outside the usage permission area. It is. Therefore, once it goes out of the use permission area, the use permission flag is turned off, and the digital image data cannot be used.
[0036]
FIG. 3 shows a schematic operation flow of the use restriction control unit 121 when such a method is adopted.
[0037]
The usage restriction control unit 121 monitors the shooting operation by the camera control unit 114 of the camera function unit 110 and the image file recording operation to the built-in medium 117 (step S31). Is determined to be present in the use-permitted area (step S32). If it is within the use permission area, the use permission flag of the predetermined area of the newly recorded image file is turned on (step S33). If it is outside the use permission area, nothing is written to the newly recorded image file, and if there is a use permission flag on the image file recorded on the built-in medium 117, the flag is turned off. To do.
[0038]
Still another method is to make the recording medium itself such as a built-in medium or a removable medium inaccessible. In this case, a recording medium having an access permission flag that permits access to the recording medium is used, and the access permission flag is set to ON in the use permission area. Then, the use restriction control unit 121 turns off the access permission flag when it is outside the use permission area.
[0039]
Thus, even if the digital camera 100 is taken out of the use permission area even once, the digital image data photographed by the digital camera 100 cannot be used. Therefore, when lending the digital camera 100, the user can confirm the identity at the time of lending by warning the user that the photographed digital image data will be unavailable if it is taken out of the use permission area. Even without depositing a deposit, it is possible to prevent the digital camera 100 from being taken out of the use permission area.
[0040]
When the use permission flag or the access permission flag is used, even if the flag is turned off, the digital image data itself recorded in the built-in medium 117 is in a recorded state. If you accidentally go out of the permitted area, you can recover. In the recovery process, the administrator of the digital camera can turn on the flag again by performing a predetermined operation. However, the digital camera itself may be provided with a recovery function.
[0041]
The recovery function can be realized by the use restriction control unit 121 of the use restriction unit 120. That is, since the usage restriction unit 120 always determines whether or not the location of the digital camera is within the use permission area, for example, when the time that exists outside the use permission area is within a predetermined time. The digital image data that has become unusable once can be used by executing a process of turning on the use permission flag or the access permission flag that has been turned off when moving to the use permission area again.
[0042]
FIG. 4 shows a schematic operation flow of the use restriction unit 120 having such a function. The processing from step S41 to step S43 is the same as the processing from step S21 to step S23 in FIG. If it is determined in step S42 that the digital camera 100 exists in the use permission area, it is determined in step S44 whether or not the use restriction process has been performed and a predetermined time has elapsed after the execution. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed after the use restriction process is executed, a use restriction release process is executed (step S45). If it is determined that the use restriction process has not been executed or that a predetermined time has elapsed after the execution, the process ends. Therefore, when the user accidentally goes out of the use permission area, the process of step S45 is executed, and the digital image data that has become unavailable once can be used again.
[0043]
In the digital camera 100 of FIG. 1 described above, its own position recognition function is realized by performing wireless communication with the management center 200. However, the digital camera 100 is equipped with a GPS system to perform position recognition. May be. Examples of such cases are shown in FIGS.
[0044]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of a use restriction unit equipped with a GPS system. The usage restriction unit 130 in FIG. 5 includes a usage restriction control unit 131, a memory 132, a transmission / reception unit 133, and a GPS system 136, and these elements are connected by a system bus 134. Each element of the use restriction unit 130 is supplied with power from the use restriction unit battery 135. In this example, the position (longitude / latitude information) of the digital camera is detected by the GPS system 136. Then, by referring to the longitude / latitude information for specifying the usable area of the digital camera stored in advance in the memory 132, the use restriction control unit 131 determines whether the area is within the usable area.
[0045]
The transmission / reception unit 133 is used for transmission / reception of management information to / from the management center 200. The longitude / latitude information for specifying the usable area stored in the memory 132 may be transmitted from the management center 200 via the transmission / reception unit 133. Since the use restriction process and the use restriction release process (when possible) by the use restriction control unit 131 are the same as those in FIG.
[0046]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of another example of a use restriction unit equipped with a GPS system. The usage restriction unit 140 of FIG. 6 includes a usage restriction control unit 141, a memory 142, and a GPS system 146, and these elements are connected by a system bus 144. Each element of the use restriction unit 140 is supplied with power from the use restriction unit battery 145. A difference from the use restriction unit 130 of FIG. 5 is that the transmission / reception unit 133 that performs wireless communication with the management center 200 is omitted. Also, since the operation is the same as that of the usage restriction unit 130 except that there is no transmission / reception operation with the management center 200, the description thereof is omitted.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent the digital camera from being taken out of the use permission area.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic operation flow of a use restriction unit 120. FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of a recording operation when a use permission flag is employed. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic operation flow of the use restriction unit when having a recovery function. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of the use restriction unit equipped with the GPS system. FIG. 6 is equipped with the GPS system. The figure which shows schematic structure of the other example of the usage restriction part which was used [description of sign]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Digital camera 110 ... Camera function part 111 ... Imaging part 112 ... Signal processing part 113 ... Compression / decompression part 114 ... Camera control part 115 ... System memory 116 ... Non-volatile memory 117 ... Built-in medium 118 ... System bus 119 ... Battery 120, 130, 140 for camera function unit Usage restriction unit 121, 131, 141 ... Usage restriction control unit 122, 132, 143... Memory 123, 133... Transmission / reception units 124, 134, 144... System bus 125, 135, 145. Management center

Claims (8)

A digital camera having a position recognition function,
A camera function unit that captures a subject image and acquires digital image data, and records the acquired digital image data on a recording medium;
Using the position recognition function, it is determined whether or not it is in the use permission area, and if it is outside the use permission area, the use of digital image data recorded on the recording medium is restricted. A digital camera provided with a use restriction unit. The digital camera according to claim 1,
The use restriction unit is a digital camera that disables the use of the camera function unit when it is outside the use permission area. The digital camera according to claim 1 or 2,
The use restriction unit restricts the use by erasing digital image data recorded on the recording medium. The digital camera according to claim 1 or 2,
The use restriction unit records the obtained digital image data on a recording medium with a use flag indicating that the digital image data can be used turned on in the use permission area. Yes,
The use restriction unit is a digital camera that restricts the use by turning off the available flag recorded on the recording medium. The digital camera according to claim 1 or 2,
The recording medium has an access permission flag that permits access to the recording medium,
In the use permission area, the access permission flag is set to ON,
The use restriction unit restricts the use by turning off an access permission flag of the recording medium. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The position recognition function is realized by performing wireless communication with a management center. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The position recognition function is realized by installing a GPS system. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The camera function unit and the data use restriction unit are controlled independently of power supply,
The position detection function is a digital camera that is activated at least when power is supplied to the data use restriction unit.

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