JP2004304675A - Image processing apparatus, electronic camera, and image protection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus, an electronic camera and an image protection method which are capable of securely protecting images not desired to be seen by other people, and making it difficult for another person to release the protection. <P>SOLUTION: An image protection mode is provided on a camera, and protection processing is applied to an image photographed in the image protection mode. A key scene is photographed in the image protection mode, and the photographing scene of the key scene is determined using light source kind determination of white balance control. To release the image protection, a key release scene is photographed and the photographing scene of the key release scene is determined using the light source kind determination of the white balance control. If the photographing scene of the key scene matches the photographing scene of the key release scene, the image protection is released. Since authentication keys of the protection and the protection release are such a vague thing as the photographing scenes, it is difficult for another person to decode the authentication key. Also, since the white balance control of a camera is used for authentication of the image protection and the image protection release, the calculation processing burden of the camera can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an electronic camera, and an image protection method, and more particularly to a protection technique suitable for image protection that reliably protects an image that is not desired to be seen by others.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When playing back an image shot and recorded with a digital still camera, it may be necessary to show the playback image to others. In particular, images that may be seen on a single recording medium and images that are not desired to be seen (for example, new product materials at work, photographs of confidential materials, private photos, etc.) are recorded in a mixed manner. Sometimes there is a risk of seeing an image that you do not want to see. As a means for protecting an image that is not desired to be viewed, a password is set for the image, and when an operation for reproducing the image is performed, the operator is requested to enter the password. A method of performing reproduction is often used.
[0003]
In the data processing apparatus with an input protection function and the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, an operator's captured image is captured when the power is turned on, the feature information is registered and stored, and an input operation is performed when an input protection state is set by the operator. Is prohibited.
If the release key is operated while the input is protected, the shooting process and the image analysis process are performed, and the image recorded when the power is turned on is collated. The protection status is released. Also disclosed are a mode in which an input protection state is entered when no input operation is performed for a certain period of time, and a mode in which the presence / absence of an operator is automatically determined to perform input protection and input protection cancellation.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-305866
[0005]
[Problems to be determined by the invention]
However, in password protection, when the password is composed of letters, numbers, symbols, and combinations thereof, it is difficult to say that the password is completely protected because it can be decrypted over time.
[0006]
In the data processing apparatus with an input protection function and the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the operator is recognized from the feature information, the influence of the light source is too great even by the same operator depending on the angle of view and the imaging light source, and it is difficult to recognize accurately There is a drawback.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus, an electronic camera, and an image protection method that can reliably protect an image that is not desired to be seen by another person and that is difficult to be released by others. And
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention performs authentication based on an imaging unit that captures an optical image of a subject and outputs an image signal indicating the subject image, and an image signal acquired through the imaging unit. Key information generating means for generating key information to be used; key information storage means for storing the key information generated by the key information generating means; limiting means for performing a protection process in association with the key information; Scene analysis means for generating color distribution information from a photographed image acquired using the imaging means in a state where protection processing is performed by the restriction means, and color distribution information of the photographed image generated by the scene analysis means A release unit that performs a process of canceling the protection by the restriction unit when the two match each other and the color distribution information of the key information stored in the key information storage unit It is characterized by comprising a.
[0009]
According to the present invention, key information is generated from an image signal acquired via the imaging unit, protected processing is performed in association with the key information, and color distribution is further obtained from an image captured in a protected state. The information is generated, collated with the color distribution information of the key information, and the protection is canceled when the two match. Various protections are possible, such as protecting images shot using this. Further, since the color distribution information obtained from the image is used for releasing the protection, it is difficult for the other person to release the protection.
[0010]
Examples of protection processing include a mode for restricting a predetermined function of the device, a mode for restricting access to a data file stored in a memory in the device, invalidating a part of the operation system, prohibiting use, etc. There are aspects.
[0011]
The key information for authentication may be the key image itself, color distribution information generated from the key image, or both. Furthermore, information on photographing conditions and recording conditions may be added.
[0012]
It can be used as a substitute for or in combination with a key lock of a mobile phone with a camera, a phone book lock, a mobile personal computer with a camera, a PDA, etc., and an improvement in security is expected.
[0013]
The matching determination of matching includes not only perfect matching but also a case where a predetermined determination margin is set.
[0014]
For example, it is possible to create a plurality of keys by changing key information for each of a plurality of users.
[0015]
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an optical image of a subject and outputs an image signal indicating the subject image, and a predetermined image signal acquired through the imaging unit. An electronic camera comprising: signal processing means for performing signal processing; and recording means for recording image data generated by the signal processing means on a recording medium, wherein an image is obtained with respect to an image obtained by the imaging means. An image protection mode setting unit that sets an image protection mode to be protected, and a key that generates key information used for authentication in image protection from an image signal acquired through the imaging unit in the image protection mode An information generation unit, a key information storage unit that stores the key information generated by the key information generation unit, and an image storage unit that associates the image acquired by the imaging unit with the key information. Image protection means for performing processing, scene analysis means for generating color distribution information from a captured image acquired using the imaging means in a state protected by the image protection means, and generated by the scene analysis means The image protection is performed by collating the color distribution information of the photographed image with the color distribution information of the key information stored in the key information storage unit, and releasing the image protection by the image protection unit when they match. An electronic camera comprising: release means.
[0016]
According to the present invention, in the image protection mode, key information is generated and recorded from the image signal captured through the imaging unit, and the image protection unit performs the recording on the image signal acquired through the imaging unit. An image protection process is performed in association with the key information, color distribution information is generated from an image captured in a state where the image is protected by the image protection means, and collated with the color distribution information of the key information. Since the image protection by the image protection means is canceled when the two match, it is possible to protect the images that are not desired to be seen by others among the images recorded in the same recording means. What functions as a key is not composed of letters, numbers, symbols, and combinations thereof like a password, and is a vague scene (such as a shooting scene indicated by color distribution information) Since using, cancel protection by others is difficult.
[0017]
The imaging means includes an imaging lens composed of at least one or a plurality of lenses and an imaging element that converts an optical image of a subject obtained through the imaging lens into an electrical signal.
[0018]
The recording medium may be a removable medium, a built-in memory (fixed medium), or a combination thereof. In addition, it may be configured to be detachable from the electronic camera. However, when the recording medium and the electronic camera are configured to be detachable, the image recorded and protected on the recording medium can be protected by devices other than the electronic camera. It needs to be configured so that it can.
[0019]
The image protection mode setting means and the image protection release means may be configured by operating means such as a push button or a rotary dial, or set by software from a menu screen or the like. Moreover, you may combine the aspect set with an operation means and software. Further, the image protection mode setting means and the image protection release means may be configured by the same operation means.
[0020]
The color distribution information obtained from the key information and the color distribution information obtained from the image signal obtained in the state of being protected by the image protection means are composed of a character string, a numeric string, a symbol, and a combination thereof. Instead of a password, it functions as a “key” used for authentication in image protection and image protection release.
[0021]
The key information may be rewritable. The key information is rewritten by first invalidating the key information in the protection release process and acquiring the key information again. Further, when the image protection mode is exited while the key information is stored, the key information is recorded as it is, and when the image protection mode is entered again, the recorded key information becomes valid.
[0022]
The key information storage means may be a non-volatile memory that retains stored information even when the main power of the electronic camera is turned off.
[0023]
For image protection, restrictions on file operations such as access restrictions, copy restrictions, movement restrictions, deletion restrictions, decompression restrictions, compression restrictions on the image files, display restrictions that simply do not display images, or e-mail Includes output restrictions such as attachment restrictions, printing restrictions, and file output restrictions.
[0024]
The electronic camera includes an image recording apparatus capable of recording an electronic image, such as a digital camera, a video camera, a camera-equipped mobile phone, a camera-equipped PDA, and a camera-equipped mobile personal computer.
[0025]
Of course, an aspect including a reproduction processing unit that reproduces a recorded image and a display unit that displays the reproduced image is also preferable.
[0026]
According to an aspect of the present invention, the image protection by the image protection means includes at least a reproduction restriction.
[0027]
The reproduction restriction includes a mode in which the reproduction of the recorded image in the reproduction mode is prohibited and the protected image is not displayed in the list display of the recorded images. In addition, the mode for prohibiting the reproduction of the recorded image includes a mode in which an image obtained by performing a predetermined filter process on the reproduced image is displayed, and a filter process is performed so that the image can be restored when the image protection is released. Must be selected.
[0028]
According to another aspect of the present invention, the image protection unit performs image protection processing on an image shot after the key information is stored in the image protection mode.
[0029]
There are a mode in which a protection process is performed for a predetermined number of sheets after storing key information, and a mode in which a protection process is performed for all images shot in the image protection mode. However, it is preferable that the number of images to be protected can be set.
[0030]
Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus further includes a selection unit that selects a desired image from the images recorded on the recording medium, and the image protection unit applies to the image selected by the selection unit. It is characterized by performing control to perform protection processing.
[0031]
According to this aspect, since the desired image is selected from the images recorded on the recording unit and the above-described image protection processing is performed on the selected image, the image is recorded on the same recording unit. You can select and protect images that you do not want others to see.
[0032]
Image files may be specified individually or folders may be specified. The mode for designating a folder includes full selection of files in the folder.
[0033]
An electronic camera according to another aspect of the present invention includes a color information generation unit that generates color information from an image signal acquired via the imaging unit, and a color distribution range corresponding to a light source type on a predetermined color coordinate. Detection frame setting means for setting a detection frame indicating color, a color information acquisition means for dividing the screen imaged by the imaging means into a plurality of areas and acquiring color information for each area, and acquired by the color information acquisition means Distribution information acquisition means for obtaining a distribution of the area with respect to the detection frame based on color information of each area, and a light source type determination means for determining a light source type based on the distribution of the area with respect to the detection frame, The key information is collated based on the light source type discriminated by the light source type discriminating means.
[0034]
According to this aspect, the determination of the light source type used for collation at the time of image protection and cancellation of image protection can be used together with the light source type determination of white balance adjustment, and the calculation processing burden of the camera can be reduced.
[0035]
The color information includes an integrated value of RGB signals, a color temperature, a light source type, and the like.
[0036]
The color coordinates include R signal to G signal ratio (R / G), B signal to G signal ratio (B / G) coordinate system, R, G, B coordinate system, and the like. .
[0037]
The light source species include natural light sources such as daylight, daylight, clear, and cloudy, and artificial light sources such as fluorescent lamps, mercury lamps, and tungsten lamps. These light source type detection frames can be set in accordance with the design of the electronic camera of the present invention.
[0038]
In addition, when a stroboscopic control unit for automatically prohibiting the stroboscopic device's light emission operation is provided in the photographic image of the original image of the key information and the photographic image at the time of the protection cancellation authentication, Misidentification can be prevented.
[0039]
In the photographing of the original image of the key information and the photographing at the time of the protection cancellation authentication, a display or a warning for prompting the photographer to perform the strobe light emission prohibiting process may be performed.
[0040]
In order to achieve the above object, an image protection method according to the present invention includes a step of imaging a protection authentication image used for authentication of image protection using an imaging unit that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal; A step of generating key information for authentication from an image signal indicating the protected authentication image output from the imaging means, a step of recording the generated key information, and an image acquired via the imaging means. A step of performing image protection processing by associating the key information with the image, a step of capturing a protection-removed authentication image used for authentication of protection cancellation of the image subjected to the image protection processing, and the protection The step of generating color distribution information from the release authentication image and the color distribution information of the protection release authentication image and the color distribution information of the recorded key information are collated, and the image protection processing is performed when they match. It is characterized by comprising a step of releasing the protection of the image.
[0041]
Since the light source type determined by the light source type determination of the white balance control is used for authentication of image protection and image protection release, it is not necessary to shoot the protection authentication image and the protection release authentication image in exactly the same shooting scene. If the scene of the protection authentication image is shot in a room with a white light source, the protection cancellation authentication image can be taken in any room with a white light source that can be determined to be the light source type indicated by the same color distribution. Good.
[0042]
An example of light source type discrimination for white balance control is to obtain a barycentric point of the color distribution and discriminate it according to which barycentric point falls within a detection frame corresponding to a light source type, or a predetermined function such as a membership function. There is an aspect in which the point calculated by the function is determined depending on which light source type falls within the detection frame.
[0043]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of an image processing apparatus, an electronic camera and an image protection method according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0044]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera 10 is a digital camera that converts an optical image of a subject into digital image data and records it on a recording medium, and includes a still image recording / playback function and a recorded image playback restriction function. A photographing lens 12, a finder window 14, a flash device 15, and a self-timer lamp 16 are provided on the front surface of the camera body 11, and a release button 17 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 11. The taking lens 12 is composed of an electric zoom lens.
[0045]
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera 10. On the rear side of the camera, a finder 20, a finder lamp 22, a liquid crystal monitor 24, a mode selection switch 26, a macro button 28, a menu / OK button 30, a cancel button 32, a cross button 34, and an image protection setting switch 36 are provided. .
[0046]
The viewfinder 20 is composed of a zoom viewfinder in which the viewfinder magnification is variable in conjunction with the focal length of the taking lens 12. The viewfinder lamp 22 is composed of a multicolor LED formed by combining a red light emitting diode (LED) and a green LED, and the lighting color and lighting state (lighting / flashing) are controlled according to the operating state of the camera 10. . Cameras such as “ready for shooting”, “AE / AF operation”, “camera shake warning”, “AF warning”, “writing media”, “flash off” or “charging” depending on the display of the viewfinder lamp 22 The state can be grasped.
[0047]
The liquid crystal monitor 24 is configured by a transmissive liquid crystal display capable of color display, and an illumination backlight (not shown) is provided inside the camera 10. The liquid crystal monitor 24 can be used as an electronic viewfinder for checking the angle of view at the time of shooting, and is used as a means for reproducing and displaying recorded images. The liquid crystal monitor 24 is also used as a user interface display screen, and displays information such as menu information, selection items, and setting contents as necessary. Instead of the liquid crystal monitor 24, other types of display devices (display means) such as an organic EL can be used.
[0048]
The mode selection switch 26 illustrated in FIG. 2 is an operation unit that switches the operation mode of the camera 10. The mode selection switch 26 of this example is configured by a slide switch that can be stopped at two positions, and each stop position is associated with a “photographing mode” and a “reproduction mode” (preview mode), respectively. That is, when the mode selection switch 26 is operated to stop at the “shooting mode position” (the stop position on the left side in FIG. 2), the camera 10 is set to the “shooting mode” for recording a still image. When the mode selection switch 26 is stopped at the “playback mode position” (the stop position on the right side in FIG. 2), the camera 10 is set to the “playback mode” for playing back recorded images.
[0049]
The macro button 28 is an operation button for setting / releasing the short-distance shooting (macro shooting) mode. When the camera 10 is set to the macro shooting mode by pressing the macro button 28, focus control suitable for short-distance shooting is performed.
[0050]
The menu / OK button 30 is an operation button that has both a function as a menu button for instructing display of a menu screen and a function as an OK button for instructing selection and execution of selection contents. The cancel button 32 is used to delete a desired object such as a selection item, cancel an instruction content, or return to the previous operation state.
[0051]
The cross button 34 is an operation unit that inputs instructions in four directions, up, down, left, and right. For example, buttons (cursor moving operation means for selecting items from a menu screen or instructing selection of various setting items from each menu) ). The up / down key of the cross button 34 functions as a zoom switch at the time of shooting or a playback zoom switch at the time of playback, and the left / right key functions as a frame advance (forward / reverse feed) button in the playback mode. .
[0052]
When the image protection setting switch 36 is pressed once, the camera 10 enters the image protection mode, and when pressed again, the image protection mode is canceled. The image protection setting switch 36 may be provided with a latch mechanism that can hold a mechanically pressed state, a switch having two stop positions, or two switches. Further, it may be set by software from the menu screen. The image protection function of the camera 10 will be described later.
[0053]
In addition to the release button 17, a power switch (not shown) is provided on the upper surface (top surface) of the camera 10. The release button 17 functions as an operation member that commands execution of shooting at the time of shooting. The release button 17 is composed of a two-stroke switch having an S1 switch that is turned on when half-pressed and an S2 switch that is turned on when fully pressed. When the release button 17 is “half-pressed”, automatic focusing (AF) and automatic exposure control (AE) are activated to lock AF and AE. Shooting operation) is executed.
[0054]
A media slot (not shown) and a power input terminal (not shown) are provided on the side surface of the camera body 11. The media slot is a media mounting unit in which a semiconductor memory card represented by xD-Picture Card (trademark) and smart media (trademark) and a portable small hard disk represented by microdrive (trademark) are mounted. The camera body 11 is provided with a media cover that covers the opening of the slot so as to be freely opened and closed.
[0055]
In this example, the media mounting portion is formed on the side surface of the camera (the right side in FIG. 2). However, the position of forming the media mounting portion is not limited to this when implementing the present invention, and is formed on the side surface of the camera opposite to the grip portion 11A. It is also possible to adopt a mode for forming the image on the bottom surface of the camera. There is also an aspect in which a cover member that functions as a media cover and battery cover is used.
[0056]
The electric power necessary for the operation of the camera 10 is normally supplied from a battery (not shown), but depending on the mode such as connecting a power input terminal (not shown) and a plug of an AC power adapter (not shown) It is also possible to supply power from a power source. As a result, shooting and playback can be performed without worrying about battery consumption in the camera 10, and the battery can be charged.
[0057]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the digital camera according to the present embodiment. The taking lens 50 of the camera 10 may be a single focus lens or a variable focal length such as a zoom lens. The photographing lens may be composed of a plurality of lens groups.
[0058]
The light that has passed through the taking lens 50 and the stop 52 enters a CCD solid-state imaging device (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 54. A large number of photosensors (light receiving elements) are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface of the CCD, and red (R), green (G), and blue (B) primary color filters corresponding to each photosensor are predetermined. Arranged in array form. The CCD may be a three-plate type as well as a single-plate type.
[0059]
The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 54 is converted into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each sensor on the CCD 54.
[0060]
The signal charge accumulated in this way is read out to the shift register by a read gate pulse applied from the CCD drive circuit 56, and sequentially read out as a voltage signal corresponding to the signal charge by a register transfer pulse. The CCD 54 has a so-called electronic shutter function that can sweep out the accumulated signal charge by a shutter gate pulse, thereby controlling the charge accumulation time (shutter speed).
[0061]
The voltage signal (image signal) sequentially read from the CCD 54 is applied to a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS circuit) 58, where the R, G, B signals for each light receiving element (pixel) are sampled and held. It is added to the A / D converter 60. The A / D converter 60 converts the R, G, and B signals sequentially added from the CDS circuit 58 into digital signals and outputs them. The CCD driving circuit 56, the CDS circuit 58, and the A / D converter 60 are driven in synchronism with a timing signal applied from a timing generation circuit (TG) 62.
[0062]
The R, G, B signals output from the A / D converter 60 are temporarily stored in the memory 64, and then the R, G, B signals stored in the memory 64 are added to the digital signal processing circuit 66. The digital signal processing circuit 66 includes a synchronization circuit 68, a white balance adjustment circuit 70, a gamma correction circuit 72, a luminance / color difference signal (YC signal) creation circuit 74, and a memory 76.
[0063]
The synchronization circuit 68 converts the dot-sequential R, G, B signals read from the memory 64 into a simultaneous expression and outputs the R, G, B signals to the white balance adjustment circuit 70 simultaneously. The white balance adjustment circuit 70 includes multipliers 70R, 70G, and 70B for increasing and decreasing the digital values of the R, G, and B signals. The R, G, and B signals are respectively multiplied by the multipliers 70R, 70G, and 70B. Added to 70B.
[0064]
White balance correction values (gain values) Rg, Gg, and Bg for white balance control from a central processing unit (CPU) 78 are added to other inputs of the multipliers 70R, 70G, and 70B. , 70G, and 70B each multiply two inputs, and output R ′, G ′, and B ′ signals that have undergone white balance adjustment by this multiplication to the gamma correction circuit 72. Details of the white balance correction values Rg, Gg, and Bg applied from the CPU 78 to the white balance adjustment circuit 70 will be described later.
[0065]
The gamma correction circuit 72 changes the input / output characteristics so that the white balance adjusted R ′, G ′, B ′ signals have desired gamma characteristics, and outputs them to the YC signal generation circuit 74. The YC signal generation circuit 74 generates a luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb from the gamma-corrected R, G, and B signals. The luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (YC signal) are stored in the memory 76 in the same memory space as the memory 64.
[0066]
Here, the through image can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24 by reading the YC signal in the memory 76 and outputting it to the liquid crystal monitor 24. Further, the YC signal that is shot in response to the S2 switch ON of the release button 17 and stored in the memory 76 is compressed according to a predetermined format such as JPEG by the compression / expansion circuit 80, and then the memory card 82, the image recording memory (Internal memory) 83 and other recording media.
[0067]
Magnetic media such as xD-Picture Card (trademark), smart media (Solid-State Floppy Disk Card), PC card, compact flash, microdrive (trademark), etc. are used as recording media as means (recording unit) for storing image data. A disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a memory stick, or the like can be applied, and various media that can be read and written according to a system using electronic, magnetic, optical, or a combination thereof can be used. A signal processing means and an interface corresponding to the medium to be used are applied. A configuration in which a plurality of media can be mounted regardless of different types or the same type of recording media may be adopted. In addition to the image data, image information that is information related to the image data may be recorded in the recording means described above.
[0068]
The recording means for recording the image data and the image information is appropriately selected under the control of the CPU 78. Note that a memory controller may be used to selectively use a plurality of recording media. The memory controller may be built in the CPU 78 or may include a dedicated device. In the present embodiment, the memory controller is built in the CPU 78.
[0069]
In the reproduction mode, the image data recorded in the memory card 82 and the image recording memory 83 is read out, decompressed by the compression / expansion circuit 80, and then output to the liquid crystal monitor 24. In this way, the reproduced image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24.
[0070]
The CPU 78 performs overall control of each circuit based on input from the camera operation unit 84 including the release button 17 and the like, and controls auto focus (AF), automatic exposure control (AE), auto white balance (AWB), and the like. Do.
[0071]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the camera 10 of the present example has a strobe device 15, and an automatic light emission mode in which the strobe device 15 automatically emits light at low brightness in response to an operation of a strobe key (not shown). Regardless of the subject brightness, a forced light emission mode in which the flash device 46 emits light or a light emission inhibition mode in which the flash device 15 is inhibited from emitting light is set.
[0072]
The CPU 78 controls charging control of a main capacitor (not shown), discharge (light emission) timing to a light emitting tube (for example, a xenon tube) and the like according to a strobe mode selected by the user. The CPU 78 performs white balance control according to the setting of the strobe mode.
[0073]
The EEPROM 86 stores adjustment value data necessary for white balance control, and the CPU 78 utilizes these data as necessary.
[0074]
The AF control of the camera 10 is, for example, contrast AF that moves the photographing lens 50 so that the high-frequency component of the G signal is maximized, and the lens is driven so that the high-frequency component of the G signal is maximized when the release button 17 is half-pressed. The photographing lens 50 is moved to the in-focus position via the unit 88.
[0075]
In the AE control, R, G, and B signals are captured a plurality of times (up to four times) at a predetermined exposure, and the subject brightness (shooting EV value) is calculated based on an integrated value obtained by integrating these R, G, and B signals. Ask. Then, the aperture 52 is driven via the aperture drive unit 90 so that the aperture value is determined when the shutter button is fully pressed (S2 is on), and the charge accumulation time is set by the electronic shutter so that the determined shutter speed is obtained. Control.
[0076]
The integration circuit 92 calculates an average integration value for each divided area obtained by dividing one screen into a plurality of divisions (for example, 8 × 8) in automatic white balance (AWB) control. In addition, multipliers 94R, 94G, and 94B are provided between the integrating circuit 92 and the CPU 78, and adjustment gain values for adjusting variations in the devices are added to the multipliers 94R, 94G, and 94B. It has become.
[0077]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing portions related to auto white balance control and image protection control. 4, parts that are the same as or similar to those in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted. When the strobe device 15 is caused to emit light, white balance correction values Rg, Gg, and Bg for performing good white balance with respect to the strobe light are added to the white balance adjustment circuit 70. Hereinafter, white balance control when the strobe does not emit light will be described.
[0078]
When the shutter button is fully pressed, the R, G, B signals output from the CCD 54 are input to the A / D converter 60 via the CDS 58, and the R, G, B signals for one screen are output from the A / D converter 60. Is output and temporarily stored in the memory 64.
[0079]
The R, G, B signals read from the memory 64 are subjected to black level correction (OB correction) for correcting the black level offset caused by the dark current generated in the CCD 54 in the black level correction unit 100.
[0080]
Subsequently, the integration circuit 92 divides this one screen into a plurality of areas (for example, 8 × 8), and obtains an average integration value for each color of the R, G, and B signals for each divided area. In the R / G and B / G conversion section 102, the ratio R / G between the integrated value of the R signal and the integrated value of the G signal, and the integrated value of the B signal and the G A ratio B / G with the integrated value of the signal is obtained. Note that the number of divisions per screen can be appropriately designed according to the design of the camera 10 such as resolution and internal processing speed.
[0081]
The R / G and B / G integrated values obtained for each divided area as described above are sent to the white balance processing unit 104.
[0082]
In the white balance processing unit 104, the R / G and B / G average integrated values for each divided area are R / G (horizontal axis) and B / G (vertical axis) in FIG. Of the detection frames on the expressed color coordinate 200, it is determined which detection frame is included.
[0083]
It should be noted that the blue sky detection frame 202, the shade detection frame 204, the daylight color detection frame 206, the daylight detection frame 208, the green detection frame 210, the white detection frame 212, the warm white detection frame 214, tungsten (1) at the color coordinate 200 in FIG. ) Detection frame 216, Tungsten (2) Detection frame 218 Daylight white color detection frame 220 and skin color detection frame 222 define the range of color distribution such as light source type for each detection frame.
[0084]
Further, the shade detection frame 204, the tungsten (1) detection frame 216, the tungsten (2) detection frame 218, and the skin color detection frame 222 are each divided into four regions, and the white detection frame 212 and the daytime white detection frame are each two regions. It is divided into However, the types and number of detection frames, the setting range, and the like are not limited to this example, and various designs are possible.
[0085]
4 obtains a distribution of 64 points corresponding to each area of the imaging screen using the detection frame on the color coordinate 200 shown in FIG. 5, and the distribution of 64 points for each detection frame. To average. In other words, the center of gravity (Rd, Bd) is calculated for only the points output to each detection frame by the number and weighting that have entered each detection frame. If the average coordinate for each frame is (Ri, Bi), and the number in each detection frame is Ni, the barycentric point is calculated by the following equation.
[0086]
[Expression 1]
Rd = Σ {(Ni / Ri)} / Ni
Bd = Σ {(Ni / Bi)} / Ni
The white balance adjustment gain is obtained by the white balance adjustment gain calculation unit 110 from the center of gravity obtained in this way. The white balance adjustment gain can be calculated by multiplying the reciprocal from the barycentric point (Rd, Bd) to the point (1, 1) that turns gray in the color coordinate 200 of FIG. Further, when a point other than the point (1, 1) that becomes gray is set as a target value, white balance adjustment that leaves the color of the light source can be performed. When an arbitrary target value is (Tr, Tb), the white balance adjustment gains Rg and Bg are expressed by the following equations.
[0087]
[Expression 2]
Rg = Tr / Rd
Bg = Tb / Bd
Further, it is possible to determine the light source type that has captured the image, depending on which detection frame of the color coordinate 200 shown in FIG. A scene can be determined using the determination.
[0088]
An image protection function in which a protected image is selected from images recorded in the image recording memory 83 using the above-described shooting scene determination, and processing that cannot be reproduced in the reproduction mode is performed on the protected image. The camera 10 is provided.
[0089]
In order to perform image protection using the image protection function provided in the camera 10, first, the control of the camera 10 is set to the image protection mode, and then a key scene serving as an authentication key is photographed by the imaging means of the camera 10. Images taken after the key scene are protected images.
[0090]
The key scene is subjected to predetermined image processing, and then the barycentric point is calculated by the barycentric point calculating unit 108 of the white balance control unit 104. In the image protection processing unit 114, the barycentric point is displayed on the color coordinate 200 shown in FIG. Which of the detection frames is included is detected, and the photographing scene (light source type) is determined based on the detected detection frame. Thereafter, key scene information including at least a detection frame (photographing scene) detected by the image protection processing unit 114 is recorded in the image protection recording unit 116. Note that the key scene information includes at least the detected detection frame (light source type), other white balance adjustment values, shooting conditions (such as shutter speed, exposure, aperture, whether or not a strobe is used), data amount, and resolution. , Compression rate, etc. may be included. Also, the key scene image may be recorded, or the key scene image may not be recorded and only the key scene information may be recorded.
[0091]
As an example of recording the light source type, there is a mode in which an identifier such as a number is attached in advance to the detection frame on the color coordinate 200 shown in FIG. 5 and the number is recorded.
[0092]
In order to cancel the image protection described above, a scene detected as the light source type having the same light source type or the same color distribution as the key scene described above in the protection cancellation mode may be photographed as a key release scene. For example, even when a key scene is shot in an employee cafeteria (white light source), there is no need to go to the same location to remove protection, and to take the key release scene. You can shoot a key release scene. This does not mean that you can't remove protection because you can't go back to the same place by shooting the key scene while traveling abroad.
[0093]
When the image protection setting switch 36 is pressed in the shooting mode, the control of the camera 10 enters the protection release mode, the key release scene is shot in the protection release mode, and predetermined image processing is performed on the shot key release scene. Then, the centroid point calculation unit 108 of the white balance control unit 104 calculates the centroid point. The image protection processing unit 114 uses this barycentric point to determine the type of light source depending on which detection frame on the color coordinate 200 shown in FIG. The detection frame of the key release scene and the detection frame of the key scene recorded in the image protection recording unit 116 are collated, and when the detection frames coincide with each other, the image protection is released, and the protected image is reproduced in the reproduction mode. It becomes possible to play with.
[0094]
Note that the key release scene does not need to shoot the same image (subject) as the key scene, and may shoot an image that falls within the same detection frame on the color coordinate 200. For example, when a wall of a restaurant at a travel destination is photographed as a key scene and image protection is performed, it is difficult to photograph the exact same image, so an indoor wall that falls within the same detection frame on the color coordinate 200 Can be taken as a key release scene.
[0095]
When the strobe device 15 emits light, the white balance adjustment value suitable for the strobe light is set in advance, and thus the above white balance processing is not performed. Therefore, the camera 10 automatically inhibits flash emission when shooting a key scene and a key release scene. The photographer may set the strobe light emission prohibition setting.
[0096]
In the image protection function described above, even if several images are already recorded in the image recording memory 83, the already recorded images are not protected, and the images captured after the key scene is captured are protected. The image recording memory 83 can record a protected image and a non-protected image together. By applying the above-described image protection function, a mode in which a protected image is recorded in the image recording memory 83 and an unprotected image is recorded in the memory card 82 is also possible.
[0097]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of image protection control in the shooting mode.
[0098]
The shooting mode is selected by the mode selection switch 26 shown in FIG. 2, and shooting becomes possible (step S10), and the process proceeds to step S12. If the image protection setting switch 36 is not pressed in step S12 (NO determination), the normal shooting mode is set (step S32), and normal shooting can be performed. During normal shooting, the end of shooting is monitored (step S34). If shooting is not completed (NO determination), the process returns to step S12, and when shooting end processing is performed (YES determination), the shooting mode is ended (step S36). ).
[0099]
On the other hand, when the image protection setting switch 36 is pressed in step S12 (YES determination), the control of the camera 10 enters the image protection mode (step S14). In the image protection mode, first, a key scene which is an authentication key is photographed (step S16), and it is detected which detection frame on the color coordinate 200 shown in FIG. Is determined (step S18).
[0100]
In step S18, when the scene determination of the key image cannot be performed (the corresponding detection frame does not exist) (NO determination), the process proceeds to step S20 to select whether or not to re-capture the key scene. At this time, since the photographing scene of the key scene cannot be determined, a message prompting the photographer to re-capture the key scene may be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24.
[0101]
In step S20, when the key scene is not re-photographed (NO determination), the process proceeds to step S22 to monitor the end of the image protection mode.
[0102]
In step S22, when the image protection setting switch 36 is not pressed down and the image protection mode is not ended (NO determination), monitoring of the end of the image protection mode is continued, the image protection setting switch 36 is pressed again, and the image protection mode is set. When the mode is ended (YES determination), the process proceeds to step S30 to select whether or not to perform normal shooting.
[0103]
If normal shooting is not performed in step S30 (NO determination), the process proceeds to step S34, and the end of shooting is monitored. If normal shooting is performed in step S30 (YES determination), the process proceeds to step S32, and normal shooting is performed. It becomes possible.
[0104]
If the photographing scene of the key scene is determined in step S18 (YES determination), the key scene information is recorded in the image protection recording unit 116 shown in FIG. 4 (step S24 in FIG. 6), and the process proceeds to step S26 for protection. Images can be taken. When a desired protected image is taken, the taken protected image is recorded in the image recording memory 83 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the control of the camera 10 proceeds to step S28, and the end of the image protection mode is monitored.
[0105]
In step S28, if the protection setting mode is not ended (NO determination), it is possible to continue capturing the protected image (step S22). If the protection setting mode is ended in step S28 (YES determination), the process proceeds to step S30. Proceed to select whether or not to perform normal shooting.
[0106]
When taking a protected image, it may be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24 so that it can be selected whether to take the protected image or to end the protected image shooting.
[0107]
In the present embodiment, an example in which a protected image is shot after a key scene has been shot is illustrated. However, either the key scene or the protected image is shot during the image protection mode. The photographing selection screen to be displayed may be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24, and the photographer may select to photograph the key scene and the protected image when photographing.
[0108]
Further, although a mode in which the protected image is recorded in the image recording memory 83 is shown, the protected image may be recorded in the memory card 82 or in another memory provided in the camera 10. Alternatively, it may be selectively recorded in a plurality of memories. A flag is set on the protected image, and various controls can be performed using this flag.
[0109]
If the above-described process is performed a plurality of times, a plurality of key scene information can be recorded. If the image protection mode is ended after recording the key scene information and the image protection mode is entered again, the image protection is performed based on the recorded key scene information or a new key scene is taken. The photographer may select one of them. When image protection is performed based on the recorded key scene information, the processing from step S26 shown in FIG. 6 is performed.
[0110]
Next, cancellation of image protection will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of control in the preview mode.
[0111]
The playback mode (preview mode) is selected by the mode selection switch 26 shown in FIG. 2, and the images recorded in the memory card 82 and the image recording memory 83 can be played back (step S100). In step S102, the preview is displayed. It is selected whether the target is the memory card 82 or the image recording memory 83. All the protected images are recorded in the image protection memory 83.
[0112]
If the memory card 82 is selected in step S102 (NO determination), all the images recorded on the memory card 82 can be previewed (step S104), and an image list is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24 to select a desired image. Then, the selected image is displayed on the full screen on the liquid crystal monitor 24. When the recorded image is previewed, the control of the camera 10 monitors the end of the preview (step S116).
[0113]
In step S130, if the preview is not ended (NO determination), the process proceeds to step S102, and if the preview end process is performed, the preview is ended (step S118).
[0114]
In step S102, when the image recording memory 83 is selected (YES determination), it is determined whether the image recorded in the image recording memory 83 is a protected image (step S108). (NO determination), the image can be previewed (step S106), and the previewable images are displayed in a list on the liquid crystal monitor 24. When a desired image is selected from the image list, the selected image is displayed on the full screen. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S160 to monitor the end of the preview mode.
[0115]
On the other hand, the image determined as the protected image in step S108 (YES determination) is not displayed in the image list displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24 (step S110). In this way, the protected image can be protected by an image that cannot be seen by others.
[0116]
In order to cancel the image protection of the protected image, first, the image protection setting switch 36 is pressed in the preview mode, and the control of the camera 10 is set to the image protection cancellation mode.
[0117]
A screen for selecting whether or not to cancel the image protection is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24 (step S112). When not to cancel the image protection (NO determination), the process proceeds to step S116 to monitor the end of the preview mode.
[0118]
On the other hand, when canceling image protection is selected in step S112 (YES determination), the control of the camera 10 shifts to an image protection cancel mode (step S114).
[0119]
In the image protection release mode (step S130 in FIG. 8), first, a key release scene that functions as an authentication key for protection release is photographed (step S132), and the image protection processing unit 114 shown in FIG. Which detection frame on the color coordinate 200 is entered is detected (step S134).
[0120]
Subsequently, the photographing scene of the key release scene detected in the image protection processing unit 114 and the detection frame in the key scene recorded in the image protection recording unit 116 are collated in the image protection cancellation determination unit 118 of FIG. S136) When the detection frame in the key scene and the detection frame in the key release scene do not match (NO determination), a message that the protection cannot be canceled is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24, and the key A liquid crystal monitor 24 screen for selecting whether or not to re-shoot the release scene is displayed (step S138). An aspect in which the photographer is informed that the protection cannot be canceled may be performed by voice or warning sound.
[0121]
If it is selected in step S138 that re-photographing of the key release scene is not performed (NO determination), the control of the camera 10 proceeds to step S140, the playback protection processing is continued for the recorded image, and the image protection release mode is terminated. Monitoring is performed (step S146).
[0122]
In step S146, if the image protection cancellation mode is not ended (NO determination), monitoring of the image protection cancellation mode end is continued, the image protection setting switch is pressed again, and the image protection cancellation mode is canceled (YES determination). ), The control of the camera 10 proceeds to step S148, and the preview mode is terminated.
[0123]
On the other hand, if re-photographing of the key release scene is selected in step S138 (YES determination), the key release scene is photographed (step S132).
[0124]
In step S136, if the detection frame in the key scene matches the detection frame in the key release scene (YES determination), the protection of the protected image is canceled and previewing is possible (step S144), and the process proceeds to step S146. Monitor the end of image protection release mode.
[0125]
In the image protection function described above, the image protection for the image to be shot and the cancellation thereof have been described. However, by applying the image protection function described above, a protected image is selected from the already recorded images, and the image protection is performed. Is possible.
[0126]
In the preview mode, when the image protection setting switch 36 is pressed, the control of the camera 10 is configured to be in an image protection cancellation mode, and a selection means for selecting whether to perform image protection setting or image protection cancellation. It comprises. The selection means may add hardware such as a switch, or may be configured to select by software. In the present embodiment, an aspect configured to be selected by software will be described.
[0127]
Specifically, after the process that enables the recorded image to be previewed in step S106 in FIG. 7, a screen for selecting whether to protect the recorded image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 24, and when image protection is not performed. In step S130, when image protection is to be performed, the control of the camera 10 may be configured to proceed to image protection control for a recorded image.
[0128]
Control for performing the above-described image protection by selecting a desired image from the images recorded in the image recording memory 83 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 that are the same as or similar to those in FIGS. 7 and 8 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0129]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of image protection control and image protection release control in the preview mode.
[0130]
In step S108, if the image is not a protected image (NO determination), the image can be previewed (step S106), and the control of the camera 10 proceeds to step S160 to select whether or not to protect the image. If not image protection is selected (NO determination), the state in which the preview cannot be continued is continued, and the process proceeds to step 116 where the end of the preview mode is monitored.
[0131]
On the other hand, if image protection is selected in step S160 (YES determination), the process proceeds to step S162, and the image protection mode process is performed. FIG. 10 shows details of the image protection mode shown in step S162.
[0132]
In the image protection mode of FIG. 10 (step S170), first, image object protection is selected from the image recording memory 83 shown in FIG. 3 (step S172), and the key scene is photographed (step S174). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S176, where scene determination of the key scene is performed.
[0133]
If the scene of the key scene cannot be determined in step S174 (NO determination), whether or not to reshoot the key scene is selected (step S178), and if no reshooting is selected (NO determination), It is selected whether or not to cancel the image protection mode (step S184).
[0134]
If the image protection mode is not ended in step S184 (NO determination), the end of the image protection mode is monitored. If the end of the image protection mode is selected in step S184 (YES determination), the image protection mode ends. (Step S186), the process proceeds to Step S116 in FIG. 9, and the end of the preview mode is monitored.
[0135]
On the other hand, if re-photographing of the key scene is selected in step S178 (YES determination), the process proceeds to step S174, and the key scene is photographed.
[0136]
When the photographing scene of the key scene is determined in step S176 (YES determination), the key scene information is recorded in the image protection recording unit 116 shown in FIG. 4 (step S180 in FIG. 10).
[0137]
Thereafter, the image selected in step S180 cannot be reproduced by the camera 10 (step S182), and the control of the camera 10 proceeds to step S184 to monitor the end of the protected image setting mode.
[0138]
When it is desired to change the key scene information (protection authentication key), after image protection is canceled by the image protection cancellation process, image protection may be performed through the process of the application example described above.
[0139]
In the present embodiment, the image protection of the image recorded in the image recording memory 83 which is a recording means inside the camera 10 is disclosed. However, the memory card 82 or the camera 10 which is a recording means which can be attached to and detached from the camera 10 is provided. It can also be applied to image protection of images recorded in the internal memory.
[0140]
However, when the above-described image protection is applied to the memory card 82, when viewing an image recorded on the memory card 82 in a device other than the camera 10, the device has the same image protection function as the camera 10. If not, the image protection function may be disabled.
[0141]
The image protection mode includes a mode for prohibiting file operations such as access to, copying, moving, and erasing the image file in addition to prohibiting image reproduction in the preview mode.
[0142]
In this embodiment, the R / G and B / G coordinate systems are used for the color coordinate system used for the white balance control and the image protection function, but the color coordinate is another color coordinate such as R, G, B coordinate system or the like. May be used.
[0143]
The scope of application of the present invention is not limited to digital cameras, and can be widely applied to electronic devices that record electronic images, such as digital video cameras, camera-equipped mobile phones, camera-equipped notebook computers, and camera-equipped PDAs.
[0144]
In the present embodiment, image protection by still image shooting and its cancellation are exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to moving images.
[0145]
The camera 10 configured as described above is configured to authenticate image protection and image protection release by shooting scene determination using light source type determination of white balance control, so that images that are not desired to be seen by others are reliably protected. It becomes possible to do.
[0146]
For the authentication of protection cancellation, a photographic scene (for example, color distribution, light source type) was used instead of a password composed of numbers, letters, symbols, and combinations thereof. Therefore, since the authentication key is vague, such as a shooting scene, it is difficult for others to decrypt the authentication key.
[0147]
Further, since the white balance control provided in the camera 10 is used for the authentication of the image protection and the image protection release, the calculation processing burden of the camera 10 can be reduced.
[0148]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, key information is generated from an image signal acquired via the image pickup means, a protection process is performed in association with the key information, and color distribution information is obtained from an image captured in the protected state. Generated, collated with the color distribution information of the key information, and configured to cancel the protection when the two match. Various protections are possible, such as protecting images shot using this. In addition, since the color distribution of the image is used for releasing the protection, it is difficult to release the protection by another person.
[0149]
Further, in the image protection mode, key information is generated and recorded from an image signal photographed through the imaging unit, and the image signal obtained through the imaging unit is associated with the key information by the image protection unit. The image protection processing is performed, color distribution information is generated from an image captured in a state where the image is protected by the image protection means, and the color distribution information of the key information is collated. In this case, the image protection by the image protection unit is canceled, so that among the images recorded in the same recording unit, it is possible to protect an image that other people do not want to see, and the authentication key is a password or the like. In this way, vague scenes such as shooting scenes indicated by the color distribution are used because they are not composed of letters, numbers, symbols, and combinations thereof. It is difficult.
[0150]
Further, since the desired image is selected from the images recorded in the recording means and the above-described image protection processing is performed on the selected image, the images recorded in the same recording means are selected. Then, you can select and protect images that you don't want others to see.
[0151]
Discrimination of the light source type used for collation at the time of image protection and cancellation of image protection can be used together with the light source type discrimination of white balance adjustment, and the calculation processing burden of the camera can be reduced. Note that it is not necessary to shoot the protection authentication image and the protection cancellation authentication image in exactly the same shooting scene. For example, when the shooting scene of the protection authentication image is shot in a white light source (such as a fluorescent lamp), The protection release authentication image may be taken in any room having a white light source that can be determined to be the same light source type.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a white balance processing and image protection control unit of the camera according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a color coordinate expressed in R / G and B / G coordinates used for shooting scene discrimination.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of image protection control of the camera according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of control in the preview mode of the camera according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of control in an image protection release mode of the camera according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control flow of a preview mode according to an application example of the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow of an image protection mode according to an application example of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Camera, 36 ... Image protection setting switch, 38 ... CPU, 40 ... Camera operation part, 54 ... CCD, 60 ... A / D converter, 64, 82, 83, 116 ... Recording means, 66 ... Digital signal processing part 104 white balance control unit 112 image protection control unit

Claims (7)

Imaging means for capturing an optical image of a subject and outputting an image signal indicating the subject image;
Key information generating means for generating key information used for authentication from an image signal acquired via the imaging means;
Key information storage means for storing the key information generated by the key information generation means;
Limiting means for performing protection processing in association with the key information;
A scene analysis unit that generates color distribution information from a captured image acquired using the imaging unit in a state where the protection process is performed by the limiting unit;
The color distribution information of the photographed image generated by the scene analysis unit and the color distribution information of the key information stored in the key information storage unit are collated, and when the two match, the protection by the limiting unit is canceled. A release means for performing processing;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An imaging unit that captures an optical image of a subject and outputs an image signal indicating the subject image, a signal processing unit that performs predetermined signal processing on the image signal acquired through the imaging unit, and the signal processing unit An electronic camera comprising recording means for recording image data on a recording medium,
Image protection mode setting means for setting an image protection mode for performing image protection processing on an image obtained by the imaging means;
Key information generating means for generating key information used for authentication at the time of image protection from an image signal acquired via the imaging means in the image protection mode;
Key information storage means for storing key information generated by the key information generation means;
Image protection means for performing image protection processing in association with the key information for the image acquired by the imaging means;
A scene analysis unit that generates color distribution information from a captured image acquired using the imaging unit in a state of being protected by the image protection unit;
The color distribution information of the photographed image generated by the scene analysis unit is compared with the color distribution information of the key information stored in the key information storage unit, and image protection by the image protection unit is performed when they match. Image protection release means for performing the release processing;
An electronic camera characterized by comprising: 3. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein the image protection by the image protection means includes at least a playback restriction. 4. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein the image protection means performs an image protection process on an image taken after the key information is stored in the image protection mode. Selecting means for selecting a desired image from the images recorded on the recording medium;
5. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein the image protection unit performs control to perform a protection process on the image selected by the selection unit. Color information generating means for generating color information from an image signal acquired via the imaging means;
Detection frame setting means for setting a detection frame indicating a range of color distribution corresponding to the light source type on a predetermined color coordinate;
A color information acquisition unit that divides a screen imaged by the imaging unit into a plurality of areas and acquires color information for each area;
Distribution information acquisition means for obtaining the distribution of the area with respect to the detection frame based on the color information of each area acquired by the color information acquisition means;
A light source type determining means for determining a light source type based on a distribution of the area with respect to the detection frame;
With
6. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein collation with the key information is performed based on a light source type determined by the light source type determination unit. Imaging a protection authentication image used for authentication of image protection using an imaging means for converting an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal;
Generating key information for authentication from an image signal indicating the protection authentication image output from the imaging means;
Recording the generated key information;
Performing image protection processing by associating the key information with respect to an image acquired via the imaging means;
Imaging the protection cancellation authentication image used for authentication of the protection cancellation of the image subjected to the image protection processing by the imaging unit;
Generating color distribution information from the unprotected authentication image;
Collating the color distribution information of the protection release authentication image with the color distribution information of the recorded key information, and canceling the protection of the image that has been subjected to the image protection process when they match.
An image protection method comprising:

Images