JP2005176016A - Camera system, electronic camera used for it and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera system for individually limiting a plurality of functions of an electronic camera, and to provide a management device and the electronic camera used in it. <P>SOLUTION: The camera system is provided with: one or a plurality of electronic cameras for electrically converting and recording the optical image of an object through the plurality of functions; and the management device for performing radio communication with the electronic cameras and managing the electronic cameras. Each of the electronic cameras is provided with a control part for individually controlling the use of the plurality of functions. The management device communicates with the control part and individually limits the plurality of functions of the electronic camera. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a camera system, and more particularly to control of a photographing function of an electronic camera used in the camera system. The present invention is suitable, for example, for an electronic camera used for a rental service and a rental system thereof.

Conventionally, as a rental service system using an electronic camera, a CD-R that records an image data print or image data photographed by a user at the time of entry at a concert or amusement park. A service for passing a storage medium like this to a user is known. At that time, the lending side may want to limit the shooting function. For example, when the camera is lent out, the number of images that can be taken and the usage limit of the flash are stored in the recording medium of the camera body (see, for example, Patent Document 1), or the function is controlled according to the contract content (for example, patent (Refer to Document 2) When shooting an event that has a communication function and is held at a predetermined place in the venue, the shooting conditions or shooting conditions corresponding to the place where the event is held are corrected. It has already been proposed as control of a conventional photographing function to acquire information for the purpose of communication via a communication function (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2001-28707 A JP 2003-1116040 A JP 2003-69861 A

  However, for example, in places where the camera itself cannot be brought in, such as concert venues, or where the progress is hindered by filming, such as in theaters, visitors may be prohibited from taking pictures or restrict functions. There is a need to. Moreover, when restricting functions, there is a demand for controlling one or more of a plurality of functions. In this regard, Patent Document 3 acquires shooting conditions by communication, but this is intended to enable the user to properly capture the theme park attractions, and not to limit shooting. No (see Patent Document 3, paragraph number 0036).

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera system that individually restricts the functions of an electronic camera, a management device used in the camera system, and an electronic camera.

  A camera system according to one aspect of the present invention manages one or a plurality of electronic cameras that electrically convert and record an optical image of a subject through a plurality of functions and wirelessly communicates with the electronic cameras. Each of the electronic cameras has a control unit that individually controls use of the plurality of functions, and the management device communicates with the control unit, A plurality of functions of the electronic camera are individually restricted. The plurality of functions include, for example, a shooting function, a flash function, and a zoom function.

  An electronic camera according to another aspect of the present invention is an electronic camera that is managed by a management apparatus, constitutes a camera system together with the management apparatus, and electrically converts and records an optical image of a subject through a plurality of functions. And a control unit that individually controls use of the plurality of functions through communication with the management device, and a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the management device. The plurality of functions include, for example, a shooting function, a flash function, and a zoom function.

  A control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a control method for an electronic camera that is managed by a management device, forms a camera system together with the management device, and electrically converts and records an optical image of a subject through a plurality of functions A first step of determining whether or not a photographing permission signal has been received from the management device, a second step of determining whether or not an operation for enabling the function has been performed, and the function A third step of determining whether or not a signal for enabling operation has been received from the management device; and the first step prohibits shooting of the electronic camera when it is determined that the signal of permission for shooting has not been received. It is determined that the fourth step and the first step have received the photographing permission signal, the second step is determined to be operated, and the third step is performed. And determining that the electronic camera has received the photographing permission signal, and a fifth step that enables the electronic camera to perform photographing with the permitted function. When it is determined that the second step is not operated or the third step is not received, the electronic camera can perform shooting without the function. And a sixth step. A program for executing such a method also constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

  A management apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a camera system together with one or a plurality of electronic cameras that electrically convert and record an optical image of a subject through a plurality of functions. A management apparatus for managing, comprising: one or a plurality of slave stations for performing wireless communication with the electronic camera; and a control unit for restricting the function of the electronic camera.

  Further objects and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the preferred embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera system that individually restricts a plurality of functions of an electronic camera, a management device used in the camera system, and an electronic camera.

Hereinafter, a camera system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the camera system 1. The camera system 1 is a system that lends a plurality of electronic cameras 2 _{1 to} 2 _n and individually controls their functions. The electronic cameras 2 _{1 to} 2 _n , a control terminal (PC) 3, and a control station 4 And slave stations 5 _{1 to} 5 _n .

The electronic cameras 2 _{1 to} 2 _n are objects lent to visitors, and as shown in FIG. 2, the lens 6 and the strobe 7 are on the front, the release button 8, the antenna 9, and the overhead display 10 are zoomed on the top, and the rear is zoomed. A switch 11 is arranged. Here, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of each electronic camera.

As shown in FIG. 3, each camera includes a main board (control unit) 12, a communication unit 13, a power switch (SW) 14, a strobe SW 15, a shutter 16, a zoom SW 17, a memory 18, a motor 19, and a lens barrel ( Zoom) 20. Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of each camera. The main board 12 communicates with the terminals 3 through the communication units 13 through the slave stations 5 _{1 to} 5 _n and the control station 4, and controls the operation of each component under the control of the terminal 3. In this embodiment, in particular, the functions of the shutter 16, zoom 20, and strobe 21 are controlled. The communication unit 13 can communicate with a slave station using a wireless communication technology known in the industry such as a mobile phone, PHS, Bluetooth, FM.

  The power supply SW14 is a switch that enables operation of a power supply (not shown) that supplies power to each unit. The strobe SW 15 enables the strobe 21 to operate. The shutter 16 images the subject by opening and closing. The memory 18 may be built in the main body, or may be detachably mounted as a dedicated recording medium in which a rental ID is input in advance. By configuring the memory 18 as a recording medium, it is possible to check how many photos were taken at which place when returning, and it is possible to finely set a charging method according to the contents, or to use it as a function to prevent theft. . The zoom SW 17 enables the zoom function, and the motor 19 is a drive unit for driving the lens barrel 20 to obtain the zoom function.

The administrator can manage the control station 4 and the slave stations 5 _{1 to} 5 _n through the terminal 3, and each is connected to be communicable through a wireless or wired network. When the administrator wants to change the shooting conditions of the electronic cameras 2 _{1 to} 2 _n , the shooting is prohibited to the slave stations 5 _{1 to} 5 _n via the terminal 3 and the control station 4, and the strobe 21 and zoom are prohibited from being used. Arbitrary information is transmitted by radio waves such as specific low power, mobile phone, PHS, Bluetooth, FM. Then, as a result of the slave station _{5 1} to _{5 n} and the electronic camera _{2 1 2 n} communicate can be controlled individually with the electronic camera _{2 1 2 n} imaging conditions.

Specifically, the electronic camera 2 _{1 to} 2 _n changes the control parameter of each part by the signal sent from the slave stations 5 _{1 to} 5 _n , and thereby the strobe 21 or the zoom or photographing itself is changed. Restrict. In addition, the administrator can permit photographing only in the communication range, restrict the function within a predetermined communication range, or arbitrarily set the function restriction. Hereinafter, main operations of the camera system 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a camera function limiting method in the camera system 1. The method shown in FIG. 4 is embodied as a program and constitutes one aspect of the present invention.

The main board 12, the power switch 14 is in ON (step S401), and determines whether to communicate with the communication unit 13 the child station 5 ₁ to 5 _n it has received a signal to enable the shutter 16 (Step S402). When the signal received by the communication unit 13 is sent to the main board 12, the main board 12 can restrict functions other than the power supply SW 14. If the photographing permission signal is not received in step S402, photographing is not possible even if the shutter 16 is operated when the photographing prohibiting signal is included.

  First, the main board 12 determines whether or not the user is using the flash by turning on the strobe SW 15 (step S403). If it is determined that the user is using the flash board 21, whether or not the use permission signal of the strobe 21 has been received. (Step S404), and if it is received, the strobe 21 is enabled. On the other hand, when the main board 12 determines that the use permission signal for the strobe 21 has not been received (step S404), the main board 12 prohibits the use of the strobe 21. As a result, the user cannot use the strobe 21 even if the strobe SW 15 is operated.

  On the other hand, when the main board 12 determines that the user does not use the flash by turning on the strobe SW 15 (step S403), or determines that the use permission signal for the strobe 21 has not been received (step S404). ), It is determined whether or not the user uses the zoom by turning on the zoom SW 17 (step S405). If it is determined in step 405 that the main board 12 is in use, the main board 12 then determines whether or not the zoom 20 use permission signal has been received (step S406). If it has been received, the strobe 21 can be used. To. On the other hand, when the main board 12 determines that the use permission signal for the zoom 20 has not been received (step S405), the main board 12 prohibits the use of the zoom 20. As a result, the user cannot use both the motor 19 and the zoom 20 even if the zoom SW 17 is operated.

  However, even if the strobe 21 and / or the zoom 20 cannot be used, the shutter 16 can operate, so that the photographed image can be recorded in the memory 18.

For example, in a concert venue as shown in FIG. 5 in which a camera cannot normally be brought in, a visitor who has finished the camera check 22 at the entrance may rent rental dedicated cameras 2 _{1 to} 2 _n at the rental store 22. it can. The slave stations 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ are installed in advance in the lobby 23 and the passenger seat 24, respectively, and the functions of the cameras 2 _{1 to} 2 _n lent by the administrator according to the time schedule can be restricted.

For example, slave station 5 ₁ installed in the lobby 23, strobe from before the performance until after the curtain,'s - beam, but the signal that can be used to take both can send a radio wave of a specific small electric power, it was placed in audience 24 children stations 5 _2, and none before the performance limit, after the Cayenne strobe disabled, captured by the song,'s - can be set to arm are not allowed. Of course, in the area where the entrance of the passage 25 and the office / waiting room 26 is prohibited, it is possible to completely shoot without setting a slave station.

  In addition, for example, it is also possible to provide shooting without failure by transmitting the exposure conditions and shutter speed that are determined in advance by the administrator for dark scenes with low light and subjects with low contrast that are difficult to focus on. . After the concert, the data can be transferred to another medium at the time of collection so that the user can take it home. At the same time, it is possible to collect an extra fee depending on the number of recordings and at the same time to collect an extra fee depending on the shooting location and shooting target.

  Thus, according to the camera system 1 of the present embodiment, a finer rental method can be installed using an electronic camera. Thereby, it is possible to lend a camera even in a place where it was not allowed to bring a camera.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary. For example, the control terminal 3 may change the function restriction of the camera within the communication range of the slave station as in this embodiment, or may identify the camera and restrict the function. For example, the camera ID can be stored in the memory 18, and the control terminal 3 can read the ID from each camera and apply a photographing restriction according to the contract contents. Further, the plurality of functions that should be individually restricted of the electronic camera are not limited to the photographing function, the flash function, and the zoom function.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the camera shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the camera shown in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a camera function limiting method in the camera system shown in FIG. 1. It is a sketch of a concert venue as an example to which the camera system shown in FIG. 1 is applied.

Explanation of symbols

1 camera system 2 _{1 to} 2 _n camera (main body)
3 Control terminal 4 Control station 5 _{1 to} 5 _n Slave station 12 Main board (control unit)
13 Communication Unit 16 Shutter 18 Memory 19 Motor 20 Lens Barrel (Zoom)
21 Strobe

Claims (7)

A camera system having one or more electronic cameras that electrically convert and record an optical image of a subject through a plurality of functions, and a management device that performs wireless communication with the electronic cameras and manages the electronic cameras ,
Each of the electronic cameras has a control unit that individually controls use of the plurality of functions.
The management apparatus communicates with the control unit and individually restricts a plurality of functions of the electronic camera.   The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of functions include a photographing function, a flash function, and a zoom function. An electronic camera that is managed by a management device, constitutes a camera system together with the management device, and electrically converts and records an optical image of a subject through a plurality of functions,
A control unit that individually controls use of the plurality of functions through communication with the management device;
An electronic camera comprising a communication unit for performing wireless communication with the management apparatus.   The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of functions include a photographing function, a flash function, and a zoom function. An electronic camera control method that is managed by a management device, constitutes a camera system together with the management device, and electrically converts and records an optical image of a subject through a plurality of functions,
A first step of determining whether or not a photographing permission signal is received from the management device;
A second step of determining whether an operation for enabling the function has been performed;
A third step of determining whether a signal enabling the function is received from the management device;
A fourth step of prohibiting photographing by the electronic camera when it is determined that the first step does not receive the photographing permission signal;
When the first step determines that the photographing permission signal is received, the second step determines that an operation is performed, and the third step determines that the electronic camera is received, the electronic camera A fifth step that allows the user to take a picture with the permitted function;
When it is determined that the first step has received the photographing permission signal, the second step has determined that no operation has been performed, or the third step has not been received. And a sixth step enabling the electronic camera to take a picture without the function.   A program for executing the method according to claim 5. A management apparatus for configuring a camera system together with one or a plurality of electronic cameras that electrically convert and record an optical image of a subject through a plurality of functions, and managing the one or a plurality of electronic cameras,
One or a plurality of slave stations for performing wireless communication with the electronic camera;
And a control unit for restricting the function of the electronic camera.