JP2006186649A - Imaging terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging terminal, capable of ringing a shutter tone in a sufficient tone volume at photographing without fail so as to inform surrounding people about the act of photographing and preventing abuse of photographed image data. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging terminal includes a data storage section 15 for storing an application for setting a shutter ringing sounder or shutter sound setting data settable by data, with respect to the shutter ringing sound; a shutter sound generating section 13 for generating the shutter sound, on the basis of the shutter sound setting data stored in the data storage section 15; and a sounder monitoring section 14 which decides whether shutter sound is larger than the predetermined volume, when shutter sound generated by data about application or shutter generating sound which establishes shutter generating sound, when it is decided, based on the decision of the sounder monitering section 14 that shutter sound is not larger than predetermind volume, shutter sound larger than predetermined volume is forcedly generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging terminal such as a mobile terminal with a camera function that can install, set, or rewrite data relating to an application that sets shutter sound and shutter sound.

At present, portable terminals with camera functions having a photographing device such as a digital camera in a mobile phone or the like are widespread, but voyeurism by portable terminals with camera functions has become a social problem.
Therefore, for the purpose of notifying the shooting action to the surroundings, it is common to always make a shutter sound with a sufficient volume at the time of shooting regardless of the manner mode setting, and it is also a carrier specification for camera-equipped mobile phones. ing.

In addition, shutter sound data to be sounded at the time of shooting can be selected by setting in advance, but currently, the options are fixed, and the user can set only from the options prepared in advance.
Therefore, no matter what sound data is set by the user, a shutter sound with a sufficient volume can be always generated at the time of shooting, and the shooting action can be notified to the surroundings.

On the other hand, portable terminals equipped with platforms such as BREW, iαppli, V-appli, Microsoft Smartphone, Linux, Symbian, etc. have become widespread, and various application software can be added according to user preferences.
As a result, application software capable of controlling the camera function can be added and used at the user's discretion.

  As described above, for example, the following first to seventh devices have been proposed as devices configured to emit a shutter sound during shooting.

  The first device is an imaging terminal such as an electronic still camera that has no mechanical shutter sound or is hardly audible, and intuitively knows the shutter time at the time of shooting by outputting voice at the start and end of shooting. It is an imaging terminal that can be used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The second device is a mobile phone that can use audio data acquired from a server via a network as shutter sound.

  The third device is a recording / reproducing device capable of rewriting a camera control program including a shutter sound on a memory card.

  The fourth device is a digital camera that can download shutter sound data from a server and change the setting.

  The fifth device is a portable terminal that can download an accessory application from a network.

  The sixth apparatus is a system that remotely supports an electronic device such as a digital camera that provides a digital camera diagnostic application via a network.

The seventh device is a mobile phone that can provide an application or the like via a network.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-338956

By the way, in the near future, it is expected that the sound data for shutter sound described above can be freely obtained by the user via the Internet or an external device and added to the options.
In that case, there is a possibility that the user sets sound data for shutter sound that is not appropriate for the purpose of notifying the surroundings of the photographing action.

  In addition, in the case of a mobile terminal with a camera function equipped with the above-described platform, there is a possibility that camera application software having a specification that does not sound a shutter sound during shooting or can be silenced by setting may be used additionally. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging terminal that can always produce a shutter sound having a sufficient volume at the time of shooting, and that can prevent abuse of shot image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a data storage unit that stores shutter sound setting data that can be set by an application that sets a shutter sound or data related to the shutter sound; Shutter sound generating means for generating a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setting data stored in the data storage unit, and whether or not the shutter sound generated by the application for setting the shutter generated sound or the data related to the shutter generated sound is equal to or higher than a predetermined volume Shutter sound suitability check means for determining whether or not the shutter sound suitability check means determines that the shutter sound is not equal to or greater than the processing amount, and forcibly generates a shutter sound equal to or greater than the processing volume.

  Preferably, the photographing means, the photographing driver that controls the photographing means, the shutter sound driver that controls the shutter sound generating means, the photographing application that commands the photographing driver and the shutter sound driver, and the photographing application A forced shutter sound generation driver that detects that a shooting instruction is instructed to the imaging driver and instructs the shutter sound generation means to generate shutter sound separately from the shutter sound driver.

  Preferably, the shutter sound suitability checking means determines that the shutter sound suitability is appropriate when a shutter sound having a predetermined volume or more is generated within a predetermined time from the start of photographing.

  Preferably, the data storage unit includes a shutter sound setting data storage unit that stores setting data, and a basic shutter sound data storage unit that stores basic shutter sound, and the shutter sound generation means includes the chatter sound. If it is determined by the aptitude checking means that the shutter is unsuitable, a shutter sound is generated from the basic shutter sound data in the basic shutter sound data storage unit.

  An imaging terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention stores a shutter sound setting data that can be set by an application for setting a shutter-generated sound or data relating to the shutter-generated sound, and stored in the data storage section. Shutter sound generating means for generating shutter sound based on shutter sound setting data, and shutter sound suitability check for determining whether or not the shutter sound generated by the application for setting the shutter generated sound or the data related to the shutter generated sound is equal to or higher than a predetermined volume And a storage unit for temporarily storing captured image data, and prohibiting reading of the captured image data stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the shutter sound is not appropriate.

  Preferably, when the shutter sound suitability check means determines that the shutter sound is not suitable, the photographed image data stored in the storage unit is deleted.

  Preferably, the shutter sound suitability check means includes at least one of means for detecting the volume of the shutter sound by a microphone and means for detecting a digital or analog signal amplitude related to the shutter sound of the shutter sound generating means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to make a shutter sound with a sufficient volume at the time of photographing, and it is impossible to use photographed image data acquired by photographing, so that it is possible to prevent abuse of the photographed image data.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a mobile phone to which an imaging terminal according to the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cellular phone 10 includes a wireless communication unit 11, an imaging unit (camera unit) 12 as an imaging unit, a notification unit (sounder unit) 13 as a shutter sound generation unit, and a shutter sound suitability check unit. Sounder monitoring unit 14, memory unit 15 as data storage unit, display unit 16, voice output unit 17, voice input unit 18, key operation unit 19, control unit 20, and clock / timer unit 21.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 30 denotes a radio base station, and 31 denotes a communication network.

In order to perform wireless communication using radio waves, the wireless communication unit 11 modulates various information such as image data, audio information, and e-mail processed by the control unit 20 and transmits the wireless base station 30 through a transmission / reception antenna (not shown). It transmits to the communication network 31 including.
In addition, the wireless communication unit 11 receives image data, audio information, e-mail, and the like transmitted from a server (not shown) via the communication network 31 through a transmission / reception antenna, demodulates various received information, and sends the received data to the control unit 20. Output.

  The camera unit 12 includes an optical system including an objective lens for capturing a subject image, and an imaging processing circuit including an imaging element that converts an image of the subject formed by the optical system into an electrical signal. When a photographing key arranged in the unit 19 is operated, an optical image of the subject is photographed by the optical system.

The imaging processing circuit converts an optical image of a subject formed by the optical system into an electric signal.
Specifically, in the imaging processing circuit, an image of a subject is received by a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in units of pixels on a two-dimensional plane of the imaging element. At that time, color information is separated into three primary colors (R, G, B) through a color filter on the light receiving element.
Then, the imaging processing circuit converts the luminance value of each pixel into a voltage, sequentially converts it into digital data by an analog / digital (A / D) converter, and supplies the digital data to the control unit 20.
As the image sensor, for example, a CCD or a CMOS sensor is applied.

The notification unit (sounder unit) 13 generates a shutter sound according to shutter sound setting data or basic shutter sound data in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 20.
The alerting | reporting part 13 is comprised by the sounder and the vibrator, for example.

The sounder monitoring unit 14 (shutter sound aptitude check function) determines whether or not the shutter sound generated by the sounder unit (notification unit) 13 is equal to or higher than a predetermined volume in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 20, and the generated shutter. It is determined whether the sound is appropriate, and the result is output to the control unit 20.
Here, the sounder monitoring unit 14 includes a microphone and a circuit for A / D converting sound input from the microphone, or performs A / D conversion on the amplitude and the like of the audio signal output to the sounder unit 13. Or a circuit that detects the output volume from the digital data that the control unit 20 outputs to the sounder unit 13.
The sounder monitoring unit 14 that has received an instruction from the control unit 20 monitors the sounder unit 13 and determines whether or not an appropriate sound has been sounded in response to the “purpose of notifying the surroundings of the photographing action” within a certain time.
If it is determined by this determination that an appropriate sound is not produced within a certain time, the sounder monitoring unit 14 instructs the sounder unit driver of the control unit 20 to transmit a sound based on the basic shutter sound data.

In the present embodiment, the following is assumed as a specific example of “determination criteria for appropriate sounding” by the sounder monitoring unit 14.
A sound having a frequency in the audible range is determined as “appropriate” when a sound is produced for 0.2 seconds or more at a volume of 65 dB or more within 0.5 seconds (sec) from the start of monitoring (shooting).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a waveform when a shutter sound having an appropriate volume sounds from the sounder unit.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of waveforms when a shutter sound having an appropriate volume does not sound from the sounder unit.
FIG. 3A shows an example of a waveform when there is no volume of 65 dB or more within 0.5 seconds (sec) from the start of monitoring (shooting). FIG. 3B shows an example of a waveform when the volume of 65 dB or more is less than 0.2 sec before 0.5 seconds (sec) has elapsed since the start of monitoring (imaging).

Further, FIG. 4 shows that the sounder monitoring unit determines that the sound is not sounding according to the determination criteria, instructs the sounder unit driver to send a sound based on the basic shutter sound data, and the sounder unit sends the basic shutter sound. It is a figure which shows the example of a waveform at the time of sounding.
In other words, FIG. 4 shows a waveform example when the basic shutter sound is sounded without the sound of the shutter sound having an appropriate volume from the sounder unit.

The memory unit 15 includes a shutter sound setting data storage unit 151 that stores shutter sound setting data that can be set by an application for setting a shutter generated sound or data related to the shutter generated sound, and a basic shutter prepared as default sound data for the shutter sound. A basic shutter sound data storage unit 152 that stores sound data.
The memory unit 15 is accessed by the control unit 20.
The memory unit 15 includes a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores image data and the like captured and compressed by the imaging unit 12.

The display unit 16 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display device under the control of the control unit 20, and displays a telephone number, various messages, text data, and the like input for a call function.
The display unit 16 displays the subject image obtained by the imaging unit 12.

  The sound processing unit 17 performs predetermined processing on the sound information supplied from the control unit 20 and emits sound from the speaker.

  The sound output unit 18 performs predetermined processing on the sound collected by the microphone and outputs the processed sound to the control unit 20.

  The key operation unit 19 has a plurality of numeric keys and photographing keys corresponding to an end (end call) / power key, a start (call) key, numbers, and the like. Is input to the control unit 20.

The control unit 20 is configured mainly with a microcomputer, and controls the entire mobile phone 10 as an imaging terminal.
For example, the control unit 20 controls wireless transmission / reception of various types of information in the wireless communication unit 11, processes audio information for the audio output unit 17 and the audio input unit 18, controls display of information on the display unit 16, and a key input unit 19. In accordance with the input information, access control to the memory unit 15 is performed.

The control unit 20 may have a function of prohibiting setting of shutter sound setting data based on an application for setting a shutter generated sound or data relating to the shutter generated sound based on the determination of the sounder monitoring unit 14 (shutter sound suitability check function). .
The control unit 20 controls a sounder unit (shutter sound) driver 201 that controls the sounder unit 13, a camera unit (photographing) driver 202, and a camera (photographing) commanding the camera unit driver 202 and the sounder unit (shutter sound) driver 201. An application 203, and a forced shutter sound generation driver that detects that a camera instruction is issued from the camera (photographing) application 203 to the camera unit driver 202 and instructs the sounder unit (shutter sound) driver 201 to generate a shutter sound. ing.

When the camera application 203 issues a shooting instruction to the camera unit driver 202, the control unit 20 issues a sounder unit monitoring instruction from the camera unit driver 202 to the sounder monitoring unit 14.
Upon receiving the instruction, the sounder monitoring unit 14 monitors the sounder unit 13 and determines whether or not an appropriate sound has been produced in response to “the purpose of notifying the surroundings of the photographing action” within a certain period of time.
If it is determined by the above-described determination that an appropriate sound is not produced within a certain time, the sounder monitoring unit instructs the sounder unit driver to send a sound based on basic shutter sound data.
The control unit 20 receives a sound transmission instruction from the sounder monitoring unit 14, accesses the memory unit 15, reads shutter sound setting data or basic shutter sound data, and outputs the data to the sounder unit 13.

  Next, the operation of the imaging terminal of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the imaging terminal 10 of FIG. 1, when the shooting key of the key operation unit 19 is operated (ST1) and a shooting instruction is given to the camera unit driver 202 through the camera application 203 of the control unit 20 (ST2), the camera unit The driver 202 instructs the sounder monitoring unit 14 to monitor the sounder unit 13 (ST3). Upon receiving the instruction, the sounder monitoring unit monitors the sound ringing from the sounder unit for a predetermined time (ST4).
Also, shooting control for the camera unit (imaging unit) 12 is performed from the camera unit driver 202 (ST5).
Further, the camera application 203 issues a shutter sounding instruction to the sounder unit driver 201 (ST6). Accordingly, the shutter sound setting data is read from the memory unit 15 (ST7), and the sounder unit driver 201 controls the sounding of the sounder unit 13 using the shutter sound setting data (ST8).
Next, the sounder monitoring unit 14 determines whether or not the sounder unit has made an appropriate sound for the purpose of notifying the surroundings of the photographing action within a certain period of time.
If it is determined by the above-described determination that an appropriate sound is not produced within a predetermined time, the sounder monitoring unit 14 instructs the sounder unit driver 202 to transmit a sound based on the basic shutter sound data (ST9).
Accordingly, basic shutter sound data is read from the memory unit 15 (ST10), and sounding control is performed from the sounder unit driver 201 to the sounder unit 13 using the basic shutter sound data (ST11).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the data storage unit 15 stores the shutter sound setting data that can be set by the application for setting the shutter generated sound or the data related to the shutter generated sound, and the data storage unit 15. And a sounder for determining whether or not the shutter sound generated by the data relating to the application for setting the shutter generated sound or the shutter generated sound is equal to or higher than a predetermined volume. A monitoring unit 14, and if it is determined that the shutter sound is not higher than a predetermined volume based on the determination of the sounder monitoring unit 14, a shutter sound higher than the predetermined volume is forcibly generated. It is possible to be sure to sound the shutter sound, and to notify the shooting action to the surroundings The ability.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the imaging terminal according to the present invention.

  The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that a captured image temporary storage unit 22 that temporarily stores captured image data acquired by the camera unit 12 at the time of shooting is provided.

In this case, when there is a shooting instruction from the camera application 203 to the camera unit driver 202, the control unit 20A issues a sounder unit monitoring instruction from the camera unit driver 202 to the sounder monitoring unit 14A.
Upon receiving the instruction, the sounder monitoring unit 14A monitors the sounder unit 13 and determines whether or not an appropriate sound has been produced in response to “the purpose of informing the surroundings of the photographing action” within a certain period of time.
In addition, the captured image data acquired by the camera unit 12 by capturing is stored in the captured image temporary storage unit 22 to be in a read prohibition state.
If the sounder unit 12 determines that the appropriate sound is produced within a predetermined time based on the above determination, the sounder monitoring unit 14A cancels the readout prohibition state of the captured image temporary storage unit 22.
When the sounder unit 13 determines that an appropriate sound is not generated within a predetermined time, the sounder monitoring unit deletes the captured image data stored in the captured image temporary storage unit 22.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the imaging terminal of FIG.
In FIG. 7, the same steps as those in FIG. 5 are given the same step numbers.

That is, in the imaging terminal 10A of FIG. 6, when the shooting key of the key operation unit 19 is operated (ST1) and a shooting instruction is given to the camera unit driver 202 through the camera application 203 of the control unit 20A (ST2), The camera unit driver 202 instructs the sounder monitoring unit 14A to monitor the sounder unit 13 (ST3). Upon receiving the instruction, the sounder monitoring unit monitors the sound ringing from the sounder unit for a predetermined time (ST4).
Also, shooting control for the camera unit (imaging unit) 12 is performed from the camera unit driver 202 (ST5).
Further, the camera application 203 issues a shutter sounding instruction to the sounder unit driver 201 (ST6). Accordingly, the shutter sound setting data is read from the memory unit 15 (ST7), and the sounder unit driver 201 controls the sounding of the sounder unit 13 using the shutter sound setting data (ST8).

In addition, the captured image data acquired by the camera unit 12 by capturing is stored in the captured image temporary storage unit 22 to be in a read prohibition state (ST12).
If it is determined that the sounder unit 13 has made an appropriate sound within a predetermined time based on the above-described determination, the sounder monitoring unit 14A cancels the prohibited state by comparing the reading of the captured image temporary storage unit 22 (ST13).
If it is determined that the sounder unit 13 does not sound an appropriate sound within a predetermined time, the sounder monitoring unit 14A deletes the captured image data stored in the captured image temporary storage unit 22 (ST13).
The captured image data stored in the captured image temporary storage unit 22 is read through the camera application 203 of the control unit 20A (ST14). However, reading cannot be performed while reading prohibition is set.

  According to the second embodiment, since captured image data acquired by capturing cannot be used, misuse of captured image data can be prevented.

It is a block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment of the mobile telephone to which the imaging terminal which concerns on this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of a waveform when the shutter sound of a suitable volume rings from a sounder part. It is a figure which shows the example of a waveform when the shutter sound of an appropriate volume does not sound from a sounder part. It is a figure which shows the example of a waveform at the time of sounding the shutter sound of appropriate volume from a sounder part, and sounding a basic shutter sound. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the imaging terminal of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the mobile telephone to which the imaging terminal which concerns on this invention is applied. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the imaging terminal of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,10A ... Mobile phone (imaging terminal), 11 ... Wireless communication part, 12 ... Imaging part (camera part) as imaging means, 13 ... Notification part (sounder part) as shutter sound generation means, 14, 14A ... Shutter Sounder monitoring unit as sound aptitude check means, 15 ... Memory unit as data storage unit, 16 ... Display unit, 17 ... Audio output unit, 18 ... Audio input unit, 19 ... Key operation unit, 20, 20A ... Control unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Clock / timer part, 22 ... Captured image temporary storage part, 30 ... Wireless base station, 31 ... Communication network.

Claims (7)

A data storage unit that stores shutter sound setting data that can be set by an application that sets shutter sound or data related to the shutter sound;
Shutter sound generating means for generating shutter sound based on shutter sound setting data stored in the data storage unit;
Shutter sound suitability check means for determining whether or not the shutter sound generated by the application for setting the shutter generated sound or the data related to the shutter generated sound is equal to or higher than a predetermined volume,
An imaging terminal that forcibly generates a shutter sound equal to or higher than the processing volume when the shutter sound aptitude check means determines that the shutter sound is not equal to or higher than the processing amount. Photographing means;
A photographing driver for controlling the photographing means;
A shutter sound driver for controlling the shutter sound generating means;
A shooting application commanding the shooting driver and the shutter sound driver;
A forced shutter sound generation driver that detects that a shooting instruction is commanded to the shooting driver from the shooting application and commands shutter sound generation to the shutter sound generation unit separately from the shutter sound driver. The imaging terminal according to 1. The imaging terminal according to claim 1, wherein the shutter sound suitability check unit determines that the shutter sound is suitable when a shutter sound having a predetermined volume or more is generated within a predetermined time from the start of photographing. The data storage unit includes a shutter sound setting data storage unit that stores setting data, and a basic shutter sound data storage unit that stores basic shutter sound,
4. The shutter sound generation means generates a shutter sound based on basic shutter sound data stored in the basic shutter sound data storage unit when the shutter sound suitability checking means determines that the shutter sound generation means is inappropriate. 5. The imaging terminal described. A data storage unit that stores shutter sound setting data that can be set by an application that sets shutter sound or data related to the shutter sound;
Shutter sound generating means for generating shutter sound based on shutter sound setting data stored in the data storage unit;
Shutter sound suitability check means for determining whether or not a shutter sound generated by an application for setting the shutter generated sound or data relating to the shutter generated sound is equal to or higher than a predetermined volume;
A storage unit for temporarily storing captured image data,
An imaging terminal that prohibits reading of the captured image data stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the shutter sound is not appropriate. The imaging terminal according to claim 5, wherein the shutter sound suitability check unit deletes the captured image data stored in the storage unit when determining that the shutter sound is not suitable. The shutter sound suitability check means includes at least one of means for detecting the volume of the shutter sound by a microphone and means for detecting a digital or analog signal amplitude related to the shutter sound of the shutter sound generating means. The imaging terminal as described in any one.

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