JP2006196964A - Portable device with camera and photographic restricting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a portable device with a camera which can easily disable only the camera functions, in facilities where a camera is prohibited from being carried in. <P>SOLUTION: The device is provided with an imaging unit for photographing an object, an imaging instruction unit for inputting photographing instructions by the imaging unit, a receiving unit for receiving a photographing rejection signal for rejecting photographing from an external apparatus, a storage unit for storing photographing permission information or photographing rejection information, and a control unit for causing the storage unit to store the photographing rejection information on the basis of the photographing rejection signal received by the receiving unit. When an instruction of photographing start is inputted from the imaging instruction unit, the control unit controls to cause the imaging unit to start photographing, if the photography permission information is stored in the storage unit, and to cause the imaging unit not to start photographing, if the photographing rejection information is stored in the storage unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera-equipped mobile device having a camera function.

  In recent years, an increasing number of companies and facilities are prohibited from bringing in mobile devices with camera functions. In such a case, for example, since it becomes impossible to bring a mobile phone with a camera, it becomes impossible to use functions other than the camera function such as a call and mail.

  As a conventional technology that restricts camera functions, it is possible to restrict the use of communication mode operation including line connection that can be charged by performing PIN code processing to third parties who do not know the PIN code, and unauthorized use There is an electronic camera that can be prevented in advance (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Further, as another conventional technique, a portable information communication terminal device capable of selectively attaching and detaching a plurality of video camera units having different specifications, and identifying the specifications of the mounted video camera units to switch the internal operation. (See, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-238124 (Page 2-5, FIGS. 2 and 3)

JP 2001-245266 (Page 2-4, FIG. 1)

  In Patent Document 1, the camera function of the electronic camera is restricted only in the communication mode, and the camera function can be used in other modes than the communication mode. there were. Further, since all operations other than the power supply are restricted in the communication mode, there is a problem that functions other than the camera function cannot be operated.

  In Patent Document 2, since the video camera unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone is removed, there is a problem that the mechanism becomes complicated and an additional electric circuit is required, leading to an increase in price.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera-equipped portable device that can easily invalidate only the camera function in a facility that prohibits the introduction of a camera. To do.

  A mobile device with a camera according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image of an object, an imaging instruction unit that inputs an imaging instruction from the imaging unit, a receiving unit that receives an imaging rejection signal that rejects imaging from an external device, and imaging A storage unit that stores permission information or shooting rejection information; and a control unit that stores shooting rejection information in the storage unit based on the shooting rejection signal received by the receiving unit, the control unit including the imaging instruction unit When the shooting start instruction is input from, if the shooting permission information is stored in the storage unit, shooting by the imaging unit is started, and if the shooting rejection information is stored in the storage unit, the shooting is performed. The control is performed so as not to start photographing by the unit.

  The mobile device with a camera according to the present invention starts shooting by the imaging unit when shooting start information is stored in the storage unit when the shooting start instruction is input from the imaging instruction unit, and shooting rejection in the storage unit If information is stored, control is performed so that shooting by the imaging unit is not started, so that there is an effect that only the camera function can be easily invalidated in a facility that prohibits the camera from being brought in.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a mobile phone as a camera-equipped mobile device according to the first and second embodiments. In the figure, a UI (User Interface) processing unit 1 as a control unit controls the entire mobile phone, and operates according to a program stored in the internal memory 2. The internal memory 2 is a storage area inside the mobile phone, and has an owner password holding area 3, a third party password holding area 4, and a camera function status holding area 5, and various programs in addition to programs for operating the UI processing unit 1. Is stored. The owner password holding area 3 stores a password set in advance by the owner, and the third party password holding area 4 as a password storage unit is a third party password as a setting password set when the camera function is disabled. The camera function state holding area 5 as a storage unit stores the valid or invalid state of the camera function. The owner password holding area 3, the third party password holding area 4, and the camera function state holding area 5 Is a non-volatile area.
The external input / output processing unit 6 receives information input from the outside of the mobile phone by devices such as a wireless device 7, a communication device 8 as a receiving unit or an input unit, and a camera 9 as an imaging unit, respectively. The data is received via the communication device control unit 11 and the camera control unit 12 and transferred to the UI processing unit 1. The wireless device control unit 10, the communication device control unit 11, and the camera control unit 12 perform control according to instructions from the UI processing unit 1 to the wireless device 7, the communication device 8, and the camera 9.
When the owner of the mobile phone operates the operation unit 13 that provides an input interface such as a button to instruct the camera 9 to start photographing, the UI processing unit 1 receives the camera control unit via the external input / output processing unit 6. 12 activates the camera 9.
When an incoming call from the communication device 14 communicating with the mobile phone via the base station is detected via the wireless device 7, the wireless device control unit 10 performs UI processing on the received incoming signal via the external input / output processing unit 6. Output to part 1. When an incoming signal is input to the UI processing unit 1, the incoming call tone data stored in the internal memory 2 is output from the speaker 15. Further, the UI processing unit 1 outputs incoming call notification image data stored in the internal memory 2 from a display unit 16 that provides a display interface such as an LCD. Thereafter, when the owner operates the operation unit 13 to respond to the incoming call, the external input / output processing unit 6 communicates with the wireless device control unit 10 via the wireless device 7 and the communication device 14 in response to an instruction from the UI processing unit 1. It is possible to talk by controlling to connect.
The communication device 8 is connected to the external device 17 using short-range wireless communication such as BlueTooth, infrared communication such as IrDA (InfraRed Data Association), wired communication such as USB (Universal Serial Bus). The communication device 8 may be a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) card. In this case, the external device 17 is a card read / write device. When the external device 17 is an IC tag, the communication device 8 is a receiver.
The timer control unit 18 as a time measuring unit measures time.

  Next, in the mobile phone according to the first embodiment, a camera function invalidating operation when entering a facility where camera entry is prohibited is described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 1 and 2.

  First, when the owner enters the facility that prohibits the camera from being brought in, if the user operates the operation unit 13 as an input unit to disable the camera function, the UI processing unit 1 displays “camera function invalidation” on the display unit 16. ”Is displayed. When the owner operates the operation unit 13 and selects “camera function invalidation” from the menu list, the UI processing unit 1 displays “Please enter the owner password” on the display unit 16, and the owner password Wait for input. Here, in order to prevent others from mischievously disabling the camera function, it is assumed that the owner understands that the camera function is disabled by inputting the owner password.

When the owner operates the operation unit 13 to input a password (step 2-1), the UI processing unit 1 owns the input password and the owner password holding area 3 of the internal memory 2 User passwords are compared (step 2-2). If the passwords do not match in this comparison, the process ends.
If the owner passwords match in step 2-2, the UI processing unit 1 displays “Please set a third party password” on the display unit 16, and waits for input of the third party password. Here, to enable the camera function by setting a third-party password, the owner activates the camera function without permission until the facility that prohibits the camera from entering enters the third-party password. I can't do that. Here, the third party refers to a facility that prohibits the camera from being brought in, and the third party password is arbitrarily determined by the third party.

When a third party operates the operation unit 13 and a password is input (step 2-3), the UI processing unit 1 stores the input password in the third-party password holding area 4 of the internal memory 2 ( Step 2-4) The camera function invalid state is stored in the camera function state holding area 5 of the internal memory 2 (Step 2-5).
The UI processing unit 1 displays a camera function invalid icon on the display unit 16 (step 2-6), and visually indicates that the camera function is invalid. This prevents the owner from forgetting that the camera function is disabled and tries to shoot the camera, and can clearly indicate that the camera function is disabled for others.

  Next, the operation when the camera function is disabled in the mobile phone according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

When the owner operates the operation unit 13 as an imaging instruction unit to activate a camera function or inputs an instruction to perform shooting, the UI processing unit 1 holds the camera function state in the internal memory 2. It is determined whether the camera function disabled state or the camera function enabled state is stored in the area 5 (step 3-1).
If the camera function enabled state is stored in the camera function state holding area 5 in this determination, the UI processing unit 1 performs the camera control unit via the external input / output processing unit 6 according to the instruction input from the operation unit 13. 12 causes the camera 9 to be activated or photographed.
If the camera function invalid state is stored in the camera function state holding area 5 in step 3-1, the UI processing unit 1 causes the external input / output processing unit 6 to activate the camera function or perform shooting. The process is terminated without giving the instruction.

  Next, in the mobile phone according to Embodiment 1, the camera function enabling operation when leaving a facility where camera entry is prohibited will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 1 and FIG.

  First, when the owner operates the operation unit 13 to enable the camera function when leaving the facility that prohibits the camera from being brought in, the UI processing unit 1 displays a menu list including “camera function enable” on the display unit 16. Is displayed. When the owner operates the operation unit 13 and selects “camera function enable” from the menu list, the UI processing unit 1 displays “Please enter a third party password” on the display unit 16, and the third Waiting for an administrator password.

  When a third party operates the operation unit 13 and a password is input (step 4-1), the UI processing unit 1 is held in the third party password holding area 4 of the input password and the internal memory 2. The third party passwords are compared (step 4-2). If the third party password does not match in this comparison, the process is terminated.

If the third party passwords match in step 4-2, the UI processing unit 1 stores the camera function enabled state in the camera function state holding area 5 of the internal memory 2 (step 4-3).
The UI processing unit 1 causes the display unit 16 to delete the display of the camera function invalid icon (step 4-4).

  In this way, the facility that prohibits camera carry-in sets a third-party password that the owner does not know on the owner's mobile phone, and the facility that prohibits camera carry-in inputs the third-party password. The camera function cannot be enabled until the owner can prevent the owner from entering the third party password without permission to enable the camera function.

  In addition, the camera function of the mobile phone is disabled when entering a facility where camera entry is prohibited, so that the camera function cannot be activated. The owner can use the functions of the mobile phone other than the camera function.

  In the first embodiment, since a third party password is manually input, the owner password is input in order to prevent others from mischievously invalidating the camera function. However, if a signal indicating that a third-party password is input from the external device 17 and the third-party password are transmitted to the communication device 8 of the mobile phone so as to invalidate the camera function, it becomes difficult for others to mischief. Therefore, in this case, the input of the camera owner password may be omitted. In this case, “Third-party password input is in progress” or the like may be displayed in the third-party password input.

  In the first embodiment, the camera function is disabled and enabled by inputting a third-party password. However, a signal for disabling and enabling the camera function may be transmitted from the external device 17. In this case, the communication device 8 passes a signal for disabling and enabling the camera function to the UI processing unit 1 via the communication device control unit 11 and the external input / output processing unit 6, and the UI processing unit 1 that has received this signal The camera function is disabled or enabled based on the received signal.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the second embodiment, when the owner of the mobile phone is in the facility such as a concert, the camera function is invalidated when entering the facility that prohibits the camera from being used. The activation process is performed when a predetermined time has elapsed since entering a facility where camera entry is prohibited.

  First, in the mobile phone according to the second embodiment, the camera function disabling operation when entering a facility that prohibits the camera from being brought in will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Here, the communication device 8 will be described as a non-contact IC card.

First, when an owner who owns a mobile phone attempts to enter a facility that prohibits the camera from being brought in, if the owner holds the mobile phone over the external device 17 installed in the facility, the external device 17 and the communication device 8 The external device 17 transmits a camera invalid signal for invalidating the camera function and a camera invalid time for invalidating the camera function.
When the communication device 8 receives the camera invalid signal and the camera invalid time (step 5-1 and step 5-2), the camera invalid signal and the camera invalid time are transmitted via the communication device control unit 11 and the external input / output processing unit 6, respectively. The data is transferred to the UI processing unit 1.

  When the UI processing unit 1 receives the camera invalid signal and the camera invalid time and designates the camera invalid time to the timer control unit 18, the timer control unit 18 activates a timer for measuring the camera invalid time (step 5-3). Also, the UI processing unit 1 stores the camera function invalid state in the camera function state holding area 5 of the internal memory 2 (step 5-4), and displays the camera function invalid icon on the display unit 16 (step 5-5). .

  The operation when the camera function is disabled in the mobile phone according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Next, in the mobile phone according to the second embodiment, the camera function enabling operation when the camera invalid time has elapsed since the owner entered the facility that prohibits the camera from being brought in is a flowchart of FIGS. 1 and 6. Will be described.

When the camera invalid time measured in step 5-3 has elapsed, the timer control unit 18 notifies the UI processing unit 1 of the elapse of the camera invalid time.
Upon receiving notification that the camera invalid time has elapsed (step 6-1), the UI processing unit 1 stores the camera function valid state in the camera function state holding area 5 of the internal memory 2 (step 6-2), and displays it. The display of the camera function invalid icon is deleted from the unit 16 (step 6-3).

  In this way, since the third party specified the camera function invalid time and invalidated the camera function of the mobile phone, the mobile phone owner arbitrarily enabled the camera function until the camera invalid time passed. Can be prevented.

  In the mobile phone according to the second embodiment, a camera function enabling operation when leaving a facility where camera entry is prohibited will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

When the owner who owns the mobile phone tries to leave the facility where the camera is prohibited from being brought in, if the owner holds the mobile phone over the external device 17 installed in the facility, the space between the external device 17 and the communication device 8 The communication is connected, and a camera valid signal for validating the camera function is transmitted from the external device 17.
When the communication device 8 receives the camera valid signal (step 7-1), the communication device 8 passes the camera valid signal to the UI processing unit 1 via the communication device control unit 11 and the external input / output processing unit 6.

  Upon receiving the camera valid signal, the UI processing unit 1 causes the timer control unit 18 to stop measuring the camera invalid time (step 7-2). Also, the UI processing unit 1 stores the camera function valid state in the camera function state holding area 5 of the internal memory 2 (step 7-3), and causes the display unit 16 to delete the display of the camera function invalid icon (step 7- 4).

  In this way, when the owner who owns the mobile phone leaves the facility that prohibits the camera from being brought in, a third party cancels the camera invalid time and enables the camera function. Even if the owner leaves the facility before the time has passed, the owner can use the camera function immediately after leaving the facility.

  In the second embodiment, a signal for invalidating or validating the camera is received from the external device 17, but a third party password may be input as in the first embodiment. In this case, the password may be input manually or transmitted from the external device 17.

  In Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, the camera function is switched to invalid or valid depending on the camera function invalid state or the camera function valid state stored in the camera function state holding area 5, but Step 2-5 or Step In 5-4, the UI processing unit 1 may disable the camera function by causing the camera control unit 12 to cut off the power supply to the camera 9 via the external input / output processing unit 6. Thereby, unnecessary current consumption for the camera 9 can also be reduced.

  In Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, a communication terminal such as a mobile phone is used as the camera-equipped mobile device. However, any mobile device that has a camera function such as an information terminal device such as a PDA can be used. Is also applicable.

3 is a block configuration diagram of a mobile phone as a camera-equipped mobile device according to Embodiments 1 and 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a camera function disabling operation when entering a facility that prohibits the camera from being brought into the mobile phone according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the camera is disabled in the mobile phone according to Embodiments 1 and 2. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a camera function enabling operation when leaving a facility that prohibits the camera from being brought into the mobile phone according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a camera function invalidating operation when entering a facility that prohibits the camera from being brought into the mobile phone according to the second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a camera function enabling operation when a camera invalid time has elapsed in the mobile phone according to the second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a camera function enabling operation when leaving a facility that prohibits the camera from being brought into the mobile phone according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 UI processing part 2 Internal memory 4 Third party password holding area 5 Camera function state holding area 8 Communication apparatus 9 Camera 13 Operation part 17 External device 18 Timer control part

Claims (6)

An imaging unit for photographing a subject;
An imaging instruction unit for inputting an imaging instruction by the imaging unit;
A receiving unit for receiving a shooting rejection signal for rejecting shooting from an external device;
A storage unit for storing photographing permission information or photographing refusal information;
A control unit that stores shooting rejection information in a storage unit based on the shooting rejection signal received by the reception unit;
When an instruction to start shooting is input from the imaging instruction unit, the control unit starts shooting by the imaging unit if the shooting permission information is stored in the storage unit, and rejects the shooting in the storage unit. A camera-equipped mobile device that performs control so as not to start photographing by the imaging unit if information is stored. The receiving unit receives a shooting permission signal that permits shooting from an external device,
The control unit stores the photographing permission information in the storage unit based on the photographing permission signal received by the receiving unit. The shooting rejection signal includes the setting password, the shooting permission signal includes the release password,
Furthermore, a password storage unit for storing the setting password received by the reception unit is provided,
When the receiving unit receives the shooting rejection signal, the control unit stores shooting rejection information in the storage unit and stores the setting password included in the shooting rejection signal in the password storage unit, and the receiving unit When the photographing permission signal is received, the release password included in the photographing permission signal is compared with the set password stored in the password storage unit, and if the set password and the release password match, the storage unit has the photographing permission. Information is memorize | stored, The portable apparatus with a camera of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. An imaging unit for photographing a subject;
An imaging instruction unit for inputting an imaging instruction by the imaging unit;
An input unit for inputting a setting password for rejecting shooting and a release password for permitting shooting;
A password storage unit for storing the setting password input from the input unit;
A storage unit for storing photographing permission information and photographing refusal information;
When the setting password is input from the input unit, the shooting rejection information is stored in the storage unit, the setting password is stored in the password storage unit, and when the release password is input from the input unit, A control unit that compares the release password with the set password stored in the password storage unit, and stores the photographing permission information in the storage unit if the set password matches the release password;
When an instruction to start shooting is input from the imaging instruction unit, the control unit starts shooting by the imaging unit if the shooting permission information is stored in the storage unit, and rejects the shooting in the storage unit. A camera-equipped mobile device that performs control so as not to start photographing by the imaging unit if information is stored. The input part inputs the shooting refusal time to refuse shooting,
In addition, it has a timekeeping unit that measures time,
The control unit causes the timing unit to start measuring the shooting refusal time input from the time input unit when the shooting refusal information is stored in the storage unit. Information is memorize | stored, The portable apparatus with a camera of Claim 1 or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. An imaging permission / inhibition transmission device having a transmission unit for transmitting an imaging rejection signal for rejecting imaging;
And an imaging unit for photographing the subject;
An imaging instruction unit for inputting an imaging instruction by the imaging unit;
A receiving unit for receiving a shooting rejection signal for rejecting shooting from an external device;
A storage unit for storing photographing permission information or photographing refusal information;
A control unit that stores shooting rejection information in a storage unit based on the shooting rejection signal received by the reception unit,
When an instruction to start shooting is input from the imaging instruction unit, the control unit starts shooting by the imaging unit if the shooting permission information is stored in the storage unit, and rejects the shooting in the storage unit. An imaging restriction system comprising a mobile device with a camera that controls not to start imaging by the imaging unit if information is stored.

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