JP2008269486A - Imaging device and authentication method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To safely and easily exchange an image between imaging devices. <P>SOLUTION: This imaging device in an imaging system wirelessly transmitting/receiving the image between the imaging devices has: a light emitting element 24 and light receiving element 26 transmitting/receiving the image; a monitor 40 used when the imaging device receiving the image displays authentication information for authenticating the imaging device transmitting the image; a lens part 14 and an imaging element 70 imaging the authentication information displayed by the monitor of the imaging device receiving the image; an information processing part 80B processing the image transmitted to the imaging device receiving the image by use of the imaged authentication information; and a main control part 80 restoring the image transmitted from the imaging device transmitting the image to an original image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device capable of safely and easily exchanging images between imaging devices, and an authentication method for the imaging device.

  In recent years, the progress of digital cameras has been remarkable, and captured images are recorded as digital information in a memory within the camera, and other digital devices such as personal computers, printers, televisions, or the like using communication functions attached to the camera. It can now be sent to image servers and print service stations via the Internet. The penetration rate of digital cameras and mobile phones and information terminals with digital camera functions has also improved. Today, many people carry digital cameras with communication functions.

  In these daily routines, there is an increasing number of scenes where people want to easily capture images taken with other cameras other than those taken with their own cameras. Specifically, it is a case where an image taken by another person during a trip with a friend or a party is transmitted to his camera. For example, when you travel and get a beautiful view taken by a friend, your own picture taken with the other party's camera, or a picture of someone who has a higher-performance camera than your own camera 1 One-to-one image exchange, one-to-N image transmission that delivers a photograph of a model taken by a teacher in a photography class, and a collection of images taken by multiple people in one place and enjoyed on a screen This is an N-to-N case, or an N-to-N case where photos taken by a party or group trip are exchanged on the spot.

  Conventionally, a number of methods for transferring and exchanging images using the communication function, display, and imaging function of a camera have been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes the following method. That is, the counterpart device displays barcode information for obtaining permission for the digital camera to communicate with the counterpart device on the image display unit, and the digital camera displays the barcode information displayed on the image display unit of the counterpart device. Is acquired by the image sensor, and the acquired barcode information is analyzed by the information recognition unit and finally recognized as numerical value or character information. The recognized information is transmitted from the communication unit to the communication unit of the partner device as an authentication password for obtaining permission to transmit / receive data to / from the partner device, and the authentication unit of the partner device is transmitted from the communication unit of the digital camera. Authenticate using

  In Patent Document 2, a digital camera having a display device such as an LCD is connected simultaneously with a plurality of recording or playback devices using a predetermined cable or infrared ray, and the digital camera uses a predetermined communication protocol. The image data is received from the connected device group and stored in a separate image memory area for each device, and the digital camera reads the images from these memory regions and displays them collectively on a display device. It has been proposed that a function that can be switched and displayed every time is provided, and by using these functions, an image of the device group can be browsed.

  Patent Document 3 proposes the following method. That is, the digital camera 1A makes a list transmission request to the digital camera 1B. Upon receiving the request transmission, the digital camera 1B generates an image list and transmits the image list to the digital camera 1A. Upon receiving the image list, the digital camera 1A displays the image list and accepts an image data selection operation. When image data is selected, selected image data request transmission is performed. Upon receiving the request transmission of the selected image data, the digital camera 1B converts the format of the selected image data and transmits the converted image data to the digital camera 1A. The digital camera 1A receives the image data and displays the received image data on the display unit.

  Moreover, in patent document 4, it is an authentication system provided with the portable terminal which requests | requires authentication from the information terminal which performs authentication, and the information terminal which authenticates in response to the request | requirement from a portable terminal, Comprising: An information receiving means for receiving the authentication information; a converting means for converting the received authentication information; and an image display means for displaying the converted information. The information terminal includes an information transmitting means for transmitting the authentication information; An information terminal comprising: an imaging element that captures information displayed on a terminal; a conversion unit that converts captured information into authentication information; and an authentication unit that performs authentication by comparing the converted authentication information with the transmitted authentication information. Proposed.

Further, in Patent Document 5, data based on image data acquired by imaging is transmitted to a server apparatus as registration data by a digital camera, and the transmitted registration data is stored as authentication data, while being stored in the server apparatus. When authentication is performed, the authentication data is transmitted to the server device, and when the registration data is received from the digital camera by the server device, the registration data is stored in the hard disk, while the digital camera stores the registration data. There has been proposed a method for authenticating a user of a digital camera by reading out the registration data from the hard disk when the authentication data is received and collating it with the received authentication data.
JP 2004-178187 A JP 2004-328038 A JP 2005-79622 A JP 2006-236119 A JP 2006-345430 A

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133620 proposes that the information displayed on the display unit of the counterpart device is read and used as an authentication password for obtaining permission to transmit and receive data. In this method, it is possible to confirm whether or not the other party has a password extracted from the image displayed on the image display unit, but an address for securing a communication path for communicating an image with the other device. Acquisition, communication method determination, communication encryption method, etc. must be set in advance, requiring complicated operations. In addition, the security of the image information itself to be transmitted is not disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a method for collectively managing images acquired from other device groups has been proposed, but there is no disclosure of ensuring image exchange security.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, it is proposed that an image list of a digital camera is transmitted and an image selected by the image list is transmitted, or converted into an appropriate format and transmitted. Information security is not disclosed.

  In Patent Document 4, it is proposed that authentication information received from the other party is converted and displayed as an image, and the other party captures and authenticates, but the authentication target has a normal conversion function. It is only verified whether or not the image information to be exchanged is secure.

  In Patent Document 5, it is proposed that an image is sent and registered as authentication identification information to a server, and then the user is verified by collation when the image is sent. However, it is not disclosed how to secure the security of image information itself to be transmitted and received.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device and an authentication method thereof that can exchange images safely and easily between imaging devices.

One aspect of the imaging device of the present invention is the imaging device in an imaging system capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving images between the imaging devices,
Image transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving the image;
An authentication information display means for displaying authentication information for authenticating the imaging device on the side from which the imaging device on the image receiving side transmits the image;
Imaging means for imaging the authentication information displayed by the authentication information display means of the imaging device that receives the image;
Processing means for processing an image to be transmitted to an imaging device that receives the image, using the authentication information imaged by the imaging means;
Restoring means for restoring the image transmitted from the imaging device that transmits the image to the original image;
It is characterized by comprising.

One aspect of the image transmission method of the present invention is an authentication method for the imaging device in an imaging system capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving images between the imaging devices,
A step of displaying authentication information for authenticating the imaging device on the side from which the imaging device on the side receiving the image transmits the image;
Capturing the authentication information displayed on the imaging device that receives the image with the imaging device that transmits the image;
A step of processing an image transmitted by the imaging device that transmits the image to the imaging device that receives the image, using the authentication information that has been captured;
Restoring the image transmitted from the imaging device on the side that transmits the image to the original image on the imaging device on the side that receives the image;
It is characterized by comprising.

  According to the present invention, the authentication information output by the authentication information display means different from the image transmission / reception means for image transmission / reception is directly imaged, so that the authentication information can be safely obtained even if the transmission / reception by the image transmission / reception means is intercepted. An imaging device that can be acquired and can exchange images safely and easily between imaging devices by processing and transmitting the image information transmitted and received by the image transmission / reception means using the acquired authentication information An authentication method can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  An imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is the imaging device in an imaging system capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving images between imaging devices.

  1A and 1B are perspective views illustrating an external configuration of a digital camera 10 as an example of the imaging device.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1A, on the front surface of the camera body 12 of the digital camera 10, a photographing lens unit 14, a photographing auxiliary light flash 16, and a command device such as an optical remote controller are provided. Light-receiving element 18 for receiving the command, a warning display at the time of timer shooting, command confirmation from the command device, or a light-emitting element 20 for warning output, microphone 22 used for recording in shooting state or adding a voice message after shooting, light A light emitting element 24 for communication and a light receiving element 26 are also arranged.

  A shutter switch 28 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 12. The shutter switch 28 is a two-stage motion switch in a still image shooting state, and can be focused by half-pressing it and can be released by fully pressing it. On the other hand, in the moving image shooting state, shooting is started when pressed once, and shooting is stopped when pressed a second time. Further, on the upper surface of the camera body 12, a power switch 30 that is a power on / off switch, a power lamp 32 that is turned on when the power is turned on, and a three-position slide switch that are in a still image shooting state and a moving image shooting. A select switch 34 for selecting a state and an image reproduction state, an authentication switch 36 for switching between a normal position where normal image shooting is performed and an authentication position where shooting is performed for acquiring authentication information, and the like are arranged.

  In addition, an antenna 38 for performing communication by radio waves is installed inside the camera body 12 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. Note that either one of the light emitting element 24 and the light receiving element 26 for optical communication and the antenna 38 are provided depending on whether the wireless communication function of the digital camera 10 is optical or radio. It ’s good. Of course, if both systems are provided, communication is possible regardless of which system the other device uses.

  On the other hand, a monitor 40 is provided on the back of the camera body 12 as shown in FIG. The monitor 40 uses a display device such as a liquid crystal display of 1.8 to 3 inches or more and 110,000 pixels to 230,000 pixels, and confirms images during normal shooting, displays images after shooting, and shooting scenes. Shooting examples for selection Image display, setting menu for shooting conditions, display of number of shots and remaining battery level, etc. In addition, an authentication image for transferring the authentication information to another imaging device is displayed.

  Further, on the back of the camera body 12, a cross switch 42, an OK button 44, a menu button 46, a zoom switch 48, an erase button 50, a print button 52, a light emitting display element 54, a light emitting display 56, an information button 58, a protection button. 60, a rotation button 62, and the like are arranged.

  Here, the cross switch 42 is a four-point seesaw switch that can be pressed up, down, left, and right. When selecting a plurality of items displayed on the monitor 40, the selected item is moved up and down, left and right, or before and after the playback image. This is used for frame advancement. The OK button 44 is a switch for determining a selection item on the monitor 40 when setting conditions, and the menu button 46 is used for displaying various menus for setting conditions, authentication information display, image transmission menus, and the like. Switch. The zoom switch 48 is a right and left seesaw switch. In the photographing state, when the T side is pressed, the zoom lens of the lens unit 14 is moved to the telephoto side, and when the W side is pressed, the zoom lens is driven to the wide angle side. The zoom switch 48 is also used for controlling enlargement / reduction of an image or multi-screen display in a reproduction state. When the erase button 50 is pressed in the reproduction state, an erase confirmation display appears on the monitor 40, and when the erase is selected with the cross switch 42 and the OK button 44 is pressed, the displayed image is erased. When the print button 52 is pressed in the reproduction state, a print menu is displayed on the monitor 40. If the digital camera 10 and a printer (not shown) are connected, an image in the digital camera 10 is printed. I can do it.

  Further, the light emitting display element 54 outputs the authentication information as a display pattern of the display element, that is, a combination of on / off of each light emitting element, and passes it to another imaging device. Further, the light emitting display 56 outputs the authentication information as a lighting pattern of the display segment of the display, that is, a combination of on / off of each light emitting segment, and passes it to another imaging device. Any one of the light-emitting display element 54 and the light-emitting display 56 is sufficient. Alternatively, when only the monitor 40 is used for displaying the authentication information, it may be omitted.

  The information button 58 is a switch for displaying information related to the image displayed on the monitor 40. The protection button 60 is a switch for attaching or releasing the protection flag to the image displayed on the monitor 40. The rotation button 62 is a switch for rotating the image displayed on the monitor 40.

  A speaker 64 is provided on the side surface of the camera body 12 to generate a warning sound and a confirmation sound and to reproduce sound recorded in the reproduction state.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a digital movie camera 66 as another example of the imaging device. Here, the same functional members as those of the digital camera 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  That is, in this digital movie camera 66, on the front surface of the camera body 12, a shooting lens unit 14, a flash 16 for shooting auxiliary light emission, a light receiving element 18 for receiving command from a commanding device, and timer shooting A light emitting element 20 for outputting a warning notice, command confirmation from a commanding device, or outputting a warning, a microphone 22 used for recording or recording a voice message after photographing, a light emitting element 24 for optical communication, and a light receiving element 26. Has been placed.

  Further, a monitor 40 is rotatably attached to the side surface of the camera body 12 so that an image being shot and a reproduced image after shooting are displayed, a shooting example image display for selecting a shooting scene, setting of shooting conditions, etc. The menu, number of shots and remaining battery level can be displayed, and the camera body 12 can be stored in close contact when not in use. Further, an authentication image for transferring the authentication information to another imaging device is displayed on the monitor 40. On the side of the camera body 12, a power mode switch 68 capable of turning on / off the power and switching between shooting and playback modes is disposed.

  A zoom switch 48 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 12. The zoom switch 48 is a seesaw switch at two positions on the left and right. When the T side is pressed in the photographing state, the zoom lens of the lens unit 14 is moved to the telephoto side, and when the W side is pressed, the zoom lens is driven to the wide angle side. Further, in the reproduction state, it is also used for controlling enlargement / reduction of an image on the monitor 40 or multi-screen display. The authentication switch 36 switches between a normal position where normal image shooting is performed and an authentication position where shooting is performed to acquire authentication information. An antenna 38 is installed inside the main body.

  In addition, although not particularly illustrated, various connection connectors, menu buttons, shutter switches, and the like are provided on the side surface and the rear surface of the camera body 12.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the function of the authentication switch 36. FIG.
The authentication switch 36 switches between the normal position 36B and the authentication position 36C according to the position of the operation unit 36A. When the position is the normal position 36 </ b> B, the shooting function of the camera performs normal still image shooting, moving image shooting, or reproduction according to the position of the select switch 34. When the position is the authentication position 36C, the authentication information is acquired, that is, the authentication information displayed by another imaging device is captured as a still image or a moving image. Further, the acquired authentication information can be reproduced in the reproduction state.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera 10.
The lens unit 14 forms an image of the subject on the image sensor 70. Depending on the type of imaging device, a single lens reflex type, a lens shutter type, a zoom function, an autofocus function, a brightness stop function, and the like are included. The image sensor 70 converts an image of a subject into an electrical signal, and a CCD type or CMOS type image sensor is used. The number of pixels is from 1 million pixel class to over 10 million pixel class. The imaging processing circuit 72 processes a signal from the imaging device 70, performs A / D conversion, and records the signal in the built-in memory 74 or the removable memory 76 in a predetermined format set by a menu or the like. As the format, a RAW data format without image compression, a JPEG format based on a standard compression method, or a motion JPEG format, MPEG2, MPEG4 format or the like in the case of a moving image are used.

  The radio wave communication unit 78 is a transmission / reception circuit for communicating with other imaging devices by radio waves, amplifies and demodulates a signal received by the antenna 38, and converts it into image information or the like in cooperation with the main control unit 80. . Further, in cooperation with the main control unit 80, the image to be transmitted is modulated and amplified as a digital signal and transmitted from the antenna 38.

  The optical communication unit 82 is a transmission / reception circuit for performing communication with other imaging devices using light, and is converted into an electric signal by the light receiving element 26, amplified, demodulated, and decoded in cooperation with the main control unit 80. Convert to information. Further, in cooperation with the main control unit 80, the image to be transmitted is modulated and amplified as a digital signal and transmitted from the light emitting element 24.

  The zoom control unit 84 drives the zoom lens of the lens unit 14 when the T side or the W side of the zoom switch 48 of the camera body 12 is operated when still image or moving image shooting is possible. The exposure control unit 86 controls the aperture and the image sensor 70 according to the brightness of the subject according to the shooting conditions set in the digital camera 10. The distance measurement control unit 88 performs driving of the lens unit 14 and focus detection control using a signal from the image sensor 70.

  The image processing circuit 90 performs processing such as image enlargement / reduction, compression / expansion, distortion correction, color correction, noise removal, synthesis, and rotation in cooperation with the CPU and program of the main control unit 80. The detachable memory 76 is a memory for image recording, is constituted by a semiconductor memory card or a hard disk drive, and can be attached to and detached from a connector (not shown) of the camera body 12. As the removable memory 76, a memory of several tens of megabytes to several gigabytes is used, and an image and its attribute information are recorded. The encryption / decryption circuit 92 is used when encrypting and recording an image when the image is recorded in the removable memory 76 and when decrypting the encrypted image. Furthermore, it can also be used when transmitting images are encrypted or decrypted using authentication information. However, it can be omitted when the processing is performed by a program in the CPU of the main control unit 80. The sound processing unit 94 processes and records the sound picked up by the microphone 22 at the time of photographing, reproduces the sound recorded at the time of reproduction, supplies it to the speaker 64, and supplies alarm sound or the like to the speaker 64. To do.

  The external interface 96 includes a signal conversion function and a connector for connecting the digital camera 10 to an external storage device such as a printer, a personal computer, or a hard disk, a television receiver (hereinafter abbreviated as a television), and the like. The printer can be connected to PictBridge, a personal computer or an external storage device via USB, and a television via a video cable.

  A bus 98 is a group of common signal lines that connect each part, and is a data bus, an address bus, a control bus, or the like. The main controller 80 is a microcomputer system including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a register, a counter, a timer, a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and the like, although not particularly illustrated, and controls and displays the entire digital camera 10. , Managing data. In addition, the main control unit 80 uses the non-volatile memory in the main control unit 80 to store authentication information acquired from another imaging device, and an authentication information storage unit 80A for transmitting the acquired authentication information. There is an information processing unit 80B for processing image information and the like.

  The built-in memory 74 is a memory that records captured images and cannot be taken out from the digital camera 10. The built-in memory 74 is preferably a semiconductor memory of several tens of megabytes to several gigabytes or a micro hard disk of several hundred megabytes to ten gigabytes class.

  The flash 16 has a flash mode set in the menu during still image shooting, such as a mode that automatically emits light when it is dark or backlit, a soft flash mode that emits weak light, a red-eye reduction mode that performs preliminary flash several times before the main flash, Flash emission is performed according to the forced emission mode that always emits light and the emission inhibition mode that does not emit light. The light emitting unit 100 controls lighting of the light emitting element 20. The light receiving unit 102 amplifies and demodulates the electric signal from the light receiving element 18. The display control unit 104 controls the monitor 40 to display a captured image, a reproduced image, menus and information, and alarm characters and symbols. Further, an authentication image or the like as authentication information is displayed. Further, drive control of the light emitting display element 54 and the light emitting display 56 for outputting authentication information is performed.

  The power supply circuit 106 converts electric power from the battery 108 or an external power supply (not shown) into a necessary voltage for each unit and supplies the converted voltage. The battery 108 is replaceable, and a lithium ion rechargeable battery or a dry battery is used. The power switch 30 is used to turn the camera body 12 on and off. When the power switch 30 is on, the power lamp 32 is lit.

  The shutter switch 28, select switch 34, authentication switch 36, cross switch 42, OK button 44, menu button 46, zoom switch 48, delete button 50, print button 52, information button 58, protection button 60, and rotation button 62 1 As described with reference to (A) and (B). Each switch and button is connected to an interrupt line and / or input / output port of the CPU of the main control unit 80.

  In the case of the digital movie camera 66, the appearance and the like are shaped in consideration of the operability at the time of long-time video shooting, but the basic functional configuration is the same as that of the digital camera 10 shown in FIG. It is.

FIG. 5 is an operation correspondence table of switches and buttons provided in the camera body 12.
When a switch or button on the camera body 12 is pressed, the CPU of the main control unit 80 of the camera body 12 is interrupted or reset, and the corresponding operation is performed. Since each corresponding operation has been described as each corresponding operation in FIG. 5, the outline of the correspondence will be described by taking the case of the digital camera 10 as an example. Depending on the type of imaging device, there may be a device that does not have a corresponding switch or button, or that has a different name.

  When the power switch 30 is pressed while the camera body 12 is turned off, the power is turned on, the CPU of the main control unit 80 is reset, and the operation is started. If the power switch 30 is pressed while the power is on, the operation is terminated and the power is turned off.

  When the select switch 34 is switched, the current state is terminated by an interrupt process, and the state is shifted to a new state. When the authentication switch 36 is switched, the current state is terminated by interruption processing, and the state is shifted to another state.

  When the shutter switch 28 is pressed, a shutter switch on flag is set. This flag is read by a program to start and end an imaging operation. When the menu button 46 is pressed, the menu is displayed on the monitor 40, and the setting can be changed with the cross switch 42 or the OK button 44. When the menu button 46 is pressed again during the menu display, the menu operation ends. When the zoom switch 48 is pushed to the T side or the W side, the zoom control unit 84 is driven. When any of the cross switches 42 is pressed, a corresponding switch flag is set. When the OK button 44 is pressed, an OK button flag is set. When the delete button 50 is pressed, an erase confirmation menu is displayed on the monitor 40, and when the corresponding confirmation switch is pressed, the erase is executed. When the print button 52 is pressed, a print menu is displayed on the monitor 40, and thereafter a predetermined printing operation is performed. When the information button 58 is pressed, an information button flag is set. When the protection button 60 is pressed, the protection button flag is turned on / off and a message is displayed. When the rotation button 62 is pressed, a rotation button flag is set. The flag raised above may be cleared when it is read depending on the application, or it may be cleared while the switch or button is kept pressed (while it is on).

  6A to 6C show a series of flowcharts for explaining the state transition and process in the imaging device. Here, the case where the imaging device is the digital camera 10 will be described as an example, but the case of the digital movie camera 66 is the same except that the switch operation and the like are different.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the power switch 30 is pressed (step S12) in the power-off state (step S10), the camera body 12 is turned on (step S14), and an initial screen is displayed on the monitor 40. (Step S16). On this initial screen, a mark or the like indicating the remaining battery level is displayed.

  Thereafter, the position of the authentication switch 36 is read and the process branches according to the position (step S18).

Hereinafter, a case where the authentication switch 36 is in the normal position 36B will be described.
That is, if it is determined that the authentication switch 36 is at the normal position 36B (N0), the state of the select switch 34 is read (step S20), whether the still image shooting state J1, the moving image shooting state J2, or the playback state J3. Branch depending on.

First, the shooting state will be mainly described.
When the still image shooting state J1 is selected by the select switch 34, a live image is displayed on the monitor 40, and the current number of pixels to be shot, the number of images that can be shot, and the like are also displayed (step S22). Then, it is determined whether or not the first stage of the shutter switch 28 is turned on (step S24). Although not specifically shown, if other switches or buttons such as the zoom switch 48 are operated during the execution of the loops of the above steps S22 and S24, the operation according to the operation is of course performed. It is.

  If it is determined in step S24 that the first stage of the shutter switch 28 has been turned on, focusing is performed (step S26), and the second stage of the shutter switch 28 is awaited to be turned on (step S28). . Thus, when the second stage of the shutter switch 28 is turned on, a still image is photographed (step S30). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the continuous shooting mode is set (step S32). If the continuous shooting mode is not set, the captured image is displayed on the monitor 40 for a short time (step S34), and the process returns to step S18.

  On the other hand, if the continuous shooting mode is set, it is confirmed whether or not the remaining memory capacity of the built-in memory 74 and / or the removable memory 76 is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount (step S36), and there is no remaining memory capacity. In this case, a memory full warning is displayed on the monitor 40 (step S38), and the process returns to step S18. If there is a remaining memory capacity, it is checked whether or not the shutter switch 28 remains on (step S40). If it is off, the process returns to step S18. If the shutter switch 28 is turned on, the process returns to step S30 to capture the next still image.

  On the other hand, when the moving image shooting state J2 is selected by the select switch 34 in the above step S20, a live image is displayed on the monitor 40, and the shooting possible time with the current number of shooting pixels is also displayed ( Step S42). Then, it is determined whether or not the shutter switch 28 is turned on by a shutter switch flag that is turned on when the shutter switch 28 is pressed (step S44). If it is determined that the shutter switch flag is not turned on, the process returns to step S42 to continue displaying the live image. Although not specifically shown, if other switches and buttons such as the zoom switch 48 are operated during the execution of the loops of the above steps S42 and S44, the operation corresponding to the operation is of course performed. It is.

  Thus, if the shutter switch flag is turned on, after clearing the shutter switch flag (step S46), focusing is performed and moving image shooting is started (step S48). During this moving image shooting, the remaining memory capacity of the built-in memory 74 and / or the removable memory 76 is checked (step S50). If there is no remaining memory capacity, a memory full warning is displayed on the monitor 40 (step S52). Then, the video shooting is finished (step S54), and the process returns to step S18. On the other hand, if there is still memory remaining, it is confirmed whether or not the shutter switch flag is turned on (step S56), and if it remains off, the process returns to step S48 to Continue shooting. When the shutter switch flag is turned on, the process proceeds to step S54 to end the moving image shooting, and returns to step S18. In this way, a moving image is shot from when the shutter switch 28 is pressed until it is pressed again.

Next, the playback state will be described.
If the playback state J3 is selected by the select switch 34 in step S20, the playback state as shown in FIG. 6B is entered. That is, first, the last recorded last image in the built-in memory 74 and the removable memory 76 is displayed on the monitor 40 (step S58). Next, it is checked whether or not a switch or a button has been pressed (step S60). If the switch or button is pressed, the corresponding operation is performed as follows.

  That is, when the cross switch 42 of the camera body 12 is pressed (step S62), if it is the lower switch (album) (step S64), the image recorded in the album is displayed on the monitor 40. (Step S66). If the menu button 46 is pressed during the display (step S68), the album display function is terminated and the process returns to step S60. Note that an album has index information separately from the group of images so that the group of images related to a certain event can be handled collectively, and an access pointer to the image is written there. It is a function that can be displayed collectively.

  When the upper switch (calendar) in the cross switch 42 is pressed (step S70), the recorded image for one month of the current month is displayed on the monitor 40 in the calendar format (step S72). Furthermore, the cross switch 42 can be used to display the previous month or to select the date and display the captured image of the day. If the menu button 46 is pressed during display (step S74), the calendar display function is terminated and the process returns to step S60.

  If the right switch (+) of the cross switch 42 is pressed (step S76), the next image is displayed (step S78), and the process returns to step S60. When the current image is the final image, the first image is displayed.

  If the left switch (-) in the cross switch 42 is pressed (step S80), the previous image is displayed (step S82), and the process returns to step S60. When the current image is the first image, the last image is displayed.

  When the OK button 44 is pressed (step S84), it is confirmed whether or not the current image is a moving image (step S86). If the current image is not a moving image, the pressing of the OK button 44 is ignored. The process returns to step S60. On the other hand, when the current image is a moving image, the moving image is displayed (step S88), and the process returns to step S60.

  If the zoom switch 48 is pressed (step S90), if it is on the T side (step S92), the displayed image is enlarged (step S94), and the process returns to step S60. If the W side is pressed during enlarged display, the display returns to single frame display. On the W side (step S96), the display image is reduced and displayed as an index (step S98), and the process returns to step S60. Each time you press the W side, you can display a list of 4 frames, 9 frames, 16 frames, and 25 frames in sequence. When the T side is pressed while the reduction list is displayed, the display returns to 25 frames, 16 frames, 9 frames, 4 frames, and 1 frame each time the button is pressed.

  When the delete button 50 is pressed (step S100), a confirmation display is displayed on the monitor 40 as to whether or not to actually delete (step S102), and when the cancellation of the deletion is selected, the process returns to step S60 without deleting. . On the other hand, when erasure execution is selected, the frame is erased, the previous image is displayed (step S104), and the process returns to step S60. If the image to be erased is protected, a warning is displayed on the monitor 40 that the image is a protected image, and the execution of erasure is ignored.

  When the print button 52 is pressed (step S106), necessary printing operations such as image transmission to the printer are performed (step S108), and the process returns to step S60.

  When the information button 58 is pressed (step S110), the information on the image displayed on the monitor 40 is displayed (step S112), and the process returns to step S60.

  When the protection button 60 is pressed (step S114), if the image displayed on the monitor 40 is not protected, a protection flag is added and a message “image protected” is displayed. Is already protected, the protection flag is canceled, a message “image protection has been removed” is displayed (step S116), and the process returns to step S60. If you accidentally release a protected image, you can protect it by viewing the message “Image protection has been removed” and pressing the protect button again.

  When the rotation button 62 is pressed (step S118), the image displayed on the monitor 40 is rotated 90 degrees to the left (step S120), and the process returns to step S60. However, the display after returning to step S60 maintains the display of the image rotated in step S120. When the rotation button 62 is pressed again, a right 90 degree rotated image of the original image is displayed in step S120, and when it is pressed again, the original image is restored.

  When the menu button 46 is pressed (step S122), the menu can be displayed and set. There are many menu functions. Menu settings can be set hierarchically from the top menu. Since the display contents of the top menu differ depending on the position of the select switch 34, the position of the select switch 34 is read (step S124), and the corresponding menu is displayed on the monitor 40 (step S126).

  In the still image shooting state J1, VOICE recording, macro, scene selection, and mode menu are displayed. In the moving image shooting state J2, VOICE recording, macro, camera shake correction, and mode menu are displayed. In the playback state J3, the displayed menu varies depending on the playback content. That is, during still image reproduction, storage reproduction, information display, slide show, and mode menu are displayed. During video playback, storage playback, information display, video playback end, and mode menu are displayed. During VOICE playback, storage playback, information display, VOICE playback end, and mode menu are displayed. At the time of calendar reproduction, calendar reproduction end, information display, slide show, and mode menu are displayed. During album playback, album selection, information display, album playback end, and mode menu are displayed. Although the details of the operation and display of each lower menu are omitted, a common mode menu will be described.

  That is, the display contents of the mode menu differ depending on the position of the select switch 34. In the still image shooting state J1, image quality mode switching, continuous shooting setting, exposure correction, digital zoom setting, white balance setting, selection of a memory for recording an image, and the like can be performed. In the moving image shooting state J2, image quality mode switching, exposure correction, digital zoom setting, white balance setting, full-time auto focus setting, selection of memory for recording images, etc. can be performed. In the reproduction state J3, rotation display, recording, image editing, image correction, and image composition can be performed.

  To end the menu operation, the menu button 46 is pressed again (step S128), and the process returns to step S60.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the authentication switch 36 is switched after the initial screen display (step S16) (step S130) and when the select switch 34 is switched (step S132), an interrupt process is performed. Thus, the process being executed is stopped, and the process proceeds to reading of the authentication switch 36 (step S18).

Next, a case where the authentication switch 36 is at the authentication position 36C will be described.
That is, if the authentication position 36C (N1) is read by the authentication switch 36 (step S18), as shown in FIG. 6C, the position of the select switch 34 is read (step S134), and the still image shooting state J1, Branches according to the selection of the moving image shooting state J2 and the reproduction state J3.

  If the still image shooting state J1 is selected by the select switch 34, still image shooting and authentication information storage processing are executed (step S136). Since the still image shooting operation in this still image shooting and authentication information storage process is the same as the still image shooting operation (steps S22 to S40) in FIG. 6A, detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the operation of storing authentication information is to acquire and store authentication information by analyzing a photographed still image, the details of which will be described later. If the photographing is completed (step S138), the process returns to step S134. On the other hand, if an alarm is issued during shooting (step S140), shooting is stopped and the process returns to step S134.

  When the moving image shooting state J2 is selected by the select switch 34, moving image shooting and authentication information storage processing are executed (step S142). Since the moving image shooting and authentication information storage processing is the same as the moving image shooting operation (steps S42 to S54) in FIG. 6A, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the operation of storing authentication information is to acquire and store authentication information by analyzing a captured moving image, details of which will be described later. If the photographing is completed (step S144), the process returns to step S134. If an alarm is issued during shooting (step S146), shooting is stopped and the process returns to step S134.

  The storage location of the authentication information is stored in a predetermined memory so that it can be recognized as authentication information. Specifically, it can be distinguished from the image photographed at the normal position 36B by creating and managing a storage list of authentication information, attaching a specific flag to the information, or storing the information after a predetermined address. Like that.

  When the playback state J3 is selected by the select switch 34, the latest stored authentication information is displayed on the monitor 40 (step S148), and is the same as the operation of FIG. 6B (step S60 to step S128). (Step S150, Step S152). When the authentication switch 36 is switched during the operation, the operation is stopped and the process returns to step S18 in FIG. 6A.

  Note that the image display and the button operations in the reproduction state J3 are performed only on the authentication information. That is, when a list of authentication information is created as described above, information on this list can be read out and displayed, erased, or printed. In addition, about each operation | movement, additional description is given with subsequent drawing as needed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the image transmission from the imaging device.
When image transmission from the imaging device is performed as one of the menus at the authentication position 36C, the menu button is pressed in step S150 in FIG. 6C (step S152A), and the menu is displayed and selected (step S152B). ), An image transmission menu is selected (step S152C).

  When this image transmission menu is selected, first, a transmission destination selection process is executed (step S152D). This is done by selecting a transmission destination by displaying a list of transmission destinations, sequentially displaying authentication information as described with reference to FIG. 42, or a list of authentication information as described with reference to FIG. Subsequently, an image to be transmitted is selected (step S152E). This image can be selected by sequentially displaying images on the monitor 40 and pressing the OK button 44, or by selecting the calendar display by moving the cursor with the cross switch 42 and pressing the OK button 44. When the transmission destination and the image to be transmitted are determined, the image to be transmitted is processed using the authentication information of the destination acquired as described with reference to FIG. 6C (step S152F). When the processing is completed, the image is transmitted (step S152G), and the process returns to step S152D. When the menu button 46 is pressed, the process returns to step S152B.

  If a menu other than transmission is selected in step S152B (step S152H), the corresponding menu is processed (step S152I). In this case, when the menu button 46 is pressed (step S152J), the process returns to step S150.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the authentication information creation menu process.
When creating the authentication information as one of the menus at the authentication position 36C, when the menu button is pressed in step S150 of FIG. 6C (step S152A), and menu display and selection processing is performed (step S152B). The authentication information creation menu is selected (step S152K).

  When this authentication information creation menu is selected, display format selection processing is first executed (step S152L). As described later with reference to FIGS. 14A to 20, the authentication information display format includes a display on the monitor 40, a display on the light emitting display element 54, and a display on the light emitting display 56. On the monitor 40, still image display, multiple still image display, and moving image display can be performed. The display content can be selected from images, characters, patterns such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes, or color bars and color matrices. In addition, the light-emitting display element 54 can perform fixed display or sequential display of bit patterns depending on the presence or absence of lighting. Alternatively, numbers, characters and symbols can be fixedly displayed or sequentially displayed on the light emitting display 56. The display format can be selected according to the display function of the imaging device.

  Next, the information to be displayed is selected and determined (step S152M). The information to be displayed is self-authentication information, but auxiliary information other than the authentication information may be displayed together. The information to be displayed is selected in accordance with the image transmission communication means described later. For example, in the case of an IEEE802.11b format wireless LAN, its own MAC (Media Access Control) address, SSID (Service Set IDentifier), WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key, and the like are displayed. In the case of optical communication in IrDA (Infrared Data Association) format, display data is selected according to the specification and version. An encryption key can also be displayed as authentication information used for processing an image transmitted by the partner imaging device. In addition, when the encryption format is kept secret, the image can be processed using a part of the display data that is not secret as the encryption key.

  Subsequently, supplemental information other than authentication information is additionally selected (step S152N). The supplemental information is preferably a self-photograph or mark, a nickname or name, or an ID number as information for facilitating identification of authentication information. Alternatively, as supplementary information, data for checking the reliability of communication data, for example, data compressed by a hash function, or information for error correction may be added. There is no need for supplementary information.

  Next, the information is displayed and confirmed on the monitor 40 (step S152O). When the OK button 44 is pressed (step S152P), the information is stored in the authentication information storage unit 80A (step S152Q), and the process returns to step S152B. If the content cannot be satisfied in step S152O, the menu button 46 is pressed (step S152R), and the process returns to step S152B.

  If a menu other than the creation of authentication information is selected in step S152B (step S152S), the corresponding menu is processed (step S152I). In this case, when the menu button 46 is pressed (step S152J), the process returns to step S150.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the authentication information display menu process.
When the menu button is pressed in step S150 of FIG. 6C (step S152A) and the menu display and selection process is performed (step S152B), when the authentication information display menu is selected (step S152T), first, authentication is performed. The authentication information stored in the information storage unit 80A is read (step S152U) and displayed on the corresponding display means, that is, the light emitting display element 54, the light emitting display 56, or the monitor 40 (step S152V). The buttons and switches are sensed (step S152W). When the menu button 46 is pressed (step S152X), the process returns to step S152B. If the cross switch is pressed in step S152W (step S152Y), the process returns to step S152U, and when a plurality of pieces of authentication information are in the authentication information storage unit 80A, they are sequentially displayed.

  If a menu other than authentication information transmission is selected in step S152B (step S152Z), the corresponding menu is processed (step S152I). In this case, when the menu button 46 is pressed (step S152J), the process returns to step S150.

  In this way, when there are a plurality of authentication information in the authentication information storage unit 80A, the authentication information can be displayed and confirmed when selecting according to the imaging performance of the partner imaging device. Further, the authentication information can be displayed using this menu, and the authentication information can be exchanged by photographing the other device.

  In the above description, the case where the creation and display of authentication information or image transmission is executed as one of the menus has been described as an example. However, a dedicated button is provided on the camera body 12 instead of the menu and the button is pressed. May be executed as described above.

  The operation of the image pickup device alone has been described above, but the description including the relationship with the partner image pickup device is also given below.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for acquiring authentication information from the second imaging device of the counterpart to whom the first imaging device transmits an image. Here, a description will be given of the case of two units: a first imaging device that acquires authentication information and a second imaging device that displays the authentication information and transfers it to the first imaging device. The basic procedure is the same for three or more units.

  First, the second imaging device displays its own authentication information according to the procedure shown in FIG. 9 (step S200). The first imaging device photographs the authentication information displayed by the imaging device of the second imaging device according to the procedure shown in FIG. 6C (step S202), and analyzes the photographed authentication information according to a predetermined rule (step S204). . Then, it is determined whether sufficient information is obtained as authentication information (step S206). If it is obtained, the authentication information is displayed on its own display means and stored in a predetermined memory (step S208). If it is determined in step S206 that sufficient information has not been obtained, the process returns to step S202, and authentication information is taken again.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a state in which the first imaging device 110 captures the authentication information 114 displayed on the monitor 40 by the second imaging device 112.

  The first imaging device 110 captures the authentication information 114 displayed on the monitor 40 of the second imaging device 112 through the lens unit 14 and displays the authentication information 114 on its own monitor 40, and performs appropriate capturing by the zoom function or focus adjustment. Do. When the monitor 40 is a display using a set of dots, such as a liquid crystal display, noise that interferes with imaging such as moire fringes may occur depending on the state of the imaging side, so adjust the interval between imaging devices, imaging magnification, etc. Therefore, it is desirable to shoot under good conditions. In this example, the case where the authentication information 114 is displayed on the monitor 40 of the imaging device of the second imaging device 112 and the image is captured is illustrated, but the display of the second imaging device 112 is displayed on the light emitting display element 54. In this case, or when it is performed on the light emitting display 56, the photographing conditions are adjusted in accordance with the respective displays. In addition, when the second imaging device 112 displays a still image, the first imaging device 110 is a still image, and when the second imaging device 112 performs sequential display or continuous display of moving images or still images, The first imaging device 110 performs moving image shooting, continuous shooting of still images, or interval shooting of still images.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for explaining an image transmission / reception procedure between imaging devices.
First, the second imaging device 112 on the image receiving side displays its own authentication information on the display means (Step S200), and the first imaging device 110 on the image transmitting side displays Steps S202 to S202 in FIG. The authentication information is captured, analyzed, and stored as described in step S208 (step S210). Thereafter, when the first imaging device 110 transmits an image, the transmission address of the second imaging device 112 or the like is selected as a transmission destination, and an image to be transmitted is selected (step S212). Then, the authentication information of the second imaging device 112 that is the transmission destination is read, the image to be transmitted is processed (step S214), and the processed image is transmitted (step S216).

  The second imaging device 112 on the image receiving side receives the processed image transmitted from the first imaging device 110 and confirms the authentication information (step S218). Then, the processed image is unprocessed using the authentication information, the image is reproduced (step S220), and the image is stored and displayed (step S222).

  Although there are various image processing methods, when encryption is used, the processing in the first imaging device 110 is encryption, and the method for solving the processing in the second imaging device 112 is decryption. Become.

  13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a state of image transmission / reception between the first imaging device 110 and the second imaging device 112. FIG.

  Here, FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an image when the exchange of images is performed by radio waves. That is, an image is transmitted and received between the imaging devices 110 and 112 by the radio wave 116 as indicated by a dotted line.

  FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an image when image exchange is performed by optical communication such as IrDA. That is, the light-emitting element 24 and the light-receiving element 26 for optical communication of the first imaging device 110 are opposed to the light-receiving element 26 and the light-emitting element 24 of the second imaging device 112 and are schematically illustrated by solid arrows in the drawing. As shown, optical communication is performed by the light beam 118.

Next, a method for displaying information such as authentication information in the imaging device will be described.
First, information display by the light emitting display element 54 will be described.
FIG. 14A is a diagram showing a mounting example of the light-emitting display element 54, and is an example in which eight LEDs 120 are arranged in two rows. As a result, 16-bit information can be displayed. 16-bit binary display or 2-byte display is possible. Moreover, a lot of information can be displayed by displaying information sequentially. In order to facilitate information analysis on the imaging side, it is desirable to display information to be transmitted after all the LEDs 120 are first turned on and their positions are indicated. Alternatively, any LED 120 may be turned on at least once in sequential display so that the imaging side can recognize the positions of all the LEDs 120. It is desirable that the image capturing side should be able to shoot with the blurring suppressed to less than half of the interval between the LEDs 120 so that the imaging device does not blur much.

  FIG. 14B is a diagram showing another mounting example of the light-emitting display element 54, in which four LEDs 120 are arranged in four rows. This allows 16-bit binary display or 2-byte display. Other features are the same as those in FIG.

Next, information display by the light emitting display 56 will be described.
FIG. 15A is a diagram showing a mounting example of the light-emitting display 56, and the light-emitting display 56 is configured as a 7-segment light-emitting display. Thereby, one digit can be displayed for numbers and symbols. More information can be displayed by sequentially displaying information at intervals. Information display is performed by a lighting pattern as shown in FIG. 15B or 15C. Thus, since the light emitting display 56 displays information by the combination of ON / OFF of the segments, all the segments are lighted first, and the information to be transmitted can be displayed after indicating the position of each segment. desirable. Alternatively, any segment may be lit at least once in sequential display. It is desirable for the image capturing side to be able to shoot with the blurring suppressed to less than half of the segment interval so that the imaging device is not excessively blurred.

  FIG. 16A is a diagram showing another mounting example of the light-emitting display 56, in which two 7-segment light-emitting displays are arranged. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16B, numbers and symbols can be displayed in two digits. Other features are the same as those in FIG.

Next, display of authentication information on the monitor 40 will be described.
FIG. 17A shows an example in which the image 122, the partner identification code 124, the partner address 126, the expiration date 128 of the authentication information, the information 130 for encryption, and the like are displayed on the monitor 40 as the authentication information. The image 122 is conveniently a face photograph or a symbol mark that can be visually identified by the other party. As the identification code 124, the other party's ID number, a temporarily assigned registration number, or the like is used. The other party's address 126 corresponds to the method used for communication. The expiration date 128 may specify both start and end in a short time, one day, or a certain period. The encryption information 130 is an example composed of a 6-digit encryption key and a symbol Z indicating the encryption method. For the number of digits of information, an appropriate number is used in consideration of the communication method, the capability of the device required for encryption and decryption, and the required time.

  FIG. 17B is a display example of other authentication information, which is an example using a bar code 132. If sufficient information cannot be contained in the one-dimensional barcode, only the encryption information 130 or the address information may be added to form a barcode, and the rest may be displayed as symbols.

  FIG. 17C shows an example in which the barcode 132 is a two-dimensional barcode, and more information can be encoded than a one-dimensional barcode, but the display, reading, and decoding performance is one-dimensional barcode. Higher functions are required. In this case as well, information display with symbols may be used in combination.

  FIG. 17D is an example in which the barcode 132 is a two-dimensional dot code, and more information can be encoded than a one-dimensional barcode, but the display, reading and decoding performance is the same as a one-dimensional barcode. Higher functions are required. In this case as well, information display with symbols may be used in combination.

  FIGS. 18A to 18C are examples of color display screens. The display contents are the same as those in FIG. 17A, but the background color is selectively used so that it can be easily distinguished depending on the destination. The identification code AX01 is red, AX02 is yellow, and AX03 is blue.

  FIG. 19A shows an example in which a color bar 134 or the like is displayed on the monitor 40 as authentication information. The authentication information is represented by a combination of eight colors in the color bar 134. For example, in the case of two colors, if red is “1” and blue is “0”, 8-bit information can be represented on one screen. In the case of three colors, if red is “2”, green is “1”, and blue is “0”, a ternary digital code can be obtained, and up to 6560 values can be expressed with 8 bars. Can be used for delivery. Further, the address 126 of the other party, the expiration date 128 of the authentication information, etc. may be displayed as the symbol display area 136. When one screen is not enough, information to be transferred can be increased by displaying multiple screens.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19B, an identification image 122 may be displayed on a part of the color bar 134.

  FIG. 20 shows an example in which a matrix display is performed on the monitor 40. The display area of the monitor 40 is divided into vertical and horizontal small areas 138, and information is displayed by the black and white or colors of the small areas 138. More information can be expressed as a ternary digital code with 40 bits for white and black and three colors for color. In addition to the color information, symbols can be superimposed, or the image 122 can be superimposed and displayed as in the small area 138A at the lower right. The amount of information can be increased by sequentially displaying multiple screens.

  The information display described above is not limited to a single screen, and may be sequential display of different information or a moving image display.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for explaining the analysis of authentication information. This corresponds to a specific step of the authentication information analysis process executed in step S204 of FIG.

  That is, the photographed authentication information is subjected to image processing such as color information analysis, brightness histogram analysis, binarization, edge extraction, and the like (step S204A), and then an acquired image analysis process is performed. (Step S204B). In this analysis process, what kind of information is included in the image, pattern recognition or matching of symbols, etc., decoding of barcodes and two-dimensional codes, analysis of digital information by shading or color information, etc. Is. Then, as a result of the analysis, it is determined whether information according to a predetermined authentication information display rule is included (step S204C), and authentication information corresponding to the rule is extracted (step S204D).

  Next, continuous analysis using moving images will be described. FIG. 22 shows the built-in memory 74 or the detachable memory 76 (hereinafter simply referred to as “photographing state J2” when the first imaging device 110 continuously captures the authentication information sequentially displayed by the second imaging device 112). It is a figure which shows typically the image group memorize | stored in the memory 140).

  When the second imaging device 112 sequentially displays three images of the authentication information A, B, and C on the monitor 40 and the first imaging device 110 captures a moving image, the memory 140 of the first imaging device 110 is used. The image information stored in is also a sequence of still images. Typically, in this series of still images, there is an image before the authentication information image 142A is displayed, for example, a previous image 144 such as a menu selection image, followed by the authentication information image 142A, and then An image switching blank or meaningless image follows, followed by the authentication information image 142B, followed by a blank or meaningless image again, followed by the authentication information image 142C.

  When switching the authentication information display, instead of a blank, a specific image, for example, a partition image that can be easily discriminated, such as full-screen red, may be sandwiched. At the time of analysis of authentication information, an image having authentication information is determined by content analysis of the image group.

  FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of another method of continuous analysis using moving images. In FIG. 22, the case where all the images of the moving image are analyzed has been described. However, when moving image shooting at 30 frames per second, for example, motion JPEG is performed, 30 still images are analyzed per second, and the processing amount is enormous. become. Accordingly, focusing on the fact that the moving image captured by the first imaging device 110 is a sequence of still images, authentication is performed in consideration of the display switching timing and display time of the authentication information displayed by the second imaging device 112. The amount of information to be processed can be reduced by sampling images at intervals that do not cause information omission and analyzing the sampled image (sampling image 146).

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for explaining image processing. As described with reference to FIG. 12, after the first imaging device 110 selects a transmission destination and a transmission image in step S212, the authentication information is read and the transmission image is processed in step S214. This is an image transmission procedure in which the processed image is transmitted in step S216. In step S214, as shown in FIG. 24, the authentication information is first read (step S214A), and then the image is processed (step S214B).

  As the image processing in step S214B, selection of a processing method, image processing, addition of additional information other than an image, transmission data creation, and the like are performed.

  The selection of the processing method may be a method determined in advance by the specifications of the imaging device, or the processing method may be acquired together with the authentication information shooting.

  As the processing method, encryption using authentication information or conversion of image data based on an algorithm specified by the authentication information is used. As an example of encryption using authentication information, an encryption key is included in the authentication information, and encryption is performed by DES (Data Encryption Standard) or AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) which is a US encryption standard. I can do it. When image data conversion based on an algorithm specified by authentication information is used, the MSB (Most Significant Bit) and LSB (Least Significant Bit) of each pixel value are exchanged, or the pixel value is changed to another position. Even if the importance of the image to be transmitted is relatively light, the object can be achieved even by a simple method such as replacing the pixel value with a random number table. How much encryption or image conversion is to be performed depends on the performance of the CPU and encryption circuit of the imaging device, the capacity of the memory that can be used, the communication speed, etc., the level of eavesdropping risk, and the importance of the image And good.

  For the addition of the additional information, additional information regarding the image, for example, error correction information of the transmission data such as the shooting date and time and the shooting location, a hash value for verifying whether the reproduction of the image data has been performed correctly, and the like are used.

  In the transmission data creation, the image processed and added with additional information as described above is used as transmission data arranged in a predetermined format for transmission.

Next, the communication unit will be described.
FIG. 25A is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the radio wave communication unit 78 in the block diagram of FIG. When IEEE802.11b, which is one of the wireless LAN systems, is used, when a commercially available wireless LAN module, for example, DC2J1DZ120 manufactured by Sharp Corporation is used, the radio communication unit 78 includes a baseband IC 78A and a wireless IC 78B. I can do it.

  FIG. 25B is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the optical communication unit 82 in the block diagram of FIG. When using IrDA, which is one of optical communication systems, the optical communication unit 82 includes an IrDA controller 82A and an IrDA module 82B. For example, as a commercially available module, the IrDA controller 82A can be configured with BU92004KS manufactured by ROHM Co., Ltd., and the IrDA module 82B can be configured with an IrDA infrared communication module RPM971-H14 manufactured by ROHM CO., LTD. Communication up to 2 seconds is possible.

  Next, the flow of processing when authentication information is used as an encryption key for image processing will be described.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining a case where authentication information is used as a secret key. As described with reference to FIG. 10, the second imaging device 112 displays the authentication information (step S200), the first imaging device 110 captures the authentication information (step S202), and the authentication information is analyzed. (Step S204) and authentication information acquisition are confirmed (Step S206), and the authentication information is displayed and stored (Step S208).

  When the authentication information analysis in step S204 is further divided into three steps, as shown in FIG. 26, a step of performing image processing, density analysis, and color analysis of the captured image (step S204A), and analysis of patterns included in the image A pattern recognition step (step S204B) for performing authentication, an authentication information matching and extraction step (step S204C) for analyzing whether or not the information corresponding to the authentication information is included in the processed information, and the like.

  In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 24, image transmission is performed by selecting a transmission destination, selecting a transmission image (step S212), reading out authentication information (step S214A), and processing the transmission image. (Step S214B), the processed image is transmitted (Step S216). This transmission image processing (step S214B) is performed by using a secret key included in the authentication information acquired from the second imaging device 112 or information for encryption based on the authentication information, for example, an encryption method or an encryption key calculation method. Encrypt by

  The second imaging device 112 receives the processed image transmitted from the first imaging device 110, confirms the corresponding authentication information (step S218), calculates the corresponding secret key or encryption key, and decrypts the image. The image is reproduced (step S220), and the image is stored and displayed (step S222).

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining a case where a public key is used for authentication information. In this example, contrary to FIG. 26, the first imaging device 110 displays authentication information and the second imaging device 112 transmits an image.

  That is, the first imaging device 110 creates a private key / public key pair (step S224), and displays authentication information including the created public key (step S226).

  The second imaging device 112 images the authentication information displayed by the first imaging device 110 (step S228), and reproduces and stores the authentication information and the public key (step S230). Thereafter, when transmitting an image, the first imaging device 110 is selected as a transmission destination, and an image to be transmitted is selected (step S232). Then, the stored public key is read (step S234), the image transmitted with the public key is encrypted (step S236), and the processed image as the encryption result is transmitted (step S238).

  The first imaging device 110 receives the processed image, confirms the public key (step S240), decrypts the received image with the corresponding private key and reproduces it (step S242), and stores the reproduced image. Display is performed (step S244).

  The advantage of using a public key here is that only an imaging device that has a pair of private keys can decrypt an image encrypted with the public key, so when receiving images from a large number of people. However, if the secret key is distributed, the secret keys for the number of people must be secretly distributed and managed, but in the case of a public key, one public key is handed over and encrypted with the public key. Since it is only necessary to decrypt the converted image with a secret key that is secretly managed, it is easy to handle. Of course, even if a third party listens to an image encrypted with the public key, it cannot be decrypted because it does not have a secret key.

Next, a case where an image captured by the imaging device is used as authentication information will be described.
FIG. 28A is a diagram schematically illustrating a group of images captured by the imaging device and stored in the memory 140. Images 122A, 122B, 122C, 122D, 122E, and 122F are stored in the memory 140 as shown in FIG. Suppose that it is remembered. Taking FIG. 17A as an example, an image 122, a partner identification code 124, a partner address 126, an authentication information expiration date 128, encryption information 130, etc. are displayed on the monitor 40 as authentication information. Yes. The image 122A stored in the memory 140 of the imaging device as the image 122 is used as a part of the authentication information 114. For this image 122A, a photograph of a face, a symbol mark, or the like that can visually identify the other party is convenient. For example, a participant can determine a common image of the day and take a picture with his / her own imaging device, and use it as part of the authentication information when exchanging images. I can grasp. Alternatively, specific information or an image can be transmitted to only the participant in advance, and the participant can download it to the memory of his / her imaging device and participate and use it as authentication information. FIG. 28B is an example in which the image 122A is displayed including the character information of FIG.

  Next, a case where a plurality of still images are displayed as authentication information in the image display in the authentication information display in step S200 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the image 122G is first displayed on the monitor 40, then the image 122H is displayed, and then the image 122I is displayed. As an example, the image 122G is the image of the owner photographed by the imaging device, the image 122H is the character information in the authentication information, and the image 122I is the matrix image using the color code as the matrix image 6 in the horizontal and vertical 5 first (small region). 13-1) to 30th small area (small area 138-30) using 30 divided display areas, or sequentially displaying images with uniform properties such as coded information such as barcodes. Also good. As a display method, when one image is displayed for a certain period of time and the next image is displayed, or when one image is displayed and a switching instruction is given such as when an OK button is pressed, the next image can be displayed. The former is suitable for the case where the acquisition side is moving image shooting, and the latter is suitable for the case of still image shooting.

  FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram when the authentication information is acquired in the moving image shooting state J2. As described with reference to FIG. 29, the authentication information is sequentially displayed as a plurality of still images, and is a schematic diagram when the imaging device captures a moving image.

  Images obtained by photographing the authentication information 114A, 114B, and 114C are stored in the memory 140, and the authentication information images 142A, 142B, and 142C are recorded together with the image switching portion 148. When the display of the authentication information is not delayed, the image switching portion 148 is as short as one frame or two frames.

Next, a case where authentication information is shared will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 31A, the first imaging device 110 captures the authentication information displayed on the monitor 40 by the second imaging device 112. Next, in FIG. 31B, the authentication information captured by the first imaging device 110 is displayed on the monitor 40, and the second imaging device 112 captures the image. Then, the authentication information captured by the second imaging device 112 is compared with the authentication information displayed by itself, and if the authentication information is the same or within an allowable range, the authentication information is used as the first imaging device 110 and the second imaging device. 112 is used as common authentication information.

  This is like a secret word, and the destination address is the same as that of the other party, but it is convenient when information for processing images is shared. This is convenient when used as authentication information only on the spot or on a day, or when shared by many people.

  FIG. 32 shows a case where a plurality of (three in this example) second imaging devices 112 (second imaging devices 112A, 112B, and 112C) capture a plurality of pieces of authentication information displayed by the first imaging device 110. It is explanatory drawing of.

  The second imaging device 112A captures the authentication information for the second imaging device 112A displayed by the first imaging device 110, and then the first imaging device 110 authenticates the authentication information for the second imaging device 112B. Is displayed and the second imaging device 112B captures the image, and then the first imaging device 110 displays the authentication information for the second imaging device 112C and the second imaging device 112C captures the image. Thereafter, each of the second imaging devices 112A, 112B, and 112C processes the image using the received authentication information and transmits the processed image to the first imaging device 110.

  In this way, by passing different authentication information for each imaging device, it is possible to easily identify image information transmitted from different imaging devices.

Next, a procedure including image transmission / reception in addition to the description of FIG. 32 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 33 (A), authentication information displayed by the first imaging device 110 is sequentially photographed by the second imaging devices 112A, 112B, and 112C, and authentication is performed as shown in FIG. 33 (B). The information image 142a, the authentication information image 142b, and the authentication information image 142c are acquired and displayed on the monitor 40, and the authentication information is extracted. Next, an image is processed using the extracted authentication information and transmitted to the first imaging device 110.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format when the second imaging devices 112A, 112B, and 112C transmit. Header 150A, 150B, 150C, authentication information 152A, 152B, 152C, transmission image 154A. 154B, 154C, etc. Note that the authentication information 152A, 152B, and 152C is authentication information on the transmission side and is used to confirm that the first imaging device 110 is information from the second imaging devices 112A, 112B, and 112C. Only the headers 150A, 150B, and 150C may be used.

  FIG. 35A is a diagram illustrating a display example when the first imaging device 110 reproduces and displays images received from the second imaging devices 112A, 112B, and 112C. The monitor 40 first displays the received image 156A received from the second imaging device 112A, then displays the received image 156B received from the second imaging device 112B, and then received from the second imaging device 112C. The received image 156C can be displayed. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 35B, the received images 156A, 156B, and 156C may be reduced and displayed as reduced images 158A, 158B, and 158C on a single screen.

  Although the communication destination addresses of the second imaging devices 112A, 112B, and 112C are different from each other, a part of the authentication information, for example, the encryption key may be the same.

  As described above, by using the method described with reference to FIGS. 32 to 35B, students' works at the photo session are collected and evaluated on the first imaging device 110 of the teacher, or different authentication information is given to the participants at the party venue. This is convenient when collecting the images taken at the venue and collecting them in the first imaging device 110.

  FIG. 36 shows an example in which the display of the received image as described in FIGS. 35A and 35B is displayed not only on the monitor 40 of the first imaging device 110 but also on another display device. FIG.

  A few inches of liquid crystal display is used as the monitor 40 of the first imaging device 110, and it is small to watch at the same time. Therefore, the image received by the first imaging device 110 can be transmitted to the large screen display device 160 such as a large television monitor by the communication means 162 for viewing. Further, it can be transmitted to the monitor of a personal computer having a medium-sized monitor by the communication means 162 and sequentially displayed as images 164A, 164B, 164C. This is suitable when, for example, an image taken by a participant at a party venue is displayed on a large screen and enjoyed. The first imaging device 110 is not limited to a digital camera, and any device having an imaging function and a communication function such as a mobile phone can be used.

  Next, a case where the second imaging device 112 acquires authentication information of the plurality of first imaging devices 110 and transmits images to each of them in order to transmit images to the plurality of first imaging devices 110. explain.

  In FIG. 37A, the second imaging device 112 acquires authentication information displayed by the first imaging devices 110A, 110B, and 110C. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 37B, the acquired authentication information images 142a, 142b, 142c are displayed on the monitor 40, and the authentication information is extracted and stored. Then, using the acquired authentication information, the image to be transmitted to the first imaging devices 110A, 110B, and 110C is processed, and the transmission data 166A, 166B, and 166C according to the transmission data format as shown in FIG. It is created and transmitted to the first imaging devices 110A, 110B, and 110C.

  FIG. 39A is a diagram schematically illustrating a case where image transmission from the second imaging device 112 to the first imaging devices 110A, 110B, and 110C is performed using radio waves. As shown in FIG. 39B, the first imaging devices 110A, 110B, and 110C reproduce the received images 156A, 156B, and 156C received by the antenna 38 and display them on the respective monitors 40.

  FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram when authentication information is exchanged between a plurality of imaging devices and images are exchanged. The imaging devices 168A, 168B, and 168C function as both the first imaging device 110 and the second imaging device 112. That is, as indicated by solid line arrows in the drawing, the imaging devices 168A, 168B, and 168C each acquire authentication information. When transmitting an image, the image is processed and transmitted using the authentication information of the other party. In this way, it is possible to safely exchange images between a plurality of imaging devices. For example, when multiple people go on a trip, exchange authentication information and send their own images taken with the other party's camera, if you send an image of the scenery you shot, your camera This is convenient for sending images taken with a camera with better performance.

  When the exchange of images requires adjustment or conversion of the image size or the like, it is convenient to include information on camera performance or the like as supplementary information in the authentication information.

  When only exchanging images temporarily, it is desirable to provide the authentication information to be exchanged so that the expiration date is limited to, for example, the travel period.

  Taking FIG. 17A as an example, an expiration date 128 is displayed on the authentication information display screen. As shown in FIG. 41, a transmission destination selection and transmission image are selected (step S212), and when the authentication information is read (step S214A), this expiration date is confirmed (step S246). The authentication information is used to process the image (step S214B), and the processed image is transmitted (step S216). On the other hand, if it is not within the expiration date, an alarm is output to the monitor 40, the speaker 64, the light emitting element 20, or the like (step S248).

Next, a case where the transmission destination is selected by displaying authentication information will be described.
That is, as shown in FIG. 42, the authentication information 152a, 152b, 152c,. In this case, if the authentication information 152a, 152b, 152c,.

Also, as shown in FIG. 43, a plurality of authentication information 152 may be displayed on the monitor 40 and selected. When there is a feature in the image, it is easy to select it when, for example, a photograph of a face of a person at the transmission destination or a symbol mark is displayed.
This is especially convenient for parties where people meet for the first time, photography classes, or travel.

  Note that a liquid crystal display is often used for the monitor 40 in FIG. In the case of a liquid crystal display, the power required for a backlight for display tends to increase as it becomes brighter. With a power source of limited power such as a dry battery or a rechargeable battery, the battery life is increased when the brightness of the monitor 40 is increased. Are in conflict with each other. On the other hand, in a case where authentication information is displayed on the monitor 40 and another image pickup device transfers the authentication information by imaging the displayed authentication information, the monitor 40 can be made as bright as possible to easily shoot the authentication information. I want to keep it.

  Therefore, when displaying an image or menu other than the authentication information, the main control unit 80 controls the display control unit 104 to control the brightness of the monitor 40 to a predetermined brightness. The predetermined brightness can be set in step S126 by operating the menu button 46. When the authentication information is displayed in step S148, imaging of the authentication information can be facilitated by controlling the display control unit 104 to increase the display brightness of the monitor 40. Since the authentication information is transferred in a relatively short time, even if the brightness is increased when displaying the authentication information, the influence on the battery consumption is small.

  As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when an image is exchanged between imaging devices wirelessly, the image information is processed and the processing method, the value used for the processing, etc. If you don't know the image, you can't play it, and you can use the authentication information acquired by the imaging unit of the imaging device different from the image transmission / reception unit as the above value to perform image processing, check the destination, etc. By performing the configuration, it is possible to exchange images easily and safely. For example, if the processing method is encryption, the authentication information including the encryption key is displayed on the monitor of the imaging device, and the other imaging device directly captures the authentication information so that the authentication information can be safely transferred to the other party. Key distribution is performed at a close distance, and an image can be transmitted safely even if it is intercepted using a versatile image transmission / reception means.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on one Embodiment, this invention is not limited to one Embodiment mentioned above, Of course, a various deformation | transformation and application are possible within the range of the summary of this invention. It is.

  For example, although two or three cases have been described as examples of the plurality of second imaging devices, the number may be more than that.

  Further, as the transmission data format, the authentication information is shown separately from the header and the transmission image. However, the authentication information may be part of the header or embedded in the transmission image.

(Appendix)
The invention having the following configuration can be extracted from the specific embodiment.

(1) The imaging device in the imaging system capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving images between the imaging devices,
Image transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving the image;
An authentication information display means for displaying authentication information for authenticating the imaging device on the side of transmitting the image, the imaging device on the side of receiving the image;
Imaging means for imaging the authentication information displayed by the authentication information display means of the imaging device that receives the image;
Processing means for processing an image to be transmitted to an imaging device that receives the image, using the authentication information imaged by the imaging means;
Restoring means for restoring the image transmitted from the imaging device that transmits the image to the original image;
An imaging apparatus comprising:

(Correspondence with embodiment)
The light emitting element 24 and the light receiving element 26, the optical communication unit 82, the antenna 38 and the radio wave communication unit 78 are used as the image transmission / reception means, and the first imaging devices 110, 110A to 110C and 168A to 168C are used to receive the image. The imaging device on the side from which the second imaging device 112, 112A to 112C, 168A to 168C transmits the image, the monitor 40, the light emitting display element 54, the light emitting display 56, and the display control unit 104 are the authentication information. The lens unit 14 and the image sensor 70 correspond to the display unit, the information processing unit 80B corresponds to the processing unit, and the main control unit 80 corresponds to the upper restoring unit.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (1), even if the image transmission / reception unit is intercepted by directly imaging the authentication information displayed by the authentication information display unit different from the image transmission / reception unit for image transmission / reception. Authentication information can be acquired safely, and image information transmitted and received by the image transmission / reception means can be processed and transmitted using the acquired authentication information, so that images can be exchanged safely and easily between imaging devices. it can.

  (2) The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein the authentication information display unit is an image display unit of the imaging apparatus.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
A monitor 40 corresponds to the image display means.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (2), by using the image display unit of the imaging device as the authentication information output unit, the persons who exchange images visually check the authentication information directly in a face-to-face state. It is possible to obtain secure authentication information without being stolen by a third party.

  (3) The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein the authentication information display unit is a light emitting unit of the imaging apparatus.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
The light emitting display element 54 and the light emitting display 56 correspond to the light emitting means.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (3), by using the light emitting unit of the imaging device as the authentication information output unit, the region where the authentication information is transmitted is limited by using characteristics such as straightness of light. Therefore, it is possible to obtain secure authentication information without fear of being stolen by a third party.

  (4) The imaging according to (2), wherein the authentication information display means divides the display area of the image display means into a plurality of areas, and displays the same color information in the divided areas. machine.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
19A and 19B and FIG. 20 correspond.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (4), as the authentication information output means, the display area of the image display means is divided into a plurality of areas, and the same color information is displayed in the divided areas. Even when the performance of the image display means or the performance of the imaging means is low, the amount of information necessary as authentication information can be exchanged, so that authentication information can be acquired easily and safely.

  (5) The imaging device according to (4), wherein the authentication report is color information coded in a striped pattern.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
19A and 19B correspond.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (5), by using the color information coded in a striped pattern as the authentication information, the color information is used even in the case of a device having a low resolution or a large image distortion. By ensuring the discrimination performance, the amount of information necessary as authentication information can be exchanged, so that easy and safe acquisition of authentication information can be performed.

  (6) The imaging device according to (4), wherein the authentication information is coded color information of a matrix pattern.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 20 corresponds.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (6), by using color information coded in a matrix pattern as the authentication information, the color information is used even in the case of a device with low resolution or large image distortion. By securing the discrimination performance, it is possible to exchange a sufficient amount of information as authentication information, so that simple and safe acquisition of authentication information can be performed.

  (7) The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein the authentication information includes information regarding its own attribute.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 17A to FIG. 19B correspond.

  The embodiment relating to the imaging device described in (7) corresponds to the first embodiment.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (7), by including information about its own attribute as the authentication information, for example, by using a reduced face image and an image having a level sufficient for face identification. It is possible to intuitively understand who authentication information is, easy handling of the transmitted information, and easy and secure acquisition of authentication information.

  (8) The imaging apparatus according to (7), wherein the authentication information includes attribute information related to own wireless communication.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIGS. 17A, 17C, and 18A to 19B correspond to each other.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (8), by including attribute information regarding its own wireless communication as the authentication information, for example, by using information regarding a reception address and communication setting, setting of transmission destination and transmission / reception Procedures and condition settings can be automated or simplified, allowing easy and safe image transmission.

  (9) The imaging device according to (7), wherein the authentication information includes personal information of a user of the imaging device.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
17A, 18A to 18C, FIG. 19B, and FIG. 20 correspond.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (9), by including personal information of the user of the imaging device as the authentication information, for example, by using a name, a nickname, a face photograph, or the like intuitively, Since the other party can be identified, the image can be transmitted easily and safely.

  (10) The imaging apparatus according to (2), wherein the authentication information display unit includes a unit that displays information that can be discriminated by the imaging apparatus that displayed the authentication information as part of the image display unit. .

(Correspondence with embodiment)
The identification code 124 corresponds to information that can be identified by the imaging device that displayed the authentication information.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (10), as the authentication information display means, by providing means for displaying information that can be discriminated by the imaging equipment that has output the authentication information in a part of the image display means, Since the other party can be identified intuitively, it is possible to easily and safely transmit an image.

  (11) The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein the image transmission / reception unit is a communication unit using radio waves or light.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
The light emitting element 24 and the light receiving element 26, the optical communication unit 82, the antenna 38, and the radio wave communication unit 78 correspond to the communication means.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (11), image communication can be performed in accordance with the characteristics of the imaging device adopting the present method by using communication means using radio waves or light as the image transmission / reception means.

  (12) The imaging device according to (1), wherein the processing unit uses the authentication information as an encryption key.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 26 corresponds.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (12), since the authentication information is used as the encryption key as the processing means, the encryption key can be reliably delivered on a channel different from the image communication path. Can send images safely.

  (13) The imaging device according to (1), wherein the processing unit uses the authentication information as a public key.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 27 corresponds.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (13), since the encryption key itself can be publicly transferred by using the authentication information as a public key as the processing means, it is easy to operate even in a crowded venue. In addition, secure authentication information and images can be transmitted and received.

  (14) The imaging device according to (1), wherein the authentication information includes an image photographed by the imaging device before being displayed on the authentication information display unit.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
28A to 28C correspond to each other.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (14), by including, as the authentication information, an image captured by the imaging device before being displayed on the authentication information display unit, for example, each camera has a unique image. By using an image or an image obtained by photographing the same subject in a camera belonging to a certain group, authentication information suitable for the scene can be used, and an easy operation and safe image transmission / reception can be performed.

  (15) The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein the authentication information is displayed as a plurality of continuous still images when displayed on the authentication information display unit.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 29 corresponds.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (15), when the authentication information is displayed on the authentication information display means, it is output as a plurality of continuous still images, for example, using image groups having different properties. Therefore, it is possible to combine personal information that makes it easy to identify the other party and highly confidential random information. Even with a low-resolution device, a sufficient amount of information can be obtained as authentication information by using a plurality of still images. Therefore, it is possible to easily transmit and receive images that are easy to operate.

  (16) The imaging device according to (1), wherein the imaging device captures an image in the moving image shooting state when capturing the authentication information.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 30 corresponds.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (16), when the imaging device captures the authentication information, even when the counterpart device displays a plurality of continuous still images by capturing in the moving image shooting state, There is no inconvenience of pressing the shutter switch each time, and it can be prevented from being overwritten, so that the authentication information can be acquired with certainty.

  (17) The authentication information displayed by the first imaging device that is the imaging device that receives the image is captured after the second imaging device that is the imaging device that transmits the image captures the authentication information. The authentication information is displayed on the authentication information display unit of the second imaging device, and is imaged by the imaging unit of the first imaging device, and the authentication information displayed by the first imaging device and the authentication information captured are obtained. (1) The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein when the two match, the first imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus are used as shared authentication information.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 31A and FIG. 31B correspond.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (17), after the second imaging device images the authentication information output by the first imaging device, the authentication information is output to the authentication information output unit of the second imaging device, It is possible to verify whether or not the authentication information has been successfully transferred between the two by checking the image with the imaging unit of the first imaging device. Further, the matched authentication information can be used as the authentication information shared by both. Therefore, it is possible to easily transmit and receive images that are easy to operate.

  (18) A first imaging device that is an imaging device that receives the image includes a plurality of the authentication information, and includes at least two second imaging devices that are imaging devices that transmit the image. The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein different authentication information is displayed.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 32 corresponds.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (18), the first imaging device prepares a plurality of authentication information and outputs different authentication information to at least two of the second imaging devices. Since the authentication information can be properly used for the other device, the other device can be easily identified and the image can be transmitted and received safely.

(19) The second imaging device transmits an image to the first imaging device after processing the image using the authentication information acquired from the first imaging device,
The imaging apparatus according to (18), wherein the first imaging apparatus displays an image received from the plurality of second imaging apparatuses on an image display means.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 33A to FIG. 35B correspond.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (19), the second imaging device processes the image using the authentication information acquired from the first imaging device, and then transmits the image to the first imaging device. The first imaging device displays an image received from the plurality of second imaging devices on the image display means, whereby an image sent from the plurality of counterpart devices can be easily and safely identified. Can be obtained.

  (20) The first imaging device displays an image received from the plurality of second imaging devices on a display unit different from the image display unit of the first imaging device ( The imaging device according to 18).

(Correspondence with embodiment)
The large screen display device 160 corresponds to the other display means.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (20), the first imaging device displays an image received from the plurality of second imaging devices separately from the image display unit of the first imaging device. By displaying on the means, the collected images can be enjoyed together by displaying them on a large screen without being restricted by the limited display function of the imaging device.

  (21) The second imaging device that is the imaging device that transmits the image captures authentication information displayed by the first at least two imaging devices that are the imaging devices that receive the image. The image pickup device according to (1), further comprising means for storing the image.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
37A and 37B correspond. The lens unit 14, the imaging device 70, the imaging processing circuit 72, the main control unit 80, the built-in memory 74, and the like correspond to means for imaging and storing the authentication information.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (21), the second imaging device includes means for capturing and storing the authentication information displayed by the first at least two imaging devices. For example, when a teacher distributes model images to students in a shooting classroom, image transmission to individual students, broadcast transmission to all students, and the like can be performed easily and safely.

  (22) The second imaging device acquires authentication information displayed by the at least two or more first imaging devices, processes an image using the acquired authentication information, and processes the first imaging device. The imaging device according to (21), wherein

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 38 corresponds.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (22), the second imaging device acquires authentication information output from the first at least two imaging devices, and uses the acquired authentication information to generate an image. By processing the image and transmitting it to the first imaging device, it is possible to safely perform image transmission to individual students or broadcast transmission to all students.

  (23) The imaging device according to (1), wherein after the authentication information is exchanged between at least three imaging devices, an image is processed using the acquired authentication information.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 40 corresponds. The imaging devices 168A to 168C correspond to the at least three or more imaging devices.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (23), the authentication information is exchanged between at least three imaging devices, the image is processed using the acquired authentication information, and the image is exchanged. Like the alumni association, you can easily and safely exchange images taken with friends who are parting on the spot, without the hassle of exchanging at a later date.

  (24) The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein the authentication information has an expiration date and is invalidated when the expiration date has passed.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
17A, FIG. 17C, FIG. 18A to FIG. 19B, and FIG. 41 correspond.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (24), the authentication information has an expiration date, and is invalidated when the expiration date has passed, thereby using the authentication information beyond the range intended by the person who sent the authentication information. Can be prevented.

  (25) (1), (19), (22), or (23) characterized in that the authentication information acquired from the partner device can be displayed on its own monitor and an image can be transmitted to the partner device by designating it. The imaging device described in 1.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
42 and 43 correspond to each other. The monitor 40 corresponds to the monitor.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (25), it is possible to transmit the image to the partner device by displaying and specifying the authentication information acquired from the partner device on its own monitor, thereby simplifying the confirmation of the transmission partner and the transmission procedure. Therefore, it is possible to transmit and receive images easily and safely.

  (26) The imaging device according to (25), wherein an image can be transmitted to the counterpart device by displaying and selecting a plurality of authentication information acquired from the counterpart device on its own monitor.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 43 corresponds.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (26), it is possible to transmit an image to the partner device by displaying a plurality of authentication information acquired from the partner device and selecting it on the monitor of the partner device. Since it can be simplified, it is possible to easily and safely transmit and receive images.

  (27) The imaging device according to (2), wherein the image display means increases output when authentication information is output.

(Correspondence with embodiment)
4, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C correspond.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (27), since the image display means can increase the output when the authentication information is displayed, the influence of reflection due to ambient brightness at the time of monitor photographing can be reduced. Secure authentication information can be acquired.

(28) An authentication method for the imaging device in the imaging system capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving images between the imaging devices,
A step of displaying authentication information for authenticating the imaging device on the side from which the imaging device on the side receiving the image transmits the image;
Capturing the authentication information displayed on the imaging device that receives the image with the imaging device that transmits the image;
A step of processing an image transmitted by the imaging device that transmits the image to the imaging device that receives the image, using the authentication information that has been captured;
Restoring the image transmitted from the imaging device on the side that transmits the image to the original image on the imaging device on the side that receives the image;
An authentication method comprising:

(Correspondence with embodiment)
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 correspond.

(Function and effect)
According to the imaging device described in (28), wireless transmission / reception of an image is intercepted by directly capturing the authentication information displayed by the imaging device receiving the image by the imaging device transmitting the image. Authentication information can be acquired safely even if the image information to be transmitted and received is processed and transmitted using the acquired authentication information, and images can be exchanged safely and easily between imaging devices. Can do.

1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a digital camera as an example of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the digital movie camera as another example of an imaging device. It is a figure explaining the function of an authentication switch. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the digital camera of FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement correspondence table of the switch and button which were provided in the camera main body. It is a figure which shows the 1st part of a series of flowcharts for demonstrating the state transition and process in an imaging device. It is a figure which shows the 2nd part of a series of flowcharts for demonstrating the state transition and process in an imaging device. It is a figure which shows the 3rd part of a series of flowcharts for demonstrating the state transition and process in an imaging device. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the image transmission from an imaging device. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the creation menu process of authentication information. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the display menu process of authentication information. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure for acquiring authentication information from the 2nd imaging device of the other party which the 1st imaging device transmits an image. It is a figure for demonstrating the state in case the 1st imaging device image | photographs the authentication information which the 2nd imaging device displayed on the monitor. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the transmission / reception procedure of the image between imaging devices. It is a figure which shows the state of transmission / reception of the image between a 1st imaging device and a 2nd imaging device. It is a figure which shows the example of mounting of a light emitting display element. It is a figure which shows the example of mounting of a light emission display, and the example of a display. It is a figure which shows the other example of mounting of a light emission display, and the example of a display. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the authentication information on a monitor. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the authentication information on the monitor in the case of a color display. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the authentication information on the monitor in the case of a color display. It is a figure which shows another example of a display of the authentication information on the monitor in the case of a color display. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the analysis of authentication information. It is a figure which shows typically the memory | storage state of the memory of the 1st imaging device for demonstrating the method of the continuous analysis by a moving image. It is a figure which shows typically the memory | storage state of the memory of the 1st imaging device for demonstrating the other method of the continuous analysis by a moving image. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the process of an image. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a radio wave communication part and an optical communication part. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the case where authentication information is used for a secret key. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the case where a public key is used for authentication information. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where the image imaged with the imaging device is utilized for authentication information. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where a some still picture is displayed as authentication information. It is explanatory drawing in the case of acquiring authentication information in a moving image shooting state. It is a figure which shows the imaging state of authentication information in the case of sharing authentication information. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where a some 2nd imaging device images the some authentication information which a 1st imaging device displays. It is a figure for demonstrating imaging | photography of the authentication information with a some 2nd imaging device, and the display of each authentication information. It is a figure which shows the example of a format in case the 2nd imaging device transmits. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in case the 1st imaging device reproduces | regenerates and displays the image received from the 2nd imaging device. It is a figure for demonstrating the display to the other display apparatus of a received image. It is a figure which shows the acquisition state of the authentication information of a some 1st imaging device, and the authentication information acquired by it. It is a figure which shows the example of the transmission data format to a 1st imaging device. It is a figure which shows the image transmission state to the some 1st imaging device using an electromagnetic wave, and a received image. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where authentication information is exchanged between several imaging devices and an image is exchanged. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating the case where an expiration date is included in authentication information. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the case of displaying a some authentication information and selecting a transmission destination. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display in the case of displaying several authentication information and selecting a transmission destination.

Explanation of symbols

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 12 ... Camera body, 14 ... Lens part, 16 ... Flash, 18, 26 ... Light receiving element, 20, 24 ... Light emitting element, 22 ... Microphone, 28 ... Shutter switch, 30 ... Power switch, 32 ... Power Lamp 34 ... Select switch 36 ... Authentication switch 36A ... Operation part 36B ... Normal position 36C ... Authentication position 38 ... Antenna 40 ... Monitor 42 ... Cross switch 44 ... OK button 46 ... Menu button 48 ... Zoom switch, 50 ... Erase button, 52 ... Print button, 54 ... Light-emitting display element, 56 ... Light-emitting indicator, 58 ... Information button, 60 ... Protection button, 62 ... Rotation button, 64 ... Speaker, 66 ... Digital movie Camera 68 ... Power mode switch 70 ... Shooting Element 72 72 Imaging processing circuit 74 Internal memory 76 Detachable memory 78 Radio communication unit 78A Baseband IC 78B Wireless IC 80 Main control unit 80A Authentication information storage unit 80B Information processing unit 82 ... Optical communication unit 82A ... IrDA controller 82B ... IrDA module 84 ... Zoom control unit 86 ... Exposure control unit 88 ... Ranging control unit 90 ... Image processing circuit 92 ... Encryption / encoding Decoding circuit, 94 ... Audio processing unit, 96 ... External interface, 98 ... Bus, 100 ... Light emitting unit, 102 ... Light receiving unit, 104 ... Display control unit, 106 ... Power supply circuit, 108 ... Battery, 110, 110A, 110B, 110C: First imaging device 112, 112A, 112B, 112C ... Second imaging device 114, 114A, 14B, 152, 152A, 152B, 152C, 152a, 152b, 152c ... authentication information, 116 ... radio wave, 118 ... light, 120 ... LED, 122, 122A, 122B, 122C, 122D, 122E, 122F, 122G, 122H, 122I , 164A, 164B, 164C ... image, 126 ... address, 128 ... expiration date, 130 ... information for encryption, 132 ... bar code, 134 ... color bar, 136 ... symbol display area, 138, 138-1, 138- 30, 138A ... small area, 140 ... memory, 142A, 142B, 142C ... authentication information image, 144 ... previous image, 146 ... sampling image, 148 ... image switching part, 150A, 150B, 150C ... header, 154A, 154B, 154C ... sent images, 156A, 156B, 156C ... received image, 158A, 158B, 158C ... reduced image, 160 ... large screen display device, 162 ... communication means, 166A, 166B, 166B ... transmission data, 168A, 168B, 168C ... imaging device.

Claims (28)

The above imaging device in an imaging system capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving images between imaging devices,
Image transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving the image;
An authentication information display means for displaying authentication information for authenticating the imaging device on the side from which the imaging device on the image receiving side transmits the image;
Imaging means for imaging the authentication information displayed by the authentication information display means of the imaging device that receives the image;
Processing means for processing an image to be transmitted to an imaging device that receives the image, using the authentication information imaged by the imaging means;
Restoring means for restoring the image transmitted from the imaging device that transmits the image to the original image;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication information display unit is an image display unit of the imaging apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication information display unit is a light emitting unit of the imaging apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the authentication information display means divides the display area of the image display means into a plurality of areas, and displays the same color information in the divided areas.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the authentication information is striped coded color information.   5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the authentication information is color information encoded in a matrix pattern.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication information includes information regarding its own attribute.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the authentication information includes attribute information related to own wireless communication.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the authentication information includes personal information of a user of the imaging apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the authentication information display means includes means for displaying information that can be identified by the imaging apparatus that displayed the authentication information, in a part of the image display means.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transmission / reception unit is a communication unit using radio waves or light.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit uses the authentication information as an encryption key.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit uses the authentication information as a public key.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication information includes an image photographed by the imaging apparatus before being displayed on the authentication information display unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication information is displayed as a plurality of continuous still images when displayed on the authentication information display unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus captures an image in a moving image capturing state when capturing the authentication information.   The authentication information displayed by the first imaging device that is the imaging device that receives the image is captured by the second imaging device that is the imaging device that transmits the image, and then the captured authentication information is displayed. When the authentication information displayed on the authentication information display unit of the second imaging device is captured by the imaging unit of the first imaging device and the authentication information displayed by the first imaging device matches the captured authentication information. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is used as authentication information shared by the first imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus.   The first imaging device that is the imaging device that receives the image has a plurality of the authentication information, and is different from the second at least two imaging devices that are the imaging devices that transmit the image. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication information is displayed. The second imaging device transmits an image to the first imaging device after processing the image using the authentication information acquired from the first imaging device,
19. The imaging device according to claim 18, wherein the first imaging device displays an image received from the plurality of second imaging devices on an image display unit.   The first imaging device displays the image received from the plurality of second imaging devices on a display unit different from the image display unit of the first imaging device. The imaging device described.   The second imaging device that is the imaging device that transmits the image captures and stores the authentication information displayed by the first at least two imaging devices that are the imaging devices that receive the image. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means.   The second imaging device acquires authentication information displayed by the at least two first imaging devices, processes an image using the acquired authentication information, and transmits the processed image to the first imaging device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 21, wherein   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the authentication information is exchanged between at least three imaging apparatuses, an image is processed using the acquired authentication information.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication information has an expiration date and is invalidated after the expiration date.   The imaging device according to claim 1, 19, 22, or 23, wherein the authentication information acquired from the partner device is displayed on the monitor of the partner device and designated to transmit an image to the partner device.   26. The imaging device according to claim 25, wherein an image can be transmitted to the partner device by displaying and selecting a plurality of authentication information acquired from the partner device on its own monitor.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image display unit increases an output when the authentication information is displayed. An authentication method for the imaging device in the imaging system capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving images between the imaging devices,
A step of displaying authentication information for authenticating the imaging device on the side from which the imaging device on the side receiving the image transmits the image;
Capturing the authentication information displayed on the imaging device that receives the image with the imaging device that transmits the image;
A step of processing an image transmitted by the imaging device that transmits the image to the imaging device that receives the image, using the authentication information that has been captured;
Restoring the image transmitted from the imaging device on the side that transmits the image to the original image on the imaging device on the side that receives the image;
An authentication method comprising:

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