JP2012023507A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording apparatus which prevents images recorded therein from being easily disclosed to a third party.SOLUTION: When an image file is transmitted to an accessory apparatus 200 from an external apparatus 300 by wireless communication (S107) while the accessory apparatus 200 is mounted to an imaging apparatus 100 (S106), the image file from the accessory apparatus 200 is ciphered by the imaging apparatus 100 (S108), and the ciphered image file is recorded in the accessory apparatus 200 (S109). A cipher key for deciphering the ciphered image file is recorded in the imaging apparatus 100 (S110).

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having a communication function.

  In recent years, devices (photographing devices) having a photographing function such as digital cameras have become widespread. In recent years, many imaging apparatuses can transfer image data obtained by imaging by the imaging apparatus to other devices. In recent years, it has become possible to connect an external recording device to a photographing device and view images in the recording device with the photographing device.

  Since the digitized image can be transferred to various devices by communication and can be played back by various devices, it is suitable for an application in which an image is shared by everyone. As one of the techniques relating to such image transfer, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

JP 2008-92075 A

  Here, since the image in the recording apparatus can be easily transferred to another device, even an image that is not intended by the user may be easily disclosed to others. It is considered that the conventional technology such as Patent Document 1 does not have sufficient measures for the security of the image in the recording apparatus. In addition, a technology for restricting access to the recording device by a password or the like has been proposed. In this case, in order to access the recording device, the user needs to input a password or the like one by one. There is also a risk of feeling.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a recording apparatus in which recorded images are not easily disclosed to a third party.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a wired communication unit for performing wired communication with a first external device, and a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication with a second external device. The first image transmitted from the first external device is recorded by the wired communication unit, and the second image transmitted from the second external device is encrypted by the wireless communication unit. And a recording unit for recording.

  According to the present invention, recorded images are not easily disclosed to a third party.

1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an image recording system having a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the modified example at the time of giving an encryption part to an accessory apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an image recording system having a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image recording system includes an imaging device 100 and an accessory device 200 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1B, the accessory device 200 as a recording device is configured to be detachable from the imaging device 100. When the accessory device 200 is attached to the imaging device 100, the imaging device 100 and the accessory device 200 are connected to be able to communicate. Further, the accessory device 200 can be carried in a state separated from the imaging device 100.

  An imaging device 100 having a function as a first external device includes an imaging unit 101, a display unit 102, a recording unit 103, an operation unit 104, a time measuring unit 105, a communication unit 106, and an encryption unit 107. , And a control unit 108.

  The imaging unit 101 includes an optical system, an imaging element, and the like. The imaging unit 101 converts an object image formed on an imaging element via an optical system into an electrical signal (image signal) by photoelectric conversion. Furthermore, the imaging unit 101 also converts an image signal as an analog signal into a digital signal (image data). The display unit 102 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence display (OELD), and displays various images. The recording unit 103 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory built in the imaging apparatus 100 and records various data such as an image file generated by the control unit 108. Note that the recording unit 103 may be configured to be detachable from the imaging apparatus 100. The operation unit 104 is various operation units for the user to operate the imaging apparatus 100. As the operation unit 104, for example, a power button for turning on or off the power of the imaging apparatus 100, a release button for instructing the imaging apparatus 100 to perform shooting, and an operation mode of the imaging apparatus 100 are set. Various operation units such as a mode button and a selection button for performing various selections in the imaging apparatus 100 are included. When the operation unit 104 is operated, the control unit 108 executes processing according to the operation of the operation unit 104. The timer 105 measures various times in the imaging device 100. The communication unit 106 includes a communication interface for the imaging device 100 to communicate with the accessory device 200. The communication unit 106 includes, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) interface as a communication interface for performing wired communication with the accessory device 200, for example. Of course, other than the USB interface may be provided. The encryption unit 107 encrypts an image file transmitted from the accessory device 200 when the accessory device 200 is connected to the imaging device 100. The encryption unit 107 also decrypts the encrypted image file. As the encryption method, for example, a public key encryption method such as RSA can be used.

  The control unit 108 controls overall operations in the imaging apparatus 100 such as control relating to image display and image recording in the imaging apparatus 100 and control of the encryption unit 107. The control unit 108 also has a function as an image processing unit, and performs display image processing or recording image processing on the image data captured from the imaging unit 101.

The accessory device 200 includes a recording unit 201, a wired communication unit 202, and a wireless communication unit 203.
The recording unit 201 is an image file obtained by further performing image processing (resizing processing) on an image obtained by the imaging apparatus 100, an image file transmitted from an external apparatus 300 different from the imaging apparatus 100 such as a mobile phone, and the like. Record various data. The wired communication unit 202 includes, for example, an interface for wired communication such as a USB interface as a communication interface for performing wired communication with the imaging apparatus 100. The wireless communication unit 203 includes an interface for performing wireless communication such as infrared communication and Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication with the external device 300 as the second external device.

  The external device 300 is a mobile phone, for example, and transmits an image file to the accessory device 200. In the example of FIG. 1A, a mobile phone is shown as an example of the external device 300. However, the external device 300 is not limited to a mobile phone, and may be any device that can transmit an image file to the accessory device 200 by wireless communication.

  As described above, the accessory device 200 can record an image file obtained by photographing with the imaging device 100 or an image file obtained by wireless communication with the external device 300. Therefore, the user can use the accessory device 200 as a portable electronic album. However, if the image file in the accessory device 200 can be easily reproduced, for example, even if the user of the external device 300 permits only the user of the imaging device 100 to view the image, the accessory device There is a possibility that an inconvenience that an image in 200 is seen by a third party.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the accessory device 200 is mounted on the imaging device 100, all images in the accessory device 200 can be browsed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1C, when an image file in the accessory device 200 is to be reproduced by an external device 400 different from the imaging device 100 such as a television receiver, a part of the image file is reproduced. I can't do it.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the operation of FIG. 2 is started when the power of the imaging apparatus 100 is turned on by the user operating the operation unit 104. First, the control unit 108 of the imaging apparatus 100 determines whether or not the operation mode of the imaging apparatus 100 is the shooting mode (S101). As described above, the operation mode is set by operating the mode button of the operation unit 104, for example. In S101, when the operation mode is the shooting mode, the control unit 108 determines whether or not a shooting instruction has been given (S102). The shooting instruction is an operation of a release button of the operation unit 104, for example. When a shooting instruction is given in S102, the control unit 108 performs shooting processing, and causes the recording unit 103 to record an image file obtained by shooting (S103). As a photographing process, the control unit 108 calculates an appropriate exposure amount of the image sensor from the brightness of the scene or the like. Then, the control unit 108 controls the exposure operation (image acquisition operation) of the imaging unit 101 according to the calculated appropriate exposure amount. After such shooting processing, the control unit 108 performs various types of image processing on the image data obtained by the shooting processing, and causes the recording unit 103 to record an image file obtained as a result of the image processing. After recording the image file in the recording unit 103, the control unit 108 determines whether or not the accessory device 200 is currently attached to the imaging device 100 (S104). In S104, when the accessory device 200 is attached, the control unit 108 resizes (reduces) the image data obtained in S103 to generate an image file for recording in the accessory device 200, and the generated accessory The image file for recording on the device 200 is transmitted to the accessory device 200 via the communication unit 106 (S105). As a result, the resized image corresponding to the image obtained by the imaging device 100 is copied to the recording unit 201 of the accessory device 200.

  In S102, when no shooting instruction is given, the control unit 108 determines whether or not the accessory device 200 is currently attached to the imaging device 100 (S106). In S106, when the accessory device 200 is attached, the control unit 108 determines whether an image file has been transmitted from the accessory device 200 (S107). As described above, the accessory device 200 is capable of wireless communication with the external device 300. When the accessory device 200 is mounted on the imaging device 100 and an image file is transmitted from the external device 300 by wireless communication, the image file is transmitted from the accessory device 200 to the imaging device 100. In S107, when an image file is transmitted from the accessory device 200, the control unit 108 encrypts the transmitted image file by the encryption unit 107 (S108). After encryption, the control unit 108 transmits the encrypted image file to the accessory device 200 (S109). Thereby, the image file received from the external device 300 is recorded in the recording unit 201 of the accessory device 200 in an encrypted state. Note that the image file in an unencrypted state is deleted from the accessory device 200. After transmitting the encrypted image file, the control unit 108 associates an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted image file with the file name of the image file transmitted to the accessory device 200 in the recording unit 103. Recording is performed (S110).

  In S101, when the shooting mode is not set, that is, in the playback mode, the control unit 108 causes the display unit 102 to display a list of image files (thumbnail images) recorded in the recording unit 103 (S111). After the list display, the control unit 108 determines whether or not the accessory device 200 is currently attached to the imaging device 100 (S112). In S112, when the accessory device 200 is attached, the control unit 108 determines whether or not a request is made to select an image file in the accessory device 200 in accordance with, for example, the operation of the selection button of the operation unit 104 of the user. Determine (S113). In S113, when a request is made to select an image file in the accessory device 200, the control unit 108 communicates with the accessory device 200 and is recorded in the accessory device 200 obtained as a result of the communication. A list of image files (thumbnail images) is displayed on the display unit 102 instead of the list of image files recorded in the recording unit 103 (S114). When the accessory device 200 is not attached in S112, the control unit 108 skips the processes of S113 and S114. In S113, when the selection request for the image file in the accessory device 200 is not made, the control unit 108 skips the process of S114. After displaying a list of image files in the imaging device 100 or image files in the accessory device 200, the control unit 108 determines whether an image file has been selected in accordance with, for example, an operation of a selection button on the operation unit 104 of the user. (S115). If no image file has been selected in S115, the control unit 108 skips the processing of S116 to S119. If an image file is selected in S115, the control unit 108 determines whether or not the selected image file is an encrypted image file (S116). When the image file selected in S116 is an encrypted image file, the control unit 108 reads out the encryption key corresponding to the image file from the recording unit 103 (S117). Thereafter, the control unit 108 decrypts the image file by the encryption unit 107 using the read encryption key (S118). If the image file selected in S116 is not an encrypted image file, the control unit 108 skips the processes in S117 and S118. After S116 or S118, the control unit 108 reproduces the image file (S119). That is, the control unit 108 expands the image data in the image file and causes the display unit 102 to display an image based on the expanded image data. After S115 or S119, the control unit 108 determines whether or not to reproduce another image (S120). For example, when any operation is not performed, it is determined that another image is reproduced. It is also determined that another image is to be reproduced when an instruction to reproduce another image (for example, an instruction to redisplay the list display) is given by the user's operation of the operation unit 104. In S120, when another image is reproduced, the control unit 108 performs the processing after S111. On the other hand, when another image is not played back in S120, the control unit 108 determines whether or not to end the playback mode (S121). For example, when an operation for switching from the playback mode to the shooting mode is performed or when playback ends. When the operation is performed, it is determined that the reproduction mode is to be ended. In S121, when the playback mode is not terminated, the control unit 108 performs the processes after S111. In S121, when the playback mode is ended, the control unit 108 performs the processes after S106.

  After S104, S105, S106, S107, and S110, the control unit 108 determines whether to power off the imaging apparatus 100 (step S122). For example, it is determined that the power is turned off when a power off instruction is given by the power button of the operation unit 104. In addition, it may be determined that the power is turned off when the operation unit 104 is not operated for a predetermined time. If it is determined in step S122 that the power is not turned off, the control unit 108 shifts the process to step S101. On the other hand, in the determination of step S122, when the power is turned off, the control unit 108 ends the process of FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the accessory device 200 is attached to the imaging device 100, when the image file is transmitted from the external device 300 to the accessory device 200 by wireless communication, this transmission is performed. The transmitted image file is transmitted to the imaging apparatus 100. Then, the image file transmitted to the imaging device 100 is encrypted. Only the encrypted image file is recorded in the accessory device 200, and the encryption key for decrypting the encrypted image file is recorded in the imaging device 100. For this reason, the image file wirelessly communicated from the external device 300 cannot be reproduced by the accessory device 200 alone. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the image will be disclosed to a third party not intended by the user of the external device 300.

  Here, in the example of FIG. 2, the image file obtained by the imaging process by the imaging device 100 is recorded in the accessory device 200 without being encrypted. On the other hand, the image file obtained by the imaging process by the imaging device 100 may be encrypted and then recorded in the accessory device 200.

  In the example of FIG. 2, an example in which the image capturing apparatus 100 performs encryption is described. On the other hand, if the accessory device 200 has an encryption unit, it is possible to perform encryption in the accessory device 200. The control of the accessory device 200 in this case is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the accessory device 200 determines whether or not the imaging device 100 is currently connected (S201). In S <b> 201, when the imaging device 100 is connected, the accessory device 200 is in a state of receiving an image file from the imaging device 100. At this time, the accessory device 200 determines whether an image file has been received from the imaging device 100 (S202). In S202, when an image file is received from the imaging device 100, the accessory device 200 records the received image file in the recording unit 201 (S203). Thereafter, the process returns to S201.

  Further, when the imaging device is not connected in S201, or when the image file is not received from the imaging device 100 in S202, the accessory device 200 receives the image file from the external device 300 via the wireless communication unit 203. It is determined whether or not it has been done (S204). If no image file is received from the external device 300 in S204, the process returns to S201. In S204, when the image file is not received from the external device 300, the accessory device 200 encrypts the transmitted image file by the encryption unit (S205). After encryption, the accessory device 200 records the encrypted image file in the recording unit 201 (S206). As a result, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the image file received from the external device 300 is recorded in the recording unit 201 of the accessory device 200 in an encrypted state. After recording the encrypted image file, the accessory device 200 determines whether or not the imaging device 100 is currently connected (S207). In S207, when the imaging device 100 is not connected, the process returns to S201. In S207, when the imaging device 100 is connected, the accessory device 200 transmits an encryption key to the imaging device 100 (S208). Further, the accessory device 200 deletes the encryption key transmitted to the imaging device 100 without recording it in the recording unit 201 (S209).

  Even in the modification described above, the image file wirelessly communicated from the external device 300 cannot be played back by the accessory device 200 alone, so that the user of the external device 300 can reach a third party that is not intended. It is possible to reduce the likelihood that an image will be published.

  Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are naturally possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described example, it is assumed that an image file wirelessly communicated from the external apparatus 300 is encrypted. On the other hand, if the user of the external device 300 does not want encryption, a signal indicating that is transmitted from the external device 300 together with the image file, and when this signal is received, the image file Encryption may not be performed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Imaging device, 101 ... Imaging part, 102 ... Display part, 103 ... Recording part, 104 ... Operation part, 105 ... Timing part, 106 ... Communication part, 107 ... Encryption part, 108 ... Control part, 200 ... Accessory apparatus , 201 ... recording unit, 202 ... wired communication unit, 203 ... wireless communication unit

Claims (3)

A wired communication unit for performing wired communication with the first external device;
A wireless communication unit for wirelessly communicating with the second external device;
The first image transmitted from the first external device is recorded by the wired communication unit, and the second image transmitted from the second external device by the wireless communication unit is recorded in an encrypted state. Recording section to
A recording apparatus comprising: An encryption key for decrypting the encrypted second image is recorded in the first external device,
The encrypted second image is played back on the first external device when the first external device and the recording device are connected by a wired communication unit. The recording apparatus according to 1.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image is encrypted by the first external device.

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