JP2012159627A - Lens interchangeable imaging device with lens thief prevention mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lens interchangeable imaging device capable of preventing a lens from being stolen without degrading operability in changing lenses.SOLUTION: The present invention comprises: a lens lock button with a fingerprint sensor section 601 to read a fingerprint on a surface thereof; a storage device 605 which registers the fingerprint read by the fingerprint sensor section 601; a control section 603 which determines whether or not the fingerprint read by the fingerprint sensor section 601 corresponds to the same stored in the storage device 605; a display section 610 capable of displaying a fingerprint authentication result; and a fingerprint authentication unit 600 which is activated when the lens lock button is pressed down. The invention also has a lens lock section 604 which prevents a lens lock pin, which moves in conjunction with the lens lock button when the same is pressed down, from moving in conjunction with the lens lock button. When the lens lock button is pressed down, the invention reads the fingerprint with the fingerprint sensor, checks the same with the preliminary registered fingerprint, and, only when the two fingerprints coincide, performs a locking/unlocking operation of the lens lock section.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image-capturing apparatus with interchangeable lenses, and more particularly to an image-capturing apparatus with interchangeable lenses provided with a fingerprint authentication mechanism.

Conventionally, a camera (imaging device) with interchangeable lenses can be used when using the camera as a security function, in which the camera owner's fingerprint is registered in advance to limit the user to the owner. A technique has been developed in which a user's fingerprint is detected so that the camera cannot be photographed and data cannot be reproduced and processed when the user is not the owner (Patent Document 1).
In addition, the anti-theft device for the camera body with interchangeable lenses is composed of a support base on which the camera is placed and a rope formed with an annular portion through which only the support base can pass at the tip, and is connected to the fixed member. Has been developed to prevent theft (Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-115624 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-134565

  However, with the prior art disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents, no measures are taken against the interchangeable lens even though the camera body and acquired data can be protected, and only the lens is stolen by removing the lens. I couldn't prevent it.

  In addition, in the prior art disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document, it is necessary to turn on the power of the camera body at the time of fingerprint authentication, and the battery capacity for operating the camera body is insufficient or the battery is owned. If not, there is a problem that the authentication operation cannot be performed.

  In addition, in the conventional technology disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document, since the shutter button has a function of detecting a fingerprint, when the lens protection function is to be realized by the conventional technology, it is troublesome to replace the shutter. It is necessary to perform authentication by touching the button, which may cause a problem that operability is degraded.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a lens-exchangeable imaging device that can prevent theft of a lens without reducing the operability of lens exchange.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an imaging apparatus capable of exchanging a lens, having a lens lock button to be pressed when exchanging the lens, and a lens lock pin for fixing the lens when the lens is mounted. An image pickup apparatus having a mechanism for moving a lens lock pin in conjunction with depression of a lock button, wherein a fingerprint sensor unit (601) for reading a fingerprint when the lens lock button is depressed is provided on the surface of the lens lock button. A lens lock button (703) having a fingerprint sensor, a storage device (605) for registering a fingerprint read by the fingerprint sensor unit (601), and a storage device (605) for storing the fingerprint read by the fingerprint sensor unit (601). 605) a control unit (603) for determining whether the fingerprint matches the stored fingerprint, a display unit (610) capable of displaying a fingerprint authentication result, and a lens A lens lock unit (604) that includes a fingerprint authentication unit (600) that is activated by pressing a lock button, and that prevents a lens lock pin that moves in conjunction with the lens lock button from moving in conjunction with the lens lock button. When the lens lock button is pressed, the fingerprint is read by the fingerprint sensor, collated with a pre-registered fingerprint, and the lens lock part is locked / unlocked only when they match. It is characterized by things.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lens-exchangeable imaging device that can prevent theft of a lens without reducing the operability of lens exchange.

Enlarged view of lens-replaceable camera and mount portion applied to the first embodiment of the present invention The block diagram of the electronic camera 100 applied to 1st, 2nd and 3rd embodiment of this invention Flowchart of fingerprint registration in the first embodiment of the present invention Flowchart of lens lock button locking in the first embodiment of the present invention Lens anti-theft mechanism peripheral view when unlocking in the first embodiment of the present invention Lens anti-theft mechanism peripheral view at the time of locking in the first embodiment of the present invention Flowchart at the time of charge control in the first embodiment of the present invention Flowchart of lens lock button unlocking in the first embodiment of the present invention Flowchart when authentication operation setting OFF is set in the second embodiment of the present invention Flowchart when authentication operation setting ON is set in the second embodiment of the present invention

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a camera and a mount part in which lenses can be exchanged according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, a lens lock pin 702 is provided in the lens mount 701 of the camera body 700, and fixes the camera and the lens when an interchangeable lens is attached to the camera body 700.

  As an embodiment, a bayonet type lens mount is assumed. The same number of claws are provided on both the mount side and the interchangeable lens side of the camera body. The interchangeable lens is inserted into the camera body and the interchangeable lens is rotated by a certain angle.

  Then, the interchangeable lens is fixed to the camera body by inserting the lens lock pin provided in the camera body into the hole for receiving the lens lock pin provided in the interchangeable lens.

  The lens lock button 703 with fingerprint authentication is linked with the lens lock pin, and when the interchangeable lens attached to the camera body 700 is removed, the lens lock button 703 with fingerprint authentication is pressed down, thereby the lens lock pin 702. It has a structure that can be pushed down.

  The lens can be removed by rotating the interchangeable lens to the side opposite to that when the lens is mounted while the lens lock pin 702 is pushed down. Prior to detailed description of the present invention, an electronic camera applied to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic camera 100 applied to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a shutter having a function of controlling the exposure amount of the image sensor 14. An image sensor 14 converts an optical image into an electric signal.

  The light beam incident on the photographing lens 310 in the lens unit 300 forms an optical image on the image sensor 14 guided by the single-lens reflex system through the diaphragm 312, the lens mounts 306 and 106, and the shutter 12.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal.

  A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16 and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control unit 50.

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images.

  A system control unit 50 controls the entire electronic camera 100 and incorporates a known CPU.

  A memory 52 stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control unit 50. The memory 52 stores a program shown as a flowchart of FIG.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit having a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like that display an operation state and a message with characters, images, sounds, and the like in accordance with execution of a program in the system control unit 50, and in the vicinity of the operation unit of the electronic camera 100 It is installed in one or more places where it is easy to see.

  The display unit 54 is configured by a combination of an LCD, an LED, a sound generating element, and the like. Some functions of the display unit 54 are provided in the optical viewfinder 104.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, recording pixel number display, recording number display, and remaining shot number display. In addition, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, error display, information display with multiple digits, and recording medium 200. Furthermore, there are 210 attachment / detachment state display, lens unit 300 attachment / detachment state display, communication I / F operation display, date / time display, display showing a connection state with an external computer, and the like.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 is an in-focus display, a shooting preparation completion display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, and a flash charge completion display. Furthermore, there are shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, recording medium writing operation display, and the like.

  Further, among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LED or the like is, for example, in-focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display. Further, there are a recording medium writing operation display, a macro shooting setting notification display, a secondary battery charging display, and the like.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on a lamp or the like includes, for example, a self-timer notification lamp. This self-timer notification lamp may be shared with AF auxiliary light.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory storing a program and the like to be described later, and a flash memory, an EEPROM, or the like is used as the nonvolatile memory.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 are operation units for inputting various operation instructions of the system control unit 50. One or a plurality of operation units such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, a pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, Composed of a combination. Details of these operation units are shown below.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which is an automatic shooting mode, a program shooting mode, a shutter speed priority shooting mode, an aperture priority shooting mode, a manual shooting mode, a depth of focus priority (depth) shooting mode.

  In addition, it is possible to switch and set various function shooting modes such as a portrait shooting mode, a landscape shooting mode, a close-up shooting mode, a sports shooting mode, a night view shooting mode, and a panoramic shooting mode.

  A shutter switch (SW1) 62 is turned on during the operation of a shutter button (not shown), and AF (auto focus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash adjustment). Instructs the start of operation such as light processing.

  Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch (SW2) which is turned on when a shutter button (not shown) is operated.

  Reference numeral 71 denotes a power supply attachment / detachment detection unit that detects whether or not a battery is attached.

  Reference numeral 72 denotes a power switch, which can switch between power-on and power-off modes of the electronic camera 100.

  Further, the power on and power off settings of various accessory devices such as the lens unit 300, the external strobe, and the recording media 200 and 210 connected to the electronic camera 100 can also be switched.

  A power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like.

  The type of the battery and the remaining battery level are detected, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control unit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  Reference numerals 84 and 86 denote connectors which are connected to the power source 88.

  Reference numeral 300 denotes an interchangeable lens type lens unit.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes a lens mount that mechanically couples the lens unit 300 to the electronic camera 100. The lens mount 306 includes various functions for electrically connecting the lens unit 300 to the electronic camera 100.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes a photographing lens, and 312 denotes an aperture.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an interface for connecting the lens unit 300 to the electronic camera 100 in the lens mount 306.

  A connector 322 electrically connects the lens unit 300 to the electronic camera 100. The connector 322 transmits a control signal, a status signal, a data signal, and the like between the electronic camera 100 and the lens unit 300, and has a function of supplying various currents or supplying a current. The connector 322 may be configured to transmit not only an electrical signal but also an optical signal, an audio signal, and the like.

  Reference numeral 340 denotes an aperture control unit that controls the aperture 312 in cooperation with the shutter control unit 40 that controls the shutter 12 based on photometric information from the photometry control unit 46.

  A distance measurement control unit 342 controls focusing of the photographing lens 310.

  A zoom control unit 344 controls zooming of the photographing lens 310.

  A lens system control unit 350 controls the entire lens unit 300.

  The lens system control unit 350 includes identification information such as a memory and an identification number unique to the lens unit 300, management information, function information such as an open aperture value, a minimum aperture value, and a focal length. It also has a non-volatile memory function for holding current and past set values.

  Reference numeral 160 denotes a timepiece, and power is supplied from the timepiece battery 161 even when the power supply 88 is disconnected.

  The electronic camera 100 according to the present embodiment includes a fingerprint authentication unit 600 for preventing lens theft.

  The fingerprint sensor unit 601 also functions as a lens lock button and a fingerprint authentication unit activation switch. When the user presses the fingerprint sensor unit, the control unit 603 is activated and starts an authentication operation.

  Detailed operations will be described later with reference to flowcharts. The fingerprint sensor 601 sends the read fingerprint image to the control unit 603 via the I / F 602. The control unit 603 performs fingerprint image processing, collation processing, and the like.

  The control unit 603 also controls the operation of the lens lock unit. The storage device 605 stores a program for operating the control unit, user information, and the like.

  The power generation unit 608, the rectifier circuit 607, and the battery unit 606 supply power to the fingerprint authentication unit 600.

  The control unit 603 can communicate with the power supply unit 606 to communicate information such as the remaining capacity of the power supply unit.

  The power supply unit 606 may be charged not only by the power generation unit 608 but also from the power supply 88.

  A display 610 is used to display a warning when the fingerprint authentication operation is not successful or when there is no remaining battery capacity necessary for performing the locking / unlocking operation after the fingerprint authentication operation. It may be realized with a liquid crystal device or with a single LED.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, fingerprint registration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In S <b> 1, after the user operates the operation unit 70 and the like to start fingerprint registration in the electronic camera 100, the system control 50 displays “Please enter a registered user name” on the image display 28. Prompts the user to input a registered user name using the operation unit 70.

  After completing the input of the registered user name, in S2, the fingerprint sensor unit 601 reads the fingerprint of the part where the finger is applied and sends it to the control unit 603 as a strip-like slice image.

  In S3, the system control 50 sends the registered user name to the control unit 603, and the control unit 603 processes the fingerprint image read by the fingerprint sensor unit 601, and associates it with the registered user name sent from the system control 50. Store in storage device 605 and complete.

  Next, the locking of the attached interchangeable lens will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, but before that, the structure of the fingerprint authentication unit 600 for preventing lens theft will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

  When unlocking, pressing the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint sensor also presses the locking portion 904, and the locking portion 904 is interlocked with the lens locking pin 702, so that the lens locking pin 702 is also recessed.

  This allows the user to remove the interchangeable lens. At the time of locking, the control unit 603 in FIG. 2 drives the motor 907, and the gear 903 rotates to move to a position where the locking unit 904 does not move in conjunction with the lens lock pin 702.

  As a result, even when the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint sensor is pressed, the lens lock pin 702 is not depressed, and the lens cannot be exchanged.

  At the time of unlocking, the control unit 603 rotates the motor 907 in the reverse direction, and moves the locking unit 904 to a position where the locking unit 904 can operate the lens lock button 703 with fingerprint authentication in conjunction with the lens lock pin 702.

  A description of locking of the interchangeable lens will be given using the flowchart of FIG.

  When the fingerprint sensor unit 601 is pressed, the control unit 603 is activated to determine that the fingerprint sensor unit has been pressed.

  Thereafter, in S16, the control unit 603 communicates with the lens 300 to determine whether or not the lens is attached to the electronic camera 100. If it is determined that the lens is not attached, the processing is terminated as it is. When the control unit 603 determines that the lens is connected as a result of the control unit 603 communicating with the lens 300 in S16, the control unit 603 detects the phase of the gear 903, and the lens lock button is locked. Is determined in S17. When the control unit 603 determines that the lens lock button is not locked, the control unit 603 checks the remaining battery capacity of the power supply unit 606 and determines whether there is a remaining battery capacity necessary for fingerprint authentication operation and locking. Performed in S18.

  If the controller 603 determines in S18 that there is a remaining battery capacity required for fingerprint authentication operation and locking, the process proceeds to the fingerprint reading operation.

  The control unit 603 causes the fingerprint sensor unit 601 to read a fingerprint. (S19).

  In S <b> 20 and 21, the control unit 603 collates and determines the fingerprint image sent from the fingerprint sensor unit 601 and the fingerprint stored in the storage device 605.

  When the control unit 603 determines in S21 that the fingerprint read and the registered data match, the control unit 603 operates the lens lock unit 604 to perform a locking operation. If the control unit 603 does not determine that the fingerprint and the registered data match in S21, the control unit 603 displays a warning message such as “The fingerprint does not match” on the display 610 and ends the process. To do. When the display 610 has only one LED, if the fingerprints do not match, a flashing display or the like is displayed to inform the user that the fingerprint authentication has not succeeded.

  If it is not determined in S18 that there is a remaining battery capacity required for authentication and locking by the control unit 603 in S18, the process proceeds to a charging process.

  The charging operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7 and FIGS. 5 and 2.

  2 includes the magnet 905 and the coil 906 shown in FIG.

  An electromotive force is generated when a magnet 905 installed in the lower part of the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint sensor by pressing the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint sensor moves in the coil 906, and a current flows.

  When returning from the state where the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint sensor is pressed, the electromotive force in the reverse direction is multiplied, but is rectified through the 607 rectifier circuit of FIG. In the charging process, the control unit 603 again determines whether or not there is a remaining battery capacity necessary for authentication and locking in S26. When the control unit 603 determines in S26 that there is no remaining battery capacity required for authentication and locking, the control unit 603 waits for 5 seconds and returns to S26 again. This process is repeated until charging is completed.

  When the charging is completed, the process proceeds to S19.

The unlocking of the last interchangeable lens will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the fingerprint sensor unit 601 is pressed, the control unit 603 is activated to determine that the fingerprint sensor unit has been pressed. (S4).

  Thereafter, in S5, the control unit 603 communicates with the lens 300, and determines whether or not the lens is attached to the electronic camera 100. If it is determined that the lens is not attached, the processing is terminated as it is. If the control unit 603 determines that the lens is connected as a result of the communication between the control unit 603 and the lens 300 in S5, the control unit 603 detects the phase of the gear 903 and is the lens lock button locked? Is determined in S6. When the control unit 603 determines that the lens lock button is locked, the control unit 603 checks the remaining battery capacity of the power supply unit 606, and determines whether there is a remaining battery capacity necessary for authentication and locking in S7. Do it.

  If the control unit 603 determines in S7 that there is a remaining battery capacity necessary for authentication and locking, the process proceeds to a fingerprint reading operation.

  The control unit 603 causes the fingerprint sensor unit 601 to read a fingerprint.

  In S <b> 9 and 10, the control unit 603 compares and determines the fingerprint image sent from the fingerprint sensor unit 601 and the fingerprint stored in the storage device 605.

  When the control unit 603 determines in S10 that the fingerprint read and the registration data match, the control unit 603 operates the lens lock unit 604 to perform the unlocking operation and ends the process. (S11). If the control unit 603 does not determine in step S10 that the fingerprint read and the registered data match, the control unit 603 displays a warning on the display 610 and ends the process.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 603 determines whether or not the lens 100 is attached to the electronic camera 100 by communicating with the lens 300. However, anything can be confirmed as long as the lens can be confirmed. The method is not limited in terms of conditions.

  In this embodiment, when the control unit 603 determines in S26 that there is no remaining battery capacity necessary for authentication and locking, the control unit 603 waits 5 seconds and returns to S26 again, but the time may be other than 5 seconds. In addition, the user may be notified of the completion of charging with the display 610. Furthermore, the fingerprint sensor may be of any type such as an optical type, a capacitance type, or a thermal type.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the lens lock button is provided with the fingerprint sensor unit, so that only the lens is stolen from the camera on which the lens is mounted without deteriorating the operability of lens replacement. Can be prevented.

  Further, since the power can be generated by pressing the lens lock button and the power for operating the fingerprint authentication unit can be supplied, the authentication operation can be performed without turning on the power of the camera body.

[Example 2]
In locking and unlocking by fingerprint authentication, in the first embodiment, when the user presses the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint sensor, the authentication operation is always performed. However, when the lens is frequently exchanged and used where there is no possibility of theft, it is troublesome to perform the authentication operation every time the lens is exchanged. In addition, power for operating the lens lock unit 604 is wasted. Therefore, it is desirable that the user can select a setting that does not perform the authentication operation even when the lens lock button 703 including the fingerprint sensor is pressed.

  The operation when the user can select the setting for not performing the authentication operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  The interchangeable lens and the mount portion according to the embodiment of the present invention are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The user operates the operation unit 70 of the camera 100 to select “authentication operation setting OFF” displayed on the image display 28. (S27).

  Thereafter, the system control 50 causes the control unit 603 to detect the phase of the gear 903 and determine whether the lens lock button is locked, and the control unit 603 sends the determination result to the system control 50. (S28). When the control unit 603 determines in S28 that the lens lock button is not locked and transmits the result to the system control 50, and the system control 50 receives the determination result, the system control 50 changes the setting of the control unit 603. Due to this setting change, even if the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint sensor is pressed, it is not activated. (S36).

  Thereafter, the system control 50 displays on the image display 28 such as “Authentication operation setting OFF set” to inform the user that the authentication operation setting has been set to OFF. (S37).

  In S28, the control unit 603 detects the phase of the gear 903, determines that the lens lock button is locked, and transmits it to the system control 50. When the system control 50 receives the determination result, Perform the following actions:

  The system control 50 displays a message such as “Please perform fingerprint authentication” on the image display 28 and prompts the user to press the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint sensor. (S29).

  When the control unit 603 determines that the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint sensor is pressed in S30, the control unit 603 checks the remaining battery capacity of the power supply unit 606, and the control unit 603 performs fingerprint authentication operation and unlocking in S31. In S31, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining battery capacity necessary for the operation.

  If the control unit 603 determines in S31 that there is a remaining battery capacity necessary for authentication and unlocking, the process proceeds to a fingerprint reading operation. If the control unit 603 does not determine that there is a remaining battery capacity required for authentication and unlocking in S31, the process proceeds to a charging process (S38).

  When the charging process is completed, the process proceeds to a fingerprint reading operation in S32.

  In S32, the control unit 603 causes the fingerprint sensor unit 601 to read a fingerprint.

  In S33 and S34, the control unit 603 collates and determines the fingerprint image sent from the fingerprint sensor unit 601 and the fingerprint stored in the storage device 605.

  When the control unit 603 determines in S34 that the fingerprint read and the registered data match, the control unit 603 operates the lens lock unit 604 to perform the unlocking operation (S35). If the control unit 603 does not determine in step S34 that the fingerprint read and the registered data match, the control unit 603 displays a warning on the display 610 and ends the process.

  After unlocking the lens lock button in S35, the control unit 603 communicates to the system control 50 that the lens lock button has been unlocked.

  The system control 50 communicates with the control unit 603 when receiving a lens lock button unlocking completion message from the control unit 603, and sets the control unit so that no authentication operation is performed even when the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint sensor is pressed. The setting change of 603 is performed. (S36).

  After the setting is changed in S36, the system control 50 displays on the image display 28 such as “Authentication operation setting OFF set” to notify the user that the authentication operation setting is set to OFF.

  From the setting “authentication operation setting OFF” in which the authentication operation is not performed even when the lens lock button 703 including the fingerprint sensor is pressed, to the setting “authentication operation setting ON” after the lens lock button 703 including the fingerprint sensor is pressed. The operation when changing the setting will be described with reference to FIG.

  After the user operates the operation unit 70 of the camera 100 and selects “authentication operation setting ON” displayed on the image display 28 in S40, the system control 50 communicates with the control unit 603 to perform a lens lock button equipped with a fingerprint sensor. When 703 is pressed, the setting of the control unit 603 is changed so that the authentication operation is performed. (S41).

  Thereafter, the system control 50 displays such as “Authentication operation setting ON set” on the image display 28 and completes the operation. (S42).

  In the present embodiment, the setting is changed by operating the camera 100 for ON / OFF of the authentication operation setting. However, the setting can be changed by any method, and the lens lock button 703 provided with the fingerprint authentication mechanism can be pressed and held. The setting may be changed according to Alternatively, it may be realized by a mechanical switch that can be operated only when the lens lock button is unlocked.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the authentication operation setting can be switched ON / OFF, the setting is turned off when the fingerprint authentication operation is unnecessary, and the power by the fingerprint authentication operation is set. And the lens can be exchanged smoothly.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

600 Fingerprint authentication unit 601 for preventing lens theft Fingerprint sensor unit (also acts as lens lock button, fingerprint authentication unit start switch)
603 Control unit 604 Lens lock unit 608 Power generation unit 702 Lens lock pin 703 Lens lock button 903 with fingerprint sensor Gear 904 Locking unit 905 Magnet 906 Coil 907 Motor

Claims (3)

An imaging device with interchangeable lenses, which has a lens lock button that is pressed when the lens is replaced and a lens lock pin for fixing the lens when the lens is mounted. When the lens lock button is pressed, the lens lock pin is interlocked. An imaging device comprising a moving mechanism,
A lens lock button (703) having a fingerprint sensor provided with a fingerprint sensor portion (601) on the surface of the lens lock button for reading a fingerprint when the lens lock button is pressed, and a fingerprint read by the fingerprint sensor portion (601) A storage device (605) for registering the fingerprint, a control unit (603) for determining whether the fingerprint read by the fingerprint sensor unit (601) matches the fingerprint stored in the storage device (605), and the fingerprint A display unit (610) that can display an authentication result and a fingerprint authentication unit (600) that is activated by pressing a lens lock button, and a lens lock pin that moves in conjunction with the lens lock button is locked. A lens lock portion (604) that prevents movement in conjunction with the button,
When the lens lock button is pressed, the fingerprint is read by a fingerprint sensor, collated with a pre-registered fingerprint, and the lens lock unit is locked / unlocked only when the fingerprint matches. apparatus. A power generation unit (608) capable of generating power when the lens lock button is pressed on the fingerprint authentication unit (600), a rectification circuit (607) for rectifying current generated by the power generation unit (608), and a rectification circuit (607) ) To provide a power supply unit (606) that can be charged, and the control unit (603) communicates with the power supply unit (606), and the remaining capacity of the power supply unit (606) is locked to the lens lock unit (604). If it is determined that the unlocking operation is not sufficient, power is generated by pressing the lens lock button (703), and the power for operating the fingerprint authentication unit is charged by charging the power supply unit (606). The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus can be supplied. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the lens lock button (703) is pressed, it is possible to set whether or not to perform a fingerprint authentication operation.