JP2015195434A - imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device that can obtain an image to which camera settings under user's exclusive use are applied while enabling imaging before user authentication.SOLUTION: Upon an imaging operation after user authentication, a developing processor part 34 executes development processing and recording processing on a pickup image according to the settings of a camera under user's exclusive use subjected to user authentication, and records the pickup image into a memory card 40A or 40B. Upon an imaging operation before user authentication, the developing processor 34 executes the development processing and the recording processing on a pickup image according to camera settings before user authentication which has higher quality than contents such as permission of camera settings under user's exclusive use, etc., and records the pickup image into the memory card 40A or 40B. According to user authentication, the developing processor 34 subjects the image data recorded in the memory card 40A or 40B according to the camera settings before user authentication to the development processing and the recording processing according to the user's exclusive camera settings subjected to user authentication, and records the image data into the memory card 40A or 40B.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more specifically to an imaging apparatus having a user authentication function.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera that electronically processes captured image information and stores it as image data in a recording medium such as a memory card has become widespread. In the imaging apparatus, the user can select processing parameters corresponding to the development processing performed by the silver salt camera. Some also allow you to select the recording destination. In order to use these functions, the user needs to set these parameters and the like in advance for the camera.

  When the imaging device is used by a plurality of users, if each user sets these parameters before each use, the convenience of the user is impaired. On the other hand, a camera that recognizes a user and automatically switches to camera settings for each user has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

  User authentication takes time depending on the method. For example, in the case of user authentication using a password as a camera, it takes a long time to input a password because an operation member that is normally provided in the camera is not suitable for password input. In addition, biometric authentication such as fingerprint authentication and vein authentication may be misrecognized, and when re-authentication is performed, this also takes time.

  If user authentication takes time, there is a possibility of missing a photo opportunity, which is not suitable for a camera. On the other hand, a camera that has a user authentication function has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688) that can perform shooting even when user authentication is not completed. When the user authentication is incomplete, the captured image is held in the buffer memory but not written to the recording medium.

JP 2003-298999 A JP 2003-032534 A

  With the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-260260, although the image itself can be taken before user authentication, image processing desired by the photographer such as sharpness and contrast cannot be applied. Therefore, the conventional technique often results in unintended shooting results for the user.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above disadvantages, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof that can apply image processing desired by a photographer while enabling imaging before user authentication.

  An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a subject, a development processing unit that processes image data captured by the image pickup unit for recording on a recording medium, and the image data processed by the development processing unit. Controlling a recording means for recording on a recording medium, a user authentication information authentication means for authenticating user authentication information, a user authentication information recording means for recording a set of the user authentication information and a user dedicated camera setting, and the development processing means Control means, wherein the development processing means for the photographed image after the authentication of the user authentication information by the user authentication information authentication means is made to the development processing means according to the user dedicated camera setting paired with the user authentication information For the photographed image before authentication of the user authentication information by the user authentication information authentication means, the development processing means Control means for operating the development processing means in accordance with the pre-user authentication camera setting that results in a higher image quality than any possible camera setting, and processing in the development processing means in accordance with the pre-user authentication camera setting and recording on the recording medium The developed processing means is operated in accordance with the user dedicated camera setting that is paired with the user authentication information according to the authentication of the user authentication information by the user authentication information authentication means with respect to the image data that has been processed, and the recording means uses the recording medium And a post-authentication control means for recording the information.

  According to the present invention, in an imaging device capable of switching camera settings for each user, it is possible to perform development and recording in accordance with the camera settings of the user authenticated by the user while enabling shooting before user authentication. Thereby, the imaging result according to the user dedicated camera setting can be provided to the user without missing a photo opportunity.

1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of a user authentication processing unit. It is an example of an initial camera setting. It is an example of a user exclusive camera setting. 3 is a main operation flowchart according to the first embodiment. 6 is an operation flowchart of processing according to a user authentication operation of the first embodiment. 6 is an operation flowchart of processing according to a photographing operation of Embodiment 1. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the process which applies a user exclusive camera setting after user authentication.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. The camera 10 is an imaging device (for example, a digital camera) that images a subject. The focusing lens 12, the zooming lens 14, and the diaphragm 16 constitute an imaging optical system for the imaging device 18. The focusing lens 12 makes it possible to adjust the focus of the imaging optical system by moving back and forth in the optical axis direction. The zooming lens 14 can change the angle of view of the imaging optical system by advancing and retreating in the optical axis direction. The diaphragm 16 limits the amount of light incident on the image sensor 18.

  The image sensor 18 is a photoelectric conversion means configured by a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. The image sensor 18 photoelectrically converts an object optical image formed by the image pickup optical system including the optical elements 12, 14, and 16 and outputs an image signal. The preprocessing circuit 20 includes a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, an AGC (auto gain control) circuit, and the like, and removes noise from the output image signal of the image sensor 18 to control the gain.

  The A / D converter 22 converts the analog image signal output from the preprocessing circuit 20 into a digital image signal. The image signal processing device 24 performs known image signal processing with a camera such as shading correction on the digital image signal from the A / D converter 22. In other words, the image signal processing device 24 corrects the non-linearity of the image density caused by the characteristics of the image sensor 18 and the image color bias caused by the light source. The memory 26 functions as a buffer memory that temporarily stores image data generated by the image signal processing device 24 from the image sensor 18. The image data stored in the memory 26 has been subjected to correction processing and the like by the image signal processing device 24, but it can be considered that the charge energy accumulated in each pixel of the image sensor 18 is converted into digital data as it is. it can. Hereinafter, the image data stored in the memory 26 is referred to as RAW data or RAW image data.

  The portion from the image sensor 18 to the memory 26 is a photoelectric conversion system that converts an optical image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system into a digital image signal or image data. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 28 sends a clock signal for controlling reading of an image signal of the image sensor 18 and controls the operation timing of the photoelectric conversion system including the image sensor 18 to the memory 26.

  The CPU 28 processes the image captured by the photoelectric conversion system by the method described below, and further controls the entire camera 10. A memory 30, a RAM 32, a development processing unit 34, and a card input / output unit 36 are connected to the CPU 28.

  The memory 30 is composed of an EEPROM or the like, and recorded data is not lost even when the power of the camera 10 is turned off. The memory 30 stores initial camera setting values that are set in the camera 10 when the power is turned on. The RAM 32 is used to temporarily store the processing target of the CPU 28 and the development processing unit 34, the processing process, the processing result, and the like.

  The CPU 28 supplies the RAW data from the memory 26 to the development processing unit 34 for development. The development processing unit 34 performs image processing based on the development setting value on the RAW data from the CPU 28 and performs recording processing such as compression. The image data that has undergone image processing is temporarily stored in the RAM 32. The development setting value includes a parameter relating to the image quality of the image data, can be confirmed on the graphical user interface of the LCD 52, and can be changed and set on the operation unit 48. Specifically, the development parameters include parameters relating to white balance, color interpolation, color correction, γ conversion, edge enhancement, and resolution. In this specification, a process for adjusting (changing) the image quality of image data using one or more development parameters is referred to as a development process.

  In the first embodiment, the user can select the recording method and the compression rate in addition to the development parameters. As recording methods, a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format and a RAW format are prepared. The JPEG format is a format for recording compressed data obtained by performing irreversible compression processing by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) on RAW data, and can reduce the file size capacity. Increasing the compression rate can reduce the file size capacity, but the image quality deteriorates. The RAW format is a format for recording data obtained by performing lossless compression (lossless compression) on RAW data. Since the RAW format is lossless compression, the file size capacity can be reduced without missing image information, but the file size cannot be reduced as much as the JPEG format. The development processing unit 34 has a function of JPEG compression of RAW image data.

  The card input / output unit 36 can read and write data from and to the memory cards 40A and 40B mounted in the card slots 38A and 38B. The memory cards 40A and 40B are detachable from the card slots 38A and 38B, respectively, and are composed of a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. The memory cards 40A and 40B are examples of recording media. Instead of the memory cards 40A and 40B, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory may be used.

  The CPU 28 records the image-processed image data in the RAM 32 in the memory card 40A or 40B in accordance with the file format of the Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) standard. In an Exif standard file, camera information at the time of shooting can be recorded in the same file as image data in a tag format. The camera information regarding the brightness at the time of shooting can be stored in the Exif camera information. For example, there are an aperture value tag, a shutter speed tag, and a luminance value tag. Further, the aperture value (Av), the shutter speed (Tv), and the luminance value (Bv) are described as values in APEX (Additive System of Photographic Exposure) units. In addition, there is a maker note tag that allows each digital camera maker to add its own image information.

  Further, a main switch 42, a first release switch 44, a second release switch 46, and an operation unit 48 are connected to the CPU 28. The main switch 42 is a switch that instructs the camera 10 to turn on the power. In response to the operation, the CPU 28 starts a predetermined main program. The first release switch 44 is turned on by the first stroke (half-pressed state) of the release button, and the second release switch 46 is turned on by the second stroke (full-pressed state) of the release button. When the first release switch 44 is turned on, the CPU 28 determines the focus and exposure value of the camera 10, and when the second release switch 46 is turned on, the CPU 28 performs a series of imaging processes including photoelectric conversion, development, and recording on a recording medium. Run. The operation unit 48 is used for selecting and inputting various camera setting values. FIG. 1 illustrates a left selection button 48A, a right selection button 48B, and a setting button 48C.

  The CPU 28 also controls each part in accordance with the pressing of the left selection button 48A, the right selection button 48B, and the setting button 48C and the operation state of the digital camera. For example, in the playback state, the CPU 28 displays the previous image data in response to the pressing of the left selection button 48A, and displays the next image data in response to the pressing of the right selection button 48B.

  The display control device 50 drives a liquid crystal display element (LCD) 52 to display an image. A video output terminal 54, a D terminal 56 and an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal 58 are also connected to the display control device 50. The display control device 50 detects cable connection to the terminals 54, 56, and 58 and controls video output to these terminals 54, 56, and 58.

  The CPU 28 can display the display destination of the image data on a currently available display device and can switch the display according to the user operation of the operation unit 48. Available display devices are the LCD 52 and video equipment connected to the cable-connected video output terminal 54, D terminal 56 and HDMI terminal 58.

  The USB control device 60 detects insertion / removal of the USB connector at the USB terminal 62 and performs signal drive and control of communication for USB connection. The LAN control device 64 controls insertion / extraction of the wired LAN terminal 66 and communication via the wired LAN, and controls wireless LAN connection of the wireless LAN 68 and communication via the wireless LAN. When the USB connection is established, the image data can be transmitted to an external device such as a PC by USB communication through a menu operation. The same applies to the wired LAN and the wireless LAN.

  The power supply 70 supplies power to each circuit in the camera 10 under the control of the CPU 28.

  In the first embodiment, the development setting value and the recording method can be designated in advance for each user. In the present specification, the development setting value and the recording method are collectively referred to as camera setting, and the camera setting designated for each individual user is referred to as user-dedicated camera setting. On the other hand, the camera setting set in the camera 10 when the power is turned on is referred to as initial camera setting. The initial camera settings are also used as a template for user dedicated camera settings.

  The user authentication processing unit 72 includes a user authentication information recording unit 74, a user authentication information authentication unit 76, and a user authentication information registration unit 78, as shown in FIG. The user authentication information recording unit 74 records a set of user authentication information registered in advance by the user authentication information registration unit 78 and a user dedicated camera setting.

  The user authentication information registration unit 78 receives user authentication information input by the user and registers it in the user authentication information recording unit 74. Specifically, the CPU 28 displays the initial camera settings stored in the memory 30 on the display device, causes the user to correct, and inputs the user name and password. The user authentication information registration unit 78 registers the difference content with respect to the initial camera setting in the user authentication information recording unit 74 as the user dedicated camera setting of the user. In the first embodiment, a user name column is provided in the user dedicated camera setting to associate with a specific user. The user authentication information is a password in the first embodiment, but may be biometric authentication means such as fingerprint, voiceprint, or vein information. However, in the case of biometric authentication, an input device corresponding to each is required.

  The user authentication information authentication unit 76 determines whether the user authentication information recorded in the user authentication information recording unit 74 matches the input user authentication information. If they match, the CPU 28 informs the CPU 28 of the contents of the user dedicated camera settings paired with the user authentication information and the authentication success. The CPU 28 processes the captured image with the content according to the transmitted user dedicated camera setting. Details of this processing will be described later. If they do not match, the CPU 28 is notified of the authentication failure.

  The name information that is user information is also stored in the user name information tag of the captured image data. As the user name information tag, a maker note tag, an owner name tag, or a user comment tag may be used.

  The setting items relating to development in the first embodiment are composed of six items: white balance, sharpness, contrast, color density, hue, and resolution. Camera settings are obtained by adding a recording method and user name information.

  White balance can be selected from 7 items. In the auto that the camera automatically determines, the color temperature is 3000 to 7000K, and in the manual in which the user specifies the color temperature, the color temperature is 2000 to 10000K. In addition, sunlight (5200K), shade (7000K), cloudiness (6000K), incandescent bulb (3200K), white fluorescent lamp (4000K) and strobe use (6000K) can be selected.

  For sharpness, the edge emphasis strength can be specified from 0 to 7 levels, and 0 level is no edge emphasis. Contrast can correct the contrast difference intensity by plus or minus 4 steps, and 0 step is no correction. The color density can be corrected by plus or minus 4 steps, and 0 step is not corrected. Hue can be corrected with plus / minus 4 steps (minus is flesh red, plus flesh yellow), and 0 is no correction. The resolution can be selected from L, M, and S, and the resolution is higher in order from L.

  The recording method can be selected from RAW format and JPEG format.

  FIG. 3 shows initial values of camera settings in the first embodiment, so-called initial camera settings. The user name consists of a character string, and its initial value is “UNKNOWN”. The initial value of white balance is “Auto”. The initial value of sharpness is the fourth level from the weakest. The initial contrast value is 0 (no correction). The initial value of the color intensity is zero (no correction). The initial value of the hue is 0 (no correction). The initial value of the resolution is L. The initial value of the recording method is the RAW format.

  When the user changes the camera setting for the camera for which user authentication has been completed, the CPU 28 notifies the user authentication information registration unit 78 of the change of the setting value, and the user authentication information registration unit 78 sends the changed content to the user dedicated camera setting. Is recorded in the user authentication information recording unit 74. For example, it is assumed that the user-dedicated camera setting for user A has the contents shown in FIG. That is, user name information = user A, sharpness = 2 steps, contrast = 0 steps, color depth = 0 steps, hue = 0 steps, resolution = L, and recording format = JPEG format. In this case, there are three setting items that are different from the initial values in the user-only camera setting of the user A: user name information, sharpness, and recording format. The user authentication information recording unit 74 stores the user name information = user A Three items are recorded: sharpness = 2 steps, recording format = JPEG format.

  FIG. 5 is a main operation flowchart of the first embodiment. When the main switch 42 is turned on, the CPU 28 supplies power to each unit from the power supply 70 and initializes the camera 10 (S1). The initialization of the camera 10 is a process of initializing a flag, a control variable, and the like, initializing the image display of the display device to an off state, and setting the camera setting according to the contents of the above-described initial camera setting.

  The CPU 28 disables the camera setting change (S2). Thereafter, since the change of the camera setting is not permitted unless the user authentication (S6) is performed, the initial camera setting is applied to all the captured images before the user authentication.

  The CPU 28 sets the state of the camera 10 to the photographing operation permission state (S3). Even if the first release switch 44 or the second release switch 46 is turned on before step S3, the CPU 28 does not start the photographing operation program.

  Next, the CPU 28 checks the remaining amount of the power supply 70 and the memory cards 40A and 40B (S4). If the remaining capacity of the power supply 70 is small, the fact is displayed on the LCD 52 to warn the user. Further, even when the memory card 40A or 40B is not inserted into either of the card slots 38A and 38B, the card input / output unit 36 displays the fact on the LCD 52 and warns the user. The user is also warned in the same manner when the free capacity of the connected memory cards 40A and 40B is small.

  After step S4, the user can execute a release operation for photographing and a user authentication operation at any timing, and the CPU 28 waits for some user operation. When there is a user authentication operation, for example, a password input specifying a user (S5), the user authentication processing unit 72 executes user authentication or the like according to the flow shown in FIG. 6 (S6), and the process returns to step S5. In the case of fingerprint authentication or vein authentication, user authentication (S6) is started when a finger or the like is held over the touch sensor or optical sensor corresponding to these.

  On the other hand, if there is a release operation (photographing operation) for photographing (S7), the CPU 28 controls each part to execute photographing according to the flow shown in FIG. 7 (S8), and returns to step S4. The power supply and memory card check (S4) need not be executed each time, and may be executed intermittently at appropriate time intervals or the like.

  For easy understanding, in FIG. 5, detection of the user authentication operation (S5) and detection of the release operation (S7) are performed in time series. However, actually, after these operations are detected independently, the user authentication processing unit 72 and the CPU 28 cooperate to execute the corresponding processes (S6, S8) independently of each other. That is, in the first embodiment, the photographing operation (S8) can be performed before the user authentication (S6), and the user authentication (S6) can be performed before the photographing operation (S8). is there.

  FIG. 6 is a detailed operation flowchart of the user authentication (S6). A software keyboard and an input menu are displayed on the screen of the LCD 52 to prompt the user to enter a password (S11). The user inputs the password using the left selection button 48A, the right selection button 48B, and the setting button 48C on the software keyboard. The user authentication processing unit 72 authenticates the input password (S12). When the password input is canceled and when the authentication fails (S12), the user authentication operation is terminated.

  When the user authentication is successful (S12), the user authentication processing unit 72 and the CPU 28 set the user dedicated camera setting registered in advance for the authenticated user in the camera 10 (S13). In the case of user A, as shown in FIG. 4, three items of user name information = user A, sharpness = 2 steps, and recording format = JPEG format are corrected for the current camera setting.

  The CPU 28 sets the camera 10 in a state where the camera setting can be changed (S14). This allows the user to further modify the current camera settings. In other words, the user cannot change the camera settings of the camera 10 before user authentication.

  The CPU 28 checks whether the photographed image data before user authentication is in the memory card 40A or 40B20 (S15). When the photographed image data before user authentication is in the memory card 40A or 40B (S15), the CPU 28 retroactively applies the current camera setting (user dedicated camera setting) to the photographed image data before user authentication (S16). Details of this retrospective application will be described later. Thereby, the photographed image data before user authentication can be converted into data developed and recorded with the same development settings and recording format as the photographed image data after user authentication.

  When the photographed image data before the user authentication is in the memory card 40A or 40B (S15), the user may be requested to approve the execution before the execution of step S16.

  FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart of the photographing operation (S8). When the second release switch 46 is turned on, the CPU 28 controls the photoelectric conversion system and stores the RAW data of the captured image in the memory 26 (S21).

  The CPU 28 controls the development processing unit 34 so that the RAW data in the memory 26 is developed and recorded in accordance with the camera settings set in the camera 10 (S22). Before the user authentication, the current camera setting is the initial camera setting, so that the captured image data is recorded in the RAW format at the maximum resolution with almost no substantial development processing. On the other hand, if the user authentication has been completed, the RAW data in the memory 26 is developed according to the user-dedicated camera settings of the authenticated user and recorded in the memory card 40A or 40B in the recording format of the camera settings.

  In the case before user authentication (S23), the CPU 28 further applies unapplied user-specific camera settings to the captured image data recorded in step S22 for retroactive application of user-specific camera settings after user authentication (S16). The tag shown is attached (S24). For example, a method of putting a character of YES in the maker note tag value can be considered. In step S16, image data to which the user dedicated camera setting is not applied is searched using this tag as a guide, and the user dedicated camera setting is sequentially applied. After application, the tag is deleted.

  Alternatively, an unapplied image list file that lists image data to which the user-specific camera settings are not applied may be separately prepared in the memory card 40A or 40B, and the image file name may be additionally written in the file. In this case, in step S16, the unapplied image file is referenced to search for image data to which the user dedicated camera setting is not applied, and the user dedicated camera setting is sequentially applied. The image data to which the user dedicated camera setting is applied is deleted from the unapplied image list file.

  FIG. 8 shows a detailed flowchart of step S16. The CPU 28 executes the flow shown in FIG. 8 as post-authentication control means.

  The CPU 28 scans the memory card 40A or 40B and reads an unapplied image file first discovered (S31). The information about the camera settings of the read image file is corrected with the contents for the authenticated user (S32). Specifically, the user name information tag is replaced with the user name authenticated by the user authentication processing unit 72. The contents of the user-dedicated camera settings of the authenticated user are written in the corresponding information tag. In the case of the user dedicated camera setting for the user A illustrated in FIG. 4, “user A” is set in the user name information tag of the image file. Further, 2 sharpness levels, 0 contrast level, 0 color depth, 0 color shade, resolution L, and recording format JPEG format are written in each corresponding information tag.

  The CPU 28 extracts a difference from the initial camera setting of the user-dedicated camera setting of the authenticated user, and checks whether there is a difference (S33). When there is a difference (S33), the CPU 28 causes the development processing unit 34 to execute re-development according to the difference (S34). Specifically, when the recording method is changed to the JPEG format, the development processing unit 34 decompresses the image data to be developed (RAW format) and recompresses it in the JPEG format.

  If there is no difference, the image file with the modified camera settings is written, and if there is a difference, the camera settings are modified and the re-developed image file is written into the memory card 40A or 40B (S35).

  If it is set to delete the unapplied image (S36), the unapplied image file read in step S31 is deleted from the memory card 40A or 40B (S37). In step S35, the file name of the applied image file written to the memory card 40A or 40B is changed to the file name deleted here.

  The next unapplied image is searched, and if it exists (S39), step S31 and subsequent steps are repeated. If there are no unapplied images (S39), the process ends.

  When a plurality of captured image storage destinations can be selected and the captured image storage destination can be specified in the user dedicated camera settings, the following is performed. In other words, the photographed image may be recorded in an available storage destination before user authentication, and the photographed image may be moved to the storage destination designated by the user dedicated camera setting after user authentication.

  In the first embodiment, shooting can be performed without missing a photo opportunity even before user authentication, and user-dedicated camera settings can be applied after user authentication. Prior to user authentication, the image data is recorded on the recording medium with the highest quality among the prepared qualities, so that the image quality is not deteriorated even by application of user-specific camera settings after user authentication.

  In the first embodiment, the initial camera settings are used for development and recording processing before user authentication. However, camera settings (camera settings before user authentication) applied to photographing before user authentication may be prepared separately. In this case, the initial camera settings can be determined freely, and for example, the JPEG format can be adopted as the recording method. Therefore, it is not necessary to prohibit the change before the user authentication (S2).

  The pre-user authentication camera setting only needs to be able to cope with any contents of the user dedicated camera setting by redevelopment. For example, the RAW format is adopted as the recording method and the resolution is set to L. In other words, the camera setting before user authentication may be a camera setting that provides a higher image quality than any possible content of the user-dedicated camera setting.

  Instead of the flow shown in FIG. 7, the following processing is adopted. That is, when the second release switch 46 is turned on, the CPU 28 controls the photoelectric conversion system and stores the RAW data of the captured image in the memory 26.

  When the photographer has been authenticated by the user, the RAW data in the memory 26 is developed according to the user-dedicated camera settings of the authenticated user and recorded in the memory card 40A or 40B.

  On the other hand, in the case before user authentication, the RAW data in the memory 26 is developed according to the camera setting before user authentication and recorded in the memory card 40A or 40B. Further, similarly to step S24, in order to retroactively apply the user dedicated camera setting after user authentication (S16), a tag indicating that the user dedicated camera setting is not applied is attached to the captured image data.

  The process for the user authentication operation is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The second embodiment has the advantage that the initial camera settings can be freely determined and the camera settings can be freely changed before user authentication.

Claims (5)

Imaging means for imaging;
Development processing means for processing image data captured by the imaging means for recording on a recording medium (40A, 40B);
Recording means for recording the image data processed by the development processing means on the recording medium;
User authentication information authentication means for authenticating user authentication information;
User authentication information recording means for recording a set of the user authentication information and user dedicated camera settings;
Control means for controlling the development processing means, and for the photographed image after the authentication of the user authentication information by the user authentication information authentication means, the development processing means is dedicated to the user paired with the user authentication information. The development processing unit is operated according to camera settings, and the developed processing unit has a higher image quality than the possible contents of the user dedicated camera setting for a photographed image before user authentication information authentication by the user authentication information authentication unit. Control means for operating the development processing means according to the pre-user authentication camera setting for image quality;
The user who is paired with the user authentication information according to the authentication of the user authentication information by the user authentication information authentication means for the image data processed by the development processing means according to the camera setting before user authentication and recorded on the recording medium An image pickup apparatus comprising: a post-authentication control unit that operates the development processing unit according to a dedicated camera setting and records the image on the recording medium by the recording unit. The pre-user authentication camera setting is an initial camera setting,
2. The control unit sets the initial camera setting in response to power-on, and prohibits changing of the camera setting until the user authentication information is authenticated by the user authentication information authentication unit. The imaging device described in 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user dedicated camera setting includes user information and a development parameter of the development processing unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pre-user authentication camera setting includes designation of lossless compression.   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for changing the user-dedicated camera settings recorded in the user authentication information recording means.

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