JP2017028449A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a digital camera from being stolen even when a user performs imaging away from an imaging place.SOLUTION: In the digital camera capable of performing communication with an external apparatus, when an operation validating a security function is operated, a system configuration at the time, to be more specific, an imaging lens and an accessory connection state are stored and whether there is a change in the connection state is detected. When there is a change in the system configuration, an alarm is issued by the camera and the external apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a camera, and more particularly to an anti-theft (security) function using a communication system.

  A digital camera may have a long-distance / short-distance wireless communication function, and devices can communicate with each other. Therefore, a single-lens reflex camera, a compact camera, or the like can be used as a simple fixed point camera. A camera can be installed at an arbitrary place, and a photographed image can be viewed through a device (server, portable device, etc.) that is located at a distance from the camera and can communicate with each other.

  In this case, since the owner leaves the camera installation location, there is a risk that someone will remove the camera. As an anti-theft measure, for example, communication between a camera and a device is performed at a predetermined time interval, and a warning is issued from the camera or device when communication is impossible without normal communication disconnection processing. Yes (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-304466 A

  Depending on the type of camera, the taking lens can be exchanged, and accessories such as an external flash (flash) can be attached to the camera. If a camera that can be equipped with such lenses and accessories is installed as a fixed-point camera, they can be removed with the camera body left intact, preventing theft by simply monitoring the communication status. I can't.

  Accordingly, it is required to construct an anti-theft monitoring system not only for the imaging apparatus body but also for accessories that can be connected to the body.

  An imaging system of the present invention includes an imaging device capable of wireless communication and an external device capable of wireless communication with the imaging device. As the external device, for example, a portable device such as a smartphone can be applied. The imaging device system includes a detection unit that detects a system configuration at the time of shooting by the imaging device, and a control unit that causes a notification unit to notify at least one of the imaging device and an external device when there is a change in the system configuration. With.

  The “system configuration at the time of photographing” here represents the configuration and state of the system that realizes the imaging. For example, when a detachable shooting-related component is attached to the imaging device, it represents the connection state of the shooting-related component that is a component of the system. However, “imaging-related parts” are used for photographing or are used according to photographing conditions, and examples thereof include a photographing lens, a strobe (flash), a GPS device, a microphone, and a tripod.

  When there is a change in the connection status, for example, if the imaging device or external device is equipped with a notification unit such as a vibrator or a speaker, an unexpected situation such as taking it away by issuing a warning by sound, vibration, screen display, etc. Can be notified to the user.

  For example, the detection unit can detect the connection state of a photographic lens that is detachably attached to the imaging apparatus, and the control unit can change the lens connection state (change from connection to non-connection state). Let them know. In addition, the detection unit can detect the connection state of the accessory that is detachably attached to the hot shoe contact provided in the imaging device, and the control unit notifies that there is a change in the accessory connection state. Let Furthermore, the detection unit can detect the driving voltage for the camera shake correction mechanism provided in the imaging apparatus, and the control unit may be removed such as a tripod if there is a change in the driving voltage. , Let me know.

  When an operation for enabling the anti-theft function is performed, the control unit may store the system configuration in a memory when a state capable of communicating with the external device is established. In this case, if a change occurs in the stored system configuration, it is notified. In addition, in the case of a communication system using NFC, if there is a touch operation when the security function is enabled, the security function is disabled, and if a touch operation is performed when the security function is disabled, it may be enabled. Is possible.

  The control unit may be notified when it is detected that communication with the external device is disabled or the communication state is deteriorated. Further, when the control unit starts and ends the execution of the anti-theft function in response to an input operation, the control unit may be notified when the power-off operation of the imaging apparatus is performed without the end operation.

  An anti-theft method for an imaging system according to another aspect of the present invention detects a system configuration at the time of shooting by an imaging device in an imaging system including an imaging device capable of wireless communication and an external device capable of wireless communication with the imaging device. If there is a change in the system configuration, at least one of the imaging device and the external device notifies the notification unit to that effect.

  An imaging apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external device, a detection unit that detects a system configuration at the time of shooting, and a communication unit for the external device when there is a change in the system configuration. And a control unit for notifying that. In addition, the program according to another aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a system configuration at the time of photographing when an imaging device including a communication unit is enabled, and whether there is a change in the system configuration. If there is a change in the detection means for determining whether or not the system configuration, it functions as a control means for notifying the external device capable of wireless communication of the fact by the communication unit.

  Thus, according to the present invention, theft can be effectively prevented even when the user takes a picture away from the shooting location.

It is a block diagram of the digital camera which is 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of an external device. It is a flowchart of a security function setting process. It is a flowchart of a monitoring process. It is a flowchart of the security function setting process in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the external device.

  Here, the digital camera 10 is constituted by a mirrorless type digital camera. A system control circuit 30 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like performs a shooting operation and an image recording process in accordance with an input operation to a setting button (not shown) such as a power button, a mode dial, a release button, and a cross button. Then, the entire camera operation control such as playback display processing is performed. A program relating to camera operation control is stored in a memory such as a ROM.

  The photographic lens 20 is detachably attached to the camera body 10B. When the photographic lens 20 is attached or detached, the system control circuit 30 detects the attachment or removal of the lens by a signal from the lens contact 22. When the power switch 32 is turned on, the digital camera 10 is activated by the power supply from the battery 52, and the photographing mode is set.

  When pixel signals for one field / frame are read from the image sensor 24 at predetermined time intervals, the image signal processing circuit 31 in the system control circuit 30 performs image signal processing. By driving the LCD monitor 46 based on the image data generated by the image signal processing, a real-time moving image, that is, a through image is displayed on the LCD monitor 46.

  When the release switch 34 detects that the release button is half-pressed, contrast-based AF processing is executed, the brightness of the subject is detected based on the pixel signal output from the image sensor 24, and the exposure value is calculated. Is done. Further, when the release switch 34 detects that the release button is fully pressed, the system control circuit 30 opens and closes the aperture and shutter (not shown) to control exposure, and the image sensor shift type image stabilization mechanism 26 is controlled. Control to perform camera shake correction.

  When a pixel signal for one frame is read from the image sensor 24, still image data is generated in the image signal processing circuit 31. The generated still image data is recorded in a removable memory card 50 attached to the card slot 48 in a compressed (or uncompressed) state. When the playback mode is set, the recorded image is selectively displayed on the LCD monitor 46.

  Various accessories such as an external strobe (flash), a GPS device, and an external microphone can be attached to the hot shoe contact 38 having an electrical contact portion. The system control circuit 30 is connected to the hot shoe contact 38 through the accessory 40 ( Here, the attachment and removal of the external strobe) is detected. The camera body 10B can be attached to the tripod 60 according to the shooting situation.

  The system control circuit 30 can wirelessly communicate with the external device 100 through the communication module 41, and can transmit captured image data and the like to the external device 100. Here, a communication module 41 capable of wireless communication over a long distance is incorporated. In addition, the system control circuit 30 can output a signal to the speaker 42 to emit a warning sound.

  The external device 100 is configured here as a mobile device such as a smartphone, and includes a vibration (vibration unit) 120, a speaker 140, and a communication module 160, and is sent from the camera 10 via a server (not shown). Receive incoming signals.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to set a fixed point shooting mode in which a user installs at a position away from the camera 10 and performs shooting. When the fixed point shooting mode is set, image data captured at a predetermined time interval is externally stored. Transmit to device 100. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the anti-theft function can be activated in such a shooting situation.

  When the system control circuit 30 detects that the user has performed an operation to enable the anti-theft / security function by a signal from the setting switch 36, the system control circuit 30 monitors the configuration of the system responsible for shooting, and takes the camera body 10B with it. The camera body 10B is monitored for removal of the elements constituting the imaging system, such as the photographic lens 20, the accessory 40, and the tripod 60, which are detachable. That is notified to the user in the ground. Hereinafter, the security function will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the security function setting process. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the monitoring process.

  In step S1, it is determined whether or not an operation for enabling the security function has been performed by the user. When an enabling operation is detected, it is confirmed that the security function is not yet enabled (S2), and it is determined whether the communication function is enabled (S3).

  If the communication function is not enabled, system monitoring by the security function cannot be executed, and an error is displayed on the LCD monitor 46 (S3, S5). When the communication function is valid, the monitoring process shown in FIG. 4 is started (S4). When the fixed point shooting mode is set, the image data is transmitted to the external device 100 at predetermined time intervals.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not an operation for setting the security function to OFF is performed by the user. The OFF setting can be executed only by an input operation in the external device 100 here. When an OFF setting operation is performed, the security function is switched from the ON state to the OFF state (S7).

  When the power OFF operation is performed (S8), it is determined whether or not the security function is enabled (S9). When the security function is in the ON state, it is determined that the power-off operation has been performed without normally switching the function off, and a warning is issued to notify the abnormal end method (S10).

  Specifically, a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 42 and a signal is transmitted to the external device 100 indicating that the abnormal camera activation has ended. The external device 100 issues a warning using one or both of the vibration 120 and the speaker 140. When the security function OFF setting operation is performed in the external device 100, the security function is set to OFF and the process ends (S11, S12). If it is determined in step S9 that the security function is set to OFF, that is, it is disabled, the process ends.

  FIG. 4 shows a subroutine of step S4 of FIG. In step S13, the system configuration at the time when the security function is enabled is detected and stored in a memory (not shown). Specifically, the connection / disconnection state of the camera body 10B, the photographing lens 20, the accessory 40, and the tripod 60 is detected. The photographing lens 20 and the accessory 40 are detected based on signals from the lens contact 22 and the hot shoe contact 38.

  Note that the taking lens 20 and the accessory 40 are assumed to be attached before the security function is activated, and the tripod 60 is attached in advance here on the assumption that the photographing is performed in the fixed point photographing mode. And

  When the wireless communication is switched from the connected state to the disconnected state or the communication level is lowered, the camera 10 may be moved from the installation location, that is, may be held, so that a warning is issued (S14 to S14). S16). Here, as in step S <b> 10, a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 42 of the camera 10 and a theft notification signal is transmitted to the external device 100. In the external device 100, a warning sound is transmitted from the speaker 140 or vibration is generated by the vibrator 120.

  In step S17, it is determined whether or not the connection state of the photographic lens 20 has changed, that is, whether or not the photographic lens 20 has been switched from the connected state to the disconnected state. If there is a change in the connection state, it is determined that someone has removed the photographing lens 20, and a warning similar to that in step S16 is issued (S18).

  In step S19, it is determined whether or not the connection state of the hot shoe contact 38 has changed, that is, whether or not the accessory 40 has changed from the connected state to the disconnected state. When there is a change, it is determined that the accessory 40 has been removed by someone, and a warning is issued as in step S16 (S20).

  In step S <b> 21, it is detected whether there is a change in driving power for the camera shake correction mechanism 26. The camera shake correction mechanism 26 is always energized, and shifts the image sensor 24 when a change in posture of the camera body 10B is detected. Since a change occurs in the drive voltage at this time, when a change in the drive voltage is detected, it is determined that the tripod 60 has been removed from the camera body 10B, and a warning is issued as in step S16 (S22). When the security function is canceled, the routine returns to the routine of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the digital camera 10 that can communicate with the external device 100, when an operation for enabling the security function is performed, the system configuration at that time, specifically, the photographing lens 20 and the accessory 40 are controlled. The connection state is stored, and it is detected whether or not there is a change in the connection state. When there is a change in the system configuration, the camera 10 and the external device 100 issue a warning.

  By storing the system configuration when the anti-theft function is enabled and monitoring whether there is a change in the configuration, it is possible to prevent theft of accessories, photographing lenses, and the like attached to the camera. As a result, the user can use the camera for fixed-point shooting with peace of mind.

  In particular, since a change in the system configuration is detected by a conventional configuration of the camera such as a lens contact and a hot shoe contact, the security function can be activated without providing new dedicated hardware. Further, by detecting the movement of the camera body using the camera shake correction mechanism, it is possible to monitor a tripod that does not have an electrical contact with the camera.

  The system configuration (connection status) when the security function is enabled while communicating with an external device is memorized, and the configuration change is detected in comparison with it, automatically based on the shooting status at the start of fixed-point shooting Warning can be issued.

  Although taking lenses, accessories, and tripods are taken up as elements constituting the imaging system, other components that are used for shooting and that are detachably attached to the camera 10 may be monitored. . For example, the system control circuit 30 may detect whether or not the memory card 50 is removed, and a warning may be issued when the removal is detected.

  The warning is not limited to the warning sound and vibration, and any means for notifying that the system configuration has changed, such as displaying a message on an external device, may be employed. Further, a warning may be transmitted only with the camera, or a warning may be transmitted only with an external device.

  Next, the digital camera which is 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. In the second embodiment, security processing is executed for a camera having a communication function compatible with near field communication technology (NFC). Other configurations are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the security function setting process in the second embodiment. The communication module 41 of the camera 10 incorporates an NFC compatible communication module, and the external device 100 also incorporates an NFC module.

  When an operation for short-range wireless communication (the user brings the external device 100 into contact with the camera 10) is performed (S2-1), it is confirmed whether the security function is in an OFF state and the communication function is in an invalid state. (S2-2, S2-3), communication connection is started (S2-4). When the communication connection is successful (S2-5), the monitoring process is started (S2-6). If the communication connection is not successful, an error message is displayed (S2-7).

  On the other hand, when the user touches the camera 10 with the external device 100 while the security function is on, the security function is switched off (S2-8). As for other processes (S2-9 to S2-13), the same processes as those in the first embodiment are executed.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, monitoring can be executed with a simple setting using short-range communication. In particular, by using a communication system between an external device and a camera based on NFC, it is possible to freely switch the security function ON / OFF simply by touching the camera with the external device. Note that a short-range communication technology other than NFC may be used.

  In the first and second embodiments, a mirrorless type digital camera is targeted, but the present invention can also be applied to other imaging apparatuses. Further, the external device may be a device other than the mobile device (server, PC, etc.).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital camera 20 Shooting lens 22 Lens contact 26 Camera shake correction mechanism 30 System control circuit (control part)
38 Hot shoe contacts 40 Accessories 42 Speakers (notification section)
41 Communication module 60 Tripod 100 External equipment

Claims (12)

An imaging device capable of wireless communication;
An external device capable of wireless communication with the imaging device;
A detection unit for detecting a system configuration at the time of shooting by the imaging device;
An imaging system comprising: a control unit that causes a notification unit to notify at least one of the imaging device and the external device when there is a change in the system configuration. The detection unit detects a connection state of a photographing-related component that is detachably attached to the imaging device;
The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit notifies that there is a change in a connection state. The detection unit detects a connection state of a photographic lens that is detachably attached to the imaging device;
The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit notifies that there is a change in a lens connection state. The imaging device has a hot shoe contact;
The detection unit detects a connection state of an accessory detachably attached to the hot shoe contact;
The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit notifies that there is a change in an accessory connection state. The imaging device has a camera shake correction mechanism,
The detection unit detects a driving voltage for the camera shake correction mechanism;
The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit notifies that there is a change in driving voltage.   When the operation for enabling the anti-theft function is performed by the control unit, the system configuration when the communication with the external device is enabled is stored in the memory, and the stored system configuration has changed. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging system is notified. The imaging device and the external device have a communication module that supports short-range communication technology,
The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit disables or enables the anti-theft function when communicating with the external device in a state where the anti-theft function is enabled or disabled.   The imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the control unit detects that communication with the external device is impossible or a communication state is deteriorated, the imaging system is notified.   The control unit starts and ends execution of an anti-theft function in response to an input operation, and notifies when the power-off operation of the imaging apparatus is performed without an operation to end the execution. The imaging system according to any one of 1 to 8. In an imaging system comprising an imaging device capable of wireless communication and an external device capable of wireless communication with the imaging device,
An imaging system characterized in that a system configuration at the time of shooting by the imaging device is detected, and when there is a change in the system configuration, at least one of the imaging device and the external device notifies the notification unit to that effect. Anti-theft method. A communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external device;
A detection unit for detecting a system configuration at the time of shooting;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a control unit that notifies the external device of the change by a communication unit when the system configuration is changed. An imaging device provided with a communication unit,
Storage means for storing a system configuration at the time of shooting when the anti-theft function is enabled;
Detection means for determining whether or not there is a change in the system configuration;
A program that causes an external device capable of wireless communication to function as a control unit that notifies the external device capable of wireless communication when the system configuration changes.

Images