JP4474091B2 - Digital camera, data display device, and data display restriction release method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera, a data display device, and a data display restriction release method, and more particularly, to a method for releasing the display restriction of specific data recorded in a storage medium and subjected to display restriction.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is known a digital camera that records a photographed image taken by an imaging means such as a CCD on a memory card as digital data. Many of these digital cameras are provided with a display such as an LCD panel, and the captured images recorded on the memory card can be easily reproduced and displayed.
[0003]
The capacity of memory cards has been increasing in recent years, and it has become possible to record several hundred images on one memory card. For this reason, many users leave the photographed image data as it is without erasing it from the memory card even after the photographed image recorded on the memory card is printed or taken into a personal computer or the like.
[0004]
One digital camera is often shared among multiple users such as family members and friends. In such a case, if captured image data of multiple users remain in the memory card, Other users' captured image data can be easily viewed. Some photographed images are to be kept secret from other users, so it is desirable to provide a digital camera with a display restriction function that restricts playback and display of images.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-320668 describes a digital camera provided with a display restriction function for image data for the purpose of protecting the confidentiality of image data in a memory card. In this digital camera, display restriction and release thereof are performed by inserting a physical key (hardware key) into the keyhole of the camera body.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the method of releasing the display restriction using a physical key is inconvenient because only the user who has the key can use the display restriction function. Of course, if a plurality of users have a key, the plurality of users can use the display restriction function. However, if there is only one type of key, a captured image can be taken between a plurality of users having the key. It cannot be concealed. In addition, this method requires possession of a key to use the display restriction function, but keys that are not used on a daily basis are at a risk of being lost, apart from professional photographers who use the camera on a daily basis. This is not a practical method for general users who rarely use the camera on a daily basis.
[0007]
As a general technique for canceling the display restriction, there is a method of requesting the user to input a preset password. According to this method, a physical key is not required, and a plurality of users set individual passwords, so that the captured image can be easily concealed for each user.
[0008]
However, as represented by the use of cash cards, credit cards, the Internet, etc., passwords are frequently used in various situations as a means of identity verification with the progress of the information society. The number of passwords that must be managed is increasing. Therefore, there is a problem that passwords that are not frequently used in daily life are easily forgotten.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera, a data display device, and a data display restriction release method that can easily remove the data display restriction without using a password.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the digital camera of the present invention records the image data photographed by the imaging means on a storage medium, reads the image data, and reproduces and displays the image on a display provided in the main body. In the camera, a data display restricting means for restricting inadvertent display of specific image data designated in advance among the image data in the storage medium, and a display restriction on the specific image data are released. Display restriction canceling means, and the display restriction releasing means includes: an image output means for outputting a plurality of images including images preset as key images for releasing the restriction; and a display Image selecting means for selecting an arbitrary image from the plurality of images displayed on the screen, and the selected image The consists of a key image and determining means for determining whether coincident, when said selected image and the key image matches, and cancels the display restriction.
[0011]
Further, the data display device of the present invention is a data display device for displaying data recorded on a storage medium on a display. Among the data, specific data designated in advance is inadvertently displayed on the display. There is provided data display restriction means for restricting and display restriction release means for releasing the display restriction on the specific data, and the display restriction release means is preset as a key image for releasing the restriction. Image output means for outputting a plurality of images including an image to a display, image selection means for selecting an arbitrary image from the plurality of images displayed on the display, and the selected image and the key image match. And determining means for determining whether or not to perform the display restriction when the selected image matches the key image. The features.
[0012]
Further, the data display restriction release method of the present invention displays a plurality of images including images preset as key images in the data display restriction release method for releasing the display restriction on the display for specific data, It is determined whether an image selected from these images matches the key image, and the display restriction is released when the selected image matches the key image.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing lens 11 and a finder objective window 12 are provided on the front surface of the digital camera 10, a shutter button 13 is provided on the upper surface, and a slot 16 for setting a memory card 14 is provided on the side surface. The memory card 14 is detachably set in the slot 16. When the shutter button 13 is pressed, the captured image data is recorded on the memory card 14. The image data is subjected to various image correction processes and then subjected to a data compression process, and the processed data is recorded as image files F1 to F60. As the compression format, for example, a JPEG (Joint Photographic Expart Group) format is used.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 2, a finder eyepiece window 18, a general-purpose key 19, a power button 20, a mode switching key 21, a confirmation / execution button 22, a playback lock button 23, and a display 24 are provided on the back of the digital camera 10. Yes. As the display 24, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like is used. The mode switching key 21 switches between a shooting mode for shooting and a playback mode for playing back and displaying the image data recorded on the memory card 14 on the display 24. In the shooting mode, the display 24 functions as an electronic viewfinder.
[0015]
The display 24 also displays a setting screen for performing various settings such as setting the number of recording pixels of image data and switching the electronic viewfinder on and off. The user performs these settings by operating the general-purpose key 19 and the confirm / execute button 22 while viewing the setting screen. The general-purpose key 19 is used to move the cursor displayed on the screen, and the selection of setting items and images are performed by the general-purpose key 19. The confirmation / execution button 22 is used when confirming the setting item or image selected by the cursor or executing the selected process.
[0016]
When the reproduction mode is selected, an image file is read from the memory card 14, the decompression process is performed on this file, and the image is reproduced and displayed on the display 24. In this playback mode, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), images are displayed one by one in the image display screen 31 of the display 24, and in the image display screen 31 as shown in FIG. 3 (B). Thumbnail images of multiple frames are arranged and displayed as an index.
[0017]
In this index display, the number of thumbnail images that can be displayed on the screen can be changed by setting. In this example, for example, nine frames are set. When an index is displayed, a cursor 32 is displayed on the outer periphery of any frame on the image display screen 31. In this example, the cursor 32 is positioned on the image Pic1. When the cursor 32 is moved downward with the general-purpose key 19, the next nine frames of images are displayed. When the cursor 32 is set to a desired image and the confirm / execute button 22 is pressed, the image selected by the cursor 32 is enlarged and displayed in the image display screen 31.
[0018]
The digital camera 10 has a data display restriction function for restricting reproduction and display of a specific image file in the memory card 14. The reproduction lock button 23 is used to perform display restriction setting (reproduction lock setting) for a specific image.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 4, for example, among the image files F1 to F60 in the memory card 14, the image file surrounded by a dotted line. F31 F60 is a lock target file 33 whose reproduction is locked (display restriction is set). The file 33 to be locked is not reproduced and displayed on the image display screen 31, for example, a file number and “locked” are displayed in the frame of the frame.
[0020]
The lock of the lock target file 33 is performed by selecting a key image set in advance as an image to be a key for releasing from a plurality of candidate images displayed on the image display screen 31. Here, the candidate image refers to a plurality of images including a key image among displayable images (images not to be locked). This candidate image is displayed on the image display screen 31 when the user selects a key image. Therefore, the candidate image is set from image files other than the lock target file 33.
[0021]
In this example, among the unlocked image files F1 to F30, the image files F1 to F9 are set as the candidate image files 34. The images Pic1 to Pic9 obtained by reproducing and displaying the candidate image file 34 are candidate images. As the key image, three images of an image Pic1, an image Pic5, and an image Pic9 shown by hatching in the figure are set.
[0022]
When the reproduction lock button 23 is pressed, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the screen of the display 24 is switched to a designation screen 36 for designating a lock target file. On the designation screen 36, a message “Please specify a file to be locked” is displayed, and a pair of boxes 36a and 36b for designating a file number are displayed.
[0023]
Of the files to be locked, the first file number is input to the box 36a, and the last file number is input to the box 36b. When the cursor 32 is moved to each box 36a, 36b and the general-purpose key 19 is operated, the numbers in the boxes 36a, 36b are switched, and the file number is input. For example, if “031”, which is the first file number, is input to the box 36a and “060”, which is the last file number, is input to the box 36b, the image file F31 to the image file F60 are designated as the lock target file 33. The
[0024]
A plurality of sets (for example, four sets) are prepared for the pair of boxes 36a and 36b so that files whose numbers are not consecutive can be designated. When the file number is input and the confirm / execute button 22 is pressed, the setting of the lock target file 33 is confirmed.
[0025]
When the designation of the lock target file 33 is completed, the designation screen 36 is switched to the image display screen 31. The image display screen 31 displays image files F1 to F30 other than the lock target file 33 by nine frames and a message “Please set candidate images”. The user selects and sets candidate images from the image files F1 to F30.
[0026]
Candidate images are set by, for example, selecting one frame at a time with the cursor 32 and pressing the confirm / execute button 22. For example, the set candidate image changes to a halftone and is displayed in the image display screen 31 so as to be distinguishable from other images. Then, by repeating this operation, for example, nine frame candidate images of images Pic1 to Pic9 are set. Of course, as in the case of designating the lock target file 33, it may be selected on a dedicated designation screen.
[0027]
After the selection of the candidate image is completed, when the confirm / execute button 22 is pressed again, the setting is confirmed. When the setting of candidate images is completed, a message “Please specify a key image” is displayed on the image display screen 31 together with the set candidate images (images Pic1 to Pic9) as shown in FIG. The The key image is selected and set from these candidate images. The image selection is performed using the cursor 32 and the general-purpose key 19 in the same manner as the selection of the candidate image.
[0028]
For example, three images Pic1, Pic5, and Pic9 indicated by hatching in the figure are selected and set as the key image 37. The set key image 37 is changed to halftone as in the case of selecting a candidate image, and is displayed in the image display screen 31 so as to be distinguishable from other images. After the setting of the key image 37 is completed, when the confirmation / execution button 22 is pressed, the setting is confirmed. When all the playback lock settings are completed, the lock target file 33 is not played back and displayed on the display 24 as shown in FIG.
[0029]
Then, when trying to reproduce these lock target files 33, a message box 41 is displayed on the image display screen 31, as shown in FIG. The message includes a warning message such as “playback locked” and an inquiry message such as “Do you want to unlock?”.
[0030]
When releasing the lock, the cursor 32 is moved to the “YES” button 42 and the confirm / execute button 22 is pressed. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, nine preset candidate images (images Pic1 to Pic9) are displayed on the image display screen 31 and, for example, “Please select a key image”. A message is displayed. Here, when the three key images (images Pic1, Pic5, and Pic9) are selected using the cursor 32 and the confirm / execute button 22, the lock is released.
[0031]
If the selected image does not match the key image, a warning message indicating that the selected image is incorrect is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. When not releasing the lock, the “NO” button 43 is selected. When the “NO” button 43 is selected, the message box 41 disappears.
[0032]
Thus, since the lock cannot be released without knowing the key image, the image of the lock target file 33 is not seen by other users. In addition, since an image is used as the release key, it is easier to store in comparison with a password made up of letters or numbers. In particular, since an image taken by the user can be set as a release key, it is easy to leave an impression. Further, in the digital camera 10, since an image selection operation is frequently performed, the operation unit is designed to be easy to use. Therefore, in the digital camera 10, an image selection operation can be performed more easily than an operation for inputting a password.
[0033]
FIG. 7 shows an outline of the electrical configuration of the digital camera 10. A CCD image sensor 51 is disposed behind the taking lens 11. The CCD image sensor 51 photoelectrically converts subject light and outputs an analog imaging signal as is well known. The CCD image sensor 51 is connected to an A / D converter 53 via an amplifier 52, and an analog imaging signal output from the CCD image sensor 51 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 53. The captured image data converted into digital data is input to the image processing unit 54.
[0034]
The image processing unit 54 performs various image correction processes such as white balance correction and gamma correction on the captured image data, and also performs an image composition process for creating an index image and a data compression process. The read / write circuit 55 accesses the memory card 14 to write and read data. The captured image data is subjected to various types of image processing by the image processing unit 54 and then written to the memory card 14 by the read / write circuit 55. In the reproduction mode, the image processing unit 54 performs an expansion process on the image file read from the memory card 14, and the image data is written to the video memory 56. The video memory 56 outputs the written image data to the display 24.
[0035]
The operation unit 62 includes a general-purpose key 19, a power button 20, a mode switching key 21, a confirmation / execution button 22, and a playback lock button 23. The CPU 61 switches between the shooting mode and the playback mode in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 62, and controls each unit of the digital camera 10 according to each selected mode. The RAM 64 is a working memory for the CPU 61 to execute a control program. The ROM 63 stores a control program, and the CPU 61 loads the control program into the RAM 64 and executes the processing steps described in the control program.
[0036]
When the reproduction lock is applied to the image file in the memory card 14, the CPU 61 writes lock information indicating that the reproduction is locked to the memory card 14. The lock information is recorded in association with the playback-locked image file. The lock information includes the file number of the candidate image and key image set at the time of locking. When reading of the image file is instructed, the CPU 61 checks whether or not the reproduction lock is applied to the image file based on the lock information. When the reproduction lock is applied, reproduction display of the image file is prohibited, and the warning message described above is displayed on the display 24.
[0037]
When receiving an unlock instruction, the CPU 61 displays the candidate image on the display 24 and prompts the user to input a key image. Then, based on the lock information, it is determined whether the image selected by the user matches a preset key image. If they match, the lock is released. If they do not match, a warning message indicating that the selected image is incorrect is displayed.
[0038]
The operation of the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the playback mode is selected, an image file is read from the memory card 14 and displayed on the display 24.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 8, when the reproduction lock is applied to a specific image file in the memory card 14, the reproduction lock button 23 is pressed. When the reproduction lock button 23 is pressed, a designation screen 36 is first displayed on the display 24. Here, after designating the lock target file, a candidate image is selected from images other than the lock target image on the image display screen 31 and a candidate image file is set.
[0040]
When the candidate image file is set, the candidate image is reproduced and displayed on the display. Finally, a key image is designated from the candidate images. When the enter / execute button 22 is pressed after designating the key image, the lock information is stored in the memory card 14 in association with the lock target file. As a result, the reproduction lock is applied and the reproduction of the lock target file is prohibited.
[0041]
In order to release the reproduction lock, the image to be locked is selected and a reproduction instruction is given. Then, a preset candidate image is displayed on the display 24. A preset key image is selected from the candidate images. If the selected image matches a preset key image, the playback lock is released and the image file for which playback has been instructed is played back and displayed on the display 24. If the selected image does not match the preset key image, a warning message is displayed.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, when a playback lock is applied, a file to be locked is specified, but on the contrary, a file that is not locked may be specified, and other files may be locked. . In addition, when the playback lock is set, a candidate image is set and then a key image is set. For example, after setting a candidate image once, the playback lock is set only by setting the key image. You may be able to do that.
[0043]
The number of candidate images and key images has been described by way of example with nine candidate images and three key images. However, the number of candidate images and key images may be more or less and can be selected as appropriate. By increasing or decreasing these numbers, the security level can be increased or decreased. Further, not only the number of key images but also the coincidence of the selection order may be determined.
[0044]
For example, when three images A, B, and C are set as key images and the selection order is set in the order of A, B, and C, three images A, B, and C are selected. However, if the selection order is B, C, A, the lock is not released. As described above, if the selection order is included, the number of combinations of release keys can be increased even when the number of candidate images and key images is small, so that a reduction in security level can be prevented.
[0045]
In the above embodiment, an example is described in which only one lock target file group is set. However, a plurality of lock target file groups may be set in one memory card. In this case, lock information including a range to be locked, candidate images, and key images is set for each group.
[0046]
For example, the figure 10 Are recorded with image files FA1 to FA40 taken by the user A and image files FB1 to FB50 taken by the user B. Among the image files FA1 to FA40, the image files FA10 to FA40 are designated as the first group of the lock target file 33 by the user A, and the image files FA1 to FA9 release the lock of the first group. Is set as a candidate image file 34 including a key image necessary for the above. Similarly, among the image files FB1 to FB50, the image files FB10 to FB50 are designated as the second group of the lock target file 33 by the user B, and the image files FB1 to FB9 lock the second group. It is set as a candidate image file 34 including a key image for canceling.
[0047]
Since the user A does not know the key image set by the user B, the user A cannot see the images of the image files FB10 to FB50 of the second group. On the other hand, the user B does not know the key image set by the user A. Images in the first group of image files FA10 to FA40 cannot be viewed. In this way, even when one digital camera 10 is shared by a plurality of users, specific data designated by each user can be kept secret from other users.
[0048]
Further, in the above embodiment, although the frame to be locked is not reproduced and displayed, the frame frame is displayed. However, the frame frame may not be displayed. In this way, only the candidate image is displayed on the display, so that even the existence of the lock target file is not known to other users. In such a case, an unlock button may be provided in addition to the playback lock button, and the group number of the lock target file may be displayed on the display when the unlock button is pressed. When a desired group number is selected, candidate images corresponding to the group are displayed on the display. When a key image is selected from the displayed candidate images, the lock is released.
[0049]
In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and various portable terminal devices including a mobile phone and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The present invention can be applied to all devices having a data display function of reading data stored in a storage medium and displaying the data on a display. The storage medium is not limited to a memory card, and various information storage media such as a hard disk, a compact disk, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) can be used. The data subject to display restriction may not be image data, but may be text data or program data.
[0050]
Further, a data display restriction release program may be installed in the personal computer so that the personal computer functions as the data display device of the present invention. The data display restriction release program is a data display restriction release program for releasing display restrictions on specific data, and includes a first step of displaying a plurality of images including images preset as key images, A second step of determining whether or not the image selected from the images matches the key image, and a third step of releasing the display restriction when the selected image and the key image match. Let the computer execute each step consisting of
[0051]
The present invention can also be applied to a case where a storage medium storing data and a display for displaying data are connected via a communication network such as the Internet. For example, when a client terminal downloads data from the server terminal in which data is stored through the Internet, before displaying the downloaded data on the display of the client terminal, a candidate image including a key image is displayed on the display. Display the key image. If the selected image matches the key image, the downloaded data is displayed. If the selected image does not match, the data is not displayed.
[0052]
The display restriction method in this case may restrict the data from being displayed on the display after the data has been downloaded to the client terminal, or prohibit the data from being downloaded to the client terminal. Thus, the display on the display may be limited.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, the present invention includes an image set in advance as a key image for releasing the restriction when the display on the display is restricted for the data recorded on the storage medium. A plurality of images are displayed on the display, an arbitrary image is selected from the images, and it is determined whether the selected image matches the key image. The selected image matches the key image. In this case, since the display restriction is released, the data display restriction and the release thereof can be easily performed as compared with the case where the hardware key is used as the release key. Also, since an image is used as a release key, it is easier to remember and convenient than a password.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front external view of a digital camera.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an image is reproduced on a display.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a lock target file and candidate images.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing screen transition when the playback lock is performed.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing screen transition when unlocking.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a playback lock procedure;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a lock release procedure.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example when a plurality of groups of lock target files are set.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Digital camera
14,71 Memory card
19 General purpose key
22 Confirm / Execute button
23 Playback lock button
24 display
31 Image display screen
33 Files to be locked
34 Candidate image files
36 key image
56 Video memory
61 CPU
62 Operation unit

Claims (2)

In a digital camera that records image data captured by an imaging unit on a storage medium, reads out the image data, and reproduces and displays an image on a display provided in a main body.
A data display restricting means for restricting inadvertent display of specific image data designated in advance among the image data in the storage medium;
Display restriction releasing means for releasing the display restriction on the specific image data is provided,
The display restriction release means includes an image output means for outputting a plurality of images including an image set in advance as a key image for releasing the restriction, and an arbitrary one of the plurality of images displayed on the display. An image selection means for selecting the selected image and a determination means for determining whether the selected image matches the key image. When the selected image matches the key image , the selection is performed. It also determines the match of the order, releases the display restriction,
The data display restriction means comprises group setting means for setting a plurality of groups of the image data subject to the display restriction, and key image setting means for setting a key image for each group.
A digital camera characterized in that the group and the key image can be set after the image data is recorded on the storage medium. Candidate image setting means for setting a plurality of candidate images that are candidates for the key image that can be selected by the image selection means;
Key image setting means for selecting and setting the key image from the candidate images,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein once the candidate image is set, the setting of the candidate image can be omitted when the display restriction is applied.

Images