JP5063303B2 - IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging apparatus control method, and a program, and more particularly, to a technique suitable for use in transmitting captured image data.

  As devices for digitally recording still image data, moving image data, and audio data on a recording medium, for example, digital still cameras and digital video cameras are widely known. As a recording medium of a digital still camera, it is common to use a small memory such as a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card or an SD card that can be attached to and detached from the digital still camera body.

  On the other hand, as a method for transferring image data captured by a digital still camera to a computer (or a digital device having a recording unit), there is a method using a cable of a predetermined format represented by USB (Universal Serial Bus) or IEEE1394. When transferring an image, this cable can be used to connect a digital still camera and a computer to transfer image data.

  Also, there is a method in which the recording medium described above is detached from the digital still camera body and connected to a computer, and the recording medium is handled as an external recording device of the computer and recording information is taken into the computer. Furthermore, in recent years, a method of capturing image data in a digital still camera into a computer by connecting the digital still camera and a computer via a wired or wireless LAN has become widespread.

  Also known are digital still cameras equipped with mass storage and PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) protocol functions for connecting a computer and a digital still camera to acquire image data on the computer side. By using such a digital still camera, the image data in the digital still camera connected to the computer can be displayed as a list on the computer and can be selected and acquired by the user.

  In addition, there is an image transfer system that directly transfers captured image data to a connected computer in a method of connecting a computer and a digital still camera. In this image transfer system, when transferring image data from a digital still camera to a computer, the transfer of the image data may fail due to the radio wave condition of the transfer path, and the captured image data may be lost. . Therefore, in order to prevent the captured image data from being lost, it is recorded as a backup in a small removable memory provided in the digital still camera, and later the backup image data is re-acquired from the small memory. Systems that do this are also known.

  On the other hand, there is also known a security technique for preventing image leakage to a third party by encrypting image data taken with a digital still camera and recording it in a small memory or transferring it to a connected computer. Yes. There is also known a security technology that prevents transfer of image data to a third party by adding transfer prohibition information to image data captured by a digital still camera (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-369054 A

  However, in the conventional technology, when recording image data for backup in a small memory provided in the digital still camera in preparation for when transmission of image data fails, the image data for backup is stored as normal image data. To be recorded. For this reason, by accessing this small memory, it was possible to freely browse and acquire the captured image data with a computer or the like using a card reader or the like. For example, a digital camera that stores captured image data in a removable storage medium is particularly problematic.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to ensure sufficient security for image data.

An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and generates first image data, a transmission unit that transmits the first image data generated by the imaging unit to an external device, and the first Encrypting means for encrypting image data into second image data, recording means for recording the second image data on a recording medium, and external device to which the first image data is transmitted by the transmitting means when sending the second image data, the second image data have a decoding means for decoding, wherein the second image data, the external device the first image data is transmitted When transmitting to an external device different from the above, the decryption means does not decrypt the encrypted second image data .

An imaging apparatus control method according to the present invention includes: an imaging process for imaging a subject to generate first image data; a transmission process for transmitting the first image data generated in the imaging process to an external apparatus; An encryption step of encrypting the first image data into the second image data, a recording step of recording the second image data on a recording medium, and an external device that has transmitted the first image data in the transmission step when sending the second image data to the apparatus, possess a decoding step of decoding the second image data, the second image data, said first image data is transmitted outside When transmitting to an external device different from the device, the encrypted second image data is not decrypted in the decryption step.

The program according to the present invention includes an imaging process for imaging a subject to generate first image data, a transmission process for transmitting the first image data generated in the imaging process to an external device, and the first image data. The second image data by encrypting the first image data, a recording step for recording the second image data on a recording medium, and the external device that has transmitted the first image data in the transmission step. When the second image data is transmitted, the computer executes a decoding step of decoding the second image data, and the second image data is transmitted to the external device to which the first image data is transmitted. When transmitting to a different external device, the second image data encrypted is not decrypted in the decryption step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure sufficient security for image data.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components exemplified in the present embodiment should be changed as appropriate according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. It is not limited to the illustration.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including an imaging device according to the present embodiment and an external control device (computer) connected to the imaging device.
In FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 100 has a function of generating captured image data in the JPG file format, and further has a function of encrypting a JPG file that is captured image data. In addition, the imaging apparatus 100 is equipped with a removable recording medium. On the other hand, the first external control device 101 and the second external control device, which are external devices, are personal computers (PCs), and request acquisition of captured image data.

  The imaging apparatus 100 includes a unit that can be connected to an external apparatus via a wireless LAN. The first external control apparatus 101 is connected to the external apparatus via a wireless LAN, and transmits captured image data to the first external control apparatus 101. Is set to When shooting is performed by the imaging apparatus 100, a JPG file that is captured image data is transmitted to the first external control apparatus 101, and the JPG file is encrypted and recorded in a recording medium in the imaging apparatus 100.

  When an acquisition request for image data taken from the first external control device 101 is generated later, the image data encrypted in the imaging device 100 is decrypted and transmitted to the first external control device 101. . On the other hand, a wireless LAN connection between the second external control apparatus 102 and the imaging apparatus 100 is established later. Then, when an acquisition request for the encrypted image data recorded on the recording medium is generated from the second external control device 102, the encrypted image data is transmitted to the second external control device 102 as it is. The

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The configuration and operation of each part will be described with reference to FIG.
The control unit 11 controls the overall operation of the imaging apparatus 100 according to a program stored in advance in the program storage unit 12. Note that the control unit 11 does not necessarily need to be configured by a single piece of hardware, and a plurality of pieces of hardware may share processing and control each unit of the imaging apparatus 100.

  The light beam L from the subject is received by the image sensor 15 through the photographing lens 13 and the diaphragm 14. The imaging element 15 is an element that converts the received light beam L into an electrical signal, and is configured by a fixed imaging element such as a CCD (electric transfer device) or a CMOS device. The preprocessing circuit 16 includes a CDS circuit for removing noise of the electric signal output from the image sensor 15 and a non-linear amplification circuit that performs processing before A / D conversion.

  The A / D converter 17 converts the analog signal output from the preprocessing circuit 16 into a digital signal. The image signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 17 is subjected to image processing such as contour compensation, gamma correction, and white balance correction by the image processing circuit 18 and is output to the memory control circuit 19. That is, the imaging lens 13 to the image processing circuit 18 function as an imaging unit.

  The encryption / decryption control unit 46 is a control unit that encrypts captured image data (first image data) and decrypts the encrypted image data (second image data). The memory control circuit 19 stores the image signal processed by the image processing circuit 18 in an external recording medium 21 such as a memory card via the external recording medium I / F circuit 20. The external recording medium I / F circuit 20 is an interface corresponding to a plurality of external storage devices. The internal storage device 22 is a storage unit that stores and stores white balance correction values and the like for performing image processing by the image processing circuit 18.

  The ISO sensitivity control unit 23 sets the ISO sensitivity, and controls the sensor sensitivity of the image sensor 15 by setting the ISO sensitivity. The aperture value of the aperture 14 is controlled by the control unit 11 when luminance information is output from the photometric sensor 25 that measures the luminance of the subject. It is also possible to set an arbitrary aperture value by a user operation.

  The distance measuring sensor 26 is composed of a licensor such as a CCD or CMOS corresponding to the distance measuring point, and outputs a distance measuring point deviation signal corresponding to the distance to the subject to the control unit 11. The shutter device 27 controls the time for opening the shutter to supply light to the image sensor 15. The control unit 11 calculates the exposure value based on the input signals such as the luminance information and the distance measurement point deviation signal described above, determines the shutter speed and the aperture value, and controls the driving of the shutter device 27.

  The AF mode control unit 24 controls a mode for determining the focus in the imaging apparatus 100, and performs switching control such as manual focus, one-shot autofocus, AI autofocus, and AI servo autofocus.

  The strobe control unit 37 controls a built-in strobe (not shown) or an external strobe. When the control unit 11 determines that the exposure performed with the set value set by the aperture 14 or the shutter device 27 is under, the flash is emitted. It is also possible to control the light emission of the strobe according to the user's operation.

  The first external display unit 28 is composed of a liquid crystal element that mainly displays various settings relating to shooting such as exposure control and the number of shots that can be taken. The second external display unit 29 is composed of a liquid crystal element that mainly displays various setting information related to image processing. Furthermore, the third external display unit 30 is a color capable of displaying a photographed image, displaying information related to the photographed image obtained from the image sensor 15, various detailed setting states of the imaging device 100, and the like. It is composed of a liquid crystal element. In the present embodiment, the imaging apparatus 100 having three display units is taken as an example, but the number of display units is not limited to this embodiment.

  Reference numeral 31a denotes a shooting preparation switch (SW1), and reference numeral 31b denotes a shooting switch (SW2). The first information input unit 32 inputs various types of shooting setting information according to user operations, and inputs information in the horizontal direction of an image to be reproduced during normal reproduction. The second information input unit 33 inputs various types of shooting setting information according to a user operation, and inputs vertical information of an image to be reproduced during normal reproduction. 34 to 36 function as mode setting means for setting various shooting setting modes, 34 is a shooting mode selection button, 35 is an AF mode selection button, and 36 is a photometry mode selection button.

  The LAN connection I / F 38 is an I / F for performing physical connection with the image file receiving side, and exchange of file data with the external control device is performed through the LAN connection I / F 38. In the present embodiment, the LAN connection I / F 38 is used, but other serial connections represented by USB may be used, and the connection may be wired or wireless.

  The transmission state management unit 47 is a control unit that manages the success or failure of transmission of image data transmitted through the LAN connection I / F 38 and manages matching between the connected computer (external control device) and the captured image data. is there. Specifically, for example, it is determined whether or not the connected external control device is an external control device that has transmitted captured image data.

  The menu button 39 is a button for displaying the setting menu of the imaging apparatus 100 on the third external display unit 30. The select button 40 is a button for selecting various items when the setting menu of the imaging apparatus 100 is displayed on the third external display unit 30 by pressing the menu button 39.

  The cancel button 41 is a button for canceling various settings. The Info button 42 is a button for displaying detailed file information. The file deletion button 43 is a button for deleting an image file or the like selected by pressing the select button 40. The image playback button 44 is a button for displaying the image data read from the external recording medium 21 on the third external display unit 30.

  The menu button 39 to the image playback button 44 are digital system setting selection means for performing various settings and selections, such as various settings relating to shooting functions and file transmission processing, whether or not to encrypt a shot image, and the like. Used to make a selection.

  The rotation button 45 is a button for rotating the image displayed on the third external display unit 30 by the image processing circuit 18 when the image reproduction button 44 is pressed. When the rotation button 45 is pressed, the rotated image is displayed on the third external display unit 30 and recorded on the external recording medium 21.

  Next, in the imaging device 100 having the above-described configuration, the flow of processing for transmitting image data at the time of shooting to the first external control device 101 and the flow of recording in the external recording medium 21 in the imaging device 100 are shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to a flowchart.

When the user presses a shooting instruction, that is, the shooting switch (SW2) 31b, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment transmits image data shot in response to the pressing to the external control device 101 and copies the image. It can be set to be recorded on the external recording medium 21. This setting is performed, for example, in response to the operation member being operated by the user.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of transmission and recording of image data by the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. Each step shown in FIG. 3 is performed under the control of the control unit 11. The imaging apparatus 100 and the first external control apparatus 101 are connected via a LAN connection I / F 38, and image data captured by the imaging apparatus 100 is transmitted to the first external control apparatus 101, and the imaging apparatus 100 The image data is stored in the external recording medium 21 included in.

  The processing is started when the photographing switch (SW2) 31b is pressed in the imaging apparatus 100. First, in step S101, image data is generated through the image sensor 15, the preprocessing circuit 16, and the like under the control of the control unit 11. Next, in step S102, the transmission state management unit 47 reads the captured image data from the memory control circuit 19, and transmits the image data to the first external control device 101 connected via the LAN connection I / F 38. Send. At this time, the transmission state management unit 47 manages the transmission state. Details of the transmission state management method will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step S103, the encryption / decryption control unit 46 determines whether or not the captured image data is set to be encrypted. If the result of this determination is that encryption is set, processing proceeds to step S104, and the encrypted image data is encrypted by the encryption / decryption control unit 46. In step S105, the memory control circuit 19 records the encrypted image data as backup image data on the external recording medium 21 such as a memory card via the external recording medium I / F circuit 20, and ends the processing. To do. Note that a key for decryption is set for the encrypted image data, and it is not displayed on the third external display unit unless decryption is performed using the key. Therefore, even if a third party who does not know the key operates the imaging apparatus 100, the encrypted image data cannot be browsed. Note that the imaging apparatus 100 may display, for example, a black image instead of the encrypted image data. That is, it is only necessary that a third party cannot view the image data.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S103 is that encryption is not set, the process proceeds to step S105 without encrypting the captured image data, and is recorded on the external recording medium 21 as backup image data. .

  Next, the flow of processing for retransmitting backup image data recorded on the external recording medium 21 to the external control device in response to an acquisition request from the external control device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that each step shown in FIG. 4 is performed under the control of the control unit 11, and the connection between the imaging device 100 and the external control device is established.

  First, in step S201, the transmission state management unit 47 determines whether or not an acquisition request for backup image data in the external recording medium 21 has been received from the external control device via the LAN connection I / F 38. If the result of this determination is that an acquisition request has not been received, the process waits as it is. On the other hand, if the acquisition request is received as a result of the determination in step S201, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the transmission state management unit 47 determines whether the requested backup image data is a backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device. That is, it is determined whether or not the external control device that has made the acquisition request is an external control device that was connected at the time of shooting. If the result of this determination is backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device, the process proceeds to step S203. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, when the first external control apparatus 101 makes an acquisition request, the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, the encryption / decryption control unit 46 decrypts the backup image data recorded on the external recording medium 21. In step S204, the decoded image data is transmitted to the external control apparatus that has made the acquisition request via the LAN connection I / F 38, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S202 is not backup of image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device, processing proceeds to step S204. Then, the encrypted image data recorded in the external recording medium 21 is transmitted via the LAN connection I / F 38 to the external control apparatus that has made the acquisition request, and the process is terminated. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, when the second external control device 102 makes an acquisition request, encrypted image data is transmitted.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which backup image data is transmitted in response to an acquisition request from an external control device has been described. On the other hand, backup image data may be transmitted from the imaging apparatus 100 side in accordance with a user operation. Similarly, in this case, if the currently connected external control device is the external control device connected at the time of shooting, the backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device is decoded. Send.

  Next, a transmission state management method performed by the transmission state management unit 47 will be described with reference to FIG. When the connection between the imaging device 100 and the external control device is established, the imaging device 100 acquires the IP address held by the external control device. Then, when shooting is performed by the imaging apparatus 100, the transmission state management unit 47 has a function of generating a list. The transmission state management unit 47 maps the IP address of the external control device connected at that time to the name or ID of the captured image data. And as shown to Fig.9 (a), it memorize | stores in the transmission status management part 47 as a mapping list. At this time, the success or failure of transmission is also stored in the mapping list.

  Further, the transmission state management unit 47 determines whether or not the connected external control device is the external control device connected at the time of shooting based on this mapping list. Then, the backup image data to be retransmitted or the backup image data to be decoded is discriminated.

  When the backup image data is deleted, the transmission state management unit 47 updates the managed mapping list accordingly. Note that an MAC address may be used as an identifier for specifying the external control device, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B instead of an IP address.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, encrypted image data is recorded on the external recording medium 21 provided in the imaging apparatus 100. Accordingly, for example, even if the external recording medium 21 is removed from the imaging apparatus 100 by another user, the other user cannot view the image data. Therefore, it is possible to improve the security of the captured image data.

  In this embodiment, when transmitting to an external apparatus (external control apparatus) connected at the time of shooting, unencrypted image data is transmitted. This makes it unnecessary to introduce a decoding system into the external control device.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the transmitted image data is stored in association with identification information such as an IP address. As a result, it is possible to prevent backup image data from being transmitted to a computer other than the computer to which the original image data is transmitted, and to improve security.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, when the external control apparatus that has made the acquisition request is not the external control apparatus connected at the time of shooting, the encrypted image data is transmitted without being decrypted. On the other hand, a warning may be urged without transmitting encrypted image data. In the present embodiment, an example in which transmission is not performed when there is an acquisition request from an external control device other than the external control device connected at the time of shooting will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Note that the functional configuration of the imaging apparatus, the transmission processing of image data after shooting, and the transmission state management method are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Further, each step shown in FIG. 5 is performed under the control of the control unit 11, and the connection between the imaging device and the external control device is established.

  First, in step S301, the transmission state management unit 47 determines whether a request for acquiring backup image data in the external recording medium 21 has been received from the external control device via the LAN connection I / F 38. If the result of this determination is that an acquisition request has not been received, the process waits as it is. On the other hand, if the acquisition request is received as a result of the determination in step S301, the process proceeds to step S302.

  Next, in step S302, the transmission state management unit 47 determines whether the requested backup image data is a backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device. That is, it is determined whether or not the external control device that has made the acquisition request is an external control device that was connected at the time of shooting. If the result of this determination is backup of image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device, processing proceeds to step S303. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, when the first external control apparatus 101 makes an acquisition request, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S <b> 303, the encryption / decryption control unit 46 decrypts the backup image data recorded on the external recording medium 21. In step S304, the decoded image data is transmitted to the external control apparatus that has made the acquisition request via the LAN connection I / F 38, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S302 is not backup of image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device, processing proceeds to step S306. Then, a warning is displayed on the third external display unit 30 and the process is terminated. In the example shown in FIG. 1, when the second external control device 102 makes an acquisition request, a warning is displayed on the third external display unit 30.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which backup image data is transmitted in response to an acquisition request from an external control device has been described. On the other hand, backup image data may be transmitted from the imaging apparatus 100 side in accordance with a user operation. Similarly, in this case, if the external control device that made the acquisition request is an external control device that was connected at the time of shooting, the backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device is decoded. Send.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, security can be improved by not transmitting image data when connected to an external control device other than the external control device connected at the time of shooting.

(Third embodiment)
When the imaging apparatus supports a mass storage class, PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol), or the like, the storage information of the image data recorded on the external recording medium can be transmitted to the external control apparatus in a folder or file configuration. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for the backup image data recorded on the external recording medium 21, refer to the flowchart of FIG. 6 for the processing flow for displaying a list on the external control device using the storage function of the imaging device. While explaining.

  Note that the functional configuration of the imaging apparatus, the transmission processing of image data after shooting, and the transmission state management method are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Further, each step shown in FIG. 6 is performed under the control of the control unit 11, and the connection between the imaging device and the external control device is established.

  First, in step S401, has the transmission state management unit 47 received an acquisition request for storage information (list list) of backup image data in the external recording medium 21 from the external control device via the LAN connection I / F 38? Judge whether or not. If the result of this determination is that an acquisition request has not been received, the process waits as it is. On the other hand, if the acquisition request is received as a result of the determination in step S401, the process proceeds to step S402.

  Next, in step S <b> 402, the memory control circuit 19 reads image data from the external recording medium 21. In step S403, the transmission state management unit 47 determines whether or not the read image data is a backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device. That is, it is determined whether or not the external control apparatus that has made the acquisition request is an external control apparatus that was connected when the read image data was captured. If the result of this determination is backup of image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device, the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, the read image data is added to a list to be transmitted to the external control device. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S403 is not backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device, the read image data is not added to the list, and the process proceeds directly to step S405.

  Next, in step S <b> 405, the memory control circuit 19 determines whether reading has been executed for all image data recorded in the external recording medium 21. As a result of the determination, if all the image data has not been read, the process returns to step S402.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S405 that all image data has been read, the process proceeds to step S406. In step S406, the list created in step S404 is transmitted to the external control device via the LAN connection I / F 38, and the process ends. If there is no backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device, the list is not transmitted to the external control device in step S406.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent an external control device other than the external control device connected at the time of shooting from browsing the information of the backup file at that time. Further, the external recording device side can browse the list information of backup files taken at the time of connection, and can efficiently acquire only necessary information.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the present embodiment, when the backup image data recorded on the external recording medium 21 is retransmitted to the external control device, the flow of processing for erasing the retransmitted image data from the external recording medium 21 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Will be described with reference to FIG.

  Note that the functional configuration of the imaging apparatus, the transmission processing of image data after shooting, and the transmission state management method are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Further, each step shown in FIG. 7 is performed under the control of the control unit 11 and the connection between the imaging device and the external control device is established.

  First, in step S501, the transmission state management unit 47 determines whether or not an acquisition request for image data for backup in the external recording medium 21 has been received from the external control device via the LAN connection I / F 38. If the result of this determination is that an acquisition request has not been received, the process waits as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that an acquisition request has been received, the process proceeds to step S502.

  In step S502, the transmission state management unit 47 determines whether the requested backup image data is a backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device. That is, it is determined whether or not the external control device that has made the acquisition request is an external control device that was connected at the time of shooting. As a result of this determination, if it is a backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device, the process proceeds to step S503. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, if the first external control apparatus 101 makes an acquisition request, the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S503, the encryption / decryption control unit 46 decrypts the backup image data in the external recording medium 21. In step S504, the decoded image data is transmitted via the LAN connection I / F 38 to the external control apparatus that has made the acquisition request. Next, in step S505, the memory control circuit 19 deletes the backup image data for which transmission has been completed from the external recording medium 21, and ends the processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S502 that the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device is not backed up, the process proceeds to step S506. Then, the encrypted image data recorded in the external recording medium 21 is transmitted via the LAN connection I / F 38 to the external control apparatus that has made the acquisition request, and the process is terminated.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which backup image data is transmitted in response to an acquisition request from an external control device has been described. On the other hand, backup image data may be transmitted from the imaging apparatus 100 side in accordance with a user operation. Similarly, in this case, when the external control device that has made the acquisition request is an external control device that was connected at the time of shooting, the backup of the image data transmitted to the currently connected external control device is decoded. Send.

  As described above, in this embodiment, after retransmitting the image data to the external control device connected at the time of shooting, the backup image data is erased from the external recording medium 21, thereby further improving security. Can do. Further, when the request is not from the external control device connected at the time of shooting, the backup image data of the external control device connected at the time of shooting is protected by not deleting the backup image data from the external recording medium 21. can do.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the first to fourth embodiments, an external control device is connected at the time of shooting, and the captured image data is encrypted and recorded on an external recording medium, and the captured image data is transmitted to the external control device. In the present embodiment, an example in which image data captured by an imaging device may not be transmitted to an external control device to be connected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the functional configuration of the imaging apparatus and the transmission state management method are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Further, each step shown in FIG. 8 is performed under the control of the control unit 11. Further, the process of retransmitting the image data to the external control device may be any form of the first to fourth embodiments.

  The processing is started when the photographing switch (SW2) 31b is pressed in the imaging apparatus 100. First, in step S601, image data is generated via the image sensor 15, the preprocessing circuit 16, and the like under the control of the control unit 11. Next, in step S602, the transmission state management unit 47 determines whether or not an external control device is connected. If an external control device is connected, image data captured by the external control device. It is determined whether or not the transmission is set to be performed.

  As a result of this determination, if the external control device is connected and set to transmit to the external control device, the process proceeds to step S603. Then, the transmission state management unit 47 reads the captured image data from the memory control circuit 19 and transmits the captured image data to the external control device via the LAN connection I / F 38.

  Next, in step S604, the encryption / decryption control unit 46 executes encryption of the captured image data. In step S605, the memory control circuit 19 records the encrypted image data on the external recording medium 21 for backup, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S602 is that the external control device is not connected or is not set to transmit to the external control device, processing proceeds to step S605. Then, the photographed image data is recorded on the external recording medium 21 as it is without being encrypted, and the processing is ended.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the transmission destination of the image data is not set after shooting, the image data is recorded as it is on the external recording medium 21 without being encrypted so that the image data is directly specified after the transmission destination is specified. Can be sent.

(Sixth embodiment)
In the first to fifth embodiments, the captured image data is encrypted and recorded on the external recording medium, and the captured image data is transmitted to the external control device. In the present embodiment, the flow of processing for recording on an external recording medium only when transmission of image data at the time of shooting to the external control device has failed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Note that the functional configuration of the imaging apparatus and the transmission state management method are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Each step shown in FIG. 10 is performed under the control of the control unit 11. Further, the process of retransmitting the image data to the external control device may be any form of the first to fourth embodiments. Further, the imaging apparatus 100 and the first external control apparatus 101 are connected via a LAN connection I / F 38, and the setting is such that image data captured by the imaging apparatus 100 is transmitted to the first external control apparatus 101. Suppose that

  The processing is started when the photographing switch (SW2) 31b is pressed in the imaging apparatus 100. First, in step S701, image data is generated through the image sensor 15, the preprocessing circuit 16, and the like under the control of the control unit 11. In step S <b> 702, the transmission state management unit 47 reads the captured image data from the memory control circuit 19, and transmits the image data to the first external control device 101 connected via the LAN connection I / F 38. Send. At this time, the transmission state management unit 47 manages the transmission state.

  Next, in step S703, the transmission state management unit 47 determines whether the transmission of the image data in step S702 is successful. As a result of this determination, if the transmission of the image data fails, the process proceeds to step S704, and the encryption / decryption control unit 46 determines whether or not the captured image data is set to be encrypted.

  If the result of this determination is that encryption is set, processing proceeds to step S705, where the encrypted / decrypted control unit 46 encrypts the captured image data. In step S706, the memory control circuit 19 records the encrypted image data as the backup image data on the external recording medium 21 such as a memory card via the external recording medium I / F circuit 20, and ends the processing. To do.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S704 is that encryption is not set, the process proceeds to step S706 without encrypting the captured image data, and is recorded on the external recording medium 21 as backup image data. . If it is determined in step S703 that the image data has been successfully transmitted, the process ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, only when the image data transmission fails, only the necessary image data is recorded when re-transmission is performed by recording the backup image data on the external recording medium 21. It can be retransmitted efficiently.

  Note that, in the present embodiment, description has been made of a mode in which encryption is executed only when encryption is set, but all image data that failed to be transmitted may be encrypted.

(Other embodiments according to the present invention)
The configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. As another embodiment, the imaging apparatus and the external control apparatus can be distinguished from each other using a serial I / F such as a USB, or between wired and wireless. The present invention can be applied without any problem. Further, the encryption method and the decryption method used are not limited.

  Each unit constituting the image pickup apparatus and each step of the control method of the image pickup apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program are included in the present invention.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 and 10) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus. This includes cases where This includes the case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. Further, there are MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, there is a method of connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer. It can also be supplied by downloading the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function from a homepage to a storage medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  As another method, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and encrypted from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Download the key information to be solved. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  As another method, a program read from a storage medium is first written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

In the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows an example of the whole structure by which the imaging device and the external control apparatus are connected. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the transmission and recording processing procedure of the image | photographed image data in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the re-transmission process sequence when there exists an acquisition request of image data from the external control apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the re-transmission process procedure when the acquisition request of image data from the external control apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention suits. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for transmitting image list information to an external control device in the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the resending process procedure when the acquisition request of image data from the external control apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention suits. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the transmission and recording processing procedure of the image | photographed image data in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the mapping list | wrist in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence when transmission of the image data in the 6th Embodiment of this invention fails.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Control part 12 Program memory | storage part 13 Imaging lens 14 Aperture 15 Imaging element 16 Pre-processing circuit 17 A / D converter 18 Image processing circuit 19 Memory control circuit 20 External recording medium I / F circuit 21 External recording medium 22 Internal storage device 23 ISO sensitivity control unit 24 AF mode control unit 25 Photometric sensor 26 Distance sensor 27 Shutter device 28 First external display unit 29 Second external display unit 30 Third external display unit 31a Shooting preparation switch (SW1)
31b Shooting switch (SW2)
32 First information input unit 33 Second information input unit 34 Shooting mode selection button 35 AF mode selection button 36 Metering mode selection button 37 Strobe control unit 38 LAN connection I / F
39 Menu button 40 Select button 41 Cancel button 42 Info button 43 File delete button 44 Image playback button 45 Rotate button 46 Encryption / decryption control unit 47 Transmission state management unit 100 Imaging device 101 First external control device 102 Second external control device

Claims (11)

Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating first image data;
Transmitting means for transmitting the first image data generated by the imaging means to an external device;
Encryption means for encrypting the first image data into second image data;
Recording means for recording the second image data on a recording medium;
Decoding means for decoding the second image data when transmitting the second image data to the external device to which the first image data has been transmitted by the transmission means;
In a case where the second image data is transmitted to an external device different from the external device to which the first image data is transmitted, the decryption unit decrypts the encrypted second image data. An image pickup apparatus characterized in that it does not. If the first image data transmitted by the transmitting means is not received by said external device, said encryption means of claim 1, wherein the encrypting the first image data Imaging device. The recording unit further records a list in which the image data transmitted to the external device by the transmitting unit is associated with information for identifying a destination external device,
The transmission means determines, based on the list, whether or not an external device to which the second image data is transmitted is an external device to which the first image data is transmitted. Item 3. The imaging device according to Item 1 or 2 . When the second image data decoded by the decoding unit is retransmitted to the external device by the transmission unit, the recording unit deletes the second image data from the recording medium. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . A setting unit for setting whether to transmit the image data generated by the imaging unit to the external device by the transmission unit;
The recording unit records the unencrypted image data on the recording medium when the setting unit does not set the transmission unit to transmit to the external device. 5. The imaging device according to any one of 4 . The transmission means determines whether an external device to which the second image data is transmitted is an external device to which the first image data is transmitted using an IP address. Item 6. The imaging device according to any one of Items 1 to 5 . The transmission means includes a determination means for determining whether an external device to which the second image data is transmitted is an external device to which the first image data is transmitted using a MAC address. the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized. The second image data, the image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that not displayed on the display unit. The recording medium is, the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is detachably attached to the imaging device. An imaging step of imaging a subject to generate first image data;
A transmission step of transmitting the first image data generated in the imaging step to an external device;
An encryption step of encrypting the first image data into second image data;
A recording step of recording the second image data on a recording medium;
A decoding step of decoding the second image data when transmitting the second image data to the external device that has transmitted the first image data in the transmission step;
When the second image data is transmitted to an external device different from the external device to which the first image data is transmitted, the encrypted second image data is decrypted in the decryption step. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, wherein An imaging step of imaging a subject to generate first image data;
A transmission step of transmitting the first image data generated in the imaging step to an external device;
An encryption step of encrypting the first image data into second image data;
A recording step of recording the second image data on a recording medium;
When transmitting the second image data to the external device that has transmitted the first image data in the transmission step, the computer executes a decoding step of decoding the second image data,
When the second image data is transmitted to an external device different from the external device to which the first image data is transmitted, the encrypted second image data is decrypted in the decryption step. A program characterized by preventing it from being converted.

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