JP5163136B2 - Digital camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera including a reproduction display unit that reproduces and displays a captured image on an image display unit based on image data recorded in an image recording unit.

  Conventionally, this type of digital camera can store a large amount of captured image data as the memory capacity increases, and the photographer can continue to shoot without changing the memory. . In addition, since the captured image is handled as digital data, it is easy to copy and process the captured image, and convenience is improved as compared to a film camera. On the other hand, in this type of digital camera, management of captured images has become a problem, and if the memory in which image data is stored or the camera in which this memory is built is in the hands of a third party, A large number of captured images are easily viewed or stolen. For this reason, recently, a digital camera having a security function has been devised.

For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a digital camera in which image data of a normal image during normal shooting and image data of a private image during private shooting are recorded in different memory areas. In this digital camera, when the image lock function is set, browsing of private images is prohibited and only normal images can be browsed. For this reason, when the camera is viewed by another person, it is possible to prevent a private image from being viewed by another person and exposing personal contents by setting an image lock function in advance. As a digital camera having such a security function, in addition to the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, personal authentication is performed using fingerprint data or palm print data registered in advance. There are security measures and security measures by permitting camera operation by entering a password.
JP 2004-215103 A

  However, the conventional digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 can protect personal image data by setting an image lock function so that private images are not displayed. When viewing a private image, it is necessary to release the image lock function each time. For this reason, the above-described conventional digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 is time-consuming for the photographer to remove the security that prevents private images from being viewed by a third party.

  In addition, since a rear display equipped in a recent digital camera can display a magnified image with high quality and fine detail, the details of the captured image may be seen by a third party. In addition, a captured image displayed on the rear display may be captured by a third party with another camera and easily stolen in a state where there is almost no deterioration in image quality.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1, a display unit for displaying a recording unit for recording a plurality of captured images, the captured image recorded in the recording unit, the image on the display unit an operation unit operated by an operator in order to display, for each of the plurality of captured images recorded in the recording unit, a detecting unit for detecting an elapsed time from the shooting, from being the photographing When the elapsed time is shorter than a predetermined threshold, the display unit is controlled to display the captured image according to the operation of the operation unit by the operator, and the elapsed time after the shooting is longer than the predetermined threshold A control unit that controls the display unit so that the captured image is not displayed even when the operation unit is operated by the operator.

According to this configuration, when the elapsed time after the captured image is recorded is shorter than the predetermined threshold, the troublesome operation of frequently performing the unlocking operation is reduced, the captured image can be easily browsed, and the captured image is recorded. If the elapsed time since the time is longer than a predetermined threshold, browsing of the captured image by a third party is effectively prevented.

A second aspect of the present invention is the digital camera according to the first aspect, further comprising a setting unit capable of setting the predetermined threshold by the operator, and the control unit is configured to provide the predetermined value to the operator. The display unit is controlled to display a message prompting the setting of a threshold value .
According to this configuration, the photographer can easily perform the setting for limiting the reproduction display.
A third aspect of the present invention is the digital camera according to the first or second aspect, wherein the control unit displays the image displayed on the display unit as the elapsed time length increases. It is characterized by restricting the display form of the image .
According to this configuration, the longer the elapsed time, the stronger the display mode can be restricted.

The invention of claim 4 is a digital camera according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein, the predetermined that the detector therefore has been elapsed time measurement set by the setting unit Upon reaching the threshold, and performs limitation of reproduction display function of the display unit.

According to this structure, display on the display unit of the shooting images, the elapsed time measured by the detector reaches the allowable time set by the setting unit is restricted by the control unit. For this reason, the photographer can set a permissible time by the setting unit , for example, to set a desired time for viewing the photographed image after photographing, and to take a picture when viewing the photographed image. The convenience of the person will be planned.

Invention of claim 5, a digital camera according to claim 4, comprising a restricted mode selection unit for selecting a display mode in which the reproduction display function by the control unit is limited, the control unit, the display on the display unit, and limits the display mode selected by the limiting mode selection unit.

According to this structure, display on the display unit of the shooting image, by the control unit, reproducing and displaying on the image display unit of the captured image, is restricted to the selected display mode by limiting mode selection unit, it is restricted The For this reason, the photographed image browsed by the third party is limited to the display form selected by the restriction form selecting unit , and is restricted to the display form allowed by the photographer.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the digital camera according to the fourth or fifth aspect , further comprising a data compression unit that compresses data of a captured image, and the control unit displays on the display unit The image quality is limited by selecting a compression rate of the image data to be processed by the data compression unit .

According to this structure, display on the display unit of the shooting image, by the control unit, by quality compression ratio is selected by the data compression unit of the image data to be reproduced and displayed on the display unit is restricted, limited Is done. For this reason, the photographed image browsed by a third party is limited to the image quality compressed at the selected compression rate, and is limited to the image quality allowed by the photographer.

The invention of claim 7 is a digital camera according to claim 6, wherein the display unit have the function of the thumbnail displaying a plurality of photographed images based on recorded captured image in the recording unit and, the control unit, characterized in that to limit to one of the captured image corresponding to one thumbnail image is selected from among a plurality of thumbnail images, the image quality by applying a compression ratio by said data compressor And

According to this structure, display on the display unit of the shooting image, by the control unit, the image data of one shot image corresponding to one of the thumbnail images displayed thumbnail on the display unit, according to the data compression unit The compression rate is applied to restrict the image quality of one captured image reproduced and displayed on the display unit . For this reason, the captured image corresponding to each thumbnail image viewed by a third party is limited to the image quality compressed at the selected compression rate, and is limited to the image quality allowed by the photographer.

Invention of Claim 8 is a digital camera of any one of Claim 1-7, Comprising: The said display part has a function which expands and displays the said picked-up image, The said control parts are characterized by limiting the set magnification of the enlarged display by the display unit in a predetermined ratio or less.

According to this structure, display on the display unit of the shooting image, by the control unit, by enlarging the image of the set magnification of the captured image to be reproduced and displayed on the display unit is restricted to a predetermined ratio or less, limit Is done. For this reason, the photographed image browsed by a third party is limited to enlargement display at a predetermined magnification or less, and restricted to enlargement display at a magnification allowed by the photographer.

The invention according to claim 9 is the digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the display unit includes a plurality of images based on captured images recorded in the recording unit . has the function of the thumbnail displaying a captured image, wherein the control unit to limit the captured image to the display unit in the thumbnail display.

According to this structure, the display on the display unit of the shooting image, by the control unit, the display mode of the display unit of the photographed image is restricted to a thumbnail display is limited. For this reason, the photographed image browsed by the third party is limited to the thumbnail display image permitted by the photographer.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the digital camera according to any one of the second to ninth aspects, wherein the control unit is configured so that an elapsed time detected by the detection unit is determined by the setting unit . Upon reaching the set predetermined threshold value, and inhibits the display to the display unit of the captured image.

According to this structure, display on the display unit of the shooting images, the elapsed time detected by the detection unit reaches the allowable time set by the setting unit, the reproduction display on the display portion of the captured image is inhibited Is limited. Therefore, because it is limited by the play display prohibition on the display portion of the captured image, definitive after allowed time to allow initiation of reproduction display on the display portion of the captured image is restricted, the third party of the captured image Browsing and theft by can be surely prevented.

The invention of claim 11 is a digital camera according to any one of up to claims 1 to 10, the limit degree selection unit for selecting a degree to which the display function of the display unit is limited wherein the control unit is characterized by limiting the display function of the display unit in a degree which is selected by the limiting degree selection unit.

According to this structure, it displays on the display unit of the shooting image, by the control unit, reproducing and displaying the degree selected by limiting the degree selection unit by being regulated, is limited. For this reason, the photographed image browsed by a third party is limited to the reproduction display of the degree selected by the restriction degree selection unit , and is limited to the reproduction display of the degree allowed by the photographer.

A twelfth aspect of the invention is the digital camera according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the operation according to the elapsed time detected by the detection unit . characterized in that to increase the degree of limiting the display function of the display unit.

According to this structure, display on the display unit of the shooting image, by the control unit, by the degree to be reproduced and displayed restrictions are enhanced in accordance with the elapsed time detected by the detector is limited. For this reason, a captured image browsed by a third party is difficult to recognize because the degree to which playback and display is restricted is increased according to the elapsed time since the image was captured.

The invention of claim 13 is a digital camera according to claim 12, wherein the control unit, and sets gradually lower the upper limit of the magnification of the enlarged display in accordance with the elapsed time .

According to this structure, display on the display unit of the shooting image, by the control unit, the upper limit of the enlarged display magnification of the captured image to be reproduced and displayed on the display unit, the elapsed time from the image is captured Limited by being gradually lowered accordingly. For this reason, the upper limit of the magnification of the enlarged display of the photographed image browsed by a third party is gradually reduced according to the elapsed time, and the enlarged display is restricted.

  According to the digital camera of the present invention, as described above, there is provided a digital camera that enables a photographer to check an image without trouble, and prevents a captured image from being viewed or stolen by a third party. The In addition, even if the captured image reproduced and displayed on the image display unit is viewed or stolen by a third party, the captured image is not clearly seen, so the content of the captured image is clearly understood by the third party. It is prevented.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

  1A and 1B show the appearance of a digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1A is a front perspective view thereof, and FIG. 1B is a rear view thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, an optical lens unit 2 that guides light from the object scene to the image sensor is provided at the center of the front of the digital camera 1, and a shutter button 3 is provided at the upper left of the digital camera 1. Is provided. A terminal hole 8 into which the terminal portion 21 of the key device 20 can be inserted and removed is provided on the right side of the optical lens unit 2. By inserting the terminal portion 21 of the key device 20 into the terminal hole 8 and performing a predetermined operation with respect to the operation button 22, setting and release of a lock mode, which will be described later, are performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, an optical viewfinder 4 to be looked at by a photographer is provided at the upper back of the digital camera 1, and operation information of the digital camera 1 is displayed and photographed below that. A liquid crystal monitor 5 for performing image reproduction display and the like is provided. The liquid crystal monitor 5 is composed of a QVGA liquid crystal and displays an image having an image quality of 320 px (pixels) × 240 px at the maximum. The liquid crystal monitor 5 constitutes an image display unit that displays an image. A multi-selector 6 operated by a photographer is provided on the right side of the liquid crystal monitor 5, and a lid 7 is provided on the right side of the multi-selector 6. By opening the lid 7, the memory card 15 (see FIG. 2) for recording captured image data is removed from a card slot (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 1. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts as in FIG.

  The digital camera 1 has a control unit 14 including an imaging device 11, an analog signal processing unit 12, an A / D converter 13, and a digital signal processing unit inside the main body. A liquid crystal monitor 5, a memory card 15, and a terminal hole 8 are electrically connected to the control unit 14. When the above-described shutter button 3 is pressed by the photographer, the light guided through the optical lens unit 2 forms an image on the light receiving surface 11 a of the image sensor 11. The image pickup device 11 includes, for example, a well-known CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor. The object scene image formed on the light receiving surface 11a of the image pickup device 11 is converted into an analog image pickup signal. This image pickup signal is subjected to signal processing such as amplification processing in the analog signal processing unit 11, and then A / The digital signal is converted by the D converter 13.

  The control unit 14 performs image processing such as white balance processing and gamma correction on the imaging signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 13 to generate captured image data. The generated image data is compressed at a predetermined compression rate by the control unit 14 and recorded in the memory card 15 inserted into the card slot described above. Based on the image data recorded on the memory card 15, the control unit 14 causes the liquid crystal monitor 5 to display a captured image in accordance with a photographer's operation on the multi-selector 6.

  The control unit 14 constitutes a data compression unit that compresses the data of the captured image. The memory card 15 constitutes an image recording unit that records data of a photographed image. Further, the control unit 14 constitutes a reproduction display means for reproducing and displaying the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 based on the image data recorded in the memory card 15, and also displays the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the reproduction display means. The reproduction display function of the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the reproduction display means is limited by restricting at least one of an allowable time (allowable time) and a display form in which the reproduction display is permitted. It constitutes function limiting means. Further, the control unit 14 has a clock function, and an elapsed time measuring unit that measures an elapsed time after the captured image is captured and image data is recorded in the memory card 15 by the clock function. Is configured.

  Further, the control unit 14 and the multi-selector 6 constitute time setting means for accepting an instruction to reproduce and display a captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the reproduction display means and capable of arbitrarily setting the above-described allowable time during which reproduction is possible. In addition, a restriction form selection means for selecting a display form whose reproduction display function is restricted by the function restriction means is configured. Further, the control unit 14 and the multi-selector 6 constitute an enlarged display means for enlarging and displaying the photographed image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the reproduction display means, and the reproduction and display by the function restriction means. The restriction degree selecting means for selecting the degree to which the function is restricted is configured.

  In the present embodiment, as described later, when the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means reaches the allowable time set by the time setting means, the restriction of the allowable time by the function limiting means is performed by the reproduction display means. This includes restricting the reproduction display function by prohibiting the reproduction display of the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 or the like. Further, as described later, the restriction of the display form by the function restricting means is to restrict the reproduction display of the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the reproduction display means to the display form selected by the restriction form selecting means. This includes selecting the compression rate of the image data reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the data compression means to limit the image quality, and further limiting the set magnification of the enlarged display by the enlarged display means to a predetermined magnification or less. . Further, the function restriction means includes restricting the reproduction display function by the degree selected by the restriction degree selection means, as will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a reproduction restriction method setting process performed by the control unit 14 when setting a reproduction restriction method for a captured image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5. 4A to 4E are diagrams showing various selection screens displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 when setting the restriction method in the reproduction restriction method setting process shown in FIG.

  In this reproduction restriction method setting process, first, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the terminal portion 21 of the key device 20 is inserted into the terminal hole 8. Then, it is detected that the terminal portion 21 of the key device 20 is inserted into the terminal hole 8, and a first predetermined operation (operation for instructing setting of the lock mode) is performed on the operation button 22 of the key device 20. Is performed, the lock mode (security mode) is started (see S1 in FIG. 3). When the lock mode is started, the captured image data recorded on the memory card 15 is encrypted, and the lid 7 is locked so that the memory card 15 cannot be taken out. In this lock mode, unless the second predetermined operation (operation for instructing to release the lock mode) is performed on the operation button 22 using the key device 20, the reproduction restriction method setting process and image reproduction described later are performed. It continues to operate even after the restriction process is completed.

  Subsequently, the control unit 14 starts an image reproduction restriction method setting mode (S2). The image reproduction restriction method setting mode is an operation state in which a photographer sets a restriction method (restriction contents and restriction form) for reproducing and displaying a photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 of the digital camera 1 used for photographing. When the image reproduction restriction method setting mode is started, the control unit 14 displays the selection screen shown in FIG. 4A on the liquid crystal monitor 5 and determines whether or not to restrict the reproduction display of the captured image performed on the liquid crystal monitor 5. Encourage the photographer to select In this selection screen, the liquid crystal monitor 5 displays “Do you want to restrict image reproduction?” And options “Yes” and “No”. The photographer can select the “Yes” or “No” option by operating the multi-selector 6 to move the symbol “*” to any one of the options. At this time, when the option “No” is selected, the control unit 14 ends the reproduction restriction method setting process.

  On the other hand, when the option “Yes” is selected, the control unit 14 next displays the selection screen shown in FIG. 4B on the liquid crystal monitor 5 (S3), and reproduces the captured image performed on the liquid crystal monitor 5. The photographer is prompted to select a display restriction method. In this selection screen, the message “Please select a restriction method” is displayed on the LCD monitor 5, along with “Reproduction image quality restriction”, “Reproduction image enlargement restriction”, “Reproduction start allowable time restriction”, and “ Four options of “image reproduction NG” are displayed. The photographer operates the multi-selector 6 to move the symbol “*” to any one of the options, thereby selecting a desired restriction method for reproducing and displaying the photographed image.

  Next, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the option selected by the operation of the multi-selector 6 is “reproduction image quality restriction” (S4). When this determination is “YES”, the control unit 14 causes the selection screen shown in FIG. 4C to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5, and the photographer is prompted to select an image quality when the captured image is reproduced and displayed. Prompt. On this selection screen, the LCD monitor 5 displays “Please select an image quality.” And three options for compression ratios of “320 px × 240 px”, “240 px × 180 px”, and “180 px × 135 px”. Is displayed. When the photographer operates the multi-selector 6 to move the symbol “*” to one of the options and select the reproduction image quality, the control unit 14 selects the reproduction image quality at the time of reproduction of the photographed image. Image quality is set (S5).

  In addition, when the option selected by the operation of the multi-selector 6 is not “restriction of reproduction image quality” and the determination in S4 is “NO”, or when the processing of S5 ends, the control unit 14 continues. It is determined whether or not the option selected by operating the multi-selector 6 is “reproduction image enlargement restriction” (S6). When this determination is “YES”, the control unit 14 causes the selection screen shown in FIG. 4D to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5, and an enlargement ratio when the captured image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is enlarged. Prompt the photographer to select In this selection screen, the LCD monitor 5 displays “Please select an enlargement ratio” and three enlargement ratios of “not enlargeable”, “allow up to 2 × enlargement”, and “allow up to 4 × enlargement”. The (Setting magnification) option is displayed. When the photographer operates the multi-selector 6 to move the symbol “*” to any of the options and select the enlargement ratio, the control unit 14 selects the enlargement ratio for enlarging and displaying the photographed image. The setting for permitting the enlargement ratio is performed (S7).

  In addition, when the option selected by the operation of the multi-selector 6 is not “restriction of reproduction image enlargement” and the determination of S6 is “NO”, or when the processing of S7 ends, the control unit 14 continues. Then, it is determined whether or not the option selected by the operation of the multi-selector 6 is “restricted reproduction start allowable time” (S8). When this determination is “YES”, the control unit 14 causes the selection screen shown in FIG. 4E to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5, and allows the liquid crystal monitor 5 to start the permitted reproduction start of the captured image, that is, the liquid crystal monitor 5. The photographer is prompted to input an allowable time during which playback display is allowed to start. In this selection screen, a message “Please select a playback start allowable time” and a message “Permit playback until after □□□ minutes” are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5. When the photographer operates the multi-selector 6 and inputs an allowable time, for example, 030 in the “□□□” portion in minutes, the control unit 14 is allowed to start reproduction display on the liquid crystal monitor 5. The time is set to an allowable time input by the photographer, for example, 30 minutes (S9).

  In addition, when the option selected by the operation of the multi-selector 6 is not “restriction of allowable playback start time” and the determination of S8 is “NO”, or when the processing of S9 ends, the control unit 14 continues. Determines whether the option selected by the operation of the multi-selector 6 is “image reproduction NG” (S10). When this determination is “YES”, the control unit 14 performs a setting for prohibiting reproduction display of the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 (S11). When the determination in S10 is “NO”, or when the process of S11 ends, the reproduction restriction method setting process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of an image reproduction restriction process performed by the control unit 14 when a captured image is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5.

  In this image reproduction restriction process, first, the control unit 14 determines whether or not an instruction to reproduce an image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is given by the operation of the multi-selector 6 by the viewer of the captured image (see S21 in FIG. 5). . If this determination is “NO”, the image reproduction restriction process ends.

  On the other hand, when the determination in S21 is “YES”, the control unit 14 determines whether or not “reproduction image quality restriction” is set by the photographer as the image reproduction restriction method (S22). When this determination is “YES”, the control unit 14 executes a process of limiting the image quality of the image to be reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 5 to the image quality set in the process of FIG. 3 and S5 (S23). For example, when the image quality to be reproduced and displayed by the image reproduction restriction process is limited to the image quality of “240 px × 180 px”, the image quality that can be displayed (switchable) on the liquid crystal monitor 5 of the QVGA liquid crystal is “240 px × 180 px” or It is “180 px × 135 px”, and the display with “320 px × 240 px”, which is higher in image quality than these, is restricted (prohibited).

  Further, when “reproduction image quality restriction” is not set and the determination in S22 is “NO”, or when the processing of S23 is completed, the control unit 14 subsequently selects “reproduction” as the image reproduction restriction method. It is determined whether or not “image enlargement restriction” is set by the photographer (S24). When this determination is “YES”, the control unit 14 sets the magnification rate of the photographed image that is allowed for reproduction on the liquid crystal monitor 5 as the set magnification (magnification rate) set in the processing of FIG. The process of limiting until is executed (S25). For example, when the enlargement ratio of “non-enlarging” is set, enlargement display of the captured image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is completely prohibited (enlargement operation is not accepted). When each of the “permit up to 2 × enlargement” or “permit up to 4 × enlargement” is set, an enlarged display of the captured image to be reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is displayed on the enlargement display button (not shown) by the user. Depending on the enlargement instruction operation, up to 2 times or 4 times enlargement ratio is allowed. If the restriction is set to “Allow up to 2 × enlargement”, the 4 × enlargement display is not performed even if the user operates the enlargement display button.

  In addition, when “reproduction image enlargement restriction” is not set and the determination in S24 is “NO”, or when the processing of S25 ends, the control unit 14 subsequently sets “reproduction image restriction method” as “image reproduction restriction method”. It is determined whether or not the “reproduction start allowable time limit” is set by the photographer (S26). When this determination is “YES”, the control unit 14 sets the allowable reproduction start time (reproduction start timing), that is, the allowable time allowed to start reproduction display on the liquid crystal monitor 5 in FIG. A process of limiting the allowable time set in the process is executed (S27). In this process, a set allowable time (for example, 30 minutes after the image is captured) is compared with an actual elapsed time after the image is captured, and if the elapsed time does not exceed the allowable time, The photographed image is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 (reproduction display is permitted). If the elapsed time exceeds the allowable time, the user performs an operation for instructing reproduction display of the photographed image. Even if the operation is performed for 1, the reproduction of the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is prohibited.

  In addition, when “reproduction start allowable time limit” is not set and the determination in S26 is “NO”, or when the process of S27 ends, the control unit 14 then continues as a method for restricting image reproduction. It is determined whether or not “image reproduction NG” is set by the photographer (S28). When this determination is “YES”, the control unit 14 executes a process of prohibiting the reproduction display of the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 (S29). When the determination in S28 is “NO”, or when the process in S29 ends, the image reproduction restriction process ends.

  According to the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the reproduction display function of the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the control unit 14 is the reproduction of the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the function limiting unit. The display is restricted by restricting at least one of the allowable time or the display form in which the display is allowed to start (see FIGS. 5, S23, S25, S27, and S29). For this reason, after the time during which the start of the reproduction display of the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is permitted by the function limiting means is restricted to a certain allowable time by the processing of FIGS. 5 and 27, the reproduction is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5. There is no opportunity for a third party to view the captured image, and no opportunity for the third party to steal the captured image by taking it with another camera, thereby preventing the third party from viewing or stealing the captured image. On the other hand, the photographer can browse the photographed image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 until the time when the start of the reproduction display of the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is restricted by the function restricting means. it can. For this reason, once the photographer starts the lock mode using the key device 20 (see FIG. 3, S1), the photographer does not need to perform the operation of releasing the lock mode using the key device 20 each time. That is, even if the operation of releasing the image lock function is not performed each time as in the digital camera disclosed in the conventional document 1, it is time-consuming to browse the captured image until the allowable time is restricted by the function restriction unit. It can be done without spending time. As a result, it is possible to provide the digital camera 1 that can prevent the photographer from confirming the image without trouble, and prevent browsing and theft of the photographed image by a third party. Further, the display form of the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the function restricting means is the reproduction image quality (see FIGS. 3 and 5) allowed by the photographer by the processing of FIG. 5, S23, S25, or S29, and the enlargement ratio (FIG. 3, FIG. 3). S7), or by prohibiting playback (see FIG. 3, S11), the captured image is clearly displayed even if the captured image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is viewed or stolen by a third party. Since it is not visually recognized, it is prevented that the content of the captured image is clearly grasped by a third party.

  In the present embodiment, the function of reproducing and displaying the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the control unit 14 is an allowable time set by the time setting means (for example, 30 minutes after photographing). ), The function restriction unit restricts the image from being reproduced (see FIGS. 3, S9, 5, S27, and FIG. 4E). For this reason, the photographer can set the allowable time by means of the time setting means, for example, to set the time when browsing of each photographed image after photographing is allowed to a desired time (time). The convenience of the photographer at the time of browsing is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described limitation of the reproduction display function by the function limiting unit is that the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring unit reaches an allowable time set by the time setting unit (for example, 30 minutes after shooting). This is performed by prohibiting the reproduction display of the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5. For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent browsing or theft of the photographed image by a third party after the time when the start of reproduction display of the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is allowed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the reproduction display function of the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the control unit 14 is selected by the function restriction unit, and the reproduction display function of the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is selected by the restriction mode selection unit. The display format is restricted to any one of “reproduction image quality restriction”, “reproduction image enlargement restriction”, and “image reproduction NG” (see FIGS. 3, S3, and 4B). For this reason, the photographed image browsed by the third party is limited to the display form selected by the restriction form selecting means, and is restricted to the display form allowed by the photographer.

  In the present embodiment, the function for reproducing and displaying the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the control unit 14 is selected by the function restricting means by selecting the compression ratio of the image data reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the data compressing means. The image quality is limited by being restricted to any one of “320 px × 240 px”, “240 px × 180 px”, or “180 px × 135 px” (see FIG. 3, S5, FIG. 5, S23, and FIG. 4C). . For this reason, the photographed image browsed by a third party is limited to the image quality compressed at the compression rate allowed by the selected photographer.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the function of reproducing and displaying the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the control unit 14 is set by the function limiting unit so that the set magnification of the magnified display by the magnified display unit of the photographed image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is set. , By being restricted to a predetermined magnification of any one of “non-enlarable”, “permit up to 2 × enlargement” or “permit up to 4 × enlargement” (FIGS. 3, S7, FIGS. 5, S25, FIG. 4 (d)). For this reason, the photographed image browsed by a third party is limited to an enlargement display of a predetermined magnification or less allowed by the photographer.

  In the present embodiment, the function of reproducing and displaying the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the control unit 14 is “320 px × 240 px”, “240 px × 180 px”, or “ The playback / display function is restricted to an image quality of any one of 180 px × 135 px (see FIG. 5, S 23), or “unenlargeable” selected by the restriction degree selection means, “allows up to double enlargement” "Or" Allow up to 4 times enlargement "is restricted by restricting the playback display function to enlargement display of any degree (see S25 in FIG. 5). For this reason, the photographed image browsed by the third party is limited to the reproduction display of the degree allowed by the photographer selected by the restriction degree selecting means.

  In the above embodiment, the image quality of the captured image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by compressing the image data at the selected compression rate is “320 px × 240 px”, “240 px × 180 px” or “180 px ×”. Although the case where the image quality represented by “135 px” is limited has been described (see FIGS. 3, S5, 5, S23, and FIG. 4C), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reproduction display unit has a function of displaying a plurality of photographed images as thumbnails on the liquid crystal monitor 5 based on the image data recorded in the memory card 15, and the restriction of the display form by the function restriction unit is a plurality of thumbnail images. The image data of one photographed image (main image) corresponding to one thumbnail image selected from the above is limited to a desired compression rate by the data compression means to limit the image quality It is also possible to do.

  According to the above configuration, a desired compression rate is applied to the image data of one photographed image corresponding to one thumbnail image displayed as a thumbnail on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the function limiting unit, and the liquid crystal monitor 5 The image quality of the one photographed image that is reproduced and displayed using the entire surface is regulated. For this reason, the captured image corresponding to each thumbnail image viewed by a third party is limited to an image quality compressed at a compression rate allowed by the photographer.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the restriction of the display form by the function restriction unit is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 in a state where the reproduction image quality or the enlarged display is restricted, or the case where the image reproduction is prohibited has been described. FIG. 5, S23, S25, S29), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reproduction display means has a function of displaying a plurality of photographed images as thumbnails on the liquid crystal monitor 5 based on the image data recorded in the memory card 15, and the restriction of the display form by the function restriction means is determined by the reproduction display means. It is also possible to adopt a configuration including limiting the reproduction display of the photographed image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 to only the thumbnail display.

  According to the above configuration, the function of displaying and replaying the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the control unit 14 is restricted and restricted by the function restricting unit. For this reason, the photographed image browsed by a third party is limited to the thumbnail display image.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the reproduction display function is restricted by the degree selected by the restriction degree selection unit has been described (see FIGS. 5, S23, and S25), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the degree to which the function limiting unit limits the playback display function according to the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring unit is, for example, “permit up to 4 × enlargement”, “permit up to 2 × enlargement”, “enlargement” The degree of restriction (degree of restriction) of functions may be increased (automatically changed) sequentially in the order of “impossible” and “image reproduction NG”.

  According to the above configuration, the function of reproducing and displaying the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 by the control unit 14 depends on the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring unit by the function limiting unit. Limited by being raised automatically. Increasing the degree of restriction of the playback display function is to gradually set the upper limit of the enlargement magnification of enlargement display in the order of 4 times, 2 times, and enlargement prohibition according to the elapsed time as in the above example. In the case of the configuration, the upper limit of the magnification of the magnified display of the captured image of the captured image viewed by a third party gradually decreases according to the elapsed time, and the enlarged display is limited. For this reason, a captured image browsed by a third party is not easily recognized because the degree to which playback and display is limited is automatically increased according to the elapsed time since the image was captured.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the elapsed time from when the photographed image is photographed and the image data is recorded on the memory card 15 reaches the allowable time, the reproduction display function is prohibited by prohibiting the reproduction display on the liquid crystal monitor 5. Has been described (see FIG. 5, S27), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the elapsed time after the taken image reaches the allowable time, instead of prohibiting the reproduction display on the liquid crystal monitor 5, the image quality of the reproduction image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is set as shown in FIG. The display form may be limited such that the display is limited as in the processing, or the enlarged display of the playback image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is limited as in the processing of FIG. Further, when the elapsed time from when the captured image is captured and the image data is recorded in the memory card 15 reaches an allowable time, the captured image is captured instead of limiting the playback display on the liquid crystal monitor 5. After the image data is recorded on the memory card 15, the reproduction display on the liquid crystal monitor 5 may be limited when the number of times that the image is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 reaches a predetermined number. .

  In the above embodiment, the case where the reproduction display is restricted when the photographer selects to restrict the reproduction of the image (see FIGS. 3, S5, S7, S9, and S11) has been described (FIG. 5). , S23, S25, S27, S29), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the remaining amount of the battery used as the power source of the digital camera 1 is reduced, the amount of data processed by the control unit 14 is reduced by switching the reproduction display of the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 5 to the thumbnail display. As described above, the configuration may be such that reproduction display on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is restricted. By limiting the playback display function in this way, power consumption required for playback display of captured images can be suppressed, and battery consumption that has become a little remaining can be prevented as much as possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the enlarged display of the captured image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is limited to all the captured images has been described (FIG. 3, S7, FIG. 5, S25, FIG. 4D). The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 14 has a face authentication function, and it is detected by this face authentication function that a human face is included in a captured image to be reproduced and displayed, or the ratio of the area occupied by the human face in the captured image It is also possible to adopt a configuration that restricts the enlarged display of the photographed image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 when it is detected that is larger than a predetermined size. According to this configuration, when the face of a person is a main subject in the photographed image, it is possible to prevent the face of the person and details of the face from being enlarged and displayed. Moreover, if comprised in this way, the digital camera which considered the person who dislikes that a face will be enlarged and displayed is provided.

  In the above embodiment, the image reproduction of the liquid crystal monitor 5 is selected from “reproduction image quality restriction”, “reproduction image enlargement restriction”, “reproduction start allowable time restriction”, or “image reproduction NG”. Although the case where it is restricted by any one restriction method or a plurality of restriction methods has been described (see FIG. 5, S23, S25, S27, S29), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image reproduction on the liquid crystal monitor 5 is not limited to the “reproduction image quality restriction”, “reproduction image enlargement restriction”, “reproduction start allowable time restriction”, or “image reproduction NG”, but also other restriction methods. It is good also as a structure restrict | limited by the combination of the one restriction | limiting method arbitrarily selected from several restriction | limiting methods also including these, or a combination of several restriction | limiting methods.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, with a camera provided with a reproduction display unit that reproduces and displays a captured image on an image display unit based on image data recorded in the image recording unit. The present invention can also be applied to various other photographing apparatuses such as a mobile phone. Even when the present invention is applied to such an apparatus, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

The external appearance of the digital camera by this embodiment is shown, (a) is a front perspective view, (b) is a rear view. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the digital camera shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of a playback restriction method setting process performed by a control unit of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the various selection screens displayed on a liquid crystal monitor in the reproduction | regeneration restriction method setting process shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of an image reproduction restriction process performed by a control unit of the digital camera shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera 2 ... Optical lens unit 5 ... Liquid crystal monitor 6 ... Multi selector 8 ... Terminal hole 11 ... Imaging device 12 ... Analog signal processing part 13 ... A / D converter 14 ... Control part 15 ... Memory card 20 ... Key apparatus 21 ... Terminal part

Claims (13)

A recording unit for recording a plurality of captured images;
A display unit for displaying the captured image recorded in the recording unit;
An operation unit operated by an operator to display an image on the display unit;
For each of the plurality of photographed images recorded in the recording unit, a detection unit that detects an elapsed time since the photographing ,
When the elapsed time since the shooting is shorter than a predetermined threshold, the display unit is controlled to display the captured image according to the operation of the operation unit by the operator, and the elapsed time since the shooting And a control unit that controls the display unit so that the captured image is not displayed even when the operation unit is operated by the operator when is longer than the predetermined threshold. The digital camera according to claim 1,
A setting unit capable of setting the predetermined threshold by the operator;
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display unit so as to display a message prompting the operator to set the predetermined threshold value. A digital camera according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein
The control unit restricts a display form of the captured image displayed on the display unit as the elapsed time becomes longer. The digital camera according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
When the elapsed time measured by the detection unit reaches the predetermined threshold set by the setting unit, the control unit limits the reproduction display function of the display unit. The digital camera according to claim 4,
A restriction form selection unit for selecting a display form in which the reproduction display function is restricted by the control unit;
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit restricts display on the display unit to a display form selected by the restriction form selecting unit. The digital camera according to claim 4 or 5, wherein
A data compression unit for compressing the data of the captured image;
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects a compression rate of the image data displayed on the display unit by the data compression unit to limit image quality. The digital camera according to claim 6,
The display unit has a function of displaying a plurality of captured images as thumbnails based on the captured images recorded in the recording unit,
The control unit restricts image quality by applying a compression rate by the data compression unit to one captured image corresponding to one thumbnail image selected from a plurality of thumbnail images. Digital camera. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The display unit has a function of enlarging and displaying the captured image;
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit limits a set magnification of the enlarged display by the display unit to a predetermined magnification or less. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The display unit has a function of displaying a plurality of captured images as thumbnails based on the captured images recorded in the recording unit,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit restricts a captured image on the display unit to thumbnail display. The digital camera according to any one of claims 2 to 9,
The control unit prohibits display of the captured image on the display unit when an elapsed time detected by the detection unit reaches the predetermined threshold set by the setting unit. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A restriction degree selection unit for selecting a degree to which the display function of the display unit is restricted;
The said control part restrict | limits the display function of the said display part by the degree selected by the said restriction | limiting degree selection part, The digital camera characterized by the above-mentioned. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases a degree of limiting a display function of the display unit according to the elapsed time detected by the detection unit. The digital camera according to claim 12,
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit gradually sets an upper limit of an enlargement magnification of the enlarged display according to the elapsed time.

Images