JP2005286583A - Digital photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital photographing apparatus for allowing a user to be able to perceive a shutter operation and carrying out automatic filing to photographed digital data suitably for the user. <P>SOLUTION: The digital photographing apparatus includes: a pressure sensing fingerprint sensor for sensing a pressing force and a pressure distribution at the shutter operation; a fingerprint registration section 5 for registering finger prints; an imaging section 7 for photographing an image; a data conversion section 8 for converting the image into digital data; a plurality of individual data files 10; a data storage section 9 for storing the digital data to any of the plurality of individual data files 10 selectively; and a control section 4, each individual data file 10 is assigned to a person whose fingerprint is registered, when digital data are obtained by photographing, the control section 4 discriminates whether or not the fingerprint of a photographer is coincident with any of the fingerprints having already been registered to the fingerprint registration section 5 through the comparison, the control section 4 applies processing different between the case with the presence of the coincident fingerprint and the case with the absence of the coincident fingerprint, and stores the processed digital data to one or the plurality of corresponding individual data files 10 through the data storage section 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital photographing apparatus, and in particular, provides a pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor on a shutter pressing surface to improve the shutter operation performance, and whether or not the shutter operator is a fingerprint registrant of the digital photographing apparatus. It is related with the digital imaging device which made it possible to process the image | photographed image data by varying the processing aspect of the image | photographed image data by determining.

  In recent years, a large number of commodities have come to the market because digital photographing devices that do not require film have been manufactured at a relatively low cost in place of conventional film photographing devices. This type of digital imaging apparatus is capable of capturing a larger amount of image data by acquiring a captured subject image in the form of digital data and storing the acquired digital data in a file internally. These are known as digital cameras and digital video cameras.

  Recently, in this kind of digital camera, in order to limit the users of the digital camera to the owner, the digital camera owner's fingerprint is registered in the digital camera in advance and the digital camera is used. In this case, the fingerprint of the user is detected, and if the user is a person other than the owner, the digital camera cannot be taken or the internal data cannot be played back or processed. As an example, there is a digital camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-115624.

  Assuming that a single digital camera is shared by multiple people, the fingerprints of the multiple people to be shared are registered in advance in the digital camera, and the digital camera is used. The photographer is identified by detecting the photographer's fingerprint, and when the photographer is identified as one of the registered fingerprints, the photographer photographs and stores it in the digital camera. As for the captured image data, only the specified photographer can use the captured image data exclusively, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-281439 as an example. There is a digital camera.

  The digital camera disclosed in the Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-115624 has a relatively high security function for the digital camera owner because the user of the digital camera is limited to the owner. If you try to use this digital camera jointly with other people, you can not use fingerprint registration for users other than the first user, so use this digital camera in the normal state. I can't.

  In addition, since the digital camera disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-281439 has pre-registered fingerprints of a plurality of persons to be used together, each of the plurality of persons to be used together takes a picture using this digital camera. Although it is possible to use the image data captured by the built-in self, it is not only possible for a third party to shoot an image of a subject that is shared by multiple people, Any one of the photographers can always obtain one digital data. Therefore, when forming only the number of people who need a shortcut for the digital data, a lot of time is required for the subsequent processing. It will take time and effort.

Further, the digital camera disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-281439 has a digital camera user's fingerprint collation part provided on the shutter release surface or other place, Since the collation of the user's fingerprint and the shutter operation are not necessarily performed in conjunction with each other, when the fingerprint collation unit is provided at a place other than the shutter release surface, the fingerprint collation operation and the shutter operation are performed twice. If a fingerprint collation unit is provided on the shutter release surface, there is no need to perform the fingerprint collation operation and the shutter operation twice, but the user can operate the shutter of the digital camera. Even if you perform the operation, the operation feeling during the shutter operation is ambiguous. Also, it may not be possible to unambiguously determine whether normal operation is performed. In order to avoid such a non-operating state of the shutter, when the user operates the shutter securely by pressing the shutter deeply, an unnecessary force is applied to the digital camera, causing the image to shake. May be formed.
JP 2000-115624 A JP 2000-281439 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such a technical background, and an object of the present invention is to allow the operator of the photographing apparatus to perceive the presence or absence of a shutter operation and to appropriately capture digital data photographed by the operator of the photographing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital photographing apparatus capable of automatically filing a data file.

  To achieve the above object, a digital photographing apparatus according to the present invention includes a pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor that detects a pressing force and a pressure distribution applied to a shutter pressing surface, and a pressure distribution detected by the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor. A fingerprint registration unit that registers a specified pressure distribution state as a fingerprint, an imaging unit that captures a subject image when a pressing force of a predetermined value or more is applied to a pressing surface of a pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor, and an imaging unit A data conversion unit for converting captured images into digital data, a plurality of personal data files, and a data storage unit for selectively distributing and storing the digital data obtained by the data conversion unit into any of a plurality of personal data files; A plurality of personal data files are allocated to the fingerprint registration unit so as to correspond to persons registered with fingerprints, respectively. When the digital data is obtained from the data conversion unit, the control unit determines whether the fingerprint of the person who photographed the digital data matches the fingerprint registered in the fingerprint registration unit, Digital data obtained by performing different processing on the digital data obtained from the data conversion unit when it is determined that the fingerprints match and when the fingerprints do not match. Is distributed and stored in the corresponding one or more personal data files through the data storage unit.

  As one preferred embodiment of the above means, the control unit, when obtained from the data conversion unit, matches the fingerprint of the person who photographed the digital data with one of the fingerprints registered in the fingerprint registration unit. If it is determined that the digital data is correct, the digital data is distributed and stored in a personal data file assigned to the person who photographed the digital data through the data storage unit, and the fingerprint and fingerprint registration of the person who photographed the digital data When it is determined that none of the fingerprints registered in the copy matches, the digital data is internally copied, and the copied digital data is distributed and stored in each of a plurality of personal data files through the data storage unit. It has an implementation means.

  According to the digital photographing apparatus according to claim 1, corresponding to the means, a pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor is provided on the shutter pressing surface, and the shutter operation is performed by pressing the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor during the shutter operation. Detecting the presence or absence of shutter operation with a synergistic function of the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor's pressing feeling and shutter operating feeling, and detecting that the shutter operator is a person registered in the device When the digital data captured by the operator is processed in accordance with normal processing and filed into a personal data file corresponding to the user, and it is detected that the shutter operator is not registered with the fingerprint on the device, The digital data photographed by the operator is processed differently from the normal processing, and the personal data file corresponding to the processing is loaded. Since the digital data captured by the shutter operator can be filed into the most appropriate personal data file according to the operator, the necessary image data can be obtained from the digital imaging device. When extracting, it is possible to extract necessary image data in a short time without referring to all the image data filed in the personal data file of the digital photographing apparatus.

  According to the digital photographing apparatus of claim 2 corresponding to the implementation means, when it is detected that the shutter operator is a person registered in the fingerprint in the apparatus, the digital data photographed by the operator is stored in the digital photographing apparatus. If the shutter operator detects that the user is not registered with the fingerprint on the device, the digital data captured by that operator will be internally copied by the number of personal data files. In addition, since a plurality of copied digital data is filed in a personal data file assigned to all persons registered with fingerprints, the digital data photographed by the shutter operator is the most suitable for the operator. You can selectively file to the appropriate personal data file, When extracting the required image data from the digital imaging device, it is possible to extract the required image data in a short time without referring to all the image data filed in the personal data file of the digital imaging device. There is an effect that can be done.

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

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of an embodiment of a digital photographing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the digital photographing apparatus shown in FIG. An example in which the apparatus is a digital camera is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera according to this embodiment includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 1, a photographing lens 2 provided at the front center portion of the casing 1, and a pressure-sensitive type provided at an upper corner portion of the casing 1. And a shutter 3 with a fingerprint sensor.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera according to this embodiment includes a control unit 4, a fingerprint registration unit 5, a fingerprint comparison / determination unit 6, an imaging unit 7, and data conversion inside the casing 1. Unit 8, data storage unit 9, multiple (n) personal data files 10 (1), 10 (2), 10 (3),..., 10 (n), and data replication unit 11. In addition, a photographing lens 2 and a shutter 3 with a pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor are provided.

  The control unit 4 is connected to the pressure-sensitive shutter 3 with a fingerprint sensor, the fingerprint registration unit 5, the fingerprint comparison / determination unit 6, the imaging unit 7, the data conversion unit 8, the data storage unit 9, and the data replication unit 11, respectively. The unit 7 is coupled to the photographing lens 2 and connected to the data conversion unit 8, and the data storage unit 9 includes individual data files 10 (1), 10 (2), 10 (3),. Connected to (n).

  Here, the photographing lens 2 supplies an image of a subject to the imaging unit 7 when the shutter of the digital camera is opened. The pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor-equipped shutter 3 has a configuration in which a pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor is mounted on the shutter operation surface of a digital camera. This pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor has a structure in which a large number of row wirings are formed on the upper surface of the substrate and a large number of column wirings are formed on the lower surface of the film, respectively, and the upper surface of the substrate and the lower surface of the film are arranged to be opposed to each other with a minute gap therebetween. When the upper surface of the film is pressed, the pressed portion of the film is recessed so that the row wiring and the column wiring are close to each other, and the capacity change of the row wiring and the column wiring of the portion is detected in accordance with the proximity state. If the user's (shutter operator) finger belly is placed against the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor and the shutter operation surface is pressed as it is, the pressure distribution corresponding to the user's finger fingerprint and the pressing operation Is detected by the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor, and the detected output data is supplied from the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor to the control unit 4 in the form of an electrical signal. The fingerprint registration unit 5 is a storage area for registering the fingerprints of each joint user of the digital camera. When the digital camera operation is changed from the normal mode to the registration mode, the fingerprint registration unit 5 indicates a finger to the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor. , The pressure distribution corresponding to the fingerprint of the person's finger is detected by the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor, and the detected output data detected at that time is registered in the fingerprint registration unit 5 as a fingerprint. When the detection output data is obtained from the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor in the normal mode, the fingerprint comparison determination unit 6 obtains the detection output data and the detection output data corresponding to each fingerprint registered in the fingerprint registration unit 5. If the detected output data match, the fingerprint detected by the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor at that time is authenticated as a registered fingerprint.

  The imaging unit 7 accepts an image of a subject through the lens 2 on the assumption that the shutter 3 has been operated when a pressing force of a certain value or more is detected by the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor. The data conversion unit 8 is composed of a charge coupled device (CCD) or the like. When an image is received by the imaging unit 7, the data conversion unit 8 converts the image into serial digital data using the charge coupled device. The data storage unit 9 sorts and filing digital data into personal data files 10 (1), 10 (2), 10 (3),..., 10 (n) that constitute a personal data file group. In the case of sorting and filing only one personal data file, for example, the personal data file 10 (1), and all the personal data files 10 (1), 10 (2), 10 (3),..., 10 (n) Sometimes the same digital data is sorted and filed. The data duplication unit 11 duplicates one (n) digital data to form a plurality (n) of the same digital data.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the history of the operation of the digital camera shown in FIG.

  Here, the operation of the digital camera will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S1, the control unit 4 determines whether or not a pressing force of a predetermined value or more is detected in the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor of the shutter 3 with pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor, that is, whether or not the shutter 3 is operated. Judging. When it is determined that a pressing force of a predetermined value or more has been detected (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S2. On the other hand, when it is determined that a pressing force of a predetermined value or more has not yet been detected (N), the process starts. Returning to the stage, the operation after step S1 is repeated.

  Next, in step S2, the control unit 4 operates the shutter 3 to open the shutter, so that the subject image is supplied to the photographing unit 7 through the photographing lens 2, and the data conversion unit 8 selects the subject image. Convert to digital data.

  Next, in step S3, the control unit 4 compares the fingerprint of the operator who operated the shutter 3 with the fingerprint of the person already registered in the fingerprint registration unit 5 in the fingerprint comparison determination unit 6, and according to the comparison result, It is determined whether or not the operator is one of those already registered in the fingerprint registration unit 5. When it is determined that the person is already registered in the fingerprint registration unit 5 (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S4, and on the other hand, it is determined that the person is not already registered in the fingerprint registration unit 5. If (N), the process proceeds to another step S5.

  Subsequently, in step S4, the control unit 4 assigns the digital data obtained in step S2 to the operator through the data storage unit 9 because the operator is already registered in the fingerprint registration unit 5. Is transferred to a personal data file, for example, personal data file 10 (1), and filed there. When this process is completed, the series of processes is terminated.

  In step S5, the control unit 4 determines that the operator is not already registered in the fingerprint registration unit 5, that is, the operator is a third party other than the joint user of the digital camera, that is, the joint user is the digital user. Since it is a third party who requested the camera to shoot, and there is a very high probability that it can be determined that the subject photographed by the third party is a co-user of the digital camera, it was obtained in step S2. The digital data is transferred to the data replicating unit 11, and n copies of the digital data are created.

  Subsequently, in step S6, the control unit 4 assigns all the same digital data created by the data duplicating unit 11 to the personal data files 10 (1) assigned to the joint users of the digital camera through the data storage unit 9. 10 (2), 10 (3),..., 10 (n), and file them. When this process ends, the series of processes is ended.

  In the above embodiment, when the shutter operator of the digital camera is a third party other than the joint user, n pieces of photographed digital data are duplicated, and each duplicated digital data is shared by the digital camera. We explained the example of assigning to all personal data files 10 (1), 10 (2), 10 (3),..., 10 (n) assigned to each person and filing them. If it is known that the number of people in the subject is not all of the digital camera co-users (n people) and the number of people in the photo is m (m <n), the data duplicating unit 11 duplicates them. The number of digital data is m, and the m digital data are all stored in one personal data file, for example, the representative data file 10 (1). It may be changed in the way of processing, such as ring.

  In the above-described embodiments, the digital imaging device is described as an example of a digital camera. However, the digital imaging device according to the present invention is not limited to a digital camera, and other similar digital imaging devices. For example, the present invention can be applied to a digital video camera in the same manner as a digital camera.

It is an external view which shows an example of embodiment of the digital imaging device by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the digital imaging device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process during operation of the digital camera illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Casing 2 Shooting lens 3 Shutter with pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor 4 Control part 5 Fingerprint registration part 6 Fingerprint comparison judgment part 7 Imaging part 8 Data conversion part 9 Data storage part 10 (1) -10 (n) Personal data file 11 Data replication Part

Claims (2)

A pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor that detects pressure and pressure distribution applied to the shutter pressing surface, and fingerprint registration that registers a specified pressure distribution state in the pressure distribution detected by the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor as a fingerprint An imaging unit that captures a subject image when a pressing force equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the pressing surface of the pressure-sensitive fingerprint sensor, and a data conversion unit that converts an image captured by the imaging unit into digital data A plurality of personal data files; a data storage unit that selectively distributes and stores the digital data obtained by the data conversion unit to any of the plurality of personal data files; and a control that controls the operation of each unit of the apparatus. And the plurality of personal data files are assigned to correspond to persons registered in the fingerprint registration unit, and the control unit When digital data is obtained from the data converter, it is determined whether or not the fingerprint of the person who photographed the digital data matches the fingerprint registered in the fingerprint registration unit. The digital data obtained from the data conversion unit is subjected to different processing depending on whether it is determined that the fingerprints do not coincide with each other, and the processed digital data is stored in the data storage A digital photographing apparatus characterized by being distributed and stored in corresponding one or a plurality of personal data files through a section. When the control unit determines that the fingerprint of the person who has photographed the digital data matches one of the fingerprints registered in the fingerprint registration unit when obtained from the data conversion unit, The digital data is distributed and stored in one personal data file assigned to the person who photographed the digital data through the data storage unit, and the fingerprint of the person who photographed the digital data and any one registered in the fingerprint registration unit When it is determined that the fingerprint of the digital data does not match, the digital data is internally copied, and the copied digital data is distributed and stored in each of a plurality of personal data files through the data storage unit. Item 2. The digital photographing device according to Item 1.

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