JP2006165814A - Image output system, image output method, program, image pickup device, image output device, control method for image output device and control method of image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output system for surely preventing the leakage of information related with a confidential object. <P>SOLUTION: This image output system is provided with a digital camera 100 and a printer 300. In the digital camera 100, positioning information when an image is picked up is described in XML data, and the XML data are transferred to the printer 300 by a memory card 109. In the printer 300, when the positioning information analyzed from the XML data corresponds to the positioning information of a confidential object (a step S403; No), a character string showing that "print is not permitted" is displayed at a display part (a step S405), and any print permission signal is not outputted, and this processing is ended. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output system, an image output method, a program, an image imaging device, an image output device, a control method for the image output device, and a control method for the image imaging device, and in particular, a captured image and information related to the image. The present invention relates to an image output system including an image pickup apparatus having a detachable recording medium for recording the image and an image output apparatus for outputting an image based on information related to the image recorded on the recording medium.

  With the spread and miniaturization of digital cameras as image capturing apparatuses, the number of objects and places that can be photographed by users of the digital cameras has increased, and there are increasing opportunities for users to easily photograph objects without being aware of the places. In particular, due to the addition of digital camera functions to mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones in recent years, the opportunities described above are increasing.

  In addition, a digital camera usually has a detachable recording medium (removable medium). However, information recorded on the removable medium in a digital camera is not limited to a captured image, but includes image source information, date / time, and print. The number of prints, the print type, characters and insertion titles, image print processing information, and the like. The removable medium is connected to a printer as an image output device via a PC or directly, and the printer outputs an image captured based on information recorded on the removable medium.

On the other hand, the increase in photography opportunities due to the spread and miniaturization of digital cameras results in an increase in photography opportunities for confidential objects, such as devices and products in development factories, and an increase in photography opportunities for matters related to personal privacy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish information leakage prevention measures regarding confidential objects. Examples of such information leakage prevention measures include restrictions on bringing a digital camera or the like into a place where a confidential target exists, for example, a factory, or prohibiting output of an image obtained by capturing the confidential target. For example, as a method for prohibiting output of a captured image, there is a method of generating print prohibition information by operating the print prohibition switch 20 of the camera at the time of shooting failure, and further recording bar-coded print prohibition information on a film frame. It is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-77743

  However, the above-mentioned carry-in restriction has to be relied on the user's own morals and cannot impose a physical restriction on the user. In particular, in recent years, digital cameras have been downsized and the addition of digital camera functions to mobile electronic devices other than digital cameras has been remarkably advanced, so it has become increasingly difficult to prevent imaging of confidential objects. Measures to prevent information leakage are required.

  In addition, the above-described method for prohibiting the output of a captured image also requires the user to operate the print prohibition switch 20 of the camera. Therefore, it is also necessary to rely on the user's own morality, which is sufficient as an information leakage prevention measure regarding the confidential target. There was a problem of not.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image output system, an image output method, a program, an image imaging device, an image output device, a control method for the image output device, and a control method for the image imaging device that can reliably prevent information leakage related to a confidential object. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image output system according to claim 1, an image sensor that receives image light, and an image obtained by converting the image light imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor into image data. An image pickup apparatus comprising a main body having an image pickup means for picking up an image, a main body and a detachable recording medium for recording the image data, and a data reading means for reading the image data from the recording medium In the image output system comprising an image output device provided with image data output means for outputting the read image data, the image imaging device measures the position where the image is captured and outputs it as position information Output means, the recording medium records the output position information as additional information of the image data, the image output device, Additional information analysis means for analyzing the recorded additional information, wherein the image data output means prohibits the output of the read image data when the analyzed additional information corresponds to a location of confidential symmetry It is characterized by doing.

  The image output system according to claim 2, wherein in the image output system according to claim 1, the image capturing device further includes metadata generation means for generating metadata associated with the image data based on the position information. And the recording medium records the generated metadata as the additional information, the additional information analyzing means analyzes the recorded metadata, and the image data output means is configured to analyze the analyzed metadata. The output of the read image data is prohibited when the data corresponds to a secret symmetry location.

  The image output system according to a third aspect is the image output system according to the second aspect, wherein the metadata is described in XML (eXtensible Markup Language).

  An image output system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image output system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the positioning output means is a GPS (Global Positioning System).

  In order to achieve the above object, an image output method according to claim 5 is an image pickup device that receives image light, and converts the image light imaged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device into image data. An image pickup apparatus comprising a main body having an image pickup means for picking up an image, a main body and a detachable recording medium for recording the image data, and a data reading means for reading the image data from the recording medium An image output method of an image output system comprising an image output device including an image data output means for outputting the read image data, wherein the position at which the image is captured is measured and output as position information An output step, an additional information recording step of recording the output position information on the recording medium as additional information of the image data, and the recording medium An additional information analyzing step for analyzing the recorded additional information, and an image data output prohibiting step for prohibiting the output of the read image data when the analyzed additional information corresponds to a location of confidential symmetry. It is characterized by having.

  In order to achieve the above object, the program according to claim 6 captures an image by converting an image sensor that receives image light and the image light imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor into image data. An image pickup device comprising a main body having image pickup means for recording, the main body and a detachable recording medium for recording the image data, and data reading means for reading the image data from the recording medium, A program for causing a computer to execute an image output method of an image output system comprising an image output device including image data output means for outputting read image data, wherein the position information is obtained by measuring the position where the image is captured And a positioning output module that outputs the position information as the additional information of the image data on the recording medium An additional information recording module; an additional information analysis module for analyzing the additional information recorded on the recording medium; and the output of the read image data when the analyzed additional information corresponds to a secret symmetrical location And an image data output prohibiting module for prohibiting the image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image output apparatus according to claim 7 is a data reading means for reading the image data from a recording medium for recording image data, and an image data output means for outputting the read image data. In the image output apparatus, the output of the read image data is prohibited when the position information where the image of the image data is captured corresponds to a secret symmetry location.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to claim 8 is an image pickup device that receives image light, and converts the image light imaged on a light receiving surface of the image pickup device into image data. In an image pickup apparatus comprising a main body having an image pickup means for picking up an image, and the main body and a detachable recording medium for recording the image data, a measuring means for measuring a position where the image is picked up is provided. The output prohibiting information for prohibiting the output of the image data is associated with the image data in accordance with the position measured by the measuring means.

  In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an image output apparatus according to claim 9 includes data reading means for reading the image data from a recording medium for recording image data, and image data for outputting the read image data. An image output apparatus control method comprising: an output unit, wherein when the position information where the image of the image data is captured corresponds to a secret symmetrical location, the image prohibits output of the read image data It has a data output prohibiting step.

  In order to achieve the above object, a control method of an image pickup apparatus according to claim 10 converts an image pickup device that receives image light and the image light formed on a light receiving surface of the image pickup device into image data. A control method for an image pickup apparatus comprising: a main body having an image pickup means for picking up an image; and the main body and a detachable recording medium for recording the image data, wherein the image is picked up A measuring step of measuring a position; and an output prohibiting information associating step of associating output prohibiting information prohibiting the output of the image data with the image data according to the measured position.

  According to the image output system according to claim 1, the image output method according to claim 5, and the program according to claim 6, the position where the image is captured is measured and output as position information, and the output position information Is recorded on the recording medium as additional information of the image data, the additional information recorded on the recording medium is analyzed, and when the analyzed additional information corresponds to the location of the secret symmetry, it is read from the recording medium. Since the output of the image data is prohibited, the output of the image data related to the confidential object can be prohibited without depending on the user's own morality, and thus the information leakage related to the confidential object can be surely prevented.

  According to the image output system of the second aspect, since the metadata associated with the image data is generated based on the position information, it is possible to accurately manage the association between the image data and the position information. As a result, misjudgment regarding prohibition of image data output can be eliminated.

  According to the image output system of the third aspect, since the metadata is described in XML, it becomes easy to manage and confirm the association between the image data and the position information, and as a result, an error related to the prohibition of the output of the image data. Judgment can be surely lost.

  According to the image output system of claim 4, since the positioning output means is GPS, the position information can be obtained accurately, so that the position where the image is captured and the place where the secret symmetry exists are compared. Can be done accurately.

  According to the image output device of claim 7 and the control method of the image output device of claim 9, when the position where the image of the image data read from the storage medium is captured corresponds to the location of the secret symmetry Since the output of the image data is prohibited, the output of the image data related to the confidential object can be prohibited without depending on the user's own morality, and the information leakage related to the confidential object can be surely prevented.

  According to the image pickup device of claim 8 and the control method of the image pickup device of claim 10, the position where the image is picked up is measured, and the output of the image data is prohibited according to the measured position. Since the output prohibition information is associated with the image data, it is possible to prohibit the output of the image data regarding the confidential object without depending on the user's own morality, and thus it is possible to reliably prevent the information leakage regarding the confidential object.

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

  First, an image capturing apparatus constituting the image output system according to the present embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a digital camera shown in FIG. 1 described later and a printer shown in FIG. 3 described later constitute an image output system.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera as an image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a digital camera 100 includes a camera main body 101 having components related to optical image capturing and processing, which will be described later, and a memory card 109 as a recording medium detachably attached to the camera main body 101.

  The camera body 101 includes a lens that captures an optical image as image light, a CCD as an image sensor that photoelectrically converts the captured optical image into an analog signal, and an A / D that converts the analog signal that has been photoelectrically converted into a digital signal. An imaging unit 102 (image imaging unit) including a conversion unit, and an image processing unit 103 (image imaging unit) that performs various image processing such as filter processing, color conversion processing, and gamma correction on the digital image signal output from the imaging unit 102 ) And an image compression / decompression unit 104 (image imaging unit) that compresses and converts the digital image signal output from the image processing unit 103 as image data in JPEG format, thereby capturing a desired image. Create image data.

  The camera body 101 also includes a UI setting unit 105 as a user interface for setting image shooting setting information by a user, and measurement information at the time of imaging as position information by measuring the position at which the image was captured by GPS. Based on the output GPS unit 110 (positioning output means), the shooting setting information output from the UI setting unit 105, and the positioning information output from the GPS unit 110, the image data is associated with the image data corresponding to the captured image. An XML generation unit 107 (metadata generation unit) that generates XML data as metadata is provided. Here, GPS is a system that can measure the three-dimensional position (latitude, longitude, etc.) of a receiving point at an arbitrary position on the earth by receiving radio waves from a large number of mobile satellites. The GPS unit 110 can accurately output positioning information at the time of imaging regardless of the location where the image is captured.

  Further, the camera body 101 includes a data recording unit 106 connected to the image compression / decompression unit 104 and the XML generation unit 107. The data recording unit 106 is an IF (Inter Face) which is a connection unit of the memory card 109. The image data output from the image compression / decompression unit 104 and the XML data output from the XML generation unit 107 are recorded in the memory card 109 via the IF unit 108. As a result, the digital camera 100 records image data and XML data as additional information of the image data in the memory card 109.

  In addition, the camera body 101 includes a display unit 112 for a user to check a captured image, and a display control unit 111 that controls the operation of the display unit 112. Image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 103 is input from the image compression / decompression unit 104 to the display control unit 111. The image compression / decompression unit 104 is connected to a data reading unit 113 that reads and analyzes image data recorded on the memory card 109 via the IF unit 108, and decompresses the image data analyzed by the data reading unit 113. After that, for example, after the image data compressed in the JPEG format is decompressed and converted into bitmap data, the decompressed image data is output to the display control unit 111. The display control unit 111 displays an image on the display unit 112 based on the input image data.

  The memory card 109 is a recording medium in which data can be written / erased. When the memory card 109 is detached from the IF unit 108 and connected to an IF unit 302 in the printer 300 described later, the recorded image data and XML data are stored in the printer 300. By outputting the data to the data reading unit 303, it functions as an image data transfer medium.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of XML data generated by the XML generation unit of the main body in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, XML data is metadata described in XML, and shooting setting information related to image data corresponding to a captured image is described surrounded by a predetermined tag.

  The shooting setting information described in the XML data includes the image data name of the association destination enclosed by <imageName> </ imageName> tags, <width> </ width> and <length> </ length> tags. In addition to the x and y resolutions of the image data enclosed by the <xResolution> </ xResolution> and <yResolution> </ yResolution> tags, respectively, In the form, the latitude (43 ° 3'35 ″ north latitude in FIG. 2) and the <longitude> </ longitude> tag in the positioning information at the time of imaging surrounded by <latitude> </ latitude> tags This corresponds to the longitude in the positioning information (East longitude 141 ° 21′25 ″ in FIG. 2).

  Next, an image output apparatus constituting the image output system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer as an image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the printer 300 includes a printer main body 301 having components related to image data output, which will be described later, and the above-described memory card 109 detachably attached to the printer main body 301.

  The printer main body 301 includes an IF unit 302 as a connection unit of the memory card 109, a data reading unit 303 (data reading unit) that reads image data and XML data recorded on the memory card 109 via the IF unit 302, An image processing unit 304 that performs predetermined processing on the image data, and an XML analysis unit 305 (additional information analysis unit) that analyzes the XML data are provided.

  The data reading unit 303 outputs the read image data to the image processing unit 304 and outputs the read XML data to the XML analysis unit 305. The XML analysis unit 305 analyzes the XML data as the input metadata, separates the shooting setting information described in the XML data into the positioning information at the time of imaging and other shooting setting information, and the positioning information is described later. Are output to the print permission determination unit 307, and other shooting setting information is output to the image processing unit 304. The image processing unit 304 performs various image processing (inversion, rotation, special effect processing) including color conversion processing on the image data input from the data reading unit 303 based on the shooting setting information input from the XML analysis unit 305. Etc.) and output to a printer engine 306 to be described later.

  The printer main body 301 includes a print permission determination unit 307 (image data output unit) that determines whether image data can be output, and a printer engine that outputs image data according to the determination result of the print permission determination unit 307 and the like. 306 (image data output means) and a database composed of a large-scale storage device such as a hard disk, and positioning information at a predetermined location and print permission information at the location, for example, positioning information of a location to be concealed (confidential) Target positioning information) and a database 308 in which output prohibition information for prohibiting output of image data corresponding to an image captured at the location is stored.

  The print permission determination unit 307 executes a print permission determination method described later based on the positioning information from the XML analysis unit 305 and the confidential target positioning information and output prohibition information stored in the database 308, and can output image data. If it is, a print permission signal is output to the printer engine 306. When the print permission signal is input from the print permission determination unit 307, the printer engine 306 prints out the image data input from the image processing unit 304.

  Next, a print permission determination method executed by the print permission determination unit 307 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a printer print permission determination process executed by the print permission determination unit in FIG.

  First, when a user presses a print key on a printer operation unit (not shown) of the printer 300, the print permission determination unit 307 determines whether or not positioning information is input from the XML analysis unit 305 in step S401. If no positioning information is input, the process proceeds to step S405, where the character string “printing is not allowed” is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the printer 300, and this process is performed without outputting a print permission signal. finish.

  When the positioning information is input (Yes in step S401), the confidential target positioning information and the output prohibition information stored in the database 308 are referred to (step S402), and are input from the XML analysis unit 305 in the subsequent step S403. It is determined whether or not the print permission signal is output by determining whether or not the positioning information corresponds to the confidential target positioning information accompanied by the output prohibition information. When the input positioning information corresponds to the concealment target positioning information (No in step S403), the process proceeds to step S405. As a result, when the positioning information corresponds to the concealment target positioning information, the print permission signal is not output, and the print output of the image data corresponding to the positioning information is prohibited.

  If the input positioning information does not correspond to the concealment target positioning information (Yes in step S403), a print permission signal is output to the printer engine 306 (step S404), and this process is terminated. When the print permission signal is input from the print permission determination unit 307, the printer engine 306 prints out the image data input from the image processing unit 304.

  According to the image output system, the digital camera 100, the printer 300, and the processing of FIG. 4 according to the above-described embodiment, the digital camera 100 outputs positioning information at the time of imaging, and the output positioning information is captured. XML data is described in XML as metadata associated with the image data corresponding to the image, and the XML data is recorded on the memory card 109 together with the image data. In the printer 300, the XML data recorded on the memory card 109 is recorded. When the positioning information at the time of imaging described in the analyzed XML data corresponds to the confidential positioning information, the output of the image data read from the memory card 109 is prohibited. Without relying on morals, it is possible to prohibit the output of image data related to confidential objects. The information leakage regarding anonymous object can be reliably prevented.

  Further, in the digital camera 100 described above, since the metadata associated with the image data is described and generated in XML based on the positioning information, the association between the image data and the positioning information can be managed accurately. At the same time, the management and confirmation of the association between the image data and the positioning information is facilitated, and as a result, it is possible to reliably eliminate the erroneous determination regarding the prohibition of the output of the image data.

  Furthermore, since the digital camera 100 described above includes the GPS unit 110 that measures the positioning information at the time of imaging by GPS, the positioning information can be accurately acquired, and thus the position where the image is captured and the location information to be concealed Can be accurately compared.

  Note that the digital camera 100 does not generate XML data associated with image data corresponding to the image captured based on the positioning information, but prohibits output of an image captured at the location where the concealment exists. Even if such information (output prohibition information) is recorded on the memory card 109 in association with the corresponding image data, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  The output prohibition information may be information that prohibits transfer to another apparatus, or may be information that prohibits printing.

  Note that the above-described embodiment shows an example, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be applied to other cases. In addition, since the minimum necessary operation is described in the flowchart of FIG. 4, it goes without saying that other operations may be accompanied.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus. It is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, and CD-RW. , DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW), magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, other ROM, etc., as long as they can store the program code. Alternatively, the program code may be supplied by downloading from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

 Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The program code may be in the form of object code, program code executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system), and the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital camera as an image capturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the XML data produced | generated by the XML production | generation part of the main-body part in FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer as an image capturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart of a printer print permission determination process executed by a print permission determination unit in FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 101 Camera main body part 102 Imaging part 103 Image processing part 104 Image compression / decompression part 109 Memory card 110 GPS unit 300 Printer 303 Data reading part 305 XML analysis part 306 Printer engine 307 Print permission determination part

Claims (10)

An image pickup device for receiving image light, a main body having image pickup means for picking up an image by converting the image light imaged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device into image data, and recording the image data An image pickup apparatus comprising the main body and a detachable recording medium, and
In an image output system comprising an image output device comprising data reading means for reading the image data from the recording medium and image data output means for outputting the read image data,
The image capturing apparatus includes a positioning output unit that measures a position where the image is captured and outputs it as position information, and the recording medium records the output position information as additional information of the image data,
The image output device includes additional information analysis means for analyzing the recorded additional information, and the image data output means reads the read additional information when the analyzed additional information corresponds to a secret symmetry location. An image output system for prohibiting output of the image data.   The image capturing apparatus further includes metadata generation means for generating metadata associated with the image data based on the position information, and the recording medium records the generated metadata as the additional information. The additional information analyzing means analyzes the recorded metadata, and the image data output means, when the analyzed metadata corresponds to a secret symmetry location, 2. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein output is prohibited.   3. The image output system according to claim 2, wherein the metadata is described in XML (eXtensible Markup Language).   4. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning output means is a GPS (Global Positioning System). An image pickup device for receiving image light, a main body having image pickup means for picking up an image by converting the image light imaged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device into image data, and recording the image data An image pickup apparatus including the main body and a detachable recording medium; an image reading unit that reads the image data from the recording medium; and an image data output unit that outputs the read image data. An image output method of an image output system comprising an output device,
A positioning output step of measuring a position where the image is captured and outputting it as position information;
An additional information recording step of recording the output position information on the recording medium as additional information of the image data;
An additional information analysis step of analyzing the additional information recorded on the recording medium;
An image output method comprising: an image data output prohibiting step for prohibiting the output of the read image data when the analyzed additional information corresponds to a secret symmetrical location. An image pickup device for receiving image light, a main body having image pickup means for picking up an image by converting the image light imaged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device into image data, and recording the image data An image pickup apparatus including the main body and a detachable recording medium; an image reading unit that reads the image data from the recording medium; and an image data output unit that outputs the read image data. A program for causing a computer to execute an image output method of an image output system including an output device,
A positioning output module that measures the position where the image is captured and outputs it as position information;
An additional information recording module for recording the output position information on the recording medium as additional information of the image data;
An additional information analysis module for analyzing additional information recorded on the recording medium;
An image data output prohibiting module for prohibiting output of the read image data when the analyzed additional information corresponds to a secret symmetrical location. In an image output apparatus comprising data reading means for reading the image data from a recording medium for recording image data, and image data output means for outputting the read image data,
An image output apparatus characterized in that output of the read image data is prohibited when position information where the image of the image data is captured corresponds to a secret symmetry location. An image pickup device for receiving image light, a main body having image pickup means for picking up an image by converting the image light imaged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device into image data, and recording the image data In the image pickup device comprising the main body and a detachable recording medium,
Measuring means for measuring a position where the image is captured;
An image capturing apparatus, wherein output prohibiting information for prohibiting output of the image data is associated with the image data in accordance with a position measured by the measuring unit. A control method for an image output apparatus, comprising: data reading means for reading the image data from a recording medium for recording image data; and image data output means for outputting the read image data,
A control method comprising: an image data output prohibiting step for prohibiting output of the read image data when the position information where the image of the image data is captured corresponds to a secret symmetry location. An image pickup device for receiving image light, a main body having image pickup means for picking up an image by converting the image light imaged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device into image data, and recording the image data And a control method of an image pickup apparatus comprising the main body and a detachable recording medium,
A measuring step for measuring a position where the image is captured;
A control method comprising: an output prohibition information associating step of associating output prohibition information prohibiting output of the image data with the image data according to the measured position.

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