JPH02143378A - Digital picture storing and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To manage for what purpose and to whom copies are distributed from the first memory means, etc., by a rightful person for picture data by copying the picture data together with copy information written in the first memory means and updating the above-mentioned copy information simultaneously with the copying. CONSTITUTION:When the picture data are copied, since the copy information is updated by writing the name of a photographer or the rightful person for copyright, etc., which are written in a source memory means 12, in a copy destination memory means 10 and writing the data of the copy distribution destination, etc., in the source memory means 12, the picture data can be easily managed. Thus, the rightful person for the picture data can manage for what purpose and to whom the copies are distributed from the memory means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Fields] The present invention is constructed so that digital image data stored in a memory means can be read out and reproduced as a still image on a display or copied to another memory means. The present invention relates to a digital image storage and playback device, and more particularly to an image signal processing technique suitable for use in managing image data taken by a digital electronic still camera.

[Prior Art] In recent years, various proposals have been made regarding digital electronic still cameras. For example, JP-A-59-18359
Publication No. 2 describes the imaging optical system and solid-state imaging device (CCD).
A digital camera configured to have a memory means removably attached to a camera body having an image sensor (e.g., image sensor, etc.), convert a video signal representing a still image taken by a solid-state imaging device into a digital signal, and store the digital signal in the memory means. An electronic still camera is disclosed.

When reproducing the digital image data stored in the memory means, the memory means is removed from the digital electronic still camera, attached to a digital image storage and reproducing device, and visualized on a display device or printed out and reproduced.

On the other hand, digital image storage and playback devices have been developed that have a function of copying image data stored by a digital electronic still camera to another memory means, in other words, a dubbing function. If such a function is provided, digital image data can be copied (dubbed) from one memory means to multiple memory means, and since the image data is digitized, there is no deterioration in image quality and it is very easy to copy. It is convenient for

[Problem H that the invention seeks to solve] However, with the copying function, there is a large possibility that the digital image data will be copied regardless of the photographer's will and spread among an unspecified number of people, and its management is important. It has become. Furthermore, the copying function has brought about a new problem of copyright infringement.

That is, digital image data that is a still image is subject to copyright, and if it is copied and used, it may constitute copyright infringement depending on the form of use.

Therefore, it has become necessary to manage image data and take measures to prevent infringement, but this can be done when you want to make the other party aware of the right holder, when you want to make the data non-copyable because it is valuable, and when you want to prevent data such as copy distribution destinations. It is necessary to deal with various conditions such as keeping the number of copies in the original memory means.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to enable the management of the image data by writing copy information and copy prohibition protection information into the original memory means in which the image data is stored. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital image storage and playback device configured as follows.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides information on the original memory means in which digital image data is stored, such as the name, name, address, etc. of the copy distribution destination as copy information. The number of copies, the date and time of copying, the total number of copies, and the name of the photographer or copyright holder are written, and when copying digital image data to the copy destination memory means, the above copy information is also stored, and the original A copy information writing/reading circuit is provided to update the copy information in the memory means.

Furthermore, a protection information discrimination circuit is provided which discriminates copy prohibition protection information written as copy information and prohibits undesired copying of image data.

[Operation] In the present invention having such a configuration, when image data is copied, the name of the photographer or copyright holder written in the original memory means is written in the copy destination memory means. At the same time, data such as the copy distribution destination is written in the original memory means and the copy information is updated, making it easier to manage the image data. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent copying by determining the protection information.
It is also possible to prevent copying of particularly important image data.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the digital image storage and playback device will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Note that FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the digital image storage and playback device, FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining the circuit operation, and FIG.
The figure shows a memory map diagram of the memory cartridge.

First, the overall circuit configuration will be explained with reference to FIG.

The memory cartridges 10, 12 are loadable into a digital electronic still camera, each having a connector 14.
and 16 in a detachable manner.

In this embodiment, image data taken by a digital electronic still camera is stored in the memory cartridge 10, and the image data is copied to the memory cartridge 12, which is the copy destination memory means, using the memory cartridge 10 as the original memory means. It is something.

The memory cartridge 10 is a cartridge in which a rewritable digital storage device such as an SRAM semiconductor memory is mounted, and may be of other forms such as an IC (semiconductor integrated circuit) card. In this specification, the term "module" is used to include these registered forms.

The memory cartridge 10 stores, for example, one frame of image in IM.
~ Expressed in 1.5M bits of data, ■In an SRAM with a memory capacity of 16Mbits, 2 chips each have 32
A frame-by-frame to 21-frame storage device will be realized.

Data input/output lines of the memory cartridge 10 are connected to the image data bus 18 through the connector 14, and control lines including address, read/write enable, chip select, strobe, clock, etc. are connected to the address through the connector 14. - Connected to the control line 20.

On the other hand, the input/output lines of the memory cartridge 12 are connectors.
6 to the image data bus 18, and its control line is connected to the address/control line 22 via the connector connector 16.
connected to.

In this embodiment, a memory card 10 storing image data from, for example, a digital electronic still camera is connected to the read-out connector 14 in order to read the data.

A memory cartridge 12 for storing image data read from, for example, a memory cartridge 10 in this apparatus is connected to the other connector 16 on the writing side.

The memory cartridge 12 may also take the form of another module such as an IC card, and in this embodiment, for example, an S
Although RAM is used, ROM such as EPROM or EEPROM may also be used.

Image data bus 18 and address/control lines 20 and 22 are connected to control circuit 24 as shown.

A keyboard 26 is connected to the control circuit 24, and various instructions and input data from an operator to the apparatus are manually inputted from the keyboard 26.

The control circuit 24 is constituted by a microprocessing system in this embodiment, and is a control function section that controls the entire apparatus in response to instructions from the keyboard 26.

By the way, the memory cartridges 10 and 12 have a function of generating a memory identification code that specifies the memory characteristics, such as the type and storage capacity, or the type of the memory element included therein. For example, this can be achieved by connecting the pins of the cartridge 10 or 16 attached to the connector 14 or 16 so as to output a specific logic state.

That is, taking the identification of ROM or RAM as an example, one or two terminals are sufficient.

Further, the identification code may be semi-fixedly written in a specific storage area of the memory element included in the memory cartridges 10 and I2.

The output line of the identification code is connected to the signal line 50 via the connector 14 for the memory cartridge 10,
The memory cartridge 12 is connected to a signal line 52 via a connector 16.

Power lines 72 and 74 for memory cartridges 10 and 12
are connected to the power supply unit 60 of the apparatus via connectors 14 and 16, respectively.

The power supply unit 60 includes a type of power supply capable of supplying power to various types of memory cartridges connectable to the connectors 14 and 16, and selectively connects them to the power supply lines 72 and 74 under the control of the control line 70 of the control circuit 24. supplied to

Image data bus 18 is also connected to memory image memory 26 . A file storage device such as an optical disk device or a floppy disk device may also be connected to this.

In this embodiment, the image memory 28 is a RAM having a storage capacity to temporarily store at least one frame, that is, one field or one frame of image signal data, and the image signal data read from the memory cartridge 10 is stored in this RAM. be done. Control signals, including the address, read/write enable, strobe, clock, etc., are received from control circuitry 24 through address and control lines 36.

The image signal data output 42 of the image memory 28 is connected to a digital-to-analog conversion circuit (DAC>44).

The conversion circuit 44 is a signal conversion circuit that converts the image signal data read from the memory 28 into a corresponding analog signal and outputs it to the output terminal 46.

The output terminal 46 is a device output of the present device, and a device to be used, such as a video monitor device 48 that visualizes the video signal of the output 46 or a video printer, is connected to this terminal.

A band companding circuit 100 is further connected to the image data bus 18 . The band companding circuit 100 is a signal conversion circuit that band-compresses uncompressed image data supplied from the image data bus 18 using a predetermined method and outputs the compressed image data to the bus 18. The band compression and band expansion methods and compression ratios may be fixed to the device, but in this embodiment, the control circuit 2
4 through a control line 102.

The band companding circuit 100 may be included in a processing system that constitutes the control circuit 24. Further, as the band companding method, a compression encoding method suitable for companding image signal data, such as DPCM or Hadamard transform method, is advantageously applied. Regarding this encoded companding, if image data has already been stored in the memory cartridges 10 and 12 connected to the connectors 14 and 16, respectively, the control circuit 24 determines the band compression form, that is, the presence or absence of band compression, the band It has a function to read and identify data indicating the compression method and compression ratio.

Furthermore, when writing the image data compressed by the low frequency companding circuit 100 to the writing side memory cartridge 12, it also has a function of writing the band compression form to a specific storage area.

The copy information writing/reading circuit 104 writes copy information to the memory cartridge IO, reads image data, and copies it to the memory cartridge 12 (
It has a function of reading the copy information and writing it into the memory cartridge 12 when dubbing).

The copy information includes copy distribution name, address, number of copies,
Copy date and time, total number of copies, owner of image data, etc. When copying, the copy information is read out and stored in the memory cartridge 12 of the copy destination, and at the same time, data such as copy distribution destination etc. The copy information is written to the memory card 10 and updated.

The protect information determination circuit 106 determines the presence or absence of protect information stored in the memory cartridge 10, and prohibits the reading of image data from the protected memory cartridge to make copying impossible.

As shown in FIG. 3, the memory cartridge 10 includes an image data record 1, a copy information storage area B that stores the copy information including α area A1 protection information, and further includes a shooting date,
Area C for storing system information such as shooting location, photographer name, etc.
etc. are formed.

When copying image data, the presence or absence of protect information is determined prior to copying, and if no protection is applied, copying is performed by the following circuit operation. Note that the protect information may be written as "1" or "0" in the header section P of the copy information area B, or may be written in the individual header sections of the image data storage area A to protect the individual image data. You can copy about
It may also be determined whether copying is prohibited.

Next, the circuit operation when no protection information is written will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, a memory cartridge IO storing image data taken with a digital electronic still camera is connected to the connector 14.

When the image stored in the memory cartridge 10 is not copied and only reproduced using the video monitor device 48, the memory cartridge is not connected to the connector 16, but it is connected when it is desired to perform storage by copying.

The keyboard 26 is operated to instruct reading of image data from the memory cartridge 10. At that time, you may specify the number of the frame you want to read.

In response to the key operation, the control circuit 24 checks the connection of the memory cartridge 10 on the reading side and reads the memory identification code from the signal line 50, as shown in step 81. Further, when the writing side memory cartridge 12 is connected, the memory identification code is read from the signal line 52.

The control circuit 24 determines the type, ie, the type and storage capacity, of the memory cartridges 10 and 12 on the reading side and the writing side, as shown in step 82, based on the read memory identification code.

The control circuit 24 determines the operating voltage and read speed of the memory cartridges 10 and 12 based on the determined memory type, and also determines the addressing method based on the storage capacity.

According to the memory characteristics such as the operating voltage, read speed, and addressing method thus determined, the control circuit 24 sets the operating conditions of the device as shown in step 83.

More specifically, the control circuit 24 controls the power supply section 60 through the control line 70, and connects the memory cartridge 1 from the power supply section 60 to the power supply section 60.
Set the power source to be supplied to 0 and 12.

For example, if the memory cartridge 10 is an SRAM,
A 5V power supply would be selected.

In this apparatus, the video signal data read from the IJ 10 (memory car) is stored in the image memory 28. In that case, the control circuit 24 sends a read address and timing signal for the image signal data of a specific frame to the memory cartridge 10 from the address/control line 20.

For address methods such as address spaces that can be specified, see Memo I.
It is determined based on the storage capacity specified in the Jm separate account. Further, these control signals are generated based on the writing speed and addressing method determined above.

Therefore, the control circuit 24 accesses a specific storage area of the memory cartridge 10 and reads data indicating the band compression type stored therein. If the format data indicates no compression, the control circuit 24 determines that the image data stored in the cartridge 1O is not band-compressed, as shown in step 84, and reads uncompressed image signal data from this. read operation mode,
That is, the process moves to steps 85-87.

From the copy information storage area B of the memory cartridge 10,
Copy information is copied to the copy information writing/reading circuit 104
is read out by the protection information discriminating circuit 1.
06, it is determined that there is no protection. in this case,
No protection is transmitted to the control circuit 24 via the control bus 108 to enable playback.

Then, the image signal data of that frame is read out from the addressed image data storage area A to the image data bus 18, and the copy information and image data on the bus 18 are stored in the -H image memory 28 as shown in step 85. Stored.

The image data stored in the image memory 28 is repeatedly read out from the read data line 42 to the digital-to-analog conversion circuit 44 at the preview signal rate, converted into a corresponding analog signal, and outputted from the device output 46.

In this case, the video is visualized based on the image data on, for example, a video monitor device 48 connected to the device output 46.

From the keyboard 26 to the writing side memory cartridge 1
2, the control circuit 24 follows the writing conditions and stores the cartridge 1 as shown in step 86.
Write operation to 2 is performed.

More specifically, the control circuit 24 determines the type and storage capacity of the write-side memory cartridge 12 from the memory identification code thereof. Then, depending on the determined memory type,
The operating voltage and writing speed of the memory cartridge 12,
Furthermore, the addressing method is determined depending on the storage capacity. According to the memory characteristics thus determined, the control circuit 24 sets the operating conditions of the device.

The control circuit 24 controls the power supply section 60 through a control line 70 and sets 620 types of power supplies to be supplied from the power supply section 60 to the memory cartridge 12 . For example, if the memory cartridge 12 is an EPROM, the power supply voltage is set to correspond to the operating standard power supply of the ROM.

Control circuit 24 also controls band companding circuit 100 via control line 102 and specifies its band compression form. As a result, the band companding circuit 100 is set to perform band compression operation, the band compression method, and the compression ratio. Note that these compression methods and compression ratios may be fixed to the device, that is, may be of a single type.

The control circuit 24 then reads its temporarily stored image signal from the image memory 28 via address and control lines 36, which is transmitted to the band companding circuit 10 via the image data bus 18.
Transfer to 0. At this time, the control circuit 24 may perform image processing such as gradation correction or editing on this image data.

The band companding circuit 100 band-compresses and encodes the image data from the bus 18 according to the set band compression format,
It is sent to bus 18 again. This compressed image signal data is transferred to the writing side memory cartridge 12 through the same bus 18.

The control circuit 24 sends a control signal including a write address and a timing signal to the write-side memory cartridge 12 via the address/control line 22.

The address system such as the address space that can be specified is determined based on the storage capacity defined by the memory identification code.

These control signals are generated according to the writing speed and addressing method determined above.

As a result, the writing side memory cartridge 12
Image data is written to the designated writing position, ie, address, as shown in step 86, and copy information is also written.

In addition to writing this compressed image signal data, the control circuit 24 also writes a code indicating the current band compression mode into a specific storage area of the memory cartridge 12 on the writing side. This takes the normal route through the image data bus 18, as shown in step 87, to the memory card).
It is written to the storage area of the Judge 12.

Similarly, for other frames stored in the read-side memory cartridge 10, the image signal data is read out to the image memory 28 and output to the video monitor 48, while band compression is performed in the band companding circuit 100. It is stored in the next storage area of the writing side memory cartridge 12.

In this way, the image data stored in the read-side memory cartridge 1O can be transferred and stored in a band-compressed form to the write-side memory cartridge 12.

When the writing to the IJ edge 12 is completed, copy information is written to the memory cartridge 10 regarding the distribution destination, the number of copies, etc., in other words, the copy information is updated, and the owner of the image data is Image data can be managed based on updated copy information.

Furthermore, since band-compressed data can represent the information block before compression with a small amount of data, the image data of more frames than the number of frames stored in one memory cartridge 10 can be stored in the other memory cartridge 10. can be memorized.

Also, if the other memory cartridge 12 contains an EPROM or an
If EPROM is used, memory can be held more permanently.

In step 84, the data indicating the band compression mode stored in the specific storage area of the memory cartridge 10 is read out, and if it is desired to indicate the specific band compression mode or the presence of band compression, the control circuit 24 reads the data indicating the band compression mode stored in the specific storage area of the memory cartridge 10.
It is determined that the image signal data stored in the controller 10 has been band-compressed.

Therefore, for example, if the reproduction output mode for reproducing images on the video monitor device 48 is designated from the keyboard 26 (step 90), the process moves to the operation of reading compressed image signal data, that is, steps 91 to 92.

The form of band compression is as follows:
For example, the bins of the cartridge 10 that are engaged with the connector 14 may be wired so as to output a specific logic state.

The control circuit 24 sets the band compression method, compression ratio, etc. in the band companding circuit 100 via the control line 102 according to the data indicating the band compression mode obtained from the memory cartridge 10, and sets the band compression method, compression ratio, etc. to the band companding circuit 100 as shown in step 91. Specifies band stretch behavior.

As a result, the control circuit 24 sequentially reads the image signal data from the memory cartridge 10 in the same manner as described above. The read image signal data is band-expanded from the image data bus 18 according to the band compression method and compression ratio, and is output to the image data bus 18 and transferred to the image memory 2.
8 and stored. The decompressed image signal data stored in the image memory 28 is read out and output to the device output 46.
The operations output to are as described above.

Next, the case where protection is applied will be explained.

When the copy information is read out as described above and is determined to be protected by the protect information determination circuit 102, the determination is transmitted via the control bus 108.

In this case, the control circuit 24 stops the circuit operations described in steps 86 and subsequent steps, for example, and prohibits the write operation, that is, copying, to the memory card 12.

Therefore, unwanted copying of image data can be completely prevented.

In this embodiment, the control circuit 24 is connected to the band companding circuit 1.
Although the band compression format and compression ratio can be selectively set in 00, it does not necessarily have to be configured to be able to be set selectively like this. The expansion circuit may be fixedly set to 1.00.

Further, in the embodiments described above, a memory cartridge is used as the memory means, but the recording medium is not limited to the above, and an optical disk or a floppy disk may be used.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned copy information write/read circuit 104 and protect information discrimination circuit 106 may be constituted by a device having an arithmetic function such as a microprocessor.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the digital image storage and playback device of the present invention, when copying the image data stored in the first memory means to the second memory means, the first Copy information written in the memory means, such as copy distribution sales name, number of copies, etc., is also copied, and at the same time, the copy information in the first memory means is updated to manage the image data. From the first memory means, the right holder can manage, for what purpose, to whom the copies have been distributed, etc. Furthermore, if the image data is protected as copy information, the image data will not be copied against the will of the right holder, and the image data can be completely protected.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a digital image storage and reproducing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining circuit operation; and FIG. 3 is a memory map diagram of a memory cartridge. Code 10.12 in the figure; Memory cartridge 20.22; Address/control line 24; Control circuit 28; Image memory 60; Power supply section 100; Bandwidth companding circuit 104; Copy information writing/reading circuit 106; Protect information discrimination circuit . Diagram

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A digital image storage/reproduction device configured to read and reproduce digital image data stored in a first memory means, and copy the read digital image data to a second memory means, Information for managing the digital image data stored in the first memory means is written as copy information in a desired storage area of the first memory means, and is read out in the playback mode to be stored in the desired storage area of the second memory means. A digital image storage/reproduction device provided with a copy information writing/reading circuit for writing into the area and updating copy information stored in the first memory means. (2) The digital image storage and playback device according to claim 1, wherein the copy information includes protect information that prohibits reading of the digital image data stored in the first memory means. (3) Claim (1) further comprising a protect information discriminating circuit that discriminates protect information included in the copy information and prohibits copying of at least digital image data from the first memory means to the second memory means. The digital image storage and playback device described above.