Image capture device and method for controlling image capture device

Abstract

To provide an imaging device capable of informing recipients of distribution by a third party when the third party illegally obtains the imaging device and distributes image data over a network.SOLUTION: An imaging unit 11 photographs a subject and generates photographic image data. A distribution photographic image processing unit 31 generates photographic image data for distribution based on the photographic image data. A control unit 50 requests distribution permission from an authentication server 80 when an operation to distribute the photographic image data for distribution to a network is performed, and determines whether the distribution permission has been notified from the authentication server 80. An image superimposing unit 32 superimposes a watermark image on the photographic image data for distribution when the distribution permission is notified from the authentication server 80. The image superimposing unit 32 superimposes a warning image on the photographic image data for distribution when the authentication server 80 notifies that distribution is not permitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a control method for the imaging apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An imaging device may superimpose a watermark image onto image data captured by an imaging unit, and record the superimposed image onto a recording medium or distribute the superimposed image over a network (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-328747 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If an imaging device is stolen, there is a risk that the thief will distribute image data over a network. For example, if the imaging device distributes image data over a network with a company logo superimposed on the image data as a watermark image, the recipient of the network distribution will recognize that the image data is distributed by a company. Therefore, when a third party other than the owner or manager of the imaging device illegally obtains the imaging device and distributes image data over a network, it is desirable to take measures to inform the recipient that the image data is distributed by a third party.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device and a control method for an imaging device that can inform a recipient that image data is being distributed by a third party when the third party illegally obtains the imaging device and distributes the image data over a network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides an imaging device comprising an imaging unit that photographs a subject and generates photographed image data; a distribution photographed image processing unit that generates distribution photographed image data based on the photographed image data; an image superimposition unit that superimposes a watermark image or a warning image on the distribution photographed image data; an output unit that outputs the distribution photographed image data with the watermark image or the warning image superimposed thereon to a network so as to be distributed; and a control unit that, when an operation is performed to distribute the distribution photographed image data over the network, requests permission for distribution from an authentication server and determines whether or not permission for distribution has been notified from the authentication server, wherein the control unit controls the image superimposition unit to superimpose the watermark image on the distribution photographed image data when permission for distribution is notified from the authentication server, and controls the image superimposition unit to superimpose the warning image on the distribution photographed image data when permission for distribution is notified from the authentication server.

[0007] The present invention provides a control method for an imaging device, in which a shooting image processing unit for distribution generates shooting image data for distribution, and when an operation is performed to distribute the shooting image data for distribution over a network, a control unit requests permission for distribution from an authentication server and determines whether or not permission for distribution has been notified from the authentication server, and when permission for distribution has been notified from the authentication server, an image superimposition unit superimposes a watermark image on the shooting image data for distribution and an output unit outputs the shooting image data for distribution with the watermark image superimposed to a network, and when permission for distribution is notified from the authentication server, the image superimposition unit superimposes a warning image on the shooting image data for distribution and the output unit outputs the shooting image data for distribution with the warning image superimposed to the network. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the imaging device and the control method for the imaging device of the present invention, when a third party illegally obtains an imaging device and distributes image data over a network, it is possible to inform the recipient that the distribution is by a third party. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram conceptually showing an alpha channel set for a watermark image Wm. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing one frame of captured image data for distribution D31 generated by the captured image for distribution processing unit 31 in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing one frame of the captured image data for distribution D32 on which a watermark image Wm has been superimposed by the image superimposing unit 32 in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5A] 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which permission for network distribution by an imaging device is set in an authentication server 80 appearing in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5B] 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which network distribution by an imaging device is not permitted as set in an authentication server 80. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram conceptually showing an α channel set for a warning image Iwg. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing one frame of the captured image data for distribution D32 on which a warning image Iwg has been superimposed by the image superimposing unit 32. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the imaging apparatus according to an embodiment and a process according to a control method for the imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An image pickup apparatus and a control method for the image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] 1, the imaging unit 11 includes an imaging element and a plurality of lenses, and captures an image of a subject with an angle of view of, for example, an aspect ratio of 16:9 to generate captured image data. The imaging element may be a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The image data storage unit 12 temporarily stores the captured image data output from the imaging unit 11. The image data storage unit 12 is a frame memory, and may be an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a DDR (Double-Data-Rate SDRAM).

[0012] The record-purpose captured image processing unit 22 performs at least one of scaling and noise reduction on the captured image data D12 read out from the image data storage unit 12 to prepare a record-purpose captured image.

[0013] As an example of scaling processing, when the captured image data output from the imaging unit 11 has a horizontal pixel count x vertical pixel count of 3840 x 2160, called 4K, the record captured image processing unit 22 reduces the pixel count to full HD 1920 x 1080. When the capacity of the recording medium 24 is sufficiently large, the record captured image processing unit 22 does not need to reduce the captured image data.

[0014] The recording processing unit 23 encodes the recording captured image data D22 and files it as necessary in order to record the recording captured image data D22 on the recording medium 24. The recording processing unit 23 records the encoded recording captured image data D22 on the recording medium 24. The recording medium 24 is any recording medium, and may be a memory card constituted by a flash memory or a hard disk drive.

[0015] It is not essential that the imaging device includes the recording captured image processing section 22 to the recording medium 24. The imaging device may not include the recording medium 24, and the recording captured image processing section 22 and the recording processing section 23 for recording the captured image data on the recording medium 24.

[0016] The captured image processing unit for distribution 31 performs scaling processing to reduce the number of lines and pixels on the captured image data D12 read out from the image data storage unit 12, and performs noise reduction processing as necessary to generate captured image data for distribution D31. The number of lines and the number of pixels of the captured image data for distribution D31 may be less than the number of lines and the number of pixels of the captured image data for recording D22. The captured image processing unit for distribution 31 may perform clipping processing to cut out a part of each frame of the captured image data D12.

[0017] The watermark image storage unit 331 stores watermark image data to be superimposed on the captured image data for distribution D31. The watermark image storage unit 331 is composed of a non-volatile memory. The watermark image data is composed of image data in a format having auxiliary data called an alpha channel that sets the opacity of the image. As an example, the watermark image data is in PNG format.

[0018] Fig. 2 conceptually shows an alpha channel set for the watermark image Wm indicated by the watermark image data. As an example, the background Wm00 in a rectangular area is set to 0% opacity (i.e., 100% transparency), and the mark Wm01 is set to 100% opacity (i.e., 0% transparency). In the example shown in Fig. 2, the mark Wm01 is the letters "W.MK." The mark Wm01 may also be a company logo.

[0019] The image superimposing unit 32 superimposes watermark image data representing the watermark image Wm on the captured image data for distribution D31 to generate captured image data for distribution D32. The watermark image Wm is an image such as a logo that the owner or manager of the imaging device decides to superimpose when distributing the captured image data for distribution D31 over a network.

[0020] Fig. 3 shows one frame of the photographed image data for distribution D31 output from the photographed image for distribution processing unit 31. Fig. 4 shows one frame of the photographed image data for distribution D32 on which the watermark image Wm is superimposed by the image superimposition unit 32. Because the background Wm00 is set to an opacity of 0% by the α channel, it appears that only the mark Wm01 with an opacity of 100% is superimposed on the photographed image data for distribution D32.

[0021] The output processing unit 34 encodes the photographed image data for distribution D32, performs protocol packetization processing and SDI (Serial Digital Interface) serialization processing as necessary, and supplies the encoded photographed image data for distribution D32 to the output unit 35. The output unit 35 outputs the encoded photographed image data for distribution D32 supplied from the output processing unit 34 to a network 60 outside the imaging device. A recipient who receives the photographed image data for distribution D32 receives the photographed image data for distribution D32 on, for example, a mobile terminal 71 or a personal computer 72 connected to the network 60.

[0022] Next, a configuration for notifying a recipient that image data has been distributed by a third party when the third party illegally obtains the imaging device shown in Fig. 1 and distributes the image data over a network will be described. A unique imaging device name or serial number is stored in non-volatile memory 51 as identification information for uniquely identifying the imaging device. Here, the identification information is the serial number. The serial number of the imaging device shown in Fig. 1 is J001001234, and the serial number is stored in non-volatile memory 51.

[0023] When the control unit 50 is to distribute the photographed image data D31 for distribution over the network, before starting the distribution, it notifies the authentication server 80 of the serial number via the output unit 35 and the network 60 and requests permission for distribution from the authentication server 80.

[0024] The GNSS receiver 52 receives radio waves from three or more satellites for a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). One example of the GNSS is the Global Positioning System (GPS). The control unit 50 calculates position information based on the GNSS signals received by the GNSS receiver 52 as radio waves from three or more satellites. The control unit 50 functions as a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of the imaging device. The control unit 50 controls the position information of the imaging device to be transmitted to the authentication server 80. It is not essential to transmit the position information of the imaging device to the authentication server 80, but it is preferable to transmit it.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 5A, in the authentication server 80, permission is set as permission for distribution corresponding to the serial number J001001234. When the imaging device transmits location information to the authentication server 80, the location information of the imaging device is stored corresponding to the serial number J001001234. The authentication server 80 notifies the control unit 50 of permission for distribution via the network 60 and the input unit 36. The control unit 50, which has been notified of permission for distribution, controls the image superimposing unit 32 to superimpose the watermark image Wm on the captured image data for distribution D31. The output unit 35 outputs the captured image data for distribution D32 on which the watermark image Wm is superimposed to the network 60.

[0026] Next, a response when the imaging device is stolen by a third party will be described. The user accesses the authentication server 80 by any device that can connect to the authentication server 80, such as a personal computer. As shown in FIG. 5B, the user sets the permission of distribution corresponding to serial number J001001234 to not permitted. Once distribution in the authentication server 80 has been set to not permitted, a password that the user has set in advance in the authentication server 80 is required to return the setting from not permitted to permitted. This prevents a third party from returning the setting from not permitted to permitted. A password may be required when setting the permission of distribution in the authentication server 80 to not permitted.

[0027] Suppose a third party operates the imaging device to distribute captured image data D31 for distribution. Before starting distribution, the control unit 50 notifies the authentication server 80 of the serial number via the output unit 35 and the network 60, and requests permission for distribution from the authentication server 80. The control unit 50 controls the transmission of location information of the imaging device to the authentication server 80. Then, since the authentication server 80 has a setting for disallowing distribution corresponding to the serial number J001001234, the control unit 50 notifies the control unit 50 of disallowance of distribution.

[0028] In Fig. 5B, the location information of the imaging device corresponding to serial number J001001234 has been rewritten to the location information transmitted when a third party attempted to distribute the captured image data for distribution D31. If the location information of the imaging device is stored in the authentication server 80, it is possible to obtain the location information of a stolen imaging device. The user can receive the location information and search for the imaging device.

[0029] 1, warning image storage unit 332 stores warning image data showing a predetermined warning image. Warning image storage unit 332 is configured with a non-volatile memory. Watermark image storage unit 331 and warning image storage unit 332 may be a single non-volatile memory. The warning image data is also configured with image data in, for example, PNG format and in a format having an alpha channel.

[0030] Fig. 6 conceptually shows an alpha channel set for a warning image Iwg indicated by warning image data. As an example, the background Iwg00 in a rectangular area is set to an opacity of 0%, and the mark Iwg01 and the end Iwg02 of the rectangular area are set to an opacity of 100%. In the example shown in Fig. 62, the mark Iwg01 is the word "WARNING". The end Iwg02 may be set to an opacity of 0%.

[0031] The control unit 50, which has been notified that distribution is not permitted, controls the image superimposition unit 32 to superimpose a warning image Iwg instead of the watermark image Wm on the captured image data for distribution D31. The image superimposition unit 32 superimposes warning image data indicating the warning image Iwg on the captured image data for distribution D31 to generate captured image data for distribution D32. Fig. 7 shows one frame of the captured image data for distribution D32 on which the warning image Iwg has been superimposed by the image superimposition unit 32.

[0032] The output unit 35 outputs the photographed image data for distribution D32 on which the warning image Iwg is superimposed to the network 60. Since an image as shown in Fig. 7 is displayed on the mobile terminal 71 or personal computer 72 owned by the recipient who receives the photographed image data for distribution D32, the recipient can recognize that the data is being distributed by a third party. The control unit 50 preferably controls the output unit 35 to cut off distribution of the photographed image data for distribution D32 on which the warning image Iwg is superimposed after a predetermined period of time.

[0033] With the above-described configuration and operation, the imaging device of this embodiment can inform the recipient that image data has been distributed by a third party when the third party illegally obtains the imaging device and distributes the image data over a network.

[0034] The operation of the imaging device of this embodiment and the process of the control method of the imaging device of this embodiment will be described again with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 8. In Fig. 8, when the imaging device starts its operation, the control unit 50 determines in step S1 whether or not an operation to distribute captured image data (captured image data for distribution D31) has been performed. If an operation to distribute captured image data has not been performed (NO), the control unit 50 repeats the process of step S1.

[0035] If an operation to distribute captured image data is performed in step S1 (YES), the control unit 50 notifies the authentication server 80 of the identification information of the imaging device in step S2 and requests permission for distribution. Then, the control unit 50 determines in step S3 whether or not permission for distribution has been notified from the authentication server 80.

[0036] If permission for distribution is notified from the authentication server 80 in step S3 (YES), the control unit 50 controls the image superimposing unit 32 and the output unit 35 to distribute the captured image data for distribution D32 with the watermark image Wm superimposed thereon over the network in step S4. The control unit 50 determines in step S5 whether or not an operation to end the network distribution has been performed. If an operation to end the network distribution has not been performed (NO), the control unit 50 repeats the processes of steps S4 and S5.

[0037] If an operation to end the network distribution is performed in step S5 (YES), the control unit 50 performs control to end the network distribution in step S6, and determines whether or not a power-off operation is performed in step S7. If a power-off operation is not performed (NO), the control unit 50 returns the process to step S1. If a power-off operation is performed (YES), the control unit 50 ends the process.

[0038] On the other hand, if permission for distribution is not notified from the authentication server 80 in step S3 (NO), the control unit 50 controls the image superimposing unit 32 and the output unit 35 to distribute the captured image data for distribution D32 with the warning image Iwg superimposed thereon over the network in step S8. The control unit 50 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed in step S9. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO), the control unit 50 repeats the processes of steps S8 and S9. If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES), the control unit 50 controls the output unit 35 to cut off the network distribution in step S10, and transitions the process to step S7.

[0039] Although not shown in FIG. 8, if a third party performs an operation to end the network distribution before the predetermined time has elapsed in step S9, the control unit 50 may perform control to end the network distribution.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 11 Imaging unit 12 Image data storage unit 22 Recording image processing section 23 Recording processing section 24 Recording media 31 Distribution image capture processing unit 32 Image Overlay Unit 34 Output Processing Section 35 Output section 36 Input section 50 Control unit (location information acquisition unit) 51 Non-volatile memory 52 GNSS receiver 53 Operation section 60 Network 71 Mobile devices 72 Personal Computers 80 Authentication Server 222 Reproduction image processing section 331 Watermark Image Storage Unit 332 Warning image storage unit

Claims

1. an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and generates captured image data; a distribution-purpose captured image processing unit that generates distribution-purpose captured image data based on the captured image data; an image superimposing unit that superimposes a watermark image or a warning image on the captured image data for distribution; an output unit that outputs the photographed image data for distribution on which the watermark image or the warning image is superimposed to a network for distribution; a control unit that, when an operation for distributing the captured image data for distribution over a network is performed, requests an authentication server for permission to distribute the captured image data, and determines whether or not permission to distribute the captured image data has been notified by the authentication server; Equipped with The control unit is when the authorization for distribution is notified from the authentication server, the image superimposing unit is controlled to superimpose the watermark image on the photographed image data for distribution; When the authentication server notifies the user that distribution is not permitted, the image superimposing unit is controlled to superimpose the warning image on the captured image data for distribution. Imaging device.

2. a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of the imaging device, The control unit transmits the position information of the imaging device acquired by the position information acquisition unit to the authentication server. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

3. A distribution-purpose captured image processing unit generates distribution-purpose captured image data, when an operation for distributing the photographed image data to be distributed over a network is performed, a control unit requests an authentication server for permission to distribute the photographed image data to be distributed, and determines whether or not permission to distribute the photographed image data to be distributed has been notified from the authentication server; When permission for distribution is notified from the authentication server, an image superimposing unit superimposes a watermark image on the photographed image data for distribution, and an output unit outputs the photographed image data for distribution on which the watermark image is superimposed to a network; When a notification of non-permission of distribution is received from the authentication server, the image superimposing unit superimposes a warning image on the photographed image data for distribution, and an output unit outputs the photographed image data for distribution on which the warning image is superimposed to a network. A method for controlling an imaging device.

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