Image Capture Apparatus Selective EXIF Tag Deletion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital images captured by cameras can leak additional information such as image-capturing details and personal information when transferred over public networks like the Internet, posing a risk of misuse.
Innovation Solution
An image capture apparatus that includes an image processing unit to create a transferring image file by deleting predetermined additional information from the image file before transmission, using a network control unit to manage and delete specific tags in EXIF format image files, ensuring only essential information is shared.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If additional information is added to image files for identification and metadata purposes, then image management and retrieval are improved, but information security deteriorates due to risk of unauthorized access and data leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image file into two distinct parts: the image data itself and the additional information (EXIF tags). This allows selective handling of each part - the image data is transmitted intact while the additional information is selectively deleted or encrypted before transmission, resolving the contradiction between maintaining information completeness and preventing leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the additional information (EXIF tags containing personal data, location, metadata) from the image file before transmission. By separating this sensitive information from the core image data, the system can transmit the image while removing or protecting the sensitive metadata, thus preventing information leakage without compromising image integrity.
2Reliability
If personal information is added to image files for identification purposes, then user identification and tracking are improved, but security risk increases due to potential misuse by malicious users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes personal information (name, address, contact details) from the EXIF tags before transmission. This extraction allows the system to maintain user identification capability through alternative means (such as authenticated communication protocols) while eliminating the security risk associated with storing sensitive personal data in the image file.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (secure transmission protocol with authentication) that replaces direct inclusion of personal information in the image file. This intermediary allows reliable user identification through authenticated communication channels without embedding sensitive personal data in the transmitted image file, thus reducing security risk.
3Adaptability or versatility
If image files are transmitted over public networks for sharing purposes, then communication versatility is improved, but information security deteriorates due to exposure to unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by deleting or encrypting sensitive additional information from the image file before transmission over the public network. This pre-processing step ensures that even if the image file is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized users during transmission, the sensitive information remains protected, thus maintaining security while enabling versatile communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of information leakage into a benefit by implementing selective deletion of sensitive EXIF tags. This approach, while reducing information completeness, actually enhances security and enables broader communication versatility, as the transmitted images cannot be misused by unauthorized users despite being shared over public networks.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture apparatus includes an image capture unit, an image processing unit, a memory, and a network interface unit. The image capture unit captures an image. The image processing unit generates an image file including the captured image and additional information and stores the image file in a storage medium. The memory stores the image file read from the storage medium. The network interface unit transmits the image file stored in the memory to an external apparatus via a network. Furthermore, the network interface unit deletes predetermined additional information from the image file before transmitting the image file to the external apparatus, the predetermined additional information including information relating to a user of the image capture apparatus.