CAMERA SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION RELATED TO USER AUTHORIZATION AND IMAGE DATA OVER A RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

• US 20080068465A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: KONDOH, Takashi
• Granted Patent: US 7,733,377 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00137 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00342 with a radio frequency tag transmitter or receiver storage of additional information in an RFID tag attached to an image bearing paper sheet H04N1/32138
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32138 in an electronic device attached to the sheet, e.g. in an RFID tag
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4406 Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity mechanisms actuated y cards, PIN or the like in apparatus for dispensing G07F7/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4426 involving separate means, e.g. a server, a magnetic card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4433 to an apparatus, part of an apparatus or an apparatus function
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4182 for identification purposes, e.g. storing user identification data, preferences, personal settings or data restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code in combination with an additional device, e.g. dongle or smart card G06F21/123
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/441 : Acquiring end-user identification , e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0053 : Optical, e.g. using an infrared link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 : By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 : of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3246 : of data relating to permitted access or usage, e.g. level of access or usage parameters for digital rights management [DRM] related to still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 : between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 : using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

An information processing system, such as a camera system, includes a radio communication system and an information appliance (such as a camera) communicable with the radio communication system within a predetermined distance. The information appliance includes an image pickup for obtaining image data by photographing a subject, a storing part for storing information peculiar to a user of the information appliance, a radio communication part for transmitting a predetermined radio signal and for reading information from the radio communication system, and an authorization part for authorizing the user by collating information from the radio communication system read at the radio communication part with stored information peculiar to the user. The radio communication system includes storage for storing predetermined information and a transmission part for receiving a radio signal generated at the information appliance and for transmitting the stored predetermined signal as a radio signal.

Claims

1. A method of utilizing a camera system which includes a radio communication medium and a camera communicable with said radio communication medium within a predetermined distance, said method comprising:

obtaining image data by photographing a subject with the camera;

storing information peculiar to a user of the camera in the camera;

transmitting a predetermined radio signal from the camera to the radio communication medium;

transmitting predetermined information stored in the radio communication medium from the radio communication medium to the camera, in response to receiving the predetermined radio signal from the camera;

authorizing the camera user by collating the predetermined information transmitted by the radio communication medium with the information peculiar to the camera user stored in the camera;

recording information related to the authorized camera user in a related manner with the image data photographed by the camera.

2. A method of utilizing a camera system which includes a radio communication medium adapted to be provided on a subject, and a camera communicable with said radio communication medium within a predetermined distance, said method comprising:

obtaining image data by photographing the subject with the camera;

transmitting a predetermined radio signal from the camera to the radio communication medium;

transmitting predetermined information, including own information of the subject, stored in the radio communication medium from the radio communication medium to the camera, in response to receiving the predetermined radio signal from the camera;

temporarily maintaining the predetermined information transmitted by the radio communication medium as information peculiar to the subject; and

recording the information peculiar to the subject in a related manner with the image data of the subject photographed by the camera.

3. A method of utilizing a camera system which includes a camera user radio communication medium adapted to be provided on a camera user, a subject radio communication medium adapted to be provided on a subject, and a camera communicable with each said radio communication medium within a predetermined distance, said method comprising:

obtaining image data by photographing the subject with the camera;

storing in advance information peculiar to the camera user in the camera;

setting the camera to a subject information acquisition mode for acquiring information peculiar to the subject;

transmitting a predetermined radio signal from the camera to the camera user and subject radio communication mediums;

transmitting predetermined information, including own information of the camera user stored in the camera user radio communication medium and own information of the subject stored in the subject radio communication medium, from the camera user and subject radio communication mediums to the camera, in response to receiving the predetermined radio signal from the camera;

authorizing the camera user by collating the own information of the camera user transmitted by the camera user radio communication medium with the information peculiar to the camera user stored in the camera;

temporarily maintaining the own information of the subject transmitted by the subject radio communication medium as the information peculiar to the subject; and

recording information related to the camera user authorized by the camera while connecting the information related to the camera user with the image data photographed by the camera

recording the information peculiar to the subject in a related manner with the image data of the subject photographed by the camera along with information related to the authorized camera user, when the subject information acquisition mode is set.