Digital camera with biometric security

• US 6,433,818 B1
• Filed: 07/15/1999
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: FotoNation Inc. (Adeia, Inc.)
• Inventors: Prilutsky, Yuri, Steinberg, Eran
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, JACQUELINE B
• Application Number:
  US09/353,915
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 348/5.5, 348/77, 348/78, 348/160, 348/161, 348/207, 348/213, 348/220, 348/232, 348/333, 348/552, 713/182, 713/186, 382/115, 382/116, 382/117, 382/118
• US Class Current: 348/161
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00 Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
• 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 1/00344 with a management, maintenance, service or repair apparatus monitoring H04N1/00002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00925 Inhibiting an operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0097 Storage of instructions or parameters, e.g. customised instructions or different parameters for different user IDs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4433 to an apparatus, part of an apparatus or an apparatus function
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4486 using digital data encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus H04N2201/0013; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A programmable digital camera requiring a programming password to be entered to access the camera'"'"'s programmability. The camera further includes programming so as to allow the camera to be operated only for a specified time interval, after which the camera becomes inoperable until the programming password is again entered and the camera is programmed to operate for another interval of time. An alternate embodiment of the invention includes a programmable digital camera as above described wherein the camera is programmed to only capture a set number of images, at which point the programming password must again be entered and the camera reset for another quantity of images. A further alternate embodiment includes a camera system with a separate transmitter for radiating a signal designed to cover a designated area, the signal being modulated with a camera operational code. The camera is equipped with a corresponding receiver and demodulator to receive the operational code. The camera is programmed to check for the operational code periodically, and if the code is not received, the camera automatically shuts down, thereby limiting operation of the camera to the designated area. A still further embodiment includes a camera with a built-in apparatus for acquiring measured biometric data of a potential user, and comparing it with corresponding biometric signature data entered in the camera, and allowing camera operation only if there is a match.

Claims

1. A digital camera apparatus comprising:

(a) a digital camera, said camera including a camera housing having a built-in conversion apparatus for converting a light image to digital image data;

(b) biometric data apparatus built into said camera housing, said biometric data apparatus functioning independently of said conversion apparatus for acquiring signature biometric data representing a body part of an authorized person and for measuring prospective user biometric data from a prospective user, wherein said biometric data apparatus includes

(i) a light source for illuminating said iris;

(ii) a charge coupled device (CCD) for detecting an image; and

(iii) a beam splitter positionable to a first position for a user viewing an object, and positionable to a second position for reflecting light from said iris to said CCD, and for passing light from said object to said CCD; and

(c) computer apparatus built into said camera housing for directing said biometric apparatus and for analyzing and storing said signature data, and for comparing said prospective user data with said signature data and for directing the taking of a picture if said prospective user data is a match to said signature data, wherein said signature biometric data is data derived from an iris of an eye of said authorized person, and said prospective user data is data derived from an iris of an eye of said prospective user.

2. A digital camera apparatus comprising:

(a) a digital camera, said camera including a camera housing having a built-in conversion apparatus for converting a light image to digital image data;

(b) biometric data apparatus built into said camera housing, said biometric data apparatus functioning independently of said conversion apparatus for acquiring signature biometric data representing a body part of an authorized person and for measuring prospective user biometric data from a prospective user; and

(c) computer apparatus built into said camera housing for directing said biometric apparatus and for analyzing and storing said signature data, and for comparing said prospective user data with said signature data and for directing the taking of a picture if said prospective user data is a match to said signature data, wherein said computer apparatus is further for directing said biometric apparatus to make a plurality of measurements of said body part to determine movement or change of said body part as a function of time and brightness.