Recording apparatus, communications apparatus, recording system, communications system, and methods therefor for setting the recording function of the recording apparatus in a restricted state

• US 7,619,657 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2001
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Watanabe, Mikio, Muta, Tomomitsu, Tsubaki, Hisayoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Jerabek; Kelly L
• Application Number:
  US09/969,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20020039479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,966 Days
• Field of Search: 3482111-2114, 348/211.11, 348/211.99, 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/207.1, 348/207.99, 348/211.34, 396/56
• US Class Current: 348/211.2
• 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 1/00281 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 1/00925 Inhibiting an operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91335 the copy protection signal being a watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• 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 2201/3212 of data relating to a job, e.g. communication, capture or filing of an image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3276 of a customised additional information profile, e.g. a profile specific to a user ID
• 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 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9261 involving data reduction

Abstract

A recording apparatus includes a communications device which can receive from another communications apparatus by wireless an image-capturing condition of restricting an image-capturing process or a sound recording condition of restricting a sound recording process, and a device which performs an image-capturing or sound recording process according to the received image-capturing condition or sound recording condition. Thus, a user can automatically set a recording function of a recording apparatus in a restricted state without special care in a position where image-capturing, sound recording, etc. are prohibited, thereby recording on an allowed condition. Since it further includes a communications device which can receive by wireless from another communications apparatus a reproducing condition of restricting a reproducing function of an image, and a reproducing device which reproduces an image according to the received reproducing condition, an available function can be used by easily specifying a user of the communications apparatus.

Claims

1. A recording apparatus, comprising:

a first communications device which wirelessly receives one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions and payment information about a use rate for one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions broadcast from a communications apparatus;

a device which performs one or both of an image-capturing process and a sound recording process according to the one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions; and

a display device which displays the received information about the use rate and the one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communications device receives information about a use rate for at least one of image-capturing and sound recording by wireless, and comprises a display device which displays the received information about the use rate, and the information about the at least one of the image-capturing condition and the sound recording condition.

3. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an input device which inputs information about said use rate for a user performing the at least one of the image-capturing process and the sound recording process, and acknowledgment information about the at least one of the image-capturing condition and the sound recording condition,

wherein the first communications device wirelessly transmits the acknowledgment information input by the user to another communications apparatus.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

a second communications device which receives identification information from a communications apparatus by wireless,

wherein the first communications device transmits the identification information received by the second communications device to another communications apparatus by wireless.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first communications device transmits information required for accounts for identification information specifying a user together with the acknowledgment information to another communications apparatus by wireless.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

a second communications device which receives identification information from a communications apparatus by wireless,

wherein the first communications device transmits the identification information received by the second communications device to another communications apparatus by wireless.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the image-capturing condition includes at least one of permitting all image-capturing processes, permitting image-capturing using a flash, permitting image-capturing with a resolution of at least predetermined number of pixels, permitting image-capturing using a specified model of a recording apparatus, inserting predetermined information claiming a copyright into data of a captured image, compressing a captured image, settings of a condition of resolution of captured image information, and permissions on sound issued by a recording apparatus after the image-capturing process; and

the sound recording condition includes at least one of permitting all sound recording processes, compressing voice information to be recorded, and resolution of voice information to be recorded.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first communications device receives information about a use rate for at least one of image-capturing and sound recording by wireless, and comprises a display device which displays the received information about the use rate, and the information about the at least one of the image-capturing condition and the sound recording condition.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

an input device which inputs information about a use rate for a user performing the at least one of the image-capturing process and the sound recording process, and acknowledgment information about the at least one of the image-capturing condition and the sound recording condition,

wherein the first communications device transmits the acknowledgment information input by the user to another communications apparatus by wireless.

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:

a second communications device which receives identification information from a communications apparatus by wireless,

wherein the first communications device transmits the identification information received by the second communications device to another communications apparatus by wireless.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first communications device transmits information required for accounts for identification information specifying a user together with the acknowledgment information to another communications apparatus by wireless.

12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

a second communications device which receives identification information from a communications apparatus by wireless,

wherein the first communications device transmits the identification information received by the second communications device to another communications apparatus by wireless.

13. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communications device wirelessly transmits performance information regarding the at least one of the image-capturing process and the sound recording process to the communications apparatus in order to calculate a charge based on the performance information.

14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein:

the recording apparatus performs the image-capturing process, and

the performance information comprises at least one of a number, resolution, size and compression rate of images that are recorded when the image-capturing process is performed.

15. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first communications device receives information about a use rate for charging a user of the recording device, the charge being calculated based on the use rate and the performance information.

16. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the recording apparatus being configured to operate according to recording conditions corresponding to a plurality of wireless communication ranges, respectively, the plurality of wireless communication ranges being controlled by a plurality of communication apparatuses, respectively, wherein

the first communications device receives the recording condition corresponding to the particular wireless communication range in which the recording apparatus is currently located from the communication apparatus controlling the particular wireless communication range, the received recording condition comprising the at least one of the image-capturing condition of permitting an image-capturing process and the sound recording condition of permitting a sound recording process,

the at least one of an image-capturing process and a sound recording process is performed according to the received recording condition while the communication apparatus is located within the particular wireless communication range, and

the plurality of wireless communication ranges are within a premises employing a common scheme for restricting the at least one of the image-capturing process and the sound recording process in each of the wireless communication ranges.

17. A communications apparatus comprising:

a recording device which records permissive conditions, the permissive conditions being at least one of an image-capturing condition of permitting an image-capturing process by a recording apparatus carried by a user

a communications device which wirelessly transmits one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions recorded in the recording device to the recording apparatus, and

a rate reception device which receives payment information about a use rate for one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions from a user,

wherein the communications device reads the one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions in accordance with the use rate received by the rate reception device from the recording device, and wirelessly transmits the read permissive conditions to the recording apparatus carried by the user.

18. The communications apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a display device which displays information about a use rate for at least one of image-capturing and sound recording, and information about the at least one of the image-capturing condition and the sound recording condition to the user.

19. The communications apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the communications device transmits information about a use rate for at least one of image-capturing and sound recording to the recording apparatus by wireless.

20. The communications apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the communications device receives accounting information about at least one of image-capturing and sound recording from the user, reads the at least one of the image-capturing condition and the sound recording condition in accordance with the received accounting information from the recording device, and transmits the condition to the recording apparatus carried by the user by wireless.

21. The communications apparatus according to claim 17, wherein:

the communications device receives performance information from the recording apparatus regarding the at least one of the image capturing process and the sound recording process, which is performed by the user of the recording apparatus, and

the communications apparatus charges the user based on the received performance information.

22. The communication apparatus according to claim 17, the communication apparatus for controlling a particular one of a plurality of wireless communication ranges, which correspond to respective recording conditions, wherein

each of the recording conditions comprises at least one of an image-capturing condition of permitting an image-capturing process and a sound recording condition of permitting a sound recording process,

the communication device wirelessly transmits the recording condition corresponding to the particular wireless communication range,

the communication apparatus is one of a plurality of communication apparatuses controlling the plurality of wireless communication ranges, respectively, and

the plurality of wireless communication ranges are within a premises employing a common scheme for restricting the at least one of the image-capturing process and the sound recording process in each of the wireless communication ranges.

23. A recording system comprising:

a recording apparatus comprising;

a first communications device which wirelessly receives one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions and payment information about a use rate for one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions broadcast from a communications apparatus; and

a device which performs one or both of an image-capturing process and a sound recording process according to the one or both of image-capturing and sound permissive conditions; and

said communications apparatus comprising;

a recording device which records permissive conditions, the permissive conditions being at least one of the image-capturing permissive condition and the sound recording permissive condition of permitting an image capturing and sound recording process by the recording apparatus; and

a second communications device which wirelessly transmits one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions recorded in the recording device to the recording apparatus,

a rate reception device which receives a use rate for one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions from a user,

wherein the communications device reads the one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions in accordance with the use rate received by the rate reception device from the recording device, and wirelessly transmits the read permissive conditions to the recording apparatus carried by the user,

wherein the image-capturing condition permits the quality of an image captured according to the image-capturing process including permission of image-capturing at a resolution greater than a predetermined number of pixels, and the sound recording condition permits the quality of sound captured according to the sound recording process.

24. The recording system according to claim 23, wherein the communications apparatus performs the following:

receives performance information from the recording apparatus regarding the at least one of the image capturing process and the sound recording process, which is performed by the user of the recording apparatus, and

charges the user based on the received performance information.

25. The recording system according to claim 23, the recording system implementing recording conditions corresponding to a plurality of wireless communication ranges, respectively, wherein

the communication apparatus is one of a plurality of communication apparatuses controlling the plurality of wireless communication ranges, respectively, which controls the particular wireless communication range in which the recording apparatus is currently located,

the first communications device receives, from the communication apparatus, the recording condition corresponding to the particular wireless communication range, the received recording condition comprising the at least one of the image-capturing condition of permitting an image-capturing process and the sound recording condition of permitting a sound recording process,

the at least one of an image-capturing process and a sound recording process is performed by the recording apparatus according to the received recording condition while the communication apparatus is located within the particular wireless communication range, and

the plurality of wireless communication ranges are within a premises employing a common scheme for restricting the at least one of the image-capturing process and the sound recording process in each of the wireless communication ranges.

26. A recording method comprising the steps of:

reading a restrictive condition, the restrictive condition being one or both of an image-capturing condition and sound recording permissive condition, the at least one of the image-capturing condition and the sound recording condition being recorded in a recording device of a communications apparatus controlling a particular wireless communication range, and wirelessly transmitting one or both of the image-capturing and the sound recording permissive conditions to the recording apparatus;

a rate reception device which receives payment information about a use rate for one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions form a user;

wirelessly receiving one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions and information about a use rate for one or both of image-capturing and sound recording permissive conditions; and

performing at least one of an image-capturing process and a sound recording process by the recording apparatus according to one or both of the image-capturing and the sound recording permissive conditions.

27. The recording method according to claim 26, further comprising:

transmitting, from the recording apparatus to the communications apparatus, performance information regarding the at least one of the image capturing process and the sound recording process, which is performed by the user of the recording apparatus, and

charging the user based on the received performance information.

28. The recording method according to claim 27, further comprising:

receiving, at the communications apparatus, acceptance of a use rate from the recording apparatus,

wherein the charge to the user is calculated based on the use rate and performance information.

29. The recording method according to claim 26, further comprising implementing recording conditions corresponding to a plurality of wireless communication ranges, respectively, wherein

the communication apparatus is a particular one of a plurality of communication apparatuses controlling the plurality of wireless communication ranges, respectively, which controls the particular wireless communication range in which the recording apparatus is currently located,

the recording condition corresponding to the particular wireless communication range is wirelessly received by the recording apparatus from the communication apparatus, the received recording condition comprising the at least one of the image-capturing condition of permitting an image-capturing process and the sound recording condition of permitting a sound recording process, and

the plurality of wireless communication ranges are within a premises employing a common scheme for restricting the at least one of the image-capturing process and the sound recording process in each of the wireless communication ranges.