Digital camera system which allows a digital camera unit to communicate with peripheral devices via a human body

• US 8,081,226 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2008
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Yanagidate, Masaharu
• Primary Examiner(s): WHIPKEY, JASON T
• Application Number:
  US12/246,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20090079845A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 348/211.99, 348/211.1, 348/211.4, 348/211.6, 348/211.2
• US Class Current: 348/211.1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/38 Releasing-devices separate from shutter integral with shutter G03B9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00249 with a photographic apparatus, e.g. a photographic printer or a projector photographic apparatus per se G03B, G03D
• 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 1/00973 from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• 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 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0048 Type of connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0075 by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

A digital camera system includes a digital camera unit, and an authenticating unit in which unique setup control data of the digital camera unit is stored. The digital camera unit includes an imaging module that picks up an object image to generate image data, a first human body communication module that conducts communication via a human body, and a first controller that performs a setup operation related to at least one of a plurality of functions of the digital camera unit according to the setup control data received from the authenticating unit by the first human body communication module. In addition, the authenticating unit includes a second human body communication module that conducts communication via the human body, a setup control data storing unit in which the setup control data is stored, and a second controller that causes the setup control data to be transmitted to the digital camera unit via the second human body communication module.

Claims

1. A digital camera system comprising:

a digital camera unit; and

an authenticating unit in which setup control data and personal authentication data to identify an operator of the digital camera unit is stored,

wherein the digital camera unit includes;

an imaging module that picks up an object image to generate image data;

a first human body communication module that conducts communication via the human body of the operator;

a first storage device in which a personal authentication data list to identify an authorized operator is stored; and

a first controller that performs a setup operation related to at least one of a plurality of functions of the digital camera unit according to the setup control data received from the authenticating unit by the first human body communication module, only when the personal authentication data received from the authenticating unit by the first human body communication module is included in the personal authentication data list stored in the first storage device, and

wherein the authenticating unit includes;

a second human body communication module that conducts communication via the human body;

a second storage device in which the setup control data and the personal authentication data are stored; and

a second controller that causes the setup control data and the personal authentication data to be transmitted to the digital camera unit via the second human body communication module.

2. The digital camera system according to claim 1,

wherein at least one of the first and second controllers performs a determination operation which determines whether the communication via the human body can be conducted, on a periodical basis, and at least the personal authentication data in the second storage device is transmitted to the digital camera unit if the communication via the human body can be conducted, and

wherein the first controller sets the function of the digital camera unit so as to permit an operation of the digital camera unit without limitation or permit the operation of the digital camera unit with limitation of operation contents thereof, based on the setup control data after the determination operation.

3. The digital camera system according to claim 1,

wherein at least one of the first and second controllers performs a determination operation which determines whether the communication via the human body can be conducted, when power is inputted, and at least the personal authentication data in the second storage device is transmitted to the digital camera unit if the communication via the human body can be conducted, and

wherein the first controller sets the function of the digital camera unit so as to permit an operation of the digital camera unit without limitation or permit the operation of the digital camera unit with limitation of operation contents thereof, based on the setup control data after the determination operation.

4. The digital camera system according to claim 2 or 3,

wherein the setup control data which is transmitted to the digital camera unit after the determination operation includes a parameter of a function related to the object image pickup, and the first controller sets the function related to the object image pickup of the digital camera unit, based on the parameter.

5. The digital camera system according to claim 4,

wherein the second storage device is stored with the setup control data including the parameter of the function related to the object image pickup, and the personal authentication data, with the setup control data and the personal authentication data being paired, and

wherein the first controller updates the parameter being stored in the second storage device, via the first and second human body communication modules.

6. The digital camera system according to claim 1,

wherein the second storage device is stored with the personal authentication data and accounting data, with the personal authentication data and the accounting data being paired, and

wherein the first controller limits contents of the function related to the object image pickup, based on the accounting data.

7. The digital camera system according to claim 1,

wherein the second storage device stores with address information of an image storing unit, in which the image data generated by the digital camera unit is stored, the image storing unit being connected to the digital camera unit via an electrical communication network, and personal authentication data, with the address information and the personal authentication data being paired.

8. The digital camera system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an operation terminal unit that operates the digital camera unit remotely,

wherein

first controller performs an operation according to an operation instruction to control at least one of the timing of a shutter and a zoom function of a lens, the shutter and the lens are provided within the imaging module, information related to the timing and the zoom function is received from the operation terminal unit by the first human body communication module, and

wherein the operation terminal unit includes;

a third human body communication module that conducts communication via the human body;

an input unit that inputs the operation instruction; and

a third controller that causes the operation instruction to be transmitted to the digital camera unit via the third human body communication module.

9. The digital camera system according to claim 1,

wherein at least one of the first and second controllers performs a determination operation which determines whether the communication via the human body can be conducted, depending on an image pickup operation of the digital camera unit, and at least the personal authentication data in the second storage device is transmitted to the digital camera unit if the communication via the human body can be conducted.

10. A digital camera system comprising:

a digital camera unit; and

a flash unit that provides a flash function to the digital camera unit, wherein the digital camera unit includes;

an imaging module that picks up an object image to generate image data;

a first human body communication module that conducts communication via a human body; and

a first controller that causes a flash initiation instruction to control the flash timing of the flash unit to be transmitted to the flash unit via the first human body communication module, and

wherein the flash unit includes;

a second human body communication module that conducts communication via the human body; and

a second controller that controls the flash based on the flash initiation instruction received from the digital camera unit to the second human body communication module.

11. A digital camera system comprising:

a digital camera unit; and

an authenticating unit in which unique setup control data of the digital camera unit is stored,

wherein the digital camera unit includes;

an imaging module that picks up an object image to generate image data;

a first human body communication module that conducts communication via a human body; and

a first controller that performs a setup operation related to at least one of a plurality of functions of the digital camera unit according to the setup control data received from the authenticating unit by the first human body communication module, and

wherein the authenticating unit includes;

a second human body communication module that conducts communication via the human body;

a setup control data storing unit in which the setup control data is stored; and

a second controller that causes the setup control data to be transmitted to the digital camera unit via the second human body communication module, and

wherein the setup control data storing unit is stored with address information of an image storing unit in which the image data generated by the digital camera unit is stored, the image storing unit being connected to the digital camera unit via an electrical communication network, and authentication data to identify an operator, the address information and the authentication data being paired.