|
Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera includes a user-register that registers a user
who can use the digital camera as a registered user, and a user-judge
that judges whether a user attempting to use the digital camera,
is the registered user or not. The digital camera becomes operable
when the user-judge judges the user attempting to use the digital
camera is a registered user.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A digital camera comprising; a user-register that registers a
user who can use said digital camera as a registered user; and a
user-judge that judges whether a user attempting to use said digital
camera, is said registered user or not; wherein said digital camera
becomes operable when said user-judge judges said user attempting
to use said digital camera is said registered user.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising,
an on-mode setter that sets a judgment execution mode where said
user-judge judges whether said user attempting to use said digital
camera, is said registered user or not; and an off-mode setter that
sets a judgment execution off mode where said user-judge does not
judge whether said user attempting to use said digital camera, is
said registered user or not; wherein said digital camera becomes
operable when said user-judge judges said user attempting to use
said digital camera is said registered user in said judgment execution
mode, and when said judgment execution off mode is set.
3. The digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising,
a timer that measures an off mode time which is a continuous time
period said judgment execution off mode has been set; wherein said
on-mode setter sets said judgment execution mode when said off mode
time passes a predetermined time limit for said off mode time.
4. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein said off-mode
setter sets said judgment execution off mode, by an operation of
said registered user.
5. The digital camera according to claim 4, further comprising,
a timer that measures an off mode time which is a continuous time
period said judgment execution off mode has been set; and a time-limit
setter that sets a time limit for said off mode time, by an operation
of said registered user; wherein said on-mode setter sets said judgment
execution mode when said off mode time passes said time limit.
6. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein said time-limit
setter sets said time limit which is selected from a plurality of
candidate time limits, by said registered user.
7. The digital camera according to claim 4, further comprising,
a switch which can be operated by said registered user; wherein
said off-mode setter sets said judgment execution off mode, with
a first operation of said switch by said registered user.
8. The digital camera according to claim 7, wherein said on-mode
setter sets said judgment execution mode, with a second operation
of said switch, being different from said first operation, by said
registered user.
9. The digital camera according to claim 7, wherein said switch
is a power switch for starting said digital camera.
10. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising,
a parameter recorder for recording a parameter which is selected
by said registered user; wherein said parameter and registered user
information which indicates said registered user who selected said
parameter, are recorded in said parameter recorder.
11. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising,
an image memory for storing a photographed image; wherein said photographed
image and registered user information which indicates said registered
user who photographed said image, are stored in said image memory.
12. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said user-judge
judges whether said user attempting to use said digital camera,
is said registered user or not, based on an identification code
input by said user attempting to use said digital camera.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a digital camera having
a function for identifying a user.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, in cameras, parameters, photographing modes and
so on can be set by users for adjusting various photographing functions,
and they can be stored in the camera. On the other hand, in digital
cameras, photographed images can be replayed on monitors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In case a digital camera is used by a plurality of users,
parameters, or photographing modes set by a user can be changed
by another user, and the changed parameters and so on can be updated
and stored. In a similar case, image data which should be kept secret,
may be replayed or deleted by users who were not the photographers.
[0006] Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide
a digital camera which has a user identifying function, so that
identified users can selectively use the digital camera.
[0007] A digital camera according to the present invention, includes
a user-register that registers a user who can use the digital camera
as a registered user, and a user-judge that judges whether a user
attempting to use the digital camera is a registered user or not.
The digital camera becomes operable when the user-judge judges the
user attempting to use the digital camera is a registered user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will be better understood from the
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention set forth
below together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of a digital camera of the first
embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a view representing a screen displayed on an LCD
monitor for inputting user identification codes;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view representing a menu selection screen displayed
on the LCD monitor;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the digital camera;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a conceptual view representing parameters stored
in a flash memory for each registered user;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a conceptual view representing image data stored
in a memory card for each registered user;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a flowchart representing a user identification
routine to judge whether a user attempting to use the digital camera
is a registered user or not in the first embodiment; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a flowchart representing a user identification
routine in the second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention
are described with reference to the attached drawings.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view of the digital camera of the first
embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera.
[0020] On an upper surface 10U of the digital camera 10, a release
button 12, a mode dial 14, and a power switch 25 are provided. On
a front surface 10F of the digital camera 10, a photographing optical
system 16 including a zoom lens, and a lighting device 20 are provided.
Further, on a rear surface 10B of the digital camera 10, an LCD
monitor 22 for displaying a subject image, buttons for executing
predetermined operations, including a menu button 11, a focus setting
button 13, a flash setting button 15, an image deleting button 17,
a cross key 21, a zoom lever 27, and so on are provided (see FIG.
2).
[0021] FIG. 3 is a view representing a screen displayed on the
LCD monitor 22 for inputting user identification codes. FIG. 4 is
a view representing a menu selection screen displayed on the LCD
monitor 22.
[0022] When the digital camera 10 is used for the first time, an
initial setting is carries out by the user. For the initial setting,
predetermined screens are automatically displayed on the LCD monitor
22. One of the screens for initial setting, is for registering a
user and is shown in FIG. 3. A user who uses the digital camera
10 for the first time, is registered as an owner user by inputting
a user ID and a password to the screen by using the cross key 21,
the OK button 23 and so on.
[0023] The owner user registered in the digital camera 10, can
register other new users as regular users who are allowed to use
the digital camera 10. In this case, the menu selection screen is
displayed on the LCD monitor 22 by pressing the menu button 11,
and then the screen for inputting user identification codes shown
in FIG. 3 is selected and displayed. When a new user who is allowed
to use the digital camera 10 inputs his user ID and a password,
the user is registered as a regular user. As mentioned above, a
user who can use the digital camera 10, is registered as an owner
user who has predetermined authorities, or as a regular user who
is permitted to use the digital camera 10 by the owner user. Hereinafter,
the owner user and the regular user are called a registered user.
[0024] In the digital camera 10, a judgment execution mode where
the user attempting to use the digital camera 10 is judged to be
a registered user or not, and a judgment execution off mode where
the user attempting to use the digital camera 10 is not judged to
be a registered user or not, can be selected. That is, a registered
user can set the digital camera 10 to judge the user when a usage
is attempted at the next time after turning off the digital camera
10, by an operation of the power switch 25, or not to judge the
user. This setting can be conducted by selecting an "ON"
or "OFF" item of the "USER IDENTIFYING FUNCTION"
on the menu selection screen (see FIG. 4). When the judgment execution
mode is set, the screen for inputting user identification codes
is automatically displayed on the LCD monitor 22 at the next starting
time of the digital camera 10.
[0025] On the other hand, when the judgment execution off mode
is set as shown in FIG. 4, the screen for inputting user identification
codes is not typically displayed at the next starting time, therefore,
the digital camera 10 becomes operable without inputting a user
ID. However, not carrying out the user judgment for a long time
is not desirable in terms of controlling the digital camera 10.
Therefore, when the judgment execution off mode is set, a time limit
for the judgment execution off mode can further set by the registered
user. The time limit for the judgment execution off mode is selected
from a predetermined plurality of candidate time limits, such as
24 hours and 48 hours, on the menu selection screen, and set by
the registered user. The time limit may also be set to a desirable
arbitrary time by the cross key 21 and so on.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the digital camera 10.
[0027] In the digital camera 10, a microprocessor 19 for controlling
all of the digital camera 10, is provided. Further, the digital
camera 10 is provided with a flash memory 42 built-in for storing
image data and so on, an EEPROM 44 for storing data for the signal
processes carried out in the microprocessor 19, a clock IC 48 for
time control, and so on. The mode dial 14, the power switch 25 and
so on are connected to the microprocessor 19. When the power switch
25 is pressed by a user, the power of the digital camera 10 is turned
on, and the microprocessor 19 starts.
[0028] In the judgment execution mode, the microprocessor 19 transmits
predetermined signals to the LCD monitor 22, so that the screen
for inputting user identification codes is displayed. When a user
ID and a password are input, signals corresponding to the input
information are transmitted to the microprocessor 19. In the microprocessor
19, whether the combination of the user ID and the password represented
by the signals, matches one of that of a registered user previously
stored in the flash memory 42, or not is judged. When it is judged
that the combination of the user ID and the password matches that
of the registered user, the digital camera 10 becomes operable.
On the other hand, when it is judged that the combination of the
user ID and the password does not match one that of a registered
user, any operation, except for turning the power source off, and
inputting user IDs and passwords is invalidated by the microprocessor
19, as long as a user ID and a pass word corresponding to the user
ID are not input. At the time, a warning message is displayed on
the LCD monitor 22 to inform the user attempting to use the digital
camera 10 that the digital camera 10 will not become operable, based
on the signals from the microprocessor 19.
[0029] On the other hand, in the judgment execution off mode, it
is not judged whether the user attempting to use the digital camera
10 is a registered user or not, and the microprocessor 19 controls
the digital camera 10 to be operable without inputting the user
ID and so on.
[0030] The photographing mode for photographing a subject, and
the replaying mode for replaying an image and so on, are selectively
set by rotating the mode dial 14 to a predetermined position, and
signals corresponding to the position of the mode dial 14 are transmitted
to the microprocessor 19. The microprocessor 19 is connected to
the menu button 11, the focus setting button 13, the flash setting
button 15, the image deleting button 17, the cross key 21, a telephoto
switch SWT for telephotographing and a wide angle switch SWW for
wide angle photographing which is turned on by the operation of
the zoom lever 27. When these buttons and switches are operated,
signals corresponding to the operation are transmitted to the microprocessor
19. Users can select various parameters for photographing and so
on by operating these buttons and switches. For example, desirable
parameters for recording size (resolution of images), image quality,
white balance, AF areas, photometry method, lighting of the lighting
device 20 and so on, are selected from selectable parameters and
used for photographing subjects. Note that the selection of the
parameter, includes not only selecting index numbers, but also selecting
a mode from the plurality of predetermined modes.
[0031] When the release button 12 is half depressed, a photometry-measuring
switch SWS is turned on, and a subject distance is measured by a
distance-measuring device (not shown), and photometry of a subject
is measured by a photometry-measuring device (not shown). At the
time, for example, when a spot measuring mode where only the center
of the photographing area is an AF area, is set by an operation
of the focus setting button 13, a subject distance is measured for
only the center of the photographing area. Further, when a central
weighting photometry mode is set as the photometry mode, photometry
of a subject is weighted toward a part of the photometry area at
the center of the photographing area. The obtained distance and
photometry data are transmitted to the microprocessor 19. The microprocessor
19 controls an AF/aperture driving circuit 34 to adjust the position
of a photographing lens 30 for focusing.
[0032] When the release button 12 is fully depressed, a release
switch SWR is turned on. When the release switch SWR is turned on,
an aperture 31 is opened by a predetermined amount by the AF/aperture
driving circuit 34, and a shutter (not shown) is opened to the predetermined
position for a predetermined time based on the control signals from
the microprocessor 19. In the case an aperture value and a shutter
speed are previously selected and set by the user, the aperture
31 and the shutter are driven according to each of the set parameters.
And then a CCD 38 controlled by a CCD driving circuit 36 is exposed,
so that image signals according to the image are generated in the
CCD 38. When it is judged that illuminating a subject is necessary
based on the distance and photometry data by the microprocessor
19, control signals are transmitted to a flash circuit (not shown)
from the microprocessor 19, and the lighting device 20 emits illuminating
light. At the time, when a compulsive lighting mode is previously
set by an operation of a button for the lighting device 20, illuminating
light is emitted regardless of the distance and photometry data,
and when a light prohibiting mode is previously set, illuminating
light is not emitted regardless of the distance and photometry data.
[0033] Image signals generated by the CCD 38 are processed to reduce
noise at a CDS circuit 39 and are converted from analog to digital
signals by an A/D converter 40. The digitalized image signals are
transmitted to the microprocessor 19 after various processes such
as white balance adjustment. The white balance is adjusted according
to a mode selected by the user, such as an automatic mode, a sun
light mode, and so on. The processed image signals are transmitted
to an LCD driver (not shown) from the microprocessor 19, the LCD
monitor 22 is driven based on the image signals, and a subject image
is displayed on the LCD monitor 22.
[0034] Image data of the photographed subject image is temporally
stored in a DRAM 45, further, stored in the flash memory 42 at the
recording size previously selected, for example "1600.times.1200"
pixels. The image data is transmitted to a memory card 46 inserted
into the body of the digital camera 10 via an interface 43, and
is also stored in the memory card 46. The image stored in the memory
card 46 is replayed on the LCD monitor 22 when the replaying mode
is selected by an operation of the mode dial 14. The image replayed
on the LCD monitor 22, can be changed by an operation of the cross
key 21. Further, stored image data can be deleted when depressing
the image deleting button 17, under the control of the microprocessor
19.
[0035] The clock IC 48 is a circuit which controls time for any
operation in the digital camera 10, such as for the photographing
operation, and continuously transmits clock pulses to the microprocessor
19. Based on the clock pulses, an off mode time, which is a continuous
time period the judgment execution off mode has been set, and which
starts when the power switch of the digital camera 10 is turned
off after the judgment execution off mode is set, is measured by
the microprocessor 19. When the off mode time passes a predetermined
time limit determined by the registered user, the judgment execution
mode is alternatively set instead of the judgment execution off
mode, under the control of the microprocessor 19. Therefore, after
the judgment execution mode has been set, the screen for inputting
a user identification code is automatically displayed on the LCD
monitor 22.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a conceptual view representing parameters stored
in the flash memory 42 for each registered user. FIG. 7 is a conceptual
view representing image data stored in the memory card 46 for each
registered user.
[0037] When the user has finished using the digital camera 10 and
the power source of the digital camera 10 is turned off, parameters
which are set at that time, that is, the parameters which were selected
last during the time the digital camera 10 has been working, are
stored in the flash memory 42 to be related to the user ID of the
registered user who was using the digital camera 10. Therefore,
when the digital camera 10 starts, parameters used at the time of
previous usage by the registered user who is now attempting to use
the digital camera 10 and stored, are automatically read by the
microprocessor 19 based on the user ID input by the registered user,
and used for photographing. For example, in case a user now attempting
to use the digital camera 10 is the "user 1", the automatic
mode of the white balance modes, and the recording size of "1600.times.1200"
pixels are automatically set.
[0038] In case where no parameters have been selected, or a registered
user uses the digital camera 10 for the first time, initial data
for each of the parameters stored in the EEPROM 44 are automatically
read and used. For example, the "normal mode" of the image
quality modes, and the "sun light mode" of the white balance
modes are initial data (see the under lined parts in FIG. 6).
[0039] Image data is stored in the memory card 46 to be related
to tag information including user information representing which
registered user is the photographer of the image, based on the user
ID (see FIG. 7). That is, data for each image is stored corresponding
to the user ID and the tag information including the user information
representing which image can be replayed or deleted by the user
in the memory card 46. On the other hand, in the flash memory 42,
user IDs and parameters selected and set for the image are stored
to be related each other (see FIG. 6). Therefore, information on
whether the registered user who photographed the image, is an owner
user or a regular user, is also stored in the flash memory 42.
[0040] When a user using the digital camera 10 is a regular user,
in principle, only the image data of the images photographed by
the regular user can be read from the memory card 46 and the images
can be displayed on the LCD monitor 22. However, when a mode where
not only the user who photographed the image but also the registered
users are allowed to replay the image is previously set, the images
photographed by all the registered users can be displayed on the
LCD monitor 22. The mode where not only the photographer but also
other registered users are allowed to replay the image, can be set
by an operation of a button on the menu selection screen. Further,
images photographed by cameras other than the digital camera 10
and stored in the memory card 46 without any user information, may
also be replayed. When an owner user is using the digital camera
10, all images stored in the memory card 46 can be displayed on
the LCD monitor 22, under the control of the microprocessor 19.
[0041] Similarly to replaying the image, in principle, a regular
user can delete only the image data of the image photographed by
himself, and an owner user can delete all of the image data, under
the control of the microprocessor 19. When a mode where not only
the user who photographed the image, but also registered users are
allowed to delete the image is set previously to the photographing
time, the image can be deleted by registered users other than the
photographer. Note that when a user tries to delete an image which
the user does not have permission to delete, a warning message informing
the user of the matter, is displayed on the LCD monitor 22 based
on control signals from the microprocessor 19.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a flowchart representing a user identification
routine to judge whether a user attempting to use the digital camera
10 is a registered user or not.
[0043] The user identification routine starts when a power switch
25 is turned on for initializing the digital camera 10. At step
S101, the power source of the digital camera 10 is turned on and
then the process proceeds to step S102. At step S102, the screen
for inputting user identification codes is displayed, and a user
ID for identifying the user and a password are input. At step S103,
it is judged whether a user attempting to use the digital camera
10 is a registered user or not, that is, whether the combination
of the input user ID and the password accords with a combination
previously stored in the flash memory 42 or not, is judged by the
microprocessor 19. When it is judged that the user attempting to
use the digital camera 10 is a registered user, the process proceeds
to step S104, and when it is judged that the user attempting to
use the digital camera 10 is not a registered user, the process
returns to step S102. Note that in case an owner user uses the digital
camera 10 for the first time, a user ID and a password are input
and registered at step S102, and the process proceeds to step S104.
[0044] At step S104, parameters set by the user currently using
the digital camera 10 during a former usage and stored in the flash
memory 42, are read and set, and the digital camera 10 starts. Note
that in case an owner user uses the digital camera 10 for the first
time and so on, initial data for each of the parameters is set.
At step S105, a subject is photographed and the process proceeds
to step S106. At step S106, an image is replayed, or deleted, according
to the order from the registered user. At step S107, the processes
according to one of the judgment execution mode and the judgment
execution off mode selected by the user on the menu selection screen,
are carried out, and the process proceeds to step S108.
[0045] At step S108, it is judged whether the judgment execution
mode for judging a user attempting to use the digital camera 10
at the next starting time of the digital camera 10 is a registered
user or not, is set by the current registered user, or not. When
it is judged that the judgment execution mode is set at step S108,
the process proceeds to step S109, and when it is judged that the
judgment execution mode is not set, that is, the judgment execution
off mode is set, the process proceeds to step S110. At step S109,
the power switch 25 is operated, and the power source of the digital
camera 10 is turned off after the parameters are updated, that is,
parameters set by the registered user before the digital camera
10 is turned off, are stored. And then, the process proceeds to
step S114. At step S114, it is judged whether the power switch 25
is turned on or not. When it is judged that the power switch 25
is turned on again, the process returns to step S101 and a user
is identified at the next starting time of the digital camera 10
(steps S102 and S103), because the judgment execution mode is set.
[0046] On the other hand, at step S110, similarly to step S109,
parameters are updated, the power source of the digital camera 10
is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S115. At step S115,
similarly to step S114, it is judged whether the power switch 25
is turned on or not. When it is judged that the power switch 25
is turned on, the process proceeds to step S111.
[0047] At step S111, the power source of the digital camera 10
is turned on again, and the process proceeds to step S112. At step
S112, it is judged whether a passing time from when the power source
was turned off at step S110 to when the power source was turned
on again at step S111, is longer than a predetermined time or not.
That is, whether a continuous time period the judgment execution
off mode has been set, has passed a predetermined time limit or
not, is judged. When it is judged that the passing time is not longer
than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S113.
On the other hand, when it is judged that the passing time is longer
than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S116.
At step S113, stored parameters, that is, parameters updated at
step S110 are read and the digital camera 10 starts without identifying
the user, because the judgment execution off mode is set. And then,
process returns to step S105.
[0048] On the other hand, at step S116, the judgment execution
mode is set instead of the judgment execution off mode, and then
the process returns to step S102 for the user identification.
[0049] In the embodiment mentioned above, the digital camera 10
having a user identifying function to identify a user is provided.
Further, in the digital camera 10, parameters and images can be
stored for each of the users, and the user identification mode is
selectable in accordance with need. Therefore, parameters previously
set by a user being changed by an other user by mistake, and image
data which should be kept secret being replayed or deleted by mistake,
can be prevented. Further, in the case where a same user frequently
repeats operations for switching the power source of the digital
camera 10 on and off in a short time, complicated operations are
not required by setting the judgment execution off mode. In addition
to this, usage by persons other than the registered users can be
prevented because the judgment execution off mode is automatically
switched to the judgment execution mode when a predetermined time
passes.
[0050] Next, the second embodiment is explained, mainly in terms
of the differences between the first embodiment. In the second embodiment,
identifying a user or not at the next starting time of the digital
camera 10, can be selected by choosing operations of the power switch
25 to turn the power source of digital camera 10 off, that is, simply
depressing the power switch 25 (a first operation), or depressing
it for several seconds (a second operation). When the power source
of the digital camera 10 is turned off by the power switch 25 being
simply depressed, signals to set the judgment execution mode are
transmitted to the microprocessor 19, therefore, user identification
is required for starting of the digital camera 10 at the next time.
On the other hand, when the power source of the digital camera 10
is turned off by the power switch 25 being depressed for longer
than a few seconds, signals to set the judgment execution off mode
are transmitted to the microprocessor 19, therefore, user identification
is not required for the next starting of the digital camera 10.
[0051] FIG. 9 is a flowchart representing a user identification
routine in the second embodiment. Steps S201 to S207 correspond
to steps S101-S107. At step S208, the power switch 25 is operated,
and the power source of the digital camera 10 is turned off after
the parameters are updated, and then, the process proceeds to step
S209.
[0052] At step S209, it is judged whether the power source of the
digital camera 10 is turned off by the first operation of the power
switch 25, that is, whether the power switch 25 is depressed for
a short time, or not, is judged. When it is judged that the power
source is turned off by the first operation, the process proceeds
to step S210, and when it is judged that the power source is not
turned off by the first operation, that is, the power source is
turned off by the second operation of the power switch 25 in which
it is depressed for several seconds, the process proceeds to step
S213.
[0053] At step S210, it is judged whether the power switch 25 is
turned on or not. When it is judged that the power switch 25 is
turned on, the process returns to step S211. At step S211, the power
source of the digital camera 10 is turned on and the process proceeds
to step S212. At step S212, the judgment execution mode is set and
the process returns to step S202. Therefore, a user is identified
at this starting time of the digital camera 10 (steps S202 and S203),
because the judgment execution mode is set at step S212.
[0054] On the other hand, at step S213, it is judged whether the
power switch 25 is turned on or not, similarly to step S210. When
it is judged that the power switch 25 is turned on, the process
proceeds to step S214. At step S214, the power source of the digital
camera 10 is turned on and the process proceeds to step S215. At
step S215, the judgment execution off mode is set and the process
proceeds to step S216. At step S216, stored parameters, that is,
parameters updated at step S208 are read and the digital camera
10 starts without identifying the user, because the judgment execution
off mode is set at step S215. And then, process returns to step
S205. Therefore, a user is not identified at this starting time
of the digital camera 10.
[0055] Further, required operations for setting the judgment execution
mode and judgment execution off mode can be reversed by operations
on the menu selection screen. That is, the digital camera 10 can
be set where the judgment execution off mode is selected by the
power switch 25 being depressed simply, and the judgment execution
mode is selected by the power switch 25 being depressed for longer
than a few seconds, by operations on the menu selection screen.
[0056] Note that in the second embodiment, similarly to the first
embodiment, the time limit for switching the judgment execution
off mode to the judgment execution mode automatically, can be set
before turning off the power source of the digital camera 10.
[0057] As mentioned above, in the second embodiment, the condition
for selecting the judgment execution mode and the judgment execution
off mode can be switched by simple operations.
[0058] The time limit for switching the judgment execution off
mode to the judgment execution mode may not be set by an operation
of the registered user, and the mode switching can occur anytime
after passing a predetermined time, which is automatically set in
the microprocessor 19.
[0059] The parameters and modes in these embodiments, are not limited
to photographing, and can also be for image replaying and so on.
[0060] In terms of replaying and deleting images, the digital camera
10 may be set where only the user who photographed the images is
permitted to replay and delete the images, based on the user information,
regardless of the user being an owner user or a regular user.
[0061] The method for identifying a user attempting to use the
digital camera 10, is not limited by inputting user identification
codes. For example, a power switch which can detect the fingerprints
of a user can be used. The digital camera 10 may be set by an owner
user, to become operable without inputting passwords by the regular
users, for the purpose of reducing complicated operations in case
the digital camera 10 is lent to a regular user by the owner user.
[0062] The switching of the user identifying modes in the first
and second embodiments, may be carried out by an operation on the
menu selection screen.
[0063] The invention is not limited as described in the preferred
embodiments, namely, various improvements and changes may be made
to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof.
[0064] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained
in Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-030539 (filed on Feb. 7,
2005) which is expressly incorporated herein, by reference, in its
entirety.
|