GB2470255A

GB2470255A - Portable imaging device with password-protected memory storage

Info

Publication number: GB2470255A
Application number: GB1006636A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chiharu Nakai
Original assignee: Elmo Co Ltd
Current assignee: Elmo Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-05-14
Filing date: 2010-04-21
Publication date: 2010-11-17
Also published as: GB201006636D0; JP2010267039A; DE102010019527A1

Abstract

A portable video recorder, such as a digital camera or camcorder, capable of recording image and video data on a removable memory card or built-in memory, and replaying image/video data on a display screen, wherein the memory card and/or internal memory are password protected and memory access is only allowed if a user input password matches the memory password. The memory card may be authorised by an authenticating unit before a password is required for access. A security password set on the internal memory may be required before device settings can be changed. An image reproducing unit for a computer is also defined wherein a pre-conversion image and conversion code is received from the memory card, and if a user input matches the code, the image is converted into a post-conversion image suitable for display on the computer's monitor display.

Description

PORTABLE VIDEO RECORDER/REPRODUCER

AND IMAGE REPRODUCING UNIT PROVIDED IN PERSONAL COMPUTER

FOR USE WITH MEMORY CARD USED WITH SAID RECORDER/REPRODUCER The present invention relates to a portable video recorder/reproducer which records images delivered from an imaging device on a memory card or reproduces images recorded on the memory card, and more particularly to such a portable video recorder/reproducer provided with security means which prevents leakage or theft of data from the memory card or an internal memory of the portable video recorder/reproducer and further which prevents easy change in settings of the device body.

The invention further relates to an image reproducing unit which reproduces a recorded image file recorded on a memory card on which images taken by the portable video recorder/reproducer are recorded, and more particularly to such an image reproducing unit provided with security means which prohibits arbitrary reproduction of recorded image files on the memory card by a third person or third party.

Memory cards pursuant to various standards have conventionally been used as external storage media for small-sized digital equipment such as cell-phones and digital cameras. The memory cards are small-sized and lightweight and have a large storage capacity.

Japanese patent application publication JP-A-2009-60196 discloses a video camera as one of the aforementioned small-sized digitalequipment. The disclosed video camera comprises a camera head and a portable video recorder/reproducer as shown in figure 1 of the above-mentioned publication. The portable video recorder/reproducer has a card slot formed in a bottom thereof as shown in figure 2. A memory card is detachably insertable into the card slot. An image taken by the camera head is converted to image data, which is recorded on the memory card. The image data stored on an external storage medium such as a memory card is intangible. Accordingly, even when the image data leaks or is stolen, the owner of the device or the like has a difficulty in realizing the leak or steal of the image data. In view of the problem, a security feature is added to the data by means of encryption or the like.

Japanese patent application publication JP-A-2002-7216 discloses a security system for a hard disc device. In the disclosed security system, security data Dl stored on a hard disc is compared with security data D2 stored on a memory card. The hard disc is allowed to be accessed when identity has been detected between the security data Dl and D2.

However, since a portable video recorder/reproducer is small-sized and lightweight, there is a possibility that the device body may be lost or stolen thereby to fall into a third person or third party. Accordingly, when a memory card as an external storage medium is left in the card reader, the above-described security system would allow free access to the memory card thereby to result in leakage of data stored on the memory cards. Furthermore, when the portable video recorder/reproducer is lost, the settings of the device body would be changed freely by a third person who has picked up the device, whereupon there is a possibility that the device may not be returned to an owner.

Furthermore, since the memory card set into the portable video recorder/reproducer is further smaller and more lightweight than the portable video recorder/reproducer, there is a possibility that the device body may fall into a third person as the result of the losing or stealing. Accordingly, when only the memory card falls into the third person and no security measures have been applied to the memory card, there is a possibility that images recorded on the memory cardmaybe browsed on a personal computer, for example.

Therefore, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to seek to provide a portable video recorder/reproducer and an image reproducing unit provided in a personal computer for a memory card used with the recorder/reproducer both of which can prevent recorded image files on the memory card from leaking or being stolen and the settings of the device body from being changed.

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a portable video recorder/reproducer. In one embodiment, the portable video recorder/reproducer includes a memory card; a card reader/writer which reads or writes data from or on the memory card; a monitor screen which displays an image when the image is to be recorded on the memory card or when the image recorded on the memory card is to be reproduced; an operation portion on which a predetermined operation is input when an image is to be recorded onto the memory card, when a recorded image file is to be read from the memory card or when a setting of a device body for record or reproduction of image is to be changed; a board provided with an access unit which records an image via the card reader/writer onto the memory card or reads a recorded image file from the memory card and a control unit which records the image or reproduces the recorded image file, and an internal memory on which the setting of the device body is stored, the control unit including a recording control unit which is provided with an encoding function of executing a code transformation of an image signal transmitted from an imaging device to the portable video recorder/reproducer into predetermined image data composing an image to be recorded onto the memory card, and which forms via the card reader/writer an image file on the memory card based on the image data converted by the encoding function, thereby executing a control for video recording; a reproduction control unit which is provided with a decoding function of decoding image data composing a recorded image file on the memory card, into a predetermined image signal, the reproduction control unit decoding the recorded image file read via the card reader/writer by the decoding function to form an image which is to be displayed on the monitor screen, thereby executing a control for video reproduction; and a display control unit executes a control for display when an image signal transmitted from an imaging device to the portable video recorder/reproducer is displayed on the monitor screen or when the image processed by the reproduction control unit is displayed on the monitor screen, wherein when a predetermined record operation has been carried out on the operation portion, the image transmitted from the imaging device is previewed on the monitor screen and a target to be recorded is recorded onto the memory card and wherein when a predetermined reproduction operation has been carried out on the operation portion, the recorded image file on the memory card is reproduced and displayed on the monitor screen; the memory card and/or the internal memory is provided with an identification code; and the access unit is started with respect to the memory card or the setting of the device body recorded on the internal memory is changed when an input code entered on the operation portion of the device corresponds with the identification code.

In another embodiment, th e p ortable video recorder/reproducer further comprises a first security unit which is provided at a stage before the control unit to limit the access unit, wherein thememorycard is provided with an access password as the identification code; the first security unit includes an authentication unit which authenticates that the memory card protected by the access password has been set, delivering a result of authentication to the card reader/writer, a first determination unit which determines whether the first entry password entered on the operation portion corresponds with the access password carried on the memory card authenticated by the authentication unit, a first refusal unit which refuses the access unit when the first entry password does not correspond with the access password, and a first allowance unit which allows the access unit so that the record control unit is activated or allows the reproduction control unit to a limited extent when the first entry password corresponds with the access password; and when the memory card has been set in the card reader/writer, the first security unit determines whether the first entry password corresponds with the access password, the access unit is started for the memory card, and a control sequence proceeds to the control unit.

In further another embodiment, the internal memory is provided with a predetermined security password as the identification code. In a case where settings of the device body regarding image recording or image reproduction are changed by changing a control parameter of the control unit to any value by the input entered on the operation portion, the recorder/reproducer further comprises a second security unit which is protected by the security password and invalidates an entry on the operationportion with respect to the internal memory on which the control parameter is recorded. The second security unit includes a second determination unit which determines whether the second entry password entered on the operation portion corresponds with the security password, a second refusal unit which disables the entry regarding the internal memory when the second determination unit determines that the second entry password does not correspond with the security password, and a second allowance unit which enables the input operation regarding the internal memory, allowing the entry operation onto the operation portion in order that recorded contents of the internal memory may be changed, when the second determination unit determines that the second entry password corresponds with the security password. The access unit is started by the first security unit and the control sequence proceeds to the control unit and thereafter, the second security unit determines whether the second entry password entered onto the operation portion corresponds with the security password. The control parameter used by the control unit is changed to any value, whereby the recording control unit changes settings of the device body regarding an image recorded on the memory card by the recording control unit, the recorded image file reproduced by the reproducing control unit or an image displayed on the monitor screen by the display control unit.

In still further another embodiment, when the first determination unit of the first security unit determines that the entered password corresponds with the access password, the access password is recorded on the internal memory. When a predetermined recording operation has been carried out on the operation portion, the recording control unit is started with the first security unit being avoided, whereby the image transmitted from the imaging device is recorded on the memory card as quickly as possible.

An embodiment of the invention also provides an image reproducing unit provided in a personal computer for use with a memory card used with a portable video recorder/reproducer, the image reproducing unit including a memory card on which an image is recorded on the memory card or from which an image is read, a card reader which reads the recorded image file from at least the memory card, the image reproducing unit reproducing and displaying on the personal computer the recorded image file recorded on the memory card by the video portable recorder/reproducer. The image reproducing unit comprises a third security unit which is provided at a stage before an image reproducing unit of the personal computer to limit reproduction and display by the image reproducing unit of the recorded image file read via the card reader from the memory card, the third security unit including a conversion unit and a post-conversion authentication unit, the conversion unit coding the recorded image file read from the memory card, thereby forming a post-conversion image file, the post-conversion image file being provided with a conversion password as an identification code which decodes the post-conversion image, wherein the post-conversion image file is temporarily recorded on an external storage medium of the personal computer; the post-conversion authentication unit determines whether a third entry password input on an entry device of the personal computer comprising a keyboard corresponds with the conversion password, the post-conversion authentication unit allowing the post-conversion image file to be reproduced by the image reproduction unit when having determined that the third input password corresponds with the conversion password; when the recorded image file recorded by the portable video recorder/reproducer is reproduced by the personal computer, the recorded image file is coded by the third security unit thereby to be formed into the post-conversion image file; and the post-conversion image file is decoded by the conversion password and thereafter reproduced and displayed by the image reproducing unit of the personal computer.

An embodiment provides a portable image device comprising: a monitor screen configured to display an image; a memory interface adapted to receive a removable memory unit; an internal memory; and a unit configured to receive user input and further configured to: compare the user input with a first identification code stored in the internal memory and to allow access to internal settings of the device if the user input corresponds with the first identification code; OR compare the user input to a second identification code stored on amemory unit receivedby the memory interface and to allow access to the memory unit if the user input corresponds with the second identification code.

An embodiment provides an image reproducing unit in a computer, the unit comprising: a security unit configured to receive pre-conversion image data and a conversion code from a removable memory unit; an authentication unit configured to receive user input and to compare the user input with the received conversion code, wherein the authentication unit is adapted to convert the pre-conversion image data into post-conversion image data if the user input corresponds with the conversion code, and to allow the post-conversion image data to be displayed on a display monitor.

Embodiments of the invention will be described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable video recorder/reproducer of one embodiment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the portable video recorder/reproducer; FIG. 3 shows a card slot of the portable video recorder/reproducer; FIG. 4 isaschematicblockdiagramofacontrolunitprovided in the portable video recorder/reproducer; FIG. 5 shows a sequence of operation of the portable video recorder/reproducer and display contents of the monitor screen; FIG. 6 is flowchart showinga control sequence of the control unit and operations of the first and second security units; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the portable video recorder/reproducer, showing connection to a personal computer; and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operation of a third security unit in the portable video recorder/reproducer of another embodiment.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with FIGS. 1 to 6. Referring to FIG. 1, the portable video recorder/reproducer 10 of the first embodiment is connected via a cable 3 to a camera unit 2, thereby constituting a video camera 1. The portable video recorder/reproducer 10 which will hereinafter be referred to as wrecorder/reproducerF! includes a monitor screen 11 provided on the front thereof, an operation portion 12 (which may comprise one or more buttons or user activated input elements) provided on the lower front and both sides thereof, and a card reader/writer 13 provided in the underside thereof as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Signal processing is applied to an image taken by the camera unit 2 shown by dotted line so that the image is converted to image data, which is transmitted through the cable 3 also shown by dotted line to the recorder/reproducer 10. It is desirable that the camera unit 2 is an analog camera adopting the NTSC or PAL system. However, a digital camera may be used instead of the analog camera.

The card reader/writer 13 has a card slot 13a into which a memory card 14 is inserted thereby to be set in the card reader/writer 13, as shown in FIG. 3. The card reader/writer 13 is configured to write data on the memory card 14. Accordingly, a recorded image file generated by a recording control unit that will be described later can be recorded on the memory card 14 by recording coded image data. The card reader/writer 13 is also configured to read data recorded on the memory card 14.

Accordingly, the recorded image file can be read from the memory card 14. The recorded image file read from the memory card 14 can be displayed on the monitor screen 11 by a reproducing control unit and a display control unit both of which will be described later.

The memory card 14 is an external storage medium comprising a flash memory or the like further comprising an electrically data erasable and rewritable RON and a card-shaped casing housing the RON. An SD card is used as the memory card 14 in the embodiment.

The monitor screen 11 mounted on the front of the recorder/reproducer 10 comprises a liquid crystal, an organic electroluminescence (EL) or the like and previews an image transmitted from the camera unit 2 SO that an object to be imaged can be viewed when an image of the object is to be recorded.

Furthermore, when a recorded image file stored on the memory card 14 is reproduced on the monitor screen 11, the recorded image file can be reproduced and displayed.

The operation portion 12 includes a record key 12a mounted on the lower central part of the front of the recorder/reproducer and two select keys 12b and 12c disposed on both sides of the record key 12a respectively. The operation portion 12 also includes a power switch 12d, an enter key 12e and a menu key 12f all of which are mounted on the right side of the recorder/reproducer 10. A USB input/output terminal 12g and a power input terminal 12h are further mounted on the left side of the recorder/reproducer 10.

The record key 12a is depressed so that a recording operation is executed when an image transmitted from the camera unit 2 to the memory card 14 is recorded. In this case, recording is executed after the recorder/reproducer 10 proceeds to a record standby state or one-touch recording is executed, depending upon the time length of depression of the record key 12a, as will be described later.

When an image recorded on the memory card 14 is to be reproduced, a desired image can be selected by either one or both of the select keys 12b, 12c from a list of recorded image files displayed on the monitor screen 11. Either one or both of the select keys 12b, 12c are also operated when a first entry password is to be entered by a first security unit and when a second entry password is to be entered by a second security unit, as will be described later.

The enter key 12e is depressed when input of parameters and the like selected or changed by either one or both of the select keys 12b, 12c is to be determined.

The menu key 12f is depressed when a setting menu for adjusting various settings of the device 10 is to be opened.

Furthermore, a menu to be changed is selected by either one or both of the select keys 12b, 12c when parameters of the settings such as an image quality and recording time are to be changed.

The power switch 12d has a slide construction and is formed at one side with a slide switch which turns the power on or off and a hold which is disposed opposite the slide switch to hold the power switch 12d.

A terminal of USB cable is fitted with the USB input/output terminal 12g when the recorder/reproducer 10 is connected to a personal computer.

A terminal of power cable is fitted with the power input terminal 12h when the recorder/reproducer 10 is driven by the household power supply. The USB input/output terminal 12g and the power input terminal 12h are covered with a terminal cover 15.

The recorder/reproducer 10 has a circuit board (not shown) on which a control circuit, a power supply circuit and the like are configured. Devices such as a central processing unit (CPU) and an internal memory are also configured on the circuit board.

The control circuit and these devices serve as a first security unit 25, a second security unit, the access unit 20a and the control unit 20.

An identification code is assigned to the ROM of the memory card 14 by an identification code assignment unit provided in a personal computer. Whether a code entered on the operation portion 12 corresponds with the identification code is determined.

Access to the memory card is allowed only when the input code corresponds with the identification code. The identification code comprises a pattern obtained by numeric conversion of a fingerprint, vein or iris (or other biometric information) or a password comprising a plurality of numerals and/or characters.

An access password used in the embodiment comprises an arbitrarily-set four-digit to six-digit figure. The access password is used in the case where the first security unit 25 is canceled, the access unit 20a is started and the control unit is driven when the card reader/writer 13 records an image on the memory card 14 or reads a recorded image file from the memory card 14. Since the access password is set by the identification code assignment unit of the personal computer discrete from the recorder/reproducer 10, the access password can be prevented from being rewritten by the operation portion 12 of the recorder/reproducer 10.

The first security unit 25 which is canceled by the access password determines whether the memory card 14 is assigned with an access password. Furthermore, when the first entry password entered on the operation portion 12 corresponds with the access password, the access unit 20a is started so that the memory card 14 is accessible and the control unit 20 is executable.

An identification code is assigned to the internal memory provided on the circuit board of the video recorder/reproducer by the identification code assignment unit provided on the personal computer or the operation portion 12. Whether a code entered on the operation portion 12 corresponds with the identification code provided on the internal memory is determined.

Access to the internal memory is allowed only when the input code corresponds with the identification code. A security password used in the embodiment comprises an arbitrarily-set four-digit to six-digit figure. In using the security password, the first security unit is canceled so that the access unit is started and the control unit is driven. The second security is then canceled so that control parameters of the control unit are changed thereby to change the settings of the device body. Thus, the settings of the device body can be prevented from being freely changed by a third person as the result of provision of the security password provided for changing the settings of the device body.

The second security unit determines whether the internal memory is accessible in order that the control parameters of the control unit may be changed thereby to change the settings of the device body when the first security unit 25 has been canceled such that the access unit 20a has been started and the control unit 20 is executable. When the second entry password entered on the operation portion 12 corresponds with the security password, the control parameters are changed so that the settings of the device body are changeable.

The control unit 20 of the video recorder/reproducer 10 comprises a recording control unit 21, a reproducing control unit 22 and a display control unit 23. An access unit 20a is provided at a stage before the control unit 20 to record an image on the memory card 14 or to read a recorded image file from the memory card 14.

The recording control unit 21 has an encoding function of encoding an image signal transmitted from the camera unit 2 to the recorder/reproducer 10 into predetermined image data optimum for recording on the memory card 14. The image data converted by the encoding function 21a is recorded via the card reader/writer 13 onto the memory card 14 in a predetermined format.

A recorded image file is generated in the memory card 14.

In the foregoing embodiment, the camera unit 2 transmits an analog image converted in conformity with the NTSC or PAL system.

Analog signals of the analog image are compressed and converted to an FAT system, thereby being stored on the memory card 14.

The reproducing control unit 22 has a decoding function 22a of decoding image data of the predetermined format composing the recording image file to the predetermined image signals when having read the recorded image file on the memory card 14. The image signals decoded by the decoding function 22a are controlled so as to be reconstructed as images audible and visual on the monitor screen 11 and so as to be reproduced on the display control unit 23.

The display control unit 23 carries out a control to preview on the monitor screen 11 an image based on the image signals transmitted from the camera unit 2 to the recorder/reproducer and a control to reproduce and display the image processed by the reproducing control unit 22 on the monitor screen 11.

The analog image transmitted from the camera unit 2 is digitally converted by the recording control unit 21 thereby to be displayed on the monitor screen 11. Accordingly, an object to be recorded can be confirmed by preview when the image is to be recorded on the monitor screen 14. Furthermore, when a recorded image file stored on the memory card 14 is to be reproduced and displayed on the monitor screen 11, the file is decoded into an image suitable for a resolution of the monitor screen 11.

The control unit 20 of the recorder/reproducer 10 changes the settings of the device body by optionally changing initially set control parameters in the following manner. The number of images per second (the number of frames per second) can be set to a predetermined value. As a result, a recording speed can be adjusted when an analog image taken and transmitted by the camera unit 2 is recorded on the memory card 14 set in the video recorder/reproducer 10 in the unit of frame in every time sequence.

Accordingly, the recorder/reproducer 10 can record images including both still images and moving images on the memory card 14.

A resolution or image quality of the image file to be recorded can be set to a predetermined value. As a result, when an analog image signal transmitted from the camera unit 2 is coded into image data, an image file with a predetermined capacity can be generated in accordance with the storage capacity of the memory card 14.

Accordingly, an optionally set image from a high-quality short-time recorded image to a low-quality long-time recorded image can be recorded by freely adjusting the settings of recording speed, resolution, image quality and the like.

Furthermore, three recording modes are provided which include recording with only image, recording with both image and voice, and recording with only voice. Any one of the recording modes can be selected thereby to be set. The settings of a combination of the foregoing selected recording speed, resolution and image quality, and the recording mode are stored on the internal memory until the settings are re-changed.

The memory card 14 also has a conversion password necessitated when a recorded image file stored on the memory card 14 is reproduced and displayed on an image reproducing unit provided in a personal computer. The conversion password will be described in detail in a second embodiment.

The recorder/reproducer 10 configured as described above will work as follows. After the recorder/reproducer 10 has been connected to the power supply, a starting screen ml is displayed on the monitor screen 11 and an authentication screen m2 which requests entry of a password as shown in FIG. 5. The first entry password is entered on the operationportion l2so as to correspond with the access password set on the memory card 14. In this case, when the memory card 14 has not been inserted into the card reader/writer 13 or when no access password has been set on the memory card 14, a screen m3 is displayed to notify that the memory card 14 cannot be recognized.

When the first entry password corresponds with the access password, a file list indicative of a list of recorded image files on the memory card 14 is displayed on the monitor screen 11 and a screen m4 is displayed on which can be adjusted the settings regarding recording on the memory card 14 and control parameters of the control unit of the recorder/reproducer 10.

On the other hand, when first entry password does not correspond with the access password, a screen m5 notifying that the password is incorrect is displayed on the monitor screen 14 and the authentication screen m2 re-requesting entry of the password is then displayed. When the first entry password does not correspond with the access password three times, the recorder/reproducer 10 isautomaticallypoweredoff. Asaresult, the recorded image file stored on the memory card 14 can be prevented from being viewed by a third person even when the recorder/reproducer 10 has been missed or stolen.

The first security unit 25 is in operation for the memory card 14 as shown in FIG. 6 in the background of the authentication screen m2 requesting entry of a password as shown in FIG. 5.

The first security unit 25 is normally executed in the following steps. The recording control unit 21 is configured so that a one-touch recording is carried out with the first security unit 25 being avoided. The following describes the operation of the first security unit 25 in the case where the power switch 12d is in the on-state.

When the power switch 12d has been turned on (step 100), it is determined whether the power switch 12d has been held (step 105) . When the power switch 12d is held, the recorder/reproducer is not allowed to be turned on (step 110) . On the other hand, the recorder/reproducer 10 is allowed to be turned on when the power switch 12d is not held (step 115) . Step 100 is based on the premise that the memory card 14 is correctly set in the card reader/writer (step 90) At step 120, it is determined whether the memory card 14 is correctly set in the card reader/writer 13. When the memory card 14 is not correctly set in the card reader/writer 13, has not been inserted in the card reader/writer 13 or no access password has not been set on the memory card 14, an error message is displayed on the monitor screen 11 (step 125) and the recorder/reproducer 10 is powered off (step 130) . On the other hand, the control sequence proceeds to step 135 when the memory card 14 has correctly been set.

At step 135, it is determined whether the recorder/reproducer 10 has been started by depressing the recording key 12a or whether recorder/reproducer 10 has been started by the power switch 12d. Since the recorder/reproducer has been started by the power switch 12d in this case, the control sequence proceeds to step 140. On the other hand, when the recording key 12a has been depressed, the control sequence proceeds to step 335, which will be described later.

At step 140, the authentication screen m2 is displayed on the monitor screen 11 to request entry of the access password.

The access password is composed of an arbitrarily-set four-digit to six-digit figure or characters. A figure or characters are input as the first entry password by the selecting keys 12b and 12c and the enter key 12e of the operation section 12 (step 145) The memory card 14 is authenticated depending upon whether the first entry password corresponds with the access password (step 150). When the first entrypassword input at step 145 corresponds with the access password of the memory card 14, the first entry password is recorded on the internal memory. As a result, the first password on the internal memory is compared with the access password of the memory card 14, whereby entry of the first entry password can be eliminated.

The control sequence proceeds to step 155 when the authentication at step 150 is successful. On the other hand, when the authentication has failed, re-entry of the first entry password is asked for (step 160) . In the embodiment, the recorder/reproducer 10 is powered off when entry of the first entry password fails three times (step 165) At step 155, a list of recorded image files on the memory card 14 is displayed on the monitor screen 11. In this case, an image transmitted from the camera unit 2 may be displayed as the background of the list. The recorded image file is reproduced at step 170. The settings of the recorder/reproducer 10 are changed at step 175. The recording is started at step 180. Any one of these steps 170, 175 and 180 can be selected.

When the recorded image file is to be displayed on the monitor screen 11, a desired one of the recorded image files is selected from the list by the selecting keys 12b and 12c (step 185) and determined by the enter key 12e (step 190), thereby being reproduced and displayed on the monitor screen 11 (step 195) When reproduction of the recorded image file thus selected has been completed (step 200), access to the memory card 14 is disallowed by an auto-logout process (step 205), the authentication screen m2 is re-displayed on the monitor screen 11 (step 140) . Accordingly, the first entry password needs to be input at step 145 when the same recorded image file as previously recorded is reproduced or another recorded image file is selected and reproduced. However, the re-entry operation can be canceled by changing the settings of the recorder/reproducer 10. When no recorded image file is to be reproduced, the power switch 12d is turned off (step 210) so that the operation of the recorder/reproducer 10 is ended (step 215) The record key 12a is firstly depressed (step 220) when recording is to be started (step 180) . In this case, it is determined whether the record key 12a has been depressed for a predetermined time or longer, for example, one second or longer (step 225) When the record key 12a has not been depressed for the predetermined time or longer, an image transmitted from the camera unit 2 is previewed on the monitor screen 11 and the recorder/reproducer 10 moves into a recording standby state (step 230) . When the record key 12a is depressed again (step 235), recording starts (step 240) On the other hand, when the record key 12a has been depressed for the predetermined time or longer, the control sequence jumps to step 240 so that recording starts.

When recording is to be ended, the enter key 12e is depressed for a predetermined time or longer, for example, two seconds or longer (step 245), or the record key 12a has been depressed for a predetermined time or longer, for example, two seconds or longer (step 250) . When each of the record key 12a or enter key 12e has been depressed for the predetermined time or longer, recording is ended (step 255) . As a result, recording can be prevented from being ended by failure when the enter key 12e or the record key 12a is touched during recording.

A recorded image file composed of image data sequentially transmitted to the memory card 14 is recorded on the memory card 14. Upon end of recording, file identification information comprising shooting date, shooting time, file name and the like is assigned to the recorded image file, whereupon the record image file is completed (step 260) . Subsequently, it is determined whether the power switch 12e has been turned off (step 265) . When the power switch 12e has been turned off, the recorder/reproducer can be turned off (step 215) . On the other hand, when the power switch 12e has not been turned off, the control sequence proceeds to step 270 so that an automatic authentication is carried out. The first entry password recorded on the internal memory is compared with the access password of the memory card 14 as described above.

It is then determined whether the recorder/reproducer 10 has been started by depressing the record key 12a in the one-touch recording. In this case, since the recording control unit 21 has once been interrupted, the control sequence proceeds to the recording process at or after step 180 and an image transmitted from the camera unit 2 is previewed on the monitor screen 11 until the record button is re-depressed (step 220) . Since the subsequent process is the same as that in the recording step by the recording control unit 21 as described above, the description of the subsequent process will be eliminated.

Changing the settings of the recorder/reproducer 10 (step 175) will now be described. When the menu key 12f has been depressed (step 280), a determination screen to request entry of the security password regarding second security unit is displayed (step 285) . The determination screen to request entry of the security password is pursuant to the determination screen m2 to request entry of the access password. It is determined whether the second entry password entered by the selecting keys 12b and/or 12c and the enter key 12e of the operation portion 12 at step 290 corresponds with the security password set on the internal memory of the recorder/reproducer 10 (step 295) . When the second entry password corresponds with the security password, a setting menu is opened and a setting to be changed is selected by the selecting keys 12b and/or 12c, whereby the control parameters of the recording control unit 21, reproducing control unit 22 and the display control unit 23 can be changed or adjusted (step 300) . On the other hand, when the second entry password does not correspond with the security password, the recorder/reproducer 10 is powered off (step 305) When the menu key 12f is re-depressed, the setting menu is closed and the process for changing the settings is ended (step 310) and access to the memory card 14 is inhibited by the auto-logout (step 205) . The authentication screen m2 is displayed on the monitor screen 11 (step 140) . Accordingly, entry of the first entry password is necessitated when the recording control unit 21 or the reproducing control unit 22 is executed. The recorder/reproducer 10 can be powered off by turning off the power switch 12d (step 210) when a recorded image file is not reproduced or a taken image is not recorded (step 215) The following describes the case where the recording control unit 21 executes the one-touch recording with the first security unit 25 being avoided when the record key 12a is depressed for the predetermined time.

When the record key 12a is depressed (step 315), it is determined whether the record key 12a has been depressed for a predetermined time or longer, for example, for one second or longer (step 320) . When the record key 12a has not been depressed for the predetermined time or longer, the recorder/reproducer is not powered on (step 325) . On the other hand, when the record key 12a has been depressed for the predetermined time or longer, the recorder/reproducer 10 is powered on (step 330) This can prevent malfunction that recording is started by only touch of the record key 12a. Step 315 is based on the premise that the memory card 14 is correctly set in the card reader/writer 13 (step 90) At step 120, it is determined whether the memory card 14 is correctly set in the card slot 13a. When the memory card 14 is not correctly set in the card slot 13 or when no password is assigned to the memory card 14, an error message is displayed on the monitor screen 11 (step 125) and the recorder/reproducer ispowered off (step 130). Whenthememorycardl4 is correctly set, the control sequence proceeds to step 135.

At step 135, it is determined whether the recorder/reproducer 10 has been started by depressing the record key 12a or the power switch 12d. Since the recorder/reproducer has been started by depressing the record key 12a in this case, the control sequence proceeds to step 335. At step 335, it is determined whether the memory card 14 has already been authenticated by the recorder/reproducer 10. When the memory card 14 is authenticated by the recorder/reproducer 10 for the first time, the control sequence proceeds to step 140, whereupon the control unit 20 cannot be operated unless the first entry password is input on the operation portion 12 as described above.

The first entry password is recorded on the internal memory when the memory card 14 has already been authenticated by the recorder/reproducer 10. Accordingly, the recorded first entry password is compared with the access password of the memory card 14 so that an automatic authentication is carried out (step 270).

The control sequence further proceeds to step 275 where it is determined whether one-touch recording has been started in which the record key 12a is depressed to start the recorder/reproducer 10. Since the recorder/reproducer 10 has been started by the record key 12a, the control sequence proceeds to step 240 so that recording is started. When one-touch recording has been selected and recording has once been ended, the control sequence proceeds to the normal recording process at step 180 and subsequent steps as in the case where the recorder/reproducer 10 is started by the power switch 12d. An image transmitted from the camera unit 2 is previewed on the monitor screen until the record key 12a is re-depressed. Since subsequent processing is the same as the above-described recording step by the recording control unit 21, the description of the subsequent processing will be eliminated.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the recorder/reproducer 10 is connected via the USB cable 6 to the personal computer 5. The second embodiment is directed to a case where a recorded image file is read from the memory card 14 set in the card reader/writer 13 of the recorder/reproducer 10 or a case where an image recorded on the memory card 14 of the recorder/reproducer 10 is read on the personal computer 5 provided with a card reader having a reading unit which can read a recorder image file at least from the memory card 14.

When the recorder/reproducer 10 has been connected via the USB cable 6 to the personal computer 5, a copy (a pre-conversion file) of the recorded image file stored on the memory card 14 is transferred to the personal computer 5. The personal computer is installed with at least an image reproducing unit comprising an image reproducing software which displays an image on the monitor screen thereof, and a third security unit comprising a conversion software which encodes the transferred recorded image file and limits reproduction.

The image reproducing unit converts the recorded image file recorded by the recorder/reproducer 10 to an optimum format for reproduction and display on the personal computer 5, once recording the converted file on the personal computer 5 and reproducing and displaying the same on the personal computer 5.

The third security unit is provided at a stage before the image reproducing unit and encodes the recorded image file which has been transferred from the recorder/reproducer 10 to the personal computer 5, forming the pre-conversion file. The third security unit further determines whether the encoded pre-conversion file can be decoded into an audible and visible file (hereinafter referred to as "a post-conversion file") and whether the third input password input on an input device of the personal computer 5 corresponds with a conversion password. When the third input password corresponds with the conversion password, the third security unit decodes the encoded pre-conversion file thereby to form the post-conversion file so that the file is reproducible by the image reproducing unit.

The conversion password can be set on every memory card 14 but may be set so as to common to a plurality of memory cards 14. When the conversion password is set on every memory card 14, secrecy of the memory card 14 can be improved. On the other hand, the recorded image files can easily be controlled when the conversion password is set so as to common to a plurality of memory cards.

The recorded image file can be prevented from viewed on a personal computer not installed with a conversion software when the pre-conversion file is codedby the third security unit before the pre-conversion file transferred from the memory card 14 to the personal computer 5 is reproduced. Furthermore, since the conversion password regarding image transfer to the personal computer 5 is set on the memory card 14, a recorded image file can be prevented from being reproduced on the personal computer even when the recorded image file is transferred from the memory card 14 directly to the personal computer 5 without being passed through the recorder/reproducer 10, for example.

The following processing is executed by the personal computer 5 in order that the recorded image file recorded on the memory card 14 may be viewed on the personal computer 5.

Firstly, it is determined whether a memory card on which an image to be viewed is set in the card reader of the personal computer 5 or whether the recorder/reproducer 10 has been connected to the personal computer (step 505) . When it is determined that the recorder/reproducer 10 has been connected to the personal computer 5, the conversion software is launched and the third security unit is started (step 510) When the personal computer 5 is not installed with the conversion software, an image reproducing software is launched (step 515) When the post-conversion file transferred from the memory card 14 to the personal computer 5 is selected (step 520), anerrormessaqeis displayed on the monitor screen of the personal computer 5 to inform that the post-conversion file cannot be reproduced (step 525) and the launched image reproducing software is ended (step 526) On the other hand, when the conversion software is launched (step 510) and the post-conversion file is selected on the conversion software (step 530), a screen requesting entry of the conversion password is displayed (step 535) When the third entry password is entered on a key board, mouse or the like (step 540), it is determined by contrast authenticationwhether the thirdentrypassword corresponds with the conversion password (step 545) When the third entry password does not correspond with the conversion password, an error message is displayed on the monitor screen of the personal computer 5 to inform that the post-conversion file cannot be converted (step 550) and the conversion software is ended (step 555) When the third entry password corresponds with the conversion password, the encoded pre-conversion file is decoded, and a post-conversion folder is designated to store the post-conversion file converted into a reproducible format by the image reproducing software. The post-conversion file is stored on the post-conversion folder (step 560) The image reproducing software is launched (step 565) upon completion of the storing of the post-conversion file. When the post-conversion file in the post-conversion folder is selected (step 570), the post-conversion file is reproduced on the image reproducing software (575) . When reproduction of the post conversion file thus selected has been completed, the conversion software and the image reproducing software are ended (step 580) As described in the first and second embodiments, the security password is set on the internal memory of the recorder/reproducer 10. The access password and the conversion password are set on the memory card 14 on which the image recorded bythe recorder/reproducer 10 is recorded and stored. As a result, even when the memory card 14 and the recorder/reproducer 10 has been missed, the recorded image file stored on the memory card 14 can be prevented from being reproduced by a third person who has obtained the missed memory card 14 or the recorder/reproducer 10. Thus, the recorded contents can be prevented from being confirmed by the third person.

Furthermore, even in the case where the memory card 14 or the recorder/producer 10 has been stolen by a third person, the recorded image file cannot be reproduced thereby to be confirmed unless the third person knows the password. Accordingly, the settings of the recorder/reproducer 10 can be prevented from being changed or the recorded image file can be prevented from leaking even when the recorder/reproducer 10 or the memory card 14 has been missed due to owner' s negligence or stolen by a third person.

The foregoing description and drawings are merely

illustrative of the principles and are not to be construed in a limiting sense. Various changes and modifications will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such changes and modifications are seen to fall within the scope as defined by the appended claims.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A portable video recorder/reproducer which includes: a memory card; a card reader/writer which reads or writes data from or on the memory card; a monitor screen which displays an image when the image is to be recorded on the memory card or when the image recorded on the memory card is to be reproduced; an operation portion on which a predetermined operation is entered when an image is to be recorded onto the memory card, when a recorded image file is to be read from the memory card or when a setting of a device body for record or reproduction of image is to be changed; a board provided with an access unit which records an image via the card reader/writer onto the memory card or reads a recorded image file from the memory card and a control unit which records the image or reproduces the recorded image file, and an internal memory on which the setting of the device body is stored, the control unit including a recording control unit which is provided with an encoding function of executing a code transformation of an image signal transmitted from an imaging device to the portable video recorder/reproducer into predetermined image data composing an image to be recorded onto the memory card, and which forms via the card reader/writer an image file on the memory card based on the image data converted by the encoding function, thereby executing a control for video recording; a reproduction control unit which is provided with a decoding function of decoding image data composing a recorded image file on the memory card, into a predetermined image signal, the reproduction control unit decoding the recorded image file read via the card reader/writer by the decoding function to form an image which is to be displayed on the monitor screen, thereby executing a control for video reproduction; and a display control unit executes a control for display when an image signal transmitted from an imaging device to the portable video recorder/reproducer is displayed on the monitor screen or when the image processed by the reproduction control unit is displayed on the monitor screen, wherein: when a predetermined record operation has been carried out on the operation portion, the image transmitted from the imaging device is previewed on the monitor screen and a target to be recorded is recorded onto the memory card and wherein when a predetermined reproduction operation has been carried out on the operation portion, the recorded image file on the memory card is reproduced and displayed on the monitor screen; the memory card and/or the internal memory is provided with an identification code; and the access unit is started with respect to the memory card or the setting of the device body recorded on the internal memory is changed when an entry code entered on the operation portion of the device corresponds with the identification code.
2. The portable video recorder/reproducer according to claim 1, further comprising a first security unit which is provided at a stage before the control unit to limit the access unit, wherein: the memory card is provided with an access password as the identification code; the first security unit includes an authentication unit which authenticates that the memory card protected by the access password has been set, delivering a result of authentication to the card reader/writer, a first determination unit which determines whether the first entry password entered on the operation portion corresponds with the access password carried on the memory card authenticated by the authentication unit, a first refusal unit which refuses the access unit when the first entry password does not correspond with the access password, and a first allowance unit which allows the access unit so that the record control unit is activated or allows the reproduction control unit to a limited extent when the first entry password corresponds with the access password; and when the memory card has been set in the card reader/writer, the first security unit determines whether the first entry password corresponds with the access password, the access unit is started for the memory card, and a control sequence proceeds to the control unit.
3. The portable video recorder/reproducer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the internal memory is provided with a predetermined security password as the identification code; in a case where settings of the device body regarding image recording or image reproduction are changed by changing a control parameter of the control unit to any value by the entry entered on the operation portion, the recorder/reproducer further comprises a second security unit which is protected by the security password and invalidates an entry entered on the operation portion with respect to the internal memory on which the control parameter is recorded; the second security unit includes a second determination unit which determines whether the second entry password entered on the operation portion corresponds with the security password, a second refusal unit which disables the entry regarding the internal memory when the second determination unit determines that the second entry password does not correspond with the security password, and a second allowance unit which enables the entry operation regarding the internal memory, allowing the entry operation onto the operation portion in order that recorded contents of the internal memory may be changed, when the second determination unit determines that the second entry password corresponds with the security password; the access unit is started by the first security unit and the control sequenceproceedsto the control unit andthereafter, the second security unit determines whether the second entry password entered onto the operation portion corresponds with the security password; and the control parameter used by the control unit is changed to any value, whereby the recording control unit changes settings of the device body regarding an image recorded on the memory card by the recording control unit, the recorded image file reproduced by the reproducing control unit or an image displayed on the monitor screen by the display control unit.
4. The portable video recorder/reproducer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the first determination unit of the first security unit determines that the entered password corresponds with the access password, the access password is recorded on the internal memory, and wherein when a predetermined recording operation has been carried out on the operation portion, the recording control unit is started with the first security unit being avoided, whereby the image transmitted from the imaging device is recorded on the memory card as quickly as possible.
5. An image reproducing unit provided in a personal computer for use with a memory card used with a portable video recorder/reproducer, the image reproducing unit including a memory card on which an image is recorded on the memory card or from which an image is read, a card reader which reads the recorded image file from at least the memory card, the image reproducing unit reproducing and displaying on the personal computer the recorded image file recorded on the memory card by the video portable recorder/reproducer, the image reproducing unit comprising: a third security unit which is provided at a stage before an image reproducing unit of the personal computer to limit reproduction and display by the image reproducing unit of the recorded image file read via the card reader from the memory card, the third security unit including a conversion unit and a post-conversion authentication unit, the conversion unit coding the recorded image file read from the memory card, thereby forming a post-conversion image file, the post-conversion image file being provided with a conversion password as an identification code which decodes the post-conversion image, wherein: the post-conversion image file is temporarily recorded on an external storage medium of the personal computer; the post-conversion authentication unit determines whether a third input password input on an input device of the personal computer comprising a keyboard corresponds with the conversion password, the post-conversion authentication unit allowing the post-conversion image file to be reproduced by the image reproduction unit when having determined that the third input password corresponds with the conversion password; when the recorded image file recorded by the portable video recorder/reproducer is reproduced by the personal computer, the recorded image file is coded by the third security unit thereby to be formed into the post-conversion image file; and the post-conversion image file is decoded by the conversion password and thereafter reproduced and displayed by the image reproducing unit of the personal computer.
6. A portable image device comprising: a monitor screen configured to display an image; a memory interface adapted to receive a removable memory unit; an internal memory; and a unit configured to receive user input and further configured to: compare the user input with a first identification code stored in the internal memory and to allow access to internal settings of the device if the user input corresponds with the first identification code; or compare the user input to a second identification code stored on a memory unit received by the memory interface and to allow access to the memory unit if the user input corresponds with the second identification code.
7. An image reproducing unit in a computer, the unit comprising: a security unit configured to receive pre-conversion image data and a conversion code from a removable memory unit; an authentication unit configured to receive user input and to compare the user input with the received conversion code, wherein the authentication unit is adapted to convert the pre-conversion image data into post-conversion image data if the user input corresponds with the conversion code, and to allow the post-conversion image data to be displayed on a display monitor.
8. The portable video recorder/reproducer substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. The image reproducing unit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. The portable image device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.