Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera contains biometric capability to identify a photographer,
which is preferably provided by the camera's own optical sensors.
The biometric feature is preferably the iris of a photographer's
eye, which is recognized as unique for each individual. The camera
captures an image of an iris, abstracts a set of distinguishing
features, and matches this set to an on-board database. The iris
image is preferably captured when the photographer brings his eye
in the vicinity of the camera's viewing window, through a combination
of mirrors, lenses, prisms, and the like. This capability may be
used to record the identity of a photographer with the image, as
an anti-theft or privacy device, or to personalize the camera settings.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital camera, comprising: a housing; a digital optical sensing
apparatus mounted within said housing, said digital optical sensing
apparatus sensing optical images; a first optical member focusing
light representing a biometric parameter of a user of said digital
camera for capture by said digital optical sensing apparatus, said
light representing a biometric parameter of a user traversing a
first light path through said camera from said first optical member
to said digital optical sensing apparatus; a second optical member
focusing light from images of interest to be captured by said digital
optical sensing apparatus, said light from images of interest to
be captured traversing a second light path through said camera from
said second optical member to said digital optical sensing apparatus,
said second light path not being coincident in any segment with
any segment of said first light path, said second light path encountering
said digital optical sensing apparatus at a non-zero angle with
respect to said first light path; a processor for controlling operation
of said digital camera, said processor operating said digital camera
in at least two modes of operation, including: (a) a first mode
of operation, wherein said digital optical sensing apparatus senses
a biometric parameter of a user of said camera, said processor identifying
said user from said biometric parameter; and (b) a second mode of
operation, wherein said digital optical sensing apparatus captures
and records an image of an object of interest.
2. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein said biometric parameter
is an iris of said user's eye.
3. The digital camera of claim 1, further comprising a viewing
window for viewing an image of said object of interest by said user;
wherein, in said first mode of operation, said digital optical sensing
apparatus senses light representing said biometric parameter, said
light entering said camera through said viewing window.
4. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein said processor further
associates user identifying data with a recorded image of an object
of interest, said user identifying data being obtained using said
biometric parameter.
5. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein said processor further
selectively enables at least one camera function responsive to identifying
said user from said biometric parameter.
6. The digital camera of claim 1, further comprising: a memory,
said memory for storing biometric parameters associated with a plurality
of potential users of said digital camera; wherein said processor
identifies each user of said plurality of potential users of said
camera by comparing a biometric parameter obtained from said digital
optical sensing apparatus with said biometric parameters associated
with said plurality of potential users in said memory, and, responsive
to identifying a user, associates respective user identifying information
with each digital image of an object of interest captured by said
digital optical sensing apparatus.
7. The digital camera of claim 6, wherein said processor further
associates at least one camera operating parameter value with each
of a plurality of users, and wherein said processor, responsive
to identifying said user from said biometric parameter, automatically
sets said at least one camera operating parameter to the value corresponding
to the identified user.
Digital Camera Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to digital data devices, and in particular
to digital cameras, motion video, and similar devices which digitally
capture optical images.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The latter half of the twentieth century has been witness to a
phenomenon known as the information revolution. While the information
revolution is a historical development broader in scope than any
one event or machine, no single device has come to represent the
information revolution more than the digital electronic computer.
The development of computer systems has surely been a revolution.
Each year, computer systems grow faster, store more data, and provide
more applications to their users.
The declining prices and expanding capabilities of modem digital
technology has caused it to be used in an ever increasing variety
of applications. One of these applications has been the capturing
of optical images. Optical imaging technology generally uses a digital
sensor array, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) array, having
a large number of photosensitive elements arranged in a regular
pattern, and appropriate supporting hardware which scans the output
of the elements and constructs therefrom a digital image. The digital
image can then be stored in any digital data storage medium, displayed
on a digital display device, printed on paper or other medium, manipulated
using editing tools, or transmitted to remote locations using any
transmission medium appropriate for digital data.
Optical imaging has been used in a variety of settings, including
fax machines, document scanners, bar code readers, and so forth.
In particular, digital optical imaging is also used as a substitute
for older film-based media in high-resolution still and motion picture
cameras. Indeed, as digital optical technology improves in quality
and declines in price, many foresee the day when it will completely
supplant the older film-based media in these fields.
A digital camera, whether still or motion video, typically contains
an on-board processor, which can be programmed to perform a variety
of functions. Among other things, the processor can be programmed
to embed supplementary information in the digital image. It is well
known, for example, to embed a date and time at which the image
was captured. Date and time is easily established by maintaining
an on-board digital clock in the camera. Other information might
be useful, but is not so easily obtained.
Most digital cameras to date have simply tried to mimic the capabilities
of their mechanical device counterparts, making limited use of digital
technologies other than simple optical scanning and recording. Such
an approach fails to recognize the vast potential of the information
age to provide improved integration of digital technology and enhanced
function of digital cameras not yet conceived, a potential which
is bounded only by human imagination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A digital camera contains biometric capability to identify an individual
photographer. Specifically, it is preferred that this biometric
capability be provided by the camera's own optical imaging capability,
which obtains an image of some distinguishing feature of the photographer,
and matches it to an on-board database of such features to identify
the individual.
In the preferred embodiment, the distinguishing feature is the
iris of a photographer's eye. It is recognized that, like fingerprints,
an iris contains numerous distinguishing features and patterns which
can be abstracted from an image to develop a unique identification.
Not only are the irises of any two people different, but the two
irises of any individual differ from each other. The camera's digital
sensor captures an image of a photographer's iris, abstracts a set
of distinguishing features from the image, compares this set to
a stored set of distinguishing features of known irises, and if
possible, matches the photographer's features to one in the stored
set.
In the preferred embodiment, a combination of mirrors, lenses,
prisms or other optical devices focuses light from the iris to capture
its image as the photographer's eye is placed in the vicinity of
a viewing window for viewing the object to be photographed. Once
the photographer's iris is recorded, these optical devices alter
their configuration so that the viewing window functions in a conventional
manner. Alternatively, it would be possible for the photographer
to look directly into the lens of the camera to register his iris
before obtaining still or motion video.
Preferably, the camera may be programmed to use photographer identifying
information in any of several modes, alone or in combination. The
identity of the photographer may be automatically recorded with
the recorded digital image (still photograph or motion video). Identity
may be simply a photographer name; alternatively, the identity may
be a digital signature derived from the biometric information, which
would be difficult to alter and thus could be used to validate ownership
of video images. Additionally, verifying the identify of a photographer
may be used as an anti-theft or anti-tampering device, wherein one
or more functions of the camera is disabled unless the identity
matches one in the database. Disabling function may, e.g., mean
preventing the capture of an image, or may mean preventing an image
previously captured from being output to another device for printing,
storage, and the like. Finally, individual photographers may record
individual default preferences for camera settings. Upon determining
the identity of a photographer, the camera could set itself to previously
defined default settings associated with the particular photographer.
A digital camera as described herein provides an enhanced record
supplementing its recorded digital images, provides a greater degree
of protection from theft and loss of privacy, and provides greater
ease of use among multiple individuals.
The details of the present invention, both as to its structure
and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts,
and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIGS. 1A-1C are sectional views representing different operational
configurations of a digital camera according to a first embodiment
of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A-2B are sectional views representing different operational
configurations of a digital camera according to a second embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view representing a configuration of a digital
camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view representing a configuration of a digital
camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view representing a configuration of a digital
camera according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a illustrates the major electronic component of a digital
camera, according to certain preferred embodiments of the present
invention.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flowchart showing the operation of a camera
control program at a high level, according to certain preferred
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In accordance with the present invention, a biometric parameter
is obtained from the photographer. In the preferred embodiment,
this biometric measurement is an optical image of the iris of one
of the photographer's eyes. This image may be obtained in many possible
ways, a sample of which are shown and described herein.
Preferably, an image of the photographer's iris is taken using
the same optical sensors that are used for photographing an object
of interest to the photographer. FIGS. 1-3 and 5 illustrate four
different embodiments of this concept. Alternatively, a separate
sensor may obtain the image of the iris, as shown in FIG. 4.
FIGS. 1A-1C are sectional views of different operational configurations
of a digital camera according to a first embodiment. In this embodiment,
camera 100 contains a single-lens-reflex (SLR) mechanism, wherein
a single lens is used for both viewing an object of interest to
be photographed, and for capturing light from the object on an optical
sensor array. Camera 100 includes a body or housing 101, lens 102,
optical sensor array 103, shutter 104, and deflection mirror 105.
FIG. 1B shows the configuration of camera 100 when the photographer
is viewing the object of interest, represented as a tree, which
is generally done to establish the correct setting prior to taking
the photograph. In this configuration, shutter 104 is closed, and
deflection mirror 105 presents surface 107 (usually a flat surface)
at an angle to incoming light passing through lens 102. Light is
deflected upwards, striking mirror 108, which directs it through
view window 109 to the eye of the photographer. As depicted in FIG.
1C, when the photographer takes a photograph, the single lens reflex
mechanism simultaneously moves deflecting mirror 105 upward and
out of the way of incoming light, and opens shutter 104, allowing
light passing through lens 102 to register on optical sensor array
103, which captures an optical image. The light path as a dashed
line in the figures.
A third configuration of camera 100 is possible, as represented
in FIG. 1A. In this configuration, deflecting mirror is rotated
approximately 90 degrees from the configuration of FIG. 1B, and
shutter 104 is opened. This enables light traveling in a direction
opposite that shown in FIG. 1B to come from the eye of the photographer,
pass through view window 109, be deflected downward by mirror 108,
and strike surface 106 of deflecting mirror 105, which directs it
toward optical sensor array 103. Surface 106 may be a curved surface
to focus the light on sensor array 103, thus performing the function
that is normally performed by lens 102.
In the configuration of FIG. 1A, low-speed door 111 is closed to
prevent light passing through lens 102 from registering on the optical
array 103 when attempting to capture the photographer's iris. In
the configurations of FIGS. 1B and 1C, low speed door 111 is open.
Door 111 is not a true shutter which requires synchronized, high
speed operation, but may be implemented as anything which blocks
extraneous light during registration of the iris. E.g., low-speed
door 111 could be operated automatically by the camera's processor,
or could be manually operated. It could be a separate door with
no other function, or it could be implemented as a variable opening
aperture, in which one of the aperture settings is complete closure,
or it could be something so simple as a manually removable lens
cap. Optional illumination of the photographer's iris may be provided
by illuminators 110, which may, e.g., be light emitting diodes (LEDs).
FIGS. 2A and 2B are sectional views representing different operational
configurations of a digital camera according to a second embodiment.
In this embodiment, a viewing window is separated from the image
capturing portion of the camera, so that the photographer views
the object of interest through a separate light path which does
not pass through the photographing lens. Camera 200 comprises housing
201, lens 202, optical sensor array 203, and shutter 204. FIG. 2B
shows a configuration of camera 200 during capture of a photograph.
Shutter 204 is open, and light from the object of interest passes
through lens 202 and registers on sensor array 203. Concurrently,
the photographer may view the object of interest through a pair
of viewing windows 207 and 208. During set-up of the photograph,
the configuration is identical to that shown in FIG. 2B, except
that shutter 204 is closed.
FIG. 2A shows a configuration of camera 200 during registration
of the photographer's iris. At this time, shutter 204 is closed,
and mirror 206 is pivoted upward, so that it blocks the transmission
of light in a straight path through windows 207 and 208. Light from
the photographer's iris passes through window 208, is deflected
downward by mirror 206, is deflected again by prism 205, and registers
on optical sensor array 203. Either prism 205 or mirror 206 may
have curved surfaces for focusing the image of the iris on optical
sensor array 203. It will be noted that in FIG. 2B, mirror 206 is
pivoted downward, blocking the optical path between the viewing
window area and the optical sensor array. As in the case of camera
100, it would be possible to add illuminators (not shown) to provide
illumination of the iris, should background illumination be insufficient.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a digital camera according to a third
embodiment. In this embodiment, there is no direct light path from
the object of interest to the photographer; instead, a small display
within the camera regenerates the image that is sensed by the optical
sensor array, for display to the photographer. As shown in FIG.
3, camera 300 contains a housing 301, lens 302, optical sensor array
303, and shutter 304. Light from an object of interest passes through
lens 302, which focuses it on sensor array 303. The detection electronics
within the camera then cause the image detected by sensor array
303 to be displayed on display 308, which may be a liquid crystal
or other appropriate display. The photographer views this display
to determine what the camera is sensing and set up the photograph.
One-way mirror glass 306 mounted at an oblique angle to display
308 permits light from display 308 to pass through glass 306 and
view window 309 to the photographer's eye. View window 309 may be
a magnifying lens to enable easier viewing of display 308. However,
light coming from the photographer's eye passes through view window
309, is reflected by mirror glass 306, passes through focusing lens
307 and is sensed by optical array 303. Therefore, to obtain an
image of the photographer's iris, shutter 304 is closed. In this
mode, display 308 may be activated to a white screen to provide
illumination of the iris, or it may be shut off completely.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a digital camera according to a fourth
embodiment. As in the previous embodiment, in this embodiment there
is no direct light path from the object of interest to the photographer.
A small display 408 within the camera regenerates the image that
is sensed by the optical sensor array, for display to the photographer.
As shown in FIG. 4, camera 400 contains a housing 401, lens 402,
and optical sensor array 403. It may contain a shutter (not shown),
or the equivalent function may be obtained by switching the optical
sensor array on for a brief time electronically. Light from an object
of interest passes through lens 402, which focuses it on sensor
array 403. The detected image is then regenerated and displayed
on display 408, which may be any appropriate display technology.
The photographer views this display through view window 409.
As in the case of the third embodiment discussed above, one-way
mirror glass 406 mounted at an oblique angle to display 408 permits
light from display 408 to pass through glass 406 and view window
409 to the photographer's eye. Light coming from the photographer's
eye passes through view window 409, is reflected by mirror glass
406, and passes through focusing lens 407. However, unlike the case
of the third embodiment, in the fourth embodiment a separate optical
sensor array 405 is used to sense the image of the photographer's
iris. It will be appreciated that since the purpose of sensing the
iris is to match data from the image with data from previously obtained
images, sensor array 405 is not necessarily of the same high resolution
as sensor array 403, and additionally may be monochromatic. When
sensing the photographer's iris, display 408 may be activated to
a white screen to provide illumination of the iris, or it may be
shut off completely.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a digital camera according to a fifth
embodiment. In this embodiment, the mechanical configuration of
camera 500 is conventional, except possibly for the lens. Camera
500 contains a housing 501, lens 502, and optical sensor array 503.
It may contain a shutter (not shown), or the equivalent function
may be obtained by switching the optical sensor array on for a brief
time electronically. In normal operational mode, light from an object
of interest passes through lens 502, which focuses it on sensor
array 503. The detected image is then regenerated and displayed
on display 508, which may be any appropriate display technology.
The photographer views this display through view window 509.
In order to capture an image of the photographer's iris, the photographer
simply looks directly into lens 502, preferably before taking the
picture. Because the photographer's iris is a rather small object,
it is expected that the photographer will look into the lens from
a very close distance. The lens must therefore be able to focus
at this close distance to obtain an image of the iris. Close-up
lenses are, of course, well known. A lens having a full range of
focal lengths between the close distance and infinity may add unnecessary
cost to the camera. Full range is not required however; it is merely
required to be able to focus at a single, fixed close distance.
This could be accomplished by a special lens setting or even an
auxiliary lens member.
It will be understood that the representations in FIGS. 1-5 are
intended as high-level representations for illustrative purposes,
and are not intended as detailed drawings of all the components
of a camera. Additionally, the components which are shown are represented
in simplified form for ease of understanding. E.g., lenses 102,
202, 302, 402, 502 are often implemented as multi-piece elements
having movable parts for adjusting the focal length.
It will be recognized that in at least some of the configurations
shown above, and in other variations which may be conceived within
the scope of the present invention, light from the photographers
iris may strike the optical sensor array at an oblique angle or
pass through prisms or similar optical media, any of which may distort
the image which is captured by the optical sensor array. For example,
the image may be elliptical rather than circular. The purpose of
capturing an image of the iris is not to produce a true picture
of the iris, but to match the captured image with data from a previously
captured image stored in the database. Therefore, as long as the
process is repeatable, the fact that it does not capture a true
image of the photographer's iris is irrelevant.
FIG. 6 is a high-level diagram illustrating the major electronic
component of a digital camera, according to any of the above embodiments.
The camera includes a programmable processor 601 in communication
with a random access memory 602. Memory 602 contains a control program
603 comprising a plurality of processor executable instructions
which, when executed on processor 601, control the operation of
the camera. Memory further contains a photographer profile 604,
as explained further herein. The camera further includes a data
storage device 605 for storing digital images captured by the camera,
optical sensor array 606 for capturing digital images, and I/O device
driver/controller 608 for communicating with various components
of the camera, all of which are under the control of processor 601.
Data storage device 605 may be any appropriate storage device used
for storing digital images, such as semiconductor memory, magnetic
tape, magnetic disk, optical memory, etc. The storage media may
or may not be removable. I/O device driver controller 608 provides
an interface to other camera components. These components include
those controlled by processor 601, such as shutter, lens, mirrors,
etc, as well as those from which processor 601 receives input, such
as a shutter actuator button, or other user accessible buttons and
switches. For some embodiments, these components will include a
digital display device for displaying images to a user. Preferably,
there is also a small status display, such as an LCD display, for
displaying numbers, text and icons to inform the use of camera status.
Additionally, there will usually be at least one external port for
transmitting data to a device external to the camera, such as a
computer, a television, a printer, etc. Power to the various electronic
components is supplied by a battery (not shown).
Memory 602 preferably includes a portion which is strictly non-volatile,
i.e., the data in the non-volatile portion is not lost in the event
the memory receives no power, whether due to battery failure, replacement,
or other event. Control program 603 and photographer profile 604
are preferably stored in this portion of memory. Specifically, it
is preferred that photographer profile 604 be stored in a flash
memory, which is non-volatile and allows data to be written a limited
number of times. Memory 602 may also include a volatile or dynamic
portion for storing temporary values, counters, etc., or for buffering
image data.
In the preferred embodiment, photographer profile 604 contains
a plurality of entries, each entry containing an iris scan summary,
a photographer identifier, a photographer authority field, and an
optional settings field. The iris scan summary is a digital record
of multiple iris features, which is produced by obtaining a digital
image of the iris and identifying and abstracting the various features
of the iris from the image. Preferably, this iris scan summary is
encoded into a record of approximately 512 bytes or less. Suitable
iris recognition technology for high discrimination iris recognition
in a high security context is available from, among others, Iridian.TM.
Technologies. For purposes of the present invention, such a high
discrimination capability is considered unnecessary, and it may
be possible to reduce the number of features identified and the
corresponding size of the iris scan summary. For example, the aforementioned
Iridian.TM. Technologies iris recognition boasts a capability of
recognizing 244 degrees of freedom, having odds of producing a false
match as low as 1 in 10.sup.48. Such a capability may be desirable
for guarding secrets of national importance, but it is overkill
for purposes of the present invention. Typically, one would expect
that ten or fewer individuals would be authorized to use a single
camera. Furthermore, to discourage theft, it is enough to make it
highly unlikely that the thief will be able to use the camera, and
not necessarily to make the odds astronomical. It is believed that
if the odds of a false match are 1 in 100 or less, such accuracy
is sufficient for purposes of the present invention. This relaxing
of the constraints makes incorporation of biometric capability as
described herein more practical in the context of a camera. It not
only reduces the amount of data which must be stored in the photographer
profile, but it reduces the required accuracy of an image taken
of the iris. This iris image may be at a fairly low resolution,
or may be distorted, monochromatic, etc., and still fulfill the
requirements of biometric identification described herein.
The photographer identifier field is preferably a text name, but
a different form of identifier could be used. The photographer authority
field defines the authority that the photographer has to use the
camera. The following authority levels are defined:
Master: The photographer can perform all camera operations, including
the alteration of the photographer profile record.
View: The photographer can both view existing recorded images and
capture new ones, but can not change the photographer profile.
Record: The photographer can record new images, but can not view
stored images or transmit them to another device.
None: The photographer is not allowed to perform any actions with
the camera.
Where the storage device is a non-volatile removable device (such
as a magnetic diskette), it may be impractical to prevent viewing
an existing record, and in this case the "record" authority
level would not be used.
One of the entries in the photographer profile is a default entry,
which may be in a fixed location (e.g., the first location), or
may have a known value in either its iris scan summary or the photographer
name field which the control program recognizes as a default. The
default entry is used to define the authority of a photographer
who is not otherwise recognized, i.e., the authority of a photographer
who has no corresponding entry for his iris in the photographer
profile. Preferably, when the camera is initially shipped from the
manufacturer, the default authority is set to "Master",
allowing anyone to use all the camera functions. The purchaser may
then alter the photographer profile by adding a scan of his own
iris, giving himself master authority, and changing the default
authority to a desired value. Preferably, the control program would
prevent any change to the profile which would result in nobody having
"Master" authority.
The optional settings field can be used to set the camera to one
or more parameters preferred by the individual photographer. For
example, some digital cameras enable a photographer to specify the
resolution of the image saved in storage. A user could set the camera
so that images taken by certain people (e.g., children) are at a
low resolution to save memory, while images taken by others are
at a higher resolution. Typically, the settings in the profile would
only be initial settings, and the photographer would be able to
override any stored settings for a particular photograph.
Text and similar data for the profile, or function selection, may
be entered into the camera through any appropriate combination of
buttons or other input means. Since such data is entered infrequently,
it is not necessary that the camera contain a full function keyboard,
as in common in the case of computers. For example, an arrow for
scrolling through the alphabet, coupled with a select button, is
sufficient.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flowchart showing the operation at a high
level of control program 603 of a camera according to any of the
embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-5. The camera is initially in an
idle state 701. In the idle state, the control program periodically
polls for a power-on indication, such as the user touching an appropriate
button or opening a lens cover (step 702). When a power-on indication
is detected, control program 603 displays "SCAN IRIS"
or a similar message on the camera's data display, and simultaneously
sets the camera to obtain the iris scan (step 703). As explained
above, the camera configuration for obtaining the iris scan will
vary with the particular embodiment. In the embodiment of FIGS.
1A-1C, for example, door 111 will be closed, deflecting mirror 105
will be rotated 90 degrees to deflect light from the view window
backward to the sensor array, and illuminators 110 may be turned
on. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2B, shutter 204 will be closed
and mirror 206 rotated upward. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, shutter
304 will be closed, and display 308 may be used as backlighting
to provide illumination. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, display 408
may be used as backlighting again. And in the embodiment of FIG.
5, lens 502 will be set to a special close-up focus setting. Different
camera configurations will require correspondingly appropriate camera
settings. The control program then takes a scan of the iris and
abstracts the appropriate iris features from the scan.
Control program 603 then compares the abstracted iris features
just obtained with the stored iris features in the iris scan summary
field of each entry in photographer profile 604 (step 705). If a
match is found, the "Y" branch is taken from step 705.
In this case, a user authority level is set to the authority value
contained in the authority field of the corresponding entry in photographer
profile 604, and the photographer is set to the value of the photographer
identifier field (step 706). If the optional settings field is used,
the camera settings are set to the values specified in the settings
field of the photographer profile entry. If, on the other hand,
no match is found at step 705, the "N" branch is taken,
and the user authority level and settings are set to default values,
while the photographer is set to a blank or null value (step 707).
Control program 403 then examines the user authority level (step
708). If the authority level is "None", the user is not
authorized to use the camera, and the control program shuts down
(step 709), returning to the idle state 701. If the authority level
is something other than "None", the control program resets
the camera for viewing and capturing images (step 710), i.e., the
configuration of the camera is altered as necessary to view and
capture images of objects of interest, as opposed to scanning a
user's iris.
Control program 403 then waits for the user to select a camera
function (step 711). A function could be to capture an image (take
a still photograph or motion video), but could be many other things
as well. Some functions may relate to preparation for the capture
of a particular image, such as manually setting the aperture, focus,
etc., while other functions may relate to matters unrelated to a
particular image, such as setting a date/time indicator, uploading
a collection of images in storage, etc. In particular, one of the
functions available is to edit photographer profile 604.
When control program 603 detects a function selection (by, e.g.,
pressing an appropriate button or combination of buttons), the "Y"
branch from step 711 is taken, and the control program first verifies
whether the user has authority to perform the requested function
(step 712). If the user lacks authority, an error message is displayed
on the data display (713), and the control program returns to step
711. The camera may also make an appropriate audible error indication.
If the user has authority, the "Y" branch is taken from
step 712, and the requested function is performed. If the requested
function is to capture an image (the "Y" branch from step
714), the control program causes the camera to capture the image.
At approximately the same time, the identity of the photographer
is imbedded in or associated with the image (step 716). This step
may take different forms, and a single camera may support multiple
options with regard thereto. In a simple form, the name of the photographer
is superimposed on the image itself near the bottom or corner, just
as it is common to superimpose a date or time on the image. Alternatively,
the name of the photographer can be entered in a digital record
which is associated with the image, so that it can subsequently
be read by an appropriate device (such as a computer), even though
the photographer's name is not directly superimposed on the image.
This option gives a later viewer the ability to superimpose the
name of the photographer or not, depending on preference, or to
simply search for the name of the photographer in an on-line index
or database of captured images. As a further alternative, the photographer
identifier can be used to generate a digital signature which is
associated with the image, and which would be difficult to alter
using standard editing techniques. This could serve as evidence
of authorship of digital photographs. After capturing the image
and recording the photographer identifier, the control program returns
to step 711.
If the requested function was to edit photographer profile 604
("Y" branch from step 717), the control program prompts
the user via the data display to choose an existing entry or a new
entry (step 718). If the user chooses to edit an existing entry
(the "N" branch from step 718), the user selects one of
the existing entries, e.g., by cycling through the entries, a photographer
ID being displayed on the data display for each respective entry,
until the desired entry is found (step 719). The user then edits
the entry, e.g., by changing the settings or the authority level,
or by deleting the entry in its entirety (step 720). If the user
chooses to create a new entry ("Y" branch from step 718),
the camera sets up and performs an iris scan for the new entry as
described previously, afterwards resetting itself to the normal
viewing configuration (step 721). The user is then allowed to specify
the photographer name, authority level, and optional settings associated
with the new entry (step 722). In either case, the control program
returns to step 711 after editing the photographer profile.
If the requested function was neither to capture an image nor to
edit the photographer profile, the "N" branch is taken
from step 717. In this case, if the requested function is to shut
the camera off, the "Y" branch is taken from step 723
and the camera returns to idle state 701. In all other cases, the
"N" branch is taken from step 723, and the camera performs
the requested function (step 724), returning to step 711.
Since each person has two eyes, it would be possible to have two
entries in the photographer profile for each individual, one entry
corresponding to each eye. This is particularly recommended in the
case of an individual having "Master" authority. E.g.,
in the event that the camera is somehow unable to recognize one
of the irises, the individual's other iris may be scanned.
In the description above, various terminology and drawings have
been used to imply that a camera according to the present invention
takes still photographs. The camera configuration of FIGS. 1A-1C
is intended for still photographs, but the other configurations
are potentially applicable to either still or motion video. The
present invention is generally applicable to motion video as well
as still, and nothing herein should be interpreted as limited to
still photographs unless expressly so stated.
In the preferred embodiment described above, the biometric capability
of a camera is used both to make a record of the photographer, and
as an anti-theft or privacy device. This implementation is chosen
because, once the camera has biometric capability and a stored database
of biometric profiles, the addition of multiple such functions adds
little or nothing to the cost of the camera. However, it would alternatively
be possible to provide only some subset of the functions described
herein. For example, a camera with biometric capability might be
used solely for identifying a photographer and authenticating photographs,
without the anti-theft and privacy capabilities to verify the authority
of a user.
In the preferred embodiment described above, the biometric parameter
used to identify the photographer is an iris scan. An iris scan
has the advantage of being obtained optically, and thus using some
or all of the same electronics which are used for image capturing
in the camera. However, it will be appreciated that alternative
biometrics could be used. For example, a retina scan could be used,
although this typically requires a laser scanner. As another alternative,
a scan of facial features is possible. The scan of facial features
is more complex than a retina scan and, using today's technology,
is probably less reliable and less repeatable. However, it does
have the advantage that a much larger feature is being scanned.
In the camera embodiment of FIG. 5, this would probably mean that
no special modification of the lens would be required.
As a further alternative, it should be recognized that the biometric
would not necessarily have to be optically obtained. For example,
voice recognition technology has been used to identify individuals.
Already, many digital cameras (and particularly motion video cameras)
are equipped with microphones. The photographer may be prompted
to speak a short phrase (such as the photographer's name), and the
processor would match the digitized audio input with a previously
stored voice print of the photographer. As an additional alternative
biometric measurement, it is noted that gun manufacturers and others
are currently experimenting with fingerprint sensors which would
identify an individual from his fingers. This technology is currently
primitive, but in the future might be used as a biometric identifier.
Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed
along with certain alternatives, it will be recognized by those
skilled in the art that additional variations in form and detail
may be made within the scope of the following claims: |