Patent Abstract:
A portable electronic device comprises a photograph-taking component configured to capture an image of an object; a receiver configured to receive information on photography restriction from a first external communication source, wherein the first external communication source transmits first information if the portable electronic device is considered to be within a photography restriction area; and a controller configured to place the portable electronic device in a restricted photography mode if the first information is received by the receiver, the restricted photography mode allowing the photograph-taking component to capture an image of a given object, the captured given object being represented by image data. The portable electronic device is configured to operate the photograph-taking component in the restricted photography mode and a non-restricted photography mode.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-368302, filed on Oct. 29, 2003.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to placing restriction on the photographic function of a portable electronic device.  
         [0003]     JP Unexamined Patent Pub. No. 1999-261674 discloses a photography-restricting system to automatically prohibit the photographic function of a portable device in prohibited modes in facilities where such a use of portable electric devices in specific modes is restricted. The photography-restricting system comprises a controller installed on a ceiling or the like in public facilities and a portable electric device comprising a portable telephone. The portable electric device has a plurality of operating modes. The controller comprises a signal-generating circuit, a transmission circuit, an antenna, etc., and transmits control signals periodically in the public facilities. The portable electric device comprises an antenna, a receiving unit, a transmitting unit, a transmitter/receiver unit, etc. The transmitter/receiver unit has an operating-mode-setting means for shifting from a standby-for-receiving mode to a receiving-prohibiting mode.  
         [0004]     JP Unexamined Patent Pub. No. 2002-135838 discloses an automatic control system to restrict the operation of portable electric devices in places where restriction is required and does not restrict the operation of portable electric devices in other places where restriction is not required. The automatic control system of portable electric devices is capable of automatic changeovers, rendering it unnecessary to ask people not to take photos or not to use flashlights. More specifically, a radio wave carrying a control signal is transmitted into a zone, which people pass through, for restricted place or space. On the other hand, a radio wave carrying a restriction-lifting signal is transmitted into a zone, which people pass through, for places where restriction is not required. The portable electric devices which have received the restriction-lifting signal return to the normal-operation mode.  
         [0005]     JP Unexamined Patent Pub. No. 2002-27554 discloses a control technique for (i) improving the convenience of users and controlling the function of telephoning as well as other functions of a portable terminal  101  by controlling the functions of the terminal from the viewpoints of users in addition to the unilateral control of functions of the terminal from a station. A device  102  for transmitting and receiving radio waves in local areas generates and transmits function-regulating information, which corresponds to the regulations in a specific area, to restrict the operation of cameras  113  and recording means  114  of portable terminals  101  in the specific area. The local transmitting/receiving means  111  of portable terminals  101  receive the function-regulating information from the device  102 . When the function-control means  118  of portable terminals  101  find that the function-regulating information is of the prohibition of a function or functions, the outputting means  117  of portable terminals  101  notify the users of the prohibition by means of display, sound, or vibration.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Portable electronic devices with camera functions have become very popular recently. With such portable electronic devices, people can take photographs easily at any place. It is sometimes, however, desirable to prevent people from taking pictures using such devices for various reasons, e.g., to protect a person&#39;s privacy.  
         [0007]     The above JP patent applications are directed to address such a concern. The techniques disclosed thereto, however, restrict the photography function of all portable electronic devices in a given area; therefore, if an unforeseen event occurs for which photography is needed, these devices cannot be used to take pictures. Also, it is not possible to allow one group of portable electronic devices to take pictures while restricting another group of portable electronic devices from taking pictures, or restrict the use of portable electronic devices in different ways at different times.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, one feature of the present invention provides an information processor capable of solving the above problems and improving the convenience of users.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, a portable electronic device comprises a photograph-taking component configured to capture an image of an object; a receiver configured to receive information on photography restriction from a first external communication source, wherein the first external communication source transmits first information if the portable electronic device is considered to be within a photography restriction area; and a controller configured to place the portable electronic device in a restricted photography mode if the first information is received by the receiver, the restricted photography mode allowing the photograph-taking component to capture an image of a given object, the captured given object being represented by image data. The portable electronic device is configured to operate the photograph-taking component in the restricted photography mode and a non-restricted photography mode.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, a method for controlling an image capturing feature of a portable electronic device configured to capture images includes receiving a photography restriction signal by the portable electronic device from a communication source provided external to the portable electronic device; converting a photography mode of the portable electronic device from a first photography-capturing mode to a second photography-capturing mode in response to the photography restriction signal received from the external communication source; and thereafter, capturing an image of an object using the second photography-capturing mode of the portable electronic.  
         [0011]     In another embodiment, a portable electronic device including an image capturing feature includes means for receiving a photography restriction signal by the portable electronic device from a communication source provided external to the portable electronic device; means for setting the portable electronic device from a first photography-capturing mode to a second photography-capturing mode in response to the photography restriction signal received from the external communication source; and means for capturing an image of an object using the second photography-capturing mode of the portable electronic.  
         [0012]     Yet another embodiment is directed to a handheld electronic device including a computer program for controlling an image capturing feature of the handheld electronic device. The program comprises code for receiving a photography restriction signal by the handheld electronic device from a communication source provided external to the handheld electronic device; code for converting a photography mode of the handheld electronic device from a first photography-capturing mode to a second photography-capturing mode in response to the photography restriction signal received from the external communication source; and code for capturing an image of an object using the second photography-capturing mode of the handheld electronic.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a system for restricting the photograph-taking functions of portable electronic devices in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the portable electronic device in the system for restricting the photo-taking functions of portable electronic devices according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary flowchart restricting the photograph-taking function performed by the portable electronic device of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an example of the notice of restriction of photography to be displayed on the displaying unit of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary flowchart for displaying a photograph taken according to the flowchart of  FIG. 4  on the displaying unit of the portable electronic device.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the portable electronic device in the system for restricting the photograph-taking functions of portable electronic devices according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary flowchart restricting the photograph-taking function of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the portable electronic device in the system for restricting the photograph-taking functions of portable electronic devices according to the third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary flowchart restricting the photograph-taking function of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram of the portable electronic device in the system for restricting the photograph-taking functions of portable electronic devices according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  illustrates a process for restricting the photograph-taking function of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram of the portable electronic device in the system for restricting the photograph-taking functions of portable electronic devices according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  illustrates a process for restricting the photograph-taking function of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 13 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  illustrates a process for lifting the restriction of photography in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]     With reference to drawings, preferred embodiments for a system to restrict the functions of photography of cameras that are integrated to portable electronic devices in accordance with the present invention are described below in detail.  FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of the system.  
         [0029]     A specific area  101  is a designated area, such as the inside of a movie theater or concert hall. The camera features of portable electronic devices  102  are restricted when they are brought into the specific area  101 . This restriction is lifted by performing a predefined procedure or adding another restriction.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary block diagram of a portable electronic device  102 . The portable electronic device  102  comprises a photograph-taking means  201  (or camera or camera component), a controller  202  to control the portable electronic device  102 , a storage  203  to store image data, a displaying unit  204  such as a display or speaker, an input means  205  such as buttons for a user to input data and instructions, a receiving means  206  to receive signals including information about the restriction of photography from a fixed station  210 , and a means  207  for switching to different operations. The operation-changeover means  207  may be included in the controller  202 .  
         [0031]     With the above construction, the changeover means  207  restricts the function of photography of the portable electronic device  102  and lifts the restriction in accordance with the information about the restriction of photography received by the receiving means  206 . Information about the restriction of photography is included in prescribed control signals to be transmitted from a transmitter installed in the specific area  101  or at a gateway of the specific area  101 .  
         [0032]     With reference to drawings, the restriction of photography by the operation-changeover means  207  will be described below.  
         [0000]     First Embodiment  
         [0033]     The restriction of the function of displaying a photographed image by encoding its image data before storage are described below.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the portable electronic device  102  according to the first embodiment. The portable electronic device  102   a  of  FIG. 3  corresponds to the portable electronic device  102  of  FIG. 2  plus a transmitting means  301 , an encoding means  302 , and a decoding means  303 . The portable electronic device may be a handheld device that is configured to be operated while being held on a user&#39;s hand. Examples of such handheld devices include mobile phones and personal digital assistants.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of the process  400  of the control of functions performed by the portable electronic device  102   a . In Step  401 , the user of the portable electronic device  102   a  operates the input means  205  to take pictures using the photograph-taking means  201 . In Step  402 , it is determined whether or not photography is restricted based on information received by the receiving means  206 . If photography is not restricted, a picture is taken in Step  405  and its image data are stored in the storage  203  in Step  407 . Then, the process ends in Step  408 . If it is determined in Step  402  that photography is restricted, the message shown in  FIG. 5  is displayed on the displaying unit  204  to notify the restriction to the user of the portable electronic device  102   a . Then, a photograph is taken in Step  404  and its image data are encoded by the encoding means  302  in Step  406 . The encoded image data are stored in the storage  203  in Step  407  and the process ends in Step  408 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates a process  660  for displaying the picture taken according to the process  400  on the displaying unit  204 , according to one embodiment.  
         [0037]     In Step  601 , the user of the portable electronic device  102  operates the input means  205  to request the display of the picture taken according to the process  400  on the displaying unit  204 . In Step  602 , the controller  202  determines whether or not the image data of the picture are encoded. If the image data are not encoded, the picture is displayed in Step  605 . Then, the process ends in Step  606 . If the controller  202  determines in Step  602  that the image data are encoded, a decoding key is inputted in Step  603 . In Step  604 , it is determined whether or not the decoding key is correct. If the decoding key is correct, the encoded image data are decoded by the decoding means  303  and the image or picture is displayed (Step  605 ). Then, the process ends in Step  606 . If the decoding key is wrong or no decoding key is inputted, the process ends without displaying the image/picture in Step  606 .  
         [0038]     A decoding key may be obtained by sending the image data of a taken photograph to a certain database of a police station, firehouse, or the like through the transmitting means  301  or by making a payment to a charging system.  
         [0000]     Second Embodiment  
         [0039]     According to the second embodiment, the image data of the portable electronic device  102  are sent to a fixed station.  FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the portable electronic device  102   b  according to the second embodiment, which corresponds to the portable electronic device  102  of  FIG. 2  plus a transmitting means  301 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a process  800  performed by the portable electronic device  102   b . In Step  801 , the user of the portable electronic device  102   b  operates the input means  205  to take pictures using the photo-taking means  201 . A picture is taken in Step  802 . In Step  803 , it is determined whether or not camera features are restricted based on the information received by the receiving means  206 . If photography or camera feature is not restricted, the image data of the picture taken at step  802  are stored in the storage  203  in Step  805 , and the process ends in Step  806 . If photography is restricted, the image data of the photograph are sent to the fixed station  210  in Step  804  and the process ends in Step  806 . The station  210  may be a server or storage system that is wirelessly coupled to the portable electronic device via the transmitting means  301 .  
         [0040]     When the user of the portable electronic device  102   b  requests the display of the photograph, the image data of the photograph are received from the fixed station  210  and the photograph is displayed on the displaying unit  204 . The image data may be received either via a wireless or wired communication link. The restriction of photography is accomplished by storing image data not locally (in the portable electronic device  102   b ), but in a remotely located device (in the fixed station  210 ).  
         [0000]     Third Embodiment  
         [0041]     According to the third embodiment of the present invention, the photograph-taking modes of the portable electronic device  102  are restricted if it has two or more photograph-taking modes regarding the quality and resolution of images, the function of revising images by signal processing, etc.  
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the portable electronic device  102  of the third embodiment, which corresponds to the portable electronic device  102  of  FIG. 2  plus an image-signal processing means  901 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 10  illustrates a process  1000  relating to the control of functions of the portable electronic device  102   c . In Step  1001 , the user of the portable electronic device  102   c  operates the input means  205  to take a picture using the photo-taking means  201 . In Step  1002 , it is determined from the information received by the receiving means  206  whether or not photography is restricted. If photography is not restricted, a picture is taken in Step  1004 , and the process ends in Step  1006 . If photography is restricted, at least one or more functions of the image-signal processing means  901  are suspended in Step  1003  and a photograph is taken in Step  1005 . Then, the process ends in Step  1006 .  
         [0000]     Fourth Embodiment  
         [0044]     According to the fourth embodiment, the user of the portable electronic device  102  is notified of the restriction of photography by a siren or light emission.  
         [0045]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram of the portable electronic device  102  according to the fourth embodiment, which corresponds to the portable electronic device  102  of  FIG. 2  plus a means of outputting sound or light  1101 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 12  illustrates a process  1200  relating to the control of functions of the portable electronic device  102   d . In Step  1201 , the portable electronic device  102   d  is placed in a photograph-taking mode. In Step  1202 , it is determined from the information received by the receiving means  206  whether or not photography is restricted. If photography is not restricted, a photograph is taken in Step  1205 , and the portable electronic device  102  is switched to non-photograph-taking mode in Step  1207 . Then, the processing is ended in Step  1209 . If photography is restricted, the means of outputting sound or light  1101  (or an outputting device) starts to output sound or light in Step  1203 . A photograph is taken in Step  1204 . The portable electronic device  102  is switched to a photograph-taking mode in Step  1206 . The means of outputting sound or light  1101  stops outputting sound or light in Step  1208 . Then, the process ends in Step  1209 . According to this embodiment, sound or light is always outputted while the portable electronic device  102  is a photograph-taking mode. Thus, the intention of the user of the portable electronic device  102  to take photographs can be notified to people around him.  
         [0000]     Fifth Embodiment  
         [0047]     According to the fifth embodiment, the photograph-taking function of the photograph-taking means  201  is restricted and the restriction is lifted based on positional information obtained through a GPS function while the portable electronic device  102  is in the specific area  101 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram of a system to restrict the photography of portable electronic devices  102   e  according to the fifth embodiment. The portable electronic device  102  comprises a photograph-taking means  201 , a controller  202  to control the portable electronic device  102 , a storage  203  to store image data, a displaying unit  204  such as a display, a means  206  of receiving signals from a fixed station  210 , a means  207  of changeover among operations, a means  1301  of finding the position of the portable electronic device  102  based on the positional information, and a means  1302  of finding whether the position is within a restricted area or not. The reference numeral  1303  is a map information database, which comprises a storage  1304  to store information about restricted areas and restrictions in the restricted areas, a processing unit  1305 , and a communicating unit  1306 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 14  illustrates a process  1400  for restricting photography feature of the above system. In Step  1401 , the position-finding means  1301  determines the position of the portable electronic device  102 . In Step  1402 , the portable electronic device  102  gets the information about the restriction of photography stored in the storage  1304  of the map information database  1002  through the fixed station  210 . In Step  1403 , the means  1302  determines from the information on the restriction of photography whether or not the position of the portable electronic device  102  is within a restricted area. If the portable electronic device  102  is not within a restricted area and the photography feature of the portable electronic device  102  is restricted, the restriction on photography is lifted in Step  1405 . Then, the process ends in Step  1408 . If the portable electronic device  102  is within a restricted area, it is determined based on the information about the restriction on photography in Step  1404  whether or not photography is allowed. If photography is not allowed, the photograph-taking function of the portable electronic device  102  is suspended in Step  1407 , and the process ends in Step  1408 . If photography is allowed conditionally, the image data is encoded as described in the first embodiment, or the image data is transmitted to the fixed station  210 , as described in the second embodiment, or part of signal processing is suspended as described in the third embodiment, or sound or light is outputted as described in the fourth embodiment in Step  1406 . Then, the process ends in Step  1408 .  
         [0000]     Sixth Embodiment  
         [0050]     According to the sixth embodiment, the restriction is lifted with or without other conditions if the portable electronic device  102  is within the specific area  101  and photography is restricted.  
         [0051]      FIG. 15  illustrates a process  1500  for lifting the restriction of photography. In Step  1501 , the user of the portable electronic device  102  operates the input means  205  to request lifting of the restriction of photography. In Step  1502 , information on the restriction of photography is obtained through the receiving means  206 . The information may also be obtained beforehand. In Step  1503 , the controller  202  determines from the information in the restriction of photography whether or not the restriction of photography can be lifted. If the restriction cannot be lifted, the process ends. If the restriction can be lifted, the controller  202  determines in Step  1504  whether or not there are conditions for lifting the restriction. If there are no conditions for lifting the restriction, the restriction is lifted in Step  1506 , and the process ends. If there are conditions for lifting the restriction, the functions corresponding to the conditions for lifting the restriction are added in Step  1505 , and the restriction is lifted in Step  1506 . Then, the process ends.  
         [0052]     The user may choose one from a plurality of restrictions included in the information on the restriction of photography.  
         [0053]     With the above configuration of the system, photographs can be taken even in restricted areas if conditions for photography are satisfied.  
         [0054]     As described above, according to the present invention, portable electronic devices, e.g., cell phones, may be used to take pictures in restricted areas under certain situations while preventing unauthorized photography in a restricted place by suspending one or more functions of the above photograph-taking means. Besides, by adding a system to lift the suspension of functions, either unconditionally or conditionally, under certain specific circumstances, portable electronic devices are allowed in emergency or such suspension of functions can be imposed on only certain selected portable electronic devices or persons. Moreover, a system for billing users of portable electronic devices for photography in specific areas can be constructed by combining the above system for restricting photography and a charging payment system.  
         [0055]     According to the present embodiments, the photograph-taking functions of portable electronic devices with the function of a video camera can be appropriately restricted in public facilities such as movie theaters, art museums, and concert halls.  
         [0056]     The present invention has been described using specific embodiments. These embodiments may be modified or changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, accordingly, should be determined using the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7