`
`(1)
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`JP 2003-46841
`
`(19) Japan Patent Office (JP)
`
`(12) Unexamined Patent Application Publication (A)
`(11) Patent Application Publication No.
`P2003-46841A
`
`10
`
`Identification Code
`
`
`302
`ZEC
`107
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7
`H04N
`5/225
`G03B
`15/00
`G06F
`17/60
`
`
`H04N
`1/00
`No. of Claims: 17
`Exam. Req.: Not Made
`(21) Filing No.
`P2001-229624
`
`(22) Filing Date
`
`2001.7.30
`
`FI
`H04N
`G03B
`G06F
`
`H04N
`OL
`
`(43) Publication Date: 2003.2.14
`Theme Code (Reference)
`5C022
`5C053
`5C054
`5C062
`
`Z
`5/225
`X
`15/00
`302E
`17/60
`ZEC
`
`107Z
`1/00
`(10 Pages Total) Cont’d on Final Page
`(71) Applicant
`000005201
`Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd.
`210 Nakanuma, Minami Ashigara-shi,
`Kanagawa-ken
`Shigeru Andō
`c/o Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd.
`798 Miyanodai, Kaisei-machi,
`Ashigara Kami-gun, Kanagawa-ken
`100075281
`Kazunori Kobayashi, Patent Attorney
`
`(72) Inventor
`
`(74) Agent
`
`(54) [Title] Simple Digital Camera and Image Ordering Method Using Such
`
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`
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`Continued on Final Page
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`Canon Exhibit 1015, Page 1
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`(2)
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`JP 2003-46841
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`Imaging Unit
`
`(57) [Abstract]
`[Problem] To provide a simple digital camera at a low cost
`without decreasing image quality.
`[Solution] A camera body 11 is provided with a shooting lens
`12, an imaging unit 20, a memory 22, and a communication
`unit 23. Thumbnail data of shot image data is made readable
`from an external connector 30 via the communication unit 23.
`The external connector 30 is connected to a mobile phone via a
`connection cord. The thumbnail data is read from the external
`connector 30 and displayed on a liquid-crystal display of the
`mobile phone. A display image of this display is observed, and
`order data is input. The order data is sent to an order
`destination by the mobile phone. Moreover, the order data is
`written in a storage means of a camera. A liquid-crystal
`display becomes unnecessary, and costs can be reduced
`accordingly. The image data is read from the memory 22 at the
`order destination. After use, a simple digital camera 10 is
`recycled.
`
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`Canon Exhibit 1015, Page 2
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`JP 2003-46841
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`
`[Claims]
`[Claim 1] A simple digital camera, comprising: an image
`imaging means; a storage means of storing image data
`shot by this image imaging means; and a data transfer
`means of transferring only thumbnail data representing a
`content of the image data by a first reading operation and
`transferring the image data by a second reading operation;
`wherein the first reading operation is performed by an
`external operation member provided to a camera main
`body, and the second reading operation is performed by a
`special operation that differs from the first reading
`operation.
`[Claim 2] A simple digital camera, comprising: an image
`imaging means; a storage means of storing image data
`shot by this image imaging means and thumbnail data
`representing a content of this image data; and a data
`transfer means of transferring only the thumbnail data by
`a first reading operation and transferring the image data
`by a second reading operation; wherein the first reading
`operation is performed by an external operation member
`provided to a camera main body, and the second reading
`operation is performed by a special operation that differs
`from the first reading operation.
`[Claim 3] The simple digital camera of claim 1 or 2,
`wherein the special operation is performed via an internal
`connector provided inside the camera main body, and a
`camera function is disabled by at least an act of removing
`a cover covering the internal connector.
`[Claim 4] The simple digital camera of claim 1 or 2,
`wherein the special operation is performed by an
`operation of an internal operation member provided inside
`the camera main body, and the camera function is disabled
`by at least an act of removing a cover covering the
`internal operation member.
`[Claim 5] The simple digital camera of any one of claims
`1 to 4, wherein the storage means stores the image data
`encrypted, and the special operation decrypts the image
`data.
`[Claim 6] The simple digital camera of any one of claims
`1 to 5, wherein the data transfer means transfers
`identification data for identifying the image imaging
`means.
`[Claim 7] The simple digital camera of claim 6, wherein
`correction data that is any one among pixel-defect data,
`lens distortion and aberration data, and peripheral-
`dimming data is managed according to identification data,
`and correction is performed based on the correction data
`when subjecting the image data to image processing.
`[Claim 8] The simple digital camera of any one of claims
`1 to 7, wherein the image imaging means has an imaging
`capacity of no less than one million pixels, and the simple
`digital camera is submitted in its entirety to an order
`destination for printing or image reading.
`[Claim 9] The simple digital camera of any one of claims
`1 to 8, wherein the image imaging means, the storage
`means, and the data transfer means are reusable products.
`[Claim 10] The simple digital camera of any one of claims
`1 to 9, further comprising: a data input means of
`designating an image to be deleted based on observation
`results of a thumbnail image by the thumbnail data
`transferred by the first operation; and a means of deleting
`
`corresponding image data of the storage means based on
`deletion-designation data from this data input means.
`[Claim 11] An image ordering method of using an
`information terminal provided with an image-display
`display to read the thumbnail data by the first operation
`from the simple digital camera of any one of claims 1 to
`10 and display a thumbnail image on the image-display
`display and of writing order data input by observing this
`displayed thumbnail image in the storage means.
`[Claim 12] An image ordering method of using an
`information terminal provided with an image-display
`display to read the thumbnail data by the first operation
`from the simple digital camera of any one of claims 1 to
`10 and display a thumbnail image on the image-display
`display and of transferring order data input by observing
`this displayed thumbnail image to an order destination.
`[Claim 13] The image ordering method of claim 11 or 12,
`wherein at the order destination, the image data is read by
`the second reading operation from a received simple
`digital camera, and printing or writing of the image data
`on a recording medium is performed based on this read
`image data.
`[Claim 14] The image ordering method of any one of
`claims 11 to 13, wherein the information terminal is a
`mobile terminal, camera identification data for identifying
`the simple digital camera is read together with the
`thumbnail data by the first operation, and the camera
`identification data and the order data are transferred to an
`order destination.
`[Claim 15] The image ordering method of claim 14,
`wherein correction data that is any one among pixel-defect
`data, lens distortion and aberration data, and peripheral-
`dimming data is stored according to camera identification
`data, and correction is performed using this correction
`data at a time of image processing when performing order
`processing.
`[Claim 16] The image ordering method of any one of
`claims 11 to 15, wherein the information terminal is a
`mobile phone.
`[Claim 17] The image ordering method of any one of
`claims 11 to 16, wherein at the order destination, after
`reading the image data by the second reading operation,
`this simple digital camera is sent to a reprocessing facility;
`the image imaging means, the storage means, and the data
`transfer means are inspected; and these are reused to
`restore the simple digital camera.
`[Description]
`[0001]
`[Field] The present invention relates to a simple digital
`camera of a recyclable type used as if using a disposable
`camera and an image ordering method using such.
`[0002]
`[Background] Digital cameras are rapidly become
`widespread in recent years, and various types are being
`offered, from high-end devices in excess of four-million
`pixels to simple devices of about 100,000 to 300,000
`pixels. These digital cameras are provided with a liquid-
`crystal display for confirming a shooting image, and this
`liquid-crystal display is used as a finder, for image
`reproduction, for various settings, and the like.
`[0003]
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`Canon Exhibit 1015, Page 3
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`JP 2003-46841
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`[Technical Problem] Because a conventional digital
`camera uses the liquid-crystal display for various types of
`display, manufacturing costs are increased even for a
`simple device, making it an expensive product compared
`to a camera of a disposable type such as a film unit with a
`lens. Therefore, there is a problem where carefree
`shooting is not possible. Moreover, although simple
`devices of about 300,000 pixels omit the liquid-crystal
`display to decrease costs, these simple devices are still
`expensive and cannot be used in a carefree manner like
`the film unit with a lens. Moreover, these devices of about
`300,000 pixels are mainly for confirming an image
`content on a display and have a problem where a pixel
`count is too low for printing out a photograph.
`[0004] The present invention solves these problems and
`has as an object to provide a simple digital camera
`whereby carefree shooting can be performed as if using a
`disposable camera yet a high-quality print can also be
`obtained.
`[0005]
`[Solution to Problem] To achieve this object, the
`invention of claim 1 is provided with an image imaging
`means, a storage means of storing image data shot by this
`image imaging means, and a data transfer means of
`transferring only thumbnail data representing a content of
`the image data by a first reading operation and
`transferring the image data by a second reading operation,
`wherein the first reading operation is performed by an
`external operation member provided to a camera main
`body and the second reading operation is performed by a
`special operation that differs from the first reading
`operation. Moreover, as in the invention of claim 2,
`thumbnail data may be created when storing the image
`data instead of being created based on the image data at a
`time of transfer such that a thumbnail image thereof is
`stored together with the image data.
`[0006] Note that the special operation is preferably
`performed via an internal connector provided inside the
`camera main body and a camera function is disabled by at
`least an act of removing a cover covering the internal
`connector. In this situation, a decreased recovery rate of
`the simple digital camera due to inappropriate use can be
`avoided. Moreover, the special operation may be
`performed by an operation of an internal operation
`member provided inside the camera main body and the
`camera function may be disabled by at least an act of
`removing a cover covering the internal operation member.
`Moreover, the storage means may store the image data
`encrypted and the special operation may decrypt the
`image data.
`[0007] Furthermore, the data transfer means preferably
`transfers identification data for identifying the image
`imaging means. By this, the image data can be readily
`specified. Moreover, preferably, correction data is that is
`any one among pixel-defect data, lens distortion and
`aberration data, and peripheral-dimming data is managed
`according to identification data and correction is
`performed based on the correction data when subjecting
`the image data to image processing. In this situation, even
`if shooting is performed by a simple camera mechanism,
`these corrections being made individually for each device
`enables high-resolution image data on par with that of a
`
`high-end device to be obtained even with a low-cost
`device.
`[0008] The image imaging means has an imaging capacity
`of no less than one million pixels, and the simple digital
`camera is submitted in its entirety to an order destination
`for printing or image reading. By this, the recovery rate of
`the simple digital camera is increased and recycling can
`be performed reliably. Moreover, the image imaging
`means, the storage means, and the data transfer means are
`reusable products. By this, increased manufacturing costs
`for the simple digital camera are suppressed and the
`simple digital camera can be provided at a low cost.
`[0009] By being provided with a data input means of
`designating an image to be deleted based on observation
`results of a thumbnail image by the thumbnail data
`transferred by the first operation and a means of deleting
`corresponding image data of the storage means based on
`deletion-designation data from this data input means, an
`unsuccessfully shot image can be deleted even in the
`simple digital camera.
`[0010] In the invention of claim 11, by using an
`information terminal provided with an image-display
`display to read the thumbnail data by the first operation
`from the simple digital camera above and display a
`thumbnail image on the image-display display and by
`writing order data input by observing this displayed
`thumbnail image in the storage means, individual order
`data becomes able to be readily input.
`[0011] In the invention of claim 12, by using an
`information terminal provided with an image-display
`display to read the thumbnail data by the first operation
`from the simple digital camera above and display a
`thumbnail image on the image-display display and by
`transferring order data input by observing this displayed
`thumbnail image to an order destination, ordering can be
`performed readily.
`[0012] With the invention of claim 13, at the order
`destination, the image data is read by the second reading
`operation from a received simple digital camera and
`printing or writing of the image data on a recording
`medium is performed based on this read image data. As
`such, a high-quality print or high-quality image data
`becomes able to be obtained. Moreover, the information
`terminal is a mobile terminal, identification data is read
`together with the thumbnail data by the first operation,
`and the identification data and the order data are
`transferred to an order destination. By this, it becomes
`sufficient to simply hand over the simple digital camera to
`the order destination, enabling ordering by a simple
`process such as dropping off the camera in a drop-off box.
`[0013] At the order destination, after reading the image
`data by the second reading operation, this simple digital
`camera is sent to a reprocessing facility; the image
`imaging means, the storage means, and the data transfer
`means are inspected; and these are reused to restore the
`simple digital camera. Therefore, resources can be used
`effectively.
`[0014]
`[Description of Embodiments] FIG. 1 is a schematic view
`illustrating a simple digital camera of the present
`invention provided as a memory with a lens. This simple
`digital camera 10 is provided with a shooting lens 12, a
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`Canon Exhibit 1015, Page 4
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`shutter button 13, a finder 14, a flash device 15 (see also
`FIG. 2), a mode-switching button 16, and a window 17 for
`displaying a number of shootable frames remaining in a
`camera body 11 made of plastic and is provided therein
`with a imaging unit 20, an image processing unit 21, a
`memory 22, a communication unit 23, a system controller
`24, and a battery 25 (see FIG. 2).
`[0015] The imaging unit 20 is provided with a CCD image
`sensor, a CCD driver, an amplifier, an A/D converter, and
`the like; it shoots a subject image via the shooting lens 12
`and sends image data thereof to the image processing unit
`21.
`[0016] The image processing unit 21 applies image
`processing such as gradation conversion; color
`conversion; hyper-tone processing, which compresses
`gradations of an ultra-low-frequency luminance
`component of the image; and hyper-sharpness processing,
`which emphasizes sharpness while suppressing graininess,
`and stores the image data in a printing area 22a in the
`memory 22. Moreover, the stored image data is subjected
`to thinning processing to create thumbnail data, which is
`stored in a thumbnail area 22b in the memory 22. Note
`that reference sign 22c indicates an order area.
`[0017] The communication unit 23 performs data sending
`by being connected to an external information terminal or
`data reader via an external connector 30 and an internal
`connector 31. The external connector 30 is exposed to the
`outside by removing a cap 32 made of rubber and is
`connected to, for example, a mobile phone 36 via a
`connection cable 35 such as that illustrated in FIG. 2.
`Moreover, the internal connector 31 is disposed in the
`camera body 11; as illustrated in FIG. 4, the internal
`connector 31 is made able to connect to a data reader 42
`by opening a lid 40 when the camera is submitted to a
`camera store, a DP receiving store, or the like (simply
`“receiving store” hereinbelow) for ordering a print or
`ordering image-data reading and is normally not exposed
`to the outside.
`[0018] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 3, by opening
`the lid 40, the internal connector 31 is exposed to the
`outside; it is made able to connect to the data reader 42,
`which is on a receiving-store side, via a connection
`terminal 41 such as that illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated
`in FIG. 3, an interlocking lever 44 is rotatably installed via
`an installation shaft 44a to a rear face of the lid 40 via a
`bracket 43. The interlocking lever 44 is provided between
`the shutter button 13 and a release switch 45; it swings
`due to the shutter button 13 being pressed, and the release
`switch 45 is turned on by this swinging. This interlocking
`lever 44 is maintained in a state where the shutter button
`13 is lifted upward by a coil spring 47.
`[0019] The lid 40 is formed integrally with the camera
`body 11 by a thin portion 40a; the lid 40 is opened and
`broken off from the thin portion 40a by being pried open
`using a tool such as a screwdriver with a dull tip.
`Moreover, by the lid 40 being removed from the camera
`body 11, the interlocking lever 44 is broken off from the
`installation shaft 44a thereof; a subsequent shooting
`operation becomes impossible, and the camera no longer
`functions as a digital camera.
`[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mode-switching button
`16 switches between a shooting mode (P), an image
`
`confirmation communication mode (D), and an order-data
`writing mode (O) but is normally set to the shooting
`mode. In the shooting mode, shooting is performed by
`pressing the shutter button 13. The image confirmation
`communication mode is selected after shooting is ended or
`the like; as illustrated in FIG. 2, of images stored in the
`memory 22, only the thumbnail data is read by the
`external information terminal—for example, the mobile
`phone 36—enabling a content of the shot image to be
`confirmed. Order data is input by various keys 36b of the
`mobile phone 36 while confirming the content of this shot
`image and is temporarily stored in a memory of the
`mobile phone 36. The order-data writing mode is selected
`after selecting the image confirmation communication
`mode. In this mode, the order data temporarily stored in
`the memory of the mobile phone 36 is written in the order
`area 22c of the memory 22 of the simple digital camera
`10. Note that an information terminal 37 other than the
`mobile phone 36 may also be used, such as a personal
`computer, a palmtop (a pocket-sized device adopting a
`touch-screen interface), or a handheld personal computer
`(a small device adopting a keyboard interface) provided
`with a communication function of a modem or the like.
`[0021] A number 46, indicating the number of shootable
`frames remaining, of a display plate 17a is displayed in
`the window 17 for displaying the number of shootable
`frames remaining. In the present embodiment, due to a
`storage capacity of the memory 22, image data of twenty-
`five frames can be stored. Because of this, the number 46,
`which ranges from “25” to “0,” is recorded on the plate
`17a for displaying the number of shootable frames
`remaining; the plate 17a for displaying the number of
`shootable frames remaining is rotated intermittently one
`number at a time by an intermittent rotation mechanism
`that is not illustrated to display the number of remaining
`frames. Note that this number of shootable frames
`remaining is not limited to twenty-five and may be an
`appropriate number of frames. Moreover, instead of
`representing the number of remaining frames, a number of
`shot frames may be displayed. Moreover, instead of
`mechanical display of the number of frames, the number
`of frames may be displayed using a liquid-crystal numeric
`display or the like.
`[0022] An application for performing data communication
`of a thumbnail image, display of a thumbnail image, and
`print ordering of a thumbnail image is installed on the
`mobile phone 36, and browsing processing and ordering
`processing of a thumbnail image 48 (see FIGS. 2, 5) are
`performed using this application. This application is
`provided by a printing server or the like run by a printing
`provider that is a large-scale photo lab or the like and is
`downloadable. When this application is installed, a user
`registration mode is automatically entered into, and after
`an address, a phone number, a payment withdrawal
`method and a withdrawal source, a sending destination of
`a product such as a CDROM recorded with the image data
`or a printed photograph, and the like are registered, a user
`password and a user ID are given.
`[0023] In a situation of image-browsing and ordering, as
`illustrated in FIG. 2, the simple digital camera 10 and the
`mobile phone 36 are connected via the connection cable
`35 and next, an image-browsing and ordering mode is
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`Canon Exhibit 1015, Page 5
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`designated by operating the various keys 36b of the
`mobile phone 36, such as a numeric keypad or cursor
`keys. Moreover, the mode-switching button 16 of the
`simple digital camera 10 is switched from the shooting
`mode to the image confirmation communication mode. By
`this mode designation, first, transfer of the thumbnail data
`is received from the simple digital camera 10 and, based
`on this thumbnail data, the thumbnail image 48 is
`displayed on a liquid-crystal display 36a. Moreover, the
`order data, which is an order content such as printing or
`image-data reading based on the image data
`corresponding to this thumbnail image 48, a number of
`ordered prints, a print size, a printing method, and the like,
`is input using the various keys 36b. Then, when the order
`data is determined, a selection is made between direct
`ordering or memory-writing ordering.
`[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in direct ordering, this
`order data is transferred to the printing server 55 of the
`large-scale photo lab or the like, which is an order
`destination, via a mobile phone line 56 or the internet 57.
`Moreover, identification data of the simple digital camera
`10 is also transferred together with this order data.
`[0025] In memory-writing ordering, the mode-switching
`button 16 of the simple digital camera 10 is switched from
`the image confirmation communication mode to the order-
`data writing mode. Then, the order data is sent from the
`mobile phone 36 to the simple digital camera 10 and this
`order data is written in the order area 22c of the memory
`22. At this time, orderer-specifying data such as a name, a
`phone number, and an address for specifying an orderer is
`also written in the order area 22c together with the order
`data. Note that as the orderer-specifying data, an ID code
`registered in advance for a user may be used instead of the
`name and the phone number.
`[0026] When shooting is ended, the simple digital camera
`10 is submitted to the nearest receiving store. In a
`situation where direct ordering or memory-writing
`ordering is performed in advance, the receiving store or
`the like ends receiving processing by merely receiving the
`simple digital camera 10. Moreover, in a situation where
`direct ordering or memory-writing ordering is not
`performed, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the order data is input
`at the store using the data reader 42. Alternatively, instead
`of such input, print ordering for all frames or image-
`reading ordering for all frames is selected.
`[0027] Note that in a situation of a simple digital camera
`10 where direct ordering or memory-writing ordering is
`performed, instead of directly handing the camera 10 to a
`receptionist, a drop-off box may be provided in front of
`the store or the like for the camera 10 to be dropped off
`therein.
`[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 3, at the receiving store, first,
`the lid 40 of the simple digital camera 10 is opened. Next,
`as illustrated in FIG. 5, the simple digital camera 10 is set
`in the data reader 42 and the internal connector 31 and the
`connection terminal 41 are connected.
`[0029] The data reader 42 is provided with a data reading
`unit 61, an order-data search unit 62, a correction-data
`search unit 63, an image processing unit 64, a display 65,
`a data input unit 66, and a data writing unit 67.
`[0030] At the data reading unit 61, the image data, the
`order data, and the identification data are read from the
`
`memory 22 via the connection terminal 41. Because of
`this, the lid 40 of the simple digital camera 10 is opened,
`the internal connector 31 is exposed, and the simple
`digital camera 10 is inserted into an insertion port 42a of
`the data reader 42 in this state. By this, the connection
`terminal 41 is connected to the internal connector 31.
`[0031] At the order-data search unit 62, in a situation
`where no order data is read from the memory 22 by the
`data reading unit 61, order data written in a corresponding
`area of the printing server 55 is searched for based on the
`identification data.
`[0032] At the correction-data search unit 63, a database of
`correction data in the printer server 55 is searched based
`on the identification data and correction data specific to
`the corresponding simple digital camera 10 is obtained.
`As the correction data, in the present embodiment, there is
`pixel-defect data, lens distortion and aberration data, and
`peripheral-dimming data.
`[0033] At the image processing unit 64, in a situation
`where the pixel-defect data is had, data interpolation is
`performed using image data of pixels around a defective
`pixel. This data interpolation uses, for example, a
`weighted average value of the peripheral data. In a
`situation where the lens distortion and aberration data is
`had, image processing is performed in a direction of
`correcting this distortion and aberration. Moreover, in a
`situation where the peripheral-dimming data is had, image
`processing is performed of correcting peripheral dimming
`based on this peripheral-dimming data. By performing
`such correction processing, a high-quality image can be
`obtained even with the image data from the simple digital
`camera 10.
`[0034] The display 65 and the data input unit 66 are used
`when no order data is input, the order data being input at
`the store using a keyboard 66a and a mouse 66b. Note that
`although this input operation is performed by an operator
`at the receiving store, other than this, it may be directly
`performed by the user. In this receiving processing,
`thumbnail images 71 are displayed at once in an index
`display area 70a in a display screen 70 of the display 65.
`Then, when a corresponding thumbnail image 71 is
`designated and a presence or absence of print ordering is
`designated, the image data corresponding to this
`thumbnail image 71 is read and an original image 72 is
`displayed in an original-image display area 70b based
`thereon. The order content is input by confirming this, and
`this input result is displayed on an order-content display
`unit 70c. By this, it is selected whether a desired product
`is, for example, a print or a CD; additionally, in a situation
`of a print, the number of prints, the print size, and, as
`necessary, trimming processing, synthesis processing, or
`the like are selected and instructed. At this time, input is
`sought of user identification information specifying the
`user. As the user identification information, in addition to
`a name, a phone number, and the like, a user ID code
`issued in user registration is used.
`[0035] The order data from the data reader 42 is stored for
`each order as a print job 73 in a predetermined area of the
`printing server 55 by the data writing unit 67. Moreover,
`the image data of each order is stored as an image file 74
`whose file name is an identification code in a
`predetermined area of the printing server 55. The printing
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`Canon Exhibit 1015, Page 6
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`server 55 performs corresponding printing processing and
`recording-medium writing processing based on the print
`job 73. For example, in a situation where a print 76 is
`ordered, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a digital printer 75 is used
`to create a designated number of prints at the designated
`size. As the digital printer 75, the present embodiment
`adopts a silver-halide method; however, other than this,
`any among a thermal-transfer method, an inkjet method, a
`thermal-recording method, and the like may be adopted.
`Moreover, these printing methods may be designated
`when ordering to create the print by the designated
`printing method.
`[0036] Note that in the present embodiment, all image
`data is stored for a certain period in the image file 74 to
`enable reprinting and reordering, but this may store for the
`certain period image data for only an ordered frame.
`[0037] Furthermore, in a situation of ordering only the
`image data, the image data of the ordered frame number is
`read from the print job 73 and this is delivered to the
`orderer in a form of the order content. For example, in a
`situation of delivery by a CDROM 81 or a DVD 82 by a
`recording-medium writing device 80, the image data is
`written on the CDROM 81 or the DVD 82 and delivered
`to the orderer. Note that a recording medium is not limited
`to the above, and another recording medium such as a
`memory card or a flexible disk may be used.
`[0038] Furthermore, in a situation where internet delivery
`is desired, the image data of the ordered frame number is
`stored in an image server 85. The orderer accesses the
`image server using an information terminal such as a
`personal computer at home and downloads the ordered
`image data based on a user ID, a password, and an image
`identification code.
`[0039] In this embodiment, the simple digital camera 10 is
`connected to the information terminal such as the mobile
`phone 36 via the connection cable 35, but other than this,
`the thumbnail data, the image data, the order data, and the
`like may be transferred using an infrared communication
`method, a wireless communication method, or the like.
`For example, transferring may be performed using a short-
`range wireless communication technology such as
`Bluetooth.
`[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the internal
`connector 31 is exposed by opening the lid 40 and, to
`disable a function as the simple digital camera 10,
`inappropriate use is prevented by, for example, causing
`the interlocking lever 44 between the shutter button and
`the switch to fall out or break. However, other than this,
`the internal connector 31 may be omitted, the thumbnail
`data alone may be made readable by a normal reading
`operation using the external connector 30, and the image
`data may be sent upon undergoing encryption processing.
`In this situation, as illustrated by the dot-dot-dash line in
`FIG. 1, an encryption processing unit 21a may be
`provided in the image processing unit 21 to encrypt the
`image data. Moreover, when reading the image data, by
`decrypting using an encryption key, the print orderer
`alone can read the image data, eliminating inappropriate
`use. This also enables an increased recovery rate of the
`simple digital camera, and enables efficient recycling.
`Moreover, in this embodiment, the encryption processing
`unit 21a may also be provided for encryption processing
`
`in a situation of reading the image data using the internal
`connector 31.
`[0041] In this embodiment, the image data is read using
`the internal connector 31 that is exposed by opening the
`lid 40, but other than this, as illustrated in FIG. 6, instead
`of the internal connector 31, an operation switch 90 for
`reading the image data may be provided inside the camera
`body 11, this being operated by exposing the operation
`switch 90 by opening the lid 40, and the image data may
`be read from the external connector 30. The