JP2002215921A - Image offering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To offer optional image data to a user on a real-time basis. SOLUTION: When a management dealer 40 acquires image data, he reports that the image data are acquired by the management dealer 40 to a user terminal having the prescribed relationship with the acquired data among user terminals 30-1 through 30-N. When the user terminal, to whom it is reported that the image data are acquired by the management dealer 40, gains access to the management dealer 40 based on the report from the management dealer 40, the image data acquired by the management dealer 40 are delivered to the user terminal gaining access to the management dealer 40.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image providing system for providing image data such as a photograph, and more particularly, to an image providing system for providing image data in real time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a printed matter on which an image such as a photograph is printed, the printed matter itself is sold at a store such as a bookstore or a stationery store. When a general consumer purchases such a printed matter, A consumer goes to a store, where he selects and purchases a printed matter on which a desired image is printed from among the printed matter sold. As a result, the consumer can purchase a printed matter on which a photograph of the singer, actor, athlete, or the like that he or she likes is printed, or the photograph itself. In addition, it is possible to purchase printed materials and photographs in which famous scenes such as sports, decisive moments and the like are printed.

[0003] In the case where the printed matter on which the image data is printed is sold at a store such as a bookstore or stationery store, a sales source such as a printing company makes a plan for selling the printed matter in advance, and according to the plan. Creation and printing of image data are performed.

In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, a system for selling printed materials on which image data such as photographs are printed on the Internet has been constructed.

[0005] In this system, a vendor of a printed matter provides image data such as a photograph to be printed on the printed matter to a user on an information screen such as a homepage, and the user browses the image data on the information screen. , Desired image data is selected and purchased. The exchange of image data via such a network has become easier among general consumers due to the spread of digital cameras.

[0006] In the sale of printed matter including image data via the Internet as described above, a sales plan for the printed matter is made by the seller of the printed matter, and the image data is provided on the net according to the plan. ing.

[0007]

However, the conventional image providing system as described above has the following problems.

[0008] In prints on which image data such as photographs are printed and sold at stores such as bookstores and stationery stores,
When a general consumer purchases a desired printed matter, he or she must go to a store or the like that sells the printed matter, which takes time and effort.

[0009] In addition, in the case where image data such as a photograph is provided to a user via the Internet, and the user selects desired image data from the provided image data, when the user selects the image data, Unless an information screen such as a homepage is accessed, the existence of available image data cannot be recognized, so that there is a problem that the provided image data cannot be recognized by the user in real time.

[0010] Further, since the printed matter is created and printed in accordance with a plan established in advance by the seller of the printed matter, it takes time from planning what kind of printed matter is to be sold until the printed matter is sold. In addition, there is a problem that printed matter including unplanned image data cannot be sold.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, and has as its object to provide an image providing system capable of providing arbitrary image data to a user in real time. Aim.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured so as to be connectable to a network, obtains image data, and distributes the image data on the network. At least one first terminal configured to be connectable and capable of browsing image data obtained by the management company and distributed on the network, wherein the first terminal is provided to the management company. In an image providing system in which image data obtained by the management company is distributed to the first terminal via the network when accessed, the management company may be configured to obtain the image data when the image data is obtained. The first terminal having a predetermined relationship with the first terminal is notified that the image data has been acquired.

[0013] Further, the management company may be configured to provide only the first terminal having a predetermined relationship with the image data to a first terminal whose past access status to the management company satisfies a predetermined condition. And that the image data is obtained.

[0014] The image processing apparatus may further include one or more second terminals configured to be connectable to the network and receiving the image data. The management company may store the image data captured by the second terminal in the second terminal. The second via the network
Of the terminal.

[0015] Further, when the first terminal specifies the image data distributed to the first terminal,
The image data is printed, and the printed matter is provided to a user having the first terminal.

Further, the first terminal creates a printed matter in which image data distributed from the management company is processed and printed.

(Operation) In the present invention configured as described above, when image data is acquired by a management company,
The first terminal having a predetermined relationship with the acquired image data is notified that the image data has been acquired by the management company. Thereafter, when the first terminal accesses the management company based on the notification from the management company, the image data acquired by the management company is distributed to the first terminal.

As described above, in the first terminal, the fact that the image data has been obtained by the management company is notified without accessing the management company, so that the existence of the image data that can be provided by the management company is determined. Can be recognized in real time.

If the first terminal for notifying that the image data has been acquired by the management company is only the one in which the past access status to the management company satisfies a predetermined condition, the management company accesses the first terminal. First likely to do
Only the terminal is notified that the image data has been acquired by the management company.

Further, when the first terminal designates the image data distributed to the first terminal, the image data is printed and the printed matter is provided to the user having the first terminal. It is not necessary to go to a store or the like to obtain a printed matter on which desired image data is printed.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image providing system according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 1 is a second terminal which is configured to be connectable to the Internet 20 and to which image data such as a photographed image is respectively taken.
0-1 to 10-n, and a user terminal 30-1 which is a first terminal which is configured to be connectable to the Internet 20 and is capable of browsing image data such as photographs taken in the terminals 10-1 to 10-n. To 30-N, and terminals 10-1 to 10-n and user terminals 30-1 to 30 through the Internet 20.
-N, and stores image data such as photographs taken in the terminals 10-1 to 10-n, and stores the stored image data in the user terminals 30-1 to 30-30.
-N, and a management company 40 that creates a printed matter including image data designated by the user terminals 30-1 to 30-N and sells the printed matter to a user having the user terminals 30-1 to 30-N. It is composed of

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the management company 40 in the image providing system shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the management company 40 in the present embodiment includes an image data acquisition unit 41 for acquiring image data such as photographs taken in the terminals 10-1 to 10-n via the Internet 20, An image data file 42 in which image data acquired via the image data acquisition unit 41 is stored; an image data search unit 43 for searching desired image data from the image data file 42; Image data retrieved from the Internet 2
Image data transmitting unit 44 for transmitting to the user terminals 30-1 to 30-N via the Internet, and a member information capturing unit 45 for capturing information regarding a member providing a printed matter including image data.
And a member information file 46 in which the member information captured through the member information capturing unit 45 is stored, and a member information file 46 based on the image data acquired through the image data capturing unit 41. Search condition setting unit 47 for setting search conditions for member information to be searched from
A member information search unit 48 for searching for predetermined member information from the member information file using the search conditions set in
The Internet 20 and the user terminal 30-1 are provided to the member having the member information searched by the member information search unit 48.
And a mail transmission unit 49 for transmitting a notification mail via .about.30-N.

The image providing method in the image providing system configured as described above will be described below with reference to the management company 40.
Will be described as an example of selling photos to a user having a user terminal 30-1.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining an image providing method in the image providing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a printed matter including image data other than the image data whose provision is notified by a notification mail is displayed. The process when selling to a user and the process when a user registers as a member are shown.

When the user accesses the photo sales site operated by the management company 40 using the user terminal 30-1 (step S1), the photo sales site is transmitted from the management company 40 (step S2), and is transmitted via the Internet 20. It is received and displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S3). Here, the photograph sales site transmitted from the management company 40 and displayed on the user terminal 30-1 includes information for searching for a photograph that can be provided to the user terminal 30-1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the image providing system shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of the photo sale site distributed to -N.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the photograph sales site distributed from the management company 40 to the user terminals 30-1 to 30-N includes the user terminal 30 from the management company 40.
The genres of photos that can be provided in -1 to 30-N are listed, and the user selects a desired genre of photos from the genres listed on the photo sales site.

When the user selects a desired photo genre on the photo sales site as shown in FIG. 4 (step S4), the management company 40 preliminarily retrieves the image data from the image data capturing section 41. Photo data of the selected genre is extracted from the photo data stored in the file 42, transmitted to the user terminal 30-1 (step S5), and displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S6). .

The user selects a desired photograph from the photograph data displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S).
7) If a member has already been registered (step S8), a member number is input and transmitted (step S8).
9).

Then, in the management company 40, the member information corresponding to the member number transmitted from the user terminal 30-1 is extracted from the member information file 46 and transmitted to the user terminal 30-1 (step S10). ).

The member information transmitted from the management company 40 is
The message is displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S1).
1) Here, the user terminal 3 transmitted from the management company 40
The member information displayed in 0-1 is only information necessary for confirming the destination of the photograph specified by the user and the payment method.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing member information transmitted from the management company 40 to the user terminal 30-1 and displayed on the user terminal 30-1 in the image providing system shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 5, among the member information stored in the member information file 46, the user terminal 30-1 displays the member name, address,
Only phone numbers and payment methods are displayed.

When the user checks the member information displayed on the user terminal 30-1 and there is no change in the contents (step S12), the user presses the confirmation button on the screen (step S13), and the user selects the member information in step S7. Photo order
The member information displayed on the user terminal 30-1 in step S11 is accepted as a destination and a payment method (step S14).

If there is a change in the content in step S12, the change is entered in the changed portion and transmitted (step S15), and the order of the photograph selected in step S7 is changed to the changed member information. Is accepted as the destination and payment method.

On the other hand, if the user is not a member at step S8, the destination of the photograph and the method of paying the price are entered in a predetermined area (step S16). If the user wishes to become a member (step S17) ), And presses an enrollment button (step S18).

Then, a screen for inputting member information is transmitted from the management company 40 (step S19) and displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S20). Here, the screen transmitted from the management company 40 and displayed on the user terminal 30-1 is a screen in which age, preference information, and the like of the user other than the information input in step S16 can be input.

When the user inputs and transmits user information for each item on the screen displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S21), the management company 40
The transmitted member information is registered in the member information file 46 (step S22), and the order of the photograph selected in step S7 is transmitted to the user information input to the user terminal 30-1 in step S16. Accepted as destination and payment method.

Further, the management company 40 sends the user terminal 30-
The member number is issued to the user 1 (step S23), and the user receives the member number via the user terminal 30-1 (step S24). When the user uses this photo sales site thereafter, the user will order a photo using the member number received in step S24.

On the other hand, if the user does not wish to become a member in step S17, the destination of the photograph and the payment method of the price are input in a predetermined area in step S16, and then transmitted (step S25). The order of the photo selected in step S7 is received with the member information input to the user terminal 30-1 in step S16 as a destination and a payment method.

When the order of the photograph is accepted by the management company 40, the designated photograph is printed and sent to the user (step S26).

Thereafter, the user receives the photograph sent from the management company 40 (step S27) and pays the price. The payment method is described in step S11.
At the user terminal 30-1 or at the step S15 or S16.

Hereinafter, in the image providing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when new photograph data is acquired by the management company 40, the member is notified of the fact, and thereafter, the photograph is made in accordance with the request of the member. About the process of selling
Will be described as an example of selling photos to a user having a user terminal 30-1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an image providing method in the image providing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and sells a printed matter including image data of which notification is provided by a notification mail to a user. An example of the processing in the case will be described.

The photographer belonging to the management company 40 or a photographer who has made a contract with the management company 40 takes a picture (step S31), and sends the photographed picture to the terminal 10-.
1 and sends it to the management company 40 (step S
32), the photograph data transmitted from the terminal 10-1 is captured by the image data capturing unit 41 of the management company 40 (step S33).

In the management company 40, when the photograph data is taken in, the taken-in photograph data is stored in the image data file 42 and the search condition setting section 47
In, a search condition for searching for member information from the member information file 46 is set based on the taken photo data (step S34). Here, in the setting of the search condition, for example, when the photograph data captured in step S33 is soccer photograph data, the search condition is set to soccer or sports.
If the photo data captured in step S33 is the photo data of a female idol singer, the search is performed in such a manner that the search condition is that of a teenage male.

Next, the member information search unit 48 searches the member information file 46 based on the search condition set by the search condition setting unit 47, and the member information file 4 is searched.
6 is extracted from the member information including the preference information registered in advance in step 6 (step S).
35). For example, if the search condition is soccer, information in which soccer is included as preference information in the member information is extracted from the member information file 46. If the search condition is a teenage male, the age is 10 Member information of males and genders is extracted from the member information file 46.

Next, the mail transmission unit 49 in the management company 40
In step S36, a notification mail is sent to the member having the member information extracted in step S35 to notify that the photograph captured in step S33 can be provided (step S36). It should be noted that an area for accessing a site on which the photograph taken in step S33 is posted is pasted on the notification mail. Also, in this notification mail, step S33
If there are a plurality of photos taken in and the member having the member information searched based on these photos is the same, it is notified that the plurality of photos can be provided to the corresponding member. .

The notification mail transmitted from the management company 40 is received by the user terminal 30-1 (step S37),
If the user wants to view the notified photo (step S38), and designates the area pasted on the received notification mail (step S39), the management company 40 transmits the site on which the corresponding photo data is posted. Is performed (step S40) and displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S41). If multiple photos are available,
By designating an area corresponding to each photograph, the desired photograph data is transmitted from the site management company 40 on which the photograph data is posted. These sites may have a plurality of photos posted for each genre, and if there are a plurality of photos that can be provided to the user terminal 30-1 in the same genre, one of them is posted. You can browse multiple photos simply by specifying the area for accessing the site.

When the user desires to purchase the photo displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S42), the user specifies the photo to be purchased (step S43),
When the member number is entered and transmitted (step S44), the management company 40 extracts the member information corresponding to the member number transmitted from the user terminal 30-1 from the member information file 46, and the user terminal 30- 1 (step S45).

The member information transmitted from the management company 40 is
The message is displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S4).
6) Here, the user terminal 3 transmitted from the management company 40
The member information displayed in 0-1 is as shown in FIG.
Only the information necessary for confirming the destination of the photograph specified by the user and the payment method is included.

The user checks the member information displayed on the user terminal 30-1. If there is no change in the content (step S47), the user presses the confirmation button on the screen (step S48), and the designation is made in step S43. The ordered photo is received with the member information displayed on the user terminal 30-1 in step S46 as a destination and a payment method (step S49).

If there is a change in the content in step S47, the change is entered in the changed portion and transmitted (step S50), and the order of the photograph specified in step S43 is changed to the changed member information. Is accepted as the destination and payment method.

When the order of the photograph is accepted by the management company 40, the designated photograph is printed and sent to the user (step S51).

Thereafter, the user receives the photograph sent from the management company 40 (step S52) and pays the price. The payment method is described in step S46.
By the payment method displayed on the user terminal 30-1 or the payment method input to the user terminal 30-1 in step S50.

In the above-described processing, the notification mail is transmitted based on the member information including the member preference information. However, the notification mail may be transmitted based on the past order history.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an image providing method in the image providing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and sells a printed matter including image data of which notification is provided by a notification mail to a user. Another example of the processing in the case will be described.

The photographer who has made a contract with the management company 40 takes a picture (step S61), takes the photographed picture into the terminal 10-1 and sends it to the management company 40 (step S62). The photo data transmitted from the terminal 10-1 is captured by the data capturing unit 41 (step S63).

In the management company 40, when the photograph data is taken in, the taken-in photograph data is stored in the image data file 42 and the search condition setting section 47
In, a search condition for searching for member information in the member information file 46 is set based on the taken photo data (step S64). Here, in the setting of the search condition, for example, when the photograph data captured in step S63 is soccer photograph data, the search condition is set to soccer or sports.
If the photo data captured in step S63 is the photo data of a female idol singer, the search is performed in such a manner that the search condition is that of a teenage male.

Next, the member information search unit 48 searches the member information file 46 based on the search condition set by the search condition setting unit 47, and the member information file 4
6 is extracted from the member information including the preference information registered in advance in step 6 (step S).
65). For example, if the search condition is soccer, information in which soccer is included as preference information in the member information is extracted from the member information file 46. If the search condition is a teenage male, the age is 10 Member information of males and genders is extracted from the member information file 46.

Next, it is confirmed whether the member extracted in step S65 has a history of ordering within a predetermined number of times from the present to the notification mail transmitted from the management company 40 in the past (step S65). (Step S66) Only when there is a history of ordering within the predetermined number of times, the mail transmitting unit 49 in the management company 40 takes in the member having the member information extracted in step S65 in step S63. A notification e-mail for notifying that the received photo can be provided is transmitted (step S6).
7). It should be noted that an area for accessing a site on which the photograph taken in step S63 is posted is pasted on the notification mail. In addition, in the notification mail, if there are a plurality of photos taken in step S63 and the member having the member information searched based on the photos is the same, the plurality of photos are Is provided.

The notification mail transmitted from the management company 40 is received by the user terminal 30-1 (step S68),
If the user wants to view the notified photo (step S69), and designates the area pasted on the received notification mail (step S70), the management company 40 transmits the site on which the corresponding photo data is posted. (Step S71) is displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S72). When a plurality of photos can be provided, the site management company 40 on which desired photo data is posted is designated by designating an area corresponding to each photo. These sites may have a plurality of photos posted for each genre, and if there are a plurality of photos that can be provided to the user terminal 30-1 in the same genre, one of them is posted. You can browse multiple photos simply by specifying the area for accessing the site.

When the user desires to purchase the photo displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S73), the user specifies the photo to be purchased (step S74),
When the member number is input and transmitted (step S75), the management company 40 extracts the member information corresponding to the member number transmitted from the user terminal 30-1 from the member information file 46, and the user terminal 30- 1 (step S76).

The member information transmitted from the management company 40 is
The message is displayed on the user terminal 30-1 (step S7).
7) Here, the user terminal 3 transmitted from the management company 40
The member information displayed in 0-1 is as shown in FIG.
Only the information necessary for confirming the destination of the photograph specified by the user and the payment method is included.

The user checks the member information displayed on the user terminal 30-1. If there is no change in the content (step S78), the user presses the confirmation button on the screen (step S79), and the user specifies in step S74. The ordered photo is received with the member information displayed on the user terminal 30-1 in step S77 as a destination and a payment method (step S80).

If there is a change in the content in step S78, the changed content is entered in the changed portion and transmitted (step S81), and the order of the photograph specified in step S74 is changed to the changed member information. Is accepted as the destination and payment method.

When the order for the photograph is accepted by the management company 40, the designated photograph is printed and sent to the user (step S82).

After that, the user receives the photograph sent from the management company 40 (step S83) and pays the price. The payment method is described in step S77.
In accordance with the payment method displayed on the user terminal 30-1 or the payment method input in the user terminal 30-1 in step S81.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a photograph taken by a photographer is taken in the terminals 10-1 to 10-n and provided to the management company 40 via the Internet 20. Alternatively, the photographer may provide the photographer with the management company 40 by bringing or mailing the photograph.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the management company 40 acquires a photograph, prints the acquired photograph, and sells the photograph to the user has been described as an example. The present invention is not limited to this, and any printer may be used as long as the image data is printed and the printed matter is sold. In addition, the management company 40 does not print photographs and other image data, and contracts with the management company 40. (Not shown).

Further, the user terminals 30-1 to 30-N which can receive the notification mail and browse the photograph data and the like are provided.
Is not limited to a personal computer, but may be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PHS capable of displaying images.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printed matter obtained by printing the photograph and the image data is provided to the user by the management company 40, but the user terminals 30-1 to 30-n
It is also conceivable that the user downloads desired image data from a site operated by the management company 40, processes the downloaded image data, and prints the processed image data.

Further, in the management company 40, the management company 4
Instead of acquiring a photograph taken by a photographer who belongs to the photographer 0 or a photographer who has a contract with the management company 40, photograph data provided by a company or an organization (not shown) that manages the portrait right of the photograph is acquired. It is also possible.

[0077]

As described above, in the present invention,
When image data is obtained by the management company, the first terminal having a predetermined relationship with the obtained image data is notified that the image data has been obtained by the management company. In the first terminal, it is possible to recognize in real time that the image data has been acquired by the management company without accessing the management company, thereby providing arbitrary image data to the user in real time. it can.

If the first terminal for notifying that the image data has been acquired by the management company is only the one whose past access status to the management company satisfies a predetermined condition, the first terminal is notified to the management company. Only the first terminal having a high possibility of accessing can be notified by the management company that the image data has been obtained.

Further, when the first terminal specifies the image data distributed to the first terminal, the image data is printed and the printed matter is provided to the user having the first terminal. In addition, it is possible to save the trouble and time required for a user to go to a store or the like in order to obtain a printed material on which desired image data is printed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image providing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management company in the image providing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an image providing method in the image providing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a photo sales site sold to a user terminal from a management company in the image providing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing member information transmitted from a management company to a user terminal and displayed on the user terminal in the image providing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an image providing method in the image providing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an image providing method in the image providing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10-1 to 10-n Terminal 20 Internet 30-1 to 30-N User Terminal 40 Manager 41 Image Data Importer 42 Image Data File 43 Image Data Searcher 44 Image Data Transmitter 45 Member Information Importer 46 Member Information file 47 Search condition setting section 48 Member information search section 49 Email transmission section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/30 170 G06F 17/30 170B 340 340A G06T 1/00 200 G06T 1/00 200D

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A management company configured to be connectable to a network, acquiring image data, and distributing the image data over a network, and a management company configured to be connectable to the network and acquired by the management company. At least one or more first terminals capable of browsing the image data distributed above, and when the first terminal accesses the management company, the image data acquired by the management company is In the image providing system distributed to the first terminal via the network, the management company, when obtaining the image data, for the first terminal having a predetermined relationship with the image data,
An image providing system for notifying that the image data has been acquired. 2. The image providing system according to claim 1, wherein the manager has previously determined a past access state to the manager among the first terminals having a predetermined association with the image data. An image providing system that notifies only a first terminal satisfying a condition that the image data has been acquired. 3. The image providing system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more second terminals configured to be connectable to the network, and having the image data taken therein. Is an image providing system for acquiring image data captured by the second terminal from the second terminal via the network. 4. The image providing system according to claim 1, wherein the management company specifies the image data distributed to the first terminal when the first terminal specifies the image data distributed to the first terminal. An image providing system which prints the image data and provides the printed matter to a user having the first terminal. 5. The image providing system according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal creates a printed matter in which image data distributed from the management company is processed and printed. An image providing system characterized by the following.