JP2002259077A - Network printing system, network printing method and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network printing system, where the clear picture of a specified part is obtained even when an object is complicated, the load of communication traffic is reduced, copyright is protected, the operational load of the user is reduced and an image which the user desires can be compiled, and to provide a network printing method and an information recording medium. SOLUTION: In the network printing system, a server which can communicate with a user terminal that the user uses gives printing service via a network; the system is provided with a first display processing means displaying the image of a first resolution for the user terminal, based on operation input from the user terminal; and the system is also provided with a second display processing means displaying a selected image obtained by enlarging the image of a specified area with a second resolution higher than the first resolution, based on the selection operation of the image of the specified area, which the user desires, from the areas of the image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a network printing system, a network printing method, and an information recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a network print system for exchanging data and a composite image between a user and a server such as a print center has been known.

In this network print system,
By using a user's terminal to access a server installed at a print service center, etc.,
At the terminal, image data, for example, obtained by a digital camera, as well as a sample such as a film obtained by converting the film taken by the user into digital image data in the lab, and ordering the desired image, print Services such as purchasing are provided.

In such a case, when transmitting image data from the server to the terminal, a low-resolution or monochrome image is transmitted to the terminal from the viewpoint of copyright protection or the like until the order or payment is confirmed. For example, there is a case where the transfer is performed.

[0005] On the other hand, it is difficult to photograph a desired subject from a desired angle, for example, at an event or the like.

[0006]

However, in the above-described method of transmitting a low-resolution image, it is difficult to confirm a part where the person is photographed, for example, when the subject is complicated such as a group photograph. Met. In addition, when a monochrome image is transferred, there is a problem that the image is inferior.

Further, the high-resolution image is sent to the terminal, and while storing the high-resolution image in a recording medium of the terminal, a password or the like is used to prevent the terminal from opening the file of the high-resolution image from the viewpoint of copyright protection. You could protect it and send a password when you place an order so that you can view it in high-resolution mode.

However, in such a method, even if a process such as compression is performed, a high-resolution image having a large file size must be transmitted from the server to the terminal, and unnecessary images are also transmitted to the terminal. As a result, the load on communication traffic increased with the increase in transmission time.

[0009] In addition, there is a problem that the input by a password is required, and the operation is troublesome.

Further, if all the high-resolution image data is transmitted, the file of the high-resolution image may be opened and used at some time, and may be output by a printer or the like owned by the user. Then, there is a problem that copyright is not protected.

[0011] Further, for example, when it is desired to enlarge a low-resolution image to a desired size and view it in a browser, except when the server prepares an image of a predetermined size, It has been necessary to download once using a browser, save an HTML file including an image file in some cases, and then edit the image again using dedicated image editing software or the like. In addition, the division and enlargement functions are often placed in separate layers from the menu screen, and even if icons were formed, they could not be performed at the same time. Had become.

Further, when an image photographed at an event or the like is edited by using this type of print service, the image is unilaterally edited by a professional photographer or the like.
However, professionally edited, although beautifully finished, does not always match the scenes that individuals want to keep. In addition, when photographed by a photographer, only a part of the entire event venue is often photographed, and it is very rare that a desired subject is photographed at a desired angle. Further, it is conceivable that a plurality of fixed-point cameras are provided for shooting, but the editing is performed by the shooting side, so that the desired scene cannot be edited.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a clear image of a specific portion even when the subject is complicated such as a group photograph. And image data can be transmitted without imposing a load on communication traffic and the like, and furthermore, copyright can be protected, and the operational burden on the user can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide a network print system, a network print method, and an information recording medium capable of editing an image.

[0014]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network printing apparatus for providing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user. A first display processing means for displaying an image of a first resolution on the user terminal based on an operation input from the user terminal; And a second display processing unit configured to display a selected image obtained by enlarging the specific region image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution based on a selection operation of the region image.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network print system for providing a print service via a network by a server communicable with a user terminal used by a user, wherein an operation input from the user terminal is provided. A list display screen display processing means for displaying a list of a plurality of thumbnail images of a first resolution to the user terminal, based on an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images Enlarged image display processing means for displaying a selected image obtained by enlarging the specific thumbnail image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and editing processing means for performing album editing processing based on the enlarged selected image When,
It is characterized by including.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network print system for providing a print service via a network by a server communicable with a user terminal used by a user, wherein an operation input from the user terminal is provided. Display processing means for displaying an image of a first resolution on the user terminal based on the specified area image, and expanding the specific area image based on an operation of selecting a specific area image desired by the user from the area of the image. Bordered enlarged image display processing means for displaying the enlarged image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and for processing an edge region of the enlarged image to be displayed differently from other image regions; It is characterized by including.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network print system for providing a print service via a network by a server communicable with a user terminal used by a user, wherein an operation input from the user terminal is provided. A list display screen display processing means for displaying a list of a plurality of thumbnail images of a first resolution to the user terminal, based on an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images Displaying an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the specific thumbnail image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and processing so that an edge region of the enlarged image is displayed differently from other image regions. Bordered enlarged image display processing means.

An invention according to claim 17 is a network printing method for providing a print service via a network by a server communicable with a user terminal used by a user, wherein an operation input from the user terminal is provided. The first to the user terminal based on
Displaying an image of a specific area image, and selecting a specific area image desired by the user from the image area based on an operation of selecting the specific area image. Displaying at a resolution.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network printing method for providing a print service via a network by a server communicable with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the operation input from the user terminal is provided. The first to the user terminal based on
Displaying a plurality of thumbnail images having the same resolution as a list, and selecting a selected image obtained by enlarging the specific thumbnail image based on an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images. Displaying at a higher second resolution;
Performing an album editing process based on the enlarged selected image.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network printing method for providing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the operation input from the user terminal is provided. The first to the user terminal based on
Displaying an image of a specific area image, and an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the specific area image based on a selection operation of a specific area image desired by the user from the image area in a second area higher than the first resolution. It is characterized by including a step of displaying at the resolution and a step of processing so that the edge area of the enlarged image is displayed differently from other image areas.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network printing method for providing a print service via a network by a server communicable with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the operation input from the user terminal is provided. The first to the user terminal based on
Displaying a list of a plurality of thumbnail images having the same resolution, and selecting an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the specific thumbnail image based on an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images. Displaying at a higher second resolution;
And processing the edge area of the enlarged image so as to be displayed differently from other image areas.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording medium recording a process of providing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, Information for performing a process of displaying an image of a first resolution on the user terminal based on an operation input from the user terminal; and selecting the specific area image desired by the user from the area of the image. And information for performing processing of displaying a selected image obtained by enlarging the region image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording medium recording a process of performing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, Information for performing a process of displaying a list of a plurality of thumbnail images of a first resolution on the user terminal based on an operation input from the user, and an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images And information for performing a process of displaying a selected image obtained by enlarging the specific thumbnail image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and performing an album editing process based on the enlarged selected image. And information.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording medium recording a process of providing a print service via a network by a server communicable with a user terminal used by a user, Information for performing a process of displaying an image of a first resolution on the user terminal based on an operation input from the user terminal; and selecting the specific area image desired by the user from the area of the image. Information for performing a process of displaying an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the region image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and processing such that an edge region of the enlarged image is displayed differently from other image regions. And information.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording medium recording a process of providing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, Information for performing a process of displaying a list of a plurality of thumbnail images of a first resolution on the user terminal based on an operation input from the user, and an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images Information for performing processing for displaying an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the specific thumbnail image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and displaying the edge area of the enlarged image different from other image areas based on And information to be processed so as to be processed.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment (Schematic Description) First, the overall schematic configuration of the network print system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the network print system of the present example.

The net print system 1 of the present embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a user terminal 10 (10-1) such as a computer having a browsing function used by a user.
To 10-N) and a mobile phone 12 (12-1 to 12-) which is a user-side communication terminal connectable to a digital camera or the like.
N) and a server 20 such as a print service center having a hard disk, and these are communicably connected to each other via a network 2 such as the Internet.

The network referred to here is a network in which computer systems, terminals, and data communication equipment are interconnected. The connection may be made by a wired line such as a dedicated line or a public line, may be connected wirelessly through a communication satellite or the like, or may be connected in a complex form thereof. The so-called Internet and L
An AN (local area network) and the like are also included in the network.

Although not shown, the user terminal 10 includes display means such as a video display monitor for displaying various image information and the like, and a keyboard and / or a mouse for inputting data on a display screen of the display means. Operation input means such as a pointing device, a modem communication circuit, a computer network, or connection to one or more other computers using a communication channel such as the Internet, a plotter, a printing device, a laser printing device, and the like. Transmission / reception means for enabling connection to any of several types of output devices including a copying apparatus and transmitting and receiving data, memory including RAM and ROM, floppy disk, hard disk drive, magneto-optical Disk drive, magnetic tape, CD-RO Storage means for storing various data including at least one of a number of other non-volatile storage devices and control means such as one or more central processing units (CPU or processor) for controlling these data And so on. In addition, it also includes a video interface, an input / output (I / O) interface, and the like.

The mobile phone 12 performs communication using a wideband code division multiple access system of 3 MHz or more, and transmits high-quality image data if rake communication or soft handover between cells is possible. In this case, the communication speed is also high and is preferable.

The digital camera (digital image pickup device) connected to the mobile phone can be installed at an event site (for example, an athletic meet) or the like. It is possible to shoot from various angles and various types of shooting. This digital camera may be a digital still camera or a digital video camera. These photographed records are transmitted, for example, to the server 20 or the like. As a result, it is possible to browse the outline of the shooting record and the like via the network 2. In this case, when one subject is photographed from a plurality of angles by a plurality of digital cameras, the subject may be displayed as a multi-screen as an image displayed on the user terminal 10. This case can be realized by a display processing means 31 (shown in FIG. 5) of the server 20 described later (details will be described later).

The server 20 is connected to a printer 20a and a data recording device 20b via a LAN (not shown). The server 20 provides information to the user on the Web, for example, and may be a commercially available server for managing interactive web pages and providing other Internet services.

Although not shown, the server includes a display processing means formed by, for example, a CGI program for prompting a user to display various screens such as a menu screen such as a homepage, and various data between the user terminal. Transmission / reception means, display means and operation input means for a system administrator, storage means for storing various control programs, service execution programs, and the like. The configuration of each of these means is configured to be realized by various hardware and software.

As a specific example of the hardware configuration, although not shown, a communication interface for controlling a communication function, a storage device such as a hard disk, an input / output interface for inputting / outputting data from / to a terminal, and the control of these are provided. A central processing unit (CPU);

In the network print system 1 having the above-described configuration, the server 20 provides a service in which a plurality of photographed records photographed by each digital camera or the like can be viewed as a low-resolution image. By accessing the server 20 using the user terminal 10, the user selects his / her favorite scene from the images of the plurality of shooting records.

Alternatively, when it is not known whether or not the desired subject is shown in the set scene, the pointer is moved with a mouse or the like to a predetermined selection area, and the selection is centered on the selection point by clicking or the like. A specific pixel in the area can be displayed as a high-resolution image. However, in this case, it is impossible to download an entire image at a high resolution (high image quality mode).

Based on these user-selected images, the high-resolution mode images are edited in time series and delivered to the user. In addition, if there is a user's request, this editing can also be performed based on various other categories and criteria other than the time series according to user settings.

The above is the outline of this example, and the details will be described below.

(Screen Configuration) Here, an example of a layout of a screen displayed by a browser or the like will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 discloses an example of a display screen displayed on a terminal in the system of the present embodiment. In this example, a case where a Web server is accessed using, for example, a browser as an application will be described. Nochi, it is configured as a browser with an image editing function or image editing software with a browsing function.

As shown in FIG.
An operation unit 10 for performing various operations during browsing
2. A display unit 103 for displaying contents is formed.

An image editing operation section 104 for performing various operations for image editing is formed on the display section 103. The display unit 103 also displays a plurality of thumbnail images 1
Image display unit 1 displayed in a window format having window 12
10 are formed.

The image display section 110 shows an example in which, for example, a total of 24 thumbnail images 112 are displayed in one group. The image display unit 110 includes, for example, the display unit 103
It can be used to display thumbnail images up to the entire space above.
The image display 110 provides visual separation for each group inside the display 103.

In this example, one group includes, for example, 24 thumbnail images 112 and is displayed with uniform dimensions.
Each thumbnail image 112 is scaled to the largest possible size that can fit inside the image display 110.

In such a situation, at the time of browsing, the user can browse a plurality of thumbnail images 112 on the image display unit 110. In addition,
Since the thumbnail image 112 has a very low resolution and small display, if the subject displayed in the image is small, the user clicks an area of the thumbnail image to be enlarged to perform an operation such as clicking. Will be displayed.

Normally, the user scans the entire image space and narrows the area of interest by selecting it so that it can be seen closer. In this case, the user selects enlargement for the image 112 displayed on one of the image display units 110.

Then, the image 11 in the image display unit 110 is
2 is enlarged and laid out according to the processing of the present example, and the entire screen can be filled without causing a problem of directionality to the user.

What is characteristic in the present embodiment is that the enlarged image 120 is automatically converted to a high resolution such that the image display becomes better than the thumbnail image 112 based on the enlargement operation. On the point. That is, the enlargement ratio can be freely set on the GUI like a window by a user's operation such as clicking, but at this time, it is necessary to display the image at an optimum resolution suitable for the enlargement size so as to display a good image. it can.

Of course, this is the case of the default state, and the user can convert the enlarged image 120 displayed in a predetermined size to a desired resolution (excluding the resolution corresponding to the original image data) as necessary. Can be set to

In this example, the case where each independent thumbnail image 112 is enlarged to an enlarged image 120 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. , Each of these divided areas 11
2 is divided by a predetermined number of divisions (or in the case where an irregular type is selected by a user's clicking, dragging, or dropping operation), and any one of these regions can be enlarged. It may be.

In this case, it is preferable to specify the area by dragging on the screen using a "frame" which is a division creation area for specifying the range.

Further, in the present embodiment, the "thumbnail image" has been described as an example of the low-resolution image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any image is acceptable.

In this example, "resolution" means the number of pixels on a one-inch line, but mainly means the screen display resolution. The maximum value is the number of CCD cells mounted on a digital camera or the like /
It includes the resolution which is the length of the light of the slit or the resolution according to the number of pixels of the display.

Further, the elements that can be set by the user include the width and height of the document size, the horizontal resolution, the vertical resolution, and the like. In addition, a plurality of thumbnail groups can be displayed on the display screen.

As described above, in this example, the entire event is photographed and recorded over a wide area with a plurality of cameras, and the event is recorded on the Web.
Since the configuration is such that a plurality of people can browse through a server or the like, each user can browse the image and extract a desired scene.

(Enlargement processing) The above-described enlargement processing is performed, for example, by
As shown in FIG. 3, the thumbnail image 112 (P1) is
The final predetermined size enlarged image 120 of the desired image
Until (P3), it can be enlarged through one or a plurality of intermediate step sizes P2.

For example, the intermediate step size P2 is displayed by pixel replication of the thumbnail image 112 (P1).
Only the final enlarged image 120 (P3) transfers the high-resolution data to the terminal 10. That is, the thumbnail image 112
(P1) and the predetermined pixel duplication program are transferred to the terminal 10, and when the user selects a desired size, the number of times of pixel duplication is calculated from the selected enlarged size. Pixel duplication is performed by the amount. Thus, it is possible to give the user a feeling that the image is gradually enlarged.

It should be noted that the server 20 is provided with not only this processing but also the following processing programs and processing programs for encoding and scaling thumbnail images.

Further, each time the thumbnail image is changed, various resolutions and sizes may be determined in advance, or may be formed so as to be adjustable to a size different from the predetermined size. This thumbnail image is particularly useful in image browser applications used to navigate large databases of digital images.

Basically, in the server 20, the original image data and other image data are compressed in a predetermined storage area (for example, an image format such as JPEG).
Is stored in. In the case of image files, each image file has information on a reference to a corresponding thumbnail image, that is, an image icon. References to the image files are stored in a database. When adding an image file to the database system, a reference to the image file is stored and a thumbnail image for that image is created.

Therefore, in the actual processing, for example, when a thumbnail image is generated, after a compressed image file is expanded, pixels corresponding to the thumbnail image are sampled, or image reduction processing such as thinning is performed. To generate a thumbnail image file.

As described above, the enlarged image of this example is obtained by setting the resolution of the thumbnail image file to the first resolution instead of transferring the file of the original image data to the terminal. The image data is transferred at a second resolution larger than the first resolution. For this purpose, it is necessary to create an enlarged image file dedicated to the second resolution.

In this case, for example, when an enlarged image is generated, after extracting the compressed image file, pixels corresponding to the enlarged image are sampled, or image reduction processing such as thinning is performed. Generate an enlarged image file. Therefore, although it appears that the enlargement process is actually performed on the display screen, the server 20
In this case, a resolution reduction process is performed to determine the ratio of pixels to be thinned out from the original image data having the highest resolution according to the size.

Of course, the above-described processing is an example, and various other methods can be considered. For example, the server can prepare image files corresponding to all enlarged sizes in advance, and selectively transfer the image files as needed.

It should be noted that the thumbnail image file can be enlarged by pixel duplication or interpolation.

That is, when the image quality is emphasized by increasing the resolution, it is preferable to perform the resolution reduction processing (processing X) for thinning out the pixels from the original image data having the highest resolution as described above. However, when importance is placed on the processing speed, the processing X is not always effective.

For example, if the resolution selected by the user (selected resolution) is too low with respect to the maximum resolution, the resolution is reduced from the maximum resolution to the selected resolution (processing X). When the process of enlarging from a low resolution to a selected resolution (process Y) is performed, the process is performed faster. In this case, it is better to perform the enlargement processing by background processing (not on the screen).

Further, with this configuration, the smaller the selected area and the lower the resolution, the less noticeable the deterioration of the image is. Therefore, there is an advantage that the deterioration of the image is not noticeable even in the enlargement processing.

More preferably, processing X and processing Y
Is prepared, and processing X and processing Y are selectively controlled according to the selected resolution. Thereby, it is possible to perform an optimal process for the resolution conversion.

On the other hand, if one of the divided images obtained by dividing one low-resolution image instead of the thumbnail image into a plurality of divided images is enlarged, further processing is required.

First, the original image data is stored in the image file of the maximum resolution, and one image displayed on the terminal is stored in the first file.
A first image file with a resolution of, a selected one divided image is a second image file with a second resolution, and an enlarged image of the selected divided image is a third image file with a third resolution. Here, the first resolution is higher than the second resolution, and the third resolution is higher than the second resolution and lower than the first resolution.

When the first image file is generated from the image file, as described above, after the compressed image file is expanded, pixels corresponding to the first resolution are sampled, or image reduction such as thinning is performed. Conversion process,
Generate a first image file.

Next, when the second image file is generated from the first image file, the "cut" processing is actually performed, and the second image file is not created. No. After expanding the first image file, area information (position) indicating which area of the selected divided image is selected in the first image file is extracted. After the image file is expanded, a process of extracting a corresponding area in the image file is performed based on the area information. Here, when the resolution is set in advance by the user, the resolution is set to the third resolution, and when the resolution is not set by the user, the correlation between the resolution and the enlarged size prepared separately is shown. The resolution calculated by the correlation table obtained above is set as a third resolution. And this third
The extraction area of the developed image file is adjusted based on the resolution and the enlarged size of the image file. When the adjusted adjustment extraction area is determined, a reduction process such as extracting the portion and thinning it from the first resolution to the third resolution is performed, and compressed to generate a third image file.

The same processing is performed when the third resolution is larger than the first resolution. further,
If the third resolution is greater than the maximum resolution,
What is necessary is just to perform the above-mentioned enlargement processing by pixel duplication.

For this reason, in the following description, the term “resolution conversion” is used to include these and no distinction is made.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the default state, one image (first image) displayed on the terminal is displayed.
(Resolution Z1) divided image P1 (resolution Z1)
When the user selects the size and enlarges it to the image P5, the resolution Z3 is automatically assigned by a correlation table or the like. Alternatively, an image P4 larger than the image P5
When enlarging to (resolution Z2), resolution Z2 is automatically assigned.

However, if the user particularly desires, the resolution of the image P4 is set to Z on a setting screen (not shown).
It can be set smaller or larger than 2, and can be set separately for the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

In the following description, for example, the size of thumbnail images, software for realizing processing, screen display,
The configuration of the thumbnail and the like will be described in detail.

When the enlargement process of this example is used, the image or all the thumbnails in the image selection area are scaled so as to fit in the effective display area. this is,
Facilitates overall browsing of content. The noted image or thumbnail can then be enlarged as needed. This allows more detailed evaluation of the content of the image.

The processing for enlarging an image used in the image browsing according to the present embodiment is desirably performed using, for example, software processed on a server. In particular, software running on the server lays out a group of digital image thumbnails in the image display and scales the particular selected image as large as possible.

With the software for editing or managing thumbnail images in this example, images can be displayed on the display unit via the video interface by outputting image components to the drawing management system included in the file management system. For example, the component may include a size adjustment component that provides zooming of the image. Furthermore, the present invention can also be performed by an enlargement process realized as a computer program in a browser, for example.

The enlargement processing according to the present embodiment can draw the user's attention to the entire contents of the image selection area and make it easy to verify individual items in more detail at a high speed. Therefore, new database navigation and browsing are also possible. And it can provide superior image browsing.

In this processing, the browsing processing is assisted by utilizing the spatial memory and the visual operation ability of the human being.
It can also display all thumbnails or one image in the largest possible size while maintaining content and providing consistent spatial reference.

The human perception system is, for example, 14 × 14
Although it can be recognized from an image displayed as small as a pixel, it is not always easy to determine the content of a small image. Therefore, for example, by enlarging a small image, the content can be easily identified. Therefore,
For browsing purposes, displaying the image by enlarging provides considerable utility.

In displaying a low-resolution image and a small-scale thumbnail image (image icon) on the terminal 10 from the server 20, the server 20 performs the following processing in advance.

First, a process of compressing a thumbnail image is performed. Then, when selecting the size of the thumbnail image, it is desirable to fill the display window when the thumbnail image is displayed so that the unused portion is not left unnecessarily. At this time, the thumbnail images fill certain image data regardless of the number of thumbnail images to be displayed.

[0088] If a large number of images must be displayed, the thumbnails are made smaller, while if only a few thumbnails need to be displayed, the thumbnails are made larger. The size of the thumbnail image is adjusted based on the size of the image display unit and the number of thumbnail images.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a process for minimizing the storage capacity also in the compression process when each image file is stored. Since even a small image requires a considerable amount of space, a large amount of storage area may be used for a large number of thumbnail images. Compression is also desirable in terms of memory efficiency. In the processing of this example, thumbnails are stored in a compressed format.

In this type of compression processing, it is preferable to use compression by, for example, discrete wavelet transform (DWT) coding.

DWT compression provides good image compression,
And the coding of the sub-bands that occur in the DWT with respect to frequency increase provides a hierarchical representation without substantially sacrificing compression efficiency (ie, amount of compression). In addition, the expansion time is given in proportion to the size of the image decoded by encoding the subbands in such an order, and is independent of the size of the original image.

The thumbnail image can be actually expanded in a size larger than the size of the original compressed thumbnail image. This is easily achieved by using an inverse DWT engine inside the expanded code.

Since the processing of this example uses discrete wavelet transform coding, a low resolution version of the image can be decoded with a decoding time that is linearly dependent on the size of the image to be decoded. Therefore, a fixed image “area” can be decoded regardless of the size of the image forming the region. An efficient layered DWT representation meets the desired requirements of fast expansion and layered size expansion at expansion rates substantially proportional to the size of the decoded image. Using the DWT representation,
The image icon can be displayed in a size larger than the original compressed size by using the inverse DWT engine.

In addition, as an image encoding method based on a transform by linearly transforming a source image, decorrelating data, and encoding transform coefficients, a JPEG using 8 × 8 block discrete cosine transform (DCT) is used. It is preferable to use a standard image compression method or the like. JPEG encoding uses DCT to transform blocks of the source image,
By quantizing the obtained transform coefficients, most of the compression is performed using visual recognition, and the quantized coefficients are determined in a predetermined zigzag sequence from the lowest frequency coefficient to the highest frequency coefficient. Perform lossless encoding.

In addition, an embedded zero tree
Compression techniques such as the wavelet (EZW) method are mentioned. EZW applies a discrete wavelet transform to the source image to decompose the image into a number of high frequency sub-bands and a number of low frequency sub-bands, typically at a number of different resolution levels or scales. Zero-tree coding is applied to the subbands according to the prediction of coefficient self-similarity between scales. The zero-tree coded coefficients are losslessly coded using arithmetic coding.

(Enlargement Processing Method) In order to realize a function of zooming a thumbnail image or a digital image, it is necessary to convert the resolution of the image.

Here, simple enlargement by an integer multiple or reduction by a fraction of an integer can be realized relatively easily, but complicated processing is often required for arbitrary rational number resolution conversion.

That is, by simply performing the enlargement by an integral multiple or the reduction by a fraction of an integer, for example, when the resolution of the original image increases, the difference between the sizes of a fraction of an integer (for example, 1 /
(Difference between 2 and 1/3) becomes large, so that smooth zoom cannot be performed. The same applies to enlargement.

Even if the resolution conversion can be performed at an arbitrary rational multiple, distortion may be noticeable depending on the magnification, or a very long processing time may be required.

As a method of the resolution conversion processing, generally, there is a method using an FIR filter such as a nearest neighbor interpolation method, a linear interpolation method, and a third-order convolution interpolation method. The nearest neighbor interpolation method is a method in which input data located closest to the interpolation position is used as interpolation data. The linear interpolation method is a method in which values obtained by linear calculation using distance as a parameter from input data located at both sides of the interpolation position (at the time of horizontal interpolation) are used as interpolation data. The cubic convolution interpolation method uses input data of a total of 4 pixels (at the time of horizontal interpolation) of 2 pixels on both sides of an interpolation position, a Cubic function value having a distance from the interpolation position to each input data as a parameter. This is the method of using the sum of the products of

Note that when the nearest neighbor interpolation method is used for a line drawing image such as a text, the line width of the text becomes inconsistent and the image quality deteriorates after resolution conversion, a linear interpolation method, and a cubic convolution interpolation method are used. As a method for solving the problem that the high-frequency components in the line drawing part such as text are lost when the image is converted and the image quality after resolution conversion is blurred, for example, it is desired to perform interpolation.
There is a method of switching between an interpolation coefficient having a low-pass characteristic and an interpolation coefficient having a bypass characteristic according to a difference value of a video signal between pixels.

Further, a zero-order hold method for image enlargement, a linear interpolation method, a down-sampling method for image reduction,
A technique such as an averaging method may be used.

In the zero-order hold method, when a one-dimensional pixel array is considered, an N-fold enlargement corresponds to a process of interpolating N-1 equivalent pixels in the vicinity of a pixel.

In the case of a three-fold enlargement of an image by the zero-order hold method, for example, a part of the original image, for example, a 3 × 3 pixel portion in the vertical and horizontal directions is enlarged three times (9 times in area ratio). By arranging 3 × 3 pixels of the same value for one pixel in the vertical and horizontal directions, the corresponding portion of the enlarged image is composed of 9 × 9 pixels for the 3 × 3 portion of the original image.

The linear interpolation method is also called a bilinear interpolation method.
A relatively smooth enlarged image can be generated. In this method, pixels to be interpolated with enlargement are generated by linear approximation between pixels of adjacent original images.

In the example of the three-fold enlargement of the image by the linear interpolation method, for example, a part of the original image, for example, a 3 × 3 pixel portion in the vertical and horizontal directions, when the three-fold enlargement is performed, an interpolation pixel P is arranged between these pixels. Thus, an enlarged image portion of 9 × 9 pixels is formed. Since the interpolated pixel P is obtained by linear approximation between adjacent pixels of the original image, an outer pixel Q is required to obtain an interpolated pixel following the rightmost or lowermost pixel of the original image. Therefore, when the number of pixels is strictly increased to an integral multiple, a linear approximation is performed by adding a temporary pixel Q in order to generate an interpolation pixel at the end. Note that the added pixel is usually selected in consideration of the smoothness of the image so as to have a symmetrical relationship with respect to the pixel at the end of the image, and is removed after linear interpolation.

Next, in the down-sampling method, when a one-dimensional pixel row is considered, a reduction of 1 / N corresponds to a process of selecting a pixel for every N pixels and reconstructing an image.

In the example of downsizing of an image by the down-sampling method, a 3 × 9 pixel portion of the original image is
Pixels are selected for each pixel, and the remaining pixels R are thinned to form a reduced image portion of 3 × 3 pixels vertically and horizontally.

Next, the averaging method will be described. When considering a one-dimensional pixel row, 1 / N by the averaging method is used.
Is a process of calculating an average value for each N pixels and reconstructing the image as a pixel value of the reduced image. Also,
Since the averaging process corresponds to a low-pass filter, the occurrence of aliasing (aliasing) can be suppressed.

In the 縮小 reduction of the image by the average operation method,
3 × for each 9 × 9 pixel portion of the original image
By taking the average value of the nine pixel values in each of the three pixel regions and defining each pixel value of the reduced image as a 3 × 3
A reduced image portion of pixels is formed.

In addition, it is preferable to use a bicubic method, a bilinear method, a near-less tray method, or the like.

Next, before describing the resolution conversion method of a U / D-fold image, the U-fold enlargement process and the 1 / D-fold reduction process will be described below.

First, a method for enlarging an image by U times will be described. For U-fold image enlargement, it is preferable to include a U-fold upsampler and a digital filter whose transfer function is HU (z). Digital filter transfer function HU (z)
Is the expression on the z axis (z = exp (jωT)), and the impulse response of the filter on the time axis is expressed by hU
(n). n is the number of samples (sample number, sample position) on the time axis. Similarly, if the input image is x (n)
, The output of the upsampler is c (n), and the output of the digital filter is y (n).

For example, the original image portion of 3 × 3 pixels vertically and horizontally is up-sampled three times by a three-time upsampler, and two zero values are inserted between pixels in one-dimensional direction to obtain a two-valued image.
In the dimension, eight 0 values are inserted for each original pixel. Therefore, a 3 × 3 pixel portion of the original image is converted into a 9 × 9 pixel portion in the enlarged image.

The upsampled image thus generated is input to the digital filter of the transfer function HU (z) and filtered, so that a U-fold enlarged image is output.

Here, each signal x (n), c (n), y (n),
The mutual relationship between p (n) is expressed by a mathematical expression. The relational expression of each signal x (n), p (n) and y (n) in the case of 1 / D-fold reduction is p (n) = nx (k) hD (nk) (1) y (n) = p (Dn) = Σx (k) hD (Dn−k) (2) X (n), c (n), y for U-fold magnification
The relational expression of (n) is as follows: y (n) = Σc (k) hU (nk)
(3) y (n) = Σc (Uk) hU (n-Uk) = Σx (k) hU (n-Uk) (4) HD (n) and hU (n) in these equations indicate the impulse response of each filter.

Using the basic technology described above, U /
In order to perform D-fold resolution conversion, a configuration for enlarging a U-fold image and a configuration for reducing a 1 / D-fold image may be connected.

Next, a description will be given of the configuration and operation in the case where resolution conversion of an image is performed at an arbitrary rational number, for example, when U> D, that is, when the image is enlarged by an arbitrary rational number.

As a specific example of the enlargement, considering the case of 3/2 times where U = 3 and D = 2, the filter HUD (z) used in the enlargement processing of U / D times (U> D) is as follows. The filter HU (z) at the time of U-fold enlargement can be used as it is.

As described above, the zero-order hold method by up-sampling can be used for U-fold enlargement, but the linear interpolation method can be used to keep the image quality smooth. The relationship at this time can be expressed as follows.

Zero-order hold method: HU (z) = (1 + z−1 + z−2 ++ z− (U−1)) = Hzero (z) (7) Linear interpolation method: HU ( z) = Hzero (z) Hzero (z-1) / U = (1 + z-1 + z-2 + + z- (U-1)) x (1 + z1 + z2 + + zU-1) / U (8) That is, the transfer function of the linear interpolation method is expressed by multiplying the transfer function of the zero-order hold method by delaying the transfer function by time (Hzero (z) and Hzero (z−1)). )). Also, 1 of U / D times
/ D may be simple downsampling. The above is U>
This is a process in the case of D enlargement.

Note that a high-frequency gain emphasis filter means may be provided in the preceding stage of the above-described resolution conversion means so that the same part operates when an image is enlarged. This allows U> D
It is possible to suppress blurring of the image and loss of sharpness that occur when the image is enlarged by an arbitrary rational number.

By providing the high-frequency gain emphasizing filter in the preceding stage, it is possible to suppress blurring of the image and lack of sharpness generated at the time of enlargement and obtain a high-quality enlarged image.

As another embodiment, in the above-mentioned high-frequency gain emphasis filter, a value obtained by multiplying an N × N filter coefficient value by a certain parameter value is set as a new filter coefficient value, and the parameter value is made variable. Thus, the image quality adjusting means for emphasizing the high frequency range is provided, and the image quality such as the degree of edge enhancement can be adjusted.

(Control Function on Server Side) FIG. 5 discloses a functional block diagram conceptually showing the processing function on the server side in the network system of this embodiment.

The server 20 has a predetermined recording area, for example, a database 22, as shown in FIG.

The database 22 includes original image data 23 which is an image of a subject taken by a digital imaging device (for example, digital still camera, digital video camera, etc.) or an analog imaging device, and the like.
3 is thumbnail image data (low-resolution image data) 24 processed to low resolution, and the low-resolution image data 24
Is high-resolution image data 25 converted to a predetermined high resolution.
And various types of management information such as which original image data corresponds to which low-resolution image data and high-resolution image data among a plurality of original image data, and a database management unit 26 storing a management table. It is composed of

The thumbnail means not only a file icon imaged in accordance with the contents but also a small image of the image when the data of the image file or the document file is opened.

The server 20 displays the low-resolution image data on the user terminal 10 (displays each divided image obtained by dividing one image into a plurality of images) by a display processing means 31 (formed by a program or a file). In this case, it corresponds to “first display processing means” of the present invention, and when displaying thumbnail images in a list, it corresponds to “list display screen display processing means” of the present invention) and the original image data 2.
3, a low-resolution image data generating unit 32 that generates low-resolution image data having a low resolution, and an image collecting unit that collects a plurality of low-resolution image data generated by the low-resolution image data generating unit 32. 33 (or an image dividing unit 33b for dividing the low-resolution image data generated by the low-resolution image data generating unit 32 into a predetermined number of divisions or an arbitrary division cutout size according to a user's request). Each low-resolution image data collected by the image collection means 33 (or the image division means 3
When the user selects and operates any desired low-resolution image data while the low-resolution image data divided by 3b) is displayed on the user terminal 10 by the low-resolution image data display processing means 31, 22
Image selection processing means 34 for performing image selection processing by specifying an image in the image, and how large the size of the low-resolution image selected by the image selection processing means 34 is on the display screen of the user terminal 10 Size selection processing means 36 for performing size selection processing in accordance with whether or not an enlargement operation has been performed, and a size for detecting the enlarged size and adjusting and controlling the degree of enlargement of the size based on the selection processing by the size selection processing means 36 Adjustment control means 35 and size adjustment control means 35
Based on the enlargement size determined by the adjustment control in
Resolution conversion means 40 for converting low-resolution image data into high-resolution image data, and high-resolution image data for processing the high-resolution image data converted by the resolution conversion means 40 to be displayed on a display screen of the user terminal 10 The display processing means 51 (corresponding to the "second display processing means" of the present invention when displaying each divided image obtained by dividing one image into a plurality of images, and according to the present invention when displaying a list of thumbnail images) (Corresponding to "enlarged image display processing means"), data temporary storage means 52 for temporarily storing image data and the like processed in these processings, and control management means 53 for controlling these units. Have been.

The resolution conversion means 40 converts the predetermined first resolution into a second resolution higher than the first resolution (or converts the reverse second resolution into the first resolution). A resolution conversion unit 42, a second resolution conversion unit 42 for converting the first resolution to a third resolution higher than the second resolution,..., An Nth resolution for converting the first resolution to an (N + 1) th resolution A resolution conversion unit 42, a size extraction unit 43 for extracting an enlarged size, a correspondence for calculating a preset optimum resolution among the sizes extracted by the size extraction unit 43 from a corresponding table or the like. Depending on the resolution selected by the resolution selection unit 44, the resolution selection unit 44, or an arbitrarily set resolution, one of the first to N-th resolution conversion units 42,. Or all the odds Selection control unit 45 for parts selectively using controls each unit of resolution conversion unit 40 encourages the calculation of the effective resolution, configured to include a.

In the server 20 having the above-described functional configuration, first, a plurality of original image data 23 in the database 22 are converted into low-resolution image data (thumbnail image data) 24 by the low-resolution image data generating means 32. Is converted to

Next, a plurality of low-resolution image data 24
Are grouped into at least one group by the image collection unit 33.

Alternatively, one low-resolution image data 24
Is divided by the image dividing means 33b into a predetermined number of divisions. Then, the image is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 10 by the low resolution image data display processing means 31.

Next, on the display screen of the user terminal 10, based on the user's operation of selecting an image desired to be enlarged from a plurality of pieces of low-resolution image data, the image selection processing means 34 selects the corresponding low-resolution image data. Resolution image data 24
Is performed.

When the size is specified by the specifying process, the size selection processing means 36 sets the corresponding size based on the size operation designation at the user terminal 10. Based on the set size, the size adjustment control unit 35 performs an enlargement process so as to enlarge the display size of the low-resolution image data. Then, the resolution conversion means 40 converts the enlarged image into a predetermined resolution.

More specifically, in the default state, when the enlarged size is determined, the size extracting unit 43 extracts the corresponding size, and the corresponding resolution selecting unit 44 stores the size in a size-resolution correspondence table (not shown). Then, a resolution corresponding to the extracted size is calculated based on the extracted size, and the resolution conversion is performed so as to obtain the resolution. At this time, the selection control unit 45 selectively controls the processing method according to the size of the resolution, the number of other resolution conversion requests, and the like, and selects one of the first to N-th resolution conversion units 42. The resolution conversion process is performed by selectively using the resolution conversion unit (in some cases, a plurality of conversion units may be used simultaneously). Thereby, the resolution conversion processing can be sped up.
In addition, in each of these resolution converters, in the above description, the nuances that are properly used depending on the resolution have been described. However, each resolution converter is limited to such a case.
This also includes the case where one resolution conversion unit is formed so as to be capable of processing by any combination of the different algorithms, or the processing by any combination of the different algorithms (the details of this algorithm are described above).

On the other hand, if the user sets the resolution arbitrarily from the default state, the resolution conversion means 40 performs resolution processing based on the set resolution. Whether the resolution is set or the default resolution is determined by a corresponding resolution selection unit 44, a selection control unit 45, and other units (not shown) in the resolution conversion unit 40.
This can be easily realized by performing switching control (switching control means) by setting a flag or the like.

When the resolution conversion is performed in this way,
High resolution data 25 is set in the database 22. Then, the high resolution image data display processing means 51
The converted high-resolution data 25 is processed so as to be displayed on the user terminal 10.

Although not described in detail in each of the above-described processes, for example, in the above-described process, for example, when image data is to be enlarged, the data temporary storage unit 5
Data temporary storage means 5 can perform processing such as temporarily storing an image before enlargement at 2 or the like and performing predetermined enlargement processing.
This is the second function. Further, it goes without saying that a series of these processes are controlled by the control management unit 53.

(File Format Compatible with Resolution Conversion) In the image file stored in the database, pixel data in the memory area is subjected to color separation and YUV conversion using the work area, and the converted Y, U and V are converted. Data, that is, photographed image data, is compressed and stored in accordance with the JPEG format.

At the predetermined address of the image file, FIG.
Has information corresponding to the data area as shown in FIG.
For example, it has information such as the start of an image file, a thumbnail image data area, an image information area, a quantization table data area, a parameter area for frames, a Huffman encoding table data area, a parameter area for components, and an end of an image file. I have.

An original image data area is provided following the parameter area related to the component.

The number of pixels of the image data is written in the parameter area for the frame. 640 pixels
If the pixel is 400 lines, the resolution is VG
A means that the number of pixels is 1024 pixels × 768
If it is a line, this information means that the resolution is XGA. In the image information area, the photographing date and time, photographing conditions such as on / off of a flash (not shown), the presence / absence of protection setting, and the like are written. Compressed thumbnail image data is recorded in the thumbnail image data area, and compressed original image data (photographed image data) is recorded in the original image data area.

The thumbnail image data is sequentially read from each image file, and the data is expanded using the work area. The expanded thumbnail image data is
Thereafter, the image is enlarged by performing horizontal interpolation and vertical interpolation, and the enlarged thumbnail image is displayed.

When a desired thumbnail image is displayed, by operating the operation unit, the original image data corresponding to the current thumbnail image is reproduced, and the thumbnail image displayed on the LCD is replaced with the original image. It will be.

As described above, when displaying an image, the thumbnail image data having a small data amount is read out, so that the image can be displayed at a high speed. Further, when a desired thumbnail image is displayed, by operating the thumbnail image, the thumbnail image is switched to the original image, so that the image quality can be improved.

The recorded image file is obtained, and the thumbnail image data is read from the corresponding image file and decompressed. Then, a desired thumbnail image is found, and the expanded thumbnail image data of N1 × M1 pixels is enlarged to N2 × M2 pixels to be displayed on the entire LCD screen. Then, the enlarged thumbnail image is displayed on the LCD.
To be displayed. Thereafter, the original image data is read from the image file, decompressed according to the JPEG format, and the decompressed data is displayed on the LCD.

At this time, the thumbnail images displayed on the LCD are switched to the original images line by line, whereby an image with improved image quality is obtained.

As a result, when a file management system is used without burdening the processor with excessive graphical, object, and pixel-based image operations, these images can be enlarged at a high speed.

When digitally representing image data and transmitting the data through a storage medium or a transmission path, it is necessary to create a file according to a specific data format. FIG. 7 shows an example of such an image format. In FIG.
The image file 140 includes the header section 141 and the image data section 1
42. Generally, the header section 141 stores information necessary for reading data from the image file 140 and additional information explaining the content of the image. In the illustrated example, an image format identifier indicating the image format name, file size, image width / height / depth, presence / absence of compression, color palette information, resolution,
Information such as an offset to a storage position of the image data is stored. The image data part 142 is a part that stores image data sequentially.

An example of such an image format, in particular, a GIF format, which can be browsed by a browser, is exemplified.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show an example of an image file format. In this image file format, the image attribute information and image data stored in the image header section are further structured and stored in a file.

Each property and data in the file include
For example, access is made by storage and stream corresponding to directories and files such as MS-DOS.

Image data and image attribute information are stored in a stream portion. The image data is hierarchized at different resolutions. Images of each resolution are called Subimages, and are indicated by Resolution 0, 1,... N. For each resolution image, the information needed to read that image is
Subimage header and the image data is Subimage data
Is stored in

A property set is defined by classifying attribute information according to its purpose of use and its contents.
y Info. Property set, Image Info. Property set, Im
ageContent Property set, Extension list Property s
There is et.

Summary Info. The Property set stores the title, title, author, thumbnail image, etc. of the file. The Image Content Property set is an attribute that describes a method for storing image data. This attribute includes the number of layers of image data, the width and height of the image with the maximum resolution, the width, height, and color configuration of each resolution image, or a quantization table or a Huffman table when using JPEG compression. Describe the definition.

Image Info. Property sets are various information that can be used when using an image, for example, information on how the image is captured and how it can be used, for example, a method for capturing digital data /
Alternatively, information on the generation method (FileSource), information on copyright (lntellectual Property), information on the content of the image (person, place, etc. in the image) (Content desc)
ription), information about the camera used for shooting (Camer
ainformation), information on camera settings (exposure, shutter speed, focal length, use of flash, etc.) at the time of shooting (Per Picture camera settings), information on digital camera specific resolution and mosaic filter (Digital camera characterization), film Information such as manufacturer name, product name, type (negative / positive, color / black and white), etc. (Film description), and information on type and size when the original is a book or print (Original d)
ocument scan description), in the case of a scanned image, information about the scanner and software used, and the person who operated it (Sc
andevice) is stored.

Here, the Extension list property set
Is an area used when information not included in the basic specifications is added. Object is an image file that stores viewing parameters and image data used when displaying an image. What are viewing parameters?
This is a set of processing coefficients stored for adapting the processing of image rotation, enlargement / reduction, movement, color conversion, and filtering when displaying an image.

The Source / Result Image Object is the entity of the image data, and the Source Image Object is required.
t Image Object is optional. Source Image Obj
ect converts the original image data to Result Image Obje
ct stores an image obtained as a result of image processing using the viewing parameters. Source / Result desc. Property
“set” is a property set for identifying the image data, and stores an image ID, a property set for which change is prohibited, a last update date and time, and the like. Transform Propertyset is
An affine transformation coefficient, a color transformation matrix, a contrast adjustment value, and a filtering coefficient for rotation, enlargement / reduction, and movement are stored.

(Explanation of an image format including images of a plurality of resolutions divided into tiles) Next, an example of an image file composed of a plurality of images having different resolutions will be described. The maximum resolution image is composed of n1 × m1 columns × rows, the next largest image is n1 / 2 × m1 / 2,
Thereafter, the size of each column and row is sequentially reduced by 、, and the process is repeated until both the columns and rows are equal to or smaller than n × m pixels or equal. As a result of the hierarchization as described above, “the number of layers in one image file” is required as attribute information of the image, and header information and image data are required for the image of each layer. The number of layers in one image file, the width and height of the image with the highest resolution, or the width of the image with each resolution,
Information on the height, color configuration, compression method, etc. is shown in FIG.
Described in the ImageContent Property set.

Furthermore, the image of the layer of each resolution is nx
It is divided into n tiles. N sequentially from the upper left of the image
When divided into × n tiles, blanks may occur in some of the right and bottom tiles depending on the image. In this case, n × n pixels are constructed by repeatedly inserting the rightmost image or the lowermost image.

In the format of this example, the image in each tile is stored by any of JPEG compression, single color, and non-compression. JPEG compression is ISO / IEC J
This is an image compression method internationally standardized by TC1 / SC29.

The image data thus divided into tiles is stored in a Subimage data stream, and the total number of tiles, the size of each tile, the starting position of data, and the compression method are all the same as those shown in FIG. Stored in header.

(Regarding Processing Procedure) Next, processing in the network print system having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, at an event or the like, a plurality of users take a picture using a camera. The captured digital image data is transferred to the server 20.

The server 20 generates print image data for printing each digital image data.

Then, the server 20 sequentially transmits the stored plurality of low-resolution image data to the terminal 10. Alternatively, one image data of low resolution is transmitted (S101).

Then, on the terminal 10 side, the image data is displayed on the display screen (S102). Here, when there are a plurality of image data, it is preferable to display the image data on the display screen of the terminal in a thumbnail image format or the like. Further, it is preferable to arrange the image data in a time series.

Next, on the display screen, the user performs an operation of selecting necessary image data from a plurality of image data by clicking or the like (S10).
3).

Then, an enlargement request operation is performed on the selected image data (S104). Based on the image data enlargement request from the terminal 10, the server 20 prepares the enlarged data (S10).
5).

Here, when an enlargement request is made from the terminal 10 to the server 20, an enlargement request instruction signal, an image ID, Locate information and the like are transmitted.

The preparation of the enlarged data to be processed on the server 20 side refers to a process for enlarging the low-resolution image data stored in advance on the server 20 side at the same resolution. Here, as a method of the enlargement processing, for example, the following may be mentioned.

Next, when the enlarged data is generated and ready to be prepared, the enlarged data is transmitted from the server 20 to the terminal 10 (S106).

Further, when the enlarged data is received by the terminal 10, the enlarged data is displayed on the display screen of the terminal 10 (S107). Here, the user can grasp a detailed image of the image based on the enlarged data. In particular,
In this example, when selecting a plurality of images, from the thumbnail images arranged in chronological order, it is possible to display enlarged data at a low resolution with respect to the selected image. Can be easily identified and recognized.

(Process on Server Side) (Processing Method 1) Next, a more detailed processing procedure on the server 20 side will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 discloses, in the form of a flowchart, a processing procedure performed by the server of this example.

In the processing method 1, a process for enlarging when any one of a plurality of thumbnail images having different image contents is selected will be described.

First, since this type of image is grouped, a plurality of thumbnail images are often displayed in the one group.

Thus, a process of extracting a plurality of original image data of a corresponding group is performed. For example, one of the original image data will be described. First, when the original image data is extracted (S120a), a resolution lowering process for lowering the resolution of the original image data is performed (S121a).

Next, a compression process for compressing the reduced-resolution image is performed (S122a). This compression process
It does not include compression to reduce the image size but includes compression processing required for image transfer and the like.

Next, thumbnail processing is performed on the user terminal 10 so that the size of the display image is reduced to the level of the iconized thumbnail image (S123a).

As described above, one piece of original image data S120a has been described. As in the case of S120a to S123a, assuming that there are n pieces of original image data in one group,
Other original image data S120b,..., Original image data S
Similarly, for 120n, S120b to S123b,
.., S120n to S123n are performed.

When thumbnail processing is performed on all original image data for one group,
All these thumbnail image data are stored in the user terminal 10
(S130) is performed so as to be arranged and displayed on the display screen (S130).

As described above, when the parallel processing is performed, the image display processing (1) in which a plurality of thumbnail images are arranged and displayed as shown in the image display unit 110 of FIG. 2 is performed (S131). .

When a thumbnail image is displayed on the display screen in such a state, it is determined whether or not the user has selected one (or a plurality of) thumbnail image data. Is performed (S13
2).

In this determination processing, if it is determined that the thumbnail image data has not been selected, S131
Returning to step (1), the above-described display screen is kept displayed in the image display processing (1).

On the other hand, when it is determined in the determination process that the thumbnail image data is selected, first, which thumbnail image data (specific area image) is selected from the plurality of thumbnail image data is determined. An image specifying process is performed (S133).

For the specified thumbnail image data, processing for detecting the enlarged size of the enlarged image instructed on the display screen is performed based on the instruction from the user terminal 10 (see FIG. 9). S134).

Next, a process for calculating an optimum resolution corresponding to the enlarged size by using a table or the like shown in the accompanying drawings is performed (S135). In S135, in the default state, the optimal resolution set in advance is selected. However, when the user arbitrarily sets the resolution,
A process for extracting the set resolution information is performed instead of the above process.

Next, a process of converting the low resolution of the thumbnail image data into the calculated resolution or the set resolution (all high resolutions) is performed (S1).
36).

Then, an enlargement process is performed to enlarge the size of the display image of the thumbnail image data whose resolution has been converted so as to match the enlargement area designated on the display screen (S137).

As described above, the image display processing (2) for displaying the high-resolution image data on the display screen of the user terminal 10 is performed (S150).

Then, it is determined whether or not another thumbnail image data has been selected on the display screen of the user terminal 10 to perform the enlargement processing (S151).
In this determination processing, when it is determined that another selection has been made, the processing from S133 is performed again as described above. On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process that no other selection has been made, the process ends.

(Processing Method 2) Next, in the processing in the server 20, a detailed description of the processing procedure of the processing method 2 different from the processing method 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 discloses a processing procedure performed by the server of this example in the form of a flowchart.

In this processing method 2, when a low-resolution image of a predetermined size displayed for one image content is divided into a plurality of images and any one of the divided sections is selected, , The case where the selected portion is enlarged and displayed. Alternatively, each division unit may have a division number designated by the user or an arbitrary size.

Note that detailed description of portions substantially similar to the processing method 1 will be omitted, and different portions will be described.

First, a process of extracting one original image data is performed (S160). Next, a process of converting the resolution of the original image data into low-resolution low-resolution image data is performed (S
161). Then, in the display image when the low resolution image data is displayed on the display screen, a division size setting process is performed to divide the display image into a predetermined number of divisions (S162). The number of divisions is set to a predetermined numerical value (for example, 16) by default, but it goes without saying that the number of divisions can be set arbitrarily according to the user's setting. Further, the display image can be set to an arbitrary size (including not only a square shape but also a case where the number of divisions and the shape of division are different in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction), and in this case, The number of divisions (rational number) or a numerical value as a guide is calculated.

Thus, the division processing of the low-resolution image data is performed based on the set division size and division number (S163). Then, in a state where the low-resolution image data is divided (divided lines are generated), thumbnail processing is performed so that each divided image is converted into an icon (S).
164).

Of course, they are aligned as they are, but since the user may divide too complicatedly like a jigsaw puzzle at the time of division, or cut out and pasted on other areas, (Including the case where the image before the division is returned to the original position so that the image before division can be assumed) is subjected to the parallel processing (S17).
0).

Note that the subsequent steps S171 to S178, S19
0 to S191 correspond to the above S131 to S138, S150 to
Since it is the same as S151, its detailed description is omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sample low-resolution image data is transmitted to the terminal, but the high-resolution data of only the selected portion or area is transmitted. Therefore, the load of communication traffic can be reduced.

Further, it becomes more difficult to provide an image source to each end user as the shooting information increases.
By using eb, only one source data (original image data) is required.
In addition, the end user has a wider range of image selection.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, description of substantially the same configuration of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of processing in the network print system of the present example.

In the above-described first embodiment, the process ends with the step of displaying the enlarged image on the terminal and confirming the image. In this example, after confirming the image, an order for album production is made. Make up the steps.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, S201 is the same as S102 to S107 of the first embodiment.
To S207.

Next, when the user confirms the image, the user selects whether or not to order the image (S208). When the user gives an instruction from the terminal 10 to place an order for the image, the order information is stored in the terminal 10.
To the server 20. When the order information is received by the server 20, the server 20 instructs one or a plurality of ordered image data to be edited while being rearranged in chronological order based on, for example, shooting date and time (S209). . A processing program for performing this processing constitutes, for example, an editing processing unit. Of course, when a plurality of users access simultaneously, the editing process is performed for each user.

When the editing process is completed in the server 20, the album is created by printing out by a printing means (not shown) (S2).
10).

As described above, it also functions as album editing software for automatically performing time-series editing based on the file creation date and time, for example.

Further, after the album editing process, the layout configuration after the album editing process can be displayed on the terminal, or the selected images can be displayed in chronological order before the editing. The processing program that performs this processing is:
For example, a third display processing unit can be configured.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, but even if an image is shot by a cameraman or the like at an event or the like, the server can be used. Images can be selected by the user, and the images can be edited in a time series or other rules desired by the user. As a result, an album in which the images desired by the user are collected can be edited.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a terminal in the network print system of the present example.

In the above-described first embodiment, a low-resolution image is displayed on the terminal side, and when selected, a high-resolution enlarged image is displayed. Is displayed on the display screen of the terminal after a high-resolution enlarged image is displayed, and after performing an authentication process or the like.

(Screen Configuration) Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, an operation unit 202 and a display unit 203 having the same configuration as in the first embodiment are formed in the browser 200.

[0214] The display unit 203 has an image editing operation unit 204 and an image display unit 210 which is displayed in a window format having a plurality of thumbnail images 212, and has the same display configuration as that of the first embodiment. Is done.

In such a situation, the user can browse a plurality of thumbnail images 212 on the image display unit 210 while browsing. Note that since the thumbnail image 212 has a very low resolution and a small display, when the subject displayed in the image is small, the user clicks the area of the thumbnail image to be enlarged to perform enlargement. The image 220 will be displayed.

Here, what is characteristic in the present example is that the enlarged image 220 is automatically converted to a high resolution such that the image display becomes better than the thumbnail image 212 based on the enlargement operation. , Edge region 220 of enlarged image 220
The point is that a is displayed differently from the other image area 220b.

The edge region 220a is preferably formed by, for example, adding a margin, transparency, or coloring to the periphery (reverse trimming), a mask, a filter (mosaic, blur, noise, etc.), an electronic watermark, or the like. In addition, as a digital watermark, a substitution method of using a noise portion to replace with identifiable information such as a secret code or a logo mark, a quantization noise (embedding a watermark signature by using a pseudo noise model), In particular, a selection method of embedding watermark information at specific positions discretely selected from surrounding pixels on the front, rear, left and right so as to be inconspicuous is preferable.

The enlargement ratio can be freely set on the GUI like a window by a user's click operation or the like. At this time, the image is displayed at an optimum resolution suitable for the enlargement size so that a good image is displayed. Can be

Of course, this is the case of the default state, and the user can convert the enlarged image 220 displayed in a predetermined size to a desired resolution (excluding the resolution corresponding to the original image data) as necessary. Can be set to

In this example, the case where each independent thumbnail image 212 is enlarged to the enlarged image 220 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. , Each of the divided areas 21
2 is divided by a predetermined number of divisions (or in the case where an irregular type is selected by a user's clicking, dragging, or dropping operation), and any one of these regions can be enlarged. It may be.

In this case, when each of the divided low-resolution images is formed into a high-resolution image, the edge region cannot be simply and easily connected and synthesized (the selected images are aligned). It is preferable to form them in a shape and a mode.

That is, when an edge region is formed, an edge is formed around one high-resolution image.
Here, the user who has acquired the high-resolution image with the edge region can edit the high-resolution image with the edge by using generally available image editing software, remove the edge region, and acquire only the high-resolution image. Can be done. With this, if all the high-resolution images corresponding to the low-resolution images have been acquired, even if an edge area is formed in each of them, the patient with patience,
By editing each bordered high-resolution image to make only a high-resolution image, and connecting and synthesizing them, one divided image is reproduced at a high resolution. Therefore, the copyright is not protected.

Therefore, in the present example, various measures have been taken to protect the copyright. For example, as described above, the maximum value of the resolution of the high-resolution image that can be acquired by the terminal is set in advance to be lower than the resolution of the original original image data. In this case, even if the image can be edited and acquired, the image is inferior to the original image data.

Furthermore, when forming an edge area, instead of processing to add an edge area outside the frame of the image, the edge area is formed inside the frame of the image, and a part of the original image is cut. A process of allocating a region formed by the above as an edge region is performed (process A). As a result, even if they are connected, an image is not reproduced at the joint portion.

It is also preferable to use a masking process (Processing B) in which the edge region is encrypted and cannot be decrypted as described above so that the edge region cannot be edited with image processing software, rather than being simply a margin.

Alternatively, instead of making the shape of the edge region itself well-known such that it is formed along the frame of the four sides of the image, for example, each side may have a different width dimension (processing C), or one side However, it is preferable that the width dimension be different depending on the location (process D). As a result, even if the edge region is removed by the image editing software, the adjacent sides cannot be satisfactorily joined when joining.

By performing the above processing, the copyright of the entire image can be protected.

This processing can be realized by combining the edge processing means 355 shown in FIG. 15 described later with a program for performing the processing for forming each of the above-mentioned shapes. For example, the above-described processing A can be realized by making a change to the algorithm itself for edge processing (for example, changing the coordinates of the formation area of the edge processing, setting values such as an equation for calculating the edge area). Yes, no other configuration is required. Further, the above-described process B is realized by adding a masking unit (processing program) for performing a masking process and an encryption unit (processing program) for performing encryption to the configuration of the edge processing unit 355. it can. Further, in order to perform the above-described processing C and processing D, the width dimension of each side of the edge area is set using edge area setting means (processing program) for setting the edge area, separately from the edge processing means 355. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may control.

The "second display processing means" of the present invention including the edge processing means 355, the masking means, the encryption means, the edge area setting means, and the display processing means 351 (for divided images) Or "enlarged image display processing means" (in the case of a thumbnail image).

Further, even if an attempt is made to edit such that the enlarged high-resolution divided images are combined, if the number of divisions is large, the adjustment work is troublesome. Is preferred. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the number of divisions is, for example, 1/16 or less. This processing can be realized by, for example, a display processing unit 331 (shown in FIG. 15) and an image dividing unit 333b described below. Alternatively, it can be realized by a processing program for performing the processing of S362 shown in FIG.

(Function of Server) Next, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a server 320 capable of performing the above-described display processing.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 15 discloses a functional block diagram conceptually showing the processing functions on the server side in the network system of this example.

As shown in FIG. 15, the server 320 has a predetermined recording area, for example, a database 322.

The database 322 includes original image data 323 and a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment.
Thumbnail image data (low-resolution image data) 324,
High resolution image data 325, database management unit 326
And edge processed image data 327 obtained by performing edge processing on the high-resolution image data 325.

In this case, the database management unit 326
Various management information and management tables such as which original image data corresponds to which edge processed image data among a plurality of original image data are stored.

Further, the server 320 has a configuration similar to that of the above-described first embodiment, and includes a low-resolution image data display processing means 331 (for displaying each divided image obtained by dividing one image into a plurality of images, It corresponds to the “first display processing means” of the present invention, and corresponds to the “list display screen display processing means of the present invention when displaying thumbnail images in a list”. In addition to the collection unit 333, the image division unit 333b, the image selection processing unit 334, the size selection processing unit 336, the size adjustment control unit 335, the resolution conversion unit 340, the data temporary storage unit 352, and the control management unit 353, the resolution conversion unit 3
The edge processing means 355 for performing edge processing on the high-resolution image data converted to the second resolution (to the second resolution) at 40 and the high-resolution image data with edges processed by the edge processing means 355 at the user terminal 10. Edge processing image data display processing means 354 for processing to display on the display screen, and edge release processing means 355 for releasing the edge processing after the authentication processing is performed.
b, and a high-resolution image data display processing unit 351 (a plurality of one image is processed) so that the edge-free high-resolution image data released by the edge release processing unit 355b is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 10. When displaying each divided image, the “second display processing unit” of the present invention is used.
When thumbnail images are displayed in a list,
And "corresponding to the" enlarged image display processing means "of the present invention).
And is comprised.

It is to be noted that an edge setting means may be provided so that the mode (eg, pattern, size, etc.) of the edge processing performed by the edge processing means 355 can be set in advance.

In the server 320 having the above-described functional configuration, the plurality of low-resolution image data 324 are grouped into at least one group by the image collecting / composing means 333. Alternatively, one low-resolution image data 32
4 is divided into a predetermined number of divisions.

Then, the image is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 10 by the low resolution image data display processing means 331.

Next, on the display screen of the user terminal 310, based on the user's operation of selecting an image desired to be enlarged from the plurality of low-resolution image data, the image selection processing means 334 selects the corresponding low-resolution image data. The specific processing of the resolution image data 324 is performed.

When the size is specified by the specifying process, the size selection processing means 336 sets the corresponding size based on the size operation designation on the user terminal 310. Based on the set size, size adjustment control means 335
Performs enlargement processing so as to enlarge the display size of the low-resolution image data. Then, the resolution conversion means 340 converts the enlarged image into a predetermined resolution.

When the resolution conversion is performed in this manner,
The high-resolution image data 325 is set in the database 322, and the edge processing unit 355 performs predetermined edge processing on the high-resolution image data. The edge processing image data 327 is set in the database 322.

Then, the edge processed image data display processing means 3
Reference numeral 54 denotes processing for displaying the edge-processed image data subjected to the edge processing on the user terminal 310.

Further, when the user desires to place an order, after performing a predetermined authentication process, based on the authentication result, the edge release processing means 355b uses the edge processed image data 327 to perform edge processing. A release process is performed to restore the original high-resolution image data 325.

Next, the high resolution image data display processing means 3
51 performs processing to display the restored high-resolution image data 325 on the user terminal 310.

It goes without saying that a series of these processes are controlled by the control management means 353.

(Regarding Processing Procedure) Next, processing in the network print system having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 16, first, the server 32
At 0, a plurality of stored low-resolution image data are sequentially transmitted. Alternatively, one image data of low resolution is transmitted (S301).

Then, on the terminal 310 side, the (low-resolution) image data is displayed on the display screen (S302). Here, when there are a plurality of image data, it is preferable to display them on the display screen of the terminal in a thumbnail image format or the like. Further, it is preferable to arrange the image data in time series.

Next, on the above display screen, the user can select necessary (see details) from among a plurality of image data.
An operation of selecting image data by clicking or the like is performed (S303).

Then, an enlargement request operation is performed on the selected image data (S304). Based on the image data enlargement request from the terminal 310, the server 320 prepares the enlarged data (S
305).

Here, when an enlargement request is made from the terminal 310 to the server 320, an enlargement request instruction signal,
An image ID, Locate information, and the like are transmitted.

The preparation of the enlarged data to be processed on the server 320 side refers to a process of setting the low-resolution image data stored in the server 320 in advance to a predetermined resolution and enlarging it. Here, examples of the method of the enlargement processing include a zero-order hold method, a linear interpolation method, and the like.

[0254] In addition, the edge of the enlarged image data may have a resolution different from that of the other display areas, or the terminal 310 may not be blurred or may have a white frame.
An edge forming process as displayed above is performed (S306).

Next, when the expanded data with borders is generated and ready to be prepared, the enlarged data with borders is
This is transmitted from the server 320 to the terminal 310 (S307).

Further, when the bordered enlarged data is received by the terminal 310, the bordered enlarged data is transmitted to the terminal 31.
0 is displayed on the display screen (S308).
Here, the user can grasp a detailed image of the image based on the enlarged enlarged data. In particular, in this example, when selecting a plurality of images, it is possible to display, with low resolution, bordered enlarged data for the selected image from among the thumbnail images arranged in chronological order. Can easily identify and recognize images.

Here, since the enlarged image data is still bordered, the genuine image data is not displayed. Moreover, since the genuine image data is not transferred even to the terminal, no security problem such as opening a file of the image data stored in the disk or the like at any time can occur.

Next, when the user confirms the image, the user selects whether or not to order the image (S309). When the user gives an instruction from the terminal 310 to place an order for the image, for example, a password input screen is generated on the display screen of the terminal 310, and the user inputs authentication information such as a password to the terminal 310. Thus, the password input process is performed (S310).

Next, when a password is input, authentication information such as a password and order information are transmitted from the terminal 310 to the server 320. When the server 320 receives the authentication information or the like, the server 320 performs an authentication process based on the input password and a password registered at the time of user registration (S31).
1).

Next, if it is determined in the authentication processing of S311 that the authentication is not correct, processing for prompting re-input on the password input screen is performed. At this time, for example, when the number of re-inputs exceeds a predetermined number, a process of blocking the process for the terminal may be performed.

On the other hand, in the authentication processing of S311, if the authentication is authenticated, processing for extracting the genuine image data from the database is performed.

In this processing, for example, processing for directly calling the genuine image data may be performed, or S3
As shown in FIG. 12, a process of extracting only image data of a portion corresponding to an edge portion of the enlarged enlarged image data with edges from the authentic image data in the database (S312).
A process of transmitting only the added edge data from the server 320 to the terminal 310 is performed so that genuine image data can be obtained by adding the image of the edge to the enlarged image data with the edge (S313). As a result, compared to the case where the authentic image data is directly transmitted, it is only necessary to transfer the additional image data, the transfer data amount is minimized, and the transfer speed can be increased.

Next, in the terminal 310, a process of combining the enlarged data transmitted in S307 and the edge data transmitted in S313 is performed, and a process of restoring the genuine image data (original data) is performed. (S
314).

Next, the user enters a standby state for confirming the image of the restored authentic image data displayed on the display screen (S315). Then, a determination process is performed to determine whether an instruction to edit the image and create an album or the like has been issued (S316). That is, in this determination processing, when it is determined that the editing is not executed and the instruction is not performed, the image data remains displayed. On the other hand, in the determination processing, when it is determined that the editing instruction has been performed based on the operation to execute the editing, the server 320 performs the image editing processing (S317). Here, the image data is edited while being rearranged in chronological order from one or a plurality of ordered image data, for example, based on the shooting date and time. Of course, when a plurality of users access simultaneously, the editing process is performed for each user.

When the editing process is completed in the server 320, the print process is performed by a printing unit (not shown), so that a process of creating an album or the like is performed (S3).
18).

As a modification of the above embodiment,
After S314, a process for prompting the user to purchase the selected framed enlarged image may be performed. A processing program for performing this processing constitutes a purchase selection screen display processing means. Further, a process of displaying a high-resolution image at a third resolution higher than the enlarged image (second resolution) may be performed on the user terminal based on a purchase application operation on the purchase selection screen. A processing program for performing this processing constitutes, for example, a high-resolution image display processing unit.

Then, based on the confirmation of the high-resolution image, a process for prompting an application for album editing is performed. A processing program for performing this processing constitutes, for example, an editing application screen display processing unit. Further, based on the application operation on the edit application screen, the process of editing the album including the high-resolution image is performed in the same manner as described above. A processing program for performing this processing constitutes, for example, an editing processing unit.

(Process on Server Side) (Processing Method 1) Next, a more detailed processing procedure of the process on the server 320 side will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 17 discloses a processing procedure performed by the server of the present example in the form of a flowchart.

In the processing method 1, a process of enlarging when any one of a plurality of thumbnail images having different image contents is selected will be described.

First, since this type of image is grouped, a plurality of thumbnail images are often displayed in the one group. Therefore, a process of extracting a plurality of original image data of a corresponding group is performed.

Specifically, S1 of the first embodiment is described.
20a to S123a, S120b to S123b,.
Similar to S120n to S123n, S320a to S32
3a, S320b to S323b, ..., S320n to S
323n is performed.

Further, in step S13 of the first embodiment described above.
The processes of S330 to S337 are performed in the same manner as in S0 to S137.

Next, a process of extracting a set or specified edge region from the high-resolution image data is performed (S3).
40). Further, a process of generating an image of the edge region is performed (S341). Then, a process of combining the edge component with the high-resolution image data is performed (S342), and high-resolution image data with a border is generated.

Thus, the image display processing (3) for displaying the high-resolution image data with a border on the display screen of the user terminal 10 is performed (S350).

Then, it is determined whether another thumbnail image data has been selected on the display screen of the user terminal 10 to perform the enlargement processing (S351).
In this determination processing, when it is determined that another selection has been made, the processing from S333 is performed again as described above. On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process that no other selection has been made, the process ends.

(Processing Method 2) Next, in the processing in the server 320, a detailed description of a processing procedure of a processing method 2 different from the processing method 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 18 discloses, in the form of a flowchart, a processing procedure performed by the server of this example.

In this processing method 2, when a low-resolution image of a predetermined size displayed for one image content is divided into a plurality of images and any one of the divided sections is selected, , The case where the selected portion is enlarged and displayed. Alternatively, each division unit may have a division number designated by the user or an arbitrary size.

[0279] Detailed description of portions substantially similar to the processing method 1 will be omitted, and different portions will be described.

S160-S17 of the first embodiment
8, the processes of S360 to S378 are performed.

Next, a process of extracting a set or defined edge region from the high-resolution image data is performed (S3).
80). Further, a process of generating an image of the edge region is performed (S381). Then, a process of synthesizing the edge component with the high-resolution image data is performed (S382), and high-resolution image data with a border is generated.

Thus, the image display processing (3) for displaying the high-resolution image data with a border on the display screen of the user terminal 10 is performed (S390).

Then, it is determined whether or not another image data is selected on the display screen of the user terminal 10 to perform the enlargement processing (S391). In this determination processing, when it is determined that another selection has been made, the processing from S373 is performed again as described above. On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process that no other selection has been made, the process ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following functions and effects are obtained while exhibiting the same functions and effects as those of the above embodiments. That is, a user who has acquired a high-resolution image with an edge region can edit the high-resolution image with the edge by using generally available image editing software, remove the edge region, and acquire only the high-resolution image. I can do it. As a result, when all of the high-resolution images corresponding to the low-resolution images have been obtained, even if an edge region is formed in each of the high-resolution images, each of the high-resolution images with an edge is edited, and the There is a risk that one divided image may be reproduced at a high resolution by combining and editing the images while keeping only the resolution images.

On the other hand, in this example, since the number of divisions of each image is increased while forming the edge region, it becomes more difficult to perform the processing for synthesizing the image, and the image is formed over all the areas. The risk of being restored can be reduced, and copyright can be protected.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the network print system of the present example.

In the above embodiment, a personal computer is described as an example of a user terminal. In this example, a digital camera and a user communication terminal connectable to the digital camera are used as the user terminal. I have.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the network print system 400 of the present example comprises a user-side communication terminal 41 connectable to a digital still camera 414.
2 including a plurality of user terminals 410 (410-1 to 41-41).
0-N) and a server 20 installed in a lab or a print center equipped with a hard disk, and these user terminals 410 (410-1 to 410-N) and the server 20 connect to the network 2 such as the Internet. Are communicably connected to each other.

[0289] The network here refers to a network in which computer systems, terminals, and data communication equipment are interconnected. The connection may be made by a wired line such as a dedicated line or a public line, may be connected wirelessly through a communication satellite or the like, or may be connected in a complex form thereof. The so-called Internet and L
An AN (local area network) and the like are also included in the network.

Communication terminal 412 has a browsing function and includes a display screen on which a desired image can be displayed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the server 2 of the print center is directly
The editing process can be performed on the 0 image.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the network print system of the present example.

In the above-described embodiment, a server arranged in one print center has been described as an example. However, an example in which each server of a plurality of print centers and a center server managing these servers may be used. .

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, the network print system 500 of this example includes a plurality of user terminals 510 (510-1 to 510-) including a user-side information terminal connectable to a digital still camera. N) and servers 540, 542, 544 with hard disks
... and a center server 5 equipped with a hard disk
20 and a mobile terminal 530, and the user terminals 510 (510-1 to 510-N) and the servers 540, 542, 544, the center server 520, and the mobile terminal 530 are connected to a network 2 such as the Internet.
Are communicably connected to each other via a.

The servers 540, 542, 544,...
Are connected to printers and data recording devices 541, 543, 545,... Via a LAN (not shown).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, each image data from each print server in a plurality of laboratories is grouped as one or a plurality of groups, or the image data is centrally managed in a plurality of event venues. You can also.

[Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the network print system of the present example.

In this example, in the network print system according to any one of the above-described embodiments, settlement for a print order from a user terminal can be performed by a server installed in a print center, a server of a financial institution, or a center server. It is assumed that.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21, the network print system 600 of this example is installed in a user terminal 610 including a mobile phone 612 connectable to a digital still camera 614 and a user terminal in a laboratory. Server 630 having a hard disk, a center server 620 having a hard disk, a bank server 650, and a third-party mobile phone 640 are communicably connected to each other via a network 2 such as the Internet. I have.

[0300] The server 630 is connected to a printer 630a and a data recording device 630b via a LAN (not shown).

The mobile phone 640 performs communication using a wideband code division multiple access system of 3 MHz or more.
If it is possible to perform rake communication, soft handover between cells, and the like, the communication speed is preferably high even when transmitting high-quality image data.

[0302] Here, "Rake communication" refers to a receiving method in which signal components having a phase difference and a time difference at the time of reception due to reflection of radio waves are separately taken out, and combined in phase and time. Also, “handover” is performed according to an instruction from a “control station” that controls the base station, and the terminal can always update with a base station that is near by this “handover”. At this time, the mobile terminal always exchanges positional information with the base station and the control station.

[0303] "Wideband CDMA" is to spread the signal over a wider band than the conventional CDMA system by increasing the chip rate or the like.
Use the z-th band. As a result, it becomes strong against multipath interference, becomes strong against interference waves, interfering waves, and noise, suppresses transmission power, and extends the reach of radio waves.

(Processing) First, the user registers the password information used for confirming the balance of his / her deposit account in the center server 620 in advance so that the ID number (identification number) can be obtained. Has become.

[0305] The password information of the deposit account is strictly controlled so that a third party cannot know it, and is associated with the ID number in the center server 620.
Is stored in

When the user desires to print (or store image data) an image captured by the digital still camera, the user accesses the center server 620 to access the image data and print order information (or image data) including an ID number. Save order information) and send.

The center server 620 receiving these data
Determines the password information of the user from the ID number, and then accesses the server 650 of the bank to obtain information on the balance by using the password information. It is preferable that the center server 620 transmits information regarding the fee to the mobile phone 612 in parallel, and causes the display of the mobile phone 612 to display the fee.

[0308] Further, the center server 620 sets a fee (to which a postage is added if mailing is desired) required for printing (or storing image data) on the basis of the acquired information on the balance, for the user. Determine if you can withdraw from your account.

If it is determined that the balance cannot be deducted due to insufficient balance, the center server 620 transmits information to the user's mobile phone 612 that printing (or storage of image data) cannot be performed due to insufficient balance.

On the other hand, if the center server 620 determines that the balance of the deposit is sufficient (including a case where the bank permits the withdrawal even if the balance is small) and the necessary fee can be withdrawn, the center server 620 sends the image data to the server 630. The server 630 transmits the image data to the printer 630a.
(Or data recording device 630b) for printing (or storing image data on a CD or the like).

The print (or CD) is provided to the user by mail or at a store.

[0312] The image data may be stored in the server 630 in advance, and can be called to the mobile phone 612 or printed according to the user's request.

According to the present embodiment, since the payment of the fee has already been completed, a print request can be made with confidence even when the amount of money is small, for example, when traveling.

[Seventh Embodiment] Next, a seventh embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In this example, an information storage medium that records a processing program to be processed by one or both of the server and the terminal in any of the above-described embodiments will be described.

When each of the embodiments is configured by a computer system having a CPU and a memory, the memory configures a recording medium according to the present embodiment. The recording medium stores a program for executing the above-described processing and the processing described in each embodiment data.

The information recording medium may be, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, or a flash memory, or an integrated circuit, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic recording medium, or the like. CD-R, CD-RW, FD, DVDRAM,
It may be recorded on a DVDROM, MO, ZIP, magnetic card, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, IC card, or the like for use.

Still further, examples of the medium include a wireless or infrared transmission channel between a computer and another device, a computer-readable card such as a PCMC.
An IA card, a network connection to another computer or device on a network, and the Internet or an intranet that includes e-mail transmission and information recorded on a website or other. This example is merely an example of a computer-readable medium, and may be another computer-readable medium.

Therefore, by using this information recording medium in a system or apparatus other than the system according to each of the above-described embodiments, the system or computer reads out and executes the program code stored in this storage medium. The same functions as those of the above embodiments can be realized, and the same effects can be obtained.

An OS running on a computer
When performing part or all of the processing, or after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extended function board or an extended function unit connected to the computer, Even when the CPU or the like provided in the above-mentioned extended function board or extended function unit performs a part or all of the processing based on the instruction of the program code, the same functions as those of the above embodiments can be realized and the same functions can be realized. The effect can be obtained.

[0320] Specifically, this information recording medium records processing for performing a print service via a network by a server that can communicate with a user terminal used by a user.

[0321] The information recording medium is provided with information for performing processing for displaying an image of the first resolution on the user terminal based on an operation input from the user terminal, and for the user to select from among the image area. Based on information for performing processing of displaying a selected image obtained by enlarging the specific area image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, based on a selection operation of a desired specific area image, and based on the expanded selected image. And information for performing a process of editing an album.

An information recording medium according to another aspect includes information for performing a process of displaying a list of a plurality of thumbnail images of a first resolution on the user terminal based on an operation input from the user terminal; Information for performing a process of displaying a selected image obtained by enlarging the specific thumbnail image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution based on a user's operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired from the thumbnail images. And information for performing an album editing process based on the enlarged selected image.

Further, in another aspect, based on an operation input from the user terminal, information for performing a process of displaying an image of the first resolution on the user terminal, and a user selecting an image from the image area. Information for performing processing of displaying an enlarged image of the specific area image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution based on a selection operation of a desired specific area image; Based on the information to be processed so as to be displayed differently from the image area, the information to prompt the user to purchase the selected framed enlarged image or not, and the purchase application operation,
Information for performing a process of displaying a high-resolution image at a third resolution higher than the second resolution on the user terminal, and information for performing a process of prompting an application for album editing based on confirmation of the high-resolution image And information for performing a process of editing an album including the high-resolution image based on the editing application operation.

[0324] Still further, in another aspect, information for performing a process of displaying a list of a plurality of thumbnail images of a first resolution on the user terminal based on an operation input from the user terminal; Information for performing processing for displaying an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the specific thumbnail image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, based on an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the images; And information for processing the edge region of the image so as to be displayed differently from the other image regions.

Although the apparatus and method according to the present invention have been described according to some specific embodiments thereof,
Those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the embodiments described in the text of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the processing in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to a case where a function of enlarging a thumbnail image or a digital image that is frequently used in an electronic still camera or a printer is realized.
Examples include a mobile image transmitting / receiving terminal (PDA), a printer, a satellite image, a medical image, or a software module thereof.

Further, needless to say, examples include combinations of the above-described embodiments, and combinations of any or all of the embodiments with the modifications.

[0327]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the communication traffic by transmitting only the portion in the high resolution mode as required. In addition, it is not necessary to input a password or the like, so that a plurality of people can view a common image source via the web, and provide a service that allows editing according to each user's preference.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the entire network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on a terminal in the network print system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the principle of image enlargement in a terminal.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the principle of image enlargement in a terminal.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of a server in the network print system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a file structure of image data.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a file structure of image data.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams showing a file structure of image data.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams showing a file structure of image data.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure on a server side in the network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the processing procedure on the server side in the network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of another embodiment in the network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the display screen displayed on the terminal in the network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of a server in the network print system of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of another embodiment in the network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure on the server side in the network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure on the server side in the network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment in the network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment in the network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment in the network print system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 network print system 10 user terminal 20 server

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (reference) G06T 1/00 200 G06T 1/00 200E H04N 1/387 101 H04N 1/387 101 F term (reference) 2C087 AA18 AB01 AB06 AB08 BA03 BD06 CB16 CB20 5B021 AA01 BB00 5B050 AA08 AA10 BA06 BA10 BA15 CA07 CA08 DA10 EA06 EA10 EA12 EA19 FA02 FA03 FA09 5B069 AA20 CA13 DD11 5C076 AA12 AA14 AA19 AA21 CA02 CA02

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. A network print system that provides a print service via a network by a server that is capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the network print system performs a print service based on an operation input from the user terminal. First display processing means for displaying an image of a first resolution; and selecting the selected image obtained by enlarging the specific region image based on an operation of selecting a specific region image desired by the user from the image region. And a second display processing means for displaying at a second resolution higher than the resolution of the network print system. 2. The network print system according to claim 1, further comprising editing processing means for performing an album editing process based on the enlarged selected image. 3. The network print system according to claim 2, wherein the editing processing unit edits the plurality of selected images in a time series. 4. The network print system according to claim 1, further comprising third display processing means for displaying a plurality of said selected images in time series. 5. A plurality of digital imaging devices capable of communicating with the server via the network and capable of imaging at least one subject from a plurality of angles, wherein the first display processing means And each captured image acquired from each of the digital imaging devices is stored in the first terminal of the user terminal.
The network print system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image is displayed on a multi-screen display as an image having a resolution of? 6. The second display processing means enlarges and displays one selected image while performing a process that makes it difficult to join a plurality of the selected images into one image. The network print system according to claim 1, wherein the network print system performs a process. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first display processing unit determines that the specific area image is at least 1/16 of an entire area of the image.
8. The network print system according to claim 1, wherein a process for displaying the area is performed so as to have the following area. 8. A network print system that provides a print service via a network by a server that can communicate with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the network print system performs a print service based on an operation input from the user terminal. List display screen display processing means for displaying a plurality of thumbnail images of the first resolution in a list, and a selection in which the specific thumbnail image is enlarged based on a selection operation of a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images Enlarged image display processing means for displaying an image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution; and editing processing means for performing album editing processing based on the enlarged selected image. Network print system. 9. A process in which one enlarged image is displayed while the enlarged image display processing means performs a process that is not easy to join a plurality of the selected images into one image. 10. The network print system according to claim 9, wherein: 10. The list display screen display processing means performs processing for displaying the thumbnail images so as to have an area of at least 1/16 or less of the entire area of the plurality of thumbnail images. The network print system according to claim 9. 11. A network print system for providing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the network print system performs a print service based on an operation input from the user terminal. Display processing means for displaying an image having a first resolution; and an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the specific area image based on a selection operation of a specific area image desired by a user from an area of the image based on the first resolution. A bordered enlarged image display processing means for displaying the image at a high second resolution and processing the edge region of the enlarged image so as to be displayed differently from other image regions. system. 12. A purchase selection screen display processing means for urging the user to purchase or not to purchase the selected framed enlarged image, and the user terminal is provided to the user terminal based on a purchase application operation on the purchase selection screen. 13. The network print system according to claim 12, further comprising: high-resolution image display processing means for displaying a high-resolution image at a third resolution higher than the second resolution. 13. An editing application screen display processing means for prompting an application for album editing based on the confirmation of the high resolution image, and editing for performing album editing including the high resolution image based on an application operation on the editing application screen. 14. The network print system according to claim 13, further comprising: processing means. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing processing means edits the plurality of high-resolution images in time series.
5. The network print system according to item 4. 15. A network print system that provides a print service via a network by a server that is communicable with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the network print system performs a print service based on an operation input from the user terminal. List display screen display processing means for displaying a plurality of thumbnail images of the first resolution in a list, and an enlargement of the specific thumbnail image based on an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images. A bordered enlarged image display processing means for displaying an image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and for processing an edge area of the enlarged image so as to be displayed differently from other image areas; A network print system comprising: 16. A network printing method for providing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, the network printing method comprising: Displaying an image of a first resolution; and selecting a selected image obtained by enlarging the specific region image based on an operation of selecting a specific region image desired by a user from the image region. Displaying at a resolution of 2. 17. The network printing method according to claim 17, further comprising a step of performing an album editing process based on the enlarged selected image. 18. A network printing method for providing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the network print method is provided to the user terminal based on an operation input from the user terminal. Displaying a plurality of thumbnail images of a first resolution in a list; and selecting a selected image obtained by enlarging the specific thumbnail image based on an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images. A network printing method comprising: displaying at a second resolution higher than the resolution of the image; and performing an album editing process based on the enlarged selected image. 19. A network printing method for providing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, the method comprising: Displaying an image of a first resolution; and selecting an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the specific area image based on a selection operation of a specific area image desired by a user from the image area. 2. A network printing method, comprising: displaying the image at a resolution of 2; and processing the edge region of the enlarged image so as to be displayed differently from other image regions. 20. A step of prompting the user to purchase or not the selected framed enlarged image, and at a third resolution higher than the second resolution to the user terminal based on a purchase application operation. 21. The network printing method according to claim 20, further comprising: displaying a high-resolution image. 21. A step of prompting an application for album editing based on the confirmation of the high resolution image, and a step of performing album editing including the high resolution image based on the operation of applying for editing. The network printing method according to claim 21, wherein: 22. A network printing method for providing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, the method comprising: Displaying a plurality of thumbnail images having a first resolution in a list; and displaying an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the specific thumbnail image based on an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images. A network printing method, comprising: displaying at a second resolution higher than the resolution of (b); and processing the edge area of the enlarged image so as to be displayed differently from other image areas. 23. An information recording medium which records a process of performing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the user performs a print service based on an operation input from the user terminal. Information for performing a process of displaying a first resolution image on a terminal; and a selection image obtained by enlarging the specific region image based on an operation of selecting a specific region image desired by a user from the image region. An information recording medium, comprising: information for performing a process of displaying at a second resolution higher than the first resolution. 24. The information recording medium according to claim 23, further comprising information for performing an album editing process based on the enlarged selected image. 25. An information recording medium which records a process of performing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the user records the process based on an operation input from the user terminal. The specific thumbnail image is enlarged based on information for performing a process of displaying a plurality of thumbnail images of the first resolution on the terminal as a list and a user's operation of selecting a specific thumbnail image desired from the plurality of thumbnail images. Information for performing a process of displaying the selected image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and information for performing an album editing process based on the enlarged selected image. Information recording medium. 26. An information recording medium which records a process of performing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by a user, wherein the user performs a print service based on an operation input from the user terminal. Information for performing a process of displaying an image of a first resolution on a terminal; and an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the specific area image based on a selection operation of a specific area image desired by a user from the image area. Information for performing processing for displaying at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and information for processing so that an edge area of the enlarged image is displayed differently from other image areas. Information recording medium. 27. A third terminal having a higher resolution than the second resolution for the user terminal based on information for prompting the user to purchase or not to purchase the selected framed enlarged image and a purchase application operation. The information recording medium according to claim 26, further comprising: information for performing processing for displaying a high-resolution image at a resolution. 28. Information for performing a process of prompting an application for album editing based on the confirmation of the high-resolution image, and information for performing a process of editing an album including the high-resolution image based on an operation for applying for the editing. The information recording medium according to claim 27, further comprising: 29. An information recording medium which records a process of performing a print service via a network by a server capable of communicating with a user terminal used by the user, wherein the user records the process based on an operation input from the user terminal. Enlarging the specific thumbnail image based on information for performing a process of displaying a plurality of thumbnail images of the first resolution on the terminal in a list, and selecting a specific thumbnail image desired by the user from the plurality of thumbnail images. Information for performing a process of displaying the enlarged image thus obtained at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and information for processing an edge region of the enlarged image to be displayed differently from other image regions. An information recording medium characterized by including.