JP2003078850A - Image data storage system, imaging device, server system and communication card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image data storage system with which image data can be stored in an image data storage device without the need for a troublesome operation by a user and technique related to the image data storage system. SOLUTION: This image data storage system 800 performs an image storage service that stores picked an images in a digital camera 1. A server 510 for image storage accesses the digital camera 1, and the digital camera 1 responds to this access. Thus, communication connection is established between the server 510 for image storage and the digital camera 1. The server 510 for image storage stores image data acquired by utilizing the communication connection in a prescribed storage part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data storage system for storing an image captured by an image capturing device such as a digital camera in a server system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the photographic world, digitization has been rapidly progressing in the past few years, and now digital cameras are outperforming conventional silver halide film cameras. Image data taken by a digital camera has an advantage that the content can be confirmed immediately and can be distributed, browsed and stored by uploading to a specific site (server).

[0003]

By the way, when uploading image data, a personal computer is required to intervene, so that the user of the digital camera needs to perform a very complicated operation. is there. It should be noted that the upload operation is a high threshold and unfamiliar operation even for a user who browses the web using a personal computer on a daily basis.

In order to solve such a problem, there is a technique in which a user performs a predetermined operation on the digital camera to upload the imaged image data of the digital camera to a server without using a personal computer.

However, even in such a technique, the user needs to perform a predetermined operation such as selecting a captured image to be transmitted to the digital camera, which requires a complicated operation. There is.
That is, the above technique has a problem that it is not a user-friendly technique.

Further, in such an image data storage system, it is required to attract users in terms of cost, and there is also a problem that a user-friendly system construction is required in terms of cost. .

In view of the above problems, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a user-friendly image storage system and a technique related thereto. A second object of the present invention is to provide an image data storage system capable of storing image data in a server system without requiring a complicated operation of a user of the image pickup apparatus and a technique related thereto. The purpose of. Furthermore, the present invention provides thirdly a technique for performing reasonable charging.
The purpose of.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an image data storage system for providing an image storage service, which is an image pickup device and a server for storing an image picked up by the image pickup device. System,
The image pickup apparatus includes means for establishing a communication connection with the server system in response to a call from the server system, and the server system has means for making a call to the image pickup apparatus. , Means for establishing a communication connection with the imaging device according to a response from the imaging device to the calling, and image data captured by the imaging device is acquired using the established communication connection. And means for storing the data in a predetermined data storage means in the server system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device in an image data storage system which provides an image storage service,
A connection means for establishing a communication connection with the server system in response to a call from the server system; and a transfer means for transferring the image data imaged by the imaging device to the server system. Characterize.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the connection means is dedicated to incoming calls capable of establishing communication only in response to a call from the other party. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image pickup apparatus can be driven by an AC power source, and the connection means is such that the image pickup apparatus is driven by the AC power source. The communication connection with the server system is established only when the server system is in the open state.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image pickup apparatus further comprises means for checking the remaining capacity of a battery for driving the image pickup apparatus. When driven by a battery, a communication connection with the server system is established only when the remaining capacity of the battery is sufficient.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the connecting means confirms whether or not there is a data transmission request from the server system in a photographing standby state in a photographing mode. And

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image pickup apparatus further comprises determination means for determining the state of the image pickup apparatus, and the connecting means uses the determination means for determining the state of the image pickup apparatus. Is determined to be in the image capturing state or the image capturing preparation state, data communication with the server system is not performed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image pickup apparatus further comprises determination means for determining the state of the image pickup apparatus, and the connecting means uses the determination means for determining the state of the image pickup apparatus. Is determined to be in the imaging state or the imaging preparation state, the communication connection with the server system is interrupted.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the connection means determines by the determination means that the state of the image pickup apparatus is neither the image pickup state nor the image pickup preparation state. In this case, the communication connection with the suspended server system is reestablished.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the image pickup apparatus further comprises lens driving means for driving a lens, and the determining means is in a period during which the lens driving means is driving the lens. The image pickup device is determined to be in the image pickup preparation state.

An eleventh aspect of the invention is an image pickup apparatus according to the seventh aspect, further comprising mode setting means for selecting and setting a mode from a plurality of modes including a reproduction mode and a photographing mode, The determination means determines that the state of the image pickup apparatus is the image pickup preparation state during the period during which the mode is set by the mode setting means.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the image pickup means further includes an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, and the judging means processes the data picked up by the image pickup means to obtain a predetermined value. It is characterized in that the state of the image pickup apparatus is determined to be the image pickup state during the period until the image data is recorded.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image pickup apparatus further comprises a power switch for switching between an on state and an off state of the power source of the image pickup apparatus.
The connection means may establish a communication connection with the server system in response to a call from the server system even when the power is off.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server system in an image data archiving system for performing an image archiving service, comprising a calling means for calling at least one image pickup device, and the at least one image pickup device for the call. Connection means for establishing a communication connection with the imaging device in response to a response from
Acquiring means for acquiring image data imaged by one imaging device using the established communication connection and storing the acquired image data in a predetermined data storage means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, in the server system according to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, the calling means calls the at least one image pickup device at a predetermined interval.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the invention, in the server system according to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, the connection means terminates the connection after the image data is acquired.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the server system according to the fourteenth aspect, the at least one image pickup device is a plurality of image pickup devices, and the connection means is a predetermined one for the plurality of image pickup devices. In the order of, and in accordance with the response from each of the plurality of imaging devices to the call, establish a communication connection with each of the plurality of imaging devices, the acquisition means, the acquisition means Image data captured by each of the devices is acquired using the established communication connection, and stored in a folder corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging devices.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication card which can be attached to an image pickup device in an image data storage system which provides an image storage service, and which communicates with the server system in response to a call from the server system. It is characterized by comprising a connection means for establishing a connection, and a transfer means for transferring the image data imaged by the imaging device to the server system.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the communication card according to the eighteenth aspect, the communication card stores a program for adding a communication function to the image pickup apparatus.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in a server system, storage period acquisition means for obtaining a storage period of image data stored in the server system, and billing information for generating billing information regarding the image storage service. The charging information generating means calculates a storage fee for the image storage service as free until the storage period of the image data exceeds a predetermined period, and the storage period of the image data is predetermined. After the period is exceeded, the storage fee is calculated according to the length of the storage period of the image data excluding the predetermined period.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the server system according to the twenty-first aspect, deletion of each image data stored in the server system is performed by a storage requester of the respective image data and the image storage service. It is characterized by further comprising a permission means for permitting only an administrator.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the invention, in the server system according to the twenty-first aspect, the permitting unit permits deletion of a plurality of image data stored in the server system for each individual image data. It is characterized by

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the server system according to the twenty-first aspect, the permitting unit permits only the administrator to collectively delete a plurality of image data stored in the server system. It is characterized by doing.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the server system according to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of image data stored in the server system are stored in response to a request from the storage requester of the plurality of image data. It further comprises: a deletion service receiving means for receiving a deletion service to be deleted on behalf of the storage requester; and a deletion means for deleting the image data which is the object of the deletion service received by the deletion service receiving means. .

A thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention is the server system according to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, wherein the billing information generating means stores the storage fee for the image storage service in a plurality of images stored in the server system. It is characterized in that it is calculated based on each storage period of data.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in a server system, there is provided transmission means for transmitting a selection screen for selecting a charging rule for the image storage service from a plurality of rules to the storage requester side terminal. , Receiving information about which charging rule is selected from the plurality of rules using the selection screen from the storage requester side terminal, and based on the received information, the selected charging rule And a billing information generation unit that generates billing information regarding the image storage service of the image data according to the billing rule registered by the registration unit.

A thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention is the server system according to the twenty-sixth aspect, wherein the plurality of rules exclude a storage fee of the image data excluding the predetermined free period of the storage period of the image data. Including a first rule calculated according to the length of the period and a second rule calculating the storage fee of the image data according to the length of the entire storage period of the image data. Characterize.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the server system according to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the second rule uses a charge for a predetermined service associated with the image data storage service as the first rule. It is characterized in that the rule is calculated to be lower than that of the above.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, which is a server system, storage amount acquisition means for obtaining a storage amount of image data stored in the server system for each user, and billing information regarding the image storage service are generated. Billing information generation means for calculating the storage fee for the image storage service as free until the storage amount exceeds a predetermined amount, and the storage amount exceeds the predetermined amount. After that, the storage fee is calculated according to the amount of the storage amount that exceeds the predetermined amount.

[0037]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<A. First Embodiment><1. System Outline> FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of an image data storage system 800 according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram mainly showing a physical configuration, and FIG. 2 is a diagram mainly showing a functional configuration.

As shown in these figures, this image data archiving system 800 includes a server computer for image archiving (hereinafter also referred to as "image archiving server") 510 and a server computer for user management (hereinafter "user"). A server system SV including a management server) 530 and a payment settlement server computer (hereinafter also referred to as “price settlement server”) 550 is provided.
The image data storage system 800 further includes a digital camera (imaging device) and a client computer (storage requester-side terminal) 600. These digital camera 1 and client computer 600
Can be connected to each server of the server system SV via a network such as a telephone line, the Internet, and a LAN, and function as a client of the image data storage system 800.

The image storage server 510 connects between the digital camera 1 and the image storage server 510 in accordance with a calling unit 511 for calling the digital camera 1 and a response from the digital camera 1 to the call. It has a connection unit 512 that establishes a communication connection, and an acquisition unit 514 that acquires image data in the digital camera 1 using the established communication connection. In addition, the acquired image data is stored in a predetermined storage unit (also referred to as a data storage unit) 513 in the image storage server 510. Here, since the image storage server 510 side does not make a call from the digital camera 1 side to automatically establish a communication connection using a telephone line and then perform data communication, the user of the image pickup apparatus performs a complicated operation. Image storage server 5 without performing
Image data can be stored in 10.

Further, the image storage server 510 permits the storage requester to delete the image data for each image data in order to secure a high level of security and prevent the image data from being lost due to an erroneous operation. 515. Further, the image storage server 510 receives a deletion service reception unit 517 that receives a deletion service that collectively deletes image data on behalf of the storage requester in response to a request from the storage requester, and the image data to be deleted. It further has a deletion unit 516 for actually deleting.

The user management server 530 has two types of databases for user management (user management database DB1 and file management database DB2). The user management server 530 also accepts user registration in this image storage service. Therefore, the user management server 530 transmits a selection screen for selecting a charging rule from a plurality of rules at the time of user registration to the client computer 600 or the like, and a selected charging screen. It has a charging rule registration unit 532 for registering rules.

The price settlement server 550 generates a billing information generation unit 551 that generates billing information regarding the image storage service.
have. Further, the price settlement server 550 includes a storage period acquisition unit 552 for determining a storage period of image data stored in the server system SV (image storage server 510), and a server system SV (image storage server 51).
0) has a storage amount acquisition unit 553 that obtains the storage amount of the image data stored in (0) for each user.

The storage period acquisition unit 552 and the storage amount acquisition unit 553 acquire the storage period and the storage amount using the information of the user management database DB1 and the file management database DB2. Then, the charging information generation unit 5
Reference numeral 51 denotes a storage period acquisition unit 552 and a storage amount acquisition unit 55.
The billing information is generated using the information about the storage period and the storage amount that are respectively acquired in 3. After that, the payment server 550 uses the charging information generated by the charging information generation unit 551 to perform a billing process for the credit card company. For example, the payment server 55
0 is capable of exchanging billing information and the like with a computer of a credit card company via a network.

Server system S including each of these servers
The processing by V will be described in detail.

<2. Configuration of Digital Camera> Next, the digital camera 1 as an imaging device will be described. The digital camera 1 establishes a communication connection with the image storage server 510 in response to a call from the image storage server 510. Then, in response to a data transmission request from the image storage server 510 side, the image data in the digital camera 1 is moved to the image storage server 510.
After this movement, the image data in the digital camera 1 is erased from the digital camera 1, so that the memory capacity in the digital camera 1 can be effectively used.

The digital camera 1 will be described in detail below.

FIGS. 3 to 6 are a front view, a rear view, a bottom view and a side view showing the appearance of the digital camera 1, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera 1.

The digital camera 1, as shown in FIG.
It is composed of a box-shaped camera body 2 and a rectangular parallelepiped imaging unit 3 (shown by thick lines in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5). The image pickup unit 3 includes a lens 301 with a macro function, which is a photographing lens (lens for photographing), and, like a silver-salt film camera, a dimming sensor 305 that receives reflected light of flash light from the subject, and up to the subject. Distance measuring sensor 306 for measuring distance, and optical finder 31
Is provided.

In the inside of the image pickup unit 3, a CCD 303 which is a CCD color area sensor is provided at a position behind the lens 301.
(See FIG. 6), and the CCD (imaging device) 303 is a part of the imaging circuit.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the front surface of the camera body 2, a grip portion 4 is provided at the left end, a built-in flash 5 is provided at the upper center, and a shutter button 8 is provided on the upper surface.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the camera body 2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) 10 for performing live view display of captured images, reproduction display of recorded images, display of advertisement data, and the like is provided in the back of the display device at substantially the center. Below the LCD 10, key switch groups 221 to 226 for operating the digital camera 1 and a power switch 227 are provided. On the left side of the power switch 227,
An LED 228 that lights when the power is on and an LED 229 that indicates that the memory card is being accessed are arranged.

Further, a mode setting switch 14 for switching the mode between the "photographing mode" and the "reproduction mode" is provided on the back surface of the camera body 2 (see FIG. 4).
The shooting mode is a mode for taking a picture and temporarily displaying the image of the temporary shooting on the LCD 10, and the playback mode is a mode in which the captured image recorded on the memory card is L
This is a mode for reproducing and displaying on the CD 10, and in the shooting mode, images for subject confirmation obtained at predetermined timing are sequentially displayed on the LCD 10 until the shutter button 8 is operated and the actual shooting operation is started. The so-called live view display is performed.

The mode setting switch 14 is a two-contact slide switch. When it is set to the lower side in FIG. 4, it is set to the photographing mode, and when it is set to the upper side, it is set to the reproduction mode.

Further, a quadruple switch 230 is provided on the right side of the rear surface of the camera. Pressing buttons 231 and 232 performs zooming, and pressing buttons 233 and 234 performs exposure correction.

On the back surface of the image pickup section 3, as shown in FIG.
An LCD button 321 and a macro button 322 are provided.

During macro shooting (close-up), the macro button 322 is pressed to drive the AF (autofocus) motor 308 (see FIG. 6) and the lens 301.
Is ready for macro photography.

The LCD button 321 is a button for turning on / off the LCD 10, and is the LCD button 321.
When is pressed, the LCD display is switched on / off sequentially.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the camera body 2
A battery loading chamber 18 is provided on the bottom surface of the. The battery loading chamber 18 can be opened and closed by a clamshell type lid 15. The operator can open the lid 15 and load a predetermined number (for example, four) of dry cells.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a terminal portion 235 is provided on the side surface of the camera body 2 as shown in FIG. 4, and the terminal portion 235 has a DC input terminal 235a.
A video output terminal 235b for outputting the content displayed on the LCD 10 to an external video monitor is provided.

<3. Internal structure of digital camera> Next,
The internal configuration of the digital camera 1 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the digital camera 1.

An image pickup circuit having a CCD image pickup element 303 is provided at an appropriate position behind the zoom lens 301 (FIG. 3) in the image pickup section 3. Further, inside the image pickup unit 3, the zoom ratio (focal length f) of the zoom lens 301 is provided.
A lens drive unit 215 having a zoom motor and the like for changing the
The zoom lens 301 is driven by. Further, inside the image pickup unit 3, an aperture adjusting unit 217 having an aperture driving motor for adjusting an aperture is provided, and the aperture adjusting unit 217 drives the aperture to adjust the aperture. .

The CCD image pickup device 303 is the zoom lens 3
The optical image (subject image) of the subject formed by 01 is
Image signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components (signals composed of a signal sequence of pixel signals received by each pixel) are photoelectrically converted and output.

The exposure control in the image pickup section 3 is performed by adjusting the diaphragm and the exposure amount of the CCD image pickup element 303, that is, the charge accumulation time of the CCD image pickup element 303 corresponding to the shutter speed.

The signal processing circuit 313 is the CCD image pickup device 3
The image signal (analog signal) output from the circuit 03 is subjected to predetermined analog signal processing. Signal processing circuit 31
3 is a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit and AGC
(Auto gain control) circuit, the noise of the image signal is reduced by the CDS circuit, and the level of the image signal is adjusted by adjusting the gain by the AGC circuit.

Next, the internal block of the camera body 2 will be described.

In the camera body 2, the A / D converter 205 converts each pixel signal of the image signal into, for example, a 10-bit digital signal. A / D converter 20
Reference numeral 5 converts each pixel signal (analog signal) into a 10-bit digital signal based on the clock for A / D conversion.

Further, the image processing circuit 200 performs image processing such as black level correction, WB (white balance) correction, and γ (gamma) correction. Black level correction is A
The black level of the D / D-converted captured image is corrected to a predetermined reference level, and the white balance correction is performed for each color of R, G, and B so that the white balance is also adjusted after the next γ correction. The level of the pixel data of the component is converted. The γ correction is to correct the γ characteristic of the captured image.

Thereafter, the picked-up image data subjected to each of these image processes is stored in the image memory 209.

The image memory 209 is the image processing circuit 200.
It is a memory that stores captured image data output from the. The image memory 209 has a storage capacity for one frame. That is, the image memory 209 has n × m pixels when the CCD image sensor 303 has pixels of n rows and m columns.
It has a storage capacity of pixel data for pixels, and each pixel data is stored at a corresponding pixel position.

Further, the built-in flash memory 210 is a memory for storing picked-up image data. The image data temporarily stored in the image memory 209 is transferred to and stored in the built-in flash memory 210. The built-in flash memory 210 has a storage capacity capable of storing about 40 (frames) captured images.

Further, the VRAM 213 is a buffer memory for image data reproduced and displayed on the LCD 10. V
The RAM 213 has a storage capacity of image data corresponding to the number of pixels of the LCD 10.

In the shooting standby state in the shooting mode, L
When the LCD display is turned on by the CD button 321 (FIG. 4), live view display is performed on the LCD 10. Specifically, after the A / D converter 205 and the image processing circuit 200 perform various kinds of signal processing on each captured image obtained from the image capturing unit 3 at a predetermined interval, the overall control unit 211 causes the image memory to operate. The captured image stored in 209 is acquired and transferred to the VRAM 213 to display the captured image on the LCD 10. And LCD
The live view display is performed by updating the captured image displayed in 10 every predetermined time. With this live view display, the photographer can visually recognize the subject in the live view image displayed on the LCD 10.

Further, in the reproduction mode, the image read from the built-in flash memory 210 is the entire control unit 2.
After being subjected to a predetermined signal processing at 11, it is transferred to the VRAM 213 and reproduced and displayed on the LCD 10.

The operation unit 250 includes the above-described various switches and buttons (including the shutter button 8), and the information input by the user is input to the overall control unit 211 via the operation unit 250. Transmitted. The shutter button 8 is a two-step switch that can detect a half-pressed state (S1) and a full-pressed state (S2) as used in a silver halide film camera.

The overall control unit 211 has CPUs 211a, R
This is realized by a microcomputer having an OM 211b and a RAM 211c executing a predetermined software program (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a program),
The driving of each member in the image pickup unit 3 and the camera body unit 2 described above is organically controlled to collectively control the shooting operation of the digital camera 1.

In this embodiment, the overall control unit 211
Also has a function as a determination unit that determines the state of the digital camera 1 at each time point.

The digital camera 1 has a built-in wireless mobile phone function section 290. Here, a case where a PHS (simple mobile phone) is used as an example of a mobile phone will be illustrated. The mobile phone function unit 290 has a communication function by a telephone line of a wireless mobile phone. Specifically, this communication function is a function of establishing a communication connection with the image storage server 510 in response to a call from the image storage server 510. In addition, the mobile phone function unit 290 also has a modem function, and can perform data communication via the telephone line with which the connection is established. Then, by using this modem function, the image data captured by the digital camera 1 can be transferred to the image storage server 510. In addition, here
Although PHS is exemplified as the mobile phone, it is needless to say that the mobile phone is not limited to this and may be of another type.

Further, it is preferable that the mobile phone function is dedicated to incoming calls which can establish communication only in response to a call from the other party. That is, it is preferable that the digital camera 1 does not make a call. In this case, the image storage server 510 does not need to manage the transmission from the digital camera 1 side, and therefore the image storage server 510.
It is possible to construct an efficient server system while simplifying the system construction in.

Next, the power supply for driving the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the digital camera 1
Power supply battery E, power supply control unit 401, detection switching circuit 402,
It has a battery voltage detection unit 403.

This digital camera 1 has an AC power source (AC
Both driving with a power source) and driving with a power battery are possible.

When driving with the AC power supply, the user inserts both ends (that is, the AC plug and the DC output terminal) of the AC adapter into the AC power supply section (AC socket) and the AC adapter terminal of the digital camera 1, respectively. (D
C input terminal) 235a.

The detection switching circuit 402 determines whether or not the AC power supply is connected. DC input terminal 23
When it is determined that the AC power supply is connected to the digital camera 1 via 5a, driving using the AC power supply is performed. At this time, the power from the AC power supply is supplied to all parts including the mobile phone function unit 290.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the AC power supply is not connected, the detection switching circuit 402 also determines whether the power supply battery is connected. When AC power is not connected and the power supply battery is connected,
Driving using a power supply battery is performed. The power supply battery E is a battery for driving the digital camera 1, and is configured by connecting, for example, four AA dry batteries E1 to E4 in series. The battery voltage detection unit 403 also has a function of checking the remaining capacity of the battery by detecting the voltage of the power supply battery E.

When either the AC power supply or the DC power supply (power supply battery) is connected, the detection switching circuit 402 is connected to the mobile phone function section 290 having both the PHS function and the modem function. The power is constantly supplied, and the power supply control unit 401 is also always supplied with power. Then, the power supply control unit 401 that receives the power supply performs the following control operation.

The power supply control unit 401 has a power supply switch 227.
The power supply state (power supply state) to each part of the digital camera 1 is changed according to the operation of. Specifically, each time the operator presses the power switch 227 once, the power control unit 401 switches between the on state and the off state of the power source and supplies power according to each state. Here, the “on state” and the “off state” of the power source mean each of two states regarding the power supply state to the digital camera 1, and the digital camera 1 has at least one of the image capturing function and the reproducing function. It is to be distinguished by whether or not it is in a state in which sufficient power is supplied in order to exert it.

First, in the off state, the power switch 22
When 7 is pressed once, the power supply control unit 401 shifts the digital camera 1 to the ON state in response to the switching signal generated in response to the pressing of the power switch 227. In this ON state, the power supply control unit 401 has the mobile phone function unit 29 having both the PHS function and the modem function.
Power is supplied to each part other than zero. When the power switch 227 is pressed once again in this on state, the power control unit 401 responds to the switching signal generated in response to the pressing of the power switch 227 to turn the digital camera 1 to the off state this time. And shift. In this off state, the power supply control unit 401 does not supply power to each unit other than the mobile phone function unit 290 having both the PHS function and the modem function.

Further, as described above, the detection switching circuit 40
The power supply 2 supplies power to the mobile phone function unit 290 having both the PHS function and the modem function regardless of whether the power supply is on or off.

As a result, when the power is on, power is supplied to the entire digital camera 1, while
When the power is off, power is not supplied to each part other than the mobile phone function unit 290 having both the PHS function and the modem function. Power is supplied to the mobile phone function unit 290 having both the PHS function and the modem function when the power is on or off.

Therefore, even when the power is off,
Since power is continuously supplied to the mobile phone function unit 290 of the digital camera 1, in response to a call from the image storage server 510 using the mobile phone function unit 290,
It is possible to establish a communication connection with the image storage server 510.

More specifically, when the cellular phone function unit 290, which is continuously supplied with electric power, receives a call from the image storage server 510, the received signal is sent to the power supply unit 40.
Transmit to 1. Then, the power supply unit 401 activates the overall control unit 211 in response to the transmitted received signal. In other words, the overall control unit 211 is activated by the reception signal for the call from the image storage server 510 as a trigger. As a result, the image data in the digital camera 1 can be transferred to the image storage server 510 regardless of whether the power is on or off. Easy to manage.

When all the communication operations are completed, the power supply control unit 401 stops the power supply to each part (overall control unit 211) other than the mobile phone function unit 290, and shifts the digital camera 1 to the off state again. Let

<4. Operation><Power Supply Confirmation Processing> FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing in the image data archiving system 800.

First, the processing on the digital camera 1 side will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, this digital camera 1 is capable of wireless communication with the image storage server 510 using a telephone line of a mobile phone.

In steps S201 to S203, the battery life of the digital camera 1 is checked. Specifically, in step S201, it is determined whether or not the driving state of the digital camera 1 is a driving state by an AC power source.

More specifically, the detection switching circuit 402 is
When it is detected that the AC power source is connected to the digital camera 1 via the C adapter, the driving state of the digital camera 1 is determined to be the driving state by the AC power source. At this time, since there is no concern that the battery will run out during transmission, the process proceeds to the next step S211.

On the other hand, when the AC power is not supplied to the digital camera 1, the circuit 402 determines that the driving state of the digital camera 1 is a battery (battery) driving state, and proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, the battery voltage V
Is greater than or equal to the value V1. The value V1 is the lower limit value of the voltage that can withstand transmission. When the battery voltage V is V1 or more, the remaining capacity of the battery is determined to be sufficient, and the process proceeds to step S211. On the other hand, when the battery voltage V is smaller than the value V1, it is determined that the remaining battery capacity is insufficient for transmission, and the process does not proceed to step S211 but step S203.
Proceed to. That is, when the digital camera 1 is driven by a battery, the communication connection between the digital camera 1 and the image storage server 510 is established only when the remaining capacity of the battery is sufficient. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which transmission is interrupted due to running out of the battery during transmission.

In step S203, the battery voltage V
Is greater than or equal to the value V2 (<V1). Value V
2 is the lower limit of the voltage that can withstand shooting. Battery voltage V
When is greater than or equal to the value V2, it is determined that the remaining battery capacity is sufficient for shooting, and the process proceeds to the shooting process in step S230. On the other hand, when the battery voltage V is smaller than the value V2, it is determined that the remaining capacity of the battery is insufficient for shooting and the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, a warning display ("power supply voltage drop warning display") indicating that the power supply voltage is low is displayed on LCD 10. With this display,
Since the user can know that the power supply voltage has dropped, it is possible to take appropriate measures such as charging or replacing the battery or switching to the AC power supply.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the photographing process (step S230) in the photographing mode of the digital camera 1. Regarding the processing contents of step S230,
It will be described in detail later.

After performing the photographing process in step S230, the process returns to step S201 again, and the checking operation regarding the power source (steps S201, S202, S203, etc.) is repeated.

After checking the power supply as described above, if it is confirmed that the digital camera 1 is supplied with power that can withstand the transmission operation, the process proceeds to step S211. After step S211, the operation for establishing the communication connection is performed.

<Communication Establishment Processing> Now, the operation of the image storage server 510 side will be described.

The image storage server 510 calls digital cameras owned by a plurality of users in a predetermined order. Then, the communication connection with each of the plurality of digital cameras is established according to the response from each of the plurality of digital cameras to the call.

Here, the connection operation between one of the digital cameras 1 and the image storage server 510 will be described first.

First, in step S101, the camera number of the digital camera 1 to be called is designated. Then, in step S102, the data storage folder corresponding to the digital camera 1 is set.

Hereinafter, the processing in both (the image storage server 510 and the digital camera 1) will be described while exchanging communication between the image storage server 510 and the digital camera 1.

In step S111, the image storage server 510 makes a call to the designated digital camera 1.

Upon confirming the call in step S211, the digital camera 1 accepts the call in step S212 and returns a response signal to the image storage server 510. As a result, a communication connection between the digital camera 1 and the image storage server 510 is established. After that, the digital camera 1, in step S213,
The image data file to be transmitted is fixed, a transmission data set is prepared, and a state (step S221) is entered in which a data transmission request from the image storage server 510 (FIG. 10, step S121) is accepted. On the other hand, if the call is not confirmed in step S211, the process proceeds to the shooting process in step S230.

On the other hand, in step S112, the image storage server 510 responds to the calling process in step S111 from the digital camera 1 (step S212).
When receiving, the communication connection between the image storage server 510 and the digital camera 1 is established, and the next step S121.
Proceed to (Fig. 10).

When there is no response (reply) from the digital camera 1 in step S112, it is confirmed in the next step S113 whether one minute has elapsed. If it is less than one minute, the process returns to step S111 to perform an operation such as a recall call, and if one minute has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S114 to disconnect the telephone line. In this case, postponing the process for this user,
The process returns to step S101 and the process for the next user is performed.

Here, the description will be continued assuming that the communication connection between the digital camera 1 and the image storage server 510 for the first user is established.

<Data Transmission / Reception> Next, with reference to FIG. 10, both (image storage server 510) after the communication connection is established.
The data transmission / reception operation of the digital camera 1) will be described.

First, in step S121, the image storage server 510 transmits a data transmission request to the digital camera 1.

The digital camera 1 confirms whether or not the data transmission request is received in step S221.
This confirmation operation is repeated until 1 minute has elapsed (steps S226 and S221), and after 1 minute has elapsed, processing for disconnecting the telephone line (step S227) is performed.

Upon receiving the data transmission request, the digital camera 1 sends the image data registered in the transmission data set confirmed in step S213 to the image storage server 51.
Send towards 0. Specifically, the data in the built-in flash memory 210 is transmitted. When the image data registered in the transmission data set includes data on a plurality of images, the digital camera 1 sequentially transmits the plurality of images to the image storage server 510.

Then, the digital camera 1 performs the photographing process of step S230 even during the data transmission operation.

After that, when the final data is transmitted and it is determined in step S223 that the transmission of the image data is completed, the telephone line is disconnected in step S224, and the transmitted image data is stored in the built-in flash memory 210. Deleted from. After the telephone line disconnection process, the process returns to step S201 (FIG. 9) again, and the above process is repeated.

On the other hand, upon receiving the image data in step S122, the image storage server 510 stores the received image data in the folder set in step S102.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a folder in the image storage server 510, and a folder corresponding to each digital camera is assigned to each digital camera. This folder name can include, for example, the serial number of the digital camera. FIG. 12 shows that a folder for the digital camera with the serial number 10002001 and a folder for the digital camera with the serial number 10002002 exist, and image data relating to a plurality of images is stored in each folder. There is. In this way, the image storage server 510
In, the image data captured by each of the plurality of digital cameras is stored in the folder corresponding to each of the plurality of digital cameras.

[0122] In step S123, it is determined whether the reception is completed.

If the reception is not completed yet, the process proceeds to step S125 to check whether the data is continuously received. If it is determined in step S126 that no data has been received for 5 minutes or more, the telephone line is disconnected (step S12).
7) is performed. Otherwise, step S again
Returning to step 121, the processing of steps S121, S122, and S123 is performed, such as sending a request to send the next data.

On the other hand, when the last data is received,
It is determined that the reception is completed (step S123), and the telephone line is disconnected (step S124).

As described above, the image storage server 510 is
The connection is terminated after the image data is acquired. As a result, it is possible to prevent a long connection time for each digital camera 1 using the telephone line.

The image storage server 510 returns to step S101 and repeats the same processing in order to communicate with another digital camera after the communication with the digital camera 1 is completed. Thereby, the image data stored in a plurality of digital cameras can be acquired. Note that, as described above, the storage destination of each acquired image data is the folder corresponding to each digital camera in which each image data was stored. As a result, each image data is organized and stored. In other words, it is possible to reliably manage the image data captured by each digital camera 1.

Further, it is preferable that the image storage server 510 performs the above-described image data acquisition operation at predetermined intervals. Specifically, the image storage server 510
Preferably calls each digital camera 1 at a predetermined interval. For example, the image storage server 510 can perform a calling operation for each of the digital cameras 1 once a day at a predetermined time. As a result, the image data stored in the built-in flash memory 210 of the digital camera 1 can be moved to the image storage server 510 once a day.
The image data can be moved to the image storage server 510 without the user performing a complicated operation. That is, the image data can be stored in the server system more reliably.

<Details of Data Transfer Processing During Shooting>
Again, with reference to FIG. 11, the photographing process (step S230) in the photographing mode of the digital camera 1 will be described.

By performing the processing of step S230, it is possible to determine which of the photographing preparation mode, the photographing state and the photographing standby state the digital camera 1 is in the photographing mode. This determination process is performed by the overall control unit 211 of the digital camera 1.

First, in step S231, it is determined whether or not a flash operation is in progress. Specifically, it is determined that the built-in flash 5 (FIG. 3) is preparing to emit light (such as being charged) as the flash operation is in progress.

In the next step S232, it is determined whether or not a zoom operation is being performed. Specifically, the quad switch 230
The zooming operation by pressing the buttons 231 and 232 (FIG. 4) and the driving of the zoom lens corresponding to the operation are determined as the zooming operation (lens driving).

In step S233, it is determined whether the mode setting operation is being performed. Specifically, the operation of the mode setting switch 14 and the accompanying mode change process are determined to be the mode setting operation.

Further, in step S234, AE
It is determined whether or not (automatic exposure) and AWB (automatic white balance) setting operations are in progress. Specifically, each key switch 2
It is determined that the setting is being changed by any one of 21 to 226 and the changing process accompanying it is being performed as the AE / AWB setting operation.

In step S235, it is determined whether the aperture setting operation is being performed. Specifically, the 4-switch 2
During the exposure correction operation by pressing the buttons 233 and 234 of 30 (FIG. 4) and during the driving of the diaphragm drive motor corresponding to the operation, it is determined that the diaphragm operation is in progress.

Further, in step S236, it is determined whether or not the shutter speed setting operation is being performed. In particular,
While the shutter speed setting is being changed by any of the key switches 221 to 226 and the change processing accompanying it,
It is determined that the shutter speed is being set.

When neither operation is performed,
It proceeds to step S243.

On the other hand, when it is determined that any one of the operations is performed, the process proceeds to step S237, and the above state monitoring process (steps S231 to S231) is performed until the operation is completed.
236) is continued.

The overall control section 211 determines the state from the start of any of the above operations to the completion of that operation as the "shooting preparation state". For example, the overall control unit 211 determines that the state of the digital camera 1 is the imaging preparation state during the period during which the lens is being driven.
Further, the overall control unit 211 determines that the state of the digital camera 1 is in the imaging preparation state during the period during which the mode is set by the mode setting switch 14.

Then, upon completion of the operation, step S2
Proceed to 38.

In step S238, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 8 is in the half-depressed state S1. If it is determined that the shutter button 8 is in the half-depressed state, A is determined in step S239.
Each processing of E processing, AWB processing, and AF processing is performed.

After that, in step S240, when the shutter button 8 is pressed all the way to the fully pressed state S2, the image pickup process is performed (step S241). Specifically, C
After various image processing is performed on the image signal from the CD image pickup device 303, the image signal is stored in the image memory 209 and also stored in the built-in flash memory 210. Then, the recording of the image data is completed (step S24
2) Then, the process proceeds to step S243.

The overall control section 211 determines the state from when the shutter button 8 is fully pressed to the state S2 until the recording of the image data is completed, as the "photographing state". In other words, the overall control unit 211 determines that the state of the digital camera 1 is the image pickup state during the period until the signal from the CCD image pickup element 303 is processed and recorded as the predetermined image data.

In step S243, the display image in the live view display is updated, and then the process returns to the calling source of this subroutine (S230).

Further, the overall control section 211 determines that the state is neither the photographing state nor the photographing preparation state as the "photographing standby state".

In this way, when the overall control section 211 determines that the state of the digital camera 1 is the image pickup state or the image pickup preparation state, each small loop (S231 to S237).
The process only proceeds in S231 or S241 to S242 to S241), and the process is completed in each small loop. At this time, since data communication between the image storage server 510 and the digital camera 1 is not performed, it is possible to suppress an increase in the CPU load due to the data communication and perform a good shooting operation. In short, you can prevent missing a photo opportunity.

When the state of the digital camera 1 is the photographing standby state, the step S243 is followed by the step S2.
Returning to step 21, the presence / absence of a data transmission request from the image storage server 510 is confirmed, so that data communication can be performed even in the shooting mode.

<Service Registration Process> By the way, the above-mentioned image storage service is provided to a user who desires to provide the service. Therefore, in order to receive the provision of the image storage service, the user needs to apply for the service. The user can make this application using, for example, client computer 600 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 13 is a screen for a user to apply for an image storage service. The user can display this application screen on the client computer 600 by accessing a predetermined address of the user management server 530 using the client computer 600 (storage requester side terminal).

Using this application screen, the user inputs the name, address, telephone number, credit card number for settlement, etc., and selects and inputs the service content of the image storage service.

The application screen also functions as a selection screen for selecting a charging rule for the image storage service from a plurality of rules.

Here, the case where a desired course is selected from the three courses is shown. Specifically, the A course is a "trial course", and the service providing fee is free for up to 2 months, and thereafter the fee is charged. Course B is a "standard course", and is a course that has no free period and is charged from the beginning. C course is
It is a "safety course". The C course is the same as the B course
Although it is a course that has no free period and is charged from the beginning,
By having the backup function of the stored image, the course is capable of ensuring higher reliability than the B course in that the stored image is stored more reliably.

As described above, the rule of the A course is a rule of calculating the storage fee of each image data according to the length of the storage period of the image data excluding a predetermined free period, and the B course. The rules of C course and C course are rules for calculating the storage fee of each image data according to the length of the entire storage period of the image data.

Further, there is a difference between the rule of the A course and the rule of the B course (or the C course) regarding the charge of a predetermined service associated with the image data storage service. That is, the rule for the B course is a rule for calculating the charge for a predetermined service associated with the image data storage service to be lower than the rule for the A course. Although the B course does not have a free period, it has a privilege that the fee for ancillary services is low, and a reasonable charge is possible.

Here, the predetermined service associated with the image data storage service includes, for example, an image print service, an image processing service, an image management service and the like. These incidental services are provided by the image storage server 510.
It is intended for image data stored in.

Further, there is a specified amount of storage capacity in any of the courses, and an additional fee is charged for the amount exceeding the specified amount. For example, the prescribed amount of the A course is 1 GB (gigabyte), and the prescribed amount of the B course and the C course is 20 GB. In addition, in any of the courses, if the specified amount is exceeded, an additional storage fee of 1 yen per month will be charged per 1 MB (megabyte).
This enables a reasonable charge according to the storage capacity.

As described above, the user can select a desired course from a plurality of courses having different charging rules as described above. In other words, the server system SV can provide the user with a degree of freedom in selecting the charging rule.

Further, the user can select whether or not to disclose the stored image. If "Do not disclose" is selected, the ID and password are required for browsing.

After that, when the user presses the registration button at the end, these input contents are transmitted to the user management server 530.

The user management server 530 stores the received various information in a predetermined user management database DB1.
(See FIG. 18). Specifically, the user management server 530, along with various information such as name and address,
Information regarding which charging rule is selected from the plurality of rules using the selection screen is received from the client computer 600, and based on the received information,
The selected charging rule (course) is registered in the user management database DB1.

The user management server 530 also returns information regarding the screen shown in FIG. 14 to the client computer 600. The screen of FIG. 14 describes that registration is completed, and that the digital camera 1 that is the target of this service will be sent at a later date together with the ID and password related to the user. This digital camera 1
Has various functions described above, and is provided to the user free of charge, for example. Here, the correspondence relationship between each user and the camera number of the digital camera 1 corresponding to the user is as follows.
Be registered with.

The image storage server 510 can exchange various user information such as authentication information with the user management server 530.

<Billing Process> Next, a billing process for the image storage service will be described. The following charging process is performed by the charging information generation unit 551 of the payment server 550.
Executed by The billing information generation unit 551 generates billing information regarding the image storage service of the image data according to the billing rule registered in the service registration process. More specifically, the charging information generation unit 551
Has a function of calculating a price using various information stored in the user management server 530.

FIG. 15, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are flowcharts showing the flow of this charging process. FIG. 15 shows an overall flow, FIG. 16 shows a flow of step S510 which is a part of the flow, and FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of step S530 which is a part of the flow.

FIG. 18 shows the user management server 53.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the user management database DB1 stored in 0, and FIG.
Database DB for file management stored in 30
It is a figure which shows an example of 2. These databases are created in advance using information in the user management server 530, information in the image storage server 510, and the like.

In the following, the charging process for a predetermined month will be described with reference to these figures.

First, in step S501 of FIG. 15, the first user is designated, and the folder for the designated user is designated. Next, in step S502,
The total capacity of the image data in the folder is calculated. Then, in step S503, the storage fee K1 is calculated according to the calculated total capacity. The storage fee K1 is a fee according to the total capacity of the image data in the designated folder, and is calculated according to the selected course. Specifically, A
When the course is selected, 1 yen is charged per 1 MB for the amount exceeding the specified value of 1 GB. Also, B
If the course (or C course) is selected,
One yen will be charged per 1MB for the amount exceeding the specified value of 20GB.

Next, in step S504, a branch is made according to the selected course. If the selected course is the A course, the procedure proceeds to step S510, and if the selected course is the B course (or the C course), the procedure proceeds to step S530.

First, step S510 will be described. Step S510 is a step of calculating the storage fee K2 when the selected course is the A course.

In step S511 of FIG. 16, the first image in the file management database is designated, and in step S512, the upload date and time of the image is confirmed.

In step S513, the image is
Check if it has already been deleted in the middle of the month. If it is deleted, the process proceeds to step S514, and if not deleted, the process proceeds to step S516.

In step S514, it is further confirmed whether two months or more have passed. If the free period of 2 months has passed, the process proceeds to step S515, where the storage fee K2 is calculated according to the number of days elapsed, and then step S5.
Proceed to 18. On the other hand, if the free period of 2 months has not yet passed, it means that the storage fee K2 remains zero because it is during the free period, and the process proceeds to step S518.

In step S516, it is confirmed whether two months or more have passed. If the free period of 2 months has passed, the process proceeds to step S517, the storage fee K2 for one month is calculated, and then the process proceeds to step S518.
On the other hand, if the free period of 2 months has not yet passed, it means that the storage fee K2 remains zero because it is during the free period, and the process proceeds to step S518.

In step S518, the storage fee K2 for a plurality of images is added.

Then, in step S519, it is confirmed whether or not it is the last image. If it is not the last image, the next image is designated (step S521), the process returns to step S512 again, and the subsequent operations are repeated. on the other hand,
If it is determined in step S519 that the image is the last image, the process of step S510 ends.

As described above, when the selected course is the A course, the storage fee K2 for a plurality of images is calculated in step S510.

Next, step S530 will be described. Step S530 is a step of calculating the storage fee K2 when the selected course is the B course or the C course.

In step S531 of FIG. 17, the first image in the file management database is designated, and in step S532, the upload date and time of the image is confirmed.

In step S533, the image is
Check if it has already been deleted in the middle of the month. If it has been deleted, the process proceeds to step S535, and if it has not been deleted, the process proceeds to step S537.

In step S535, the storage fee K2 is calculated according to the number of days elapsed, and then the process proceeds to step S538.

In step S537, the storage fee K2 for one month is calculated, and then the process proceeds to step S538.

In step S538, the storage fee K2 for a plurality of images is added.

Then, in step S539, it is confirmed whether or not it is the last image. If it is not the last image, the next image is designated (step S521), the process returns to step S512 again, and the subsequent operations are repeated. on the other hand,
If it is determined in step S539 that the image is the last image, the process of step S530 ends.

As described above, when the selected course is the B course or the C course, the storage fee K2 for a plurality of images is calculated in step S530.

Here, steps S510 and S53.
Since the storage fee K2 at 0 is calculated based on the storage period of each of the plurality of images, fine management is possible.

Next, in step S505 (FIG. 15), the storage fee K1 and the storage fee K2 are added together to calculate the storage fee K. Further, in step S506, other service charges are also added to the storage charge K. Other service charges include the ancillary services as described above.

As described above, the billing information for the user is generated.

After that, the user management database DB1
Is updated (step S507). Specifically, the information about the service charge for the current month is updated. Then, the credit card company is charged based on the updated database (step S508).

In step S509, it is confirmed whether the user is the last user. If the user is not the last user, the process returns to step S501 and the same operation is repeated for the next user. On the other hand, if the user is the last one, the process ends.

As described above, the storage fee is calculated as free for the image storage service until the storage period of the image data exceeds a predetermined period, so that the user can be attracted and the storage of the image data can be performed. After the period exceeds the predetermined period, the storage fee for the image storage service will be calculated according to the length of the image data storage period excluding the predetermined period. it can.

Since the storage fee for the image storage service is calculated based on the storage period of each of the plurality of image data stored in the image storage server 510, a reasonable storage fee is calculated. It

Further, the billing information generator 551 calculates the storage fee K1 for the image storage service as free until the storage amount of the image data exceeds the specified value, and after the storage amount of the image data exceeds the specified value. Means that the storage fee K1 is calculated according to the amount of the stored image data that exceeds the specified value. In particular, when the course A is selected and within two months from the start of using the service, the billing information generation unit 551 sets all storage charges K for the image storage service free until the storage amount of the image data exceeds the specified value. After the calculation and the storage amount of the image data exceeds the specified value, the total storage charge K is calculated according to the amount of the storage amount of the image data that exceeds the specified value.

<Image Data Deletion Processing> Next, the operation of deleting the image data stored in the image storage server 510 will be described.

The user (ie, the storage requester of the image data) can delete the image data. For example, when the user uses the client computer 600 to access a predetermined address in the image storage server 510 and clicks the position where the predetermined command is displayed with a mouse or the like, a folder corresponding to his / her digital camera 1 is displayed. Give instructions to browse. Here, it is assumed that an instruction for browsing for deletion (browsing command for deletion) is given and a browsing screen for deletion is displayed. In addition, here, it is assumed that the service is registered in advance in the hope that the service will not be disclosed.

In response to this instruction, the image storage server 51
0 requires input of ID and password. Then, when it is confirmed that the ID and password entered in response to this request are valid, information regarding the screen displaying the contents of the corresponding folder is transmitted to the client computer 600.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the client computer 600 that receives this information, and the image data in the folder corresponding to the user is displayed. On this screen, thumbnail images of a plurality of image data being stored (hatched portions in FIG. 20) are displayed. In addition, below each image data is a "deletion button" for instructing deletion of that image data.
Is displayed.

When the user presses the delete button corresponding to the image data to be deleted, in response to this, the image storage server 510 executes the process of deleting the image data. Also, along with this deletion operation,
The image storage server 510 uses the file management database DB in the user management server 530 as the time at the time of deletion.
Write operation to 2.

Here, deletion of each image data is permitted only to the storage requester of each image data and the administrator of the image storage service. Therefore, a high level of security can be secured without being deleted by other users.

The deleting operation is permitted for each individual image data among the plurality of image data. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous deletion of a plurality of data at the same time, so that a higher level of security can be secured.

However, there are cases where the user desires to delete all of the plurality of image data. In such a case, the user can easily delete by applying for a delete service that performs the following "delete all" (in other words, "delete all image data in a folder") operations. You can Each user can apply for this deletion service, for example, by sending a document describing predetermined items by mail or the like.

[0200] This deletion service is performed by the image storage server 5.
This is a service for deleting a plurality of image data stored in 10 on behalf of the storage requester in response to a request from the storage requester of the plurality of image data.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the "all deletion" operation, and FIG. 22 is a screen displayed on the display unit of the computer operated by the administrator when the entire deletion is performed.

In the screen for deleting all shown in FIG. 22, after the administrator accesses a predetermined address in the image storage server 510, the "view command for deleting all" displayed at a predetermined position is clicked with a mouse or the like. Is displayed on the display unit of the computer operated by the administrator.

As shown in FIG. 22, on the screen for deleting all image data, the input of the ID and the password is required. In response to this, the administrator inputs the administrator ID and password and presses the "Next" button (step S602).

The image storage server 510 uses these IDs.
Then, it is confirmed that the password is a proper one for the administrator (step S603). If it is not a legitimate one, the processing is terminated and the original screen is displayed. On the other hand, if the image storage server 510 is legitimate, the image storage server 510 accepts the designation of the deletion target folder by the administrator (step S604), and the image data to be deleted is the target, namely
All the image data existing in the folder are deleted (step S605).

Furthermore, in step S606, when charging a fee for such an all-deletion service, billing information about the additional fee for the all-deletion service is generated and the billing information is provided to the user management server 530. Send.

As described above, usually, it is possible to secure a high level of security by deleting each individual data, and it is possible to easily perform all deletions by using the deletion service. Therefore, the convenience of the storage client can be improved.

Note that the administrator of the image storage service is allowed not only to delete individual images but also to delete all images at once. In this case, by allowing only the administrator to collectively delete the plurality of image data, it is possible to prevent the data from being lost due to an erroneous operation by the user and to secure a high level of security.

<B. Second Embodiment> As shown in FIG.
Although the digital camera 1 of the first embodiment has the built-in flash memory 210 and the mobile phone function unit 290 in the main body, the present invention is not limited to this, and the function card that can be attached to the digital camera 1 is included. It may have a flash memory and a mobile phone function unit.

The second embodiment shows a modified example having such a difference, and the other points are the first.
It is similar to the embodiment. Below, it demonstrates centering around difference.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the digital camera 1 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the function card 92.

As shown in FIG. 23, a flash memory is not built in the main body of the digital camera 1, and
There is no mobile phone function unit in the main body of the digital camera 1.

On the other hand, in the function card 92,
As shown in FIG. 24, a mobile phone function (PHS function) is provided and a flash memory is provided. In other words, the function card 92 is a PHS card with a flash memory having a PHS function and a data storage function. The function card 92 is inserted into the card slot 17 (see FIG. 25) of the digital camera 1 and electrically connected to the overall control unit 211 of the digital camera 1 via the card interface 212. As described above, by mounting the function card 92 in the card slot 17, the PHS function and the data storage function can be added to the digital camera 1 by hardware.

The card interface 212 is
It is an interface for writing and reading a captured image to and from the function card 92 that is detachable from the digital camera 1, and as an interface for the overall control unit 211 to access the function card 92 that is mounted in the card slot 17. Function. Also, the function card 9
The card slot 17 for loading 2 is, for example,
As shown in FIG. 25, it is provided on the bottom surface of the camera body 2.

The function card 92 has the same function as the above-mentioned mobile phone function section 290. That is, the function card 92 can also be expressed as a communication card having a communication function through a telephone line. This communication function is a function of establishing a communication connection with the image storage server 510 in response to a call from the image storage server 510. It should be noted that this function card 92 is only for incoming calls that can establish a communication connection only in response to a call from the other party, and does not make a call from the digital camera 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to assume a process for accepting a call from the digital camera 1 side on the image storage server 510 side, which facilitates system construction in the image storage server 510.

The function card 92 also has a function of transferring image data. This transfer function is a function of transferring the image data captured by the digital camera 1 and stored in the built-in flash memory to the image storage server 510. The function card 92 further includes a modem unit, and the digital camera 1 can perform data communication via the telephone line with which the communication connection is established by using the modem unit. The function card 92 stores a predetermined program, and by executing this program using the CPU of the digital camera 1, the communication function and the transfer function are added to the digital camera 1.

Using such a function card 92, in response to a call from the image storage server 510, a communication connection is established with the image storage server 510, and the image data in the digital camera 1 is stored as an image. It is possible to transfer to the server 510 for. Therefore, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the above, the digital camera 1
Is provided to the user free of charge, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the function card 92, which is the PHS card with flash memory according to the second embodiment, may be provided to the user free of charge. The function card 92 has general versatility that can be attached to many digital cameras, and can be attached to, for example, a digital camera already owned by the user. As a result, the user can use the image storage service described above by using the digital camera already owned by the user and the function card 92 together.

Further, since image data generally has a relatively large capacity, it may be difficult to secure a storage location. On the other hand, by using the image storage service described above, the user can secure the area for storing the image data in the external server, and this image storage service can reduce the problem of securing the storage location. It is possible to solve.

As described above, the user uses the function card 92 or the like in order to enjoy the benefit of ensuring the storage location of the image data. However, in order to further promote the use of the image storage service, this function card 92
It is preferable to prevent the above from being diverted to a purpose other than the image storage service. In particular, the function card 92 (and / or
It is highly necessary to take such measures when digital cameras are provided free of charge or at low cost.

Specifically, the image data stored in the function card 92 of the second embodiment should not be read out in a normal state by another device (for example, a personal computer owned by the user). That is, in other words, it is preferable to add a technique for restricting the reading of data from the function card 92. For example, it is preferable that the image data stored in the function card 92 be encrypted. As a result, it is possible to prevent the function card provided free of charge from being diverted to a purpose other than the image storage service.

<C. Others> In each of the above embodiments, the case where the digital camera body or the function card has a mobile phone function or the like has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 26, a telephone function and a modem function may be provided inside the cradle (mounting table) 99. By installing the digital camera 1 at a predetermined position on the cradle 99, it is possible to add a communication function and an image data transfer function to the digital camera 1.

The cradle 99 can be connected to an AC power source and also has a charging function. Further, the cradle 99 also has a connection function using a telephone line. Here, a telephone line using a wired telephone is used instead of a telephone line using a wireless mobile phone such as PHS. Specifically, by inserting the telephone cable terminal of the cradle 99 into a modular jack for a wired telephone at home and placing the digital camera 1 at a predetermined position of the cradle 99, the inside of the digital camera 1 The concave connector 98a and the convex connector 98b of the cradle 99 are electrically connected.

If the digital camera 1 is placed on the cradle 99 for charging, after the communication connection is established in response to the call from the image storage server 510 side by the same operation as described above. The image data in the digital camera 1 can be transmitted to the image storage server 510 using a wired telephone line.

By the way, in each of the above-described embodiments, if the voltage is equal to or higher than the constant value V1 even in the state of being driven by the power battery, the digital camera 1 and the image storage server 510.
Although the case of establishing a communication connection with the above has been illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the digital camera 1 can be driven by an AC power supply, the communication connection between the digital camera 1 and the image storage server 510 is established only when the digital camera 1 is driven by the AC power supply. May be. In other words, the communication connection between the digital camera 1 and the image storage server 510 may not be established while being driven by the power battery. According to this, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the transmission is interrupted due to the battery exhaustion during the transmission.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, even when it is determined that the state of the digital camera 1 is the image pickup state or the image pickup preparation state, the communication between the digital camera 1 and the image storage server 510 is performed. Although the connection was not intentionally interrupted, the present invention is not limited to this, and when it is determined that the state of the digital camera 1 is the imaging state or the imaging preparation state, the digital camera 1 and the image storage server 510 are not connected. The communication connection between them may be intentionally interrupted. For example, when it is detected in step S240 (FIG. 11) that the shutter button 8 is in the fully-pressed state S2, the disconnection process may be automatically performed.
Since it becomes possible to shoot by interrupting the communication connection with the server system, it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity.

When such automatic disconnection is performed, it is preferable to automatically reestablish the communication connection between the digital camera 1 and the image storage server 510, which has been interrupted. Specifically, when the overall control unit 211 determines that the state of the digital camera 1 is neither the image capturing state nor the image capturing preparation state, the mobile phone function unit 290 causes the suspended digital camera 1 and the image storage. The communication connection with the communication server 510 is reestablished. As a result, it is possible to prioritize shooting by interrupting the communication connection and then perform data transfer using the communication connection established again.

Further, in the above embodiment, the server system SV is composed of three servers, that is, the image storage server 510, the user management server 530, and the payment settlement server 550, but the invention is not limited to this. . Each function of the server system SV may be shared by a smaller number of server computers, or conversely may be shared by a larger number of server computers. For example, among the plurality of functions of the image storage server 510, a server (also referred to as “system control server”) having the functions of the calling unit 511, the connection unit 512, and the acquisition unit 514 is separately provided, and the system control server May perform a calling operation and a communication connecting operation from the digital camera 1. At this time, the acquisition unit of the system control server transfers the image data to the image storage server 510 after acquiring the image data in the digital camera 1 via the communication connection. As a result, the image data is stored in the image storage server 510. That is, this system control server has a relay function in data transfer from the digital camera 1 to the image storage server 510.

[0228]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the server system makes a call to the image pickup device and communicates with the image pickup device according to a response from the image pickup device to the call. The communication connection is established, the image data captured by the imaging device is acquired using the communication connection and stored in a predetermined data storage means, so that the user does not need to perform a complicated image transmission operation for the imaging device. The image data can be stored in the server system.

According to the invention described in any one of claims 2 to 13, in response to the call from the server system, a communication connection is established with the server system, and the image data imaged by the imaging device is stored in the server. Since the image data is transferred to the system, the image data can be stored in the server system without requiring the user to perform a complicated image transmission operation to the image pickup apparatus.

According to the fourteenth to seventeenth aspects of the invention, the server system makes a call to the image pickup device, and communication connection with the image pickup device is made according to a response from the image pickup device to the call. Since the image data captured by the imaging device is acquired using a communication connection and stored in a predetermined data storage unit, the user does not need to perform a complicated image transmission operation on the imaging device.
Image data can be stored in the server system.

According to the eighteenth and nineteenth aspects of the invention, in response to the call from the server system, a communication connection is established with the server system, and the image data picked up by the image pickup device is transferred to the server system. Image data can be stored in the server system without requiring the user to perform a complicated image transmission operation for the image pickup apparatus.

According to the inventions of claims 20 to 25, the storage fee for the image storage service is calculated as free until the storage period of the image data exceeds a predetermined period, which attracts the user. And after the storage period of the image data exceeds the specified period,
Since the storage fee for the image storage service is calculated according to the length of the storage period of the image data excluding a predetermined period, it is possible to secure the consideration.

According to the twenty-sixth to twenty-eighth aspects of the present invention, a selection screen for selecting a charging rule for the image storage service from a plurality of rules is transmitted to the storage requester side terminal, and the selection screen is displayed. Receives information about which charging rule is selected from a plurality of rules from the storage requester side terminal using the selection screen, registers the selected charging rule based on the received information, and registers Since the billing information regarding the image storage service of the image data is generated according to the billing rule, it is possible to secure a reasonable consideration and provide the user with a degree of freedom in selecting the billing rule.

According to the invention described in Item 29, the storage fee for the image storage service is calculated as free until the storage amount of the image data exceeds the predetermined amount, and the storage amount of the image data exceeds the predetermined amount. After that, the storage fee is calculated according to the storage amount of the image data that exceeds the predetermined amount, so that a reasonable consideration can be secured.

In particular, according to the invention described in claim 3, since the connection means of the image pickup device is dedicated to the incoming call capable of establishing communication only in response to a call from the other side, the server system side It is not necessary to manage the transmission from the imaging device side. Therefore, an efficient server system can be constructed.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since the connection means establishes the communication connection with the server system only when the image pickup apparatus is driven by the AC power source, the connection is being performed. It is possible to prevent a situation where transmission is interrupted due to battery exhaustion.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5,
When the imaging device is driven by a battery, the connection means establishes a communication connection with the server system only when the remaining capacity of the battery is sufficient, so the transmission is interrupted due to the battery running out. It is possible to prevent the situation.

According to the invention described in claim 6, since the connection means confirms whether or not there is a data transmission request from the server system in the photographing standby state of the photographing mode.
Data communication is possible even in the shooting mode.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7,
When the determination unit determines that the state of the image pickup apparatus is the image pickup state or the image pickup preparation state, the connection unit can shoot without performing data communication with the server system, so miss the photo opportunity. Can be prevented.

According to the invention described in claim 8, the connection means interrupts the communication connection with the server system when the determination means determines that the state of the image pickup apparatus is the image pickup state or the image pickup preparation state. Since it is possible to shoot
You can prevent missing a photo opportunity.

Further, according to the invention of claim 9,
When the determination unit determines that the state of the image pickup apparatus is neither in the image pickup state nor the image pickup preparation state, the connection unit reestablishes the communication connection with the interrupted server system. While the communication connection is interrupted, the data transfer can be performed by using the communication connection established again after that.

Further, according to the invention of claim 13,
The connection means establishes a communication connection with the server system in response to a call from the server system even when the power is off, so that the imaging device can be easily managed.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 15, the calling means is provided with respect to at least one image pickup device.
Since the calls are made at predetermined intervals, the image data can be stored in the server system more reliably without the need for the user to perform a complicated image transmission operation for the image pickup apparatus.

According to the invention described in claim 16,
Since the connection means ends the connection after the image data is acquired, the connection time can be prevented from extending for a long time.

Further, according to the invention as set forth in claim 17, the server system makes a call to the plurality of image pickup devices in a predetermined order, and according to the response from each of the plurality of image pickup devices to the call. , Establishes a communication connection with each of the plurality of image capturing devices, acquires image data captured by each of the plurality of image capturing devices using the communication connection, and creates a folder corresponding to each of the plurality of image capturing devices. Since the image data is stored, it is possible to reliably manage the image data for each image pickup device.

Further, according to the invention of claim 19,
Since the communication card stores a program for adding a communication function to the imaging device, it is possible to add the communication function to the imaging device by mounting the communication card on the imaging device.

Further, according to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, deletion of each image data stored in the data storage means is permitted only to the storage requester of each image data and the administrator of the image storage service. Therefore, a high level of security can be secured.

Further, according to the invention of claim 22,
Since deletion of a plurality of image data stored in the data storage means is permitted for each individual image data, a higher level of security can be secured.

Further, according to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, since only the administrator is permitted to collectively delete the plurality of image data stored in the data storage means, the data disappears due to a user's erroneous operation. Can be prevented and a higher level of security can be secured.

According to the invention of claim 24,
A deletion service for deleting the plurality of image data stored in the data storage means on behalf of the storage requester in response to the request of the storage requester of the plurality of image data is accepted,
Since the image data that is the target of the deletion service is deleted, it is possible to improve the convenience of the storage requester while ensuring a higher level of security.

Further, according to the twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, since the storage fee for the image storage service is calculated based on the storage period of each of the plurality of image data stored in the data storage means, Detailed management is possible.

According to the invention of claim 28,
The second rule is a rule for calculating the charge of a predetermined service associated with the image data storage service lower than that of the first rule, so that the user can be reasonably charged.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image data storage system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an image data storage system.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an appearance of a digital camera.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the appearance of the digital camera.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the appearance of the digital camera.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an appearance of a digital camera.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a digital camera.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration around a power supply control unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image data storage system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image data storage system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating processing in a shooting mode of the digital camera.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing folders in the image storage server.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an application screen for an image storage service.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen for notifying registration completion.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of a charging process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a part of the flow of a charging process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a part of the flow of a charging process.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a user management database.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a file management database.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a deletion screen.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an all deletion operation.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an all deletion screen.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a digital camera according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a function card.

FIG. 25 is a bottom view showing the outer appearance of the digital camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a modified example in which a telephone function and a modem function are provided inside the cradle.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 digital camera 14 Mode setting switch 227 power switch 301 zoom lens 303 CCD (imaging device) 510 Image Storage Server 530 user management server 550 payment server 600 client computer 800 Image data storage system 92 Function Card 99 cradle SV server system

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/765 H04N 7/173 610Z 5C075 7/173 610 5/91 LF term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AB66 AB67 AC01 AC16 AC42 AC54 AC69 AC73 5C052 AB04 CC06 DD02 DD08 DD10 EE03 5C053 FA08 FA29 JA16 LA01 LA04 LA15 5C062 AA11 AA14 AA29 AA35 AB38 AC42 AC43 BA04 5C064 BA07 BB01 BB03 BB05 BC01 BC18 BC20 BC23 BD01 BD09 CD25 511075 AB13 5C075 AB13

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. An image data archiving system for providing an image archiving service, comprising: an imaging device; and a server system for archiving an image captured by the imaging device, wherein the imaging device responds to a call from the server system. And a means for establishing a communication connection with the server system in response, wherein the server system responds to the response from the imaging device to the calling device and the device for calling the imaging device. And a means for establishing a communication connection with the imaging device, and a predetermined data storage means in the server system for acquiring image data imaged by the imaging device using the established communication connection. And a means for storing the image data in the image data storage system. 2. An imaging device in an image data archiving system that provides an image archiving service, wherein the imaging device responds to a call from the server system and establishes a communication connection with the server system. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that transfers the image data picked up in 1. to the server system. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the connecting unit is dedicated to incoming calls and is capable of establishing communication only in response to a call from the other party. 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image pickup apparatus can be driven by an AC power supply, and the connection unit is only in a state where the image pickup apparatus is driven by the AC power supply. An image pickup apparatus characterized by establishing a communication connection with the server system. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a unit that checks a remaining capacity of a battery for driving the image pickup apparatus, wherein the connecting unit is a case where the image pickup apparatus is driven by a battery. In the image pickup apparatus, the communication connection with the server system is established only when the remaining capacity of the battery is sufficient. 6. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the connecting unit is in a shooting standby state in a shooting mode,
An image pickup apparatus for checking whether or not there is a data transmission request from the server system. 7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a determination unit that determines a state of the image pickup apparatus, wherein the connection unit determines that the state of the image pickup apparatus is the image pickup state or the image pickup preparation by the determination unit. An image pickup apparatus, which does not perform data communication with the server system when it is determined to be in a state. 8. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a determination unit that determines a state of the image pickup apparatus, wherein the connection unit determines that the state of the image pickup apparatus is the image pickup state or the image pickup preparation by the determination unit. An image pickup apparatus, characterized in that, when it is determined to be in a state, communication connection with the server system is interrupted. 9. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the connection unit is suspended when the determination unit determines that the state of the image pickup apparatus is neither the image pickup state nor the image pickup preparation state. An image pickup apparatus, wherein communication connection with the server system is established again. 10. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a lens drive unit that drives a lens, wherein the determination unit is in a state of the image pickup apparatus during a period during which the lens drive unit drives the lens. Is determined to be in the imaging preparation state. 11. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a mode setting unit that selects and sets a mode from a plurality of modes including a reproduction mode and a shooting mode, and the determination unit includes the mode. An image pickup apparatus, characterized in that the state of the image pickup apparatus is determined to be the image pickup preparation state during a mode setting by the setting unit. 12. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, wherein the determination means processes the data picked up by the image pickup means and records the data as predetermined image data. In the period of, the image pickup apparatus determines the state of the image pickup apparatus as the image pickup state. 13. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a power switch that switches between a power-on state and a power-off state of the power of the image pickup apparatus, wherein the connection unit is in the power-off state. An imaging device, which establishes a communication connection with the server system in response to a call from the server system. 14. A server system in an image data archiving system for providing an image archiving service, comprising: calling means for calling at least one imaging device; and a response to the call from the at least one imaging device. Connection means for establishing a communication connection with the imaging device, and image data captured by the at least one imaging device is acquired using the established communication connection and stored in a predetermined data storage means. A server system comprising: 15. The server system according to claim 14, wherein the calling unit makes a call to the at least one imaging device at a predetermined interval. 16. The server system according to claim 14, wherein the connection unit ends the connection after the image data is acquired. 17. The server system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one image pickup device is a plurality of image pickup devices, and the connection unit calls the plurality of image pickup devices in a predetermined order. , Establishing a communication connection with each of the plurality of imaging devices according to a response from each of the plurality of imaging devices with respect to the call, and the acquisition unit is imaged in each of the plurality of imaging devices. The image data is acquired by using the established communication connection, and is stored in a folder corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging devices. 18. A communication card attachable to an imaging device in an image data archiving system that provides an image archiving service, the card connecting to a server system in response to a call from the server system. A communication card, comprising: a means for transferring image data captured by the image capturing apparatus to the server system. 19. The communication card according to claim 18, wherein the communication card stores a program for adding a communication function to the imaging device. 20. A server system, comprising: storage period acquisition means for determining a storage period of image data stored in the server system; and billing information generation means for generating billing information regarding the image storage service. The charging information generating means calculates the storage fee for the image storage service as free until the storage period of the image data exceeds a predetermined period, and the storage period of the image data exceeds the predetermined period. Then, the storage system calculates the storage fee according to the length of the storage period of the image data excluding the predetermined period. 21. The server system according to claim 20, wherein deletion of each image data stored in the server system is performed only to a storage requester of each image data and an administrator of the image storage service. A server system further comprising: a permitting unit for permitting. 22. The server system according to claim 21, wherein the permission unit permits deletion of a plurality of image data stored in the server system for each individual image data. system. 23. The server system according to claim 21, wherein the permitting unit permits only the administrator to collectively delete a plurality of image data stored in the server system. Server system. 24. The server system according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of image data stored in the server system is stored on behalf of the storage requester in response to a request from the storage requester of the plurality of image data. A server system further comprising: a deletion service receiving unit that receives a deletion service to be deleted; and a deletion unit that deletes the image data that is the object of the deletion service received by the deletion service receiving unit. 25. The server system according to claim 20, wherein the billing information generation unit stores the storage fee for the image storage service for each storage period of a plurality of image data stored in the server system. A server system characterized by being calculated based on. 26. A server system, comprising: transmitting means for transmitting a selection screen for selecting a charging rule for the image storage service from a plurality of rules to a storage requester side terminal; and the selection screen. Registration means for receiving information regarding which charging rule is selected from the plurality of rules from the storage requester side terminal using the, and for registering the selected charging rule based on the received information. And according to the charging rule registered by the registration means,
A billing information generating unit that generates billing information relating to the image storage service of the image data, the server system. 27. The server system according to claim 26, wherein the plurality of rules determines a storage fee for the image data according to a length of a storage period of the image data excluding the predetermined free period. A server system comprising: a first rule calculated according to the above; and a second rule calculating the storage fee for the image data according to the length of the entire storage period of the image data. 28. The server system according to claim 27, wherein the second rule calculates a charge of a predetermined service associated with the image data storage service, which is lower than that of the first rule. A server system characterized in that. 29. A server system, wherein a storage amount acquisition unit for obtaining a storage amount of image data stored in the server system for each user, and a billing information generation unit for generating billing information regarding the image storage service. The billing information generating means calculates the storage fee for the image storage service as free until the storage amount exceeds a predetermined amount, and after the storage amount exceeds the predetermined amount, A server system, wherein the storage fee is calculated according to an amount of the stored amount that exceeds the predetermined amount.