JP2003125130A - Postcard distribution system, postcard distribution method, postcard distributor, storage medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distribution system on the premises of using the Internet that can solve various problems. SOLUTION: The invention provides the postcard distribution system using an image photographed by a mobile information terminal to create postcards and distributing the postcards via a network. The invention is characterized in that the system prints out information of the postcards or converts the information according to the attribute of a recipient and distributes the converted information or the printout.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for delivering additional information to an image for distribution, and a charging system for collecting a charge in the distribution system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, with the widespread use of digital cameras, a service for uploading an image taken by the digital camera to a server on a communication network and storing it, or a service for printing the image by various means has started. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-12598
A system for delivering contents, such as the one described in 2, is also proposed.

[0003]

However, in the upload service, print service, and content distribution system as in the above-mentioned conventional example, the distributor and the receiver have the same communication environment, for example, a personal computer connected to the Internet. The environment is assumed. Therefore, there were the following problems.

[0004] In the case of a distribution system having limited distribution destinations, for example, when an image uploaded on a communication network is disclosed to another person or printed, an environment such as a personal computer connected to the communication network is usually required. is there.
Therefore, it could not be delivered to the recipient who does not have a personal computer.

In a distribution system that requires individual authentication for each distribution, there is a phase in which an individual is authenticated when making a distribution request. Normally, an ID such as name and a password are required. Because of such a system, there are drawbacks that it is extremely inconvenient to use and authentication is only possible with a terminal that allows input.

[0006] In a distribution system in which only one distribution destination can be registered, when registering a distribution destination, usually only one destination can be registered, and if the distribution cannot be made to this destination, the information does not reach. was there. In the distribution system in which other distribution methods cannot be selected, there is a drawback that other communication means cannot be selected when distribution is impossible.
The delivery system, which does not retry when delivery is impossible, has the drawback that information is difficult to reach without retrying when delivery is not possible.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a system for creating a postcard using an image taken by a portable information terminal and delivering the postcard via a network, wherein the portable information terminal is , Has a function of creating information for a postcard by using a captured image, and has a communication means for transferring this information to a station connected to a network. The station has means for transferring the postcard information via the network, and the server connected to the network has a function of converting the postcard information according to a distribution destination and a function of transferring the postcard information to the distribution destination. It is characterized by

According to the present invention, the information for the postcard is created by using the image photographed by the portable information terminal and is transferred to the station connected to the network by using the communication function. The station forwards this postcard information to the server over the network. The server confirms the delivery destination, converts it into information that can be transferred to the delivery destination, and transfers the information.

Further, there is provided a system in which a postcard is created by using an image taken by a portable information terminal and the postcard is distributed via a network, wherein the portable information terminal uses the captured image. It has the function of creating information for postcards and has a communication means for transferring this information to stations connected to the network. Furthermore, it has a function to encrypt the user's registration information using the encryption key as a key from the certificate stored in advance and attach it as a stamp to the postcard, and the server side can charge based on this information. Characterize.

According to the present invention, the information for the postcard is created by using the image photographed by the portable information terminal, and at the same time, the registration information of the user is encrypted and attached, and this is used by the communication function. , Transfer to a station connected to the network. The station forwards this postcard information to the server over the network. The server decrypts the user's registration information attached to the postcard information, authenticates the individual, and charges the cost for transfer to the delivery destination.

[0011] A system for creating a postcard using images taken by a portable information terminal and distributing the postcard via a network, which enables registration of a plurality of pieces of information regarding distribution destinations and priority The rank can be registered. Then, it is characterized in that distribution is performed according to this priority order.

According to the present invention, the user can freely change the priority order of distribution destinations and specify distribution according to the situation.

A system for creating a postcard by using an image taken by a portable information terminal and delivering the postcard via a network. When the postcard cannot be delivered, the postcard is delivered to the distributor via the network. It is characterized in that the delivery is not possible and another delivery method can be selected.

According to the present invention, even when the distribution to the distribution destination is impossible, the distributor can immediately know the result and immediately select another distribution means.

A system for creating a postcard using an image taken by a portable information terminal and delivering the postcard via a network, and if the delivery is impossible, a user specifies in advance. It is characterized by retrying only the number of times.

According to the present invention, it is possible to execute retries at regular intervals even when distribution is impossible, and reliability is improved.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 8 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a postcard distribution system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 100 is the Internet and 101 is a public line such as a telephone line or an ISDN network.

Reference numeral 102 is a portable information terminal having a function of photographing an image and a communication function, and obtains image data for a postcard by photographing with this terminal. The terminal 102 encrypts and attaches the destination information to the image data, and the mobile information terminal may be a digital camera having a communication function.

A station 103 such as a personal computer which is connected to the Internet 100 and has a communication function transmits the image data from the portable information terminal 102 to a server 104 described later. A server 104 for the above postcard distribution system is connected to the Internet 100 and a public line 101.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a personal computer, which is the Internet 10
It is connected to 0. A printer 106 is connected to the Internet 100. Reference numeral 107 is connected to the public line 101 by facsimile. A printer 108 is connected to the server 104.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the portable information terminal 102. 201 is a microprocessor or the like
The CPU controls the entire device, and outputs control signals for processing various data signals and communication according to a control program stored in a ROM / RAM described later to control the entire device.

A ROM / RAM 202 stores control program data and the like. Further, it is used as a work area of the CPU 201, and various control data are temporarily stored. A display unit 203 displays various messages and images. Reference numeral 204 is a photographing unit for photographing an image. Reference numeral 205 denotes an input unit such as a key or a digitizer, which is operated by an operator and inputs various kinds of information. Reference numeral 206 denotes an auxiliary storage unit such as a CompactFlash (registered trademark) card or an SD card, which is a memory for storing various information and the like. A communication unit 207 performs wireless communication such as Bluetooth, and communicates with nearby terminals. 208 is a system bus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the station 103, and this station may be a general personal computer as long as it has a communication function.

A CPU 301 such as a microprocessor controls the entire apparatus, and outputs various data signals and control signals according to a control program stored in a ROM / RAM described later to control the entire apparatus. Is going. 302
Is a ROM / RAM in which control program data and the like are stored.

Further, it is used as a work area for the CPU 301 and various control data are temporarily stored. 303
Is an auxiliary storage unit such as a hard disk for storing various information and image information. 304, 3
A communication unit 05 performs wireless communication such as Bluetooth and communication for connecting to the Internet. 306 is a system bus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 104. 401 is a CPU such as a microprocessor
That is, it controls the entire device, and according to a control program stored in a ROM / RAM described later, various data signals and
A control signal is output to control the entire device. 40
A ROM / RAM 2 stores control program data and the like. Further, it is used as a work area of the CPU 401 and various control data is temporarily stored. Four
Reference numeral 03 denotes an auxiliary storage unit such as a hard disk for storing various information and image information. 404
Is a communication unit that performs communication for connecting to the Internet. A public line communication unit 405 connects to a telephone line and an ISDN network. 406 is a system bus.

The station 103 and the server 104 described above may be general personal computers as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a general personal user terminal device. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1200 is a computer PC. The PC 1200 has a CPU 12
01, a ROM 1202 or a hard disk (H
D) The device control software stored in 1211 or supplied from the flexible disk drive (FD) 1212 is executed to comprehensively control each device connected to the system bus 1204.

The CPU 1201 of the PC 1200, the RO
The programs stored in the M1202 or the hard disk (HD) 1211 realize the functions of various units of the present embodiment.

A RAM 1203 functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1201. A keyboard controller (KBC) 1205 is a keyboard (K
B) Control instruction input from 1209 or a device (not shown).

Reference numeral 1206 denotes a CRT controller (CRT
C) controls the display on the CRT display (CRT) 1210. 1207 is a disk controller (DK
In C), a boot program (startup program: a program for starting execution (operation) of hardware or software of a personal computer), a plurality of applications, edit files, user files, a hard disk (HD) 1211 for storing a network management program, and the like, and It controls access to the flexible disk (FD) 1212.

Reference numeral 1208 denotes a network interface card (NIC), which is a network printer, another network device, or another P device via the LAN 1220.
It exchanges bidirectional data with C.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The postcard creation processing executed in the mobile terminal 102 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S501, the image captured by the image capturing unit 204 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 206 is stored in the ROM / RAM.
The data is read to the unit 202 and displayed on the display unit 203. In S502, the user selects an image for creating a postcard from the images displayed on the display unit 203.

Next, in S503, it is selected whether to use the template (standard format) stored in the auxiliary storage unit 206. When using a template, the template data is expanded from the auxiliary storage unit 206 to the RAM on the ROM / RAM 202 and combined with the photographed image to generate the image data in S504.

If the template is not used, the process proceeds to S505. In S505, the input unit 205 inputs a message attached to the postcard and a destination. Note that this template information may be downloaded from any network device on the Internet as needed.

Regarding the destination, a mail address, an IP address, a fax number, etc. may be directly input, or the destination registered in advance in the server can be designated.

When the input of the message and the destination is completed in S505, the postcard information is created in S506. The message is attached to the image and the destination is attached to the file.

At this time, the auxiliary storage unit 2 is previously
User information saved in 06 is encrypted and attached to the file. These pieces of information are accumulated in the auxiliary storage unit 206 and the processing ends.

This user information is stored in the portable information terminal 102.
Will be saved at the time of purchase, or received and saved by email when the user registers as a user.

The image data and the encrypted user information (address information) are wirelessly transmitted to the station 103.

Next, the postcard transmission process executed in the station 103 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S601, the process waits until the postcard information including the above-mentioned image data for the postcard and the destination information is received from the portable information terminal 102. When the postcard information is transmitted from the portable information terminal 102, the communication unit A304 receives this information,
It is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 303.

When reception of all information is completed, in S602, the encrypted user information attached to the postcard information is taken out from the auxiliary storage unit 303, and S603
At the Internet 1 using the communication unit B305.
This information is sent to the server 104 via 00 to make a user inquiry.

At S604, the server 104 waits for a reply from the server 104, and when the reply from the communication unit B305 is received, the result of the inquiry is confirmed at S605. When the result of the inquiry is OK, the postcard information stored in the auxiliary storage unit 303 is read out in S606 and is transmitted to the server 104 via the Internet 100 using the communication unit B305.

If the result of the inquiry is NG in S605, an error message indicating that the user inquiry has failed is transmitted to the portable information terminal 102 via the communication unit A304, and the process is terminated.

The postcard distribution process executed by the server 104 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S701, the process waits for receiving postcard information from the Internet via the communication unit 404. When the post card information is received, the user information encrypted in S701 is decrypted.

In step S702, it is determined from the user information whether the user authentication is OK. If the authentication is OK, the destination information is analyzed in S703. In the destination information, mail address, IP address, fax number, and terminal information are described. In S704, it is determined whether or not the image information data conversion is necessary. If necessary, the ROM / RAM 402 The image is converted on the RAM. If not required, S7
Proceed to 06.

In step S706, the prepared postcard information is converted into the optimum communication unit according to the destination information, for example, the personal computer 105 or the printer 1 connected to the Internet.
In the case of 06 or the like, the communication unit 404 is selected, and in the case of the fax 107 connected to the public line or the like, the public line communication unit 405 is selected and transmitted.

Waiting for the transmission to end in S707,
At 08, the user is charged for the cost of transmitting the information, and the process ends. If the user authentication fails in S702, the Internet 100 is connected via the communication unit 404 in S709, an error is transmitted to the station 103, and the process ends.

FIG. 8 is a table showing information on delivery destinations, which is composed of a plurality of delivery destination information with priorities, attributes defining various communication means (e-mail, fax, mail, etc.), and information on the number of retries. Has been done. In addition, this table is stored in the server 104 in the present embodiment, and
04 performs control based on this table.

As shown in this table, a plurality of distribution destinations can be registered and can be designated with priorities. Also,
Since it has attributes, it is possible to have various distribution means.

Further, since the number of retries can be specified, the user can retransmit the number of retries as desired.

For example, in the flow chart of FIG. 7, when the transmission ends abnormally in S707, a message indicating that distribution is impossible is sent to the portable information terminal 102 via the station 103, and another distribution means is set. Select. Therefore,
When the mail is designated, the server 104 causes the printer 108 connected to the server to print both sides of the address and the image on the postcard and output the postcard.

This postcard will be manually posted. Alternatively, if the transmission ends abnormally in S707, it is also possible to check the number of retries and try the retransmission for that number of times.

(Other Embodiments) Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices other than the above-mentioned devices (for example, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), one device (for example, Copier,
(Facsimile device), or the above-described various processes may be performed by another device.

Further, the functions of the above-described embodiment are applied to a station or a computer in an apparatus or system connected to the various devices so as to operate the various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. Supply the program code of the software to realize,
What was carried out by operating the above-mentioned various devices according to the program stored in the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the category of the present invention.

Further, in this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself constitutes the present invention. As a transmission medium of the program code, a communication medium (a wired line such as an optical fiber or a wireless line) in a computer network (LAN, WAN such as the Internet, a wireless communication network, etc.) system for propagating and supplying the program information as a carrier wave. Etc.) can be used.

Further, means for supplying the program code to a computer, for example, a recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. A flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used as a recording medium for storing the program code.

In addition, the computer executes the supplied program code to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code runs on the OS (operating system) or another. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the application software of the above.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or function expansion unit is instructed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like included in the above-mentioned performs some or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Note that the configurations of the respective parts shown in the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of embodying the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is limited by these. Should not be construed as. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or the main features thereof.

Although the above embodiments have been described for the purpose of creating a postcard, it is a matter of course that the present invention may be applied to create various printed matter other than a postcard. .

[0065]

According to the postcard delivery system of the present invention, it is possible to deal with various situations of recipients, and it is possible to provide a postcard delivery system that is quick and easy for the user. Become.

By encrypting the user registration information and sending it to the server, safe and simple personal authentication can be performed.

Further, since a plurality of pieces of information regarding the delivery destinations can be set and the priorities can be set, it is possible to provide a flexible system in which the delivery destinations can be changed according to the situation and a quick delivery according to the situation.

Furthermore, since it is possible to promptly notify the user that distribution is not possible and to select another distribution means, a system that is easy to use and highly reliable for the user is provided. it can.

Further, when distribution is impossible, the number of times specified by the user can be retried, so that it is possible to provide a system with reliability that the user is satisfied with.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration in an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile information terminal 102 in FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a station 103 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server 104 of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a postcard creation process executed in the mobile information terminal 102 in FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing a post card transmission process executed in the station 103 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a postcard distribution process executed by the server 104 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing information on distribution destinations.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a general personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Internet, 101 public line, 102 mobile information terminal, 103 station, 104 server,
105 PC, 106, 108 Printer, 107
Fax 201, 301, 401 CPU, 202, 302, 4
02 ROM / RAM 203 Display unit 204 Imaging unit 205 Input unit 206, 303, 403 Auxiliary storage unit 207, 304, 305, 404 Communication unit 208, 306, 406 System bus 405 Public line communication unit

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 17/60 506 G06F 17/60 506 ZEC ZEC

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A postcard distribution system for creating a postcard using images taken by a portable information terminal and distributing the postcard via a network, the postcard being distributed according to the attributes of the recipient. A postcard delivery system characterized by printing or converting information of the above and delivering. 2. A postcard distribution system for creating a postcard using images taken by a portable information terminal and distributing the postcard via a network, wherein the user's registration information is encrypted and the postcard is encrypted. A postcard distribution system that is characterized by attaching a stamp to, and billing based on this information on the server side. 3. A postcard distribution system for creating a postcard using an image taken by a portable information terminal and distributing the postcard via a network, wherein a plurality of pieces of information about distribution destinations can be registered. A postcard distribution system characterized in that priorities can be registered and distribution is performed according to the priorities. 4. A postcard distribution system for creating a postcard using images taken by a portable information terminal and distributing the postcard via a network, which cannot be distributed to a distributor when distribution is impossible. A postcard delivery system characterized in that it is possible to select another delivery method. 5. A postcard distribution system for creating a postcard using images captured by a portable information terminal and distributing the postcard via a network, which is automatically designated in advance when distribution is impossible. A postcard distribution system characterized by retrying only once. 6. A step of obtaining postcard data for creating a postcard, a step of processing the postcard data, and a step of distributing the processed postcard data according to a predetermined procedure. Prepared postcard delivery method. 7. The postcard distribution method according to claim 6, wherein the postcard data is obtained by combining image data obtained by photographing with a predetermined template. 8. The postcard distribution method according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined procedure distributes the postcard data according to a priority order for a plurality of destinations. 9. A means for obtaining postcard data for creating a postcard, a processing means for processing the postcard data, and a delivery means for delivering the processed postcard data according to a predetermined procedure. A postcard delivery device equipped with. 10. Each function in the postcard distribution system according to claim 1, claim 6 or 8.
A storage medium that stores a program that realizes the functions of each step of the postcard distribution method described in (4) and each unit of the postcard distribution device according to claim 9 by a computer. 11. Each function in the postcard distribution system according to claim 1, claim 6 or 8.
A program that realizes the functions of the steps of the postcard distribution method described in (4) and the functions of each means in the postcard distribution device described in (9) by a computer.