JP2007310711A - Image server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image network system having a stable image server which can prevent reduction in confidence of a user to a system by strictly keeping an image storage period in a network print service, and normally accept an order even to an image of which storage period expires while an ordering process is in progress. <P>SOLUTION: To the image uploaded to the image server, the storage period is provided on the server side, and further, a non-display period is provided between from the expiration of the storage period to the deletion of the image. In the non-display period, an access request to the image from a user terminal is entirely rejected, and at the time point the non-display period expires, the image is deleted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image server in an image network system for ordering photo prints using a communication network such as the Internet.

In recent years, digital cameras have rapidly become popular. Communication networks such as the Internet are also widely used.
Since an image taken with a digital camera is handled as digital image data, it can be transmitted using a communication network, and various services have been proposed / developed using this.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, an image (image data) possessed by a service user (user) is sent to a server using a communication network such as the Internet, and the image is stored / managed on a server by user basis. In addition to providing it as an electronic album above, if there is no transmission from the user for a predetermined period or more, the data storage area such as server resources is made effective by deleting the image registered by the user. An electronic album system that can be used is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 2, instead of deleting an image at the moment when the storage period set at the time of uploading an image is exceeded, the storage period is periodically set using a system timer in a server set in advance. An information processing system has been disclosed in which images are deleted at predetermined intervals by searching for excess images and deleting the corresponding images.
According to this system, it is possible to reduce the load on the server when deleting an image.

  In addition, a plurality of (photo) print dealers use a communication network to obtain images taken by a customer with a digital camera and print order information, and produce photo prints that reproduce the images according to the order information. In addition, a so-called net print service has been developed that provides a customer with an order received by sending it to a designated store.

  By the way, in such a net print service, when an image sent from a user is uploaded to the server, a storage period of each image at the server is set on the server side. This storage period is reset so as to further extend the storage period on the basis of the access date when there is access to an image such as image browsing or ordering. Images that have passed the storage period are deleted from the server.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-342741 JP 2003-330763 A

However, in such a conventional system, there is a case where an image is not deleted even if the storage period notified to the user is exceeded.
For example, in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the image storage period for the image A uploaded on the server at time t ₁ is until the time t ₂ . Then, the image A must be deleted when t ₂ is exceeded. In practice, however, the server is not a storage period of each image, at a predetermined timing set to itself, so to remove the image storage period is exceeded, actually removed from the elapsed time point of t ₂ is between time of t ₃ when carried out, the image a is to exist on the server, it becomes possible to browse and order.
As described above, in the conventional system, even if the image storage period is exceeded, the image exists on the server until the system performs the periodic deletion process. For this reason, depending on the image, even after the storage period is exceeded, the state in which browsing and ordering are possible is continued, which may cause a decrease in the trust of the system.

For example, if the user starts browsing immediately before the storage period expires, and the image on the server is deleted during the browsing and the storage period is exceeded, the display will be displayed on the user terminal unless the screen is updated. Therefore, the user terminal is ready for ordering operations.
For this reason, if the user tries to place an order after browsing for an image that has been deleted from the server because the storage period has been exceeded while browsing on the user terminal, the server will display the ordered image. It cannot be detected and an error occurs. In addition, the user cannot obtain the product of the image that should have been ordered, and the trust in the system of the photo print service is lowered.

In addition, if an order can be processed even for images that have exceeded the storage period, the user can store the images that have been uploaded afterwards, based on the experience that the order processing can be performed even if the storage period has been exceeded. It can be assumed that an order can be made for a certain period even after the period has expired, and an order may be attempted after the storage period has elapsed.
However, when the image storage period ends and the deletion period by the system coincides, or when the deletion period starts shortly after the storage period ends, the user should place an order immediately after the storage period has expired. However, the image may have already been deleted. In this way, even if the same operation is performed, the result may be different each time, causing confusion for the user and reducing the trust of the system.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, and is an image server of an image network system used for a net print service or the like that accepts a print order using a communication network such as the Internet. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image server of an image network system that can prevent a deterioration in the trust of the user's system due to the ability to view images even after the image storage period has passed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an image server of an image network system that receives image data from a user terminal via a communication network, and stores the image data supplied from the user terminal, An image storage function capable of being displayed on the user terminal via the communication network, and a time limit management function for managing a display time limit and a storage time limit of the image data by the image storage function for each image data, The time limit management function sets a display time limit of image data in the image storage function when a first predetermined period elapses, and stops displaying the image after the first predetermined period elapses. I will provide a.

  In the present invention, when the image data stored by the image storage function is browsed by the user terminal before the display time limit of the image data, the time limit management function Resets the display deadline of the image data accessed for browsing when the second predetermined period has elapsed with reference to the browsing date of the image data, and stops displaying the image data after the second predetermined period has elapsed. Preferably, the image receiving function has an order receiving function for receiving an order from the user terminal, and the image storage function stores the image data before the display time limit of the image data. When an order is placed by a user terminal, the time limit management function resets the display time limit of the image data for which the order has been placed when a third predetermined period has elapsed based on the order date of the image data. After lapse of the third predetermined time period, it is preferable to stop displaying the image data.

  Further, the time limit management function is configured to store image data that has passed the storage time limit, with the time when a predetermined non-display period is added to the first, second, and third predetermined time periods as a storage time limit of the image data. It is preferable to delete from the image storage function.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an image management method in an image network system for receiving image data and an order from a user terminal via a communication network, wherein the image data supplied from the user terminal is stored, and the user Provided is an image management method that can be displayed via a terminal, and stops displaying the image data when the display period of the image data elapses, and further deletes the image data after a predetermined non-display period has elapsed. To do.

The image server of the present invention having the above configuration constitutes an image network system that receives and stores images from customers via a communication network such as the Internet, and performs a net print service that accepts orders such as prints and produces products. The image server is configured to provide a display deadline on the server side for the image uploaded to the image server, and further to provide a non-display period after the display deadline has passed and before the image is deleted. During the non-display period, the image server does not respond to any access request from the user terminal for the image, and deletes the image when the non-display period is exceeded.
For this reason, it is possible to prevent troubles caused by deleting images during ordering and a decrease in credit to the user's system due to unnecessarily long storage periods, and to reduce the storage period during order processing. It is possible to construct a stable image network system that accepts orders normally even for images that exceed.

  Hereinafter, an image server of the image network system of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 conceptually shows the system configuration of an image network system using the image server of the present invention.
The image network system 10 in the illustrated example (hereinafter referred to as the network system 10) receives an order such as a (photo) print from a customer using a communication network such as the Internet, and creates a print according to the order. In addition to developing a so-called net print service (on-line print service), a so-called electronic album service that stores and manages images (image data) transferred from customers and enables browsing is also developed.

Such a net system 10 basically has a net center 12 that supervises / manages the net system 10, an order receiving channel 14 in which a customer places an order for printing, and a printer (hereinafter referred to as a lab). A lab system 16 and a retailer system 18 that plays a role of mediation between a customer and a lab are configured.
In the illustrated network system 10, the network center 12, the order receiving channel 14, the laboratory system 16, and the retailer system 18 are connected to each other via a communication network such as the Internet. In the network system 10 using the image server of the present invention, the network center 12, the order receiving channel 14, and the retailer system 18 are connected to each other by a public communication network such as the Internet. May not be connected to the order receiving channel 14 and the retailer system 18 but may be connected to the network center 12 through a dedicated communication line.

In the illustrated example, only one order receiving channel 14, lab system 16, and retailer system 18 are shown in order to simplify the drawing and clearly show the configuration of the network system 10. The invention is not limited to this.
Accordingly, a plurality of laboratory systems 16 may exist in the network system 10, and usually a plurality of retailer systems 18 exist. In the present invention, the retailer system 18 is not essential.

The order receiving channel 14 is a user terminal for a customer to place an order or transfer an image to the network center 12 (uploading an image).
In the network system 10 in the illustrated example, customers include members registered in the network system 10 and non-members who are not registered. In the illustrated network system 10, members basically belong to any retailer system 18.

The order receiving channel 14 basically uses a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) that can be connected to the communication network owned by the customer, a print ordering terminal that is installed in an order reception store and connected to the communication network. Configured.
As an example of such an order receiving channel 14, the network center 12 (published on the communication network managed by the network center 12 using a web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer ^TM ) is used. Ordering functions installed in PC operating systems such as “OPW (Online Printing Wizard)”, which is an order channel for accessing (connecting to) web sites), Microsoft's Windows XP ^TM , and Fuji Photo Film Ordering functions of general-purpose applications such as “FinePix viewer” and ordering functions set on web sites published on communication networks such as “MSN (Europe)”, a web site managed and operated by Microsoft Order channel and network system For example, an order receiving channel using order software which is a dedicated application (software) for ordering a product in the system 10 is exemplified.
Of course, one ordering channel 14 may correspond to one of these, or may correspond to two or more.

The retailer system 18 is a system that serves as an intermediary between a customer and a lab, and includes, for example, a PC, a workstation (WS), a server device, and the like.
In the European photo print industry, there is an intermediary called a retailer that mediates between customers and laboratories. The retailer contracts with the lab, asks a retail store such as a cosmetics store or a drugstore to establish an order reception desk, accepts orders from customers, delivers the received orders to the lab, and if necessary The finished print is received from the lab and sent to a store such as an instructed reception desk or sent to the customer's home. The lab is typically affiliated with a number of retailers who receive customer orders from the retailers and produce prints.
In other words, in this order / preparation / receipt distribution system, the lab is a child who is not conscious of the customer, and the customer orders only the retailer and prints the finished print. receive.

The retailer system 18 plays the role of this retailer in the network system 10, and is, for example, possessed by the retailer, which is the aforementioned broker.
As described above, the retailer system 18 is connected to the network center 12, the order receiving channel 14, and the laboratory system 16 through a communication network such as the Internet. The retailer system 18 also publishes a web screen for the order receiving channel 14 to access the network center 12 on the communication network (on the web).
The order receiving channel 14 may access the net center 12 via a web screen disclosed by the retailer, or may directly access the net center 12 without going through this. In addition, for each type of the order channel 14 and each retailer, it may be set whether or not the retailer's web screen is used.
By using the retailer system 18, even in the network system 10, the customer can place an order for prints and the like in the sense of placing an order with the retailer without being aware of the network center 12 and the laboratory (lab system 16). it can.

  In the network system 10, the retailer system 18 and the lab system 16 described later may be configured as a single system.

The network center 12 supervises the network system 10 and, as an example, is configured by combining a PC, WS, network device, server device, storage device, and the like.
The network center 12 stores / manages images and various information such as images sent from customers, order information such as member information, prints, and information for managing and operating the network system 10. It has a file server (DB / FS) 12a.

As conceptually shown in FIG. 1, the net center 12 has a front end and a back end.
The front end is a site for receiving customer orders and can be accessed through the order receiving channel 14. That is, the front end provides a function such as a user interface for a customer to order a print, upload an image, and the like.

  On the other hand, the back end is a site for managing the network system 10 and the network center 12. Therefore, only the system that manages / operates the network system 10, such as the management system 24 that manages the network center 12, the retailer system 18, and the laboratory system 16, can access the back end, and cannot be accessed by the order receiving channel 14.

In the net center 12, the front end has a member registration / authentication, an album function, a share box function, and an order web.
The customer can access the front end of the network center 12 using the order receiving channel 14 and use the following functions.

Member registration / authentication provides functions such as member registration, change of registered member information, and member authentication (sign-in). In the illustrated network center 12, sign-in is performed using a member ID (identification information, for example, an identification number) and a password set for each member. The member information is managed by back-end member management described later.
The retailer system 18 may also have member registration / member management / sign-in functions according to this, and when the order receiving channel 14 accesses the network center 12 via the retailer system 18, When signing in with the tailor system 18, the member does not sign in at the front end.

The album function is a function for uploading images through the order receiving channel 14, a function for storing images as albums (electronic albums) for each member (image storage function), and a function for a member to display album images in the order receiving channel 14 (by members) Functions for browsing own albums), rotating images of displayed albums, and slideshows. That is, the album function provides a function of an electronic album by a communication network.
Albums include system albums and my albums. The system album stores images uploaded by members. The system album is an album that is automatically created by the network center 12 for each member at the initial stage (at the time of membership registration or the like). All images uploaded by the members are stored in the system album. On the other hand, “My Album” is an album arbitrarily created by a member and arbitrarily stores uploaded images.

  The image uploaded by the order receiving channel 14 is an image including information such as an image code for specifying an image, a member ID, a retailer ID, a file format type, a storage file size, a storage file name, an upload date, and the latest order date. Managed by information.

In the network system 10 of the illustrated example, the member can perform various album operations and album image editing by the album function.
As an example of the album operation, a new album can be created, the name of the album can be set / changed, the album list can be displayed, and the album can be deleted. System albums cannot be deleted by members.
On the other hand, as an example of album image editing, as an example, slide show display of all images in the album, thumbnail display of images, enlarged display of images, rotation display of images, addition of images, change of image display order, change of image names Copying and moving images to another album (multiple selection and batch selection possible), deleting images (multiple deletion and batch deletion possible), ordering products such as prints using images stored in albums, etc. it can.

  The share box function provides a function for a member to release an image of his / her album to a third party. Using this share box function, a member can select any number of images from the album and create a share box (or multiple images) for sharing the images with third parties. By providing a URL for browsing an image in the box to an acquaintance or the like, it can be disclosed to a third party.

Images stored in albums and share boxes can be displayed (viewed) only for a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as display period), and image storage in albums and share boxes is also predetermined. A predetermined period (hereinafter, this period is referred to as a storage period). The image storage period is set longer than the display period. That is, the period from the end of the display period to the end of the storage period is a non-display period in which the image exists in the network center 12 but is not displayed. These periods can be set by album management, which will be described later, in response to requests from the retailer system 18 and the laboratory system 16.
When a member accesses and browses or orders an image stored in the album, the display period and storage period of the accessed image in the album are extended based on the browsing date or the order date. This will be described in detail later.

  In addition to the album and the share box, the front end of the network center 12 also has a photo storage that provides a function of storing images uploaded by non-members for ordering prints for a predetermined period. The image stored in the photo storage can be displayed during the ordering operation, but cannot be displayed after the order is completed.

The order web provides an order receiving function for goods such as prints, goods such as mugs and T-shirts that record images, and CDs that record images.
In the order channel 14 described above, this order web is accessed to select a product (print, goods, CD, etc.), to select an image for ordering the product, and to input a print size, number of copies, etc. Instruct. In addition, input / instructions such as a recipient (recipient) of goods, a delivery destination, a payment method, and the like are also made by this order web as necessary.

In the network system 10 in the illustrated example, an order by a member using an order web (selection of an image for ordering a product) includes an album method and a menu method.
The album method is a method for selecting an image to order from the images stored in the album. On the other hand, the menu method is a method of selecting an image to order from images uploaded through the order receiving channel 14. Regardless of whether there is an order or not, images uploaded by members are stored in the system album. That is, the order web also provides an image upload function.
Orders by non-members using the order web are only in the same manner as the menu method, and uploaded images are stored in the photo storage as described above.
Further, in the network system 10, it is possible to select an image from the images stored in the share box and order a product through the order receiving channel 14.

  On the other hand, in the network center 12, the back end is a site for managing the network system 10 and the network center 12, as described above. Member management, album management, basic information management, merchandise management, site management, It has order management, workflow, lab order server, and settlement.

Member management provides member information management functions such as management of member information (including registration of new members, change / addition / update of various information, etc.), and search of member information.
Examples of member information include member ID, password, e-mail address, merchandise receiving store ID (selected store ID), name, address, telephone number, delivery address, and the like.
The search for member information provides a function for the retailer system 18 to search for members that meet certain arbitrary conditions.

The album management provides management functions (capacity management function) such as the storage capacity of the above-mentioned album, share box, photo storage, etc., and the storage period and display period of images.
Album management sets the album capacity, image storage period, and image display period for each member for each retailer system 18 or lab system 16 in response to requests from the retailer system 18 or lab system 16. To do. That is, the album capacity, the image display period, and the storage period can be set by the retailer system 18 or the lab system 16 (that is, the retailer or lab).
Also, the album management tabulates data such as the upload date of each image uploaded to the album, the display period that can be displayed on the order receiving channel 14, and the image storage period in the album function for each member. Based on this, the display on the order receiving channel 14 is stopped with respect to the image that has passed the display period, and the image that has passed the storage period is deleted. The album management has a deletion module for deleting an image whose storage period has expired, and the image is periodically deleted using this module. Further, when a member accesses and browses or orders an image stored in the album, the display period and storage period of the accessed image are extended based on the viewing date or the order date.
Further, the album management may notify the member of the album over the capacity by a warning or the like, and notify the member by e-mail or the like of the expiration of the display period.

Next, an image display period and a storage period in the network system 10 using the image server of the present invention will be described.
As described above, in the network system 10, the album function provides an album of a certain capacity to the member, and the member browses the uploaded image using the order receiving channel 14 by the album function. be able to. The uploaded image can be browsed only for a predetermined display period, and is automatically deleted from the album (DB / FS 12a) when a predetermined storage period elapses.

The image uploaded to the network center 12 by the order receiving channel 14 is stored in the system album of the album function for each member. In album management, the information of each image stored in the system album is tabulated for each member and provided as a time limit management table. When the image is uploaded to the network center 12, the album management records the image file name, file size, upload date, and order history of the uploaded image in the time limit management table as shown in Table 1, for example, Furthermore, a display deadline and a scheduled deletion date are set and recorded.

  In the time limit management table shown in Table 1, the file name of each image is recorded as the image file name, the file size of each image is recorded as the file size, and the date when the image was uploaded to the system album is recorded as the upload date. .

The display time limit is a display time limit of each image by the album function, and until this time limit, the member can access a desired image of the album through the order receiving channel 14 to view or order. The display deadline is set based on the upload date to the system album, and the date when a predetermined display period m1 has passed is set. For images that have passed this date, the album function displays the image even if requested by the member. Therefore, the member cannot view and order these images. In this embodiment, as an example, the display period m1 is 30 days.
For example, when a member who has uploaded the images shown in Table 1 requests browsing of an album on June 7, 2006, images 1 and 3 are displayed in the order receiving channel 14. However, since the image 2 has exceeded the display deadline, it is not displayed on the order receiving channel 14. Therefore, the member cannot access the image 2 for browsing or ordering.

The scheduled deletion date is a date when the stored image is physically deleted from the network center 12, and a date when a predetermined non-display period d has elapsed from the display deadline is set. That is, after the display period is exceeded, the period until the non-display period is exceeded is the storage period, and during the non-display period d, the images are stored in the album, but are displayed on the order receiving channel 14. Is suspended and members cannot view or place orders.
Deletion of images is performed by periodically starting a deletion module included in album management by a system timer or the like. In this embodiment, as an example, the deletion module is activated once a day at a predetermined time. That is, at a predetermined time every day, the deletion module searches the images stored in the album for images whose scheduled deletion date set in the time limit management table is today. Then, the corresponding image is physically deleted from the time limit management table (DB / FS 12a).

  When an order is placed through the order receiving channel 14, one order information and an image corresponding to the order information (hereinafter collectively referred to as an order job) are generated and sent to the laboratory order receiving server in order management described later. It is done. The lab system 16 to be described later requests the lab order receiving server to transfer the order job at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, in a conventional system that can display an image during the storage period of the image, depending on the timing of activation of the deletion module, if the storage time limit is exceeded while the member is placing an order, The image may be deleted before the process ends, and order information may not be generated correctly. In addition, when the lab system 16 requests an order job, the network center 12 has already deleted the image, and the order job cannot be transferred to the lab system 16. Furthermore, the deletion module may be activated while the lab system 16 fails to acquire data and makes an order job request again.

  In the present invention, even in such a case, as a grace period until the image is actually deleted after the display time limit is exceeded so that the lab system 16 can appropriately respond to the order of the member and reliably acquire the order job. The hidden period is set. In this embodiment, as an example, the non-display period d is 3 days in consideration of the above.

As described above, when a member accesses and browses or orders an image stored in the album, the display period and storage period of the accessed image are extended based on the browsing date or the order date.
In the album management, when an order is placed for each image, the date when the order is placed is recorded in the order history of the time limit management table. For images that have been ordered multiple times, the latest order date is recorded. For an image for which no order has been placed, “unordered” is recorded. Further, the display deadline and the scheduled deletion date are reset based on the date of the order history and recorded.
Also, when there is a browsing request for each image, the album management resets and records the display deadline and the scheduled deletion date based on the date of browsing.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 2, an example of the relationship between the image display period, image access, and deletion timing in image storage in the album function will be described more specifically.

First, a case where access such as browsing or ordering is not performed after uploading an image will be described.
By orders channel 14, when the image A is uploaded to the net center 12, at the time of upload (time of t _1), the album management, image file name to date management table, file size, and to record the upload date, date display period m1 has elapsed from the upload date as display deadline (time point t _4, m1 is 30 days in this example), sets and records. Further, the date when the non-display period d has elapsed from the display deadline (at time t ₅ , d is 3 days in this embodiment) is set and recorded in the same manner as the scheduled deletion date. In addition, “unordered” is recorded in the order history of the time limit management table.

After the image A is uploaded, has elapsed display period m1, becomes the display limit (the time of t _4), the album management stops the display of the image A to album function. Accordingly, during the predetermined non-display period d from the time point t ₄ , the image A exists in the album function, but the member cannot browse the image A or make an order.
In addition, after the lapse of non-display period d, at the time t ₅ became the deletion scheduled date, image A will be subject to deletion, deletion processing from past the point in time of t ₅ first removing module is activated row Is physically deleted from the album function.
As described above, in the image deletion process, the album management starts the deletion module at a predetermined time every day, and the scheduled deletion date is the current date or earlier in the time limit management table in the album management. This is done by searching for an image and deleting the corresponding image from the album function.

Next, a case where the uploaded image is browsed before the display period m1 has elapsed since the image was uploaded will be described.
By orders channel 14, when the image B is uploaded to the net center 12, as in the case of the image A, at the time of upload (time of t _1), the album management, image file name to date management table, file size, The upload date is recorded, and the date when the display period m1 has elapsed from the upload date is set as the display deadline, and the date when the non-display period d has elapsed from the display deadline is set as the scheduled deletion date and recorded. In addition, “unordered” is recorded in the order history of the time limit management table.

Here, after the image B is uploaded, for a period shorter display period m1, at time t _2, the members were viewed by accessing the image B by orders channel 14. Then, the album management counting from viewing date image B, the date the lapse of a predetermined display period m2 (time point t _4, as an example in the present embodiment, m2 is 40 days), and new display As a time limit, it is reset in the time limit management table and recorded. Further, the date when the non-display period d has elapsed from the time point of the new display time limit t ₄ (time point of t ₅ ) is similarly reset and recorded as a new scheduled deletion date.
When a predetermined period m2 is passed to the display limit (the time of t _4), the album management stops the display of the image B to the album function. Therefore, during the non-display period d from the time t ₄ , the image B exists in the album function, but the member cannot browse the image B or make an order.
In addition, after the lapse of non-display period d, at the time t ₅ became the deletion scheduled date, image B will be subject to deletion, deletion processing from past the point in time of t ₅ first removing module is activated row Is physically deleted from the album function.

Further, a case will be described in which the uploaded image is ordered before the display period m1 has elapsed since the image was uploaded.
When the image C is uploaded to the network center 12 by the order receiving channel 14, as in the case of the images A and B, at the time of uploading (at time t ₁ ), the album management displays the image file name and file in the time limit management table. The size and upload date are recorded, and the date when the display period m1 has elapsed from the upload date is set as the display deadline, and the day when the non-display period d has elapsed from the display deadline is set as the scheduled deletion date and recorded. In addition, “unordered” is recorded in the order history of the time limit management table.

Here, after the image C is uploaded, prior to the elapse of the display period m1, at the time of t _3, the member has made an order to access the image C by orders channel 14. Then, the album management counting from the order date of the image C, the date the lapse of a predetermined display period m3 (time point t _4, as an example in the present embodiment, m2 is 50 days), and new display As a time limit, it is reset in the time limit management table and recorded. Further, the date when the non-display period d has elapsed from the time point of the new display time limit t ₄ (time point of t ₅ ) is similarly reset and recorded as a new scheduled deletion date.
When a predetermined period of time m3 is passed to the display limit (the time of t _4), the album management stops the display of the image C to the album function. Therefore, during the non-display period d from time t ₄ , the image C exists in the album function, but the member cannot browse the image C or place an order.
In addition, after the lapse of non-display period d, at the time t ₅ became the deletion scheduled date, image C will be subject to deletion, deletion processing from past the point in time of t ₅ first removing module is activated row Is physically deleted from the album function.

In this embodiment, the display period m1, which is initially set, the display period m2 after the browse request, and the display period m3 after the order request are set to different periods, but the present invention is not limited to this. The lengths of the display periods may be the same for all of m1, m2, and m3.
Further, the length of the display period and the non-display period may be set by the network center 12, or the values requested by the retailer system 18 and the lab system 16 may be set in the album management as described above. .

  According to the above embodiment, the member cannot access the images stored in the album according to the display deadline. Therefore, it is possible to provide a stable system for members.

In this embodiment, the display deadline is reset at the time of browsing the image and at the time of ordering. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display deadline at the time of browsing the image or only at the time of ordering. May be extended.
If you want to extend the display time limit when viewing an image, when the member makes a browsing request for the uploaded image, album management resets the image display time limit to m2, so the member views the image. The image will never exceed the display deadline.

However, when the display deadline is extended only when an image is ordered, the image being ordered may exceed the display deadline while the member is proceeding with the ordering process.
In the image server of the present invention, as described above, the image exists on the server until the scheduled deletion date elapses. Therefore, even in such a case, the member performs the order processing to the end, and performs the order job on the network 12 to the lab system 16.
Also, for images that have exceeded the display deadline while the member is processing the order in this way, when the order processing is completed, the display deadline is reset based on the end of the order in the album management, and again, The display can be performed.

  In such an image server of the present invention, by prohibiting image access according to the display deadline, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the trust of the user's system such as an unstable image browsing period. Furthermore, by providing a non-display period between the display deadline and the scheduled deletion date, an image that has exceeded the display deadline during order processing, or a display deadline before the order job is transferred to the lab system 16 after the order is placed. Orders can be received normally even for images that exceed.

  Also, album management periodically deletes my albums, photo storages, and share boxes that do not store images. Furthermore, the album management forcibly stops sharing the share box that stores images that are offensive to public order and morals.

The basic information management provides a management function for basic information of the lab system 16, the retailer system 18, and the receiving store.
In the basic information management, a retailer system 18 (retailer having the retailer system 18) affiliated with each lab system 16 (lab having the lab system 16) and a receiving store affiliated with each retailer system 18 Are registered / managed in association with each other, manage basic information of each laboratory system 16, retailer system 18, and receiving store, and change / update basic information as required or necessary. To do.

The merchandise management provides a management function for a lab having the lab system 16, a retailer having the retailer system 18, and a product handled by the receiving store.
In the network system 10 shown in the drawing, as an example, a (photo) print that reproduces an image received from a member or a non-member, a CD that stores the image, and goods that reproduce the image (for example, a mug or a T-shirt) Etc.) to customers. The merchandise management provides functions such as setting of merchandise (merchandise) handled by each retailer system 18 and lab system 16, setting of price of merchandise, display of merchandise in the order web, and the like. In addition, in the product management, order setting information (image, type of product, print size, number, etc.), which is information related to the order, in accordance with the order of the product by the customer (order input instruction) using the order receiving channel 14 It also provides the ability to generate
The products to be handled and the prices of the products can be applied / set for each retailer system 18 or each lab system 16 by a product management function. In other words, retailers and laboratories can set the products handled and the prices of the products.

  Site management includes management functions for retail managers, management functions for lab managers, and network system 10 for operating network system 10 such as information on customer notices, statistical information, and application download information. Provides a management function for center managers (operators) that serve as contact points for laboratories.

Order management provides order management functions such as order information generation, search and display.
In order management, when the order is confirmed by the customer, the customer selects the method for receiving the goods and the settlement method, and the order is completed (order confirmed), the order setting information etc. is used to calculate the fee. Calculation is performed to generate predetermined information, order information is generated, and the generated order information is sent to the laboratory order receiving server.

The workflow provides a workflow function for changing a setting of a price, a product, etc. when operating and managing the network system 10.
The workflow is appropriate when the retailer system 18 or the lab system 16 makes an application for a change of retailer or lab information (basic information or detailed information), a change of charge, or a change of information on the receiving store. It is determined whether or not to approve or reject, and in the case of approval, the requested change is confirmed and the contents of the change are applied to the network system 10.

The lab order receiving server provides an order receiving function for ordering in the lab system 16 such as order information and image transmission to the lab system 16 via an order receiving module to be described later.
As described above, the order job is sent to the laboratory order receiving server. In response to a request from the lab system 16, the lab order receiving server transfers order list information to the lab system 16, and transfers an order job for one order requested from the lab system 16 to the lab system 16. To do.

The settlement provides a function of obtaining a settlement authorization (credit) from the settlement site 20 when the settlement method is credit settlement or debit settlement.
The payment site 20 is a web site for performing a known online payment connected to the network center 12 via a communication network. The net center 12 only obtains an authorization for this settlement site.

The lab system 16 is a system installed in a lab (printer) composed of a PC, WS, server device, etc., and is connected to a digital photographic printer, a printing device for various goods, or the like (or , These are configured integrally).
The lab system 16 is installed with order receiving software which is an application for taking in product orders from the network center 12.
The lab system 16 acquires a list of order information using an order receiving module for acquiring an order job from the network center 12 (lab order receiving server) included in the order receiving software, and transfers the order job corresponding to itself. Request and get. In the lab (lab system 16), a product corresponding to the order job is created, and the product is delivered to a delivery destination or a receiving store corresponding to the order information. Further, the lab system 16 determines credit settlement confirmation / cancellation and debit settlement cancellation according to the authorization information added to the order information, and sends the result to the settlement site 20.

As described above, the member can access the network center 12 (front end) through the order receiving channel 14 and upload an image to the system album. Similarly, the member accesses the network center and selects an arbitrary image from the images stored in the album (album method), or uploads an image and selects an image from the image ( Menu method), products can be ordered. Images uploaded by the member using the menu method are stored in a system album.
Further, non-members can also access the network center through the order receiving channel 14 and order products by a method according to the menu method. Images uploaded by non-members are stored in the photo storage as described above.

In the net center 12, order setting information is generated by merchandise management in response to an order from the order receiving channel 14, and when the order is confirmed, the order management generates order information and sends an order job to the laboratory order receiving server.
The lab system 16 browses a list of order information in the lab order receiving server using the order receiving module, requests transfer of an order job related to itself, and prints or the like corresponding to the order information of the transferred order job. Create and deliver.

Therefore, in the network system 10 using the image server of the present invention, a communication network such as the Internet is used, so it is possible to order products from anywhere without worrying about business hours. It is also possible to provide public album services to third parties.
In addition, what can be shared by retailers and laboratories is shared, and the interface function for customers and the management function of the network system 10 are consolidated in the network center 12, so the collection and delivery operations, customer management, and payment processing are simplified. In addition, the system operation can be simplified and the operation cost can be reduced. Moreover, in many cases, troubles and version upgrades of the network system 10 can be dealt with intensively by the network center 12, so that operation can be stabilized and trouble shooting can be speeded up.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the image server of the present invention, the image storage period is strictly observed and the access of the image is prohibited according to the display deadline, thereby preventing the deterioration of the user's trust in the system. Further, by providing a non-display period between the time when the display time limit is exceeded and the time when the image is deleted, an image whose storage period has been exceeded during order processing or an order job after the order is placed in the lab system 16. Therefore, it is possible to realize an image network system that provides a stable system that can normally accept an order even for an image whose display deadline has been exceeded before being transferred to.

  Although the image server of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

It is a figure which shows notionally the system configuration | structure of the image network system using the image server of this invention. It is a figure which shows notionally the display period and storage period of the image in the album function in the image network system using the image server of the present invention. It is a figure which shows notionally the storage period of the image in the conventional image network system.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image network system (net system)
12 Net Center 12a Database / File Server (DB / FS)
14 Order channel 16 Lab system 18 Retailer system 20 Settlement site 24 Management system

Claims (5)

An image server of an image network system that receives image data from a user terminal via a communication network,
An image storage function for storing image data supplied from the user terminal and enabling the image data to be displayed on the user terminal via the communication network;
A time limit management function for managing the display time limit and storage time limit of image data by the image storage function for each image data;
The time limit management function sets a display time limit of image data in the image storage function when a first predetermined period elapses, and stops displaying the image after the first predetermined period elapses. server.   When the image data stored by the image storage function is browsed by the user terminal before the display time limit of the image data, the time limit management function displays the image data accessed for browsing. 2. The image server according to claim 1, wherein the display deadline is reset when a second predetermined period elapses with reference to the viewing date of the image data, and the display of the image data is stopped after the second predetermined period elapses. . And an order receiving function for receiving an order from the user terminal,
And when the order by the user terminal is made before the display time limit of the image data for the image data stored by the image storage function, the time limit management function performs the order. The display deadline of image data is reset when a third predetermined period elapses with reference to the order date of the image data, and the display of the image data is stopped after the third predetermined period elapses. The image server described.   The time limit management function uses the time when a predetermined non-display period is added to the first, second, and third predetermined periods as image data storage time limits, and sets the image data that has passed the storage time limits as the image data. The image server according to claim 1, wherein the image server is deleted from the storage function. An image management method in an image network system for receiving image data and an order from a user terminal via a communication network,
The image data supplied from the user terminal is stored and can be displayed via the user terminal. When the display time limit of the image data elapses, the display of the image data is stopped, and a predetermined non-display is performed. An image management method for deleting the image data after a period has elapsed.

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