JP2008283344A - On-line information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-line information providing method which suitably limits provision of additional information of an image. <P>SOLUTION: The on-line information providing method includes: registering image information comprising the image and additional information and providing information for browsing the registered image to external equipment in response to a request from the external equipment. The method includes: a process S101 of accepting a request for the additional information that the image information has; a process S102 of informing the registration source of the image information that the request for the additional information has been accepted; a process S103 of receiving the information from the registration source; and processes S104 and S105 of determining whether the additional information can be provided to the external equipment according to the information received from the registration source. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an online information providing service via the Web or the like.

  A camera that receives a signal from a GPS satellite and measures a shooting position is known (see Patent Document 1). There is also known an electronic camera that is wirelessly connected to an external device and transfers a captured image file to the external device in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol (see Patent Document 2). On the other hand, a service called “Web” that searches and provides information on the Internet using hypertext is known. In this system, content is registered in a Web server having an Internet protocol (IP) address, and the content registered in the Web server is searched from a terminal connected to the Internet using a browsing program. The content registration location is called a website.

  According to the Web, it is possible to prepare content including a photographed image on a Web site, and permit a terminal that accesses the Web site to view the image.

JP 2006-148514 A JP 2001-111184 A

  If, for example, shooting position information is recorded together with a shot image in an image file registered on the site side, it may not be desired to specify the shooting position of the image on the terminal side that browses the image.

(1) The invention of claim 1 is applied to an online information providing method for registering image information having an image and additional information, and providing information for browsing the registered image to the external device in response to a request from the external device. The Processing for receiving a request for additional information included in image information, processing for transmitting a request for additional information to the registration source of image information, processing for receiving information from the registration source, and information received from the registration source And a process for determining whether or not to provide additional information to an external device.
(2) In the online information providing method according to claim 1, it is preferable that the information received from the registration source includes information indicating a storage position of the additional information.
(3) In the online information providing method according to claim 1, it is preferable that the information received from the registration source includes information necessary for browsing the additional information.
(4) The invention of claim 4 is applied to an online information providing method for registering image information having an image and additional information and providing information for browsing the registered image to the external device in response to a request from the external device. The A process for receiving from the registration source of the image information, a process for receiving a request for the additional information included in the image information, a process for receiving the request for the additional information included in the image information, And a process for determining whether or not to provide additional information to an external device in accordance with an instruction received from a registration source.
(5) In the on-line information providing method according to claim 4, it is preferable that provision of availability information includes provision of additional information to all external devices.
(6) In the on-line information providing method according to the fourth aspect, it is preferable that the provisional availability instruction includes the impossibility of providing additional information to all external devices.
(7) In the on-line information providing method according to claim 4, it is preferable that the provision availability instruction includes the provision of additional information to an external device that matches information registered in advance.
(8) In the online information providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the additional information may be information indicating a shooting location of the image.

  In the online information providing method according to the present invention, provision of additional information about an image can be appropriately limited.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information providing system including an electronic camera 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the information provision system, a service provider who operates a communication site uses information written on an electronic bulletin board in the site by a service user or information about an image registered on the site by a service user. It is a system to provide to the person. In FIG. 1, a management server 11, a terminal (PC) 12, and an access point 13 are connected to the network.

  The management server 11 is arranged in a data center or the like by a service provider. The management server 11 manages management information for each service user, registered image information, writing information, and the like. Information recording is performed by a recording device (not shown). The PC 12 is an Internet access terminal (for example, a personal computer) held by a service user at home or the like, and is configured to be accessible to the management server 11 via the Internet.

  The access point 13 is a wireless access terminal provided in a traffic terminal or a store by a service provider or a communication carrier. When the electronic camera 10 has a communication function, the service user can access the management server 11 via the access point 13.

In the information providing system, the service user accesses the management server 11 in any of the following modes and uses the information providing service.
(1) The service user uses the information providing service by connecting to the Internet from the terminal 12. The electronic camera 10 and the terminal 12 are connected by a USB cable or the like so that data in the electronic camera 10 can be transmitted to the management server 11.

(2) The service user connects to the Internet from the terminal 12 and uses the information providing service. The recording medium 10A mounted on the electronic camera 10 is taken out from the electronic camera 10 and mounted in a card slot (not shown) of the terminal 12 so that data in the recording medium 10A can be transmitted to the management server 11. In this case, connection between the electronic camera 10 and the terminal 12 is unnecessary.

(3) The service user connects the electronic camera 10 to the Internet via the access point 13 and uses the information providing service. The electronic camera 10 that has established communication with the access point 13 enables data in the electronic camera 10 to be transmitted to the management server 11.

(4) A service user uses an information providing service by connecting to the Internet from a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone (not shown). When the mobile phone has a camera function, the captured image data can be transmitted to the management server 11.

  The information providing system described above groups images registered by service users into predetermined area units according to the shooting location of the image. The shooting location information is the location information recorded as Exif information of the registered image file (for example, location information acquired using a GPS device at the time of shooting), or input by the service user when the image is registered Use location information (address, etc.).

  A service user writes information on the bulletin board provided for each predetermined area in the communication site to exchange information in the vicinity of the shooting location with other service users, or to other service users. Browse images registered by.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the main configuration of the electronic camera 10. In FIG. 2, a timing generator (TG) 105 sends timing signals to a driver 104, an AFE (Analog Front End) circuit 102, an A / D conversion circuit 103, and an image processing circuit 106 in accordance with an instruction sent from the main CPU 108. Supply. The driver 104 supplies a drive signal required by the image sensor 101.

  The photographing lens L forms a subject image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 101. The image sensor 101 includes a CCD image sensor having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to pixels, captures a subject image formed on the imaging surface, and performs photoelectric conversion according to the brightness of the subject image. Output a signal.

  The AFE circuit 102 performs analog processing (such as gain control) on the photoelectric conversion signal output from the image sensor 101. The A / D conversion circuit 103 converts the image pickup signal after analog processing into a digital signal.

  The main CPU 108 receives a signal output from each block, performs a predetermined calculation, and outputs a control signal based on the calculation result to each block. The image processing circuit 106 is configured as an ASIC, for example, and performs image processing on the digital image signal input from the A / D conversion circuit 103. The image processing includes, for example, contour enhancement, color temperature adjustment (white balance adjustment) processing, and format conversion processing for an image signal.

  The image compression circuit 107 performs image compression processing at a predetermined compression ratio on the image signal processed by the image processing circuit 106 by the JPEG method. The display image creation circuit 110 creates display data for displaying the captured image on the liquid crystal monitor 111. The liquid crystal monitor 111 displays a reproduced image based on the display data input from the display image creation circuit 110. The display image creation circuit 110 creates data for displaying messages, menus, marks, etc., in addition to image display data. Thereby, information other than an image is also displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111.

  The recording medium 10 </ b> A includes a memory card that can be attached to and detached from the electronic camera 10. The recording medium 10A records captured image data and an image file including the captured information according to an instruction from the main CPU. The image file recorded on the recording medium 10A can be read by an instruction from the main CPU.

  The buffer memory 109 temporarily stores data before and after image processing and in the middle of image processing, stores an image file before recording on the recording medium 10A, and stores an image file read from the recording medium 10A. Used as work memory.

  The operation member 113 corresponds to the operation buttons of the electronic camera 10 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the pressing operation of each button to the main CPU 108. The wireless interface 116 transmits / receives data to / from an external device (such as a terminal provided in the access point 13) according to an instruction from the main CPU 108 by any one of communication methods such as wireless LAN communication, infrared communication, and optical communication. The external interface 112 transmits / receives data to / from an external device (such as a personal computer or a cradle) according to an instruction from the main CPU 108 via a cable (not shown).

  The GPS device 114 receives radio waves from GPS satellites according to instructions from the main CPU 108 and outputs received signals to the main CPU 108. The main CPU 108 performs a predetermined calculation based on the received signal from the GPS device 114 and detects the positioning information (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the electronic camera 10.

  The direction sensor 115 detects the geomagnetism in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU 108, and obtains and obtains the direction in which the electronic camera 10 faces, that is, the direction in which the optical axis of the photographing lens L faces based on the detected geomagnetism. A signal indicating the azimuth is output to the main CPU. The azimuth detected by the azimuth sensor 115 corresponds to the shooting azimuth taken by the electronic camera 10.

  The electronic camera 10 is configured to generate an image file in which additional information including positioning information, information indicating the type of a mark, which will be described later, and information regarding the captured image is added to the image data acquired at the time of shooting. Yes. Specifically, an image file in Exif format is generated in which image data in JPEG format is stored in the image data portion and additional information is stored in the additional information portion.

<Electronic camera playback display>
A reproduction operation in which the electronic camera 10 displays information on the liquid crystal monitor 111 using an image file will be described by taking the display on the liquid crystal monitor 111 as an example. FIG. 3 is a view of the electronic camera 10 as viewed from the liquid crystal monitor 111 (back surface) side. In FIG. 3, a liquid crystal monitor 111 is provided on the back of the electronic camera 10, and a zoom switch 113b, a menu switch 113c, other operation switches 113d, 113e, 113g, and a dial 113f are provided on the side of the liquid crystal monitor 111. The dial 113f configured in a ring shape generates a rotation operation signal corresponding to the rotation operation and a pressed position signal corresponding to the pressing operation. The determination switch 113g is disposed at the center of the dial 113f. A release button 113a is disposed on the upper surface of the electronic camera 10.

A map image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111. For example, the electronic camera 10 displays, on the liquid crystal monitor 111, a map of an area corresponding to an item designated by the menu setting among the following five items.
1. 1. Map including the current location of electronic camera 10 (position calculated based on received signal from GPS device 114) 2. Last (previous) area map displayed on the LCD monitor 111 3. Map including the position (calculated based on the received signal from the GPS device 114) measured at the time of the last (previous) shooting Map of predetermined area 5. Map of area indicated by operation signal from operation member 113

  Map information necessary for displaying a map image is configured to be received from an external device via the wireless interface 116 or the external interface 112. The received map data can also be recorded on the recording medium 10A.

  In the display image of the liquid crystal monitor 111 illustrated in FIG. 3, a mark 21 to a mark 26, a pointer 31, and a frame number display 32 are displayed on the map image, respectively. The marks 21 to 26 indicate that an image photographed at a position corresponding to each mark exists in the electronic camera 10. Specifically, when an image file stored in association with positioning information corresponding to the display positions of the marks 21 to 26 is recorded in the recording medium 10A, the position (indicated by the positioning information) of the electronic camera 10 ( The mark is displayed at (shooting position).

  In addition to the normal circle mark, a mark selected from each of a plurality of types having different shapes and colors, such as a restaurant mark 21 and a heart mark 22, is displayed for each shooting position. The electronic camera 10 reads information indicating the type of mark recorded in the recording medium 10 </ b> A in association with the photographed image, and displays the type of mark indicated by the read information superimposed on the map image on the liquid crystal monitor 111.

  The display size of the mark is controlled so as to change according to the number of images photographed at the position corresponding to the mark. For example, the electronic camera 10 displays a large mark when adjacent marks overlap or when the number of images taken at the same position is large.

  The display range of the map image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111 (that is, the map scale ratio) changes according to the operation signal from the zoom switch 113b. The electronic camera 10 performs display control so that the scale factor is decreased (enlarged display) when the zoom switch 113b is operated to the tele side (T), and is increased (reduced display) when the zoom switch 113b is operated to the wide side (W). To do.

  The electronic camera 10 divides and displays the large mark displayed before the enlarged display into a plurality of small marks when the overlapping of adjacent marks can be eliminated by reducing the scale ratio of the map image.

  The pointer 31 is display-controlled so as to be movable within the display screen of the liquid crystal monitor 111. The electronic camera 10 moves the pointer 31 smoothly in the direction of the pressed position in response to the pressed position signal from the dial 113f. For example, when the right side of the dial 113f is pressed, the pointer 31 is moved rightward from the current display position. When the right side of the dial 113f continues to be pressed, the pointer 31 is moved further to the right side. When the right side of the dial 113f is further pressed with the pointer 31 reaching the right side of the display screen, the map image to be displayed is moved to the left. Scroll. As a result, the right side portion on which the map image is not displayed is newly displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111.

  The electronic camera 10 similarly performs display control when the upper side, the left side, and the lower side of the dial 113f are pressed. In addition, when the diagonally upper side and the diagonally lower side of the dial 113f are pressed, display control is performed so that the map image scrolls in each direction.

  The electronic camera 10 further moves the pointer 31 when the dial 113f is rotated. In this case, the pointer 31 moves directly so as to jump between marks displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111. For example, when the dial 113f is rotated clockwise, the electronic camera 10 moves the pointer 31 from the current display position to the nearest mark. When the dial 113f is further rotated clockwise, the pointer 31 is moved directly from the current display position onto the mark on the right side. On the other hand, when the dial 113f is rotated counterclockwise, the pointer 31 is directly moved from the current display position onto the left mark. Note that the pointer 31 may be moved from the current display position to another mark in the shooting order of the image corresponding to the mark indicating the shooting location in accordance with the menu setting operation. When the dial 113f is rotated clockwise, the pointer 31 is moved onto a mark indicating the shooting location of an image captured later, and when the dial 113f is rotated counterclockwise, the previously captured image is displayed. The pointer 31 is moved onto the mark indicating the shooting location.

  When a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) elapses with the pointer 31 overlaid on the mark, the electronic camera 10 reads out a thumbnail image shot at a position corresponding to the mark from the recording medium 10A and displays the liquid crystal. Display on the monitor 111. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display image on the liquid crystal monitor 111 in this case. In FIG. 4, a pointer 31 is overlaid on the mark 23, and a thumbnail image and a shooting date and time are overlaid on the map image at a position where the mark 23 and the pointer 31 are not hidden.

  When the determination switch 113g is pressed while the thumbnail image 41 is displayed, the electronic camera 10 greatly enlarges the display size of the thumbnail image 41 to display the entire display range of the liquid crystal monitor 111 (full screen display). When the zoom switch 113b is pressed during full screen display, the electronic camera 10 returns to the thumbnail image display (FIG. 4) before full screen display.

  When the pointer 31 is overlaid on a large mark (the number of images photographed at the same position is large) for a predetermined time, the electronic camera 10 receives a plurality of thumbnail images photographed at positions corresponding to the mark from the recording medium 10A. The data is read and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display image on the liquid crystal monitor 111 in this case. In FIG. 5, a pointer 31 is overlaid on the mark 26, and a plurality of thumbnail images 42 to 44 and shooting dates / times are overlaid on the map image at a position where the mark 26 and the pointer 31 are not hidden.

  When the determination switch 113g is pressed while a plurality of thumbnail images 42 to 44 are displayed, the electronic camera 10 selects, for example, the thumbnail image 42 and displays it in a manner different from other thumbnail images. For example, the color of the shooting date / time display portion is changed between the selected image and the non-selected image, or the selected thumbnail image is displayed in color and the non-selected thumbnail image is displayed in monochrome.

  The electronic camera 10 smoothly moves the selected position in the plurality of thumbnail images in the vertical direction in response to the pressed position signal from the dial 113f. For example, when the lower side of the dial 113f is pressed, the selected position is moved downward. If the lower side of the dial 113f continues to be pressed, the selected position is moved further downward, and the lower side of the dial 113f is further pressed in a state where the selected position has reached the lower side of the display screen (the thumbnail image 44 in FIG. 5). In this case, the thumbnail image to be displayed is scrolled upward. As a result, a thumbnail image that has not been displayed is newly displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 111, and this thumbnail image is selected.

  When the determination switch 113g is pressed while any thumbnail image is selected, the electronic camera 10 greatly enlarges the display size of the thumbnail image and displays the entire display range of the liquid crystal monitor 111 (full screen). display). When the zoom switch 113b is pressed during full screen display, the electronic camera 10 returns to the thumbnail image display before the full screen display. In this case, the selected position is maintained.

  When the zoom switch 113b is further pressed, the electronic camera 10 deselects any thumbnail image displayed in the list and returns to the thumbnail image display of FIG. As a result, the pressed position signal from the dial 113f is handled as an instruction to move the pointer 31.

<Information provided to service user terminals>
When the service user terminal 12 accesses the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the management server 11 of the information providing system, the management server 11 displays the top page screen illustrated in FIG. 6 on a display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. Let In this description, illustration and description of buttons (for example, “forward”, “back”, “home”, etc.) provided by the browsing program on the terminal 12 side are omitted.

  In FIG. 6, menu buttons 61 to 64 are displayed at the top of the screen, respectively. The button 61 is a button for requesting information necessary for displaying the top page screen from the terminal 12 to the management server 11. The button 62 is a button for requesting information necessary for displaying a My Page screen described later. The button 63 is a button for requesting information necessary for displaying an image registration page screen described later. The button 64 is a button for requesting information necessary for displaying a photo search page screen described later. The buttons 61 to 64 have links to corresponding page screen information.

  In the new arrival box 65, thumbnails of images newly registered in the management server 11 by the service user are displayed. Each thumbnail in the box 65 has a link to the detailed display data of the corresponding registered image. In the notice box 66, notice information from the service provider to the service user is displayed. The notification information includes a link to display information of the corresponding notification content. A pointer 131 is also displayed on the screen. The display position of the pointer 131 is controlled by the terminal 12 in accordance with an operation signal from a pointer operation member (not shown).

<My Page>
When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to the button 62 (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the button 62) from the terminal 12, the management server 11 displays a My Page screen on a display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a My Page screen of the user name “Taro” displayed on the terminal 12. In FIG. 7, buttons 61 to 64 are the same as those in FIG. The user image 71 displays a photograph or an illustration registered in the management server 11 as “Taro”. In the photo history box 72, the history information of the photos registered in the management server 11 by “Taro” is displayed. In the friend list box 73, friend information registered in the management server 11 by “Taro” is displayed. The friend information in the friend list box 73 is linked to the page screen data of the corresponding friend.

  The friend's photo box 74 displays image information newly registered in the management server 11 by the friend. The image information includes a link to detailed display data of the corresponding registered image. In the participating community box 75, the name of the community in which “Taro” participates is displayed. In the present embodiment, a community is formed for each predetermined area. When the service user registers an image in the management server 11, the service user automatically participates in the community including the shooting location of the image. In the case of this example, “Taro” registers an image taken in “Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture” and an image taken in “Shibuya-ku, Tokyo”, and thus participates in these local communities.

  The shooting location is specified by the management server 11 using the positioning information included in the registered image file. Each community name in the participating community box 75 has a link to the corresponding writing screen data. In the question box 76, question information written by the service user is displayed. Each question information in the question box 76 has a link to the corresponding writing screen data.

<Friend's Page>
When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to a friend name (for example, “Sachiko”) in the friend list box 73 (FIG. 7) (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the friend name) from the terminal 12, the friend Is displayed on a display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a page screen of “Sachiko” displayed on the terminal 12. The friend image 81 displays a photograph or an illustration registered in the management server 11 as “Sachiko”. In the friend list box 83, friend information registered in the management server 11 by “Sachiko” is displayed. The friend information in the friend list box 83 is linked to the page screen data of the corresponding friend. The photo history box 82 displays the history information of the photos registered by “Sachiko”. The history information in the photo history box 82 is linked to the detailed display data of the corresponding registered image.

<Community>
The management server 11 receives a signal (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the community name) corresponding to the community name (for example, “Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture”) in the participating community box 75 (FIG. 7) from the terminal 12. The community screen is displayed on the display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a community screen. In FIG. 9, “Hanako” who read “Taro” (top) writes a comment (middle), and “Taro” who reads “Hanako” writes further comments (lower). The first “Taro” written (upper) content is a comment associated with the registered image when “Taro” registers the image, and “No. 13339” is a number indicating the registered image. In each writing column, “write comment” has a link to comment writing screen data.

  In the writing of “Hanako” (middle), information “Nikko City No. 9894, Tochigi Prefecture” indicating the registered image is included. If the registered content is included in the written content, the management server 11 uses the map data corresponding to the location where the registered image was taken for that image information (in this example, “Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture No. 9894”). Create a link to

<Map display>
When the image is registered by the service user, the management server 11 of the present embodiment acquires and manages the map image display data of the area where the community is formed as described above from another map image management server (not shown). To do. When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to “Nikko City No. 9894 in Tochigi Prefecture (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the image information) from the terminal 12, the corresponding map image is displayed on the display device of the terminal 12. (Not shown).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a map image display on the terminal 12. In FIG. 10, the shooting location mark 121 and the pointer 131 are displayed on the map image in the same manner as in the playback display of the electronic camera illustrated in FIG. A mark 121 indicates the shooting position of the registered image “No. 9894”. The management server 11 adds a mark 121 to the map image using information indicating the type of mark included in the registered image file. The mark 121 has a link to the corresponding thumbnail display data. Further, the mark 121 is displayed with transparency rather than being filled so that the notation content of the map image can be understood.

  Note that when a plurality of shooting locations are included in the map range being displayed, a plurality of marks 121 are added to the map image, and the size of the mark 121 is set to the number of images shot at the position corresponding to the mark. The point to be changed accordingly is the same as in the case of <reproduction display of electronic camera 10>.

  As an example of a standard for collecting the shooting location marks 121 into one, for example, shooting locations included in a circle with a radius of 10 m on a map with a scale of 1/3000 are collected by one mark 121. In this case, the coordinates of the point serving as the center of the circle are determined in advance on the map. Note that the coordinates of the center of the circle may be sequentially determined around the shooting location of the first registered (posted) image.

  When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to the shooting location mark 121 (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the mark 121) from the terminal 12, the map image so that the corresponding thumbnail 141 covers a part of the mark 121. Display overlaid on top. The thumbnail 141 includes additional information. The supplementary notes are part of “Comments” described later. FIG. 10 illustrates this state. The thumbnail 141 has a link to the detailed display data of the corresponding registered image.

  It should be noted that when the pointer 131 is overlaid on a large display mark (the number of images taken at or near the same position), a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed side by side as in the case of <playback display of electronic camera 10>. It is the same. In this case, the supplementary item is displayed only for the thumbnail on which the pointer 131 is superimposed.

<Browsing images>
When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to the thumbnail 141 (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the thumbnail 141) from the terminal 12, the management server 11 displays the corresponding registered image on the display device of the terminal 12. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a detailed display screen for registered images. In FIG. 11, when “Hanako” who is the registrant of the registered image registers an image, the content of “comment” associated with the image is displayed as a comment 154. “No. 9894” in the upper part of the comment 154 is the registration number of the image.

  In the lower part of the comment 154, “Write Comment” is linked to the comment writing screen data, so that other users who have seen the comment can also make new writing. In the comment 154 by “Hanako”, information “No. 9895” and “No. 9896” indicating registered images are included. When the registered information is included in the written contents, the management server 11 displays the details of the registered images corresponding to the image information (in this example, “No. 9895” and “No. 9896”). Create a link to the data.

  When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to “No. 9895” or “No. 9896” (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the image information) from the terminal 12, the management server 11 receives the corresponding registered image of the terminal 12. It is displayed on a display device (not shown). The display screen in this case is the same as in FIG.

<Question>
When the management server 11 receives a signal (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the question information) corresponding to the question information (for example, “No. 10234”) in the question box 76 (FIG. 7) from the terminal 12, The question screen is displayed on a display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a question screen. In FIG. 12, “Taro” who read “Yoshiko” (top question) writes a comment (bottom answer).

  In the writing of “Taro” (lower answer), information “Nikko City No. 13339, Tochigi Prefecture” indicating the registered image is included. If the registered information is included in the written content, the management server 11 uses the map data corresponding to the shooting location of the registered image for the image information (in this example, “Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture No. 13339”). Create a link to In addition, a link to comment writing screen data is provided in “Reply” in each writing column.

  When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to “Nikko City No. 13339, Tochigi Prefecture” (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the image information) from the terminal 12, the corresponding map image is displayed on the display device of the terminal 12. (Not shown). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another map image display.

  In FIG. 13, a shooting location mark 121 and a pointer 131 are displayed on the map image, respectively. A point where the mark 121 indicates the shooting position of the registered image “No. 13339”, a point where the mark 121 is added to the map image using information indicating the type of the mark in the registered image file, and a thumbnail display corresponding to the mark 121 The point that the link to the data is established is the same as in the case of FIG.

<Browsing photos of friends>
When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to the image information in the friend's photo box 74 (FIG. 7) (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the image information) from the terminal 12, the management server 11 receives the corresponding registered image. It is displayed on 12 display devices (not shown). The display screen in this case is the same as in FIG.

<Image registration>
When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to the button 63 (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the button 63) from the terminal 12, the management server 11 displays a photo posting screen on a display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a photo posting screen displayed on the terminal 12. In FIG. 14, buttons 61 to 64 are the same as those in FIGS.

  When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to the button 142 (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the button 142) from the terminal 12, the management server 11 displays an input window (not shown) on a display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. . The user inputs path information indicating the storage location of the image file to be registered (posted) in the window. The terminal 12 reads the image file based on the input path information and displays the thumbnail 143 on a display device (not shown).

  The user inputs information associated with the image file to be registered (posted) into the information input table 144. The input information includes at least a user name: a nickname (for example, “Taro”), an address, a title name, an instruction for handling Exif information, and a comment.

  In this embodiment, when no address is input, the address is automatically generated using the positioning information of the image file to be registered (posted). In addition, when the address input by the user and the automatically generated address do not match, it is possible to select which one is to be preferentially selected by an instruction from the user.

  In the present embodiment, as the handling of Exif information, it is possible to select whether or not GPS information (in this case, shooting position information) can be viewed together with a registered image. When “publish” is checked in the information input table 144, the management server 11 enables all of the service users to view the shooting position information. Specifically, on the display screen of the registered image illustrated in FIG. 11, the Exif information display field 153 is displayed including position information such as latitude and longitude.

  When “Only friends” is checked in the information input table 144, the management server 11 shoots only the friends registered in the friend's friend list box 73 (FIG. 7) among the service users. The location information can be browsed. For service users who are not friends, position information such as latitude and longitude in the Exif information display field 153 illustrated in FIG. 11 is blank-displayed.

  When “Do not publish” is checked in the information input table 144, the management server 11 prohibits viewing of the shooting position information from all of the service users. In this case, position information such as latitude and longitude in the Exif information display field 153 illustrated in FIG. 11 is displayed blank for all service users.

  In addition, it is possible to select whether or not the Exif information other than the GPS information can be viewed together with the registered image. When “publish” is checked in the information input table 144, the management server 11 enables all of the service users to view shooting information (such as setting information of the camera that shot the image). Specifically, the shooting information is displayed in the Exif information display field 153 illustrated in FIG.

  If “only friends” is checked in the information input table 144, the management server 11 shoots only the friends registered in the contributor's friend list box 73 (FIG. 7) among the service users. Information can be browsed. For the service user who is not a friend, shooting information and the like in the Exif information display field 153 illustrated in FIG.

  When “Do not publish” is checked in the information input table 144, the management server 11 makes it impossible to view shooting information and the like for all of the service users. In this case, the shooting information and the like in the Exif information display field 153 illustrated in FIG. 11 are displayed blank for all service users.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram exemplifying a display screen when displaying a registered image in which “Only friends” is checked in the information input table 144 and registered. In FIG. 15, the management server 11 displays a password input box 151 on a display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. A friend (for example, “Hanako”, “Sachiko”) registered as a friend list is informed of a password for browsing GPS information of “Taro” in advance. The management server 11 displays the position information illustrated in FIG. 11 on the display device of the terminal 12 only when correct password information is received from the terminal 12 operated by “Hanako” or “Sachiko”.

  In addition, if it is a browsing request from the terminal 12 to which a friend registered in the friend list box 73 (FIG. 7) of the poster has logged in, the GPS information may be browsed without using a password.

  Furthermore, when using the information providing service by connecting to the Internet from a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or the terminal 12, it is possible to select whether or not the Exif information can be transferred together with the registered image. When “permit” is checked in the information input table 144, the management server 11 transfers the registered image including the Exif information when transferring the registered image to the mobile terminal or the like. The management server 11 when “not permitted” is checked in the information input table 144 transfers the registered image without including the Exif information.

  The information input in the “comment” field in the information input table 144 is displayed when the registered image is displayed as a thumbnail as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 13, and when the registered image is displayed in detail as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 15. Are displayed together with images.

  The management server 11 is configured to transfer an image for which a predetermined period has elapsed after registration to a storage server (not shown) called a log warehouse. In addition, even if the elapsed period after registration is less than the predetermined period, images that are not viewed by the service user (or the number of browsing times does not reach the predetermined number) or the number of registered images exceeds the predetermined number The image having the old registration date may be sequentially transferred to the log warehouse. When transferring the registered image to the log warehouse, the service user is notified by e-mail or notification information provided on the “My Page screen”.

<Image search>
When the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to the button 64 (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the button 64) from the terminal 12, the management server 11 displays a photo search screen on a display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a photo search screen displayed on the terminal 12. In FIG. 16, buttons 61 to 64 are the same as those in FIGS. 6, 7, and 14. In the present embodiment, when a service user views a registered image: 1. Search from the map 2. Search by place name Any one of the search methods from the search word can be selected.

(Search from map)
When “search from map” is checked in the photo search screen, when receiving a signal corresponding to the search button 161 (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the button 161) from the terminal 12, the management server 11 A known wide area map is displayed on a display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. The service user operates a pointer operation member (not shown) to designate an arbitrary area on the wide area map screen. When the management server 11 receives a signal indicating the designated position from the terminal 12, the management server 11 displays a detailed map including the designated position on the display device of the terminal 12. By repeating this, an area map desired by the service user is displayed on the service user's terminal 12 at a scale desired by the service user.

  If the map displayed on the display device of the terminal 12 includes the shooting location of the registered image, the management server 11 displays the shooting location mark 121 on the map image. As a result, the map images illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 13 are displayed on the display device (not shown) of the terminal 12 of the service user. The point to link to the thumbnail display data corresponding to the mark 121 and the processing after displaying the map image (the thumbnail display of the registered image taken at the point indicated by the mark 121, the detailed display of the registered image, etc.) The contents are the same as those described in the section <Map display>.

(Search by place name)
When “search by place name” is checked in the photo search screen, when receiving a signal corresponding to the search button 161 (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the button 161) from the terminal 12, the management server 11 An input box (not shown) is displayed on a display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. The service user operates an operation member (not shown) to input arbitrary location information (address, postal code, or landline number).

  When the management server 11 receives a signal indicating the location information from the terminal 12, the management server 11 displays a detailed map including the corresponding area on the display device of the terminal 12. Thereby, a map of the area desired by the service user is displayed on the service user's terminal 12. A point at which the shooting location mark 121 is displayed over the displayed map, a point at which a link to thumbnail display data corresponding to the mark 121 is provided, and processing after the map image is displayed (taken at the point indicated by the mark 121). The thumbnail display of the registered image, the detailed display of the registered image, etc.) are the same as the contents described in the section <Map display>.

(Search by search word)
When receiving from the terminal 12 a signal indicating that “Search by search word” is checked on the photo search screen, the management server 11 displays the word input boxes 162 to 164 as shown in FIG. ). The service user inputs an arbitrary word into at least one of the input boxes 162 to 164 by operating an operation member (not shown). Further, when the management server 11 receives a signal corresponding to the search button 161 (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the button 161) from the terminal 12, the management server 11 extracts and extracts a registered image that matches the input word. The result is displayed on the display device of the service user's terminal 12 as illustrated in FIG.

  When a word is input to the input box 162, the management server 11 extracts a registered image in which the information input in the “title” column in the information input table 144 matches the input word. When a word is input in the input box 163, a registered image in which the information input in the “nickname” field in the information input table 144 matches the input word is extracted. Further, when a word is input to the input box 164, a registered image in which at least a part of the information input in the “comment” field in the information input table 144 matches the input word is extracted. When a word is input to two or more of the input boxes 162 to 164, the management server 11 further extracts duplicate images from registered images extracted under the respective conditions.

  In FIG. 17, the management server 11 displays the details of the registered image corresponding to the display of the extracted image information (in this example, “No. 10110 2006/05/02” and “No. 10111 2006/05/04”). Create a link to the display data. The management server 11 sends a signal corresponding to “No. 10110 2006/05/02” or “No. 10111 2006/05/04” (a signal indicating that the pointer 131 is superimposed on the image information) from the terminal 12. When received, the corresponding registered image is displayed on the display device (not shown) of the terminal 12. As a result, the registered image is displayed in detail as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 15.

<Display control by management server>
Screen transitions displayed on the display device (not shown) of the terminal 12 described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When accessed from the terminal 12, the management server 11 starts the process illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 18 and controls the display content of the terminal 12 as follows. Note that in this description, the flow by the operation of buttons (for example, “forward”, “back”, “close”, etc.) generated by the browsing program on the terminal 12 side is omitted.

  In step S11 of FIG. 18, the management server 11 displays a top page screen on the terminal 12, and proceeds to step S12 (FIG. 6). In step S12, the management server 11 determines whether or not a button is clicked on the terminal 12 side. When the management server 11 requests page screen information corresponding to any of the buttons 62 to 64 from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes an affirmative decision in step S12 and proceeds to step S13. If the management server 11 does not request the page screen information corresponding to the buttons 62 to 64 from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S12 and proceeds to step S14.

  In step S13, the management server 11 causes the terminal 12 to display a corresponding My Page screen (FIG. 7), a photo posting screen (FIG. 14), and a photo search screen (FIG. 16). The management server 11 displaying the My Page screen (FIG. 7) proceeds to step S21 in FIG. 19, and the management server 11 displaying the photo posting screen (FIG. 14) proceeds to step S61 in FIG. The management server 11 displaying FIG. 16) proceeds to step S71 in FIG.

  In step S14, the management server 11 determines whether or not a thumbnail has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. If the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a positive determination in step S14 and proceeds to step S15. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S14 and proceeds to step S16.

  In step S15, the management server 11 displays the corresponding map image on the terminal 12 (FIGS. 10 and 13), and proceeds to step S51 in FIG. On the other hand, in step S16, the management server 11 determines whether or not the notification display has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. If the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a positive determination in step S16 and proceeds to step S17. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S16 and returns to step S12. In step S <b> 17, the management server 11 displays corresponding notification information on the terminal 12.

  In step S21 in FIG. 19, the management server 11 determines whether or not the button has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. When the management server 11 requests page screen information corresponding to any of the buttons 61, 63, and 64 from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a positive determination in step S21 and proceeds to step S22. When the management server 11 does not request the page screen information corresponding to the buttons 61, 63, and 64 from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S21 and proceeds to step S23.

  In step S22, the management server 11 causes the terminal 12 to display a corresponding top page screen (FIG. 6), photo posting screen (FIG. 14), and photo search screen (FIG. 16). The management server 11 displaying the top page screen (FIG. 6) proceeds to step S12 in FIG. 18, and the management server 11 displaying the photo posting screen (FIG. 14) proceeds to step S61 in FIG. The management server 11 displaying FIG. 16) proceeds to step S71 in FIG.

  In step S23, the management server 11 determines whether or not the friend information display is clicked on the terminal 12 side. If the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes an affirmative decision in step S23 and proceeds to step S24. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S23 and proceeds to step S25. In step S24, the management server 11 displays the page screen of the corresponding friend on the terminal 12 (FIG. 8), and proceeds to step S31 in FIG.

  In step S25, the management server 11 determines whether or not the community name display has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. If the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a positive determination in step S25 and proceeds to step S26. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S25 and proceeds to step S27. In step S26, the management server 11 displays the corresponding community screen on the terminal 12 (FIG. 9), and proceeds to step S41 of FIG.

  In step S27, the management server 11 determines whether or not a friend's image information display has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. If the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a positive determination in step S27 and proceeds to step S28. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S27 and proceeds to step S29. In step S28, the management server 11 displays the corresponding registered image in detail on the terminal 12 (FIGS. 11 and 15).

  In step S29, the management server 11 determines whether or not the question information display is clicked on the terminal 12 side. When the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes an affirmative decision in step S29 and proceeds to step S30. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S29 and returns to step S21. In step S30, the management server 11 displays a corresponding question screen on the terminal 12 (FIG. 12).

  In step S31 of FIG. 20, the management server 11 determines whether or not the friend information display is clicked on the terminal 12 side. When the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes an affirmative decision in step S31 and proceeds to step S24 in FIG. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S31 and proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the management server 11 determines whether or not a friend's image information display has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. When the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a positive determination in step S32 and proceeds to step S28 in FIG. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S32 and returns to step S31.

  In step S41 of FIG. 21, the management server 11 determines whether or not a “write comment” display has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. When the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a positive determination in step S41 and proceeds to step S42. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S41 and proceeds to step S43. In step S <b> 42, the management server 11 displays a writing screen on the terminal 12. When receiving the write information from the terminal 12, the management server 11 displays the content on the community screen.

  In step S43, it is determined whether or not the image information display has been clicked on the management server 11 and the terminal 12 side. When the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a positive determination in step S43 and proceeds to step S15 in FIG. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S43 and returns to step S41.

  In step S <b> 51 of FIG. 22, the management server 11 determines whether or not the pointer 131 is superimposed on the shooting location mark 121. When the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a positive determination in step S51, and proceeds to step S52. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S51 and repeats the determination process.

  In step S52, the management server 11 displays the corresponding thumbnail image on the map image, and proceeds to step S53. In step S53, the management server 11 determines whether or not the thumbnail display has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. When the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes an affirmative decision in step S53 and proceeds to step S54. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S53 and returns to step S51. In step S54, the management server 11 displays the corresponding registered image in detail on the terminal 12 (FIGS. 11 and 15).

  In step S61 in FIG. 23, the management server 11 determines whether or not the button has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. When requested by the terminal 12 for page screen information corresponding to any of the buttons 61, 62 and 64, the management server 11 makes an affirmative decision in step S61 and proceeds to step S62. If the management server 11 does not request the page screen information corresponding to the buttons 61, 62, and 64 from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S61 and proceeds to step S63.

  In step S62, the management server 11 causes the terminal 12 to display a corresponding top page screen (FIG. 6), my page screen (FIG. 7), and photo search screen (FIG. 16). The management server 11 displaying the top page screen (FIG. 6) proceeds to step S12 in FIG. 18, and the management server 11 displaying the my page screen (FIG. 7) proceeds to step S21 in FIG. The management server 11 displaying FIG. 16) proceeds to step S71 in FIG.

  In step S63, the management server 11 determines whether or not an OK button 145 (FIG. 14) has been clicked. When receiving the registration information from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes an affirmative decision in step S63 and proceeds to step S64. If the management server 11 has not received registration information from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S63 and repeats the determination process. In step S64, the management server 11 registers the image file corresponding to the registration information, and returns to step S61.

  In step S71 of FIG. 24, the management server 11 determines whether or not the button has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. When requested by the terminal 12 for page screen information corresponding to any of the buttons 61, 62, and 63, the management server 11 makes an affirmative decision in step S71 and proceeds to step S72. If the page screen information corresponding to the buttons 61, 62, and 63 is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S71 and proceeds to step S73.

  In step S72, the management server 11 causes the terminal 12 to display a corresponding top page screen (FIG. 6), my page screen (FIG. 7), and photo posting screen (FIG. 14). The management server 11 displaying the top page screen (FIG. 6) proceeds to step S12 in FIG. 18, and the management server 11 displaying the my page screen (FIG. 7) proceeds to step S21 in FIG. The management server 11 displaying FIG. 14) proceeds to step S61 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 73, the management server 11 determines whether or not an instruction “search from map” has been issued. The management server 11 makes an affirmative decision in step S73 when the map display data at the position instructed from the terminal 12 is requested, and proceeds to step S74. If no map display data is requested, the management server 11 makes a negative decision in step S73. Proceed to step S75. In step S75, the management server 11 displays the map image at the position instructed from the terminal 12 on the terminal 12, and proceeds to step S15 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 75, the management server 11 determines whether or not an instruction “search from place name” is issued. The management server 11 makes an affirmative decision in step S75 when the map display data of the location instructed from the terminal 12 is requested, and proceeds to step S76. If no map display data is requested, the management server 11 makes a negative decision in step S75. Proceed to step S77. In step S76, the management server 11 displays a map image corresponding to the content (location information) input to the terminal 12 on the terminal 12, and proceeds to step S15 in FIG.

  In step S77, the management server 11 searches for a registered image that matches the word information received from the terminal 12, and proceeds to step S78. In step S78, the management server 11 displays the search result on the terminal 12 (FIG. 17), and proceeds to step S79.

  In step S79, the management server 11 determines whether or not the image information display has been clicked on the terminal 12 side. When the display data is requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a positive determination in step S79 and proceeds to step S28 in FIG. If the display data is not requested from the terminal 12, the management server 11 makes a negative determination in step S79 and returns to step S71.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) As the handling of Exif information, it is possible to select whether or not the shooting position information can be viewed together with the registered image. When “publish” is checked in the information input table 144, the management server 11 makes it possible to view the shooting position information for all of the service users. When “publish only friends” is checked, the management server 11 11 indicates that the photographing position information can be browsed only for a friend registered in the friend list box 73 (FIG. 7) of the contributor among the users of the service, and the management server 11 Makes it impossible to view shooting position information for all users of this service. Since the information input table 144 can be instructed in advance when the image is registered, the user who registers the image does not need to give any instruction after the image registration.

(2) Exif information other than GPS information is also the same as in (1) above, so that the user who registers an image needs to give only an instruction in the information input table 144 at the time of registration and after the image registration. Absent. In addition, it is possible to separately restrict viewing position information and other shooting information other than shooting position information.

(Modification 1)
In the above description, in step S28 (FIG. 19) and step S54 (FIG. 22), all service users can browse the registered images. Instead, the management server 11 sends the registered image to the terminal 12 only when a browsing request from the terminal 12 to which a friend registered in the friend list box 73 (FIG. 7) of the poster who posted the registered image has logged in. It may be configured to display details. In this case, the management server 11 may display, for example, a message “This image cannot be displayed in detail” on the terminal 12 in response to a browsing request from the terminal 12 to which a service user who is not a friend has logged in.

  According to the first modification, browsing of registered images can be restricted only to friends registered in the friend list box 73.

(Modification 2)
When the service user wishes to browse, the contributor may be configured to instruct whether or not browsing is possible. FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the information providing system. When the terminal 12A (viewing applicant) displaying the thumbnail illustrated in FIG. 10 or FIG. 13 desires to display the image in detail, in step S101, the terminal 12A displays a browsing request message including the registration number of the image. To the site administrator.

  In step S102, the management server 11 (site manager) transfers a browsing request message to the registrant (terminal 12B) who posted the image. In step S103, the terminal 12B (registrant) returns a browsing permission message to the management server 11 (site administrator).

  The management server 11 (site manager) that has received a reply indicating that browsing is permitted from the registrant permits browsing in step S104, and the URL of the data for displaying the message from the terminal 12B (registrant) and the image in detail. Information including (Uniform Resource Locator) is returned to the terminal 12A (viewer). In step S106, the management server 11 displays the corresponding registered image in detail on the terminal 12A that accessed the URL (FIGS. 11 and 15).

  On the other hand, the management server 11 (site administrator) that has received a reply indicating that browsing is not permitted from the registrant refuses browsing in step S105, and sends information including a message from the terminal 12B (registrant) to the terminal 12A (viewing applicant) Reply to). In this case, the terminal 12A cannot display the registered image in detail.

  According to the modified example 2, browsing of the registered image can be restricted only to a partner to whom the registrant has notified that browsing is possible among the browsing applicants who have transmitted the browsing request message.

(Modification 3)
Instead of step S104 of the second modification, information including a message from the terminal 12B (registrant) and a password may be returned to the terminal 12A (viewing applicant). In this case, the management server 11 displays the corresponding registered image in detail on the terminal 12A only when the correct password information is received in step S106 (FIGS. 11 and 15).

  Also in the case of the modification 3, browsing of a registered image can be restrict | limited only to the other party to whom the registrant told browsing permission among the browsing requesters who transmitted the browsing wish message.

  The above description is merely an example, and is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment. The embodiment used in the description and the first to third modifications may be appropriately combined.

It is a figure which illustrates the information provision system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which illustrates the principal part composition of an electronic camera. It is the figure which looked at the electronic camera from the liquid crystal monitor (back) side. It is a figure which illustrates the display image on a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which illustrates the display image on a liquid crystal monitor. It is a figure which illustrates the top page screen displayed on the terminal side. It is a figure which illustrates the my page screen displayed on the terminal side. It is a figure which illustrates the page screen of the friend displayed on the terminal side. It is a figure which illustrates the community screen displayed on the terminal side. It is a figure which illustrates the map image display displayed on the terminal side. It is a figure which illustrates the detailed display screen of a registration image. It is a figure which illustrates the question screen displayed on the terminal side. It is a figure which illustrates the map image display displayed on the terminal side. It is a figure which illustrates the photograph contribution screen displayed on the terminal side. It is a figure which illustrates the detailed display screen of a registration image. It is a figure which illustrates the photograph search screen displayed on the terminal side. It is a figure which illustrates the search result displayed on the terminal side. It is a flowchart explaining the screen transition displayed on the terminal side. It is a flowchart explaining the screen transition displayed on the terminal side. It is a flowchart explaining the screen transition displayed on the terminal side. It is a flowchart explaining the screen transition displayed on the terminal side. It is a flowchart explaining the screen transition displayed on the terminal side. It is a flowchart explaining the screen transition displayed on the terminal side. It is a flowchart explaining the screen transition displayed on the terminal side. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the process which an information provision system performs.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Electronic camera 11 ... Management server 12 ... Terminal (PC)
13 ... Access point 108 ... Main CPU
111 ... Liquid crystal monitor 113 ... Operation member 116 ... Wireless interface

Claims (8)

Register image information with image and additional information,
In the online information providing method for providing the registered image browsing information to the external device in response to a request from the external device,
Processing for receiving a request for additional information included in the image information;
Processing to notify the registration source of the image information that the request for the additional information has been received;
Receiving information from the registration source;
A method for determining whether or not to provide the additional information to the external device in accordance with information received from the registration source. The online information providing method according to claim 1,
The information received from the registration source includes information indicating a storage location of the additional information. The online information providing method according to claim 1,
The information received from the registration source includes information necessary for browsing the additional information. Register image information with image and additional information,
In the online information providing method for providing the registered image browsing information to the external device in response to a request from the external device,
Processing for receiving from the registration source of the image information an instruction as to whether or not to provide additional information included in the image information to the external device when the image information is registered;
Processing for receiving a request for additional information included in the image information;
A method for determining whether or not to provide the additional information to the external device according to an instruction received from the registration source during the registration. The online information providing method according to claim 4,
The online information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the provisional availability instruction includes the provision of the additional information to all external devices. The online information providing method according to claim 4,
The online information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the indication of whether or not the information can be provided includes an inability to provide the additional information to all external devices. The online information providing method according to claim 4,
The online information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the provisional availability instruction includes the provision of the additional information to an external device that matches preregistered information. In the online information provision method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The method for providing online information, wherein the additional information is information indicating a shooting location of the image.

Images