JP4853391B2 - Information processing apparatus and control method thereof, network system and control method thereof, information processing apparatus control program, network system control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus including an in-device router that is a router for connecting to an external network, and a control method thereof, a network system, a server and a control method thereof, an information processing apparatus control program, a server control program, and a recording medium It is about. In particular, the present invention relates to a server on the external network from a photography printing apparatus that provides a service for printing a composite image based on composite image information generated by performing an editing process on a photographed image of a subject on a print medium. Relating to sending data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in amusement facilities such as a game center, a photography printing apparatus for taking a photograph of a user and combining the photograph with a background image and outputting it as a sticker print has been installed. Has gained popularity.

  In this photography printing apparatus, for example, after photography is performed, editing processing such as graffiti can be performed on a photographed image displayed on a display screen by a pointing device such as a touch pen. The model is widespread. With this editing processing function, the user can change, for example, the background color and pattern, and write characters and illustrations on the captured image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, a service is also available for transmitting a composite image obtained by editing these captured images to the user's mobile terminal, so that the user can use the composite image on the mobile terminal even after using the photographic printing apparatus. A device has been devised (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Usually, the service is performed by transmitting the composite image from a photography printing apparatus to a server on the Internet, and a user accessing the server from a portable terminal. The above service has gained popularity, and most users have recently used it.

  Conventionally, transmission of the composite image from the photography printing apparatus to the server on the Internet does not require a communication facility such as a cable or an access point in the store. Therefore, the cellular phone network or PHS (Personal Handyphone) A mobile communication network such as a (System) telephone network is used, and a PHS (registered trademark) telephone network is used particularly from the viewpoint of communication charges.

In general, in a mobile communication network, the number of lines that can be wirelessly communicated between a communication terminal and a base station is limited. For this reason, a dial-up connection that connects to the Internet only when necessary is used. Some dialup routers are used from the viewpoint of security.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-066944 (published on March 3, 2000) JP 2001-309108 A (published on November 2, 2001) JP 2001-268148 A (published September 28, 2001)

  As described above, the photography printing apparatus is particularly popular with high school girls. For this reason, the photography printing apparatus is busy during school hours or when school is closed, and the user is concentrated. In addition, there are large stores with many popular models and the latest models in the downtown area where high school girls gather after school or when school is closed.

  Due to such a situation, during the busy season in the large store, since each of the photographic printing apparatus performs dial-up connection at the same time, transmission of the composite image to the server is delayed. As a result, it takes time until the composite image can be used on the mobile terminal after taking a picture and editing an image with the photo-taking and printing apparatus, resulting in a decrease in user satisfaction.

  In particular, recently, each mobile communication service provider has started a communication service with a fixed charge regardless of connection time. For this reason, in busy streets where people gather, the proportion of mobile terminals occupying the line with the base station has increased, and the number of lines that can be used by the photo print device has decreased. Will be further delayed.

  Further, the display resolution of the mobile phone is expected to increase further. For this reason, since it is required to increase the resolution of the composite image to be transmitted from the server to the mobile phone, it is expected that the data amount of the composite image transmitted from the photographic printing apparatus to the server will increase.

  In order to avoid these problems, it is conceivable to change the data transmission from the photographic printing apparatus to the server from mobile communication to wired communication using a fixed telephone line. However, it is necessary to install facilities for wired communication in the store, and installation costs are required. Particularly in large stores, since a large number of photography printing apparatuses are deployed as described above, it is necessary to secure a large number of fixed telephone lines, which increases installation costs.

  In addition, so-called “relocation” is frequently performed in which a gaming machine such as a photographic printing apparatus is moved to another store and installed. For this reason, if the photography printing apparatus that performs wired communication is moved to a store without wired facilities, the composite image cannot be transmitted to the server.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can transmit information to an external network in various situations while suppressing installation costs.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an intra-apparatus router that is a router for connecting to a first external network, and a communication control unit that controls the intra-apparatus router to communicate with an apparatus on the first external network. In order to solve the above problem, the in-device router is connected to a first external network by dial-up connection via a mobile communication network. And a wired network connection means for connecting by wire to a second external network connectable to the first external network.

  In the above configuration, the in-device router has a function of dial-up connection via a mobile communication network and a function of connecting to a second external network connectable to the first external network by wire. ing. When the second external network is available, it is possible to connect to the first external network by connecting to the second external network by wire. Thereby, data can be transmitted to the server on the first external network without being affected by the surrounding radio wave conditions. On the other hand, when the second external network is not provided or when the second external network cannot be used, it is possible to connect to the first external network by dial-up connection via the mobile communication network. .

  Therefore, data can be transmitted to a server on the first external network in various situations. Furthermore, when the second external network is available, even if there are a large number of information processing devices including the in-device router, each information processing device may be connected to the second external network. The increase in installation cost can be suppressed as compared with the case of securing a fixed telephone line for each.

  Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the above configuration, the communication control unit performs connection confirmation with respect to a second external network via the wired network connection unit, and based on the result, the wireless control unit One of the dial-up connection means and the wired network connection means is selected.

  The information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention is a router for connecting to a first external network, and connects to the first external network by dial-up connection via a mobile communication network. For controlling an information processing apparatus including an in-apparatus router, which is a router comprising a wireless dial-up connection means for connecting and a wired network connection means for connecting to a second external network connectable to the first external network by wire In order to solve the above problem, the information processing apparatus includes a communication control step of controlling the intra-device router to communicate with a device on the first external network, and the communication control step includes: Confirming connection to the second external network via the wired network connection means, and based on the result, the wireless diagram It is characterized by selecting one or to use up connection means and the wired network connection means.

  According to the above configuration and method, depending on the situation, it is selected which of the wireless dial-up connection unit and the wired network connection unit is to be used, so the owner of the information processing apparatus needs to make the selection. Absent. In addition, as said connection confirmation, using Ping is mentioned. The communication control means may be provided in the in-device router.

  Incidentally, in general, wired communication can transmit data more stably than wireless communication. Further, when the second external network cannot be used, there may be a case where the second external network is being activated or under maintenance, and cannot be temporarily used. Therefore, for data that does not require much real-time performance, it is preferable to wait for a while until the wired communication can be used rather than immediately using the wireless communication when the wired communication cannot be used.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a storage unit that stores communication information indicating whether the wired communication has been performed, and the communication control unit includes the communication information of the storage unit that performs the wired communication. If it indicates that it was performed last time and the connection confirmation is unsuccessful, the connection confirmation may be repeated. Since there may be a situation where the second external network cannot be used at all due to the movement of the information processing apparatus, it is desirable to limit the number of repetitions.

  The information processing apparatus is a photography printing apparatus that provides a service for printing a composite image based on composite image information generated by performing editing processing on a photographed image obtained by photographing a subject on a print medium, and the communication control unit May transmit the composite image information to a server on the first external network. As described above, since a large number of photography printing apparatuses may be provided in a store, it is effective to apply the present invention.

  An information processing apparatus having the above configuration, a second external network to which the internal router of the information processing apparatus is connected, and an external router that is a router for connecting the second external network to the first external network The above-described effects can be achieved even in a network system including the above.

  Furthermore, the external router preferably has a fixed address assigned to a device connected to the second external network. In this case, even if the information processing apparatus is connected to another second external network, the connection confirmation to the external router can be automatically performed.

  A server according to the present invention is a server connected to a first network, and in order to solve the above problems, a network address of a plurality of second networks connected to the first network and data processing contents A storage unit that stores the processing information in association with each other, a receiving unit that receives data, an address acquisition unit that acquires a network address of a transmission destination of the received data, and processing information corresponding to the acquired network address And a processing means for processing the data based on the processing information acquired from the storage unit.

  Also, the server control method according to the present invention is a server connected to the first network, and processing information indicating the network addresses of a plurality of second networks connected to the first network and the processing contents of the data. Is a server control method comprising: a storage unit that stores data in association with each other; and a receiving unit that receives data. In order to solve the above problem, an address acquisition that acquires a network address of a destination of received data And a processing step of acquiring processing information corresponding to the acquired network address from the storage unit and processing the data based on the acquired processing information.

  According to the above configuration and method, the network address of the transmission destination of the received data is acquired, and the data is processed based on the processing information corresponding to the acquired network address. Here, examples of the processing information include processing priority, processed data size, number of times processed data is provided to the user, and the like. Therefore, the contents processed by the server can be changed according to which second network the data transmission source belongs to.

  Note that the communication control means in the information processing apparatus can be executed by a computer by an information processing apparatus control program. Further, each means in the server can be executed by a computer by a server control program. Further, the information processing apparatus control program and / or the server control program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium, thereby causing the information processing apparatus control program and / or the server control program to be executed on an arbitrary computer. Can do.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention has a wireless communication function and a wired communication function, and therefore can transmit data to the apparatus on the first external network in various situations. Furthermore, when the second external network is available, each of the plurality of information processing devices provided with the router may be connected to the second external network, so that a fixed telephone line is secured for each information processing device. Compared to the case, there is an effect that an increase in installation cost can be suppressed.

  In addition, the server according to the present invention acquires the network address of the destination of the received data and performs the data processing based on the processing information corresponding to the acquired network address. The content processed by the server can be changed depending on whether it belongs to the second network.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Overall system configuration)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the composite image communication system 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, a composite image communication system (network system) 100 includes a photography printing apparatus (information processing apparatus) 1..., A management server system (server) 200, and a mobile phone (communication terminal) 300. It has a configuration.

  The photo-taking and printing apparatus 1 has a function of taking a user's photograph (photographing function), a function of allowing the user to edit graffiti etc. on the photographed picture (editing function), and a function of printing an edited image ( Print function). Note that all these functions are not essential. For example, a configuration in which the print function is omitted may be employed.

  And the photography printing apparatus 1 provides a user with the above functions by collecting a fee from the user. In addition, a time limit is provided for each function, and the user uses each function within this time limit.

  The management server system 200 receives additional information including composite image information, which is an image obtained by performing editing processing on a captured image, and e-mail address information input from the user, from each of the photography printing apparatuses 1. In addition, the server system performs a process of transmitting the composite image data to the mobile phone 300 in response to an access from the mobile phone 300. The management server system 200 and each mobile phone 300 are connected for communication by a communication medium. Examples of the communication medium include a combination of a wireless telephone network and the Internet, but the communication form is not particularly limited.

  FIG. 3 shows a communication mode between a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) photography printing apparatuses 1 installed in a certain store 110 and the management server system 200. As shown in the figure, the management server system 200 is connected to the Internet (first external network, first network) 130, and each photography printing apparatus 1 is connected to the Internet router 6 for connection to the Internet 130. It has. The store 110 is provided with a store network (second external network, second network) 111 and a store router 112 for connecting the store network 111 and the Internet 130.

  The in-device router 6 is connected to the access point 123 via the base station 121 and the PHS (registered trademark) telephone network (mobile communication network) 122, thereby connecting the PHS (registered trademark) dial-up connected to the Internet 130. A connection unit (wireless dial-up connection means) 62 is provided. Furthermore, the in-device router 6 includes a wired network connection unit (wired network connection means) 61 that connects to the Internet 130 via the in-store network 111 and the store router 112 by connecting to the in-store network 111 with a wire. Yes.

  Therefore, when the in-store network 111 is available, it is possible to connect to the Internet 130 by connecting to the in-store network 111 with a wire. As a result, data can be transmitted to the management server system 200 on the Internet 130 without being affected by surrounding radio wave conditions. On the other hand, when the in-store network 111 is not provided or when the in-store network 111 cannot be used, it is possible to connect to the Internet 130 by dial-up connection via the PHS (registered trademark) telephone network 122.

  Therefore, data can be transmitted to the management server system 200 on the Internet 130 in various situations. Furthermore, when the in-store network 111 can be used, even if there are a large number of the photographic printing devices 1 having the in-device router 6, it is only necessary to connect each photographic printing device 1 to the in-store network 111. Compared with the case where a fixed telephone line is secured for each photographing and printing apparatus 1, an increase in installation cost can be suppressed.

  In the following description, the photography printing apparatus 1 communicates with the management server system 200 via the PHS (registered trademark) telephone network 122 using the PHS (registered trademark) dial-up connection unit 62 of the in-device router 6. This communication usage mode is referred to as “wireless communication”. A communication usage mode in which the photography printing apparatus 1 communicates with the management server system 200 via the store router 112 using the wired network connection unit 61 of the in-apparatus router 6 is referred to as “wireless communication”.

  The store router 112 and the Internet 130 are preferably connected by wire. In addition, the connection is preferably a dial-up connection from the viewpoint of cost or the like, but may be a dedicated line connection.

  FIG. 4 shows the connection relationship between the photography server 1a to 1g and the store routers 112a to 112c installed in each of the plurality of stores 110a to 110c, and the management server system 200. Note that reference numerals 1a to 1g are used to indicate individual photography and printing apparatuses, and reference numeral 1 is used to collectively refer to photography and printing apparatuses. Further, reference numerals 112a to 112c are used to indicate individual store routers, and reference numeral 112 is used to collectively refer to store routers. In FIG. 4, the in-store network 111 between the photography printing apparatus 1 and the store router 112 and the Internet 130 between the store router 112 and the management server system 200 are omitted.

The store router 112 has a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server function that assigns a local address to a device connected to the in-store network 111. Further, the store router 112 has a NAT (Network Address Translation) conversion function for converting a local address and a global address in order to access the Internet 130 from a device connected to the in-store network 111. The store router 112 fixes the local address assigned to its own device to [192.168.10.1] in the example of FIG. Thereby, even if the photography printing apparatus 1 is relocated to another store, it can access the relocation destination store router 112 without changing the setting.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the network address of the in-store network 111 is uniquely determined for each store, and in the illustrated example, the netmask is 28 bits in the 32-bit global address. Therefore, the management server system 200 can specify the network address and the store 110 from the global address indicating the transmission source of the data received from the store router 112. Thereby, the management server system 200 can provide different services for each store 110.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the priority mode and the standard mode are set for each store 110, and priority is given to the composite image information and the additional information transmitted from the photography printing apparatus 1 installed in the store 110 in which the priority mode is set. Is processed. FIG. 5 shows a correspondence table in which store names, network addresses and netmasks, and mode types are associated with each other. In the illustrated example, the priority mode is set for the A store 110a and the C store 110c. The management server system 200 can specify the store corresponding to the specified store by specifying the store from which the data is transmitted by using the correspondence table as shown in FIG.

  The mobile phone 300 has a telephone function using a mobile communication network such as a mobile phone network or a PHS (registered trademark) telephone network, and an information processing terminal having a data communication function and an information processing function using the mobile communication network. It is. Note that the information processing terminal applied to the present invention is not limited to a mobile phone, can perform data communication with the management server system 200 regardless of wired radio, and can perform information processing. Any device may be used as long as it is an information processing terminal.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the mail address of the user's mobile phone 300 is input by the user. However, for example, the photography printing apparatus 1 may be provided so as to be readable directly from the mobile phone 300. . In this case, it is assumed that the photographic printing apparatus 1 and the mobile phone 300 perform short-range wireless communication. These devices include wireless LAN (Local Area Network) modules, Bluetooth (registered trademark) modules compliant with IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a, 11b, 11g, etc., or communication via infrared rays. It is possible to have a short-range communication unit including a module for performing short-range wireless communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the photographic printing apparatus 1 and the mobile phone 300 may be configured to be connected by a wired connection such as a USB cable. Alternatively, the short-range wireless communication may not be performed, and the connection may be made via the above-described wide area network that connects the management server system 200 and the photographic printing apparatus 1.

(Usage form of composite image communication system)
A usage form of the composite image communication system 100 will be schematically described. The user plays a game using the photo printing apparatus 1 installed in an amusement facility or the like. In this game, the user takes a photograph and performs a process of writing the edited image on the photographed image, such as a so-called graffiti, as an editing process for the photographed image on the photograph-taking and printing apparatus 1. As part of this editing process, the user writes a desired picture or character with a dedicated pen, or selects a stamp and synthesizes the stamp pattern with the photographed image. Note that the edited image includes a moving image.

  Then, the photographed print device 1 prints and outputs a composite image obtained by combining the edited image with the photographed image, so that the user can obtain the printed matter as a game result. In the composite image communication system 100, the user can transmit a composite image to the mobile phone 300. In this case, the user registers (inputs) the mail address of the mobile phone 300 in the photography / printing apparatus 1 so that the photography / printing apparatus 1 transmits the composite image information and the additional information to the management server system 200. . Here, it is assumed that the e-mail address of his / her mobile phone is registered as his / her identification information (ID) as the owner of the composite image and to receive information from the server. As described above, the user's game in the photo printing apparatus 1 is completed.

  The management server system 200 stores the composite image information and the additional information sent from the photographic printing apparatus 1 in association with each other. Then, the management server system 200 transmits an email indicating the address information of the page from which the composite image can be acquired to the user's email address. The user uses his / her mobile phone 300 to access the page of the address indicated in the received mail and obtain the composite image to display the composite image on the mobile phone 300.

  In addition, when the photographic printing apparatus 1 transmits the composite image information and the additional information to the management server system 200, it is preferable that the transmission data includes association information that enables these associations. The association information may be transmitted by being included in the data of each information, or may be transmitted separately from the data of each information.

(Appearance of photo printing device)
Next, the external configuration of the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the photographic printing apparatus 1. The photography printing apparatus 1 includes a photographing unit 2 that photographs a user's photograph, an editing unit 3 that allows a user to edit graffiti and the like on a photograph (photographed image), and a photograph that the user has edited. And a printing unit 4 that outputs (edited image) to a print sheet. 6A shows an appearance from the photographing unit 2 side in the photographic printing apparatus 1, and FIG. 6B shows an appearance from the editing unit 3 and the printing unit 4 side.

  FIG. 7 is a front view of the editing unit 3a. The configuration of the editing unit 3b is the same as that of the editing unit 3a, and is not shown here. The editing unit 3b is provided facing the editing unit 3a. Hereinafter, the editing unit 3 will be collectively described.

  The editing unit 3 is for executing an editing process such as graffiti on a captured image after the user finishes the shooting process by the shooting unit 2. The touch panel unit 31, the touch pen 32, and the voice output unit 33 Etc. Each unit of the editing unit 3 is controlled by the control unit 10. Details of the above-described units will be described later.

  FIG. 8 is a front view of the printing unit 4. In the present embodiment, the printing unit 4 is provided on the side surfaces of the editing unit 3 a and the editing unit 3 b, and thus FIG. 8 represents the side surface of the editing unit 3. The printing unit 4 prints an edited image after the user has finished the editing process by the editing unit 3 on sticker paper, and discharges the printed sticker paper. In the present embodiment, print discharge ports 44a and 44b are provided on the side surface of the editing unit 3, and the sticker sheet of the edited image edited by the editing unit 3a is discharged from the print discharge port 44a. The sticker sheet of the edited image that has been edited in 3b is discharged from the print discharge port 44b.

  In the photographic printing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the user first enters the photographic space provided with the photographic unit 2 and executes the photographic process, and then the editing unit 3 (the editing unit 3a or the editing unit 3b). The editing process is carried out by moving to the editing space provided, and a series of processes of the game are enjoyed in such a flow that the printing unit 4 receives the photographed image or the sticker sheet on which the edited image is printed in the printing space.

  As described above, in the photographic printing apparatus 1, the photographing unit 2 and the editing unit 3 are provided in different spaces. Therefore, even when a set of users is performing editing processing in the editing unit 3, other users can start shooting processing. Thereby, it is possible to improve a rotation rate.

  The editing process in the editing unit 3 is basically provided with a time limit. On the other hand, the editing process time may be unlimited until another user enters the shooting process, and the time limit may be set for the editing process from the time when another user starts the shooting process.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the photography printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a structure including two editing units 3, and includes a first editing unit 3a and a second editing unit 3a. The editing unit 3b is installed facing each other. As described above, by providing more editing units 3 than photographing units 2, it is possible to disperse the processing time related to the editing process that is a bottleneck and improve the rotation rate. However, the photography printing apparatus 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. The installation position of the editing unit 3 is not particularly limited, and the number of installations may be one editing unit 3 or three or more editing units 3 may be provided if the installation location can be secured. Good.

(Configuration of Photographic Printing Device-Overview)
Next, the operation of the control unit 10 in the photographic printing apparatus 1 and each unit of the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a photographic printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the photographic printing apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes a photographing unit 2, an editing unit 3, a printing unit 4, an in-device router 6, a control unit 10, and a recording unit 50. . Since the in-device router 6 is as described above, description thereof is omitted here.

  The control unit 10 comprehensively controls the operations of the above-described units included in the photographic printing apparatus 1. The control unit 10 is configured by, for example, a PC (personal computer) based computer. And operation control of various composition is performed by making a computer run a control program. This program may be in the form of reading and using what is recorded on a removable medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be in the form of reading and using what is installed on a hard disk or the like. Further, when the control unit 10 is configured to be connected to a communication network such as the Internet, a mode in which the program is downloaded via the communication network, installed on a hard disk, and the like can be considered.

  The photographic printing apparatus 1 includes a recording unit 50 that includes a nonvolatile storage device such as the hard disk described above. Examples of the contents stored in the recording unit 50 include the control program, an OS (Operating System) program, other various programs, operation setting values in the camera unit 23, and image data of captured images and edited images. Examples of the operation setting values in the camera unit 23 include white balance values set at the time of shipment of the photographic printing apparatus 1 and maintenance, various parameter values related to image processing when adjusting the contrast of the captured image, and the like. It is done.

  The imaging unit 2 executes an imaging process, and includes a coin processing unit 21, an illumination unit 22, a camera unit 23, a captured image display unit 24, a camera image display unit 25, and an operation unit 26. Although not shown here, the photographing unit 2 may include a voice output unit for performing voice guidance so as to prompt the user to perform a certain operation.

  The coin processing unit 21 performs coin insertion / return processing when collecting charges from the user. When it is determined that a predetermined coin has been inserted, the control unit 10 is notified. And the control part 10 will perform an accounting process, if the notification from the coin process part 21 is received. That is, the control unit 10 counts notifications from the coin processing unit 21 and controls various operations for the user according to the amount of money that the user has inserted.

  The illumination unit 22 functions as a photographic flashlight such as a strobe lamp at the time of photographing and also functions as a normal illumination. In the present embodiment, a flash lamp is used as the light source, but a light source that emits continuous light, such as a fluorescent lamp, can also be used. Further, a fluorescent lamp or the like can be provided as an auxiliary light source in the vicinity of the flash lamp. By using a continuous light source or an auxiliary light source, it is possible to infer a shot at the time of shooting from a live view image before shooting.

  The camera unit 23 mainly takes a photograph of a user as a subject, and is configured by a digital camera including, for example, a lens group, a diaphragm, a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor, and the like. The camera unit 23 is configured to be able to switch, for example, a lens group to be used and an aperture so as to be able to cope with both whole body photography and close-up photography.

  The captured image display unit 24 provides a user interface to the user, and displays various images, various operation buttons, and the like. The operation unit 26 is an input device for inputting an instruction signal for the user to perform a game operation on the photo printing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 26 is realized as a touch panel integrated with the captured image display unit 24. That is, a GUI screen such as operation buttons is displayed on the captured image display unit 24. When the display screen of the photographed image display unit 24 is pressed by a user's finger (or a pointing device such as a touch pen), an instruction signal indicating a button or an image corresponding to the position is input into the photograph printing apparatus 1. Is done.

  The photographed image display unit 24 is configured by providing a touch panel on the surface of a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display element or a CRT, for example. By displaying the captured image captured by the camera unit 23 on the captured image display unit 24, the user can check the captured image. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 26 is configured as a touch panel provided integrally with the captured image display unit 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation unit 26 is provided with, for example, a numeric keypad or a cross key. It may be configured as an input device such as a remote controller or a keyboard.

  The camera image display unit 25 displays a real-time video captured by the camera unit 23, that is, a live view image before shooting. By displaying the live view image on the camera image display unit 25, the user can confirm the image in advance and start shooting.

  The editing unit 3 executes an editing process, and includes a touch panel unit 31 and a touch pen 32. The editing unit 3 may further include an audio output unit 33.

  The touch panel unit 31 provides a user interface to the user, and includes an edited image display unit 31a and an operation reception unit 31b. The edited image display unit 31a displays an image to be edited (an image to be edited) in the editing process and a result (composite image) obtained by editing the captured image. The operation accepting unit 31b accepts a user instruction signal input by using a pointing device such as a touch pen and transmits it to the inside of the photographic printing apparatus 1.

  The touch pen 32 is used by a user to perform fine operation input on the touch panel unit 31 in image editing processing or the like, and is disposed near the touch panel unit 31. The user can select a button displayed according to the progress of the process or draw an image such as a graffiti by bringing the touch pen 32 into contact with or approaching the touch panel unit 31.

  For example, when the screen of the touch panel unit 31 is pressed with the touch pen 32, an instruction signal indicating a button or an image corresponding to the position is input to the inside of the photographic printing apparatus 1. Thereby, the user can perform graffiti on the photographed image, press a stamp, or select a print target image to be printed.

  In the present embodiment, two touch pens 32 are provided so that a plurality of users can easily perform image editing. However, in order to simplify the configuration, only one touch pen 32 may be provided. Yes, and more than two can be deployed for more than two users. Similarly, a plurality of touch pens 32 can be provided.

  The audio output unit 33 outputs guidance voices and sound effects for various operations, and is provided at an appropriate place of the photo print apparatus 1. For example, a speaker is used as the audio output unit 33.

  The printing unit 4 executes a printing process by printing a photographed image and / or edited image selected as a printing target, and includes an ID tag reader / writer unit 41 and a printer unit 42. A seal paper 142 and an ID tag 141 serving as a photo print output medium are delivered to the printing unit 4 as a seal paper unit 43 as a set.

  When image data to be output is sent from the control unit 10, the printer unit 42 prints on the sticker sheet 142 based on the image data. As the printer unit 42, for example, a sublimation printer is used. When a sublimation printer is used, a sublimation ink film is delivered as a set in addition to the sticker paper 142 and the ID tag 141.

  The ID tag reader / writer unit 41 reads out various pieces of identification information recorded in the ID tag 141 and outputs them to the control unit 10. The ID tag 141 is configured by an IC chip having a memory function. Examples of the identification information include a unique ID, the number of sheets, a sheet type, and ink-specific color information (when an ink film is set).

  Based on the identification information read by the ID tag reader / writer unit 41, the control unit 10 determines whether the attached sticker paper 142 and the ink film are usable in the photography printing apparatus 1, and can be used. Only when it is, the printer unit 42 can be operated. In other words, settings other than the seal paper 142 and the ink film designated in the photo printing apparatus 1 are set so that they cannot be used.

  In addition, by counting down the number of sheets each time sticker paper is used based on the information on the number of sheets recorded in the ID tag 141, the remaining number of sheets can be grasped. Therefore, when the remaining number of sheets is reduced, a configuration that warns the user with a display means or the like can avoid a problem such as running out of sheets during use by the user. .

  When counting down the number of sheets, it is desirable to rewrite the number of sheets information recorded in the ID tag 141. As a result, when the paper is used up, the paper number information recorded in the ID tag 141 is also zero, and the ID tag 141 can be invalidated.

  Further, by reading the paper type information recorded in the ID tag 141 and the color information unique to the ink, and correcting the color component of the image data in consideration of these, the seal paper 142 and the ink film are accurately obtained. Image output can be performed.

  As the ID tag 141, there are a non-contact type ID tag capable of performing wireless data communication and a contact type ID tag provided with a terminal. The ID tag reader / writer unit 41 includes It corresponds to either one or both.

  In the above example, the ID tag 141 is used to confirm whether or not the sticker paper 142 can be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sticker paper 142 and the ink film are used. It is also possible to use a bar code printed on a packing material for packing. However, when a barcode is used, there are problems that the amount of information that can be included is small and that information cannot be rewritten by counting down the number of sheets, for example.

  In this embodiment, the seal sheet 142 is assumed to be a seal sheet including an adhesive sheet and a release sheet attached to the adhesive surface of the adhesive sheet, but is not limited thereto. The photographic printing apparatus 1 of the present invention can be configured to use a paper sheet that is a normal paper medium instead of the sticker paper 142.

  Moreover, the photography printing apparatus 1 of the present invention may include a curtain unit 27. The curtain unit 27 provides a curtain as a background of the captured image. Curtains with various colors and patterns are prepared, and can be freely selected by the user at the time of shooting, or can be automatically selected by the photo-taking and printing apparatus 1. The plurality of curtains are arranged so as to overlap the back surface of the photographing space 20 (facing the photographing unit 2) ((a) and (b) in FIG. 6), and at the time of photographing, the selected curtain is behind the subject. It is installed in the foreground so that it can be seen. The installation of the selected curtain may be executed by the background control unit 15 of the control unit 10 controlling the curtain unit 27, or may be configured to be manually performed by the user himself / herself.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the curtain part 27 was set as the structure which provides a some curtain, it is not limited to this. A curtain that can be installed in the curtain unit 27 may be one type. In this case, if a plurality of types of background images for synthesis are prepared and the background image desired by the user is synthesized in the editing process, even if there is only one type of curtain, the user can have various preferences. Can respond.

[Configuration of Photographic Printing Device-Details]
Next, the control unit 10 and the recording unit 50 of the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 further includes a captured image acquisition unit 11, an image editing unit 12, a print image creation unit 13, a communication processing unit (communication control unit) 14, and a background control unit 15. Yes. Since the background control unit 15 is as described above, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The recording unit 50 includes a captured image recording unit 51 that records a captured image, an editing image recording unit 52 that records an editing image such as a background image, a frame image, and a stamp image provided in image editing. Edited image information recording unit 53 for recording a print image, a print image recording unit 54 for recording a print image, a device information recording unit 55 for recording device information which is information about the photographic printing apparatus 1, and communication information which is information about communication Includes a communication information recording unit (storage unit) 56 for recording.

  Here, as an example of the apparatus information, information that uniquely identifies the photographic printing apparatus 1, that is, identification information or the like can be given. Examples of communication information include a local address assigned to the photographic printing apparatus 1 by the store router 112, a communication usage mode such as whether to use wired communication or wireless communication, a mode in which wired communication is performed, and the like. Can be mentioned.

  The captured image acquisition unit 11 acquires a captured image created by capturing a subject from the camera unit 23. The captured image acquisition unit 11 records the acquired captured image in the captured image recording unit 51.

  The image editing unit 12 performs image editing on a captured image in accordance with a user operation. Examples of image editing include adding a background image and / or a frame image read from the editing image recording unit 52, adding a stamp image read from the editing image recording unit 52 to an arbitrary position, or using a touch pen. For example, adding graffiti. However, the image editing is not limited to the above-described example, and the editing is executed by the user operating any input means (input unit) connected to the photography / printing apparatus 1, and the original photographed image is changed. Any editing process may be used as long as the composite image can be obtained as a result of the addition.

  The image editing unit 12 records data included in the composite image information and edited image information related to the editing content in the edited image information recording unit 53.

  The print image creation unit 13 creates a print image in which an edit image corresponding to the size of each divided region is arranged in each of the plurality of divided regions. The size and arrangement of the edited image in the print image are usually determined by the user selecting one of a plurality of patterns, but may be determined freely by the user, or the photography printing apparatus 1 It may be determined at random. The print image creation unit 13 records in the created print image recording unit 54. Then, the control unit 10 instructs the printer unit 42 to print the print image recorded in the print image recording unit 54 on the sticker sheet 142 at an appropriate timing.

  The communication processing unit 14 executes communication processing with an external device via the in-device router 6 which is a communication interface. The communication processing unit 14 performs transmission / reception processing of the composite image information and additional information, and performs processing of converting the composite image information into an appropriate data format along with transmission / reception of the composite image information.

  Further, the communication processing unit 14 performs processing for determining which of wired communication using the wired network connection unit 61 and wireless communication using the PHS (registered trademark) dial-up connection unit 62 is performed. In addition, when using wired communication, the communication processing unit 14 performs processing for requesting and acquiring the type of mode from the management server system 200. The communication processing unit 14 may be provided in the in-device router 6.

(Management server system configuration)
Next, the configuration of the management server system 200 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the management server system 200 includes an FTP server (reception unit) 201, a registration processing server 202, an image file server 203, an additional information file server 204, a WEB server 205, and a mail transmission server 206. It has become.

  The FTP server 201 is a file transfer server that performs processing for receiving the composite image information and additional information sent from the photographic printing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used as a protocol for performing data communication with the photographic printing apparatus 1, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. Data received by the FTP server 201 is transmitted to the registration processing server 202. If a large number of photography printing apparatuses 1 are installed over a wide area, data transmission processing may be distributed by providing a plurality of FTP servers 201.

  In the present embodiment, the FTP server 201 receives a mode request sent from the photography / printing apparatus 1 via the store router 112 and transmits it to the registration processing server 202. Further, the FTP server 201 receives mode information corresponding to the mode request from the registration processing server 202 and transmits the mode information to the requesting photography printing apparatus 1 via the store router 112.

  The registration processing server 202 performs processing for transmitting the composite image information received from the FTP server 201 to the image file server 203 and transmitting additional information to the additional information file server 204. In addition, the registration processing server 202 performs processing for generating an e-mail in which URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information (WEB address) for accessing the WEB server 205 is accessed for the e-mail address included in the additional information. The generated electronic mail is sent to the mail transmission server 206.

  In the present embodiment, in response to the mode request received from the FTP server 201, the registration processing server 202 transmits a mode that can be used in the store where the requesting photo printing apparatus 1 is installed to the FTP server 201. I do. Also, the registration processing server 202 determines the order in which various types of information are sent to the image file server 203, the additional information file server 204, the WEB server 205, and the mail transmission server 206 according to the mode. Details of processing in the registration processing server 202 will be described later.

  Each of the image file server 203 and the additional information file server 204 is a file server that constructs a database based on information received from the registration processing server 202 and records / stores the database. Note that the image file server 203 and the additional information file server 204 may be realized in the form of a file server as described above. It may be configured.

  The mail transmission server 206 performs processing for transmitting the electronic mail received from the registration processing server 202. Since the mail address specified here is basically the mail address of the mobile phone 300, the mail transmission server 206 transmits the mail to the mobile phone 300.

  The WEB server 205 is a server device that provides composite image information recorded in the image file server 203 in the form of a WEB page in response to access from the mobile phone 300. Further, the WEB server 205 performs processing for reading additional information and image specifying information from the additional information file server 204 and extracting it. Details of the processing in the WEB server 205 will be described later.

  In this embodiment, the management server system 200 includes a plurality of server devices, that is, an FTP server 201, a registration processing server 202, an image file server 203, an additional information file server 204, a WEB server 205, and a mail transmission server 206. Although it is the structure provided, the function implement | achieved by several server apparatus is good also as a structure implement | achieved by the function which one server apparatus has among these server apparatuses.

(Registration processing server configuration)
Next, the configuration of the registration processing server 202 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the registration processing server 202 includes a data temporary storage unit 211, a mode store correspondence storage unit 212, a file list storage unit 213, a sorted list storage unit 214, a data acquisition unit (address acquisition means) 221, a mode. The configuration includes a search unit 222, a mode transmission unit 223, a list update unit 224, a list sort unit (processing unit) 225, and a registration processing unit (processing unit) 226.

  The temporary data storage unit 211 temporarily stores the composite image information and additional information received from the FTP server 201. Information read and processed by the registration processing unit 226 from the temporary data storage unit 211 is deleted from the temporary data storage unit 211.

  The mode store correspondence storage unit 212 stores a correspondence table in which modes are associated with stores. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the mode store correspondence storage unit 212 stores a correspondence table in which store names, global addresses assigned to the store router 112, and modes are associated with each other.

  The file list storage unit 213 receives the file name related to the composite image information and additional information received from the FTP server 201 and stored in the data temporary storage unit 211, the global address of the transmission source (hereinafter abbreviated as “file name etc.”). ) List is stored in the order received. The sorted list storage unit 214 stores a sorted list of the file names. The transmission source may be the photographic printing apparatus 1 or the store router 112 that relays the composite image information and additional information from the photographic printing apparatus 1.

  The data acquisition unit 221 acquires various data from the FTP server 201. When the acquired data is the composite image information and the additional information, the data acquisition unit 221 stores the composite image information and the additional information in the data temporary storage unit 211, and lists file names and the like regarding the composite image information and the additional information. The data is transmitted to the update unit 224.

  The list update unit 224 updates the list of files stored in the file list storage unit 213. Specifically, the list update unit 224 adds the file name and the like related to the composite image information and the additional information sent from the data acquisition unit 221 to the end of the list stored in the file list storage unit 213. In addition, the list update unit 224 deletes the file name and the like related to the composite image information and additional information processed by the registration processing unit 226 from the list.

  The list sort unit 225 uses the correspondence table stored in the mode store correspondence storage unit 212 to sort the list of file names stored in the file list storage unit 213. The list sort unit 225 stores the sorted list of file names in the sorted list storage unit 214. The list sort unit 225 also deletes the file names related to the composite image information and additional information processed by the registration processing unit 226 from the list.

  Specifically, the list sort unit 225 displays a file name in which the store mode corresponding to the global address included in the file name stored in the file list storage unit 213 is the priority mode, and the store mode is the standard mode. Sorted before file names. Note that the composite image information and the additional information acquired from the photography printing apparatus 1 by wireless communication, that is, via the PHS (registered trademark) telephone network 122, are in the standard mode.

  The registration processing unit 226 performs processing related to registration of the composite image information and additional information stored in the data temporary storage unit 211 to the WEB server 205. The processing related to the registration is performed in the order of the list stored in the sorted list storage unit 214. The composite image information and the file name of the additional information that have been subjected to the registration-related processing are sent to the list update unit 224 and the list sort unit 225.

  Specifically, the registration processing unit 226 transmits the combined image information stored in the data temporary storage unit 211 to the image file server 203 and transmits additional information to the additional information file server 204. Here, when the additional information is transmitted to the additional information file server 204, the registration processing unit 226 also transmits information specifying the composite image information corresponding to the additional information. As a result, the additional information file server 204 records information of a combination of the additional information and information specifying the corresponding composite image information as a database.

  Further, when transmitting the composite image information to the image file server 203, the registration processing unit 226 also transmits information specifying the user among the additional information corresponding to the composite image information. As a result, the image file server 203 records a database in which the composite image information corresponding to the user is recorded in the folder corresponding to each user. Note that the image file server 203 may generate a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image size of the composite image indicated by the received composite image information, and store the thumbnail image in the same folder.

  Further, as described above, the registration processing unit 226 generates an e-mail in which URL information (WEB address) for accessing the WEB server 205 with respect to the e-mail address included in the additional information is generated, and the e-mail transmission server 206 transmit.

  Note that the registration processing unit 226 performs processing in the order of the list stored in the sorted list storage unit 214 when the processing is delayed due to the large number of composite image information and additional information acquired by the data acquisition unit 221. In other cases, the processing may be performed in the order of the list stored in the file list storage unit 213.

(Web server configuration)
Next, the configuration of the WEB server 205 will be described below with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the WEB server 205 includes a data acquisition unit 251, a composition processing unit 252, a WEB server processing unit 253, and a composition image storage unit 254.

  The WEB server processing unit 253 performs processing for providing a WEB page on the Internet. Specifically, the WEB server processing unit 253 transmits the page data of the WEB page related to the provision of the composite image data in response to the WEB access from the mobile phone 300 and the input required for the provision of the composite image data. A process of receiving information from the mobile phone 300 is performed.

  The data acquisition unit 251 receives the composite image information and additional information necessary for providing the WEB page by the WEB server processing unit 253 and the composite image information necessary for the composition processing by the composition processing unit 252 from the image file server. 203 and the additional information file server 204 are acquired.

  The composition processing unit 252 performs processing for generating composite image data provided by the WEB server processing unit 253. Specifically, the composition processing unit 252 generates composite image data in a format that can be provided by the WEB server processing unit 253 based on the composite image information. The combining process here may be performed using only the data included in the combined image information, or may be performed using the combining image data stored in the combining image storage unit 254.

(Processing flow at startup)
Next, referring to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the photography printing apparatus 1, the shop router 112, and the management server system when the photography photography printing apparatus 1 and the shop router 112 are turned on and activated. The operation flow 200 will be described.

  First, in the photographic printing apparatus 1, after various processes at the time of startup (step 101, hereinafter referred to as S 101), the communication processing unit 14 passes through the wired network connection unit 61 of the in-device router 6. A Ping signal is transmitted to the store router 112 (S102). At this time, when the presence of store router 112 is detected (YES in S103), store router 112 receives the Ping signal (S121) and transmits a response signal (S122). Then, the communication usage mode is set to wired communication (wired connection) and recorded in the communication information recording unit 56 (S111).

  On the other hand, when the presence of the store router 112 is not detected (NO in S103), the communication processing unit 14 reads and confirms the previous communication usage form (communication condition) from the communication information recording unit 56 (S104). If the communication usage mode is wireless communication (wireless connection) (YES in S105), the communication usage mode is set to wireless communication (S110), and then the startup process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the communication usage mode is wired communication (NO in S105), after waiting for a predetermined time (S106), a Ping signal is transmitted again (S107), and there is a response (reaction) from store router 112? It is determined whether or not (S108). When there is a response (YES in S108), the communication processing unit 14 sets the communication usage mode to wired communication and records it in the communication information recording unit 56 (S111).

  On the other hand, when there is no response (NO at S108), S106 to S108 are repeated until the predetermined number of times is reached (S109), and when there is still no response (YES at S109), the communication processing unit 14 uses the communication usage form. Is set to wireless communication (S110), and then the process at the time of startup is terminated.

  After S111, the communication processing unit 14 transmits a mode request for requesting the mode (communication condition) of the store where the device is installed to the management server system 200 to the store router 112 (S112). On the other hand, when the store router 112 receives the mode request from the photographic printing apparatus 1, it performs NAT conversion for converting the local address of the requesting photographic printing apparatus 1 into a global address, and then sends the mode request to the management server. It transmits to the system 200 (S123).

  On the other hand, in the management server system 200, when the data acquisition unit 221 of the registration processing server 202 acquires the mode request, the mode search unit 222 is included in the correspondence table of the request source global address and the mode store correspondence storage unit 212. The mode (priority or standard) corresponding to the global address of the request source is determined by comparing with the global address (S131). Next, the determination result determined by the mode search unit 222 is transmitted to the global address of the request source (S132).

  On the other hand, when the store router 112 corresponding to the global address of the request source receives the determination result from the management server system 200, the store router 112 performs NAT conversion for converting the global address of the request source into a local address, and then converts the converted local address. The determination result is transmitted to the photo photographic printing apparatus 1 at the address (S124). On the other hand, in the photographic printing apparatus 1, the communication processing unit 14 sets a mode corresponding to the determination result received from the store router 112 and records it in the communication information recording unit 56 (S113). Then, the process at the time of starting is complete | finished.

(Processing flow in photography printing equipment)
Next, the operation flow of the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, as a play start acceptance process, a standby demonstration screen is displayed on the photographing process touch panel 29. The demonstration screen includes information such as the machine name, abbreviation, and outline of the photographic printing apparatus 1. In this demonstration screen, a message prompting the user to insert coins, such as “Please insert coins”, may be displayed. When a user who enters the shooting space inserts a coin (S1) and the charging processing by the charging processing unit is completed, the demonstration screen is switched to the shooting processing screen and the reception processing is completed.

  Next, in S2, a screen for allowing the user to select a shooting course is displayed on the shot image display unit 24, and an input of a shooting course selection from the user is accepted. Shooting courses include, for example, a normal shooting course (the user selects and captures a desired curtain (background color)), an automatic shooting course (automatically selects and shoots a curtain), a pose shooting course (a user completes a model sample image (completed) It is assumed that the user can select a course that the user likes.

  In S3, the user takes a plurality of pictures in the photographing space based on the photographing course. At this time, the user can take a picture while visually recognizing his / her appearance displayed on the live view display panel. In S <b> 4, the user selects an image to be edited from the captured images as a keep image, and the captured image selected here is recorded in the captured image recording unit 51. Note that the process of S4 may be omitted and all the captured images may be subject to editing processing. In this case, since the process of S4 can be omitted, the editing process can be made longer.

  Next, in S5, a game selection performed after the editing process is performed. A plurality of types of games to be selected here are prepared. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that at least a game related to processing (portable transmission) for transmitting a composite image to the mobile phone 300 is included. Examples of other games include a game related to a process of generating a decoration image that can be added to an e-mail with respect to the mobile phone 300.

  In S6, editing processing is performed on the captured image kept in S4. In this editing process, an image to be edited and various editing tools at the time of the image editing process such as graffiti are displayed on the edited image display unit 31a, and based on input instructions from the user with the touch pen 32 and the operation receiving unit 31b, Various editing processes are performed.

  In S7, it is determined whether or not the game selected in S5 is a game related to “mobile transmission”. If NO in S7, that is, if a game other than the game related to “mobile transmission” is selected, a sticker printing process is performed in S8 after the game is executed, and the process ends.

  If YES in S7, that is, if a game relating to “mobile transmission” is selected, first in S9, the communication processing unit 14 receives an input of a mail address to which the composite image is transmitted from the user. Next, the communication processing unit 14 causes the edited image display unit 31a to display a synthesized image as a still image that does not include a moving image among the plurality of synthesized images generated by the editing process, and to be transmitted from the user. Is received (S10).

  Thereafter, the communication processing unit 14 determines the model or type of the cellular phone 300 corresponding to the email address based on the email address input in S9, and whether the cellular phone 300 is compatible with video display. It is determined whether or not (S11). If YES in S11, that is, if it corresponds to moving image display, the communication processing unit 14 selects a combined image as a moving image including a moving image from among the plurality of combined images generated by the editing process. The selection input of the composite image which is displayed on 31a and should be transmitted is received from the user (S12). Thereafter, the communication processing unit 14 transmits the composite image information of the composite image selected in S10 and S12 to the management server system 200 (S13), the seal printing process is performed in S8, and the process ends.

  If NO in S11, that is, if the moving image display is not supported, the communication processing unit 14 transmits the composite image information of the composite image selected in S10 to the management server system 200 (S13), and in S8. A seal printing process is performed, and the process ends.

(Processing flow of the management server system when receiving composite image information and additional information)
Next, the flow of processing when the management server system 200 receives the composite image information and the additional information from the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 21, the FTP server 201 waits for reception of composite image information and additional information from the photographic printing apparatus 1. In S22, when the composite image information and the additional information data are received, the FTP server 201 transmits the received data to the registration processing server 202, and the registration processing server 202 includes the sorted list storage unit. The composite image information received from the FTP server 201 is transmitted to the image file server 203 and the additional information is transmitted to the additional information file server 204 in the order of the list stored in 214. Thereby, the composite image information and the additional information are registered in the management server system 200 (S23).

  Also, the registration processing server 202 determines whether or not the additional information includes mail address information (S24). If included, the registration processing server 202 accesses the WEB server 205 for the mail address. A process of generating an electronic mail in which URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information (WEB address) is described is performed. The generated electronic mail is sent to the mail transmission server 206. Then, the mail transmission server 206 performs processing for transmitting the electronic mail received from the registration processing server 202 (S25).

(Processing flow in WEB server)
Next, the flow of processing in the WEB server will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in S <b> 31, the WEB server processing unit 253 receives a WEB access from the mobile phone 300. Here, the mobile phone 300 performs WEB access based on the WEB address described in the electronic mail received from the mail transmission server 206. Next, in S32, the WEB server processing unit 253 identifies the mobile phone 300 or the user who has accessed. The WEB server processing unit 253 acquires additional information corresponding to the accessed mobile phone 300 or user from the additional information file server 204. Based on the acquired additional information, an information page corresponding to the mobile phone 300 or the user is transmitted to the mobile phone 300 (S33).

  In the above example, it is assumed that the WEB address described in the e-mail sent from the mail transmission server 206 is a WEB address indicating an information page corresponding to the mail address of the user of the mobile phone 300. ing. That is, S32 and S33 are automatically performed by WEB access from the mobile phone 300. More specifically, the WEB server processing unit 253 acquires information that can specify the mobile phone 300 or the user based on the accessed address in S32, and adds additional information corresponding to this information to the additional information file server 204. Will get from.

  On the other hand, the WEB address described in the e-mail is the WEB address of the top page of the WEB page provided by the WEB server 205, and the user can specify personal identification information such as a mail address (if necessary) on the top page. The personal information page may be accessed by inputting a password or the like. That is, in S32, the WEB server processing unit 253 obtains information that can identify the mobile phone 300 or the user based on personal identification information such as an email address input on the top page, and adds information corresponding to this information. Information is acquired from the additional information file server 204.

  Next, in S34, the WEB server processing unit 253 determines whether or not the accessed mobile phone 300 is a model that does not support moving image display. Here, the WEB server processing unit 253 may acquire the model information corresponding to the accessed mobile phone 300 by the processing in S32 described above, or receives the model information transmitted by the mobile phone 300 at the time of access. Or may be acquired by inputting model information by the accessing user. The above determination is made by the WEB server processing unit 253 inquiring the additional information file server 204. If YES in S34, that is, if the model is not compatible with moving image display, the WEB server processing unit 253 transmits a page for a non-moving image compatible model to the mobile phone 300 in S35. Here, the WEB server processing unit 253 reads out the thumbnail image data of the composite image information corresponding to the user from the image file server 203, and transmits the thumbnail image data to the mobile phone 300 as still image state data.

  In this case, a thumbnail of a still image corresponding to at least one composite image information recorded in the image file server 203 as composite image information corresponding to the mail address of the user of the mobile phone 300 is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone 300. An image is displayed. Here, the displayed thumbnail image is displayed in a link format. When a link of this thumbnail image is selected (S36), the composite image information corresponding to the thumbnail image is read from the image file server 203. Then, the composite image data generated based on the composite image information is transmitted to the mobile phone 300 (S37).

  Thereafter, when an instruction to change the display format is received from mobile phone 300 (YES in S38), WEB server processing unit 253 transmits composite image data whose display format has been changed in accordance with the instruction to mobile phone 300. The change in the display format is a change in the number of pixels of the composite image data. For example, a pixel number changing process such as maximum horizontal, maximum vertical, or reduced in accordance with the size of the display screen of the mobile phone 300 can be given. By default, composite image data having the maximum number of horizontal pixels is transmitted.

  On the other hand, if NO in S34, that is, if the model is a video display compatible model, in S40, the WEB server processing unit 253 transmits a page for the video compatible model to the mobile phone 300. Here, the WEB server processing unit 253 reads out the thumbnail image data of the composite image information corresponding to the user from the image file server 203, and for those that can display the thumbnail image data as a moving image, the mobile phone To 300.

  In this case, the display screen of the mobile phone 300 includes a thumbnail including a moving image corresponding to at least one composite image information recorded in the image file server 203 as composite image information corresponding to the mail address of the user of the mobile phone 300. An image is displayed. Here, the displayed thumbnail images are displayed in a link format. When a thumbnail image that does not include a moving image is selected (YES in S42), the processing from S37 is performed.

  On the other hand, when a thumbnail image including a moving image is selected (YES in S41), the combined image information including the moving image corresponding to the thumbnail image is read from the image file server 203 and generated based on the combined image information. The image data is transmitted to the mobile phone 300 (S43). Here, the composition processing unit 252 generates composite image data in a format that can be provided by the WEB server processing unit 253 based on the composite image information. The combining process here may be performed using only the data included in the combined image information, or may be performed using the combining image data stored in the combining image storage unit 254.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, a PHS (registered trademark) telephone network is used as the mobile communication network, but a mobile communication network or other mobile communication network may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the registration process server 202 has changed the order of the registration process based on the mode corresponding to a store, other modes corresponding to a store are set, and the set mode is set. You may process based on. For example, the registration processing server 202 sets an image size mode (high resolution, low resolution, etc.), changes the image size of the composite image based on the set mode, and transmits it to the image file server 203. May be. Also, the registration processing server 202 sets the number of composite images to be provided to the user (10 sheets, 5 sheets, etc.), and sets the provided number of provisions for the composite image to be transmitted to the image file server 203 as additional information. In addition, it may be transmitted to the additional information file server 204.

  Finally, each block of the photographic printing apparatus 1, especially the control unit 10, and each block of the registration processing server 202, particularly the mode search unit 222, the list update unit 224, and the list sort unit 225 are configured by hardware logic. Alternatively, it may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the photography printing apparatus 1 and the registration processing server 202 expand a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and the program. A RAM (random access memory), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like are provided. An object of the present invention is to enable a computer to read program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of control programs for the photography printing apparatus 1 and the registration processing server 202 that are software for realizing the functions described above. This can also be achieved by supplying the recording medium recorded in the above to the photography printing apparatus 1 and the registration processing server 202, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) reads and executes the program code recorded in the recording medium. It is.

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the photographic printing apparatus 1 and the registration processing server 202 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  According to the present invention, in various situations, data can be transmitted to a server, and when an in-store network is available, the installation cost can be reduced by connecting each of the plurality of photography printing apparatuses to the in-store network. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to various information processing apparatuses other than the photographic printing apparatus.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the photography printing apparatus in the composite image communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the said synthetic | combination image communication system. It is a block diagram which shows the communication form between the said several photography printing apparatus installed in a certain store, and the management server system in the said composite image communication system. It is a block diagram which shows the connection relation between the said photography server, the store router in the said synthetic | combination image communication system, and the said management server system installed in each of several stores. It is a figure which shows the correspondence table which matched the name of the said store, a network address, a netmask, and the kind of mode with a table format. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the said photography printing apparatus, (a) And (b) has shown the external appearance of the said photography printing apparatus seen from a different direction, respectively. It is a front view of the editing part of the said photography printing apparatus. It is a front view of the printing part of the said photography printing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the said management server system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the registration processing server contained in the said management server system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the web server contained in the said management server system. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of this photography printing apparatus, the said store router, and the said management server system when starting the said photography printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a part of flow of the process in this photography printing apparatus when starting the said photography printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the said photography photography printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the said management server system. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the said web server.

Explanation of symbols

1 Photographic printing device (information processing device)
2 photographing unit 3 editing unit 4 printing unit 6 in-device router 10 control unit 14 communication processing unit (communication control means)
50 Recording Unit 55 Device Information Recording Unit 56 Communication Information Recording Unit (Storage Unit)
61 Wired network connection (wired network connection means)
62 PHS (registered trademark) dial-up connection (wireless dial-up connection means)
100 Composite Image Communication System (Network System)
110 store 111 network in store (second external network, second network)
112 store router 121 base station 122 PHS (registered trademark) telephone network (mobile communication network)
123 Access point 130 Internet (first external network, first network)
200 Management server system (server)
201 FTP server (receiver)
202 Registration processing server 211 Data temporary storage unit 212 Mode store correspondence storage unit 213 File list storage unit 214 Sorted list storage unit 221 Data acquisition unit (address acquisition means)
222 Mode search unit 223 Mode transmission unit 224 List update unit 225 List sort unit (processing means)
226 Registration processing unit (processing means)
300 Mobile phone

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus comprising: an in-device router that is a router for connecting to a first external network; and a communication control unit that controls the in-device router and communicates with a device on the first external network,
The in-device router is
A wireless dial-up connection means for connecting to the first external network by dial-up connection via a mobile communication network;
A wired network connection means for connecting by wire to a second external network connectable to the first external network ;
The communication control means confirms connection to the second external network via the wired network connection means, and based on the result, which of the wireless dial-up connection means and the wired network connection means is used? Select
A storage unit for storing communication information indicating whether the wired communication has been performed;
The communication control means repeats the connection confirmation when the connection confirmation is unsuccessful, and the communication information of the storage unit indicates that the wired communication was performed last time. An information processing apparatus characterized in that, when communication information indicates that the wired communication has not been performed last time, use of the wireless dial-up connection means is selected . A photography printing apparatus that provides a service for printing a composite image based on composite image information generated by performing an editing process on a photographed image of a subject on a print medium;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit transmits the composite image information to a server on a first external network. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A second external network to which the in-device router of the information processing device is connected;
An external router that is a router for connecting the second external network to the first external network. The network system according to claim 3 , wherein the external router has a fixed address assigned to a device connected to a second external network. A first external network;
Further comprises a server connected to said first external network,
The server includes a network address of a plurality of second external network connecting to the first external network, a storage unit for storing in association with processing information indicating the processing contents of the data,
A receiver for receiving data;
Address acquisition means for acquiring a network address of a destination of received data;
5. The network according to claim 3 , further comprising processing means for acquiring processing information corresponding to the acquired network address from the storage unit and processing the data based on the acquired processing information. System . An information processing apparatus control program for operating the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 for causing a computer to function as the communication control means. A network system control program for operating the network system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, the network system control program for causing a computer to function as each means described above. A computer-readable recording medium on which at least one of the information processing apparatus control program according to claim 6 and the network system control program according to claim 7 is recorded. A router for connecting to a first external network, which is connected to the first external network by dial-up connection via a mobile communication network, and to the first external network A method for controlling an information processing apparatus including an in-device router, which is a router provided with a wired network connection means for connecting by wire to a connectable second external network,
The information processing device includes a communication control step of controlling the in-device router to communicate with a device on a first external network;
The communication control step confirms connection to the second external network via the wired network connection means, and based on the result, which of the wireless dialup connection means and the wired network connection means is used? Is selected ,
In the communication control step, when the connection confirmation is unsuccessful, when communication information indicating whether the wired communication stored in the storage unit is performed indicates that the wired communication was performed last time, An information processing apparatus characterized by selecting use of the wireless dial-up connection means when the communication information in the storage section indicates that the wired communication has not been performed last time while repeating connection confirmation. Control method. A router for connecting to a first external network, which is connected to the first external network by dial-up connection via a mobile communication network, and to the first external network An information processing apparatus including an in-device router, which is a router including a wired network connection means for connecting by wire to a connectable second external network, first and second external networks, and a second external network An external router that is a router for connecting the first external network, and a server that is connected to the first external network, the network addresses of a plurality of second external networks that are connected to the first external network; And a server having a storage unit for storing the processing information indicating the processing content of the data in association with each other. A control method for that network system,
  The information processing apparatus includes a communication control step of controlling the internal router to communicate with the server on a first external network;
  The communication control step confirms connection to the second external network via the wired network connection means, and based on the result, which of the wireless dialup connection means and the wired network connection means is used? Is selected,
  In the communication control step, when the connection confirmation is unsuccessful, when communication information indicating whether the wired communication stored in the storage unit is performed indicates that the wired communication was performed last time, While repeating the connection check, when the communication information in the storage unit indicates that the wired communication was not performed last time, the use of the wireless dial-up connection means is selected,
  An address acquisition step in which the server acquires a network address of a destination of received data;
  The network system control method comprising: a processing step in which the server acquires processing information corresponding to the acquired network address from the storage unit, and performs processing of the data based on the acquired processing information. .