JP2002135702A - Image information transmitting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image information transmitting system by which image information such as a photo image can be easily obtained by printing out without requiring special knowledge for using electronic devices such as a personal computer or a potable device in particular. SOLUTION: A server 25a provided in a center 25 is connected to photograph vending machines 1 installed at various sites through a high-speed network 24. Image information transmitted by utilizing some photograph vending machine 1 is stored in a storage part 25b, and also an ID and a password are transmitted. For a photograph vending machine 1 requesting the readout of the image information with the ID and password specified, the image information is outputted after confirming the ID and password. Thus, this constitution allows a recipient to print out the image information by utilizing the photograph vending machine 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image information transmission system for transmitting and receiving image data such as photographic images using a network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, businesses using networks such as the Internet are rapidly developing, and for example, music and image information are distributed via networks. In particular, image data is often distributed free of charge, which is far more advantageous than, for example, obtaining image information from magazines or catalogs.

In this case, the image information is accessed by accessing a homepage of an image distribution company or the like, and is received by a device such as a personal computer or a PDA. In this case, printing of the image is performed using, for example, a printer connected to a personal computer.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional system, a personal computer or a PDA connected to a network is required as a terminal device. In addition, a printer is required to print the image data.

When the printer is not used, the image data is stored in a medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk and printed out for a fee. In this case, the photograph image cannot be received immediately, and a postage or the like may be required. On the other hand, not everyone can use a personal computer, a PDA, a printer device, and the like. For example, an elderly person or a person who is not interested in electronic devices cannot use the network effectively.

According to the present invention, it is possible to print an image such as a photographic image using an automatic photo vending machine and obtain a printout without requiring special knowledge of using an electronic device such as a personal computer or a portable device. An image information transmission system is provided.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting terminal device for inputting image data and uploading and registering the image data in a management center server, and a method for transmitting data uploaded from the transmitting terminal device. In an image information transmission system comprising a management center server for providing and storing identification information and a receiving terminal device for downloading the photographic image data from the management center server by inputting the identification information, ,
A fee payment unit for paying in advance a fee for printing the image data in the receiving terminal device; and an information transfer unit for adding the information indicating whether or not the fee has been prepaid and registering the image data in the management center server. This can be achieved by providing an image information transmission system including:

Here, the receiving terminal device is, for example, an automatic photo vending machine installed in the city, and the operation is as easy as purchasing soft drinks, cigarettes and the like. Also, for example, the sale of a photographic image by the vending machine is paid by the fee payment means, and the receiver can obtain the photographic image without paying the fee.

[0009] Therefore, with the above configuration, an elderly person or a person who is not interested in electronic equipment can easily perform printout and obtain image information. Claim 2
In the invention according to claim 1, the management center server downloads the image information to the receiving terminal device by adding information on an allowable number of sheets that can be printed free of charge.

[0010] With this configuration, the number of prints that can be printed free of charge by the receiving terminal device is set, thereby preventing unlimited printing of photographic images. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the printing process of the image data performed by the receiving terminal device requires identification information notified when the transmitting terminal device registers the image data. It is.

With this configuration, a person who can perform the printing process of the photographic image is specified, and illegal printing or the like is prevented. According to a fourth aspect, in the first aspect, the calculation of the fee is set based on the number of printed image data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the calculation of the fee is set according to the data capacity of the image data.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an automatic photo vending machine used in the image information transmission system of the present embodiment. The vending machine is provided, for example, in a street corner or in an office building.

As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic photo vending machine 1 has a display / operation unit (display & touch panel) 2, a key input unit 3, a recording medium insertion port 4, an LE on the front of the apparatus.
D5, fee display section 6, coin slot 7, bill slot 8, return lever 9, change slot 10, and print take-out slot 11
Is provided.

The display / operation unit (display &
The touch panel 2 includes a display unit of a liquid crystal display, and an operation unit that operates keys, buttons, icons, and the like displayed on the liquid crystal display with, for example, a finger. The display / operation unit (display & touch panel) 2 displays, for example, a thumbnail of a photographic image described later, and also displays a photographic image selection screen.

The recording medium insertion slot 4 is an insertion slot for a recording medium (information recording medium), for example, a compact flash memory card (Compact Flash; a standard proposed by SanDisk Corporation, USA), a PC card, a floppy disk and the like. . The recording medium insertion slot 4 has a built-in data reading device that supports various recording media so as to be compatible with various media. In addition, a static elimination brush for removing static electricity is provided in consideration of damage to each recording medium and damage to the apparatus main body due to static electricity.

The LEDs 5 are provided corresponding to the respective recording medium insertion ports 4. When the recording medium can be inserted into the recording medium insertion ports 4, the LEDs 5 blink. When the user inserts the medium, the medium is recognized, and the LED 5 is controlled to be turned on.
Note that the LED 5 also functions as an operation button. If the user wants to interrupt the processing and remove the medium during the reading / printing processing of the loaded medium, the user presses the button whose LED is lit to execute the processing. Can be stopped.

A coin slot 7, a bill slot 8, and a change slot 10 are used when the automatic photo vending machine 1 is used for a fee. A bill is inserted from the bill slot 8, and the coin slot 7 is inserted. To insert coins. At this time, the paid amount is displayed on the charge display section 6. Change port 10
Is returned when the change is returned or the user stops using the service halfway.

The print outlet 11 is a box from which a print output is taken out, and printed print sheets (photographs) are collected in the print outlet 11.
FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the automatic photo vending machine 1 and a configuration of a center of the automatic photo vending machine 1 connected by wireless communication. First, the internal configuration of the automatic photo vending machine 1 includes a main controller 13, peripheral circuits, and a printer unit 14.

The main controller 13 has a CPU inside.
(Central processing unit), and controls the drive of the automatic photo vending machine 1 according to the program in accordance with a program.
And distribution control to one of the four printers.

The main controller 13 is provided with a storage section 15, which stores a control program executed by the main controller 13. Further, other information such as user information, printing condition information,
Is stored. Also, the main controller 13
Includes a display control unit 16, a key input control unit 18,
Card interface (hereinafter referred to as card I / F)
19, a charge management unit 20, a transmission / reception unit 21, and the printer unit 14 are connected.

The display control unit 16 controls output of display information to be displayed on the display / operation unit (display & touch panel) 2 and displays / outputs the display information output from the main controller 13 (display & touch panel). The display is controlled to 2.

The key input control unit 18 controls the main controller 13 to output an operation signal according to the operation of the key input unit 3 by the user. The card I / F 19 is
This is an interface for reading digital image information from each recording medium inserted into each recording medium insertion slot 4 described above and controlling the output to the main controller 13.

The charge management unit 20 calculates the amount of money received from the coin insertion slot 7 and the bill slot 8 and displays the calculated amount on the amount display unit 6, which is a charge corresponding to the designated number of prints. Make sure that It also manages change. On the other hand, the transmitting / receiving unit 21 transmits and receives data to and from the base station 23 by wireless communication, and the base station 23 manages the vending machine 1 via the high-speed network 24.
Is connected to The center 25 is composed of a server 25a and a storage unit 25b, and manages many automatic photo vending machines 1 connected via the base station 23 and the high-speed network 24 and acquires maintenance information.

The center 25 accepts image data to be distributed to the remote automatic vending machine 1 or the automatic vending machine 1 nationwide through an arbitrary automatic vending machine 1 or the Internet, and stores the image data in the storage unit 25b. Is stored.
Further, the server 25a transmits the image data stored in the storage unit 25b to the automatic photo vending machine 1 in each region as I information as identification information.
D (registration number) and a password are extracted according to the designated selection, transmitted to the high-speed network 24, and the designated automatic photo vending machine 1
It is a configuration that can be selectively delivered to FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the system configuration. In the image information transmission system having the above configuration, the processing operation of this example will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of this embodiment, and shows, for example, processing when transmitting a photographed image. First, it is determined whether a recording medium (media) is loaded in the recording medium insertion slot 4 of the automatic photo vending machine 1 (step (hereinafter, referred to as ST) 1). If the recording medium (media) is not loaded (NO in ST1), the process waits for the recording medium (media) to be loaded.

On the other hand, when a recording medium is loaded (ST1 is YES), a menu is displayed on the display 2 under the control of the main controller 13 (S1).
T2). The menu display is, for example, a transmission menu of a captured image of the present example or a print menu of a captured image recorded on a recording medium.

Next, the sender selects an image transmission menu of the photographed image from the above menu (ST3 is YE).
S). Here, if another menu such as a print menu of the photographed image is selected, the corresponding menu is processed. Next, the sender selects and specifies an image desired to be transmitted from a menu displayed on the display 2 (ST).
5). Then, after the transmission image is selected and designated, the payment method of the printing fee is designated (ST6). That is, it is specified whether the sender pays itself or when the receiver prints the transmission image, the receiver pays.

Here, for example, when the sender pays the printing fee (ST7 is the sender), the fee is displayed on the fee display section 6 (ST8), and the display shown in FIG. 5, for example, is performed. The charge display screen also includes a cash or credit payment method selection button, and the sender also specifies the payment method.

Here, when the sender pays a fee, it is next determined that payment has been completed (ST9). That is,
When a fee is inserted from the coin slot 7 or the bill slot 8 and the fee indicated by the fee is paid (ST8 is YE
S), the payment information is added to the transmission data (ST1).
0), the above-mentioned center 25 is transmitted (ST11).

When the receiver pays the printing fee (S
(T7 is the receiver), the transmission data is immediately transmitted to the center 25 without adding the paid information to the transmission data (ST11). The fee paid by the sender in advance may be, for example, the number of screens to be transmitted × the printing unit price, or a printing fee exceeding the number of screens may be paid.

On the other hand, the transmission data sent to the center 25 is transferred to the server 25a (ST12),
a and the registration management of data is performed (ST1).
3). In this process, for example, the print designation image supplied to the server 25a is registered in the storage unit 25b, and information on the sender is stored.

Next, the server 25a stores the ID in the registered information.
And a password information (ST14), a registration completion notification to the automatic vending machine 1 operated by the sender, and the ID
Is sent back (ST15). Then, the ID and the password are displayed on the display 2 of the automatic vending machine 1 where the sender is located (ST16). By this processing, the sender knows the ID and the password, and is used for the subsequent processing. After transmitting the photographed image data using the automatic photo vending machine 1 as described above, the sender checks the ID and password information displayed on the display 2 of the automatic photo vending machine 1, and sends the information by telephone or the like. Contact the recipient.

Next, the recipient uses the ID and password to operate the automatic photo vending machine 1 to print the transmitted image data. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining this processing. First, the recipient operates the automatic photo vending machine 1 to specify a receiving operation (step (hereinafter referred to as ST).
(Indicated by P) 1 is YES). If another process is specified, a corresponding process is performed.

Next, an ID and a password are input (STP2). The ID and the password are notified from the sender, and when the ID and the password are input, the vending machine 1 transmits the ID and the password to the center 25 (STP3). Server 25a of center 25
When the above information is input, the ID and password are confirmed (STP4), and the corresponding data is searched (STP4).
5). Then, the automatic photo vending machine 1 operated by the recipient
Downloads captured image data corresponding to (STP
6).

The vending machine 1 receives the above information (S
TP7), and at the same time, receiving the payment method designation information (S7).
TP8). Here, the image information is the photographed image data transmitted by the sender, and if the sender has already paid the fee from the payment method designation information (STP9: YES), the printing process is immediately performed (free of charge). Print),
A print output is made to the print outlet 11 (STP1
0). On the other hand, if the sender has not paid the fee (NO in STP9), the fee is paid, and the printing process is performed (paid printing is performed) (STP11).

As described above, by using the vending machine 1, for example, a photo of a vacation or a photograph of a child's school event is transmitted, and relatives and acquaintances in the region use the vending machine 1. Can be printed out. Also, in the idol singer's fan club or the like, the image information of the concert tour is registered in the server 25a of the center 25, the ID is notified in a newsletter or the like, and the member number or the like is used as a password. A printout of the image can be obtained.

The charge may be set based on the number of images to be selected, the capacity of the image data, or the storage time of the image to be registered. Further, if the sender pays a large fee with a margin, the receiver can use the automatic photo vending machine 1 to select an arbitrary screen from the thumbnail display and freely print an arbitrary number of sheets. .

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, by using an automatic photo vending machine, a photographic image sent by another person or image information published by a distribution company can be easily printed out.

In particular, when the sender pays the printing fee, the receiver does not need to pay the printing fee, and the receiver can more easily obtain the print image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an automatic photo vending machine used for an image information transmission system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the automatic photo vending machine and a configuration of a center of the automatic photo vending machine connected by wireless communication.

FIG. 3 is a schematic system configuration diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to the present exemplary embodiment, and illustrates processing when a captured image is transmitted.

FIG. 5 is a display example when a fee is displayed on a display.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to the present exemplary embodiment, and illustrates processing when a captured image is received.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic photo vending machine 2 Display / operation part (display & touch panel) 3 Key input part 4 Recording media insertion slot 5 LED 6 Charge display part 7 Coin insertion slot 8 Bill slot 9 Return lever 10 Change slot 11 Print take-out slot 13 Main controller 14 Printer unit 15 Storage unit 16 Display control unit 18 Key input control unit 19 Card interface 20 Charge management unit 21 Transmission / reception unit 23 Base station 24 High-speed network 25 Center 25a Server 25b Storage unit

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06F 17/60 332 G06F 17/60 502 502 510 510 512 512 512 H04N 5/76 E H04N 5/76 7/173 640A 7 / 173 640 5/91 LF term (reference) 5B021 AA30 BB02 5C052 FA02 FA03 FA09 FB01 FD08 FE01 5C053 FA06 FA07 JA21 KA04 KA24 LA03 LA06 LA14 5C064 BA07 BB01 BC03 BC18 BC23 BC25 BD03 BD04 BD08

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A transmitting terminal device for inputting image data and uploading and registering the image data in a management center server, a management center server for providing image data uploaded from the transmitting terminal device with identification information, and storing the identification information. And a receiving terminal device that downloads the image data from the management center server by inputting a password. The transmitting terminal device pays a fee for printing the image data in the receiving terminal device in advance. An image information transmission system comprising: a fee payment unit; and an information transfer unit that adds information indicating whether the fee has been paid and registers the image data in the management center server. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management center server downloads the image information to the receiving terminal device after adding information on an allowable number of sheets that can be printed free of charge.
Described image information transmission system. 3. The image data printing process performed by the receiving terminal device requires identification information notified when the transmitting terminal device has registered the image data. Described image information transmission system. 4. The image information transmitting system according to claim 1, wherein the calculation of the fee is set based on the number of printed image data. 5. The image information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the calculation of the fee is set according to a data capacity of the image data.