JP2002158908A - Image pickup device, information-processing device, information-processing system, control method for controlling the information-processing device, recording medium, control method for controlling the information processing system, and the storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an environment for purchasing a digital camera lightheartedly. SOLUTION: The image pickup device comprises an image pickup element for picking up the image of an object image, a memory for recording the number of shootings and image data, and control device for disabling shooting when the number of shooting reaches a prescribed value, and for resetting the number of shooting recorded in a memory by a control signal from external equipment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera, an information processing apparatus for processing image data photographed by a digital camera or the like, and a server apparatus for storing image data via a communication network. The present invention relates to an information processing system including the same, an information processing apparatus and a control method of the information processing system, and a storage medium for controlling the information processing apparatus and the information processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of computers and the Internet, the use of digital images captured by digital cameras has become active. The feature is that image data captured by a digital camera can be easily edited, saved, and output by taking it into a computer. To use image data captured by a digital camera, it is necessary to use hardware such as a computer.Therefore, users who do not have hardware such as a computer or want to use image data captured even when they are away from home Several services have been proposed for users.

A removable recording medium in which photographed image data is stored, such as a compact flash (registered trademark), as if proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-150523, for example, to develop a film of a silver halide camera for development. If you bring your smart media to a DPE shop, it will print photos, and various recording media, such as MO
(Magneto-optical disk) and CD-R services.

There is also a service in which a server system capable of uploading and storing digital images from information terminal devices installed in various places is free of charge, and the stored digital images are photograph-printed for a fee. Further, there is a service in which a printer is built in the information terminal device itself and printing is performed immediately.

[0005]

A user who does not have hardware such as a computer needs to purchase a digital camera in order to use the above service. However, since conventional digital cameras are mainly considered to be used by those who own the hardware such as a computer, they are expensive compared to a silver halide camera, but they own the hardware such as a computer. The advantage obtained by a user who does not use a digital camera is equal to or less than the advantage obtained by using a silver halide camera. For this reason, most digital camera purchasers currently own hardware such as computers.

In order to use the above-mentioned service, a user who wants to use image data shot even when he is away from home must carry his / her own digital camera. If the user goes out without carrying his or her digital camera and needs to take a picture, the conventional digital camera is expensive and cannot be purchased easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera which can be easily obtained and used, an information processing apparatus for processing image data from the imaging apparatus, and a communication network. Provided is an information processing system including a server device that stores image data via the same, an information processing system and a control method of the information processing system, and a storage medium for controlling the information processing device and the information processing system. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image pickup means for picking up a subject image, a storage means for storing image data picked up by the image pickup means, and an image pickup amount in the image pickup means When the amount reaches a predetermined amount, an imaging impossible unit for making imaging impossible, and a canceling unit for canceling the imaging impossible state according to a control signal according to billing,
An imaging device characterized by having:

Further, an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, a storage means for storing image data picked up by the image pickup means, and an image pickup means for disabling image pickup when the image pickup amount of the image pickup means reaches a predetermined amount. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging disable unit; and a release unit configured to release the imaging disable state in response to a control signal from the outside of the imaging device.

An information processing apparatus having a function of controlling an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject, comprising: communication means for communicating with the image pickup apparatus; billing processing means for performing billing processing; Control means for controlling the imaging device to cancel the image capturing disabled state.

An information processing apparatus having a function of controlling an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means for picking up a subject image and a storage means for storing the number of times of image pickup, comprising: a communication means for communicating with the image pickup apparatus; An information processing apparatus, comprising: a billing processing unit that performs a process on the image data; and a control unit that controls the number of times of photographing in the storage unit included in the imaging device to be reset according to the billing. I will provide a.

[0012] Also, there is provided a processing method of an information processing apparatus for controlling an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject, comprising the steps of: performing a process for billing;
Receiving the data, and controlling the image capturing apparatus to release the image capturing disabled state in accordance with the billing.

A method of controlling an information processing apparatus for controlling an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and a storage means for storing the number of times of image pickup, the method comprising receiving image data from the image pickup apparatus Processing, a step of performing processing for billing, and a step of resetting the number of times of photographing in the storage unit included in the imaging device according to the billing. Provide a way.

Further, the present invention provides a method for controlling an information processing system including an image pickup device for picking up a subject image and an information processing device for controlling the image pickup device. A control method for an information processing system, comprising: performing communication, performing a process for billing, and controlling to release an imaging impossible state of the imaging device in accordance with the billing. I will provide a.

Further, the present invention provides a method for controlling an information system, comprising: an image pickup apparatus having image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and storage means for storing the number of times of image pickup; and an information processing apparatus for controlling the image pickup apparatus. Performing communication between the imaging device and the information processing device, performing a process for billing, and, in response to the billing, resetting the number of times of photographing in the storage unit included in the imaging device; And a control method for an information processing system, comprising:

Further, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling an information processing apparatus for controlling an imaging apparatus having an imaging means for imaging a subject image and a storage means for storing the number of times of imaging. A code for receiving image data from the imaging device, a code for performing processing for billing, and the number of times of photographing in the storage means included in the imaging device in accordance with the billing. And a code for resetting the storage medium.

Also, a computer readable storage medium storing a program for controlling an information processing system including an image pickup device for picking up a subject image and an information processing device for controlling the image pickup device. A code for performing communication between the imaging device and the information processing device; a code for performing processing for billing; and canceling an imaging disabled state of the imaging device in accordance with the billing. And a code for controlling the storage medium.

Still further, an image pickup apparatus having image pickup means for picking up a subject image and storage means for storing the number of times of image pickup,
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling an information system including an information processing device for controlling the imaging device, wherein a communication medium is provided between the imaging device and the information processing device. , A code for performing a process for billing, and a code for resetting the number of times of photographing in the storage unit included in the imaging device in accordance with the billing. Is provided.

[0019]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system includes a digital camera 9, an information processing apparatus 10, a server apparatus 11, and a personal computer at each user's home 7. It comprises a computer (personal computer) 12. The digital camera 9 is provided to the user 1 at various places, for example, at a convenience store 2, a gas station 3, an amusement park 4, a game center 5, or the like in exchange for a free or small deposit.

The information processing apparatus 10 is installed in various places, for example, a convenience store 2, a gas station 3, an amusement park 4, a game center 5, and the like. The information processing device 10 can communicate with a server device 11 of a company 6 that operates an information processing system via a communication network 8, for example, an analog telephone line, an ISDN line, an optical fiber line, the Internet, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the digital camera of the present embodiment. When an image is captured, a light beam from a subject passes through an optical system 13 composed of a lens or the like and enters an image pickup device 14, for example, a CCD or CMOS sensor. The incident light is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 14 and output as an analog signal. This analog image data
The data is converted into digital image data by an A / D converter 15 and recorded in a memory 18, for example, a DRAM, an SRAM, or a flash memory.

The digital image data may be recorded in the memory 18 after lossless compression without data loss. The digital camera of this embodiment does not perform image processing such as color separation and gamma correction performed on the digital image data by a normal digital camera, so that the internal circuit can be simplified and a low-cost camera can be realized. it can.

In the nonvolatile memory 17, for example, a flash memory or an EEPROM, the number of times of photographing is recorded. When detecting that the number of times of photographing reaches a predetermined number, the CPU 16 as a control means performs control so that further photographing cannot be performed (control to disable image capturing). That is,
In the present embodiment, the imaging-impossible unit is included in the CPU 16.

In the ROM 19, ID information unique to each digital camera 9 is recorded.

The memory 18, the nonvolatile memory 17, and the ROM 1
9 may be separately configured as described above, or the memory 18 and the non-volatile memory 17 may be used.
Alternatively, the functions of the ROM 19 and the ROM 19 may be performed by one flash memory.

Reading of the image data recorded in the memory 18 is possible only by the information processing device 10.

The number of times of photography recorded in the nonvolatile memory 17 is reset by receiving a control signal transmitted from the information processing device 10. The number of times of photography recorded in the non-volatile memory 17 is reset, the image data recorded in the memory 18 is deleted, and the digital camera 9 becomes usable again. Here, the operation of resetting the number of times of photographing and the operation of erasing the image data stored in the memory 18 are executed by the CPU 16 receiving the control signal.
However, a configuration that performs the above operation may be used, or the CP
The above-described operation may be performed by a control signal without using the U16. That is, in the present embodiment, the release unit may be configured to be included in the CPU 16,
A configuration that is not included in 16 may be used.

The ID information recorded in the ROM 19 is
When communication with the information processing apparatus 10 becomes possible, the information is automatically read into the information processing apparatus 10. The transmission of the ID information and the image data to the information processing apparatus 10 and the reception of the control signal
This is performed via the communication interface 20 as communication means. As a communication form, for example, IrDA, Bluetoot
Wireless data communication such as h or wired data communication such as USB can be used.

Although the above-described imaging apparatus is an example of a digital camera that mainly captures still images, it may be a video camera that mainly captures moving images. In this case, for example, a configuration in which imaging is disabled when the imaging time exceeds a predetermined time is considered.

The imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment captures a subject image. When the imaging amount of the imaging device reaches a predetermined amount (when the number of times of shooting reaches a predetermined number, or when the shooting time reaches a predetermined time, (Including when it reaches), the imaging is disabled, and the imaging disabled state is released in response to the control signal as described above.

Next, the control operation of the CPU 16 included in the digital camera of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the control of the photographing operation and the operation for disabling imaging will be described with reference to FIG.

First, it is detected in S1 that the power is turned on.

Then, in S2, the CPU 16 confirms the number of times of photographing so far (the number of times of photographing after resetting the number of times of photographing by the information processing device). That is, it is checked whether or not the number of times of shooting has reached the maximum number of times of shooting, and if not, since shooting is still possible, the state of shooting preparation (S3) is set. If the maximum number of times of photographing has been reached, control is performed so that further photographing cannot be performed (S9).

Next, by detecting the shutter button ON from the state of preparation for photographing (S3) (S5), a shutter or the like (not shown) is controlled so as to photograph the subject (S5.).

Then, as the photographing is performed, the number of times of photographing in the nonvolatile memory 17 is rewritten. That is, control is performed so that the number of times of photography is added to the number of times of previous photography by one (S6).

Thereafter, the photographed image data is stored in the memory 18 (S7). If it is not detected that the power has been turned off, the process returns to S2, and the above-described operations of S2 to S7 are repeated. If it is detected that the power has been turned off, the operation of the digital camera is terminated (S8).

Next, a control operation for transferring image data and canceling the imaging impossible state will be described with reference to FIG.

First, it is detected that the power is turned on (S10), and thereafter, when it is detected that the power supply is connected to the information processing apparatus 10 (S11), the communication with the information processing apparatus 10 is started. (S12).

The ID information is controlled to be transmitted from the ROM 19 in the digital camera to the information processing apparatus 10 (S13), and by detecting that the fee has been paid (charging (described in detail later)) (S14). ), The image data is controlled to be transmitted from the memory 18 to the information processing apparatus 10 (S15).

Then, by receiving a control signal for resetting the number of times of photographing from the information processing apparatus 10, (S1
6), the number of times of photography stored in the nonvolatile memory 17 is reset (S17), and the image data in the memory 18 is deleted (S17).
18).

Thereafter, the operation is terminated by detecting that the power has been turned off (S19).

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a communication interface for communicating with the digital camera 9, and 22 denotes a control device.
It includes a CPU 23, a memory 24, a magnetic disk 25, a digital signal processor (DSP) 26, and the like. This control device 22
Processing for accounting (described later), image processing such as color separation and gamma correction for image data from the digital camera 9, JP
It controls data compression by the EG method and the like, transmission and reception of image data, and the like. The control device 22 stores a large number of templates in which backgrounds, characters, and the like are registered.
A synthesizing process with the image data is performed.

Reference numeral 27 denotes an input interface such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel for inputting characters and various selections. Reference numeral 28 denotes a display such as a CRT or an LCD.
Reference numeral 29 denotes a billing device for accepting billing. The payment method includes cash, a dedicated prepaid card, and a credit card.
And debit cards.

Reference numeral 30 denotes an output device such as an ink jet printer or a sublimation type thermal transfer printer for outputting in the form of a photograph, a seal, a business card, etc., 31 denotes an MO drive 32, a CD-R drive 33,
It is an input / output device such as a memory card socket 34, etc.
It performs storage on the recording media (magneto-optical disk, CD-R, memory card, etc.) owned by 1 and reading of image data and the like stored on the recording media.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a digital camera collection device. The control device 22 detects a return of the digital camera that is no longer used by the user 1 to the collection device. If you keep it,
Control is performed so that a considerable amount of money is refunded to the billing device 29. 36
Is a communication interface for performing communication between the information processing device and the server device 11 connected through the network 8.

The control operation of the control device 22 included in the information processing device 4 will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the overall operation of the control device.

First, by detecting that the digital camera 9 is connected (S20), the digital camera 9 is connected.
Is controlled so as to start communication (S21).

By detecting the reception of ID information unique to the digital camera from the digital camera 9 (S2
2), display the fee payment request to user 1
Control is performed so as to be displayed at 28 (S23). Here, when it is detected that the fee payment has been performed, the operation shifts to an operation for receiving image data from the digital camera (S25). When no fee payment is detected, a fee payment request is issued. Control to maintain the screen displaying (S2
Four).

After receiving the image data, a reset control signal for resetting the number of times of photographing in the nonvolatile memory 17 of the digital camera is transmitted to the digital camera (S2).
6) Then, color separation and γ are performed on the received image data.
Image processing such as correction is performed (S27), and further, thumbnail image data (reduced image of the image data) of the processed image data is created (S28).

The created thumbnail image is displayed on the display
28 is displayed (S29) to prompt the user-1 to select processing such as editing, output, download, and transmission. Then, according to the selection of the user 1, the processing of the edit S31, the output S32, the transmission S33, and the download S34 is performed.

Next, the detailed operation of the editing process S31 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, by detecting that the user 1 has selected an image for editing from among the displayed thumbnail images (S31a), the selected image data is stored. The information is displayed on the display 28 (S31b).

After that, the image data is edited in accordance with the input of characters from the input interface 27 or the command for synthesizing the background, character, etc. (S31c), and the end of the editing is detected. (S31d), a thumbnail image of the edited image data is created and added to the thumbnail image data list display (S31e).

Next, the detailed operation of the output process S32 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, it is detected whether the user selects which one of the printer 30 and the input / output device 31 to output an image (S32).
a) Then, by detecting that the user 1 has selected an image for output from the thumbnail images displayed in the list (S32b), the user 1 Control is performed such that a fee payment request for outputting image data is displayed on the display (S32c).

By detecting that payment has been made (S32d), the selected image is output to the printer or input / output device 28 selected in S32a (S32e). In S32d, when the fee collection is not detected, control is performed so as to keep displaying the fee payment request on the display.

Next, the transmission process S33 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, the user 1 selects an image to be transmitted and stored to the server device 11 from the list of thumbnail images, and the selection is detected (S33a).
Control is performed so that communication with the server device 11 determined by the ID information of the digital camera 9 that has taken the selected image is started (S33b).

Then, control is performed to transmit the image data and the thumbnail image data of the image data to the server device 11 corresponding to the ID information (S33c). In the server device 11, the data is stored in a directory specified by the ID information. Here, the control device 22 has data for converting the ID information into the server device 11 and the address of the directory in the server device 11, and can specify the transmission destination by using the data. Further, the ID information itself is stored in the server device.
11 and the address of the directory.

Next, the download process S34 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, for the input interface 27,
When the user inputs the ID information or directly reads the ID information from the digital camera, the ID information is detected (S34a), and the thumbnail image is downloaded from the server corresponding to the ID information. (S34b).

Then, control is performed so that the thumbnail images are displayed in a list on the display 28, and the selection of the image to be downloaded is prompted (S34c).

Then, by detecting the selection by the user 1 (S34d), control is performed so as to download the image data from the corresponding server device 11 (S34e).

Other operations of the control device 22 will be described below.

When the information processing device 10 is not used, the advertisement transmitted from the server device 11 is always displayed on the display 28. When the user 1 is using the information processing device 10, the advertisement on the display 28 is displayed. Control so that a banner advertisement is displayed in part. The banner advertisement is linked to the homepage, and the information processing apparatus 10 can browse the homepage and use services provided on the homepage, for example, online shopping. The service usage fee can be paid by the charging device 29, and the control device 22 also performs processing for the charging.

The communication cost between the information processing apparatus 10 and the server apparatus 11 and the electricity cost of the information processing apparatus 10 can be provided to the user at a lower price by being covered by the income from the advertisement and the service fee collection fee. System-based services can be provided.

Finally, the operation of the server device 11 will be described.

A control device (not shown) in the server device 11
The image data and its thumbnail image data stored in the server device 11 are automatically deleted when a certain period of time has elapsed since they were stored. This makes it possible to control the storage capacity of the server device 11 so that the storage data amount does not exceed the storage capacity.

The image data stored in the server device 11 can also be downloaded from, for example, the personal computer 12 in the user's home 7 connected to a communication network 8 such as the Internet. The control device in the server device 11 is a user.
The user 1 accesses a homepage registered in the server device 11 and, according to a predetermined format, inputs ID information. In response, the thumbnail of the image data stored in the directory in the server device 11 corresponding to the ID information. Control to transmit the image. Also, in response to the user selecting image data from the thumbnail images, control is performed so that the selected image data is transmitted.

In the present embodiment, when a homepage provided by the information processing system operating company 6 is accessed and ID information is transmitted according to a predetermined format, the thumbnail stored in the directory of the server system specified by the ID information is transmitted. Image data selected from image data and thumbnail image data is displayed on the display 28 of the personal computer 12 or the information processing apparatus 10.

In this embodiment, a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments are recorded is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or a computer) of the system or the apparatus is supplied. Needless to say, the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
By executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing, and the processing performs the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0077]

According to the present invention, an imaging device can be easily obtained and enjoyed with the same feeling as a disposable camera of a silver halide camera, and the photographed image can be edited and output in various places. . Further, since image data can be transmitted to and stored in the server device, many shootings can be performed without preparing a recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a digital camera applied to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of photographing by a digital camera applied to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image data transmission by a digital camera applied to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an information processing apparatus applied to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image data reception by the information processing apparatus applied to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image editing by the information processing apparatus applied to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image output by the information processing apparatus applied to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of transmission of image data to a server device by an information processing device applied to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of downloading image data from a server device by an information processing device applied to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 User 2 Convenience store 3 Gas station 4 Amusement park 5 Game center 6 Digital imaging system operating company 7 User's house 8 Communication network 9 Digital camera 10 Information processing device 11 Server device 12 Personal computer 13 Optical system 14 Image sensor 15 A / D converter 16 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 17 Non-Volatile Memory 18 Memory 19 ROM 20 Communication Interface 21 Communication Interface 22 Controller 23 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 24 Memory 25 Magnetic Disk 26 Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 27 Input Interface 28 Display 29 Billing device 30 Printer 31 I / O device 32 MO drive 33 CD-R drive 34 Memory card socket 35 Digital camera collection device 36 Communication interface

Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B047 BB04 BC21 BC23 CA23 DB01 5C022 AA13 AB00 AC42 AC52 AC69 5C062 AA13 AA35 AB17 AB38 AB41 AB42 AC22 AC23 AC24 AC27 AF08 AF14 5C064 BA04 BA07 BC01 BC10 BC18 BC25

Claims (41)

[Claims] An imaging unit that captures an image of a subject; a storage unit that stores image data captured by the imaging unit; and an imaging unit that disables imaging when an imaging amount of the imaging unit reaches a predetermined amount. An imaging apparatus, comprising: an imaging disabled unit; and a release unit configured to release the imaging disabled state in response to a control signal corresponding to a charge. 2. An image pickup means for picking up a subject image; a storage means for storing image data picked up by the image pickup means; and an image pickup means for disabling the image pickup when the image pickup amount of the image pickup means reaches a predetermined amount. An imaging apparatus, comprising: an imaging disabled unit; and a release unit configured to release the imaging disabled state in response to a control signal from outside the imaging device. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit stores an ID unique to the imaging device.
The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a first storage unit that stores information. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said canceling means erases image data stored in said storage means in response to said control signal. apparatus. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a second storage unit that stores the number of times of image capturing, and the image capturing unit disables image capturing when the number of image capturing reaches a predetermined number. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the canceling unit resets the number of times of shooting stored in the second storage unit according to the control signal. 7. The canceling means resets the number of storages stored in the second storage unit in response to the control signal, and stores the image data stored in the storage unit in response to the resetting. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the image is erased. 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data stored in the storage unit is readable by a specific information processing apparatus. . 9. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the ID information stored in the storage unit is read by a specific information processing device. 10. The image pickup apparatus includes analog-to-digital conversion means for converting an analog signal from the image pickup means into a digital signal, and the image pickup apparatus converts the digital signal converted by the analog-to-digital conversion means. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the digital signal is transmitted to the outside of the imaging device without performing color processing. 11. An information processing apparatus having a function of controlling an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject, comprising: communication means for communicating with the image pickup apparatus; charging processing means for performing processing for charging; Control means for controlling the imaging device to cancel the image capturing disabled state. 12. An information processing apparatus having a function of controlling an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means for picking up a subject image and a storage means for storing the number of times of image pickup, wherein: a communication means for communicating with the image pickup apparatus; An information processing apparatus, comprising: a billing processing unit that performs a process with respect to, and a control unit that controls so as to reset the number of times of photographing in the storage unit included in the imaging device in accordance with the billing. . 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit controls the communication unit to receive ID information from the imaging device. 14. The control means transmits image data from the imaging device to a server device connected to a network, and controls the image data to be stored in a predetermined area for each ID information. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein 15. An input means for inputting ID information, wherein said control means responds to input of ID information by said input means, said ID of a server device connected to a network. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image data is controlled to be downloaded from an area corresponding to the information.
4. The information processing device according to any one of 4. 16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said control means creates thumbnail image data, which is a reduced image of said image data, from image data inputted from said communication means. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1. 17. The control means transmits the thumbnail image data to a server device connected to a network, and controls to store the thumbnail image data in a predetermined area for each ID information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein 18. An input device for inputting ID information, wherein the control device responds to the input of the ID information by the input device, the ID of a server device connected to a network. Download the thumbnail image data from the area corresponding to the information, display it in a list, and control so that the image data selected from the displayed thumbnail images is downloaded from the server device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: 19. An image processing apparatus comprising: input means for editing image data; wherein the control means has an area for storing a template for image editing, and in accordance with an operation on the input means, 19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image data is edited using the template. 20. The information according to claim 11, wherein the control unit controls to display the advertisement information when the information processing apparatus is in an unused state. Processing equipment. 21. The control means controls to display a banner advertisement and access a home page linked to the banner advertisement when the information processing apparatus is in use. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 20, wherein: 22. The system according to claim 11, wherein said control means controls to perform payment processing of a fee for use of a service provided on said home page. The information processing device according to claim 1. 23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a collection unit for collecting the imaging device. 24. The control means according to the collection,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein control is performed so that a predetermined fee is refunded. 25. An image processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an output unit for outputting the image data as various media, wherein the control unit controls to output the image data in accordance with a charge. 25. The information processing device according to any one of 24. 26. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an input unit for reading image data from a computer-readable external storage medium. 27. An information processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: image data in a predetermined area for each ID information; and thumbnail image data as a reduced image of said image data. Memorize,
An information processing system comprising: a server device connected to a network. 28. The information according to claim 27, wherein the server device includes control means for deleting the image data and thumbnail image data after a predetermined period has elapsed after the image data and the thumbnail image data are stored. Processing system. 29. The control means in the information processing device,
In response to the input of the ID information, control is performed such that the ID information is transmitted to the server device, and the control means in the server device controls the ID according to the ID information.
29. The information processing system according to claim 27, wherein control is performed such that the thumbnail image is transferred from an area corresponding to information. 30. The control means in the information processing apparatus, wherein the control means controls the server device to download image data selected from the transferred thumbnail images. 30. The information processing system according to claim 29, wherein 31. A processing method of an information processing device for controlling an imaging device that captures an image of a subject, comprising: performing a process for billing; receiving image data from the imaging device; Controlling the imaging device to release the imaging disabled state of the imaging device in response to a charge. 32. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus for controlling an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and a storage means for storing the number of times of image pickup, wherein a step of performing a process for billing; Receiving the image data from the device; and resetting the number of times of photographing in the storage unit included in the imaging device in accordance with the billing. Method. 33. A method for controlling an information processing system including an imaging device for capturing an image of a subject and an information processing device for controlling the imaging device, the method comprising: A method of controlling an information processing system, comprising: performing communication, performing a process for charging, and controlling to release an imaging disabled state of the imaging device in accordance with the charging. . 34. A method for controlling an information processing system, comprising: an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and a storage means for storing the number of times of image pickup; Performing communication between the imaging device and the information processing device; performing a process for charging; and resetting the number of times of capturing in the storage unit included in the imaging device in response to the charging. A method for controlling an information processing system, comprising: 35. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject, an information processing device for controlling the image pickup device, and a network connected to a network for storing image data from the information processing device. A method of reading ID information and image data from the imaging device to the information processing device, the method comprising: reading information from the information processing device in response to the ID information; 35. The control of the information processing system according to claim 33, further comprising: transmitting image data to a server device; and storing image data in a predetermined area for each ID information. Method. 36. An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject, an information processing apparatus for controlling the image pickup apparatus, and a network connected to a network for storing image data from the information processing apparatus. A method for controlling an information processing system including a server device, wherein, in response to input of ID information, permission to browse image data corresponding to the ID information of the server device; 36. The control method for an information processing system according to claim 33, further comprising: a step of downloading the obtained image data to the information processing apparatus. 37. A computer readable program storing a program for controlling an information processing device for controlling an image pickup device having an image pickup means for picking up a subject image and a storage means for storing the number of times of image pickup. A code for performing processing for billing; a code for receiving image data from the imaging device; and a storage medium included in the imaging device according to the billing. And a code for resetting the number of times of photographing. 38. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling an information processing system including an imaging device for capturing an image of a subject and an information processing device for controlling the imaging device. A code for performing communication between the imaging device and the information processing device; a code for performing processing for billing; and canceling an imaging disabled state of the imaging device in accordance with the billing. A storage medium characterized by comprising: a code for controlling the storage medium; 39. A program for controlling an information system including an imaging device having an imaging unit for imaging a subject image and a storage unit for storing the number of times of imaging, and an information processing device for controlling the imaging device. Computer that memorized
A computer-readable storage medium, wherein a code for communicating between the imaging device and the information processing device is provided.
A storage medium comprising: a code for performing a process for billing; and a code for resetting the number of times of photographing in the storage unit included in the imaging apparatus in accordance with the billing. . 40. An imaging device for imaging a subject image, an information processing device for controlling the imaging device, and a network connected to a network for storing image data from the information processing device. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling an information processing system including a server device, a code for reading ID information and image data from the imaging device to the information processing device; A code for transmitting image data from the information processing device to the server device in accordance with the ID information; and a code for storing image data in a predetermined area for each of the ID information. The storage medium according to any one of claims 37 to 39. 41. An imaging device for imaging a subject image, an information processing device for controlling the imaging device, and a server connected to a network for storing image data from the information processing device. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling an information processing system including an apparatus and an image corresponding to the ID information of the server system in response to input of ID information 41. The apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising: a code for permitting browsing of data; and a code for downloading image data permitted for browsing to said information processing apparatus. The storage medium according to claim 1.