JP2002183035A - Method for personal image storage on web site and photo bank system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save the trouble on a site operator side to input customer data, to relieve the load on site operating facilities, and to reduce the facility cost in a personal image storing method for allowing a legitimately authorized person or a person who is permitted by the authorized person to browse personal image data of customers stored on a server installed on a service provider side through a Web site. SOLUTION: A 1st server for temporary storage and a 2nd server for permanent storage are made to take partial charge of the function of a server which stores and manages image data to be made open to the public through the Web site as permitted by the rightfully authorized person. Before a customer indicates to the 1st server a choice of image data to be transferred to the 2nd server as data to be stored permanently among data temporarily stored on the 1st server, it is essential that the customer inputs customer data through the Internet by one self.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for securely managing an image captured by a camera or the like on a Web site on the Internet and a photo bank system using the method. The present invention relates to a method and a photo bank system that can save time and effort for inputting data, reduce the load on equipment, and reduce equipment cost.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an image is taken by a camera, the film is carried into a laboratory (hereinafter referred to as a laboratory) provided with a developing facility, where the film is developed and printed on photographic paper. Receiving finished photographic prints and developed films has been performed. The photo prints received were arranged at home by pasting them on an album mount. However, since such an image management method manages the image only at hand, if the image at hand is lost or damaged for any reason, there is no way to retrieve the image, and precious memories of life are Was to be lost forever. In some cases, it may be necessary to provide an image of the current situation or the growth of a child to a family or acquaintance in a distant place, but in such a case, it was necessary to reprint the photograph and mail it.

In order to solve such a problem, an image is digitized in the process of developing a photographic film, and the digitized image is converted into a W image on the Internet.
The idea of uploading to an website and managing images on the website has already been proposed,
It is already operated under a name such as "album site". The album site can store the same image as the photo stored at home as data, so if the photo at hand is lost or damaged, it will be possible to restore the photo and access the site By conditionally granting authority to family and acquaintances, image information can be conveyed to remote people.

[0004]

As described above, the idea of preparing a personal album on the Internet and operating it as an album site is a powerful means for solving the above-mentioned problem. There were still issues to be solved. The two main issues are as follows. [1] A lot of trouble and cost are required for inputting customer data. [2] The amount of image data to be stored tends to increase,
There is a concern that the cost of site operation equipment will increase significantly, and that the burden on customers will increase accordingly. That is, the input of customer data in this type of service in the past is provided in parallel with the development and printing process of photographic film, and at the time of applying for photographic film development, the customer data required for management is entered in writing, A method has been adopted in which a dedicated staff reads the data and inputs the data on a keyboard to organize the data as data in a database. However, the method is enormous and requires a large amount of cost.

The problem of enlargement of image data can be suppressed by narrowing down image data to be posted on a Web site at the time of requesting development or printing. However, the quality of the finish is determined before development. Because you ca n’t do that
Inevitably, all image data is sent to the operation server of the Web site, and an increase in the load is inevitable.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and discloses the same image as a photographic print through a Web site in cooperation with an existing service of storing a photographic film, processing the photographic film, and returning the photographic film. When developing services to be viewed by customers,
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method capable of reducing the burden on the site operator side for inputting customer data and avoiding enlargement of the site operation equipment, and a photobank system using the method.

The inventor of the present invention has intensively studied to solve the above-mentioned problems. As a result, the server as the site operation facility is duplicated into a first server and a second server, and the first server is a temporary storage means for image data, and the second server Is used as a permanent storage unit of image data, and only image data selected to be permanently stored from image data stored in the first server is transferred to the second server. If the customer is allowed to input customer data prior to accessing the image data of the first server,
It is possible to omit the trouble of inputting the customer data conventionally required by the site operator, and if the input of the customer data for the transfer to the second server is performed, the customer's resistance to the input of the customer data is reduced. The present invention has been completed by recognizing that there is no such compound and organically combining them.

[0008] The personal image storage method of the present invention completed based on such an idea stores a medium on which image information is recorded from a customer and converts the image information on the medium into image information on another medium. Extracting the digital image data from the image information, temporarily storing the image data in the first server, and storing the stored image in the step of executing a medium conversion service for providing the converted medium to the customer. Using the identification information associated with the data, the customer who has the right to access the first server via the Internet is permitted to browse the image data corresponding to the identification information, The customer selects image data to be stored permanently from the customer via the Internet while inputting customer data by himself / herself. The image data is transferred to a second server for permanent storage, and the permanently stored image data is made available via the Internet with the permission of the customer who has designated the permanent storage. And

[0009] A system for realizing such a method comprises medium conversion service executing means, digital image data extracting means, a first server, and a second server. Each of these has the following contents. The medium conversion service executing means is a medium conversion service for storing a medium on which image information is recorded from a customer, converting image information on the medium into image information on another medium, and providing the converted medium to the customer. Has the content to execute.
The digital image data extracting means is provided in the middle of the work process of the medium conversion service, and has contents for extracting digital image data from image information recorded on the medium. The reason why the digital image data is extracted here is to handle the image data via the Internet. The first server includes a temporary storage unit that stores the extracted image data for a certain period,
A list of temporarily stored image data is provided with temporary storage image browsing permitting means for permitting browsing to a customer accessing via the Internet using the identification information associated with the stored image data, and is disclosed. It has a content provided with permanent storage candidate receiving means for receiving selection of image data to be stored permanently from image data together with customer information input by the customer himself. The second server receives a transfer of the image data selected to be permanently stored from the first server, and includes a permanent storage unit for storing the image data permanently, and stores the permanently stored image data. The content has a permanent storage image publishing means for publishing via the Internet with the permission of the customer who instructed the permanent storage.

[0010] The media conversion service is provided by a lab, and there are a wide variety of media conversion services handled by the lab. The present invention applies to all these media conversion services. For example, a typical media conversion service is a DPE service which receives a photographic film, processes the film into a photographic print through film development and printing on photographic paper, and provides the photographic print to a customer.

The recording medium received from the customer may be a recording medium other than a photographic film. There are various types of such storage media, and various devices for recording image information by customers on the storage media are also various. For example, a digital camera, a video camera, a DVD player, a VIDEO deck, a CCD camera, a PDA, a TV game machine, and a personal computer can be exemplified.

What is provided to customers is not limited to photographic prints. For example, instead of a photographic print or in addition to a photographic print, another recording medium on which image data is recorded is also provided at the same time.
DR, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-RW, DVD-
R, DVD-RAM, Zip, Floppy, MO, SD
Memory card, PC card, ORB, memory stick, smart media, compact flash, PD,
It may be any of a HiFD, a Clik disk, a DVD-RAM, a data cartridge, a D-8 data cartridge, a SIMM card, and a DIMM card.

Various modes are conceivable for the installation locations of the first server and the second server. Since the first server basically temporarily stores all the image data extracted in the laboratory, it is preferable that the information transmission to the first server be as fast as possible. It is desirable that the server be provided in the lab. In this case, the transfer from the first server to the second server is preferably performed via the Internet. This makes it possible to use a low-cost and high-performance storage server installed and operated in a remote place, for example, overseas.

It is also conceivable that the first server is not provided in the lab, but is provided in a different organization from the lab. In this case, the digital image data extracted in the laboratory is sent to the first server via the Internet, and the second image data is sent from the first server to the second server.
Preferably, the transfer to the server is also performed via the Internet.

The first server and the second server only need to be able to handle them separately as functions, and it is not always necessary to install two hardware-independent devices. The first server and the second server may be provided in different organizations from the lab provided with the medium conversion service execution unit and the digital image data extraction unit.

Regarding access to the first server, it is necessary to confirm that the person who accesses the first server is an authorized person. As the means, the same or related identification information as the information for identifying the image data extracted by the digital image data extracting means is attached to a product provided to the customer as a result of the medium conversion service execution step, and By verifying the matching of the two pieces of identification information, it is possible to exemplify, for example, determining whether or not the user is a valid authority.

As a customer terminal for accessing these servers, a device having an Internet connection function such as a personal computer, a PDA, a TV game machine, a mobile phone, and a television can be used.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the present invention. The personal image archiving system according to the present invention provides an existing medium conversion service operation process and a W
In combination with the website, the delivery of digital image data extracted from the above process is devised,
The structure of the server that operates the site is unique.
The medium conversion service operation step 3 is to store the medium on which the image information is recorded from the customer 6, convert the image information into a representation on another recording medium, and return the converted recording medium to the customer 6. In addition to photographic films, electronic, magnetic, and optical recording media can be used as the media entrusted to customers. These include, for example, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R
W, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, Zip, floppy, MO, SD memory card, PC card, ORB, memory stick, smart media, compact flash, PD, HiFD, Clik disk, DVD-
A RAM, a data cartridge, a D-8 data cartridge, a SIMM card, a DIMM card and the like can be cited, but in principle, any medium can be used as long as it can record images. The conversion of the image data from each of these recording media to another recording medium is the processing content of the medium conversion work process 3. Realistically, the service of receiving photographic film, developing the film, printing on photographic paper, and providing the desired photographic print is a so-called DP
Established as an E service. The medium to be converted may be other than a photographic print. For example, a medium that can be easily handled by a computer, such as the above-described electronic, magnetic, or optical recording medium, may be used.

This medium conversion service work process is based on the existing medium conversion service. During the work process of the existing service, image data is extracted in digital form from the medium, and the extracted digital format image data is extracted. Digital image data extraction means is provided for enabling data to be handled on the Internet. By providing the digital image data extracting means, it becomes possible to cooperate with an image data publishing service via the Internet. The format of digital image data is BMP,
jpg, GIF, pcx, tif, png, fpx, ht
Compressed image data such as ml, LHM, etc. is typical, but may be other data.

The media conversion service work process will be performed by a shop called a "lab" (formally called a laboratory) equipped with a film developing facility.
Many laboratories are organized under their headquarters and form franchise chains or directly managed chains, but there are also independent stores that are not affiliated with the chain and voluntary chains as a collection of independent stores. The present invention is directed to any of these types of laboratories.

In the present invention, it is assumed that all the steps of the media conversion service work process are completed in the laboratory, but when the size of the laboratory is extremely small (so-called "mini-lab")
Or, if the media to be converted is very special,
Some of the functions may be outsourced. The outsourcing partners may be larger labs with more facilities, or chain headquarters that control these labs.

The digital image data may be extracted regardless of whether the data to be extracted is recorded in analog information or recorded in digital information. When the extraction target is a photographic film or a photographic print, it is necessary to convert the analog information into digital data.However, when the extraction target is a recording medium taken out of a digital camera, the conversion is unnecessary. It is. In any case, digital image data is extracted from the middle of the media conversion service work process, and the data is sent to the operation server of the album site, and is authorized to be viewed by an authorized person via the Internet. A typical example of the digital image data extracting means is a print scanner described later. When the image data received from the customer is a digital camera, an image scanner, or the like and is digital image data from the beginning, the digital image data extracting means extracts the digital image data from the medium on which the existing digital image data is recorded. I do.

The album server operation server is configured with the first server and the second server as core equipment. In the present invention, the facility for operating this album site is named a photo bank system. The first server is usually installed in each lab and has a function of temporarily storing digital image data extracted in each lab. Since the first server is installed in the lab, the image data to be recorded on the first server covers all the images entrusted from the customer. Therefore, a high communication speed is required for sending the image to the first server. That's because. By installing the first server in the laboratory, the digital image extracting means and the first server can be directly connected by a LAN cable or the like, and an environment capable of high-speed communication with the first server is established.

The reason why the data recording on the first server must cover all data is that the specific image data is excluded from the recording target of the first server when no image selection is made by the customer. This is because it is inappropriate, and it is considered that the decision on which image to select should be made by the customer himself. Here, all of the image data extracted by the digital image data extracting means is transmitted to the first server to the first server. However, for example, when an order for a film development service is received, an image to be a recording candidate to the first server is received. It is not necessary to send all image data if it can be selected. In addition, if there is no problem in exchanging information between the lab and the first server, the first server may be installed outside the lab.

It is appropriate that the period during which the first server temporarily stores the image data is about 30 days. The image data after this period is deleted. The deletion of the image data is for reducing the load on the primary storage unit 1a provided in the first server 1. Here, 30 days is illustrated as an example of the storage period, but the period can be adjusted according to the capacity of the primary storage unit 1a. Further, the storage period may not be defined, but may be defined by other factors. The temporarily stored image is allowed to be viewed only by the authorized person. The first server includes a temporary storage image browsing permission unit having a function of performing such temporary storage and browsing permission. The temporary storage image browsing permission means is configured by using hardware resources and software resources of the first server. The main elements are a hard disk or the like, a large-capacity recording device, and image data on the recording device. Is a software for browsing through a Web page.

The first server has a function of storing all the image data thus extracted by the digital image data extracting means for a certain period of time, and makes it possible to browse this stored image through a Web site, and There is provided a means for allowing the customer to select an image desired to be stored permanently, and a means for sending data of the selected image to the second server and deleting the other images. For the selection of the image to be permanently stored, a well-known method such as selecting a thumbnail displayed on a browser by selecting a thumbnail is appropriately adopted.

An instruction to transfer an image from the first server to the second server and selection of an image to be transferred are permitted only to the authorized person. The identification of the authorized person is determined by the materials provided by the media conversion service (for example, photographic prints and developed films, CDs).
-ROM, etc.) and identification information that links image data collected in the lab and transferred to the first server, using the identification information that matches the identification information managed by the first server. This is done by verifying when accessing the site. For example, finished photo prints are handed to customers in order bags (hereinafter referred to as DP bags).
In this DP bag, information indicating the location of the self-image data on the first server is described together with the URL of the first server, and this information is used as identification information.
This is one example.

Although the form of the identification information is not limited, it goes without saying that the identification information must be readable by the customer. It is preferable that the identification information be recorded on a packaging bag for storing the provided item, a delivery note, a patron card, or the like from the viewpoint of not contaminating the provided item. If it is confirmed that the user is a valid authority, the access right to the image data is secured. However, in order to actually access the image data, it is necessary to input customer data and answer a questionnaire. The input customer data includes name, gender, age, occupation, hobby, name of a subscribed newspaper, name of a subscribed magazine, and the like. Questionnaires conducted simultaneously with the input of customer data include information useful for analyzing consumer purchasing behavior and questions for obtaining information useful for maintaining and operating this site. Only after inputting the customer data and answering the questionnaire, can the image data on the site be operated.
In the present invention, since it is clearly shown that the purpose of inputting customer data is to acquire operation authority for image data, there is no feeling of resistance to inputting customer data by himself. The input customer data is used not only in the operation of the site but also in the business of an image conversion service linked with the site.

In this way, the registration of the image data and the instruction to select the image data to be permanently stored from the registered image data are performed, and the selected image data is transferred to the second server. The transfer to the second server 2 is performed via the Internet. The second server securely and reliably stores the image data transferred from the large number of the first servers for a long period of time, and in response to the browsing request from the authorized person, transmits the requested browsing image data to the customer through the album site. It has a function to provide. The provision of the image data is performed only for the user who is confirmed to be a valid authority by inputting the identification information and the password.

The transferred image data is stored in the permanent storage means 2a provided in the second server 2, and is permitted to be viewed by the authorized person through the photo bank which is a permanent image storage operated by the second server. . Acceptance of the transferred image data is performed by the permanent storage image receiving unit, and browsing of the received image data registered in the second server 2 is performed by the permanent storage image publishing unit. The permanent storage image receiving means may have a function of reconfirming image data to be received, or may receive all image data transferred from the first server 1. In both the permanent storage image receiving unit and the permanent storage image publishing unit, the second server 2 is configured by hardware resources and software resources. The main elements constituting the permanent storage image publishing means are composed of a large-capacity and high-durability recording device and means for publishing the image data on this recording device to authorized persons through a Web page. The first server and the second server may jointly operate the same Web site, or may operate independent Web sites linked by a link. Images registered in Photo Bank are displayed in a reduced list (thumbnail display),
Enlarged display is free, and when download is instructed, image data can be stored on the customer's local disk.

The image data is stored in folders assigned exclusively to each customer, and all authority regarding classification and editing in each folder is left to the customer. Also, each folder does not accept access from anyone other than the authorized person. The second server 2 is provided with multiple security measures and advanced security measures for storing the data,
High durability against natural disasters and human disasters is guaranteed, and a system is in place to safely store image data for a long time. It goes without saying that strict protection measures are in place to prevent hackers from intruding and prevent contamination by computer viruses.

The identification information (password) input when accessing the second server 2 may be the same as the identification information used when accessing the first server 1, but another password is newly set. It is preferable for security. Since the exchange of information with the second server is performed via the Internet, the distance of the installation location of the second server does not affect the communication cost. Therefore, the installation location of the second server is secure and economical in system operation. Gender can be determined mainly. For example, installing a second server abroad is also a realistic option. Particularly in the United States and other countries, there are high-tech storage companies that specialize in data storage, and utilizing these can be a realistic option.

Customer access to the photo bank as an album site is performed using, for example, a personal computer.
As a personal computer, a desktop computer capable of high-resolution display is optimal, but a notebook personal computer whose resolution has been increasing in recent years may be used. In addition, portable terminals such as PDAs and mobile phones, as well as TV game machines, personal computers, and the like are also targeted. Since each of these devices has a different resolution of the display device, it is considered that the second server is provided with a function of analyzing the type of the customer terminal so as to be able to support different resolutions. Although only authorized persons can access the second server, the authorized persons may include persons who have obtained permission to view images from the party who registered the image data. As a result, for example, an image can be disclosed to a family or an acquaintance far away to inform the user of his / her current situation and the growth of the child. Issuing a password with an expiration date to a friend is also considered.

As described above, according to the photo bank system of the present invention, the servers for storing images are the first server 1 and the second server 2.
, And only the image data P1, P3 selected from the image data P1, P2,..., Pz on the temporary storage means 1a of the first server are transferred to the second server 2 as shown in FIG. Since it is no longer necessary for the first server 1 to store the image data, the load on the first server can be reduced, and the second server 2 stores only the selected image data. I'm going to
The burden is relatively light. As a prerequisite for performing the transfer from the first server to the second server, the customer is required to input customer data. The trouble of inputting customer data can be saved.

What has been described above is for a general purpose case without specifying a specific mode of the medium conversion service, but the case shown in FIG. 2 is a case where the present invention is applied to a DPE service. In the present invention, the DPE service goes through the following process. First, a customer 6 places a photographic film in a DP bag 10, which is a photographic order bag, and deposits it. The development of the photographic film is performed by connecting the films 11 of a plurality of customers into one.
This work of connecting the films of a plurality of customers into one is called splicing.
4 is applied. This tape 14 has non-permeability. By the presence of the non-transparent tape 14 in the middle of the continuous direction of the film having light transmissivity,
At the time of exposure, an order break is recognized. After the development, the image on the photographic film is read by the print scanner 12, and digital image data is extracted. Prior to or in parallel with the image reading by the print scanner 12, the tape 14 is read, and when the tape 14 indicating the end position is detected, it is determined that one order has been completed, and the first server 1 A numbered folder is created in the recording area of the temporary storage means, and image data for one scanned order is recorded in this folder. The number assigned to the folder is the date of creation of the folder and the URL of the first server 1.
Along with this, it is separately printed out on an identification label. The identification label is affixed to the DP bag 10 and reaches the customer's hand, whereby the finished photographic print 13 and the image data recorded on the first server 1 are linked. In this case, the folder number itself is printed out on the identification label, but another one may be used as long as its relationship with the folder number can be specified. The print scanner 12 scans the film by a RGB 3-line CCD while transporting the film by a carrier, converts the film into an analog electric signal corresponding to the brightness of the screen, and further converts the analog signal into a digital signal by A / D conversion. It is. Other digitizing means may be used in place of the print scanner. Customer first via internet
When creating in the self-folder managed by the server, you need to enter both the folder number and the folder creation date,
Only when these match, viewing of the image data is permitted. Also, a random number of eight or more digits is used for the folder number, and no serial number is used. This prevents a third party from accidentally accessing a folder of another person by inputting a number that is continuous with his / her own folder number.

Various patterns are conceivable for the location of the first server 1 as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. In this case, the print scanner is directly connected to the first server 1 using a LAN cable or the like, so that data transmission to the first server 1 can be processed at high speed. In this case, it is suitable in terms of economy to adopt an overseas storage company as the second server 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the first server 1 may be installed in the franchise headquarters of the laboratory. Such a case is when the size of each lab is small and there is no physical strength to bear the equipment cost. But in this case,
Since the data transmission from the print scanner to the first server is performed via the Internet or a normal telephone line, the transmission amount is smaller than that of the LAN, and there is a possibility that the number of customers that can be managed is limited. is there.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first server 1 can be installed together with the second server 2 installed in the franchise headquarters. In this case, the first server 1 and the second server 2 only need to be functionally separated, and need not be hardware separated.

Finally, a procedure for accessing image data registered in the first server and the second server will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. Note that the reference numerals S1 to S13 at the beginning of the following sentences correspond to the reference numerals attached to the schematic diagrams showing the respective steps in FIGS. Here, an album site operated by the first server and the second server is handled as a photo bank, and a service for providing a permanent storage for each customer by the second server is handled as a my album. The photo order bag is expressed as a DP bag.

(S1) A DP bag containing a photographic print and a developed film arrives at the customer's hand. On the DP bag, an identification label indicating the order reception date, the URL of the photo bank, and the folder number is attached. The identification label may be enclosed in the DP bag. (S2) The above-mentioned UR is sent to the PC running the browser.
Input L to access the photo bank. (S2 ') The URL may be sent by e-mail. (S3) The homepage of the photo bank is opened, and the input of the folder number and the folder creation date is prompted, and these are input. These inputs confirm the folder to be called and the access authority to the folder. (S4) An initial screen appears, and a confirmation screen as to whether or not it is the first time to use the photo bank is answered. If this is the first time, the process shifts to the new registration mode (S5, S6).
6 '). (S5) A registration procedure for a new member is performed. When registering as a member, your name, address, postal code, phone number,
Answer a simple questionnaire with your password.
This completes the input of the customer data. (S6) A simple examination is performed and a password is issued. This password proves the right to access the photo bank and the right to access the own image folder built in the photo bank, and the password will be used to access the photo bank next time. (S5 ') It is confirmed that the user is a registered member. Enter the password for confirmation. (S6 ') From the customer list managed by the first server,
The customer name corresponding to the entered password is called,
It is confirmed whether the customer name is correct. (S7) When the identity is confirmed, the image folder of the customer is opened, a list of registered images or a list of representative images is reduced and displayed, and whether or not the displayed image is an own image is determined. Confirmation is made again. If it is confirmed that the image is its own image, the operation mode is shifted to the operation mode for these image data (S9 and subsequent steps). If the image data is not its image, the operation mode is shifted to the maintenance mode (S8). (S8) The maintenance mode is displayed, and the e-mail address of the maintenance center, which is the contact, is displayed. (S9) After a brief description of the photo bank is displayed, a list of images stored in the folder is displayed as thumbnails, and selection of an image to be moved to the permanent storage of the second server is prompted. When an image to be stored permanently is selected, it is determined whether the customer is the first user or an existing user for the second time or later. If the customer is an inquiry user, the first user mode (S10, S11) To the existing user mode (S12). (S10) It is explained to the first-time user that the use of the second server is charged. As a form of the fee system, for example, the transfer fee is a flat fee irrespective of the number of selected images, but the storage fee for the transferred image data is charged according to the number of images. (S11) The explanation of the credit contract and the procedure of the credit contract are performed. (S12) The existing user is required to enter a mail address and a password. (S13) A new folder for registering a new image in My Album is additionally formed. (S14) The registered image data can be enlarged and displayed or downloaded.

The procedure described above is merely an example, and other procedures can of course be employed. Since the present invention is configured as described above, the trouble of inputting customer data by the site operator is eliminated, and the cost of the site operation equipment can be reduced.

[0040]

According to the first or second aspect of the present invention, important image data can be safely and securely stored.
Even if the image at hand is lost or damaged, you can download it from the website and restore the image data, and you can also notify your family and acquaintances in remote areas of your recent situation and your child's growth, The basic effect of the album site that the range of utilization of the image data is widened can be exhibited. According to the present invention, a first server for temporary storage and a second server for permanent storage are provided when digital image data extracted from the middle of the work process of the medium conversion service is uploaded to the Web site. It is possible to adopt a redundant server configuration, transfer only necessary data from the image data recorded in the first server to the second server, and delete the recorded contents from the first server after the transfer. As a result, the load on the first server can be reduced, and the first server can be operated with a hardware configuration of a size that can be installed in each lab. Since only the image data is transferred, the load on the second server is reduced, and the equipment cost is reduced. More importantly, when accessing the image data recorded on the first server for the first time, it is necessary to input the customer data by the customer himself, and the purpose of this data input is to obtain the access right to the image data. It is clear that there is no need to input customer data, it is possible to collect customer data without burdening the site operator, and it is conventionally performed in cooperation with this type of media conversion service. The task of entering customer data, which has been a difficult problem to solve for the album site, has been greatly reduced.

When applied to the DPE service as in the invention according to claim 3, it becomes possible to browse digital image data on a Web site while providing photographic prints and films to customers.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the first server is provided in a lab provided with a medium conversion service execution unit and a digital image data extraction unit, and transfers the image data from the first server to the second server. When the processing is performed via the Internet, the digital image data extraction unit and the first server can be directly connected to each other using a LAN cable or the like, so that an environment in which all the extracted images can be transmitted to the first server at high speed is provided.

When the first server is provided in a different organization from the lab as in the invention according to claim 7, even a small lab can participate in the present system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram when the present invention is applied to a DPE service;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a first server is provided in a laboratory.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when the first server is provided at the headquarters of the franchise chain.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram in a case where a first server and a second server are provided in the same place.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for accessing a first server and browsing an image.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for accessing the first server and browsing an image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st server 1a Temporary storage means 2 2nd server 2a Permanent storage means 3 Medium conversion service work process 4 Internet 5 Customer terminal 6 Customer 10 DP bag 11 Photo film 11a Photo film 12 Digital image data extraction means 13 Photo print 14 Tape 15 Identification label

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A medium conversion service for storing a medium on which image information is recorded from a customer, converting image information on the medium into image information on another medium, and providing the converted medium to the customer. Extracting the digital image data from the image information, temporarily storing the image data in the first server, and using the identification information associated with the stored image data in the first server. Allowing a customer who has the right to access via the Internet to view image data corresponding to the identification information,
Selection of image data to be stored permanently from the image data permitted to be browsed is received from the customer via the Internet with the customer data input by the customer himself, and the selected image data is transferred to the second server. A personal image storage method on a Web site wherein the image data stored permanently and permanently stored is released via the Internet with the permission of the customer who has designated the permanent storage. 2. A medium conversion service for storing a medium on which image information is recorded from a customer, converting image information on the medium into image information on another medium, and providing the converted medium to the customer. A medium conversion service executing unit, a digital image data extraction unit that is provided in the middle of the work process of the medium conversion service, and extracts digital image data from image information recorded on the medium; and the extracted image data. Is provided with temporary storage means for storing the stored image data for a certain period of time, and has a right to access a list of temporarily stored image data via the Internet using the identification information associated with the stored image data. Temporary storage image browsing permission means for permitting browsing, and selection of image data to be permanently stored from image data permitted to be browsed A first server including a permanent storage image receiving unit that receives from the customer with customer information input by the customer, and a transfer of the image data selected to be permanently stored from the first server, Permanent storage means for permanently recording and storing these image data, and publishing the permanently stored image data via the Internet with the permission of the customer who has ordered the permanent storage. And a second server provided with a means. 3. A specific embodiment of the media conversion service is a DP that receives a photographic film, processes the film into a photographic print through film development and printing on photographic paper, and provides the photographic print to a customer.
3. The photo bank system according to claim 2, which is an E service. 4. A recording medium received from a customer is a recording medium other than a photographic film, and an apparatus for recording image information by the customer on the recording medium is a digital camera, a video camera, a DVD player, a VIDEO deck, a CCD camera, a PDA. 3. The photo bank system according to claim 2, wherein the photo bank system is one of a TV game machine, a personal computer, and a personal computer. 5. A medium to be provided to a customer shall be provided in place of a photographic print or another recording medium having image data recorded thereon in addition to the photographic print, and the provided recording medium may be a CD-R or a CD. -RW, DVD, DVD
-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, Zip, Floppy (registered trademark), MO, SD memory card, PC card, ORB, memory stick, smart media,
Compact Flash (registered trademark), PD, HiFD,
Click disk, DVD-RAM, data cartridge, D-8 data cartridge, SIMM card, DI
3. The photo bank system according to claim 2, wherein the photo bank system is one of an MM card. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first server is provided in a lab provided with a medium conversion service executing unit and a digital image data extracting unit, and the transfer of the image data from the first server to the second server is executed via the Internet. Item 6. The photobank system according to any one of Items 2 to 5. 7. The first server is provided in a different organization from a lab provided with a medium conversion service execution unit and a digital image data extraction unit, and the image data extracted by the digital image data extraction unit is transmitted via the Internet to a third server. 1
The photo bank system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the image data is sent to the server, and the image data is transferred from the first server to the second server via the Internet. 8. The first server and the second server are provided in a different organization from a lab provided with a medium conversion service executing unit and a digital image data extracting unit, and the first server and the second server are hardware-related. The photobank system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the photobank system is separated by software, or is separated by software while adopting an integrated hardware configuration. 9. The same or related identification information as the information for identifying the image data extracted by the digital image data extraction means is attached to a product provided to the customer as a result of the medium conversion service execution step, and both of these identifications are performed. The photo bank system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the consistency of the information is used as an element of whether the customer can access the first server. 10. A device used by a customer to access a first server and a second server through the Internet,
The font bank system according to any one of claims 2 to 9, which is a device having an Internet connection function, such as a personal computer, a PDA, a TV game machine, a mobile phone, and a television.