JP2002218359A - System for collecting and distributing photographic data of digital camera, terminal having function of downloading photographic data, and method for collecting and distributing photographic data of digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store photographic data photographed by means of a digital camera to other units, via communication lines. SOLUTION: A user of a digital camera 11 inserts an IC card 16 recorded with personal identification information into a terminal 15 installed at a shop and uploads photographic data stored in a memory card 12 to an imaging center 13 along with personal identification information. Subsequently, the memory card 12 of the digital camera 11 is cleared, and the next photograph is taken.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera photo data collection and distribution system, a terminal device having a photo data download function, and a digital camera photo data collection and distribution method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Digital cameras capable of storing captured images as digital data in a memory card have become widespread.

This digital camera can record more photographic data with a single memory card than a conventional silver halide film, but when the memory card becomes full, replace it with another memory card and replace it with another photographic data. Need to be memorized.

[0004]

However, a silver halide film can be easily obtained on a travel destination, but a memory card for a digital camera is not available anywhere. Therefore, a person who wants to take many pictures needs to prepare a plurality of spare memory cards.
Since the price of a memory card is much higher than the price of a silver halide film, purchasing a plurality of memory cards imposes an economic burden on a user.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to store photographic data taken by a digital camera in another device via a communication line so that the photographic data can be downloaded at a photo shop or the like.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera photograph data collection and distribution system.
A terminal device having uploading means for uploading personal identification information and photo data recorded on the recording medium of the digital camera via a communication line; and photograph data transmitted from the terminal device via the communication line as personal identification information. A photograph data storage unit for storing the image data in association with the image data, and when there is a request for transmitting the photograph data by designating the personal identification information, the photograph data specified by the personal identification information is read from the photograph data storage unit, and the read photograph data is And an image distribution apparatus having a transmission unit for transmitting the transmission request to the terminal device via the communication line.

According to the present invention, photograph data recorded on a recording medium of a digital camera can be uploaded from a terminal device to an image distribution device and stored. Therefore,
Even if you do not have a spare recording medium, you can take any number of pictures by repeatedly using the recording medium built in the digital camera.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera photograph data collection and distribution system, comprising: card reading means for reading personal identification information recorded on a card; personal identification information read by the card reading means; And a terminal device having upload means for uploading photograph data recorded on a recording medium via a communication line, and storing the photograph data transmitted from the terminal device via the communication line in association with personal identification information. When there is a request for transmission of photo data by designating photo data storage means and personal identification information, read out the photo data specified by the personal identification information from the photo data storage means,
An image distribution device having transmission means for transmitting, via a communication line, the read photo data to a terminal device which has requested transmission.

According to the present invention, similarly to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the recording medium of the digital camera is full of photographed photograph data and new photograph data cannot be recorded, the recording medium can be recorded. After transmitting the photograph data recorded in the image distribution device via the communication line and storing it, the recording medium can be cleared and new photograph data can be recorded. Therefore, it is possible to prepare a spare recording medium,
There is no need to purchase a new recording medium. Furthermore, the personal identification information recorded on the card is read, and the photograph data of the digital camera is uploaded to the image distribution device together with the personal identification information. Therefore, even if the user does not input the personal identification information from the terminal device, the card can be used. Can be read from Therefore, even a person who is not accustomed to the input operation of the terminal device can easily input the personal identification information. Furthermore, when downloading the photograph data from the image distribution device, the personal identification information can be input by inserting the card into the card reading means of the terminal device, so that the operation at the time of downloading is simplified.

In the above invention, the terminal device may be installed in a store so that a user can upload photographic data taken by a digital camera from the terminal device in the store to the image distribution device.

[0011] With this configuration, for example, even at a travel destination, photographic data can be uploaded from a terminal device installed in a store, so that there is no need to bring a spare recording medium for a digital camera.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a digital camera photo data collection and distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

At the gas station, there is a digital camera 1
A terminal device 15 having a function of uploading photographic data recorded on one recording medium 12 to a server (image distribution device) 14 of an image center 13 is provided.

The user of the digital camera 11 is a terminal device 1 installed in a store such as a gas station at a travel destination.
Then, the IC card 16 is inserted into the card reading section 5 to read the personal identification information. And the digital camera 11,
Alternatively, the recording medium (for example, a semiconductor memory card such as a smart card) 12 is connected to the terminal device 15, and a key displayed on the screen of the terminal device 15 is operated to convert the photographic data stored in the memory card 12 into an image. Upload to the center 13. As the IC card 16 for storing personal identification information, an IC card 16 to which points are given when purchasing gasoline is issued to a customer who uses a gas station of the affiliated company, and the IC card 16 is provided with personal identification such as a name and an address. Just enter the information. Further, a user who does not have the IC card 16 may be asked to input an address, a name, and the like when uploading the photograph data, and a temporary IC card may be issued at a gas station.

The IC card 16 has a personal address, a name,
Since the telephone number and the like are recorded, the digital camera 11
When uploading the photo data to the image center 13, the operation of inputting an address, a name, and the like can be omitted, and even a person who is not accustomed to the key input operation of the computer can easily upload the photo data.

When the user returns from the trip, the user inserts the IC card 16 into the card reading section of the terminal device 15 such as a computer at home or a terminal device 15 installed in a photo shop, convenience store, family restaurant, or the like around the home. To read personal identification information. Then, the user operates the keys on the touch panel of the display unit of the terminal device 15 to download his / her own photo data stored in the image center 13, and stores or prints the downloaded photo data on a recording medium such as a photo CD. get.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the terminal device 15 installed in a gas station or the like. Terminal device 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a device main body 21 having a built-in CPU, a touch panel display 22 such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT, an IC card reader 23 for reading an IC card for personal identification, and a memory card 12 of the digital camera 11. And a memory reader 24 for reading.

Next, a process in which a user uploads photographic data of a digital camera to a server 14 of an image center 13 from a terminal device 15 installed at a gas station at a travel destination or the like will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. I do.

It is determined whether or not the user has inserted the membership card (IC card) 16 of the gas station into the IC card reader 23 of the terminal device 15 (FIG. 3, S1).
1). When the member card 16 is inserted (S11,
YES), the process proceeds to step S12, and the server managing the member data is accessed via the Internet to check whether the member card 16 is valid.

When the membership card 16 is valid, a message prompting connection of a memory card of the digital camera is displayed on the display 22 (S13). Next, it is determined whether the memory card 12 of the digital camera 11 has been inserted into the memory reader 24 (S14).

When the memory card 12 is inserted into the memory reader 24 (S14, YES), the next step S
In step 15, the photograph data stored in the memory card 12 is stored in the memory of the terminal device 15.
The thumbnail of the photo data is displayed.

The display example shown in FIG.
This is an example of a case where 64 photograph data are read into the terminal device 15 at the Hamanako gas station every minute. The user
The user checks the photo displayed on the display 22 of the terminal device 15 and performs an input operation to instruct upload of the photo data.

If the user has performed an upload operation (S16, YES), the upload number of the photograph data is written in the membership card 16 (S17). As a method of granting a unique reception number, "member number + date and time"
Server 14 notifies terminal device 15 of the membership card 1
6 or a method of notifying the terminal device 15 of the management number determined by the server 14 and writing the same on the membership card 16.

Subsequent to step S17, or when the user has not performed the upload operation in step S16, the process proceeds to step S18, and a message prompting the removal of the membership card 16 and the memory card 12 is displayed.

Next, the member card 16 and the memory card 1
It is determined whether or not the extraction of No. 2 has been completed (S19).
When the removal of the member card 16 and the memory card 12 is completed (S19, YES), the photograph data is transferred to the server 14 (S20). The photograph data is compressed and stored in the memory card 12, and the compressed photograph data is transmitted to the server 14.

If card removal has not been completed (S19, NO), the process returns to step S18, and a message prompting removal of the member card 16 and the memory card 12 is displayed again.

With these processes, the digital camera 11
Even if a large number of pictures are taken and the memory card 12 becomes full and no more pictures can be recorded as a result, the terminal device 15 installed at the gas station sends the pictures to the server 14 of the image center 13 via the Internet. By transferring the photo data of the memory card 12, new photo data can be recorded on the memory card 12.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process of uploading photograph data in the server 14. It is determined whether or not there is an inquiry regarding the member by specifying the member number or the like from the terminal device 15 (FIG. 4, YES).

If there is an inquiry about the member from the terminal device 15 (S31, YES), the member information database 31 is searched and the corresponding member information is read (S32). It is checked whether the member card 16 is valid based on the member information read from the member information database 31 (S32). Then, the check result is sent to the terminal device 1.
Answer 5 (S33).

Next, it is determined whether or not a request for uploading photo data has been made from the terminal device 15 (S34).
When there is a request for uploading the photo data, the uploaded photo data is stored in the photo database 32 in association with the member information (S35).

As shown in FIG. 4, the photograph database 32 stores photograph data for each member.
As his photo data, 64 photos uploaded from Urabandai gas station at 15:20 on September 2 and 64 photos uploaded from Hamanako gas station at 12:50 on October 12 Photo data and 64 photo data uploaded from the same gas station at 12:52 on the same day are stored.

By the above processing, the server 14 of the image center 13 associates the photo data uploaded from the terminal device 15 installed in the store with the photo database 32 in association with the personal identification information such as the member number and the ID code. Can be saved.

Next, the process of downloading the photo data stored in the server 14 of the image center 13 from the terminal device 15 installed in the photo shop will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

It is determined whether or not the membership card 16 has been inserted into the IC card reader 23 (FIG. 5, S41). If the member card 16 is not inserted (S41, N
O), the determination of the insertion of the membership card 16 in step S41 is repeated.

When the member card 16 is inserted (S
41, YES), the card number and ID code are read (S42).

Next, the member read from the member card 16
No. and ID code are transmitted to the server 14 of the image center 13 and a list of save data stored corresponding to the member No. and the ID code, that is, the reception date and time and the reception place where the photo data is uploaded to the server 14 Then, a list of the number of photos is displayed (S43).

In the display example of FIG. 5, 64 photograph data are uploaded from Urabandai gas station at 15:20 on September 2 and 64 photograph data are uploaded from Hamanako gas station at 12:50 on October 12. Photo data was uploaded, and 6 from 12:52 from the same gas station
This indicates that four pieces of photo data have been uploaded to the image center 13.

When a specific set of photo data is designated by the user from the list of save data, the photo data for displaying a thumbnail is received from the server 14 and the specified photo data is displayed as a thumbnail (S44). .

For example, if the user enters the
64 minutes uploaded from Lake Hamana Gas Station
When the photograph data is selected, the first eight photograph data are displayed as thumbnails as shown in FIG.

Next, it is determined whether or not the user has performed an operation for printing all photographic data (S45). If the operation of printing all of the photograph data has not been performed (S45, NO), the control unit stores the photograph selected by the user (S46). The selection of a photo is performed by the user touching a photo to be printed among the photos displayed in a reduced scale on the display 22 with a finger or the like.

Next, it is determined whether or not the user has selected a photograph (S47). When printing of all the photos has been instructed (S45, YES) or when the selection of the photos has been completed (S47, YES), it is determined whether or not the user has instructed to write on the photo CD (S48). ).

After step S48, the member card 1
6. A message prompting removal of the memory card 12 is displayed (S49). Then, the member card 16 and the memory card 12 are connected to the IC card reader 23 and the memory reader 2.
Then, it is determined whether or not the sheet has been extracted from Step 4 (S50). If those cards are removed (S50, YE
S) The designated photo data is downloaded from the server 14, and the printing device or the photo CD writing device is instructed to print or write the photo CD (S51).

When the server 14 of the image center 13 designates a member number, an ID code, the date and time of uploading a photo, etc. from the terminal device 15 of the photo shop and instructs to download the photo data, the server 14 of the photo database 32 The photo data to be searched is searched, and the obtained photo data is transmitted to the terminal device 15 of the photo shop via the Internet.

According to the above-described embodiment, even when the memory of the digital camera becomes full, the photographed photograph data is transmitted from the terminal device 15 installed in the store to the server 14 of the image center 13 via the communication line. The data can be transmitted and stored in the storage device of the server 14. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a spare memory card such as a smart card so that a large number of pictures can be taken, so that the user does not need to purchase an extra memory card. In addition, by installing the terminal device 15 at a store nationwide, such as a gas station or a convenience store, the photograph data can be uploaded to the image center 13 while traveling. You can take pictures without worry.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the terminal device 15 is installed in the gas station and the photo shop has been described. However, the place where the terminal device 15 is installed is not limited to the store, and the user can use the terminal device in travel destinations. Any place that can be used may be used. Also, the photograph data is stored in the server 14.
The terminal device 15 downloaded from the terminal may be the terminal device 15 at the user's home or a portable terminal device. Then, the user stores the downloaded photo data in a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory card, a DVD, a CDRW, or a portable magnetic storage device, and takes the photo data stored in the storage medium to a photo store for printing. You may ask for it.

In the above-described embodiment, the personal identification information is recorded on the IC card. However, a sensor for detecting personal physical characteristic data such as a fingerprint is provided in the terminal device, and the sensor detects the data. The personal characteristic data may be uploaded to the image distribution device together with the photograph data. Alternatively, personal identification information may be recorded on a memory card. By doing so, personal identification information can be easily input to the terminal device without using an IC card.

[0047]

According to the present invention, photographic data taken by a digital camera can be uploaded and stored together with personal identification information to an image distribution apparatus via a communication line. This makes it possible to erase photos recorded on the recording medium of the digital camera, so that a large number of pictures can be taken by repeatedly using the recording medium of the digital camera without having to prepare a spare recording medium. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system for collecting and distributing photograph data of a digital camera.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a terminal device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process of uploading photo data from a terminal device to a server.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process of uploading photograph data in a server.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for downloading photo data stored in a server from a terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 digital camera 12 semiconductor memory card 13 image center 14 server 15 terminal device 16 IC card

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device having an upload unit for uploading personal identification information and photograph data recorded on a recording medium of a digital camera via a communication line, and a photograph transmitted from the terminal device via the communication line. A photograph data storage unit for storing data in association with personal identification information; and when the personal identification information is specified and a request for transmitting the photograph data is received, the photograph data specified by the personal identification information is stored in the photograph data storage. And a transmitting means for transmitting, via a communication line, the read photographic data to a terminal device which has requested transmission, and a photograph data collecting and distributing system for a digital camera. . 2. Card reading means for reading personal identification information recorded on a card, and personal identification information read by the card reading means and photographic data recorded on a recording medium of a digital camera are uploaded via a communication line. A terminal device having an uploading unit that performs uploading; a photo data storage unit that stores photo data transmitted from the terminal device via the communication line in association with personal identification information; When there is a data transmission request, the photo data specified by the personal identification information is read from the photo data storage means, and the read photo data is transmitted to the terminal device which has requested the transmission via a communication line. Means for collecting and distributing photographic data of a digital camera. System. 3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is installed in a store, and a user can upload photograph data recorded in a digital camera from the terminal device in the store to an image distribution device. Digital camera photo data collection and distribution system. 4. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: display means for displaying list data indicating the date and time and place of uploading the photograph data; and displaying the photograph data designated by the user in the list data displayed by said display means. 4. The digital camera photograph data collection and distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising download means for downloading from the image distribution device. 5. A terminal device for use in a collection and distribution system of photograph data in which photograph data transmitted from a terminal device together with personal identification information is stored in an image distribution device, wherein the personal identification information is designated and the photograph data is designated. Request to send
A terminal device having a download function of photo data, comprising: a download unit that downloads photo data specified by the personal identification information from the image distribution device via a communication line. 6. Uploading personal identification information and photograph data recorded on a recording medium of a digital camera via a communication line, and associating the photograph data transmitted from the terminal device via the communication line with the personal identification information. When there is a request for transmission of photo data specifying personal identification information, transmitting the photo data specified by the personal identification information to the terminal device that has requested transmission via a communication line. A digital camera photo data collection and distribution method. 7. The personal identification information recorded on the card is read, the personal identification information and the photographic data recorded on the recording medium of the digital camera are uploaded via a communication line, and transmitted via the communication line. The photograph data is stored in association with the personal identification information, and when the personal identification information is specified and a request for transmitting the photo data is made, the photo data specified by the personal identification information is transmitted to the terminal device that has requested the transmission. A method for collecting and distributing photograph data of a digital camera, wherein the method is transmitted via a communication line.