JP2002229889A - Displaying method for particular information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a displaying method for particular information of easily customizing a service button instructing implementation of various service or an image of a banner advertisement and displaying it in a display means of a communication apparatus in a user side. SOLUTION: The displaying method includes a process ((4) of figure 6) of the communication apparatus in the user side sending particular identification information to a first server, a process ((5) of figure 6) of the first server sending the service button or the image of the banner advertisement corresponding to the received particular identification information to the communication apparatus in the user side, a process of receiving the image data by the communication apparatus in the user side, and a process of the communication apparatus in the user side displaying the received service button or the image of the banner advertisement in an image viewer displayed in the display means. By this, customization of software such as the image viewer can be easily and positively implemented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for displaying specific information, and more particularly to a communication device on the user side when a service such as distribution of image or audio information or delivery of printed matter is performed via a communication network. The present invention relates to a method of displaying specific information for customizing and displaying a service button or an image of a banner advertisement for instructing the display means to execute various services.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an electronic camera is purchased, software recorded on a CD-ROM or the like attached to the electronic camera is introduced into a user's personal computer to provide a service existing on a network such as the Internet. 2. Description of the Related Art Communication services for communication connection with a server such as a center are known.
Using this communication service, an image captured by an electronic camera can be transmitted to a server of a service center, and services such as ordering prints of the image can be received.

[0003] Attached software used for such service orders and the like is designed and packaged for general use so that it can be used for general purposes. For example, even if an electronic camera is purchased at any store in Japan, the same applies. Services can be enjoyed.

[0004] On the other hand, in major mass merchandisers and camera stores that handle the sale of electronic cameras, the software attached to the electronic camera is customized so that a user who purchases the electronic camera can use the store to obtain images. There is a demand to make it easier to order prints.

[0005] Alternatively, even when a print order is issued to a predetermined service center (a service provider or the like), a contract with the service center to charge a predetermined usage fee for an order issued by a user of his / her store is made. Going between,
Conversely, there is a demand to make a contract such as discounting the order placed by a user of the store at a predetermined condition.

[0006]

Generally, when customizing software in an electronic device such as an electronic camera by selling it on an OEM basis, it is generally necessary for a maker to make the original software into a custom specification in advance and package it. Is being done. However, it is practically difficult for a manufacturer to create unique software for each of a number of dealers, form a CD-ROM, and pack the product.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when customizing software such as an image viewer attached to an electronic device such as an electronic camera for each dealer, the product package itself of the manufacturer is required. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for displaying specific information that allows easy and reliable customization of software such as an image viewer by incorporating additional information from another medium without any change.

The present invention also discloses a method of customizing software attached to an electronic device such as an electronic camera for each store, but only a service center or a store approved in advance by a manufacturer of the electronic camera. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for displaying specific information that makes it impossible to customize software such as an image viewer without a prior contract or the like by making the software customizable.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to provide a number of useful services by utilizing the mechanism.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a display device of a communication device on the user side in which a user performs various services such as an image print service and an image or audio upload service. A method for displaying specific information for receiving and displaying a service button or image data of a banner advertisement from a first server, wherein a communication device on the user side executes a specific service on a display unit of the communication device. Transmitting to the first server specific identification information for displaying a service button or a banner advertisement instructing, and when the first server receives the specific identification information from the communication device on the user side, Transmitting image data of a service button or banner advertisement corresponding to the received specific identification information to a communication device on the user side, and the communication device on the user side is Receiving the service button or banner advertisement image data from the first server; and the communication device on the user side displays the service button or banner advertisement image data on an image viewer displayed on a display means based on the received service button or banner advertisement image data. Displaying a service button or an image of a banner advertisement.

According to the present invention, a step in which a communication device on the user side transmits specific identification information to the first server;
A step in which the first server transmits an image of the service button or the banner advertisement corresponding to the received specific identification information to the communication device on the user side; and a step in which the communication device on the user side receives the image data. Displaying the received service button or banner advertisement image on the image viewer displayed on the display means by the user's communication device, so that software customization such as the image viewer can be easily performed. It is possible to implement it in a reliable and reliable manner.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a method for displaying specific information according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration and a connection form of a service system used when a user transfers information such as an image to a server.

According to FIG. 1, a service system can record identification information unique to an electronic device such as a camera, user setting information set by a user, and a captured image or collected sound. Camera 10, which is an embodiment of an electronic device having a communication unit capable of transmitting information to another communication device, and an electronic camera 10 connected to the communication unit of the electronic camera 10 for communication.
The cradle 12 is a relay device capable of supplying power to the cradle 12 and transmits and receives information such as images to and from the cradle 12 via communication means 14 such as a USB (communication means based on the Universal Serial Bus communication standard). A personal computer 16 which is a user-side communication device having communication means capable of transmitting and receiving information such as images to and from a server or service center via a communication network.
And a service center 20 such as a server capable of transmitting and receiving information such as images and sounds via a communication network such as the Internet 18.

By configuring the service system in this manner, the electronic camera 10 can transmit and receive information such as images to and from the service center 20 via the personal computer 16. Note that the cradle 12 replaces the power supply connector and the interface connector of the personal computer 16 with a higher-level connector, thereby simplifying the operation of the user.

The electronic camera 10 is provided with an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject, a recording means for recording images and sounds, and a communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from other communication devices. Further, the personal computer 16 (communication device on the user side) reads communication software recorded on a CD-ROM or the like attached to the electronic camera 10 and executes processing based on the read software. Means,
Communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the electronic camera 10; communication means for transmitting and receiving information such as image data and specific identification information to and from a communication network such as the Internet 18; Display means for displaying information such as service menus, banner advertisements, etc. provided by the service centers 20 and the like, as well as the image and sound identification information of the Selecting means for selecting an image or sound for which a service is desired; selecting means (a service button, a store service button, etc.) for selecting a user desired service from information such as a displayed service menu;
A recording unit for recording various execution programs and information is provided.

The server such as the service center 20 includes communication means for transmitting and receiving various information to and from a communication network such as the Internet 18 and the electronic camera 1.
0, user setting information, usage information, service menu information to be provided to the user, a password, a usage fee payment method paid by the user of the electronic camera 10, service button or banner advertisement image data in association with the unique identification information, A recording unit that records information such as specific identification information recorded in association with the image data, a selection unit that selects the various types of information based on the unique or specific identification information of the electronic camera 10, and a password. Checking means for permitting or disallowing the provision of the service, and payment information recording means in which identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 owned by the user and a method of paying a usage fee paid by the user are recorded in association with each other. Payment information selecting means for selecting a usage fee payment method from the payment information recording means based on identification information unique to the electronic camera 10; A fee receiving means for receiving a usage fee of the service provided to the user according to the issued usage fee payment method, and a display priority order of a plurality of services provided to the user based on the service usage information of the user. Determining means for performing the determination.

FIG. 2 shows the flow of information transmitted and received between the electronic camera and the service center.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera 10 receives captured image data and accompanying information, device-specific identification information such as a serial number or an ID of the electronic camera 10, an address and a customizable address by one user. The user setting information such as a credit card number is transmitted to the personal computer 1 via the communication means 14.
6 can be transmitted.

The CD-R attached to the electronic camera 10
When the recording medium such as the OM is mounted on the personal computer 16, the personal computer 16 reads out the software related to the image viewer and the communication recorded on the recording medium, and sets the read-out software such as the image viewer so that the software can be started. Becomes possible.

When the electronic camera 10 is inserted into the cradle 12, the personal computer 16 automatically detects the connection of the electronic camera 10 (using the Plug & Play function) via a communication means such as a USB, and outputs the image in the electronic camera 10. Automatically launches the image viewer, which is application software that displays a list of. For example, the function of automatically detecting the connection of the electronic camera 10 includes a device driver for automatically detecting the connection of the electronic camera 10 when the system program of the personal computer 16 is started or after the start of the system program.
Monitor Plug & Play events. When the device driver recognizes the connection of the electronic camera 10, it starts a processing program such as an image viewer required according to the processing mode of the electronic camera 10.

FIG. 3 shows a display screen of the image viewer displayed on the display means of the personal computer.

A display screen 22 displayed by the image viewer
In the (display means of the personal computer 16), for example, identification information of photographed image data and additional information recorded on the recording medium of the electronic camera 10, and a folder of stored image data and additional information recorded in the database of the personal computer 16 A file list 24 in which names and identification information of file names are described; a list display of reduced images (identification information by thumbnail images) 26 of each image recorded in the folder designated by the user for browsing; Various instruction buttons 28 (selection means) for displaying a menu of various services and connecting to a service center 20 which performs various services, and a print service provided by a store selling the electronic camera 10 Store service button 29 for instructing the user to enjoy and user setting information entered and set by the user. Or the user setting information button 30 that can be modified, banner advertisements (not shown) are displayed simultaneously.

If the information recorded in the folder designated for browsing is only audio information, only the service menu of the service center 20 such as a music site relating to audio is displayed. Is only the image information or the electronic camera 10 does not have a sound reproduction function (the menu is set based on the information of the electronic camera 10 recorded in the server of the service center 20 in association with the received camera-specific identification information). Only the service menu of the service center 20 relating to the image is displayed in (selection and transmission to the personal computer 16 for display), and unnecessary information is not displayed, and the number of options of the user is reduced to facilitate use. .

The user selects desired one or a plurality of images from the displayed file name or the list of the reduced images 26 using input means (selection means) represented by a mouse or a keyboard. Simply pressing the instruction button 28 (for example, a service button 29 for executing a print service, a photo publication button, a photo contest posting button, and other service buttons) for instructing connection and transmission to the service center 20 is simply performed. This makes it possible to transmit print service information of a desired image and upload an image file and a sound file for posting a photo on the Internet and posting a photo contest.

The image and sound selected as described above and the information on the service desired to be implemented in the service center 20 are linked in the application program of the image viewer and designated by the instruction button 28 or the dealer service button 29. Is transmitted to the service center 20 or the service center 38 of “BG Service” to be described later. When the personal computer 16 is connected to a provider such as the Internet via a telephone public line, the user can use the image and voice and the service center 2 by the user.
When 0 or 38 is selected and instructed, the personal computer 16
Performs dial-up and starts communication with a provider such as the Internet. And information on the IP address or domain name of the service center 20 to be connected to;
It transmits information on the IP address or domain name assigned to the personal computer 16, desired service information, selected image and audio data, and identification information unique to the electronic camera 10.

The service center 20 receives the IP address or domain name of the transmission source personal computer 16, service information, image and audio data, and identification information unique to the electronic camera 10, and based on the received service information. The information on the predetermined operation screen is displayed as (information of the optimal service menu corresponding to the identification information unique to the device of the electronic camera 10, identification information unique to the device of the electronic camera 10, and usage information of the service center 20 or the server site up to the present. The information of the optimal service menu recorded in association with the above and the information of the service menu of the homepage existing at a position deeper than the top page of the service center 20 are directly transmitted to the personal computer 16 side.

When the service center 20 or 38 needs information on the delivery destination of the product and information on the fee, for example, when the user instructs an image print service,
The personal computer 16 receives device-specific information of the electronic camera 10 inserted into the cradle 12 (specific information such as a manufacturing serial number and an ID of the electronic camera 10) and automatically transmits the information to the service center 20 or 38.

Further, when the user purchases the electronic camera 10, name information and address information of the user of the electronic camera 10, destination information when delivering the product to the user, image or voice of the user, etc. User information such as distribution destination information, information on the source of the fee paid by the user, password information for identifying the user, gender information of the user, birth date information of the user, age information of the user, etc. By registering the electronic camera 10 in advance, it is transmitted to the service center 20 or 38 together with the purchased serial number of the electronic camera 10 at the time of user registration or the like. The service center 20 associates these two pieces of information with each other, and when the image information and the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 are received, the service center 20 side associates and records the above-described usage information based on the unique identification information of the electronic camera 10. User information such as address information, name information, etc. of the user may be read and used for the delivery destination of the product and payment of the fee.
In this case, the electronic camera 10 is used as an authentication device.

Further, when a person other than the user who purchased the electronic camera 10 operates the electronic camera 10 and receives various services, the usage fee of the various services is reduced by the electronic camera 10 not actually receiving the various services. In order to avoid such a problem that the purchaser is charged to the purchaser, a mechanism may be adopted in which the service center 20 inquires for an authentication password for identifying the user when usage costs are incurred in various services. In this case, the service center 20 receives in advance the user setting information including the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 owned by the user and the password related to the user, and records them in the recording unit in association with each other.

Next, when receiving the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 and the password input by the user this time from the user side, the recording means reads out the password recorded in advance in association with the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10. The collation means collates the password entered this time by the user. As a result of the collation, if it is determined that the password previously recorded in the recording means is the same as the password entered by the user this time, the distribution or use of the image or sound specified by the user is performed. Permits the provision of services such as the delivery processing of printed materials specified by the user, and implements them.
The information of the delivery address of the product is stored in the received electronic camera 10.
The information of the delivery destination address included in the user setting information recorded in the recording unit in advance in association with the unique identification information is used. When the user setting information includes the method of paying the usage fee of the various services provided by the service center 20 (when the method is recorded in the payment information recording unit), the method is associated with the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10. The payment information selecting means selects the payment method of the usage fee described in the user setting information recorded in the storage device, and the fee receiving means of the service center 20 determines the payment method of the service center 20 based on the payment method of the usage fee and the password verification result. Receive usage fee.

The information on the operation screen transmitted from the service center 20 to the personal computer 16 for notification may be in the form of a default general-purpose operation screen, or may be based on usage information such as a user's usage frequency and usage history. May be used to change the contents of the operation screen. To change the operation screen, use the electronic camera 10
The user associates the service center 2 with the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 received from the user via the personal computer 16.
The use frequency using 0 or the use information relating to the use contents is sequentially recorded in the recording means, and when the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 is received from the user side, the current use information and the use frequency stored in the storage means are used. Alternatively, useful information is selected for each user from among the plurality of types of usage information of the service center 20 recorded in the recording unit based on the usage information on the usage content, or a customized latest operation screen is notified. You may do so. In addition, electronic camera 1
Based on the use information recorded in association with the identification information of No. 0, the priority of the display may be changed so that the information of the service center 20 with a high use frequency is preferentially displayed, or the service center with a high use frequency may be displayed. The store service button 29 from which the user purchased the electronic camera 20 or the electronic camera 10 may be preferentially displayed at a position where the user can easily select it.

In this way, by storing the use history information unique to the user and the information unique to the electronic camera 10 in association with each other, for example, the electronic camera a owned by the user A and the electronic camera a owned by the user B Even if the electronic camera b uses the same image service center 20 or the like using the same personal computer 16, the user A
The operation screen and the advertisement information suitable for the user B are provided based on the identification information unique to the camera a, and the operation screen and the advertisement information suitable for the user B are provided to the user B based on the identification information of the camera b. As described above, it is possible to display different operation screens, so that it is possible to provide a detailed service according to the user.

The display of the image viewer operating on the personal computer 16 also acquires information unique to the electronic camera 10 and obtains the image service center 20 or the server (BG Serv) of the store.
er service center 38), and sends an inquiry to the image service center 20 or 38 based on the user-specific use history information recorded in association with the electronic camera 10-specific information. The display information of the service menu may be transmitted to the personal computer 16, and the image viewer may display the service menu based on the received display information.

Further, the user sends identification information unique to the electronic camera 10, status information of the electronic camera 10, and history information on the use of the electronic camera 10 to the service center 20 or 38 that performs after-sales service of the electronic camera 10. To the service center 20 or 3
8, after-sales information such as update information of an operation program of the electronic camera 10 recorded in association with the received identification information unique to the electronic camera 10, status information of the electronic camera 10, and history information on use of the electronic camera 10. After-sales service information of the camera, such as update information of an operation program of the electronic camera 10, which is recorded in association with the electronic camera 10, may be transmitted to the electronic camera 10 via the personal computer 16.

As described above, the service center communicates with the electronic camera 10 online so that the service center 20 or 38 can easily and accurately report the trouble without bringing the electronic camera 10 into a store or a repair shop. Not only can it be recognized, but also it is possible to make an appropriate repair decision and carry out the repair.

Regarding the payment of the customer service usage fee for repair or the like, the service center 20 or 38 included in the user setting information recorded in the recording means in association with the received unique identification information of the electronic camera 10 is sent to the service center 20 or 38. The usage fee may be received from the user according to the information on the payment method of the usage fee.

Even after the electronic camera 10 is sold, the operation processing program for controlling photographing and display is updated and changed to a new program. By transmitting the information, the service center 2
Numeral 0 or 38 reads out the model of the electronic camera 10 recorded in association with the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 and the usage information of the customer service so far from a recording means such as a database, and electronically executes an appropriate operation processing program. The data can be transmitted to the camera 10 to update the operation processing program. Further, even in the case where the electronic camera 10 is out of order and malfunctions, the service center 20 or 38 reads the information recorded in association with the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 and performs appropriate diagnosis and treatment at the time of failure. It can be implemented.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a service system for transmitting user setting information input by a user and identification information unique to the electronic camera 10.

As shown in the figure, identification information such as a serial number unique to the device is transmitted from the electronic camera 10 owned by the user to the personal computer 16. Further, the user inputs user setting information to the personal computer 16. The identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 and the user setting information are transmitted from the personal computer 16 to the service center 20 of “FG Server” via a communication network such as the Internet 18. The “FG Server” receives service menu information on various services and information on its own service from a service provider, and records the user setting information, identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 and menu data in association with each other. .

In addition, the service provider provides each "BG Ser
The work of incorporating various services into the service center 38 of “vice” may be performed. Each “BG Ser” including dealers
The vice service center 38 performs print delivery processing and image or audio delivery processing to the user.

FIG. 5 shows an operation example of a service system according to the present invention.

According to the figure, the electronic camera 1 owned by the user
When "0" is connected to the communication means 14, the program of the image viewer is automatically started on the personal computer 16, and the connection with a communication network such as the Internet 18 is started. Identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 is transmitted from the personal computer 16 to the “FG Server” via the Internet 18. The “FG Server” selects service menu information on an appropriate service recorded in association with the received identification information unique to the electronic camera 10, and selects the personal computer 1.
6 is transmitted.

When information such as a service menu is displayed on the image viewer, the user selects and instructs a desired image or sound and a desired service. The order details information of the service selected in this way and the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 are transmitted to the “BG Ser
vice ”to the service center 38. "BG Ser
The service center 38 of “vice” transmits the received identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 to the service center 20 of “FG Server” and requests transmission of the user setting information. The “FG Server” receives the identification information unique to the electronic camera 10 and transmits to the “BG Service” user setting information such as the address of a user who delivers the article recorded in association with the electronic camera 10.

"BG Servic" which received the user setting information
"e" transmits the received user setting information, for example, the data of the image to be printed and the detailed information of the print service to the delivery service center 40 or the like. Upon receiving the information, the delivery service center 40 prints the product according to the detailed order information and delivers it to the delivery destination (user home 42) described in the user setting information.

FIG. 6 shows an example of information transmission in the method for displaying specific information according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG.
And a service center 20 (first server) such as "FG Server" and a service center 38 (second server) such as a dealer are connected by communication means such as the Internet 18 and exchange information with each other. Transmission and reception are possible.

First, a description will be given of a process up to display of the store service button 29 for instructing to enjoy the service provided by the service center 38 on the display of the image viewer.

The service center 38 such as a store is shown in FIG.
User's personal computer 16 that displays the image viewer shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the display screen 22 of the service center 20 "FG" in order to display a store service button 29 or a banner advertisement linked to the service center of the store.
Server "and a display service button 29.

If mutual agreement is reached between the service centers with respect to this contract, the service center 20 transmits the data of the design such as the store service button 29 or the banner advertisement to the service center 38. The button identification information (specific identification information) to be displayed on the display screen 22 of the personal computer 16 is transmitted or transmitted (in FIG. 6). Further, if necessary, the store service button 2
Information such as the storage capacity (storage area) when the storage unit 9 or the like is stored in the storage unit (hard disk or the like) of the service center 20 may be notified to the service center 38.

Next, the service center 38 stores the shop service button 29 to be displayed or the pattern data of the banner advertisement (if the storage capacity is specified, the pattern data within a predetermined capacity). Service Center 2
0 is transmitted or transmitted (in FIG. 6).

At this time, based on the contract, the service center 20 may charge the service center 38 for the publication fee of the store service button 29, or the user may actually receive the service at the service center 38. The usage fee may be charged to the service center 38 only when the service center 38 is charged, or may not be charged at all.

Next, the service center 38 prepares a floppy disk or CD-ROM in which the button identification information is recorded.
Is attached to a product such as the electronic camera 10 to be sold and passed to the user for transmission (FIG. 6). Also,
A guide sheet or a sticker describing the button identification information may be attached to the product and transmitted to the user for transmission.

Here, if the design or the like of the store service button 29 is recorded on a recording medium and given to the user, a third party other than the service center 38 and the service center 20 illegally creates design data. Therefore, according to the present invention, only the button identification information is passed to the user, so that only the person who has made a contract with the service center 20 can be assigned to the user. The instruction button 28 can be displayed on the image viewer.

Next, the user attaches the attached recording medium such as the floppy disk or CD-ROM to the user's personal computer 16, reads the recorded button identification information, and reads the button identification information. A process of storing the information in a predetermined storage area managed by the image viewer is performed. When a guide sheet or a sticker describing the button identification information is attached to the product, the user inputs the information to the personal computer 16 through input means such as a keyboard and a barcode reader.
A process for inputting data to a predetermined storage area managed by the image viewer is performed.

When the image viewer software is started on the personal computer 16 in which the button identification information is stored in a predetermined area, a predetermined storage area managed by the image viewer software itself is checked, and one or more button identification information is determined. It is determined whether or not the information is stored. If the button identification information is not stored, the default or the same instruction button 28 as before is displayed.

If the button identification information is stored, when the communication connection with the service center 20 is started, the stored button identification information is transmitted to the service center 20 (FIG. 4). 6). At this point, the software of the image viewer performs a display as shown in FIG. 3, but since the information of the design of the store service button 29 regarding the service center 38 has not been obtained yet,
Other default instruction buttons 28 and the like are displayed.

The service center 20 (menu management server) that has received the button identification information transmits to the user's personal computer 16 symbol data such as the shop service button 29 obtained from the service center 38 under the contract. (FIG. 6). The design data transmitted at this time is design data corresponding to the button identification information received from the personal computer 16.

The software of the image viewer of the personal computer 16 which has received the design data such as the store service button 29 inserts the received design data into a predetermined place and displays it, thereby customizing the display screen. The information about the place where the symbol data is to be inserted may be received from the service center 20 together with the symbol data,
The image viewer software may have the image viewer in advance.
When the customized menu is displayed, the storage area storing the button identification information is stored with a mark indicating that it is an official identification number.

FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of the instruction buttons 28 in the initial state displayed on the image viewer.

FIG. 8 shows an arrangement of the instruction buttons 28 displayed on the image viewer after the customization.
As shown in the figure, the image viewer after the customization has additionally inserted dealer service buttons 29A and 29A.
9B is displayed.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the store service button 29 acquired from the service center 20 based on the button identification information acquired from the service center 38.
By adding A, 29B, etc., it is possible to reliably customize the instruction button 28 of the image viewer while preventing fraud.

Next, the user operates the store service button 29
Is operated to enjoy the service of the service center 38.

The user selects an image or the like to receive a service, and further operates by clicking the store service button 29, for example, and instructs to enjoy a service such as image printing. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the information such as the image selected by the user and the selected store service button 29 are displayed.
Is transmitted to the service center 38 and the button selection information is transmitted to the service center 2.
0 is also transmitted (FIG. 6).

At this time, together with the button selection information,
Identification information that identifies the image viewer software itself,
The user information of the user registered in the service center 20 may be transmitted to the service center 38 together. If the selected dealer service button 29 is not a button added by customization, identification information for identifying the image viewer software itself and user information of the user registered in the service center 20 are used. It is not necessary to transmit to the service center 38. At this time, the service center 20
It is not necessary to transmit the button selection information to.

When the software of the image viewer communicates with the service center 20, if a mark indicating a formal identification number is attached to the storage area where the button identification information is stored. By notifying the service center 20 of this fact, the service center 20 may be able to identify that the user is a person who has officially customized image viewer software.

When a user orders a service such as an image from the service center 20, the service center 20 determines that the user has officially customized the image viewer software based on the button identification information of the service center 38. By identifying that the user has the service, it becomes possible to notify the service center 38 of a process such as providing a service such as an image at a special usage fee (FIG. 6).

The service center 20 can perform business processing such as charging the service center 38 for a service menu usage fee by totalizing the usage of one or more users.

Further, additional information is stored in an area for storing button identification information managed by the image viewer, and the like.
When the image viewer makes a communication connection to the service center 38 indicated by the button identification information, the stored additional information can be transmitted to the service center 38. If the service center 38 receives the supplementary information from one or more users, and provides software for a plurality of customized image viewers having different supplementary information according to the user type, a single server can provide a plurality of software. Processing can be performed by determining the user type.

[0070]

As described above, according to the method for displaying specific information according to the present invention, the communication device on the user side transmits the specific identification information to the first server; A step in which a server transmits an image of a service button or a banner advertisement corresponding to the received specific identification information to a communication device on the user side, and a step in which the communication device on the user side receives the image data; And displaying the received service button or the image of the banner advertisement on the image viewer displayed on the display means by the communication device on the side, so that software customization such as the image viewer can be easily and reliably customized. Can be implemented.

Further, it is possible to prevent customization of software such as an image viewer from being executed without a prior contract or the like.

Further, it is possible to provide many useful services by utilizing the mechanism.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration and a connection form of a service system used when a user transfers an image to a server.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of information transmitted and received between an electronic camera and a service center.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen of an image viewer displayed on a display unit of a personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a service system for transmitting user setting information input by a user and identification information unique to an electronic camera.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation example of a service system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information transmission in a method for displaying specific information according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an arrangement of instruction buttons in an initial state displayed on an image viewer;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an arrangement of instruction buttons displayed on the image viewer after customization.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 electronic camera, 12 cradle, 14 communication means, 16 personal computer, 18 Internet, 20 service center, 22 display screen, 24 file list, 26 reduced image, 28 instruction button, 29 sales Store service button, 30... User setting information button, 38
… Service center, 40… Delivery service center,
42 ... User's home

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A service button for instructing the user to perform various services such as an image print service and an image or audio upload service or image data of a banner advertisement is displayed on a display means of a communication device on the user side. A method for displaying specific information to be received and displayed from a server, wherein the communication device on the user side displays a service button or a banner advertisement for instructing the execution of a specific service on a display means of the communication device. Transmitting the specific identification information to the first server; and when the first server receives the specific identification information from the communication device on the user side, the first server corresponds to the received specific identification information. Transmitting the service button or the image data of the banner advertisement to the communication device on the user side; and the communication device on the user side transmits the service button or the banner data from the first server. Receiving the advertisement button image data, and the communication device on the user side displays a service button or banner advertisement based on the received service button or banner advertisement image data on an image viewer displayed on display means. Displaying a specific image, and a method for displaying specific information. 2. When a user selects the service button, button selection information for notifying that the service button has been selected is transmitted to the first server, and a second server that provides the selected service is provided. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the button selection information. 3. The specific identification information is transmitted from the second server to a communication device on a user side by a floppy (registered trademark).
3. The method for displaying specific information according to claim 1, further comprising a step of transmitting the information via a recording medium such as a disk or a CD-ROM. 4. The method for displaying specific information according to claim 1, further comprising a step of issuing the specific identification information and transmitting the specific identification information to the second server. . 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of issuing the service button or the image data of the banner advertisement by the second server and transmitting the image data to the first server. How to display specific information described in.