JP2002247278A - Image data distributing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute a photographic image on a wide area network. SOLUTION: In an image data distributing method, a plurality of fax machines 3 are connected with a server 2 through the network 1. The fax machine 3 of a transmission side registers destination information and an image in the server 2. The server 2 generates the reduced image of a received image based on destination information. The fax machine 3 of a reception side confirms destination information on the self-station of the server 2, receives a thumb nail image, prints and outputs it, reads again the thumb nail image and returns it to the server 2. The fax machine 3 of the transmission side discriminates the selected thumb nail image, receives a real image from the server 2 and prints and outputs it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for distributing image data, and more particularly to a technique for distributing image data which is stored in a server via the Internet and timely distributed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital cameras have become extremely popular,
At home, there is an increasing demand not only for browsing image data on a computer device such as a PC (Personal Computer), but also for printing out as a substitute for a photograph or sending a photograph to a friend or grandparent as a replacement for a silver halide camera. ing. Such a user may not have a PC, and may bring a recording medium of a digital camera (such as a smart media or a compact flash (registered trademark) card) to a photo shop for printing or print a photo. They are sent by mail. This takes time and mail to bring to a photo shop, which is not very easy. Even if a user does not own a PC and can print or transmit a photographic image using a FAX device having a relatively high household penetration rate, these efforts are eliminated and the operation becomes very convenient.

By the way, when a facsimile document received using a facsimile apparatus is converted into an HTML document, an HTML document including a reduced image obtained by reducing each page of the received document is generated and added, so that the rough contents of the received document are obtained. And a technique of grasping the configuration in a list has been proposed (JP-A-2000-22880).

[0004]

However, this technique is for browsing a document once received by facsimile,
Convert the AX document to a reduced image on the FAX machine
An operation of registering the image in the e-server is required, and the facsimile must have an advanced image processing mechanism.
This is difficult with low cost home faxes.

[0005] Further, since this technique is applied to a FAX document, it is monochrome and has a low resolution and a small data amount. In the method of reducing once received images for the purpose of distributing photographic images, since reduction processing is performed after all images are received, unnecessary image transmission is required, and the processing is time-consuming and not practical.

Further, this technology transmits and receives images using the FAX protocol, and distribution of photographic images requires simultaneous broadcasting to all distribution destinations, which is very costly in the case of distant locations. There were serious drawbacks.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image data distribution method capable of distributing a photographic image over a wide area network.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image data distribution method capable of selecting and outputting only necessary images even when a large amount of photographic images are distributed to the own station.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image data distribution method with a small image processing load.

[0010]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data distribution method in which a plurality of image input / output devices and a server are connected via a network. , The image input / output device on the transmission side
The destination information and the image are registered in the server, the server generates a reduced image of the received image based on the destination information, and the image input / output device on the receiving side checks the destination information of the own station of the server and matches the thumbnail. The image is received, printed out, and the selected thumbnail image is read again and returned to the server. The image input / output device on the transmission side determines the selected thumbnail image and sends the corresponding real image from the server. This is received and printed out.

Thus, since the images are distributed via the server, it is possible to distribute the photographic images over a wide area network such as the Internet.

Further, even if a large amount of photographic images are distributed to the own station, it is possible to select and output only necessary images.

Further, since the image is reduced in the server, it is possible to distribute image data with a small image processing load.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image data distribution method in which a plurality of image input / output devices and a server are connected via a network. The device registers the destination information and the image in the server, the server generates a reduced image of the received image based on the destination information, and the image input / output device on the receiving side confirms the destination information of the server's own station. The corresponding thumbnail image is received and printed out, and the selected thumbnail image is read again and returned to the server. The image input / output device on the transmission side determines the selected thumbnail image and determines the corresponding actual image. This is an image data distribution method that receives image data from a server and prints out the image data. Since images are distributed via a server, distribution of photographic images over a wide area network such as the Internet It has the effect that it becomes possible. Further, even if a large number of photographic images are distributed to the own station, it is possible to select and output only necessary images. Further, since the image is reduced in the server, image data distribution with a small image processing load can be performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data distribution method in which a plurality of image input / output devices and a server are connected via a network, wherein the image input / output device on the transmission side has a destination. The information and the image are registered in the server, the server generates a reduced image of the received image based on the destination information, and the image input / output device on the receiving side checks the destination information of the own station of the server and checks the corresponding thumbnail image. And print out the same, read the selected thumbnail image again and return it to the server, and the image input / output device on the transmission side receives the selected thumbnail image and displays it in a selectable manner, This is an image data distribution method that receives a real image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image from the server and prints out the image. This allows the user to select the image to be output on the screen without outputting a reduced image. , An effect that is pressing the output of unnecessary paper it is possible to reduce the cost.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data distribution method in which a plurality of image input / output devices and a server are connected via a network, wherein the image input / output device on the transmission side has a destination. The information and the image are registered in the server, and the server generates a reduced image of the received image based on the destination information, and sequentially reduces the reduced image to the receiving side image input / output device that matches the destination information at regular time intervals. Is an image data distribution method for transmitting image data, which makes it possible to periodically obtain photographic images in a grouped state, and to periodically receive images from a plurality of destinations at once. Having.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image data delivery method according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the image input / output device is a facsimile device. Applying a facsimile apparatus as an apparatus has an effect that images can be distributed via a network without having a computer apparatus.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In these drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an image distribution system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image input / output device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a DB configuration of the server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. And FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an image distribution operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, Embodiment 1 of the present invention
Is an image distribution system, which includes a server 2 and a plurality of fax machines.
A device (image input / output device) 3 is mutually connected by the Internet 1 which is a wide area network. And 1
Images read by two fax machines 3 are sent to the Internet 1
And store it in the server 2 via the
Can be sent to

As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 3 includes a scanner section 4 for reading an original and a memory card reading section 5 for transporting and reading an image of a digital camera or the like using a compact flash card or a smart memory card. And a controller 6 for performing overall control, and a printing unit 7 for printing out a read image, an image obtained from a memory card, an image obtained from a network, or an image transmitted and received by facsimile.

Here, the controller 6 includes a modem 8 for controlling a telephone line to perform FAX transmission / reception or network transmission / reception, a control unit 9 for performing overall control, a memory 10 for storing program data or image data, A network image control unit 11 for controlling an image received from or transmitted to a network, an encoding unit 16 for compressing an image by an image compression method such as MH, MR, MMR or the like in accordance with a facsimile protocol, and a facsimile-compressed image To the original image.

The network image control unit 11 determines the MailBoxID of the server according to the destination at the time of transmission to the server, and assigns this ID to the server. The real image processing unit processes the real image received from the server. 13 and
And a thumbnail processing unit 14 for determining which image has been selected after retrieving by checking after receiving the thumbnail image.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the server 2 has a communication control unit 20 for controlling a network.
And a thumbnail generation unit 21 that reduces the image received from the facsimile device 3 to a reduced image of a predetermined size, and further arranges the thumbnail images at the time of transmission for each facsimile device 3
And an image D for controlling an image received from the facsimile device 3
B control unit 22.

Here, the image DB control unit 22 stores an image DB 23 for storing images received from the FAX device 3 and reduced thumbnail images, and a Ma based on the destination of the FAX device 3.
a destination DB 24 having an ilID function.

The DB that stores the image data of the actual size and the data of the reduced thumbnail image in the image DB control unit 22 has a configuration as shown in FIG.

[0027] DB is FAX received by MailBoxID
Distinguish equipment. First, the head address for each MailBox is set in order. Mail from this address
Data is input sequentially from Box1. In MailBox, MailBox user information is first entered. This is reception F
Information for identifying the AX device, such as (telephone number, M
aile address, address, name, etc.). Further, the image data detailed information includes, for example, (image size, color information, photographing information, etc.) describing header information of each actual image data. Furthermore, the thumbnail and the actual image data created by the thumbnail generation unit 21 by reducing the actual image are sequentially entered from 1. In FIG. 4, the actual image data is represented only up to 4, but of course
The number of images corresponding to the AX device is stored. As described above, MailBox2 and MailBo corresponding to the following facsimile apparatuses are used.
x3. . . Continue.

FIG. 5 shows thumbnails output from the image input / output device.

The receiving-side FAX apparatus periodically accesses the MailBox ID addressed to the server to obtain a thumbnail image. FIG. 5 shows the obtained thumbnail image output from the printing unit 7.

As described above, the thumbnail image and the image ID (image 1, image 2...) Are displayed. The user is image I
Check the check box next to D and read the image again.

Next, an image distribution operation between the facsimile apparatus and the server using the Internet will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, image data photographed by a digital camera or the like is inserted into the memory card reader 5 using a compact flash card or a smart media card, and the data is read. Alternatively, an image of a magazine or the like is read by the scanner unit 4. Then, a destination to be transmitted is input from the operation unit using a numeric keypad or the like (MailBoxID). Thus, the read image data and the MailBoxID are transmitted to the server 2 via the Internet 1 (Step S1).

The server 2 is controlled by the image DB control unit 22
The received image data is stored in the area of the image DB 23 indicated by the MailBoxID (step S2). And
The thumbnail generation unit 21 creates a reduced image of the received image (step S3). At this time, a reduced image is created by a known technique such as a simple thinning method, a bicubic method, a bilinear method, or a nearest neighbor method.
In this manner, the image is stored in the server 2 from the facsimile apparatus 3 at any time.

The facsimile apparatus 3 accesses the server 2 periodically or whenever the user wishes to access, and designates a MailBox ID addressed to the user. Then, an image addressed to the user is checked (step S4). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a thumbnail (step S5). If there is a thumbnail, the facsimile apparatus 3 receives the thumbnails addressed to itself in a lump, shapes the thumbnails into a list, and sends a list. Output (Step S6). This allows the user to view the thumbnail image list and add the image to be output as shown in FIG.
A check is made as shown in FIG. Then, the thumbnail processing unit 14 specifies the checked thumbnail, connects to the server 2, and requests the output of the number of the real image corresponding to the selected thumbnail (step S7).

The server 2 converts the selected real image data into F
To the AX device 3, and the F
The AX device 3 outputs this from the printing unit 7 (Step S
8). Thus, an actual image is obtained (step S
9).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the image is distributed via the server, it is possible to distribute the photographic image over a wide area network such as the Internet.

Further, even if a large amount of photographic images are distributed to the own station, it is possible to select and output only necessary images.

Further, since the image reduction operation is performed in the server 2, image data distribution with a small image processing load can be performed.

Since the facsimile device 3 is used as the image input / output device, the image can be distributed via the network without having a computer device.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image input / output apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an operation section of the image input / output apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an image distribution operation according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the image distribution system, the configuration of the server, and the server DB are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, and a part of the image distribution operation is the same as that shown in FIG. It has become.

In the present embodiment, as shown in detail in FIG. 7, the facsimile apparatus 3 as an image input / output apparatus has an operation unit 18 added to the facsimile apparatus 3 of the first embodiment. Things.

As shown in FIG. 8, the operation unit 18 includes a handset 30 used as a telephone, a display unit 31 for displaying an operation state, a numeric keypad 32 for inputting a telephone number and other numerical information, A lamp for displaying an incoming call state, a start key 33 for reading a document and receiving a transmission instruction, a stop key 34 used for stopping settings or stopping transmission, and used when transmitting a photographic image via a server. And a photo transmission key 35.

Next, an image distribution operation between the facsimile apparatus and the server using the Internet will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Note that the overall operation of image distribution is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated. The transmitting-side FAX device 3 and the server 2 perform the same operation as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 6, the receiving-side FAX device 3 checks the thumbnail (step S4), and if there is a thumbnail (step S5), the process is continued.

That is, in FIG. 9, the receiving-side FAX device 3 receives the thumbnail and displays it on the display unit 31 (step S11).

Then, the operation unit 18 of the reception-side FAX device 3
In, the thumbnail of the actual image data to be acquired is checked (step S12). At this time, a thumbnail number may be indicated by a ten key, or the display unit 31 may be configured as a touch panel to directly press a thumbnail image on the display unit 31.

The ID of the checked image is passed to the server 2, the actual image data checked in the thumbnail is transferred from the server 2 to the receiving-side FAX device 3, and printing is performed by the printing unit 7 (step S13). . Thus, an actual image can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, an image to be output can be selected on the screen without outputting a reduced image, so that unnecessary paper output can be suppressed and cost can be reduced. Becomes possible.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an image distribution operation according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the third embodiment, an image distribution system,
The hardware configuration of the image input / output device, the configuration of the server, the server DB, the thumbnails output from the image input / output device, and part of the image distribution operation are the same as those shown in FIGS.

An image distribution operation between the FAX device and the server using the Internet will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Note that the overall operation of image distribution is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated. The transmitting FAX device 3 and the receiving FAX device 3 perform the same operation as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 6, the image transmitted from the transmitting FAX device 3 to the server with the MailBox ID with the destination information (step S 1) is sent to the server 2.
xID is stored in the database designated (step S
2).

That is, in FIG. 10, the server 2 operates the timer, and when a certain time has elapsed (step S2).
0), if there is image data in the MailBox (step S21), the server 2 creates a thumbnail of the received image for each MailBoxID (step S2).
2). The server 2 transmits the thumbnail to the receiving fax machine 3 corresponding to the MailBoxID (step S2).
3). Thereafter, the operation of the receiving-side FAX device 3 is performed in step S
The same applies to 6 and thereafter.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, photographic images can be regularly obtained in a grouped state, and images from a plurality of transmission destinations can be periodically received at once.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the facsimile apparatus 3 is used as an image input / output apparatus. However, if the facsimile apparatus 3 can create and output an image, it can be used alone or separately. It does not matter. That is, a personal computer having a scanner and a modem on the input device side, a personal computer carrying media with a digital camera, a personal computer directly connected to a digital camera, and a digital camera having a built-in PHS or the like that can be connected to a network. You may.

Similarly, the output device may be a device that can be connected to a network, such as a personal computer having a modem and a printer, or a printer with a built-in PHS or the like.

Further, the output of the thumbnail images is one screen output from four screens. However, the output may be two screens or nine screens, or any number of screens as long as the thumbnail images can be confirmed.

Further, in the third embodiment, thumbnail creation is performed after a certain period of time.
However, a thumbnail image may be created in response to a signal requesting that the outputs so far be printed together.

Various other embodiments can be adopted as long as the gist of the present invention is not impaired.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effective effect that a photographic image can be distributed on a wide area network such as the Internet.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effective effect that even when a large amount of photographic images are distributed to the own station, only necessary images can be selected and output.

Further, according to the present invention, since the image is reduced in the server, an effective effect that image data distribution with a small image processing load can be performed can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, an image to be output can be selected on the screen without outputting a reduced image, so that unnecessary paper output can be suppressed and cost can be reduced. That is, an effective effect is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to regularly obtain photographic images in a grouped state, and to periodically receive images from a plurality of destinations at once. Effective effects can be obtained.

According to the present invention, by applying a facsimile device as an image input / output device, it is possible to distribute an image via a network without having a computer device. Is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an image distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image input / output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a DB configuration of a server according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing thumbnails output from the image input / output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image distribution operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image input / output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit of the image input / output device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an image distribution operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an image distribution operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Internet (network) 2 Server 3 FAX device (image input / output device)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B021 AA05 BB02 BB09 5B050 AA09 BA10 BA15 BA16 CA08 DA06 EA03 EA12 EA19 FA01 GA08 5C062 AA06 AB17 AB21 AB22 AB38 AB41 AB42 AC02 AC03 AC24 AC51 AE02 AF01 AF02 BA01 BC01

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image data distribution method in which a plurality of image input / output devices and a server are connected via a network, wherein the image input / output device on the transmission side registers destination information and an image in the server. The server generates a reduced image of the received image based on the destination information, and the image input / output device on the receiving side checks the destination information of the own station of the server and receives the corresponding thumbnail image. This is printed out, and the selected thumbnail image is read again and returned to the server. The image input / output device on the transmission side determines the selected thumbnail image and sends the corresponding real image from the server. An image data distribution method, comprising: receiving and printing out the image data. 2. An image data distribution method in which a plurality of image input / output devices and a server are connected via a network, wherein the image input / output device on the transmission side registers destination information and an image in the server. The server generates a reduced image of the received image based on the destination information, and the image input / output device on the receiving side checks the destination information of its own station of the server and receives the corresponding thumbnail image. This is printed out and the selected thumbnail image is read again and sent back to the server.The image input / output device on the transmitting side receives the selected thumbnail image and displays it in a selectable manner. An image data distribution method, comprising: receiving an actual image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image from the server; 3. An image data distribution method in which a plurality of image input / output devices and a server are connected via a network, wherein the image input / output device on the transmitting side registers destination information and an image in the server. The server generates a reduced image of the received image based on the destination information, and sequentially transmits the reduced image to the image input / output device on the receiving side that matches the destination information at regular time intervals. Characteristic image data distribution method. 4. The image data distribution method according to claim 1, wherein said image input / output device is a facsimile device.