JP2002251406A - Device and system for address change - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To collectively and automatically update the address of a user when the address of the user is changed in a distributed network system. SOLUTION: A picture storing server 30A is asked whether the server 30A stores a prescribed sending address by a picture storing server 30B, and the server 30A makes a positive answer in the case of storing. When receiving an address change notice from the server 30B, the server 30A authenticates the address change notice. Then, based on the address change notice, the prescribed sending address is changed to be a new sending address.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an address changing apparatus and an address changing system, and more particularly to an address changing apparatus and an address changing system suitable for use in a distributed network including a plurality of servers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one form of digital photo service, there is a network photo service in which a user's digital image is stored (registered) in a service provider's server and print orders are received via a network such as the Internet. Are known.

In such a network photo service, for example, when a user requests a film processing dealer (hereinafter referred to as a "minilab") to register a digital image during film development, the image recorded on the film is
The data is digitized in a mini-lab or a dedicated service center, stored on the server of the service provider, and further disclosed on a network. Further, the user can browse the registered images by accessing the service provider's system via the network, and can make a print order for the registered images.

In the above-mentioned services, in many cases, a centralized network photo service system (hereinafter, referred to as a "centralized system") that performs processing such as image storage, publication, print order acceptance, and print output at one place. .) Was used. The photo print created by the print order is delivered to a service shop or the like designated as a receiving place by the user. However, the print service provided by the centralized system tends to have a long delivery time due to a long delivery time.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-154218, a server computer (hereinafter, referred to as a "lab server") connected to a network is installed in a mini lab or the like, and a server computer installed in a service center that accepts orders is provided. A distributed network photo characterized by transferring order information received from a user and high-resolution image data used for print output from a center server to a lab server, and performing print output in each minilab. A service system (hereinafter referred to as a “distributed system”) has been proposed.

The above-mentioned distributed system aims to increase the number of users by minimizing the conventional delivery process by performing print output in a mini-lab, shortening the delivery time, and making the network photo service more accessible. .

[0007] Further, by using a distributed system, the user can save not only the image but also one or more destinations (addresses) of the image in a lab server, print out the image and mail it to the destination. it can.

[0008]

In the above-mentioned distributed system, when the address is changed, the user is not limited to the lab server in which his / her own image is registered but also to another lab server to which his / her old address is set as a destination. For, the address must be changed.

However, it is difficult for a user to find a lab server whose address is registered as a destination, and even if a lab server is found, it is difficult to perform address change processing on the found lab server. It was very complicated.

[0010] The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problem, and when a user's address is changed in a distributed network system, the user's address is automatically updated collectively. It is an object of the present invention to provide an address change device and an address change system that can be used.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Storage means for storing one or more files and one or more delivery address data for each customer; file output means for associating the file with the delivery address data; outputting predetermined delivery address data to the storage means; When the predetermined sending address data is stored in the storage means, a positive response is made to the inquiry as to whether the address is stored.
A responding unit that makes a negative response when the predetermined sending address data is not stored in the storage unit; and the predetermined sending address data to a new sending address data after the responding unit makes a positive response. Receiving means for receiving an address change notification to the effect that the address is to be changed; and changing predetermined sending address data stored in the storage means to new sending address data based on the address change notification received by the receiving means. Address change means.

The storage means stores one or more files and one or more delivery address data for each customer. The file referred to here may be any of a text file such as a character and an image file including an image. Further, the sending address data includes an e-mail address, a URL (Uniform Resource
(urce Locator), an electronic address such as an IP address, and mailing address data used when mailing a mail.

Preferably, when the sending address data is an electronic address, the file output means transmits the file to the electronic address. Further, it is preferable that the file output means print out the file and the mailing address data, for example, when the mailing address data is the mailing address data. The printed mail is mailed according to the description of the mailing address data.

The response means responds to an inquiry as to whether the predetermined sending address data is stored in the storage means, and gives an affirmative response when the predetermined sending address data is stored in the storage means. , And send an address change notification. On the other hand, the response means makes a negative response when the predetermined sending address data is not stored in the storage means. After the response means has made a negative response, the address change notification is not transmitted.

The sending address data is automatically changed to new sending address data by the address changing means when an address change notice is transmitted from the outside, and is written in the storage means. For this reason, the timing of receiving the address change notification can be measured, and the sending address data can be reliably changed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is further provided an authentication unit for performing authentication on the address change notification received by the receiving unit, and the address change unit is configured to authenticate the authentication unit. After the processing, predetermined sending address data is changed to new sending address data.

[0017] Even if the receiving means receives the address change notice after the responding means makes a positive response, the receiving means may receive an incorrect address change notice. Further, if the sending address data is changed based on the incorrect address change notification, a file may be sent to the wrong sending address data. Therefore, the authentication unit authenticates the address change notification received by the receiving unit, so that the address changing unit can always change the sending address data based on the regular address change notification.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of address change devices connected to each other via a network, wherein one address change device is a predetermined address change device with respect to another address change device. Inquiring means for inquiring whether or not the sending address data is stored, and transmitting means for transmitting the address change notification to the other address changing device after the other address changing device gives a positive response. Are further provided.

The address change system is configured by connecting a plurality of address change devices according to the first or second aspect via a network. The inquiry means inquires of another address changing device whether predetermined address data is stored. The transmission means transmits the address change notification when a positive response is received from the response means of another address change device. Thereby, one address change device can confirm another address change device that stores predetermined sending address data, and further sends an address change notification to the other address change device at an optimal timing. Can be sent. Then, when one address change device transmits an address change notification to another address change device, the other address change device automatically generates predetermined sending address data based on the address change notification from one address change device. Can be changed to new sending address data. By performing such an inquiry or response, it is possible to reliably change the predetermined sending address data at an accurate timing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing one or more files and one or more delivery address data for each customer, and a file output means for outputting the file and the delivery address data in association with each other. A transmitting unit that transmits an address change notification that the predetermined sending address data is changed to the new sending address data, a receiving unit that receives the address change notification, and based on the address change notification received by the receiving unit. A plurality of address change devices provided with address change means for changing predetermined sending address data stored in the storage means to new sending address data, and an address change notification transmitted from each address changing device. Transfer destination information storage means for storing transfer destination information indicating whether to transfer to the address changing device, and
A transfer device having a transfer unit for transferring an address change notification from any of the address change devices to a predetermined address change device based on the transfer destination information, and the address change unit of the predetermined address change device has The present invention is characterized in that predetermined sending address data is changed to new sending address data based on an address change notification from the transfer device.

If the plurality of address change devices have information that the user does not want to leak to the outside, and if the address change notification is directly transmitted to another address change device, customer information and the like are read from the address change notification. It may be done. Therefore, a transfer address change device for transferring the address change notification to a predetermined address change device is provided. The transfer address change device transfers the address change notification without leaking information of one address change device to another address change device. As a result, the sending address data can be automatically changed even between address changing devices that do not want to leak information about the customer.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the transfer device further comprises an authentication unit for authenticating an address change notification transmitted from the address change device,
The transfer means transfers the address change notification to the predetermined address change device after the authentication processing of the authentication means.

The address change notice transmitted from the address change apparatus is authenticated, and after the authentication processing, the address change notice is transferred to the predetermined address change apparatus, thereby eliminating an erroneous address change notice and accurately transmitting the address change notice. Can be changed.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A case where an image storage system is applied to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] As shown in FIG.
Image storage system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention
Comprises a plurality of communication terminal devices 10 used by general customers,
There are a plurality of image storage servers 30A, 30B, 30C... For storing images transmitted via the Internet 20. The image storage servers 30A, 30B,
30C... Will be referred to as “image storage server 30” by omitting alphabetical characters.
Here, each image storage server 30 is owned by the same company, and it is assumed that there is no problem even if information of one image storage server 30 is shared by another image storage server 30.

The communication terminal 10 is connected to the Internet 20
Is connected to the image storage server 30 via a PC, and various kinds of information can be transmitted and received to and from the image storage server 30 by mutual communication. The communication terminal device 10 is configured by a so-called personal computer that can be connected to the Internet 20, for example. The communication terminal device 10 stores the image captured by the digital camera by the image storage server 30 by the customer.
, The customer information is registered in the image storage server 30, and the images stored in the image storage server 30 are browsed.

As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the communication terminal device 10 includes an input / output port 11 for inputting / outputting data via the Internet 20, a mouse 12 as a pointing device, and a keyboard for inputting numerical values and characters. 13
And a display 14 for displaying input results, etc., a control unit 15 for controlling the overall operation, a memory card drive 16 for reading images recorded on a memory card, and a hard disk drive 17 for storing data. The bus 18 is provided.

The mouse 12 is used to select an image displayed on a website, to designate a position for inputting characters, and the like. The keyboard 13 is used for inputting customer information, image attribute information, an image selection signal, and the like, which will be described in detail later. Note that, instead of the mouse 12 and the keyboard 13, a dedicated input device having a function of a pointing device and a function of inputting numerical values, characters, and the like may be used.

As the display 14, for example, a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display, an EL display, a plasma display, and a television receiver can be applied. Furthermore, a mouse 12 and a keyboard 1
A so-called touch panel having the functions of the display 3 and the display 14 may be used.

The control unit 15 receives, for example, customer information, an image selection signal, image attribute information input from the mouse 12 or the keyboard 13, and image data read by the memory card drive 16 via the input / output port 11. To the image storage server 30. Further, the control unit 15
An image can be displayed on the display 14 based on the data from the image storage server 30.

For example, one image storage server 30 is provided for one minilab, or one image storage server is provided for a plurality of minilabs. Such an image storage server 30
Saves all the images transmitted from the communication terminal device 10, temporarily associates the images with customer information, image attribute information, and the like, organizes and classifies the images, and stores the images. Then, the image storage server 30 places the stored image on a website, transmits predetermined data based on an instruction of the communication terminal device 10, and prints out the stored image as a post card. You can also. The printed postcard is delivered to the customer via the mini lab.

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the image storage server 30 includes an input / output port 31 through which data is input / output via the Internet 20, an input unit 32 composed of a mouse, a keyboard, and the like; , A control unit 34 for controlling the overall operation, a printing unit 35 for printing postcards, a hard disk drive 40 for storing various databases and programs, and a bus 36 for interconnecting the units. Have.

The control unit 34 issues a customer ID and a password upon receiving new customer information, associates images stored in the hard disk drive 40 with various types of information, classifies images, and the like. In addition, the control unit 34 also performs control to read out data stored in the hard disk drive 40 and print out a post card to the printing unit 35 according to an instruction from the customer.

The hard disk drive 40 can store a large amount of data so that all images from the communication terminal device 10 can be temporarily stored. As shown in FIG. 4, the hard disk drive 40 includes an image storage database 41 having images simply transmitted from the communication terminal device 10, a customer information database 42 including a large number of customer information, an image storage database 41, An image information storage database 43 is formed in association with an information database 42 and the like.

The image storage database 41 temporarily stores all the images transmitted by the communication terminal device 10,
It is composed of a plurality of images and basic image information indicating the size of each image.

The image basic information includes a customer ID, an image ID, a size, and an update date and time, for example, as shown in FIG. The customer ID is an identification code that identifies the customer who transmitted the image. The image ID is uniquely determined for the transmitted image, and is used to specify the image. The size is the data capacity of the image. Update date and time
Indicates the date and time when the image was last updated.

As shown in FIG. 6, the customer information database 42 stores the customer information 1,
,... And header information for managing each customer information. Each customer information is, specifically, a customer ID,
It consists of name, date of birth, age, address, hobbies, and other information. Here, the “address” indicates the registered customer's own address, and includes a mailing address (hereinafter referred to as “postal address”) and an electronic address (e-mail address, URL,
IP address) and the like.

The image information storage database 43 includes the image storage database 41 and the customer information database 4 described above.
2 as well as image attribute information and an image selection signal.

Here, the image attribute information is an attribute of the image data, that is, detailed information of the image data. As shown in FIG. 7, the customer ID, the image ID, the sharing, the shooting date and time, the title, the shooting location, and the like It consists of information. “Share” is information indicating whether the image is shared with a third party, that is, whether the image can be read by a third party. The image selection signal is a signal indicating that the customer has selected an image to be stored. That is, the image selected by the image selection signal indicates an image to be stored.

As shown in FIG. 8, the image information storage database 43 stores a customer ID, an image ID, a size, an update date and time,
It consists of selection, image attribute information, customer information, and other information. Here, “selection” becomes “present” when the image storage server 30 receives the image selection signal, and becomes “absence” when the image storage server 30 does not receive the image selection signal. The selection can be made at any time. In “Others”, for example, an electronic address or a mailing address of an image to be sent is written.

Next, for example, the customer A sets the image storage server 3
A case where a new image is registered for 0A will be described. When the communication terminal device 10 transmits a new image to the image storage server 30A, the image storage server 30A executes the processing from step ST1 shown in FIG. 9 to store the new image.

It is assumed that the customer has completed customer registration with the image storage server 30A and that the customer has already logged in using the customer ID and password.

In step ST1, the image storage server 30A stores the image transmitted from the communication terminal device 10 in the image storage database 41, and proceeds to step ST2.

In step ST2, the image storage server 30A performs image storage database 41, image attribute information,
The image information storage database 43 is updated by associating the image selection signal with the customer information database 42, and the process proceeds to step ST3.

The image storage server 30A may associate the image storage database 41 with the customer information database 42 without receiving the image attribute information and the image selection signal. Then, the image storage server 30A
The image information storage database 43 may be updated each time image attribute information or an image selection signal is received.

In step ST3, the image storage server 30A determines whether the storage period of the newly transmitted image has passed a predetermined period, and waits in step ST3 until the storage period of the image has passed the predetermined period. If it is determined that the image storage period has passed the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step ST4.

In step ST4, the image storage server 30A determines whether an image selection signal or image attribute information indicating selection of a newly transmitted image has been received,
If it is determined that an image selection signal or the like has been received, step S
The process proceeds to T8, and if it is determined that the image selection signal or the like has not been received, the process proceeds to step ST5.

In step ST5, the image storage server 30A notifies the customer that the user is prompted to select an image or input image attribute information, and then proceeds to step ST6. The notification to the customer may be made by e-mail, or a predetermined document may be mailed to the address described in the customer information.

In step ST6, after a lapse of a predetermined period from the notification to the customer, the image storage server 30A determines whether an image selection signal or image attribute information has been received, and has determined that the image selection signal or image attribute information has been received. At this time, the process proceeds to step ST8, and when it is determined that neither signal is received, the process proceeds to step ST9.

In step ST7, the image storage server 30A deletes the image and the information related thereto from the image storage database 41, and ends the processing for the image. Therefore, the image storage server 30A
Images that customers do not want to keep are automatically deleted.

In step ST8, the image storage server 30A calculates a usage fee based on the storage area and the storage period of the image, notifies the customer of the usage fee, and proceeds to step ST9. Here, it is preferable that a predetermined period (for example, one month) after the image storage is started be excluded from the image storage period when calculating the usage fee. As a result, it is possible to encourage more third parties to perform customer registration. The usage fee may be notified to the customer by e-mail, or a letter describing the fee may be mailed to the address described in the customer information.

When the customer does not pay the usage fee even after a lapse of a predetermined period from the notification of the usage fee, the image storage server 30A stores the image even if the customer logs in normally from the communication terminal device 10. Access to the information database can be prohibited. At this time,
The customer cannot read the image from the image storage server 30A.

In step ST9, the image storage server 30A calculates points based on the used storage area and the storage period of the image, and notifies the customer of the current point obtained by adding the current point to the point accumulated from the previous time. Then, the process for the image ends.

The notification of points to the customer may be performed by e-mail, or a letter describing the points may be mailed to the address described in the customer information. The points calculated here are used, for example, as a part of the price at the time of purchasing a product, or in step ST8.
Can be used as part of the usage fee.

Note that steps ST1 to ST9
Has been described as an example where the customer A registers an image in the image storage server 30A, but the same applies to a case where another customer registers an image in another image storage server 30.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the image storage server 30 comprises a shared image management database 44, a point management database 45, an information content database 46, and a customer information management database 47 using an image information storage database 43. can do.

The shared image management database 44 stores images that can be shared with third parties, such as celestial objects, travel, tennis,
This is a database classified into predetermined categories such as cooking, school, and construction. Point management database 45
Is a database in which points generated by using each image are accumulated and stored for each customer.

The information content database 46 stores content data for processing an image and sending the image with predetermined data attached thereto. As the content data, for example, text and design data used for New Year's cards, hot summer greetings, notices of mourning, etc., and font data most suitable for address writing are preferable.

The customer information management database 47 stores information on the destination of the post card for each customer. The customer information management database 47 is composed of information extracted from the image information storage database 43. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a customer ID, a customer address, an image ID,
Consists of a shipping address.

“Customer ID” corresponds to “Customer ID” in the image information storage database shown in FIG. The “customer address” corresponds to the “address” in the customer information in the image information storage database, and corresponds to, for example, a mailing address or an electronic address. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the mailing address is described in the “customer address”. The “image ID” corresponds to the “customer ID” in the image information storage database, and indicates an image to which the customer A is to transmit. The “image ID” may be one or more, or may be absent. The “sending address” indicates a destination of the image described in the “image ID”, and corresponds to, for example, a mailing address or an electronic address. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the mailing address is described in the “sending address” corresponding to the “customer address”.

Here, it is assumed that the customer information management database of the image storage server 30A is described as shown in FIG. According to FIG. 11, the customer ID of the customer A is “aaa”, and the customer address is “aaa city aaa1-1-
1 ", the image ID is" ppp "and" qqq ", and the delivery address is" bbb city bbb2-2-2 "and" ddd city ddd "
4-4-4 ". Similarly, the customer information management database of the image storage server 30B is described as shown in FIG.

In the image storage system 1 configured as described above, the image storage server 30A
When the customer A instructs the creation of the postcard via the "0", the following processing is executed. Specifically, the image storage server 3
0A is the image ID “pp” from the image storage database 41.
The images of "p" and "qqq" are read, the content data is read from the information content database 46, and the "delivery address" is read from the customer information management database 47. The image storage server 30A stores a postcard on which an image and a destination are drawn based on the read data,
It can be printed out via the printing unit 35.
The other image storage servers 30 can also print out the postcard in the same manner.

Here, the image storage servers 30 are connected to each other via the Internet 20, and when the customer address registered in one image storage server 30 is changed, the image storage server 30 responds to the change of the customer address. Thus, the sending addresses of the other image storage servers 30 are also changed. Here, for example, the customer address of the customer B is “bbb city bbb2-2”.
-2 "to" bcd city bcd2-3-4 "will be described as an example.

First, the customer B operates the mouse 12 and the keyboard 13 of the communication terminal device 10 to input a new customer address “bcd city bcd2-3-4”.

The communication terminal device 10 changes the customer address of the customer B from “bbb city bbb2-2-2” to “bcd city bcd2”.
-3-4 ", and sends an address change notification to the image storage server 30B via the Internet 20.

Upon receiving the address change notification, the image storage server 30B changes the customer address of the customer B described in the customer information management database 47 to “bcd city bcd2-3-4”. Further, the image storage server 30B sends “bbb city bbb2-” to the other image storage servers 30A, 30C,.
An inquiry is made as to whether "2-2" is described, and the image storage server 30 is searched.

On the other hand, at this time, the image storage server 30A executes the processing from step ST11 shown in FIG.

In step ST11, the image storage server 30A determines whether the above-mentioned inquiry has been received from another image storage server 30, and waits in step ST1 until there is an inquiry.
The process moves to T12.

In step ST12, the image storage server 30A sets the “sending address” in the customer information management database.
"Bbb city bbb2-2-2" is described in the image storage server 30B.
A response to the effect that "2-2-2" is described (hereinafter referred to as "positive response") is made, and the process proceeds to step ST13.

Here, even if the notation of the "sending address" (mailing address) is different, the same place may be indicated. For example, “X-Chome Y-Z Z XX Mansion W Room”
"XYZ Z Mansion W", "XYZ-
"W" are all in the same place but have different notations.
Therefore, even if the description of the "sending address" does not completely match, the image storage server 30A makes an affirmative response when determining that it indicates the same location. For example, even if the address or apartment name is omitted, if the main place name (city, town, ward, character, etc.) is described and the numbers indicating the streets and addresses match, the “sending address” will match. Can be determined. That is,
It is preferable to determine the identity of the "sending address" to some extent fuzzy. For example, a score for determining the text content of the sending address to be compared is calculated, and when this score becomes a predetermined value or more, it is determined that the sending address to be compared is the same place. Is also good.

As for the other image storage servers, “bb address” is added to “sending address” of the customer information management database.
If “b city bbb2-2-2” is not described, “bbb city bbb2-2-2” is sent to the image storage server 30B.
2 "is not described.

Then, the image storage server 30B changes the “sending address” from “bbb city bbb2-2-2” to “bcd city b” to the image storage server 30A that has made a positive response.
The address change notification to the effect of changing to "cd2-3-4" is transmitted. The address change notification transmitted by the image storage server 30B is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the address change notification includes a “destination address” indicating the transmission destination (here, the image storage server 30A), a “transmission source address” indicating the transmission source (here, the image storage server 30B),
It is composed of “customer ID” indicating customer B, “e-mail address” of customer B, “delivery address before change” of customer B, and “delivery address after change” of customer B.

In step ST13, the image storage server 30A determines whether an address change notification has been received from the image storage server 30B, and waits in step ST13 until the address change notification is received. The process moves to ST14.

In step ST14, upon receiving the address change notification, the image storage server 30A authenticates whether the address change notification is legitimate, and proceeds to step ST1.
Move to 5. As an authentication method, for example, it is checked whether the correct image storage server 30 of the customer B has transmitted the address change notification, whether the source of the address change notification is correct, and whether the content of the transmitted address change notification is correct. When the image storage server 30A has not been able to authenticate the address change notification, it stops the process of step ST15.

In step ST15, the image storage server 30A sends an e-mail for confirming whether the address of the customer B can be changed using the e-mail address of the customer B described in the address change notice. And the process moves to step ST16. On the other hand, it is preferable that the customer B notifies the image storage server 30A of whether or not the address can be changed using, for example, an electronic mail.

In step ST16, the image storage server 30A determines whether or not the customer B has permitted the change of the address.
The process proceeds to 17 and when the change of the customer address is not permitted, the process is terminated.

In step ST17, based on the address change notification, the image storage server 30A sends the sending address “bbb city bbb2-2-2” in the customer information management database.
Is changed to "bcd city bcd2-3-4", and the process is terminated.

As described above, when the customer address registered in any of the image storage servers 30 is changed, the image storage system 1 according to the first embodiment responds to the change of the customer address. Thus, the sending address can be automatically changed, and as a result, the changed sending address can be printed out on a post card.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be applied to, for example, the following cases.

For example, when the e-mail address is not described in the address change notification, the image storage server 30A skips the processing in steps ST15 and ST16 and immediately sets the “sending address” based on the address change notification. May be changed.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the “sending address” of the customer information management database is a mailing address has been described as an example.
An electronic address such as an IP address or a URL can also be used.

Here, when the e-mail address or the IP address is used as the “sending address”, the image storage server 30 uses the image stored in the image storage database 41 instead of printing out the post card. Create a postcard and enter the e-mail address and I
Can be sent to the P address.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, an image storage system 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of communication terminals 10 used by general customers and an image transmitted via the Internet 20. And a transfer server 50 for transferring address change notifications to a predetermined image storage server 30.

Here, the image storage servers 30A, 30B,
.. Are owned by different companies, and customer information of one image storage server 30 cannot be shared by another image storage server 30. For this reason, the transfer server 50 is configured not to leak customer information of one image storage server 30 to another image storage server 30.

The transfer server 50, as shown in FIG.
A transfer database 51 indicating a transfer destination of the address change notification is stored. The transfer database 51 includes “customer ID” and “destination address”. "Customer ID"
Indicates a customer whose address is to be changed. "Forward to"
The address of the image storage server 30 to which the address change notification is transferred is shown.

According to the transfer database 51, for example,
The address change notification for changing the customer address of the customer A (customer ID: aaa) is transferred to the image storage server 30B and the image storage server 30C. Similarly, the customer B (customer ID “bb
The address change notification for changing the address b)) is transferred to the image storage server 30A.

The transfer database 51 is created based on the customer information management database 47 of each image storage server 30. For example, when the customer information management database 47 of the image storage server 30A is described as shown in FIG. 11, the sending address of the image of the customer A (customer ID: aaa) is “bbb city bbb2-2-2” and "Dddd city dd
d4-4-4 ". Here, customer B (sending address: b
The bb city bbb2-2-2) is registered in the image storage server 30B, and the customer D (sending address: ddd city ddd4-4-4).
4) is assumed to be registered in the image storage server 30C. At this time, the transfer server 50
The image storage servers 30B and 30C are described as transfer destination addresses corresponding to one customer ID “aaa”.

Therefore, the "customer ID" of the transfer database 51 is the one in which the "customer ID" shown in FIG. 11 is described as it is, and the "transfer destination address" is the one shown in FIG.
This is an address indicating the image storage server 30 of the registration destination of the customer of the “sending address” shown in FIG.

Upon receiving the address change notice configured as in FIG. 14, for example, the transfer server 50 transfers the customer information described in the address change notice so as not to leak outside. Specifically, the transfer server 50 deletes, for example, “customer ID” and “e-mail address” from the received address change notification. Then, the address change notice is transferred by describing the "transfer destination address" of the transfer database 51 in the "destination address" of the address change notice and the IP address of the transfer server 50 in the "source address".

For example, when changing the customer address of the customer B (customer ID: bbb) from “bbb city bbb2-2-2” to “bcd city bcd2-3-4”, the following processing is executed. .

First, the customer B operates the mouse 12 and the keyboard 13 of the communication terminal device 10 and inputs a new customer address “bcd city bcd2-3-4”.

The communication terminal 10 changes the customer address of the customer B from “bbb city bbb2-2-2” to “bcd city bcd2”.
-3-4 ", and transmits an address change notification to the transfer server 50 via the Internet 20.

Upon receiving the address change notification from the customer B, the transfer server 50 authenticates whether the address change notification is legitimate. As the authentication method, the same method as in the first embodiment can be applied. Transfer server 50
After authenticating that the address change notice is legitimate, the server refers to the transfer database 51 and transfers the address change notice to the image storage server 30A corresponding to the customer ID “bbb”.

The image storage server 30A is connected to the transfer server 50.
Based on the address change notification transferred from the customer, the sending address “bbb city bbb2-2-
2 "to" bcd city bcd2-3-4 ". At this time, even when the description of the “sending address” does not completely match, the image storage server 30A determines that the “sending address” indicates the same place as in the first embodiment. Address "can be changed.

As described above, when the customer address registered in any of the image storage servers 30 is changed, the image storage system 2 according to the second embodiment responds to the change of the customer address. Thus, the sending address can be automatically changed, and as a result, the changed sending address can be printed out on a post card.

Furthermore, the transfer server 50 transfers the address change notice from which the customer information such as the customer ID has been removed, so that the customer information is registered in a different image storage server 30 without leaking the customer information to another image storage server 30. The customer address and the delivery address can be automatically changed.

When the sending address is changed based on the address change notification, each image storage server 30 may transmit a confirmation mail indicating that the changing of the sending address is completed to the transfer server 50. At this time, the transfer server 50 transfers the confirmation mail to the image storage server 30 that has transmitted the address change notification. Thus, the customer can confirm that the change of the customer address has been completed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the “sending address” of the customer information management database is a mailing address has been described as an example, but as in the first embodiment,
An electronic address such as an electronic mail address, an IP address, and a URL can also be used.

The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, but can be applied to, for example, the following cases.

For example, the case where the communication terminal device 10 is a so-called personal computer has been described as an example, but in addition, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants)
Or a mobile phone.

Further, in FIG. 4, the image storage database 41 and the image information storage database 43 in the image storage server 30 are configured independently of each other, but may be one database synthesized with each other.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the image is printed out as a post card has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where characters, symbols, and the like are printed out.

[0104]

According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, when a predetermined sending address data is stored in the storage means, a positive response is made, and after the positive answer, the predetermined sending address is sent. Receiving an address change notice to change the data to new sending address data, and changing the predetermined sending address data stored in the storage means to the new sending address data based on the received address change notice; Thus, the sending address data can be automatically changed at a certain timing without any trouble.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an address change notice received by the receiving means is authenticated, and after the authentication processing, predetermined sending address data is changed to new sending address data. Can be excluded and the sending address data can be accurately changed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an address change notification from one address change device is transferred to a predetermined address change device via a transfer device, so that information of each address change device is not leaked to the outside. In addition, the sending address data between the address changing devices can be automatically changed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an address change notification transmitted from an address change device is authenticated, and after the authentication process, the address change notification is transferred to the predetermined address change device. It is possible to exclude and correct the sending address data accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication terminal device provided in the image storage system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image storage server provided in the image storage system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining each database stored in the image storage server.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of image basic information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a customer information database.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of image attribute information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image information storage database.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the image storage server when registering a new image.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a customer information management database.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of each data described in a customer information management database.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of each data described in a customer information management database.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of each image storage server when changing an address.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of an address change notification.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image storage system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 image storage system 10 communication terminal device 20 Internet 30 image storage server 50 transfer server

Claims (5)

[Claims] A storage unit for storing one or more files and one or more delivery address data for each customer; a file output unit for outputting the file and the delivery address data in association with each other; In response to the inquiry as to whether the sending address data is stored, when the predetermined sending address data is stored in the storage means, a positive response is made, and the predetermined sending address data is stored in the storage means. A response unit that performs a negative response when the address is not stored; and a reception unit that receives an address change notification that the predetermined transmission address data is changed to new transmission address data after the response unit has responded positively. Means for changing predetermined sending address data stored in the storage means to new sending address data based on the address change notification received by the receiving means. Address change device including further a means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication unit configured to authenticate the address change notification received by the reception unit, wherein the address change unit converts predetermined sending address data into new sending address data after the authentication unit performs an authentication process. 2. The address changing device according to claim 1, wherein the address is changed. 3. A plurality of address change devices according to claim 1 or 2 connected to each other via a network, wherein one address change device stores predetermined sending address data with respect to another address change device. Inquiry means for inquiring whether the address change has been performed, and transmission means for transmitting the address change notification to the other address change device after the other address change device has given a positive response. Address change system characterized by the following. 4. A storage means for storing one or more files and one or more delivery address data for each customer, a file output means for outputting the file in association with the delivery address data, and a predetermined delivery address data. A sending means for sending an address change notice to change the to new sending address data,
Receiving means for receiving an address change notice, and address changing means for changing predetermined sending address data stored in the storage means to new sending address data based on the address change notice received by the receiving means, A plurality of address change devices provided, transfer destination information storage means for storing transfer destination information indicating to which address change device the address change notification transmitted from each address change device is to be transferred, and any address A transfer device having a transfer unit for transferring an address change notification from the change device to a predetermined address change device based on the transfer destination information, wherein the address change unit of the predetermined address change device performs the transfer. An address change system characterized by changing predetermined sending address data to new sending address data based on an address change notification from a device. 5. The transfer device further comprises an authentication unit for authenticating an address change notification transmitted from the address change device, wherein the transfer unit transmits the address change notification to the predetermined address after the authentication unit performs an authentication process. The address change system according to claim 4, wherein the address is transferred to an address change device.