JP2002268988A - Photo service system and photo service providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photo service system and a photo service providing method capable of providing photographs or an album simply to a specific recipient after the lapse of a fixed period without being limited by a storing space. SOLUTION: The system has a photo service store 3 for performing the EDP processing of a photographic film provided by a user and the conversion processing of the film to digital picture data and a server 2 for providing the digital picture data to the prescribed recipient after storing it for the fixed period. The store 3 allows the user to select the photograph to be provided to the recipient, converts the photograph to the digital picture data and transmits it to the server with message data, user specifying data, recipient specifying data, a providing time limit and a providing method. The server 2 inputs/stores the transmitted data, makes a time limit management means 7a and a timing means 7b manage a time limit and makes a data providing means 5b provide digital picture data and message data to the recipient by a providing method.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photo service system and a photo service providing method, and more particularly, to storing a photograph taken by a customer as digital image data for a certain period of time, and then giving the customer a designated recipient. The present invention relates to a photo service system provided by a designated method and a photo service providing method.

[0002]

[Prior Art] In photo service stores such as mini labs,
Services that convert photographic film into digital image data and print services for photographs taken with digital cameras are also being provided, and today, when high-performance cameras are offered at low prices, advanced photography Many people have come to enjoy photography on a daily basis because they can take high-quality photos without the technology.

[0003] For ordinary users, photographing is not limited to taking a picture for their own enjoyment, but the growth of a child or grandchild is recorded as a photograph, which is created as a photo album, and the child is graduated. There are occasions such as giving a present for an anniversary such as a ceremony, a coming-of-age ceremony, or a wedding. In addition, friends may give each other a present of a photo of the memory in accordance with a specific event or anniversary.

[0004] Presenting a photograph taken in the past in such a way that it has passed over a period of time makes it possible to recognize the existence of something that does not change and the past time while many things change over time. Can impress people.

[0005] On the other hand, "Post-Capsule Mail" was planned at the Tsukuba Exposition in 1985 to transmit past thoughts as messages over time. In this "post capsule mail", a message was delivered to himself, his family and friends and acquaintances in 2001, 16 years later, which impressed many people. This event is an important attempt to reaffirm the progress of technology and changes in the social situation, and it is an important attempt to remind people of the situation at that time, which is often forgotten as technology advances. It can be seen from the size that society has many such needs.

[0006] It is desired that such a "time capsule" be executed not only as a special project but also as a service that is performed on a daily basis, and applications for the time capsule have been filed. For example, JP-A-2000-04
Japanese Patent No. 6976 discloses "a top cover, a setting means for setting a specified date or a specified time, and a name or I corresponding to the name.
Using a storage case having a name description section in which a D mark can be registered, storing the storage case until a specified date or for a specified period, and near the specified date or after the specified period, the name registered in the aforementioned name description section A technique is proposed in which the storage case is stored and managed by a provider of the service, and the storage case is delivered to a recipient registered on a designated date.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned "post capsule mail" and "time capsule system"
Need to store letters and storage cases for a certain period of time,
When many people use it on a daily basis, securing a storage space for it becomes a problem. In other words, the above services need to store letters and articles as tangible objects, and the storage period may be many decades.If all of them are stored properly, the storage space becomes enormous. Would.

Further, if the storage periods are the same as in the case of "post capsule mail", it is easy to manage the periods. However, if the storage periods are individually different, it is necessary to allocate storage space while managing these periods. Rather, it takes a lot of energy and cost to properly store and deliver for a prescribed period, which is difficult to achieve.

Further, the time capsule shown in the conventional example is
It is premised on the existence of a company that specializes in the service, and in order for the company to provide such a service for decades to exist, the scale and profitability of the business are necessary. Therefore, it is more practical to perform as an additional service of another business than to perform as a unique business.

[0010] On the other hand, with regard to photography, photography is becoming routine on the one hand due to the high functionality of cameras and the expansion of services at photo service stores. There is no service provided to Organizing the printed photos as an album is a complicated task, and it is rare that the photos are organized as an album and handed over to children or grandchildren. Furthermore, the quality of printed photos deteriorates over time and is not suitable for long-term storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide photos and albums to a specific recipient after a certain period of time without being limited to a storage space. To provide a photo service system and a photo service providing method.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a photo service system of the present invention performs development and print processing of a photographic film provided by a customer and conversion processing of the photographic film into digital image data. After storing the digital image data for a certain period of time, a server providing the digital image data is connected to a recipient designated by the customer via a communication network, and the photo service store is connected to the photo service store. Means for allowing the customer to select a photo to be provided to the recipient from the photographic film, converting the selected photo into digital image data, and inputting message data attached to the digital image data Providing data for specifying the customer, data for specifying the recipient, and digital image data. A means for inputting a date and a providing method, and at least a means for transmitting the data to the server; a means for storing the data transmitted from the photo service store in the server; Date management means for comparing the current date and time with the providing date, and data providing means for providing the digital image data and the message data to the recipient by the providing method when the providing date has arrived. At least.

Further, the photo service system of the present invention provides a photo service store for printing digital image data provided by a customer, a store for storing the digital image data for a certain period of time, and a recipient designated by the customer. Means for connecting to the server for providing the digital image data via a communication network, and causing the photo service store to select the digital image data to be provided to the recipient from the digital image data to the customer Means for inputting message data attached to the digital image data, data for specifying the customer, data for specifying the recipient, means for inputting a provision date and a provision method for providing the digital image data, Means for transmitting each of the data to the server. Means for storing the data transmitted from the photo service store, timing means, due date management means for comparing the current date and time and the provision date, and when the provision date has arrived, the digital image data and Data providing means for providing the message data to the recipient by the providing method.

In the present invention, the provision date is selected from a graduation ceremony, an adult ceremony, or a wedding ceremony of the recipient, or the provision date is set when the customer dies. It can be.

Further, in the present invention, the digital image data and the message data are provided to the recipient by being attached to an electronic mail, or the digital image data and the message data are provided to the digital image. Photo print albums created from data,
Or, a web processed based on the digital image data
It may be configured to be provided to the recipient as an electronic album that can be browsed above.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the message data is selected from character data, image data, moving image data, and audio data.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that before or together with the provision of the digital image data, an e-mail notifying the provision of the digital image data is transmitted to the recipient.

Further, a method of providing a photo service according to the present invention includes a photo service store for developing and printing a photographic film provided by a customer and converting the photographic film into digital image data. After storing for a certain period of time, for the recipient specified by the customer, a server that provides the digital image data is connected via a communication network, and at the photo service store, the The customer is allowed to select a photo to be provided to the recipient, the selected photo is converted into digital image data, the converted digital image data is attached to the digital image data, and message data and data identifying the customer are provided. To the server together with the data specifying the recipient, the provision date data and the provision method data. The server stores and stores the respective data transmitted from the photo service store until the providing date, and when the providing date has arrived, attaches the message data to the digital image data and provides the providing method. Is provided to the recipient.

The method of providing a photo service according to the present invention may further comprise a photo service store for printing digital image data provided by the customer, a receiver for storing the digital image data for a predetermined period, and a receiver designated by the customer. And a server that provides the digital image data is connected via a communication network, and at the photo service store, selects digital image data to be provided to the recipient from the digital image data to the customer. And transmitting the selected digital image data to the server together with message data attached to the digital image data, data identifying the customer, data identifying the recipient, provision date data, and provision method data, In the server, the data transmitted from the photo service store Said storage and serving date, and stored, if the providing date arrives, there is provided the recipient by the providing a method along with the message data to the digital image data.

According to the present invention, the photo service store converts the photograph into digital image data and transmits the digital image data to the server together with the message data and user information, and the server transmits the information to the digital data until a designated period. When the period expires, the message data is provided to the designated recipients together with the digital image data, so there is no need to secure an enormous storage space unlike the conventional example. Can be easily performed. Hereinafter, each wording described in the claims will be described below.

The "data specifying a customer" is a name, an address, a telephone (Fax) number, a mail address, and the like of the customer, and includes all information useful for specifying the customer.

The "message data to be attached to digital image data" is data that a customer himself writes a comment or records as a moving image or audio data for a special photograph selected by the customer.

The "provision date" is a date on which the customer provides the digital image data to the recipient by himself / herself. Even if the date is not specifically described, for example, a national event, a ceremonial occasion, After the death of the customer is confirmed, the date may be specified by obtaining information from a life insurance, a school fund insurance, a wedding hall, a government office, or the like.

The “providing method” is a method in which the customer decides in what form the digital image data is to be provided. The form may be, for example, a form recorded on a storage medium such as a CD-R or a video tape. Alternatively, any means such as an electronic mail, a homepage, a TV signal, an IT means such as a satellite radio wave, or a hard copy such as a photo print or an album may be used. It may be a media that has become mainstream in the era of providing.

The "data specifying the recipient" includes the recipient's name, address, telephone (FAX) number, e-mail address, license number, health insurance card number, etc., all of which are useful for identifying the recipient. Information.

The above-mentioned "means for inputting data" includes a form for entry at a store of a service provider, an input terminal, or notification of a URL and a browsing password by e-mail, a homepage of a service provider, and attachment of an index print. Returned postcard, enclosed envelope with reply envelope, F
AX and the like.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a preferred embodiment of the photo service system according to the present invention, a user A
A photo service store 3 for developing and printing photographic film provided by A1,..., Converting the photographic film into digital image data, and printing digital image data provided by users B1, B2,. After storing the digital image data for a certain period of time, the server 2 provided to the recipient specified by the user is connected via a communication network such as the Internet 4 and the photo service store 3 stores the recipient in the photograph. Means for allowing a user to select a photo to be provided to the user, means for converting the selected photo into digital image data, means for inputting message data attached to the digital image data, data for specifying the user, and data for specifying the recipient , A means for inputting a provision date and a provision method, and a means for transmitting each data to a server. Means 5 and 6 for inputting and storing each data transmitted from the photo service store, timekeeping means 7b, date management means 7a for comparing the current date and time with the offer date, and the offer date has arrived at BA2. In this case, at least a data providing unit 5b for providing the digital image data and the message data to the recipient by a predetermined providing method is provided.

The present invention provides a photo service involving photo scanning (for example, a QD-21 digital minilab, etc.).
For long-term storage of digital image data and digital images that service providers implement for the purpose of acquiring fixed customers, for customers who use the service (including not only Internet users but also housewives and elderly people who mainly shoot film) The third of processed goods (prints, etc.) converted from data
A system and service characterized in that automatic sending to a recipient (recipient) is performed by designating a due date.

That is, as shown in the conventional explanation, there is a social need to transmit current information to oneself or a specific recipient at intervals, but there is a need for a tangible object such as a letter, a souvenir, or a recording tape. It is difficult to execute the time capsule service from the viewpoint of securing space. On the other hand, photography is becoming more and more popular every year, and with the spread of personal computers and digital cameras, it is becoming more common to handle them as digital data.

Therefore, the inventor of the present application converts a photograph capable of expressing current information most clearly into digital image data, stores and manages the digital data as digital data, and distributes it to a recipient when a predetermined date has arrived. By responding to the needs of the above time capsule, for example, after the customer dies,
Digital image data with a message (for example, a child's growth record and comments) requested by a deceased customer for long-term storage (accumulation) in accordance with the rules set by the service provider is recorded by a method specified by the customer (for example, recorded on a CD-R). T) to provide.

In such a time capsule photo service, a photograph to be stored and managed is not a print photograph itself as a tangible object, but digital image data read by a scanner or the like. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a huge space for storage. In addition, the user information, the recipient information, the provision date, the provision method, and the like stored together with the digital image data are stored as digital data, so that they can be easily managed.

Also, photograph data, unlike letters and the like, is further enhanced by organizing and accumulating continuous data, that is, albums. Focusing on this point, since photo data is stored for a fixed period in a laboratory such as a minilab, if a specific user such as a fixed customer, a series of data handled in the past is integrated and stored,
Organizing them as albums can be done easily. Therefore, by accumulating not only single image data as data handled as a time capsule but also data as an album, and adding and changing data as needed,
This valuable data will be usefully used in later times.

As described above, this service is mainly targeted at customers who cannot connect to the Internet (there is no device) or who are not good at such services. Do ". The gap between generations is a service provider of this service, for example, a venture company intervening and a lifelong relationship with a customer, while maintaining quality from low-tech (consumer merit of being simple) and future high-tech media It can be said that it is a service that exchanges and transmits to.

[0034]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention;

Embodiment 1 First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a photo service system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functions of a server configuring the photo service system. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for providing a photo service according to the present embodiment.

First, the configuration of the time capsule photo service system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The time capsule photo service system 1 of the present embodiment includes users A1, A2,... Providing photograph data as a negative film, or users B1, B2. A photo service store 3 such as a mini lab that receives a print via a communication network and scans a photo while creating a print, and a server 2 owned by a company that operates a time capsule photo service.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server 2 comprises an input / output unit 5 connected to the Internet 4, a storage unit 6 for storing various data, and a calculation unit 7 for managing the date of provision. The input / output unit 5 includes an input unit 5a for acquiring data from a photo service store, and a data providing unit 5b for providing data to a recipient or the photo service store 3, and the storage unit 6 includes: A user information storage unit 6a for storing data specifying the user, a digital image data storage unit 6c for storing photographic data provided by the user, a message data storage unit 6d for storing message data provided by the user,
Recipient information storage means 6 for storing data specifying a recipient providing digital image data and message data
b, and storage means 6e for storing the providing date and providing method. The calculating means 7 manages the data providing date by comparing the clocking means 7b with the date specified by the user and the date of the clocking means. Providing date management means 7a.

Referring to FIG. 3, a procedure from when a user provides photo data using the time capsule photo service system 1 having such a configuration to when the photo data is distributed to a recipient will be described.

First, in step S101, the user provides photo data to a photo service store 3 such as a mini lab. In addition, when providing, each user directly brings in a negative film that has been taken to the photo service store 3, or
An arbitrary method such as transmission from a computer terminal via the Internet network or transmission of data using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone can be selected.

Next, in step S102, the photo service store 3 which has received the photo data stores the normal ED
P service, and in step S103,
It is determined whether the user wants to provide the time capsule photo service, and if so, step S10
In step 4, the user selects a photo to be used for the time capsule photo service and scans the photo to create digital image data.

Note that the user selects a photograph when, for example, the service provider permits the time capsule photo service of one photographing frame for one EDP service (in units of film), and the user selects a photographic film (for example, 24
1) is selected from the shooting frames. When the user goes to the photo service store 3, the user can make a selection on the spot, and when receiving the print by mail, the user can make a selection by mail, telephone, FAX, Internet network, or the like.

In step S105, along with the selection of the photograph, the user selects the attached data such as a message attached to the photograph, information for specifying the user such as the user's address and name, and the date and method for providing the digital image data. The photo service store 3 is provided with information, recipient information such as an address for specifying the recipient, a name, an E-mail address, and the like. As the attached data such as a message, any data such as text input characters, data obtained by reading a handwritten message as an image, moving image data, and audio data can be attached.

When the period until the provision of the digital image data is long, it is difficult to identify the recipient at the end of the period (for example, if the name changes due to relocation, marriage, etc.). , E-mail address is changed, etc.), it is possible to add other information for specifying the recipient, for example, an insurance card or a license number.

At this stage, it is difficult to perform the time capsule service in conjunction with the service of a public institution. However, if the time capsule service becomes widely recognized in the future, it will be necessary to publicize the time capsule service in advance. If you notify organizations (city halls, tax offices, police stations, etc.), schools and hospitals, etc., you will be notified of the change to the service provider when a change in address or name is notified to these institutions. In addition, when a number for identifying each person is given, the number is added, so that the problem that the recipient cannot be specified at the time of transmission can be avoided.

Next, in step S106, the photo service store 3 transmits the digital image data obtained by converting the photograph provided by the user, user information, provision date and provision method information, recipient information, attached data, and the like to the Internet network 4. The data is transmitted to the server 2 via the server 2 or recorded on a storage medium and sent to a service company that operates the server 2. When transmitting via the Internet network 4, the transmission data is subjected to an encryption process to prevent leakage of personal information, or the server 2 and the photo service store 3 are connected by a dedicated line. It is preferable to carry out the treatment of

Next, in step S107, the server 2 having received the data sets the user-related data in the user information storage means 6a, the recipient-related data in the recipient information storage means 6b, and the digital image data into the digital image data. Data such as an attached message is stored in the storage unit 6c in the message data storage unit 6d, and the data provision date and the provision method are stored in the storage unit 6e.

Note that, for the user who provided the data,
It is more convenient to provide an ID and a password, and to access the provided digital image data on the web screen and to change the digital image data and the user data by accessing with the ID and the password.
This is because, for example, there is a case where the address of the recipient is changed, a case where it is desired to exchange a photograph taken later, or a case where the content of the message is desired to be changed.

Next, in step S108, the provision date management means 7a provided in the server 2 compares the current time measured by the clocking means 7b with the provision date data. In S109, the designated digital image data and message data are provided to the designated recipient. At this time, whether the digital image data is provided to the recipient as a print, the digital data is provided as it is, or both are stored in advance in the storage unit 6e, and the digital image data is provided according to the instruction. I do.

For example, if it is desired to provide the print as a print to the recipient, the digital image data is transmitted to the photo service
After printing, the information is provided to the designated recipient by mail or the like. If the user wishes to provide digital data, the server 2 transmits the data directly to the recipient's E-mail address or temporarily transmits the photo data to the photo service store 3, and the predetermined storage medium is stored in the photo service store 3. And can be provided by mail.

Prior to the delivery of the digital image data, a guide (E-mail, letter, telephone, etc.) notifying the recipient of the digital image data and message data so that the recipient is not surprised by the sudden provision of the photograph. Is preferably performed by the server 2 in advance.

As described above, according to the time capsule photo system 1 of the present embodiment, when requesting a print of a photographed picture, the user selects a specific picture and provides the photo service store 3 with the time capsule service. The photo service store 3 converts the photograph into digital image data and sends it to the server 2 together with message data and user information. The server 2 stores the information as digital data until a designated period. When the expiration date, the message data is provided to the designated recipients together with the digital image data, so there is no need to secure an enormous storage space unlike the conventional example, and it is easy to manage the deadline. Can be.

This service can be provided, for example, by a parent photographing a child or grandchild's growth record to give a present on the child's or grandchild's anniversary (coming-of-age ceremony, wedding ceremony, etc.), or by a school in which a photograph of a student is taken by an alumni association. Providing it at the time of the event, providing a picture of the wedding ceremony with the will to the remaining family members when the user dies, and the wedding hall where the wedding photos were taken It can be used in situations such as providing Note that the application scene of the present invention is not limited to the above example, and the present invention can be applied to an arbitrary service in which digital data such as photograph data and message data is stored for a certain period and then distributed.

Although this service may be performed as a single service, it is preferable that the service be performed for a photograph desired by the user from the photographs to be printed as part of the print processing. By doing so, it is possible for photo service stores and service operators to promote printing and to secure fixed customers, and for users to receive services free of charge, which is advantageous for both parties.

[Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing functions of a server constituting the photo service system, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of providing a photo service according to the present embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a web screen viewed by a user.

First, referring to FIG. 4, the server 2 of this embodiment
Will be described. The server 2 of the present embodiment includes a user identification unit 8 for performing authentication when a user accesses the server 2 in addition to the unit described in the first embodiment.
And an album creation and display means 9 for creating an album using a plurality of digital image data provided by the user, converting the album into a format that can be browsed on the web, and displaying the converted album.

Referring to FIG. 5, a procedure from when the user provides the photo data using the time capsule photo service system 1 having the above configuration to when the album created by the photo data is distributed to the recipient will be described. explain.

As in the first embodiment, in step S201, the user provides the photo service store 3 with the photo data. In providing, each user may directly bring in the negative film that has been photographed to the photo service store 3, transmit the negative film from a computer terminal via the Internet network, transmit data using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, or the like. Any method can be selected.

Next, in step S202, the photo service store 3 that has received the photo data stores the normal ED
P service, and in step S203,
It is determined whether the user desires to provide the time capsule photo service, and if so, step S20
In step 4, the user selects a photo to be used for the time capsule photo service and scans the photo to create digital image data.

In the first embodiment, the time capsule photo service is permitted for one frame of the film as part of the EDP service. However, in the present embodiment, an album is created by integrating the photos provided by the user. Therefore, it is preferable that one or more photos to be posted as an album can be selected. In this case, a fee corresponding to the creation and storage of the album may be collected.

Next, in step S205, along with the selection of the photograph, the user attaches data such as a message to be attached to the photograph, information for specifying the user such as the user's address and name, the date on which the digital image data is provided, and the providing method. , And the recipient information such as the address, name, and E-mail address for specifying the recipient, etc. are provided to the photo service store 3.

The attached data such as a message may be any data such as text characters, image data, moving image data, audio data, etc., and it is assumed that it is difficult to specify the recipient at the expiration date. Other information to identify a person, such as an insurance card or license number, is added, or a notification is made in advance to public institutions (city hall, tax office, police station, etc.), schools, hospitals, etc. What can be done is the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, in step S206, the photo service store 3 sends the digital image data, user information, date and method of providing, recipient information, attached data, and the like provided by the user to the server 2 via the Internet network 4. The server 2 transmits or transmits the data to a service provider operating the server 2 after recording the data on a storage medium. In step S207, the server 2 receiving the data stores the data on the user in the user information storage unit 6a and the data on the recipient. The data is stored in the recipient information storage means 6b, the digital image data is stored in the digital image data storage means 6c, the data such as the attached message is stored in the message data storage means 6d, and the data provision date and the provision method are stored in the storage means 6e. The digital image data transmitted from the user by the album creating and displaying means 9 Create an album based on the data, and stores.

The ID and password are provided to the user who provided the data, and the user browses the album on the web screen, adds, deletes, or changes digital image data, and deletes user data and recipient data. Preferably, it can be changed. For example, as shown in FIG.
Information such as album name, creator name, recipient, etc., and a list of photo data of thumbnails are displayed. Clicking on each photo data displays a full-size photo and a message. it can.

Next, in step S209, the provision date management means 7a provided in the server 2 compares the current time measured by the clocking means 10 with the provision date data. At S210, the designated recipient is provided with the album by E-mail.
The recipient accesses the server 2 with the specified ID and password, browses the specified album and message data, and receives the printed album.

In general, albums are rarely inherited from generation to generation, and are often disposed of as belongings when the owner dies. However, photography is a valuable property that reflects the culture, technology, social situation, etc. of the era, and it would be very useful if this valuable photography data could be updated at any time and passed on to the next generation. Therefore, the inventor of the present application associates the time capsule photo service with an album storing valuable past information, and the owner can change the photo data at any time on the date designated by the owner of the album (for example, until the owner dies). Can be added, deleted, or changed, and provided to the recipient (child, etc.) when the due date comes, and the recipient can add more data to this album and accumulate valuable data for generations Things.

[0066]

As described above, according to the time capsule photo service system and the time capsule photo service providing method of the present invention, when a user requests a print of a photographed photo, the user selects a specific photo. Request a time capsule service to the photo service store, convert the photo into digital image data at the photo service store and send it to the server together with message data and user information, etc., and the server transmits this information until the specified period It is stored as digital data, and when the period expires, the message data is provided to the designated recipients together with the digital image data, so there is no need to secure a huge storage space as in the conventional example. Management and the like can be performed easily.

Also, an album created based on digital image data provided by a user is provided as a printed photo album or can be browsed as an electronic album, so that an album storing valuable information in the past is stored. Can be inherited from generation to generation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a time capsule photo service according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a server of a time capsule photo service according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of providing a time capsule photo service according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a server of a time capsule photo service according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of providing a time capsule photo service according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a web screen of a time capsule photo service according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Time capsule photo service 2 Server 3 Photo service store 4 Internet network 5 Input / output means 5a Input means 5b Digital image data provision means 6 Storage means 6a User information storage means 6b Recipient information storage means 6c Digital image data storage means 6d Message data Storage means 6e Provision date and provision method storage means 7 Arithmetic means 7a Provision date management means 7b Clocking means 8 User identification means 9 Album creation and display means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 Z 5/91 5/91 J F term (reference) 5B021 AA30 BB02 5C053 FA07 HA29 JA21 JA22 LA03 LA11 LA14 5C062 AA13 AA29 AB20 AB23 AB38 AB42 AC42 AC43 AF02 AF06 BA00

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A photo service store for developing and printing a photographic film provided by a customer and a process of converting the photographic film into digital image data. After storing the digital image data for a certain period, the customer A server for providing the digital image data is connected to a designated recipient via a communication network, and a photo to be provided to the recipient from the photographic film is provided to the photo service shop. Means for selecting and converting the selected photograph into digital image data;
Means for inputting message data attached to the digital image data, data for specifying the customer, data for specifying the recipient, means for inputting a date and method for providing the digital image data, and At least means for transmitting data to the server; means for storing the data transmitted from the photo service store in the server; timing means; and comparing a current date and time with the provision date. A photo service system comprising at least date management means and data providing means for providing the digital image data and the message data to the recipient by the providing method when the providing date has arrived. 2. A photo service store for printing digital image data provided by a customer, and providing the digital image data to a recipient designated by the customer after storing the digital image data for a certain period of time. Means for connecting the customer to digital image data to be provided to the recipient from the digital image data to the photo service store, and attaching the digital image data to the photo service store. Means for inputting message data to be transmitted, data for specifying the customer, data for specifying the recipient, means for inputting the date and method of providing the digital image data, and transmitting the data to the server. And at least a means for performing, transmitted to the server from the photo service store Means for storing data, timekeeping means, date management means for comparing the current date and time with the providing date, and when the providing date has arrived, the digital image data and the message data are provided by the providing method. A photo service system comprising at least data providing means for providing the data to the recipient. 3. The photo service system according to claim 1, wherein the providing date is selected from a graduation ceremony, an adult ceremony, or a wedding ceremony of the recipient. 4. The photo service system according to claim 1, wherein the providing date is set when the customer dies. 5. The photo service system according to claim 1, wherein the digital image data and the message data are provided to the recipient by being attached to an electronic mail. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the digital image data and the message data are received as a photo print album created from the digital image data or an electronic album that can be browsed on a web processed based on the digital image data. The photo service system according to claim 1, wherein the photo service system is provided to a person. 7. The photo service system according to claim 1, wherein the message data is selected from character data, image data, moving image data, and audio data. 8. The photo service system according to claim 7, wherein said message data includes a will of said customer. 9. Prior to providing the digital image data,
9. The photo service system according to claim 1, wherein an electronic mail indicating the provision of the digital image data is transmitted to the recipient together with the provision. 10. A photo service store for developing and printing a photographic film provided by a customer and converting the photographic film into digital image data, and after storing the digital image data for a certain period, the customer A server that provides the digital image data is connected to a designated recipient via a communication network, and a photo provided to the recipient from the photographic film is provided to the customer at the photo service shop. Select, convert the selected photo into digital image data,
Transmitting the converted digital image data to the server together with message data attached to the digital image data, data specifying the customer, data specifying the recipient, provision date data, and provision method data; and Storing and storing the data transmitted from the photo service store until the provision date,
A method of providing a photo service, wherein when the providing date has arrived, the digital image data is provided to the recipient by the providing method with the message data attached. 11. A photo service store for printing digital image data provided by a customer, and providing the digital image data to a recipient designated by the customer after storing the digital image data for a certain period of time. Server is connected via a communication network, and at the photo service store, the customer selects digital image data to be provided to the recipient from the digital image data, and the selected digital image data is And transmitting the message data attached to the digital image data, the data specifying the customer, the data specifying the recipient, the provision date data and the provision method data to the server, and the server transmits the data from the photo service store. Store and store each of the obtained data until the provision date,
A method of providing a photo service, wherein when the providing date has arrived, the digital image data is provided to the recipient by the providing method with the message data attached. 12. The photo service according to claim 10, wherein the digital image data is provided on any one of a graduation ceremony, an adult ceremony, and a wedding ceremony of the recipient. Method. 13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the digital image data is provided when the customer dies.
The method of providing the photo service described in 1. 14. The photo service providing method according to claim 10, wherein said digital image data and said message data are attached to an electronic mail and provided to said recipient. 15. The receiving of the digital image data and the message data as a photo print album created from the digital image data or an electronic album that can be browsed on a web processed based on the digital image data. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the information is provided to a person.
15. The method of providing a photo service according to any one of claims 14 to 14. 16. The method according to claim 16, wherein the message data is character data,
The method of providing a photo service according to claim 10, wherein the method is provided in any one of image data, moving image data, and audio data. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the message data is provided as a will of the customer. 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein an e-mail notifying the provision of the digital image data is transmitted to the recipient before or together with the provision of the digital image data. How to provide the photo service described.