JP2003116089A - Information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information terminal which controls by considering a image format of image data when the image data is transmitted to a server computer having a picture site on Internet. SOLUTION: The information terminal comprises a communication means which communicates with a plurality of server computers through a communication network, a first generating means which generates an image data of versatile format, a second generating means which generates an image data of not standard format but non-standard format, a transmission means which transmits the generated image data to the server computer, a selection means which selects the image data to be transmitted to the server computer, a designation means which designates use of the service that accompanies reproduction of the image data that the server computer presents, and a control means which controls so that the image data is transmitted to a specified server computer when the image data generated with the non-standard format is selected by the selection means while the usage of service that accompanies reproduction of the image data is designated by the designation means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information terminal such as a digital camera equipped with communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of server computers via a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are a plurality of sites handling image data on the Internet. For example, there are sites that provide a service for accumulating image data, sites that perform a print service, and sites that perform image editing.

There is also a print system that prints according to print information added to image data.

[0004]

However, the image data taken by the digital camera is not limited to the one using a general-purpose image format, and there is the one using the image format originally adopted by the company manufacturing the digital camera. . As described above, the image data in the unique format may not be available at image sites on the Internet.

The present invention provides an information terminal for performing control in consideration of the image format of image data when transmitting image data to a server computer having an image site on the Internet.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an information terminal, communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of server computers via a communication network, and image data in a general-purpose format are generated. Generating means,
Provided by a second generation unit that generates image data in a non-general-purpose format that is not a general-purpose format, a transmission unit that transmits the generated image data to a server computer, a selection unit that selects image data to be transmitted to the server computer, and a server computer. Specifying means for specifying that a service involving reproduction of image data is used, and image data generated in a non-general-purpose format by the selecting means, and the service involving reproduction of image data is used by the specifying means. When this is designated, a control means for controlling the image data to be transmitted to a specific server computer is provided. As a result, it is possible to prevent the image data of the non-general-purpose format from being erroneously transmitted to the unusable server computer.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the information terminal according to the first aspect, the specific server computer can reproduce the image data in the non-general-purpose format. In the invention described in claim 3, claim 1
In the information terminal described in (3) above, the image data in the non-general-purpose format is RAW data that generates an output from the image sensor almost as it is.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the information terminal according to the first aspect, the service involving reproduction of the image data is a print service for printing the image data. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the information terminal according to the first aspect, the service involving reproduction of the image data is an image editing service for editing the image data.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the information terminal according to the first aspect, the information terminal is a digital camera. According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the information terminal, the communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of server computers via the communication network, the first generation means for generating image data in a general format, and the non-general format which is not a general format. Second generation means for generating image data, transmission means for transmitting the generated image data to the server computer, selection means for selecting image data to be transmitted to the server computer, and reproduction of the image data provided by the server computer In the case where the specifying means for specifying the use of the service and the image data generated in the non-general-purpose format by the selecting means are selected and the use of the service accompanied by the reproduction of the image data is specified by the specifying means, , A general format of the selected image data by the first generation means And configured to include a control means for controlling to regenerate. This makes it possible to prevent wasteful transmission of image data in a non-general-purpose format.

According to the invention described in claim 8, claim 7
In the information terminal described in (3) above, a configuration is provided that includes a warning unit that warns that the first generation unit regenerates the information terminal. According to the invention described in claim 9, in the information terminal according to claim 7, the image data in the non-general-purpose format is
The RAW data is generated so that the output from the image sensor is generated almost as it is.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the information terminal according to the seventh aspect, the service involving reproduction of the image data is a print service for printing the image data. According to the invention of claim 11,
The information terminal according to claim 7, wherein the service involving reproduction of the image data is an image editing service for editing image data.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the information terminal according to the seventh aspect, the information terminal is a digital camera.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) A system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. Figure 1
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The system according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a digital camera 1 and server computers 2, 3 and 4. Digital camera 1 and server computer 2, 3, 4
And are connected to each other via a network such as the Internet. An internet provider or the like is required to enable communication between the digital camera 1 and the server computers 2, 3 and 4 via the internet, but the description thereof is omitted here because it is not directly related to the present invention. Also,
Although FIG. 1 illustrates a system using the Internet, it can also be realized by a system using a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or an extranet.

The digital camera 1 images a subject and generates image data which is digital data. Further, the digital camera 1 connects to the Internet wirelessly or by wire and communicates with the server computers 2, 3, 4. The digital camera 1 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Each of the server computers 2, 3 and 4 is a server including an image storage unit capable of storing image data transmitted from the digital camera 1. The server computer 2 is a server that provides a web site that provides services such as image storage operated by a company that manufactures and sells the digital camera 1. The server computers 3 and 4 are servers that provide web sites that provide services such as image data storage operated by a company unrelated to the company that manufactures and sells the digital camera 1.

The internal structure of the digital camera 1 will be described below. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 has a CPU 1
01, communication circuit 102, monitor 103, switch circuit 1
04, built-in memory 105, memory card slot 10
6. The information control circuit 107 is provided. The digital camera 1 is naturally provided with an image sensor, an image processing circuit and the like, but the description thereof is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention.

The CPU 101 controls a circuit built in the digital camera 1 and controls all controls of the digital camera 1. The communication circuit 102 is a circuit for connecting to a network such as the Internet wirelessly or by wire and transmitting / receiving a signal via the network such as the Internet. The monitor 103 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and is a monitor that displays a captured image, a menu screen, a warning screen, and the like. The switch circuit 104 is a circuit that is electrically connected to various buttons and switches provided in the digital camera 1 and detects operations of the various buttons and switches.

The built-in memory 105 is a memory that holds program data such as firmware for controlling the digital camera 1. Further, the built-in memory 105 holds various data such as site information other than the program data. The memory card slot 106 writes the captured image data in the attached memory card. The information control circuit 107 is a circuit that adds or deletes various information related to image data. Image processing circuit 1
08 changes the image format of the image data.

The information added to the image data includes information such as manufacturer name, camera name, firmware version, print size, number of prints, use of flash, shutter speed, aperture value, and shooting position. The control executed by the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

The digital camera 1 of the first embodiment, when transmitting image data to the server computer via the Internet, is provided in accordance with the server computer transmitting the image data, or provided by the server computer.
It is determined whether various information is added to the image data according to the eb site.

First, a method for allowing the digital camera 1 to determine the safety and usefulness of various web sites provided by a plurality of server computers will be described. At the site where the image data is received, the information added to the image data is used to perform image processing on the image data for optimization, and it is useful for creating a beautiful print. In addition, the site that receives the image data implements a service of notifying the presence or absence of the latest firmware of the digital camera 1. By adding information to image data and transmitting it to such a site, the customer can obtain various merits.

However, at sites other than the above-mentioned sites that provide benefits to customers, there is a possibility that the information added to the image data may be misused instead of the benefits to the customers. Therefore, the above problem is solved by determining the usefulness and safety of the site that transmits the image data and adding or deleting the additional information to the image data. Whether or not the site gives merit is determined by accessing the site information registered in the built-in memory 105 of the digital camera 1. Built-in memory 105 of digital camera 1
Has already registered the site information managed by the manufacturer who manufactures and sells the digital camera 1 at the time of purchase. Further, the built-in memory 105 has registered therein site information for acting services such as download of firmware in cooperation with the manufacturer.

The built-in memory 105 may not only register useful and safe site information, but may also register unsafe site information. However, the number of useful and insecure sites is increasing and decreasing every day. The address of the registered site may be changed.
Therefore, if the site information registered by the manufacturer in the built-in memory 105 remains as it is, a problem occurs, and it is necessary to update the site information. The latest site information is registered in the server computer 2, and is distributed to the digital camera 1 by connecting to the digital camera 1 via the Internet.

The process of updating the site information will be specifically described below. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the site information updating process executed by the digital camera 1.
The flow shown in FIG. 3 starts by connecting to the server computer 2. First, in step S01, site information is received from the server computer 2 and site information registered in the built-in memory 105 is investigated. In step S02, as a result of the investigation, it is detected whether or not the already registered site information is the latest. If it is the latest, this flow is ended, and if it is not the latest, the process proceeds to step S03.

In step S03, the latest site information is received from the server computer 2. Step S04
Then, it is detected whether or not the reception is completed. If it is finished, this flow is finished, and if it is not finished, step S0
Return to 3. In this way, by updating the site information, it is possible to always secure safe site information.

The site information updating process may be performed independently, but may be performed in parallel with the process of transmitting image data described later. Also, the site information update process is
The processing may be performed every predetermined period and every predetermined number of times of connection, instead of performing each connection with the registered server computer.

Next, the image generation control performed when the digital camera 1 shoots will be described. When shooting is performed by the digital camera 1, a predetermined image file of image data is created. An image file of EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format), which is known as a general-purpose image file format, is attached with various information indicating a shooting environment and the like together with the image data. In addition, the digital camera 1
In addition to attaching information to image files, DPOF (Di
An information file with various information (such as gital Print Order Format) is created in association with the image file.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the image generation control executed by the digital camera 1. The flow shown in FIG. 4 starts when the imaging process ends. First, in step S10, shooting environment information is acquired. Here, of the information that can be added to the image data, information other than common information in the digital camera 1, such as the manufacturer name, camera name, and photographer name, is added. Next step S1
In 1, an image file is created from the image data and the acquired shooting environment information. Then, in step S12, the created image file is stored in the memory card.

As described above, common information that is often related to privacy information is not added to image data, but only parameter information that is different for each image data is added. Also,
Unless the parameter information is added to the image data at this timing, a complicated database is required to store the parameter information in association with each image data. Further, this eliminates the work of adding parameter information to individual image data at the time of transmitting the image data, so that complicated processing is not required.

The digital camera 1 of the embodiment described below selects information to be added to image data according to the site to which the image data is transmitted. Specific processing will be described below. FIG. 5 shows the CPU 1 of the digital camera 1.
It is a flowchart figure which shows the process performed by 01. The flow of FIG. 5 starts when it is detected that a connection to any one of the server computers 2, 3 and 4 is made.

First, in step S101, the internal memory 1
The site information registered in 05 is searched. In step S102, it is detected whether the site selected to transmit the image data is a site registered as a safe site. If it is a registered site, the process proceeds to step S103, and further information is added to the information already added to the image data. The information added here is information such as the firmware version, maker note, author name, and customer comment. Parameter information different for each image data has already been added, and it is not necessary to store the parameter information in association with the image data for adding here. In addition, the registered site here is operated by the server computer 2,
A site directly managed by a manufacturer who manufactures and sells the digital camera 1.

On the other hand, if the site is not a registered site, the flow advances to step S104 to delete the information already added to the image data. The information to be deleted here is information such as the manufacturer name, camera name, lens focal length, and shooting scene type. Then, in step S105, the image data is transmitted to the selected site.

As described above, if the site is not a registered specific site, some information added to the image data that is likely to be related to privacy is deleted. Do not delete information that may be useful. For example, I haven't deleted any information that might be useful when printing. However, all the information may be deleted when the image data is transmitted to a site other than the registered site. Further, the information to be added or deleted may be set and controlled differently for each connection site.

Further, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment is
Various settings can be made regarding the transmission of image data. The digital camera 1 can be set to connect to a server computer to send image data each time a shooting process is performed, and to connect to the server computer at a predetermined timing to save the image data stored so far. You can also set to send to. Also,
It is also possible to set so that only the designated image data is transmitted from the image data stored in the digital camera 1. The control described with reference to FIG. 5 is executed in any transmission setting.

The digital camera 1 of the embodiment described below
Has the function of investigating the security level of the site. The digital camera 1 investigates the security level of the site when it is connected to the site, adds information to the image data and sends it if it is a safe site with a high security level, and does not add information if it is an unsafe site. To

Specific processing will be described below. Figure 6
4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a CPU 101 of the digital camera 1. FIG. The flow of FIG. 6 starts when it is detected that a connection has been made to any of the server computers 2, 3, and 4.

First, in step S201, the security level of the connected site is investigated. Then step S2
In 02, as a result of the security level investigation, it is determined whether or not the security level is high. If the site has a high security level, the process proceeds to step S203, and if the site is not a high security level, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S203, information is further added to the information already added to the image data.
On the other hand, in step S204, the information already added to the image data is deleted. Then, in step S205,
Send image data to the connected site.

By doing so, the safety of the site can be investigated even if the digital camera 1 does not have the site information, so that the image data can be transmitted safely. The digital camera 1 according to the embodiment described below adds information to image data and transmits it in order to perform a functional diagnosis of the digital camera 1 when connected to a specific site. The information transmitted together with the image data includes, for example, firmware version information of the digital camera 1. As a result, it is possible to make the digital camera 1 highly functional and to correct a defect.

Specific processing will be described below. Figure 7
4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a CPU 101 of the digital camera 1. FIG. The flow of FIG. 7 starts when it is detected that a connection to any one of the server computers 2, 3 and 4 is made.

First, in step S301, registered site information is searched. Next, in step S302,
It is detected whether or not the site selected to transmit the image data is a registered predetermined site. If it is the registered predetermined site, the process proceeds to step S303, and further information is added to the information already added to the image data. Here, the information added to the image data includes version information of the firmware of the digital camera 1. On the other hand, if the site is not a registered site, the process advances to step S307 to delete the information already added to the image data. Then, in steps S304 and S308, the image data is transmitted to the selected site.

Then, in step S305, it is detected whether or not the transmission information such as the firmware is received from the server computer 2 of the predetermined site. If received, the process advances to step S306 to download the firmware information. If not received, this flow ends.

As described above, when the site connected to the digital camera 1 is a registered predetermined site, the firmware version information is added to the image data and transmitted, so that the firmware version is If it is not the latest version, control to download the latest version of firmware is executed.

Digital camera 1 of the embodiment described below
Controls the server computer 2 to send a signal to the digital camera 1, add information to the image data according to the signal, and send the image data to the server computer 2. The digital camera 1 has a server computer 2 in advance.
It stores software that can analyze the signal transmitted from. Specific processing will be described below.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the CPU 101 of the digital camera 1. The flow of FIG. 8 starts when it is detected that the transfer of the image data is instructed and the connection with the server computer is detected.

First, in step S401, a specific signal is transmitted. Next, in step S402, it is detected whether or not there is a response to the specific signal. When there is a response, the process proceeds to step S403, and when there is no response, the process proceeds to step S404. In step S403, since it can be confirmed that the computer is the specific server computer, information is added to the image data. On the other hand, in step S404, the information added to the image data is deleted because the specific server computer could not be confirmed. Then, in step S405, the image data is transmitted to the connected server computer.

By thus configuring the digital camera 1 so as to determine whether or not to add information to the image data after confirming that it is safe by the signal transmitted from the server computer, Can be sent. The digital camera 1 according to the embodiment to be described next performs control to change the file format of image data and the like by a connected server computer. The digital camera 1 can create an image file of an image format unique to the digital camera maker, in addition to the image file according to the general-purpose image format. For example, as an image file of a unique image format, there is a RAW data file that generates an output from the image sensor in almost the same state. However, since the image format independently adopted by each manufacturer is not versatile, image data cannot be printed or edited unless it is transferred to a server having software capable of reading the image format. If you simply store image data, you can use your own image software even if you have a unique format, so there is no problem.

Therefore, when transmitting image data to the server computer, if there is any instruction such as print order of image data, image disclosure, image transfer by mail, etc., in addition to image data accumulation, the image data format is set. Convert to a versatile format such as JPEG. Specific processing will be described below. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the CPU 101 of the digital camera 1. The flow of FIG. 9 starts when the transfer of image data is instructed.

First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not the image data to be transferred is transmitted to the server computer only for storage. Step S for accumulation only
The process proceeds to step 506, and if there is an instruction such as a print order other than the storage, the process proceeds to step S502. And step S5
In 02, it is determined whether or not the format of the image data to be transferred is a versatile format. If it is the general format, the process proceeds to step S506, and if it is not the general format, the process proceeds to step S503.

Then, in step S503, it is determined whether or not the destination of the image data is a predetermined site. Here, the predetermined site refers to, for example, a site directly managed by a camera maker that can reproduce image data that is not in a general-purpose format. If it is the predetermined site, the process proceeds to step S506. If it is not the predetermined site, the process proceeds to step S504. Next, in step S504, a warning indicating that the server computer cannot perform processing such as a print order with the specified image format is displayed on the monitor 103. Then, in step S505, the image format of the image data is converted into a general format. . Step S5
At 06, a connection is made to the designated server computer.
Then, in step S507, the image data is transmitted to the designated server computer.

In the above control, the data is automatically converted into the general-purpose format, but it is also possible to inquire whether the conversion is permitted and perform the conversion work according to the answer. Also, the type of general-purpose format, the image size, the compression rate, etc. may be selectable. In the digital camera 1 according to the embodiment described below, control is performed so that the destination server computer is automatically determined according to the image format of the image data to be transmitted. The control for automatically determining the server computer to which the image data is transmitted according to the image format will be specifically described below. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the digital camera 1. The flow shown in FIG. 10 starts when the transfer of image data is instructed.

First, in step S601, it is determined whether the image data to be transferred is transmitted to the server computer only for storage. Step S for accumulation only
The process proceeds to step 606, and if there is an instruction such as a print order other than the storage, the process proceeds to step S602. And step S6
In 02, it is determined whether or not the format of the image data to be transferred is a versatile format. If it is the general format, the process proceeds to step S606, and if it is not the general format, the process proceeds to step S603.

Then, in step S603, it is determined whether or not the destination of the image data is a predetermined site. Here, the predetermined site refers to, for example, a site directly managed by a camera maker that can reproduce image data that is not in a general-purpose format. If it is the predetermined site, the process proceeds to step S606, and if it is not the predetermined site, the process proceeds to step S604. Next, in step S604, a warning indicating that the specified server computer cannot perform processing such as a print order with this image format is displayed on the monitor 103. In step S605, the server computer to which the image data is transmitted is specified. The server computer is changed to a predetermined server computer. In step S606, the server computer is connected. Then, in step S607, the image data is transmitted to the server computer.

Although the embodiments described above have been described by using a digital camera as a terminal for transmitting image data to a server computer, the same control can be performed by a portable terminal, a personal computer or the like which can transfer image data to a specific server computer. If it is executed, a similar effect can be obtained. Further, the function may be performed not only by the digital camera itself but also when the digital camera and the mobile phone are connected. (Second Embodiment) A system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the system includes a digital camera 1, a server computer 2,
The album server computer 5 and the print server computer 6 are provided. The server computer 2 and the album server computer 5 are communicably connected by a dedicated line. Alternatively, it may be connected by the Internet.
The album server computer 5 and the print server computer 6 are similarly connected.

The album server computer 5 is a server computer for storing image data. The print server computer 6 is a server computer for executing printing. The image data transmitted from the digital camera 1 is stored in the server computer 2
Is received and further transmitted from the server computer 2 to the album server computer 5. When a print order is placed, it is sent from the album server computer 5 to the print server computer 6.

The server computer 2, the album server computer 5 and the print server computer 6 are operated by different operating companies. The processing executed by the server computer 2 will be described below. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the information deletion control executed by the server computer 2. The flow of FIG. 12 starts by completing the reception of the image data transmitted from the digital camera 1.

In step S1001, the information added to the image data is analyzed. In step S1002, the customer data of the customer who sent the image data that has already been stored is read. Next, in step S1003, the information added to the image data is compared with the customer data to determine whether or not there is data that needs to be newly stored as customer data. If the required data is present, the process proceeds to step S1004, and if the required data is not present, the process proceeds to step S1005. Step S10
At 04, the customer data is updated. For example, the information updated here includes firmware version information of the digital camera 1. In step S1005, additional data unnecessary for album registration and print service is deleted. For example, the information to be deleted here includes customer comments and firmware version information. Then, in step S1006, the image data is transmitted to the album server computer 5.

Next, the processing performed by the album server computer 5 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing information deletion control executed by the album server computer 5. The flow shown in FIG. 13 starts when image data is received from the server computer 2 or a print order is made for the stored image data.

First, in step S2001, it is detected whether or not the image data is included in the data transmitted from the server computer 2. If there is image data, the process proceeds to step S2002, and if there is no image data, the process proceeds to step S2003. In step S2002, the image data is saved in a predetermined folder corresponding to the customer. Then, in step S2003, it is detected whether or not the print order data is included in the data transmitted from the server computer 2. If there is print order data, the flow advances to step S2004, and if there is no print order data, this flow ends. In step S2004,
Image data to be printed is extracted by analyzing the print order data. Next, in step S2005, the data added to the image data is deleted. The additional data deleted here is data such as a shooting date / time, a shutter speed, an aperture value, and a related audio file which are not necessary for printing. Next, in step S2006, print order data is added to the image data. Then, step S20
In 07, the image data is transferred to the print server computer 6
Send to.

By controlling in this manner, the receiving company that operates the server computer 2 that receives an image can enrich the customer information by referring to the shooting information and the like added to the image data. Further, by transmitting only the minimum necessary information to the company that operates the album server computer 5 and the print server computer 6, the information regarding the customer will not be used.

As described above, the customer information can be protected by attaching or deleting the additional information of the image data at some stage, and appropriate measures can be taken against the market strategy, camera failure, etc. You can also do it. The type of information to be deleted by the customer may be selected in advance by the connection site. (Third Embodiment) A system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the third embodiment. Since the system configuration of the third embodiment is almost the same as the system configuration of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment, description of the same parts will be omitted. The server computer 2 in FIG.
Is communicatively connected to. Customer database 2
1 stores customer information of digital cameras. Further, in FIG. 14, the customer database 21 is
Although it is configured as a device different from the server computer 2, it may be configured in a memory in the server computer 2.

In the system of the third embodiment, the required data is extracted from the already registered customer data and used when necessary, without adding the customer privacy information to the image data. To control. For example, when a fixed IP address is set in the digital camera 1, the IP address of the digital camera 1 is I.
The D information is stored in association with the customer data, and at the same time as the connection, the customer is authenticated from the IP address and the customer data is extracted. In addition, digital camera 1
In some cases, the IP address that is set to is dynamic. In that case, it can be realized by transmitting specific authentication data as ID information from the digital camera 1 at the same time as the connection, instead of the IP address. . Further, information such as cookies may be sent from the server computer 2 to the digital camera 1.

By doing so, various services can be realized without adding privacy information to the image file or the information file. For example, it is not necessary to input a print delivery destination, credit card information for payment of a fee, and the like for each order.

The control performed by the server computer 2 will be described below. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the server computer 2. The flow shown in FIG. 15 starts when the server computer 2 detects the connection of the digital camera.

First, in step S3001, ID information such as an IP address is acquired from the digital camera 1. As described above, the ID information need not be the IP address information as long as the ID information can identify the digital camera 1. If it can be acquired, the process proceeds to step S3002. If it cannot be acquired, the process proceeds to step S3002.
Proceed to 3009. In step S3002, the image file can be received from the digital camera 1. Then, in step S3003, it is detected whether the reception of the image file is completed. If the reception of the image file is completed, the process proceeds to step S3004, and if the reception is not completed, the process returns to step S3002. Step S
In 3004, the customer information corresponding to the digital camera 1 stored in the customer database 21 is searched. In step S3005, necessary data is acquired from the customer information and associated with the image file. Here, information may be added to the image file.

Next, in step S3006, the information added to the image file from the digital camera 1 and transmitted is compared with the information stored in the customer database 21. For example, the information to be compared here includes firmware version information and the like. Step S3
In 007, it is determined whether there is new information as a result of the comparison. If there is new information, the process advances to step S3008, and if there is no new information, this flow ends. In step S3008, the information stored in the customer database 21 is updated with new information.

On the other hand, if the ID information such as the IP address cannot be acquired in step S3001, the process proceeds to step S3.
At 009, it is detected whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the connection with the digital camera 1 was established. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S3010,
If it is within the predetermined time, the acquisition of the ID information is continued.

In step S3010, the image file can be received from the digital camera 1. Then, in step S3011, it is detected whether the reception of the image file is completed. If the reception of the image file is completed, this flow is ended, and if the reception is not completed, the process returns to step S3010 to continue the reception of the image file.

As described above, even if the privacy information or the like already registered as the customer data is not transmitted together with the image data, the data usable for the print order or the like is not damaged. If you accidentally send it to another site, or if you intercept it during communication, you will not be able to see the privacy information.

Further, since the digital camera 1 does not have the privacy information, the privacy information cannot be seen even when the digital camera 1 is misplaced or the like and reaches the hand of another person. As a result, privacy is protected, and data that is not added to the image data can also be automatically acquired, and printing suitable for the customer can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a site information updating process executed by the digital camera 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing image generation control executed by the digital camera 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the CPU 101 of the digital camera 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the CPU 101 of the digital camera 1.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the CPU 101 of the digital camera 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing control executed by the CPU 101 of the digital camera 1.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control executed by the CPU 101 of the digital camera 1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control executed by the digital camera 1.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing information deletion control executed by the server computer 2.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing information deletion control executed by the album server computer 5.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing control executed by the server computer 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Digital camera 2, 3, 4 ... Server computer 5 ... Album server computer 6 ... Print server computer

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Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of server computers via a communication network, a first generation means for generating image data in a general-purpose format, and a second generation for generating image data in a non-general-purpose format that is not a general-purpose format. Means, a transmitting means for transmitting the generated image data to the server computer, a selecting means for selecting the image data to be transmitted to the server computer, and specifying to use a service provided by the server computer that involves reproduction of the image data. When selecting the image data generated in the non-general format by the specifying unit and the selecting unit, and specifying the use of the service involving the reproduction of the image data by the specifying unit,
An information terminal, comprising: a control unit that controls image data to be transmitted to a specific server computer. 2. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the specific server computer is capable of reproducing image data in the non-general-purpose format. 3. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the image data in the non-general-purpose format is RAW data that produces an output from an image pickup device almost as it is. 4. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the service involving reproduction of the image data is a print service for printing image data. 5. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the service involving reproduction of the image data is an image editing service for editing image data. 6. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal is a digital camera. 7. A communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of server computers via a communication network, a first generation means for generating image data in a general-purpose format, and a second generation for generating image data in a non-general-purpose format that is not a general-purpose format. Means, a transmitting means for transmitting the generated image data to the server computer, a selecting means for selecting the image data to be transmitted to the server computer, and specifying that a service accompanied by the reproduction of the image data provided by the server computer is used. When selecting the image data generated in the non-general format by the specifying unit and the selecting unit, and specifying the use of the service involving the reproduction of the image data by the specifying unit,
An information terminal comprising: a control unit that controls the first generation unit to regenerate the selected image data into a general-purpose format. 8. The information terminal according to claim 7, further comprising a warning unit that warns that the first generation unit regenerates the information terminal. 9. The information terminal according to claim 7, wherein the image data in the non-general-purpose format is RAW data that produces an output from an image sensor as it is. 10. The information terminal according to claim 7, wherein the service involving reproduction of the image data is a print service for printing the image data. 11. The information terminal according to claim 7, wherein the service involving reproduction of the image data is an image editing service for editing image data. 12. The information terminal according to claim 7, wherein the information terminal is a digital camera.