JP2003134252A - System for distributing image data for mobile phone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for distributing various image data that can continuously distribute various image data such as a still picture like a photo, a moving picture and a live video image picked up by a camera connected to a server and allows a user to feel as if to reproduce a moving picture in the case of distributing the moving picture in particular by using only a mobile phone terminal capable of displaying an image without the need for using a device such as a communication terminal capable of reproducing the moving picture and a personal computer. SOLUTION: The system for distributing image data for mobile phone is characterized in to comprise a user database for managing registered users; image data for distribution; a processing means for distributing the image data; a point registration processing means for a system utility charge to the user database; and a processing means for processing charging/clearing of the system utility charge according to the system utility time, and to distribute an image depending on the residual amount of the system utility point registered in the user database to the registered user accessing to the system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention allows a mobile phone terminal to capture a still image / moving image such as a photograph stored in the server from a server connected to a communication line, and a camera connected to the server. The present invention relates to a system for delivering various image data such as live images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a mobile phone terminal that can be connected to the Internet has been able to receive image data stored in a server and display it on the terminal, but it receives and displays continuous images of frames such as moving images. I couldn't do it. Further, in order to receive the moving image, it is necessary to connect to the server via a communication line such as the Internet and receive / reproduce the moving image.

[0003]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention, without using a device such as a personal computer or a communication terminal capable of reproducing moving images,
Using only mobile phone terminals that can display images, various image data such as still images such as photographs, moving images, and live images taken by the camera connected to the server are continuously distributed, especially moving images. It is intended to provide a system for delivering various kinds of image data that makes it possible to feel as if a moving image is being played back.

[0004]

The means adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems are a user database for managing registered users, image data for distribution, and processing means for distributing the image data. The system is provided with a processing means for registering system usage fee points in the user database and a processing means for processing billing and settlement of the system usage fee according to system usage time, and is registered in the user database by registered users who have connected to the system. The feature is that images are distributed according to the balance of existing system usage points.

The image data is obtained by a still image such as photo data accumulated in the server, a frame reproduced at the time when the user requests distribution in moving image data reproduced on the server, or a camera managed by the server. The real-time video data is a frame that is being reproduced at the time when the user requests distribution.

Depending on the elapsed time from the start of image distribution,
The feature is that the system usage fee is settled.

It is characterized in that the system use points are registered by using a prepaid card, a credit card, a transfer at a financial institution, or the like.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. The image distribution system for mobile phone terminals of the present invention is a system for member registrants (hereinafter simply referred to as users), and the distribution system of the present application from mobile phone terminals (hereinafter simply referred to as terminals) via a communication line such as the Internet. A system that connects to a server computer (hereinafter simply referred to as "server") that runs, and continuously receives various images such as still images and moving images delivered from the server as well as live images taken by the camera. is there.

A user registers as a member in order to use the system. For registration work, do not create a separate document, connect to the server from the terminal owned by the user, and register online. The registration process requires two steps, temporary registration and main registration, to prevent impersonation registration by a malicious person. Personal information such as the terminal number and mail address of the user is registered in the user database on the server.

When the registered user wants to receive the image distribution, the terminal connects to the server and starts receiving the image according to the menu. The server looks up the user database,
The user confirms the currently owned points, and if the user has a point balance capable of image distribution, the image is distributed to the terminal. It is necessary for the user to register arbitrary points in advance before receiving image distribution using electronic money, a prepaid card, a credit card, a bank transfer or the like.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the entire system. (1) is a mobile phone terminal, (2) is a server that operates the system of the present application, and (3) is a public communication line. First, the registration procedure for using the system will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the procedure of system registration.
12 shows a screen display example at the time of temporary registration in the user registration process, and FIGS. 13 to 15 show screen display examples at the time of main registration. When the user accesses the server (2) from the mobile phone terminal (1), an initial screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. The same initial screen is displayed to all users who have connected to the server regardless of whether they are registered or not. First, you will be newly registered as a member. If you select [Register] here, you will be asked to select whether to register a new member as shown in Fig. 5 or to register additional points for using the system. It

Since a new member registration is performed, if [First Registration] is selected, the name, mobile terminal number, and
You will be prompted to enter your email address (step 201). Of these, the name is a so-called handle name, so it can be any character string, but since the e-mail address is necessary when sending e-mail regarding various information for system use, it is necessary to enter the exact address of the mobile phone terminal. . The terminal number and email address are registered as private. Regarding the entered contents, do you use characters that can be used for registration (step202) and whether the e-mail address is valid (Because the distribution method of the address is established for each mobile phone carrier, please prepare in advance. (Step 203), whether the email address has not been registered as prohibited (step 205), or whether the same email address is temporarily registered (step 20).
6) It is verified whether the mobile terminal number is already registered as prohibited from use (step 207), and if there is no problem, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. In the above process, if the e-mail address is not entered, the e-mail address is invalid, the registered e-mail address is entered, etc., the error display shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 is displayed. Prompt again.

In the system of the present application, the user is given a series of membership numbers in the order of registration. The member number is used inside the system and is used in various processes for the user to use the system, and the user himself does not directly use or confirm the member number. When the user makes an inquiry to the system, the user uses himself as the mobile terminal number as an ID for identifying himself.
Also, the mail address is registered, which is used as a destination of various information mails from the system.

Confirm the registered contents on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 7, and if there is no mistake, select [Send]. If there is a mistake, select [Correction] and correct the registered information. The server registers the entered name / portable terminal number / password with the separately generated unique information in the temporary registration database and at the same time sends an e-mail for confirmation of registration (step 209). Display registration completion message (ste
Then, the temporary registration work is completed. The e-mail contains a message indicating that temporary registration has been performed as shown in FIG. 9, an access destination address for main registration, and that there is a grace time until main registration is performed. The access destination address includes the unique information registered in the temporary registration database, and the registered content can be easily extracted from the temporary registration database when the user accesses this address. The main registration is performed by accessing the address described in the e-mail as described below, but the address has an expiration date, and if there is no access for a certain period of time, the temporary registration is invalidated. The temporary registration work is completed by this point.

Next, main registration is performed. Access the address described in the sent email from the terminal (step 211)
First, the server analyzes the accessed address, detects unique information (step 212), extracts the user's name from the temporary registration database (step 213), and displays the main registration screen shown in FIG. 13 (step 214). ). Here, you are required to enter a 4-digit PIN. For security reasons, it is not preferable to use a number such as the 7777 or the part of the mobile phone number for security reasons, so a warning is also displayed so that you do not enter it. The number of digits of the personal identification number is not particularly limited. If you enter the PIN code and select [Next], the server has entered (step 215), and whether the input rules such as whether the number is a doublet or a continuous part of the telephone number are observed (step 218). ) Is verified. If there is no problem, display the screen shown in Fig. 14 for confirmation and try again.
You are required to enter the same PIN. If you select [Register] after inputting, it will be verified whether the PIN is the same as the first one (step 216) and the name, mobile terminal number and PIN registered in the temporary registration database will be obtained in preparation for the main registration (step 21).
7). Continue deleting the temporary registration database registration (step2
20), registration in the user database (step 221), transmission of a registration completion mail (step 222), and a registration completion message shown in FIG. 15 is displayed (step 224). This completes the main registration process.

Next, the user needs to perform additional registration of points in order to use this system. When you register as a new member, the system will give you service points.
There is still some point balance immediately after registration. However, since this service point is given only for trial use of the system, it is necessary to perform additional point registration work in advance in order to use the system in the future. For points, for example, payment methods such as electronic money, bank transfer, postal transfer, and convenience store can be used. Additional points will be registered after logging in to the system. For example, in order to register points using electronic money, first connect to the system from the terminal and select [Member entrance] from the initial screen of FIG. Next, since a login screen as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed and a mobile terminal number and a personal identification number are required, the terminal number and personal identification number at the time of member registration are input. If authenticated, the member name and the current point balance are displayed together with a notice for using the system as shown in FIG. If the authentication is unsuccessful, an error screen as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed and re-input is requested. FIG. 17
When [To menu] shown in is selected, a menu screen as shown in FIG. 27 is displayed.

From the menu screen shown in FIG. 27, [add point]
When is selected, an explanation screen as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed, and selection of a payment method is requested. When the payment by electronic money is selected, a note regarding the selected payment method as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. For detailed explanation of the selected payment method, by selecting [Usage method], an explanation screen as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed. When [Pay] is selected to add points, the purchase amount of points to be added is calculated as shown in FIG. The point purchase amount is selectable, for example, 210 points can be purchased by purchasing 2000 yen points, so the comparison of purchase amount and points is clearly displayed. Select. After selecting the desired purchase amount
When [Next] is selected, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. If there is no mistake in the purchase price, select [Pay].

The screen as shown in FIG. 24 is continuously displayed, and the user is required to input the payment ID for payment, so the payment ID is input. It should be noted that this payment ID is not unique to the present application, and an existing payment system using electronic money can be used, and the ID must be acquired in advance by the user applying for the payment system. is there. Settlement I
When D is input and [Execute] is selected, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 25 is displayed. If there are no mistakes regarding the points purchase this time, select [Pay] and select
The confirmation screen as shown in 6 is displayed, and the total amount of points currently registered in the user database, including the cost required to purchase points, the number of points additionally registered this time, and the number of additional registrations, is displayed and the process ends. .

When the member registration and point registration are completed, the image distribution system of the present application can be used in earnest. To receive the image, first select [Member entrance] from the initial screen of FIG. Next, since a login screen as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed and a mobile terminal number and a personal identification number are required, the terminal number and personal identification number at the time of member registration are input. If authenticated, the member name and the current point balance are displayed together with a notice for using the system as shown in FIG. If the authentication is unsuccessful, an error screen as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed and re-input is requested. When [To menu] shown in FIG. 17 is selected, the types of image data currently available are displayed together with the room number and a summary display of the contents as shown in FIG. 27. To start receiving.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the image distribution procedure. When [Room *] (* indicates an arbitrary room number) is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 27, various user information such as the user's point balance is acquired from the user database (step 301). Check the current point balance (step 30
2) If the point balance is 1 or more, the service use start time is recorded (step 303). If the point balance is 0, the error screen shown in FIG. 28 is displayed and the image distribution process is terminated (step 316). Next, after setting the charged frequency to 0 (step
304), and the preset system utilization start point is subtracted (step 305). If the points after subtraction are 1 or more
(step 306) Using the separately set available time per point, calculate the time when the user can use the system thereafter (step 307), and as shown in FIG. 29, the current point balance and the displayable time thereafter. Display one image with
(step308). If the point balance is 0, one image is displayed as shown in FIG. 30 and the fact that the point balance is 0 cannot be displayed any more (step 31).
7) Then, the image distribution process ends.

Since the mobile phone terminal cannot automatically update the image, the user operates the terminal and selects [Update] from the screen as shown in FIG. 29 to request the next image (ste.
p309). The server acquires the user's system usage start time and billed frequency (step 310), calculates the system connection time so far based on the current time, and subtracts points corresponding to the connection time from the point balance. (step31
1). At the same time, the time that can be displayed thereafter is calculated based on the current point balance (step 312). The points to be subtracted are set in advance as described above, for example, 1 point per minute, and if there is an update request within 1 minute after the delivery of the first image, the next image is not subtracted. When an update request is made 3 minutes after the first image is distributed, 3 points, which is 3 minutes worth, will be subtracted.

If the user's point balance calculated by the subtraction process is 1 or more, the current point balance is also displayed when the first image is displayed, and the displayable time thereafter is 2
Display the first image. If the point balance is 0,
As shown in 0, the next image is displayed, and since the point balance is 0, it is notified that no more images can be displayed (step 317) and the image distribution process is terminated. Above step3
For the image distribution process from 10 to 315, whether the user makes a termination request (step 315) or the point balance becomes 0 (step 31).
Repeated up to 3).

The image distributed by the above series of processing is
In addition to still images such as photographs and moving images stored in the server, all image data such as live images of cameras managed by the server can be used. For example, when delivering a moving image, by sending the current frame of the moving image being played on the server, the still image can be frame-by-frame forward so that the user can see the moving image as if he / she is watching it.
Also, when the camera image is used as the source, the live image captured by the camera can be viewed on the terminal by transmitting the current live image frame.

[0024]

According to the present invention, it is possible to receive an image by using only a portable telephone terminal capable of displaying an image without using a personal computer or a dedicated terminal for receiving a moving image. Since the current frame of the moving image being played on the server is continuously received, it can be viewed as if the user is watching the moving image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of this system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for user registration.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an image distribution processing procedure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen display example when connecting to a server.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a registration item selection screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mobile phone number input screen in registration.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the input confirmation screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the end of the temporary registration.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of the registration confirmation email.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a re-input request associated with the same input content error.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a re-input request associated with the same input content error.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a re-input request associated with the same input content error.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a personal identification number input screen in the main registration.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a re-input screen for confirming the same.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the end of main registration.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an authentication item input screen for login.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a user's owned point balance.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a re-input request due to the same input content error.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a selection screen of a point additional registration method.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a point addition screen using electronic money.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing details of the usage method.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a request for the same point purchase amount.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the input confirmation screen.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an input screen for the payment ID.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a confirmation screen for the purchase amount.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a screen for completing the purchase.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a menu of images that can be distributed.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing image distribution failure due to a point balance of 0 before image distribution.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a screen at the time of image distribution.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing that image distribution is impossible due to a point balance of 0 during image distribution.

[Explanation of symbols]

(1) Mobile phone terminal (2) Server (3) Public line

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A user database for managing registered users, image data for distribution, processing means for distributing the image data, point registration processing means for the system usage fee in the user database, and system usage time. And a processing means for processing billing and settlement of the system usage fee, and delivering images to registered users who have connected to the system according to the balance of the system usage points registered in the user database. Image data distribution system for telephones. 2. The image data distribution system for a mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the image data is a still image such as photo data stored in a server. 3. The mobile phone image data distribution according to claim 1, wherein the image data is moving image data reproduced on the server and is a frame reproduced at the time when the user requests distribution. system. 4. The image for a mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the image data is real-time image data acquired by a camera managed by the server and is a frame reproduced at the time when the user requests distribution. Data distribution system. 5. The image data distribution system for a mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the system usage fee is settled according to the elapsed time from the start of image distribution. 6. The image data distribution system for a mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the system use points are registered using a prepaid card. 7. The image data distribution system for a mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the system use points are registered using a credit card. 8. The image data distribution system for a mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the system use point is registered by using a transfer at a financial institution.