JP2003152938A - Image distribution system, image processor, and image setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display an image file customized corresponding to the taste of a user on the liquid crystal display device of a cellular phone set. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a database 207, in which a plurality of image data are stored, an image processing means 203 for preparing the image file by processing/synthesizing image data selected by the user from the image data stored in the database 207, a storage means 202 for storing the image file prepared by the image processing means 203, notification means 201 and 205 for transmitting a distribution notice containing the address of the image file stored in the storage means 202 to the cellular phone set, to which the image file is downloaded, and transmission means 201 and 205 for transmitting the image file from the storage means 202 to the cellular phone set when downloading is requested from the cellular phone set according to the address contained in the distribution notice.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image distribution system, an image processing apparatus, and an image setting method, and more particularly, to an image distribution system and image processing for processing and synthesizing a plurality of image data and distributing them to a mobile terminal. The present invention relates to a device and an image setting method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, liquid crystal display devices for mobile phones have been made more color and larger, and for example, various images such as portraits and landscapes can be displayed as a screen screen during standby. The user can select an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device from an arbitrary image file, and the mobile phone has a function of setting the selected image on the standby screen or other function display screens.

For example, in the mobile phone system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-257781, the mobile phone is connected to a distribution device having a database in which image files are stored, and the image file selected by the user is captured.
The captured image file can be set on any screen.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned portable telephone system, the image files that can be selected are only the image files stored in the database, and the types thereof are limited. Further, the contents of the image file cannot be changed according to the user's preference or a plurality of images cannot be combined, and it is difficult to arrange the image files according to the user's taste.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-245352 describes a mobile phone in which a foreground screen and a background screen are selected and both screens can be superimposed and displayed as a composite screen screen. The image data stored in advance or the image data downloaded from a site or the like is displayed in an overlapping manner. However, only the foreground and the background are selected, the contents of the image data cannot be processed, and again there is a problem that it is difficult to meet the taste of the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to synthesize a plurality of variously processed images and display the image file on a liquid crystal display device of a portable terminal. Image distribution system for generating
An object is to provide an image processing device and an image setting method.

[0007]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides an image distribution in which an image file created by an image processing apparatus is downloaded by a mobile terminal. In the system, the image processing device, a database in which a plurality of image data is stored,
Image processing means for processing and synthesizing image data selected by the user from the image data stored in the database to create an image file, and storage for storing the image file created by the image processing means Means and a notification means for transmitting a delivery notification including the address of the image file stored in the storage means to a mobile terminal for downloading the image file, the mobile terminal being transmitted from the notification means. Based on the address included in the delivery notification and a receiving unit that receives the delivery notification,
It is characterized by having a connection means for connecting to the image processing apparatus, and a display means for downloading and displaying the image file from the storage means.

According to this structure, the user accesses the image processing apparatus from a portable terminal or the like, selects a plurality of image data, and variously processes / combines them to generate an image file. The generated image file can be downloaded to any mobile terminal designated by the user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an image processing apparatus for transmitting an image file in response to a download request from a mobile terminal, a database storing a plurality of image data, and image data stored in the database. Image processing means for processing and synthesizing image data selected by the user to create an image file, storage means for storing the image file created by the image processing means, and storage in the storage means Notification means for transmitting a delivery notification including the address of the image file to the mobile terminal that downloads the image file; and when the mobile terminal makes a download request based on the address included in the delivery notification, And a transmission unit that transmits the image file from the storage unit to the mobile terminal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in an image setting method in which an image file created by an image processing device is downloaded by a mobile terminal, the image processing device selects from among a plurality of image data stored in a database. From the above, the image processing step of processing and synthesizing the image data selected by the user to create an image file, the storage step of storing the image file created in the image processing step in the storage section, and the storage section A notification step of transmitting a delivery notification including the address of the stored image file to a mobile terminal that downloads the image file; and the mobile terminal making a download request based on the address included in the delivery notification, And a transmitting step of transmitting the image file from the storage unit to the mobile terminal. To.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium in which a program for controlling an image processing device for transmitting an image file in response to a download request from a portable terminal is recorded, and a plurality of images stored in a database are stored. From the data, the image data selected by the user is processed and combined,
An image processing step of creating an image file; a storage step of storing the image file created in the image processing step in a storage unit; and a delivery notification including an address of the image file stored in the storage unit, A notification step of transmitting the image file to the mobile terminal, and a transmission request of transmitting the image file from the storage unit to the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal makes a download request based on the address included in the delivery notification And a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to execute the steps is recorded.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for controlling an image processing device for transmitting an image file in response to a download request from a mobile terminal, wherein the program is selected from a plurality of image data stored in a database. An image processing step of processing and synthesizing image data selected by the user to create an image file, a storage step of storing the image file created in the image processing step in a storage unit, and a storage step of storing the image file in the storage unit. A notification step of transmitting a delivery notification including the address of the image file to a mobile terminal that downloads the image file; and when the mobile terminal issues a download request based on the address included in the delivery notification, the storage And sending the image file to the mobile terminal from a computer Characterized in that it is a fit program.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone will be described as an example of a mobile terminal, but P
The present invention can also be applied to DAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and digital cameras having a communication function.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone system 101 includes a plurality of exchanges 102, a plurality of base stations 103 connected to the exchanges, and a plurality of mobile phones 104 owned by users. The exchange 102 has an exchange 121 and a connection device 122 for connecting to the Internet 105. The service center 106 in the image distribution system has an image processing device 161 that synthesizes a plurality of variously processed images to generate an image file, and a connection device 162 for connecting to the Internet 105.

With such a configuration, the user accesses the image processing apparatus 161 of the service center 106 from the personal computer 107 connected to the mobile telephone 104 or the Internet 105. The user selects a plurality of image data and variously processes / combines them to generate an image file. The generated image file is
It can be downloaded to any mobile phone 104 designated by the user.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Image processing device 16
Reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit 201 that controls the entire apparatus, a storage unit 202 that temporarily stores image data when generating an image file, and an image processing unit that processes the image data and combines a plurality of images. 203, and a material database 206 in which image data that is the material of the image file is stored. Further, it has a management database 207 that stores information of users who use the service center 106, and a communication processing unit 205 for connecting to the Internet 105 via the connection device 162, and respective constituent elements are connected by a bus 204. ing.

With this configuration, when the user accesses the image processing device 161, the material database 20
The image data is selected from 6, and processed and combined by the image processing unit 203 to generate an image file. The generated image file is stored in the storage unit 202 based on the user information registered in the management database 207. When any mobile phone 104 designated by the user accesses the image processing device 161 and requests download of the image file stored in the storage unit 202, the communication processing unit 20
The image file is transmitted to the mobile phone 104 via 5.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an image setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user accesses the image processing apparatus 161 of the service center 106 from the mobile phone 104 or the personal computer 107 connected to the Internet 105 (S3).
01). The connection device 162 of the service center 106 is
For example, a WWW (World Wide Web) server, which generates a login screen and a menu screen,
Alternatively, it provides a smooth interface between the personal computer 107 and the image processing device 161. The menu screen is, for example, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Lap
nguage) format hypertext document. The user can perform an image processing operation by operating the button designated by the tag.

Next, the cellular phone 104 or the personal computer 107 and the image processing device 161 are connected (S302). While referring to the menu screen, the user selects arbitrary image data from the image data stored in the material database 204 (S303), and processes / combines the selected image data (S304).

FIG. 4 shows a processing / combining screen for generating an image file. FIG. 4 is a screen displayed when the image data of the character "Devil doll" is selected. The processing / combining screen 400 includes a generation screen 401 that displays the generated image file and panels 402 to display individual image data that form the image file.
404 and. Panels 402-404 have faces (fac
Although e), a body, and a background are shown, the types are not limited to these. You can also add limbs, costumes, and accessories.

On the panels 402 to 404, three types of facial expressions can be selected, but the types are not limited to these. Furthermore, individual image data can be processed. For example, panel 4
In 02, the image processing device 161 can change the direction of the face by receiving a signal from an input device such as a mouse or a joystick. Although not shown, a color palette is displayed so that the user can change the color of any area in the image data.

In this way, a plurality of images that have been variously processed are combined to generate an image file, and a generation screen 401 is displayed.
To display. When the user selects the decision button 405,
The image file generated by the image processing unit 203 is
It is stored in the storage unit 202 based on the user information registered in the management database 207. The generated image file may be stored in the management database 207 together with the user information. Further, the generated image file may be stored, or information for identifying the image data and information recording the processing method of processing / compositing are stored, and the information is stored when downloading. You may generate an image file based on.

Subsequently, if no other image data is selected (S304), the download destination of the image file is designated (S306), and the process ends. The download destination is registered in addition to the user information registered in the management database 207.

FIG. 5 shows a transmission destination designation screen for designating a download destination. The destination designation screen 500 has a generation screen 501 for displaying the generated image file and an address input screen for inputting the address of the mobile phone for downloading the image file. The user can select any mobile phone 104, including his or her own mobile phone.

The image generated in this way is stored in the image processing device 161 and can be downloaded when necessary, so that it is highly convenient for a terminal having a small memory capacity such as the mobile phone 104. Further, any mobile phone 104 can be selected, and the present invention can be applied to the distribution of greeting cards.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for downloading the generated image file. The image processing device 161 notifies the address of the mobile phone designated on the destination designation screen 500 that the image file has been generated, based on the user information registered in the management database 207. For example, the mobile phone 104 receives this notification by e-mail or the like (S601). In this notification, the storage unit 202 in which the image file is stored
Address, for example, URL (Uniform Resource Locat
or) Including information.

The user accesses the image processing device 161 of the service center 106 from the mobile phone 104 (S602). At this time, the UR included in the received notification
Connect to L (S603) and issue a download request. The mobile phone 104 downloads the generated image file from the address of the storage unit 202 designated by the URL (S604). The mobile phone 104 can display the image file as a screen screen for standby or can be set as another function display screen. In this way, the generated image file can be downloaded to any mobile phone 104 designated by the user.

It goes without saying that the present invention can be achieved by the computer reading out and executing the program code from the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the image setting method.

The image setting method or image distribution system of the present invention can be applied not only to a stand-alone computer but also to a client / server system including a plurality of computers.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By variously processing and synthesizing a plurality of image data, it is possible to display an image file customized according to the user's preference on the liquid crystal display device of the mobile phone.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an image setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing / combining screen for generating an image file.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a transmission destination designation screen for designating a download destination.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for downloading a generated image file.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 mobile phone system 102 exchange 103 base station 104 mobile phone 105 Internet 106 Service Center 121 exchange 122, 162 connection device 161 Image processing device 201 control unit 202 storage 203 Image processing unit 204 bus 205 Communication processing unit 206 Material database 207 Management database 400 Processing / Composite screen 401, 501 generation screen 402-404 panel 405 decision button 500 Destination designation screen

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image distribution system in which an image file created by an image processing device is downloaded by a mobile terminal, wherein the image processing device comprises a database storing a plurality of image data, and an image stored in the database. An image processing unit that processes and synthesizes image data selected by the user from the data to create an image file, a storage unit that stores the image file created by the image processing unit, and a storage unit that stores the image file. And a notification unit that transmits a delivery notification including the address of the stored image file to a mobile terminal that downloads the image file, the mobile terminal receiving the delivery notification transmitted from the notification unit. Receiving means, connection means for connecting to the image processing device based on the address included in the delivery notification, and An image distribution system comprising: a display unit for downloading and displaying the image file from a storage unit. 2. An image processing apparatus for transmitting an image file in response to a download request from a mobile terminal, wherein a user selects from a database storing a plurality of image data and image data stored in the database. Image processing means for processing and synthesizing the created image data to create an image file, storage means for storing the image file created by the image processing means, and address of the image file stored in the storage means And a notification means for transmitting a delivery notification including a delivery notification to a mobile terminal that downloads the image file; and when the mobile terminal makes a download request based on the address included in the delivery notification, An image processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits to the mobile terminal. 3. An image setting method in which an image file created by an image processing device is downloaded by a mobile terminal, wherein the image processing device selects from among a plurality of image data stored in a database.
An image processing step of processing and synthesizing image data selected by the user to create an image file; a storage step of storing the image file created in the image processing step in a storage unit; A notification step of transmitting a delivery notification including the address of the image file to a mobile terminal that downloads the image file; and when the mobile terminal issues a download request based on the address included in the delivery notification, the storage And a transmitting step of transmitting the image file to the mobile terminal from a copy unit. 4. A recording medium recording a program for controlling an image processing apparatus for transmitting an image file in response to a download request from a mobile terminal, the recording medium including a plurality of image data stored in a database,
An image processing step of processing and synthesizing image data selected by the user to create an image file; a storage step of storing the image file created in the image processing step in a storage unit; A notification step of transmitting a delivery notification including the address of the image file to a mobile terminal that downloads the image file; and when the mobile terminal issues a download request based on the address included in the delivery notification, the storage A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute a transmitting step of transmitting the image file to the portable terminal from a unit. 5. A program for controlling an image processing apparatus that transmits an image file in response to a download request from a mobile terminal, the program including a plurality of image data stored in a database,
An image processing step of processing and synthesizing image data selected by the user to create an image file; a storage step of storing the image file created in the image processing step in a storage unit; A notification step of transmitting a delivery notification including the address of the image file to a mobile terminal that downloads the image file; and when the mobile terminal issues a download request based on the address included in the delivery notification, the storage A program for causing a computer to execute a transmitting step of transmitting the image file to the mobile terminal from a copy unit.