JP2003187093A - Information processor, photographing device, service providing system, service providing method, storage medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a service providing system for allowing a user to easily use photographing control information of a professional photographer as well as to easily obtain a desired superior photographing result. <P>SOLUTION: When providing the photographing control information for the user side of a camera 140 capable of photographing using the photographing control information, the camera 140 forms a file of a special format by adding prescribed restriction to photographing image information from the photographing image information obtained by the photographing using the photographing control information. This file can release the prescribed restriction (the restriction capable of using a photographing image in low resolution before paying a charge, and capable of using the photographing image in high resolution after paying the charge) after the user pays the charge for an offer of the photographing control information to the service providing side (120a). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention, for example, when a general camera user uses shooting control information when a professional photographer shoots with a camera, charges for the use of the shooting control information by the camera user. An information processing device, a photographing device, which is used in a device or a system for processing,
The present invention relates to a service providing system, a service providing method, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the same, and the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, from general camera users,
There is a desire to take photos that look like those of professional photographers. In order to meet this demand, for example, various photograph information (photograph control information) such as aperture value and shutter speed when a photographer takes a picture of a landscape or portrait is converted into data, and a general camera user can A service is provided that allows even ordinary camera users to shoot as if they were a professional photographer by reading the shooting control information into the camera using a barcode reader, memory card, etc. .

[0003]

However, in the conventional system configuration for providing the photographing control information as described above to the general camera user, the general camera user is
In order to receive the service for providing the shooting control information, it is necessary to purchase a predetermined recording medium such as a barcode sheet or a memory card on which the shooting control information is recorded before actually shooting. In addition, a general camera user, regarding the effect of photographing using the photographing control information recorded on the purchased recording medium (whether a desired photographing result is obtained, etc.), actually records the photographing control information on the recording medium. Since it can be understood only after the user inputs the image to the camera and shoots the image, for example, if the desired shooting result cannot be obtained, the purchase of the recording medium becomes very useless.

Therefore, in the service of providing shooting control information to a general camera user, it is necessary to purchase a predetermined recording medium on which the shooting control information is recorded, even though the general camera user needs it. There is a problem that it is difficult to spread because the effect cannot be known until after the actual shooting using the medium.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it is desired that a general camera user can easily use shooting control information of a professional photographer or the like. To provide an information processing apparatus, an imaging apparatus, a service providing system, a service providing method, a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for implementing the same, and a program that can easily obtain good imaging results. To aim.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Under such a purpose,
A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus for photographing image information by photographing using photographing control information provided externally, and generates a special image file in which a predetermined limit is added to the photographing image information from the photographing image information. It is characterized by comprising a special file generating means for performing.

A second invention is the same as the first invention,
The special file generation means generates an encrypted image obtained by encrypting a high resolution image of the captured image information, a low resolution image of the captured image information, and the special image file including information indicating that the file is in a special format. It is characterized by generating.

A third aspect of the invention is the same as the first aspect of the invention.
It is indicated that the special file generation means is a file of encrypted information in which the information for decoding the high resolution compressed image of the captured image information is encrypted, a low resolution compressed image of the captured image information, and a special format file. The above-mentioned special image file including information is generated.

A fourth invention is the same as the first invention,
The present invention is characterized by further comprising restriction releasing means for releasing the predetermined restriction of the special image file generated by the special file generating means using the predetermined information provided externally.

A fifth invention is the same as the above-mentioned fourth invention,
The restriction releasing means is characterized in that the predetermined information externally provided after the user completes the payment of the photographing control information externally provided free of charge.

A sixth invention is based on the fourth invention.
It is characterized by further comprising recording means for recording the special image file generated by the special file generating means on a recording medium detachable from the apparatus.

A seventh invention is a photographing apparatus capable of photographing using photographing control information provided externally.
6. The information processing device according to any one of 6 to 6 has a function.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a service providing system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other and provide predetermined information to any of the plurality of devices, and at least the plurality of devices are provided. One device is claim 1
The function of the information processing device according to claim 6, or claim 7.
It is characterized by having the function of the described photographing device.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is a service providing method for providing the photographing control information to a user who performs photographing using the photographing control information, which is obtained by the photographing using the photographing control information. It is characterized by including a special file generation step of generating a special image file in which a predetermined restriction is added to the taken image information, from the taken image information.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is a service providing method for providing the photographing control parameter to a user of a camera capable of photographing in accordance with the contents of the preset photographing control parameter. It is characterized by including a processing step of adding a predetermined restriction to the image obtained by photographing using the control parameter.

In an eleventh aspect based on the tenth aspect, a flag indicating that the processing step is a file in a special format to which the predetermined limitation is added as the image file to which the predetermined limitation is added. And a step of generating a file including a high-resolution encrypted image of the captured image and a low-resolution image of the captured image.

In a twelfth aspect based on the tenth aspect, a flag indicating that the processing step is a special format file to which the predetermined restriction is added as the image file to which the predetermined restriction is added. And a step of generating a file including the quantization information of the quantization table or the Huffman table used in the compression of the high resolution image of the captured image and the low resolution image of the captured image.

In a thirteenth invention based on the eleventh or twelfth invention, in the processing step, when the flag indicating that the image file is the special format file is set, the encryption is performed. Characterized by including the step of decrypting the encrypted image or the encrypted information.

In a fourteenth aspect based on the tenth aspect, in the processing step, the user side downloads the shooting control information from the service providing side of the shooting control information into the camera via a network free of charge. And a step in which the user side pays a fee for the shooting control information after checking the image based on the image in the state in which the predetermined restriction is added, and the service provider side after the fee payment from the user side is completed. Providing a release password for releasing the predetermined restriction to the user side.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention provides a computer with the function of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the function of the photographing apparatus according to claim 7, or the function of the service providing system according to claim 8. The program for realizing the above is recorded in a computer-readable storage medium.

A sixteenth invention is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the service providing method according to any one of claims 9 to 14 is recorded in a computer-readable storage medium.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention provides a computer with the function of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the function of the image capturing apparatus according to claim 7, or the function of the service providing system according to claim 9. It is characterized by being a program for realizing.

An eighteenth invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the service providing method according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

Specifically, for example, first, a user (camera user) first sets a shooting control parameter to a camera from a shot image existing on a website or a CD-ROM or the like via a personal computer (PC) or directly. to download. This allows the camera to shoot using the shooting control parameters.

The photographing control parameter is used by a professional photographer or the like, and is information that enables a general camera user to easily obtain a good photographing result (photograph). Further, as a camera, a photographing operation of digitizing and recording a photographed image, adding various information to the photographed image, or simultaneously recording a high resolution image for printing and a low resolution image for display, etc. It is possible to apply a digital camera capable of

When the camera performs shooting using the shooting control parameters, a flag indicating that the file is in a special format is embedded in the file of the shot image, and the shot image itself (main image) is Although it cannot be browsed with general image browsing software, it is designed so that only the reduced image of the main image can be browsed.

The user selects a website or CD-RO.
When a certain amount of money is paid to the provider (service provider) of M), the user cancels the protection (encryption) of the specially formatted file (special photographed image file) that has been specially crafted as described above. The key (cancellation password) will be available. As a result, the user decodes the special captured image file to browse the main image, and
It is possible to print out.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The present invention is applied to a billing system 100 as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The charging system 100 according to the present embodiment converts shooting control information (shooting control parameters) such as an aperture value and a shutter speed when a professional photographer shoots a landscape or portrait into data, and a general camera user can use it. The photographing control parameters are recorded in the camera 1 by a recording medium 130 such as a barcode reader or a memory card.
This system provides a service that allows even a general camera user to perform shooting as if it is a professional photographer by reading and loading it on 40 and charging processing for the service provision.

<Outline of Billing System 100 of this Embodiment> In the billing system 100, first, a user (camera user) has a website 120a (or a CD-ROM).
Etc.), the photographing control parameters are set to the camera 140 from the photographed image existing in the personal computer (PC) 11
Download via 0 (or directly) (Fig. 1
(See (a)). As a result, the camera 140 can perform shooting using the downloaded shooting control parameters.

The photographing control parameter is used by a professional photographer or the like, and is information that allows a general camera user to easily obtain a good photographing result (photograph). As the camera 140, a photographed image is digitized and recorded, for example, various information is added to the photographed image, or a high resolution image for printing and a low resolution image for display are simultaneously recorded. A digital camera that can operate is used.

When the digital camera 140 performs shooting using the shooting control parameters, a flag indicating that the file is in a special format is embedded in the file of the shot image, and at the same time, the shot image itself (book (Image) cannot be browsed by general image browsing software, but is processed so that only a reduced image of the main image can be browsed. Hereinafter, such a file is also referred to as a “special format file” (see FIG. 1).
(See (b)).

When the user pays a certain amount of money to the provider of the Web site 120a (or CD-ROM etc.) (see FIG. 1B), the user saves the special format file (photographed image file). A key (release password) to release the protection becomes available (Fig. 1
(See (c)). As a result, the user can decode the captured image file, browse the main image, print it out, and the like (see FIG. 1C).

The configuration and operation of the charging system 100 of the present embodiment as described above will be specifically described below.

<Structure of Billing System 100> In the billing system 100, as shown in FIG. 1, a general camera user side PC 110 is connected to a network (here, as an example, the Internet via an arbitrary provider (not shown)). Yes) 120 is connected. The Internet 120 is connected to a website 120a that provides this service, and the PC 110 can access the website 120a via an internet browser.

The PC 110 records (saves) in the recording medium 130 the photographing control parameters acquired by accessing the Web browser 120a (see FIG. 1A above). As the recording medium 130, a memory card is used here. Therefore, the PC 110 uses the memory card reader (not shown) to write the We card to the memory card 130.
b. The shooting control parameters fetched from the site 120a are written.

The digital camera 140 is a camera capable of shooting using the shooting control parameters in this embodiment. Therefore, the digital camera 140 reads the shooting control parameter stored in the memory card 130, performs a shooting operation based on the shooting control parameter, and saves the shot image in the memory card 130 as a file of a special format (see the above figure). 1 (b)).

The PC 110 can read a photographed image file stored in the memory card 130 by a card reader (not shown) and display the main image (photographed image) as a low-resolution reduced image for display by general image browsing software. Is.

The PC 110 operates the website 12 via the internet browser in accordance with the user's operation.
0a and perform payment procedure by any method, download the password (cancellation password) for canceling the protection of the photographed image file (file of special format) from the website 120a by any method. (See FIG. 1 (c) above).

The PC 110 converts the special format file into a normal image format file by using the release password from the website 120a, so that the main image in the file is converted into a high resolution image by general image browsing software. It becomes possible to display it as a book image for printing. Further, the PC 110 can print the high-resolution main image for printing by the printer 150 as necessary.

<Operation of Charging System 100> FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the charging system 100 as a whole.

Step S201: The PC 110 accesses the website 120a providing this service through the Internet browser according to the operation of the user, acquires the data of the sample image, and displays it on the screen. The user browses this and selects a desired image from the browsing screen. The PC 110 downloads the shooting control parameter of the corresponding image according to the selection by the user.

Step S202: The PC 110 uses the Web
The shooting control parameters downloaded from the site 120a are temporarily stored in an internal memory (not shown). Step S203: The PC 110 saves the shooting control parameters saved in the internal memory in the memory card 130.

Step S204: The user is the PC 110.
Memory card 1 in which shooting control parameters are saved by
30 is inserted into a memory card slot (not shown) of the digital camera 140 corresponding to the shooting control parameter. As a result, the digital camera 140 reads the shooting control parameter from the memory card 130.

Step S205: The user shoots with the digital camera 140 in which the shooting control parameters are read. Step S206: The digital camera 140 uses the photographed image acquired by the photographing operation as a special format file (special photographed image file) in the memory card 130.
Save to.

Step S207: The user sets the memory card 130 storing the photographed image file in the PC 110. As a result, the PC 110 reads the special captured image file from the memory card 130.

Step S208: The PC 110 reads the special photographed image file by starting the general image browsing software according to the operation of the user. Step S209: The PC 110 displays the main image of the specially-captured image file as a low-resolution reduced image for display.

Step S210: The user is the PC 110.
If the low resolution display reduced image displayed above is referred to and the image is desired (when the image is desired as a high resolution main image for printing), the PC 110
Then, the website 120a is accessed and the fee payment procedure is performed by any means. Step S211: The PC 110 receives the special captured image file release password from the operator (provider of the service) of the website 120a by the fee payment procedure in step S210.

In step S211, any means can be applied as a means for receiving the cancellation password, as long as it is a method of directly transmitting to the user side who has performed the fee payment procedure. For example, a method using e-mail or the like can be applied.

Step S212: The PC 110 converts the special-captured image file into a normal-format captured-image file by using the release password (special-captured image file release program) acquired from the Web 120a in accordance with the operation of the user. Step S213: The PC 110 displays the main image of the captured image file in the normal format as a high-resolution main image for printing by using the general image browsing software, and if necessary, based on the operation by the user. Is processed by the printer 150.

<File of Special Format (Special Photographed Image File)> As described above, in FIG. 3, the photographed image (main image) can be obtained as a high-resolution image only after the user pays the fee. 3 illustrates an example of a special captured image file 300.

The photographed image file 300 is in accordance with the data format of an arbitrary compressed image, and is shown in FIG.
Compressed data start code (SOI),
Application marker segment 1 (APP1),
Quantization table (DQT), Huffman table (DH
T), frame header (SOF), scan header (S
OS), compressed image data, and compressed data end code (EOI).

The compressed data start code (SOI) is
This is a marker code indicating the start of data of the captured image file 300, and “FFD8h” is set. The application marker segment 1 (APP1), to be described in detail later, has information regarding the captured image file 300 set therein.

The quantization table (DQT) is a quantization table for compressing the main image to obtain high resolution main image compressed data for printing. Huffman table (DHT)
Is a Huffman table for compressing the main image into high-resolution main image compressed data for printing. The frame header (SOF) and the scan header (SOS) are marker codes indicating the start position of the storage area of the high resolution main image compressed data for printing. The main image compressed data set after the scan header (SOS) is the compressed image data of the target captured image (the main image obtained by capturing using the capturing control parameter provided free of charge). As will be described later, it is encrypted and set. The compressed data end code (EOI) is a marker code indicating the end of data of the captured image file 300.

Application marker segment 1
(APP1) will be described in detail. Application marker segment 1 (APP1) is
Marker, APP1 data length, TIFF Header,
0thIFD, 0thIFD data value (camera standard data, camera unique data, special format identification data, etc.), 1stIFD, 1stIFD data value, and reduced image compressed data.

The APP1 marker is a marker code indicating the start position of the application marker segment 1 (APP1). The APP1 data length is the data length of the application marker segment 1 (APP1), and thus the application marker segment 1
The size of (APP1) can be recognized.

The TIFF Header is a header showing a data structure having a tag structure in the TIFF format. 0t
hIFD is a marker code that represents the 0th data structure group.

The 0thIFD data value is a data value of 0thIFD, and is a collection of data having a tag structure in the TIFF format. The first half is generally a set of data standardized by digital cameras,
The data contents (camera standard data, etc.) are open to the public and can be read and written commonly by most digital cameras. The second half is a collection of private data, in which manufacturer-specific or camera-specific data (camera-specific data, special format identification data, etc.) is set, and only a specific manufacturer or camera can read / write data.

1stIFD is a marker code, and 1
The stIFD data value is that data. 1st IFD
As the data value, the position and size of the reduced resolution compressed image compressed data of the main image are set. Therefore, the reduced resolution compressed image data for display is recorded at the position indicated by the 1stIFD data value.

<Generation Process of Photographed Image File 300> The digital camera 140 executes the step S shown in FIG.
In 206, the photographed image acquired by the photographing operation using the photographing control parameter is saved in the memory card 130 as a special format file (special photographed image file 300). The generation process of the special photographed image file 300 at this time is as follows. For example, it is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Steps S401 and S402: Similar to steps S204 and S205 in FIG. 2, the user inserts the memory card 130 in which the shooting control parameters are stored by the PC 110 into the digital camera 140 corresponding to the shooting control parameters. It is inserted into the memory card slot (step S401) and the digital camera 140 shoots (step S40).
2).

Step S403: Digital camera 14
0 indicates the JPEG compressed data (main image compressed data) and the reduced image compressed data (low-resolution display reduced image compressed data) of the captured image (main image) acquired by the image capturing operation in step S402, as shown in FIG. The image is stored in the internal memory (image work memory) according to the format of the specially photographed image file 300 shown in FIG.

Step S404: Digital camera 14
0 indicates that the special photographed image file 300 is a file of a special format for a predetermined area of the private tag unique to the digital camera 140, as the 0stIFD data value of the photographed image file 300 (see FIG. 3). Set the value (special format identification data). As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not the main image is set in the special-captured image file 300 as a high-resolution main image for printing.

Step S405: Digital camera 14
Reference numeral 0 indicates that the main image compressed data is encrypted by any encryption means, and the encrypted image data (main image for high resolution printing in a special format) is converted into the special captured image file 3
00 at a predetermined position. As the encryption means here, any means can be applied as long as the encrypted data can be restored and the JPEG system is not broken. By performing encryption in this way, when the encrypted image data (data of the high-resolution printing master image) is played back with general image browsing software, it is played back as an image different from the actual master image. Become.

Step S406: Digital camera 14
In the case of 0, the special photographed image file 300 subjected to the processing up to step S405 is stored in the memory card 130, and this processing ends.

By the above-described processing, the reduced image compressed data stored in the special photographed image file 300 at the position indicated by the 1stIFD data value is the reduced image for display (encryption) of the standard format which is not the special format. Image), the PC 11 is processed by the processing of step S208 shown in FIG.
It can be displayed by starting the general image browsing software 0.

<Process for Acquiring High-Resolution Image from Photographed Image File 300> The PC 110 executes, for example, a process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 after the user pays the charge (see step S210 in FIG. 2). As a result, the original main image (high-resolution main image for printing) is acquired from the special-captured image file 300 obtained by the processing shown in FIG. In the process here, the dedicated application and the release password acquired in step S211 of FIG. 2 are used.

Step S501: In the PC110,
A dedicated application for returning the specially photographed image file 300 to a file having a normal image format is activated.

Steps S502 and S503: P
The C110 reads the specially photographed image file 300 from the memory card 130 (step S502), and then 0s
As the tIFD data value (see FIG. 3 above), it is determined whether or not the special format identification data (special image flag) indicating that the file is the special format is set (step S503). As a result of the determination in step S503, only when the special image flag is set, the process proceeds to the next step S504, and when the special image flag is not set, this process is ended as it is.

Step S504: The user uses the release password obtained in step S211 of FIG.
Input to the dedicated application running in 10.

Step S505: The PC 110 determines whether or not the cancellation password input by the user is correct, for example, by referring to the 0thIFD data value of the specially photographed image file 300. As a result of this determination, only when the input cancellation password is correct, the next step S506.
If not, the process ends.

Step S506: The PC 110 uses the cancellation password and the cancellation method corresponding to the processing (encryption processing) of step S405 of FIG. 4 described above to execute the encrypted image data (main file) set in the photographed image file 300. Unencrypt the encrypted data of the compressed image data)
Return to the EG image (compressed image of the high-resolution main image for printing).

Step S507: The PC 110 stores the JPEG image (compressed image of the high-resolution main image for printing) acquired in step S506 in a predetermined position of the special photographic image file 300 and records it in the memory card 130. . As a result, the special-captured image file 300 is recorded in the memory card 130 as a file in a normal image format. In other words, the image of the specially-captured image file 300 is decrypted and restored to a file of a normal image format, which is recorded in the memory card 130.

By the processing as described above, the specially photographed image file 300 becomes a file of a normal image format, and in step S213 shown in FIG. 2, the high-resolution printing main image is browsed and displayed on the PC 110.
Alternatively, it is possible to print out with the printer 150.

As described above, in the present embodiment, first,
The shooting control parameters are provided to the user free of charge, the user shoots using the shooting control parameters, and the shot image (main image) obtained at this time is displayed as the main image until the user pays the fee. It is retained as a special format file (special photographed image file 300) that has been processed so that it can be used only as a low resolution image, and after the user confirms the main image with the low resolution image and payment has been completed, By providing a release password for returning the specially-captured image file 300 to the normal format file, the user can use the main image as a high-resolution image. This allows
The user does not need to purchase a predetermined recording medium in which the shooting control parameters are recorded, and can confirm what kind of shot image can be obtained by shooting using the shooting control parameters before paying the fee. .

In this embodiment, in step S404 of FIG. 4 and step S597 of FIG. 5, the high-resolution printing main image itself is encrypted, and the encryption is released. For example, the quantization table and the Huffman table shown in FIG. 3 for decoding the main image reduced data may be encrypted and the encryption may be released. In this case, particularly when the data size of the high-resolution main image for printing is large, the time required for encryption processing can be shortened, and the time for encryption and decryption can also be shortened.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the processing shown in FIG. 5, the encryption is released by activating a dedicated application on the PC 110. However, for example, plug-in software is supported. The encryption may be canceled by using the plug-in software of the image viewer application that is installed.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal of the present embodiment to a system or apparatus, and to supply the computer (or the computer of the system or apparatus). It is needless to say that this can be achieved by the CPU and MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the present embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code and the program code constitute the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
A DR, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, or the like can be used. Further, not only the functions of the present embodiment are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS or the like running on the computer actually performs the processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where a part or all of the above is performed and the processing realizes the functions of the present embodiment is also included. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the extended function board inserted in the computer or the extended function unit connected to the computer, the extended function is executed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU provided on the board or function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that the processing includes the case where the functions of the present embodiment are realized.

FIG. 6 shows the function 600 of the computer. As shown in FIG. 6, the computer function 600 includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, and an R
AM 603, keyboard controller (KBC) 605 of keyboard (KB) 609, and CR as a display unit
T-display (CRT) 610 CRT controller (CRTC) 606 and hard disk (HD) 611
A disk controller (DKC) 607 of the flexible disk (FD) 612 and a network interface controller (NIC) 608 for connecting to the network 620 are connected to each other via a system bus 604 so that they can communicate with each other. .

The CPU 601 is a ROM 602 or HD.
By executing the software stored in 611 or the software supplied from FD612, each component connected to the system bus 604 is comprehensively controlled.
That is, the CPU 601 executes the processing program according to the predetermined processing sequence in the ROM 602 or the HD 61.
1 or by reading from FD612 and executing,
Control for realizing the operation in this embodiment is performed.

The RAM 603 functions as the main memory or work area of the CPU 601. KBC605
Controls instruction input from the KB 609 or a pointing device (not shown). CRTC606 is C
It controls the display of the RT 610. The DKC607 is a boot program, various applications, edit files,
It controls access to the HD 611 and the FD 612 that store a user file, a network management program, and a predetermined processing program according to the present embodiment. N
The IC 608 bidirectionally exchanges data with a device or system on the network 620.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, the user does not need to purchase a predetermined recording medium in which shooting control parameters are recorded, and what kind of shooting is performed using the shooting control parameters It is possible to confirm whether the captured image can be obtained before paying the fee. Therefore, even a general camera user can easily use the shooting control parameters of a professional photographer or the like, and can easily obtain a desired good shooting result.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging system 100 to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the charging system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a special image format in the charging system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a file creating process according to the special image format.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a process of converting a file according to the special image format into a standard file.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer that reads a program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the charging system from a computer-readable storage medium and executes the program.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 billing system 110 personal computer 120 networks 120a website 130 memory card 140 digital camera 150 printers

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Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for photographing image information obtained by photographing using photographing control information provided externally, wherein a special image file in which a predetermined restriction is added to the photographed image information is generated from the photographed image information. An information processing apparatus comprising a special file generating means. 2. The special file generating means includes an encrypted image obtained by encrypting a high resolution image of the captured image information, a low resolution image of the captured image information, and information indicating that the file is a special format. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special image file is generated. 3. The special file generating means encrypts information for decoding a high resolution compressed image of the captured image information, encrypted low resolution compressed image of the captured image information, and a special format file. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special image file including information indicating that the special image file is generated. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: restriction releasing means for releasing a predetermined restriction of the special image file generated by the special file generating means by using predetermined information provided externally. apparatus. 5. The limit releasing means uses the predetermined information externally provided after the user has completed payment of the charge for the photographing control information externally provided free of charge. Information processing equipment. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising recording means for recording the special image file generated by the special file generating means on a recording medium detachable from the apparatus. 7. A photographing device capable of photographing using photographing control information provided externally, and having the function of the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. . 8. A service providing system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other and provide predetermined information to any device of the plurality of devices, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices is A service providing system having the function of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or the function of the image capturing apparatus according to claim 7. 9. A service providing method for providing photographing control information to a user who performs photographing using the photographing control information, the photographed image obtained by photographing using the photographing control information. A service providing method comprising a special file generating step of generating a special image file in which a predetermined limit is added to the captured image information from information. 10. A service providing method for providing a user of a camera capable of shooting according to the content of a preset shooting control parameter with the shooting control parameter, wherein the shooting control parameter is used. A service providing method, comprising: a processing step of adding a predetermined restriction to an image obtained by capturing the image. 11. The processing step includes a flag indicating that the image file is a special format file to which the predetermined restriction is added, and the high resolution image of the captured image is encrypted. 11. The service providing method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of generating a file including an image and a low resolution image of the captured image. 12. The processing step comprises a flag indicating that the image file to which the predetermined restriction is added is a special format file to which the predetermined restriction is added, and compression of a high resolution image of the captured image. 11. The service providing method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of generating a file including encryption information of a quantization table or a Huffman table to be used and a low resolution image of the captured image. 13. The step of decrypting the encrypted image or the encrypted information when the flag indicating that the image file is the special format file is set in the processing step. 13. The service providing method according to claim 11, further comprising: 14. The processing step includes a step in which the user side downloads the shooting control information from the service providing side of the shooting control information into the camera via a network free of charge, and the user side performs the predetermined process. A step of paying a fee for the shooting control information after confirming the image by the image with the restriction added, and the service providing side releases the predetermined restriction after the user completes the payment of the fee from the user side with the release password for the user. 11. The service providing method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of providing the service to a user. 15. A computer for realizing the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, the function of the image capturing apparatus according to claim 7, or the function of the service providing system according to claim 8. A computer-readable storage medium having the program recorded therein. 16. A computer-readable storage medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the service providing method according to any one of claims 9 to 14. 17. A computer for realizing the function of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the function of the image capturing apparatus according to claim 7, or the function of the service providing system according to claim 9. Program of. 18. A program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the service providing method according to any one of claims 9 to 14.