JP2003283799A - Image data providing apparatus, image reproducing apparatus, and charging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for distributing digital image while protecting the royalty of an author by utilizing the PIM (PRINT Image Matching). <P>SOLUTION: A contents database 11 stores contents in the PIM format. Image data subjected to prescribed processing to deteriorate the image quality are stored in an image area of the PIM, and a contents ID being identification information of the image data is stored in an extended area of the PIM. When a user accesses an accounting server 2 from a host device 3 and pays a contents royalty, the user acquires key data corresponding to the contents ID. When the host device 3 downloads data in the PIM format, a printer control section 33 uses the key data corresponding to the contents ID in the extended area to release prescribed processing and prints out the data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for distributing digital contents, and more particularly to a technology for distributing image data.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Digital contents such as computer software, digitized music data, and image data photographed by a digital camera can be easily copied on a computer. It is also easy to distribute via. Therefore, even if the author of the digital content wants to collect a considerable fee from another person who uses his / her own content, copying without paying the fee, so-called illegal copying, is extremely easy. In many cases, the usage fee cannot be collected. Therefore, it is very important to prevent illegal copying, protect the interests of digital content authors, and promote the distribution of digital content.

On the other hand, in order to obtain an optimum print result when printing an image taken by a digital camera with a color printer, a PIM (PRIN) in which image data and data related to the image are stored in a predetermined format.
There is a standard called T Image Matching).

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for promoting distribution while protecting the interests of digital content authors.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a technique for distributing digital image data using PIM.

[0006]

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image data providing device, wherein image data obtained by subjecting an original image to processing for deteriorating print quality from the original image, and the image data. And a storage unit that stores first supplementary data for canceling the processing performed on the image data, and a device that connects the image data and the first supplementary data via a network. And means for providing to.

In a preferred embodiment, the processing performed on the image data can be canceled by the key data associated with the first supplementary data.

In a preferred embodiment, the key data is
It is given when the price for the image data is paid.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage means includes:
The second supplementary data indicating the processing content applied to the image data is stored in association with the image data. The providing means can provide the image data and the first and second incidental data.

In a preferred embodiment, the image data and the first supplementary data are stored in the storage means in a print image matching format. The first incidental data is stored in the expansion area for print image matching.

In a preferred embodiment, the processing performed on the image data is processing for reducing the brightness of the original image.

In a preferred embodiment, the first incidental data is identification information of the image data.

An image data transmitting apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises means for acquiring original image data,
Processing means for performing a predetermined process on the original image data, and processed image data subjected to the predetermined process,
It is provided with means for accommodating the first incidental data for canceling the predetermined processing, and transmitting means for transmitting the processed image data and the first incidental data.

The image reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is a receiving means for receiving the processed image data obtained by subjecting the original image data to a predetermined process and the first incidental data attached to the processed image data. And the first
Storage means for storing key data associated with the supplementary data, and reproducing means for canceling a predetermined process performed on the image data based on the key data and reproducing the original image.

A billing device according to one embodiment of the present invention receives a user's identification information from a user terminal, a receiving unit for receiving an image designation, and a price for the designated image. A billing device comprising: billing processing means for billing a user of the identification information; and transmitting means for transmitting key data for canceling a predetermined processing performed on the designated image to the user terminal.

[0016]

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

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a content distribution system according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. This system is
A content server 1 that stores content, a billing server 2 that bills the user, and a host device 3 that the user uses are provided, and these are connected to each other via a network 9. Further, the host device 3 includes a printer 4
Are connected. The printer 4 is, for example, a printer capable of color printing.

The host device 3 can download contents such as image data from the contents server 1 and print them by the printer 4. The content distribution system according to the present embodiment protects the interests of the author of digital content, so that when a user who does not pay for the content prints image data (content), the print quality is degraded and the image data is printed. It is a thing.

Each of the content server 1, the billing server 2 and the host device 3 is configured by, for example, a general-purpose computer system, and individual components in the content server 1, the billing server 2 and the host device 3 described below or The function is realized, for example, by executing a computer program.

The content server 1 includes a content database 11, a network interface unit 12 for communicating with other devices connected to the network,
Image processing unit 1 for performing a predetermined process on an original image
3 is provided. Content data is stored in the content database 11. The content data stored in the content database 11 can be processed in a format as described below and added or deleted by a predetermined method, or an original image is acquired and the image processing unit 13 is acquired. Can also be processed (details will be described later) and generated.

Content data is, for example, PIM (P
It is stored in the content database 11 in the RINT Image Matching) format. P
As shown in FIG. 2, the IM format 100 has an image area 110 for storing image data and an extension area 120 in which arbitrary information attached to the image data can be written. Image data is stored in the image area 110 in the Exif (JPEG-compliant) format. Expansion area 1
Reference numeral 20 indicates shooting conditions (shutter speed, aperture, presence / absence of macro or digital zoom, ISO sensitivity, exposure correction, shooting mode, etc.) when image data is shot by a digital camera
To store. Further, in the present embodiment, the extension area 120
In, a content ID for identifying the image data is stored.

Further, the image data stored in the image area 110 is subjected to a predetermined process so that the image data is printed in a state in which the image quality is deteriorated as compared with the original image. Examples of the process for deteriorating the print quality include a process of changing (for example, decreasing) the brightness of the entire image, a process of thinning out pixels from the original image to roughen the entire image, and the like. . Further, as the process of changing the brightness, for example, each pixel of the original image is
In the case of a combination of R (red) G (green) B (blue) values (pixel values), each pixel value is changed (increased or decreased) by a predetermined value.

Further, in the extended area 120, the image area 11
Information indicating the content of the processing performed on the image data stored in 0 may be stored. For example, the information stored here may be combined with key data described below to cancel the processing performed on the image data.

The image processing unit 13 performs processing on the original image so as to deteriorate print quality. For example, the image processing unit 13 acquires the original image data and performs a process that deteriorates the quality when printing. Then, the image data subjected to this processing, the content ID, and the information indicating the processing content performed on the original image are stored in the PIM format and stored in the content database 11. At this time, the image data is in the image area 11 of the PIM, and the content ID and the information indicating the processing content are the PIM.
In the extended area 120 of each.

The billing server 2 bills a user who wants to use the content, in consideration of the content (hereinafter, referred to as content usage fee). For example, the billing server 2 includes a network interface unit 21 for communicating with other devices connected to the network, a content list 22, a user database 23, and a billing processing unit 24. On the charging server 2, for example, WW
The W server is operating, and the image selection screen described later (see FIG. 5).
(Refer to) and the like can be provided on a Web page.

The content list 22 is a list for storing information about contents registered in the content database 11. For example, content list 2
2, the content ID 221, the content usage fee 222, and the preview image data 223 of the content registered in the content server 11, as shown in FIG.
Also, it has key data 224 as a data item for canceling the processing applied to the content. Key data 2
24 is a parameter necessary for canceling the processing performed on the image data associated with the content ID, for example.

The contents stored in the contents list 22 are updated so as to correspond to the contents registered in the contents database 11. For example, when the content database 11 is updated, the update information may be acquired from the content server 1 and the content list 22 may be automatically updated.

The user database 23 stores information about users. For example, the user database 23
As shown in FIG. 4, stores a user ID 231, user personal information 232, and a list 233 of content IDs for which the content usage fee has been paid. The personal information 232 of the user includes, for example, the user's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, credit card number, and the like. The content ID list 233 stores the ID of the content for which the content usage fee has been paid. That is,
When the billing processing unit 24, which will be described below, bills, the content ID is registered. The key data of the content ID registered in the content ID list 233 is transmitted according to the request from the user.

The billing processing unit 24 bills the user for the usage fee of the content designated by the user. Hereinafter, the processing of the billing processing unit 24 will be described using a specific example.

First, the user has logged in to the billing server 2 in advance. That is, the network interface unit 2
1 receives the user ID and password input to the host device 3 and performs a predetermined login process. When the user is logged in and receives access from the host device 3, the billing processing unit 24 refers to the content list 22 and synthesizes information for displaying an image selection screen,
It is transmitted to the host device 3. Then, in the host device 3,
An image selection screen 200 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on a display device (not shown).

The image selection screen 200 has an image selection area 21.
0, an image name and usage fee display area 220, and a preview image display area 230. Using this screen, the user pays the usage fee and selects the image he / she wants to use.

When the user selects one of the images, the content ID of the image data is transmitted from the host device 3. The billing processing unit 24 receives the content ID transmitted from the host device 3. Then, the charging processing unit 2
4 refers to the user database 23, acquires the credit card number of the user using the user ID as a key, and charges the content usage fee of the image data.

When the billing process is completed, the billing processing section 24 transmits to the host device 3 the key data 214 necessary for canceling the process applied to the selected image data.

The host device 3 includes a network interface unit 31 for communicating with other devices connected to the network, a storage unit 32, and a printer control unit 33. On the host device 3, for example, a Web browser is operating, and using this function, contents are downloaded from the contents server 1 or the billing server 2 is used.
You can access to.

The network interface section 31 downloads content from the content server 1.
For example, of the image data stored in the content database 11, the image data designated by the user is downloaded.

Further, the network interface unit 31
Displays the image selection screen 200 as shown in FIG. 5 from the billing server 2 and displays it on a display device (not shown). As described above, the user selects an image on this screen 200 and pays the content usage fee for the image. As a result, the host device 3 acquires the key data of the image for which the usage fee has been paid. The acquired key data is stored in the storage unit 32.

The storage unit 32 is for storing the user ID and key data of the user who is using the host device 3. In FIG. 1, the user ID (U001)
The key data having the content IDs of I015, I123, and I255 is stored in the storage unit 32.

The printer control unit 33 controls the printer to cause the printer to print. For example, the image data is received, converted into data for printing by the printer, and output for transmission to the printer 4.

Here, the image data downloaded from the content server 1 has been subjected to predetermined processing.
Therefore, when the downloaded image data is in the PIM format, the printer control unit 33 determines that the extension area 1
Using the content ID stored in 20 as a key, it is confirmed whether or not the key data corresponding to this image data exists in the storage unit 32. Then, if the corresponding key data exists, the predetermined processing performed on the image data is canceled and the original image is reproduced. In addition, the extension area 1
When the information indicating the processing applied to the image data in the image area 110 is stored in 20, the original image is reproduced based on the information indicating the applied processing and the key data. May be. For example, in the extended area 120, information indicating that the brightness of the original image has been changed is stored, and if the key data indicates the fluctuation range of the pixel value, the original image should be reproduced using these. You can Then, the printer control unit 33
Causes the printer 4 to print the original image.

When the key data corresponding to the downloaded image is not stored in the storage unit 32, the image data that has been subjected to the processing of degrading the image quality is printed as it is.

According to this embodiment, the user who paid the usage fee for the image data can cancel the predetermined processing applied to the original image, restore the image quality to the original state, and print. .

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are examples for explaining the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited only to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various other modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the above-mentioned content server and billing server can be collectively realized by one computer machine, or can be separately realized by one computer machine.

[0044]

According to the present invention, it is possible to promote distribution while protecting the interests of digital content authors.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a content distribution system according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a user database 23.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of data items of a content database 11.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data format of PIM.

5 is a diagram showing an example of an image selection screen 200. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Content server 2 ... Billing server 3 ... Host device 4 ... Printer 9 ... Network 11 ... Content database 13 ... Image processing unit 22 ... User database 23 ... Content list 24 ... Charge processing unit 32 ... Storage unit 33 ... Printer control unit 100 ... PIM format 200 ... Image selection screen

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 7/16 H04N 7/08 Z 7/173 610 F term (reference) 5B057 AA20 BA01 BA23 CC01 CE01 CH11 5C063 AA01 AB03 AB07 AC01 AC10 CA23 CA36 DA03 DA07 DA13 DB10 5C064 BA07 BB01 BB02 BC04 BC06 BC18 BC23 BC25 BD02 BD04 BD08 BD09 BD13 5C076 AA14 AA22 BA06 BB06 5C077 LL14 PP31 PP66 PQ22

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image data obtained by subjecting an original image to a process of deteriorating print quality from that of the original image, and a first process for accommodating the image data and canceling the process performed on the image data. An image data providing device, comprising: a storage unit that stores the additional data of No. 1; and a unit that provides the image data and the first additional data to a device connected via a network. 2. The image data providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing performed on the image data can be canceled by key data associated with the first supplementary data. 3. The key data is given when a payment for the image data is paid.
The described image data providing device. 4. The storage means stores second supplementary data indicating processing contents applied to the image data, supplementary to the image data, and the providing means stores the image data, The first and second
The image data providing apparatus according to claim 1, which provides supplementary data of the image data. 5. The image data and the first supplementary data are stored in the storage means in a print image matching format, and the first supplementary data is stored in an extension area of the print image matching. The image data providing device according to claim 1. 6. The image data providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing performed on the image data is processing for reducing the brightness of the original image. 7. The image data providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first incidental data is identification information of the image data. 8. A means for acquiring original image data, a processing means for performing a predetermined processing on the original image data, and a processing for canceling the predetermined processing on the processed image data subjected to the predetermined processing. An image data transmitting device comprising: means for accommodating the first supplementary data, and transmitting means for transmitting the processed image data and the first supplementary data. 9. Receiving means for receiving processed image data obtained by subjecting original image data to a predetermined process and first incidental data incidental to the processed image data, and correspondence with the first incidental data. An image reproducing apparatus comprising: a storage unit for storing key data to be stored; and a reproducing unit for canceling a predetermined process performed on the image data based on the key data to reproduce an original image. 10. A process of receiving image data obtained by subjecting original image data to a predetermined process and first incidental data when executed by a computer, and the first incidental data stored in a storage means. A computer program for image reproduction processing for canceling a predetermined processing performed on the image data and executing processing of reproducing an original image based on key data associated with each other. 11. Receiving means for receiving user identification information from a user terminal, receiving means for receiving designation of an image, and billing for charging the user of the received identification information for the price of the designated image. A billing apparatus comprising: a processing unit; and a transmission unit that transmits key data for canceling a predetermined process performed on the designated image to the user terminal.