JP2004145871A - Image management device and image management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record data to be deleted in a storage medium prior to elimination of stored data and return them in a form easy to use/arrange in a system for storing photographic data tane by a digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming device has an image database 12 for accumulating and storing photographic image data 100. The device further accepts the photographic data taken by the digital camera from a customer, stores them in the image database 12 to be accessible from the customer, and determines whether the storage period of the photographic image data 100 accumulated and stored in the image database 12 is ended or not. The photographic image data expiring a storage period are recorded in a storage medium for storage 140 by a storage recording device 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention temporarily stores photographic image data taken by a digital camera on a large-capacity disk of a server computer owned by a photo shop, etc., and makes it easy for customers to use and organize photographic image data whose storage period has expired. The present invention relates to a management apparatus for photographic image data to be returned.

Conventionally, as one form of digital photo service, photo image data received from customers is stored in a service provider's system such as a photo shop or lab, and an image storage service that accepts print orders via a network such as the Internet It has been known.

In such a service, photo image data received from a customer is stored in the service provider's system, and can be accessed via a password on the network. The customer can browse the stored photographic image data by accessing the system of the service provider via the network, and can place a print order for the stored photographic image data (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

Further, in a system that provides such a service, the capacity of an image server that stores photographic image data is limited, so that photographic image data is deleted after a certain period. In response to changes in the storage deadline, photographic image data whose storage deadline has expired is automatically deleted so that it can be performed without bothering the system administrator or operator (for example, patents). Reference 2).
JP-A-10-150523 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-203360

The above image storage services are only temporary for customers who have requested image storage, and in order to store and use and organize photographic images for a long period of time, customers must take their own photos. You must keep the images. Therefore, there is a problem that the customer has to store and manage the photo image data twice. In addition, as the number of photographs taken with a digital camera increases, the number of photographed images increases, and there is a tendency that the utilization and organization becomes more troublesome.

In view of this problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for temporarily storing a photograph image taken with a digital camera and returning the temporarily stored photograph image to a customer in a form that is easy to use and organize. Is.

The image management apparatus of the present invention includes image storage means for storing and storing photographic image data,
Image receiving means for receiving photographic image data from a customer and storing the photographic image data together with customer information about the customer in a state accessible to the customer in the image storage means;
Image storage end determination means for determining whether to end storage of photographic image data accumulated and stored in the image storage means;
And a storage recording unit that records the photographic image data determined to end storage by the image storage end determination unit on a storage recording medium.

Here, the “image storage means” is a computer (server computer, etc.) equipped with a communication function installed in a storefront laboratory or service center, and is sufficient to store photographic image data necessary for managing digital images. A data storage device such as a hard disk having a large capacity is provided.

“Store in a state accessible from the customer” means that each customer browses, searches, downloads, prints orders, outputs to a storage medium such as a DVD, etc. It is placed in a state where it is possible to provide a photo service such as forwarding to a designated destination. Specifically, the customer can access from a storefront reception device, a personal computer, a mobile terminal, a mobile phone or the like.

Also, “Store photo image data together with customer information about customers” means that customers who store photo image data are identified so that customer information about the stored customers can be obtained. It is to be.

Further, “determine whether or not to end the storage of photographic image data” means, for example, whether the storage period has expired, the number of stored images has reached a predetermined number, or the used capacity of the server is a predetermined capacity It is to determine whether a certain condition such as has been reached.

Further, the “storage recording medium” is a portable type such as an optical storage medium such as a DVD or a CD-RW, a memory type storage medium such as a “smart media” (trademark), a “memory stick” (trademark), or a memory card. It is a medium that can be delivered to customers by mail or store.

In the image management apparatus, the same photographic image data may be received many times when the photographic image data is received. Therefore, it is desirable that the image receiving means determines whether the received image data is received image information from the attached information attached to the received image data, and receives only received image data.

Here, the “attached information” is individually assigned to the file name, received information (information indicating that it is already received photo image data), and photo image data such as a shooting date and a previous reading date. "Determine whether or not the received photo image data is from the attached information" means comparison of file names, whether or not received information is given to the photo image data, For example, the date and time of the previous reading are compared to determine whether or not the image data is already received.

Also, the acceptance of photographic image data may be accepted from a place away from the place where the image storage means is placed.

Therefore, the image receiving means may transfer the received photographic image data to the image storage means via a network for storage.

“Transfer to the image storage means via the network” means, for example, a method of transferring photographic image data from a digital camera, a personal computer, or a portable terminal to the image storage means using a wireless LAN Internet connection, i-mode or J Transfer of photographic image data from the mobile phone service such as Sky to the image storage means via the Internet, or photographic image data received from the reception device via VPN (Virtual Private Network), dedicated line, Internet, point-to-point, etc. It is used and transferred to the image storage means. Alternatively, the photographic image data is transferred from the personal computer placed at home or the like via various networks such as transferring the photographic image data to the image storage means by using the Internet, CATV network, dial-up connection or the like.

Note that the image storage end determination means may determine the end of storage for each photographic image data group classified in advance.

The “pre-classified photographic image data group” is a collection of photographic image data stored in a category specified by the customer (for example, travel, growth record, etc.).

The storage recording means associates a plurality of photographic image data, designates representative photographic image data representing the associated photographic image data, and selects the representative photographic image data at the time of reproduction, whereby the associated photographic image data is selected. The photographic image data may be recorded on the storage recording medium so that the image data can be reproduced.

This “representative photo image data” is an index of photo image data to be managed in association when managing a plurality of photo image data in association with each other. The related photographic image data is reproducible ”means that the photographic image data managed in association with the selection of the representative photographic image data when the photographic image data is reproduced by a reproduction device such as a personal computer. It can be taken out. For example, if photographic image data of similar scenes are collectively managed and representative photographic image data is selected, photographic image data of other similar scenes can be reproduced. Not only similar scenes but also related photographic image data such as travel and growth records may be used.

Further, the storage recording means may record the photographic image data and the incidental information related to the photographic image data in association with each other on the storage recording medium.

“Attachment information” is information related to images such as place names and building names obtained from GPS data and explanations thereof, and current affairs information (images and explanations) obtained from date and time information.

Here, the photographic image data that has been stored as described above may be deleted from the image storage means such as a computer when recorded on a storage recording medium. It is assumed that it will occur.

Therefore, the image storage means stores the photographic image data recorded on the storage recording medium by the storage recording means for a predetermined period in the image storage means in an inaccessible state from the customer, and then the image storage means. You may delete from.

“The state inaccessible from the customer” means that the stored photo image data cannot be provided to the photo service by the customer. However, the administrator of the server computer that stores the photo image data is in an accessible state, and if the photo image data recorded on the storage recording medium is defective, It is in a state where it can be recorded on a storage recording medium.

Further, when the photographic image data is recorded on the storage recording medium, a printing unit for printing an index print of the photographic image data may be further provided. Here, the index print includes address printing.

Further, the printing means has a selection means for selecting desired photographic image data among photographic image data to be recorded on the storage recording medium,
It is desirable that the index print is created only for the photographic image data selected by the selection means.

“Selected photographic image data” refers to the above-mentioned representative photographic image data, photographic image data with a certain frame interval, photographic image data selected for the number of frames that can be displayed from all frames, and the shooting date. There are various selection methods such as a shooting date change piece, photographic image data selected from the same shooting date.

Further, when additionally recording the photographic image data stored in the image storage means using the storage recording means on the storage recording medium already recorded photographic image data of a predetermined customer,
Further comprising collation means for collating customer information recorded in the storage recording medium with customer information stored together with the photographic image data stored in the image storage means;
It is preferable that the storage recording unit records the photographic image data in which both customer information matches as a result of the verification by the verification unit on the storage recording medium.

The image management system of the present invention connects the image management apparatus according to the present invention and a customer terminal via a network,
The image storage end determination means includes storage end notification means for notifying the customer terminal of the end of storage of the photographic image data determined to end storage.

For this “network”, various networks such as the Internet, CATV network, dial-up connection, LAN, and WAN can be used. The “customer's terminal” is a personal computer, a portable terminal, a mobile phone, etc., and “notify the customer's terminal of the end of storage” means that the customer recognizes the end of storage by sending an e-mail or the like. Anything is possible.

The storage end notification means may further notify the end of storage of the photographic image data determined to end storage to the terminal of the customer permitted to view the photographic image data determined to end storage. Good.

“Permission to view photo image data” means that, for example, it is possible to view photo image data posted on a web page or the like via a network.

The storage recording means may record on a storage recording medium via a network.

“Recording on a recording medium for storage via a network” means, for example, connecting to a recording device placed in a store or a recording device connected to a personal computer placed at home via a network, and photographic images via the network. Data is transmitted and recorded on a storage recording medium using a recording device connected to a network.

Another image management system of the present invention connects a plurality of image management apparatuses according to the present invention via a network,
The photographic image data has storage information for specifying a storage location of the photographic image data predetermined for the digital camera or the customer;
The image receiving means transfers the information to a predetermined image management apparatus according to the storage information of the received photographic image data, and stores it in the image storage means of the image management apparatus. is there.

“Storage information for specifying the storage location of the photographic image data predetermined for the digital camera or the customer” refers to information registered in the digital camera or information registered in the digital camera. A digital camera or a customer can be specified by an ID or the like registered on a removable medium or an ID registered in a customer card, and a server computer storing photographic image data can be specified according to the digital camera or the customer.

Still another image management system of the present invention connects another image management system of the present invention and a customer terminal via a network,
The image storage end determination means includes storage end notification means for notifying the customer terminal of the end of storage of the photographic image data determined to end storage.

According to the image management apparatus of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the storage of the photographic image stored in the image storage means such as a server computer is to be ended, and the photographic image to be stored is stored on a recording medium such as a DVD. Since it can be recorded, when the storage period has expired, or when the number of stored images exceeds a predetermined number or when the storage capacity reaches a predetermined capacity, the photographic images to be deleted are automatically recorded on another recording medium. Can be recorded and returned to the customer, so that there is no need to store the photographic image in another recording medium before the customer deletes the photographic image.

Also, by accepting and reading only photographic images that have not been accepted, it is possible to shorten the reading time and to prevent double storage and double writing to a recording medium.

If the end of storage is determined for each pre-classified photographic image data group, the photographic image data can be returned to the recording medium in a form that can be easily utilized and organized by the customer.

If representative photo image data representing the associated photo image data is designated and recorded on the medium, the related photo image data such as a similar scene can be selected by selecting the representative photo image data during reproduction. Can be played. In addition, in a large-capacity recording medium such as a DVD, it is difficult to search for an image when there are a large number of similar images.

Also, by associating and recording photographic image data and related incidental information on a medium, it becomes easier to organize and information related to images can be left together, so that the pleasure as an album increases.

When the photographic image data that has been stored is recorded on the medium, the image is not deleted immediately from the server computer, stored in a state inaccessible by the customer, and then deleted from the image storage means. If a defect occurs when recording photographic image data, and it cannot be reproduced well on the customer side, it can be recorded again. Alternatively, it is possible to cope with an accident in which the medium does not reach the customer.

Further, when recording the photographic image data on the medium, if an index print of the photographic image is printed, the index print can be sent simultaneously to the customer when returning the image data.

Further, when storing other photographic image data in addition to the recording medium storing the stored photographic image data, the customer information stored in the storage medium is collated to be a customer recording medium. If it is confirmed and added and stored, it is possible to add photographic image data to the corresponding customer recording medium without increasing the number of unnecessary recording media.

In addition, if the customer's terminal is notified of the end of storage of the photographic image for which storage is to be completed, the customer is confirmed whether the storage needs to be extended or recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD. can do.

In addition, if the photographic image data is provided with storage information predetermined for the digital camera or the customer, it can be transferred to a predetermined image management device corresponding to the digital camera or the customer.

In addition, by sending a notification of the end of storage not only to the customer who stored the photographic image data but also to the customer permitted to view it, if the customer who is permitted to view it also needs a photo image Data can be transferred from the storage area to a DVD or the like and stored.

Furthermore, if recording on a recording medium is performed by a recording apparatus connected via a network such as a recording apparatus placed in a store, photographic image data that has been stored can be easily recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD. It becomes possible.

As a first embodiment, an image management apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an image management apparatus 1 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this image management apparatus 1 is installed in a storefront laboratory, a service center, etc., and accepts photographic image data 100 by a server computer having a storage device such as a large-capacity hard disk and a communication function. Image receiving means 11, image storage means 12 for storing and storing received photographic image data 100, image storage end determining means 13 for determining whether or not storage of photographic image data 100 stored in image storage means 12 is to be ended The storage recording unit 14 that stores the photographic image data 100 to be stored in the storage recording medium 140, the printing unit 15 that prints the index print of the photographic image data 100 recorded on the storage recording medium 140, and the photographic image data 100 The communication interface 16 is connected to the network 2 such as transmission / reception.

Furthermore, the image management apparatus 1 may be provided with an image processing means for performing various image processing such as various corrections on the photographic image data 100, an image forming means, and the like.

First, the image receiving means 11 captures the photographic image data 100 from a memory that is photographed by a customer with a digital camera and from a memory built in the digital camera, a removable medium that stores the photographic image data 100 captured by the digital camera, or the like. It accepts reading.

Alternatively, the photographic image data 100 may be transferred from the receiving device 3 connected to the network 2 and received. The reception device 3 uses a reception device placed in the store to read the photographic image data 100 taken by the digital camera from a memory built in the digital camera brought into the store, a removable medium, etc., and a VPN, a dedicated line, etc. Forward through. In addition to the reception machine placed at the store, a personal computer, a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, and the like are also used. Specifically, from a digital camera, a personal computer, or a mobile terminal, a wireless LAN Internet connection (commonly called a hot spot) is used. There are those that transfer photographic image data, those that transfer from a mobile phone via a mobile phone service such as i-mode or J Sky, and those that transfer from a personal computer at home via the Internet.

Further, in order to shorten the reading time and prevent double storage, the image receiving means 11 does not read the photographic image data 100 that has already been read, and only receives the photographic image data 100 that has not been read. . For example, the file name of the photographic image data 100 to be read is compared with the file name stored in the image storage unit 12, or read information is added to the photographic image data 100 to confirm whether or not it has been read. In addition, it is determined whether or not the photograph image data 100 has already been read by comparing the shooting date and time with the previous reading date and time. When comparing using file names, in addition to user variable file names that can be changed by the customer, management is performed using invariant files that cannot be changed by the customer. Further, in order to manage the received photographic image data for each customer, the image storage unit 12 stores the photographic image data and stores customer information regarding the received customer.

The image storage unit 12 is a database and stores and stores the photographic image data 100 (hereinafter, the image storage unit is an image database). Also, the stored photographic image data 100 can be viewed, searched, downloaded, printed ordered, output to a storage medium such as a DVD, and sent to a specified destination by each customer from the reception machine, personal computer, mobile terminal, mobile phone, etc. It is possible to provide photo services such as transfer. The various services are provided in the form of a homepage by installing a Web server in a service center, for example.

Further, the photographic image data 100 can be classified and stored according to the customer's preference such as travel and growth records by storing it in a category designated by the customer.

The image storage end determination means 13 determines whether or not the storage of the photographic image data 100 that has reached a certain condition is to be ended. The photographic image data 100 that has been stored is stored in the storage record using the storage recording means 14. Recording on the medium 140. The end of storage is determined based on conditions such as the expiration of the storage period, whether the number of stored images has reached a predetermined number, whether the used capacity of the server has reached a predetermined capacity, and the like. Further, if the end of storage is determined for each of the classified photographic image data 100, a storage recording medium 140 such as a DVD can be created for each theme.

The storage recording unit 14 records on the storage recording medium 140 using a recording medium recording device such as a DVD recording device or a memory recording device. When the storage end is received from the image storage end determination unit 13, Recording of the photographic image data 100 to be stored is started on a storage recording medium 140 such as smart media.

By the way, there are cases where related images such as similar scenes are to be confirmed by viewing representative images of them when they are played back. Therefore, the storage / recording means 14 stores a plurality of related photographic image data 100 in association with each other like a similar scene, designates representative photographic image data 100 from them, and displays only the representative photographic image data 100 during reproduction. Reproduce and record so that it can be selected from representative photographic image data. Further, when representative photo image data is selected, the photo image data 100 of a similar scene can be reproduced. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a related table 141 that associates similar photographic image data 100 “sample01”, “sample02”, “sample03”,..., “Sample32”, “sample33” is created, and “sample32” Is designated as representative photo image data, the flag is set to “1” so that the photo data is representative photo image data, and the related table 141 is recorded on the storage recording medium 140 together with the photo image data 100. By recording in this way, when representative photo image data is selected during reproduction, it is possible to reproduce photo image data 100 of another similar scene. Although the similar scene has been described here, the present invention is not limited to the similar scene, and may be associated with a trip or a growth record.

Further, when the photographic image data 100 is recorded on the storage recording medium 140 by the storage recording means 14, accompanying information related to the image may be recorded on the storage recording medium 140 together with the photographic image data 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the photographic image data 100 and the accompanying information 142 are recorded in association with the accompanying table 143. The supplementary information 142 uses content provided by the content provider 5 on the Internet, and uses geographic information such as place names, building names, and descriptions from GPS data, current information from date information, and the like. You can also

Next, the printing means 15 performs index printing of the photographic image data 100 recorded on the storage recording medium 140. The index print includes the above-described representative photographic image data, photographic image data 100 with a certain frame interval, photographic image data 100 selected for the number of frames that can be displayed from all the frames, and photographic date change frame photos. The image data 100, the photographic image data 100 selected from the same shooting date, and the like are selected and performed. If customer information of the photographic image data 100 is taken out together with the Intex print and the address printing is performed, the storage recording medium 140 and the index print can be mailed as a set.

Further, the photographic image data 100 whose storage has been completed is deleted from the image database 12 after being recorded in the storage recording medium 140. At this time, since a writing failure such as a DVD may occur, it may be deleted after being stored in a state in which the customer cannot use the photo service for a predetermined period.

Next, the operation of the image management apparatus 1 when the photographic image data 100 that has been stored is recorded on the storage recording medium 140 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, a case where a DVD is used as the storage recording medium 140 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the image storage end determination unit 13 stores a storage period expiration table 131 (S100) for managing customers whose storage period has expired, and a recording number excess table for managing items exceeding a predetermined number of recordings. 132 (S101), a server capacity excess table 133 for monitoring whether or not a predetermined server capacity has been exceeded is created (S102). The storage period expiration table 131, the recording number excess table 132, and the server capacity excess table 133 are integrated to create a storage end table 134 that is a list of customers of the storage-completed photo image data 100 (S103).

The photographic image data 100 that has been stored for each customer ID is taken out from the storage end table 134 (S104), a recording start signal is issued to the DVD recording device 14 and recorded on the DVD 140 (S105). An index print of the photographic image data 100 recorded on the DVD 140 is printed by the printing device 15 (S106). Further, based on the customer ID, the address of the customer information 145 in the customer database as shown in FIG. 6 is read and the address is printed (S107). The photograph image data 100 for which storage has been completed is deleted from the image database 12 (S108). The processing from S104 to S108 is repeated until all customer IDs are completed (S109).

Here, a method of creating the storage period expiration table 131 will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage period expiration date of the customer (i) is read from the customer management table 200 (S110). From the determination date, if the customer (i) has expired (S111-Yes), the customer ID of the customer (i) is registered in the storage period expiration table 131 (S112), and not registered if the term has not expired (S112). S111-No). Therefore, i is incremented by 1 (S113), and whether or not the next customer is expired is checked (S114-Yes), and all the customers are checked and the processing is terminated (S114-No). The recording excess record table 132 and the server capacity excess table 133 are created in the same manner.

Here, a case has been described in which the end of storage is determined in consideration of all of the storage period expiration table 131, the recorded number excess table 132, and the server capacity excess table 133, but it may be determined using any one of them. Good.

The image management apparatus described above is described as being a server computer, but may be configured by combining a plurality of computers and apparatuses.

Next, as a second embodiment, an image management system 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image management system 10 will be described for a case where a storage end is notified to a customer terminal 4 such as a personal computer, a portable terminal, or a cellular phone connected to the image management apparatus 1a via the network 2. Also, components having the same functions as those of the image management apparatus 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only differences will be described.

The customer's terminal 4 is connected to the Internet from a personal computer or a mobile terminal, from a mobile phone to a mobile phone service such as i-mode or J Sky, or from a personal computer placed at home or the like using a CATV network or dial-up connection. Is possible. In addition, the customer terminal 4 has a function of sending and receiving e-mails and a function of browsing a home page with a web browser.

In the image management apparatus 1a of the image management system 10, the end of storage of the photographic image data 100 is notified to the corresponding customer terminal 4 by e-mail with respect to the photographic image data 100 that has been determined to end storage by the image storage end determination means 13a. Storage end notification means 130 for notification is provided. Further, the customer may receive this notification and make a response as to whether or not recording on the DVD 140 is necessary, or request for extension of storage.

The operation of the image management apparatus 1 when recording photographic image data that has been stored on the storage recording medium 140 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the processing from S100 to S103, the storage end table 134 is created in the same manner as described in the flowchart of FIG. Accordingly, the customer ID to be stored is read from the storage end table 134 (S104), and the customer's e-mail address is read from the customer information 145 of the customer database as shown in FIG. Is notified by e-mail (S115). Further, a recording start signal is issued to the DVD recording device and recorded on the DVD 140 (S116). Since S106 and subsequent steps are the same as those described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, detailed description thereof is omitted.

As described above, the case where the customer is notified using the e-mail has been described, but the customer may be notified by posting it on a Web page.

In addition, it is desirable that photos taken with some people be viewed not only by the customers who stored them, but also by other people who photographed together. Therefore, for example, if the stored customer displays the photographic image data 100 connected to the image management apparatus 1a from the terminal 4 on the Web page and designates a customer permitted to browse, the browsing of the photographic image data 100 is performed. The customer ID or the like of the permitted customer may be attached to the photographic image data 100 of the image storage unit 12 so that the browsing can be browsed from the customer with the customer ID attached to the photographic image data 100.

In this case, the storage end notifying unit 130 checks whether or not a customer ID permitted to be browsed is attached to the photographic image data 100 whose storage ends, and searches the customer information 145 in the customer database based on the customer ID. To notify the end of storage.

Further, the photographic image data 100 may be recorded on the storage recording medium 140 for customers who are permitted to refer to the photographic image data 100.

If notification is made to the customer in this way, it becomes possible to inquire from the customer about the necessity of extension of the storage period and the desire to create a DVD, and the service to the customer can be improved.

Next, as a third embodiment, an image management system 10b according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which photographic image data of a customer is additionally recorded on a storage recording medium that has already been recorded. Also, components having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted, and only different components will be described.

In the image management apparatus 1b of the image management system 10b, the customer information recorded in the storage recording medium 140 set in the storage recording means 14 and the storage is finished and the image storage means 12 transfers to the storage recording medium 140. A recording medium collating unit 19 for collating with customer information of the photographic image data 100 to be recorded is provided.

Here, a flow when the photographic image data 100 that has been stored is additionally recorded on the storage recording medium 140 will be described.

First, the storage end determination means 130 notifies the end of storage by e-mail or the like. Upon receiving the notification, the notified customer sends the storage recording medium 140 on which the photograph image data 100 he / she has recorded to a supplier by mail or the like.

In the storage recording medium 140 on which the photographic image data 100 is recorded, when the photographic image data 100 is recorded on the storage recording medium 140 by the previous storage recording unit 14, as customer information of the photographic image data 100, for example, a customer ID is stored. It is recorded.

Accordingly, the customer ID recorded on the storage recording medium 140 by the recording medium verification unit 19 is checked against the customer ID of the photographic image data 100 to be recorded on the storage recording medium 140, and both customer IDs match. In this case, the photographic image data 100 that is to be stored is additionally recorded on the storage recording medium 140 using the storage recording means 14.

Similarly to the second embodiment described above, when browsing of the photographic image data 100 is permitted to a customer other than the customer who has stored the photographic image data 100, the storage end notification means 130 stores the photographic image data 100. The customer information 145 is searched from the customer database based on the customer ID that is permitted to be browsed, and a notice for ending the storage is also transmitted to the customer permitted to browse by e-mail or the like. The storage recording unit 14 additionally records the photographic image data 100 if the customer ID of the storage recording medium 140 set in the recording medium recording apparatus is a customer permitted to browse.

If recording is additionally performed on the recording medium for storage as described above, recording can be performed additionally on an available recording medium, and the waste of the recording medium can be eliminated. In addition, since the customer information of the storage medium for storage is confirmed and recorded, there is no possibility of mistakenly recording another person's photograph.

As a fourth embodiment, another image management system 10c of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, a case has been described in which photographic image data to be stored is stored using a recording medium recording device that is sent to a vendor and stored in the vendor. A case will be described in which recording is performed on a recording medium for storage by a recording medium recording device placed in a store.

Also, components having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted, and only differences will be described.

An image management apparatus 1c of the image management system 10c is connected to a recording medium recording apparatus such as a DVD recording apparatus or a memory recording apparatus placed at a store or the like via the network 2 from the communication interface 16, and is placed at a shop or the like. A storage recording means 14c for instructing the recording medium recording device to record the photographic image data 100 on the storage recording medium 140, and a storage recording medium 140 set in the recording medium recording device placed in the store. Recording medium collating means 19c for collating the customer information stored in the storage recording medium 140 with the customer information of the photographic image data 100 to be recorded.

Here, a flow when the photographic image data 100 that has been stored is recorded on the storage recording medium 140 by a recording medium recording device placed in the store will be described.

When the customer receives a storage end notification by e-mail or the like, the customer brings the storage recording medium 140 to the store, sets the storage recording medium 140 in the recording medium recording device placed at the store, and performs a predetermined operation. Then, a request for the photographic image data 100 that has been stored in the storage recording medium 140 is notified to the image management apparatus 1c. In the image management apparatus 1c, when this notification is received, the customer information of the storage recording medium 140 set in the recording medium recording apparatus placed in the store by the recording medium collating means 19c and the photograph to be recorded on the storage recording medium 140 are stored. When the customer information of the image data 100 is collated and the customer information matches, the storage recording unit 14c transmits the photographic image data 100 to be recorded on the storage recording medium 140 to the store recording medium recording device and brought by the customer. Additional recording is performed on the storage recording medium 140.

Similar to the third embodiment, even if the storage recording medium 140 is a customer storage recording medium 140 that stores the photographic image data 100, the storage recording medium 140 is a customer storage medium 140 that is permitted to be browsed. There may be.

In addition to a recording medium recording device placed in a store, a recording medium recording device such as a DVD recording device or a memory recording device is provided in a personal computer placed at home or the like, and the photographic image data 100 is recorded on the storage recording medium 140. It is also possible to install dedicated software or the like and download the photographic image data 100 from a network such as the Internet and record it on the storage recording medium 140.

In this way, if it can be recorded at a store or at home, it can be easily recorded on a storage medium for storage without sending it to a contractor, and the service to customers can be improved. it can.

Next, in the fifth embodiment, still another image management system 10a according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the image management system 10a includes a plurality of image management apparatuses 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c, and stores and stores photographic image data 100 in specific image management apparatuses 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c. explain. Detailed descriptions of the same image management apparatuses 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c as those described above will be omitted, and only differences will be described.

The image receiving means 11 transfers and stores the received photographic image data 100 according to the storage information indicating the storage location attached to the photographic image data 100. The destinations of the image management apparatuses 1, 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c that store the photographic image data 100 are a code registered in the digital camera in advance, a code that is registered in the digital camera, transferred to a removable medium, a customer card It is automatically determined from the ID registered in For example, the destination of the server computer to be transferred is determined from the type code of the digital camera, the manufacturing NO code, the owner code of the digital camera, and the like. For example, the TCP / IP addresses of the image management apparatuses 1, 1a, 1b, 1c are obtained from the type code of the digital camera, the manufacturing NO code, the owner code of the digital camera, etc., and the photographic image data 100 is transferred.

Thus, the same digital camera or removable media photographic image data 100 can be stored in the same server computer. Alternatively, each customer can be stored on the same server computer.

Further, as described in the image management system 10 as described above, the end of storage may be notified to the customer terminal by e-mail or the like.

The figure which shows the outline | summary of the image management apparatus of this invention Illustration for explaining designation of photographic image data representing related photographic image data The figure for demonstrating matching with incidental information relevant to photographic image data Flow chart for explaining the operation when determining the end of storage Diagram for explaining the end of storage An example of customer information Flow chart for explaining the operation of creating a storage table Diagram for explaining storage period determination The figure which shows the outline | summary of the image management system of this invention Flow chart for explaining the operation when determining the end of storage in the image management system The figure which shows the outline | summary of the image management system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the image management system of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the image management system of the 5th Embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a Image management apparatus 2 Network 3 Reception apparatus 4 Customer's terminal 10, 10a, 10b, 10c Image management system 11 Image reception means 12 Image database 13, 13a Image storage completion determination means 14 Storage recording means 15 Printing means 16 Communication means 19, 19c Recording medium collating means 100 Photo image data 130 Storage end notifying means 140 Storage recording medium

Claims (17)

Image storage means for storing and storing photographic image data;
Image receiving means for receiving photographic image data from a customer and storing the photographic image data together with customer information about the customer in a state accessible to the customer in the image storage means;
Image storage end determination means for determining whether to end storage of photographic image data accumulated and stored in the image storage means;
An image management apparatus comprising: a storage recording unit that records the photographic image data determined to end storage by the image storage end determination unit on a storage recording medium. The image receiving means determines whether or not the received photo image data is attached photo image data from attached information attached to the received photo image data, and accepts only photo image data that has not been received. Item 2. The image management device according to Item 1. 3. The image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image receiving means transfers the received photographic image data to the image storage means via a network for storage. 4. The image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image storage end determination means determines the end of storage for each group of photographic image data classified in advance. The storage recording means associates a plurality of photographic image data, designates representative photographic image data representing the associated photographic image data, and selects the representative photographic image data at the time of reproduction, thereby associating the associated photographic image data 5. The image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographic image data is recorded on the storage recording medium so as to be reproducible. 6. 6. The storage recording unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the storage recording unit records the photographic image data and incidental information related to the photographic image data in association with each other on the storage recording medium. The image management apparatus described. The image storage means stores the photographic image data recorded on the storage recording medium by the storage recording means for a predetermined period in the image storage means in an inaccessible state from the customer, and then deletes it from the image storage means The image management device according to claim 1, wherein the image management device is a device that performs image processing. 8. The image management according to claim 1, further comprising printing means for printing an index print of the photographic image data when the photographic image data is recorded on the storage recording medium. apparatus. The printing means includes selection means for selecting desired photographic image data from among photographic image data to be recorded on the storage recording medium;
9. The image management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the index print is created only for photographic image data selected by the selection means. When additionally recording the photographic image data stored in the image storage means using the storage recording means on the storage recording medium in which the photographic image data of a predetermined customer has already been recorded,
Further comprising collation means for collating customer information recorded in the storage recording medium with customer information stored together with the photographic image data stored in the image storage means;
2. The image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage recording unit records the photographic image data in which both pieces of customer information match as a result of the verification by the verification unit on the storage recording medium. The image management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a customer terminal are connected via a network,
An image management system comprising: a storage end notifying unit for notifying the end of storage of the photographic image data determined to end storage, to the customer terminal. The storage end notification means further notifies the end of storage of the photo image data determined to end storage to the terminal of the customer permitted to view the photo image data determined to end storage. 12. The image management system according to claim 11, further comprising: 13. The image management system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the storage recording means records on a storage recording medium via a network. Connecting a plurality of image management devices according to any one of claims 1 to 9 via a network;
The photographic image data has storage information for specifying a storage location of the photographic image data predetermined for the digital camera or the customer;
The image management means, wherein the image receiving means transfers to a predetermined image management apparatus according to the storage information of the received photographic image data and stores it in the image storage means of the image management apparatus system. The image management system according to claim 14 and a customer terminal are connected via a network,
An image management system comprising: a storage end notifying unit for notifying the customer terminal of the end of storage of photographic image data determined to end storage by the image storage end determining unit. The storage end notification means further notifies the end of storage of the photo image data determined to end storage to the terminal of the customer permitted to view the photo image data determined to end storage. 16. The image management system according to claim 15, further comprising: The image management system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the storage recording means records on a storage recording medium via a network.

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