JP2004153647A - Communication relay unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a plurality of imaging apparatuses using different wireless communication systems to upload image data. <P>SOLUTION: A communication control section 105 of the relay unit 100 confirms the wireless communication system of a digital camera 1 that transmitted image data, selects a communication section corresponding to the communication system of the digital camera 1 from a first communication section 110, and allows the selected communication section to communicate with the digital camera 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention can receive image data from an imaging device capable of transmitting image data acquired by imaging using a predetermined wireless communication method, and can transmit the received image data to a predetermined transmission destination via a wired communication line. The present invention relates to a communication relay device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, digital cameras having a communication function for transmitting and receiving image data acquired by imaging have been proposed. In such a digital camera, image data acquired by imaging can be attached to an e-mail and transmitted to a friend. In addition, image data can be transmitted to an image server that manages storage of image data, so that image data can be stored in the image server, or the image server can be accessed later by a personal computer or the like to view images. It is also possible to use a network print system that creates an album, performs desired image processing on the image data, and places an image data print order with respect to a lab store connected to the image server.
[0003]
Meanwhile, stations, bus stops, government offices, convenience stores, fast food stores, downtown areas, hotel lobbies, conference halls, airports, theme park shooting spots, etc. A LAN communication apparatus (access point) is installed. The place where the access point is installed and its communication area is called a hot spot. By moving to a hot spot communication area with a PC with wireless LAN communication function, you can use that PC to communicate data with the access point. Internet surfing and data communication are possible.
[0004]
Since the format of the data frame used in the wireless LAN corresponds to an environment in which Ethernet (registered trademark) representing the wired LAN and the wireless LAN are mixed, four address fields are prepared. The address field is selectively used depending on whether the source and destination are wireless LAN or Ethernet (registered trademark). In a network environment in which wireless and wired are mixed, a wireless LAN frame flows on the wireless communication network, and, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) frame flows on the wired communication network. The access point wireless LAN communication apparatus described above performs conversion between these two types of data frames, and transfers data transmitted via the wireless LAN to a wired communication network.
[0005]
In addition, a digital camera having a function of communicating with an access point has been proposed. When the owner of such a digital camera moves to a hot spot, image data acquired by the digital camera is transferred to a wireless LAN communication device. It is possible to send via e-mail as an attachment or to the image server of the network print system.
[0006]
Here, since the data transfer speed of the wireless LAN communication network is as high as 11 Mbps or higher, even relatively large data such as image data can be transmitted in a short time.
[0007]
On the other hand, transmission of data from the wireless LAN communication apparatus to the image server or the like is performed using a wired communication line. Here, as a wired line, a broadband relatively high-speed communication line represented by ADSL is used instead of the conventional narrow band of 56 Kbps and ISDN of 64 Kbps.
[0008]
Here, the above-described ADSL has a data transfer rate of a maximum of 8 Mbps, which is a downlink rate, and the upward direction in which data is uploaded is a data transfer rate of a maximum of 1 Mbps. Further, the increased data transfer rate is the maximum value, and the data transfer rate may be about 100 Kbps depending on the situation, such as the distance from the telephone station being far.
[0009]
On the other hand, the transfer of the image data acquired in the digital camera is an upward transfer, and even if data communication is performed between the digital camera and the access point at a speed of 11 Mbps, there is no transfer between the access point and the image server. The data transfer rate is less than 1 Mbps. For this reason, users of digital cameras that transfer image data communicate only at the data transfer rate of the wired communication line that is actually connected to the access point, even though they use a high-speed infrastructure called wireless LAN. As a result, it takes a long time to transfer the image data. In particular, when image data is simultaneously transmitted from a plurality of digital cameras to the same access point, the data transfer speed is further reduced.
[0010]
Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the applicant of the present application provides a buffer or the like in the wireless LAN communication device as an access point, temporarily stores the image data transmitted from the digital camera, and then connects the wired communication line. A system for transmitting to an image management server or the like has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). According to this system, since the image data transmitted from the digital camera is not immediately transmitted to the image management server or the like, the data transfer speed between the digital camera and the access point is not affected by the data communication speed of the wired communication line. Become. Therefore, it becomes possible to transfer image data from the digital camera to the access point at a high speed according to the data transfer speed of the wireless LAN communication network.
[0011]
On the other hand, as a wireless LAN, for example, a wireless LAN that conforms to a standard standardized by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) is used, and IEEE 802.11b is currently mainstream. In IEEE802.1b, a method using radio waves and a method using infrared rays are standardized, and the method using radio waves uses a 2.4 GHz band called ISM (Industrial Science Media) as a frequency band. . This frequency band is a frequency band that is open so that it can be used without a license, and is also used in electronic devices other than wireless LANs. Therefore, with the future increase of these electronic devices, wireless LANs and these electronic devices are used. There is concern about interfering with devices. Therefore, IEEE802.80 standardized at a transfer rate of 54 Mbps at the maximum using 5.0 GHz as a frequency band. The transition to the wireless LAN specification a is conceivable, and with the increase in wireless LAN communication devices using this standard, it is expected that more wireless LAN communication chips mounted on digital cameras will also support this standard. The
[0012]
On the other hand, the limitation on using hotspots is that only the access points at that location can be used. An access point that plays a role of receiving image data from a digital camera via a wireless LAN communication network and transmitting it to an image management server or the like via a wired communication network is a specific ISP (Internet) that provides a wireless LAN service.・ It is installed by a service provider, so it cannot be used without a contract with the ISP. For example, it is possible to use a hotspot at the first terminal of Narita Airport, but the ISP you have contracted with is at the second terminal, so it can be used only at the second terminal. Roaming is used as one means for solving such inconvenience. Roaming, that is, a service in which an ISP access point of another ISP with which the user has contracted can be borrowed, and the side that lends the access point finds the contracted ISP from the user ID, etc. Inquire about ID and password before using.
[0013]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-249208
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, with the shift of the wireless LAN standard from IEEE802.11b to IEEE802.11a, the wireless LAN communication device installed in the hot spot and the digital camera equipped with the wireless LAN communication function have been changed to the new IEEE802.11a. The corresponding ones are expected to increase. For this reason, a user having a digital camera compliant with the new IEEE802.11a standard cannot use the wireless LAN service even at a hot spot where a conventional IEEE802.11b wireless LAN device is installed. End up. Similarly, there is a problem that a user having a digital camera compatible with the conventional IEEE802.11b cannot use the wireless LAN service even in a hot spot where a new standard IEEE802.11a wireless LAN device is installed. Occur.
[0015]
Therefore, if a digital camera is equipped with a wireless LAN communication chip that supports both the old and new wireless LAN standards, it can communicate with both the new standard wireless LAN communication apparatus and the conventional wireless LAN communication apparatus. The problem with digital cameras that have already been sold cannot be solved. Also, as technology advances day by day, over time, newer wireless LAN specifications will be standardized than the current new standard IEEE 802.11b, and at that time, both IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11b standards will be adopted. The corresponding digital camera also has a problem that it cannot communicate with the wireless LAN communication device of the new standard.
[0016]
In addition, as described above, when a user of a digital camera attempts to upload image data, a hot spot installed by an ISP with which he / she is contracted or an ISP which has a roaming contract with his / her contracted ISP. It is inconvenient.
[0017]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication relay device that is compatible with an imaging device such as a digital camera using different wireless communication methods and can be used conveniently.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The communication relay device according to the present invention is capable of communicating with a plurality of imaging devices capable of transmitting image data acquired by imaging with different predetermined wireless communication methods, and corresponding to the different predetermined wireless communication methods. Means,
Temporary storage means for temporarily storing the image data transmitted from the imaging device;
The image data stored by the temporary storage unit is provided with a transfer unit capable of transmitting the image data to a predetermined transmission destination.
[0019]
Here, the “wireless communication method” means a type of method for performing data communication via a wireless communication network, and examples thereof include a wireless LAN and Bluetooth. Note that different standards (for example, IEEE802.11a and IEEE802.11b) in the wireless LAN are also different methods.
[0020]
That is, the communication relay device of the present invention supports different wireless communication methods, and among these different wireless communication methods, can communicate with the imaging device using a wireless communication method of an imaging device that uploads image data. It is possible.
[0021]
Preferably, the communication relay device of the present invention further includes an authentication unit that authenticates the imaging device, and the authentication unit performs authentication using identification information unique to the imaging device assigned to the imaging device. .
[0022]
Here, the “identification information” may be any information as long as it can authenticate the imaging device in the communication relay device of the present invention, and may be a combination of a user ID and a password, A device that can be authenticated only by accessing the communication relay device of the present invention from the imaging device is used. For example, the MAC address of a wireless communication chip mounted on an imaging device such as a digital camera can be used by utilizing the fact that a MAC address is always necessary for data communication.
[0023]
Moreover, the identification information used here can be provided by various methods.
[0024]
For example, when purchasing an imaging apparatus, the user who wishes to transfer an image via the communication relay apparatus of the present invention issues identification information used for the communication relay apparatus of the present invention, The identification information may be set and registered in the imaging apparatus by itself.
[0025]
In addition, after the user purchases the imaging device, the user accesses a predetermined service wave page using a computer or the like, and manufactures a model number, serial number, etc. of the purchased imaging device. , The MAC address of the communication chip mounted on the imaging device can be known), and an application for issuing identification information may be applied.
[0026]
Further, when access is first received from the imaging apparatus, identification information may be automatically given to the imaging apparatus by the communication relay apparatus.
[0027]
The communication relay device is accessed from the imaging device by registering the identification information issued by the above-described various methods in the communication relay device of the present invention or storing it in a predetermined authentication server on the network. Sometimes, the imaging apparatus may be authenticated by referring to identification information stored in an authentication database owned by itself or an authentication server on a network.
[0028]
The transfer means of the communication relay device of the present invention transfers image data uploaded from an imaging device using a wireless communication method to a predetermined transmission destination, and directly transmits the transmission destination of image data via a wired communication network. The image data may be transferred to an image server or the like, or may be transferred to a nearby wireless LAN access point and transmitted to the image server or the like to which image data is transmitted via the access point. Further, as the infrastructure to be used, not only a wired communication network but also a communication number of a mobile phone may be used by issuing a telephone number for each communication relay device of the present invention. Further, a user account may be issued from the ISP for each communication relay device of the present invention, and the user account may be routed through the ISP.
[0029]
In addition, it is preferable to set WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) in communication between the communication relay device and the imaging device of the present invention. WEP is a function for strengthening a security function by setting an encryption key in a wireless packet. When WEP is set in this way, communication is established only when the WEP set in the imaging apparatus matches the WEP set in the communication relay apparatus.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
The communication relay device according to the present invention is compatible with different wireless communication methods, communicates with the imaging device in a method corresponding to the wireless communication method of the imaging device, and transfers image data uploaded from the imaging device to a predetermined transmission destination. Therefore, the user of the imaging device can upload the image data without worrying about the wireless communication system of the imaging device owned by the imaging device. For example, the user-owned imaging device can upload image data via the communication relay device of the present invention regardless of whether it is a Bluetooth wireless communication method or a wireless LAN method. Even if the communication system conforms to the standard, for example, the wireless LAN conforming to the IEEE802.11b standard, the user only accesses the communication relay apparatus without worrying about whether or not the communication relay apparatus supports this standard. Thus, communication with the communication relay device can be established. Even when the access point only supports the new wireless LAN standard, the imaging device compliant with the old standard can use the access point via the communication relay device of the present invention. Similarly, an image pickup apparatus compatible with a new wireless LAN standard can upload image data via the communication relay apparatus according to the present invention regardless of whether the access point corresponds to a new or old wireless LAN standard. In other words, even if a new wireless communication system is born, simply adding this new channel to the communication relay apparatus of the present invention allows both the old and new imaging apparatuses to care about the communication system. It is possible to upload image data using a wireless infrastructure without having to.
[0031]
Conventionally, in order to use an access point, it is necessary to make a contract with an ISP that provides a wireless LAN service and then search for an access point installed by this ISP or an ISP with a roaming contract with this ISP. If communication with the communication relay device of the present invention is established by using the communication relay device of the present invention, the image data is transferred by the communication relay device, so that the image can be displayed without worrying about the contract with the ISP. You can upload data.
[0032]
In addition, since user authentication is also performed with the communication relay device of the present invention, various authentication procedures that differ depending on the ISP are not complicated and simple. Furthermore, if a MAC address that is necessary for communication is used as identification information for user authentication, user authentication can be performed without having to enter a user ID, password, etc., simply by accessing the communication relay device. It is more convenient.
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0034]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the network print system according to the present embodiment communicates with a plurality of digital cameras 1 having a wireless communication function, and a minilab 250 described later on image data transmitted from the digital camera 1. And a mini-lab 250 of a photo shop that performs print processing on the image data transferred from the relay unit 100. The relay unit 100 and the mini-lab 250 are connected via the Internet 200. . Further, in order for the relay unit 100 to access the Internet 200, it is possible to use an infrastructure 150 such as a mobile phone communication network 150a, a wireless LAN communication network 150b, and a wired communication network 150c. The mobile phone base station 160 is supported for the mobile phone communication network 150a, the access point 170 is supported by the wireless LAN communication network 150b, and the ISP 180 is supported by the wired communication network 150c. In order to make the drawing easy to understand, only one access point 170 and one ISP are shown in FIG. 1, but the relay unit 100 can use a plurality of access points 170 and ISP 180. It is designed to be used from among them. Also, the minilab 250 may be selected from a plurality instead of one.
[0035]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the digital camera 1 used in the network print system of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the digital camera 1 used in the present embodiment controls the entire digital camera 1 and the image data S0 by acquiring the image data S0 by imaging the subject and the image data. Recording means, communication control, display control, control means 22 for generating order information C describing the order contents of the image data S0, a frame memory 23 for storing the image data S0 for display, a release button, An input unit 24 having a communication button, a cross key, a numeric key for inputting a telephone number, and compression / decompression for performing processing for compressing image data by a technique typified by JPEG and decompressing the compressed data Means 25, display means 26 including a liquid crystal monitor for displaying image data S0 and various information, and a print order at the time of imaging. Therefore, the transfer confirmation button 27 for confirming that the image data S0 is transmitted to the minilab 250, the data memory 28 for storing the image data S0 and the selected image data S1, and the relay unit 100 when transmitting the selected image data S1. And an interface 29 for connecting the communication chip 4 for performing communication.
[0036]
The communication chip 4 is an authentication information storage that stores communication means 41 that performs data communication with the relay unit 100 by wireless LAN, and unique information of the digital camera 1 and authentication information N necessary for establishing communication with the relay unit 100. Means 42 and a destination storage means 43 that stores the URL of the destination of the selected image data S1.
[0037]
The imaging means 21 includes a photographic lens, a zoom mechanism, a shutter, a CCD, and the like, and captures a subject by driving the shutter to obtain image data S0.
[0038]
Connected to the control means 22 are a ROM 22 storing an operation program of the digital camera 1 and a RAM 22A composed of a RAM serving as a storage means serving as a work area when the program is executed.
[0039]
The transfer confirmation button 27 is pressed by the user when the user of the digital camera 1 who is the photographer wants to place a print order for the displayed image when the image data S0 is displayed on the display means 26 at the time of imaging. . Thereby, the image data S0 recorded in the frame memory 23 immediately after imaging is recorded in the data memory 28 as the selected image data S1. Note that the print order includes not only printing but also recording of selected image data S1 on a medium such as a CD-R and storage in an image server described later.
[0040]
When the transfer confirmation button 27 is pressed, the order contents for the selected image data S1 can be set by the input from the input means 24. For example, it can be set that the selected image data S1 is stored in an image server of a network print system described later, printed out, or recorded on a medium such as a CD-R. When the order content is a print output, the print size, the number of copies, and the print type (for example, postcard print, album print, etc.) are set as the order content by the input from the input means 24 by the user. When the order details are set, order information C describing the order details is generated in the control means 22 and stored in the data memory 28 together with the selected image data S1. The order content can be set on the order content setting screen displayed on the display means 26. The order information C may be generated for each selected image data S1, but only one order information C is generated, and each time the selected image data S1 is selected, the order contents for the new selected image data S1 are displayed. You may add to one order information C.
[0041]
The data memory 28 has a first storage area 28A for storing the selected image data S1, a second storage area 28B for storing the image data S0 determined not to place a print order, and placing a print order or storing it in the digital camera 1 as it is. The memory area is divided into a temporary storage area 28C for storing the image data S0 when the user is at a loss.
[0042]
The selected image data S1 selected by pressing the transfer confirmation button 27 is stored in the first storage area 28A, and the image data S0 determined to be stored in the digital camera 1 is stored in the second storage area 28B. The image data S0 wondering whether the user places a print order is stored in the temporary storage area 28C. Note that the storage of the image data S0 in the second storage area 28B or the temporary storage area 28C is performed by an instruction from the input means 24 by the user.
[0043]
The communication means 41 of the communication chip 4 is for performing data communication with the relay unit 100 by wireless LAN communication. The communication standard varies depending on the digital camera, but is used in the network print system of the present embodiment shown in FIG. Each of the communication means 41 of the digital camera 1 corresponds to the standards of IEEE802.11b and IEEE802.11a, for example.
[0044]
The authentication information storage means 42 stores authentication information N and unique information of the digital camera 1 necessary for communication between the communication means 41 and a relay unit described later.
[0045]
As the authentication information N, in addition to the MAC address of the communication chip 4, an ESS-ID for establishing a connection with a relay unit described later is used. The ESS-ID is an ID adopted by the wireless LAN IEEE 802.11, and is information necessary for establishing a connection with a fixed partner. Note that the same ESS-ID is used for the relay unit. Also, WEP for encryption is set, and the same WEP as the relay unit is used.
[0046]
Here, in the present embodiment, the authentication information N is obtained by applying for data communication via the relay unit 100 when the user purchases the digital camera 1, so that the user name, address, telephone number, and credit card number are applied. It is assumed that the user information is issued in exchange for registering the user information and the digital camera 1 is set by the user. The user information and authentication information N are registered in an authentication unit 122 (to be described later) of the relay unit 100 of the network print system shown in FIG.
[0047]
As the unique information of the digital camera 1, the model name of the digital camera 1 is used. Further, the photographing conditions may be included in the unique information when the image data S0 is acquired together with the model name. In this way, the model name and shooting conditions of the digital camera 1 are transmitted to the relay unit 100 together with the selected image data S1 as the unique information of the digital camera 1, so that the photo shop connected to the relay unit 100 via the Internet 200 can be used. In the minilab 250, image processing is performed on the selected image data S1 according to the model of the digital camera 1 that acquired the selected image data S1, or image processing corresponding to the shooting conditions is performed on the selected image data S1. be able to.
[0048]
The transmission destination storage unit 43 stores the URL of the transmission destination of the selected image data S1. Specifically, the URL of a photo shop connected to the relay unit 100 via the Internet 200 and provided with the minilab 250 is stored. When the selected image data S1 is transmitted, the URL stored in the transmission destination storage unit 43 is referred to and the selected image data S1 is transmitted to the transmission destination.
[0049]
Note that URLs of a plurality of transmission destinations may be stored in the transmission destination storage unit 43 so that the user can select a transmission destination of the selected image data S1.
[0050]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the relay unit 100 in the network print system shown in FIG. The relay unit 100 is installed at various locations in the area where the photo shop provided with the minilab 250 can provide services. For example, it is installed in places where people often stop by, such as stations, bus stops, government offices, banks, convenience stores, fast food stores, downtown areas, and gathering places, and Internet cafes. As shown in FIG. 2, the relay unit 100 includes a communication control unit 105 that controls communication between a first communication unit 110 and a digital camera 1 described later, and a BlueTooth communication unit 112 that corresponds to a plurality of different wireless communication methods. , The first communication unit 110 including the IEEE802.11a communication unit 114, the IEEE802.11b communication unit 116, and the digital camera 1 that has transmitted the selected image data S1 via the first communication unit 110 are authenticated. An authentication unit 122 to perform, a charging processing unit 124 to perform charging processing according to the order contents from the authenticated digital camera 1, and a buffer 130 to temporarily store the selected image data S1 transmitted from the digital camera 1. The selected image data S1 stored in the buffer 130 is transferred to the minilab 250 via the Internet 200. A second communication unit 140 for signal is made and a transfer control unit 120 for controlling the second communication section 140. The second communication unit 140 includes a mobile phone communication unit 141 for accessing the Internet 200 using the mobile phone communication network 150a, and an IEEE 802.11a for accessing the Internet 200 using the wireless LAN communication network 150b. A communication unit 142, an IEEE 802.11b communication unit 143, an IEEE 802.11g communication unit 144, a broadband communication unit 145 such as ADSL for directly accessing the Internet 200 using the wired communication network 150c, and a wired communication network 150c And a narrowband communication unit 146 for accessing the Internet 200. The communication by these communication units is compatible with the mobile phone base station 160 and the wireless LAN standards of IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, and IEEE802.11g, respectively. A wireless LAN access point 170, are respectively supported by the ISP180.
[0051]
When there is an access from the digital camera 1, the communication control unit 105 that controls the first communication unit 110 determines the wireless communication method used by the digital camera 1 from the data format, and the first communication unit 110. The communication unit corresponding to the wireless communication method of the digital camera 1 is selected from each communication unit so as to perform communication. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 105 determines the wireless communication method from the format of the data transmitted from the digital camera 1. For example, the communication control unit 105 determines the data transmitted from the digital camera 1. The communication method of the digital camera 1 may be acquired by comparing the Mac address or authentication information N included in the frame with the user information and authentication information registered in the relay unit 100. In the present embodiment, the communication method of the digital camera 1 is, as an example, IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11b of a wireless LAN, but any wireless communication method, for example, BlueTooth or wireless LAN IEEE802.11g may be used. .
[0052]
The authentication unit 122 of the relay unit 100 authenticates the digital camera 1 and has a database (not shown) that stores user information registered at the time of purchasing the digital camera 1 and issued authentication information. The user, that is, the digital camera 1 is authenticated with reference to FIG. The database may be locally owned by the authentication unit 122 of the relay unit 100, but may be configured as an authentication server at a predetermined location on the network.
[0053]
The charging processing unit 124 uses the credit card number included in the user information of the digital camera 1 authenticated by the authentication unit 122 to charge based on the order contents from the digital camera 1 and the determination of the transfer control unit 120 described later. Process.
[0054]
The transfer control unit 120 transfers the image data of the digital camera 1 stored in the buffer 130 and information indicating the order contents for these image data to the second communication unit 140. Specifically, the transfer control unit 120 Mobile phone network, wired communication network, or wireless LAN communication network) and a communication unit corresponding to the selected infrastructure is selected for transfer. For example, when the mobile phone network is determined, the mobile phone communication unit 141 performs the transfer. On the other hand, when the wireless LAN communication network is determined, the access point to be used is further determined and the wireless LAN communication method used by the access point is determined. A corresponding wireless LAN communication unit (any of the IEEE802.11a communication unit 142, the IEEE802.11b communication unit 143, and the IEEE802.11c communication unit 144) is selected to perform communication. Further, when the wired communication network is determined, the high-speed broadband communication unit 145 or the relatively low-speed narrowband communication unit 146 is selected to perform communication. The determination of the communication network, the selection of the access point, the selection of the broadband and the narrow band can be configured in various forms depending on the installation location of the relay unit 100, etc. A specified infrastructure or communication method included in the authentication information of the camera 1 can be selected. Further, for example, the user of the digital camera 1 selects “Hurry” and “No Hurry”, and it is expensive for the user of “Hurry”, but the user can use the fastest infrastructure or use the “Hurry” user. Although it is relatively slow, cheap infrastructure or a late night time may be used.
[0055]
Next, the operation of the network print system of this embodiment will be described more specifically. First, processing performed for imaging in the digital camera 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 1 in the network print system of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the imaging means 21 captures an image of a subject, and image data S0 is acquired and stored in the frame memory 23 (S1) and displayed on the display means 26 (S2). Next, it is determined whether or not the transfer confirmation button 27 is pressed by the user (S3). When the button is pressed (S3: Yes), the image data S0 is selected as the selected image data S1 for placing a print order, and the input means by the user Order information C is generated based on the contents of the print order from 24 (S4). Then, the selected image data S1 is stored in the first storage area 28A of the data memory 28 together with the order information C (S5), and the process is terminated.
[0056]
On the other hand, if the transfer confirmation button 27 is not pressed in step S3 (S3: No), it is determined whether or not the user inputs from the input means 24 that the image data S0 is stored in the digital camera 1. (S6). If it is input (S6: Yes), the image data S0 captured by the user is stored in the second storage area 28B of the data memory 28 (S7), and the process is terminated, but if it is not input (S6: No), it can be assumed that the user is wondering whether to make a print order for the image data S0 or store it in the digital camera 1, and the image data S0 is stored in the temporary storage area 28C of the data memory 28 (S8), and the process is terminated To do.
[0057]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the relay unit 100 in the network print system shown in FIG. As illustrated, the relay unit 100 starts when the selected image data S1 is transmitted from the digital camera 1 (S10). In the following description, the authentication information N necessary for communicating with the relay unit 100 in the digital camera 1 has already been acquired and stored in the authentication information storage means 42, and a plurality of selected image data S1 is obtained by imaging. Is obtained, order information C for a plurality of selected image data S1 is also generated and stored in the first storage area 28A of the data memory 28, and preparation for transmission of the selected image data S1 is completed.
[0058]
When the selected image data S1 is transmitted from the digital camera 1 (S10), the communication control unit 105 of the relay unit 100 checks the data frame to confirm the communication method of the digital camera 1 (S12) and the first The communication unit corresponding to this communication method is selected from the communication units of the communication unit 110, and communication between the selected communication unit and the digital camera 1 is performed (S14). The authentication unit 122 performs authentication by comparing the authentication information N of the selected image data S1 received via the selected communication unit with user information and authentication information stored in a database (not shown) (S16), and registration. If it is not a registered user (or digital camera) (S18: No), an authentication failure message or the like is displayed and access is denied (S20), while the process is terminated, while if it is a registered user (S18: Yes) The selected communication unit continues to receive the selected image data S1 from the digital camera 1, and the received selected image data S1 is temporarily stored in the buffer 130 together with the order information C (S30). The transfer control unit 120 selects an infrastructure for transferring the selected image data S1 stored in the buffer 130, and transmits a communication unit corresponding to the infrastructure selected from each communication unit of the second communication unit 140. A time zone and the like are determined (S32). The billing processing unit 124 performs billing processing according to the order contents of the selected image data S1 to be transferred and the infrastructure, communication unit, time zone, etc. used for the transfer (S34). The communication unit selected by the transfer control unit 120 transmits the selected image data S1 for which the accounting process has been performed to the minilab 250 in the selected time zone via the selected infrastructure, and ends the process (S36). .
[0059]
The minilab 250 performs print processing on the selected image data S1 transmitted from the relay unit 100 according to the order information C transmitted together with the selected image data 1.
[0060]
As described above, according to the network print system of the present embodiment, the relay unit 100 is compatible with different wireless communication methods, communicates with the digital camera by a communication method corresponding to the wireless communication method of a plurality of digital cameras, and is digitally Since the image data uploaded from the camera is transferred to a predetermined transmission destination, the user of the digital camera can upload the image data without worrying about the communication method of the own digital camera. it can.
[0061]
Conventionally, in order to use a wireless LAN access point, after making a contract with an ISP providing a wireless LAN service, it is necessary to search for an access point installed by this ISP or an ISP with a roaming contract with this ISP. However, if communication with the relay unit 100 is established by using the relay unit 100 according to the present embodiment, the image data is transferred by the relay unit 100, so that the contract with the ISP or the like is not a concern. You can upload image data.
[0062]
Further, the second communication unit 140 of the relay unit 100 has a plurality of communication units capable of performing communication via various communication networks such as wired and wireless (including a mobile phone network), thereby transferring data. Charges can be set according to speed, time zone, etc., and more flexible services can be provided.
[0063]
In addition, since user authentication is also performed with the relay unit 100, various authentication procedures that differ depending on the ISP are not complicated and simple.
[0064]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the communication relay device of the present invention can be variously increased / decreased and changed without changing the gist of the present invention.
[0065]
For example, in the network print system of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, image data is transferred to a mini-lab of a photo shop via the Internet. For example, a plurality of units of ad hoc mode is used by using an ad hoc mode of wireless LAN communication. If you establish a closed environment between relay units by installing relay units that communicate with each other in a theme park in a mountainous area, only one of these relay units can be used in a photo shop minilab using the mobile phone network. By simply providing a communicable communication unit and constructing it as a gateway, image data received by each relay unit can be transferred through the relay unit serving as the gateway to place a print order.
[0066]
Further, the transfer of the image data to the minilab is not limited to transmission from the relay unit, but it is of course possible to periodically access the relay unit from a photo store and download the image data if there is any.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network print system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera used in the network print system shown in FIG.
3 is a rear perspective view of a digital camera used in the network print system shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a relay unit 100 in the network print system shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed when the digital camera used in the network print system shown in FIG. 1 captures images;
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the relay unit 100 in the network print system shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Digital camera
4 Communication chip
21 Imaging means
22 Control means
22A memory
23 frame memory
24 Input means
25 Compression and decompression means
26 Display means
27 Transfer confirmation button
28 Data memory
29 Communication interface
41 Communication means
42 Authentication information storage means
43 Destination storage means
100 relay unit
105 Communication control unit
110 First communication unit
120 Transfer control unit
122 Authentication part
124 Charge processing unit
130 buffers
140 Second communication unit
150 communication network
160 base station
170 access point
180 ISP (Internet Service Provider)
200 Internet
250 Minilab

Claims (2)

A plurality of wireless communication means each capable of communicating with a plurality of imaging devices capable of transmitting image data acquired by imaging using different predetermined wireless communication methods;
Temporary storage means for temporarily storing the image data transmitted from the imaging device;
A communication relay apparatus comprising: transfer means capable of transmitting the image data stored by the temporary storage means to a predetermined transmission destination. Further comprising authentication means for authenticating the imaging device;
The communication relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit performs authentication using identification information unique to the imaging apparatus provided to the imaging apparatus.

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