JP2006067146A - Image distribution server, relay server of mail with image, and operation control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent loss of copyright information, even if image data are converted. <P>SOLUTION: Image data and copyright information included in an image file are separated (step 31). The separated copyright information is so converted that it can be recognized by a mobile phone that is a transmission destination of the image file (step 32). Furthermore, the image data has the data volume adjusted and has the format converted so that the image data can be displayed on the mobile phone that is the transmission destination (step 33). The converted copyright information and image data are stored in the image file (step 34) and are transmitted to the mobile phone. Since the mobile phone which receives the image file can recognize the copyright information, redistribution of image data can be managed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image distribution server, an image attached mail relay server, and their operation control methods.

Some mobile phones can display an image represented by the received image data by transmitting and receiving the image data. However, the number of pixels of an image that can be displayed depends on the model of the mobile phone. For this reason, there is one that adjusts the amount of image data according to the model of the mobile phone (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-56662

In addition, since it is very easy to copy image data, it is also considered to manage the copyright and restrict distribution. For example, copyright management using an author information file different from an image file (Patent Document 2), image management using a password (Patent Document 3), redistribution restriction identifier for image data (Patent Document 4) and the like.
JP-A-6-96133 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-136486 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-223476

  However, copyright management is relatively troublesome when using an author information file different from the image file or using a password. In addition, when the redistribution restriction identifier is included in the image data, the copyright information may be lost when the data amount of the image data is adjusted according to the mobile phone type.

  It is an object of the present invention to perform image copyright management relatively easily and to prevent the loss of copyright information.

  The image delivery server according to the first invention is a receiving means for receiving model information and an image data request of the portable terminal device transmitted from the portable terminal device, and stores image data and copyright information of the image data. Image file searching means for finding an image file storing image data corresponding to an image data request received by the receiving means from an image file database in which a large number of stored image files are stored, and the receiving means The image data adjusting means for adjusting the data amount of the image data stored in the image file found by the image file search means so that the data amount corresponds to the model information received by the image data search means, received by the receiving means Works that convert copyright information to become copyright information based on model information A copyright information conversion unit; and a transmission unit that transmits the image data whose data amount has been adjusted by the image data amount adjustment unit and the copyright information converted by the copyright information conversion unit to the portable terminal device. It is characterized by being.

  The first invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the image distribution server. In other words, this method receives the model information and image data request of the portable terminal device transmitted from the portable terminal device, and there are many image files in which image data and copyright information of the image data are stored. From the stored image file database, find the image file that stores the image data corresponding to the image data request received by the receiving means so that the data amount corresponds to the received model information. , Adjust the data amount of the image data stored in the found image file, convert the copyright information to become the copyright information based on the received model information, the image data with the adjusted data amount and the conversion The copyright information is transmitted to the portable terminal device.

  According to the first invention, the model information and the image data request are transmitted from the portable terminal device. When an image data request is received, an image file storing image data corresponding to the request is found from the image file database. The data amount of the image data stored in the found image file is adjusted so as to be the data amount of the image data corresponding to the portable terminal device of the transmission destination. In addition, the copyright information stored in the found image file is converted so that the copyright information is based on the received model information. The image data with the data amount adjusted and the converted copyright information are transmitted to the portable terminal device.

  It is possible to prevent the copyright information from being lost by converting the copyright information so as to be suitable for the portable terminal device of the transmission destination. It is relatively easy to manage image copyright.

  The image file database may be provided separately or connected to communicate with the image distribution server.

  An image attached mail relay server according to a second invention is a receiving means for receiving an e-mail attached with an image file transmitted from a portable terminal device and storing image data and copyright information of the image data; Image data adjusting means for adjusting the data amount of the image data so that the data amount corresponds to the portable terminal device to which the electronic mail is transmitted; copyright information based on the mobile phone to which the electronic mail is transmitted; The copyright information converting means for converting the copyright information, the image data whose data amount is adjusted by the image data adjusting means, and the copyright information converted by the copyright information converting means are stored. It is characterized by comprising a transmission means for transmitting an electronic mail attached with an image file to the portable terminal device of the transmission destination.

  The second invention also provides an operation control method suitable for the image attachment mail relay server. That is, in this method, an electronic mail transmitted from a portable terminal device and attached with an image file in which image data and copyright information of the image data are stored is received, and the transmission destination mobile phone of the electronic mail is received. Adjusting the data amount of the image data so that the data amount corresponds to the type terminal device, converting the copyright information so that the copyright information is based on the mobile phone to which the e-mail is transmitted, An e-mail attached with an image file storing image data whose data amount has been adjusted and copyright information converted by the copyright information converting means is transmitted to the portable terminal device as the transmission destination. .

  According to the second invention, an e-mail attached with an image file storing image data and copyright information of the image data is received. The data amount of the image data is adjusted so that the data amount corresponds to the portable terminal device that is the destination of the e-mail. Also, the copyright information is converted so that the copyright information is suitable for the portable terminal device to which the e-mail is transmitted. An image file in which the image data whose data amount has been adjusted and the converted copyright information is stored is attached to the e-mail and transmitted to the portable terminal device of the transmission destination.

  Also in the second invention, the copyright information can be managed relatively easily, and even if the data amount of the image data is adjusted, it is possible to prevent the copyright information from being lost.

  The image data may represent a moving image.

  FIG. 1 shows an overview of an image distribution system for mobile phones.

  This image distribution system includes an image distribution server 2, a client computer 1 and a mobile phone 3 that can communicate with the image distribution server 2.

  In the image distribution system according to this embodiment, the image file generated in the client computer 1 is uploaded to the image distribution server 2 and stored in the image distribution server 2. When there is an image request from the mobile phone 3, an image file corresponding to the request is found, and the image data is converted into a size and format suitable for display on the mobile phone 3. The converted image data is transmitted from the image distribution server 2 to the mobile phone 3.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the image file uploaded to the image distribution server 2 from the client computer 1 includes copyright information about the image data in addition to the image data. This copyright information is also converted so as to correspond to the type of the mobile phone 3 that transmitted the request. It is possible to prevent the copyright information defined by the user of the client computer 1 from being lost due to the conversion of the image data.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image distribution server 2.

  The overall operation of the image distribution server 2 is controlled by the CPU 10.

  As described above, the image distribution server 2 includes the communication interface 15 for communicating with the client computer 1 and the mobile phone 3. The image file transmitted from the client computer 1 is input to the image distribution server 2 through the communication interface 15 and stored in the image database 14. When there is an image request from the mobile phone 3, an image file corresponding to the request is read from the image database 14.

  The image data stored in the read image file is converted into a format suitable for display on the mobile phone 3. Further, the copyright information stored in the header of the image file is also converted into information suitable for the mobile phone 3. An image file storing the converted image data and copyright information is transmitted to the mobile phone 3 via the communication interface 15.

  The image distribution server 2 includes a keyboard 13, and a command signal output from the keyboard 13 is input to the CPU 10. The image distribution server 2 also includes a display device 11 for displaying images and a memory 12 for temporarily storing data.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the file structure (data structure) of the image file stored in the image database 14.

  In the image file, a header recording area and an image data recording area are defined.

  Image data is recorded in the image data recording area. In the header recording area, header information such as image file management information is recorded. In particular, in this embodiment, copyright information is also recorded in the header recording area. This copyright information indicates whether or not redistribution of image data recorded in the image data recording area is permitted (redistribution may be permitted only for some models), and the client that generated the image file. It is input by a user of the computer 1 (although it may be input by a person other than the user of the client computer 1). The copyright information recorded in the header area of the image file stored in the image database 14 is defined by a character string in the form of whether redistribution is possible or not.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a mobile phone table stored in the memory 12 of the image distribution server 2.

  The mobile phone table stores the image size and format (image format) that can be displayed on the mobile phone that sent the image request, and the copyright information format for each mobile phone model.

  For example, if the model of the mobile phone is “A”, the size of the image that can be displayed on the mobile phone is horizontal XX pixel vertical XX pixel, and the image format is JPEG (joint photographic experts group). I understand. If the model of the mobile phone is “A”, the copyright information format is “Copy = NO” when the image data cannot be redistributed, and the image data is stored. It can be seen that it is recorded in the header recording area of the image file.

  Similarly, if the mobile phone model is “B”, the size of the image that can be displayed on the mobile phone is horizontal ΔΔ pixel vertical ΔΔ pixel, and the image format is PNG (Portable Netwark Graphics). Recognize. If the model of the mobile phone is “B”, the copyright information format is “copyright” if the image data cannot be redistributed, and the image file in which the image data is stored. It can be seen that it is recorded in the header recording area.

  As described above, the size, image format, and copyright information of the image represented by the image data to be transmitted are different depending on the model of the mobile phone to which the image file is to be transmitted. It is remembered.

  An image file is generated by referring to the mobile phone table so as to obtain an appropriate image size and format and copyright information according to the model of the mobile phone that transmitted the image request.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the file structure of an image file transmitted to the mobile phone.

  Assume that the mobile phone model of the transmission destination is “A” (see FIG. 4).

  In the header recording area of the image file, “Copy = NO” is recorded as copyright information corresponding to the mobile phone model “A”. In the image data recording area, JPEG format image data of horizontal XX pixels and vertical XX pixels is recorded.

  Since the image file stores image data and copyright information corresponding to the model “A” of the cellular phone, the image represented by the image data can be displayed on the cellular phone “A” and the cellular phone “A” can be displayed. A "can recognize the copyright information. Distribution of image data can be restricted based on copyright information.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the image distribution server.

  The model information and request of the mobile phone 3 are transmitted from the mobile phone 3 to the image distribution server 2, and the model information and request are received by the image distribution server 2 (step 21). Then, the model of the mobile phone 3 is determined (step 22). Further, the image file corresponding to the request is read from the image database 14 (step 23).

  The image data stored in the image file read from the image database 14 has an appropriate size and format according to the model of the mobile phone, and the copyright information stored in the image file is stored in the mobile phone. Conversion is made so that the format is appropriate for the model (step 24). This conversion process will be described in detail later (FIG. 7). By the conversion, image data suitable for display on the mobile phone 3 and copyright information that can be recognized by the mobile phone 3 are obtained. An image file storing the obtained image data and copyright information is transmitted from the image distribution server 2 to the mobile phone 3 (step 25). Since the mobile phone can recognize the copyright information, it can prevent the image data from being redistributed by mistake. It will be possible to manage the redistribution of image data.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of image format and copyright information conversion (the processing procedure of step 24 in FIG. 6).

  As described above, when the image file corresponding to the request is read from the image database 14, the image data and the copyright information stored in the image file are extracted (separated) (step 31). As for the copyright information, the format (character string) is converted so that the requesting mobile phone can recognize it (step 32). The image size and format of the image data are converted so that they can be displayed on the requested mobile phone (step 33).

  The converted copyright information is stored in the header recording area of the image file, and the converted image data is recorded in the image data recording area of the image file (step 34). In this way, an image file is created in which copyright information that can be recognized by the requesting mobile phone and image data that can be displayed by the mobile phone are stored. The generated image file is transmitted from the image distribution server 2 to the mobile phone 3 as described above.

  8 and 9 show another embodiment.

  FIG. 8 shows an outline of the image distribution system.

  In the image distribution system described above, the image file transmitted from the client computer 1 is stored in the image database 14 of the image distribution server 2. In the image distribution system according to this embodiment, the image distribution server 45 is Different image storage servers 44 store image files transmitted from the client computer 1. A request transmitted from the mobile phone 43 is given to the image storage server 44 via the image distribution server 45, and an image file corresponding to the request is found. The found image file is subjected to the above-described image format conversion process and copyright information conversion process. An image file storing the image data subjected to the image format conversion and the converted copyright information is transmitted from the image distribution server 45 to the mobile phone 43.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the image distribution server 45 and the image storage server 44.

  The model information and request are transmitted from the cellular phone 43 to the image distribution server 45, and the model distribution information and request are received by the image distribution server 45 (step 71). As described above, the model of the mobile phone 43 is determined (step 72), and the received request is transmitted from the image distribution server 45 to the image storage server 44 (step 73).

  When the request transmitted from the image distribution server 45 is received by the image storage server 44, an image file corresponding to the request is found in the image storage server 44 (step 78). The found image file is transmitted from the image storage server 44 to the image distribution server 45 (step 79).

  When the image file transmitted from the image storage server 44 is received by the image distribution server 45 (step 74), as described above (see FIG. 7), the image data is stored in accordance with the model of the mobile phone 43 that transmitted the request. An image format conversion process and a copyright information conversion process are performed (step 75). The image file storing the image data and the copyright information respectively obtained by the conversion is transmitted from the image distribution server 45 to the mobile phone 43 (step 76).

  10 to 12 show still another embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electronic mail delivery system.

  An image attachment mail with an image file attached is transmitted from the image capturing device 80 such as a mobile phone to the e-mail relay server 81. Image format conversion is performed on the image data so as to be suitable for display on the destination image reproduction terminal device included in the e-mail body of the image-attached mail, and image data is generated. Also, copyright information converted so as to be recognized by the destination image reproduction terminal device is generated. The e-mail attached with the generated image data and the image file storing the copyright information or the image file and the e-mail are separately transmitted to the image reproduction terminal device 82 or 83.

  If the transmission destination included in the e-mail body of the image attachment mail is the image reproduction terminal device 82 capable of receiving the image attachment mail, an image in which reduced image data suitable for display on the image reproduction terminal device 82 is stored. The e-mail with the file attached is transmitted from the e-mail relay server 81 to the image reproduction terminal device 82. In the case of the image terminal playback device 83 that cannot receive the image attached mail, first, the electronic mail body is transmitted from the email relay server 81 to the image playback terminal device 83. If there is a request for an image file from the image reproduction terminal device 83, the image file is transmitted from the electronic mail relay server 81 to the image reproduction terminal device 83 in response to the request.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the e-mail relay server 81.

  An image-attached mail is transmitted from the image capturing terminal device 80 and received by the electronic mail relay server 81 (step 91). The attached image file and the email body are separated from the received image attached mail (step 92).

  Since the separated e-mail body includes a transmission destination, the transmission destination and the model of the transmission destination are determined (step 93). Further, as described above (see FIG. 5), image format conversion is performed on the image data stored in the separated image file so that the image and format have an appropriate size according to the transmission destination model. (Step 94). Also, the copyright information is converted so that the destination model can be recognized.

  If the transmission destination can receive an email attached to an image like the image playback terminal device 82 (YES in step 95), the image file storing the reduced image data subjected to the image format conversion is separated. Attached to the e-mail body (step 96). The e-mail attached with the image file is transmitted to the image reproduction terminal device 82 (step 97).

  If the transmission destination is such that the image attached mail cannot be received as in the image reproduction terminal device 83 (NO in step 95), the URL of the storage destination of the image data is written in the electronic mail body (step 98). The electronic mail body in which the URL is written is transmitted from the electronic mail relay server 81 to the image reproduction terminal device 83 (step 99).

  When the image reproducing terminal device 83 receives the electronic mail body in which the URL is written and the user who has read the electronic mail accesses the written URL, the image reproducing terminal device 83 transfers the image file to the electronic mail relay server 81. Request is sent.

  When the request transmitted from the image reproduction terminal device 83 is transmitted to the e-mail relay server 81 and received by the e-mail relay server 81 (YES in step 100), the image file corresponding to the request is stored in the e-mail relay server 81. It is read out from the image database (the image file storing the image data whose format has been converted as described above is stored corresponding to the URL) (step 101). Of course, it goes without saying that the image database may be provided as an image storage server separately from the electronic mail relay server 81. The image file read from the image database is transmitted to the image reproduction terminal device 83 that transmitted the request (step 102).

  The image data stored in the image file attached to the e-mail transmitted from the image capturing device 80 is not limited to compressed image data of still images such as JPEG, but is compressed image data of moving images such as MPEG. Also good. Even when an image file storing moving image data is attached, the reduction processing and the format conversion processing are performed in the same manner as described above, and the copyright information and the moving image are processed according to the destination image reproduction terminal device. It is possible to transmit an e-mail to which an image file storing data is attached, or to transmit an image file storing copyright information and moving image data in response to a request.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is configured by software, but it goes without saying that it may be realized by hardware.

1 is an overview of an image distribution system. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of an image delivery server. It is the file structure of the image file accumulate | stored in the image delivery server. It is an example of a mobile phone table. It is a file structure of the image file transmitted. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an image delivery server. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an image format and copyright information conversion. 1 is an overview of an image distribution system. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an image delivery server. An overview of an e-mail delivery system is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an electronic mail relay server. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an electronic mail relay server.

Explanation of symbols

1 Client computer 2,45 Image distribution server 3 Mobile phone
10 CPU
12 memory
14 Image database
15 Communication interface
44 Image storage server
80 Image capture terminal
81 E-mail relay server
82, 83 Image playback terminal

Claims (6)

Receiving means for receiving the model information and image data request of the portable terminal device transmitted from the portable terminal device;
Image data corresponding to the image data request received by the receiving means is stored from an image file database storing a large number of image files storing image data and copyright information of the image data. Image file search means to find the image file,
Image data adjusting means for adjusting the data amount of the image data stored in the image file found by the image file search means so that the data amount corresponds to the model information received by the receiving means;
Copyright information converting means for converting copyright information so as to become copyright information based on the model information received by the receiving means, image data whose data amount has been adjusted by the image data amount adjusting means, and copyright information Transmitting means for transmitting the copyright information converted by the converting means to the portable terminal device;
An image distribution server with   The image distribution server according to claim 1, wherein the image file database is provided separately from the image distribution server. Receiving means for receiving an e-mail attached with an image file transmitted from a portable terminal device and storing image data and copyright information of the image data;
Image data adjusting means for adjusting the data amount of the image data so that the data amount corresponds to the portable terminal device to which the electronic mail is transmitted;
The copyright information converting means for converting the copyright information so that the copyright information is based on the mobile phone to which the e-mail is transmitted, and the image data whose data amount is adjusted by the image data adjusting means and the copyright Transmitting means for transmitting an e-mail attached with an image file storing copyright information converted by the right information converting means to the portable terminal device as the destination;
E-mail relay server with image attachment.   The image-attached mail relay server according to claim 3, wherein the image data is image data representing a moving image. Receive the model information and image data request of the portable terminal device sent from the portable terminal device,
Image data corresponding to the image data request received by the receiving means is stored from an image file database storing a large number of image files storing image data and copyright information of the image data. Find the image file
Adjust the data amount of the image data stored in the found image file so that the data amount corresponds to the received model information.
Convert the copyright information so that it becomes the copyright information based on the received model information,
Send the image data with the adjusted data amount and the converted copyright information to the portable terminal device.
An operation control method of the image distribution server. Receives an e-mail attached from an image file that is transmitted from a portable terminal device and stores image data and copyright information of the image data.
Adjust the data amount of the image data so that the data amount corresponds to the portable terminal device to which the e-mail is sent,
The copyright information is converted into copyright information based on the mobile phone to which the email is sent,
Sending an e-mail attached with an image file storing the image data in which the data amount is adjusted and the copyright information converted by the copyright information converting means, to the portable terminal device of the transmission destination;
An operation control method of the image attachment mail relay server.

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