JP2006157879A - Communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image management service such as browsing, storing, and printing for a large-capacity image photographed with a portable telephone equipped with a camera. <P>SOLUTION: An image photographed with a portable telephone 10 equipped with a camera is uploaded from an image service terminal 40 to an image management center 70 on the Internet 60. The image management center 70 manages images based on communication terminal discrimination data such as a telephone number. The image management center 70 provides various setting environments such as browsing, introducing, and printing of images, as a WWW service which can be accessed from the portable telephone 10 equipped with a camera by way of a carrier 80. Printed images and image data can be received from an image service terminal 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a management method and management apparatus for image input, browsing, storage, printing, usage fee payment, and the like, and in particular, provides a communication terminal with an imaging function such as a mobile phone or a mobile phone with a camera, and a photo printing service. A management method, a management system for performing management services such as image browsing, storage, printing, and usage fee payment in cooperation with an image service terminal and an image management center having a WWW (World Wide Web) server on the Internet; and The present invention relates to an image service terminal, a communication terminal, and a portable storage medium.

  A conventional digital image management method will be described. Management of digital images includes storage or storage, display or browsing, and printing.

  The image storage service is a service for temporarily storing image data transferred from a user via communication, and can avoid a trouble that a memory of a digital camera or the like becomes full. Specifically, when the user selects an image storage service, transmits image data to be stored to the server, and transmits user ID and password registration information, the server stores these images on a hard disk or the like. After returning home, the user can obtain these images at hand through the Internet or the like. From there, a print service can be requested. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

  The image display service is a service that encourages users to share photos by displaying and publishing digital images via communication. Specifically, when the user selects an image display service and transmits image data and registration information (user ID, password) that the user wants to display / publish, the server registers these images in the digital image database, and these images Is linked with HTML to create and publish a homepage where images can be viewed. An acquaintance can refer to the published image and request download and print services. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

  The print service is a service in which image data transferred from a user via communication is converted into a photo print and returned to the user. Specifically, when the user selects a print service and transmits image data to be printed and registration information (user ID, password, number of prints of each image data and print paper size) to the server, the server has been transferred. The image data and registration information (user ID, password, number of prints specified, print paper size specified) are transmitted to the laboratory. In the lab, image data is printed out on a photo print by a photo printer according to the registered information, and the photo print is delivered to a photo shop or the like by a photo delivery system. The user can receive the photo print by verifying the ID and password at the photo store and paying a fee. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

JP 2001-128113 A (paragraphs 0035 to 0037, FIGS. 1, 2, and 4)

  Since the conventional digital image management method and the apparatus used therefor are configured as described above, there are the following problems. In other words, image data is much larger than character data, and a large amount of data is transmitted to the server using a cellular phone line with a low data rate. Become. Of course, the amount of data increases in proportion to the image size, and the transmission time and communication charge increase accordingly.

  In addition, regardless of which service is used, it is necessary to enter an ID and password for management, and therefore the user needs to memorize or write them down.

  Furthermore, since the print service is printed in the lab and delivered to the photo shop in response to the print request, it takes time to receive the photo, and it is not only necessary to go to the photo shop to pick up the photo, There is also a problem that it takes time for the user to prepare and pay the print fee.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-described problems, and in an image management method and system capable of providing services such as browsing, storage, and printing of captured images, a communication fee burden for transmission of the captured images is provided. The purpose is to lighten.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide an image management method and system capable of providing services such as browsing, storage, and printing of captured images without taking the trouble of setting a new ID and password.

  A third object of the present invention is to provide an image management method and system capable of providing services such as browsing, storage, and printing of captured images in consideration of the time required for printing as a waiting time when viewed from the user. With the goal.

The present invention
In an image management method that allows a user to view an image electronically or to order an image,
A data reading process for reading image data;
An image album creating process for creating an electronic image album from the image data;
A browsing screen providing step for providing a screen that allows a user to browse the electronic image album;
An ordering screen providing step for providing a screen that allows a user to order an image based on the electronic image album;
An order receiving process for receiving order data corresponding to an order made by a user on the screen provided in the order screen providing process;
An image preparation step of preparing an order image based on the order data;
An image storage step for storing the image prepared in the image preparation step for delivery to the user;
An image management method comprising: an image providing step of passing an image stored in the image storage step to a user.

  The present invention includes a data reading process, an image album creating process, a browsing screen providing process, an ordering screen providing process, an order receiving process, an image preparing process, and an image providing process. Thus, an image management service such as browsing and storage and providing images (printed images and image data) is realized, which is advantageous for the user.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and devices connected thereto. As shown in the figure, this image management system includes a plurality of image service terminals having a function of transferring data and a function of printing an image with communication terminals such as mobile phones 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 30, 30a, 30b, etc. 40, 40a, 40b and an image management center 70. These are connected to a communication carrier 80 via a communication network such as the Internet 60.

  Among the mobile phones, mobile phones 10, 10a, 10b, and 10c are camera-equipped mobile phones in which an imaging unit is mounted on the mobile phone. As the imaging unit, a unit having substantially the same function as that of a digital still camera is used, and an image captured by the imaging element is stored as digital data. The configuration may be, for example, a configuration in which a camera unit is built in a mobile phone body, or a configuration in which a camera unit is built in a camera adapter independent from the mobile phone body.

  The mobile phones 30, 30 a, and 30 b may or may not be equipped with a camera, but will be described below as not having a camera (having no imaging function).

  The image service terminals 40, 40a, 40b are similar to vending machines at convenience stores, photo stores, DPE (Development Printing Enlargement) service stores, mobile phone stores, shopping centers, consumer electronics mass stores, etc. It is assumed that the user operates it by himself. In addition to image services, image service terminals also have functions for providing various services such as sales of various admission tickets, music data and game software, application for qualification examinations, sales of travel products, and cash deposits. It may be a thing.

  The image service terminals 40, 40a, 40b, the image management center 70, and the communication carrier 80 are connected to the Internet 60, but may be connected to other communication networks such as a dedicated line and a telephone network instead. Further, the connection between the image service terminals 40, 40a, and 40b and the Internet may be wireless communication or wired communication.

The image management system shown in FIG. 1 performs processing corresponding to browsing of electronic images obtained by imaging and ordering of images (order of image printing and ordering of image data), which will be described in detail later. The image service terminals 40, 40a, 40b read image data and communication terminal identification data (for example, a mobile phone number) from the mobile phones 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 30, 30a, 30b.
The image service terminals 40, 40 a, 40 b send the read image data to the image management center 70.

  The image management center 70 accumulates the transmitted image data. At this time, each image data is stored in association with identification data of the communication terminal that is the source of the image data. Also, a series of image data read from the communication terminal is collected into one group and stored in association with each other.

  The image management center 70 creates and stores an electronic image album for each communication terminal identification data, for example, from the stored image data (associated with the identification data of the communication terminal). At this time, the image data is reduced to the number of pixels that can be displayed on the display unit of the user's communication terminal. Each image in the electronic image album is correlated with a corresponding full-size image (an unreduced image) by an image identification code.

  The image management center 70 is connected to the electronic image album browsing screen, and allows the user to browse the electronic image album and order images when the electronic image album is ready for browsing. Is provided to the communication terminal of the user, and a browsing request and an image order from the user are received.

  The image management center 70 also provides a screen that allows the user's communication terminal to designate an image service terminal to which an image is to be delivered when order data is created.

  When the image order is a print image order, the image management center 70 further includes an image identification code (for example, a series of image data or the number of images in each album), the number of copies as part of the order data. The printing paper information and the communication terminal identification data are received.

  When the image order is an image data order, the image management center 70 further receives an image identification code (for example, a series of image data or an image number in each album) as part of the order data. To do.

  The image management center 70 further transmits image data to the image service terminal designated for image delivery and instructs the image service terminal to prepare for image delivery. That is, if the image order is a print image order, the image is printed in accordance with the printing conditions, and the print image is stored in preparation for delivery. The image service terminal is instructed to store the image data in preparation for delivery.

  The image service terminal that has received the image data from the image management center 70 and has received the above instruction prepares for delivery of the image. That is, when the order of the image is the order of the print image, the image is printed according to the print condition, and the print image is stored for delivery. If the image order is an image data order, the image data is stored for delivery.

  When the preparation for delivery of the image is ready, the image service terminal transmits an e-mail informing that to the mobile phone specified by the communication terminal identification data.

  The image management center 70 also calculates a usage fee based on the order data when processing an image order. At this time, the usage fee is calculated in association with the communication terminal identification data, and the usage fee data associated with the communication terminal identification data is transmitted to the communication fee management claimant of the user's communication terminal, for example, the communication carrier.

  Image reading and storage, notification of connection information to the image owner's communication terminal, etc., and communication terminal identification data used when using the image include telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, packet communication service addresses, communication Subscriber information including the customer management number, name, and address of the operator can be used.

  Other communication terminals may be used instead of the mobile phone. For example, portable devices, portable communication terminals, portable information terminals, portable information communication terminals, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants or Personal Data Assistants), PHS (Personal Handyphone System), and any device that is portable and equipped with a communication function There may be.

  A plurality of mobile phones with cameras 10, 10a, 10b, and 10c, and a plurality of mobile phones 30, 30a, and 30b are shown. This is because both 40a and 40b indicate that image data can be transferred. In the following description, the description of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is also applicable to the other camera-equipped mobile phones 10a, 10b, and 10c. The description of the mobile phone 30 is to the other mobile phones 30a and 30b. That is true. Similarly, the description of the image service terminal 40 also applies to the other image service terminals 40a and 40b.

  The user takes a picture with the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 stores image data obtained by imaging according to a user's shutter operation. The user stops at the image service terminal 40 that is closest to the shooting location or for other reasons, and transfers the image data captured by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40. By inputting image data to the image service terminal 40, the user can provide services such as photo printing, storage of image data, browsing of albums on the WWW site, and introduction of photos to related parties, as will be described in detail below. Can receive.

  The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 transfers image data and communication terminal identification data such as a telephone number and a mail address to the image service terminal 40 via, for example, a removable medium (portable storage medium). The image service terminal 40 uploads the image data associated with the communication terminal identification data to the image management center 70 via the Internet 60.

  The image management center 70 classifies the image data received from the image service terminal 40 based on the communication terminal identification data to create an album. At this time, the image management center 70 reduces the image size in consideration of the liquid crystal display screen of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 or the mobile phone 30 so as to be suitable for browsing on the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 or the mobile phone 30.

  When the image management center 70 is ready to provide the album browsing service, the connection information including the URL of the WWW site prepared for the user's image album is sent to the e-mail address of the user's camera-equipped mobile phone 10 by e-mail. Send as. When the user receives the electronic mail, the user accesses the URL and browses the image album. Mail reception of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and browsing of the WWW site by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 are performed through an Internet connection relayed by the communication carrier 80.

The user selects and orders an image (print image, image data) image to be obtained. On the other hand, the image management center 70 allows the user to select and specify the image receiving location. This selection is performed, for example, by displaying and selecting options for the receiving location on the display unit of the mobile phone. For example, as will be described in detail later, the image management center 70 obtains the location information of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 from the communication carrier 80 and obtains the nearest (that is, closest to the current location) image service terminal 40. The installation location is guided as an image receiving location. The user selects either “the nearest image service terminal 40”, “the image service terminal 40 near the home”, or “searches and specifies an arbitrary image service terminal 40” as the image receiving location. select.
Note that the image service terminal used to receive the image is not necessarily the same as the image service terminal that first received the image data transfer from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, but the same code (40) may be used for convenience. is there. However, different codes (such as 40 and 40a) may be used for distinction.

  When the user selects “Search and specify any image service terminal 40”, the image management center 70 prompts the user to input an address of the desired location, and the image installed at the location closest to the desired location. The service terminal 40 is guided. In addition, a past use history of the image service terminal 40 may be shown and selection from there may be prompted. The image management center 70 downloads the image ordered by the user to the image service terminal 40 selected by the user through the Internet 60 together with the communication terminal identification data.

  The image management center 70 charges the carrier 80 for the cost of the image album browsing service provided to the user and the image use service. The telecommunications carrier 80 manages the service charge of the image management center 70 together with the telephone charge of the user, the packet communication charge, and the information charge of other WWW sites, and bills the user collectively for each predetermined period. It is also good to do.

  The image service terminal 40 prints and stores the image ordered by the user. The user goes to receive the image ordered from the image service terminal 40. The image service terminal 40 performs user authentication with the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 owned by the user based on the communication terminal identification data associated with the image data (estimating the owner of the mobile phone as a valid user). ) Deliver the image that was stored for delivery. If the ordered image is a print image, the print image is discharged to the image receiving port. When the ordered image is image data, the data is transferred according to the operation by the user.

  Operations relating to generation and transfer of image data of a captured image of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows an appearance of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. FIG. 2A is a front view of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, and FIG. 2B is a rear view of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. FIG. 3 shows a portion in the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 that performs image processing and processing on image data obtained by the image capturing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 includes an antenna 20, a display unit 13, an operation unit 16, a camera lens unit 11a, and a slot 29 for removable media. A removable medium 28 is inserted in the removable medium slot 29.

  The operation unit 16 includes a telephone keyboard 16a, an “up” arrow key 16b, a “down” arrow key 16c, a “left” arrow key 16d, a “right” arrow key 16e, a “select” key 16f, and a “camera” key. 16g and a “shutter” key 16h. The imaging unit 11 is provided inside the camera lens unit 11a, that is, where the light that has passed through the camera lens unit 11a reaches.

  When the user instructs to take an image with the operation unit 16, input information of the operation unit 16 enters the control unit 17 illustrated in FIG. 3, and the control unit 17 controls the imaging unit 11 and the image processing unit 12. Output a signal. When the “camera” key 16g of the operation unit 16 is pressed, an image formed on the imaging surface of the imaging device disposed inside the camera lens through the camera lens unit 11a is photoelectrically converted and captured by the imaging device. The captured image is converted into a display format by the image processing unit 12, sent to the display unit 13, and displayed as a moving image on the display unit 13. The subject and the angle can be adjusted while monitoring the image on the display unit 13. When the “shutter” key 16h is pressed, the image processing unit 12 captures the image being captured at that time, compresses the image data, and stores the image data in the storage unit 15 via the bus 14. .

  When the user instructs the operation unit 16 to write the captured image on the removable medium, the input information of the operation unit 16 enters the control unit 17, and the control unit 17 controls the storage unit 15 and the media control unit 21. Output a signal. The image data stored in the storage unit 15 is sent to the media control unit 21 via the bus 14. The media control unit 21 writes the image data and the communication terminal identification data to the removable medium 28. The image data stored in the storage unit 15 is sent to the image processing unit 12 via the bus 14 as necessary. The image processing unit 12 performs processing for storage, such as compressing the image data, and sends it to the media control unit 21 via the bus 14. The media control unit 21 writes the image data to the removable medium 28.

  Thereafter, the operation of reading the image data in the removable medium 28 by the image service terminal 40 and creating an electronic image album by the image management center 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. I will explain.

  FIG. 4 shows how image data is transferred to the image service terminal 40 by the removable medium 28. As shown in the figure, the user removes the removable media 28 storing the captured image from the removable media slot 29 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and inserts it into the removable media slot 50 of the image service terminal 40.

  FIG. 5 shows a part of the image service terminal 40 that is involved in processing image data. The media control unit 49 reads image data and identification data from the removable medium 28. The read image data and identification data are stored in the storage unit 43 via the bus 46.

  The identification data transferred together with the image data from the mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40 includes communication terminal identification data and communication carrier identification data. The communication terminal identification data includes at least one of subscriber information including a telephone number, an e-mail address, a customer management number for a communication carrier, a name, and an address. Each image data is stored in association with identification data of the communication terminal that is the source of the image data. Also, a series of image data read from the communication terminal is collected into one group and stored in association with each other.

  The user instructs to upload the image data to an album browsing WWW site on the Internet using the operation unit 41 (FIG. 5) of the image service terminal 40. Input information of the operation unit 41 enters the control unit 42, and the control unit 42 outputs a signal for controlling the storage unit 43, the processing unit 44, and the communication unit 47. The image data and identification data stored in the storage unit 43 are converted into a transfer format by the processing unit 44 via the bus 46 and sent to the communication unit 47. The communication unit 47 packetizes the image data and transmits it to the image management center 70 via the Internet 60.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the image management center 70. A packet transmitted from the image service terminal 40 via the Internet 60 is received by the WWW server 71. The WWW server 71 stores the image data received from the image service terminal 40 in the storage unit 73 via the bus 72. The WWW server 71 stores the image data in a folder classified for each communication terminal identification data.

  A series of image data is collected into one group and related to each other, and further related to communication terminal identification data and stored in the storage unit 73. As a result of being stored in association with the communication terminal identification data in this way, a group of image data related to the same communication terminal identification data uploaded in the past from the same mobile phone is already stored in the storage unit 73. In some cases, it is also related to the group of image data and constitutes one set.

  The processing unit 74 reads the image data and the like from the storage unit 73 and creates an image album composed of the series of images uploaded from the same mobile phone. In this case, if a group of image data read from the same mobile phone in the past and related to the same mobile phone number is already stored in the storage unit, it is configured to form an album together with it. Alternatively, one album may be constituted only by the group of the series of image data. Below, it demonstrates as what employ | adopts the latter aspect.

  When composing an album, the processing unit 74 creates a reduced image obtained by reducing the captured image so that it can be displayed on the display unit 13 of the mobile phone. For example, the captured image may have a CIF size of about 100,000 pixels with horizontal 352 pixels and vertical 288 pixels, or a VGA size of about 300,000 pixels with horizontal 640 pixels and vertical 480 pixels. Alternatively, the number of pixels may exceed 1 million pixels. On the other hand, in general, the number of pixels of a display unit of a mobile phone is often about 120 pixels horizontally and 160 pixels vertically. Therefore, for viewing on a mobile phone, the captured image is reduced to an image size corresponding to the display unit of the mobile phone as shown in FIG. Each reduced image in the electronic image album has a correspondence relationship with the full-size image by the image identification code.

  The processing unit 74 stores the created HTML file of the image album and a link file such as a corresponding image file in the WWW server 71. Note that the images of the image album are created for viewing on a mobile phone, whereas when printing, full-size images stored in the storage unit 73 are used as will be described later. .

  When the home page of the image album is prepared, the WWW server 71 sends an e-mail notifying the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the WWW site of the image album to the e-mail address of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 To do. This e-mail has a role of notifying that the image album is completed, and describes an access method in addition to the URL. The e-mail sent from the WWW server 71 is received by the communication carrier 80 via the Internet 60.

  The system configuration of the communication carrier 80 is shown in FIG. The e-mail transmitted from the WWW server 71 in the image management center 70 is received by the net server 84. The e-mail received by the net server 84 is sent to the service server 82 via the bus 83. The data is received by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 by wireless communication from the base station 81.

  When this e-mail is received by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, the e-mail is displayed on the display unit 13 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 as a screen for guiding the browsing of the electronic image album. In response to this, the user of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 can access the URL and browse the image.

  Next, an operation related to access to the WWW (World Wide Web) site of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 6, and 8. The user instructs the operation unit 16 to access a WWW site on the Internet. Input information of the operation unit 16 enters the control unit 17, and the control unit 17 outputs a signal for controlling the packet communication unit 18 and the radio control unit 19. The packet communication unit 18 generates a packet for accessing a predetermined URL. The radio control unit 19 converts the packet data into a radio signal and transmits it from the antenna 20.

  The radio signal is received by the base station 81 of the communication carrier 80 and sent to the service server 82 of the communication carrier. The service server 82 provides various packet communication services to the mobile phone. The service server 82 analyzes the packet and sends it to the net server 84 via the bus 83 because the destination of the packet is on the Internet. The net server 84 sends a packet to the WWW server 71 corresponding to a predetermined URL. The net server 84 and the WWW server 71 are on the Internet 60.

  The WWW server 71 packetizes an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file (or a simplified version of an HTML file) accessed by the mobile phone 10 and sends it to the mobile phone 10 with a camera. This packetized file is delivered to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 by following the access path from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image management center 70 in the reverse direction.

  The packetized file sent from the image management center 70 is received by the antenna 20 and obtained as a file by the packet communication unit 18 via the radio control unit 19. The packet communication unit 18 sends the HTML file to the display unit 13 via the bus 14 and the image processing unit 12. While viewing the HTML file display screen, the user can operate the operation unit 16 to browse the WWW site of a desired URL on the mobile phone 10 to display a desired image or to order an image.

((Browsing images and ordering images))
FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are flowcharts showing processing performed in the image management center 70 in response to an image browsing request and image order from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 as described above. In the description of the following operations, reference numerals of corresponding portions in FIGS. 9 and 10 corresponding to the respective operations are added.

The image management center 70 provides an electronic image album browsing service according to the access of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. (f1).
That is, the WWW server 71 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone is an image browsing request, and transmits an HTML file and a related file corresponding to the accessed URL. The HTML file and the related file are received by the network server 84 of the communication carrier 80 via the Internet 60. The HTML file and the related file received by the network server 84 are transmitted from the service server 82 to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 via the bus 83 as packet communications.

  As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit 13 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. As shown in FIG. 11, this screen displays an image constituting a part of the first page of the album in the image display area 111 of the display unit 13 and displays a button in the button display area 112. is there. In the illustrated example, there are three buttons in the button display area 112. A selection button 113 is provided at the center, a right arrow button 115 is provided on the right side, and a left arrow button 114 is provided on the left side. When selecting an image displayed in the image display area 111, the selection button 113 is selected and a determination operation is performed as described later.

  When it is desired to browse another image in the album, the right arrow button 115 or the left arrow button 114 is selected and a determination operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 11, when the right arrow button 115 is selected (when it is selected, for example, the display color is changed as shown by hatching in the figure), and the determination operation is performed, the next image album is displayed. Access to the page (which includes the next image and is specified by the URL generated by selection of the next page) is performed. This access is transmitted to the image management center 70 via the Internet 60 as an application for browsing the next page of the image album.

  Also in this case, the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is a request for browsing the designated image, and transmits the HTML file designated by the accessed URL and the related file. . As a result, for example, the screen of FIG. 12 (including the image of the next page of the image album) is displayed on the display unit 13 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. The following operations are the same as described above.

  In FIG. 12, for example, as shown by hatching in FIG. 12, if the left arrow button 114 is selected and a determination operation is performed, the URL generated by the determination operation accesses the previous page of the image album. Done. As a result, the screen of FIG. 11 is displayed again on the display unit 13 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. The screens of FIGS. 11 and 12 used in the description are examples of image albums created based on captured images. In this way, images registered in the image album can be browsed in order by sequentially tracking a series of images using the arrow buttons (114, 115) from the currently displayed image.

  In addition, although it demonstrated as an operation for selection of the image of an image album (change of the displayed image), for example, the display of the arrow-shaped triangle button was used, you may use another user interface.

  For example, when the screen of FIG. 13 is displayed on the display unit 13 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, when the “select” button 113 is selected and a determination operation is performed as shown by hatching in FIG. The URL generated by the operation accesses the order page for image printing of the image album (f2). Also in this case, a URL indicating an image printing order page is sent to the image management center 70, and the image management center 70 sends the page specified by the sent URL.

  As a result, the transmitted page is displayed on the display unit 13 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 as a screen as shown in FIG. (In addition, sending such a specific page and displaying the screen is also referred to as “sending screen”.) The screen (order image confirmation screen) shown in FIG. This is for setting whether to place an order or a print image, and displays a “print image” button 116, an “image data” button 117, an “both” button 118 for image data and a print image, and “OK”. A button 120 and a “return” button 119 are displayed (f3).

  For example, when the user selects the “image data” button 117, the order data including the telephone number (as identification data) of the mobile phone that performed the ordering operation and the image identification code corresponding to the image data is stored in the image management center. 70. When the image management center 70 determines that the received data indicates order confirmation, the image management center 70 transmits a screen for setting or selecting the installation location of the image service terminal 40 that receives the image to prompt the selection of the installation location. (f9).

((Print order))
When the user selects the “print image” button 116 or the “both” button 118 on the screen of FIG. 14 (steps f2 and f3 of FIG. 9), the display unit 13 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 has the display shown in FIG. A screen as shown is transmitted (f4). The screen (print setting screen) shown in FIG. 15 is for setting or changing printing conditions. Each item of the printing conditions includes a “number of sheets” button 121, a “size” button 122, and a first one. A "paper type" (with gloss / edge) button 123 and a second "paper type" (with or without sticker) button 124 are displayed, and an "OK" button 120 and a "return" button 119 are displayed. Yes.

  Each item of the printing conditions (buttons 121 to 124) initially has a default value (default value). FIG. 15 shows an example of default values in which the number of printed sheets is 1, the sheet size is L, the sheet is glossy / no edge, and there is no seal (adhesive sheet).

  For example, if the default values shown in FIG. 15 are satisfied (the default values match the request and there are no print condition items to be changed), an “OK” button 120 is selected as shown by hatching in FIG. When the determination operation is performed, print order data including the telephone number (as identification data) of the mobile phone that performed the order operation and the identification code of the image to be printed is transmitted to the image management center 70 (f5). . When the image management center 70 determines that the sent data indicates that the printing conditions have been determined, the image management center 70 sets or selects an installation location of the image service terminal 40 that receives an image (only a print image or a print image and image data). A screen is transmitted to prompt selection of an installation location (f9).

  For example, when it is desired to change the number of printed sheets from “1” to “2” in the setting of FIG. 15, when the “number” button 121 is selected and a determination operation is performed as shown by hatching in FIG. The page for changing the number of prints is accessed by the URL generated by the above. In response to this, the image management center 70 transmits a page for changing the number of sheets designated by the sent URL to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 (f6).

  As a result, the sent page is displayed on the display unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 as a screen shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 18 is for changing the number of printed sheets, which is one item of the printing conditions. The “number of printed sheets” display portion 126, the “up arrow” button 127, the “down arrow” button 128, “ An “OK” button 120 and a “Return” button 119 are included. The default value for the number of prints is one. As shown by hatching in FIG. 18, when the up arrow 127 is selected and a determination operation is performed, the number of sheets is displayed as two as shown in FIG. As shown by hatching in FIG. 19, when the “OK” button 120 is selected and the determination operation is performed, the number data is transmitted to the image management center 70 together with the URL for designating the print setting page. Access to the print settings page is performed.

  The image management center 70 corrects the number data, which is one item of the printing conditions of the print setting page, from one to two, and transmits the corrected print setting page to the mobile phone (f4). As a result, the screen of FIG. 20 is displayed on the display unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. FIG. 20 is the same as FIG. 15, but “number of sheets” in the printing conditions is changed to “2”.

  When the setting values shown in FIG. 20 are satisfactory (the displayed values match the request and there are no print condition items to be changed), an “OK” button 120 is selected as shown by hatching in FIG. When the determination operation is performed, print order data including the telephone number (as identification data) of the mobile phone that performed the order operation and the identification code of the image to be printed is transmitted to the image management center 70 (f5). ). When the image management center 70 determines that the sent data indicates that the printing conditions have been determined, the image management center 70 transmits a screen for setting or selecting the installation location of the image service terminal 40 that receives the image, and selects the installation location. Prompt (f9).

  For example, when it is desired to change the paper size from the L size to the A5 size with the setting of FIG. 20, when the “size” button 122 is selected and the determination operation is performed as shown by hatching in FIG. The page for changing the print paper size is accessed by the URL. In response to this, the image management center 70 transmits a page for changing the paper size to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 (f7). As a result, the screen of FIG. 23 is displayed on the display unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10.

  The page shown in FIG. 23 is for changing the paper size. As options for the paper size, “L size (89 × 127 mm)” button 130, “2L size (127 × 178 mm)” button 131, “HV” A size (89 × 158 mm) ”button 132, a“ P size (89 × 254 mm) ”button 133, an“ A5 size (148 × 210 mm) ”button 134, and an“ A4 size (210 × 297 mm) ”button 135; An “OK” button 120 and a “Return” button 119 are included.

  The default value is L size (89 × 127 mm). For example, as shown by hatching in FIG. 24, when the A5 size (148 × 210 mm) is selected and the determination operation is performed, the paper size data is transmitted to the image management center 70 together with the URL specifying the print setting page, and transmitted. The print setting page is accessed by the URL that has been set. The image management center 70 changes the paper size from L size to A5 size, and transmits the modified setting page to the mobile phone (f4). As a result, the screen of FIG. 25 is displayed on the display unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. FIG. 25 is the same as FIG. 20 except that “size” in the printing conditions is changed to “A5”.

  If the setting values shown in FIG. 25 are satisfactory (the displayed values match the request and there are no print condition items to be changed), an “OK” button 120 is selected as shown by hatching in FIG. When the determination operation is performed, print order data including the telephone number (as identification data) of the mobile phone that performed the order operation and the identification code of the image to be printed is transmitted to the image management center 70 (f5). ). When the image management center 70 determines that the sent data indicates that the printing conditions have been determined, the image management center 70 transmits a screen for setting or selecting the installation location of the image service terminal 40 that receives the image (print image and image data). To prompt the selection of the installation location (f9).

  In the setting of FIG. 25, for example, when it is desired to change the paper from “Glossy / No border” to “No gloss / No border”, the “Paper” button 123 is selected as shown by hatching in FIG. Is performed, the print paper setting page is accessed by the URL generated by the determination operation. In response, the image management center 70 transmits the page to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 for paper setting (f8a). As a result, the screen of FIG. 28 is displayed on the display unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. The screen shown in FIG. 28 is used to change the type of paper (surface property, presence / absence of edge). As options for the paper type, a “with / without edge” button 137 and a “with / without edge” button are provided. 138, a “shiny / bordered” button 139, and a “shiny / bordered” button 140, and an “OK” button 120 and a “return” button 119. The default value is “Glossy / No border” 137.

  As shown by hatching in FIG. 29, when “no gloss / no border” 138 is selected and the determination operation is performed, the paper data is transmitted to the image management center 70 together with the URL for specifying the print setting page, and is transmitted. The print setting page is accessed by the URL. The image management center 70 corrects the paper data of the print setting page from “Glossy / No border” to “No gloss / No border”, and transmits the revised page to the mobile phone (f4). As a result, the screen of FIG. 30 is displayed on the display unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. FIG. 30 is the same as FIG. 25, but the “paper type” in the printing conditions is changed from “shiny / no border” to “no gloss / no border”.

  When the setting values shown in FIG. 30 are satisfied (the displayed values match the request and there are no print condition items to be changed), an “OK” button 120 is selected as shown by hatching in FIG. When the determination operation is performed, print order data including the telephone number (as identification data) of the mobile phone that performed the order operation and the identification code of the image to be printed is transmitted to the image management center 70 (f5). ). When the image management center 70 determines that the sent data indicates that the printing conditions have been determined, the image management center 70 transmits a screen for setting or selecting the installation location of the image service terminal 40 that receives the image, and selects the installation location. Prompt (f9).

  In the setting of FIG. 30, for example, when it is desired to change the paper from “no sticker” to “sticker paper”, as shown by hatching in FIG. 32, the second “paper” button (presence / absence of seal) 124 is selected and determined. When the operation is performed, the print paper setting page is accessed by the URL generated by the determination operation. In response, the image management center 70 transmits the page to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 for paper setting (f8b). As a result, the screen of FIG. 33 is displayed on the display unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. The screen shown in FIG. 33 is for changing the paper type (presence / absence of adhesiveness), and includes a “no sticker” button 142 and a “sticker paper” button 143 as options for the paper type, and an “OK” button. 120 and a “Return” button 119. The default value is “no seal” 142.

  As shown by hatching in FIG. 34, when the “seal paper” button 143 is selected and the determination operation is performed, the paper data is transmitted to the image management center 70 together with the URL specifying the print setting page, and the transmitted URL is used. Access to the print settings page is performed. The image management center 70 corrects the paper data of the print setting page from “no sticker” to “sticker paper”, and transmits the corrected page to the mobile phone (f4). As a result, the screen of FIG. 35 is displayed on the display unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. FIG. 35 is the same as FIG. 30, but the “paper type” in the printing conditions is changed from “no sticker” to “sticker paper”.

  If the setting values shown in FIG. 35 are satisfactory (the displayed values match the request and there are no print condition items to be changed), an “OK” button 120 is selected as shown by hatching in FIG. When the determination operation is performed, print order data including the telephone number (as identification data) of the mobile phone that performed the order operation and the identification code of the image to be printed is transmitted to the image management center 70 (f5). ). When the image management center 70 determines that the sent data indicates that the printing conditions have been determined, the image management center 70 transmits a screen for setting or selecting the installation location of the image service terminal 40 that receives the image, and selects the installation location. Prompt (f9).

((Receiving location setting))
As shown in FIG. 37, a screen for setting or selecting an installation location of the image service terminal 40 that receives an image (printed image or image data) includes a “reference history” button 145, a “current location” button 146, and a “home location”. ”Button 147,“ desired destination ”button 148,“ OK ”button 120, and“ return ”button 119 are displayed (f 10). The user sets or selects an installation location of the image service terminal 40 that receives image data or a print image by any method. The user designates “Nearest current location” when staying around the current location for a while, and designates “Nearest desired location” when moving. If you are picking up near your home, such as on your way home, specify "Near Home".

  In step f10, for example, as shown by hatching in FIG. 37, when the “reference history” button 145 is selected and a determination operation is performed, the image management center 70 installs the image service terminal 40 recently designated by the user. A screen as shown in FIG. 38, “Tokyo station square convenience store A” button 150, “Osaka station square B department store” button 151, “Kyoto station square C camera shop” button 152, “D university shop” button 153, “OK” button 120, and “ A “return” button 119 is displayed (f11).

The “Tokyo station square convenience store A” button 150, “Osaka station square B department store” button 151, “Kyoto station square C camera shop” button 152, and “D university shop” button 153 correspond to the latest usage history of the user. Older histories are also supported by scroll display.
When any installation location is selected in FIG. 38 (f16), the image management center 70 transmits a screen for guiding the detailed installation location and confirms it. For example, when the “Osaka Ekimae B Department Store” button 151 is selected (f16), a screen including an area 154 for displaying and guiding a detailed installation location as shown in FIG. 39 is transmitted for confirmation.

  In step f10, for example, as shown in FIG. 40, when the "current location" button 146 is selected, the image management center 70 inquires of the communication carrier 80 about the current location of the user (f12). The communication carrier 80 determines the position of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 owned by the user from the base station having the highest radio wave intensity, and notifies the image management center 70 of the current location. Alternatively, the current location may be determined based on GPS (Global Positioning System).

  The image management center 70 transmits a screen as shown in FIG. 41 presenting the installation location of the nearest image service terminal 40 where the user is currently located. 41, a “Tokyo station square convenience store A” button 156, a “DPE service Marunouchi store” button 157, an “Otemachi station square convenience store B” button 158, a “Natsuhashimae station front store” button 159, an “OK” button 120, Then, a “return” button 119 is displayed (f15).

The “Tokyo Station Convenience Store A” button 156, the “DPE Service Marunouchi Store” button 157, the “Otemachi Station Convenience Store B” button 158, and the “Dutahashi-mae Station Advance Store” button 159 are the buttons most in the location where the user is currently located. This corresponds to the installation location of the near image service terminal 40. In addition, the surrounding installation locations can be displayed by scrolling.
When any installation location is selected in FIG. 41 (f16), the image management center 70 transmits a screen for guiding the detailed installation location for confirmation. For example, when the “Tokyo Station Convenience Store A” button 156 is selected (f16), a screen for guiding the detailed installation location as shown in FIG. 42 is transmitted for confirmation.

  In step f10, for example, when the “closest home” button 147 is selected as shown in FIG. 43, the image management center 70 presents the installation location of the nearest image service terminal 40 of the current address already registered by the user. A screen like 44 is transmitted (f13). 44, “Shijo station square convenience store A” button 163, “Kawaramachi station square B department store” button 164, “Karasuma station square convenience store C” button 165, “Kyoto city hall station square underground street” button 166, “OK” button 120, and “Return”. "Button 119 is displayed (f15).

The "Shijo Ekimae Convenience Store A" button 163, the "Kawaramachi Ekimae B Department Store" button 164, the "Karasuma Ekimae Convenience Store C" button 165, and the "Kyoto City Hall Ekimae Underground City" button 166 are the image service terminals 40 closest to the user's home. Corresponding to the installation location. In addition, the surrounding installation locations can be displayed by scrolling.
When one of the installation locations is selected in FIG. 44 (f16), the image management center 70 transmits a screen for guiding the detailed installation location for confirmation. For example, when the “Karimaru Station Convenience Store C” button 165 is selected (f16), a screen for guiding a detailed installation place 161 as shown in FIG. 45 is transmitted for confirmation.

  When the “desired destination” button 148 is selected in step f10, for example, as shown in FIG. 46, the image management center 70 includes an area 168 for inputting the desired place to the user as shown in FIG. A screen that prompts the user to input is transmitted (f14). For example, when the user inputs “Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City”, the image management center 70 searches the vicinity and sends a screen as shown in FIG. 48 that presents the installation location of the image service terminal 40 nearest to the desired location. To do. 48, “Osaka Ekimae B Department Store 5F” button 170, “Umeda Ekimae Convenience Store A” button 171, “Nishi Umeda Ekimae Convenience Store C” button 172, “Higashi Umeda Ekimae” button 173, “OK” button 120, and “Return”. "Button 119 is displayed (f15).

“Osaka Ekimae B Department Store 5F” button 170, “Umeda Ekimae Convenience Store A” button 171, “Nishi Umeda Ekimae Convenience Store C” button 172, “Higashi Umeda Ekimae” button 173 are the image services closest to the user's desired location. This corresponds to the installation location of the terminal 40. In addition, the surrounding installation locations can be displayed by scrolling.
When any installation location is selected in FIG. 48 (f16), the image management center 70 transmits a screen for guiding the detailed installation location and confirms it. For example, when the “Umeda Station Convenience Store A” button 171 is selected (f16), a screen for guiding a detailed installation location (174) as shown in FIG. 49 is transmitted for confirmation.

((Transfer print instruction information from center to image service terminal))
Based on the order data from the user, the image management center 70 is a communication terminal that includes the full-size image data of the image to be ordered, the phone number of the mobile phone that performed the ordering operation, the e-mail address, etc. The identification data is downloaded to the image service terminal 40 via the Internet 60. If a print image is ordered, the number of printed sheets and print sheet information are also downloaded (f17).

  In the image management center 70 of FIG. 6, the management unit 75 reads the full-size image data to be ordered from the storage unit 73, and the image service terminals (40, 40a, 40b) from the WWW server 71 together with the communication terminal identification data and image order data. Or the like) to the Internet 60. This image service terminal is an image service terminal whose installation location has been selected in step f16 of FIG.

((Fee payment))
The image management center 70 calculates the usage fee based on the image order contents of the user and charges the communication carrier 80 (f18). The management unit 75 of the image management center 70 calculates the cost from the image data capacity, the number of print images, paper, and the like. The management unit 75 transmits the billing data from the transmission / reception unit 76 to the communication carrier 80 via the bus 72 (FIG. 6). In the communication carrier 80 (FIG. 8), the billing data is received by the transmission / reception unit 86 and sent to the management unit 85 via the bus 83. The management unit 85 manages the billing cost of the image data or image ordering service together with the mobile phone usage cost including the user's telephone fee, packet exchange communication cost, mail service cost, WWW service information fee, For example, the monthly total is charged to the user.

((Print Execution))
In the image service terminal 40 of FIG. 5, the communication unit 47 receives full-size image data to be ordered, communication terminal identification data, and image order data from the Internet 60 and stores them in the storage unit 43.
When the order from the user includes a print image, the control unit 42 sends a control signal to the storage unit 43 and the printing unit 45. The printing unit 45 performs printing based on the order data. The printing unit 45 conveys the print image to the storage unit 55. The storage unit 55 stores the information in association with the communication terminal identification data.

The printing unit 45 performs printing based on the image data on the surface of the printing paper designated by the print order data. Printing based on the communication terminal identification data is performed on the back side of the printing paper.
For example, communication terminal identification data (representing alphanumeric characters) is printed as it is (alphanumeric characters) on the back side of the printing paper. Also, the communication terminal identification data is encrypted and printed. Further, the communication terminal identification data is printed in a pattern such as barcode or two-dimensional coding. The bar code includes an ITF (Interleaved Two of Five) code (JIS-X-0502), a JAN (Japan Article Number) code, and the like. The two-dimensional code includes a PDF 417, a data matrix, a QR code, and the like.

((Print Completion Notification))
The image service terminal 40 sends an e-mail to the user's camera-equipped mobile phone 10 notifying that the image printing has been completed and that the print image preparation has been completed. The electronic mail is transmitted from the communication unit 47 of the image service terminal 40 to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 via the Internet 60 and the communication carrier 80.

((Image delivery))
As shown in FIG. 4, the user stops at the installation location of the image service terminal 40 designated as the receiving location in order to receive the order image. The user removes the removable media 28 from the removable media slot 29 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and inserts it into the removable media slot 50 of the image service terminal 40. The image service terminal 40 reads the communication terminal identification data recorded on the removable medium 28 and authenticates the user. The image service terminal 40 confirms with the user who ordered the image.

If the order image format is image data, the image service terminal 40 writes the image data to the removable medium 28. When the writing is completed, the user removes the removable medium 28 from the removable medium slot 50.
Thereafter, if necessary, the removable medium 28 is inserted into the slot 29 of the mobile phone 10, and the media control unit 23 reads image data from the medium 50 and stores it in the storage unit 15.

When the format of the order image is a print image, the storage unit 55 of the image service terminal 40 conveys and discharges the print image stored in association with the communication terminal identification data to the providing unit 56. The user takes out the print image from the providing unit 56.
When receiving the print image, the user removes the removable medium 28 from the removable medium slot 50.

In the conveyance for providing the print image, the storage unit 55 searches for the stored print image based on the communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 10 connected to the image service terminal 40.
For example, an alphanumeric character or the like representing the communication terminal identification data on the back side of the printed image is read with an optical sensor or the like and collated with OCR (Optical Character Recognition / Optical Character Reader), or a bar code representing the communication terminal identification data or By reading and collating the two-dimensional code, it is confirmed that the print image should be given to the owner of the connected mobile phone 10.

((Modified example of association of communication terminal identification data to image data))
In the above description, the image data is handled in association with the communication terminal identification data. Instead, the communication terminal identification data may be embedded in the image data file as shown in FIG. For example, communication terminal identification data may be embedded as an application marker or a comment marker in a JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) compressed image file.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 51, a header file including communication terminal identification data may be added to a folder in which image files are collected. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 52, a file of communication terminal identification data may be added separately from a folder in which image files are collected in a removable medium. The communication terminal identification data is encrypted data.

((Details of storage area in removable media))
An example of the removable medium 28 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the removable medium 28 includes a storage means 28a that is read-only and cannot be rewritten, and a large-capacity nonvolatile storage means 28b. The read-only and non-rewritable storage means 28a is used as a management storage area, and is composed of, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), and the large-capacity nonvolatile storage means 28b is composed of, for example, flash memory. . For example, communication terminal identification data is written in the ROM. An image file is written into the flash memory as needed by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 or the image service terminal 40. FIG. 53 shows image files as image 1 data 28b1, image 2 data 28b2, image 3 data 28b3, image 4 data 28b4, image 5 data 28b5, and the like.

((Effect of Embodiment 1))
Since it comprised as mentioned above, in the image management method and system which can provide services, such as browsing, accumulation | storage, and printing of a captured image, the communication charge burden for transmission of a captured image can be lightened. In addition, services such as browsing, storage, and printing of captured images are provided without the trouble of setting a new ID and password. Further, it is convenient that the user does not have to wait at the same place for the time required for printing the image, and can receive the printed image at another convenient place.

The effects when the image order is the print image order in the first embodiment are summarized as follows.
First, it is possible to greatly reduce the trouble of the owner of an image when making another person obtain a print image. In the past, when a print image is to be obtained by another person, the owner of the photo, for example, circulated the photo to a plurality of parties, ordered the reprint hope, ordered a reprint from the photo shop, and completed the photo It took a lot of time and effort to distribute it. In addition, the cost of reprinting the photo was cumbersome, such as the photo owner paying in advance and paying separately for each photo applicant.

  Moreover, the charge for uploading image data can be reduced. With the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, uploading image data by packet communication up to about 100,000 pixels of image data of 352 pixels × 288 pixels in height and breadth was not so burdensome. However, for example, when the image data is about 1 million pixels, which is 10 times, the data capacity is 10 times, which is a very heavy burden. There was a problem that the charge for using a mobile phone for uploading image data was high. At the same time, there was a problem that it took a long communication time and could not handle incoming calls.

  Recently, image data can be uploaded via a device such as a personal computer with a broadband communication environment, but it cannot be used by those who do not have a device such as a personal computer. In addition, even those who own devices such as personal computers cannot be used on the go. Or, it is troublesome to carry a device such as a personal computer when going out. In the image management system described in the first embodiment, the image data is transferred from the communication terminal to the image service terminal and transmitted from the image service terminal to the image management center. Therefore, the image data can be uploaded at a low price.

  Furthermore, waste of waiting time for image printing can be reduced. In the conventional print service, when the image of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 or the digital still camera is printed, the user has to wait for the time required for printing. With only one sheet, even with a short waiting time, the waiting time becomes longer as the number of sheets increases, making it difficult to wait. Thus, the conventional print service is inconvenient. With the image management system described in the first embodiment, once image data is stored in an arbitrary image service terminal 40 and an image to be printed is designated from the WWW site, the image service terminal 40 close to the desired location is used. You can now receive print images. As a result, useless waiting time can be eliminated.

  In particular, the image service terminal 40 can be used in the same manner as vending machines in convenience stores, photo stores, DPE (Development Printing Enlargement) service stores, mobile phone stores, shopping centers, consumer electronics mass retailers, and the like. If installed, users will be able to move more freely than systems that can only receive photos at a particular photo store. Although it takes time to stop by a specific photo shop, it is possible to greatly reduce wasted time because it is possible to receive a printed image at the most convenient place, for example, when stopping at a retail store or the like for another business.

  In addition, by using communication terminal identification data for authentication for identity verification when browsing images, ordering print images, and delivering print images, both users and image management systems can manage complex passwords and deposit slips. It became possible to save the trouble of performing management by.

Next, the effects when the image order is the image data order in the first embodiment are summarized as follows.
First, the storage capacity of the communication terminal and the portable storage medium used therewith can be effectively utilized. For example, in the mobile phone 10 with a camera, even if the image data of about 100,000 pixels of 352 pixels × 288 pixels is stored in the built-in storage means, it is not so burdensome. However, for example, when the image data is about 1 million pixels, which is 10 times, the data capacity is 10 times, which is a very heavy burden. When the photographed image data becomes large, the storage area of the phone book, e-mail, and incoming notification music data stored in the storage means built in the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is compressed. In addition, there was a problem that additional shooting could not be performed.

  There is a camera-equipped mobile phone 10 that can back up data in a device having storage means such as a personal computer, but it cannot be used by those who do not have a device having storage means such as a personal computer. Further, even for a person who owns a device having a storage means such as a personal computer, it cannot be used when the storage means has a small free space on the go. As described in the first embodiment, image data can be temporarily stored in an arbitrary image service terminal 40 and received when there is a free space in the storage means built in the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. become.

  Also, by using communication terminal identification data for authentication for identity verification when browsing images, ordering image data, delivering image data, etc., both users and image management systems have complicated password management and deposit slips. It became possible to save the trouble of performing management by.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, image data is transferred to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and the image service terminal 40 via the removable medium 28. Similarly, authentication for identity verification in the image service terminal, and camera-equipped mobile phone are performed. Data transfer to the telephone 10 is performed via the removable medium 28, but instead, image data may be transferred by connecting the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and the image service terminal 40 with an interface cable 52. . Hereinafter, this alternative configuration (first alternative configuration) will be described with reference to FIGS. 54, 55, and 56.

  FIG. 54 shows how the image data is transferred from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40 by the interface cable 52 in the first alternative configuration. FIG. 55 shows a part that performs image processing and processing on image data obtained by imaging in the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 that is used in the first alternative configuration. FIG. 56 shows a part related to the processing of the image data in the image service terminal 40 used for the first alternative configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 54, the user connects the connector terminal 24 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and the image service terminal 40 with a cable 52.

  As shown in FIG. 55, the user instructs the operation unit 16 to transfer the image data of the captured image to the image service terminal 40. Input information of the operation unit 16 enters the control unit 17, and the control unit 17 outputs a signal for controlling the storage unit 15 and the short-range communication unit 23. The image data stored in the storage unit 15 is sent to the short-range communication unit 23 via the bus 14. The image data stored in the storage unit 15 is sent to the image processing unit 12 via the bus 14 as necessary. The image processing unit 12 performs processing for storage, such as compressing the image data, and sends it to the short-range communication unit 23 via the bus 14. The short-range communication unit 23 transmits the image data from the connector terminal 24 to the image service terminal 40 via the cable 52.

  As shown in FIG. 56, the short-range communication unit 51 reads image data and identification data from the connector terminal 52a connected to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 via the cable 52. The read image data and identification data are stored in the storage unit 43 via the bus 46.

  Communication from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40 can be performed by, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, or the like. If the image data is transferred by a cable, there is an advantage that the image data can be transferred to the image service terminal 40 even with a mobile phone not equipped with a removable medium, infrared communication, or short-range wireless communication.

  Further, in the first alternative configuration, when user authentication is performed at the image service terminal 40 and image data is transferred to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, as shown in FIG. The connector terminal 24 of the telephone 10 and the image service terminal 40 are connected by a cable 52. The image service terminal 40 reads the communication terminal identification data from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and authenticates the user. The image service terminal 40 confirms with the user who ordered the image.

  When the order image format is image data, the image service terminal 40 transmits the image data stored in the storage unit 43 shown in FIG. 56 from the short-range communication unit 51 to the connector terminal 51a. The image data enters the connector terminal 24 shown in FIG. 55 through the cable 52 connected to the connector terminal 51a. Image data entering the connector terminal 24 is received by the short-range communication unit 23 and stored in the storage unit 15.

  When the format of the order image is a print image, the storage unit 55 of the image service terminal 40 conveys and discharges the print image stored in association with the communication terminal identification data to the providing unit 56. The user receives a print image from the providing unit 56. The user pulls out the connection cable 52 from the connector terminal 24 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10.

  In the conveyance for providing the print image, the storage unit 55 searches for the stored print image based on the communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 10 connected to the image service terminal 40. For example, an alphanumeric character or the like representing the communication terminal identification data on the back side of the printed image is read with an optical sensor or the like and collated with OCR (Optical Character Recognition / Optical Character Reader), or a barcode or 2 representing the communication terminal identification data. By reading and collating the dimension code, it is confirmed that the print image should be given to the owner of the connected mobile phone 10.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The data transfer from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40, the user authentication in the image service terminal, and the data transfer to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. Instead of performing in this way, it may be performed by infrared communication between the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and the image service terminal 40. This alternative configuration (second alternative configuration) will be described below with reference to FIGS. 57 and 58.

  FIG. 57 shows a portion for processing an image and the image data obtained by the imaging in the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 used in the second alternative configuration. FIG. 58 shows a part related to the processing of image data in the image service terminal 40 used in the second alternative configuration.

  At the time of data transfer, the user faces an infrared light emitting unit (not shown) forming a part of the infrared communication unit 25 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and a light receiving unit (not shown) of the image service terminal 40. Then, the user instructs to transfer the image data of the captured image to the image service terminal 40 using the operation unit 16 shown in FIG. Input information of the operation unit 16 enters the control unit 17, and the control unit 17 outputs a signal for controlling the storage unit 15 and the infrared communication unit 25. The image data stored in the storage unit 15 is sent to the infrared communication unit 25 via the bus 14. The image data stored in the storage unit 15 is sent to the image processing unit 12 via the bus 14 as necessary. The image processing unit 12 performs processing for storage, such as compressing the image data, and sends it to the infrared communication unit 25 via the bus 14. The infrared communication unit 25 transmits image data from the infrared light emitting unit to the image service terminal 40.

  The infrared communication unit 53 shown in FIG. 58 receives image data and identification data transmitted from the infrared light emitting unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 via the infrared light receiving unit. The read image data and identification data are stored in the storage unit 43 via the bus 46.

  The infrared communication from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40 includes IrDA (Infrared Data Association) and the like. Infrared communication has the advantage of eliminating the trouble of attaching and detaching removable media and cables.

  In the second alternative configuration, when performing user authentication at the image service terminal 40 and transferring image data to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, the user must The light receiving unit of the image service terminal 40 is directly opposed. The image service terminal 40 reads the communication terminal identification data from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and authenticates the user. The image service terminal 40 confirms with the user who ordered the image.

  If the order image format is image data, the image service terminal 40 transmits the image data stored in the storage unit 43 from the infrared communication unit 53 to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 in FIG. The image data is received by infrared communication, and is received by the infrared communication unit 25 in FIG. 57 and stored in the storage unit 15.

  When the order image format is a print image, the storage unit 55 of the image service terminal 40 conveys the print image stored in association with the communication terminal identification data to the providing unit 56. The user receives a print image from the providing unit 56.

In the conveyance for providing the print image, the storage unit 55 searches for the stored print image based on the communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 10 connected to the image service terminal 40.
For example, an alphanumeric character or the like representing the communication terminal identification data on the back side of the printed image is read with an optical sensor or the like and collated with OCR (Optical Character Recognition / Optical Character Reader), or a barcode or 2 representing the communication terminal identification data. By reading and collating the dimension code, it is confirmed that the print image should be given to the owner of the connected mobile phone 10.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In addition, the data transfer from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40, the user authentication in the image service terminal, and the data transfer to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 are performed in the above-described first and second embodiments. Instead of performing as in the third embodiment, it may be performed by wireless communication between the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and the image service terminal 40. This alternative configuration (third alternative configuration) will be described below with reference to FIGS. 59 and 60.

  FIG. 59 shows a part that performs image processing and processing on image data obtained by imaging in the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 that is used in the third alternative configuration. FIG. 60 shows a part involved in the processing of image data in the image service terminal 40 used in the third alternative configuration.

  At the time of data transfer, the user approaches the image service terminal 40 so that the image service terminal 40 enters the wireless radio wave reachable range of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. Then, the user instructs to transfer the image data of the captured image to the image service terminal 40 using the operation unit 16 shown in FIG. Input information of the operation unit 16 enters the control unit 17, and the control unit 17 outputs a signal for controlling the storage unit 15 and the wireless communication unit 26. The image data stored in the storage unit 15 is sent to the wireless communication unit 26 via the bus 14. The image data stored in the storage unit 15 is sent to the image processing unit 12 via the bus 14 as necessary. The image processing unit 12 performs processing for storage, such as compressing the image data, and sends it to the wireless communication unit 26 via the bus 14. The wireless communication unit 26 transmits image data from the wireless antenna unit to the image service terminal 40.

  The radio communication unit 54 shown in FIG. 60 receives image data and identification data transmitted from the radio antenna unit of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 via the radio antenna unit. The read image data and identification data are stored in the storage unit 43 via the bus 46.

  The wireless communication from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40 is not a wireless communication function inherent in the mobile phone, but is a short-distance low-power wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (IEEE 802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g), etc. If wireless communication is used, there is an advantage that it is possible to save the trouble of attaching and detaching removable media and cables. In addition, infrared communication requires that the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other, but wireless communication has the advantage that it can be connected if it is nearby.

  In the third alternative configuration, when user authentication is performed at the image service terminal 40 and image data is transferred to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, the user reaches the radio wave of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. The image service terminal 40 is approached so that the image service terminal 40 enters the range. The image service terminal 40 reads the communication terminal identification data from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and authenticates the user. The image service terminal 40 confirms with the user who ordered the image.

  When the order image format is image data, the image service terminal 40 transmits the image data stored in the storage unit 43 shown in FIG. 60 from the wireless communication unit 54 to the mobile phone 10 with camera. The image data is received by wireless communication, and is received by the wireless communication unit 26 shown in FIG.

  When the order image format is a print image, the storage unit 55 of the image service terminal 40 conveys the print image stored in association with the communication terminal identification data to the providing unit 56. The user receives a print image from the providing unit 56.

In the conveyance for providing the print image, the storage unit 55 searches for the stored print image based on the communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 10 connected to the image service terminal 40.
For example, an alphanumeric character or the like representing the communication terminal identification data on the back side of the printed image is read with an optical sensor or the like and collated with OCR (Optical Character Recognition / Optical Character Reader), or a barcode or 2 representing the communication terminal identification data. By reading and collating the dimension code, it is confirmed that the print image should be given to the owner of the connected mobile phone 10.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
In the first embodiment described above, the user of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 transfers the image data to the image service terminal 40, creates an image album at the image management center 70, and later uses the same user for the images in the album. The case where the image owner (hereinafter also referred to as “first user”) browses the image or orders image data or a print image has been described. However, the person who is different from the image owner (second It is also possible to allow users to view and order images. One way to do this is by setting usage rights. In this method, each user can use the image within the scope of the usage right. That is, each user is given a right to use one or both of browsing and ordering images for some or all of the images constituting the album.

  The usage right can be set by the owner of the image by operating the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, and the set usage right is stored in the image management center 70.

  In order to make it possible to set the usage right by operating the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, the image management center 70, when ready to view the electronic image album, is connected to the connection information (URL) of the electronic image album viewing screen. ) And connection information (URL) of the screen for setting usage rights by e-mail to the corresponding communication terminal, and a screen that allows the user to browse the electronic image album and order an image, and an image A screen that enables the owner of the user to set the usage right is provided to the communication terminal of the user, and a browsing request, an image order, and a usage right setting request from the user are received.

  The image management center 70 also performs processing for setting usage rights for browsing and ordering images for all or a part of the image album in response to a request for setting usage rights, and saves the setting contents. Furthermore, the image management center 70 enables browsing and providing images (printed images and image data) after confirming that the user has the right to use in response to browsing requests and image orders. The use right is confirmed with reference to, for example, communication terminal identification data transmitted from the user's communication terminal and information indicating the set use right stored in advance. In use, the user may be allowed to perform a predetermined operation (for example, input of a password) for confirming the usage right.

  As described above, an e-mail notifying the connection information of the image album and the connection information of the screen for setting the usage right is received by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 from the image management center 70 so that the usage right can be set. Then, the e-mail is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 10 as a screen that enables browsing of the electronic image album or setting of usage rights. An example is shown in FIG. In response to this, the user of the mobile phone 10 (the owner of the image) selects either the “browse” button 201 or the “use right setting” 202 and performs a determination operation (specified by the above URL). It is possible to access the homepage of the above image album or the homepage for setting usage rights, and request to browse images or set usage rights.

  First, a case where usage rights are set will be described. FIG. 62 shows a process for setting usage rights. In the following description, reference numerals of corresponding steps in FIG. 62 are shown. The setting of the right of use is related to the viewing of electronic image albums (images that are a part of them) and image ordering, and the owner of the mobile phone (mobile phone 10) used to capture the images of the album. Used by another person (for example, the owner of a mobile phone 10a, 10b, 10c, 30, 30a, 30b, etc.) (or when the owner of the image accesses it using another mobile phone) The right to set is set.

  In a state (initial state) before setting the usage right, for example, only the image owner has this usage right. (In other words, use is permitted only when accessing with the mobile phone used to capture the image.)

  As described above, when the “use right setting” button 202 is selected and a determination operation is performed, the mobile phone 10 transmits the URL to the service server 82 by packet communication as a request to view the use right setting screen. (f41). This browsing request is transmitted from the service server 82 via the bus 83 and from the network server 84, and is received by the image management center 70 via the Internet 60.

  The image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone is a request for viewing the usage right setting screen, and the first page of the homepage specified by the URL (a predetermined one of a series of images, for example, the first HTML file and related files are transmitted. The HTML file and the related file are received by the service server 82 of the communication carrier 80 via the Internet 60. The HTML file and the related file received by the service server 82 are transmitted to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 as packet communication from the network server 84 via the bus 83.

  As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 63 is displayed on the display unit 13 of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. This screen is for setting the setting range of the usage right. As shown in FIG. 63, an “all album” button 203 for collectively setting the usage rights of all electronic image albums registered by the image owner, and the usage rights are set for each electronic image album. An “album” button 204 for displaying, an “per image” button 205 for setting a usage right for each image, an “OK” button 120, and a “return” button 119 are displayed.

  For example, in the screen shown in FIG. 63, when the “all albums” button 203 is selected to collectively set the usage rights for all the electronic image albums registered by the image owner, “all albums” as shown in FIG. "" Button 203 is indicated by hatching, and the display color changes and is selected. When the determination operation is performed with the “all album” button 203 in FIG. 64 selected (f42), the usage right target setting screen in FIG. 65 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 65 is for setting the usage right setting target, and a “browsing / image order usage right” button for collectively setting the usage rights for image browsing and the usage rights for ordering images. 207, a “browsing usage right” button 208 for setting only the usage rights for image browsing, an “image order usage right” button 209 for setting only the usage rights for ordering images, and an “OK” button 120; A “return” button 119 is displayed. It is also possible to set a usage right for browsing using the “browsing usage right” button 208, and to set a usage right for image order using the “image order usage right” button 209.

  For example, when the “view / image order use right” button 207 is selected on the screen of FIG. 65 in order to set the image view use right and the image order use right collectively, as shown in FIG. The display color changes and is selected as indicated by the hatching of the “order usage right” button 207. When the determination operation is performed with the “browsing / image order usage right” button 207 of FIG. 66 selected (f43), the usage right setting screen of FIG. 67 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 67 is for setting a person or terminal who is given the right to use, and the “only this terminal” button 211 for setting the right to use only this terminal. “Unrestricted” button 212 for setting to allow access from any terminal, “Undisclosed” button 213 for setting to deny access from any terminal, and only specific terminals have the right to use A “terminal registrant” button 214 for setting to have, a “password certifier” button 215 for requesting password input for access and permitting access upon password authentication, and an “OK” button 120, In addition, a “return” button 119 is displayed.

  For example, in the screen of FIG. 67, since the right to use is set only for this terminal, when the “Only this terminal” button is selected, the display color changes as the “Only this terminal” button 211 is hatched as shown in FIG. Indicates the selected state. When the determination operation is performed in a state where the “only this terminal” button 211 in FIG. 68 is selected (f44), the usage right setting result screen in FIG. 69 is displayed. (f45)

  The screen shown in FIG. 69 is for confirming the setting contents of the usage right, and the usage rights and images for image browsing for all the electronic image albums (216) registered by the image owner. It can be confirmed that the usage right (217) of the order is set so that only this terminal (218) holds. Also, an “OK” button 120 and a “Return” button 119 are displayed. For example, in the screen shown in FIG. 69, in order to set in the display state, when the “OK” button 120 is selected, the right to use is set according to the contents of the display.

  For example, in the screen of FIG. 67, when setting the “unrestricted” button 212 to select that any terminal has the right to use and can be accessed from any terminal, the “unrestricted” button 212 is selected as shown in FIG. State (display color has changed as shown by hatching). When the determination operation is performed in this state (f44), the usage right setting result screen of FIG. 71 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 71 is for confirming the setting contents of the usage rights, and the usage rights and images for viewing images for all electronic image albums (216) registered by the image owner. It can be confirmed that the right to use (217) of the order is set to be held by any terminal (1419). An “OK” button 120 and a “return” button 119 are also displayed. For example, in the screen shown in FIG. 71, in order to set in the display state, when the “OK” button 120 is selected, the usage right is set according to the content of the display.

  For example, in the screen of FIG. 67, in order to set to deny access from any terminal, when the “unpublished” button 213 is selected, the “unpublished” button 213 is selected as shown in FIG. The display color has changed as indicated by). When the determination operation is performed in a state where the “private” button 213 in FIG. 72 is selected (f44), the usage right setting result screen in FIG. 73 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 73 is for confirming the setting contents of the usage rights, and the usage rights and images for viewing images for all electronic image albums (216) registered by the image owner. It can be confirmed that the use right (217) of the order is set so that none of the terminals possesses (217). An “OK” button 120 and a “return” button 119 are also displayed. For example, in the screen shown in FIG. 73, in order to set in the display state, when the “OK” button 120 is selected, the usage right is set according to the display content.

  For example, in the screen shown in FIG. 67, when a “terminal registrant” button 214 is selected so that only a specific terminal has the right to use, the “terminal registrant” button 214 is selected as shown in FIG. The display color has changed as shown by hatching). When the determination operation is performed with the “terminal registrant” button 214 in FIG. 74 selected (f44), the terminal registrant screen in FIG. 75 is displayed.

  In FIG. 75, a screen showing the registrant of the terminal having the usage right is displayed. Since FIG. 75 is an initial state, only “self” (224) is displayed. Further, an “additional registration” button 225 for performing additional terminal registration is also displayed. Also, an “OK” button 120 and a “Return” button 119 are displayed. When an “additional registration” button 225 is selected to perform additional terminal registration, the “additional registration” button 225 is selected (indicated by hatching) as shown in FIG. When the determination operation is performed while the “additional registration” button 225 in FIG. 75 is selected, a terminal registration screen in FIG. 76 is displayed.

  In FIG. 76, a screen for setting a terminal to which a usage right is added is displayed. As shown in FIG. 76, a “designate from address book” button 227 for selecting and setting a terminal to be added from the address book, a “telephone number input” button 228 for specifying designation of a terminal to be added by entering a telephone number, are added A “mail address input” button 229, an “OK” button 120, and a “return” button 119 that can set the terminal designation by mail address input are displayed.

  For example, when the “designate from address book” button 227 is selected to register an additional terminal by selecting from the address book, the “designate from address book” button 227 is selected as shown in FIG. 76 (indicated by hatching). Become. If the determination operation is performed while the “designate from address book” button 227 in FIG. 76 is selected, a terminal registration screen using the address book in FIG. 77 is displayed.

  77, a terminal registration screen using address book data is displayed. “Mr. Tanaka” 231, “Mr. Sato” 232, “Mr. Suzuki” 233, and “Mr. Watanabe” 234 registered in the address book are displayed. “Yamamoto-sama” 235 is displayed. Also, an “OK” button 120 and a “Return” button 119 are displayed. When the “Mr. Tanaka” button 231 is selected to set the usage right for Mr. Tanaka's terminal, the “Mr. Tanaka” button 231 is selected (indicated by hatching) as shown in FIG. When the “Mr. Tanaka” button 231 in FIG. 77 is selected and the determination operation is performed, the terminal registrant screen in FIG. 78 is displayed.

  In FIG. 78, a screen showing the registrant of the terminal having the usage right is displayed. In FIG. 78, “Mr. Tanaka” (237) is added and displayed only from “self” (224) in FIG. When the “OK” button 120 is selected in FIG. 78, the usage right setting result screen in FIG. 79 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 79 is for confirming the setting contents of the usage right. As shown in FIG. 79, the right to use image browsing and the right to use image order (217) for all electronic image albums (216) registered by the image owner are assigned to Mr. Tanaka (239). You can confirm that it is set to the terminal. Also, an “OK” button 120 and a “Return” button 119 are displayed. For example, in the screen of FIG. 79, since the setting is made in the display state, when the “OK” button 120 is selected, the usage right is set according to the display content.

  When the screen of FIG. 76 is displayed and the “telephone number input” button 228 is selected to register an additional terminal by inputting the telephone number, the “telephone number input” button 228 is selected as shown in FIG. State (shown by hatching). When the determination operation is performed in a state where the “telephone number input” button 228 in FIG. 80 is selected, a terminal registration screen by the telephone number input in FIG. 81 is displayed.

  In FIG. 81, a terminal registration screen by inputting a telephone number is displayed, and a telephone number input area, an “OK” button 120, and a “return” button 119 are displayed. When a telephone number is input in the input area 241 and a determination operation is performed with the “OK” button 120 selected, the terminal registrant screen of FIG. 82 is displayed.

  In FIG. 82, a screen showing a registrant of a terminal having a usage right is displayed. In FIG. 82, only the terminal (243) in which the telephone number is input is added and displayed from “self” (224) in FIG. 75. When the “OK” button 120 is selected in FIG. 82, the usage right setting result screen of FIG. 83 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 83 is for confirming the setting contents of the usage rights, and the usage rights and images for viewing images for all the electronic image albums (216) registered by the image owner. It can be confirmed that the right to use (217) for the order is set in the terminal (245) of the designated telephone number. Also, an “OK” button 120 and a “Return” button 119 are displayed. For example, in the screen shown in FIG. 83, since the setting is made in the display state, when the “OK” button 120 is selected, the usage right is set according to the display content.

  When the “mail address input” button 229 is selected in order to register an additional terminal by inputting a mail address while the screen of FIG. 76 is displayed, the “mail address input” button 229 is displayed as shown in FIG. It becomes the selected state (indicated by hatching). If the determination operation is performed while the “mail address input” button 229 in FIG. 84 is selected, the terminal registration screen by the mail address input in FIG. 84 is displayed.

  FIG. 85 shows a terminal registration screen by inputting a mail address. A mail address input area 247, an “OK” button 120, and a “return” button 119 are displayed. If a mail address is input in the input area 247 and a determination operation is performed with the “OK” button 120 selected, the terminal registrant screen shown in FIG. 86 is displayed.

  In FIG. 86, a screen showing the registrant of the terminal having the usage right is displayed. In FIG. 86, the terminal (249) for which the e-mail address has been entered is added and displayed from only “myself” (224) in FIG. When the “OK” button 120 is selected in FIG. 86, the usage right setting result screen in FIG. 87 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 87 is for confirming the setting contents of the usage rights, and the usage rights and images for viewing images for all the electronic image albums (216) registered by the image owner. It can be confirmed that the right to use (217) for the order is set in the terminal (251) of the designated telephone number. Also, an “OK” button 120 and a “Return” button 119 are displayed. For example, in the screen shown in FIG. 87, in order to set in the display state, when the “OK” button 120 is selected, the usage right is set according to the display content.

((Set "Access by password"))
In the screen of FIG. 67, in order to make a setting so that a password input is required for access and access is permitted upon password authentication, when a “password authenticator” button 215 is selected, a “password authenticator” button 215 is displayed as shown in FIG. It becomes the selected state (indicated by hatching). When the determination operation is performed with the “password authenticator” button 215 in FIG. 88 selected (f44), the password setting screen in FIG. 89 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 89 is for setting a password. A “set” button 253 that leads to a setting screen for setting a password, a “delete” button 254 for deleting the password setting, and an “OK” button. "Button 120 and" return "button 119 are displayed. For example, when the “OK” button 120 is selected to set a password on the screen of FIG. 89, the password input setting screen of FIG. 90 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 90 is for performing password input settings, and displays a password input area 256, a password confirmation input area 257, an “OK” button 120, and a “return” button 119. ing. For example, when the password to be set is entered in the password input area 256 and the password confirmation input area 257 on the screen in FIG. 90 and the “OK” button 120 is selected, the usage right setting result screen in FIG. 91 is displayed. The

  The screen shown in FIG. 91 is for confirming the setting contents of the usage rights, and the usage rights and images for viewing images for all electronic image albums (216) registered by the image owner. It can be confirmed that the right to use (217) of the order is set to the set password authenticator (259). An “OK” button 120 and a “return” button 119 are also displayed. For example, in the screen of FIG. 91, since the setting is made in the display state, when the “OK” button 120 is selected, the usage right is set according to the display content.

  In the screen of FIG. 65, in order to set only the image viewing use right, when the “viewing use right” button 208 is selected, the “viewing use right” button 208 is selected as shown in FIG. 92 (indicated by hatching). Become. When the determination operation is performed with the “browsing usage right” button 208 of FIG. 92 selected (f43), the usage right setting screen of FIG. 67 is displayed. Subsequent detailed setting operations are the same as described above except that the usage rights that can be set relate to image browsing.

  For example, in the screen of FIG. 65, when the “image order use right” 209 button is selected to set only the image order use right, the “image order use right” button 209 is selected as shown in FIG. Is shown). When the determination operation is performed with the “image order usage right” button 209 of FIG. 93 selected (f43), the usage right setting screen of FIG. 67 is displayed. The subsequent detailed setting operations are the same as described above except that the usage rights that can be set relate to the image order.

  In the screen of FIG. 63, when the “per album” button 204 is selected to set the usage right for each electronic image album registered by the image owner, the “per album” button 204 is selected as shown in FIG. (Shown by hatching). When the determination operation is performed with the “every album” button 204 in FIG. 94 selected (f42), the usage right range setting screen in FIG. 95 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 95 is for setting the setting range of the usage right. The “album (1)” button 261 and “album (2)” of the electronic image album registered by the image owner are displayed. A button 262, an “album (3)” button 263, an “album (4)” button 264, an “album (5)” button 265, an “OK” button 120, and a “return” button 119 are displayed. (Note that numbers in circles are used in the drawings, but numbers in parentheses are used in this specification.)

  For example, when the “album (1)” button 261 is selected to set the right to use the electronic image album (1) on the screen of FIG. 95, the “album (1)” button 261 is selected as shown in FIG. (Shown by hatching). When the determination operation is performed with the “album (1)” button 261 shown in FIG. 96 selected (f42), the usage right target setting screen shown in FIG. 65 is displayed. The subsequent detailed setting operation is as described above except that the setting range of the usage rights that can be set is limited to the electronic image album (1). The setting of the usage rights for the electronic image album (2) to the electronic image album (5) is the same as the operation for setting the usage rights for the electronic image album (1).

  In the screen of FIG. 63, when the “per image” button 205 is selected in order to set a usage right for a specific image in the electronic image album registered by the image owner, “per image” as shown in FIG. The button 205 is selected (indicated by hatching). When the “per image” button 205 in FIG. 97 is selected and the determination operation is performed (f42), the usage right range setting screen in FIG. 98 is displayed.

  The screen shown in FIG. 98 is for setting the setting range of the usage right. The “album (1)” button 261 and “album (2)” of the electronic image album registered by the image owner are displayed. A button 262, an “album (3)” button 263, an “album (4)” button 264, an “album (5)” button 265, an “OK” button 120, and a “return” button 119 are displayed.

  For example, when the “album (1)” button 261 is selected to set the right to use a specific image in the electronic image album (1) on the screen of FIG. 98, the “album (1)” button as shown in FIG. 261 is selected (indicated by hatching). When the “album (1)” button 261 in FIG. 99 is selected and the determination operation is performed (f42), the browsing screen for the top image of the electronic image album (1) in FIG. 100 is displayed.

  FIG. 100 is a screen that enables browsing of the image 1 of the electronic image album (1), where the image 1 is displayed in the upper part 272, the “Usage right” button 267 in the center of the lower part 273, and the right on the right side. An arrow button 115 is displayed, and a left arrow button 114 is displayed on the left side.

  For example, when the selection decision operation of the “use right” button 267 is performed on the screen of FIG. 100, the use right target setting screen of FIG. 65 is displayed. The subsequent detailed setting operation is the same as described above except that the setting range of the usage right that can be set is limited to the image 1 of the electronic image album (1).

  For example, when the selection decision operation of the right arrow button 115 is performed on the screen of FIG. 100, the second image browsing screen of the electronic image album (1) of FIG. 101 is displayed. FIG. 101 is a screen that enables browsing of the image 2 of the electronic image album (1). The image 2 is displayed in the upper part, the “use right” button 267 in the lower center, and the right arrow button 115 on the right side. On the left side, a left arrow button 114 is displayed.

  For example, when the “use right” button 267 is selected and determined on the screen shown in FIG. 101, the use right object setting screen shown in FIG. 65 is displayed. The subsequent detailed setting operation is the same as described above except that the setting range of use rights that can be set is limited to the image 2 of the electronic image album (1).

  For example, when the selection decision operation of the right arrow button 115 is performed on the screen of FIG. 101, the third image browsing screen of the electronic image album (1) of FIG. 102 is displayed. FIG. 102 is a screen that enables browsing of the image 3 of the electronic image album (1). The image 3 is displayed at the top, the “use right” button 267 at the bottom center, and the right arrow button 115 on the right. On the left side, a left arrow button 114 is displayed.

  For example, when the “use right” button selection decision operation is performed on the screen shown in FIG. 102, the use right object setting screen shown in FIG. 65 is displayed. The subsequent detailed setting operation is the same as described above except that the setting range of the usage rights that can be set is limited to the image 3 of the electronic image album (1).

  For example, when the selection decision operation of the right arrow button 115 is performed on the screen of FIG. 102, the browsing screen of the fourth image of the electronic image album (1) of FIG. 103 is displayed. 103. On the screen that enables browsing of the image 4 of the electronic image album (1), the image 4 is displayed in the upper part, the “use right” button 267 in the lower center, the right arrow button 115 on the right side, A left arrow button 114 is displayed on the left side.

  For example, when the “use right” button 267 is selected and determined on the screen shown in FIG. 103, the use right object setting screen shown in FIG. 65 is displayed. The subsequent detailed setting operation is as described above except that the setting range of the usage rights that can be set is limited to the image 4 of the electronic image album (1).

  For example, when the selection decision operation of the right arrow button 115 is performed on the screen of FIG. 103, the browsing screen of the fifth image of the electronic image album (1) of FIG. 104 is displayed. FIG. 104 is a screen that enables browsing of the image 5 of the electronic image album (1). The image 5 is displayed in the upper part, the “usage right” button 267 in the lower center, and the right arrow button 115 on the right side. On the left side, a left arrow button 114 is displayed. Further, when setting the right to use the specific image in the electronic image album (2) to the electronic image album (5), the operation for setting the right to use the specific image in the electronic image album (1) is performed. It is the same.

  An example of the result of setting the usage right for each image as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 105 shows an example of an electronic image album. This electronic image album is composed of five images, image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, and image 5.

  Hereinafter, an example of setting a usage right of a user for explaining a case where the user has a limited usage right will be described. As an example, FIG. 106 shows an image in the electronic image album that has a usage right that allows a certain user (for example, the owner of the mobile phone 30) to view the image album. In the example shown in the figure, the user has the right to view the image album for the image 1, the image 2, the image 4, and the image 5. The user does not have the right to view the image album for the image 3. FIG. 107 shows an image in which the same user as the above has the right to use the image order for the image album in the electronic image album. For image 1, image 4, and image 5, the user has the right to use image albums. For the images 2 and 3, the user does not have the right to view the image album.

((Browsing by person with usage rights, ordering images))
Next, the operation when browsing the electronic image album and ordering images when the usage right is set as described above will be described. When the display as shown in FIG. 61 is performed on the mobile phone 10, the user can select an “browse” button 201 and perform a determination operation to view an image and order an image. Browsing and image ordering are also performed when another person who has been introduced to the URL of the album home page by the owner of the image accesses the URL using the mobile phone, for example, the mobile phone 30, 30a, 30b or the like. It is.

  This will be described below with reference to FIG. When any of the above operations is performed, the camera-equipped mobile phones 10a, 10b, 10c, mobile phones 30, 30b, 30c, etc. manage the image of the URL of the first page of the album via the communication carrier 80 by packet communication. It transmits to the center 70 (f30). This browsing request is received by the corresponding image management center 70 via the Internet 60.

  Hereinafter, it is assumed that the browsing request is issued from the mobile phone 30. First, a case will be described in which the user of the mobile phone 30 has full usage rights for browsing and ordering images. Also, in the following example, the usage right is set for each image, and the usage right is only registered by the terminal registrant button 214 on the screen of FIG. It shall be determined only by data.

  When the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is a request for browsing the first image (image 1) of the album, the image management center 70 checks the usage right with respect to the mobile phone 30 that has requested the browsing. Request to send the communication terminal identification data. That is, an identification data transmission request is sent according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30, refers to the information on the usage rights stored in association with each identification data, and refers to the presence of the usage rights and the contents thereof. Then, it is confirmed that the user has the right to use the image browsing (f31). Next, the image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use the image order (f32).

  If it is confirmed that the user has the right to use the image order, the image management center 70 configures an HTML file displaying the selection button 113 and transmits it together with the related file (f33). The HTML file and the related file are received by the network server 84 of the communication carrier 80 via the Internet 60. The HTML file and the related file received by the network server 84 are transmitted from the service server 82 via the bus 83 to the mobile phone 30 as packet communication. As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 109 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  As shown in FIG. 109, this screen displays an image constituting a part of the first page of the album in the upper image display area 272 of the display unit 271, and displays a button in the lower button display area 273. is doing. A selection button 113 is provided at the center of the button display area 273, a right arrow button 115 is provided on the right side, and a left arrow button 114 is provided on the left side. When the user desires to print the displayed image, the selection button 113 is selected and a determination operation is performed as described later.

  When the user wishes to view another image in the album, the user selects the right arrow button 115 or the left arrow button 114 and performs a determination operation (f34). As shown in FIG. 109, when the right arrow button 115 is selected (when it is selected, for example, the display color is changed as shown by hatching in the figure), and the determination operation is performed, the next image album is displayed. A page (including the next image and specified by the URL generated by selection of the next page) is accessed (f35). This access is transmitted to the image management center 70 via the Internet 60 as an application for browsing the next page of the image album.

  Also in this case, the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is a browsing request for a designated image (for example, image 2), and confirms the right of use to the mobile phone 30. The communication terminal identification data request is transmitted according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing (f31). Next, the image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use the image order (f32). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for displaying the selection button 113 and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f33). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 110 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 110 is a screen that allows browsing of the image 2 of the electronic image album. By selecting the right arrow button 115, browsing of the next image of the electronic image album, that is, the image 3 can be requested (f34). ).

  If the user wishes to view the next image (image 3) in the album, as shown in FIG. 110, the right arrow button 115 is selected and a determination operation is performed (f34). On the other hand, the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image browsing request and confirms the right to use the request for the communication terminal identification data to the mobile phone 30. Transmit according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing (f31). Next, the image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use the image order (f32). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for displaying the selection button 113 and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f33). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 111 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 111 is a screen that allows browsing of the image 3 of the electronic image album. By selecting and determining the right arrow button 115, browsing of the next image of the electronic image album, that is, the image 4 can be requested (f34). ).

  When the user wishes to view the next image (image 4) in the album, as shown in FIG. 111, the right arrow button 115 is selected and a determination operation is performed (f34). On the other hand, the browsing screen for the image 4 of the electronic image album is accessed (f35). The image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image browsing request and confirms the right to use the communication terminal identification data request to the mobile phone 30 through a series of packet communications. Send according to the procedure. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing (f31). Next, the image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use the image order (f32). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for displaying the selection button 113 and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f33). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 112 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 112 is a screen that allows browsing of the image 4 of the electronic image album. By selecting the right arrow button 115, browsing of the next image of the electronic image album, that is, the image 5 can be requested (f34). ).

  If the user wishes to view the next image (image 5) in the album, as shown in FIG. 112, the right arrow button 115 is selected and a determination operation is performed (f34). On the other hand, the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image browsing request and confirms the right to use the request for the communication terminal identification data to the mobile phone 30. Transmit according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing (f31). Next, the image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use the image order (f32). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for displaying the selection button 113 and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f33). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 113 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30. FIG. 113 is a screen that allows browsing of the image 5 of the electronic image album.

  As described above, when the user has full usage rights for the electronic image album, as shown in FIGS. 109 to 113, the image 1, the image 2, the image 3, and the image 4 are displayed. The images can be browsed sequentially in the order of the images 5, and it is also possible to place an image order as described later from the browse screen of each image.

  For example, in FIG. 112, if the left arrow button 114 is selected and the determination operation is performed (f34), the previous page of the image album is accessed by the URL generated by the determination operation (f38). . As a result, the screen of FIG. 111 is displayed again on the display unit of the mobile phone 30. The pages of FIGS. 109, 110, 111, 112, and 113 used in the description are examples of image albums that are created based on captured images. In this way, images registered in the image album can be browsed in order by sequentially tracking a series of images using the arrow buttons (114, 115) from the currently displayed image.

  In addition, as an operation for selecting an image in the image album (changing the displayed image), for example, the display of an arrow-shaped triangular button is used, but another user interface may be used. .

  For example, when the page of FIG. 109 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30, as shown by hatching in FIG. 114, when the “select” button 113 is selected and a determination operation is performed, this image order is performed. be able to. The subsequent processing for the image order is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

  Next, a case where the user has the right to use only a part of the image will be described. As an example, the user of the mobile phone 30 has the right to use image 1, image 2, image 4, and image 5 as shown in FIG. 106, and image 1, image 4, and image 5 as shown in FIG. The operation in the case of having an order use right will be described with reference to FIGS. 115 to 118 and FIG.

  For example, the user of the mobile phone 30 accesses the viewing screen of the first image (image 1) of the electronic image album using the URL of the electronic image album introduced by the image owner as described above (f30). ). The image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image browsing request and confirms the right to use the communication terminal identification data request to the mobile phone 30 through a series of packet communications. Send according to the procedure. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing (f31). Next, the image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use the image order (f32). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for displaying the selection button 113 and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f33). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 115 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 115 is a screen that allows browsing of image 1 of the electronic image album. By selecting and operating the right arrow button 115, browsing of the next image of the electronic image album, that is, image 2 can be requested (f34). ).

  When there is a request for browsing the next image (image 2) of the electronic image album, the browsing screen for the image 2 of the electronic image album is accessed (f35). That is, when the user makes a request for viewing the next image (image 2) of the electronic image album, the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image viewing request, and In order to confirm, the request for the communication terminal identification data to the mobile phone 30 is transmitted according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing (f31). Next, the image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it does not have the right to use the image order (f32). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file that does not display the selection button 113 and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f36). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 116 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 116 is a screen that allows browsing of the image 2 of the electronic image album. The selection button 113 of FIG. 115 is not displayed, and an image order cannot be made. By the selection decision operation of the right arrow button 115, it is possible to request browsing of the next image of the electronic image album, that is, the image 3 (f37).

  When there is a request to browse the next image (image 3) of the electronic image album, the browsing screen of the image 3 of the electronic image album is accessed (f35). That is, when the user makes a request for viewing the next image (image 3) of the electronic image album, the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image viewing request, and uses the usage right. In order to confirm, the request for the communication terminal identification data to the mobile phone 30 is transmitted according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it does not have the right to use image browsing (f31). Next, the image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it does not have the right to use the image order (f32). The image management center 70 passes the display of the browsing screen for the image 3 of the electronic image album. That is, access to the next image or the previous image is further performed depending on whether the access is denied to the next image (f35) or the access to the previous image (f38) (f39). (f35, f38).

  In this example, since it is the access to the next image, that is, the image 3 that is rejected, the next image, that is, the image 4 is accessed (f35). The image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image browsing request and confirms the right to use the communication terminal identification data request to the mobile phone 30 through a series of packet communications. Send according to the procedure. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing (f31). Next, the image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use the image order (f32). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for displaying the selection button 113 and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f33). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 117 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 117 is a screen that allows browsing of the image 4 of the electronic image album. By selecting and determining the right arrow button 115, browsing of the next image of the electronic image album, that is, the image 5 can be requested (f34). ).

  When there is a request for browsing the next image (image 5) of the electronic image album, the browsing screen of the image 5 of the electronic image album is accessed (f35). That is, when the user makes a request for viewing the next image (image 5) of the electronic image album, the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image viewing request, and uses the usage right. In order to confirm, the request for the communication terminal identification data to the mobile phone 30 is transmitted according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing (f31). Next, the image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use the image order (f32). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for displaying the selection button 113 and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f36). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 118 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30. FIG. 118 is a screen that allows browsing of the image 5 of the electronic image album.

  As described above, with respect to the electronic image album, the user has the right to view and use image 1, image 2, image 4, and image 5 as shown in FIG. 106, and image 1, image 2, and image 5 as shown in FIG. 4. In the case of a user who has an image order usage right for image 5, image 1, image 2, image 4, and image 5 can be viewed in order, and image 3 is treated as not existing. Further, the selection button 113 is not displayed for the image 2 that does not have the right to use the image order, and the selection button 113 is displayed only for the image 1, the image 4, and the image 5 that have the right to use the image order.

((Use with password))
In the above example, the presence or absence of the right to use is determined only by the communication terminal identification data. However, in addition to allowing the right to use the communication terminal identification data, as described above regarding the setting of the right to use, the correct password is If entered, it is also possible to set to allow use. That is, in the above example, the identification data of the communication terminal of the user who has the right to use is stored in advance, and the user who wants to use the terminal transmits the communication terminal identification data to the mobile phone 30. Whether or not there is a right to use is determined based only on whether or not it matches the stored identification data. Instead of doing this, the user may be permitted to use the image after performing user authentication with a password or the like.

  In this case, all users other than the user may be required to be authenticated by a password or the like, or only a specific (specified) category of users may be authenticated by a password or the like. In addition, authentication for all albums may be performed using a password or the like, or authentication for only some albums may be performed using a password or the like. Further, it is possible to perform authentication with a password or the like for all images in each album, and it is also possible to perform authentication with a password or the like for only some images in each album. Further, authentication with a password or the like may be performed only for both image browsing and image ordering, and authentication with a password or the like may be performed for only one of image browsing and image ordering.

  Hereinafter, an operation in the case where the setting for permitting use under the condition of such password authentication will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 119 is generally the same as FIG. The difference is that steps f31 and f32 are replaced by steps f51 and f52, respectively, and steps f53 and f54 are added.

  Step f51 has a determination result or a branch of “password required” for recognizing the use right when the password is correctly input in addition to “use right” and “no use right”. If it is determined in step f51 that a password is required, the process proceeds to step f53. Step f53 checks the password. Step f52 has a determination result or a branch of “password required” for recognizing the use right when the password is correctly input, in addition to “use right” and “no use right”. If it is determined in step f52 that a password is required, the process proceeds to step f54. Step f54 checks the password.

  FIG. 120 shows the content of step f53. As shown in the figure, the user is first prompted for a password (f61). Therefore, the image management center 70 transmits a screen (an example of which is shown in FIG. 121) for prompting input of a password to the mobile phone 30 and displays the screen on the display unit. On the other hand, the user can select “password input” 271, “next image” 273, or “return” 119 (f62). In the case of receiving password authentication, the password is entered in the password input area 272 and a determination operation is performed. The input password is transmitted to the management system 10 and checked (f63). If it is correct, the process proceeds to step f52. If it is wrong, the screen of FIG. 121 is displayed again to prompt the user to re-enter the password. Re-input is performed accordingly. If the re-entered password is wrong, the screen shown in FIG. 121 is displayed again to prompt the user to re-enter the password (third time input). Re-input is performed accordingly. If such a process is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, three times, but the correct password is not input (f64), the process proceeds to step f39.

  If the user does not know the password on the screen of FIG. 121, the user selects “next image” 273 and performs a determination operation to proceed to step f35 to access the next image or select “return”. When the determination operation is performed, the process proceeds to step f38, and the previous image can be accessed.

  FIG. 122 shows the content of step f54. As shown in the figure, the user is first prompted to enter a password (f71). Therefore, the image management center 70 transmits a screen (an example of which is shown in FIG. 123) for prompting input of a password to the mobile phone 30 and displays the screen on the display unit. In response to this, the user can select “input password” 281 or “view only” 283. That is, when password authentication is received, the password is entered in the password input area 282 and a determination operation is performed. The entered password is sent to the system 10 and checked. If it is correct, the process proceeds to step f33. If it is wrong, the screen shown in FIG. 123 is displayed again to prompt the user to re-enter the password. Re-input is performed accordingly. If the re-entered password is also wrong, the screen of FIG. 123 is displayed again to prompt the user to re-enter the password (third time input). Re-input is performed accordingly. If such a process is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, three times, but the correct password is not input (f74), the process proceeds to step f36.

  If the user does not know the password on the screen of FIG. 123, the user can select “browse only” and perform a determination operation to proceed to step f36 to view an image without the selection button displayed.

  Hereinafter, the operation when sequentially browsing a plurality of images by performing the password check as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 124, 125, 121, 122, 120, 119, 127, and 123. To do.

  In the following example, it is assumed that password authentication is required for browsing and ordering only the image 3 among the images 1 to 5 of the electronic image album.

  First, it is assumed that the user accesses the browsing screen of the first image (image 1) of the electronic image album (f30). The image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image browsing request and confirms the right to use the communication terminal identification data request to the mobile phone 30 through a series of packet communications. Send according to the procedure. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing and image order (f51, f52). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for browsing images and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f33). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 124 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 124 is a screen that allows browsing of image 1 of the electronic image album. By selecting and determining the right arrow button 115, browsing of the next image of the electronic image album, that is, image 2 can be requested.

  Next, when there is a request for browsing the next image (image 2) of the electronic image album, the browsing screen of the image 2 of the electronic image album is accessed (f30). That is, when the user makes a request for viewing the next image (image 2) of the electronic image album, the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image viewing request, and In order to confirm, the request for the communication terminal identification data to the mobile phone 30 is transmitted according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing and image order (f51, f52). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for browsing images and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f33). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 125 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 125 is a screen that permits browsing of the image 2 of the electronic image album, and the user can request browsing of the next image of the electronic image album, that is, the image 3 by the selection decision operation of the right arrow button 115.

  Next, when there is a request for browsing the next image (image 3) of the electronic image album, the browsing screen of the image 3 of the electronic image album is accessed (f30). That is, when the user makes a request for viewing the next image (image 3) of the electronic image album, the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image viewing request, and uses the usage right. In order to confirm, the request for the communication terminal identification data to the mobile phone 30 is transmitted according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that password authentication is required for image browsing (f51). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for password input and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file. As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 121 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30 (f61).

  This screen includes an area 272 for inputting a password. In FIG. 121, after the password is input in the area 272, the input password is transmitted from the mobile phone 30 by the selection determination operation of the “OK” button 120 (f62). The image management center 70 confirms the password and confirms whether the password is correct (f63).

  If the password is correct, it is next confirmed that password authentication is required for ordering images (f52). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for password input and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file. As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 123 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30 (f71).

  In FIG. 123, after the password is input, the input password is transmitted from the mobile phone 30 by the selection determination operation of the “OK” button 120 (f72). The image management center 70 confirms the password and confirms whether the password is correct (f73). If the password is correct, a screen permitting browsing of the next image, for example, image 3, as shown in FIG. 126 is displayed (f33).

  If it is determined in step f52 that there is no right to use the image order, or if it is NG in step f54 (if the correct password is not entered or “view only” is selected), the process proceeds to step f36. As shown in 127, an image on which the selection button is not displayed is displayed.

  For example, when the pages of FIGS. 124, 125, and 126 are displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30, the user can select the “select” button 113 and perform a determination operation to place this image order. . The subsequent processing is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 9 and after FIG.

((Check usage rights after ordering images))
In the above embodiment, the presence / absence of the image browsing usage right and the image order usage right is determined. If the image browsing usage right exists and the image order usage right does not exist, the image display without the selection button is displayed. However, when displaying an image, the presence / absence of the right to use an image order may be checked only when there is an image order without checking the presence / absence of the right to use an image order.

  The operation in such a case will be described below with reference to FIGS. 128 to 132. In this example, regarding the browsing of images, only the discrimination based on the communication terminal identification data is performed, and the right to use the password is not recognized.

  FIG. 128 is a flowchart for explaining operations by the image management center 70 such as image provision for image browsing and image order acceptance, and is generally the same as FIG. However, steps f32, f36, and f37 in FIG. 108 are not provided, and if it is determined in step f31 that there is a viewing use right, the process proceeds to step f33.

  FIG. 129 is similar to FIG. That is, steps f81 to f84 in FIG. 129 are similar to steps f71 to f74 in FIG. 122, respectively. However, the point that step f80 is added, the point that the screen of FIG. 132 is displayed instead of the screen of FIG. 123 for the guidance of password input at step f81, and the previous browsing screen when printing is unnecessary It differs in that it returns to.

  Hereinafter, an operation in a case where a user is required to authenticate with a password for ordering images only for the image 2 of the electronic image album and does not require authentication with a password for viewing images. explain.

  In the following description of operations, reference numerals of corresponding portions in FIGS. 128 and 129 corresponding to the respective operations are added.

  First, it is assumed that the browsing screen for the image 1 of the electronic image album is accessed (f30). The image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image browsing request and confirms the right to use the communication terminal identification data request to the mobile phone 30 through a series of packet communications. Send according to the procedure. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing (f31). The image management center 70 configures an HTML file for browsing images and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f33). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 130 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 130 is a screen that allows browsing of the image 1 of the electronic image album. By selecting and determining the right arrow button 115, browsing of the next image of the electronic image album, that is, the image 2 can be requested. The image ordering of the image 1 of the electronic image album can be performed by the selection decision operation of the selection button 113.

  When there is a request for browsing the next image (image 2) of the electronic image album, the browsing screen of the image 2 of the electronic image album is accessed (f34). That is, when the user makes a request for viewing the next image (image 2) of the electronic image album, the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image viewing request, and In order to confirm, the request for the communication terminal identification data to the mobile phone 30 is transmitted according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and confirms that it has the right to use image browsing (f31). The image management center 70 constructs an HTML file for viewing images and transmits it to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f40). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 131 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 131 is a screen that allows browsing of the image 2 of the electronic image album. By selecting and determining the right arrow button 115, browsing of the next image of the electronic image album, that is, the image 3 can be requested. The image order of the image 2 of the electronic image album can be performed by the selection decision operation of the selection button 113.

  When there is an order for an image (f34), the order screen for the displayed image 2 is accessed. That is, when the user orders the displayed image (image 2), the image management center 70 confirms that the communication from the mobile phone 30 is an image order, and confirms the usage right. The communication terminal identification data request to the mobile phone 30 is transmitted according to a series of packet communication procedures. The cellular phone 30 responds with its own communication terminal identification data according to a series of packet communication procedures. The image management center 70 confirms the received communication terminal identification data of the mobile phone 30 and determines whether an image order is unconditionally accepted for image ordering, whether a password is required, or no use right ( f80). If there is a usage right unconditionally, the process proceeds to step f7. If there is no usage right, the screen returns to the previous browsing screen (FIG. 131) (f33). (Instead of returning to the browsing screen, a message saying that there is no right to use an image order may be displayed.) If a password input is required, the image management center 70 is for password input. The HTML file is configured and transmitted to the mobile phone 30 together with the related file (f81). As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 132 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 30.

The screen in FIG. 132 has an area 282 for inputting a password.
In the screen shown in FIG. 132, the user can select “input password” 281 or “image order unnecessary” 285. In other words, when password authentication is received, after the password is entered in the password input area 282 and the “OK” button 120 is selected and determined (f82), the entered password is transmitted from the mobile phone 30. . The image management center 70 confirms the password and confirms whether the password is correct (f83). If the password is correct, processing is performed according to the image order. That is, the subsequent processing is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 9 and after FIG.

  In the above description, the system has been described as an example in which the usage right is confirmed every time the browsing screen is accessed and every time the image ordering screen is accessed. However, the image management center 70 performs communication terminal identification data on the first access. When you have confirmed the right to use the mobile phone in advance, you can view the communication terminal identification data for each image for subsequent browsing (as long as the mobile phone's call status is maintained) and for image ordering. Processing may be performed assuming that there is a right to use without requesting transmission. In this way, the number of times of data transmission / reception can be reduced, and the time required for processing is shortened.

  Further, communication terminal identification data may be included in a browse screen request or image order screen request command from the mobile phone side. If it does so, the frequency | count of transmission / reception can be reduced and the time which a process requires will become short.

  In the above example, the operation is described by taking the case of using authentication by password as an example. However, the authentication method is not limited to password authentication, and other methods such as fingerprint authentication and iris authentication may be used.

((Effect of Embodiment 5))
With the above configuration, the owner of the mobile phone with an imaging function registers the electronic image album in the image management system and communicates the URL by e-mail, for example, to show the electronic image album. It can be easily shown to those who want it. In addition, the person who is informed of the URL can order the image he / she wants to obtain, and both the image owner and the person concerned can obtain the desired image without bothering.

  Private image albums are only open to a limited number of specific parties, or may be viewed, but they do not want to print images or obtain image data. Since it can be disclosed to members, the image owner himself can set the level of disclosure to the parties concerned, such as providing a password to teach to the members of the group, so that the infringement of privacy can be prevented.

Next, the effects obtained by enabling the print image to be obtained by a person other than the image owner in Embodiment 5 are summarized as follows.
Conventionally, the distribution of photographs to related parties is often carried out by the owners of the film in the case of a silver halide camera and the owners of the data in the case of a digital camera. The owner of the film and data had to listen to the individual's wishes such as the number and size of the film and change the cost, which was a heavy burden on the data owner.

  If the print image can be obtained by a person other than the image owner as in the fifth embodiment, the person concerned can easily obtain the desired photograph, and the data owner can take the photograph. The burden associated with distribution is eliminated.

Next, effects obtained by enabling the acquisition of image data by a person other than the image owner in Embodiment 5 are summarized as follows.
Conventionally, distribution of image data to related parties is often performed by attaching an image file to an e-mail. There was a problem that the telephone usage fee for sending and receiving image data was high. At the same time, there was a problem that it took a long time to communicate and could not handle incoming calls.

Recently, it is also possible to send and receive image data via a device such as a personal computer with a broadband communication environment, but it cannot be used by those who do not have a device such as a personal computer. Also, it cannot be used on the go by those who own equipment such as personal computers. Or, it is troublesome to carry a device such as a personal computer when going out.
If a person other than the owner of the image can obtain the image data as in the fifth embodiment, the parties concerned can distribute the desired image data at a low cost. It is also convenient because you can receive services including album browsing and image printing.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
In the first and fifth embodiments, image data is transferred from a camera-equipped mobile phone (10, etc.) to an image service terminal (40, etc.) for deposit, album creation, management, image provision, etc. However, it is also possible to transfer the image data from a communication terminal such as a mobile phone having no imaging function to the image service terminal and perform the same processing. Examples of image data stored in a mobile phone having no imaging function include data once downloaded from an electronic image album and data directly transferred from another mobile phone. In the following description, it is assumed that the mobile phone 30 has no imaging function and image data is transferred from the mobile phone 30 to the image service terminal 40. Also in this case, the overall configuration of the image management system is as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the mobile phone 30 stores images in its storage unit. The mobile phones 30a and 30b are not limited to one mobile phone, but are shown to show that there are many other mobile phones. The operation is the same as that of the mobile phone 30, so that each Description is omitted.

  The image data stored in the mobile phone 30 is taken into the image service terminal 40 via a removable medium or via a communication path such as a cable, infrared ray, or radio. The image service terminal 40, the image management center 70, and the communication carrier 80 are connected to a communication network such as the Internet 60. A private line or a telephone network may be used instead of the Internet 60. Further, the connection from the image service terminal 40 to the Internet may be performed by wireless communication or wired communication.

  The user stops at the image service terminal 40 that is convenient for the nearest or other reasons, and transfers the image data stored in the mobile phone 30 to the image service terminal 40. By inputting image data to the image service terminal 40, the user can receive services such as photo printing, image data storage, album browsing on the WWW site, and photo introduction to related parties.

  The cellular phone 30 transfers communication terminal identification data such as a telephone number and a mail address to the image service terminal 40 together with the image data. The image service terminal 40 uploads the image data associated with the communication terminal identification data to the image management center 70 via the Internet 60.

  The image management center 70 classifies the image data received from the image service terminal 40 based on the communication terminal identification data and creates an album. At this time, the image management center 70 reduces the image size in consideration of the liquid crystal display screen of the mobile phone 30 so as to be suitable for browsing on the mobile phone 30.

  When the preparation for providing the album browsing service is completed, the image management center 70 sends connection information including the URL of the WWW site prepared for the user's image album to the user's mobile phone 30 as an e-mail. To do. When the user receives the electronic mail, the user accesses the URL and browses the image album. Mail reception of the mobile phone 30 and browsing of the WWW site are performed through an Internet connection that relays the communication carrier 80.

  The user browses the image album, selects the acquired image (print image or image data), and orders the image. The image management center 70 obtains location information of the mobile phone 30 from the communication carrier 80, and guides the installation location of the nearest image service terminal 40 as an image receiving location. The user selects either “the nearest image service terminal 40”, “the image service terminal 40 near the home”, or “searches and specifies an arbitrary image service terminal 40” as the image receiving location. select.

  When the user selects “Search and specify any image service terminal 40”, the image management center 70 prompts the user to input an address of the desired location, and the image installed at the location closest to the desired location. The service terminal 40 is guided. In addition, a past use history of the image service terminal 40 may be shown and selection from there may be prompted. The image management center 70 downloads the image data of the image ordered by the user to the image service terminal 40 selected by the user through the Internet 60 together with the communication terminal identification data.

  The image management center 70 charges the carrier 80 for the cost of the image album browsing service provided to the user and the image download service. The telecommunications carrier 80 manages the service charge of the image management center 70 together with the telephone charge of the user, the packet communication charge, and the information charge of other WWW sites, and bills the user collectively for each predetermined period. To do.

  The image service terminal 40 prepares and stores an image ordered by the user. That is, when the ordered image is a print image, the image is printed, and the print image is stored in a predetermined location (storage unit) in the image service terminal. If the ordered image is image data, the image data is transferred and prepared for delivery. The user goes to receive the image ordered from the image service terminal 40. The image service terminal 40 performs user authentication with the mobile phone 30 owned by the user based on the communication terminal identification data associated with the image data, and delivers the image. That is, in the case of a print image, the print image is discharged to a predetermined providing unit. The user receives the discharged print image. In the case of image data, the image data is transferred from the image service terminal to the mobile phone 30. The image transfer may be performed via the removable medium 28 as described with reference to FIG. 4 with respect to the first embodiment, and is described with respect to the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment. As described above, it may be performed by a cable, infrared rays, wireless, or the like.

((Effect of Embodiment 6))
Problems that can be solved by the sixth embodiment will be described.
Even if the cellular phone 30 stores up to about 100,000 pixels of image data of 352 pixels × 288 pixels in length and width, even if it is stored in the built-in storage means, it is not so burdensome. However, for example, when the image data is about 1 million pixels, which is 10 times, the data capacity is 10 times, which is a very heavy burden. When the stored image data becomes large, the storage area of the phone book, e-mail, and incoming notification music data stored in the storage means built in the mobile phone 30 is compressed. In addition, there is a problem that additional images cannot be stored.

  There is a mobile phone 30 that can back up data in a device having storage means such as a personal computer, but it cannot be used by those who do not have a device having storage means such as a personal computer. Also, it cannot be used by a person who owns a device having a storage means such as a personal computer when the free space of the storage means becomes small while away from home. With the image management system described in the sixth embodiment, image data can be temporarily stored in an arbitrary image service terminal 40 and received when there is enough free space in the storage means built in the mobile phone 30. It was.

  In addition, by using communication terminal identification data for user authentication, both the user and the image management system can save time and effort for complicated password management and management using a deposit slip.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
In the fifth embodiment, it is possible for a person other than the owner of the image to use the image by setting the usage right. Other methods that allow a person other than the image owner to use the image include the following.

  The configuration of the image management system for carrying out this method is as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a case where the owner of the image (first user) uses the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and is made to be used by another person (second user) who uses the mobile phone 30 will be described. The operation until the image owner (first user) browses the image album is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The image management center 70 manages a stored image with a unique image identification code. The first user browses the image album, selects an image (referred to as a transferred image) that the second user wants to use, and creates a mail with an image identification code (including a URL, for example). . The first user sets the second user as the mail destination, and sends an e-mail with the image identification code of the transferred image attached. The service server 82 of the telecommunications carrier 80 recognizes from the user's outgoing mail that the destination is the second user's mail address, and determines whether the communication network within the telecommunications carrier 80 or the Internet 60 is used. To relay the outgoing mail.

  At the same time, the service server 82 detects the image identification code attached to the outgoing mail. The service server 82 sends the image identification code of the transferred image currently associated with the image album of the first user to the image album of the second user via the net server 84. Also notify that it should be set to associate. (If the second user's image album does not exist so far, the second user creates the image album and then performs the above processing.) The image management center 70 The image identification code of the transferred image is set so as to be associated with the image album of the second user. For example, the image file of the transferred image is linked from the top page of the second user's image album.

When the second user receives the e-mail from the first user with the mobile phone 30, the attached image identification code (for example, including the URL)
Based on the above, the image management center 70 is accessed to browse the image. Thereafter, the reception page of the electronic album can be accessed and browsed from the mobile phone 30 corresponding to the communication terminal identification data of the second user.

  The second user who is the owner of the mobile phone 30 is a relative, friend, acquaintance, etc. of the first user who the user wants to see their image album, Some people appear as subjects in the image.

  The second user selects and orders an image to be obtained. The image management center 70 obtains location information of the mobile phone 30 from the communication carrier 80, and guides the installation location of the nearest image service terminal 40 as an image receiving location. Whether the second user receives the image as the “closest image service terminal 40”, “image service terminal 40 near home”, or “searches and designates an arbitrary image service terminal 40”. , Choose one.

  When the second user selects “Search and specify any image service terminal 40”, the image management center 70 is installed at a location closest to the desired location by prompting the user to input an address of the desired location. The image service terminal 40 is guided. In addition, a past use history of the image service terminal 40 may be shown and selection from there may be prompted. The image management center 70 downloads the image data of the image ordered by the second user to the image service terminal 40 selected by the second user via the Internet 60 together with the communication terminal identification data.

  The image management center 70 charges the telecommunications carrier 80 for the cost of the image album browsing service provided to the second user and the image use service. The telecommunications carrier 80 manages the service usage fee of the image management center 70 together with the second user's telephone fee, packet communication usage fee, and other WWW site information fees, and uses them together every predetermined period. Charge the person.

  The image service terminal 40 prepares and stores an image ordered by the second user. That is, if the ordered image is a print image, the image is printed, and the print image is stored in a storage unit in the image service terminal. If the ordered image is image data, the image data is transferred and prepared for delivery. The second user goes to receive the image ordered from the image service terminal 40. Based on the communication terminal identification data associated with the image data, the image service terminal 40 performs user authentication with the mobile phone 30 owned by the second user and delivers the image. That is, in the case of a print image, the print image is discharged to a predetermined providing unit. The user receives the discharged print image. In the case of image data, the image data is transferred from the image service terminal to the mobile phone 30. The image transfer may be performed via the removable medium 28 as described with reference to FIG. 4 with respect to the first embodiment, and is described with respect to the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment. As described above, it may be performed by a cable, infrared rays, wireless, or the like.

((Effect of Embodiment 7))
Problems that can be solved by the seventh embodiment will be described.
Conventionally, the distribution of photographs to related parties is often performed by the owners of the film for silver halide cameras and the owners of the data for digital cameras. The owners of the film and data listened to the individual's wishes such as the number and size, and the cost was high and the burden was heavy. The image management system described in the seventh embodiment makes it possible for the parties concerned to easily obtain a desired photograph. In addition, the image data owner no longer has to pay for the photo distribution.

  Further, since the second user refers to the album dedicated to the second user, not the album of the first user, the second user accesses the album of the first user. This eliminates the problem of checking access rights. The access right check has a problem that the image management center 70 increases the management load. In addition, there is a problem that it is inconvenient because the second user is required to have a password and access is troublesome.

Embodiment 8 FIG.
In each of the above embodiments, the image management center stores full-size image data and creates and stores an image album with reduced image data. Instead, the image service terminal stores full-size image data. The image service terminal creates reduced image data and sends it to the image management center. The image management center creates and stores an image album with the reduced image data sent, and does not store full-size image data at the image management center. It's also good. The overall configuration of the image management system in this case is as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a case where image data is transferred from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40 will be described.

  In FIG. 1, the user takes a picture with the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 stores image data obtained by imaging according to a user's shutter operation. The user stops at the image service terminal 40 that is closest to the shooting location or for other reasons, and transfers the image data captured by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40. The transfer is performed via a removable medium or a communication path such as a cable, infrared ray, or radio.

  The image service terminal 40, the image management center 70, and the communication carrier 80 are connected to a communication network such as the Internet 60, and the user inputs image data to the image service terminal 40, so that photo printing and image data storage are performed. , You can receive services such as browsing the album on the WWW site and introducing photos to related parties. The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 transfers communication terminal identification data such as a telephone number and a mail address to the image service terminal 40 together with the image data.

  In FIG. 5, the image service terminal 40 stores the image data and the communication terminal identification data received from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 in the storage unit 43. The processing unit 44 reads the image data from the storage unit 43, generates a reduced image file corresponding to the display screen of the mobile phone as shown in FIG. 7 and stores it in the storage unit 43.

  The image service terminal 40 uploads the reduced image file to the image management center 70 via the Internet 60. The image management center 70 classifies the reduced image file received from the image service terminal 40 based on the communication terminal identification data to create an album.

  When the image management center 70 is ready to provide the album browsing service, the connection information including the URL of the WWW site prepared for the user's image album is sent to the e-mail address of the user's camera-equipped mobile phone 10 by e-mail. Send as. When the user receives the electronic mail, the user accesses the URL and browses the image album. Mail reception of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and browsing of the WWW site are performed through an Internet connection relayed by the communication carrier 80. The user's camera-equipped mobile phone 10 accesses the WWW server 71 of the image management center 70 and browses the image album.

  The user selects and orders an image to be obtained. The image management center 70 obtains location information of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 from the communication carrier 80, and guides the installation location of the nearest image service terminal 40 as an image receiving location. The user selects either “the nearest image service terminal 40”, “the image service terminal 40 near the home”, or “searches and specifies an arbitrary image service terminal 40” as the image receiving location. select.

  When the user selects “Search and specify any image service terminal 40”, the image management center 70 prompts the user to input an address of the desired location, and the image installed at the location closest to the desired location. The service terminal 40 is guided. In addition, a past use history of the image service terminal 40 may be shown and selection from there may be prompted. The image management center 70 downloads the URL of the image (reduced image) ordered by the user to the image service terminal 40 selected by the user via the Internet 60 together with the communication terminal identification data.

  The image management center 70 charges the carrier 80 for the cost of the image album browsing service provided to the user and the image use service. The telecommunications carrier 80 manages the service charge of the image management center 70 together with the telephone charge of the user, the packet communication charge, and the information charge of other WWW sites, and bills the user collectively for each predetermined period. To do.

  When the image service terminal 40 selected by the user stores the full-size image data of the reduced image, the image ordered by the user is prepared and stored.

  When the second image service terminal (for example, 40a) selected by the user has not stored the full-size image data corresponding to the reduced image, the second image service terminal 40a stores the full-size image data. The stored image service terminal 40 is requested to transmit full-size image data corresponding to the URL of the reduced image. The image service terminal 40 transmits a full-size image corresponding to the URL of the reduced image to the second image service terminal 40a. The second image service terminal 40a receives this full-size image data, prepares and stores an image ordered by the user.

  In both cases, the image service terminal 40 that originally stored the full-size image or the image service terminal 40a that has received the full-size image from another image service terminal delivers the image. If the ordered image is a print image, the image is printed, and the print image is stored in a storage unit in the image service terminal. If the ordered image is image data, the image data is transferred and prepared for delivery. The user goes to receive the image ordered from the image service terminal 40 or 40a. The image service terminal 40 or 40a performs user authentication with the mobile phone 10 owned by the user based on the communication terminal identification data associated with the image data, and delivers the image. That is, in the case of a print image, the print image is discharged to a predetermined providing unit. The user receives the discharged print image. In the case of image data, the image data is transferred from the image service terminal to the mobile phone 10. The image transfer may be performed via the removable medium 28 as described with reference to FIG. 4 with respect to the first embodiment, and is described with respect to the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment. As described above, it may be performed by a cable, infrared rays, wireless, or the like.

  In the eighth embodiment, since the image service terminal 40 includes the storage unit 43, the storage capacity of the storage unit 71 of the image management center 70 and the storage unit 43 of each image service terminal 40 is considered. A storage unit for storing each full-size image data is assigned. Since movement of full-size image data increases Internet traffic, it is desirable to keep it to a minimum. Transfer is executed when full-size image data is needed. Therefore, the image data is first stored in the storage unit 43 of each image service terminal 40, and when the storage capacity of the storage unit 43 is almost full, it is collectively transferred to the image management center 70 in a time zone when the Internet traffic is low. You may do it. Further, the full-size image data may be redistributed among the other image service terminals 40 in consideration of each storage capacity. The image management center 70 manages the communication terminal identification data, the storage location of the full-size image data, and the storage location of the reduced image data in association with each other.

In order to enable image data to be transferred between image service terminals, the communication unit 47 of each image service terminal 40 is configured to be able to directly communicate with other image service terminals 40.
Communication with other image service terminals may be performed by circuit switching data communication, or may be performed by packet switching data communication. In the latter case, the communication unit 47 may have data encryption means.

Embodiment 9 FIG.
In the eighth embodiment, full-size image data is stored at the image service terminal, while reduced image data is created at the image service terminal and sent to the image management center. The image management center uses the reduced image data sent to the image album. Create and store. Instead of this, the image service terminal stores not only full-size image data but also reduced image data, and sends only the URL of the reduced image data to the image management center. An album may be created and stored. The overall configuration of an image management system that performs such processing is as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a case where image data of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is taken into the image service terminal 40 to store the image data, create an album, and the like will be described.

  In FIG. 1, the user takes a picture with the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 stores image data obtained by imaging according to a user's shutter operation. The user stops at the image service terminal 40 that is closest to the shooting location or for other reasons, and transfers the image data captured by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image service terminal 40. The transfer is performed via a removable medium or a communication path such as a cable, infrared ray, or radio.

  The image service terminal 40, the image management center 70, and the communication carrier 80 are connected to a communication network such as the Internet 60, and the user inputs image data to the image service terminal 40, so that photo printing and image data storage are performed. , You can receive services such as browsing the album on the WWW site and introducing photos to related parties. The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 transfers communication terminal identification data such as a telephone number and a mail address to the image service terminal 40 together with the image data.

  In FIG. 5, the image service terminal 40 stores the image data and the communication terminal identification data received from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 in the storage unit 43. The processing unit 44 reads the image data from the storage unit 43, generates a reduced image file corresponding to the display screen of the mobile phone as shown in FIG. 7, and stores it in the server unit 48. The server unit 48 is connected to the Internet 60 and can access the reduced image file in the server 48 via the Internet.

  The image service terminal 40 uploads the URL of the reduced image file to the image management center 70 via the Internet 60. The URL of the reduced image file is uploaded, and the full size image data is not uploaded. The image management center 70 creates an album by classifying the URLs of the reduced image files received from the image service terminal 40 based on the communication terminal identification data. In the HTML of the home page of the image album provided by the image management center 70 to the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, a link to the URL of the reduced image file received from the image service terminal 40 is described.

  When the image management center 70 is ready to provide the album browsing service, the connection information including the URL of the WWW site prepared for the user's image album is sent to the e-mail address of the user's camera-equipped mobile phone 10 by e-mail. Send as. When the user receives the electronic mail, the user accesses the URL and browses the image album. Mail reception of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and browsing of the WWW site are performed through an Internet connection relayed by the communication carrier 80. The user's camera-equipped mobile phone 10 accesses the WWW server 71 of the image management center 70 and browses the image album. Since the HTML file of the image album is also linked to the reduced image of the server unit 48 of the image service terminal 40, when the user views the image (reduced image), the server unit 48 of the image service terminal 40. Images (reduced images) are viewed.

  The user selects and orders an image to be obtained. The image management center 70 obtains location information of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 from the communication carrier 80, and guides the installation location of the nearest image service terminal 40 as an image receiving location. The user selects either “the nearest image service terminal 40”, “the image service terminal 40 near the home”, or “searches and specifies an arbitrary image service terminal 40” as the image receiving location. select.

  When the user selects “Search and specify any image service terminal 40”, the image management center 70 prompts the user to input an address of the desired location, and the image installed at the location closest to the desired location. The service terminal 40 is guided. In addition, a past use history of the image service terminal 40 may be shown and selection from there may be prompted. The image management center 70 downloads the URL of the image (reduced image) ordered by the user to the image service terminals 40 and 40a selected by the user through the Internet 60 together with the communication terminal identification data.

  The image management center 70 charges the carrier 80 for the cost of the image album browsing service provided to the user and the image use service. The telecommunications carrier 80 manages the service charge of the image management center 70 together with the telephone charge of the user, the packet communication charge, and the information charge of other WWW sites, and bills the user collectively for each predetermined period. To do.

  When the image service terminal (40) selected by the user has stored full-size image data corresponding to the reduced image, the image ordered by the user is prepared and stored.

  When the second image service terminal (for example, 40a) selected by the user has not stored full-size image data that can correspond to the reduced image, the second image service terminal 40a is connected to the image service terminal 40. Requesting transmission of full-size image data corresponding to the URL of the reduced image. The image service terminal 40 transmits full-size image data corresponding to the URL of the reduced image to the second image service terminal 40a. The second image service terminal 40a prepares and stores an image ordered by the user using the transmitted full-size image data.

  In both cases, the image service terminal 40 that originally stored the full-size image or the image service terminal 40a that has received the full-size image from another image service terminal delivers the image. If the ordered image is a print image, the image is printed, and the print image is stored in a predetermined storage unit in the image service terminal. If the ordered image is image data, the image data is transferred and prepared for delivery. The user goes to receive the image ordered from the image service terminal 40 or 40a. The image service terminal 40 or 40a performs user authentication with the mobile phone 10 owned by the user based on the communication terminal identification data associated with the image data, and delivers the image. That is, in the case of a print image, the print image is discharged to a predetermined providing unit. The user receives the discharged print image. In the case of image data, the image data is transferred from the image service terminal to the mobile phone 10. The image transfer may be performed via the removable medium 28 as described with reference to FIG. 4 with respect to the first embodiment, and is described with respect to the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment. As described above, it may be performed by a cable, infrared rays, wireless, or the like.

  In the ninth embodiment, since the image service terminal 40 includes the server unit 48 and the storage unit 43, the storage capacities of the storage unit 71 of the image management center 70 and the storage unit 43 of each image service terminal 40, respectively. In consideration of this, a storage unit for storing each full-size image data is assigned. Since movement of image data increases Internet traffic, it is desirable to keep it to a minimum. Transfer is executed when image data is needed. Therefore, the image data is first stored in the storage unit 43 of each image service terminal 40, and when the storage capacity of the storage unit 43 is almost full, it is collectively transferred to the image management center 70 in a time zone when the Internet traffic is low. You may do it. In addition, full-size image data may be redistributed among neighboring or other image service terminals 40 in consideration of each storage capacity. The image management center 70 manages the communication terminal identification data, the storage location of full-size image data, and the storage location (URL) of reduced image data in association with each other.

Embodiment 10 FIG.
In each of the above embodiments, when imaging is performed with the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, attribute data or flags relating to the classification of the image according to the imaging target, the necessity of printing, printing conditions, and the like are generated and associated with the image data It is also possible to memorize it. The overall configuration of the image management system used in this case is as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a case where imaging is performed by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and image data obtained by imaging is transferred to the image service terminal 40 will be described.

  In FIG. 1, the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 performs imaging with the camera unit. Image data captured by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 is taken into the image service terminal 40 via a removable medium or via a communication path such as a cable, infrared ray, or radio. The image service terminal 40, the image management center 70, and the communication carrier 80 are connected to the Internet 60.

  The user takes a picture with the camera-equipped mobile phone 10. The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 stores image data obtained by imaging according to a user's shutter operation. In FIG. 3, when the user wants to perform printing as well as adding an image to an image album by operating the operation unit 16, a user can assign a print code in association with the image. In addition, a print setting code relating to setting of the type, size, and number of sheets of printing paper can be given. Also, an album position designation code for designating which classification page in the image album is to be stored can be given. A print code, a print setting code, an album position designation code, and the like given in association with an image are associated as an image header file.

  The user stops at the image service terminal 40 that is closest to the shooting location or is convenient for other reasons, and stores the header data including the image data shot by the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and each processing designation flag to the image service terminal 40. Forward. By inputting image data to the image service terminal 40, the user can receive services such as photo printing, image data storage, album browsing on the WWW site, and photo introduction to related parties. The camera-equipped mobile phone 10 transfers communication terminal identification data such as a telephone number and a mail address to the image service terminal 40 together with the header file including the image data and each processing designation flag.

  The image service terminal 40 prints and stores the designated image on the designated paper based on the print code and print setting code included in the header file. The user goes to receive the print image ordered from the image service terminal 40. Based on the communication terminal identification data associated with the image data, the image service terminal 40 authenticates the user with the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 owned by the user and prints and stores the image stored in the print image receiving port. Discharge.

  In FIG. 5, the image service terminal 40 stores the image data received from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, the header file including each processing designation flag, and the communication terminal identification data in the storage unit 43. The image service terminal 40 uploads the image data, header file, and communication terminal identification data to the image management center 70 via the Internet 60.

  The image management center 70 classifies the image data received from the image service terminal 40 based on the communication terminal identification data and creates an album. Furthermore, a predetermined page is classified and associated based on the album position designation code included in the header file. At this time, the image management center 70 reduces the image size in consideration of the liquid crystal display screen of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 or the mobile phone 30 so as to be suitable for browsing on the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 or the mobile phone 30.

  When the image management center 70 is ready to provide the album browsing service, the connection information including the URL of the WWW site prepared for the user's image album is sent to the e-mail address of the user's camera-equipped mobile phone 10 by e-mail. Send as. When the user receives the electronic mail, the user accesses the URL and browses the image album. Mail reception of the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 and browsing of the WWW site are performed through an Internet connection relayed by the communication carrier 80. The user can browse the images in the homepage of the image album with the classification and arrangement as specified.

  Image albums can have small categories such as date, event, person, theme. If you upload without specifying, it will be sorted by date and saved. Generation of classification items and movement to small classifications such as for each event of an image, for each person, and for each theme can be performed by an operation from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10, but the album position designation code added at the time of imaging This saves you the trouble of moving during browsing.

  The image service terminal 40 notifies the image management center 70 of the cost information printed based on the print code and the print setting code in association with the communication terminal identification data. The image management center 70 charges the carrier 80 for the cost of the image album browsing service provided to the user and the image use service. The telecommunications carrier 80 manages the service charge of the image management center 70 together with the telephone charge of the user, the packet communication charge, and the information charge of other WWW sites, and bills the user collectively for each predetermined period. To do.

Embodiment 11 FIG.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the image service terminal 40 can receive image data, store image data, and perform image printing and print image delivery. However, only a part of these functions can be used. A combination of these may be used. For example, a terminal that receives image data, a terminal that stores image data, and a terminal that performs image printing and delivery of printed images may be provided separately. Moreover, you may use what has another service function. For example, the image service terminal 40 is a KIOSK terminal that provides various services such as sales of various admission tickets, music data and game software, application for an examination of a qualification test, sales of travel products, and cash deposits in addition to the image service. Such a terminal may be used. KIOSK terminals are installed in the same manner as vending machines at convenience stores, photo stores, DPE (Development Printing Enlargement) service stores, mobile phone stores, shopping centers, retail stores such as consumer electronics mass stores, and the like. Furthermore, an image service terminal may be configured by adding functions to a copier installed in a convenience store or the like.

  In each of the above embodiments, a mobile phone is used as the communication terminal, and the captured image is transferred from the camera-equipped mobile phone 10 to the image data terminal 40. The mobile phone 30 is received from an external supply source and stored. Although the image data has been described as being transferred to the image data terminal 40, the image data is transferred from an external source to the camera-equipped mobile phone and stored, and then the stored image data is transferred from the camera-equipped mobile phone. It may be transferred to the image service terminal 40. That is, the mobile phone 30 of the above embodiment may be provided with a camera or not provided with a camera as described above.

  In addition, the communication terminal is not limited to a mobile phone, and can be a portable terminal, a portable communication terminal, a portable information terminal, a portable information communication terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants or Personal Data Assistants), a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), etc. Any device equipped with a communication function may be used. Further, it may be a digital still camera with a built-in communication function or a video camera with a built-in communication function.

  In each of the above embodiments, a telephone number and an e-mail address have been described as examples of communication terminal identification data. However, a subscription including a packet communication service address, a customer management number, a name, and an address of a communication carrier. Any person information may be used. Furthermore, the authentication code for security may be included in the communication terminal identification data. Further, the communication terminal identification data itself may be encrypted. Furthermore, communication carrier identification data may be included in the communication terminal identification data. The image management center 70 identifies and manages the communication carrier 80 because the image format that can be displayed and the method of attaching the image information to the e-mail differ depending on the communication carrier 80, and in order to charge a usage fee. Rather than obtaining the communication carrier 80 information based on the communication terminal identification data, it is more accurate and faster to process the communication carrier identification data.

  In the above embodiments, the case where the Internet 60 is used as a communication network has been described as an example. In this case, the communication unit 47 has a function of performing data communication by a packet communication method. In this case, the communication unit 47 may include a data encryption unit. Instead, the confidentiality of transmission data may be enhanced by using a dedicated line or a telephone network. When the telephone network is used, the communication unit 47 needs to have a function of performing data communication by a circuit switching method.

  In addition, a double network is constructed with the Internet where transmission information is open and a dedicated line or telephone network that prevents transmission information from being leaked to others. Personal information such as communication terminal identification data and billing information may be sent through a dedicated line or a telephone network.

  Furthermore, the communication unit 47 of the image service terminal 40 may have a WWW (World Wide Web) server function.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the image management center 70 is operated by a retailer, a photo print operator, a camera manufacturer, an Internet service operator, etc. that develops an image service terminal such as a KIOSK terminal is described. However, the image management center 70 may be a section of the communication carrier 80.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, description has been made with expressions of images, image data, image files, and the like. Specifically, it may be a still image, a moving image, or an image that is a combination of still images. An image obtained by dropping a moving image may be used.

  As described above for each embodiment, the image management method includes a data reading process, an image album creating process, a browsing screen providing process, an ordering screen providing process, an order receiving process, an image providing preparation process, and a usage fee. When the checkout process and the print image providing process are provided, image management services including image input, browsing, image ordering, and payment of usage fees can be used under a centralized management, thus improving user convenience. Rise. In a service where only image browsing is possible or a service where only image ordering is provided, it is convenient to omit the time and effort of inputting images and paying charges twice.

  In addition, as described above, when a common image management center is provided in a plurality of image service terminals and album creation is performed in the image management center, there is an advantage that the burden on the image service terminal is reduced.

  Further, as described above, if the usage fee settlement process for calculating the usage fee based on the order data is further provided, there is an advantage that the fee can be settled efficiently.

  In addition, as described above, when the image data is read from the communication terminal in the data reading process of the image management method, even when the image is taken by the communication terminal with the imaging device, the image browsing, the image order, and the usage fee payment are performed. The image management service can be received, and the user of the communication terminal with the imaging device can easily browse the electronic image album of the captured image, order the image, and the like.

  Further, as described above, in the data reading process of the image management method, when the communication terminal identification data is read from the communication terminal together with the image data, the captured image can be managed by the communication terminal identification data. This makes it easy to implement a dedicated electronic image album. In addition, notification of connection information such as the URL and address of the electronic image album is facilitated.

  Further, as described above, when the image album is created from the image data associated with the communication terminal identification data in the image album creating process of the image management method, it is easy to realize a dedicated electronic image album. In addition, since the image data corresponds to the communication terminal identification data, the management of the image data becomes easy.

  In addition, as described above, when the image album creating process of the image management method is configured to reduce the image, even if a homepage including the image is transmitted from the server for image browsing, the image is created as a reduced image. Therefore, communication charges and communication time can be reduced. In addition, the entire image cannot be displayed as it is on the display unit of the communication terminal if it is a large image, but since the image is reduced to a size that can be displayed, the impression of the entire image can be grasped at a glance and is easy to see.

  Further, as described above, when the browsing screen is provided to the communication terminal in the browsing screen providing step of the image management method, there is an effect that the image can be browsed at any time by the communication terminal. When storing images in the memory inside the communication terminal, only a limited number of images can be stored due to memory capacity limitations, and only that range can be displayed and browsed. However, the memory capacity of the server is much larger than the memory capacity of the communication terminal. Since it is large, a large number of images can be viewed as an image album.

  Further, as described above, when the order screen is provided to the communication terminal in the order screen providing step of the image management method, it is possible to order image data and print images of the image at any time on the communication terminal. An image print order is generally made at a photo shop or through a personal computer via the Internet, but it can be ordered easily and conveniently from a communication terminal at hand.

  Further, as described above, when the image service terminal designation screen is provided to the communication terminal in the order screen providing step of the image management method and the image service terminal used for receiving the image can be selected, the current location of the user Since the image service terminal near the home, the image service terminal near the home, and the image service terminal near the destination are searched for and introduced, the image can be received at the optimum place according to the user's moving schedule. That is, for an image, it is not necessary to change the moving schedule and go around.

  Further, as described above, when receiving the order information associated with the communication terminal identification data from the communication terminal in the order receiving step of the image management method, the image order data can be centrally managed with the communication terminal identification data. And duplication and mistakes in the delivery of print images and billing.

  Further, as described above, when the usage fee is calculated in association with the communication terminal identification data in the usage fee settlement process of the image management method, the usage fee can be easily managed by charging together with the communication fee.

  In addition, as described above, when the usage fee associated with the communication terminal identification data is transmitted to the communication fee management claimant in the usage fee settlement step of the image management method, the payment of the usage fee is combined with the payment of the communication fee. You can do it. Further, it is not necessary to transmit information such as a credit card number via the Internet, and the abuse damage of the credit card number can be avoided. In addition, it is possible to save the trouble of going to a bank or the like for cash transfer when paying for image data or print image orders.

  Further, as described above, when the image management method is configured to transmit the connection information of the image album to the communication terminal, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting the connection URL by itself. You can also avoid having to say that you can't see it because you're trying to browse it but you're not ready.

  In addition, as described above, when the print image providing process of the image management method includes an image storage process and a providing process, printing can be performed in advance, and the user can wait for printing or the like. Disappears.

  In addition, as described above, when the image management method includes an image data providing step, it can be temporarily stored even when the storage capacity of the user's mobile phone is full, so that it is only necessary without worrying about the storage capacity. An image can be taken.

  Further, as described above, when the image management method includes a step of transmitting an image preparation completion notification to the communication terminal, the user is not allowed to wait for printing or the like. In addition, the user goes to the designated image service terminal to receive the print image and the like, and the user has never said that the print image has not yet been made, thereby eliminating time loss.

  In addition, as described above, in the image management method, when the image data is managed by the communication terminal identification data including the telephone number or the mail address, the identification data without duplication such as the telephone number is used. Therefore, it is difficult to make mistakes in management that would replace the image data of a third party. In addition, it is easy to charge the communication fee for the usage fee, and furthermore, the connection information of the electronic image album viewing screen can be transmitted to the e-mail address or the address of the packet communication service, and the connection URL can be set by itself. You can save time and effort. Furthermore, you can avoid what happens when you try to browse but you are not ready because you are not ready.

  In addition, as described above, mobile terminals such as mobile phones, mobile terminals, mobile communication terminals, mobile information terminals, mobile information communication terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants or Personal Data Assistants), PHS (Personal Handyphone Systems), and the like. When using a device that is capable of communication and equipped with a communication function, the device can be portable while traveling and equipped with a communication function, even in a fixed environment with a personal computer connected to the Internet suitable for image browsing and image ordering. It is possible to browse images and order images.

  In addition, as described above, image input means, printing means, display means, operation means, processing means for converting image data into a specified state, communication means for communicating with server means, images printed by printing means If the image service terminal is provided with a storage means for storing the image and a provision means for providing the user with the print image stored in the storage means, it becomes possible to connect to a communication terminal or the Internet, and the convenience of the user A large-capacity image can be stored and communicated from an image service terminal installed in a good location, so that communication costs can be reduced and convenience is enhanced.

  Further, as described above, when the image service terminal is provided with means for reading data from a portable storage medium, it is possible to move large-capacity image data from the communication terminal to the image service terminal in a short time, and to wait for the user. Time is shortened.

  In addition, as described above, when the image service terminal has a communication function, large-capacity image data can be moved from the communication terminal having no portable storage medium to the image service terminal. It becomes available.

  Further, as described above, when the image service terminal has an infrared communication function, it is possible to move image data from the communication terminal to the image service terminal without the need for cable connection and removal / insertion of a portable storage medium. become.

  In addition, as described above, when the image service terminal has a wireless communication function, it is not necessary to connect a cable or remove a portable storage medium, and it is not necessary to make the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface face each other. Can be moved from the communication terminal to the image service terminal.

  In addition, as described above, when the image service terminal is configured to receive the communication terminal identification data together with the image data, a new personal management and payment method is set for providing services such as browsing, storage, and printing, and for cost adjustment. There is no need to do this, so the user can save time and the operator has the advantage of ensuring cost recovery.

  In addition, as described above, when the image service terminal is configured to manage the image data with the communication terminal identification data including the telephone number or the mail address, the image data is identified with non-overlapping identification data such as a telephone number. Since it can be managed, management mistakes that replace the image data of a third party are less likely to occur. In addition, it is easy to charge the usage fee for the communication fee, and the connection information of the electronic image album viewing screen can be transmitted to the e-mail address or the address of the packet communication service, so it is troublesome to input the connection URL by yourself. Can be avoided, and it can be avoided to say that you can't see it because you're not ready to try it.

  In addition, as described above, when the image service terminal is configured to receive the communication carrier identification data, the cost billing destination can be directly grasped, and the confirmation process can be omitted.

  Further, as described above, when the image service terminal is configured to receive the processing designation flag, it is not necessary to set the image processing after browsing the image album, so that the user can save time and effort.

  Further, as described above, when the image service terminal is configured to receive the print flag, it is not necessary to set an image to be printed after viewing the image album, and immediately after image data is transferred from the communication terminal to the image service terminal. Since printing is started at the image service terminal, a print image can be obtained in a short time and with a small number of operations.

  In addition, as described above, when the image service terminal is configured to receive the print setting flag, it is not necessary to set the print paper or the like after viewing the image album, and the image data is transferred from the communication terminal to the image service terminal. Since printing is started immediately, a printed image can be obtained in a short time and with few operations.

  In addition, as described above, when the image service terminal is configured to receive the album position designation flag, it is not necessary to edit the album classification after viewing the image album. Since the album is configured, the user's trouble can be saved.

  As described above, the communication terminal connected to the image service terminal is a mobile phone, a mobile phone with a camera, a mobile terminal, a mobile communication terminal, a mobile information terminal, a mobile information communication terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants, or Personal Data). If the device is portable and equipped with a communication function such as Assistants (PHS) or Personal Handyphone System (PHS), it can be moved even if it is not a fixed environment with a personal computer connected to the Internet suitable for image browsing and image printing. However, there is an effect that image browsing and image printing can be performed with a portable device equipped with a communication function.

  Further, as described above, when the processing means of the image service terminal is configured to generate a reduced image, the reduced image data with a small amount of data can be obtained without sending full-size image data with a large amount of data to the image management center. Internet traffic is improved. In addition, since the processing of the communication unit can be completed in a short time, there is an effect that the entire processing speed is increased because the next processing can be quickly performed.

  Further, as described above, when the communication means of the image service terminal is configured to be able to directly communicate with other image service terminals, for example, one image service terminal directly transmits the full-size image data necessary for printing to the full-size image data. Since it can be obtained from other image service terminals having image data, the Internet traffic is improved as compared with the case where the image management center is used.

  In addition, as described above, when the communication means of the image service terminal is configured to perform circuit switching type data communication, data that is not desired to be stolen does not pass through the public Internet, and has a highly confidential private line or telephone line. Since it can be sent directly over the network, privacy can be protected and data abuse can be prevented.

  In addition, as described above, when the communication means of the image service terminal is configured to perform packet switching data communication, a large amount of image data is sent via the Internet, so that the communication cost can be reduced.

  Further, as described above, when the communication means of the image service terminal is configured to encrypt the data, there is an effect that privacy can be protected even through communication via the Internet and data misuse can be prevented.

  In addition, as described above, when the communication means of the image service terminal is configured to transmit and receive the input image, the image data can be uploaded to the image management center. Therefore, not only the print service but also the image album can be configured. An integrated service can be provided, which improves the convenience for the user.

  Further, as described above, when the communication means of the image service terminal is configured to transmit and receive the processed image, the processing load of the image management center where image access and image processing from the image service terminal are concentrated can be reduced.

  In addition, as described above, when the communication means of the image service terminal is configured to transmit and receive reduced images, the processing load of the image management center where image input from the image service terminal and image reduction processing are concentrated can be reduced. In addition, since it is sufficient to transmit reduced image data with a small amount of data without transmitting full-size image data with a large amount of data to the image management center, the traffic on the Internet is improved. In addition, since the processing of the communication unit can be completed in a short time, it is possible to move to the next processing quickly and the overall processing speed is also increased.

  Further, as described above, when the communication means of the image service terminal is configured to transmit the billing data, the cost of the print service of the image service terminal performed without going through the image management center is also communicated based on the communication terminal identification data. Since it can be processed together with the fee, users can save the trouble of handling small change.

  As described above, when the communication means of the image service terminal is configured to have the WWW server function, only the reduced image URL is required and the Internet traffic is improved without transmitting image data to the image management center. The In addition, since the processing of the communication unit can be completed in a short time, it is possible to move to the next processing quickly and the overall processing speed is also increased.

  Further, as described above, when the image service terminal is provided with the image data output means, the image data can be stored, and even when the memory of the communication terminal is full, it can be temporarily stored and a new image can be taken. There is an effect. Further, since the management is performed based on the communication terminal identification data, a troublesome input operation for saving the image is unnecessary.

  In addition, as described above, when the image data output means of the image service terminal has a function of writing data to a portable storage medium, large-capacity image data can be moved to the communication terminal in a short time, and the user The waiting time becomes shorter.

  Further, as described above, when the image data output means of the image service terminal has a communication function, large-capacity image data can be moved to a communication terminal having no portable storage medium, and printing and browsing services can be provided. It becomes available.

  In addition, as described above, when the image data output means of the image service terminal has an infrared communication function, it is not necessary to connect the cable or insert / remove the portable storage medium, and the image data is transmitted from the image service terminal. It can be moved to the terminal, and the user's trouble is reduced.

  In addition, as described above, the image data output means of the image service terminal has a wireless communication function, so there is no need to connect a cable or take in and out a portable storage medium, and the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface need to face each other. In addition, the image data can be moved from the image service terminal to the communication terminal, reducing the user's trouble.

  In addition, as described above, when the printing means of the image service terminal has a back surface printing function, it becomes possible to print the management information of the print image, and when transferring the print image, it is possible to make a mistake in the other party to deliver The nature becomes less.

  Further, as described above, the printing means of the image service terminal is provided with the back side printing function of the pattern information of the communication terminal identification data, so that the print image can be managed without fail. In addition, retrieval of stored print images becomes faster.

  Further, as described above, the communication terminal provided with the storage means, the display means, the communication means, the browsing means, and the short-range communication means with the image service terminal can be connected to the image service terminal and the Internet, and is convenient for the user. The image service terminal installed in can store large-capacity image data, communicate, and the like, so that communication costs can be reduced and convenience is enhanced. In addition, image data can be saved, and even when the memory capacity of the communication terminal is full, it can be temporarily stored and a new image can be taken. Furthermore, since the management is performed based on the communication terminal identification data, a troublesome input operation for image storage is unnecessary.

  In addition, as described above, when the short-range communication means of the communication terminal has an infrared communication function, there is no need for cable connection or removal / insertion of a portable storage medium, and image data is transferred between the image service terminal and the communication terminal. It can be moved, and the user's trouble is reduced.

  In addition, as described above, when the short-distance communication means of the communication terminal has a wireless communication function, there is no need for cable connection or removal / insertion of a portable storage medium, and the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface need to face each other Therefore, the image data can be moved between the image service terminal and the communication terminal, and the user's trouble is reduced.

  As described above, when the communication terminal has a function of writing data to a portable storage medium, large-capacity image data can be moved to the image service terminal in a short time, and the waiting time of the user is short. Become.

  As described above, if the short-distance communication means or the data writing means of the communication terminal adds the communication terminal identification data to the image data, the management of the image data becomes easy and the processing of the service cost is also simple. In addition, user input and registration can be saved.

  Further, as described above, if the communication terminal includes a telephone number and a mail address as communication terminal identification data added to the image data, the image data can be managed with identification data without duplication, such as a telephone number, Management mistakes that replace third-party image data are less likely to occur. Also, it is easy to charge the usage fee for the communication fee. In addition, the connection information of the electronic image album browsing screen can be transmitted to an e-mail address or an address of a packet communication service, so that it is possible to save the trouble of inputting a connection URL by oneself and to prepare for browsing. It can be avoided to say that it is not in place and cannot be seen.

  Further, as described above, when the communication terminal is configured to add the communication carrier identification data to the image data, the expense billing party can be directly grasped and the confirmation process can be omitted.

  Further, as described above, when the short-distance communication means of the communication terminal is configured to add the processing designation flag, it is not necessary to set the processing of the image after viewing the image album, thereby saving time.

Further, as described above, when the data writing means of the communication terminal is configured to add the processing designation flag, it is not necessary to set the processing of the image after browsing the image album, thereby saving time.
Furthermore, if the processing designation flag is set based on the user's operation at the time of imaging, the processing content can be determined as desired by the user without performing a separate operation after imaging.

  In addition, as described above, when the communication terminal is configured to add the print flag, it is not necessary to set an image to be printed after viewing the image album, and immediately after image data is transferred from the communication terminal to the image service terminal. Since printing is started at the image service terminal, a print image can be obtained in a short time and with a small number of operations.

  Further, as described above, when the communication terminal is configured to add the print setting flag, it is not necessary to set the print paper after browsing the image album, and the image data is transferred from the communication terminal to the image service terminal. Since printing is started immediately at the image service terminal, a print image can be obtained in a short time and with few operations.

  In addition, as described above, when the communication terminal is configured to add the album position designation flag, it is not necessary to edit the album classification after browsing the image album. Since the album is configured, the user's trouble can be saved.

  In addition, as described above, the communication terminal is a mobile phone, a mobile phone with a camera, a mobile terminal, a mobile communication terminal, a mobile information terminal, a mobile information communication terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants or Personal Data Assistants), PHS (Personal Handyphone). If the device is portable and equipped with a communication function such as System), it can be carried while moving even if it is not in a fixed environment with a personal computer connected to the Internet suitable for image browsing and image printing. It is possible to view images and print images on devices equipped with

  Further, as described above, when the communication terminal includes a short-distance communication means, it is possible to receive image data and to store the image data. Even if the memory capacity of the communication terminal is full, it can be temporarily stored and a new image can be taken. Further, since the management is performed based on the communication terminal identification data, a troublesome input operation for saving the image is unnecessary.

  As described above, when the portable storage medium has a storage area for management, if communication terminal identification data other than image data or communication carrier identification data is stored, the image service terminal can store the image. Data and identification data can be input in association with each other. Further, it is not necessary to connect the communication terminal and the image service terminal for user authentication.

  Further, as described above, when the portable storage medium includes a read-only storage element, the communication terminal identification data and the communication carrier identification data are not rewritten and are not abused.

  In addition, as described above, when the portable storage medium is configured to hold the communication terminal identification data, the communication terminal main body alone does not ensure the reliability of the communication terminal identification data, and the communication terminal is a single communication terminal. The reliability of the identification data can be ensured, and the operation of the user can be saved.

It is the schematic which shows the image management system by Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the apparatus connected to this. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the mobile phone 10 with a camera, The figure (a) is a front view, The figure (b) is a rear view. It is a block diagram which shows the part which performs the process with respect to the image data obtained by imaging of the image in a mobile phone with a camera, and imaging. It is the schematic which shows a mode that the image data used for transferring image data between a mobile telephone and an image service terminal by a removable medium is transferred to an image service terminal. It is a block diagram which shows the part in the image service terminal involved in the processing of image data. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an image management center. It is the schematic which shows reduction of an image. It is a figure which shows the structure of a communication provider's system. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed in the image management center in response to an image browsing request or image order from the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed in the image management center in response to an image browsing request or image order from the camera-equipped mobile phone according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which is a screen displayed on the display part of the mobile telephone with a camera in the process corresponding to the order of an image, Comprising: The thing containing the first image of an electronic image album is shown. FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 and showing a state where a “return” button is selected. FIG. 12 is a diagram similar to FIG. 11 and shows a state where a “select” button is selected. It is a figure which shows the screen for selecting the order aspect of an image. It is a figure which shows the screen utilized in order to select the item of the printing condition to set while showing the printing condition set in the order of an image. FIG. 16 is a diagram similar to FIG. 15, showing a state where an “OK” button is selected. FIG. 16 is a diagram similar to FIG. 15, showing a state where “number of sheets” is selected. It is a figure which shows the screen for changing the number of printed sheets which is one item of printing conditions. FIG. 19 is a diagram similar to FIG. 18, showing a state where the number of sheets has been changed to “2”. FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15, showing a state in which “number of sheets” is changed to 2; FIG. 21 is a diagram similar to FIG. 20, showing a state where an “OK” button is selected. FIG. 21 is a diagram similar to FIG. 20, showing a state where “size” is selected. It is a figure which shows the screen for selecting the size which is one item of printing conditions. FIG. 24 is a diagram similar to FIG. 23, showing a state where the size has been changed to “A5”. It is a figure similar to FIG. 20, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state from which "size" was changed into A5. FIG. 26 is a diagram similar to FIG. 25, showing a state where an “OK” button is selected. FIG. 26 is a diagram similar to FIG. 25, showing a state where “paper (existence of gloss / existence of edge)” is selected. It is a figure which shows the screen for selecting the paper (glossy presence / absence presence / absence) which is one item of printing conditions. FIG. 29 is a diagram similar to FIG. 28, showing a state where the paper has been changed to “no gloss / no border”. FIG. 26 is a diagram similar to FIG. 25, showing a state where “paper” is changed to “no gloss / no border”. FIG. 31 is a diagram similar to FIG. 30, showing a state in which an “OK” button is selected. FIG. 31 is a diagram similar to FIG. 30, showing a state where “paper (presence / absence of seal)” is selected. It is a figure which shows the screen for selecting the paper (the presence or absence of a sticker) which is one item of printing conditions. FIG. 34 is a view similar to FIG. 33, showing a state where the sheet has been changed to “sticker sheet”. FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30, showing a state where “paper” is changed to “sticker paper”. FIG. 36 is a view similar to FIG. 35, showing a state in which an “OK” button is selected. It is a figure which shows the screen for selecting the place which receives the ordered image, and shows the state in which "history reference" was selected. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a reception location that has been selected in the past as a candidate and is displayed when “History reference” is selected and operated on the screen of FIG. 37, and “Osaka station square B department store” is selected. Indicates. It is a screen which shows the detail of the installation place of the image service terminal in "Osaka station square B department store" displayed when "Osaka station square B department store" is selected and determined on the screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen for selecting the place which receives the ordered image, and shows the state where "current location nearest" was selected. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a reception location nearest to the current location displayed as a candidate when “Nearest location” is selected and operated on the screen of FIG. 40, and shows a state where “Tokyo station convenience store A” is selected. . It is a screen which shows the detail of the place of "Tokyo station square convenience store A" displayed when "Tokyo station square convenience store A" selects and performs determination operation on the screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen for selecting the place which receives the ordered image, and shows the state in which "Near home" was selected. FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a reception location nearest to the home as a candidate displayed when “Nearest at home” is selected and operated on the screen of FIG. 43, and shows a state in which “Convenience store C in front of Karasuma station” is selected. . It is a screen which shows the detail of the place of "Karasuma station square convenience store C" displayed when "Karasuma station square convenience store C" is selected and determined on the screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen for selecting the place which receives the image which ordered, and shows the state in which "desired place nearest" was selected. FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a screen for inputting a desired location, which is displayed when “Nearest desired location” is selected and a determination operation is performed on the screen of FIG. 46. It is a figure which shows the receiving place close | similar to the desired place input on the screen of FIG. 47 as a candidate, and shows the state in which "Umeda station square convenience store A" was selected. 49 is a screen showing the details of the location of “Umeda Ekimae Convenience Store A” displayed when “Umeda Ekimae Convenience Store A” is selected and determined on the screen of FIG. 48. FIG. It is a figure which shows roughly the communication terminal identification data embedded in the file of each image data. It is a figure which shows roughly the header file containing the communication terminal identification data added to the folder which put together the file of several image data. It is a figure which shows roughly the file of the communication terminal identification data added separately from the folder which put together the image file in the removable media. The communication terminal identification data is encrypted data. It is a figure which shows the removable medium which has a read-only memory | storage part and a large capacity non-volatile memory | storage part. It is the schematic which shows a mode that the image data is transferred between a mobile telephone and an image service terminal by an interface cable. Block that shows the part of the camera-equipped mobile phone that performs image data processing and processing for image data obtained by imaging, used when transferring image data between the mobile phone and the image service terminal using an interface cable FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the part in connection with the process of the image data in an image service terminal used when transferring image data between a mobile telephone and an image service terminal by an interface cable. Block that shows the part of the camera-equipped mobile phone that performs image data processing and processing for image data obtained by imaging, used when transferring image data between the mobile phone and the image service terminal via infrared communication FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the part in connection with the process of the image data in an image service terminal used when transferring image data between a mobile telephone and an image service terminal by infrared communication. Block that shows the part of the camera-equipped mobile phone that performs image data processing and processing for image data obtained by imaging, used when transferring image data between the mobile phone and the image service terminal by wireless communication FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the part related to the process of the image data in an image service terminal used when transferring image data between a mobile phone and an image service terminal by wireless communication. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to select either browsing of an image and the setting of a usage right. It is a flowchart which shows the process for a usage right setting. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to select a usage right setting range. FIG. 64 is a diagram similar to FIG. 63 and showing a state in which an “all albums” button is selected. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera, in order to select the usage right setting object (contents of usage right). FIG. 66 is a diagram similar to FIG. 65, showing a state where a “browsing / image order usage right” button is selected. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to select the person (or communication terminal) to which a usage right is given. FIG. 68 is a diagram similar to FIG. 67, showing a state in which the “only this terminal” button is selected. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to represent a use right setting result. 69 is a diagram similar to FIG. 68 except that an “unlimited” button is selected instead of “this terminal only”. FIG. FIG. 70 is a diagram similar to FIG. 69, except that “only this terminal” is changed to “unlimited”. FIG. 71 is a diagram similar to FIG. 70, but showing a state in which a “private” button is selected instead of “unlimited”. FIG. 72 is a diagram similar to FIG. 71, but showing a state where “unlimited” is changed to “private”. FIG. 73 is a diagram similar to FIG. 72 except that a “terminal registrant” button is selected instead of “private”. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of the mobile telephone with a camera in order to represent the person who has already been terminal-registered and to enable addition of a terminal registrant. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to select the method of terminal registration. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera, when performing terminal registration by an address book. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of the mobile telephone with a camera in order to enable addition of a terminal registrant while showing the result of terminal registration. FIG. 74 is a diagram similar to FIG. 73, but showing a state where “unpublished” is changed to “Mr. Tanaka”. FIG. 77 is a diagram similar to FIG. 76 except that a “telephone number input” button is selected instead of “designate from address book”. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera, when performing terminal registration by a telephone number. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of the mobile telephone with a camera in order to enable addition of a terminal registrant while showing the result of terminal registration. FIG. 80 is a diagram similar to FIG. 79 except that “Mr. Tanaka” has been changed to “090-***-****”. FIG. 81 is a diagram similar to FIG. 80, except that a “mail address input” button is selected instead of “phone number input”. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera, when terminal registration is performed by mail address input. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of the mobile telephone with a camera in order to enable addition of a terminal registrant while showing the result of terminal registration. 83 is a diagram similar to FIG. 83 except that “090-***-****” is changed to “tanaka@***.ne.jp”. FIG. 75 is a diagram similar to FIG. 74 except that a “password authenticator” button is selected instead of “terminal registrant”. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to perform a setting or deletion of a password. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to perform the input of the password which should be set. 87 is a diagram similar to FIG. 87 except that “tanaka@***.ne.jp” is changed to “password authenticator”. FIG. 66 is a diagram similar to FIG. 66 except that a “browsing usage right” button is selected instead of the “browsing / image order usage right”. FIG. FIG. 93 is a diagram similar to FIG. 92 except that an “image order usage right” button is selected instead of “browsing usage right”. FIG. 65 is a diagram similar to FIG. 64 except that an “all albums” button is selected instead of “all albums”. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to select the album which should set a usage right. FIG. 96 is a diagram similar to FIG. 95 except that “album (1)” is selected. FIG. 95 is a diagram similar to FIG. 94, but showing a state where the “per image” button is selected instead of “per album”. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to select the album containing the image which should set a usage right. 99 is a diagram similar to FIG. 98 except that “album (1)” is selected. FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to enable the setting of the usage right about the first image 1 of an album (1). It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to enable the setting of the usage right about the 2nd image 2 of an album (1). It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to enable the setting of the usage right about the 3rd image 3 of an album (1). It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to enable the setting of the usage right about the 4th image 4 of an album (1). It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to enable the setting of the usage right about the 5th image 5 of an album (1). It is a figure which shows an example of an electronic image album. In the electronic image album, for example, it is a diagram showing an image for which a certain user has a right to use the image album. In the electronic image album, an image having the right to use the same user as FIG. 106 for ordering an image album is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the case of responding to a browsing request and an image order, checking the presence or absence of a usage right. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the first image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the 2nd image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the 3rd image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the 4th image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the 5th image of an electronic image album. FIG. 110 is a diagram similar to FIG. 109 except that the “select” button is selected. FIG. 115 is a diagram similar to FIG. 114 except that a “right arrow” button is selected instead of “select”. It is a figure which shows the screen showing that the order of an image is not permitted while displaying the 2nd image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the 4th image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the 5th image of an electronic image album. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the case of responding to a browsing request and an image order, checking the presence or absence of the usage right including the usage right by a password. It is a flowchart which shows the process for performing a password check regarding a browsing use right. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to input a password regarding a browsing use right. It is a flowchart which shows the process for checking a password regarding an image order utilization right. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to input a password regarding an image order utilization right. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the first image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the 2nd image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the 3rd image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen showing that the order of an image is not permitted while displaying the 3rd image of an electronic image album. In the process of responding to image browsing requests and image orders, when displaying images, the procedure for checking the presence of image order usage rights only when there is an image order is not checked. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st part of a process. In the process of responding to image browsing requests and image orders, when displaying images, the procedure for checking the presence of image order usage rights only when there is an image order is not checked. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd part of a process. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the first image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen which enables the order of an image while displaying the 2nd image of an electronic image album. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile telephone with a camera in order to input a password regarding an image order utilization right.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10a, 10b, 10c Mobile phone with camera, 13 display unit, 28 removable media, 30, 30a, 30b mobile phone, 40, 40a, 40b image service terminal, 60 Internet, 70 image management center, 80 communication carrier.

Claims (19)

Storage means for storing image data;
Display means for displaying images and characters;
A communication means capable of transmitting and receiving data including images;
In a communication terminal having a browsing means for browsing the WWW (World Wide Web),
A communication terminal comprising short-distance communication means with an image service terminal.   The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the short-range communication unit has an infrared communication function with an image service terminal.   The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the short-range communication means has a wireless communication function with an image service terminal.   2. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the short-range communication means transmits image data and identification data to the image service terminal. Storage means for storing image data;
Display means for displaying images and characters;
A communication means capable of transmitting and receiving data including images;
In a communication terminal having a browsing means for browsing the WWW (World Wide Web),
A communication terminal comprising data writing means for writing image data and identification data to a portable storage medium.   The communication terminal according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the identification data includes communication terminal identification data.   The communication terminal identification data includes at least one of subscriber information including a telephone number, an e-mail address or an address of a packet communication service, a customer management number of a communication carrier, a name and an address. Item 7. The communication terminal according to Item 6.   The communication terminal according to claim 6, wherein the identification data includes communication carrier identification data.   2. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the short-range communication means sends a processing designation flag corresponding to each image together with the image data to the image service terminal.   6. The communication terminal according to claim 5, wherein the data writing means writes processing designation corresponding to each image together with image data to a portable storage medium.   The communication terminal according to claim 10, wherein the processing designation flag is set based on a user operation during imaging.   The communication terminal according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the processing designation flag includes a print flag indicating whether or not printing of a corresponding image is requested.   11. The communication terminal according to claim 9, wherein the processing designation flag includes a print setting flag indicating a condition for printing a corresponding image.   The communication terminal according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the processing designation flag includes an album position designation flag indicating in which position in the album the corresponding image is required to be placed.   The communication terminal is a mobile phone, a mobile phone with a camera, a mobile terminal, a mobile communication terminal, a mobile information terminal, a mobile information communication terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants or Personal Data Assistants), a mobile phone such as a PHS (Personal Handyphone System). 6. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal is a device that is capable of being equipped with a communication function.   The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the short-range communication means receives image data from an image service terminal.   The communication terminal according to claim 5, wherein the portable storage medium has a management storage area.   The communication terminal according to claim 17, wherein the portable storage medium includes a read-only storage element as the management storage area.   The communication terminal according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the portable storage medium holds communication terminal identification data in the management storage area.

Images