JP2006229604A - Image providing system, image providing method, and image providing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image providing system for efficiently providing an image by preferentially preparing for the distribution of a frequently demanded image, and also to provide an image providing method and an image providing device. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 1 reduces image data selected by a user, and transmits the generated reduced image data to PC4, 4 destinations. The PC 4 requests the image data selected by the user to a server device 3 on the basis of the acquired compressed image data. When image data requested by the PC 4 are stored in an HDD 33, the server device 3 notifies the PC 4 that the upload of the image data has been completed, and when the image data are not stored in the HDD 33, the server device 3 adds 1 to the number of requests of the image data. Also, the server device 3 acquires the image data from the digital camera 1 in the order of the larger number of requests, and makes an HDD 33 store the image data, and when the image data are registered in the HDD 33, the server device 3 reports to the PC 4 that the upload of the image data has been completed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides an image providing system, an image providing method, and an image that functions as the central device, in which a central device that provides image data acquired by an imaging device efficiently provides image data in response to a request from a terminal device The present invention relates to a providing device.

Digital cameras that can record images such as still images and moving images obtained by shooting on a recording medium are widely used, and a system that provides images shot by a digital camera via, for example, the Internet has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). By using such a system, an image taken with a digital camera installed in an amusement park and a theme park can be acquired at a later date.
JP 2002-51281 A

  Here, in a system that provides images taken with a digital camera on the Internet, each user who wants to acquire images needs to access a predetermined site via the Internet. In addition, since each user can know the content of the provided image only by accessing a predetermined site and browsing each image, there are cases where the user has accessed the site but there is no desired image. It is difficult to provide images efficiently. Accordingly, there is a demand for the photographer to introduce the contents of the photographed image to the user at an early stage, and there is a demand for each user to efficiently obtain a desired image.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to upload image data having a high demand because it is uploaded from the imaging device to the central device in order from the image data having a large number of requests from the terminal device. An object of the present invention is to provide an image providing system, an image providing method, and an image providing apparatus capable of preferentially performing distribution preparation and efficiently providing image data.

  Another object of the present invention is to allow a user who wants to acquire image data to know the contents of the provided image data based on the reduced image data acquired from the imaging device without accessing a site that provides the image data. An image providing system, an image providing method, and an image providing apparatus are provided.

  Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to notify each user that the central device is ready for distribution or takes time to provide the image data according to the requested image data. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image providing system and an image providing apparatus that enable each user to grasp the time required to acquire requested image data.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image providing system and an image providing apparatus capable of quickly replenishing the image data when requested for image data that has not been uploaded.

  Another object of the present invention is to prepare for distribution to a user who has requested image data when uploading of the image data is completed even when image data that has not been uploaded is requested. An object of the present invention is to provide an image providing system and an image providing apparatus capable of notifying that it has been made.

  An image providing system according to the present invention includes an imaging device that acquires image data, a central device that provides image data acquired by the imaging device, and a terminal device that receives image data from the central device. In the providing system, the imaging apparatus includes a creating unit that creates reduced image data in which the amount of acquired image data is reduced, and sends the reduced image data created by the creating unit to the terminal device. Sending means and second sending means for sending image information related to the image data acquired by the imaging device to the central device, wherein the terminal device is based on the reduced image data sent by the first sending means. Means for making a request for image data to the central device, and the central device counts the number of requests for each image data based on the request from the terminal device. And a means for requesting the imaging device for image data corresponding to the image information in descending order of the number of requests counted by the counting means, wherein the second sending means is a request from the central device. Means for acquiring image data corresponding to the image data from the imaging device and sending the image data to the central device, the central device having means for creating a database for registering the image data sent by the second sending means. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, reduced image data in which the amount of image data acquired by the imaging device is reduced is created, the created reduced image data is sent to the terminal device, and image information relating to the image data is transmitted to the central device. To send. The terminal device makes a request for image data to the central device based on the acquired reduced image data, and the central device counts the number of requests for each image data based on the request from the terminal device. A request for data is made to the imaging device. Image data in response to a request from the central device is sent from the imaging device to the central device, and the central device creates a database for registering the acquired image data. Therefore, the user of the terminal device can know the image data provided from the central device based on the reduced image data acquired from the imaging device. In addition, the central apparatus can efficiently upload image data with high demand by acquiring the image data from the imaging apparatus in order from the image data having the largest number of requests from the terminal apparatus and registering it in the database.

  In the image providing system according to the present invention, the imaging device includes a reception unit that receives selection of acquired image data, and the generation unit generates reduced image data based on the image data received by the reception unit. The second sending unit is configured to send the image information related to the image data accepted by the accepting unit to the central device.

  According to the present invention, the imaging device accepts the selection of the acquired image data, creates reduced image data based on the accepted image data, sends the reduced image data to the terminal device, and at the same time the image related to the received image data. Send information to the central unit. Therefore, since the user of the imaging apparatus selects image data to be provided from the captured image data, transmission of reduced image data and image information based on unnecessary image data can be prevented.

  In the image providing system according to the present invention, when the central device registers image data in the created database, the central device has means for notifying that the image data can be provided to the terminal device that has requested the image data. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, when the image data is registered in the created database, the central device notifies the terminal device that has requested the image data that the image data can be provided. Therefore, when uploading of the image data is completed, it is possible to notify the user who has requested the image data that the preparation for distribution has been completed.

  The image providing system according to the present invention is characterized in that the central device has means for notifying the terminal device that has requested image data not registered in the created database that the image data cannot be provided.

  According to the present invention, the central device notifies the terminal device that has requested image data not registered in the created database that the image data cannot be provided. Therefore, it is possible to notify a user who requests image data that has not been uploaded, that it takes time to provide the image data.

  In the image providing system according to the present invention, when the central device requests image data from the terminal device when the database is created, the central device determines whether the image data is registered in the database. And means for making a request for the image data to the imaging device when it is determined that the image data is not registered in the database.

  According to the present invention, when the central device is requested for image data from the terminal device when creating the database, the central device determines whether the image data is registered in the database, and is registered in the database. If it is determined that the image data has not been received, the image data request is sent to the imaging apparatus. Therefore, when image data that has not been uploaded is requested, the image data can be replenished quickly.

  In the image providing system according to the present invention, when the central device determines that the image data requested from the terminal device is not registered in the database, the image data requested from the imaging device is registered in the database. In this case, the information processing apparatus includes a means for notifying that the image data can be provided to the terminal device that has requested the image data.

  According to the present invention, when the central device registers in the database image data that has not been uploaded when requested by the terminal device, the central device sends the image data to the terminal device that has requested the image data. Notify that it can be provided. Therefore, even when image data that has not been uploaded has been requested, it is possible to notify the user who has requested the image data after the upload of the image data has been made ready for distribution. Become.

  An image providing method according to the present invention is an image providing method in which a central device having a database for registering image data acquired by an imaging device provides image data to a terminal device, and the image acquired by the imaging device Creating reduced image data with a reduced data amount; sending the created reduced image data to the terminal device; and image information relating to the image data acquired by the imaging device to the central device. A sending step, a step in which the terminal device makes a request for image data to the central device based on the reduced image data sent, and the central device sends a request for each image data based on a request from the terminal device. A step of counting the number of requests, and the central device picks up image data requests corresponding to the image information in descending order of the number of requests counted. A step of acquiring the image data in response to a request from the central device and transmitting the image data to the central device from the imaging device, and the central device registers the transmitted image data in the database. And a step.

  According to the present invention, the user of the terminal device can know the image data provided from the central device based on the reduced image data obtained by reducing the data amount of the image data acquired by the imaging device. By uploading from the imaging device in order from the image data having the largest number of requests from the terminal device, it is possible to efficiently upload the image data with high demand.

  An image providing apparatus according to the present invention, in an image providing apparatus that provides image data, means for acquiring image information related to the image data from outside, request receiving means for receiving a request for the image data from an external apparatus, Counting means for counting the number of requests for each image data based on the request received by the request receiving means, and means for requesting image data corresponding to the image information to the outside in descending order of the number of requests counted by the counting means. And a means for creating a database for registering image data acquired from outside in response to the request.

  According to the present invention, an image providing device that provides image data receives a request for image data from an external device, counts the number of requests for each image data based on the received request, and performs image data in descending order of the number of requests. Is acquired from the outside and registered in the database. Therefore, uploading is performed in order from image data having a large number of requests, so that it is possible to preferentially prepare for distribution of image data having a large demand.

  The image providing apparatus according to the present invention includes means for notifying that the image data can be provided to an external apparatus that has requested the image data received by the request receiving means when the image data is registered in the created database. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, when image data acquired from the outside is registered in the database and uploading is completed, it is possible to notify the user who has requested the image data that preparation for distribution has been completed.

  The image providing apparatus according to the present invention includes means for notifying that an external apparatus that has requested image data not registered in the created database cannot provide the image data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to notify a user who requests image data that has not been acquired from the outside and that has not been uploaded, that it takes time to provide the image data. .

  The image providing apparatus according to the present invention is configured to determine whether or not the image data is registered in the database when the request reception unit receives a request for image data when the database is created; Means for requesting the image data to the outside when it is determined that the image data is not registered in the database.

  According to the present invention, when the database is created, if the image data requested from the external device is not registered in the database and the upload is not completed, the image data can be replenished quickly. Become.

  When the image providing apparatus according to the present invention registers the image data requested to the outside in the database when it is determined that the image data accepted by the request accepting unit is not registered in the database, And a means for notifying that the image data can be provided to an external device which has requested the image data received by the request receiving means.

  According to the present invention, even when image data that has not been uploaded is requested, after the upload of the image data is completed, the user who has requested the image data is notified that preparation for distribution has been made. It becomes possible.

  In the present invention, the user of the terminal device provides the image data by creating the reduced image data in which the amount of the acquired image data is reduced and sending the created reduced image data to the terminal device. It is possible to know the image data provided from the central device based on the reduced image data without accessing the site. In addition, the central device can efficiently upload image data with high demand by acquiring it from the imaging device in order from the image data with the largest number of requests from the terminal device and registering it in the database. It is possible to speedily prepare for delivery of a large amount of image data with priority.

  In the present invention, the imaging device accepts selection of acquired image data, sends reduced image data based on the accepted image data to the terminal device, and sends image information related to the image data accepted to the central device. To do. Therefore, only reduced image data and image information based on the image data selected by the user of the imaging apparatus are transmitted, so that unnecessary reduced image data and image information can be prevented from being transmitted and the line load due to data transmission / reception can be reduced. it can.

  In the present invention, when the central device registers the image data acquired from the imaging device in the created database and completes the upload, it notifies the user requesting the image data that the image is ready for distribution. Each user can efficiently acquire the requested image data. In addition, the central device notifies the user who requests image data that is not registered in the created database, that is, image data that has not been uploaded, that it takes time to provide the image data. Therefore, each user can easily grasp that image data cannot be acquired immediately.

  In the present invention, when the central device determines that the image data requested from the terminal device is not registered in the database when the database is created, the central device uploads by requesting the image data to the imaging device. When image data that has not been completed is requested, the image data can be replenished quickly.

  In the present invention, even when image data that has not been uploaded and image data that cannot be provided immediately is requested, the central device is ready to provide the image data after it has been uploaded. Since the user who has requested the image data is notified that the preparation for distribution has been completed, each user can efficiently acquire the requested image data.

  Hereinafter, an image providing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image providing system according to the present invention. An image providing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a digital camera 1 as an imaging device that captures images and acquires image data, and a server device as a central device (image providing device) that provides image data captured by the digital camera 1. 3 through a network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  In addition to the digital camera 1 and the server device 3, for example, personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 4 and 4 are connected to the network NW as terminal devices that receive image data from the server device 3. Note that the terminal device is not limited to the PCs 4 and 4, and a device capable of data communication via the network NW, such as a mobile phone, a PHS phone, and a PDA, can be used.

  The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 10, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, an operation unit 13, a clock unit 14, a display unit 15, an imaging unit 16, an A / D converter 17, a signal processing unit 18, an image processing unit 19, A storage unit 20, a communication unit 21 and the like are provided, and each is connected to each other via a system bus 1a.

  The control unit 10 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), or the like, and controls the above-described hardware units connected via the system bus 1a and is stored in the ROM 11 in advance. Various operations are executed in accordance with the control program. The ROM 11 stores in advance various control programs necessary for operating the digital camera 1 as an imaging apparatus that can be used in the image providing system of the present invention, mailers that are software necessary for sending and receiving e-mails, and the like. Yes. The RAM 12 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 10 executes the control program.

  The operation unit 13 includes various keys necessary for the user to operate the digital camera 1. When each key is operated by the user, a control signal corresponding to the operated key is sent to the control unit 10. To do. Thereby, the control unit 10 executes various processes according to the control signal acquired from the operation unit 13. The clock unit 14 clocks the absolute time (year, month, day, hour, minute, second), and the control unit 10 acquires the current time based on the absolute time indicated by the clock unit 14.

  The imaging unit 16 acquires an analog image signal (image data) by photoelectrically converting the optical signal input through the lens by the CCD imaging device, and inputs the acquired image signal to the A / D converter 17. . The A / D converter 17 is an amplifier (not shown) that amplifies an analog image signal input from the imaging unit 16 at a predetermined amplification factor, and a correlated double that samples the amplified image signal at a predetermined timing. A sampling function (CDS) or the like is incorporated, and each value obtained by sampling processing by CDS is converted into a digital signal, and the obtained digital image signal is input to the signal processing unit 18.

  The signal processing unit 18 performs predetermined signal processing such as gamma correction processing, filtering processing, and contour enhancement processing on the image signal input from the A / D converter 17 to generate image data. The image data is input to the image processing unit 19. Note that when the image processing unit 18 transfers image data generated by performing predetermined signal processing to the display unit 15, the captured image can be displayed on the display unit 15.

  The image processing unit 19 includes a codec that performs compression processing and decompression processing based on, for example, the JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) method or the MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) method. The image processing unit 19 applies the image data input from the signal processing unit 18 to the image data. A predetermined compression process is executed, and the compressed image data is stored in the storage unit 20. The image processing unit 19 uses the memory 19a connected to the image processing unit 19 as a buffer for compression processing and decompression processing. Further, for example, when the user makes a request via the operation unit 13, the image processing unit 19 reads the image data stored in the storage unit 20 and executes a predetermined decompression process.

  Further, the image processing unit 19 includes a circuit that performs a reduction process for creating reduced image data in which the data amount of the image data is reduced. The image processing unit 19 reads the image data input from the signal processing unit 18 or the storage unit 20. It also operates as a creation means for executing reduction processing on the extracted and expanded image data to create reduced image data. Note that software necessary for performing the reduction process may be stored in the ROM 11, and the control unit 10 may read the software into the RAM 12 and execute it to execute the reduction process on the image data.

  The storage unit 20 is configured by a magnetic medium, a magneto-optical medium, a semiconductor memory, or the like. The storage unit 20 is acquired by the imaging unit 16 and is subjected to predetermined processing by the A / D converter 17, the signal processing unit 18, and the image processing unit 19, respectively. The image data generated by applying is stored. The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment adds image data acquired by the imaging process to the image data based on the shooting date and time of each image data indicated by the clock means when storing the image data in the storage unit 20. Together with image information including the file name.

  The display unit 15 is, for example, a display device including a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 15 is an operation state of the digital camera 1, information to be notified to the user, image data on which predetermined signal processing is performed by the signal processing unit 18, and a storage unit The image data read out from the image 20 and decompressed by the image processing unit 19 is displayed. In addition, it is also possible to substitute a part or all of the various keys of the operation unit 13 by using the display unit 15 as a touch panel type.

  The communication unit 21 is an interface for connecting to the network NW, and transmits and receives various data to and from the server device 3 and the PCs 4 and 4 connected via the network NW. In addition, the digital camera 1 can perform transmission / reception of an electronic mail with the external apparatus connected via the network NW, when the control part 10 performs the mailer memorize | stored in ROM11.

  With the configuration described above, for example, when the user operates a shutter button (not shown) of the operation unit 13, the digital camera 1 acquires an analog still image signal by the imaging unit 16, and the A / D converter 17 and the signal A still image capturing function for generating still image data by executing predetermined signal processing by the processing unit 18, for example, when the user operates a recording button (not shown) of the operation unit 13, a recording stop button ( For example, 30 still image signals per second are acquired by the imaging unit 16 until predetermined operation is performed by the A / D converter 17 and the signal processing unit 18 until the imaging unit 16 is operated. It has a moving image capturing function for generating moving image data.

  The digital camera 1 stores a reduction function for performing reduction processing on image data (still image data and moving image data) obtained by imaging as described above, and stores image data obtained by imaging in the storage unit 20. And a display function for displaying image data obtained by imaging or image data recorded in the storage unit 20 on the display unit 15. Further, the digital camera 1 has a communication function for performing communication with the PCs 4 and 4 connected via the network NW, and image data obtained by imaging or an image recorded in the storage unit 20. Data can also be transmitted to the PCs 4 and 4.

  On the other hand, the server device 3 includes a CPU 30, a ROM 31, a RAM 32, a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 33, a communication unit 34, and the like, which are connected to each other via a system bus 3a. The CPU 30 controls the above-described hardware units connected via the system bus 3 a and executes various operations according to control programs stored in advance in the ROM 31 and the HDD 33. The ROM 31 stores in advance various control programs necessary for operating the server device 3 as the central device of the present invention, mailers that are software necessary for sending and receiving e-mails, and the like. The RAM 32 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control program is executed by the CPU 30.

  The communication unit 34 is an interface for communicating with an external device via the network NW, and transmits and receives various data between the digital camera 1 and the PCs 4 and 4 connected via the network NW. Can be performed. In addition, the server apparatus 3 can perform transmission / reception of an electronic mail with the external apparatus connected via the network NW, when CPU30 runs the mailer memorize | stored in ROM31.

  The HDD 33 is a large-capacity storage device, and a plurality of image data 33a acquired from the digital camera 1 via the network NW, an image database (hereinafter referred to as an image DB) 33b for registering image information related to each image data 33a, a server A web server program (not shown) which is a control program necessary for operating the device 3 as a web server, a plurality of web pages 33c in which links to image data 33a are set, and the like are stored. Accordingly, the server device 3 can provide the image data 33a stored in the HDD 33 to the PCs 4 and 4 from the web page 33c.

  The PCs 4 and 4 are computers having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an operation unit, a display unit (all not shown), etc., and are browser programs and electronic devices necessary for connecting to a web server and browsing web pages. A mailer, which is software necessary for sending and receiving mail, is stored in the ROM in advance. Therefore, when the CPU executes the browser program, the PCs 4 and 4 can access the web server designated by the user. In addition, when the CPU executes the mailer, the PCs 4 and 4 can send and receive e-mails to and from an external device connected via the network NW.

  Here, in the image providing system 100 of the present embodiment, when the user of the digital camera 1 performs shooting with the digital camera 1, the user should provide the acquired image data to the PCs 4 and 4 via the server device 3. Select image data. Specifically, the user of the digital camera 1 displays the image data acquired by the imaging unit 16 and stored in the storage unit 20 on the display unit 15 and appropriately displayed on the operation unit 13. Select the image to be provided from the selected images.

  As a result, the digital camera 1 accepts selection of image data by the user via the operation unit (accepting means) 13, and the control unit 10 adds an image ID to each image data selected by the user. In addition, the control unit 10 performs a reduction process on the image data selected by the user by the image processing unit 19, and creates an e-mail that can display the generated reduced image data in association with the corresponding image ID. Further, the control unit 10 reads the mailer stored in the ROM 11 to the RAM 12 and executes it, thereby transmitting the created electronic mail from the communication unit (first sending means) 21 to the PCs 4 and 4. Note that a destination to which an e-mail including reduced image data is transmitted is set in advance, and the set e-mail address is stored in the RAM 12.

  Further, the control unit 10 reads out the file name (image information) of the image data selected by the user from the storage unit 20, and creates an e-mail that can be displayed in association with the read file name and the corresponding image ID. Further, the control unit 10 reads out the mailer stored in the ROM 11 to the RAM 12 and executes it, thereby transmitting the created electronic mail from the communication unit (second sending means) 21 to the server device 3. Note that the e-mail address assigned to the server device 3 is stored in the RAM 12 in advance.

  In the PC 4 that has received the electronic mail in which the compressed image data and the image ID are associated with each other as described above, the user displays the acquired compressed image data on the display unit, and appropriately operates the operation unit to display a desired image. select. When an image is selected by the user, the CPU of the PC 4 requests the corresponding image data to the server device 3 via the network NW based on the image ID of the selected image. Note that the image data request by the PC 4 may be made by e-mail or data communication via the network NW.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 30 of the server device 3 receives an electronic mail in which a file name and an image ID are associated from the digital camera 1, the CPU 30 creates an image DB 33 b as shown in FIG. In the image DB 33b, for each image data 33a, the camera ID indicating the captured digital camera 1, the image ID added to each image data 33a, the file name, the shooting date and time, the storage area of the image data 33a, and the PCs 4 and 4 are stored. The number of requests, the delivery destination, etc. are registered in association with each other. When receiving an e-mail in which a file name and an image ID are associated, the CPU 30 registers only the image ID and the file name in the image DB 33b.

  In the server device 3 that has requested image data from the PCs 4 and 4, the CPU (request receiving means) 30 has received a request for image data from the PCs 4 and 4, and has been requested based on the registered contents of the image DB 33b. It is determined whether the image data is already stored in the HDD 33. If the CPU 30 determines that the requested image data has already been stored in the HDD 33, the CPU 30 indicates that the image data can be provided to the PCs 4 and 4 that have requested the image data by e-mail, for example. Notice.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 30 determines that the requested image data is not yet stored in the HDD 33, the CPU 30 adds 1 to the number of requests for the image data indicated by the corresponding image ID in the image DB 33b stored in the HDD 33. The e-mail address of the PC 4 that requested the image data is registered as a delivery destination. Therefore, the CPU 30 operates as a counting unit that counts the number of requests for each image data based on requests from the PCs 4 and 4. Further, the CPU 30 notifies, for example, by e-mail that the image data cannot be provided to the destination registered in the distribution destination of the image DB 33b corresponding to the image data that has not yet been registered in the HDD 33, whereby the user of the PC 4 Can grasp that the requested image data cannot be acquired immediately.

  The CPU 30 of the server device 3 requests image data to the digital camera 1 via the network NW based on the image ID in descending order of the number of requests in the image DB 33b. Note that the request for image data by the server device 3 may be made by electronic mail or data communication via the network NW.

  The control unit 10 of the digital camera 1 that has requested image data from the server device 3 reads the corresponding image data and image information (shooting date and time) indicating the image data from the storage unit 20, together with the camera ID indicating the digital camera 1. The data is transmitted from the communication unit 21 to the server device 3. The CPU 30 of the server device 3 that has received the image data from the digital camera 1 stores (uploads) the acquired image data in the HDD 33, and corresponds in the image DB 33b based on the image information and camera ID received together with the image data. The camera ID, shooting date and storage area are registered.

  When the CPU 30 of the server device 3 registers the image data acquired from the digital camera 1 in the HDD 33, for example, the uploading to the destination registered in the distribution destination of the image DB 33b is completed by e-mail. Notify that it can be provided. Thus, the user of the PC 4 can know that the requested image data is ready for distribution, and can efficiently acquire the image data.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the user of the digital camera 1 selects image data to be provided from captured image data, only reduced image data and image information based on the selected image data are stored in the network NW. Since the data is transmitted / received via the network, the line load can be reduced. Further, the user of the PCs 4 and 4 can know the contents of the image data provided by the server device 3 based on the compressed image data transmitted from the digital camera 1 without accessing the server device 3. Furthermore, since the image data is uploaded from the digital camera 1 to the server device 3 in the order of the number of requests from the PCs 4 and 4, it is possible to preferentially prepare for the distribution of the image data with a large demand.

  Hereinafter, a process of uploading image data acquired by the digital camera 1 to the server device 3 in the image providing system 100 having the above-described configuration will be described. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the procedure of image data registration processing in the image providing system 100 according to the present invention. The following processing is executed by the control unit 10 of the digital camera 1, the CPU 30 of the server device 3, and the CPU of the PC 4 according to control programs stored in the ROM 11 of the digital camera 1, the ROM 31 of the server device 3, and the ROM of the PC 4. To do.

  When the user of the digital camera 1 takes a picture with the digital camera 1, the image data acquired by the imaging unit 16 and stored in the storage unit 20 is displayed on the display unit 15, and the operation unit 13 is appropriately operated. Thus, an image to be provided is selected from the displayed images. The control unit 10 of the digital camera 1 determines whether or not selection of an image from the user has been received via the operation unit 13 (S1). If not received (S1: NO), the control unit 10 stands by.

  When it is determined that the selection of an image has been accepted (S1: YES), the control unit 10 adds an image ID to each selected image data (S2). Next, the control unit 10 executes reduction processing by the image processing unit 19 on each image data selected by the user (S3), and associates each generated reduced image data with the image ID added in step S2. E-mail to be displayed is created, and the created e-mail is sent to the PCs 4 and 4 according to the e-mail address stored in the RAM 12 in advance (S4).

  Next, the control unit 10 reads the file name of each image data selected by the user from the storage unit 20, and creates an e-mail that displays the read file name in association with the image ID added in step S2. Then, the created electronic mail is transmitted to the server apparatus 3 (S5).

  In the PC 4 that has received an e-mail that can display each reduced image data and image ID in association with each other from the digital camera 1, is the CPU instructed to display the received e-mail by the user operating the operation unit appropriately? If not (S6) and if it is determined that no instruction has been given (S6: NO), the system waits. When the CPU determines that the display of the e-mail has been instructed (S6: YES), the CPU displays each reduced image data on the display unit (S7).

  Further, the CPU of the PC 4 determines whether or not an image is selected by the user based on the displayed reduced image data (S8), and determines that no image is selected (S8: NO), The process returns to step S6. If the CPU determines that an image has been selected by the user (S8: YES), the CPU requests the corresponding image data from the server device 3 based on the image ID of the selected image (S9).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 30 of the server device 3 receives an e-mail that can be displayed in association with the file name and the image ID transmitted from the digital camera 1 in step S5, the image DB 33b as shown in FIG. In step S10, the image ID and file name in the image DB 33b are registered based on the content of the received e-mail.

  The CPU 30 determines whether or not image data is requested from the PC 4 (S11). If it is determined that the image data is not requested (S11: NO), the CPU 30 stands by. If the CPU 30 determines that the image data is requested (S11: YES), the CPU 30 determines whether the requested image data is already stored in the HDD 33 (S12). If the CPU 30 determines that the requested image data is already stored in the HDD 33 (S12: YES), it notifies the PC 4 that has requested the image data of the completion of uploading the image data (S13). The CPU of the PC 4 acquires a notification of completion of uploading of the image data requested in step S9 (S14).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the image data requested from the PC 4 is not yet stored in the HDD 33 (S12: NO), the CPU 30 adds 1 to the corresponding number of requests in the image DB 33b (S15). The e-mail address of the PC 4 that requested the image data is registered in the distribution destination in the image DB 33b (S16). Then, the CPU 30 notifies the destination registered in the corresponding delivery destination in the image DB 33b that the upload has not been completed (S17).

  Further, the CPU 30 of the server device 3 identifies the image data having the highest number of requests among the image data not yet stored in the HDD 33 (S18), and requests the identified image data from the digital camera 1 based on the image ID. (S19). The control unit 10 of the digital camera 1 reads the image data requested from the server device 3 and the image information indicating the image data from the storage unit 20, and transmits the image data together with the camera ID indicating the digital camera 1 to the server device 3 (S20). .

  Then, the CPU 30 of the server device 3 stores the image data acquired from the digital camera 1 in the HDD 33 (S21), and registers the corresponding camera ID, shooting date and storage area in the image DB 33b (S22). When the image data acquired from the digital camera 1 is registered in the HDD 33a, the CPU 30 notifies the destination registered in the distribution destination of the image DB 33b of completion of uploading the image data (S23), and the registered contents of the image DB 33b are notified. Based on this, it is determined whether there is image data that has not yet been uploaded to the HDD 33 (S24).

  If the CPU 30 determines that there is image data that has not been uploaded (S24: YES), the CPU 30 returns the process to step S18, and identifies the image data with the largest number of requests among the image data not yet stored in the HDD 33. (S18) The process of acquiring the specified image data from the digital camera 1 is repeated. If the CPU 30 determines that there is no image data that has not been uploaded (S24: NO), the process returns to step S11, waits until the image data is requested from the PC 4, and the image data in response to the request from the PC 4 Repeat the provision process.

  When the user of the PC 4 is notified of the completion of uploading the requested image data to the server device 3, the user of the PC 4 accesses the server device 3 by causing the CPU of the PC 4 to execute the browser program, and obtains the desired image data. You can execute the download.

  In the embodiment described above, the configuration in which the digital camera 1 itself has a function of connecting to the network NW has been described as an example. However, the digital camera 1, the server device 3, and the like are connected via a computer or the like that can be connected to the network NW. It is good also as a structure which connects PC4,4. Further, the configuration for uploading the image data captured by the digital camera 1 to the server device 3 via the network NW has been described. However, the digital camera 1 and the server device 3 are provided with an interface for connecting to a USB cable, for example. You may make it upload image data via a cable.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the image provision system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the registration content of an image database. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the registration process of the image data in the image provision system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the registration process of the image data in the image provision system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Image providing system 1 Digital camera (imaging device)
13 Operation part (reception means)
19 Image processing unit (creating means)
21 Communication unit (first sending means, second sending means)
3. Server device (central device, image providing device)
30 CPU (counting means)
33 HDD
33b Image database (database)
4 PC (terminal equipment)

Claims (12)

In an image providing system comprising an imaging device that acquires image data, a central device that provides image data acquired by the imaging device, and a terminal device that receives image data from the central device,
The imaging apparatus includes a creation unit that creates reduced image data in which the amount of acquired image data is reduced,
First sending means for sending the reduced image data created by the creating means to the terminal device;
Second sending means for sending image information related to the image data acquired by the imaging device to the central device;
The terminal device has means for making a request for image data to the central device based on the reduced image data sent by the first sending means,
The central device counts the number of requests for each image data based on a request from the terminal device, and requests image data corresponding to the image information in descending order of the number of requests counted by the counting unit. Means for carrying out to the imaging device,
The second sending means includes means for obtaining image data in response to a request from the central apparatus and sending the image data to the central apparatus.
The image providing system, wherein the central device includes means for creating a database for registering image data sent by the second sending means. The imaging apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives selection of acquired image data,
The creating means is configured to create reduced image data based on the image data accepted by the accepting means,
2. The image providing system according to claim 1, wherein the second sending unit is configured to send image information related to image data for which selection is accepted by the receiving unit to the central apparatus.   3. The central device according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying that the image data can be provided to a terminal device that has requested the image data when the image data is registered in the created database. The image providing system described in 1.   4. The central device according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying the terminal device that has requested image data not registered in the created database that the image data cannot be provided. The image providing system described.   The central device, when the image data is requested from the terminal device when the database is created, means for determining whether the image data is registered in the database; and the image data is the database 5. The image providing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for requesting the image data to the imaging apparatus when it is determined that the image data is not registered.   When the central device determines that the image data requested from the terminal device is not registered in the database, and registers the image data requested from the imaging device in the database, the central device requests the image data. 6. The image providing system according to claim 5, further comprising means for notifying that the image data can be provided to the terminal device that has performed. A central device having a database for registering image data acquired by an imaging device is an image providing method for providing image data to a terminal device,
The imaging device creating reduced image data in which the amount of acquired image data is reduced; and
Sending the generated reduced image data to the terminal device;
Sending image information related to image data acquired by the imaging device to the central device;
The terminal device makes a request for image data to the central device based on the sent reduced image data;
The central device counting the number of requests for each image data based on a request from the terminal device;
The central device makes a request for image data corresponding to the image information to the imaging device in order of increasing request count;
Acquiring image data in response to a request from the central device from the imaging device and sending it to the central device;
The central apparatus includes a step of registering the transmitted image data in the database. In an image providing apparatus that provides image data,
Means for acquiring image information related to the image data from the outside;
Request accepting means for accepting a request for the image data from an external device;
Counting means for counting the number of requests for each image data based on the request received by the request receiving means;
Means for externally requesting image data corresponding to the image information in descending order of the number of requests counted by the counting means;
An image providing apparatus comprising: a database for registering image data acquired from outside in response to the request.   9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for notifying that the image data can be provided to an external apparatus that has requested the image data received by the request receiving means when the image data is registered in the created database. The image providing apparatus according to 1.   10. The image providing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for notifying that an external apparatus that has requested image data not registered in the created database cannot provide the image data. Means for determining whether or not the image data is registered in the database when the request accepting unit accepts a request for image data when the database is created;
11. The image providing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for requesting the image data to the outside when it is determined that the image data is not registered in the database.   When the request receiving means determines that the requested image data is not registered in the database, and the image data requested externally is registered in the database, the image received by the request receiving means 12. The image providing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for notifying that the image data can be provided to an external apparatus that has requested data.

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