JP2006318206A - Electronic album creation device and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control a storage function of electronic album information. <P>SOLUTION: This electronic album creation device having the storage function storing an screen image displayed on a display part as image data controls such that a page screen of the electronic album information is displayed on the display part (step S401), monitors presence/absence of an execution instruction of the storage function (step S402), and controls the storage function in a state that the page screen is displayed on the display part according to a monitoring result thereof (step S403). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic album creating apparatus and a control method thereof.

  In recent years, the size of digital image equipment represented by digital still cameras and digital video cameras has been reduced, and the cost has been reduced. As a result, these digital image devices are widely used as electronic devices for taking still images and moving images. Captured still images and moving image data (hereinafter referred to as “objects”) are stored in a memory in the digital image device. The object stored in the memory is generally stored in a recording device built in the user's personal computer or stored in an external recording medium such as a CD-R.

  On the other hand, it has become possible to easily store a large amount of objects using a personal computer, and an electronic album editing program for selecting a desired object and storing layout-edited electronic album information has appeared. Yes.

There are also print service providers that use the Internet to create electronic album information, bookbinding, and provide products. The print service provider provides a dedicated application for creating electronic album information. In such a dedicated application, instead of eliminating the print menu and not providing a local print function, the product is provided by a seamless operation via a network.
JP-A-11-296336 (FIG. 4, paragraph numbers 0025 and 0026)

  However, the user's operating system (OS) in which a dedicated application provided by the print service provider operates does not limit the screen hard copy. Therefore, the hard copy of the screen is not limited when browsing the electronic album information on the network. As a result, the user can hard copy a screen image provided by the OS to obtain image data, and can print it locally.

  The print service provider aims to provide high-quality products by accepting bookbinding orders from users over the network, but users who are not particular about quality do not place an order for bookbinding to the print service provider. You can simply print locally.

  In addition, in order to reduce the risk of returned goods at the time of bookbinding, a preview screen can be displayed with WYSUWYG (WhatYou See What You Get) on the dedicated application and network for the created electronic album information. Due to high functionality and low cost of high-definition displays in recent years, even a preview screen can be displayed on a screen close to bookbinding. Therefore, as the functions of high-definition printers are enhanced and the cost is reduced, an increasing number of users can complete the hard copy of the preview screen.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for restricting hard copy of a screen displayed on a browser via a network using a tag that prohibits hard copy. However, the method using a tag as in Patent Document 1 has a problem that hard copy restrictions can be avoided by falsifying the tag. In addition, there is a problem that it cannot be directly applied to an application dedicated to creating electronic album information. For this reason, it has been difficult to restrict hard copies of electronic album information that can be used by dedicated applications.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to control a storage function of electronic album information.

  A first aspect of the present invention relates to a control method of an electronic album creating apparatus having a storage function for storing a screen image displayed on a display unit as image data, and displays a page screen of electronic album information on the display unit. A display control step for controlling the storage function, a monitoring step for monitoring the presence or absence of an instruction to execute the storage function, and the storage in a state where the page screen is displayed on the display unit according to a monitoring result in the monitoring step. A storage function control step for controlling the function.

  A second aspect of the present invention relates to an electronic album creating apparatus, a display control unit that controls to display a page screen of electronic album information on a display unit, and a storage that stores a screen image of the display unit as image data. A monitoring unit that monitors the presence or absence of a function execution instruction; and a storage function control unit that controls the storage function in a state where the page screen is displayed on the display unit according to a monitoring result in the monitoring unit; It is characterized by providing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic album creating system including a server device that provides electronic album information and a user terminal that is communicably connected to the server device via a network. A display control unit that controls the display unit to display a page screen of electronic album information downloaded from the server device, and a monitoring unit that monitors whether or not a storage function execution instruction is stored to store the screen image of the display unit as image data And a storage function control unit that controls the storage function in a state in which the page screen is displayed on the display unit in accordance with a monitoring result of the monitoring unit.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a program for causing a computer to execute the above control method.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium and stores the above computer program.

  According to the present invention, the electronic album information storage function can be controlled.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic album creation system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This electronic album creating system includes a content site 105 as a server device that provides electronic album information, and user PCs (personal computers) 102A and 102B that are communicably connected to the content site 105 via the Internet 104 as a network. , Composed of.

  The image input device 101 converts an optical image, which is image information, into an electrical signal, performs predetermined image processing, and then records and reproduces the digital information. As the image input device 101, for example, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a scanner, or the like may be used. The user PCs 102A and 102B are user terminals operated by the user. The data transfer interface 103 transfers the image data acquired by the image input device 101 to the user PC 102A. As the data transfer interface 103, for example, a wired interface represented by USB (Universal Serial Bus) or IEEE 1394, or a wireless interface represented by IrDA or Bluetooth may be used.

  Image data transferred from the image input apparatus 101 to the user PC 102A via the data transfer interface 103 is stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) 209 (see FIG. 2) of the user PC 102A. Examples of image data transfer from the image input device 101 to the user PC 102A include the following cases. When the image input device 101 collectively transfers image data stored in the storage device in accordance with an instruction from the operation system (OS) or dedicated software installed in the user PC 102A, the image input device 101 sends the image data to the user PC 102A. This is a case where the OS or dedicated software of the user PC 102A secures a data recording area in the HDD 209 of the user PC 102A and receives image data from the image input device 101 in accordance with the transfer command.

  The user PC 102 </ b> A can operate a browser 120 </ b> A having a standard protocol that can transfer information using the Internet 104. By operating the browser 120A, the user PC 102A accesses the photosite 105 using a protocol such as Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and uses Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), eXtensible Markup Language (X, Language, etc.) language (X). The created web page information can be acquired and analyzed, and the web page can be displayed on the display unit (display) of the user PC 102A. By operating the browser 120A, the user PC 102A can download the electronic album editing program 130A and templates, image data, and the like that can be used from the content site 105 via the Internet 104. Thereby, the user PC 102A can operate the electronic album editing program 130A. Also, the user PC 102A can upload the electronic album information edited by the electronic album editing program 130A to the content site 105 via the Internet 104.

  When a request for an electronic album editing program, template, or image data is made from the browser 120A or the electronic album editing program 130A, the content site 105 transmits the content requested from the content DB 108 by the content management module 106.

  The electronic album editing program 130A can create electronic album information using an object acquired from the image input device 101 and stored in the HDD 209 of the user PC 102A or a template or object downloaded from the content site 105.

  When an electronic album information upload request is made from the electronic album editing program 130A to the content site 105, the content management module 106 uses the information DB 109 to confirm user confirmation, registration information, and the like. A unique electronic album information number is assigned to the electronic album information, and the data uploaded to the content DB 108 is stored in association with the user.

  The uploaded electronic album information can request a print order from the print site 110 via the content site 105 using the browser 120A. When a print order request is made from the browser 120A to the content site 105, the content management module 106 uses the information DB 109 to confirm user confirmation, registration information, and the like, and an electronic document associated with the uploaded user. Album information is acquired from the content DB 108, and browsing data for print confirmation is transmitted to the browser 120A.

  When the user confirms the browsing data for print confirmation with the browser 120A and places an order, the settlement module 107 uses the information DB 109 to confirm the user confirmation and registration information in the content site 105, and is necessary for settlement to the browser 120A. The correct data. When the user confirms the payment information with the browser 120A and inputs necessary items, the content site 105 performs payment with the payment module 107, and the content management module 106 transmits a print request to the print site 110.

  In the print site 110, in accordance with a print request from the content site 105, the target electronic album information is printed by the printer 111 as a printing apparatus. Thereafter, bookbinding is performed, and products are shipped to the user. In FIG. 1, only one print site 110 is shown, but two or more print sites 110 may exist.

  Next, a method will be described in which a user other than the user who uploaded the electronic album information uploaded to the content site 105 browses and prints.

  The user who uploaded the electronic album information to the content site 105 receives the attribute information such as the name of the user (hereinafter referred to as “browsing user”) and the E-Mail address, and the E-Mail address via the browser 120A. Notify

  When publishing content to browsing users, the content site 105 first generates a URL (Universal Resource Locator) necessary for publishing.

  At this time, the generated URL is a unique address and assigned using a random number that cannot be uniquely predicted. For example, “http://XXX.com/ContentsSite/Entry.cgi?BookID=AJNWDMF” can be used. Such a URL that cannot be uniquely predicted is hereinafter referred to as a “random URL”. ). The content site 105 adds the password information necessary for browsing, if necessary, to the random URL generated in this way, and notifies the browsing user by E-Mail via the Internet 104.

  The viewing user who has received the E-Mail accesses the Internet 104 from the user PC 102B, and inputs the random URL notified by the E-Mail to the browser 120B, whereby the electronic album information designated by the user who uploaded the electronic album information is specified. Can be viewed.

  When a browsing request is made to the content site 105 from the browser 120B, the content management module 106 uses the information DB 109 to confirm a random URL, a password, and the like, and obtains public electronic album information from the content DB 108 Then, browsing data for print confirmation is transmitted to the browser 120B.

  When the browsing user confirms the browsing data for print confirmation in the browser 120B and places an order, in the content site 105, the payment module 107 uses the information DB 109 to check the registered information and the data necessary for payment to the browser 120B. Send.

  When the viewing user confirms the payment information with the browser 120B and inputs necessary items, the payment module 107 performs payment in the content site 105, and the content management module 106 transmits a print request to the print site 110.

  In the print site 110, the target electronic album information is printed by the printer 111 in accordance with a print request from the content site 105. Thereafter, bookbinding is performed, and the product is shipped to the browsing user.

  Further, the user PC 102B can download the electronic album browsing program 130B from the content site 105 via the Internet 104 by operating the browser 120B.

  In the content site 105, when a request for browsing electronic album information is made from the browser 120B or the electronic album browsing program 130B, the content management module 106 transmits the requested electronic album information from the content DB.

  The user PC 102B can operate the electronic album browsing program 130B. In addition, the user PC 102B can place an order for printing the electronic album information confirmed by the electronic album browsing program 130B to the content site 105 via the Internet 104.

  The content site 105 uses the information DB 109 by the payment module 107 to transmit data necessary for payment to the browser 120B executed by the electronic album browsing program 130B.

  When the user confirms the payment information with the browser 120B and inputs necessary items, the payment module 107 performs payment in the content site 105, and the content management module 106 transmits a print request to the print site 110.

  In the print site 110, the target electronic album information is printed by the printer 111 in accordance with a print request from the content site 105. Thereafter, bookbinding is performed, and products are shipped to the user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a user PC 102A and a user PC 102B as an electronic album creating apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, 201 is a CRT display (Cathode Ray Tube) as a display unit. On the display screen of the CRT display 201, for example, a document, graphic, image, and other editing information being edited, icons, messages, menus, and other user interface information are displayed. Reference numeral 202 denotes a VRAM, which generates an image to be displayed on the display screen of the CRT display 201. The image data generated by the VRAM 202 is transferred to the CRT display 201 according to a predetermined rule, and an image is displayed on the CRT display 201. 203 is a bit move unit (BMU), for example, for transferring data between memories (for example, VRAM 202 and other memories) and transferring data between the memory and each I / O device (for example, network interface 211). Control. A keyboard 204 has various keys for inputting documents and the like. Reference numeral 205 denotes a pointing device (PD), which is used, for example, to instruct icons, menus, and other objects displayed on the display screen of the CRT display 201. Reference numeral 206 denotes a central processing unit (CPU), and each device connected to the CPU 206 is controlled based on a control program stored in a read only memory (ROM) 207, a hard disk drive (HDD) 209, or a flexible disk (FDD) 210. Control. A ROM 207 holds various control programs and data. Reference numeral 208 denotes a random access memory (RAM), which has a work area for the CPU 206, a data save area during error processing, a control program load area, and the like. Reference numeral 209 denotes an HDD. The HDD 209 can store each control program and content executed in the user PC 102A. For example, the HDD 209 stores a browser 120A, electronic album information, an electronic album editing program, and the like. A flexible disk drive 210 represented by a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FDD) controls access to the flexible disk. Reference numeral 211 denotes a network interface (NETI / F), which can communicate with other information processing apparatuses and printers via the Internet 104. A CPU bus 212 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. The provision of the control program to the CPU 206 can be performed from the ROM 207, HDD 209, and FDD 210, or can be performed from another information processing apparatus or the like via the network 104 via the Internet 104.

  FIG. 25 shows a software module configuration 2500 of the event monitoring program installed in the user PCs 102A and 102B of the present invention. The software module configuration 2500 can be stored in, for example, the HDD 209 in FIG. The user PCs 102A and 102B have a display control unit 2513 that controls to display the page screen of the electronic album on the CRT display 201, and a storage function (hard copy) that stores the screen image displayed on the CRT display 201 as image data. A monitoring unit 2514 that monitors the presence / absence of an execution instruction, and a storage function prohibiting unit 2515 that limits the storage function when the page screen of the electronic album is displayed on the CRT display 201 according to the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 2514. And comprising. For example, when the page screen of the electronic album is displayed on the CRT display 201, the storage function prohibition unit 2515 can prohibit the execution of the storage function that stores the screen image of the CRT display 201 as image data. The storage function prohibition unit 2515 can also control whether or not to display a watermark on the page screen of the electronic album.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of the electronic album editing program 130A that can be executed by the user PC 102A.

  Reference numeral 300 denotes an operation screen of the electronic album editing program 130A. The user can create and save electronic album information by performing an operation on the operation screen 300. Further, the user can upload electronic album information to the content site 105 via the Internet 104 by performing an operation on the operation screen 300. Reference numeral 301 denotes an editing / confirmation area, which displays electronic album information operated by WYSUWYG in units of pages. For example, in FIG. 3, the page screens of the sixth and seventh pages of the electronic album information are displayed. Objects A and B are displayed on the sixth page, and object C is displayed on the seventh page. Each page of the electronic album information is downloaded from the content site 105 via the Internet 104 and can be arranged according to a template selected by the user. Further, the number of objects that can be arranged on each page of the electronic album information and the arrangement position can be freely changed by changing the template. Reference numeral 302 denotes a page designation area for designating a page displayed on 301. In 302, the page currently displayed in 301 can be highlighted. For example, in FIG. 3, the highlight display indicates that the page screens of the sixth and seventh pages are displayed in 301. The highlight display displayed in 301 may use other display methods such as blinking. Reference numeral 303 denotes an object work area when editing is performed in 301, and can be used when an object is replaced between pages.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example when browsing the electronic album information uploaded to the content site 105 on the browser 120A executed on the user PC 102A. Further, the case where the uploaded electronic album information is browsed on the browser 120B executed by the viewing user PC 102B is the same as FIG. In browsing electronic album information using a browser, there is no difference between a registered user and a browsing user, so the following description does not distinguish them.

  Reference numeral 700 denotes the browser 120. Reference numeral 701 denotes an area where electronic album information to be viewed is displayed in WYSUWYG. Reference numeral 702 denotes a page designation area for designating a page displayed in 701. In 702, the page currently displayed in 701 can be highlighted. For example, in FIG. 7, the display of the page screens of the sixth page and the seventh page is displayed in 701 by highlighting. Note that the highlight display indicating the page displayed in 701 may use another display method such as blinking.

  FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a processing flow in the browser 120 (client side) and the content management module 106 (server device side) when browsing the electronic album information uploaded to the content site 105 on the browser 120 executed on the user PC 102. FIG.

  In step S801, the browser 120 of the user PC 102 transmits the number of the electronic album information to be browsed and the page number.

  In step S802, the content management module 106 receives the number and page number of the electronic album information transmitted in step S801.

  In step S803, the content management module 106 acquires from the content DB 108 the electronic album information having the number of the electronic album information received in step S802. At this time, the content management module 106 determines whether the electronic album information has the electronic album information of the number of the electronic album information received in step S802 or the page number received in step S802. If there is no electronic album information of the received electronic album information number or page number ("NO" in step S803), the process proceeds to step S804, and the electronic album information or page number of the received electronic album information number If there is any electronic album information (“YES” in step S803), the process advances to step S806.

  In step S804, the content management module 106 transmits to the browser 120 an error screen indicating that there is no data corresponding to the information transmitted in step S801.

  In step S805, the browser 120 receives the error screen transmitted in step S804 and displays the error screen on the screen of the user PC 102.

  In step S806, the content management module 106 transmits a plug-in for displaying a browsing screen to the user PC 102.

  In step S807, the browser 120 receives the plug-in transmitted in step S806.

  In step S808, the browser 120 causes the plug-in received in step S807 to be executed. If the plug-in cannot be executed (“NO” in step S808), the browser 120 proceeds to step S809. If the plug-in can be executed (“YES” in step S808), the browser 120 proceeds to step S810.

  In step S809, the browser 120 displays an error screen.

  In step S810, the browser 120 requests browsing data from the content management module 106.

  In step S811, the content management module 106 receives a browsing data request from the browser 120.

  In step S812, the content management module 106 acquires the electronic album information to be browsed from the content DB 108, and transmits the browse data to the browser 120.

  In step S813, the browser 120 receives the browsing data transmitted in step S812, and displays the browsing data on the screen of the user PC 102.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which uploaded electronic album information is displayed by the electronic album browsing program 130B executed by the browsing user PC 102B.

  In browsing electronic album information using the electronic album browsing program, there is no difference between a registered user and a browsing user, so the following description does not distinguish between the two.

  Reference numeral 1200 denotes a display screen of the electronic album browsing program. Reference numeral 1201 denotes an area where electronic album information to be viewed is displayed in WYSUWYG. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a page designation area for designating a page displayed in 1201. The page currently displayed in 1201 can be highlighted. For example, in FIG. 12, it is indicated by highlighting that the page screens of the sixth and seventh pages are displayed in 1201. Note that the highlight display indicating the page displayed in 1201 may use another display method such as blinking. Further, the electronic album browsing program may be a program in which the editing function of the electronic album editing program 130A is limited.

  FIG. 13 shows an electronic album browsing program 130B (client side) when the electronic album information uploaded to the content site 105 is browsed by the electronic album browsing program 130B executed on the user PC 102B, and the content management module 106 ( It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow on the server apparatus side.

  In step S1301, the user PC 102B executes the electronic album browsing program (browsing viewer between electronic album information) 130B of the user PC 102B. Although not shown, the electronic album browsing program 130B can be acquired from the content site 105.

  In step S1302, the user PC 102B transmits the number of electronic album information browsed by the electronic album browsing program 130B of the user PC 102B.

  In step S1303, the content management module 106 receives the electronic album information number transmitted in step S1302.

  In step S1304, the content management module 106 acquires, from the content DB 108, the electronic album information having the number of the electronic album information received in step S1303. At this time, the content management module 106 determines whether there is electronic album information having the number of the electronic album information received in step S1303. If there is no electronic album information with the number of the received electronic album information (“NO” in step S1304), the process proceeds to step S1305. If there is electronic album information with the number of the acquired electronic album information (“ YES ") Proceed to step S1307.

  In step S1305, the content management module 106 transmits error information indicating that there is no data corresponding to the information transmitted in step S1302 to the user PC 102B.

  In step S1306, the electronic album browsing program 130B receives the error information transmitted in step S1305 and displays the error information on the screen of the user PC 102B.

  In step S1307, the content management module 106 acquires electronic album information to be browsed from the content DB 108, and transmits the browse data to the user PC 102B.

  In step S1308, the electronic album browsing program 130B receives the browsing data transmitted in step S1307, and displays the browsing data on the screen of the user PC 102B.

  Next, a control method of the user PC 102A and the user PC 102B will be described using the processing flow of FIG.

  In step S401, the display control unit 2513 controls to display the page screen of the electronic album information stored in the HDD 209 or the like on the CRT display 201.

  In step S402, the monitoring unit 2514 monitors the presence / absence of an instruction to execute a storage function for storing the screen image displayed on the CRT display 201 as image data.

  In step S403, the storage function control unit 2515 controls the storage function in a state where the page screen of the electronic album information is displayed on the CRT display 201 in accordance with the monitoring result by the monitoring unit 2514. The storage function control unit 2515 controls whether or not to execute a hard copy (storage function) of a screen provided by the OS.

  The event monitoring program can control the hard copy of the screen provided by the OS when executing each of the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 when browsing, or the electronic album browsing program. When these electronic album editing programs, electronic album browsing programs, or plug-ins are executed, they register an event monitoring program in the OS. Registration of the event monitoring program in the OS can use an API (Application Program Interface) prepared in the OS. Taking Windows (registered trademark) (a product of Microsoft (registered trademark)) as an example, by registering the function of the event monitoring program, the registered function of the event monitoring program is called for each event.

  FIG. 5 shows an event monitoring program registered as described above when each program is terminated after step S402 of FIG. 4 in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 during browsing, or the electronic album browsing program. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow which deletes.

  In step S500, the editing or browsing by the electronic album editing program, the electronic album browsing program, or the plug-in is terminated.

  In step S501, the event monitoring program registered in the OS is deleted. An API prepared in the OS can be used to delete the event monitoring program registered in the OS. Taking Windows (registered trademark) as an example, by deleting the function of the previously registered event monitoring program, there is no call for each event. At the end of each, the application or plug-in performs step S501, and deletes the event monitoring program registered in FIG.

  Although the registration of the event monitoring program in FIG. 4 is performed when the program is executed and the deletion of the event monitoring program in FIG. 5 is performed at the end of the program, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when displaying in WYSUWYG, it takes a long time to edit an album. For example, if there is an editing screen display and a bookbinding print confirmation display, the event monitoring program is not registered in the editing screen display. The event monitoring program may be registered immediately before the bookbinding print confirmation display for displaying in WYSUWYG. In this case, the event monitoring program may be deleted when the bookbinding print confirmation display ends. As described above, the event monitoring program may be registered before and after the screen display for which hard copy of the screen is desired to be prohibited. Further, the operation of the event monitoring program may be terminated instead of deleting the event monitoring program. In this case, when the program is executed next time, the event monitoring program has already been registered, so that it is only necessary to start the event monitoring program.

  As described above, when browsing the electronic album editing program, the hard copy of the screen provided by the OS is controlled by registering and deleting the event monitoring program in the plug-in or the electronic album browsing program executed by the browser 120. can do.

  The monitoring program to be registered can be changed in function as necessary as will be described later.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of browsing electronic album information uploaded to the content site 105 on the browser 120 executed on the user PC 102. 900 indicates the browser 120. Reference numeral 901 denotes an area where electronic album information to be viewed is displayed in WYSUWYG. Reference numeral 902 denotes a page designation area for designating a page displayed in 901. In 902, the page currently displayed in 901 can be highlighted. For example, in FIG. 9, it is indicated by highlighted display that the page screens of the sixth and seventh pages are displayed in 901. Note that the highlight display indicating the page displayed in 901 may use another display method such as blinking. Reference numeral 903 denotes a watermark synthesized with the electronic album information to be browsed. Note that the form of the watermark 903 (including characters and graphics) is not limited to that shown in FIG. 9, and other forms may be used. Also, the size, display position, number, etc. of the watermark can be adjusted according to the copyrighted work on the electronic album information to be browsed. Further, the watermark color may be displayed in reverse so as not to make it difficult to finish, or another color may be used.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a processing flow in the browser 120 (client side) and the content management module 106 (server apparatus side) when browsing the electronic album information uploaded to the content site 105 on the browser 120 executed on the user PC 102. FIG.

  In step S1001, the browser 120 of the user PC 102 transmits the number and page number of the electronic album information to be browsed.

  In step S1002, the content management module 106 receives the number and page number of the electronic album information transmitted in step S1001.

  In step S1003, the content management module 106 acquires the electronic album information of the number of the electronic album information received in step S1002 from the content DB 108. At this time, the content management module 106 determines whether the electronic album information includes the electronic album information of the number of the electronic album information received in step S1002 or the page number received in step S1002. If there is no electronic album information of the received electronic album information number or page number ("NO" in step S1003), the process proceeds to step S1004, and the electronic album information or page number of the received electronic album information number If there is any electronic album information (“YES” in step S1003), the process advances to step S1006.

  In step S1004, the content management module 106 transmits to the browser 120 an error screen indicating that there is no data corresponding to the information transmitted in step S1001.

  In step S1005, the browser 120 receives the error screen transmitted in step S1004 and displays the error screen on the browser 120 of the user PC 102.

  In step S <b> 1006, the content management module 106 acquires electronic album information to be browsed from the content DB 108, and transmits browsing data obtained by combining the watermark to the user PC 102.

  In step S1007, the browser 120 receives the browsing data transmitted in step S1006, and displays the browsing data on the screen of the user PC.

  As described above, by combining the watermark with the browsing data, even when a hard copy of the screen can be performed on the browser 120 without using a plug-in, local printing can be restricted.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen when uploading the electronic album information of the electronic album editing program 130A that can be executed by the user PC 102A to the content site 105. Reference numeral 1400 denotes an operation screen when uploading the electronic album editing program 130A. Reference numeral 1401 denotes an area for designating a display method during browsing. As a display method at the time of browsing, for example, one of “do nothing”, “thin watermark”, “dark watermark”, and “hide when hard copying the screen” can be selected. Reference numeral 1402 denotes a button for uploading electronic album information from the electronic album editing program 130A.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of data when electronic album information is transmitted by the electronic album editing program 130A that can be executed by the user PC 102A. Reference numeral 1501 denotes electronic album information to be transmitted. Reference numeral 1502 denotes a display method of display at the time of browsing designated in FIG. Although not shown, in the content site 105, when an electronic album information upload request is made from the electronic album editing program 130A, the content management module 106 uses the information DB 109 to check user confirmation, registration information, and the like. The electronic album information number unique to the content site 105 is assigned to the electronic album information, and the data uploaded to the content DB 108 is stored in association with the user. At the same time, the browsing method set in 1502 is stored in the content DB 108 in association with the electronic album information number.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the case of a plug-in executed by the browser 120 at the time of browsing, when the plug-in is transmitted in step S806 in FIG. 8, the content management module 106 browses the browsing method stored in the content DB 108 (FIG. 8). 14). If the browsing method shown in FIG. 14 is set to “do nothing”, the process proceeds to step S812 without transmitting the plug-in, or the event monitoring program registered with the plug-in does nothing. And If the browsing method is set to something other than “do nothing”, the monitoring program of the event registered by the plug-in is set as the monitoring program corresponding thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the watermark is synthesized by the server device during browsing, the content management module 106 uses the browsing method stored in the content DB 108 when synthesizing the watermark in step S1006 of FIG. Judging. When the browsing method is set to “do nothing”, the browsing data is transmitted without compositing the watermark. When the browsing method is set to other than “do nothing”, the watermark is combined with the browsing method and the browsing data is transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when browsing with the electronic album browsing program, the content management module 106 acquires the browsing method stored in the content DB 108 in step S1307 of FIG. The browsing method and the browsing data acquired here are transmitted to the electronic album browsing program as data when electronic album information is transmitted as shown in FIG. The electronic album browsing program displays the browsing data received in step S1308 according to the specified browsing method. This allows browsing according to the intention of the user who uploaded the electronic album information.

  As described above, in this embodiment, appropriate cost burden and copyright for authorized users of bookbinding services, such as placing copyrighted characters and images in layout data, and designing layouts by designers, etc. Can be protected.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow showing steps S401 and S402 of FIG. 4 in more detail in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 when browsing, or the electronic album browsing program. The event monitoring program registered in the OS of the user PC 102 in FIG. 4 is called for each OS event.

  In step S600, the event monitoring program monitors event information (execution instruction) notified from the OS, and determines whether the screen is related to a hard copy. As a result of the determination, if the event is not related to the hard copy of the screen (“NO” in step S600), the process is performed by the method specified by the OS of the user PC 102 in step S601. If it is determined that the event relates to a hard copy of the screen (“YES” in step S600), the event processing is not continued. As described above, the event is invalidated by not performing the process in step S601.

  Although not shown, when invalid processing for an event is explicitly specified by the OS, the invalid processing can be executed. Taking Windows (registered trademark) as an example, an API for continuing event processing is prepared in the function of the event monitoring program, and an event cannot be processed correctly unless this API is called. Therefore, if the event is related to a hard copy of the screen, the process is terminated without calling an API for continuing the event processing so that the event does not operate normally. Otherwise, the event processing is continued. By calling the API, the event can be processed correctly. In addition, since the normal processing is performed except for the event related to the screen hard copy, the original normal operation can be executed after the event related to the hard copy of the screen ends.

  As described above, by registering the event monitoring program in the OS in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 during browsing, or the electronic album browsing program, hard copy of the screen can be prevented.

  Note that a message box such as “Screen hard copy is not possible” may be displayed again to invalidate the event.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow showing steps S401 and S402 of FIG. 4 in more detail in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 when browsing, or the electronic album browsing program. The event monitoring program registered in the OS of the user PC 102 in FIG. 4 is called for each OS event.

  In step S1100, the event monitoring program monitors the event information (execution instruction) notified from the OS, and determines whether the screen is related to hard copy. As a result of the determination, if the event is not an event related to hard copy of the screen (“NO” in step S1100), the event monitoring program performs processing by the method specified by the OS of the user PC 102 in step S1101. As a result of the determination, if the event is related to a hard copy of the screen (“YES” in step S1100), the event monitoring program executes order processing in step S1102.

  As described above, the event becomes order processing by performing step S1102. Although not shown, when invalid processing for an event is explicitly specified by the OS, the invalid processing can be executed. In addition, since the normal processing is performed except for the event related to the screen hard copy, the original normal operation can be executed after the event related to the hard copy of the screen ends.

  Thus, by changing the processing in the event monitoring program, it is possible to replace the hard copy of the screen with an arbitrary processing such as printing.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow showing steps S401 and S402 of FIG. 4 in more detail in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 when browsing, or the electronic album browsing program. The event monitoring program registered in the OS of the user PC 102 in FIG. 4 is called for each OS event.

  In step S1600, the event monitoring program monitors the event information notified from the OS and determines whether the screen is related to hard copy. If the event is not related to the hard copy of the screen as a result of the determination (“NO” in step S1600), the process proceeds to step S1601, and if the event is related to the hard copy of the screen (“YES” in step S1600). The process proceeds to S1604.

  In step S1601, the event monitoring program determines whether or not the watermark is being displayed. If the watermark is being displayed, the process proceeds to step S1602, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1603.

  In step S1602, the event monitoring program displays the watermark non-displayed, sets the mode in which the watermark is not displayed (hereinafter referred to as “watermark non-display mode”), and proceeds to step S1603.

  In step S1603, the event monitoring program performs processing by a method specified by the OS of the user PC 102.

  In step S1604, the event monitoring program determines whether or not a watermark is being displayed. If the watermark is being displayed, the process proceeds to step S1603; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1605.

  In step S1605, the event monitoring program displays the watermark display, sets the watermark display mode (hereinafter referred to as “watermark display mode”), and proceeds to step S1603.

  In this way, by switching the display mode according to the event related to the hard copy of the screen, the display is switched according to the event related to the hard copy of the screen as shown in FIG. 17 to be described later. Normal display is performed.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the window operation program corresponding to the event monitoring program of FIG. 16 in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 during browsing, or the electronic album browsing program.

  In step S1700, the window operation program monitors the operation information notified from the OS, and determines whether the display is related to screen display.

  If the operation is not related to screen display (“NO” in step S1700), the process proceeds to step S1704. If the operation is related to display (“YES” in step S1700), the process proceeds to step S1701.

  In step S1701, the window operation program displays data and proceeds to step S1702.

  In step S1702, the window operation program determines whether or not the watermark display mode is set in FIG. 16, and in the watermark display mode (“YES” in step S1702), the process proceeds to step S1703. If not (“NO” in step S1702), the process proceeds to step S1705.

  In step S1703, the window operation program displays a watermark.

  In step S1704, the window operation program performs processing related to necessary operations such as keyboard and mouse other than display, and the process advances to step S1705.

  In step S1705, the window operation program performs processing by a method specified by the OS of the user PC 102.

  Although not shown, the display position and size of the watermark displayed in step S1703 are adjusted according to the data to be displayed. In addition to the watermark display, it is possible to display the watermark by replacing it with a low-resolution display that cannot withstand printing.

  In this way, by changing the processing in the event monitoring program, the display state can be changed with a hard copy of the screen, and the screen obtained by the hard copy of the screen can be a watermark display.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow showing steps S401 and S402 of FIG. 4 in more detail in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 when browsing, or the electronic album browsing program. The event monitoring program registered in the OS of the user PC 102 in FIG. 4 is called for each OS event.

  In step S1800, the event monitoring program monitors event information notified from the OS, and determines whether the screen is related to a hard copy. If the event is not related to the screen hard copy ("NO" in step S1800), the process proceeds to step S1801, and if the event is related to the screen hard copy ("YES" in step S1800), step The process proceeds to S1804.

  In step S1801, the event monitoring program determines whether the browsing data is being displayed. If the browsing data is not displayed (“YES” in step S1801), the process proceeds to step S1802, otherwise (step S1801). In step S1801, “NO”), the process proceeds to step S1803.

  In step S1802, the event monitoring program displays the browsing data, sets the display mode, and proceeds to step S1803.

  In step S1803, the event monitoring program performs processing by a method specified by the OS of the user PC 102.

  In step S1804, the event monitoring program determines whether or not the browsing data is being displayed. If the browsing data is not being displayed (“YES” in step S1804), the process proceeds to step S1803; In step S1804, “NO”), the process proceeds to step S1805.

  In step S1805, the event monitoring program hides the browsing data, puts it into the non-display mode, and proceeds to step S1803.

  Thus, by switching the display mode according to the event related to the hard copy of the screen, the display is switched according to the event related to the hard copy of the screen according to FIG. 19 to be described later. Normal display is performed.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the window operation program corresponding to the event monitoring program of FIG. 18 in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 when browsing, or the electronic album browsing program.

  In step S1900, the window operation program monitors operation information notified from the OS, and determines whether or not it is related to screen display. If the operation is not related to screen display (“NO” in step S1900), the process proceeds to step S1903. If the operation is related to screen display (“YES” in step S1900), the process proceeds to step S1901.

  In step S1901, the window operation program determines whether or not the display mode is set in FIG. 18. If the display mode is the display mode (“YES” in step S1901), the process proceeds to step S1902. If “NO” in step S1901, the process proceeds to step S1904.

  In step S1902, the window operation program displays data.

  In step S1903, the window operation program performs a process related to necessary operations such as keyboard and mouse other than display, and the process advances to step S1904.

  In step S1904, the window operation program performs processing by a method specified by the OS of the user PC 102.

  In this way, by changing the processing in the event monitoring program, the display state can be changed with a hard copy of the screen, and the screen obtained by the hard copy of the screen can be hidden.

  In the case of non-display in step S1901, no operation is performed, but it may be replaced with a screen display such as “screen hard copy is not possible”.

  Further, instead of non-display, it is possible to replace the display with a low-resolution display that cannot withstand printing.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow showing steps S401 and S402 of FIG. 4 in more detail in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 when browsing, or the electronic album browsing program. The event monitoring program registered in the OS of the user PC 102 in FIG. 4 is called for each OS event.

  In step S2300, the event monitoring program monitors event information notified from the OS, and determines whether the screen is related to hard copy. If it is determined that the event is not related to the hard copy of the screen, the process proceeds to step S2301, and if the event is related to the hard copy of the screen, the process proceeds to step S2304.

  In step S2301, the event monitoring program determines whether the window of the application that displays the browsing data is being displayed. If the window is not displayed (“YES” in step S2301), the process proceeds to step S2302. If not (“NO” in step S2301), the process proceeds to step S2303.

  In step S2302, the event monitoring program displays a window, sets the window display mode, and proceeds to step S2303.

  In step S2303, the event monitoring program performs processing by a method specified by the OS of the user PC 102.

  In step S2304, the event monitoring program determines whether or not the window is being displayed. If the window is not being displayed (“YES” in step S2304), the process proceeds to step S2303; otherwise (step S2304). "NO"), the process proceeds to step S2305.

  In step S2305, the event monitoring program hides the window, sets the window non-display mode, and proceeds to step S2303.

  In this way, by changing the processing in the event monitoring program, it is possible to change the display state of the application that is operating with the hard copy of the screen, and to hide the application on the screen obtained by the hard copy of the screen. Can be.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing flow of the window operation program in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 during browsing, or the electronic album browsing program.

  In step S2000, the window operation program monitors operation information notified from the OS, and determines whether or not the window operation program relates to an active operation of the window.

  The operation not related to the window active operation proceeds to step S2006, the active operation proceeds to step S2001, and the inactive operation proceeds to step S2004.

  In step S2001, the window operation program determines whether or not the watermark is being displayed in the watermark display mode. If the watermark is being displayed (“YES” in step S2001), the process proceeds to step S2002, otherwise. (“NO” in step S2001), the process proceeds to step S2003.

  In step S2002, the window operation program displays the watermark not displayed, enters the watermark non-display mode, and proceeds to step S2003.

  In step S2003, the window operation program performs processing by a method specified by the OS of the user PC 102.

  In step S2004, the window operation program determines whether or not the watermark is being displayed in the watermark display mode. If the watermark is being displayed (“YES” in step S2004), the process proceeds to step S2003, otherwise. (“NO” in step S2004), the process proceeds to step S2005.

  In step S2005, the window operation program displays the watermark display, enters the watermark display mode, and proceeds to step S2003.

  In step S2006, the window operation program performs processing related to necessary operations such as keyboard and mouse other than display, and the process advances to step S2003.

  In addition, the processing described in FIG. 17 is performed in step S2006, or the processing described in FIG. 20 is performed in step S1704 in FIG.

  Further, in step S2002, the window operation program registers the event monitoring program in FIG. 4 or starts the operation of the event monitoring program. In step S2005, the window monitoring program deletes the event monitoring program in FIG. 5 or ends the operation of the event monitoring program. This allows the user to freely make a hard copy of the screen when it is not active.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of a window operation program in an electronic album editing program, a plug-in executed by the browser 120 during browsing, or an electronic album browsing program.

  In step S2400, the window operation program monitors the operation information notified from the OS, and determines whether the window operation program is related to the active operation of the window. The operation not related to the window active operation proceeds to step S2406, the active operation proceeds to step S2401, and the inactive operation proceeds to step S2404.

  In step S2401, the window operation program determines whether the application that is processing in the icon display mode is displaying an icon. If the icon is being displayed (“YES” in step S2401), the window operation program proceeds to step S2402. Otherwise (“NO” in step S2401), the process proceeds to step S2403.

  In step S2402, the window operation program sets the application being processed to normal display and normal display mode, and proceeds to step S2403.

  In step S2403, the window operation program performs processing by a method specified by the OS of the user PC 102.

  In step S2404, the window operation program determines whether or not the icon is being displayed in the icon display mode. If the icon is being displayed (“YES” in step S2404), the process proceeds to step S2403; otherwise (step S2404). "NO"), the process proceeds to step S2405.

  In step S2405, the window operation program displays icon display, sets the icon display mode, and proceeds to step S2403.

  In step S2406, the window operation program performs a process related to necessary operations such as keyboard and mouse other than display, and the process advances to step S2403.

  In step S2402, the window operation program registers the event monitoring program shown in FIG. 4 or starts the operation of the event monitoring program. In step S2005, the window monitoring program deletes the event monitoring program shown in FIG. 5 or ends the operation of the event monitoring program. The user can freely make a hard copy of the screen when it is not active.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of a window operation program in an electronic album editing program, a plug-in executed by the browser 120 during browsing, or an electronic album browsing program.

  In step S2100, the window operation program monitors operation information notified from the OS and determines whether or not the window operation program relates to an active operation of the window. The operation not related to the window active operation proceeds to step S2106, the active operation proceeds to step S2101, and the inactive operation proceeds to step S2104.

  In step S2101, the window operation program determines whether or not browsing data is being displayed. If the browsing data is not displayed ("YES" in step S2101), the process proceeds to step S2102, otherwise (step S2101). "NO"), the process proceeds to step S2103.

  In step S2102, the window operation program displays browsing data, sets the display mode, and proceeds to step S2103.

  In step S2103, the window operation program performs processing by a method specified by the OS of the user PC 102.

  In step S2104, the window operation program determines whether or not browsing data is being displayed. If the browsing data is not being displayed (“YES” in step S2104), the process proceeds to step S2103; otherwise (step S2104). In step S2104, “NO”), the process proceeds to step S2105.

  In step S2105, the window operation program hides the browsing data, puts it in the non-display mode, and proceeds to step S2103.

  In step S2106, the window operation program performs a process related to necessary keyboard and mouse operations other than display, and the process advances to step S2103.

  In addition, the processing described in FIG. 19 is performed in step S2106, or the processing described in FIG. 21 is performed in step S1903 in FIG.

  Further, in step S2102, the window operation program starts the event monitoring program registration or event monitoring program operation of FIG. 4, and in step S2105, deletes the event monitoring program of FIG. 5 or ends the operation of the event monitoring program. This allows the user to freely make a hard copy of the screen when it is not active.

  If no display is performed in step S2105, no operation is performed, but it is needless to say that the screen display may be replaced with “screen hard copy not possible”.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the window operation program in the electronic album editing program, the plug-in executed by the browser 120 during browsing, or the electronic album browsing program.

  In step S2200, the window operation program monitors operation information notified from the OS, and determines whether or not the window state change is related. The operation not related to the window state change (“NO” in step S2200) proceeds to step S2206, and the operation related to the window state change (“YES” in step S2200) proceeds to step S2201.

  In step S2201, the window operation program determines whether the operation is a window size change operation. If the size is changed (“YES” in step S2201), the process proceeds to step S2202, otherwise (“YES” in step S2201). ”), The process proceeds to step S2203.

  In step S2202, the window operation program makes the window full size, and the process advances to step S2203.

  In step S2203, the window operation program determines whether the operation is a window display order change operation. If the display order is changed (“YES” in step S2203), the process proceeds to step S2204; otherwise (in step S2203). "NO"), go to step S2205.

  In step S2204, the window operation program sets the display order of windows above other windows, and proceeds to step S2205.

  In step S2206, the window operation program performs processing related to necessary keyboard and mouse operations other than the window state change, and the process advances to step S2205.

  In step S2205, the window operation program performs processing by a method specified by the OS of the user PC 102.

  Thus, by always performing the maximized display in the full screen display, it is not necessary to consider the hard copy of the screen in the inactive state.

  Needless to say, if the OS of the user PC 102 has a setting that can always hold the window size or the display position of the window, it may be used.

  As described above, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method shown in the present embodiment is used in a system that binds laid-out electronic album information using an object (image data or the like) possessed by a user. In combination, the hard copy of the screen provided by the OS running the dedicated application can be controlled, and the hard copy of the screen can be controlled when browsing the electronic album information on the network.

  Also, by displaying a watermark on the browsing screen when browsing electronic album information on the network, or displaying a watermark on the browsing screen when browsing electronic album information, the hardware of the preview screen in WYSIWYG You can restrict local printing using a copy.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent image objects and text objects included in the electronic album from being illegally acquired, saved, and printed, and thus the image objects and text objects included in the electronic album It is possible to protect the copyright of text objects and the page on which they are placed.

  Then, the business entity that provides the image objects and text objects included in the electronic album, the page on which they are arranged, and the application for creating the page, obtains the cost for printing the electronic album as a price for the provision. Can do.

  In addition, since users who are not particular about quality can be captured, when a designer performs high-quality layout design on layout data that can be used in a dedicated application in order to have an advantage over competing services, the legitimacy of the service It is possible to suppress the cost burden on the user.

  In addition, even when a copyrighted character or image is placed in the layout data, it is possible to suppress the burden of costs on authorized users of the service and to effectively protect the copyright.

<Other embodiments>
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), and a device (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile device) including a single device. You may apply to.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the electronic album production system which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen of 130 A of electronic album edit programs which concern on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the control method of the electronic album production apparatus which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the event monitoring program deletion which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the event monitoring program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the browsing screen of the browser 120 which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of browsing with the browser 120 which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the browsing screen of the browser 120 which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of browsing with the browser 120 which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the event monitoring program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the dedicated viewer 130B which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of browsing with the exclusive viewer 130B which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the browsing method designation | designated with the client at the time of the upload which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the browsing method setting data in the client at the time of the upload which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the event monitoring program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the window operation program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the event monitoring program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the window operation program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the window operation program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the window operation program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the window operation program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the event monitoring program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of the window operation program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the software module of the event monitoring program which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention.

Claims (18)

A control method of an electronic album creating apparatus having a storage function for storing a screen image displayed on a display unit as image data,
A display control process for controlling to display the page screen of the electronic album information on the display unit;
A monitoring step for monitoring the presence or absence of an instruction to execute the storage function;
A storage function control step for controlling the storage function in a state where the page screen is displayed on the display unit according to a monitoring result in the monitoring step;
The control method characterized by including. Before the display control step, further comprising a download step of downloading the electronic album information from a server device via a network;
The control method according to claim 1, wherein in the display control step, control is performed so that a page screen of the downloaded electronic album information is displayed on the display unit.   The control method according to claim 2, wherein the storage function control step includes a print request step of transmitting a print request for the downloaded electronic album information to a printing apparatus. A receiving step for receiving information on the type of processing to be executed according to the monitoring result in the monitoring step;
The control method according to claim 3, wherein the storage function control step is executed according to information on the type of the received process.   The control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the storage function control step, execution of the storage function is prohibited. The storage function control step includes:
In accordance with the monitoring result in the monitoring step, an electronic album information creation step of creating electronic album information based on the page screen;
An electronic album information uploading step of uploading the created electronic album information to a server device via a network;
The control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising:   The control method according to claim 6, wherein the storage function control step includes a print request step of transmitting a print request for the uploaded electronic album information to a printing apparatus. The storage function control step is a screen image creation step of creating a screen image with a watermark added to the page screen according to the monitoring result in the monitoring step;
A second display control step for controlling the created screen image to be displayed on a display unit;
The control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising: The storage function control step is a screen image creation step of creating a screen image with a watermark added to the page screen according to the monitoring result in the monitoring step;
A storage step of storing the created screen image as image data;
The control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising:   The control method according to claim 1, wherein the storage function control step includes a non-display step of hiding the page screen according to a monitoring result in the monitoring step.   The control method according to claim 1, wherein in the display control step, the page screen is displayed on the display unit in a full screen. A detection step of detecting whether a window for displaying the page screen is active;
A non-display process for hiding the page screen according to the detection result;
The control method according to claim 1, further comprising: A detection step of detecting whether a window for displaying the page screen is active;
In accordance with the detection result, an icon display step for displaying the page screen as an icon,
The control method according to claim 1, further comprising: An electronic album information creation step of creating electronic album information based on the page screen;
An upload step of uploading the electronic album information created in the information creation step to a server device via a network;
A selection step for selecting a type of processing to be executed according to a monitoring result in the monitoring step for the uploaded electronic album information;
The control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising: A display control unit that controls to display the page screen of the electronic album information on the display unit;
A monitoring unit that monitors the presence or absence of an instruction to execute a storage function that stores the screen image of the display unit as image data;
A storage function control unit that controls the storage function in a state where the page screen is displayed on the display unit, according to a monitoring result in the monitoring unit;
An electronic album creating apparatus comprising: An electronic album creating system comprising a server device that provides electronic album information and a user terminal that is communicably connected to the server device via a network,
The user terminal is
A display control unit that controls to display a page screen of electronic album information downloaded from the server device on a display unit;
A monitoring unit that monitors the presence or absence of an instruction to execute a storage function that stores the screen image of the display unit as image data;
A storage function control unit that controls the storage function in a state where the page screen is displayed on the display unit, according to a monitoring result in the monitoring unit;
An electronic album creation system comprising:   The program for making a computer perform the control method of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 14.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 17.

Images