JP2009176305A - Image management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage a shared image file as desired by a user. <P>SOLUTION: An image server comprises: a totaling section for totaling user attributes for each user to an image and outputting a totaled result; a recording section for recording image files for each image, the user attributes of each user to each image, and the totaled result; a determining section for determining whether the totaled result satisfies a predetermined reference; and a processing section for carrying out processing to at least one of the image file and user attribute based on the determination of the determining section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image management method for managing image files such as still image files or moving image files, an image server, a terminal, an image display terminal, an image management program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the image management program is recorded. is there.

  Conventionally, a terminal that displays an image is known. For example, the terminal downloads an image file from an image server connected via a network and displays the image on the terminal.

  In addition, for example, when a user operating such a terminal displays an image on the Web, if the user does not want to display the held image, the user generally deletes the entire image file.

  However, in the case of the prior art as described above, the following problems have occurred.

  If the image file is shared between the terminal and the image server, even if the image file is deleted on the terminal side, the deleted image file may be downloaded again from the image server to the terminal at the next synchronization. there were.

  Also, when a new image file is sent to the image server from the terminal that inputs the image, if the image file that needs to be sent and the unnecessary image file are mixed, the unnecessary image file is deleted or moved. Only necessary image files could not be sent without letting it go.

  In addition, when it is necessary to delete an image file on the image server, automatic deletion that reflects the intention of the user of the terminal cannot always be performed.

  Because the image server does not have information to determine whether an image file is necessary or not, the user wants to see it when the image file is automatically deleted based on information on the server such as the creation time of the image file. This is because the image file that has been deleted or the image file that the user does not want to see remains for a long time does not necessarily reflect the user's intention.

  For this reason, the conventional technology cannot automatically manage shared image files in accordance with the desires of all users.

JP 2002-082964 A JP 2001-265631 A JP 2002-218262 A JP 2001-268328 A JP-A-10-150460

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image management method, an image server, a terminal, An object of the present invention is to provide an image display terminal, an image management program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the image management program.

An image management method according to the present invention includes:
An image server that records image files
A totaling step of counting the user attributes for each user for the image of the image file and outputting a totaling result;
A determination step of determining whether or not the counting result satisfies a predetermined criterion;
And a processing step of performing processing on at least one of the image file and the user attribute based on the determination in the determination step.

The image management method according to the present invention includes:
The processing by the processing step is as follows:
Processing for the image file.

The image management method according to the present invention includes:
The processing by the processing step is as follows:
This is a change of the user attribute.

The image management method according to the present invention includes:
An image server that records image files
A totaling step of counting the user attributes for each user for the image of the image file and outputting a totaling result;
A determination step of determining whether or not the image management information generated for each image, the attribute information including the user attribute and the aggregation result satisfies a predetermined criterion;
And a transmission step of transmitting an image file to an image display terminal that displays the image based on the determination of the determination step.

The image management method according to the present invention includes:
The terminal that sends the image file to the image server that records the image file
An attribute information input step for inputting display or non-display attribute information for each image file to be transmitted;
A determination step of determining whether to transmit the image file to the image server based on the input attribute information;
And a transmission step of transmitting the image file to an image server based on the determination of the determination step.

The image management method according to the present invention includes:
An image display terminal that displays images
An attribute information input step for inputting in advance display or non-display attribute information for the image;
A determination step of determining whether the image file of the image is an image file of an image set to display or an image file of an image set to non-display;
And a processing step for processing the image based on the determination in the determination step.

The image management method according to the present invention includes:
An image server that records image files
A totaling step of counting the user attributes for each user for the image of the image file and outputting a totaling result;
A determination step of determining whether or not the image management information generated for each image, the attribute information including the user attribute and the aggregation result satisfies a predetermined criterion;
And a transmission step of transmitting at least a part of the attribute information to an image display terminal that displays the image based on the determination of the determination step.

Moreover, the image server according to the present invention includes:
Aggregation means for aggregating user attributes for each image and outputting the aggregation results;
Determination means for determining whether or not the counting result satisfies a predetermined criterion;
And processing means for performing processing on at least one of the image file of the image and the user attribute based on the determination of the determination means.

Moreover, the image server according to the present invention includes:
The processing by the processing means is
Processing for the image file.

Moreover, the image server according to the present invention includes:
The processing by the processing means is
This is a change of the user attribute.

Moreover, the image server according to the present invention includes:
Aggregation means for aggregating user attributes for each image and outputting the aggregation results;
Determining means for determining whether or not the image management information generated for each image, the attribute information including the user attribute and the aggregation result satisfies a predetermined criterion;
And a transmission unit that transmits an image file to an image display terminal that displays the image based on the determination by the determination unit.

The terminal according to the present invention is
Attribute information input means for inputting display or non-display attribute information for each image file transmitted to the image server that records the image file;
Determining means for determining whether to transmit the image file to the image server based on the input attribute information;
And a transmission unit that transmits the image file to the image server based on the determination by the determination unit.

An image display terminal according to the present invention is
Attribute information input means for inputting in advance display or non-display attribute information for an image;
Determining means for determining whether the image file of the image is an image file of an image set to display or an image file of an image set to non-display;
Processing means for processing the image based on the determination by the determination means.

Moreover, the image server according to the present invention includes:
Aggregation means for aggregating user attributes for each image and outputting the aggregation results;
Determining means for determining whether or not the image management information generated for each image, the attribute information including the user attribute and the aggregation result satisfies a predetermined criterion;
And a transmission unit that transmits at least a part of the attribute information to an image display terminal that displays the image based on the determination by the determination unit.

In addition, an image management program according to the present invention includes:
Computer
Aggregation means for aggregating user attributes for each image and outputting the aggregation results,
A determination means for determining whether or not the counting result satisfies a predetermined criterion; and
Based on the determination by the determination unit, the image processing unit functions as a processing unit that performs processing on at least one of the image file of the image and the user attribute.

In addition, an image management program according to the present invention includes:
The processing by the processing means is
Processing for the image file.

In addition, an image management program according to the present invention includes:
The processing by the processing means is
This is a change of the user attribute.

In addition, an image management program according to the present invention includes:
Computer
Aggregation means for aggregating user attributes for each image and outputting the aggregation results,
Determination means for determining whether or not the image management information generated for each image, the attribute information including the user attribute and the aggregation result satisfies a predetermined criterion; and
Based on the determination by the determination unit, the image display terminal that displays the image is caused to function as a transmission unit that transmits the image file.

In addition, an image management program according to the present invention includes:
Computer
Attribute information input means for inputting display or non-display attribute information for each image file transmitted to the image server that records the image file,
Determining means for determining whether to transmit the image file to an image server that records the image file based on the input attribute information; and
Based on the determination by the determination unit, the image file is caused to function as a transmission unit that transmits the image file to the image server.

In addition, an image management program according to the present invention includes:
Computer
Attribute information input means for inputting in advance display or non-display attribute information for an image;
Determining means for determining whether the image file transmitted from the image server that records the image file of the image is an image file of an image set to be displayed or an image file of an image set to be hidden; as well as,
Based on the determination by the determination unit, the image processing unit functions as a processing unit that performs processing on the image.

In addition, an image management program according to the present invention includes:
Computer
Aggregation means for aggregating user attributes for each image and outputting the aggregation results,
Determination means for determining whether or not the image management information generated for each image, the attribute information including the user attribute and the aggregation result satisfies a predetermined criterion; and
Based on the determination by the determination unit, at least a part of the attribute information is caused to function as a transmission unit that transmits to the image display terminal that displays the image.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium on which the image management program according to the present invention is recorded,
Computer
Aggregation means for aggregating user attributes for each image and outputting the aggregation results,
A determination means for determining whether or not the counting result satisfies a predetermined criterion; and
Based on the determination by the determination means, an image management program that functions as a processing means for processing at least one of the image file of the image and the user attribute is recorded.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium on which the image management program according to the present invention is recorded,
The processing by the processing means is
Processing for the image file.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium on which the image management program according to the present invention is recorded,
The processing by the processing means is
This is a change of the user attribute.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium on which the image management program according to the present invention is recorded,
Computer
Aggregation means for aggregating user attributes for each image and outputting the aggregation results,
Determination means for determining whether or not the image management information generated for each image, the attribute information including the user attribute and the aggregation result satisfies a predetermined criterion; and
Based on the determination by the determination unit, an image management program that functions as a transmission unit that transmits an image file to an image display terminal that displays the image is recorded.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium on which the image management program according to the present invention is recorded,
Computer
Attribute information input means for inputting display or non-display attribute information for each image file transmitted to the image server that records the image file,
Determining means for determining whether to transmit the image file to an image server that records the image file based on the input attribute information; and
Based on the determination by the determination unit, an image management program that causes the image file to function as a transmission unit that transmits the image file to the image server is recorded.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium on which the image management program according to the present invention is recorded,
Computer
Attribute information input means for inputting in advance display or non-display attribute information for an image;
Determining means for determining whether an image file transmitted from an image server that records the image file of the image is an image file of an image set to be displayed or an image file of an image set to be hidden; as well as,
Based on the determination by the determination means, an image management program that functions as a processing means for processing the image is recorded.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium on which the image management program according to the present invention is recorded,
Computer
Aggregation means for aggregating user attributes for each image and outputting the aggregation results,
Determination means for determining whether or not the image management information generated for each image, the attribute information including the user attribute and the aggregation result satisfies a predetermined criterion; and
Based on the determination by the determination unit, an image management program is recorded that causes at least a part of the attribute information to function as a transmission unit that transmits to the image display terminal that displays the image.

  In addition, the said terminal means an image display terminal or an image input terminal, for example.

  The image file includes a still image file, a moving image file, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a system to which a first embodiment of an image management method according to the present invention is applied; FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image server 104 shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of shared information recorded in the image server 104 shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a table of shared information recorded in the image server 104 shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation when processing is performed on an image file or attribute information in response to a request from the image display terminal in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation when processing is performed on an image file or attribute information in response to a request from the image server in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram when the image display terminal and the image server perform image file sharing synchronization processing in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation when the image display terminal and the image server perform image file sharing synchronization processing in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a system for explaining an operation when attribute information set in an image display terminal is recorded in the image display terminal in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is; FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an image display terminal used when attribute information set in the image display terminal is recorded in the image display terminal in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Yes; FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an operation when attribute information set in an image display terminal is recorded in the image display terminal in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the operation when the image server calculates the total result of the user attributes in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an operation when the image server calculates the total result of the user attributes in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 14 is an image used when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is a block diagram of a display terminal; FIG. 15 is an image used when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is a block diagram of the server; FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the operation when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Yes; FIG. 17 illustrates an operation when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is a schematic diagram of a system for; FIG. 18 illustrates an operation when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is a schematic diagram of a system for; FIG. 19 is used in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention when the operations of the steps (S507, S603) for executing the processing by the image server shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are performed. It is a block diagram which shows the function inside an image server; FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the operation of the steps (S507, S603) for executing the processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in the image server in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 21 is a diagram of a system used for explaining an operation when an image file of an image satisfying the standard is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is a schematic diagram; FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an image display terminal used when an image file of an image satisfying the standard is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. ; FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an image server used when transmitting an image file of an image satisfying the criteria from the image server to the image display terminal in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the operation in the case of transmitting an image file of an image satisfying the standard from the image server to the image display terminal in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the operation when only the image file set to be displayed as attribute information is transmitted from the image input terminal to the image server in the third embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is a schematic diagram of the system used; FIG. 26 shows an image input terminal used when only an image file set to be displayed as attribute information is transmitted from the image input terminal to the image server in the third embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is a block diagram of FIG. 27 is an operation flowchart in the case where only an image set to be displayed as attribute information is transmitted from the image input terminal to the image server in the third embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention; FIG. 28 shows a case where an image set as non-display as attribute information is not displayed even when downloaded from the image server in the image display terminal in the fourth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system used to describe operation; FIG. 29 shows an operation in the case where an image set as non-display as attribute information in the image display terminal is not displayed even when downloaded from the image server in the fourth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image display terminal used to explain FIG. 30 shows an image that is previously set to non-display as attribute information in the image display terminal in the fourth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, and is not displayed even if the image file is downloaded from the image server. Is a flowchart of the operation when FIG. 31 illustrates an operation when transmitting attribute information of an image whose attribute information satisfies the criteria from the image server to the image display terminal in the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is a schematic diagram of a system used for; FIG. 32 is an image used when transmitting attribute information of an image whose attribute information satisfies the criteria from the image server to the image display terminal in the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is a block diagram of a display terminal; FIG. 33 shows an image used when attribute information of an image whose attribute information satisfies the criteria is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal in the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. Is a block diagram of the server; FIG. 34 is an operation flowchart in the case where image information whose attribute information satisfies the criteria is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal in the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. is there.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. Absent.

  Moreover, in the following drawings, the same number is attached | subjected to the member similar to the member described in above-mentioned drawing.

  In addition, the description of each embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention described below is an image server, a terminal, an image display terminal, an image management program, and a computer-readable record recording the image management program according to the present invention. It also serves as an explanation of each embodiment of the medium.

Embodiment 1

(First Embodiment of Image Management Method)
First, a first embodiment of an image management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, it is determined whether the image server calculates the total result of the user attribute and performs processing for the image file and the user attribute based on the reference and the total result. It is an embodiment to determine.

  Note that the reference is for determining whether or not to process an image file. For example, the standard is a table or script containing information such as numerical values and keywords.

  The meaning of using a script containing keywords as a standard means that a script can be used to combine multiple standards.

For example, if a photograph is posted 10 days ago from the date of the search with the keyword “flower” and the photographer is Japanese or American, the script is shown below.
(Example script)
(Find lateday <10) and (find keyword = “flower”) a
nd ((find madein = “Japan”) or (find madein =
“USA”))

  This is a portion corresponding to a search expression for creating a set in the case of a predetermined search.

  As processing for an image file, generally, for example, processing for performing deletion, movement, reduction, compression rate modification, download instruction, upload instruction, copy, etc. can be given to an image file.

  In addition, the user attribute can be changed as a process for the user attribute. Examples of the change in the user attribute include a process for changing display and non-display of the user attribute included in the attribute information, download and permission, editing permission, and deletion permission.

  Note that attribute information refers to all information related to an image.

  Further, the user attribute refers to user information set for each user for a predetermined image.

  FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a system to which a first embodiment of an image management method according to the present invention is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a system to which the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention is applied includes an image input terminal 101, an image display terminal 102, and an image server 104 connected to each other via a network 103. It has.

  The image input terminal 101 is a terminal for inputting an image to be transmitted to the image server 104.

  The image input terminal 101 performs an operation for inputting an image. An example of the image input terminal 101 is a digital camera.

  The image display terminal 102 is a terminal for inputting an image to be transmitted to the image server 104. The image display terminal 102 is a terminal that displays an image transmitted from the image server 104. Examples of the image display terminal 102 include an electronic photo frame having a display function and a function that can be connected to a peripheral device such as a camera or a memory card.

  The image server 104 records image files and attribute information. Various types of information recorded in the image server 104 can be shared among a plurality of image display terminals and image input terminals.

  Information recorded in the image server 104 shared among the plurality of image display terminals and image input terminals is referred to as shared information.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, only one image input terminal 101, image display terminal 102, and image server 104 are illustrated, but the number of these is not limited to one, and one or more arbitrary It may be a number.

  Next, the internal configuration of the image server 104 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image server 104 shown in FIG.

  The image server 104 includes a CPU 201 that executes programs, a memory 202 that records programs executed by the CPU 201, data that is processed by the CPU 201, a hard disk 203 that records programs and data, menus, icons, messages, and the like. A display device 204 for displaying information, a keyboard 205 for inputting character data, a pointing device 206 for operating menus and icons on the display device 204, and a communication interface 207 for accessing a network are provided. .

The CPU 201 executes a program recorded in the memory 202 and provides a function as the image server 104.

  The memory 202 records programs executed by the CPU 201 and data processed by the CPU 201.

  The hard disk 203 records programs executed by the CPU 201, data processed by the CPU 201, and the like. In addition to the hard disk, the program executed by the CPU 201 and the data processed by the CPU 201 are recorded on an appropriate recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, or MO. It may be. Therefore, in this case, the image server 104 may include a recording medium reading device such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-R, a DVD-RAM, and an MO (not shown).

  This hard disk 203 constitutes a database of the image server 104. However, in the present invention, the database of the image server 104 is not limited to being configured by a hard disk, but may be configured by a database server connected to the image server 104, for example.

  The display device 204 displays information such as information input by the user, a menu of programs developed by the user, icons, and messages. As the display device 204, for example, a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like is used.

  The keyboard 205 is used for inputting character data. The pointing device 206 is used to operate menus and icons displayed on the display device 204.

  As the pointing device 206, for example, a mouse, a trackball, an electrostatic indicating device, a laser indicating device, a touch panel, or the like can be used.

  The communication interface 207 accesses the network and communicates with other devices and terminals on the network according to instructions from the CPU 201.

  The description of the internal configuration of the image server 104 described with reference to FIG. 2 can also be used for the description of the internal configuration of the image input terminal 101 and the image display terminal 102 shown in FIG.

  However, the members shown in FIG. 2 can be omitted as appropriate according to the characteristics of each terminal. For example, in an image display terminal, a keyboard can be omitted. For example, in the image server, the display device, the key, and the pointing device can be omitted.

  Therefore, the description of the internal configuration of the image input terminal 101 and the image display terminal 102 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same as the description of the internal configuration of the image server 104 described with reference to FIG.

  Next, information recorded in the image server 104 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of shared information recorded in the image server 104 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the shared information 301 includes management information of at least one image.

  The image 1 management information 302, the image 2 management information 303, and the image 3 management information 304 are management information for each image.

  Note that image attribute information used in the present embodiment includes image management information, user attributes, and tabulation results.

  Each image management information is associated with an image file, user attributes, and a total result. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the image file 305, the user attribute 306, and the aggregation result 307 associated with the image 1 management information 302 are illustrated.

  The image file is data of each image. Therefore, the image file 305 is image data of the image 1.

  The user attribute is data indicating the attribute of each user for each image. Therefore, the user attribute 306 indicates an attribute of each user for the image 1.

  For example, Mr. A's information 308 and Mr. B's information 309 are recorded in the user attribute 306.

  The aggregation result is data indicating the aggregation result between the users of each image. Therefore, the total result 307 indicates the total result between the users of the image 1.

  For example, the non-display rate 310 and the search hit rate 311 for the image 1 are recorded in the total result 307.

  The shared information in the present embodiment is not limited to the above example, and the image management information may be associated with the user attribute. Further, the structure of the shared information may be a tree structure or a table structure. The example shown in FIG. 3 is an example in which user attributes are associated with image management information and shared information is managed in a tree structure. Also, saving some information may be omitted. The count result may be created every time it is used.

  Next, the shared information recorded in the image server 104 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a table of shared information recorded in the image server 104 shown in FIG.

  The table shown in FIG. 4 includes shared information 401, image management information 402, user attributes 403, and aggregation results 404.

  The image management information 402 is management information for each image. The user attribute 403 is information for each image and for each user. The total result 404 is information for each image.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the shared information 401 includes a shared name, a sharer ID list table or recording destination, and an image management information list table or recording destination.

  In FIG. 4, the Nakagawa family is shown as an example of the shared name.

  In FIG. 4, xx012345 is illustrated as an example of the table or recording destination of the sharer ID list.

  The image management information 402 includes image data or a recording destination (including on the network), an image name, a file creation / update / last reference date, a search keyword, a user attribute table or recording destination, and an aggregation result. The table or recording destination is recorded.

  In FIG. 4, as an example of image data or a recording destination (including on the network), c: \ data ¥ OO ×× ¥ fuji1. XX is shown.

  In FIG. 4, Mt. Fuji in summer is shown as an example of the image name.

  In FIG. 4, 2002/08/12 is illustrated as an example of file creation / update / last reference date and time.

  Moreover, in FIG. 4, a mountain, Japan, Mt. Fuji, and a volcano are illustrated as an example of a search keyword.

  Also, in FIG. 4, hidden, searched, and favorite are shown as examples of the user attribute table or recording destination.

  The information constituting the content of the image management information 402 may be, for example, information transmitted from an image input terminal or an image display terminal provided by an image creator, or may be automatically generated by an image server. You may combine both. For example, in the case of a search keyword, the image server can automatically generate a search keyword for the image by analyzing the image.

  The user attribute 403 includes a non-display attribute, a manually displayed time, a favorite registration count, a search hit count, and a copy count. However, the recording information recorded as the user attribute is not limited to such information, and may include other information. For example, as record information recorded as a user attribute, information such as editability and deletion is also conceivable.

  The non-display attribute is information for each user that is set for each predetermined image and indicates whether or not to display the image.

  The manually displayed time refers to a display time when a predetermined image is displayed on the image display terminal by the user's intention.

  More specifically, the manually displayed time is a display time in which an image is displayed manually by stopping automatic feeding.

  This manually displayed time is not an automatic image display, but a total of the time during which the user has displayed the image at his / her own will.

  The term “manual” means that the user has displayed an image at his / her own will.

  Similar to the manually displayed time described above, the number of manually displayed times can be defined in the image management information 402.

  The number of times of manual display refers to the number of times a predetermined image is displayed on the image display terminal by the user's intention.

  More specifically, the number of times of manual display is the number of times that an image is displayed by manual operation while automatic feeding is stopped.

  The number of times of manual display is not an automatic display of the image, but a total of the number of times the user has displayed the image at his / her own will.

  The term “manual” means that the user has displayed an image at his / her own will.

  By referring to the time manually displayed and the number of times manually displayed, it is possible to determine how much the user likes the image.

  The number of favorite registrations refers to the number of times each user has registered a predetermined image as a favorite in a terminal such as a personal computer or an image display terminal.

  The number of search hits refers to the number of times for each user that a predetermined image has been searched and hit on a terminal such as a personal computer or an image display terminal.

  The number of times of copying refers to the number of times each user has copied a predetermined image by operating a terminal such as a personal computer or an image display terminal.

  The copy destination may be its own image display terminal, another community, or both.

  Here, the community refers to a group of one or more people who share data.

  One community is set for one channel provided in the image display terminal. Here, the channel means a button or menu to which a function is assigned. Then, a function is selected from this button or menu.

  In FIG. 4, non-display is illustrated as an example of the non-display attribute.

  In FIG. 4, 46529 seconds are shown as an example of the manually displayed time.

  FIG. 4 shows 24 times as an example of the number of favorite registrations.

  In FIG. 4, 1024 times are shown as an example of the number of search hits.

  In FIG. 4, twelve times are illustrated as an example of the number of times of copying.

  Information constituting the contents of the user attribute 403 may be set based on information transmitted from the image input terminal or the image display terminal, or may be set by an image server performing calculation processing. A combination of both may be set.

  Further, as described above, in the present invention, the image management information 402, the user attribute 403, and the total result 404 information constitute image attribute information.

In addition, a statistical number calculated by the image server 104 from the user attribute is recorded in the total result 404. The statistical numbers include, for example, a hidden number or hidden rate, a manual display time or manual displayed time rate, a favorite registration number or favorite registration rate, a search hit number or search hit rate, a copy number or a copy rate. be able to.

  The number of non-displays refers to a value calculated as the total number of non-displays of each user attribute in a predetermined image.

  The non-display ratio is a value calculated based on a number obtained by dividing the total number of non-displays of each user attribute (number of non-displays) of a predetermined image by the total number of non-displays in all images.

  The manual display time is a value calculated as the sum of manual display times for each user attribute of a predetermined image.

  The manual display time rate is a value calculated based on the number obtained by dividing the sum of the manual display times of each user attribute of a predetermined image by the sum of the manual display times of all images.

  In addition, the manual display frequency and the manual display frequency rate can also be defined. The manual display frequency and the manual display frequency rate can be used in the same manner as the manual display time and the manual display time rate.

  The manual display count is a value calculated as the sum of the manual display counts for each user attribute of a predetermined image.

  The manual display frequency ratio is a value calculated based on a number obtained by dividing the total number of manual display times of each user attribute of a predetermined image by the total number of manual display times in all images.

  The number of favorite registrations is a value calculated as the total number of favorite registrations for each user attribute of a predetermined image. This is the first example of the number of favorite registrations.

  As a second example of the number of favorite registrations, the number of people who have registered a predetermined image in each user attribute can be used.

  Further, as a third example of the number of favorite registrations, the number of terminals in which a predetermined image is registered in each user attribute can be used.

  Which of the first example, the second example, and the third example of the number of favorite registrations can be selected as appropriate, and any one of them may be used in combination.

  The favorite registration rate is a value calculated based on the number obtained by dividing the total number of favorite registrations for each user attribute of a predetermined image by the total number of favorite registrations for all images. This is the first example of the favorite registration rate.

  As a second example of the favorite registration rate, a value based on the number obtained by dividing a predetermined image by the number of people who registered the favorite image in each user attribute may be used.

  Further, as a third example of the favorite registration rate, a value based on the number obtained by dividing the number of terminals that have registered a predetermined image in each user attribute by the number of terminals that have registered the favorite in all images is used. You can also.

  Whether to use the first example, the second example, or the third example of the favorite registration rate can be appropriately selected, and these may be used in any combination.

  The search hit count is a value calculated as the sum of the search hit counts of the user attribute of a predetermined image.

  The search hit rate is a value calculated based on the number obtained by dividing the total number of search hits of a user attribute for a predetermined image by the total number of search hits for all images.

This is a calculated value.

  The copy rate is a value calculated based on the number obtained by dividing the total number of times of copying of user attributes of a predetermined image by the total number of times of copying in all images.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is an invention for processing an image file or attribute information recorded in the image server 104.

  According to the present invention, there are a case where the image file or attribute information is processed by a request from the image display terminal or the image input terminal and a case where the image file is processed by a request from the image server. Hereinafter, these two cases will be described sequentially. In the following description, as an example of the former case, a case where there is a processing request from the image display terminal will be described as an example.

  First, a case where processing is performed on an image file or attribute information in response to a request from the image display terminal will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation when processing is performed on an image file or attribute information in response to a request from the image display terminal in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention.

  First, the image display terminal selects a request from the menu (S501).

  Then, the image display terminal determines the requested content (S502), transmits the requested content to the image server (S503), and ends the operation (S504).

  On the other hand, the image server that has received the request content (S505) selects the corresponding process content (S506), executes the process (S507), and ends the operation (S508).

  Next, a case where processing is performed in response to a request from the image server will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation when processing is performed on an image file or attribute information in response to a request from the image server in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention.

  First, the image server detects the occurrence of an event (S601). An example of this event is when the disk capacity is depleted in the image server.

  Next, the image server selects the corresponding processing content (S602).

  Next, the image server executes the selected process (S603) and ends the operation (S604).

Next, image file sharing synchronization processing in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram when the image display terminal and the image server perform image file sharing synchronization processing in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an image according to the present invention. 5 is a flowchart of an operation when an image display terminal and an image server perform an image file sharing synchronization process in the first embodiment of the management method.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, when the image display terminal and the image server perform the image file sharing synchronization process, between the image display terminal and the image server. Image file sharing synchronization processes 701 and 702 are executed, respectively.

  This image file sharing synchronization process will be further described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the image server transmits a list of images to be shared to the image display terminal to the image display terminal in a predetermined case (S801). Here, the predetermined case may be, for example, a predetermined time. In addition to this predetermined case, a predetermined event may be generated.

  Next, the image display terminal receives the list (S802). Based on this list, the image display terminal receives an image file that is listed but is not recorded in the list, and is recorded in its recording unit. The image server is requested to transmit the existing image file (S803). Hereinafter, transmission of an image file from the image server to the image display terminal is also referred to as image file download.

  Upon receiving this request, the image server transmits the requested image file to the image display terminal and receives the image file transmitted from the image display terminal (S804).

  Then, the image display terminal that has received the image file from the image server records the image file in the recording unit (S805).

  Similarly, the image server that has received the image file from the image display terminal records the image file in the recording unit (S806).

May work.

  Next, a case where attribute information set in an image display terminal is recorded in the image display terminal will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a system for explaining an operation when attribute information set in an image display terminal is recorded in the image display terminal in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. FIG. 10 shows an image display terminal used when attribute information set in the image display terminal is recorded in the image display terminal in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an operation when attribute information set in an image display terminal is recorded in the image display terminal in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. .

  As attribute information recorded in the image display terminal, for example, the non-display attribute shown in FIG. 4 can be cited.

  As shown in FIG. 9, an image display terminal 905 and an image display terminal 906 are connected to the image server 907 via a network.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the image display terminal 905 is displayed as attribute information 908 for the image 901 and is not displayed as attribute information 909 for the image 903.

  Further, the image display terminal 906 displays as attribute information 903 for the image 903 and displays as attribute information 911 for the image 904. Note that the images 901 and 903 and the images 902 and 904 indicate the same image.

  Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the image display terminal 905 and the image display terminal 906 give different attribute information for the image 902 and the image 904.

  Next, functions of the image display terminals 905 and 906 shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the image display terminal shown in FIG. 9 includes an attribute information input unit 1001 and an attribute information recording unit 1002.

  The attribute information input unit 1001 receives attribute information for each image.

  The attribute information recording unit 1002 records the attribute information input in the attribute information input unit 1001.

  The functions of the above-described units are realized by the CPU of the image display terminal cooperating with a program or other members recorded in a memory or the like.

  Next, an operation when attribute information set in an image display terminal is recorded in the image display terminal will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, attribute information for each image is input to the image display terminal, for example, from a user or the like (S1101).

  Next, the image display terminal records the input attribute information in the attribute information recording unit (S1102), and ends the operation.

  Next, the counting process of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts of operations when the image server calculates the total result of the user attributes in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention.

  First, as shown in FIG. 12, the image server determines the user attributes to be aggregated after starting the aggregation process (S1201, S1202).

  Next, the image server initializes an image counter (S1203).

  Next, the image server acquires the user attribute of the image indicated by the image counter, and starts counting the user attribute of the image (S1204, S1205). The operation in S1205 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the image server determines whether or not the aggregation of the user attributes of all images has been completed (S1206). If not completed (No), the process proceeds to S1207 and the image counter is incremented by 1. The process proceeds to S1204.

  If the aggregation of user attributes for all images has been completed, the process proceeds to S1208.

  Next, in S1208, the image server performs statistical processing on the aggregation results (S1208). As this statistical process, for example, a process for calculating a ratio between user attributes of each image, such as calculation of a non-display ratio described with reference to FIG.

  Then, the image server records the aggregation result of each image, and ends the aggregation process (S1209, S1210).

  Next, aggregation of user attributes of the image shown in S1205 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the image server starts counting user attributes of images, first, the image server initializes a personal counter (S1301, S1302).

  Next, the image server acquires the user attribute of the user indicated by the personal counter, and performs a tabulation process for the user attribute (S1303, S1304). An example of the tabulation process is a process of calculating the sum of predetermined user attributes for each user, such as the process for obtaining the total number of non-displays described with reference to FIG.

  Here, the user attribute acquired in S1303 is calculated by the image server such as the user attribute transmitted from the image display terminal such as the non-display attribute shown in FIG. 4 or the favorite registration count shown in FIG. User attributes.

  Next, the image server determines whether or not all of the user attributes have been counted. If not (No), the image server proceeds to S1306, increments the personal counter by 1, and then proceeds to S1303.

  If the summation of user attributes for all individuals has been completed (Yes), the process proceeds to S1307 and the summation of user attributes is terminated.

  Next, FIG. 14 to FIG. 14 illustrate operations when the image server calculates the total result for each image based on the non-display attribute as the user attribute input to the image display terminal as an example of the total of the total result. Explanation will be made with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is an image used when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of a display terminal.

  FIG. 15 is used when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of an image server.

  FIG. 16 shows the operation when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. It is a flowchart.

  17 and 18 show operations when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. It is the schematic of the system for demonstrating.

  First, the function of the image display terminal when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, in this case, the image display terminal includes a user attribute input unit 1401 and a transmission unit 1402.

  The user attribute input unit 1401 inputs a non-display attribute as a user attribute for each image.

  The transmission unit 1402 transmits the user attribute input by the user attribute input unit 1401 to the image server.

  The functions of the above-described units are realized by the CPU of the image display terminal cooperating with a program or other members recorded in a memory or the like.

  Next, the function of the image server when the image server receives the non-display attribute as the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in this case, the image server includes a receiving unit 1501, a recording unit 1502, and a totaling unit 1503.

  The receiving unit 1501 receives the user attribute of each image transmitted from each image display terminal.

  The recording unit 1502 records the received user attribute and the totaled result.

  The totaling unit 1503 calculates the total of user attributes recorded in the recording unit 1502.

  The functions of the above-described units are realized when the CPU of the image server cooperates with a program or other members recorded in a memory or the like.

  Next, the operation when the image server receives the user attribute input to the image display terminal and calculates the total result for each image will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 16, the image display terminal transmits the input user attribute to the image server (S1601, S1602).

  Next, the image server receives the user attribute transmitted from the image display terminal and records it (S1603, S1604).

  Next, the image server sums up the recorded user attributes and records the summation results (S1605, S1606).

  Next, tabulation of the tabulation results in the image management method according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18 are schematic diagrams in the case of summing up the non-display attributes transmitted from the image display terminal as the attribute information to be tabulated.

  As shown in FIG. 17, an image display terminal A 1705 and an image display terminal B 1706 are connected to an image server 1707 via a network. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 17, an image display terminal C and an image display terminal D are connected to the image server 1707 via a network.

The image display terminal A 1705 sets display information as the attribute information 1710 of the image 1701 and sets non-display information as the attribute information 1711 of the image 1702. Note that the attribute information in the description of FIGS. 17 and 18 is a user attribute.

  Further, the image display terminal B 1706 sets information “display” as the attribute information 1712 of the image 1703 and sets information “display” as the attribute information 1713 of the image 1704.

  Here, the image 1701 and the image 1703 are the same image, and the image 1702 and the image 1704 are the same image.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the image server 1707 records attribute information 1710 of the image display terminal A and attribute information 1712 of the image display terminal B for the image 1708 that is the same image as the image 1701. The

  As shown in FIG. 17, the image server 1707 records attribute information 1711 of the image display terminal A and attribute information 1713 of the image display terminal B for the image 1709 that is the same image as the image 1702. .

  Although not shown in FIG. 17, the image display terminal C sets display as attribute information for the same image as the image 1701 and sets non-display as attribute information for the same image as the image 1702. . The set attribute information is recorded in the image server 1707 for each image, similarly to the attribute information of the image display terminal A 1701 and the image display terminal B 1706.

  Although not shown in FIG. 17, the image display terminal D sets display as attribute information for the same image as the image 1701 and sets non-display as attribute information for the same image as the image 1702. . The set attribute information is recorded in the image server 1707 for each image, similarly to the attribute information of the image display terminal A 1701 and the image display terminal B 1706.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the image server 1707 performs aggregation processing based on the attribute information recorded for each image.

  That is, as the attribute information of the image 1708, the attribute information 1710 of the image display terminal A 1705, the attribute information 1712 of the image display terminal B 1706, the attribute information 1801 of the image display terminal C, and the attribute information 1802 of the image display terminal D are recorded in the image server 1707. Has been.

  Then, the image server 1707 performs aggregation processing 1805 on these attribute information and outputs the result as the aggregation result of the image 1708. The total result is attribute information of the image 1708.

  The display attribute counting process will be described below as the attribute information counting process. A tabulation process 1805 shown in FIG. 18 performs a process of calculating a non-display sum for the image 1708. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG.

  Based on the count result, for example, the image server 1707 performs processing 1806 for retaining the image file of the image 1708 recorded in the image server 1707 as it is in the image server 1707.

  Similarly, attribute information 1711 of the image display terminal A, attribute information 1713 of the image display terminal B, attribute information 1803 of the image display terminal C, and attribute information 1804 of the image display terminal D are stored in the image server 1707 as the attribute information of the image 1709. It is recorded.

Then, the image server 1707 performs aggregation processing 1807 on these attribute information, and outputs the result as the aggregation result of the image 1709. The total result is attribute information of the image 1709.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, the aggregation process 1807 is a process of calculating a non-display sum for the image 1709. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 18, the total result 1808 is 3 for non-display.

  For example, the image server 1707 performs processing 1808 of changing the attribute information 1713 of the image 1709 of the image display terminal B 1706 to non-display or deleting the image file of the image 1709 recorded in the image server 1707 based on the total result. .

  However, the processing 1806 and the processing 1808 shown in FIG. 18 are examples, and the processing performed in the present invention is not limited to these processing.

  Next, steps (S507, S603) for executing processing by the image server shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 19 is used in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention when the operations of the steps (S507, S603) for executing the processing by the image server shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are performed. It is a block diagram which shows the function inside an image server. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the operation (S507, S603) of executing the processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in the image server in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 19, the image server includes a reception unit 1901, a determination unit 1902, a reference determination unit 1903, a recording unit 1904, a processing unit 1905, and a reference setting unit 1906.

  When the reference is transmitted from the image display terminal to the image server, the reception unit 1901 receives the reference transmitted from the image display terminal. In the present embodiment, the reference is used to determine whether or not to process an image file.

  The determination unit 1902 compares the reference determined by the reference determination unit 1903 with the total result of each image recorded in the recording unit 1905, and determines whether the total result of each image satisfies the standard.

  The reference determination unit 1903 determines a reference to be used in the determination unit 1902.

  The recording unit 1904 records the reference transmitted from the image display terminal or the image input terminal, the reference set by the reference setting unit 1906, attribute information, and the like. Information recorded in the recording unit 1904 may be recorded for each user.

  The processing unit 1905 performs processing on the image file and the attribute information of the image determined to satisfy the standard by the determination unit 1902.

  The reference setting unit 1906 sets a reference to be used when the reference is set in the image server.

  The functions of the above-described units are realized when the CPU of the image server cooperates with a program or other members recorded in a memory or the like.

  Next, the operation of the steps (S507, S603) for executing the processing by the image server shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described with reference to FIG. When entering the process execution step, the image server determines a total result to be used (S2001, S2002).

  For example, when a request to delete an image file having a non-display rate equal to or higher than a predetermined rate is transmitted from the image display terminal to the image server, the image server sets the non-display rate in the total result 404 shown in FIG. Decide as the aggregate result to use.

  Next, the image server determines a criterion for determining whether or not to execute the process (S2003). The reference may be transmitted from the image display terminal or the image input terminal to the image server, or a reference setting unit may be provided in the image server, and the user or the reference setter may input the image server.

  For example, when a request to delete an image file having a non-display rate equal to or higher than a predetermined rate is transmitted from the image display terminal to the image server, the image server uses the non-display rate value transmitted from the image display terminal as a reference. Decide to use.

  Next, the image server initializes an image counter (S2004). Then, the image server obtains the image totaling result from the recording unit (S2005).

  Next, the image server determines whether or not the acquired aggregation result satisfies the determined criterion (S2006).

  If the acquired total result satisfies the determined standard (Yes), the process proceeds to S2007, and the process is executed. If the standard is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S2008.

  Examples of the processing in S2007 include processing for performing deletion, movement, reduction, compression rate modification, copying, and the like on an image file.

  Furthermore, the content of the process in S2007 includes, for example, a change in user attribute performed in the image server. As the change of the user attribute, for example, there is a change between display and non-display as the user attribute.

  Of course, other processes may be performed as the process of S2007.

  Next, in S2008, the image server determines whether or not all the images to be processed have been completed. When the image server has ended (Yes), the process ends (S2010), and when it has not ended (No) ), The process proceeds to S2009, the image counter is incremented by 1, and then the process proceeds to S2005.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, the processing for the image file and the user attribute is performed based on whether the total result of the image satisfies the criterion. The processing for the user attribute can be performed on the image in accordance with the user's desire.

Embodiment 2

(Second Embodiment of Image Management Method)
Next, a second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention will be described. The second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention is an embodiment in which the image server determines whether to download the image file to the image display terminal based on the comparison between the attribute information of the image and the reference. is there.

  Note that the reference in this embodiment is the same as the reference in the first embodiment described above.

  The image server, which is the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, determines whether or not to download the image file to the image display terminal based on the comparison between the attribute information of the image and the reference. The operation in this case will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The outline of the entire system to which the present embodiment is applied is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

  In addition, the internal configuration of the image display terminal and the image server used in this embodiment is the same as that described with reference to FIG. .

  In addition, the calculation method of the aggregation result used in the present embodiment is the same as the calculation method of the aggregation result described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 18 in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention described above. Since they are the same, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the shared information recorded in the image server is the same as the shared information described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention described above. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram of a system used for explaining an operation when an image file of an image satisfying the standard is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. FIG.

  FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an image display terminal used when an image file of an image satisfying the standard is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. It is.

  FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an image server used when transmitting an image file of an image satisfying the standard from the image server to the image display terminal in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. is there.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the operation in the case where the image file of the image satisfying the standard is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 21, an image display terminal A 2106, an image display terminal B 2107, and an image display terminal C 2108 are connected to the image server 2109 via a network. An example of the image display terminal is an electronic photo frame.

  The image display terminal A 2106, the image display terminal B 2107, and the image display terminal C 2108 are terminals for inputting an image to be transmitted to the image server 2109. The image display terminal A 2106, the image display terminal B 2107, and the image display terminal C 2108 are terminals that display images transmitted from the image server 2109.

The image server 2109 records image files and attribute information. Various types of information recorded in the image server 2109 can be shared among a plurality of image display terminals and other devices. Information recorded in the image server 2109 shared among the plurality of image display terminals and other devices is referred to as shared information.

  The image display terminal A 2106 sets a new reference within half a year as the reference 2101 to be set, and transmits this reference to the image server 2109.

  The image display terminal B 2107 sets a search criterion for “flower” and “insect” as the reference 2102 to be set, and transmits this reference to the image server 2109.

  The image display terminal C 2108 sets a standard that is popular as a standard to be set, and transmits this standard to the image server 2109.

  The image server 2109 refers to the attribute information 2111 and 2112 set for the image 2104 and the image 2105 and compares them with the reference 2110 for each image display terminal.

  Then, the image server 2109 determines whether or not the attribute information of each image satisfies the criterion 2110 for each image display terminal, and performs processing 2113 for selecting an image to be transmitted to each image display terminal.

  As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 21, the image file of the image 2104 and the image 2105 is downloaded to the image display terminal A 2106.

  In the example shown in FIG. 21, only the image file 2105 is downloaded to the image display terminal B 2107, and the image file 2104 is not downloaded.

  In the example shown in FIG. 21, only the image file of the image 2104 is downloaded to the image display terminal C2108, and the image file of the image 2105 is not downloaded.

  Next, in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, when an operation is performed when an image file is downloaded to the image display terminal based on a comparison between image attribute information and a reference in the image server. The function of the image display terminal will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the image display terminal includes a reception unit 2201, a transmission unit 2202, a display unit 2203, a reference input unit 2204, and a request unit 2205.

  The receiving unit 2201 receives a list of images to be downloaded, selection information of an image selected as not satisfying the criteria, and an image file transmitted from the image server.

  The transmission unit 2202 transmits the reference input to the reference input unit 2204 to the image server 2109.

  The display unit 2203 displays an image.

  The reference input unit 2204 inputs a reference of an image required by the user.

  The request unit 2205 requests the image server to download an image file based on the list received from the image server and the image selection information.

  The functions of the above-described units are realized by the CPU of the image display terminal cooperating with a program or other members recorded in a memory or the like.

  Next, in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, the image server compares the attribute information of the image with the reference and determines whether to download the image file to the image display terminal. The function of the image server when performing the operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 23, the image server includes a reception unit 2301, a determination unit 2302, a transmission unit 2303, a recording unit 2304, and a processing unit 2305.

  The receiving unit 2301 receives the reference transmitted from the image display terminal.

  The determination unit 2302 compares the reference transmitted from the image display terminal with the attribute information of each image recorded in the recording unit 2305. Then, the determination unit 2302 determines whether or not the attribute information of each image satisfies the criterion transmitted from the image display terminal.

  The transmission unit 2303 downloads an image list, image selection information, and an image file to the image display terminal in accordance with an instruction from the processing unit 2305.

  The recording unit 2304 records the reference and image file received from the image display terminal.

  Based on the determination of the determination unit 2302, the processing unit 2305 selects an image that does not satisfy the criterion from the list, and generates image selection information. This image selection information is information indicating which image satisfies the standard and which image does not satisfy the standard.

  The functions of the above-described units are realized when the CPU of the image server cooperates with a program or other members recorded in a memory or the like.

  Next, in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, the image server compares the attribute information of the image with the reference and determines whether to download the image file to the image display terminal. The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in S2401, a criterion for selecting an image to be downloaded is input to the image display terminal.

  Next, the image display terminal transmits the input reference to the image server (S2402).

  Next, the image server receives the reference transmitted from the image display terminal (S2403).

  Next, the image server determines, for each image, whether or not the received criterion is satisfied based on the attribute information of the image (S2404).

  The determination in S2404 as to whether the criterion satisfies the attribute information will be described. When the standard is, for example, a standard that is new within half a year, the image server, as attribute information, for example, the value of data creation / update / last reference date / time that is the content of the image management information 402 shown in FIG. Is used.

  That is, the image server compares the current date and time with the data creation / update / final reference date and time, which are the contents of the image management information 402 shown in FIG. 4, and determines whether or not the period is within half a year. Judging.

Further, when the criterion is a criterion of searching for “flower” and “insect”, for example, the image server sets the value of the search keyword as the attribute information, for example, the content of the image management information 402 shown in FIG. Is used.

  That is, the image server confirms the content of the search keyword, which is the content of the image management information 402, and determines whether or not “flower” or “insect” is included in the content.

  When the standard is, for example, a standard that is popular, the image server, as attribute information, for example, the content of the total result 404 shown in FIG. A number or favorite registration rate, a search hit number or search hit rate, a copy number or a copy rate, or a combination thereof is used.

  That is, the image server is one of the contents of the total result 404, the non-display number or non-display rate, the favorite registration number or favorite registration rate, the search hit number or search hit rate, the copy number or copy rate, or a combination thereof. The value is checked, and it is determined whether or not the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  In the present invention, the relationship between the set reference and the attribute information used is not limited to the above example, and various other relationships can be considered.

  Next, when there is an image that does not satisfy the criterion, the image server performs image file sharing synchronization processing for the image to notify the image display terminal which image does not satisfy the criterion. Select from the list (S2405).

  Next, the image server transmits the list for performing the image file sharing synchronization process generated in S2405 and the information on the image selected in S2404 to the image display terminal (S2406).

  Next, the image display terminal receives the list and selection information from the image server (S2407).

  Then, the image display terminal requests the image server to download the image file based on the list and the selection information (S2408). Here, the image requested by the image display terminal to the image server is obtained by excluding images selected from the list that do not satisfy the criteria.

  Then, the image server downloads the image file requested from the image display terminal to the image display terminal (S2409).

  Then, the image display terminal receives and records the image file downloaded from the image server (S2410, S2411).

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, the user's request is determined by comparing the reference and the attribute information and determining whether or not to download the image file to the image display terminal. You can download image files along

  In the above-described second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, the case where the reference used in the image server is transmitted from the image display terminal to the image server has been described as an example.

However, the image management method according to the present invention is not limited to such a case, and as a reference used in the image server, for example, the image server includes a reference input unit,
A reference may be generated for each image display terminal, and the generated reference may be used.

  Even in such a case, the same effect as that of the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention described above can be obtained.

  In the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, the image display terminal requests an image file to be received based on the list and the selection information. However, the present invention is limited to such a case. For example, the image server may exclude an image that does not satisfy the criteria from the list as an image that is not transmitted to the image display terminal.

  Even in such a case, the same effect as that of the second embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention described above can be obtained.

Embodiment 3

(Third Embodiment of Image Management Method)
Next, a third embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The third embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention is an embodiment in which only an image file of an image set to be displayed as attribute information is transmitted from the image display terminal or the image input terminal to the image server.

  Note that the overall outline of the present embodiment is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

  The internal configurations of the image display terminal, the image input terminal, and the image server according to this embodiment are the same as those described with reference to FIG. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the shared information recorded in the image server is the same as the shared information described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention described above. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Further, in the following description, processing when an image file is transmitted from the image input terminal to the image server will be described. However, the following description is similarly applied to the description when image attribute information is set in the image display terminal and the image file is transmitted to the image server.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the operation when only the image file set to be displayed as attribute information is transmitted from the image input terminal to the image server in the third embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a system used. FIG. 26 shows only image files set as display attribute information from the image input terminal to the image server in the third embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. FIG. 27 is a block diagram of an image input terminal used for transmission, and FIG. 27 is an image set to be displayed as attribute information from the image input terminal in the third embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. 5 is a flowchart of the operation when only the image is transmitted to the image server.

  First, an image input terminal 2507, an image display terminal 2509, and an image display terminal 2510 are connected to the image server 2508 via a network.

An image input terminal 2507 is a terminal for inputting an image to be transmitted to the image server 2508. The image input terminal 2507 performs an operation for inputting an image, and an operation for displaying an image is not particularly necessary. An example of this image input terminal is a digital camera.

  The image display terminals 2509 and 2510 are terminals for inputting an image to be transmitted to the image server 2508. The image display terminals 2509 and 2510 are terminals that display images transmitted from the image server 2508. An example of the image display terminal is an electronic photo frame.

  The image server 2508 records image files and attribute information. Various types of information recorded in the image server 2508 can be shared among a plurality of image display terminals and other devices.

  Further, the image input terminal 2507 sets display attribute information 2504 for the image 2501, sets non-display attribute information 2505 for the image 2502, and sets display attribute information 2506 for the image 2503. .

  Here, the description of the setting of attribute information and the recording to the image input terminal in the present embodiment is performed by setting the attribute information on the image display terminal described with reference to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. Since the description is the same as that for recording, the description is omitted.

  The image input terminal 2507 transmits each image to the image server 2508, but does not transmit (upload) the image file of the image 2502 set to non-display to the image server 2508.

  Therefore, the image server 2508 records the image file of the image 2501 and the image file of the image 2503.

  Accordingly, only the image files 2501 and 2503 are downloaded from the image server 2508 to the image display terminal 2509 and the image display terminal 2510, and the image file of the image 2502 is not downloaded.

  Next, the internal functions of the image input terminal 2507 shown in FIG. 25 will be described with reference to FIG. However, the description of the internal function of the image input terminal described with reference to FIG. 26 is similarly valid as the description of the internal function of the image display terminal when an image file is transmitted from the image display terminal to the image server.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the image input terminal 2507 shown in FIG. 25 includes a display unit 2601, an attribute information input unit 2602, a determination unit 2603, a transmission unit 2604, and a recording unit 2605.

  The display unit 2601 displays an image.

  The attribute information input unit 2602 is a function for inputting image attribute information. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 25, attribute information for displaying or not displaying an image is input to the image input terminal as the attribute information.

  The determination unit 2603 determines whether or not to transmit a predetermined image file to the image server based on the attribute information.

  The transmission unit 2604 transmits the image file to the image server based on the determination of the determination unit 2603.

A recording unit 2605 records an image file and input attribute information.
The functions of the above-described units are realized by the CPU of the image input terminal cooperating with a program or other members recorded in a memory or the like.

  Next, the operation of the third embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the image input terminal causes the user to select an image to be displayed (S2701).

  Next, the image input terminal displays the image, and allows the user to input display or non-display attribute information for the image (S2702 and S2703).

  Next, the image input terminal records the input attribute information (S2704).

  Next, the image input terminal determines whether or not the attribute input is completed. If it is not completed (No), the process proceeds to S2701, and if it is completed (Yes), the process proceeds to S2706 (S2705).

  Next, the image input terminal initializes an image counter (S2706).

  Next, when the image input terminal transmits the image file to the image server, the image input terminal determines whether or not the attribute information of each image is displayed (S2707).

  If the attribute information of the image is displayed (Yes), the process proceeds to S2708. If the attribute information of the image is not displayed, the process proceeds to S2709.

  In step S2708, the image input terminal transmits the image file displaying the attribute information to the image server, and the process advances to step S2709.

  In S2709, the image input terminal determines whether or not the transmission process has been completed for all images. If the transmission process has not been completed (No), the process proceeds to S2710 and the image counter is incremented by 1. , The process proceeds to S2707.

If the transmission process has been completed for all the images, the image input terminal finishes the operation.
As described above, in this embodiment, only the image file that is displayed as attribute information input by the user is transmitted from the image input terminal to the image server, and an unnecessary image file is not transmitted to the image server. The image file management in the image server can be made in line with the user's wishes.

Embodiment 4

(Fourth Embodiment of Image Management Method)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  According to a fourth embodiment of the image management method of the present invention, in an image display terminal, an image that is previously set to non-display as attribute information is not displayed even if the image file is downloaded from the image server. It is a form.

  Note that the overall outline of the present embodiment is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

  Note that the internal configurations of the image display terminal and the image server used in the present embodiment are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 2 in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. .

  In the present embodiment, the shared information recorded in the image server is the same as the shared information described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention described above. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 28 shows a case in which, in the fourth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, an image that is previously set as non-display as attribute information is not displayed even if downloaded from the image server in the image display terminal. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system used to explain the operation of

  As shown in FIG. 28, this embodiment includes an image display terminal A 2804, an image display terminal B 2805, and an image display terminal C 2806 connected to the image server 2807 via a network.

  Image display terminal A 2804, image display terminal B 2805, and image display terminal C 2806 are terminals for inputting an image to be transmitted to image server 2807.

  The image display terminal A 2804, the image display terminal B 2805, and the image display terminal C 2806 are terminals that display images transmitted from the image server 2807. As this image display terminal, for example, an electrophotographic frame can be cited as an example.

  In the example shown in FIG. 28, only the user of the image display terminal C2806 presets the attribute information 2803 of non-display for the image 2802.

On the other hand, for the image 2801, the users of the image display terminal A 2804, the image display terminal B 2805, and the image display terminal C 2806 are not set to hide each image.
Here, the setting of the attribute information and the recording to the recording unit of the image display terminal in the present embodiment are the same as the case described with reference to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  Next, functions of the image display terminal shown in FIG. 28 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 29 shows an operation in the case where an image set as non-display as attribute information in the image display terminal is not displayed even when downloaded from the image server in the fourth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the image display terminal used in order to explain.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the image display terminal shown in FIG. 28 includes a display unit 2901, a reception unit 2902, an attribute information input unit 2903, a determination unit 2904, and a recording unit 2905.

  The display unit 2901 displays the image of the image file downloaded from the image server according to the determination of the determination unit 2904. For example, if the determination unit 2904 determines that an image file is an image file of an image set to be displayed, the display unit 2901 displays the image of the image file.

  The receiving unit 2902 receives an image file from the image server.

  The attribute information input unit 2903 is a function for the user to input attribute information in advance for each image. In the case of this embodiment, the attribute information of display or non-display is input to the image display terminal for each image.

Further, in the present embodiment, inputting attribute information in advance to the image display terminal means that the image display terminal inputs before downloading the image file from the image server.
The determination unit 2904 determines whether or not to display an image on the display unit 2901 based on the attribute information input by the attribute information input unit 2903.

  The recording unit 2905 records the image file downloaded from the image server and the attribute information input in the attribute information input unit 2903.

  The functions of the above-described units are realized by the CPU of the image display terminal cooperating with a program or other members recorded in a memory or the like.

  Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 30 shows an image that is previously set to non-display as attribute information in the image display terminal in the fourth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, and is not displayed even if the image file is downloaded from the image server. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the attribute information is input to the image display terminal for each image in S3001. In the case of this embodiment, this attribute information is attribute information indicating display or non-display.

  Next, the image display terminal records the input attribute information (S3002).

  Next, the image display terminal performs an image file sharing synchronization process with the image server, and synchronizes the image file (S3003 to S3007).

  That is, in a predetermined case, the image server transmits a list of images to be shared to the image display terminal to the image display terminal (S3003). Here, the predetermined case may be, for example, a predetermined time. In addition to this predetermined case, a predetermined event may be generated.

  Next, the image display terminal receives the list (S3004), and based on this list, requests the image server to download an image file that is listed but not recorded in itself (S3005).

  Upon receiving this request, the image server downloads the requested image file to the image display terminal (S3006).

  In the description of this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, only the case of downloading an image file from the image server to the image display terminal will be described as an example. However, even in this embodiment, the image file may be transmitted from the image display terminal to the image server in the image file sharing synchronization process.

  Then, the image display terminal that has received the image file from the image server records the received image file in the recording unit (S3007).

  Next, when an image display request is received, the image display terminal determines whether the attribute information of the image to be displayed is displayed or not displayed (S3008).

  If the attribute information of the image to be displayed is displayed (Yes), the process proceeds to S3009, the image display process is performed, and if the image is not displayed (No), the operation is finished. .

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the image management method of the present invention, in the image display terminal, an image that is previously set to non-display as attribute information is not displayed even when an image file is transmitted from the image server. By doing so, the image display on the image display terminal can be made in line with the user's desire.

Embodiment 5

(Fifth Embodiment of Image Management Method)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention is an embodiment in which attribute information of an image whose attribute information satisfies the criteria is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal.

  Note that the reference in the present embodiment is the same as the reference in the first embodiment described above.

  The outline of the entire system to which the present embodiment is applied is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

  Further, the internal configuration of the image display terminal and the image server used in the present embodiment is the same as that described with reference to FIG. .

  In the present embodiment, the shared information recorded in the image server is the same as the shared information described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention described above. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 31 illustrates an operation when transmitting attribute information of an image whose attribute information satisfies the criteria from the image server to the image display terminal in the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system used for

  As shown in FIG. 31, an image display terminal A 3104, an image display terminal B 3105, and an image display terminal C 3106 are connected to the image server 3107 via a network.

  The image display terminal A 3104, the image display terminal B 3105, and the image display terminal C 3106 are terminals for inputting an image to be transmitted to the image server 3107. The image display terminal A 3104, the image display terminal B 3105, and the image display terminal C 3106 are terminals that display images transmitted from the image server 3107. An example of this image display terminal is an electronic photo frame.

  The image display terminal A 3104 sets, for example, a new standard within six months as the standard 3101 to be set, and transmits this standard to the image server 3107.

  The image display terminal B 3105 sets, for example, a search criterion for “flowers” and “insects” as the reference 3102 to be set, and transmits this reference to the image server 3107.

  The image display terminal C 3106 sets, for example, a criterion of popularity as the criterion 3103 to be set, and transmits this criterion to the image server 3107.

  The image server 3107 refers to the attribute information 3111 and 3112 set for the image 3109 and the image 3110, and compares the attribute information 3111 and 3112 with the reference 3108 for each image display terminal.

  Then, the image server 3107 determines whether or not the attribute information of each image corresponds to the reference 3108 for each image display terminal, and performs processing 3113 for selecting attribute information to be transmitted to each image display terminal.

  As a result, if there is attribute information to be transmitted to the image display terminal A 3104, the attribute information 3114 is transmitted.

  If there is attribute information to be transmitted to the image display terminal B 3105, the attribute information 3115 is transmitted.

  In addition, if there is attribute information to be transmitted to the image display terminal C3106, attribute information 3116 is transmitted.

  However, in the present invention, the attribute information transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal is not particularly limited.

  That is, as the attribute information transmitted to each image display terminal, for example, all of the attribute information shown in FIG. 4 may be transmitted to the image display terminal, or the image name, search keyword, Some attribute information such as attribute information indicating display or non-display may be transmitted.

  For example, when an image storage destination is transmitted as attribute information from the image server to the image display terminal, the image display terminal can download the image by itself from the image storage destination. At this time, the image to be downloaded does not have to be on the server, but may be on a network accessible by the terminal. In this case, the attribute information indicates a location on the network.

  For example, when an image name is transmitted as attribute information from the image server to the image display terminal, the user of the image display terminal is set in the image server without determining the image name of the image file himself. Image names can be used.

  For example, when a search keyword is transmitted as attribute information from the image server to the image display terminal, the user of the image display terminal does not determine the search keyword for the image file, and the search keyword set in the image server Can be used.

  For example, when a non-display attribute is transmitted as attribute information from the image server to the image display terminal, the user of the image display terminal is set by the image server without determining the non-display attribute of the image file by himself. Hidden attributes can be used.

In the above description, the attribute information set in the image server transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal can include, for example, attribute information set by the largest number of users.

  In the above description, the attribute information set in the image server transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal may be a user attribute of the user of the image display terminal to which the attribute information is transmitted.

In the above description, the attribute information set in the image server transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal may be a user attribute of an arbitrary user.
Of course, other settings can be used as the attribute information set in the image server.

  Next, functions of the image display terminal used in the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 32 is an image used when transmitting attribute information of an image whose attribute information satisfies the criteria from the image server to the image display terminal in the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of a display terminal.

  As illustrated in FIG. 32, the image display terminal includes a reception unit 3201, a transmission unit 3202, a reference input unit 3203, and a recording unit 3204.

  The receiving unit 3201 receives attribute information from the image server.

  The transmission unit 3202 transmits the reference to the image server.

  A reference to be transmitted to the image server is input to the reference input unit 3203.

  The recording unit 3204 records the reference input by the reference input unit 3203 and the attribute information received by the receiving unit 3201.

  The functions of the above-described units are realized by the CPU of the image display terminal cooperating with a program or other members recorded in a memory or the like.

  Next, the function of the image server shown in FIG. 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 33 shows an image used when attribute information of an image whose attribute information satisfies the criteria is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal in the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of a server.

  As illustrated in FIG. 33, the image server includes a reception unit 3301, a determination unit 3302, a transmission unit 3303, and a recording unit 3304.

  The receiving unit 3301 receives the reference transmitted from the image display terminal.

  The determination unit 3302 determines whether or not the attribute information recorded in the recording unit 3304 satisfies the standard.

  Based on this determination, the determination unit 3302 determines whether or not to transmit attribute information to the image display terminal.

  Further, based on the setting, the determination unit 3302 determines which attribute information among the attribute information recorded in the recording unit 3304 is to be transmitted to the image display terminal. This setting may be transmitted from an image display terminal, for example, or may be set by an image server setting person inputting to the image server.

  Here, the attribute information recorded in the recording unit 3304 is the same as the attribute information described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the method for acquiring or generating attribute information recorded in the recording unit 3304 is the same as the method for acquiring or generating attribute information described in the first embodiment.

  In addition, the calculation method of the aggregation result used in the present embodiment is the same as the calculation method of the aggregation result described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 18 in the first embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention described above. Since they are the same, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The transmission unit 3303 transmits the attribute information of the image recorded in the recording unit 3304 to the image display terminal based on the determination of the determination unit 3302.

  The recording unit 3304 records image attribute information and the reference transmitted from the image display terminal. The functions of the above-described units are realized when the CPU of the image server cooperates with a program or other members recorded in a memory or the like.

  Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 34 is an operation flowchart in the case where image information whose attribute information satisfies the criteria is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal in the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention. is there.

  First, a reference is input to the image display terminal (S3401).

  The image display terminal transmits the input reference to the image server (S3402).

  Next, the image server receives the reference transmitted from the image display terminal (S3403).

  Next, the image server determines whether the attribute information of each image satisfies the criteria transmitted from the image display terminal (S3404).

  The determination of whether or not the attribute information of each image satisfies the standard in S3404 is the same as the determination in S2404 of FIG. 24 in the first embodiment described above, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  Next, the image server transmits attribute information of an image satisfying the criterion to the image display terminal (S3405). Here, it is assumed that which attribute information is transmitted to the image display terminal is set in the image server in advance. However, attribute information to be transmitted to the image display terminal may be determined by a request from the image display terminal.

  Next, the image display terminal receives the attribute information transmitted from the image server and records it in the recording unit (S3406, S3407).

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, only the attribute information of an image whose attribute information satisfies the criteria is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal. Thus, the attribute information of the image according to the user's wish recorded in the image display terminal can be matched with the attribute information set in the image server.

  For example, in this embodiment, an image name that is attribute information of an image that satisfies the criterion of new within half a year can be transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal.

  Further, by combining this embodiment with the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment described above, the image display on the image display terminal can be made more in line with the user's desire.

  That is, as described in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the attribute information recorded in the image server is processed, and for example, the attribute information of displaying an image of a certain user is changed to the attribute information of non-display.

  Then, the number of copies is set as a reference, and if the number of copies of the image whose attribute is changed satisfies the reference, the changed attribute information is transmitted to the image display terminal and becomes the attribute information of the image display terminal.

  As a result, as described in the fourth embodiment, even if an image file is transmitted from the image server to the image display terminal, the image is not displayed.

  Thus, for example, in this embodiment, the attribute information of the image desired by the user recorded in the image display terminal can be set as the attribute information set in the image server.

  In the above-described fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention, the case where the reference used in the image server is transmitted from the image display terminal to the image server has been described as an example.

  However, the image management method according to the present invention is not limited to such a case, and as a reference used in the image server, for example, the image server includes a reference input unit, and each image display terminal has a reference. And the generated reference may be used.

  Even in this case, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the fifth embodiment of the image management method according to the present invention described above.

  In the present invention, other types of files such as music files can be used instead of the image files used in the above embodiments.

  As described above, the image management method, the image server, the terminal, the image display terminal, the image management program, and the computer-readable recording medium recording the image management program according to the present invention share an image file among a plurality of terminals. In addition, the present invention is preferably applied to a system including a terminal that receives and displays an image file from an image server.

Claims (16)

The device
A reception step for receiving attribute information for controlling display or non-display of an image for each image file;
A determination step of determining whether to transmit the image file to an image server storing the image file based on the attribute information received in the reception step;
And a transmitting step of transmitting the image file to the image server based on the determination in the determining step. An image display terminal that displays images
A reception step for receiving in advance attribute information for controlling display or non-display of an image with respect to an image file;
A download step of downloading an image file from an image server storing the image file;
A determination step of determining whether the attribute information of the image file downloaded in the download step is a display setting or a non-display setting;
And a processing step of performing processing on the image of the image file downloaded in the download step based on the determination in the determination step. Receiving means for receiving attribute information for controlling display or non-display of an image for each image file;
A determination unit that determines whether to transmit the image file to an image server that stores the image file based on the attribute information received by the reception unit;
A terminal comprising: transmission means for transmitting the image file to the image server based on the determination by the determination means. An image display terminal for displaying an image,
Receiving means for receiving in advance attribute information for controlling display or non-display of an image with respect to an image file;
Download means for downloading an image file from an image server storing the image file;
Determining means for determining whether the attribute information of the image file downloaded by the download means is a display setting or a non-display setting;
An image display terminal comprising: processing means for processing an image of an image file downloaded by the download means based on the judgment by the judgment means. On the computer,
A receiving step for receiving attribute information for controlling display or non-display of an image for each image file;
A determination step of determining whether to transmit the image file to an image server storing the image file based on the attribute information received in the reception step;
An image management program for executing a transmission step of transmitting the image file to the image server based on the determination in the determination step. On the computer,
A reception step for receiving in advance attribute information for controlling display or non-display of an image with respect to an image file;
A download step of downloading an image file from an image server storing the image file;
A determination step of determining whether the attribute information of the image file downloaded in the download step is a display setting or a non-display setting;
An image management program for executing a processing step for processing an image of the image file downloaded in the download step based on the determination in the determination step. On the computer,
A receiving step for receiving attribute information for controlling display or non-display of an image for each image file;
A determination step of determining whether to transmit the image file to an image server storing the image file based on the attribute information received in the reception step;
A computer-readable recording medium storing an image management program for executing a transmission step of transmitting the image file to the image server based on the determination in the determination step. On the computer,
A reception step for receiving in advance attribute information for controlling display or non-display of an image with respect to an image file;
A download step of downloading an image file from an image server storing the image file;
A determination step of determining whether the attribute information of the image file downloaded in the download step is a display setting or a non-display setting;
A computer-readable record storing an image management program for executing a processing step for processing an image of the image file downloaded in the download step based on the determination in the determination step Medium. An image server that stores image files
A receiving step of receiving a predetermined reference from an image display terminal for displaying an image;
A determination step of determining whether image management information included in the image file satisfies the predetermined criterion received in the reception step;
And a transmitting step of transmitting the image file to the image display terminal based on the determination in the determining step. An image server that stores image files
A receiving step of receiving a predetermined reference from an image display terminal for displaying an image;
A determination step of determining whether image management information included in the image file satisfies the predetermined criterion received in the reception step;
An image management method comprising: a transmission step of transmitting attribute information of the image file to the image display terminal based on the determination in the determination step. An image server for storing image files,
Receiving means for receiving a predetermined reference from an image display terminal for displaying an image;
Determining means for determining whether image management information of the image file satisfies a predetermined criterion received by the receiving means;
An image server comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the image file to the image display terminal based on determination by the determination unit. An image server for storing image files,
Receiving means for receiving a predetermined reference from an image display terminal for displaying an image;
Determining means for determining whether image management information of the image file satisfies a predetermined criterion received by the receiving means;
An image server comprising: transmission means for transmitting attribute information of the image file to the image display terminal based on the determination by the determination means. On the computer,
A receiving step of receiving a predetermined reference from an image display terminal for displaying an image;
A determination step of determining whether image management information included in the image file satisfies the predetermined criterion received in the reception step;
An image management program for executing a transmission step of transmitting the image file to the image display terminal based on the determination in the determination step. On the computer,
A receiving step of receiving a predetermined reference from an image display terminal for displaying an image;
A determination step of determining whether image management information included in the image file satisfies the predetermined criterion received in the reception step;
An image management program for executing a transmission step of transmitting attribute information of the image file to the image display terminal based on the determination in the determination step. On the computer,
A receiving step of receiving a predetermined reference from an image display terminal for displaying an image;
A determination step of determining whether image management information included in the image file satisfies the predetermined criterion received in the reception step;
A computer-readable recording medium storing an image management program for executing a transmission step of transmitting the image file to the image display terminal based on the determination in the determination step. On the computer,
A receiving step of receiving a predetermined reference from an image display terminal for displaying an image;
A determination step of determining whether image management information included in the image file satisfies the predetermined criterion received in the reception step;
A computer-readable recording medium storing an image management program for executing a transmission step of transmitting attribute information of the image file to the image display terminal based on the determination in the determination step.

Images