JP2014131235A - Information processing unit, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism which allows an owner of an image file to hand over the image file to a handover destination.SOLUTION: Image information stored in storage means, and handover destination information indicating a handover destination of an image file by the image information are received. Upon receiving the image information and the handover destination information, the handover destination information is set in relation to owner information indicating an owner of the image file indicated by the image information. Upon receiving a browsing request of the image file indicated by the image information included in image management information, a determination is made whether or not the image file can be browsed, according to the handover destination information contained in the image management information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, electronic cameras have become widespread, and the opportunity to manage a photograph taken as electronic data (image data) is increasing. In addition, with the widespread use of electronic cameras, storage media such as SD cards that store photographs and moving images have been increasing in capacity, and as a result, the number of image data stored in storage media has become enormous. Yes. When these large amounts of image data are transferred to a PC or the like and distributed to folders for each classification, for example, the user must check the contents of each image data one by one, which increases the time required for the distribution operation. There was a problem.

  On the other hand, for example, when transferring image data to a storage medium connected to a PC, there is a technique for distributing and transferring image data based on additional information such as comments added to the image data. It has been published. (Technology disclosed in Patent Document 1).

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, when the image data is transferred from the imaging device to the external storage device, the storage destination is automatically determined, so that the transfer process and the management of the image after the transfer are simplified as compared with the conventional technique. Yes.

JP 2005-203994 A

  However, conventionally, for example, the client terminal of itself or an image file registered on the WEB site or the like cannot be taken over by another person.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism that allows an owner who owns an image file to take over the image file to a takeover destination.

  The present invention provides storage means for storing image management information including image information indicating an image file and owner information indicating an owner of the image file, image information stored in the storage means, When the transfer destination reception unit that receives the transfer destination information indicating the transfer destination of the image file indicated by the image information, and when the image information and the transfer destination information are received by the transfer destination reception unit, the transfer destination reception unit A transfer destination setting means for setting the transfer destination information received by the transfer destination reception means in relation to the owner information included in the image management information, indicating the owner of the image file indicated by the received image information; When a request for browsing the image file indicated by the image information included in the image management information stored in the storage unit is received, the image management information is included in the image management information. According takeover destination information, characterized in that it comprises a determination means for determining whether viewing of the image file.

  Further, the present invention is a method for controlling an information processing apparatus including a storage unit that stores image management information including image information indicating an image file and owner information indicating an owner of the image file, The takeover destination accepting means receives the image information stored in the storage means, the takeover destination information indicating the takeover destination of the image file indicated by the image information, and the takeover destination setting means includes the takeover destination setting means. Owner information included in the image management information that indicates the owner of the image file indicated by the image information received in the takeover destination receiving step when the image information and the takeover destination information are received in the previous receiving step. In relation to the image management information stored in the storage means, the takeover destination setting step for setting the takeover destination information received in the takeover destination reception step and the determining means are included in the image management information stored in the storage means A determination step of determining whether or not the image file can be browsed in accordance with the takeover destination information included in the image management information when a browse request for the image file indicated by the image information is received. .

  Further, the present invention is a program that can be read and executed by an information processing apparatus including a storage unit that stores image management information including image information indicating an image file and owner information indicating the owner of the image file. The information processing apparatus includes a transfer destination receiving unit that receives image information stored in the storage unit, transfer destination information indicating a transfer destination of an image file indicated by the image information, and the transfer destination receiving unit. Related to the owner information included in the image management information indicating the owner of the image file indicated by the image information received by the transfer destination receiving means when the image information and the transfer destination information are received by The transfer destination setting means for setting the transfer destination information received by the transfer destination receiving means, and the image included in the image management information stored in the storage means When receiving a request for browsing the image file indicated by the distribution, according to takeover destination information included in the image management information, characterized in that to function as a determining means for determining whether viewing of the image file.

  According to the present invention, an owner who owns an image file can take over the image file to the takeover destination.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration including an information processing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of various apparatuses in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a portal screen, an asset transfer screen, and an asset transfer screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which receives designation | designated of the storage place of a takeover destination. It is a figure which shows taking over an image file from Mr. A to Mr. B with the information which shows friend relationship. It is a figure which shows an example of image management information. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which performs the control process in the image management server 200 of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, an example of the configuration of a system including an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a system (information processing system) including an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a system including an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a client PC 100, an image management server 200, an external server 300, and the like. The WAN 101 is a network for connecting the above apparatuses so that they can communicate with each other. In the present embodiment, the DVD 102 and the DVD 103 are handled as a kind of storage medium for storing image data.

  The client PC 100 transmits information indicating the storage location of the image data and image data storage location information, which is information indicating the transmission destination of the image data, to the image management server 200. The storage location information may include at least one of information indicating the location where the image data is stored and information indicating the transmission destination (storage location) of the image data. . When transmitting image data, the transmission destination may be the image management server 200, the external server 300, or the DVD 103. In this embodiment, the storage location information is included in image management information described later.

  Here, image data is handled as an example of content data stored in the storage location indicated by the storage location information. However, content data stored in the storage location indicated by the storage location information is limited to image data. It is not a thing. For example, it may be still image data, moving image data, or music data. Moreover, text data etc. may be sufficient.

  The storage location information refers to the transmission destination when the image data is transmitted to a location different from the location where the image data is currently stored, and when the image data does not move from the location where the image data is currently stored. , And refers to the currently stored location. The storage location information includes, for example, identification information (MAC address, IP address, memory card individual identification information, etc.) of the device in which the content data is stored, an address in the terminal in which the data is stored, and others. Any information indicating the storage location of image data, such as a folder name and URL, may be used.

  For example, when image data is moved from a memory card to a PC, the transmission source of the image data is a memory card, and the transmission destination is a PC, an HDD connected to the PC, and a folder in the HDD. In this case, the storage location information of the image data indicates a location where the image data is stored in the PC. More detailed storage location information such as HDDs connected to the PC and information that can specify folders in the HDD may be included in the storage location information.

  Further, the storage location information of the image data that has been connected to the PC but not moved to the PC indicates the location in the memory card where the image data was stored. In this case, it is assumed that the storage location information includes individual identification information of the memory card.

  Note that the DVD 102 and the DVD 103 store image data corresponding to the storage location information stored in the image management server 200. The processing entity that actually performs the process of writing image data to the DVD 102 and the DVD 103 may be the client PC 100 or the image management server 200.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the CPU 201 of the image management server 200 writes image data to the DVD 102 and the DVD 103 in accordance with an instruction from the client PC 100. Further, it is assumed that the DVD 102 is under the management of the user who operates the client PC 100.

  The DVD 103 is a storage medium that is not yet under the management of the user, and is sent to the user by mail after the writing and storing of image data by the CPU 201 of the image management server 200 is completed.

  The image management server 200 receives the storage location information from the client PC 100 and the external server 300 and manages it as history information in association with the thumbnail image of the image data. Further, in response to a request from the client PC 100, processing for collecting image data and transmitting and storing the image data in a storage medium such as the DVD 102 or the DVD 103 is performed. In this case, the image management server 200 accumulates a history of storing image data on the DVD 102 and DVD 103.

  The external server 300 receives image data from the image management server 200 or the client PC 100 via the image management server 200 and stores the image data in a storage medium. In addition, image data is transferred to an external device such as the client PC 100 or the image management server 200 in response to a request from the external device.

  In the description of the embodiment of the present invention, the process of writing image data to the DVD 102 and the DVD 103 is also a kind of data movement, and will be described as being included in data transmission and transfer.

  Further, for example, as described above, it is also conceivable that the image management server 200 collects image data from an external device using the storage location information and stores it on a DVD or the like.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the image data storage location information is managed by the image management server 200. The storage location information is transmitted when, for example, a storage medium (memory card or the like) storing image data is connected to the client PC 100, or when the connection is detected and the storage location information set in the client PC 100 is detected. It is assumed that this is performed when the transmission application is activated. That is, even when the image data itself is not transmitted to the image management server 200, the storage location information of the image data stored in the memory card is transmitted to the image management server 200. In addition, information (for example, thumbnail image data) for specifying the image data stored in the memory card is also transmitted to the image management server 200.

  The image management application here is started when the CPU 201 of the client PC 100 detects connection of a portable memory or the like, acquires image data from the portable memory, and is an initial storage that is a storage location set as a default. It is an application stored in the external storage memory of the client PC 100 that stores acquired image data at a place. Moreover, ID shall be provided to the acquired image data.

  For example, when the image data A is moved from the portable memory to the initial storage location (eg, folder A) of the client PC 100, the storage location indicated by the storage location information corresponding to the image data A is the initial storage location (eg, folder A). ) That is, the storage location information of the image data A transmitted from the client PC 100 to the image management server 200 indicates the initial storage location.

  Further, when the image data A is transmitted from the initial storage location of the client PC 100 to the folder B in the external server 300, the image management server 200 stores the storage location information corresponding to the image data A and the external server 300. The storage location information indicating the folder B as the storage location is transmitted. The above is an example of the configuration of the system including the information processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  The initial storage location can be arbitrarily set via the application. In this embodiment, the initial storage location is the external storage memory of the client PC 100, but it is also possible to set the initial storage location on the external storage memory of an external device that is not the client PC 100. For example, it may be set on the external storage memory of the image management server 200 or may be set on the external storage memory of the external server 300.

  Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the various apparatuses shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of various apparatuses according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored. The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201.

  The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 203 and executing the program. An input controller (input C) 205 controls input from a pointing device such as a keyboard 209 or a mouse (not shown).

  A video controller (VC) 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. The display device may be a liquid crystal display as well as a CRT. These are used by the administrator as needed. The present invention is not directly related. Further, the CRT display (CRT) 210 is not necessarily required in the image management server 200 and the external server 300.

  The memory controller (MC) 207 is a hard disk (HD), floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), or PCMCIA that stores a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a CompactFlash (registered trademark) memory connected to the card slot via an adapter.

  A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  A program for realizing the present invention is recorded in the external memory 211, and is executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used by the program according to the present invention are stored in the external memory 211. The above is an explanation of an example of the hardware configuration of various devices in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Next, a flowchart for performing control processing in the image management server 200 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart for performing control processing in the image management server 200 of the present embodiment.

  First, the processing of each step shown in FIG. 7 is executed and implemented by the CPU 201 of the image management server 200.

  The image management server 200 is an application example of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and stores image management information including image information indicating an image file and owner information indicating the owner of the image file ( Storage means).

  The image management server 200 transmits the portal screen of FIG. 3A including the stored image file to the client PC 100, and causes the display unit of the client PC 100 to display the portal screen of FIG. .

  Then, when the user accepts selection of the image file displayed on the portal screen in FIG. 3A and the asset management button on the portal screen in FIG. 3A is pressed, the selected image is displayed. The client PC transmits image information indicating the file to the image management server.

  Then, the image management server 200 receives the selected image information (step S701).

  Then, the image management server 200 transmits the asset takeover screen shown in FIG. 3B to the client PC 100 and causes the display unit of the client PC 100 to display the asset takeover screen shown in FIG.

  Then, when the user selects a transfer destination user via the asset transfer screen in FIG. 3B and presses the OK button, the client PC 100 sends the selected transfer destination to the image management server 200. The information indicating the user (takeover destination information) is transmitted.

  Then, the image management server 200 receives information (transfer destination information) indicating the selected transfer destination user from the client PC 100 (step S701).

  That is, it accepts takeover destination information indicating the takeover destination of the image file (takeover destination accepting means).

  Then, when the image management server 200 receives the image information and the takeover destination information in step S701 in step S702, the image management information indicates the owner of the image file indicated by the image information received in step S701. The transfer destination information accepted in step S701 is set in relation to the owner information included in (transfer destination setting means).

  For example, description will be made assuming that information indicating the friendship shown in FIG. 5 is stored and an image file is handed over from Mr. A to Mr. B.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating information indicating friendship and the transfer of an image file from Mr. A to Mr. B.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, before Mr. A's master (image management information) takes over the image file (Sam001), the image file (Sam001) is the storage location PC_A and the owner is Mr. A. The master (image management information) of Mr. A is stored in the memory of the image management server 200.

  In step S702, the takeover destination selected in (B) of FIG. 3 is added to Mr. A's master (image management information) as shown in FIG.

  Next, the image management server 200 accepts storage location information stored in the takeover destination indicated by the takeover destination information received in FIG. 3B, in which the image file indicated by the image information that has received the takeover destination information. (Storage location reception means).

  Specifically, the screen shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted to the client PC, displayed, and information on a new storage location is received.

  Then, the image management server 200 sets the storage location information included in the stored image management information in the image file indicated by the image information for which the takeover destination information has been received in step S701, as the storage location information received in step S703. (Storage location setting means).

  Specifically, like the master of Mr. C in FIG. 6, the storage location of the master of Mr. C in FIG. 6 is set to the storage location information received in step S703.

  Then, the image management server 200 accepts an image file browsing request from an external device (step S705), and if it is determined to accept an image file browsing request (step S706: YES), it is included in the image management information. Whether to browse the image file is determined according to the transfer destination information (step S707) (decision unit).

  Then, the image file that can be browsed in step S707 is transmitted to the device that has accepted the browse request (step S708).

  As described above, according to the present invention, an owner who owns an image file can take over the image file to the takeover destination.

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

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

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included. An information processing apparatus (computer) that can read and execute the program code realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

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

100 client PC
200 Image management server 300 External server 101 WAN
102 DVD
103 DVD

Claims (4)

Storage means for storing image management information including image information indicating an image file and owner information indicating an owner of the image file;
Takeover destination accepting means for accepting image information stored in the storage means and takeover destination information indicating a takeover destination of the image file indicated by the image information;
Ownership included in the image management information indicating the owner of the image file indicated by the image information received by the takeover destination accepting unit when the image information and the takeover destination information are accepted by the takeover destination accepting unit In relation to the person information, the takeover destination setting means for setting the takeover destination information received by the takeover destination receiving means,
When a browse request for the image file indicated by the image information included in the image management information stored in the storage unit is received, whether or not the image file can be browsed is determined according to the takeover destination information included in the image management information A decision means to
An information processing apparatus comprising: The image management information stored in the storage means further stores storage location information indicating a storage location of the image file,
Storage location accepting means for accepting storage location information stored in the takeover destination indicated by the takeover destination information received by the takeover destination accepting means, wherein the image file indicated by the image information accepting the takeover destination information by the takeover destination accepting means When,
The storage location information received by the storage location accepting means for the storage location information included in the image management information stored in the storage means in the image file indicated by the image information for which the takeover location accepting means has been accepted. Storage location setting means to set to,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A method for controlling an information processing apparatus including a storage unit that stores image management information including image information indicating an image file and owner information indicating an owner of the image file,
A takeover destination accepting step, wherein the takeover destination accepting unit receives the image information stored in the storage unit, and the takeover destination information indicating the takeover destination of the image file indicated by the image information;
The image indicating the owner of the image file indicated by the image information received by the takeover destination accepting step when the takeover destination setting means accepts the image information and the takeover destination information by the takeover destination accepting step. In relation to the owner information included in the management information, a takeover destination setting step for setting the takeover destination information received by the takeover destination receiving step;
When the determining unit receives a request to browse the image file indicated by the image information included in the image management information stored in the storage unit, the browsing of the image file is performed according to the takeover destination information included in the image management information. A determination step for determining whether or not
A control method comprising: A program that can be read and executed by an information processing apparatus including a storage unit that stores image management information including image information indicating an image file and owner information indicating an owner of the image file,
The information processing apparatus;
Takeover destination accepting means for accepting image information stored in the storage means and takeover destination information indicating a takeover destination of the image file indicated by the image information;
Ownership included in the image management information indicating the owner of the image file indicated by the image information received by the takeover destination accepting unit when the image information and the takeover destination information are accepted by the takeover destination accepting unit In relation to the person information, the takeover destination setting means for setting the takeover destination information received by the takeover destination receiving means,
When a browse request for the image file indicated by the image information included in the image management information stored in the storage unit is received, whether or not the image file can be browsed is determined according to the takeover destination information included in the image management information A program characterized in that it functions as a determination means.

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