JPH07123392A - Digital image reproduction system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform the charging for the operation to a digital image by an on-line and to determine proper charge for provided image data by making a digital image an object with the procedure on the use of other data and digital images and making the image an image object. CONSTITUTION:When an image object 40 is down-loaded, an access is performed to an object providing origin existing in an external network via a network line. The list of provided objects is displayed on a display device and a user is made to select a desired object. When the user selects a number-of-day system, the input of the term to be used is requested. The reproduced data inputted in reproduced attribute data in the data part 48 of the selected image object 40 are written or date and times and terms are written in this case. The providing origin transmits the selected image object 40 through a line. Finally, the user is made to select the preserving place of the image object 40 and the image object is recorded in the place.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital image reproducing system, and more particularly to a digital image reproducing system for collecting a predetermined fee for image reproduction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are the following types of industries that provide images such as movies and increase their profits in consideration of them.
One is a rental service that provides image information in the form of a video tape or video disc that records image information.
It is a video store, and rents out video cassettes, etc. to customers who come to the store for a fee, and the customers take the video cassettes home and play them back at home.

The other is a computer communication service company that provides program codes, text data, etc. online, and transmits various digital data through a telephone line or the like in response to a request from an online communication member. If the download or viewing of the information is charged, the member is charged a predetermined amount. In recent years, services that provide image data in addition to text data have been considered.

[0004]

These two examples will be examined in terms of the image providing method and the fee charging method for the image providing. In the rental video store example, a customer rents out a video and pays for it at the store. In other words, the rental video shop provides both images and charges offline. Because of this, customers can rent a video
Each time they have to go to the store, and the vendors cannot automate the renting and charging of video cassettes without human intervention.

On the other hand, in an example of a computer communication service company, images and the like are provided online, so that the user can use the images at any time and at any place.
Further, since the price for downloading images and the like is automatically calculated and billed to the user in a lump, it is easy for both the communication service company and the user to manage the usage fee. However, digital images are easy to redistribute, copy and modify. Therefore, it is difficult for computer / online communication to provide high-value-added digital images (movies, etc.), which can cause a great commercial damage by their actions.
Most of the digital images provided were not value-for-use. Therefore, the computer online communication does not have a mechanism for charging the act when the user uses the downloaded image.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to present a digital image reproducing system for providing various digital images including movies etc. online under an appropriate usage fee. To do.

[0007]

A digital image reproducing system according to the present invention makes an image object by converting the digital image into an object together with other data and a procedure relating to the use of the digital image. It is characterized by charging online.

[0008]

By the above means, the image data can be provided online and an appropriate fee can be determined for the provided image data.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the hardware configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 is a computer such as a personal computer, 12 is a video tape recorder (VTR) having digital input / output terminals, 14 is a hard disk device (HD device), and 16 is a relatively high speed network line for connecting information processing devices to each other. Is.
A multimedia controller 18 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 20, a display device 22 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device, an input device 24 such as a keyboard, and a RAM.
26, a hard disk device 28, and a R0M30. The multimedia controller 18 connects the VTR 12 and the hardware via the peripheral device connection cables 32 and 34.
It is connected to the disk device 14 to control the VTR 12 and the hard disk device 14, and input / output data to / from the VTR 12 and the hard disk device 14. The multimedia controller 18 also includes the network line 16
It is possible to communicate with the computer 10 and an external network (not shown) via the.

In FIG. 1, the VTR 12 and the hard disk device 14 are connected to the multimedia controller 18 via the peripheral device connection cables 32 and 34.
As shown in, it may be directly connected to the network line 16 as a network. That is, in FIG. 2, 36 is a network compatible VTR, and 38 is a network compatible hard disk device. In FIG. 2, the VTR 36 and the hard disk device 38 function as an independent file server for the multimedia controller 18.

FIG. 3 shows the data structure of the image object in this embodiment. 40 is an image object, 42
Is a message communication means for exchanging messages with other objects, 44 is a processing search means for analyzing a message received from another object and searching for a method (data processing means) according to the purpose of the message.
6 is a plurality of methods 46 unique to the image object 40.
-1, 46-2, ..., 46-m is stored in the method part, and 48 is the internal data 48-1, 48-2, ..., 48-n used internally by the image object 40. Internal data part, 50 is all image objects 40
Methods (class methods) 50-1 that can be used by
50-2, ..., A class method table for storing pointers to 50-m, and 52 is a class method table.
A class / method table / pointer storage unit 54 for storing a pointer to the table 50 is external data that can be used globally between objects.

The operation of the image object 40 will be described.
When a message is sent from another object, the message communication means 42 receives the message and transfers it to the processing search means 44. The processing retrieval means analyzes the received message, first retrieves the method according to the purpose of the message from the method section 46, and if not found, retrieves it from the class method table 50. Here, when searching from the class method table 50, the class method table pointer storage unit 52 is referred to, and the class method table 50 is searched.
Get the address of. The retrieved method executes a predetermined process while using the external data 54 and the internal data 48-1, 48-2, ..., 48-n stored in the internal data section 48. During or after this processing, when this method sends a message to another object in order to request various processing or notify the completion of its own processing, the message communication means 42 To that end, the contents of the message and the address of the recipient of the message are passed. The message communication means 42,
Send the received message to the target object.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the method and internal data of the image object 40. Internal data includes the following: The id data 60 is data for uniquely determining the image object 40. The image data 62 is data which is image-compressed and formed into a predetermined format. The reproduction attribute data 64 indicates a fee system (hereinafter, referred to as reproduction attribute) selected by the user as a payment method for the reproduction of the image object 40 including the data 64. In this embodiment, three types of charge systems that the user can select as the reproduction attribute are prepared.

That is, the first is a method in which the user decides a period in which the image object 40 is used and pays a fee according to the period (hereinafter referred to as the number of days method). For example,
Image provider 4 for each object provider
0 hour charge for 1 hour use and 1 day (24
(Time) Specify the fee for using the service. And
If the user uses the image object 40 within a period of 2 days, the user is charged a fee for 2 days.

The second is a system (hereinafter referred to as "time system") for paying a basic charge and a charge (referred to as "time charge") according to the time used. The basic fee is charged when the image object 40 is downloaded. The hourly charge is, for example, how many yen per minute depending on the time when the image object 40 is actually reproduced.

The third method is a method that can be used indefinitely if the fee is paid once (hereinafter referred to as an indefinite method). By selecting this method, the user acquires the right to permanently use the image object 40.

Which of the three types of charge systems is selected is stored in the reproduction attribute data 64. For example,
FIG. 5A shows the reproduction attribute data 64 in the case of the number of days method. Here, the date and time indicating the time limit for reproduction is stored. FIG. 5B shows the reproduction attribute data 64 in the case of the time method. A code or a character string (here, a character string "TIME") indicating the time system is stored. FIG. 5C shows the reproduction attribute data 6 in the case of the indefinite method.
4 is shown. A code or a character string (here, a character string “NO_LIMIT”) indicating the indefinite system is stored.

The charge system data 66 includes this data 66.
All charges for each operation of reproduction, copy, and reproduction attribute change of the image object 40 including are stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an hourly fee and a daily fee when the image object 40 is used in the days method, a basic fee and an hourly fee when the image object 40 is used in the time method, and the image object 40 Stored are a fee for using the image indefinitely, a fee for copying the image object 40, and a fee for changing the attribute of the image object 40.

The payment charge data 68 includes this data 6
When the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 including 8 is the time method, and when an abnormality occurs in the network line leading to the object provider during reproduction of the image object 40, the charge for the reproduction up to that time is stored.

The reproduction start time data 70 stores the time when the reproduction of the image object 40 is started when the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 including the data 70 is the time system.

The methods of the image object 40 include the following:

The reproduction start method 72 is the method 7
This is a method that is first called and executed when the user gives an instruction to reproduce the image object 40 including 2. First, the reproduction attribute data 64 is inspected, and thereafter, various methods corresponding to the reproduction attribute data 64 are called.

The copy start method 74 is a method which is first called and executed when the user gives an instruction to copy the image object 40 including this method 74. Call various other methods.

The reproduction attribute change start method 76 is a method which is first called and executed when the user gives an instruction to change the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 including the method 76. Call various other methods.

The reproduction method 78 is a method for analyzing the image data 62, performing appropriate image expansion, and displaying the reproduced image on the display device.

The stop method 80 is a method for stopping the image reproduction executed by the reproduction method 78 of the image object 40 including this method 80.

The fast-forward method 82 is this method 82.
This is a method for interrupting the image reproduction work being executed by the reproduction method 78 of the image object 40 including, and performing fast-forward reproduction of the image.

The rewind method 84 is the method 8
This is a method for interrupting the image reproduction work being executed by the reproduction method 78 of the image object 40 including 4 and performing rewinding reproduction of the image.

The reproduction start time recording method 86 is a method for writing the reproduction start time data 70 of the image object 40 including the method 86.

The payment fee recording method 88 is a method for writing the payment fee data 68 of the image object 40 including the method 88.

The payment fee presentation method 90 is a method of presenting the value to be written in the payment fee data 68 of the image object 40 including this method 90 to the user.

When the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 including this method 92 is the time method, the payment fee calculation method 92 is the reproduction start time data 70 and the charge system data 66 when the image reproduction of the image object 40 is completed. , A method of referring to the reproduction attribute data 64 and the current time and calculating the charge for the reproduction.

The charge display method 94 is the method 9
A method for requesting confirmation from the user by referring to the reproduction attribute data 64 and the charge system data 66 of the image object 40 when reproducing, copying, or changing the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 including 4 is displayed. Is.

The line check method 96 is a method for checking whether the network line leading to the object provider is abnormal or normal.

The host communication method 98 is a method for sending various information to the object provider and then receiving a reception confirmation signal from the object provider.

The object erasing method 100 is a method for erasing the image object 40 including this method 100. In this method 100, a program for directly executing deletion of an object may be written, or a program for requesting another object may be written.

The copy method 102 is this method 1
This is a method for creating a copy of the image object 40 including 02.

The reproduction attribute changing method 104 is a method for writing or changing the reproduction attribute data 64 of the image object 40 including the method 104. Further, when the reproduction attribute is changed from the number of days method to the time question method, as will be described in detail later, since the actual change is not made immediately, this method 104 calculates the time when the reproduction attribute is changed, Present to the user.

The reproducibility determination method 106 is a method for determining whether or not the current time is reproducible when the image object 40 is reproduced when the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 including the method 106 is the number of days method. .

The reproduction attribute input method 108 is a new image object 4 created by duplication when the image object 40 including this method 108 is copied.
This method requests the user to input a reproduction attribute of 0 and requests the user to input a new reproduction attribute when changing the reproduction attribute of the existing image object 40.

The periodic communication method 110 has a record in the payment charge data 68 of the image object 40 including this method 110, but when the charging information is not sent to the object provider due to a line error to the object provider, This is a method for the image object 40 to call the line check method 96 to periodically check whether the line has become normal.

Since these methods 72 to 110 are possessed by all image objects 40, they are stored in the class method table 50 shown in FIG.
For the methods 46-1 to 46-m of the specific image object 40, for example, an image decompression method not provided in the class method for reproducing the image data 62 using the new compression method is used. There is a reproduction method 78 to be used.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, the operation of downloading the image object 40 will be described. FIG. 7 shows the image object 4
The flowchart at the time of downloading 0 is shown. The user first activates an application for downloading the image object 40 on the computer 10 or the multimedia controller 18. Then, the started application accesses the object provider existing in the external network via the network line 16 (S1). Then, the application displays a list of objects provided by the object provider on the display device 22 or the display device of the computer 10, and prompts the user to select a desired object (S
3).

The application requests the user to input the reproduction attribute of the selected object, and when the user selects the number of days method, also requests the input of the period to be used (S3). Here, when the user selects the time method as the reproduction attribute, the user is charged with the basic charge as described above, and when the user selects the number of days method, the charge according to the period in which the user uses the image object 40 is charged. If you choose to use the unlimited period method, you will be charged a corresponding amount.

After S3, the object provider writes the input reproduction attribute in the reproduction attribute data 64 in the image object 40 selected by the user (S).
4). Then, the object provider sends the selected image object 40 through the line (S5).

Finally, the application causes the user to select the storage location of the image object 40, and records the image object 40 transmitted from the object provider at that location (S6).

In this embodiment, the user uses the hard disk device 14 (or 38), VTR 12 as the storage location.
(Or 36), the hard disk device 28, or the storage medium attached to the computer 10 can be selected.

The operation of reproducing the image object 40 will be described. Using the software running on the multimedia controller 18, the user can use the hard disk drive 14 (or 38), VTR 12 (or 36),
When the reproduction of the image object 40 existing in either the hard disk device 28 or the storage medium attached to the computer 10 is instructed, the software reads the image object 40 into the RAM 26. And
The software sends a message for reproducing the image object 40 stored in the RAM 26.
In response to this message, the reproduction start method 72 in the image object 40 is executed, and the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 is first inspected. The following procedure is
It depends on the playback attribute.

FIG. 8 shows the procedure when the reproduction attribute is the time method. The reproduction start method 72 calls the charge display method 94 in the same image object 40, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the charge for reproducing the image object 40 is displayed and the user's confirmation is obtained (S1).
1). Then, the line check method 96 is called to inspect the state of the network line connected to the object provider (S12). If there is a failure such as disconnection of the line and it is difficult to repair the image object 40, the process ends without reproducing the image object 40. If there is no abnormality in the line (S12), the host communication method 98 is called to notify the object provider of the start of reproduction (S13). The data sent here is the id that uniquely determines the user.
The number and the image object 40 to be played
The id data 60 of the image data 40 is used by the object provider to know which image object 40 was reproduced at which place (home, office, etc.).

When a signal notifying the reception of the reproduction start signal is returned from the object provider, the reproduction start method 72
Calls the reproduction start time recording method 86 and writes the time when the reproduction is started into the reproduction start time data 70 (S14). This time may be obtained from time information managed by the operating system on the multimedia controller 18 (this is called system time), or when the system time may be changed by the user, The provider may send the current time together with the signal indicating the reception of the reproduction start signal, and the reproduction start time may be determined from the time information from the object provider.

The reproduction of the image data 62 is started by calling the reproduction method 78, the reproduced image is displayed on the display device 22, and the stop method 80 is issued in response to the user's interruption instruction.
Image display continues until the image playback stops (S
15). During playback, the user can also perform fast-forward playback and rewind playback. The fast-forward reproduction and the rewind reproduction are realized by the fast-forward method 82 and the rewind method 84 interrupting the reproduction method 78, respectively.
Further, it goes without saying that other functions that can be performed by VTRs that are widely used in homes can be realized in the same manner.

During this reproduction, the reproduction start method 7
2 calls the host communication method 98 at a constant time interval and sends a signal indicating that the reproduction is being performed to the object provider (S17). This is because if an error occurs on the line to the object provider during playback, it will not be possible to notify the object provider of the end of playback after that, and the object provider will know the charge for playback. Because it will not be possible. In S17, if there is a failure such as disconnection of the line and the repair is difficult, the stop method 80 stops the reproduction of the image. Then, the reproduction start method 72 calls the payment fee calculation method 92,
The charge for the reproduction is calculated based on the elapsed time from the reproduction start to the reproduction stop and the reproduction charge amount per unit time (S18).

There are two possible methods for calculating the charge for reproduction. One is to obtain the current time from the system time and obtain the difference between this time and the reproduction start time data 70 to obtain the elapsed time from the reproduction start to the reproduction stop. The charge for playback is calculated from the stated playback charge per unit time. The second is to receive the time count from the system time at a fixed time interval from the start of playback, calculate the elapsed time from the start of playback to the end of playback based on that, and then perform the same procedure as in the first method. This is a method of obtaining the fee for the reproduction. The latter method is effective when the system time may be changed by the user.

After S18, the reproduction start method 72 records the charge for the reproduction in the payment charge data 68 by calling the payment charge recording method 88 (S
19) Then, the payment fee presenting method 90 is called to present the amount to the user (S20).

When the reproduction is interrupted by the user or when the reproduction is completed to the end (S16), the reproduction start method 72 calls the line check method 96 to check the line connected to the object provider (S2).
1). If the line is faulty and repairing is difficult, the reproduction start method 72 executes steps S18, S19 and S.
Run 20. If the line is normal (S21), the reproduction start method 72 calls the host communication method 98 to send a signal indicating that the reproduction has been completed to the object provider (S212), and the payment charge calculation method 92. The charge for the reproduction is calculated based on the elapsed time from the reproduction start to the reproduction end and the reproduction charge amount per unit time (S23).

In S23, in addition to the two methods executed in S18, another method can be used. It obtains the current time by communicating with the object provider and obtains the difference between the current time and the reproduction start time data 70 to obtain the elapsed time from the reproduction start to the reproduction end, and describes it in the charge system data 66. This is a method of calculating the charge for reproduction from the reproduction charge per unit time that has been set. Furthermore, instead of the image object 40,
When the object provider receives the above-mentioned signal indicating the end of reproduction, the charge for the reproduction can be calculated.

After the charge for reproduction is calculated by any of these methods, the host communication method 98 is called to send this charge to the object provider (S
24) And finally, the payment fee presentation method 90 is called to present this fee to the user (S20).

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the reproduction procedure of the image object 40 when the reproduction attribute is the number of days method. The reproduction start method 72 of the image object 40 is
The reproducibility determination method 106 is called, the value of the reproduction attribute data 64 and the current time are referred to, and it is checked whether or not the current time is within the reproducible time (S31). Here, the system time may be used as the current time, or the object provider may be inquired by communication.

If the reproduction is possible (S31), the reproduction method 78 is called to perform the reproduction (S32), and the image reproduction is continued until the user gives an interruption instruction and ends by the stop method 80. If the reproduction is not possible (S31), the reproduction start method 72 notifies the user that the reproduction limit of the image object 40 has expired, and at the same time asks the user whether or not to delete the image object 40 (S3).
3), when deleting, object deletion method 1
00 to delete the image object 40 (S
34). If not erased, nothing is done and the process ends.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the reproduction procedure of the image object 40 when the reproduction attribute is the indefinite method.

The reproduction start method 72 of the image object 40 calls the reproduction method 78 (S41), and continues the image reproduction until the user gives an interruption instruction and ends by the stop method 80.

Next, the operation of copying the image object 40 will be described.

A storage medium attached to the hard disk device 14 (or 38), the VTR 12 (or 36), the hard disk device 28, or the computer 10 by the user using software running on the multimedia controller 18. Image object 4 existing in any of
When the copy of 0 is instructed, this software reads the designated image object 40 into the RAM 26. Then, this software sends a message for copying the image object 40 stored in the RAM 26. In response to this message, the copy start method 74 in the image object 40 is executed.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the processing of the copy start method 74. Copy start method 74
First calls the reproduction attribute input method 108 and requests the user to select the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 newly created by copying (S51). The user can select a desired reproduction attribute for the duplicated image object 40. The copy start method 74 calls the charge display method 94 to display the copy charge and asks for confirmation (S52).

The fee for copying is the same as that for downloading. That is, in the case of the number of days method, the fee is charged according to the number of days used, in the case of the time method, the basic fee is charged, and in the case of the indefinite method, a corresponding amount is charged.

When the charge is confirmed, the copy start method 74 calls the line check method 96 to check the state of the network line connected to the object provider (S53). If there is a failure such as disconnection of the line and repair is difficult, copying cannot be performed. Therefore, the user is notified that the copy is impossible or if necessary due to a line failure, and the process ends. When there is no abnormality in the line (S53), the copy start method 74
Calls the host communication method 98 and sends information such as a copy fee according to the reproduction attribute to the object provider as billing information (S54). Then, the copy start method 74 calls the copy method 102 to make a copy of the image object 40 of itself (S55).
The copy start method 74 also calls the reproduction attribute change method 104 to set the selected reproduction attribute in the copied image object 40 (S56).

Next, the operation of changing and resetting the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 will be described. Using software running on the multimedia controller 106,
User selects hard disk drive 14 (or 38), VT
When an instruction to change the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 existing in either the R12 (or 36), the hard disk device 28, or the storage medium attached to the computer 10, this software causes the specified image object 40 to be changed. It is read into the RAM 26. Then, this software sends a message for changing the reproduction attribute of the image object 40 stored in the RAM 26. In response to this message, the reproduction attribute change start method 76 in this image object 40 is executed.

FIG. 13 shows a reproduction attribute change start method 76.
It is a flowchart which shows the process of. The reproduction attribute change start method 76 first calls the reproduction attribute input method 108, requests the user to specify the reproduction attribute of the change destination (S61), and then calls the fee display method 94 to charge the reproduction attribute change. Is displayed and the confirmation is requested (S62).

As a pattern in which the reproduction attribute can be changed,
There are three types shown in FIG. Each is briefly explained. The number of days method can be changed to the time method (Fig. 14 (1))
reference). In this case, the amount charged to the user is the same as the amount charged when a new image object 40 is downloaded as a time method from the object provider or when the image object 40 is copied as a time method. That is, the basic fee is charged. However, the reproduction attribute is actually changed only after the deadline for contracting in the original days method. For example, if a contract is contracted for one day and the reproduction attribute is changed to the time method two hours before the contract expires, the reproduction attribute is actually changed two hours later. In addition, even if the contract expires during the operation of changing the playback attribute, as long as the operation is continued,
It is assumed that the image object 40 is not deleted, and the number of days method can be changed to the indefinite method (FIG. 14).
(See (2)). Also in this case, the amount charged to the user is the same as the amount charged when a new image object 40 is downloaded from the object provider as an indefinite method or when the image object 40 is copied as an indefinite method. The reproduction attribute is changed immediately.

The time system can be changed to the indefinite system (see FIG. 14 (3)). In this case, the amount charged to the user is the same as the amount charged when a new image object 40 is downloaded from the object provider as an indefinite method or when the image object 40 is copied as an indefinite method. The reproduction attribute is changed immediately.

After S62, the reproduction attribute change start method 7
6 calls the line check method 96 to check the state of the network line connected to the object provider (S63). If there is a failure such as line disconnection and repair is difficult, the playback attribute cannot be changed. If there is no abnormality in the line (S63), the reproduction attribute change start method 76
The host communication method 98 is called, and information such as the amount of money for changing the reproduction attribute is sent to the object provider as billing information (S64). Then, the reproduction attribute change start method 76 calls the reproduction attribute change method 104 to execute the change to the selected reproduction attribute (S65).
Further, when the reproduction attribute is changed from the number of days method to the time method, since the change is not immediately performed as described above, the reproduction attribute change method 104 obtains the time when the attribute is changed and presents it to the user. (S66).

Note that, when reproducing the image object 40 whose reproduction attribute is the number of days method, in order to make a new contract so that the image object 40 can be reproduced again when the reproducible period has expired and the reproduction cannot be performed. It suffices to execute the procedure shown in and set a new reproduction attribute for this image object 40.

As described above, if an error occurs in the line to the object provider during the reproduction of the image object 40 having the time-based reproduction attribute or when the reproduction is finished, the charge for the reproduction is charged. Cannot be sent to the object provider. To prepare for this, the fee is recorded in the payment fee data 68 in the image object 40. The object provider checks the amount of money recorded in the image object 40 by one of the following methods and charges the user.

The first method is as follows. That is, the image object 40 in which the fee to be paid by the user is recorded in the payment fee data 68 is the regular communication method 1
10. The line check method 96 is called by 10, and communication is attempted to the object provider periodically at a fixed period (for example, 10 minutes or once a month). Then, when the line becomes normal, the image object 40 recorded in the payment charge data 68 becomes the host communication method 9
8 sends the payment fee data 68 to the object provider, or the object provider checks the payment fee data 68 in the image object 40.

The second method is as follows. That is, as described above, since the object provider has received the image reproduction start signal in S13 of FIG. 8, it is possible to specify the user position that reproduced the image. Therefore, the object provider periodically attempts to communicate with the image object 40 whose record is included in the payment fee data 68 for the user at regular intervals. Then, when the line becomes normal, the image object 40 sends the payment fee data 68 to the object provider by the host communication method 98, or the object provider changes the payment fee data 68 in the image object 40. To check.

The third method is as follows. That is, for example, by means other than the image object 40 or the object provider, such as another object in the system,
When the image object 40 recorded in the payment fee data 68 is notified that the line has become normal, the payment fee data 68 is transmitted to the image object 40 and the object provider.

Also by these methods, when the object provider cannot know the amount of money recorded in the payment fee data 68 of the image object 40 for a certain period of time, that is, when the line abnormality is prolonged, the object provision is performed. Originally, instead of such an online charging method, offline charging and collection of money, which exist conventionally, are executed. As a result, the object provider can finally know the total amount to be paid by the user.

The object provider is S1 in FIG.
In Fig. 7, since the signal indicating that the signal is being reproduced is received at a constant time interval, it is possible to know the abnormality of the line to the user when this signal is interrupted. The execution can start.

In the present embodiment, the VTR and the hard disk device are shown as the storage locations of the image object 40, but of course other devices such as a magneto-optical disk device having a digital input / output terminal may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, the image of the image object 40 is displayed on the display device 22, but it may be displayed on another display device on the network.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the reproduction, copying, and charge attribute change of the image object 40 are executed by the multimedia controller 106, but other information processing equipment such as the computer 10 may be used instead. it is obvious.

Although the embodiment using software has been described,
It is also clear that some or all of them can be realized by hardware.

[0084]

As can be easily understood from the above description, according to the present invention, the digital image is converted into an image object by converting the digital image into an object together with other data and a procedure relating to the use of the digital image. It becomes possible to charge online for the operation to, and it is possible to provide various charging methods that are completely automatic and financially rational without human intervention.

Further, when the user operates the image object, the image object tries to communicate with the object provider, and when the communication is possible, the operation is realized so that the amount of money for this operation is increased. Can be notified to the object provider by communication.

Further, when the reproduction of the image object is completed, the image object tries to communicate with the object provider, and if the communication is possible, the charge for the reproduction is notified to the object provider, and if the communication is impossible, Records the fee charged for playback in the image object so that the object provider can know this fee online or offline later, and communication with the object provider becomes impossible while the image object is being played. If the playback is terminated, the fee for playback is recorded in the image object, and at a later date, the fee can be known online or offline by the object provider, so that the time when the user performed the playback. The image object usage charge is based on whether the communication with the object provider is possible or not. It can be charged.

When an image object, which is a method of paying a usage fee based on the time when an image is played back, calculates the fee for playing back its own image, the image object obtains the time by communication from the object provider. However, by calculating the reproduction time using this, even if the system time may be changed by the user, it is possible to obtain an accurate time when the image is reproduced and calculate an appropriate usage charge. .

When changing the entire fee system of the image object, when changing from the fee system that pays the usage fee according to the usage period determined by the user to the fee system that pays the usage fee based on the image reproduction time , By allowing the actual charge system to be changed after the usage period determined by the user paying the usage fee has elapsed, the user can reliably play back the image for the time corresponding to the fee paid by the user. Becomes Therefore, the user can change the entire fee system without suffering financial loss.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of hardware according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another hardware configuration of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an image object according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of internal data and a method of an image object.

FIG. 5 is an example of reproduction attribute data.

FIG. 6 is an example of fee system data.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for downloading an image object.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a reproduction procedure of an image object whose reproduction attribute is a time method.

FIG. 9 is an example of a charge display in a time system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a reproduction procedure of the image object 40 when the reproduction attribute is the number of days method.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a reproduction procedure of the image object 40 when the reproduction attribute is an indefinite method.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing of a copy start method 74.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing of a reproduction attribute change start method 76.

FIG. 14 is a reproduction attribute change pattern.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Computer 12: Video Tape Recorder
14: hard disk device 16: network line 18: multimedia controller 20: central processing unit (CPU) 22: display device 24: input device
26: RAM 28: Hard Disk Drive 30: R
OM 32, 34: Peripheral device connection cable 36: Network compatible VTR 38: Network compatible hard disk device 40: Image object 42: Message communication means 44: Processing search means 4
6: Method part 46-1, 46-2, ..., 46-
m: method 48: internal data part 48-1, 48-2, ..., 4
8-n: internal data 50: class method table 50-1, 50-2, ..., 50-m: method (class method) 52: class method table pointer storage 54: external data 60: id
Data 62: Image data 64: Playback attribute data 6
6: Fee structure data 68: Payment fee data 70:
Reproduction start time data 72: Reproduction start method 74:
Copy start method 76: Replay attribute change start method 78: Replay method 80: Stop method 82: Fast forward method 84: Rewind method 86: Replay start time recording method 88: Payment fee recording method
90: Payment fee presentation method 92: Payment fee calculation method 94: Charge display method 96: Line check method 98: Host communication method 100: Object deletion method 102: Copy method 10
4: Replay attribute change method 106: Replay determination method 108: Replay attribute input method 110: Periodic communication method

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Akira Mamiya 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Fumiaki Takahashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Takashi Aizawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A digital image reproducing system characterized in that a digital image is made into an image object by converting the digital image into an object together with other data and a procedure relating to the use of the digital image, and an operation for the digital image is charged online. . 2. When the image object is downloaded from an object provider, the user is allowed to select one of a plurality of charge systems for the use of the image object, and the user is charged with an amount of money according to the selected charge system. A digital image reproduction system characterized by. 3. The plurality of charge systems include a first charge system based on an image reproduction time, a second charge system that pays a usage charge according to a usage period determined by a user, and an indefinite use. The digital image reproduction system according to claim 2, including a third fee structure for paying a possible usage fee. 4. When reproducing an image object with the first charge system, the charge for the reproduction of the image object is displayed, the user is asked to confirm, and the network line through which the image object is connected to the object provider is inspected. Then, when communication is possible, the image object reproduces its own image and sends a signal indicating the start of reproduction to the object provider, and during reproduction, a signal indicating that the image object is being reproduced If the image object is sent to the object provider at a fixed time interval and the image cannot be sent, playback of the image is stopped, then the image object saves the usage fee in itself, and at a later date, the image object concerned source the fee. Or the object provider knows the fee offline or online and the user 4. The digital image reproducing system according to claim 3, wherein the image object transmits the usage fee to the object provider when the reproduction of the image is terminated. 5. When reproducing an image object under the first charge system, when the image object calculates a charge for reproducing its own image, the image object obtains time by communication from an object provider. Then, the time required for the reproduction is calculated using this.
The digital image reproduction system described in 1. 6. When reproducing an image object under the second charge system, it is possible to check whether the image object is within the reproducible time or not, and when the reproducible time is not within the reproducible time, the image object can be erased. The digital image reproduction system described in 1. 7. When creating a duplicate of the image object, the user is allowed to select a fee system for the image object created by duplicating the image object, and a usage fee required for the duplication is displayed to request confirmation. The digital image reproduction according to claim 1, wherein the image object is inspected for a network line leading to the object provider, the usage fee is transmitted to the object provider when communication is possible, and no copy is made when communication is impossible. system. 8. When changing or resetting the charge system of the image object, the image object allows the user to select the charge system to be set for the image object,
In addition, the usage fee required for the change is displayed and confirmation is requested, the network line that the image object communicates to the object provider is inspected, and if the communication is possible, the usage fee is transmitted to the object provider and communication is impossible. The digital image reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the charge system is not changed or reset. 9. When changing the charge system of the image object and changing from the second charge system to the first charge system, a use period determined by the user paying a use charge has passed. The digital image reproducing system according to claim 3, wherein the fee system is actually changed later.