WO2006126579A1

WO2006126579A1 - Image data transmitting system and method, and terminals constituting transmitting and receiving parts of the system

Info

Publication number: WO2006126579A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/310335
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazuo Kuroda; Mutsumi Kono
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2005-05-24
Filing date: 2006-05-24
Publication date: 2006-11-30
Also published as: JPWO2006126579A1

Abstract

An image data transmitting system comprises a first terminal (110) accommodated in a communication network and a second terminal (210) accommodated therein. (I) The first terminal (110) has first processing means (111) which formats image data, creates n data packages (n is a natural number), adds a second error correction code to each data package, and thus creates communication data and first communicating means (112) for transmitting the communication data. (II) The second terminal (210) has second communicating means (212) for receiving the communication data, second processing means (211) for performing a second error correction and restoring the n data packages, and recording means (215) for connecting the n restored data packages to one another and recording them in a recording medium.

Description

IMAGE DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND METHOD, AND TERMINAL DEVICE CONFIGURING TRANSMITTER AND RECEPTOR OF THE SYSTEM

Technical field

[0001] The present invention is the same as the first terminal device such as a personal computer placed in an overseas photo shop where electronic photo data is brought to the store, for example, at overseas travel destinations, and the first terminal device in Japan. Image data transmission system and method, and a technology for such first and second terminal devices, comprising a second terminal device such as a personal computer or the like that is accommodated in a communication network such as the Internet and placed in a domestic photo shop Related to the field.

^ Scenic technology

[0002] Various proposals have been made regarding an image data transmission system that transmits and receives image data relating to electrophotography via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a service that converts electrophotographic data into a photo and sends it back when the electronic photo data is uploaded to a predetermined PC site at home and paid by a credit card. . Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for associating a mail address with an attached file related to electrophotographic data. Patent Document 3 proposes a centralized printing system for electrophotography. Patent Document 4 proposes a technique for organizing and managing images obtained from an image storage device having unique identification information. Patent Document 5 proposes a technology for knocking up when a plurality of printers that are monitoring each other cannot print with any one of the printers. Patent Document 6 proposes a mechanism for downloading copyright-protected content!

[0004] Patent Document 1: JP 2001 325082 A

Patent Document 2: JP 2002 157198 A

Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002 94909

Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001 243321

Patent Document 5: JP 2001 290629 Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-31849

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] When electrophotographic data is transmitted / received via a communication network such as the Internet as in the background art, there is a possibility that the electrophotographic data is lost in the process of transmission / reception. However, it is common to leave the electrophotographic data on the transmitting side, for example, a home computer. In particular, home personal computers are equipped with recording media such as hard disks and DVDs that are many orders of magnitude larger than the storage capacity of memory cards in digital cameras. There is no need to erase photo data. For this reason, even if the electrophotographic data is lost during the transmission / reception process, if the electrophotographic data itself is lost, there will be no problem.

[0006] However, when taking electronic photographic data to a store at an overseas travel destination, etc., the electronic communication data from the recording medium such as a memory card is trusted by trusting data communication at the personal computer or the destination. There is a technical problem that erasure may cause loss of important electrophotographic data. On the other hand, if you do not trust the data communication at your personal computer, etc., and you do not erase the recording medium power of the memory card etc. just in case! The meaning of itself is halved or almost lost. In other words, it is thought that the main purpose of bringing electrophotographic data to the storefront, such as overseas travel destinations, is to restore the storage capacity of the recording medium such as a memory card. is there.

[0007] The power of the recording medium, such as a memory card, just in case you bring it in. Even if you do not erase the electrophotographic data or if the receiving side succeeds in receiving the electrophotographic data, it is important electrophotographic data. However, there is a technical problem that there is a possibility of being stolen or lost due to hacking.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, for example, and it is possible to transmit electrophotographic data via a communication network such as the Internet with relatively high! Reliability and relatively high efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image data transmission system and method that can be performed easily, and an authentication device that constitutes the transmission side and the reception side of such a system. Means for solving the problem

[0009] (Image data transmission system)

In order to solve the above problems, an image data transmission system of the present invention is an image data transmission system including a first terminal device and a second terminal device accommodated in a communication network, and (I) the first terminal device described above Is a process of adding, to image data to be transmitted, management information for managing the image data and a first error correction code for performing the first error correction when the image data is restored. The format processing is performed, and the image data subjected to the formatting processing is divided into fixed data length data package units to generate n (where n is a natural number) data packages. A first error generation code for generating communication data is added to each of n data packages by adding a second error correction code for performing second error correction when the data package is restored. And (i) the second terminal device is configured to transmit the generated communication data via the communication network. A second communication means for receiving communication data; and performing the second error correction on the received communication data in the data package unit based on the second error correction code, and the n A second processing means for restoring the data packages; and a recording means for connecting the restored n data packages and recording them on a recording medium.

[0010] According to the image data transmission system of the present invention, the image data is, for example, electrophotographic data (that is, photographic data generated by photographing with a digital camera or a video camera). The format may be based on, for example, the iiJPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) standard or the MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) standard. For example, the image data is brought into the store at the overseas travel destination by the user who is the owner of the image data while being stored in a recording medium including a memory card or a memory stick.

[0011] For example, the first terminal device accommodated in a communication network such as the Internet is configured with hardware such as a personal computer arranged at the storefront of such a travel destination. Various logic components that perform various functions related to one terminal device are embodied by software. On the other hand, it is housed in a communication network such as the Internet, just like the first terminal device. The second terminal device is, for example, a store or a collection / delivery center in a country or third country for a user (ie, a country other than the above-mentioned overseas or domestic countries such as a developing country capable of printing at a low cost). Located in the service center. Only one second terminal device arranged in this way may be arranged in the image data transmission system, or a plurality of second terminal devices may be arranged as described later. For example, in terms of hardware, the second terminal device also includes a personal computer or the like arranged at such a store. Various logical components that perform various functions related to the second terminal device described below are software. It is embodied by.

First, on the first terminal device side, when image data is brought in by the user, the image data is subjected to format processing by first processing means including a controller, a memory, and the like, for example. As part of this formatting process, management information for managing image data is added to the image data.

Here, “management information” means information that is associated with image data and can be used to manage the image data. For example, (1) various user identifications such as a user ID (Identification), name, address, telephone number, etc. for identifying a user, a memory card storing image data or a digital camera related to image data generation, etc. Other information or I blueprints, and (2) copyright owner management information that clearly indicates the copyright holder of image data. Furthermore, history information indicating a history of data input / output recording from the management center, printout processing, disk creation, and the like may be included as part of the management information. For example, disc management information or files to be recorded in units of sectors in addition to disc I blueprints and EDC (Error Detection Code) information, which conforms to certain types of standards such as the DVD standard. Information that is at least a part of the system may be included as part of the management information here. In other words, the various types of management information such as the above-described user identification information and copyright holder management information can be applied to a recording medium compliant with a predetermined type of standard such as the DVD standard later (or with some modifications). It is preferably added to the image data as management information conforming to a predetermined type of standard such as the DVD standard so that it can be recorded and reproduced as formal management information.

Note that such management information includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse provided in the first terminal device. It may be input via an input means equipped with an input pen, a voice input device, etc., or from a device such as a memory card in which image data owned by the user is recorded or a digital camera owned by the user. It may be configured to be read into the first terminal device via the standard input port.

[0015] Before or after the addition of the management information, a first error correction code for performing first error correction on the image data at the time of restoration is added to the image data. The first error correction code is an ECC (Error Correction Code) conforming to a predetermined type of standard such as the DVD standard. In addition to this format processing, interleave processing and encryption processing that conforms to the DVD standard, etc. may be performed! / ヽ.

[0016] Further, the image data subjected to the format processing as described above by the first processing means is divided and packaged into a unit of data data having a fixed data length, and is typically a plurality or a large number ( However, if the size of the image data is small, it may be 1) n data packages are generated. Further, the first processing means adds a second error correction code for performing the second error correction to each of the generated n data packages when the data package is restored. Since the n data packages have a fixed data length, it is possible here to use an error correction code that enables error correction, such as ECC.

[0017] Through the above processing by the first processing means, for example, the management information and the first error correction code are added to the image data in the same or similar format as the DVD format, and further the second error correction code is added in units of data packages. Communication data is generated as the n data packages. That is, the second error correction code is added for each predetermined unit of data (ie, data package) rather than being added to the image data corresponding to each image. That is, a plurality of images can be combined into a predetermined unit, or one image can straddle a plurality of predetermined units. For example, in the case of the DVD format, the second error correction code is added to the ECC block unit which is a set unit of sectors of the recording medium.

[0018] After that, for example, authentication between the first and second terminal devices is performed directly between the two terminal devices via the communication network such as the Internet or a private line network, for example, by the first communication means including a modem or the like. After being executed via the management center described later, The communication data generated as described above is transmitted to the second terminal device via the communication network. Alternatively, after the first communication means performs, for example, authentication between the first terminal device and a management center, which will be described later, via the communication network, the communication data generated as described above is the communication data. It is sent to the management center via the network. The first terminal device is typically a first authentication device capable of authenticating with the second terminal device or the management center. Similarly, the second terminal device typically has a second authentication device power that can be authenticated with the first terminal device or the management center. As the authentication method here, for example, various existing authentication methods for transmitting and receiving passwords and ciphers can be applied. For this reason, the first and second communication means are preferably configured so that at least a part of the management information for authentication or other authentication information is sent and received first before the transmission and reception of communication data. Or perform the authentication process first after the transmission / reception of communication data. If the authentication cannot be performed, the subsequent process is stopped.

On the other hand, on the second terminal device side, after the authentication with the first communication means or the management center is performed, the first terminal device power is transmitted via the communication network by the second communication means having a modem or the like, for example. Communication data is received directly or via a management center. At this time, even if the data size of the image data is large, the image data is divided and packaged. Therefore, a plurality of data packages or a large number of data packages can be transmitted and received in parallel, so that data with relatively high reliability can be obtained. Sending and receiving can be performed quickly. That is, preferably, the first communication unit transmits the communication data in parallel corresponding to the data package unit, and the second communication means corresponds to the communication data in the data package unit. By receiving in parallel, multiple data packages or multiple files are simultaneously distributed in parallel.

Then, the received communication data is subjected to the second error correction based on the second error correction code in units of data packages by the second processing means including a controller, a memory, and the like, for example. n data packages are restored. For example, error correction by ECC is applied to data packages. Since the n data packages have a fixed data length, for example, ECC and a relatively simple and reliable error correction capability are possible here. Thereafter, the restored n data packages are connected by a recording unit including a controller, an optical pickup, and the like, and are recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or an optical disk. At this time, the first error correction code can be used to perform the first error correction when the image data recorded on the recording medium is later restored (in other words, reproduced). In other words, while maintaining the relationship with the image data), the image data is recorded on the recording medium as part or all of the connected data package. The management information is also preferably added to the image data in advance in accordance with a recording medium standard such as the DVD standard (as long as the relationship with the image data is maintained). Or after some corrections or additions, the image data and the first error correction code are recorded on the recording medium as part or all of the connected data package. As a result, when the image data recorded on the recording medium is later restored (in other words, reproduced), the management information added in advance on the first terminal device side can be used at least partially. Overall efficiency can be improved. However, when the restored data package is connected by the second processing means, at least a part of the management information can be corrected, changed, or updated.

[0022] Further, when the recording medium is a recording medium in which, for example, an application part is already recorded, only user data such as image data may be transmitted in a predetermined data format and recorded on the recording medium. .

[0023] It should be noted that the recording means may perform a modulation process such as 8-16 modulation on the image data constituting the data package for which the connection is completed to record the force. (Note that the first terminal device may perform 8-16 modulation in advance and transmit the data. However, in this case, the data to be transmitted swells about twice, so the second terminal It is more advantageous to perform 8-16 modulation with the device.) Even if modulation processing is performed in this way, the first error correction code is still valid, and the image data recorded on the recording medium is later restored ( In other words, the first error correction can be effectively performed during playback. When recording by a recording means, a watermark (digital watermark) for copyright protection may be embedded in the image data.

[0024] After that, at the store where the second terminal device is located, the image data is thus corrected by the first error. Various related tasks such as holding and delivery of recording media recorded with some or all of the positive codes and management information, and printout and delivery based on this will be performed.

[0025] In this way, if the first error correction code is added in advance on the first terminal device side as the same as the format of the recording medium such as the DVD format, then the second terminal device side When recording on a recording medium, it is convenient to record on a recording medium such as a DVD without changing the first error correction code in the restored data package. Furthermore, if the management information other than the first error correction code is added as the same as the format of the recording medium such as the DVD format, then the management information is corrected on the second terminal side. This is very convenient. For the same reason, generally, the addition (recording) of management information over multiple items to image data is not the same as in the case of a recording medium format such as a DVD format, but similar or blank. Except for the same format, it is very convenient because there is little or no modification to the management information when recording on a recording medium such as a DVD.

As a result of the above, it becomes possible to transmit electrophotographic data via a communication network such as the Internet with relatively high reliability and relatively efficiently. For this reason, at stores such as overseas travel destinations where image data has been brought in by the user, image data such as stored electronic photo data is relayed directly to other stores in the user's domestic or third country or through the management center. Service can be realized. Furthermore, it is possible to realize a service for delivering DVDs and prints to the user's home finally from such other stores.

In one aspect of the image data transmission system of the present invention, the data structure of the image data to which the first error correction code is added is determined as a data structure for recording on the recording medium. Comply with the specified standard.

[0028] According to this aspect, the image data to which the first error correction code has been added in advance on the first terminal device side has a data structure conforming to a predetermined standard such as a DVD format, for example. Therefore, after that, the second terminal side does not need to modify the management information, which is very convenient.

In another aspect of the image data transmission system of the present invention, the second processing means determines whether or not the n data packages can be correctly restored by the second error correction. The first error correction is not performed and it is determined that the second error correction cannot be correctly restored when it is determined that the data can be correctly restored by the second error correction. A selective error correction means for performing the first error correction on the communication data based on the first error correction code in addition to the second error correction.

[0030] According to this aspect, on the second terminal device side from which the communication data is received, the n data packages are correctly restored by the second error correction by, for example, a determination unit including a controller, a memory, and the like. It is determined whether or not it has been completed. If the determination means determines that the second error correction has correctly restored, the first error correction is not performed. That is, since the data package image data can be restored without performing the first error correction, the waste of performing the first error correction on the dark cloud is avoided. On the other hand, if it is determined by the determination means that the second error correction cannot be correctly restored, the second error correction means including a controller, a memory, etc., for example, receives the second communication data. First error correction is performed in addition to error correction. Therefore, in the second error correction, even if the error frequency due to transmission errors is so high that it cannot be corrected, there is a possibility that the error correction can be executed by the first error correction code added in each data package. Is greatly enhanced. When the error correction is executed by the first error correction and the data package is correctly restored, the recording on the recording medium is performed as usual. If the error cannot be corrected not only by the second error correction but also by the first error correction, the recording by the recording means is stopped and the retransmission processing described later or a separate error message is output externally. What is necessary is just to perform special processes, such as.

As a result of the above, it is possible to transmit electrophotographic data via a communication network such as the Internet with high efficiency, reliability, and efficiency. In either case, it is possible to avoid accidentally erasing original image data important to the user.

In another aspect of the image data transmission system of the present invention, the second processing means can correctly restore the n data packages by at least the second error correction of the first and second error corrections. Determining means for determining whether or not the information has been restored, and status information generating means for generating status information indicating whether or not the information has been correctly restored by the determining means. The second communication means transmits the generated status information via the communication network, and the first communication means receives the transmitted status information via the communication network, The first processing unit deletes the image data corresponding to the transmitted communication data when it is determined that the determination unit can correctly restore in accordance with the received state information. .

[0033] According to this aspect, on the second terminal device side where the communication data is received, the n data packages are correctly restored by the second error correction by the determination means including, for example, a controller and a memory. It is determined whether or not it has been completed. Then, state information indicating whether or not the force determined to be correctly restored by the determination unit is generated by a state information generation unit including a controller, a memory, and the like, and transmitted by the second communication unit. On the first terminal device side that has already transmitted the communication data, when the state information is received by the first communication means, and if it is determined that it has been correctly restored according to the contents, the first processing means The image data corresponding to the communication data that has already been transmitted is deleted. Here, “deletion” means the deletion of this image data existing in an arbitrary recording medium or storage medium on the first terminal device side, and the original data on the recording medium such as a memory card brought in by the user. Deletion of image data may be included. Alternatively, it may mean that the original image data is deleted, or it may mean that only the original image data is deleted.

[0034] Conversely, if it is not determined that the data has been correctly restored according to the contents of the received status information, the first processing means deletes the image data corresponding to the communication data already transmitted. It will never be. In this case, special processing such as retransmission processing, which will be described later, or separately outputting an error message may be performed. In either case, the user can delete image data brought into the store at an overseas travel destination, etc. with relative ease.

In another aspect of the image data transmission system of the present invention, the second processing means can correctly restore the n data packages by at least the second error correction of the first and second error corrections. Determining means for determining whether or not the information has been restored, and status information generating means for generating status information indicating whether or not the information has been correctly restored by the determining means. The second communication means transmits the generated status information via the communication network, and the first communication means receives the transmitted status information via the communication network, The first communication stage is determined to have been correctly restored by the determination means according to the received status information! In such a case, the communication data corresponding to the n data packages is retransmitted.

[0036] According to this aspect, on the second terminal device side where the communication data is received, the n data packages are correctly restored by the second error correction by the determination means including, for example, a controller and a memory. It is determined whether or not it has been completed. Then, state information indicating whether or not the force determined to be correctly restored by the determination unit is generated by a state information generation unit including a controller, a memory, and the like, and transmitted by the second communication unit. When the first terminal device that has already transmitted the communication data receives the status information by the first communication means, if it is not determined that the data has been correctly restored according to the contents, it is stored in n data packages. The corresponding communication data is retransmitted by the first communication means.

[0037] Alternatively, in another aspect of the image data transmission system of the present invention, the second processing unit may store the n data packages by at least the second error correction of the first and second error corrections, respectively. A state indicating a determination means for determining whether or not the data has been correctly restored, and m (where m is a natural number less than or equal to n) data packages that are not determined to be correctly restored by the determination means among the n data packages Status information generating means for generating information, wherein the second communication means transmits the generated status information via the communication network, and the first communication means transmits the transmitted status information. Is transmitted via the communication network, and the first communication stage retransmits the portion of the communication data corresponding to the m data packages according to the received state information.

[0038] According to this aspect, on the second terminal device side from which the communication data is received, each of the n data packages is correctly corrected by the second error correction by the determination means including, for example, a controller and a memory. It is determined whether or not restoration is possible. Then, state information indicating whether or not the force determined to have been correctly restored by the judging means is generated for at least m data packages that are not judged to have been correctly restored. For example, the state information generating means having a controller, a memory, etc. And transmitted by the second communication means. Communication data When the first terminal device that has already transmitted the status information is received by the first communication means, the first communication means retransmits m data packages that have not been determined to be correctly restored according to the contents. Is done. In other words, the (n−m) data packages that are determined to have been correctly restored according to the contents of the status information are not retransmitted by the first communication means. Therefore, as compared with the case of retransmitting all n data packages at the time of retransmission as described above, the amount of data related to transmission / reception can be reduced, and efficient data transmission can be achieved.

[0039] In another aspect of the image data transmission system of the present invention, the first processing means encrypts the generated data package before or after adding the second error correction code. The second processing means performs a decryption process corresponding to the encryption process immediately before the second error correction is performed on the received communication data.

[0040] According to this aspect, the confidentiality of communication data transmitted / received via a communication network such as the Internet can be remarkably enhanced by the encryption process. As the encryption process here, for example, various existing encryption processes using a public key and a private key can be applied. Note that, instead of or instead of such encryption processing, compression processing may be performed on the data package.

[0041] In this aspect, the first processing means generates a decryption key for the decryption process as image information, and the first communication means transmits the decryption key via the communication network. And the second communication means may receive the decryption key via the communication network.

In this way, the decryption key is transmitted as image information. That is, the decryption key cannot be recognized unless an image is displayed on the second processing device side and visually observed. Therefore, the confidentiality of the decryption key can be remarkably enhanced. Therefore, the confidentiality of communication data transmitted / received via a communication network such as the Internet can be further enhanced.

[0043] As the image information, for example, it is determined by the recognition ability including a faint character string, a character string having a different size or inclination for each character, extremely noisy, and an image such as human guess. By using what is needed, the confidentiality can be effectively increased.

[0044] In another aspect of the image data transmission system of the present invention, a plurality of the second terminal devices are accommodated in the communication network, and the first terminal device stores the generated communication data. Prior to transmission via the communication network, further comprising selection means for selecting one of the plurality of second terminal devices accommodated as a transmission destination of the generated communication data, The first communication means transmits the communication data to one selected by the selection means.

[0045] According to this aspect, there are a plurality of second terminal devices. For example, the second terminal devices are arranged in various countries and countries and are accommodated in the same communication network. At the time of transmission / reception of communication data, first, on the first terminal device side, for example, communication data generated corresponding to image data brought in by a user from a plurality of second terminal devices accommodated in the communication network. One of the destinations is, for example, the geographical conditions related to the user and the store, the economic conditions such as the exchange rate, the order status (empty status) at each store where the second terminal device is located, etc. It is selected according to equipment conditions at each store, etc., whether the user has appropriate equipment, and the user's wishes and preferences. The selection here may be performed by, for example, a selection unit including a keyboard, a mouse, an input pen, a voice input device, etc., for example, according to an operation input by a user or a store clerk, or a controller, a memory, etc. The selection means provided may be automatically performed based on management information or the like. Therefore, the transmission destination of the communication data can be set flexibly to the second terminal device suitable for the user who owns the image data among the plurality of second terminal devices.

[0046] In another aspect of the image data transmission system of the present invention, a management center is further accommodated in the communication network, and a plurality of the second terminal devices are accommodated in the communication network. (A) selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of second terminal devices accommodated as a transmission destination of the generated communication data; and (b) selecting the selected one. Destination information generating means for generating the destination information to be shown, and (c) third communication means for transmitting the generated destination information via the communication network, the first communication means comprising: The transmission destination information is received via a communication network, and the communication data is transmitted to the selected one according to the received transmission destination information. [0047] According to this aspect, there are a plurality of second terminal devices. For example, the second terminal devices are arranged in various countries and countries and are accommodated in the same communication network. Furthermore, the management center is also housed in the same communication network. At the time of transmission / reception of communication data, first, prior to this transmission / reception, one side of the management center corresponds to, for example, image data brought in by a user from a plurality of second terminal devices accommodated in the communication network. One of the destinations of the generated communication data is selected according to, for example, the geographical conditions, the economic conditions, the order status, the user's desires, etc. as described above. The selection here is automatically performed based on management information or the like by a selection means including a controller, a memory, and the like. When one second terminal device is selected as a transmission destination in this way, transmission destination information indicating the selected one is generated by transmission destination information generation means including a controller, a memory, etc., for example. For example, the destination information is transmitted by a third communication means such as a modem. Then, on the first terminal device side, transmission destination information is received by the first communication means, and communication data is transmitted to the selected second terminal device according to the received transmission destination information. Is done. Therefore, the transmission destination of the communication data can be set flexibly in the second terminal device suitable for the user who is the owner of the image data among the plurality of second terminal devices.

[0048] In this aspect, the management center further includes storage means for storing the management information, and the first communication means is selected by the selection means without relaying the management center. The communication data may be transmitted to one and the management information may be transmitted to the management center!

[0049] With this configuration, the management center stores the management information in the storage unit and refers to it, and performs the selection operation by the selection unit without transmitting / receiving image data other than the management information. In other words, it is only necessary to organize traffic. On the other hand, transmission / reception of communication data may be performed directly via the communication network between the first and second terminal devices (that is, it is not necessary to relay the management center). Therefore, the processing load at the management center can be reduced, and efficient data transmission as a whole becomes possible.

Alternatively, in another aspect of the image data transmission system of the present invention, a management center is further accommodated in the communication network, and the management center is (a) transmitted from the first communication means. Third communication means for receiving the received communication data via the communication network, and (b) the management information And storing the communication data received by the third communication means or the image data restored from the communication data received by the third communication means in association with the management information. Storage means, wherein the third communication means transmits the stored communication data or communication data corresponding to the stored image data via the communication network, and the second communication The means receives the communication data transmitted from the third communication means in a form of relaying the management center via the communication network.

[0051] According to this aspect, the management center stores not only the management information but also communication data or image data including image data in the storage means. The management information here may be received separately from the communication data, or may be information restored from the received communication data. Therefore, when sending and receiving communication data, data is transferred from the first terminal device to the second terminal device in an extremely safe and highly reliable manner by relaying through a management center equipped with a high-performance computer. It becomes possible. Also, management of image data management information after data transmission can be centrally managed at the management center.

[0052] The stored image data may be recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or an optical disk at the management center.

[0053] (First terminal device)

In order to solve the above problems, the first terminal device of the present invention is a first terminal device accommodated together with the second terminal device in a communication network, and for the image data to be transmitted, the image data A format process including a process for adding management information for managing image data and a process for adding a first error correction code for performing first error correction to the image data at the time of restoration is performed, and the format process is performed. The image data is divided into data package units having a fixed data length, and n (where n is a natural number) data packages are generated by knocking, and the data package is generated for each of the generated n data packages. By adding a second error correction code for performing the second error correction at the time of restoration, the first processing means for generating communication data and the generated communication data via the communication network The first A first communication means for transmitting to the two-terminal device. [0054] The first terminal device of the present invention can construct the above-described image data transmission system according to the present invention, which makes it possible to transmit electrophotographic data via a communication network such as the Internet relatively high. It is possible to carry out with reliability and relatively efficiently.

[0055] (second terminal device)

In order to solve the above problems, the second terminal device of the present invention is a second terminal device accommodated together with the first terminal device in a communication network, and the first terminal device transmits image data to be transmitted. On the other hand, a format process including a process of adding management information for managing the image data and a first error correction code for performing a first error correction on the image data at the time of restoration is performed. The image data that has undergone the formatting process is divided into fixed data length data package units to generate n (where _n is a natural number) data packages, and each of the generated n data packages And transmitting the communication data generated by adding the second error correction code for performing the second error correction at the time of restoration of the data package via the communication network, the second terminal device The above Second communication means for receiving the transmitted communication data via a communication network, and for the received communication data, based on the second error correction code for each data package! A second processing unit that performs the second error correction and restores the n data packages, and a recording unit that connects the restored n data packages and records the data packages on a recording medium.

[0056] The second terminal device of the present invention can construct the above-described image data transmission system according to the present invention, which makes it possible to transfer electrophotographic data over a communication network such as the Internet to a relatively high level. It is possible to carry out with reliability and relatively efficiently.

[0057] (Image data transmission method)

An image data transmission method of the present invention is an image data transmission method executed in an image data transmission system including a first terminal device and a second terminal device accommodated in a communication network in order to solve the above-described problem, I) In the first terminal device, for the image data to be transmitted, management information for managing the image data and a first error correction for performing the first error correction at the time of restoration of the image data A format process including a process of adding a code is performed, and the image data subjected to the format process is converted into a fixed data length data. N (where _n is a natural number) data packages are divided into data packages, and the second error correction is performed when the data packages are restored for each of the generated n data packages. A first processing step for generating communication data by adding a second error correction code for performing the processing and a first communication step for transmitting the generated communication data via the communication network (II) in the second terminal device, a second communication step of receiving the transmitted communication data via the communication network, and the data package for the received communication data The second error correction mark in units

Then, a second processing step of performing the second error correction and restoring the n data packages and a recording step of connecting the restored n data packages and recording on the recording medium are executed. Is done.

[0058] According to the image data transmission method of the present invention, as in the case of the above-described image data transmission system of the present invention, the transmission of electrophotographic data via a communication network such as the Internet is relatively reliable. And relatively efficiently.

Note that the image data transmission method of the present invention can appropriately adopt various aspects corresponding to the various aspects of the image data transmission system of the present invention described above.

[0060] The operation and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the embodiment described below.

As described in detail above, the image data transmission system of the present invention includes the first terminal device including the first processing means, and the second terminal device including the second processing means and the recording means. Thus, transmission of electrophotographic data can be performed with relatively high reliability, and relatively efficiently. Since the first terminal device of the present invention includes the first processing means, the image data transmission system of the present invention is constructed, thereby making the transmission of electrophotographic data relatively high!ヽ Reliable and relatively efficient. Since the second terminal device of the present invention includes the second processing means and the recording means, the image data transmission system of the present invention is constructed, whereby the transmission of electrophotographic data is relatively highly reliable and relatively easy. It is possible to carry out efficiently. In the image data transmission method according to the present invention, the first processing step is executed by the first terminal device, and the second processing step and the recording step are executed by the second terminal device. It becomes possible to carry out with comparatively high reliability and comparatively efficient. Brief Description of Drawings FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a basic configuration of an image data transmission system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a first terminal apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a second terminal apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation principle on the first terminal device side according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a structure of communication data according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram having the same concept as FIG. 5 in a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation principle on the second terminal device side according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing image information as a decryption key according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a template of a recording medium according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a basic configuration of an image data transmission system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a management center according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operating principle of the first terminal device and the management center according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a management center according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operating principle of the first terminal apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram having the same concept as in FIG. 5 in the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a view having the same concept as in FIG. 6 in a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation principle of the management center according to the third embodiment. Explanation of symbols

[0063] 50 Management information

60, 62 Data package

80 Administration Center information

110 First terminal device

111 First processing part

112 Communication Department 1

210 Second terminal device

211 Second processing section

212 Second Communication Department 216 Status information generator

217 Selector

500 Internet

ECC1 first error correction code

ECC2 Second error correction code

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in each embodiment in order with reference to the drawings.

[0065] (First embodiment)

First, an image data transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0066] (1 1) Basic configuration

A basic configuration of the image data transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the basic configuration of the image data transmission system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the first terminal apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the second terminal apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0067] In the image data transmission system according to the first embodiment, image data is stored in a recording medium equipped with a memory card, a memory stick, or the like at a store at an overseas travel destination or the like by the owner user. An example will be described in the case of being brought in. For example, it may be brought in while being stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk, a DVD or a DVD built in the digital camera.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image data transmission system according to the first embodiment mainly includes a first terminal device 110 and a second terminal device 210 accommodated in the Internet 500.

[0069] The first terminal device 110 is configured in hardware as a personal computer or the like arranged at the store of an overseas photo store 100 that is a travel destination photo store. The first terminal device described below 11 Various logical components that perform various functions related to 0 are embodied by software. The first terminal device 110 is connected to a data reading device 120 for reading the image data 10.

[0070] The second terminal device 210 is configured by a personal computer or the like disposed in the store of the domestic photo store 200, which is a photo store in the country or a third country for the user, a collection / delivery center, or a service center. A plurality of second terminal devices 210 arranged in this way are arranged in the image data transmission system. Note that only one second terminal device 210 arranged in this way may be arranged. In the second terminal apparatus 210, various logical components that perform various functions related to the second terminal apparatus 210 described below are embodied by software.

The image data 10 is, for example, electronic photograph data (that is, photograph data generated by photographing with a digital camera or a digital camera or a video camera). The format may be based on, for example, the iiJPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) standard or based on the MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) standard.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first terminal device 110 includes a first processing unit 111 and a first communication unit 112. The first processing unit 111 includes a controller, a memory, and the like. The first communication unit 112 includes a modem or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second terminal apparatus 210 includes a second processing unit 211, a second communication unit 212, a recording unit 215, a state information generation unit 216, and a selection unit 217. The second processing unit 211 includes a determination unit 213 and a selective error correction unit 214. The second processing unit 211, the state information generation unit 216, the selection unit 217, the determination unit 213, and the selective error correction unit 214 each include a controller, a memory, and the like. The second communication unit 212 includes a modem or the like. The recording unit 215 includes a controller, an optical pickup, and the like.

[0074] (1-2) Principle of operation (generation of communication data)

Next, the operation principle of generating communication data according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 as appropriate in addition to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation principle on the first terminal device side according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of communication data according to the first embodiment. Here, as operations related to the generation of communication data, first terminal apparatus 110 performs the processing of steps S102 to S111, which is the first half of the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, when image data 10 is brought in by the user on the first terminal device 110 side, the flag register and the like of first terminal device 110 are initialized (step S 101). Then, the image data 10 is read into the first terminal device 110 via the data reading device 120 (step S102). At this time, management information for managing image data, which will be described later, such as various types of user identification information indicating a user ID (Identification), name, address, telephone number, etc., is also read. Such management information may be input via, for example, an input unit including a keyboard, a mouse, an input pen, a voice input device, and the like provided in the first terminal device 110, or a user-owned image. The first terminal device 110 may be configured to read from a memory card or the like in which the data 10 is recorded or a user-owned digital camera or the like through an input port of a predetermined standard. Furthermore, the first terminal device 110 may be read from a device that is not directly related to the image data 10 such as a mobile phone owned by a user or a device that is not directly related to the image data 10 through a port of a predetermined standard or by telephone. The read image data 10 and management information are stored in a recording medium such as a hard disk of the first terminal device 110 (step S 103).

Next, the first processing unit 111 embeds or inserts a generation-specific watermark in the image data 10 (step S 104). That is, it is related to the image data such as the name of the copyright holder and the identification number so that it is difficult or impossible for some observers to observe the image corresponding to the image data on the display. Predetermined types of information such as text information and digital information to be embedded are embedded as watermarks. The watermark embedded here is further “entering generations”, and has information indicating what generation of copy the image data 10 is.

Next, the first processing unit 111 performs format processing on the image data 10.

(Step S105). As part of this formatting process, management information 50 (see FIG. 5) for managing image data is added to the image data 10 (step S106). The management information 50 includes, for example, (1) a user ID (Identificatio) for identifying a user, a memory card storing image data, a digital camera related to generation of image data, and the like. n) Various user identification information or I information indicating name, address, telephone number, etc., (2) Copyright holder management information specifying the copyright holder of image data, (3) Image data is photographic information or Data type information indicating whether it is related to still image information, audio information or video information, (4) date / time information indicating the date and time when the image data was stored, or date / time when a picture of the image data was taken Date and time information, (5) image data storage location, image data delivery destination, location information specifying the destination of the printed out photo, (6) image data content, Processing information indicating basic processing or special processing to be executed later when recording on a recording medium such as a DVD, such as contrast and backlight correction, etc., (7) Added by the second terminal device or the management center as desired. Show product music, photos, etc. Content addition instruction information, (8) Individual encryption key used for encryption at the time of data transmission / reception, (9) Identification information or information of data package managed by the management center, (10) Management section Date and time information indicating the registration date and time. Furthermore, history information indicating the history of data input / output recording from the management center, printout processing, disc creation, etc. may be included as part of the management information. In addition to disc I and blueprints and EDC (Error Detection Code) information that conforms to certain types of standards such as the DVD standard, disc management information or file systems that are recorded in units of sectors. Information that is at least a part is included in the management information here. Preferably, the various types of management information such as the user identification information and the copyright holder management information described above can be used as they are (or only slightly modified) on a recording medium that conforms to a certain type of standard such as the DVD standard. In addition, it is added to the image data 10 as management information 50 conforming to a predetermined type of standard such as the DVD standard so that it can be recorded and reproduced as appropriate management information. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in particular, processing instruction information for instructing the processing process to the second terminal apparatus 210 side is added as the management information 50 (step S106). As the processing process instructed by the processing instruction information, background music suitable for the image data 10 is added, such as adding music in the case of a slide show, or the background image (i.e., corresponding to the image indicated by the image data 10). , Background image) and image data indicating a display image are added. Further, specific identification information (such as a song name) of music to be added, background image identification information, and the like are also added as processing instruction information. Next, a first error correction code ECC1 for performing first error correction on the image data 10 at the time of restoration is added to the image data 10 (step S107). The first error correction code ECC1 is ECC conforming to a predetermined type of standard such as the DVD standard. The addition of the first error correction code ECC1 may be performed before or simultaneously with the addition of the management information 50.

[0081] Next, in the format process, the image data 10 is compliant with the DVD standard or the like.

V interleave processing is performed (step S108).

[0082] Next, in the format process, the image data 10 is compliant with the DVD standard or the like.

V, encryption is performed (step S109).

[0083] Next, the image data 10 subjected to the formatting process as described above by the first processing unit 111 is divided and packaged into data package units having a fixed data length, and n (where n is a natural number) pieces. Data package 60 (see FIG. 5) is generated (step S110).

Next, a second error correction code ECC 2 (in FIG. 5) for performing second error correction on each of the n data packages generated by the first processing unit 111 when the data package is restored. , Code 90) is added (step S111). Since n data packages have a fixed data length, the ability to use error-correcting codes that make it possible to correct existing errors, such as ECC, is possible here. The size of the data package unit with a fixed data length is not particularly limited as long as it is a size suitable for transmission via a communication network such as the Internet 500 described below.

[0085] Through the above processing by the first processing unit 111, the generation watermark is embedded in the image data 10 and is managed in the image data 10 in which the generation watermark is embedded in the same or similar format as the DVD format. The communication data is generated as n data packages to which the information and the first error correction code ECC1 are added and the second error correction code ECC2 is added in units of data packages.

[0086] (1 3) Configuration of communication data

Next, the configuration of communication data will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram having the same concept as FIG. 5 according to the modification. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 5, the communication data includes management information 50, a data package 60, and a second error correction code ECC2 (reference numeral 90 in FIG. 5). As described above, the management information 50 includes various user identification information, copyright owner management information, data type information, and the like. The data package 60 is generated by being divided into packages after being subjected to the formatting process as described above, and is generated in the same or similar format as the DVD format. The second error correction code ECC2 (symbol 90 in FIG. 5) is attached to each data package 60.

[0088] As shown as a modification in FIG. 6, the data package 62 may be based on the JPEG standard or may be based on the MPEG standard. That is, in the above-described formatting process (step S105 in FIG. 4), formatting may be performed based on the JPEG standard or the MPEG standard.

[0089] (1 -4) Principle of operation (transmission and reception of communication data)

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7, the operation principle of transmission / reception of communication data according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation principle on the second terminal apparatus side according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing image information as a decoding key according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a template of a recording medium according to a modification of the first embodiment.

Here, as operations related to transmission / reception of communication data, first terminal device 110 performs the processing of steps S 120 and S 133, which is the latter half of the flowchart shown in FIG. In the two-terminal device 120, the processing of steps S201 to S213 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is performed.

As shown in FIG. 4, at the time of transmission of communication data, first, the selection unit 217 selects a communication data transmission destination from among the second terminal devices 210 stored in the Internet 500. Selected (step S120). At this time, for example, one power as a transmission destination of communication data generated corresponding to the image data 10 brought in by the user, for example, economic conditions such as geographical conditions, exchange rates, etc. relating to the user and the store Order conditions (empty status) and appropriate equipment at each domestic photo store 200 where the second terminal device 210 is located. It is selected according to the equipment conditions at each store, etc., and the user's wishes and preferences. The selection here may be performed by the selection unit 217 including a keyboard, a mouse, an input pen, a voice input device, or the like, according to an operation input by a user or a store clerk, or managed by the selection unit 217. It may be automatically performed based on the information 50 or the like. For example, the terminal device 110 is the order indicator information indicating the order status at each domestic photo shop 200, which is updated regularly or irregularly by the second terminal device 120 via the Internet 500. The first processing unit 111 may select the photo shop 200 with the smallest order quantity according to the latest order indicator information stored therein. Alternatively, the first terminal device 110 obtains the received order indicator information from the second terminal device 120 via the Internet 500 in real time before transmitting the communication data, and the first processing unit 111 accordingly obtains the received order indicator information. You may choose 200 photo shops. Further, the first processing unit 111 may select a plurality of photo shops 200 whose order quantity is less than a certain standard, and the user may select one from among them via the input device. Alternatively, one of a plurality of photo exhibitions 200 listed on the screen of the display device provided in the first device 110 may be selected by a user's mouse operation or the like. Therefore, the transmission destination of the communication data can be set flexibly in the second terminal device 210 suitable for the user who is the owner of the image data 10 among the plurality of second terminal devices 210.

Next, authentication power between the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 210 is executed between the first communication unit 112 and the second communication unit 212 via the Internet 500 (step S121). ). Thereafter, the communication data generated as described above is transmitted to the second terminal device 210 via the Internet 500 (step S 122). As the communication network, a dedicated line network may be used instead of the Internet 500. As the authentication method here, for example, various existing authentication methods that transmit and receive passwords and ciphers can be applied. Therefore, the first communication unit 112 and the second communication unit 212 transmit / receive at least a part of the management information 50 for authentication or other authentication information before transmission / reception of communication data. First, authentication processing is performed. If authentication cannot be performed, the subsequent processing is stopped. The authentication process may be performed immediately after transmission / reception of communication data.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, on the second terminal device 210 side, the flag register of the second terminal device 210 is displayed. Is initialized (step S201), and authentication with the first communication unit 112 is performed (step S202). Thereafter, communication data is received from the first terminal device 110 via the Internet 500 by the second communication unit 212 including, for example, a modem (step S2 04). At this time, even if the data size of the image data is large, the image data 10 is divided into packages, so that a plurality of or many data packages 60 can be transmitted and received in parallel, so that the data is relatively reliable. Can be sent and received quickly.

Next, a second error correction is performed on the received communication data based on the second error correction code ECC2 for each data package by the second processing unit 211 including a controller, a memory, and the like. The n data packages 60 are restored (step S205). For example, error correction by ECC is performed on the data packages. Since n data packages have a fixed data length, for example, ECC and relatively simple and reliable error correction are possible here.

Next, a decryption process corresponding to the above-described encryption process (step S 109) is performed (step S 206). Therefore, the confidentiality of the communication data transmitted / received via the Internet 500 can be remarkably enhanced by the encryption process. As the encryption process here, for example, various existing encryption processes using a public key and a private key can be applied. Note that such encryption processing may be performed on the data package in place of or instead of such encryption processing.

As shown in FIG. 8, the decryption key for the decryption process may be transmitted / received as image information 30. That is, first, at the time of encryption processing on the first terminal device 110 side, a decryption key is generated as image information and transmitted to the second terminal device 210 side via the communication network. In the decryption process, the decryption key may be obtained by viewing this image information. In this way, the decryption key cannot be recognized unless image information is displayed and viewed. Therefore, the confidentiality of the decryption key can be remarkably improved. Accordingly, the confidentiality of communication data transmitted / received via the Internet 500 can be further enhanced. In FIG. 8, image information 35 representing a character string having a different inclination of each character is image information indicating that it is a decryption key, and is a blurred character string, a character string having a different size or inclination for each character, Image information 30a, which is extremely noisy and is an image 30b and 30c are image information including a decryption key. If the image information 30a, 30b, and 30c is determined by the recognition ability including human guesses and the decryption key is obtained, the confidentiality can be effectively improved.

Next, the restored n data packages 60 are connected by the recording unit 215 including a controller, an optical pickup, and the like (step S 209).

Next, the restored image data 10 is processed by the second processing unit 211 in accordance with the processing instruction information included in the management information 50 added thereto (step S210). That is, for example, knocking ground music is added or background images and display images are added. When such processing is performed, the management information 50 may be updated according to the processing performed on the image data 10.

As described above, since the management information 50 including the cache instruction information is added to the image data 10, for example, music information or the like necessary for performing the processing is shared with the image data 10. Don't send to. If content information such as music information for such processing is transmitted together with image data, the amount of transmission increases and it is difficult to transmit it quickly or efficiently. Conversely, if a large amount of data for processing is prepared in advance on the second terminal device 210 side, then, according to the processing instruction information, the huge amount of data for processing in advance is appropriately stored. By using it, processing can be performed quickly and efficiently.

Next, the generation watermark included in the image data 10 is updated by the second processing unit 211 (step S211). The generation watermark is updated in the order of 0th generation → 1st generation → 2nd generation →… every time data is copied at the 2nd terminal. At this time, the management information 50 added to the image data 10 is also updated (step S211).

Next, the recording unit 215 performs modulation processing such as 8-16 modulation on the image data 10 constituting the data package 60 that has been connected (step S212). It should be noted that the first terminal device 110 side may perform 8-16 modulation and transmit the force in advance, but in this case, since the data to be transmitted swells about twice, the second terminal device 210 uses 8 — 16 modulation is more advantageous. Even if modulation processing is performed in this way, the first error correction code ECC1 is still valid, and the image data 10 recorded on the recording medium is later restored (in other words, The first error correction can be effectively performed during playback.

[0102] Next, the image data 10 subjected to the modulation process such as the 8-16 modulation is recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or an optical disk by the recording device 230 (step S213). . At this time, the first error correction code ECC1 can be used to perform the first error correction when the image data recorded on the recording medium is later restored (in other words, reproduced). That is, while maintaining the relationship with the image data, it is recorded together with the image data on the recording medium as part or all of the connected data package.

[0103] Further, since the management information 50 is added to the image data 10 in advance in accordance with a recording medium standard such as the DVD standard, it has been subjected to some correction or correction as it is. Later, the image data 10 and the first error correction code ECC1 are recorded on the recording medium as part or all of the connected data package. Similarly, even if it is a watermark, it is embedded in the image data in advance in accordance with a recording medium standard such as the DVD standard, so that the relationship with the image data is maintained as it is. Or, after some corrections, additions or updates, they are recorded on the recording medium together with the image data. Accordingly, when the image data recorded on the recording medium is later restored (in other words, reproduced), the management information 50 added in advance on the first terminal device 110 side and the watermark embedded in advance are at least partially As a whole, efficiency can be improved.

[0104] Power! In addition, since the image data 10 has been processed (step S210) by the second processing unit 211, the added value of the original image data is finally increased to the second terminal. It will be provided in the form of a DVD or the like at a store where the device is located.

[0105] After that, at the domestic photo shop 200 where the second terminal device 210 is arranged, the image data in which the generational watermark is embedded in this way 10 power part of the first error correction code ECC1 and the management information 50 or Various related tasks such as holding and delivery of recording media recorded together, printout and delivery based on this, are performed.

As described above, if the first error correction code ECC1 is added in advance as the same format as the format of the recording medium such as the DVD format on the first terminal device 110 side in advance, When recording on the recording medium on the second terminal device 210 side, it is convenient to record on a recording medium such as a DVD without changing the first error correction code ECC1 in the restored data package. . Furthermore, if the management information 50 other than the first error correction code ECC1 is added as the same as the format of the recording medium such as the DVD format, then the second terminal device 210 side, This is very convenient because there is no need to modify management information 50. For the same purpose, the addition (recording) of management information 50 over many items to image data 10 is usually similar or blank even if it is not completely the same as the format of a recording medium such as a DVD format. If the same format is used, that is, if a template that conforms to the format of the recording medium such as the DVD format is used, the management information is hardly or slightly modified when recording on the recording medium such as the DVD. This is very convenient.

As shown in FIG. 9, for example, a recording medium in which a read user in 41, a lead out 42, a file system 43, and an application 44 of a DVD format are recorded in advance may be prepared on the second terminal device 210 side. For example, image data can be transferred in DVD format and recorded as user data 45, which is very convenient.

In this case, on the second terminal device 210 side, for example, the management information 50 is recorded on a partial hybrid disk having a format partially formatted in advance as the above template, authored, and recorded on the disk. Record it. For example, a hard disk is prepared on the second terminal device 210 side, and partial hybrid format data is stored in advance as a template here, and the image data included in the data package restored from the received communication data 10 May be partially inserted here. In either case, ECC data in DVD format that has been added before transmission on the first terminal device 110 side can be used as it is for recording on a recording medium, enabling efficient recording processing. .

[0109] Furthermore, as described above, since there is a generational watermark in the image data 10, via the Internet 500, such as electrophotographic data with copyrights associated with personal privacy or with high property value. Even if the image data 10 of this site is stolen or lost in the process of transmission or storage, appropriate protection can be achieved. For example, even if it is stolen or lost The image data 10 has a generational watermark at a predetermined location, so whether it is legal or illegal, including how many times the data was copied. It can be made clear by an authorized copyright holder. At that time, regarding the legal rights or legal relations such as who the copyright relating to the image data 10 belongs to, the relationship between the generational watermark embedded in the image data 10 and the management information 50 It is made clear.

[0110] As a result, transmission of the image data 10 such as electrophotographic data via the Internet 500 can be performed with relatively high reliability and relatively efficiently. For this reason, at stores such as overseas travel destinations where image data is brought in by the user, it is possible to realize a service for sending image data such as stored electronic photo data to other stores in the user's country. Furthermore, it is possible to realize a service for delivering DVDs and prints to the user's home finally from such other stores.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, in particular, on the second terminal device 210 side where the communication data is received, the determination unit 213 performs n second data correction (step S205). It is determined whether or not the force has successfully restored the knock (step S207). If the determination unit 213 determines that the second error correction (step S205) has correctly restored (step S207: Yes), the first error correction is not performed. That is, since the image data 10 can be restored from the data package 60 without performing the first error correction, the waste of performing the first error correction on the dark cloud is avoided. On the other hand, if the determination unit 213 determines that the second error correction (step S205) cannot restore correctly (step S207: No), the selective error correction unit 214 connects n data packages 60. (Step S221). Subsequently, in addition to the second error correction, the first error correction is performed on the received communication data (step S222). Therefore, in the second error correction, even if the error frequency due to transmission errors is so high that it cannot be corrected, there is a possibility that error correction can be executed by the first error correction code ECC1 added in each data package. Is significantly increased. Then, error correction is executed by the first error correction (step S 222), and if the data package is correctly restored (step S 223: Yes), recording on the recording medium is performed by the recording unit 215 as usual. In addition to the second error correction, the first error If error correction is not possible even after error correction (step S 223: No), recording by the recording unit 215 is stopped and re-executed and special processing such as external output of error messages is performed. (Step S231).

[0112] Furthermore, as described above, after determining whether or not the force was able to correctly restore the data package (Step S207, Step S223), it is indicated whether or not the force was successfully restored by the determination unit 213. The state information is generated by the state information generation unit 216 and transmitted by the second communication unit 212 (Step S208, Step S224, and Step S231). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, on the first terminal device 110 side that has already transmitted the communication data, the state information is received by the first communication unit 112 (step S 123). Here, the state information indicating whether or not the force determined to have been correctly restored by the determination unit 213 is generated for at least m data samples / cages that are not determined to have been correctly restored, and is generated by the state information generation unit 216. Is transmitted by the second communication unit 212 (step S231). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, on the first terminal device 110 side that has already transmitted the communication data, when the first communication unit 112 receives the status information (step S123), it is determined that it has been correctly restored according to this content. The predetermined number of m data packages are retransmitted by the first communication unit 112 (step S141). That is, it is determined that the data has been correctly restored according to the contents of the state information, and the (n−m) data packages are not retransmitted by the first communication unit 112. Therefore, as compared with the case of retransmitting all n data packages at the time of retransmission as described above, the amount of data related to transmission / reception can be reduced, and efficient data transmission can be achieved.

[0113] Next, when it is determined that the restoration was correctly performed according to the contents of the received status information

In (Step S124: Yes), the first processing unit 111 deletes the image data 10 corresponding to the already transmitted communication data (Step S125). That is, the image data 10 existing in an arbitrary recording medium or storage medium on the first terminal device 110 side is deleted. The original image data 10 on the recording medium such as a memory card brought in by the user may be deleted.

[0114] Conversely, if it is not determined that the data has been correctly restored according to the content of the received status information (step S124: No), the first processing unit 111 has already transmitted the communication data. The image data 10 corresponding to the data is not deleted. In this case, special processing such as re-transmission processing (step S131), which will be described later, or a separate error message is output (step 123) is performed. In either case, the user can delete the image data 10 brought into the store at an overseas travel destination or the like with a relatively high level of security.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, on the first terminal device 110 side that has already transmitted the communication data (step S122), the state information is received by the first communication unit 112 (step S123). If it is determined that the data has been correctly restored according to this content (step S 114: No), the first communication unit 112 uses the communication data power corresponding to n data samples / cages. Then, it is retransmitted (step S141). At this time, a retransmission count for recording the number of retransmissions is added, that is, counted up (step S131). Here, the retransmission may be performed only once, or may be performed only a predetermined number of times. The timing for performing the retransmission may be immediate, or after the elapse of a predetermined period (for example, 1 Minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, etc.). If the number of retransmissions exceeds the predetermined number (step S132: Yes), an e-mail for notifying the first terminal device 110 that it will be transmitted at a later date is transmitted, and a list to be retransmitted at a later date. (Step S133).

[0116] It should be noted that the same communication data is simply transmitted twice or more from the first terminal device 110 side without transmitting the state information of the second terminal device 210 side. You may make it. With this configuration, it is possible to dramatically reduce the possibility that communication data will not be transmitted and received accurately due to a transmission error or the like.

As a result of the above, according to the first embodiment, transmission of electrophotographic data via a communication network such as the Internet 500 can be performed with high reliability and efficiency. However, you can avoid accidentally erasing the original image data that is important to the user.

[0118] (Second Example)

Next, the image data transmission system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 as appropriate in addition to FIGS. 10 to 12. FIG.

[0119] (2— 1) Basic configuration

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the image data transmission system according to the second embodiment of the present invention The basic configuration will be described. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the basic configuration of the image data transmission system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the management center according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 10, the same components as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the image transmission system according to the second embodiment, in particular, the management center 300 is accommodated in the Internet 500. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the management center 300 includes a third communication unit 312, a selection unit 317, a transmission destination information generation unit 318, and a storage unit 319. The selection unit 317 and the transmission destination information generation unit 318 each include a controller, a memory, and the like. The third communication unit 312 includes a modem. The configurations of the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 210 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0122] (2-2) Principle of operation

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the operation principle of the first terminal device and the management center according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation principle of the first terminal device and the management center according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same constituent elements as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same constituent elements, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 12, when transmitting / receiving communication data, first, prior to this transmission / reception (step S304), the first terminal apparatus 110 inquires the management center 300 about the transmission destination of communication data. Is performed (step S311). Then, on the management center 300 side, a plurality of destinations of communication data generated corresponding to the image data brought in by the user from the second terminal device 210 accommodated in the Internet 500 One of these is selected according to the geographical condition, the economic condition, the order status, the user's desire, etc. as described above (step S401). The selection here is automatically performed by the selection unit 317 based on the management information 50 or the like. For example, the management center 300 is order indicator information indicating the order status at each domestic photo store 200 and is interfaced by the second terminal device 120. What is regularly or irregularly updated via one net 500 is always held in a part of the storage unit 319, and in accordance with the latest order indicator information stored, the third processing unit 311 The photo shop 200 with the smallest order quantity may be selected. Alternatively, before transmitting the communication data, the management center 300 acquires the received order indicator information from the second terminal device 120 via the Internet 500 in real time, and accordingly, the third processing unit 311 The photo shop 200 may be selected. Furthermore, the management center 300 is a fee information indicating a fee taking into account the exchange rate at each domestic photo shop 200 and is updated regularly or irregularly by the second terminal device 120 via the Internet 500. The third processing unit 311 may select the cheapest photo shop 200 according to the latest charge information stored in the storage unit 319 at all times. Alternatively, before transmitting the communication data, the management center 300 acquires the charge information from the second terminal device 120 via the Internet 500 in real time, and the third processing unit 311 follows this information. The photo shop 200 may be selected.

When one second terminal apparatus 210 is selected as a transmission destination in this way, transmission destination information indicating the selected one is generated by transmission destination information generation section 318 (step S402). Further, transmission destination information is transmitted by the third communication unit 312 (step S403). Then, on the first terminal device 110 side, the destination information is received by the first communication unit 112 (step S303). According to the received destination information, communication data is transmitted to the selected second terminal apparatus 210 without relaying the management center 300 (step S304). Therefore, the communication data transmission destination can be set flexibly in the second terminal device 210 suitable for the user who owns the image data 10 among the plurality of second terminal devices 210.

[0125] Preferably, when the management center 300 is sent, the tag is distributed to the user, for example, a tag (TAG: electronic tag) is transmitted to the user's mobile phone. Then, at the domestic photo shop 200 where the second terminal device 210 is placed after that, it is possible to conduct over-the-counter transactions according to the identity verification by exchange. The management center 300 may be requested to distribute tags when verifying the identity of this over-the-counter transaction. In the management center, the progress of the recording work on the recording medium is informed to the users to be managed. It may be provided in a form such as browsing.

Next, on the first terminal device 110 side, if the user wishes to transmit the management information 50 to the management center 300 (step S305: Yes), the management information 50 is transmitted to the management center 300. (Step S306).

[0127] Next, the management center 300 receives the management information 50 (step S411) and stores it in the storage unit 319 (step S412). For this reason, the management center 300 refers to the management information 50 stored in the storage unit 319 and performs the selection operation (step S401) by the selection unit 317 without transmitting / receiving image data other than the management information 50. That is, it is only necessary to organize traffic. On the other hand, transmission / reception of communication data is performed directly between the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 210 via the Internet 500 as described above (step S304). That is, it is not necessary to relay the management center 300. Therefore, the processing load at the management center 300 can be reduced, and efficient data transmission as a whole becomes possible.

[0128] (Third embodiment)

Next, the image data transmission system according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 10 described above in addition to FIGS.

[0129] (3-1) Basic configuration

The basic configuration of the image data transmission system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 10, the basic configuration of the image transmission system according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the management center 300 is accommodated in the Internet 500.

[0131] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, the configuration of the first terminal device 110 and the second terminal device 210 is as follows.

The same as in the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, the management center 300 includes a third processing unit 311 in addition to the third communication unit 312 and the storage unit 319. The configurations of the third communication unit 312 and the storage unit 319 are the same as those of the second embodiment. The third processing unit 311 includes a controller, a memory, and the like.

[0133] (3-2) Principle of operation (Data generation for communication)

Next, referring to FIG. 14, the operation source for generating communication data according to the third embodiment of the present invention is described. The reason will be explained. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operating principle of the first terminal apparatus according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 14, the same components as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same components, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 14, on the first terminal device 110 side, the first processing unit 111 embeds a generational watermark related to the copyright holder in the image data 10 (step S104). Next, the format process (step S105) is performed on the image data. At that time, management information for managing the image data is added to the image data (step S106). This management information includes processing instruction information as in the first embodiment.

[0135] Next, after authentication processing is performed between the first terminal apparatus 110 and the management center 300 (step S121), not only management information (including processing instruction information) but also images are sent to the management center 300. Communication data including data is transmitted (step S501).

[0136] (3-3) Configuration of communication data

Next, the configuration of communication data will be described with reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram having the same concept as in FIG. 5 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram having the same concept as in FIG. 6 according to a modification of the third embodiment. In FIGS. 15 and 16, the same components as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are denoted by the same components, and the descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 15, the communication data includes management center information 80. Other configurations are the same as those of the communication data according to the first embodiment.

[0138] The management center information 80 is a type of management information, and is information that records the history processed by the management center, such as the management center information ID, data input / output records, printout processing data, and disc creation processing data. It is.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 16 as a modified example, the communication data includes the management center information 80, and the data package 62 is similar to the communication data according to the modified example of the first embodiment. May be based on the JPEG standard or based on the MPEG standard.

[0140] (3-4) Operating principle (communication data transmission / reception and subsequent processing)

Next, referring to FIG. 17, transmission / reception of communication data and its transmission according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The operation principle of the subsequent processing will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation principle of the management center according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 17, the same components as those in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same components, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the management center 300 performs authentication processing with the first terminal apparatus 110 (step S601), and then receives communication data (step S602).

[0142] Next, the image data included in the received communication data is processed by the third processing unit 311 according to the processing instruction information included in the management information added thereto (step S603). That is, for example, background music is added, or a knock ground image or a display image is added. When such processing is performed, the management information may be updated according to the processing performed on the image data. As described above, since the management information including the processing instruction information is added to the image data, it is not necessary to transmit, for example, music information, which is necessary for performing the processing, together with the image data. If content information such as music information for such processing is transmitted together with image data, the amount of transmission increases and it is difficult to transmit the information quickly or efficiently. Conversely, if a large amount of data for processing is prepared in advance on the management center 300 side, then, according to the processing instruction information, the vast amount of data for processing in advance can be used appropriately. Processing can be performed quickly and efficiently.

Next, the third processing unit 311 updates the generational watermark included in the received communication data (step S603). That is, for example, a generation watermark is updated to indicate 0th generation → 1st generation when data is copied in the management center 300.

[0144] Next, a plurality of second terminal devices 210 accommodated in the Internet 500 are selected as transmission destinations (step S402), and the updated generational watermark is embedded by the third processing unit 311. The image data to which management information is added, that is, updated or not, that is, communication data is transmitted to the selected second terminal device 210 of the transmission destination via the third communication unit ( Step S604). That is, the communication data is relayed from the first terminal device 110 to the selected second terminal device 210 via the management center 300. Communication data is transmitted.

[0145] On the other hand, on the second terminal device 210 side, when the generation watermark is copied in the second terminal device, it is updated so as to indicate the first generation → the second generation. In this way, there is a generational watermark in the image data that is updated by the management center 300 that functions as a relay station. Appropriate protection of image data such as electrophotographic data with copyright is possible.

[0146] Power! On the second terminal device 210 side, the processed image data included in the received communication data is, for example, a DVD or an optical disk by the recording unit 215, as in the first embodiment. Recorded on a recording medium. Therefore, what has added value to the original image data will be provided in the form of DVD or the like at the store where the second terminal device is finally arranged.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, when the user desires (Step S 605), the management center 300 performs communication data including image data as well as management information or processing. The image data that is not applied or not is stored in the storage unit 329 (step S606). The stored management information may be received separately from the communication data, or may be restored from the received communication data. In this way, when transmitting and receiving communication data, the management center 300 equipped with a high-performance computer or the like is relayed, so that it is extremely safe and highly reliable from the first terminal device 110 to the second terminal device 210. Data transmission is possible with this. The management center can also manage the image data and management information after data transmission. In particular, since the processed image data can be stored, the image data with knocked ground music can be centrally managed by the management center.

[0148] In the image data transmission system according to the third embodiment, the first processing unit 111 performs an encryption process on the image data or the communication data as in the first embodiment (step S). 109), the second processing unit 211 and the management center 300 perform decryption processing corresponding to the encryption processing on the received communication data. For this reason, the confidentiality of communication data transmitted and received via the Internet 500 is remarkably enhanced by encryption processing. You can

[0149] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

Changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the gist or philosophy of the invention, and such changes can be made.

The accompanying image data transmission system and method, and terminal devices constituting the transmission side and the reception side of the system are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

[0150] The image data transmission system and method according to the present invention, and the terminal device constituting each of the transmission side and the reception side of the system, for example, in an overseas photo shop where electrophotographic data is brought into a store at an overseas travel destination, A first terminal device such as a personal computer, and a second terminal device such as a personal computer that are accommodated in the same communication network such as the Internet as the first terminal device in a country or the like. The image data transmission system and method can be used for such first and second terminal devices.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] An image data transmission system including a first terminal device and a second terminal device accommodated in a communication network,

(I) The first terminal device is

Including a process of adding management information for managing the image data to the image data to be transmitted and a first error correction code for performing the first error correction when the image data is restored. Formatting is performed, and the image data subjected to the formatting process is divided and packaged into data package units of a fixed data length to generate n (where n is a natural number) data packages. A first processing means for generating communication data by adding a second error correction code for performing a second error correction to each of the n data packages when restoring the data package;

First communication means for transmitting the generated communication data via the communication network,

(II) The second terminal device is

Second communication means for receiving the transmitted communication data via the communication network, and for the received communication data, based on the second error correction code in the data package unit; Second processing means for performing the second error correction and restoring the n data packages;

An image data transmission system comprising: a recording unit that connects the restored n data packages and records the data packages on a recording medium.

[2] The data structure of the image data to which the first error correction code is added conforms to a predetermined standard defined as a data structure for recording on the recording medium. The image data transmission system described in 1.

[3] The second processing means includes

Determining means for determining whether or not the n data packages can be correctly restored by the second error correction;

When it is determined that the second error correction can be correctly restored, the first error correction is not performed, and when it is determined that the second error correction cannot be correctly restored, the Selective error correction means for performing the first error correction on the received communication data based on the first error correction code in addition to the second error correction;

The image data transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising:

[4] The second processing means includes:

Determining means for determining whether or not the n data packages have been correctly restored by at least the second error correction of the first and second error corrections;

State information generating means for generating state information indicating whether or not the force determined to have been correctly restored by the determining means;

With

The second communication means transmits the generated status information via the communication network, the first communication means receives the transmitted status information via the communication network, and The processing means deletes the image data corresponding to the transmitted communication data if it is determined that the determination means correctly restored the data according to the received status information. The image data transmission system according to claim 1.

[5] The second processing means includes

With

The second communication means transmits the generated status information via the communication network, the first communication means receives the transmitted status information via the communication network, and One communication stage is determined to have been correctly restored by the determination means according to the received status information! 2. The image data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein, in that case, the communication data corresponding to the n data packages is retransmitted.

[6] The second processing means includes: Determination means for determining whether or not the n data packages have been correctly restored by at least the second error correction of the first and second error corrections; and the determination means of the n data packages State information generating means for generating state information indicating m data packages (where m is a natural number less than or equal to n) data packages.

With

The second communication means transmits the generated status information via the communication network, the first communication means receives the transmitted status information via the communication network, and 1 communication stage retransmits the portion of the communication data corresponding to the m data packages according to the received status information.

The image data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein

[7] The first processing means performs encryption processing on the generated data package before and after adding the second error correction code,

The second processing means performs a decryption process corresponding to the encryption process immediately before performing the second error correction on the received communication data.

The image data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein

[8] The first processing means generates a decryption key for the decryption process as image information,

The first communication means transmits the decryption key via the communication network, and the second communication means receives the decryption key via the communication network. The image data transmission system according to item 7 of the scope.

[9] A plurality of the second terminal devices are accommodated in the communication network,

The first terminal device transmits the generated communication data from the plurality of second terminal devices before transmitting the generated communication data via the communication network. And further comprising selection means for selecting one of the destinations,

The first communication means transmits the communication data to one selected by the selection means.

The image data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein

[10] A management center is further accommodated in the communication network,

A plurality of the second terminal devices are accommodated in the communication network,

The management center includes: (a) selection means for selecting one of the plurality of second terminal devices accommodated as a transmission destination of the generated communication data; and (b) the selected one. Transmission destination information generating means for generating transmission destination information indicating the other, and (c) third communication means for transmitting the generated transmission destination information via the communication network,

The first communication means receives the transmitted destination information via the communication network, and transmits the communication data to the selected one according to the received destination information.

The image data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein

[11] The management center further comprises storage means for storing the management information,

The first communication means transmits the communication data to one selected by the selection means without relaying the management center, and transmits the management information to the management center.

11. The image data transmission system according to claim 10, wherein:

[12] A first terminal device accommodated together with a second terminal device in a communication network,

A format that includes processing for adding management information for managing the image data to the image data to be transmitted and a first error correction code for performing the first error correction when the image data is restored. Processing, and the image data subjected to the format processing is divided and packaged into data package units of fixed data length to generate n (where n is a natural number) data packages, and the generated n data First processing means for generating communication data by adding a second error correction code for performing a second error correction at the time of restoration of the data package to each of the data packages;

First communication means for transmitting the generated communication data to the second terminal device via the communication network;

A first terminal device comprising:

[13] A second terminal device accommodated in the communication network together with the first terminal device,

The first terminal device manages image data for image data to be transmitted. Format information including processing for adding the first error correction code for performing the first error correction at the time of restoration to the management information for the image data and the image data, and converting the image data subjected to the format processing to a fixed data length N (where n is a natural number) data packages are divided into data packages, and a second error occurs when the data package is restored for each of the generated n data packages. The communication data generated by adding the second error correction code for correction is transmitted via the communication network,

The second terminal device is

A second terminal apparatus comprising: a recording unit that connects the restored n data packages and records the data packages on a recording medium.

An image data transmission method executed in an image data transmission system including a first terminal device and a second terminal device accommodated in a communication network,

(I) In the first terminal device,

Including a process of adding management information for managing the image data to the image data to be transmitted and a first error correction code for performing the first error correction when the image data is restored. Formatting is performed, and the image data subjected to the formatting process is divided and packaged into data package units of a fixed data length to generate n (where n is a natural number) data packages. A first processing step of generating communication data by adding a second error correction code for performing a second error correction to each of the n data packages when restoring the data package;

A first communication step of transmitting the generated communication data via the communication network, and

(II) In the second terminal device,

A second communication step of receiving the transmitted communication data via the communication network; A second processing step of performing the second error correction on the received communication data in units of the data package based on the second error correction code and restoring the n data packages When,

A recording step of connecting the restored n data packages and recording on the recording medium is executed.

An image data transmission method characterized by the above.