JP2002024569A - System for providing virtual area including image and picture unit transaction method and image writing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for providing a virtual area capable of performing the transaction of image units separated from an image, or writing another image in a prescribed image, a method for performing the transaction of the image units in the image, and a method for writing another image in the prescribed image. SOLUTION: This system for providing a virtual area including the image via a wire and/or radio communication line to an information communication terminal is provided with a virtual area data base for storing one or more virtual areas, one or more images including at least two image units which are related with the virtual areas, and the data of information related with the image units in each image, a means for outputting information related with the virtual areas including the image and the image units in the images to the information communication terminal, and a means for allowing the information communication terminal to acquire the image units separated from the images in response to a request from the information communication terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a system for providing a virtual area including an image on a network such as the Internet, a method for trading image units in an image, and a method for writing another image on a predetermined image. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a website on the Internet that provides a gallery displaying a plurality of images such as photographs and computer graphics. If desired, store (copy or download) the image displayed in the gallery in an auxiliary storage device of its own personal computer, for example, a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magneto-optical disk (MO), a CD-RW, or the like. Can be.

However, when these images such as photographs and computer graphics are stored in an auxiliary storage device, the entire image is treated as one unit. It could not be stored for each unit. Therefore, if you absolutely want to obtain the image unit, you must use software such as photo retouching software, paint software, and draw software to cut out the image unit you want to process the stored image. , Was very time consuming.

[0004] Further, the user can browse and download the images displayed in the gallery, but cannot modify the images themselves.
It was not possible to communicate with the owner of the image or gallery, or with a third party other than the owner, via the image itself.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a virtual area providing system capable of trading image units separated from an image or writing another image for a predetermined image, and a method of trading image units in an image. , And a method of writing another image on a predetermined image.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a virtual area providing system according to the present invention has a wired and / or
Or a system for providing a virtual area including an image to an information communication terminal via a wireless communication line, wherein the system includes one or more virtual areas, one or more virtual units including at least two or more image units, and And a virtual area database storing data of information relating to the image unit and the image unit in each image, and means for outputting information relating to the virtual area including the image and the image unit in the image to an information communication terminal. And means for causing the information communication terminal to acquire an image unit separated from the image in response to a request from the information communication terminal (claim 1).

The "information communication terminal" in the present invention includes, for example, a personal computer connected to a network such as the Internet, a cellular phone, a PHS, and the like.
And other mobile phone terminals or PDAs (Personal Digit
al Assistant). In the present invention, the "image unit" refers to a basic component of an image having a specific meaning.For example, when there is an image of an airplane flying against a blue sky, the airplane and the blue sky Unit.

According to the invention (claim 1), when a certain person wants an image unit in an image included in a certain virtual area, he / she takes time and effort to separate the desired image unit from the image. Without this, the information communication terminal of the person can be made to acquire the image unit.

In the above invention (claim 1), a part or all of the image units in the image can be obtained, and the information on the image units stored in the virtual area database includes each image unit. And a member database storing identification information of members authorized to access the virtual area, and identification information or information input from the information communication terminal. Determining means for determining whether or not the accessing user is the member based on the identification information of the communication terminal; and an image unit separated from the image in response to a request from the information communication terminal. May be provided, and means for charging a member having the identification information may be provided (claim 2).

[0010] According to this invention (claim 2), it is possible to set whether or not an image unit in an image included in the virtual area can be obtained, and it is easy for a person who has obtained the image unit to obtain the image unit. Can be charged.

In the above invention (claim 2), the data of the owner of each virtual area is stored in the virtual area database, and when a predetermined image unit is acquired, the image unit Means may be provided for paying a predetermined amount of money to the owner of the virtual area in which the fee is charged according to the charged amount.

According to this invention (claim 3), when an image unit in an image included in the virtual area is acquired,
The owner of the virtual area can be easily paid according to the charged amount. Note that this payment amount may be the same as the charged amount,
The amount may be reduced from the charged amount.

In the above inventions (claims 1 to 3), the means for causing the information communication terminal to acquire the image unit is capable of storing the image unit in the auxiliary storage device of the information communication terminal by a user's copy operation. It may be means for closing (claim 4) or means for transmitting an image unit to the information communication terminal (claim 5).

A virtual area providing system according to the present invention is a system for providing a virtual area including an image to an information communication terminal via a wired and / or wireless communication line.
Or a virtual area database storing data of a plurality of virtual areas and one or more images associated with the virtual areas; a means for outputting a virtual area including the images to an information communication terminal; Means for recording image data input from a terminal as image data of a predetermined virtual area in the virtual area database (claim 6).

According to the invention (claim 6), since a third party can write another image on an image included in a certain virtual area, the owner of the virtual area and another image can be written. However, it is possible to communicate with the third party via the written image, and to enhance or change the image included in the virtual area.

In the above invention (claim 6), in the virtual area database, for each virtual area, identification information of a member who is permitted to write another image for an image included in each virtual area. It is further determined whether or not the user who has accessed the virtual area from the information communication terminal is a member who is permitted to write another image on an image included in the virtual area. Determining that the user is a member who is authorized to write another image with respect to the image included in the virtual area when the user is input from the information communication terminal operated by the user. Means for recording image data as image data of the virtual area in the virtual area database (claim 7).

According to this invention (claim 7), only the authorized specific person can write another image on the image included in the virtual area, so that an unspecified third party can arbitrarily write the image. Writing an image can be prevented.

In the above invention (claims 6 and 7), the image is created by specific software, and a member authorized to access the virtual area is provided by a member of the specific software. A member database storing data as to whether or not the user has the software, a judging means for judging whether or not the user accessed from the information communication terminal is the member, and when judging that the user is the member, Determining means for determining whether the user is a person having the software; and inputting information from an information communication terminal operated by the user when the user is determined to be a person having the software. Means for recording image data as image data of a predetermined virtual area in the virtual area database (claim 8).

According to this invention (claim 8), only a person having specific software can write another image on the image included in the virtual area, and therefore, it is created by another software. Problems caused by writing an image can be prevented.

In the above inventions (claims 1 to 8), the data of the owner of each virtual area is stored in the virtual area database, and furthermore, a user who accesses the virtual area from the information communication terminal receives the data. Determining means for determining whether or not the user is an owner of the virtual area; and inputting information from an information communication terminal operated by the user when the user accessing the virtual area is determined to be the owner of the virtual area. Means for recording the obtained image data in the image data of the virtual area in the virtual area database (claim 9).

According to the invention (claim 9), the owner of the virtual area can freely update the image included in the own virtual area.

In the above invention (claims 6 to 9), the image data input from the information communication terminal is image data in image units, and has position information for an image included in the virtual area. The image unit may be written at a predetermined position in an image included in the virtual area based on the position information.
0).

According to the invention (claim 10), the image unit can be written at a desired position in the image included in the virtual area.

In the above invention (claims 1 to 10),
The image is created by specific software, and further, a member database that stores data on whether or not a member authorized to access the virtual area has the specific software, Determining means for determining whether the user accessed from the information communication terminal is the member; and determining whether the user is a person having the software when the user is determined to be the member. Determining means for determining, and determining that the user is a person having the software,
Means for creating a data area of a new virtual area in the virtual area database in response to a request for creating a new virtual area from an information communication terminal operated by the user (claim 11).

According to this invention (claim 11), only a person having specific software can newly create a virtual area, so that no image is registered in the newly created virtual area, or another virtual area is created. It is possible to prevent an image created by software from being registered.

In the above invention (claims 1 to 11),
Further, means for recording the character data input from the information communication terminal in a data area of a predetermined virtual area in the virtual area database,
Means for outputting characters input from the information communication terminal may be provided (claim 12).

According to this invention (claim 12), character information input from a certain person can be displayed in the virtual area. Specifically, the BBS (Bulletintin) is displayed on the virtual area.
Board System), and communication can be achieved not only with images but also with character information.

In the above invention (claims 1 to 12),
Further, in a data area of a predetermined virtual area in the virtual area database, character data input from an information communication terminal operated by an owner of the virtual area and one or more third parties other than the owner operate the character data. Means for recording the character data input from the information communication terminal together with the data specifying the input person, and specifying the character input from the information communication terminal to the information communication terminal with respect to the information communication terminal. Means for outputting the information in chronological order together with the information (claim 13).

According to this invention (claim 13), so-called chat can be performed on the virtual area, and the image can be transferred between the owner of the virtual area and a third party or between the third parties. Communication can be achieved not only with text information but also with text information.

An image unit transaction method according to the present invention is a method for trading an image unit in an image using an information communication terminal connected to a wired and / or wireless communication line. On the other hand, from one or more virtual areas including an image having at least two or more image units,
Selecting one virtual area; reading the selected virtual area from a virtual area database storing data of the one or more virtual areas;
Displaying the information on the information communication terminal and, in response to a request from the information communication terminal, displaying information on an image unit in an image included in the virtual area on the information communication terminal; and On request
Causing the information communication terminal to acquire an image unit separated from the image (claim 14). It should be noted that "transactions per image" in this specification
Shall include the exchange of images without trading. For example, a case where an image unit is copied for free is also included in the concept of “transaction” here.

According to this invention (claim 14), when a certain person wants an image unit in an image included in a certain virtual area, he / she takes time and effort to cut out the desired image unit from the image. Without this, the information communication terminal of the person can be made to acquire the image unit.

Further, the image unit transaction method of the present invention is a method for trading an image unit in an image using an information communication terminal connected to a wired and / or wireless communication line. Reading the identification information of the user who has accessed, and providing the user of the information communication terminal with an image having at least two or more image units.
Or a step of selecting one virtual area from a plurality of virtual areas;
Or read from the virtual area database that stores data of a plurality of virtual areas, and display on the information communication terminal, in response to a request from the information communication terminal,
Displaying, on the information communication terminal, information on whether or not the image unit in the image included in the virtual area is obtainable and, for the obtainable image unit, a charge for the acquisition on the information communication terminal; Accordingly, the method further comprises a step of causing the information communication terminal to acquire an image unit separated from the image, and a step of charging a user having the identification information (claim 15).

According to this invention (claim 15), when a certain person wants an image unit in an image included in a certain virtual area, he / she takes time and effort to cut out the desired image unit from the image. Without this, the information communication terminal of the person can be made to acquire the image unit. Also,
It is possible to set whether or not an image unit in an image included in the virtual area can be obtained, and to easily charge a person who has obtained the image unit.

In the above invention (claim 15), the method may further include a step of paying the owner of the virtual area including the acquired image unit an amount according to the charged amount ( Claim 16). According to this invention (claim 16), when an image unit in an image included in the virtual area is acquired, the owner of the virtual area is easily paid according to the charged amount. be able to.

An image writing method according to the present invention is a method for writing another image on a predetermined image using an information communication terminal connected to a wired and / or wireless communication line,
Causing a user of the information communication terminal to select one virtual area from one or more virtual areas including images having at least two or more image units; Reading from the virtual area database storing the data of the virtual area and displaying the data on the information communication terminal; and displaying the image data input from the information communication terminal on the image of the selected virtual area in the virtual area database. Recording the data (claim 17).

According to this invention (claim 17), since a third party can write another image on an image included in a certain virtual area, the owner of the virtual area and another image can be written. However, it is possible to communicate with the third party via the written image, and to enhance or change the image included in the virtual area.

An image writing method according to the present invention is a method for writing another image on a predetermined image using an information communication terminal connected to a wired and / or wireless communication line. Causing the user to select one virtual area from one or more virtual areas including an image having at least two or more image units; and selecting the selected virtual area from the one or more virtual areas. Reading the data from the virtual area database storing the data and displaying the data on the information communication terminal, and permitting a user who has selected the virtual area to write another image for an image included in the virtual area. Determining whether or not the user is a member; and determining whether the user who has selected the virtual area Recording the image data input from the information communication terminal operated by the user in the image data of the virtual area in the virtual area database when it is determined that the member is authorized to write (Claim 1)
8).

According to this invention (claim 18), since a third party can write another image on an image included in a certain virtual area, the owner of the virtual area and another image can be written. However, it is possible to communicate with the third party via the written image, and to enhance or change the image included in the virtual area. Also, since only the authorized specific person can write another image to the image included in the virtual area, it is possible to prevent an unspecified third party from writing the image without permission. it can.

In the above invention (claims 17 and 18), when the image data input from the information communication terminal is recorded in the image data of the virtual area in the virtual area database, the image data is further accessed from the information communication terminal. The method may further include a step of determining whether or not the user has specific software (claim 19).

According to the invention (claim 19), only a person having specific software can write another image for an image included in the virtual area. It is possible to prevent a problem caused by writing the written image.

[0041]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a virtual area providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a personal computer (client computer) connected to a server computer via the Internet will be described as an example of the information communication terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The virtual area providing system according to the present embodiment comprises a server computer 10 and a plurality of client computers 20 connected to the server computer 10 via the Internet, and can be connected to a bank computer 30 via the Internet. It has become.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the server computer 10. The server computer 10 includes the main control unit 1
1, an output control unit 12, an input control unit 13, a first storage device 14a, a second storage device 14b, a third storage device 14c, and a mail server 15.

The main control unit 11 comprises a CPU, a main storage device (memory), etc., and controls each unit, transfers data,
The output control unit 12 controls data output to the client computer 20, and the input control unit 13 controls data input from the client computer 20.

The first to third storage devices 14a to 14c are:
Each is composed of a storage device such as a hard disk (or a partial disk therein), a main program 141 is stored in a first storage device 14a, and a virtual area database 142 is stored in a second storage device 14b. The member database 143 is stored in the third storage device 14c.

The virtual area database 142 stores a virtual area, an owner of each virtual area, an image included in each virtual area, information on an image unit in each image (name of the image unit, position (address) in the image, Data such as whether or not copying is possible, the price of the copy, the contents of the chat performed on each virtual area, the ID number of the member who is permitted to write, and the like are stored. The member database 143 stores the name and ID number of the member. , A password, a bank account number, data on the presence or absence of specific software, and the like.
The data stored in these databases 142 and 143 is updated as needed to the latest information.

On the other hand, the main program 141 relates to an authentication program for determining whether or not the client computer 20 can access the virtual area based on the identification information input from the client computer 20, a virtual area, an image, and an image unit. An output program that reads information and the like from the virtual area database 142 and outputs the information to the client computer 20;
A storage program that enables the image unit to be stored in the auxiliary storage device of the client computer 20, a charging program that charges the member who has copied the image unit, and a payment program that pays the member who has copied the image unit , Client computer 20
A writing program for recording the image data input from the virtual area database 142 into image data of a predetermined virtual area in the virtual area database 142, a determination program for determining Yes or No for various items, the virtual area database 1
42, a data area creation program for creating a new virtual area data area, and character data input from the client computer 20 together with data specifying the input person in the data area of a predetermined virtual area in the virtual area database 142. There is a chat recording program that records in series.

Next, the processing operation of the virtual area providing system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the image included in the virtual area is created by specific software (hereinafter, “software X”).

First, when the user activates the browser of the client computer 20 and accesses the server computer 10 via the Internet, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 outputs an initial screen to the client computer 20. The initial screen is displayed on the browser of the display device of the client computer 20 (S101). This initial screen is provided with a blank in which a member ID number and password can be input. The browser used on the client computer 20 is a general-purpose WWW.
It may be a browser, a browser dedicated to the virtual area providing system, or a browser integrated with software X for creating an image included in the virtual area.

When the user operates the client computer 20
When an ID number and a password are input and transmitted from an input device such as a keyboard in the server computer 10, the server computer 10
The main control unit 11 reads the ID number and the password (S102), and refers to the member ID number and password data stored in the member database 143 to determine whether or not access is possible (S103).

If it is determined that the ID number and the password input from the client computer 20 are not correct, a warning screen such as “The ID number or the password is incorrect” is displayed on the display device of the client computer 20 ( S104), the procedure is changed to step S1.
Return to 01.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the entered ID number and password are correct, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 determines that the member having the ID number is a member (A It is determined whether the member is a member) or a member who does not have software X (B member) by referring to data stored in the member database 143 (S105).

If it is determined that the accessing user is an A member, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10
Is displayed on the display device of the client computer 20 in FIG.
Is displayed (S10).
6). As shown in FIG. 6, the menu screen 40 includes:
A click button 41 for “entering a virtual area” and a click button 42 for “creation of a new virtual area” are included.

Next, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 sets the click button 41 of “enter virtual area” on the menu screen 40 or the click button 42 of “create new virtual area” on the menu screen 40. It is determined whether or not a click has been performed with a cursor (mouse pointer) based on the operation of a pointing device such as (S107, S1)
08).

When the user clicks the "enter virtual area" click button 41 with the mouse pointer on the menu screen 40, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 specifies the virtual area that the user wants to access. The screen to be displayed is displayed on the display device of the client computer 20 (S109). As such a screen, for example, a screen displaying a list of names or handle names of members who own a virtual area,
Some have a blank for inputting the name or handle name of the member who owns the virtual area, and others have a blank for inputting the name of an image unit included in the image of the virtual area as a keyword.

When a virtual area (for example, a virtual area of ABC) that the user wants to enter is specified in accordance with the above screen, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 reads the information specified by the user and specifies the virtual area. Then, a menu screen 50 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display device of the client computer 20 (S111). As shown in FIG.
0 indicates information for specifying the virtual area (for example, the name or handle name of the owner of the virtual area; here, “ABC's virtual area”) 51, a click button 52 for “viewing the virtual area”, A click button 53 of "copy image unit", a click button 54 of "write image", and a click button 55 of "chat" are included.

Next, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 clicks the “view virtual area” click button 52, the “copy image unit” click button 53, and the “write image” button on the menu screen 50. It is determined whether the button 54 or the "chat" click button 55 has been clicked on the client computer 20 with the mouse pointer (S112, S113, S114, S115).

When the user clicks the “view virtual area” click button 52 with the mouse pointer on the menu screen 50, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 sends the virtual area database 142 The data of the area is read, and the virtual area 60 in which the image 61 is displayed over the entire area as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display device of the client computer 20 (S116). In addition, in this image 61,
House 62, flower 63, first tree (tree a) 6 as an image unit
4, a second tree (tree b) 65, a street background 66, and the like.

When the user clicks the "copy image unit" click button 53 with the mouse pointer on the menu screen 50, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 transmits data from the virtual area database 142. Read, as shown in FIG.
The virtual area 70 in which the image 61 is displayed in the left half of the area and the information 71 on the image unit is displayed in the right half of the area is displayed on the display device of the client computer 20 (S117).

Image 6 shown in left half of virtual area 70
1 includes a house 62, a flower 63, a first tree (tree a) 64, a second tree (tree b) 65, a street background 66, and the like as image units. Further, coordinate axes 67 represented by alphabets are provided at the upper and lower ends of the image 61, respectively.
The left and right ends of 1 are provided with coordinate axes 68 represented by numerals, and these coordinate axes 67 and 68 allow the position of each image to be specified. on the other hand,
The information 71 on the image unit shown in the right half of the virtual area 70 includes the name 72 of each image unit, the address 73 specified by the coordinate axes 67 and 68, and the information on the price of the copy or the availability 74 of the copy. A copy button 75 is provided at the right end of the information on the included and copyable image units.

When the user selects a predetermined image unit in the virtual area 70 and clicks the copy button 75 for that image unit with the mouse pointer (S118), the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10
Refers to the data stored in the virtual area database 142, and determines whether the copy of the selected image unit is paid or free (S119).

If it is determined that the copy of the selected image unit (for example, the house 62) is charged, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 sends the user and the virtual area stored in the member database 143. After referring to the bank account numbers of the 70 owners (ABC),
The user accesses the computer 30 of the bank, debits an amount (for example, 300 yen) corresponding to the price of the image unit copied from the bank account of the user, and also copies the image unit copied to the bank account of the owner of the virtual area 70. An instruction is issued to transfer an amount (300 yen) corresponding to the price (S120).

Next, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 displays the image 61 of the virtual area 70
A copy of the selected image unit (house 62) is enabled (S121). At this time, the image 6 of the virtual area 70
1 is apparently the same as the state of step 117,
The user indicates the selected image unit (house 62) with a mouse pointer, and performs an operation of right-clicking to copy and paste, for example, to perform a desired auxiliary storage device in his / her client computer 20, for example, a hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical Magnetic disk (MO), CD-R
The image unit (house 62) can be stored in W or the like.

Main control unit 11 of server computer 10
Determines whether or not the image unit (house 62) has been copied by the user (S122). If it is determined that the image unit (house 62) has been copied, a "copy complete" message is displayed in the vicinity of the image unit (house 62). (S123).

As a method of causing the client computer 20 to acquire an image unit, for example, there is a method of separately transmitting the image unit itself from the server computer 10 to the client computer 20.

If it is determined in step 119 that the copy of the selected image unit (for example, tree b65) is free, the process skips to step 121.

When the user clicks the "write image" click button 54 with the mouse pointer on the menu screen 50, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 transmits the user ID read in step 102 The number is read (S124), and by referring to the data stored in the virtual area database 142, it is determined whether or not the user is a person who is permitted to write the image of the virtual area (S12).
5).

Main control unit 11 of server computer 10
Reads out data from the virtual area database 142 when it is determined that the user is a person who has been permitted to write to the image of the virtual area, and places the image 61 on the left side of the area as shown in FIG. The display section of the client computer 20 displays a virtual area 80 in which a stock column 81 in which the image to be written is stored and a click button 82 of "writing completed" is displayed on the right side of the area (S126).

The user confirms the image Y to be temporarily stocked and written in the stock column 81 by an operation such as copy and paste of an image created in advance by the software X (hereinafter referred to as “image Y”). Further, the image Y is moved to the image 61 by dragging and dropping.
To the desired position. If the user determines that writing has been completed in this state, he or she clicks the "writing completed" click button 82 with the mouse pointer. At this time, instead of having the user perform an operation such as drag and drop, the position information (address) of the image Y with respect to the image 61 may be separately input.

Main control unit 11 of server computer 10
Determines whether the click button 82 of “writing completed” is clicked on the client computer 20 (S127). If it is determined that the click button 82 is clicked, the image of the image Y written by the user is determined. The position of the image Y in the data and the image 61 is detected, and the image data of the image 61 in that virtual area stored in the virtual area database 142 is
The data of the image Y is recorded based on the position information (S128).

At this time, the image 61 in which the image Y is written is grasped as one image data, and the image data of the image 61 in the virtual area stored in the virtual area database 142 is overwritten. May be recorded.

Next, the main controller 11 of the server computer 10 accesses the mail server 15 and sends an e-mail to the owner of the virtual area (ABC) indicating that the image of the virtual area has been written. For example, "○
OO (the user who wrote the above) wrote the image. Is transmitted (S129). By transmitting such an e-mail, the owner of the virtual area can easily and quickly know that the image has been written.

In the above step 125, when the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 determines that the user who has clicked the "write image" click button 54 is not a person who is permitted to write the image in the virtual area. "ABC (owner of the virtual area)
Please send an e-mail requesting permission to write the image. E-mail address is ○○○○○○○○○ .so-
net.ne.jp. Is displayed on the display device of the client computer 20 (S130).

At this time, the server computer 10
The main control unit 11 may newly activate a mailer in the client computer 20 and use the mailer to send an e-mail to the owner of the virtual area.

When the user clicks the “chat” click button 55 with the mouse pointer on the menu screen 50, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10
2 is read out from the image 6 as shown in FIG.
1 is displayed in the left half of the area, and a chat column 91 for displaying the contents of the chat together with the handle name, a draft column 92 for drafting the utterance content, and transmitting the utterance content described in the draft column 92 are provided. The display area of the client computer 20 displays the virtual area 90 in which the comment button 93 is displayed in the right half of the area (S13).
1).

Main control unit 11 of server computer 10
Determines whether the comment button 93 of the virtual area 90 has been clicked on the client computer 20 with the mouse pointer (S132).

When the user operates the client computer 20
When a text having a predetermined content is input to the draft field 92 of the virtual area 90 from an input device such as a keyboard, and a comment button 93 is clicked with a mouse pointer, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 The data is read and recorded in the virtual area database 142, and at the same time, the text is displayed in the chat column 91 of the virtual area 90 together with the handle name of the user (S133).

At this time, the owner of the virtual area (AB
C) or a third party is ready to chat with the user, and the owner (Mr. ABC) or the third party of the virtual area can use the input device such as a keyboard of the client computer 20 to enter the virtual area 90. When a sentence having a predetermined content is input in the draft text box 92 and the comment button 93 is clicked with the mouse pointer, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 reads the character data of the sentence and records it in the virtual area database 142. Then, the sentence is displayed in the chat column 91 in chronological order together with the handle name of the user (S133).

Here, a chat system has been described as an example of a communication method using character information. However, a BBS (message exchange system) may be employed instead of the chat system, or a chat system and a BBS are provided side by side. You may.

On the menu screen 40 (FIG. 6),
When the user clicks the “create new virtual area” click button 42 with the mouse pointer (S108), the main control unit 1 of the server computer 10
1 creates a new virtual area data area in the virtual area database (S134) and causes the display device of the client computer 20 to display an image registration prompting screen 100 as shown in FIG. 12 (S13).
5).

As shown in FIG. 12, an image pasting column 101 for pasting an image to be registered in a newly created virtual area and the image are registered in the virtual area in the virtual area database 142 on the screen 100. Registration button 102 is included.

The user pastes an image created in advance by software X (hereinafter referred to as “image Z”) into image pasting column 101 by an operation such as copy and paste, and confirms image Z to be registered in the virtual area. I do. And
When determining that the image Z is to be registered in the virtual area, the user clicks the registration button 102 with the mouse pointer.

Main control unit 11 of server computer 10
Determines whether the registration button 102 has been clicked on the client computer 20 (S13).
6) If it is determined that the registration button 102 has been clicked, the image Z
Is read, and the image data of the image Z is recorded in the virtual area database 142 in association with the newly created virtual area (S137).

Next, the main controller 11 of the server computer 10 displays a virtual area (see FIG. 8) in which the image Z is displayed on the entire area on the display device of the client computer 20 (S138).

The main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 based on the ID number entered by the user on the initial screen
Determines that the member having the ID number is a member (B member) who does not have the software X (S
105), the main controller 11 of the server computer 10
A screen for specifying a virtual area that the user wants to enter is displayed on the display device of the client computer 20 (S13).
9). As such a screen, the same screen as that displayed in step 109 can be exemplified.

When a virtual area (for example, DEF's virtual area) that the user wants to enter is specified according to the above screen, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 reads the information specified by the user and specifies the virtual area. Then, the menu screen 110 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display device of the client computer 20 (S141). As shown in FIG. 13, on the menu screen 110, information for specifying a virtual area (here, “virtual area of DEF”) 111, a click button 112 for “viewing the virtual area” 112, and “copy image unit” A click button 113 of “do” and a click button 114 of “chat” are included.

Next, the main control unit 11 of the server computer 10 clicks the “view virtual area” click button 112, the “copy image unit” click button 113, or the “chat” button on the menu screen 110. It is determined whether the button 114 has been clicked on the client computer 20 with the mouse pointer (S142, S143, S14).
4).

On the menu screen 110, the user “appreciates the virtual area” with the mouse pointer.
If the user clicks the click button 113 of “copy image unit” with the mouse pointer when the click button 112 is clicked, the user If the user clicks the "chat" click button 114, the above step 1
Proceed to 31.

According to the virtual area providing system described above, when a certain person wants an image unit in an image included in a certain virtual area, a photo retouching
The image unit can be copied to the auxiliary storage device of the computer (client computer) of the person without taking the trouble of cutting out the image unit using software such as software. On the other hand, if the owner of the virtual area pays for copying an image unit in an image included in the virtual area, the virtual area owner makes a profit by copying the image unit. Obtainable. That is, according to the virtual area providing system, it is possible to easily perform a transaction for each image included in the image.

Further, since a third party can write another image to an image included in a certain virtual area, the owner of the virtual area and the third person who wrote the other image have a problem. Communication can be achieved via the written image, and the images included in the virtual area can be enhanced or changed. Further, in some cases, a chat can be performed in connection with the image, so that further communication can be achieved through character information.

The embodiments described above have been described to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but are not described to limit the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, the virtual area providing system according to the above embodiment chats with an image unit trading system for trading an image unit separated from an image, and an image writing system for writing another image for a predetermined image. And a chat system that does not include the chat system, or may include only one of the image-based transaction system and the image writing system.

Further, in the virtual area providing system according to the above embodiment, the image is included in the virtual area, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the virtual area becomes the image itself. May be used. In this case, the information 71 relating to the image unit and the chat column 91 can be displayed on the image, for example.

[0094]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a virtual area providing system capable of trading an image unit separated from an image or writing another image to a predetermined image. Using an information communication terminal, it is possible to easily trade an image unit in an image or write another image in a predetermined image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a virtual area providing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a server computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the server computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the server computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the server computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual area according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual area according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual area according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual area according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image registration screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Server computer 11 ... Main control part 12 ... Output control part 13 ... Input control part 14a, 14b, 14c ... Storage device 15 ... Mail server 20 ... Client computer 30 ... Bank computer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (reference) G06F 13/00 550 G06F 13/00 550C G06T 1/00 200 G06T 1/00 200E

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A system for providing a virtual area including an image to an information communication terminal via a wired and / or wireless communication line, wherein the virtual area includes one or more virtual areas and at least two or more image units. A virtual area database storing one or more images associated with the area and information data on image units in each of the images; a virtual area including the images; A virtual area including an image, comprising: means for outputting information relating to an image unit; and means for causing the information communication terminal to acquire an image unit separated from the image in response to a request from the information communication terminal. Delivery system. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein part or all of the image units in the image can be obtained, and the information on the image units stored in the virtual area database includes information as to whether each image unit can be obtained. And a member database storing identification information of members who are permitted to access the virtual area, based on identification information input from the information communication terminal or identification information of the information communication terminal. Determining means for determining whether or not the accessed user is the member; means for causing the information communication terminal to acquire an image unit separated from the image in response to a request from the information communication terminal; 2. The virtual area providing system including an image according to claim 1, further comprising means for charging a member having information. 3. The virtual area database stores data of the owner of each virtual area, and further, when a predetermined image unit is acquired, the owner of the virtual area including the image unit. 3. A virtual area providing system including an image according to claim 2, further comprising means for paying a predetermined amount according to the charged amount. 4. A means for causing the information communication terminal to acquire the image unit is a means for enabling the image unit to be stored in an auxiliary storage device of the information communication terminal by a user's copy operation. A virtual area providing system including the image described in any one of the above. 5. The virtual area providing system including an image according to claim 1, wherein the means for causing the information communication terminal to acquire the image unit is a means for transmitting the image unit to the information communication terminal. 6. A system for providing a virtual area including an image to an information communication terminal via a wired and / or wireless communication line, comprising: one or more virtual areas; and one or more virtual areas associated with the virtual areas. A virtual area database storing data of a plurality of images; a unit for outputting a virtual area including the image to an information communication terminal; and a image data input from the information communication terminal in a predetermined area in the virtual area database. Means for recording image data of the virtual area. A virtual area providing system including an image. 7. The virtual area database stores, for each virtual area, identification information of a member who is permitted to write another image for an image included in each virtual area, Determining means for determining whether a user who has accessed the virtual area from the information communication terminal is a member who is permitted to write another image with respect to an image included in the virtual area, If it is determined that the member is authorized to write another image with respect to the image included in the virtual area, the image data input from the information communication terminal operated by the user is stored in the virtual area database. 7. A virtual area providing system including an image according to claim 6, further comprising: means for recording image data of the virtual area in (a). . 8. The image is created by specific software, and further stores data indicating whether a member authorized to access the virtual area has the specific software. A member database, a determining means for determining whether or not the user accessed from the information communication terminal is the member, and a user having the software when the user is determined to be the member. Determining means for determining whether or not there is a user, and when determining that the user is a person who has the software, the image data input from the information communication terminal operated by the user is stored in a predetermined area in the virtual area database. And means for recording the image data in the virtual area of the virtual area. Rear providing system. 9. The virtual area database stores data of the owner of each virtual area, and further determines whether a user who has accessed the virtual area from an information communication terminal is the owner of the virtual area. Determining means for determining whether or not the user who has accessed the virtual area is the owner of the virtual area, the image data input from the information communication terminal operated by the user is stored in the virtual area database. And means for recording the image data of the virtual area in (1).
A virtual area providing system including the image according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. The image data input from the information communication terminal is image data in an image unit, and has position information for an image included in a virtual area, and the image unit is included in the position information. 10. A virtual area providing system including an image according to claim 6, wherein the information is written at a predetermined position in an image included in the virtual area. 11. The image is created by specific software, and further stores data indicating whether a member authorized to access the virtual area has the specific software. A member database, a determining means for determining whether or not the user accessed from the information communication terminal is the member, and a user having the software when the user is determined to be the member. Determining means for determining whether there is a virtual area; and determining that the user is a person having the software, in response to a request for creating a new virtual area from an information communication terminal operated by the user, 11. A means for creating a new virtual area data area in the area database. Virtual areas providing system including an image. 12. A means for recording character data input from an information communication terminal in a data area of a predetermined virtual area in the virtual area database; and inputting the character data input from the information communication terminal to the information communication terminal. A system for providing a virtual area including an image according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising means for outputting a character. 13. A data area of a predetermined virtual area in the virtual area database, wherein character data input from an information communication terminal operated by an owner of the virtual area and one or more characters other than the owner are stored. Character data input from an information communication terminal operated by a third party
Means for recording the data together with the data specifying the input person; and means for outputting, to the information communication terminal, characters input from the information communication terminal in chronological order together with the information specifying the character input person. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
2. A virtual area providing system including the image according to any one of 2. 14. A method for trading an image unit in an image using an information communication terminal connected to a wired and / or wireless communication line, wherein the user of the information communication terminal receives at least two or more images. Selecting one virtual area from one or more virtual areas including an image having an image unit; and reading the selected virtual area from a virtual area database storing data of the one or more virtual areas. Displaying, on the information communication terminal, information on an image unit in an image included in the virtual area in response to a request from the information communication terminal; and displaying the information on the information communication terminal. Causing the information communication terminal to acquire an image unit separated from the image in response to a request from Image unit trading method to be performed. 15. A method for trading an image unit in an image using an information communication terminal connected to a wired and / or wireless communication line, the method comprising reading identification information of a user who has accessed from the information communication terminal. And causing a user of the information communication terminal to select one virtual area from one or a plurality of virtual areas including images having at least two or more image units. Data is read from a virtual area database storing data of one or more virtual areas, displayed on the information communication terminal, and in response to a request from the information communication terminal, an image unit in an image included in the virtual area is displayed. Displaying on the information communication terminal the information on whether or not it can be acquired and the fee for acquisition for those that can be acquired; A step of causing the information communication terminal to acquire an image unit separated from the image in response to a request from the information communication terminal; and a step of charging a user having the identification information. Image unit trading method. 16. The image according to claim 15, further comprising a step of paying an amount corresponding to the charged amount to an owner of the virtual area including the acquired image unit. Unit trading method. 17. A method for writing another image on a predetermined image using an information communication terminal connected to a wired and / or wireless communication line, wherein at least two or more images are written to a user of the information communication terminal. Selecting one virtual area from one or a plurality of virtual areas including an image having an image unit, and selecting the selected virtual area from a virtual area database storing data of the one or more virtual areas. Reading and displaying the information on the information communication terminal; and recording the image data input from the information communication terminal on the image data of the selected virtual area in the virtual area database. Image writing method. 18. A method for writing another image on a predetermined image using an information communication terminal connected to a wired and / or wireless communication line, wherein at least two or more Selecting one virtual area from one or a plurality of virtual areas including an image having an image unit, and selecting the selected virtual area from a virtual area database storing data of the one or more virtual areas. Reading and displaying the information on the information communication terminal; and determining whether the user who has selected the virtual area is a member who is permitted to write another image for an image included in the virtual area. And the user who has selected the virtual area is authorized to write another image for the image included in the virtual area. Recording the image data input from the information communication terminal operated by the user as image data of the virtual area in the virtual area database when the user is determined to be a member. Image writing method. 19. When recording image data input from the information communication terminal in image data of a virtual area in the virtual area database, a user who accesses from the information communication terminal is a person having specific software. 19. The image writing method according to claim 17, further comprising a step of determining whether or not there is an image.