JP2002142211A - Applied photographing system operating on web and its processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an applied photographing system which operates on a Web and is capable of easily obtaining a picture of optional size independently of location and time without imposing any limitation on a frame image and its processing system. SOLUTION: An applied photographing system has a function in which a camera 2 is linked to an electronic apparatus 1 where a Web browser operates, the electronic apparatus 1 is connected to the applied photographing system 5 through an internet communication network 3, and a frame picture database 6a and a photographed image information database 6b are provided to a WWW server 5a arranged inside the applied photographing system 5, so that a user selects a favorite frame picture out of the frame picture database 6a and takes pictures by the use of the camera 2, the photographed pictures are stored in the photographed picture information database 6b, and the user is capable of obtaining various picture services on the basis of the stored photographed pictures.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photo sticker for photographing a person and providing the customer with a photo sticker as a product, a picture post card producing system using a picture postcard as a product, and a business card (name card). Business card production system that operates on the Web, such as a business card creation system that uses a photo as a product, a commemorative photo creation system that uses a commemorative photo as a product, a certification photo creation system that uses various identification photos as a product, and its processing system. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photo sticker vending machine systems, vending machine systems for creating picture postcards, vending machine systems for creating business cards with photos, vending machine systems for creating commemorative photos, vending machine systems for creating various identification photos, etc., which have been used by many users. The applied system is a dedicated system in which peripheral devices such as a camera and a printer are connected to information processing equipment such as a computer. The vending machine system for creating ID photos and the business card with photos are installed in major stations and streets, and photo stickers are installed. Vending machine systems, picture postcard creation vending machine systems, and commemorative photo creation vending machine systems are mainly installed in game centers, downtown areas, facilities in sightseeing spots, and the like.

Recently, as a photographing application system that can be connected to the Internet, personal computers, mobile phones,
A means is used in which images taken by an electronic camera are sent to an electronic device such as an electronic organizer on which a Web browser operates, and these images are sent to a server site by connecting to the Internet and transmitted.

[0004]

However, the photographing application system is a dedicated system in which peripheral devices such as a camera and a printer are connected to an information processing device such as a computer, and a system other than such a specific dedicated system. Does not work, there is a restriction on the place and time available to the user, and images other than those within a limited frame cannot be obtained, and the user can obtain a photo of the size desired by the user. There is a problem that it cannot be easily obtained.

[0005] For example, the photo sticker, a postcard with a photo,
Users who need photo business cards, commemorative photos and various ID photos must go directly to the place where a dedicated system that matches the purpose of each photo shoot is installed,
In addition, since the capacity of the hard disk auxiliary storage device mounted on these dedicated systems is limited, the number of frame images cannot be increased without limit. For this reason, since the user has selected a favorite one from a small number of frame images, the obtained photograph is only an image contained in a preset frame, and an image of a frame desired to be obtained is obtained. Is not obtained.

Further, since the photographing application system installed in a game center or a facility at a sightseeing spot operates almost standalone, only a limited one-frame image can be obtained. In response to the above, a photographing application system installed in a game center or the like is a CD-RO.
Although a frame image is updated at a timing of about once every three months using a medium such as M, it is not possible to sufficiently satisfy the wide-ranging demands of users that frequently occur.

[0007] In addition, even if a means for transmitting the photographed image to an electronic device such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, an electronic organizer or the like running a Web browser and connecting to the Internet and transmitting the image from a server site is used, the user can use it. There is a drawback in that it is not possible to easily clear the constraints on the location, time and frame size, and that the user cannot enjoy the services of various photographing application systems anytime and anywhere. Particularly in today's highly information-oriented society where various electronic devices are interconnected via the Internet, the above-mentioned conventional photography application system does not operate in a system other than a specific dedicated system, and the available location and time are not available. The limitation of the frame image due to the above limitations is a great difficulty in expanding the use of the user.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems,
A camera is connected to an electronic device on which a Web browser operates, and the electronic device and the photographing application system are connected by an Internet communication network, so that there are no restrictions on available places or time and frame images are limited. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographing application system that operates on the Web and a processing system thereof that can easily obtain a photograph of a size desired by a user without acquiring the photograph.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a camera is connected to an electronic device on which a Web browser operates, and the electronic device and a photographing application system are connected by an Internet communication network. By disposing a frame image database and a photographed image information database on a WWW server arranged in the photographing application system, a user can select a desired frame image from the frame image database and connect a camera connected to the electronic device. On the Web, a photograph is taken using the camera, the photographed image is stored in a photographed image information database via the Internet, and the user enjoys providing various image services based on the stored photographed image. The basic means is a working photography application system.

[0010] The electronic device is connected to the operation proxy server and the photographing application system by an Internet communication network, and the electronic device is provided with means for communicating with an operator of the operation proxy server, and the electronic device is connected via the communication means. An operator performs a proxy operation of a Web browser of the electronic device on the user side based on a user's instruction, so that the user can enjoy providing various image services based on the above-described operation mode.

As the electronic device on which the Web browser operates, a game dedicated machine, a convenience store dedicated terminal, a photographing terminal of each home, a game machine, and a mobile phone are used. The services of the photography application system include the provision of various photo stickers, picture postcards, photo business cards, commemorative photos, and various identification photos.

Further, the user sets an electronic device on which a Web browser is installed and a camera, connects to the Internet, and operates the Web to operate various types of photo stickers, postcards with photos, business cards with photos, etc. from the photographing application system. , A photographic application vending machine that provides paid services for commemorative photos and various ID photos. Preload or execute some or all of the resources such as screen images, frame images, audio, and moving images using the vending machine using the photography, in an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk connected to the vending machine in advance. By caching in the auxiliary storage device during use, it can be used even on a low-speed communication path.

Further, the user selects a desired frame image from the frame image database, takes a photograph using a camera connected to the electronic device, and stores the photographed image in the photographed image information database via the Internet. Image printing service, image processing service, mobile phone standby image creation / distribution service, New Year's card creation / printing / distribution service, image exchange service by e-mail, image storage in album, etc. based on stored captured images Provided is a photography processing system that operates on the Web so as to enjoy the provision of various supplementary services.

According to the photographing application system and the processing system operating on the Web, when the user desires to obtain a photo sticker, a picture postcard, and other products, the user's electronic device is activated. Connect to the Internet, call up the photographing application system using Web browser software, select the desired frame image from the frame image database provided on the WWW server, and take a photograph using the camera connected to the electronic device. Do. The photographed images are available on the WWW via the Internet.
Since the images are stored in the photographed image information database provided in the server, various image services can be provided based on the photographed images.

[0015] Examples of paid services include services for creating photo stickers, postcards with photos, business cards with photos, commemorative photos, various identification photos, etc., image storage services, image printing services, image processing services, mobile phone standby images. There are creation / distribution services, New Year's card creation / printing / distribution services, and various other ancillary services. This paid service allows the user to extract and use the captured image information even from an electronic device to which the camera is not connected after the image captured by the user is stored in the captured image information database of the WWW server.

Since the frame image selected by the user exists in the frame image database of the photographing application system, the capacity of the auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk is almost unlimited, and many genres of genres are selected according to the user's preference. Updates and short-term updates are possible by providing frame images and being centrally managed at the server site, so that new image services can be provided frequently.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a photographing application system operating on the Web and a processing system thereof according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, if there is an electronic device on which an Internet Web browser operates and a camera that can be connected to the electronic device, the user can use the Internet communication network to provide services of various photographing application systems without restriction on location and time. It is a great feature to be able to enjoy The services of the photography application system refer to the provision of various photo stickers, postcards with photos, business cards with photos, commemorative photos, and various identification photos. Electronic devices on which a Web browser operates include a personal computer, a mobile phone, an electronic organizer, a game machine, and a Web television.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a photographing application system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a user-side electronic device equipped with a Web browser; It is a linked camera. As a photographing system constituting the electronic device 1, there are a game dedicated machine 1a, a convenience store dedicated terminal 1b, a shooting terminal (including a personal computer) 1c of each home, a game machine 1d, and a mobile phone 1e.
A camera 2 is connected to each photographing system.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an operation proxy center, which has a function of proxying user operations on the Web. In the service center 4a of the operation agent center 4, an operation agent server 4b connected to the Internet such as a personal computer is provided, and an operator 4c is resident. Reference numeral 5 denotes a photographing application system. A WWW server 5a arranged in the photographing application system 5 is provided with a frame image database 6a including a hard disk auxiliary storage device and the like and a photographed image information database 6b. It is possible to connect to the outside via.

Reference numeral 3 denotes the Internet as a communication network. Each electronic device 1 on the user side is connected to the Internet communication network 3 via a telephone line, a dedicated line or wireless communication. An operation proxy server 4b in the service center 4a of the proxy center 4 and a WWW server 5 of the photographing application system 5.
a.

In the operation proxy center 4, the operator 4c uses the operation proxy server 4b to perform operations on the Web screen of a user unfamiliar with the operation of the electronic device 1, and receives various paid services that the user desires to acquire. The main purpose is to perform the operations described above, and the operation proxy center 4 may be omitted in the case where the user operates the Web browser and receives various paid services.

According to the configuration of the present invention, when the user wants to obtain a photo sticker, a postcard with a photo, a business card with a photo, a commemorative photo, various identification photos, etc. by using the photography application system 5, First, the user's electronic device 1 is started to connect to the Internet communication network 3, and then the Web
Using the browser software, the photographing application system 5 is called, a desired frame image is selected from the frame image database 6a provided in the WWW server 5a, and the camera 2 connected to the electronic device 1 on the user side is selected. Take photos using The frame image is a foreground screen, a background screen, a template, and the like, which are the bases of photographing.

The photographed image is transmitted to the W of the photographing application system 5 via the Internet communication network 3 as a communication network.
The photographed image information database 6b provided in the WW server 5a is stored together with the photographer's personal information, and various image services can be provided based on the photographed images. The image service is provided by a game dedicated machine 1a and a convenience store dedicated terminal 1 that constitute the electronic device 1 on the user side.
b. By making service requests 7, 7 from the photographing terminal 1c and the game machine 1d or the mobile phone 1e of each home via the Internet communication network 3, personal photographed image information is extracted from the photographed image information database 6b, and Various pay services 8, 8 can be received via the communication network 3.

Examples of the paid services 8, 8 include the photo sticker, picture postcard, photo business card, commemorative photo,
In addition to various ID photo creation services, there are an image storage service, an image printing service, an image processing service, a mobile phone standby image creation / distribution service, a New Year's card creation / printing / distribution service, and the like. Furthermore, using the Internet communication network 3, image exchange by e-mail, image storage in albums, receiving various auxiliary services such as a diary of a trip, storage of moving images taken by the camera 2 in addition to a normal photo sticker, image Distribution and printing of moving images, mug plates with pictures using images and moving images, wedding commemorative plates, and CDs and DVs that record multimedia information such as images, moving images, and audio
Ancillary services such as creation of D can be received.

After the images photographed by the user using the camera 2 are stored in the photographed image information database 6b of the WWW server 5a, the paid services 8, 8 are transmitted from the electronic device 1 to which the camera 2 is not connected. However, the photographed image information can be extracted and used. In addition, since the user only has to pay for the fee during the period or the number of times the paid service is used, the financial management is rational.

The frame image selected by the user is
Frame image database 6 of photography application system 5
a, the capacity of the auxiliary storage device such as the hard disk of the frame image database 6a is almost unlimited, and it is possible to provide frame images of many genres according to the user's preference. Further, since frame images are centrally managed at the server site, updating and maintenance are easy, and updating is possible in a short period of time, so that new image services can be frequently provided at low cost.

Next, an example of providing an image service using the operation agency center 4 will be described. As described above, the user activates the electronic device 1 to connect to the Internet communication network 3, calls the operator 4 c resident in the service center 4 a of the operation agency center 4, performs voice or text conversation, and performs Internet communication. It is assumed that the operator 4c can perform the proxy operation of the electronic device 1 via the network 3. Then, the user gives the operator 4c an Internet TV.
By giving necessary instructions such as the content of a photograph desired to be obtained by a communication means such as the above, the operator 4c substitutes the operation of the user's Web screen by the operation proxy server 4b provided in the operation proxy center 4. It is possible to perform operations until the user receives various paid services 8, 8 that the user desires to acquire. Therefore, it becomes possible for the operator 4c to provide a service as an exclusive photographer of each user.

The user's electronic device 1 on which the Web browser is mounted and the camera 2 are set and connected to the Internet communication network 3, and various types of photo sticker vending machines for different purposes are provided.
Picture postcard vending machine, photo business card vending machine,
It is also possible to use a commemorative photo vending machine and a vending machine for applying various types of ID photos. Any type of vending machine can be connected to the photographing application system 5 by operating on the Web and receive various desired pay services. By linking the vending machine with the electronic payment system on the Internet, the user can use the vending machine without inserting coins and using personal authentication information without cash.

In the case of a vending machine for photography application, the We
b) In some cases, the operation may not be possible due to low speed due to the bandwidth of the communication path of the Internet when operating on the vending machine. By preloading the data in an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk connected to the Internet or by caching the data in the auxiliary storage device during execution, the data can be used even at a low speed on the communication path of the Internet.

FIGS. 2 to 21 are screen image diagrams of a photographing system that operates on the Web according to the present invention. In this example, a case in which a user posts a photograph taken after receiving a desired image service to a magazine is described. Explain. That is, FIG. 2 is an example of the initial screen 11, and taking a photograph sticker as an example, first, when the user accesses the initial screen 11, a shooting type selection screen 12 is displayed on the Web screen as shown in FIG. Is done. When the user clicks and selects a desired shooting type from the shooting type selection screen 12, a frame selection screen 13 shown in FIG.
Is displayed.

The frame images are centrally managed in the frame image database 6a of the WWW server 5a.
A desired frame image can be selected from a large number of images. When this frame image is selected, the photographing screen 14 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and photographing is performed a specified number of times, in the illustrated example, three times. Then, a captured image selection screen 15 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and a nice shot is selected from the three captured images.

Next, the graffiti shown in FIG.
When the color change selection screen 16 is displayed, determine whether to paint or change the color mode and click Next. When the graffiti is selected in FIG. 7, the graffiti screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. When the color change is selected in FIG. 7, the color change screen 18 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and the color is changed to a desired color such as sepia, black and white, and the process ends.

Next, a print layout selection screen 19 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the Web screen. The user selects a screen of a print size required by the user from a large number of selection screens. Then, a print layout confirmation screen 20 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed, and after confirmation, click Next. Then, FIG.
The image server transmission selection screen 21 shown in FIG.

The image server transmission selection screen 21 is a screen for selecting whether or not the photographed picture is immediately viewed by the electronic device 1 such as a mobile phone, and clicks either to select or not to select.

Next, a password input screen 22 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the Web screen. Enter a password registered in advance and click OK. FIG. 14 shows a magazine posting selection screen 23 for selecting whether or not to post a photographed photo to a magazine. When "Submit" is selected, the nickname input screen 24 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. Click on the listed kana characters and enter the nickname. Next, since an age input screen 25 shown in FIG. 16 is displayed, an age is input, and a telephone number is input from a telephone number input screen 26 shown in FIG. Further, the real name input screen 27 shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. Enter the real name, confirm the registered contents on the registered contents confirmation screen 28 shown in FIG. 19, and click OK.

Then, a magazine posting confirmation screen 29 shown in FIG. 20 is displayed on the Web screen, and it is determined whether the final posting is appropriate or not, and OK or NO is selected, and the end screen 30 of FIG. 21 is selected.
Is displayed and the operation ends.

As described above, according to the present invention, the photographing type, frame selection, photographed image selection, graffiti / color change selection, print layout selection and confirmation required by the user on the Web screen can be easily performed. Processing such as selecting image server transmission and posting to a magazine as needed can be performed.

[0038]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, an electronic device on which an Internet Web browser operates, and a dedicated system that meets the purpose of photographing with only a camera connected to the electronic device are provided. Since the user does not have to go directly to the installed location, there is no restriction on the location and time, and the convenience in receiving a photo sticker or other photo service is enhanced, which is very convenient. Furthermore, since the capacity of the hard disk auxiliary storage device of the server site is not limited, it is possible to increase the number of frame images without limitation, and it is possible to easily obtain a photograph of a size desired by the user.

In particular, as the electronic device on the user side, in addition to a personal computer, a mobile phone, and an Internet terminal device equipped with a Web browser, Internet terminal devices arranged in convenience stores, specialty shops, and the like can be used. Since the service can be enjoyed anywhere, regardless of the service, the products and services to be handled by the photographing application system on the Web can be expanded.

In addition, by installing the conventional vending machine installed in a game center or various tourist facilities instead of a conventional vending machine, it normally operates stand-alone and can obtain only a limited one-frame image. According to the vending machine system of the present invention, there is no restriction on the size or number of frames, the frame images can be freely selected according to the user's preference, and the capacity of the auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk. Is also unlimited, so that frame images of many genres can be provided. Furthermore, since the frame images are centrally managed on the server site, updates and short-term updates are possible, and by providing new image services frequently, users can enjoy the game more, and the number of customers increases and the game increases. It is possible to increase the profit of the establishments such as the center.

Furthermore, the user's electronic device is connected to the operation proxy server of the operation proxy center via the Internet, and the electronic device is provided with means for communicating with the operator of the operation proxy server. It is possible to perform operations until receiving various paid services that the user wants to acquire on the Web without operating the browser, so that even customers who are not good at operating personal computers can use without any problems. It will be able to cope with the aging society in the future and be suitable for everyone, and can greatly contribute to expanding the use of the Internet.

The operator of the operation agency center can be located anywhere as long as it is in an environment that can be connected to the Internet. Therefore, it is possible to recruit personnel who can work at home who are familiar with the operation contents of the photographing application system. In addition to reducing labor costs, it is possible to reduce the cost of managing the photographing application system, and it is not necessary to gather operators in a place where users concentrate, and to operate photographing at a sightseeing spot from a remote place. It is possible to use business forms such as those described above, thereby promoting the activation of local industries.

In the conventional vending machine, the user must insert a coin to operate the vending machine. In the case of the present invention, the vending machine uses personal authentication information by interlocking with an electronic payment system on the Internet. Since it can be used cashlessly, there is no need for the installing store to collect coins, and the operating cost can be reduced. Along with this, the parts of the vending machine for photographing application can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the vending machine can be reduced.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a camera can be connected to an electronic device on which a Web browser operates, and the electronic device and the photographing application system can be connected to each other by an Internet communication network, thereby providing a location that can be used by a user. Provided at low cost is a photographing application system operating on the Web and a processing system thereof that can easily obtain a photograph of a size desired by a user without limitation in time and without limitation of a frame image. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a photographing application system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an image diagram of an initial screen on the Web of the photographing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an image diagram of a shooting type selection screen on the Web.

FIG. 4 is an image diagram of the frame selection screen.

FIG. 5 is an image diagram of the shooting screen.

FIG. 6 is an image diagram of the photographed image selection screen.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram of the same graffiti / color change selection screen.

FIG. 8 is an image diagram of the graffiti screen.

FIG. 9 is an image diagram of the same color changing screen.

FIG. 10 is an image diagram of the print layout selection screen.

FIG. 11 is an image diagram of the print layout confirmation screen.

FIG. 12 is an image view of the image server transmission selection screen.

FIG. 13 is an image diagram of the password input screen.

FIG. 14 is an image diagram of the magazine posting selection screen.

FIG. 15 is a nickname input screen image diagram.

FIG. 16 is an image diagram of the same age input screen.

FIG. 17 is an image diagram of the telephone number input screen.

FIG. 18 is an image diagram of the same real name input screen.

FIG. 19 is an image diagram of a registration content confirmation screen.

FIG. 20 is an image diagram of the magazine posting confirmation screen.

FIG. 21 is an image diagram of the end screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic device (on the user side) 2 ... Camera 3 ... Internet communication network 4 ... Operation agency center 4a ... Service center 4b ... Operation agency server 4c ... Operator 5 ... Photographing application system 6a ... Frame image database 6b ... Photographed image Information database reference number P3202

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C052 AA01 AA11 DD04 FA03 FA08 5C064 BA04 BB01 BB05 BC04 BC10 BC18 BC20 BC23 BD01 BD02 BD08

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A camera is connected to an electronic device on which a Web browser operates, and the electronic device is connected to a photographing application system via an Internet communication network. A frame is transmitted to a WWW server arranged in the photographing application system. By deploying the image database and the captured image information database, the user can select a desired frame image from the frame image database, take a photograph using a camera connected to the electronic device, and transfer the captured image via the Internet. A photographing application system that operates on the Web, wherein the photographing image information database is stored in a photographing image information database, and a user enjoys providing various image services based on the stored photographed images. 2. A camera is connected to an electronic device on which a Web browser operates, and the electronic device is connected to an operation proxy server and a photographing application system via an Internet communication network. A contact means with the operator is provided, and the operator operates the Web browser of the electronic device on the user's side on behalf of the user based on the instruction of the user through the contact means, and is provided on the WWW server of the photographing application system. The user selects a favorite frame image from the frame image database, and stores the image captured by the camera connected to the electronic device in the captured image information database via the Internet,
A user characterized in that the user enjoys providing various image services based on the stored captured images.
b. A photography application system operating on b. 3. The electronic device on which the Web browser operates includes a dedicated game machine, a dedicated convenience store terminal, a shooting terminal of each home, a game machine, and a mobile phone. A photography application system that operates on the Web. 4. The services of the photography application system include various photo stickers, postcards with photos, business cards with photos,
3. The photographing application system operating on the Web according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the photographing application system provides a commemorative photograph and various identification photographs. 5. An electronic device on the user side equipped with a Web browser and a camera are connected to the Internet, and various types of photo stickers, postcards with photos, and photos are provided according to the purpose from the photographing application system by operating on the Web. We are a photography application vending machine that provides paid services for business cards, commemorative photos, and various ID photos.
b. A photography application system operating on b. 6. Preloading a part or all of resources such as a screen image, a frame image, a sound, and a moving image using a photographing application vending machine into an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk connected to the vending machine in advance. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the data is cached in the auxiliary storage device during execution so that the data can be used even on a low-speed communication path.
4. A photographing application system that operates on the Web according to 4. 7. A camera is connected to an electronic device on which a Web browser operates, and the electronic device is connected to a photographing application system via an Internet communication network. A frame is transmitted to a WWW server arranged in the photographing application system. By deploying the image database and the captured image information database, the user can select a desired frame image from the frame image database, take a photograph using a camera connected to the electronic device, and transfer the captured image via the Internet. Image printing service, image processing service, mobile phone standby image creation / distribution service, New Year's card creation / printing / distribution service, image exchange by e-mail based on the stored captured images Enjoy the provision of various ancillary services, such as services and image storage in albums A photographing processing system that operates on the Web.