JP2003006213A - Image back up method and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image back up method and an image processing method which can carry out back up in order to efficiently utilize memory capacity in a recording means of a communication terminal at user's side and an image management server and also carry out image processing in high speed and high image quality. SOLUTION: In the image back up method, a personal computer 80 obtains a first file information recorded in own recording means 886 and a second file information recorded in the recording means 986 of the server 90 and compares them. If it is decided based on a result of comparison, that the main image newly recorded in the recording means 986 of the server 90 is not recorded in the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80, a scale-down image of the main image prepared at the server 90 is obtained from the server 90 and record it in the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image backup method and an image processing method, and more particularly to an image backup method and an image processing method for performing processing such as backup of images recorded between a communication terminal and an image management server. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of the Internet in recent years, a service for saving a user's image in a server on the Internet has been provided. Also, in the environment of users' Internet access, constant connection is becoming widespread, and even if a large amount of images are uploaded to the image storage service over a long period of time, the cost of communication and connection fees will not be a problem. ing. For these reasons, image storage servers that provide services for receiving and storing user images at various places on the Internet have become widespread.

[0003]

However, if an image once uploaded is subjected to image-related processing using an image storage server on the Internet, the entire image due to the slow communication speed between the terminals of the user will be lost. Due to the slow processing, there is a problem that the operability of image processing such as sending an image to another terminal is very poor. Therefore, an image storage server that provides a service for storing images on the Internet is often not just the original electronic album usage but a simple image storage.

Further, in a general image storage server, the capacity of the image to be stored is limited for each user. Therefore, the user deletes the image of lower priority level from the image storage server according to the limited capacity. It was necessary to perform maintenance processing frequently.

Further, the same image as the image recorded in the image storage server is often recorded in the communication terminal on the user side, resulting in wasteful use of the recording means.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and performs backup that efficiently uses the recording capacity of the communication terminal on the user side and the recording means of the image management server, and at the same time for high-speed image processing. An object of the present invention is to provide an image backup method and an image processing method capable of performing high-quality processing.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention according to claim 1 provides a first communication device such as a communication terminal which handles images on the user side and a user. Is a method of backing up an image between two devices including a second communication device such as an image storage server for recording the image of the image of the first image of the image recorded in its own recording means. A step of acquiring first file information such as a file name, and a transmitting and receiving means of the first communication device acquiring second file information such as a file name of an image recorded in the recording means of the second communication device And the information processing means of the first communication device compares the acquired first file information with the acquired second file information, and the result of the comparison is recorded in the recording means of the second communication device. The newly recorded main image is the first communication A step of acquiring a reduced image obtained by reducing the image size of the main image by the second communication device from the second communication device via the transmitting / receiving device when it is determined that the image is not recorded in the recording device of the container. Alternatively, a step of obtaining the main image from the second communication device via the transmitting / receiving means to obtain a reduced image in which the image size of the main image is reduced, and the reduced image in the recording means of the first communication device. And a recording step.

According to the present invention, in the image backup method, the first communication device obtains the first file information such as the file name of the image recorded in its own recording means, and A step in which the transmitting / receiving means of the communication device acquires second file information such as a file name of an image recorded in the recording means of the second communication device; and the information processing means of the first communication device acquires the second file information. 1 file information is compared with the acquired second file information, and as a result of the comparison, the main image newly recorded in the recording means of the second communication device is recorded in the recording means of the first communication device. When it is determined that the main image has not been recorded, a step of acquiring a reduced image in which the image size of the main image is reduced by the second communication device from the second communication device via the transmitting / receiving means, or the main image The second
And a step of recording the reduced image in the recording means of the first communication device, the step of obtaining the reduced image by reducing the image size of the main image acquired from the communication device of the first communication device. Therefore, it becomes possible to automatically carry out the backup of the image by efficiently utilizing the recording capacity of the recording means provided in the first communication device and the second communication device.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 2 is the image storage server for recording the image of the first communication device such as a communication terminal which handles the image on the user side and the image of the user. A method of backing up an image between a second communication device and a second communication device in which the capacity of the image to be recorded is limited, and the second communication device is recorded in its own recording means. The step of acquiring the recording capacity of the existing image file and the information processing means of the second communication device,
Comparing the limit capacity of the image recorded in its own recording means with the record capacity of the acquired image file, determining whether the record capacity is likely to exceed the limit capacity, and the result of the determination, When it is determined that the recording capacity is about to exceed the limit capacity, the transmitting / receiving unit of the second communication device transmits the image file recorded in the recording unit to the first communication device and the second communication device. And a step of creating a reduced image of the image file transmitted to the first communication device and recording the reduced image in the recording means instead of the transmitted image file.

According to the present invention, in the image backup method, the second communication device obtains the recording capacity of the image file recorded in its own recording means;
The information processing means of the communication device compares the limit capacity of the image recorded in its own recording means with the record capacity of the acquired image file, and judges whether the record capacity is likely to exceed the limit capacity. And, as a result of the determination, when it is determined that the recording capacity is about to exceed the limit capacity, the transmitting / receiving means of the second communication device transfers the image file recorded in the recording means to the first communication device. A step of transmitting and transmitting a reduced image of the image file transmitted to the first communication device by the information processing means of the second communication device and recording the reduced image in the recording means instead of the transmitted image file. Therefore, it becomes possible to automatically perform the backup of the image efficiently using the recording capacity of the recording means provided in the first communication device and the second communication device.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 3 is the image storage server for recording the image of the first communication device such as a communication terminal which handles the image on the user side and the image of the user. A method of using an image between two devices such as a second communication device, wherein the first communication device determines the file name of the image recorded in its recording means and the data capacity of the image. A step of acquiring the file information of 1;
A step in which the transmitting and receiving means of the first communication device obtains the file name of the image recorded in the recording means of the second communication device and the second file information of the data capacity of the image; A step of inputting information instructing processing such as image printing, processing, display, etc., and the information processing means of the first communication device described in the first file information and the second file information. Comparing the data capacities of the images of the file names of the designated images and acquiring the image file with the larger image data capacity from the recording means of the first communication device or the recording means of the second communication device. And a step of causing the information processing means of the first communication device to perform the instructed process on the image of the acquired image file.

According to the present invention, in the image processing method,
A step in which the first communication device acquires the first file information of the file name of the image recorded in its own recording means and the data capacity of the image; and the transmitting / receiving means of the first communication device makes the second communication A step of acquiring a second file information of a file name of an image and a data capacity of the image recorded in a recording means of the device; a first communication device printing and processing the image;
A step of inputting information for instructing processing such as display, and an information processing means of the first communication device for processing the image instructed to perform the processing described in the first file information and the second file information. Compare the data size of the image of the file name,
A step of acquiring an image file having a larger amount of image data from the recording means of the first communication device or the recording means of the second communication device; and the information processing means of the first communication device of the acquired image file. Since the step of executing the instructed process on the image is included, it is possible to perform the high-speed and high-quality process on the image.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of an image backup method and an image processing method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an image management system capable of performing image backup and image processing between a communication terminal and an image management server.

As shown in the figure, the image management system includes
A personal computer 80 (first or second communication device), which is a communication terminal that is operated by a user to perform image recording or image handling processing, and a user's image from the personal computer 80 to a communication network 20 such as the Internet. A server 90 that is an image management server that acquires and records the image via the communication network 20 while acquiring and recording the image via the communication network 20.
(Second or first communication device) are provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of a personal computer.

As shown in the figure, the information transmitting / receiving section of the personal computer 80 has a predetermined antenna for transmitting / receiving information to / from an antenna 856 used as a short-distance wireless communication means or a long-distance wireless network communication means. Transmitting / receiving information to / from another communication device (such as the server 90) via a transmission / reception unit 857 (including functions of a transmission unit and a reception unit) that converts data into a format and a public line 860 or a communication network such as a communication network Sending / receiving means 86 for public line for
5 (including the functions of the transmitting means and the receiving means) are provided.

Display means 868 for displaying information such as images and characters on the personal computer 80, and display control means 869 for outputting an image signal for display to the display means 868 based on a command from the information processing means. And the user inputs means 87
I / O 8 which reads various information input via 4 and transmits it to information processing means described later, or outputs a display command to a notification means such as an LED based on an instruction from the information processing means.
And 75 are provided.

The personal computer 80 has a recording medium 877.
A recording medium mounting portion 878 for removably mounting the recording medium and a recording medium interface 879 for recording and reading information such as image data with respect to the recording medium 877 are provided.

The personal computer 80 includes an information processing means (CPU) 880 for controlling the entire personal computer 80, a ROM for storing programs for operating the information processing means 880 and various constants, and an information processing means 880. A memory 881 including a RAM, which is a recording unit that serves as a work area when executing a process, various constants related to the process of the personal computer 80, a dial-up telephone number when connecting to a communication device on the network, and attribute information. , URL (Unif
Orm Resource Locators), addresses, site addresses, recording information 886 such as a hard disk for recording information such as connection information such as gateway information DNS (Domain Name System), and a calendar clock 890 that keeps time.

Information processing means 880 in the personal computer 80,
Peripheral circuits including the display control means 869, I / O 875, memory 881, recording means 886, calendar clock 890, etc. are connected by a bus 899, and the information processing means 880 can control each peripheral circuit. Has become.

In the above description, the personal computer 80 is used as the communication device, but a communication device such as a mobile phone, an electronic camera, or an electronic notebook can be used as long as it is a communication device equipped with a recording means, a communication means and the like. It may be.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of the server.

According to the figure, the information transmission / reception unit of the server 90 has a public line for transmitting / receiving information to / from other communication devices (such as a personal computer 80) via the public line 960 or the communication network 20 such as a communication network. Transmission / reception means 965 (including functions of transmission means and reception means) for the line are provided.

The server 90 also has a display unit 968 for displaying information such as images and characters for confirmation as necessary.
And a display control means 969 for outputting an image signal for display to the display means 968 based on a command from the information processing means.
I / I that various information input by the administrator through the input unit 974 is read and transmitted to the information processing unit described later, or a display command is output to a notification unit such as an LED based on an instruction from the information processing unit. O975 is provided.

Further, the server 90 includes an information processing means (CPU) 980 for controlling the entire server 90, a ROM for recording programs for operating the information processing means 980 and various constants, and an information processing means 980. A memory 981 including a RAM, which is a recording unit serving as a work area when executing a process, various constants related to the process of the server 90, own attribute information on the network, and a URL (Unif
orm Resource Locators), addresses, site addresses, recording information 986 such as a hard disk for recording information such as connection information such as gateway information DNS (Domain Name System), and a calendar clock 990 that keeps time.

The information processing means 980 in the server 90 and each peripheral circuit including the display control means 969, I / O 975, the memory 981, the recording means 986, the calendar clock 990, etc. are connected by a bus 999. The 980 can control each peripheral circuit.

The server 90 receives an image file from a communication device such as a personal computer 80 on the user side connected to the communication network and records the received image in the recording means 98.
6 and the image can be provided to the user via the communication network.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the directory "IMAGE001" of the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80, the main image "001.JPG" (file name "001.JP
G ”) and a reduced image with an image size of 20 kB“ 002.JPG
Is recorded. In the directory “IMAGE001” of the recording means 986 of the server 90, the personal computer 80
The same image as the main image “001.JPG” of 1 MB image size recorded in the recording unit 886 of the same, and the reduced image “001.JPG” of 20 kB image size and the recording unit 886 of the personal computer 80 are recorded. The same image as the reduced image "002.JPG" having an image size of 20 kB and the main image "002.JPG" having an image size of 1 MB are recorded.

Further, the main image “003.JPG” having a new image size of 1 MB, which has not been recorded in the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80, is recorded in the recording means of the server 90. The main image "003.JPG" is, for example, an image captured by a user on the go, and uploaded from a communication terminal such as an electronic camera.

The file names such as "001.JPG" recorded in the recording means 886 and the recording means 986 are recorded in association with the image and the information of the date when the image file was created and the image size of the image file. Has been done.

The user operates the personal computer 80 to operate the server 9
0, or when the user operates the personal computer 80 to start a communication connection with the server 90.
When an instruction is given to back up an image between two communication devices, the information processing means 880 of the personal computer 80 reads and obtains the first file information such as the file name of the image recorded in its own recording means 886. To do.

Next, the transmission / reception means 857 or 865 of the personal computer 80 (first communication device) outputs a file information transmission request to the server 90. Then the server 90
The information processing unit 980 of the (second communication device) performs a process of reading the second file information such as the file name of the image recorded in the recording unit 986 and transmitting it to the personal computer 80 via the transmitting / receiving unit 965. Then, the personal computer 80 obtains it via the transmitting / receiving means 857 or 865.

Next, the information processing means 880 of the personal computer 80
Compares the acquired first file information with the acquired second file information, and as a result of the comparison, the main image “003.
When it is determined that "JPG" is not recorded in the recording unit 886 of the personal computer 80, the information processing unit 880 sends the main image "00" to the server 90 via the transmitting / receiving unit 865 and the like.
Reduced image "003.JPG" that is a reduced image size of "3.JPG"
Output request.

In the server 90 which has received the transmission request for the reduced image “003.JPG” via the transmitting / receiving means 965, the information processing means 980 reduces the main image “003.JPG” by reducing, for example, the number of pixels and the gradation. An image “003.JPG” (thumbnail image or the like) is created and is transmitted to the personal computer 80 via the transmitting / receiving unit 965. The reduced image `` 003.
The "JPG" is received by the transmitting / receiving means 865 of the personal computer 80 and recorded in the directory "IMAGE001" of the recording means 886.

In the above embodiment, the main image "003.JPG" recorded in the server 90 is reduced to "003.JP".
In the embodiment described above, the main image “003.JPG” newly recorded in the recording means 986 of the server 90 is converted into the “G” and transmitted to the personal computer 80.
If it is determined that the main image “003.JP” has not been recorded in No. 6, the main image “003.JP
The transmission request of "G" itself may be output.

In the server 90 which has received the transmission request for the main image “003.JPG” via the transmission / reception means 965, the information processing means 980 reads the main image “003.JPG” from the recording means 986 and transmits / receives the transmission / reception means 965. Via the personal computer 80. The main image "003.JPG" is received by the transmission / reception unit 865 of the personal computer 80, and the information processing unit 880 reduces the number of pixels and the gradation of the reduced image "003.JPG".
To create a predetermined directory “IM” in the recording means 886.
AGE001 ”.

In the above embodiment, the personal computer 80 is used.
Although the example in which the image file is backed up according to the instruction from the above, the image file may be backed up regularly according to the instruction from the server 90. Further, in the above embodiment, the image file recorded in the recording means 986 of the server 90 is backed up in the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80, but the present invention is not limited to this. , The directory “IMAGE00” of the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80, for example.
New image file "006.JPG" recorded in 2 "
The directory "IMAGE0" of the recording means 986 of the server 90.
You may make a backup to "02".

As described above, the image file newly recorded by the recording means of the server 90 is backed up in the recording means of the personal computer 80 as a reduced image. Since the reduced image is transmitted to the personal computer 80, the backup process is completed quickly without taking time for communication. Further, since the backup image recorded in the recording means 886 is a reduced image, the recording capacity of the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80 is not extremely pressed.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention will be described below in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, a reduced image "007.JPG" having an image size of 20 kB and a reduced image "008.JPG" having an image size of 20 kB are stored in the directory "IMAGE003" of the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80. And a reduced image “009.JPG” having an image size of 20 kB are recorded. In addition, the directory “IMAGE003” of the recording means 986 of the server 90
The main image “007.JPG” having the same image size as the main image “007.JPG” having the image size of 20 kB recorded in the recording unit 886 of the personal computer 80 and the recording unit 886 of the personal computer 80. The same image as the reduced image “008.JPG” of 20 kB recorded in the main image “008.JPG” having an image size of 1 MB and the image size of 20 kB recorded in the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80. The reduced image "009.JPG" and the main image "009.JPG" having an image size of 1 MB are recorded. The recording unit 986 of the server 90 stores, for example, 20 MB for each user.
/ It is assumed that the image recording capacity of a person is limited.

The user operates the personal computer 80 to operate the server 9
0, or when the user operates the personal computer 80 to start a communication connection with the server 90.
When an image backup is instructed between two communication devices, the transmitting / receiving means 85 of the personal computer 80 (first communication device)
7 or 865 transmits information to that effect to the server 90.

Then, the information processing means 980 of the server 90 (second communication device) which has received the information via the transmitting / receiving means 965 causes the file name of the image uploaded by the user recorded in the recording means 986 ( For example, the image file "00" stored in the directory "IMAGE003"
7.JPG "," 008.JPG "," 009.JPG ") and the recording capacity of the image file are read and acquired.

Next, the information processing means 980 of the server 90
The limit capacity of the image to be recorded in the predetermined recording means 986 is compared with the total record capacity of the acquired image files to determine whether the record capacity is likely to exceed the limit capacity. If it is determined that the recording capacity is about to exceed the limit capacity, the server 90
The transmission / reception means 965 of the image file recorded in the recording means 986 (for example, the image files “007.JPG”, “008.JPG” stored in the directory “IMAGE003”,
"009.JPG") is read and transmitted to the personal computer 80.
The information processing means 880 of the personal computer 80, which has received the image file of this main image via the transmission / reception means 865, etc., stores the received image file in the directory “IM” of the recording means 868.
AGE003 ”is recorded. In addition, the image file “00” of the existing reduced image corresponding to the main image received and recorded
7. "JPG", "008.JPG" and "009.JPG" may be deleted.

Next, the information processing means 980 of the server 90
Image file of main image “007.JP” sent to PC 80
G "," 008.JPG "and" 009.JPG "reduced images are created and the recording means 98 is used instead of the transmitted image file.
6 (that is, delete the image files "007.JPG", "008.JPG", and "009.JPG" of the transmitted main image, and instead create the reduced image file "00".
7.JPG "," 008.JPG "and" 009.JPG "are recorded means 9
Record at 86).

In this way, the main image is transmitted to a device having a sufficient recording capacity, and a reduced image is created for the device having a limited recording capacity and backed up to record the limited recording capacity. Can be automatically and effectively maintained.

A detailed description will be given below of the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the directory "IMAGE004" of the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80, a reduced image "010.JPG" having an image size of 20 kB and a main image "011.JPG" having an image size of 1 MB are stored. A main image "012.JPG" having an image size of 1 MB is recorded.

In the directory "IMAGE004" of the recording means 986 of the server 90, the recording means 8 of the personal computer 80 is stored.
The main image "010.JPG" having the same image size as the main image "010.JPG" having the image size of 20 kB recorded on the 86 and the image of 1 MB recorded on the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80. The same image as the main image "011.JPG" of the size and the main image "011.JPG" of the same image size,
1MB recorded in the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80
20k with the same image as the main image "012.JPG" of the image size
The reduced image “012.JPG” of the image size of B is recorded.

When the user operates the personal computer 80 to input, through the input means 874, the image processing such as trimming and color tone conversion of the image, the image processing such as printing, and the use of the image such as copying. , Information processing means 880 of the personal computer 80
Reads and acquires the first file information such as the data capacity (including the image size) of the image recorded in the recording unit 886.

Next, the transmitting / receiving means 865 of the personal computer 80 (first communication device) outputs a file information transmission request to the server 90. Then, the information processing means 980 of the server 90 (second communication device) reads the second file information such as the data capacity of the image recorded in the recording means 986 and transmits it to the personal computer 80 via the transmitting / receiving means 965. The processing is performed, and the transmitting / receiving means 865 is executed in the PC 80.
Etc. receive the second file information.

Next, the information processing means 880 of the personal computer 80
Performs a process of investigating the recording capacity of the image file for which the user has given a processing instruction. For example, it is assumed that the user gives an instruction to print the image of the image file “010.JPG”. Then, the information processing means 880 has a data capacity of 20 k of the image of the image file “010.JPG” read from the recording means 886.
B and the image file “010.JPG acquired from the server 90.
The data capacity of the image of “” is compared with 1 MB. In this case, since the image file recorded in the recording means of the server 90 has a larger image data capacity and higher image quality,
When processing an image with high image quality, an instruction to transmit the image file “010.JPG” is transmitted to the server 90 via the transmitting / receiving means 865 and the like. The information processing means 980 of the server 90, which has received the instruction via the transmission / reception means 965, causes the directory “IMAGE00” of the recording means 986.
The image file “010.JPG” recorded in “4” is read out and transmitted to the personal computer 80 via the transmitting / receiving means 965.

The information processing means of the personal computer 80, which has received the transmitted image file via the transmission / reception means 865 or the like, carries out the print processing of the main image included in the received image file.

Also, for example, the user may select the image file "011.
Suppose you instructed to use the image of "JPG". Then, the information processing unit 880 compares the data capacity 1 MB of the image file “011.JPG” read from the recording unit 886 with the data capacity 1 MB of the image file “011.JPG” acquired from the server 90. . In this case, since the image file recorded in the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80 and the data capacity of the image recorded in the recording means 986 of the server 90 are the same, the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80 present nearby is the same. The image file "011.JPG" recorded in the directory "IMAGE004" is read and the image is used.

Further, for example, the user may select the image file "012.
Suppose you instructed to use the image of "JPG". Then, the information processing means 880 compares the data capacity 1 MB of the image file “012.JPG” read from the recording means 886 with the data capacity 20 kB of the image file “012.JPG” acquired from the server 90. . In this case, since the image file recorded in the recording means 886 of the personal computer 80 has a larger image data capacity and higher image quality, the recording means 88 of the personal computer 80 is used when the image is used.
The image file “012.JPG” recorded in the directory “IMAGE004” of No. 6 is read out, and the process of using the image is executed.

As described above, of the images recorded in the server 90 and the personal computer 80, it is possible to automatically read out a high-quality image having a large data capacity and use it at high speed.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the method of backing up an image, the first communication device uses the first file name or the like of the image recorded in its own recording means.
And a step of acquiring second file information such as a file name of an image recorded in the recording means of the second communication device by the transmitting / receiving means of the first communication device; The information processing means of the communication device compares the acquired first file information with the acquired second file information, and as a result of the comparison, the newly recorded main information is recorded in the recording means of the second communication device. When it is determined that the image is not recorded in the recording means of the first communication device, the second communication device transmits / receives a reduced image obtained by reducing the image size of the main image from the second communication device. Or a step of acquiring the main image from the second communication device via the transmitting / receiving means to obtain a reduced image in which the image size of the main image is reduced, and the reduced image And a step of recording in the recording means of the communication device Since to include, it is possible to carry out a backup of the first communication device and recording capacity efficiently image using a recording means provided in the second communication device automatically.

According to another aspect of the invention, in the image backup method, the second communication device obtains the recording capacity of the image file recorded in its own recording means, and the second communication. A step in which the information processing means of the device compares the limit capacity of the image recorded in its own recording means with the record capacity of the acquired image file to judge whether the record capacity is likely to exceed the limit capacity. Then, as a result of the judgment, when it is judged that the recording capacity is about to exceed the limit capacity, the transmitting / receiving means of the second communication device transmits the image file recorded in the recording means to the first communication device. At the same time, the information processing means of the second communication device creates a reduced image of the image file transmitted to the first communication device and records the reduced image in the recording means instead of the transmitted image file. , It is possible to carry out a backup of the first communication device and recording capacity efficiently image using a recording means provided in the second communication device automatically.

According to another aspect of the invention, in the image processing method, the first communication device includes the first file information of the file name of the image recorded in its own recording means and the data capacity of the image. And a step of acquiring the second file information of the file name of the image recorded in the recording means of the second communication device and the data capacity of the image by the transmitting / receiving means of the first communication device, A step in which the first communication device inputs information instructing processing such as image printing, processing, and display; and the information processing means of the first communication device sets the first file information and the second file information. The data capacities of the images having the file names of the images instructed to perform the processing described are compared, and the image file having the larger image data capacity is stored in the recording means of the first communication device or the second communication device. Obtained from recording means And the step of causing the information processing means of the first communication device to perform the instructed processing on the image of the acquired image file, so that high-speed and high-quality processing can be performed on the image. It becomes possible to carry out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image management system that performs image backup and image processing.

[Figure 2] Block diagram of the signal processing system of a personal computer

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of a server.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 ... communication network, 80 ... personal computer, 90 ... server, 856
... antenna, 857 ... transmission / reception means, 859 ... communication connector, 860 ... public line, 865 ... transmission / reception means, 868 ...
Display means, 869 ... Display control means, 874 ... Input means,
875 ... I / O, 877 ... Recording medium, 878 ... Recording medium mounting portion, 879 ... Recording medium interface, 880 ...
Information processing means, 881 ... Memory, 886 ... Recording means, 8
90 ... Calendar clock, 899 ... Bus, 960 ... Public line, 965 ... Transceiver, 968 ... Display, 969 ...
Display control means, 974 ... Input means, 975 ... I / O, 9
80 ... Information processing means, 981 ... Memory, 986 ... Recording means, 990 ... Calendar clock, 999 ... Bus

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/00 107 H04N 1/00 107Z 1/393 1/393 F term (reference) 5B050 BA06 BA10 CA05 EA12 GA07 GA08 5B057 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CC01 CD05 5B075 ND06 NR02 PQ02 PQ48 5C062 AA02 AA13 AA29 AB38 AB42 AC21 AC41 AF11 BA04 5C076 AA22 BB06

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Two devices, a first communication device such as a communication terminal that handles images on the user side and a second communication device such as an image storage server that records the image of the user. A method of backing up images between the first communication device, the first communication device acquiring first file information such as a file name of the image recorded in its own recording means, and a transmitting / receiving means of the first communication device. A step of acquiring second file information such as a file name of an image recorded in the recording means of the second communication device; and the information processing means of the first communication device, the acquired first file Information is compared with the acquired second file information, and as a result of the comparison, the main image newly recorded in the recording means of the second communication device is recorded in the recording means of the first communication device. If it is determined that it is not, the second communication The second reduced image obtained by reducing the image size of the main image by the device
Acquiring the main image from the second communication device via the transmitting and receiving means to obtain a reduced image in which the image size of the main image is reduced, And a step of recording the reduced image in a recording unit of the first communication device. 2. A first communication device, which is a communication terminal that handles images on the user side, and an image storage server, which stores the images of the users, and the amount of recorded images is limited. A method for backing up an image between two devices including a second communication device, the second communication device acquiring a recording capacity of an image file recorded in its recording means, The information processing means of the second communication device compares the limit capacity of the image recorded in the recording means with the record capacity of the acquired image file, and determines whether the record capacity is likely to exceed the limit capacity. Steps and, as a result of the judgment, when it is judged that the recording capacity is about to exceed the limit capacity, the transmitting / receiving means of the second communication device transfers the image file recorded in the recording means to the first communication device. Along with sending The information processing means of the second communication device creates a reduced image of the image file transmitted to the first communication device and records the reduced image in the recording means instead of the transmitted image file. How to backup images. 3. Two devices, a first communication device such as a communication terminal that handles images on the user side and a second communication device such as an image storage server that records the image of the user. A method of using an image between the first communication device, the first communication device acquiring first file information of a file name of an image recorded in its own recording means and data capacity of the image; A step of transmitting and receiving means of the communication device to obtain second file information of a file name of an image and a data capacity of the image recorded in the recording means of the second communication device; The process of inputting information instructing processing such as printing, processing, and displaying, and the information processing means of the first communication device are described in the first file information and the second file information. The file name of the image Comparing the data capacities of the first communication device and the image file having the larger image data size from the recording means of the first communication device or the recording means of the second communication device, and the information processing of the first communication device. An image processing method comprising: a means for performing the instructed process on the image of the acquired image file.